A/N: Huge thanks for reading my story and for your comments. Also a gigantic thank you to my editor who used her down time this past weekend to work on chapters I had sent. I'm so grateful to you all.

The Reluctant Jedi

Chapter12

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed,it is the only thing that ever has."

-Margaret Mead

Traviata hurried to the Jedi Council chambers to find all of them assembled, speaking quietly with Bastilla.

"Come in, Traviata. Bastilla was just telling us that you and she shared a dream of Revan and Malak here at the ancient ruins," Master Vandar explained. "That's a most unusual development."

"We've known about the ruins of course, but we thought them nothing more than burial mounds," Master Dorak offered.

"Trust me, there are more than tombs there," Traviata put in, her voice shaky.

"We agree. Bastilla has described the dream in great detail and we feel it was not a dream but a vision. The Force is acting through you as it does in Bastilla," Vandar replied.

"I'm having visions? Why? I don't understand- " Traviata barely got out.

"You and Bastilla share a connection through the Force – a bond," Master Zhar put in.

"Whatever dangers lie ahead, we cannot deny that destiny has brought you here together," Vandar said.

"What are you saying? We're joined in some way?" Traviata struggled to make sense of what she was hearing.

"Your fates are linked; it may be that the two of you can stop Malak and the Sith," Vandar replied.

"Are you ready to endure hardships for this cause?" Master Vrook asked Traviata, his voice abrupt. She'd sensed an open hostility from him since first meeting him.

"I am," was all Traviata was able to put in words. She could still feel the coldness from the vision, the pure evil emanating from the pair. Malak had to be stopped, she had to help save the Republic, and everyone else, whatever it cost her.

"Know that we don't really have a choice but to enlist your help. Our forces are spread out around the galaxy, and our numbers are dwindling daily. Malak advances; his resources expanding, while ours and the Republic's forces and resources diminish," Vandar said sadly.

"What can I do? How can we stop Malak?" Traviata asked.

"We feel the Force is at work here and the answer may be in the vision you shared with Bastilla. We want you to investigate the ruins, see what you can discover," Vandar explained.

"Perhaps you will find a clue of how Revan and Malak were corrupted, and a way to stop them," Master Dorak, the chronicler of the Academy put in. "I would be most interested to know what first led them down the dark path, so that it may be recorded."

"I understand. I can leave now to investigate," Traviata offered, with more confidence than she felt. The idea of entering that Temple caused an involuntary chill to run up her spine.

All of the Masters exchanged uneasy glances, Master Vandar shaking his head slowly. "No, not yet," he said barely above a whisper.

"The Force flows through you like none we've ever seen, but you are willful, unfocused and head strong, a very dangerous combination," Master Zhar commented.

"You must be trained in the ways of the Force so that you may resist the dark side, before you go out on this mission," Vandar explained. "You are doomed to fail if you do not."

"Your training must begin at once," Master Zhar said. "We don't have much time."

"Agreed. You are safe here, for a while Traviata, but it will not last," Master Vandar agreed.

"I understand, but there is something I must do first," she hesitated before continuing. "I need to go talk to Carth before I begin," Traviata countered.

Master Vandar met Zhar's eyes and nodded slightly, "We've discussed your relationship with the Commander. It is as this entire situation is, unique, regrettable, and unavoidable; we have no choice but to allow it."

"Please be swift, we have much to cover," Zhar said with a twitch of his head-tails.

"Yes, Master Zhar, I'll be as fast as I can," Traviata replied, making her way hastily to the doorway, bolting from the building once clear from the council chambers.

When she arrived at the ship, she found Carth in the communications room speaking to someone. He held up a finger, meeting her gaze briefly before continuing his conversation.

"Okay, Admiral. I'll look over the data you sent me and let you know what I think. I've officially confiscated the ship for the Republic Fleet. I'm sending you the documents now," Carth informed him, punching at the control panel.

"You're working on that project for me?" Carth asked, his gaze questioning.

"Yes, I'm arranging transportation now and I've got things lined up on this end. Jaycee is ecstatic about it, she says she may even get to see you occasionally now, once all this is over, that is," the Admiral explained.

"I owe you, Paul. Tell Jaycee thanks for me as well," Carth replied. "Tell her I'll thank her in person- when I'm able."

"Don't let's start who owes who more, I'd win that one. Besides, like I said Jaycee is jubilant at the idea of having the young lady come stay with us," the Admiral retorted.

"I was hoping to bring her there myself, Paul. But like we discussed earlier, I'm not sure when I'll get out of here," Carth explained.

"Before you go, there's someone I want to introduce you to," Carth turned motioning to Traviata to come closer. "Paul, this is Traviata Kerkes," Carth said with a smile, his pride evident.

"Traviata, this is Paul Connors," Carth said nodding slightly to the monitor.

The Admiral's face broke into a broad smile, "Good to meet you, Traviata."

Traviata looked from Carth to the Admiral; he didn't use rank, this was personal, obviously a friend of his. Still, she couldn't just ignore the gold bars on his uniform.

"Admiral-"

"No, no, you can call me Paul, this is strictly personal at the moment," the Admiral chastised, sitting forward in his chair, straining to get a better look at the woman.

"Yes, sir- I mean, it's nice to meet you too, Paul," Traviata said warmly, returning his smile.

"Carth's told me some good things about you, Traviata," the Admiral revealed, glad he was sitting down or he may have passed out in shock. He'd never known Carth to show any interest in a woman since the death of his wife.

"Good things, huh?" Traviata said, casting a playful glance at Carth. "I think he's left out the part where I'm usually driving him crazy."

"A royal pain in my ass at times," Carth added with mock severity. "Stubborn as a bantha."

"A Bantha? Me? Oh, ouch, I think you hurt my girl feelings with that one," Traviata tossed back, mustering a pained look.

The Captain smiled broadly, "Really? Your girl feelings? Well I can't have that," he returned with a slight chuckle, his gaze still on the view screen.

"Of course, as I mentioned Paul, she does have her good points," he paused, his voice turning serious. "I know I couldn't have come this far without her, she's loyal to the Republic as any I've ever known and I've never met anyone who understands more fully what it is to be a soldier. Never known anyone like her."

"Thank you, Carth," Traviata paused, placing her hand lightly on top of his. "You know I feel the exact same way about you," she added quietly.

"I was kinda counting on that," Carth's now serious gaze turned to Traviata, to find her watching him.

"You can," she admitted softly, her mouth suddenly dry.

The Admiral watched the pair, dumbfounded. They were nearly oblivious to his presence. He'd never seen Carth like this; at least not since his wife died and nothing could have made him happier. He hoped it all went well or the fallout would be horrible for his friend.

The sound of Traviata's comlink buzzing brought her mind back to why she was there in the first place. She looked to Carth, silently conveying her need to speak with him privately. Carth looked to the Admiral.

"I'll be back in touch after I've gone over all the information you sent me. We're going to have to go for now," Carth said.

"Acknowledged. Carth, keep me informed. Very nice meeting you Traviata as well as the smile you've put back on my friend's face. Connors out," the Admiral said, the screen going to the standard Fleet wallpaper.

Carth keyed the board, the monitor going dark. He turned, leaning back against the control panel.

"Thanks for introducing me to your friend, he seems nice and from what I overheard earlier, he thinks the world of you," Traviata hesitated, wondering how to transition into telling him what she knew would make him crazy. She wanted to just stay there like that and luxuriate in the warmth that his words had stirred in her, chasing the chill from her bones.

"Paul and I go back a long ways, longer than either of us care to admit", he said making a face as he mentally calculated the years.

He shook his head slightly, pushing away the number of years from his mind. "Anyway, he's a good man, one of the finest I've ever known," Carth's probing gaze held hers. "You want to tell me something," he paused, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "I have something I want to say first, if you don't mind."

"You go ahead, mine can wait. What's up?" Traviata asked eagerly, gesturing toward him with her hand, the longer she could put it off the better as far as she was concerned. Training to become a Jedi... he was going to freak the frak out. The Council could wait. She tried to clear her eyes and mind as her gaze met his, sincerely curious about what he had to say.

"I've been thinking about what you said, you know about all this," he paused, waving his hands to illustrate his point. "You know, the Force, the nightmares all of it that you're dealing with. After seeing how you were this morning, and before- well maybe it would be best for you to try and work with the Jedi some, see if they can help you deal with it. Whatever you dreamed last night clearly affected you deeply," Carth finished, his eyes watching her closely. He would never forget the fear in her eyes or her skin that felt like ice. He didn't know what or who else could help her really.

"Really? Have the Council help me? You'd be okay with that?" Traviata asked, her face frozen in disbelief. She must not have heard him right.

"Yes, somewhat," Carth agreed.

"I'm glad you feel that way, that's what I need to talk to you about actually," Traviata wondered how to start and decided it was best to just come out with.

"What happened last night, that's what Bastilla and I were with the Council about- we shared a vision, of Revan and Malak, here on this planet- it was terrifying, worse than that actually," she said in a rush, starting to pace.

"They were here at an old abandoned Temple. The place reeked of dark power, and they seemed to soak it up – willingly, happily even," she added, wrapping her arms around herself before continuing.

"Anyway, the Council wants us to pursue the clues from the vision; see if we can use the vision to stop Malak. They say there's some kind of bond between me and Bastilla. Our fates woven together-"

"What? Wait a minute. They say you two are tied together like that? There's no way. I don't believe that," Carth said firmly, his gaze narrowing. "It doesn't make sense, I mean why you? Will you stop pacing and look at me?"

"She had the exact same vision I did Carth, it's like she was in my head, or I in her's I guess" Traviata said, pausing in her trek, her eyes meeting his.

"Yeah, I warned you; Jedi can do that," Carth pointed out with a grimace. "It doesn't mean you're bound to her in anyway though. You know she could have been in the vision by design, instead of by the will of the Force."

"Clearly I don't know what's going on for certain. I have lots of questions but no answers. Why would I have that vision? I mean of Malak and Revan-"she started pacing again. "They were looking for something, Carth. Something important, a Star Forge they called it. Revan, at least, was willing to risk it all to discover it," she stopped abruptly, her eyes stared blankly ahead.

"Malak seemed to hesitate and I swear he almost seemed sad at the idea of being banished from the Order. I wonder what would have happened if he'd stood up to Revan and refused to enter the Temple?" she wondered out loud, her voice a husky whisper.

"Revan would have killed him. No doubt in my mind," Carth answered flatly.

Traviata's now seeing gaze fixed on the Commander, seemed to consider his response. "Yes. A fact I'm sure Malak knew better than anyone," she agreed somberly.

"Hey, don't feel sorry for that bastard. Revan didn't turn overnight, and when Malak knew, he should have reported it to the Council or better yet just done the universe a favor and killed the evil Sith Lord. Malak could have bailed anytime, he had plenty of chances, Traviata," Carth admonished, his face and tone tight.

Traviata nodded slightly and started pacing again.

"The Council want us to go investigate the ruins, but only after they've trained me in how to use the Force, you know as a Jedi and they want to start right away. Now... in absolute point of fact," she paused letting her words sink in.

"They believe Bastilla and I have a shot at stopping Malak, if we work together," Traviata added. "I told them I had to talk to you first, something they weren't thrilled with, but- What do you think Carth?" she asked, coming to a stop in front of him.

As usual it all came back to Bastilla. He tamped down his anger at the idea of Traviata training to be a Jedi. He didn't trust the Jedi, or what their end game was. As soon as Traviata left, he was going to contact Paul again and make sure that this remained an official Republic mission. So long as he could keep it classified that way, it would afford him a measure of authority and the ability to protect Traviata and the Republic from whatever the Jedi had up their collective robes. There was more going on here than what they let on.

Carth walked over to Traviata, placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him.

"I want to know one thing," Carth said soberly, his penetrating gaze holding hers. "Is this what you want to do? You don't have to do this, you know. We can leave this place right now; go back to Fleet and just go back to being soldiers."

"Carth, I don't think I have a choice, not really. After what I saw in that vision, I think they were already on a dark path, but I believe they found what they were looking for and then they were both consumed by it," Traviata wrapped her arms around herself, feeling cold once again. She wondered if it was going to be possible to ever really be warm for long again.

"We have to stop Malak, and this vision may lead us to a way to do that. The traditional ways aren't working," she paused letting go a breath. "I don't want to leave the military though and I don't think I'd want to join the Order." Traviata said heavily. "That part of it leaves me really conflicted."

Carth nodded once, quickly slipping on his Commander demeanor. "That I can help with. First, you don't have to leave the military to do this. Let me handle that. Second, just let them train you and then see where it leads from there. They can't make you join the Order. They must want you pretty badly to be willing to train an adult. That gives you some leverage to negotiate terms that are acceptable to you," Carth informed her.

Traviata nodded her agreement. They obviously knew she had feelings for Carth and were willing to look the other way. She'd simply let them know her terms. She'd continue to be in Fleet, not a Jedi per se, just trained in the ways of one.

"One more thing Traviata; don't shut me out. I want to know what's going on the whole time, you know I don't trust them and whether you realize it or not you're vulnerable right now," Carth added running a finger along her cheek bone. "I want to protect you, that is if you'll let me."

"Of course. Thank you, Carth," she replied, brushing some hair off his face. "You know, you're always there for me. From the moment I first met you, you've done everything in your power to look out for me. Why should I expect now to be any different? It's who you are. You're a soldier's soldier and more than that to me, Carth," she added.

Relieved beyond measure that Carth was not only handling it so well but also offering his support, she embraced him in a tight hug. Pulling back from him slightly, her lips found his in a kiss filled with gratitude and tenderness.

When she broke the kiss, she held his face in her hands. "You know, you're really not so bad for a monkey lizard."

He arched an eyebrow at that and chuckled softly, "You're not so bad yourself, for a pain in the ass Private."

Then she caressed the side of his face, "Thank you. I know none of this is what you want on a personal or professional level. It means a lot to me."

Carth took her head in both his hands and kissed her forehead before leaning his against hers. "You still don't get it? You don't have to thank me, Traviata."

The beeping on Traviata's comlink went off again, she glanced down to see it was Bastilla.

"They're no doubt waiting for you," Carth reminded, releasing her.

"You're not leaving are you, going back to Fleet?" the thought just occurred to Traviata that there was a war going on and he had more important things to do than sit there and wait for her.

"Not a chance; this is still a Republic mission," Carth assured her.

Well, it would be when he was finished talking to the Admiral. It shouldn't be a problem, especially if they really had a lead on stopping Malak. If the Jedi wouldn't talk to him, they most certainly couldn't ignore the Admiral. Paul had been all for Carth staying anyway, wanting to know more about the mission that had cost them so much. Carth watched the relief flash across her face, he wondered if she realized there was no way he'd walk away from her now, at least not in these circumstances, not like this.

"Good. I'll see you later then," Traviata said, before trekking toward the hatchway.