╔═══════════════╗
ii. lieutenant orion.
╚═══════════════╝

     A BRIGHT SMILE crept onto Cora's face as the rebel base came into view. Paris shouted down a safety precaution as the siblings prepared the ship for landing. "Welcome home." He smiled at his sister after they both successfully docked the Eagle. "Come on, we have to inform the senator that the mission was a success."

     Cora nodded her head before rising from her seat, and following closely behind her brother. She could feel the gazes of other rebels on her as they walked through the base. Almost everyone knew about the mission to rescue the legendary fighter, she concurred. Paris gave her a reassuring smile when noticing her uneasiness from being the center of attention.

     Suddenly, a large group of rebels came into view of the siblings. Each person had an aura around them that resembled a higher authority. Cora noticed that Mon Mothma herself was leading the pack.

     "The mission was a success, Senator." Paris declared. He sent a small look back at his sister.

     Mon Mothma smiled. "I'm glad to hear that." She spoke fondly. "Come with me, Ms. Orion. So many exciting things have happened since you've been gone." She added while ushering the girl towards her. "The rest of you, carry on with your duties."

     Cora gave the woman a nod of her head before closely following her, but not before saying a quick goodbye to her brother.

     Mon Mothma explained the main structural additions the base received, and even the electrical ones. She showed her all the new ships throughout the landing bay, but one caught Cora's eye the most. "I-Is that my ship?"

     "It sure is. Captain Andor has been keeping it in the best shape as possible for your arrival. Go have a quick look inside." The Senator smiled. Cora quickly turned on her heel, and scurried into the machinery.

     Once inside, Cora looked all around her, and just took everything in. It looked a million times better than when she left. Her ship was one of the many things she looked forward to seeing again while she was trapped in the Empire. She remembered the day that she had managed to scramble enough credits for it. Back on Tatooine, she took the currency made by her and her brother, and she bought it. Paris wasn't too keen on the idea, but they had managed to finally leave that horrid planet.

     Cora continued moving through the ship. A sense of nostalgia filled her with every step she took. Every little scratch and dent that her eyes glossed over, brought up old memories and it made the young woman smile.

     A loud beeping noise from behind the girl startled her out of her thoughts. Quickly turning around and raising her blaster, Cora was met with a droid. Not just any droid; her droid. "X2!" She called out as she dropped to her knees before her R2-X2. "It's so good to see you again." Cora smiled.

     Before the two could be properly reunited, Mon Mothma approached them. "Cora, I am so sorry to bother you, but I have important matters to take care of, and we must finish the tour beforehand."

     "My apologies, Senator. Come on, X2." Cora responded while beckoning her droid to follow.

      The tour continued on for what felt like ages. Cora vividly remembered what the base looked like before she left, but she had no idea of the renovations that continued through her absence. "It's coming out lovely. The whole base itself, I mean." The Orion woman stated as her and the senator stood out front of her apartment.

     "Yes, we have been taken many safety precautions against attacks." Mon Mothma responded.

     Cora smiled. "Glad to see you still manage to make it look good. Oh! I almost forgot to thank you. For rescuing me."

     "Oh don't thank me. Your younger brother, and Captain Andor have been keen on sending a rescue fleet ever since you left. They had just managed to convince the rest of the council. They're the ones you should be thanking."

     Cora sat dumbfounded on her doorstep as she watched the leader stalk away. She glanced down at her droid with furrowed eyebrows. "How does the council not trust me yet? It's been four years, X2! Four years!"

     With a shake of her head, Cora turned around and unlocked her door. After stepping inside the apartment, she immediately collapsed on the small bed in the center of the room. As she laid there, her eyes scanned the area around her. It was still a picture perfect sight from what she remembered. With the small kitchen and dining table to her right, the couch to her left, and the closet directly in front of her. It was identical, and it made her a little happy inside. It was the only thing that really made her feel like she didn't miss much in the year she was gone.

     Suddenly, as the woman was caught up in her thoughts, there was a loud sound directly outside of the door. Seconds later, the knob began to twist. Cora grabbed the blaster from her holster, sent a small glance to her droid, and aimed it directly for the entryway.

     It swung open, and the person on the other side gave the woman a confused look. "Cora?"

     Time moved in slow motion. The blaster fell from Cora's fragile fingers as she rushed forwards, and brought the man into a tight hug. Cassian Andor immediately wrapped his arms around the girl's waist in response to the joy he was feeling.

     They both pulled away and he muttered, "I can't believe it. Paris pulled through."

     Cora let out a laugh before pulling him into a hug again. "You don't know how much I've missed you." She muttered.

     "I feel the same, my love." He responded while squeezing her tightly, almost to represent his fear of losing her again. Cora smiled at the nickname.

     The two pulled away again. "Mon Mothma told me to thank you for rescuing me."

     "Oh, yes. The councilmen were assholes. Took your brother and I months to get them to see how great you are."

     Cora grinned at his words. Without warning, a wave of nostalgic feelings overcame the both of them. The woman recalled being locked up in the dark, cold cell back in the Empire. She remembered that everything morning, he was the first thing on her mind, and the last before she went to sleep. Him and Paris were her motives of getting out.

     For Cassian, he felt pretty much the same way. When he heard the news of her arrival, he didn't know what to believe. He knew he had to see her for his self, so that's what led him to her small apartment.

     Now, the two were looking at each other with so many emotions running through each of them. "So," Cora began as she turned and walked towards her bed. Her sarcastic self was back after only a few minutes of being sentimental. "How has your life been without me for a whole year?" By now, she was sitting on the soft mattress.

     "Oh, a living hell, as you would think. How about you?" He responded before shuffling over and taking a seat beside her.

     She looked up at him with a smile. "The same." Cora paused, and then whispered, "I'm just glad to be back."

     "I'm glad you're back." He grinned as he grabbed onto her hands. Cora glanced down at their intertwined palms. A small smile had begun to creep onto her face, but the moment didn't last long. Cassian quickly retracted, and tried to divert her attention elsewhere. "Have you seen your ship?"

     Cora nodded, totally unfazed by the recent situation. "I did. Thank you very much, Captain Andor." 

     "You are very welcome, Lieutenant Orion."

     "It's about time someone fucking appreciates my ranking!"

     Cassian laughed. "Come on, let's go celebrate your arrival."

author's note.
their backstory will be
explained later.