Atton's eyes opened wide. "What?" he gasped.
"I loved you," said Revan, her gaze wavering.
Atton shook his head violently. "No, no… no, no!" he exclaimed, horrified. "That's not what you said. You said 'love'. PRESENT tense. Do… do you…" A desperate, bewildered look spread on his face and he drastically lowered his voice. "Do you love me, Revan?" he asked in a hoarse whisper.
"No!" she replied hastily. Her eyes met Atton's and wavered. "I don't know." She hung her head and shook it. "I loved you, yes… back then… in my own twisted way." An air of skepticism appeared on Atton's face. Revan shrugged. "Look, I'm not saying I knew how to show it properly. I was… well… evil. I didn't know how to love, but I still… did. I hated you, but I loved you." She glanced away. "And you see, when I remembered about you… well, I had a hard time differentiating between what I felt before, when I was Lord Revan, and what I felt just then. It was strange… all the memories I had… it just seemed like they had just happened. And so what I had felt for you…" She laughed bitterly. "Well, let's just say it's a little confusing to be in love with two very different people at once."
Atton's face was motionless and sported a stunned gizka look, so Revan felt she should continue. It was too late to turn back anyway.
"Of course, I didn't think I'd ever see you again… So I imagined it would be very easy for me to forget about you. And I almost did. The only times I thought about you were when I thought about Daynn. And then of course, I only thought of you bitterly, because I still believed you had just walked out on me." She laughed. Atton's face, very pale, showed no emotion safe for the slight flicker of an eyebrow. "But then…" Revan hesitated. "I went to look for you to help me find Jena…" she faltered. "I of course had no idea that it was you. If I had, I… probably wouldn't have looked for you." She looked down. "I really wish she had told me," she whispered. She lifted her head up again and gazed into Atton's confused, terrified eyes. "And then I saw you…"
"Stop," hissed Atton through pale lips. "Rev… please… Just stop right now. Why are you telling me all this?"
Revan smiled wistfully. "I'm telling you because you asked, Jaq."
Atton blinked at her a few times. He then shook his head and opened his mouth, but no words could come out. He shook his head again, and after a few seconds of trying to speak, he finally managed to mutter, "Dammit, Rev!" She sat quietly, demurely looking at him. "Is… Are…" he stammered. "Frack, I have no idea how to react to this. At least when I found out about Daynn, I could get angry. But this…" He slowly wrinkled his brow. "No, Rev, you don't love me. You can barely stand me!" he said vehemently. "I can barely stand you! You love Carth! I love Jena!" He shut his eyes and gesticulated out of frustration. "You're my master and I…" He opened his eyes and looked right at her. "DAMMIT, Rev!" he said again.
"I know!" she exclaimed. "Don't you think I know all that? It's just so…" She exhaled deeply. "I just don't know what to think anymore. The… the Jedi Council… they really messed me up."
"You don't say!" blurted Atton sarcastically.
Revan looked hurt. "No need to get personal," she muttered darkly.
"No need to—?" repeated Atton loudly. "Revan, are you listening to yourself? This is crazy! Look, Rev, I like you. Okay, I like you a lot. I like you far too much considering how you drive me up the wall, and how much you've messed up my life in the past. And don't get me started on the Force choke thing. But you can't just…" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "How are you expecting me to react to this? Are you waiting for me to tell you I love you? Cause you know that's not going to happen!"
"I KNOW!" she bellowed. "And I don't want you to, either. Force, as if things weren't complicated enough for me as they were. That's the last thing I would need… or want."
Atton shot a look at Revan, clearly indicating he thought she was insane. "You're nuts! You're completely and unmistakably nuts! What do you want from me?" he shouted desperately.
"I don't know, Jaq! I just need some time to—"
"Time?" he repeated. "Time?" he yelled. "But… what about Jena? I'm with Jena. I love Jena! You do remember Jena, right?"
"YES!" she exploded. "I remember Jena, and I remember Carth, too! I love Carth more than anything. I love Carth more than I've ever loved you! It's just… with having you around… and the memories… and…" She tried to continue, but no words could come out. She finally managed to utter, "It's just confusing!"
Atton scoffed loudly. "You can say that again!" he cried frantically.
In one move, he collected all his pazaak cards from the floor and got up. He limped toward the door, putting his cards away in his pocket.
"Jaq!" Revan called after him. "Where are you going?"
He turned around and faced her. "I'm going outside. I'm going back to the ship. I'll take my chances with the vornskrs. In fact, I kind of hope they attack me, because then I at least won't have to deal with this situation or with you anymore."
"Jaq!" protested Revan. She ran to the door as Atton started unlocking it and swiftly wedged herself between it and Atton. She put her hands on his shoulders and looking into his eyes, she spoke earnestly. "No. You're not going out there. You're not going out there, because if you do, you're going to get killed, and I don't want to have to be the one who has to explain to Jena why I'm coming back without you… or to my son why his father is once again absent from his life. Now come…" She took his hand, which was clenched into a white-knuckled fist. "Come!" she insisted, gently pushing him back. "Please, Jaq. Don't leave like this." Atton peered at her suspiciously and hesitated. Revan looked up at him beseechingly. "Please, Jaq," she said soberly.
Atton pursed his lips and exhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring. "Fine," he growled, yielding as she led him away from the door. She pulled him back toward the area where they had been sitting. He submissively followed and sat back down as she did.
"I'm sorry," said Revan slowly. "I shouldn't have said anything."
Atton scoffed. "You're damn—" Revan raised a hand to quiet him down. He meekly obeyed.
"I'm sorry," she repeated emphatically. "I don't know why I told you all this, even if you asked me, and I certainly don't know why I almost acted as though I was expecting you to…"
"To have felt the same way?" offered Atton.
Revan nodded. "I guess some small part of me kind of hoped that—You know what, let's not get into this anymore. It's futile. Can we please try to forget this conversation even happened?"
Atton shrugged. "All right…" he said reluctantly
"Thank you."
"Can I just say something?" he asked.
"What?"
"You're insane. I just thought I'd point that out one last time," he stated.
"Thanks, Jaq," she replied, rolling her eyes.
Atton flashed a mocking, sly, charming smile. "Hey, you know me… I aim to please. Now come here." He rested his hand awkwardly on her shoulder.
"What?" she asked suspiciously.
"Come here!" he insisted impatiently. "I'm giving you a hug; now hurry up before I change my mind," he snapped.
Revan smirked and leaned in, wrapping her arms around Atton. She comfortably nestled up against him, while he sat still, stiff as a board, his arms loosely draped about her. This is weird…What's even weirder is that three years ago I'd have already at least tried to feel her up by now. He patiently waited until Revan finally loosened her hold and backed away slowly. Atton had just started breathing easier when his eyes locked with Revan's, mere inches apart from each other. Atton felt a flow of blood rushing to his face and his heart beat a little faster, as both he and Revan stopped moving and stared at each other. Atton found himself vaguely thinking about the night Daynn was conceived, and that he really shouldn't be surprised by the fact that he had made the first move if she had looked at him that way with those big, blue eyes of hers. He suddenly became aghast with what he was thinking. Why am I thinking about this? This isn't right… Why isn't she backing up? Why aren't I? Force, I need to back up. I need to back up NOW.
He held his breath, unable to stop looking at her, a terrified look in his face. Just as Revan subtly and subconsciously moved her face toward Atton's ever so slightly, two things happened: Atton managed to break eye contact and glanced away, and Daynn walked into the room, dragging Atton's cloak behind him.
"Daynn!" exclaimed Atton, relieved and, for the first time, happy to see his son. Revan quickly backed away, her eyes growing wide with horror as she realized what had almost happened, and covered her mouth with her hand.
"Why were you yelling?" asked the boy, a little fearfully. Revan promptly got up and ran to her son.
"I'm sorry, kiddo," she said putting her arms around him and holding him tightly. The boy tensed up, but relaxed a little after a couple seconds. "Ja—your fath—We were just having a… discussion," she stammered. "Come on," she added coaxingly. "I'll go tuck you back in."
Without as much as a glance at Atton, Revan picked Daynn up in her arms and disappeared into the next room. "By all means," Atton muttered sarcastically between his teeth, "do keep my cloak. I won't need it to sleep or anything. It's not at all absolutely freezing in here."
He rested his back up against the wall and leaned his head back. That was entirely too… Hell, I don't even know what that was. I can't believe she… I really hope she stays in that other room. I can't see her right now. I wouldn't know what to say. This is just way too weird. She was going to kiss me. I know she was. Force, I don't even want to think about what would've happened if she had. I have to tell Jena… But they're friends. I can't just… I mean, Jena's understanding, but I don't know if she'd be that understanding. I can't believe Revan thinks she… He shook his head. Me? That's just insane. I thought she hated me. I thought I hated her
Atton frowned. I do hate her. Bishwag's just confounding me with all this. She's confused and she's going to confuse everyone around her. Damn Dark Lord. I have to be careful. I'm not losing Jena over something like this. Not after all I went through.
He shut his eyes, and for an instant recalled how befuddled he had been to realize that Revan was leaning in closer to him. He grew angry with himself for not pulling away any sooner. Strange images of what may have happened had he not looked away or had Daynn not walked in started appearing in his mind. He shuddered. This is just plain crazy. She's just plain crazy and she's trying to take me down with her. Well, it's not going to happen. She's ruined my life once, I'm not going to let the Dark Lord of the Sith get the better of Jaq Rand twice. Or Atton, for that matter.
He pursed his lips and pulled out his cards. I need to stop thinking about this. The faster I forget all this, the better it will be. Damn woman. Why did she have to tell me this? I was happy before. I suppose I did ask her to tell me, but she could've made something up. He furiously slapped down a card on the floor. I mean, honestly! She's lied to me ever since I met her; why couldn't she just lie to me once more? He slapped another card down. How the hell am I supposed to be able to look at Carth now? He placed down yet another card. And Dustil? And another card. And… and…? He glanced down at his deck. Thirty-two? THIRTY-TWO? How the hell does THAT happen?
He sighed and gathered his cards back up. This woman will be the death of me. She tried to kill me once, now she's just trying to finish the job in a more subtle way. I guess I won't be getting any sleep tonight. Not with this looming over me.
He shook his head and dealt his hand.
Atton opened his eyes and his first conscious thought was the fact that his neck felt extremely uncomfortable. His second thought was that his injured leg was throbbing.
"Ouch!" he groaned as he sat up straight. He had fallen asleep playing pazaak and had somehow managed to lean his head against a pile of debris on the floor next to him, cocking his neck at an odd angle. He let go of the card he was still holding and ran his hand up to his neck to massage his sore muscles. He recalled the night's events and groaned again. He squinted in an effort to block out the light that directly beamed down on him through one of the windows. Glancing down, he noticed that his cloak was draped over him. He sat and stared blankly at it for a moment, not knowing whether to be touched or horrified that Revan apparently kindly thought to cover him up with it as he slept. He slowly got up, cringing as he leaned on his bandaged left leg. Once he stood up, he peered down at it and realized that it was swollen. Gee, can't imagine why that would be… Though I guess it would be far worse if Revan hadn't been there to… He stopped his train of thoughts short. I'm not going to think about that. I'm just going to go back and see Jena. Yes. Jena. I really need to see her right now.
Grimacing slightly, he hobbled over to the room where Daynn and Revan had assumedly slept. When he walked in, he noticed a distinct stillness in the room.
"Rev?" he hazarded to ask out loud. He looked around the room. It was virtually empty, safe for the pilot's and co-pilot's seats. There was no way Revan or Daynn would be able to hide anywhere in that room. "Revan?" he muttered futilely. He raised an eyebrow. Well, she left without me. After all that fuss she made last night over me leaving on my own. Typical. I suppose she probably left after daylight broke, but even so… Guess I just have to find my way back on my own now. It'll be fun with this leg of mine. I'm feeling far worse today than I did yesterday. He tried to stretch his leg out and clenched his teeth. Yeah. Loads of fun. And of course as luck would have it, the guy working our med bay hates me and wants to kill me. Let me tell you, this past day just keeps on getting better.
Inhaling through his clenched teeth to avoid crying out in pain, Atton started limping along carefully toward the door after putting his cloak back on. He walked out into the forest and was amazed at how dark certain areas of the forest still were. He reflected that the light that currently shone down on him was caused by the path Jena had created in the trees when she landed. He took a few steps and tried to remember which way he and Revan had come from when they stumbled upon the ship. The place looks really different. I have a bit of an idea as to where I should be headed, but… He shook his head. I can't believe she just left me here! I can barely walk! Did she hope that a few vornskrs with insomnia might finish me off so she wouldn't have to face me again? He glanced down at his injured leg and sighed heavily. This will be fun.
He walked a few meters when he suddenly heard voices not far away. He stopped and listened.
"Jena?" he called out.
"Atton!" replied one of the voices.
Atton felt as though his heart stopped as the blood drained from his face. He heard the noise of leaves being trampled and suddenly saw a familiar face appear from behind a tree.
"Atton!" Jena repeated. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. He held his breath and put his arms about her, squeezing her tightly, feeling a sudden pang of guilt. Why am I feeling guilty? I didn't do anything… I didn't even want to do anything…
Jena buried her face in his shoulder. "Oh, Atton, thank the Force you're all right. When Revan came back without you and told us you'd need help getting back because you were injured, I thought…" She kissed him repeatedly. He closed his eyes and slowly rubbed his cheek against her temple and inhaled deeply, clenching his teeth. Never in a million years… I am not doing anything to screw this up. I'm not going to lose you, Jena Shel.
Jena pulled back and glanced down at his leg. "Atton!" she gasped. "What happened to you? I mean I knew you were injured, but…"
Atton opened his eyes and his gaze followed hers. "Oh." He tried to sound nonchalant. "Well, I got bitten by one of those cute little homicidal creatures you were warning me about…"
"You got bitten by a vornskr?" she asked incredulously.
"Well, yeah, didn't she tell you?" He was reluctant to speak Revan's name to Jena. It seemed… wrong, somehow. He kissed the wrinkle in her brow and gazed into her eyes, which were full of anguish. "I… Daynn and I were attacked… and she came out to help me… and… and look, Jena, there's something I have to tell—"
Atton interrupted his sentence as he looked ahead of him and saw Bao-Dur and Mical appearing from behind the trees. Atton's features hardened and he pulled away from Jena slightly. "For Force's sake, Jena," he hissed. "What is he doing here?"
Jena's eyes wavered guiltily, but immediately rose again and gazed steadily at Atton. "You're injured, Atton," she breathed. "You need help. You know as well as I do that he's best suited for the job out of all of us."
Atton shut his eyes and shook his head in disbelief. "Yes, but… him? Jena, he tried to kill me! You know that, you were there!" he said, throwing his arms up in exasperation. He took a step back and grimaced. Jena took his hand and pulled him back to her. She gently cradled his face in her hands.
"See?" she said quietly. "You need help. Help I can't give you, especially not when I can't use the Force." She sighed. "Look, I know this isn't… ideal. But I talked to him, and he truly is sorry about yesterday…"
"Oh, is he, now?" he said sarcastically. "No offense, but it might mean a bit more if that apology actually came from him," he muttered. "Not that I want to talk to him. Look, Jena, I'm fine. I don't need your psychotic pretty boy to look after me."
Jena frowned. "Atton…"
"I said I'm fine!" Atton repeated a bit more loudly.
Mical scoffed. "You're not fine, Atton," he interjected. "Your left leg is almost twice the size of your right one. I know you don't trust me, and I wouldn't expect you to… But what could I possibly do to you with my master and Bao right here, ready to defend you?" He laughed bitterly and shook his head gently. "Just let me look at your wound." He held up his medical kit.
Atton opened his mouth to make a harsh comment, but caught Jena's eye and hesitated. "Fine," he spat, glaring at Mical. "I hope you don't trust me, because you should know I'm not above stabbing you in the back at this point."
Mical shrugged nonchalantly. "It's a risk I'll have to take, Atton. I have a duty to do as the Ebon Hawk medic. Also my master asked me to do this, so I will do it whether you like it or not. Now sit down." Mical walked over to Atton and put his medical kit on the ground as the latter sat reluctantly. Of course. She's still his master even if she's not mine… He clenched his teeth. How could she do this to me? I bet even Revan wouldn't have asked—no, I'm not going to go there. He shut his eyes. Yesterday went from bad to worse, and today's off to a wonderful start.
Mical began removing Atton's bandage and cringed at the state of the wound.
"It's a very good thing Liah was there to help you, because it would have likely been far worse today. Why didn't you go back to the Ebon Hawk rather than go trampling in the bush with her? I realize Daynn's your son and all"—the word was infused with malice—"but I can't even conceive of how you managed to walk at all."
Atton shrugged. "It felt a lot better then. She healed me with the Force. I wasn't about to let her go wander off into the forest by herself when it was my fault Daynn was there in the first place."
Mical smiled venomously. "I reckon she told you she didn't need you, and you, testosterone-driven as usual, weren't about to let her think you weren't able to keep up."
Atton shot him a black look. "Hey, just who do you think—"
"Boys!" snapped Jena. "That's enough."
Mical's eyes dropped down to Atton's injured leg and he resumed cleaning out the wound. "I'm sorry, master," he mumbled.
Atton raised a perplexed and suspicious eyebrow. When did he start calling her 'master'? It's what—three times he's called her that since he got here?
"I assume that's the ship, General?"
Bao-Dur, who had been standing off at a safe distance in an effort to not get involved in what he had assumed would end up being an ugly scene between Atton and Mical, saw the gap in the conversation as a good chance to steer it away from the dangerous direction it was taking. Jena turned around to look at what Bao was referring to.
"She's the one," Jena replied. "Take any parts you need. As you can tell, it's not like this ship's going to be able to go anywhere anytime soon. To be quite honest, I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get off the planet, when you guys showed up. I'm pretty thankful you did, because I was stranded here."
Atton frowned. That's not exactly what you told me, my dear…
"Actually," she added, "there's some stuff I should probably show you…" She peered apprehensively at Atton and Mical. The latter nodded.
"It's all right, master. I'm quite certain Atton and I will be able to behave during your absence."
Again with the 'master'!
"We'll be fine, babe," Atton said as casually and confidently as he could, putting a slight emphasis on 'babe' to show Mical the difference between the latter's relationship with Jena and his own.
Jena gave them both a long hesitant look, then turned around and followed Bao-Dur into the ship.
Atton sat, uncomfortably staring at the top of Mical's blonde head as the young Jedi crouched down before him bandaged up his leg. "So… what's with all the 'master' talk, anyway?" he finally asked.
Mical looked up, clearly surprised that Atton would even talk to him. Atton himself had been shocked to hear his own voice.
"Master Shel has resumed my training," Mical replied monotonically. "She is my master, and I have decided to address her as such. She understands my reasoning and has reluctantly agreed to it."
"You mean that was all your idea?" Atton asked, knowing that he should not be surprised. He couldn't picture Jena demanding that anyone, much less someone she considered a friend, called her 'master'.
"Of course it was my idea," replied Mical, sneering. "I feel that by addressing her as such, I will be able to distance myself from her… at least, somewhat."
Atton shuddered. "Well, don't call her that when you talk to me. It's weird. It feels like you're talking about somebody else."
So Jena has resumed Mical's training. Interesting. I wonder if it was her idea or his. I bet it was his. Any excuse to spend time with her.
"Very well," Mical replied, "but it is while speaking to you that I should be distancing myself from her most. I do not wish to have a… repeat of the various outbursts I've been having recently."
Atton scoffed. "'Outburst'? Is that what you're calling it to make you feel better? You tried to kill me, Mical!" he cried. "AGAIN! And don't even think about denying it this time."
Mical's eyes dropped back down to the wound he was bandaging, and his cheeks reddened.
"I know," he muttered. "I'm sorry. I… I don't know what came over me. It will not happen again."
"You're damn straight it won't happen again!" Atton shouted.
Mical shut his eyes. "Please, Atton…" He spoke quietly. "I don't wish to fight with you any longer… as difficult as this may be to believe. I don't suppose there is anything I can say that will make you trust me again… assuming you ever did."
"I can't imagine why that would be," snarled Atton, ignoring Mical's last spiteful comment. "Last time you apologized, you ended up using the Force to knock me off my feet, and threatening me with your lightsaber, not five minutes later. We're both lucky Jena's got a good sense of timing."
"Yes, well you're lucky she's a trusting woman," he mumbled. Suddenly realizing he had uttered the words out loud, he bit his lip and kept his head down.
Atton's blood drained from his face. "What was that? What are you implying?" he demanded hotly.
"Nothing," Mical said, tight-lipped. "Forget I said anything. I think it's best if we don't talk about her."
"No, no, no!" vociferated Atton. "You went there, and I'd like to know what it is you're getting at."
Mical glanced up at Atton and sighed heavily. "Very well. You will likely misinterpret what I'm saying as always, but seeing as you asked… If you must know, I think you should stay away from Jena." He sat back resignedly, as one ready for a long-winded battle.
Atton burst out laughing. "Well, it sure didn't take long for you to start up again."
Mical rolled his eyes and continued tending to Atton's wound. "As I said, you're already misinterpreting what I'm saying. I was merely stating the fact that I feel that—circumstances being what they are—she might be better off without you."
"Yes," Atton said sarcastically, "I can see how I misinterpreted what you were saying. Here I was thinking you were telling me to stay away from Jena, when in reality you were telling me to stay away from Jena because she's better off without me."
Mical clicked his tongue irritably. "Atton, you don't understand…" He breathed deeply. "For Force's sake, do you honestly think you are good enough for her? Atton, you have a child with another woman! And from what I can tell, there are still unresolved feelings between Liah and you, whether you know this or not. Jena doesn't need to be thrown in the middle of that kind of situation. She deserves better than that."
Atton laughed acerbically. "Better than that? You mean she deserves… you?"
"No," Mical replied quietly. "Not me. I don't deserve her any more than you do. Not after what I've done. She's my master, and that's all she'll ever be. Force knows I don't even deserve that. I must be content with what I have."
Atton raised a dubious eyebrow. "What, so you're giving up on her… just like that? When yesterday you were ready to kill me over her? Forgive me if I don't buy it…" He smirked acidly.
Mical shifted his weight to the other side and looked Atton in the eye. "No, not just like that. I've been meditating a lot since yesterday. Force, that's all I've been doing. And Jena has been helping me. I love her. I always will love her. But there comes a time when one has to start taking her needs into consideration. After all, that's what love is, isn't it? Thinking of the other's happiness? And she deserves better than me." He pursed his lips. "Or you."
Atton laughed sardonically. "Oh, I get it now… You're trying to make me think she's better off without me, so I'll back off… and so you can step in."
Mical shrugged. "You can think what you want, Atton. I'm through fighting over her. She doesn't need to be constantly caught in the middle of this. You can do what you want. You can carry on as you were doing and pretend I never said anything. I won't stop you. But if I'm right about you… and I think I am… you will hurt her. And when you do, Atton, I will come after you."
"So much for the calm, meek little Jedi act, huh, Mical?" quipped Atton.
Mical's eyes gazed serenely at him. "It's not an act. I'm perfectly calm. You won't get the better of my temper again… unless you hurt her. You and Liah have no idea how many people you stand to hurt."
Color ran up to Atton's cheek and he protested lamely. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"You're a terrible liar, Atton," Mical said coolly. Atton flushed a deeper shade of red when he realized it was the very thing he kept repeating to Revan whenever he knew she was lying through her teeth. "You can generally conceal your feelings well, and can lie convincingly… but not when you're caught off guard like this. Not when it has to do with your feelings."
"Look, Mical," Atton said in a hoarse whisper. "I love Jena. You know I do."
"I know you say you do. And I know you once let her go because you realized it was best for her. That does show you once had her best interest in mind. I…"—Mical looked as though it pained him to admit it—"I know you mean well. I know you wouldn't knowingly hurt her. But perhaps you haven't noticed the fact that you've spent more time with Liah than with Jena ever since we found her."
"And whose fault is that?" snapped Atton in an accusatory tone.
Mical sneered slightly. "I take this seemingly rhetorical question to mean you're insinuating that I'm somehow to blame. If I were you, I would however take a look back at all the time you've spent with Liah rather than with Jena over the last day and think about why that was."
Let's see… I went to see her to confront her about hiding the fact that Daynn was my son… then I spent the night out here with Revan because we were looking for Daynn…
"Daynn's to blame!" Atton said. "It's not my fault."
Mical raised an eyebrow. "As quick to point the finger at others as always, I see." He exhaled deeply. "And Daynn is here because…?" he asked as patiently as he could.
Atton's brow wrinkled lightly, and he closed his mouth. Daynn is here because of me. Dammit, he's right. I am hurting her without knowing. "That's not fair!" he protested. "Daynn was born years before I even met Jena."
"That's true," conceded Mical. "However, Jena is suffering now, and not because of Daynn. She never said anything, of course… she never would, especially not to me. It's not the fact that you have a son that bothers her. She adores the boy. I'm sure you've noticed that much. No… it's the fact that you've been spending so much time with your son's mother that's getting to her. So far it hasn't bothered her too much… she probably assumes it's normal, being as you just found out about all this. She is a very reasonable person, as you well know… but there certainly was a strange look in her eyes when HK-47 told her you were stranded with Liah in her old ship for the night. I can see this situation taking its toll on her with time, the more time you spend alone with Liah."
"Well, that's easy enough to avoid," said Atton practically. "I'll just stay away from Revan from now on. Can't be that hard, seeing as I can barely stand her…"
Mical smiled condescendingly. "Giving up on your training, are you?"
"What?" Atton asked incredulously. "Oh!" He stared. "DAMMIT!" he blurted. My master. She's my farkling master. Why do I keep forgetting this?
"As I was saying, Atton, you will hurt her whether you want to or not. And then you will lose her." Mical finished off bandaging Atton's leg and looked at him almost pityingly.
Atton frowned and violently pulled his leg away from Mical's grasp.
"I'm not going to hurt her!" he snarled. "I don't care what you think. She knows there's nothing going on between Revan and me. Revan's my master. My master. She's training me. And I can't help it if Rev—" He stopped himself just as he was about to blurt out what Revan had told him. He shook his head. "You know what? Mind your own business."
Mical shrugged and got up. "Suit yourself. You've been warned. Do the right thing—break it off with Jena—and maybe she won't end up hating you in the end." He gathered up his medical kit. "I'm doing you a favor," he added seriously. He then turned toward the ship, leaving Atton sitting on the ground with a perplexed look on his face.