"Okay! Fine! You didn't cheat!" Mira grumbled with barely restrained laughter as she rolled away, nimbly landing by her bed and leaning against its foot end, panting slightly and pushing the hair that had escaped her headband back. "But you got to admit that it's freaking unnatural to win that many times in a row!"

Atton was still gasping for air as he sat up, wiping away tears of laughter he tried to regain his composure after Mira's searching. "Jeez woman! That almost hurt, why did you tickle me like that? Not that I complain..." The last he added, of course, with a wry wink.

"I was searching you for hidden cards, don't be stupid."

That shut him up. Enjoying the silence Mira watched as Atton tried to collect the cards scattered over the floor, muttering a curse each time he found one being bent. His shirt had been pulled out of his pants and made it look as if he had just awoken, the hair standing out in all directions did nothing to help the impression.

How long had they been here now? It was impossible to tell. At least they had managed to get some sleep, good food and...too many games of pazaak. Especially too many games of pazaak that Atton had won! Mira shot him a look before looking at the door, she had caught herself doing that a couple of times now, she was really tired of being locked up...

With a thud Atton dropped back next to her, leaning against the foot end of his own bed, his one still unmade as he didn't see any point in being a polite guest. Mira snorted, perhaps he had a point with that...the fleet wasn't exactly being a polite host. "We should drop out of hyperspace any moment now."

Mira blinked before glancing over at her companion. Atton ignored her though, his attention focused on inspecting his deck of cards. She didn't really want to know how he knew that though, instead she asked: "So, ever been to Coruscant?"

"Of course. Haven't you?" Mira looked away from the inquisitive gaze thrown her way.

"When would I've done that? When I was a slave for the mandalorians?" She laughed, feeling odd under the scrutiny of the scoundrel, didn't he know it was impolite to stare? "Or maybe when I was a bounty hunter stuck in Nar Shaddaa? I don't know about you but I don't think Coruscant is a place for scum like me and you."

"You'd be surprised." Atton just remarked, she sensed him shrugging as he finally looked away. "Besides, we're not scum, least of all you." Mira raised an eyebrow at him, he shrugged again. "You're more like a...scum cleaner."

She smirked. "Oh? Comparing me to a cleaning droid are we?"

"I wouldn't worry if I were you." Atton said, surprisingly not rising to the bait. "Heck, you're more polite then me, just don't try to look too much out of your element and you'll do fine. You'd be surprised how much a good bluff can get you out of."

"Right, you should know since you're an expert of being dishonest, I forgot."

The words had been meant as a joke...hadn't they? Nonetheless Atton actually looked a little hurt."You know, you don't have to keep me down any more. I'm no danger to your little bounty any more." The words had a familiar steely tone to them, defensive again, great...now he would be grumpy the rest of the ride.

"Hey, I didn't really..." Mira began to try and repair the damage when she flinched, getting to her feet she said: "The captain is coming."

"Told you we were close."

"Oh shut up."

-------------

Atton took the shuttle into a tight turn as they left the hangar, instantly sending their vessel hurtling towards the grey orb criss-crossed by millions of individual lights that was Coruscant. The ship shuddered by the rough handling but Atton just smirked, it wasn't really its fault that it carried the name it did, but something had to pay the price.

Gunning the engine he glanced over at Mira, grinning at the sight. It was odd, she had gotten softer since back when she helped them fight the sith, or perhaps she had finally dropped her defences against the world. In a way he envied her...

Right now she was openly staring at the planet they were approaching. He didn't really get it, it looked like any other urbanized planet, yet she had a look in her eyes that he'd never seen before.

"This is Coruscant control, identify yourself and the nature of your visit."

Looking away from the woman Atton reached out to the communication system, pressing a button as he spoke: "Coruscant control this is...force knows why....Dantooine Revived. Prepare for coded transmission." Lifting his finger of the button he turned to Mira. "Hey...what's up with you?"

"Don't you feel it? There's a life to this planet like none other, there are echoes of all types, yet all builds upon it..." Mira's smile was wide, unabashed. "There is...a growth here, growth and a harmony of a sort."

"Copy that Dantooine Revived...secure connection established, please begin sending."

Moving to send the encrypted message Atton shook his head. "You're a little odd at times, you know that right? Harmony here? They're at each others throats night and day!"

"Which is an harmony of a sort." Mira replied, she shot him a curious look. "You really should try to sense it, it's an amazing feeling."

"Thank you, but I think I'll keep my senses here and now, where they're needed."

"Dantooine Revived, this is Coruscant control, your code has been accepted and coordinates have been transmitted, have a nice stay and....please change that name?"

Mira's hand came up to her mouth, which wasn't enough to keep the laughter away while Atton smashed his fists the controls. "See!? Even a busy control operator makes time to make fun of us! Mical is so dead!" He turned the shuttle towards the given coordinates. He could actually feel the machine shudder in embarrassment under him. "I'm sorry baby, we'll do something about it later okay?"

"You did not just talk to the shuttle."

"Hey, it's never wrong to be nice to the things keeping you from the cold vacuum of space."

"Wow, aren't we superstitious. Let me guess, you got a good luck charm as well?"

"Well actually..."

"Oh man!" Mira laughed as she leant back in her chair, once more putting her feet on the dashboard. Atton snorted, didn't she know any respect for ships? It was different with those malfunctioning droids...ships could be depended on and should be treated with respect. "I can't wait till I tell Bao-Dur about this! Heck, I bet Mical will have a long lecture in store about jedi and attachments!"

"Well it's nice to know I can amuse you..."