Fluffy chapter. There has to be some good days.

Maze was making himself useful by splitting wood. He stopped for a moment, leaning on the old-fashioned axe, surprised how he was enjoying this work— therapeutic, Essie had said, just like when she made bread. You could clear your mind with the repetitive actions. Essie was busy making bread now; he remembered the look on her face, tranquil. She was happy doing that and she was happy here. He realised that and he would do anything to keep her happy. He felt a great satisfaction in doing anything to make her happy and she didn't seem to want much.

She was much more relaxed now than when they first arrived; they were all a mess. They had both changed, for the better he thought.

He pulled the axe ready then the footsteps he heard stopped a few yards away. He turned to face whoever it was, not a null as he could clearly recognise their footsteps and you still could not hear a Null unless they wanted you to.

"How can I help you Sargeant?"

"Essie's looking for you."

"Okay. Where is she?"

"Kitchen."

Kal stood, arms crossed, with that look on his face. Changed from paternal to dangerous; something in the eyes.

"Something else?" asked Maze.

"I hope you're not messing with her feelings."

"Those I am not messing with, we both know where we stand now. Why?"

"I like her."

"I understand that."

"I don't want to see her hurt."

"By me?"

"Yes."

"I don't intend to and I think she can speak for herself."

"Are you going to take her away from here?"

"Only if she wants to leave. It will be up to her."

Kal fixed him with those pale blue eyes. Then he made his decision.

"Good, good." He muttered, "We'll all miss her when she does go."

Maze watched the sergeant, as he walked back to the house.

"And call me Kal!" he shouted, without turning around.

Maze smiled, they had their truce sort of.

Maze piled up the wood and went to look for Essie, wondering if she had said anything. Kal seemed convinced she would be leaving with him, he wondered if she had said anything to him.

.

The pantry was impressive and filling up, but it had to be to feed the numbers that were here at the moment and they would need more if any stayed long term. Then there was the winter, they could get snowed in, and there was little fresh food available. They may need to look at more ways to preserve food. Levet had been researching sweet tubers for her and Laseema but there didn't appear to be any that grew naturally on this planet, not from the archives Wad'e had provided anyway. If they imported any from another planet they had to be careful, they could overwhelm naturally occurring plants.

She felt someone enter and a large arm wrapped gently around her stomach, the hand splayed there, whilst another rested on her neck gently moving her head around.

Maze.

"I was told you wanted me." He rumbled before he kissed her. "I've missed you too."

"It's only been three hours since breakfast."

"Still four hours too long."

"That was before breakfast."

"A good way to wake up." He smiled at the memory, "Kal said you wanted me." He pulled her closer.

"That's not exactly what I said." She chuckled.

"My interpretation." He smiled.

"Hmm. We need to talk. There's something you need to know."

"More? That sounds bad." He drew away from her.

"We'll get a Caf and sit outside."

"Sounds really bad."

"It depends how you look at it." She replied enigmatically.

"That doesn't help." He muttered, as he followed her.

He waited patiently, biding his time, choking back on what he wanted to say—who is it? What is it? Why? Instead he kept his peace; he had learnt that much. Armed with the Caf and cookies, they sat on one of the two benches now standing outside. Jind was honing his craft.

"Well?"

"Aren't you going to eat your cookies? They're your favourite."

"No, tell me what you need to, then I'll go."

She watched his face for several seconds before she finally said anything.

"Where are we going from here? This relationship."

"That's up to you." He was serious.

She moved closer to him, holding his hand, feeling he was ready to leave.

"No it's up to both of us and I need you to understand some things. Something that you will need to consider. And I don't want an answer right now. Not until you've thought it through. Not until you've really thought about it."

He took a deep breath, expecting the worse.

"One. I don't want to leave here—yet. But you need to go and do whatever you do with Zey — I understand that but can we make it work, being apart? How do we make it work?"

He nodded slowly.

"Two. This is also important." She paused, watching him, searching his face, "I don't want any more children. Not now, not with how everything is in the galaxy. So if you want children…" her voice trailed off.

Maze picked up his cookie and took a bite. He had never even considered having a relationship until he met Essie, nor having children in his life and had been surprised how he felt about Del.

Now he had a choice.

He took another bite; it wasn't a choice he had ever thought he would have to make.

.

Maze carried his caf with him, turning to look at Essie once more. His immediate reaction was to say no he didn't want children. It didn't matter but it did to her; she had obviously thought a great deal about it.

He leaned against a tree and drained his cup.

He would do her the honour of thinking about it himself.

Their training had never mentioned children in the context of them being fathers, in fact it was implied the clones couldn't father children. That was a lie.

Jango had a clone he treated as a son, Boba. Maze remembered seeing him a lot. No others though, just the one.

The more he thought about that the angrier he was. He treated one clone as a son but the others as cannon fodder, a means to an end.

"We're better than that." He muttered, glowering at his caf.

He remembered Jango's orders regarding the clones in their growth jars; he knew he could never have destroyed them.

He felt the boloball hit his shin rousing him from his thoughts; he had been vaguely aware of Del and Kad playing, as Del came running up to him Kad in hot pursuit.

"Sorry Maze!"

"That's fine, no harm done." He threw the ball towards them.

"Gar Buir?" Asked Kad, quietly, as they walked away.

"Nayc!" replied Del quickly.

They probably thought he hadn't heard but it gave him an idea; he'd known Del since he was tiny, even helped look after him and feed him. He was beginning to appreciate some of the Mandalorian ways but he would need to check it with Essie but he knew his answer.

If Essie didn't want any more children it didn't matter; he already had one child.

.

Kom'rk watched Essie and Maze from the other end of the courtyard. The conversation had looked serious for both of them but they were not talking now. They didn't look as if they had argued but it was serious, he saw that from their body language, the expressions in their faces. Essie was looking at the floor. Finally, Maze stood up and walked away, not saying a word. He watched until he had left the courtyard before going to sit down next to her.

"You okay?"

"Yes."

"Argument?"

"No."

"Can I help?"

"No. It's okay. It's very personal, something we have to work out for ourselves." She finally looked up.

"Do you want children?"

"That's a bit out of the blue….why? Can't Maze manage it?" he grinned at his own joke.

Essie didn't laugh. "I'm being serious?"

"I suppose so. Buir always talked about having kids like any normal being. He had children when he was younger and he adopted us. So I suppose it's expected. But not yet. Too much to do and see."

Essie nodded, "Saw Alina Beviin, she was at Rav's; she's keeping Rav updated on troop whereabouts near Enceri."

"It's always good to have eyes on the ground as back up." He replied, nonchalantly.

"I like her."

"I know."

"What do you think of her?"

"Good Mando stock."

"That's a bit like saying she's a horse with a good pedigree."

Kom'rk snorted, she knew what he meant.

"If it's okay with Kal, I was going to invite her here, for a visit, stay over. What do you think he'll say?"

"Should be okay. She comes from a respected Mando clan, non of this Death Watch Osik."

"I'll com her. Ask if she can come tomorrow. She'll be able to stay won't she?"

"Yeah."

"Essie?" Mazes voice rang out, interrupting them.

She looked at Kom'rk, "I'll leave you to talk." He said as he rose and walked away.

Maze stood, a few yards away, arms on his hips. Now she wasn't sure if she had done right but he had to have a choice. It was only fair. She took a deep breath and turned towards him.

"Problem?" He glanced at Kom'rk walking away.

"No. Just inviting a friend tomorrow. Alina Beviin. She makes boots and leather goods, they're good." She pushed out her foot to show him. "You can finally meet her."

He nodded slowly before sitting down, pulling her back with him.

"Children. If that's what you want, it's okay with me. We already have Del. It would be you having the child, not me. There is always a risk with childbirth, isn't there?"

"There is but are you sure?" She slid her hands around his.

"I'm sure."

"I understand why you want to stay here. It's for the best. You and Del stay here, while I go with Zey and liaise with Altis and the rest of the Wookiee Gunner. This is where you live," he finally looked back at her, "and it helps me because I will know that you're as safe as possible. We'll make it work. If I was a normal soldier, this would happen. I would have to go away and leave you. I would need to know you were both safe."

He put his other hand on top of hers.

"Whatever we do, we'll make it work because I need you and Del with me. My back up."

Essie leaned up to kiss him. She just realised he had included Del in everything and that was just fine by her.

.

Alina was surprised by the com ping; she didn't recognise the number. The only ones she didn't recognise were from up North. She tentatively answered.

"Beviin Leather Goods."

"Alina?"

"Yes?" She didn't immediately recognise the voice.

"It's Essie. The boots are great and so comfortable. The fit is brilliant."

"I'm happy you're satisfied. Do you need another pair?"

"Probably but would you like to come up tomorrow for a meal and stay over? You can meet Maze. Perhaps measure both of us for some boots."

"Maze?"

"My partner. I've checked with Kal and Kom'rk. They're fine with it. If that's okay with you and your Dad. He can come too, if he's well enough. I've not met him yet."

"Dad's with my sister in Keldabe. So I'm on my own. Yes. That would be good, see you tomorrow."

Alina put the com down just in time to see two white armoured figures cross the market square. They looked as if they were heading to the Inn. She tapped a few times on her com as a warning; it would feed through to all the linked Coms on that channel. They were getting closer and more frequent.

.

Maze smiled as familiar arms and hands wrapped around his waist; he blew the hair from his razor. He still liked to keep it reasonably short but it wasn't regulation short, that would almost certainly identify him as a clone or at least a soldier.

They weren't sure what was wrong with Del, he had been difficult to settle tonight but he had finally dropped off. Maybe it was Mereel and Kom'rk chasing him and Kad around, then Mird had joined in, protecting the children and finally Vau had to get involved to protect the Nulls. All this happened just before supper. Kal had just grinned at them all and sipped his Tihaar with Ny at his side looking more relaxed than she had in a long time. Not since before they had found her name on that list but that seemed to have been sorted now.

Laseema and Essie had made their feelings known; he and Atin had looked at each other, as they backed up their wives, giving both Mereel and Kom'rk a good telling off.

He and Essie had never said any vows or anything like that but that is how he thought of her— his lifelong partner. However long that may be, that was still undecided.

"Cred for them?" She asked, between the kisses she placed across his back.

"All of them?"

"That many?" He knew she was smiling from the sound of her voice.

"A few."

"Hope it doesn't take too long. I have plans."

He smiled as he felt her hand slip lower and lower tracing circles on his abs.

"I can see. So I hope Del stays asleep."

"Hmm, Hmm." She replied and leant against his back.

"The nulls are spoiled." He continued.

"They are."

He felt her lips drag along his back.

"I don't know what a perfectly sane woman such as Ny is doing with Kal. She looks and sounds perfectly normal."

That stopped her.

"If I was Ny's age, and I'm only guessing at that, I think I would find Kal quite attractive. Reasonable looking. Keeps in shape and a doting father that puts his children first. That is so …"

He turned around in her arms.

"So what?" He stared into her eyes.

"Attractive." She finished lamely.

He wrapped her arms back around him, realising they had dropped away.

"Atin and Laseema?" he asked.

"Yes?"

"Have they exchanged vows?"

"I think so, why?"

"Do you want to?"

"Do we need to?" Essie vaguely remembered part of it involved children but she couldn't recall the exact words. Wad'e had explained them to her.

"No, not if you don't want to." Maze added, with a little frown.

"We're fine as we are for the moment. Aren't we?"

"Yes." He leant down to kiss her, his hand at the back of her neck holding her there, "Definitely." he murmured as she pulled away to get her breath again.

His hand slipped under her top, thumb brushing her ribs as he slowly moved upwards.

"What do you think of Beskar armour?" She asked, trying to stay focused now, although she had started this.

"It's the best. But expensive. Why?" He worked his way down her neck, while one hand kneaded a soft yielding breast, feeling the nipple harden beneath his palm.

"Wad'e gave me a set. It's purple, it fits."

His hands had slipped under the waistband of her underwear, and pulled her to him; She could feel his erection pressing against against her stomach.

"I love it when you talk dirty." He growled, walking her backwards towards the bed. "Say something else!" They reached the bed and he pulled off her top.

"Z - 6 Rotary Blaster." She said breathily into his ear.

"Oh yes!" He flipped her around and bent her over the bed, as she giggled at his reply.

.

"Del! Stop playing with your food." Essie reprimanded her son before leaning closer to whisper, "Just because Mereel does it, doesn't mean it's right."

"Yes, Buir." He side eyed Mereel, who winked at him.

She looked up to see Mereel making a face at her and she wasn't going to look at what he was doing with the Roba sausage, that was certainly not good at a breakfast table; she resisted the temptation to stick her tongue out at him. He stopped as soon as Kal looked up.

"Alina Beviin's coming this afternoon isn't she?" Asked Kal

"Yes Kal. It's still okay isn't it?"

"Yes, of course. I've not seen her since she was tiny. It'll be good to see her."

"She's been feeding back to us all the details of the stormtrooper's movements. Days and Times etc. They seem to be focusing on the Inn." Added Kom'rk.

"Make sure the perimeter alarms are up to spec."

"Done Buir." Jaing added.

"We've added more cameras to furthest reaches." Prudii explained "but I'd like to do more with probes."

"Yes look into that but let's just enjoy breakfast first."

More hands went to the plates, grabbing meat and sausages, bread and fruit.

Essie looked around the table and watched as several different conversations took place around and Maze looked almost happy, although she knew he would have to leave soon. They were still working through some of the issues with making everyone disappear. Kal was right, the Nulls were clever boys.

She saw Besany look up from her breakfast, as she always did when Ordo came into the room. There was something sad about the way she looked at him, just for a fraction of a second and Essie hoped she didn't look at Maze like that, then she realised no— felt there was something different about her. She tried not to stare and took a big bite of toasted bread.

"That's interesting!" Muttered Ordo staring at his datapad. "A whole consignment of Z - 6 Rotary Blasters has gone missing. I thought only clones used those."

Essie spluttered and choked on her toast, Maze slapped her back. Del stared at her as did Bard'ika but more at Maze with a weird little smile on his face. Mereel made faces at Del and Kad with his Roba sausage.

Arligan stared at his plate, shaking his head.

Laseema went to get some water for Essie who decided she wanted to talk to Besany later.

Kal discussed the missing Z - 6 Rotary Blasters with Ordo.

.

Alina's speeder pulled up to halt in the landing area; Essie was already waiting for her, Jaing had called her the moment the perimeter defences had been breached. It had been used as a test and had passed. They had one hundred percent of access areas covered now but it was a full time job monitoring them and keeping them running.

"Su'cuy gar!" Alina greeted her, as she dismounted her speeder bike.

"It's good to see you." Replied Essie.

"Here. For you." She handed Essie a parcel. "I didn't have time to bring any food."

"Oh. I wasn't expecting…. Thank you." She quickly opened it and lifted the purple leather material up. The shape looked vaguely familiar. "It's a …"

"Kama." Added Alina, "to match your armour. You are keeping that colour aren't you?"

"Oh yes!"

"Good! It was mixed to match the armour specifically. Does it fit?"

"It needed some adjustment but nothing that couldn't be done here. It didn't have to go to an Armourer? To be beaten into size."

"Good. I'm not sure where we would find an armourer, many of them have disappeared or gone to ground."

She looked around, "Where's this partner of yours? I need to check him over."

Essie laughed, "He'll be out soon. He's attacking some vegetables."

"Attacking?"

"It's the only way to describe the way he prepares them."

Alina laughed and walked towards the kitchen with Essie.

Maze looked up and stopped chopping as soon as they walked in.

Oh yes! She thought; he is definitely with Essie. How could she have been so wrong about Kom'rk perhaps there's a chance there yet.

"Su'cuy gar!" She started, "I'm …"

Maze wiped his hands on cloth and holding out his hand finished her sentence for her. "Alina. I've heard a lot about you."

Akins returned the greeting.

"All I've heard about you is you're rough around the edges."

He flicked a glance at Essie.

"Ess likes her jokes. She's particularly fond of Z - 6 Rotary Blasters."

"That's one way of describing it." Essie replied.

Alina looked between the two.

"I feel a little like a spare part here."

"Sorry—private joke." Replied Essie.

"Very private." Confirmed Maze.

"Let's keep it that way. Where's Kom'rk?" Alina asked.

"Why are you looking for my brother when you have me?" Jaing's voice announced his arrival. Maze did an eye roll the Null didn't see or chose to ignore.

"Because he doesn't leave fishy smelling hides in my cold store. Which means I can't use it."

"You only had to say."

"I have been — for months."

"Your wish is my command." Grinned Jaing.

Alina made some kind of derisive snort.

Essie watched them wondering if she had it all wrong; she liked Jaing well enough herself but he wasn't Kom'rk.

"This. Is why I prefer Kom'rk." Alina stood hands on hips, fixing him with a stare.

"Anyone want a Caf and snack?" Asked Essie, disrupting the conversation.

.