Chapter One:

The door beeps open to reveal a large room filled with radiant flowers and plants from different worlds. The sun shined from the glass dome above, giving a beautiful glistening glow on the floor below. The scene was peaceful and calm, something Mathes would need now, in this moment. His thoughts continually going back to the council making him in charge for a mission into the unknown regions of space. His concern was not the mission itself, but how in the world he was going to tell his wife. He had promised her he would not take any missions until their child reached the age of five. Their son was barely three and as strong in the force as his mother and father. The boys features were more like his mothers, but his attitude was with no doubt like his fathers. Mathes' slightly eased thoughts were awakened, when he realized that the child had his mothers temper as well.

"She is going to kill me...of all the things I could of done, this is not one of them."

He sat on the bench on the far corner of the room, thinking vigorously of what excuse he would use for taking the mission. However, to his great disappointment there were none. Looking up to view the scenery once more he got up and headed back for the door. Beeping open, standing there looking up was none other then his wife, Bai. She jumped on him as soon as she saw him. Caught mildly by surprise Mathes embraced her and gave her a kiss. Looking in his eyes, smiling, her features were still the same as they were when they first met. She kissed him once more locked there for a few minutes and finally spoke.

"So what did the council want?" She had a sweet voice when asking this question. Mathes quickly tried to formulate an un-straight answer. His thoughts racing from her, the kiss, then her again. Thinking frantically, he concludes on a final decision.

"Hunny...baby...my love, I need to tell you something." Bai looks at him still the same, un-wavered by his sentence. He had to admit it took a lot to get to her and that moment was most likely going to happen, he prepared for the worst.

"So...the council called me about something important...," he cut off half expecting someone or something to save him, but no. "They want me to...help find Revan and Meetra..." Still not much of a reaction from her, but a simple shift she made with her hip to get comfortable against him. "They are wanting me to lead a fleet...to uncharted space." He finished awaiting for her to start yelling or hitting him. She did nothing but ask, "Are you taking the mission?" He boldly looked at her and said, most reluctantly, "Yes..."

This made her not only change her facial features but get off him. She stood straight and glared at him. "Your taking the mission?" Mathes knew this was coming. "Your taking it after you promised you wouldn't, you promised you would wait..." Her eyes watered as her tension eased. "You promised you would not leave your son right now...or me..." She cried softly, holding her face in her hands. Mathes saddened and moved close to embrace her again. She tensed but relaxed pushing close, holding him tight. "I'm not leaving you...but this is what I have to do...it is my duty to do what is needed to protect the Republic, it's people...and my family." Bai looked up, her eyes watery and sighed.

"Then let me go with you...Jo and Nasu can watch Ben. They been wanting to baby sit him for awhile anyway."

Mathes looked at her and shook his head, "Bai...you can't come with me, someone has to stay with him." She gathers herself and looks into his eyes. "Yes I can. I will go with you, you are my husband and not even the council or anyone will change that or stop me from going." He looked at her stunned. She was so beautiful, especially when she was being serious. He knew there was nothing he could do or say to change her mind. Her choice was made. "So, I guess we need to contact Jo don't we?" Mathes smiled and Bai did the same, they kissed again and held one another once more. "I always win," she said.

Sighing slightly he put his nose next to her head and smelled her hair, it smelled of rose pedals from the fragrance she used. A few minutes passed and Mathes' com link beeped. He grabbed it and pushed the button, it was Master Obdule. "Mathes we have assembled all available resources, they are at your disposal. The fifth fleet awaits you at the docks, may the force be with you." The com shut off and he placed it back on his belt.

"Well, if your coming with me you'll need to pack up really quick." Bai smiled and kissed him, then turned and headed out to start packing. Mathes turned back to the window and looked out upon the city. He watched as speeders went by and looked up at the souring towers above. Coruscant truly was a place full of life. He breathed in softly before finally turning to leave.

It didn't take long for the speeder to arrive at Dock 25. Mathes arrival was greeted by Commander Ziode and three Jedi Knights, who were under his command. "Master , it is good to see you again." "I just wish it was under better circumstances commander," Mathes stated with a sigh of grief. "Will anyone else be joining us Master?" "Now that you mention it Cassis, there is someone coming along." At that moment the passenger side door opened on the speeder. Bai stepped out fixing her Jedi robe. She looked in their direction and smiled, holding her chin up and walked around next to her husband. "I see you never fail to make an appearance Bai," remarked Vaner. She ran to give him a hug, "I'm sorry about your father, Revan was a great mentor and friend..."

"Thank you Bai...it is a difficult time for my family and me, but it us the will of the force that we must accept."

Bai smiled and hugged Vaner once more. Just then a security officer came up telling Commander Ziode that the ships were ready to depart. "Very well, Master Mathes, if your ready...may I suggest we head out" Mathes turned to Bai and nodded, she grabbed her pack from the speeder as they started walking to the main docks.

When they reached the main dock there in front of them was a Republic capital ship awaiting them. As he looked at the ship memories of his past flew through his mind, he shook them off. Bai touched his shoulder attempting to ease his tension. He was starting to think bringing her along was a great idea after all.

They boarded the ship and were greeted by two Republic officers. "Commander and Masters welcome aboard, if you will all please follow the Lt. he will take you to your cabins" The Lt. nodded in acknowledgement and took them to the airlift. Once they reached C deck, the clatter of boots and military drills could be heard. Officers and troopers filled the hallways. "Your cabins are located straight down to your left, they will be at the end of the hallway."

The Lt. excused himself and followed an officer group back to the airlift. Looking at his wife, Mathes shrugged and smiled then lead the group with the Lt's instructions. As they walked, troopers looked in aw at the Jedi that were passing by. They had never seen a Jedi up close as they were now. The Jedi were calm and payed no attention to the continuos glances and staring. To them it was a normal, regular occurrence but to others the robes and glistening light-saber at their sides, was a spectacle. After about another five minutes they finally reached their rooms. Mathes and Bai had the one right at the end of the hallway, while the other two were across from each other. They agreed to meet on bridge in 20 minutes, bidding farewell, Mathes and Bai opened the cabin door.

As the doors slid open a large room and cabin space was before them. It was clear the captain had allowed them to use his room. "Well we are going to have to thank the captain for this, plenty of room for the both of us." Mathes smiled at his wife and winked. She looked at him and shook her head. He put down the luggage and walked over to the window. The ship was preparing to leave part as lines and observation vehicles zoomed away. "The point of no return...," he spoke to himself. "Want to help me unpack a bit?" Bai wad grabbing luggage and unpacking their clothes. Mathes turned and smirked, "I'll take care of the big one for you." They finished 10 minutes later and headed out to the bridge.