A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! It means the world to me that some people actually like this story! I worked really hard on this chapter and am pleased by the results. I recommend listening to "Across the Stars" music while you read this chapter. It makes it a lot more dramatic.

Disclaimer: i don't own Star Wars.

Chapter 5

"What do you mean gone!" Atton roared angrily.

The younger blonde Jedi recoiled slightly, as to not anger the raging man any more. "I mean she's gone, Atton. She left this morning."

Atton paced the cramped spaces of the cockpit like a caged animal. "Why didn't she say anything!"

"I'm not sure. She was very quiet when she snuck out. I figured that she was just going to get something...maybe a drink or..."

"At 3:00 in the morning! I don't understand...where would she have gone?" Atton sighed loudly. That woman was really starting to tick him off. First she is all over him...then she is ditching him, and finally she has completely left without a word.

"Atton, calm down. You are not helping the matter. In fact, we could be looking for her right now if you weren't making a huge mess of things." Mical said calmly.

"Calm down! You want me to calm down! You haven't seen nothing yet..." And with that comment Atton stormed out of the cockpit and down the ramp of the Ebon Hawk. The only thing that was occupying his mind was finding her. Finding the only woman that he truly and deeply loved more than life itself. There was one more thought...the thought that he was going to throttle her for worrying him so much!

Atton pace quickened considerably as he walked past the used-to-be-Czerka offices. Something was wrong. This wasn't like Skye to just dissappear...she would have at least told someone where she was going and why. Atton searched for Skye in the Cantina and in the Ithorian's compound. She wasn't anywhere to be found. It was almost as if she had been wiped off the face of the galaxy altogether.

Atton was desperate now...he just had to find her. He had to. He slumped up against a nearby wall...and slid to the floor. Head in his hands. Then a familiar voice made him stand up suddenly. He hadn't heard the voice for what seemed like an eternity. He stood straight and saluted.

"No need to suck up to me, Rand." Carth said as he waved the boy to accompany him into his room.

"Carth, I really don't have time for..." Carth sat in a chair next to the large window that showed the whole citadel station appartments.

"Yes, you do. You have time to hear me out. You're going to want to hear this, trust me." Carth tugged nervously at his collar.

By the tone of Carth's voice, Atton guessed that it was important and decided to not argue with him. He sat down in the chair adjacent to him. "Alright, you got my attention. What is it? More Sith Lords to destroy? Sorry, I'm kinda busy at the..."

Carth shot Atton a look that said he was being serious. "You're not making my job any easier, kid."

"Fine...what is it?" Atton sighed a weary resignation.

"It's...well it's about Skye."

"Where is she!" Atton seemed to hang on Carth's every word.

"She's gone, Atton."

"What do you mean gone?" It was the second time he had heard this today and he was really getting sick of it.

"I'm sorry, Atton." Carth looked down.

"Why? What happened!" It was then that Carth realized that she hadn't told Atton why she was leaving.

A sympathetic voice replaced the usual hard and firm one. "You don't know, do you? She didn't tell you, did she?"

"Obviously not!" Atton yelled.

"She left. She went to find Revan."

"She left to find Revan! You forced her into this, didn't you, Onasi!" Atton looked as if he was about to pounce on Carth, fists swinging.

"No! She came to me, she told me that she had to do this. That there was some great threat out there on the outer rim. That she was going to help Revan fight it. Don't look at me like that, Atton. I didn't urge her to go. In fact, I pleaded for her to stay. She said that it wasn't her choice to leave. That she was..." Carth paused and looked Atton straight in the eyes.

"What did she say!"

"She said...that she was doing this for you and the crew. To protect all of you."

Atton looked as if he had been struck in the heart. She left...because of him. This was too unbelievable. And for once in Atton Rand's life...he had no comeback. He just slumped back into his chair.

"I know how you feel." Carth said softly. "It isn't the easiest thing in the world to see your love...just leave."

Atton breathed. His heart was beating rapidly and so hard that he could feel it beating against his chest. "She didn't even warn me...or drop even the slightest hint..."

"Perhaps she thought it would be easier on all of you. I know I felt heartbroken and betrayed when Revan told me that she was going to the outer rim. Sometimes I wonder if I should've done more to stop her..." Carth sighed.

"I just can't believe..." He swallowed. Starting to comprehend what Skye had really gotten herself into...Atton's anger returned. "Why the Hell would she do something like this! She just saved the Galaxy for the love of the Force! She doesn't need to prove herself to anyone anymore!"

"That is just why she had to leave."

"What! Why do you say that!" Atton's voice was louder than he had meant it to be.

"She didn't need to prove anything to anyone." Carth began.

"If you're just going to repeat everything I say..."

"She left to prove herself...to herself." Carth said cryptically.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Atton yelled.

"Lower your voice. Yelling won't solve a damn thing now, will it?" Atton looked angrily at him. "Will it!"

"No...I guess not..." Atton grumbled reluctantly. "So what now?"

"I'm not sure. But you and your crew are free to stay here as long as needed. We will provide you with anything that you need."

"What I need is Skye. Can you give me that, Onasi?" Atton said dangerously.

Carth merely looked away from him, lost in his thoughts. Atton began to leave. Carth stood up and grabbed his shoulder.

"I almost forgot." He took out a small datapad. "She said she wanted me to give you this..."

Atton snatched it up quickly. He looked at it and nearly lost it then and there. He managed to say, "Thank...thank you." Before leaving towards the Hawk.

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Atton stared at T3 who looked quizcally at him. Atton nodded.

"Alright, T3. I'm ready. Show the message.

A light emmited from the top of t3 down to in front of Atton. There stood the image of Skye Solo. She stood there with her hands folded in front of her. Her hair was brushed back like it always is. Atton nearly began crying when she began to speak.

Atton, if you're watching this right now...you probably are so angry with me. You must understand that I did this for you...that I never would want to put you in any pain but I had to do this. I had to leave. Where I am right now is a place where I can't take anyone who I love. That is why I didn't bring any of the crew...and especially why I didn't bring you. If something were to happen to you on my account...I could never forgive myself.

No words can describe how sorry I am. I am sorry that I put you and everyone else in danger when we went on that first mission. I'm sorry that my actions affected so many innocent people. I can't help but feel guilty for the deaths that I caused. No one deserves to die...no matter what their crime is. I wish there had been another way to accomplish this task. I wish there was another person to do this task. But...this is my destiny.

I hate myself for leaving the way I did. I hate myself for going to the Mandalorian Wars like I did. I hate myself for making those stupid mistakes that caused the death of so many people. I hate the way that I try so hard to do make everyone happy...when i can't make myself happy. I hate the way that the crew loves me when I don't deserve their love. I hate the way I'm praised for fixing my own mistakes. And I hate myself...for the way I can't stop loving you.

I promise only one thing, my love. If you have the same feelings, then wait for me. Wait for me and I promise that I will return. I know not when...but I'll understand if you find love with someone else. Please do not grieve for me or mourn me if my life is taken while I'm out here. I did this for you, Atton. For you and me. So we can one day live free without the constant threat of death...I love you...know that...know that...

Atton stared numbly at the fading image. She loved him. She loved him. She loved him. His eyes were swollen with unshed tears. There was no words in the world that could console him right now. No smile or comforting gesture that could help him surpass his overwhelming emotions. He didn't know how he was going to go on...

"I love you too, Skye. I will wait. No matter how long. I will wait. I love you so much, I hope you know that." Atton said to the empty space where Skye's image had once been.

A/N: Review please! They are all very important! i can't get any better if people don't tell me what to do!