6. Result

"Through careful analysis, we have determined that Revan no longer poses a threat to the galaxy. She has adopted her new life whole-heartedly and does not identify with the acts of Darth Revan. Citizens who desire justice against the acts of Darth Revan, we assure you that she is no longer a threat to the Republic. Quite the contrary, she has sought revenge by destroying her old master and by defeating her old identity in courageous battle, thanks to the courageous efforts of…"

"You're free." Carth whispered as each of our names boomed over the loudspeaker. I grinned. I couldn't fathom freedom. I was able to make my own decisions, and I had just made one of the biggest ones I could. The announcer called for the crew of the Ebon Hawk to stand on a platform. It was like the celebratory parties that had followed our return in fancier garb. I wiped my face again. "If you say you look like hell one more time, I'll—" Carth threatened.

"You weren't helping, you lovesick tach." I grinned. "If you hadn't kept saying things that were making me cry, then I wouldn't look like—" Carth interrupted me again. The crowd cheered. I blushed and tried to forget that they were there. Carth's lips left mine sooner this time. I glanced over at Mission, who erupted into fits of laughter.

"You match your dress." She stated. I gave her a look to make her think I knew what she'd been up to, and she clammed up immediately. Canderous was more fidgety than I'd ever seen him before. Bastila didn't look too at-ease either.

"I don't think he's done yet," I whispered to Carth, looking at Canderous. Carth leaned over to Mission and told her to get Canderous' attention. When Canderous glanced over, Carth grabbed my left hand and lifted it triumphantly, showing Canderous the glint of my ring. Canderous narrowed his eyes, took Bastila's hand, and whispered something quickly. I started laughing. "Judging by Bastila's reaction, he used the 'strong babies' line." Carth laughed.

"So when do you want to have the ceremony?" He whispered.

"I don't know…" My stomach did gymnastics. "I don't want to rush anything. If anything else happened, I might explode from sensory overload. And besides, I'm not used to anything this quick, not with you. You take your sweet time. I was expecting you to ask that in a week or so."

Carth smiled. "Okay, I'm patient. When you're ready, I am. I feel like I'm starting over too, remember?" I leaned against him.

"What will the Council say?"

"Jolee spoke with them about it." Carth explained. "Part of the reason you took so long is because they wanted to analyze your reactions and your emotions about me. They figured out that you weren't completely crazy, so they gave us the go-ahead. I wanted to ask their permission first."

"Wow, you are prepared."

"I want to do this right." Carth said firmly. "I promised you I'll do whatever it takes."

"Oh, I forgot to tell you something outside."

"What?" A look of concern spread across Carth's face. I grinned. Messing with his head would never get old.

"I love you."

"You're not too quick on the uptake, are you?"

"You're not either if you just figured that out." I grinned.

I realized that everyone was filtering off the platform. I started to follow. "Whoa." Carth wasn't moving. "This is the part we practiced for." I was stunned. I couldn't believe he was serious. The announcer's voice boomed. I realized I'd already missed the first few words again.

"…engagement of Ciara Orion to Commander Carth Onasi." I felt paralyzed hearing my name that loud, but I couldn't help beaming.

"Why'd you do this?" I asked.

"I wanted the galaxy to know that their most handsome pilot is taken." I leaned in. "What do you think you're doing?" He teased.

"We practiced. It's time for the real thing." I stood on my tiptoes and flung my arms around his neck. Carth grinned, obviously pleased with my initiative, and wrapped his arms around me. The room seemed to spin as we kissed. I should be used to the galaxy watching me by now.

The last part of the party was spent grinning until my face was going to fall off. Everyone congratulated us. Everything blurred together. The Council couldn't believe that I hadn't known that Carth had asked their permission, but I couldn't get a single Master to admit that Carth was a devious monkey-lizard. They needed a sense of humor. They thought I needed serenity or something. At least we were still somewhat at odds. Some things were still normal.

Finally, the party wound down enough where we could gather with the rest of the crew without the wayward interruptions.

"You knew, didn't you?" I accused. They laughed.

"It was kind of obvious what was going to happen," Mission admitted, "especially when Carth started talking to Jolee about it." I noticed that Carth had left my side for the first time since we'd found each other. He was congratulating Canderous. I looked at Bastila.

"I heard about you two." I smiled. "Congratulations."

"Thanks." She looked at the ground. "I couldn't believe it at first, but—I've loved him for a long time."

"I know."

"And you didn't tell me?" She shrieked.

"Well you didn't tell me, so we're even."

"But Carth isn't a Mandalorian!"

"You don't seem to mind." I said suggestively. "His big muscles, his scarred, eyebrow-less face…"

"Oh stop it." Bastila blushed. "You're just as bad."

"Yeah, well just work on getting Canderous to admit that he's whipped."

Bastila laughed. "You know he won't, not to you."

I turned to Mission. "Have you told them to get a room yet?"

"Only four hundred times tonight. We may as well reserve an entire complex at this rate."

"Hey Mission, what have you done with Dustil?" Carth asked.

"Nothing!" Mission exclaimed defensively. "He ran off somewhere. I think he was going to get punch or something." I was sure something had happened. I made up my mind to get it out of her as soon as I could.

"Is he coming back here?"

"Yeah, he should be." Mission's eyes shifted. I pulled her aside.

"You have to tell me what happened." I grinned.

"You first." She shot back.

"Well, he was his usual impossible self. It turns out his wife was going to leave him when he was on Telos. Then he promised me he'd stay by me no matter what if I agreed to marry him. So I cried and I couldn't talk, but he figured out that I accepted. Then he kissed me."

"Aww, that's cute." Mission smiled. "You both look happier than ever. You're not telling me everything. I need more details!"

"You have to tell me what happened with you first." I raised my eyebrows. Mission gave me a "not now" look.

"Ciara? May I have a word with you?" I turned around and saw Dustil, the reason for the look.

"Of course." I was nervous again. What did he think about all this? Carth had moved up next to me.

"Is it okay if I talk to her alone, Dad?" Dustil asked. Carth looked confused.

"Sure, son." He smiled, slightly nervous, but delighted that his son was on less formal terms with him. "Just don't keep her forever." The two men flashed a nearly identical smile at each other.

"Look, Ciara," Dustil started, "I just wanted to congratulate you privately. You're the best thing that's happened to Dad. He told me that he wanted to marry you and I wasn't sure what to think. I was afraid he'd get upset if I told him I was unsure about it, but he's been treating me like an adult. He assured me I could deal with it in whatever way I saw fit and told me to take my time. He's a lot happier, a lot more confident with you. I never saw him like this before. He was always tired and testy with me. It's so nice that he trusts me, and I have you to thank for it, because you helped him realize that I'd grown up." I'd never heard Dustil talk like this. "Anyway, sorry to talk your ear off, but I just wanted you to know that, for whatever it means, you have my blessing."

I hugged Dustil. "Thanks again. It means so much to me." Over Dustil's shoulder I could see Carth watching us. He grinned. I'd never get sick of seeing him grinning.

"Well I don't want to keep you for too long or the old man will get mad at me."

"Dustil." I said firmly. "Let me make one thing clear: Jolee is the old man. Carth isn't."

"Got it." He smiled. "Now stop talking to me and go back to my dad before he starts making eyes at you."

"Too late." I shot Dustil another smile and floated back over to Carth, who was listening to Bastila and Canderous make wedding plans. He put his arm around my waist. "I'm tired." I whispered to him.

"Well, I think we're heading out." Carth announced to the group.

"Oh, so now we're seeing who gets between the sheets first?" Canderous boomed. All eyes were on him.

"Don't you already have that one?" I asked Canderous abruptly. Bastila turned red. "That's a yes." I replied.

"There was never any question." Canderous laughed bawdily. Bastila glared at him, but couldn't help smiling a bit. Carth glared at him and we walked out of the room.

"You thought he and I would have hooked up?" I laughed.

"He assured me I would've heard you screaming if you two had ever slept together."

I laughed. "He seems quite sure of himself, but only time will tell how good he is. Well, only time and Bastila."

"She'd tell you?"

"She'd have to. If he's as good as he says he is, I'd be able to feel it for sure."

"That's kind of creepy." Carth stated.

"I'd only feel her reactions, so it may prove to your advantage…"

"Is there any way you can turn off the bond for privacy?"

"It's been weaker since the Leviathan, but it's still there. I'll see what I can do." Night sounds took over our conversation. It was a warm night. We strolled casually through the deserted streets of the city. "You're being so sweet, it's – I'm not used to it."

"Oh?" Carth grinned. "You're just as prying as usual. Maybe I should react more. I think I'm just glad I found a way to keep you from interrupting me."

"So it's all about you?" I interjected. I got the exact reaction I wanted.

"No, that's not what I meant—" Carth started, agitatedly. "Dammit."

I laughed. "You're back! Not that I minded this other side of you."

"Good, because it's your fault anyway."

"Where are we going?" I asked, blissfully unaware of where I was sleeping.

"You weren't paying attention?"

"I had a good reason not to."

"The ambassador paid for our lodgings in a hotel here, on account of the heroics and such."

"Do I get a room to myself?" I asked. I was so used to bunking with someone that isolation had been jarring. I was tired of keeping myself awake with my thoughts.

"That depends on what you're ready for." Carth grinned.

"You are not done with your scheme, you dirty liar."

"Well I don't want to rush you into anything. I want you to be alive for our wedding."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You said you'd spontaneously combust from sensory overload."

"Oh, right, that." I laughed. "I would like the company…"

"Then I'd have to oblige. If we hurry, we can get the best room before Ordo gets there."

"You know this place?"

"I've heard of it, it's pretty high-class." He smiled. "Besides, the governor was counting on us getting engaged, not Canderous and Bastila. They may have to share a dinky cot tonight."

I giggled. "What about clothes for tomorrow?"

"Taken care of." Carth smiled. "Juhani went shopping for you."

So that's what she and Mission had been discussing. "You're evil."

"You like it." Carth started walking faster. My short legs couldn't keep up with him. "We've got to move, they're catching up."

"You think I can run in this thing?" I asked. Carth threw me over his shoulders like a sack of gruel. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded. I closed my eyes so I couldn't see the city shaking all around me as he ran.

"Making sure we get the better room." Carth said slowly through the exertion of running with an extra hundred pounds on his shoulders.

"And that means throwing me over your shoulder?"

"You can't run."

"I can run," I insisted. "Just not in this get-up."

"I'm helping." I wanted to kick him, but figured it would be a bad idea.

"How much further is it?" I was glad I hadn't eaten very much. Carth's shoulder dug into my stomach.

"Not too much." He ran faster. I had to focus on something else, anything else. Finally, he put me down. He went to the front desk and dangled the keys in front of me. "We got it. Let's go check it out."

"Are you always this competitive?" I asked, trying to keep up with him.

"With Canderous, yes." He unlocked the door.

"Wow." I said. The room was enormous, with a comfortable-looking mattress on the floor. The décor was simple but elegant. There was a sitting room in one corner with a walk-in closet next to it. The back corner of the room had a door to the washroom. I walked in tentatively, flabbergasted.

"There's supposed to be a bath as well as a fresher." Carth said.

"Whoa!" I said, gazing at the bath. It was large enough for two or three people and had jets. "I think I'm doing that before I go to bed." Carth laughed, then a conflicted look came over his face. "What is it?" I asked.

"I just…" Carth blushed. The pieces began to fall together in my mind.

"You're going to have to stop being all shy and cute all the time and start flirting with me again. I've missed it." I grinned.

"It's different now that you know I'm serious."

"You think I didn't know before?" I laughed. "Okay, so maybe I didn't know, but I had my hopes." The door pounded and Carth went up to it. I looked around the washroom and found a soft-looking robe. I managed to escape my dress and put on the robe. It was very short. I hung up my gown and let my hair down.

"You think you deserve this?" Canderous' voice boomed from the other room. A jangling indicated that he had thrown his key at Carth. "You're nothing but a Republic sissy!"

"I won fair and square. We got here faster, so we get first dibs." Carth replied. I walked into the front room again and shifted my weight onto one leg, feeling like a cantina dancer. Canderous had been about to say something, but stopped. I could barely make out Bastila standing behind him.

"Excuse me, sir, please stop badgering my pilot. I need him here." I said politely. "And stop looking at my legs, core-slime." Carth was staring at me too. I stood there, unable to figure out what to do. I was stuck in the front room being ogled by two grown men, and worse, I was in a robe that made sure my legs were exhibited. Bastila laughed at me.

Carth tossed the key back to Canderous. "Second room on the left's just as good." He slammed the door. "Where did you find that?"

"The washroom." I replied innocently. "It was just…" I trailed off. Carth wasn't going to interrupt me. "What? You've seen me in my underwear before. It's not like this is new."

"Well…"

"Speaking of my underwear, what do you mean it's uglier than your jacket?" I had been meaning to ask. "It's not that bad, is it?"

"No, I was just teasing you, reminding you that I'd seen it." He grinned. "By the way, Juhani got you new underwear too."

"Figures." I sighed.

"So are you going to get in the bath or not?"

"I don't know." I sighed. "Everything's happening so fast and…"

"Alright, then, I won't sneak in with you."

"How long are we staying?" I asked, still weighing my options.

"Until we figure out what we're doing." Carth smiled. "No rush."

"In that case, I think I'm going to hit the sack. The bath can wait." I went back into the washroom and changed into a soft nightgown that was a bit longer than the bathrobe. When I came back into the main room, Carth was already in his pajamas and was sprawling out on the couch. "Are you sleeping there?" I asked.

"Sure. It's comfortable." He looked at me.

"And leave me to sprawl on that huge thing by myself? That's a waste of space."

"If you're sure you're okay with it, then I won't argue with you." He practically jumped off the sofa. I felt like I had just made his day.

"But if you try anything…" I warned, pulling the blanket over my chest and rolling on to my side, facing him.

"What makes you think I would?" I opened my mouth. "Don't answer that. You're tired." I couldn't think of a good argument. I scooted up to him. He was lying on his back. I rested my head on his chest and let my right arm rest across his waist. He put his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "Good night, beautiful."

"Where are we going to live?" I asked. It was my turn to change the subject randomly. "Do you want to go back to Telos?"

"Not particularly." He sighed. "It's time I moved on. Did you have somewhere in mind?"

"Not really. I was kind of hoping that the whole crew would want to be on the same planet so we won't be separated. I feel like they're family now and I don't want to lose another family."

"Neither do I." I turned my head and looked up at him. He looked slightly sad. I scooted up and kissed him.

"We won't lose them." I assured him. He smiled faintly and closed his eyes. I lay awake thinking for awhile. I couldn't believe how fast things were moving. I half hoped Carth would remember himself and not talk about the wedding for a day or two so it had a chance to sink in, but I had a feeling that it'd be one of the main topics of conversation until it happened. A surge of emotion through the bond with Bastila kept me from drifting off. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, focusing on my own peace, even though said peace included Carth's gentle snoring. I'd been lonely for the past two weeks. It was so wonderful sleeping near someone again. Of course Carth and I had slept in the same crew quarters before, but never in the same bed. I felt comfortable and safe. I was consciously fighting the bond with Bastila, at least for now. My eyelids fluttered shut, my concentration broke, and I fell asleep.

(standard disclaimer goes here...) Thanks to all reviewers! You make my day!