Alexis sat outside of Roshana Seraph's office, watching her secretary type on a large computer terminal. She'd been in here, alone, for twenty minutes, waiting for her meeting with the senator.

The senator was late, but Alexis didn't care. She was busy thinking about other things. The day before, after a rather boring lunch, Kalen, Atton, and Canderous had stayed for a sparring match and then returned to the Ebon Hawk.

Carth had gone back to work. He hadn't gotten back until very late, and Alexis had pretended to be meditating when he arrived. He'd looked as if he wanted to talk to her, but Alexis had firmly ignored his attempts to rouse her. She still wasn't ready to talk. She might never be. She'd have to speak with him eventually, however, and she knew it was time to stop avoiding it. The next time he showed signs of wanting to talk, she'd give in.

It wasn't really him that was the problem anyway. It was the point that he'd made. His observation about her penchant for running away had cut her to the very core, simply because it was so true.

Alexis absently ran her fingers along the dark black circles under her eyes. She hadn't slept in days. Using meditation in place of sleep had worked for her for a very long time, but now that she wasn't so used to it anymore, the sleep deprivation was getting to her. She probably looked ill. She was losing weight again, despite eating well and exercising.

"Senator Seraph will see you now," The secretary said, startling Alexis out of her thoughts.

Alexis rose, nodding. She smoothed her clothing carefully, eyeing the pink tunic and white leggings carefully. She looked okay, though she didn't look much like a Jedi. To top it off, she'd had to wear a heavy cloak into the office to hide her identity. The secretary hadn't recognized her, or hadn't commented.

The secretary rose and opened the door to the senator's office for her, a friendly smile on his face. Alexis smiled back at him and he promptly blushed. He was very young, now that she got a closer look.

Alexis stepped into the office and the secretary shut the door behind her. She turned her eyes immediately to the woman who sat behind the desk. The woman rose and gave her a welcoming smile. The reception was much better than Alexis had expected.

The woman was around thirty-two or thirty-three years old. She had short, heavy dark brown hair and brown eyes. She was wearing a dark red senatorial robe that hid most of her body. As Alexis edged closer, she realized that the woman was enormously tall, probably taller than Carth. Her face wasn't classically pretty, but she had strong, friendly features and even white teeth. She looked strangely familiar. "Welcome to my office. My name is Roshana Seraph, as I'm sure you know."

"My name is Alexis Starling. Or, Alexis Revan, if you prefer," Alexis responded, offering the woman her hand. She had a very firm grip, Alexis noted.

"Please, take a seat. May I call you Alexis? I have a feeling it will be more comfortable than Revan," the senator said, motioning towards a soft-looking beige chair across from her desk.

Alexis carefully settled herself in the seat. Roshana took her seat as well. "You certainly may."

"Good. Please, call me Roshana. I hate formalities," the woman said. She smiled again. "Look, I know you've already noticed that I look at bit familiar to you. I could see the recognition in your eyes. Allow me to explain."

"You don't have to," Alexis said quickly, embarrassed that Roshana had noticed.

"It's alright. I'm Carth's second cousin. I understand that you two have known each other for some time. It's only natural for you to see the family resemblance."

"Oh, now I see. I'm sorry if I stared. The similarities really are striking."

"Yes," Roshana said, "We all have the same hair and eyes. The same nose, too, I'm told."

Alexis nodded. "I'm very glad that you took the time to see me."

"I'd actually have liked to have seen you sooner, but Carth told me I had to give you a bit of time. He's very protective of you, you know."

"Well, we've been friends for a very long time."

"I see," Roshana said knowingly. Alexis had to resist the urge to blush. "So, what are you doing back in known space? I was led to believe that you'd disappeared after the Jedi Civil War."

"I did. I've come back to do that which I should have done in the first place. I'm back to aid the Republic in rebuilding," Alexis said with conviction. She wasn't sure that that was why she had come back originally, but it was her purpose now, so it was the truth.

"So what is it that you think you can do for the Republic?" the senator asked, leaning forward on her desk and resting her head on her hands.

"First and foremost, I'd like to attempt to rebuild the Jedi Order with the assistance of the exile, Kalen Valirra."

"I am told that all of your Masters are dead," Roshana said seriously.

"That's true, or at least as far as I know. Kalen is, however, very experienced, as am I, and though neither one of us was a Master when we left the Order, I believe that both of us are more than capable of serving in that capacity now. There are also five, possibly six others with rudimentary Jedi training who I feel would like to help us," Alexis said.

"Why do you feel that the Jedi should be resurrected?"

"The Jedi, despite their faults, are the peacekeepers of the galaxy. They serve as figureheads, representing order and stability. I know that our reputation will have to be rebuilt, just as the Order itself will have to be rebuilt, but I feel that it's worth it. The Jedi are an essential part of a stable Republic. We've kept the galaxy safe for generations. We'd like to continue to protect out people."

"You seem very passionate about this," Roshana said carefully. She was leaning forward with interest, Alexis was proud to note.

"It's something that I consider to be of the utmost importance. At first, I admit, even I was skeptical. Why did the Republic need a former Sith Lord to help restore it? A friend told me, however, that a woman who'd triumphed over darkness would be the perfect person to lead the Republic from the darkness in which it has languished for so long. The Republic needs me because I am so much like it. I was once as corrupt and dangerous as our Republic is now. I am not that person any longer. I've stepped back into the light. I believe that the Republic can as well."

"Why should I believe that you won't fall again? What's to stop you from becoming a Sith once more?"

Alexis took a deep breath. "I understand that you're worried. But the only answer that I have for you is this: I'm older, I'm wiser, and I have friends that I can count on to stand by me through thick and thin. Even if you don't trust me not to betray you, trust in the ability of my friends to keep me on the path of the light. They will not allow me to fall to the dark side."

"Do you really think that the Jedi are enough to reunite the Republic?"

"I do. The Jedi have always been the muscle supporting the Senate. Without us, no one will believe that the Senate has the power to carry out its decisions. Once we have been restored, many of the worlds that feel that there is no benefit to joining the Republic will see that we are re-establishing ourselves and that we do have the ability to protect them."

Roshana smiled at Alexis suddenly. "I see why you are considered to be so powerful. Your words motivate. I am half ready to leap from my chair and learn to use the Force myself."

"Does that mean that you'll sponsor me in the Senate?" Alexis asked, placing her hands on the edge of the table. She was unable to hide the urgency in her voice.

"I'd like to talk-" Roshana began, but she was interrupted.

"Senator, I'm very sorry to interrupt, but your son has been dropped off here. It appears that the baby sitter has fallen ill. He's crying and I'm not quite sure what to do…" The secretary announced over the comlink. A very young child could be heard sobbing in the background.

Alexis glanced at the door. "May I get him for you? I'm rather fond of children."

Roshana shook her head. "Malikei will bring him in. You can hold him if you'd like, though. I have a feeling that you'll be very good with him. If you can do half of what you've done to me to him, he'll be asleep the moment he touches your hands."

Alexis gave her a faint smile. "Thank you… I think."

"Malikei, go ahead bring Radek in please."

"Do you only have the one?"

"Yes. He's my pride and joy. His father's a soldier with the Republic. I believe he took over the ship that Carth was recently piloting. The Sojourn? Anyway, he's quite a handful most of the time."

Alexis turned to the door and rose as the secretary entered with the young boy. He was around two years old. He had thick, brown hair and brown eyes. He looked a lot like his mother. And like Carth. Alexis was smitten the moment she saw him. "Oh, he's an angel!" Alexis said, smiling and offering her arms up.

The secretary looked a bit startled, but he held the boy out to her. Alexis took the little boy and held him against her chest. She carefully used the Force to exude a sense of calm. The baby relaxed almost instantly.

Alexis leaned her head down until she could see his eyes. "Hi. I'm Lexi. What's your name?" The little boy looked away bashfully.

"Do you have a name?" She gave him a big smile. He looked at her from beneath his eyelashes for a few seconds. She gently ruffled his soft hair.

"Radek," he told her softly.

"Radek. That's a very nice name. How old are you?" Radek held up two fingers. "Two, huh? That's old. You're a very big boy, Radek."

Radek was smiling at her and rubbing his eyes. "Are you sleepy?" She asked. Radek nodded. "Would you like me to hold you while you take a nap?" She offered. It didn't look like she'd needed to. He dropped his head onto her shoulder and popped his thumb into his mouth. Alexis pulled it out gently. He didn't try to get it back. After a couple of minutes of Alexis rubbing his back and whispering to him, he shut his eyes and fell asleep almost instantly.

Alexis turned back to Roshana, who was grinning openly. "I knew you'd be good with kids. You'd make a very good mother."

"I'm not sure I'll have that opportunity," Alexis replied quietly. "Jedi aren't supposed to marry."

"You aren't really a Jedi though, are you?" Roshana whispered back.

Alexis gave her a tired smile. "Sometimes, I wonder that myself."

"And what have you decided?"

"Carth's pacing outside the door," Alexis replied, glancing over at the door.

"Shall we let him in?"

"If you don't, he'll wear a hole in your carpet."

"Malikei," Roshana said over the com, "will you let Admiral Onasi into the office before he paces a hole through my carpet?"

"At once, senator," the secretary replied.

Carth walked into the room, uncertain as to what to expect. What he did see was Revan, standing in the corner, cuddling a very small child. He recognized the boy as his third cousin, Radek, but for a moment, he allowed himself to envision the boy, who looked very much like he had as a child, as his own son with Revan.

Carth smiled faintly at the thought. Wouldn't it be wonderful to come home to a wife and son again? To experience all of the things he'd missed when Dustil was a boy? Or perhaps a daughter, with Revan's black hair and his brown eyes… she'd be tiny and delicate, like her mother, and very beautiful...

Carth felt the slight burn of unshed tears in the corners of his eyes and shook his head, trying to dispel the images. He hadn't cried in years, and he wouldn't do so now. Looking at Revan holding a child was doing crazy things to his head, however, and he had to tear his gaze away to save his sanity.

She wasn't even technically speaking to him at the moment. Wishing she were carrying his child under such circumstances was completely unreasonable. Ah, there was a lovely thought. Revan, pregnant. She was so small. Could she even carry a baby to term? Would he be willing to risk her life to find out? Idiot! Drop it before she figures out just what you're thinking!

"Can I help you, Carth?" Roshana offered suddenly. Carth turned to look at her, grateful for the distraction.

"I was just- um-," Carth began, still flustered. "I wanted to come by and see how things were going. I'd intended just to wait for Revan outside, really. I can go, if you'd like…" Carth said lamely. Why had he come? Now all he wanted to do was escape.

"Carth," Revan greeted him quietly to avoid waking the boy. Her expression was soft and warm. She looked so, so appealing holding a child…

"Well, we're done. My son likes her, so obviously Alexis is all right. I'd love to sponsor her in the Senate," Roshana said, glancing sideways at Alexis.

"Oh, thank you!" Revan said quickly.

Carth gave her a warm smile and Revan smiled back. For a second, everything was perfect between them. It didn't last. Her expression became guarded and she looked away to the toes of her boots, running her fingers idly though the baby's curls.

Roshana looked between the pair of them for a second, appearing curious. She smiled suddenly, turning her eyes to Carth. "Good luck," she mouthed. Carth nodded his thanks. Revan didn't appear to notice.

"We can meet again in a few days. For now, why don't you head on home? I'll take Radek. The Senate will be in session again in two weeks. We'll talk several times before then. I hope you're ready for a fight, Alexis."

Revan looked up. Carth was surprised by the pain in her expression. "I have to be. I can't fail."

"You won't," Carth said impulsively. He almost wished he could take it back when she turned on him, but her eyes softened and she seemed grateful, so he slowly let out his pent up breath. Things would have to get better between them soon. He felt as if he were walking on eggshells.

Revan carefully made her way to Roshana's side and passed the much taller woman her sleeping child. Roshana towered over Revan by well over a foot and Carth was struck once again by just how tiny Revan was. With such a large personality, one tended to overlook her diminutive stature.

Carth watched as the two women shook hands. He shook Roshana's hand next. "Thank you again, Senator," Revan said.

"Goodbye," Roshana responded and the pair walked out of her office.

Alexis stared up at Carth outside of the senator's office. He'd seemed so nervous. His thoughts were in turmoil, she'd been able to feel them across the room. Alexis could actually see the tension in his shoulders.

Putting their slight animosity aside, Alexis reached over and touched his arm. He jerked as if she'd burned him and she pulled back very quickly. "Aren't you feeling well?" she asked carefully.

Carth glanced down at her. "I'm fine," he replied, a bit too quickly in her opinion.

"Do you have to go back to work?"

"Yes, but I'll walk you back to the apartment. May I help you on with your cloak?" Carth offered.

Alexis nodded and Carth gently slid her cloak over her arms and tipped up the hood. Alexis adjusted it until it covered her face and body sufficiently. "Carth, we need to talk," she said finally. She hadn't intended to be the one to initiate the conversation, but he didn't seem too keen on doing it himself. She was a little worried about him.

"I know. Let's wait until I get home tonight. We'll talk then. We've been putting it off for far too long."

Alexis took the elbow he offered, sliding her arm through his. He was a comfort to her, even now. They made their way to the shuttle that would take them back to the module that held Carth's apartment in silence.

Onboard the shuttle, Alexis took the only available seat while Carth hovered over her, looking alternately anxious and content. She could still feel the waves of confusion rolling off of him. It was rather disconcerting. Still, they said nothing.

Finally they arrived at Carth's apartment. He helped her out of her cloak and offered to get her a drink. When she politely refused, he turned to go. "Until tonight," Alexis said quietly.

Carth stared at her for a few seconds. "Until tonight," he replied. Alexis got the distinct impression that he was fleeing for his very life.