Miriah stirred awake and looked out of the port window. "Nar Shaddaa? Really?" she asked, incredulous. She shook herself awake and stood. "This is unbelievable! Why in the stars would Rans want to meet here?"
"I never said you were meeting Rans," Aric said calmly, though he'd begun to sweat slightly. "There's a disguise in that bag," he said, pointing.
Miriah snorted and reached to pull the bag toward her. Boots with lifts were the first thing she pulled out, which would make her almost three inches taller. A hip length padded jacket was next, which would add at least 40 pounds to her frame. She found shaded eyeglasses in the pocked of the coat, and a blonde wig in a side pocket. Miriah also found thick socks and brightly patterned leggings in another side pocket and sighed, sitting back on her heels in the floor. "Aric, what are we really doing here? You know, this is going to send Corso into fits. I promised that I wouldn't go out on these crazy missions anymore."
"It's going to be okay, Mir. I promise," Aric replied, hoping he could keep that vow.
Nico had landed at the spaceport over an hour previous, and had walked with Corso to a nondescript apartment building. They took the elevator up several floors, where Nico led the way to a furnished apartment. "It's clean," Corso said. "Not just clean, Miriah clean. Why do we have this?" he asked.
"Would it surprise you to know that Aric has these little apartments all over the galaxies, just in case?" Nico asked, and a slow grin overtook Corso's face. Of course, Aric would. It made perfect sense.
"Mir doesn't know about it though, right?"
Nico slowly shook his head. "Nothing to worry about now. You have two standard days, and I'll message you." Corso nodded, his throat tight with gratitude.
"Thanks, Nico, so much," he finally got out, and Nico waved as he left. Corso looked around the apartment then, locating caf and food already stocked. The fridge was mostly empty, except for wine and beers. Good enough, Corso thought, and pulled some frozen items out to thaw. If Miriah won't talk, or anything else, we'll at least need to eat.
Magdalane sought out Devin, and found him in the temple. "Dev, a word?" she asked, and he nodded, but they were silent on the way back into the secure area. Once in his office, they sat. "We need to be on the lookout for visitors," she explained, and instead of being confused, he slowly nodded.
"I feel them, too, Aunt Mags." He had made sure that the signal dampeners were active when he'd entered, but checked again. "I have no idea why, but I have felt them. I believe at least two."
"I believe I know one of them," Mags said, "but it's been a long time since I've seen him. Well, except for my dreams."
Devin searched her face. "Does Mom know?"
Mags shook her head. "I can't even find Mir today. She's not in the office." Devin explained Aric's mission and Mags chuckled. "Okay then. We'll just set up screening at the orbital station."
"I'll let them know. Do we let them come to the planet's surface or meet them up there?"
Magdalane considered that for a moment. "Let them come here. I do not believe they mean harm to the Alliance, and as force users, they are welcome." Devin nodded. He didn't think they were a threat either, but he'd reserve judgement until he could see their eyes.
Lana carried Jaren down the small hallway to her office. Sitting at the desk, she sighed. She missed Nico, and it was interfering with her sleep as much as the baby was. She pulled her datapad from her bag and realized she'd missed a message. When she read it, her smile covered her face. Well done, Nico, she thought, and turned to her computers, ready to start the day. The news items were all related to things in the Republic worlds, and she was satisfied with that. The replies to invitations issued to the planets for the upcoming conference had started to come in, and Lana busied herself until the baby cried. Changing him and getting his bottle were now second nature, and she sat with Jaren on the small sofa that Miriah had placed in her office, grateful that her friend always managed to see what was needed. As she sat there, the baby growing sleepy, she wondered where Nico was taking Corso. She put the baby in his carrier and pulled up the message again, working through software that she was not familiar with, but finally got to reveal Nico's location, gasping when she did so.
Aric donned full Mandalorian armor, and when they were both as disguised as they could be, he opened the air lock. They were in the small craft section, so Nico's ship was not visible, but Aric knew he had to be here already. Carefully, as Miriah was not used to the heels she was wearing, they went out of the spaceport and caught a taxi. Miriah was still stunned. She had given up asking Aric, since he'd refused to answer any questions, and just watched the glow of the large neon signs and advertisements. When the taxi veered and landed, Aric helped her from the vehicle and told Miriah, "Just go straight out here then turn left. The building will be on the next block, and you'll take the elevator to the eleventh floor." Miriah didn't look at him, but gave him a slight nod. "I'll hang back and make sure you're not followed, then meet you up there."
Miriah started walking. What am I doing, she asked herself. This is crazy! Still, she moved forward as steadily as she could. Aric saw that she blended in, and looked as if she lived there. He saw one person he thought was following her, but realized that he was being paranoid when the woman looked up Miriah's shoes on her datapad, trying to locate a merchant. Stifling a laugh, he waited several minutes across the street from the apartment building before joining Miriah and showing her down to an apartment. "What is going on, Aric? Do you know who lives here?" Miriah asked, and Aric opened the door rather than answer. Miriah's eyes widened and she flung the glasses to the floor. "What are you doing here?" she asked?
On Odessen, Maura made her way into the med center for a check up with Mags. When she was in the exam room, Mags joined her and began to work through her test results. "Mo, you're not resting enough," Mags said.
"I sleep nine or more hours a night," Maura insisted.
"It's not enough to just sleep at night," Mags informed her sister. "Naps during the day, more breaks. Not so much wedding planning, I'd say."
"It's almost done. Five weeks away," Maura said, lifting her head. "It won't be as lavish as Caly's, since the weather is too crazy right now to plan an outside ceremony, but we have everything in place."
"I'm sure it will be just as lovely, but you're going to be restricted to bed by then," Magdalane warned, and Maura blushed. "Seriously, sister. You need to go at a slower pace."
"I will," Maura replied. "Besides, now it's just waiting." Magdalane hugged her sister and hoped that was true.
Aric made his way out of the building and strolled to the café next door, hoping to get a quick bite before he resumed his guard duty. He had contacts on Nar Shaddaa that assured him it was a safe location, but he'd learned over many years that anyone could be bribed, and insisted on installing remote cameras himself. If there was any movement outside that apartment, the camera he'd installed would instantly alert him, so he wasn't too worried. They'll stay in there, he was sure. Smiling, he took his food back to the ship. I'll check on them tomorrow, he thought.
Devin made his way home, his mind tired. "Daddy! Daddy!" He heard both children calling him and it made his heart smile. Taking them both under his arms, he entered the kitchen and kissed his wife.
"You're exhausted," Mia said, smoothing his hair away from his face. Devin nodded and lowered the children to their feet. "Come, eat. Then a nap, while these two are sleeping. There's nothing that can't be put off a couple of hours." Devin agreed with her, and when his stomach was full and his eyes drooping, he stretched out on their bed, asleep in minutes. When he woke, refreshed, Merida was gazing at him with her almost silver eyes.
"Mimi okay?" she asked, and he nodded. "Papa come home yet?"
"Not yet, but soon." Merida nodded, too wise for a three year old. He thought she was done talking when she turned to him.
"They need Aunt Mags," she said, and he frowned in confusion. "The two, they need Aunt Mags." She turned to leave, ready to play, and left her father wondering if she was right.
Corso watched as Miriah peeled out of the disguise, slowly walking to where she stood, and as he neared, he could see her shaking. "Hey darlin'," he said softly, and with a whimper she was in his arms. He just held on, and the uncertainty left his mind. "It's so good to see you." He could feel Miriah relaxing against him, and relished her warm body against his. He kissed her head, which was still buried on his chest, and led her over to the sofa to sit. After several minutes, Corso asked, "Are you okay?"
Miriah raised her silver eyes to his. "I've missed the feel of you so much," she said, and he realized the truth of her words.
"Me too, love." Corso snuggled her closer, content just to be with her, and wasn't surprised at all when she fell into a deep sleep. She must have had issues resting, too, he thought, and closed his own eyes, his heart settled.
Aric entered the small ship and took his food to the holo, checking his datapad for the camera alarm. Seeing no notifications, he turned on the news feed and ate, feeling good about everything going on. He had just gotten sleepy himself when his personal holo rang. "Hey honey," he told his wife's image, and saw her smile.
"How's Operation Smooch going?" she asked, and he had to chuckle.
"Nobody's left the apartment yet, so I'm assuming that either they're enjoying each other or they haven't yelled at each other enough yet."
"Always good," Maura said. "We're missing you both here, but I'm hoping you're bringing both back here." She went on to tell him about her checkup, glossing over the fatigue issue, and when they ended the call, they both had a smile on their faces. Aric resumed his napping shortly after, making sure that he could easily access his datapad. Maura went to Coleen's apartment to sit with the baby so that Ty and Coleen could go out to dinner with Torian and Caly. When she arrived, she saw that Coleen was in a great mood. Caitlin was in her pajamas and starting to rub her eyes, but eagerly reached for her grandmother. Who could slow down on this much love, Maura asked herself, and took the baby in her arms. The sudden weight change made her stumble, and Coleen caught her arm.
"Mom, are you okay?" she asked, and Maura nodded.
"Just let me sit down. This angel has just grown." Coleen looked at her mother, confused, but sitting down, Maura looked fine, and she was playing with Caitlin like she always did.
"You'll call me if you have any trouble, right?" Coleen asked. "We're just going down to the cantina."
"Of course," Maura said. Damn this weakness, she thought. Now Coleen will worry about me dropping or falling with the baby. "I brought dinner, so I should be fine."
"Oh, you haven't eaten. That makes more sense," Coleen replied, relief evident on her face. She examined herself in the mirror of her compact, then kissed her mother and left, eager to meet the others. Maura sighed and snuggled Caitlin to her, I'd never risk hurting you, she thought.
Lana had talked to Nico and was now reading to Tali, the little girl growing sleepy. They had a standard week's break from school, starting today, but Lana liked to keep her on a regular schedule during the school year. She didn't have to encourage Tali to sleep lately, she was growing taller and the added force classes really tired her. When Tali was breathing evenly, Lana stood and stretched. She felt well, and had regained her energy. Looking at her chrono, she figured she had about an hour before Jaren would need to be fed again, and picked up her datapad. When she opened it, she saw a message from Devin about the possibility of a visit from some force users. Odd, she thought, but I'll keep an eye on it. She had just saved the message when Jaren whimpered, and she smiled. At least he's healthy, she thought, and went to the baby.
Corso woke when Miriah stirred against him, and when he opened his eyes, he smiled. "I'm not sure that was what you expected," Miriah said, her voice in that breathy, just awakened tone that never failed to stir him.
"Any time with you touching me is well spent," he replied, and Miriah blushed. "I am looking forward to this being over."
"It's not?" Miriah asked, disbelief on her face. "I thought…"
"We just needed to be together for a bit, darlin'. I know there hasn't been a mission that would test your word yet." Corso sat up, missing the flash of anger in his wife's eyes. Suddenly, she stood and paced, and Corso's heart sunk. He really just wanted some time with her, and didn't want to fight. "Mir, please sit. It's not your fault, and stressing about it will just drive us further away from each other."
"I don't want to fight with you, Corso. I clearly miss you and have been trying to shut my feelings away so that I could function."
"You miss me? I was afraid you were finding your way to a life without me." Corso stood and gently took her in his arms.
"I could never have a life without you in it," Miriah murmured, and Corso bent to kiss her lips, the first time in almost two standard months. That was all the permission they needed, and the rest of the evening was spent loving each other.
Devin felt his mother's aura change, and his father's proximity to her. Finally, he thought.