"What is it?"

Mando stands at the bottom level of the ship, arms crossed over his chest while he stares down at the kid sitting in Sera's lap. There's a look of confusion on both of their faces and the kid makes a curious sound before turning his head to look up at Mando. One of his ears brushes against Sera's chin and she blinks in surprise before reaching carefully toward it.

Her fingers brush over the tip of his ear and her lips part. The kid looks back up at her and gurgles a response that only he can understand.

"I'm not sure. I've been tasked with finding others of its kind."

"It?" Sera's fingers are gentle when she lowers them to the kid's arms and back. "Surely you've given it a name."

If his helmet was off, he would pinch the bridge of his nose and sigh. It's not like he hadn't tried to think of a name in the past but he's not cut out for this kind of thing. And besides, it's been answering to kid since the two of them met, so there's no point in changing it now.

With a deep breath, he drops his arms to his side and steps closer to the two of them sitting together. He kneels and reaches for the kid, scratching him behind the ear.

"I've just been calling him kid .'

"Now it's a him? You sure he's a boy."

Mando scoops the kid up out of her lap and sets him down on the floor beside her feet, handing him the metal ball he's grown fond of. It rolls across the cargo area and the kid squeals happily as he chases after it. Once Mando's sure he's occupied for the time being, he looks up at Sera to find her staring down at him.

It's strange knowing she can see nothing of him except a blur but still look at him as if she can see right through his armor. She always had a way of making him feel vulnerable despite all the layers covering his body.

He clears his throat and moves toward a crate next to her, turning to sit on it while he leans forward to put his elbows on his knees.

"I think so."

"You think ?"

He looks over at her to find her eyebrows raised and a small smile curling the corner of her lips. He shrugs even though she can't see him. "He doesn't exactly have the same...anatomy that I'm used to."

It's strange to hear her laugh, but he finds himself smiling behind his helmet and the urge to reach over and take her hand is almost unbearable. Mando clenches his fists to stop himself and for a long moment, they sit there in silence, watching and listening to the kid entertain himself with the cargo netting across the area from them.

When enough time passes that the silence starts to turn a bit awkward, the bounty hunter shifts on the crate and turns toward her. She's staring down at the floor but at the sound of his movements, she tilts her head and looks at him around the corner of her hair. The wounds around her eyes are still red and hurts his heart to look at. "Listen," he says quietly, looking down at the floor to avoid her face. "I might know a place you can stay-in Tatooine-"

Her sigh is heavy and stops any more words from coming out of his mouth. He lifts his head to look at her through his visor and she's no longer staring at him. Her eyes are closed and the smile he had missed seeing was gone. There was nothing in its place but that distant, broken frown.

"They'll find me there, Mando. You know that."

He knows it, but he's not sure what else to do. The options are limited. He couldn't bring her on this quest to find the kid's people or more Mandalorians. It was hard enough keeping track of a tiny creature that had a knack for getting into trouble any chance it could. If something were to happen to either of them, Mando would be a wreck.

She's too much of a distraction for him. She has been since he first met her and now more than ever, he needs to keep all of his focus on his task.

Shaking his head, he stands from the crate and turns to face Sera. She doesn't lift her head or look up at him and he sighs again. "There's another place I could take you. It's far, but they could keep you safe. They're good people."

For a few moments, he stares down at her, waiting for her to respond and when she doesn't right away, he looks over at the kid. He's got the ball in one hand and has found an emergency ration pack that he's gripping in the other. Crumbs cover the front of his clothes and Mando closes his eyes in exasperation.

When he shifts on his feet and faces Sera again, he finds her face still pointed toward the floor, but she responds.

"There are no good people, Din." She whispers his name but he hears it echo loud in his ears. It's been so long since he's heard her say it that he almost forgot he told it to her. And the memory of the night he did starts to unfurl in his mind, driving a heat through him that he hasn't felt in a long time. It's all at once filling his chest to the point where he can feel sweat start to bead up along his back and he quickly pushes the thoughts away.

Now's not the time to reminisce about the numerous mistakes he had made with Sera the first time around. Mistakes that he both regrets and longs to repeat.

He doesn't know what to say to her, still caught off guard by hearing her say his name, but he feels like staying silent is wrong.

"There's a woman there, Omera. She could keep you safe and-"

Again, he stops mid-sentence as Sera lifts her eyes to his and despite the milky white that he knows she can't see through, he feels her gaze cut through him like a knife. He nearly takes a step back, but keeps himself in place and stares down at her, studying her face through the tint of his visor.

Her head tilts to the side and her eyes narrow and he knows her enough to recognize her curiosity, despite the months it's been since he's seen her. It's almost the same way the kid looks at him when he takes a drink from beneath his helmet. His stomach flutters and that same prickling sensation, both hot and cold at the same time tremors down his spine. It's ridiculous and he knows it, but he can't help it.

Mando swallows just as the look on her face softens and she tilts her chin up higher. "Do you trust her?"

"I do."

She takes a deep breath that he watches expand her chest before quickly pulling his gaze back to her face. "Then I trust you."

Then it was settled. He would take her to Sorgan and hope Omera could help him-could help Sera. The planet is far enough away that he can feel confident she would be hidden well there. It would be a long trip there and back, but he knows it's for the best. He clears his throat and takes a step back as her gaze stays glued to him.

"I'll need to stop to refuel and gather supplies. The kid eats more than you'd believe. Is there anything you need?"

She lifts her face to follow him as he steps away and at that moment, despite the white milky color of her eyes and the scars around them, she reminds him so much of the way she had once looked up at him while on her knees. It had been months ago but he remembers it all too well. He had taken her face in his hand and stood there, brushing his thumb over the curve of her cheek, watching through the tinted visor as she closed her eyes and leaned into his touch. Once again, the memories flood through his mind so suddenly he nearly turns to flee before she has a chance to answer him.

He looks at her now and wonders if she ever thinks of that moment between them. It was a turning point. They went from acquaintances, possible casual friends, to something more that neither of them could define. Mando watches her now as her tongue slowly wets her lips. It's just a glimpse at it but he sees it and knows exactly how it feels against his own.

"Thank you," she says quietly, but it's enough to wrench him from his thoughts and he blinks. "But I'm fine."

He shifts on his feet and glances back at the kid still munching on the last of the ration. Mando walks back to him at the cargo net and lifts him from the floor. The package of foil falls to the floor and instead of picking it up to throw away, he leaves it behind and turns to the ladder.

"I'll have to strap the kid in and I'll come back for you."

He climbs the ladder with one hand clutching the tiny figure at his chest and once he's up on the top level, the kid burps with a belly full of rations. With a sigh, Mando puts him back in his usual chair behind his and buckles him in. The kid stares up at him with a satisfied smile despite the finger pointing down at him.

"You can't eat everything you see."

His ears flatten and he makes a sound that might be apologetic if it weren't for the smile still on his face, exposing the tiny row of teeth in his mouth. Dropping his finger, Mando stands up straight and sighs, glancing toward the ladder. He knows he'll have to be alone with Sera, knows he'll have to help her up the ladder.

They'll touch and those memories that he's been struggling to hold back will be much worse, more vivid with her so close to him. No. He's being ridiculous again. She's completely hidden behind the flight suit and his hands are covered by his gloves. They wouldn't be touching anymore than they already have.

It's time for him to put an end to this foolishness. Whatever the two of them had at one time is clearly over and he needed to accept that. She's still hurt, still coming to terms with what has happened to her and for him to think that things would go back to the way they were before she left is just stupid.

With the kid occupied for the time being, Mando makes his way back down to the lower level of the ship. Just as he left her, Sera is still sitting patiently and she turns to him when she hears the sound of his boots tapping on the rungs of the ladder.

She's on her feet, hands nervously twisting in front of her and Mando can't stop his gaze from flickering down to them. Before the thought of feeling those fingers in his hair can pop up, he shoves it aside and moves toward her.

"There's a crate to your left."

"Thanks," she says timidly. There's a flush to her cheeks and it's the most color he's seen on her face in days. It stops him a few steps from her and he wonders if she's feeling similar to the way he is.

He snaps himself out of it and reaches for her elbow, guiding her forward until they're back at the ladder. Sera tucks her hair behind her ear and tilts her head back as if she's peering up into the hole.

"I never would have thought that climbing a ladder would be this daunting."

"I'm right behind you." He means it to assure her that he won't let her fall, but the words come out in a whisper and she lowers her head, turning to the side to hear him better. The muscles along her throat tighten as she swallows and he can't help but watch them move.

It's a stupid move and he knows it. Still, he doesn't stop himself from reaching out and taking hold of her wrist in his. Her skin is bare and even through the leather of his gloves, he knows how warm she is. Gently, he puts her hand to the ladder and she grips the rung.

He's too close now and he knows it. He doesn't step back and instead, watches her put a foot on the bottom step. She pulls herself up and one rung after the next, she carefully climbs up. Mando watches her crawl onto the floor above him and he follows quickly behind her. She slides out of the way and he stands first, reaching down to take her hands and pull her to her feet.

It's dark in the small space and as she stands to her full height, her chest is pressed into his armor. Once again, she's too close and there's nothing he can do but stand there and succumb to the memories. They're all still too real to him and he's torn between knowing it would be a mistake to remake them and wanting nothing else but to relive the feeling of kissing her.

Sera's hands slide up the beskar plate to the fabric of his cloak bunched over his shoulders and grips it enough to pull herself up onto her tiptoes. The warmth of her breath fogs the bottom of his visor and any control he has over himself crumbles. He drops his hands from her wrists to her waist and pulls her closer.

He watches her eyes close and lips part and- uck-he wants to kiss her again. He wants to kiss away all the time they wasted being apart.

"Din," she whispers. The sound of his name on her lips drives him crazy and his fingers tighten around the loose suit she's wearing.

Her words are cut off by the rapid beeping from the dash and Mando whips around. He blinks himself out of the daze he had been caught in and quickly pulls Sera toward the chairs. From the other one, the kid makes a sound of curious surprise and watches Mando drop down into his chair.

The light on the dash is still blinking and the beep of the alarm continues until he flips a switch. On the radar, two red blips are approaching- fast.

"Shit," he snaps, turning his head toward Sera. "Sit and strap in."

She quickly stumbles to the chair and he notices her hands are shaking as she grabs for the straps on either side of her lap. Once he's sure she's secured in place, he turns back to the controls and turns off the guidance system to let him take over.

"What is it?" She asks from behind his left side.

"Incoming ships."

"What kind of ships?"

Before he can answer, the comm system on the panel blinks to life and a voice breaks through the sudden static. He holds his breath and stares down at the speaker. "You're a hard man to find, Mando."

Whoever it is, their voice is unfamiliar but that doesn't surprise him. What they said was true and Mando knows well just how many people are trying to find him. He ignores them for the time being and flips the switch over his head to prepare for the jump to hyperspace. They don't have enough fuel to get far, but it's enough to get away if this is going to be a fight.

On the right side of the Razor Crest, a ship glides beside them. It looks to be a U-wing, but no longer operated by the resistance. Anything classifying it as a resistance ship has been stripped away. Mando ignores it and continues to warm up the Razor Crest, preparing for a fight that he doesn't want.

"You've got something of ours that we want back, Mando . I know you can hear me."

His initial assumption is the kid since that's what he's used to by now. But it doesn't take him long to realize they mean Sera. "I can hear you," he says icily. "But there's nothing here that is yours."

"You think you can just take whatever you want? That slave belongs to us and we'll take it back. Dead or alive."

"I told you they would find me," Sera says behind him, her voice quiet and full of a sadness that he will never be able to understand.

"Give it up, Mando. You can't outrun us in that piece of junk."

Above his head, the motivator is ready to make the jump and Mando raises his hand to press the button. Before he does, he hesitates and glances at the ship to his right. The one speeding up behind them hasn't made contact and he figures they're more for backup. Whoever is in the ship to the right, the one communicating, must be in charge.

"Tell me," he starts, tilting his helmet to the side as he stares at the ship cruising beside them. "Who did I take her from?"

"Din, stop. It doesn't matter-"

The voice that comes over the comm laughs through the slight static. "Someone you don't want as an enemy."

"I have plenty of enemies that don't scare me. What's one more to the list?"

"That cocky attitude will be your downfall, Mandalorian scum. No matter," the man sniffs and over the comm, Mando can hear him flipping switches. "I'll be rewarded for bringing your head to Apax and Lorn. They pay well."

Mando's eyes narrow into a glare and he feels the heat of fury flicker at the sides of his face. Vas Lorn . He should have known someone like that would work with the Hutts, would stoop so low as to hurt and enslave Sera. The bounty hunter works quickly, pushing the Razor Crest to higher speeds. The two ships trailing him follow-just as he plans. Behind him, the other ship goes lower and he knows they'll be rammed from below.

"I can't let you die for me, Din. Either of you," Sera says quickly. "Just give them what they want and they'll let you go."

She's naive. She doesn't know how slavers operate and Mando doesn't fault her for it. He knows how these people work. He knows they'd rather kill than return to their masters empty-handed. Mando pulls back on the sticks, pointing the tip of the Razor crest up. The two ships beside and below angle themselves up as well.

"I'm not afraid of slavers," he says, his voice low and gravelly, full of fury.

"Din, you can't win this fight. You don't know what I've seen. You don't know what they can do to-"

He cut the fuel and the ship stalls, slowing until there's no acceleration left. As the two other ships zip past them, he pulls back on the lever and pushes the sticks down until they're in a dive. The kid shrieks and Sera grunts from the sudden shift, throwing her forward until the belt catches her around the waist.

Without warning and while the two ships are scrambling to turn around, Mando switches the fuel back on and activates the hyperdrive. The black of space and distant stars blur around them for only half a breath before the Razor Crest is propelled forward.

"Hold on-" he keeps his hand hovered over the switches above him. "-We're not out of the clear yet. They'll be right behind us."

Sera manages to suck in a breath but doesn't have a chance to speak. The ship detects a planetary system with enough mass to pull them to a stop and Mando quickly guides the ship toward it. Just as quickly as they made the jump, they're pulled from hyperspace, and everything within the ship that isn't tied down flies forward.

Down below, he hears the loose crates tumble, and something breaks. There's an alarm going off-nothing but a warning about the system that pulled them in and he takes control of the ship again.

They come out near a planet with several moons and he guides the Razor Crest towards one of them. It's on the small side, but it's shrouded in darkness.

He quickly flips off the fuel system and slows the ship, keeping one eye on the radar. The ships following them either haven't detected that they were no longer in hyperspace, or were too far away to be detected. He hoped for the former and coasted the ship toward the shadows of the moon.

"We can hide here for a while. There's a starport in this system where we can refuel and gather supplies when I can be sure we're safe." There's a bump as the landing gear makes contact with the surface and he switches the engines off. Beyond the windows of the ship, the moon is too dark to see, but it seems to be nothing but a rocky satellite with little to no life. A perfect hiding place.

He turns to check on the kid and finds those dark eyes of his blinking at him in the lights from the dash. He coos and slaps at the belt around his waist, but Mando doesn't unbuckle him just yet. Turning to the opposite side, he finds Sera still in her seat.

Her eyes are closed and for a brief moment, he fears she was hurt. There's a wrinkle between her eyebrows and her mouth is curled into a frown. He throws the straps from his waist and steps toward her. As he kneels beside her chair, she opens her eyes and takes a deep breath.

"Are you hurt?"

"No."

Despite her response, he looks her over and checks the belt around her waist, unbuckling it. Her hands cover his and push him away, making him stare up at her.

"I'm fine."

"Sera-"

She looks at him, her empty gaze narrowed. There's anger written on her face and he drops his hands to his side. "Why didn't you just hand me over to them?"

He blinks at her, stunned into silence. Is she angry with him for protecting her? With a shake of his head, he stands to his full height and she follows him. "I'm not letting you go back to Lorn."

She scoffs and folds her arms over her chest. "You can't keep me hidden forever, Mando." Though he wouldn't admit it, hearing her call him that stung. "He will find me and now you have a target on your back."

"I already have a target on my back."

"And now you have another one because of me." She puts a hand to her forehead, closes her eyes, and lets out a sigh. "I just...I want to be alone. Can you help me back down?"

There's no point in arguing with her anymore. A part of him wants to, though. It wants to take her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. How could she think that after everything he could just hand her back so easily? Did she not know him? The other part of Mando was mourning the loss of the moment they had shared.

He wanted to go back to then, to feel her close to him again and feel the warmth of her body near his. Perhaps it was for the best that they were interrupted. If he let things go too far, it could be bad.

He had already let things go too far with Sera months ago and now he's falling into the same mistakes-just like he wants to.

Once Sera is back down below and he returns back to the cockpit to sit in the chair once more, he sighs and lets his head fall back. The kid whines, arms outstretched and waiting to be picked up. Mando doesn't oblige him just yet. He needs a minute to himself, to think.

But it's no use. His thoughts are jumbled and too much to try to make sense of. So instead, he sits there and relives the memory of standing in front of her, feeling her hands explore his body as his do the same to her. It's the same memory he's held onto from the moment she stepped off of his ship and though she's closer than she has been for months, she still feels so far away.