"You've got to be kidding me."

Cara and Din stood at the base of the ramp to his new ship, looking into the open maw of the entrance. The silver, streamlined ship outsized the Razor Crest by far, and it appeared in better shape than when she'd seen it on the comms tablet. Even with the helmet on, Din's approval came in loud and clear. He kept gawking at her as he headed up the ramp, touching the outer titanium-grated edges before entering.

Cara followed him with a smile. They'd spent the previous day in and out of bed, and she hadn't felt this clear-headed and relaxed in, well, ever. After a shared shower in the fresher this morning, she'd quietly watched Din pack his belongings. He'd cupped the side of her face. "I'll be back."

"I know," she said, calmly. "And you'll always have a place here. That goes for Grogu too. C'mere." She'd taken his hand, and placed it in the grooves of the biometrics scanner near the front door. "Speak your name into the comms."

A loud beep filled her quarters, and he leaned toward the comms. "Din Djarin."

"Din Djarin," the computer responded. "Occupant. Access code biometrics imprint and voice recognition, logged."

They'd shared a lingering, bittersweet kiss before he donned his helmet and they left.

Now, watching him in his new ship, left her stomach churning with a myriad of emotions. She was happy for him, to help him get his life back together after losing so much. She knew what that was like. Everything she'd ever known, everyone she'd ever loved, were taken from her. But what if this was the last time she'd ever see him? She sighed, and headed inside the ship with him.

She traipsed her finger along the top of the pilot's seat while he removed his helmet. "The ship's all stocked up to the nines. Food, fuel, essentials. Should run like a dream. The only thing I didn't throw in was the mini-bar. That sucker's mine." The joke died the second it left her lips, with no real oomph behind it. She couldn't look at him, so she turned away.

The truth was, she was scared. Scared of how wonderful yesterday had been, scared of letting him in, scared of losing him. His hands slid around her waist from behind, and his breath warmed her neck. "Cara."

She closed her eyes. Don't go, she wanted to say. But she wasn't Omera. She knew what was at stake, and the importance of tying up loose ends. She touched the top of his hand, and leaned back into his hold. "Contact me when you're done?"

"I'm coming back, first thing."

"Good."

He moved the hair covering her right ear, and placed a kiss at the patch of skin there. His fingers traced the gold double moon tattoo behind her right ear. She covered it, and whirled around. Damn. She'd been careful not to show anyone that.

"What's that? Another tattoo for Alderaan?"

She cleared her throat. "Something like that. Well, hurry back before I get another arm wrestling partner." Cara tore away, eager to march the hell out of there, before she did something stupid, like cry.

He called her name, and yanked her back, crushing his mouth to hers. Cara gave up the act, and melted against him. "I don't want you to go," she whispered.

"I wouldn't if I didn't have to, I swear." He pressed his forehead against her. "Wait for me?"

"Always. And if you need me to come save your ass, again…"

They laughed.

"Just call."

"I have your coordinates, I will contact you the moment I'm done."

"I know," she said. Plus I put a tracker in your ship. I'm all set. She touched his cheek, and brushed it with the back of her knuckles. "Until our paths cross again."

He turned his cheek, and kissed her hand. "They will, Cara Dune. They will."

THE END