Chapter 4: Target Practice and Birthday Surprises

A Few Months later:

Iz'phal weary from the several trips of cargo lifting and exporting she and her crew had been dealing with flopped into bed, kicking off her ankle boots and taking off her combat leggings. It had been a long day but she was ready for a decent night's sleep, especially now a cure for Bowdaar's snoring had been sought out! Corso had told her not to stay awake for him as he had devoted himself the last few days to make sure the vessel was in top flight condition. She had offered to lend a hand but still his tone seemed clipped, short, almost catching on the cusp of anger. She little realised how the events all that time ago had affected him, almost letting her fall to the Imperials again and kept seeming to think it was his fault. She loved him all the more for just protecting her and showing upmost devotion and kindness to her. It was indeed a blessing to have him in her life and it was one she would cherish for the rest of time. Not quite tired enough yet she picked up her manual for the latest TC-2 she had acquired and began to scan the list of cells she needed to purchase to make the weapon operational, perhaps something her Corso could help her with. Half an hour past before the door to her room opened quietly and she peeked an eye open to see him slipping off his envirosuit and slipping into bed next to her. She felt an immediate relief when he was with her, sometimes thinking if she was on her own for a few moments the Imperials might appear and snatch her up but she knew she would never let that happen again let alone him. She felt his warm breath on her neck and smiled.

"Hey you awake Iz?" He asked seeing her turn towards him, quirking a sweet smile from her perfect lips as she felt his arms connect around her stomach.

"Just about farmboy. You're up late" Iz'phal chuckled seeing him gaze at her curiously before placing a lingering kiss on the bridge of her nose.

"Been a while since you called me that Iz, but I ain't going back home. I told myself that when I was fifteen. The only reason I would in my later life would be to find a girl and to settle down. I told you about my ex fiancée Aretha right?" Corso questioned as Iz'phal nodded knowing how heartfelt his story had been and wondered if he still remained friends with her.

"You mentioned her. I'm sorry it didn't work between you. She was a lovely girl. What happened if you don't mind me asking?" Iz'phal said curiously as he lost his hands in her lekku, entangling his fingers towards the ends, a gesture of deep affection among twi'leks and their mates. Iz'phal was flattered that he had taken the time to study her people and their culture. It meant the world to her.

"It's no big deal Iz, as you know met on Ord Mantell just like you and me. Thought she was the one then we just grew apart. Haven't spoken to her in a while. If you don't mind I might want to see her again. Just to catch up on old times you know…" Corso almost seeked to plead with her but she nodded, knowing his heart was forever true to her and that with his noble conscience he would never dare betray the heart of the woman he loved, not ever. She however did have something to tell him, before they displayed their affections for each other. It happened years ago before they were even together but she didn't want him to frown on her for her actions. When she had the time in her heart she would tell him.

"Corso you don't need to ask me, of course. I'm sure she'll appreciate you seeing her" Iz'phal crooned warmly as she felt him squeeze her with affection around her waist.

"Thought you may get a tad restless Iz. I'll make the time…I haven't thought of her much but why would I…I have you now…I have my girl…" She was about to reply but thought better of it as he stroked a hand under her chin and connected his lips to her neck. She just revelled in the feeling of what it was like to be truly loved, truly be appreciated. She just blossomed like the fairest rose on all of Alderann for him and she felt her heart melt away.

Dressed in her sleek combat suit she narrowed her siting eye, the shooting target, an Imperial gunner ship in her mind's eye. Always thinking of gunning down Imperials made her shots all the more accurate. After the events of the last few days she had managed to steady herself and now the ship and weapons were back to full capacity it was time to get some shooting practice back under her belt. Iz'phal's eyesight had been above normal for the average twi'lek child when she was just four years old and remembered her mother frightened out of her skin when she first held a blaster: A gift from her father. She called it Triggles but it was in no working condition at the moment. She just kept it as a precious possession to remind her of her home world but especially her father. Everything she had set out to achieve in her life she had done to make her parents proud and she hoped wherever they were up there they were proud of her. Her mind lingered on her family for too long as the emotion gripped her and the bolts went above the target instead of hitting it dead on. Frustrated, Iz'phal snapped the trigger again only to miss but instead of calming herself down she flung her arms around her head and hands over her ears as she willed the memories away.

"God damn get out of my head!" Iz'phal shouted, her distressed tone obviously attracting attention as Corso disembarked the boarding ramp, fitted in a loose brown shirt and grey leggings, Torchy holstered at his hip as he was glad his girl managed to find the time to practice her skills when they were off business but she looked flustered.

"What's up Iz?" he asked kindly as he approached her, spying Flashy in her one handed grip as she spun the blaster elegantly over and over in her hands before letting out a long sigh of annoyance, flouncing towards the target.

"Can't bloody well hit this thing that's why?! What is wrong with me today?!" Iz'phal growled as she composed herself temporarily, narrowed her eyes to focus, Corso just standing behind her watching with intense eyes as she levelled her blaster at the target and fired but again to no avail. "Goddamnit! Son of a Nickto Mother!" She snarled but before she had time to get more wound up about her failure Corso was at her side, wrapping his arms around her waist.

"You can do it Iz, I've seen you hit that target plenty of times in practice and in the field. Let me help you darling" Corso suggested as he kissed her cheek and gestured to the blaster in her hand that was hanging limp by her side. She nodded feeling calmed when he had offered as he stood behind her making sure her posture would give her the best possible chance as she raised her shooting arm, blaster levelled at the target as he guided her arm to the correct height. She narrowed her eyes, exhaling deeply as she put all her sole focus into what was ahead of her. "Keep both eyes open Izzy. That way you aren't limiting what is in your field of vision and you can be sure to hit you mark" He instructed, her eyes immediately opening fully as she took a steady aim. When she was ready and at one with her weapon she fired a flurry of shots and each of them smashed the target, vaporizing the middle of the metal circle where the laser bolts had made contact. She smiled widely, knowing she had got her aim back, then turned to Corso, hopping from foot to foot a smile widening across her fair face.

"Hw'd I do Corso, Hw'd I do?!" She asked as he cupped her chin in his hands gazing deep into her eyes, glittering with pride and satisfaction.

"You're already an expert Iz, you just need some guidance. Every now and then even the best gunslingers need some tuition from time to time" Corso explained, Iz'phal agreeing with him, knowing that even the Jedi and the Sith required intense instruction in the ways of their order's and the force.

"I guess. Perhaps you can continue to teach me" Iz'phal blushed slightly, her cheeks tinged with a beautiful pink as he pulled her close. Corso rolled him eyes and sighed, knowing that he had only been doing what was right by her and that she didn't need his tuition.

"Aww I would Iz girl but you don't need it. Now I got a surprise for you" Corso coerced happy to see the excitement dancing in her eyes. Iz'phal did her shuffle of happiness again.

"Oooh I love surprises! What is it?!" Iz'phal asked in a contained squeal as he ran a hand down her lekku and upper back. He lead her back to the ship, an arm still hooked around her waist as he lowered his voice to a whisper, not wanting Risha or the Wookie to get in on his plans for his girl's special day.

"Well I know it's your birthday and I'm not good with physical presents so I thought we'd have a big night out. Haven't had one of those in a while" At the prospect of her being able to dress all fancy again, try on her dancing outfits and spend a night with just the two of them her face split into a wide smile, eyes sparkling with mirth. She nuzzled against his chest, forever showing how much she loved him for how caring and doting he was when he was with her.

"Awww Corso you don't have to do anything for me but that sounds awesome. So where we going?" she questioned, never knowing that he had booked them into the most popular dance club in Coruscant that was packed to the brim every weekend. She had dreamed of going to the famous night out destination called Pakkas ever since she was a teenager but she had never had the money or the guts to go on her own. She didn't expect him to take her there but just the prospect of having good fun and just dancing her cares away sounded perfect. He nuzzled her in return before making a tutting sound.

"Uh-uh Iz, if I tell you it's not a surprise but let's just say we leave for Coruscant in a few days. You should know by now Iz my girl always gets what she wants and I'm prepared to empty my savings for the occasion" Corso said, Iz'phal's face again gaining colour when she heard the word Coruscant: The galactic capital, the place where all business was done, the heartbeat of the Republic and the world with a reputation as party central. For a moment she was slightly stunned, her words stuck in her throat as she smiled sweetly up at him not knowing how to thank him but in the end she just threw her arms around his neck in an intimate hug, thinking to herself how lucky she was, to have a man with a perfect heart to care for her.

"I don't want you emptying your money on me Riggs but it sounds incredible! I'm looking forward to it already. Going to start planning my outfit for sure" Iz'phal beamed in an almost euphoric sense as she had yet to realise he had planned to take her out tonight as well.

"You'll look stunning Iz, you always do but no worries about getting dressed up for me. I just want us to have a good time. Speaking of that I was hoping you'd be free tonight" He asked as if implying he'd organized a date. Iz'phal's eyes widened in anticipation as she caught a strand of his brown hair around her finger.

"Had nothing planned as of yet. Why what did you have in mind?" Iz'phal cooed suggestively as he led her up the boarding ramp of the ship, a protective arm draping around her shoulders.

"Just a small place I know off the main Alderann drag and it's damn cheap too. Was just wondering Iz if you weren't up to much you'd like me to take you out. Feel like I haven't treated you at all" Corso said, his tone filled with regret as he gazed at her with a solemn expression as she shook her head, expressive brown eyes showing what she meant.

"Don't be so silly Riggsy. You've treated me a thousand times to what all those other men ever did. I don't need the fancy clothes, the trendy headgear and the weapons. These presents are all fine but at the end of the day all I need is you. I know what you are trying to do for me but I know deep down how you feel for me…I love you" Iz'phal whispered softly, arms wrapped around his neck as her words sent rings of warmth through his heart knowing that at least he had his girl at his side and that was all he ever needed, but to dote on her was just in his nature, how he would always respect and treat his woman.

"I love you too Iz, lots and lots. More than all the stars in this whole galaxy and trust me that's a damn lot" he winked at her as he pecked her on the nose before returning to his invitation. "Just felt like we could use some down time Iz but more than that I want to take you out, show you some good night life round Alderann. What you say?"

"I'd love to, that'll be lovely. Just us two?" Iz'phal asked not sure she wanted to bring Bowdaar to see the sights but was relieved when Corso nodded, smiling from ear to ear.

"Course Iz. I planned it just for us. I'll give you a few hours to get ready, but nothing flashy you hear, don't go full out. Meet back here say eight" Corso explained seeing her face light up again, kissing his forehead.

"Awesome. This is so kind of you Riggsy, can't wait" Iz'phal said excitement gripping her voice as he lead her by the hand into the main holoterminal room.

"Anything for my girl" His coaxing voice making her heart do backflips in her chest as he was just about to pick up a kiss from her lips when Risha flurried into the room in her white envirosuit, brown hair combed to one side as she saw the couple in the middle of room and scowled tapping her foot.

"Come on guys, get a room for that sort of thing!" Risha snapped playfully as Iz'phal jumped and Corso immediately realizing they had company pulled back from her.

"Damn her and her timing. Maybe later?" he cooed in her ear as she giggled before turning to face Risha who was still waiting for an answer.

"Alright Risha, alright. I'm heading out tonight with Corso if that's okay" Iz'phal asked seeing Risha roll her eyes then crack a smile, clicking her knuckles.

"That's fine by me Captain. You and farmboy go and have fun just don't pick up any trouble and don't get back too late" Risha almost ordered, only wanting to protect her work partner but she knew she had Corso for that. A man at her side with a trigger finger like his no one was going to mess with them, besides the main parts of Alderann where safe.

"Aww Risha you worry too much. We're just going out for a few drinks, ain't that right Iz?" Corso prompted her as she nodded, sharing a knowing glance with him as Risha folded her arms across her chest the frown lifting from her face.

"Right well you two be careful. Captain see you around" Risha bid farewell to the couple for the evening as she stepped into the engine room to start her analysis on the ship's main thrusters and hyperdrive system.

"Still eight on the dot right Corso?" Iz'phal asked, giggling when he threw another wink at her.

"You bet. Now get going!"