Revan slunk back into her room, thinking of the children, their father, wondering what this stupid implant might be doing to her, ashamed that she had not held a straight head and asked Carth more about that.

She knew, somewhere within herself, that her sacrifice for Carth's life had been costly, but now it was even more prevalent. If only I had known before. Would I have done the same? Yes, Yes! She couldn't deny it, she would have probably done it even more willingly if she had known.

That sacrifice, along with all her others, what would they cost those around her? She shouldn't have anyone she loved around her. The cost of my love is too pricey.

Thinking back to that most recent incident, she felt as if something that had been touching her was now gone, or lying dormant. It left her with apprehension, the calm before the storm. When will it ask for repayment? Hopefully not too soon, as long as I can save Aaron and Ariana nothing else matters. That is what I have to concentrate on. I can deal with all the other stuff later. And I need to start touching back into the force. I can't be afraid anymore. Time is growing short.

With that last thought she settled back, relaxing into a deep meditation, trying to regain and control what had violently turned on her before.

Revan let herself drift, knowing that she was no longer commanding the force but that it was now commanding her. Unwillingly at first, she slowly opened herself up to what was swirling around her. She let it touch her, reach into her, determined that she would get a grasp on it when the time was right. The pull was becoming stronger, no longer guiding her but still drawing her closer to something. Everything was black, no hints of light as she slowly followed the irresistible lure. A chasm opened and she no longer felt the determination that only moments ago had led her here. She had created the opening and now it was calling to her, compelling her to enter, she knew there would be no return. She gravitated towards it, coming closer to the abyss … drifting … following …

Without warning it closed, abruptly leaving her floating in massive light as she tried to get her bearings. She heard far away voices, calling her name, panic, worry …

She was resentful and sullen when she finally felt it all slip away and was staring into the concerned faces of Carth and Treg.

"What the hell are you both doing here? Don't you have anything else to concern yourselves with?" She rose from her meditative posture and turned her back on them.

"Didn't you hear my message?" Carth asked.

She turned, reeling on him, "I heard it, so why should that matter anyway? Obviously I figured landing this damn ship was something the both of you could take care of. Dammit, do I have to be around for everything?"

Treg stepped up, "Considering the manner in which you haven't left either one of us out of your site for days, it was quite noticeable and left us both with unequivocal concern." His look met hers.

"Yeah, what he said!" Carth added, his hand motioning towards Treg as her gaze turned to him.

She looked from one to the other before replying, "Is it too much to ask for you both to carry on without me for once?" When neither moved she pressed, "I'm fine!"

"I don't think so," came Carth's immediate reply, speaking at the same time as Treg.

"You are not fine Revan and we all realize that. Do not play us for fools."

The speakers sounded as X-14 patched the incoming message through the ship, "Decelerate your approach immediately and state your business."

Carth gave a final glance at Revan before looking at Treg, "Time for you to justify being on my ship," he spoke as he turned to exit.

Treg didn't feel the urgency that Carth did, at least not the urgency that had suddenly taken away his interest in Revan and turned it towards their landing. Instead Treg was still staring directly at Revan. Right now she was his current concern and he wasn't about to leave her alone with such a dismissal as Onasi had just done. Reaching out a hand gently towards her, he urged, "Come on, let's go."

Carth turned back towards them when he heard Treg speak. His focus rested solely on Treg's outstretched hand, the pause registered before he saw Revan gradually, reluctantly, reach out her own hand and then become fully enwrapped in Tregs'. He couldn't deny the feeling of jealousy that coursed through his veins, nor could he deny his own part in not making the gesture himself. Will you ever learn Onasi? He answered himself with words that were more an excuse than a justification, Dammit, I'm just not built that way.

The minute Treg clasped his hand around Revan's he turned, coaxing her along with him, before speaking to Carth, "Now, we can land the Rubicon."

Carth's stomach made a deafening grumble to the truth and implication that Treg's words had on the situation. I should have been the one doing that, not him. How many other times did I just leave her while I concentrated on something else? Dismissing his thoughts and resorting back to the only thing he could understand, Carth answered, "Let's go," then turned all his thoughts and efforts to their landing at Anthrecite.

-----------------

He sat back waiting. To a casual observer he would appear stoic, completely in control, a demon without worries. Inside he was furious, raging mad that Revan's companions kept getting in the way of his plans. Irritated that he was surrounded by a bunch of incompetent fools who couldn't even find who had piloted a ship that had landed on the moon, where, in a few short hours, all his carefully laid plans would be carried out. Concerned, but still pleased, that Revan was strong enough to still fight against him. That strength, once turned to the dark side, would be unstoppable.

Letting his anger seethe through him he waited. He cultivated it, letting every insignificant ripple bring forward all the bitterness he was capable of, and he was quite capable. His dark feelings were an endless cauldron and he wanted them all at his fingertips for when the moment he was waiting for arrived. He let all those feelings bubble and brew at his surface, intent on sending them all hurtling through the force the minute Revan tried to tune in, the moment that would turn her, once and forever, to the dark side. Meanwhile he would wait. Wait for the arrival of Darth Gnillihs. Wait for the arrival of Darth Revan. With a smug look of satisfaction the scout sat back and waited.