Carth leaned back against the wall of the Temple as he waited for Kenna. He hoped the Council wasn't too hard on her. She'd gone through enough recently without having to fight people who were supposed to be on the same side. So where are you going after you leave here? The question popped in his mind without warning. I don't know, that depends on where I'm told to go. I'm still a soldier. Nothing changed that, and Kenna knows it. We have to wait and see. He wanted to marry her as soon as possible, but beyond that they would have to take things as they came. That was part of life in the military. He had a feeling Kenna would adjust to it much better than Mori had.
"There you are." Kenna ducked through the barely open doorway. "Trying to hide?"
"Not from you. You're the one that suggested the Temple," he pointed out.
"True. I'm surprised no one saw you come in, considering you're second only to me in popularity. I think I'm coming around to your view of a hero's welcome."
"Hit the point where you want to scream at them to leave you alone?" He couldn't restrain a chuckle as he asked, considering her earlier attitude.
"Either that or use the Force to wipe their minds so they forget who I am," Kenna muttered. "C'mon."
"So, what happened to only Force-users being allowed in here?" Carth teased as they made their way to the roof.
"I guess there's no need for the restriction now that the Star Forge is destroyed." Kenna shrugged. "All I really care about is hiding away from the suffocating, adoring crowds. And letting you finish that back rub," she amended with a wicked grin, rolling her shoulders. "My...meeting, or whatever you want to call it, with the Council has me all tense again."
"Fine by me. So, how'd it go? Or do I not want to know?" he asked as they reached the Temple roof.
"Actually, it went surprisingly well, considering. Vrook was his normal grumpy self, and one of the new Masters is a lot like him, but there was someone sympathetic, so it wasn't entirely the uphill battle I was anticipating. They didn't even mention us until the end. Vrook said something came out in his conversation with Bastila. I'm going to try to wait and see her side of the story before I hurt her." Kenna smiled wryly.
"Generous of you."
"Maybe she let it slip without meaning to, or he asked her and she wouldn't lie. As long as she didn't volunteer it I won't be too mad at her."
"Sounds like a plan. Now come here." Carth sat down with his back against the wall and tugged her down with him. She willingly obliged.
"So, what're we doing with ourselves, after I marry you?" Kenna asked, leaning back slightly as his hands massaged the kinks out of her too-tense muscles. "Oh, Force, that feels good. You're not allowed to stop."
"I'll have to eventually, love." The previously unused endearment slipped out unintentionally, however true it may have been, and made both of them blush. "To, ah, answer your question of what we're doing, we'll have to see where the Fleet Admiral tells me to go. I'm still a soldier. Nothing's going to change that."
"I love that about you. Your loyalty, I mean." Kenna looked back over her shoulder to smile at him.
"Everybody's loyal to something, Kenna. Or someone. Even mercs." Carth shrugged. "They're loyal to money, or themselves, or their family, or whatever. I've just chosen to be loyal to the Republic. And you."
"Well, that's comforting. Nice to know you trust me," she teased.
Carth stopped rubbing her back. "You like being tense?"
"No, I'm sorry. Please continue," Kenna laughed. "I just couldn't resist. Hard as it was to get you to trust me, you know I'm going to tease you a little."
"Yeah, I know, beautiful. Just don't overdo it. And I think you dodged part of my question," he pointed out as he resumed.
"Huh? Oh, right, how things went. I got off on that tangent about Bastila. Well, long and short of it, we're just not going to broadcast our relationship. Not exactly hiding it, but not volunteering anything either. If the Republic is ever in enough danger they need my help, I'm available. But no lightsaber or Force use in public. Just a normal citizen of wherever we end up until they need me."
"Sort of like reserve duty, in other words."
"Yeah, I guess so." Kenna shrugged. "It was that or cave to Vrook's demand I give you up. I wasn't about to do that. I love you too much."
"Thanks. I love you, too." He squeezed her shoulder slightly. "Always will."
"I know. Same here." Relaxed as she'd been in a long time, nothing left to worry about, Kenna shifted position so she was sitting sideways on Carth's lap and leaned her head against his chest. "Thanks for the back rub. I'll return the favor someday. Soon," she promised.
Carth rested his chin on top of her head. "I'll hold you to that." He wrapped his arms around her and held her close as they sat in silence for a long while.
They stayed on the roof long enough to watch the beginning of the sunset streak the sky with a myriad of colors before reluctantly arriving at the decision they needed to get back out with everybody else before Admiral Dodonna arranged search parties.
"I almost forgot to ask," Kenna started hesitantly as they reached the door. "What're you going to do about Dustil?"
Carth sighed. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "I really do want to patch things up with him if I can. But he's so angry, and so..."
"Much like you?" Kenna offered when he let the sentence trail off unfinished.
"He is an awful lot like me, isn't he?" He smiled wryly and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Stubborn streak and all," she agreed with a grin.
"You know, you don't have to agree to everything, beautiful."
"I know. But, now that you've so neatly avoided answering, allow me to ask again: What're you going to do about Dustil?"
"I'll probably meet him on Telos once we have everything else worked out. But like I said, I'm not sure. Have to wait and see."
"That's good enough for now. We really don't know what's going to happen, so it's probably better to not promise anything beyond sticking to each other like shadows."
"Exactly." Carth wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
Upon exiting the Temple, they found that most of the soldiers had already cleared off.
"I want to see if I can find Bastila. I need to talk to her." Kenna squeezed Carth's hand before letting go. "Why don't you see if you can round everyone else up so we can figure out what we're doing?"
"Yes, ma'am," he teased. "Already giving orders?"
"Of course." Kenna grinned at him sweetly and took off in the direction where she had last seen Bastila. Carth chuckled, shook his head, and went in search of all the others.
Kenna found Bastila just finishing a conversation with one of the few remaining soldiers. "Hey, Bastila? Can I talk to you for a minute?"
"Of course." Bastila turned from the young soldier to her friend. "What do you need?"
"I'm just curious about something." Kenna took a deep breath. "When the Council...talked to me about my plans now that Malak's dead, Vrook tried to ferret out my relationship with Carth, and said something came up in his conversation with you. So I'm just curious what exactly came up."
The younger woman sighed. "I did not mean to say anything to alert him about you and Carth. I figured it was your place to tell them about that. I accidentally let something slip that made Vrook suspicious, and he inquired further. I could not lie to him, Kenna. Not a member of the Council, a fellow Jedi."
"It's all right," Kenna reassured her. "I just wanted to know. I was a little angry at first, but then I realized it had probably been something that slipped."
"So, what did the Council decide? "
"I'm essentially going to... disguise the fact that I'm a Jedi, I guess is the best way to explain it," Kenna replied as they began walking back to rejoin everyone else. "Carth described it as reserve duty, because I'm not broadcasting what I am, but if they need me, I told them I'm available. What about you? What punishment does Vrook have in store for you?"
"I'm to remain at the Temple for almost a full year, and even after that can only go on missions if accompanied by a Master. They are afraid I might fall again." Bastila looked completely crestfallen. "I suppose I deserve it, but with the large number of Masters that were killed on Dantooine, I don't know when I'll be able to go anywhere."
"I'm sorry," Kenna sympathized as they started walking back to meet up with Carth and the others.
"I brought it on myself." Bastila shrugged. "I should not have been so weak, fallen so easily. They are right to be so cautious."
"I know. But still, I can't help but feel that they're being too harsh. You are truly sorry, and I believe that you won't fall again."
Bastila snorted. "I wish I had your confidence in my abilities. I'm not entirely sure I'm as strong as you believe me to be."
"Well, I'm sure being surrounded by all those Masters will help you strengthen your belief in the light."
"You know, at times I envy you," Bastila confessed with a small chuckle.
"Why?" Kenna frowned.
"Well, you make it seem so easy. Staying true to the light, I mean. I knew through our whole journey exactly who you were, but I had to keep reminding myself that you had been the Dark Lord of the Sith. You were so good at being kind, and well..."
"Good?" Kenna finished for her. "It wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always because I was trying to stay true to the light."
"How else did you manage to resist all the times you were offered the chance to overthrow Malak and regain your title?" Bastila frowned in confusion.
"I already told you. Carth. Knowing he believed in me, loves me, does more than any age-old mantra ever could for my resolve."
Bastila was silent for a moment, and Kenna felt her probing the bond the two of them shared. "Oh, my." The words were spoken so softly Kenna barely heard the undertone of shock. "I had no idea your feelings were so strong..."
"I told you it would kill me to lose him. Did you think I was exaggerating?" It was Kenna's turn to raise an eyebrow.
"Well, yes. You have to remember, I lived among the Jedi my whole life, Kenna. I never knew anyone who felt so deeply that losing the one they loved would kill them. Are you sure it's wise to love so deeply? If an enemy learns about the way you feel, that would be an ideal weakness to exploit. After all, for all his skill, Carth is only a soldier. There are...ways to render combat skills inconsequential."
Kenna felt a cold chill creep into her gut, matching the one she'd felt when Jolee warned her about the same thing, though on a smaller scale. "I could get him killed."
"That is a risk." Bastila was prevented from saying more as they met up with the others, and Kenna's attention was drawn to helping Carth keep Mission from flying at Canderous. Apparently the Mandalorian had made one too many derogatory comments about the Twi'lek's pazaak skills.
Mission was in mid-rant when Kenna grabbed her arm. "You ever say any of that stuff 'bout me again, and I'll--I'll--"
"You'll what, kid?" Canderous taunted.
"Lemme go!" Mission shrieked, yanking away from Kenna. "That does it!!" Carth dodged one blue elbow and somehow managed to hold on to the furious teenager until Kenna caught her arm again--firmly this time.
"Mission, what's going on?" Bastila demanded.
"I don't hafta tell you!" Mission hollered. "Just lemme go! You two ain't my parents!' She glared at Carth and Kenna.
"C'mon, Mish, what did he say?" Kenna asked.
Fury still simmering in her eyes, Mission calmed down enough to explain her rage. "He beat me at pazaak again, and then said he's seen blind Gamorreans that play better than me!"
"Mission, you know he's just trying to rile you," Kenna pointed out. "You're proving his point that you're a kid."
"It worked, and I don't care. Now can I kill him?" Mission demanded.
"I'd like to see you try, kid," Canderous snorted. This time Bastila had to help Carth and Kenna hold back the enraged Twi'lek. Hope Big Z doesn't decide to kill him for her... Kenna knew they wouldn't be able to hold the Wookiee back if he decided to do Mission a favor involving the Mandalorian and a serious beating.
"Mission, let it go," Kenna ordered, tightening her grip as the teenager nearly broke free. "It's not worth it. He's not worth it. Canderous, I'd like to get off the planet without any casualties. So, if you could behave yourself, that would be a huge help."
"I can handle one scrawny Twi'lek kid," the mercenary scoffed.
"SCRAWNY?!?!?!?!" Mission shrieked. "Let me kill him, Kenna, please???"
"I'm about to," Kenna muttered. "Canderous, shut up. We'll work this out on the Hawk."
"Sure." Canderous turned and headed for the path that led to the beach. Kenna could have sworn she heard him chuckle as he passed her.
"Mission, calm down. We'll work this out. Maybe I'll even let you go at him," Kenna said as she, Bastila, and Carth warily let go of the girl.
"Oh, don't worry, I don't wanna kill him anymore." Mission grinned in a fiendish way that had Kenna more nervous than if she had still been muttering death threats, but she pretended she didn't see it as the rest of them followed Canderous for the ship.
"Mission looks like she's planning something," Carth commented as he wrapped one arm around Kenna's shoulders.
"She sure does. We'll wait and see what she does, but I think Canderous is the only one who should be worried about that. Ticking off a prankster like her is never a good idea," Kenna replied as her arm snaked around his waist.
"Very true. I think I'll lock myself in the cockpit until her vengeance has run its course."
"Want company?" Kenna purred, shooting him a seductive look.
"Tempting, but I need to be able to concentrate on flying, don't you think? You're very distracting," Carth admitted, kissing the top of her head.
"Well, then, I'll make sure I don't distract you...too much," Kenna chuckled, squeezing slightly. They reached the bottom of the path and the Ebon Hawk came into view.
"Thanks for that, beautiful," Carth replied, a grin spreading across his face as they strode across the sand. "Now, I need to fulfill a promise."
"Oh, really?" Kenna eyed him suspiciously. "And what promise would that be?"
"I seem to remember telling you that if you played the 'for me' card one more time I would throw you in the ocean when we headed back to the Hawk. I think I need to make good on that," Carth teased, scooping her up.
"Carth Onasi, put me down!" Kenna was laughing too hard to do much struggling, but she made at least a token protest as he headed for the water.
"No way, beautiful. You said one of your favorite things about me is that I keep my promises." Carth laughed at the look on her face. "Gotcha there, love." Kenna sighed in exasperation and stopped struggling. Carth reached the edge of the water and tossed her in.
She hooked one hand in the shoulder joint of his armor as she went airborne and pulled him in with her, almost on top of her. They surfaced at the same time, both spitting out salt water and rubbing their eyes. "Gotcha, love," Kenna teased, pushing a wave of water in Carth's direction. He shook water out of his hair and glared at her, barely holding back a laugh to rival the one that had Mission rolling on the beach.
"Nice going, you little minx." He pulled her over like he was going to kiss her, then ducked her back under the water and headed for the beach, laughing as Kenna popped back up sputtering and cursing.
"CARTH!" She sighed in exasperation and used the Force to yank him back, then darted for the beach.
"That's misuse of power!" he complained, laughing, when he resurfaced. "And cheating. Jedi are supposed to play fair." He stood up and tried to glare at her, but couldn't keep a grin from peeking through.
"What're you gonna do? Spank me?" Kenna teased from her spot on the beach, throwing back her head and laughing at his expression.
"Anyone ever tell you how stupid it is to tick off your pilot?" he threatened as he headed for the beach.
"You callin' me stupid?"
"You two are actin' like kids," Mission pointed out.
"Look who's talking," Kenna retorted. "Didn't you want to kill Canderous just a few minutes ago?"
"Well, yeah, but--EW!" Mission interrupted her defense to make a face as Carth reached Kenna and pulled her into a kiss. "I think I'm gonna throw up. Would you puh-lease get a room?"
Kenna pulled back for a second. "Then don't watch," she admonished, wrapping her arms around Carth's neck and kissing him back.
"It is rather nauseating," Bastila sympathized in an undertone as she and Mission headed up the boarding ramp.
"I know! At least you haven't had to put up with it as long as I have. They've been doin' this for a while now," Mission commented.
"Well, I guess we need to get going. We take too much longer, we'll never hear the end of it," Kenna said, reluctantly pulling back.
"You're right. And I need to get out of this armor. It was bad enough dry. Soaking wet it's nearly unbearable."
"Then, shall we?" Kenna nodded in the direction of the ship.
"I suppose so. Though if Canderous makes so much as one comment, I'll help Mission with whatever she's planning." Carth stole one last kiss before they headed up the ramp.
Okay, this was entirely too fun to write. =) I will love you to pieces if you review, as always, but thanks for at least reading
~EmiOnasi