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The next morning Yara woke in her bed alone. The hut was empty. It wasn't uncommon, Mando and the kid were usually up by dawn, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

She got up, washed her face and stepped out into the village. It was late morning. The latest she had slept since their arrival. She had clearly needed the sleep, but it surprised her that no nightmares had awoken her the rest of the night after she and Mando had spoken.

She found Mando standing outside the hut watching the children play. It should have appeared peaceful and made her feel calm, but it didn't. There was something nagging her in the back of her mind.

"Morning," she greeted, and when Mando turned to look at her she felt a blush rise to her cheeks, distracting her.

"Morning," Mando replied. He tipped his helmet to watch her face. She was blushing as though they had done something together the night before, something more than just the small touch they had shared. He wondered what she would be like if they were ever together. He found himself staring at the blush. He liked it.

"You must have been up early," Yara said tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Couldn't sleep," Mando said wth a little shrug.

Yara felt guilty about that. Once again she had woken him in the middle of the night. She opened her mouth to apologize and stopped as that same odd feeling went over her. She turned, a frown furrowing her brow.

"What is it?" Mando asked tensing. He trusted her and her gift well enough that he shoved away from the hut and began scanning the area with her.

Yara shook her head as she turned in a slow circle. "I'm not sure," she said. There were no flashes of images, instead, it was just a feeling of unease. A shadow hanging over her. She pinched her eyes shut, willing the flashes to show her something, but nothing came. She shook it off and turned back to him. "Must be nothing," she said with a shrug and a tired smile. "I don't see anything," she told him with a quiet voice.

Mando grunted, knowing she meant see beyond what she was looking at but he didn't comment. When she shrugged and turned back to him he said the words that had kept him awake all last night. "I've been thinking," he said, forcing his voice to remain casual. "We raised some hell. Too much action for a backwater town like this. I draw attention wherever I go and word travels fast. It's time to cycle the charts and move on."

Yara went very still as his words went over her. She had known this was coming. She had been reminding herself this day would come over and over again, but there was a part of her that had hoped he would stay. Hoped that he wouldn't leave her. Now as she remembered the touch they had shared the night before she wondered if it was her fault it had come so soon. Had she violated some part of the code unknowingly? Was he leaving because of her? Because she had pushed too hard? Was this what she had been feeling all day?

"I'd hate to be the one to tell the kid he has to leave," Yara said looking down at her hands. She didn't know how to say all of the things she felt. She opened her mouth to apologize, to tell him she would move to a different hut if he wanted privacy and space but Mando continued.

"I'm leaving him here with you," he said. "Traveling with me, that's no kind of life. I did my job, he's safe. Better chance at a real life here."

Yara swallowed and her throat felt strangely thick at the thought of Mando flying away all alone in his ship. She didn't know what to say and she couldn't help feeling as though his words were somehow directed at her. "It'll break his little heart," Yara said because she couldn't think of something else to say.

"He'll get over it," Mando said stoically. "We all do."

Yara felt something in her chest constrict at his words. She could almost feel his pain as he spoke those words and she took a step closer to him so she was peering up into his helmet. She wanted to comfort him knowing he was thinking about his family. He understood because his heart had been broken when he was just a child. His pain called out to her and unable to help herself she took another step closer and laid her palm against his chest plate.

Mando looked down at where her small hand rested gently against the hard, cold surface of his armor and it nearly broke him. He knew saying goodbye was going to be hard, but he hadn't expected this. They had only known each other for a couple weeks. The tightness in his chest only furthered his resolve that he had to leave. He couldn't stay here with her and the kid any longer. If he did he wouldn't be able to leave. With Yara so close he wanted to reach out and cup her cheek in his hand, but he closed his hands into fists to stop himself. He couldn't do this.

This is the Way.

Yara knew his answer even before she spoke, but she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she didn't say something. That feeling of unease had evolved into a tangled knot in the pit of her stomach. He was leaving them. "You could stay too you know," she said gently. Her voice was so quiet and unsure he had to strain to hear her. "He could be a child and grown up safe. And we could just...be..." she drug off helplessly. "Wouldn't that be nice?" She asked peering up into the dark reflective surface of his helmet.

"It would," Mando agreed and his voice broke even through the modulator. Behind his helmet he pinched his eyes shut so he wouldn't have to look into Yara's gentle violet eyes as she asked him to stay. "I don't belong here, but he does...you do," Mando told her adamantly. "You're safe here,"
He said gesturing to the peaceful village.

As though to prove him wrong, a gunshot echoed through the trees.

Mando's stomach dropped and he truly felt fear for maybe the first time since he was a child. He had two people to protect and he was too far away from the kid. Mando grabbed Yara without hesitation and wrapped his arms around her, trying to protect her as best he could with the beskar that was strapped to his body.

He froze for a moment and when another shot didn't follow he looked down at the startled Yara. Her violet eyes were wide as he cradled her against his chest. "You okay?" He asked.

Yara nodded. "I didn't see that," Yara said, she closed her eyes for a second and shook her head. "Nothing," she told him apologetically.

"Get the kid, get the rest of them inside," Mando ordered and he pushed her towards where the kids had been playing, forcing himself to let her go across the open expanse of the village. Yara nodded and ran through the village to find the kid. She stayed low to make herself a smaller target even without Mando saying anything. Mando took off for the woods.

Yara found the kids all hiding behind crates and barrels, their eyes wide with fear. "Hey kiddo you okay?" She asked gently and she scooping the child up in her arms and cradled his tiny body against her chest. "Come on everyone, this way," she called and she guided the rest of the children into the barn where they would be out of sight lines and easily defended.

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Mando broke through the treeline and found Cara standing over the body of a bounty hunter. There was a massive blaster hole in it's chest that was still smoldering. He kicked over the body and found two trackers, linked together by a single silver ring. He bent down and picked them up, turning them experimentally.

"Who's he tracking?" Cara asked, her blaster still in her hand. "You?"

Mando shook his head. "The kid," he said and he turned the other one. He sucked in a breath. "...and Yara," he said. He had hoped she would be safe, that they would leave her alone, but it seemed the Imps weren't going to let this go as he had hoped. This wasn't over.

"They know they're here," Cara said, she turned, her eyes scanning the forest for any sign the dead bounty hunter hadn't been alone.

"Yes," Mando agreed his voice tight with barely contained rage. His other hand curled into a fist.

"Then they'll keep coming," Cara said defeatedly.

"Yes," Mando agreed. He dropped the trackers on the ground and stomped them.

Mando and Cara returned to the village. His heart was heavy in his chest. As they approached the barn Yara was standing in the doorway waiting for him. The wind blew the loose strands from her braid across her face. She looked fierce and protective standing in the doorway with her blaster in one hand. He wished he didn't have to be the one to tell her she wouldn't be able to stay in the village she loved so much.

He held the two broken trackers out to her and swallowed. He couldn't find it in him to say the words. To take away this peace she had found after all that had been done to her. Yara slid her blaster away and took a step into Mando's space to inspect the trackers in his hand. Her shoulder brushed his chest with a casual familiarity that almost physically hurt Mando.

"Hunters?" She asked in a low tone as she peered up into his visor from inches away.

He could only nod.

"In the woods," Cara told her.

Yara looked down and away. "I-" she started to say and she shook her head. She had assumed it was Raiders coming back for retribution. It had never occurred to her that a bounty hunter would find them.

"We need to leave, now," Mando said gravely.

"We?" She asked in surprise, taking a step back as her thoughts raced.

"I'm not leaving you here," Mando growled resolutely. "They'll come for you. It's not safe here anymore," he glanced over her shoulder towards the barn. "Pack up, I'll let the kid know."

Yara did as he asked. She returned to their hut and packed her small pile of things into her satchel. She looped the strap across her body and turned towards the door. Mando was waiting, holding the kid in his arms. He didn't say anything when Yara quietly took the child from him so he would have time to pack.

Yara stepped outside to begin saying goodbye while some of the other villagers helped Mando bring his crates of weapons and supplies out of the hut. The village kindly offered their wagon once more and Stoke volunteered to bring them back to the Razor Crest.

"Are you sure you don't want an escort?" Cara asked following them as Mando loaded the last crate into the wagon.

"I appreciate the offer," Mando told her. "But we're gonna bypass the town and head straight for the Razor Crest."

"Well then," Cara said swinging her own bag over her shoulder. "Until our paths cross," she said holding out her hand in friendship.

"Until our paths cross," Mando agreed and clasped her hand.

Cara turned to Yara and Yara hugged the larger woman. "Thank you for everything," Yara told her.

Cara pulled back and nodded with a smirk. "Don't forget what I told you," she said.

Yara shook her head and snorted. They were running for their lives once more. Things that had seemed like a possibility in the quiet village no longer mattered.

"I mean it," Cara called pointing at her.

Mando silently took her arm and helped her climb into the wagon. He hadn't said a word to her since they started packing. She sat on the back and let her legs dangle off the edge. Mando sat beside her and assumed the same position. Together they watched as the village slowly disappeared.

"What did Cara tell you?" Mando asked after a few moments.

A blush lit Yara's cheeks and she looked away. It was clear she had no intention of answering his question. Mando settled back to get more comfortable on the wagon wondering if Cara told Yara the same thing she had told him. He wouldn't put it past her.

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It took the two of them an hour to load up the Razor Crest. Stoke helped, and he seemed to hover near Yara as they were finishing up.

"I-" he started to say and stopped.

"Thank you for all your help," Yara said with a bright smile. She knew what Stoke wanted to say and she hoped to save herself the trouble of having to break his heart.

"I wish you could say," Stoke said quickly.

"I wish I were able to stay here as well," Yara agreed gently.

"You could always come back!" Stoke said, sounding a little desperate.

Yara shifted her weight uncomfortably. "I'll keep that in mind," she said.

Stoke jumped forward and wrapped her up in a hug before she could react.

Behind them Mando swallowed thickly behind his helmet as a surge of jealousy nearly choked him. His hands closed into fists as Yara quickly stepped away from Stoke, patting him on the shoulder and then ushered him out of the Razor Crest. Mando watched as she closed the ramp, moving around his ship like she had lived their her whole life. He turned and climbed the ladder and she followed quietly behind him.

Mando sat down at the controls. He flipped the switches that ignited the engines. He glanced back at where Yara was sitting over his left shoulder. "I'm sorry the planet didn't work out," he said. "If you want to find someplace else to settle down, we can search the charts for another planet," he told her as they lifted off. His fingers skated across the controls and the star charts came up.

Yara chewed on her lip, uncertain how to broach the subject she had been considering since he told her he was taking her with him. She wasn't sure how receptive he might be however, he seemed to value his privacy and his space.

"I ah," she started, tangling her fingers together. "I couldn't help noticing you have room to take on a crew member..."

Mando went very still for a moment as he repeated her words in his mind three times to make sure he had heard them correctly. Very slowly he rotated his chair around until he was facing Yara. "I do," he confirmed, completely stoic as he fought to keep himself from hoping.

Yara pressed her lips together. "Have you ever thought about it?" she asked as casually as she could manage.

"Thought about what?"

Yara made a noise of impatience in the back of her throat. "A crew member."

Mando held himself absolutely still as he waited for Yara to continue. The only sign that he had heard her was the subtle tip of his helmet. When she didn't say anything more he cleared his throat. "I have," Mando replied stiffly.

"Cause...I'm sort of a mechanic," she told him.

Mando could feel himself smiling behind his helmet, although he fought to keep his voice level. "Is that so?" he asked.

Yara nodded, feeling more confident. She was pretty sure Mando was teasing her. "And I'm a pretty decent shot," she told him.

Mando tipped his helmet the other way, looking at the child. "How are you with kids?" he asked.

Yara felt a relieved smile pull at her lips. "Not bad."

Mando nodded his head and turned back to face the windshield although inside he felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest. He hadn't known her that long, only a few weeks, he didn't understand how she had come to mean so much to him in such a short amount of time.

"Ten percent of the cut," he said stoically, as he began to prepare their jump to light speed.

Yara snorted. "Twenty," she shot back.

As soon as the coordinates came back from the nav computer Mando made the jump. Once they were comfortably in the hyperlane he turned back around to face her. He hadn't actually expected a negotiation. Honestly, he didn't give a damn about the money, but there was such freedom in teasing her. He liked it when her eyes sparkled with temper.

She was staying.

He climbed to his feet so he was standing up to face her. He wasn't exactly trying to intimidate her, but he was using his height to remind her that he was the more capable fighter. "You're not a member of the guild, I am."

Yara snorted and stood. Standing toe to toe with him she smiled wryly straight up into his reflective helmet. She motioned to herself and the child. "Doesn't help you out much right now does it, hotshot?" she teased.

Mando sighed. "Good point. All right, fifteen."

"Twenty," Yara pushed, taking another step closer to him. She wasn't about to let him think he could intimidate her.

"Things could get rough," he warned her tipping his helmet to the side. His voice had dropped an octave.

Yara's heart started thundering in her chest and it had nothing to do with being intimidated. "I'm a big girl," she promised but her voice came out a little breathy.

Mando's jaw tightened as her voice changed and he found himself staring at her lips. "Fine, twenty," he agreed and he turned away quickly. "I'll be in my quarters," he told her gruffly.

He had let her win. At least that was what he was telling himself. The truth was that money had never really mattered to him. He had always kept the minimum of what he needed to keep the Razor Crest in the air and cover his supplies. Then he would donate everything else to the foundlings in the Covert.

Before this, all he had ever known was the isolation of his work and the time he was among his own people in the covert. Now, he had two other people totally dependent on him. The kid he could handle, but Yara was another matter entirely. Part of him was terrified she wanted to stay, but another part of him was secretly exalted. And he could use a partner as capable as Yara. He had been working alone for a long time, but now that he couldn't run jobs for the guild he might have to go back to some more creative work.

He slipped away from the cockpit, down to his quarters of the ship. He wasn't sure how to face her now and he needed some time to himself. He shouldn't have felt so protective or possessive of her when the villager had hugged her. And when they had been joking before...it would be easy to want to take the next step. But she was a crew member, a partner who deserved to be treated with respect.

Yara watched Mando slip away, moving like a silent shadow. He had seemed happy, at least she had assumed he had been happy when they were joking, but now she wasn't so sure. His mood had changed so fast it had been hard to track.

She dropped back down into her seat and watched the flowing patterns of hyperspace all around them. She felt a gentle touch on her leg and she looked down to see the kid staring up at her with his big black eyes. "Can you make any sense of him?" she asked.

He cooed and chittered at her happily and she swung him up in her arms, setting him on her lap so they could watch the swirling patterns together. "Me either," she muttered.

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