Why does it hurt so much to breathe? Bastila wondered, shifting to make herself more comfortable, only finding that pain nearly caused her to retch. She opened her eyes, waiting for them to focus and adjust to the bright lights in the ceiling above her. She was surprised to find that she was in the Ebon Hawk's medbay. The last thing she remembered was waiting for Katrina to come and fight her on the Star Forge.

She drew a shallow breath, coughing violently. Her heart pounded nervously when she tasted blood. With the taste of the blood, everything came flooding back. She remembered her valiant attempt to save Kat that had resulted with her own injuries rendering her unconscious, while Kat fought for her life. Then she remembered Revan was back. Bastila's stomach lurched. Had she just been imagining it? Surely, Revan wasn't back. The Council had said there was no way Jedi Revan could ever return…

A very tired looking Jolee walked in, grinning at her. "Good to see you up," he greeted, heading to his medicine cabinet. "Don't mind me, I'm just getting some more pain meds for Revan. She keeps knocking the damn stuff out of my hands!"

"Revan?" Bastila rasped, surprised that her throat was as dry as it was. "You mean… she's actually back?"

Jolee nodded, chuckling as he walked to her side. "Yep. She's the one that saved your life. She wouldn't even let anyone touch her until she was sure you were okay." He checked her vitals before checking the wound on her forehead. "Thanks to her, you'll be just fine," he continued. "A few more minutes and you would have filled your lungs with blood. Wouldn't have been pretty."

Bastila shifted again, cursing softly when she realized that her arm was broken. "How long until I can use my arm?" she asked, her mind spinning with questions about Revan that were slowly getting answered as she remembered more and more.

Jolee shrugged. "A few weeks, probably. I find that it's best to let broken bones heal naturally. Using the Force for things like that just doesn't cut it unless the healer is extremely in tune with the Force or is just lucky. A kolto injection will do some good, though I also found that ground gizka feces under your tongue will do just a little better. " He seemed to realize that he was being conversational, changing his tone. "Anyway, have you been coughing up any more blood?"

Bastila nodded weakly, a dull ache settling in on her whole body. "A little."

"Good girl." Jolee nodded his approval. "I think you're probably about done with that anyway. Last scan I did didn't show much more in there." He patted the top of her head gently, knowing that everywhere else on Bastila's body hurt. "Hang in there," he told her, grabbing a few packs full of medicine. "You'll make it. Now, don't mind me. I'll be back in a little while; I've got to go check on Revan."

He turned to leave, only to find that Bastila had caught his sleeve with her good hand. She was staring up at him anxiously, and he knew immediately that she was thinking about Revan. "I'm trying my best, lass," he said quietly. "She nearly killed herself getting you back here."

Bastila's face fell. "I… Is she conscious?" she asked, her voice betraying the guilt in her heart.

Jolee nodded slowly. "I think so. She's responsive enough to be able to fight me away when I try to get close, so I haven't been able to do anything for the pain. But she hasn't spoken anything intelligent since she told me to help you first."

Bastila closed her eyes, drawing a long breath. When she finally opened her eyes, Jolee was heading for the door. "Where is she?" Bastila called, a determined spark flickering and growing into a flame inside her chest.

Jolee paused, turning to assess Bastila. "I don't think that's such a good idea, lass. You're still weak enough as it is, and walking around wouldn't do much good for that collarbone of yours." He was silent for a moment, pursing his lips as he saw Bastila gaze back at him defiantly. "Well, let me at least help you up," he conceded finally, heading back to Bastila's side.

She shook her head, shaking his hands off of her. "I can do it," she murmured, using her good arm to lift herself into a sitting position. Pain flickered across her face briefly before she fought it off, swinging her legs off the side of the bunk. Bastila slid off the bed and landed on her feet, her knees deciding to be traitorously weak.

Jolee caught her gently, grabbing her good arm and helping her keep her balance. "Whoa there, a little unsteady on our feet, hmm? Come on," he added in a more fatherly tone, resting a hand on Bastila's arm and leading her to the women's dorm.

By the time they reached the door, Bastila was feeling more energized and more like herself. She declined Jolee's help just outside the entrance to the dorm, thanking him before stepping in. Her eyes immediately fell on Revan, who was lying in her bunk, her face pale and covered with sweat. Revan's eyes were closed, though her face showed that she was battling with pain. Her arms twitched of their own accord, her breathing coming in short, shallow gasps.

Bastila's heart sank as she went to Revan's side and knelt, resting her bad arm on the bed gently. She reached up and brushed Revan's hair out of her eyes, startled when Revan twisted violently under her touch. Revan tried to fight Bastila away, though her body was too exhausted and weak to even lift her arm.

"Hush, Revan," Bastila whispered, stroking Revan's hair softly. "It's me. Just relax."

Revan frowned, confusion mingling with the pain on her face. "Bastila?" she mumbled, looking hopeful for a brief moment.

"Yes, Revan, I'm here." Bastila noticed Revan's hand flexing as though she was trying to move it, reaching down and taking Revan's hand and giving it a comforting squeeze.

Somehow, Revan managed to smile, returning the gesture. After a moment's struggle, she opened her eyes and gazed at Bastila for a moment, her smile widening. "You're okay," she breathed, sounding relieved.

"Thanks to you," Bastila replied, grinning back at Revan.

"I've been worried," Revan mumbled. "Didn't want you to die on me."

Bastila chuckled, the action hurting enough to make her wince. "I'm not going to, Rev. I'm going to be fine. But you've been fighting Jolee away every time he's tried to help. Let him help you, Revan," she pleaded. "I know you're hurting, and I know he can help you get better."

"I'm not that bad," Revan protested weakly. "Just a little banged up."

Jolee, who had waited in the hall until an opportune moment for him to enter, made his entrance. "So long as 'a little banged up' includes a lovely gash in your leg, some Force Lightning burns, a festering wound in your abdominal cavity, a fractured femur, and a sprained shoulder, I must say that I agree one hundred percent," he retorted sarcastically. "You're in bad shape, lass."

"No wonder I feel like shit," Revan grumbled, sounding more awake. "Am I really that bad?"

"You'll be okay," Jolee said reassuringly as he grabbed a kolto injection from the supplies he'd brought. "I know you enjoy playing the hero, but sometimes you just have to rest."

Bastila gripped Revan's hand a little tighter, grinning in spite of herself. "See, I told you a long time ago that I was too heavy for you to carry. You're finally paying the price with a sprained shoulder."

Revan smiled. "It's not my fault someone was sneaking all the candy from the mess hall."

Bastila chuckled, stroking Revan's hair gently. "I missed you, Rev."

"I missed you, too," Revan murmured, glancing up at Jolee as he prepared the injection. "Shoot me up, old man," she told him, grinning weakly. She inched a little closer to Bastila and put an arm around Bastila's thin frame, cuddling her close. "I hate needles," she whispered, tensing as Jolee lifted a flap near the hem of her tunic and swabbed the area with an antiseptic.

"Just relax and it won't hurt," Bastila soothed, wrapping her good arm around Revan's shoulders gently.

Revan, of course, did nothing of the sort, hissing when Jolee inserted the needle. She relaxed when the healing fluid coursed through her system and cooled some of the burning wounds. Immediately, she felt a little better, feeling some of her strength return.

Jolee injected a few more kolto rounds into Revan's body, preparing a sedative to help her sleep.

"Hey, Jolee?" Revan asked just as he injected the sedative. "Get something for Bastila, will you? She's in a lot of pain."

Bastila shook her head at the older man. "I'm fine," she told him. "Just a little achy."

"Whatever," Revan retorted sleepily, her eyelids drooping. "You've got a couple broken bones. I don't think that's just a 'little achy', Bas. Sounds like it hurts like hell. Besides, I can feel it through our bond."

"I'm fine," Bastila repeated, glancing at Revan with annoyance. "And besides, I'll bet I feel better than you!"

"Give it to her anyway," Revan mumbled stubbornly, smiling as she heard Jolee rifle through his supplies and pull out another kolto injection. She closed her eyes as she snuggled into Bastila's chest, dropping off to sleep a moment later.

"It can't hurt," Jolee said as he shrugged, grinning.

Bastila rolled her eyes, defeated.

Bastila opened her eyes when a twinge of pain shot up through her arm. She blinked a few times, realizing that Revan was snuggling closer to her in her sleep. She reached out with the Force and found that Jolee had lifted her onto the bed beside Revan when Bastila had finally fallen asleep, leaving them alone.

Bastila made a mental note to thank Jolee, testing her broken collarbone by drawing a deep breath. She winced, taking a shallower breath. By the feel of it, Jolee had moved the half of the bone that had punctured her lung out of her chest, placing it back where it was supposed to go. The break still hadn't closed up and was very tender, but it would heal soon.

Revan drew a breath, sighing in her sleep. Bastila's thoughts immediately flew to Revan's injuries, worry flickering in her brain. What if Jolee hadn't been able to help her in time? What if Revan was just more comfortable for her last days? What if--

"Bas?" Revan murmured softly, waking up a little bit. She stroked Bastila's back gently, staring into Bastila's eyes sleepily. "What's wrong?"

Bastila hesitated. "Nothing," she lied. "Sorry."

Revan rolled her eyes, sighing. "You're a horrible liar. And besides," she added. "I could feel you stressing out through our bond. C'mon, Bas, just tell me what's wrong."

Bastila wet her lips before speaking, phrasing her response. "Well, I was thinking about how lousy we both feel." She smirked, shifting and wincing in Revan's arms. "But I was worrying about you," she added at the unenthusiastic look on Revan's face.

"Bastila," Revan murmured gently, taking Bastila's face in her hands. "I'll be okay. I can't die now, anyway. Now we've got our whole lives ahead of us, just you and me. We're together again, and I love you," she finished, a smile growing on her face. "You're crazy if you think I'm going to let that go."

Bastila grinned back, realizing that Revan's fighting nature was still strong. There was no way Revan was going down without a fight, and knowing Revan, she wouldn't go down at all. Bastila ignored a sharp pain in her ribs as she drew Revan close, snuggling into her arms. "I love you, too, Rev."

They were both silent for a moment, reveling in each other's presence. It had been too long since the last time they had been alone.

"Hey, Bastila? I forgot to mention something to you," Revan said, suddenly sounding uncomfortable.

Bastila raised her eyebrows, letting her expression ask the question.

"I… um…" Revan frowned, averting her gaze. She seemed to be trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to. "Well, when we first left the Leviathan, I was still reeling from finding out I was Revan. But everyone here, Mission especially, was really supportive and told me that they didn't care, that I wasn't that person. Everyone except Carth.

"I mean, I'd just regained my memory, so I knew who I was. But, still, Carth's one of my best friends here on this ship. It was killing me that he wouldn't even look in my direction. But then, I caught him alone and he told me he was sorry. And…"

Bastila waited a few seconds, finally prompting Revan to continue. "And what?"

Revan frowned again, finally looking at Bastila. "He told me he loves me."

Bastila did her best to keep her face nonchalant, though she knew Revan could probably see right through it. Inside, her heart was tightening with anxiety. "And do you love him?"

Revan smirked. "I'm gay, Bas. What do you think?" She laughed before continuing. "No, I don't. He's my friend, but that's it. Besides, I was head over heels for you from the moment I first heard you speak."

"The accent gets 'em every time," Bastila joked.

Revan laughed. "That was part of it, but… I don't know. There was just something about you. I was so… captivated by you. I saw you crying and wanted so bad just to give you a hug and tell you it would all be okay, but I was a little scared to. I didn't know if you'd think that was weird. But something inside me just told me that I needed to get to know you and love you. I didn't say that then, of course," she finished. "You would have thought I was crazy."

Bastila only smiled. "Maybe. But I'm glad you at least talked to me. Without you, I don't know what would have happened… All I can say is thank you."

"Well, we both probably would have ended up falling for Malak, and fighting over him all the time. And you know that would have just been silly," Revan replied, grinning at Bastila with a raised eyebrow. Something flashed across her face as Bastila shot Revan a dry look. "By the way, Bas, I've got something to tell you."

"What is it this time?" Bastila asked, feigning exasperation. She focused her Force energies on healing her broken arm as she watched Revan grin secretively.

"We got a message from your mom while you were asleep. Carth told me," Revan said when she saw the quizzical look on Bastila's face. "She was on Coruscant in one of the hospitals when she sent it. She said she was going to get out of there and wanted you to come visit her soon."

Bastila frowned nervously. "Get out? Why? What's wrong? Did she hate it there and leave to… go on in peace?" She knew her questions sounded angst-ridden, but she couldn't help it. Since she had last encountered her mother on Tatooine, something in Bastila's heart had opened up and welcomed the idea of her mother loving her.

Revan's grin grew a little wider. "Not quite. She said that, whatever it was she had, the doctors helped her beat it into remission. She's still working on recovering, but…" Revan let her voice trail off, though the twinkle in her eyes gave away what she had left unsaid.

"You mean… she's okay?" Bastila asked immediately, hoping and praying that it was true. There was so much she wanted to say to her mother, so much she wanted to catch up on…

Revan waited for an antagonizing moment before nodding and hugging Bastila tightly.

Relief and happiness was quickly dulled by pain. "Watch the ribs," Bastila hissed, wincing at the pain. Almost immediately after Revan released her, Bastila was crying. They weren't tears of pain, but tears of joy that her mother was all right.

"She asked about you," Revan added quietly, rubbing Bastila's back gently to soothe her. "I didn't tell her anything about Malak. I just said that you were back on the ship meditating. She didn't press it. I think she's starting to try and accept what the Jedi have taught you."

Bastila grinned through her tears. "I want to see her, Rev," she whispered. "I actually want to see her."

"And I couldn't be more proud of you, Bas." Revan brushed her lips across Bastila's forehead, wiping away Bastila's tears with her thumb. "We'll go there as soon as we can."

"Good," Bastila mumbled, testing her newly healed left arm. She was pleased with her work, setting her powers to healing her ribs and collarbone. A moment later she was done, still sore and achy, but her bones were healed. Her Force powers exhausted, Bastila snuggled closer to Revan, closing her eyes and relaxing in the warmth of Revan's arms.

"Knock knock," Jolee called, walking into the room. His arms were full of medpacs, a grin on his face. "How are you two kids doing?"

"Fine," Revan replied. "We're both fine."

"Mhm," Bastila added, sounding drowsy. "Doing good."

"Good," Jolee replied, setting the medpacs on the foot of the bed. "How's the bones?" he asked Bastila, heading to her and examining her arm. "Well, I'll be damned! You healed this up yourself, didn't you?" he barked.

Bastila nodded, rolling over onto her back, fixing her defiant gaze on the old man. "Yes, I did. It doesn't hurt, so I don't think I did too badly."

Jolee grumbled and shook his head. "Damn kids," he muttered, though it was obvious by his voice that he was pleased at Bastila's accomplishment.

Revan and Bastila laughed.

Jolee rolled his eyes at them, gently forcing Bastila out of Revan's arms so he could examine Revan.

Bastila sighed, perching on the bedside so Jolee could check on Revan. She took Revan's hand and squeezed it gently, trying to think of some smart remark to send Jolee's way.

"Oh, by the way," Jolee began. "Carth got a message from the Admiral. Apparently there's going to be a ceremony on the alien planet we found, and we've been invited to join."

Revan winced, more out of displeasure than pain. "I suppose we have to?"

Jolee chuckled. "You'd be insulting the entire government if you didn't."

"Damn it." Revan winced again, out of pain this time as Jolee prodded her shoulder.

"Oh, Bastila?" Jolee called, checking the wound on Revan's leg. "Would you mind finding Mission? She's been worried sick about both of you, and I think she's convinced you both are nearly dead." He turned and raised an eyebrow at Bastila, daring her to stay.

Bastila grumbled, squeezing Revan's hand as she got up. "I'll be back," she mumbled, heading out of the room. She walked down the hallway, her ears picking up the sounds of hushed voices talking in the commons. Her stomach lurched at the prospect of walking into the commons, full of people that she was sure now hated her for falling to the dark side. In a way, she had betrayed their entire mission, and she was sure most people would resent her for it.

Bastila paused outside the entrance to the commons, wetting her lips and drawing a breath. She finally forced herself to step around the corner, waiting for the shouts of anger. Instead, she was met with a different sound.

"BASTILA!" Mission yelped happily, rushing to her and throwing her arms around the Jedi. "You're okay!"

Bastila hugged the Twi'lek, glancing around and seeing smiles on everyone's faces.

Canderous harrumphed a greeting, Carth shook her hand, Zaalbar howled something in his native tongue, all of the sounds of relief and happiness. Bastila stood there in the doorway, knowing that she looked completely confused.

"I… I thought you all would hate me," she managed to say, her gaze dropping down to the floor.

"Well," Canderous began, a laugh in his voice. "We--"

Mission smacked him and Carth shot him a furious glance. "Why would we?" Mission asked. "You're part of this crew, and you sacrificed yourself to save us all! Maybe it wasn't the greatest thing in the galaxy when you fell, but no one hates you for it. You're back now, aren't you?" She shot a glare at Canderous as she spoke.

Bastila grinned and nodded, sighing with relief. "Thank you," she whispered.

Carth shifted his weight from foot to foot uneasily. "Uh… How's Revan?"

"Fine. She's doing really well," Bastila replied, grinning. "She's less than excited about the ceremony, but she's fine."

Everyone looked relieved.

"Great," Mission exclaimed, looking excited. "Now, who's ready for lunch? Big Z and I have been preparing something special!"

"… The saviors of the galaxy, you shall always be remembered in the history of our archives," Zhar boomed, glancing out at the large crowd. "We will hold you in great regard through the ages…. Revan, the Prodigal Knight."

The crowd roared, cheering so loudly that Revan couldn't even hear herself saying "thank you." She sighed, waving to the crowd as she grinned at her friends.

Admiral Dodonna held up a hand and the crowd slowly fell silent. "And on behalf of the Republic, I would like to present you with the Cross of Glory." She held up the medal before hanging it around Revan's neck.

Revan smiled her thanks, knowing she couldn't be heard as the crowd began cheering again. The admiral shook her hand warmly.

As the cheering died down, music began playing and most of the crowd began talking amongst themselves, some pointing at Revan and cheering more.

Revan sighed, the sound one of peaceful happiness. Malak was dead, the Sith were gone, and she and Bastila were together again. She turned to Bastila, who was watching her with a grin.

Bastila leaned in close to Revan's ear so she could be heard. "I'm so proud of you."

Revan laughed. "I could say the same, Bas." She took Bastila's hand, shooting a defiant look at Vrook when he frowned. She and Bastila laughed, turning and heading out of the ceremonial area, back down to the beach where the Ebon Hawk was.

They boarded the Hawk and headed to the dorm. For a moment, they sat silently on the bed, just staring at each other.

"This is... odd," Bastila said finally. "Who are you?" Upon receiving a confused look from Revan, Bastila smiled. "I mean, you're still the woman I love more than anything, you're still my best friend, but... who are you? Are you Kat, or are you Revan?"

Revan hesitated. "Who do you want me to be?" she asked finally.

Bastila shook her head. "Answer me with an answer, Rev, not a question."

"This isn't fair," Revan said immediately. "I've been two people, and you're telling me to choose who I am? That's like telling a gizka to choose between mating in a cupboard or in Carth's bed!"

Bastila burst into laughter at the analogy, mostly because it made no sense. She calmed herself down a minute later when she saw that Revan wasn't laughing. A serious expression was on Revan's face as she watched Bastila.

"You know who I wanna be?" Revan asked softly, taking Bastila's hands in hers and holding them tightly. "I want to be the person that you dream about every spare minute of your time. I want to be the person that's always there to dry away your tears. I want to be the shield that protects you from evil. I want to be the person that you know will always love you, no matter what happens. I want to be the person that you don't want to live without. I want to be yours. That's who I want to be," Revan finished fiercely.

Tears filled Bastila's eyes as she listened to Revan, and when Revan had finished, she smiled so wide she thought her face might split in two. "That's who you are," Bastila replied emotionally, releasing Revan's hands and reaching for Revan's collar, pulling her into a passionate kiss.

When they broke apart, Revan's eyes were shining with joyful tears. "I love you, Bastila," she whispered breathlessly.

"I love you, too," Bastila murmured, hugging Revan tightly.

"Who do you want me to be, Bas?" Revan asked again, her voice a whisper.

"Revan," Bastila responded in Revan's ear. "You're the only one for me, Rev. I love you more than anyone else in the entire galaxy."

Revan chuckled, stroking Bastila's hair as she enjoyed the feeling of being in Bastila's arms. "I love you, Bas."

They sat there on the bed for a few more minutes, holding each other close and exchanging soft, loving kisses. Finally, after so many years, they were once again able to be together. Nothing could break the bond of love between them. And absolutely nothing would ever separate them again.

~*~THE END~*~

There you go. What'd you think? I hope you enjoyed it, or at the very least didn't think it was a complete waste of your time.

If I made any mistakes, let me know and I'll go back and fix them; I don't catch every mistake I make. =]