-Revan-

We started out early the next morning. Canderous was already waiting for Carth and I outside on the beach as I gathered some medpacks, our datapads, stims, and several bottles of water and shoved them in my into my pack, hoisting it up on my shoulder. I groaned. "So much for traveling light, eh?"

Carth chuckled and took the pack from me. "Lemme get that for ya, Gorgeous."

I grinned and kissed him on the cheek. "And whoever says chivalry is dead."

We started to head out when Mission suddenly appeared in the cargo hold doorway. "Can I come?"

Carth and I exchanged glances. "I think it would be better if you stayed here, Mish."

The young twi'lek's face fell. "Oh...okay."

I walked over to her as she turned to leave and put my hands on her shoulders. "Mission, listen to me. When all of this mess is over, I swear, we'll have a day where it's just me and you, okay? Nothing but fun and mischief." I smiled reassuringly at her. "Whaddya say?"

Mission smiled faintly. "Promise?"

I crossed an 'x' over my heart. "Promise. Jedi's honor."

She smiled. "Just you and me? Not even the old geezer over there?"

Carth frowned, but the corner's of his mouth betrayed the smile he was trying so hard not to let escape. "Hey! I can hear you, ya know."

I laughed and winked at him. "Just the two of us. But for now, why don't you go pick on Jolee for a bit. That's always fun."

The youngster giggled and ran off, in search of the old Jedi.

Carth placed his unoccupied arm around my shoulders. "Jolee's going to kill you for that, you know."

I grinned. "I know."

We wandered outside to find Canderous talking to a couple of frightened Duros, with several strange looking aliens around his feet.

"Where did they come from?" I asked Carth as we walked over to the Mandalorian.

"Beats me. Must have been on one of the ships that crashed down here."

I rolled my eyes. "Thanks for stating the obvious, flyboy." I called over to Canderous. "Ordo, what's going on?"

Canderous turned to us. "I don't know. I don't speak alien. But these slug...things came out of nowhere when these guys showed up." he grinned. "You two missed a nice little fight."

I shook my head and turned towards the Duros, speaking to them in their native tongue. They informed me of that they were unfamiliar of these particular aliens that had been chasing them, and that they had been stranded here on the planet for several days. And that there had also been sightings on Mandalorians near the Temple Summit.

I glanced up at Canderous, who just shrugged and frowned.

There is some food on our ship. I offer you food and shelter. I said.

The Duros thanked me graciously, but refused. I made them take some food, however. Just in case.

After leaving the Duros, we walked up a large hill and were almost immediately attacked by another group of the strange looking aliens while looking for the scrap parts we needed to fix the hyperdrive.

"Don't suppose a civil conversation would persuade you to lower your weapons?" I asked, fingering the hilt on my lightsaber.

The aliens let out a fierce battle cry and picked up their speed.

I sighed. "No? Didn't think so."

Wooden staffs, some with daggers attached to the ends. Noted.

I pulled my lightsaber from my belt, igniting it as I dropped into a defensive stance. Carth and Canderous followed suit.

I rushed forward, catching the staff of one of the strange looking aliens with the blade of my lightsaber. Quickly, I grabbed his wrists, catching him off guard enough to drop the weapon, and pulled him forward. I sent my elbow into his nose, causing him to scream in pain, holding the broken nose.

I winced as my lightsaber impaled into the side of the bastard and he dropped to the ground, dead.

The guys were holding their own, firing at and dodging their opponents. I frowned as one of the aliens tried to blindside Carth, coming up from behind, staff aimed towards his heart.

I rushed forward and sliced the weapon, and it's owner, in two. Carth turned towards me with a surprised glance and watched as the sentient fell the ground. "What the-"

I grinned. "Gotta stay on your toes, Onasi."

The next group we encountered wasn't nearly as hostile. They insisted on taking us to The One. And we learned that their race was was called Rakatan.

The One has seen magic like yours before. He believes that you are like the one who came to us before. He wants a meeting with you.

"The One? Wow, arrogant little shit isn't he?" I cracked as entered the Rakatan enclave, trying to lighten the mood. The men only chuckled half heartedly.

I spoke with The One for nearly an hour. Surprisingly, or rather not surprisingly, Malak and I had been to this planet before in out quest for the Star Forge. Apparently, promising to help them with their problems with the Rakatan Elders. I tried to ignore the strange looks that Carth and Canderous were giving me.

Just what I need, I thought miserably, more people that I betrayed.

But there was something about this that I didn't like. That's when The One informed me that he wanted us to kill the Elders, which I had apparently I had promised to do the last time I was here. I tried to explain to them about my memory loss, but the Rakatan was skeptical.

Finally, I convinced him that I wasn't the same person who they had met several years ago. But I made him believe that I would help him out. He allowed us to explore the rest of the enclave, and we found the remaining parts we needed to fix our ship.

We headed out in the direction of the Elder Rakatan Enclave. I had no intentions of killing them, like I had told The One. I just wanted to speak with them.

We passed by the Rakatan Temple, after dealing with a couple of rancors that charged at us as soon as we entered the Temple Summit. The entrance to the temple was blocked off by a force field. "Dammit," I groaned.

The Mandalorians had been using stealth generators, but Canderous and I sensed them right away.

The battle had been a long one. Grenades were thrown, blood was shed. As the last warrior went down, Canderous let out an exasperated sigh. "What has become of my people? They have no honor."

I gave him a sympathetic look. "Come on. Let's get moving."

--------------------

The walking took up most of the day. The sun was already beginning to set beyond the horizon when we were stopped by yet more rancors.

"Okay," Carth stated irritably, crouching down next to me, behind some fallen ship debris "Who failed to tell me that this was a rancor planet?"

I shrugged. "How was I supposed to know?"

He gave me that half-smile that made me want to swoon and punch his face in all at the same time. "You're the Jedi, Beautiful. You're supposed to sense these things."

Groaning, I smacked the heel of my hand onto my forehead dramatically. "Silly me. I forgot to set my Jedi homing signal to 'rancor stink' before we left the Hawk." I smiled sweetly at him.

Canderous just snorted. "Could we please put the lover's spat off for a little while so we can come up with a plan?"

I shook my head as Carth sent a wink in my direction.

I thought for a moment as I studied the two rancors, who were currently too busy fighting over a chunk of an animal corpse to notice our presence. "We could use our stealth field generators to sneak past them..."

"I've got a better idea." Canderous stated proudly as he stood.

Before Carth and I could ask, Canderous lifted his repeater rifle and fired.

Both rancors forgot their lunch and roared angrily, charing at Canderous.

"Dammit, you stupid Mandalorian!" I cried, jumping from my hiding spot. I ignited my double-bladed lightsaber in mid-air.

Carth began firing at one of the rancors along with Canderous, as I advanced on the second.

I jumped back as it sent its huge claw, nearly colliding with my mid-section. Using the Force, I jumped back far enough to send my saber flying towards it's massive head. The monster cried out in pain as it made contact, splitting open its right eye.

It staggered back as I called the weapon back to me, and caught it effortlessly. I didn't wait for it to recover. I rushed towards it and impaled the rancor in the gut. It went down with a violent, sickening thud that shook the ground.

The first rancor was closing in on Carth and Canderous. I yanked my weapon from the thick skin of the dead monster and rushed to their aide.

The blaster shots the guys were sending didn't seem to be helping any. The rancor seemed oblivious to the shots it was enduring. I heard Carth curse as he stopped firing to reload. I kept a cautious eye on him.

Using the Force, I jumped onto the back of the large beast, plunging the blade of the lightsaber deep into it's neck.

The rancor roared angrily, bringing it's arm behind it's head and yanking me from its back.

Pain suddenly screamed throughout my entire body. Then all I saw was darkness...

-Meanwhile-

Mission stomped along the cargo hold, clenching fists in frustration. Why couldn't I go with them? I can understand not letting me on the Star Forge, but why not here?

"Child, please sit your butt down before I kick it." Jolee mumbled. "And if it comes down to that, you won't be able to sit for a week."

Juhani chuckled, but did not look up from her datapad.

Mission scowled at him. "But it's so unfair, Jolee. They don't think I can do anything." Slouching her shoulders, she sighed. "Am I really so useless?"

Zalbaar huffed and shook his head.

Jolee smiled sympathetically. "You're not useless, lass. How could you even possibly think that? You've been an important asset to this mission." he paused. "Not to mention what a great friend you've been to Revan." he placed a reassuring hand on the young Twi'lek's shoulder. "She and Carth would be lost without you."

"Then they shouldn't push me away!" she cried, tears wielding up in her eyes.

"Mission...they're trying to protect you. I know this is a new concept for you, seeing as how your core-slime of a brother ditched you, but you have to trust them. They don't want to see you get hurt."

Mission sighed. "I know. I guess...I guess I'm just bored."

The old man tapped his chin, a smile spreading over his lips. "Well, if you want, I have a little surprise for Revan...if you want to help me out."

She clapped her hands excitedly. "Oh? What is it?"

Jolee chuckled and placed his arm around her shoulders, leading her to the work bench.

-Carth-

My heart dropped to my stomach and my breath caught in my chest as I watched the dying rancor sweep it's final blow across Revan's belly. She cried out in pain and the front of her robes were immediately stained with blood. She and the rancor hit the ground at the same time, the animal almost landing completely on top of her.

"Revan!" I rushed to her side, cradling her head in my hands, careful not to hurt her already battered body. She was unconscious.

"Ordo, get a medpack over here, now!" I called over to him as I gently unfastened the fabric that was clinging to her body from all of the blood. I peeled it away, carefully, so not to tear anymore skin. The gashes underneath made my stomach churn.

Canderous searched through the pack and tossed the medpack at me. I carefully injected it to her side. Her body convulsed as the kolto worked through her immune system.

Time seemed to stop as we waited for the kolto to take effect. I looked down at her and notice her eyes twitch underneath her eyelids. The gashes on her tummy started to mend themselves together. I figured she was using the Force to help the healing of the kolto.

Canderous loomed over her, when suddenly the heel of her boot came in contact with his chest. Revan's eyes popped open and were filled with anger. She jumped up and charged at him, but I caught her hips before she reached him.

Revan snarled at the Mandalorian, trying to wiggle free of my grasp, thrashing her arms and legs about fiercely. "You stupid nerf-herder! You could have gotten yourself and Carth killed!"

"Uh...Beautiful?" I started, but stopped myself. Pointing out that she had been the one on the ground, bleeding and scarred only just moments before, would not have been the brightest move. "You, uh, might want to save this lecture for when you're not so, um...exposed."

Revan's face flushed with embarrassment and anger.

Canderous grinned. "Yeah. What size are you, a -"

I cut him off. "Ordo, I swear, if you finish that sentence, I'm going to let go of her and let her beat the hell out you. She just took down two rancors, so I can only imagine what she could do to you." I paused and lowered my voice. "Then I'm going to beat you to a bloody pulp if you talk to her like that again."

Revan stuck her tongue out at him and turned in my arms to face my chest and began to refasten her bloody robes.

---------------

We finally reached the Elder's settlement. I heard Revan breath a sigh of relief when she realized it was right next to the ocean.

"Probably not the best of ideas to confront the Elder Rakatan's while covered in blood." she mumbled irritably, wrinkling her nose at her blood soaked robes. "I'm gonna wash up."

I watched her as she bathed, occasionally shooting Canderous warning glances to make sure he kept his eyes else where. Thankfully, the Mandalorian seemed entertained by taking apart his rifle and putting it back together.

My eyes wandered back over to her. I watched as she ducked her head underneath the water, only to come right back up seconds later, throwing her head back, then to wring the water out of her thick hair.

My mouth went dry. Revan was tempting fully clothed, but seeing her in her puriest form...was intoxicating. But I had to admit, that I felt a little dirty watching her. But we were on a strange planet. I wasn't about to take my eyes off of her.

It was strictly about protection. Honest...

Revan glanced over at me and smiled, blushing faintly at the fact that I was watching her.

"Alright, Beautiful. Enough teasing. We need to get goin'." I walked over to her and shielded her from Canderous' view with my jacket. Yeah, so I'm a little possessive when it comes to women. Especially when they are as beautiful as Revan was, and Morgana had been.

A ping of old pain and sadness hit me. And guilt. She would want you to be happy, Onasi. I tried to tell myself. But would she want me to be happy with the woman who was indirectly responsible for her death?

Stop it. That was a completely different person.

I must have been broadcasting my thoughts on my face, because Revan, now completely dressed, placed a hand on my arm. "You okay?"

I looked into her eyes, those caring, enchanting eyes of her as she looked up at me curiously. "I'm fine, Gorgeous." I kissed her gently. "Let's get going."

------------------

Another long track back to The One's enclave. The Elders had offered to help us get into the Temple, but only if we rescued one of there members that their rivals had captured.

Needless to say, The One and his followers were not happy with us. His tribe began attacking us immediately, sending out their beasts, and everyone inside and outside of the enclave.

We made our way into the thrown room, where The One was waiting for us.

He eyed Revan accusingly. You made a big mistake refusing us, Revan. You defied us before, and then now. It will not happen again.

Revan spoke to him in his language There is no need for bloodshed. We can resolve this without death.

The One made an expression similar to a sneer. The time for negotiations has past.

The Rakatan raised his hand, signaling to his followers to release the caged rancors. as Revan circled him with a predator eye. She ignited her lightsaber just as the holding cages opened.

Revan nodded quickly at us in a silent agreement that she would concentrate on The One, while Canderous and I took on the rancors and his followers.

Canderous and I began firing as the Rakatan's advanced towards Revan, who was still circling with their leader.

One of the rancors grabbed Canderous by the collar of his armor and roared loudly in his face. The Mandalorian barely flinched before bringing the hilt of his repeater into the eye of the beast. It cried out and released him, sending him flying backwards into a group of Rakatans.

I sent a rapid shot into rancor while it was still trying to recover from Canderous' blow. It went down, crushing several more of the aliens under its massive bulk.

I risked a quick glance back over at Revan, who was now blade-to-blade with The One. She sent the heel of her boot up to collide with the side of it's bulbous head. He staggered backwards, gripping the sides of his head. Revan threw out her leg again, this time connected with his arm, sending his sword flying out of his hand.

I glanced around the large room, the floor littered with corpses of the Rakatans, as well as the rancors. The brawl had been so fast, I couldn't remember taking them all down.

Canderous walked over and stood next to me as we both aimed our weapons at The One. He was the last one standing.

Revan spoke, but kept her eyes plastered on The One. "Carth, please release the prisoner."

I nodded and headed over to the leaver that the Rakatan leader had pulled to release the rancors. The cage opened and the Elder Rakatan limped out.

I...I thank you for rescuing me. I shall tell the others of this great deed.

I didn't understand their tongue as Revan did. So I nodded and told him to be careful and we would be along shortly.

I heard the snap-hiss of Revan's lightsaber and a barely audible thud. I turned back around to see the alien's headless body slither to the floor. I winced.

Revan sighed as she attached her lightsaber back onto her belt, and wiped the blood that had splattered onto her face off with the sleeve of her robe. "So much for my clean clothes."

----------------

Night had completely fallen as we made it back to the Elder's settlement. I listened as Revan relayed the events to them.

The Elders exchanged impressed glances at each other. They nodded and spoke to Revan a few more moments before leaving the room. We followed Revan outside of the enclave.

She turned back to us. "You two should probably head back to the Hawk. It's getting late and you guys need your rest."

I frowned. "What about you?"

Revan shrugged and pulled her hair back out of her face, tightening it was a band. "The Elders have agreed to allow me into the temple. I'm going to stay here and make preparations for tomorrow.."

I nodded. "Then we will stay here with you." Canderous nodded in agreement.

"No."

I arched an eyebrow. "No?"

"No. Go back to the Hawk. I'll meet you back there tomorrow."

Confused, I crossed my arms over my chest. "They agreed to let you into the temple, yet you're sending us back to the ship, without you?"

"Yes."

"I don't understand."

Revan sighed. "They've allowed me entrance to the temple. But I have to do it alone."

The thought was so ridiculous, that I had to laugh. "You have to be joking."

Her face was enough to tell me that she wasn't joking at all. "No, I'm not."

"Are you mad? After what happened to you the last time I let you go into the unknown by yourself? Does Korriban ring any bells, Revan? I'm not going for it this time." I couldn't keep the anger out of my voice. "That's just stupid."

Revan didn't flinch at my tone. "There's no other way, Carth. Please, just for once, listen to me. They won't lower the shields unless I'm alone." she paused and looked at the ground. "Because of Malak and I."

I gripped her shoulders, panic taking over my entire body. "This is completely different, Gorgeous and you know it! Malak himself could be inside that temple and I cannot, will not let you take this on by yourself."

Revan turned her back to me, only to turn again and kiss me on the cheek. I could see the worry and pain in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Carth."

She turned to leave again, but I caught a hold of her wrist, pulling her against me. "Revan...you can't do this!" Even as I said the words, I knew I had lost.

But before she could respond, I crushed my mouth down on hers, enveloping her in my arms, pulling her against me. I could feel her trembling as she kissed me back.

Moments later, she gently, but firmly, pushed me away. Tears formed in her eyes. "I love you, Carth Onasi." She turned on her heels and raced back into the settlement.

I stood there, frozen, as I watched her run back into the enclave. Her voice echoed in my ears. I love you, Carth Onasi.

She loves me.

I turned to Canderous, who had remained silent during the entire episode. "Did she just say..."

Canderous lifted an eyebrow. "That she loves you? Yeah, that's what I heard. Why, though, I don't know.

I ignored the jab and we began to make the long walk back to the ship.

She loves me.

She loves me.

She revealed that she loved me only hours before she could possibly lose her life.

I had cared about her for so long. But now, as I walked silently back into the Hawk, ignoring the curious glances and the calls from the rest of the crew members, then it hit me, harder than the roughest punch to the gut.

I was in love with Revan. I was completely, one hundred percent, head over heels in love with her.

And I could lose her within the next twenty-four hours.

I had never before felt so happy and so helpless, and alone.

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Thanks again to everyone for their kind reviews! Although some of you on the alert list are begin awfully quiet poke poke And congrats to my new beta readers ;-)

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