Canderous Ordo flexed his fearsome Mandalorian biceps.

"Pathetic," he spat. "You've let yourself soften, Canderous. How do you expect to get back into the middle of things if you can't keep yourself in shape?"

He went through his rigorous training routine, repeating each movement with perfect timing, ignoring any pain.

After the fifteenth time through, the communication console began to ring. He checked the signature of the call.

"Onasi?" he read aloud, wondering. "Carth?"

He pressed a button and recognized on the screen the holographic face of Revan.

"Revan? So you're still with Onasi, then."

Revan laughed hollowly.

"What's up? You sick of him or something?"

"I didn't think you did humor, Canderous."

"Who's being funny? I have connections. I can… eliminate him if he's being stupid again."

Revan smiled.

"So what's really going on, Rev?"

"I don't know for sure. Something… possibly Sith-related. Outside the Outer Rim."

"And you need firepower?"

"Exactly. And I assure you, you will be well comp-"

"Save it. I'm not a diplomat. You can count me in, money or not. I owe you one."

"Good. You're on Nar Shaddaa, huh?"

"Where else would I go?"

"Well, meet me at the coordinates and the time I'm transmitting now."

Canderous looked down at the console.

"Rush job, huh, Rev? Sounds like this is more serious than I thought. I'll see you there."

Revan bade him farewell and hung up.

"Or," said Canderous, "maybe this is more serious than you're willing to admit to yourself?"

So you will now wage war upon Us?

Oh, you know not what you do

Before you leave Us,

Everyone around you will fall.

Revan awoke, sweating and pallid.

"…Revan, it's okay, it's just me. Revan, wake up," Carth was urging. Revan looked at him, eyes wide.

"Did I say anything?" she asked softly.

"You said 'You can't kill him' a few times," responded Carth. He frowned at her, concerned.

Revan sat up and turned her back on Carth. She rested her chin pensively in her hands.

"Carth," she said, "I can't let you come tomorrow."

Carth pulled Revan into him, folding her against his body.

"I can't… I can't take anyone I love," she feebly explained. She shut her moistening eyes.

"Why not?" asked Carth quietly, brushing away Revan's tears.

"Because you won't let me go alone if I go halfway with you, Carth. And If I let you come, you will be destroyed. And I will never let you get hurt if I can prevent it in any way, Carth. I love you too much." She embraced him around the neck and looked into his eyes. Revan saw fear in them, mixed with grief.

"Why are you afraid, Carth?"

He pushed Revan's head into his shoulder so that he couldn't see her tears.

"I know what you've been through. And I don't want you to go down that path."

"Carth, I won't betray you. I love you. I would die before I would hurt you."

"That's another reason. If you die, you will hurt me."

Carth kissed Revan on the lips.

"Carth… if I do die, you'll know. You won't have to ask yourself. I will tell you. However I have to. And in some way, I will stay with you forever."

He kissed her again.

"But I won't die," she said. "Because I don't want to hurt you."

Carth stroked Revan's head. "I will always love my prodigal Jedi," he said. "I will never forget you, beautiful. No matter how long you're gone."

He tightly closed himself around her.

"As long as I live, Carth," pledged Revan, "I'll wear the Onasi seal against my skin."

She slept, fatigued, savoring her last night with Carth. She tried to remember perfectly the peace she was feeling, so that maybe while she was fighting, maybe completely outnumbered by whomever she was facing, she could come back to that peace, feel this euphoric bliss and security.

There was no telling if she would ever be here again.