Miriah took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The past few hours had been something of a blur, and now, she had to think. It started when they scanned the ship containing Satele Shan and her students, and discovered how much of it had been disabled. The Servants had worked hard to repair the ship, and they'd almost succeeded. She'd even talked and fought alongside Revan, whom she hadn't seen since Devin had destroyed the temple on Oricon. Darth Marr and many other legends had joined in as well. Thexan and Vaylin had joined Arcann and Senya. The battle through Satele's mind was long, and Miriah's arms and legs were weary. At one point, Devin had begged her to use his force, and she could still feel the vibration of his power in her cells. The final push was both of them, and at last Valkorion, or whoever he was hiding as, was destroyed. Yet, now that it was over, she stood at the spot where she'd seen Satele the first time, after Odessen's base had been built. "Where is everyone?' Miriah asked, as Satele took a seat in front of the fire.
"Theron and Kira are taking my surviving students to the temple on Coruscant," Satele said. "Arcann and Senya are on the way home to Odessen. Perhaps now, they will finally know true peace." She stood to walk calmly around the small camp. "The others, Darth Marr, Revan, Meetra Surik. They are now truly one with the force."
"Wait! How much time has passed?" Miriah asked, still feeling dazed.
"That's not important," Satele said, and her face softened. "You have given my son the home he always needed. I never expected it would be you who helped him when I could not, but he is content, at last. Thank you."
"You should spend more time with Theron," Miriah said. "He needs you in his life."
"I would like that more than anything," Satele replied, but her tone was sad. "Today we defeated the most evil and destructive being in history. It was an honor to see you work, Commander." Miriah's vision grayed until she lost it, and fell into unconsciousness.
Corso and Aric had been circling the group as they held hands around the prone students and Shan. Theron paced with them, his face pale. Devin had inserted himself into the circle late, but had been able to help his mom in the struggle. Now, as Miriah fell onto the deck, out cold, Devin was the first to reach her. "She's okay, just trying to reconcile being in someone's mind and then not. That's all," he said, turning to where his dad had lifted Miriah in his arms. Magdalane had not entered the fray, staying outside to administer to the group, and now rushed to her sister's side.
Corso huddled protectively over Miriah until Mags nudged him gently. "She's fine. Severing the connection with Satele."
"Are you sure?" Corso asked.
"Very sure," Mags replied, and Corso stood, but realized they had to wait until the Dreamweaver came back to the vessel. Instead of settling, he took Miriah to the shuttle bay, and sat gently on the floor, her lying in his lap. I want to be home, he kept thinking. Home with Mir. Nowhere else, but with her. So much time wasted just waiting for something to happen. He saw Arcann and Senya as they boarded their small craft and waved, but until he could put Miriah in her bed on their ship, he wasn't moving. Slowly, the others started to arrive, and Corso felt Aric's hand on his shoulder, but he still didn't move. After what seemed like hours, he saw the Dreamweaver approaching, and stood, stumbling as he gained his balance. Devin was close and steadied him, getting a grateful smile in return.
"Dad, it was a very tough battle. It was… amazing and terrible at the same time. I sent as much force as Mom could handle, so maybe her condition now is at least partly my fault." Devin could feel his mother's force presence, but it was still jumbled.
"Son, I'm sure that it will just take a little time for her to regain her strength," Corso said. "We'll get her aboard and let her rest. Get her some food when she's ready. Go home." Devin nodded at that, and put his arm around his dad as they watched the ship loom closer.
Ian sat down on the shuttle bay floor with a thump. Just like that, he thought. She's off doing what she thinks she's supposed to do, and I'm left here. He lowered his head and tried to pull force to calm him, when he was so exhausted from supporting the fight against Valkorion that he could barely focus. His soul, however, knew that Kira was gone and he was alone, again. He felt despair well up inside him, but then his mother's hand fell onto his shoulder. "Son, she will be back home. You know this. I believe she loves you very much. I could feel it when we were facing Valkorion."
Ian sighed. "I just wish she'd show me more often," he said softly. "I should just be grateful to be with her, but I want to know that she cares, that I'm important to her."
"Ian, she is just learning that she can have things she never dreamed possible. I know you've seen me and your dad, and Devin and Mia, but she probably has never seen nor been in a true relationship. She's learning. She'll get there. Just wait until she looks on the face of your daughter..."
"A girl? We're having a girl?" Suddenly Ian regained his energy and leaped from the deck. "I didn't...I never..." Magdalane laughed at his expression, and he threw himself into her arms.
"You are learning, too, my son. Patience. Love. All the things new relationships and new parents have to learn, just at an accelerated rate. You'll be fine." She patted his back and felt hope swell within him. He'll be fine, she thought.
Miriah woke with a start and sat up. Her head felt fuzzy and she was dimly aware she was in her quarters on the ship. Mom, I'm so glad you're awake! Dad is getting anxious. Devin, she realized, and rubbed her face with both hands. She had just decided to get up when she saw that she'd been dressed in layers of soft, warm clothing, and yet she was still chilled. Sliding to the edge of the bed, she had pushed herself to her feet when Corso came to her side. "Easy, darlin'. You've been through enough today, no need to fall, too." Miriah reached out to stroke his cheek, her fingertips just grazing his skin.
"I realized during it all that you wouldn't have remembered this type of fight, from when I fought Valkorion in my own mind." She saw the shock and then recognition in his eyes.
"My heart," he finally said, his voice thick around the sudden lump there, and she nodded.
"I'm hungry and thirsty, though, so I must be okay," Miriah joked, and Corso put his arm around her, leading her out and into the galley, where the family was gathered. Tucked in between Devin and Corso, Caly brought a plate of food and exchanged it for a hug. The conversation flowed around her as she dug into the hot food, and only after she'd sat back did she see her son's smile.
"Sorry, Mom. I may have overwhelmed you, but I wanted you to have everything I could channel," Devin explained as she grinned at him.
"Son, it was purely amazing," she said, and laughed. "How can you live an everyday life when you have so much power?"
Devin laughed with her. "I had a good teacher. She made me learn to do things without the force, so that I would know what I have is not an everyday kind of thing."
"I bet you weren't even drained," Miriah said, shaking her head. "Revan said you were always meant to be great, and even though I knew that before we ever started, it was reinforced to me today. Thank you, sweetie." Devin bent to hug his mother close, and they remained there, their force auras mingling and the room grew warm. When Miriah sat back, Devin saw her eyes were much lighter than usual, and wondered briefly if his force had caused a permanent change. It didn't seem to be uncomfortable, so he didn't dwell on it, and soon returned to the table as Caly passed dessert around.
Kira knelt on the cold deck of the ship, using her force over one of the students who was still not waking up. She sighed as she sat back on her heels, exhausted. I never knew growing a baby was so much work, she thought, as she gently rubbed her still flat middle. Still, any fatigue was worth beating Valkorion. The force that Devin had pushed through the Commander was enough to accomplish the task and more, she reasoned, and was amazed at it's power. The Commander was wise to have reserved Devin, kept him as the guardian of Odessen, up until now. Now, though, his force will have pushed into the Empire, and would be secret no more. How, she wondered, would the Empire react? Were they even aware of this event? What it meant? Somehow, she felt that it was still submerged, still known only to the Servants, but perhaps she was wrong. Fear crept into her as she thought of this being a diversion for an attack on Odessen, but she pulled force through and it calmed her. If that was the case, she would have felt it, she was sure. Somewhat refreshed and ready, she stood to see to the next student, but her thoughts were on the little home she'd started on Odessen.
Miriah stayed close to Corso through the evening, and spirits were high, but she still felt disoriented. She would be enjoying the stories being told around the lounge, but her thoughts would flash back to Satele's memories. Caly held onto one of her hand, and now she squeezed her daughter's fingers, feeling her return the pressure, and somehow it helped, kept her focused. When she felt her eyes drooping again, Corso stood and took her hands in his, helping her up. They said goodnight and made their way to their quarters, and Miriah felt Corso's tremble as she tucked herself under his arm. "I'm okay, sugar. I'm just ready to be comfortable and quiet." Corso nodded, but still she felt his worry.
"I'm just glad it's all over," he said, pulling her as close as he could. Damn if he didn't hate being useless when something like this happened, he thought. But nothing I could do but watch. "Are you sure he's really dead this time?"
"That's what Arcann, Senya, and Devin and Satele Shan said," Miriah replied. "I can only trust them."
"Well that is a lot of confirmation," Corso replied, and felt himself relax. Devin would never stand down if it weren't true. He, too, had noticed Miriah's eyes, but wasn't sure if it was permanent or just a temporary side effect. It doesn't really matter, he thought, and felt his wife slip into slumber. He lay awake, just thankful that by the time they woke, they'd be home.
Lana had only just started the day when Mia came into her office. "Mia, how nice..."
"I want to move into the secure area," the young woman blurted out. "Dev's suggested it many times, but I realized last night that I wanted to be inside."
"Okay," Lana said, digging around on her desk for the datapad she needed. "I'll send this over to the quartermaster, he'll make sure everything is sorted. Are you okay, Mia?" She rarely saw the young Jedi in anything other than a calm, serene state.
"Oh, we're fine. I just missed...everyone. And everyone is here," she said, shrugging her slim shoulders. "The kids are in school and I'm alone at home most of the day. I'd like to get back to working in the med center, and it just seems like the best plan." Out of breath, Mia saw Lana smile.
"Tali will be most happy to have your family closer," Lana said, and as if that made everything fine, Mia smiled as well, suddenly the pressure she'd felt since she'd put the kids to bed last nigh was gone.
"Thank you," Mia said, and impulsively hugged the tall Sith, who only shook her head and laughed as Mia hurried away to the smuggler wing. That will be a nice coming home for the Commander, she thought.
By the time the Dreamweaver landed, Miriah felt more normal. She'd slept well and it had only been a few hours, but she was settled. More settled than she'd felt in a long time. Maybe, she thought, I always knew he was still out there, somewhere, waiting for an opportunity. Now, all I can feel is good. She turned to take Corso's hand, and as the ramp descended, she saw that they were landing to little notice by the base. Good, she thought.
Aric and Maura had gone home, and Aric flopped on the bed. It does seem like the biggest threat to the Alliance is gone, he thought. He knew that Miriah was contemplating another settlement and that Maura was doing well now that she'd managed to pace herself. She was more like his Maura than she'd been in years. As if reading his thoughts, she landed on the bed next to him.
"Glad to be home," he said, and saw her turn her head to him. "What?" he asked, when he saw the question in her eyes.
"I just glanced through the morning report. Apparently, there's some disturbance in the ranks of the Mandalorians. We may be lending support to recover a capitol vessel that's been hijacked."
Aric sighed. "Okay, let's get moving then." He stood, and pulled Maura up with him, and they made their way to the exec wing, ready to help with whatever came next.