Alexis looked on as Dustil dealt their third hand of pazaak. "Where did Dad go?" he asked, glancing towards the kitchen's door.

"I'm not sure. He seemed fairly upset," Alexis said, following his gaze. "He'll calm down eventually, though."

"I hope so," Dustil responded. "It won't do for my only source of credits to disown me. From what I hear, the Jedi don't make many."

"A few here and there, but you won't be making any for very long time. You're not even technically a padawan yet."

"I gather that I interrupted something," Dustil said with a grin.

"More like prevented it. It wasn't exactly an interruption," Alexis replied, laughing.

"I'm just glad that there was something to prevent. It was getting hard to stand him, he was so… miserable."

"I hope I've fixed that."

"Not yet, if I haven't misunderstood the situation."

Alexis immediately blushed. "Ah… so- why did Mira kick you out?"

"It's actually really stupid."

"Go ahead and tell me. I could use a good laugh."

"She wouldn't tell me about Hanharr."

"Who's Hanharr?" Alexis asked, perplexed.

"I don't know. I just know that he was a wookiee and he owed her a life-debt. She just won't talk about it."

"So she kicked you out because you asked about a wookiee named Hanharr?"

Dustil turned over another card in silence. It took him a moment to respond. "I didn't exactly ask nicely. And I kept pushing her. I hate having things hidden from me."

"Like father, like son," Alexis muttered.

"What?"

"Nothing. Continue."

"She finally started shouting about me minding my own business and-," Dustil began.

Alexis cut him off. "Don't tell me you mentioned the red hair."

"Is that so wrong? Redheads are naturally angry…"

"Oh, Dustil. I can't believe you said anything! That is the worst possible thing you can mention to an angry redheaded woman, especially one with a lightsaber. You're lucky she didn't do worse than kicking you out."

"I just don't see why she's being so secretive. I've told her about some of the things I did on Korriban. I've even told her about my mother."

"From what Kalen's told me, she was an orphaned slave when she was a girl: a Mandalorian slave. I'm fairly sure that the touchy-feely sort of emotions were not encouraged. She's probably not used to having anyone to talk to, either. She is a bounty hunter, after all."

"Yeah, well, I was an orphan too," Dustil said quietly, glancing up to meet her eyes.

"That's not fair. It wasn't his fault," Alexis defended quickly.

"Wasn't it?"

Alexis shook her head violently. "If he'd known you were alive, he would have moved planets to find you."

"It doesn't matter anymore. I've forgiven him."

Alexis smiled sadly. "I don't think he's forgiven himself."

"I know."

Alexis looked away. "You know, a wookiee named Zaalbar pledged a life-debt to me once on Taris. It's a great honor. I can't really understand why she wouldn't be willing to talk about it. It's no secret or anything."

"Dad's told me about that. That's part of why I'm so confused."

Alexis glanced down at the cards, forgotten on the table. "I haven't seen him in ages. I think that he is the chieftan now on Kashyyyk."

"You always end up with powerful friends that owe you something," Dustil said with a laugh.

"Listen, I think that you should just give Mira some time to cool off. She'll come back around. If that's what you want, at least."

"What do you mean, if that's what I want? Of course it's what I want," Dustil said quickly.

"I wasn't sure how you felt about her," Alexis replied.

Dustil gave her a rueful smile. "I'm not either. I want to get to know her better, but she's a hard girl to get close to."

"I was under the impression that the two of you were very close."

"You know that's not what I meant."

"I'm sorry," Alexis said quietly.

Dustil scooped the cards back up, shuffled, and dealt. "Let's try this again. It will give us something to do until dear old Dad comes back."

Alexis nodded. "Republic Senate Rules?"

"Yeah. Didn't I mention that I was broke?"

Carth paced back and forth across his bedroom: four steps forward, turn, and four steps back. He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. He was going to have to stay back here for a good while if he didn't want to strangle his only offspring. He had to be careful. At this rate, he wasn't even going to have the opportunity to have any more.

He had been absolutely astonished when Alexis had told him that she loved him. At first, he'd thought he was dreaming or even hallucinating. She'd actually said that she needed him. And she loved him. He grinned foolishly for a moment before realizing he was doing it and carefully wiping the smile away. A few steps later, he remembered that he was alone, and the smile bloomed anew. No one was going to see him looking like an idiot. He could do what he liked.

Things still had not gone perfectly. He hadn't been willing to touch her immediately. He had been terrified that his towering need for her, built up over the last four years of loneliness, would frighten her away. He'd been able to control himself before, when he hadn't been certain of her feelings. Once he knew… it had been very hard to keep his impulses in check. And she was just so damned innocent.

He could tell that she hadn't been kissed very many times. He'd already guessed that, of course, from the few times that they had kissed before, but it was still refreshing to meet someone for whom the experience was so new. It made him feel like a kid again, and he loved her and wanted her all the more for it. Her pure, unsullied passion turned him on more than he could say.

Not to mention that she was devastatingly beautiful and didn't really know it. Those big green eyes and all of that silky black hair… This wasn't helping, Carth thought as he walked. Their chances for time together away from the others were dwindling. Soon, they'd be on that transport ship, on their way to Coruscant.

Was there ever going to be time for just them? Probably not. They'd just have to steal moments where they could get them. Why had Dustil chosen tonight to piss his girlfriend off? Couldn't he have waited just one more day? Couldn't she have kicked him out tomorrow?

Carth stopped in the middle of the room and glanced down to check his appearance. He didn't look too much like he'd been pacing. His clothes were only a bit rumpled. That was partially Alexis's fault anyway. His hair was probably a mess from running his hands through it, but that didn't matter. Lexi had helped with that as well.

He stalked from the room and made his way to the kitchen where the sounds of laughter greeted him. Alexis smiled warmly at him the moment he entered and Dustil grinned sort of sheepishly. "How's it going, you two?" Carth said after a moment. Dustil relaxed and Carth took a seat beside Alexis.

"I'm getting beaten at pazaak. Fairly badly, actually. You'd think after all of the times I have played, I'd have gotten better or learned how to cheat, but I haven't. I still always lose," Alexis said lightly.

"She is pretty bad," Dustil added.

Carth nodded. "I know. What brings you here?"

"I told you, Mira asked me to leave," Dustil responded.

"He might've mentioned something about anger and red hair," Alexis added. Carth turned to look at her again and he saw that her eyes were dancing merrily. Despite their interruption, she was a happy girl.

"Not too bright," Carth told his son, making a face.

Dustil shrugged. "I won't make the same mistake twice."

Carth casually slipped his hand over to Alexis's knee and squeezed gently. She jerked violently and blushed when Dustil raised his eyebrows. She turned to look at Carth and stuck her tongue out. He squeezed again and she hastily brushed his hand away.

"Are we just going to sit out here all night and play cards?" Alexis asked, looking at both of them.

He didn't see why not. If they ended up in the same bed for the night, he wouldn't be responsible for his actions. With Dustil there, that could prove a little awkward. "May as well. All we have to do tomorrow is hop on a ship."

"Well, I do have to swing by and pick up those Jedi robes I had made. What time does the transport leave, anyway?" Alexis asked.

Carth had forgotten about the Jedi robes. He certainly hadn't missed seeing her in them. They were far too dull and baggy. "Mid-morning," he responded.

Dustil was glaring at his cards. "I may have actually lost this hand."

"It's good for you," Alexis said. "We wouldn't want you to get cocky."

Carth yawned and pulled Alexis's chair closer to his. She smiled at him shyly and he felt a heady rush of pleasure. Force, she made him melt. He leaned down and kissed her forehead and she responded with a quick peck on his lips before turning back to the card game.

"Would you two get a room?" Dustil said in exasperation.

Alexis turned her sharp gaze on him and smiled sweetly. "We had one, if you'll recall."

"Yeah," Carth added. "Until someone turned up and spoiled our fun." Dustil flushed and Alexis and Carth both laughed at him. Alexis turned to Carth and took his hand. Everything was right in his world. Well, almost everything.

Morning came quickly. Alexis stood in the corner of Carth's bedroom while he finished packing. She'd tossed some of her things into the bottom of his bag not long before. They were both light travelers.

Dustil was in the living room napping on the couch. It appeared that he wasn't quite as good at going without sleep as Alexis was. Even Carth was showing a little strain, but that was okay. They would have plenty of time to sleep later aboard the ship.

Alexis watched as he zipped up the bag. "Do you think that the tailor is open yet?" Carth asked her.

Alexis shook her head. "Not yet. She will be shortly, though. Do you want to start to walk over there? We can just pick up Kalen's things ourselves. They're probably still in bed."

"Where we should've been," Carth replied, grinning.

Alexis smiled back. It was too bad that they hadn't had the chance. She wasn't sure how they were going to be quartered on their new ride, but she didn't think it would be very convenient where things of that nature were concerned. She might be surprised, however. "Come on. We can walk slowly. Maybe we can even stop and watch the sun rise."

Carth smiled and held out his hand. She took it without hesitation and he squeezed hers gently. They walked in companionable silence to one of the outer modules of the Citadel. There, clearly visible, was the rising sun. They stood together to watch it come up.

Alexis glanced over at Carth from beneath her hood and he smiled at her. "Do you miss her?" Alexis asked without thinking. The moment the words were out, she wished she could take them back, but there was nothing that she could do. Who in their right mind mentioned someone's dead wife in a situation like this?

He looked back out of the massive glass window before them, staring at the sky. "Morgana was… a wonderful woman," he began slowly. "I miss her very much."

She could clearly see the pain in his eyes and knew it was reflected in her own. It had been very stupid of her to even bring it up. Alexis bit her lip and crossed her arms over her chest, turning to the window to watch the sun. She knew he'd never forget Morgana, but she hadn't known that the hurt was still so fresh.

After several more seconds of complete silence, this time a bit more uncomfortable, Carth gently slid his hands onto her shoulders. Alexis tensed for a moment and then, ashamed, she forced herself to relax.

"Alexis… I loved Morgana very much, but I know that she's gone. I'm always going to miss her, but I've gotten over the worst of it. I've killed Saul Karath and I've gotten my son back," he said, pausing for a moment and rubbing her shoulders. "Now I have you. Before I met you, I lived for revenge on the man that destroyed my family. Now, I have something new to live for. It's you. Someone has to take care of you. You'll drive yourself to exhaustion if someone isn't there to stop you. I have to hang around to pick you back up when you fall down," he said the last with a hint on humor.

"I'm not trying to take your wife's place," Alexis said quickly, glancing up at him. The hood made talking difficult. Alexis wished that she could take it off. Oh well. Everyone would know who she was again soon enough.

"And you won't, because you don't have to. You've got my whole heart, beautiful. I'm yours," Carth said, leaning over her shoulder to kiss her cheek.

Alexis turned her face and met his lips for a quick kiss. "You always know what to say, Admiral. I'll bet you were a real ladies' man when you were a kid."

"I was married at eighteen. When did I have the chance?" He asked with a laugh.

One side of Alexis's mouth quirked up into a smirk. "Did you have an earring?"

"Why, do you like them?" he asked instead of answering.

"I just thought you'd probably look good with one."

"Fine. I did. I had an earring. Are you happy?"

"No. Why did you get rid of it?"

"I'm a little old for one now, don't you think?"

Alexis huffed. "Whatever you say." So he had had an earring. He'd probably looked very good in it, too. "Hey! Do you have a holo of that?"

He made a face. "Probably, but you don't really want to see that, do you?"

"Only if you're wearing those black pants."

"You really like those pants, huh?"

"I love them if you promise never to wear them in public again. I might have to follow you around with my lightsaber to fight off the throngs of adoring women."

"Somehow, I doubt that."

"You underestimate the power of the pants, my dear. That is a mistake," Alexis said gravely.

"I did have lots of offers for dinner that day."

"Who was it? I'll carve out their heart," Alexis teased.

"Seré, for one," Carth said, chuckling.

"Oh good, I owe her. I've got a few things I'd like to pay that girl back for."

"Jedi aren't allowed revenge," Carth said from behind her.

"Which is hardly fair. I'd say that we have more reason for revenge than most, after being mostly wiped out and all."

"What about the Mandalorians?"

"There are more of them. As far as we know, there are fewer than ten Jedi. Besides, the Jedi didn't nearly conquer the galaxy."

"No, but the Sith did."

"Damn. I'd forgotten that."

"That means that all of their hearts have to remain in their chests," Carth told her, grinning.

Alexis snorted. "Seré probably doesn't have a heart in the first place."

"Then you shouldn't have to worry."

"Come on, let's head over to the tailor's. She's probably open by now."

Carth shrugged. "Okay." He took her hand again and they walked the rest of the way to the tailor's shop in the center of the Citadel. Several people greeted Carth. Alexis attempted to pull her hand back, worried about what people would think, but Carth wouldn't let her go. "It doesn't matter," he kept telling her. Finally, Alexis gave in. It wasn't like anyone would recognize her under the hood anyway.

When they arrived, Nicola Baien was waiting right inside the door. She ushered them in without a word and locked the door behind them. "Revan," she greeted as Alexis dropped her hood. Carth raised his eyebrows but didn't say anything. "And Admiral Onasi. I'm surprised to see the two of you here together," Nicola said.

Alexis smiled at her. "It isn't that shocking, is it?"

"I've always thought of the Admiral as a bit of a… Well. I didn't expect to find him in the presence of a former Sith Lord. That's all. No offense, sir," Nicola added as an afterthought.

Alexis glanced over at him to see what his reaction was. Carth frowned at her for a moment. "None taken," he said, a bit dubiously, Alexis thought.

"Is my order ready?" Alexis asked.

"Yes. Will you be taking your friend's as well?"

Alexis nodded. "Yep. I brought Carth along to play pack animal."

"Thanks," Carth muttered, smirking.

Alexis watched as Nicola hustled off to retrieve their things. She came back with the dress robes and Alexis's gloves first. Alexis promptly slid on the gloves. They fit perfectly. Slender, black, and lightweight, they were the most wonderful garments Alexis had ever owned. She sighed curled her fingers against them, then spread them wide and turned her hands over to look at them.

"Those look lovely on you!" Nicola exclaimed as she bustled back into the room, tossing the last of the robes down, along with a set of brown boots Alexis had ordered.

"Are there enough of these things?" Carth asked, lifting up Kalen's pink tunic from the top of the pile and holding it in the air. "Pink?" he added, frowning at it.

"That one's Kalen's," Alexis responded. "Do you have two bags that we can put these in?"

Nicola gave them the bags and Carth loaded them quickly. Alexis paid the tailor and slung the lighter of the two loads over her shoulder. "Thank you, Nicola. It's been nice to see you again," Alexis said, offering the woman her hand.

Nicola gave her a quick hug instead. "It's been nice to see you too, Revan." She turned to Carth. "Take good care of her, Admiral. She's a good girl."

Alexis smiled and Carth nodded gravely. "I will," he replied, holding out his hand. She hugged him, too.

"If you ever need anything else, I'll be here," Nicola said as they started to leave.

"I'll remember," Alexis said. She and Carth started back towards the apartment. "Hey Carth, do you think we could go ahead and take these to the transport? It seems like it would be silly to carry them all the way to the apartment just to have to turn around take them back out to the ship."

Carth nodded. "Sure. We can head over there. I'll show you our rooms."

The walk took about ten minutes. The ship was parked outside of a rather large hangar bay. The thing was enormous. The Wayfarer, it read in enormous Basis letters on the side. "How I hate transports," Alexis said, shifting the bag on her shoulder.

"It won't be so bad. There aren't going to be too many people onboard. I know that we all managed to get our own rooms," Carth responded.

"Really? Ten of them? And to think that we probably won't need all of them, anyway."

Alexis followed Carth onto the ship. A soldier watching the entrance ramp didn't even stop them. He recognized Carth, saluted once, and ignored them completely. Alexis was glad. She didn't want to be bothered. Carth appeared to already know exactly where they were going, because he made his way directly back to the rooms that they had been assigned. They had one large common room with a living area and kitchen and twelve bedrooms.

"Is the senator staying back here as well?" Alexis asked, taking in their temporary accommodations. They weren't bad, as ships went. In fact, they were quite nice.

"I'm afraid so. If she spouts one more line about her husband, you may have to restrain me."

"She misses him," Alexis said, tossing her bag onto a nearby sofa.

"Clearly," Carth muttered, doing the same.

"So, which room is mine?"

"Whichever you'd like, I assume," Carth responded. "They're probably all the same."

Alexis glanced into two of the rooms. They were fairly standard. A restroom equipped with a shower, a single bed, a dresser, and a table with a clock on it. And Carth had been right. They were identical.

"Where are they going to keep the Ebon Hawk?" Alexis asked, sliding into of the chairs in the common room. Carth stood beside her, still eyeing his surroundings.

"There's a little hangar at the back," he replied.

"Who's going to fly it over, you or Atton?"

"Actually, Atton should be bringing it up here shortly. We need to run back to the apartment and get our other things," Carth said.

"I'll go. You stay here and do whatever it is that you need to do."

"How did you know I have things to do here?" Carth asked.

"Please. I can read you like a book. I'll be back with Dustil in about half an hour. See you then," Alexis said, turning to leave. Carth caught her arm and hauled her against him. He leaned down and kissed her once, never taking his eyes off of hers.

After a moment, Alexis pulled away, grinning. "Things to do, Admiral. No time for that now."

Carth sighed. "I know. See you later." Alexis gave him another quick kiss and ran off before he could catch her again and really kiss her. If they got started, it would be very hard for them to stop.