Corso gingerly stood from the speeder. It was just after midnight, and as he stretched, he realized that he was definitely not in shape for driving that long. He'd taken his hat off much earlier, and picked it up before going up the deck steps and into the house. Stopping in the kitchen, he quickly made a sandwich and took it with him to the bedroom, pulling off clothing as he went. He had managed to slide into bed after showering off the dust of the day when he realized he hadn't called Miriah. He groaned, sitting up, and reached for the holo he'd discarded on the nightstand, and hesitated. It was early for Mir to be up and about, he reasoned, and he put the device back down. I'll sleep for a little bit, and then call. He was asleep before he'd rolled over, exhausted from his trip.

Miriah had slept some, but was up and working on the decorations for Coleen's cake well before dawn on Odessen. Her fingers itched to call Corso, but she hesitated. If he'd done what he said he was going to do, and she had no doubt he'd kept his word, he was exhausted. Taking a deep breath, she bent again to the cake, knowing that Corso would be home before Coleen's wedding. Just the thought soothed her soul, and she felt herself relax. I never told Aric what was happening, she thought, and giggled softly. He'll be surprised when he sees him. She let her mind relax as her fingers transformed the white icing into a lacy, silver filigree pattern, one that matched the dress. When she was finished, she wiped her hands on a nearby cloth and took a long drink from the water bottle she'd brought with her. Satisfied, she rolled the cart with the cake into the long cooler in the auxiliary kitchen and walked back to the apartment to get ready for the day.

Rukisa readied herself for the landing. It wasn't for several hours yet, but she wanted the guest quarters to be pristine and the crew on their best behavior. Why, she couldn't say, except she respected both Mandalore and the Commander and didn't want to disappoint them. She finally closed her eyes in her seat and let her mind drift. Odessen, she mused. It might be a good place for a second home. She was considering the force there when she fell asleep, a slight smile on her face.

Aric woke at his usual early hour and passed by the Commander's apartment on his way to the military hanger and his morning meditation. He had gone several steps past when he realized the HK units there were missing except one. He was about to ask the one remaining when he heard the clanking of the others, escorting Miriah back home. "Mir, what are you doing out this early?" he asked, managing to mask the concern in his voice.

"Mess hall, working on your daughter's cake. Which, I might add, is gorgeous." Miriah sailed inside with Aric on her heels. "I'll cook if you make the caf."

"Miriah, have you talked to Corso?" Aric could feel something was different but couldn't put his finger on what.

"I did, last night before bed," Miriah answered carefully. "He was tired but doing well."

"Wish he could be here for the wedding, but I don't dare ask for the date to be moved, upon penalty of death," Aric chuckled. "I'll honestly be glad when it's over. I didn't understand that when Corso told me before Caly's wedding, but he was absolutely correct."

Miriah smiled. "It's a lot of work, but worth it," she said, cracking orobird eggs into the skillet. They worked together in companionable silence, and when they sat down to eat, Miriah dug into the food. Aric realized then that she seemed almost happy, like she'd let go of the darkness that had been enveloping her since Nar Shaddaa. He wanted to ask what had changed, but was afraid of questioning what might be a fragile truce. Instead, he enjoyed the food and light conversation, and left Miriah to get ready for her day. On his way to the hangar, he felt like everything was working out, and whistled as he made his way outside just as the sun was rising.

Corso woke with a start, and jumped from bed to find his datapad. He saw a message from Shae Vizla, telling him that a ship would be landing, the date and time. He stared at the date and then hurriedly pulled on clothes. He only had a few hours to get ready, but if were honest with himself, he was already ready. He flew outside and drove the speeder he'd purchased into storage, and called the rental company about the one he'd driven from the farmlands. He checked the house, one more time, and decided to make a quick sandwich. As he chewed, he went over everything he wanted to do before he left, satisfied with the results. He had just reached for a bottle of juice when his datapad chimed. Pulling it out, he saw a message from Miriah. Haven't said anything to Aric about you being home soon, want to surprise him?

Yeah, I'm in. Can't wait to see you, Mir.

Same here. I love you, sugar.

Love you, too. Corso put the device in his pocket and took a deep breath. In two and a half days, he'd be home. With that thought, he gathered his bag and weapons and headed to the hangar.

Devin could tell his mother was in a different frame of mind as she sailed into the executive wing. Her force aura was almost it's normal violet, and he wondered what she knew that she wasn't sharing. Whatever it is, it must be good, he thought. He was in front of her desk before she got settled, and he could see the smile she had lost for the last three months. "You're having a great morning," he observed, and his mother giggled. Suddenly, he knew and grinned back. "When?" was all he asked.

"The day of the wedding, but we haven't told Aric. Dad and I want to surprise him." Devin reflexively turned to look behind him, even though he'd seen Aric go down the hallway earlier.

"We'll have to be careful with Merida, but that sounds awesome," Devin said, and felt his own spirits soar. He'd missed his father, and had come to respect that he had to take a stand. "She's so in love with her flower girl dress that she should be sufficiently distracted." They chatted about the day and when they were done, Lana joined them.

"Boss, you're looking good today," Lana said, as Miriah took the baby from the carrier and held him on her shoulder.

"It's a great day," Miriah said, letting the calm of the baby wash over her. Lana could only smile at the sight, and Devin went back to work.

Maura slipped into the cooler to see the cake and couldn't believe her eyes. Miriah had copied the design of the dress so nearly perfectly that Maura teared up. Oh, Mir, Coleen will be so happy, she thought. She checked that the other foods that could be prepared ahead were in storage and waiting, and took a deep breath. I have to relax, Maura told herself. Mags said I have to keep my blood pressure down. Taking a few deep breaths, she felt her heart stabilize and made her way back out to the courtyard, where the spring wind made her tear up for a different reason. Pulling her jacket around her, she hurried to the floral shop, anxious to check on the bouquets. As she turned the corner, she saw Kira and Ian in each other's arms. The promenade was busy, so Maura knew she was likely not seen by her nephew, and she hurried past, making a mental note to tell Mags what she'd seen. Her train of thought was gone once she was inside the florist, and she relaxed in the warmth and beauty before her.

Mags finished with her assigned hours in the med center and realized it was lunchtime. She made her way out to the mess hall, glad to be inside out of the wind. She had just gotten up to the food when she saw Maura, and waved to her. Taking her tray to the table where her sister sat, she felt relief flood through her. Lately, it seemed to her that she was missing things, and wondered again if it was just her imagination. "Hey, sister, how are things with the wedding?" she asked, and Maura was off, telling her about the beautiful cake Miriah had done, and the flowers that were going to be perfect. It wasn't until the end of Maura's explanation that she held up her hand. "Wait, what? Ian and Kira?"

"Yep, they were definitely more than just friends," Maura said. "It's a good thing, right?"

"I guess," Mags said, but she needed a minute to wrap her thoughts around the idea. "I mean, she seems like a great person."

"What about Lord Scourge? How is he adapting to Odessen?" Maura continued to eat, her dainty bites making Mags self conscious about how rapidly she always ate her food, a by product of Jedi training.

"He seems anxious, and irritable, so normal behavior for him," Mags joked, and saw her sister smile. "Really, I think he's still trying to figure out how things work around here. I keep thinking I'll tell Devin to try and work with him, but somehow I believe that Scourge will only be happy if he comes to the knowledge on his own."

"Yeah, you may be right. Say, have you see Mir today?"

"No, have you?"

"No," Maura said, "but I need to stop and tell her how wonderful she is."

Mags laughed softly, she had made a point of seeing Miriah every day since Corso went rogue, but today she just hadn't gone over to the executive wing yet today. "I should, too. We can go over together after we finish." She had just started her dessert, a light, spongy cake with fruit liberally spread over the top, and didn't want to waste it, another of her Jedi training rules. She had just taken a bite when she saw her son and Kira enter, hand in hand, and felt how peaceful and happy he was. She didn't say anything, but she knew Ian would feel her joy in his happiness and let it be.

Rukisa felt the ship settle with a soft thunk onto the landing pad, and set about seeing to the air lock. It had just opened when she saw a tall, broad shouldered man, and recognized him from the holonet as Corso Riggs. Straightening to her full height, she realized he was still taller, and he wore a huge smile. She descended the ramp and stopped as he thrust out his hand. Taking it in her own, she was surprised when he enclosed her hand in both of his. "Glad to meet ya, I'm Corso," he said, and she could only smile.

"Rukisa," she responded, and looked down at the bags at Corso's feet. "You're traveling light. We have plenty of room."

"All I need is waiting for me on Odessen," Corso drawled warmly, and Rukisa instantly liked the man. "Just tell me where to go and we can be off, unless you and your crew need a little break."

"No, no, we're fine." Rukisa turned and led their cargo up the ramp and into the guest quarters, which pleased her with their orderliness.

"I can help out, do whatever you want or need," Corso said, stowing his gear bag and rifle in the shallow closet.

"We have a full crew," Rukisa assured him. "We'll be breaking atmosphere in about five minutes. Our instructions are to get you to Odessen as quickly as possible." At that, Corso brought out an even brighter smile, and Rukisa almost laughed, he seemed so eager.

"That sounds just about perfect." With a sharp nod, Rukisa turned to go to the bridge, the ramp already up and the preflight checks being run by her crew. Not my regular job, she thought, but this might not be so bad.

Corso sat on the edge of the bed and was instantly grateful that Miriah wasn't going to try to sleep on such a hard surface. He pulled his datapad out and sent the news to her that he was on the way, and made his way out to the common space to wait departure, his lungs filling for what seemed like the first time since Corellia.

Miriah was working through the follow ups from the conference when her datapad chimed and Lana looked up from hers. "Sorry," Miriah said, grabbing the device before it could chime again.

"Jaren is a good sleeper, as you know," Lana laughed. Tali only had a few more days out of school before the last push of the year, and she wanted to get home to spend some time with her. "I need to be going anyway." She stood as Maura and Magdalane came in, and they both hugged Lana before sitting across from Miriah.

Miriah opened the message and smiled, her spirits high. "That smile looks like you're really happy today," Maura said.

"It really does, Mir. What's happening?" Mags could feel her sister's joy. "Is it Corso? Is he back on the ranch?"

"He's doing great, and yes, I do feel happy. How could I not? I made an excellent cake, I've gotten caught up here, and it's only days until Coleen gets the wedding she always wanted." Miriah locked her datapad, just in case, and dropped it into her pocket. The sisters left together, going to Maura's apartment to go over the wedding details, and through it all Miriah was silent on the subject of Corso.

Mags could feel things were changing, and held onto the happiness she'd managed to find. When she finally got ready for bed, it came back to her that Miriah looked too happy to just have Corso back on the ranch, but she reasoned that if there was more, they'd know soon enough.

Miriah sank down on the bed in her pajamas and grinned. Hurry, sugar, she thought, and held onto the thought that he was almost back.