"Damn it Din." Maleena staggered through the deep sand, struggling to make her way back to the Razor Crest. She wasn't the shortest woman ever, but with her long black hair sticking to her neck with the unrelenting sun beating down she wished she had longer legs. Every step felt as though she was sinking further and further into the scratchy sand. She had always hated sand. But knowing that her partner of years was sitting in the comfort of the Razor Crest looking after The Child whilst she was out here struggling made desperation flood her system.

It should have been a simple trip. All she had to do was go out and grab some supplies for their newly formed trio. She had to get some food for them and, in case the Child would suddenly start growing, she decided to grab some bigger robes for him to wear. They weren't perfect but she knew the child would appreciate anything they would give him. She had actually enjoyed the brief break from her travelling partners, finding herself slipping into a more relaxed state. She loved the busy streets filled with families hurrying around and vendors shouting for attention. She had become swept up in the moment and hadn't picked up on the burly hunter following her. It hadn't been until she was a few clicks away from the town walking back to the ship she became aware of the hunter. He had gotten a few good hits in, her hands full with her new items and without her robe she was unable to fully defend herself. She had swung back and had injured the man as best as she could, but having her legs kicked and stamped on left her unable to take back the credits the man tore from the small sack she had clipped to her belt.

It made her extremely angry just thinking about her attacker. Her left eye was slightly closed, her hair pulled in different directions as her bruised legs struggled with every step. She could feel the bruises forming on her arms and body and knew she was going to get an earful from the Mandalorian she had come to trust. They had become the most feared bounty hunters, especially after they had whisked the Child away from his doom. When they had first met she had been extremely nervous to see the tall intimidating figure towering over her, his blaster hanging unwavering above her head. It was only her ability to help break him out of a tricky situation with a group of Wookies that made him reconsider handing her over for credits. They had never looked back on that day, a bond forging between the pair before they could even acknowledge it. She was a skilled assassin herself but she enjoyed having the protection of Din Djarin and the Mandalorian's.

When the armourer had declared he was officially in a clan with the child, she had been added into their group by his request.

"You will be accepted by the Mandalorian's now. No matter what happens you both will always have a place in the creed." Din had been very quick to announce this as their unconventional family became official, as if to soothe her rapid thoughts.

He hadn't needed too however - the official title they now carried hadn't scared her. In fact it filled her with a sense of calm. She knew she would always belong.

And right now she wanted nothing more than to be back to her makeshift home. Through the waves of heat distorting the horizon she could see the jumble of metal that stood proud. Just seeing the Razor Crest put a slight spring in her step. She couldn't wait to be back beside her family tending to her wounds. No longer able to see out of her left eye, and with sweat stinging her right eye she felt blind.

It wasn't until she was a few hundred meters away from the Razor Crest that the boarding ramp began to lower, inviting her in. A few more moments passed as a familiar silver figure stood waiting. Drawing even closer to the pair she was extremely pleased to see a small bundle huddled into his side. As her foot touched the metal ramp exhaustion swept through her body, sagging slightly as Din watched her carefully. Keeping her head down, she sulked onto the ship. The cool relief of the Razor Crest made her every step feel as though her feet were made of lead. She didn't need to look up to know which way to walk to her quarters. Her room sat opposite Din's, offering them their own privacy yet comfort knowing they were both close enough to each other should anything happen.

Her door slid open automatically as she felt the ship's signature rumble as it left the ground. She tossed the Child's new clothes onto her bed and sat on the edge. Allowing her shoulders to sag she took a moment to compose herself. All she wanted to do was curl up in her bed and forget that the trip had even happened...

But knowing she had to put their new rations away and sort out her injuries forced her one good eye to stay open.

Gathering up the food in her arms she staggered out of her room and into their common area. Leaning against the table she placed the small packets and bars onto it, Her ears pulsing with her heartbeat. The corner of her eyes darkened. Her body tingled. She didn't notice the Mandalorian walking down the ladder seperating the cockpit from the rest of the ship as he moved to watch her with her back turned, putting the food away.

"Get everything?" His modulated voice shocked Maleena as she jumped, hesitating before resting her hands on the table.

"More than I wanted." Her response caused him to scoff as he took in her appearance. Her normally perfectly straight hair now splayed across her head failing to cover her severly bruised face. Her eyes looked to be swollen shut. He was thankful for his helmet the second he saw her, knowing his reaction would be similar to the Child's as he clicked angrily in Din's arms. Setting the Child down onto the table he lightly grabbed Maleena's shoulders, guiding her over to the old metal chair. Once he was satisfied she was sitting comfortably he turned and grabbed a small box left next to his hidden weapon stash. Pulling out different ointments and bacta patches he crouched infront of her, making quick work of her injuries. Every small cut on her face increased his anger as he watched her wince with every touch.

"What happened?" The modulator couldn't mask his true feelings as he watched her carefully. Seeming to think for a moment, her eyes connected with his helmet. She couldn't see his eyes, but knowing the man for as long as she had she was confident she was making eye contact. She always had a feeling whenever she looked at the familiar beskar helmet. She couldn't describe the feeling other than she knew deep down he was always watching her carefully, always steps away from intervening. He always seemed to forget her training, opting to care for her as if she was a helpless woman stuck on a random planet.

That wasn't her. Never would be.

Her pride would often try and stop Din from getting involved as much as he did, but she couldn't hide the fact that she had been beaten. The sigh that left her lips reflected her irritation.

"Mal?" Din's voice shook her out of her self doubt as she looked down at the floor. The child chirped at her side as if urging her on, to admit what had happened.

"Just some pointless thief. Got a few good hits in. No harm done." Maleena could almost feel his eyebrows raising under the helmet at her nonchalant response.

"A thief did this to you?" His disbelief was clear as he continued to tend to her wounds, his hand gliding over them delicately.

Maleena sighed, looking over at the Child. "Got away with the credits too."

"Irrelevant." Din's voice spoke finality as he stood and moved back. Admiring his work his head tilted slightly.

"Get some rest. We'll be in Nevarro soon." Gesturing to their rooms Maleena rested her arms on the table, laying her head on them. He hadn't seen the woman so defeated for a long time, her frustration filling the room like fog. They had been in this position many times before, Din knew it was better to let Maleena sleep it off.

"I'm sorry Din." Her voice was so small he would have missed it if it wasn't for the slight shake in her shoulders, The Child cuddled into her side.

"No harm done." Maleena could sense the tinge of sadness laced in his robotic voice. Walking around her his hand ghosted across her shoulder making her raise her head.

"Did you hear anything more from Cara?" Her voice grew in confidence with the dulling pain. It irritated her that her injuries had to be out in the open for everyone to judge due to her traditions. They both got into enough trouble that she was convinced he had to be littered in bruises and scars, but the shiny beskar he wore with pride hid it all.

She only got granted such mercy's wearing her own robes.

He shook his head ever so slighlty. "No. Just that she had something for us." Maleena rolled her eyes in response as she stood unbalanced, forcing herself towards her room. Din watched her struggle, not releasing the breath he hadn't known he had been holding until the door swooshed closed behind her. The Child sat smiling at Din as he scooped him up and placed him firmly in the crook of his elbow. Balancing him carefully Din moved up the ladders and into the cockpit, placing the Child down in his chair and sitting in the pilot seat. Watching the stars pass by he let his mind wander, calm spreading across the Razor Crest as both Maleena and the Child fell asleep, leaving Din to remove his helmet in peace.