A/N: Hi readers! Hope you enjoy the latest chapter! There is more dialogue than I usually like, but this conversation needed to happen at some point. I tried to be honest to their personalities and how Jyn and Cassian would react in this situation – right down to their playfulness, dry humor, and Jyn's frequent indignation. Please let me know what you think. I write for you (as well as me) and I genuinely appreciate the feedback. And, as always, I'm open to questions and constructive criticisms. Happy reading! – K
Jyn's eyes sprang open at the mention of the stolen Death Star plans. She suddenly became aware of how humid it was on Yavin 4, even in the dank coolness of the infirmary. Cassian's eyes bore into her, searching for information. Jyn cursed her lapse of self-control and tried to remain neutral, but Cassian could already sense a shift between them. The tenderness of the moment was gone, replaced by the dense fog of apprehension.
Squeezing her hand, Cassian growled, "Tell me we have those plans!"
Jyn flinched at the rapid change in Cassian's demeanor and slowly returned his hand to the blanket. Planting her own along the length of the bed, she took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Her gaze was level and unflinching as she said, "I can't."
Cassian flexed his jaw muscles and ground out through gritted teeth, "Where are they?!"
Jyn did her best to stay calm and collected, thanking the Force for all the years she spent with Saw and his band of guerillas. Some of the men had been cruel and unsympathetic to the lean, inexperienced little girl that followed them on missions. They taught her resiliency and stoicism, two things she needed in the wake of Cassian's questioning.
"We don't know."
Cassian gripped the top of blanket and shifted his weight toward the edge of the mattress. His mind seemed ignorant to the current state of his body, but that hardly seemed to matter. He was already calculating his next move as he asked, "What do we know?"
"We know they were successfully transmitted to General Raddus's flagship, Profundity."
"From there?"
Jyn sighed, pushing away from the bed. Crossing her arms over her chest, she continued. "From there, they were delivered to Princess Leia aboard her ship, Tantive IV."
Cassian nodded thoughtfully. "Daughter of Senator Organa?"
"That's right."
"Then they were headed for the Alderaan system."
"It would appear so," Jyn sighed.
The plan made sense - Alderaan was loyal to the Rebellion – but Cassian's eyebrows knit together as he pondered the Senator's choice of couriers. Surely, there were more qualified agents within the Rebellion - himself included. What piece of information was he missing? Why choose a princess or a Rebel spy? Cassian shook his head.
"What happened to the princess?" he asked, throwing the blanket aside as he swung his legs over the edge of the bed. Even though his pallor had changed from a healthy flush to sweaty and pale, helooked ready to propel himself into the first painful steps forward. Jyn quickly assessed his condition. He won't even make it to the door, she thought, hastily moving to block his exit.
Arms extended, palms up, she cautioned the injured man in front of her. "Cassian…"
"You healed quickly, I see," Cassian remarked as he gingerly slid down the side of the bed, resting his feet on the ground.
"Cassian, I really don't…"
Looking up to the see the panicked expression on Jyn's face, Cassian quirked a half-smile. "Don't worry. I've suffered through worse than this."
Confidently, Cassian took one step forward and...instantly fell into Jyn's waiting arms.
"Really?" Jyn shot him an annoyed look. It was equal in tone and merit to K2's frequent, sardonic calculations. They would have gotten along well, Cassian mused, propping himself up against Jyn's forearms.
"Not one of my better days," he huffed.
Jyn glared at him again and then helped him shift his weight sideways. Pulling one of his arms across her shoulders, she pushed her hip into his side, anchoring their bodies together, step for step, as she helped him back into bed. Cassian braced himself against the mattress with one hand as he released his grip on Jyn's waist. Turning on his heel, he fell into an awkward heap along the edge of the bed. He looked utterly exhausting.
"C'mon," Jyn urged as she helped him lift his feet up.
Cassian scooted further onto the bed and settled himself into his previous position. Suddenly obedient, he reached down and grabbed the edge of the mattress. Jyn moved to help and was shocked when he didn't glare at her or yank the blanket in the opposite direction. Sighing, Jyn shared the rest of her information with Cassian.
"I only know the princess was captured by Darth Vader," Jyn remarked as she tucked the blanket in around Cassian's waist. "The high command won't tell me anymore."
"Still skeptical about your allegiances, huh?"
Jyn reached behind Cassian's back and nudged him forward. Fluffing a pillow that had slipped lower down the mattress, she continued, "I guess trying to save the Rebellion wasn't enough."
Cassian heard the hurt and agitation in her voice. Jyn had fought her battles, just as he had. She lost most of them – the ones that mattered, anyway – but she still cared enough to try. That caring earned his respect – the same way her father's actions prompted him to lower his rifle. It was the first time he questioned his orders. The first time he bothered to care. In Jyn, it became something more.
"Hey…" His soothing voice implored, prompting Jyn to turn her attention away from the pillow. "Don't worry. You're home."
He smiled softly at her and Jyn felt the rest of her anger fade away. She nodded gratefully and snifled. Replacing the pillow, she pushed him gently into a resting position. "I've got to go now. More debriefings," she said with a shrug.
It wasn't entirely true – she wasn't scheduled for another debriefing until later in the day – but she needed to gather more information while Cassian rested. Trailing her fingers across his right hand, she turned to leave, then stopped at the door. Cassian could spot a lie at a parsec. He was a spy, after all. He probably knew she wasn't telling the full truth.
Turning her head over her shoulder, she added, "I'll see what else I can find out."
Cassian nodded from his bed as he watched her disappear through the small alcove. After a moment, Jyn heard, "Don't get into trouble without me, Stardust!" echo across the vestibule.
Stepping back into the hallway, Jyn couldn't help but smile. It felt good to be home.
