It had been six months since Dern Galen had left their lives. Ardeth would have liked to say that it was easy. That he and Ja'lisa had gotten along with their lives just fine, and that were no lasting remnants of their master.
But, in reality, it had been a hard six months for both. For Ja'lisa, because the wounds were still fresh and painful. For Ardeth, because all the demons he hid inside for years had come forward.
Ardeth requested that he and Ja'lisa be removed from active duty temporarily. It was rare for a new Master/padawan team to remain inactive, but the council agreed that this was what was best for both. So Ardeth and Ja'lisa fell into a comfortable existence of study, training, and getting to know their peers at the temple. Something that was forbidden when Dern Galen was around.
Qui-Gon had been a huge help. He gave Ardeth advice, was his sounding board when he got frustrated, and was just a good friend. Obi-Wan, continued to be a good friend to Ja'lisa, and soon she was like any other young padawan. Laughing with friends and training without fear.
The first night together, Ja'lisa woke screaming and thrashing. Ardeth ran to her, and tried to comfort her, but the girl recoiled at first. It took several minutes of soothing words to calm her. Then Ja'lisa clung to her new master as though her life depended on it. And in reality it did. They both needed to build a bond. And that night was the start.
Then there were the nights that Ardeth would be the one haunted by nightmares. Ja'lisa would run to wake her Master and it would be her turn to offer comfort. Then they would make tea and sit up and talk.
But, soon the nightmares became far and few between. Both would be haunted by Dern forever, but they had both made peace with themselves. They had both moved on with their lives.
"Sure you are, about this?" Yoda asked the young Master that was before him.
Smiling at his student, Ardeth nodded, "Yes, Masters. We are ready for our first mission together. We are ready to return to active duty."
Mace allowed a grin, "It is good to see you both come so far. And we do have a mission for you. You will be working with a team, I believe you know them already, Master Jinn and Padawan Kenobi."
Ja'lisa then allowed a grin, "Yes, Master Windu, we have heard of them."
Her dry humor caused the council to laugh, and that was something else that was rare.
Ardeth put his arm around Ja'lisa's shoulders as they left the council room. Under his arm he held several computer disks which would brief them on their upcoming mission. They would meet Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan for dinner and go over it together.
For the first time in months, Ardeth felt free. And looking down at his student, he knew she felt the same way.