Destiny: Part I

Outside the door to his small apartment, Admiral Carth Onasi, hero of the Republic and ranking leader of the Starship Sojourn, absently ran a free hand through his thick hair. Strangely, he was almost afraid to enter. He'd had one to many nights of coming home to an empty one-bedroom apartment, cold food, and dark dreams to simply walk in and relax, as one normally would in their own home.

No one had told him his job would be easy, but after losing his wife so long ago when Telos was first destroyed and then learning that his son had survived as a Sith, Carth had been ready for a change. Coming back to Telos had been a bit difficult. He no longer dreamed about his wife, which almost bothered him. Sometimes, he would forget what she had looked like. He would try to remember her face, but all he would get was a fuzzy mental image of her long, blonde hair and her favorite blue sweater.

Carth had not seen his son in a long time either, but at least he no longer walked the path of a Sith. The boy, Dustil, was just turning 22-years-old, and after his brief stint with the dark side of the Force, he had thought about becoming a Jedi. The plan had not fallen through, and Dustil was now attending school to become an engineer on a planet closer to the heart of the Republic.

Dustil was a lucky boy. He had discovered the true evil of the Sith before he had been converted to their ways. It was ironic that a former Sith Lord had turned the boy back to the light. Alexis Starling, formerly known as Darth Revan, had shown Dustil where the path he was following would lead.

It was she, Revan, who haunted Carth's dreams of late, rather than his former wife. After Revan's redemption nearly five years before, he had been forced to travel with her while she searched for her former apprentice, Darth Malak, to stop him from taking control of the galaxy. During the course of their quest, Carth had fallen deeply in love with the young Jedi, and he missed her quite terribly now.

She had left him shortly after their mission, telling him that there were places in the galaxy where she must go where she dared not to take those that she cared for. Carth would have done anything for Revan, but that was the most difficult thing she could have asked him to do.

Now, as he stood outside of his apartment on the once again battle-torn Telos, Carth briefly thought of Revan and how different his life would be if she were still with him.

Thoughts of Revan had come more frequently lately, as one of her followers from the Mandalorian Wars had recently been rediscovered within the galaxy. The Jedi, a girl by the name of Kalen Valirra, was known as 'the exile' for she had returned to the Jedi Council after the Mandalorian Wars to face their judgment for her defiance of their wishes and been cast from the Order. She had severed herself from the Force shortly before her exile and was only now reconnected with it.

Without the aid of the exile, Telos would have fallen once again during a recent battle with the Sith. Even now the exile was on her way to Malachor V, to 'take care of some unfinished business' as she had put it to him.

Carth liked the girl. Despite the hardships life had handed her every step of the way, she had remained a devout servant of the light side of the Force. Even when she had defied the council and followed Revan to the Mandalorian Wars, Kalen Valirra had done it because her heart told her it was the right thing to do. She could not allow the Mandalorians to continue to needlessly slaughter the innocent.

Kalen was only a year or two younger than Revan, and the two had been what you might have considered friends, although they were not so close than Kalen had known where Revan was now. It had been four years since Carth had been in contact with Revan, and even longer than that for the exile, who had not seen her since the Mandalorian Wars nearly ten years before.

The exile had been in hiding during the Jedi Civil War from five years past and had accidentally been drawn back into the spotlight by Darth Traya. The exile was on her way to find Traya, who had been posing as someone else entirely, at that very moment. Carth was worried about Kalen. She was still so weak, so naïve, and so innocent, despite her experiences at Malachor during the Mandalorian Wars.

It comforted him somewhat to see a ragtag group of friends following her, each vowing to him that would give their lives to protect the life of the exile. They treated her as he had treated Revan, and he wondered if one or two of them were not in love with the exile. He hoped all turned out well for them, better than it had for him. Yet they still had one final challenge ahead of them, probably the greatest of their lives.

Carth felt old around them, for he was in his forties and they were all in their twenties. Even Revan was only 29. It hardly seemed possible that a girl so young could have experienced so much. She had single-handedly won the Mandalorian Wars at the tender age of 19 and converted half of the galaxy to the dark side only a few years later. The Jedi Council had then captured her and had her memory erased.

After the memory wipe, Revan had been retrained as a Jedi and redeemed in the light, all while he was watching her with suspicious eyes. She had saved the Republic once again during the Jedi Civil Wars by defeating her former apprentice, Darth Malak. Revan was an amazing woman.

Carth shook his head and silently wished the exile well. She was well on her way to becoming a hero, much as many considered Revan. As they say though, the greater you are, the harder you fall.

He shook away these dark thoughts and slowly opened the door to his apartment. The light flipped on automatically, and what he saw startled him beyond words.

There, seated on the floor of his apartment facing the wall, was some sort of Jedi. He could tell by the way the person was floating above the floor in a cross-legged position, apparently meditating.

Clearly the light had startled the somewhat tiny Jedi-like character, however, for it rose to its feet rapidly and he heard the sound of a lightsaber switching on.

The Jedi was covered in a traditional Jedi robe, but the thing was torn and bloody. It hung loosely about one of the smallest figures he had ever seen... He only knew one other person that tiny and she couldn't be...

The Jedi turned sharply, wielding a dual-bladed laser-sword, silver in color, and Carth nearly fell to the floor. He was unaware that he had drawn his blaster and he stood there, staring dumbly and pointing it towards the Jedi.

With a sharp gasp, Alexis Starling, formerly Darth Revan, dropped her lightsaber with a clatter and stared back at Carth, her green eyes wide with wonder.

Carth continued to hold his blaster, unable to move or speak. Was he dreaming? Was this some sort of sick joke? Perhaps he was looking at some sort of Sith in disguise?

'Revan?' He croaked, waving his blaster pistol at her slowly. He blinked a few times, trying to focus, and then rubbed his free hand over his face.

Alexis stared back at him, startled to see him. She had waited here, in his apartment, for hours, expecting him to come home from work. When he had not, and the evening had become very late, Alexis had given up and chosen to meditate for a bit to rest her weakened body.

She had been aware that he might have somewhere else to go, like on a date or to a girlfriend's house, and she'd thought about leaving the apartment and approaching him at a more neutral location, but she'd eventually convinced herself not to. It had never even occurred to her that he might stay at work this late.

Alexis was aware Carth had spoken, and when his words finally registered, she'd nearly recoiled. He'd called her Alexis for almost all of the time they had known one another and when he called her Revan, it reminded her that all was not well in the world to which she had finally returned.

'Carth.' Alexis finally acknowledged, lowering her head in a typical Jedi greeting. She then bent down and retrieved her lightsaber and reclipped it to her belt. It was amazing that she, who almost never lost her cool, could be caused to drop her weapon by one look from Carth Onasi.

When he did not respond, and did not put away his blaster, Alexis sighed softly and settled back into a seated position on the floor. She was far too weak to continue to stand. Besides, maybe sitting would seem less threatening, as he seemed inclined to view her as such. She hardly considered herself a threat to anyone at the moment, however.

Malnourished, dehydrated, bruised, battered, and covered in the blood of others, Alexis was not much to look at in her current state. She'd been hounded relentlessly by Sith assassins for the last six-months and if it were not for the Force sustaining her, she would have died long ago from utter exhaustion.

Alexis rested her hands upon her knees, palms up, and sat up as straight as her weak form would allow. She lowered her head to Carth once again and shut her eyes. Perhaps she could meditate for a little bit while he stared at her and waved his blaster.

As soon as she shut her eyes, Carth awoke from his stupor. He put his blaster back in its holster and looked at Revan, trying to reconcile his previous memories of her with the way she looked now.

Revan had always been a tiny girl, but now even her own robes hung loosely upon her. She was bone thin and pale. She looked practically dead. Her once lustrous black hair was tied back into a dull plait, her once proud shoulders slumped slightly, and her once bright green eyes had lost their shimmer. Her cheeks were hollow and her fingernails were ragged. Carth could hardly believe his eyes. Revan had always been beautiful, and even now, appearing near death, she was lovely to Carth.

He reached out, as if to touch her, but pulled back slightly. He was still several feet from her and was not yet prepared to take those last few steps. He continued to look at her instead, eyeing the blood on her robes. The blood was mostly dried, but some of it, near her side, was still fresh and looked wet.

'Whose blood is it, Revan?' Carth asked slowly, and nearly cursed himself as soon as the words were out. How accusatory he sounded when he'd merely meant to ask if she herself were bleeding.

'Sith assassins.' Revan replied, without opening her eyes. 'Did you think I'd been slaughtering innocents, Carth?' She added softly.

'No, I-' He began, but he stopped before he finished. Maybe he had believed that, if only for a split second. 'What about the fresh blood at your side?'

Revan opened her eyes and looked down at her side. He watched as she twisted painfully until she could see the blood and probed at the area with her fingers. 'That appears to be mine.' She told him evenly.

'May I take a look?' He asked, taking a single step forward.

Revan immediately held out her hand, forestalling him. 'No, I'm fine. I'm the one with the healing skills anyway, remember?' Revan stood slowly, each movement stiff and painful.

Carth watched with a grimace, wishing he could help her. 'Please, Revan. Let me take a look.' He said, watching her continue to stare at the wound.

She glanced up at him and looked into his eyes for several seconds. Carth was tempted to look away, her gaze was so penetrating. He never did however, and she turned away from him to pull away some of the material covering her side.

'Revan.' He said again.

She ignored him for several seconds, but finally appeared to give up. Her shoulders dropped again and she reached up and tugged off the robe over her garments. Next she unhooked her belt and lifted the edge of her tunic to expose the wound. She looked back at him expectantly.

Carth rushed over to her side before she had the chance to change her mind. He carefully prodded the wound that was just under her rib cage. It was long and thin, but it was not deep. The blood had been flowing freely down her side for a little while, it appeared, but not so much that she was in danger of dying from blood loss. As a matter of fact, it didn't even look like the wound needed stitches.

Just above the wound, however, was something far more concerning. Revan's ribs: every single one of them, jutting from her chest and easily countable with the naked eye. She was borderline emaciated, and Carth could not resist touching one of them with the tip of his finger.

Revan jerked slightly and looked down at his hand. 'What are you doing down there?'

'When was the last time you ate anything?' He asked her, careful not to sound accusatory once again.

'I haven't the faintest idea. The last time I ate something would have been the last time I had a moment to do so. It's hard to fit in eating when you're avoiding assassins.' Revan said, absently resting her hand on her bare stomach.

Carth glanced up into her eyes and watched her for several seconds. 'Can I fix you anything to eat?' He offered quietly.

'I don't think so. The minute I let down my guard, swarms of assassins wearing stealth field generators will probably pop out of the shadows and kill us both. I can't afford to cause the loss of any more life, Carth. The only life I can afford to lose is my own.' Revan told him, perhaps a bit sarcastically.

'I'm not going to die, Revan. And I'm certainly not going to let anyone kill you. Besides, you'll have a hard time protecting anything when you die from starvation.' He replied.

Revan shifted positions slowly, lowering her shirt and then easing her arms into a folded position over her chest. 'I'd rather have a change of clothes and a bath. But those are luxuries I can't afford.'

'Well, when you showed up here, you stepped into line for all of the above. When was the last time you slept, Revan?' Carth asked.

'I meditate as often as I am able.' She replied.

'No Revan, sleeping. You know, closing your eyes, stopping your mind, letting your body relax?' He asked.

'I haven't slept in years. I don't have that option. I don't travel with others. My skill is the only thing keeping me alive. I can't let down my guard.' She repeated, biting her lip.

Carth smiled grimly. 'Well, you're not alone now. You can let your guard down around me. Let me take care of you for just a little while, Revan.'

'I can't.'

'Yes you can! I can take care of you long enough for you to get something to eat, take a bath and change your clothes, and sleep for a little while. I am perfectly capable of taking care of you, Revan.' Carth told her

In truth, Revan had always been more capable than Carth. Even at her weakest, Revan was stronger mentally, physically, and emotionally. She was a tough girl, and Carth respected that. He knew, however, that without some rest sometime soon, she was going to burn out.

'Carth, I'm only a danger to you. I didn't come here to stay... I can't.' Revan said, looking down at the floor. She idly fingered her lightsaber, as if drawing strength from its touch.

'I'm not asking you to move in. I'm telling you that without this break, you're going to kill yourself. If you don't let me help you, you won't be in a condition to help yourself.' Carth told her. 'Now, get a bath. You stink.'

Revan looked back up at him, and she was smiling faintly. 'I hate to burst your bubble, Carth, but I don't have a change of clothes. If I put these back on, I'll just stink again.' She said, lifting her robe from the floor where she had thrown it.

'That could be a problem. And I'm not entirely comfortable with you running around naked. I guess you could wait here for a bit while I run to one of the local merchants and pick you up something to wear.' He said, smiling at her. 'I hate to leave you alone, though,' he added as an afterthought.

'I'll be fine, Carth. I've been alone for the past four years. I can handle half an hour.' She replied.

Carth nodded and turned back towards the door. 'Um... What size clothes do you need? And what exactly do you want?' He asked warily. The whole conversation made him just a bit nervous.

'I don't know what size, Carth. All I have ever worn were Jedi robes, and they've always been made to fit me. Something small. And get me- a blouse, some pants, socks, boots, undergarments, and I guess a belt. I'll pay you for them when you get back.' She answered.

'You don't have to do that, Revan. I want to help you.' Carth said. He started to walk away but he stopped himself, turning back to Revan for just a second. He reached out and touched her face gently, running his thumb across her cheek. He smiled at her and started to leave again.

'Carth.' Revan said.

Carth turned back, looking to her expectantly.

She looked like she wanted to say something, but she stopped. She appeared to think for a few seconds, and then she smiled at him. 'Thank you.'

Alexis watched Carth leave, gently caressing the hilt of her lightsaber. Alone once again. It was her lot in life, to be alone, she realized. She wasn't meant to be the companion of others. It was good she had not told Carth what she had so desperately wanted to when he was leaving. I love you.

Such a small phrase, yet with so much meaning. And so much implied responsibility. It was another of those luxuries she could not afford.

She did love him though. He was the only man she had ever truly loved, but it wasn't meant to be. Though she wasn't truly a Jedi, as she had relinquished that title many years before by virtue of her own actions, she still tried her best to follow the Jedi Code. This meant that love, marriage, and children were basically forbidden to her. They led to the dark side, or so her masters had always told her. No matter what its implications, Alexis did love Carth, and she would do anything for him. Perhaps that was why it was a characteristic of the dark side.

Alexis suddenly lifted the hem of her shirt and looked down at her abdomen to see what Carth had seen. It was true. She was deathly thin and covered with sickly blue and yellow bruises. The cut along her side was disgusting and bloody, but it was not lethal. All of her ribs stuck out starkly, protruding grotesquely from her soft white chest. Her stomach was tiny and clearly empty, and for the first time in a very long while, she felt a weak pang of hunger.

Perhaps Carth was right. If she didn't stop for just a little while, she was going to kill herself, and she was not of use to anyone dead.

Alexis settled onto a nearby chair and crossed her legs beneath her. She found she didn't wish to meditate, but instead wished to take a look at her new surroundings. Carth was, without a doubt, the tidiest man she had ever seen. His home was immaculate.

The walls were a pristine white and the counters and the table sparkled as if they were new. The chairs and other furnishings were neatly placed about the apartment in an aesthetically pleasing sort of way. Alexis saw no droids, however, and found it hard to believe that Carth himself kept his home this clean. Perhaps he was never home to mess it up in the first place.

Alexis lay back in the chair and closed her eyes briefly. No matter what she had told Carth, she was looking forward to a bit of rest. She trusted him to protect her life, but she did not trust herself to protect his if she were not fully alert should they come under attack. Sadly, it appeared that she had little choice in the matter. Carth was going to make her rest and eat. She was grateful for the opportunity, though.

Alexis's thigh muscle cramped painfully and she opened her eyes and rubbed at it idly. She was dehydrated, and it was probably best that she found a glass of water. Maybe a bit of fluid would ease some of her pain. She stood slowly and the room swam sickeningly as she did so. It appeared that she was worse off than she'd thought.

After a few seconds of bracing herself, Alexis made her way into the kitchen to retrieve a glass of water from the tap. A sound, however, caused her to turn back towards the room from which she had just come.

There! She heard it again, faintly, and she reached for her lightsaber. It looked like perhaps the assassins had... Alexis began to laugh and dropped her hand away from her weapon.

A gizka had stumbled into the room behind her. The small, foolish-looking creature made a strange noise at her and rushed over to rub its ugly head against her leg. Alexis grinned and reached down to pat it.

There had been gizka on the planet that the Star Maps she had followed during the Jedi Civil War led to. She and Carth had fought together there. The silly creature nuzzled at her hand when she held it out to him, and Alexis cooed softly at it. The thing was so hideously ugly that it was actually cute.

Alexis stepped away from it after a few moments and retrieved a glass of water. She downed it quickly and though she wanted another, she held off, afraid to rehydrate too rapidly. Her weak body could not handle much more abuse, Force or no.

Alexis wandered away from the kitchen, the gizka hot on her heels. All movement was basically painful, and Alexis was exhausted. She dropped back onto the chair and folded her legs beneath her once again. She was cold, despite the warm air outside, and she wrapped her arms around her chest, trying to keep off the chill. The gizka lost interest in her and wandered away.

She sat is much this way for quite some time, until her tired body became stiff and cool, and she was forced to move a bit. Every motion sent waves of tingling through her sleeping limbs and she stretched them a bit, trying to make the feeling fade.

The door opened rather suddenly and Alexis spun and grasped her lightsaber, her movements remarkably fast for one so sore. It was only Carth, however, and she relaxed. 'Welcome back.' She told him, eyeing the parcels in his hand with some excitement. Clean clothes and a warm bath were sounding better and better, despite the risks.

---

Carth felt a bit awkward standing there, holding packages of women's clothing for the first time in many years. The purchase, too, had been awkward, as the clerk had recognized him immediately and asked if the clothes were for a special lady friend.

When the woman had noticed the size of the clothing he had chosen, however, she'd apologized and said it must be for a daughter or a niece. Carth had made a mistake at that point by laughing and telling the merchant that no, they were for a full-grown woman.

She'd continued to eye him speculatively for the remainder of the transaction. He had not doubt that the rumor would spread over the whole of the Citadel Station by the following day.

Carth looked at Revan and smiled. 'Well, the clerk asked me about my daughter or my niece. It seems that these clothes are suitable only for very young women. She told me that these were the sizes teenage girls wore and checked to make sure that this was the size I had intended.' He said with a chuckle.

Revan walked over to him and placed a hand on one of the packages. 'Thank you Carth. You have no idea how much this means to me.' She attempted to smile at him, but she appeared to be in some pain, and the smile came off a bit like a grimace.

'Go ahead and go get cleaned up. I'll fix you something to eat. The bathroom is down the hall and to your right. You should find it easily enough.' Carth said, handing her the packages.

Revan nodded slightly. 'Got it.' She turned to go but turned back a few feet away from him. 'Be careful, Carth. Call me if anything feels... wrong.'

Alexis stood inside the bathroom, leaning against the door with her eyes shut. It was going to be okay. Carth could protect her for just a little while. Certainly long enough for her to take a bath.

She pulled away from the door's support and settled her parcels on the nearby counter. She opened one of them and peered inside. A few blouses and some socks were nestled neatly inside. The next package contained a couple of pairs of tights and some undergarments. The final bag held a soft pair of black knee-high boots and a thin black belt.

Alexis touched the material of the boots gently, rubbing it between her thumb and forefinger. It was soft and supple, much like the boots she had owned before the Mandalorian Wars. She removed a blouse from one of the other bags and held it up to her chest. It would fit well, although it might be a bit loose. That was basically what Alexis was used to, however, as she had worn loose, flowing Jedi robes most of her life.

The blouse was emerald green, much like her eyes, and Alexis wondered if Carth had chosen it for that reason, or if it had been an accident. She frowned in thought for a moment, but she quickly disregarded the idea. Whatever the case, it was hers now.

Alexis undressed as rapidly as her tired body would allow and turned on the hot spray of the shower. She stepped inside and began the process of washing away dirt and blood without injuring herself further.

In the kitchen, Carth was preparing a warm meal for the both of them. He had always been quite adept at cooking, and he found himself enjoying the experience, as he had not done it in quite some time.

He was staying as alert as was possible. The way Revan had acted about the presence of assassins had him a bit on edge. He did not want to see her hurt, and for the moment, it was his responsibility to see that she wasn't.

She hadn't been in the bathroom for any longer than fifteen minutes when she emerged once again, clean and dressed. She was surprisingly healthier looking from the bath alone.

She was dressed in the emerald green blouse and brown tights he had purchased her. She had a thin belt tied around her waist and soft black boots laced up her legs. Her long, straight black hair hung down her back in still-damp tendrils, curling slightly at the ends. Her face had that glowing, freshly scrubbed look, and though she was still dangerously thin and pale, she looked like she felt much better than before.

'I've almost finished making dinner.' Carth said as she walked to his side to watch what he was doing.

'Thank you.' Revan said softly, brushing her hair back from her face.

She was standing only a few inches from him, and he was once again beginning to appreciate how truly small she was. She looked like a lost child standing there beside him, playing with the hem of her shirt and twisting one of her feet back and forth across the floor.

'How is your side?' He said.

'Better. I bandaged it with a healing pack I found in your cupboard after I showered. I hope you don't mind. I didn't want to immediately start bleeding on my new clothes.' She answered.

Carth nodded and turned back to his cooking. He was acutely aware of her standing so near to him and every time she shifted, he could feel her moving. It was a bit disconcerting, and he was having trouble concentrating.

Revan was an utterly overwhelming presence, even subdued as she was. Her character flowed from her body like the tide, wafting over those nearby and dragging them back to her when the time was right.

Carth had always been amazed that so many people would bow to the will of such a tiny girl. She had been smaller than every other member of her army and less than half the size of Malak, who had been a large man. She'd been so young, too. It simply amazed him the things that people had done for her. They'd given up their lives for her and for her cause, despite the fact that it may have conflicted with the things that they had believed before they met her.

Revan was just like that. She had total control over those around her, whether she waned it or not. The entire galaxy had fallen willingly at her feet, and she had not even realized that it was she, not her beliefs, that had swayed half of the population to follow her to war.

Carth had wondered at first if he had truly loved her, or if he was merely under her spell. It had taken him some time to realize that he was not bewitched by her character. He could see her faults, her flaws, her weaknesses, and despite them, he still cared for her, and he still believed in her. He was willing to overlook all of the things she had done in her past, as long as she never turned to the dark side again.

'Carth?' Revan said suddenly, snapping him from his thoughts. She was looking at him strangely, a wary glint in her eye.

'Yeah?' He answered, returning her gaze.

'What happened to Bastila?' She asked, wrapping a strand of her hair around her finger.

Bastila had been the young Jedi who had helped to capture Revan and take her to the Council to have her memory erased. Bastila had essentially saved her life and afterwards, the pair had been bonded through the Force.

They had been best friends through the Jedi Civil War, one almost never without the other. They had not trusted one another at first, but it had turned into one of the strongest bonds between two people that Carth had ever seen.

'Did you hear about the Jedi Council?' Carth asked her carefully, watching her expression.

'Of course. Most were killed on Katarr when Darth Nihilus destroyed it using the Force. Traya killed the others about a week ago on Dantooine. There are none left.' Revan answered evenly. She looked a bit upset, but the emotion was quickly wiped from her face.

'Well, when Katarr was destroyed, Bastila died with it. She was there, trying to aid the council.' Carth told her.

Revan looked startled. 'I thought I felt her die... but I had hoped it was only fatigue... It was a disturbance in the Force... Not like the one I felt when I knew the Masters had died in the attack, but a more personal one. I had hoped... But Bastila was always the hero, wasn't she? She had to save the day.' Revan smiled grimly at him, memories of Bastila clearly running through her mind.

'It must have been terrible for you. The bond between the pair of you was so strong.' Carth said, reaching out and grabbing her hand.

Revan nodded. 'I think that may have contributed to my current condition. I was already weak and when I felt that pain so strongly through the Force- I guess that was when I stopped eating.' Revan pressed her free hand to her stomach and rubbed at it thoughtfully.

'I'm sorry, Revan.' Carth said. 'Look,' he added, pointing at the food, 'Dinner is ready. I say we get you a bite to eat and then you get some rest.' He released her hand and turned to get dishes for the meal.

Revan pressed her other hand over her stomach. 'I'm a bit nauseous, to be honest. I hope I can keep it down.'

'You don't have to eat much. It's best to start small anyway and work your way back up to regular portions.' Carth said as he divided the meal onto two plates.

'I'll try.' She replied, eyeing the food doubtfully.

Alexis felt her stomach contort sickeningly at the first smell of food. She was fighting the urge to be sick and so far, she was succeeding. Rest sounded far better at this point, but she needed the meal, and Carth had gone to the trouble of preparing it.

She followed him to the small table on the far side of his kitchen and sat down opposite of him. He settled a plate before her and she lifted an eating utensil and stared at the meal for several seconds, gathering her courage.

'Eat, Revan.' Carth commanded gently.

Alexis lifted a bite of food to her mouth and forced herself to swallow it. It was difficult to get down.

She managed several bites of food before she was so sick that she could not eat another bite for a few moments, and she watched Carth eat while she waited. He became aware of her gaze and looked back, smiling slightly.

'I guess I'll eat for the both of us.' He said, taking another bite.

Revan shrugged. 'I'm sorry. I'll eat what I can, but I don't expect it to be much more. Those last few bites were hard enough as it is.' Alexis said.

While Carth was finishing his meal, Alexis stared at her fingernails, deep in thought. It was strange to her to be back in the normal world. Still, she could never return to the mundane. Ever since she was 18-years-old, her world had been complicated and dangerous. She'd always had trouble maintaining balance in her life, and now was no different.

'Revan?' She heard Carth say faintly through the fog in her head, but she didn't look up. 'Revan?' He said again a few seconds later.

Startled, Alexis looked up at him. 'Yes?' She asked, jerking her hand back down into her lap.

'Are you finished eating?' He asked, glancing at the plate she had hardly touched.

'I guess so.' She answered. The food looked terribly unappealing, and she was feeling a bit sick from what she had eaten before.

Carth nodded and stood up. He gathered their dishes and wandered away, probably to clean up the kitchen.

Alexis rubbed her eyes and stood to follow him. He wasn't far away, and she stopped only inches from his side, comforted by his nearness. Carth did not look at her, but continued to clean up his dishes.

'Carth, why don't you have a droid for this sort of thing?' Alexis asked suddenly, watching him methodically putting away the eating utensils.

'I like doing it for myself. It's a therapy of sorts, I suppose. Sort of like cooking is.' He replied.

Alexis smiled slightly. He was just like she remembered: such an odd combination of anger and happiness, toughness and tenderness. He was unlike any other man she had ever known, even among the Jedi. He was perhaps a better man than any she had ever known, as well. He was so loyal and just so... good. Alexis wished she herself had always been so true.

'Hmmm. Putting some poor droid out of work. You should be ashamed.' She told him with a soft laugh.

Carth turned to look at her then, and she cocked her head to one side. 'What?' She asked quizzically.

'You seem like you're feeling better. You are acting more like your old self.' Carth told her.

'Must be the company. Although I'm not sure acting like my old self is such a good thing.' Alexis answered.

'Revan,' he said, his tone warning.

'Why don't you call me Alexis?' She asked him quietly. This was a question that had been racing through her mind for the entire evening she had spent with him. It was truly bothering her.

'That isn't your name, is it? It's a name the Jedi Council forced upon you after they erased your memory. Why? Would you prefer that that was the name I used?' The question seemed important to him somehow and Alexis was unsure why.

'You're right, Revan is my name. When the council erased my memory though, they took that away from me, just like they took away my past. Just as my memories of the terrible things I had done came back, the memory of the name came back. However, I didn't revert to my old ways once again, so nothing says I have to revert to my old name. It doesn't seem to suit me anymore, at least to my way of thinking. But, if you're more comfortable calling me Revan, I won't stop you.' Alexis said.

Carth watched her for some time, grasping a clean plate in his hand. He simply stood there, holding the thing near his chest and staring at her, as if her were trying to see through her.

---

'Are you aware that you're... glowing?' Carth asked her, motioning towards her body with the plate in his hand. This seemed to remind him that he was even holding something, and he put the dish away.

'Glowing?' Alexis asked. She didn't see that she was glowing. Maybe Carth had had a few shots of juma juice before he came home...

'It's a sort of blue glow. I think it might be-,' he stopped there and Alexis was quite sure she knew where he was going.

'It's okay Carth, you can say it. It's the Force. Jedi or no, I'm still in touch with the Force. Obviously it has decided to manifest itself visibly. I feel more in touch with it than I have since the beginning of the Mandalorian Wars. I suppose that says something, doesn't it?' Blue was the traditional color of the light side of the Force. It made Alexis feel warm all over just to think of her Force connection and it's bias towards the light. She felt comfortable and truly happy for the first time in a very long time.

'You are a Jedi, Revan. No matter what has happened. You can't change who you are.' Carth said, turning to Alexis and taking her hand.

Alexis shook her head. 'No. I'm not a Jedi any longer. But thank you for saying so. The Jedi are- extinct. The exile and I are all that is left of what used to the Jedi. Now, with the Council gone, I fear there will never be Jedi again.' Alexis said, looking at her hand joined with Carth's.

'It doesn't have to be that way.' Carth replied quietly.

'I'm not ready to talk about this, Carth,' Alexis told him. 'I need time.' Alexis tugged her hand gently away from his and turned away. She walked back to the table and sat down.

Carth looked at Revan now seated at the table. She had her eyes closed, but he knew she was fully alert. Revan was clearly struggling with her future now that she had had some time to deal with the failures of her past. Carth sensed that she did not want her future to be the same.

Carth rapidly finished cleaning the kitchen and walked over to the table and sat opposite Revan once again. She had not moved since she had seated herself nearly ten minutes before.

'Revan?' Carth said, wondering just what was going on in that complex mind of hers. She was not meditating, that much was clear. She was merely thinking, and he was curious about what.

Revan's eyes popped open and she turned her head to look at him. 'Yes?' She said, reaching up to run a hand through her still-damp hair.

'Would you like to go and get some sleep?' He asked, hoping she would say yes and not be obstinate about it.

'Are you sure that is what you want?' Revan asked him. She appeared willing to defer to his judgment now for some reason.

'Yes. You need the sleep. I can stay awake while you sleep this evening.' Carth told her. He'd be tired at work in the morning, though. Maybe he could call in sick.

'No, you can sleep too. I think that we'll be able to wake up if anything out of the ordinary happens.' Revan said, and then added, 'Besides, you need the rest. You have to work tomorrow, don't you?'

'Not necessarily. I do think you are right about the sleep though. I know I could use it, and I assume we will wake up if need be.' Carth said. She was probably right. It wasn't like they were heavy sleepers. He was unsure she would even be able to sleep since she had not done it in so long.

'Where would you like me to sleep? I can easily make a pallet on the floor, if you'll loan me a pillow and a blanket.' Revan said.

Carth had not even considered this. There was only one bed in his apartment. 'No, you take the bed. I'll sleep on the couch.' Carth said.

'It's your house, Carth. I'm not going to take the only bed.' Revan replied, smiling faintly at him.

'Please Revan, do as I ask. I'd feel a lot better if you took the bed.' Carth said.

'Look, how about we share it? I trust you.' Revan said earnestly, looking into his eyes.

'I- alright. That doesn't bother me.' Carth replied, nodding. He wondered silently if this were the best idea, but he trusted Revan much more than he trusted himself. It could turn out to be a long night for him. It probably would not bother her in the least.

Revan stood and started to walk out of the kitchen. 'Wait. Where is your bedroom?' She asked. She appeared to find the question a bit funny, and she chuckled a little.

'Just past the bathroom.' He replied, motioning in its general direction. 'I'll be right behind you.'

Revan turned to walk off again, but she stopped in the doorway. 'It has just occurred to me that I have nothing to sleep in, either.' Revan said. Now she sounded a little uncomfortable.

'I'll loan you a shirt. It will look like a dress on you anyway.' Carth said, smiling. He hoped she took the teasing well. She still seemed on edge and unlike herself.

'Are you making fun of me, Carth Onasi?' She asked him, glancing down at her body. 'Would you rather I were tall enough to look you in the eye?'

Carth chuckled. 'No, I think that might make things seem a bit strange. You can already kick my ass, why would I want it to look like you could do it, too?'

Revan laughed softly and left the room, smiling. Carth was glad she was still able to laugh. Her life would go a lot smoother for it.

Alexis settled herself on the edge of Carth's bed, feeling a little awkward. She'd never slept in the same bed as another person in her entire life, much less a man. She didn't like the strange tingling she felt at the thought.

Poor Carth. She was a grand lot of trouble to have around, and she knew it. Hopefully he would forgive her for being such a pain. She hadn't wanted to inconvenience him.

Carth wandered into the room right behind her. He immediately walked over to a cabinet built into the wall and removed a large shirt from the topmost drawer. He turned back and tossed it to Alexis. 'There is a spare toothbrush in the bathroom if you'd like one.'

Alexis nodded and stood up. She took the shirt and headed off to the bathroom without another word.

Alexis brushed her teeth and stripped out of her clothes and folded them neatly. She held Carth's shirt up to her chest and stared at it for a few seconds before putting it on. It smelled much like Carth did, and she was strangely comforted.

Alexis took a deep breath and left the bathroom, tugging at the edge of the shirt as she walked. Even though it was far too large for her, it was significantly less than she normally wore.

Carth, too, had changed when she returned. He had on a similar shirt and a pair of soft pants. Alexis smiled at him in spite of herself. 'Don't you just look adorable?' She said, laughing.

Carth smiled back. 'Well, at least I have something on. Normally I sleep in the nude.'

Alexis laughed. She couldn't tell if he was kidding or not. 'Well, thank you for that. I'm not so sure I'd have appreciated you running around naked.'

'You might have.' Carth said, grinning slyly.

'Don't get your hopes up,' Alexis replied, tongue in cheek. She might have, indeed, but she really wouldn't know.

Alexis calmly walked over to the right side of the bed and folded down the covers and slid herself inside. Carth looked at her strangely, and Alexis felt as if she might have done something wrong.

'How did you know I slept on the left side?' Carth asked her quizzically.

'I didn't. I guess I just have always slept on the right when I actually did go to bed.' Alexis replied, folding her hands behind her head and resting them upon the pillow.

'Oh.' Carth said. 'It's a good thing we don't like the same side of the bed, then. One of us might have ended up getting pushed onto the floor.' Carth smiled as he crawled into his side of the bed.

Alexis watched him get comfortable. Finally, he looked back at her. 'Shall I turn off the light?' He asked.

'Go ahead.' She answered, shifting slightly. The bed was very large and she and Carth were nowhere near one another.

Carth switched the light off and Alexis waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. She did not like not being able to see the room around her, and she was tense for the duration of her night blindness.

'Are you okay?' Carth finally asked, and Alexis felt a bit ashamed. She must have been so tense that he could feel it even in the dark.

'I'm fine. Just a bit nervous about sleeping, I guess.' Alexis replied. She physically forced her body to relax.

'I've never honestly been nervous about sleep.' Carth told her softly. He rolled over, shaking the bed, and Alexis stiffened again.

'It's sort of pathetic, isn't it? I sleep so very little that I have to force myself to even do it. And to top it off, it frightens me to do it in the first place.' Alexis told him honestly.

'I'm sorry, Revan.' Carth replied.

'I'll be fine. I just need to calm down and turn off my mind, at least partially. I'll be able to sleep after that, I should think.' Alexis said.

Carth's breathing was somewhat soothing in the dark. Alexis shut her eyes and listened to its rhythm. 'Goodnight, Revan.' He breathed.

'Goodnight, Carth.' Alexis answered just as quietly. She waited for about ten minutes, but his breathing never relaxed the even sounds of sleep. He must be waiting for her to sleep.

---

Alexis slowly began to systematically shut down her mind, turning off each section in turn. Slowly, she was able to become utterly still and calm, and she soon drifted off into a deep and dreamless sleep.

Carth awoke in the middle of the night, feeling strange. Something was different, out of place. He felt warm and happy, not cold and lonely as he normally did when he awoke in the night.

There was an odd sensation creeping along his body, and he was still too asleep to know just what it was. He lay still, thinking, until his mind was alert enough to detect the peculiarity.

Revan was in his bed. This was unusual in itself. However, what was more unusual was that Revan was not on her side of the bed. She lay facing him, the full length of her tiny body pressed against his. Her cheek was pressed to his chest and one of her arms lay over him. Her other arm was beneath her head, as she had slid from the top of the pillow, and she was breathing deeply and evenly.

Carth stroked her hair with a free hand and thought about his current situation. One of the most powerful people in the entire universe was cradled against his chest, allowing herself to be completely and utterly at his mercy. Revan, powerful Jedi, former Sith Lord, and savior of the Republic trusted him so completely that she slept beside him, depending on him to protect her.

Carth ran his finger down the side of her face. She did not stir, and he lay still and stared at her, watching her beautiful face. She was such a lovely girl, but she was so thin and sick. He was very worried about her. Her health was such that she would not live much longer if she continued to treat her body as she had been before she showed up in his home.

He was truly afraid that Revan would leave the following day. He knew that if he didn't take care of her, at least at first, she would not take care of herself. She'd just continue to waste away until there was nothing left.

Carth would miss her, too. Now that he had seen her again, he wasn't ready to let go quite yet. He knew that that was selfish of him, but he loved Revan, whether she knew it or not, and one day every four years wasn't enough for him.

It was also possible that Revan, were she willing, could be the banner beneath which the Republic could reunite. The last of the Jedi, or one of the last two, and a savior of the Republic, could easily rally the people behind her cause, especially someone like Revan, with such a power over those around her.

Revan had been the most important thing in his life for the last five years, and she would continue to be, whether she was still with him or not. Even if Revan were to fall, he would never stop loving her. Even if he were forced to kill Revan for her loyalty to the dark side, he would always love her.

Carth found these thoughts to be upsetting and he quickly blocked them from his mind. He glanced around the room to check for anything out of the ordinary. Finding nothing, he closed his eyes and settled back to sleep.

Alexis awoke the following morning before the sun had risen, still pressed against Carth. She laid one of her hands gently against his chest and tilted her head back to look at his face. He was still sleeping, snoring softly.

Alexis was surprised to find that she had slept through the night. She hadn't expected that, and it was a pleasant discovery. She felt refreshed, body and spirit, and she found that she was not as sore as she had been the day before.

Alexis splayed her fingers on the hand pressed to Carth's chest. She found that her small hand covered only a very tiny portion of the man's massive torso. She smiled and moved her hand slowly, savoring the feeling of the warm muscle beneath her palm.

She felt guilty suddenly and pulled away, her eyes on his face. She sighed softly and rolled away from him. She was instantly cold but she forced herself to rise from the bed.

Carth stirred slightly and she watched as he felt around in front of him for her body. Finding nothing, he opened his eyes. They focused on her and he smiled. 'Good morning.' He growled in a sleepy voice.

Alexis smiled back at him, unable to resist. She sat on the edge of the bed again and Carth reached across and took her hand.

'Were you comfortable enough?' He asked her with a throaty chuckle. He squeezed her hand gently.

'I was certainly warm enough. I notice I didn't stay on my side of the bed, though. I hope that didn't bother you.' Alexis said.

'Didn't bother me in the slightest.' Carth replied. He shifted closer to her and lifted himself up on one elbow.

'I'm glad you found the arrangement satisfactory.' Alexis answered, laughing.

'You seem to feel better this morning.' He told her.

Alexis nodded slowly. 'I suppose getting a bit of sleep was a good thing. I might start to enjoy it and do it all the time.'

To tell the truth, the sleep paled in comparison to what human companionship was doing for her. She hadn't been around someone else in so long that interacting with anyone would have been satisfactory, but being around Carth was even better. She would have given up the sleep if she'd had to choose between the two.

Carth didn't seem to have anything else to say at the moment, so Alexis slid back onto the bed. She pulled the blankets back over her for a moment, for she was still cold, and Carth dropped his head back onto the pillow.

It was silent for some time and Alexis glanced over at Carth to see if he had fallen back asleep. He hadn't. He was watching her, and Alexis was unsure as to why.

'Carth?' Alexis said quietly. It was still dark in the room and outside, but her eyes were keenly adjusted to the blackness. She could see him refocus on her face when she called out to him.

'Hhhmmm?' He answered, brushing his thumb lightly over the back of the hand that he still held.

'What's the matter?' Alexis asked, turning to face him.

'Nothing's the matter. Why do you ask?' He replied.

'Well, you're staring at me with the strangest expression on your face...' Alexis told him. She'd thought about telling him to forget the whole thing, but she truly wanted to know what he was thinking.

'It's nothing.' He told her. His expression had not changed, and Alexis found it to be disconcerting in the least.

Alexis sighed quietly. So he wouldn't tell her. It figured. She of course could have delved into his mind using the Force, but that was not something she had done since her redemption in the light as she saw it to be evil in nature. She would have to be content with speculating as to what he might be thinking.

'Do you have to work this morning?' Alexis asked him. She could not stay silent, for some reason. The look on his face was making her a bit nervous.

'Oh. Well, yeah, but I think I'll call in sick. I'm not ready to leave you alone just yet.' Carth replied.

'Won't your co-workers guess that something is amiss?' Alexis asked. 'I don't think I am ready to tell the universe that I have returned from my self-imposed exile as of yet. I want a bit of anonymity, even if it is only for a little while.' Alexis added.

'They'll assume I'm really sick, at least for today. If I call in again tomorrow, they might worry. Today will hardly matter, though, unless you and I leave the apartment. Then things will start to get sticky. Everyone here recognizes me, and they might even recognize you.' Carth replied.

Alexis took her hand from Carth's and stretched her body languidly. 'I'm fine with that. What's the plan for today if we aren't leaving the apartment?'

'I won't answer that in the way that I would like.' Carth replied, eyeing her body speculatively.

'Carth!' Alexis said, blushing and punching him in the arm. He merely grinned at her and Alexis found herself grinning back. It was an interesting idea, but not a doable one.

'Fine. Why don't we just talk? There are so many things that we can tell one another. It's been more than four years, after all.' Carth replied.

'Sounds like a date. I think I will go and brush my teeth and get dressed first of course, though.' Alexis said, sighing quietly. She didn't really want to get up.

'Don't get back up on my account. We can just lay here for a while, if you'd like. This is the first chance in a long time I have had to stay in bed past daybreak.' Carth told her.

Alexis shook her head. 'So I wasn't being completely honest... I also want to take a look around your apartment. I'd like to be sure we're alone.' Alexis said, feeling slightly guilty.

Carth looked at her quietly for several seconds. 'I could've guessed that. Go ahead if you want to, Revan. I know you won't get any rest without having peace of mind.'

This made Alexis feel even worse about it, but she stood up anyway. 'I'm sorry. I just have to know.' She slowly walked out of the room, her movements a little stiff and uncomfortable due to the excessive leanness of her achy body.

Carth watched Revan leave with a slightly sad expression. The girl would probably never be able to relax completely again. She was still moving strangely, he noticed, and looked near death.

Her complexion looked healthier and the bags beneath her eyes had receded slightly, but she'd been just as gaunt and ill looking that morning as she had the night before.

Carth rose from the bed as well, fully aware that now she was up, there would be no going back to sleep. He quickly contacted his office as soon as he was out of bed to let them know he would not be in to work today.

---

Oddly, his office secretary seemed upset by the news, and she'd done everything from offer to pick him up a bit of medication to telling him she'd be by later with a bowl of soup to make him feel better. This was somewhat disconcerting and it had taken Carth quite a bit of persuasion to convince her he would be fine by himself.

Carth sat on the corner of his bed, waiting for Revan's return for some time, but she didn't come. He couldn't hear her in the apartment so he ambled out of his bedroom and down the hall. She was seated on the floor in the middle of the living room facing the door, her legs crossed and her lightsaber resting in her lap. She motioned him over the moment she saw him and he stopped beside her shoulder.

'Someone's outside the door.' Revan said softly, cocking her head slightly and continuing to watch the door. 'I have a feeling that it is no one dangerous, but it is strange, nonetheless.'

Carth frowned and stared at the door as well. 'Can you tell who it is?' He asked her.

'I'm afraid not. For some reason I'm unable to pick up anything through that door. I can tell you, however, that the person has been there for about two minutes, trying to decide whether or not to knock to come in.' Revan replied.

Carth raised his eyebrows slightly and glanced down at Revan. 'Shall I answer the door?' he asked.

'By all means, answer it. I'm ready for just about anything.' Revan said, rubbing the hilt of her lightsaber gently.

Carth had noticed that this seemed to be a nervous habit of hers. 'Where was your saber last night?' Carth asked suddenly, remembering her had not seen it on her.

Revan looked up at him quietly. 'It was beneath my pillow the entire night.' She replied.

Carth shrugged and went to the door. He paused there and took a deep breath before throwing open the door and looking out into the hallway.

Alexis stared out into the hallway, slightly confused, she still held her lightsaber tightly, but she no longer felt the need to pull it, as the girl standing in the doorway hardly appeared dangerous.

Carth was staring at the girl as well, a surprised expression on his handsome face. He looked a bit angry as well, as if the visit might have been expected, though unwanted.

The girl looked just as startled as the other two. She clearly did not remember making any noise that might have alerted Carth to her presence and was unsure as to why he'd opened the door. She was very young, younger than Alexis, and quite lovely. She was tall and curvy with short pixie-like blonde hair and brown eyes. She had light freckles dusting her nose and cheeks.

Alexis nearly groaned when she remembered that she hadn't wished to be seen. She was now in clear view of the young girl. She was also wearing nothing but Carth's shirt and clasping a lightsaber in her lap. And to top it all off, Carth did not look very ill and she knew he had called in sick for work.

The girl opened her mouth as if to speak and shut it again. She looked past Carth back at Alexis and surveyed her clothing, or what little of it there was. Alexis sighed quietly and settled her hands upon her knees. This was going to be awkward.

Carth finally cleared his throat and stepped out of the doorway. 'Well, Seré, come on in.'

Alexis remained on the floor, staring at the girl in a resigned manner. It looked like her cover was about to be blown and she'd not even been on-planet for an entire day.

The girl walked in and stood beside the couch, shifting nervously. 'Um- Carth... What's going on?' She asked, glaring at Alexis in a rather spiteful manner.

'Do you know that it is still dark outside?' Alexis said offhandedly, staring out of one of the few windows in Carth's apartment. Carth glanced over at her and smiled slightly.

'I'm normally at work before the sun rises.' Carth replied, reaching up to scratch idly at the back of his neck.

'Carth.' The girl repeated and Carth glanced over at her. She was looking more uncomfortable than ever. 'Have I interrupted something? I just came to see if you were all right... You said you were sick and I thought maybe you might need some attention, but this girl is here and you don't look very sick to me...'

Carth frowned and appeared uncertain as to what to say. Alexis thought for a moment. It appeared the girl did not recognize her. This was unexpected. It was hard to say whether or not she would eventually realize who she was looking at.

Alexis watched Carth as he tried to think of something to tell the young woman. He appeared to be struggling, and Alexis felt a pang of guilt. This was, once again, all her fault.

She could sense that Carth had no feelings for this girl, who appeared to be his secretary from work. She could also tell that this girl was perhaps a bit infatuated with Carth. She was confused about the appearance of Alexis, for she thought that her boss was married to his job and had no outside relationships.

'This is my...' Carth began. He trailed off before finishing and stared helplessly at Alexis.

Alexis was thinking rapidly. She knew what Carth wanted to say. She knew what she wanted to say. They were much the same. It was, however, difficult to do so, as they had yet to discuss it themselves. She also knew that she would have to decide whether or not to stay in the Republic in the public eye and become some sort of figurehead or run away once again as she had done so many times before.

Ah well. It was best to make this decision rapidly before she had the chance to change her mind. The girl would have to be kept silent for a few days, but other than that, Alexis knew that once she told this girl, eventually everyone would know who she was.

Alexis rose as fast as her sore body would allow. The other two looked at her, slightly bewildered. She tugged at the hem of the shirt she was wearing awkwardly while grasping her lightsaber in one hand. This was bound to be uncomfortable for them all.

She walked right over to the girl and looked up into her face. The girl seemed rather large from Alexis's position beside her for the girl was only perhaps and inch or two shorter than the very tall Carth.

Alexis stuck out her free hand and grinned amiably at the girl. 'I'm Alexis Starling. Carth and I are very good friends.'

The girl looked at Alexis's hand for a few moments before taking it carefully and shaking it. She looked as if she thought Alexis might break if she shook too hard. 'I'm Seré, Carth's secretary.' The girl replied. She ended the contact between them quickly.

Carth appeared at Alexis's shoulder and gently rested one of his hands on it. 'Are you sure this is what you want?' he asked her, looking into her eyes.

Alexis knew what he meant. The girl would eventually connect Alexis Starling to Darth Revan and before long, the entire galaxy would once again become aware of her presence. She would be forced back into the spotlight, for good or ill, and things would never be the same for her again.

Alexis nodded. 'I'm sure, Carth' Alexis felt tiny standing well beneath the two of them, who literally towered over her. She also felt sick and oddly wary.

Carth started to speak once again but Alexis silenced him quickly when she realized why she felt so apprehensive. 'Get back!'

Alexis could see the outline of a Sith Assassin standing in the corner of the room. His stealth field generator was on, but Alexis could easily spot his form through the disguise. When he knew that she could see him, he reached to his belt and switched off the generator.

He became visible to the other two at that point. 'What the-', Carth yelled, reaching for the blaster that he had not put on that morning.

Alexis calmly switched on her lightsaber and leapt across the room to the assassin's pace in the corner. They regarded each other quietly. The assassin displayed his twin vibroblades in a rapid slashing motion.

Alexis carefully began to circle the assassin. He began to move as well and they danced oddly for a bit, watching each other's every move.

He struck suddenly, with the force of a charging bantha, and Alexis easily parried his blow. They continued this way, the assassin striking and Alexis parrying until she became tired of defending herself.

With stunning accuracy she began to strike at him with the sides of her dual-bladed lightsaber, each blow as powerful as the last. He was barely able to catch each in turn but Alexis continued, slowly marching him back towards a corner with the sheer force of her attack.

She sliced into one of his arms and he cried out, dropping the blade in which that hand had held. He was now clearly at the disadvantage. His back was now almost touching the wall and Alexis was determined to end the battle.

'Surrender.' Alexis said to him, her voice loud and raspy. He merely struck at her once again and with that, Alexis landed a final blow, ramming one end of her lightsaber through his chest.

Alexis spun around and surveyed the room to be sure there were no others present. Seré was crying and Carth was standing beside her, speaking quietly to her. Alexis felt her breathing begin to ease and as it did, her pain returned to her.

A staggering bolt of pain shot up on her sides and she had to resist the urge to cry out or fall to her knees. She turned back towards the assassin and looked at him sadly. If he had surrendered as she had asked, she would have let him free. A single assassin was no match for her, even in her current state, and it was odd that he had come in alone.

Alexis stalked away from the body to check the rest of the apartment. Her body was in agony but she refused to stop until she was certain that they were now alone. Her lightsaber was still drawn and she had to force herself to turn it off, even when she found that there were definitely no other assassins lurking in the shadows.

'Is everyone alright?' She asked when she returned to Carth and Seré's side. The girl was still in shock. They both glanced over at her and she bit her lip against another waft of pain.

Carth moved away from Seré and gently wrapped Revan in his arms. He could see that she was hurting and he was careful not to cause her further pain. 'Are you alright?' He said in reply to her question.

'I asked first.' Revan answered, her voice muffled against his chest. He released her and stepped back, resting his arms at his sides.

'It looks like it's started all over again.' Revan said stonily when Carth remained silent.

'Is this how your life has been for the past four years?' Carth asked, already anticipating her reply.

'Yes.' Revan replied. She appeared to be all business at the moment and it reminded Carth a lot of the way she had acted just before she confronted Malak at the end of the Jedi Civil War.

She had been so cold and remote then that he had hardly recognized her. Perhaps now the sensation was not quite as strong, but it was there nonetheless.

Seré was still crying quietly and Carth reached out and touched her arm gently. 'Seré, it's okay now. Just calm down.' He said.

The girl continued to gasp and sob for another five minutes. Revan rubbed at her sore limbs and stared at the doorway, and Carth himself stood numbly, absorbed in his thoughts.

---

His secretary was going to cause a huge problem for all of them. He'd been so certain that he had convinced her that she need not drop by, but clearly he had been wrong. She'd come to his apartment anyway and now everything was going to have to be explained to her.

This presented several difficulties. First of all, Revan had not wanted to have her identity revealed just yet. She had wanted a few more days of anonymity so she could recover some of her health before she was thrown to the wolves.

Second, it had not seemed that she had wanted to become the idea in which the failing Republic could rally behind. It now seemed almost certain that she would have to become this.

Lastly, it was clear that he and Revan needed to discuss their personal relationship a bit more. They had not talked about it at all and though they had been very comfortable around each other the night before, the distance this morning between the two of them was great, and he was not so certain anymore that he really knew how she felt about him.

Revan had only told him that she loved him once, though he had told her many times. He remembered the first time they had confessed their feelings to one another quite vividly.

They were standing outside of her ship, the Ebon Hawk, about to embark upon the journey to Malak's space station. All of their companions except Bastila, who had been captured and turned to the dark side by Malak, had been standing around them.

Revan had just found the way to enter the space station and returned to the ship. He had not been with her, but the other two Jedi who had gone with her, Jolee Bindo and Juhani, had told a story of Bastila trying to turn Revan back to the dark side so that the pair of them could rule the galaxy.

Revan and Bastila had been best friends by then and it was amazing to Carth that a former Sith Lord, offered ultimate power once more, could turn it away. Revan and Bastila had been very powerful and could have easily defeated Malak and taken over the Galaxy together. Revan had chosen the path of light, however, and Carth had known then that he was truly in love with her, not just infatuated.

The others had watched as he'd congratulated her and then confessed that he loved her. They'd all waited in suspense as Revan just looked at him, her eyes wide and dispassionate. It was almost as if she were afraid to love him, or afraid to tell him that she did.

Carth knew that love was forbidden to Jedi and the fear had stemmed from the fact that perhaps a bond that strong might make her fall once again into darkness. She had been so obviously pained by the admission that Carth had almost wanted to take it back, but he had not done so, and he was glad. She'd finally smiled at him, her eyes alight like the twin suns of Tatooine, and she had told him that she loved him back. She had never spoken of loving him again, though he told her many times after that he loved her. It was as if she had forgotten that she'd even replied.

Now, Carth was entirely uncertain as to whether or not the words had even been true. Oh, he knew she cared for him, and maybe she did love him, but it was most likely not the way in which he wanted her love. Strong attachment was not allowed within the Jedi order, and though the Jedi were basically extinct, Carth knew that Revan would not easily cast aside their rules as she had done once before. Her fall from the light had permanently scarred her mentally and emotionally, and they were probably wounds from which she could never recover.

Carth realized belatedly that Seré's tears had subsided and he saw that she and Revan were watching each other. Revan's eyes were emotionless but Seré looked angry and frightened.

'What in the hell are you?' The girl asked, looking at Revan's lightsaber. 'And why are you dressed that way?' She added as an afterthought.

Revan glanced down at her attire, clearing having forgotten that she was only wearing his t-shirt during her battle with the assassin. 'I guess I'm one of the last of the Jedi.' Revan replied slowly. She seemed to have come to some realization, and she straightened her slightly drooping shoulders. 'As for what I am wearing, I believe it may be something called a t-shirt.' The response was fairly sarcastic and her eyes seemed to suddenly dance with mischief. She was awakening from what he supposed was some sort of battle stupor.

'A Jedi? Are you the one that was here before?' Seré asked. The girl stopped and stared at Revan for a few more seconds. 'I guess you aren't. You're too short. You're also far too skinny. The other one was healthy and strong looking. You look like you're about to fall over dead.' She added.

'Hhhmmm. Thanks for the compliment. I doubt that I die, though, however disappointing you may find that.' Revan answered. She furrowed her eyebrows suddenly and narrowed her eyes. Her breath hissed out slowly and she clenched one of her fists.

'Revan, are you okay?' Carth asked, reaching for her.

Before she had the chance to answer, the girl chimed in. 'Revan? Darth Revan?!'

Alexis heard the terrified response and closed her eyes. The pain from her injuries was far less severe than the pain caused by those words. Darth Revan. No matter how much she changed, she'd never escape the fear and accusations that came with the recitation of her true name.

'I'm afraid so.' Alexis answered, opening her eyes and looking over at Seré. 'Though I wouldn't be too frightened, were I you. I'm hardly dangerous.'

'Seré, I trust Revan with all my heart. She is a good person, no matter what you may think of her.' Carth said gently.

'How can you say that?' Seré asked him. She had shrunk subtly away from Alexis and was standing pressed against the wall, her hands folded over her chest in a defensive manner.

'Carth, maybe this isn't such a good idea. Maybe I shouldn't have returned.' Alexis told him doubtfully. If this were the response of everyone else, their plan for rebuilding the Republic did not stand a chance.

'Revan, this is the only way.' Carth said in response. He looked back at Seré. 'Just- take a bit of time to get to know her. Don't judge her before you've even given her the chance to prove herself.'

Alexis smiled slightly. Carth was such a good man. It didn't even occur to him that anyone could distrust someone that he trusted so implicitly.

Seré sighed dramatically and tossed herself into one of Carth's armchairs. 'Fine. I'll give her a chance. But don't expect too much of me.' The girl said in a rather pouty manner.

Alexis was amazed that someone so near to her own age could still act like such a child. Alexis herself had not ever had the luxury of behaving like a child, however, so it was difficult for her to identify with the young woman.

A loud ringing sound echoed through the apartment and Alexis nearly jumped out of her skin. Carth left the room rapidly to answer the comlink in his bedroom. Alexis watched him go with a bit of trepidation.

Seré looked over at her as she settled back into a cross-legged position on the floor. 'So, are you his lover?' The girl asked bitterly.

'His lover?' Alexis echoed dumbly. It occurred to her after she had spoken what the girl meant. No matter how long she lived, as a Jedi, she would probably always be a bit naïve about things of a sexual connotation.

'Yes, his lover. Don't tell me you don't know what a lover is.' The girl said icily. 'You seem a bit skinny and beat-up looking for Carth, but maybe he's desperate or something.'

Alexis was a bit hurt. She hadn't done anything to this girl and yet all Seré could do was be cruel to her. 'I'm not his lover.' Alexis said softly.

'Of course not. I should have known. You're probably a virgin or something.' The girl said haughtily.

This hurt even worse, for some reason- perhaps because it was true. 'I am.' Alexis replied.

This silenced Seré for a moment and Alexis shut her eyes. Her body was still aching and now, she felt terribly. No matter how trained she was to resist emotion, some things just hurt. Was she that terrible and out of touch with the real world?

Carth walked back into the room and Alexis sensed his presence. She opened her eyes. 'You might want to go ahead and get dressed, Revan. Lieutenant Grenn says we're about to have some sort of company. He wouldn't tell me who or when, but he says there is a ship coming in that will be of interest to me.' Carth told her.

Alexis nodded and stood up. 'I'll go and take care of it.' Alexis said quietly.

Twenty minutes later Alexis emerged from Carth's bedroom dressed in a pink blouse and white tights. Her hair was loose and flowing over her shoulders. She'd attempted to put it up and out of her way but it had given her a headache and she'd ended up leaving well enough alone.

Carth, too, had changed, although she was unsure as to when. It was have been while she was in the restroom brushing her teeth or something. He was seated on one of his armchairs directly across from Seré, who had called in sick for work as well.

Alexis smiled at the pair of them and idly ran a hand through her hair. 'I suppose I look more appropriate now.' Alexis said. She glanced out of the window at the rapidly rising sun and sighed. 'I see the sun has risen.'

'Yeah.' Carth replied, never once glancing at the window. He was just looking at her.

'So, do we have any idea who's coming as of yet?' Alexis asked, taking a seat on the floor once again. Armchairs were not comfortable to her and despite the fact that the floor made her sore, she truly liked to sit there.

'No, not yet.' Carth said.

'I have a feeling we're about to find out. I sense some sort of commotion in the hall.' Alexis said, carefully placing her hand on her lightsaber, which was clipped to her belt.

Alexis had been correct. Shouting began to echo through the hall, muffled by the door. The sound of many rapid footsteps thundered along with it and Carth and Alexis rose in unison, each gently resting their hand on their weapon.

'Admiral Onasi! Admiral Onasi!' A feminine voice shouted through the door. The footsteps stopped and someone pounded aggressively on the doorway with the heel of their hand.

Alexis sensed something odd, a familiar presence, but she was once again unable to get a complete feeling through the door.

'Carth!' The voice shouted and finally, Carth cautiously opened the door. Five people poured inside the apartment, each brandishing a weapon.

Kalen Valirra stood at the head of the pack, dressed in Jedi robes and carrying a green lightsaber. 'Admiral!' She burst out, not even looking around the room. 'Something's wrong! There is some presence on the station... something very powerful. Citadel Station could be in terrible danger. It's one of the most powerful beings that I have ever felt...' Kalen spilled out rapidly.

Kalen appeared disheveled and tired, but she was still very strong and healthy looking. She was tall, not as tall as Seré was, and she had long, thick blonde hair and blue eyes. Her hair was wound in an intricate braid around her entire head, keeping it all out of her face and off of her neck.

Behind her stood four others, all of them carrying some sort of lightsaber. It was strange for Alexis to see so many Jedi together once again.

Two young men stood out amongst the followers and Alexis eyed them each in turn. One was a very large and powerful looking blonde man. His hair was thick and curly and his eyes were a liquid brown. The other was just as tall as the blonde man, who was probably the same height as Carth, but he was much leaner. His hair was a rich brown, as were his eyes. Both of the men were muscular and handsome, and they were hardly older than Revan herself. They looked quite dangerous and the thinner man looked very familiar...

Behind them stood a young male Zabrak who looked terribly out of place and a medium-sized redheaded girl carrying two orange lightsabers. All of them were wearing Jedi robes but the Zabrak, who was wearing some sort of thin combat armor.

'Kalen.' Alexis said softly while her friend took a breath so she could continue her tirade about the dangers upon the planet.

Kalen whipped her head around and dropped her lightsaber the moment she saw Alexis.

'Lexi? Is that you?' She didn't wait for an answer but instead launched herself at Alexis. The two, who had not seen each other in nearly ten years, were soon wrapped in one another's arms.

'Hey.' Alexis said as the larger girl squeezed her as hard as she could.

'I didn't even know you were still alive... You disappeared after the Jedi Civil War...' Kalen muttered, releasing her friend.

'You disappeared after the Mandalorian Wars.' Alexis countered. She was grinning happily and had completely forgotten how sore she was.

'Jeez! Look at how thin you are! When was the last time you ate something?' Kalen asked suddenly.

'Oh, come on! Can't I go one day without being mothered?' Alexis said with a theatrical sigh.

The others had put away their lightsabers and were standing awkwardly in the doorway, watching the reunion with strange expressions on their faces. Clearly they didn't quite know what to do with themselves.

Kalen saw Alexis looking back at her companions and smiled. 'Um- These are my friends.' She pointed to the blonde man. 'That's Disciple. Or rather Mical... He's only recently told me his real name.' She pointed to the Zabrak next. 'That's Bao-Dur.' She pointed to the redheaded woman. 'That's Mira,' she said. Finally, she pointed to other man. 'And that is Atton Rand.'

'Atton Rand?' Alexis said quietly. 'Atton Rand.' she repeated.

The dark-headed man stepped forward and looked right at Alexis. 'And this, ladies and gentlemen, is Revan.'

The others looked disbelieving at first, but slowly, using the Force, each in turn realized this was the truth. They said nothing, as did Kalen.

Carth broke the silence. 'Everyone come in and let me shut the door. It's clear we've got a lot to talk about.' He said.

Everyone found their way into the apartment and took a seat. Mira and the Disciple took seats in armchairs near Seré. Kalen sat on one end of the couch and after shutting the door, Carth sat on the other. Alexis and Atton remained standing, looking at one another with familiarity.

'How are you?' Alexis asked softly, biting her lip. She knew this man from the Jedi Civil War. He had been a member of her army when she fought for the Republic and when she was a Sith. He had been a Sith Assassin for quite a while under her command. He had killed many Jedi at her request, and tortured just as many before doing so.

Atton grinned at her. 'Pretty well I'd say. I've overcome my Jedi-killing addiction using the ten step program and I've been clean for five years.' He told her.

Alexis couldn't help but laugh. She'd always liked this man, even when she was a Sith. 'It's a small Galaxy, isn't it? So, how did you beat your addiction?' She asked.

'Pure Pazaak. Well... pazaak and juma juice I suppose.' He answered with a cocky smile. He sat down in the middle of the couch between Carth and Kalen after answering.

Alexis settled herself onto the floor with the eyes of the entire room upon her. She crossed her legs and rested her palms on her knees and looked back at each of them in turn. 'So...' Alexis began.

'Did you feel it?' Kalen asked suddenly. Atton and the Disciple were both watching her rather raptly and Alexis had to resist the urge to laugh.

'You mean Traya and Sion?' Alexis asked her. Traya and Sion were two of the three Sith Lords that Kalen had only recently destroyed.

Kalen nodded. 'They're gone.' She said quietly.

'Means there's a vacancy in management, Revan.' Atton told her with a crooked smile.

'Ha ha.' Alexis replied. 'Perhaps you should apply, Atton. If you're as good with a blade as you are with your tongue, you might have a shot at earning the position.' She told him.

'I promise, I'm better with my tongue. I could give you a first-hand experience with just how good, if you'd like.' Atton answered.

'Hhhmmm. I'll pass, thanks.' Alexis said. No one spoke for several seconds. 'I gather you've all met Carth...' Alexis began.

'We have.' The Disciple replied. His voice was oddly soft and articulate, especially for such a large man. He sounded gentle and young and very naïve.

'I'm Seré,' Seré said suddenly from the middle of nowhere, eyeing Atton speculatively. Alexis sensed that the girl was husband hunting with the way that behaved.

'Right...' Mira muttered under her breath, playing with one of her lightsabers. She seemed disgusted by the girl's appearance and behavior. Seré was batting her eyelashes at Atton at that very moment.

'So, is this you're entire entourage?' Alexis asked Kalen. She was curious since the group seemed to be quite small. Kalen had always attracted large crowds, much like Alexis herself did.

'Actually, no. There is a Miraluka on board the Ebon Hawk who used to be a servant of Darth Nihilus. Two droids are also there: T3-M4 and HK-47. Oh, and then there is Mandalore.' Kalen told her.

'Mandalore? I thought the last Mandalore died during the Mandalorian Wars.' Alexis replied. Mandalore was the traditional name of the Mandalorians' leader.

'No, this Mandalore took over not too long ago, I suppose. He's the leader of Clan Ordo or some such nonsense.' Kalen said, shrugging.

'Ordo?' Alexis repeated. One of her companions from her travels during the Jedi Civil War had been a Mandalorian soldier by the name of Canderous Ordo. They had been quite close and Alexis thought that this sounding like something that Canderous just might do...

'Yes, Ordo. I believe...' Kalen began but Alexis was up on her feet and out the door before she could finish.

Alexis raced down the hallway to one of the elevators and took it down to the lower floors, pain forgotten. She ran out of the building and took off through the module that Carth's apartment was in, rushing towards the hangar bay where she knew the Ebon Hawk had to be docked.

When she arrived in the Hangar Bay, she found the Ebon Hawk much where she'd expected. With a grin, she boarded rapidly, excited to meet yet another one of her old friends.

It took her a few moments to get her bearings on the newly refurbished Ebon Hawk, but when she did, she found Canderous in the same place she had always found him when they traveled in the Ebon Hawk together.

He was standing right next to the workbench in full armor, a helmet covering his face and his back to her. He turned when he heard the commotion and Alexis leapt into his arms.

Canderous, who was an utterly enormous man, caught her tiny frame in one of his arms and held her against his chest. He was apparently a little startled to see her, for her jerked and grunted when she jumped on him, but she didn't notice.

She reached up and yanked off his helmet in one swift motion and kissed his cheek. 'Hey Canderous.' She said with an impish grin.

He blinked several times, adjusting his eyes to the light, and then glared at her. 'Who do you think you are, jumping on me and jerking my helmet off like that? I ought to rip you in half.' He growled half-heartedly at her.

Alexis grinned and kissed his other cheek. 'Oh, be quiet you!'

Canderous shifted slightly but did not put her down. 'When was the last time you ate something?' He asked, frowning at her.

'I ate yesterday. I wish all of you would stop mothering me!' Alexis said. She squirmed a bit in his grasp. 'And why are you wearing all of this gross armor? It's seriously painful.' She muttered.

'Maybe if you weren't so damned skinny you wouldn't have that problem.' Canderous replied testily.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the entryway behind them and Canderous turned to face it, effectively turning Alexis's back to the door. She sighed. It didn't look like he was going to let go, either. He'd apparently forgotten he was holding on to her. 'Well, who is it?' Alexis asked.

'Carth.' Canderous said, though it was clear he was greeting Carth, not answering her.

'Canderous.' Carth returned. The two men shook hands behind her.

'Hey Canderous, if you aren't going to put me down, turn sideways so I can see too.' Alexis said.

'What possessed you to run from the apartment like that?' Carth asked her quizzically. 'You could've been seen.'

'And probably were.' Canderous added disapprovingly. He turned enough that Alexis could see Carth clearly but did not put her down.

The others ambled onto the ship behind Carth. Even Seré was with them. She stopped fairly near to Carth and reached out and grabbed his arm, saying nothing.

'Awfully young for him, isn't she?' Canderous asked Alexis loudly.

Alexis laughed. 'I'm a bit young for you, too, and here you are holding on to me for dear life.'

Canderous looked down at her and smiled. 'It doesn't feel like I'm holding anything. You probably weigh half of what my armor does.' He said.

'Well, good. Take off the armor and cart me around. I'd be a lot happier.' Alexis replied.

'And maybe you'd gain a little weight if you'd stop running yourself everywhere.' Canderous added.

Kalen wandered up next to them from the back of the group and eyed Canderous. 'So... Mandalore is really the renowned Canderous Ordo, mercenary extraordinaire.' She said with a smile.

'You bet.' Alexis replied for him.

Canderous nodded. 'Don't tell anyone. It might ruin my image.' Alexis and Kalen laughed in unison.

'Where is Visas?' Kalen asked him.

'Meditating.' Canderous replied, shaking his head.

'Oh. I don't know why we all came over here. I bet it was to see Alexis here all over her 'friend' Canderous.' Kalen said suggestively.

Canderous shook his head again and Alexis laughed. 'Are we going back to the apartment then?' Alexis asked.

'Sure,' Canderous answered. 'Let me get out of the armor. Since my oh-so-secret identity has been revealed I don't think the armor is necessary in this company anymore.'

'Okay. Do you know how to get there?' Kalen asked him. Canderous merely nodded. 'Great. We'll meet you there. But I'm afraid you'll have to put Alexis down.' She added.

'Are you sure she can't just stay here and help me out of my armor?' He asked with a sly smile.

Kalen and Alexis laughed again. Canderous put one hand on either side of Alexis's waist and held her out straight in front of him. 'Go home and eat something, kid.' He said. He settled her on the floor and stepped back.

'Okay. Let's go back to the apartment. I promise not to sprint out of it again in wild pursuit of some man or other.' Alexis said.

Kalen grinned and took her arm and the group made its way back to Carth's apartment at a much slower pace than they had arrived.

Carth sat in his kitchen, listening to the sounds of laughter echoing from his living room. He glanced out the window with a start and noticed that it was well into the evening.

Everyone had been talking together for quite some time, getting reacquainted and reminiscing. There had been no more incidents involving assassins, and no more random sprints from the apartment. A few of them had gone out and purchased some food and they had eaten some, though Carth had noticed that Revan had eaten very little.

He had watched her deteriorate slowly over the day, become more and more quiet and tired. Even now she was seated a bit apart from the group, closing her eyes every so often to center herself or stave off a waft of pain.

Carth had called in and talked to the TSF's Lieutenant Grenn earlier in the day and told that he would be taking a short vacation for the next few days. His plan was to take care of Revan, hopefully regenerating some of her health and stamina.

It appeared that the appearance of her friends had been good for her at first, but now they were only wearing her down. They, too, were tired, however, and Carth expected them to return to the Ebon Hawk before long to rest for the evening.

Carth stood slowly and wandered back into the living room. Revan was still sitting on the floor, watching the others quietly. Canderous was seated on the chair beside her, speaking to her every so often. Kalen and Atton were playing pazaak on one of the tables nearby. The Disciple, Mira, Seré, Bao-Dur, and the Miraluka, Visas Marr, were all seated in a small group, talking. Clearly the party was winding down.

Carth watched Revan from the doorway, a small smile playing on his face as she fiddled with the laces of her boots. She was such an adorable girl.

Kalen happened to look up and see Carth watching Revan. She grinned faintly at him and Atton looked up to see what she was smiling about. He smiled, too, and whispered something to Kalen. She nodded and stood up.

'Maybe we ought to go back to the Ebon Hawk and get some dinner and some sleep. It's been a long day, and a long few months, really, and I could certainly use the rest.' Kalen said loudly.

All of the others looked up at Kalen and nodded. 'Sure. Let's get some sleep.' Mira said, yawning. The entire group rose basically as a whole and began to gather themselves so they could leave.

Revan rose and walked over and hugged Kalen. Next she hugged Atton, and then Canderous. She carefully shook the hands of the others and then went and stood back by the chairs, out of the way.

Everyone but Seré walked over and stood in front of the door. 'Bye!' 'See you tomorrow!' 'Talk to you later!' They chimed, and then they were gone.

Seré walked over to Carth and stood before him for several seconds, waiting. He said nothing, so finally she said, ' Would you like me to stay the evening or shall I come back tomorrow?'

Carth frowned. He didn't really want her there at all, but he didn't think he could really tell her that. 'Tomorrow is fine.' He finally replied.

The girl looked hurt but she turned and left after a few seconds wandering around the apartment pouting and pretending to look for her things.

'Tired?' Carth asked Revan.

'Yes. And kind of cold.' She replied. She rubbed one of her arms absently.

Carth frowned. 'Are you in too much pain?' He asked. He'd been worried about that all day.

'Not too much.' She answered, yawning. When the yawn was over, she furrowed her brows. 'One night of sleep and I'm addicted.'

'It's alright. You can sleep again tonight.' He told her. 'Would you like to get a bath first? I can take one when you've finished.'

Revan nodded and turned away towards the bathroom with a muttered 'thank you'.

Alexis emerged from the shower in another one of Carth's shirts. He'd disappeared to take a shower as well so Alexis wandered the apartment quickly, checking for intruders.

She was still worried, but she felt a bit more confident about her surroundings than she had the previous evening. She now knew where everything was and all of the places in which someone could hide.

Periodically throughout the day she had wandered the apartment, searching for potential threats. She knew that most of the company had noticed, but had said nothing.

She'd had fun that day, the most she'd had since she was a very young girl, despite the fact that she was tired and weak. The only dark spots had been her searches.

It wasn't the idea of finding intruders that had been the most upsetting, either. It had been the idea that were she to find one, she would be too weak to take care of the threat herself. Even now she was worried about this. What if Carth needed her and she was too pathetic to help him? She pushed these thoughts aside as quickly as they came, for they were dangerous to her peace of mind.

There were far more interesting things for Alexis to think about. She settled herself in the middle of Carth's bed after her search and started to ponder the day in earnest.

It was clear to Alexis that Kalen was in love. It was very dangerous for Jedi to love, as she well knew, but she was happy for her friend. It was too bad that two of the men in her party loved her, but she could only love one of them in return. It appeared to Alexis that Kalen was very taken with Atton Rand, and Alexis couldn't be happier for them. Both of them deserved it.

It was also clear that the Disciple was in love with Kalen. Alexis thought that perhaps his love was something more akin to hero worship than true love, however, and was glad that Kalen did not love him in return. Atton seemed to love her for who she was, though she clearly did not yet know that she even loved him, much less that he loved her.

Atton was a different story. He appeared to be fully aware that he was in love with Kalen and that she loved him back. He was just biding his time, waiting for her to realize that she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. It was very sweet, really.

Alexis heard Carth emerge from the bathroom and glanced up in time to see him walk into the room. He was wearing nothing but soft pajama pants. His hair was wet and his chest was bare, revealing heavily defined muscles. His torso was mostly smooth except for a few softly curling dark hairs to which a few water droplets clung. He had a towel draped over one of his shoulders. It was clear that the last four years had not softened him in any way.

Alexis felt strange as she watched him and she shook her head, confused by the warm, tingly sensation coursing through her. Carth seemed entirely unaware as he continued into the room, reaching up to towel at his hair.

'I thought-' He began, but just then they heard a pounding at the door. Carth turned and trod from the room, Alexis hot on his heels. Carth had scooped up his blaster and Alexis had pulled her lightsaber, each preparing for the worst.

What they actually found when they answered the door startled them. Kalen and Mira stood in the doorway, each holding a parcel of clothing. 'Hi...' Kalen said awkwardly, eyeing Carth and Alexis oddly.

Alexis realized that what they were wearing was oddly suggestive, as Carth had no shirt and she appeared to be wearing his missing shirt and she had no pants... She immediately blushed, only making the situation more uncomfortable.

'We brought by some Jedi robes that we had on board the ship that we thought might fit you.' Mira said bravely.

Alexis nodded. 'Thank you.' She answered.

'If they don't fit, you can always have them altered.' Kalen added. 'Anyway, they're yours to keep.'

'Maybe we should get going.' Mira said, catching Kalen's arm.

Kalen nodded. 'Yeah. Bye guys.' She said, turning away. She turned back suddenly, grinning mischievously. 'Have a good night.' She added with a laugh.

Carth shut the door with a resounding thud. He hadn't said anything during the entire encounter. He turned to Alexis and smiled at her.

Alexis erupted into embarrassed laughter. 'Gee, I wonder what that looked like.' Alexis said, smiling.

He started to laugh too and soon the pair of them were collapsed on the couch, laughing uncontrollably. 'Did you see the look on their faces?' Carth asked between laughs.

'Yes! I thought Kalen's eyes were going to pop out of her head...' Alexis replied. She was slowly regaining her composure. It had been hard. She had been laughing so hard that she was near tears.

'It'll be interesting to explain this tomorrow.' Carth said, finally catching his breath.

'Who says we have to explain? Let them think what they want. They will anyway.' Alexis told him, sitting up on the edge of the couch.

Carth chuckled again. 'I'm sure they will.' He watched her for a few seconds and Alexis began to feel uncomfortable. He did not blink or shift his gaze for a very long time. He was always looking at her...

'Carth... What are you staring at?' She asked him quietly. She was almost afraid of the answer.

Carth seemed to shake off his stupor when she spoke his name. He shrugged his shoulders slightly. 'I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry.' He smiled at her.

Alexis stood up slowly and held out her hand to him. 'Let's go get some sleep, Admiral.' She said.

Carth took her hand and allowed himself to be led down the hall, walking very closely behind her.

A few minutes later, in the darkness of Carth's bedroom, the two of them lay on opposite sides of the bed, attempting to sleep. Alexis found herself unable to do so, no matter how tired she was. Something was missing.

It was Carth who solved the problem for her. 'Revan...' He whispered. When she shifted to look over her shoulder at him, he spoke again. 'Come over here.' He said.

Alexis smiled slightly and rolled across the bed to Carth's side. He was lying on his back and he raised the arm closest to her. Alexis did not touch him immediately.

'It's okay...' He whispered soothingly. He reached out and touched her hair gently, curling a few of the long strands around one of his fingers.

Alexis gave in and pulled herself to his side. She stretched her entire body against the side of his and rested her head on his shoulder. She splayed one hand cautiously across the center of his chest. Carth placed his hand on top of hers and curled his fingers around it.

Alexis could not resist making a silly comment to lighten the mood. 'I hope I don't drool...' She told him.

Carth chuckled and leaned down to kiss her forehead. 'It's fine if you do. I'm fairly sure that I snore.'

Alexis did not answer, she merely closed her eyes. Remarkably, though sleep had seemed unattainable only a few minutes before, Alexis was sound asleep within two minutes of curling up against Carth.

Carth awoke the following morning to find a fully awake Revan still resting against his chest. She appeared to be thinking about something and was unaware that he had awoken as well. Her eyes occasionally scanned the room, constantly surveying her surroundings.

'Revan?' He said quietly, and she jerked back slightly. It was still dark in the room, as it was before sunrise.

Revan turned her eyes up to his face. 'I didn't know you were awake.' She replied, turning over the hand on his chest so that his palm rested on top of hers.

Carth squeezed her hand. 'I just woke up.' He answered.

Revan shut her eyes for a moment and Carth curled his arm around her back. Revan sighed contentedly.

'Have you gotten up to check the apartment?' Carth asked.

'Mmmm... Nope, but you did.' Revan said quietly.

Carth had gotten up around an hour earlier and done a quick search of the apartment. He had become almost as obsessive as Revan about the task. 'I'm sorry I woke you, then.'

'It's okay. I'd been drifting in and out of sleep for some time.' Revan answered.

Carth smiled and shut his eyes, gently rubbing his hand across the small of Revan's back.

Half an hour later, Alexis finally forced herself to get out of bed. Despite all the time they had wasted, it was still dark out. Carth had risen with her, declaring that he would cook her the best breakfast that she would ever have.

He was standing in the kitchen, bare-chested, cooking something that smelled absolutely wonderful, even to Alexis's weak stomach. His feet were bare and his hair was mussed. He looked so domestic, so utterly adorable, that Alexis found herself standing in the doorway, simply staring at him. He hadn't seen her, and she was enjoying the moment.

Alexis's fingers itched with the urge to run her fingers through Carth's hair. She was truly having a hard time keeping her impulses in check. She held on to the doorframe, twisting one of her bare feet around on the hard floor. Carth was humming quietly and muttering to himself every so often about what he needed to do next. He seemed absorbed in his task.

Alexis walked across the kitchen to his side. He didn't see her immediately, and when he finally did notice her, he set down the dish he was holding and folded her in his arms. 'Hello,' he said. He pulled back and looked down at the large t-shirt she was still wearing and chuckled slightly. 'I thought you were going to brush your teeth and change a few minutes ago.'

Alexis shrugged slightly. 'Well, I did brush my teeth, but I didn't manage to change clothes. I guess I'm still feeling a little lazy.'

'A Jedi feeling lazy?' He exclaimed as he returned to the task at hand. 'Unheard of!'

Alexis laughed and stepped away. She leapt up onto his countertop and crossed her legs, grinning the whole time. She watched as Carth finished cooking the meal. When he was done, he walked over and stood beside her, resting one hand on her knee.

In the other hand, Carth held a plate with some strange concoction upon its surface. He settled it down on his other side and scooped up a mouthful onto a fork.

Carth held out the fork to Alexis, who carefully took a bite. She hadn't even asked what it was and was surprised when she recognized the food. 'It's some sort of egg omelet, isn't it?' She asked after she swallowed.

'Yes. Do you like it?' He asked in return. He watched her face as he took a bite of the omelet for himself.

'It's excellent.' She replied. Together, they finished breakfast and went and sat in the living area together to play pazaak.