CHAPTER 6
"Anakin?"
"Yeah, Bastila?"
"Did you… I… What I mean to say is…"
"What?"
"DO YOU THINK YOU COULD SLOW DOWN?"
Anakin blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I HAVE NEVER IN MY ENTIRE LIFE MET SOMEONE AS RECKLESS, IRRESPONSIBLE, AND ADDICTED TO DANGER AS YOU!"
Anakin felt a tap on his shoulder, and turned around to see Revan standing there, two earplugs on her outstretched hand. He grinned, and put them in. Almost instantly, Bastila's shouting dulled to a minor annoyance. He smirked at Revan, mouthing "Hold on to something." Revan took one look at the glimmer in his eyes and grinned. As soon as she was safely strapped in to the copilot's chair, Anakin sent the Hawk through a dizzying series of loops, twirls, and corkscrews that left Bastila retching on the floor.
"Bas, do try not to get puke all over my ship, there's a good Jedi."
"Go…Go to hell, Revan…And take your new friend with you!" It probably would have been more impressive if she had managed to storm out without stepping in what was two hours ago her breakfast, but then again, even Bastila Shan isn't perfect.
With a single glance at each other, both Revan and Anakin doubled over, laughing. Anakin took the earplugs out of his ears and set the Hawk's nav computer to autopilot. "I have got to say, this is one of the most fun missions I've ever been on."
"Yeah. Hey, Anakin?"
"Yeah?"
"Do you…Do you think I'll ever see you again? Once we get to Corusant, I mean?"
"I don't know." He frowned. His feelings about Raven – Revan – were so…so…different from any he had ever had before. He didn't know what to call it. No, he did. He, Anakin Skywalker, was in love with a Dark Lord of the Sith. "I do know I'd like to see you again."
"I'd like to see you again, too." Suddenly, she leaned over and punched him lightly on the arm. "Maybe I could teach you something about how we Dark Lords duel!"
Anakin grinned. "I could probably teach you a thing or two, you old geezer!"
"Old geezer! I'm hurt, Ani, really I am."
Anakin's heart skipped an unhealthy number of beats at the use of his nickname.
"How old are you, anyway?"
"Twenty three."
"You're the same age as me!"
"Yeah."
Both of them were jolted by the sudden drop out of hyperspace. Stretched out before them was the shining, sparkling city/planet called Corusant.
"Welcome home." Anakin whispered.