A/N: When I first played through Knights of the Old Republic: The Sith Lords, I just took it for granted that Kavar and Talia were together. All that snappy, meaningful banter? The Jedi robes you find in Talia's bedroom? What else could it be? (Plus, I always had a huge crush on Kavar. It's a damn shame that Kreia turns him into a soulless shell.)

But sadly, I haven't seen much in the way of celebrating their glorious relationship. This is my humble attempt to start fixing that.

Please note that I meant this to be more of a serious and pensive story. If you're looking for quick romance thrills, you're probably not going to find them here. I want to take my time painting a picture of their relationship as it grows in the midst of chaos and war. I do promise that if you stick with it and keep reading, there will be a satisfying conclusion to all the romantic innuendo and slow build-up.

I hope you like it!

Just for fun: If I were going to direct a movie of this story (if only), I would definitely use something like the soundtrack for The Other Boleyn Girl. Look it up if you want something to listen to while reading, it's pretty much exactly what I would have imagined music-wise. "The Execution" would be the opening and general theme, "The Banquet" would be their love theme, "My Sweet Lord" would be background music for Iziz and such, "Guilty" would be the sad theme, and "Going to Court" would be the battle/political drama theme.

He was dead. Everyone thought he was dead.

Queen Talia Kira stood in the center of the ornately gilded throne room, biting her nails. Her usually balloon-like harem pants clung to her legs as she paced back and forth, lost in confusing thoughts and memories. It seemed unusually hot in the palace that day, even for the ripe heat of Onderonian summer. She wished there was somewhere she could collect her thoughts for a moment.

"My lady; the Jedi Master Kavar is here. He says that he has permission to see you," said a young messenger boy, interrupting her thoughts with a curt bow. "Should the guards let him in now?"

"Send him in," Talia said, trying to regain her usual composure. It had been only twenty minutes since she received Kavar's message, but it felt like a lifetime. Looking around the room helplessly, she finally rooted herself in front of the throne in an attempt to appear regal.

The doors burst open on the other end of the hallway. Master Kavar walked in with a commanding stride, blond locks pushed back carelessly. The sleeves of his Jedi robes had been rolled up, revealing slightly tanned forearms. Slight creases ran across his forehead, and his expression was serious, but it was easy to see that the Jedi had not altered a bit in appearance.

He's as handsome as I remember. And I thought I was just romanticizing, she thought.

There was a long silence as Kavar approached the seat of the throne, bowing deeply onto his knee. Familiar blue eyes looked up at Talia, regarding her with a newfound depth that she found unsettling.

"Master Kavar," she began in what she hoped was a strong voice, "This is most unexpected. I had thought never to see you again." More softly, she added, "We had heard reports that you… that you had been killed in the Jedi Civil War."

Kavar smiled grimly.

"The Force works in mysterious ways, your majesty."

"I am grateful for that," she replied. Without her consent, her rising emotions seemed to stress the words. Cheeks heating, she quickly changed to a tone of inquiry. "I would ask, however, why you choose to come to Onderon at this particular time?" she said, foreign accents undulating through the words.

"I could no more abandon your people to General Vaklu's influence than I could stop using the Force, your highness," Kavar replied politely.

"We are indebted to you, of course. But surely there is another reason, beyond Outer Rim politics?" she said shrewdly.

Turning a more grave countenance, he said,

"You are correct. I must be frank. I fear that darker work is afoot here, and a greater destruction looms on the horizon. If your cousin Vaklu continues to rally Onderonian support for this infantile rebellion of his, we could be faced with a full-scale strategic attack on two fronts. The Republic is too unstable to foster such a break, and I hope to quietly delay the coming events for as long as possible."

"What do you mean by 'darker work'? You still speak in riddles," she said, puzzled.

Kavar glanced around at the guards and nobles encircling the room.

"Perhaps, your majesty, it would be better if we discussed this later, in private."

Talia nodded in agreement.

"So what do you plan to do?"

Kavar sighed heavily.

"I know it seems sudden, but I offer you my services as an advisor and my skills as a Jedi. Dark times require quick action, and I would like to help in any way that I can."

Talia nodded again, stepping gracefully down the stairs leading up to the throne. She stood before him.

"Thank you for your offer, Master Kavar. It is most gracious. I cannot trust many in these strange times, and I would welcome your assistance, especially if you believe that there is another threat here," she said in a ringing voice.

Kavar now flashed a brilliant smile at her.

"Thank you, your majesty." Pausing, he tilted his head and looked straight into her eyes.

"And I must confess, I have another motive in coming to Onderon," he said in a quiet voice.

Talia's heart skipped a beat. She tried to look less excited to hear this confession than she really was.

"What could that be?" she inquired.

His face was solemn. "You have surely noticed that Jedi are rarely seen hanging around these days," he said with bitter irony. "There were few who survived the effects of two wars. Even fewer were able to escape a massacre on Katarr that occurred recently. I lost… many friends." His words were clipped as he looked down at the floor.

Talia felt guilty for feeling disappointed in his other "motive". Looking sympathetic, she said kindly,

"I had heard hints only of the Jedi's disappearance. I had no idea of the magnitude of your losses. On behalf of my people, I express my sympathy."

Kavar looked up.

"That means a lot to me, your majesty. There are few allies left for me to turn to. I hope you don't mind that I plan to stay here… indefinitely. I have to lie low for a while."

Talia exulted quietly at the word "indefinitely".

"Stay as long as you wish. I will find arrangements for you here in the palace."

"That, your majesty, is music to my ears," he said in a tone of relief.

Smiling widely now, she called over her maidservant, whispering that she should prepare a room for the distinguished guest.

"If you will follow me this way, sir," the girl said to Kavar respectfully. He began to follow her to the door.

Thinking quickly, Talia added hastily,

"Would you join me for dinner in the private dining hall tonight, Master Kavar? I know that we have much to discuss."

Turning around to face her, he said with every ounce of his old charm,

"It would be my pleasure."