Jyn stared down at the food on her plate, not moving to eat it. She knew that she should at least try, but her appetite was wan as of late. Cassian had been away on a mission for a week and a half now and she missed him more than she thought she would.

It was so strange. Jyn considered Cassian a close friend and comrade, but if they weren't engaged in a battle with a handful of Imperial tie fighters or no blasters were being aimed in their general direction, she just felt awkward and a little unsure of herself around him. It was frustrating and interesting at the same.

She had known Cassian for nine months now, but sometimes, she felt as if she'd known him her whole life. Sure, when they first met, they shared an initial dislike and distrust for each other, but things changed after they fought side by side and nearly died together. Whether she intended or not, Jyn had established a bond with Cassian and it only grew the more she spent time with him.

More than once, she'd come to his room and they would go over plans and strategies for upcoming missions together. They always sat on the bed since it was the most comfortable place in Cassian's room and sometimes, their thighs would brush against each other.

Whenever that happened, Jyn's spine would stiffen and she'd freeze up. There was an intimacy about the two of them being alone in his room like that. She wasn't unlearned in the ways between men and women, but being so close to Cassian made her feel not in control.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons why she was so drawn to him. Cassian put her off her guard and she could let her walls fall down around him without fear of being hurt or manipulated by him. It was a refreshing thing to be able to be with someone without worrying that they'll judge you or run from you because of your past mistakes.

Cassian and she were so alike that way. They both had done some awful things in their life that neither of them were proud of, but they owned their scars and learned to let go of their old wounds. Healing was always easier when you had a partner in the trenches with you and that's what Cassian was to Jyn.

Sometimes they even talked about their best memories from childhood, favourite foods, the interesting people they met in their lives. It was the little things like this that made Jyn trust Cassian and feel more and more comfortable in his presence.

He'd become an important part of her life now. That was why Jyn was mopey during Cassian's absence.

Of course, that's not to say Bohdi, Chirrut and Baze weren't keeping her company because they were, but with Cassian, it was...different. There was something between them, but it wasn't really defined.

Most of her life, she'd never been attached to many people. She'd been too busy getting herself in trouble and getting locked up in that godforsaken Imperial prison. But here, with the rebellion, she finally had friends, people who truly cared about her.

As much as Jyn prided herself on being independent, she had to admit that it was such a relief to not be alone anymore. It takes a toll on you after a while, being by yourself all the time with no relationships to keep you stable.

Having a home was comforting too. It wasn't the same as when Jyn lived with her parents in seclusion on all those years ago, but it was the next best thing.

Earlier, she'd been in the mess with her friends when Bohdi came to the table with news of Cassian. "He had to go the medbay to get a wound treated. That's why we haven't seen him yet. He got a bad blaster burn that had to be wrapped."

Jyn stood up so abruptly that her legs bumped the table and her friends looked up at her knowingly, not even attempting to mask their smirks.

"Tell him we said hello," said Chirrut as he sipped his tea.

"I'm just going to see if he's alright. Being stuck in medbay for any length of time is a pain."

"Of course."

She narrowed her eyes. "Any of you can come along."

Bohdi shook his head. "I think I speak for everyone when I say that we wouldn't want to intrude."

Jyn rolled her eyes and walked away, not even choosing to argue against what Bodhi was suggesting. Because she'd been lying through her teeth if she said there was nothing between she and Cassian.

Once she reached medbay, she stopped for a moment, took in a deep breathe and continued walking. All of the beds were empty except for one and Cassian lie there while a nurse was had just finished his wrap.

He noticed her and a small smile spread across his face. "Jyn."

"Hey. Long time, no see," Jyn said to him as she came closer. Her face frowned when she saw the bandage on the left side side of his waist. "Bodhi told us you were injured. Is it bad?"

"I've had worse, believe me. A stormtrooper just happened to get a lucky shot before I boarded the ship. I'll be fine in a few days."

Jyn eyed him carefully and the tiredness around his eyes. He probably didn't get much sleep while he was undercover at the Imperial base. "You look exhausted."

"Well, I feel it." He glanced behind her. "Where is everybody? I don't get a welcoming party after being gone for so long?"

"They're in the mess, stuffing their faces, but they are glad that you're back."

"And you?"

She cleared her throat and crossed her arms, trying to act nonchalant. "It's been pretty boring without you here, but I'm sure things will pick up now."

"I see," came Cassian's reply.

The way he looked at her made her feel unsure of herself again, so she deflected. "Do you have to stick around or can you go to your quarters?"

"No. I'm cleared to leave." He stood and grimaced a little, but held himself up and covered his side with a hand. "The last thing I'd want to do is be confined to medbay. The food here is terrible."

"I second that. Ah...do you want some help?"

"Yeah, thanks."

Jyn went over to Cassian's side and she put one arm around his waist, with the other clutching his hand over her shoulders. When he was ready, they both began to walk.

Once they reached Cassian's room, Jyn helped him get on his bed and he groaned as he sat down. "Agh, I'll be glad when this wound heals up. It's a pain in the ass."

"Does it hurt very much?" Jyn peered at the bandage.

"Not really. They gave me something for the pain, but it's still sore and uncomfortable."

"I'm sorry. I wish there was something I could do to make it better."

"Don't worry. I'm a fast healer."

Suddenly, Jyn remembered an old saying that her mother used to tell her when she was a child.

"Sometimes a kiss takes the pain away."

When Jyn grew up, she believed that her mother was trying to comfort her with a silly sentiment. It was only until later, after Jyn had joined the rebellion and made friends - family really - with the Rogue One crew, that she understood the true meaning behind her mother's words.

Kisses did not do anything to help pain, but it was the love behind the action which made the injured person feel better in spirit.

"Do you really believe that?"

Jyn shook herself from her musings to find Cassian staring at her with a strange look in his eyes. She smiled at him and cocked her head to the side. "Sorry. Do I believe what?"

"That a kiss takes the pain away."

Her face fell as she realised that she said those words aloud instead of in her head. Feelings of embarrassment trickled in, but Jyn kept her face neutral. "Maybe. Why?"

"I was just thinking maybe I could use a kiss like that, if it'll really help me feel better." There was an unusual sparkle in his eyes that Jyn wasn't accustomed to seeing. Was he flirting with her? If so, she found the prospect to be...enticing.

Her next words came out coyly. "Captain Andor, are you saying that you'd like to kiss me?"

Cassian looked downright mischievous as he replied, "And if I am?"

Jyn's heart was pounding so hard, she could feel it in her ears. She leaned down until her face was a few inches from his lips and whispered, "Then I would give you permission."

She dared to touch his chest and rest her palm on his heartbeat, giving him more encouragement to make a move. He doesn't waste time pressing his lips to hers or running his hand behind her head to cradle her to him.

Cassian was an amazing kisser and after the very thorough experience of having his mouth against hers, Jyn decided that she'd like to do more of it.

When they finally broke away to catch their mutual breaths, Cassian moved his hand from her neck and clutched hers on his chest. The air now crackled with something so different from the playful atmosphere of a few moments ago.

"That was nice," he said, voice sounding husky. Jyn thought she could get used to that sound.

She trailed her fingers along his uniform. "I think so too...but you know, I've heard that two kisses can be a faster cure for pain. Even three or four."

Cassian grinned. "Well, let's see if what you heard was right." Then he tugged her body to him, slanting his hot mouth over hers.

Needless to say, Jyn was pretty sure how she felt about Cassian after that day, and it definitely wasn't just as a friend.