Chapter 7: The Meeting

The familiar whirring of Din's ship was akin to music to my ears. This was the familiarity that I so desperately sought, but could not find, within Kriger's ship. Though, clearly, not all of my memories have been happy ones in this particular vessel, it still somehow brought me a sense of comfort. Tranquility. There was something so peaceful about travelling through the galaxy, surrounded only by stars, hearing nothing but the ship's effort as it soared through hyperspace. Verily, it was Din and the child's companionship that, oddly enough, seemed to ground me, despite everything else that was occurring in my life.

We had parted ways with Kuiil, T'iana and Kriger the night before. Despite having only known him for a short period of time, I was saddened to say farewell to Kuiil, though I promised that we would see each other again someday soon. Kriger, with T'iana by his side, resolved to prepare his clan and provided Din the coordinates for our next bound. We were to regroup with them in a fortnight, solidifying our united front. Now that there are others who are impassioned to fight and reclaim Grá, I was confident that the fear of being hunted and killed by Diabhal and her marauder troops was quickly vanishing. To my people, these usurpers had no right to the throne - to any power or position that would govern Grá and its people. I felt my own conviction rise at that moment, driven by the need to avenge what had happened all those months ago. Elated at the thought that Din and the child decided to remain with me through all of this, I couldn't help but grin impishly to myself as I contentedly fixed my eyes upon Din, who sat upon the pilot seat in front of me.

Din's steady voice pierced the air around us as his head twisted to face me. "You're doing it again."

"Doing what?" I replied innocently.

"Staring."

I raised a brow and pursed my lips in challenge. "What, do you have eyes at the back of your head?"

"One, I can see your reflection." Din curtly gestured to the clear glass in front of us. I grimaced in realization as my vivid reflection stared right back at me. "Two, I can feel it."

"Huh." With a satisfied shrug, I lounged back upon my padded seat. "Well, it's just that...I still can't believe it."

"What?"

I placed a tendril of hair behind my ear, my voice noticeably softening. "That you came."

He momentarily froze what he was doing and appeared to consider what I had said. Then, he swiveled the pilot's chair in order to face me. "As a bounty hunter, I'm conditioned to not poke my nose into others' business," he shifted closer, "but, in your case, I seem to be willing to make an exception or two."

Same for the kid, I mused to myself. My curious eyes trailed the length of his form, then rested on the dark, thin slits of his visor. "Then I should count myself lucky that you were the hunter who found me first." My head tilted to the side as I appraised him with a smile. "Things would definitely be a lot more different if you hadn't."

There was something about his appearance then that made me forget where we were, forget the impending fight. I was present only with Din in that moment, focused on the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest, on the glint of his armour as he remained almost perfectly still. I couldn't even understand it myself. I had been in this position before - in this very seat before - desperately asking for him to set me free. To any stranger, Din looked precisely the same then as he did now. To me, however, he was completely different. Not only because of our situation, but in the very way that he carried himself. I sat before him silently, as if in a trance, until I felt a slight tug on the bottom of one of my pant legs.

The large, questioning eyes of the child met mine. In a slow yet steady movement, he raised his short arms above his head, his expression pleading. In a final attempt to voice his request through action, he opened and closed his tri-fingered hands, then tilted his chin upwards to me.

With a loving glance, I picked him up, gripping him steadily by the waist, and placed him on my lap. He let out a small giggle, then gave his father a pleased expression. "You know," I looked at Din as I caressed the child's head, to which he cooed in enjoyment, "the little one still doesn't have a name."

"I think he does," Din replied, tracing his fingers upon the child's ears, "which is why I didn't name him."

The child's eyes then began to droop, his head slightly bobbing up and down. I brought him closer to me, cradling him in my arms in a more vertical position. "He's worn out," I said lightly, kissing the top of his forehead. "You had such a busy day today, didn't you, little one?"

He released a low murmur, then rested his head on my chest as he slowly closed his eyes.

"Hmm." Din examined us for a brief moment, then gave his head a nod. "You seem to have the skill of getting him to sleep quickly. A skill which I seem to lack."

I laughed lightly, then delicately handed the child over to Din. "Beginner's luck, I guess."

We made our way to the cargo hold. I quietly walked to Din's side as he prepared the already sleeping child for bed.

"So, your father is alive." He dimmed the lights near the child's sleeping area with a command on his vambrace. "You haven't told me much about your family, but I assumed your parents were both...dead."

"My mother passed away when I was young," a frown etched itself upon my face as I recounted the memory, "so I barely knew her. My father raised me as best as he could, teaching me everything he believed I needed to know to survive in this galaxy. He was a General of Grá, loyal to our planet, sworn to protect our people. He was often away on missions when I was a bit older, so I had to learn how to fend for myself."

"And have you no other family?"

I shook my head. "I am an only child, though most of my extended family were scattered around Grá. I helped some of them escape Diabhal's clutches."

Din leaned his back on the metal ladder, crossing his arms. "I think you played a bigger role in the escape of your people than you let on."

I gave him a small smile. "My father planned the revolt against Diabhal and I helped where I could. He knew we were outnumbered and outmatched, so he convinced his counterparts to use our armies to help our civilians escape, to instead find hope in new worlds. There were those who refused to leave and fought instead, but they were all killed." My brows furrowed. "For my father and I, we resolved to go into hiding separately so both of us would be safe. We never told each other where the other was going in case Diabhal ever found either of us." I tapped the side of my head. "The only record of where our people went only exists in our memories."

"That's a good way to put a target on your back," Din mused, his head tipping to the side.

"But it was the best way we could think of to keep everyone safe." I shook my head. "We both knew that neither of us would be safe after what we had done, and that there would be perpetual targets on our backs...but we accepted the possibility that we might never see each other again. At the time, I thought it would be better to live apart from them all so that others could live in peace and have a chance at a better life." I looked back up to meet Din's gaze. "I made it to Talamh a few days after our people escaped, hitching a ride on one of the escape vessels. When the ship left, I was on my own, left to start over. I was resigned to living day by day, even scrapping when I could to make end's meet. That was, until one day, a fiery young woman befriended me."

"T'iana," Din finished lightly, his tone hinting of amusement.

I nodded with a smile. "I didn't tell her the truth at first as I was wary of making any new friends at that point. But, she eventually got me a serving job at a local tavern. I thought it was a better way to make a living." I shrugged my shoulders. "As the months passed and I began to really get to know her, I began to trust her. It was only a week or so before you...found...me that she really knew the truth."

"She appears to be a loyal friend," Din commented as he began to remove his cape and armour, back now facing me. The layers of his clothing were removed from his body with expert movements, each piece or material etched with burn marks, scratches, tears, and dried blood. My eyes freely roamed his body, transfixed, as I realized how the armour and fabric bore the damage from several moments of Din's life. He wore no medals, no pins - nothing signifying glory and bravery aside from his signet - and yet, in the short time that I had gotten to know him, it was evident to me that he didn't need to. The tunic that pressed on his skin - his last layer - was the most dirty and bloody of them all. In a swift movement, he ripped the tunic from his body, revealing the broad flesh of his back and torso.

I looked down automatically, cheeks instinctively flushing at the display. I could feel my heartbeat skipping wildly now as nervousness overtook my body. And yet, my eyes were so drawn to his form that I couldn't look away for long. My dark orbs veered upwards with courage. His taut muscles rippled at his fine movements, each defined mound a testament to the unforgiving life that he has lived. My brows knitted in sympathy at the sight of the scars and bruises on his back; some were fresh while others bore their years.

He released a light sigh. "You're -"

"- staring," I finished evenly, standing to face him. "I'm sorry."

"Didn't your father ever teach you it's rude to stare?" he quipped playfully, his visor now facing me.

I gave my head a quick shake, my expression serious. "I wasn't sorry for staring." I took a few steps forward and extended my arm outwards before me. Unafraid of the consequences, I traced a large scar on his lower back, feeling the ridges of his calloused skin as goosebumps began to appear. "I was saying sorry for...all of these."

I felt him take a long breath inwards. Thinking that I had angered him, I pulled my hand back. When he spun to face me, however, he delicately wrapped his fingers around my lower arm and pulled me towards him. I held my hands upwards, bracing myself for the impact. My palms landed upon his broad, firm chest, and were instantly enveloped by the warmth of his body. My breath caught my throat as he clutched the sides of my shirt and brought me closer to him, my torso now touching his.

"These are not of your doing," he breathed out then, the air muffled by the layer of beskar between us. I felt the coolness of the metal of his helmet as it leaned upon my forehead. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

I wrapped my arms around his trim waist and brought him closer to me. My fingertips lightly trailed up and down his back, causing him to shiver. I then traced the edges of his belt, which rested loosely on the rim of his trousers, then curiously made my way up the ridges of his hard abdomen. His sharp intake of breath made me jump slightly, and I blinked repeatedly as though being roused from a reverie. Before I could move, his hands cupped the sides of my face, his gaze remaining steady upon me.

My hands clasped his wrists. "Din, I want to…"

"I know," he replied.

Din's thumb caressed my lips, curiously tracing its planes and edges.

He took a step back.

His stare remained on me for a few more moments, then reluctantly moved to his new attire. With a tender gaze, I took his new, grey tunic and unfolded it. I held it up to him with a nod of encouragement. In swift movements, he placed an arm, then the other, into the sleeves. As he turned back to face me, I smoothed out the creases in the fabric, my hand then lingering on his. "Good as new," I remarked.

"There are a few more layers…" he stated, motioning to the mess surrounding us.

I exploded into uncontrollable giggles at this, then scooped up the pieces of armour and fabric from the floor as best as I could. "I'm going to need some instructions on how to put you back together!"

Thankfully, it didn't take as long as I thought it would to replace all of Din's clothing. As he clipped on his last piece of armour - his pauldron - the ship began to slow. I eyed Din questioningly at this as we made our way back up to the cockpit.

The ship was now out of hyperspace, its approach slow and steady. As Din regained control of the piloting mechanisms, I looked through the windows. A large, beautiful planet emerged beneath us, adorning the richest shades of green and speckled with the bluest of waters.

"Din?" My eyes fell upon him. "Are these the coordinates Kriger gave us? I thought we'd be in hyperspace for much longer."

"We'll stop here for a bit. It's on the way." He gestured to the planet below. "I need to see if a friend will help us. The more people on our side, the better."

I threw him a sidelong glance. "I feel guilty for asking more outsiders to fight for my cause."

"Injustice is something that we can all fight against," Din replied simply, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "And my friend is a professional at doing just that."

(V)(V)(V)

"And what'll it be for you lot?" A friendly server bounced to our wooden table as a cordial smile appeared on her pleasant face.

"Just some ale for the two of them," Din replied, motioning his head towards me and the figure to my right. "Bone broth for the kid."

Given what Din had told me about Sorgan, the tavern that we found ourselves inside that morning was surprisingly bustling for a backwater planet. A melange of races and creatures populated the establishment, merrily drinking and eating to their hearts' content as though they had no care in the galaxy. I was astonished at the lighthearted ambiance of the tavern, wondering whether this milieu was representative of the entire planet. If so, I envied the state of Sorgan and its inhabitants, wishing then that Grá could once again find its strength and peace.

"Luna, this is Cara Dune," Din's gaze passed from me to Cara alternately. "Cara, this is Luna Láidir."

I pleasantly exchanged handshakes and nods with the woman sitting beside me. I was surprised by the strength of her grip and the equally hardened aura that she exuded. Given her accustomed demeanour and the tattoos that adorned her right arm and left cheek, it didn't take long for me to realize that we were speaking with a hardened warrior. Her short, dark hair was combed to one side, revealing a comeliness in her angular face.

Cara took a generous gulp of her ale and wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. A bemused expression appeared on her countenance. "Didn't think I'd hear from you this soon."

"And I didn't think that you'd be back here," Din countered evenly with a gesture of his hand. "I thought Nevarro was your new home?"

"Meh. I needed a vacation." She coolly shrugged a shoulder, her dark eyes contentedly examining the establishment. "I surprisingly missed this skug hole."

"That's what Greef Karga's transmission said. He seems to be in good spirits."

Cara tilted her head from side to side, the dimples on her fair face becoming more prominent as she grinned. "Well, since we freed Nevarro from Imperial scum, business has been pretty good for the Guild. He's living the dream," she mused, then shook her head as she took another sip of her drink. Her eyes squinted in question at Din's direction. "And you? Thought you were trying to reunite the kid with his kind?"

The child looked up at her and let out a mew.

Din eyed me for a brief moment. "We got sidetracked."

Cara pursed her lips as her eyes shifted towards me. With a tilt of her chin, she asked, "What's your story, then?"

Din and I took some time to explain to Cara everything that had occurred and why we were here before her. She remained mostly silent throughout our stories, keenly observing both of us as we spoke.

"...all that being said," Din finished as he extended a hand towards her, "we're here to ask for your help. I know you're done playing soldier, but this warlord is different."

Cara let out a snort. "Nah. Warlords are all the same." A knowing smirk crept upon her face as she turned to Din. "In this case, I think the situation is what's different."

"Be that as it may," Din cleared his throat, his attention remaining on Cara, "would you consider joining us, then?"

She regarded the two of us in turn, eyes squinted in thought. She tapped her fingers on the table repeatedly, then pointed a stern finger at Din. "I can see that this is important to you," then, she pointed the finger at me, "and I can see that you have the fight in you to bring down this Diabhal to get your planet back." She leaned back on her seat and raised her glass to us. "I'm in."

After a few minutes of celebrating our new "recruit", as it were, I noticed that Din's attention became fixated upon the entrance of the tavern. Curious, I followed his line of sight. An olive-skinned woman with long, dark tresses stood in the distance. She donned a long, blue dress, which flowed freely to her knees. With a basket hung upon her arm, her eyes roamed through the fresh produce at the market outside. As she turned, her round eyes scanned her surroundings and landed on Din. Her face instantly alit with shock; when she managed to compose herself, her agape mouth then morphed into a beaming smile. With the market momentarily forgotten, she placed her basket on the ground, strode into the tavern with quick steps, and made a beeline for Din. As she reached our table, Din stood, meeting her.

"It's you," she breathed out in utter disbelief, a thin hand moving to the side of Din's helmet as though he were a mere apparition. "I...I never thought I'd see you again."

Din remained still, allowing her contact to linger.

Her familiarity with Din struck me, and I couldn't mask the confusion that now appeared on my face.

She then grasped his forearm. With excitement lining her tone, she said, "Come to the village! Everyone will be happy to see you and the child. Especially Winta."

"I don't know if we can." Din looked in our direction then. I severed my gaze from him and took a sip of my drink.

Cara gave the woman a wave, then eyed me curiously.

"Please reconsider." Tears threatened to form at the sides of the woman's eyes as she took Din's hands in hers. "I have missed you."

After a long silence, Din replied, "And I, you."

I took an even larger gulp of my drink, finishing it entirely. I slammed the cup on the table and pushed the chair back, scraping the legs on the wooden flooring. I placed a soft hand on the child's face as I stood, taking in a deep breath. Cara looked up at me, brow raised. I motioned my head towards the opposite door. "I'll get some things from the market. I shouldn't be long."

Despite my back being turned to him, I could feel Din's eyes burrowing through me.

"Need me to come?" Cara quickly finished her drink, then stood at my side.

Though visibly flustered, I managed to smile at her. "Sure. I'd appreciate the company."

Cara remained a while longer to share a few words with Din. I, on the other hand, already began to walk towards the exit, having no intention of turning back.

It wasn't long before Cara caught up and fell into step with me. I motioned towards her arm tattoo. "So, you were a shock trooper for the Alliance?"

"Yup. Can't say I miss it, though." She sifted through spare parts and trinkets at a market stall, then shifted her eyes towards me. "Did you serve?"

"No." I held out my hands in front of me. "My father taught me a few things, but I definitely did not serve in the same capacity as you."

"Well," she considered my response, her lips pursing, "given what you've done for your people, and what you're going to do for them, I think you understand what serving means."

"We do what we can to survive," I stated, squaring my jaw, "and fight for what we believe in."

Cara's eyes lingered on me. When I met her piercing gaze, she began coolly, "You know," she crossed her arms in front of her, "Din chose not to stay here."

My eyes squinted in question. "What?"

"I don't know," she shrugged, brow raising. "Guess he didn't think he belonged here."

Before Cara could explain, Din appeared behind us with the child in his arms. The woman he had been speaking with followed closely behind him, a small smile etched on her beautiful face. She placed a hand on Din's arm.

His gaze fell upon me, but I refused to meet it.

"We'll go to the village and gather supplies for our journey," he announced, his voice firm. "Then, we'll leave the following day."

(V)(V)(V)

A/N: Gosh, that was certainly very fun to write! I think this is one of my fave chapters. This story is getting mad love, and I am super happy! I love, love, love you guys and your reviews. This chapter is probably not what some of you expected, but hey, like I've said, there's a lot more to come. I absolutely love exploring peoples' relationships and how their motivations, beliefs, and desires interweave - and often conflict - with others'. Add in the spice of the history and way of life of the Mandalorians - and Baby Yoda - and voila! A story that I enjoy writing. Hope you all liked this chapter! Cheers. xx IFHD