Timeless

Chapter Two

Alek

"You have hair."

The comment was so unexpected that Alek actually laughed. "It grew back when I died." He paused. "That doesn't make much sense, does it."

"Not really," Revan agreed. "It seems to be accurate though."

For a moment, or what seemed like a moment, they enjoyed the feeling of comradeship. The Alek sighed and turned away.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. You saved me, you know. You broke me out of his programing."

"Technically, you'd done that yourself," the Force ghost pointed out. "Because of me you got reprogrammed, this time as the Council's pawn."

"And if you had not followed me to the unknown regions you would not have been turned by the Emperor to begin with." Revan's eyes narrowed. "We both know who's fault this really was. We didn't choose to fall; he broke our minds and bent us to his will."

Alek glanced aside, shaking his head. "We broke away. You were right on the Forge; I chose that path. The Emperor didn't tell me to kill you; I decided that on my own. Besides, I'd already fallen before we met him."

If Revan had been able to move he would have banged his head against the edge of the stasis chamber. "You chose it as much as I did. Which is to say - not at all. Yes, we broke away from the emperor, but the decision to attack the Republic was his. Alright, I'll give you we were rather dark near the end, but if he had not turned us as he did, I doubt we would ever have considered attacking the Republic." Revan paused again, then smiled. "I'll give you the 'tried to kill me', but seeing as I succeeded at killing you, I think we're even. And," he cut Alek off before the other could argue, "before you question that, remember: by your reckoning you owe me, so my price is to stop feeling so guilty. Two: I'm your "master" so you have to obey when I say we're even, and three, I seem to recall telling you you were supposed to kill me."

"In single combat," Alek retorted, before realizing what he had just said. "That was a really bad counter argument, wasn't it."

"Very." Revan's smile carried clearly through the Force. "You'll have to work harder apprentice."

"You know, technically you are not my Master." Alek grinned at his best friend, glad that they were friends. "Just thought I aught to remind you."

"Sith master," Revan smirked.

"Ah, but I'm a Jedi again." A return smirk.

"Are you? How did that happen? I seem to recall you saying you couldn't, or wouldn't, return?"

"Well, I was feeling very remorseful, so apparently that counts. There was also the tiny matter of the Emperor forcibly turning us to the Dark Side." He shrugged.

"Well, I suppose if Ajunta could be redeemed four thousand years post mortem..."

Alek laughed. "He says hi, by the way. And I still have to do a penance, but it isn't so bad. I'll give you this though; it's a lot easier to atone in life. And takes a lot less time."

"There's time in the Force?" Revan could not help but be surprised at that. "I had thought it was timeless."

"It is. Why do you think the penance is taking so long?"

You can't laugh in stasis, but Revan's delighted amusement traveled easily through the Force. "I've missed you Alek."

"Who wouldn't?" Alek grinned, but the smile faded swiftly. "There may not be time in the Force, but I have to get back soon. I just... I wanted to get the chance to make up with you. And to tell you, keep fighting. Don't let him win, Revan. You're stronger than that."

"I have no intention of giving up." Irritation laced the edge of the thought.

"I know. But.. I wanted you to know that you're not alone. We're rooting for you. All of us who followed you, we're watching you." He ran his ghostly fingers through his thick hair, revealing the edges of the blue tattoos. "Master.. I.."

"I get it." Revan sent a reassuring smile to his oldest friend. "And thank you. And tell the Revanchists the same. Let them know I'm not going to give up. Until the Emperor is defeated, I'll keep fighting."

Alek nodded. "I'll tell them." He shifted uncomfortably, running his fingers through his hair again. "I have to go now."

"I know. Try to make time to visit me again, alright."

Alek shot his a dismayed look. "But Master! There's never any time in the Force." He winked, and was gone, leaving Revan exuding waves of laughter.

Outside one of the guards chuckled, before blinking in confusion and continuing his rounds.

Timeless Timeless Timeless

"You're happy." Meetra was back, Revan saw. He wondered how long she had been gone. it could have been a minute or an age, or anything between. Strange, how the lack of time had not bothered him before.

"Alek was here. His sense of humor recovered along with his jaw."

Meetra snorted. "I'll bet. Would you like to know what has been happening in the galaxy?"

"Please."

"Vaner has grown up. He's a politician now."

"A politician? Not a Jedi?"

Meetra shook her head. "I heard him joking about the Force skipping a generation. He has your gift for persuasion though. He seems to have done more good for the galaxy as a politician anyway. He's married now, a lovely young lady by the name of Emess."

"Any children?" Time flew by so fast when it could not touch you. For a moment sorrow threatened to overwhelm him. He had missed ever knowing his son. He would never know the woman Vaner had married, never know his grandchildren, if grandchildren there were.

Meetra nodded, knowing Revan's pain. "Two. A boy, Bress, and a girl Reesa." She paused, studying the man before her, and smiled. "Vaner looks like you. He's done a lot for the galaxy. You should be very proud of him."

"I am." Had the words been spoken they would have been inaudible, so perhaps it was best that they were thoughts. "Bastila?"

Meetra sighed. "She still misses you. She refuses to give up hope. She knows you still alive."

Revan shut his eyes, tears forming despite the field. "The Jedi?"

"They flourish. The Order is nowhere near the strength it once was, but it grows stronger with every year. They're calling my companions the 'Lost Council' now. What a ridiculous title!"

Revan sent her a sad smile, agreeing with the sentiment. "Would 'Found Council' be any better," he suggested innocently.

"Very funny. No, it wouldn't."

"You saw Atton then."

A nod. "And my daughter. Visas was her master, you know." She shook her head in amusement. "Atton says she looks like me, but I disagree. She's her father's daughter."

He continues asking, and she answers as best she can. it cannot last, this almost normalcy, and they both know it. Still, it is good while it lasts.

And when the battle begins once more, he has this to give him strength. He fights for the future, his grandchildren's and Meetra's. And he fights for the past, for those who followed him before. He fights, and he will not surrender.

Timeless Timeless Timeless

Author's Note: Am I the only one who feels bad for Malak? After everything, it turns out he didn't even choose to fall. The reason he has his hair and the tattoos, is because wounds are healed in the Force, but he had the tattoos as a Jedi. His personality is the way it was at the beginning of Knights of the Old Republic comics. He's also trying to cheer Revan up.

I made up Meetra's daughter. So sue me. (Actually, please don't.) I LOVE Meetra/Atton, and I wanted them to have a child. The reason Meetra left her daughter behind is because, as a Jedi, she gave her up. So she wasn't raising her anyway... I chose Visas because I don't think Atton would have let the Disciple be her teacher, and I just did not want Briana for some reason...

I do not know if Vaner is Force sensitive or not. He might be, he might not, but someone did make that comment in the epilogue.

For Revan's next visitor take your pick:

Ajunta Pall

Ulic Quel-Droma

Vima Sunrider

There will be others, but you can pick from these three.