(A/N I continue to not own anything...
Apparently that includes where this story is leading.
I really need to find a beta lol - see me drown ;)
But really, I had a very clear picture on where this was supposed to lead and I keep squinting at particular scenes and having a great big 'oh no' so hopefully it comes together.
Enjoy!)
Din didn't pretend to understand all the wizardy stuff surrounding the Jedi, but Teena seemed well versed enough. She was acting like a child seeing hyperspace for the first time as she bounced around and regaled the company with every detail her tutor had taught her about the planet. She asked about the blast radius where the Razor Crest was hit, and he narrowly shrugged off the question. She had that look on her face, the one that said 'I see you and your secrets,' but she left him alone and started prattling on about how there was likely a temple under the hill they were now climbing.
It was endearing. Even the ade were smiling and seemed much calmer.
Nala, Dev and Na'sara joined the trek. The kids were picking on each other and enjoying the natural outdoors while Nala was measuring her ability. To Din it was obvious that she was testing herself, and he assumed that Teena noticed as well, but he doubted the rest saw it.
Soon enough they'd reached the Seeing Stone and Teena paced circles around it, running her hands along the etched writing. Her gaze was wistful.
"Alright," she address the children, "you will need to meditate on the stone. Emmy can sit on it and if you two kneel here. Your connection to the Force will be enhanced as you meditate together."
"Have you seen this before?" asked Nala.
"I've only met one force-user. Meditation techniques are beneficial to everyone, so she taught me." She turned back to the kids. "I can help you if you need it." They smiled at her and she led them to the stone.
"You're going to focus on more than your physical self. More than your body. You're reaching out to the world around you. The different sounds and smells, yes, but further. Sitting in a comfortable manner helps you lose track of your physical needs. The Masters of the Order sometimes meditated for days when there was a great need for guidance. You won't need to do that.
"Making contact with one another will help guide you to reach out together."
She placed the elder two's hands on the knees of Emmy and spoke gently on how they should focus and relax. It took some time, but eventually a great beacon of light surrounded them and shot up into the sky. It was a barrier, just like the one that had surrounded Grogu, pulsing from the writing on the stone. It widened to engulf the two older kids.
He reached out to pull Teena back, but she was caught by it too. As it continued outward he was thrown back, just as he was the first time. She turned to look at him in alarm while the other three companions quickly backed out of the circle made by the steps. He cursed under his breath as he got up and Teena made her way towards him in concern.
"No," he cautioned her, "don't try to pass through the barrier. We'll set up camp."
The four split the duties and soon a fire burned and three makeshift weather shields were raised. Teena paced around the children, periodically checking their temperatures and pulses.
Night fell. It was long after dark that the light died and the ade collapsed in exhaustion.
Din made two trips carrying the older two to bed while Teena tucked in the youngest.
She was exhausted too, constantly monitoring them while he, Nala, and the kids rested, but she found a ration and began eating it at the sentry point. He silently joined her.
"What now?" she whispered into the night.
"We wait." She sighed at his response but accepted it.
"We'll go back to the ship tomorrow?"
It felt odd, her asking him for guidance when he was trying to consider how to broach the subject of her joining his clan and possibly advising him. It seemed they were a pair of lost fools.
"I'm sure he heard them. He will find them wherever they go."
She hummed a response and he looked over to find her lids heavy and her balance swaying. He leaned into her for a moment and her tired body followed him back so that her head rested on his shoulder as exhaustion overtook and sleep finally met her.
.
Light broke over the horizon and Din watched the sunlight glint off an unfamiliar ship. He did what weapon checks he could without disturbing the sleeping woman using his lap as a pillow. She'd shifted several times in the night, but never seemed to actually wake up.
When the ship landed next to Teena's freighter he motioned to Nala and heard her, Dev, and Na'sara arm themselves. The children, like Teena, were still asleep.
A man in dark robes exited the Corellian light freighter and Din immediately eased. It was a long trek between the stone and the ships, so Din relaxed and motioned Nala to stand down. She tilted her head in confusion, but gave a nod. Teena's kids reluctantly followed her lead, but kept their arms at the ready. The three continued cooking some morning rations at the campfire.
Eventually the Jedi, scowling, made it to the summit.
"You couldn't have met me halfway?" he asked in an incredulous and teasing tone.
Teena jolted up from her sleeping position and had her electro-whip in her hand before the laughter had died from the Jedi's face. Breathing raggedly she took in Din's ease and the Jedi's friendly manner and decided to stow her weapon with a sheepish look on her face.
"Sorry, I uh…" She looked around, trying to regain her barings.
"The children are still sleeping," Din told the Jedi. He nodded his understanding.
"We've got to stop meeting like this," he teased. "But don't worry, they'll be fine, reaching into the Force is straining when you're untrained."
"You're… familiar," Teena said, examining the Jedi.
"Your ship, you ran supplies to the Rebel base on Hoth?"
"Commander Skywalker!" she beamed at him in recognition. "I thought you'd died! When I ran my next set of supplies you were counted as missing after the battle."
"Yeah," he rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably. "I had to finish my training."
"As a Jedi?"
"Yes," he chuckled, "as a Jedi."
"I'll wake the children," Din broke in. Teena held so much history close to her heart and he assumed she would want a chance to speak with the Jedi privately, but she turned to walk with him and brought the conversation with her.
"How is your school coming along?" she asked amicably.
"We are small. My nephew will be joining us soon."
Din had just gotten to the kids and was lightly shaking them awake. Na'sara brought him breakfast and he waved her off, so she offered it to the Jedi.
"How is Grogu progressing?"
Din's gaze snapped to the two and he froze. Part of him was angry she had the gall to ask and part of him was waiting for the answer with baited breath.
The children finished getting themselves up as his attention stayed solely on the Jedi and Teena.
"Excellent. He has a lot of insight from the old Order. His memories are fuzzy, but still helpful. Not to mention he excels in the lessons as well. Another of his species, Master Yoda, is the one who finished my training."
"I would have liked to meet him," she said innocently.
Din grit his teeth.
"He came, actually. I could tell our friend here was with-"
"He's here?" Din demanded, jumping to his feet.
"Yeah, he wanted to-"
Din took off.
.
Teena smiled as she watched Din run a few steps before taking to the air via his jetpack. She chuckled and Nala and Commander Skywalker joined her. Na'sara smiled while Dev and the children seemed confused, but she knew what she felt when separated from her kids.
"Grogu was sleeping when we landed," he said through his chuckles, "but he wanted to see his father again."
"I hope for your sake you've been taking good care of him," Nala said.
"He is a handful. But I'd like to say I've done a decent job."
Teena laughed at him and picked up Emmy to lead the group down the hill.
"You didn't just sign up to teach, you're raising them now," she reminded him.
"And I will do my best."
"See that you do," Nala said coldly.
He only smiled and nodded.
"That," Teena pointed at the ship, "is the Millennium Falcon."
He chuckled again and confirmed her suspicions.
"I couldn't fit everyone in my X-Wing, so I called in a favor."
Teena looked over the children and saw they had cautiously hopeful looks on their faces.