I lay on my bed brooding, staring at the ceiling listening to Evanescence via my Aunt Lacy supplied bass enhanced earbuds, all while making various items in my room revolve around me in chaotic Force induced orbits; ignoring the near random trajectories of the objects whipping around me I couldn't help feeling contemplative at the moment.

Boredom did that to a girl.

Did I or did I not deserve to be grounded? Seriously I could count the number of times I had been grounded on one hand and every single one of those instances I had earned my punishement, the thing was…

"What troubles you, youngling?"

I ignored my sensei for a moment as I finished my thought; the thing was what exactly was I being grounded for?

Sighing I hit pause on my stereo, pulled the buds out of my ears, and placed the hovering detritus back where it belonged with nary a thought as I sat up and stared at Revan's projection while shooting it a gimlet glare.

"I'm trying to figure out if my mom is grounding me for committing first degree murder or the fact that I am showing interest in dating, and the fact that I am hung up on that fact…baffles me quite a bit."

Revan scoffed at that while shaking his head slowly before turning to meet her gaze evenly, "Child, can it not be both? Speaking as someone who has witnessed the actions of those who were the worst of civilization thrive, as the best of us suffered, all while being a worried parent of a daughter who wanted to make the galaxy a better place no matter what. I…."

He remained silent for a time, then eventually the holocron's projection let out a tired sigh before speaking again, "You remind me so much of my daughter Kaliah it would hurt if I were more than a mere Force imprint. Taylor you must understand what you did to that woman was in fact justified, she had assaulted your friend, had intended on having her raped and enslaved, and showed no remorse for it other than the fact that she had been caught in the act.

"All told, if you had let her go or turned her over to the police she would have quite likely done the same again and again when she was assured she was clear from the gaze of the authorities. You truly should not feel any shame for doing what was necessary to protect and avenge your friend from her assailant's actions, along with any other innocents in the future that would have crossed her path."

I remained silent for a time, mulling my sensei's words over before eventually leaning back on my bed, hands behind my head, summoning his holocron over to me while staring off into space for a time. Eventually I turned to meet Revan's patient gaze and replied with, "Ok…I think I understand, at least a bit, but what about my interest in Shadow Stalker?"

At that Revan actually rolled his eyes which had me raise a brow in interest, that was a first and thus this ought to be good.

"Child, that girl was watching everything happening to your friend and made no motions to intervene until you entered the scene and began to physically install manners into some ruffians in the most visceral manner you could. While you two fought well together, achieved your goals, and you find her physically attractive, that very well may be a recipe for a disaster on the romantic front."

I couldn't help but snap out, "Hey! We were awesome together!"

Revan seemed to take a deep breath as he raised a hand towards me, "Tell me child, how did this girl, this Sophia, Shadow Stalker, whatever you wish to call her react to your acts of violence?"

I ignored his question for a time as I put my earbuds back in, hit play, and meditated as I listened to 'Tourniquet' and suddenly felt like I should swap the CD out for something more violent.

Hitting the pause button I sat up and turned to the ever patient Jedi Master's projection hovering before me as I pulled out my earbuds once again, all while mulling over my thoughts and eventually I had my answer.

"She was turned on by my brutality, I was furious, enraged, steeped in the Dark Side and wanted nothing more than to hurt everyone who had hurt my Emma. I was a centimetre away from setting my sabers to full power and slaughtering every one of those gangbangers in that alley, and I wouldn't have lost a moment of sleep over their blood being on my hands if it meant my Emma was safe…"

Revan nodded, "So options for future romantic interludes?"

I admit it, was feeling a bit sulky as I muttered out, "It would probably be a very bad idea to pursue anything romantic with Sophia… Damnit…"

Revan smirked while shrugging lightly, "Thus why your Lady mother has grounded you to think over your previous and future actions my young apprentice."

I did the most mature thing I could think of and gave him the finger while muttering, "Fuck off Jiminy Cricket."

He scoffed at that and his projection faded away as I twitched a finger towards my dresser and a moment later the holocron hovered to rest upon its top, and I was now stuck in contemplation over my future actions.

I had delved way, way too deep into the Dark Side and had paid for it. The simple fact that I was able to turn away from it was a miracle in on itself and was definitely something I needed to focus on at a later date.

Because that shit right there?

That doesn't usually happen according to Revan.

I needed to leave this city for a few weeks, find my center, and regain my balance, and do my best to remain there, despite the rest of the world seemingly working against me in the process.

Pulling my earbuds plug out of the stereo I let 'Bring Me To Life' play out from the speakers, doing my best not to think how emo the lyrics sounded despite how calming I found them when my bedroom door swung open.

Blinking in confusion I realized a moment later the figure standing at the threshold was-

"Emma? What are you doing here? Are you-"

I was cut off when the redhead tackled me forcing my back to the mattress as she hovered above me; I stared up at her ocean blue gaze through the shadows cast by the halo of her crimson hair for a few moments before she leaned down and kissed me.

….

….

Well… apparently this is a thing now…

Then she broke the kiss and fell over as she laid down beside me, pulling me into a tight hug while nestling her head near mine, and after making herself comfortable she muttered, "Thank you…"

She then kissed me again, and I returned it.

Annnnd there was tongue this time, not that I was complaining.

Despite the warm happy feelings currently rumbling through my belly I couldn't help thinking one rather distressing thought.

Oh…shit…things were about to get incredibly stupid, weren't they?