A/N: Sorry that I haven't updated recently...anyway here is the next chapter! I will probably be wrapping it up soon.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars.

Chapter 12

The lightsaber emitted a small dark aura. She could feel the dark power that it contained...even after all this time. She checked the chrystals, they were in perfect condition. Hayley removed one chrystal and replaced it with her personal chrystal. Now the lightsaber held one light, and one dark. She stood up, lightsaber in hand.

This was finally the end...after this...everything would return to normal in the universe. The glow of the saber cast faint shadows of red on the walls. A dark presence seemed to crawl at the shadows of the glow...drawing closer to Hayley. Closer...closer...closer...

Hayley's reflexes were quick, but not enough so that she could have defended herself from her attacker. The snap-hiss of a second lightsaber as it cut through the air toward her. It slit her wrist slightly, but Hayley was already turning and preparing to defend herself from the next blow. This enemy was fast...Hayley blocked the second blow as she backed slowly towards the wall adjacent to her. She didn't feel any other prescences, but she wouldn't risk getting hit in the back.

The two lightsabers continued to clash...as the battle raged on. Her opponent swung in a large ark, just giving her enough time to dodge and swing. She swung her saber downward, but not fast enough. The creature was already back on it's feet and blocking her blows. Suddenly it began unleashing a flurry of attacks. It's movements were fluid and almost graceful. It slashed again and again at her as she continued to back away from it.

Rocks tumbled behind her into the vast darkness that seemed to stretch for miles. Finally it hit her. It was trying to force her over the edge! The creature continued it's advancement; she lost her footing and tumbled over the edge. She reached out to the Force. Nothing! She continued to fall...

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"C'mon, Hayley. Where are you? Give me a sign or something!" Carth said to himself as he sat in the Ebon Hawk's cockpit. A ship suddenly sped past him. It sure was in a hurry. Carth didn't have much jedi training but his gut told him to follow that ship. He activated his boosters and followed at long range to keep from being spotted.

There was something unusual about the ship. It was like nothing Carth had ever seen in his entire life. He followed it for several hours before reaching the ship's apparent destination...Korriban. The deserted planet grew larger as he approached. He preped his ship for landing. Dust exploded under his ship as it landed on the dead planet. He holstered his blasters as he silently slipped out of the ship and followed the strange being. Why would a being have any reason to go here in the first place?

The mysterious being waved his hand in front of the large Sith door, and it opened to it's will. Carth walked quietly behind the creature, careful not to be heard or seen. The creature seemed to be oblivious to everything around it as it stalked forward. It obviously had a target of some sort. Than he heard it...the hiss of a lightsaber being activated. It was one of the most beautiful sounds that he had ever heard. Too bad that the creature had heard it as well...it suddenly transformed itself into a larger creature, and started to climb the walls of the tomb. It's speed and agility was nothing like anything that Carth had ever seen before. He reached for his blasters, his hand rubbing up against the triggers...he wasn't going to be caught off guard this time.

Carth suddenly heard a muffled scream and he leaped into action. His mind racing faster than he could keep up with it. His blasters were out and he aimed them at the creature that was rapidly advancing on the slender figure. In all his training as a soldier, he had never come face to face with something like this. A soldier was suppose to get the details first, and than only fire if fired upon. In this case, it was shoot first, ask questions later...which is what he did. Lucky for him, the creature was too busy fighting to notice Carth. Carth fired two rounds, and that was all it took to take down the beast.

Then Carth ran over to the edge and lunged. Her small, delicate hand was wrapped by his large one, as he struggled to bring her up and not fall into the hole with her.

She looked into his eyes. He could see so many conflicting emotions. He was just so thankful to have her safe...

"Carth?" She whispered softly.

Carth was so relieved to hear her voice again. "It's me, Gorgeous. What were you thinking?"

"You don't understand..."

"You could have been killed! I was so worried." He scooped her up into his arms.

Hayley nestled against his chest. The fight had tired her out. "I'm so sorry, Carth, for everything."

"What do you mean? You haven't done anything wrong..." His voice was soft, soothing.

"I don't know what I was thinking...everything...bad...happened because of me. So many people died..." Hayley mumbled.

Carth remained silent. He didn't know what to say.

"I thought...that I could...take it all back. That if I was gone...everything would be a lot better..."

Carth looked at her unbelievably. He started walking back to the ship.

"Don't look at me like that, Flyboy."

"You were going to...why? So many people care about you...and you wanted to..." Carth took a deep breath.

"I am so sorry, Carth. You know how much I care about you and everyone else...but I was a risk. I still am a risk...to all of you."

"Is that what you think? That you are a risk so we are just going to dump you like extra cargo? I can't believe..."

"No! I knew you wouldn't...that is why I left. You would fight for me...and you would die for me. I could never live with myself if you or one of the crew..." She couldn't bring herself to say it.

"I promised to protect you, don't you remember? Do you think I take that lightly?" Carth reached the Ebon Hawk and accessed the doors.

"Of course I remember! Carth, you aren't listening..." Hayley knew she wasn't going to get anywhere with him. "I swear, you're as stubborn as a gamorrean pig slaver."

She said it softly...but Carth still heard. "I'm stubborn? Look who's talking!"

Hayley could feel some of her strength returning. She struggled out of Carth's arms. "Drop it, Onasi! I knew you wouldn't understand!"

"Then make me understand!" Carth matched her tone.

"Stop yelling at me, you brainless bantha!"

"I just saved your life and this is the thanks I get!"

"You want thanks! Fine! Thank you," Hayley's anger flared, " For saving me when I didn't want to be saved!"

"Well, you're welcome!" Carth yelled.

"Good!"

"Fine!"

Hayley stomped off to the starboard quarters, slamming the door behind her. Carth began to walk after her, but then changed his mind and went to the cockpit. Sometimes that woman could be so frustrating! Here he had just saved her life and she was yelling at him! Carth contemplated his next course of action...

"Dammit!" Carth said to himself as he walked off after Hayley.

A/N: Please Review! I mean if you have read it...you mine as well review it. Thanks to those who have gotten to this chapter!