0ABY: Delta Base

Jyn lay in her bunk listening to the steady breathing of the woman sleeping above her on the top bunk. After her debriefing with Draven, Jyn had gone searching for Cassian, but had come up empty. Wherever he had gone off to, he had been damn sure to stay clear of her. Jyn sighed, rolling onto her side as she replayed the kiss over and over. She kept tracing her bottom lip with her finger, trying to remember how his lips felt. Had Cassian wanted to kiss her for a while now or was it simply a heat of the moment exchange? It was her fault he was avoiding her. Jyn was sure of it. She hadn't meant to push him away. It just sort of happened. She was so used to people leaving her that, after Kenna, Jyn had vowed never to get close to anyone again. Yet, Cassian was different. He kept coming back to her time and time again. Most of those situations Cassian could easily have left her behind and carried on with the mission, so perhaps she shouldn't have felt so surprised he had kissed her. It clearly had nothing to do with the rebellion.

Jyn must have fallen asleep at some point, for she was awoken by heavy knocking on the door. The young woman above her groaned, cursing in her sleep as Jyn got up and opened the door. Her heart fell when she saw it was not Cassian but Tonc.

"Tonc? Hey," she said, still groggy from her sleep.

"Hey, Jyn," Tonc replied. "Sorry to wake you, but Major Andor sent me to tell you we are to leave for a mission ASAP."

Jyn rubbed her eye, blinking. "What?"

"There's been some sort of development and General Draven has ordered Major Andor to take you and me to go free a captured rebel agent."

"I-I don't understand," Jyn began. "You're coming with us?"

Tonc smiled. "Yeah, General Draven is pleased with my training so far and wants to test my 'new found knowledge'."

"That's great. Let me just grab my things," Jyn said, "and change."

"I'll meet you out in the hanger with Major Andor."

As Tonc headed away, Jyn stepped over the threshold. "Tonc, is this agent in an imperial prison or..."

"Oh, no," Tonc replied. "He was taken prisoner by the Black Suns."

Jyn felt her blood drain. No, not them, she thought. It had been a long time since she had dealings with the Black Suns. They were a gang of criminals who ran a sophisticated crime syndicate that also dealt in slave trafficking. Kenna had ties with them that she eventually severed rather violently not long before she left Jyn behind on Corellia. She wanted to groan at Kenna's past actions and knew her former friend would not apologise even if she was with Jyn on Delta Base right at that moment.

Jyn changed – as quietly as possible – and packed her duffle bag. She proceeded down the corridor which was ghostly quiet and calm during this time of night and was halted by a tired looking Draven just outside the hanger doors.

"Erso," he greeted curtly. "Major Andor will debrief you on the way to Thila Base." Jyn opened her mouth, but Draven raised a hand to silence her. "You will be taking the imperial cargo shuttle under the disguise of imperials to retrieve the agent."

"I thought you gave your agents suicide pills for these situations," Jyn said quickly.

Draven stared at her steadily. "A necessary precaution, but this agent has vital information that requires an extraction, not a suicide pill."

"Very well," Jyn said. "I won't delay any further."

"Before you go," Draven began, "I must know. Major Andor stated it might be best for you to sit this one out."

"Sit this one out?" Jyn echoed, feeling her temper rise.

"Given how ill you've recently been," Draven continued. "He cannot have anyone jeopardize a mission again."

"I'm fine," Jyn stated. "I'm fine."

Draven slowly nodded. "I agree, which is why I overruled the major. You know your limits and your stamina is far greater than most of my agents."

Jyn smirked. "Bet you never thought you'd say that."

"You still make me hesitant," Draven warned. "Major Andor trusts you and he is my best agent. His faith makes me trust you. Don't make me regret this."

Jyn gave a curt nod before heading through the doors into the hanger. It was dark and the lights of the base were dimly lit making the U-Wing's bright interior a shining beacon. In the distance, Jyn could hear the singing of insects from within the bushland and the trees rustling from the movement of nocturnal animals. Tonc was sitting at the U-Wing's entrance going over their supplies as Jyn stepped into the U-Wing. Her stomach flipped at the sight of Cassian. He had his pilot's vest on and was working intently at the comm station. He looked over to Jyn but quickly averted his eyes back to the screen.

"I'll understand if you don't feel well enough to come with us," Cassian said simply.

Jyn dropped her duffle bag and rolled her eyes. She walked over to him and kept her voice low so Tonc wouldn't hear. "Is that the real reason?" Jyn stepped closer. "Cassian, you've been..."

"This is neither the time nor place to have this discussion," Cassian interjected assertively. He briefly looked over at Tonc who was oblivious to their conversation. "This mission is urgent. We have to leave right now before our agent is handed over to the imperials."

Many retorts came to Jyn's mind, but she knew the mood Cassian was currently in. It reminded her of his mood back on Eadu right before he and Bodhi left to 'look around'.

"So long as we do talk," Jyn said. "You can't just..." She glanced at Tonc. "You can't just... kiss me and then disappear for hours."

Cassian turned to face her. "I'm not pretending. It's all I've been thinking about these past hours, but we have a mission, Jyn."

"Er, guys?" Tonc was standing up now, watching the two of them with a curious gaze.

Cassian stepped away and over to Tonc. "I'm teaching Jyn to co-pilot so just stay back here and monitor the comms for me."

Jyn took her place seated in the cockpit and placed the headphones on while Cassian did the same.

"Remember how to do pre-flight check?"

Jyn set the appropriate switches and buttons and spoke on the radio to confirm departure. She looked at Cassian, smiling at her achievement.

Cassian returned the smile faintly. "You're a fast learner."

"You can thank Saw Gerrera for that."

"Let's get going."

...

2BBY: Kessel

"Kenna, is this really necessary?" Jyn stood, arms folded in her sandy-coloured outfit as the desert wind blew hot air over her. They were on the outskirts of the city in a high cliff that required a good hour to walk up the windy track that was far from safe.

Kenna stood back to inspect her work. "I need to send a message to those kriffin nerf herding morons."

"Yeah, but... really? This?"

Kenna's gang was scheduled to meet with the Black Suns at their current location. When the envoy arrived, Kenna had them ambushed. After stripping them of any useful gear and credits, Kenna ordered the envoy to be strung up with the goods Kenna had promised them smashed to pieces at their feet.

"I will not deal with thugs who side with the empire," Kenna declared. She turned to Jyn. "What if they found out who you really are?"

Jyn frowned. "What aren't you telling me?"

Kenna picked up her rifle and slung it over her shoulder. "One of the envoys's recognised you."

"As one of Saw's partisans?" Jyn asked.

"No," Kenna said impatiently. "Apparently within the empire there is an image of you from when you were a child listed under 'wanted'. As it turns out, the Black Suns receive plenty of contracts from the empire, and yours is outstanding. Didn't Saw mention once that your father is the reason they want you?"

Jyn shook her head, processing this new information that Kenna should have told her from the start. "How could they have recognised me from a picture taken from when I was a child?"

"Well you are the same person," Kenna said sarcastically. "Anyway, they started asking questions about you, which led me to discover they were in league with the empire. Sneaky bastards, lying to me. I mean, seriously? I'm not some sweet, young girl who's playing follow the leader by sleeping with all my men so they'll do what I say! So this..." Kenna gestured towards the dead envoys, "... will show them how wrong they were about me."

Jyn had stopped listening. So many thoughts ran through her mind. The memory of her last day on Lah'mu sprung up with the lifeless body of her mother lying at the feet of troopers dressed in black. Anger flared within Jyn as she wondered how her life would've been if her mother had chosen her rather than run to her death.

"Hey!" Kenna shouted. "Whatever you're thinking, stop it!"

"Kenna, you just declared war on the Black Suns!" Jyn shouted back. "This isn't another measly gang!"

"Oh, really?" Kenna replied sardonically. "You think I don't know that? I do! And I don't care! They don't scare me, and you should be thanking me rather than yelling at me!"

Jyn groaned out loud. "Fine! Thank you, Kenna."

"You're welcome," Kenna bit back. "Speaking of waging war, if we are to do this then it will probably be best to leave Kessel indefinitely."

Jyn was amazed that common sense still remained somewhere in Kenna's mind. "Where will we go?"

Kenna hummed as she surveyed the landscape. "I have a former... friend who's joined the Corellia resistance fighters. We could join with them for a while."

"What friend?" Jyn asked sceptically.

Kenna smirked. "His name is Tomax and we used to be involved."

"Why did you keep this from me?" Jyn asked.

"You tried to keep your involvement with Rolim quiet," Kenna shot back, smiling. "Speaking of which, what is going on there?"

"Nothing anymore," Jyn replied quickly. "It just... ended."

Kenna raised a brow. "He's one of my men, so I could ask if he's been... bothering you. But I know you can handle yourself."

"I can and he hasn't been bothering me," Jyn snapped. "I just got tired of him."

"Mmm, yeah," Kenna said, reflecting on her own relationships. "They are only good for one thing."

"Anyway," "Jyn said to change the subject. "I assume we have to evacuate within the next couple of days."

"Yeah, about that," Kenna grinned. "Before we leave, I want to leave one last present for the Black Suns who will come looking for us at our soon to be old base of operations."

"What?" Jyn frowned; visibly not keen on what Kenna had in mind.

"How many have I strung up?" Kenna asked, pleased where this was going.

Jyn sighed and counted. "Four."

"And how many were there?"

"F-Five." Jyn looked around. "Where's the fifth?"

Kenna clapped her hands and bounced on the balls of her feet. "Back at the base. He is the one who recognised you and started asking questions."

"He's still alive?" Jyn felt hope at the prospect of questioning him in order to discover more of what really happened back on that fateful day on Lah'mu. Granted, he may not know enough, but he could point her in the right direction.

"Of course not," Kenna replied, waving her hand dismissively. "I killed him first. No, he is going to stay at the base as a lure for whoever the Black Suns send after us."

"I don't understand, Kenna. What are you planning?"

"Well," Kenna clapped her hands again. "They are going to know one of their men is missing when they see my lovely display, so they will assume he is back with us. Maybe being held for ransom. If not, well, they are going to come to the base anyway."

"I told you not to set up our first meeting at the base," Jyn accused.

"And I told you to shut up!" Kenna sighed, impatient. "Listen to my plan, would you? Okay, so have you ever heard of a body bomb?"

Jyn let her mouth fall open. "Are you insane? No, Kenna. Absolutely not!"

"Oh, stop acting so self-righteous! He's gonna be obliterated in the explosion anyway, so why not inside of him?"

"Because it's... it's awful and inhumane! And we're better than that."

"He's not even human," Kenna shot back. "The explosion will destroy his body and the bodies of whomever the Black Suns send as well as the entire base. Everything will be destroyed. All evidence wiped clean in a raging, burning and cleansing fire."

Jyn merely blinked, speechless. "Kenna..."

Kenna huffed and made for the trail leading back to the city. "You are not going to change my mind. So you can either thank me for saving your skin or you can stay here and probably end up being captured by the Black Suns." Kenna stopped walking and twirled around as she pointed her finger at Jyn. "Everything I just did has been to protect you! Does that not speak more than words?"

...

0ABY: Thila Base

Jyn stood with Tonc in the lower deck of Rogue One. It felt good to be back on board; an almost comforting feeling. Cassian was talking with four intelligence agents just outside after barely speaking a word to her the entire trip. It was almost torture for Jyn. She had never been the kind of woman to wait; everything had to be done immediately and fast. That was how Saw Gerrera had raised her. Cassian was patient and calm, and while he did have a calming effect on her, it wasn't nearly calming enough for this situation. What drove her crazier was his ability to act like nothing had happened. His years as a spy were paying off right at this moment.

Cassian walked up the ramp soon after being handed a dress-suit bag.

"What's that?" Jyn asked, her eyes flickering all over his face attempting to catch a glimpse of something more.

"Imperial officer's uniform," Cassian replied, his face set so neutral Jyn wasn't sure if she wanted to laugh or punch him. "I have an alias on Ord Mantell, which is where our agent is being held."

"Who is this agent?" Jyn asked.

"His name is Aaryn Dewan," Cassian replied. "He is a good man, a good agent."

"How'd he get captured?" Tonc asked.

"Not entirely sure," Cassian answered. "The mission should be simple enough. My alias on Ord Mantell is Willix, who is a government agent. We have faked imperial custody docs that I am to hand over to the Black Suns who will release Aaryn over to us on behalf of imperial officials."

"What are we supposed to do?" Jyn asked.

"Remember those trooper uniforms we took from Delta Base? You and Tonc are going to change into them and act as my security."

"This sounds too easy," Jyn stated. Tonc nodded.

"Hopefully it will be easy," Cassian replied, "but if things go to hell, we may end up in strife. Trust me when I say you do not want to be on the wrong side of the Black Suns."

Jyn smirked at that, shaking her head at the thought of Kenna. She looked up to see Cassian watching her. There was a question in his eyes but he refrained from asking.

"Tonc, the uniforms are in the cargo hold, make sure we have everything before we leave."

With Tonc gone, Cassian turned to Jyn with his steady expression used for questioning. "You've had dealings with the Black Suns before, haven't you?"

Jyn stepped back, feeling his accusation flowing over her. "It was around two years ago."

"Why didn't you tell me straight away?" Cassian growled deeply. "Is there anyone in this galaxy you haven't had dealings with?"

Jyn opened and closed her mouth. "It wasn't me directly! It was Kenna who... well..."

"If they saw you would they recognise you?" After stepping closer, his steady features faded into a mask of concern.

Jyn shook her head. "The ones who saw me are long dead."

"Good."

Cassian went to walk past her, but Jyn grabbed hold of hand to stop him. He paused, looking down at their hands clasped as if it were the first time it was happening.

"Cassian," she said quietly. "We need to talk. We have time now."

He looked about as if searching for an escape route before sighing. "I'm sorry I kissed you. I was frustrated and worried. It feels like every time we go out in the field something happens to you."

"I know the risks," Jyn stated genuinely. "I'm not afraid."

"I am," Cassian replied softly. "The thought of losing you... seeing you on Folor Base so close to death had me terrified."

Jyn smiled sadly up at him. She stepped close and wrapped her arms around his neck to embrace him. She had never felt Cassian so tense before, but he caved, snaking his arms around her waist with his head resting in the curve of her neck.

"Please don't disappear," she whispered, thinking of all the people who had left her over the years. On the outside, Jyn Erso appeared strong, but deep down it wasn't who she was. Not really. Her strong persona was something created by Saw and Kenna over the years to keep her safe and hidden. It was who she was expected to be.

They parted to face each other. "I'm not going anywhere," Cassian replied gently, but firmly.

"You ran away on Delta Base," Jyn replied. She stepped out of the embrace completely. "I searched for you, but you just left me!"

"Jyn," Cassian began, rubbing his face. "I didn't mean to do that – any of it!"

"You regret it?"

"No," he said quickly. "I do regret the way it happened. It's not how I imagined the first time we..."

"Gear is all here," Tonc said, walking through the cargo door. "We can leave when you're ready."

Jyn was ready to thump Tonc over the head, but Cassian walked towards the ladder. "I'll do pre-flight checks. Imperial ships are designed somewhat different."

"I'm coming," Jyn replied, watching him ascend the ladder.

"Did I interrupt something?" Tonc asked, confused.

"No, it's fine," Jyn replied tiredly. "Just discussing the mission."

Ord Mantell was a planet in the midrim under the control of the galactic empire. It was the home of the Mantellian Savrip species and the terrain was mountainous.

"Jyn," Cassian said, snapping her back to reality after watching their descent through the atmosphere. "Gear up with Tonc down below. I'll change up here."

Jyn left without responding, hoping Cassian would catch on to her cold shoulder. Descending the ladder, she found Tonc already dressed waist up in trooper armour.

"This gear is a nightmare," Tonc said to her. "No wonder they're always in a bad mood."

Jyn smirked and stared apprehensively at her own gear. She had disguised herself as an imperial on Scarif, but the armour plating had been far simpler than this.

"Here, I can help you with the leg braces," Tonc said after seeing her facial expression. "It's easy enough... sort of."

They felt the smooth clunk of the shuttle landing and Cassian moving about above deck. After a gruelling forty minutes of cursing and confused glances, Jyn and Tonc finally dressed each other. Cassian descended the ladder, taking them both in. A sense of déjà vu swept over Jyn as she took in Cassian dressed in an imperial officer's uniform, just as he had been on Scarif.

"Make sure your helmets are on before the ramp goes down," Cassian said. "We'll be under extreme scrutiny."

"Where are we exactly?" Tonc asked.

"Worlport City," Cassian replied, slipping his imperial leather gloves on. "I've worked here several times under the name of Willix at the Government House. Now, if anyone asks, we are escorting rebel agent Aaryn Dewan to Grand Moff Vanko, Commander of the Eighth Army."

"Why him?" Jyn asked

"He's in charge of this sector and has dealings with how the government is run," Cassian replied. "We're meeting with Black Sun's boss, Gyuti at Hotel Grand in two hours."

Jyn and Tonc placed their helmets on and Jyn instantly regretted it. No wonder troopers were easy targets; it was so kriffin hard to see anything! She heard the ramp lower and looked about to see Cassian placing his hat on.

"Stay behind me on either side," he commanded. "Don't speak!"

The exchange went down with relative ease. Cassian had led them to the Government House first in order to make an obvious exit out of the complex with the datapad and credit transfer – an imperial account the alliance managed to hack into through a back channel. Several imperial officers remembered Cassian, or rather Willix, and spoke with him on good terms. Jyn and Tonc stood at attention at the back while they watched Cassian transform into Willix. It was so bizarre for Jyn to watch him act like a completely different man. Part of her didn't like it one bit. Did Willix kiss on impulse and then run away? Or was that Cassian? Or was it someone else entirely? Jyn's head swam with questions and theories, none of which helped her one bit. Relief finally came when Cassian indicated for them both to follow.

Agent Aaryn Dewan was a young man around Jyn's age, shorter than Cassian but taller than Jyn. His hair was red and he was pale, almost deathly pale. Jyn wondered what horrors the Blacks Suns had put him through. On Thila Base, Cassian had mentioned he knew Agent Aaryn, but both men never gave off the impression they knew each other. If Gyuti was suspicious it melted away the second he witnessed the credit transfer under what he foolishly believed to be a secure imperial bank account. The exchange ended when Cassian jerked with his head for Jyn and Tonc to grab Aaryn by both his arms, half dragging him out of the hotel room. Once outside, Cassian led them back to where their shuttle was waiting. It was only then when Aaryn regained his footing and walked completely on his own again. Cassian halted them and walked on board, returning with cuffs. Aaryn accepted the transition mutely, knowing full well they were still being watched. It wasn't until they were completely out of the atmosphere and into hyperspace before any of them visibly relaxed.

Jyn removed her helmet, throwing it onto the seat in the lower deck. "Damn thing is a nightmare to wear."

Tonc removed his own helmet. "I actually feel sorry for them... well, only a little bit."

Cassian descended the ladder after placing the shuttle on autopilot. He removed his gloves before removing the cuffs around Aaryn's wrists. "Are you okay?"

Aaryn shrugged. "Been better, been worse." Both men clasped hands in greeting. "Been too long Andor. Heard you were part of the Battle of Scarif?"

Cassian removed his hat, throwing it to the side with his gloves. "I, Jyn and Tonc were part of what transpired on Scarif. Jyn was the one who got the plans transmitted to the rebel fleet." He looked over at Jyn with a smile that actually made her blush.

With her cheeks warming uncontrollably, Jyn managed a small smile in Aaryn's direction before heading into the cargo pod. "I-I'm going to change."

"Need help?" Tonc called out. "I certainly might."

"I'll help her," Cassian interjected. Both men glanced at him. "Lieutenant Erso has been ill recently, and as I'm in charge of her, I want to make sure she is doing okay." He patted Aaryn on the back. "Help Tonc get out of that, would you?"

Jyn was fiddling with her chest plate when Cassian entered through the hatch. She turned to him and frowned with frustration. "This is impossible to get into and out of!"

"Let me," he said gently. "It unbuckles at the side here."

"Where's Tonc?" she asked.

"Aaryn is helping him." A brief pause. "Are you feeling okay?"

Jyn lifted her arms as he removed the chest plate. She pushed her hair back out of her face. "I'm fine. That mission was child's play."

"About time we had some luck," he replied.

Jyn gazed up at him. "Watching you act as Willix... well it was..."

"I know," Cassian replied. "You don't have to explain how you felt. I hated every moment of it. I always have."

"How can you act so differently so easily?"

Cassian shrugged. "Years of training and practise."

"I don't think I could do that," Jyn confessed. "I don't think I'd make a good agent."

"Jyn, you helped me infiltrate the Citadel on Scarif!" Cassian said, almost laughing. "You do have it in you."

Jyn sighed. Maybe. For a day, perhaps. But for weeks? Months?"

"Those assignments are given to agents who General Draven knows could tolerate it."

"You looked happy," she merely said.

Cassian leaned back against the cargo pod wall, crossing his arms as he frowned deep in thought. "In the past, what made me appear happy were memories from my childhood when my parents were alive. Those memories and the memories of my parents' deaths kept my resolve; it kept me going. It's not easy to work like this, but I have gained valuable intel for the rebellion over the years that have saved lives."

Jyn's face contorted. "Are you saying I should think like that?"

Cassian shook his head. "No. You are driven differently, more directly. I admire that. I really do."

Jyn faintly smiled. "Sometimes I wonder if I should have joined pathfinders."

"Pathfinders are more direct," Cassian smiled. "You joining pathfinders would mean I'd see less of you." He pushed himself off the wall. "You've taught me a lot since the day I first met you, and one of those lessons is that it's okay to be selfish at times. So call me selfish if I want you to stay in intelligence."

Jyn felt her smile grow. "You mean that?"

"Today, as Willix, what made me appear happy, was you," Cassian confessed.

"Then why did you disappear on Delta Base?" Jyn asked, burning to know.

Cassian sighed. "Because... I was angry at myself for letting my emotions take over. I have spent years schooling them into submission and then you came along and broke them free like a dam."

Jyn chuckled lightly. "I want to say sorry, but I'm not."

"I'm not sorry either," Cassian said, stepping closer. "But I am sorry for lying to you on Eadu; I know how hard that was for you, I am sorry."

"I don't want to talk about Eadu," Jyn stated. "It's done and the sooner we move on the better. I... we all need to stop living in the past."

Cassian smiled at that, stepping closer.

Jyn hesitated. "I-I... I'm not used to... talking about my feelings." She was frowning as she stared past Cassian in thought. She blinked at the touch of Cassian's hand on her cheek. She looked up at him as he waited for an invitation. Swallowing, Jyn nodded. He leaned down to kiss her much softer than their first kiss. He moved his hand to the back of her neck, pulling her closer to deepen the kiss. It had been so long since either of them had kissed another with true emotion. It felt hazily good as they slowly progressed to explore each other's mouths. Finally feeling at ease with their situation, Jyn moaned softly, happily and wrapped her arms around Cassian's neck, standing on her toes as he held her steady around her waist with his other hand.

Several moments later after they had no choice but to stop for air, Cassian rested his forehead on hers with his eyes closed.

"I need to go back up to the cockpit," he said remorsefully.

"I'll be right behind you," Jyn breathed. She exited the cargo pod just as Cassian was ascending the ladder.

"Hey guys!" Tonc said loudly for all to hear. "I just realised! In exactly... nine hours it's going to be a new year!"

Jyn, still drunk from kissing, laughed lightly. "Really? Gosh, that went fast!"

...

9 Hours Later

1ABY: Thila Base

"So, Major Andor," Aaryn said, handing Cassian a bottle of whisky. "Any New Year's Resolutions?"

"Firstly," Cassian said, "shouldn't you be in the infirmary?"

Aaryn shrugged carelessly. "Escaping the infirmary was my News Year's Resolution. What's yours?"

Cassian smiled, shaking his head. He looked around the hanger which was littered with rebels celebrating the New Year. He could just see Jyn standing outside on the tarmac, leaning against Rogue One as she looked up into the sky. "Just the one. Excuse me."

Jyn smiled as Cassian approached and then eyed the bottle of whisky. "You're not drunk, are you?"

"First one and I haven't had any," he replied.

He leaned against the shuttle next to Jyn, looking up at the stars. "One good thing about rebel bases is that they dim the lights at night to avoid detection. You can see everything."

"A whole new year," Jyn murmured. "I lost track of time during my stay on Wobani."

"Are you going to stay with intelligence?" Cassian asked, trying to sound as neutral as possible.

"Yes. Even though it will be selfish of me to stay."

Jyn looked over to Cassian who held her hand. "I want this."

"I'm not good at this," Jyn admitted.

"You think I am?" Cassian asked. He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. "We can figure it out together."

"Do we have to keep it a secret?" Jyn asked.

Cassian thought for a moment. "Perhaps at first until we figure it all out."

Jyn nodded. "General Draven?"

"He will not approve, but for understandable reasons," Cassian replied. "Being together will be accepted, but working together will not be."

Jyn nodded again. "Good reason to keep it quiet for now."

"Jyn," Cassian began, moving to stand in front of her. He held both her hands and pulled her up straight. "We cannot allow what we have to come between our duties to the rebellion."

"That's very romantic, Cassian," Jyn said dryly. "And I know. I know how much the rebellion means to you and believe it or not, it means something to me. My father died for the chance to save the rebellion. If anything, I owe it to him."

Cassian looked behind him to see if anything was watching. In the clear, he leaned down to gently kiss Jyn.

"We can do this," Jyn continued softly. "It'll be hard at times, but we can do this." She looked past Cassian to observe the party. "We should probably get back."

Cassian smirked, gently tugging her to follow him around to the other side of the shuttle. "A few more minutes."