Carth dropped Saleairy and walked to their room without another word. Saleairy recovered from the drop and walked after him, shutting the door behind her.

"Carth, did I upset you?"

"No." He moved the suitcase with ease and she realized she shouldn't inflate his ego. She could've moved her own suitcase.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I thought it was funny. I'm just acting testy so you'll give me more attention." He set the suitcase down and grinned as he pretended to sulk.

"You've been the center of my attention for a while, haven't you?"

"We've all been the center of your attention ever since you finished saving the galaxy. You're always worried that you'll somehow hurt us all." Saleairy's grin faded. "It's admirable that you care, but you've been watching all of us like we're a big family and you have to protect us." He turned to face her again and saw her eyes had stopped sparkling. "Oh dammit. I didn't mean to upset you. It's good that you care but you've been worrying yourself sick about us. We're all alive and here now because of you Saleairy." He touched her arm with a gentleness she wasn't accustomed to. On their journey, Carth only touched her to help her or to protect her like a mother kath hound. On sporadic occasions, he would touch her shoulder or her hair and those were more platonic than they'd admit. She would squirm because it'd felt like he was attending his paternal instinct. That was before they took the time to talk. However short the talk was they looked at each other when nothing was distracting them; they knew their relationship mattered more than what was going on for the moment. For about two minutes they crashed into the realization that even if they could save the galaxy, it would be a hallow victory without each other. Then off again to finish their mission.

"What were you trying to tell me?" She asked.

"I don't know what I was trying to tell you. I obviously upset you in my sad attempt." She ached for him to come closer again but she didn't know how she would react.

"Tell me."

"I don't want to." Carth said.

"Don't pout. You didn't upset me. I was only concerned that you felt I wasn't paying you enough attention." She scoffed. "And now you're getting more of my attention."

"When you get testy you get long winded, don't you?" He smiled. "I just meant that you were paying all of us a lot of attention because you're scared we'll get hurt. You pay more attention to T3 and Canderous than me because you know I can take care of myself." Even Zaalbar got more attention then him and Carth had noticed.

"Is that so?" Saleariy said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yes."

"No. I watch them closely because they can get into trouble if they want to. You stumble into trouble like a trapped Gizka. I watch you but you're not observant enough to notice." She stuck her chin up and turned her back to him.

"Really?" Carth was sincere with his hopeful tone.

"Carth, don't be such a dunce. You know how I feel about you even if I'm not staring at you drooling constantly. All though that is a nice sign, it reassures me constantly." She smiled. "I can tell what you're looking at right now and I can't see you."

"You turned around, what I am supposed to look at, your ponytail?" She turned and put her hands back on her hips.

"I would hope you would've figured something out since you've been behind me for this entire crusade." He flushed.

"It was either you or Canderous." She chuckled.

"You two are like teenagers together. I never noticed the eyebrow thing until you mentioned it when you made fun of him."

"You were too busy making observations about other parts of Canderous. Mr. Gun Holsters in Inappropriate Places." Saleairy broke out laughing.

"You're serious?"

"You haven't noticed?"

"Once I figured out Canderous was a proud Mandalorian I didn't bother looking at his guns or anything below his waist."

"Sure."

"I was occupied else where." She circled Carth. "I miss your old jacket, why aren't you wearing it?"

"You're currently sporting it." She smiled. She forgot Carth was more attentive now and noticed if she was cold. She wasn't sure if he would've offered his jacket when they were traveling either. "I thought Bastila said the color didn't suit me?"

"Whatever Bastila said about it being the color of a sick Bantha's mucus is one thing, but it makes you look to other things."

"Like what?"

"Your hair." She peered at it. "You let it get greasy again, too much gel. You should go natural. You should also take a shower."

"How can you tell without touching it?"

"It's a gift." She tossed him a towel. "I'll take a shower after you so don't start in about my hair."

"It looks fine to me."

"You're a boy, you don't know much about hair."

"I won't argue with that." He went to the shower room and bathed.

Saleairy wondered why their conversations led to game after game, skirting the issues they needed to talk about. Skirting around feelings by flirting and teasing. She'd make a note to try to steer the conversations to what Carth needed to say. She needed to steer and pry because Carth was often as stubborn as a bantha. She'd have to bait him with fodder.

Carth came out with a towel around his waist, his hair dripping as it stuck out in odd spots. Saleairy blinked and set her mug of juice down.

"Something I can help you with?"

"I forgot to bring new clothes in with me in my mad dash to please you."

"In you mad dash to attend your personal hygiene." She corrected. "Don't move around too much, I'll bring your clothes to you." He took a few steps closer anyway as she sorted through his suitcase. "Does this mean I get to pick your outfit?"

"Maybe." She handed him his pajamas made of soft fabric that caressed her as she held them. She walked over to him and stopped. He smelled clean, like the water from the fountains of the Temple on Coruscant. She stepped closer than she'd ever been and rested her head on his bare shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck and turning so her forehead rested on his collarbone. Carth was enthralled and overjoyed by embrace but would've been ever more joyous if he didn't have to hold his towel on with one hand. He held her around her waist and smiled. "My hair improved some?"

"Definitely." She looked up to his face and blinked. Her eyes were less intense and her eyelashes were as always, long and dark. Carth moved his face closer and touched her face. She moved her lips closer to his, not without quivering and took a shallow breath.

"Greeting: Master?" They both started and turned. Carth took the clothes and dashed to the bathroom as Saleairy laughed. Either HK's threat was still fresh in Carth's mind or Carth's sense of modesty was triggered only in proximity to droids.

"What can I do for you HK?"

"Query: Does Commander Onasi necessitate punishment Master?"

"No, that won't be necessary HK."

"Statement: From what I saw, you were afraid and anything causing you distress can easily be eliminated-"

"No need HK. If I want to punish Carth, I would enjoy doing it myself. Did you need something HK?"

"Query: Have you seen the rather archaic T3 unit recently?"

"I haven't seen T3 since breakfast. Why?"

"Evasion: Oh, no reason Master. He has a tendency for trouble and I wouldn't want any harm to befall the spunky unit. Would it be possible for me to search for him?"

"I would prefer if you took someone with you HK."

"Objection: A meatbag would merely slow me down Master."

"Well, pick your favorite meatbag. Besides, everyone wants to sleep now HK. It might do you good to rest your systems or run a diagnostic."

"Query: Master, are you questioning my functioning abilities?"

"No, of course not HK. I'm just telling you that traditional meatbags require more sleep than you would think so you could make good use of the time doing something you feel is useful."

"Statement: Very well Master. I will speak with the meatbags and I will find a task to occupy myself with."

"Okay HK. Have some non lethal fun." HK walked out and she shut the door behind him. Carth came out of the bathroom in his pajamas. She smiled at the red and blue rocket ships on them.

"Don't say it, I know what you're thinking. Why don't you go shower and we'll see who has the worst pajamas?" She smiled and stopped him. She smelled him and blinked.

"You don't smell like soap."

"I use the lighter stuff so it doesn't interfere with my cologne or work." She rested her head on his shoulder and pulled a stray strand of hair.

"It's nice. It makes me kinda drowsy."

"Nothing makes you sleepy unless you get a knock to your head. And a hard one at that." He touched her forehead were a very light scar faded into her hairline. When they landed on Taris from the Endar Spire, she was knocked unconscious. Carth took one look at the gash and wondered if she would ever wake up. He was concerned then because she was the only one who he could depend on to help him and now if he ever saw her hurt again it would devastate him.

"You make me drowsy because you make me feel safe." She said. He looked down at her and knew it was true. He'd never seen such a pacified look on her face. She was placid and it wasn't because she fought to be so. All her weight rested on him and he was tempted to hold her but her hands held his after he touched her face. She stopped leaning on him and smiled.

"What do I smell like that makes you feel safe?"

"The Temple on Coruscant, the fountain room." She nuzzled his neck for a split second before resting her forehead against his collarbone again.

"You haven't been to Coruscant." Carth felt a fluttering in his stomach. Revan had.

"Bastila has and she never said anything about it but when we meditate it's like I'm there. The smell and sounds are very calming. It didn't affect her as much but I've never seen another place as soothing. It makes you seem safe to be around. And I know you're safe."

"I'm glad you feel safe. You deserve it." She smiled.

"I don't think I'll ever deserve you Carth."