The Room of a Thousand Fountains was renowned for its vast collection of plants from all over the galaxy, many of them gifts of thanks to the Jedi Order. The fountains and waterfalls that gave the room its name were spread out among the foliage. Its tranquil beauty made it a constant favorite of Jedi looking for a place to meditate. The many winding pathways and carefully maintained plantings offered a variety of secluded nooks for the Jedi who sought out the peace within the Force.
Sitting on a patch of grass nestled among a small grove of Blba trees from Dantooine, Master Vandar struggled to calm his mind. Even surrounded by such serenity as that found among the waterfalls and living plants, the old Jedi was far from being at peace. He had hoped that the Blba grove would help him focus his mind. He had always preferred spending his time at the Academy on Dantooine to the more formal expectations of the Temple on Coruscant.
The diminutive Master's weathered face scrunched even more as he sought to find the source of his troubles. He had been driven from sleep the last two nights by an overwhelming and deep restlessness. Yet no matter how hard he examined things, he could not find a cause for the feelings. The few Jedi who happened by Vandar's chosen spot kept a respectful distance so as not to disturb the Master's meditations.
With a disgruntled sigh, the old Master opened his eyes and looked at the garden around him. Recent events had shaken the aging Jedi far more than he let on. Despite the ultimate decision and support from the rest of the Council regarding the loss of Master Kothari and Padawan Shan along with the rest of the strike team, Vandar still felt responsible. As his mind turned down an increasingly familiar path, the old Master tilted his head. Could this be the cause? Could this be what disturbs me so?
As he looked around the garden Room, Vandar smiled warmly upon catching sight of another of the Masters sitting closely with an apprentice. Slowly a frown replaced the smile as he remembered his former Padawan as they often spent time here among the fountains.
"Why do you insist on coming in here at night, Revan?"
"I am not afraid of the dark, Master. The nights are more peaceful." The young boy's fierce sapphire gaze challenged his Master as their eyes met. "Are you afraid of the dark, Master Vandar?"
"No, Padawan, I do not fear the dark. I simply prefer to walk in the light. It is much easier to see where one is walking that way, lest you trip and fall."
Revan laughed, "If you fall, you just get up again and walk more carefully next time."
Suddenly his vision darkened and he fought to catch his breath as he steadied himself against the tree beside him. A storm of emotions surged through his mind- Fear, pain, anger, hatred, sorrow. Each wave battered his consciousness and had he not already been sitting on the grass, he would have fallen over.
Several Jedi rushed to Vandar's side, but he brushed them aside as he fought to regain his composure. "I am fine, just too tired. I must go now."
He gathered himself and left the garden as quickly as he could without drawing further attention to himself. Oh Revan, what have you done?
The unfamiliar shuttle lurched as the hyperdrive engaged and they jumped into hyperspace. Bastila settled into the seat behind the pilot, and tried to ignore the assassin droid that stationed himself nearby. Despite her best efforts, she was already beginning to feel nervous about returning to the Republic, and the Jedi.
I have nothing to worry about. I haven't done anything wrong and they'll be able to see that, surely. She thought, but something still gnawed at her. Do you really want them to know everything that happened?
Her memories came rushing forward as she thought about the time spent as Revan's guest. Bastila couldn't help blushing as she remembered the feel of his chest beneath her hands, and the way she felt every time she looked into his eyes. She swallowed hard and fought to bury such thoughts as deeply as she could. Bastila glanced around the shuttle, trying to distract her mind.
She leaned forward slightly, hoping to engage the pilot in conversation. "What is our destination?"
"Interjection: This shuttle is in route to Abregado-rae, a planet loyal to the Master."
Bastila muttered under her breath and turned around to face the droid, "I wasn't asking you, HK."
"Statement: I'm only doing as my Master instructed."
She frowned at the droid, "I hope you don't plan on coming along after we dock. As long as this planet has a space port I'm sure I'll find a transport headed for Coruscant. Things are going to be hard enough to explain without an assassin droid complicating things even more."
Suddenly Bastila gripped the arm of her seat, knuckles going white as she felt the overwhelming surge of chaos slam into her mind. She struggled to catch her breath against the onslaught of such powerful waves of rage and pain and anger that washed over her. The source was unmistakable, she was too familiar with the underlying Force signature now. No, Revan, no! She felt a strange sense of fear, as well as sorrow as her mind still attempted to process and cope with what had hit her. She was only vaguely aware of feeling tears streaking down her cheeks.
Bastila barely even heard HK-47's queries of concern, absently waving him aside as she managed to stand.
"We have to go back."
"Statement: That is not possible. The Master's orders were very clear, you are to return to the Republic."
She glared at the rust hued droid. "I'm telling you, something very bad has happened, and it involves your master, so I think we need to go back."
HK just shook his head, "Negative. We will not turn back."
Admiral Kern stood and nodded to the three Jedi Masters as they entered the room. "Masters Vandar, Kavar, and Zhar, thank you for coming." He nodded toward the other officers gathered. "This is Admiral Dodonna, General Heath, and Commander Onasi."
Once the introductions were made, the group settled down around the conference table. Admiral Kern's assistant brought up the holographic display in the center of the table.
"As you know, there hadn't been any activity from Darth Revan for several weeks. However, it seems that is beginning to change." He looked around the room at all of them, and then pointed to the flashing areas on the display. "I've received reports that began coming in early yesterday, about new attacks from Revan's forces. It appears that he's conducting a split offensive, with part of his forces hitting supply lines in the outer rim, as well as another group attacking Malastare."
The group studied the display and glanced over the provided copies of the reports in front of them and their expressions grew grim.
"Admiral Kern, are we any closer to figuring out where his base of operations is located?"
He shook his head, "No, I'm afraid not, Commander. Revan's good at covering his tracks. Even with the few small vessels of his we've been able to capture, the navigation systems are destroyed when we get them so we can't piece anything together from them."
Master Vandar frowned, "Does this also mean we have no idea where his next strike could be?"
"Exactly." Admiral Dodonna spoke up. "He always was gifted with a keen mind for tactics and strategies, I fought with him during the Mandalorian wars. Revan is also one who doesn't balk at doing the unconventional or unexpected, which is why he's so hard to predict."
The Jedi Master nodded, "He always excelled at Dejarik as well, as a young Padawan. Sometimes it seems as though he's using many similar tactics in his war." He sighed, "What can we do?"
General Heath spoke for the first time, "I think that we need to look at rallying the forces we have, and bracing for the worst. I've gone over the reports of his latest attacks and they are considerably more brutal than we've normally seen- even from Revan."
"That's a disturbing thought, considering that Revan's tactics have never been exactly gentle." Dodonna replied with a frown.
There were several agreeing nods around the table. Admiral Kern's assistant looked up, and spoke softly.
"Sorry to interrupt, Admiral, but there's a message coming through I thought would interest you."
His brows furrowed, "What is it?"
"A shuttle coming in, requesting permission to land and the pilot claims to have Bastila Shan aboard."
The Jedi all glanced at each other. "Could it really be?" Zhar murmured.
"It is possible. I felt Master Jenna's death, but Revan's darkness shrouded my sight from sensing anything of what became of the rest of the team." Vandar's eyes held a glimmer of hope.
"Tell the shuttle to land. We'll adjourn for now. Masters, I'm sure you're anxious to see about this, please keep me informed if it does prove to be the young Padawan."
Vandar nodded, "Of course, thank you."
Bastila struggled to focus her mind. The shuttle was on its approach to land, and she'd been told that some of the Masters would be there to greet her. So much of what had happened since she'd last seen any of them had to be buried. She didn't want them to really know everything. She braced herself for the inevitable flood of questions that she knew would be coming, mentally rehearsing answers she had prepared.
Taking a deep breath, she shoved the last of the lingering worry for Revan into a far corner of her mind. She had to keep it away from the Masters if they should think to scan her surface thoughts. Bastila knew the last thing she needed was for them to think she cared for a Sith Lord. As it was, she felt certain that some would already be prepared to think she had been turned, or that she'd fallen while in Revan's presence.
Bastila felt the shuttle touch down, as the thrusters hissed and the vessel settled onto the landing pad. She swallowed hard and straightened her robes before approaching the exit ramp. She put on what she hoped would be a convincing smile, and headed down to meet the Masters.
Vandar walked forward first and hugged her. "I am relieved to see you returned safely, Padawan."
"Thank you, Master Vandar. I'm glad to be home. Forgive me though, but it has been a long and exhausting trip."
He nodded, and they circled around her. "Of course. Come with us and we'll get you back to the Temple where you can rest."
She nodded and followed obediently.
Commander Onasi stood facing the gathered Council and Military leaders. "While I'm just as glad Bastila has been returned to us as anyone, something about this whole thing just doesn't fit for me."
"What do you mean Carth?" Admiral Dodonna asked.
"Forgive me if it sounds paranoid, but really, I don't believe that Darth Revan would capture a valuable asset like Bastila with her gift of Battle Meditation and just keep her a few weeks, then send her home. How many Jedi have we seen fall to him, either killed outright or turned or broken?"
Master Vandar stood, "We've examined and questioned her extensively, Commander, and we've found no evidence of the dark side in her. I can't begin to guess or explain Revan's motives or intentions."
"Can she? I think we should have the chance to question her as well."
Admiral Kern nodded, "I have to agree with Commander Onasi on this point. She may have picked up some information that would be useful to us, that you Jedi would overlook."
The Jedi Masters looked at one another and then Vandar nodded, "A reasonable concern. We'll have her brought in for you to question."
One of the Jedi slipped out of the room and several minutes later, returned with Bastila. She looked around the room and swallowed hard. She took a deep breath and walked over to stand by Master Vandar who had motioned to her.
"Bastila, the Republic has some questions they would like to ask you."
She nodded, "I understand, Master." She turned to the military leaders, and waited.
"Bastila," Began Dodonna, "I am sorry if this is unpleasant for you, but could you please go over what happened after the strike team arrived on Revan's ship?"
Bastila nodded, keeping her thoughts carefully shielded, she went over the same answers she had rehearsed several times already for Jedi questioning. She told the story of how he had her restrained with a Force inhibitor, and had kept her isolated so that she did not know what ultimately became of the two knights that had been captured with her. She admitted that she had lost track of time since there had been no point of reference she could use to tell time. Finally she finished with how she had been escorted to a shuttle and told she was being allowed to return to the Republic.
Commander Onasi stepped forward, "So you have no idea why he would have a sudden change of heart and let you go? I'm sorry, it just doesn't fit with what we know of Revan's personality."
Bastila had to hold her thoughts tightly, because part of her wanted to tell them they knew nothing at all about Revan. Instead she merely shrugged, "I'm sorry, Commander, but I can't explain it or understand it any more than you can. I only know what happened. He didn't deign to explain himself to me before I was sent away, he wasn't even there when I was put on the shuttle."
General Heath frowned, "Is there anything you can tell us about this Star Forge you mentioned, since it seems to be his base of operations, anything you know could be useful."
She shook her head. "I only saw a small bit of it, I couldn't even tell you how big it is, since I never saw it from space. I was kept in a single room for most of the time I was there. The few sections of corridor I saw as I was taken to the room I was kept in seemed rather spacious, but I will admit that I was frightened. So my judgment of the size might not be entirely accurate."
Admiral Kern looked thoughtful. "You have no idea as to where it might be located?"
She shook her head. "I am sorry, but no. When I was released, I was taken to Abregado-rae and from there made my way back to Coruscant. However, I couldn't tell you where the Star Forge would be from that."
The Admiral nodded, disappointed with her answer. "Alright. I think you've answered what you could. Thank you, Bastila."
She nodded, and then bowed to the Masters and left.
Sinking down on the bed in her quarters at the Temple, Bastila sighed deeply. She knew no one was really satisfied with her answers, but there were just some details she couldn't reveal. Tucking her feet up under her, she tried to focus on the smoldering ember in the back of her mind that she'd come to recognize as Revan. Somehow through their efforts of helping each other fight off the Star Forge's power, a bond had been forged between them. She tenuously felt along that bond, reaching out to him. Bastila winced as she felt the wall of dark, raw emotion that clouded his mind.
Bastila pulled back, feeling her chest tighten at the thought of what must have happened to him to drive him to that state. She shook her head, part of her mind tried to convince her that she shouldn't care, reminding her that he was a Sith Lord and that he was dangerous. But she remembered the Revan she had seen, what he'd done to keep her from harm while she was with him. She took a deep breath and felt herself blush as other memories and thoughts came to mind as well.
It was impossible to accept that the Revan she knew couldn't still be reached, there had to be some hope for him, if she could just get a chance to find it. She refused to believe that he was completely lost, even now. But she didn't know what she could do about it being back on Coruscant. She remembered what Rylla had told her before she'd left. "If you love him, don't give up on him."
Could it really be what she was feeling? She thought wryly to herself. Leave it to me to fall in love with a Sith Lord. She nodded. It was the only explanation, and she knew Rylla was right. She couldn't give up on him, even if he had already given up on himself.
Two weeks later, Bastila found herself walking through the Room of a Thousand Fountains trying to calm her mind. She spotted Master Vandar sitting beneath a small cluster of Blba trees, and she approached quietly. He looked as troubled as she felt in her own heart.
"Master Vandar?" She settled down on the grass beside him.
He looked over, and smiled, though it was a tired, strained smile. "Hello Bastila. What can I do for you?"
She studied him, "You seem troubled Master, what's wrong?"
He sighed deeply, "I am troubled. My heart and my mind are conflicted. They are not able to agree on something."
She waited patiently and remained silent. He frowned, and continued.
"The Republic has decided that the only way to end this war is for Revan to die. Since the attempt to capture him alive failed and only resulted in the loss of the team, and your capture, they aren't willing to try such a thing again. If they're able to catch his flagship in battle, they plan to see it destroyed, and him with it."
Bastila bit her tongue to keep from reacting, though her heart nearly stopped when he'd said they wanted Revan dead. She struggled to keep her own thoughts hidden from the Master, and finally managed to speak. "So they're convinced there is no other option?"
He shook his head sadly, "Unless he could be convinced to surrender or to stop the war somehow, but I don't see that happening. Revan doesn't do things without a reason. If he's determined to do this, he won't stop until he's finished." He bowed his head, "I just wish there was some other way. He was my student, you know."
She looked at him, "Aren't most Jedi your students?"
He chuckled, "Perhaps now, but at the time he was my Padawan, and so incredibly gifted..." He shook his head, "I don't know where things went wrong."
She took a deep breath, and reached over to put a gentle hand on his arm. "Trust the Force, Master. I'm sure things will work out."
He nodded, "Yes. You're right. I must trust in the Force. Thank you, Bastila."
Bastila sat in the middle of the floor of her quarters in the Temple. Her mind refused to settle as she tried to meditate. The idea of Revan being hunted down and killed by the Republic frightened her. She had to find a way to stop it from happening.
Suddenly a strange beeping distracted her. Finally she found the source, a comlink in the pouch the Admiral had given her when she left the Star Forge. She turned it on.
"Yes?"
"Bastila?"
Her eyes widened, "Admiral Blair?"
"Yes, I hope you're alone."
"I am. Admiral, the Republic is planning to kill Revan if they get a chance."
His sigh was audible. "That doesn't surprise me. Bastila, I'm on Coruscant, disobeying orders actually and will likely get myself killed but I had to risk it. Is there any way you can get away from the Temple? Revan has to be stopped, I agree with that, but I think we can do it without him getting killed. However, I'm fairly certain that you're the only person that could possibly reach him."
She thought for a moment. "I believe I can slip out of the Temple, where do I need to go?"
"Meet me at the spaceport. I have a transport already set up."
"Alright, I'll be there as soon as I can."
Two hours later she found the Admiral pacing near a small transport ship.
"You're a pleasant sight." He smiled. "I'm glad you came."
She nodded, "I couldn't exactly say no. I don't want Revan to be killed if we can stop it."
He nodded and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze, "Come on, I'll fill you in on the way."
When they had settled into their seats and the ship had taken off, he began.
"Revan is really losing himself. Day by day I've watched him falling further and further, and I can't reach him anymore. He's not wiling to listen to me on anything now. Everyone's pretty much walking on eggshells around him since he's prone to snapping and killing people for little or no reason. I won't deny this is risky for both of us, Bastila. If he finds out I brought you, he'll likely kill me. Also, I'm afraid I can't guarantee how he'll react when he sees you, so you're likely just as much at risk. If there was any other way I'd try it. I don't want to see you get hurt, but I think if anyone in this galaxy is going to be able to get past the Sith Lord and reach Revan, it would be you."
She thought over what he'd said, and then nodded, "I understand the dangers Admiral, and its worth the risk. If you can get me close to him, I'll try to help him. I believe there is still hope for him, and I won't give up on him."
He smiled, "For a short time he's overseeing the final stages of a project he's got going. So he's actually planetside, not on his flagship or the Star Forge. That makes it probably the best shot we have of getting you close enough to him without you being detected. It's also a good distance from the Star Forge, so maybe that will help you be able to reach him."
"I hope so. I'll do my best."
They had made it through the facility without being questioned. Bastila had slipped a Sith uniform on over her robes to avoid notice, and with the Admiral leading the way, no one stopped them. Reaching the corridor outside Revan's quarters, she took the Sith uniform off, and nodded.
"I'm as ready as I'm going to get."
He nodded, "Good luck and may the Force be with you."
She smiled briefly and took a deep breath. The Admiral entered the key code that opened the door, and Bastila stepped through.
Taking a quick look around, she saw Revan staring out the window overlooking the construction below. He turned, and she recoiled as she felt the darkness shrouding his mind. His eyes had turned a deep feral shade of amber as she found herself locked in his gaze.
"Get out." He growled.
She swallowed hard and strengthened her resolve. "No. I am not leaving, and you're not going to chase me away this time, Revan."
"Leave, or I kill you. You're choice, Jedi."
"Then you'll just have to kill me." She stood defiantly, despite the fear gnawing at her as she felt his power rippling through the Force.
He snarled, and hurled a fierce blast of lightning at her. She shielded herself with the Force, but knew she wasn't strong enough to withstand many attacks like that. Sadly she also realized there would be no HK-47 to tranquilize Revan this time. It was all on her. She would either die, or find some way to reach the part of him that still hadn't been consumed by darkness.
"Revan, I'm not here to fight you. Please, just listen to me."
He shook his head, "You were a fool to come. You don't belong here."
"I am not going to give up on you, Revan."
The air crackled with lightning as another wave slammed against her shields. He paced back and forth in front of her, reminding her of a caged animal, especially with those disturbing yellow eyes.
"What? You came here thinking you're going to save me? You're wasting your time."
She shook her head, "I'm willing to take the chance, to save you from yourself. I know there's still hope for you, Revan. You just don't want to see it because you've given up on yourself."
"There is no such thing as hope." He snapped bitterly.
Another ferocious ball of lightning crashed against her Force shield, and she struggled to strengthen it as it faltered.
"There is always hope, Revan. No matter how dark things get, no one is beyond hope, not even you."
She took another step closer, her grey eyes meeting his cold gaze. Bastila moved closer still, taking a chance. He closed his eyes and looked away.
"You're wrong. Last chance, leave now."
Bastila straightened herself up and braced herself as well as she could. "Kill me if you're going to, Darth Revan." She closed her eyes, and knelt down. "However, I don't think the real Revan will." This was it, she realized she was gambling with her life, but she wasn't strong enough to actually fight him. Either she reached him with her words and actions, or he'd kill her.
Glancing back up at him, she thought she saw something flickering deep in his eyes as he looked at her again. Bastila braced herself, but she was already feeling the effort of trying to shield herself, and knew it wouldn't last. Revan growled and the air nearly sizzled between them as the vicious wave of lightning slammed into her, ripping through her shield. She cried out as the attack set every nerve in her body on fire with pain. Bastila gasped trying to force air into her lungs again despite the excruciating pain that answered the effort. It took every ounce of strength and courage she could muster to meet his feral gaze once more.
Proud and defiant, even with the amount of pain he knew she had to be in. Suffering because of him, because she cared about him. He looked at her again. Even now, she trusted him, believed in him, no matter how badly he'd hurt her. It would have been so easy to finish her. It should have been easy to kill her. So why was she still alive? His heart and mind wrestled with one another, as the shadows fought to regain their foothold.
No. He told himself. He couldn't do it. She was right. Revan turned away from her and slammed one gloved hand into the wall, ignoring the lancing pain that told him bones had broken. He sank to his knees.
"Damn it Bastila, why? Why couldn't you just walk away and forget me? Why did you have to come back?"
Bastila winced from the lingering pain of the lightning as she shakily stood up again. She slowly walked over and knelt down beside him, putting one gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I already told you. I'm here because I refuse to give up on you."
He looked over at her, and she could feel the conflict raging through him as the shadows struggled to pull him down again. She determinedly shoved them back, refusing to let go just as she finally reached him.
He pulled away and stood, his back against the wall. "I almost killed you."
She stood and walked over to face him. "You didn't."
"I could have."
She nodded, "But you didn't. Revan, I'm not going to give up on you. Please, fight it. Don't give up on yourself. It doesn't have to be this way."
He sighed, "It is too late for me, Bastila."
"I do not believe that, Revan." She stepped closer and put one hand on his chest and felt him flinch even under his armor. Bastila grew even more determined. She felt along the bond that had formed, and reached out to him. Revan?
She noticed a brief widening of his eyes as he focused his gaze on her. Bastila. Don't. Just leave, please.
Bastila shrugged. "It's too late for that. I'm not leaving."
She looked into his eyes, searching, and she almost thought she saw a hint of sapphire for a brief second. She realized the full truth of what she'd just said. Even if she wanted to, it would be too late to return to the Republic. They'd have discovered her absence by now, and would already assume she'd left to warn Revan of their plans. Finding her courage again, she closed the distance between them and wrapped her arms around him. She felt him tense at the touch as he inhaled sharply and closed his eyes. Bastila just put her head against his chest, and continued hugging him.
Revan felt the warmth of her presence wash over him like a tidal wave. He clenched his fists tight, almost savoring the pain in his left hand that reminded him of the broken bones. Revan looked back down at her, as she looked up to meet his eyes. He felt his breath catch as he saw the sincere concern and compassion in her soft grey eyes, but even beyond that he saw something else.
"Be careful, Jedi. Don't start something you don't want me to finish."
She smiled as she saw the amber fading from his eyes, though the smoldering deep sapphire that replaced it stirred her emotions even more. In a bold move, she reached up and kissed him.
Revan nearly purred as he felt the fire of that kiss racing through is body. As Bastila pulled back, he shifted and turned as he slid one arm around her so that she had to turn with him. The move effectively pinned her against the wall as Revan kissed her again, not bothering to hide the passion he felt. He put one hand under her chin and searched her cloud grey eyes once more.
Leaning close, he whispered. "Are you really sure you want to do that? I am the Dark Lord after all."
She tilted her head and stated matter-of-factly, "No. You are Revan."
That brought a half smile to his face, "Glad one of us is still sure about that."
Bastila smiled warmly and lightly caressed his cheek. "Revan, sometimes even the strongest person still needs help. You don't have to fight this alone. Please, let me help you."
He closed his eyes and leaned into the gentle touch. He sighed, "You realize you're crossing a point of no return if you stay with me, regardless of what happens."
She nodded, "I crossed that when I came. The Republic is planning to kill you if they get a chance to destroy your flagship. They'll assume I've come to warn you anyway when they find out I'm gone. None of them really believed I wasn't turned into your apprentice or some such while I was on the Star Forge with you."
He frowned, "I'm sorry."
She took hold of his left hand, and pulled the glove off. He winced slightly but let her run her fingers over the broken bones. He felt the comforting ebb and flow of the Force as she focused on healing his hand. When she'd finished, she looked up at him and smiled.
"I'm not."
Revan pulled away and turned from her. His gaze drifted out the window but was not focused on anything. A wry smile tugged at his lips.
"So, my would-be savior, you face the enmity of both Republic and Council to come here only to risk life and limb in the attempt to bring me to my senses in the hopes of saving my miserable soul from its inevitable fate." He sighed and turned back to look at her. "Why?"
Bastila met his steady gaze, reading a myriad of emotions flickering in his eyes. "I believe that all life is precious. Even that of a Sith Lord."
He frowned, "Spare me the Jedi speeches, Bastila. Why are you here?"
She lifted her chin slightly as she took a step closer to him. "What do you want me to say, Revan? That no matter how hard I've tried I couldn't get you out of my mind. That I care about what happens to you because I saw a glimpse of the real you, not the Sith Lord the Republic wants to stop." She took a deep breath, feeling herself shiver beneath his intense gaze. She felt the color rising in her cheeks and looked away. "I can't explain it, Revan. All I know is that I couldn't forget you even if I wanted to, and if I'm honest, I don't want to. I've never felt this way about anyone before. I've never known anyone who could affect me as strongly as you do."
Revan studied her for a long moment. "You know that being with me is not safe."
She nodded, "I know."
He gave her a mischievous grin, "As I recall, we Sith Lords aren't supposed to be polite either."
Her cheeks flushed anew at the memory of her accusation against him. "It could be that I was mistaken in that."
He smiled, closing the distance between them. "Perhaps." Revan tilted his head, "Would I be mistaken in the assumption that my kiss earlier was not unwelcome?"
Bastila's eyes widened slightly at the question, and she found herself distracted by the closeness of him. Finally, she managed to shake her head. "No."
Revan slid his ungloved left hand around her waist, letting it rest against the small of her back as he pulled her against him. "One of the many differences I've noticed between Jedi and Sith is that Jedi seem to be unable to admit what they really want, but Sith aren't so inhibited."
"Oh? What do you want then?"
She looked up and his deep, smoldering sapphire eyes met hers, and Bastila's heart nearly skipped a beat.
"You really want me to answer that?" He smirked.
She swallowed against the tightness in her chest and nodded.
Revan smiled and leaned close, his lips nearly brushing her ear as he whispered softly, "I have wanted you since the moment you set foot on the bridge of my flagship."
Bastila shivered, despite the fire spreading through her. "You had several chances..." She left the thought unfinished as she felt him tense.
He let go of her and walked over to the window. "Bastila, I am guilty of doing many things over the years, but there are some things that I will not do. Granted, those who follow me don't necessarily need to know that."
He removed his other glove, and then the rest of his armor. When he turned to face her again, he was clad only in a pale grey tunic and black pants. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back against the wall beside the window.
A scowl crossed his face at remembered thoughts and he shook his head. "Force knows Malak did enough of that for both of us. However, despite what rumors the Republic might have spread about me, I do have limits of what I will or won't do."
She arched one eyebrow up at him. "A Sith Lord with moral standards? No wonder the Republic can't figure you out."
He chuckled, "Well, I never said I was trying to make it easy for them." His expression grew thoughtful and he watched her. "So that still leaves the question, what do you want, Bastila?"
Bastila considered the question. Thoughts and emotions tumbled over each other in her mind, but as she looked at him, she had to admit she already knew the answer. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room to where he stood. It amused her to notice that, as he tilted his head watching her, the same unruly strand of his hair that she remembered fell forward over the edge of his left eye. Bastila reached up and gently brushed the strand of hair back in place as she met his expectant gaze.
"I want you, Revan."
Revan smiled and pulled her into a deep, passionate kiss as he slipped his arms around her. The intensity of the kiss and his desire that echoed along their bond left her breathless. When he finally took half a step back from her, he arched one eyebrow at her in a silent invitation. Bastila reached out, fighting to keep her hands steady as her fingers brushed over his chest before she coaxed his tunic free of him. As the shirt dropped to the floor, she found her hands caught in his as he pulled her closer. He let go of her hands as she leaned against him, slipping his arms around her waist, he let his eyes close briefly, enjoying the feel of her closeness. Bastila inhaled deeply as she rested her head against his chest, noticing the subtle spiciness of his scent. Her hands gently traced the taut muscles across Revan's back as she wrapped her arms around him.
Bastila felt her heart pounding in her chest as Revan's hands slipped beneath her shirt. His fingers lightly caressed her skin for a moment before he deftly removed the garment and leaned in to kiss her neck. A startled gasp escaped her lips as Revan used the Force to relieve her of the rest of her clothing. He smiled as she looked up at him wide eyed, and swept her up into his arms and carried her over to his bed.
Her breath caught in her chest as she felt the soft sheets against her back when he laid her down. She looked up at him and nearly lost herself in his deep, molten sapphire eyes. His grace and gentleness belied the raw strength and power evident in the muscles that rippled smoothly beneath his skin as she watched him move.
Revan shed the rest of his own clothing and slid into the bed beside her. Bastila felt her heart racing so hard she was sure he could even hear it. He captured her lips in another passionate kiss as he lightly caressed down her side. Her body trembled against him as he trailed kisses down the side of her neck to the hollow of her throat.
She felt the featherlight touch of his mind through their bond. Nervous?
Her cheeks flushed crimson and she hesitantly nodded. She felt him smile against her skin briefly.
Just relax. I promise I'll be gentle.
Bastila felt the fire surge through her senses as he moved to cover her body with his. Their eyes met again and she felt the last uncertain thread of doubt fade. She relaxed and yielded herself fully to the Dark Lord's passions.