Hi. I'm humbled, and so thankful for you all. Really I appreciate you reading my story! Oh thank you! Please continue to review and let me know what you think.

-Tifa

It was dark in the mechanic's shop, as the duo sat back to back, inspecting the area silently as a few droids beeped and moved about minimally.

It had been at least two hours, and the stake-out wasn't proving to be very successful, so far there had yet to be even an inkling of an incident.

Cara sat with her back pressed against The Mandalorian's, the material of his cape had cascaded down beside her and was beneath her fingertips. She felt the material for a moment, lost within her own thoughts.

If she were to actually act upon her growing feelings for this masked man, what would it be like? She knew about the Mandalorian Creed, she knew that certain clans had different stipulations and rules, and the one rule they had clung to more recently than ever was that if you removed your helmet in front of anyone else, you could no longer consider yourself a Mandalorian.

Cara also wondered if Din had ever engaged in a relationship since swearing into the Creed, or if he'd perhaps stayed celibate. The silence was beginning to make her head spin a bit, and she turned and looked over her shoulder.

"Can I ask you a question?" She whispered quietly. She noticed his helmet nod up and down and she continued. "So, if you ever wanna be with someone. Like," she paused, her stomach feeling fluttery, and anxious. "Omera, for example, what would you have to do."

"Is this a general question? Like a relationship in general? Or are you talking about-"

Cara felt herself blush only a bit, but she cut him off. "Either one, I guess." She shrugged.

Din looked in her direction and wondered why Cara brought up Omera all of a sudden. He thought back to his time back on Sorgan, where he met both Cara and Omera. It was Cara who suggested he settle down with the widowed farm woman and create a life for himself. Part of him kind of longed for that sort of life. Another part of him realized he did not know Omera well, and there was no reason to break the Creed for her. Although she was an endearing woman, he did not find himself returning the feelings she had for him. But Cara, she was different in a number of ways. She had seen things and experienced things that he had. Her home planet was destroyed, and she had been a part of war, like himself. That's what he wanted, a partner to share his way of life with, someone who wouldn't question his choices or beliefs. "The Mandalorian aren't forbidden from engaging in a relationship or sex." He explained. "But, it's against the Way to remove the helmet in front of anyone else."

Cara was quiet for a moment. "And if you wanted to kiss someone?"

"Shh." Din turned and looked around the room after hearing a faint shuffling noise.

Cara at first wanted to smack him for writing off her question, until she heard the shuffling noise as well.

Cara rolled forward, stood to her feet and flicked the lights on quickly.

Din had stood to his feet when he felt Cara move away from him. His blaster ready in his hand. The lights flicked on and there stood two lanky looking young men, both of them holding onto a droid each.

"Hands up!" Cara commanded, her large weapon pointed in their direction. She narrowed her eyes and gave them a look that would cause anyone to drop dead if looks could kill.

Din smirked proudly under his helmet and pointed his blaster at the boys. "You heard her."

The droids fell to the floor with a clatter and the boys put their hands in the air. The looks on their faces were fairly comical, Cara had driven fear right into their very hearts.

"What do you want with the droids?" Din questioned, not moving from his place. Cara kept her position as well.

"We just needed parts." One of the boys responded.

"We're just trying to make some cash." The other one stammered over his words and gulped when he saw her approaching them.

"Listen here you little punks, you want some extra money you can earn it by helping Peli Motto around or doing odd jobs, not stealing droid parts and selling them! You got that?!" She had lowered her weapon and was now grabbing both of them by the shirts and glowering at them.

"Y-yes ma'am!" One of them said, his knees quaking.

"You come back here again and mess with Peli's things, there will be hell to pay. Am I clear?" Cara asked as she released her grip on the boy's shirts.

"Yes ma'am." They chimed in unison.

"You two will be here tomorrow bright and early to apologize to Peli. And after that you'll clean her shop top to bottom." She pointed her finger at them, leaning forward with one hand on her hip.

Din sat back and watched in pure amusement. Watching Cara lecture the two boys was unbearably entertaining and endearing. He smiled and shook his head as Cara waved her finger in their faces and gave them a verbal lashing. Seeing her like this only made his feelings toward her grow. He was unsure how she would react if he confessed to her. Again,he was almost positive she'd kick his ass, tell him to quit being a weird idiot and go about things as usual. Or, perhaps she wouldn't.

Once the pair returned to the inn with Torin and a huge thank you meal from Peli, they got settled into relaxation mode once again.

"So? Where to after this?" Cara said as she plopped onto the bed and let out a comfortable sigh.

"I'm not sure, but Peli paid us enough to get some provisions and head out to another planet."

Din responded as he sat on the couch and stretched out.

Torin was rubbing his blanket against his cheek, drifting off to sleep.

"You know," Cara started as she turned into her side and propped herself up on one elbow, facing The Mandalorian. "You never answered my question."

Din sat up. He wasn't sure how to respond. He knew what question she was talking about, but he wasn't sure he'd respond tight away. So he waited silently.

Cara gave him a look. "So? You can have a relationship, or sex. But you can't kiss anyone right?"

"Not exactly." Came just short response. He watched as the wheels were turning in her mind. She sat up now.

"So, you can?" Cara asked. Her heart suddenly leapt into her throat when Din stood from the couch and walked to her. He placed his gloved hand under her chin and tilted her head up. She stared up at him, catching a slight glimpse of herself in the reflection in the metal. Her eyes sparkled with some kind of anticipation.

"There is a way." He said, lowly. "And I could show you, if you'll let me."

Cara was unsure, but now she felt as though she was under some type of Mandalorian spell, and all she could think about was him. She deliberated for a moment before responding.

Gently, she removed his hand from her face and rose to her feet, facing him.

"Let me make one thing very clear to you,Din Djarin." She did her best not to sound as nervous as she felt. "I don't want to do anything that would jeopardize your standing as a Mandalorian. I respect that about you, and I admire your loyalty to your beliefs." She stroked the side of his helmet gently, where his cheek would be.

Din looked down at her, so in awe of what she had just said to him. There was a reason he tended to stray away from relationships, mostly because they lead to one thing. Someone always wished to remove his helmet, and see what was hidden beneath, not Cara. It touched him to his very core that she would be willing to respect his beliefs that much. He placed his helmet against her forehead gently. "Thank you." He whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her slowly and tentatively. He didn't know if she'd react adversely, but surprisingly, she returned the embrace.

He rubbed her back for a moment and he watched as her eyes fluttered closed. He pulled away, pressed the button on his wrist guard that closed the baby's carrier and sat Cara down on the bed.

Then, he took the material she had used to cover her tattoo and placed it over her eyes, tying it securely over them.

Cara held perfectly still as he blindfolded her. She trusted him, though her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest. She heard the sound of footsteps retreating, and she then began to wonder if this was all some sort of joke he was playing on her. But, she decided she would wait and find out. Everything was dark to her, so she'd have to rely on her other senses even more so.

Din walked into the bathroom and he took a breath before removing his helmet. Ceremoniously, he placed it on the counter. You could not remove your helmet in front of another person. But he was now in another room, and he removed it alone. And Cara would not see his face when he returned. Technically, he may be bending the rules. But he was certainly not breaking them.

He walked back into the room. He could see how tense Cara was, her hands were gripping the blankets of the bed, and her shoulders were raised. He took off his gloves and set them aside.

"Cara." He said, quietly so that she would be alerted of his presence. He gently reached out and touched her cheek. He watched as her body slowly relaxed.

She smiled at the feeling of his hand and she leaned into his touch. Gently, she reached out and grabbed ahold of his other hand and stood to her feet. She wobbled a little, without sight she felt a but out of sorts.

He steadied her, gently placing one hand at the small of her back and he drew her in close.

Cara reached out and gently felt for his face. She wasn't all that surprised to find it covered with stubble. She smiled. "You must be some kind of handsome."

"I guess I'm alright." He teased. He gently rubbed his thumb along her cheek before it made its way to her lips.

Cara shivered a bit but she didn't mind his gentleness. She rested her arms on his shoulders, linking her fingers behind his neck. "Will you kiss me already?"

"Gladly." Din responded before leaning in and placing his lips gently against hers.