Thanks for the reviews. :)
Title: Unknowns
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one
The only thing Cara was certain of was it was late. Something had broken her sleep and it hadn't been the normal activity of the medical staff. Din had returned several hours ago. He'd visited long enough to check on her and take the little one back to his own room. The Child protested briefly but settled in Din's arms. Just as Cara drifted off to sleep she felt the familiar cool metal touch of Din's armored hand on her right. She closed her hand around his briefly and Din squeezed hers lightly before releasing it. Sleep had claimed Cara before her mind could register anything else.
Now Cara's gaze searched the darkness and found a familiar silhouette seated in the visitor's chair. Part of Cara wondered why he was here and not in the semi-comfortable bed at the 'inn'. The other part of her felt warm and safe and cared for and falling for Din Darjin a bit further. Damn it if she wasn't already in love with the man this would push her closer.
"Everything alright?"Cara asked her voice cloudy with sleep.
"Yes, sorry I woke you."Din apologized he leaned forward.
Cara sat up and hit the button for the bedside light. The room illuminated with a soft glow that didn't quite hold back the shadows.
"You should go back to sleep."Din admonished as he pushed his helmet up enough so Cara could see his eyes.
Cara smiled. She liked that they'd gotten to this point. He could've sworn her to secrecy and slammed the door kicking her out of his life. He hadn't. It'd taken convincing yes, but he'd let Cara in. Slowly, but he'd let her in. Now they had moments like this. It let Cara see a bit of the future they could have. She barely curbed the urge to reach up and touch his face.
"What happened with the red head?"Cara asked.
"Her name is Bo-Katan."Din explained with a sigh. "We captured the Imperial ship she wanted."
"But?"Cara prompted.
"Commander tried to ditch the ship in the ocean."Din responded with a sad shake of his head. "I got it pulled up in time. Then he took his own life before Bo-Katan could get any answers out of him."
"Answers for what?"Cara inquired with a raised eyebrow.
"Mandaloiran foklore."Din said softly. "I've heard of it but nobody I worked with believed it was real."
"What is it?"Cara asked not liking the troubled look in Din's dark eyes.
"Darksaber."Din said softly. "Bo-Katan claims to be last of a line that has rights to the thrown of Mandalore. She's determined to take the planet back."
"She wants your help?"Cara guessed.
"Yes and yours."Din replied. "I told her no but I said I'd pass along the invitation to you."
"I like things the way they are."Cara stated simply smiling.
"Thought so."Din said as he leaned in and kissed her.
Cara hit the button for the light as the kiss lengthened. Finally Cara felt Din pull away. He stood and gently tucked the blankets up around Cara's shoulders.
"Get some sleep."Din ordered softly.
Cara caught his left hand as Din pushed away from the bed.
"Stay."Cara whispered.
Din slipped into bed next to Cara and gathered the blankets around them. Cara felt his arms wrap around her waist and draw her close. She covered his hands with her own and rested her head against the pillow.
"We need to talk about us."Cara stated quietly.
"We will."Din promised.
"I want to help get The Child home."Cara continued. "I just think we're building something here..."
One hand moved away from Cara's waist and Cara heard metal shift against fabric. The next instant Din's lips were against her neck kissing her lightly. Cara sighed happily. Just when she thought Din wasn't going to reply to what she'd said he spoke.
"I think we are too."Din replied huskily. "I don't know what our future holds, Cara. I just know I want you in it. You and The Child for as long as we have him."
Tears filled Cara's eyes and she blinked them back. She turned to face him. Cara kissed him and when they broke apart she knew she'd fallen completely in love with a Mandalorian bounty hunter.
"I want that too, Din."Cara stated softly.
A few minutes later both were sound asleep.
Epilog
Seven days later.
"It's time for me to move on."Cara Dunn said.
"Is that so?"Greef Karga asked as he sat in the catina at a back booth.
The young woman across from him returned his gaze. It was one of the many things he liked about Cara Dunn; she didn't back down. Karga smiled and leaned back raising his glass of ale to her in a salute.
"I'll miss having you around."Karga stated with a grin.
"Think you'll be able to handle this place wthout me?"Cara countered with a smile raising her own drink.
"Think I can manage."Karga said with a smirk.
Cara laughed stood and wrapped Karga in a brief hug.
"Going to miss you too."Cara commented quietly.
Karga finished his drink and he followed Cara to the door.
They walked down the main street in silence pausing at the edge of town staring out at the Razor Crest where it sat with it's ramp down. Karga looked over at the former shock trooper.
"The bounty on The Child has tripled."Karga warned. "It will be difficult to keep him safe."
"We have to try to get him back home; he deserves that."Cara stated firmly.
"Agree and if anyone can accomplish that it's the two of you."Karga commented with a grin. "Let me know if you need help."
"We will, thank you."Cara replied as she walked away.
Karga watched until Cara reached the ship and Mando came out to greet her. The young one was in the crook of the bounty hunter's right arm. Cara reached down and lightly touched the foundling's head. It lifted it's ears and cocked it's head towards her in greeting. Karga shook his head in amazement. He hoped they did get The Child home and that when they did someone would tell Karga what exactly the creature was. Turning Karga walked back to his office.
Cara had already retrieved the few belongings she'd had left in her quarters and stashed them on the Razor Crest. She hadn't expected any problems from Karga but she was glad they'd parted on good terms. An ally with resources was a good one to have. Now she stood with Din and the young one at the bottom of the ship's ramp.
"Are you sure you want to leave your ship here?"Din inquired.
They'd discussed it as they readied to leave Trask. The Crest was tight but she thought it was the best option to have one ship. Now her ship sat parked in a fenced area near the edge of town. She saw part of the wing from here. The rest obscured by a building. Cara nodded.
"Yes, we need to be fast and light. Karga said the bounty has tripled on the little one."Cara
Din cursed.
"We should get moving."Din urged as he started up the ramp. "There are too many eyes here. Too many we don't trust."
"Let's go."Cara agreed.
An hour later they were safely in hyper space. Cara glanced back at the foundling asleep in the back passenger seat. Din followed her gaze then he reached over with his free hand and took Cara's right hand and squeezed it. She looked back at him. They had talked since she'd left the infirmary and they'd left Trask. Bottom line was they had decided they wanted to try and that was good enough for Cara. She knew more than anyone how fragile life was. Whatever future she had with Din they'd face it together and grab hold of whatever happiness there was. It was more than most people got.
"I promise you, we'll keep him safe."Din vowed
"Imperials won't know what hit them if they try."Cara agreed.
Din laughed and Cara cherished the sound.
"I love you."Din said softly.
Cara smiled and broke Din's grasp. She reached over and lifted his helmet off. Cara cupped his face in both of her hands. He returned her smile.
"I love you too."Cara said quietly as she kissed him.
Din reluctantly broke the kiss. He looked into Cara's eyes not quite believing the way things had turned out. She wanted a future with him. Din knew he'd be counting his blessings for months to come. The road ahead was going to be hard especially with the Imperials turning up the heat. There was no one else he'd want with him than Cara.
"No matter what happens."Din promised quietly. "We're now a clan of three."
Cara smiled and Din thought he saw unshed tears. He leaned in and kissed her.
"A clan of three."Cara echoed with a smile.
end