A/N: Apologies for the delay. This chapter just wouldn't flow and it took me much longer to get it to a spot I liked. Please let me know what you think. There is one more chapter to cover what happened in the last episode and then probably one or two more after that. From that point on I'm not sure what I will do since it's going to be quite some time until season 3 comes out. Enjoy!

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Kathrann: Thank you so much! I'm thrilled to know you're enjoying it so much!

joey: It was a fast chapter but it moved quickly on screen as well. In a situation like that I think things would probably feel like they were moving really quickly.

stephanie: Thank you! I'm glad you're liking how Din and Alés are with each other. :)

multy: The end of the last episode about broke my heart ... for many reasons! I hope how I handle it works and you enjoy it!

8ball3: Um, sorry? :)

Love: Thanks!

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I bow to the awesomeness of Dave and Jon!

Something cold and hard underneath her.

The smell of heavily filtered air. That was cold, too.

Undistinguishable murmuring.

Pain in her head.

Where was she?

She tried to reach out through the Force but was met with … nothing. There was nothing there. It felt like her connection had been completely severed. That bit of panic shoved her towards consciousness.

As she slowly forced her eyes open the murmuring ceased and after her vision had cleared enough she found herself facing a smug looking Moff Gideon.

"Where's Grogu?" she asked, refusing to let him get the first word in.

"The Asset is fine and safely tucked away."

That was all she wanted to know and though he looked at her as if he expected her to say more she remained quiet. After the silence had lasted several moments he finally appeared unable to keep his own mouth shut.

"Alés Shann of Naboo, daughter of Joruus and Ellé Shann. Taken to the Jedi Temple at one year old. Was taken as a Padawan early at eight years old and trained under Master Barsi until the fall of the Order and the Republic. Disappeared and assumed dead after that just like all the rest of the Jedi." He cocked his head to the side as he studied her. "You are lucky I do not harbor the hatred for your kind as some in the Empire did. There are still those that would gladly see you dead. I, however, have much more vision than most."

She didn't say anything. There was no way she was going to give him the satisfaction.

"I suppose you are wondering why you were brought here along with him." She just looked at him. He raised an eyebrow then continued. "You are merely here to keep you from causing more trouble and while your M-count is not nearly as high as the baby's we can draw more blood from you without harm. I'm much less concerned with your survival than his. Why pass up the chance to have a backup donor?"

Alés maintained her silence, tucking away the information he was giving. While she might not have any idea what he was talking about someone somewhere surely did. What good were midichlorians to a non-Force user?

"Since I am well aware of what your kind can do when you have full access to your powers we've taken steps to ensure neither you or the Asset can utilize them. When you are not with Dr. Pershing those shackles will keep you under control. They must be removed occasionally, however, for him to do his work so in those moments we'll just sedate you. Can't risk any unfortunate … accidents." He leaned in. "I will always be one step ahead."

Seemingly tired of getting no response or reaction out of her he motioned to someone off to the side and she felt a prick on her arm then … darkness.

Din had nothing to do but think.

He'd told Fett where they needed to head and messaged Greef to let him know he was coming in on a different ship. His two companions seemed to know he was in no mood for conversation and were wisely leaving him alone. There was nothing else to do now and that could prove dangerous to his mental state.

His hands clinched tightly where they rested on his thighs.

The Crest was gone. The kid was gone. Alés was gone. The only three things that meant anything to him had been taken away within minutes and he'd been helpless to stop any of it. He'd had to stand there impotently watching as it was all snatched away. Anger, guilt, and fear swirled within him. It was not something he was accustomed to dealing with. He had always managed to remain calm and clear headed, rational, in any situation but he was unable to manage that now. How had one job turned into all this? He closed his eyes as if trying to block out the truth but it was still staring him in the face.

Yes, he cared about the kid. A lot. Somehow he had become like his own ad'ika and to know he was now in danger sent anger and fear through him that only a parent could understand. And then there was Alés. His heart clinched in an entirely different way when he thought of her and he sucked in a deep breath. This woman had appeared in his life by chance, vowed to help him with no thought of reward, and had risked herself to keep him and the kid safe. As much as he'd never thought to have a kid of his own the idea that he could fall so hard for anyone had been even less of a possibility.

But here he was.

He swallowed nervously, still afraid to admit it to himself. Admitting it would leave him vulnerable, it could be used against him, and that was something he had always avoided at all costs. It was dangerous not only for him but also for whomever he cared about. There were plenty that would use that kind of information as a weapon. A voice inside sneered at him and called him a coward. Could he admit it? Could he actually say the words? There would be no going back from it once it was free.

Images, memories bubbled up unbidden flooding his senses: Alés smirking up at him as she'd somehow lifted him off the floor, her face illuminated by the glow of her lightsaber, her fierceness in battle against Gideon and the Quarren, the fear in her eyes when the Crest's cockpit had been flooding and the way she'd clung to him afterwards. He would never have thought it possible but he couldn't have found anyone else in the galaxy that fit him like she did. She was calm and quiet but there was some fire and sass hiding underneath that calm exterior that would break free every so often, smart and quick thinking, good in a fight and so loyal to those that had earned her trust. She could also be frustratingly annoying. Her eyes and smile had captured him, drawn him in in such a way that he knew he would never be able to break free – and he didn't want to. He'd told her on Trask he would always come back to her and it was true. He needed her by his side.

But he had nothing to offer her. His was not an easy life. Once they had found another Jedi and Grogu was safe what did he have? She deserved a home and so far he'd found no trace of his clan. Bo-Katan had asked him to join them but he still wasn't sure how he felt about these other Mandalorians. Trying to retake a ruined planet wasn't something he wanted to be involved with either. Bounty hunting was all he knew and he could not ask Alés to stay with him under those conditions. He wouldn't be able to concentrate and do the jobs knowing everything he did put her in danger ... and he didn't even have a ship at the moment so there was no way he could accept any work. There was no way of knowing if she felt anything for him either; she could easily reject any offer he made. Despite all that he knew would go to any lengths, do anything, to get her and the kid back safely.

He loved her.

A deep, shuddering breath left his lips, echoing in his helmet.

For the first time since he'd lost his parents he had allowed those emotional walls to come down and let some one in, let someone get close to him, let himself feel something for another. It was slightly unnerving to have admitted it but at the same time it felt … good. He would have to be careful to keep his feelings hidden – at least until this whole mess was resolved. Gideon, if he ever found out, would certainly use the knowledge against him. It was bad enough he already knew how he felt about the kid. Once everything was settled and he had both of them back safely then he could think about what to do with this whatever it was with Alés. If he let his emotions cloud his judgment now he might never get them back.

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"Cara Dune, Marshal of the New Republic," he said tossing the badge to her. "I'd heard rumors you might have gone legit."

The woman at the table smirked. "I wouldn't go that far."

"I need your help."

"Name it."

"I need you to locate someone in the prison registry. Ex-Imperial sharp shooter, last name Mayfield." She nodded, punching buttons on the console in front of her. After a quick search she turned the screen towards him.

"Migs Mayfield. Serving fifty years in the Karthon Chop Fields for springing a prisoner himself. Accessory to the death of a New Republic officer. Sounds like a real piece of work." She looked up at him. "What do you want with him?"

"I need to spring him to help me locate Moff Gideon's light cruiser."

Cara sat back in her chair and stared up at him.

"You know how I feel about the Empire. But these stripes mean there are rules I need to follow."

"They have the kid … and Alés."

Cara's eyes narrowed dangerously as she sat up straighter.

"How do you plan to get there? Greef said you lost your ship."

"I picked up a ride."

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Another person might have felt a slight bit of pity for the prisoners that were working in the endless heaps of destroyed TIE fighters and other mangled pieces of Imperial ships.

Din was not one of those people.

Though he needed the information Mayfield had in order to rescue the kid and Alés he didn't like the thought of getting that chakaaryc out of prison. The memory of what had happened on that New Republic ship still made his blood boil. He could easily have left Mayfield to his fate … but he, unfortunately, was the only person that could help. As soon as the ship was on the ground Cara was down the ramp and disappeared around one of the mountains of debris. He, along with Fett and Fennec, waited within the ship for her to return.

"Do you trust this guy?"

"Not particularly but he's the only person I know with the knowledge we need," he replied in response to Fett's question.

"And the Marshal?" That question came from Fennec.

"Her I trust completely."

When they saw Cara reappear with her quarry in tow his two companions made their way down to meet her, weapons drawn. He followed slowly, smirking under his helmet when he heard Mayfield's comments to the other bounty hunter. Fett wordlessly moved aside allowing the other man to clearly see him as he strode down the ramp.

"Mayfield," he said, stopping right in front of him.

"Hey, Mando," he replied in a shaky voice, dipping his head a bit as if he were afraid to look at him. "Long time. You came here to kill me?"

"All you need to know is I bent a lot of rules to bring you along," Cara snapped.

"Why am I so lucky?"

"Because you're Imperial." Her words almost came out as a snarl.

He tried to hold his hands up. "Hey, that was a long time ago, all right?"

"You still know your Imperial clearances and protocols, don't you?" he asked.

Mayfield looked between them with confusion clear on his face. Without another word the four of them turned and headed back into the ship leaving him to follow. Din couldn't fault him for being leery; he certainly would have been. When he was finally inside Cara tossed him some new clothes before wordlessly heading into the hold to take a seat. He knew she hated dealing with anyone that had been Imperial and he hoped they'd at least be able to get the information they needed before she ended up shooting him. When he finally took his seat Din was very aware of the fixed stares Cara and Fennec had on the new comer and he was very glad he wasn't on the receiving end of that.

"We need the coordinates for Moff Gideon's cruiser."

"Moff Gideon?" he scoffed with an incredulous laugh. "Yeah, forget it. Just take me back to the scrapyard. I'm not doing that."

Cara glowered at him. "They have his kid."

Mayfield paused. "The little green guy?"

"Yeah, the little green guy." She shot a quick glance at Mando then, "And his woman."

This time Mayfield's jaw almost hit the floor and he stared in amazement.

"Mando has a woman? For real? A serious one that doesn't want to kill him?"

Din remained as still and silent as ever but he grit his teeth under his helmet. For a split second he was glad Alés was not around. He easily remembered how his blood had boiled with jealousy watching Vanth flirt with her and he knew Mayfield would've been no different. Probably worse since he was familiar with some things in his past, things Din would prefer to forget.

"So I help you guys get him back, you guys let me go?"

"That's not how this works."

"Well, then what's in it for me?"

"You get a better view."

He seemed to squirm a bit under the fixed stares from the three of them. "All right but here's the thing. I can't get those coordinates unless I have access to an internal Imperial terminal." He sighed. "I believe there's one on Morak."

"Morak? There's nothing on Morak," he replied, his voice sharp. Even at this point he wouldn't put it past Mayfield to set them up.

"It's a secret Imperial mining hub, okay? If you can get me in there I can get you the coordinates."

There was a moment of heavy silence as they all waited for him to make a decision. He really, really didn't want to trust the information but knowing it was the only option they had for now he relayed the destination to Fett.

Voices.

Some she thought she recognized, some she didn't.

Images, visions … the shackles must have been removed. What were they doing to her while she couldn't wake? But she could feel the Force again … as soon as she was aware of that the images began flooding over her.

She saw Jedi … yes! There were Jedi! Not many and they appeared young but she could see them going through the lightsaber techniques … padawans! But where? Or when?

That horrible feeling of darkness swirled around her, blocking her view but it didn't seem interested in her now like it had on Arvala-5.

Was that Grogu crying?

Hold on, little one. He will come.

There was that horrible cackle again … it made her shiver. It morphed into a voice and it said that nothing could stop the plans already in motion, great plans, plans bigger than one person. Plans that would continue his vision …

"Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen," it sneered.

She tried to focus on something else, pushing herself free of that darkness.

Din … she could hear Din's voice. What was he saying?

Sand … there was so much sand.

Din was gone! The kryyat dragon had swallowed him along with the bantha! Din! No … not gone. He was yelling at her to get to the ship but there was something she needed to do first.

The spiders. Those kriffing spiders. She needed to stop them or at least slow them down. Bringing down a wall of ice and snow hadn't helped much … she didn't know what else to do. She wasn't strong enough for this.

Ahsoka's voice telling her that she had to believe in herself.

Din's voice again, telling her not to be afraid and getting her out of the water.

He said he would always come back to her …

Din …

Everything began to fade and she could feel the Force being shoved away. It hurt, it made her feel so alone. She clung to the image of a beskar helmet …

He heaved a sigh of relief as Mayfield shut off the engines. His entire body ached from the fight with the pirates and he wondered how any Stormtroopers ever walked away from a battle with such pathetic armor. It clearly showed the survivability of their soldiers had never been a high priority for the Empire.

They were swarmed by those on the ground once they'd left the tank, all of them cheering and congratulating them and praising the Empire. It made him sick. He was glad the helmet hid his disgust.

"The terminal is probably in the officer's mess," Mayfield said in a low voice when he made his way to his side. He maneuvered them through the throng of people, giving short nods and lackluster salutes, seemingly at ease though Din could see the tension on his face. He began to think this crazy scheme might actually work until Mayfield pulled back after spotting the terminal.

"I can't go in there."

"Why not?"

"That's Valin Hess," he said, motioning towards an officer seated at a table by the window. "I used to serve under him."

"Will he recognize you?"

"I don't know. I was just a field operative but I'm not taking the chance. It's over."

"Let's just do this quick and we can get out of here." He managed to keep his quickly growing desperation out of his voice but barely. They couldn't back out now, not when they were so close.

"I can't do it, okay? We have to abort. I'm sorry." To his credit Mayfield did sound sorry but that didn't matter.

"No. I can't. If we don't get those coordinates I'll lose the kid and Alés forever." He could see his words hadn't swayed his companion. Time for a change of plans. "Give me the data stick."

Mayfield looked at him incredulously. "It's not gonna work. In order to access the network the terminal has to scan your face. Let's go."

"Give it to me," he ordered, snatching it out of his hand.

Taking a deep breath he climbed the stairs and made his way over to the terminal, giving a quick salute to those he passed. The computer began its scan as soon as he inserted the data stick and, just like Mayfield had said, it began trying to scan the front of his helmet.

"Error. Error. Facial scan incomplete. Ten seconds to system shutdown," the mechanized voice blared. He could feel the sweat beginning to run down his back as he sensed the attention of some of those in the room swing over to where he was standing. His heart was beating frantically inside his chest and he fought to keep his hands steady. The voice was quickly counting down. There was no way around it now. He reached up and yanked off the helmet, allowing the scanner to do its job. "Facial scan complete."

He swallowed nervously as the system began making whirring sounds. He quickly typed in what he was looking for and almost sagged in relief when the information popped up on the small screen. Punching a few more buttons he copied the coordinates to the data stick eager to get the hell out of there.

"Trooper!"

Kriff.

"Hey, trooper."

He kept his attention on the terminal, waiting for it to beep when the information transfer was complete. Maybe the officer would think he hadn't heard him. Finally the awaited beep came and he grabbed the data stick, shoving it in his pocket as he turned to face the man at his side.

"Pay attention when a superior addresses you."

"What's your designation?"

"Transport crew."

"What?"

"My designation is transport copilot."

"No, son. What's your TK number?"

Panic bubbled in his stomach as he frantically tried to come up with an answer. The man was staring at him expectantly and he knew that any second he'd realize he was no trooper. Once that was discovered, even if he and Mayfield somehow made it out alive, the kid and Alés were gone for good. The Imperials would quickly figure out what information he'd come for and inform Gideon.

"This is my Commanding Officer TK-593, sir." Never had he been so relieved to hear Mayfield's voice. The other man came to stand next to him, giving the officer a salute. "I'm Imperial Combat Assault Transport Lieutenant TK-111, sir. I'm afraid you'll have to speak up to him a little bit since his vessel lost pressure in Taanab."

Mayfield's quick thinking was impressive.

"What's your name, Officer?" Hess asked loudly and if the situation hadn't been so dire he might have laughed. Instead he just glanced at his friend.

"Uh, we just call him Brown Eyes. Isn't that right, Officer?" Brown Eyes? That's all he Mayfield could come up with? He just gave a nod. "Let's go fill out those TPS reports so we can go recharge the power coils."

They quickly began to walk away but that smarmy voice halted them.

"You're not dismissed."

Dank farrik.

They slowly turned back around to face Hess. He felt extremely exposed without his helmet and found it hard to meet the man's gaze.

"You're the tank troopers that delivered the shipment of rhydonium?"

"Yes, sir," Mayfield responded instantly and he belatedly followed his example.

"Well, you two managed to be the only transport today to deliver their shipment." He stepped closer, putting a hand on their shoulders, and a disgusting smile lifted the corners of his lips. "Come with me. Let's get a drink."

They had no choice but the follow the man. Mayfield pressed his lips together in irritation. Din decided he was just going to fully embrace the excuse that he couldn't hear well to avoid having to say anything. Hopefully that would make this very unwelcome development end quicker. Fett, along with Fennec and Cara, were waiting for them to appear on the roof top and the longer they were detained inside the higher the chance of the others being discovered.

The conversation that ensued between Hess and Mayfield was full of tension though he suspected it was only on his friend's side. The officer seemed oblivious to the growing anger in the man across from him. Din was unfamiliar with what they were talking about and kept shooting him looks that he hoped conveyed his desire for him to not say something that would land them in prison.

"All those people, the ones who died, was it good for them? Hmm? Their families? The guys I served with? Civilians, those poor mud scuffers, died defending their homes, fighting for freedom. Was it good for them?" Mayfield's voice was tight and Din knew they'd hit the breaking point. He had no idea how to extradite them from the situation, though.

Hess gave him a smile. "But we've outlasted them, son. They're eating themselves alive. The New Republic is in complete disarray and we grow stronger. You see, with the rhydonium you've delivered, we can create havoc that's gonna make Burnin Konn just pale by comparison. And then they're gonna turn to us once again." He glanced between the two of them and leaned forward. "You see, boys, everybody thinks they want freedom, but what they really want is order. And when they realize that, they're gonna welcome us back with open arms." Hess raised his glass. "To the Empire."

Mayfield gave him a weak smile … and shot him in the chest.

Din just stared at him in horror. What had he just done?

There was a sound behind them and they jerked around in their seats to see a trooper and a few other officers staring at them in confusion. Everyone hesitated then Mayfield began firing, dropping them quickly. He grabbed Hess's discarded blaster and shot another officer that had popped up from a table he'd hidden under. The two of them took in the bodies around them in silence.

"We did what we had to do," he said, handing him the discarded helmet. "I never saw your face."

Mayfield turned his attention to the doorway to give him some semblance of privacy. With a grin of gratitude he slipped the helmet back on and they scrambled out of the window as alarms began screaming and troopers began filling the room.

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When Din walked back into the main hold of the ship, his beskar safely back in place, Mayfield was waiting by the open ramp, a rather pensive look on his face.

"Thank you for your help."

"Yeah. Good luck getting your kid and woman back." He pushed off the wall his expression now serious. "Is she worth it?"

Din didn't need to ask what he meant.

"She's worth this and so much more."

"Then I hope whatever you're planning is successful."

The sound of footsteps drew their attention and they saw two figures emerge from the tangle of trees.

"Well, it looks like its back to the scrap heap," Mayfield commented as Fennec and Cara approached. The bounty hunter walked by them and into the ship leaving them facing the Marshal. "Alright, Officer, take me back," he said, holding out his hands.

"That was some nice shooting back there," Cara commented.

"Oh, you saw that? Yeah, uh, that wasn't part of the plan, I know. I was just getting some stuff of my chest."

She met Din's gaze and he gave a slight nod. Though he had hated the idea of having to spring Mayfield in the beginning his actions during their mission had shown that there was something decent in him after all. Perhaps having the things he'd done while a part of the Empire thrown in his face in such a way had opened his eyes. He didn't know but he did know that he was willing to give him a second chance; he'd earned it.

"You know, its too bad Mayfield didn't make it out alive back there."

"Yeah, too bad," he agreed.

"What are you talking about?" Mayfield asked.

"Looks to me like prisoner number three-four-six-six-seven died in the refinery explosion on Morak."

Mayfield head swiveled between the two of them as realization began to dawn on his face. Cara refused to look at him but Din turned towards him.

"Does that mean I can go?" Cause I will." When neither of them said anything he began to back away slowly though he kept his hands up a bit as if he wanted to show them that he wasn't going to try anything. "Alright. Okay." He gave him a slight nod and then the other man disappeared into the trees.

"You get the coordinates on Moff Gideon?"

"We did."

Cara grinned. "So what's our next move?"

The door to her cell slid open and Gideon appeared with a couple of Stormtroopers flanking him. His movements were not as smooth as usual and there was clear frustration on his face. Something unexpected had happened to throw him off balance. She quietly watched him approach where she was sitting.

"Your Mandalorian will not be able to stop me. There is nothing he or you can do to stop what is coming. I have the Asset and what I need from him. Anything you are planning will fail."

So whatever had happened involved Din. That was encouraging.

"You have big plans but you will not reap the rewards," she said with a smile.

"Whatever do you mean, girl?" he sneered in that infuriating cocksure way of his.

"You act like you are calling the shots, that everyone works for you, but you answer to someone higher. You aren't in charge. I've heard them, felt their presence in the darkness of the Force. You are messing with things you have no idea how to handle." She struggled to her feet, facing him with her head held high. "You are nothing but a pawn and like all pawns when your usefulness is used up you will be discarded."

He stared at her with lips pressed together in anger then reached out and slapped her across the face. It jolted her head back but she grinned a little, feeling the crack on her lip split a bit further.

"I seem to have touched a nerve."