Several times during his return journey to Naboo, Kahn dozed off, only to awaken minutes later, his heart pounding as Amalia's words echoed in from his dreams.

. . I'm going to. . .die.

The look in her eyes when she spoke of her death chilled Kahn, not only because of the topic of her words, but because she hadn't seemed to be the Amalia he'd known all his life then- it was as if some stranger were staring at him out of her familiar brown eyes, instead of his Master.


Kahn was awake when Naboo came into view, and he initiated the landing sequence, able to sense Amalia and Jensen faintly through the Force elsewhere on the planet. He was tempted to seek them out right away, but decided against it; somehow, he knew that Amalia wouldn't want him to confront her again, and that she wasn't going to explain anything more to him than she already had. It pained him, to see how far apart they were at this point, when they used to be so close.

Hours later, after depositing the few supplies he'd brought with him at his home, the young Jedi Master stood on a small hilltop, watching from a distance the two figures that he recognized through the Force as Amalia and Jensen. It hadn't been difficult to track their presence to the location, although his instincts told him to stay away, that this was something Amalia needed to do on her own- whatever it was.

Kahn let out a barely audible sigh as his fingers drifted towards the hilt of his lightsaber. In his heart, he knew that if whatever was coming came down to a life-or-death situation concerning his Master, he would take action; he couldn't watch Amalia die in front of him, not without doing something to try and stop it. Although the young man was still in the dark concerning much of Amalia's situation, he would do anything possible to keep her from becoming Fate's next victim.

The Jedi Master didn't try to contact either of the two, knowing they could sense his presence just as he was aware of theirs. If they noticed him, they didn't show it; likewise, he made no action to move closer, though his gaze shifted restlessly around the bridge, his fears momentarily pushed aside, as he focused on trying to anticipate any coming dangers.

As the two awaited for their food, two burgers, a whiskey for Malice, and some juice for Lono, the two talked a bit.

"Daddy.. I don't know if you have noticed or not.. but Mommy has been awfully sad... before she went away, I mean. Especially when I talk to her about you. I mean, she gets upset when I talk about you, you know, when I tell her stories about your adventures.. but..."


Malice said nothing as his son spoke, intent on just listening for the time being.

"... Well.. when I talked to her about you, just before she went away.. she seemed really sad. I wonder if she misses you... Do you think so, Daddy?"

As he looked at his son, he could tell. He could tell that Lono was expecting an answer in which Malice could never give...honestly anways. But for the time being, he would humor his son.

*Who knows, she might be. We can only hope...right my son*

Indeed acting this way made him sick to his stomach, but he would have deal with it till she came running. If he lost Lono now, then all his plans would wash down the drain.

*I have a feeling she will return to us both very soon. And for the first time in a longtime, we will be together. Wouldn't you like that Lono?*

Jensen thoughtfully considered Amalia's words.

"That's understandable...but try not to be. You're an incredible person Amalia in both spirit and heart. You've proven that to me in all this, and nothing can take that from you."

He smiled peacefully upon her; it was a long time before the man had ever smiled. And it was Amalia that inspired it within him. She was very special to him, quite special.

He glanced toward his Jedi robe that he had given to her earlier.

"I'd like you to keep that, as a reminder." He said quietly.

He glanced across the bay, the warm sea breeze gust past the two as they began walking.

A somewhat mischievous look crossed Amalia's face as she lightly fidgeted with the robe that rested on her arm, thinking in a confidential manner.

"Doesn't seem like you're giving me much of a choice, Bettencourt..."

She smiled wistfully as she walked beside him.

".. Any excuse..."

.. to see you again.

".. I'll take..."

Amalia's sense of hope did not keep its place for long as something dark washed over her. Despite knowing what it was, the woman walked on, trying to keep the tranquil mood from slipping away so quickly.

"... I would.. I hope that I will get the chance to see you again. When this is all over, I mean.."

Lono could not muster any words for his father; much too occupied with his hope to say what he truly felt inside.


The boy wanted to tell his father that he felt his mother's presence, but something within him made him hesitate. He thought it was the look he found in his father's eyes, or the uncomfortable feeling at the pit of his stomach.

He knew he could not lie.

Lono blurted out an idea that was on his mind.

"... Daddy... will you be... good to Mommy?"

The question stumped him...to say the least. Whatever would make his son think up such a thing.

(Maybe he knows what's going on. Maybe he can sense my true intents. No, its impossible, he's too young still and i know he hasn't learned such abilities yet. Still....)

Taking himself out of thought for a moment, Malice looked at Lono, and answered him.

*Of course i will my son. I will be as good to her, as she was to me in the past*

I very much hope I'll see you again as well...any excuse.

"I'm sure we will get a chance to see each other again...hopefully, when this is all over."

Jensen too just now felt the darkness emerging upon them as he turned to face her, one that was not familiar, but seemed very strong within the dark arts.

But like Amalia he seemed to take her cue and not allow it to bother him. The smile he gave her was unwavering, as he watched her with eyes of caring and hope.

"I'd like that, very much."

Lie or no lie, Lono believed his father's words.

... but more than that, the boy was afraid to lie or keep things from his father.

Fear kept him from holding back.

"She is here, Daddy... Mommy is back.."

*Is she now...*

A smile crossed Malice's face. It would seem his son was more intune with Amalia then he was. Either that, or Lono was merely saying what he hoped to be true. Never the less, Malice could not sense her near.

*Tell me son, do you know where she is right now? do you know how close she is?*

However Lono was able to tell Amalia was near didn't matter to him. Malice would use that to his benefit.

Lono shook his head no, disappointedly, his small mouth quivering slightly at thinking about his mother.

It was not long before the boy began to cry, confusion settling onto his little face.

".. Mommy is bad..."

Lono did not understand it; his mother had always felt so comforting to him. Yet sitting there with his father, feeling his mother near by, all he felt was darkness.

".. Mommy is bad..."

The boy's cries turned into wails..