A/N: Only 6 more chapters remaining after this one. We're getting there. Now I just have to get busy writing something else.

Chapter 16

"How does it look now, K-2? Good?" Bodhi waited for the expected answer before closing the panel, even though he felt sure all was well.

"Affirmative. Readings are registering in the upper portion of the acceptable operating range."

"Okay, what's next on our list?" He tightened the bolts back into place as he waited for the response.

"What are you doing?" Bodhi jumped a little when, instead of K-2 on the comlink, he heard Cassian's voice behind him. He grinned sheepishly at his reaction.

"Oh, ah, routine maintenance. The kind of stuff that has to be done on the ground while the ship isn't running. Being without an official base means we fit it in wherever we can. K's helping me from the cockpit."

"I hadn't realized you were a good mechanic as well as a pilot."

Bodhi shrugged. "They liked us keeping to our schedules, and it could be unpleasant if we didn't. I found it was best to know as much as possible to ensure the ship kept running so I didn't have any delays."

"Well, I'm more familiar with smaller ships, but if you have something I might be able to help with, just ask."

"Thanks."

Bodhi's smile was as warm as ever. He had blossomed in their midst. Cassian had never had such a determined and unabashed friend before. He knew at least some of Cassian's flaws and failings, but he refused to let the bad aspects color their friendship. Almost more than anyone else, Cassian felt unworthy of this man's brotherly affection. At a loss for words, he just nodded and moved away while he could still conceal his emotions.

"Bodhi? Are you there? Did you check those relays?"

K-2's voice pulled the pilot from his reverie. "Sorry, K – someone stopped to talk for a minute. I'll get on that now."

Half an hour later, Bodhi entered the cockpit, wiping his greasy hands on a rag. "Is that everything?"

"I am running system checks now to see if there are any issues remaining." K-2's fingers danced over the buttons as he spoke, so Bodhi dropped into the pilot's seat to await the verdict.

After several moments of silence, K asked, "Bodhi Rook, do you consider me 'comforting'?" He continued working without looking up.

"Uh…what? Comforting? That's not a word I would normally use to describe you, no. Why? Did you want to be?"

"It is not a skill I have ever felt the need to have, but Jyn Erso indicated that I was more comforting than I thought."

Bodhi raised an eyebrow at that, wondering what conversation had prompted such a remark from Jyn. "Well…well, if you say something that a person finds helpful, then it can be considered comforting, so it isn't impossible that you were. I mean, if I were going to do something and wasn't sure it was the right thing to do, but you told me that there was a 95% chance of a successful result, I would find that reassuring. That's a kind of 'comfort'. Being told something that makes you feel better about what you are doing."

"I see. Then I suppose perhaps I was comforting with Jyn. She found my response to be pleasing, even though I only stated the facts."

"Yeah, well, you find the facts reassuring, don't you? Unless they support what someone is doing and you are trying to stop them? You like data to back up what you believe or hope to be true. So do people."

"Understood. Thank you for explaining."

Bodhi grinned. "Any time, K." Even so, he wondered what had happened for Jyn to need comforting, and why it had been the droid to assist her rather than one of the human members of the team.

xx

Jyn responded to the knock at her door. She seemed surprised by his visit. "Oh, hey, Bodhi. Is something wrong?"

"Uh, no, not exactly. Can I, uh, come in?"

"Sure." She stepped aside for him to enter and then pushed the door closed, assuming he would want privacy. "What's up?"

Bodhi nervously seated himself on the side of her bed, twisting his hands. Taking a deep breath, he looked up. "I was talking with K-2 earlier, and he said you had told him he was comforting. I…I just wondered if there was anything you needed to talk about. You know, with a human. You do know you can talk to me about anything, right? I don't want you to think you don't have anyone who will listen and try to help if you have a problem." He blushed, but then pressed on, "I may not be too helpful, but I do care."

Jyn smiled softly and took a seat beside him, wrapping an arm around him. "Thanks, Bodhi. I do know that you care." She looked thoughtful. "It wasn't so much that I was looking for someone to talk to as that I was off by myself and K found me. I ended up telling him what was bothering me and his response was…helpful." She shrugged.

"Are you okay, though? I…I know you're worried about Cassian. We all are. But mostly he seems to be doing okay."

"Mostly," she said quietly. "But he struggles sometimes, and I just wasn't sure I was helping. K thinks I am."

"I'm sure you are." Bodhi's response was instantaneous and firm. "I'm sure I don't know everything that's going on with him, but I do know that when you are around, he's calmer and more in control of himself. And he's more relaxed. When we first met him, he was wound so tight I was sure he would break. But he seems…better…now."

"Yeah, maybe. It helped getting him away from Draven and the work he was doing in Intelligence. That was eating him alive."

"He's a good man, inside. I believe that. I mean, yeah, I kind of know he's done some…questionable things, bad things, but I think he did them for the right reasons. He was trying to do good, even when what he was doing was bad. Just…when he met you and you challenged him on it, I think he began to see things differently."

They were both silent several minutes, then Bodhi added, "We're in a war, so I guess all of us have to do bad things – shooting people, blowing things up. It isn't how we would want to live, but if we don't stand up to oppressors, well, everyone suffers more. What we do, we only do to try to make things better for all, right?"

"Right." Jyn squeezed his shoulders. "War is never a good thing, but letting the Empire have their way would be even worse."

She eyed him more closely. "It's harder for people like you, isn't it? You and a lot of folks like you just aren't used to standing up and fighting when things get bad. You're having to learn that."

He shrugged. "It's hard, but I do believe in what we're doing. I've been on both sides, after all. I've seen the world under Imperial control, and being with the Alliance, I can see how it could be better without that. I want to be a part of helping bring that about."

"And we're glad to have you. Rogue One wouldn't have been successful without your help, and there probably wouldn't be any survivors from Scarif. Shooting people, blowing things up, meant we got the Death Star plans and destroyed it, so other planets wouldn't suffer the fate of Alderaan and other cities wouldn't end up like Jedha. What we do does make a difference, Bodhi."

He grinned ruefully. "I thought I was here to cheer you up, not the other way around."

She laughed. "So, we cheer each other up – yes?"

"Yes!" He sobered. "But do come to me if you need to talk – whether you think I can help or just want someone to listen. You don't have to hide out alone until K-2 finds you. Unless you just want to, I mean."

She chuckled. "It might disappoint K if I don't, but I'll keep you in mind."

xx

They remained planetside, awaiting new instructions, and the team enjoyed the chance to breathe fresh air and walk on actual ground for a change. Roxuli wasn't an ideal planet, but it was remote enough to be of little interest to the Empire and the citizens were not troublesome. They had landed away from the largest city, preferring to stay as unnoticed as possible.

"I could hope it takes a while to get a new assignment," Tonc remarked. "I've almost forgotten how to walk on land, or what sunshine feels like on my face."

"Yeah," Bodhi said as they re-entered the ship. "This has been nice."

Most of the team was in the hold, and they turned in that direction. Just as they arrived, a thump overhead drew all of their attention, then there were quick glances at each other.

"Everyone accounted for?" Melshi asked quietly.

"Yes. Those aren't ours," Cassian replied. "Bodhi and Tonc were the only two outside."

"How many are up there, do you think?" Tonc asked, looking upward.

"Chirrut?" Melshi didn't turn toward the blind man as he made his query.

"At the moment, I'm hearing three distinct sets of feet."

Those who hadn't been in the hold already began to scurry in, carrying weapons for the others.

"Okay, Baze, go back and cover the top and bottom hatches – make sure no one gets in. Andor, protect the starfighter. Rook, get to the cockpit and manipulate whatever you need to from there. Chirrut, you'll stay aboard near the entrance ramp and take care of anyone who tries to enter. Erso, Tonc and I will head outside and deal with those up top or around the ship." He hesitated as he noticed K-2SO looming in the doorway. "K-2, stand by in case we need your assistance. Go with Bodhi for now but we'll use you elsewhere if necessary. Let's go."

The three crept outside, their blasters at the ready. Melshi signaled Jyn and Tonc in one direction as he moved in the other. A quick search told them no one was on the ground, but that still left three unknowns on top of their ship. Melshi could hear quiet conversation from where he had taken up position; at least one of them sounded like a woman. He edged out, keeping the ship as partial cover until he could get an eye on the interlopers. He suspected they were discussing how to take control of the ship without damaging it. He got a bead on the one that appeared to be the leader. "Weapons down, or you're dead."

The three wheeled toward him, crouching lower, but there was nowhere to hide without moving and risk being shot. Slowly the trio dropped their weapons to the ship top.

"Kick them off, away from you," Melshi instructed. From the corner of his eye, he saw Erso had managed to get on top of the ship also and was concealed behind the starfighter dock. He assumed Tonc was at the ready somewhere outside of his visual field. "Who are you?"

The woman unwrapped a scarf from around her head, dropping it to her shoulders. Before she could speak, Melshi's brow knit with recognition. "Des?"

The woman's eyes narrowed as she studied him, then his identity registered. "Sergeant Melshi."

"I heard you left the Alliance and joined the Partisans."

She nodded. "I was needed on Jedha." She considered a moment. "This is your ship, then?"

"Yes. Looking to steal it?"

She grinned and made a 'sorry' gesture. "We need supplies and this looked to be easy pickings. Guess we were mistaken."

Melshi stood up more, then called to Jyn. "Erso, tell the others to stand down."

"Erso?" Des turned to follow his gaze to where Jyn was hidden. "Jyn Erso? Of Rogue One?"

Jyn was speaking into her comlink with those inside the ship, but looked up as she finished. "What of it?"

Des inclined her head respectfully. "It is an honor to meet you. Had I not been confined to sickbay, I gladly would have accompanied you to Scarif."

"All of you, come down from there." Despite the friendly discourse, Melshi kept his blaster at the ready.

"You needn't worry, Melshi," Des said as she and the others dropped to the ground, soon followed by Jyn. "Knowing it's you, we mean you no harm. It's a pleasure to meet two members of Rogue One."

Melshi and Jyn shared a look. "It isn't just us," he answered quietly. K-2 came up behind him, drawing the captives notice.

"So I see. This is K-2SO, I take it. I heard of him. Wait, is your crew all members of Rogue One?"

"All that survived," Jyn said, keeping guard while Tonc collected their blasters. Jyn's eyes roved over the captives, looking for other concealed weaponry.

"Introductions are in order, I think. I am Ubin Des of the Partisans of Jedha. This is Saurval and Chulco Gi."

"Partisans, of Jedha? So some of you escaped, then." Jyn knew the devastation firsthand; deaths were inevitable.

Chulco Gi answered. "More of us than the Empire would have liked. They still seek kyber crystals. We still seek the Empire's destruction."

"I was born on Jedha," Des said quietly, "and I will die there if that is what it takes to defend it."

"Come inside." Melshi gestured toward the ramp. "We have some other people you might like to meet, also from Jedha."

Of the team, only Melshi, Cassian and K-2 had known, or at least known of, Ubin Des when she was still with Alliance SpecForces. But with three native Jedhans onboard, there was no lack of conversation. The trio enjoyed catching up on their homeworld, even if the news was not especially cheering. At least, unlike Alderaan, the moon still existed, and so there was hope.

They had little surplus of supplies, but Melshi invited them to eat with them, and allowed Jyn to give them a handful of stolen credit coins. It wasn't much, but anything helped. As they were saying their goodbyes, Melshi was called away to receive their next assignment.

Bodhi and Jyn watched the Partisans disappear from sight, and then Bodhi smiled ruefully at her. "Back into the fray, I guess. Shall we go see what our new mission is?"

Landfall had been nice while it lasted, but now they were being sent across the galaxy and they settled in for the fourteen hour trip. Most everyone had retired to their cabins already, but Jyn went scrounging for a late snack. On her way back, she noticed the lights were still partly on in the hold, unusual since she'd thought everyone had turned in. She poked her head in and found Bodhi sitting alone, wrapped up in his thoughts.

Bodhi didn't look up as Jyn sat down beside him, seemingly too lost in contemplation to notice her. She nudged him with her shoulder. "Hey. Why so quiet? You okay?"

He blinked, coming out of his musings to focus on her. "I…well, I was just thinking about Ubin Des and the Partisans on Jedha."

When he didn't elaborate, Jyn urged, "Yeah? What about them?"

He sighed. "I was born on Jedha, grew up there. My family had lived there for several generations."

He agitatedly twisted his hands together, and after several moments of it, Jyn laid her hand on top of his. "Tell me what's bothering you, Bodhi."

"She…Ubin Des…she left the Alliance to go fight for her homeworld…our homeworld. I…I keep thinking…thinking maybe I should be there, too. Doing whatever…whatever I can to help."

Jyn nodded and slid her arm around his shoulders, drawing him close to lean her head against his. "You could do that, Bodhi, and I'm sure your help would be appreciated, but I've been both a Partisan and a member of the Alliance now. I think this setting suits you better. Partisan life…it's rough, and you have to be aggressive, even heartless at times, if you are going to survive. I'm not sure you could ever be like that. They are more ground troops and have less need for shuttle pilots. Pilots, in general, yes, but they have to contribute much more. You'd need to broaden your skillset a lot."

They both fell silent, but then she added, "I'm not saying you shouldn't go, or even that you couldn't do it, but I don't think it's the best place for you, the place where you can do the most good. It seems to me that you are most effective when you have us as a support system behind you. You wouldn't have that with the Partisans. You've risen to every challenge we've set for you, no matter how hard or dangerous, but I think you needed our encouragement behind you to believe you could do the things you accomplished. With Partisans, a lot of it is every man for himself."

After several minutes, Bodhi asked, "You really think I'm useful to the Alliance, to the team?"

"I know you are. Who used their knowledge of Imperial practices and procedures to help us infiltrate Scarif? Who knew where and how to make a comm connection that would get through the shield to alert the fleet we were trapped and they needed to get the shield gate down? Who obtained another ship and a vast store of extra medical supplies, all while having a broken arm, after our shuttle was destroyed? Meaning who rescued the survivors of Rogue One? That was you Bodhi."

"Tonc helped me. I didn't do it all by myself."

"Tonc helped, but he had to follow your lead in some cases. We could not have succeeded without you there, and you've continued to provide that support ever since. Yes, you are definitely useful to the Alliance. And that means you are also helping Jedha, even if you aren't fighting with the Partisans there. They can't win their battle to regain Jedha from the Empire unless we manage to destroy the Empire. They'll annoy the Empire, and prove a nuisance, but they can't win against the greater numbers unless the Alliance succeeds."

He smiled weakly. "Thanks, Jyn. I guess I'll stay then. Since you need me so much."

She grinned. "Good. You can't leave anyway – you're the only one onboard who can give me a run for my money at Pazaak."

He laughed more heartily now. "Well, could there be a better reason to stay?"

"Come on, pilot. Let's get some sleep." She tugged him unresistingly to his feet and they made for their rooms in amicable silence.

xxxxx

"K-2, K-2, are you there?"

"Affirmative, Jyn. I'm here. Is there a problem?"

"A wall collapsed and Baze is trapped under it. We can't dig him out on our own. Lock onto the comm signal and come help."

"Copy that. On my way."

"And, K, be careful – there's still a squad of stormtroopers after us. I'll leave this comlink with Baze so you can find him, but we'll lead them away from this location, try to take them down. Contact me on the team comlink when you're clear and we'll return to the ship."

"Acknowledged."

"I cannot leave him, Jyn. Go on without me."

Jyn had never heard Chirrut sounding so broken. "Chirrut, listen to me. If you stay, it will draw attention to him. A fight might mean he is injured more, or that K can't get to him. We have to draw them away from here, then eliminate or elude them. It's Baze's only chance. K has to be able to get here and dig." She gripped his hand tightly until he reluctantly nodded. "Okay, let's go. Tonc, we have to make sure they get a periodic glimpse of us so they stay on target."

xx

"You, droid, where are you going?" The most direct path between K-2 and Baze had led him into the path of the stormtroopers.

K's circuits whirred. Though he knew they were not finished with Tonc's program, he had downloaded it just prior to leaving the ship. It looked as though now was the time to test it. He only hoped it would not override any of his programming. "There is a rebel incursion at the factory. I have been instructed to assist with containment."

"Very well, move along. We're tracking some of the rebels responsible for the attack. We'll report in when we've got them."

"Understood." As the troopers turned away, K spoke again. "Captain, I am programmed for strategic analysis. If you split your squad and send half your troopers around to the northwest, they will be able to intercept the fleeing rebels. It will increase by 14% the chance that you capture or kill them before they can reach their ship."

"What makes you think they have a ship?"

"They are moving in the general direction of the spaceport. It is therefore reasonable to assume that they have a ship there, or intend to steal one for their escape."

The Captain hesitated, but decided a droid knew better than he did, especially if programmed for strategy. "SR-421, take those four with you and intercept from the northwest. We'll continue to push them in that direction and catch them in the crossfire."

"Yes, sir." The five moved away, and a moment later the Captain led his remaining troopers on.

Once the intercept party had disappeared around a corner, K-2 turned toward the ones nearest him. With droid efficiency, he smashed and bashed until all lay unmoving. For just a moment, K-2 stared at the stormtroopers littering the ground around him, then scooped up a blaster from one of the fallen, and stalked off toward the northwest.

xx

"I can't see them. Do you think we lost them?" Tonc asked.

"If we did, they're even dumber than I thought. We made it easy enough for them to keep on our trail." Jyn scowled at this unexpected development. "Maybe I ought to backtrack and try to pick them up again."

"Jyn, wait." Chirrut had been silent until now, and both looked at him in surprise.

Suddenly Tonc grinned and pointed. Two stormtroopers had run into view, but they were shooting at something behind them, not toward the rebels. A moment later, a KX unit appeared, blaster in hand and taking down troopers with deadly accuracy. "Looks like Andor's droid convinced them to leave us alone."

The last trooper fell and the team comlink crackled. "Jyn, I believe it is now safe for you to assist me in recovering Baze." At that, K turned and loped off in the direction of the wall.

The other three hurriedly followed. With K's help, the debris was quickly pulled from over Baze. "It would appear that his armor protected his torso from receiving much damage, but there are injuries to his extremities and head. He requires immediate medical attention." Gently K lifted the big man into his arms and set off toward the ship.

"Tonc, grab his cannon. I'll cover us."

They were soon following K shipward and, as they climbed the boarding ramp, they heard Melshi call, "Captain, let's go."

While Cassian was navigating the takeoff, K had laid Baze in the common room where there would be more space to get at him for medical treatment. Melshi brought the medkit while Tonc and Jyn were busy removing Baze's armor. An antishock shot soon steadied the Guardian's breathing, though Jyn thought Chirrut was only barely breathing as he waited and prayed. She dampened a cloth and pressed it into Chirrut's hand. "Clean off his face and check his head for bleeding." Being given a task seemed to steady the man, and Jyn turned back to assisting Tonc.

"Feels like the lower right leg is broken. Otherwise, I'm just finding crushing damage," Tonc announced.

Jyn's hands worked down the left side. "Nothing seems broken over here, but left arm doesn't look good. I think it may have caught the brunt of the collapse. Not seeing much blood, other than scrapes and bruises."

"Likewise," Tonc acknowledged. "That armor really helped. Probably saved him."

"Painkiller." Melshi handed Tonc a hypo to administer.

Bodhi had relieved Cassian at the helm, and he came to kneel down nearby. "How is he?"

"Fairly stable, for the moment. Are we en route to the medical frigate?" Tonc asked, sitting back on his heels.

"Yes, but it will take a couple of hours. We'll need to keep a close eye on him."

"We're lucky K-2 helped out so we could leave quicker. Him taking out those troopers simplified it." Tonc rose, shoving Baze's damaged cannon farther out of the way. "Kind of surprised me to see him shooting troopers. Took out half a squad, by my count."

Cassian looked up at the droid standing nearby. "K? A blaster? Where did you get it?"

"Affirmative. I told the squadron captain to split his forces. Once he had done so, I was able to subdue the smaller groups. A blaster seemed the most expedient way of accomplishing it, and since all of you were already shooting at them, I didn't think it would be a problem if I did."

"You spoke to the stormtroopers?" Cassian rose, his face flushed with concern. "And they weren't suspicious?"

"Correct. Tonc will be pleased to know that his program worked, and apparently made me appear sufficiently 'Imperial' as to be believable."

"Tonc's program?" Jyn stood also. "I didn't realize they had installed it yet. I didn't think it was ready and tested."

The droid's receptors focused on her. "Prior to leaving the ship, I downloaded the program, in case I had need of it in order to assist. A wise precaution, as it happens."

"K, that was risky. It could have damaged or overridden your programming. We were proceeding slowly so nothing would happen to you." The droid's initiative was impressive, but still it worried Cassian. He'd thought he lost K-2 once; he didn't want to go through that again.

"Risky, yes; there was a significant probability it could alter my programming in some undesirable way. However, as I find myself in the midst of humans who continually ignore high odds not in their favor, and subsequently beat those same odds, I thought it was time I do so as well. Besides which, I did a full backup of my programming this morning. I have been more attentive to that since Scarif."

Cassian was still scratching his head uncertainly, but Tonc was thoroughly pleased. "They weren't suspicious of anything you said or did?"

"They did not appear to be so. I recorded the entire exchange in case you wished to review it. I will download it to the computer for you. Nevertheless, I believe your efforts have proven successful. And I thank you." He looked down, then held out the blaster he still retained. "I suppose you will be wanting me to give this to you."

Everyone glanced at one another, made awkward in light of the conversation. Finally, Jyn stepped forward, and laid a hand on the blaster. "Keep it stored away for now, K, but it's yours whenever you need it. Saw always told us we got to keep anything we captured, if we wanted it. That means the blaster belongs to you." Melshi cleared his throat behind her, so she added with a grin, "Just don't carry it on the rebel bases and other ships. You already make people nervous without a weapon in hand."

"Understood. Thank you, Jyn."

xxxxx

Cassian couldn't say that the medical frigate was his favorite place. He'd spent far too much time there since Yavin. At least this time, he wasn't there for any of his own injuries. Even so, Dr. Lesorid asked him to come by for an exam anyway, just to check how everything had healed from his various wounds. He might have declined, assuring the doctor that it was unnecessary, but Jyn had been nearby at the time and gave him that look. With her hands on her hips and steely gaze, he knew he could either consent on his own or consent under duress from her until he finally gave in.

He supposed it was something that the doctor was satisfied with the results, even though that was largely due to Cassian's not having done much on missions that put him in harm's way.

"That shoulder is still a little weak. Have you been doing your exercises?"

Cassian suspected he already knew the answer, but shook his head. "Not so much as I should. I'll try to get back on a regular routine of doing it."

The doctor nodded, and then met his gaze. "And how are things with you otherwise, Captain. How are you coping?"

He could guess the reason for the questions; he had gotten the impression that Jyn might have spoken to Lesorid about his struggles and how to help him through them. That didn't necessarily mean he wanted to discuss his issues with anyone. It was hard enough talking to Jyn about what was in his head.

"I'm fine," he replied automatically, then winced inwardly. It was unlikely the doctor would find that assertion convincing. "Well, I'm doing okay. And it helps to have Jyn there to talk to when I need it," he amended.

Lesorid sighed. "She's worried about you, you know, and doesn't feel adequate to helping you. I think perhaps she does more good than she realizes. At least she is determined. All of us could use more friends like that."

"Jyn…Jyn has enough problems of her own without worrying about me."

"Possibly so, but I doubt she will stop worrying about you simply for that reason. And the truth of it is, her trying to help you is actually helping her as well, in a round about way. I think she tells you things in an effort to help you find peace, and only as she speaks does she hear the words for herself and recognize the truth in them. They strike two targets, if you will."

"Sometimes, but she has concerns unique to her. Those are not so easily uncovered and resolved."

"No, but she also has good friends. I've seen her interact with various of your team members and everyone seems supportive of each other. That can make all the difference. And for you, if you let it. She doesn't have to be your only confidante."

Cassian shrugged, unsure how to respond to that. Likely a good idea, but more difficult in the implementation. "Are we done here?"

"Yes, you may go. Thank you for taking time for the examination."

"How is Baze doing? Can I see him?"

"He's resting comfortably, presently sedated. It will be a few hours before he awakens. Chirrut is with him, but I don't think he will mind company in his bedside vigil. Come, I'll show you the way."

xx

Baze's recovery was going to take some time, and so they continued running missions without the Guardians. Their absence was felt. Whether it was Baze's massages or Chirrut's humor and obscure pronouncements, the two men had found their place in the team's midst.

When they had a little extra time on a supply run, they visited the marketplace. Tonc found a tech stall, and stopped there while the others browsed nearby. Jyn had acquired more credits for their use, so Cassian restocked foodstuffs for the kitchen.

"Hey, look. Here's that tea that Baze and Chirrut like. Let's get some for them." Bodhi was already looking through the offerings for the flavors they favored.

"I found some Jogan fruit. Baze is partial to those. They aren't quite ripe yet, so they should be perfect by the time we get back. He'll be glad of something other than medbay food." Jyn tilted her tote to show the fruit inside.

Cassian grinned. "Are we only shopping for them or for ourselves also?"

"Both," Jyn retorted, wrinkling her nose at him. He found it inexplicably adorable.

"Time to be heading out." Melshi appeared behind them with Tonc in tow.

Cassian completed his purchases and they made their way back to the ship.

K had them quickly underway, and those who had acquired things put them away before joining the rest of the team in the hold.

"Erso!" Tonc appeared in the doorway. "You got nails?"

"What? Why? What do you want to build?" She wasn't the only one giving the corporal puzzled looks at the odd question.

"No, nails. Fingernails." He advanced toward her.

Jyn shrugged and held up her hands. "Sure. Everyone does."

"I don't." K's voice drifted to them from the cockpit.

"All humans do!" Jyn revised loudly, laughing.

Tonc caught hold of her hand and examined the nails, then said, "These'll do. I've got an itch on my back that I can't reach. Help a guy out." He plunked down on the floor with his back toward her.

"Hey! I'm not your personal servant!" She swatted the back of his head lightly.

In response, he just wriggled his back at her in a remarkably demanding way. "Come on! I'd do it for you!"

"Fine. Lift your shirt. Backscratching works better if not done through clothing."

"Wow. If I'd known it was that easy, I'd have gotten Jyn to scratch my back long ago," Bodhi remarked teasingly. She glared at him, making them all laugh.

"Oh. Oh. That's the spot. It's been driving me crazy."

"Yeah? So what's my payment to be?"

"The pleasure from doing a good deed."

Jyn stopped scratching and dug her nails into his sides.

"Ow! Cut it out. Play nice!"

"Play nice? How about this instead?"

With that she set to tickling him and he lurched away from her. "You're a cruel woman, you are. I don't know how Andor puts up with you." He hastily scuttled back farther when she reached for him again.

"Who says I do?" Cassian asked, restraining a smile.

"You do more than the rest of us," Tonc replied, climbing to his feet. "Thanks, I guess. I'd be more enthusiastic in my gratitude if you hadn't gone off course there at the end." He jerked his shirt into place and tucked it in. As he turned toward the computer terminal, he gave her a grin that belied his words and let her know he appreciated her efforts.

As everyone settled again, Bodhi observed, "I miss Baze. And Chirrut. I know it's only temporary, but it just feels strange when they aren't here." The others nodded agreement, but no one else commented as they turned to whatever activity interested them.

Jyn took herself off for a nap and Cassian went to his cabin to decide what he would make for dinner. When they were two hours out from rejoining the fleet, Cassian knocked on her door.

A couple of minutes passed before he heard her stirring and she opened the door, stifling a yawn.

He hesitated, studying what she had on. The shirt was much too big for her, and it had a stain on the left side, exactly where he'd had a stain on one of his shirts back on Yavin. His eyebrow arched and he cocked his head quizzically. "Where…where did you get that shirt?"

Jyn blinked sleepily and looked down, not expecting the question. When she realized what she wore, she struggled to provide a reasonable explanation.

He watched with surprise as the color rose in her cheeks. Jyn? Blushing? He hadn't thought that would ever be something she would do.

"I…well, it's just…I didn't have any clean clothes and I borrowed some of yours, but then we evacuated and this got put in with my things rather than in your bag. So when I gave you your bag later, I forgot that I had it and so I…I forgot to give it to you."

Her answer made sense for all of three seconds, but then it occurred to him there had been more than a month's time between her evacuation and returning his bag. In that time, she had obtained more clothing, so it was odd that she wouldn't have put his shirt in his bag during that period…unless she purposely didn't.

"You need it back," she said quickly. "Let me change into something else and you can take it."

He raised a hand to stop her. "No, it's okay. I have other shirts." He paused, then rubbed at his neck, a grin twitching at the corners of his mouth. "Besides, I kind of like the way you look wearing my shirt." He could feel his own face taking on color, but it was true. The instant he had known that was indeed his shirt, a pleasant warmth had shot through him. Maybe she had been reluctant to give up the shirt for the same reason he hadn't wanted to return the kyber crystal necklace – it allowed each of them to keep some tiny bit of the other person close when the miles separated them. He could hope it meant something like that.

Quickly he changed the subject. "I was just going to start dinner, and wondered if you wanted to help."

"Me? Cook? I might ruin your reputation," she teased, grateful for the reprieve.

"I'll keep an eye on you so you don't. At least it would be nice to have your company while I work." He felt his face growing warm again.

"Well, I could do that. Give me a minute to change and I'll meet you in the kitchen."

He nodded and moved away as the door closed. What had begun as an innocent invitation had somehow turned into something more intimate, though he wasn't sure how that had happened. Not that he minded all that much, but he wasn't sure Jyn would be so eager. That wasn't the direction their relationship had been tending lately. Still, she hadn't objected to the suggestion and, after all, they were good friends as Dr. Lesorid had said.

To be continued…

Ch 16 note: Ubin Des is a canon character, a Rebel confined to the sick bay, but she revered Jyn and regretted not being able to go to Scarif with the Rogue team. She defected to the reformed Partisans (under Benthic, Saw's lieutenant) on Jedha, her home planet, and fought there. Only NiJedha city and the surrounding area to it were destroyed/damaged by the Death Star blast, though it had negative effects on the climate of the planet. Saurval and Chulco Gi are canon characters, though officially Saurval was killed in 0 BBY. I bumped it into 1 BBY, since I have him meeting the Rogue team on Dec. 30th. See Wookieepedia for more details on the characters and the planet Jedha after the DS blast.

invented characters:

Sergeant Daster – head of the tech shop on the tech frigate

Dr Lesorid – kind doctor caring for Cassian

All other characters actually are taken from the existing Star Wars universe.