Disclaimer: Lucasfilm, Bioware, Disney, et al. and whoever they sell the rights to next own Star Wars and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. I write this for fun and not for any monetary gain.

A/N: Jedi Council dialogue with Revan is copied almost verbatim from the game, though Revan's thoughts are my own.

Chapter 5: A New Jedi

Half an hour later, Bastila returned. Sensing Carth's presence, she announced rather obnoxiously with her fake accent, "The Jedi Council requested an audience with you. We should go at once."

"An audience with the Jedi Council?" The Republic pilot interjected, his unhealthy paranoia rearing its ugly head once again. "That's pretty unusual for someone who isn't even a Jedi. What's this about, Bastila?"

The secret Sith apprentice almost groaned. She didn't have time for this. "I am sorry, Carth, but I can't tell you. I ask that you trust in the Force and the wisdom of the Council," she retorted as pompously as she could in an attempt to deter further questions.

Carth responded grumpily, "Well, I don't like being left out of the loop, but I don't want to get you in trouble with the Jedi Council either. We'll do things your way for a while."

"Come, they are expecting us. Follow me," Bastila addressed the supposedly amnesiac Sith Lord and led him away. Once the paranoid pilot was out of earshot, she complained, "We probably should get rid of Carth soon. I'll admit he's smart enough to doubt the Jedi Council, but at this rate, we won't get anything done with him around."

Soon, they reached the Jedi Council chambers and met the four Jedi Masters—Dorak, Vandar Tokare, Vrook Lamar and Zhar Lestin. After some introductions, Revan feigned ignorance about Jedi matters. He asked a few silly questions, like commenting that he thought the Jedi Council was on Coruscant and asking why the Sith destroyed Taris.

Finally, Zhar Lestin got the ball rolling, "We need Bastila in our fight against the Sith. Indeed, we need every Jedi we can muster, since the Sith have been hunting us down at every opportunity. Which brings us to you..."

Sensing the bait, the Sith responded as if surprised, "Me? What about me?"

Zhar continued, "Bastila tells us you are strong in the Force. We are considering you for Jedi training."

Revan continued to act confused, "Strong in the Force?"

Vrook Lamar, ever the pessimist, answered with a non-answer, "Perhaps Master Zhar speaks out of turn. We need indisputable proof of your strong affinity to the Force to even begin considering you for training."

Bastila retorted, "Proof? Surely the entire Council can feel the strength of the Force within this man... and I have already related to you the events that took place on Taris..." Revan noticed at once that she was coached. So, we are playing good cop, bad cop to make Jedi training feel like a precious opportunity that must not be wasted, he thought to himself. Let's play along.

"Perhaps it was simple luck," commented Vrook.

"We both know there is no luck, only the Force," said Zhar sagely. "We all feel the power in Bastila's companion. Can we safely ignore it with the power now manifesting itself?"

"The Jedi training is long and difficult, even when working with a young and open mind. Teaching a child is hard," said Vrook. "How much harder will it be for an adult to learn the ways of the Jedi?"

Brainwashing is easier to do to children, thought Revan in disgust. Hiding his feelings, he declared, "I am willing to try my best to learn the ways of the Jedi."

Dorak continued, "Traditionally the Jedi do not accept adults for training, though there are rare exceptions in the history of our Order. But you are a special case."

You mean just like when you made an exception to wipe my mind in the first place, the rightful Dark Lord of the Sith added snarkily in his mind.

Vandar commented, "I agree with Master Dorak. Many of our own pupils are leaving the Jedi Order to follow the Sith teachings, we need recruits to stand against Malak! With Revan dead..."

Vrook interrupted, "Are you certain Revan is truly dead? What if we undertake to train this one and the Dark Lord should return?"

Interesting. I thought the Jedi already planned to train me. Did they not actually decide yet, or is Vrook just having second thoughts? He must be really worried to imply I am Revan openly like this, the Sith deduced. Might need a nudge…

Vandar said with finality, "We should discuss this matter more fully in private. Bastila, you and your companion must go. This is a matter for the Council alone."

After returning to their room on the Ebon Hawk, Revan sighed, "That was annoying. The same old inefficient council, just like during the Mandalorian wars. Bastila, do you know what their plan is?"

"They seemed quite ready to train you when they sent me to bring you in," she replied. "But Vrook seems to be having second thoughts…"

"I see… in that case, I think I better give you a vision tonight. Now I better figure out how," he said with some annoyance.

Revan closed his eyes and tried to feel his lover through their Force bond. He found her familiar presence in the Force, but when he reached out to touch her through the bond, her presence felt… stronger? clearer? when compared to their teenage years. It must have been because Bastila had saved his life and strengthened the bond in the process, though he didn't understand how. Can you feel this? he pushed the thought towards the presence.

He sensed some shock and heard her say, "What was that?"

The magic words are squeamish ossifrage, he thought to her. He then asked aloud, "What are the magic words?"

"Squeamish ossifrage?" she repeatedly uncertainly. "That was weird. It's interesting and certainly useful to be able to communicate telepathically this easily though. I can imagine this being exceptionally handy for talking about other people in front of their faces. Can you send something else, an image perhaps?"

"Sure. I'll think something and you tell me what I thought," he suggested, before thinking of a krayt dragon, the grassland of Dantooine, and Bastila's… body. She managed to correctly describe all the images, although she blushed rather hard at the last one.

She returned the favour by thinking things back to Revan. This time, she included animations that made him uncomfortable.

"Well, that was rather vivid," he said at last. "Tonight, I'll give you a vision to give to the Jedi Council. But for now…" he finished suggestively.

"I bet when the Jedi Council suggested that I stay on the Ebon Hawk to be close to you for a better chance to get visions, they weren't expecting it to be this close," Bastila commented as she removed her robes.

"Let's stick with the things we've done before," he suggested. "We should get up to speed first before we start experimenting."

"Of course," she agreed. "We were a bit reckless as teens, wanting to make use of every minute we had…"

Soon, she stood in front of him, completely nude. Summoning their improvised collar with the Force, she placed it around her neck. She noticed his reaction and grinned. She knelt in front of him with her legs wide open and asked a simple question, "What would you like your slave girl to do, Master?"

After a rather enjoyable evening, the couple laid in bed cuddling. Bastila was silent and thoughtful. They weren't happy thoughts and she knew she shouldn't be thinking them, but there she was, thinking them nonetheless. Even worse, she knew her Master had noticed.

"What's on your mind, Bastila?" he decided to ask.

"Nothing of substance…" she answered evasively as she turned to face him. At his annoyed look, she elaborated. "Okay, yes, there is something. It shouldn't matter, but it's bothering me." She paused, trying to find a way to articulate her question. "Master, did you ever sleep with anyone else when we were apart?" she asked finally in a small voice. "I've heard lots of rumours…"

Revan sighed. "They were all ridiculous. I mean, I think we all know the Republic media isn't a beacon of truth and honesty. The tabloids are even worse. They'll tell any lie to get people to read them. Normally, I'd just ignore them, but when they printed lies about me, it's a lot worse."

"That's understandable, but… is there any substance to it?" she wondered.

"That's a loaded question," he replied. "The truth is: many have tried, though none have succeeded. Was there substance to the rumours? Technically yes, but that's not actually what you wanted to know."

"I suppose I should have phrased my questions better," she admitted. "Still, while I am glad that you stayed true to me, it upsets me that many have tried to make sure that's not the case. I know that doesn't really matter, but it still bothers me."

"I think it does matter," he countered. "Why shouldn't it? Why shouldn't you be upset that someone wants to deprive you of your Master?"

"Am I not being jealous?" she observed. "Isn't jealousy supposed to be a bad thing?"

"People do say that quite often, yes, but honestly? I disagree," he decided. "Like all things, when going too far with it, it can be a bad thing. Like if it made you so suspicious of me as to leave me or do something bad in response to something I haven't done, then it's obviously a bad thing. However, it's also pretty natural to be possessive of what you have, especially when you have reasons to worry? The Jedi say all jealousy is bad, but they are also against having anything, while teaching all of us to abandon what's natural."

"It's not just the Jedi though? I've heard many others also say that," she noted. "How jealousy can break apart relationships and all that."

"It can, but I don't think not being jealous is the right solution. It's the same thing with the Dark Side… Peace is a lie, there is only passion—and jealousy most certainly qualifies as passion. Like all passions, it should be channelled productively, not destructively. Yet, without it, we'd end up with the passionless indifference of the Jedi, treating everything as 'the will of the Force,' doing nothing to effect a better outcome," he explained. "No, we shouldn't deny our natural emotions, but we also shouldn't needlessly lash out or do anything stupid. I think your response is pretty good, actually. You are talking to me about it, not doing things that would upset me and push me away from you.

"Honestly though, I'd be worried if you felt nothing. If it's natural to be jealous when what you have is under threat, then not feeling anything would mean you didn't care about our relationship. It would be such a tragedy if you didn't wish to put in work to keep our relationship going…"

"And that's most certainly not the case," she insisted, giving him a quick kiss as a demonstration. "I suppose the important part is talking to you about my feelings."

"Yes," he decided. "I think the biggest problem with a lot of relationships is that they are built on implicit rituals. Partners interacting in a certain way dictated by society, dropping indecipherable hints and pushing each other to get what they want around instead of simply saying it. Sometimes it feels like they don't see each other as sentient beings, but rather as automatons that respond in a certain way given certain stimuli."

"Yes, that's so true," she agreed. "People do love to throw tantrums or fight to get what they want instead of discussing the merits and come to a sane conclusion. I like how things work between us. As my Master, you have the final say in everything I do, but I don't think I ever felt like my opinions didn't matter or that I got the short end of the stick. When we disagree, we talk and work out a solution that makes us both happy…"

"Do we really have any other choice?" he wondered. "Power exchange requires consent, which requires a shared understanding of what we are getting into. If there's any doubt or potential confusion, then you can't consent and it becomes abuse."

"I know… I feel like if there is one thing BDSM teaches you, it's how to communicate with your partner and work out something that works for both of you. Nothing beats a good, honest, heart-to-heart conversation. I am starting to think married life is just an extended BDSM scene, so both partners should talk about what they want and negotiate something to make it work for both."

"You are right, of course. Communication should be the key to any healthy relationship, whether that's between boss and subordinate, husband and wife, or master and slave. It's tragic that most people don't have that," he observed. "Still, in light of this, in the interest of full transparency, I should tell you more about those attempts, even though all the details would probably take a year."

"I suppose so," she concluded. "I think an overview is fine. I know some of it would upset me, but it's probably better than letting my imagination run wild…"

"It upsets me as well just thinking about them," he commiserated. "There've been lots of attempts by various people. Some I felt were driven by simple infatuation and I didn't think much of it, though it's obvious they cared little about me, only my military achievements. The ones I hate the most were powerful people on the planet, seeking legitimacy or to take over by offering themselves to me, thinking that would secure my army and fleet for their purposes. I suppose this is how desperate the élite of the Republic are… The worst offenders were the ones who decided they needed to give me 'intel' in confidence and it turned out, when the doors were closed, the 'intel' was in how they looked beneath their clothes… Naturally, I had them thrown out."

"You'd think the élite would be well-educated and do better than that," Bastila observed, shaking her head. "What about the people you know?"

"Yes, some of my subordinates were interested in me too. Some of them might even have had a chance if I hadn't already made a commitment to you, but who knows? Some of them gave up when I said I wasn't interested, but not all of them did. The others were persistent, thinking I was playing 'hard to get.'" He sighed again.

"Honestly, I can't imagine why people play those silly games. If 'no' doesn't mean no and you don't have a safeword, you are effectively destroying any ability to consent," she observed.

"Yes. What's worse is that as long as a large enough subset of the population does this, then it erodes consent for everyone else… I can't believe the way the Republic media sometimes glorifies people playing those silly games… No doubt at least some people were inspired by those ridiculous holofilms. Worse was that I still needed them to fight for me and can't just let relationship drama ruin battles, so that was a tightrope I had to walk."

"I am almost thankful that I was stuck in a Jedi enclave," she decided.

"Don't be. In retrospect, I'd much rather have you by my side. At least that should discourage some of these attempts…"

"It makes me wonder then… Why did you refuse all of them? For all you know back then, you may never see me again, and you have no idea what I was doing… Would you really have spent the rest of your life waiting for me?"

"Probably not," he admitted. "I would at least wait for the end of the war, to talk to you face to face, before choosing another course. I swore I would return to you after the war and you swore you would wait for me, however long it took… I am not the kind to break such agreements. You would never trust me unconditionally, not after that, and our relationship will never be as it was. Nor would anyone else, for that matter."

"You really haven't thought of having a normal relationship?" she wondered. "Without the power exchange?"

"No, I am not even slightly interested now," he declared. "I think you have truly corrupted me. I love the idea of being in charge, having my own willing slave girl on her knees, wearing my collar, obeying my every whim, and taking good care of her. I don't think anything else compares."

"It must be torture for you in my absence then," she observed. "How did you cope?"

"Probably the same way you did… engaging in what the Jedi would call 'self-abuse,'" he noted.

"That is what I did," she admitted. "I enjoyed rubbing myself while having something wrapped around my neck, wearing our pair of handcuffs…" She paused, savouring the fantasy. "I am so glad you gave me permission to do that, because otherwise I'd have earned years of punishment…"

"You deserved it, my love," he stated. "And of course, I thought of you on your knees as I did the deed…"

"Why imagine when you have the real thing right here, ripe for the taking?" she observed, her voice husky. "Sleep can wait."

It would be quite a while before the couple finally fell asleep.

Bastila awoke the next morning, feeling rather disturbed. She pushed her boyfriend awake. "That vision was rather unsettling…" she said after he had fully awoken.

He looked somewhat confused, "It was just Malak and I, standing outside of the ruins having a chat, right? What's so unsettling about that?"

His lover blushed a little. "I was having a nice dream when the vision started…" Steadying herself, she continued, "You know, it is rather disturbing to suddenly be in front of the entrance to some creepy ruins in a dream-like state, while naked, helpless, and unable to move… and it also felt more vivid than a simple dream."

"Sorry," he apologized. "I didn't mean to disturb you like that." He pulled her into a comforting hug.

"It might as well work to our advantage," she decided. "I would be feeling really disturbed if I had a real vision. Still, I better go report to the Jedi Council. You should come a bit later."

Half an hour later, Revan found himself in front of the Jedi Council again.

Vandar started without preamble, "Bastila has told us of a most unusual development. She claims you and she have shared a dream, a vision of Malak and Revan in the ancient ruins here on Dantooine."

Dorak continued smoothly, "These ruins have long been known to us, but we believed them to be merely burial mounds. Perhaps they are more than we first suspected, if Revan and Malak found something there."

The supposedly mind-wiped Sith made sure to put the appropriate amount of incredulity into his voice, "What? How would Bastila know if we shared a dream?"

"She says that she felt your presence within the dream, the presence she has felt within you ever since..." said Vandar before being interrupted by Vrook's sharp cry of "Master Vandar!" He continued with, "ever since Taris. It is not unknown for this to happen between two people strong in the Force."

Is this the best they can do? Even if I had actually forgotten I would certainly have found this suspicious… the Sith thought to himself.

"Bastila has described this shared dream to the Council in great detail. We feel it is more than a dream. It is a vision. The Force is acting through you as it acts through Bastila," Vandar continued.

Revan asked with fake curiosity, "How is that possible?"

"You and Bastila share a powerful connection to the Force... and each other. This is not uncommon between master and student, but rarely does a connection form so… rapidly," explained Zhar.

"Are you saying I am… joined with her?" he asked with apparent trepidation. If only you knew how "joined" we are…

"You are linked, as are your fates. Together, you two may be able to stop Darth Malak and the Sith," said Vandar sagely.

Vrook immediately interrupted with an admonishment, "But do not let your head be filled with visions of glory. Such thoughts lead to the Dark Side. The way of the Light is long and difficult. Are you ready for such hardship?"

"I shall endeavour to do my best," the Dark Lord lied. Constantly doing things in the worst way possible to show your supposed "superiority" is actually ridiculous… he mentally commented.

"Understand that there is little choice in this matter. Across the galaxy our numbers dwindle. Many Jedi have not returned, hunted down by the Sith like animals. We fear it is only a matter of time before they find even this refuge…" Vandar added sadly.

Wow, they surely are desperate… thought Revan snidely.

Vrook added gloomily, "Other Jedi have fallen to the Dark Side, giving their allegiance to Malak and the Sith."

Sensing the hidden meaning behind the words, the Sith quickly tried to reassure them, "I shall not fall." Because I have already "fallen," he added sarcastically in his mind, according to their silly definition. Then he added with true conviction, "I shall never join Malak."

Vandar nodded, apparently satisfied by his display, and continued, "The Council has decreed that you and Bastila must investigate the ancient ruins you dreamed of… once you are ready. But first, you must be trained in the ways of the Jedi, so that you may resist the darkness within yourself… within all of us. Otherwise you are doomed to fail."

Revan almost groaned, even though this was part of the plan. Hiding his annoyance, he quickly agreed, "As you wish, Master Vandar."

And thus began his "training" in the Jedi arts.