No, that wasn't true. He could remember how he felt when they had finished their mission, knowing that the Sith was at least put down for some time. Before that, he could remember how happy he had been on Telos, when his wife and son were still alive.
For such a relatively upbeat guy, things always seemed to come down on Carth Onasi. After Telos had been bombed and he had lost his wife, he had spent the next two years not only looking for his son, but looking for Saul as well. It didn't take him long to realize that it was Saul who had done the deed and for that, Carth would kill the man. He had visions of how he would find Saul; everything from charging the admiral head on in his own vessel to slicing the man up with a vibrosword had haunted his every waking moments and dreams.
So when the moment came when he could finally have his revenge, the bastard had told him the most horrible thing possible. He was going to follow both Jayden and Bastila's words, that killing Saul would make him no better than the admiral himself. He figured he would be content on watching the man die, when he was summoned by the dying man.
"You didn't know, did you?"
"Remember my words when you upon those you call your friends."
He could still hear those words, those devastating words. Just when he thought things were looking up for him, the seasoned pilot was once again assaulted with the terrible truth that he had been lied to. Looking at Bastila, he could tell by her face that she had some idea what Saul had said; she had known what the admiral had known. It wasn't until Jayden asked what they were talking about, Carth realized he had no idea. The man who had been a hero in the previous war, who had turned from them, leading an entire Sith battalion behind him, who had single handedly ruined his life…had no idea what kind of monster he was.
And then Carth got even angrier.
He and Jay had become friends during their adventure, probably the closest friend Carth had known since his early days in the fleet. So the pilot wasn't stupid; he knew how Jay felt about Bastila and he suspected the young woman felt the same way. And now to learn she had been toying with his emotions, just to get whatever secrets he held inside a mind that had been wiped clean by the Jedi Council…
But today…today seemed to change everything. Only a few hours ago, he had gotten the shock of his life. A Republic soldier, someone who he had been friends with, called him to say he had gotten word that his son Dustil was alive and had already contacted someone else within the fleet, apparently looking for Carth. The pilot, obviously curious as to where his son was and had been, waited patiently while his friend tried to look for the officer who had taken the transmission. As he waited, he got another shock. An operator told him he was receiving a call from Telos.
"Dustil?"
The young man who transmitted had the features of his father, but his eyes, his hair…all reminders of the woman who was his mother. "Hello Father." He replied, nodding his head at the elder Onasi.
"How…what…"
"How eloquent." Dustil quipped. "I…uh…saw the news holos and…well, I thought I would…"
"Dustil," Carth stuttered. "You…you have no idea…how long I've looked for you…"
"Before or after your holiday with a Sith lord?"
"Don't be like that, son." He shook his head. "There…there was a reason and…other…things, but I did look for you, Dusty, I truly did. I…I didn't know what happened to you. I searched Telos up and down and I couldn't find any trace of you. Where have you been?"
The young man opened his mouth to say something, but then stopped. He sighed, settling on, "We have a lot to talk about. Can you…can you come to Telos?"
"I'll leave today if you want."
"I know there's a shuttle leaving Coruscant that has a layover in Telos." The boy whispered.
"I'm there, Dustil." Carth said. "Let me get a ticket or my own ship and I'm there. I'll be there tonight if you want me to."
The young man bowed his head, a sign of embarrassment in the Onasi lineage. "I…I know it's short notice…"
"It doesn't matter." Carth replied. "If you want me there, I'm there."
Dustil looked at his father for a moment before saying, "I…I would like to see you, Father, if that's…if that's okay."
That was all the pilot needed to hear before he began to pack. He was in that midst of packing when the knock came at his door. Calling to the visitor to let himself in, he was happy to see Revan was the caller. "Packing?" the young man asked, causing his friend to look at him.
"On top of things, as always." He smirked.
"Can't help it if I'm good at stating the very obvious." Revan chuckled. "Where ya going?"
Carth couldn't help but grin widely. "Telos." He said, nearly bursting at the seams. "The most amazing thing happened, Rev."
"You found your son." He stated, going over to a nearby chair. "In fact, he contacted you and wants to meet you on Telos."
"That's a pretty good trick." Carth replied, his eyebrow raised. "I didn't even feel it."
"That's cause I didn't do anything."
"You're a really good guesser."
"Let's say a little birdie told me." The knight replied, leaning back in the chair. "Or should I say ten little birdies who sit on top a large spiral tower."
"The council?" Now, Carth was really confused. "How would they know that Dustil had contacted me? And further more, how long have they known?"
"They've known since we've been here." Revan replied. "As to how, apparently Dustil contacted the council himself."
"Why?"
Revan looked at the man, his sunny disposition suddenly come crashing down with the knight's arrival. "I think you'll have to ask Dustil about that." He said. "I just came by to tell you that Dustil was alive and, as far as I know, well. And I wanted to tell you that…that he was looking for you and that the council knows."
"Well," Carth started, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess if Dustil has all the answers, then I need to speak to him, but that doesn't explain everything else."
Revan nodded. "I understand." He sighed. "All you have to do is ask him. So…leaving today?"
"Yeah." He regarded his friend, knowing that everyone leaving was bound to have an effect. "Hey, I'm not going to be gone for long."
"You need this." He whispered. "I won't stop you from going. What kind of friend would I be if I did that?"
"Something's bothering you though." He said. "Did something happen? With council?"
Revan smirked at him. "Again," he chuckled. "I really think you have the Force about you." The young man turned his gaze, his mood suddenly somber. He was quiet for a time, his attention centered on a spot on the floor. "Bastila's leaving." He whispered.
"Leaving?" asked the seasoned soldier. "What for? Where's she going?"
Revan shrugged. "I don't know." He said. "Jolee's going with her, but even she doesn't know where they're going."
Carth was about to ask whether Jolee knew of their apparent destination when something donned on him. "They're separating you." He stated, realization hitting him full force. "They won't tell her where she's going because they think you'll find out through that link of yours." He spat a silent curse. "So you told them then? How you feel about each other?"
"All we did was confirm it." Revan said. "They already knew or at least had an idea that we were much closer than we should be. They're convinced it's a side effect from our bond and our travel together. She told them, about what Malak did to her and how she fell."
"I bet it was hard to get through."
"I'd imagine so." He said. Looking up, he saw the look Carth gave him. Shaking his head, he answered the unspoken question. "She asked me to leave before she said anything. But when I came back, I knew something was…off." He gave a bitter laugh. "This is our 'punishment' so to speak. She leaves, I stay here."
"How do you put up with this?" Carth asked, clearly agitated at this turn of events.
Revan chuckled, bitterly. "I don't." he said. "Bastila does, but I don't. I pitched such a fit the last few days that would make Canderous proud!"
"And that's saying something."
"Indeed." He agreed. After a bit, he sighed heavily. "What if they keep us apart indefinitely?" he asked in a whisper. "I need her, Carth, probably now more than ever."
"Maybe…maybe I should put this off…"
"No Carth," he insisted. "You've waited too long for this and I, for one, certainly do not want to keep you from that. I'm just…being melancholy. Anyway, you can at least see her to her shuttle. I do know she and Jolee leave tomorrow at some time."
"If you're sure." Carth said, receiving a nod. Patting the young man on the shoulder, he turned back to packing, thinking that would be all fine with his young friend. Hearing his shuffling around in the chair, he turned back to him. "You okay?"
The young knight looked at the soldier, someone he called his friend, perhaps his best friend. "If something happened to me," he began. "You'd…you'd make sure Bastila was okay, right?"
Again Carth raised one of his eyebrows. "Is something going to happen?" he asked.
"No!" Revan exclaimed. "I mean, not that I know of, but I certainly haven't…I'm…I'm just wondering about stuff, that's all. The council has given me a lot to think about."
"Forget all that stuff." The pilot said. "The council can be wrong and they're wrong if they think keeping you and Bastila apart is going to some how make your feelings go away. That's…that's ridiculous! Feelings don't just disappear, as much as that precious council of yours want them to. I've seen the two of you together and I know that you two have helped each other more than the Jedi Council probably ever have. Maybe you both need to show them that."
Revan sighed again. "I tried, Carth, I really did." He said. "But…it's hard when Bastila's unsure about us as well."
"Well, you gotta admit," Carth replied. "This is pretty new to her. Being told love and the dark side go hand in hand and then she falls in love and falls to the dark side…I imagine she's kinda confused and all and then to have the council continue to hit that point home…" He looked at Revan. "You really should talk to her. The first few months of our marriage, whenever my wife got mad at me, I'd leave her alone. I mean, that's what I would want. Be left alone for a while. But, and a man always learns this much later than we should, a woman does not act the same way that a man does. Women like to talk out their problems, so…"
"Talk to Bastila." Revan said, rolling his eyes. "I got it, I got it." He gave the pilot one last look. "Did anyone ever tell you you're such a dad?" He barely missed a slug to his shoulder. "Hey, is that drink still on? You know, before you leave?"
The pilot smiled, patting the younger man on the back and pushing him out the door. "If we start now, I can sober up before my shuttle." He chuckled.
Bastila sat in a meditative position, but she wasn't really meditating. She kept going over the council's decision and perhaps, how her own story had helped in that. When she had asked Revan to leave, it had been the hardest thing she had done – aside from telling what happened after he and Carth had fled – but she knew it would be hard enough getting started with the council in the room. She didn't want to see his face or feel the anger she knew was still there. Besides, she hadn't dealt with the anger she still felt.
So, she told them how Malak had tortured her and how she had resisted his taunts, which only accomplished in making him madder and led to an increase in the pain she had felt. Just when she thought she could possibly rise above the whole thing, Malak played his trump card. Apparently, some of those guards that had been in with Saul Karath during her first torture session, hadn't been completely decimated by them and they told Malak how close Revan had come to breaking.
It only seemed the reverse would be true as well.
And it was.
When Malak discovered this gem, he went in for the kill, telling her Revan wasn't going to save her, despite the fact that it was his dark taint she had tasted. She was resilient at ignoring him, at least for that first day, but everyday he would say the same and everyday she realized that they weren't coming, that he wasn't coming. From there, Bastila hit resentment. After everything she had done for him, everything that she was supposed to mean to him, and where was he? Why wasn't he storming in like he usually did to stand up for her, to save her? Then she wished she had never met him, had wished she was back on Dantooine, but that only made her think of the council that had sent her through this.
Force, how she hated them.
Why couldn't they see Revan was a danger? Why couldn't they send someone else on this mission?
The next time Malak returned, she was still resistant, but less so than usual. The dark lord went on to ask why she clung to the Jedi and the Republic when all they did was use her. "If they are truly the saviors of the galaxy," he had said. "Then why have they not come to save you? I'll tell you why, dear Bastila. You are just a tool for the Jedi. Do you really think, if not for your Battle Meditation, that you would be someone so special, so revered?" Here he laughed. "By the Force, they really have you quite trained, don't they? You truly believe what they tell you, that you are the most talented Jedi they have ever seen. If that is true, then why haven't they given you a padawan to train? And by no means does my old master count. He was training me while you were still an apprentice and he's not that much older than you.
"No, Bastila. You are not the golden Jedi as they would like you to believe. You are just a puppet, a superb puppet with a rare gift. Tell me, Bastila, when you escaped my attack and crashed on Taris, where were your Jedi handlers? They certainly weren't searching for you."
Though she tried to resist, after that little speech, Bastila began thinking about it. She was incredibly gifted, she had a rare talent…a rare gift which the Jedi were exploiting. Where were they when she hit Taris? If Carth and Revan hadn't survived, would she have been sold into slavery? Malak was right. The Jedi didn't come to her rescue and it looked as though Revan wasn't coming either. She cried that night, really the first time she had since being captured. Her emotions were through the roof, she was sure, but at the time, she didn't care. Things began to take shape, began to make sense, and soon a plan had started forming in her mind.
She knew Malak wanted her to be his apprentice. Certainly with her on board, the Jedi and the Republic had no chance; but she was thinking differently. It would probably take too long, but she knew then and there, she would kill Malak for what he had done. That she was certain of. But she also knew he had plans for Revan as well and it would make sense if in order to prove herself, she'd be sent after him. Did Malak know she wouldn't be able to? She had tried to imagine a battle between them, but she could never see if she finished him or not. The thought of killing Revan did bother her considerably, but that soon turned into another plan.
She loved him, though she hadn't told him, she did indeed love him. Their bond brought up feelings in her, feelings she had only felt from her father while he was still alive, but these were deeper feelings. And she knew he had felt the same way. She could remember his face when he had seen her before leaving the ship for Korriban and how…hurt he felt. But she had to end it! While she enjoyed their kiss – quite a bit – she couldn't let it continue or go any further. They were Jedi and Jedi were forbidden to love. But if she became the apprentice…or even the dark lord…
She and Revan could have the galaxy at their feet. The Sith also didn't think love was a safe game, but they could change that, couldn't they? If they were the leaders of the Sith, they could rule as partners, as…lovers…the idea gave her goose bumps. She could see the image clearly: she and Revan standing before their troops, hand in hand, ruling as lord and lady of the Sith…but would he go for it?
She had smirked. The man had been so full of passion, of hate when he had learned the truth and he didn't disguise his feelings of betrayal. If he truly loved her, perhaps he could see the Jedi had made her do this, had played both of them for fools. He had no love for the Jedi, certainly not after this, and he did spend a lot of time with Jolee and Carth. A true Jedi would never spend time with people who were constantly saying how ignorant the Jedi were or how screwed their beliefs were.
But she certainly didn't tell the council that. In the end, she said it was her plan to use the bond they shared, their love for one another, in order to draw Revan back to the dark side. She said she knew their relationship or any feelings they had would be discouraged and that's what had lead to her decision. Only Revan didn't go for it and she ended up fleeing the Rakatan temple in the ship Malak had provided. She also didn't mention how she had been near tears where she had turned from him and she had cried before leaving the ship for the Star Forge.
Through her admission, she knew the council would think she and Revan fed off each other, making them a potential danger and threat. She of course tried to make the masters understand that it was his love that had saved her from the dark side, but she could tell by the scowls on Master Vrook and Master Veroba's faces that their love had lead to the dark side in the first place, just as they had preached for centuries. They had been silent until Master Dorril had asked her to leave. She had nodded, a sense of unease rising within her, as she headed for the small lobby outside.
She had been surprised to see that Jolee and Juhani had joined Revan there, each saying that the council had said they had come up with a decision for the two. They had stood there for at least thirty minutes to an hour before Master Titus had come out and ushered them inside. The four had stood before the ten, awaiting their decision.
"We would like to hear how the rest of your journey was, Revan." Dorril asked.
Revan looked at each of the master's in turn, seeing a difference in them. Sighing, he continued his story, saying how he, Jolee, and Canderous had landed on Manaan in order to find the last Star Map. Jolee had given him a look, knowing the young man was leaving out the fact of how the revelation on the Leviathan had utterly devastated him and how he had been a zombie the rest of the trip. The young knight told of how they had run into an friend of Jolee's, who was being charged with the murder of a Sith woman. Revan told how he had become the arbitor for the man.
The elder Jedi listened as the young man also skipped over the fact that Sunry was guilty of the crime, but knowing that telling the Selkath judges this would endanger the pact between them and the Republic, Revan had brought up doubts about whether Sunry had done this or if the Sith had planted evidence in order to bring about this very idea. This only managed to frustrate the young man further and it seemed their movements on the water planet were rushed and hurried.
Revan concluded that he had used the Republic submersible to go to the underwater mining facility, where he discovered the Selkath scientists had been affected by the giant firaxan shark, who was apparently agitated due to the machinery placed there. Destroying it allowed Revan to reach the Star Map. They were then able to follow the map to the Unknown World, where he had been approached by the Rakatan known as the One, the leader of a rogue group of the alien species. In his past life, he and Malak had probably discovered the world when they had received all the Star Maps. They promised these rogues they would kill the other group, known as the Elders.
Revan and Malak, of course, formed an alliance with the Elders in order to enter their temple. From the temple, they had obvious gotten to learn the secret that unleashed the Star Forge.
"And then?" asked Titus.
Jolee, bless his soul, took over from there, saying he and Juhani had a shared vision of the danger that lurked inside the temple and insisted the two of them accompany the young knight. When asked what this vision was, all Jolee said was that he had seen Revan's destiny and that the young man would be faced with a choice that could decide not only his fate but the fate of the galaxy as well. After battling the various dark Jedi that loitered there, the trio reached the temple's roof, where they met a turned Bastila.
Juhani continued the tale, seeing as Revan and Bastila seemed reluctant to go over that particular detail. The Cathar told how Bastila tried to lure Revan back to the dark side, but Revan managed to resist. After the confrontation, the Ebon Hawk lifted in the air and headed to the Star Forge. "And did you meet again in battle, Revan?" Vrook asked.
Revan tightened his jaw. "We did."
"And?" asked Veroba.
"And?" he repeated. "And what? Obviously, we fought, I turned Bastila back to the light. I fought my way through an endless supply of droids, before meeting Malak in battle. He taunted, I parried, he complained, I struck him down. The Republic wins, we all live. The End."
The council could tell the man was clearly tense, so they only shared looks between them, their decision already made before the four had even walked in.
"We thank you for your patience in this matter," Vandar replied. "We know we have kept you and your crew for quite some time."
"We have decided to tell you our decisions with all of you present." Dorril said.
"It's easier this way." Dario quipped, before clearing his throat when he received a look from Master Vrook.
"First, we would like to commend you on your actions during this mission." Vandar stated. "You have all stayed on the path of light and have shown the galaxy what true Jedi are capable of. For that, we grant the title of knight to Juhani." The Cathar was completely astounded, having no idea that the masters had considered her for that honor. "You have been through a very harsh lesson, Juhani," Vandar continued. "One that pushed you to the dark side, but we believe that you have come through that with the serenity and outlook that we Jedi strive to maintain. We shall have a ceremony some time in the next coming weeks or so. Does this decision please you?"
"I…I am completely…I do not know what to say." She whispered.
"Say you accept." Revan nudged her, giving her a small smile.
"I…accept." She stuttered. "I thank you, Master Vandar, for this great honor."
"As for you, Jolee," Titus began. "We are most interested in your return. Though you left with barely the rank of padawan, we feel that your experience could help those younger students. Therefore, we grant you the title of Jedi Master."
Jolee was more flabbergasted than Juhani. "A…a what?"
"Congratulations, Master Bindo." Pura replied, smiling at the elder man. "In fact, the council has a…padawan already for you, if that is what you want."
"He wants it." The other three said, causing the elder Jedi to look at them.
"Well, I guess I've been outvoted." He grumbled. "Yeah, I'll do the Master thing. Who's this kid I'm training?"
"We…would like to discuss this with you at a later date." Vrook responded. "Now, as for the two of you…" Both Revan and Bastila gulped. "The council has decided, against some disagreement, to reinstate your title of knight, Revan. We also feel the need to reinstate Bastila's rank as knight as well. As for the bond you share with Bastila, the council has decided it would be in the best interest to separate you both for a time."
Bastila could remember the feelings she felt and those of Revan. Anger, disappointment, and sadness all went from one to the other. The council asked Juhani and Revan to leave, as they had something to discuss with Jolee and herself. And to be honest, the council hadn't really told her anything. They just said they wanted her and Jolee for a specific mission, but they wouldn't tell her what it was. They had asked her to leave as well, but she had stayed until Jolee left the chambers. But the recluse turned Jedi Master couldn't tell her anything either, not because he didn't want to, but because he was under orders not to. He only said they would be leaving tomorrow morning.
He gave her a pat on the back, saying "It's a shame they haven't learned anything from this mission. Still stuck on the 'love leads to the dark side' nonsense. Don't be too down, my dear. Remember that we leave tomorrow morning and it's still early in the day." Then he continued down the corridor to the elevator, leaving her…drained. She had returned to her room and had been there for at least two hours.
The sudden knock on the door drew her from her semi-meditative state. She was really in no mood to see anyone and was determined to tell who ever was on the other side exactly that. Only the person on the other side was someone who interested her and whom she needed to talk to. "Hey." Revan replied, giving her a small smile.
"Hi." She whispered, her mood slightly rising. They stood staring at each other before Bastila asked, "Do you want to…come in?"
She moved, allowing him to enter, letting the door close behind her. Turning, she found him looking at her. "What?" she asked.
"Nothing." he stumbled. "I just…" he sighed, shaking his head. "I'm an idiot. No, scratch that. I'm a mean idiot. A mean, inconsiderate, pushy…"
Revan wasn't sure what had happened. One minute he was outlining why he was such an ass to her and the next, she was kissing him. Not that he was opposed to her kissing him, not at all. It was just unexpected, but that didn't stop him from leaning in to the kiss. Afterwards, she hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry." He whispered.
"It's okay."
"No," he said, pulling back to look at her. "It's not. I've…taken a lot of things out on you and I shouldn't have. And for that, I'm sorry, darling."
"You've been troubled lately." She stated, cupping his cheek with her hand. "And it's not just about the council, is it?" When he didn't answer, she continued. "I know you've been blocking me at night."
"I don't want you to see all the lewd thoughts I have about you." He joked.
She moved closer to him. "Hasn't stopped you before." She retorted. She instantly blushed. "It's not like I mind all that much."
He gave a deep chuckle. "You're playing with fire." He whispered in her ear, smiling as he felt her shiver. He kissed her cheek. "I wish you weren't leaving." He murmured.
"So do I." she sighed. "I don't even know what mission I'm supposed to be going on. Jolee can't tell me until we've left Coruscant."
"You know why."
She sighed again. "The masters think I'd tell you if I knew." She said. "Which could happen, due to our bond."
"They're separating us, Bas." He replied. "They want to pull us apart, keep us away from each other."
"I don't think that's going to work." She said, nuzzling his neck. "I love you."
He gave her midsection a small squeeze. "I love you, too." He whispered. "You know I do." They stood together for a time, each thinking about the council's decisions. "Hey, you hungry?"
"A little."
"How bout I go get us something?" he asked, kissing her forehead. "Then I can tuck you in. You look tired."
"Not tired." She said. "Just…"
"Overwhelmed?" he finished. "It's been a long day and looks like you're about to go on another adventure."
"Without you."
Revan shrugged. "You'll miss me." He said. "I know you will cause…"
"How could I not?" she giggled. She stepped from his embrace. "Go get dinner, but don't take too long, all right?"
"Yes your majesty." He joked, skipping away from her slap that was aimed at his arm. He instead kissed her quickly before going out through the door. It didn't take him long to return, a to go box from the cantina – the nicer one anyway – and to set up dinner for them. They spent the time talking, getting to know each other more than in their previous conversations. And true to form, he stayed to tuck her in.
"You don't have to do this, you know." She said, snuggling down under the covers.
"I said I would and therefore…" he gave her a smile as he tucked the sheets in around her. "Besides, I want to show you that, even though hopping in there with you is sounding like a good idea, I have restraint. I can walk away right now, if need be."
"But you won't." she said, propping her head in her hand. "And really, how could you not? I am rather charming." Revan laughed, sinking to his knees by the side of the bed.
"You're wonderful." He said. "You're probably the most wonderful, amazing woman I know. And that's something."
"Because you know so many." She replied, slyly. They gaze at one another for a time, Revan placing his head on the side of the bed. Bastila ran her hand over the smooth skin of his head, stopping to rub the back of his neck. "I don't know if I can leave tomorrow." She whispered.
"You have to." He sighed. "I don't want you to, but the council will be mad if you don't and I don't want you to get into trouble because of me. I know how much being in the Order is to you."
"It's not more important than you." She insisted. "You mustn't think that."
"I don't." he replied, lifting his head to look at her. "I gotta let you figure things out for yourself. I…I came on strong, I know it and I'm sorry. This is…a completely new thing for you and I may have pushed you."
"You aren't…having second thoughts, are you?"
"About us?" he asked. Kissing her lips, he whispered, "I'll never have second thoughts about that."
"You must think me silly." She replied, shaking her head. "For always seeming to question your word, disagreeing with what you say to me. It must get down right unbearable sometimes."
Revan shrugged. "Not any different from the usual times you question my word and disagree with me." He joked, chuckling when she rolled her eyes.
"How I put up with you is anyone's guess."
The knight leaned in, rubbing his nose against hers. "You like me." He whispered, kissing her lightly.
"More than that."
He rubbed her shoulder before standing up. "I should let you go to sleep." He said. "You have to get up early tomorrow and it's pretty late as it is."
"You don't have to go, Revan." She whispered. "You could…theoretically stay here."
"We could get in trouble." He whispered, unzipping his uniform jacket. "The council would be kinda mad."
She gave him a shrug with one of her shoulders. "We're doing pretty good so far." She smirked, quoting his earlier jest at the masters. "Two for two, third time's the charm."
Kicking off his shoes, he jumped over her and onto the other side of the bed, causing the young woman to laugh and giggle. Lying beside her, he propped himself with his arm and grinned at her. "You're unlike any man I have ever known." She laughed.
"And I'm odd." He added, causing another laugh.
"Yes," she agreed. "And odd, very odd. But it's appealing." She brought his head closer so she could kiss him, their bodies coming together naturally. It wasn't until Revan pulled away breathlessly that Bastila realized how 'close' they had gotten.
"I…uh…" Revan chuckled, trying to catch his breath. "Think…"
"We…should get some sleep." She finished, blushing deeply.
Revan pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "You're adorable, you know that?"
"I'm glad my embarrassment amuses you." She quipped.
"As a matter of fact, it does." He laughed. "But I like getting you all embarrassed and flustered, cause you're very endearing when you're embarrassed. Don't get me wrong. I love when you're all ready for battle and you get this look of determination on your face that's…that's downright scary, if you're the enemy. But…I like when you get so…annoyed with me. Or better…"
"Better?" she asked, cuddling next to him.
"I love when you laugh, Bastila." He whispered. "And I certainly like making you laugh. What I'm saying is…I think you're beautiful, in any and every face you make at me or someone else, you're an incredibly attractive woman and…at least for me, I'm glad I get to be the guy you spend your time. I can't think of being with anyone other than you."
When he didn't get an answer, he looked down, finding Bastila fast asleep, nestled in his arms. He couldn't stop the smile that landed on his face. She had her hair down, out of those pigtails she normally wore. In honesty, he loved the way her hair hung about her shoulders and noticed it was much wavier than the braids would suggest. And it was soft, even now as he toyed with a few strands. The first time she had worn the down hair had been on their first date. She had been absolutely breathtaking that night, hell every night they had dined together.
Looking down at her, Revan couldn't help but remember the few nightmares he'd been having and shielding her from. He knew he would need to speak to someone, but for the time, it wasn't anything immediate. Besides, they had been going on non stop for nearly a year looking for the Star Maps. What if some of what he saw and learned was just coming to him now? He figured that could be the cause of his recent dreams, so he decided not to worry about it. For now, he was content at watching the woman he loved.
Dropping one last kiss to her forehead, he sighed, hoping their close proximity would help him dream of her and nothing else.
The morning that his friends and Bastila left was the hardest day Revan thought he had ever had. Mission and Big Z had left last week and while he was saddened at their departure, he understood why they had to go. And besides, he still had the other crew around. But now, with Carth leaving for Telos and Jolee and Bastila leaving for parts unknown, that only left Juhani and Canderous with him and he knew that the council probably had Juhani working on something on some other planet and he could feel that the Mandalorian wanted something to do while on the Jedi planet.
The morning had went well, he thought. He had awoken and noticed Bastila not beside him, but he heard the fresher going on the background. He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling. He knew this was the day, but it was hard to acknowledge that she would be leaving for an indefinite amount of time and certainly, the council wouldn't tell him when they would return. He let his feelings float through the link, instantly feeling her own emotions go to him. She was as unhappy as he, but she sent along her love as well, putting a smile on his face.
"I'm glad you're awake and in a good mood." She joked, standing over him. Her hair was in a towel, but she was already dressed, her Jedi robes nicely pressed and to perfection.
He opened his eyes and smiled up at her. "Good morning, gorgeous." He cooed. "I'm not sure if I'm dreaming or not, but if I am, I'm not about to wake up any time soon."
"And how many times have you used that line, I wonder." She retorted, going over to her bag.
Sitting up, he yawned and looked at her. "You know," he said, giving her a winning smile. "I could get very used to this. I think I'll enjoy waking up in your bed."
"You say that as though this will be a permanent thing."
"You must admit," he replied. "You enjoyed it, just a little. And admit it! You slept much better with me than alone, huh?"
"I admit nothing." She said, giving him an amused look. She went about continuing to pack, all the while under the loving, watchful gaze of Revan, who couldn't stop the silly grin on his face. "Revan, aren't you going to get up?"
"Hmm?" he sighed. "Oh. Yeah, I guess I should pop in the fresher." He hopped out of bed, coming around to kiss her quickly, well that was the plan. Instead, she surprised him by kissing him deeper and then going about her business afterwards. "You're getting to be quite the little tease, darling." He quipped, giving her bottom a small pat, and heading off to the fresher.
He felt relaxed under the stream of water and it did take away some of the hurt he felt at not knowing where she was going. When he was clean and dressed, he had walked out into the small living room to find breakfast waiting for him. Their talk was of anything but the fact that she would leaving in a few hours, but when it came for her to depart from the hotel, he gathered his resolve, and nodded. He carried her bag with one hand, the other holding one of hers, and they left her room. They were surprised to see Carth leaving at the same time, the pilot saying he wanted to see Bastila and Jolee off and switched his shuttle to the morning. With the pilot along, the trio headed down to the docking bay.
Masters Vandar and Vrook, along with Jolee, were already waiting for them in front of a ship and a Republic shuttle. Upon seeing the glare Vrook gave him with their approach, Revan immediately let go of Bastila's hand, only to throw his arm protectively over her shoulders. "It is good you are on time." Vandar nodded.
"I see you take your leave, Commander Onasi." Vrook replied.
The seasoned pilot gave a knowing smile. "I got a call back home." He said.
"Master Bindo will tell you the itinerary once you are aboard, young Bastila." Vandar said, giving a nod to Jolee, which just rolled his eyes at the title.
"Only then will you know the nature of your mission." Vrook piped up, giving a look to Revan. "And only when you are far enough away from Coruscant will you be told as such."
Bastila nodded, pushing away Revan's anger. She watched as the young man shook Jolee's hand, something passing between them that she didn't hear but knew to be some sort of promise that the elder master would watch out for her. Then Carth shook his hand, saying how he'd missed some of his story telling, but retracted the statement when Jolee went about starting one. Turning to her, Carth was the first one to shake her hand, before pulling her into a hug. "Don't let what the masters say get you down," he whispered. "Or stop you from listening to your heart." He pulled back, then turned to Revan, hugging him as well, but with a much manlier and shorter time duration than hers. The seasoned pilot nodded to the three Jedi he regarded as friends before heading up the ramp into the shuttle.
She sighed, watching as the shuttle went about its final checkings before departure. She took a deep breath and turned to face Revan. He was already gazing at her, his saddeness coming in waves. "Well," he sighed. "This is it." She could only nod. "Be safe, of course and…try not to let Jolee bore you to death with all his stories and such." The Jedi huffed in the background. She gave him a quick smile before turning back to the young knight. Bastila knew she may get in trouble, but she didn't care. He was standing in front of her, so hurt and heartbroken and she was on the verge of tears herself. So she flung her arms around his neck, not caring one bit if Vrook or Vandar saw them.
"I'm going to miss you so much." she sobbed, quietly.
He soothed her with his emotions, kissing her tears as they fell. "Don't ever forget that I love you with all the fiber in my being." he whispered. "You mean everything to me."
"I'll come back to you." she said, kissing his lips. "I promise." Pushing him away slightly, she tried to regain her composure. Back straight and chin up, she walked passed Jolee to the loading ramp of their ship, the elder master winking at the young man before joining his companion. The shuttle carrying Carth Onasi started up, lifting into the sky and made its way into space, heading for other planets, but most importantly that of Telos. The ship that held Bastila Shan and Jolee Bindo also rose in the sky, their destination only known to the Jedi council and the newly appointed master that steered the ship. Soon, they too were nothing but a light in the sky.
Letting go of a heavy sigh, Revan turned to walk away, hoping the two masters would leave him be for the moment. He wasn't so lucky. He hadn't gotten more than a few inches from where he last stood, when he heard Vandar call to him. The young knight didn't acknowledge the alien, but he did stop and waited for the two to join him. "You must understand, young knight," the small master replied. "It was for the best. You and Bastila both know this could not continue, that it was forbidden."
"In time, the bond will wear its course and will no longer bind you two together." Vrook was saying. "Perhaps you may even thank us for this measure."
Revan nodded his head slowly, keeping down the intense amount of hate he felt. Though he was enraged, his words were calm, almost deadly to that of the two masters he addressed. "There's seems to be a lot of that lately," he said. "The gratitude that the galaxy must have for the almighty Jedi and their ever righgeous and wise council. The same Jedi council who sat back and revelled in the sounds of dying pleas and screams during the Mandalorian War; the same council who brought in a badly wounded Sith Lord and completely erased any memories he held, all except the most important ones involving the Star Maps and Forge; the same council who sent a talented and gifted woman, a padawan, to lead an assault team on said Sith Lord, but yet never giving her her own student to train; and then used her to gather information from him while being linked, Force bonded, to him." He then turned to face the two masters, both who looked taken aback by his words.
"The same council who has just let the only person who could keep me under control, lest I do something drastic, on some potentially dangerous mission that she has no idea she's on." Here, Revan smirked. "Then yes, Master Vrook, I do need to thank you, in case I hadn't before. You've made my life worth living. I have no past and I have no future, all thanks to you."
"Please Revan," Vandar sputtered. "Do not say such things. Of course you have a future. And as for your past…" the diminuative alien looked up to Vrook. "I'm afraid there is nothing we can do."
"Meaning?"
"The entire academy is destroyed, Revan." Vrook replied. "And along with it are any records that may have contained your past life."
"We…may have acted callously," Vandar pleaded. "But we did not know what would happen if you should discover who you truly were or what you had been. I admit, sadly, that some of your past records had been…destroyed."
"I see." Revan turned back and began once again, walking to his hotel.
"Do you mean to tell us you still feel the pull of the dark side, Revan?" asked Vrook.
The young man stopped, but did not turn. "I follow the path of the light." he said, over his shoulder. "And will continue to do so until Bastila returns. After that, I will no longer be privy to a group of aging, manipulative, cowering liars. When Bastila returns, I will no longer be a part of the Jedi Order." With that, he continued on his way, never stopping when the two masters called for him.