A young girl sat on a bench in one of the Temple gardens, trying hard to ignore the group of older apprentices and padawans that were picking at her. She heard another set of footsteps approaching, and sighed, assuming another had come to join in teasing her. She glanced up and saw a boy she had not seen before. He had jet black hair and the most stunning blue eyes she'd ever seen.

"Why don't you get lost, you bantha brained losers?" The boy spoke, his voice was calm and steady.

The tallest of the group of tormenters stepped forward, "You going to make us, Revan?"

The dark haired boy smirked, and the girl could sense the strength and confidence radiating out from him. "You really want me to do that, Alek?"

A tense moment passed and slowly the group turned and left. The boy shook his head and turned to face her with a smile. "Don't mind those idiots. They forgot what it's like to be the new kid, so pick on anyone they can." His smile seemed to hold all the warmth of a sun, and she couldn't help but smile back.

"Thank you. I'm Bastila."

His smile grew, "Name's Revan. Mind if I sit down?"

Bastila scooted over to make room for him on the bench and he settled down beside her. He tilted his head to look at her, "You haven't been at the Temple very long, have you?"

She shook her head, "Today's my second day here. Mind if I ask your age?"

He shrugged, "You can ask me anything, I don't mind. I'm ten. What about you?"

"I turned six a couple months ago."

Revan nodded, "Well, tell you what- just stick with me. They won't bother you anymore." He gave her a mischievous wink. "Mostly because they know I can pound them all into the dirt if I wanted to."

She looked at him, eyes widening, "But the Masters don't approve of fighting."

He nodded, "The Masters disapprove of a lot of things, but they can't control everything. Things still happen. Besides that, sometimes you have to fight for what you believe in, whatever the cost."

She looked thoughtful. "I suppose your right."

"Oh, and speaking of the Masters, don't let Master Vrook get to you. He's always grumpy. You just have to remember it's nothing personal, he hates everyone." Revan reached over and put a gentle hand on her arm. "Come on; let's go get something to eat and I can show you around."


Revan sat beside the small bed in the Enclave's infirmary. His elbows were propped on his knees and his head rested lightly against his clasped hands. Bastila lay in the bed, her features peaceful yet far paler than normal. He heard footsteps coming up behind him but he didn't move, even when Master Vandar put a hand on his shoulder.

"Padawan, you should go get some sleep. There is nothing more you can do for her."

Revan sighed and raised his head to look over at the old Master. "No, Master Vandar. I would like to stay. Bastila suffered because of me, the least I can do is stay with her until she's well again."

The old Jedi frowned. "Revan, you should not blame yourself. Bastila's injuries were due to an accident."

The teen shook his head, "Master, it was no accident. Alek's blow was fully intended to do harm, but it was meant for me. Bastila got caught between us, trying to stop us from fighting. She got hurt because of me."

Vandar's expression grew stern, "You know that such fighting is against the rules."

Revan nodded, "Yes, Master. I know." His gaze returned to Bastila. "I accept full responsibility for this, Master, and the consequences. I will accept whatever punishment the Council deems appropriate. Just… allow me to remain here until Bastila recovers. Perhaps my presence will give her strength so she can heal."

Master Vandar nodded, "Very well, Revan. You may stay."

When the old Jedi left the room, Revan reached out and took hold of Bastila's hand. He quieted his mind and reached out to hers. Slowly, gently he worked his way past the natural walls around her mind. Carefully he anchored a small piece of himself and focused on the gentle warmth in the Force that he'd come to recognize from her.

He let go and spread his senses outward, sharing his strength with her. He directed the energy as it flowed between them, speeding the healing of her injuries. Revan knew the technique was risky, but they were risks he was willing to take. There was a high probability that the two would end up bonded, but that was the least of his worries. The danger came in spreading himself too thin, if he pushed himself too far there was a chance he'd lose himself.

Hours passed by but Revan barely noticed. His peripheral awareness warned him of someone approaching. He frowned at the interruption but quietly withdrew from Bastila's mind. He gently swept away the traces of his presence and sat back in his chair.

The Master Healer walked into the room. Revan stood and moved to one side with a slight bow, "Greetings, Master Elara."

The elderly woman smiled warmly, "Good evening, Revan. You look tired."

He straightened himself up and shook his head, "I'm fine." He nodded toward Bastila, "How is she?"

The healer took a few moments to examine the girl before turning back to Revan, "She's healing very well, better than I would have expected actually."

Revan smiled, "That's good to hear."

Master Elara studied him, and then walked over and put a hand on his shoulder, "You care deeply for her."

Revan tensed and his eyes darkened as he met the old woman's gaze. "She is my friend."

She chuckled. "Oh there's no need to go getting defensive with me, my boy. I've lived far too long and I've seen it many times. It's not my place to tell anyone what they should or should not feel, nor do I care to discuss other people's secrets. All I will say, Revan, is this- if you do walk that path, do so carefully."

His brows furrowed as he considered her words, reading the meaning within them. He nodded, "I understand, Master. Thank you."

She patted his shoulder, "Well, I'll come check on her again in the morning. You should try to sleep, won't do any good if you end up falling ill for neglecting yourself."

"I'll try, Master. Good night." He watched the old Master leave the room, and then returned to Bastila's side.

The night slipped away and slowly faded into the dawn of another day. Revan had allowed himself to slip into a meditative trance which gave his body the chance to rest, but his mind remained aware. The rational part of his brain insisted that he needed sleep, but he pushed the thought away. This was as close as he'd let himself get to sleeping.

He had done what he could to help Bastila heal. Now it was just a matter of waiting for her to wake up again. Revan let his senses stretch outward and he could feel the calm, sleepy pulse of the Enclave. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. He felt the shift in Bastila's awareness and glanced up to meet her soft grey eyes.

"Good morning." He spoke softly.

She blinked, confusion clouding her gaze, "Revan? What…where…?"

He sat up and placed his hand over hers, "Relax, don't try to move too fast. You're in the infirmary."

She nodded, "What happened?"

He sighed, "You were trying to stop Alek and I from fighting, and got between us as Alek struck out. You got hurt pretty badly. You've been unconscious for two days, but I think you're over the worst now that you're awake. I imagine you'll still be sore for a while though."

Her brows furrowed as she seemed to be piecing her memory together and fitting it with what he'd told her. She tilted her head to one side and looked at him, "Have you been here the whole time?"

He smiled warmly, "Yes, though I suppose I should go let the Masters know you're awake. I'm sure they'll be glad to finally figure out what to do to me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, you know fighting's against the rules. They're going to punish me for it, but I asked them to wait until you were awake, so I could stay here."

Bastila studied him for a minute, "I hope they aren't too hard on you. However, if you intend to go see them, you should probably change." She poked lightly at his disheveled robes, "You look awful."

Revan laughed, "Yeah, I'll stop by my room and change on the way." His expression grew serious, "I'm sorry you were hurt because of me, Bas."

She nodded and gently squeezed his hand. "It's not your fault. I shouldn't have gotten in the way."

"Promise me that you won't ever do that again. I can handle Alek. Just let us fight if it happens again.

She smiled and nodded. "I promise."

Her warm smile and the gentle touch of her hand were strangely reassuring to him. He felt a sense of peace that soothed his ever restless soul- peace he only seemed to find when she was around. Revan realized that above all else, that simple fact was why he had come to love her as he did.


Revan stood calmly before the Council. Beside him, Alek fidgeted and shifted nervously under the scrutiny of the Masters. Master Vandar stood; his face stern as he addressed them.

"Padawans, I trust that you both understand why you are here?"

Alek shook his head, "I do not understand, Masters."

Revan rolled his eyes as he cast a sideways glance at the taller boy. He bowed his head, "Yes, Masters."

Master Vandar scowled. "Alek, you and Revan are here because of the fight between you that resulted in Padawan Bastila being injured. Do you have anything to say regarding this matter?"

Alek huffed, "It's not my fault. Revan started it, and I can't help it if some girl jumps in the way and gets hurt."

The Jedi Masters glanced at one another, sharing disapproving looks. Turning to Revan, Master Vandar nodded, "Revan, what have you to say on this matter?"

Revan straightened up and stepped forward. His steady sapphire gaze swept over each of the Masters gathered. His voice was calm and confident as he addressed the Council. "Masters, I am aware that fighting as we were is against the rules. I do not make excuses or apologies for my actions. I accept the responsibilities and consequences for what I have done. Alek is correct, I provoked him. Bastila was wrongfully harmed because of my actions. The full blame for this incident is mine, as should be the greater share of any punishment."

The Masters looked at each other. They were clearly surprised that a boy of only fourteen could speak with more clarity, wisdom, and humility than Jedi several times his age. They were also puzzled that he would defend Alek even though they all could sense the lies from Alek when he had spoken.

Vandar studied the two boys for a moment. "You are dismissed. The Council will discuss the matter and decide on appropriate consequences."

Revan bowed gracefully and left the chamber with Alek only a step behind him. When the doors closed behind them Alek turned to his fellow Padawan.

"Thanks Revan."

Revan's eyes narrowed and he turned to face the taller boy. "Thanks for what?"

"For what you said in there."

"Do not mistake my words for generosity, Alek. If Bastila is ever hurt in any way again because of you, or something you do, then you'd better pray you kill me first."

Alek blinked as he saw the depths of fury burning in Revan's midnight blue eyes and for the first time in his life he felt the sudden chill of fear.


Revan leaned back, resting against the ancient Blba tree. The sun was dropping low on the horizon as he looked out across the quiet Dantooine plains. The peaceful view did little to calm the young Knight's troubled mind. He was starting to feel the stress and fatigue gnawing at both mind and body from his lack of sleep for the last few nights.

Suddenly a wave of calm warmth washed over him. He closed his eyes and a grateful sigh escaped his lips as his mind immersed itself in the feeling. The sound of footsteps drawing closer pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked up. He smiled as Bastila walked over to him.

"Sorry it took me so long to get away from the Enclave." She returned his smile.

He shook his head, "It's alright. I was just talking with the tree."

She quirked an eyebrow at him and settled down beside him. As she leaned against his side, Bastila reached up and placed one hand on his cheek. He slipped one arm around her and closed his eyes at the gentle touch of her hand.

"What's wrong, Revan? I don't think I've ever seen you look so tired." Her grey eyes were filled with concern.

He sighed and opened his eyes again to meet her gaze. "I haven't been able to get any sleep for about three days."

"Why?" She pulled away and turned to face him.

Revan glanced toward the setting sun, "I've been having visions, Bas, and they keep getting worse."

"Visions of what?"

He closed his eyes again and lowered his head, "The war, Mandalorians, planets being destroyed, people dying."

Bastila studied him for a moment, and frowned. "You've been blocking me out haven't you?"

He tilted his head and looked over at her, "Yes, at least I've been trying to, but it's getting harder as the visions get worse and more frequent."

She swatted his shoulder, "Why? We're friends, Revan. Friends are supposed to help each other in times like this."

He shrugged, "There's no need for both of us to suffer, Bastila. I didn't want you to see, to feel that."

She turned and leaned against the tree and folded her arms over her chest. "Revan, I do truly appreciate that you're always trying to protect me, but I don't want to see you suffering like this either. Don't push me away like that."

Revan sighed, "Bas… I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to push you away."

She nodded, "I know, Revan. It's just… I wish you wouldn't keep trying to handle everything alone. Have you talked to the Council?"

He growled, "Talked, and talked till I'm sick of it. They are not going to do anything."

"Why not?"

He shook his head, "They keep saying they're not going to step in to help the Republic because they sense something else out there, behind the Mandalorians. They want to wait."

She considered for a moment, "Well, what if they are right?"

"They may be right, Bastila, but I can guarantee that the Mandalorians aren't going to wait for them to make up their minds. The Council sits and does nothing, and more planets suffer. Millions of innocent people are dying out there." He stood up and stared out across the quiet plains.

Bastila stood up and walked over to stand beside him. "I know that look, Revan. What are you planning?"

Revan looked over at her, "I am going to stop the Mandalorians."

Her eyes widened, "How?"

He took a deep breath, "I'm leaving in the morning; with others if they'll come, alone if I must. I'll go help the Republic win this war."

"Revan, you can't be serious." She met his gaze and the determined look in his eyes told her otherwise. "But…"

He reached over and took hold of her hand. "I'm sorry, Bas. I have to go. I can't just stand by and ignore it while so many people are dying."

She frowned and sighed deeply, "You know I can't go with you."

He nodded, "I wasn't going to ask you to." She looked up at him and he smiled softly, "It is better if you stay. War is no place for a pretty girl, and besides that, fifteen is too young. I won't have to worry about you being safe if you stay here."

Bastila stepped closer and leaned against Revan's chest. "But what if…" He could feel the fear and worry through the bond they shared.

"Bastila, I don't plan on dying." He lifted her chin so she had to look up at him. "Besides, I have you to come back to; that's all the reason I need to stay alive."

"Revan, I've read the histories, I know what can happen in wars. There's always a chance that plans won't work out, no matter how brilliant they are." She hugged him tightly, "I don't want to lose you."

He smiled softly, "I'm not that easy to get rid of, and remember, a part of me will always be right here with you."

She nodded, looking back up at him. "Revan, promise me you won't forget me and that you'll come back."

He gently caressed her cheek and leaned in to kiss her, "As long as my heart beats, I could never forget you. I promise, I will come back when I am finished with the war."