(A/N Things are about to happen again! Yay!

So this is becoming longer than I expected... I have like another half a chapter written, plus at least three later scenes in mind...

Thanks for making it this far! Let me know what you think.

Enjoy!)

Din found himself waiting in the cockpit. He didn't want to be in his bunk, because he would only think of how it was not his. He didn't want to be pacing the halls, because he wanted to find some solace in the little bit of peace he'd gained from Teena's declaration. Sure, she did not consider herself one of the Mando'ad, but she adhered to a loose interpretation of the Creed, so he did not need to challenge her. He was also avoiding Nala; everything would change when they left hyperspace and it was unnerving. There were so many choices to make and none of them were clear.

He sighed and ran a systems check for about the hundredth time in the past hour.

Then the door opened. Na'sara joined him and he considered leaving.

"I was looking for you," she said in a relieved voice.

"I thought you and Dev slept at this hour. We've got a little time before we drop out of hyperspace."

"Yeah, my body is pretty unhappy right now," she chuckled. "Do you ever sleep?"

He just shrugged, so she sighed and flopped into the pilot's seat beside him.

"What do you think of our trainings?" she asked unexpectedly. He took a moment to study her, wondering where the question stemmed from.

"You are proficient fighters."

"Thanks, but that's not what I meant. You're always so… I don't even know. You're angry while we're training. I wanted to know why," she shrugged as if it didn't mean much, but he admired that she had the presence of mind to notice his behaviors while in active combat with Dev and Teena.

"I'm not angry," he reassured her. He knew what she was referring to, but it took him a moment to admit to it. "I'm jealous."

"What? Think we could take you down?" she shoved him with a grin and he breathed out a chuckle along with her.

"Somehow you all manage to be everything. You are a family, and yet you fight. It is a medium that I couldn't find."

She studied him for a little while, letting the silence engulf them. Eventually she pulled her knees up to tuck under her chin, much like he's seen Teena do.

"I saw you with the Force-sensitives, and with Grogu. I think you are every bit a father that you are a warrior."

She couldn't see him smile in gratitude.

"I'm more than a warrior though. I am a Mandalorian. I couldn't teach Grogu to fight, and I couldn't teach the ade to follow the Creed."

"Will you teach me about your kind?" she asked. He was a little taken aback by the question.

"I thought Teena had taught you?"

"Some, yeah. But there is always more to know."

He nodded along with her response.

"I'm not going to fight Teena over the position of your Buir. Ask Nala your questions. She is the one who taught me."

She smiled and hummed a response, looking out at hyperspace, still tucked into her little ball.

"You could join our family," she finally said, not looking at him. "We've got a smuggler, a hacker, and a spy. I'd think a warrior and an arms expert would be welcome." She wore a sad smile, as if she expected his refusal.

He joined her in looking out at the passing time and space as he formed his response.

"I can't join your family without giving up everything that I am." She sighed and nodded, hugging her knees a little tighter. "But you could become more and join me." He saw her eyes get large for a moment as she coiled further around herself, even biting her lip.

"Teena's past…" she started uncertainly.

"She has made her position clear, but I've been wanting to give you and Dev the choice."

She wore a sad smile again as she looked at him.

"I can't leave Teena. Even when I was gone she was my check in. I made such a big deal about being 'all grown up' and 'ready to be on my own,' but I didn't make it a day before holoing her and crying that I missed her," she laughed humorlessly. Din figured Dev would be much the same and just nodded his understanding.

"Anyway," she began again, with forced energy, "that's not why I was looking for you."

He waited.

"Dev is turning his tactical genius against you and Nala," she spoke in a half teasing manner.

"Why?" Din asked slowly, surprised.

"Teena thinks the Mandalorians are going to lay waste to the settlements on Mandalore, so they wanna interrogate you. Nothing hostile, just pin you down, kinda thing."

"And why are you telling me?"

"Because it's silly. If you know anything you would just answer the question, wouldn't you?" she gave him an expectant look.

"That depends," he shrugged.

She chuckled and sighed.

"Well, you've been warned now," she said as she got up. She paused at the door, again reminding him of Teena. "I- I'll talk to Dev. Yeah?"

He nodded his assent and she continued out.

Whatever the siblings chose they would choose together.

.

The atin jag was nowhere to be found. Both she and Dev searched every room aboard the ship, including the engine room, and it was like he'd vanished. Nala was sleeping in her bunk, but they couldn't interrogate just one, and considering they just broke her out of prison she was unlikely to have as much information as Din. stubborn man]

Then, within five minutes of dropping out of hyperspace, Din just strolled into the cockpit like nothing had happened.

She could feel the amusement coming off him as she bristled at their lost opportunity.

The light cruiser loomed ahead when they dropped out of hyperspace.

"Tion'ad cuyir ibic?" came through the com and Teena only hesitated a moment before replying. [Who is this?]

"Jorir cuun adate." [We carry our people.]

There was static for a few seconds and Din approached the com, but then they reconnected and informed Teena where to dock.

While she was setting down the landing gear Din placed a hand on her shoulder and told her he was seeing to it that the Beskar was taken to wherever they had designated the forge. He'd be back with her payment after. She gave a nod, acknowledging that this was her opportunity to investigate the Mando'ade's intentions.

When he left the cockpit Dev piped up his objections.

"You said they would try to kill you!"

"I said they'd probably try to kill me, depending on their past allegiances," she clarified as if helpful.

"Teena," 'Sara spoke in a small voice. "Buir, you owe them nothing." Her eyes were so scared, just the frightened little girl Teena took in all those years ago.

"I'll k'oyacyi," she said with a fond smile at Na'sara as she rubbed Dev's hair. [stay alive]

"What does that mean?" 'Sara asked.

"I'll see you soon."

Teena left the ship moments after she watched Din and Nala pass a corner.