Clarisse looked around in the room she had just entered. Everything around her was luxurious, comfortable and she felt out of place. She was used to simple things, even a bed had been a luxury in the past when she had found herself on some missions. Her eyes traveled from the bed that was against the wall right in front of her, with the tall posts and lush fabric draped around it, to the rest of the furniture in the room. Every single chair, dresser, the mirrors and the artwork on the walls were just plain expensive. Whoever had decorated that room, Clarisse thought, had money and good taste.

"My Lady, if you would…" she heard Nyla behind her, the servant assigned to her.

"Nyla, please, call me Clarisse! I am no lady, I am a Jedi Master…" asked Clarisse, looking at the older woman in front of her.

"I understand that the world you are coming from is different, but here it does not matter if you are a Jedi, a Sith, force blind, if your allegiance is to the Republic or to the Empire. Our world has never been involved into the war, here we are all the same." She tried to explain politely.

"I know I can't ask where I am, but I didn't know that such a place would exist."

"You are Lord Xander's guest, so are going to be treated just like him, with the utmost respect!"

"I am just a Jedi on the run…" whispered Clarisse looking down at the plush, soft rug, feeling bad that she was walking on it with her boots.

"You might be out there; here you are a guest to one of the most respectable people I know!" Nyla insisted and Clarisse gave up, not wanting to offend anyone.

After she took a long, refreshing shower Clarisse wrapped herself into one of the oversized soft towels and stepped back into the room at the same time as Nyla.

Nyla was carrying a big box and she placed it on one of the dressers, turning to Clarisse.

"Lord Xander would like to know if you would join him for dinner."

"Do I have to?" Clarisse surprised herself with the question that flew out of her lips, almost without her permission.

Nyla smiled at her and tilted her head. "You don't have to…But is not nice to refuse basic hospitality when it is offered to you."

Clarisse hesitated. Even if she was hungry, and dinner with Xander sounded tempting, she remembered their last discussion on the ship. She felt a chill down her spine at the memory of the chair he threw across the room without even touching it.

"I am sorry, but I am tired…I would like some bread if that is not much to ask and maybe some water…" finally answered Clarisse and noticed right away the surprise on Nyla's face.

"If you insist to have dinner alone, I will send you something to eat here, but if you change your mind, here is what Lord Xander would like you to wear." she said casually indicating the box before she left the room.

Clarisse wasn't even sure she heard correctly Nyla's words. What he would like me to wear? Is he really going to tell me how to dress? Who does he think he is? thought Clarisse, but curiosity got the best of her and she opened the box, peaking inside. The dark, almost antique gold gown was neatly folded in the box right beside the same color high heel shoes. A smaller box was on the other side of the dress and she opened it only to be even more surprised when she saw the jewelry set inside. Clarisse touched the dress, and the softness of the silk felt good under her fingertips, making her smile, she had always loved silk. The growling coming from her stomach reminded her that she was indeed hungry, but she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of wearing that outfit he sent her. I'd rather starve to death than get dressed up for him, she decided, and closingg the box, she walked away from it. She went into the dressing room where all her things were waiting for her. She chose a white nighty, got dressed and returned into the bedroom.

The knock in the door interrupted the admiration for her silk nighty and a servant brought her dinner on a tray.

"Would you like to have dinner here, or on the terrace?" she heard the question of the young girl.

"Is there a terrace? I didn't even…"

"Of, course it is, right here!" she said and showed Clarisse the way out, on the small terrace.

It was a very intimate little terrace, and the evening was warm, the scent in the air was refreshing and clean. Clarisse loved that space and right away she decided to eat outside.

Once the tray was set on the table, the servant left her alone and Clarisse looked around her, noticing the small details that she missed at the first glance. The dividers on either side were black and they blended into the night that was covering everything around. She could not see what was in front of her, but the sound of water was music to her ears and a smile appeared on her face. Next she looked at the tray where an elegant dinner was waiting for her. There were even flowers beside the plate. Clarisse smelled the steak and the vegetables on the plate, and right away she sat down and started to eat. Beside the water glass there was another one, with what she guessed it would be a sparkling wine of some sort. Great! All my guilty pleasures: silk, flowers, sparkling wine, deserts…and most recently, Sith! Darn it! she thought, and took another bite from her food. It was delicious. When her eyes got used to the darkness around her, Clarisse noticed the view in front of her terrace and for a few minutes she forgot to eat. The glowing bushes and ferns made a pattern, and she guessed that it would be paths leading to what she could see now it was a lake. In the distance, the top of the mountains looked like old guardians, offering her a strange feeling of safety. She wasn't used to feeling safe. Since she was a child, she learned that dangers of all sorts are everywhere. But that night, in that place, in spite of the darkness around her, she felt safe. Soon she recognized Xander's dark signature, but even that could not make her shake the feeling of safety. When she couldn't ignore the desert anymore she abandoned the left over dinner and picked up the frosted glass dish. The first taste made her smile and sink more comfortable in the soft cushions of her chair, decadent chocolate, some custard and sweet berries. Clarisse closed her eyes and allowed herself in indulgence for a few seconds, and then suddenly she became aware and, like always, controlled herself. She was just about to take a sip from the sparkling wine when she heard Xander's voice near her.

"You are avoiding me!"

"Looks like I have failed!" she answered right away bothered by his presence.

The same second the divider on the left side disappeared and she saw him standing there, with his arms crossed over the wide chest, leaning against the wall. He was wearing pants, but was barefoot and shirtless. Clarisse told herself right away, not to look in his direction, but her eyes were attracted to him. The bright red eyes were acknowledging every inch of her body and suddenly she became uncomfortable, aware that her nighty was barely covering her. Xander took a glass from a table near him and placed it on her table, beside the leftovers of her dinner, sitting in the chair right across from her.

"Was your dinner acceptable?" came his next question.

"Yes, thank you," answered Clarisse and she got up on her feet, moving into her room.

Her intention was very clear to Xander, and he had different plans. Before she had a chance to take a step towards the door, he blocked her way with his body and grabbed her wrist.

"Why are you avoiding me? Why did you refuse to have dinner with me?"

"I am tired, and not the best company for dinner. Now, if you will excuse me, I would like to go to sleep." Silence fell over them for a couple of seconds, then Xander lifted her face towards him with the other hand. Clarisse kept telling herself not to look at him, but on the way to his eyes, she glanced over his body. Most men looked bigger, more impressive in their armor, but for some reason, he looked that way when he was shirtless. She felt her heart skipping a beat or two, or maybe more, she wasn't sure, but when she met his bright red eyes staring down at her, Clarisse lost herself in them. Xander just got closer to her, so close that she could smell the sparkling wine on his breath.

"I do believe that you are tired, but that is all. I have told you earlier, on the ship, not to play with me…"

"I am not," Clarisse said, way to fast not to make Xander even more suspicious.

"You are leaving me no choice but to do the same…" came his whisper next and got even closer to her.

His lips almost touched hers, she anticipated the kiss, her heart was about to beat right out of her chest.

"Sweet dreams." Xander whispered and released her. He picked up his glass and walked back to the part of the terrace where he came from, the divider reappearing instantly.

Clarisse stood there for a few seconds, not knowing if she was relieved or disappointed. The same servant that brought her dinner earlier came back and took away the tray with the leftovers, smiling at Clarisse. She surprised herself when she managed to do the same. Without any other preparations, she turned the lights off and went straight to bed. The discreet night lights in the room were the only witness of her tears that started to run down her face. Her emotions were so strong that Xander could feel them from the next room, and if Clarisse could have seen through the wall, would have seen his satisfied smile. It was a bad idea to come here! I should leave before is too late. Maybe I will be safe in the Temple, Revan would not dare to send his people after me on Tython…And at least now I know that I can fight him out of my head. Tomorrow I will ask Xander to take me back. Or at least to give me the coordinates so my droids could bring my ship here. He is impossible to be around! He is been accusing me of playing with him, when that is what he is doing…Now he even knows that I am a virgin…he is taking advantage of my lack of experience! Why did I want him to kiss me? I have been kissed before, it is not a big deal at all…Would it be different with him? He is dangerous, is dark and powerful…I better be careful! Is he trying to turn me to the dark side? He would not do that….would he? I have to get hold of my emotions and calm down. I have to!

"There is no emotion, there is peace…There is no ignorance…" her voice whispered in the warm night. Her last hope, the Jedi Code.

Only minutes later she did calm down and finally fell asleep.

Xander could feel everything that was going on in the next room. Just as he felt all her emotions, he felt next her calming waves and he had to wrap himself in darkness to stop them from affecting him. It only lasted for couple of minutes, but everyone in the house felt them, whether they knew what was happening or not. She is impossible! She would not admit the truth…I have to find out what is going on in her head! Maybe I should…No…I am better than that! Am I? I can't make her talk to me honestly, I can't convince her to open up. Maybe I can just take a peak…If she is asleep she would never know…" he thought and waited for Clarisse to fall asleep. When he figured that she was deep enough in her sleep, he reached through the force into her mind. He was extremely cautious, just tapping at first, but soon he found himself drowning. Her mind was fascinating for him.

The first memory of Clarisse he visited was one of the oldest, when she was just a little girl with two pig tails and big, curious hazel eyes. She was crying, after she had failed her duel test. She was about six years old. He saw a younger master Shan approach and she sat down beside her.

"Everyone is different, Clarisse. What some people have others are lacking…The secret is to make the most of what you have!"

"But Master, I failed the duel test…The sword was heavy and my hands got tired."

"Not everyone is going to be strong and master dueling. You have to compensate for that. Your connection with the force is very strong! Use it!" Master Shan told her, and then she left, leaving Clarisse confused.

Xander smiled, remembering himself even younger than her, training with his father by the lake. His father gave him his first training sword as soon as he learned to walk, and start teaching him at a very young age. By the time he went to the Academy, he was already well versed in the art of dueling, making him stand out from the others from the very first day, the day he met Marr.

The next memory he visited was about a year later and it was night, in a big room with about twenty beds lined up. Clarisse woke up and heard someone crying. She got up and went to see who it was. After a few seconds she found a boy, about her age, who had been with the order only a few months.

"What is wrong?" she asked him curiously.

"I miss my parents…" the boy answered in a whisper, not to wake anyone else. "Don't you?"

"No…I have no parents." came her answer sad and she let her head down, ashamed.

"My name is Ty, what is yours?" he asked her.

"Clarisse."

"Did Sith kill your parents too?" he asked her next.

Clarisse didn't answer, she just shrugged her shoulders. A few seconds later she looked at him and smiled.

"I have learned a trick today! You want to see?" she asked him this time and the boy nodded wiping his tears.

She took a few steps back and sat on the floor in the meditative position. In couple of seconds she started to glow and then she started to lift in the air objects from around the room. Ty's eyes grew big and he got out of bed, trying to catch some of the objects, and laughing. The noise and the light attracted the attention to one of the masters that happened to pass by, who entered the room right away.

"Padawan Clarisse, what are you doing?" he asked her in a whisper, on a tone that she knew wasn't good.

"I was trying to practice…" she answered not wanting to tell the master that Ty was sad and crying.

"At this time? Go to sleep! You will wake the others…" and he took her to her bed.

After the master left, Ty came by her bed and smiled at her, whispering, "Thank you for not telling on me…You want to be friends?"

"Sure!" she answered and she went to sleep with a smile on her face.

Once again, Xander looked back at his own past. That first day in the Academy, when he demonstrated his combat skills. The other kids were looking at him with respect and some even feared him, except one. He went to talk to the one that wasn't impressed with his skills.

"What is your name?" he remembered asking.

"Marr. Yours?"

"Xander."

"You should not let others see what you can do…You will make enemies fast…" he told him.

"Not if they know I am better than they are!" answered young Xander proudly.

"That is exactly why you will make enemies! They will feel threatened by you! You should watch your back." Marr said and started to walk away.

After a few steps a group of four other young apprentices surrounded Marr, provoking him. He started to fight them, and Xander remembered admiring his technique, but he was still outnumbered. Before he knew it, they were standing together, back to back, taking down the attackers in record time.

"Thank you for having my back," said Marr simply when all four attackers were on the ground.

"No problem…It's easier when you are not alone!"

That was the beginning of their friendship. They had watched each other's backs for years, and they were still best friends.

Next, Xander watched Clarisse growing up, more powerful every day. He witnessed her happiest day, when she became a Jedi, her saddest day, when her friend Ty died. That was the day when she promised herself she would never make another friend, she would never get close to anyone else, it was too painful to lose them. It took her weeks of intense meditation to deal with the loss. Xander remembered how he lost people he knew throughout the years. The loss of his parents was so hard on him, that for almost two years all he wanted was to kill any Jedi in his path, and he did. He followed Clarisse's memories through her missions, met her crew, saw her victories and found out about her little guilty pleasures. He could not help himself smiling seeing that she did enjoyed little luxuries, that she liked the feel of silk, the smell of fresh flowers, her fascination with water, everything looked so different seen throough her eyes. When he witnessed the night on her ship, when Felix told her he was in love with her, he felt anger. He wished he could hit the daring lieutenant. Clarisse's first kiss made Xander clench his fists, but the very next second he almost felt pity for Felix. She turned him down; she stayed true to her promise and to the Jedi code, not to get close to anyone again, not to form any attachments. What chance do I stand? he thought, and after a deep sigh, he went back to her memories. The more he learned about her, the more he wanted to know. She was like a drug to him, he could not stop. Xander continued to travel through her memories, and when he got to the moment they met, he almost forgot to breathe. He became extremely careful not to miss any detail, he had to find out what it was that she was hiding; and he did. His eyes flared brightly and he went to bed, already making plans.

It was almost morning when Xander woke up suddenly unable to breathe. He felt like something or someone had knocked all the air out of him and was stopping him from getting any breath in. He sat in the middle of his bed, ready to confront whoever it was but there was nobody in his room. He felt the strong waves of emotions coming from Clarisse's bedroom and, concentrating on breathing again, he reached again to her mind. What is going on? Is she having another vision? This time it was not as easy to get into her mind, but he didn't have to go too deep. When he figured the source of her emotions, Xander started to laugh in the dark room and let himself fall on the pillow.

"Enjoy your sweet dream…It will become reality soon!" he whispered and then cocooned himself in darkness.

The next morning, Clarisse woke up still under the influence of her dream. The bright morning light usually put her in a good mood, but that morning itwas not the case. She could still feel Xander's kisses and touches; she could see his eyes looking at her in a way she never knew could happen to her. Then she remembered her own reactions, his taste, and she had to start reciting the Jedi code in a try to set aside all the emotions that were assaulting her. I really have to get out of here! The dream was just a warning…I can't let it happen! She got ready for the day ahead and walked outside her room, following the smell of the caff and remembering some of the way she came in the previous night, Clarisse was in the spacious living room in no time. Right away she saw Xander outside, on the large terrace, in front of a table filled with food and drinks. As soon as she walked on the terrace, he stood up and invited her to sit.

"Good morning. I hope you rested well." he said holding a chair for her to sit.

"Yes, thank you…" she answered avoiding looking at him.

"I have started with my caff, I wasn't sure when you would show up for breakfast." he continued and sitting, took another sip from his mug.

"You didn't have to wait for me…I don't mean to interfere with your schedule."

"You are not."

Clarisse took her mug and leaned back on her chair, admiring the view. Now she could see the lake, the lush vegetation, even the mountains that she noticed the previous night. As much as she tried not to look at Xander, she still glanced really quickly and noticed he looked different. They started to eat in silence, but she was still trying to figure out what was so different about him. Her eyes traveled from his casual, civilian clothes to his eyes. They were clear and blue, but she had seen them before. His hair was different, and she noticed that it was a very light shade of brown, and unlike yesterday, it looked kind of messy and a few strings were hanging down his high forehead. He looked a lot more relaxed, but the straight nose, high cheekbones and square, strong jaw were still screaming out power. Without noticing, she looked next at his lips and saw them curving into a smile.

"Did I grow an extra ear or something?" he asked her amused.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to stare…You look different…" she said embarrassed she was caught, turning her attention to her own food.

"I can only hope that it is a good different."

Clarisse did not answer, she just kept eating in silence until she finished and took another sip from her caff.

"I need to ask you another favor…" she said hesitantly.

"I am going to have to start charging!" Xander joked, but continued right away "What is it?"

She avoided again looking at him, fixing her eyes inside her mug, the caff was a rich brown, almost black and watched the steam rising from it.

"I have to go back…"

"Back…Back where? Rishi?" he asked surprised.

"No, I have to go to Tython…"

"Am I that unpleasant to have around?" he start questioning her trying to figure out what was going on in her mind.

Clarisse didn't answer, just got up and walked to the edge of the terrace. Xander noticed right away the hilt of her lightsaber on the belt, even if she didn't wear her Jedi robes.

"I can't sit here forever and hide. I have to go…"

"You are not here forever…Just until we find a solution, a way to…"

"You don't understand! I just can't stay here!" she interrupted him without even looking at him.

"Why? Are the accommodations unacceptable?" he teased, just to see her reaction.

"It's not that…You have been very generous and I thank you for that…"

"Then what is it?" he insisted.

Clarisse took a deep breath in and decided to tell him.

"It is you. I am not used to have someone doubting me every second, looking over my shoulder all the time…Not to mention all the darkness that surrounds you…I am…Uncomfortable." she said finding the word she was looking for.

Xander got up and joined her at the edge of the terrace looking at her, trying to read something on her face. She was just calm, looking at the lake.

"There is no darkness now…As for doubting you, I would not if you would be honest with me! I am not looking over your shoulder and if my presence really bothers you that much, I can give you more space…I was just thinking that we could get to know each other better since we are stuck here…"

"That is not necessary…it's not like we are going to become best friends!" she interrupted him again.

"I am doing my best to keep safe from that lunatic…We have to come up with a plan, we need to get that big target off your back! That is where you should concentrate your efforts, not finding reasons to leave. You are letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

For a few seconds, none of them made any sound, just some birds flying by hit the air with their wings and their strident singing broke the silence.

"I take it as a no, then…" finally spoke Clarisse looking at him.

"It is a bad idea to get into his reach…"

"So…Am I prisoner here then?"

Xander looked at her surprised; he did not expect her to feel like she was a prisoner.

"Absolutely not! You can do whatever you want…"

Clarisse thought about it for a few more seconds then she turned around and faced him, looking into his eyes.

"Are you trying to turn me to the dark side?" came her question short and at the point.

"Why would I want to do that?" he answered her with a question.

"Yes or no!" she insisted.

Xander took a deep breath and smiled.

"No. And for your information, I would never even consider turning you!"

It was Clarisse's turn to be surprised and asked him right away.

"What do you mean?"

"You are definitely not a dark side candidate; you would probably not even make it through trials!"

"I am not sure if I should be relieved or insulted!" said Clarisse.

"Clara, you are too good, too kind…You would make a lousy Sith…If, like I said, you would even make it. I would never try to change who you are. Most Jedi I met learned to be kind, to help others…You have not, it is in your nature!"

Clarisse turned her back at him, and then she asked him again after only a few seconds.

"Is it possible to have more time on my own? You said you could give me more space…"

"If that is what you want…"

"Yes." she said and started to walk towards the lake.

She is still a mystery to me! A mystery that I need to solve… thought Xander, following her with his eyes, while his mind was working on a plan.

Clarisse walked near the lake, and when she thought she would be far enough from the house she kneeled in the grass and started to meditate. Everything that was happening was confusing her. I am attracted to him, but that is not the problem…I know how to control my physical urges! What is it then? Is it the darkness that is around him? But he wasn't using it earlier, and I have still had a hard time keeping focused. He didn't lie when he said he would not want to turn me…What is it then that makes me feel this way? Why did I have that darn dream? Where is the line between light and dark? I can't see it anymore…Yesterday, when I brought him back from dead I found the extra power I needed in him…But he was dead at the time, couldn't be from him. Where did I get it then? I have to find out. I have to meditate, she told herself, and soon the bright light aura shone around her.

Xander stood on the terrace for a few minutes, even if he wasn't using the force at the time, he could see and feel her turmoil. When he saw her aura in the distance, he turned around and went to his office. For the next four hours, he looked for a solution to get the target off her, something that would keep her safe and make Revan not want her anymore. As much as he tried, there was only one way to make that happen; alter Revan's reasoning. He walked outside and headed her direction. He needed to talk to her, even if had promised her more privacy.

Clarisse sensed his presence nearby as soon as he approached and she became distracted. Her aura faded just as Xander was only steps away from her. At least she had found out some of the answers she was looking for; not the ones she would have liked, but she could not change them, at least not yet.

"I thought you said I won't have to see you all the time…That I will have some privacy…" she said without even looking at him.

Xander stood tall behind her looking at the lake; it was calm, and the water was blue and refreshing.

"We need to talk." He answered short and moved his eyes to her.

Clarisse got up on her feet and turned around to face him with calm.

"Talk!" she said and looked into his eyes. She saw them turning bright red and braced herself.