The Mandalorian successfully carried us both down to safety. Carl and Greef came over to us as Mando carefully set me down on my feet. "That was impressive, Mando; very impressive. Look like your guild rates have just gone up," Greef declared. Mando ignored him, instead turning to Carl. "Anymore storm troopers?" "I think we've cleaned up the town. I'm thinking of staying around just to be sure," Carl replied. "You're staying here?" I asked a bit surprised.

"Well, why not? Naverro is a very fine planet. And now that the scum and villainy have been washed away, it's very respectable again," Greef pointed our way. "As a bounty hunter hive?" Mando shot back unimpressed by his argument. Greef gave him a light tap to the chest. "Some of my favourite people are bounty hunters." While he and Mando discussed that, I kept noticing Carl watching me. Eventually I spun so to face him; it looked like he had something he wanted to say to me. I suppose we had been quite object since the Mandalorian and Greef also grew quiet soon and blinked to us curiously. But Carl didn't move his eyes off mine.

His lips parted as he sucked in a silent breath. "Saoirse, come off to the side with me." This wasn't a request, but I still trailed behind him as he led away from the others. I couldn't help but wonder why he wanted to go off alone; what did he want to say to me that he couldn't say around Mando or Greef? Still, I gave Carl the benefit of the doubt and followed him. He went a ways before stopping; we were out of earshot of the other two, but still in their line of sight. The ex-shock trooper stopped and turned right around to face me. His gaze was serious and sincere, yet still tender in its own way. Almost sad I'd say.

"This is it, then….." He began but the remaining words seemed to get caught in him throat; his mouth hung open but no words came out immediately. My own lips opened up a tad, ready for words to fall out of my own mouth. But Carl stopped me with a desolate grin. "I guess there'd be no point in asking now…. You're going with Mando, aren't you?" He asked, much to my shock. I thought it was so evident that I'd be traveling with the Mandalorian. I mean after what the Mandalorian lady said and the fact that we kind of got married…. Wasn't it obvious that Mando and I were staying together? But it slowly began to dawn on me that it may have only been obvious to me….. me and hopefully the Mandalorian.

Once again, my mouth opened and my eyes lowered onto Carl in a kind, trying to understand fashion. "Carl, I….." But he interrupted me with a single head shake; he was still wearing his sad, grieving smile. It was embedded deep in his lips now. "You don't need to say it. I already know…. I know." "You're welcome to come with us, Carl. We'd love having you aboard," I offered, hoping this would cheer him up. His head shook once more, then his eyes moved back to mine; our gazes piercing each other's. "No, it's time for me to move on…. it's just… I wish you were moving on with me."

"Carl!" My hand rose up to my now fluttering chest; my cheeks blushed a light tint of pink. I think I'm starting to grasp what's going on…. and how Carl may feel about me. Any ambiguity was soon banished however when Carl went on to explain himself. "All my life…. everyone I've ever gave a damn about…. I've watched them all disappear right in front of me- one by one. It got to the point where I was convinced I've never get attached to anyone again… It was just too hard when I'd eventually lose them," he chuckled to himself like this was some sick joke. I didn't say anything, letting him continue at his leisure.

"I deliberately kept my distance from people….. And then, who should I happen to run into but you. If I had known that Mando had picked you up that day I went onboard the ship…. You just waltzed into my life and were so damn easy to be around…. Too easy. Why'd you have to make it so simple… and natural?" He asked me in a playful tone, and I didn't answer assuming this was a rhetorical question. This still didn't stop my cheeks from blushing a serious red. He saw this and the corners of his mouth softened in earnestness.

"I never thought it was possible, but you proved me wrong. You're the first thing… person that I've gave a damn about in a long time. And I won't lie…. a part of me wishes that you would look at me the same way you look at Mando." "Carl…." My voice was less shocked this time. But he stopped me yet again. "But I don't want to be the reason you don't look at him like that either. As much as I want you to stay with me…. I know that's not what's best… or right for all involved." My eyes tenderly lowered onto him. Carl…. This sweet, kind man.

Our eyes locked again after a moment; his also lowering gently and shimmering in the corners. "But you're not going to lose me, regardless of who you choose. If you ever need any help, all you need to do is call…. I'll come," he said with such sincerity that it made my heart melt. My own smile widened as I visibly relaxed. "Thank you, Carl. I'm so happy I was privileged to meet you; I don't have many friends off Takodana, but I'm thankful you're one of them." "Me too….."

Carl then took a step towards me; his stare shown down upon me. His lips reverted to one of a serious expression. "This isn't goodbye; just "see ya until next time"." "I'll look forward to it, Carl…." I shut my eyes, readying myself as he approached me with his arms open; they wrapped around me tenderly, pressing me up into his chest. His eyes were closed too, his head rested on mine. "Please take care of yourself, Carl." And he breathed…. He breathed so heavily. "Yeah, you too…. Saoirse."