Title: Unknowns

author: Cindy Ryan

category: AU

notes and summary: See part one

Cara knew she was in danger. Danger of losing her heart to a Mandalorian and his tiny companion. She could easily see herself forging a life with Din. If the little one stayed with them...Cara checked herself. There was no them. They'd shared a night together and she'd agreed to help the little one get home. That was it. Still Cara couldn't help but smile as she watched Din hover near the hospital bed.

The little one was improving. Even in the four hours they'd been here the kid was getting better. They'd changed the feeding tube twice and all tests were coming back with positive numbers. The little one's color was normal now too. He was sleeping now. In his tiny green hands was a small silver sphere. Din had explained it was a handle of a gear shift the kid had taken a liking to. Din had earlier went back to the ship for supplies. He'd also brought ration meals for both of them. For a bounty hunter Din could be thoughtful and caring. Gentle too; a traitorous thought reminded Cara of their night together. He had been so gentle; some of his touches were featherlight. Din had been passionate too. Cara felt her face flush and she quickly finished the meal and put the trash in the waste bin making sure she wasn't in Din's line of sight. Thankfully her com beeped at that moment and Cara stepped into the hall.

"How's The Child?"Karga inquired with concern.

"Better."Cara replied happily.

"That's wonderful news."Karga commented.

"Yes, but I need your help."Cara stated. "Din's asked me to help get The Child to his own kind. I know we had an agreement..."

"The Child saved my life."Karga responded grimly. "I owe him. What do you need?"

"Do you have any contacts on Trask that might give us a lead?"Cara asked.

"I think so. Let me look and I'll get back to you."The former magistrate replied.

"Thank you."Cara acknowledged as she ended the call.

When Cara stepped back into the room the little one was awake. Din sat on the bed next to The Child.

"There she is."Din said softly to his young compainion. "I told you she'd be right back."

The little one cocked his head looking at Cara. She smiled at him and then raised an eyebrow at Din.

"I'm sure he was really wondering about me."Cara commented dryily.

"He was."Din insisted.

Cara heard the amusement in the bounty hunter's voice and she laughed. The little one babbled and cooed. The Child reached for Cara's right hand and she let him grasp it. Cara rested her free hand briefly and lightly on the little one's head. He made a happy sound and snuggled closer to her. Cara tried not to think of what would happen if they were successful with bringing him home. She just let herself enjoy the moment. Cara knew that Din was smiling even though she couldn't see it.


Din couldn't break his gaze away from the happy scene in front of him. He had only been partially teasing Cara. The kid had looked for her when he woke up. Din would swear on it. The Child knew Din trusted her and so he trusted her too. Now seeing the kid snuggled against the former shock trooper had Din's thoughts going places they shouldn't. His quest was to bring The Child back to it's kind or to a Jedi. There was no plan that ended with the three of them as a long term family unit. Hell there was no long term plan with he and Cara as a unit. They had a lot to talk with those doubts Din found himself grinning at the two beings he cared most about in this galaxy. The kid was getting better and Cara had agreed to help.

"That call was from Karga."Cara explained breaking the silence that had fallen. "He's glad The Child is doing better. I told him that we were going to get him home and asked if Karga had any sources on Trask."

"Does he?"Din asked.

"He thinks so. He's going to look and get back to me."Cara responded looking at Din. "So what's our plan?"

"I have a few ideas even if Karga doesn't have a source here."Din said.

The kid scooted away from Cara and lay back down and was almost instantly asleep. Din watched him for a moment longer before meeting Cara's gaze.

"What do you have in mind?"Cara asked.

Din told her and over the next half hour they came up with a plan. He was reminded once again how well they worked together. Part of him hoped they could find a way to blend the personal intimacy with the work partnership. They were a good fit.