A/N: Many glorious thanks to you who have read my story. This is an extremely short chapter, but I wanted to post it due to my previous lengthy delay.

Chapter Five

Q & A Time

"Your mind will answer most questions if you learn to relax and wait for the answer."

- William S. Burroughs

Carth stood staring out the window of the luxurious five bedroom apartment, sipping on a stimcaf. It was a far cry from the hovel they had been staying in. When the Commander stopped by Forn's, the entire group en tow after safely escaping the sewers, the doctor had insisted on them using his place. Forn said he hardly ever stayed there anyway, preferring to sleep in rooms he kept in the back of his clinic. He said he only kept the place for appearances. By the looks of the pristine unit, he was telling the truth. The carpets were plush, the beds soft, and it was well appointed with extremely tasteful decor. The place was a showplace and looked like it had never been stayed in.

The doctor had checked them all over, when he saw them, and healed whatever injuries they had; rest had been prescribed for all. Carth had protested, saying it would take hours, maybe even a day or so, to set up a meeting with the bounty hunter who could supposedly get them off of Taris. That was going to be a trick with the planet under quarantine.

The Commander turned at the sound of quiet footsteps; it was Traviata. She had apparently not seen him at the window in the large living area, or was ignoring him. It was hard telling which, given her recent behavior. He watched her as she made herself a stimcaf. He couldn't help but notice how beautiful she looked. Dressed in a light tunic and slacks, her hair bounced as she went about making something to eat. Traviata looked better, but still fatigued; her manner had been very quiet and elusive since rescuing Bastilla.

"Come join me," Traviata said, sitting at the dining table, jolting Carth from his thoughts.

Traviata watched him walk over, noting how tired his eyes looked. She knew he'd showered and changed, but doubted he'd eaten anything and probably just dozed lightly on the couch.

She pushed a plate of food in front of him when he sat down. "Apparently Forn sent over quite a lot of food. I don't remember the last time I cooked, but I think I make an edible sandwich," she admitted, handing him a napkin.

"Yeah, they were delivered a few hours ago," he informed her. "Thanks, looks great," Carth continued, realizing he was starving. He lifted up a piece of the bread, investigating it's contents. "Is this Nerf Steak?"

"I believe so," Traviata answered.

"It seems like forever since I had a Nerf Steak Sandwich," he commented appreciatively.

"Me too. Did you get any rest?" Traviata asked taking a bite of her food.

"Enough. You?" Carth asked, eating his sandwich.

"Same. Have you heard anything?" Traviata quizzed taking a sip of her drink, enjoying the taste and texture of real food and especially the stimcaf.

"Zilch. I'll give him a few more hours, and then I'm paying Forn a visit," Carth said in between bites.

Traviata, having finished half her sandwich and feeling full, pushed her plate to Carth, who had devoured his meal.

"I'm not as hungry as I thought," she explained.

He took the sandwich, his eyes searching hers for a moment, before looking away. "Thanks. It's really good."

"I'm glad," was all she said.

Carth ate the rest of his food in silence, wiping his mouth with his napkin when he'd finished, and tossed it onto the plate. He watched her from across the table for a moment, her gaze far off. Then she stood up, gathering their dishes distractedly sitting them on the kitchen counter. She headed for the direction of the bedrooms when Carth spoke.

"A word with you, Traviata," Carth said standing.

The private stopped, turning on her heel with dread. She doubted it would be just a word, more likely many angry words strung together. Steeling herself for what she knew was coming, she hiked back over to him. Taking a military at ease stance, her hands clasped behind her back, she was ready. This was no doubt the ass chewing she knew was heading her way.

She waited as the silence stretched on, Carth watching her.

"I'm curious about something," Carth started, his words calm.

He was determined to have a discussion not an argument, commander to crewman, leaving anything personal out of it altogether. He wasn't positively sure what the emotions really were she seemed to stir in him. Could just be a reaction to the extreme condition they found themselves in, but he had to take control of himself and keep it strictly professional.

"All the years you served in military intelligence, I didn't see any mention of discipline problems, unless it was left out of your record for some reason. Why now? I mean in this situation especially, you must understand the importance of the chain of command."

Traviata searched her memory; she couldn't recall disobeying orders ever. Of course she never remembered having these intense feelings leading her before either. She had to get this figured out, especially since having that weird experience when she'd first come face to face with the Jedi. The strange images of the woman fighting some caped, masked foe haunted her. Not to mention the constant nightmares of Jedi fighting the same mysterious villain that she had.

Carth cleared his throat, obviously waiting for her response. He'd think she'd gone completely space happy if she told him all that. Traviata met his expectant gaze; she was tired of letting him down, both as her Captain and on a personal level, if there was anything personal left on his part. Didn't matter if he hated her though, she still wanted him to be able to trust her and count on her to do her duty.

"Yes, sir, I do. I've never disobeyed orders before. It won't happen again," she promised, meaning it.

"You didn't answer my question. Why now?" Carth reminded her, watching her intently.

Why now, that was a good question. She wondered that herself. "I don't know, but it-" she started.

"You can't declare you won't do something again if you don't even understand why you're doing it. I don't buy it anyway. You gave the reason of following your instincts before…" Carth reminded her.

Blaster bolts, Traviata said inwardly. He would remember that. "Yes, you're right I did."

"Republic soldiers follow orders, not feelings," Carth said soberly. "Feelings will get you and others killed. Keeping a clear head, following your orders, relying on your training; this is how you successfully complete an objective."

"Oh, I don't know Commander. I think following one's feelings is just the Force urging us in the direction it wants us to take," Bastilla remarked, standing just out of their line of vision. She drew closer, silently; her movements poised. "Providing of course it isn't emotion driving you, but more of an awareness of your surroundings. It could have been the Force directing your course, Traviata."

The flashes again, at her appearance; Traviata blinked trying to clear her head. It had to be the Jedi causing it. Was the Jedi aware of what she made happened, Traviata wondered, her eyes scanning the extremely petite woman. The disturbing pictures, so like her nightmares, ended. Traviata turned her attention back to the Captain, her eyes finding him watching her closely. Traviata shifted her gaze, unable to hold his, the room spinning.

"I understand. I promise you, it won't happen again, sir. Are we done?" she asked, her pleading eyes darted to his momentarily, desperately wanting to escape.

His brow furrowed, giving a quick nod to her. "For now."

Carth's face became a cloud of anger, but this time she knew it was not directed at her. His attention was now on the mysterious Jedi. "Will you excuse us, Traviata? I need to speak privately to Bastilla."

Gladly, she thought. "I'm going out for some fresh air, if that's okay. I'll grab a comlink," Traviata threw over her shoulder, already making her exit from the room.

When the Commander didn't answer she turned and he seemed to be considering it. He should say no, but she really seemed to need to put some distance between her and the Jedi. Making up his mind, "Okay, and remember what we talked about. Stay close, don't be long and check in," Carth said, his attention still on Bastilla who had made her way to the kitchen, seemingly unaffected by Carth's ire.

"I will," she promised. The private was out of the door in less than thirty seconds.

"First, if you ever undermine my authority like that again, mission or not, you're on your own," Carth's voice like ice, his hands on his hips. "I mean it, I'll leave you here."

"Yes, yes, you do, Commander," Bastilla said with a sigh.

Carth's eyes narrowed; frakin Jedi reading his feelings. It just pissed him off more.

"Second, keep your opinions about the Force to yourself. You and your kind have caused enough trouble already-"

"Me and my kind, Commander? I never took you as a bigot. Please, you and I both know you only hate the Jedi because of Revan's betrayal," Bastilla interrupted.

"What if I do? I have every right to, everyone does. Jedi mess with power that should be left alone; it's too dangerous when the likes of Revan acquire it. Look what that maniacal homicidal Jedi did-" Carth fumed.

"Everything Revan touched turned evil; Malak, Saul, Republic troops- everything!" he ground out.

"Need I remind you that you weren't always so opposed to the Jedi and our special skills? You once proudly served under Revan and Malak, if I recall your record correctly, Commander." Bastilla countered, one eyebrow arched.

"Referring to the Mandalorian Wars? I'd rather be fighting them than these Sith animals that first Revan, and now Malak, have unleashed. Not only that, but I didn't know then what I know now. Jedi, especially powerful Jedi, are dangerous, a menace," Carth said, not caring that she'd realize he was including her in that category.

"Sure, Revan and Malak did some good during the Mandalorian wars, but the power they had corrupted them. Turning them to fight and kill the very people they had once saved from slaughter at the hands of the Mandalorians," Carth persisted. "They took the mindless violence to a whole new level, destroying entire planets, corrupting or destroying everything they touched," he finished.

Bastilla put a hand on Carth's arm, surprising him. "Hate is a very strong emotion, as is love. Both are just as destructive when we let them rule us. If you do not get a hold of the hate that is consuming you, then you will end up destroyed by your emotions, just like Revan was," Bastilla warned.

"You destroyed Revan, not emotion. Immense power unleashed the murderous lunatic that you put an end to," Carth rebutted, taking a step back, Bastilla's hand falling to her side.

"You are wrong, Commander. It may interest you to know that it was love that caused Revan's demise," the Jedi said flatly.

Carth shook off the idea, "All I care about is that Revan's dead, next comes Saul, and then Malak.

"What exactly is going on, Bastilla? What is this mission about and why do you need Traviata for it?" Carth demanded. Enough talk about the Jedi and the past. He wanted answers.

"I also need you for it, if you recall," Bastilla reminded him.

"I do. Why? I need to know, before we go any further," Carth said, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I know you want answers, Commander. Answers I'm not authorized to give. Given Malak's aggressive course of action, I suggest we get off Taris and go to Dantooine. We will be safe there in the Jedi enclave. It will give us a chance to regroup and we can both consult our superiors," she responded.

Unless something changed drastically, he would be only too happy to drop her snarky Jedi ass off on Dantooine and leave her there. He was finished with this mission. Nothing but a bunch of double talk, destruction, and death… The Commander would rather be going toe to toe with the Sith in a straight out fight any day.

"Sounds like a plan," Carth acknowledged.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to visit the doctor, and see if he's heard from the bounty hunter. I think it's best if you stay here, out of sight; you're the one they're looking for," Carth informed her heading for the door.

"As you wish Commander. And please do your best to hurry, you have no idea what would be unleashed if Malak should capture us now. We must escape as soon as possible," Bastilla replied to Carth's quickly retreating form.

"Don't worry Bastilla; I will get us safely off Taris. One way or another," Carth tossed over his shoulder; hoping he could follow through on his promise.