A Vow

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The night was quiet, and she was alone.

Walking through the apartment could only do so much for her. On nights where she was alone, she was restless. Words of the past kept echoing in her mind, the pressures of the galaxy on her shoulders. Dark circles fell heavy under her eyes, and though her body yearned for sleep, her mind couldn't rest. There were many things left to do, many decisions she had to make. However, the weight of these decisions lifted once she stepped into one room, shoulders heavy with the burden becoming light.

The room was strewn with toys. All kinds, scattered about, evidence of a beloved visitor to the Morata household.

Corran.

For a brief moment, she smiled, though the memory itself was edged with pain. He visited as frequently to Silvi as he could, but she mindfully kept her distance. She would not impede the time he wanted with their daughter, regardless of what happened. But even with the distance, she could feel the locked-down heartbreak still seeping through the cracks, and so she stayed out of sight. Still, the little one laid out in her crib, fast asleep and dead to the world after a long day with her father, and she smiled tenderly.

A light touch smoothed over a downy cheek, and though she stirred, Silvi did not wake. A tender smile touched her lips as she looked down at the little girl, and she exhaled quietly. For her. There was nothing she wouldn't do for her daughter. Even if it risked the ire and condemnation of many, she would protect this child with her life.

"My starlight," she crooned softly, closing her eyes briefly. Exhaustion threatened to well up and sink her low, but she would sit vigil and watch over Silvi for just a moment longer. Savor the peace and silence the night brought with the child she would save the galaxy for. Just a few minutes more...

She fell asleep that way, with her hand lightly over her child's chest, for a moment letting the cares of the galaxy slip away. After all, tomorrow there was work to be done.

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The next time she had sat at home alone with Silvi, the little girl had come back with a new outfit. No doubt with... she couldn't even think his name. It still stung with betrayal. Yet there was nothing she could regret with what had happened. She was honest, and though it cost her a life she would have traded everything for, she didn't regret that she had spoken the truth. No doubt he hadn't forgiven her yet, but that was another day. The little toddler was giggling, grasping Amariel's leg and looking up at her.

"Hello starlight," she greeted, a slightly tired smile touching her lips. "What is it, hmm? You escape that poor Nanny of yours again? Poor droid must be worn through their circuits trying to keep an eye on you." She scooped the small child closer to her, and propped her on her knee, giving a little bounce. "You were right, I've been cooped up in here too long." Giving a slight bounce, she smiled when Silvi began to giggle, bright blue eyes crinkling up at her through white lashes.

Her chest ached and her throat closed tightly, but she managed to smile nonetheless. "Perhaps you can help Mommy with biochemical analysis, hmm?" she teased, then began to tickle the little girl. The tot shrieked and laughed in delight, and though the sound was shrill enough to make her cringe, she still laughed and persisted nonetheless. She knew she ought to speak on Silvi's level, but it felt wrong. She was so intelligent already, but yet fervently she hoped the girl didn't have her mother's gift.

Little hands lunged for her hair, but she expertly avoided them, kissing little palms instead. More giggles came, and she chuckled once, cuddling the little girl closer.

"You'll be all right, little one," she spoke softly, smiling down at the earnest face. Not for the first time did she wonder if she could bring herself to let anyone else in the galaxy meet her daughter; few knew of her existence, fewer still who her father was. And she would keep it that way. The less who knew, the safer Silvi would be.

The little girl patted her cheek, and she kissed the palm again, lightly stroking over dainty, tiny fingers.

"I hope you take after your father, little one. The galaxy needs strong people."

Still... she needed an answer. Even a temporary respite from the pressure of the vaccine. The holodetails drew her eyes for a moment, long enough that an inquisitive tot's hand lunged forward, touching something on the display. She flinched back, and so did Amariel, then catching her fingers. "No, Silvi," she spoke firmly, and wide, startled blue eyes whipped to meet hers, before filling with tears.

She let out a slow breath, then kissed her daughter's downy head. "I'm sorry. You just need to be..."

A blue, flashing icon flared to life on her screen, and her eyes began to widen. "More careful... but..."

Suddenly, the pieces clicked together. Her eyes widened further, and she let in a slow, hesitant breath. Was that... it? An answer at long last?

Her hands began to tremble as she looked closer at the data, throat drying up.

"Starlight. I think we're on to something here."