Blatant0 : I'm very pleased to know that you are enjoying this story so much. I thought that the necklace in the last chapt. was a nice touch as well ;) I'm also pleased to know that you are interested in my character developement here, it's very important for this story. Also, I have another fanfic, called kotor : A new beginning. It's basically my version of the w/t for the game. It might interest you. It has Keira in it ;)

Disclaimer : I don't own anything here accept the story line...oh and Keira and Layla, they are mine muahaha!

Chapter 7: Welcome All

Where to start? So much to say. So many discoveries. Where to start? From the beginning? From what mattered the most? What did matter most? What was most important? Everything that she had discovered or had done, linked each other somehow. Everything mattered, had a meaning, had a story with a beginning and an end. Where to start?

So many thoughts run through her mind as she reapplies her layers clothing. Tan and white, what was it about tan and white? This outfit itself had history. There were reasons as to why she picked out this particular collection of robes. However, at the moment, she could safely discard telling at least that story for the time being.

Tan and white. Keira wore the usual Jedi robes, but hers are different in many ways. Her tunic is a light tan trimmed in white, her leggings are an off-white and her boots are the same color as her tunic. It’s her main robe that sets her apart from most Jedi. It’s extremely long and a very bright white. Still to this day, she can’t understand how it’s constant dragging doesn’t allow it to become completely ruined and filthy.

Deciding to finally join Carth and Dustil for a bite to eat, she leaves the room and heads down the hall. Her trained ears can hear the faint sounds of laughter coming from the dinning room. How it warms her heart to know that these two men can laugh together again.

“I’m telling you. I’ve never felt so sorry for a droid in my life!” Carth brushes tears of laughter from his eyes, while Dustil attempts to stop laughing and fails miserably.

Not wanting to interrupt their moment, Keira simply lounges against the frame of the room and smiles warmly.

Both of the mens laughter come to a halt when they notice her in the entrance. At that very moment, both father and son rise from their chair to acknowledge her presence. Briskly, the Admiral moves to the side of the table and offers her a chair.

“Hey, glad to see you up and about. I bet you’re hungry.”

The three of them dine together, at the same time conversing about their memorable times. Most of the conversation held by Carth, explaining in great detail some of their most intriguing encounters. Dustil with his arms folded, seems to be drinking it in.

“So Mission ends up volunteering to place a plasma grenade along with some synthetic odor in a back pack. Being the stealthy little runt that she is, she actually managed to place the pack on a pile of bones undetected. Next thing you know, we’re covered in Rancor guts.”

The dinning room is filled once more with laughter and the three of them exhale, as if trying to ward off another fit of laughs.

Peering over at the former Sith Lord, Dustil starts to open his mouth wanting to ask the so many questions he has for her. Then, as quickly as the thought had occurred, he decides against it and shakes off his curiosity for the time being.

Keira clears her throat and straightens her posture. “Well, lets get to it.”

Both of the men give each other a quick glance of confusion and then return their gaze to her. Carth folds his arms over his chest and leans into his chair. “Did we miss something?”

Keira raises her brow in his direction. “Oh come now, you guys aren’t fooling anyone.” Again, father and son exchange a glance of confusion.

“I’m actually quite surprised that you two haven’t bombarded me with thousands of questions by now.” She snorts lightly, shaking her head. “Hmm . . . I’m a little insulted.”

Speechless, the two men continue to stare at her. They had come to the agreement not to ask her anything right away, feeling that she probably needed the time to get use to being back, so to speak.

“We figured that you probably needed sometime and space.”

Keira rolls her eyes and adjusts the sleeves to her robe. “Carth, please. I’ve been gone for nearly five years. I’ve had nothing but time and space. You of all people should know that when there’s something that needs to be done . . . ”

“You have to deal with it right away.” Carth rests his elbows against the surface of the table. “Listen sister. I know you want to get things underway, but don’t you think you should take a breather first?”

“I had a breather. I slept for two nights.” Feeling his distress for her, she reaches over and rests her hand on his forearm. “I’m fine, really. I just think that there are some things we need to discuss.”

Feeling a bit out of place here, Dustil coughs lightly. “If you want, I can go.”

Keira laughs lightly at his comment. “Don’t be silly. Stay.” The room grows silent as Keira goes through her thoughts. Where to begin? How to explain everything? And what about . . .

“Excuse me, Keira?”

She finds herself staring into big brown curious eyes. Does he really know how much like his father he really is?

“I was just wondering . . . well that is if you don’t mind telling us . . . cause I’m sure my dad wants to know to . . . ” Dustil rubs the back of his neck nervously.

“Yes?”

“How did you get here? Well what I meant to ask is . . . ”

The Force works wonders. This is where to begin.

“It’s alright, Dustil. I know what you meant. How did I manage to get from the Outer Rim to Telos with no ship?” She rises from her chair and heads for the near by window. Clasping her hands behind her back, she takes in the sights of the Sun rise. The rays slowly reach out and begin to embrace all from darkness.

There is no chaos, there is harmony.

The two men wait patiently for her response, fallowing her every movement with their eyes. Time seems to slow down as they wait for her to answer. How did she manage to get to Telos with no ship?

“Well, that’s easy. The Ebon Hawk.”

In shock, Carth repeats her like an echo, trying to register her answer. “The Ebon Hawk?”

She glances over her shoulder and nods. “Yes.” Returning her attention to the view outside, she begins her explanation. “While I was exploring a planet in the Outer Rim Territories called Ziost, I ran into an old friend.”

“Layla.” Realization hits Carth. “The Jedi Exile.” She had kept her promise. She had found Revan and she had dispatched his message.

“Simply tell her that . . . that Carth Onasi is waiting for her.”

“Where is she? Is she alive? Is...is she here?” Not only had she found Revan, but she had done the next best thing, brought her back, back to him. Carth can see the reflection of Keira’s smile in the window glass. Relieved, he lets out a small sigh.

“She’s alive. And yes she is here. The Ebon Hawk is at the docking station.”

Confused, the Admiral rises from his chair and walks to her side. Holding her by the arms, he gently turns her body to face him. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

Again, she smiles at him. “I was going to, in your office, but then I just felt so weak. So drained.” Gently she lifts her palm and rubs the side of his face. “It doesn’t matter now. However, I should contact her and the others and let them know that I’ve found you. They were afraid that you might have left for Onderon for a while.”

Carth and Keira decide to head to the docking bay, while Dustil resolves to stay home and catch some sleep. Usually, the docks are bustling with citizens, but do to the fact that it is still very early, they manage to make it to the Ebon Hawk in record time. Keira quickly boards the ramp and heads inside the ship. Carth on the other hand, takes his time, and stops to admire this ship he use to pilot and at one time called home.

He slides his palm alongside the belly of the ship. His eyes squint and his lip curls when he notices a fair amount of damage along the Hawk’s body. “What did they put you through huh?”

“Carth? You coming?” Keira’s head pops out from the loading ramp searching for him.

“Uhh . . . yeah.” Carth pockets his hands and heads for the ramp.

“You already know Layla.” Keira gestures to a woman about her age, in brown and tan robes. What is with the tan? She’s exactly the way he remembers her, a few inches shorter then Keira, shoulder length blond hair, pale gray eyes and fair skin.

“Of corse. I owe you my thanks.” He offers his hand and she accepts. “I wasn’t sure you would ever find her, but you did. You have my gratitude.”

Layla squeezes his hand a little harder and takes a step forward. “You don’t have to thank me. It was an honour. Plus, she was a big help. We wouldn’t have made it back without her.” The Exile smiles and then releases her grip.

Keira clears her throat and then motions to two men dressed in Jedi robes. Their robes have no trace of tan, just a subtle amount of grey and off white. “You probably remember these two as well.”

A man with dark hair steps forward, hands clasped behind his back and stares up at him. He’s about half a foot shorter and fifty pounds lighter then the Admiral, but still Carth can sense a great deal of wit, conning and spirit from him.

“Atton Rand.” The two shake hands. “So you use to pilot this ship at one time huh?”

Annoyed, Carth glares at the new pilot. “Yeah. And at least when I was flying her, she remained in one piece.”

Atton’s eyes widen and he takes a few steps back. “A bit testy are we?” Carth was annoyed before, but now he’s most definitely aggravated . “Testy? I don’t get testy...”

Seeing that this can quickly escalate, Keira grabs Carth by the arm and introduces him to Layla’s ever loyal Disciple. “And this is Mical.”

“Please to meet you. I’ve heard many things about you. It’s an honour.” The Disciple quickly brushes over to the Admirals side and shakes his hand. “I’ve never heard of someone rising through the Republic ranks so fast as you have Admiral.”

Carth stares down at this young blond man. Why is it that all of Layla’s crew are so thin and short? “Uhh...thanks...Nice to meet you too.”

“Ok, just a few more people to meet. The rest you know.” Keira continues leading him through the ship. Carth raises a confused brow in her direction.

“I know?” They round a corner and head to the woman’s bunk room. “Yeah. T3 and HK. I have no doubt that you do not care to get reacquainted with HK.” She snorts and tugs on his arm signalling for him to keep following. They enter the room and find a woman sitting on the floor playing with explosives.

“Uhh...I would be careful if I were you.” The red headed woman points to some grenades on the floor near their feet. “I really don’t feel like peeling anyone of the floors and walls today, thanks.”

“Carth, this is Mira.”

“That’s my name.”

Mira flashes a smile at Keira and stands seductively, as usual. The little ex-bounty hunter doesn’t extend her hand and neither does Carth. Strangely, he finds himself unusually uncomfortable. Nothing is said and no one moves. Just silence. Carth finds himself feeling more awkward by the second, he can feel Mira looking him over, up and down.

Feeling his anxiety Keira breaks the silence. “Ok. Lets go meet the mechanic.”

Thank the Force.

They wind their way back down the hall and towards the back of the Hawk. “She’s odd.” Carth finds himself blurting out.

Keira breaks into a fit of laughter. “What makes you say that?”

The Admirals face contorts into disgust. “Oh please. You can’t tell me you didn’t notice any of that.” Keira on the other hand, has become amused with the whole situation. “Whatever are you talking about?” Again, a fit of laughter.

In shock, Carth eyes scan what’s left of what use to be the garage. He can’t believe how much damage these people have done to his ship. More and more he feels like he’s going to loose it. Again, he feels a tug at his arm. “And last but not least, Bao-Dur.”

“A pleasure Admiral.” The two men shake hands firmly. “I know you must be worried about the ships current condition. I’m doing my best to restore her to her original state.”

Carth smiles and points to the Zabrak with his free hand. “Now this guy, I like.” Bao-Dur nods and releases the Admirals hand. “I’m sorry, but if there’s nothing you need...”

Carth nods in agreement and pats the mechanic on the back. “No, no. By all means, please continue. Let me know if you need a hand with anything.”

The pair make their way back to the main hold where the ships current crew wait for them. Seeing all of them in one room, Carth remembers how cramped it can get in here. He remembers how tight it was when Keira’s crew inhabited this ship.

“Can I make a suggestion?” The groups eyes rest on him. “Two of the apartments across the hall from me are empty. How about I arrange it so that you can all stay there?” The crew disgust it amongst themselves and agree that it’s probably best.

“Admiral, with all do respect. If you don’t mind, I would prefer to stay aboard the ship. I have things to tend to and I would prefer not to leave the Hawk or the droids unattended.” The Zabrak, Carth notes has a very good point. Usually, he would have protested against something like this, but he knows Bao-Dur is right.

“Very well, but if you change your mind...” Carth rests a hand on the mechanics shoulder, trying his best to make him feel welcome.

“Yes, Admiral, I will let you know.”

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