A/N Hey everyone! Just a quick disclaimer here for ya. First a foremost, I do not own anything other than my own OC characters and Original Worlds. All other characters and worlds are property of Mr. George Lucas, Bioware, Obsidian and any other peoples involved in the creation of the franchise. This fic is rated M for later chapters due to violence and maybe a few naughty bits (haven't really decided on that one yet, depends on how the muse strikes me). With no further ado, Enjoy!

Chapter One

She didn't know why they had returned to Telos. Her excuse had been that they needed fuel before continuing to the Unknown Regions but in reality, she had come blindly. Gazing through a viewport from the Ithorian conclave, the Jedi Exile Kori'ana Delora still couldn't calm her stomach. Watching the healing planet below, all she could think about was that soon she would be leaving them all behind.

Despite all their differences, the crew had really become a new family. Kori'ana felt a twinge of guilt for leaving them even with the slight comfort some of Kreia's words had brought as she told of thier futures. Her friends were destined for so many great things. She knew the right thing to do was leave them behind. There was no return from where she had to go. No future for those who tried to follow her. Sighing, she turned and walked to the front entrance of the compound.

"I'm going for a quick walk, if anyone asks tell them I'll return shortly." Kori'ana smiled at the Ithorian who was standing at the reception desk as she quickly slipped out the door.

Tears stung her eyes as she walked towards the hangers. The sooner she could reach the Ebon Hawk and leave the better. She knew they all would wake up soon to find her gone. The Exile had left them each a message telling them goodbye with Admiral Onasi's assistant. Admiral Onasi seemed to understand too well what she had told him she was going to do. Of course Revan had left the same way, she couldn't have taken the admiral with her to the Unknown Regions anymore than Kori'ana could take Atton. She slowed her gait as the rougish scoundrel came to mind. The tears she had been fighting rolled down her cheek as she imagined him recieving her message. She shook the image from her head and regained her pace.

The hanger that contained the Hawk was a straight shot ahead of her. As soon as she entered, the knot in her stomach tightened as a figure stepped out to greet her.

"Admiral Onasi?" Kori'ana looked around expecting to see TSF officers. "Is something wrong, sir?"

The admiral was no longer in his official uniform but was wearing an orange flight jacket that seemed to have had much better days, many years ago. He smiled at her as he continued to walk towards her.

"Nothing's wrong and, please, just call me Carth"

"Yes, sir Adm-I mean Carth. What's going on?" Kori'ana began feeling slightly anxious as she felt her companions starting to wake through their bonds.

"I want to come with you," she opened her mouth in protest but Carth raised a hand to stop her, "Please, just hear me out. When Revan left, she asked me to stay and protect the Republic but I can't just sit by and wait any longer. You returned with the Ebon Hawk and both droids, I can't help but feel that something happened out there. Besides, from what Mr. Rand has told me. You would have a greater chance of hitting an asteroid or another ship on your own" a smirk crossed Carth's face, "so you'll need a pilot anyways."

Kori'ana's face began to burn, she knew he was right "Alright, you've made your point. Let's get going before the others get here."

Both sprinted up the gangplank, heading to the cockpit for a quick take-off. The engines begrudgingly hummed to life as Carth's hands swept over the familiar controls. The Exile settled into the co-pilot chair, closing her eyes as her former companions' began to call to her through their bonds. "Why don't you go to one of the bunks? I've got this up here." Carth inclined his head slightly towards her. She nodded and stood up to leave. As she walked, she used the Force to deaden the bonds one-by-one. By now, they had to be figuring out what had happened. The ship shuddered slightly as they left the hanger bay's forcefield.

Wearily, she sank down into one of the bunks rubbing her eyes as she sighed .

"So this is how you were going to leave, huh?"

The Exile's head snapped up as she turned towards the voice. The stealth field shimmered and dissipated as Atton walked towards her. She tried to say something but all she could do was stare while her mouth tried to form words.

"How did you..." she finally managed to vocalize.

Atton shrugged, "I had a hunch that you'd do something like this so I beat you to the punch and stayed here all night. Were you even going to say goodbye?"

The Exile almost laughed to herself as she remembered all the times Kreia had called him a fool. "I'm sorry, Atton. This was the only way. Where I'm going, I can't take anyone I care about. Kreia said..."

"Whatever that old hag said, it doesn't matter! She's dead and gone, Kori" Atton grabbed her small hands in his own gloved hands as he knelt down to catch her eyes.

"It's true, Atton. Revan couldn't take Car- Admiral Onasi and I can't take..." she stopped herself before she finished the sentence. Atton raised an eyebrown at her, "Look, I don't know what is out there. This is most likely a one-way trip."

"And I've got nothing to lose. There is nothing here I couldn't stand to lose, so I'm not going anywhere. Face it, you're stuck with me." he flashed that no-way-you-can-stay-mad-at-me grin and sat down beside her on the cot. "So, what's the plan?"

"You're impossible, Atton Rand." Kori'ana shook her head. Even as she began to plan a way to leave him behind.

A/N I hope everyone enjoyed the first chapter. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome but no flamers please!

Next chapter preview: The Hawk makes one last stop before the Unknown Regions. Kori'ana tries to leave Atton behind again. An unexpected passenger comes aboard.