Quirks, Similarities and Differences

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone from Knights of the Old Republic, Bioware has full control over their persons. I only own the alter-ego of a former Sith Lords. Read and enjoy!

Part 1: Similarities

The smoky light filtered through the cabin windows of the Ebon Hawk. Morning found the ship's cockpit's current occupant curled asleep in the pilot's chair, her head slumped on her shoulder and knees curled beneath her. It was a respite for the tired Jedi, some small measure of isolation she had to take in order to prepare herself for another grueling day of stupid questions and negotiations.

The life of Libra Darkstar, formerly Revan, was a mix of chaos and answers to questions already asked. A Jedi Knight and savior of the galaxy, the Consular was everyone's first choice for an important mission. She was the poster girl of the Jedi Order, everybody knew her by face if not by name. They didn't really have a choice, though she had worn a mask through out the ordeal, Revan had kept the galaxy under her thumb for a number of years. That was enough for recognition of the negative and positive kind.

People were willing to overlook the darkness in her past because she cleaned up the mess she created. Her apprentice: dead, the Star Forge: destroyed, peace: restored and the Sith: pushed back for the mean time. Her future was looking better everyday, she had people who cared about her, a steady position in life, enough credits to support herself and the hard earned trust and support of the man who mattered most in her life. No longer forced to shoulder her emotional burdens alone, Libra was able to keep the horrors of her past exactly where they belonged: in the past. It had taken her awhile to accept this, but the only way she could keep her sanity was to look to the future.

It wouldn't be long before she sat on the Council and even had a Padawan of her own to train. But things were starting to get boring. No amount of talking or parties could numb the ache of adventure. A few months spent on Coruscant, half a dozen on Alderaan, Libra had been shuttled and prodded for treaties, seminars and training. It was supposed to break up the monotony, but it didn't. She wanted excitement again and was growing edgier with every day she was spent locked away solving other people's problems.

And so it was that Libra was dreaming of battling tarentateks on Kashyyyk when a whiskery kiss awoke her from slumber.

"Good morning, beautiful."

Libra turned her head away and tried to sink into the pilot's chair. "Ten minutes more, Carth, please."

The pilot chuckled and brought his lips down again, his tongue slowly coaxing her into full consciousness.

When their kiss ended, Libra released a sigh and slowly stood. She slipped into Carth's warm embrace. "You know," she commented, nuzzling the side of his neck and giving it a quick nip, "that has to be one of the best ways to wake up. Next time though, make sure you close the door behind you." She smiled against his skin, "what would the others say?"

Carth's foot reached back and pushed the door shut, "are we really so scandalous?"

Libra raised her head and arched an eyebrow. "I doubt that Jolee or Juhani would enjoy walking in on the two of us."

Shrugging, Carth leaned in for another kiss. "Oh, I don't know…."

Libra's gave a small laugh, her head staying out of reach. "You put a great deal of faith in others, considering your past issues. I know I'd feel very uncomfortable if I saw two of my friends doing something…" Libra searched for the word, "private." Upon seeing the glint in the pilot's eyes, she made a mental note that men were very predictable. Right after the words had left her mouth she could see the gears in Carth's head turning.

"That doesn't sound like such a bad idea. You, me, the cockpit all to ourselves…"

"The faces peeking in from the view screen because I'm probably late for something…"

Carth frowned, "you put such a damper on us, you know that?"

The Jedi laughed and with a quick twist was out of the embrace and opening the cockpit door. "Cool your engines, fly boy..."

"I'm getting too old to put up with you anymore." Carth quickly leaned his weight on the door to stop it from opening. He gave Libra a meaningful stare.

"Nah. You just have to control these urges of yours." Libra idly - though not so idly to Carth's eye - stroked the hilt of her lightsaber. "Such things lead to the dark side."

"Oh no!" Carth groaned, "not you too!"

"Relax, Carth. It's only my day job," was the matter-of-fact response.

Eager to change the subject, Carth reluctantly opened the door and ushered Libra out. "I made you some caffa. That is, if you still want it? It might be cold."

"You've been planning this for a while, huh?"

"Err…well, no…"

Libra took his hesitation as a sign to go on. "You know I love a man who brings me a warm drink in the morning. You sure you don't have Jedi powers?"

"Well, no I…"

"Because I can see where Dustil gets it from."

"Dustil's just a…"

"Either that or his mother. I always wondered if the Force was passed down from generation to generation in certain families." Libra picked up the cooling caffa and took a sip. "Maybe my family had it too."

"I'm not so…"

She gave a grimace and set it back down. "I mean it would be perfectly natural if it just manifested itself, but still. I get curious about these things. Perhaps it would be worth discussing with the Council."

Carth shifted nervously from foot to foot. Wasn't she going to let him speak? "Can they really…"

Libra shrugged her shoulders. "I doubt they'd have a legitimate answer. They often withhold information from non-members. I'll have to conduct the research on my own." She rummaged through the cabinets for something to eat.

"Why not just…"

"Although with the right conversation I could get them to drop hints. Granted they still don't quite trust me. Hell, I'm a devious little Jedi, I wouldn't trust me either."

"You're really someth…" Carth tried interjecting but was again cut off.

"Well thank you! But Revan was a tricky woman. I'd have probably followed her, too. Keep me away from the edges of the galaxy and most certainly away from Canderous!"

"Isn't he on…"

"No…" she sighed. "I do miss the brute though." Libra paused, a wistful look on her face. "I wonder how he's doing?"

"Last I heard…"

"Oh I know, 'MIA' for the moment. But what about Mission? And Zalbaar? Boy, I really miss everyone. You know? At least we still have…"

"Damn it, let me speak!"

Libra gave a startled jump at the outburst. She turned to face Carth, an eyebrow raised in question. "Oh? I'm sorry! What was it you wanted to stay?"

Carth caught the look and gave an exasperated shake of his head. "Don't you ever stop?"

"Stop?" Libra gave a quizzical quirk of her head. If she had been harboring any emotion other than surprise, it did not show. "Stop what?"

"Thinking. Your train of thought is incredible but you have to take a break sometimes."

"No time to stop. I've got to go, go, go!" Libra gave a sheepish grin, "they run me ragged."

Carth shook his head and placed a hand on his hip. "No kidding."

"Indeed. But isn't that the beauty of us? We can finish each other's sentences," Libra gave him a loving grin.

"You can finish my sentences because you're the one with the Force." Carth ruefully rubbed the back of his neck. "I can't even follow your train of thought."

Libra was taken aback by this. "If you felt put out, why didn't you just tell me?"

The pilot gave a frustrated sigh, "because I thought you could read my mind!"

Libra laughed out at that. "Read your mind! No way! We just happen to think a like, that's why I can always guess what you're about to say next."

Carth frowned. "We don't think alike."

Libra nodded her head. "We do."

"We don't."

"We do."

"We don't."

"We do."

"We don't."

"We do."

"We don't."

"We do."

"We don't!"

"If we don't think alike," commented the Jedi, "then why did you just engage in a game of do too-do not with me?"

"You're the most frustrating, maddening…"

"Charming, beautiful woman you've ever met." Libra gave him an innocent smile. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to the refresher and then I'm going out to find something to eat."

Libra was halfway to the hallway when Carth quickly reached out for her arm. "Can I come?" He gave her a lopsided grin. "I'm hungry."

Libra stopped and turned to him. "My, my, don't we have an…appetite?" She grinned wickedly as she stressed the last word. "You're a pilot…can't you fly solo?"

Carth turned a rather attractive shade of pink. "Listen, gorgeous, this abuse must stop. "

"I knew what you meant, Carth, I just think that you're rather cute when you're riled up," Libra's giggle sounded like that of a truant schoolgirl, deliberately provoking in intent.

"Do I get you all hot and bothered in the mornings?" Carth thought about the implication of his statement when he saw Libra's mouth open with a retort. "Wait, wait, don't answer that!"

Libra shrugged her shoulders, "I won't be in the refresher for very long, so once I'm all dressed and dried we can look around for a restaurant."

"We could have had the ambassadorial quarters and had breakfast in bed. So tell me again why we're staying in the Ebon Hawk?"

"Don't be such a baby." Libra hated whiners. "We went over this before, the ambassadorial quarters makes it easier for me to be found. With the Ebon Hawk, all I need to do is strap myself in and fly to a new location. Besides, we'll only be here another week."

"It's been a month already," muttered Carth.

Libra gave him a pat on the cheek in response before leaving.