Title: Unknowns

Author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Cara sank onto the corner of the bed. She pulled off her boots and took off part of her armor. Cara had brought rations from the ship. Now she was grateful for that foresight and took those out of of a compartment of her belt. As she ate Cara looked at the door wondering if Din was holding up to his promise of eating. Even with the armor shielding him Cara could tell he was worn down emotionally and physically. If the little one didn't make it...

With a sigh Cara wadded up the wrappers from the rations and tossed them in the waste bin near the door. Seeing The Child in the large bed hooked up to tubes and wires had more of an affect on Cara than she'd anticipated. He looked so tiny and fragile almost helpless. Though Cara had seen first hand that the little one was far from helpless.

As she readied for bed Cara thought of Din. Recalling that charged emotional moment they'd had in the hall. The bounty hunter had become a friend Cara realized. After the war, after losing her home world Cara didn't have many friends left. She'd noted the change in Din over their few encounters. That small creature fighting for his life in the infirmary had softened the Mandalorian. Cara found she liked that change. Not for the first time Cara found herself wondering what Din was like beneath the helmet. His personality radiated strength, heart, compassion and family.

Cara punched the pillow as she settled into the bed and pulled the thin covers over. She was at an age where if the war hadn't happened Cara might have been married with a family. Cara's heart squeezed at the mental image that fluttered briefly in front of her mind's eye. If Alderaan hadn't been destroyed Cara could have had a home with her own husband and children. Another life...Cara thought bitterly as she punched the pillow once more. Cara wondered what Din's other life would've been. Certainly family life wasn't possible in his current one. Though The Child was adapting to the Madalorian's life. It was another hour before Cara fell asleep her thoughts a troubled mix of past and present. Of memories and hope.


As promised Din had a meal of broth and bread ordered up from the bar downstairs. Once it arrived he ate it his helmet resting on the bed next to him. Din made quick work of the meal and placed the dishes on the small dresser. He took off the armor and carefully placed it on the floor. More often than not Din slept in it. Tonight Din decided he would not. He'd already spent two nights in the medical facility sleeping in the suit. Or not sleeping. His body and senses alert for any change in The Child.

Din prepared for bed barely able to keep his eyes open. He pulled the sheets back and crawled in. Once his head hit the pillow Din's eyes closed and he expected sleep to claim him. However his thoughts were still spinning along with his emotions. He tried to quiet his mind but images of the kid's small shaking form plagued him. Din shouldn't have left him. There were still others that wanted that bounty. Others that wouldn't think twice of smothering a sick little one in an infirmary bed. Din also knew Cara had been right he needed solid rest. Sleep slowly mingled into his thoughts and Din's eyes drifted closed. His last thoughts were of Cara and if she knew how incredible she was...and beautiful.


The nightmare woke Cara but she wasn't fully awake. The images and sounds from the dream still clutched her. Cara still saw her fellow soldiers dying around her. Explosions deafened Cara. One hit close and she cried out. The remnants of the dream pulsed around Cara wanting to draw her back in. The hold Cara had on wakefulness wasn't strong and her eyelids drifted closed.


Din woke trying to determine what had broken his sleep. He heard Cara cry out followed by a crash and a thud. Quickly donning his armor and helmet Din grabbed his gun and opened the door. He ran into the hall and closed the short space to Cara's room. Another frightened noise from the shock trooper had Din kicking in the door gun drawn. That sound was one he never thought he'd hear from his friend and that had made fear ice up his own spine.

The helmet's inner sensors made quick work of the darkness of Cara's room. Din saw there was no one but the two of them. Cara was asleep her body thrashing on the small mattress. Her face etched with the dark emotions of a nightmare. Din lowered his weapon debating his next move. He knew Cara wouldn't want anyone to see her weakness. At that moment Cara whimpered in her sleep her face twisted in such agony that Din couldn't leave her. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently grasped Cara's shoulders shaking her lightly.

"Cara, it's a dream. You're safe."Din called raising his voice a bit.

Cara awoke with a gasp and struggled a bit in Din's grasp. He didn't loosen his hands but waited for the nightmare to release his friend.

"You're safe."Din repeated gently. "You had a nightmare."

Still breathing hard Cara collapsed back against the small headboard closing her eyes. After a few minutes Cara nodded as her breathing slowed.

"I'm alright. Sorry I woke you."Cara said quietly.

"You want to talk about it?"Din asked softly. "I've had my share of bad dreams."


It was sheer will power that allowed Cara to push away the last of the nightmare. She hadn't had that one in awhile and didn't want to remember any of it. She opened her eyes and met Din's helmeted gaze. Even with the barrier between them Cara knew he was concerned about her.

"Not one I want to talk about, but thanks."Cara replied with a brief grim smile. "And thanks for checking on me."

"Anytime."Din said as he stood. "I think you and I have the same demons. If you want to talk you know where to find me."

Cara watched as the bounty hunter walked to her door opened it and left. The memories the nightmare had brought weren't going away as easily as she had hoped. Maybe Din was right about talking. Cara knew she wasn't getting any more sleep. She opened her door and stepped out closing it behind her. She padded across to Din's room.

"Din, I think you're right talking might..."Cara said as she opened the door with a quick knock.

Cara's sentence trailed off abruptly at the sight that greeted her. One that she'd never thought she'd see. Din sat on the edge of the bed still in armor but his helmet was in his right hand. The Mandalorian's dark eyes met Cara's and she saw her shock mirrored on Din's handsome face.