Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars.

Baylan sat at the table in his small room at the inn, eating a rather meager meal. Both the meal and the room were warm though, and on Viek, that was pretty good. Especially in this small town. The people had been wary of him at first, but after going on a hunt with some of the local men, he had earned their trust. At least a little. For someone with his skills, hunting proved to be an easy and profitable job, even without a lightsaber. He still had his lightsaber of course, but using it openly wasn't a good idea these days. He finished his meal, then reached for his cloak. However, he noticed a rip in the fabric. Sighing, he grabbed a small bag of coins and left his room and the inn. He walked the streets until he found the place he was looking for. It was a simple stone house with two stories, and there was a sign that read 'Tailor' hanging above the door. Baylan entered, and was greeted by the heat from a crackling fire. There was a table in the center of the room with sewing supplies strewn about on it. A woman hurried down a narrow set of stairs. She had light skin and very light blonde hair that had been braided around her head like a crown. She wore a red dress with blue and green embroidery, a white shirt beneath it, and a white apron tied around her waist. Her pale green eyes met Baylan's light blue ones as she said, "Good morning! How can I help you?"

"My cloak needs to be mended," Baylan said, handing it to the woman.

"Oh, I see. Don't worry, I'll have this fixed for you in no time."

"Thank you very much, Miss...?"

The woman looked up and smiled, "Runa," she said, "Runa Hati. And you are?"

"Baylan Skoll, at your service," Baylan said with a slight bow. He certainly hadn't been a particularly well known member of the Jedi Order, so he felt safe using his real name.

"Well, Mister Baylan, I'll have this ready for you tomorrow."

"Thank you again, Miss Runa," Baylan said, "I shall see you then."

And indeed he did, and then again the day after. They started bumping into each other just about everywhere, and then they started talking. Soon, they were spending quiet evenings together, just enjoying each other's company. Love, attachment, was forbidden by the Jedi Order. But the Order was gone. So one day, though he'd only known her for a few months, Baylan presented Runa with a betrothal necklace. "Before you except this," he said, "There's something you need to know..." and he told her everything.

Runa listened silently, her gaze focused intently on him, then she took his hands, "I want to be your wife, no matter the risk." And so the married in a simple, private ceremony. They lived a simple, but happy life for a month, and then something changed...

Runa had started feeling strange, almost a bit sick at times, and it took her a few days to realize why. When she did, she was equal parts elated and terrified. When Baylan came home with a small cut across his cheek Runa rushed to his side, momentarily forgetting everything else, "What happened?"

"I...got into a little scuffle with a few of the men while we were out hunting, one of them got lucky," Baylan explained.

Runa led him to a chair and hurriedly fetched a small medical kit, "Why did you get into a fight?" she asked as she set to work cleaning the cut, which fortunately, wasn't deep enough to leave a scar.

"They were saying some...things about you. I couldn't simply stand by and let them."

Runa sighed, "I appreciate you defending me, but please try not to get into anymore fights."

"I shall do my best," Baylan said, then he eyed her with concern, "Is something wrong? You seemed troubled."

"Nothing is wrong. Actually, something wonderful has happened," Runa said, a nervous smile creeping on to her face, "I'm pregnant. We're going to have a child."

Baylan was stunned for a moment, then he smiled and swept Runa into an embrace, "This is wonderful!" And things just got better after that...

Nine months later, Runa gave birth to a baby girl. "What shall we name her?" Baylan asked as he observed Runa holding the small child in her arms.

"Shin," Runa said with a smile, "Look, she has your eyes." Baylan looked at his daughter, wrapped snugly in a blanket, as she blinked up at him. Her eyes were the same shade of light blue as his.

"She's beautiful," he murmured. Shin began to fuss a little.

"Here," Runa said, "I think she wants you to hold her." Baylan gently took Shin, holding her the same way he had seen his wife hold her. Instantly, Shin stopped crying and gazed up at him with a surprisingly intense gaze. Baylan glanced back at Runa, who had fallen asleep, then he quietly walked to the window.

Holding Shin close and staring into her eyes, he spoke quietly, "I promise I will do all that I can to protect you, no matter the cost." And soon, he would have to do just that...

Five months later, after Shin had been rocked to sleep, Baylan sat down with Runa. "These last few weeks," he said, "I've been feeling a disturbance in the Force. There is a darkness coming, and if I stay here, I will be endangering both you and Shin." Runa started to protest, but Baylan shushed her quietly, "I don't want to leave, but if I stay, you will both be in terrible danger. This is the best thing to do, to protect her," Baylan said, motioning towards where Shin slept in her cradle. Runa remained silent for a moment, then she leaned in and kissed him.

When she pulled back, there were tears in her eyes, "I trust you," she said, "Do what you need to do." Baylan left the town that night. Two days later, he made his way off planet. And three days after that, the Empire to arrived on the planet.

A/N: Obviously, this an AU. Or is it? This theory may actually prove to be true, but we'll see. I just love Baylan and Shin, and their dynamic. Anyway, I know this chapter was long and I kind of jumped around a bit, but please be patient because it will get better in terms of pacing. I apologize for any grammar mistakes. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed.