The young man stayed a few minutes to watch her sleep before easing himself out of the bunk. He stretched his arms above his head before heading out of the port dormitory and going towards the communications center for some well deserved caffa. The ship was pretty much quiet, with most of the crew still asleep. Turning the corner into the center, Revan spotted Carth and Canderous standing inside, a cup of caffa residing in the pilot's hand.
Upon seeing the young man, the mandalorian laughed, saying, "And here's the man of the hour."
"Throwing me another party?" he smirked. "I'm fine with that, as long as the drink of choice is caffa. I don't start my binges till late afternoon."
"I'm surprised you're up this early." Carth replied, a knowing smile on his face.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Revan said. "I'm surprised you're up this early. I saw you put back at least four drinks within the first hour."
"Yeah," Canderous chuckled. "But we didn't leave early and then have a certain Jedi princess following in our wake."
"How's that?" asked Revan, raising an eyebrow.
"Imagine our surprise when we come back here, only to have HK stop us because you and Bastila are otherwise 'indisposed'." Carth said. "Come on, Rev, we're all adults here. What exactly was keeping you and Bastila indisposed?"
Revan gave a short laugh. "In all honesty," he said. "Nothing happened. We had a lot to talk about, especially considering we'll be heading to Coruscant as soon as you're done, Carth."
"The council." The pilot spat. "I wish they'd give you guys a break. Especially after what you've been through."
"Hey, you know how I feel." Revan replied. "This…whatever's between Bastila and I is gonna be under a microscope today and she doesn't need that."
"Neither of you do." Canderous muttered. "I wish the almighty council could get their heads of out their asses. You're both strong warriors and it compliments you. Perhaps if there were more Jedi like you…"
"Enough, Canderous." Revan sighed, not wanting to get it to that. "I get your point though. That's the problem. As much as she's more relaxed with me now, as soon as we get in front of that council, Bastila's back at their beck and call."
"You just have to ride it out." Carth said, patting the young man on the shoulder. "Relationships don't come with instruction data pads, believe me." Revan glanced at the pilot, hearing the sadness in the man's voice. The impact of what he had done as the leader of the Sith hit him again, especially when his destruction hit close to home with his traveling companions.
"You never answered us, by the way." Canderous said, one grey eyebrow raised.
Revan tried to keep a straight face, but he couldn't keep the blush from appearing. Clearing his throat, he turned and began making two cups of caffa. "I told you," he said, making himself busy. "Nothing happened."
"So that's not your shirt we found in the main hold?" Carth asked, a smirk on his face.
The knight's face got slightly redder. "Uh…" he stammered. "It…fell off."
"By itself?" the mandalorian asked. "Or did it have help?"
The two men laughed at the younger man's embarrassment. "So, where is our resident princess?" Carth asked.
At that moment, the said 'princess' entered the room, perfectly dressed and ready to start the day that lay ahead. "Good morning, gentlemen." She replied. Seeing the caffa in Carth's hand, she asked, "Is that caffa?"
Revan smiled at her, a dreamy look in his eye, one that didn't go unnoticed by the other two men in the room. He handed her the cup he had made for her, receiving a shy smile for the gesture. She took a sip, sighing happily as the liquid entered her body. "So," she asked. "What're you boys talking about?"
"Well," Revan replied, winking at Carth. "I was just telling the guys about our wild night last night."
"Oh," she said, restraining a smile. She turned, heading towards the doorway. "Then let me be the first to say it was quite enjoyable." She looked over her shoulder, her gaze trained on Revan, whose mouth was open in surprised shock. "Quite enjoyable indeed." With that, she left, leaving Revan and Carth completely stunned, while Canderous only took a moment before letting out a huge guffaw.
The seasoned pilot turned to look at his friend, a grin across his face. "Well…"
"She doesn't know what she's talking about." Revan sputtered, still running the conversation over in his mind. "Canderous, stop laughing!"
The trip to Coruscant was excited, at least Revan tried to make it that way. Knowing what could become of the relationship he pursued with Bastila, the redeemed knight wanted the minutes before the 'execution' to be pleasant for everyone. So, he traded barbs with Jolee, told risqué jokes to Mission with some help from Carth and Canderous, but most of all, he kept the tradition of baiting Bastila, to which the young woman always came to the call.
And when he thought she was completely aspirated with him, she surprised him by cornering him in the port dorm and hugging him. "So you're not mad at me?" he chuckled.
"You drive me crazy." She muttered from his neck. "But I have to thank you, for…doing what you've been doing." She pulled back to look at him, regarding him closely. "It's all a front, isn't it? The way you appear to be so strong, as though nothing can really ever touch you." Revan looked at her, his face a mask of stunned silence, but his feelings betrayed a realization to her words and a small part of amazement that flowed from him.
"You don't have to be strong for me, not always." She whispered. "I…I appreciate it though, especially now, when neither of us knows what our fates will be when we fly into Coruscant. But for everything you've done, for the crew, for me, at least let me be there for you. Let me be strong for you, whenever you need it."
The young knight was speechless, before he said, "You're incredible." Bastila giggled. "Hey, do you think your mother arrived there okay?"
"I hope so." She said. "I really want to try and make up for the years we missed out on. A…a new start." She looked at him. "Will…would you come with me?" she asked. "To see her?"
"You don't have to ask." He whispered, bringing his lips to hers. "I'll do anything you want me to."
The young woman again giggled. "I must be a very lucky woman." She quipped. "To have such a handsome man falling at my feet and catering to my whims."
"Careful, darling." He cooed. "You know I tend to have a rebellious streak." He kissed her deeply, before releasing her and heading towards the door. He stopped however and turned to look at her. "You think I'm handsome?" he asked, that boyish grin on his face.
"I think I'll join Carth up in the cockpit." She replied, walking past him and out into the corridor.
"But you didn't answer my question." He complained, walking beside her.
"No, I didn't, did I?" she retorted. "But I agree with you."
Again, he grinned at her. "You agree that I'm handsome?"
"I agree that you have a rebellious streak." She said, leaving him standing in the main hold.
The young woman walked into the cockpit, smiling at Carth as she sat down and made their coordinates to Coruscant. "Destination's all set." The pilot replied, starting up the Ebon Hawk and maneuvering it off the sandy beaches of the beautiful, but unknown world. Looking at his co-pilot, he asked, "Are you ready for this?"
Bastila sighed. "I'm not sure." She whispered. "I'd rather not have to do this, but the council, of course, would want to know our exact accounts of what has happened up until this point."
"That means telling them about you and Revan."
"I know." She gulped, leaning back in her chair. "And there's no way to hide it either."
"If you ask me, and I know you haven't," he replied. "I say you tell the council you don't care what they think."
"But Carth…"
"Hear me out." He interrupted. "I know before all this, you lived and breathed the Jedi Code, but love happens without warning, Bastila. And despite what your damn council thinks, love is the best kind of thing anyone can ever have." He sighed, turning away from her. "Being in love is like nothing you've ever experienced before. It has ups and downs, good and bad, but you shouldn't just throw it away, especially when you've got something that no one has ever experienced before. Now, maybe…maybe this is just a result of that bond you share. But what if it isn't? What if this is something real, something you may not find ever again?"
Bastila went to say something, but stopped, the words lost on her tongue. She had convinced herself somewhat, and had certainly tried to convince Revan, that the feelings between them were indeed a result of their bond, a sharing of minds, of feelings, of emotions…but she could now admit, she couldn't keep up the pretense any more. She didn't know when it had started, but the fear of seeing Revan that first time on Taris had disappeared and was replaced with respect, then like, then love and she couldn't deny it any longer. She had told him she loved him and meant it.
The trip to Coruscant had been quiet, as the young Jedi knight thought about what Carth had said. He had plenty experience in having loved and been loved…and then losing it before his eyes. And wasn't that the never spoken, but always hinted at line in the Jedi Code? There is no love, there is loss. She could see it being in the code and quite frankly, she was surprised it wasn't. That brought up another problem or rather the same problem.
How could she say that it was Revan's love that had saved her from the dark side?
She wanted to be strong, like Revan, but she knew she wouldn't be able to. She didn't want to admit it, but she did feel a bit…betrayed at the masters. Her words to Revan on the Rakatan Temple came flooding back to her. How the Jedi had used them, used her for her Battle Meditation, had used her act of saving Revan's life in order to access his memories. She had never thought the masters wrong in any decision and now she wondered if maybe even their choices during the Mandalorian War were in the right.
Bastila shook her head, clearing her mind. She had to be prepared for standing in front of the council or…what was left of the council. The reality that she probably wouldn't be seeing those familiar faces from the council on Dantooine left her feeling cold. The enclave was gone, destroyed by Malak and his fleet. Did anyone other than Master Vandar survive the destruction? Was her own master, Vrook Lamar, able to flee the bombardment? Another wave of unease settled over her. She had never been in front of the High Council before.
A hand on her shoulder startled her from her musings and looking up, she found Revan standing next to her, smiling down at her. She gave him a weak grin, before turning back to viewing the stars out of the front window. She felt his hand give squeeze on her shoulder and she found herself reaching up and entwining their fingers. She felt the beginnings of a calmness settle over her, knowing it was Revan's doing. She let out a small breath, sending her thanks and gratitude to him through the link. They stayed that way until they landed on Coruscant's landing pad.
Arriving on Coruscant was interesting and exciting for everyone on the Hawk. Most had never been on Coruscant; for the resident Jedis on board, they hadn't been there in quite some time. The world of Coruscant rivaled that of Taris; there were tall skyscrapers and buildings everywhere, speeders raced around in the sky, people milling to and fro. The landing port on Coruscant seemed quite busy and it made sense when a flash went off in front of them.
"I can't believe it!" cried a voice. A young man jumped up to the group, extending his hand to Revan. "This is such a great honor! I can't believe you've decided to come to the world of Coruscant. Have you been summoned to the great Jedi High Council? How do you feel about the fall of the Sith? Is it true you killed your former friend and lord of the Sith, Darth Malak? Did you make him suffer for all the…"
"Hold it!" Revan exclaimed. "First, who the hell are you? Second, how do you know who we are? And three, what the hell are you talking about?"
The young man continued to fire off questions, as though he never heard what Revan had asked. It wasn't until Candeous shoved his blaster in the man's face that he shut up. "In case you didn't know," Canderous smirked. "This is a Mandalorian ripper. This gun can clear your head off and send it to the other side of the planet. Now shut up."
The young man nodded quickly and quietly. "Now that my mandalorian friend has…garnered your attention," Revan began. "Perhaps you can answer my previous questions."
The young man nodded again. "Zatch Croft, Republic News." He sputtered. "I just arrived in that shuttle over there to try and get a comment from the High Jedi Council, when I saw you leaving your ship. So I decided…"
"You'd get an interview from us instead." Bastila finished.
Zatch nodded. "So…can I get a comment from the saviors of the galaxy?"
"Yeah," Canderous huffed. "Space off."
"Don't use that." Revan said, hastily, giving the mandalorian a look. "Look, just say we're gald the galaxy is safe, we did our part, but with help from loyal and determined Republic soldiers. End quote."
"Wow," Zatch gushed. "Thanks a lot, Master Jedi! This'll be on the front page for sure!" He hurried off to unload his story to his superiors.
Jolee huffed. "With displays like that, I can easily find my way back to Kashyyyk." He grumbled. "An old man can't take those kinds of excitement."
"Ah, come on, Jolee." Revan replied, a grin on his face. "You can finally polish up the old chrome dome there." He gave the elderly man's head an affectionate rub, causing the man to snort in amusement. "Besides," he continued, casting a glance at the ladies in the group. "Women love a man with a bald head." He waggled his eyebrows, causing Mission to giggle, Juhani to cover a smile, and Bastila to roll her eyes.
"I think you letting this celebrity get to you." Carth chuckled.
"Hey, don't worry," he said. "I don't forget my friends. When the women come fawning over me, I'll share."
"I'll hold you to that." Jolee muttered.
"If you're quite finished…" Bastila replied, sending Revan a look, that was neither anger nor amusement. The group chuckled, heading into the streets of Coruscant. Mission looked up at the sights and sounds of the planet, never being off of Taris from the time she was five and certainly not seeing anything like this, even on their latest adventures; the young Twi'lek couldn't help but be star struck. Her wookiee companion though, didn't really enjoy the fast paced bustle of the Jedi world. He growled his compliant, causing Revan to pat him on his furry arm.
"I know, big guy," he whispered. "Hopefully, it's only for a little while. Then we can leave and…" He trailed off, a sudden realization coming to him. He looked around at the group, his friends, and realized their time together was virtually over. He and the other Jedi would no doubt be called on to do some sort of rebuilding of the Order, but the others…what would they do?
No doubt Carth would continue searching for his son, though hopefully with the new exposure, it would be an easier task than it had been; Canderous would probably go back to being a bounty hunter with pride and honor; Zaalbar would go back to Kashyyyk to rule over his people; Mission would…well, Mission would probably hang with Big Z. That's what she had always done.
The knight shook his head, stopping in his tracks. He wouldn't see any of them again, would he? He had spent the better part of a year getting to know these people, making friends with these people, and he wasn't going to see them again. That brought a heavy weight upon his heart.
"Revan?" asked Bastila, sensing his sadness and despair.
"What's the hold up?" Jolee asked, looking at Revan in some concern.
Revan looked at them, looked at them all, a nagging thought in the back of his mind. "If I went on another trip, another adventure, you guys would come with me, right?" he asked.
"Planning another trip so soon, Revan?" Canderous asked, midst a chuckle. "Dust hasn't even settled on this one and he wants to go off again."
"Heck yeah, we'd be with you!" Mission exclaimed. "You can't get rid of us that easily!"
"Is something wrong, Revan?" Juhani asked. "Something that makes you ask this?"
Again, he shook his head. "No," he stuttered. "I was…I was just asking." He grinned, before poking the teenager in the stomach. "I like having you around, is all. No biggie." Revan continued on their journey, the others catching up to him.
Carth slung an arm over the young man's shoulders. "I think you've been hanging out with Jolee far too long." He joked. "A good Telosian whiskey should knock that right out."
"Shows what you know, flyboy," Jolee huffed. "I know a thing or two about whiskey and the Telosian kind, bah! Now, there was this one time that I smuggled in the best tasting whiskey around. I had just landed my ship in a dark looking docking bay…"