Maleena sat in the co pilot's seat, the Child in her lap as the Mandalorian maneuvered the ship up and away from Nevarro. When the stars blurred around them the Mandalorian turned to observe the pair. His hand twisted the lever, removing the small metal ball and placed it into the Child's outstretched claw. The Child immediately pulled it into his little chest, a laugh escaping Maleena. Bouncing her knee gently a small shriek slipped from the child in excitement.
"You like that, huh?" She laughed as the Child swung his arms around wildly, as if he was on a roller coaster.
The Mandalorian patted Maleena's arm, diverting her attention from the child. "How's the face?" His modulated voice asked as she sighed, leaning back into her chair.
"It's OK. Guess that's what I get when I'm not dressed up to the nines..."
He scoffed as his head tilted. "Should have fought back."
It was her turn to scoff as she looked back down to the child. "And risk giving up my identity? Giving up the fact you guys were with me? Never."
His soft sigh was a distorted static noise. "You shouldn't hold back."
"You know I couldn't strike. Only when I'm hidden. Price on my head would sky rocket if anyone knew who I was."
A pause stretched between the two until he rested his hands on the console. "We have your back Maleena. We've been through this."
Maleena rolled her eyes as she put her hand on the side of his chair. "Everytime I've gotten beaten like that it's to protect us. You know what they would do to me if anyone knew who I was. Hell it took me months to even show face to you."
He nodded. "You don't need to worry."
She laughed as the Child tossed the ball onto the floor, rattling across the metal floor. The Child's ears dropped as he watched it roll.
"You think the Gungan will go quietly?" Her head rolled back to lean against the chair as she watched the Mandalorian, exhaustion clear in his posture.
"Who knows." His voice sighed as he shifted, trying to get comfortable. Maleena observed his movements for a moment before rolling her eyes and laid her hand on the beskar decorating his forearm. It stopped his movements as he turned to look at her.
"Go and chill out Din, We've got it from here." He goes to respond but she held her hand up.
"You're not good to us half dead." He seemed to consider her words before his shoulders slumped and he stood. He looked around the console, turning to her.
"Come and get me immediately if something happens." He didn't wait for a response as he hopped down the ladder, His steps audible as he retreated to his room. She picked up the Child and sat in the pilots seat, the Child peered out of the window with glee. She loved to watch him drink in the sights around him, his face filled with wonder. She hoped that one day he could be reunited with others of his kind but didn't hold out much hope. The Empire had torn down everything, and it wasn't a stretch to think that the kids species had been another casualty of a brutal war.
A small tear tracked its way down her face unaware. It wasn't until the Child spun, as if sensing her inner war, reached his little hand towards her face. He frowned as Maleena pulled him to her chest, cuddling him closer. He placed a tiny hand on her face, tears soaking his green hand. She choked down another sob as she watched the small creature as he tried to understand her sadness. Her head dipped down to rest against his, her hair falling around the pair like water as another sob echoed across the cockpit.
"Your OK little one. We will get you home." He chirped in response as she took comfort in his tiny hug. A beeping sound interrupted them. She carefully spun the chair around, placed the child in the co pilot seat and clipped the seatbelt around his tiny frame. Satisfied that he was safe, she wiped her face and rolled her shoulders before looking down at the console.
The screens flashed infront of her, informing her that another ship was in close proximity. Hoping nothing would come of it she changed the Razor Crests course, directing it on a longer route to Lazarane-7. It was an ice planet that many dared to go.
Satisfied with the new direction she took a quick sweep of the different screens. It had been easy to learn the basics of Din's ship. Even more so with him guiding her about the different buttons and switches shortly into their partnership.
"I'm going to have to go out and kill him... If for whatever reason things go south take the ship and run. I'll find a way back." The Mandalorian directed with his rifle slung across his back. They had only been working together for a few months and she had to be ready to depart with their cargo should he be killed. They had spent the day sitting at the control panel with Din pointing out what each and ever lever and button did. She had been glad when he had returned, having forgotten the controls a minute after he had left...
He trusted her to take over piloting when he was unable to. It became easier to gain control when she got a strong understanding of his telltale signs of exhaustion - the slight tilt in the head and his hunched body. Maleena was concerned about how long he spent in his armour, more than happy to give him an excuse to be a normal person for just a minute. She loved piloting and loved the rush of finding new planets.
She enjoyed it even more knowing Din was comfortable.
At least with her robes she could remove them in his company and that of the Child. She never had to feel confined constantly - rules dictating as long as she felt comfortable they could see her face. She felt for the man who wore his armour without fail, who gave up his freedom to wear it. Maleena deeply admired him and loathed him. It frustrated her knowing she was likely to never see her clan mates face, but understood the trust it took for him to place her in the clan. Their makeshift family had become the most important aspect in her life. She knew he could have easily tossed her aside that day.
But he hadn't.
He'd done one better. He'd made sure she would forever be apart of it.
She had spent hours upon hours processing their friendship and what it meant. They rarely discussed the implications of that day, but she knew he felt a similar way to herself. He trusted her enough not to look whenever he had his helmet off, knew he was safe enough to be without armour. These simple actions spoke volumes to her, they told her more than words could ever convey.
It filled her with a sense of belonging she had thought she would never feel. And then the Child accepting them both instantly made the entire ship feel more like a home. They had both needed something to ground them, to bring back the humility they both thought they had lost long ago. The Child had opened up a part of them that could never be put away again.
Not that she ever wanted it to be put away.
These thoughts swirled around her head as she turned to study the Child who slept soundly. She hadn't realised she had been thinking for so long. Her thoughts had made her heart race and mind whir. Anxiety began to eat away at her as she absentmindedly picked up her Vibroblade from her thigh holster. It had originally been Din's, but after the mudhorn incident he had made sure she kept that particular blade on her at all times. She had used it to stab the beast once it began levitating, Din calling it her special blade as they couldn't understand how they were able to defeat such a monster so easily. She always carried her own set of knives and guns but something felt reassuring about carrying the Mandalorian's weapon.
The reflections of the stars around them looked as though they were dancing across the blade. She ran it lightly across her index finger as she tried to still her mind. Her eyes closed in concentration...
She instantly spun at the feeling of someone behind her. Instinctively she threw the knife, The Mandalorian's quick reflexes caught it before it buried itself in his shoulder. She breathed a sigh of relief as she recognised his silver beskar, looking apologetic as she rose from the pilot seat and down the stairs. The Mandalorian clasped the familiar blade in his hand as he watched her go.