This chapter is currently undergoing reconstruction. Potential plot holes, character inconsistencies and poor prose upcoming.

Mission had always hated the process of waking up. Her consciousness slowly regained its bearings, but she managed to keep her eyes squeezed shut fro a few minutes before a reluctant decision to physically get up.

She exemplified that now, defiantly rolling over and snuggling further into whatever it was she'd been sleeping on. It was only when she felt tightened pressure on her waist that Mission let herself crack an eye open cautiously. She was lying against someone, and that someone, to her horror, was Seth. Mission jerked her head upright, feeling her cheeks grow hot as Seth chuckled amusedly. He was sitting on the floor of the cargo hold, resting against a few plasteel containers, and she was somehow in his lap.

"What happened?" she asked.

You fell asleep," Seth replied simply. "I couldn't wake you up."

"You couldn't wake me up?" Mission repeated dubiously.

He shrugged. "I wouldn't," he adjusted. "I know you haven't slept well since Taris. Any few hours of sleep you can get is worth it, right? Plus, you're absolutely beautiful when you sleep." He winked before kissing her forehead gently.

"Only when I sleep, huh?" she deflected minor discomfort with a joke.

"What?" Seth asked incredulously. "No! No, I didn't mean it like that!"

She silenced him with a finger to his lips. "Relax, I know what you meant." She paused for a moment, running her hand through his hair, which had gotten much longer since Taris. "Thanks for that, by the way."

"For what?" Seth arched his eyebrow confusedly.

"For the compliments. I really mean it. I never really got that before you came alont, and all of a sudden you have me feeling… I don't know."

Seth just sat there, and Mission, already out of her comfort zone, worried that she may have pushed it too far. But eventually he gave her one of his heart throb grins, and shook his head. "I don't know what I'm feeling either," he admitted. "But it's better than anything I've ever felt before."

Well that wiped the whole Drea problem out of Mission's mind. She leaned in, pulling his head forward with her hand tangled in his hair and brought their lips hardly an inch apart, when a familiar wookiee grunt forced them apart. Mission glared at Zaalbar, but secretly was grateful that he out of all the Ebon Hawk's crew was the one to interrupt them rather than Bastila or the others.

"Hey, Big Z," Seth said casually, as if nothing had happened. For some reason, this angered Mission. "What's up?"

"[Carth says we'll be landing in T-minus fifty minutes. He's calling everyone to the main hold to touch base on the mission and our objectives.]"

"Okay," Seth said, standing up. He brushed off his pants and offered a hand to Mission, but she ignored it, picking herself up off the ground. She was no damsel in distress, and the sooner Seth learned that, the better.

By the time Seth, Mission, and Zaalbar reached the main hold, Carth had already gathered the others around the central console, which was currently displaying an aerial view of Manaan. The surface was entirely covered with water, and Mission couldn't help but wonder where they would land.

The planet's one big ocean," Carth was saying as the three joined the meeting. Juhani scooted a little to the side to accept them into the circle, and Mission smiled thankfully at her. "There are no landmasses on Manaan," Carth continued. "However, the native Selkath have built a massive city above the water to accept offworlders. Ahto City is the central hub of the galaxy's kolto trade, and enforces a strict neutrality law."

"Neutrality?" Canderous repeated, dumbfounded.

"Both the Republic and the Sith have a presence in Ahto City," Bastila explained. "The laws of Manaan prohibit violence of any kind. If you so much as threaten an invidual, you will be arrested." She looked sternly at the Mandalorian, who shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"Don't worry about me, Princess. It's the Republic pilot we've got here who has a beef with the Sith."

"I have a 'beef,' as you say, with the Mandalorians as well," Carth reminded him through gritted teeth. "But I've been able to put aside my personal views for the better of the mission." He turned to Bastila. "It won't be a problem. Don't worry."

"Thank you, Carth," Bastila replied. "I'm more inclined to worry, however, about our younger companions. Can you put your emotions aside, Seth?"

"Don't worry about me, ma'am," Seth assured. "The Sith were crawling all over Taris, and I didn't lay a finger on any of 'em!" He paused for a moment. "Well, aside from the ones in the military base. But that was because the circumstances demanded it."

Bastila gestured towards Mission. "I meant all of your feelings. Not just anger."

Mission felt her cheeks grow hot with embarrassment as Seth grasped her hand. "That's none of your business," he pointed out. The formality was gone, and Mission couldn't feel any more uncomfortable.

"The fate of the galaxy is at stake, Avery!" the older Jedi snapped. "Everything that happens on this ship is my business. Just because she's the only female your age available to you doesn't mean you let your hormones take control. For the sake of the universe, show some self control!"

Seth said nothing, finally remembering rank. He released Mission's hand and stepped back with a hanging head. Mission burned with embarrassment, and Bastila's words had cut deep. Her reasoning for Seth's emotions, that he only felt the way he did because Mission was the only age-appropriate target for his hormones, hurt the Twi'lek far more than any of the Drea business ever had. She continued to think about it for the next half hour as she sat on her bunk, head in her hands. Seth and Bastila were still discussing the possible location of the Star Map, so she knew that neither of them would be along to disturb her. However, she had forgotten that the women's dormitory had gained another occupant, and Mission jumped in surprise when Juhani walked in. The cathar glanced at her and frowned. "Is something wrong?" she asked, cat-like eyes showing concern.

Mission shook her head quickly. "Nothing important."

Juhani looked unconvinced. "I can feel your emotions raging inside you. Something's obviously troubling you."

"Well…" Mission sighed unsure of how to begin. "I'm sure you've noticed that Seth and I are… close."

"Considering the situation in the main hold, I would think it is pretty obvious," Juhani replied bluntly. "Such attatchments are forbidden to the Jedi. That is why Bastila was upset, so you should not take it personally."

"Yeah, I know. It's not Bastila I'm worried about. She hates me, and I'm cool with that. It's Seth. What if… So you think she's right? About Seth being interested in me because I'm the only one he's allowed to date?"

Juhani frowned. "I don't know a lot about that… But Seth is obviously saddled with a lot right now. I don't think he'd take the time for a relationship if he didn't think it was worth it."

Mission smiled as she let the words sink in. "I guess that makes sense. Thanks."

Juhani shrugged. "It was nothing," she said modestly. She began to head out, but stopped at the doorway. "You said you were afraid you were the only one he is allowed to date. He's a Jedi. He's not allowed to date anyone. He's breaking the rules for you, remember that." Juhani shot her a small smile before leaving. Mission flopped back onto her bed, giddy after her talk with the Cathar, and let out an uncharacteristic giggle.

"What's so funny?"

She looked up to see Seth leaning against the doorframe, hands in his jacket pockets. His hair was styled down because it had grown too long for the fauxhawk, giving his youthful appearance a more rugged look. His bangs swept down just barely over his eyes, causing his to toss them aside with an occasional shake of the head in order to see.

Mission sat up with a smile. "Nothing important. The boys' dorm is that way." She pointed behind him, down the hallway.

"I know, Carth sent me down here to get you. You're shore party for this mission. Along with him, Bastila, Juhani, and me." He let his eyebrows rise at the mention of himself, and a suggestive smile crept onto his face. "I heard that Manaan has amazing sunsets. And great food. What do you think of dinner tonight?"

"Just you and me?" she asked as he sat next to her on the bunk.

Seth shrugged. "Yeah."

She smiled playfully, sliding a hand across his shoulder and around the back of his neck. She felt his hair rise at her touch, a fact that she was actually quite proud of. "What makes you think I'd want to go on a date with you?"

He grinned. "I don't know," he said, cupping her cheek in his palm. "I guess I'm just hopeful."

"Well, I'd love to," Mission told him before pressing her lips to his. He leaned into the kiss earnestly, tenderly running his hand down her lekku. A sensation of electricity coursed through her body at his touch, and she gasped sharply as she clutched his body so tightly that her knuckles went white. He pulled back quickly.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

Mission nodded. He sighed with relief, running his fingers along her lekku once again and causing Mission to bite back a moan. "Seth…" she breathed, giving him a meaningful look. "You're killing me, here." She figured that, now that he'd discovered the sensitivity of her lekku and the pleasurable sensation it gave her, they would have to set boundaries in their relationship. Right now, she felt that it was still relatively innocent, but Seth still was a sixteen year old boy. They needed to be careful.

His eyes widened with realization. "Oh."

At that moment, T3 rolled in, a surprised sounding whir emitting from his vocabulator when he saw Seth hovering over Mission, who was halfway laying down on the bunk. He beeped a hurried message and rolled back out quickly, nearly hitting the doorframe in his hurry to leave the room. If a droid could show emotion, Mission could have sworn she'd just seen embarrassment.

They both spent a moment collecting themselves. "We'd better go," Seth said reluctantly. "T3 said they were waiting on us." Mission nodded, grabbing her blaster from her footlocker and holstering it. He grinned at her. "So I guess I found a sweet spot there, huh?"

She arched an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

"You know…" Seth reached forward and gently stroked the length of her lekku with the tips of two fingers. She shuddered with pleasure. "That sweet spot."

"Seth Erich Avery!" she exclaimed, and he ducked to avoid the fist swinging dangerously toward his shoulder with a laugh.

After following the extremely confusing directions of the Republic soldier at the dock for over an hour, the group had finally found the Republic Embassy in Ahto City. Although the others seemed annoyed by it, Seth hadn't been bothered by their journey to the Embassy. He found the city fascinating, albeit confusing, and the winding trip through it offered many sights, most of which he excitedly pointed out to Mission. With his childhood on Coruscant, and hers on Taris, both teens found the sight of the ocean nothing short of incredible. Seth found himself unable to wait for the sunset, which had been advertised in a travel brochure they had received, and he was especially excited to share it with Mission.

For now, however, he had to sit through Roland Wann's list of excuses as to why they couldn't travel down to the ocean floor. He quietly put his hand out to the side, focused his senses, and began to nonchalantly levitate a spare ammo clip with the Force.

"Break into the Sith Embassy?!" Bastila's questioning tone of voice shattered Seth's concentration, and the ammo clip clattered to the durasteel flooring. He was suddenly aware of all eyes on him, Bastila's furious gaze, and Mission and Carth's quiet snickering from behind him.

"Must've… fell. Or something," he muttered, calling it back into his grip using the Force. He tucked the clip safely into the ammo pouch next to his holster and lightsaber. "So!" He clapped his hands together loudly in the way that always caused those around him to jump in surprise. "You want us to break into the Sith Embassy?" He didn't wait for Wann's answer. "You picked the right team. Breaking and entering is our specialty."

"Ironically, he's right," Carth murmured.

"Breaking in is the easy part," Wann replied. "Once you're in, you have to locate our stolen droid and break out with its data."

"Then you'll help us find the Star Map?" Juhani asked.

"I'll tell you what I know about it," he replied. "No promises on actually finding it. If it even is what you're looking for."

"This deal is feeling very one sided," Mission muttered. Bastila shot her a warning look, to which the Twi'lek rolled her eyes.

"We'll do it," Bastila told the representative, looking at Seth for approval of the plan. He nodded slowly. Although they were both Padawans, now equal in rank, he still looked to her as a superior officer, as well as Carth. It felt odd not to have to answer to them.

"Excellent!" Wann said, a bright smile contrasting with his dark features. "We've already come up with three ways to break in, if you'll hear them."

Bastila nodded. "Of course."

"We captured a Sith spy snooping around our Embassy the other day. We've been trying ot get him to reveal the password to the Sith Embassy, but to no avail. He's a tough nut to crack, but perhaps you'll have more luck. Feel free to interrogate him. He also had an encrypted passcard on his person, which our techs are currently attempting to decrypt for our use. That card is your second option, though it may take some time to decrypt."

"And the third option?" Carth prodded.

"A more… direct approach. The Sith have a shuttle that constantly travels between the Embassy and their designated hangar. It's heavily guarded, but may be your quickest means of entry. If you don't get shot down first, that is."

Seth glanced back at Carth and Bastila. "What do you guys think?"

"Going through the hangar should be a last resort," Bastila pointed out. "I can try to interrogate the prisoner. Juhani, you can help as well. I heard you were good at reading emotions before you… well, I heard you can read emotions." The cathar nodded.

"I'll help," Carth offered. "I've interrogated a few Sith officers in the past."

"Your experience would be appreciated, Carth," Bastila agreed.

"Mission and I can check out the card decryption situation," Seth suggested. "Maybe bring T3 in, too."

"I'll allow you access inside the Embassy," Wann told them, hitting a switch located on his desk. The doors opened, and the team walked down the ramp and into the tiny Republic headquarters. One of the soldiers inside stepped up immediately. He couldn't have been a year older than Seth.

"Private Wilkinson," he introduced himself, saluting. "Anything I can do to help you? Do you need anything? Do you want directions? A tour of the Embassy?"

"Slow down, kid," Carth said.

"Yes, sir!" Wilkinson replied. "Sorry, sir. It's just not every day that a war hero or a Jedi walks in."

"If it makes you feel more at ease," Mission piped up, "I'm the normal one here."

Upon noticing her, the young man gave her a flirtatious smile. "Not every day a pretty girl walks in, either." She blushed ferociously

Seth, suddenly overcome with an Alpha-male attitude, grabbed Mission's hand and stepped slightly in front of the blushing Twi'lek. "Actually, we needed some directions," he said through gritted teeth. "Where are they decrypting the passcards?"

Wilkinson jerked his thumb to the right, and Seth headed for the doorway that the private was pointing to, dragging Mission along without so much as a 'thank you.'

"You here to help decrypt these cards?" the soldier in front of the console asked. "Wann sent word ahead. Go ahead and take a crack at it. The code is pretty tough, but we've got plenty of blank cards if you mess up." He stepped aside. "Computer's all yours."

Seth stepped forward to log into the console, using his old soldier ID. Mission stepped up next to him. "Private Seth Erich Avery," she read aloud. "Age sixteen. Height, six foot even. Weight…. you weigh one eighty-five?"

He grinned, flexing his biceps jokingly. "Muscle mass."

"Uh huh," she said, shoving him playfully. "What muscle?"

He was in the process of coming up with a witty comeback when a soft female voice called from behind him, "Seth?"

He spun around to meet ocean blue eyes set in a delicately shaped porcelain face framed by long, silky blonde hair. Oh-so familiar lips were curved into a smile of disbelief. Seth's breath caught in his throat.

"Drea?"