Hi All,

this is the last chapter before the Epilogue! Thank you all so much for your support and awesome reviews.

This is all Fives and Bella-hope you enjoy!

Finally with a full belly and a much needed shower, Fives laid tiredly against the head board of the bed dressed only in loose shorts so the material would not rub against his freshly cleaned and bandaged leg wound. He and Bella were given a room on the second floor of the very large house and they graciously accepted it. Fives watched before going into his room as the others stumbled into their own private sanctuaries and doors shut so they could all start to deal with the previous events in their own way.

Fives heard the water shut off from the refresher signaling that Bella was through with her shower. Dusk had settled in the Mando sky leaving a subdue mix of orange, blue and even a hint of green that was about to be dominated by the black blanket of night.

Shadows began disappear as the sun bade its farewell for the day but two silhouettes caught Fives's attention as they drew closer to the house. Feeling the aches of the last few days and soreness of his wound finally catching up to him, Fives grimaced as he crawled on the bed toward the small window to look at the two newcomers approaching.

Folding his arms on the windowsill, Fives rested his head as he watched as his captain and Ahsoka stopped just in front of the wrap around deck. He felt like he was intruding on a private moment, but could not seem to pull himself away. Rex pulled Ahsoka up short and took both of her hands into his and said something to the girl, though even with all his military training Fives could not lip read. It was probably all for the better. He then watched Ahsoka look up to the captain, dropping one of his hands in the process and stroking his arm in what he assumed was assurance.

Finally they both met for a kiss and at the same moment Fives slightly jumped when he felt the light, feathery touches of Bella's fingers kneading his tense shoulders.

"You're not spying on them are you?" She lightly teased, but Bella knew better. She recognized that Fives was concerned over his captain and former commander. Fives turned a little warm in his cheeks and buried his face into his arms.

"He's the only brother I have left," Fives voice was mumbled under his arms. "We have to watch each other's backs."

Bella wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. She understood that Fives and Rex were of the same genetic material, raised with the same training and morals, that being all the same; each man had an individual side to them. With everything settling down, racing thoughts and doubts began to swarm her confused mind.

Why did she suddenly feel the walls were closing in? She had been strong for the both of them up until this point so why now? Reality was definitely rearing its ugly head and with it brought out insecurities they had yet to work out.

Fives had always been with his own kind and even if he did feel like he could be on his own he had the comfort of always falling back to them and for Bella, she had always known where home was.

Now here they were whisked away on a strange world, in a strange home with strange people. There was no chance of going back to Coruscant and Bella wasn't sure if she ever wanted to go back there. She had comforted Fives in his time of need and always would, but was it really enough? Was it too late to start having these feelings? She was so confused.

Fives scooted away from the window and once again propped himself against the headboard and regarded Bella thoughtfully. Knees folded under her, hands in her lap and a Fives had never seen anyone or anything so much lovelier than her. The shadows from the outside had cascaded themselves over her right side which only enhanced her features.

He could see a worried sadness enter into her emerald orbs and a hollow feeling started to sink into the pit of his stomach. What was she thinking? Was she going to resent everything they had been though? The friendship that they had made, the bond that had been formed was it all a lost cause? Most of all, would she stop loving him?

Bella had stuck by his side through thick and thin; dropped everything she had ever knew and loved to help him, his brother and a Jedi and Fives had yet to really tell and or show her how much he loved and appreciated her.

"Bella," he called delicately to her. She lifted her eyes to him and gave him a warm smile but it did not make it all the way to her eyes. "Ever since you have entered my life you have been my pillar of strength and my reason to keep one foot in front of another when I felt like stopping. I know, believe when I say I know that all of this has been too much. But I am glad I have you and I hope you are glad to have me."

Fives shifted nervously as he waited for any response from Bella. She continued to remain seated at the edge of the bed and even her lekku were still.

The sun had just about disappeared behind the rolling hills and their room was only lit by a single stream of orange but Fives could clearly see the tear run down the Twi'lek's porcelain face and drip onto the comforter.

"Bella?" He asked concerned. What was going on? Fives didn't understand. Bella had been so strong up until this moment why was she crying? Why wouldn't she talk to him? "Bella, why won't you talk to me?"

Bella swiped away the tears that ran down both sides of her face and finally turned to look at her lover. The worries and insecurities she had of Fives not needing her or she not being enough for him was shoved deep within the back of her mind as she launched herself into his arms, careful to avoid his leg injury.

The air left him with a "whoosh" as she landed on his chest but recovered quickly and wrapped her in a strong and loving embrace. Fives hoped one day he would understand the mechanics of women's mood swings but for now he was grateful that whatever was bothering Bella didn't put a permanent rift between them.

He could feel a wetness against his cool skin and looked down as Bella tried to bury her face into his chest. Okay, maybe it wasn't completely over yet.

"Can you tell me now?" He asked.

Bella looked up at the ex-clone trooper. He was nervous, anxious and vulnerable to her as he ever would be. And she couldn't love him more than ever.

"You're a free man my love," she curled her body closer to him if that was even possible.

That was not the response Fives was expecting. Free…such a new concept to him, to everyone here. He was free to make his own choices, whether he wanted to get up early or sleep in late. He was free to curse out loud if he wanted to or choose whether he wanted to eat dinner for breakfast. As he continued to look at Bella he realized he was free to live out his entire life with the woman helped get him to this point.

"You…you don't regret being here with me do you?" Fives asked hesitantly.

He felt Bella give a small sigh and his heart did a double leap. Of course she regrets it you fool. She had a life back on Coruscant. You made her leave everything! You're just a clone why wouldn't she regret it?

"I would be a liar if I said I wouldn't miss home and Cyndall. It was all I knew before you entered my world." Bella propped herself up and twisted around so she was facing Fives and placed her hand over his heart. She could feel it beating like a stampede that had gone out of control. "I would also be a liar if I didn't say that I didn't have worries about our future. Fives, I can't imagine facing a future with anyone but you."

Fives mouth was agape and lost for words. Screw it, who needs words? In one fell swoop Fives wrapped his arm around Bella's waist and with a small squeal of surprise from her, he had her pinned under him and locked in a passionate, soul consuming kiss. The ache in his leg was disregarded as he filled himself of Bella. Having to come up for much needed oxygen, both were panting when they parted.

"I love you so much Bella. I know things haven't been easy and I can't promise the road will ever be smooth, but we can make it together. Will you marry me some day?"

She was still reeling from that kiss and her eyes opened wider when Fives asked her that question. "We have so much to learn Fives…"

"Yes," he planted another kiss on her jaw.

"And I would love to do it as your wife," she smiled brightly at him.

"Really!" He shouted excitedly. "We don't have to stay here either Bella, where ever you want to make home is where I want to make home."

Bella let out a laugh. What a way to put an end to these last few tragic days: no, not an end. A new beginning.

"I think we should give Manda'yaim a try. At least for a little bit and see if we like it," Bella said as she ran her fingers though his silky ebony locks.

"Look at you, already learning their lingo and only been here for a few hours. Sounds like a plan to me." With that, Fives once again leaned down and captured his lips with hers. He then rolled off to his side and curled up against Bella's back, one arm draped protectively over her waist. She snuggled up against the warmth of his chest with her head tucked under his chin, both falling into a dreamless sleep.

They were home.