Title: Unknowns

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

The sun had fully risen when Din's com unit beeped. He hit the correct buttons on his control pad and the message appeared on the small screen. Din felt fear wash over him and knew Cara had seen his expression before he'd schooled it.

"Din, what is it?"Cara asked softly.

"Dr. Collins wants us to return as soon as possible."Din explained as he typed a reply back.

"I'm sure it's good news."Cara said in a reassuring tone as she handed Din his helmet.

Din said nothing as he put the helmet and gloves on. Cara dressed quickly and within minutes they left the room and the inn.


When they reached The Child's room Cara felt her heart stop. The bed was empty and the machines and monitors turned off. She felt fear and worry radiate from Din as he strode into the room in long strides. Cara hurried to catch up to him.

"Din."Cara began holding a hand towards Din's closest arm.

The bounty hunter pulled away from her. Cara watched Din he was like a coiled spring or a caged animal prowling. A medical droid took that moment to enter the room.

"Oh, hello."The droid said in a startled tone.

"Where is he?!"Din demanded advancing on the droid fiercely.

"Who, Sir?"The droid inquired.

"The child that was in this room."Cara interjected stepping between Din and the droid.

"He is no longer here."The droid responded. "I am sorry."


Din stumbled back and sank onto the edge of the bed. Dimly he heard the droid clatter out of the room. Cara came into his field of vision and knelt in front of him gripping his hands in hers. He was grateful now that she had seen his face. That they had been intimate. His world was tumbling and Cara was his anchor.

"He's gone."Din stated allowing the grief into his voice.

Din wondered if the kid had been in pain. He hoped he hadn't suffered at the end. Part of him wasn't sure if he could have handled watching life leave that little body. The other part wished he'd been here when The Child needed him. A lump formed in Din's throat and he met Cara's gaze seeing tears streaking down her face.

"Din."Cara said as she stood wrapping her arms around him. "I'm..."

"There you two are."Dr. Collins said as he entered.

Cara turned wiping her tears quickly. Din stood taking a moment to compose himself.

"Why didn't you contact me sooner?"Din asked quietly. "When he got worse..."

"Worse?"Collins interrupted with a confused blink of his blue eyes. "I think you've been misinformed."

"The droid told us The Child was no longer here."Din explained his words clipped.

"And that he was sorry."Cara added.

"Was it the blue droid?"Collins inquired.

"Yes."Cara replied.

"I apologize he must've got out of the repair unit again."Collins said with a shake of his head. "He doesn't process the information correctly. We've been working on his programming. "

"Where is The Child?"Din demanded his fists clenched.

"He woke just before dawn."Collins replied happily. "We moved him to another room since he was responding to treatment so well."

"What room?"Din asked as he stalked out.

"Four at the far end of the hall."Collins called after.

Din didn't relax until he heard a familiar coo. He reached the door of room four which was open. Cara had been close at Din's heels and now stopped next to him. He felt her hand touch his left shoulder.

"Oh thank goodness."Cara exclaimed happily.

Hearing their voices the kid looked their way his ears perked. The Child babbled as Din entered the room. Noting there were no more wires attached but only a feeding tube Din breathed a sigh of relief. He picked the kid gently up being careful of the tube. The small creature nestled closer to the crook of Din's right arm. Cara leaned in and placed a kiss on The Child's forehead he cooed in response.

"You had us worried."Cara chided softly. "I'm glad you're okay."

"He's not completely out of the woods yet."Collins reported from behind. "But it's a very good sign that he's taken one unit of nourishment and we've just attached another."

"Thanks Doc."Din acknowledged quietly as the little one gripped his forefinger with a tiny right hand.

"You're welcome. I'll let you spend some time with him but don't stay too long he needs rest."Collins said as he left and shut the door.

"Kid, you and I are going to have a long talk about what to eat and what not to."Din said sternly

The Child tilted his head and lifted his ears. Cara laughed.

"I think that's his innocent look."Cara said with a smile.

"Yeah, well we're still having that talk."Din replied gruffly.

The Child shifted and rested his head on Din's chest. He sighed and looked at Cara.

"Don't look at me, Din."Cara commented with a soft smile. "Parenting is your wheelhouse not mine."

Din wasn't so sure about that. He still had a lot of things to learn and Din was grateful he had another opportunity to do so. He and the kid were a clan of two.