What's a vacation without a villain?

"Control, this is Svartur Himinn, requestin' permission ta land."

"Keep your present course, Red. Your usual spot and crew are waiting. Welcome back."

"Thanks, Ian...its good ta be back. Boss in the office?"

"Been there all day. Want me to comm ahead?"

"Nah, I'll surprise her. Ahm not due back for another three days."

"Usual drinks later?"

"If ahm coherent, sure."

Irridia grinned wickedly as she cut the comm line to the hoots of laughter and suggestive comments from Ian and the others in the control tower. It was a familiar and comfortable banter, a fact for which she was thankful. Initially she'd worried that her relationship with Kalail would color everyone's perceptions with visions of favoritism and jealousy. But it didn't turn out that way. Her smuggling reputation had preceded her, and though there was some grumbing about the sweetness of her contract, they couldn't argue when she consistently produced results. It also didn't hurt that she'd made a point of spending time getting to know everyone personally, lent a hand when crews were short staffed and often bought rounds at the cantina.

It was nice, she mused as she brought the ship around with a deft touch, to have someplace to call home for a change. Well, relatively speaking, of course. It was nice to have a base of operations and space to spread out herself and her things...the way she couldn't on a ship even if she was usually the only one aboard. This past few weeks, however, she'd taken a few blue milk runs and had picked Aliyah up from Bakura. It wasn't often her schedule allowed for such a stretch of uninterrupted time with her daughter, but when it did, the little girl was always thrilled to be going on adventures with her mommy.

Irridia rose from the captain's seat in her cockpit, waving to the crew she could see outside of the viewport. She'd been extremely selective when she'd hired them at the outset, and warned them that she was demanding. After all, the Svartur Himinn was her life in more ways than one, and she wouldn't tolerate anyone who wasn't qualified or understanding of that fact anywhere near her ship.

The patter of tiny feet came racing up the ramp and barreling down the hallway. Ri laughed and caught the tiny tornado of a child up in her arms, spinning her about before setting her down again to race off. Lexi was her chief crewman's daughter, and, she mused, would be best friends with Aliyah once the little one arrived.

That, of course, necessitated telling Kalail that she *had* a daughter. An act that made her apprehensive on a good day. But that was why she'd finished and come back earlier than scheduled. She waved to Lexi's dad as he passed her in the hallway, chasing after the youngling. "Keep her on stand-by, Ben...going ta try and talk Kal into a bit of a vacation."

"Going to tell her about Aliyah?"

"That's the plan."

He grinned and continued on, while she slipped into her surprisingly spacious quarters. A quick trip through the 'fresher and a change of clothes took the better part of an hour. She brushed out her hair and left the bright crimson locks loose to cascade across her shoulders and down her back.

-----

Lifting a hand, she curled her fingers and knocked on Kalail's inner office door in a particular pattern before stepping through. "Hey gorgeous...miss me?" Irridia purred with a wink as she sauntered in.

Idly chewing on the end of her pen, Kalail's attention span was quickly waning. As brilliant of a mind for numbers that she possessed, the tedious task of number crunching, dispersing credits between accounts, hiding the ridiculous sums that got funnel through dummy corporations, and ensuring that the 'legitimate' employees on the payroll remained perfectly lawful from the surface to the forged documents that proved underlings that had the education of a nerf deserved their five figured salaries made ... her ... bored. All day the same routine, as it were as of late, was driving her mad. Madder then usual. Fingers twitched against on top of the desk, itching for something to do besides press keys on the console and punch in calculations.

She wanted to pull her hair out and decided to, instead, pull out the small blaster pistol underneath her desk, take aim at the crystal vase made out of Alderaanian crystal and ....

... put it aside as the knock at the door was registered. "What the -?"

Quickly the small firearm was replaced under the desk and the aggravated lines of Kalail's forehead melted into wondrous surprise that her lover was back.

"Well that was a fast three days," she looked at her calender to make sure she didn't have an amnesiac episode. "Oh wait no," she cooed and grinned, still sitting behind her desk, "It's still only Wednesday."

While Ri was the epitome of sensual desire in the clothing chosen, Kalail couldn't be more opposite right now. Tailor made black slacks, cuffed at the bottom, light blue blouse that two buttons had managed to be pried opened during her discord in managing the accounting, and the matching jacket that was hanging on the back of her chair, Rotas exuded the confident businesswoman. Ri knew better that under the facade beat the heart of a woman that burned raw passion at anyone's expense. However, a more delicate and playful side came forth - seemingly more often as the days grew past them.

Tapping a finger under her chin, she admired Ri from afar. "Why th' surprise?"

When required, Rotas' smooth upper class Coruscanti accent always shined through but no falsities had to be maintained any longer.

"Do ah really need a reason, darlin'?"

Irridia winked as she crossed the office, deliberate steps carrying her from the door to the front of Kalail's desk. Tilting her head, the smuggler took a moment to drink in the sight sitting before her...and to steel herself for one more moment. The woman was normally secure and confident, but trying to tell her lover that there was something she'd been keeping secret made her more nervous than a Hutt's slave.

And considering she'd been one years ago, it was saying something.

In one hand, she held a square box covered in soft black velvet, while the other absently twirled a few crimson locks. "Alright, alright...two reasons. One, ah finished the two runs far faster than ah thought ah would. An' two, ah have something that I need to tell you."

Setting the box down in front of Kalail, she perched on the edge of the desk. "You can either open your present first, or ah can tell you what ah have ta say." Ri said very softly, her concern finally presenting itself in her features and her suddenly uncertain posture. Inside the box was a gift that Aliyah had helped her choose...nestled on the white satin lining was a ruby necklace made of multiple strands of natural stones, with platinum and diamond accents.

In response to Ri's counter about not having a reason, Kalail merely smirked and raised a knowing brow. Ulterior motives were in abundance between them of varying sorts. She said nothing, however, as longing eyes took in the sight of her missed lover - though the Vigo wouldn't necessarily voice such a thought. It had been years since someone had been more then a decent frell and captivate her into actually caring as to who they were and what motivated them.

Ri has quite the comeback from being a slave, positioning herself into autonomy and quite the reputations, with the contacts to prove how tenacious the woman was. All qualities that Kalail respected and it helped that mischief was another trait connecting the two of them together. They got into lots of trouble together and most of the time, the poor slob hadn't a clue he got played - a priceless jewel was stolen, an account was frozen and purged of all credits, or a building was torched because someone looked at the Vigo wrong. It was all fun.

Ri was being suspiciously serious. That put Kalail on edge for what she considered was the first time since their romance began months ago. The smuggler was far too serious and brought a gift. This wasn't good.

Leaning back in her chair defensively, Kalail waved a hand for Ri to speak. "What is it tha' ya wanna tell me?"

She swallowed hard and for several moments, the smuggler was speechless. Fingers delicately plucked out a small crystal cube dangling on a chain under her shirt, sea-green eyes gazing down at it. Her shoulders slumped slightly as she reached over without looking and set it down in front of Kalail. Her hand hovered for a moment before a fingertip brushed the tiny switch on the top.

From the tiny holocube sprang the image of a small girl with bright sea-green eyes that would be familiar to anyone who knew Irridia. "This is my daughter, Aliyah. I haven't told you about her before, because...I...wasn't sure what you would think. She's nine. I...met her father and got pregnant almost ten years ago, when I was living on Nar Shaddaa, just after I gained my freedom. He was...something else. And I was...young. And free for the first time in my life."

She smiled as she watched the hologram for a few moments, sighing softly as the short clip looped back to the beginning. "Ali is a little spitfire. She lives with my brother and his wife on Bakura, since they have a few kids of their own, she fits right in and they love her almost as much as I do. I'm sorry I haven't said anything before now, love."

Irridia rose from the edge of the desk and crossed to the near side of the room where Kalail kept a small couch. She sank into it, crossing her legs and folding her hands in her lap, knuckles white with the tension that was writ in her features and posture. "I'm sorry." she whispered.

Blue eyes regarded Ri as she should any employee: Cold and shrewdly, digesting and internalizing every single word uttered so that it could possibly be used against them if they back stab Kalail. Old instincts that were slowly being buried day by day with the smuggler built back up in the matter of seconds. That was how easy it was for the Vigo to remove emotional attachments to ensure that she was seeing the situation for what it was clearly. Ri's silence did not help matters at all and Kalail was waiting patiently for the explanation, a gift for the one she had feelings for.

The intent stare fell to the holo-image and for a moment, Kalail showed a flash of confusion. An image of a child? Perhaps this was just a silly joke that Ri was playing that actually touched the Vigo's core. If that were true, what was Kalail actually feeling besides a sting of betrayal? Ri continued, however, and longingly gazed upon the picture with a sad smile on her face. It was no trick. This child belonged to Irridia.

New found freedom had changed Ri's fortunes for many reasons it appeared. One completely unplanned for. The hardened edge to Kalail's features softened, but it was clear that the Vigo wasn't put at ease by this revelation. As if sensing this, Ri took her leave and put distance between them, sitting on the couch.

Even as the image looped once again and a finger pressed the crystal to end it, eyes never left the sight of her lover. A few taps against the device, fingers retreated into the air as if giving Ri permission to speak. "What do you want from me?"

When Kalail got angry or even felt a modicum of betrayal, her speech became impeccably upper class - the only time it showed besides keeping up appearances. It was not a good sign at all.

Sea-green eyes blinked as they were pulled upwards, back towards Kalail's lovely features. Only they were closed and guarded, in a fashion that had never been directed at her. It stung deep and quick, and when her lover's voice emerged it made the sensation all that much worse.

It took several moments for her words to sink in, and for her heart to resume something akin to beating once more. Irridia sighed softly as she shook her head.

"You've accepted me as ah am. All ah want is fer you to accept all of me. Ah don't expect ya to turn your entire life upsahd down to accommodate Aliyah, or me. Ah just want ya to accept the fact that she's part of me. Part of my life. Part of who ah am, and most days, ah swear she's the only reason ah lived through those early years on Nar Shaddaa." she frowned, her accent thicker than usual as she struggled to voice her feelings...something she was distinctly unaccustomed to doing with anyone aside from her family.

But Kalail...even in the few months they'd been together, she'd come to mean so much to Ri that it hurt to contemplate it all crashing down now. Gods it hurt to think that she might have just ruined the best relationship she ever had.

"You'd like her, love...you really would. She's a great kid...quiet, thoughtful, the gift was her idea. She even helped me pick it out. Said it reminded her of fire and that it would be perfect fer ya." Ri said even more softly, rising and strolling back over to the desk, fingers reaching out to take back her tiny holocube necklace.

Funny how such little nuances that weren't noticed previously became painfully clear. If she wasn't so irritated by this news, Kalail would have thought Irridia's thickening vulnerable accent was deliciously sexy. Well, she did. Not something that she would admit. She would acknowledge that the two of them defaulted to another form of speaking as emotions were weaved through each word, reflecting the truth of their hearts.

Discussing feelings, as often as Kalail was jealous of her cousin ability to find love, was foreign. Self gratification was easy. Find a toy that could be used, abused and cast aside was the summation of the Vigo's personal life before she met Irridia. Originally the blonde had thought the same pattern was going to unfold between them - a mutual lust that both women wanted to be sated by the other - but things didn't quite follow Kalail's usual path. One thing was clear though, if the Vigo knew Irridia had a child months ago, they wouldn't be sitting here in her office having this conversation. They would merely be Vigo and underling.

Blue eyes fell upon the, as of yet, unopened gift. She hadn't entirely forgotten about it. So the child knew about Kalail? That was unexpected. It could also be inferred that Irridia's family probably knew about her too. Which meant that the only wrath that the redhead was worried about was her lover's. The explanation had caused some curiosity to churn to see what gift a nine year old could possible choose that was perfect for her.

Fingers crawled over soft velvet to bring the box closer before her and opened it up just as Ri was beginning to reach the desk. Opening the box, Kalail suppressed the gasp that wanted to bubble forth. The necklace was absolutely stunning. Lines of rubies untouched by a jewelers mark, completely left to their natural beauty as it was meant to be - and yes it reminded Kalail of fire too.

Before Ri could touch the holocube, Kalail's hand snatched her wrist with eyes still transfixed on the gift. Numerous trinkets of varying sorts ranging from jewels, spice, clothing, and even vehicles had been showered upon the Vigo in hopes to win her approval. This was the first one to actually stir something in her heart then mere greed of possessions. A gift who's only intent was to comfort Kalail knowing someone cared about her.

"Come here" she said softly, encouraging Ri to comply by tugging on her wrist gently.

Hope rose somewhere in the back of her heart, tiny, flickering like mad, but there nonetheless. She swallowed hard against the odd need she felt to apologize all over again, or to just say anything at all that would fix the mess she knew she was mired in.

But the touch on her wrist was gentle and light, guiding, asking not demanding. Hope flared a bit more brightly, though flickering still as she expected the worst. Without dislodging Kalail's touch on her skin, she shifted and carefully walked around the desk, leaving the holocube where it was for the time being. Irridia came to stand right next to her chair, leaning a hip into the desk.

"If ya don't like it, love, ah could find...something...else..." Ri started with a whisper, unable to stand the quiet that had fallen between them.

Not that they were unfamiliar with quiet moments, or times when words were unnecessary, when a touch or a glance would speak volumes..or the...she stopped her train of thought before it derailed too far and tried to patiently wait.

Possessively, Kalail moved the box far away from Ri, ensuring there was no chance that the smuggler could snatch the gift away. "The gift is perfect," she affirmed before standing. "Forgive my presumptions that your ..." It was still difficult to accept that Irridia had a child and the pause that came before admitting it. "... kid couldn't pick out a gift for me."

Lazily her lips flickered into the just beginnings of a smile. "It really is perfect. It's ..."

The hand not occupied with the one entwined in Ri's hand encircled the waste of the redhead slowly. "I'm just not used to ..."

Her brow scrunched together and the Vigo found herself grasping for the right words. She was terrible at this and the ability to express most emotions that didn't focus upon simplistic, primal emotions left Kalail at a deficit. "You were right to be afraid. I wouldn't try to accept that you have a daughter if you had told me earlier."

The woman smiled briefly at the possessive gesture Kalail made with the velvet box, setting as far away on the surface of her desk as she possibly could. Irridia's eyes fell to the tiny holocube, watching as Aliyah played happily, stopping every so often to blow kisses towards the camera her brother was holding. Her free hand reached down to switch the precious 'cube off just as Kalail's hand wound about her waist.

Fingertips lifted as Kalail struggled to express herself, the emotions refusing to come easily to her. Irridia gently trace the line of her brow, her own throat working with the emotion that was still making it difficult for her to breathe. She let her hand cup her lover's cheek, her thumb stroking gently across the soft skin.

"Li'ara...I am...sorry I kept this from you. But the fact...that you're willing to try...it means everything to me." Ri murmured softly, eyes half closed as she rested her forehead against Kalail's, the intimate posture born of comfort and security.

The strain written upon her face was pressed away by fingertips tracing the curvature of her brow and cheek. Even the thumb that gently caressed her soft skin was melting the stress into non-existence. The Vigo did not discount how her heartbeat sped up with the touch or how scared this situation had became to her. For all of her talk with Sorsha, having an actual relationship to pursue now that she had it, was just frightening. And a frelling kid! She wanted to space herself but as soon as Li'ara escaped Ri's lips, Kalail would have done anything to keep this feeling of contentment forever.

She held Ri closer and felt her chest tighten with unspoken emotion. "I know." It was all Kalail could say without sounding like a love sick pup. Pulling her head away, she did the only thing she was really good at in expressing herself - kissing Ri softly on the lips. She wasn't often this gentle but the words that almost needed to be said right now, remained deeply buried under fear.

Her other hand rose, joining the first in gently cupping Kalail's face as her lover struggled to form words. Ri held her there, fingers framing the features she loved so very much, while three precious, needful words lingered on the tip of her tongue.

"I-" was all that managed to softly emerge past her lips which were soon claimed in the sweetest of ways. Words often failed them both, but expression came easily to them in so many other ways. She returned the gentle kiss with one of her own, as loving and delicate an expression as there ever was between them.

Irridia gently broke the embrace of their lips and its sweet promise of more, tilting her head back and silently gazing at Kalail. Her fingertips moved with a touch of wonder, as if they held between them the most precious jewel in the 'verse.

"You know I love you, Kalail...please tell me you've never doubted that...never doubted us." Ri murmured softly, her accent strangely absent as the words slipped passed her lips as effortless as any others.

This was unfamiliar territory. Ri admitting her feelings and being so open with such simplistic words made Kalail want to run out of her office to find something to torch. She was dueling with this need to run, despite how much she already admitted to herself that she wanted this so badly.

"I do ... I ... I know ..." Her face tensed again and she was losing control. Kalail was always in control, even when she was doing something completely insane because the Vigo knew exactly why it was being done, and had everything under control. But being in love with Ri was making her feel anything but. It reminder her of Sorsha ... and not in a good way. The vision of her cousin's long hair completely chopped off after Miranda and her had an argument appeared immediately.

She shook her head and slipped out of her lover's arms. "Maybe we should get outta here and get something to eat. You're probably famished from your trip," she said quickly and without eye contact.

Irridia had known better than to expect a declaration in return, knowing it just wasn't in Kalail's nature to be so open about things. But still...her simple response stung more than she cared to admit.

It would come, Ri told herself, eventually. She knew very well how her lover felt - it was there in her gaze and her touch whenever they were together. In her heated messages whenever they were apart.

As Kalail slipped from her arms, Irridia sighed softly and smiled, her fingers reaching up to adjust the hat atop her head. Auburn curls were smoothed out as the hat was tilted just so, while her gaze remained on her lover.

Kalail just needed time.

"That sounds like a good plan, luv...wanna head ta Barron's or someplace quieter?" the smuggler asked, tilting her head as she glanced back towards the door.

"Someplace quieter," she said a little too quickly and hit the comm on her desk. "I require my appointments to be cleared for the rest of the day Deethree

D-3MO was her Protcol droid because she would never trust a human to take care of her affairs, and she could stand the company of the machine far easier as well. "But Miss Rotas, you have a meeting with the Branners later. They wanted to go over the family estate in order to rewrite their wills."

"Reschedule and offer my apologies but my Aunt has came down with the flu."

A lie but one the droid couldn't prove and it made for the perfect excuse.

"Oh! I'm sorry to hear that. The Branners will certainly understand that you must take care of family. I will communicate your regrets and reschedule. Give your Aunt my sincere well wishes on a speedy recovery."

"Thank you. I'll be locking up with Ri shortly."

"Yes, Mistress. Try and have a pleasant evening."

A few strokes of the electronic keyboard and her computer was locked and powered down. "Any thoughts o' where ta go?" she asked without looking up as she packed her briefcase.

"Well, there's the Coronet Café, if you want Corellian. That's really low-key this time of day."

Irridia replied, leaning forward to take back her precious holocube. The chain wound back around her neck, she then tucked the cube beneath her top. Fingertips trailed along the edge of the desk as she took a few slow, easy steps, giving Kalail her space as the woman packed up her day.

"Or Mor'adav...the new Devaronian place. I've heard its pretty quiet...but its new, so I bet that's why."

Exotic alien food vs boring old Corellian kind that she could always get when she was in her sister office on Corellia.

"Mor'adav sounds perfect an' ah place tha' won't require reservations," she said and slipped on her jacket.

One Hour Later...

Kalail had flagged down a taxi since the establishment was local. The trip there was met with uncomfortable silence, with occasional small talk by the Rodian driver. Even he eventually gave up, leaving the two women alone with their thoughts. The Vigo really wasn't thinking of much of anything as she watched the cityscape through the window. She wasn't even aware of her subconscious actions of leaving personal space between them in the taxi - not when they usually came close to giving the drivers a hell of a show in the back seat.

Now at the restaurant, the two of them looked over their menu, Kalail quite happy at the selection. Not only was the food exotic with many of its ingredients imported from the Devaronian sector, but the food had varying degrees of spiciness.

"Good suggestion, Ri," she commented from behind the menu, still unsure if she wanted the qerrian spice rub or the lentas flakes on her steak. Both of them equally would be a delight on her palate. Anything that burned.

The ride wasn't worth remembering.

Even if she tried, she'd not be able to describe a single street sign or quadrant marker. Nothing. The only thing she saw and felt was the palpable distance between, yawning wider than the Kessel run and twice as black.

Irridia sighed softly, perusing the menu and offering a smile over the top of it as Kalail spoke. "Thank you, li'ara...I knew we had to try it as soon as I heard it had opened."

The server stopped by to take their order and to bring a plate of warm, crusty bread and a spicy dipping sauce. "Dragonjuice on the rocks, please...and a bowl of the Hot Montellian Stew." Ri paused, glancing over at Kalail as the server did the same. "If you're not ready, perhaps your usual drink and a few more minutes with the menu? I don't mind waiting."

What she really wanted was a reactor core, but it was doubtful that an establishment as such would serve such a concoction - mainly because of the hallucinatory side effects. So she went with something more conservative.

"Tell me you have th' fixins for a meltdown?" she asked, still idly tapping at the side of her menu.

"Yes, Miss. We do. Shall I have the bartender make it up for you?" Kalail's posture seemed to cause some hesitation in the server's voice.

"Yeah. An' ah'll think ah'll take the Spicy Kibben Spare Ribs." She finally flipped the menu closed and handed it towards the server. "An' tell the cook not ta hold back."

The server licked his lips as Kalail tore into some bread. "Are ..." he paused as his finger hovered over the send button on his datapad, "Are you sure Miss? It's quite spicy and very few beings have the palate to withstand it."

Kalail smirked and leaned back in her chair. "Trust me," she bit into the buttered bread and grinned further, "Ah can handle it."

"Very well," he said, eyes wide open as the order was placed. "I'll return with your drinks shortly."