Echoes from the Darkness

by Carona Sectre

At age 13, Theron Shan was an angry teen full of hatred and rage at his mother's abandonment and his failure to use the force despite his family history. When Theron meets a force sensative child named Corana with a special gift for healing his life changed forever. Sixteen years later, their paths crossed once more starting a passionate, but tragic, love story.

1. Chapter 1

Echoes from the Darkness

Journal Entry #1

Where to begin…?

Hell, I don't even know where to start…it's been awhile since I have poured out my thoughts onto paper. In my world, this method is all but obsolete.

But, Master Zho, taught me when I am lost, to find my way again I must meditate and connect with my center then write down my thoughts using a pen and paper. This was not because he was an old-fashioned guy; ok, maybe he was, but he truly believed the pen is a conduit that connects the conscience to the pages, allowing only the truth to be recorded.

"The pages are the one place we can be completely open." He told me once. "The pen and paper have no judgment. It simply receives the truth, and allows us to turn the page."

Master Zho has access to ancient technology that creates holocrons, and he prefers to use paper and pen. I really can't say I ever understood his ways; however, some habits of his snuck into me and this method is one of them. Maybe nobody will ever see these words but me. But, if this journal is ever found and you are reading this, I guess I should start with who I am…

My name is Theron Shan. I was born some 30 standard years ago to the Jedi Grand Master Satele Shan, who became pregnant by my father, Republic Supreme Commander Jace Malcom. And this is where my relations to them both begin and end. The Grand Master handed me over to Jedi Master Ngani Zho who raised me from the moment I was born. And since my mother was such a great Jedi, it was thought that I would also possess the gift of being attuned to the Force; well, after almost 20 years of the order hoping I would manifest, it never happened. That's ok because I joined the Republic Strategic Information Service, or SIS as we prefer to call it because it's shorter.

The Republic is a safer place because of the SIS. Like the Jedi, we protect the Republic from our enemies. However, unlike the Jedi, we are not always heroes. I would say we carry blasters, but I have seen very few Jedi actually using blasters rather than a lightsaber. The galaxy never ceases to amaze me.

In brief, I work for the "good guys"; but I am not always one of them.

I am a self-proclaimed workaholic. To be perfectly honest, I have never known anything different. I've always been a loner and, unless it is necessary for the job, I have never exactly been the social type. I never learned how to open up, relate to anyone, or played well with others. Skills that would have been useful if I became a Jedi, but a limitation for the rest of us

Yet, my boss Marcus feels I need to find a good woman and settle down. I suppose his logic is that I would work less and he would have fewer migraines.

"Theron!" He says to me. "Why work so hard all the time? You are always traveling and never stay in one place. Why don't you find a nice girl and plant some roots?"

Well, Marcus is hardly a paragon on relationship advice; he is twice divorced and on the lookout for wife number 3. My money is on my father's receptionist who turns into goo every time he walks into the office. I may not be good with planting roots, but I am good at suspecting behaviors after observing people.

Anyway, after I pick myself up from the ground laughing at his advice, my answer is always the same; there is no girl out there for me.

Don't get me wrong, I would like to find the right woman as much as the next guy. My preference would be a nice girl, but if they even knew the half of what I do in the name of the Republic, if they were in their right mind, they would hitch a ride on the first shuttle off the planet to the opposite side of the galaxy to get away from me.

The bad girls…well, I've been known to have kissed a few…ok, maybe more than kissed. They like to play with my truth gathering tools (Read: torture devices) But, not a single one has captured my soul and they are off my mind the moment they are transported to their forever home in Belsavis – yeah, they were that bad.

And it's not that I have a set standard, but if there was a perfect Mrs. Theron Shan, there really are only of 2 types of women that would qualify for the job -

The first would be the kind of woman who knew nothing about my job and asked me no questions. This fits my stereotypical male ego to rescue a princess by keeping her safe in an ivory tower. I guess I like my women with a little innocence. But, even if I did find a woman like that who was crazy enough to become my wife, I would be bored as hell. And do women like really exist outside of those cheesy holo novels my dad's receptionist's reads?

The second scenario is more a bit more interesting; a woman in a similar profession, who understands my job and and the decisions I make that includes not sharing details.

And, she would have to be uncomplicated.

I guess to sum it up, Mrs. Theron Shan would need to have strength, a sense of adventure, and uncomplicated, but still look at me like I just rode in on a decorated Tauntaun to rescue her.

Yeah, I was going to be a bachelor for the rest of my life. That woman could not possibly exist.

But I was wrong.

And I sure as hell never expected her to be a…wait for it…Jedi Master.

So a Jedi; hmmm…those that know me can attest to the fact I have a very mixed feelings about the Jedi, mostly cynical due to being the bastard son to the Grand Master. That's right…I am Grand Master Satele Shan's dirty little secret. I must say I love the irony when the third line of Jedi code says "There is no passion, there is only serenity." Yet, the Grand Jedi Master Satele Shan managed abandon the serenity and begin a very passionate affair with biological father Jace Malcom. Nine months later, I popped out and she left me with Master Zho to raise me so she could continue her role as a Jedi.

Oh, and my dad? Well he is the Supreme Commander of the Republic Army. Well, asides from him being kind of a dick. Maybe thats how Grandmaster Satele obeyed the third line. Showed no passion, and there was peace of not hearing from my father. Who knows?

And you are still with me, now you know as much about my family history as I do.

To say it took me a long time to come to terms with my mother's decision is a severe understatement because even as an adult I still have a big problem with the way she pawned me off on Master Zho. I respect her reasons and, as an adult, on some level I understand it, but the resentment runs deep. I suppose a shrink would say I have anger issues stemming from my mother's rejection. Nothing could be further from the truth. Master Zho was both mother, and father to me and I never wanted for anything. If anything, on a personal level I only feel apathy with regard to my mother, especially when she refers to me as her agent. Perhaps a shrink should talk to her.

It may seem difficult to believe that I do not hate her and we have a good working relationship. Yes, she calls me her agent rather than son or any adoring names. Heck, at least my father recognizes me publicly as his son. If he were not such a braggart, there might be something there. However, Satele is a consummate professional and doesn't really shun me. That's an improvement over some other children I seen in the bowels of Coruscant. Remote and on homeworld, my job does take me to the dirtiest places. Makes me sort of grateful that Grand Master doesn't have a price on my head.

So back to the original purpose for this entry and my horrible luck with women due to what some feel are my "mommy issues" I do not know what Corana Chadeh's first impression of me was the day she first walked into the war room on Carrick Station, but I was completely thunderstruck. Now I know what you are probably thinking. I knew this was the girl I would love for the rest of my life and all that romance crap as soon as I gazed at her when she walked in. Even though part of that was true; after all, what man wouldn't be smitten by an alluringly beautiful, blonde woman who looked like a goddess with the cadence of a fleet commander?

But, the day she walked into my life, I knew exactly who she was. In fact, I have been keeping tabs on her for nearly 15 standard years. I know how that probably sounds, but I did mention that I was a spy, right?

Backing things up a bit, I have known who Corana was since I was an angry 13 year old. Even then I knew she was special.

"Theron...please remain focused. Concentrate." Master Zho ordered me calmly as I tried to move a rock for what seemed like the thousandth time that day.

By then my frustration had reached its breaking point. While Zho taught me patience and discipline, my youthful temper got to me.

"Don't you get it? I can't do it!" I hurled my training staff at a nearby wall; a judgement I would regret later. "I'm not a Jedi! And I never will be, so just stop trying." I vaguely recall my voice cracking, partially due to tears of frustration, but primarily because of puberty as I bolted out the door.

It was then that I saw an older woman who had just stepped off a shuttle holding the hands of two little girls - they were twins who could not have been more than 6 years old. They looked exactly alike, but their personalities were as opposite as contrasting ends of a rancor.

The little girl on the right of the woman stuck out her tongue at me and pulled her lips outward with her fingers while making a repulsive vibration with her tongue. But the one on the left looked at me and gave me a sweet, yet intuitive smile. I will never be able to explain it in any way that would make sense to anybody but me…but I could feel she was reading me. Like she saw my anguish and wanted to fix me.

She was beautiful even then. Perhaps not in the strong and desirable way she carried herself the day she arrived on Carrick, but there was something uncannily mature and perceptive. Her long golden hair was pulled to the side in a loose braid setting off her steel gray eyes.

After watching me for a few minutes, she let go of the woman's hand and headed in my direction.

"Corana, do not go too far. We have a long journey ahead." The woman called after her.

"I won't." She replied without turning around to look at the woman.

When she stood next to me, she looked up at me inquisitively. "Why do you rage so?" She asked me with curious sadness in her voice. "What makes you sad?"

"Ah…I…" I opened my mouth to speak, but there was something about that little girl that overwhelmed my senses in such a manner that I could not find the words speak. And somehow, she appeared to understand and gave me a smile; the same smile that stops my heart every time I looked at her; then cupped her hands around mine and closed her eyes.

I could feel her inside my senses, warming me with a ray of light which weaved along the path of all that ailed me; my pain of being rejected by my mother, anger at my inability to learn the ways of the Jedi. She was taking all of my pain and soothing it away. My understanding of Jedi was still limited and I was still amazed what gifted students could do with force. However, I have never seen or felt anything like this.

And once she had concluded, the light slowly died, taking all of my pain with it.

"You feel that you are a failure because you are not a Jedi, Theron Shan. But the force still works within you. You are going to do great things for the galaxy. And when that happens, we will meet again."

I wanted to ask her "How in the hell do you know my name?" but don't think I would understand even if she did tell me.

She then leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek before walking away, only taking a moment to glance back before she rejoined the woman and her twin as they all climbed in the shuttle.

But not before the other little girl turned and looked at me. Although she did not speak, I could hear her leering inside my head. I placed my hands over my ears to block out the harsh whispers that echoed in my mind. But only laughter and that child's awful face filled with purple electricity pulsed through me...undoing all of the healing done by Corana. I was powerless to fight her…she made me weak.

"Alexikel! STOP!" I was once again flooded by her light rejuvenating my soul as she had before as though she had swiped her from where she stood.

And as their shuttle took off, they were gone, but her light remained. When I returned to Master Zho I was in a much better frame of mind and able to focus, even if I still couldn't lift that damn rock.

I am sure you have already figured out that I never became Jedi. I joined the SIS in my early 20's as a field agent. My job was to familiarize myself with both enemies and allies with the Imperials and Republic. Contrary to popular belief, there are good guys and bad guys on both sides of the war; I made it my business to learn every detail of their lives which included checking travel logs in and out of galactic ports, and public conversations terminals. I know what time they eat their breakfast, what time they sleep and with who, what time they go to the bathroom and where. Whatever I did not know I would ask – usually nicely. If they refused to give me what I wanted to know – well, the less we speak of that the better.

Maybe 16 years after my encounter with that little girl named Corana, I started hearing a lot of buzz about a young Padawan that hit the ground running almost the moment she touched down at the Jedi Academy. When enemy forces came in to make trouble, she was front and center of the battle. There was no visual confirmation needed because I knew who she was right away.

Over the next few years, I kept my distance, but continued to check in on her from time to time.

Ok, I know how that sounds, but I did mention I was a spy, right? To be fair, it wasn't difficult to find facts, because Corana Chadneh quickly rose through the ranks of the Republic leading the Jedi's fight against the Empire.

So, now that you are all caught up, let us go back to the beginning of my story; the day she walked into the war room…and, even though I did not know it at that time, into my heart forever.

I have been around the galaxy more times than I care to count; when I tell you I have seen everything, you can believe it. Until that moment, I thought that nothing could throw me off my solid footing.

I was wrong.

As a spy, I am trained to stay calm under all circumstances. And while I am confident I saved face, underneath my heart was racing and million miles an hour and I was sweating like crazy.

But there she stood; that same little girl all grown up and every ounce the benevolent hero she was meant to be.

So anyway, while Corana and I worked together to find and destroy Raven and his followers, a deep friendship developed. We would sometimes take a break and just talk about whatever was on our minds, sometimes well into the night. A deep friendship evolved because absolute trust was needed when fighting the war against Revan and his minions. However, for me it was more than friendship – I had fallen in love. And for weeks, I felt my feelings were unreciprocated. I really thought she was hooked up with Doc and had no interest in me.

Well, it took my Imperial counterpart/friend/partner Lana Beniko literally slapping me up the side of my head before I even realized she was sending me signals that were going undetected.

THWAP!

"What the hell Beniko?" I looked up from my computer at her while rubbing my head. "What is wrong with you?"

Now, Lana is one of the "good" guys on the Imperial side. Well, sort of. She makes no bones about being a loyal Sith, but she has her limits. She won't throw an entire populace into a volcano on a whim. However, the smack up my head came out of nowhere and it had irked me.

"What is wrong with you?!" She shouted while she shook her fist at me. Another sign I was in trouble. Lana has a tendency to keep her cool, or make it look like it. She never really let her emotions get so out of control that random lightning strikes occur. "That girl has been throwing hints at you all over the place, and you are so focused on your lunatic ancestors that you don't even notice. You're an idiot!"

"Oh, Kira?" I snickered then burst into laughter because Kira had not exactly been subtle in asking me to meet her at the cantina, or to the beach because she wanted to help me "relax. Yes I have noticed! The Jungle Wompas have noticed. She's cute…very cute…just not my type."

Lana herself was now laughing aloud as though I had lost my mind. "Oh PLEASE! That girl has been hitting on ME!"

"Really?" I looked up over my shoulder and flashed a grin, as pleasurable visions played in my brain. "And did you...?"

She stopped talking and gave me a glare that was my queue to shut up. Lana may be the nicest Sith you sit across the room from on Dromund Kaas, but she is still a Sith. So, I let her continue uninterrupted.

"I'm talking about the one that IS your type! The same one you have been staring at with those love-struck eyes."

"Carona?" I played off my response nonchalantly. "I'm just a guy. She's a Jedi Master and that makes her out of my league. Besides, you know my history with the Jedi and how I feel about them."

"Out of your league? She's a Jedi, Theron, but she isn't Satele. She hasn't shuttered all her emotions into a cold husk." she replied as I shuddered at the comparison. Satele wasn't cold, but you knew her priorities wasn't in the warm fuzzies. "Corana is her own woman! And have you even looked at yourself? You are incredibly attractive. Pair that with being a spy…"

"Ok…I think you are forgetting that being a spy requires keeping your identity secret. Maybe if you shout a little louder the Rishi villagers will be able to hear you." Although annoyed by her excessive ribbing was getting on my last good nerve, I also knew that she was very intuitive which made her good at what she does, so I took a moment to ponder what she was saying. "Ok, so you really think she's interested?"

"Aaaarrrgh! You are pathetic! The next time she asks you if you have a moment to talk, do not tell her you have something to take care of and you will catch up with her later because you never do!" Lana sighs after that remark as she prepares her next statements. "She's not interested in mission plans and stats, but rather how you look with your shirtoff."

"Beniko! What the…"

Again, her laughter rang out, irritating me even further.

"You…are blushing! Theron Shan the spy with ice water veins is blushing! "

"I am NOT blushing! On the other hand you are pissing me off Beniko! Can we get back to business? Please?"

"You are wound up tight, Shan! When was the last time you got laid?"

"BENIKO! FOR FU..." I rarely sputter unless I am incredibly pissed off, and Ms. Sith Lord was pressing the right buttons. "OUT!"

"Ok...I'm leaving." She turned on her heel with a smirk on her face and headed to the door then stopped in the doorway and turned to look at me. "Maybe your right and she is a Jedi who follows the code to be book. But I also see how you two look at each other. So next time she wants to talk alone, stop treating her like your unwashed underwear and talk to her. I really think something good can come from the two of you."

"Did I really just get love advice from a Sith Lord?" I asked incredulously at her just as she was about to leave. "And the same one that just had me kidnapped by Revan?"

Lana just smiled and raised an eyebrow. "So about Kira…what would you say if I did?"

Now I had not known Lana for a long time, but in the short time we have been working together, I have gotten a pretty good sense of what makes her tick.

"Holo, or it didn't happen." I shifted my eyes catching a side view of the Sith-like snarl she was giving me.

"You are a pig from hell." She spat venomously and stomped out of the hut.

"Hey! I'm a guy!" I hollered after her.

"Don't make me force choke you!" She shouted back causing me to burst out laughing. Yeah, Lana and I got along well for a Rep and an Imp.

Some days later, after Corana and her crew fought the battle of Rishi, ridding the planet of Revan's goons for good; it was time to take the battle to Yavin 4 where my intel had shown a high amount of Revanite activity. A meeting took place that included Lana, Jakaroo and myself, Corana and her crew, plus the addition of Jedi Grand Master Shan and Darth Marr. Now Marr was another member of the Sith Empire I had a lot of respect for, but I still did not fully trust him.

Once the meeting had ended, the 4 of us stayed behind to discuss the logistics of our trip to Yavin. Corana approached me and asked if I could stay for a moment and talk after our meeting. Even though I had a lot to do before we left and although I was still pissed off at Beniko for arranging my kidnapping, I recalled her advice and stopped what I was doing and leaned against the table folding my arms. "Sure…of course." I smiled and looked at Lana who gave me a favorable nod.

Once everyone had left I she walked in my direction. I felt that neither of us were real sure what to say, or where to start.

"So I guess the next time a spy asks you out to talk business, you won't be so quick to say yes." I smiled and gave a nervous chuckle hoping to break the ice.

"Are you kidding me? I'm having more fun than I have had in a long time." She laughed then a note of seriousness took over. "That day seems like such a long time ago, doesn't it?"

"Seems like a long, long time ago, and sometimes feels like in a galaxy far far away." I quipped before realizing how cheesy it sounded. "Every wonder what would happen if I became a Jedi and you were just a regular person? Not force sensitive? Or we were both Jedi?"

I was incoherently struggling to think of how to talk to this beautiful woman.

"You would have been a wonderful Jedi, Theron." Her smile was warm and no indication was given that she was turned off by my ramblings. "And I think we would have worked as great together. I might have even been your Padawan." She was so easy to talk to I was feeling at ease.

"Well you know, I am used to being on my own. I never liked working with people so the thought of being on a team sounded like a horrible idea. But this hasn't been so bad.

"Yes. I can't remember enjoying a mission like this in a long time. I have you to thank for that. And Lana and Jakarro have been very good to work with." She nodded in agreement.

"Yes, they are, but I was more referring to you." I stood up moving closer in her direction; the awkwardness had disappeared and I could feel the conversation changing its pace. "You have made this craziness all worthwhile. I'm glad you're here."

"I feel the same way." She also moved in closer. "I'm very glad I met you, Theron."

"Likewise." I hoped I was reading her right as I placed my hand behind her head then moved my lips closer to hers. At first, it was a single touch of our lips before we both pulled back and looked at each other to gage the other's expression. To my relief she was smiling. Taking it a step further I placed one arm behind her shoulders and the other around the small of her back while she looped her arms undermine then pressed our lips together beginning softly then growing in passion.

After a while we pulled back and bent our foreheads together smiling at each other. "Hi." Was all I could think to say followed by a short laugh.

"Hi yourself." She smiled softly before we kissed again. "Do you have any idea how long I have wanted to do that?"

"I'm thinking probably not as long as I have wanted to." I spoke the truth being as I had monitored her activities after joining the SIS. Instead of revealing this potentially creepy detail, I bopped her nose with my index finger. "I kept my distance because I thought you were with Doc."

She gave a laugh and shook her head.

"Oh goodness, no. At least not anymore. There were feelings and I still care for him, but honestly, he swept me off my feet and I was caught in a whirlwind that I really thought was love. But after a while I realized we did not share the same goals; I was dedicated to protecting the Republic, and he was dedicated to…" She paused briefly then gave a laugh. "…he was dedicated to finding a cure for a rare disease…even going as far as to give someone the disease so he could cure it. I came to the conclusion that we were not compatible in any way, so…"

"So, now here we are…and something tells me that we are very compatible." I grinned as my fingers slid up and down her back.

"Really?" She asked lifting a playful eyebrow. "How so."

"Well…we both are part of the Republic…" I looked at her face to gauge her reaction as she let out a soft laugh and shook her head. "We are both on Rishi….we are both standing…in the same room…do we need any other qualifying reason?"

"Yes…it sounds like we are made for each other." She smiled as she looked at her comm. "Well as much as I want to stay, we have a long trip ahead of us and I need to round up my crew from the cantina."

"They're all at the Cantina?" I cocked my head curiously. Her crew consisted of an astromech droid, a Doctor, her Padawan, a Sith Lord and a soldier. "They all go out drinking together?"

She nodded and gave off an exasperated sigh. "They fight like crazy when they are sober, but liquor them up and they are the best of friends."

"Even the Sith?"

"Especially the Sith. That fellow has some stories. And I am off to find them." She started to leave. "I guess the next time I see you, we'll be on Yavin."

"Yes we will." I gave her a nod as she walked for the door. "Hey…" I called after her.

"Yes?"

Without a word I moved toward her and took ahold of her hands as I pulled her to me and pressed my lips against hers. The kiss lasted for close to a minute before I finally pulled back.

"Be safe. I'd like to continue this when things are less crazy."

"I'll be careful. Goodbye Theron."

Once I was sure she was out of sight, I let the moment sink in. I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. Making sure nobody was around I pumped my fist and shouted "YESSSS!"

And then I heard the Wookie and the idiotic droid head he wears around his neck (yeah, I never got it either and I'm not sure I even want to know) at the door. Jakarro growled something about human mating rituals while the droid started spewing out a rise in my blood pressure due to increased sexual arousal.

"SHUT UP DROID!" The Wookie and I shouted in unison.

---

I had trouble sleeping the night after we arrived in Yavin. It was not the space travel; I have been traveling the galaxy since I was a kid, but for one thing I hate going to jungle climates because I wear a heavy uniform and it was always hot. At night I slept only in boxer shorts, but it was not only the heat keeping me awake. It was her occupying my thoughts, primarily our kiss before we left. It was not the first kiss I ever had, but it made me feel good…real good. There was something about her presence that just made me feel happy inside, and the kiss made me feel alive for what may have been the first time since I can remember.

Thinking of her also woke up little Theron. While it was something I could…and did…take care of on my own, sleep was now a futile effort. It was a good night for a walk, so I pulled on a pair of pants and strapped on the blasters because you never know what is lurking in the jungle.

Yavin's jungle is a pretty place rather or not you took the time to enjoy its magnificence. In my line of work, I rarely have time to stop and look around, but today I did. One of the skills I learned in my Jedi training was meditation. I did this often because it helps me to stay focused and keep myself centered. So I sat lotus position on a rock, then closed my eyes listening to the jungle's sounds and took a deep breath. It felt good to just relax.

Once I had taken in the jungle in my mind, I was attracted to the sound of a waterfall nearby which prompted me to take a look.

Well, I wasn't alone because Corana, the woman I couldn't get off my mind which provoked me to take a walk in the first place, was standing naked under the waterfall allowing it's cool water to run over her body. I could not help myself as I stared at its perfection; how each curve gave way to another, like it was formed by the gods.

"This is NOT helping!" I thought to myself.

It was at that moment when I realized I was standing in the bushes watching a naked woman taking a shower. The lower section of the falls was free and clear so I climbed down the rocks as quickly as I could get out of there without her seeing me.

The idea of the soothing water rinsing my body sounded like a great idea, so I took off my pants and walked under the smooth flowing water enjoying the way it cooled down my body. Taking it a step further, I moved to the lagoon and lifted my feet allowing myself to float. I closed my eyes and allowed the water to carry me.

For that brief moment, I was actually feeling the galaxy disappearing from my shoulders, until I detected movement in the area surrounding the lagoon. Its tread was too light to be an animal. Truth be told, I was more concerned of the Revanites presence than the nearby wildlife.

Even naked in the middle of the lagoon, my blaster sat on the shore with my bracer, I was well alert with my implants ready.

"Scan, Proximity 700." I whispered and the camera on my bracers sent scan of the jungle circling the lagoon to my eye. But it was not the Revanites or any beasts; just a beautiful Jedi girl trying to sneak off with my pants. I literally had to bite on the side of my cheeks to keep from laughing aloud. "Scan proximity 1100." I whispered as her hand went to grab for them. "Back off and step away from the pants." My voice echoed out of my comm.

I laughed hard as she let out a scream, followed by a splash. I had hoped my prank did not backfire and make her angry…most women I have ever been involved with do not like getting their hair wet. To my relief she stood up laughing then cupped her hands on the water and splashed me.

"Did you really think you could sneak up on a spy?" I was grateful the water was at my waist level so she could not see my junk.

"I suppose I didn't think that all the way through." She smiled and walked into the water placed her hands on my chest.

"But you should have seen the look on your face. It was priceless."

"Did I look stupid?"

"You looked adorable." I placed a kiss on her lips. "And now…about my pants."

"They are right there where you left them." She motioned to the shore. "Go get them."

"Do you really think I won't step out of the water and come get them? I'm trying to be a gentleman and not show you my boy parts."

"Do you think I've never seen a naked man before? If I see anything I haven't seen before, I'll cut it off.." She extended her hand and the saber dislodged itself from the sand and flew straight to her.

"Show off." I folded my arms making no attempt to move out of the waist high lagoon. I splashed water on her, which prompted her to splash right back. This went on for several seconds until she lost her footing and fell over backwards, but not before grabbing onto my hand pulling me with her. I landed right on top of her where the water was more shallow.

"That's twice I got you! Some spy you are." She smiled at me not attempting to move.

"I can always be disarmed by a beautiful woman." I touched her face and bent my head to kiss her, but she did not return the gesture.

Instead, she placed her fingers against my lips.

"By any beautiful woman?" She cocked her head raising a playful eyebrow.

"The only one that I care about is you." I allowed my thumb to stroke her face as I stared at the way the nearby torches radiated from her damp skin.

"Good answer." She spoke just above a whisper as she reached up and placed her hands on the back of my head, pulling my lips to hers.

The kiss began softly giving way to intense passion as I felt her lips travel down the side of my neck to my shoulder nuzzling me softly, which indicated to me that she wanted to take the moment to the next level.

I smiled as I ran my lips along the curve of her neck moving lower as I pushed aside her shift and nuzzled her breast. A soft moan escaped her lips and I reached behind her pulling her up until she was laying across my lap.

But then, all at once, the animosity I felt for Satele abandoning me came rushing back as if a damn had broken and flooded my mind. I stopped and let go of her. "I'm sorry."

Corana was justifiably taken aback by the way I abruptly stopped. I grabbed my pants, and pulled them on. "Theron?" She stood up and pulled her wet shift around her exposed breasts before she approached me. "I know I'm not a bad kisser…" She cocked her head studying my face. "…so I sense this has something to do with your family history and me being a Jedi?"

I turned to her half-smiling at her perception. I wasn't sure if it was the Jedi in her, or if she was just that intuitive. "So…I'm not the first guy that that's ever kissed you, eh?"

"No." She smiled and placed one hand on my shoulder and other caressed my back. "But so far you are the best."

I could not help but reach out and pull her into my arms.

"It's not you. Trust me. I am very into you…a lot, which is part of the problem."

"I like you too…a lot. Usually that is the requirement for 2 people to begin a relationship…but maybe because I'm a Jedi you are having doubts?"

"No. I mean yes…but I don't know if the word doubt is the right word. Damnit! This is not coming out the way I want it to."

"You are actually making perfect sense, Theron." Her voice was reassuring as she ran her fingers up and down my arm. "Your mother was a Jedi who gave you up to be raised someone else. Of course you have concerns."

"You are the kind of girl a guy waits his whole life for. You are beautiful, kind, and fun. You have a playful sense of humor...and if I didn't mention it before, you are unbelievably beautiful." She smiled and blushed slightly as I stroked her face. "I don't know what this is yet…but I feel like you are the one I could be with for the rest of my life. However, you are a Jedi and…"

She placed her fingers over my lips while shaking her head.

"Theron, I am a Jedi. I fight for the Republic and live by the code. My role does not define me. I live by my own rules and I make my own choices."

As she spoke, I wondered to myself what I did right in my life to find someone so amazing who just happened to be extraordinarily attractive. I was falling hard, and I this would be the moment to walk away if she did not want to take this further "I don't mean to sound like a complete ass, but I spent enough time around Jedi to know that the order frowns on human attachments including a significant other, marriage, family. They believe that love gives way to jealousy and deception. Me? I know better than anyone that love, human attachments and all that crap can cause problems. Believe me…I have been there. "

"You have made it clear how you feel about Jedi, Theron. You do not sound like an ass; you sound exactly how anyone would feel that went through what you did."

"I don't hate the Jedi, but I can't pretend I like the code. And I might as well get this out right now while we are being honest; I think it's a load of crap."

Now I expected her to become angry and leave; but I was stunned when I looked at her for a reaction and found her smiling. The words that came next I did not expect.

"I don't disagree."

"No…" I folded my arms and stared at her completely astounded. "Common…You are a Jedi! The code is drilled into you from the moment you are born."

"Yes. We are taught the code when we are children. You know this."

I wrapped my arms across my chest and shoved my hands under my armpits. "I know I am getting way ahead of myself and I probably don't have any right to ask you this, but I have to know if we continue down this road and you are faced with a choice…I just need to know that you aren't going to bail because you are a Jedi." I really hope I had not sounded needy. "I mean it could be a lot of reasons that this doesn't work out…you will probably hate that I hog the covers; or I can't handle you snoring…" Her mouth opened wide as she emitted a playful scoff as I grinned while placing my hands on her shoulders caressing them softly. "I'm falling hard …and I can handle whatever comes our way; but if you come to me and tell me that you need to break things off because you need to focus on the order, I will not be ok with that."

"I believe we have been given a gift. I do not know what the future holds, but I want you to be part of that future. It is crazy…we have not known each other for a long time, but I have feelings for you that are very intense. I feel like you are in my life because you are supposed to be. But I am a Jedi Master. I give the obligation that comes with it the devotion it deserves. And you are committed to serving the SIS with the same level of commitment…so I choose being a Jedi…"

Her pause caused my heart to drop into my stomach believing I knew what was coming next.

"…and more importantly I choose you, Theron." My eyes snapped open and a huge grin spread across my face…I expected the worse, but I was never so happy to be wrong. She walked around until we were standing face to face then reached down taking my hands. "Our time together may not be often and far between, but I want you in my life."

My eyes closed. "Yessss!" I whispered much more eagerly than I had intended which made her laugh softly. "It is going to be a challenge. But I really want to give us a try and I want you to be ok with it too."

"I'm more than ok." She grabbed me by the back of my head and pulled me to her; I reacted by picking her up in my arms ready to carry her somewhere private.

"I think we are on the same page…"

I should have known better than to say it aloud because as the words came out, I heard the unmistakable trilling of a blaster charging just behind us. I looked at Carona who rolled her eyes.

"Really?" As soon as I set her on her feet, without hesitation she thrust her hands forward as her lightsabers flew into her hands. I have seen some Jedi struggle with fighting with one lightsaber, but she seems to master the ability to fight with both amongst a few close friends of hers.

"I guess we should take care of them." I sighed and touched my implant. "Blaster." I shouted which brought it right to me. We both turned in the direction the blaster came from to find ourselves facing over a dozen Revanites. "Remind me to add cock blocking to his list of crimes." I snarled through my gritted teeth and opened fire as Carona sprang into action leaping from one to the other taking them out with what seemed like very little effort. Between the two of us, the men lay dead at our feet - except for one who lay wounded. I had sensed hesitation, which caused me to miss hitting any vital organs or arteries.

Carona and I approached him.

"Get up." Her voice was calm, but its cadence reminded me of the tone Master Zho used when I attempted to hide or fabricate the truth. "Where is Revan?"

"I don't know." The Revanite trembled beneath his robes. "We don't contact him…he contacts us! We've never seen or met him!"

"So let me get this straight…you blindly follow some whack job that you have never even met or seen before?" I laughed in amazement. "You need get a hobby. I hear synthweaving is popular these days."

"You don't understand! He is a deity!" The Revanite shouted as Carona and I looked at each other and shrugged.

"A DIETY?" I purposefully laughed aloud boisterously. "Who told you that? Revan? His other followers?" I bent my knees so I was at eye level with him. "Revan is a lot of things, but being a deity is not one of them."

"No…No!" He seemed desperate to get it through our heads what he believed Revan to be. "It is said that he is a spirit!"

I crossed my arms again, ready to make a snide remark, but Carona shot me a glare that made me take a step back; this was likely because I lack soft skills and she wanted to try it her own way.

"Can you explain why you believe he is a deity…or a spirit?"

A spirit. Well, this confirmed what Carona said in our Holo conversation.

"He is same! He is spirit and he is man! Please! I do not know anything else. Please let me go!"

"He's telling the truth." She looked to me as though she was placing the ball back in my court.

I sighed heavily.

"Ok, go." I figured we had placed enough fear into him that he would not cause any further trouble. "But if you run into your leader, tell him ghost, or not he's going down. And tell all your buddies what happened to your other pals, because next time we won't be so nice."

The Revanite nodded quickly and bolted away without looking back.

Corana turned to me then shrugged while shaking her head.

"What do you think?"

"You're the Jedi." I shrugged. "If you don't know, then I damn sure don't know either. Between our Holo conversation with Satele yesterday where you told us about a visit with his spirit…well, I'm having a real hard time wrapping my mind around the big picture. I don't believe in ghosts, but if you tell me you had a visit from Raven's spirit, I believe you without uncertainty."

"So that leaves us with a big question…who is wearing his robes?" The look on her face established she was as confounded as I was.

I shook my head and shrugged.

"I suppose we'll learn soon enough." We both smiled regretfully while laughing softly. "Well, that kind of broke the mood."

"Maybe it's for the best. We were so lost in each other we did not notice the Revanites were in our proximity. If nothing else, this proved we need to stay focused until we have won. " She folded her arms across her chest gazing at me as if to take it all in. "But after this is over…"

I nodded in agreement.

"You and I have a date." I moved closer and pulled her into a tender kiss. "And hopefully, soon." She leaned into me as we wrapped our arms around each other for a moment. "Real soon." I whispered. "Common…I'll walk you back to your ship."

She looked up at me raising a playful eyebrow. "Are you worried about me getting hurt out here in the jungle? I think we both know I know my way around a light saber."

I sighed and shook my head. "Ok, maybe I'm the one who needs protecting." I let a wry grin play across my mouth. "Or…maybe I just want to be with you as long as I can before we start pretending we are nothing but allies."

"Well you hardly need my protection….but I'm ok with the latter." I placed my arm around her shoulder as we walked approximately ¼ miles back to the staging area where our ships are docked. We did not speak as we came together once more into a kiss that neither of us wanted to end.

"THIS IS NOT YOUR DESTINY!" A deep, accented voice shouted from her ship's boarding ramp brought it to an abrupt end as Lord Scourge stood with his lightsaber drawn and throwing her robes at her. We were so lost in the moment between kiss and fight that we forgot that we were half-naked. I hear Yavin 4 might do that to you. "This spy is not worthy of you!" He placed a repugnant emphasis on saying the word spy as if he had just tasted something vile.

"Wait…what!" I laughed in amazement at his gull. Not only was I unable to comprehend her reasons of a Sith Lord being part of her crew, but now he was out her playing guardian? "You are a SITH, not her father."

"The Jedi Master is my burden!" He seethed venom out of every pore in his body and his red eyes looked like they were going to melt me into a flesh puddle. "And you are a mere insect! It is my duty to protect her from distractions. The Emperor has not perished; she has not fulfilled her destiny."

I nearly choked on my own spit as I began to utter a wise-ass response, but Carona was already on it.

"When I agreed to allow you join my crew, I allowed it on the condition that you would work with my crew and not interfere. You did not have an issue when I was with Doc, why is it you are opposed to Theron?"

"What in the hell is going on out here? Don't you people believe in sleep?" Kira walked out the door followed by Doc, making things even more awkward, and a Chagrain who I recognized from the field by the name of Fideltyn Rusk, a Sargent in the Republic Army. Rusk gave me a nod of recognition to which I responded with a wave. Upon seeing the two of us half dressed, Kira folded her arms. "It's about time you two knocked it out."

"We didn't knock anything out!" I retorted much more defensively than I had intended. "Between Revan's followers, you guys and Papa Sith wielding his lightsaber over there, we probably won't ever get there."

"You are a distraction. The Jedi must follow her path!" Scourge bellowed yet again. "The galaxy is in danger of being destroyed and I will see to it that she does not deviate from her destiny by the likes of you?"

"Have I wronged you in some way?" I could not believe the tirade this guy was throwing at me. As far as I knew I had not met him before this mission.

"That is a very good question." Corana crossed her arms glaring at him. "Is there any reason you object to Theron?"

"Your animosity is for me, Lord Scourge. Please do not punish Theron." And Grand Master Satele Shan appeared out of virtually nowhere as always.

"Great! And now MOM is here." This was getting more unbelievable by the moment. "Did you bring my estranged father to join the party?"

Satele glanced in my direction but did not seem to notice…or even care that her presence was not needed; or wanted.

"Lord Scourge and I fought on opposite sides in the battle for Alderon. We lost people on both sides of the battle. Do not blame my son for any part in that."

"My reasons do not have anything to do with our past debaucheries." His voice hissed while some sort of steam emitted around his body. "Your family is directly descended from Revan. I know firsthand the evil he is capable of."

I blinked repeatedly.

"What?"

"I am well aware that Theron descends from Revan." Corana spat back at him. "He also descends from Bastile Shan, Satele Shan and Jace Malcom who are all Republic heroes. And if I recall, you trained under Revan at the Sith academy, did you not?"

"So…she's seeing him now?" I heard Doc lean in and ask Kira who rolled her eyes.

"Yes!" She snarled. It was clear that she did not want to miss a single beat of the exchange.

"Well when did this happen?" That time his tone was now angrier.

"It's been coming since the moment they met! Because you are a jerk and wanted to play the field, she found a guy worthy of her. Try to keep up, dumbass!"

I had to bite the inside of my lip to keep from bursting into laughter as Doc appeared to be very put out by this news as the conversation continued.

"If you all insist that Theron Shan is commendable and not a threat to the Master's life, than I will not interfere. But if I learn differently…." He slashed a tree branch with his lightsaber, the whole time staring at my mid-section, then turned on the heel of his boots, finally extinguishing his blade as he stomped back inside Corana's ship.

"Hey, what if something was living there?" Kira yells after Lord Scourge before looking at the rest of the group. "Ok…nothing to see here. Let the lovebirds say goodnight. Move out!" Kira attempted to shout over the commotion.

However, when nobody listened Kira as usual, Grand Master Shan put in her quarter credit as only Satele Shan can get away with.

"We have all had enough activity for one evening. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow, I recommend that we all return to our quarters and get some rest." Even though she spoke in her normal voice level, all present heard…and obeyed. And without saying another word she was gone just as quickly as she arrived; Satele has that effect on people. I may say a lot of things about Grandmaster Satele as a mother, but as a commander of all Jedi forces, she is one woman you don't trifle with.

Once we were finally alone, we turned face to each other. I had been suppressing my laughter, but as soon as the last person was gone, the barrier I had created by pressing my lips together burst emitting a snort as I did so.

"Did you really just…snort?" Corana stared at me with sheer amazement. "Theron Shan…Republic spy with nerves of steel snorts when he laughs."

"It is one of my best kept secrets. That is one of the reasons I remain stoic and rarely laugh out loud." I pressed my lips firmly together and twisted my nose repugnantly. "And…I hate smiling because when I do I am all teeth. And you are the only person I have ever told this to….so if you ever tell anybody, there will be consequences." I placed my hands on her waist and pulled her in closer to me.

"Consequences?" She smiled as she wrapped her arms around my neck. "Such as?"

"I think we could find a punishment severe enough to fit the crime." I flashed a grin then leaned taking her lips to mine.

"And something tells me I will enjoy your punishments." She smiled at me between kisses. "And I have seen you in full smile; you are not all teeth."

"But I'm a SPY! I am supposed to be all tough and badass!"

"Your secret will go with me to my grave." She smiled as she bent her forehead against mine.

I did not want to let her go and she did not attempt to break out of the embrace.

"I guess we should say good night?" I finally said reluctantly.

"Count of 3?" She looked up at me

"Starting now." I pulled her in tighter, then covered her mouth with my own one more time while counting between kisses. "One…Two…" I pulled away briefly as we looked at each other halfheartedly.

"Three." We both counted then broke off.

"Goodnight." I reluctantly let go of her hand as she quickly turned and walked up the ramp to her vessel. "Hey…."

She stopped and turned around.

"Yes?"

"I'm really looking forward to continuing this later." I gave her a wink and continued my path back to my ship.

Once inside, I showered off and climbed back into bed. Thoughts of her remained, but instead of keeping me awake, thoughts of her made me feel content, and sleep came easily.

But as my luck would have it, sleep did not last long as every failed relationship jumped up and bit me in the ass. I will never be the kind of man that is home every night; my need for adrenaline is too great to hold on to any woman, nor should any woman I would be interested in be expected to.

But Corana is different. I cannot help thinking that we were created for each other. We each have a similar sense of adventure and she understands what I do and why.

And then the irony of it all hits me; my entire existence is based on the Grand Master's biggest secret and now I have fallen in love with a Jedi. Is Corana a bad Jedi for falling for me? Am I corrupting her by loving her? On both versions, I would have to say no. I believe we complete each other. From the first time I kissed her I felt like she was a part of me; like I was a part of her.

"The force flows through us all and sometimes it works in ways we do not always understand." Master Zho spoke these words daily. I dismissed as the ramblings of an old man, but I don't think I even realized how wise he really was…until now.

I really miss the old man.

And while I'm rambling, I guess I always thought a girl like her was way out of my league and to even have her look at me would take some work on my part. Even if I was fortunate enough to obtain her, sex was a long ways away. I don't know if tonight was because we were both wet and half naked, but before the Revanites showed up and killed the moment, we were well on our way down that path. Maybe we became swept up in in the moment…but for me it was so much more than that. I mean, of course it was physical, but it did not start or stop there. I wanted all of her. I wanted to share my soul with her and hers with mine. I wanted her to feel every ounce of love I have for her.

Maybe tomorrow will be the day we catch up with Revan. Maybe the day after that. It will take as long as it takes. We have agreed to let us go until the threat of Revan and his followers have been neutralized.

After that…only time itself will write that story…

…to be continued (maybe)