8 BBY
The confirmation of the affair didn't really come the way anyone might have expected. Her father never said the words to her, nor did her uncle, nor her mother. But she knew. And she knew it was with when she no longer interfaced with his aide de camp, Natasi Daala. Now, her father made sure to interface with her directly. But she continued to ignore him except when it was absolutely necessary for them to speak. Her mother had assured her that it was over, and that the woman had been relocated, but Maia didn't care to know if any of that were true, nor did she think it really changed anything. She had no idea why her father would do something like that. They were distant, by her choice, in a way they hadn't been since she was a teenager.
And just as he had when she was a teenager, her father did his best to pretend nothing was wrong, sending her daily messages to check on Kira and the new pregnancy, and sending even more gifts for the youngling.
She didn't respond until his new aide de camp reached out, at which point she responded to him, instructing him to send all communications through her chief of staff Lunette.
She was not surprised that her father showed up at her office unannounced after a few weeks of this, but she was somewhat surprised that it had taken so long. Lunette looked apologetically from behind him, but Maia wasn't angry with her. When her father was determined to do something, there was no stopping him.
"Can I help you, Admiral," Maia asked.
"Mai," her father said, closing the door. "You haven't answered my messages. I only know that you four are all right because of my daily briefings. I've missed our conversations."
"That's really sad," Maia said. "I guess it's the collateral damage from ruining your family. It turns out your doctrine doesn't work on blood relatives."
"You're angry. I understand," her father said.
"I'm not angry," she said. "I'm fine."
"Does it make you feel better to say that?" He sized her up, appraising the tactic he would use to carry the conversation forward like she was a fleet of vessels to contain but not destroy. If only he had a Cruiser for emotional warfare.
"Does it make you feel better to lie when you know full well mum still knows you're sleeping around?"
"If I were lying, it would not make me feel better, no," he said. "But when presented with what a hypocrite I've been, I had no choice but to promote Admiral Daala away from my advances. You know the respect I have for women in the armed forces."
"You're disgusting," she said.
"It was wrong. I should never have done that to your mother." Wilhuff sighed, looking at his daughter with a serious look. "It won't happen again."
He realized she wasn't even looking back at him, but rather looking and scrolling among the same three devices she had been when he had come inside.
"Mai? What's so important you can't talk to your father?"
"I don't want to talk to you, and I don't want you to call me that."
"Tough. I am your father."
"I'm aware. I look just like you."
"And you act like me. More than you think, Mai." He shook his head. "I always supported you, you wanted to go to college off world, it happened. I know that this is hard to take. But you have to grin and bear it. For our family and for the empire. For your family."
"I'm twenty eight years old, and I'm not going along with this crap."
"This isn't crap, Maia. I've ended it. It's time to make amends and move forward."
"That's between you and my mum."
"Agreed. But you're making it about yourself."
"I'm actually doing my best to completely avoid it, while my father traversed across the galaxy to insist I see things his way. You're not the maligned party here."
"You're pouting and carrying on, but the family needs to heal. That's final. And I'm here to see my granddaughter."
"Well that sure does suck, because you're not kriffing seeing Kira."
He shook his head, frowning deeply. "I came all this way and you won't let me see her?"
"I absolutely will not. That's not the sort of influence my youngling needs."
"And you are afraid she'll, what, have trouble in her relationships throughout her life? As if cutting her off from her grandfather wouldn't do that."
"I'm actually not thinking at all about my two year old's future romantic relationships."
"You're the one who added romantic," her father said.
"I'm not playing this game with you."
"I'm not the one playing games. I understand you're upset."
"I'm not upset. I'm fine."
"You're keeping me from my granddaughter because you're not upset. Thank you for clarifying, sweetheart."
"Don't talk to me like that."
"It's fine you're upset, but you're not the person who was hurt. I apologized to your mother. She is the wronged party."
"You think I wasn't hurt," Maia asked. "If anyone hurt this family, it was you."
"How do you think Garoche would feel, if he were still alive," Maia asked.
"He would recognize that just because someone makes a tactical error doesn't mean you double down and loose the whole war. I understand you're living in the world of political quid pro-quo. This is your personal life."
"You're such a goddamn hypocrite, hearing your voice makes me want to throw something against the wall."
"Tell me what you're looking at," her father said.
"What?"
"On those datapads."
"Nothing."
"Then why so fascinated?" He walked around to see the reports on the screen. "Threat reports? I don't want you looking at that."
"Why not," Maia asked.
"Your security team is handling these. You knowing won't make you more secure. If anything, less secure."
"You don't think I should know how bad things are?"
"They're not," he said. "If I didn't think you were safe, I would change things. You don't know what you're reading."
"I don't?" She looked to the leftmost screen. "Credible threats have jumped by a factor of five since last year."
"And our threat preparedness?" He touched the visual and moved it to that section. "Up seven percent in spite of the increase. That's an excellent rating."
"It would be better if so many people didn't want to kill me."
"Nothing is going to fail. No one is going to kill you, or Kira, or the baby boy."
"You don't know that."
"This is why I don't want you getting these reports."
"Well that's too bad."
"Maia, it's more stress that you don't need." He frowned, typing a note in his comm to remind him that he had to order the stats to be presented in a different order.
"I don't need any of this stress," she said. "Eight more years before I'm done, right?"
"Don't think about it like that," her father said. "Think about the good you can do in the meantime."
"I'm meant to be the visual punching bag. That doesn't bother you?"
"You are not, Maia. You're meant to be a forward facing leader. A trend setter. Someone people respect. And they do. Just look at your poll numbers."
"I take the blame for everything."
"No, you don't. You've been pointed to, unfairly, but as a result of actions you've taken. You don't have to work with those people anymore. You chose to work on that bill."
"I thought you agreed with it."
"Personally. As governor of the sector, you know I had to agree with your cousin professionally."
"I don't want to talk about that bill anymore."
"Fine. Then suffice it to say I don't want you to have this stress because I don't want another premature grandchild."
"I am heavily monitored."
"And that's good, but you have to take care of yourself. Battlefield fatigue or political fatigue, it's all a threat to competence."
"I'm pregnant, of course I'm exhausted."
"But you shouldn't add to that exhaustion." He encouraged. "Take a rest from these worries."
"I can't," she said. "Everything was fine. And then I found out my father was having an affair with a woman younger than me."
"It sounds worse when you focus on that. We were both adults."
"It sounds worse because it is worse. You cheated on your wife of thirty-nine years—my mother—with someone younger than your children."
"Mai-your mother and I have talked. We love you and each other. The Union is strong."
"You and I are not strong."
"Is that why you wanted an abortion?"
"No. I wanted an abortion because I didn't think it was the right time to have another baby. But then we decided to not let your shit run our lives."
"I'm glad," he said. "You'll inherit all of it some day. And you need the thick skin to live your own life."
"Most people get to choose their jobs."
"Nobody gets to choose their family," he said.
"Sure I did. I could have married in our class. I chose otherwise."
"The Pryscotts are rising stars. Mostly, but not only because of you and because of Kira. I would never have let you marry those earlier boys from college."
"Why do you always insist on going back there," she asked.
"Because you did that to scare us. You were never interested in them."
"That's not true," she said. "But now I'm happily married with two younglings including this one. I don't actually think about those boys anymore, except for when you bring them up."
"I would hope not," he said. "You're a married woman."
"What do you think Grandfather would have done if he were alive to see you cheating on his daughter?"
"The same thing I'll do to Dahn if he cheats on you," Wilhuff said.
"I didn't marry a man who would do that to me."
"For Dahn's sake, I hope you're right."
She tapped on the table, scowling down at the floor as she flipped both datapads over, screens down. "I have a doctor's appointment."
"I know," he said. "I'm going to take you."
"That's where you're wrong," she said. "I can't stop you from walking next to us, but you're not coming in."
"I'd like to see my grandson on ultrasound."
"Okay, thank you for sharing that statement."
"You are trying to punish me. You're making yourself the victim. You're not the victim, Maia."
"You can't just show up and demand things. You've never even apologized."
"To you?"
"Yes, to me."
"Why would I apologize to you?"
Her eyes strained like a bug's. "Because you've hurt me?"
He exhaled, eyeing her. "I'm very sorry you were hurt by my affair. I wronged your mother, and that's my fault. Is that fair?"
"I feel like blaming my emotions is the most I can ever hope for from you."
"Maia, I've apologized and you won't accept it. What am I to make of that?"
"I've resigned myself to having to accept it, dad."
"Well, that's something then." He looked at her glumly. "We have to find a way forward. That's all there is to it."
"Fine," she said. "Then there is no option one way or the other."
"You won't accept my apology right now. It will take time."
"Maybe," she agreed.
"I'm still your father. And I'm still their grandfather."
"I know you are."
"And I love you and them unconditionally. Now. Let's go to your appointment. It wouldn't do for you to be late."
She frowned, folding her arms.
"Don't say no just to save face. There is no saving face with me. I'm your father."
"Fine."
They made their way from the office and began walking with a tight escort surrounding them in a diamond formation. The crisp air felt fresh and clean even if it was processed a hundred times over. As they turned the corner towards the medical wing, a pair of medics and a half dozen storm troopers jogged past. The comms on the belts of their security team members buzzed with a moderate priority alert.
As always, it immediately drew Maia's attention. Her father checked his own comm as the others did the same. Wilhuff took her by the arm, though he knew the threat had been entirely contained. The movement sped up, influenced by his own urgency and hand active at his waist-level pistol.
"Into the secure room," he instructed her, nodding to the security officers.
She nodded and followed his pull to the room, trying to grab his comm.
"No," he told her, leading her in when the diamond probably parted.
"How long do we have to stay here this time?"
"Ten minutes," Colonel Coylsen said. "Maximum. The situation is already contained, ma'am."
The word "situation" just rang through her head. She grabbed her father's hand.
"It's contained." Wilhuff echoed.
She nodded, but didn't say anything.
Rourke watched his watch and read another trio of updates. "Resuming movement."
"What happened?" Maia demanded, "they were in the building?"
"Only the courtyard, ma'am." Coylsen assured her. "First level of security, nowhere near us."
"Don't worry," her father told her, squeezing her hand. "Don't worry. Let's go. Dahn will meet us at the appointment."
Maia nodded, spacing out as they resumed walking.
"I love you." Wilhuff murmured as they reached the office but before they went in. "I'm going to go find out what happened. Whatever happens, I love you so much."
"You're not going to stay with me?"
He looked her over. "Alright. But when they call you back into the appointment I'll go."
"You can't kill them in an hour?"
"Okay. I will wait to see how everything goes and then I will take care of it."
"Dahn should be here soon," Maia said. The team escorted them to her waiting room.
"Good. We'll both be here to support you. Breathe slowly now, think of the baby."
A few moments later, security led Dahn inside, who, grave, immediately pulled his wife into a hug, and somehow managed to hide his confusion seeing his father-in-law.
"Dahn," Wilhuff said. "Good to see you." Wilhuff glanced at his watch. It was time for the appointment, but the doctor wasn't there yet.
"And you," Dahn said. "Mai, it's okay."
"I know," Maia said.
Wilhuff glanced at the door, wondering why the doctor still hadn't come.
A moment later, Doctor Mumtad walked through the door. "Good morning," he greeted. "How's our little one?"
"That's what we're here to find out."
The doctor cleaned his hands and put on a fresh pair of gloves as the machine took her blood pressure. All normal.
"I've been counting kicks, they're consistent around the evenings especially," she said. "Is there still a growth restriction?"
"We'll see," he said, preparing the ultrasound machine. "Last month, he was at 11% exactly."
"That's not a cause for concern, correct?" Wilhuff pressed.
"In low to moderate cases, it just means the baby will likely have to be delivered early, so he can feed and grow outside of mom. Up on the table, please?"
Maia laid back as instructed, and he measured the fundal height as the baby kicked.
"I'll bet you felt that one."
"Yeah," Maia said.
"He's growing. I'm measuring the thirteenth percentile."
"Good," Maia said.
"Still on the edge," the doctor said. "But good, yes."
"It's the right trend." Wilhuff smiled. "You were small for a while too, but you came out alright."
"Are we still watching for a premature delivery?" Dahn asked
"Since Kira came prematurely, we will continue to monitor for a premature delivery."
"Of course but is there any sign of it potentially happening?" Dahn frowned.
"We'll keep monitoring size every two weeks. As of now, all looks well, but we need to remember from the last pregnancy that things can change. That's why we have our bimonthly appointments and we do our kick counts."
"Of course. Of course. And you're sure everything looks right?"
The doctor nodded. "I am sure. Let's get some new pictures."
"Is he behaving? Last time he was facing backwards." Dahn joked nervously.
"There he is," the doctor said, showing the baby's face.
"He still looks like you," Maia said.
"I see both of us," Dahn said.
"No, he's you," Maia said.
Dahn smiled proudly.
"I'll send these right to you," the doctor said, taking a variety of three dimensional shots, video, and then playing the heartbeat.
Maia exhaled. "It sounds good."
"It does. No murmur, good speed. and he's responded well to the NSTs."
Maia nodded along to the count off.
"I am sending you this new recording, and you, ma'am, are done."
"Thank you." Dahn sighed in relief.
Wilhuff and Dahn both offered a hand to help Maia from the bench. She took her husband's. Soon, the baby's growth restriction had returned, and the baby was not content enough to keep his mother under antenatal observation. She went into labor at thirty weeks, and after a month in the NICU, Garoche was allowed to go home.
The threats against Maia only multiplied and multiplied, and no matter what she was told, she was convinced that they did not have anything under control. It occurred to Dahn that someday, his involvement was likely to come out. But after years in the marriage, he had no idea how to break news like that. He was in too deep.
6 BBY
Bail Organa swirled his wine and looked at Dahn. The apartment's lights were low and the action holofilm they were watching was loud to help prevent anyone from overheating. Organa dipped at the deep burgundy in his class. "You say she's been feeling better than she has in a long time?"
Dahn frowned. Bail had been a politician for his entire life. After all of these years, knowing now of Bail's complex and multiple political projects, Dahn could never tell if Bail asked questions about his wife out of legitimate interest, or to manipulate her. And he didn't like that his wife was completely unaware, seeing Bail as a father figure only. "We have news she wants to share with you."
"A third baby? That's wonderful. And it means you both need to be thinking about the future."
"She wants to tell you herself, Bail."
"Tell me what?" He smiled and shook his head "I can play innocent, you know that."
"Yeah," Dahn said. "I do."
"Of course, Dahn. I would like to stop lying to her. I'm sure you would to."
"I don't lie to Maia about anything."
"Even our work?"
Dahn's frown was plastered on his face. "We don't talk about that."
"Well, exactly. Dahn-with her leaving the Senate in a few years, our time to act is short."
"You want to bring her in," Dahn said. "No."
"It's time. Or the time is coming soon."
"I'm telling you no," Dahn said. "I've done what you wanted. I've done everything you asked. We're leaving Maia out of this."
"Maia can't stay out of it forever, Dahn." Bail sighed. "I wish she could but even Leia is getting involved. We all have our parts to play."
"Involving Leia is your decision, and you know her best. I know Maia better than you."
"I've known Maia a long time. We know she doesn't love the Empire."
"My wife is not who she was when she was sixteen."
"I know that much."
"You're going to push her into more fervent support for the Empire," Dahn said. "You're like a second father to her. But do you know who her actual father is? She loves him, she's not going to do anything that could put her parents in jeopardy."
He exhaled. "She has a good heart. She was always horrified even as she loved her parents."
"You're not listening to me," Dahn said. "She doesn't know who she can trust right now, except for me, her parents, and you. This will kill her."
"That's dramatic, Dahn. This won't break her trust. It's all political."
"That's absurd," Dahn said. "We are not telling her. That's final."
"I don't know if we can allow that. Dahn. It's a critical time. The Empire will abolish the Senate at any point. We need Maia on our side."
"Maia wants the Senate abolished," Dahn said. "This is the problem. You're not listening to me tell you about my own wife, you think you know her better than I do."
Bail exhaled. "She is tired of the Senate because it's corrupt. I see that. I've always seen it. But real good can still come from it."
"Maia doesn't think so," Dahn insisted. "She only respects like five of us."
"Well then maybe a Senate of Five. Better than one singular ruler."
"If you think Palpatine will ever appoint you to a council of five, you're a kriffing idiot," Dahn snapped.
"We need to get rid of him, you know that." He rolled his eyes. "It was a joke, Dahn, please."
"It's not funny. She's my wife, she's not here so you can manipulate her love for you. She loves you."
"I love a lot of people," Bail snapped. "But the galaxy can't take this tyranny. The quadrillions don't deserve it."
"You're not speaking of it to Maia," Dahn said. "If that's why you came, you have my answer. Enjoy the wine."
"Please. Enjoy it with me." Bail eyed Dahn.
"It's time for you to leave."
Bail slapped the table. "Dahn, we are not finished."
Dahn turned off the film and opened his office door for the older man. "Thank you for your visit, Senator Organa."
He nodded back to the younger man. "Thank you for having me. The wine was delicious."
"Hi, Bail," Maia greeted, kissing his cheek.
"Can Garoche and I play with Leia," Kira asked.
"Oh—yes," Maia said, turning back as Bail and Dahn shook hands. "Is Leia in her room?"
"Yes," Bail said. "Kira knows the way. Can I offer you something to drink?" Kira and Garoche started to run down the halls before being intercepted by Leia.
"Water," Maia asked, setting a hand over her still tiny baby bump and looking to him with a beaming smile.
He smiled back. "You look radiant. I'm so happy you came."
"Thank you for having us," Dahn said.
"I needed a break from the bullshit," Maia added. "I'm—we're—I'm pregnant. But after this, we're done."
"You're done so soon- I'm happy for you." He smiled even wider. "You wanted the chicken with parmesan?
"Yes," Maia said. "But we can still sit and talk for a little, even though I can't drink."
"Absolutely." He agreed, gesturing to the sofas. "I have to have you back to Alderaan."
"That would be great." Maia sat down, taking Dahn's hand. "I don't know when it'll happen, but it would be great. Maybe after baby is born."
"That would be perfect. We can walk the gardens. Perhaps even show the younglings the various warrens."
"That sounds great." She smiled at Dahn, squeezing his hand. "Are you okay?"
Dahn squeezed her hand. "Yeah. No I'm doing great." He gave Bail a warning look while Maia wasn't looking
"You can drink something, you don't have to not because of me. It was a joke."
"I won't, though." Bail laughed. "No no, we should always do what's best for everyone, not just for my tastes."
"No, no." Dahn smiled small. "Just water is perfect."
Bail leaned forward. "Leia loves your younglings, she is so excited to play with them."
"I love her," Maia said. "So do the younglings. I can't believe how big she's gotten."
"She's really matured. Of course now I have to help her keep her political opinions quiet." He chuckled.
"Can't be easy with how outspoken you are," Maia said.
He nodded slowly. "Honestly I worry about being able to speak out much anymore about the things we believe in. Justice for all species."
"We need to keep speaking out," Maia said. "Emperor Palpatine wants us to discuss these things. You two have just had problems for a long time. But he respects you as an elder statesman."
"I know and he cares for you as much as he might, even though his officials stymie any real reform efforts."
"I guess I count as one of his officials," Maia said. "But there are so many other pieces of shit in the Senate for no reason other than to fight. I don't think I could put up with that if my job were real. As it is, I'm not like you two, I never wanted to be a politician. And I hate the limited aspects of my job as it is."
"I know. I know." He nodded. "But wouldn't you change how unjust things were. If you could?"
"Of course," Maia said. "I still think about the kids all of the time, and how my cousin flipped out over something so horrifying. We were just trying to protect younglings. But that whole incident was so bad. I took the blame, like it was my fault it didn't work."
"It was ridiculous that you got the blame. You do so much for their image."
"This isn't a case of us versus them, everyone was mad at me about something after that."
He nodded slowly. "I'm still so frustrated by that. The way the moderates cornered your policy and altered it."
"It wasn't just the moderates," Dahn said. "It was a lot of your people too, Bail."
"They wouldn't listen. It was infuriating. But it wouldn't have happened if the conservatives and moderates didn't amend the bill."
"It's in the past," Maia said. "Just some of the worst feelings I've ever felt."
"I'm sorry." He murmured. "We should try again- try to make good things happen in these last few years."
"You're not—are you retiring too," Maia asked.
"Eventually. It's been a long run. But we have to try."
"That's what we do every day. Maybe me a little less than you two, but my job isn't really to help anyone."
His shoulders fell. "What would you change. If you could?"
She pushed her hair back, shrugging. "I wish people weren't so heartless."
"I wish so too." He agreed. "We should do what we can to soften their hearts."
Maia sighed, grinning at Dahn dejectedly. "When you need the alcohol, but you can't have any."
Dahn nodded, shaking his head. "I'll stick to water."
"My dear, it's a shame we can't do things to change the galaxy, even if it was outside normal channels."
"Let's talk about anything other than work," Dahn said, pointedly.
"Do you know yet if you're having another daughter or another son?"
"A daughter," Maia said. "Both scary and exciting."
"Very much both. Very much both. At least she will know a life other than this."
"We're very thankful for that," Maia said. She noticed her husband staring at Bail, and frowned as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder.
"Life can be safe for everyone. But. I fear the Empire will continue to make life hard for many people."
"My immediate concern is keeping our younglings safe," Maia said. "It's like we finally have some of it under control. The threats are still constant, though. It's so scary."
"I wish I could help more with that. Maia. Do you think the Empire keeps your children safe?"
"Bail," Dahn snapped. "Mai, let's go check on them."
Maia frowned, looking to her husband and then turning slowly to look at Bail.
"I'm serious. Are you safer?"
"Maia. Let's check on the younglings," Dahn repeated.
"I'm trying to speak with her, Dahn."
"What's going on," Maia whispered, looking between them again.
"You know what I'm asking."
"I don't," Maia said, quickly.
"Nothing," Dahn snapped to Bail. He rubbed Maia's lower back. "He's asking nothing."
"I think I need to go to the refresher," Maia said.
"Maia, please. This will be the most important conversation we have ever had."
"Shut up, Bail."
Maia looked to Dahn, her eyes wide. "What is he talking about?"
"Maia. I'm trying to arrange a force to change policy and create pressure to change the empire."
"Oh—okay," Maia whispered, smiling weakly. "We've all been working on exactly that for a while."
"Yes. But from the inside."
Maia nodded. "Yes. Right."
"I'm working on something else. Something external."
Maia turned in Dahn's arms, staring at him for a minute and then turning to look back at Bail.
"We're leaving," Dahn said. "Come, Mai."
"It isn't about violence. Maia. You know that about me."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Maia whispered. She touched Dahn's chest. "I don't feel well."
"Maia please. Listen this. It's important. Sit down. I need to bring you in."
"Go," Dahn told her. "Get the younglings."
"I don't understand," she said, tugging on his hands.
"Maia- the Empire is growing dangerous, please. Consider what we could do to make things better for us all." Bail urged. "You're not in favor of their violence."
"That's it, Bail," Dahn said, walking Maia down the hall towards Leia's room.
"Are you working with. Them," she asked Bail, and then she tugged on Dahn's hand. "Y-you know what he's talking about."
"Maia. We need to end the Empire. For the good of the Galaxy."
Maia's mouth hung open. She stopped moving, and turned again in her husband's arms to desperately look at him.
Dahn shook his head. "Maia. We need to go."
"You say that now, Dahn. You know how important this work has been."
Dahn wrapped his arms around Maia's back. "Shut up, Bail. Shut up."
Bail gave him a look. "Talk to her more. When she's thought it over."
"You're part of this?"
"No. I'm not."
"Don't l-lie to me," Maia choked, quickly looking v to Bail. "H-how long?"
"Maia. Please. This is the most important thing in the galaxy right now."
"No," Dahn interrupted. "No. Maia, you're the most important thing in the galaxy. You and our younglings."
"Our—h-how long have you been doing this," she asked again, pushing his arms off of her.
"Tell her, Dahn."
"I'm going to kill you," Dahn told Bail instead.
"Maia- you look faint." Bail warned
"How long," Maia demanded, grabbing her husband's shoulders.
"Maia, please." Dahn murmured.
"We've been working together for five years," Bail said.
"Our daughter is four," Maia exclaimed. "We've been married for three and a half years."
"Maia, you need to forgive us," Bail said.
"I'm talking to my husband, Bail," Maia snapped.
"Don't use that tone with me," he said, calmly.
"Excuse me," Maia demanded, crying. "You're not my father. You think you are, you want to be, but you're not."
"Maia- it's not what you think." Dahn whispered, his eyes bulging. "I never. I would never be acting against you."
"They want me dead," Maia exclaimed. "N-no? Tell me what it is, Dahn."
"Maia." Dahn grimaced under her gaze.
"Please come back. Let's sit and talk through this." Bail offered.
"Tell me what it is, Dahn," Maia demanded.
"It's trying to make change. Like we all want."
"Shut up, Bail," Dahn whispered. He slowly approached his wife, who took scared steps back, holding a hand over her abdomen.
Maia turned, making her way as quickly as she could to Leia's room. "Younglings," she called, her voice breaking. "We're leaving."
"Maia- this isn't. We don't have to." Dahn rubber his forehead. "I never put us in danger."
Maia pulled open the door. Leia looked up from the ground, where she was painting Kira's nails with nail polish. Maia swept Garoche into her arms. "It's time to go, Kira."
"I'm not done with her nails." Leia frowned. "Just five minutes?"
"We're leaving now. Come on, Kira."
"But the pink."
"I'll do your nails later. Come."
Dahn moved behind her, shaking his head. "Maia, we can go home. We'll go home. Come, Kira."
"I was going to leave you two to finish your very important conversation," Maia said.
"Maia. Please, our family is my priority."
"Kira, it's time to go," Maia said.
Finally, her daughter stood, starting to cry. Maia took her hand. "Get out of my way, Dahn."
"D-daddy," Kira asked.
"I can carry her." Dahn offered.
"Dahn, move," Maia said. "Move."
"Mommy!" Kira whined.
Maia stared at her husband, who stood still, blocking her path.
"Maia. We can't go out looking like a fight happened."
Bail moved behind Dahn, calm and stern. "Maia. We need to talk about what happens now."
"I'm not talking to you about anything ever again," Maia said. "I c-can't believe it. Everyone was right about you."
"No, Maia, this isn't a manipulation. This is the most important thing we could possibly be discussing."
"How long have you been planning to put me in this position?"
"Maia. This is for the good of the entire galaxy. So we may live in safety."
"You're not making my wife feel safe."
"What about you," Maia demanded. "Y-you think we feel safe with you, Dahn?"
"Safe daddy." Kira shouted
Maia tugged on Kira's hand. "The younglings and I are going home."
"You can't go home yet, Maia," Bail said.
"Watch us."
"We are all going together." Dahn frowned heavily at Bail, "Maia. Let's go."
"We're not finished talking, Dahn," Bail said. "Maia needs to understand what she can't do when she leaves."
"Now I know you're not threatening my wife."
"She needs to understand, Dahn."
Maia started crying, tugging Kira's hand and walking the kids forward. When she collided with Dahn, she tried to push him way with her elbow.
"Maia, the Empire will not hesitate to eliminate both of our families. I've been keeping the most dangerous attempts at bay."
"Don't talk to my wife like that," Dahn screamed. Maia's face turned red and she had trouble catching her breath. Both younglings were crying now. Leia stood back, her face blanched and her eyes wide.
Bail took a deep breath. "We should all take a pause to breathe and consider."
"We're going," Dahn said. "Move, Bail. Or I will punch you in the kriffing face."
Bail stepped aside. "You can't speak of this."
"Never threaten my wife, ever again," Dahn said. "Come on, Maia."
"W-with you?" She was shaking. "I'm taking the younglings to my parents."
"No- they'll know." Bail insisted.
"Maia, we'll take the younglings together," Dahn said.
"You are not coming."
"Why don't you go home first," Leia asked, quietly. "You have to go back to yours to pack anyway." She hoped it would buy Dahn time.
"Come on," Dahn agreed. "We'll get Ranchor and Garoche's blanket, and then you can tell me what we're doing."
Maia sucked in her cheeks. "F-fine. Don't touch me."
"Daddy!" Kira reached for him, sobbing.
"It's okay, Kira." Dahn messaged the security team to wait outside Bail's door for them—there had been a change of plans. "Mommy has you. Hold onto mommy's hand."
"No fight!" She shouted, sobbing louder.
"We're not fighting," Dahn said. "Maia, let me pick her up. Please."
"N-no," Maia whispered. Her eyes were wide and scared.
"I'd never do anything to hurt you or our children. I didn't tell him anything about you or from you. I would never hurt you. Let me carry our daughter."
"N-no."
"It's true, Maia. He's not given information that could hurt you."
Maia shook her head even faster hearing Bail's voice. She squeezed Kira's hand tighter.
"Bail!" Dahn shouted, glaring. "Now is not the time." He turned back to his wife, rubbing his forehead. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry."
"What were you thinking," Maia whispered. "How could you not tell me?"
"I was trying to protect you. From this."
"How could you do this," she whispered. "At all."
"It wasn't easy. It was. The empire is killing people, Maia. We. We knew that."
"They shot at me, they tried to kill me. They tried to kill your daughter."
"It wasn't Bail's people. I. Maia I'm involved to prevent as much as I can."
"They're the same people," she exclaimed.
"They aren't. They really aren't. Bail. Bail's people aren't violent."
"They tried to kill me," she shouted.
"We're not them."
"We," Maia echoed, nodding. "We."
"Maia, it's. It's so complicated, there isn't one group."
"Well, I'm so glad my husband is defending them."
He exhaled hard. "I'm not defending them, Maia. I. I just we both know the Emperor has gone too far."
"I can s-see where your priorities are." She yanked Kira down the hall, past Bail.
"Daddy!" Kira shouted, reaching over her mother's shoulder before falling unconscious.
Dahn ran over, picking Kira up before Maia could manage to kneel down. Garoche was still in Maia's arms, crying.
"Give me my daughter, Dahn," Maia said.
"I've got her. Please. We can't look too suspicious."
"Give me my daughter, Dahn," Maia shouted. "I'll have them come right in here."
"No, you won't," Bail said, simply.
Maia started to shake.
"Maia- you have to understand." Bail began.
Dahn cut him off with a glare. "I'm sorry, but we have to go out to the garage. Maia, we need to be on the same page."
"I'm getting my younglings into bed, and you're leaving," Maia whispered.
"I can do that." Dahn said slowly. "Let's go out."
"You go first."
He exhaled hard, shifting Kira to look like she was asleep. "We're going." He began to lead the way out.
Maia held her head down, pulling everything in.
"What's wrong," Colonel Coylsen asked her.
Maia shook her head. "Nothing."
He frowned, nodding to one of his troopers, who moved behind Dahn and led him and Kira a safe distance forward. "What happened," he asked again.
"Nothing."
"It's nothing. We. Kira passed out. We need to get away. Get home." Maia insisted.
"You didn't ask for Colonel Sandierson," Coylsen said. "Does Kira need to be examined?"
"No. I mean she fell asleep."
"You said she passed out."
"She fell asleep."
"An episode?"
"I guess. Yeah," Maia said.
"Okay. So." He let out a slow exhale. "Are you and Dahn fighting? If that's all it is, I won't push, but if it's more, I need to look into it."
"Then yeah," Maia said. "We're fighting."
"Is going to tell me the same thing?"
"Hopefully."
"Was it about the kids? A fight with Organa?"
"It's personal, and I'm not talking about it anymore," Maia said.
He nodded. "Yes ma'am. I'm going to scan you and Kira Garoche quickly and then we'll go ahead into the speeder."
She didn't say anything else, but she saw him go to Dahn and the trooper by Dahn move back to her, and understood exactly what Coylsen was trying to do. It was hard to not say anything to Dahn or ask what he had told Coylsen when they were in the speeder on their way to their own landing.
They finally arrived back at 500 Republica and docked in their private bay. Dahn carried a still sleeping Kira into their apartment, and laid her softly on the bed.
Maia saw Captain Rourke approaching down the hall and closed the door before he could reach them. "You're not staying here," she whispered to Dahn.
"We can't give them anything."
"I can't believe you would do this to me."
"The younglings need me, Maia."
"None of us are your priority."
"That's not true."
"The hell it's not," Maia said.
"You're my priority. Kira, Garoche. I'm doing this because none of us deserve this."
"So what do we deserve, Dahn, what they'll do to us if they win? You t-think those people will let me live? What about my dad, Kira and Garoche's grandfather?"
"They won't touch us if we win. That's the deal. I help we stay safe if they win. That's a huge part of it and why I've been playing their tune."
"That's not true," Maia said. "They're already trying to kill me and I haven't done anything. If they knew what my dad was working on."
"Maia, I would never reveal that."
"You don't know as much as you think you do."
"Okay, well our family is off the table. Always has been."
"It's so obvious he's manipulating the s-shit out of you, he doesn't care about our family. You're still defending him."
"Ma'am," Captain Rourke called from outside. "Open the door."
"Maia, we need to decide what the fight was about for." He gestured at the door. "I want to send Kira off planet to Corellia for preschool. It's ridiculous but not unbelievable. Bail suggested she go to Alderaan. I got defensive and angry when you said no."
Maia opened the door, folding her arms. "What is it, Captain?"
"What's going on?"
"Nothing," Maia said. "We already spoke with Colonel Coylsen."
"There were some inconsistencies in your stories. We just need to know what is going on."
"It's a family fight. It's personal," Maia said.
Rourke looked at Dahn and read his face. An affair. "I see. Could I have some context?"
"No, it's a personal issue," Maia said.
"I see." Rourke heard her comments as confirmation. "Ma'am, I'll be ready with your evening briefing in two hours as usual."
"Thank you," Maia said. She waited until she saw him exit the hall before she closed the door.
"I'm not going to tell anyone," she told Dahn. "I'm n-not going to tell them what you did. I want a divorce."
His eyes widened. "Maia. I don't want that. Maia - please. We're not at that point."
"We are. And I want a divorce."
"We're not making any decisions right now."
"My decision is made."
"What about our younglings?"
"Our entire marriage is based on lies," Maia said. "Four years? Four years?"
"One lie. In four years" Dahn frowned heavily. "You're not taking the younglings."
Maia tightly held onto Garoche, backing up to stand in front of Kira's bed. "Like hell I'm giving my younglings to a rebel."
"Maia- I'm not a rebel. I'm not some terrorist. "
"You are," Maia said. "I don't care what kind of agent you are. You're not getting my kids."
"Maia, we aren't taking the kids from each other."
"This isn't a negotiation. I'm t-telling you to get out of this apartment."
"I can find a reason to be away tonight. But Maia. Maia. Our lives are going on. The children are not negotiable."
"We're getting divorced, and you're not getting my younglings," Maia snapped. "That's all, that's it."
"Our younglings. That's nerfshit-they are ours, not yours!"
"Shut up, Dahn," she screamed, pulling open the door. "Get out."
"Fine!" He stormed out. "They're my younglings too," he shouted back as he grabbed his overnight bag from the closet.
"Shut up, Dahn," she screamed again. Garoche started crying in her arms.
Colonel Coylsen ran out into the hall with a pair of stormtroopers. "Woah," he called. "Hold on a minute."
"He has to leave," Maia yelled, shaking.
"I'm sorry." He snapped. Closing his eyes. "I'm sorry." He repeated more quietly.
"Okay," Colonel Coylsen said. "Okay. Senator, go into the sitting room and close the door."
"No, he has to leave. He has to leave," Maia declared.
"Ma'am. Sir." Coylsen insisted. "No. We need time to arrange a safe travel plan."
"I'm not leaving my kids."
"You're n-not—they're my kids, Dahn."
"They're both of our younglings!" Dahn shouter back.
Coylsen moved between them, holding up his hands. "The younglings are safe. They're staying with their mother. Go to the sitting room. Now, Senator."
"I need some air." Dahn exhaled. "Please arrange a hotel for me."
Coylsen indicated two troopers. "Go with him. Open a window but don't let him sit near it."
Maia turned on her heel, storming back to Kira's room and letting the door close behind her.
She put in a sick request for the following day and messaged Rourke that their meeting would have to wait.
She put Garoche in the crib and curled up next to her daughter on the bed. She heard Rourke coming to check on her, but continued pretending she was asleep. The door held open for an uncomfortably long period of time. In the morning, she had hoped the kids wouldn't remember anything, but Kira asked for her father, who was definitely not home. Maia made up some story about him being at Halley's, and sat calmly with the kids at the table, helping Garoche eat.
Rourke sent her a message that they should discuss the morning security information even with her day off.
She left him on 'read', trying to distract herself with the younglings. She couldn't help but snap a photo and send it to her husband, and then she bit her lip, turning her head down to eat her own breakfast. Rourke gave her space for the morning. He considered approaching her when she was in the nursery, but waited, instead, for the younglings to lay down for a nap. He followed Maia to the sitting room. She turned when she realized he was in there with her.
"Ma'am, can we talk about what happened last night?" Rourke looked sharp as he always did in his uniform, perfectly crisp except for an unavoidable cowlick.
"Nothing."
"The fight between you. You said it was personal." He stopped for a moment. "Did he-"
"No," she interrupted quickly.
"I told you he was having an affair."
"He's not. You're wrong."
"Ma'am." He said softly, sitting down next to her. "You can talk to me."
"I am talking to you. Dahn's not cheating on me."
"You can tell me what you're feeling. You don't need to put on a brave face."
"I've told you everything. I thought you'd moved past this theory."
"Why do you want a divorce?"
"That's none of your business."
"Why are you fighting about the younglings?"
"That's very much none of your business."
"If it impacts your safety it is my business." Rourke reached forward, offering a hand. "I know this is hard."
"Dahn's not having an affair," she whispered, holding her head down in her hands. "I don't know what you want me to say."
"I don't need you to say anything. I'm here."
She exhaled, closing her eyes. "I'm fine, I'm just going to go back to bed."
"I've intercepted a few calls from your parents. They really want to speak with you."
Maia shook her head. "I can't deal with that right now."
"I'll take care of it." He agreed. "Do you need a bath or bacta swab?"
"No, I'm." Maia pulled her head up. "Dahn's not having an affair. He isn't."
"It's enough if we both know. You don't have to acknowledge it now. I just want to protect you."
"He's not having an affair," she repeated. "I am."
He frowned. "You. An affair?"
She took out her comm to quickly update Dahn on the story, her head in her hand.
"Ma'am. That. Why were you so angry last night?"
"I just want you to lay off him. You're wrong. I thought you had finally seen that last year."
"Ma'am, I did. But. I laid off him and you got hurt."
"That's not what happened. L-look, I came in here to relax."
"I know. I know, but we need to protect you. I want to protect you." He leaned towards her, silently inviting her to close the distance.
Instead she pulled herself forward and off the couch. "No," she said, shaking her head. She pushed her hair back. "No, I'm not doing this."
"Did you really have an affair," he asked.
"I'm not doing this," she repeated.
"Doing what?" He murmured. "Maia, what happened?"
She shook her head, holding her hands together. "Don't use my name. Don't follow me," she whispered, leaving the room without waiting for a response.
Rourke frowned, standing. "I'll check in later."
She hurried out, head down, and looked for an open area with other security present. After about thirty minutes, Colonel Sandierson approached her with a written letter asking what was wrong. She took a quick glance at it and shook her head, speedily turning her head down when Captain Rourke passed for a new hallway and disappeared as if nothing at all had just happened and as if she were not being manipulated on all sides. His actions seemed almost like a threat. She didn't know how to feel safe now, nor did she feel certain a destabilizing change was the best move to keep herself so.