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"Tell me why I shouldn't cut you down where you stand," Xi'an challenged as she stalked into the group. The beautiful lavender twi'lek  flicked a knife back and forth through her fingers her whole focus locked on the dark T of Mando's helmet. She snapped into motion, whipping her body towards him, and leveled her knife across the space below his helmet.

Mando didn't flinch or show any of the reaction she had been looking for. "Nice to see you too," Mando said calmly, ignoring the blade that was less than an inch from his neck.

Mando may not have reacted, but as soon as the twi had moved Yara had tensed. The rising tension in the room set her on edge and she blamed herself for not having better control. She managed to stop herself from going for her blaster, but her reaction had been noticed.

Xi'an glanced once at her before turning back to Mando. She flashed a seductive smile and leaned closer to him, almost close enough to touch but she kept just enough space between them that she didn't quite rub up against him. "I missed you," she said in a low, husky voice. She looked up and down Mando's body. "This is shiny," she said gently tapping her knife against the beskar chestplate as though it has been the new armor she was checking out. "You wear it well," she whispered seductively.

Mayfeld looked over the group. "Do we need to leave the room or something?"

Ran chuckled as he stepped up a little too close next to Yara. "Little Xi'an's been a little heartbroken since Mando left our group," he was looking at Yara when he finished gaging her reaction. Xi'an hadn't been the only one to notice Yara's response.

"Oh, are you going to be okay sweetheart?" Mayfeld mocked Xi'an, completely missing the tension with Yara.

"Oh, I'm all business now," Xi'an said, flashing too much teeth although she didn't look away from Mando. "I learned from the best," she said and she leveled her blade at Mando's helmet in silent acknowledgement of their past.

Ran crossed his arms over his chest as he watched the pain of them. "All right lovebirds, break it up until you get on the ship. If memory serves whatever you decide to do midflight, is your business. Right now we don't have much time."

Yara went very still. It was clear there was history between Din and Xi'an, but she hadn't realized the history had been so physical and so wildly known. She immediately felt like fool. How had he not warned her before stepping into this group. Or perhaps, it had been her own fault for thinking she was somehow special just because they had shared one kiss.

Ran led the group toward a table with schematics laid out, but as soon as Yara took a step Xi'an was on her. She hissed aggressively and pressed a blade against the side of Yara's neck. "And who might you be?" she challenged.

"This here is Mando's girl," Mayfeld filled in helpfully flashing a wide grin as he was able to get in on the fun after Yara had insulted him.

Xi'an bared her teeth and pressed the blade until it bit into Yara's neck and drew a thin line of blood. Yara didn't move, she just stared in Xi'an's blue eyes and refused to react to the pain. She had endured far worse. "Are we done?" Yara challenged fearlessly.

"We don't need her," Xi'an growled.

"Mando says we do," Ran said with a casual wave of his hand as he leaned over the schematics. Although he had been the one to light the fire in Xi'an he had clearly lost interest and was ready to move on regardless.

Mando tightened his jaw beneath his helmet, it rankled him to have Xi'an so close to Yara, but there was nothing he could do. He never would have brought Yara along if he had known the unstable Twi'lek was still here.

"Xi," Mayfeld called.

Xi'an hissed when Yara refused to back down, but she stepped away. It rankled Xi'an, but she did as she was told. She glared at Yara as she stepped back and Mayfeld called her to him. Refusing to leave without getting the last word in. She winked at Mando as she passed him, dragging her fingers along her chestplate as though she had some claim to him.

The others followed Ran to the table with the plans laid out, but Din stepped up to Yara. He took her chin in his gloved hand and lifted it to check her. His fingers tenderly touched the slice on her neck.

"It's fine," she told him. She could practically feel him seething beneath his helmet. She had been around plenty of other criminals like them and knew posturing when she saw it. She didn't want him thinking she was any less capable, she could take care of herself.

"It's fine," she growled again and she stalked away from him over to the table where the others were waiting. They had decided to go this route. Now they were going to have to see it through to the end and she couldn't have him making her appear weak. She was already a target.

"So," Mayfeld started once they were all gathered around him. "The package is being moved on a fortified transport ship. Now we got a limited window to board, find our friend and get out of there before they make their jump," he said pulling up the 3-D schematic.

"That's a New Republic prison ship," Yara said staring down at the model. She purposefully chose the opposite side of the table from Din so the others wouldn't think she was hiding behind him.

Mando turned his helmet to Ran. "Your man wasn't taken by a rival syndicate. He was arrested."

Mayfeld leaned forward. "So what?" he challenged.

"A job is a job," Ran said, his tone making it clear it was non-negotiable.

"That's a max security transport. I'm not looking for that kind of heat," Mando growled. Things were going from bad to worse and every facet of the plan kept changing as more details were revealed.

"Well neither are we," Ran snapped. "So just don't mess up."

"The good news for you," Xi'an drawled stalking around the table. "Is the ship is manned by droids." She glided around behind him, brushing against him.

Across the table Yara tightened her jaw and was now regretting her decision to put so much space between them. Not that she could have done much unless she was willing to physically peel the Twi off of him.

Xi'an stepped up next to Mando and leaned her breasts against his arm. "You still hate the machines Mando?" she asked suggestively, her breath fogging up the side of his helmet.

Yara tensed even more, thinking maybe physical violence wouldn't be so bad, but her thoughts were interrupted as the droid Zero came down the ramp.

"Despite recent modifications, the ship is still quite a mess. The power lines are leaking, the navigation is intermittent, and the hyperdrive is only operating at 67.3% efficiency."

Din tightened his jaw defensively but didn't say anything as the damn robot tore his ship apart. The Crest flew just fine.

"We have much better ships. Why are we using this one?" Zero asked.

"Because the Razor Crest is off the old Imperial and the New Republic grid," Ran explained. "It's a ghost."

"Yeah, and we need a ship that can get close enough to jam New Republic code," Mayfeld filled in taking back control of the group. "So, when we drop out of hyperspace here, if we immediately bank into this kind of attitude we should be right in their blind spot, which will give us just enough time for your ship to scramble our signal," Mayfeld said proudly.

Din studied the schematics. It was clear they were stuck now, so he needed to turn his focus to the problem at hand; getting them all through this alive. "It's not possible," he said after a moment. "Even for the Crest."

"That's why he's flying," Ran said jerking his chin towards the droid. "Mando I know you're a pretty good pilot, but we need you on the trigger not on the wheel."

"Don't worry Mandalorian, my response time is quicker than organics and I'm smarter too." The droid told him.

"All right,"Ran said quickly stepping between the two. "That's good," he said shoving the Droid away before Mando did something to it. "Forgive the programming. He's a little rough around the edges. But he is the best."

"How can you trust it?" Din challenged coldly as the droid moved towards his ship. His gaze followed every movement the tin can made, if it made one threatening move in Yara's direction or endangered the kid he wouldn't hesitate to destroy it.

Ran laughed again and rested a companionable hand on Mando's shoulder. "You know me, Mando. I don't trust anybody," he said and he ushered Mando towards the ramp.

Din climbed the ramp slowly, following the others, a bad feeling in his gut. He wanted to find Yara's gaze and see if she felt the same, but she was so mad at him right now he wasn't sure she would have noticed.

"It's just like the good old days Mando, huh?" Ran called after him.

Din didn't respond. Instead he slapped the button closing the ramp. As soon as the hull was sealed he moved up to the cockpit, prodding Yara ahead of him. He needed to check on the droid, but he wasn't leaving Yara down here with the rest of them. He felt like he was losing control, too many things could go wrong.

Din stood in the back of the cockpit, watching as a droid flew his beloved ship. Yara could feel the tension radiating off of him like static electricity in the air.

"Calculations are complete, making the jump to hyperspace," Zero said. "Feel free to join the others, I will handle it from here."

Din turned around, he needed to get back down and make sure the others hadn't found the kid, but when Yara didn't make a move to follow he turned his helmet to her. "I'm not leaving you up here with that thing," he told her resolutely.

Yara resisted the urge to be petulant, sensing somehow Din was closer to the edge than maybe she had ever seen him. Her eyes flickered to the droid and then back to him and nodded quickly as she followed.

Din went down the ladder first and turned to face the group as Yara climbed down behind him. Mayfeld and Xi'an had settled onto the crates in the cargo area of the Crest but Burg paced restlessly.

"Will you sit down?" Xi'an snapped impatiently.

Burg slammed his fist against the metal of the wall next to her head, denting it. Instead of flinching Xi'an hissed at him, balancing the tip of her knife on her finger. Mayfeld chuckled but didn't say anything.

Burg began pushing buttons and one of the cargo lockers opened. Din came down the ladder just in time to see the Devaronian rifling through his things. He pressed a button on his wrist and the locker snapped closed. Burg growled angrily and turned to face Din. He stomped up into his face.

Devaoronian's were known for their strength, and Din couldn't help feeling the small space of the cargo area. Yara was behind him, pinned between his back and the ladder. If the Devaronian struck him, there was no where for her to go. Rather than wait for him to make the first move, Din shoved Burg back. Burg snarled as he regained his feet and stomped back towards Din but it had allowed Yara to slip out from behind them and give them clear space.

Din was just grateful she understood what he was doing. As Burg advanced on him Mayfeld finally spoke up.

"Okay, okay okay I get it," he called. "I'm a little particular about my personal space too. So let's just do this job. We get in, we get out and you don't have to see our faces anymore," Mayfeld soothed.

Yara turned to look at him. At first she hadn't understood the choice of him as the leader, but as she watched him, watched his calm, she realized that he was the most stable of all the beings on board the Razer Crest.

Burg listened but he growled. "Someone tell me why we even need a Mandalorian."

"Well apparently they are the greatest warriors in the galaxy," Mayfeld said sarcastically. Apparently his calm seriousness was only used when he thought he needed it. Now he was back to being an asshole. "So they say."

"Then why are they all dead?" Burg demanded.

Burg, Mayfeld and Xi'an all laughed. Yara could practically feel the tension rising off of Din from across the bay.

"Well, you flew with his Xi'an, is he as good as they say?" Mayfeld asked.

Xi'an very carefully turned her attention back to balancing her knife on the tip of her finger. "Ask him about the job on Alzoc III."

Mayfeld turned to face Din and he tightened his jaw. He did not want to relive what he had done there, not in front fo Yara. His past was going to take away everything he had worked so hard to build and protect. "I did what I had to," he intoned, so the others wouldn't know that the memory touched a nerve.

"What?" Mayfeld asked, looking disappointed.

Xi'an whipped the blade around into her hand and pointed it at Din. She shoved to her feet and stalked suggestively towards him. "Oh but you liked it, see I know who you really are," Xi'an said breathlessly, rubbing herself against him as she paced around him.

Xi'an bared her teeth silently at Yara before turning back to Din. "You remember all those times, after jobs Mando?" she pressed, She leaned into him, pushing her breasts against his arm. "When we couldn't keep our hands off each other." She smiled, and it had too much teeth. She dragged her fingers along the wall of the ship. "Right here," she said and she turned to smirk at Yara. "Sometimes we wouldn't even make it to the bunk," she growled. "Didn't matter who was there to hear us," she said her eyes touching on Mayfeld and Burg. Both of whom looked disgusted.

"Stop it," Din snapped, he reached down and grabbed her wrist before she could touch him again.

Instead of intimidating her excitement sparkled in Xi'an's eyes. "What's wrong Mando?" she asked. "Is your little bird too soft for you?" she asked. She cut her eyes over to Yara. "Can't scratch that itch when you have to hold yourself back and be gentle, can you?"

"He never takes off the helmet?" he asked Xi'an.

Xi'an chuckled. "This is the way," she mocked.

"Huh," Mayfeld speculated, a cold, calculating look in his eye. "I wonder what you look like under there. Maybe hes'a Gungan. Is that why yousa don't wanna show your face?"

Burg and Mayfeld laughed. Xi'an for once was surprisingly silent.

"You ever seen his face?" Mayfeld asked Xi'an.

Xi'an dragged a suggestive hand over her lekku. "A lady...never tells," she said and she winked. Then a devious smile crossed her face. "Seen the rest of him though," she said appreciatively.

"Aw, come on Mando," Mayfeld goaded turning back to face Din. "We all gotta trust each other here. You gotta show us something. Come on just lift the helmet up," Mayfeld kept pushing, rising the tension in the room. When Burg stood up Yara dropped her hand to her blaster.

Din saw her moved and very subtly drew his hand sideways two inches. He had control of the situation.

"Come on," Mayfeld pushed. "Let's all see your eyes."

"I'll do it," Burg said and he reached for Din.

Din moved faster than anyone expected. He grabbed Burg's arm and jerked it in a way that would have snapped the bone if he had been human, he shoved him around, clearing himself more space to fight. Burg stumbled back, though strong he wasn't good on his feet. He fell into the control panel and the door to Din's chambers slid open.

Yara's breath caught in her throat in fear. The child was standing on Din's bed. He chittered happily when the door slid open. His wide black eyes taking in the new people standing around them.

"Whoa! What is that?" Mayfeld asked. He climbed to his feet and walked towards the child. "You get lonely up here, buddy? Huh?" he pressed as he walked past the Mandalorian who was standing as still as possible. Mayfeld walked up to the kid and crouched down, looking at him. "Wait a minute," he said turning around and looking back and forth between The Mandalorian and Yara. "Did you two make that?" he asked.

Xi'an was on her feet but she hissed as Mayfeld once again referenced Yara and Mando's relationship.

Mayfeld chuckled at her reaction as though her jealousy was the funniest thing he had ever seen. "What is it like a pet or something?" Mayfeld asked bending down to get a closer look.

"Yeah, something like that," Din replied stiffly.

Xi'an turned and looked back and forth between Mando and Yara, she touched Mando's chestplate with her knife. "I didn't take you for the type," she said. "Maybe that code of your's has made you soft," she said cocking her head to the side as she stared up into Mando's visor from inches away. She undulated her body once more, trying to draw his attention. Mando's gaze never wavered from her face.

"Me, I was never really into pets," Mayfeld said conversationally. "Yeah, I didn't have the temperament. Patience, you know? I mean, I tried, but never worked out. But I'm thinking..." he drew off thoughtfully. "Maybe I'll try again with this little fella," he said and he picked up the child.

Yara didn't care what Din said, her hand was resting on her blaster now. Din took a step closer to Mayfeld, and Xi'an noticed and grinned up at him, flashing teeth, pleased to have finally gotten a reaction from him. That was all she ever wanted, a reaction.

"Huh?" Mayfeld asked turning to face the room. He met both Mando's and Yara's gaze and then pretended to drop the kid. He laughed, but Din didn't move. Yara on the other hand just coiled her muscles tighter as anger pounded through her temples.

A pipe on the wall directly behind Mayfeld snapped off and hit him in the shoulder. He flinched and turned to face it. "Damn old ships," he muttered.

The pressure in Yara's head eased, but she was still furious.

"Dropping out of Hyperspace now," Zero's voice called.

It threw everyone back, and they all slammed into the walls, and fought to catch and brace themselves. "Commencing final approach, now." He said seconds later. "Cloaking signal, now."

The ship jerked, sending everyone flying. Mayfield dropped the child and Yara leapt after him. She grabbed him in her arms and wrapped her arms around him to protect him even as she was thrown across the floor, smashing her back painfully against one of the crates.

The ship jerked again and suddenly Din dropped on top of her. She sucked in a surprised breath, but he held himself up off of her by his hands. His hips resting intimately against hers. A blush rose to her cheeks as she stared up into his helmet. The ship jerked again and he dropped down closer to her shielding her and the child with his body from anything lose bouncing around the cargo bay. His chest pressed against hers and he touched his helmet to the side of her face. Despite everything he was being painfully gentle with her.

"Engaging coupling, now," Zero reported.

Once the ship stabilized everything was silent. Yara was breathing heavily, staring up into the reflective visor. He was only inches away and she could feel the long line of his body pining hers to the floor. She chewed on her lip and he grunted under his helmet.

"Do you two need a room?" Mayfeld asked.

Xi'an hissed again.

Din pushed himself to his feet and reached down, catching Yara's arm and lifting her with him.

"Coupling confirmed, we are down," Zero told them. Everyone climed to their feet.

"And relax," Zero said over the speaker. "Commence extraction, now."

"Useless droid didn't even give us a proper countdown," Xi'an griped and she hissed as she pushed herself to her feet.

Yara carried the child over to Din's quarters and set him down on the bed. She closed the door, and sealed the kid in the room.

"Z, you sure they can't see us?" Mayfeld asked into his comm.

"The Razor Crest is scrambling our signature and I am inside the prison system. It's impressive that this gunship had survived the Empire without being impounded."

"All right," Mayfeld said suddenly all business. "Mando you're up."

Din walked over to the portacress and plugged into it. The red light flashed and there was rapid beeping as Din worked to scramble their access code. The others came and gathered aorund them, looming over his shoulders. If it bothered him he gave no indication. It beeped green and the access door slid open.

They all stood around for a moment and Xi'an and Burg looked at Mayfeld. "It's me?" he asked, Yara wasn't sure if he was trying to be funny.

"Always you," Burg said in a grumpy tone as though it were an old joke.

Mayfeld dropped down upside-down, pointing his gun as he cleared the hallway below. Then he dropped through the hole. Xi'an flashed a smile with too much teeth and went after him.

"Zero," Mayfeld said into the comm. "Get us to the control room."

Burg looked back and forth from Mando to Yara and dropped down, his boots slamming against the floor with a heavy thud that echoed through the eerily silent ship.

"Sublevel three. Disabling onboard surveillance."

"Here we go," Yara said grimly and she flipped herself down the ladder, landing in a crouch at the bottom.

Din glanced back at the room once where the kid was hiding and jumped straight down after Yara. This was a terrible idea.

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