Part 4: The Right One


The whole structure was shaking and breaking down around Carth as the Republic forces got through the defences.

That could only mean one of two things... Either Bastila was dead and not aiding the Sith anymore—or Catiel had succeeded in turning her back to the Light and she was aiding the Republic forces again.

He had no way of knowing which it was but at least it meant Catiel was still alive, for the moment. Only she could have made the difference.

But now she'd be hunting Malak, and even though Carth knew she had regained much of what she had lost—her sabre skills, her command of the Force, manifesting in diverse ways—Malak had had all this time to prepare for the meeting, and had the giant structure on his side.

Carth could feel the darkness in the very core of the Star Forge, and didn't envy Catiel's job one bit.

All he had to do was to keep the Hawk safe so that she could have an escape route. Which she would need. Because she would win. And she would be back soon. As Catiel, not Revan, Jedi or Sith.

He was confident of this, although he couldn't say way he felt it so strongly. Wishful thinking?

The shaking under his feet got worse and he had to wonder if anyone of them would actually make it out of the structure. The others had retreated back into the ship, but he stood watch outside, hoping to see a glance of Catiel.

The dark Jedi had given up their attacks on the deck ages ago, concentrating on the more formidable opponents, or running for their lives, Carth didn't know.

He was glad they were safe for the moment but actually a little sorry not to have the distraction of fighting to keep his mind occupied.

The biggest danger for them at the moment were their own allies, trying to take down the Forge itself, and Carth wasn't sure how long they could wait before making their escape. But he wouldn't leave without Catiel, he couldn't.

Even if they won, even though his son would be there to meet him on Telos, even though the whole universe was waiting out there, none of that would mean a thing if the price was Catiel's life.

So he paced, dodged the falling debris, ignored Mission's shouts from inside the Hawk. He needed to be there. He had to know the minute Cati...

The door! More dark Jedi? He could see the lighted red sabre and unholstered his blasters. But... wait, that was Bastila. And behind her...

"Cati!" he shouted, and the joyful expression on her face was all the confirmation he needed before pulling her in his arms.

She was kissing him, oblivious to the station falling apart around them.

Bastila had to push them to get them moving.

"Run, you idiots, you have time for that later!"

"You had to bring her, I suppose," Carth said to Catiel, as they were running towards the Hawk, holding hands and grinning widely.

"Well, she is kinda cute," Catiel shot back, her grin only widening as they reached the ship.

She let go of Carth's hand to hug Mission.

"Get us out of here, Flyboy," she commanded, and he threw a sloppy salute in her direction before rushing to the cockpit.

He was more than happy to get them out of there as soon as he could.

- - -

"Cati," Carth said, holding her close, watching the remaining Republic forces celebrating on the surface of the planet.

"Yes?"

"Nothing. Just... Cati."

"Yeah, just me," she replied, smiling. Wilfully misunderstanding him.

Or did she really? He was happy it was "just her" and not Revan. He had loved Revan for years, but like he'd told her on Korriban, he loved Catiel more. So he was more than happy to have her in his arms.

A thought struck him suddenly. It had been all well and good to talk about their emotions when they had been on their mission, outside the norm, living on the edge, but now they were free to do as they wanted, and...

The Jedi were not allowed to form attachments.

He pulled Catiel even closer.

"Do you know what you... she told me before we... kissed for the first time?"

"Tell me."

"'The Jedi are not celibate, we are just not allowed to form attachments.'"

Silence.

"Cati?"

"Maybe I was never cut out to be a Jedi, then," she whispered, pressing closer to Carth.

"I regained some of my memories while on the Forge," she went on quietly. "Just fleeting emotions, some images... But I remembered you. Revan loved you. And not in the 'Jedi are supposed to love everyone' way, either. Two mes have loved you, and for the both of us, I'm not letting you go. If that means not being a Jedi, so be it."

"But you can't give up all that you worked for."

"I worked towards saving the galaxy. We did that. Maybe I'll retire," she suggested, smiling.

Carth would have replied but she stopped him with a kiss.

"Don't worry. We don't have to figure it out now. But Jolee seems to be doing okay even though he's not officially a Jedi. And I see a lot of sense in his views on love. We'll work something out, I promise."

They remained silent after that, looking at the partying people.

"You feel like joining them?" he asked after a while.

"Nah. I vote we find a room and revisit our own way of celebrating a victory," she answered, starting to move towards the Temple.

He followed her for a few steps then came to a halt.

"Wait, you remember that?"

She shot him a challenging look over her shoulder, then started running, her laughter filling the night air.

He grinned, and started after her.

"I could make you tell!" he yelled.

"I'm sure you could, handsome, I'm sure you could!"

- - - - - - - -

The End