"Well, Mission? What do you think?"

"It's disgusting, Rev. The state these old geezers get themselves into. I mean, this is the best soldier the republic has? We better hope that the Selkath don't try to take over the galaxy. We'd be doomed."

Revan reached down and lifted Carth out of the pilot seat of the Ebon Hawk and got his shoulder under Carth's arm. The soldiers eyes flickered open. "Wuzzgoinon?"

"We're heading out Carth. Remember? To Coruscant. And I'm flying us there so you need to move."

Carth looked like he was about to argue this but he decided against it as he turned a shade of green. "I thi…think it's probably best if you fly, Revan. I'm gonna go lie down. Wake me up when Hoth thaws." And with a groan, he staggered out of the cockpit and down towards his bunk.

"Wow Rev. Remind me…" Mission stopped as Revan held up his hand. He cocked his head to the side as if he was listening for something. Almost on cue, there was a clattering followed by a few exotic curses from Carth. Smiling, Revan turned back towards Mission. "Continue."

Laughing, Mission said "Remind me never to drink when I'm older."

"Trust me. I'm never letting you do anything like that. And I'm a Jedi . You know I can make you obey me."

Mission scoffed derisively "Tch! I ain't a simple Czerka slime. I can take all you can throw at me and then some. Your powers are weak, old man."

Revan looked at her in mock indignation. "Old! Kids nowadays, no respect for their elders. You'd have me as old as Jolee if you had your way.

"Don't worry. You're still the greatest old coot I know."

"You'd better believe it." he replied, grinning at her. " Now let's get this bucket in the air. It's time you learnt how to fly."

They sat in near silence while they prepared the Hawk for take off, Revan giving Mission instructions on what to do. Eventually, after a few minor false starts (including Mission nearly lifting the landing gear while they were still on the ground), they were heading for the black veil of space.

"Woah." exclaimed an awed Mission " How did I do?"

"Not too bad for a first time. We'll soon have Carth retired."

"So are we going to hyperspace now?"

No. First, we're going to talk about what's bothering you."

The young Twi'leks face soured and her lekku twitched irritably "Isn't that an abuse of your power?"

"That wasn't the Force, Mission. I've done a lot of things in my life, some of which I can remember. I know when people are troubled."

Mission sighed and stared at the Hawks instruments. "Revan, why did you take me with you? Why not leave me on Taris?

"What?" he said gently "Mission, without you we never would have got off Taris. Not to mention the fact that you got us into Uthar's room to save Dustil. And nobody I know could have decrypted those key cards on Manaan. We need you."

"You forgot how I got you free on the Leviathan" she sniffed and Revan noticed that tears were beginning to form.

"Hey. What's this?" He said as he wiped the tears from her face. "Don't tell me that Mission, Miss I'm-not-scared-of-a-rancor-or-twelve, is actually letting a few simple minded fools get to her? Like it or not Mission, you're stuck with us all from now on."

"Yeah. Me and you against the galaxy, huh Rev?"

"Till the end, Mission."

"I suppose it might be cool to have a Jedi sidekick." she said mischievously

"Don't push it, kid. Now, the co-ordinates are set so how about you set us on our way to Coruscant?"

And as the stars seemed to stretch, Revan looked at Mission and thought he had never seen anyone as happy in his life.

There was only one though on Revan's mind as the crew were getting ready for the celebration dinner the Senate was throwing them. Unfortunately, Bastilla was not going to let him act upon it.

"Revan, I can see into your filthy mind and, I can assure you, you won't be getting the opportunity. It took me hours to get my hair right and you are not going to spoil it."

"Oh come on, Bas." Revan whined "It won't take long…Oh, who am I kidding? It will probably take ages but we can skip this thing, right? You know there's going to be another one every week."

"Be that as it may, this is the only one where both Council's will be in attendance, and I want to make a good impression. Especially considering…"

"The fact where you went off the rails and only my brilliance could rescue you?"

"I wasn't going to put it quite like that but that's the general gist, yes. And seeing as how things have…developed between us, I think it may be wise to keep a respectful distance tonight."

"What? A lightsabers length in all directions and no robes above the shins? Come on Bas, We discussed this before we landed. We love each other, and nothings going to change that." He got up out of the chair he was sitting on and made his way over to her. "They will find out eventually you know."

"I know, but I'd rather…" she stopped as he ran his hands over her shoulders. "I'd rather tell them in a more private setting."

Do you know what I'd want to do in a more private setting?" Revan whispered as he started to kiss her neck.

"Yes, and I'm afraid that will have to wait." she moaned

"Why?"

"Because Mission is heading this way." and she slipped out of his grasp.

Sure enough, Mission was soon pounding on the door and Revan went to meet her. "Mission. What's up?"

"Well…it's…you'd better come up and see." she said breathlessly "Canderous is not happy. Something about 'not being a cheap lapdog waiting to be wheeled out in front of the judges'. And then he tried to hit Carth."

Revan groaned "Oh, great." One night of peace, that's all I ask for but do I get it? OK Mission, seeing as you're ready, can you stay here and help the princess get ready?"

"I heard that." Bastilla shouted from the other room.

"No problem, Rev." grinned Mission, and he ran towards the other end of the hall, where the sounds of fighting were getting louder.

Mission walked through to the bedroom and found Bastilla sitting in front of the mirror applying some make up.

"Ah, Mission, excellent. Could you pass me the…" she turned as she noticed the smile on the youngsters face. "What is it?"

"What'cha been doing?" Mission asked in a sing-song voice

Bastilla sighed and turned back to the mirror. "Honestly. Children."