Author's Note: A Sith being a Sith... The following contains manipulation and mental abuse.

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Keeping Din asleep wasn't difficult for Vissna. She also ensured his dreams were pleasant. She donned her robe and climbed up to the cockpit where she sensed Grogu was sleeping. She took a seat in the pilot's chair. Her presence stirred Grogu.

"Hello little one," Vissna said pleasantly. "I like your toy." She said pointing at his ball. Grogu made a pleasant sounding hum. "So, the Jedi didn't want you?" Grogu looked at her curiously. "You chose the Mandalorian. I understand, I see the appeal. That, we have in common." Vissna curled her legs up underneath her. She rested her elbows on her knees and cupped her face in her hands. Her face closer to Grogu.

"You know I've never had an apprentice of my own. I might consider you." She began. She pulled a bag of cookies from her robe and handed them to him. "The Jedi won't touch you because they walk through life with only half the facts. Therefore, their decisions are innately flawed. Their capabilities are faulty. They aren't willing to let someone have it all. But you can have it all. You can master your powers and keep your attachments. In fact, it's the attachments you form that protect your power, enhance your presence in the galaxy, and maintain your order." She watched as Grogu listened and munched on his treat.

"What do you want the galaxy to look like? Imagine it. You think just because you're one small little thing, you can't make a large impact? But you can. If putting power in the Jedi's hands means the same thing as taking it away and keeping it for myself, well then child, I'd rather be the one in charge. I'd rather be the one who holds the power. I'd rather be the one who decides who lives and who dies. I'd rather be the one who maintains order. It is through power that we are able to protect the ones we love."

"The Jedi would rather let your powers fade. They sense fear in you, they are afraid of what you will become. But you must not let your power fade. Your power is the only thing protecting you and your friend." Vissna leaned back in her chair. "You have a long life ahead of you young one. The Mandalorian does not. With the kind of power I'm talking about, the power that's available to you, should you choose to take it, we can save him. Together we could put a stopper to death."

Vissna waved her hand in front of the child, "sleep now little one. Consider what I've said. You need me. I am your friend." Grogu fell asleep in the chair. Vissna climbed back down to join Din in bed, satisfied with herself.

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Vissna thoroughly enjoyed waking up in his arms. She could happily wake up like this everyday for the rest of her life. She fit like a puzzle piece next to him, like she was meant to be there. She ran her hand across his shirt and he jerked awake, his hand went instinctively to his thigh- probably to grab the blaster that wasn't currently there. He was such a light sleeper. He probably needed this sleep, she wasn't sure when his last rest was. "Shhhhh," she hushed him and rubbed his chest through his shirt.

"Vissna," he said, sounding surprised.

"Mmmm," she moaned, nodding her head, "you can go back to sleep."

"Grogu," he said, shooting up out of bed and grabbing his belt. "Grogu?!" He yelled. He started fumbling around on the ship, looking for hiding places. He had never felt more naked and unprepared in his life, and he wasn't even naked. Vissna had a way of making him feel that way.

Din climbed up to the cockpit, leaving Vissna. He found Grogu asleep on a passenger chair, his face covered in cookie crumbs. Din audibly released his held breath. He never should have fallen asleep like that. Grogu was his responsibility, he chastised himself.

He climbed back down and found a pile of his belongings on the floor. He started picking up his pieces and putting himself back together, completely ignoring Vissna, like she was a mistake he didn't want to acknowledge.

"I'm sorry," Vissna said. Din paused in putting his armor back on. It was harder to pretend Vissna didn't exist when she spoke to him. "It's okay. I've been here before. The regret. The shame. You don't have to say anything, I understand what happened here was a one time thing. Just take your things and go."

Din sighed, and continued to put his armor back on. "That's not what I was thinking."

"I'm a big girl now," she smirked, "you don't have to lie to me to make me feel better." Vissna found her top and pulled it back over her.

Din clenched his fists, "I would never lie to you, I gave you my word," he said simply, "I… just. Can't."

Vissna got up and handed him his chest plate, then his shoulder armor. "There, good as new," she sighed. Then she grabbed his neck in her hands and stood up on her tippy-toes, placing her forehead against his helmet in an awkward embrace. "I wish things were different."

Din clutched her face in his hands. His chest ached but this was the right thing to do. He had a responsibility to someone else. Someone more important. Din wiped a tear off Vissna's face before he left her to go collect Grogu. When Din climbed down from the cockpit with his kid, Vissna was nowhere to be found.

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