A/N: Please note that this chapter contains mature themes.

(V)(V)(V)

Chapter 11: The Trespass

Aurora.

Aurora, wake up.

I regained consciousness with a greedy exhale, promptly followed by a mixture of coughing and retching. The insides of my mouth were tainted by a mixture of blood and crushed cement and particles, pain searing through my jaw. My head incessantly throbbed, sight and mind still a tangled blur. It took a while to be able to sense the pressure upon my entire body, pinning me in place. Everything was just so heavy. When objects began to materialize once more, the sky and its accompanying pinpricks were almost entirely covered. Fractured light streaked through the array of cracks in the rubble; it was at least a guide to the surface. Through the ringing in my ears, explosions and rumbling still ravaged above, causing the ground to tremble in their wake. Smoke and debris continued to seep through the cracks, as though quivering from the aftermath of the attack.

It was then that I realized that the heaviness upon me wasn't just debris. It was…

…Oh, fuck.

"Din?" My call was weak and sandpaper rough, as though I were just finding my voice for the first time. "Din, can you hear me?"

No movement or verbal response.

His prone body was entirely upon mine, arms loosely wrapped around my torso, back shielding us from the piles of rubble. A hand was placed protectively upon my head. My face was shielded by beskar as his own helmeted one rested at the crook of my neck.

Coughs ravaged my throat as I attempted to reach upwards for him. My teeth gritted at the simple effort, the stabbing pain upon my left shoulder almost too much to bear, threatening to drive me to unconsciousness once more. The lightning strike of pain rippled to my upper torso, signalling the probability of broken ribs. Fighting through the agony, I managed to push and kick slabs of concrete on my left side, careful not to cause even more rubble to shift and bury us permanently. Fortunately, thick beams of steel a few meters above held steady, managing to prevent even more pieces of concrete from contributing to our assault. As I continued to dig upwards, pain now excruciating, I was finally able to move entirely from beneath Din and roll his body towards the gap without disturbing the rest of the wreckage.

The call of his name was once more met with no reply. With a twist of my heart, panic began to set in, my reaction quick and precise as I unfurled his cape. The movements had become automatic, with instinct taking over fear for the moment. Reaching for the few inches of bare flesh beneath his helmet, I searched for any type of pulse. To some relief, his heartbeat was weak, but present. Though he was still breathing, it was shallow and unregulated. I examined the back of his neck and head beneath the helmet as far as I could, finding that my hand became covered in blood.

Dread collided with adrenaline, our surroundings fading. Fighting back the tears and distress, I forced myself to inhale a long, steady breath. Bacta. In swift movements, I rummaged through Din's pockets, searching for the familiar pressurized container.

The pouch on his belt revealed a small dose of the solution.

Gripping the medicine as though it were the rarest, most precious thing in the galaxy, I surveyed Din's form once more. Everything slowed. The heaviness in my chest became more pronounced as, with a shaking hand, I reached for the base of the t-visor. My rational mind was telling me to stop, yet my heart was fighting for victory…

The distant battle became muted. There was no more pain throughout my body. The only thing that mattered then, through the rubble, dirt, and ash, was Din.

My hand gripped the edge of the helmet and gently pulled upward.

Even through the blood, bumps, and bruises, he looked…kind. The pronounced, stubbled cheeks retained a softness, warmness to them. His short, dark brown hair, disheveled and soaked with blood and sweat, framed his equally marred jaw and forehead. Blood continued to drip down the side of his thin lips, streaming in rivulets down to the length of his tan neck.

My vision began to blur as I looked at the man who had risked his life to save mine. Careful not to aggravate his injuries any further, I surveyed the damage to all sides of his head. Without another moment of hesitation, I sprayed the bacta upon the most severe injuries, not wasting a drop of the solution.

After ensuring he was in as comfortable of a position as possible, I then reached for his vambrace, pressing the comlink button. Though unsure of the Mandalorians' radio procedures, I began as steadily as possible, "Calling all stations. This is Captain Aurora Guerrero. I need an immediate CASEVAC. Din - the Mand'alor - is severely injured. We are at the proximity of the main cantina, roughly south of it. Coordinates unknown, over." Several seconds went by with no reply. Was the message even sent? With frustration bubbling, I tried again, "Can anyone hear me? The Mand'alor needs your help, and we are -"

"Each'trannach?" A deep voice shrouded in static finally answered. The faded booms and shouts of a raging battle littered the background. "I read you, over."

"Plikt? Plikt!" I rested a hand on Din's cheek and moved closer to the comlink. "Yes, it's me. Please hurry to the south of the cantina. Din's hurt. We're beneath some rubble..."

"Acknowledge. Don't worry, Aurora, we're coming. We'll find you."

Though hope was revived, it didn't entirely abate my worry. Through the waiting, I continued to monitor Din's vitals and state, praying that the bacta solution was somehow helping. How long does it take for severe injuries? What if it doesn't actually work? It was now impossible to hold back the tears, which silently glided down my cheeks and fell unceremoniously upon Din's armour. I rested my forehead upon his, his soft breaths caressing the side of my face; a sliver of hope. "Stay with me, Din. Please."

Faint voices sounded upon the surface, coupled with the shifting and crumbling of debris.

"Aurora?"

"Plikt!" I cried out with a sob, moving upwards as much as I could. "Here! We're down here!"

Plikt issued several terse commands, the urgency in his voice apparent. A group of Mandalorians began to work on the rubble immediately, carefully, with each piece removed bringing us closer and closer to freedom. I shut my eyes and shielded Din from any loose particles, attempting to remain patient as they continued their rescue.

Another call of my name.

A gloved hand appeared in my line of sight.

The slash upon my leg impeded my movements. Pain seared through my upper left calf as I grasped the hand and began to limp towards the surface.

"Aurora!" Plikt removed his helmet and rested his hand upon my shoulder. "Hey, are you alright?"

I nodded quickly. "Don't worry about me. We need to help Din."

Plikt's head lowered towards Din's unmoving form as he flashed a light from a vambrace towards it. He appeared confused - even afraid - for a brief moment, then once more retained his military sense of bearing. He couldn't entirely mask the worry, however. "Is he -"

"He's alive, but his pulse is weak. Head trauma. I sprayed him with some bacta, but I don't know how well it's working. We need to get him to the infirmary now!"

Though he nodded in agreement, there was something else in his eyes as he met my stare. He squeezed my shoulder in comfort, placed his helmet on once more, and called out to the Mandalorians surrounding us for help.

(V)(V)(V)

The wait to see Din once more was almost as painful as waiting to be rescued. The bacta had done its job, keeping him alive long enough to be properly treated for his injuries. Yet there was no indication as to how long the treatment would actually be, and whether it would be enough. Back at Din's home, I sat on the ground beside the infirmary door, idly playing with the newly-applied bandage around my leg, losing all track of time and dismissing the need for sustenance. The armed Mandalorian guards on either side of the infirmary doors did their duties without complaint and allowed me to stay close, but even they couldn't help but gaze down at me, perhaps in curiosity, once in a while.

I had somehow fallen asleep, likely due to a mixture of exhaustion, stress, and boredom, and woke in a semi-fetal position on the cold floor. A couple of murmured voices seemed to have woken me, followed by the hissing of closing doors. I forced myself to lift my head, willing my body to wake and move with great effort. Night had once more turned into day; perhaps it had finally brought some peace with it. A slight shadow then blocked my line of sight.

"Hey. You're still here." Brows pinched, Plikt crouched in front of me, arm on knee. His expression was ragged, dark hair unkempt, as though he wasn't able to rest himself. The aftereffects of battle were unkind. "You should be resting. Somewhere more comfortable, I mean."

I sat up slowly, ignoring the complaints of my abdomen and spine. "I can't leave until I know he's okay."

The boldness in my statement caught even the curiosities of the two guards behind him.

Concern, then relief, washed over Plikt's tired eyes. "The Mand'alor is out of the bacta tank and is doing fine. He's just resting now. It'll take a few treatments, but he will heal."

I hurried to my feet, becoming slightly dizzy at the process. "Can I see him?"

"Aurora, I don't think that's -"

"Please, Plikt."

The warning postures of the Mandalorian guards were message enough, yet Plikt's shoulders eventually relaxed. With a deep sigh and a rub of his temples, he conceded, "Just for a few minutes, okay? He needs to rest." He twisted his head towards the guards, his expression not lost on me. "Not a word of this to anyone."

There was a slight pressure in my chest as he said this. Though slightly confused at the caution, I gave quick thanks to Plikt and jogged into the main infirmary room, leaving no chance for him to recant his decision. As the metal door slid closed, a lone medical droid shifted on its two legs in order to face me. Its skeletal-shaped head tilted slightly to the right, yellow eyes questioning. The lights blinked as it stated, "It is highly irregular that the Mand'alor receives visitors at this time."

It never ceased to amaze just how intelligent some droids could be. With a small smile, I jutted my thumb in the general direction of Plikt on the other side of the threshold. "Plikt permitted the visit for a few minutes. Is that alright?" I had never thought in my life that I'd be asking a droid for permission to do something, but it seemed polite to do so. It was almost like speaking with another human being. I hoped that it could read the desperation in my eyes. "I just need to see him."

Its bulbs for eyes flashed once more, as though computing what I had just said. Then, a skinny, metal arm steadily rose as it took a couple of steps back. "I will give you space, but I will remain in the other room in case you need anything."

I nodded, thankful. "Of course."

The droid took its leave, the side door closing behind him.

The main infirmary room was sparse, though shone in cleanliness. Din lay on a simple, white bed that was placed adjacent to the horizontal bacta tank. Clean and clad in only black shorts, the visible marks and recent injuries on his form were almost all gone, leaving only his deepest scars. His broad chest rose and fell rhythmically, the deep breaths of life lightly audible. His arms were extended and relaxed on either side of him, palms open. A lone pillow held his head slightly upwards, as though showcasing the calm of his expression.

I took careful steps towards him, partly unbelieving, though thankful, that their healing technology could do such wonders. As relief flooded through me, I brushed several hairs from the side of his face, wanting even more to take in the rare sight of him. I had longed to see him for so long, so curious to see whether his eyes matched his kindness.

He began to stir at the light touch. I immediately retrieved my hand, not wanting to bother him any further.

I didn't make it far, however.

He regained consciousness with a start, sitting up and instantly grabbing my wrist. The aggressive reaction made me jump with a yelp, and I accidentally knocked some of the medical instruments on the table behind me. Din's head snapped towards my direction, his chest heaving.

I swallowed as our gazes met. There was something about those deep brown eyes that were so familiar; they held me in place more so than any bind could. I didn't move an inch; it seemed impossible. The glint of confusion in his eyes eventually softened, replaced by something more delicate. Finally realizing what he was doing, he promptly released me, brows furrowing as though apologetically. "Aurora," he said in a whisper.

With tears brimming at the sides of my eyes, I kissed him in reply, unbottling every damned emotion that had been fighting to surface at that moment. This was the man who had risked his life to save mine. The man who I was afraid of losing just a few hours ago. However, he froze at the contact, his entire body becoming rigid. When I realized that he was not returning the gesture, I severed the connection, taking a step back. "I'm sorry. I -"

Jaw hard, his fingers grazed his cheek and short beard. His tone was firm. Almost panicked. "Where's my helmet?"

I shook my head, brows furrowed. "I'm sorry. I don't know."

Din ripped his gaze from me as he slowly stood from the bed. His legs slightly buckled at the effort, but the will that drove him to find the piece of armour seemed to win. He moved about the room, scanning.

"Hey, what are you doing?" I moved to his side, coaxing him to remain still with a light hand on his broad chest. "Din, you need to lie down and rest. I can look for the helmet for you instead."

It was as though he didn't hear anything I had just said. He still seemed distracted, not making eye contact. Through clenched teeth, he said, "Aurora, you need to leave."

It was a wonder just how powerful only a few, stinging words could be. It was as though the breath was punched right out of my lungs. Allowing my pride to get the better of me, the iciness in his tone encouraged my own. "Do you really want that?"

There was a momentary flash of conscience as his eyes tumbled to the ground, then finally met my own once more. The side of his thin lips ticked, as though exhibiting an inner battle. He seemed to still, gaze softening. With a step forward, he closed the space between us. He released a shaky breath, then reached out to me, thumb tracing the contours of my lips. His forehead rested on mine as he closed his eyes. I encouraged his closeness, reveling in his woodsy scent and warm skin, wrapping my arms around his neck. Din captured my lips in what was, at first, a delicate kiss.

It didn't take long for our connection to morph into something more wanting. Needing. I pulled him even more towards me, seeking his closeness, wanting to be entirely consumed by him. A soft moan escaped my lips as he began to kiss down the side of my neck, nipping and biting along the way, showcasing his own, desperate need. His hand, in turn, moved from the side of my face and trickled lower, teasing my breast with his thumb. I coaxed him onwards with the arch of my back, pressing my hips upon his, breaths becoming audible and laboured through his intimate exploration. With a heated look of permission, his fingers teased the edge of my trousers, intent on relieving the ache that was steadily building up in my core.

"Touch me, Din. Please."

The soft plea seemed to harden every inch of him. As he wrapped his other arm around my waist and pressed me flush to him, however, I cried out in pain this time, flinching. I instinctively lifted a hand, holding him at bay. Din immediately released me. He carefully lifted my damp shirt, concern etched upon his face. He surveyed the bruising that remained upon my ribs, then traced my upper leg tenderly. "What happened, Aurora?" Confusion returned on his countenance. "How did I get here?"

"After the blast, we were both trapped under the rubble." I rested my hand on his upper arm, wearing a thankful expression. "You saved my life, but you were hurt. I removed your helmet to -"

His entire form visibly stiffened as he moved away from me. "You did what?"

It was as though I were but a mere child being scolded at that moment. Was Din really more concerned about my removing his helmet than his brush with death? The steely expression on his face supported that as fact. Now defensive, I tried, "You were severely hurt, and I had to -"

His eyes darkened and flashed as he met my gaze once more. Though his tone remained low, the venom that laced his voice was palpable. "You had no right."

Ever since Din and I had met, I had never experienced his upset to this extent. Hell, it was normally me being upset with him, or at something that other Mandalorians had done. Now, he was visibly seething, as though what had happened to him wasn't borne out of kindness, but that of malicious intent. You'd think someone had tried to kill him instead. Coupled with the emotions that raged within me, my heart constricted as the fires in his stare burned through me. "Are you really saying that I had no right to save your damn life?"

"A Mandalorian would rather die honourably in battle than to remove their helmet."

I stared at him, mouth agape. "That is preposterous!"

"That is my religion," he shot back, firm in his stance.

I could understand believing in something so deeply, so devoutly, that it would be worth dying for, but I still couldn't wrap my head around choosing death rather than to remove a piece of armour. How could that much importance be placed in covering one's face? To what end? Was that tenet so much more valuable than a life?

Perhaps I had been selfish. I did what I did because I didn't want to lose him. I didn't even think about what he wanted, or what his religion permitted him to do. But I couldn't regret what I had done - especially if it had prevented the Mandalorian people from being robbed of their Mand'alor after having saved my life.

I closed the space between us once more, courage winning over upset. I placed the backs of my fingers on his chin, silently asking him to look at me. "So no one has ever seen your face?"

He pursed his lips into a thin line, though allowed our contact to continue. "That's not the point, Aurora."

I lowered my hand to my side. His actions were now devoid of the warmth and need that he had exhibited just moments earlier. It was as though I were now alone in the room. "Sounds like you've already shown your face. So this seems like a non-issue."

"Again, not the point." He clenched his fists at his sides, turning away from me. "You should have just let me die."

Din could've been angry with me until eternity for what I had done. Yet, what he had just said - the blatant disregard for his own life - made me even angrier. Did he even care how that sounded? How inevitably losing him would affect me?

Obviously not.

I wiped my now tear-streaked face with the back of my hand, barely even recognizing the man who was before me now. "I've never met someone who was so ungrateful, so angry, for having their life saved. I'm the fuck out of here."

(V)(V)(V)

A/N: Hello, my lovely readers! I've finally had some free time to update this story. Hope you enjoyed that latest installment. A bit shorter than normal, but I think it was a good decision to just stop this chapter where I did. Gotta love tension, right? ;) As always, thank you for your support. I love interacting with all of you. Let me know what you think of this one! xx IFHD