Bear with me as I write nearly the last 30 minutes of this movie but man it was worth every hour XDDD

"Ok. Here goes."

You held your breath as you listened to Bodhi communicating with the base below to permit them to land on Scarif. You stared out at the great expanse of space and the planet that was the Rebel's target. However, it was encased in a seemingly strong force field with a few gated openings speckled around it. Those ports were heavily guarded and despite having arrived in an imperial ship, you couldn't help but fear they could see right through the hull and spy the lot of you, and the whole thing would blow up in a single photon torpedo.

"Cargo shuttle SW-0608 requesting a landing pad."

You blinked back to the present, your heart hammering. 

"Cargo shuttle SW-0608, you are not listed on the arrival schedule."

Bodhi responded without missing a beat. "Acknowledged, Gate Control. We were rerouted from Eadu flight station." He glanced at K2 sitting at the helm beside him. "Transmitting clearance code now."

"Transmitting." K2 shared the stolen identification number and Bodhi closed his eyes, the quiet thick with palpable anticipation.

You reached into your shirt and pulled out your necklace, the end of it cold to the touch as light reflecting off the planet below passed through the clear crystal your father had given to you long ago. You closed your fist around it and closed your eyes, silently praying. To whom, you weren't sure, but to anything out there that will help get your team through.

A soft clank behind you made you turn. Cassian claimed up from the cargo hold and spared you a slight glance as he too waited for the verdict.

"Cargo shuttle SW-0608,"

You made eye contact with Cassian as he came to stand by you and held his gaze, the both of you holding your breath as the gate operator continued.

"You are cleared for entry."

"YES!" Bodhi let out a hushed cheer, his smile wide.

You smiled at him and K2 nodded. "Impressive."

You looked to Cassian again and you couldn't help but smile wider. He let out a breathy chuckle, tapping the ceiling in relief. You walked to where he came from, stuffing your necklace back down your shirt front. But as you passed him he quietly grabbed your arm, making you pause beside him.

He held your gaze and you did the same, your heart beating quickly for more reasons than one. 

You feared you were far too in over your head with all this. Since seeing your father pass right in your arms, there was very little left for you to live for. But the moment you listened to his holo message suddenly, a spark was lit and you had a goal to accomplish. To make your father proud.

Then there was Cassian. Oh, how he irked you, just enough that you almost looked forward to his pessimistic comments to your hopeful ideologies. However, he was truly just as hopeful and determined as you, if not more so. There was a history behind his furrowed brows and pinched lips. A history you wished to smooth away with the stroke of your thumb and brush of your lips. Even if it meant things changing forever.

But now...now you almost wished there was another way for all of this to happen without knowing that it would only end in the death of every man on this mission. Including Cassian's. you shook your head to yourself, breaking eye contact with Cassian.

Patting his hand you turned away. "I'll tell the others."

~~~~~~~~

"SW-0608, cleared for Landing Pad 9. Acknowledge, please."

Cassian leaned in close to the window next to Bodhi, taking in the area they would be landing in. A tall tower stood at the center of it all, a large dish pointed up at the sky at its peak.

"SW-0608 proceeding to LP 9 as instructed," Bodhi called back, steering the ship lower.

Cassian shifted. "Main building down there, what is it?"

"That's the Citadel Tower. They keep all the Imperial structural archives up there." Bodhi glanced at Cassian, tilting his head to the structure. "If the plans are anywhere, they'll be there."

Cassian turned to the pilot. "And the dish at the top, what's it for?" 

"I guess it takes a lot of signal to send those data files out."

Cassian looked back out to the tower, his mind racing. There was so much that had to happen and had to happen RIGHT for even a fraction of this plan to go well, let alone succeed. He closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. Y/n's face appeared, unbidden, in his mind and his heart flipped.  There was so much he wanted to tell her. 

"Lansing track, engaged," K2 called.

"Landing track locked," Bodhi responded.

But that will have to wait.

Cassian patted Bodhi's shoulder and went down below. He spied (Y/n) leaning against the wall, her face pulled in concerned concentration. He glanced around the cargo hold seeing the somber looks on all the men's faces. Not sure what to address first he looked back at (Y/n) and she matched his gaze.

"We're landing."

She nodded and turned with him as he addressed the men. 

"We are coming in." He was going to say more but a slight pressure on his hand gave him pause. His hand tingled as he watched (Y/n) turn to address the men instead.

"Saw Gerrera used to say, 'One fighter with a sharp stick and nothing left to lose can take the day'. They've no idea we're coming. they've no reason to expect us. If we can make it to the ground, we'll take the next chance. And the next. On and on until we win."

She paused and took a breath. "Or the chances are spent."

Cassian watched her, his heart swelling with each word she spoke. Clearly, he wasn't the only one feeling such power because all the men were alert and had a bit more hope in their eyes.

"The Death Star plans are down there. Cassian, K2, and I will find them." She turned back to look at him and Cassian gave her a soft nod and he couldn't take his eyes off her. A half smile kept pulling at the corner of his mouth. He wasn't usually this intent on her but he was, especially when she was showing her deep, unrelenting strength.

(Y/n) turned back to the men. "We'll find a way to find them."

Cassian caught her eyes for a moment before calling out. 

"Malshi, Pao, Baze, Chirrut; you'll take the main squad. Move east and get wide of the ship. Pind a position between here and the tower. Once you get to the best spot, light the place up."

The men were all standing now, and Cassian couldn't hold the smirk back any longer. 

"Make ten men fell like a hundred."

There were low rumblings of comradery and agreement.

With a small nervous laugh, Cassian added one more thing,  looking at (Y/n) as if she would agree with him. "And get those troopers away from us." 

Bodhi had come down during the speeches, his voice making Cassian turn. 

"What should I do?"

"Keep the engine running." Cassian leaned in close to him, (Y/n) turning to join in, nodding. "You're our only way outta here."

~~~~~~

"Cargo shuttle SW-0608, be prepared to receive inspection team."

You were back up at the cockpit to watch as two stormtroopers, an imperial officer, and imperial deck technician approached the ship. Turning to Bodhi, you gave him a sure nod.

"Ready?"

The both of you went back down below just as the loading door was being lowered. Bodhi pushed you to go even lower where Baze helped you hide. You made sure all the other men were hidden well enough away so as not to alarm the inspection team before they were able to jump them and grab their clothes.

"Hello." The Imperial Officer was not having a good day it seems. And unfortunately, it wasn't about to get any better if they had anything to do about it. 

"Hey,"  you could hear Bodhi doing his best to sound nonchalant. "Oh, you're probably looking for a manifest."

"That would be helpful."

You looked up from your hiding spot to see him look down at you and point. 

"It's just down here."

~~~~~~

A few quiet shots and the scuffling of undressing and dressing later, you and Cassian watched as the troopers were dragged away, the other two having oh so generously swapped clothing with you and Cassian.

The men were moving around and talking in low tones, all trying to help and encouraging support to each other. You approached the blind warrior, placing a comforting hand on his and he nodded to you kindly. Baze then reached out and took your shoulders.

"Good luck, little sister."

You were doing fine about keeping any sort of emotional tears at bay but hearing his endearing words they nearly slipped out. All you could bring yourself to do was give him a close-lipped smile, as big as you could make it, your eyes as kind as you could show him. Hopefully, he knew just how much his words meant to you. 

You came to stand next to Cassian, the both of you taking in each other's new disguises.

"It looks like it all fits pretty well." Cassian gave you a small smirk. 

You raised a brow. "Don't get too comfortable yourself, Andor, this almost suits you." You tugged at his lapel and winked. With a snap, you closed the black helmet visor and stood at attention.

Cassian straightened his hat and did a short nod to the other men. "Good luck to you guys."

K2 walked up behind the two of you, his feet clanking on the ship floor. 

"I sure hope there's enough luck to go around for all of us."

"K..." Cassian muttered, the three of you starting down the ramp.

"What?" K2 lowered his voice to a whisper that was anything but. "A robot can hope."

You glanced around as you left the ship. Your shoulders subconsciously dropped and you blinked slowly. The other officers and troopers didn't bat an eye as the three of you made your way to the padhanger door. You walked up to the door and pressed a button, looking at the officer that stood at the second authentication button. he nodded to you and pressed it, the doors opening. Cassian and K2 walked through. Once you were sure they were in, you gave the other officer one last nod before following after them.

You pulled your visor down as the doors to the lift closed.

"I've got a bad feeling about-"

"K!" Cassian called out.

"Be quiet!" You clipped.

"What?" K2 whined, shrugging a shoulder.

The lift, instead of going up and down, was more of a tram, going left to right. Cassian adjusted his gloves, and just by glancing at him you knew his mind was going a million miles a minute.

"We'll need a map." He wasn't addressing anyone in particular but you all knew he was talking to K2.

The droid turned from Cassian and looked forward. "Well, I'm sure there's one just lying about."

You let out a soft snort and Cassian all but rolled his eyes. "You know what you have to do."

The doors opened before anything else could be said.

It was cold. You grit your teeth to keep them from chattering, wondering if the adrenaline of the situation was catching up to you too. The further you walked, the more disheartened you became. Hundreds of thousands of troopers, officers, and droids walked about, thankfully ignorant of your infiltration but intimidating all the same. 

Another K2 droid walked by, its small lit eyes empty, dead and its movement stiff. You watched it pass until your eyes landed on Cassian. It was truly upsetting that his disguise was truly distracting. You were glad you got to see him in a fitted uniform before...

It didn't take too long for K2 to find another K2 droid, uncompassionate it, and take its memory data banks for the schematics of the base. You and Cassian stood guard of the little room K2 disregarded the husk of a droid its eyes blinking until it stopped.

K2 exited the room, his arm holding onto the door frame as if he were heavy with the new data. "Our optimal route to the data vault places only 89 Stormtroopers in our path. We will make it no more than 33% of the way before we are killed."

You slowly turned to look at Cassian, giving up on trying to hide the fear and doubt you could feel bubbling up to the surface. This will be near impossible. Sadly, you could also tell Cassian was thinking nearly the same thing.

He fumbled to take out his communicator, the three of you looking around as he contacted the pad crew.

"Melshi, talk to me."

"Ready. Ready. Standing by."

You would have laughed at Cassian's surprise at the fact Melshi answered, let alone was alive. But all you could do was give Cassian a large nod when he looked to you for the go-ahead. His eyes hardened and he lowered his voice.

 "Light it up."

A sudden alarm went off and troops started running around in battalions, commands echoing left and right. You entered a round chamber but paused as a squad ran past, their guns at the ready. Cassian placed a hand on yours, holding you back as you tried to rush forward, his touch giving you pause. 

"Relax, we can't set them off."

You took a breath, not realizing your eagerness to get to the room was showing. You clenched and released your fist as the squad of troops cleared the room. With measured, sure steps the three of you walked until a door on the left showed a man at a command desk, an open round door next to him. 

The information vault.

The man at the desk raised his head and paused. "Can we help you?"

K2, without hesitation, approached the command desk. "That won't be necessary." And thumped him so hard on the head he collapsed instantaneously.

Quickly, the three of you got to work on getting the door open to the data center. K2 stood at the controls, doing as droids do and reading the computer as best he could. 

"It looks like we will need the handprint of the officer on the floor to open the gate."

You and Cassian exchanged a look as you each took an arm and dragged him to where a small pad came out of the wall, a blue screen and five dots blinking where the fingers were supposed to be placed. 

With a grunt, you held the hefty man up and Cassian grabbed his left arm and swung it up, the hand slapping onto the scanner. He looked at you and shook his head. 

"This is not working K!"

"Right hand!"

You let out a soft laugh, taking off your helmet. "We only had a fifty/fifty chance."

Cassian didn't say anything as you both pressed the officer's right hand onto the screen and it beeped green the door sliding open. The both of you dropped him immediately, walking in with awe.

"wait," Cassian reached out and grabbed your arm lightly, "Before we do this we need to arm ourselves." 

The both of you left the room and pilfered through the officer's clothes finding two guns. He was handing you one when K2 started talking. 

"The rebel fleet has arrived."

You spun on him quickly. "What?!"

"There's fighting on the beach. They've locked down the base." You and Cassian looked at each other to confirm what he was saying was true. But he wasn't finished. 

"They've closed the shield gate."

Your heart dropped and you rushed up to K2. "what does that mean?" But the droid didn't say anything, he just looked down at you and you lowered your gaze. Turning to Cassian, your brows furrowed. "We're trapped?"

Cassian nodded a few times, his eyes locked on you but you could tell he wasn't really seeing you. He was already working on a plan B on how to get out of here.

"We could transmit the plans to the rebel fleet." K2 offered. "We'd have to get a signal up to tell them it's coming. It's the size of the data files. That's the problem. They'll never get through. Someone has to take the shield gate down."

You were trying your best to come up with something that would work with K2's plan. It would seem that was the only path of least resistance to get the plans to the rebels. But that meant there was going to be a lot more to do on both ends. And a lot more luck.

Before you could say anything, Cassian was already on it. 

"Bodhi. Bodhi, can you hear me? Bodhi, tell me you're out there." Cassian rushed to the data room, looking inside as if that would help him reach the pilot faster. "Bodhi?"

"I'm here." His voice was quiet and slightly warped by static but he was alive. "I was standing by. They've started fighting. The base is on lockdown."

Cassian nodded, his stance shifting as he spoke. "I know. Listen to me. The rebel fleet is up there. You've gotta tell them to blow a hole in the shield gate so we can transmit the plans."

He looked at you as Bodhi responded, you stepping closer to him, hoping to help or at least hear the conversation better. 

"Wait. I can't. I'm not hooked into the comms tower. We're... we're not tied in."

Cassian shook his head once and took a step closer to you. You instinctively reached out to place your hand on his arm but he grabbed your hand instead. 

"It's the only way we're getting them out of here. Find a way!"

Then he turned to K2. "Cover our backs." And he left, rushing into the data room.

You were about to follow him in when you glanced at the weapon in your hand. You walked up to K2 and lifted the phasor up to him.

 "You'll need this."

K2 looked between you and the phasor, not sure if he should take it. You waved it up to him again. 

"You wanted one, right?"

With that, he reached out and took it, inspecting it as he spoke. 

"Your behavior, (Y/n), is continually unexpected."

You gave him a soft smile, pleased to have created a good relationship with the droid, at the end of it all. 

"(Y/n)!" Cassian called out to you, stepping out of the room. "Come on!"

You glanced at K2 one last time before following Cassian, his eyes nearly crazed with anticipation for what he had in mind.

~~~~~

Cassian found he had better success with leveling his breathing when you were around. There wasn't anyone else he would want by his side when doing something like this. He didn't trust anyone else; not as much as he trusted you. 

The room was small, everything was either white or black, and it smelled of nothing. There wasn't much, just a desk with a few buttons and an interface screen and these two long-arm-looking things that no doubt controlled something he couldn't see. There was a large window that overlooked a tall pillar of data cartridges. He rushed up to it, looking around, not looking for anything in particular. They didn't know what they were looking for exactly.

"Schematic bank, data tower two." K2's voice came over a small comms on the desk. 

"How do I find that?" Cassian called out.

"Searching."

(Y/n) went up to the interface screen where a bunch of images started flashing through.

"I can locate the tape, but you'll need to use the handles for extraction."

Cassian looked at (Y/n) and she looked at the handles. He nodded, taking off his gloves and hat as he took a moment to study what it was he was about to use. He flicked a couple of buttons and shook his head.

"What am I supposed to do with this?"

"Simply save the world," he heard (Y/n) mutter under her breath, no doubt wanting to lighten the mood but not also cause a distraction. But he appreciated it all the same. 

Taking hold of the handlebars, Cassian moved them around a bit, trying to get a feel for them and how they worked. A sort of rotating belt moved up and down the data shaft, a small appendage that also moved around the belt made it so he could reach any data bank anywhere on the tower.

"Whoa."

"Let's see how  your hand-eye coordination is with this thing." No sooner did those words leave (y/n)'s lips the door behind them started to close.

The both of them turned and watched as the vault door closed, sealing it with a hiss. Cassian shared a look with (Y/n) but the both of them knew there was no time to worry about why K2 decided to randomly shut the door on them.

(Y/n) went back to the screen, flipping through more images but Cassian was sure she still didn't know what she was looking for exactly. The muffled sounds of troopers and talking made the hairs on his arm stand on end. Frustrated, Cassian pushed the comms button on the desk.

"K, what's going on out there?"

There wasn't a response but they had to keep doing what they could. Cassian stood there, feeling helpless as (Y/n) combed through the data logs.

"Hyperspace tracking. Navigations systems."

"Two screens down. Structural engineering. Open that one."

(Y/n) clicked the buttons some more then called out.

"Project code names! Stellarsphere. Mark Omega. Pax Aurora." Cassian went to go look at the screen as well, glancing at her as she spoke. "War-Mantle. Cluster Prism. Blasksaber."

Then she paused. Cassian looked around wondering if she saw something but she didn't move. 

"What?"

"Stardust," she whispered. After a beat she looked up at him, her eyes wide. "That's it."

Cassian wanted to believe her but there was literally nothing else he could think of as to why that name specifically would be the codes. 

"How do you know that?"

(Y/n) glanced between the name on the screen and him, her lips pulling up in a sad smile. "I know because it's me."

Then it clicked.

Stardust, that's what (Y/n)'s father used to call her. Of course, that's what he could name the very plans that he would want his own daughter to use to destroy the empire that too so much from them. From all of them. He gave her a proud look and nodded. 

"K!," Cassian called to his friend, "we need the file for Stardust."

"Stardust." 

Just that second of a message the two of them looked at each other and Cassian felt his fingers go numb. K2 was getting shot at and he didn't sound so good himself.

A small green light started blinking on the tower, several rows up and slightly to the left. 

(Y/n) leaned forward looking up out the window. "That's it!" 

Without delay, Cassian righted the handles and started moving the extracting device up and over. It was harder than it looked and he could feel the pressure of time being of the essence. Once he got the device opening over the green-lit slot, Cassian gently guided out the cartridge that held the code with a click.

Just as he was about to pull it out and bring it down to them the power suddenly bliped off. Cassian dropped the handles instantly as if it had shocked him. He reached out and felt for (Y/n), wanting to make sure she was alright. Apparently she was doing the same for him because her hand grasped onto the first bit of clothing she could reach.

The room was pitched black but it wasn't until now that Cassian realized there was a consistent hum that was now gone leaving his ears ringing slightly. But not for long. He could feel (Y/n) turn in the direction of the door just as he did, hearing exactly what he heard. 

Phasor shots. A lot of them.

The lights turned back on again but Cassian didn't let (Y/n) go. Looking around he made sure the plans were still in place in the wall, half in, half out. 

"K?"

"Climb. Climb!" Cassian moved to the window alongside (Y/n), she stared blankly as K2 struggled to speak to them. "You can still send the plans to the fleet. If they open the shield gate you can broadcast from the towwwerrrr-"

(Y/n) stood up straight and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes glistening as they shifted back and forth from you to the comms to the window. 

"Locking the vault door now."

Cassian refused to believe this. This can't be it. Not like this. Not now. K2 was supposed to make it further than this. He was stronger than Cassian was. 

"K?"

Cassian rushed to the vault door. 

"K!"

"Goodbye."

"K!!!"

Cassian's shout to his dear friend was lost in the pressurized locking of the vault door, the sound of phasor shots outside coming to a sudden stop.

Neither of them moved for what felt like hours. Then it hit him like a train. Cassian turned back to (Y/n) and he knew he was shaking his head but all he could feel was his heart aching for his loyal K2 droid. 

(Y/n) looked like she wanted to say something but just like him, there was little else to do than to do what K2 gave his last dying breath to say.

Climb.

Cassian took a deep breath and blinked hard. Before they got too ahead of themselves, he had to make sure they could have the ability to broadcast the plans. 

"Bodhi, are you there? Did you call the fleet?"

"I can't get to the shuttle. I can't plug in."

Cassian didn't want to go off on him but he was getting desperate at this point. "You have to. They have to hit that gate. If the shield's open, we can send the plans."

With that, he pocketed the communicator and went back to the window. It would be quite the climb to the carriage, let alone jump to the tower core itself. They had little to no time left, even with K2 having locked them in there and saved them the trouble of fighting. Cassian had been in quite a few scrapes but nothing quite like this one and he didn't like how he wasn't as quick on his feet as he wished he was.

"Stand back." (Y/n) whipped out a phasor and blasted the glass before he had the time to ask what she was doing. At least someone was thinking. 

Cassian leaned out the broken window, a breeze blowing his hair about. "How do you think we get up there?"

"We climb." (Y/n) shook her head and then started to undress. Cassian wasn't sure what to do, trying to look anywhere but at her.

"Oh come on, you know we can't climb with these clothes on." She was struggling to get the launch pad technician pants off, hopping on one foot. "Don't tell me you went commando in that?"

Reaching out to steady her, Cassian blinked, then shook his head. "Uh, no. You're right. You're always right."

She laughed. "Not always."

Cassian stripped as quickly as he could, glad to be free of the Empire uniform. Before he could offer to go first, (Y/n) was already halfway out the window. 

"Careful!" Cassian rushed to her, not wanting her to slip and fall.

The both of them looked down the expanse, and his gut lurched.

"That would be one long fall..." he could hear her whisper under her breath.

Perched on the window sill, Cassian watched (Y/n) as she assessed where to go before glancing at him. Their eyes locked for a moment, then two. Her hair was whipping every which way. If this weren't a life-or-death situation, he would have called her cute. Her eyes were slightly red from unshed tears, her cheeks dusted with blush no doubt from having rushed out of the disguise, her lips slightly bloodied from bitting them due to your nerves.

He knew he was staring so he tried to look away. But when she made the move to look back to where she was going to jump, Cassian got the strongest urge to do something he didn't think he would ever do.

It was life or death anyway.

"Wait."

Before (Y/n) broke away to jump on the tower, Cassian leaned forward, grabbed the front of her shirt, and pulled her to him. Her lips were slightly chapped but that didn't matter, feeling them against his was all that existed at that moment. It wasn't graceful and it wasn't soft but he hoped it sent a message that he wasn't sure he would ever get to say out loud.

But it was over just as soon as it started. He eased her back down and nodded, risking to make eye contact, hoping she saw that he meant every second of that kiss.

"Go, be careful."

Cassian held his breath as she jumped, letting out a grunt as she hit the inner tower. She looked down and he shook his head. 

"Don't, it's not going to help anything."

She looked back at him one more time before claiming up. Cassian waited until she was several rungs ahead of him before jumping on himself. He would be lying if he believed he'd make it, there was hardly any way to make sure he would have grabbed something. But thank the stars he did. 

The wind from the circulating air whipped at their hair, pulling at their clothes and making Cassian's fingers a bit cold as he did his best to not think about how high up they were. The both of them claimed up, making good headway. (Y/n) shimmied a little to the left then reached out, taking hold of the cartridge. 

She looked down at him and smiled. 

"I've got it!"

With a few struggling tugs, (Y/n) yanked it free. But she had pulled so hard that when it released, her body swung to the side, bits of metal falling to the expanse below.

"Careful!" Cassian yelled, instinctively reaching out to catch her or the plans, both looking as if they would fall. "You ok?"

She made eye contact with him and nodded, snapping the plans to a clip on the back of her pants. Wordlessly the both of them started to climb again, K2's words echoing in Cassian's mind.

Climb! Climb!

Suddenly, a door opened level to where (Y/n) was climbing.

"(Y/N)!!!"

Krennic and two black-suited supertroopers instantly started blasting. Cassian pulled out his gun just as quickly, firing back at them to draw their attention away from (Y/n) and most importantly the plans.

Cassian made sure (Y/n) was moving to the other side of the tower as he moved up. But then a shot hit right where her right hand was placed, causing her to grunt, swinging back on her left hand. Cassian gritted his teeth as he kept shooting. A supertrooper fell and Cassian glanced up to see (Y/n) was safely on the other side of the tower.

He dodged a shot, yelling at her as she started climbing again.

"Keep going! Keep going!"

But by doing so he had taken his eyes off Krennic and before he knew it he was blasted off the tower and was falling. Cassian couldn't decide if he should focus on the pain of the shot or the fear as weightlessness took over. Suddenly his back hit a bar with a thwack. He could hear his name called out but he hit another bar and he tried his best to hold onto it but he was too disoriented.

Cassian hit a platform and dared not move. His body was riddled with pain. He wanted to call out for (Y/n), to tell her to keep going, to get one last look at her...to tell her he loved her. But all he could do was succumb to the darkness and pain that quickly enveloped him until he could see, hear, and feel no more.

~~~~~~~

You stared down at Cassian's motionless body, a lump forming in your throat as sorrow mixed with fear churned in your stomach. There was nothing you could do for him, you knew that, but you couldn't take your eyes off him, a part of you fighting with the logic of going down to see if he was at least alive.

But the mission had to be completed. You weren't sure if Cassian had gotten Krennic, you only remembered two supertroopers falling to their deaths. Looking up, you gritted your teeth and resolved to your task. Climbing up was a bit harder than before because deep down, you knew this was the last time you would ever see Cassian again.

After what felt like forever of climbing, you came to the top of the inner cartridge tower. You stood there, one hand holding you steady with the spire, the other reaching behind you to feel for the plans. You let out a breath feeling them securely there. The hissing of metal plates sliding against each other made you look up. A small hole, hardly any wider than you opened and shut with a sharp five-pronged hatch. It only took you a moment to figure out its extremely short open window.

Knowing this was the only way for you to keep going up to the satellite, you jumped up and grabbed a few weird pipes. you hoisted yourself up as close as you could to the sliding doors without actually going in them. Waiting for a breath, you counted.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

Perfect. You could do it.

the doors closed and you got ready. 

The doors opened and you pulled yourself up as quickly as you could and let out a grunt mixed sigh, safely on the other side. There were a few rungs off to the side that led up to a grate where a skylight filled the hole. You took them two at a time, making it to the grate in no time. Pushing with your left shoulder and right hand you shoved, shifting the grted cover off ever so slightly. A few more shoves and a wince later it was moved just enough for you to pass through. 

The wind was stronger now and you felt like you needed to hold onto something should you fly right off the tower. Sounds of battle rang in your ears, fighter jets and tie fighters whirling around the tower, the shouts of men below pulling at your heart. Phasor shots filled the air as you looked around for the satellite console, the area a lot smaller than you had anticipated.

Taking the plans of the strap of your belt, you found the console and with determination, you inserted it into the open slot made exactly for the cartridge. The console accepted it, pulling it and closing the slot. You reached for the large transmitting switch but an automated voice pierced the air.

Reset antenna alignment

An alarm blared and the message kept repeating.

You looked up, not sure what that meant. Perhaps it wasn't pointing in the direction of the gateway. With frustration, you pulled out your blaster and turned. There was a long walkway where another console stood. That had to be it.

Walking quickly to it, you found another switch and pulled it, assuming it was all that had to be done. Sure enough, the satellite antenna moved and the alarm turned off, announcing that it successfully alighted.

you were about to make it back across the walkway when you noticed an Empire fighter jet was turning back around, aiming right for you. Its shots made your ears ring as you started to run, ducking as a few lasers hit the metal path behind you. IT blew up the control panel behind you and blasted a hole as it grew closer. The walkway began to tilt and sway, the smell of burning steel nearly making you gag.

Thinking quickly, you grabbed onto the side rail and held on as the walkway came to a stop. Carefully you pulled yourself up, the creaking doing nothing for your nerves. Once you were on your feet again, you gingerly took steps to the other console, only one last step remaining. But then there was the sound of footsteps. The hope that it was Cassian died the moment Krennic stood before you, his phasor raised, his eyes dark with malice.

"Who are you?" He shouted in clear confusion and rage.

You stared at him. Getting a good look at the man who killed your mother, enslaved your father, and doomed the Rebels to their early graves.

 With more calm than you thought you could muster you replied. "You know who I am." Pausing you relished in the fact that the silence proved that he didn't. You couldn't help but smirk. 

"I'm (Y/n) Erso. Daughter of Galen and Lyra. You've lost."

The look of momentary shock was replaced with defiance. "Oh I have, have I?"

Despite his gun was still raised you took a half step closer. "My father's revenge. He built a flaw in the Death Star. He put a fuse in the middle of your machine and I've just told the entire galaxy how to light it." The bluff wasn't hard to say, given that you were nearly there.

"The shield is up." Anger dripped from each word he spoke. "Your signal will never reach the rebel base. all your ships in the air will be destroyed. I lose nothing but time.

You stared him down, gritting your teeth as he continued, hoping beyond hope he would let his defenses slip and you could have the opportunity to shoot at him. 

"You, on the other hand...die with the rebellion."

You could feel it, he was going to shoot you. Sure enough, a shot rang out and you flinched but it didn't come from Krennic. Instead, it hit him and he fell to the ground in a heap. 

You looked in the direction it came from and your heart soared. 

Cassian!

He was leaning against a pillar with his blaster raised at Krennic, looking worse for wear, but he was alert and most importantly, alive. You wanted to rush to him but there was a mission to complete. Instead of running to him, you went to the satellite. YOu made sure it was working before pulling the lever. the sound of power wheered alive and the automated voice echoed again.

Transmitting. Transmitting.

You looked at Cassian and grinned. He looked at you too and you could tell he was trying to hide his pain, never dropping his blaster. 

Taking a few suddenly painful steps, you limped to Cassian, grabbing his arm. You couldn't stop smiling. But Cassian was grunting and gasping in pain, still looking at Krennic. You turned to look at his pathetic body on the ground and pure unadulterated rage and hatred burst through you and you lunged at him.

Caassian grabbed your arm, and despite his debilitated state, he was strong enough to keep you at bay.

"Hey! Hey, leave it. Leave it!"

He pulled you back to him and you let him, your eyes never leaving that monster. Cassian's breath hit your ears and you closed your eyes, his body warm as he pulled you even closer.

"That's it. That's it," his voice whispered, "Let's go."

You gave him a single nod, and he brushed a hair out of your face. Gently, you pulled his arm over your head and he leaned on your neck as the two of you walked to the elevators where Krennic had arrived. It was slow but you knew there was no rush.

"Do you think anybody's listening?" Cassian's question was audible between breaths of pain.

You looked at him as he looked down at you, his face close. You gave him a small smile and tighter your grip on his arm around your neck. 

"I do. Someone's out there."

The limping was getting worse but you had to keep reminding yourself. there was no rush. The plans were sent. They were being received. There was nothing you could do but blindly hope that that was exactly what was happening.

Before long you reached the elevator and hobbled in, Cassian leaning heavily against the wall. You pressed the button to the ground level, not thinking about where they would go once the doors opened again.

The door shut and you leaned against the wall too, facing Cassian. It was dark save for the occasional light that flashed in and out as each floor was passed. You locked eyes with Cassian and he didn't look away.

He was searching your face, memorizing it. Or at least you hoped he was because that's what you were doing with his. Your breaths synced and you could feel yourself taking a step closer. The lights fluctuating added to the atmosphere, Cassian slowly leaning forward with each passed level.

You couldn't help it. reaching up you cupped his cheek and he closed his eyes, leaning into your touch. You were now just nearly a breath away from him, your noses brushed.

No words had to be exchanged for you to know how he felt. That kiss from earlier, you wanted to forget about it, thinking it was a crime of passion, a spur-of-the-moment impulse. But what you felt now wasn't temporary. It was something that had been cultivated for a while. Not just within you, but the both of you.

Cassian leaned in closer but it was you that closed the gap and it felt like time stopped. 

His lips were chapped and he let out a soft moan. His hand rested on your hip as your hand slid up his face and your fingers buried themselves in his hair. Neither of you had the ability to move very much but that didn't stop either of you from pulling the other closer, his hand sliding to the small of your back.

You pulled away first but not very much. Cassian let out a breath and leaned his forehead against yours, the two of you trying to regulate your breathing. But you wanted to keep kissing him, to hold him to you, to never let him go. 

Cassian pulled back a bit, drawing your eyes up at him. His hand moved from your wist to your cheek as he brushed his thumb across your skin softly. Your insides flipped as he pressed a gentle kiss on your lips once more. The doors opened but neither of you moved.

"I think I've fallen in love with you (Y/n) Erso," he whispered, your heart searching at how pain-filled it was. 

You gave him a small smile and returned the kiss. "I think you've had my heart since the moment you agreed to help me in all of this."

Cassian gave you a weak smile. "You saved the galaxy."

You shook your head slightly. "We both did. All of us," you nodded to the open doors, "Let's get to the water's edge. I want to clean some of your wounds before they come get us."

You knew it was a false hope but you had nothing else as the two of you hobbled your way to the water's edge of the small bay. Suddenly, a bright green light streaked across the sky and a blinding explosion filled the air not too far off on the horizon. The two of you fell to the sand non to gently, Cassian letting out a grunt as he held his side.

You couldn't pull your gaze away from the blast as it grew bigger and brighter. You leaned closer to Cassian, your hands digging into the sand. The two of you glanced at each other and you tilted your head as if to say I guess this is it.

Cassina leaned in a bit, his eyes in earnest. 

"Your father would have been proud of you, (Y/n)." He nodded as you gave him a small sad smile.

Tears welled in your eyes as you reached for this hand, his grip comforting as you tried to come to terms with what was about to happen. But there truly was no way to do that, so you did want you knew you could and what you so desperately needed. 

You turned to Cassian and he sat up on his knees pulling you to him. His arms wrapped up around you slowly as you all but clung to him. You could feel him burry his face into your neck, pressing a cold, lingering kiss on your skin there. You couldn't look away as the blast drew closer its heat instantly painful but you didn't dare pull away from Cassian.

His arms grew tighter and your eyes closed tight. A tear dried instantly on your cheek. This was it. This was how it was destined to end. But you had one more thing to do. You tilted your head so your lips brushed his ear. You wanted this to be the last thing he heard and the last thing you were to ever say.

"I love you Cassian Andor."

First, there was a blinding light. Then unbearable heat. Then....nothing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I love this movie with all my heart. I may make a Star Wars book.

But ya girl just did something nearly impossible.

MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!!!!

We will be renovating it for a few weeks but once we are all moved in I'll be taking a week off work to recuperate and I 1000000% plan on writing nearly the entire time. I promised it to myself as the best treat ever. So please bear with me a little while longer as I slowly set my life to rights in the best way possible. Thank you all for sticking with me, I plan to continue to bring you more works to enjoy hopefully just as much as I get from writing them.

Ta ta for now!

P.S. I am also thinking about doing more OC fanfics, specifically with a Voyage of the Dawn Treader that I had written a little bit of a while back. I reread it and it struck a chord with me that I can't seem to shake. So keep an eye out for that! I hope you won't mind the occasional OC one-shot from time to time

Love ya!