Ch 2:

Takodana

The first time she felt the baby move they were aboard the beautiful new Rogue One ship, fleeing Yavin IV. Well, the ship was a pile of junk—but when she saw Cassian and Bodhi in the cockpit and Chirrut and Baze in the hold beside her, Jyn had never seen anything more beautiful. Her father was also along for the ride, as well as several other higher ups in the council who needed safe transport—one of which included Mon Mothma, who was chatting with inclined head toward her father. Unsettling's what it was.

She supposed it was an honor that Draven trusted them to be the ones to deliver everyone safely…or maybe he was still keeping them as far from the action as possible. Who could say with him. He certainly hadn't volunteered to ride with them.

Jyn sauntered up to the cockpit to check on the boys once she felt them make the jump. As she ascended the ladder, she heard Bodhi saying, "I just don't see why it has to be Hoth. Aren't there a million other places…warmer places?"

"You sound like Cassian." Jyn said coming up to stand between their chairs.

Cassian gave a one shouldered shrug. "The council trusts Luke's judgement…though I don't see why. Clearly he's delusional." His dark eyes grew thoughtful. "My homeworld was cold all the time—I hated it."

"See, I rest my case." Bodhi said.

Jyn looked fondly down at them and that's when it happened. A flutter, something so small she wasn't sure if it was the baby or her breakfast, but then it came again. "Force." She said under her breath. "Cassian, give me your hand, quick." A crease formed between his brow as she guided his hand to the slight swell of her belly. "Can you feel that?"

He waited but then shook his head, "No…I don't feel anything."

Jyn frowned in disappointment. "But it's so strong. Are you sure?"

"It's probably just too soon." Bodhi offered. "I had a sister…back in Jedha and I remember my mum being pregnant with her. She felt her for months before any of us could."

"I didn't know you had a sister, Bodhi." Cassian said. "I guess there's a lot we don't know about each other…any of us."

"Well, we have time now, don't we?" Jyn said. "What do you think our first mission will be?" She wistfully imagined them on daring undercover operations all across the galaxy.

"Recon." Cassian said. "Nothing but boring intel gathering on unpopulated planets for the next five months…and even then."

"Boo." Jyn's bottom lip jutted out. "That doesn't sound fun at all."

"It sounds safe." Cassian insisted. "In fact, we are scheduled to leave next week. As soon as we get everyone settled at Echo Base…or at least what little there is of Echo Base."

"Why does no one tell me these things?" Bodhi asked.

Cassian looked at him askance. "You were in the same meeting room as me—I think you were just distracted…"

Bodhi's cheeks flushed and Jyn grinned from ear to ear. "Bodhi! Tell me everything."

"There's nothing to tell…there's a few nice looking officers around s'all."

"One named Skywalker in particular." said Cassian.

"Luke?" Jyn said in surprise. She thought of a strange moment in the hall when they'd passed each other and the young Jedi caught her eye. He'd meant to tell her something with that look, but she couldn't quite decipher what. I see you. I understand you. She hoped she'd get more time to talk with him but the next thing she knew, the Deathstar fell and the base was being evacuated.

Echo Base turned out to be as frigid and miserable as Cassian knew it would be. He was sincerely glad to be leaving within the week. He hadn't been keen on Jyn going on missions while carrying his child…but if it got them off Hoth, he was willing to make exceptions.

Cassian left Jyn asleep in their quarters (technically just his since they weren't yet married…who knew Draven was such a traditionalist). He couldn't wait to return from their mission and rub it in his face. Jyn Andor, reporting for duty. He grinned at the sound of that.

"Bodhi." He said in greeting clapping the taller man on the shoulder. "We need to get these crates loaded up and start rounding top the crew. Rogue One, he thought with pride. "Are the engine checks done."

"Yes, Sir, Captain." He said with affected formality. "Hey, Cass…I think there's someone who wanted a word." Bodhi pointed to the hangar entrance beyond.

"Captain Andor." Said Galen, now observing him from the hangar entrance. The man was far more approachable without the Imperial officer's coat he'd been rescued in. More like the farmer Jyn has reminisced about the few times she'd allowed herself the luxury.

"You can call me Cassian…we're practically family." He said, hoping that statement would be received with warmth rather than the alternative. He'd quickly learned that Galen was about as in touch with his emotions as his daughter…he was in for it when his own daughter hit her teens, he thought wryly.

"I wanted to let you know that I will be staying here. I appreciate your offer to join you but I've spoken with the council and there is work for me here."

"Have you told, Jyn?"

"We just spoke."

Cassian nodded and held out his hand. "We'll see you around then, Sir."

Galen took Cassian's hand and used it to yank the man into a hug. Cassian tensed, it was the first time someone outside Jyn or his crew had hugged him…and even then, hugs were usually reserved for apocalyptic moments. "Keep them safe." He said in Cassian's ear. There was something chilling about the warning. Maybe it was the simple fact that his entire relationship with the Erso's thus far had involved narrowly escaping death...but that was war wasn't it?

"Always." Cassian said, glad no one else could hear. Always. He'd have to keep that promise.

"Takodana?" Jyn asked, skepticism evident in her tone.

"We were given free reign on this mission…no one said we couldn't have some fun. Besides, we have a wedding to plan." Cassian said.

Jyn locked eyes with Bodhi, hoping the pilot understood—Kay. They needed to get close enough to an Imperial facility to find a security droid.

Bodhi winked.

"If you say so." Said Jyn. "I'm just shocked that you're being so cavalier about the whole thing. I mean, the word fun just escaped your lips."

Cassian shot her a narrowed glare. Bodhi laughed.

"This is what made Kay such a good co-pilot. He was always there to catch me when I was venturing toward sociable."

Jyn said, "We can do that if you want."

"Captain, you are in danger of smiling. Please do keep in mind that there are multiple planets on which you are a wanted rebel conspirator." said Bodhi in a mechanical voice.

Jyn was about to give her own Kay-too impression when her ever present nausea reared up and she had to dash off to the 'fresher.

They landed a few hours later and left the ship in a lush green forest on the shore of a large lake. Jyn had to admit, this was one of the more beautiful places she'd been. It wouldn't be a bad place to raise a family. The thought entered her head and she wasn't sure it was her own. Was that what she wanted? To leave the Resistance and settle down? Was that what Cassian wanted?

She could live without the Resistance…she'd only agreed to stay for Cassian. It wasn't her fight, not really. Her father had asked her if she wanted to disappear with him, but she'd been too afraid to suggest it to Cassian. For him, the Resistance was oxygen. Just as war was oxygen to her. She didn't know what life would look like without it.

No, lovely as this place was…she didn't want this. She wanted action. She wanted to be in the thick of it. Just like her mother. That thought stopped her cold. Her own mother had put a cause before her own daughter. Was Jyn doomed to repeat that same mistake? Could she really fault Lyra now that she knew the truth?

Her fingers absently found the kyber crystal and they baby kicked. Jyn smiled and rubbed the spot where she'd felt the movement. Chirrut appeared at her side, as if summoned by her thoughts. He fell into stride along with her as they followed Cassian toward the ancient looking castle in the distance.

"You will be a good mother no matter which path you choose." He said.

"I hope you're right."

"He's always right, Little Sister. Haven't you figured that out yet?" Baze rolled his eyes and Chirrut promptly frowned at him, proving once again that his senses were nothing to be scoffed at. It ended with them both chuckling. Jyn appreciated that aspect of their relationship. She hoped she could always remember to tease Cassian, to laugh and smile. They didn't do that enough.

"Maybe we can convince the Alliance to build a base here…problem solved." she said.

Baze smiled, "Maybe…doesn't seem likely, though. It's too nice here. The rebels are a bunch of self-deprecating masochists. Maker forbid they settle somewhere pleasant. They might actually have to stop suffering."

"I heard that." Cassian groused.

"Good." said Chirrut.

They went into the castle which turned out to be home to a large cantina. Jyn's whole body buzzed with anticipation until she remembered she couldn't drink. A three foot humanoid woman approached eyes alight as she drank in Cassian.

"Andor! It's been too long!"

"Maz!" He greeted equally enthusiastic.

"I heard about what you did. I try to stay out of all of it…but anything that heroic makes its rounds. This must be your crew." She turned her wrinkled eyes to them. Jyn felt the woman's gaze linger longer on her than the others.

"Chirrut, Baze, Bodhi and Jyn." Said Cassian, his hand settling on Jyn's lower back.

The humanoid made the rounds greeting everyone and finally reached her. "I have to say, I didn't think this one would ever be tamed." She jerked a thumb toward Cassian, who was rolling his eyes in good humor. "You are a force to reckon with yourself. I predict good things for you both…or should I say, the three of you."

Great, another Chirrut…only with eyesight. Jyn gave a tight smile and thanked the woman.

They sat down, ate and caught up with this Maz Katana, who offered to let them stay in her castle if they promised not to cause any trouble. The rest of the evening went by uneventfully until everyone, but Jyn, was a bit tipsy and Cassian was quickly turning into the alternate persona she was starting to recognize. That was about the time she dragged him off to what turned out to be a very spacious room with a terrace and deep bathtub—something she had every intention of using later. Images of Cassian covered in soapy bubbles, sprawled in the porcelain tub flitted behind her eyes and she felt her skin grow warmer. Maybe now was a good time to explore the tub.

"Cass-"

Her lover, was softly snoring, face down on top of the covers. So much for that, she thought with one last longing gaze at the tub. She smiled fondly and shifted him onto his side of the bed. She brushed the dark hair from his forehead and kissed the skin she found there. He murmured something sleepy and loving. It was hard to believe this was the same man who'd met her gaze across a crowded interrogation room.

She slowly undressed and climbed in beside him. Even half unconscious with whiskey, his arms snaked around her body and pulled her back flush to his chest. Then, his hands settled on her belly. She smiled at the way his breath tickled her neck, at the familiar smell of him...and the bed-she'd thought Cassian's quarters were comfortable. Maybe she'd renege her statement about returning to the rebels. If they could never leave this bed life on Takodana might not be all that bad.

…Hours later, she was still there, reveling in the feel of Cassian and his slow steady breathing...but sleep would not come. Something about this place filled her with nervous energy. Truthfully, she'd been feeling it since Scarif. Since her mother had spoken to her. She'd thought in that moment that something had changed in her and the notion had not faded. Something had changed. Something she was not ready to confront for fear of what it would mean for her...for Cassian...for their daughter.

Before she even knew why she found herself gravitating back to the main cantina, where Maz was wiping down the bartop. Jyn slipped onto a stool.

"Couldn't sleep?" Asked Maz. "Pregnancy hormones…a lot of women have trouble sleeping."

"Lovely." Jyn said.

"I can fix you something that will help."

"Maybe late." Jyn said. "Actually, I have a question for you. Earlier, you mentioned you collect things? Antiques?"

If Maz had eyebrows, they would've quirked.

"You don't happen to have an Imperial Security Droid lying around do you."

Her eyes narrowed. "You know, I wondered why Kay wasn't with you…damnit Cassian…I told him to be careful with him. Do you know how hard it was for me to get one of those in the first place?"

"You got Kay for Cassian?"

"Don't sound so surprised, child. Of course he was powered off when I got him. The reprogramming was all your boyfriend."

"Fiancé." Jyn corrected, just because she liked hearing that word out loud.

"Congratulations." Said Maz dryly.

"He was careful with him…Kay died on Scarif, saving Bodhi. He was a hero…and we'd really like him back." Jyn paused. "Well, I don't really care one way or the other but I'd like to keep Cassian in one piece and so, I'd like Kay back for that purpose."

"Honesty is a nice trait in a woman." Said Maz, lips quirked. "Alright, Jyn Erso…I will attempt to locate a droid…but you will do something for me in return."