Chapter I: Coruscant

Coruscant, 2 days before departure to Manaan.

"Hospital" the sign read. No name, nothing. Just: "hospital". Revan stood outside the building staring at the windows. Behind one of them was Bastila... After all those months, he would finally see her again.

Walking through the Hospital halls, Revan's urge to Bastila started to grow larger with each step. He only wished he had more time to prepare: Master Vendar contacted him only half an hour ago. There it was: room 101. Outside, right before the door, there was a cloaked figure sitting on a chair.

"Who are you?!" a familiar voice said, just as Revan reached for the doorknob.

Revan recognised the grumpy voice immediately: "Jolee?"

It took Jolee a few seconds to realize who he was talking to. "Revan? I never thought to see you again! What are you doing here?!"

"I got summoned by Master Vendar to pick up Bastila."

"Oh...yeah. Very unfortunate what happened to her. And bad timing as well, with the siege of Manaan and all..."

"And what are you doing here?"

Jolee looked surprised: "Don't you know? I'm Bastila's master!"

Revan couldn't believe his ears. "You? A Jedi Master? I thought you left the Order a long time ago?"

"Look, first of all, I didn't leave the Order, they left me!" Jolee spoke agitated. "And second, times change, and so do I. The Jedi Council is different from the one that left me, and I just need something to do in my final days."

Revan looked at him. It's amazing how much a man can age in just a few months. Jolee looked old, very old. He was no longer the man he met on Kashyyyk. That man was eager to fight, and with a certain lust for life. Now that lust is gone. Now he looks like a man who is holding on to life just because he knows he isn't finished here yet. His words.

The door opened. A doctor came out, accompanied by a medical droid.

"The patient is ready to receive visitors now, but one at a time." The doctor said.

Revan stood up, leaving Jolee behind. He made his way to the door. This would be it. He opened the door, and there she was. Revan noticed some big scratches on her face; she didn't look so well.

"Bastila, is that you?" Revan asked nervously.

"Revan?" Her voice was weak and soft. "Is that really you, Revan?"

"Bastila, what has happened to you?!"

"They set a trap for us on Manaan. They where waiting to capture me. Revan, I'm so scared. They're all after me. I'm so scared..." With these words, she started to cry. Revan couldn't bear to see her like this, but he had to. He pressed Bastila against his own body.

"Master Vendar told me you'd come and get me to Manaan. But I don't want to go there." Bastila sobbed.

Revan knew what she meant. She was afraid of the Dark side. He was afraid of it too; he could feel it all around. It was looking for a new master. And he was sure Master Vendar knew it as well.

And they talked; they talked all afternoon about what they have done, and about the upcoming battle, but neither spoke of what they both felt: the temptation of the Dark Side.

"Bastila?" Revan asked. "Yes?"

"Have you thought about me the past months, or have you forgotten me? Have you forgotten what happened on the Star Forge?"

Bastila froze. Revan knew she would find her fall to the Dark Side was a deep wound, only to be healed by time. But they couldn't just ignore it ever happened.

"Of course I think about you. I do every night. You know I love you Revan." Bastila replied with broken voice. "That is what is making this life so hard. I seem to be unable of forgetting you."

Their conversation would last no longer: the doctor insisted Bastila would be left alone now, so they said goodbye with a long, passionate kiss.

Late that evening Revan returned to his quarters. He would need a good night's sleep without nightmares in order to do well at the offensive. Tomorrow will be the briefing, along with all other necessary preparations.

Exhausted from the confrontation with Bastila, he fell right asleep.