DIN'S POV

Din has no idea how long he has been laying awake, alone in the dimly lit room. Thoughts of Asra kept pouring into his mind. She knows about the Tribe, but how is that possible? Her name is unknown to him but her voice reminds him of someone he knew long ago, but it could just be a coincidence. He grunted as he looked over at the nightstand to his left. He sees his helmet, the remote control, the cup of water, and the sleeping pill resting on the top of it.

Two things he is realizing as he shifted his gaze back towards the ceiling. One, his leg fucking hurts! Each time he moves or shifts his weight, a jolt of agonizing pain is felt from his hip to his knee. And two, sleep is becoming nearly impossible. He's very uncomfortable about taking the sleeping pill. Just the thought of being unconscious again, especially in an unfamiliar place, around people he doesn't know, and with his precious armor on the floor makes him feel ill.

It's agonizing to lay in this bed with a broken leg, unable to move or get up on his own is killing him. He has no idea what time it is, but it could be around midnight or so at this point. He could contact her. Make up an excuse. Maybe he could ask for a painkiller or something. Another hour or so goes by as he thinks about what he's going to do next. The longer he waits, the harder it gets to make a decision.

It was almost like being kept in a dark cage, unable to escape or move. He has never felt this pathetic or pitiful in his life. He's had plenty of close calls and broken bones, but never this extensive or serious. He didn't want to admit that he wished she was here with him. Her boldness and confidence was appealing as it was frustrating, yet she was also tender and comforting at the same time. The way she cares is not something he normally encounters with people he's met. Most are either terrified of him, or try to kill him for his beskar. He's used to violence and weapons being aimed at him.

Overtime, the urge to speak to her became too overwhelming. Finally, he decided to give in and press the call button on the remote control. After a few seconds, he hears her beautiful calming voice through the audio transmitter.

NIA'S POV

Darkness fell upon the small farming village as residents all head inside for the night. After she locks up the clinic, she heads home for dinner and unwind after a long day. Her tiny single-story house is made of the dense mushroom stalks from the nearby jungle. A small square window above the kitchen sink is her only view of the outside. Everything she could ever need is under one roof. Yet there are days where she wonders what planet she would like to see next. She's never been to Kashyyyk, a tropical planet and home of the Wookiees. Or Ibaar, another faraway planet with mountainous terrain.

Traveling was always something she enjoyed. Learning about the various cultures and traditions of the inhabitants was her passion. Yet, she couldn't help but yearn for companionship. This is the reason why she has stayed on Felucia all this time. Maya has been her close friend, and has welcomed her into the community and into her life. Very aware of her Force ability, Maya has always been fascinated with how Nia heals her patients, seemingly effortlessly each time. As a physician, Maya has performed numerous surgeries and procedures over the course of her life. Recently, Maya hardly touches her equipment due to Nia's incredible talents, and some of the residents even call her a miracle.

As Nia heats up leftover food for dinner, she walks over to remove a floorboard from underneath her bed. She has kept her lightsaber in a hidden compartment, away from the prying eyes of her neighbors, but today she's feeling an urge to hold it. She takes it out, closes the shades of the window, and ignites the blade. The color of the kyber crystal is a rare teal color, representing great devotion, honesty and trustworthiness, traits which are imperative for healers. As she stares into the turquoise glow, her mind wanders to her youth, the day she first constructed her saber back at the Temple on Coruscant. How great it felt to have her first saber. She wanted to be a Jedi. It was all she ever dreamed about at the time.

During her time in the Mandalorian covert, she dismantled her saber to protect herself, but always kept her crystals and the holocron a secret. She made her master a promise to always keep these items hidden away from others. Suppressing the Force was not easy to do, yet she felt she had no choice. The Empire was hunting down Jedi and Force-sensitives all across the galaxy. The Mandalorians taught her their creed, one in particular is to never remove your helmet, which made complete sense to her at the time. She was able to hide in the shadows and changed her name. No one ever suspected her. The Empire went about their business thinking she was dead.

A few hours later, after she has showered and slipped into her nightdress, she is now ready for bed. That is - until her comlink buzzed. It was him - it was the Mandalorian!

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"Hello Mando, can't sleep?"

"Uh....Well...Do you have...um...painkillers?" He says, but he sounds like he's unsure if that's truly what he wants.

"Did you take the sleeping pill? It's there to help you."

"No," he says softly after a moment of silence.

With a heavy sigh, she says gently, "Do you need me to come over?"

No response, but the communication line is still active. She can tell by the tiny green light on the control panel of her comlink.

"Alright Mando, I didn't get a response so put your helmet on. I'm coming over."

"You don't have to," he finally says.

"Well apparently I do," Nia says as she flicks off the transmission. She quickly gets dressed in a casual yet comfortable long tan dress with brown robes, and slides on a pair of soft black slippers, then exits her small house and walks over to the clinic.

She knocks on his door before entering, in case his helmet is off. He sees her walk in with her eyes closed as she says in her usual gentle voice, "Is it safe to open my eyes?"

"Yes," a deep husky voice is heard in the back of the room. She opens her eyes and shuts the door behind her then locks it.

"You're lucky I live right next door," she says with a smile as she approaches the bed.

"I didn't mean for you to come here."

"It's okay. It's my job to make my patients feel safe and comfortable," she says as she picks up the sleeping pill and holds it in her hand. "This'll help you sleep. I promise you'll feel better in the morning."

He doesn't respond as he turns his head to look at his armor on the ground.

As if reading his mind, she says, "Is that what you're worried about? You and your armor are safe here. No one will come inside. Only two others have access to this room other than me, Caid and the clinic owner, Maya. I hope you will be able to meet her tomorrow."

She sees him take a deep breath and look back at her again. His arms lay at his sides, his body appears lethargic and sluggish. Nia goes to sit on the stool beside his bed as he continues to stare at her, watching her every move.

"Come on, I can stay until you fall asleep," she says as she hands him the pill and cup of water. "Here. I'll close my eyes," she says as she shuts her eyes.

After a few seconds, she feels his thick fingers grab the pill from her palm and the cup of water. She hears a heavy sigh and a soft hiss, followed by a few loud gulps. It seems he is just too tired to care anymore.

"May I open my eyes now?"

"Yes."

When she opens them, she says, "Good job. I promise you are safe here," she says with a smile. Then with one hand, she reached out to hold his as he looks down towards their hands. His hands were remarkably soft after years of wearing gloves, scars littered his skin from the back of palm to his forearm. Thick dark brown hair blanketed the skin on his arm and parts of his fingers.

"I'll be right back," she says as she stands up and leaves the room. She quickly returned with a long rectangular rolling couch, and maneuvers it next to the bed to his right side. "I'll stay until you fall asleep."

"You don't have to," he says sleepily.

"Don't you worry about me. I've done this many times before with other patients. I'll turn off all the lights so you can take off the helmet. Now go to sleep," she instructed him as she gets comfortable in the chair and uses the remote to turn off the lights. Now that they are both in complete and total darkness, Din feels more comfortable with removing his helmet.

"I-it's...r-really...u-unnecessary..." his low, faint, and unfiltered voice is heard mumbling in the darkened room as he slowly begins to feel more and more drowsy.

"Shh," she shushes him as he feels her soft hand grip his in the total darkness. It was strange. He never thought he would actually enjoy this kindness. Soon, the subconscious finally consumes him as he drifts away into a deep sleep.

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DIN'S POV

The hours quickly pass as the hardened warrior awakens in the dark room of the clinic. He glances over at the nightstand and reaches out to grab his helmet. He lowers in onto his shoulders and flicks on his night vision. He looks around the room to see that his armor is still organized in a neat pile the same corner of the room, and then he finds something that he didn't expect to see next to him.

Her. During the night she has placed her head at the edge of his mattress, sleeping on top of her crossed arms as locks of her blonde hair is messily scattered about. He couldn't resist. He outstretched his hand to run his fingers through a strand of her hair. Doing this felt even stranger than discovering her fast asleep next to him. His dark eyes dashed to her face as he sees her relaxed expression in such a vulnerable state. He froze while he watches the slow rise and fall of her breathing as he runs his fingers through her soft hair.

Why did she stay here? How could she just fall asleep like this next to a man who is a killer? She obviously doesn't view him as a threat, otherwise she wouldn't be here like this. He couldn't refrain from feeling how incredibly soft her hair is. He should really stop before she wakes up. He needs to refrain from letting her get under his skin. Maybe it's just the circumstances he's currently in. She caught him at a rare point in time, in desperate need of a healer. Or perhaps he trusted her slightly more than others because he knows she is a Jedi, like his foundling. It felt familiar.

Then she shifted her head from side to side and lets out a faint moan. It was loud enough to set him on high alert. What would happen if she woke up and saw him like this? He has to actively force himself to move his hand away from her.

"Mando," it was a soft quiet noise, almost like an breath. At first, he thought he dreamt it, but he didn't. She had called the only name she knows of him. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," his raspy modulated voice echoes in the darkness.

"Hm. I wonder what time is it..."

"My helmet says it's five in the morning."

"Shit!" She suddenly blurts out. "I overslept. Turn on the lights, quick!"

Din reaches for the remote, switched off his night vision, then presses the button to turn on the lights. For a moment, she is temporarily blinded by the sudden brightness, but she quickly adjusted herself as she goes to stand up.

"I'm sorry. I have to go prepare the clinic for the day. I'll make sure your breakfast is served on time. I hope you like eggs and toast," she says as she runs to the door and exits the room, leaving him to his thoughts.

My interpretation of Nia with her teal saber. This is the best image I could find.

Image from https://m.imgur.com/gallery/dSXMqDY