T/W:

****

BREAKING NEWS: ACTRESS CHARLEY EVANS HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN CAST AS TERRA ORION, IN THE UPCOMING MANDALORIAN FILM!!

ONE CAN'T HELP BUT ASK: DID SHE ACTUALLY EARN THIS ROLE OR IS PEDRO PRESSING THE CASTING CREW IN ORDER TO GET HIS REAL LIFE LEADING LADY IN ALL HIS UPCOMING PROJECTS?

***
I glare at the headlines knowing this would happen. I'm tempted to ditch this role and go make that awful, lower tier thriller. Hell, at the rate these headlines are going, I'm even considering signing on to that western I so desperately wanted to avoid.

Pedro thinks nothing of it. Although he's casually mentioned how a few interviewers have ambushed him by bringing up the idea that he was the one who got me the role. I even issued a statement, saying that I did, indeed have to audition for the role. But you know how much the media enjoys twisting words.

Just thinking about it, I start feeling sick to my stomach. Pedro keeps reminding me of what we discussed when we first got together. How I can control the narrative. Hah. He's delusional if he really thinks that's possible.

And I'm no better, continuing to stick around, pretending that he and I, can have something permanent.

***

"And...action!"

I discreetly watch Pedro round the corner into the cantina before slipping in after him, the cameras filming our every move. The extras in the scene are spread out. Some sitting at the bar, others sitting at tables or standing in clusters, towards the back.

I'm tucked away, in a darker part of the cantina, nonchalantly sipping a fake drink, my gaze trained on Pedro, er Mando. His head swivels around, looking in my direction, (kinda, as he's wearing that ridiculous helmet that I'm beginning to hate), stalking over to me.

"You Terra Orion?" I merely stare at him, unwavering.

"Depends on who's asking?"

"Mando."

I roll my eyes. "I figured that, Mando. I was referring to who sent you."

Pedro pauses dramatically, his hand inching towards his blaster. "That's not important. Now are you gonna answer me?"

Another eye roll. "Yeah, I'm her. What do you want?"

"I've heard you can help me with a little problem I have."

"You'll need to be more specific, Mando." My tone is mocking. Pedro's hand reaches his blaster, the other reaching for my arm. I resist, but his grip tightens. I glare.

"Cut!" The director calls, grinning. "That was fantastic!"

"Thanks," I say, realizing that Pedro hasn't let released his hold on me. I turn, giving him a pointed look. He chuckles.

"Everyone, take five!" The director announces, as he hops up from his chair, the assistant director, standing close by, showing him something in the script. They scurry off the set while Pedro and I have a moment alone.

"Take off that stupid helmet," I snap, as a makeup artist touches me up. Pedro laughs, tugging off the helmet. Now that it's off, he looks out of place.

"You hate the helmet," he says. I nod.

"Good guess, Pascal." I study him. "Who's idea was it to cover up one of the handsome men in Hollywood?"

A faint blush creeps up Pedro's neck, reaching his face. I smirk, satisfied that I could do that.

"You're making me flustered," he teases. I snicker.

"Consider it payback for all those times you did that to me."

Pedro laughs again, hooking an arm around my shoulders as I lean against him. "Toucĥe, my spicy little space vixen."

****

I'm yawning as I collect my things. I cannot wait to get back to the apartment, have some food and cuddle with my leading man. I sling my bag over my shoulder, exiting my trailer and shutting the door. As I round the corner, I hear Pedro's voice, slightly raised. I frown, hurrying over, noticing he's on his phone, back turned towards me.

"Look, I don't see why it's an issue," Pedro is saying, his tone, agitated. "We work well together and her other options weren't stellar."

I frown, knowing he's talking about me. I just don't know who he's saying that to. Pedro abruptly pivots, catching sight of me. His eyes widen slightly and he ends the call. I notice the guilt on his face.

"What was that all about?" I ask casually. Pedro sighs.

"My...agent thinks that it's unnecessary for me to get you...roles."

My jaw drops. "WHAT?!"

Pedro looks even more guilty. He takes my hand, leading me away. Normally, I would have fought, but I'm too stunned to react accordingly. We make our way out to Pedro's car. He unlocks the doors, opening up the passenger side and I dumbly climb inside.

He shuts the door, walking around climbs into the driver's seat, but makes no move to start the car.

"I thought," I say quietly. "I got this role because I auditioned for it, fair and square."

Pedro doesn't respond and my stomach drops. I gaze out the window. So, the media wasn't wrong. Pedro did pressure them to hire me.

"You...did." Pedro finally starts the car and takes off. His lapsed response tells me everything I need to know. I grit my teeth. Although the truth stings, in a way, I'm more pissed at myself than Pedro. I shouldn't have put him in this position. I should have just picked one of the roles I'd been offered without accepting his help.

We reach his place and Pedro cuts the engine, turning to face me, looking ashamed. It nearly breaks my heart.

"It's not your fault," I say.

"It is," Pedro insists.

"No. It's not. It's mine." I open the car door, climbing out. "I shouldn't have agreed to this so readily."

Pedro is beside me in a minute, taking my hand, leading me inside. I know what he's doing; trying to keep the media out of this.

"Maybe it wasn't ideal," Pedro says, closing his front door. "But I wanted you with me again. I did it out of selfishness."

I study him. He must really care about me. Or...something? I don't know. I feel confused. "Yeah," I murmur. "It certainly sounds like you were being selfish. Though if the roles were reversed, I probably would have done the same thing."

Now Pedro is studying me. He takes a few steps closer, reaching out. I take his hand and he draws me against him. I lean into him. One of his hands comes up, caressing my back.

"I want to protect you, Charley," Pedro murmurs. "More than anything."

I look up into his face. "Why?"

Pedro shrugs. "Because I hate how you've been treated in this industry. You're an amazing actress and don't deserve all this negativity."

I smile, reaching up to cup one of Pedro's cheeks. He softens, turning his head slightly and kissing my palm.

"I appreciate that," I whisper. "But I'm more than capable of sticking up for myself."

Pedro flashes that beautiful smile. "Oh, I'm aware, mi amor."

****

We order in some sushi and salad, cuddling up on the couch. "Do you want me to drop out of this production?" I ask Pedro.

He sighs. "Do you want to?"

"Not really. But I don't exactly want your agent spouting off to the press, either."

"She won't." Pedro's arm curls around me as I snuggle in further.

"Can you fully trust her?"

"Yes."

"How'd she figure it out in the first place?" I ask.

Pedro shrugs. I frown. "You told her, didn't you?"

"What? No!"

I stare, not totally believing him. How else would she know? Is she actually psychic?

"I swear to you, mi amor," Pedro murmurs, caressing my leg. "I did not tell her."

"She figured it out somehow. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been busting your balls earlier today."

Pedro shrugs again. I don't like how he's treating this so casually. He must have said something. I decide to drop it. I'm too damn exhausted for a full blown argument. I yawn, resting my head on Pedro's chest.

"We should get some sleep," Pedro murmurs. "Tomorrow we'll be filming some pretty intense sequences."

I raise up my head, moving to get up. "All right. I'll let you handle turning stuff off. I need to use the bathroom quickly."

Pedro agrees and head to the bathroom, unable to shake this nagging feeling that Pedro isn't being as honest with me as he should be.

****

The next day is excruciatingly difficult. (If I'd known it was gonna be this intense, I might have reconsidered the part.) But I am an actress and it's definitely not all glitz and glamor. And besides, despite the fact that I kinda feel like Pedro is keeping something from me, it is great to be able to work with him on another project.

***

"And....action!"

This is the tenth take on this particular scene. Pedro and I's characters are fleeing from some questionable individuals, zigzaging through alleyways, as Pedro is holding on to the Grogu puppet. I'm out of breath for real and my legs are getting tired. I hope I'll be able to walk tomorrow.

"And...cut! That's a wrap!" All of us in the scene take a breather. One big guy whose character is chasing us, catches my eye, grinning.

"You holding up okay, Charley?"

I nod, giving him a wry grin. "Yeah. How about you? You've gotta be exhausted."

He chuckles, shrugging. "I'm used to it." He adds a wink. "Though not sure my legs are!"

I laugh as the director has us move out of the alleyway on towards the next set. We reach the area and the makeup artist is touching my face up and a water bottle is put in my hand. I thank the young man who brought it, taking a sip while the lady adjusts my hair.

"All right! Places everyone! Quiet on the set! Pedro, Charley? You two ready?" The director asks. We nod and he shouts: "Action!" and we're back to filming.

"We lost them," Pedro says, looking down at Grogu, who gives an adorable coo. I nearly break character, forgetting that the it's the puppeteers that are controlling him and often forget Grogu isn't alive.

"Now what?"

"We need to get back to my ship and head to the nearest outpost." Pedro starts walking. A beat passes before I reluctantly follow.

"Don't think there's room on your ship for another person," I snap. "Not sure why I'm even following you."

Pedro abruptly stops, facing me. "We'll make it work. Even if you have to cram in behind me."

I scoff. "Behind you? Why don't I just sit on your lap?"

Another beat passes. Pedro hesitates, but makes no comment as Grogu continues "talking."

"You'd probably enjoy that, huh, Mando? Some beautiful woman, sitting on your lap. Though...that's probably unsuitable for..him." I vaguely gesture towards Grogu.

"Enough!"

"Cut!" We pause. "Nice! That was phenomenal!"

"Thanks," I say. "Although I'm pretty sure Grogu stole the scene."

Everyone laughs and I gently reach out, patting Grogu's head. The puppeteers make him respond, as his little green head tilts up, looking at me.

"Good to know you're not jealous," Pedro teases me, pulling off the helmet and giving me a wink. I laugh.

"Are you crazy? Jealous of this adorable baby? No way!" Pedro leans over, giving me a kiss. I smile. Then...Grogu's blowing a raspberry and we both crack up.