Disclaimer: I do not own The Mandalorian or any of the characters in The Mandalorian.

Sorry for taking so long to update but a lot of things have happened in my life that got in the way. I started graduate school, got a full time internship, and got hit by a car so yeah. I'm making this a longer one since it's been awhile!!

Thank you for all of the love and support!!!!

Chapter 16: The Marshal

Mando leaned back in the pilot seat of the razor crest and watched the blue hues of hyper space pass them by. The only sounds disturbing the delicate silence were Aksel's soft snores and the humdrum of the Razor Crest. Mando was exhausted, he hasn't had a decent night's sleep since what happened to Star. Every time he closes his eyes, memories of that day flash across his mind. The kids are haunted by constant nightmares since then, especially Amelia. It got to the point that they didn't want to sleep but Mando and Kaelyn coaxed them to bed each night with assurances. This is the first night since the incident that Mando hasn't had to run down and comfort her or DJ. So far so good.

Before Mando knew it, sleep had claimed him.

3 weeks ago...

Mando was growing more and more anxious with each passing second. Star's surgery was supposed to be done an hour ago but no one has wheeled her into the room yet. In fact, Mando hasn't heard or seen anyone since they took her back for surgery. Something was not right, he could feel it in his soul.

As Mando was gearing up to pace the room for the hundredth time, Delta finally arrived but with no Star in sight. "Delta, where's Star? How much longer til I can see her and Sky?"

One look at Delta's face told Mando all he had to know, something was terriblely wrong. "Mando, Din, your going to want to sit down for this."

"No. No. Wheres my wife and daughter? Whats going on?"

"Mando I really think you - "

"Just tell me whats going on Delta!! Where are they? What happened?"

"Sky is perfectly healthy and stable. There were some complications but she's good now and there shouldn't be any other complications in the future."

Mando let a sigh of relief at the good news, "Thats great. What about Star?"

Delta took a moment to compose herself before delivering the news to Mando, "Star died due to complications during surgery. The good news is that we were able to revive her. Bad news is that, due to the amount of time she dead, we worry that she may be brain dead."

Mando felt the floor drop from below his feet. He had to grip the chair so he wouldn't collapse under the weight of this news. No. This cant be happening, they were just reunited and finally a family again. What is he going to say to the kids, to Papa?

"Is there anything you can do Delta? I cant lose her again, I won't lose her again."

"We have her in a bacta tank right now. Her vitals are stable but her brain waves are flat. We haven't gotten any activity from her brain yet. Mando, I need you to understand that there is good chance she may never wake up again. The bacta tank can only do so much."

"I want to see her Delta. Now."

"Mando, maybe you should take a moment before you see her. This could be very traumatic for you, to see the love of your life floating lifelessly in a bacta tank."

"Take me to her Delta. Im not asking."

Delta sighed and finally conceded, "Okay but if it gets to be too much, let us know. Follow me."

Mando followed Delta through the cold halls of the hospital until they stopped in front of a pair of double doors. The sign above the door read: INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.

"Star is through these doors. There's no other patients in the unit so you have privacy. Call for me or Andrina if you need anything."

Mando didn't say anything as the doors opened and he stepped inside the room. The room was so cold that he could feel it through his armor. The bacta tank was in the center of the room. Mando approached ever closer to the bacta tank. Each step growing heavier as Star came more into view. He looked down through the glass at his love and he felt his life crashing for the second time. He had to lean against the tank to keep from collapsing under the weight of his own sorrow.

Double checking he was alone, Din took off his helmet to look at Star unfiltered. With shaking hands he ran his hand across the glass above her cheek, as if he actual could touch her face.

"Oh baby." Hot tears fell onto the glass, "I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry. Baby please, just open your eyes for me. Open your eyes."

There was no response. "Come on Star, don't you want to see our beautiful baby girl, the twins, and Aksel. Their going to miss you. I'm going to miss you."

There was still no response. Mando sighed and took a seat next to Star. He put his helmet on and got as comfortable as he could, "I'm not leaving you til you wake up. I won't be separated from you again."

After awhile there was a chime from the other side of the door. "Come in."

Andrina walked in with a nurse droid following close behind. Andrina started checking over Star's status, "Hi Mando. How are you holding up?"

"As best as I can. Any changes?"

"Unfortunately no but I would rather have no change than a negative change."

Mando nodded and settled back into his chair.

"I called Papa and told him what happened. He's bringing the kids in this afternoon. I thought you deserved a heads up." Andrina sighed as she looked down at her best friend. She quickly wiped away her tears, "Those kids are going to be devastated when they see her like this. To be honest, Im barely keeping myself together right now. Star is like a sister to me, the godmother to my children. I...I don't want to lose her again."

Mando looked up at Andrina and said, "We won't. Star's strong, she won't let this hold her down. Before we know it, she will be brightening up the room with her smile again."

Andrina smiled gently, "I know. I have something for you from Star." Andrina handed Mando a data chit.

"What is this?"

"A source. His name is Gor Karesh and apparently, he knows where to find a Mandalorian."

"When did she find this source?... It doesn't matter, I can't leave right now."

Andrina sighed, "Mando, Star wouldn't want you putting your mission and your life on hold for her. You know, before she entered surgery, Star made me promise her that I would convince you to continue the mission if something happened. We both know we will receive an earful if you don't follow up on this source."

Mando chuckled and rubbed his wedding ring, "Yeah we would. Star would tell me off for sure. But what kind of husband would I be to leave his ailing wife. What if she wakes up and I'm not here? I can't leave her."

Andrina took his hands into hers, "Mando, you are an amazing husband and an even greater father. Star will understand. She loves you so much that she would rather have you finish your mission than for you to stay by her side. Because she knows how important The Way is to you."

Andrina gave his hands a reassuring squeeze, before standing. "I have to finish my rounds but I'll come by later to check on you and Star."

"Thank you Andrina. Andrina before you go, can you set up Sky in this room with Star? They should be together."

"Of course." Andrina then exits the room.

Nothing could have prepared Mando for the twins' reaction to their mother. Mando wasn't the most emotional person but you had to be a cold hearted bastard not to choke up, even a little.

Amelia, upon seeing her mother, began to sob and beg for her mom to wake up. DJ cried and clung to his sister's side, holding her hand in an attempt at comfort. Aksel clung to Mando's chest and Mando rubbed comforting circles on his back. Papa, even with the help of his cane, nearly collapsed upon seeing his daughter. Even though Papa didn't cry at that time, Mando was sure it was because he wanted to be strong for his grandchildren.

It took a lot of convincing from Mando and Papa to get the twins' to leave Star's side. They all went home and for the first time, the house was quiet. Amelia ran up to her room and Mando could here the door slam from downstairs. DJ and Aksel decided it best to give Amelia some room so they opted to spend time with Mando and Papa.

DJ tugged on Mando's hand, "Yes DJ?"

"Father. Is mom going to be alright? She's not going to die right?"

Mando got down to one knee to be at the same level as his son, "Mama is going to be okay DJ. She's just taking an extra long rest right now. Your mother is the strongest person I know. She won't let this keep her down."

DJ fiddled with the hemn of his shirt, "If you say so. Is it okay if I take Aksel upstairs to check on Amelia?"

"Sure, go ahead." DJ picked up Aksel and they headed upstairs.

"Mando can I talk to you in the kitchen please." Papa asked once the kids were upstairs.

"Sure." He followed Papa into the kitchen.

"Andrina told me about Star's source and your hesitance about leaving. I think you should go and I think it best you bring the children with you. We don't know when Star is going to wake up. There's no use staying here and wallowing in self pity. Star would not want that for you, and she definitely wouldn't want that for her kids. I trust you and I know I can entrust my grandchildren to you. I would rather have my family spread out than all in one place."

"Your asking me to abandon my wife and take the children into danger. My work isn't exactly safe for them Papa. Wouldn't Star rather her children be here, close to her, family, and friends?"

"I understand how you feel, I do, but Star is going to kick your ass when she wakes up if you don't go. Then after that, she's going to tell us both off."

Mando chuckled at that, "Yeah your right about that."

"I promise that if there is a change, even if she twitches, you will be the first to know."

"Thank you. I'll set up a time to meet with the source. The kids and I will leave at that time."

"Sounds like a plan."

Present day...

Mando stirred awake as the navigation system alerted him to their arrival. He put the ship in orbit before standing and stretching out his stiff limbs. The smell of breakfast wafted into the cockpit and beckoned him down to the hull. Kaelyn had just finished breakfast as Mando approached: "How did the kids sleep?"

Kaelyn handed him a bowl of broth, "DJ had another nightmare but I was able to calm him down. Amelia and Aksel were a little restless but overall okay."

"Thank you for coming with us. I don't know what I would do if you hadn't come with us. Your so good with them." Mando took a sip of his broth.

"You would have been fine Mando. They can be a handful sometimes but their well behaved over all."

"What were the twins like when they were babies?"

Kaelyn leaned back in his seat and smiled as memories of the baby twins filled his mind. "They were incredibly cute and a handful. Amelia was as feisty then as she is now. DJ was such a gentle, quiet baby and rarely cried." Kaelyn chuckled as one particular memory resurfaced, "Amelia hated wearing her diaper so she would always take it off and run around the place naked. I got my exercise in chasing her around. She then showed DJ how to do it and it was over. I think they just thought it was funny, watching me chase them as they crawled away."

Mando chuckled before taking another sip, "Sounds like Amelia. One time, I was walking, minding my own business, and she jumped from a tree onto my back! Attacked me with a wooden blade! My own daughter! The betrayal I felt that day."

Kaelyn nearly spit out his drink as he laughed, "No way! How could sweet Amelia betray her own father like that?"

"I think the little green one put her up to it."

Kaelyn laughed even harder as he pictured Aksel conspiring with Amelia to play attack Mando.

"What's so funny Uncle Kaelyn?" Amelia asked sleepily as she approached the makeshift table.

"Oh nothing. Come and eat your break fast."

That evening

As Mando and Aksel got ready to head out to meet the source, Amelia was pouting and complaining to, well, anyone who would listen. "I don't understand why Aksel, the baby, gets to go with dad!"

DJ took a sip of his blue milk, "maybe because Aksel is 50 years old."

Amelia gave her brother an annoyed look, "and? He's still essentially a toddler."

"Yeah a toddler that took down a mudhorn. Do you know how big and mean those things are?"

Amelia just rolled her eyes, "okay yeah, that is pretty awesome. But, I think if we can't all go, then no one should go. It's only fair."

Before DJ could counter that argument, Mando interjected, "Amelia, your brother has been on a lot more missions with me than you two have. He knows what to do if things go scud. I know you want to see some action but you will just have to wait."

"Well how are we supposed to learn if you don't take us out in the field? I'm going to die from boredom at this rate!"

Mando sighed, "You will be alright. Plus someone has to be here to receive the update about your mom."

That seemed to calm Amelia, if only a little bit."That is important. Okay you win this time father but don't think I'm gonna let this slide next time."

Mando placed Aksel in his pram, "Looking forward to it. You two be good and no sneaking out. I'm talking to you Amelia."

Amelia put her hand over heart in mock offence, "I wouldn't even dream of it."

"I've heard the stories of your great escapes Amelia. I'm warning you, if you sneak out, you can forget about leaving this Razor Crest."

DJ took a bite of his blue cookie before saying, "don't worry, I'll make sure she stays put."

Amelia just huffed and climbed up to the cockpit to await for the transmission.

Mando hesitated for a moment before exiting the Razor Crest with Aksel.

Amelia was joined a few minutes later by DJ. He sat in the copilot seat and put a plate of cookies on his lap. Amelia reached over and took a couple. "That's a bad habit you know."

"What?"

"Whenever your stressed, you binge eat on sweets until your stomach hurts. It's a bad habit."

DJ rolled his eyes and leaned back against his seat, looking up at the stars. "Can you blame me? Mom is gone and we dont know when she will be back. We are traveling with our father, who we barely know, around the galaxy. So yeah, I'm stressed. Besides, my habit isn't as bad as yours."

"I know, I'm stressed too, but dad is trying his best. He loves mom so I'm not worried. And what bad habit?"

DJ raised an eyebrow at her, "don't even pretend like you don't know. Your bad habit is when you get stressed, you lash out and shut everyone out."

"I do not-"

"Oh yes you do. You have been so touchy lately. Everyone has to tiptoe around you because every little thing sets you off lately. We are upset about mom too, not just you."

"Can you blame me?! I haven't felt this way since we were captured by Him. Seeing mom just laying there, lifeless, it triggered all of those feelings and thoughts." Amelia voice cracked as she averted her gaze from DJ, "How am I supposed to deal with that?" Fresh tears fell from eye. She covered her face with her hands, hiding her sobbing face behind them like a shield.

DJ's gaze softened and he reached out to his sister through the force. Sending her as much warmth and comfort as he could muster. "Amelia, please look at me."

DJ waited patiently as Amelia took her time to uncover her eyes to look at him. "Im sorry."

"I accept your apology, plus you're right. I do tend to lash out when im upset and its a bad habit. Ill work on it."

" Yeah and ill work on mine as well. I know i tend to shut down and isolate myself when stressed so ill work on it."

There was a beep on the console notifying them that a new transmission just came in. Amelia played the transmission, a holographic Delta appeared.

"Hello Djarin family, I hope this message finds you well. Unfortunately, there has been no change in Star's condition. Sky is progressing as expected and is in good health. That is all."

The twins slumped back in their seats, "Well no change is better than a bad change right? Our baby sister is strong and healthy so theres that."

DJ ate another cookie, "yeah."

"Mom says eating sweets before bed will give you nightmares."

"Just let me live my life Amelia!"

Later that night Mando and Aksel arrived back at the Razor Crest. Mando had expected to be greeted by the twins but was greeted by an empty hull instead. It is kinda late, he thought. He looked in his bed and saw the twins fast asleep. He placed Aksel in his hammock above the bed. He tucked his children in and shut the door.

Mando stretched out his sore muscles as he made his way to the cockpit.

"The twins tried to stay up to greet you but it was getting late." Kaelyn said, emerging from seemingly nowhere.

Mando almost jumped, where did he come from? "Yeah sorry about that. There were some complications so it took longer than expected."

Kaelyn raised an eyebrow at him, "Did you get what you needed?"

"Yeah, we're heading to Mos Pelgo on Tatooine."

"Mos Pelgo? Never heard of it."

"Me neither but I got a friend there that could be of help."

A few days later they arrived at Tatooine, landing in a familiar garage. Mando landed the Razor Crest and was immediately greeted by Peli Motto and her array of droids.

As the droids got ready to work on the ship, Peli yelled out, "Back away gang. You know he doesn't trust your kind."

"It's alright, the Razor Crest could use the once over."

"Oh well, I guess he trusts your kind now. Get to work gang!" Peli seemed to be searching for something, or more like someone. It was obvious who she was looking for so Mando uncovered Aksel.

"Oh thank the Force! There he is!" Peli immediately took Aksel into her arms. Then someone, or more like someones caught her attention. Her eyes widened as she looked at the twins then at Mando then back at the twins.

"She's scaring me,"Amelia whispered to her brother who responded with a nod.

"You sure have been busy Mando! Are these two yours?"

"Yes, these two are my son and daughter. Guys, why don't you introduce yourself?"

Amelia outstretched her hand, "Hello, my name is Amelia Djarin. It's very nice to meet you."

Peli shook her hand, "It's very nice to meet you too. My name is Peli Motto, best mechanic this side of the outer rim. And what's your name son?"

DJ also outstretched his hand, "my name is Din Djarin Junior, DJ for short. It's a pleasure to meet you too Miss Motto."

"Oh this one is a charmer! He must get it from his mother."

Mando sighed in response.

"So, I'm guessing you need me to watch these guys while you seek out adventure?"

"Actually, I'm here on business. I've been quested to return the little one to his kind. I need to find other Mandalorians to guide me to his kind. Have you seen anyone who looks like me?"

"Your the only Mandalorian that's been here in years, as far as I know."

"Ever heard of place name Mos Pelgo? I couldn't find it on any of my maps."

"That's a name I haven't heard in awhile. R5! Pull up a map of Tattoine!" The group followed her to the droid who had a holographic Tatooine pulled up. She spun it around until she landed her finger on where Mos Pelgo was. "There it is."

"I don't see anything."

"Yeah, well it's there. Not much left though."

"You still got that speeder bike?"

"It's a little rusty but I got it."

"You are not sidelining us again! We are going with you and Aksel!" Amelia exclaimed, crossing her arms and giving her father a look that could kill.

"How am I supposed to bring you two? We all can't get on this bike Amelia."

"Dad's right Lia. There's no room, let's just let this go."

"That is so unfair. At least one of us could ride with him."

DJ shuffled uncomfortably and started to play with the hemn of his shirt. "But we have never been apart since, you know. What if something happens and we can't get to each other?"

Amelia sighed and backed down, dejectedly saying "Okay. I'll stay."

Mando was about to say something when Pelli interjected, "maybe I can be of some assistance. You two wait right here."

Pelli walked to the back and moments later emerged rolling a sidecar over to them. Amelia's eyes immediately lit up at the sight. "Look DJ, now we can all go! Please, Dad, please let us go with you. I promise we'll be good! Please please please!"

Pelli could feel the glare pointed at her from Mando, but how could she resist those cute twins. Mando let out the longest, most exasperated sigh of his life, "okay fine, but you have to listen to every word I say. Got it?"

"You got it!" Amelia climbed on to the back of the speeder bike and wrapped her arms around Mando's waist. DJ climbed into the side car, relieved to not have to be away from his family.

"Alright everyone hold on!" Mando and co sped off towards Mos Pelgo.

Amelia waved back to Pelli and gave her the biggest grin as she called out, "Thank you Auntie Pelli!"

Pelli's heart melted as she waved them goodbye.

Amelia felt so free. The wind flowing through her hair and warmth of the two suns on her skin. She looked over at her twin who now was wearing goggles. He was leaning back in the side car, looking very relaxed.

"Where did you find those?" Amelia called out to him.

"In here."

"Is that sanitary?" Mando called out.

"I wiped them off before I put them on."

They rode until nightfall, where they met a group of Tusken Raiders. Mando couldn't help but show off his skills as he communicated fluently with the raiders. The twins were in absolute awe of their father, he really was resourceful! Mando was proud of the twins too, they were open and respectful towards the Raiders. They even picked up some of the language.

Come morning they were on the road again. It was about midday that they finally made it to Mos Pelgo. As Mando rode through town, he noticed the towns folk stare or duck into their houses. Interesting. "There's a tavern. We'll go there, you can usually find some good information in taverns."

"Like how you met our mother?"

"Uh, yes but I doubt I'll end up marrying this bartender."

Mando pulled the bike along side and climbed off. "Stay close to me. If things get hairy, you grab your brothers and you get out of there. Got it?"

Amelia gave a firm a nod, "I won't let anything happen to my brothers, I promise."

"Alright let's go."

Mando walked in first, quickly scanning the tavern for any immediate danger. It was empty save for the lone bartender. He walked to the bar and the kids came in right behind him.

As Mando spoke to the bartender, the twins and Aksel explored the rather plain tavern. "Grandpa's place is way more interesting than this place." Amelia said as she ran her hand over one of the many beige colored booths.

"That's rude Amelia."

"I'm just telling the truth. Aksel agrees with me." Aksel tilted his head and babbled in agreement.

"Still rude." The children climbed into the booth, Aksel sandwiched between the twins. They watched as their father spoke to the bartender. "Amelia look." DJ nodded his head towards the entryway. "Looks like the info was good."

The other Mando walked in and DJ could immediately notice his father relax a little bit. Hmmm, weird. Why would he offer dad a drink? I thought they couldn't take there helmets off. Then a moment later, the other Mando took his helmet off, revealing the man underneath. Everyone stiffened, the tension in the room thickening. The kids watched as their father demanded where the man got the offer. Watched as the situation escalated to the point of a standoff.

DJ looked at his sister, who had moved Aksel to the other side of her to block him from future blaster fire. Amelia whispered, "DJ don't. I know what your thinking."

"I can't just sit here and watch if I can help!" DJ whispered back.

"Mom said not to use our powers unless it's an emergency!"

"This is an emergency!"

"Dad can handle himself!"

"I will not lose another parent Amelia!"

Before DJ could step out of the booth, the ground began to shake violently. Amelia grabbed her brothers and dragged them under the table. She held a whimpering and shaking Aksel close to her as she whispered assurances to him. DJ hugged both of them close to him as they waited for the shaking to end.

"Is this an earthquake?"

"No, I felt something alive right before the shaking began."

"I felt it too but what creature could cause the building to shake like this?"

"Whatever it is, it's big."

The shaking only lasted a few minutes but it felt like eternity to the children. Amelia didn't let them resurface from the booth till their father came and gave them the all clear. Once out of the booth, Mando introduced them to the fake Mando, Cob Vanth. Apparently that creature was a krayt dragon and their father has been tasked to help Vanth kill it in exchange for the armor. Amelia was extremely excited at the prospect of fighting a krayt dragon. Her brothers however, were less than thrilled. Mando assured them that they would not be fighting the krayt dragon(looking pointedly at Amelia) but will watch from a safe distance.

The mission was successful despite some hiccups along the way. The villagers and tusken raiders had a rough time working together at first, but came together in the end. The twins helped as much as they could no matter how little the task. For their mother had always told them, you should always offer a helping hand no matter how big or how small the task. Everything helps.

After many goodbyes, and gaining a big chunk of meat, the Djarin clan made their way back to the Razor Crest.

Star's Status

Alpha waves _

Beta waves _

Delta waves _

Theta waves _

Notes:

Thank you for reading this super long chapter. Its been awhile since my last post so I wanted to give you guys something a little extra.

Thank you for all of the love and support!