Don't Blame Me

by StraightOuttaKetterdam

Summary:

“You were going to give up the Rebellion for me–”

“I was giving up the Rebellion for me. For my peace of mind…for my life. All you did was force my hand, left me with no choice but to continue the fight I no longer wanted. And I did. I became exactly what you wanted: the perfect soldier, doing whatever I was ordered without question. Then…I heard rumors of an Imperial pilot…”

“And you met her.”

“And I met her.”

“Do you love her?”

“It’s not that easy of a question.”

“Do you still love me?”

“That’s even harder.”

--

*Spoilers for Andor Season 2, up to Episode 9

Chapter 1: Returns

ABY 1

Plexis

~

Jyn possessed vague recollections of her childhood on Lah’Mu. A collection of generically blurred and muddled recollections colored with the remembrance of emotions. Though there were a few within the kaleidoscope of imagery that remained pristine, untouched by time and recalled without need of some form of sensory trigger.

A day of no consequence, when she played with Stormy in the budding farmlands surrounding her family’s modest homestead; the smells of rich dirt and chloroform inhaled with each breath.

The first time her parents–each holding one of her hands–led her through the route she was expected to memorize, one which ended at the cavern where her hideaway hatch was concealed. The rock-scattered dirt haphazardly shifted under her feet the entire time. There were almost a dozen near misses during the trek where only the grips of her parents’s hands kept her from tumbling about.

The day Krennic killed her mother and abducted her father.

And, well…Her general hatred of fishing.

There was no single day or solitary moment that established what would be this life-long detestment. Instead, she had a myriad of clear recall incidents that involved sitting by a shallow pond with her father, and being bored out of her mind, while waiting–just sitting there and watching the pole in her loose grip–for something to happen.

A distaste that transferred to the more metaphorical method of the practice.

“How about–”

“No.” Cassian shook his head from where he sat on the other side of the booth. A sweating glass of revnog dangling from the tips of his fingers. Melting condensation dripped onto the scarred surface of their table every few seconds as his dark gaze managed to both stare her down and remain unquestionably aware of the people surrounding them.

Rolling her empty shot glass between the palms of her gloved hands, Jyn narrowed her eyes and tried to make her voice less petulant at the last moment. Too late to stop the words from tumbling out of her mouth. “You don’t know what I was going to say.”

“You were going to, oh so brilliantly, suggest that we simply grab someone and coerce them into babbling out whatever information that comes to mind.” Cassian leaned back into the cracked material covering his seat. Arm draped along the bench’s back and wearing a smile to cover the words spoken. Appearing to be nothing more than a man potentially on a date.

“Okay, fine. You knew what I was going to say.” Jyn finally held up the empty glass towards the waitress behind the bartop dominating the tavern’s center. The duo needed to keep their wits, but they were also supposed to blend. A precarious placement to hold. “And…Why are you saying no?”

“Because we’re here for observation, not an altercation.”

“It’s been three days.”

They both paused as the waitress came over, carrying a bottle of questionably golden liquid that seemed to be a planet delicacy. The native species evidently had been gifted with numerous livers, or they evolved a far more sophisticated system of filtering out toxins than Jyn’s internal workings. Which, seeing that she spent her formative years being raised by a Rhydo addict who encouraged his people to brew liquor that could double as engine cleaner, was saying something significant.

The woman lingered a moment longer than was needed when she caught a hint of Cassian’s careless smile, opening her mouth in the prospect of speaking to him but then thinking better of whatever had come to mind. Instead, she slipped him a grin and walked back towards the bar with a bit more sway in her stride.

Jyn fought the urge to roll her eyes.

Despite the romanticism presented in the limited holo-vids she had been exposed to while growing up and the abundance she binged whenever she and K2 had a spare moment to indulge, Jyn had been taught that the best spy work was done by the unassuming. Those who tended to be forgotten the moment they walked away. How anyone could look at Cassian and find their thoughts landing on ‘espionage’ was a degree of mental gymnastics Jyn’s mind was not limber enough to contemplate.

“This is why you’re not a sniper,” Cassian said around a huffed laugh when it was clear to speak freely once more. Blissfully and completely unaware of the thoughts circulating in his companion’s head. Not that she was ashamed or embarrassed by doing nothing more than acknowledging a simple truth.

Instead, she lifted her brows with the edge of the shot glass resting right under her lips. “You say that as if I feel left out.”

“You sulked last time I chose Xaul–”

Coughing her throat clear of the burning liquor scorching its way to her stomach, which was not nearly full enough to accommodate this ill-advised second shot, Jyn shook her head while hitting the hand not covering her mouth against the table. “I…did not…sulk,” she managed to force out; voice momentarily rendered hoarse.

“You were ‘displeased’ with my choice.” Cassian placed down his glass to make the marks as he spoke. A lock of hair falling across his face from the act.

“Because it was Xaul.”

Again with the half smile as Cassian leaned towards her once more. Hands clasped in the space spanning between them. “What’s wrong with Xaul?”

Jyn held up her defenseless hands. “Nothing, except for the glaringly obvious fact that he’s even worse than me with waiting.”

“No he isn’t.”

“Worse.”

“Lrya.” Cassian used the name of her current identity, even that seemed to momentarily place him on edge.

While the Death Star’s destruction was placed on the efforts of a towheaded farmboy and some backwater smuggler, there were still rumors of whispers of their names–along with some of their aliases–being noted amongst people of consequence. It would be flattering if not hazardous to the day-to-day necessities of their work.

Jyn held one finger in the air to stress her two-word point. “Pax Aurora.”

“Fine. he’s worse than you.” Cassian conceded, without any more effort, and reclaimed his glass from the puddle forming around it. Faint lines fanned about his eyes as he took a shallow sip.”Now will you stop brooding?”

“It’s a spice world, brooding is expected.”

“You’ve seen too many holo-dramas.”

“It is how K and I bond.”

“Thought you guys bonded over blasters and…” Cassian trailed off. Posture immediately changed. This time, when he leaned in, it wasn’t in conspiratory banter; the mirth recently dwelling in his gaze dwindled to dull practicality. “What’s wrong?”

Jyn lifted her chin the faintest degree, indicating the group that stepped into the hazed atmosphere from the bustling street beyond the tavern’s influence. None of them were familiar. There was nothing blatantly threatening or intimidating about those walking towards an empty corner table, exchanging what appeared to be nothing more than idle chatter and sparse laughs as they went by. Yet Jyn could feel her skin ripple and hatches instinctively rise the moment the door had swung back to expose their existence.

Not Imperial, no. But the adage about the enemy of an enemy didn’t always factor out the way expected.

Beyond the obvious lack of clear Imperial ties–easy to discern from the general way they all held themselves, Imperials had a sense about them that was ingrained during academy and never completely shaken as long as the heart remained loyal–there was no way for Jyn to be entirely sure what sort of individuals the group were comprised of. Her best hopes were on possibly high-end bounty hunters or maybe local spicerunners.

The former could be bought off and the latter could be outthought.

Yet, again, her every instinct said that this was not a best case scenario situation. That something else, annoying and unforeseen, was transpiring.

“We need to leave.”

Cassian was to his feet before the words had left her mouth, pulling on his jacket at an angle to cover how Jyn’s hand reached down to her boot, extracting the blaster concealed within and tucking it into the more convenient–if less subtle–location at the small of her back.

Three days.

Three days of sitting around, watching and waiting and pretending to be smugglers out of Tantooine. Three days of greasy tavern food and sleeping on the narrow bunks of the cargo vessel Bodhi had commandeered on a bet, and Cassian talked the higher-ups into allowing them to keep off the chance of ‘maybe.’ Only for Jyn to not even gain the rewarding sense of validation because of…

One of the group, a female Twi’lek, shifted her weight on where she sat at the edge of the corner booth’s bench.

Muscles moved before Jyn’s brain could formulate the thought. Grabbing the back of Cassian’s jacket, she pulled the Rebel captain off balance, making him stumble out of the way of the plasma bolt aimed for his head. Her other hand drew out her blaster and hit the assailant in the center of the chest.

Pandemonium erupted. Not from a sense of panic or distress, there was more of a sense of accepting familiarity to those who pulled out their weapons and allowed the chaos to reign. Possibly the attempt on Cassian’s life had been mistaken for a weekly endeavor.

Nothing to see here officer, just the usual Zhellday Melee.

“Chances of this being about us?” Cassian asked from where he had hauled Jyn under a table during the opening seconds of mayhem. He accepted the blaster Jyn offered him before she pulled out her collapsible baton.

“Fair to decent.” Jyn muttered, swinging at the ankles of those within range before giving heavy taps to the temples to render them unconscious. Unfortunately, none were from the pack that had started the incident. “Chances of us nabbing one to figure out what we did to piss them off without the others noticing or following?”

“Low to nothing,” Cassian sighed; he obviously realized the tragic fact that they would be returning to headquarters to face a less than ideal debriefing. “Come on.”

Cassian’s hand grasped hers. Fingers lacing together as they sprinted, while somehow remaining crouched, through the tavern’s now decimated interior and through a side door leading into a litter-filled alleyway. Anti-Imperial graffiti adorning the wall of the neighboring building along with tags displaying loyalty towards the local spice cartel. Sights Jyn had taken in during the days prior, noting nothing as she and Cassian straightened in their race towards the hanger where their cargo vessel was stored.

A ‘race’ that turned into a forced stroll once they successfully merged into the walking traffic congesting the city’s main streets at this late point of day.

“What were you saying about not being here for altercations?” Jyn couldn’t keep herself from inquiring; her free hand pulling up her jacket’s hood as she pressed her shoulder against his. To outsiders, they would seem to be nothing more than a couple walking through the light drizzle that had started misting the air.

After years of being alone to go about her own exploits in any way she so desired, it was both a relief and an irritant to now have instructions given by another rather than obeying whatever her mind manufactured as the best course of action. Even a year after ‘Rogue One’s formation, she still struggled with this aspect of her new life.

“I wasn’t the one who initially started firing off plasma.” Cassian pulled them into an alleyway that would be a longer route to the hanger but also a less exposed alternative to remaining on the main drag, making it appear that the abrupt change in course was from a couple’s want for privacy. Moving Jyn so her back was against the building’s wall, he bent his neck so his forehead rested against hers. “But, that said, thank-you for what you did back there.”

Jyn snorted, mentally counting to five before letting out a giggle–a sound that did not come naturally to her–and leading him through the labyrinth of alleyways that would garner them access to the hanger’s back entrance. “Doesn’t do us any good. We have no way of knowing why we were targeted.”

“I don’t know. Keeping my head attached does me a significant degree of good.”

“Could they have mistaken us for someone else?”

“Mistaken identity?” Cassian did a quick check of their location for tails before holding up the unsanctioned access card to the hanger door intended for personnel use, gaining them admittance to the dark corridor that webbed out to the various bays. “You really need to lay off the dramas.”

“What other explanation is there?”

“Someone who knows exactly who you are and harbors an understandable grudge.” An akward Imperial accent–one lacking in the poshness of the true elite Jyn was able to perfectly emanate, to the unease and bitter resentment of others–echoed through the vacant, metal-lined hallway.

Jyn and Cassian turned in perfect harmony, back pressing against back; he had the blaster drawn and she had her baton at the ready as a group of individuals stepped out of the doorway alcoves. The only light available being sparsely placed globes which barely gave off enough of a glow to discern one foot in front of another. So, while Jyn could not determine if any were from the tavern’s group, there was plenty of illumination to identify the number used to create the ambush she and Cassian had wandered their way into. Now trapped on both ends.

Dots filled her sights with the abrupt flare to flame pressed to the end of a glass pipe, highlighting the face of the man who had spoken.

“Roh Phyff? She could feel how her words caused Cassian to twist behind her to get a look at the cause of their current headache and ruined mission.

The last time the two had been in Phyff’s presence was soon after they managed to escape Scarif, when they still were unaware if anyone else of the raiding party had also survived or even if the mission had truly been a success. What transpired was a minute odyssey, made into being when a purgill knocked their pilfered shuttle out of hyperspace, that led them to a mid-rim world where Phyff’s science facility turned out to be a front for an Imperial subsidiary.

Lies were told.

Bolts were fired.

Prison-workers rioted.

Brides were left at the altar…

Ignoring Jyn, the pseudo-scientist gave Cassian a smile that made Jyn’s skin crawl. The sight triggered a montage of information and sights they had discovered and experienced while looking into Phyff’s operations.

“Greeting Vail Uyso–or should I say Cassian Andor? Though what are formalities amongst family?”

“I never actually married your daughter.” Cassian unhelpfully countered, pivoting to face Phyff while Jyn did the same to maintain covering his back.

“Pretty sure that’s why he is trying to kill you.” Jyn strained her eyes in an attempt to better access the others surrounding them.

“Well, maybe not today.” A faintly monotone voice was enough of a cue for Jyn and Cassian to duck a breath before the air was filled with the smells of plasma and burnt flesh before the lights brightened.

K2, holding the blaster he refused to relinquish after receiving it in Scarif’s vault, and the rest of Rogue One’s squad–numbers dwindled but all reluctant to allow others to fill the void of the fallen–stepped over the downed bodies to give their Captain and field-accommodated Sergeant weighed looks of amusement and disappointment.

Xaul finally broke the judging silence by tapping the back of his hand against Melshi’s chest. “You owe me twenty credits.”

“For what?” Cassian asked.

“I always knew one of your exes would nearly get you killed, Cap.” The redhead said with a smirk.

~

Hyperspace en route to Yavin 4

~

The problem with being drastically and violently flung off course by a hyperspace merging purgill–other than the obvious ones that immediately would come to mind–is that there will always be a lingering fear of history repeating itself.

Though Jyn had been informed by numerous individuals and various sources that the statistical likelihood of reprising the experience was astronomically low, she couldn’t help but tense-up the moment Bodhi announced their status.

Agitation she attempted to focus towards the matter at hand. Her literal hand. It had taken till the adrenaline wore off for her to realize that she had, during the course of events, gained a rather nasty blaster burn on the palm of her dominant hand. The graze that caused it also ruined her glove in the process.

“Need help?” Cassian asked from the door of the cargo vessel’s medbay, watching Jyn sit on the narrow counter space and attempt to self-administer first aid. While not as sleek as their stolen Imperial vessel–the one they were best known for and officially held their call-sign–there were definite perks to traveling in one intended more for consumer use.

Shaking her head, Jyn kept her attention on maintaining her efforts to extract her hand from the encasement of singed leather. Teeth digging into her lower lip to keep herself from growling at the futility of action or crying-out from the pain. “No…I’m fine.”

“Let me restate that.” Stepping into the small space, Cassian reached out for where she had her hand cradled on her lap. His hand was covered in callouses but handled hers with the fragility reserved for the greatest of antiquities. Eyes on the burn, and all its consequences, he lightly swept his thumb over the edge of the glove’s tear. “Did you think about taking a painkiller?”

“You know I hate those.”

“Yeah, I know, but I don’t like the idea of you being in pain.” Clearing his throat, Cassian shook his head with a self-deprecating smile. “I mean, you can’t be as efficient if you’re distracted. Same with anyone else here.”

“Well, we’re going back to Yavin 4, where I can hide away in my bunk to heal.”

“Such a Loth-cat,” Cassian said around a chuckle, hands doing their work.

—

For their insubordination on apprehending the Death Star’s plans without council approval, those of Rogue One, who survived the near-suicidal mission, had merited special allowances. Primarily, they were granted their own landing pad, located away from the main complex and directly beside the house Cassian had once lived in–when the base was small enough that private lodging was allowed, and now renovated into the squad’s personal barracks.

Let the farmboy and the smuggler have their medal ceremony, the gift of privacy and the prospect of coming and going as they willed was a far loftier reward.

Though this did not stop those of Rogue One from being generally salty towards the accolades that the aforementioned farmboy and smuggler had received.

“--Force my ass, it was a lucky shot!” Xaul yelled the last part towards where the converted temple-base loomed above the jungle world’s treeline as the group made their way down the vessel’s ramp and towards their much desired bunks.

Most keen on the prospect of slumber being Xaul, who’s pallor had a greenish hue and weighed bags hung under his blood-shot eyes. Unlike Jyn’s lingering fear of hyperspace, Xaul was a victim of space-sickness. Though suggesting that he sat out of the missions which involved longer hyperspace stays would only gain the concerned party a withering glare and some profanities.

“A lucky shot into an exhaust port he wouldn’t even have known about if not for us.” Taidu agreed, more from reflex than true detestment.

“If not for the sarge’s father.”

“Thank-you, Melshi, for the reminder.” Jyn patted the tall man’s arm; the light contact against her bandaged hand caused searing pain to spike towards her shoulder. “I think my father’s legacy has been secured without taking away from the kid’s contributions,” she continued through teeth gritten to mask agony rather than at the prospect of giving Skywalker any additional laurels.

Everyone around her stopped in their treks and stared at her in blatant disbelief.

Cassian, at the group’s rear, covered his mouth, most likely to conceal a traitorous smile.

Xaul finally stepped forward and placed his hands on Jyn’s shoulders with the tough-love severity used on confronting an addict during an intervention. “Don’t pretend that the revnog rant never happened.”

At which all, including K2 and the betraying Cassian, began to hum the tune of a less than flattering diddy Jyn had composed during a night of ill-advised drinking.

“I thought we agreed to never speak of that again.”

“You ordered, no one agreed to it.” K2 called from where he walked behind Cassian, his understood placement except when explicitly ordered away.

“Wait,” Bodhi held up a hand to deter any of the others from continuing to their home. “I think someone’s here…”

Weapons were drawn while the squad darted behind jungle-provided cover. They might be on the Rebel Alliance’s current main-base’s world; that didn’t mean an automatic assumption of blind security. No one went into the squad’s barracks while they were out, so there was no reason to assume the intruder would be automatically considered benign.

Then she stepped out onto the porch. A tall, slender woman whose dark–near black–hair was woven into twin braids that cascaded down her bare shoulders. Suffice to say, she might quite possibly be the most gorgeous woman Jyn had ever encountered.

“Okay…” Xaul rapidly blinked his eyes and looked about, as if determining if the others were seeing what he was, or if this was some new byproduct of his space-sickness. “Not what I expected”

A branch broke.

Everyone went back to their guarded stances, ready to fight at Cassian’s command…

Only for Cassian to walk past his band of hidden rebel operatives, staring at the woman as if lost in some sort of daydreamed trance. “Bix?” His voice came out as a hoarse croak.

A smile spread across the woman’s breath-taking, tawny-freckled face. “Hello Cass.”

—

—

—

AN: This is not intended to bash Bix–who I really liked in Season 1 and thought was done dirty in Season 2–but I was just so annoyed with how her final plot point was handled that I had find a way to work through it.

Chapter 2: Debriefing

AN: Okay…whoa…when I wrote this [as an odd sort of fangirl therapy over my conflicting emotions about Bix’s send-off] I thought I might have a handful of hits, the random kudos, and–if I was lucky–a solitary comment.

Thank-you all for reading, subscribing, commenting, and giving kudos for Chapter One. Love to know that I was not alone with my thoughts regarding Episode 9 and now REALLY hope that I don’t disappoint…

Apologies if I do.

—

—

—

Yavin 4

~

Bix was just how he remembered her.

Well, how he chose to remember her. The version of her that was happy and healthy with grease ingrained into her knuckles and embedded under her nails. A much more preferred version than the intrusive memory of how she looked on that holoscreen the morning Cassion woke up, alone, two years prior.

How many times had he come home, during the months following her departure, wanting to see just this? Her standing in their home with a genuine smile on her face and ready to leap into his arms when he got close enough.

She would now need to be the one to bridge the gap between them, as Cassian found himself physically incapable of taking another step towards the porch. As if the jungle’s trees rerouted their roots to capture the soles of his boots. The weight of seven pairs of eyes–organic and mechanical–drilling into his back, most in confusion on what was transpiring. Only one was aware of the full story.

Life stories and deepest regrets tended to be exchanged when lost in the abyss of the unknown.

Stepping off the porch, Bix strolled towards him with a controlled stride that he knew was restraining the desire to run. He had seen her use such a gait many times before. It was how she used to greet her father when he had been away on a long haul. One which never needed to be directed towards him. Cassian had always been the one running towards her.

The dappled sunlight played along the bare skin of her arms–the jacket draped on the porch’s railing spoke of arriving from another, colder world and forgetting how quickly Yavin 4’s humid temperament made itself known. Left in her sleeveless undershirt and practical, fitted pants, Cassian was also aware how some of his men’s thoughts would be lingering with appreciated distraction.

Should that thought bother him?

Did this truth bother him?

Why wasn’t he moving? Saying anything? Why was he abruptly unable to function at being a member of a sentient species?

“Cass?” Bix asked--dark eyes, turned burnt orange in the lighting, gazing up at him--as she got within a foot of his stationed position. Those bare arms helplessly moving at her sides in clear want of instructions of what should be done.

How easy would it be to step forward and wrap her against his chest? To feel her against him. To take in her scent and remember what it had been like…

“I can’t do this now.” Were the words that found themselves escaping from the firm trap his mouth had been proving to be. All the other thoughts and emotions rattling about in protest of the want to be released. “I–I need to be debriefed.”

Mobility finally regained, Cassian started to step around Bix, who had visibly wilted from her glowing excitement and now appeared to be close to tears…which should bother him, did bother him…

“Jyn…um…Jyn, you need to come with me.” Composure gone without any chance of recovering in that direct moment, Cassian simply did his best to ensure the barest degree of competence before he made a less than graceful escape. “The rest of you…the time is yours.”

“Cass–” Bix reached out to touch him but seemed to think better of it as Jyn approached, not close enough to intrude on the exchange but Jyn somehow managed to make her exhausted, bandaged, and dirty presence known. Her blue-gray eyes, which had been laughing moments ago, now daring anyone to mess with her.

It was an aura Cassian had literally seen melt hardened criminals to pitiful tears.

When Jyn was done with a situation; when her patience was spent, especially when paired with hunger, there was little consideration she had to spare.

Sidling away, Cassian moved closer to Jyn and the path leading towards the base-proper, hoping that seeing him like this wouldn’t cost him the respect of his squad. “Not now. I…just not now.”

Jyn fell into step with him when he grew level with her placement, and the two of them made their way towards the temple-base in a companionable silence. While he had needed her for the debriefing, Cassian would have found cause to have Jyn be the one to accompany him regardless. The others would try to either get him to explain what they had just witnessed or fill the quiet stretch of time with platitudes or nervous commentary.

Not Jyn.

“We can swing by the mess on the way in, don’t want you clobbering the higher-ups if this goes south,” Cassian finally said as they broke out of the jungle surrounding the main base’s compound, veering the course of their path towards the far more permanent structure of sheet metal and stone than the canvas tent of the early days.

A place Cassian had avoided until the ‘Force Healing’ cook had transferred out.

“It only happened once, and that duke was going to pat my head.” Jynn gave no indication of thoughts beyond this conversation’s topic. No questioning glances. No baffled tone of his chosen bout of dialogue. Though she did take time to begin fixing how her shoulder-length hair was unraveling from the usual bun knotted at the base of her neck. An awkward endeavor, given her injured hand.

Cassian had the impulse to reach out and assist. Something he had done in the past, nothing scandalous or worthy of reprimand. A familiar sight to those who knew the members of Rogue One–none truly following strict protocol in personal boundaries. There being many times Jyn would arrange Bodhi’s long locks or Cassian finding the majority of the squad sleeping in a pile at the center of the barrack’s main room.

Yet, for some reason, his hands stilled before they could lift. A flash of Bix standing where he felt her going through his mind.

“Yes, his offense was documented in the report.” Cassian’s smile was forced as he nodded to some of the people they passed. All appeared busy with gathering materials and loading shuttles. Nothing troubling; the Alliance had been discussing moving the base since the battle a year past. Worlds had been searched for and scouted out, but nothing seemed to come of it. “The very extensive report that I had to write and without which you would have found yourself detained…again.”

Deeming her hair well enough done, Jyn gave Cassian one of her more ‘superior’ looks before breezing through the mess’s double doors and down the aisle set between the rows of partially filled tables of pilots, mechanics, politicians, and spies taking a break from their tasks. “Mon loved it.”

“Senator Mothma did not love it.” Cassian could feel his muscles ease as this ridiculous conversation continued. “Even if she secretly found it amusing, she would never acknowledge such a thing.”

“She loved it.” Jyn stressed, taking up a tray before helping herself to nutritious food of questionable origins. Not that either of them would complain. They had lived off worse in far smaller portions.

“Who loves what?” Han Solo, eating an apple, leaned against the counter to block Jyn’s precession down the line of self-served food. It took either a very brave soul or an immensely idiotic one to get between Jyn and a meal.

Cassian knew which he suspected to be true with Solo, who seemed to have spent the last year in Alliance service spouting out snarky comments while assisting in anything from fighting to general vessel maintenance, being part of the aforementioned inquisitions into a new central base, and finding the time to approach Jyn whenever the opportunity presented itself.

According to Jyn, they had some kind of history within the realms of private criminal activity when she was young and freshly abandoned by the Partisans. Not anything she talked about in great detail, always becoming visibly annoyed if she lingered on the thought of Solo for a prolonged period of time. Or when she was sleep deprived and hungry.

“We loved a time before you were in our lives.”

“Okay, Erso clearly needs some glowblues.” With a crooked grin, drawing attention to the scar on his chin, Solo took another bite of his apple. Hazel eyes daring Jyn to tell him to move so she could access the noodles Cassian could never find appetizing.

No food should ever be that color. He would take an old ration pack over them any day.

Abandoning her tray, Jyn grabbed two servings of already inflated portion bread and turned away from the prospect of a hot meal. Passing one of the loafs to Cassian as they went back the way they had just come. “Let’s get this over with. Stordan’s most likely making flatcakes, I’ll steal some when we get back.”

“I have some jerky hidden away.” Cassian confession, ripping off a section of bread and taking a bite. “We can split.”

“Perfect.” Jyn stopped at the doors, barring Solo’s way to follow them out. “Wasn’t it clear that I needed you to be elsewhere?”

“Sorry Erso, I’m heading the same way as you.” Solo smirked, walking a pace behind them when Jyn gave up on glaring and reclaimed the course for the temple. “Her Worship saw your ship come in and wanted me to collect you for some meeting. You saved me the trouble of a longer trip by coming here yourselves. Thanks for that.”

Cassian wanted to blame the mix on exhaustion and already frayed emotions on the strong desire to turn and sucker-punch Solo on the jaw. Wanted to, but couldn’t. At least not to himself. He always became irrationally annoyed when exposed to Solo and Jyn’s banter. While his sergeant clearly did not like the man tailing them, she endured his comments–which always seemed to border on the flirtatious–with far more patience and grace than she allotted others.

Malicious, misplaced emotions Cassian once more pushed back as they fell into the shadow of the temple’s renovated hanger. Time to put aside whatever personal feelings his stressed and strained brain was currently amplifying and focus on something he could control.

—

“--unfortunately causing us to abort our observations.” Cassian finished his report; hands clasped behind his back at ease while standing before a semi-circle comprising the more influential individuals holding power within the Alliance’s operation. All sitting at their usual placements at Strategy Center’s council table, cast in the cool blue and green tones of the lights cast off the charts and maps set-up about the space. A routine experience he had long grown accustomed to, yet today he could feel how the blood was erratically pumping along the column of his neck.

“So…what you're saying is that your reconnaissance mission was abandoned due to an unexpected run in with an irate, Imperial-adjacent scientist?” Vel Sartha summarized from the table’s end, far from where her cousin sat at the center beside Alderaan’s princess. Vel, whose hair was currently dyed a rich-auburn, raised her brows with a quirk of her lips to Cassian; the only indication of how amused she found the entire narrative to be.

Standing at Cassian’s side, Jyn seemed unable to refrain from adding superfluous information. “The ‘Imperial-Adjacent scientist’ is the father of Captain Andor’s former betrothed, which was previously stated in our report from nearly a year ago.”

“Yes, thank-you Sergeant Erso for that clarification.” Senator Mon Motha calmly stated. Only the faint twinkle found when her blue eyes met Jyn’s overly innocent gaze gave reason to suspect the amusement Jyn claimed to invoke in their stately leader.

Jyn nodded; posture remaining unflinching, ramrod straight and face neutral of emotion. “Just want to be precise.”

It was almost enough to make Cassian cough back a laugh. Instead he cleared his throat and stated what he hoped would be the final remark on the matter, leaving an opening from him and Jyn to be dismissed.

“At this point, I would advise against sending in any more surveillance to that location for the foreseeable future. Not only because of the spectacle our departure created, but also–during the three days we maintained surveillance–there was no reasonable proof gathered from any of the appointed locations to consider Plexis an Imperial trafficking hub. Nothing was found more than basic cartel antics.”

“We will take your assessment under consideration.” General Davits Draven stood from his place off to Mothma’s left and moved behind his chair to grip its back.

Cassian couldn’t stop his eyes from sliding to look at Jyn in the peripheral. She was doing the same. The two had been in enough of these debriefings to know that the change in placement indicated. Their time on base was about to be brutally cut short.

“As it is, you’ve returned at a fortuitous time.”

Was it? Really? Cassian almost shook his head to clear it when the sight of Bix, where he had left her, once more popped into his conscious thoughts.

For a moment he worried his subconscious was beginning to violently manifest his personal demons. In what seemed like a time span no longer than the space between blinks, Bix appeared at Draven’s side. The jacket she had draped over the barracks porch railing now worn and showing the Alliance Intelligence insignia.

“This is Bix Calleen, Intelligence operative serving in deep cover for the past two years.” Draven explained, looking directly at Cassian as if the general wasn’t aware of how well-acquainted the two were. Or maybe the look he was giving Cassian was more of a gauge to determine if this known history would in any way make the captain incapable of doing his job.

Cassian wasn’t sure what option would be preferable or what outcome he would desire.

“She has spent this time on Lianna, working her way through the ranks at Santhe/Sienar Technologies. Now serving as one of their lead mechanics who–as far as the Santhe family is aware–is currently on leave due to a family emergency.”

Lianna was an outer rim planet within the Tion Cluster. Somewhere Cassian had encountered in reports and communal briefings. To the best of his memory, the world was technically controlled under a science and engineering cooperation that saw itself as a ruling monarchy of sorts. The Empire gladly allowed them to maintain their delusions of grandeur as long as they maintained their monthly quota of innovative TIE fighters and other advanced weaponry.

Bix had been there this whole time? Working within the heart of the enemy…Not laying on the beaches of Niamos, as Cassian’s dark imagining would concoct at random intervals of petty self-pity. Thoughts that had lessened during the last year.

At Draven’s nod, Bix began to address the group as a whole, though her eyes kept finding their way to Cassian’s.

“I was attending…a company dinner…and, while mingling with the engineers and members of administration, I started catching hints that Santhe/Sienar had gained an Imperial contract for a massive project that involved this.”

A holo-blueprint appeared hovering above the table.

A blueprint Cassian knew all too well and had made detailed reports on both to both Luthen and, later in his career, Draven. He had spent months on Narkina 5, with Melshi and Xaul, building countless replicas of it and being electrocuted if their table’s work was lacking. A hopeless, never ending venture that Olaf’s heart could not endure; Hamm and Kin Loy were killed while liberating everyone else from; and numerous others perished on the swim to freedom.

None of this was what caused him the most concern. Rather than discreetly look at her from the corner of his eye, Cassian’s head jerked about to face Jyn directly. Noticing how her naturally pale skin had been drained to a sallow-chalk. He could see her chest fight for breath and her hands give off the faintest tremor that only he was close enough to discern.

A piece–so small and seemingly insignificant in the grand operation–of her father’s legacy, that so many people had died to destroy, was floating within arm’s reach.

“We knew it was going to be only a matter of time before they tried again.” Even Senator Mothma’s elegance wasn’t able to soften the catastrophic impact of all that the lone image inferred.

Another Death Star was underway.

—

“Jyn–” Cassian waited till they were back into the security of the jungle’s cover before reaching out to lightly touch the sergeant’s shoulder, stopping her trudge before she tripped over the protruding root directly in her path.

“I’m fine, Cassian.” Were the words Jyn said, but she had yet to regain her color and there was an almost frantic energy humming off her. “It was inevitable. Destroy one planet killer, and they are going to build another. Scarif may have held all the back-up files and plans, but there had to be hard copies elsewhere. Other people who worked on its construction other than my father…” There might have been a faint tremor to her lower lip, impossible to say once her impenetrable mask of self-control fell into place on seeing where Bix trailed behind them.

“You need sleep,” Cassian said, lowering his voice so his comment remained between them.

Jyn shook her head, swiping at the stray locks that had escaped her ill-done bun. “If I do that, I won’t sleep tonight and will be useless during the morning briefing.” It was decided that the squad could have one day of rest before they were informed of what the impending mission would entail.

Stepping back from Cassian’s lingering touch, Jyn started back to the barracks with a more presence of mind than previously shown. At least there was that. “I’ll grab some food and watch some holo-drama with K,” she added before starting to climb the porch’s steps.

The structure had undergone a considerable renovation over the past two years. Like with the mess, the pop-up canvas had been replaced with stone and wood. A block of four rooms, two bunks placed in each, added to the side with a partial upper level constructed for Cassian’s quarters and office.

“Did I hear holo-drama?” K2’s voice wafted out from the round door’s opening, which led directly to the squad’s communal area.

“Might as well.” Jyn called back, all indications of distress gone from her manner. She really did hate the idea of others seeing her in pain, both the physical and emotional variations.

Entering behind her, Cassian watched Jyn flop down on the couch–constructed from various sections that were stained and torn and mended with bonding tape from constantly being pulled out for individual seats, taken onto the porch, and then rearranged into curving designs when certain members were bored. K2 was already sitting on the portion that was permanently bowed from his significant weight. The droid did not have a bunk, so all in residence recognized this as his permanently reserved spot.

Bending forward, Jyn tapped the battered holoprojector placed at the surface of the equally battered coffee table that she then rested her feet upon once the opening images started to play in the air in front of her and K2’s faces.

From the kitchen, Bodhi tried to subtly lean back from where he was working away at the stove to catch images through the archway that separated it from the central living space; the same opening Stordan walked through a moment later. The corporal holding a flatcake wrapped about a cluster of scrambled eggs in each hand. One went to his mouth; the other was passed to Jyn before sitting down beside her.

Both men were freshly showered and dressed down to draw-string canvas pants and plain shirts, looking set for sleep but obviously having the same thoughts as Jyn. Set precedent making them know that it was better to get back on the base’s schedule then indulge in napping. No matter how much their drawn expressions spoke of wanting slumber.

“The others?” Jyn asked around a mouthful of food as Cassian simply hitched a shoulder against the framework.

“Taidu’s in the wash.” Stordan pointed towards the backdoor, which led to the outside shower.

“Xaul and Melshi went to raid the mess’s storeroom. We’re out of caf.” Bodhi warned.

Cassian wanted to laugh when Jyn threw her head back with a dramatic groan, then realized he was no longer alone on the precipice between being inside the barracks and out on the porch. Bix had come to stand with him on the threshold, taking in what had once been where they had lived together.

The cozy interior decorated with plants she had cared for and the sparse furnishings only the two of them required had been replaced with various blasters and slugthrowers mounted on the walls, various types of stormtrooper helmets placed at the top of individual lockers with each person’s name etched into the metal. Three different targets hung at various locations with a pilfered display board from the Strategy Center behind the couch–its clear surface not compromising possible line of sight–with ranks and titles each held in their various competitions. While not filthy, there was a distinct lived-in sense inhabiting the building.

A sense that Cassian had found himself associating with home where there had once been thriving greenery and the sweet floral scents that Bix had enjoyed using in her self-made soaps and shampoos.

“It’s odd, seeing it like this” She admitted, doing nothing to conceal her unease of finding so many people inhabiting the structure. Taking a deep breath, she took hold of Cassian's hand, such a natural gesture. His own muscle memory had Cassian stepping in closer which made her lips hitch in one corner. “I owe you an apology. I realize now that I should have thought of a better way to approach you earlier but…I guess I just got caught up in the nostalgia and didn’t think about how it would affect you.”

Recovering his senses, Cassian stepped away from her and went further out onto the porch. Out of sight from those sprawled along the couch. This was not something he wanted an audience for. Not after how much he had humiliated himself only a few hours back. “It’s fine.”

Bix followed him, seeming to understand that he wanted this matter to be a private affair. “No, it isn’t. Not after how I left things–”

“I really don’t want to talk about that. Not now.” Cassian took a deep breath on hearing the snap to his voice and rubbed a hand along his jaw. Feeling the heavy scruff there bit and caught into the calluses of his hand. “Can’t we just catch-up?”

Bix gave a harsh, disbelieving laugh. “Catch-up?”

“Yeah, why not? After all, it sounds like we’re going to be working together. You might as well fill me in on how you spent the last two years and better prepare me for what we’re going to be walking into during the morning’s briefing.”

“That’s going to take a while.”

Cassian looked up at the balcony that jolted out from his personal quarters and the private, spiral staircase that led up to it. “I think I have some nog stored away up in my bunk.”

—

Cassian woke to the soft rock of his hammock as a warm body curled against his side. Long hair tickling his bare chest as he felt fingertips glide along the hand he had resting above his head.

One drink had led to two which dissolved into a night of Bix and him spending more time reminiscing their shared past and mourning those who had fallen during the course. Both became too drunk to consider traveling the stairs, which dissolved into them passing out on his hammock. It should be odd, would probably have if either had been sober enough to think of all the reasons they should find the act of simply sleeping together considerably problematic.

Mixed intentions.

Muddled waters prior to a mission.

Jyn.

He didn’t know how to explain any of this to Jyn.

Not that anything had happened. Not that he owed her an explanation even if something had.

Jyn was just his subordinate. His brave, hard-headed, argumentative that she was basically verbally combative…beautiful…subordinate who had become one of his dearest friends and closest confidants.

And she was currently standing in the doorway that separated his office from his bunk. Her hair had been washed during some point the night before, now hanging loosely about her face as she stood near the end of his hammock barefooted and wearing the wrap-about shirt and leggings she preferred both for sleep and to complete her morning exercises in.

For a moment, while sleep still clung to his eyes, he could not deny a flash of hurt betrayal which darkened her gaze…but then it was gone and he wondered if it had ever existed.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Her voice was devoid of any telling inflections, though that also may be her accent’s overwhelming poshness; it always made her a tough read. “I’m just letting everyone know the briefing is scheduled for 0700. We have an hour to get ready and report.”

It was only as she turned to go that Cassian’s brain finally managed to break through the sleepy nog-fog and fully realized what had just happened.

How this situation would look.

What Jyn undoubtedly assumed had transpired.

Nearly tipping the hammock over in his haste to get out from under Bix, Cass de-tangled himself from her limbs and tumbled to the floor.

“Jyn, wait–” He meant to rush after her, but was jerked back when Bix grabbed his wrist.

Their eyes met; hers widening on realizing the involuntary action and slowly retracted her fingers so he was no longer tethered to her.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to…”

“Didn’t mean to what? Thinking that you could come back here and pretend that nothing had happened?” Cassian knew as he spoke them that the words were not fair. After all, Bix had given him an opening to hash things out last night. One which he deflected from to avoid would be a painful conversation and, instead, got so drunk that–while nothing salacious had occurred–he had literally woken up with Bix back in his bed.

“You were going to give up the Rebellion for me–”

“I was giving up the Rebellion for me.” These words were far more fair and there was liberation found in their truth, exploding from his lips in a harsh whisper in want for no one below to overhear. “For my peace of mind…for my life. All you did was force my hand, left me with no choice but to continue the fight I no longer wanted. And I did. I became exactly what you wanted: the perfect soldier, doing whatever I was ordered without question. Then…I heard rumors of an Imperial pilot…”

“And you met her.” Bix finished, tears collecting in the corners of her eyes while sitting cross legged on the hammock that continued to rock from Cassian’s volatile departure. Her attention fixated on the place Jyn had disappeared from.

“And I met her,” Cassian admitted, possibly for the first time. Even to himself. Suddenly bone weary, he pinched the bridge of his nose and tried to stem away the headache that he discovered had been there since waking.

“Do you love her?” Bix asked, unable to look at him. Continuing to stare at the empty air. “Because, I’ve seen the way you act around her, look at her and…do you love her?”

“It’s not that easy of a question.”

His relationship with Jyn did not only have an unconventional beginning; it was now entangled with the Alliance’s cause and the squad’s working dynamic and all the rules regarding strict boundaries between commanding officers and their subordinates.

It was better to live in denial, pretending there was nothing there, because–for however long they were in this fight–being together in any way but professionally was an impossibility.

“Do you still love me?” Bix’s question broke Cassian out of his unwanted enlightenment.

Lowering his hand, Cassian could only lean down to pick up his shirt that unsurprisingly smelled heavily of nog. “That’s even harder.”

__

AN: Not sure if anyone wants to know, but I am going to put this down anyway: just in case. I am going to try to get another chapter out during this upcoming week but, due to a busy schedule that will get worse with the weekend, I am not sure if this will happen. There might not be an update till the following week.

Chapter 3: Details

ABY 0

Unknown

~

“Biggest regret?”

Cassian’s voice was the first sound she had heard in an indeterminate amount of time. Could have been an hour; could have been a day. The two sat on opposite sides of the long-distance shuttle’s narrow troop cabin. No rows upon rows of seating, just two benches built into the wall. Cassian was stretched out on his, an arm draped over his eyes. Still significally beat-up from the fall he had endured in the citadel, Jyn silently worried about internal bleeding, potential concussion, and of what would happen if they went much longer without medical aid beyond the kit that came with the otherwise useless shuttle.

Sitting on her side, elbows resting on her knees and forehead pressing into clenched fists, she spoke around the bitter laugh that bubbled-up her chest bringing the new concern that she was bordering on hysterics. “Getting knocked-out of hyperspace by a vindictive purrgil.”

“Doesn’t count.”

“Seems pretty regretful to me.”

Cassian let his arm slide off his face and drape towards the floor, turning his head to look at her. “To merit being a regret, you would have to be at fault.”

Jyn lifted her head with the scowl she feared would become her permanent expression. “All right, how about choosing to steal the one shuttle on Scarif lacking an up-to-date navigation system that led to us being lost after a vindictive purrgil knocked us out of hyperspace?”

Nodding his allowance, Cassian went back to staring at the ceiling. “That’s better.”

“You?” Asking felt like some form of personal breach; Jyn barely knew the rebel captain--it had only been a few days since Scarf--yet was aware that-–unlike her–-he would not brush off his answer with flippant sarcasm. She also realized that he wouldn’t have asked her this potentially personal question if a part of him didn’t want to purge whatever thoughts were going on about his mind.

“Losing my family.” There was a simplicity in the weight of his confession.

Getting up, Jyn knelt by his bench, resting the back of a hand against his forehead. Sure enough, there was a faint indication for a developing fever. Something to add to the significant bruises and cuts crusted over with bloody scabs. “I doubt that was any more your fault than that purrgil was mine.”

“I led you to believe a lie, back on Eadu.”

“You actually did take a shot at my father?” Jyn tried to make light of a conversation that wanted to be serious. This-–speaking of feelings and unfiltered thoughts-–was not something she was accustomed to. Per Saw’s instructions, it was best to keep things buried down into the subconscious and, when they inevitably burst back to the surface, they were best handled through violence.

Slugging it out was one of the more wholesome solutions Saw had to personal altercations.

“No…when I made you think that they all died for the cause. Bix didn’t; sometimes, I think I drove her away.”

“And the other times?”

“That she never actually loved me.”

“I’m sorry,” was all Jyn could think to say. Even that trite filler did not come easy for her to utter. The awkward uncertainty was made more amicable when said in the limited amount of Kenari Cassian had taught her. They had nothing but time, which was beginning to lag and allow dread to fully settle, and she had always had a knack for languages.

Her attempt-–broken and heavily accented–-was enough to get a partial smile from Cassian. The hint of his dimples were near buried in the thick scruff that was becoming a beard. “You’re getting better at that.”

“Compassion or Kenari?”

“Either. Both.”

~

—

~

ABY 1

Yavin 4

~

Jyn had witnessed her birth-father’s death–-having him die in her arms–-and she had to leave her foster-father to die in the destruction of Jedha’s holy city. Yes, Saw had chosen to remain behind, but this tidbit of knowledge did little to assuage the complicated mix of emotions that ate away at her when the memory decided to appear in a particular thought or dream-turned-nightmare.

She had not been enough for her mother to choose to leave Galen and survive with Jyn. Rather, Lyra preferred to be killed by Krennic.

Numerous comrades–-both Alliance and Partisans–-had died while fighting at her side, so many that she would not be able to list them all by name. Only their faces.

Grief. Sorrow. Loss.

There had never been a time that she did not know these to be by her side. They would have broken her long before now if she hadn’t developed significant armor against their bombardments of images and the treacherous inner questions surrounding the elusive concept of ‘what if?’.

She had known who Bix was even before Cassian had named her. Maybe it wasn’t a moment of immediate identification, but there had been a sense when she first looked at the inordinately beautiful woman. Of course Cassian would consider someone like that as his great, lost love.

There should have been no shock to what would inevitably happen in the wake of Bix’s return.

There was no reason to feel betrayed…

And Jyn had clearly been watching far too many holo-dramas.

“Briefing in under an hour.” She called out, wrapping her knuckles against the doors of the bedrooms the others bucked within.

Xaul with Melshi.

Bodhi and Stordan.

Taidu–-technically the highest ranked amongst them, though Jyn had somehow fallen into the status of ‘Number Two’--had one to himself. As did Jyn.

“Be dressed and ready in forty-five,” she added, only then realizing that she had slipped into Kenari, the squad’s ‘battle’ language. What they used when they thought there was a threat of unwanted ears catching the stray word that may prove vital for a mission’s success or during moments of duress.

Something the men noticed as well. All tumbling out their doors, falling upon each other as they struggled with pulling on pants. Their wild eyes expected to find a blaster aimed at Jyn’s head. Not her standing in the center of the square of floor space serving as a hall between their clustered doors with nothing outwardly troubling.

“Sorry. False alarm.” Was all Jyn could give in way of an apology before sliding the door of her room shut.

They were called ‘rooms’ but were nothing more than storage closets. Big enough for the two bunks mounted on the riveted wall and for a footlocker on either side of the door. As being a solo occupant, Jyn used the luxury of additional space to shove in a narrow desk she could stand at while working on reports.

Stripping out of her sleep clothing, she quickly changed into her usual garments of durable practicality. Long-sleeved shirt under a pocketed vest and tucked into trousers. Wincing when she stretched her wounded hand too far in an attempt to get it inside a glove. She finally relented and left her hands naked. Barefoot, boots in her standing-locker with the rest of her gear, she padded towards the kitchen, expecting glowers from the men for the unwanted panic she induced. Instead, before she even made it to her final destination, she found the far less preferable scene of five men and one droid frozen in the middle of whatever action they had been performing when Cassian and Bix came down the interior set of stairs leading to his rooms.

Six pairs of eyes–organic and mechanical–slowly slid towards her before drifting back to where Bix seemed to be attempting to sink into the floor.

Cassian was the only one not accounted for; she could hear him walk about the kitchen.

“What are you all doing just standing there?” Jyn asked, making a point of continuing her course to the kitchen. “You have less than thirty to grab some food, drink your caf, and be in the Strategy Center.

“You heard the Sarge.” Xaul called out after another pause.

Opening their standing cabinet pantry, Jyn blindly selected a ration pack. Having no appetite to speak but needing to have a reason to stick her head into something. She lingered there with her forehead resting against a shelf, while she attempted to fortify herself against a foe she could not have known existed.

She hated whatever feeling was currently coiling and constricting about her internal organs. If she had to put a name to it, she would say it was close-–if not quite-–to how she felt after her first mission. One that had ended in her inaugural blaster fight and, coincidentally, the first time she took a life...also she had nearly been left behind when she hadn’t moved fast enough to make the ramp before take-off.

Not quite…but close.

“Jyn…” Cassian’s voice found its way to his ears as she felt him walk over to the other side of the opened cabinet’s door. She could smell the stale-laundry scent of whatever shirt he had pulled out of his footlocker to replace the one she had noticed littering the floor of his bedroom…

Deep breath in through nose and out through mouth…

“Morning Cassian.” She took a bite of dehydrated unknown, easier to muddle her words with. “Sorry about earlier, but an updated time was pinged to K without any notice. You would think they would try to give us a bit more consideration.”

“Probably had some kind of last minute schedule change and didn’t see a point in wasting the slot.” Melshi offered, reaching past Jyn for a ration pack of his own.

“Remember when we had to go in at 23:50 because the Earl of…something…decided to finally talk to Mothma when we were originally scheduled for a debriefing?” Bodhi asked, ducking under Melshi’s reach and starting to tie back Jyn’s hair for her. “We’re going to need to change the bandage before we head out,” he added with a nod at the faint stain of pink absorbed into the gauze.

“I would feel insulted, but it does help to just get all this over and done with.” Taidu grumbled, foregoing food to begin brewing their caf.

“Caleen.” Jyn called out, catching more than one of the group giving her baffled looks at the act. “Ration packs work for you or…Cassian, are you going to fire up the stove?”

The squad’s captain lowered his eyes when she demanded hers to look directly at him. There was no reason for her to feel reluctant to do so. If he had an issue, that was not for her to delve into its potential causality.

“No time for a hot breakfast,” he said on accepting the steaming mug Taidu offered, but not taking an actual sip.

Bix finally moved away from the stairs and edged into the kitchen. “I–I’m fine with a ration pack.” She flinched back while catching the seal package of food Jyn tossed her way.

“This may be as good as last night's episode.” K2 whispered his thoughts out loud from where he was twisted about at his resting spot.

Twenty minutes later, they were making their way through the jungle to report in for their briefing. Cassian walked far ahead of the rest with K2 by his side and Bix wandering between him and where the rest were clustered about.

“So…do we hate her? We hate her, right?” Bodhi asked, in Kenari, near Jyn’s elbow. Goggles–-which purpose served as a mystery, no one had ever actually seen him wear them over his eyes-–perched on the top of his head.

Stordan started to nod. An action second-thought with Jyn’s question.

“Why would we hate her?”

“Yeah, why would we hate her?” Stordan lightly slapped the pilot’s shoulder blade with a black of his hand.

“She’s an outsider.” Xaul had not taken his eyes off Bix for a concerning amount of time. Not in any degree of lust or desire. He looked at the newcomer in the same manner he treated any new informant or agent. Basically, to the redhead, anyone not of Rogue One’s squad was seen as nothing more than a liability or a threat to their safety.

“She’s an Intelligence operative and Cassian’s family.” Jyn hated that she should have them switch back to Standard but seemed unable to get herself to commit this courtesy. The few glances Bix gave over her shoulder indicated that she could hear them speaking, and knew the foreign tongue was to cover their words’ meaning. “She should be treated with the utmost consideration.”

“This is not healthy.” Taidu wiped a hand along the shaved dome of his head. Morning had barely started and the air was already heavy enough with humidity that walking felt more akin to swimming.

“What?” One word was easy enough to serve as the switch back to Standard. Jyn eyed the rest so they knew to follow suit.

“This.” Taidu lowered his voice and motioned at Jyn’s general being. “Your reaction.”

“What’s wrong with my reaction?”

“It’s…You’re…The Cap…” Taidu looked to the others for help, waving his arms from Jyn to Cassian and then back in desperation for someone to better clarify.

“You’re just way too composed for being as exhausted as we know you have to be.” Melshi brought the topic to a close, draping an arm around Jyn’s shoulders, barricading her from the well-meaning, curious-–if near feral-–wonderings surrounding her

“Caf is a wonderful thing.”

—

“You all seem a bit…rough…this morning.” Draven eyed the group assembled before the council table with disapproving judgement, lingering on Cassian’s unkempt hair and how his shirt was partially opened at the collar. A triangle of fabric dangling against his chest.

“Sorry, sir, it was a later than advised night of Love Within Temptation.” Jyn’s words were instinctive. They all covered for each other but, as the understood right-hand, it was her unsaid duty to keep their leader from falling into low-opinion the rare time that he failed to meet the General’s high standards.

Stordan was not far behind her. “Princess Seniha agreed to marry Halit.”

“Wait…isn’t he in love with her sister?” Vel’s voice spiked from their normally controlled cadence with hands braced on the table, as if preparing to launch herself to the nearest holoprojector.

“Hence the late night,” K2 drawled.

Melshi nodded. “You really should have joined us.”

“Enough.” Mon’s tone was firm but not displeased. There was a softness to her manner that she reserved for those of Rogue One. That did not give them allowance to run away with the conversation when there were more pressing matters at hand. “Caleen, you may begin.”

Bix stepped forward from where she stood on the side of Cassian not grouped with the squad. His lean body offered a buffer between her and those she addressed about a plan they were all going to undergo.

An anxious reaction.

Cassian served as a comfort for Bix’s undoubtedly frayed nerves of finding herself in this particular circumstance; being the lead on a mission was a strenuous experience that Jyn would wish upon no one…

Jyn hated how she had to keep planting these concessions into her mind as if they were magnanimous offerings to the unworthy when–-in fact-–they were the barest allotment of simple decency.

“--the corporation is run by both the Santhe and Sienar families, but the understood power is through the Santhes.” Bix was saying when Jyn finally won the battle between her ears and mind in taking in information and properly processing it.

“Why?” Cassian asked, arms crossed and stepping closer to the hologram family trees scrolling down through the air.

“Are we here for a history lesson?” Bix’s eyes widened at the blatant sass to her voice, looking at those seated for reprimand and continued, in a more professional tone, when none was given. “What it comes down to is that the Santhes control fifty-one percent of the corporation’s overall rulings and are seen as Lianna’s royal house. While the Sienars hold more of a celebrity status.”

“Would members of both families have access to any plans the corporation holds contracts for?” Taidu asked, joining Cassian in reading over the names listed.

All knew that it was a fool’s dream to think they would completely stop the construction of a second Death Star from being acted upon. What was within their power was to sabotage enough of the key components to delay production. Delay long enough, and they might have the war won without needing to consider more worlds destroyed. Going off her father’s plans, it was well known that these seemingly innocuous aspects were key for the destructive might.

Santhe/Sienar Technologies had bases of operation throughout the Tion Cluster. What was needed to be determined was which one had to be crippled to effectively cease production on this particular product.

Bix nodded. “Yes, and their homes are connected into the same information network as any company building.”

Bodhi touched the rim of his goggles in absent thought. “Seems like a security risk someone of their station-–and clearance levels–-would not overlook.”

“Some kind of trap for corporate espionage?” Xaul’s near-invisible brows bunched above his nose.

“It would be,” Bix agreed. “Except their private homes are better guarded than their offices. And the matrix used for core information is not an easy matter to navigate. Getting in without access codes is impossible, unless you access a port already plugged in.”

“Where does that leave us?” Melshi asked.

“Nando Santhes.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Jyn stepped forward to better assess the construction of lines and names, trying to locate the one spoken. “Who is Nando Santhe?”

“The eldest son and heir apparent to Santhe/Sienar Technology, who hosts an annual Gambling Royale at the family's country manor.” Nervousness returned to Bix’s manner. Wording coming out faster and at a different pitch than before. “A way to elevate their family within the Empire itself; The Santhes are ambitious; they are not happy with simply being the masters of their own, small world.”

“So we sneak in with catering–”

“No need.” Bix winced at cutting-off Cassian. “My position in the company gives me access to invitations.”

“Caleen, Captain Andor, and Sergeant Erso–”

“Apologies, but that makes little sense.” Unlike Bix, Jyn had no qualms about cutting off a speaker-–even if it was General Draven–-when what they were saying made no sense.

She had done this enough to Draven that he didn’t even bother to glare at her insubordination. “What doesn’t make sense?”

“Sending in three people when Caleen and Captain Andor would suffice. He can go in under the guise of being her plus-one. Three will create questions.”

“Actually, no. Cass will be going in as the wealthy childhood friend-–and potential investor-–I told Nando I would be visiting while home for my grandmother’s funeral. You will be his plus one.” Bix’s fingers knotted about, appearing to be at risk of nearly dislocating at least once. “I’m Nando’s date.”

“His date?” Cassian’s brows rose with his question. Grip tightening on his arms.

“Nando is-–among other things–-a notorious playboy; he enjoys the thrill of a conquest over actually maintaining it…and he has been growing bored with me of late. The signs are there. I need to bring in another factor to maintain his interest. Without being too obvious.”

“Such as an old friend and his wife.”

“Wife?” Jyn shot at Cassian.

“Wait…Seriously?” Bodhi nearly choked when he breathed in too fast. “You’re going to have Jyn pretend to be a guest?”

“She sounds the most core-world–”

“Sounding core-world and actually blending are way off base.” Xaul corrected Taidu. “Cap, yeah, he can pass with little work. No worries there, but…she’s going to have to wear a dress, right? A gown?”

“And heels.” Vel added with a subtle touch of vindictiveness to her polite grin, leaning back in her chair. In the low blue-green lighting, she held a resemblance to what Jyn imagined a Jenet tree goblin to look like.

Stordan’s eyes went wide; head swiveling to take in Jyn under this new information. “She’s going to be made before she even gets through the door.”

“I can help with that.” Bix offered, lifting a timid hand in the air.

“See, no worries at all.” Jyn tried and failed to keep the sarcasm from her words.

Chapter 4: Baggage

AN: This chapter will have semi-spoilers for Season Two finale, and yet none at all.

—

—

—

Yavin 4

~

There was a time, when she was around thirteen or so, that Jyn had to spend days traveling through the jungle terrain of some world whose name she doubted if she ever knew. Literal days. She was convinced that she managed to sleep while maintaining the sprint all involved had to endure or risk Imperial detainment or–-more likely-–death. All this while torrential downpours caused her boots to rub her skin raw in places. Given the chance, she would prefer reliving this grueling experience than enduring the torture that was fashionable footwear worn by kept women of means.

She also never endured the degree of intense, relentless training–-even when Tubes taught her how to use a blaster or Saw started her on the leaded baton–-than she had when various individuals around the base took the time to pop into Vel's residence to help instruct her on what turned out to be a truly undervalued and underappreciated skill set.

Jyn would never again comment about the wasted lives of women who wore such things regularly or mock their considered woes. Yes, they most likely never had to face down a band of storm troopers with nothing but a stick and their wits, but their burdens were great.

The strain of her training was compiled with what she suspected to be a hidden sadistic streak harbored by Bix, Vel, and the unexpected arrival of Kleya. Surprisingly, all had ample experience with this type of infiltration-–not so much of a surprise with Vel, who had quite the life of leisure before giving it up to join the cause-–and were merciless in their teachings.

Jyn only had this one day to get down the basics.

“This mission is doomed, Erso.” Han said, leaning against a tree outside of Vel and Kleya’s shared structure.

How long had he been waiting there for Jyn to be permitted the break required to allow her feet to regain their original shape, she did not know. What she did care about, though, was that she only had a short hour to eat and try to stretch all the kinks currently knotting her back, before returning for further instruction. This time, possibly, under Mon Mothma’s watchful criticism.

Stepping passed where the smuggler lounged in a pose she knew he practiced in the mirror, Jyn made her way through the jungle.

“Why are you here?” She asked when Han went to walk along with her.

“Heard from the royal that you were undergoing lady-bootcamp,” Han said, hitching his thumbs into his belt with a look down at her that she knew he also practiced.

“Ah, yes, you and Leia.” Jyn found a sing-song taunt entering her voice.

Six years ago, when Saw had first abandoned her, Jyn found herself struggling to navigate the nuance that was the criminal underground. After all, there was no way she could survive as a legitimate citizen. Not with her lack of marketable skills for the day-to-day conduct, and the pending, posted bounties on several worlds hosting her likeness.

With her inability to pass a basic back-ground check, there really was only one avenue of work she was at all prepared to take. One made more tolerable when she was found trying to steal from crates being guarded by a snoozing wookiee.

“What?” Han asked, unaware of the reminiscing unfolding in her mind about the months she spent working on the Falcon.

“Just wondering what angle you’re playing.”

“I can’t be here for the cause?”

Jyn threw her head back in a laugh, catching a flicker of hurt momentarily flash across Han’s face. “Oh…” She raised a hand to cover her mouth. “You’re serious.”

“I came back to help the kid–-Don’t groan like that, he’s a good kid. Terrified of you, but that’s just common sense.”

“Terrified of me?”

“Well, basically all of Rogue One.” Han released a heavy sigh with a shake of his head, all traces of the previously short-lived emotion gone from his manner. “It’s hard to say if his fear is stronger than his hero-worship.”

“Now you’re just making this up.”

“I’m just saying, go easy on him. No more songs.”

“How do you know about our song?”

“It’s kind of hard to miss.” Han’s chuckle dwindled with an awkward silence. Hands going from his belt to his hips as his eyes lifted to the canopy above. “So, how are things going with you over there?”

“Over where?”

“In the Rogue One squad?”

Jyn stopped, annoyance added when she had to tilt her head in order to look at him directly. “What do you mean?” She knew exactly what he meant. “What’s all this about?” She knew exactly what this was all about.

She prayed to all who may hear and the Force itself to take her now. The hours of etiquette and posture training now seemed like blessed reliefs, distracting her from the topic she wished to remain in denial about for as long as possible.

“Just that it’s hard to miss Bix Caleen, and the rumors circulating about her and your captain.”

“And that would affect me, how, precisely?”

Han shrugged, trying to look innocent but not convincingly. “I’m just saying that Chewy and I could use another set of hands for this mission Mothma has us running. How are you with ice worlds?”

“Very bad and…no…I mean, I appreciate the offer, I really do, but this is something I have to handle.”

“You’re not responsible for your father’s work.” It might be the closest to true sincerity she had ever encountered from her former boss. “I know he did it under duress and made sure it was 'easy' to destroy…but it's not your job to be at the forefront anytime something related to the Death Star comes about.”

“How did you know what this assignment is regarding?”

“There is really a lax of security around here when you have this smile and were part of the princess’s rescue party.”

“Yes, that.” Jyn rolled her eyes, then did a double-check to try to identify the flash of movement she had detected between the trees.

“Give it a thought and let me know” Han gave her shoulder a slight squeeze before leaning down to brush his lips on her forehead. “He doesn’t deserve you.” He muttered before pulling away and going back the way they had come.

“What was that about?” Cassian’s voice seemed to materialize in the air around her before he stepped into sight a few yards away and began hiking towards her with intense purpose.

“What?” Jyn asked, trying to catch her breath from the fright she experienced over the matter; a startle she would never confess to.

“You and Solo?”

“I can’t speak to someone?”

Nearly tripping on a root, Cassian hopped to maintain his balance and then took a moment to steady himself and regain his composure. His physical composure, at least. “You hate him and now you’re considering leaving us to join his scrapheap of a ship?”

“Were…Were you listening in on our conversation?”

“I was passing by and I heard voices-–”

Stalking closer to him, Jyn jabbed a finger against Cassian's chest. “You may be my superior officer, but do not get that mixed with having any claim on me or my work. If I want a transfer–-not saying that I do, but if that was something I was considering-–that would not be in any way your concern.”

With that, she had the satisfaction of storming off, not looking back when Cassain called after her.

~

Perfect.

Just wonderful.

If she hadn’t been considering Solo’s offer before, Cassian was near certain that Jyn would accept now, out of spite.

Hitting a fist against his head, Cassian gritted his teeth and tried to think of any way he could have gone about the situation in any worse of a manner. It was just the thought…hearing Solo give her that offer and then kiss Jyn…

“What are you doing out here?” Bix called out, heading towards him the way Jyn and Solo had been walking. She had been a part of the training session Jyn was expected to undergo–-much to the amusement of the men back in the barracks, playing tiles and speculating on what that would entail.

Cassian had left under the guise of procuring more rations, but wanting to see how things were going…Yes, fine, he wanted to spy when the thought occurred to him that Jyn and Bix would most likely be talking to each other during these crash courses.

A thought that his brain greeted with irrational fear.

“Was heading back to the barracks and got distracted.” He was not sure what to do with his hands, so he shoved them into his pocket.

“By Jyn?”

“Is that really any of your business?” Cassian was aware of his question’s hypocritical core. That did not stop him from making the choice to use it on deflection.

“Are we ever going to talk? Really talk?”

“Yes,” Not sure what way to walk, which lie he should be following, Cassian found his feet steering him back towards the barracks. Anywhere away from an irate Jyn seemed like the safest course of action. “The moment you give me the truth.”

“About what?”

“About why you left.”

“I told you why–”

“I know you Bix.” Cassian turned to face where she was walking behind him; she was out of practice with what it was like to deal with nature potentially hindering each step. “I spent the majority of my life learning every pane of your face. I know when you lie. For over two years, I have been trying to figure out what I did wrong because, while what you said in your farewell video wasn’t all lies, the reasons you gave were not full truths.”

“Cass.” There was a pleading in her voice that made him want to let the matter drop. The damnable instinct to reach out and protect her was still so present in his limbs that he had to mentally battle the way that his body yearned to follow what came familiar.

“We have a thing in the squad.” He rubbed at his mouth, not certain why he was telling her this. It could not lead to anything useful or healthy.

“Other than speaking about other people in Kenari?”

“You could have learned.”

“Maarva wanted everyone to focus on your Standard, before anyone of authority noticed that there was no way you were born on Fest.”

“We don’t allow ourselves to bring baggage with us on a mission.” Cassian diverted the conversation away from his mother and their childhood and their shared lives. It was that sort of talk that had led him to the morning’s misunderstanding predicament. “People get sloppy and careless when they bring things that don’t matter on a mission.”

Bix’s brow furrowed; eyes wounded. “You’re saying this–-us-–doesn’t matter?”

“I’m saying that we either have to work this out now, or we literally place it on the shelf.”

“The shelf?” The lines on her forehead deepened, though there was also a degree of amusement to her that made Cassian bristle.

The sensation caused his words come out harsher than intended. “Yes, take the matter, put it on a mental shelf, and leave it there to gather dust until the mission is complete and we are in a safe location once more.”

“Then you just, what, take it off the shelf and resume as if nothing happened?”

“Yes.” Hands held out to illustrate each option and left it to Bix to decide. “Which is it going to be?”

“I don’t think we should get into this now.”

“Shelf it is.” That resolved, Cassian pivoted back towards the barracks. Maybe he would play a few hands of tiles before they all had to start packing…

“I thought I was pregnant.”

Bix’s proclamation nearly caused Cassian to land on his face when he slipped from turning too abruptly. Hitting his knee and leg instead on the muddy, loam-littered ground instead. He stood without a care to the filth clinging on his clothing. “What?”

“That’s why I left.” Tears began coursing down Bix’s cheeks without her acting as if she was aware of their existence. Hands gathered in front of her stomach. “I thought I was pregnant and then, after some time, I realized I wasn’t…”

“You left because you thought you were pregnant?” The words made Cassian’s body begin to shake.

“Yes.”

“After I told you that I wanted out so we could have a life together?”

“Yes.”

“And you just…left.” Voice low and even, he could feel his body bead out a cold sweat but, also, he seemed to somehow not be truly inhabiting it anymore. As if this all was happening in one of the squad’s holo-dramas. Maybe they were watching this on the projector right now, eating snacks and doing commentary on this turn of events. “Went away to raise our child alone while I was left here to fight?”

Finally swiping at her cheeks with the heel of her hand, Bix shook her head with a trembling lip before she was able to speak. “It wouldn’t have been the picturesque life you seem to be thinking, and it would have been selfish of me to take you away from all this. Scarif. The Death Star. They all prove that you are too valuable--”

“Oh that would have been selfish of you, giving me a chance to raise my child.”

“There was no child.” Bix countered. Eyes becoming red-rimmed and tear treks leaving blotches on her tawny skin. “I told you that I realized that I wasn’t pregnant after all.”

“That doesn’t change…” Cassian had to remind his lungs to take in air, only then realizing how close he was to passing-out. “This was a bad idea. We’re leaving in the morning and this is definitely something that needs to be put off till blasters and espionage and your pseudo boyfriend are not involved.”

“Cass.”

He was beyond listening, distancing himself from her and not about to return to the barracks. What he needed was to be alone. Completely, entirely alone. Until the ground stopped spinning under his feet and his body felt like his own once more.

~

Cassian was not back by the time twilight started to stretch across the sky, so Jyn went out to look for him.

It didn't take long for her to come upon him in the ruins. A place most presumed to be a former training yard for the Jedis who once trained and lived in the temple now serving as their base of operation. Deep enough in the jungle to be away from others, a chance to gain true solitude in a region where most remained in an overwhelming cluster consisting of individuals basically living on top of one another, but close enough to base that the risk of hostile wild life was low.

He sometimes went here to target shoot, clearing his head as he considered an upcoming assignment while his body focused entirely on making the mark.

He also came here on the rare occasion that his anger got the better of him and the risk of being grounded for insubordination was at its greatest. He would come out here to either pace about the overgrown yard, muttering under his breath until he wore himself out, or–more likely–sitting on the waist high wall to drink in peace without having to share with the others.

This time it was neither.

She found him standing in the center of the crumbled space, just staring out to the darkness of the jungle beyond.

“I thought you were mad at me.” Back to where Jyn settled on the perimeter wall--her feet not quite meeting the ground--Cassian didn’t look over his shoulder or give any other indication of knowing she was there.

She didn’t bother to ask how he knew it was her. “We don’t take baggage on missions, right? And you know I hate the shelf. Also, people were starting to wondering if you were going to go AWOL. Caleen didn't give details but--”

“She told me that she left because she thought she was pregnant.”

That was unexpected, so unexpected that Jyn had to have heard him wrong.

“What?”

“Turns out she wasn’t so…”

“What? Wait. No.” Staying where she sat, giving him the space he seemed to need, Jyn held up a hand in pause. The fact that there was no way for him to see the act didn't deter her from doing it anyway. “Apologies, this may be uncalled for but, baby or not, that is simply terrible reasoning.”

“And I just don’t know what to do with that information.”

“You don’t have to do anything with it,” Jyn assured him. “Not now.”

His shoulders lifted the slightest, possibly with a bitter smile. “Shelf it?”

“Or talk it out. Here. Now. We might not be able to form a concrete solution at the end, but saying things out loud always helped in the past.”

“I would have been a good father.”

“You could still be.” Jyn was mortified when a blush flushed across her face for no logical reason. Silent thanks were sent when Cassian continued to keep her at his back.

“I’m sorry about earlier.” There was a faint hitch in his voice she pretended to ignore, along with all the other suspicions she had on why he did not want to face her.

“I know.”

Arms lifted for a moment, then dropped; he turned to face her with mostly dry eyes and went to sit on the wall beside her. If only they had a flask.

“You’re such a Loth-cat.”

“When we get back from this, maybe sit down with her and hear her out.” Jyn hated herself for suggesting it, rather than allowing him to segue into another topic, but it had to be said.

Cassian’s eyes darkened in betrayal. “You just said what she did was terrible.”

“I said her reasoning was. Yes, what she did was-–it was not good. It was inconsiderate and selfish and short-sighted but the same could be said about when I attacked Melshi for springing me from the prison transport. Lashing out at him made complete sense to me in the heat of the moment, not at all in retrospect.”

“I never thought you would try to be a voice of reason.”

“Less reason and more ‘Fight or Flight.’ Whatever was going on in her mind during that time, I'm sure it made her think the decision was perfect sense. Maybe you should ask her about that, after the mission.” For a moment, she allowed herself to cover one of his hands with her bandaged one, before withdrawing it or risk breaking something fragile. “Until then, shelf it. I’m not dying because you have issues with your ex.”

“Noted.”

—

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AN: Sorry for the shorter [potentially unhinged] chapter. I know I said I would not be posting for a week, but then plans fell through and I needed to, once more, work through my thoughts…

Chapter 5: Unnatural

Yavin 4

~

Being raised working in a Ferrix salvage yard made an individual well acquainted with early hours and late nights full of pulled muscles, blisters, burns, and the occasional bruise or cut with the risk of some form of blood disease. These also were accompanied by the understanding that dirt was an inescapable part of a life. Bix’s mother tried, bless her, to keep the smears of grease and flakes of rust contained within the shop and bays. A valiant fight she maintained till her passing. Each time a transgression was discovered there would be a dramatically drawn out sigh, looking at Bix and her father in loving reproach.

Not to be an ungrateful guest–-the spare bunk in Rogue One’s lone woman member’s room had been graciously offered the night before without press or corrosion-–but Bix feared her mother would have passed out from lack of breath over the state of Jyn Erso’s room.

Not that the limited space was dirty in the sense of unhygienic. No, there was just a very obvious atmosphere lingering in the closeted quarters that spoke of a lack of desire surrounding the habitual daily dusting. More like an abandoned house than a lazy lifestyle content with filth. In honor of fairness, the abandoned nature was a well deserved description as, from what Bix had heard and seen and encountered since her return to the rebel home base, it appeared that those of Rogue One were away more than in occupation.

When home, cleaning was probably the last thing on any of their battered and exhausted minds.

Cassian had never been one to tidy-up anyway; he had never been one for cooking either, not since his time during Mimba. He used to joke how he had nightmares about the experience of once accidentally poisoning a platoon. She could only remember him willingly preparing the meal during the time Bix was at her most breakable.

Yet, when she stepped into the kitchen, that was exactly what she found him doing. Faint, static-filled music playing out of the radio mounted, with bonding tape and a prayer, against the glass of the round window above the sink. Bix’s fingers stretched out along her sides, wanting to do a better job at the mosh posh workmanship.

The atmosphere was far more relaxed than it had been the morning prior. Then, when Bix had stepped down from Cassian’s room conflicted over what he her revealed and still feeling the warmth of his hammock, the men and droid had just stared at her. All six radiating uncertainty and–-in the case of some-–severe distrust. Sensations that only heightened when Jyn had entered.

An unease that had literally evaporated overnight. Barely anyone reacted when Bix made her entrance. Nothing more than a few nods or lifted hands as the men shuffled about the cramped space, helping themselves to the food Cassian piled onto chipped platters scattered about the counter within reach of the stove. She presumed she was witnessing their policy of ‘work-out or shelf it’ at its finest.

Not everyone, though, was entirely at ease. Jyn–sitting on the counter, eating with one hand while the hostel redhead, who was so pale that Bix bet he would glow in the dark, rebandaged what appeared to be a nasty blaster burn on the other–gave Bix a quick glance and then looked away.

After spending most of yesterday working together on Jyn’s lack of social graces and inability to maneuver in a gown, Bix had thought she felt a sense of comradery developing between the two of them. She might not have been wrong…But then she had taken a risk, and lost, with telling Cassian the truth. Going about it in the entirely wrong manner.

She just blurted out the statement without any preamble or lead-up.

She should have sat him down, should have explained all the emotions that had combated about her mind when the first hit of speculation entered it on her potential condition. She should have apologized at the start, should have acknowledged that what she had done was…unforgivable. It didn’t matter that there turned out to be no awaiting child, that she fled over nothing more than a false alarm. The fact that the idea of a child made her leave–after drugging his tea to ensure he would not wake to try to stop her–was an insurmountable barricade on their relationship.

One that she still naively hoped–hopes–was not entirely beyond reconciliation.

There had been a shift in Jyn after she returned to the barracks with Cassian in tow. Both silent with their thoughts, but Bix had caught how Jyn brushed the back of his hand with hers. Not aggressive, belittling, or even a degree of cold; Jyn had simply turned to overt politeness. A better way of putting it was Jyn displaying some mutant species of amicable detachment. She had not hesitated to offer Bix a place to sleep, more than willing to share her personal space. All without any of the forced cordial consideration Jyn had shown towards Bix leading up to Cassain disappearing till past twilight.

Cassian had told her. He had told Jyn everything Bix had confessed.

Bix accepted a cup of caf from Stordan; or so she thought that was his name. They all had been given in a quick-fire nature that one blurred into another. His light-brown skin flushed for a moment when she gave him a thankful smile.

This–this effect she discovered was possible from the faintest gesture, if done correctly and with distinct intent–was something Bix had grown used to.

After she had realized her error in expectancy, Bix had gone through a momentarily lost phase. Unwilling to face Cassian once more-–not willing to negate what she was determined to see as nothing less than legitimate reasons for leaving him–-and unable to simply go off to somewhere else, somewhere overlooked by the Empire, and start a peaceful life of anonymity. She had somehow found herself seeking out Alliance contacts. They were the ones who instantly saw the merit in placing a skilled mechanic on a world like Lianna.

Somewhere that was not yet in the thick of the war, but held all the promise of becoming a key location in the coming years.

So she went to Lianna–not seeing any brighter prospect–and gained a position in one of S&S’s factories, where she could keep her head down and her ears open. Buying her time and reporting on everything she encountered, no matter how insignificant, until an obvious route of action presented itself. Then she had to wait for an opening to approach Nando to present itself. One without actually making the first move.

That was a concise summary of their ‘relationship.’

She always had to ensure that he believed anything done or said was his idea, while steering him towards her aims. That was the mantra she had lived by from the moment she caught Nando with her smile. If only the bastard’s eyes didn’t tend to wander and she had to keep thinking of ways to keep him on the hook. If he ever felt truly secure in their relationship, she knew he would be flit off to the next smile, and she would be cut off from all the information he leaked when he was in his cups.

Especially when she was wearing the right dress.

Maybe that was the issue. Bix had grown so used to being the one pulling the strings from the shadows. The one constantly thinking of ways to keep a relationship interesting and off-balance. She had grown comfortable enough with this dance that she wasn’t used to experiencing the moment of being thrown from the sight of nothing more than a seemingly innocuous act.

Cassian-–a faint, gentle smile barely touching his thin lips, lips she had kissed countless times throughout their lives together-–reached over to swipe at a slash of syrup smeared near the corner of Jyn’s mouth. An absent gesture that had to be entirely commonplace, as none of the men made comments or exchanged looks. Not even the peculiar, malfunctioning droid made any observation as he passed to sit on the one section of the couch that had not been pulled over a standing locker. The moved sectionals inhabited by hand crates and packed rucksacks, ready to be loaded onto one of the numerous vessels inhabiting the squad’s make-shift hanger and landing pad.

“When are we heading out.” Bix managed to force the words out around the knot constricting her throat and took a sip of her caf, risking the possibility of choking in order to attempt clearing away the unwanted sensation.

She had known there was something there.

She also realized how it was obvious that nothing had been done about it. Might never be done about it, as they were entangled within their military standings.

She still hadn’t lost him, not entirely. There was still a chance…

There was so much to hate about that thought and in her inability to honestly retract it. As there was so much to hate about how, whenever she looked at Jyn, Bix unconsciously noted aspects of the rebel soldier that could be found lacking. Something which could be attributed to the past two years, where she had been placed in an environment where she saw all females as potential rivals and risks toward her mission.

Such as the fact that, as Jyn hopped off the counter, Bix couldn’t stop her mind from categorizing how the blue-eyed brunette could be rather attractive-–in the petite porcelain, to the extent of near-anemic, way favorable amongst high-imperials–-if not for her complete lack of femininity. Which may prove a hindrance on the upcoming mission.

“Depends,” Jyn licked at a thumb still covered in syrup. “We have a flight plan filed and–-per K’s calculations-–we should be at Lianna within five hours of take off. When is Nando expecting your return?” She finished the question while withdrawing gloves from where they were tucked into her belt, pulling them on with special consideration given to the bandaged palm on her way to one of the open lockers. A pair of boots were withdrawn to correct the status of her bare feet.

“Nando does not expect me back until evening, Lianna time.” Bix clarified when all eyes went to watches about their wrists. All except the droid, whose eyes widened and shrunk with an audible whirling.

“Then we have a few hours.” Turning off the stove, Cassian made a sweeping gesture towards Bix indicating that she should help herself to what the rest had been grazing on but still had plenty left. The motion was for her, nothing but polite detachment, but his words were for everyone else. “Make sure you have everything packed and prepped.”

“Also gives us time to better prepare on how to act once we get there.” Jyn kicked her locker shut and returned the sectional she had swiped back beside to where the droid sat and leaned against it to face the kitchen.

“Prepare on how we act?” Bix asked between bites of Luke-warm breakfast. She genuinely was not entirely sure what more of what needed to be said. They had gone into great detail during the briefing. They knew the company, the target, the aim for where pertinent information was most likely to be discovered.

“We know our names and the broad strokes of our established past, but what about the nuance? The small details that build the lies’ credibility?” Jyn crossed her arms over her chest and her feet at the ankle. “Such as, for example, what do we call you? Does Cassian have a childhood nickname he sometimes slips in? Are you and I only polite acquaintances through him or do we have prior connections?”

“Where do we rendezvous when we need to make contact?” The dark-skinned lieutenant, Taidu, added in, draining his second mug of caf. He seemed to have a high tolerance for its effects.

“How long before the event for the rest of us to get into place?” The pilot, Bodhi, put in. His blue-black hair was currently worn down and was possibly longer than Jyn’s. Bix was not beyond being jealous of its silken quality.

“What is the likelihood of Jyn taking someone out with a shoe?” Melshi’s brogue accent enhanced his laughing comment. Taller than the rest, except for the droid, he could easily reach onto the top of his locker to bring down a cap he had resting on top of a death trooper helmet.

Bix was both intrigued and terrified to know the story behind that.

“Are you and Jyn going to be married?” The droid’s question might have been an attempt at a joke-–it seemed as if modification had given him an idea of what humor was-–but spoken in a monotone sincerity that brought about a mix of reactions from the others as he watched each from how his giant, spindled body was turned about to face those assembled in what would be a painful angle if he was organic.

Taidu nearly spewed the sip of cafe he had just taken.

Bodhi tripped on his way to his locker, stubbing a toe and muttering a string of curses.

Stordan and Xaul exchanged looks, the former wide-eyed while the latter smirked.

Melshi strolled past Jyn, ruffling her bangs as he passed. “Good Question, K. Is our Jyn the marrying kind?”

“Are you proposing?” Jyn slapped at his hand with what could pass as a laugh.

“Oh, if only I thought you would ever say yes.” Melshi lifted her hand to bow over it with a chaste kiss. “We would have a glorious life.”

“Full of blaster fire and malfunctioning machinery.” Bodhi also returned his sectional to what was obviously considered the main. Taking Jyn’s other hand, he pressed it towards his chest. A far less smooth transaction than Melshi’s. “Better off with me.”

“Stordan would be the best choice. No back talk and will do as I say.” Stepping away from both staged flirts, Jyn patted the young corporal on the shoulder before going to the fridge to pull out a jug of juice, holding up to see if any of the others were interested.

No takers.

“Is that an offer?” Stordan inquired more to the others than Jyn.

“Dating would most likely be better.” Bix tried to bring the conversation back off the course it had veered, seemed to be a commonplace matter for them. It truly was baffling how such a celebrated unit could be so unprofessional and chaotic.

“Fiancee at the very least.” Cassian, as if proving Bix’s thought, took the glass out of Jyn’s hand for a sip before passing back to her. Again, no one reacted to this being anything out of place.

“Why?” Xaul finger-combed his hair so it almost stood in a plumb. “Why is it important for the sarge to be there in that sense? Why not a sister or–”

“You think Jyn can pass as Cap’s sister?” Taidu looked between Jyn and Cassian before lifting a lone brow at the redhead.

“Statistically speaking the likelihood of two siblings having such drastic differences in features and coloring is not impossible, but it would be considered a stretch of such being immediately accepted.” The droid rattled off, also considering Cassian and Jyn. “Most would likely think they were having some kind of affair but were trying to hide it for unknown reasons. Then there would be suspicions that would most likely deter our purpose.”

“Nando is a narcissist, wants what he can’t have.” Bix explained once more, though now spelling out what had originally been left to be inferred. “Cass is there so I can return to the more ‘elusive’ image that had been slipping of late. At the same time, Nando likes to boast and grandstand. He may turn loose-tongued if there is another there he thinks he can impress. A prize to steal.” The prospect of the other woman being pitted against her for Nando’s amusement gave Bix a sour taste at the back of her throat.

“Hence Jyn becoming…not Jyn,” Bodhi summarized in complete logic.

“There will be three days from the time of our arrival and the Gambling Royale,” Cassian instructed with the patience Bix would never think him capable of possessing. There was a good margin of difference between the tolerance needed to maintain a scheme and the fortitude to endure handling this many personalities. Maarva would most likely question his identity if she could see him now. “Plenty of time for you guys to gain establishment within those working the event.”

“I said their present is not-–” Bix began, frustrated that they were considering bringing the others along. After two years of working alone, except for the contact she could make only every few months, she became more and more in the belief that increasing the numbers of those involved placed the operation more and more at risk of failure.

“It’s plenty of time for them to get jobs on location. They are good at it and know how to go about what is needed.” Cassian gave his men an acknowledging nod that seemed to instantly make them stand straighter. “Three days is, however, not nearly enough time to consider going into-–as you have depicted it–-a highly secure event, where we will need to be in locations that we are not allowed, without having as many eyes and ears as possible.”

His words, when directed to Bix, were pragmatic and direct. No color of emotion that had been present during their last conversation…what she hoped wouldn’t be their last truly open conversation.

Once more proving the squad’s working edict of work it out or shelf it. Something that Bix found very troubling to see the level of disassociation they, as a collective whole, were capable of. There was no way that these were healthy means of coping. It seemed not only unhealthy, but also not natural. At least, not natural to Bix.

She doubted this would be a rule she could follow.

—

—

—

AN: I am writing this while having an Andor-Rogue One marathon with my mom…

Chapter 6: Arrival

AN: I am going by the original Rogue One ages, where Jyn was 21-22 and Cassian was 26-27 at the time of Rogue One.

—

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—

Hyperspace en route to Lianna

~

Jyn was considered competent in most things, exceptional in a select few…and a complete failure in one: She was useless with vessels in any shape or variety. From the flying to the maintenance, all she traveled with knew to expect her to do nothing more than sit and stay out of the way. She sometimes wondered if the time they were thrown out of hyperspace would have been less dire if Cassain hadn’t been so heavily injured, leaving Jyn to be the primary navigator.

Though there were the rare times when the others were busy and ‘had’ to ask her to handle small, seemingly easy, matters that should be quick fixes even for the mechanically inept…

“For the love of–” Dissolving into a string of curses, in various languages put on shuffle, Jyn beat the side of her uninjured hand against the gauge she was trying to get properly calibrated and cursing the others for making sure she went about the task without a blaster within reach.

As they were pretending to be private, law abiding citizens of considerable means, they were traveling in the intimidatingly ostentatious yacht the squad had acquired in a scrap yard. This had become a project for the others to work on during the months which followed.

Most of the guys were a mix of excited and nervous with this mission being the first time they got to use it.

Outwardly, along with the select locations that a third-party passenger would have access to, it was pristine and luxurious; most of the interior furnishings were salvage from the husks of the vessels politicians, who had to flee to the cause, used to get to Yavin’s safe haven, where the ships were then considered useless in the war effort beyond being used for parts when critical machines were in need; the superficial aspects were tossed-out to be recycled or used for the rare side-projects.

Because its renovation was seen as nothing more than one of these side projects, the higher-ups indulged Rogue One with furnishings and light fixtures. Meanwhile, the actual inner workings were less than ideal. If not for the mechanical backgrounds of most of the group–-paired with K’s ability to tap into the systems directly-–it would have been nothing more than a mini hotel shoved at the corner of the squad’s hanger. Possible overflow housing if they ever got into argument strong enough to cause a fracture in the squad’s living conditions

Footsteps on the concealed stairs, separating the lie of above from the reality below, made Jyn’s teeth grind, expecting one of her fellows to have come down to reveal this had been nothing more than a prank.

“What?” She snapped as she turned, wrench she had restrained herself from using to shatter the gauge’s glass held in the air. Only to find Bix frozen in the doorway; her hand frozen from being interrupted in preparation to knock at the open door.

“Um…I wanted to see how you were doing. You’ve been away for a while and…”

“Sorry.” Dropping the wrench, Jyn ran the palm of her gloved hands down the sides of her pants. “Non-sentient machinery and I don’t get along. Didn’t mean to snap at you.”

“It’s fine.”

“No, it really isn’t. I shouldn’t let these things affect me so much.” Turning her eyes towards the ceiling, Jyn frowned at the unseen men who remained above. “Really should have gone back up and admitted defeat.”

“That’s what they were waiting for.”

“Those bastards.”

Bix’s laugh seemed to surprise itself in being genuine. Baffled expression turned into accepting amusement, the mechanic made a gesture towards the gauge behind Jyn in clear want for approval. To which, Jyn responded by stepping to the side to give Bix better access.

“Can we talk?” Bix asked only once she was able to deflect her attention onto the gauge, rather than where Jyn stood among the pipes running along the wall. “I mean about what you and Cass talked about yesterday?”

Jyn felt her stomach hollow, finding itself somewhere it had no desire to be. “I wouldn’t be comfortable with that. It’s really not my place to say anything, in any capacity, about something that should remain between you and him.”

“But he told you?”

“He did.” Jyn admitted; it seemed worse if she didn’t. Not that there was anything to hide, this just felt like far too messy of a situation than she would ever want to be a part of. Until this moment, the most dramatic of an ordeal she had to deal with was when Vel misunderstood how easily Kleya and Jyn found a common bond. Hence the lingering vindictive sense that lingered about Vel when Jyn was involved.

“And you told him…?”

Jyn rested her head against the wall with a sigh. “I told him that-–while I can see his point, which is highly colored through my familiarity with his personality and how he things, and don’t know you nearly as well–-he should talk to you about it, when the mission is done and emotions aren’t so raw.”

“Oh, thank-you for that.”

“You seem surprised.”

“I just thought I would have to defend myself–”

“Like I said.” Jyn interrupted, wanting this conversation to reach its conclusion. “This has nothing to do with me, so I’m not entitled-–nor am I looking for–-an explanation.”

“It was just that, I was so confused and…”

“So what you are actually looking for is a confessional.” Muttering to herself, Jyn hopped up to sit on a sizable pipe, which she thought had something to do with water, while Bix continued to work.

“Sorry.”

“No, go ahead. Just don’t expect me to slip any of this to Cassian with a good word. I washed my hands of the matter last night.”

“Or did you just shelf it?” Bix asked with her brows raised as she gave Jyn a side-eyed expression,

“Mock the practice if you want, but I’ve seen missions go so very, very wrong because emotions muddled the objective from the personal.”

“You’ve been in the Rebellion for a long time?”

“Since I was six, when Saw took me in.”

“You were with the Partisans, as a child?” The thought seemed to give Bix physical chills, straightening from whatever she was doing and staring at Jyn as if this was the first time truly looking at her. Before Bix’s gaze dropped with a mysterious sense of self-consciousness.

“Not the ideal up-bringing, I grant you, but I learned a lot of useful-–or useless, I guess, depending on the environment-–skills.”

“Just not mechanics?”

“Never interested me. I would rather be at blaster practice or hand-to-hand sparring than learning the inner workings of an engine.”

“I must seem pretty pathetic to you.” This might have been more for Bix herself than as part of their shared conversation.

It still shocked Jyn to hear the sentiment. “Why would you think that?”

“I mean, after all you’ve been through and accomplished, my contribution seems…laughable.”

“Seriously?” Jyn snapped her fingers to get Bix to look at her once more, not at the floor space between them. “Nothing done in the name of the cause is laughable.”

“What’s going on down here?” Cassian stood at the doorway. He had somehow made it down the stairs without either woman noticing, or maybe Bix had noticed and…

Jyn hated herself for having the thought slip into her consciousness.

“Caleen is fixing the gauge you guys thought would be fun to send me down to look at.” Jyn forced her words to lighten off her tongue as she struggled to force the darker thoughts and petty speculations back into a locked box at the back of her mind.

Not shelving. These needed to be completely sealed away to never be unpacked or explored.

“Seems a bit cruel.” Bix affectionately chastised Cassian, tossing the wrench back into the toolbox as the gauge’s needle ceased its erratic movements.

Cassian, not seeming prepared for the development presented before him, simply turned about and started to climb the steps.

~

Lianna

~

Jyn knew that Bodhi was embarrassed over his upbringing, not his stint as an Imperial pilot–though that was also not a proud moment of his life–but from the fact that he was the middle child of six, and the only boy, in a single mother home.

Not that he was ashamed of how his mother raised him. From what Jyn gathered, Momma Rook has been a fierce reckoning to anyone foolish enough to threaten or naysay one of her children.

“That,” according to Bodhi, “was her job, and her job alone.”

No, the secret shame did not come from the character of his childhood household but from the skills acquired while navigating a life wedged amongst overbearing, intrusive, manipulative, and overall petty sisters. He had been considered his older sisters’ doll, where he learned things that caused him to become the expected assistant with his younger sisters’ antics.

It gave him a steady hand for kohl application and skilled fingers with a braid.

“If you speak of this to any of the others…” He grumbled as he used moisturized stain to add color to Jyn’s chapped lips, leaning back to assess his work.

“If they don’t know by now, I think it’s fair to say that they will never put the pieces together.” Jyn glanced towards the mirror and added, “Though I have no idea why you aren’t boasting about this. Why hide that you’re such an artist.”

This was not a hyperbole to help assuage some of Bodhi’s embarrassment over being roped into helping her get ready. It was just a simple truth. She would be reminisced if she didn’t state it. In the short time they had been in the wash, Bodhi had transformed her from the day-to-day woman she was acquainted with seeing in any reflective surface and into…someone else.

Her skin was even and nearly pore-less with glossy lips the faintest shade of pink; eyes magnified and enhanced with strategic sweeps of thin black lines and a delicate blue shadow blended into a more neutral brown.

Hair was braided and arranged to appear as if she had far more than she actually possessed. Swept up and off her neck, so attention could go to the jewels dangling from her ears. On loan from Vel’s collection. The few items that the Chandrilan noble was able to keep of her family’s treasured heirlooms.

If anything happened to them, Jyn knew she was dead.

These statement pieces had to be enough to eclipse the more costume nature of her other jewelry, though the earrings only managed to fall even with the kimono-style dress-–Ghorman twill, now back in the height of fashion over the exclusivity in the fabric’s supply, of woven silvers, blues, and pinks–over tight--worn over the white trousers which all but seamlessly blended into the knee-high, spiked-heeled boots she was expected to wear.

She looked the part of a young woman who had been born into luxury and accepted her upcoming marriage to keep her in such finery; Jyn was just afraid of what would happen when she inevitably spilled something. While not family heirlooms, she thought it was safe to assume that Leia Organa expected to get her clothing back in the same condition they had been borrowed.

Jyn could not recall the last time a cover had created so much anxiety.

Maybe Bodhi should have played the fiancee…

Fear of the creative ways the princess would make her pay for the cost of the garments, if they were ruined, Jyn doubted her assumed persona would be the type to make a mess of herself…Maybe she would simply refrain from eating or moving too much or breathing too aggressively for the next three days.

Just find a quiet, clean corner and stay there while Cassian and Bix drove Nando Santhes into jealousy, waiting for her moment to sneak into his computer access and get the information that was needed.

“We’ve landed, the others are below, and Santhes’ entourage is already on the landing pad…” Cassian trailed off. Having allowed himself into the wash without first requesting permission to enter, he simply stared at where Jyn sat on the tub’s edge for a long moment with one hand resting where he had slid the door open and the other lifted to grip the top of the frame.

She didn’t fool herself into thinking the prolonged look was from the memorizing sight she invoked. There was a tick to his jaw that only occurred when he was frustrated and annoyed; a tick she liked to think was created the day he met her, and had nothing to do with any sense of awe. Not that she had been hoping for that reaction. Though it seemed that she wasn’t even possibly acceptable.

“What did you do to her, Bodhi?”

“I…Um…” Standing. Bodhi made a vague hand gesture and side-shuffled his way out of the room, ducking under Cassian’s arm and giving Jyn an apologetic glance before disappearing.

“Excuse me.” Getting to her feet, Jyn had a momentary wobble but was overall proud of how quickly she found her center. Far faster than she had the day before. “What are you implying, exactly?”

“Nothing.” Cassian held his hands up in a peaceful gesture, only to let them fall to his sides on turning to head out of the central residential space the bathroom branched out from. “You don’t look like you.”

“That’s the point.” Walking got easier as she did it, though she did not attempt to reach speeds that would have her draw-even or bypass his stride. “It would be a bit odd if I strolled out with a blaster in hand while demanding that he take us to his access panel. Quicker, but still very odd.” Resisting the urge to kick his ankle so Cassian would stop purposely outdistancing himself from her, she ground her teeth together instead. “Besides, the same can be said about you.”

She had heard stories of times when Cassian had to take on more ‘refined’ personas for a mission’s completion, she just never experienced such a sight before. He wore a crisp blue suit; the sleeves of the outer jacket dramatically trailing in the air in his wake, and a high-collar shirt that appeared to be made from silk and could easily grace the storefront of any high-end tailor in Coruscant. Hair slicked back. Shoes highly shined. It wasn’t that he looked devastatingly handsome or overwhelmingly attractive-–though, honestly, she preferred him covered in grime and smelling of plasma-–but she could also acknowledge that he did carry the look well.

“Are you ready?” Bix stepped into the yacht’s foyer, ramp still up so the three remained out of sight from those expecting them on the other side. Unlike with Jyn, there was no questioning how the Ferrix beauty’s transformation was received.

Despite her profession, Jyn doubted that Bix was at risk of ruining her pure-white dress, which she moved in with an effortless sense of graceful confidence; she almost appeared to be floating. Even if Bix did spill a quart of grease onto the garment, the strategically placed cut-outs alone would ensure no one would be the wiser.

Draping a gossamer scarf over her head, Bix looked at the two for their affirmation that it was time to proceed.

K and the others were hidden below, in case Nando accepted the obligatory offering to come abroad before they headed out to whatever locations he had in mind. The yacht’s interior was spotless and void of any sign of anyone other than the three present residing on the vessel.

Cassian and Jyn would fill them in when they returned later that night. Hopefully after Jyn changed back into clothing that made her look more like herself and not…whatever she currently resembled.

“You look lovely, Jyn.” Bix undoubtedly meant it was a compliment, there was nothing but earnestness to her tone and expression. That did not stop Jyn’s mind, still stinging from Cassian’s assessment, wanting nothing more than to whirl on all the underhanded ways those four words could be scrambled about in their meaning.

Instead of following any of those trains of disastrous thought, she gave Bix a smile that she hoped had the sincerity she wanted to express. “Thank-you, though I do believe you will remain the primary target of Nando’s attention.”

“Unfortunately.” Bix grumbled, linking arms with Jyn and, through doing this, giving Jyn a means of support for when she had to descend the ramp.

This time took less effort for Jyn’s smile to withhold any ill-emotions derived from her rare streak of insecurity. “Now, shall we get this moving before your beau wonders what we’re doing in here.”

“Oh, if Nando thought anything debaucherous was going on, he would most likely ask to join.”

“On that note.” Cassian grumbled as he pressed the button to lower the ramp in a near silent hiss of hydraulics and a faint sense of fully decompressing the last bit of unbalanced air to match what was outside.

Jyn took advantage of the fact that her current sleeves extended past her gloved hands. These coverings were far more delicate than her usual, durable accessories; the silk gloves were an irritating necessity to conceal her still needed bandage,as there would be questions if someone noticed her injury was from blaster fire. All the better to cross her fingers and pray. She could almost feel the kyber crystal, hidden within the folds and layers of her clothing, heat against her skin.

At the ramp’s base stood a man who she assumed to be Nando Santhes himself, eager to reunite with Bix after her time away. If he had been distancing himself from her prior to her ‘grandmother’s death’ than either the time away had made his heart turn fonder or the prospect of her returning with a supposedly rich, life-long friend was enough to rekindle his devotion to whatever kind of relationship they had.

He was handsome, there was no use denying that.

Taller than Cassian, with a fitted suit tailored to show off his broad shoulders and long frame, there was an air about him akin to an ornery mischievousness that some seemed to find charming. Deep dimples bracket his generous mouth as Bix dropped Jyn’s arm to step ahead and walk into his waiting arms.

Nando enclosed his arms around her waist, trapping her against his chest in all playful ease. “Tyree, my darling, I was beginning to wonder if you were ever coming back.”

Running a fingertip down his suit’s lapel, Bix gave a coy smile under her lashes. “Don’t be dramatic Nando, it’s not a good look for you.”

He dipped his head to meet her mouth, creating a kiss that seemed intent on proving a point. Especially if that point was to make others feel uncomfortable.

Cassian seemed to share in Jyn’s musing, as he made sure to pointedly clear his throat.

Breaking away from Bix, but keeping an arm around her waist and her tight to his side. Nando released a good-natured, self-deprecating laugh. “And this must be the famous childhood friend you brought for me to meet and talk into investing with the company.”

“Achen Bale, this is Nando Santhes.” Bix introduced the two, resting her head near Nando’s shoulder.

“Her besotted suitor.” Nando clarified, offering Cassian a hand.

“She does have a few of those.” Cassian’s smile was strained and the grips him and Nando exchanged seemed to almost want to break the hand of the other. Only after forcing himself to release his hold, did Cassian step back and appear to realize that Jyn was standing there. “Ah, yes, apologies my dear.” Holding a hand out to her, he helped her step down from the ramp. “This is Greer, my intended.”

Looking her over, Nando released a silent whistle and took her hand in a far more gentle way than he had with Cassian’s, bowing over it before giving it a kiss like Melshi had done hours before.

Melshi’s had not made her skin crawl.

“What a delightful and unexpected pleasure. Normally, when an investor comes to Lianna, I try to host a distinct array of events but, with such a delicate beauty in tow, I may have to reconsider our plans.”

“Delicate beauty?” Jyn knew she was supposed to pretend to be demure and introverted, as these were qualities that would best serve the mission and the most realistic combination for the relationship she and Cassian were to pretend to have. Yet…that just wasn’t her. She could do two of the three in regards to wearing the clothing, presenting the correct array of manners, and playing the role of the protected damsel. The first two seemed more vital. “Clearly, Mr. Santhes, you don’t know enough about me or that would not be your first assessment.”

“A challenge?”

Jyn shrugged. The pain from the boots and her discomfort of the clothing melting away in light of their conversation. “I’m curious as to what you would determine as too extreme for my ‘delicate’ constitution.”

“I do love listening to you speak. Nearly makes me overlook your words.”

Tsking her tongue, Jyn gave a pitying smile. “Are you sure you simply don’t know their meaning?”

“Unexpected indeed.” Nando’s smile took on a new meaning; arm easing a bit around Bix’s waist but still maintaining contact. “Well then, shall I treat this evening as any other inaugural outing amongst those who I hope will soon become fast friends of mine?”

“Of course. Though,” she turned to Cassian, resting a hand on his arm, “I feel as if we should find a better way to mark the ship, or we’ll get lost on the way home. Something tells me that an inordinate amount of suspected inebriation is to befall us.”

“No need for that.” Nando brushed her words aside, turning Bix about to start the course to the cruiser parked a few feet from their landing spot. “You both must stay with me.”

“Won’t we be underfoot?” Cassian gave Jyn a mixed look while Nando was ahead of them. A look hosting numerous emotions. One being temptation. If they were able to stay at the manor prior to the event their work would be considerably easier. “With the preparation for the royale?”

“No, not at the main home; that’s in the countryside. I would go mad if I lived there regularly. No, I have a penthouse within the city. The same building that I have Bix set-up in.”

Damn. There goes that possibility.

“That is very generous…” Jyn started, but was cut off.

“I insist.” There was a core to Nando’s voice that said this was not up for discussion.

Cassian nodded his head in defeat. “Then we gladly accept your gracious offer.”

—

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AN: Apologies, I am color/hue blind. I have issues discerning blue from green. It has come to my attention that, while I have that Jyn has blue eyes in this story, she actually has green. I may go back and fix it later but, for now, I wanted to explain the slip.

Chapter 7: Names

Lianna

~

Lianna was clearly doing it’s best attempt to become the Coruscant of the Outer Rim, with varying results. There being a difference between gaining inspiration from the architecture and attempting to reconstruct entire blocks of the Imperial’s capital with brick by brick perfection. On a significantly smaller scale than the innate bustling network of life and chaos, death and demand for complete order that caused Coruscant’s entire planet to succumb to the demands of urbanization.

Its attempts were, overall, found wanting. A soulless replica that lacked all that there was to hate and love about Coruscant’s dichotomy.

Cassian barely gave the window’s lack-luster view a glance, once the four of them were seated in the limospeeder’s passenger and Nando’ driver, separated from them by a pane of glass, had them airborne. Cassian kept his attention on where Bix was sitting next to Nando, curled up on the plush bench with her feet tucked beneath her; shoes abandoned on the floor, with her head on his shoulder as their host absently ran his fingers down Bix’s bare arm.

Some may consider the sight nothing more than a display of sweet affection, if those individuals chose to overlook the fact that Nando’s other hand gripped Bix’s thigh while his focus remained squared on Cassian, assessing the other man’s reaction to the flagrant acts of possession.

“Tyree,” Nando’s purred voice would conceal the threatening undertone if Cassian’s ears weren’t searching for it. “I meant to ask when you first arrived, is this a new dress? I feel like I would remember you wearing it before.” His hand dropped to caress one of the cut-outs along Bix’s side.

“Achen bought it for me….” Bix’s eyes widened, acting as if she said something she hadn’t intended, and gave Cassian a look that was to be read as nothing short of fearful guilt. Something she ‘tried’ to conceal by quickly adding, “Actually, no, it wasn’t Achen, Wasn’t it you, Greer?”

Jyn crossed her legs at the knee, looking away from where she had been gazing at the scenery with her chin resting in the palm of a ringed hand. It actually may be easier thinking of her as her cover-name than as the Jyn Erso who had spent longer than a year working at his side. Everything about her was currently polished and prim; an image of what her life would have been if Galen had willingly served the Empire and taken advantage of all the perks that came with being a favorite, for both himself and his family.

A version of her that would exist in a world where the Death Star could still be used as a punishing force towards any world sympathetic towards a rebellious voice.
A version where she would have had the best of everything. No reason to look up and question the Imperial flag’s extension…Though he doubted much else would change other than possibly her sharp tongue and hard head serving for more frivolous matters. Getting in arguments with her escorts to various social events and driving whoever gained enough of her attention, to possibly merit marriage consideration, to remain on his toes for all their shared days. Assuming she didn’t eat all the socialites alive.

A far more realistic scenario.

Either way, Cassian had known that Jyn would never take to the ‘demure’ and ‘submissive’ act originally instructed. Melshi owed him fifty credits for that miscalculation.

“We went shopping before leaving Coruscant.” Jyn smoothly explained with just a trace of boredom coloring her statement. “I mean, there's no doubt in Tyree’s ability to make a canvas sack seem fashionable, but it’s a weakness of mine to want nothing more than to dress beautiful girls when I see tragedy befalling them. The clothes she brought in for the funeral. Nope. Not having it.”

Nando ran a finger down Bix’s cheek, but his focus had shifted to Jyn. No longer displaying his dominance but, rather, seeming to use the other woman to invoke another type of jealousy as he once more raked his eyes over Jyn.

Cassian wanted to break the pretty boy's hand and throw him out mid-flight.

“Weren’t those the clothing I got you?” Nando asked.

Hand lifting to her mouth, drawing attention to her lips, Jyn looked towards Cassian, who took longer than he should to understand what she said. “Oh…No…Is it rude of me to point out that he has terrible taste in women’s fashion?”

“Maybe a bit, seeing that he is our host.” Cassian hoped his laugh was interpreted as levitating the awkwardness of the words; not from the momentary moment he nearly leaned in closer, before forcing his posture to turn back to Nando. “Sorry, Greer never had to learn manners.”

“Tell that to my governess. I get phantom pain at the thought of all those lessons.”

All the time Jyn spent watching holo-dramas seemed to finally pay-off. Made Cassian almost wish he had spent more time watching with her and the others, might help him work through whatever unease was building beneath his sternum at the sight of Bix pressed again Nando while Nando’s attention lingered on the slightly gap opening to the collar of Jyn’s wrapped dress.

“All right,” Cassian clarified, allowing himself to reach over and tuck a stray strand of hair behind Jyn’s ear, “she never had to learn tact.”

“Fair enough.” Jyn nodded her approval, for a moment looking directly at him and running the back of her fingers down his neck, over his racing pulse. For a fraction of a beat, her smile shifted from superficially coy to reassurance. “You’re lucky you’re so pretty.”

The chuckle released abated some of the tightening tension, making everything resume a more normal status once more.

“Well, it does seem as if your sense of style is a bit more elevated than what we have access to here.” Nando confessed with a hint of annoyance with a glance down at his suit before flicking his eyes over Cassian’s, seemingly oblivious to what transpired between the two, Though Bix’s eyes strained with worry.

“Exactly. Nothing wrong with it.” The sensation of Jyn’s touch lingered long after she dropped her hand and returned to her flippant disregard. “Just that Coruscant is ahead of everywhere else in everything.” Reaching forward, she rested a hand onto where Nando was still gripping Bix. Somehow managing to pry him off without the man being aware. “You’ll have to come and visit sometime soon.”

“Maybe I should be looking at you to invest, rather than Achen.”

Jyn snorted, leaning back against her seat after a pause to ensure that Nando was not going to reclaim his hold. “Money is boring when I’m not spending it. Achen is in control of all my accounts–or will be once we are bonded during this year’s ceremony. I’m sure he will give my accountants a visit if he thinks yours is a worthy venture.”

“Yes, Tyree has been telling me about some aspects of your quaint culture.” There was no possible way for Nando to make the comment any more condescending. Finally returning to Cassian with a self-superior grin and shake of his head. “Along with the telling of how you left that backwater moon–where you got to be the son of a very large fish in a shallow puddle–and went to Coruscant for school. Never to return. Not even to visit. Leaving Tyree all alone with nothing but grease monkeys and half-wit yokels for company. That is except for the letters and video recordings.” He gave a dramatic sigh. “The mechanic and the lording. It would have made such a cliche romance holobook.I would wonder how close you too got, how many first you could be for each other, except for my understanding of your rather backwards ideals of union.”

Bix had explained all this to him and Jyn, several times. The one thing they could not do or say anything to counter what she told Nando.

While willing to give a lot to the cause, there were some things those in control would not demand–well, those now, Cassian would not put anything past Luthen–and Bix did not want to offer. Chastity had been a keystone of her cover’s core-value. A dual blade. A means to ensure she never had to take to Nando’s bed and also ensure that he kept yearning for more. The culture she claimed to be from was a small, pious population where the greatest sin was to be intimate with someone prior to stating intention. After an engagement was proclaimed the intended couple was given all the liberties of a matrimony. That is except for the sharing of assets, which only legally occurred once the union was recorded in the Book of Fidelity. The book was opened only once a year, at the central bonding ceremony. Until then, those properly and publicly engaged were expected to cohabitate.

It was not a rarity for more than over a dozen pregnant brides present.

“Backwards? What’s backwards about ensuring a commitment before giving away the only thing a man wants?” Jyn thought for a moment and then shrugged. “Well, other than full trust fund access, that is.”

“No a very romantic outlook.” Nando countered.

“I’m not a romantic. Neither is Achen.” There was something of a sad truth to Jyn’s words that hooked Cassian until she seamlessly eased it aside with another shrug, turning back to the window. “Which is why I trust him to take care of my funds. Now that we are tethered, it as much to his advantage that we both remain wealthy.”

—

Nando’s idea of high-debauchery was going to a dance club. The type where scantily clad individuals were employed to dance in gilded cages placed along the bar's meandering length or twirling about on ropes dangling from the ceiling.

“Please tell me that you don’t know anyone employed here.” Cassian whispered to Jyn, words nearly lost in the scant space between his lips and her ears within the music that made the very air vibrate to its beat.

“I shouldn’t. If I do, I doubt they will recognize me.” She did a cursory glance before snapping back to him, grabbing the front of his jacket so their noses almost touched. Her heels nearly made them the same height. “Please tell me that you haven’t dated anyone employed here.”

“I…highly doubt it.” He couldn’t have any degree of certainty, especially not when he seemed unable to be anything beyond hyperaware of how her chest lightly brushed against his. How close her pink-stained lips were to his.

He decided this was somehow Bodhi’s fault.

Tilting her head so any onlooker would assume she had gone in for a kiss, Jyn rolled her eyes before letting him go and stepping away. They were blocking the gilded arch leading into the club’s central room.

“I’ll keep an eye out for anyone who approaches you with a clear intent to stab or slap.”

“Appreciated.” He placed a hand near the small of her back as they followed Nando and Bix into the crowd of what had to consist of all the upwardly mobile members of Lianna’s young elites. All seemed to know Nando, or know of him. All raised their glasses as the group passed and parted so the four were not jostled about.

The club itself once more an indication of the higher-class’s desire to be a secondary Coruscant. The interior was an homage to marble and gold, what Cassian imagined the outcome to be if Perrin Fertha had ever been hired to design. An odd balance between restrained class and spiraling sin.

Falling back so he could walk on Jyn’s other side, while Bix continued to lead the way to a corner booth that seemed to be under permanent reservation, Nando said, “I do have to say, I’m mildly disappointed.”

“And why is that? Because I am not reaching for my smelling salts? Did you actually think I would be scandalized by the sight of–Well hello there.” Jyn cut off, passing one of the cages that contained a toned and oiled Chiss male. The dancer slipped Jyn a cheeky wink as they continued to pass.

“I’m beginning to feel obligated to take-you up on the Coruscant offer.”

“As long as you tip well.” Jyn commented, while looking over her shoulder at the Chiss.

To others, she would appear to have been mildly smitten by the handsome being. Or mystified to see one of his species in person, rather than simply hearing stories of their unique beauty. To Cassian, he noticed the tension in her posture as she took in the sight of the golden torque about the dancer’s neck.

A slave collar.

“Pardon?”

Fully returning to the conversation at hand, Jyn lifted her chin in an entitled aggregate Nando seemed to align with. “I can’t abide people who come to places like this and don’t tip. Those sort seem to think that they’re some kind of treat for the dancers and skimp on the gratuity.” Jyn accepted her point by patting Nando’s cheek, though Cassian doubted if the man was aware of what was actually being said.

“Best to stop her now. There’s a whole lecture involved if we let her get too revved-up,” Cassian added. “Greer nearly broke it off the one time we went out with friends to this sort of establishment.”

“That’s not how I remember it.” She used the vague words as an excuse to squeeze his hand, slipping him a vial of clear liquid she had stashed away in one of the kimono’s voluminous sleeves. “Come on, Tyree, we might as well freshen up.” Stepping forward, Jyn took Bix’s arm–Cassian assumed this was for support while walking– and exited Nando’s understood sphere of influence. Into the dancing and drinking crowd.

“She…She is not what I expected.” Nando cocked his head, watching the two disappear from sight.

“A common trend.” Cassian managed a laugh while snagging two flutes off the tray of a passing waitress as he and Nando settled at the roped-off table.

“Not how Tyree described her.” Nando clarified, accepting the offered glass; its content’s shimmering bubbles mixing about the odorless, flavorless drug Cassian had slipped in.

“I may have altered my words over a few things at the beginning, when I first told Tyree about Greer.”

“Didn’t want her to feel threatened?”

“I–”

“No, none of that.” Nando, having yet to take a sip, waved his glass about with a dismissive flash of too-white teeth. Cassian doubted they were natural. “I completely get it. You thought, for a moment, that there was a way you could have them both. The heiress on your arm, with all the clout and status that comes with her superfluously gorgeous face, while also–after some convincing and enlightening about the ways of the world–having the lowly, unsullied lost-love moaning in your bed. Your companion for trips off world and whatever other excuses you could develop.”

“You don’t seem offended by this.”

Nando might not be, but Cassian was, deeply. Not from the idea that someone would assume the man he was pretending to be would have such plans–that is, after all, the premise they were exploiting in hopes of creating jealousy, mistakes, and distraction–but because of the man summarizing the idea.

Because Nando looked at Cassian as if they were kindred souls, and Cassian wanted to rip the man’s eyes out for it.

“Why would I? That’s my plan, which–unlike you–I will succeed with.”

“Tyree–”

“She knows what this is. The apartment. The clothing. The place in my company. They are all part of the arrangement we established.”

“An arrangement?” This was the first time Cassian had heard of such a thing.

“Once I choose a bride worthy to ‘settle-down’ with, the woman and Tyree will have a sit down of their own. During this discussion, my wife will give Tyree her blessing for your friend to finally let go of all her folksy worries and give into carnal bliss. Ideally, I will choose wisely and have a very crowded marriage bed.” Nando clicked his glass against Cassian’s and finally took a sip.

Cassian followed suit, the fizzing alcohol barely seeping through his clench teeth. “So, no hard feelings?”

“Whatever for? You had your chance, and she found a better option. No offense intended.” Nando’s last statement was less apologetic than it was a victor’s concession.

“No. None at all and, if Tyree is happy with the arrangement, that is all I can want for her.”

“Trust me, she will be very, very happy.” Nando said before taking another sip

Cassian could only wish that the drug had been poisonous.

—

There was only one bed.

Of course both Cassian and Jyn knew it was coming. Knowing this and walking into the room where a lone bed dominated the loft space’s center were two very different things. Not that it would be their first time in such straits. Though the times before had been far less luxurious.

There had been plenty of times when the two had huddled together for warmth while trying to gain a semblance of slumber. Nights when they rested back-to-back for security and surveillance, taking sleep in turns…

Just nothing under the pretense of romantic arrangements.

The same could be said about Jyn calmly undressing the moment the door shut. Relieving her feet of their booted prison, shrinking back to her true heist, before untying her dress and carefully hanging it in the empty closet. This was a commonplace act; the sight of her in the remaining white-trousers and tight undershirt was far from the most revealing she had ever been in front of him.

There was one time when they had to jump off a cliff, into an ocean, and then were forced to take refuge in a cave…

Point being, seeing her like this should have no effect on Cassian.

It didn’t have any effect on Cassian.

“He should be passed out now.” Jyn said in Kenari on her way to the adjoining washroom, the sound of running water began soon after.

Sweeping for listening devices risked drawing attention and creating questions.

Neither Cassian or Jyn put it past Nando to plant bugs throughout his guest room. That said, the truth presented appeared that the risk was more likely found in the understanding that Nando’s controlling and reserved father undoubtedly saw his heir for the liability he presented. After spending a mere few hours with him, it was clear Nando was always a thought away from a scandal’s inception. It would make sense that his father would take measures to ensure his company’s reputation remained intact. Best precaution was knowing what transpired in real time.

Communication had to be done as carefully as possible.

“He could barely walk on our way in,” Was Cassian’s way of agreeing, trying not to look at her when Jyn returned to the bedroom with a clean face, hair released from its lofty confinement, and no longer sparkling from adornment.

She was his Jyn once more…

And he was not going to linger on that unwanted thought.

“I’ll try to locate his datapad or personal computer. Preferably both. Better odds that one of them is tapped into the company’s information network.”

“Doubt it.” Cassian finally sat at the bottom of the bed, working at taking off his shoes without smudging their slippery shine. “If Pappa Santhes has any sense, he would make sure this place remained far removed from the business’s secrets.”

“Still worth trying.” Jyn pressed the door open once more.

“Still worth trying.” Cassian agreed as she walked away.

He took a moment to strip off his outer layers, hanging up the more costly aspect as Jyn had, before exiting the room in his undershirt and pants. He wandered into the main living space where the transparent wall of fortified glass overlooked the city. A private landing pad off to the side with a path that led to Nando’s terrace and the rotating doors separating the open rooftop space and the overcompensation contained within the penthouse’s walls.

It was not wise to attempt comming the others within Nando’s domain. Again, potential voyeurism aside, Cassian suspected that the heir’s father would ensure there were strong securities in place to keep an eye on the coming Nando kept and his son’s ongoing antics. Seeing the need to safeguard both his son and all that his family represented against the prescription of others.

Depending on the set-up, there was a chance that Bix’s apartment could be a more viable option. Though he doubted it, Cassian’s attempt came back to the earlier statement of ‘Still worth trying.’

Bix’s current residence was conveniently placed beneath Nando’s and connected through a servant’s elevator. Cassian made the silent descent and knocked on the door that awaited him.

“It’s not locked.” Bix’s clear voice called from the other side.

Opening the door, Cassian entered a space very different from the one above. Where Nando’s personal rooms were ostentatious and subtly suggestive in their decor, Bix’s given housing was a take on minimalism. Not even a plant adored the shelves or counter space of the kitchen waiting off the elevator’s exit.

It almost reminded him of their safe house from years prior.

“You knew I was going to come down?”

“No.” Standing by the sink, Bix, dressed in loose, drawstring trousers and a cropped top, took a drink of water before pressing her wrist against a faint dribble. “That door doesn’t have a lock.”

Putting down her glass, she made quick, jerking movements with her fingers near her right hip. Gestures telling Cassian that they were being recorded, both audibly and visually. A likely situation that, as Cassian previously assessed, probably had nothing to do with Nando.

The idiot most likely was unaware of his father’s bugs and may even go as far as to think his father was unaware of Bix’s kept status.

“Yeah, he told me about your arrangement.” Cassian’s words were intentionally bitter; there was more relief in him over the small blessing that Nando was not pressing the matter and seemed satisfied with the crumbs Bix gave.

The comment was more to present an excuse for his presence while he discreetly motioned towards where her datapad rested on the small table in the kitchen’s alcove.

Bix motioned that it was tapped; brow furrowing. “What arrangement?”

“The one involving what will transpire once he is ready to settle down. Between the two of you and possibly his wife.”

“Oh…that arrangement.” Bix looked around, making up her mind how to proceed. “What do you want me to say? I’m not like you, Achen, I needed security for the long haul.”

“I would like you to…You could have had me. A life with me, yet this was more appealing?” Cassian winced at how close the fake words strayed near the truth.

“It was what was best for both of us at the time.” Bix did not hesitate to use their ruse as a means to talk more about what he knew they shouldn’t. Not here. Not on a mission. “You don’t seem to mind how things turned out when Greer is present.”

“I know where I stand with Greer.” At least, he had until recently. “She’s appealingly uncomplicated.” The first outright falsehood. Jyn was anything but uncomplicated, though her brand of complex had never strayed into this cesspool of emotions before Bix’s return.

Stepping towards him, Bix grabbed a fistful of his shirt’s thin material. With his back pressed against the door, there was nowhere else for Cassian to go. “Are you telling me that you would turn her down, all that she offers and represents to be with me?”

“I’m saying that I would want you with anyone but him.”

“That’s not good enough.”

“It has to be.”

What happened next wasn’t for the mission or show. It came down to muscle memory and the mounting frustration that had been building for the last few days. Exponentially throughout the night’s events.

Bix covered his mouth with hers in hungry need; nails clawing at his shirt, trying to lift it off his torso, and wrapping a leg about his waist when Cassian stepped them back so he was able to lift her onto the countertop.

A name leaping to the tip of his tongue, but one that would blow their cover if uttered. Along with creating other complications best left to avoid while on mission…

With that, reason returned, repelling Cassian away from Bix’s body. A sickening sensation started to pool along the lining of his alcohol soaked stomach.

“I can’t do this. I won’t do this.” he muttered, no longer sure if that was a part of the role and what was his naked truth. Rather than figure that out, he pressed the button for the lift to lower and return him to the penthouse.

Where there was no sign of Jyn.

Chapter 8: Hateful

Lianna

~

Jyn hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.

When Nando’s datapad––found in his study and secured by an embarrassingly simple password—-had turned out to possess nothing more than the expected array of searches involving social trends and Imperial sanctioned news. No network access into the company itself was permitted, though there were a few files saved involving prospective wives that seemed to have been sent to him from his mother.

Folders where each woman was meticulously picked apart, via notes Nando added after uploading, on all the areas the prospect was lacking along with the rare comment about her strengths. Ending comment consisted of what would need to be done on the prospect’s end before any serious consideration could be given.

Response files indicated that Nando’s mother was in merciless agreement with his evaluation.

Maybe it wasn’t the father the three of them had to worry about…

Considering the mission's parameters from this new angle, of how it could affect their endgame along with how this could play into their favor, Jyn wandered into the penthouse’s main room and noticed the stillness to the space.

When someone spends an inordinately significant amount of time with another, they develop an instinct about the other’s presence.

Jyn could always tell when one of her squad members was near. They all had their own quirks and tells, affecting the environment and making themselves known. This acute sensation seemed always to be heightened with Cassian. She didn’t have to look around to know he was not on that floor.

Intuition was easy enough to follow on where he would have gone. He probably wanted to suss out if it was safe to send a comm to the ship from Bix’s apartment. The rebel captain spent time pointing out the reasons why Jyn’s assessment of Nando’s datapad and non-existent personal computer would be fruitless, but did not seem to consider that the same could be said about this.

Still worth trying.

Calling up the elevator, Jyn descended to the lower floor as voices lifted to meet her. Voices in conversation not meant for her ears and then cut off into other, baser, sounds that she did not need to dwell on to understand what was transpiring.

She pressed the button to return to the penthouse the moment the elevator stopped and went directly to the room Cassian and she were given. That’s where her tortuous boots were. They were the only footwear she had available and she could not go out into the city with bare feet. It was bad enough that she would have to make her errand while in her blinding-white garments.

Hopefully, the airbuses of Lianna’s lone metropolis were as new and sparkling as the majority of the buildings. If not, she would pay for the cleaning. She needed to be elsewhere for a while.

—

“JYN!” Stordan stood with enough force that he sent his chair toppling over when he saw Jyn enter the yacht’s kitchen.

Him and the others were sitting around the table in the once impeccably clean room; a region that was now being littered with bottles of revnog, along with the spills to accompany numerous pours and the tumbler glasses needed to drink from. Then there was the heavy scattering of crumbs.

“You’re alive!” Xaul dropped the tiles the men didn’t seem to be playing with–at least not in the conventional manner–and stumbled over to her. Not content till his hands were on her shoulders before getting on his tiptoes to see beyond her boot-elevated height. “Where’s Cap?”

“Do we need to see through with the enforcer-station break plan?” Melshi bracketed his hands in the air, stopping Bodhi from touching how the tiles were laid about the table’s surface.

Was it supposed to be some kind of rudimentary map?

Jyn looked to K. “How much revnog have they been drinking?”

“Copious amounts that have been growing since you and Cassian failed to come back some hours ago.” The droid drawled from where he was settled on the floor. The fashionable furniture was too delicate to support his metal-frame’s heft.

“We have not.” It was endearing how hard Taidu was struggling to appear completely sober. His eyes strained to be wide-eyed and alert. “We’ve been working on scenarios if something had happened to you and the captain.”

Melshi ran a hand over the scruff covering his head, realizing earlier questions had not been answered. “Where is Cassian?”

“Back at Nando Santhes’ penthouse lair.” Jyn explained taking the seat Xaul vacated and pried the boots from her feet once more. Never again. She would tolerate blisters for many things, not nonsensical footwear. “We were given an invitation to stay with him.”

The only tell to how Xaul’s invisible brows rose were the deep grooves that formed along his high, pale forehead. “And you said yes?”

“He didn’t give us much of a margin for refusal.”

“Would he have been suspicious if you had said no anyway?” Stordan bit the inside of his cheek and looked up towards the ceiling, nodding in agreement to his question’s validity.

“Maybe. He’s a bit of a hard read in the fact that, superficially, he seems a simplistic, shallow, hedonist. Not sure how much shown is the work of a well-trained actor invoking some clever ruse.” The holobooks Jyn had seen in his study presented the threat of an intellect Nando had yet to show. Or, maybe, the holobooks themselves were the show, a means to impress his guests…

“It seemed best to play into his expectations.” Jyn summarized.

Bodhi wrapped his arms around her shoulders, momentarily resting his chin on top of her head, before leaving her in his quest to find an opened bottle with some revnog still available. They only had so many allotted to them per mission. “So, then, why are you here?”

“Other than to stop your ill-advised, revnog-fueled cell raid?” Jyn lightly tapped a tile out of its precise location. She hadn’t been in the city long enough to know where any of this would be. It was clear how the guys had been spending their night.

Taidu held a finger in the air, and then pointed it at Jyn. “Yes, that.”

“I need clothes and make-up…” Standing, boots draped over her arm, Jyn looked towards Bodhi, who slipped her a slight nod.

It had been a one-time deal, him doing her make-up. One to be used as a tutorial he had expected Jyn to pay close attention to, so she could follow the notes he had hidden in the pocket-sized cosmetic kit.

Leaving the men, Jyn entered one of the other ‘show’ rooms. A bedroom that, though lacking in space, was far more spacious than any quarters she had encountered on any other ship. It was bigger than her room back home. Given to her–despite the grumbling of some of the others–on the merit that she needed the space to get dressed. Most of these outfits were cumbersome and complicated.

Only once she shut the door behind her, and she heard the others’ voices begin once more in laughter to the accompaniment of tiles scattering about to be used for their primary purpose, did she drop the boots and settle on the edge of the bed.

Elbows on knees; fists pressed to her mouth. Jyn finally allowed herself to give into the tears that had been building behind her eyes like molten magma.Teeth biting into her knuckles to keep the threat of sound from escaping.

Deep breath in through her nose, held for a moment, and then released, she gradually regained some of her composure. At least her shaking gradually ceased.

She hated everything about herself at that moment.

Saw would be disappointed if he could see her now, assuming he would recognize her.

This, sobbing in heartbreak, was not her. She was not the sort to get so ensnared in personal emotions that she had to physically flee the scene of the ‘crime.’ She knew how Cassian felt about Bix: the woman who had been on his mind during one of his most dire moments. He had never tried to convey anything that countered his confession as the two of them floated about the void of space.

Not that he owed Jyn confessions or counter-confessions or explanations to any or all of the above. If he wanted Bix—-and it was clear that he did––there was nothing barring his path. It wasn’t his fault that she had assumed…read far too much into nearly every gesture and look and comment over the last year.

It wasn’t his fault that she had fallen for him long before she realized it herself. If she had seen it coming, pinpointed the moment that she was at risk, maybe this all could have been avoided.

No promises had been made. At least, not to Jyn. Who knew what plans he had professed to Bix during their lifetime together. A lifetime weighed against barely more than a year. There was no true contest. Jyn had been a fool for thinking––however unwanted that voice was at the back of her mind—-that there may have been one.

Teeth easing away from where they risked breaking skin, Jyn swiped at her eyes and ordered herself to get a hold of the situation. She didn’t have the luxury, at the moment, to fall apart. It only made her a liability to the mission’s success and––more importantly––to the lives of all involved.

Perfectly time, a fresh wave of laughter found its way into her ears.

No. Not now. As it was too late to extract herself from the mission, she would have to deal with all…this…after they met their objective and relatively safe once more. After that…

She couldn’t stay here. Couldn’t stay with them––with him and her, together—-and be able to confidently say she would be able to maintain professionalism and guarantee her best efforts. There was no ‘shelf’ strong enough to bear that weight. So she would leave and hate herself for proving Han right: She needed an out and he gave her the perfect one.

That settled. Jyn took a few more deep breaths before standing and walking to the closet. The drugs they slipped Nando were strong, but he could also have a high-tolerance. Who knew how long she had before questions started to be asked.

This would also be a test towards if, as suspected, Nando was aware of the surveillance about his home and also the possibility of discovering who was behind it. Always best to know who all the players were, even if you didn’t intend to play the full game.

Moments later, Jyn had two garment bags full of clothing options for both her and Cassian, who had to use the storage space for his less intricate but still expensive clothing, and returned to the kitchen. Now dressed in far more comfortable shoes–if still ridiculous in their flimsy material and lack of support, the lesser of evils–and the most practical of her stylish clothing.

“Leaving us already?” Melshi asked; his voice taking on another type of inquisition when he got a better look at Jyn’s face.

Something Jyn would not dignify with acknowledging. “Soon, but not yet.”

“Joining us for a game?” Stordan offered her a seat, after attempting to nudge Bodhi off it.

“No.”

“Why are your eyes red? That would indicate–”

“How prepared are all of you for the Royale?”Jyn cut off K before enough attention was made that risked the alcoholic filter the others were mostly looking at her through. Diverting any who may have caught the droid’s words, she picked up a stray tile and twirled it between her thumb and forefinger. “It seems you had plenty of time to learn the layout of the area surrounding the security force’s station.”

“We’re all set.” Taidu reported, having switched to room-temperature caf during her brief absence.

“All set? really?”

“The Santhes go through the same management company for all their events.” Melshi explained, the only one who seemed to partially take note of K’s observation. “It was easy enough for K to hack their database and put all of us on the work roster.”

“Server.” Xaul lifted his hand along with the tumbler it held.

“Server.” Stordan echoed.

“Vallet.” Bodhi rolled his eyes at the obvious placement.

“Security.” Taidu and Melshi said at the same moment.

“Can you go back in and make some additional changes?” Jyn asked K, the droid was still sitting in the corner rather than joining the rest in the game.

“Don’t insult me. If I was able to drink, I would be able to easily maneuver around that system while far more inebriated than everyone is at the moment.”

Bodhi twisted about in his chair, goggles falling around his neck. “Are…Are you trying to pretend to be drunk? Are you feeling left out?”

“What changes do you need?” Xaul asked Jyn over the pilot’s delighted laughter.

“Well, that depends on your comfort in being able to execute a submission to this one.”

“Go on.” Leaning forward, K placed his fingers in a steepled gesture. “I’m listening.”

“She wasn’t talking to you.” Xaul countered, pouring himself another glass. Yhey had evidently chosen to open a new bottle.

“Why must you always ruin my fun?

—

“Where were you?” Cassian’s lyrical Kenari, accent flawless despite the years he spent not speaking the language, was his way of greeting Jyn.

She had taken a taxi from the landing field, quicker and easier to explain away if Nando had witnessed her return. The flight was paid with a few spare credits from the cache Cassian had been given to participate in the Royale.

If Nando had been awake, he may still have questioned how Jyn managed to allow herself back into the penthouse. He had been too drugged for the presence of mind to conceal the door’s panel as he clumsily typed in the access code. Even if he had been sober, Jyn doubted Nando would have done anything differently.

Holding up the garment bags she had thrown over her shoulder, Jyn strolled past where Cassian was pacing in front of the wall of windows and walked into their shared room. For some reason, she felt that everything was better tolerated while in motion.

“Meeting with the others. Good thing I did, they were planning on making a run at the enforcer’s station.” She replied, also in Kenari.

“What? Why?” Trotting after her, Jyn forced her mind not to notice that he was without a shirt, only in the suit’s trousers. Face covered in scruff and hair rumpled as if he had just climbed out of someone else’s bed. It was baffling how he even noticed that Jyn had been missing.

“They thought we were marked and revnog was involved.”

“We shouldn’t have let them bring any.”

“Could we have stopped them?” Placing the garment bags on the bed, Jyn removed the cosmetic kit from her pocket and placed it at the room’s vanity. “Xaul does his best work while drunk.”

“Pax Aurora.”

“Yeah,” Jyn sighed, still not able to look directly at her superior officer. Her resolve was firm, the mission was safe, but her emotions were still a bit fractured. Nothing that a good night’s sleep wouldn’t cure. “That was not a good mission for him. So much fire.”

The comment floated behind her on her way to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her before carefully removing her silk and leather garments and folding them onto the counter to ensure their safety. They might be the least of the ridiculous, the distinction did not make them any less costly.

“Did he wake up?” Jyn called over the water that started to run from the faucet before she closed the door constructed in a fogged-opaque glass that only cast shadows amongst the stylized etchings. The shower was, itself, its own mini-bathroom. Complete with a tub.

“No, I would be worried about if I had given him too much and accidentally caused him to die, except that I don’t care. We can use his funeral as an excuse to get inside.” The bathroom door opened and Jyn could see a vaguely Cassian-shaped shadow hop onto where she knew the counter to be. Not an unfamiliar practice, except that they had never been to a place this grand and the foreign undertone of uncertain guilt in his voice. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Brief moment of internal panic had Jyn pressing her forehead against the shower’s marble wall. Swallowing back the truth, she chose the most convenient lie. “The guys and I might be working on a side mission. Completely secondary to our objective and will not, by any means, interfere–”

“You want to liberate some slaves.”

“I really want to liberate some slaves.” Jyn hated that this was enough to make her lips smile without thought of all else. This crumb of affinity being enough to ease her jagged edges. “How did you know?”

“Honestly, I was impressed with the restraint you used, in the moment, not to break one of those fluted glasses, use it as a knife, and take on the whole venue.”

“A bottle would be more effective–”

“Jyn, if it was another mission and if we had more time, I would be in complete agreement. Too much is at stake this time with limited intel and resources–”

“Do you remember why Xaul was at Narkina 5?” Turning off the water, Jyn sat on the edge of the tub, still able to maintain eyes on the Cassian-shaped shadow.

“Oh…oh no…this is worse than I thought.”

“He has the background.”

“He got caught.” Cassian said around what Jyn considered a snobbish scoff. “There is a reason we never use that skill set of his.”

“He’ll keep to the script this time.”

“Pax Aurora. Remember all the fire.”

“That’s because you put him on sniper duty. Can you get me my garment bag?”

The Cassian-shaped shadow hopped towards the floor. “Which one is yours.”

“The one with the women’s clothes in it.”

When the shadow returned, it was less Cassian-shaped and more of a blob. One that departed after extracting an object from its form and lifting it onto the wall and closing the door behind him.

“They are going to make contact tomorrow, see if any of this is even viable.” Jyn said, exiting the shower and grabbing one of the thick towels available. It was large enough to serve as a blanket. “Or do you want them bored and alone with revnog for the two days between us and the Royale?”

“How are they going to pay…You gave them some of our credits?”

“Just enough to cover the door charge–”

“That’s specifically for the Royale.”

“Like you need that much anyway.” Not sure where to put the towel, Jyn draped it on a hook beside where Cassian had hung the garment bag. Inside was an outfit for tomorrow––they could use the excuse for more clothes as a means to return to the ship the following night––and the only item Vel and Leia had provided for slumber.

How could women sleep while being entangled in so much fabric?

“If things don’t go well, during their reconnaissance or if things feel off during the night of, we will back away.” She clarified, stepping out of the bathroom and going around the bed to crawl onto the side Cassian wasn’t sitting. All the better for him to glare at the bathroom door.

His garment bag was out of sight; Cassian must have placed its contents into the closet with the rest of their clothing.

“I’ll think about it.” Cassian finally relented, turning about so his head was resting on the pillows. Body above the blankets Jyn burrowed under. “No promises until I hear the others report back and…just no promises.”

“I know. You don’t make ones you can’t keep.”

—

—

—

AN: Not my best chapter, next one should be longer.

Chapter 9: Disgust

ABY 0

Somewhere in the Mid-Rim

~

“So…you’re getting married.”

Wiping water out of his eyes, Cassian crossed his arms along the top of the shower stall he was currently using. The nozzle climbed above the metal tube that covered him from his upper calves and up to his clavicle. His non-existent modesty safe from where Jyn sat on the sink his en suite bathroom offered.

They had been placed in the same barracks, separate rooms, that hosted the soldiers who worked for Roh Phyff’s science facility. Jyn had been given a bunk in the general populace while Cassian had been given a single, private room complete with all the desired amenities.

“Will you stop finding this funny?”

Jyn continued with her laughter. A pleasant sound Cassian had not experienced till barely a week before, when they all but crashed landed on a moon that didn’t show on the shuttle’s navigation system. Not that was much of an indication of danger. After all, barely anything showed on the shuttle’s navigation system, that was how they got into this mess.

“Cassian, I’m literally barring the door, ensuring you can shower in peace and not face the risk of your unwanted betrothed bursting in and inviting herself to join you. Again.”

Turning off the nozzles, Cassian held out an arm for Jyn to pass him a towel. Water dripped from the limb to fall through the micro-grated floor. “You could have just pretended to be my wife rather than my sister–”

“Nope.” Jyn released the word with an audible pop. “We needed help and that woman was clearly vying for you the moment we stumbled off the ramp.”

“You will whore me off for security, won’t you?”

“First, it is for our security.” Jyn corrected with one last chuckle. “Second, how was I to know that her parents would jump at the chance of arranging a marriage?”

Cleaned and in fresh clothing, she still bore the evidence of what they endured on Scarif, a story they would not be telling their hosts; even if Cassian’s concussion and Jyn’s sleep deprivation had led them to err with giving their real names. The cord of her necklace, the same kyber crystal that had brought Chirrut and Baz into their lives, peaked out of the neckline of the tunic she had been gifted.

A necklace her mother had given her, that Jyn had conflicted emotions surrounding, and was usually worn under layers of clothing involving a scarf. No obvious reason to conceal it here, yet he had heard her tell Merca—-Roh’s daughter and Cassian’s current betrothed—-that it was nothing more than a piece of cheap glass. The same ploy she had used on the stormtroopers who arrested her, ensuring she could keep it while incarcerated on Wobani.

They basically knew each other’s life stories by this point.

“It’s not as if you’re actually going to marry her.” Jyn must be experiencing some degree of guilt for her to feel the compulsion to voice this truth.

“Yeah, you just need me to keep everyone distracted long enough for you to steal us a ship…” Tying the towel around his waist, Cassian stepped out of the shower. “Wait, wasn’t that your job on Scarif?”

“We won’t be fleeing from a beam of concentrated destructive might. Be grateful we escaped at all and didn't just perish on some beach.”

“No, now our only opposition will consist of pending in-laws and a very keen bride-to-be.”

“I’m sure the workers have a mechanic amongst them.”

“Right, the workers…That’s our biggest risk.”

The science facility they found themselves was said to be devoted to discoveries with the intention for humanitarian benefits. A lot of words with no true substance, unlike the sight of the silent, hollow-eyed individuals Cassian and Jyn had noticed of working on the research floor and within the high-walled grounds.

“You were a laborer on Narkina for how long?”

“Weren’t you only looking out for yourself less than two weeks ago?”

“Do you want me to go back to that?”

“No. I’m also not saying I don’t support it, just that you don’t have to have an all or none mindset––it seems a bit extreme.” The same could be said about running into a war zone to save one crying child, “This additional objective is going to be the hardest part to plan.”

“No, the hardest part to plan will be how we manage to properly barricade your room without your amorous bride taking offense.”

~

—

~

ABY 1

Lianna

~

Cassian woke from memory and into a dream. One where he was curled about Jyn’s sleeping form on bedding that some would consider better than their mattress. For whatever reason. Jyn had chosen a dress, one he was fairly certain should be considered a ballgown, to sleep in.

Who slept in that much fabric yet with only the faintest suggestion of cord to keep the impractical garment on her shoulders. One shoulder. The other had draped along her arm. Her breath faintly caressed his arm which somehow ended up cushioning her neck and cheek at some point during the night.

An arm at risk of going numb from lack of blood flow, and causing Cassian to finally realize that this was not a dream. They were on Lianna, staying at Nando Santhe’s penthouse while Bix lived a floor below.

Bix…

Damn how had he managed to make such a cluster of this entire situation in such a short amount of time?

“Jyn?” He almost forgot to speak in Kenari, lifting himself up while trying not to jostle her too much. Waking a sleeping Jyn was always a risky endeavor. There was no way of knowing which ‘Jyn’ would wake.

Xaul used a stick once to poke at her shoulder from what he assumed to be a safe distance. When Jyn woke, she snatched the stick from his hand and—-even though none in the squad were Force-sensitive—-Cassian finally understood what Chirrut once said about the energy gathering around a person intent on murder.

To this day, Stordan demanded that Xaul acknowledge the life-debt owed, as the young corporal had been the brave soul to ‘disarm’ Jyn before blood could be shed.

“Hm…” Was all Jyn said in show of being, at least, partially awake. Eyes still closed, she rolled about to snuggle closer to his bare chest.

Well, this was unexpected. ‘Sleepy Jyn’ was a rarity that only transpired when she was completely drained. Not physically, but when she was mentally and emotionally spent. When sleep, true sleep, was an escape that boarded on drugged-out bliss.

Usually, he would enjoy this adorable rarity, though the causality was a question he would be trying to find an answer for as discreetly as possible. Unfortunately, at the moment, he needed her full attention and her mind alert.

“Jyn.” Prying his arm free with one quick jerk, Cassian fully sat-up and scooted a bit away from her warmth. Like with his arm, he had ended up under the blankets with her at some point during their shared slumber. “I need to talk to you about something. I meant to last night, when you got back–”

Rubbing her eyes with a disapproving groan, Jyn sat up with a prolonged, exaggerated stretch until Cassian could hear audible popping of vertebrates falling back into alignment. “What time is it?” Now awake enough with the sense to join him in speaking Kenari.

“I kissed Bix.” Cassian confessed rather than answer his question. Needing to say it without much more distraction of tangents.

It had bothered him all night, this sickening sensation in the hollow of his stomach. One that heightened during the time he paced around Nando’s penthouse, waiting for Jyn to come back. Hoping that Jyn was coming back. More than a dozen times, he nearly left to go search for her. Each time, he stopped himself with the reminder that Jyn was more than capable of taking care of herself, and that she would have only left for good reason.

Didn’t make the sensation, both the guilt and the waiting, any more tolerable. Relief only gained when the door whirled open and Jyn stepped back inside. He had meant to tell her right then and there, what had transpired between him and Bix, along with explaining the fragmented emotions and compulsive impulses that raged between muscle memory and true intent, but Jyn had seemed so…exhausted.

He really shouldn’t have been surprised to realize she had been so completely spent.

Arms falling to her sides, Jyn pulled away the blankets and got out of bed. Her outfit made it appear as if she was dragging a sheet along with her. “I know.”

“You do, of course you do.” Freeing himself from the bedding, Cassian went to stand by the windows, where she was looking over the city spanning beneath the weak early sunlight. “It made me realize something that we should talk about.”

All remnant sleepiness evaporated from Jyn after a few rapid blinks. The soldier persona, she had been expected to be at all time during her Partisan years, returned to her limbs and manner. “Same.” Turning to face him, she added, “That said, let’s shelf all of this till the Royale is over. After we have left this planet with both the needed information and the bonus freed sex slaves.”

“You don’t know that they are sex slaves.” Cassian held up his hands in surrender at the look Jyn gave what she clearly thought was an idiotic statement. “I’m not saying they aren’t. I’m just saying we don’t know for certain.”

“Best idea would be to meet the others when they go in to scout out the venue.” Pure-business, Jyn disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. Only opening it by a crack once she considered herself decent enough to be comfortable with him joining her.

An oddity. Their barrack’s had an outdoor shower and it was not unheard of for her to quickly change clothing—-when the mission called for it—-while surrounded by the others. An oddity Cassian had no issue in obeying. He lingered by the doorway enough, once it was re-opened, to make sure his presence was not imposing.

“Do you think we can convince Nando to go out so soon after what happened last night?”

Jyn was stuck trying to navigate the ties and folds of the intricate blouse—-which appeared to have a built-in corset, proof that Vel was truly vindictive—-over a camisole that peeked out during her efforts. The only possible item to pair with the long skirt that offered the most mobility of her given wardrobe.

Jyn contorted about her torso with an annoyed turn of her mouth. “You mean us drugging him?”

“Think he will be suspicious?” Cassian asked, stepping into the room with offered hands. Only giving assistance once Jyn released a defeated sigh and held her arms out above either side of her body to give him access to work.

“Not when we can brush it all off on the questionable dust I passively convinced him to snort off the bar's surface.”

“When was this?”

“When I went with him to get the…third…round.” Jyn guessed with a sharp intake of breath when Cassian finished with his administration. The garment’s internal boning pressed against her torso and forced things in unnatural, near gravity-defying locations.

Bix had presented a detailed report about Nando’s preference and practices: That, yes, he was well versed in hedonism, but he would never take anything without consent. According to bix, Nandi didn’t think there was any fun in being with the unconscious or out-of-sorts. That didn’t make either Cassian or Jyn trust any drink given to them by Nando, without witnessing its creation from beginning till it was safely in hand.

Both were aware of the hypercritical irony to this mindset, as they had spent considerable amounts of time gradually slipping him more and more of the sedative drug. The elixir was strong, but it only worked through gradual increments. All at once would caused a brief living-death, not the prolonged sleep they had desired.

“Too tight? Want me to…” Cassian mimed his question on if she required him to readjust the garment.

Jyn shook her head and took a deep breath, as if she wanted to prove that she was capable of doing so. “It’s fine. I’m fine.” She waved away his concern.

“You will be, once we rewrap your hand.”

~

Bix’s dark secret: she didn’t mind kissing Nando. In fact, she found it quite enjoyable. Downright pleasurable, even.

Yes, he was a spoiled, vapid idiot, who she would never consider as a means of ‘forever’ but…damn if she couldn’t lie to herself and pretend that the man was not skilled with his mouth, both in being able to present a baseless sense of charisma along with creating a carnal sensuality.

Body arching up without consent for her logical thinking, she gripped his hair with one hand and fisted the sheet beside her with the other as he explored her mouth and lips with a leisurely thoroughness from where he was stretched over her above the blanket. The thick quilt was the only thing between him and Bix’s naked body. Their compromise between her feigned cultural restrictions and his libido.

She was outright disgusted with herself for wanting nothing more than, at times–such as now, to simply give into the ludicrous desire and shallow need of allowing herself to have pure, unbridled hate sex with the man. To gain some kind of relief. Two years was a very long time.

Especially now, when her mind was still full from the night before. That brief moment when she was convinced she had Cassian again. Not ‘had’ as in she had won him, as if he was some sort of silly prize. No, ‘had’ in the sense of possessing validation that their relationship would once more flourish after this mission’s completion and her time on Lianna—-and with Nando—-was complete. Nothing more than a memory.

In those moments—-while Cassian's familiar, strong hands had been gripping her hips and her hands were caressing his chest—-she saw their future. The one they both had wanted. One where they could reclaim their home from the barracks it had become and consider a life after the war was over.

One where the chance of a child did not cause her to flee from onset panic.

All prospects destroyed with the faintest syllable—-not outright spoken, but somehow still understood—-that caused Cassian to physically tear himself from her embrace with a look of disgust and loathing.

Worse was her seemingly delusional expectation that Cassian would return once he had time to settle his mind and emotions. For them to talk it out and reassess where this left them. Instead, Bix had spent a sleepless, restless night on the thoughts of ‘what if’ and detailed memories of what had been.

It had actually been a relief when a heavily hungover Nando let himself in. Bix did not know what had happened at the club, but she had never seen him as drunk and strung-out as Nando had been when they finally made their way back to the apartment complex.

“Tell me why we have to wait?” Nando asked as he came up for air; lips swollen and hair rumpled.

Maybe this, one ruled by nothing stronger than mutual lust, was the kind of relationship she deserved. Maybe this was some kind of divine punishment for the unilateral decision she had made on Yavin 4.

Maybe she could learn to live with the self-disgust and simply accept this as enough.

Looping her arms about his neck, Bix nuzzled Nando’s throat. “Your mother hates me.” She reminded, thinking of the imposing woman with very strong opinions of her sons ‘toy.’

“She’s coming to dinner tonight.” Nando said the statement with the weight of an incantation to purge a space of evil intent.

“Why?”

“Not sure, got a comm this morning—-Damn, my head feels like it’s being split in two.” Lips moving to the hollow of Bix’s throat and traveling down towards the quilt’s edge. “You really should consider being tender to me this morning—-”

“You shouldn’t have done so much drugs last night.” Bix rolled away before he could start peeling back the blanket’s shield.

Sighing, Nando stretched out on his side. Head resting in hand and leisurely running his fingertips along the curse of Bix’s hip and waist, planting the random kiss on her shoulder. “I blame Greer, that vixen seems to bring out a lot in me…” he trailed off, brushing hair off Bix’s face with the rare serious expression.

“What?”

“I wonder, she seems far less devoted to your customs than you.”

“Because she was raised in Coruscant.” Bix was grateful that Jyn had ensured they had a flushed-out history before they arrived at Lianna.

“Do you think she would break off her arrangement with Achen if a better offer came around?”

Jyn’s stomach dropped somewhere near her feet. “What are you saying, exactly?”

“Only that she seems to both have the breeding, the means, and the open-minded manner that would make her an ideal solution to our arrangement. Also,” he added, leaning in once more to capture Bix’s pouting lips, “she seems to be amicable towards a more…robust…love life. She would be wasted on someone like your friend.”

“Your mother will hate her.”

“I guess we will find out tonight…” Climbing back on top of her, Nando lightly nipped at Bix’s nose. “Though, I’m sorry my darling but…”

“I know. I’m not invited.” Bix did not need to fake her relief. “I’ll find some other way to spend my night.”

—

Turns out that Bix had to find a way to spend her day.

Nando had been called into the head administration office shortly after he left her to see to breakfast. He sent her down a brief message that he was going to use this as a chance to showcase the operation to ‘Achen’ and ‘Greer.’ Santhe/Sienar Technology’s administration building was a towering citadel located at the city’s center, and was a place that Bix, lower mechanic that she was, was not entirely welcomed. Especially now that she had been branded with the sigma of being Nando’s newest conquest.

With apologies, Nado told her to help herself to the funds he granted her access to and spend the day pampering herself, as she had taken the next two weeks off for both bereavement over her grandmother’s passing and to help Nando prepare for the Royale and entertain their guests.

Ignoring the gifted funds, she made herself a quick breakfast and then decided it would be best if she cleared her head while walking about the nearby park. As this was the most affluent region within the city’s limits, the idyllic setting was bordered with shops, boutiques, and cafes. A perfect location for those who enjoyed watching those around them go about their day-to-day task. A practice that Bix had become a devoted practitioner of during the last two years.

As a hobby, her mind found relief in the escape of creating its own narrative about the individuals passing by, rather than clinging to what may be the rigid truth.

“B–I mean, Miss Tyree.” A brogue voice spoke behind the bench Bix was resting upon with a travel cup of caf.

Turning around, arm stretched along the bench’s back, Bix had to look up to see how Melshi was looking down at her, dressed in more civilian geared clothing than what she had seen him wear previously. The change did little to help the man blend with the current lux environment, making him speaking to her all the more appropriate, as Bix also clearly did not belong with the class of people milling about them.

“Hello there.” Shielding her eyes with a lifted hand, she gave a cordial smile for the benefit of the prying eyes and ears assessing the two misplaced lowly’s interaction. “Apologies, but do I know you? You look familiar yet I’m not sure from where.”

“Sorry, yes, my name is Roe. I work for Mr. Bale. You probably saw me around his ship without actually ‘seeing’ me.”

“Yes, of course, sorry.”

One side of his mouth quirked up in a self-deprecating kind of way. “None needed. I get paid well not to be seen.”

“Do you want to join me?” Scooting to the side, Bix offered a place beside her.

“If it’s not too much of an intrusion.”

“Please.” Bix stressed with a grin that made her cheeks ache.

Not sure what to do when he actually took her up on the offer and sat down beside her. His larger frame crowding the space that had been entirely hers till moments before. This could not be a coincidence. He had to have approached her for a reason. Bix had only ever experienced such exchanges with her Alliance contact. Unlike with those sterile, brief encounters she wasn’t sure how to breach into whatever conversation was required now.

“I doubt you will be seeing much of Achen or Greer during the next few days.”

“Yes, Miss Greer made a request for items to be sent to their current lodgings last night.” The way Melshi said this made Bix feel uneasy. There wasn’t blatant judgement or accusation while still not being entirely free of judgement and accusation.

“I see.”

“Though I’m anticipating what may be an uncomfortable encounter with them when the crew and staff take advantage of the city’s nightlife this evening.”

“I wouldn’t be too anxious about that.”

Melshi’s confusion may be his first real, unshielded response. “Why?”

“Nando’s mother wants to have dinner with him and his guests. They won’t stray further than the flower market.” She pointed a finger towards the far east corner of the park’s square while maintaining hold of her overpriced caf.

“Oh.”

“You seem disappointed in having an outing without your employer present.”

“Yes, a bit…” Leaning back against the bench, Melshi rubbed his head before scratching at the back of his skull and momentarily clamping a hand at the base of his neck. “I don’t suppose you would be free from attending this obligatory dinner.”

“Nando’s mother would never sit at the same table as me.”

“Then would you have any interest in being our guide?”

—

“This is a terrible idea.” Bix didn’t need to worry about being heard, so there was not need to lean in or be discrete with her objects to all she had just heard.

This raw bout of freedom was not because of the club’s crowded nature—-which was considerable, as always—-or from the deafening volumes the music was reaching—-she wondered if she had permanently damaged her hearing by placing herself in this environment on such a frequent basis—-but because, for the first time, she was present without Nando at her side. No one knew who she was or gave her a second glance without him escorting her. She might as well be invisible. Just another desperate woman in a suggestive dress. Faceless and boring amongst the social climbers.

“Most of the sergeant’s ideas tend to be.” Melshi’s voice caressed the rank with a tangible fondness as he tipped back another shot.

They were sitting at an intimate high-top table in one of the more secluded alcoves away from the central room, where the rest of the squad—except for the droid, who was rumored to be sulking back on the ship—-was mingling about. All arriving at different times.

Taidu had seemed particularly uncomfortable on arrival when Bix watched him witness the aerial dancer’s dramatic lunge towards the ground. A feat that caused the Twi’lek female’s costume to unravel down to risque levels that seemed to clash with the stocky lieutenant's militant sensibilities.

“Yet you still follow her,” Bix countered.

“They’re always terrible in the best possible way.”

“She’s risking the plan.”

Risking the two years of Bix’s life that this had all accumulated towards. All that had been cast aside and sacrificed and endured were riding on this plan being a success.

“It’s only a risk if there is conflict, which is why we’re here tonight.” Catching sight of one of the collared waitresses working on her rounds, Melshi lifted credits, fanning out the ingots so their denominations could be seen. “Have a moment to talk?” He asked when the woman took the bait.

The woman’s polite expression turned into a disgusted sneer with a step away from their table. “I don’t ‘talk.’ This palace may be many things, but it’s not that kind of establishment.”

“Good to know, but when I say ‘talk’ I just mean talk.” Melshi held out the credits with a far more considerate expression than what he had given Bix thus far. “Consider it a weird kink.”

“I suppose I have a moment.” The woman’s pale-pink eyes flicked towards Bix, warming as she looked over the near nude-colored dress the mechanic wore. “What do you and your girlfriend have in mind?”

“How long have you been here?”

“A few months”

Melshi shook his head. “The truth, please.”

“Five years.”

“Five enjoyable years?” He lightly ran a finger along his clavicle, exactly where the woman’s collar rested against hers.

“What kind of game is this?”

“One where some friends of mine are interested in seeing if you and the others, who share your specific accessory choices, would want to consider an arrangement with more agency.”

His words were meant with a scoff. “Even if we did, we’re all contracted in with no way of paying our way out.”

“Oh, there’s no intention of buying any of you out. Why waste the credits? Which is why I was sent out to assess how dedicated those willing would be to this very tentative plan my friends would be suggesting.”

“I think it would be possible to arrange a meeting.”

“When?”

“Tonight—-well, more like tomorrow morning. After the club closes. Those of us under contract are housed in the upper floors. If you can get to the roof, we could speak more freely.”

“What time, exactly, and how will you signal us over?”

—

—

—

AN: While I was planning out this chapter, I started to think about Bix: how she would react to the last chapter and how she had been able to go about her mission up to this moment.

The woman was involved with Timm [Apologies, I really hated Timm] and she could have had Brasso, but started things back up with Cassian. I think it is safe to say that she has questionable taste in men and relationships.

Additional Question [for those who want to engage]: I originally asked 'How messy is too messy?' but that turns out to be the wrong question. The correct question is 'How long should this story be?'

I have two other 'arcs' planned out and--if I keep with that--some additional messiness will need be integrated in [of which I have many, many ideas to shift through]. If, instead, I go for a shorter story, there are elements I need to move forward...

Chapter 10: Uncomfortable

Lianna

~

Warm water slowly thawed Jyn’s shivering body, diluting the blood that had yet to cease flowing from her thigh and hip. Standing in her microshorts and camisole—-the thin, lacy material rendered all but transparent from the shower—-she gripped Cassian’s bare shoulders as he held her up against the marble wall.

Both of their breath ragged with hearts hammering against where their bodies were pressed together...

Suffice to say, the day had taken a bit of a turn; Jyn wasn’t entirely certain when this shift in the day’s events had occurred…

—

—

21 Lianna Hours Earlier

~

“--I just don’t understand why my father would insist on my attendance in today’s board meeting. I rarely ever attend those.” Wearing sunglasses and languishly stretched along the limospeed’s back brench with a fizzing drink in hand, Nando took small sips from the glass with obvious distaste as the vehicle maneuvered through the city’s morning traffic.

Cassian and Jyn exchanged discrete looks. Nando would likely interpret these as judgement on his hosting abilities when their concern was directed on what this all meant in the ongoing question of surveillance. Not only were they being abstractly summoned to the company’s headquarters, Nando had also blurted out that his mother would be joining them for dinner that evening.

The former event presented an opening they could exploit to their advantage, laying needed groundwork for the Royale being held the day after tomorrow, while the latter was a much unwanted and potentially hazardous social convention.

As expected, Nando misinterpreted the meaning of this shared look, leaning forward and trying to gaze at them over the tops of his sunglasses before the sunlight’s blaze became too much for his detox-sensitive eyes. “Unfortunate as the hour may be, this—-as I said—-does present us with a great opportunity. I can show you around the officers and get you in touch with those able to answer any of your questions or ease any concern there may be about investing in our enterprise.”

“That does sound ideal.” Cassian took a sip of his drink, proper juice rather than whatever remedy Nando was forcing himself to endure.

Cassian casually rested an arm along Jyn’s shoulders for her to lean against him. Her leg almost draped onto his when she crossed at the knee. The effect her shirt created with her body seemed a bit too overwhelming for Nando, who kept giving her neckline lingering looks of growing hunger. Maybe Cassian should have insisted that they eat before heading out.

Idly playing with the wisps of hair that would not be contained in Jyn’s current hairstyle—-a series of intricate loops twisted about decorative hair pins gathered at the side—-he rested his cheek against the top of her head, as if either too bored or tired to allow proper posture or decorum.

“Father would never let me live it down if my first true act of monetary exchange and stake-sharing was a complete disaster. Greer’s brother might challenge me to a duel if he thought I was being less than responsible with what will be our shared wealth.”

Jyn snorted, softly tracing idle designs against the twill material of Cassian’s borrowed suit. The act being used as a calming method. She knew how he hated having to put it on that morning, of all the things that came to mind when he touched the fabric, and how it continued to make his skin itch at the thought of having it on his body.

“Duel? Zachyr? Really?”

“I didn’t say it would be to the death.” Cassian looked at Nando with an eye-roll. “Probably more like a bake-off.”

Jyn nodded at Nando. “My brother’s creme-brulee is outstanding.”

“So you see why I’m concerned.”

~

“I’m bored.” Jyn forced her voice into a restrained, dry whine.

“Greer, I thought we talked about this…Though, yes, this was easily predicted.” Cassian said towards the five Santhe/Sienar executives—-two of which were Tevin Santhe, Nando’s silver-haired father, and Yom Sienar, Tevin’s business partner and current head of the Sienar family—-with a shrug.

It was not a natural sensation for her lips to pull into a pout and her mind to pretend not to be aware of the people walking with them. They have been in the administration building for over an hour. Cassian’s presence seemed to be the scheduled board meeting’s entire itinerary, which was troubling on its own. Usually, Jyn would not leave a fellow in such an unknown situation, but they also had a rare opportunity they needed to use.

If this was a trap, they would find out soon enough and work their way through it. Now was the time for risk and action.

“I told him that I don’t care about numbers and productivity and itemized lists.” Jyn rattled off, tossing a hand towards Nando.

“You did.” Cassian agreed with a sagely nod.

“I’m bored.” She repeated, now directing her words towards the group meant to charm and delight prospective investors out of their credits. “Isn’t there somewhere I can wait while you men do whatever it is that men do?”

“You’re imagining us wrestling in a Mimban mudpit.” Cassian leaned a shoulder against the marbled wall. Like the club the night before, this place had a clear Chandrila desired influence. Unlike the club, whoever designed this building shared in that culture's more retrained sensibilities.

“I wouldn’t be trying to extract myself from this tour if I thought that was a possibility on how it ended.” Jyn said, eyeing up the other men before stopping on Nando, expecting him to give into her demands.

“You can wait in my office. You remember where it is located, right?” His smile faltered as he snapped his fingers for a dark-suited individual, one of a cluster that had been flocking the group’s every step from a distance, to step forward. “Though I would need to leave a guard with you.”

Hand to her chest, Jyn gasped, “Nando, are you saying you don’t trust me?”

“I trust you to be a delightfully bad influence at all times. Unfortunately, it’s company policy that all visitors must be attended by a member of staff while on the premises.”

“Fine.” Jyn conceded, straightening her hairpins. “Give me a babysitter…you do have a holoprojector in your office, right?”

“Of course.”

“Perfect*

“Sye will keep you company while we continue to show Achen around.”

“Hello Sye.” Jyn offered a hand with fingers poised downward with the expectancy of being kissed, though the green-skinned guard only gently squeezed them.

Oh well, that was enough contact for the needle positioned between her fingers to lightly graze his skin.

“Behave.” Cassian murmured, leaning down to kiss her cheek. Jyn had to, once again, remind herself that all this—-the affection and physical contact he had been bestowing upon her—-was for nothing more than show.

They were here for a job, nothing more to read into his actions than a role that needed to be sold.

“Always. Now, Sye, shall we?” They barely managed to make it around the corner, and out of the sight of the group they left, before Sye had his first stumbled-step. “Um…are you feeling okay?”

“I’m just a bit lightheaded all of a sudden, ma’am.”

“Please don’t ma’am me; it makes me feel like I should be reaching for a walker.”

“Understood.”

“How about you have a seat here?” Jyn motioned to a couch placed outside Nando’s office, just out of the receptionist’s direct line of sight.

“I should…” He passed out, collapsing onto the furniture Jyn had stationed him at, before the full thought could be spoken.

Once inside the office, Jyn turned on the holoprojector surrounded by comfortable chairs and end tables. The fact that this was the forefront, the first thing an individual would see on admittance, with the desk shoved in the back corner spoke volumes of how Nando went about his work day.

Jyn settled on one of the chairs as the opening scene started to unfold of some spice-runner drama only to press a hand against her lower abdomen the next moment and made a show of looking for the washroom, which she dashed to as quickly as her skirt would allow.

Here are two things basic reason told her.

One: While she was certain Nando’s office was surveilled, the wash would not be, as he shared it with his father.

Two: Tevin’s office would be free of prying eyes and ears.

In the tedium of Nando’s datapad, there had been one thing that Jyn took note of: a gossip column speculating the scandalous rumors surrounding the Santhe ‘king’ hosting numerous, alleged affairs. If true, and Jyn knew them to be within five minutes of meeting the man, Tevin would need somewhere safe to take his lovers and, going off the number of attractive receptionists and executive attendants she had seen giving their king significant and suggestive looks, his office was the obvious conclusion.

Jyn would be worried about it being too obvious, except that was the brilliance in why it also worked. The boss screwing his subordinates on his desk was such a cliche that it was also the safest of solutions. So dumb no one would believe it to be possible.

Further proof being that Tevin’s password, while harder to crack than Nando’s, was still in the realm of being protected because no one thinks to go with the obvious: his secretary’s measurements.

Once in, Jyn’s first task was to go through a datalogs in search of externally placed surveillance records. If Santhes/Sienar had their internal systems looped into all accessible networks, then it was reasonable to conclude their other records would also share in this central information hub.

And Jyn was tired of speculating on whether or not they were constantly being monitored. She needed to know the extent and all blind spots available…

What she found made her envious of her previous ignorance. Turns out that there was not a moment of his life when Nando was not being documented. At least not in his home or office or while being driven around. The same went for his guests. Jyn had hoped that there would be an understood line drawn at accessing private moments such as using the bathroom, and yet, as she scrolled through the logs, she found clear black-and-white images of when she had been showering the night before and then the sight of Cassian stepping in when he had washed off that morning…

Face flushing, she clicked on another random file.

This one was of what appeared to be Bix’s apartment. Of her bedroom. The time stamp showed that the footage came from earlier that morning—-most likely right before Nando had been called to the office. The footage showed Bix lounging in her bed, body shimmying under the blankets to slowly extract the clothing she was wearing, tossing them aside before Nando climbed onto the bed with her.

Jyn’s elbow accidentally turned on the volume, filling the office with faint groans and gasps, in her haste to get somewhere else. It was none of her business what Bix did or was it Jyn’s place to judge how an agent went about an assignment…That was until what came out of the audio began to be about her.

Evidently, Nando was setting his sights on her? Why? If he did, that would prove to make things difficult.

Considering how this could be corrected and used, Jyn clicked on another random file.

“--not enough.”

“It has to be.”

The dialogue jarred an unseen memory of what she had heard the night before, now complete with the visual of Bix kissing Cassian as he backed them up against a counter to better lift Bix onto.

Jyn really shouldn’t be watching any of this. She went to click on yet another file, anything to stop the display, and lower the sound when she heard Cassian release a soft, nearly inaudible, groan of “J–” before propelling himself away from Bix.

What the…Nope, not going to go into that vortex of thought. Better to wipe entirely from her mind and pretend she had never seen.

Leaving the surveillance files, Jyn found a communications log that seemed to be an active chat between Nando’s parents.

…Why do they speak a foreign language when alone?...

…Because they are nothing more than yokels who think having Coruscant ties make them our equals…

…She does have a pleasing face and figure…

…She’s young. Easy to have a tight ass before having children. She’s too scrawny for sons and how can she nurse with those breasts…

…They don’t act like fiancees…

…She’s a gold-digger and will most likely now set her sights on Nando…

…Nando seems keen on her…

…Just because she’s as much of a whore as his current toy…

Satisfied, though that did not feel like the correct word for how she was feeling, on knowing the limited extent of the privacy they could expect during the next two days, Jyn started work on carving herself a hidden route into the main system archives. Not enough time to properly search once in, but leaving herself a near invisible trail she would be able to follow once tapping into the manor’s personal computer during the Royale.

And she was running out of time.

Exiting all the programs and files she had opened, locking the computer once more, and ensuring to fix the limited items she had touched—-her gloves protecting her from the risk of fingerprints—-Jyn went back into the wash and returned to Nando’s office right as the door was opening to show Nando’s confused expression as he stepped in while still looking at Sye.

“What happened there?” Nando hooked a thumb towards the slightly drooling guard.

Jyn tugged at her blouse, as if small adjustments were needed. “Not sure, maybe he ate some of the food out placed in the boardroom. The sandwich you suggested I tried to not want to settle.”

“Are you feeling better now?” Cassian asked.

“Not only are they watching us all the time and in all locations, but, evidently, you can’t keep up with me sexually.” Jyn said in Kenari, looping her arm through his and wanting nothing more than to get away from the building.

From the world

Though they had two days to endure.

—

“--at 0200 hours, on the roof of the club. The collared dancers and staff interested in what we have to say will use a glowrod to signal when it’s safe for you to come over.” Melshi’s slightly-static Kenari filled Cassian’s ear from the comm discreetly placed there, the secured link being another item Jyn had retrieved the night before.

“0200 hours.” “Cassian tapped loose ashes off the smoke he was pretending to enjoy, pacing the secluded part of the restaurant’s garden and keeping his voice low while moving his lips as little as possible. “Okay. Jyn and I will make an excuse and somehow get to the ship by 2350.”

“We can handle it if you’re unable to find a way out. This can’t be allowed to interfere with the main objective, we all know that.”

“No…No, we’re going to need this after tonight.”

Melshi’s laugh crackled along the line. “Lorilia Santhes is a true delight?”

“She has found eight underhanded ways to imply Jyn is nothing more than a sex-worker since we met her two hours ago.”

“And Jyn’s just letting her?”

“No.” Cassian held back a chuckle as a portly man passed by with a cigar in hand. “Jyn found nine different ways to subtly bring up the fact that Tevin Santhes is screwing half his personal subordinates.” He leaned to the side to look towards the bridge-gazebo the Santhes seem to have the sole allowance to sit at. “I think she might actually be having fun, but I’m also certain that Lorelei is close to stabbing Jyn with a dinner knife.”

“Which would make Jyn have to kill her.”

“Her training would demand it.”

Switching off the comm and pocketing the device, Cassian returned to the table, walking his way through the garden setting spanning out from the restaurant that seamlessly merged into the park surrounding it. The pond the bridge spanned was full of bioluminescent fish, who cast faint pastel lights along those sitting at the table.

“Everything is arranged. We just need to find an excuse to leave.” Cassian said in Kenari, gripping the back of Jyn’s chair.

“But I only made her turn twelve different shades of red and my goal is twenty.” Jyn responded in kind, looking up at him with something dangerously close to a smirk.

“It’s rude to use another language not indigenous to the world.” Lorelei Santhe, who unquestionably had once been beautiful and obviously failed to see the merits to aging gracefully, sneered at the two. Or the best version of a sneer her too-tight skin allowed.

“Thirteen.” Cassian said with a smile before switching back to Standard. “Apologies, my fiance and I sometimes forget our manners.”

“We’re actually making plans of escape and figured it would be better to do so without you knowing this entire meal has been spent with me thinking about nothing more than getting him alone.”

Nando looked at the two, a sour twist to his lips. “I didn’t think you were romantics.”

“Sometimes wanting to enjoy each other has nothing to do with romance. I’m sure you agree.” Jyn said with a wink, as she took Cassian’s arm and they made their exit before either mother or son thought to voice complaint or tried to bar their way.

~

“I don’t fit in here,” Bix said to no one in particular as she watched the six members—-five organics with the lone mechanical—-of Rogue One bicker and squabble over the tiles arranged along the table.

The droid was winning and—while Bix thought this was the obvious conclusion while playing against a machine, even sweet B managed to win the children's games they taught him more times than he lost and he did not share in K’s design specialty for statistics—most of the other players were crying foul.

“No, you really don’t.” Melshi was the one exception to the chaotic voices rising in argument around them. He simply sat patiently in his chair, waiting for his turn and watching the others' reactions to each others’ bets.

“Excuse me?”

“What?” He seemed genuinely perplexed by the offense Bix took to his comment. “You made a statement; I agreed. Did you expect me to counter you to save your feelings?”

“I…I’m not that bad.”

“Never said you were. You have to be at least some kind of decent person for Cassian to care so much about you; that doesn’t mean you being here isn’t causing issues within our dynamic.”

“You mean between Cassian and Jyn.” Bix once more felt her stomach hollow-out, an uncomfortable sensation she was not thrilled to realize was becoming a commonplace one for her.

“Yeah, a bit…”

“And in our betting pool.” Bodhi cut in, folding for the fifth time in the row.

“You’re going to cost me twenty credits.” Stordan grumbled, going all in where the pilot had shown caution.

“And, as you can see, messing up Cassian’s and Jyn’s dynamic has an effect on the squad as a whole.” Melshi placed down his bet without even looking at his tiles. A move that seemed to unnerve K from where it crouched by the table.

“In other words, please stop messing with the cap’s head.” The pasty redhead, Xaul, shot Bix a withering look.

“I’m not…How am I messing with his head?”

“Don’t know.” Xaul crossed his arm along the table, nearly shoving tiles out of the gesture’s way. “All I do know is that he was a mess for a long while. Then Jyn came in, we blew up the Death Star–”

“We did not blow up the Death Star,” K corrected.

“We had more to do with it than the farm boy.” Xaul tapped an edge of a tile against the tabletop. “Either way, he’s happy, Maybe it’s her, maybe it’s lack of you–”

“Ouch. You don’t pull punches, do you?”

“Nope” All six said at once.

“What Xaul is saying, what I think he’s trying to say, is that we have a job to do and––however unintentionally—-we can all tell that things are not running as smoothly as they usually do,” Was how Taidu presented his diplomatic summary.

“And none of us want to die or be arrested because of it,” Melshi concluded.

“Die or be captured over what?” Cassian called from the yacht’s entrance.

Bix didn’t know what to think or how to feel when she saw him and Jyn walk onto the ship’s kitchen, especially with others’ words still stinging her ears.

“Nothing.” All six once more said in pure unison.

“Ah-ha.” Cassian looked about the room, clearly not believing any one of them.

“We were tailed here.” Jyn put forth to the group, stepping past Cassian to steal Xaul’s cup for a quick swig.

Cassian’s lips thinned at the sight.

“Easy enough to fix,” Bodhi said, possibly not noticing the shift in his captain’s mood.

“Harder fix…I have nothing to wear.” Jyn dabbed at her mouth with the back of a gloved wrist.

“That is a statistical impossibility. You have an entire closet full of clothing.”

“Nothing for what we have planned tonight.”

“Bix, maybe you can help her come up with something?” Cassian requested, craning his neck to get a look at Melshi’s tiles.

And, with nothing else to do, the two women exchanged slight shrugs and went into the bedroom Bix had seen them store all of the refinery before leaving Yavin 4.

“Were the guys giving you a rough time?” Jyn closed the door so they wouldn’t be overheard.

“No, they–”

“Are assholes. What?” Jyn caught Bix’s shocked expression on her way to the closet. “Just because the idiots are my family doesn’t mean I’m blind to such things or agree with them.”

“They mean well.”

“That doesn’t take away from my comment.” Sliding the closet open, Jyn started assessing what was available, nothing making whatever her needed requirements were. “Don’t take anything they say to heart.”

“The mission is messed up enough as is?”

“Not all of that is your fault.”

“Just some.” Bix’s voice turned bitter, gently moving Jyn over so she could appraise the situation, having a strong assumption on what was desired.

“We shouldn’t have expected you to just turn everything off.” Jyn sat on the bed while Bix started tossing possible garments onto a pile. “Clearly we have problems accomplishing that ourselves.”

Then, with nothing else to say, they rooted through the garments holding limited potential, and settled on Jyn using one of Cassian’s suit jackets as a dress. It stopped at the top of her thighs and was thrown over a lacy camisole and microshorts. The look was completed with the lone serviceable pair of boots Jyn had smuggled onboard.

“It will do for the illusion of wanting to club and if you need motility, but I really don’t think there’s much to say about protection.”

“It’s okay.” Jyn seemed almost happy with being able to put her blaster into the jacket’s inner lining. “If things go well, I won’t need to worry about that.”

~

It had been easy enough to lose the tail. Laughably so. All Cassian and Jyn had to do was go into any of the bustling clubs lining the street of the entertainment district; Lianna’s city seemed to be full of such establishments and they all seemed to consider the number of max amount of occupancy as nothing more than suggestive.

From there, all that was involved was for the two to merge onto the dance floor and allow themselves to get lost in the crowd. An act assisted by the flashing lights and the chaotic nature of the music playing. The hardest part for Cassian was maintaining hold of Jyn as they danced along with the rest with the intended course towards the employee access corridor all such venues were required to have.

Then it was out to the alleyway, up a fire escape, and onto the roof. According to the reconnaissance done by the others, all public buildings were connected with skybridges, making their trek a leisurely six blocks to their final destination.

They had arrived just in time to see a glowrod flash from the designated location.

Three collared workers were present; one of them being the Chiss male.

“We need to be quick, they do bed counts every other hour.” The Chiss said, his voice as lovely as his face. There was no shame in acknowledging or no point in denying this truth.

“How many of you are there?” Jyn asked.

“Twelve.” The Twi’lek female at the Chiss’ right answered.

Jyn nodded; eyes calculating “Are you ever–forgive my indelicacy–rented out?”

The three looked at one another before the Chiss turned to Jyn for clarification. “Rented out?”

“For parties or gatherings where some guaranteed attention is viable,” Cassian explained.

Enlightenment entered the Chiss’ red eyes. “Such as the Santhes’ annual Royale?”

“Exactly.”

“That can be arranged, they only ‘rent out’ those workers under-contract.” The Chiss seemed to be the understood leader. “The on-record staff members are too costly. It will take a considerable amount of credits to get all dozen of us in attendance.”

“Won’t matter,” Jyn assured.

“Why is that?” The other male collared worker asked.

“You’ll see tomorrow when our contact makes the arrangements.” Cassian rested his hand near where he concealed his blaster. An odd sound meeting his ears.

“How do we know we can trust you?” The Twi’Lek asked, also seeming to sense something in the wind.

Jyn’s hand touched the lapel of the jacket she was passing-off as a dress. “We could ask the same.”

“You’re not the ones wearing collars. Shit–” The Chiss swore as a shrill ringing filled the air.

“They checked the beds early?” The other collared male’s pupil-less eyes turned frantic.

“Sometimes they do.” The Chiss pulled down the other two; the trio made a huddled dash back into the building. Not giving Cassian or Jyn another thought.

“Do we trust them?”

“You tell me, this was your plan.”

Two audible pings hit the rooftop, Cassian could feel where the air had been sliced by the invisible projectiles. Someone was using slugthrowers. Not for long. A few more shots were managed to be fired-off before Cassian and Jyn, from where they had found concealment along the battlement-styled wall surrounding this rooftop’s perimeter, located their assailants and made quick work dispatching them.

Cassian offered Jyn his hand to stand, and—-as the first fat, icy raindrops began to fall from above—-she stumbled with the first step taken.

They hadn’t been as lucky as they thought.

~

“We have a problem.” Cassian eased Jyn’s arm away from it draped along his shoulder, and helped her lean against the corridor wall outside Nando’s penthouse entrance. The last remaining location they knew to be free of cameras.

Oh, the building itself might host them but why would the Santhes bother digging through a third party’s records when they would think they possessed a far better insight?

Not that Jyn technically needed aid in walking. It was more of a precaution in an attempt to put the least amount of strain on the injured limb as possible. Blood was slowly trickling down her skin and welled within her boot; exertion would only add to its amount.

“That there’s no way that we can get in without the cameras eventually catching that I’m injured, and there’s most likely a report being filed about shots being fired in the entertainment district.” Jyn didn’t need to guess.

“Yep.”

“And we have to go back, or questions will be asked.” Again, not a question.

“Ah-ha.” Cassian agreed, running a hand down his jaw.

“There is a way around it…I think.” Discovery and death might be better options, at least for her.

“Please share.”

“It’s…”

“Jyn.”

“It’s going to be uncomfortable.”

“Better uncomfortable than caught.”

Taking a deep breath, Jyn allowed the idea to be voiced, no matter how much she knew she would regret it. She could already feel the mortification compiling. “I can guide us through the camera’s blind angles. We will be seen but, we can play it up as being drunk and more intent on each other than on where we’re going.”

“I am starting to get the uncomfortable aspect.”

“It gets worse…If we get to the shower, we can…”

“Yeah, I see where you are going with this. Um…”

“Better uncomfortable than caught?” Jyn did not allow herself time to think. This was the best option available. She started pragmatically opening her jacket-dress, leaving her camisole’s lace and the cleavage it framed in sight.

“I might regret this.” Cassian muttered, following her lead and undoing his shirt’s fastening down to mid-chest

Oh, that was a painful hit. An invisible hurt she would ignore until they saw to the tangible wound that placed her at risk of bleeding out.

When they stepped into the penthouse by using the code they had seen Nando use the night before, the exact explanation they planned to give when asked about this come later morning, Jyn playfully tugged at Cassian so her legs stayed out of frame and her weight remained more on his arms than the limb. He pulled her closer as they went about working at removing each other’s clothing.

“Do you think he’s still up?” Cassian tugged off her jacket, tossing it onto the given bedroom’s floor.

“More likely out with his bitch of a mother.” Jyn pulled at his belt; her mind distancing itself from the act and any possible longing that could be attached to it.

This was nothing more than for show. A part of an assignment.

Better uncomfortable than caught.

“Why are we speaking standard?”

“Because it’s rude to use another language not indigenous to the world?” Jyn did her best to mimic Lorelie Santhe’s nasal tone.

Cassian’s laugh might have been real. Brushing wet locks of hair off her face, he nearly came close enough to truly kiss her, rather than cheat the act for the sake of those watching, and gently guided their steps into the bathroom. An odd kind of dance he was leading her in. “Damn I want you.” There was something almost fervent to Cassian’s voice, something that sounded too true, even to her.

The water that coursed out of the nozzle the next moment was needed to cool her thoughts back into reason’s boundaries, despite that they both were practically naked–yet still wearing their shoes.

Jyn’s fingers—-still encased in her glove, no point in concealing one injury if it revealed another—-dug into his back, biting her lip to keep any true, unfiltered sounds from escaping as he caressed her leg. His touch soft through the effort behind it was to appear as if he was raking his nails into her thigh and hip.

“Achen…Achen,” Jyn gasped, the fake name’s use once more reminding her that this was all pretend. “You’re hurting me.”

“What…” Cassian eased away, looking at the bloody slashes along her body. “Oh, shit, Greer, I’m so sorry. I just…” He sighs as if annoyed. “I guess we better take care of that.”

—

—

—

AN: I know some of you are cursing me for not having them kiss, but he just kissed Bix the night before and it did not feel like the right moment.

Chapter 11: Delusional

Lianna

~

This time, when Cassian woke up, there was no groggy misdirection or misunderstanding the reality of his surroundings and position. He had very little sleep the night before. Therefore, he could not use the excuse of a deep slumber as an excuse in believing he was in some surreal dream on opening his eyes to the sight and sensation of Jyn laying across him in nothing but one of his shirts. One that had ridden up to her stomach through the duration of the night.

After he had bandaged up the wounds along her thigh and hip—-something he could not allow his thoughts to linger on administering this aid or the events leading up to its need, especially while Jyn’s sleeping body had him all but pinned to the mattress—-they had been too exhausted by the day’s events to care about how the Santhes would read into their actions. Jyn just grabbed one of Cassian’s spare shirts—delivered to the building’s doorman by Bodhi the day before while they had been running about—and collapsed into bed.

No energy to feel awkward or ill at ease. The two intended to just take advantage of their entitled covers and sleep till late morning or maybe not even waking till the afternoon. Everything was in place, or in the process of becoming so. There was nothing they were expected to complete till that evening, when they had to rendezvous with the others to assess the main objective’s final planning and whether that would involve sneaking out the club’s contracted workers as a secondary mission.

Jyn immediately followed through with her strong intent to permit herself to sleep, breathing turning soft almost at the moment her head touched the pillow.

Cassian failed. Not from lack of trying but from the overabundance of active thoughts cycling about what had occurred. His brain seemed completely fixated on the sensations and sights it had experienced in their staged entrance. Which was both embarrassing and preposterous.

He did not consider himself a vain man, only realistic with being aware of how his presence affected others and how to best use these given attributes to his advantage. Something that made him a vital asset to the cause but, even before he had met Luthen, something that made him far from innocent when it came to certain aspects of adult life.

What had transpired with Jyn had been laughingly mild compared to some of his conquests. He could name five instances on Niamos alone that should easily outrank their play-acting. Those five times had not been with Jyn…and now he was thinking about her in those situations and he just had to get out from under her.

Easing himself along the mattress, trying to make himself as flat as possible while limiting how his actions disturbed her rest, Cassian slowly edged himself off the mattress and carefully stretched out to stand once more.

His first thought was to shower but then remembered the cameras and did not have the resolve to endure knowing that he was giving Tevin and Lorelie an eyeful. Instead, he pulled a pair of trousers over his undershorts and stepped onto the balcony that wrapped onto the terrace. Letting the cold air cool off his skin and walk off some of his excess energy.

Traveling down the balcony’s slope, Cassian wandered onto the already occupied terrace, where Nando and Bix were settled at a glass and metal table covered with an array of barely touched food. Both wrapped in robes that would do little to fortify them against the slight bit to the air. Nando’s being barely tied, all the better for anyone to appreciate what Cassian considered an overly worked torso. How many hours did the man have to spend in the gym for a physique that only served his vanity?

Bix’s robe, while tied more securely, left little to the imagination on what little dwelled beneath. A sight that Cassian expected to trigger frustration or jealousy or, at the least, a sense of longing. Any of the array of emotions he had experience with in regards to her throughout the years. Instead, he was baffled to find himself filled with only a sense of concern. There were bags under her eyes and her expression became drawn from something Cassian couldn’t read—-or, more precisely, something she didn’t want Casian to interpret—-when he stepped into view.

“Well, I’m surprised to see you up and about, Achen.” Nando lifted a glass as an invite for Cassian to join them. “What with you and Greer stumbling in so late after your night out, alone.”

Cassain managed a sheepish smile, pulling out a chair and helping himself to the pile of fruit at the table’s center. “Apologies, I know it was rude of us to leave like that but–”

“But my ‘bitch of a mother’ was making you uncomfortable and Greer annoyed?” Nando’s tone was flippant and joval, but there was a darkness to his expression.

“Oh, you heard that as well.” Cassian made his tone express a legit sense of chagrin.

Lorelei had been rude and belittling during the entire time he and Jyn had been in her presence. Nando himself had made comments about how his mother’s constant hovering and micromanaging annoyed him and apologized for what was about to occur moments before he had made introductions. And nothing Jyn said had been anything short of a sterilized truth.

That acknowledged, Cassian also was aware of the dynamic of being able to complain about a mother’s expectations and conduct while also knowing that no one else was allotted the right to expressing the same.

As the guests they were pretending to be, they had crossed a line.

“We did, didn’t we, Tyree.” Nando ran a finger along the opening of Bix’s robe, creating a peek at the swell of one of her breasts before lifting her hand to his lips to kiss between her knuckles.

And the social humbling that caused Cassian into temptation of giving an apology evaporated. Again, not from the fact that Nando was taking liberties with someone Cassian once shared a romantic past, but because he was using someone Cassian cared for as a toy for attempted manipulation.

“You both sounded very drunk.” Bix said, taking a bite from a ripe camby berry.

“We were. I think we underestimated the potency of some of the drinks being served. Or we thought we would dance it off–”

His words caused Bix to nearly choke. “You went dancing?”

“Greer loves to dance. I love to watch her dance. I eventually started to realize it was even more fun to dance with her.”

Partial truths always made the best lies. It had surprised everyone, possibly Jyn as well, when her love of dance was discovered on a random day in the barracks. Bodhi had managed to fix the radio that now adorned their kitchen and started a spontaneous dance party that Jyn had been absorbed into participating with in far longer than anyone would expect.

“I’ll have to remember Greer’s love of dance for tomorrow night. Tyree isn’t much for it. At least not in crowds. Though I can sometimes convince her to indulge me with private shows.”

“On that, I’m going to get ready to head out.” Licking her fingertips of the berry’s juice, Bix stood.

“Head out?” Nando asked, clearly confused over the abrupt departure.

“Do you want me to be acceptable for the Royale or not? What use is being your trophy if I don’t make other men envious.” Bix’s words could have been coy except for the snap in their meaning. One that was driven home with her departing, blunt comment of, “Enjoy your dick measuring.”

“Tyree–” Nando lifted from his chair, intent on following.

“Before you go,” Cassian called to delay the man’s departure back into the penthouse. “There’s one thing I wanted to express now that it’s just the two of us.”

Nando slowly settled back onto his chair. Feigning lax interest when Cassian could read something akin to distress in how his eyes kept flicking towards the route that Bix had used in her departure. “By all means.”

“While I’m very interested in your company and becoming a part of the investing board, let it be known this consideration of mine will only come to fruition as long as you understand one thing.”

“And what is that?”

“There are no hard feelings between us in regards to your relation with Tyree. Like you said, I had the chance and…it did not work out. Whatever acts, as long as they are consenting, that transpire between the two of you is none of my concern. There will, however, be very, very hard feelings if you continue to attempt to pursue Greer.”

“Pursue Greer?” Nando’s smile twitched. “Whatever gave you that idea?”

“Your looks. Your comments…Your mother.” Nando allowed the comment to linger between them before continuing. “Greer may label us lacking in romantic notions and acts, but we are still bound together and that union is not one to easily be dissolved. Do I make myself clear?”

“Perfectly.” Nando affirmed with a curt nod before exiting to finally follow Bix.

It was only as he was turning away did Cassian catch a flicker in Nando’s demeanor that created a sinking sensation of suspicion that Cassian had done nothing more than manage to make the situation so much worse.

~

“Tyree, don’t be cross with me.” Nando pleaded, stepping into the apartment without knocking and allowing himself into her bedroom. Only pausing in his stride on taking in the sight of Bix standing in her closet in nothing but her the gossamer undergarments.

Pulling a light-weight, slightly-cropped sweater over her head, Bix turned back to the closet’s contents to locate a pair of pants that were two high quality to be used for her work. That clothing was sequestered away to a crate under her bed. “I understand you see everything as a game, but I’m done with being the means of how you take out your insecurities on Achen.”

“My insecurities?”

“Don’t. Just don’t.” Bix held up a hand at Nando’s offended tone, brushing past him and into the kitchen. “We both know what the truth is, why waste energy with denial?”

“All right then,” Nando calmly stated, as if he had been waiting for just this opening. “In the name of honesty, would you care to explain the other night?”

“Other night?”

“He came down here…”

Bix froze, fingers turning into fists against the countertop. Knowing that her life was constantly under a microscope and it finally being admitted to turned out to be two very different sensations. “You have cameras in here? You’re been watching me…all this time?”

“Don’t be naive. These are company owned units, of course there’s going to be some degree of monitoring. Nowhere private.” He assured, and Bix found herself believing that he honestly thought that was the case. “Your bedroom and bathroom are obviously safe, but my father did let me see what had happened in this very room between you and your dear friend Achen.” Nando placed a hand on either side of her, gripping the counter’s edge and caging her in against his body.

“That…Yes, I’m so sorry.” Bix massaged her forehead, wishing he would step back so she had room to breathe, to think. “Something did happen but, as you would have also seen, it stopped nearly as soon as it started.”

“Cause he stopped it.” Nando’s distinction twisted the proverbial knife that had been wrenched in Bix’s stomach over the past day. “You looked like you were ready to let him have you right then and there, which makes me also question if something had, in fact, happened between you two before he went off to school. How did Greer put it? Your custom is to ensure that men don’t get what they want and then leave?” Nando grazed his fingers along the bare strip of her torso before easing under her sweater. “You gave him what he wanted…and then he left.”

“Yes.” Bix found herself crying. Tears dripped from her lashes and along her cheeks.

“Hey. Hey.” Stepping away, Nando wiped at the tears, earlier aggression replaced with contrite concern. “I’m not angry. I’m relieved. I now understand why you left your home world in shame and are so adamant on resisting my advances until we have a more secure understanding. Hey, look at me.” Cradling her face, Nando leaned his forehead against hers. “I want you to know that he’s going to regret doing that to you.”

“How?”

“He took something precious from you.” Nando explained, kissing her cheeks and closed eyelids. “I’ll take something precious from him.”

Bix’s eyes snapped open, skin turning cold. “What?”

“I’m certain that Greer doesn’t care for Achen one way or another. How could she? He’s nothing more than the best possible option she has been given, until now. Something I now know is not the case for him. He loves her.”

“You think he loves her?”

“I know that’s hard for you to hear but, think about it. He could have had you. You.” He stressed with a kiss, hands once more at her waist. “Who were so willing and wanting; something I hope to soon experience myself. Yet he somehow was able to reject such temptation.” He backed away once more, only after softly biting her lower lip. “Love can be the only explanation. That and the conversation we just had was very telling. Any doubts I had with my assessment were appeased.”

“What conversation?"

“Don’t worry about that or about anything about us. Even after I marry her, Greer will only ever be second to me. You think you’re the trophy? My dear Tyree, I thought you knew how I felt. If I didn’t care deeply for you, I wouldn’t have been able to endure this grueling wait.”

“You think she’ll just drop her engagement to Achen for you?”

“Why wouldn’t she?” Nando playfully held out his arms for her to take in the bronzed and toned sight of him. “The only obstacle is her and mother’s tempestuous beginning, and that will be smoothed out during the Royale.”

“How can you be certain?”

“Cause my mother wants ties to Coruscant, despite how she acts, and—while not the ideal—-Greer is the best option I’m most likely to encounter without going off world. Which mother would never allow. Also, I plan to appease her with the promise of immediate grandchildren. It’s my trump card to get my mother to approve of my final pick.”

“Grandchildren?” Bix could not believe what she was hearing. Was this one of his jests? Was it possible that, under all the vanity and ignorance, Nando was truly this delusional? Was it a byproduct of his upbringing or was it nothing more than an aspect of his personality? “With Greer?”

“Well, she’ll carry them but, once born, mother will take over their raising and the three of us can live as we desire.” Nando was all sunny smiles, claiming another kiss before excusing himself back of the elevator, considering their conflict resolved and things back to their default settings.

Bix found herself actually wanting to be present when Nando proposed his grand scheme to Jyn. Possibly with popcorn and a way to create a recording for the rest of the squad, who she knew would find boundless delight over that spectacle.

Maybe she would tell Xaul about this when they met up for their errand. It might be enough to get the redhead to start liking her. Probably not. She would just be pleased if he simply stopped looking at her as if he expected her to shank them all at any moment.

‘Dare to dream.’ Bix thought as she grabbed the credit stick Nando kept adding funds to a special account intended for her; one which she had been ignoring since its creation. Well, it was time to put it to some use.

~

A line had been crossed last night.

Jyn could not escape from this simple truth.

While it had been in the name of illusion and misdirection, there was also no undoing what had transpired. This was made all the worse with her awareness that she was the only one involved with last night’s theatrical to think this way.

Cassian had been up and about, as if nothing of any significance had occurred mere hours before, and left Jyn to wake up to an empty bed and a head full of pointless confusion. Her emotions wanted to muddle what her logic displayed as clear cause and effect.

She was becoming as bad as the patrons who thought a staff member's smile indicated romantic desire.

No romantic desire should be found in the fact that Cassian did what had to be done—-what she recommended—-in order to patch up her wounds. There was nothing to muddle. Nothing to read into. Nothing to hope for.

There was nothing between them.

With this affirmation once more sealed within her consciousness. Jyn got out of bed and went in search of the others. A nearby clock indicated that she had slept long past her usual hour. She honestly couldn’t remember the last time she was able to sleep this long. It was either mission briefing or reconnaissance or danger or stress or the others engaging in some version of tiles-turned-tackle or a mixture of the above components that ensured she never experienced what it felt like to sleep throughout the morning.

Secretly, she loved the sensation.

Too bad this was probably the only time she would ever experience it.

“Look who has arisen.” Nando grinned up at her from where he was stretched along the couch, using one arm as a pillow and the other was occupied with a holobook.

So they weren’t just for show. At least some of them weren’t.

“Apologies, last night must have taken more out of me than I had anticipated.” Jyn said around the yawn that wanted to be released at that exact moment; fingers combing her hair into some semblance of order as she avoided looking directly at the windows. The sunlight was currently using the buildings around them as reflective surfaces with the direct intent of blinding her.

She wasn’t sure what she had done to Lianna’s sun to earn this level of hatred.

Closing the book, Nando placed it on the coffee table as he pulled himself upright. Despite the late hour, and that he had clearly been up for a significant amount of time already, he was still wearing only a pair of silken sleep pants and a partially closed robe over a bare chest.

“I would think you would be used to the late-night life.”

“I was referring to the verbal sparring match with your mother,” Jyn clarified as she trekked into the kitchen for a much needed glass of water. “She’s a formidable opponent.”

“I’m sure she would say the same thing about you–”

“Only after a long line of insults.” Jyn took a long pull of the icy water she had poured, aware that Nando was intently watching her complete the act.

“An homage very few are seen worthy of.” Standing, he cocked his head to better look at where she stood at the marble block at the kitchen’s center. “What happened to your leg?”

Pouring herself another glass before returning the pitcher to the cold unit, Jyn covered her wince on idiotically forgetting that she was not currently wearing pants. Cassian’s shirt covered her to mid-thigh and was fastened to her collarbone, it could be argued that Jyn’s outfit last night was far more revealing as were a majority of Bix’s dressed. It wasn’t her modesty that made her silently curse herself, but the fact that the shirt went up a bit at the sides, just enough to show a hint of bandage.

“Achen got a bit carried away last night.” No reason saying anything else. There was video ‘proof’ of that being the truth. It was the whole reason she and Cassian had enacted the narrative they had. “Good thing we were in the shower, or there might have been stains.”

Nando’s voice hardened. “He got rough with you?”

Holding the freshly frosted glass, not yet taking a sip, Jyn raised a brow at her host. “Nothing he meant and nothing I couldn’t handle, though neither of those things are any of your business.”

“And your hand? What happened there?”

Damn it!

Jyn had meant to re-wrap her hand last night, while Cassian had been tending to her leg, but, after what had transpired, she had been too…flustered…and just wanted to get away from the whole situation. She had passed out before she could remember that she had unraveled the wrappings when she took off her ruined glove.

All she could do was hope that, from a distance, Nando wouldn’t be able to tell its origins. If he realized it was from blaster fire, there was very little she would be able to do to correct the situation.

Looking down as if she had to remember what he was talking about, Jyn shrugged and reclaimed the glass. Now with the shirt sleeve extending over her palm. “Some drunk idiot ran into me last night and broke the glass I was holding. Should I be concerned about your apparent fascination with categorizing and documenting every aspect of my body?”

“No, just a bit concerned. If you’re in some kind of trouble–”

“What kind of trouble would that be?” Jyn asked, trying to determine if he genuinely saw himself as some kind of noble Jedi; someone who was needed to come in and save the distressed damsel.

“Any kind of trouble. If you’re in any kind of trouble, I hope you know you can turn to me.”

“Noted. Odd and random, but still noted.” No longer thirsty, Jyn poured the water into the sink before resting her glass there. “Here’s a question for you: Where’s Achen?”

“Not sure. I would suspect that he went out with Tyree. I don’t know if it is my place to say–”

“Then you should probably say nothing.” Jyn reprimanded, padded past him and back into the main living room,

“Where are you going?”

“To get dressed and get some shopping in before the stores close. After all, tomorrow’s going to be a very busy night.”

—

—

—

AN: Next installment: The Royale

That said, this might be my last ‘rapid’ installment. I have some medical appointments throughout the next two weeks, so my time to write may be a bit limited.

Chapter 12: Want

Lianna

Day of Royale: 1100 Hours Lianna Time

~

If Bix had been asked what she believed would have caused Xaul’s incarceration at the infamous Narkina 5 prison complex, she would have placed the safest bets at political activism, inciting a riot, bombing…something, or arson. Those would be her top four guesses, where she would have placed the most currency. None of her credits would have been squandered on the idea that the redhead had once made his living off conning others from their well-earned credits.

“Why is this such a shock to you?” Xaul’s question snapped at Bix as the rented Litevan, which had seen better days, came to land on the grounds spanning from where the Santhe’s manor was located at their estate’s center. Well outside of the city’s limits, the scenery had changed from towering metal, glass, and stone to rolling hills and lush meadows.

“Where should I begin?” Bix unfastened her harness and looked him over, uncertain if laughing would be a wise indulgence. She dearly wanted to, but also knew enough about the man sitting beside her to practice caution. “First…the suit.”

Xaul looked down at the three-piece suit tailored from blue, green, and black plaid material. “What’s wrong with my suit?”

“I could have bought you any suit the shop had to offer. I had enough credits that they would have custom made one for you straight off the latest trends, and you went with…that.” Bix determined this explanation as safe enough of a response.

It might be the first time she saw the redhead smile, adjusting how his tie was tucked into his suit’s vest. “This is what people like your beau expects someone like the man who I am pretending to be to wear.”

“Like a used-speeder salesman? An unsuccessful used-speeder salesman.”

“Like someone trying too hard to blend in with his betters and failing miserably. If I dressed legit, they would be suspicious and annoyed.”

“Annoyed?”

Xaul gave her an almost pitying look. “If I dressed well, what would they have to snicker about?”

“How do you know about any of this?” Bix asked, getting out of the van as Xaul climbed out from behind the controls. “I mean, I know how you know this, but…how…?”

“Backstories are for family only but, if it will get you to stop gaping at me, I had a gem of a father who always had some kind of scheme running. One day, he realized the benefit of having a child-sized accessory.”

“And when you were no longer child-sized?”

“Why did you become a mechanic?”

The abrupt change in the conversation left Bix only able to blink for a moment. “I…what?”

“Why did you become a mechanic?” Xaul repeated, leaning against the vehicle with his legs stretched out as far as they could go without his shoulders leaving the partially-rusting metal. Slender arms crossed along his chest,

“Because…It was all that I’ve ever known. I never thought to do anything different.”

“There’s your answer.” Xaul managed to sneak out the words before nodding his chin towards the manor’s direction. “Time to work.”

“I’m to remind you not to get carried away,” Bix said around a strained smile—-making her cheeks ache while she tried to keep her lips from reading too much—-before taking off to meet Nando as he strolled towards them.

Wrapping her arms around Nando’s neck, she bought herself a moment to collect herself—and gather all the fragmented information of their skeleton script—by allowing him to claim a kiss while his hand traveled a bit further down from her waist than he would have two days ago.

“Tyree, what’s all this?” Nando asked after slowly easing away from her lips and wrapping an arm around her before giving any attention or consideration to Xaul, who he failed to properly look at before his expression turned to a condescending smirk.

“Well, after our discussion yesterday, I thought I owed you a bit of an apology for…everything.” Bix said, lowering her eyes with a penitent smile.

“An apology?” Nando didn’t need to ask for her to know he understood her words’ meaning. Something flashing in his eyes at the prospect of what she might be implying,

“Yes.” She combed back a section of her hair that the wind was playing with and seemed thrilled with keeping in her face, though her efforts were undone the moment she let go. “I also wanted to contribute to the event and remembered how you said that, last year, so many in attendance were far too reserved with their bets.”

“I do remember that being a problem. What of it?”

“I reached out to Phyllip, who I knew back when I was living…before I moved into my current place.” Bix pretended to be uncomfortable with reminding Nando of how she lived before catching his notice.

The credits she had been given to establish her cover, to sustain her needs to she gained an entry level employment at one of Santhe/Sienar Technology’s TIE factories, had only been enough for a multi-use one room flat located above a club that made Nando’s favorite haunt seem prudish. All the workers were paid—-making it far more credible in her eyes than the establishment that preyed on the contracted workers she had gained acquaintance—-and lived around Bix. It had been easy to befriend more than a few and spend hours listening to them exchange tales of what clients—-mostly lower-level company administration—-had revealed during private sessions.

Before gaining access to the inner ring, these individuals had been her key sources of information and, through them, she learned the several key points of what would become her craft. Such as the best way to extract tidbits without drawing attention or appearing to be prying.

None of that being the reason why Nando hated how she had kept in touch after he made the effort to move her into the place beneath him. He simply loathed the idea of her being able to connect and form true ties with ‘those sorts.’

“Anyway, I asked if he would be able to arrange to have some incentive provided to guarantee generous bets and enjoyment.”

“And how does Phylip tend to do that?” Nando’s question blatantly mocked Xaul.

By the twist of Xaul’s lips, Bix was afraid that the rebel was going to pull out a concealed weapon and ruin things right then. Instead he just wrapped a hand against the sliding door he stood beside so those in the van’s back exited in an orderly single-file.

“Who can resist showing off when they have the undivided attention of anyone so pretty?” Xaul smiled with the calm of a man who knew he held a winning tile combination as Nando momentarily lost interest in both him and Bix.

He looked at the twelve assembled as if they were undiscovered delights, though he had frequented the club they were contracted to countless times. There they had never been anything more than decoration, unworthy of his attention.

“A far cry from the sort Tyree associates with in your parts.”

“It’s a lucrative market.” Xaul remained leaning against the van, inspecting his nails. “As you can see, I acquired numerous contracts and all are highly favorable in doing whatever they are able to quickly work off their debt.”

All contracted workers had been paid for their services through the account Nando had established for her. All in her name, even the contract she signed marking herself as liable if anything were to happen to them in the twenty-four hours they were in her employ, so he won’t be aware of the theft he funded till long after she was gone.

—

—

The Night Before

~

“This is insane.” Bix muttered, wanting to bite her nails then reminding herself of how much her manicure had cost. Needing to have something to show for being away from the apartment all day, she had gone to the spa after Xaul and she visited the club to make the needed arrangements.

“As you have been saying.” Taidu grumbled from the table’s other side.

“I’m not going to sacrifice two years of work over…”

“Over the freedom of a few strangers?” Jyn’s eyes narrowed; this was the first time Bix found herself on the receiving side of the sergeant’s annoyance. It was not a pleasant location and Bix was not in the mood for it.

“Jyn, you may want to move out of her direct range. Going off her body language and what I have gleaned from our time watching holo-dramas–”

“She’s not going to throw something at me.” Jyn told K with more assurance than Bix herself felt. The rebel’s full mouth twisting into a challenge. “Are you?”

Taking a deep breath, Bix talked to the datapad she had been clutching rather than maintain the temptation of trying to invoke harm. “It’s not that I don’t feel for them but…To be blunt, shouldn’t getting the information we were sent specifically here to obtain be considered far more important than anything else?”

“We’re not in a position where we have to pick one or the other. Not yet.” Cassian assured, standing beside where Jyn leaned against the kitchen’s counter. For whatever reason, this was the room where the group had all their meetings and gatherings, keeping the other regions of display in pristine condition.

Bix felt something cold and vile pitted at the base of her stomach over the sight of the two of them standing so close that their shoulder’s brushed, even though they had barely looked at each other since Jyn made her arrival.

“Not at all if we do this right.” Stordan leaned forward in his chair and started moving about the tiles they were using as a stage for tomorrow’s schemes. “Melshi and Taidu are working security, perfect positions as back-ups for the three of you and, once you plug us in, K will have access to all the cameras and frequencies the sick bastards seem to love placing about.”

“The contract workers are basically saving themselves. They’re the ones responsible for finding a mark willing to sneak off to the grounds in hopes of getting lucky at more than the tables. Our only involvement–.” Xaul rolled his eyes as the pilot cleared his throat. “Bodhi’s only involvement is to use his valet position to get them to where the yacht will be parked well within their trackers’ allotted radius.”

“We still need to get them off world without triggering suspicion,” Bix countered.

K huffed in offense. “I’m more than capable of removing a slave collar with the tracker intact.”

“Which I’ll drive back to the manor and pass to Stordan to hide around the ridiculously bloated house.” Bodhi made a faint ‘voom’ sound under his breath as he moved a tile pointlessly around the table space in front of him. “No one will be the wiser until morning, when we are long off world and everything tracks back to Santhe.”

“What could possibly go wrong?” Sarcasm dripped from Bix’s voice.

“Rather than worry about us, maybe you should focus on your own role.” Melshi’s dark eyes bore into hers.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

The soldier only shrugged his broad shoulders, saying nothing yet making Bix paranoid that the exchange was enough for the others to know what Melshi had deduced to lurk within her thoughts. Knowing that she harbored an unwanted inner conflict about what was to happen the following day.

Two years was a long time for everything to simply end in a single event.

—

—

Day of Royale: 1800 Hours Lianna Time

~

Jyn found that breathing was proving difficult. Not because her dress was restrictive or confining. In fact, the gown was inordinately comfortable, if a bit brazen with the degree of skin the design permitted to be hinted at and outright displayed.

The skirt was collection of intricate lace, flowing down her legs but did little to conceal the limbs’ shape; the bodice was of the same material and barely covered her chest, remaining in place only by the grace of how the fragile ribbon sleeves rested on her shoulders and then tied about her back in a matrix of woven knot work Cassian was struggling his way through.

His bare fingers skimming over her skin.

“I’m sorry.” His breath caressed the nape of her neck from where he bent down to better assess what he was doing as they stood in the yacht’s main bedroom. They had been offered a room within the manor’s guest wing, but both had seen the advantage of the tension from everything that happened since the dinner with Lorelei to insist on having somewhere else to stay.

“What?”

“My hands, they must be freezing.”

“Oh…no…they're fine.” Jyn tried to distract herself by pulling on her gloves, what felt like the most substantial items she wore, and ordering her body to cease its trembling.

“How is the leg?”

“Fine, the grazes were shallow. My shoes will cause me more problems than anything.” Jyn winced at how flat her attempted jest fell from her lips. How pathetic it sounded in its clear desire to break whatever tension was constricted about them.

Cassian’s hands stop, lifting away from her skin. “Do we need to talk about it?”

“About what?” Jyn forced her mind to stop whimpering over the absence of his touch. “The mission?”

“About what we did to maintain our cover.”

“Oh…that. What is there to say? It’s not like we haven’t done things like that before.”

They had. There was no denying that there had been plenty of times where they needed to think fast and take on certain roles. More than once, they had pretended to be a couple out for a stroll or a pair of flirting strangers or even the rare case when they resorted to being nothing more than drunks stumbling their way towards somewhere private.

“Not like last night.” Cassian turned her around; hands remaining at her waist, not quite touching her bare skin but so close she bit the inside of her cheek.

“No. Not like last night.” Jyn whispered the confession. “Not that it can mean anything.”

“Did you want it to mean something?”Cassian slowly ran his thumb over her lower lip, lowering his head so his nose nearly skimmed hers. “Tell me what you want.” His pleading voice was no louder than hers.

She wanted him to be touching her skin again, for her hands to be tangled in his hair and his mouth on hers. For her lungs to be begging for breath as her heart pounded against her ribs and she finally learned if he was half as good as his reputation indicated.

She wanted this absurd dress to be untied and pooled on the floor, for his body--his heat--to be pressed against hers. For there to be nothing between them, not even the items they had to keep unsaid for the betterment and benefit of everyone else.

She wanted not to be herself, without the responsibilities and weight of expectations gained through actions completed over a year ago. A solitary event that now made everyone look to her to continue pulling through with whatever task she was assigned. No matter what it cost.

She wanted him to want her as much as she wanted him, to choose her even if he could have anyone else in the galaxy.

She wanted him to be her home. The one person who would always stick around and never find a better reason to leave her behind.

Swallowing all this back, Jyn stepped out of Cassian’s hold and started placing hairpins in one of the two buns gathered near the top of her head. “I want this night to go well.”

“Then we should get going.”

Jyn told herself that she was imagining how rough his voice was as he spoke these words.

~

Bix hadn’t planned on any of this when she let herself into the family’s private wing. Her only intention was doing what she had been instructed, the assignment she had been given: plant the device that would loop K into the manor’s security.

A task she executed without a hitch. As this was not the first time she had visited the country home, none of the servants gave Bix a second glance as she passed them on her way to Tevin’s office.

There was technically a security center in a sub basement, but—-like with all items—-everything also routed through the company’s network, so it could be accessed at all times wherever the location, and Tevin’s office had less eyes on it. At least at the moment, while he and Lorelei were on the main floor, stationed to greet the guests who had started trickling in, and Nando was in his room, getting ready to make his fashionably late arrival.

If she had to linger, to root about for the needed information, she would not be in any luck. She had barely managed to plug in the device and get into the hall when Nando stepped out.

“Hey, what are you doing up here?”

And there is where things went a bit off plan.

Two years was a long time, in the manner of many regards, and—-while Bix knew all the reasons to find the man before her as nothing more than a repulsive waste of being—-there was a part of herself that she knew, despite want she mentally screamed to be true, had grown attached.

A part of her that would miss him when she left.

Without this part, she wouldn’t have been able to endure completing her tasks. Her mission would have been a failure.

“Looking for you.” She found herself saying as she gently backed him against the wall, wrapping her arms around his waist and going on her tiptoes for a kiss. Their last kiss.

Or that had been her intention. One last, quick kiss before they headed downstairs for the festivities. Before she had to spend the night flirting with Cassian as a diversion for not only Nando, but also his parents. To make a spectacle of herself so Jyn could sneak upstairs and do the heroics.

Yes, there was a part of her that was jealous of Jyn. Not merely for whatever was transpiring the sergeant and Cassian, something Bix could no longer pretend did not exist, but for all that Jyn represented.

Jyn was a proper rebel while Bix was nothing but a honey-trap who could not keep her emotions straight.

All this fueled what had meant to be one quick kiss to turn into something more elaborate.

“Tell me that you love me.” She gasped, not sure where the words were coming from or how the two of them had made it from the hallway and into Nando’s room.

Easing her onto the bed, not caring that her dress probably cost more than what some of his workers made in a year, Nando ran his hand over the strapless bodice. “Where is this all coming from?” He groaned when she didn’t immediately stop his touch.

“Please.” she wasn’t sure why she was begging for this. Why she had to hear that she had not wasted the last two years being nothing but a plaything to him. That a part of all this had been real. That she made a part of this real.

As real as the tension she witnessed flaring between Jyn and Cassian from nothing more than an innocuous brush of the shoulders.

“I love you, you know I love you.” Breath hitching, his soft palm delicately kneaded her as Nando pressed his lips to her earlobe. “Nothing will change that.”

“Not even her?”

“Is that what this is all about?” Pulling away from her, Nando traced Bix’s profile with a soft smile warming his eyes. “I never thought I would see the day when you would be jealous of someone like Greer.” Laughing, he gave her the castle kiss she had been intending, and climbed off the bed. “Come on, we don’t want to keep everyone waiting too long.”

No, they couldn’t keep people waiting. Least of all hers.

—

—

—

AN: I didn’t fully plan this chapter till I sat down to write…and then stayed up far later than I should when I found myself lost in the flow.

As always, my intention is not to do Bix dirty. I simply realized that she was not the type who can fully separate emotions from action. If she spent the better part of two years successfully making someone believe she cared for them…some part of her would actually have to care for him.

Chapter 13: Off-Kilter

Lianna

Day of Royale: 1850 Hours Lianna Time

~

“Xaul…”

Cassian watched Jyn turn to consider the canape passing by near where she stood at the freshly spinning roulette wheel. The act of grabbing food covered the startled cough of laughter that attacked her. Something she could only fully release when one of the players made a comment that opened the opportunity for Jyn to relieve herself. Her breathing gradually returned to normal over the comm feed all eight organics were all tapped into. The devices concealed with styled hair or hats or employment that rendered the user invisible.

Jyn’s laughter remained one of Cassian’s favorite sounds, though his enjoyment on hearing it was slightly tarnished in knowing that her delight had nothing to do with him and everything to do with the sight of their squad member standing in the party’s wings.

“What?” Xaul’s face remained neutral as he scanned the crowd, acting at his job of ensuring that his ‘employees’ were adequately committed to their work. Not allowed to truly enter the party but having cause to lurk about in the shadows.

Not that there were many along the manor’s brightly lit ground floor. The gambling stretched through numerous stately and cavernous rooms, shining with gilded features and floating chandeliers that were meant to look ancient but were of the newest technology.

Somewhere at the back of his mind, Cassian could hear Vel make some kind of comment about how that was the perfect summary of new-money reachers while he could almost envision Kleya walking about, appraising and commenting on every adornment—-both authentic and replica—-the string of rooms boasted.

“I didn’t know, until this very moment, how much I needed to see you in that suit.” Stordan’s voice drifted in as the corporal moved around the room with a tray of perfectly balanced flutes filled with bubbling champagne. This was far from the first time they had required him to don and apron and put his boyish grin to good use.

“It’s not that bad.”

“It is horrific and I love it.” Jyn murmured before snagging a glass from Stordan and taking a sip. Cassian tried not to watch how her long, pale throat moved with the swallow. His attention was better spent on the cards in his hands.

Jyn had excused herself from the sabacc table on the pretense of wanting to explore all that the Royale had to offer. Though he could hear muttered whispers from those around on how shameful it was to watch ‘Achen’ completely disregard his fiancee in favor of Nando’s kept woman.

The eyes surrounding him burned into how Bix had draped herself along his shoulder; all the better for her to whisper suggestions into his ear as he played. Judgemental expression cast on the golden gown Bix wore, the shimmered-tone being all that held it from perfectly blending against her skin tone, and how the bust was specifically designed to be indecent.

Their antics gradually became more brazen—-such as how her hand slid into his jacket and along his chest as fresh cards were dealt—-as they threw back the ‘cocktails’ Stordan provided them—-non-alcoholic versions of what everyone else was drinking—-with wild abandon.

“I feel like he should get one in every color.” Taidu deadpanned from his guard station by the one archway; his job was supposed to entail keeping guests from entering the family’s private rooms. Though his placement was actually more about getting Jyn exactly to such locations.

“Oh, yes please.” Jyn begged.

Cassian did not want to be thinking about Jyn begging at the moment. Not after what transpired on the yacht. How her creaming skin felt under his hands. The way she seemed to tremble at his touch. How he wanted nothing more than to…

Nope, not dwelling on that. He put a barricade in his mind about traveling down the avenue of ‘what if.’ What is Jyn hadn’t reminded him they were on a mission? What if she had given an indication, no matter how small, that he wasn’t merely reading into things that weren’t there and interpreting actions to fit the narrative he wanted to exist…?

Nope. Not now.

Despite how much of a complete cluster the past few days had been, they were —-somehow—-near the end of this assignment. Just a few more hours and they would be on their way out of the manor and off this cursed world. Until then, he needed to keep his shit together and make sure everything did not fall apart when they should be coming together.

“Shouldn’t you be focusing on your job?” Xaul seemed to somehow know the internal monologue going on within Cassian’s mind.

“I need to have a good excuse to storm out, don’t I?” Jyn reminded, giving Cassian and Bix a pointed look before downing her glass to place on another tray that traveled by.

“Also, is it just me, or does it seem as if Nando is not taking the bait?” Melshi’s brogue came from where he stood along the second floor walkway that ran along the library Cassian and Jyn currently occupied.

Cassian felt Bix flinch at the statement. Her honey-brown eyes snapping to where Nando seemed to be having a pleasant conversation with Yom Sienar and his wife. Seemingly sensing her attention, Nando lifted a glass towards her with a knowing smile. It reminded Cassian of when a Loth-cat knew it finally had its prey good and caught…but still wanted a bit more entertainment.

“What?” Cassian asked.

“He’s been manhandling Caleen since the moment she came back, making sure everyone knows who she belongs to–”

“That is true.” Xaul nodded agreement

“--but look at him now. He almost seems amused.” Melshi concluded as if he had not been interrupted. “Not caring at all that she is practically in your lap.”

Evidently inspired, Bix stood up to step away from the table. Cassian, hoping that she meant this to be part of the ploy, grabbed at her waist with a staged drunken chuckle to pull her into his lap. The action had her landing in the desired location—sprawled across his legs and nearly on the man sitting at Cassian’s right—-but also causing her dress to dip down and giving the table’s occupants an eyeful.

And there was nothing for either Bix of Cassian to do but laugh as she corrected her gown and he simply folded from the round in his laughter.

“...And that is my cue.” Jyn said to the comms before getting on her tiptoes to gain a better look at the spectacle and storming out of the room with the seething elegance of a woman trying not to make it obvious that she was, in fact, storming off.

~

It was easy, getting into Tevin’s office.

Taidu both granted her access to the family wing while ensuring no one else would be able to follow, and Melshi served as look-out while she went about her task, close enough to cough a warning. Helpful, as the first thing Jyn did, on entering the shelf-lined room, was remove her comm. The layout and general style reminded her of Nando’s study. They even had the same holobooks on display.

Even with the previously done leg work accomplished, what was required demanded focus, and that would be difficult with the other’s voices jabbering about her ear.

The next thing Jyn did was boot-up Tevin’s personal computer and, once into the network, hopped onto the path she had established during their office visit, getting to work downloading all she was able to find onto the disk she inserted into the console. Not reading anything, not having time to read anything, just dumping everything available for others to shift through and gradually figure out what there was to work with.

A few words caught her attention, triggering a sense of recognition that she forced her mind to overlook until a better time for pondering the curious reason why her eyes kept stumbling when they encountered the name ‘Kino Loy.’

Aware of the passing seconds, Jyn willed the disk to process the sizable data she was trying to transfer faster than what may be possible. Tapping her gloved fingers against the desktop and biting her lip.

She startled when a deep, rumbled cough sounded from the hall.

Melshi’s signal of unwanted company he was unable to detain, leaving limited options.

Jyn managed to turn off the monitor and pick a holobook at random, leaning against the side of the desk and casually blocking access to the computer or a view of what was placed behind it.

“What are you doing up here?” Nando asked, strolling into the room with a glass of champagne in each hand and a heat in his gaze as he took in the sight of Jyn loitering about the private, isolated location.

Closing the holobook that she hadn't read a word of, Jyn returned it to the shelf with an arched brow. “I could ask you the same.”

“I live here.” Nando stated the obvious with a teasing smirk, approaching her with the offered glass. “Or I used to. Could again if I ever wanted.”

She accepted the offered glass but did not drink from it. Rather, Jyn swirled it about to better activate the fizzing bubbles. “And casually roam about with drinks while your family is hosting the year’s social event?”

Saying nothing, Nando simply tapped his glass against hers and waited.

“I…Fine, I’ll admit it.” Jyn grumbled, putting the glass down and nodded towards the shelves. “I have a sick fascination with how people live. I go to parties like this, get bored, and roam through parts of the house I’m not supposed to be in to figure out what is true and what’s for show.”

“Like your engagement?”

“Excuse me?”

“It seems as if Achen has difficulties remembering his status when he gets a few drinks in him. It has to bother you, seeing him make a complete ass of himself down there with Tyree.”

“No more than it would you.”

Nando nodded, seeming momentarily perplexed on why she wasn’t drinking. “I admit, I would have found the sight…disconcerting…if I hadn’t recently found reason to have strong faith in Tyree. She’s just acting out of a sense of jealousy over you.”

“Me?”

“I want to marry you. I thought I made that obvious.” Coming to stand beside her—-Jyn’s body blocking his access to the computer she could hear fainting whirling along the file download—-Nando leaned towards her with a flirtatious cock of the head. “Full disclosure, I think Achen is also acting out; his attempt at putting me in my place.”

“And why would he do that?”

“Because I did the gentlemanly act of notifying him of my intentions.”

“And those intentions are to marry me?” Jyn knew she sounded obtuse and robotic in her delivery; her only intention was to mask any noise Nando might detect if he was given too much of an opening, as she was currently unable to follow simple logic of leaving him alone with his rich fantasy life.

“Yes.” Brow furrowing, Nando appeared to begin to understand this conversation was not going the way he had wanted.

“Why would I marry you?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“Because I don’t like you. Not really. Not at all.” Jyn listed all this off with barely a breath between and then, for good measure, added, “Also, as you know, your mother’s a bitch.”

Where she had hoped for a tantrum exit, she received nothing more than a weak laugh with a shake of his head. Nando pushed off of the desk and stepped closer to Jyn. Taking one of her hands in both of his.

“Greer, why do you insist on this hard-to-get ploy when I know the kind of woman you are?” His grip tightened when Jyn stepped away, ripping her glove off her hand in his refusal to be denied.

The hand with her blaster burn, currently uncovered as the wrapping would not cleanly fit beneath the glove’s fine material.

Nando’s eyes slowly widened as he took in the sight, still gripping her wrist with an increasingly bruising extent, and then dropped to where the comm had been hidden behind the monitor before his eyes found their way back to hers.

Jyn could see the calculations and conclusions being arranged in his mind. All gravitating towards the same verdict.

“Wait, you’re–”

Jyn’s hairpin stabbed into his heart before he even started speaking. It just took him a moment to realize the thin metal had punctured through clothing and skin. Unlike the smaller pins she had used on the office guard and handed out to the contract workers, a fast-working toxin coated the ornate accessory.

Nando was dead before he managed to fully collapse into his father’s chair.

Deep breath in through her nose and out her mouth, Jyn retracted the pin from its bodily sheathe, wiped it off on the ruined glove’s fabric, and slid it once more into the protective encasement before returning it to her hair.

The computer pinging with the files’ completion.

Picking up her comm, Jyn placed it in her ear and—-after another deep breath—-said, “Melsh, I’m going to need your help in here.”

~

A floor down, four men visibly tensed at the same time. None were related in placement or status or activity, so—-thankfully—-no one paid them any attention. The phenomenon went without notice or comment and Cassian was able to release the breath he was holding as his eyes slowly found Xaul then Stordan and then Taidu.

Something had gone very, very wrong.

There was only two other times when Jyn called Melshi ‘Melsh’ and both time had led to a sequence of events that, for one, caused all of them to nearly be killed in a militant game played by malfunctioning Clone-War-Era driods and, in the other occasion, the manic inferno of the Pax Aurora mission.

Xaul held up his hands, indicating that he had no idea what was going on and nothing to do with whatever it was.

“What’s going on?” Bix more asked Cassian than spoke to the others.

“Nothing…Probably nothing.” Cassian’s lie wasn’t to save Bix from the anxiety he and the others were feeling; it was to save the mission from another unknown variable.

Whatever was going on, Jyn was not saying—-probably removed her and Melshi’s comms once he was in the room—-and that was most likely because, while she knew the others had to be made aware that something unforeseen had occurred, she didn’t think Bix should know at the moment.

“It’s nothing.” Melshi superficially assured over the commlink. Anyone who truly knew him heard that for the lie it was. Thankfully, he was a stranger to Bix. “Though, Xaul, how are we doing down there with the contracts?”

“The last one just made their way out and I’m making the pick-up.” Bodhi’s voice answered.

“Is your name Xaul?” Cassian asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” Melshi said. “Xaul, can you come up here?”

No need to answer, Xaul simply disappeared from the alcove he had been occupying. Gone in a blink without anyone nearby aware or caring for his absence.

“Stordan. Taidu.” Melshi continued, taking Xaul’s silence as indication that the redhead was on his way. “You guys need to make the slip.”

“Really, this soon?” Stordan paused in his rounds.

“We got what we needed.” Melshi’s voice was too even, too light. “No reason to linger, right Cap?”

“Yeah, exactly, better to leave and get off-world as soon as possible.” Cassian looked at Bix with a nod and half smile, intent on putting her at ease; his words seemed only to cause her distress. Her neck slightly craned up. Bix attempted to discreetly search for something in the crowd.

“Won’t people have questions if we just leave during the height of the event?” She finally asked, clearly not locating what she was looking for.

“We have that covered.” Xaul’s voice rejoined the group with faint fumbling sounds in the background.

“Do I want to know?”

No response, though Cassian did not have to wait long. His answer arrived moments after Taidu and Stordan made their exits.

Melshi entered the library-turned-casino, escorting partially dressed Xaul and Jyn. The redhead’s shirt and vest were hanging open with the buckle of his belt undone and hanging loose. His jacket was wrapped about Jyn. A plaid screen against how the ribbons of her gown’s bodice dragged from where they hung at her waist.

“Mr Bale?” Melshi pitched his voice, low enough to appear to want privacy but loud enough so the enrapt masses could hear every word.

“Yes?” Cassian did not have to feign his confusion over what he was looking at.

“I’m afraid I found your fiancee and this man in a storage closet…and I am going to have to ask you all to leave.”

“Why us?” Bix recovered before Cassian, standing up off Cassian’s knee.

“Greer, not again.” Cassian lamented, also standing.

“You think you have any right to say that to me?” Jyn held her head with the barring and entitlement of a princess. Not raising her voice or speaking in anything beyond the calm of an inescapable truth. “When, after I found you rutting her in our bed, you decided to humiliate me further with all but bending her over the table” Jyn shrugged with an edged sneer. “It seems only fair that I finally get to enjoy myself as well.”

“Sorry Tyree, you brought me here…guilt by association, I guess.” Xaul said to Bix, seemingly taking pity that her question was being ignored. “Though bad form screwing a guest at Mr Santhe’s party.”

“The hosts want everyone here to be gone.” Melshi motioned for the group to leave; the crowd parted to allow them to pass straight on to the manor’s open doors. “Please respect their wishes”

All four allowed themselves to be herded through the gawking and gaping gauntlet on their way outside and towards where the yacht was landed.

—

“What happened back there?”

Bix had been asking the same question starting the moment they were all on the yacht and Bodhi was prepping for take-off. Now, off-world and just making the jump into hyperspace, Cassian looked towards Jyn—-hairpins clattered onto the kitchen counter with her style undone so her locks fell over the collar of Xaul’s jacket.

He might not be sure what had happened; that didn’t mean he didn’t know Jyn well enough to read how badly things had gone.

“I don’t think–”

“I killed Nando.” Jyn stated with the same sense of calm she had used back at the Royale, pulling the disk out of the jacket’s pocket and passing it to Cassian.

The words seemed to cause Jyn a physical blow. “What?”

“Jyn?” Cassian tried to search her face, both of them holding one end of the disk.

Letting go, Jyn stepped away from Cassian. Posture of a soldier making her report. “He caught me in the office and ended up ripping my glove from my hand. Unfortunately, this caused him to see the blaster burn. There was no time to–”

Jyn’s report faltered when Bix stepped in and slapped the sergeant, snapping Jyn’s face to the side with a sharp crack. The mechanic gasping for breath, tears brimming her eyes; she would have made another swing if Taidu hadn’t stepped forward and calmly restrained her as Bodhi stepped into the room.

“Okay…What is going on?”

“There was no time to do anything else.” Jyn finished her statement without acknowledging the welt rising along her cheek.

“Why didn’t you drug him?” Bix jerked free from Taidu’s hold. Words hissing through clenched teeth. “He wasn’t wearing an Imperial uniform. He shouldn’t be seen as fair game. Do you really love killing so much that it’s the first course of action you take?”

“He knew she was not who she claimed, socialites have no reason for blaster burns.” Melshi moved forward, partially blocking Bix from gaining further access to Jyn. “He also knew she was in his father’s office, where she could tap into the company’s network.”

“Nando might not have been the brightest, but he would have gradually figured out the truth,” Xaul added, claiming station by Jyn’s side. “None of us would have risked that.”

“Kriff that.” Bix spat. “I could have talked to him.”

“I think you did enough talking.” Melshi’s tone went from sympathetic explanation to cold warning.

“What?”

“I heard what went on before you came down to the party. Neither of you closed his door.

“What happened before the party?” Bodhi was looking about, looking for any clue of what he had missed. “What door?”

“If you hadn’t shown your cards, he would have been downstairs preparing to duel the captain and Jyn wouldn’t have been in a situation where killing him was her only option.”

Bix scoffed, stepping towards Melshi without a care on how he drafted her. “You’re saying it’s my fault that she’s a murderer.”

“I’m saying it is your fault for all but bedding him before the night started.” Melshi snapped, making Bix flinched back.

Cassian understood the words and their meaning, but found himself feeling nothing towards what the information implied; his main priority was to assess Jyn, though he was unable to see much of her with the guys falling into their protective ranks.

“It’s also Jyn’s fault for not being the docile, boring rich girl she was scripted as.” Melshi said this with more understanding. “And it’s Cassian’s fault for…whatever he said that caused Nando to think the captain saw him as a threat.”

Cassian winced at this simple truth. If he hadn’t been so off kilter this entire time, he could have prevented this from getting so out of hand.

“Sometimes missions go south and there’s collateral damage. We don’t like it, don’t celebrate it, but we also don’t lash out at each other. This is what I was talking about when I said you don’t belong here.” Melshi finished what might have been the longest speech he had ever made.

Lower lip quivering and fat tears beginning to fall, Bix rushed away. Into the main bedroom.

“You should follow her.” Were the first words Jyn said since she reported on Nando’s death. Saying them to Cassian, she attempted to tie the gown’s immense skirt at her hip and opened the hatch that led to the yacht’s unfinished inner workings. “I’m going to check on the contracts, figure out where best to drop them off.”

“Jyn–”

But she was already on her way down, not listening to anything going on above.

Chapter 14: Profession

AN: Serious Question–Would anyone be interested in a Melshi/Kleya story after this one? It is an idea I have been toying over the past couple of days.

—

—

—

Cadinth Run

~

Five pairs of eyes bore into Cassian as the squad watched him with weighed judgement as he stood between the room a crying Bix had escaped to and the hatch Jyn had climbed down, while wearing a gown. Of course she would go into the yacht’s underbelly with its smuggler compartments while in one of Princess Leia’s gowns.

He knew which one he wanted to go after, but also was aware of which one he first had to confront.

Leaning out of the room, Cassian yelled towards the flight deck. “K!”

“Yes?”

“Did you–”

“All recordings and audio feed for the entire day have been scrubbed from the security system, along with the back-ups. Because I was bored, I went about it so they would think the lost data was from system failure or a mechanical glitch, and not third party interference. Seriously, you made me wait in the ship, missed all the drama, and now are acting like I would fail at completing the obvious tasks.”

Satisfied, Cassian turned to the pilot. “Bodhi, make our course through the Indrex Spiral.”

“The impassable nebula of death?” Bodhi adjusted his goggles. “That Indrew Spiral?”

“A route was found.” Cassian assured, giving Bodhi a pat on the shoulder.

“And the people who found it crashed. Not best for instilling confidence”

“Well, K clearly feels like he’s not being fully utilized. Between him and you, I have all the faith that we’ll get through.” Done with the conversation, Cassian passed the disk of stolen data to Taidu. “You and Xaul are to give this a look over. Compile anything worth reporting.”

“That’s going to take hours.” Xaul grumbled.

Taidu just shrugged, “Might as well start now.”

To the remaining two, Cassian motioned them towards the hatch. “Go down and assist Jyn with the contractors, we want them off this ship long before we get near base.” Cassian didn’t need to add that, while outsiders were onboard, they would not be referring to the planet by name. “I was willing to take the risk of getting them out, I’m not about to extend that by offering them asylum.”

Knowing his orders would be obeyed, despite how the men still cast him questioning looks that may border on silent disapproval, Cassian entered the bedroom Bix had retreated to.

“You had no right to lay hands on Jyn.” Was his opening comment, spoken even before he closed the door behind him to grant the conversation privacy.

Bix sat in the middle of the bed, still in her gown from the Royale, only with her hair undone from its chignon so the dark locks cascaded over her shoulders and down her back. “She killed an innocent–”

“If you think Nando Santhe was an innocent than you were more lost in your feelings than I thought.” Cassian rolled his eyes when Bix’s head jolted up from where it had been bowed over her clasped hands. “Don’t look at me like that, you were isolated with the sole objective of getting close to him, of course you developed unwanted ties. It happens more than anyone wants to talk about and why I always speak against such operations.”

“Fine, he wasn’t an innocent, but there should be a line.” Bix ran a knuckle under her eyes, voice still on the verge of wavering. “There is an understood line. One that none of you seem fazed on her crossing.”

“I killed one of my informants.” Cassian confessed without a trace of regret, even as he remembered Tivik’s final moment of panic. “Held him tight in my arms and shot him in the back.”

“What?”

“I could go into the details and reasoning, but it really is just one case in many.” Cassian’s tone made light of the sins he had committed; ones he had already confessed to Jyn and no longer felt the oppressive burden of their existence. Not that he stopped caring, but because he stopped having to carry them alone.

Stepping further into the room, he sat on the bed’s edge and tried to find the best possible way to have Bix understand. That was a problem with those of Rogue One being who they were. The lot of them joked about others reaping the benefit of their labors—-and there was truth to that in a historical sense of what would be documents—-but, within everyday knowledge, the squad was aware of how they were perceived.

How, since Scarif, they were almost revered and idolized among the rest. None outside their barracks actually aware of the crimes everyone on the squad had committed. Things that would have long found them all in cells if they were doing such things without the Alliance banner justifying each act.

“The reason why we don’t seem affected by what Jyn did is because we were all there. Even K. There’s a reason why my squad, and the units like it, doesn’t receive grand medal ceremonies. Normally, what we do in the name of the Rebellion is not what most would consider noble or forthright. What we do is messy and shady and usually heavily redacted if officially documented at all.”

“This never would have happened if I hadn’t left you.” Bix shook her head side to side, capturing her lower lip between her teeth. “You wouldn’t have become this.”

“Something that I think I might be forever grateful for you doing.” Reaching over, Cassian covered her hands with one of his. “I love you Bix. I have loved you since before I knew what love was…but I think we were right, all those years ago, when we quit trying to have romantic ties. Admit it, the only reason we made another go at it was because, at the time, we needed to hold onto a sense of home and misinterpreted that longing as being a couple.”

Withdrawing her hands, fresh tears began to flow down Bix’s cheeks. Cassian wasn’t sure if they were still for Nando or from what he was saying or from acceptance that things were truly over between them. That the image of them living happily ever after post-war was a mirage that would have never occurred.

Maybe she was crying from a combination of all the above.

“You treat her differently than you ever did me. You never would have let someone slap me like that.”

“I knew she would handle it however she saw fit. Be grateful she had a strict militant childhood…and that she wasn’t carrying a blaster.”

“You don’t act like you love her.” Bix’s words were half-hearted, lacking in the want for true debate. Yet still going through the motions of a rebuttal. “Not on the surface. You don’t fret and hover about her.”

Tucking a leg under where he sat, Cassian leaned back on an arm. “Maarva once told me that love was worrying all the time, and I’m not sure if I entirely believe that anymore. I worry about Jyn—-when she’s away or when she is injured—-but I also depend on her independence and abilities. We keep each other safe. There is a peace to be found in that.”

“I could have been like that if you had let me.”

“No, you couldn’t.” Cassian kept his voice gentle to off-set this harsh truth. “You fell apart when I shot that Imperial soldier three years ago; you couldn’t stop yourself from violently reacting to what Jyn did tonight. This part of the cause, what has to be done by a few so heroes can be found in the likes of Skywalker, is not something an individual can grow into. You even have the ability or you don’t. And there’s nothing wrong with you if you don’t. Some would argue that those who don’t are meant for a far healthier life.”

“You think I should just be fixing X-wings and running diagnostics, forging for parts and salvaging what I can from wrecks.”

“With the amount of damage we endure on a daily basis, a skilled mechanic is as invaluable as an agent in the field.” Resisting the old habit ingrained into his hands to reach out and wipe at her tears, Cassian stood.“Unlike what we do here, you can feel good about your work and sleep without a jug of revnog.”

“You drink yourself to sleep?”

“I used to.”

“Then you met her?”

Cassian nodded. “Then I met her.”

~

Xaul and Bix had supplied the former-contracted workers new clothing, piled within one of the storage alcoves underneath the yacht’s showroom floor. An additional outfit had been acquired for Jyn as Xaul knew she would want to drop the ‘lady’ act as soon as she was able.

Gown gone—-there might be a stain or two with the random rip she would have to own up to on returning the garment—-Jyn had not hesitated in pulling on clothing that made her feel truly like herself once again. Pageantries of fashion were not meant for the likes of her, nor the complication that evidently arose the moment a pair of heels were placed on an individual’s feet.

“--why we can’t go with you.” Aki, the core name of the Chiss male, continued as he watched Jyn strap an empty blaster holster to her thigh.

After she had given the contractors the basic layout of what would happen now that they were off Lianna, and assured them that the ship would not be able to be tracked by those who would be hunting them, she left them with a choice of choosing one world where Rogue One would be able to leave them off.

Then she went to get dressed while the newly arrived Melshi and Xaul handled monitoring the debate and taking personal information from those who may want the squad to attempt to discreetly reach out to worried loved ones.

“Because we don’t know you and blind trust can only go so far.” Standing from the crate she had been sitting on, Jyn tapped the toes of her boots against the metal beneath her feet. They would need to be broken in. “Pick a world and we’ll take you there.”

“And you’re just go back to the Rebellion for your next daring mission.”

Pausing while draping a scarf about her neck and head to conceal her mother’s necklace, Jyn considered the Chiss. “Who said we were rebels?”

A lone blue finger lifted towards the ceiling. “The pilot”

“Of course he did.” Jyn muttered, making a note to talk to Bodhi before they returned to Yavin 4. “Well then, yes, most of us will return to the Rebellion.”

“Most of you?” Aki’s ruby eyes considered her as she walked past him to enter the corridor. “But not you specifically.” A soft laugh escaped when his words made her feet falter. “I was contracted at that club for three years, time spent learning how to read people.”

Fingertips skimming the wall, Jyn turned back towards Aki. “I’m staying with the cause, just going to be transferring over to a smuggling operation…none of this is your business.”

“But it is mine.” Melshi’s brogue called from behind her.

“Did you know he was there?” Jyn asked Aki, who suddenly found the ceiling very fascinating. This was the thanks she got after managing to take them off world. Maybe she would suggest that they drop the lot off on some ice world.

Combing back her bangs, Jyn turned towards Melshi, speaking before she completed the act. “Solo asked me to lend a hand on the Falcon and I—-What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

Melshi had picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, like a sack of grain, before proceeding to climb, one-handed, back up through the floor’s hatch and cross the kitchen to hit a fist against a door panel to a room that Jyn could not be certain about, given that this all occurred while she was primarily up-side-down and in rapid succession, but feared at her deduction being correct.

“Melshi–” Jyn heard Cassian say.

“You. Out. Now.” Melshi ordered with enough authority that the next moment Jyn was watching Bix walk past before the world was rotating once more and she was again right-side-up and standing in the main bedroom with Melshi barring the door. “I was giving you two time to work through this thing between you, like the adults and superior officers you pretend to be. I’m now at my wits end. Enough is enough. I’m closing this door and you two are working this out.”

“Or you’re never going to let us leave.” Cassian, sitting on the bed, didn’t seem sure if he should be angry or amused.

“Consider this a mutiny.” Melshi proclaimed, stepping back so he was outside when the door slid shut.

“Mutiny’s are worthy of execution.” Jyn called after him.

“Then request a firing squad once we get back to base.” Melshi’s voice was slightly muffled, but otherwise still easily understood. “Until then, you’re my prisoners.”

“Melshi–”

“She’s going to leave us for Solo’s crew.” The traitor cut off Cassian with the reveal.

“What?” Cassian launched off the bed as if the mattress had burned him

“Melshi, when I get a blaster…” Jyn ground her teeth together, fingers twitching near the holster she hadn’t had a chance to fill.

“Why?”

“Why am I going to kill him?” Turning towards Cassian, Jyn crossed her arms and tossed back her loose hair. “I think it would be obvious–”

“You know that’s not what I’m asking.” Stepped towards her, Cassian’s hand ghosted along Jyn’s cheek, not quite touching the gradually developing bruise.

Wishing for another purrgil to knock them into an unknown realm, Jyn closed her eyes and reminded herself that she had intended to tell him anyway, then opening them so she wasn’t hiding like a coward. “I saw the kiss on the surveillance feed…but I heard enough the night before to know that this—-Caleen. You. Me. All of us working together—-is not going to work. I mean look how spectacularly we managed to mess up this entire endeavor.”

“It was messy, but it was also a success.”

“I killed Nando.” Jyn reminded. The moment the pin went into his heart still appeared in her mind. Not from a sense of guilt, which could be argued to be a very troubling sign, but because the need for her to do so was an amalgamation of all the ways she had failed.

“Nando was a prick who…” Cassian shook his head and started over. “You did what you had to do, and I’m so sorry that it was the others who had to step in back there.”

“Because you were conflicted between loyalty to the squad and loyalty to the woman you love.” Jyn forced her voice to remain even and her eyes to stay dry. She would not, however inadvertently, manipulate Cassian or make him feel guilty over his choice. “The woman you have always loved.”

Cassian’s thin lips did the slightest upward quirk. “At the time when it initially happened, I was actually trying to figure out how best to explain Bix’s murder.”

“I’m not joking.”

“Neither am I.” Taking off the jacket of the suit he still wore, Cassian tossed it onto the bed before he started rolling up his sleeves. “When I saw your head jerk like that, after the slap, I was certain you were going to grab a blaster from somewhere–”

“Nowhere to hide one with that dress. I thought about it.”

“--or stab her with that hairpin–”

“All the toxin was used on Nando.”

“And all my brain could immediately consider were the best ways to keep you from being put on trial for killing a fellow agent.” Both sleeves resting near his elbows, Cassian put his hands into his pants’ pockets. “Sinking the body into a swamp world and making a pact of silence kept cycling in…which I realized was troubling and deranged, even if the thought was entirely intrusive.”

“Please stop trying to deflect. I’m giving you an out. I am. Whatever was between us—-whether it was real or just figments of my mind—-was never official.” Jyn kept her hands restrained from reaching out and grabbing his shirt, from shaking him from wanting him to take her seriously or begging him to counter her. Even if they both knew it to be a lie. “You don’t owe me anything.”

“I owe you everything.” Cassian seemed to lack her resolve, moving in closer so he could cradle her neck with the barest of touches and stooping so their eyes were level. “I owe you a life after this. I want us to have a life after this. Somewhere we can go that is warm, but not infested with giant bugs or reptiles with tusks or the shadow-figures Stordan swore he saw that one night. And I’m now realizing you wanted to tell me about this Solo plan while I was trying to find a way to ask you to just be with me–”

And finally it was too much. Jyn was mortified to feel the first tears begin to drip off her lashes, backing away from him and towards the closet she suddenly wanted to dive into and destroy all the beautiful and frivolous items within. “You don’t mean it.”

“I’m very certain I do.” Cassain turned to maintain facing her as she moved about, but made no attempt to approach her once more.

“Even if this wasn’t something you have tried twice before—-go off and live a peaceful life—-you aren’t saying this because you want to keep me. You’re saying this to make sure I stay. There is a difference”

“No there isn’t. Jyn, that makes no sense.”

“You really want Bix but don’t want to lose me as a soldier. From the moment we got back from Plexis, and you saw her at the barracks, you’ve been gravitating towards her. The looks. The touches. The kisses. The sleeping together–”

“That only happened once.”

“The first night she was back, and she was in your hammock.”

“Kidlat and Fey.” Cassian named two Partisan soldiers who survived Jedha.

“What? What of them.”

“Remember when we ran into them on that job soon after we finally made it back to base. Our first mission after Scarif.”

“That was over a year ago. I made a mistake, let it go.” Why was he bringing up one of her more egregious errors during a time like this?

“Exactly. You made a mistake because—-from the moment you were reunited with them—you found yourself—-to paraphrase the apology you later gave, once we got Melshi out of jail and Taidu washed off all the sap—-automatically reverting to the person you were before. The person you had been during your time with them.”

Finally realizing where this was going, Jyn pinched her nose as if stemming tears was as easy as stopping a nosebleed. “Cassian–”

“Magnify that insane pull towards nostalgia you felt at the time. Do that and you can understand what I’ve been fighting against from the moment I saw her on our porch. A fight against what I truly want and muscle memory belonging to a ghost of what had once been considered normal.”

Uprooting himself from his former placement of respectful distance. Cassian returned to Jyn’s personal sphere, Taking her hands and holding them near his mouth. Not kissing them. The act had a near reverence to it. Head bent so his hair fell from its ordered style and along his forehead and concealed his eyes.

“I’m not just trying to make you stay because you’re a remarkable soldier and my closest confidant; I’m trying to keep you because, somewhere between seeing you demolish those stormtroopers on Jedha and you pulling me out of blaster fire on Plexis, I fell in love with you. With you. Not what you represent or what ties you hold to things I want to remember or because you are very, very beautiful.” Lifting his head, his eyes seeped into her soul. “I was lost after Bix left, but I wouldn’t be able to survive losing you.”

“I killed a man today.” Jyn confessed once more, sliding her hands free of his grip and lightly touching the tips of his hair with the fingertips her current gloves left bare. She had always wondered what the dark locks would feel like.

Cassian closed his eyes and became very still. “You kill a lot of men a lot of days. It’s part of the job.”

“Right.” Sweeping the section of strands back near his ear, Jyn ran the back of her hand along the side of his throat. Her thumb and forefinger caught the collar of his shirt, rolling the rich fabric between their calloused pads. “Well, I thought it was worth noting and that I’m worried I may have some mental defect.”

“Why?”

Toes of too-new boots lifting her up, Jyn framed her hands on each side of Cassian’s face, sweeping her thumbs along the panes of his cheekbones and taking in the slight bump near the center of his nose that gave a slightly offset appearance. Leaning in, her lips lightly brushed against his, softly caressing and easing open. She wasn’t sure when he started kissing her back, when their lips parted and tongues and teeth became involved. Nor was she entirely certain when an arm wrapped about her waist, pressing her chest against his and her back against the closed closet.

Neither was aware of the moment the room’s door slid open so Xaul could enter.

“Cap. Sarge…For the love of…This is not what Melshi meant by working it out.” Xaul snapped at them as the two reluctantly parted.

“What is the name of Chaos is so important?” Jyn wasn’t sure if her face was heated from the kiss or from murderous intent.

“Didn't Melshi tell you? He’s throwing a mutiny. We’re prisoners of his craze for power.” Lifting his voice, Cassian called out to those beyond the room. “Tell him Melshi.”

Xaul held up his datapad and said one syllable. “Kino.”

“What are you talking about?” Cassian looked to Jyn before going back to Xaul. “Did you guys already get into the revnog?”

“Kino Loy is alive.” Xaul clarified.

Chapter 15: Unsanctioned

AN: *Possible Trigger Warning* This chapter has a very brief insinuation of suicide. No suicide is committed or attempted but the idea is alluded to, so I wanted to place a warning all the same.

—

—

—

Indrew Spiral

~

“Everyone, take a breath.” Holding her hands flat in the air, hovering above the datapad that Xaul had tossed onto the table in irate frustration a few moments prior, Jyn looked at the men standing around the room. She made sure to meet the eyes of each before moving onto the next.

“By everyone, you mean the three of us.” Xaul snapped when she made it to him. Sitting on the kitchen counter, he pointed out Melshi and Cassian before jerking his thumb back at himself.

“Yes.” Jyn nodded. That was exactly what she meant. The three former inmates of Narkina 5 had entered the conversation hot and had only escalated whenever there was any form of perceived naysaying. “No one is doubting this information or questioning the obvious life-debt the three of you feel towards Kino Loy.”

“I am.” K stooped in the doorway; the perfect placement for watching the bickering unfold. Jyn may have created a monster when she introduced him to holodramas; she feared he was experiencing withdraw. “From how it was told, Cassian and Melshi were the ones who devised the escape. All Loy did was make a speech…and failed to try his hand at swimming.”

“No one other than K is questioning the importance Kino Loy had with the Narkina 5 prison break.” Jyn amended, glaring at the droid.

“Why aren’t we reporting this?” Bix sat in the corner of the room, forgoing a chair and simply rested on the floor. She had been in the location of self-exile since before Jyn and Cassian entered the kitchen. Now dressed in something more practical than her golden gown, her eyes were still faintly red and clearly uncertain on how her presence was being received. “We have the coordinates to the manufacturing facility, which was what this was all about. We should be making course to…the base..” she said with a look down to remind herself they were not alone, “and notifying them to expect our arrival so they’re ready to analyze the data as soon as possible.”

“Because they will blow it up.” Everyone, even K, said in near unison.

“Doesn’t matter that there are people inside.” Jyn angled her head so she could look at Bix directly for the first time since she confessed to Nando’s death. “The moment the Alliance knows where to send the fighters, they will be in flight with simple instructions: destroy everything.”

“It’s what happened to her father.” Bodhi needlessly added. The closest one to the mechanic, he lowered his hand to offer Bix some of the food he was snacking on.

Bix declined with a shake of her head.

“Wouldn’t surveillance be a better course?” Taidu suggested, picking up the datapad and flipped through the specific file they all had been scouring for the third time. As if some new seed of knowledge would be obtained to make the conversation moot. “The parts need to be delivered somewhere, this could lead us to the second Death Star’s main construction site.”

“Possible but not likely.” Cassian tapped two fingertips against the table top from where he stood by Jyn’s side. As close as he could be without them physically touching.

Gone was the awkward tension that had been lingering about them; the uncertainty of placement—-both physical and emotional—-and repressed words. Though the conversation was dire and strained, Jyn felt comfortable for the first time in days. And not because of the clothing change. She was finally able to pull in a proper breath and work through a problem without second-thought or guess darling her mood or judgement.

“According to the original Death Star’s plan,” Cassian continued, reaching out towards Taidu for the datapad; this would go so much better if they are a holoprojector, “these devices are paramount for the shooting array, which is the last piece to be fitted. Who knows how long they can wait before claiming what was stockpiled.”

“Assuming they are following the original plans.” Stordan pointed-out. “Now that they know what Galen did, who's to say the new project leaders didn’t go through the plans and discovered he added delay tactics that they now can streamline?”

“Santhes/Sienar Technologies files allude to other locations of interest where they were trying to locate contracts,” Melshi said.

“Something pretty shady seems to be going on with Kef Bir,” Xaul added.

“Draven will push to destroy the one location we’re certain of while placing agents around and within these other possibilities,” Cassian concluded, going back to a debate point the three had found and clung to early on in the discussion.

“Short-sighted and all-consuming, the Draven way.”

“Jyn,” Cassian stage-whispered to her, taking a brief moment to push hair off her face so he could look at her profile.

“Sorry,” Jyn turned her head to shrug with a lift of her lips that wasn’t technically a smile and yet also wasn't technically not a smile. “Evidently, this is bringing back unresolved issues I have about him killing my father.”

“What are you thinking?” Melshi asked her as the others, even K and a reluctant Bix, seemed to lean forward. With Cassian emotionally compromised in the matter, even though Taidu outranked her, Jyn was found to be the natural place to turn for cool logic.

“We go in and access before making any report.” Nodding her head, she held up a hand to quiet the protests she knew wanted to be voiced and quell any triumphant sounds from the Narkina trio. “Personal history and emotion aside, Kino Loy and any of the other non-droids and non-Imperials within may have vital intel. Not to mention what could be found on the datalogs, which are suspiciously not routed into the overall network.”

Going from the file, it appeared that Santhes/Sienar Technologies had either been moderately aware of the prison’s history or simply saw the merit in productivity with having inorganic beings placed on the line.

Most of the facility seemed to be manned by in-house, non-Imperial droids with the quotas being met far surpassing what was speculated to have been Narkina’s numbers. There were only a few comments, reports, and maintenance requests contained to indicate that the operation wasn’t entirely automated with mentions within their Imperial contract stating a certain number of Imperial soldiers needed to be posted at all times to ensure security and the facility was to remain open for review and unscheduled assessments.

“Are we sure this is not you working through…issues.” Stordan’s eyes shifted to the others, mouthing ‘daddy issues’ to Bodhi when the pilot only gave him a blank look in response.

Melshi’s face went into his palm.

“Who knows the amount of information that was lost in Narkina 5.” Jyn pretended she hadn’t noticed the exchange or the implication that she was trying to save Kino Loy because she had failed to save her father. “Think about what could have been found if, during the escape, someone had thought to look into the records and logs.”

“We could have saved Luthen years of work, maybe convinced him to join us…” Cassian trailed off, emotions still raw and conflicted when it came to his former mentor.

Jyn covered his hand with hers with a gentle squeeze.

“If you’re doing that, you’re going to need help. Whoa there!” Aki, climbing out of the hatch, threw his arms into the air when eight blasters were aimed at him. Everyone, except for Bix, raised a weapon towards the Chiss male.

Jyn doubted they would ever get K to relinquish his blaster; she was fairly certain that he named it.

“Sorry, yes, I was listening in.”

“Obviously.” K drawled.

“Why?” Cassian said over the droid, giving a warning look before holstering his blaster and crossing his arms over his chest with a hip leaned against the table.

“Well, I did witness an abduction and heard someone mention mutiny, so thought it best to keep an ear out on what was going on up here. I needed to make sure you weren’t set on selling us off to somewhere like the Hutt’s Palace.”

Aki’s smile was the same degree of seductive charm that probably served him well during his contracted time. Unfortunately for him, he was surrounded by people far from amused. Cassian may have placed his weapon away, that did not mean the others followed suit. Not without a direct order.

“We’re not.” Jyn remained behind Cassian but kept her blaster aimed at the Chiss’ chest without the slightest tremor to her hand. Maybe there was something wrong with her, like Bix implied, but—-along with the uncertainty regarding her and Cassian’s standing—- any sense of hesitation Jyn might have about taking another life within the course of night was long gone. If it ever existed. “Go back and join the others.”

“Assuming I take your word for that, a questionable tactic, I would be better assistance up here than down there.” Kicking the hatch shut, Aki kept his hands on clear display.

“How?”

Aki’s eyes went to Bodhi. “You’re going to land at an Imperial manufacturing facility, most likely a guise for a labor camp, in this farce of a yacht? Do you truly think that’s a viable option?”

Trying to keep his eyes from darting about to assess the others, the pilot scoffed. “No.”

“Then may I suggest a location where you can get a more suitable vessel and other necessities?” When no one responded and all simply continued to stare at him, Aki dropped his hands with a sigh. “I’m a dancer, it’s all about showmanship.”

“I believe they’re trying to calculate the probability that you’re leading them into a trap. I could simply supply the information if–”

“Thank-you K, no.” Cassian instructed.

“Why?” Jyn asked. “Why would you want to help us?”

What was in it for him?

“From what I overheard, this man–Kipo Foy–”

“Close enough.” Xaul muttered.

“--got at least some of you out of a bad situation. I can relate to that.” Aki’s ruby eyes locked on Jyn’s once more. “And I hate being in anyone’s debt.”

“Still could be a trap.” Stordan whispered.

“Most likely a trap.” Taidu agreed.

“It’s either this or we go back to base.” Jyn finally holstered her blaster and looked to Cassian.

They could talk about this all they wanted. The others could want her opinion and they may feel comfortable voicing theirs. None of that truly mattered though, not when there was only one person who could make the call.

Looking down at her, Cassian raked his fingers through his hair with a deep exhale. “We’re going to be going into what’s most likely a trap.”

~

“Are you going to be okay with this?”

Bix glanced up from where she knelt on the floor to find Stordan standing outside the doorway of the yacht’s smaller, secondary room. Where all of her things had been stored in preparation for the possibility that Nando or someone associated with him would come onboard. All the staging and preparation for nothing.

Nando was dead and so was Tyree, as Bix was never going back to Lianna.

Not fully looking at the young soldier, she finished packing away the more expensive of her clothing into one of the secure storage units Vel had given both her and Jyn to keep the valuables when such was no longer needed. “With what?”

“With…well…” Stordan stumbled over his words.

“I think what he’s referring to is that the place we’re going, where Aki’s confident we can make a deal for all we need, will probably not be an establishment of high repute.” Bodhi offered in passing, a cup of caf in hand. While the rest were able to use the time in hyperspace as a chance to gain some rest—-Melshi, Xaul, and Taidu’s collective snores could be heard from where the three were piled on the bed in the main room—-the pilot had to stay awake with K in case any complications arose.

This nebula hadn’t gained its nefarious reputation for no reason.

“Guys, she’s from Ferrix. Do you honestly think this will be her first dive bar or brothel?”

Bix winced at the unwanted voice, heard before Jyn leaned against the door’s threshold. Gone was the finery from before, leaving the soldier in the secondhand clothing Xaul had insisted on grabbing on their way out of the donation store. Face naked and hair finally tied back once more—-Bix had heard Jyn convince Bodhi to give her a tie—-there was nothing ‘extraordinary’ about the young woman.

Despite how Cassian looked at her.

Everyone knew what had happened when Melshi locked away the captain and sergeant. It was easy to infer how Xaul had found them. Despite this, the two of them didn’t act like a newly formed romance nor were they even on the same level of realistic detachment she had witnessed the morning before leaving Yavin 4. Rather, their mannerisms and exchanges matched that of a long established couple; one past base desire and lust. Rather there was a feeling of the relationship being placed upon a foundation of something so much deeper than raw intensity.

There was a time that Bix thought she had that with Cassian…Something that she had felt crumbled and sank in the time that followed Ferrix. She had blamed her mental state at the time. What Gorst had done to her; what had been attempted on her at Mina-Rau. Though, after hearing what Cassian had to say, she was forced to realize that they had ruined what they had established simply by forcing a regression.

Both men turned away, crestfallen from the smaller woman’s slight chastisement. Both muttered different versions of, “No, I guess not.”

“Then don’t you have somewhere else to be?”

“You don’t have to protect me like that.” Bix almost growled out the words when the men were gone, keeping Jyn from joining them in departing and leaving Bix to herself.

Stepping into the room without a proper invite, Jyn’s brows rose. “Who said anything about protecting you?”

“How's the face?”

Bix was surprised by Jyn’s dry laugh, flinching when she touched the marred skin spanning over the entirety of her cheek. From the temple to the corner of her mouth, “Hurts. I always thought a slap would be less painful than a punch…”

“You’ve never been slapped before.” Bix did not try to conceal how unlikely she thought that to be.

“Most of the people I fight use their fists.” Jyn clarified, trying once more to leave but then turning back on her own accord. “You intimidate me.”

Hands ceasing in their movement, Bix fell back to settle on her heels. “I…Intimidate you?”

“Yes. Is that so hard to believe? And it’s not because of all…that,” Jyn made an attempt to summarize Bix’s physical attributes with vague hand gestures before she seemed to realize how foolish she looked and gave up. “Though, let’s face it, there is a lot to be intimidated there. But, no, it’s because I don’t think I could have done what you did.”

“And what was that?” Defense infused itself into Bix’s voice, knowing that this was going to wrap back to Cassian. On how Bix left him—-possibly on how she drugged him to ensure a clear escape—-or that her reason for doing so was because of the suspected pregnancy. This was clearly the victor’s last stand in glory over her fallen opponent.

“You stood back up.” Jyn stated this as if it should have been assumed without question. “I got left behind—-for my own good—-and I spent five years in a perpetual pity-party. I don’t know what I would have done if Gorst got his hands on me.”

Oh…so this had nothing to do with Cassian.

“You would have been fine.” Bix muttered, returning to her task.

“Just because I’m good with a blaster and can beat Melshi in bare-knuckled boxing doesn’t mean I’m invulnerable.”

“You beat Melshi?”

“Dislocated his shoulder. It was less boxing and more free-style destruction. Doesn’t change the fact that I don’t ‘do feelings’ well and, through that, I really don’t do mental health at all. Physical pains and breaks, I can understand and get fixed but…” Jyn shook her head, planting a foot against the wall and adjusting how her scarf was draped along her neck. “Saw made all his soldiers keep a pill on their person, to swallow in case anyone was ever taken alive. I would have popped it the moment Gorst removed the headset.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because we don’t have to be enemies. I mean, we also don’t have to become unlikely friends either. That actually might be a bit peculiar, given all that happened. There is still a middle ground of mutual respect.”

“I…” Bix shook her head. Not to clear it of thoughts about Jyn being with Cassian; instead, to dislodge the sight of Nando’s smile when he first approached her on the factory floor. “I don’t know if that’s something I can do.”

Jyn nodded and then left, closing the door behind her to grant Bix the privacy to shed her fresh wave of tears.

~

He found Jyn sitting in the kitchen, listlessly flicking through the datapad with her forehead furrowed.

“You think this is a bad idea.” Leaning down beside where she sat, he rested a hand on the table and one on the back of her chair. “I know what you said back there, thanks for the back-up, but…you think this is a bad idea.”

Placing the datapad down, Jyn ran a hand along the scruff of his jaw, done in such a casually indulgent manner that he found himself enjoying far more than was reasonable. “I think that I will veto any future missions that require me to be fashionable.”

“Feet?” Cassian craned his neck to look at the new boots she had been given, as if staring hard enough would show him what dwelled beneath the leather.

Shaking her head, Jyn arched her spine and did a slight twist. A sight Cassian allowed himself to enjoy without any of the past restriction or confusion or guilt. “Back.”

Moving his hands from the table and chair, he placed them on her stiff shoulders and started kneading the muscle beneath, taking inordinate pleasure in how she wilted into his touch. This was not something new. They had done similar things for each other over the past year, yet there was a new thrill to the act he had never experienced before. A liberation in knowing that these considerations were not merely between companions set on the same results, but between individuals who cared about each other beyond the protective banner of companions in arms or found family.

“You still think it’s a bad idea.” Cassian returned to his earlier point; something he had to talk through and Jyn had always been his automatic choice at such times.

“It’s dangerous and risky.” Eye closed, head draped over the back of the chair, Jyn released a content sigh. “Nothing new for us.”

“But…” Cassin knew there was one lurking under the surface.

“We were lucky on Lianna and, yes, I do wonder if we only have so much luck to use before it’s spent.” Turning out of his touch, Jyn wrapped her arms around the back of the chair and looked up at him. “With the data we have about the facility, we’re at least not going in blind. That’s better than some of our missions.”

“I just…” Cassian tried to find the correct words to convey the moment he had been pushed out of Narkina 5 by the rest of the escapees. The last moments he had seen his friend, leaving Kino with the hopeless choice between drowning or waiting for an Imperial clean-up squad to arrive. Something he had never been able to express before and once more failed to do so now.

Something he didn’t have to verbally convey.

Standing up, Jyn didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his waist, tucking her head under his chin. “I know.” She remained there for a moment more—-while her presence settled how his breath wanted to be ragged and his heart strained—-before reaching up to tug at the bags under his eyes with the pad of her thumb. “Get some sleep before we have to start what will most likely be hostile negotiations.”

“Where?” Cassian asked as they both first turned towards the main bedroom’s open door—and how Melshi, Xaul, and Taidu were piled upon the bed like three exhausted puppies while Stordan curled up on the sliver of space available along the mattress’s foot—and not giving a look at the closed door to the bedroom Bix had claimed.

“There’s a couch.” Jyn reminded. “In the residential area. It looks rather plush.”

“That it does.” Cassian agreed with a nod, but did not move from where his hands were resting in her waist. Waiting…

Rolling her eyes, Jyn eased onto the tip of her toes and kissed him. Hands gripping his arms for balance and melting when he cradled her face and deepened the act.

“Satisfied.” Jyn said, voice far more breathless than he had ever heard it before.

“What?” He gave her a grin of sheer innocence; hands moving to her hips and momentarily tug her closer. “I was simply going to comment that the couch should be big enough for both of us. You’re the one who attacked me.”

“You’re hopeless.” There was a definite blush spanning along her cheeks. “And shameless.”

–

Cassian woke to find Jyn in his arms, his chest against her back. A sensation he was beginning to expect experiencing during his first moments of consciousness and greatly enjoyed. The couch in the central room had proven to be the promised plush texture, the cushions cradling the body and luring into sleep with great comfort, and wide enough for them to nap on together.

A symphony of snores spoke of the others still being asleep and the lack of chaos and death assured him that Bodhi and K were successfully navigating the infamous nebula’s narrow route of access.

Also the lack of deep breathing indicated that Jyn was also awake, simply laying still to maintain the illusion of slumber.

Easing her about, Cassian’s lips traveled over her face before finding her mouth. His actions were slow and deliberate, giving her time and space to cease them if she was uncomfortable.

“I don’t think now is an ideal time for this.” Jyn murmured, rolling to face him for better ease and access. Chest-to-chest, their legs became tangled about in the act. For a brief moment, Jyn’s eyes widened at what she must have felt from his end of this new and abrupt closeness. The delightfully innocent reaction was short lived, or at least concealed by her resuming the kiss he had started.

“Why?” Cassian asked. His lips moving against hers, forming his words. What little self-control he currently possessed gave firm orders for his hands to remain stationed on her back. No matter how much they yearned to wander. This, he would agree, was certainly not the time for any form of exploraation. “Because we’re most likely going into a trap by an Imperial plant, who stationed himself as a contracted dancer on the off chance Rebels would find their way on Lianna and risk an operation to liberate him?”

“You say it as if it is unlikely, and yet…” Jyn didn’t finish the thought, simply choosing the far more enjoyable act of using these stolen moments to the best of their ability. Her knees and thighs aiding her ability to place Cassian on his back, so she could straddle his narrow hips.

“And yet.” Cassian agreed, fingers tangled in her scarf and necklace’s cord as she lowered her face to his.

Chapter 16: Blame

Dedoon

~

“We should have given them Solo.” Cassian whispered to Jyn as they adjusted how their newly acquired Imperial uniforms fit.

During the year of them working together, Jyn had become better versed with making the small modifications needed to grant the appearance that an uniform intended for another was tailored with her in mind. The collar of the pristine white tunic that had once belonged to an ISB agent slightly jabbed into her throat, but was easily ignored. The excess of material tucked and rolled about her waist to accommodate that the original wearer was significantly taller than her was another matter.

Meanwhile, as ever, she felt a pang of annoyed jealousy over how the security officer garments, clearly intended for a larger man than Cassian’s slender frame, somehow fit him impeccably. Without a degree of discomfort; he appeared completely at ease.

Patting Cassian’s chest in passing, Jyn said, “We still can when this is over.”

“No, the moment has passed.” Cassian followed her out of the storage room and into the main section of their newly-acquired, slightly-used shuttle. “You played the noble card. We lost a yacht and a chance to rid ourselves of that pain.”

The pirates that Aki had introduced them to had held some acquaintanceship to Han Solo and were well aware of the amount of the bounty compiling upon his head currently stood at. The nefarious crew’s leader had suggested a discounted price in their bartering. All that would be required was for an assurance that Solo would be at a particular location at a particular date and time.

“We were going to lose the yacht anyway. His wife wouldn’t have let him settle for anything less. She was basically measuring the square footage while you haggled and, seeing that we were taking a ship from them, it was all in the name of a fair trade.” Jyn lowered her voice and turned to hide her lips from the others, who had also changed into Imperial uniforms. “You’re just annoyed because I was considering leaving to join Han’s crew.”

Cassian’s lips turned down, but his eyes heated. “How are you going to explain to the princess how you lost all her clothes?”

Jyn fought the impulse to look around and see if the others had noticed how Cassian continued to look at her. It was bad enough that Xaul had found them kissing and a small blessing that no one had walked in during her lapse of judgement on the couch. The last thing needed was for this personal matter to influence the circumstance at hand.

When they got back to Yavin 4, Jyn was going to have to have a discussion with Cassian on how their developing relationship would be handled on future assignments, so to not effect the results of any given mission. Until recently, Rogue One had been a well-oiled machine of efficiency, hosting the highest success rates of any other unit.

They couldn’t let that falter.

“I didn’t lose them. It—-like with the ship—-was a fair barter. Also, I highly doubt those were all the clothes she possessed. Even if that was the unlikely case, if Mon had to downscale to suit rebellion life, Leia should as well.” Jyn released a dramatic sigh. “What the senator had to do to her hair was a travesty.”

“I think we should be more concerned about how they had these outfits available.” Stordan, dressed in the black clothing of another security official, said while giving Bodhi a judgemental side-eye on seeing the pilot nod along with Jyn’s statement.

Unlike the rest, Bodhi remained in his original clothing. Having spent the entirety of their trip awake, his lone purpose in this endeavor was to keep the engines running.

“They’re pirates, how do you think they established ownership of an Imperial Lambda with enough uniforms to outfit an entourage?” Xaul kept pressing his hands against the needless excess of material to the sides of the pants that helped mark him as a science officer. “The real question is what a group of ISB agents, Science officials, and a security detail were doing so far out that they fell prey to space pirates.”

“Why does he get the cape?” K sulked from behind the shuttle’s controls, head swirled about to watch Aki strut into the room with a long white cape trailing in his wake.

“Because he’s a Chiss and makes enough of an imposing sight that there will be less questions.” Jyn rambled off, shoving a hat over her slicked back hair.

After all, Thrawn had only been gone for a little over a year, not enough time for his legacy to lose its impact.

“Why are we trusting him?” It was Bix, sitting off to the side in another ISB uniform, to voice the question everyone had to be thinking.

When they dropped the other eleven contract workers off at the security of a world that held little need for imperial notice yet not so out of sorts they wouldn't encounter means of safe travel elsewhere, Bix had been offered to join them. Her part in this was done and she held no obligation to remain on the unsanctioned mission. For whatever reason, the mechanic opted to remain with the squad, and Jyn decided to grant her the benefit of not inquiring into the other’s reasoning.

“We have no other choice.” It seemed to physically hurt Cassian to admit this, but there was no reason to conceal his desperation in knowing what had transpired to Loy all those years ago. Aki probably could taste it in the air.

As the shuttle descended towards the surface of the red moon, Jyn took note of the expanse of crimson soil that expanded as far as the eye could discern, only broken by the Santhe/Sienar Technologies' facility. The steel and glass construct seemed to have been simply dropped onto the moon’s surface. Out of place and entirely alien. Arrayed around it were several dark—-near-black in appearance—-landing pads.

“What do you think they are made of, stone?” She asked no one in particular.

Shaking his head, Melshi went over to join her standing by the windows, pointing a finger at the landing pad they were gradually getting closer to. “No, there’s a metallic sheen.”

“What kind of metal is that?” Nothing in the datapad had any information about the compound’s structure itself, only about its inner-workings. Something Jyn wouldn’t worry herself about, other than the feeling that crept along her skin at the sight. Her heart gave a painful ‘thump’ against her ribs with their less than gentle landing.

An odd slip for K.

And there was no turning back now.

~

“...had we known of your impending arrival.” The head of the facility’s security team couldn’t seem to get the words out fast enough as he tried to keep-up with Aki’s long-legged stride down the sterile corridor leading from the security checkpoint, which the Chiss had talked the group through, and towards the faint sounds of motorized tools.

Cassian cast glances at Melshi and Xaul, trying to determine if he needed to find any excuse to send the two back to join Bodhi on the ship. He could feel himself barely holding on; he was less than certain on how the other two would maintain their composure. While the guards were not trudging about in rubber-soled boots and there wasn’t the continuous sound of water fueling a hydropower system, there were still far too many direct comparisons that could be made to Narkina 5 and this establishment.

“Isn’t that the point of spontaneous evaluation, to ensure that we receive a true account of how this facility is operating?” Aki spoke in clip words, snapping his fingers to indicate Bix and Jyn to come forwards in where they had been walking near the group’s middle. “You will grant ISB Officials Reves and Theat all considerations as they go about their audit of the organic personnel.”

“Why would you need to audit the personnel?” The portly man flinched back when all Aki did was slowly turn his head with a weighted look of mounting annoyance.

“Are we going to have a problem?”

“No, sir, of course not. They can speak to whomever they desire.” The man waved at two from his unit to escort Bix and Jyn down one hallway on the opposite end of the massive hub of intersecting corridors they entered. Each access route hosted a lever by its side, presumingly to close the massive gates hovering above all arches that were currently open and available for access.

Jyn and Bix followed without a second glance.

A childish part of Cassian had hoped that Jyn would have given him some kind of recognition before making her departure. Not that he wanted something as indiscreet as a blown kiss or distressed longing at the prospect of them being separated…but an irrational strand of his thoughts still wanted something.

“Also my droid will require access to your mainframe for a diagnostic check.” Aki instructed, having K break away from where he strolled behind Cassian and the others pretending to be part of the security detail.

K’s assignment—-the most important aspect of the mission, according to the droid—-was to plant a virus within the droids ‘hive’ mind. One that would make the workers go feral and, in theory, lay to waste each other and the facility itself. Something that would lay dormant and would appear to be an inner system’s error when invoked into life on the group’s way out. A smokescreen for their quick departure and assurance that this location would be out of operation for some time to come.

“Meanwhile, my assistant and I will be doing a quality-check of the most recent batch of products. Of late, we have witnessed an increase in faulty or defective items and are trying to assess if this is from sheer ignorant error or if there had been blatant sabotage conducted.”

“Yes…yes of course. Though you will find that there has been no transgression on our part. We keep a strict eye–”

“I assume that you are aware of what happened on Narkina 5 over six years ago.” Aki cut off the Head of security without the briefest degree of consideration or acknowledgement to what he had been saying.

“Well, yes…”

“I assume you understand why we’re not going to take anyone’s words as true testimony and why my security agents are to review all your security logs and procedures to ensure everything has been done above board.”

All the man seemed able to do was nod.

~

“You are to bring each of the organic overseers to us one-at-a-time and in the order we indicate, starting with…” Jyn looked down at her datapad, as if she had to check the name. “A Kino Loy.”

“Yes…of course…” The young security guard went to step away, only to falter in his departure. Curious intrigue glimmering in his manner. “Are you checking to assess that the treatment is still holding?”

Bix and Jyn simply stared at the man in response to his question.

“I–I will get him right away.”

“Treatment?” Jyn asked once they were alone. Bix watched the way the slight woman stood so that her face would not be documented by the cameras with her voice lowered to a near inaudible pinch. They were fairly certain that—-given the compound’s automated nature—-there would be no one listening, but there were also no guarantees. Better to be cautious.

“I have a sinking suspicion.” Bix followed suit in voicing her response, hoping that her eyes weren’t reading the panic that was starting to grapple at her mind. No matter how much time had passed or what lengths she endured in order to conquer her demons, there would never be complete freedom from traumas inflicted.

Some things were unshakable and the only thing that could be done was learn how to handle their reprisals when triggered.

The doors opened with a whoosh of air and a stocky man, barely taller than Bix, stepped in. His hair, a mane of various shades of grays and whites, was worn longer than one would assume to be allowed and his blue-eyes held a lost quality to them as he took in the two women standing in the sparsely furnished break room they had been given to conduct their interviews.

“Mr Loy, would you please have a seat?” Jyn instructed; hand held towards the lone bench the room had to offer while she and Bix remained standing.

The man—-who Cassian had talked about with such respect when he relayed what had transpired during his time in prison—-docilely followed the instructions, then simply stared at the two in patient expectation.

“We are ISB Officials Reves and Theat.” Bix made the introduction, not entirely sure which one she was supposed to be. “We only have a few questions for you to answer before you can resume your work.”

“How long have you been here?” Jyn asked, lifting the datapad to enter what was said.

Kino looked from one to the other with an inquiring blankness. “I have always been here.”

“I know it must feel that way, being so isolated.” Bix offered with a smile.

Her comment only gained another blank glance for response.

She exchanged looks with Jyn, who added, “Tell us what you know of Keef Girgo.”

Again, nothing but a blank look.

“Does that name mean anything to you?” Bix wanted to kneel down, not tower over the man who was confused on the border of fear from having to look up at both of them in their stolen ISB uniforms.

“I have never met anyone by that name.” Kino finally spoke. His words rushed as eyes began to show the slightest indication of panic. Not from the desire to conceal but from the inability to understand. “I have never met anyone other than the people who work here.”

“I see.” Jyn tucked the datapad under her arm.

“Sir.” Bix touched the comm in her ear. “You were correct in your assumption. We’re going to need to reroute all organic personnel to Coruscant, as there does appear to be deterioration in their programming.”

While this was just to be an assessment mission without plans for direct extractions, there was no way Bix could stand by and not do something. Not when she could all but feel Gorst’s grimy fingerprints over the heavily redacted elements of this man’s mind.

She remembered, while reading over the other information in the datapad’s file, there was something in the contract about how potential security breaches or general risks were required to be seen to and corrected without delay, even if that caused stalls in productivity. It appeared that the Empire was attempting to leave nothing to chance this time around.

~

“As I suspected. Thank-you Reves, I will have an escort sent to have the organics sent to our shuttle.” Aki pointed at Melshi, Stordan, and Taidu. “See that it’s done.”

Cassian wasn’t entirely certain what was going on to cause this change of events. What had happened when they met with Kino? What ‘programing’ were they alluding to? Unfortunately, these were answers he wouldn’t receive until they were all back on the ship, so they needed to hurry about this part of the tour while Aki still had the security team terrified of what he would report to head office.

Assuming he could get the Chiss to cease going full method and causing them to linger too long. This was the same issue they had when Xaul took the lead on an assignment. The problem with those who swindled was that, no matter what they said or wanted to believe, they liked the attention. Milked it out for all that it was worth.

“But…surely you’re not going to take them all.” The Head of Security visibly gulped at the prospects that such an act would insight with his higher-ups. “It would stall production to a standstill.”

A dark-blue brow rose in a perfect arch. “I do believe you were only placed here for security assurances, correct?”

“Yes.”

“You are not secretly harboring science qualifications or military clearances?” He continued with a smile that held the potential of being both seductive or threatening.

“No.”

“Then I recommend you simply do as you are told. When the flaws were starting to be detected, this, a breakdown of the overseer’s primary programming, was one of the likely casualties we speculated about. A fresh batch of overseers will be en route before we leave but, as it stands, we can’t allow potential risks to remain on the floor.”

The Head of Security slowly nodded, but Cassian didn’t imagine the slight look to the side he made towards the guard who was walking with Xaul through the seemingly endless rows of perfectly stacked devices Cassian wished he wasn’t intimately aware with the details of their construction.

“How long have you been with the Imperial Weapons Division?” The guard asked Xaul.

“Just under a year.”

“Oh, so you should have started around the same time as Hycks.”

“I believe I have seen him around the break room from time-to-time.”

The guard stopped in his tracks, posture going to alert attention.

“There’s no Hycks?” Xaul guessed without any outward distress.

“There’s no Hycks.” The guards confirmed.

“Too bad.” Xaul’s blaster was out and fired before the guard had a chance to reach towards his holster. Then three more bolts were shot off at those within Xaul’s line of sight.

Cassian handled the ones behind Xaul and by Aki, hand having strayed to his holster the moment the guard started talking.

“You’re too late, I tripped the silent alarm.” The Head of Security held up a small device that could almost pass as a hand-held comm.

“Then what good are you?” Aki asked as Cassian fired off one more plasma bolt.

~

There was a relief to offset the tension strung across Bix’s shoulders at the sight of Melshi, Taidu, and Stordan leading away Kino Loy and other humans. All who possessed the same expression to their gazes. Whatever had been done to them had effectively robbed them of any thought or sense of individuality or memories of a time prior to this existence.

For that, she wanted to see the place burn.

“Thank-you for your cooperation.” Jyn was saying to the guards who had assisted on the transfer, turning on her heel when Cassian’s voice crackled along the comms.

“Everyone, get out of there. Now.”

His words had Jyn pulling out a blaster and shooting the previously smiling guards before taking Bix’s arm and leading her out into the corridor.

“What about you?” Melshi’s voice was level yet Bix found she had spent enough time with the squad to know he would be contemplating on backtracking to their leader’s last known location.

All she was able to do was continue to calmly walk beside Jyn—-who had her blaster out and concealed as best she could by the side of her leg—-as the two of them made their way out of the facility without appearing to be fleeing as they listened to the others, who had more allowance for speech.

“We’re fine. Took a service entrance out. Bodhi be ready to have us in the air the moment we give the word.”

“I would love to but…Um…The ground doesn’t seem to want to let us go.”

“What do you mean?”

“The landing pads are magnetic.”

“Of course they are” That would be Xaul’s grumbled voice.

“The operations for both flight access and the release of the droids’ viral pandemonium are in the same location” K instructed, having followed orders and returned to the ship as soon as he was done playing his role. “There’s a control room just off the central hub, if you take the third left on entering.”

“We’ll get it.” Jyn offered as she and Bix stepped into the exact area specified, though—-despite her words—-she didn’t take them towards the branch-off K had instructed but, rather, she steered Bix towards the arch that served as a straight-way to the security check-point and the ship beyond.

“Jyn, what are you…” Bix trailed off as the inevitable alarm began to blare with a piercing light strobing along with the deafening wail.

Fiddling with her collar, Jyn looked up at Bix the best she was able with their difference in height and faulty light display. “Caleen, I can trust you, right?”

“Trust me with what?”

“With taking care of him. With taking care of all of them. Keep them from doing anything stupid.”

“Keep them from…What are you saying?”

Why were they just standing there? Why weren’t they either running towards the ship or towards the control room?

Jyn shoved something into Bix’s hand. A cheap but durable looking cord and what appeared to be a piece of glass strung through it. “Keep them safe and get them home.” Then Bix was tumbling back, pushed by Jyn, through the archway and into the exit.

The lever was thrown during Bix’s stumble to cause the security gate to begin to lower. Evidently, at too slow of a rate for Jyn’s tastes. She shot the panel and caused the gate to free-fall right as over a dozen Imperial guards ran into the hub from the various corridors.

The last image Bix had of Jyn before the gate crashed was the woman holding her blaster in one hand and producing a collapsible baton in the other.

“Hello boys.” The words were nearly drowned out by the sounds of metal crumbling into metal.

After that…Bix wasn’t sure what happened. She wasn’t aware of leaving where she had fallen on the safe side of the arch or how her feet had managed to carry her to the ship’s awaiting ramp. Voices traveling down to her from within showing the others had made it out.

Stordan was the first to notice her presence. “They’re back.” He called out, quickly hitting a button to lift the ramp without paying attention to Bix begging along. He was already heading towards the flight deck to see if the landing pad would permit their desire to be airborne.

Footsteps jogged along, countering Stordan’s departure and growing louder with each stride proceeding Cassian entering the room. The relieved smile on his face withering on seeing Bix by herself.

“Where’s Jyn?” His dark eyes slowly took in the sight of a shell-shocked Bix and the necklace dangling from her fingers. All color drained from his face, turning about and racing from sight. “K! Bodhi! Stop! Turn around! Jyn is still down there!”

~

It had been a while since Jyn was in this much pain. Mental tally, as her hands flicked over the switches to retract the magnetic hold on the facility's landing pad, would guess that she had several broken ribs, countless sprained and bruised muscles, a developing concussion, and blaster burn along her right temple that was sure to leave a scar.

If there was enough time for one to properly form.

Blood dripped from the head wound—-along with the trickle coming from her nose and the split in her lower lip—-and plopped onto the control panel her fingers tapped along, opening comms to the ship on one screen and throwing the droids on the assembling line into pure bedlam with the other.

There wouldn’t be anything left for the Empire to scavenge when they finally made their arrival.

“K?”

“Yes? Jyn? Why are you comming me? Stordan said–”

“You don’t have a lot of time. I need you to remember the one night when we were watching So Sets the Binary Suns. When everyone else fell asleep and it was just us.”

“What are you…Jyn. Jyn, what’s going on?”

“I’m so sorry, K. Tell them to blame me. Tell them to hate me. Just get them somewhere safe.” Then she cut the feed and sank to the floor, awaiting the clean-up crew to find her.

~

“Why aren’t you turning this around?” Cassian shouted on entering the flight desk, grabbing the back of Bodhi and K’s chairs.

“I can’t…K locked me out and…” Bodhi motioned to the useless controls in front of him and then over to the droid who slapped the pilot when his hand got too close to the secondary control system.

“Apologies, I seemed to have lost autonomy over my body. I suspect that Jyn snuck some subroutine into my matrix that caused…I can’t seem to let go and I can’t relinquish control and I can’t get us back to Jyn.” There was an almost static ripple through K’s voice, as if being choked with actual emotion. “She said not to blame me, but…”

“Why did you leave her?” Cassian rounded towards Bix, who had shuffled in, eyes still wide and blank and detached from the ability to properly think.

“I…we…” Hands trembling Bix continued to hold onto the kyber crystal Jyn was never without. Her most precious possession. Her only possession of interchangeable weapons and basic clothing allotments didn’t count.

Cassian felt Melshi restraining him when, acting on its own accord, his hand reached for his blaster. If the problem was K’s programming, there were ways around it…

Unable to catch his breath, Cassian turned to punch his capture. Fist faltering on seeing silent tears stream down Melshi’s face as the ship left the red moon and made the jump to hyperspace.

Chapter 17: Plan

ABY 0

Yavin 4

~

Jyn had never been one to understand the fascination there was surrounding the notion of seeing bare flesh. How some individuals spent hard-earned credits to frequent establishments simply to watch another strip down on stage. To be looked at but never touched. Transfixed on attributes shared by so many others. Or, on a more personal matter, how so many on the main base found excuses to pass by Rogue One’s barracks during the hours known to serve as their time training.

There was no delusion that any came by to see her, that all their interest and barely suppressed squeals were directed towards the sight of Melshi stripped to the waist and pouring a canteen of water over his head or Bodhi and Stordan working on disarming each other. All this was completely baffling to her as this audience was comprised of those who considered themselves soldiers. Shouldn’t They had better things to do than get bothered over Xaul’s wiry frame completing pull-ups; what they should be more concerned about was his fair skin scouring under the blinding sun.

The Alliance’s more conservative regulations with the mixing of genders and the discretion expected of any coupling were vastly different from the environment she had been raised amongst. With the Partisans, everyone was considered sexless while in the field and training. If there was any fornicating, it was done in the sparse moments between missions and happened wherever the couple was able. No matter if they were in semi-clear sight or not.

“Melshi, I’m pretty sure you just gave that blonde a nosebleed.” She snorted at the sight of a young X-Wing pilot trying to duck out of sight from where he had been concealed within the thick foliage surrounding the pop-up home that was allowed to serve as their barracks. Though all in the squad agreed and demanded that renovations would be needed.

“He just gave the blonde something to be sure.” Xaul chuckled, letting go of the tree branch he had been using and dropping back to the ground.

“Just be glad Captain Andor is not down here.” Taidu wiped at the sweat beading his face, returning from his daily jog around the compound and catching the canteen Melshi had just refilled from the spigoted spring that was in the process of being morphed into an external shower. The squad hated having to trek to the community showers and didn’t see the point in not establishing their own.

Might as well exploit the favoritism while they had it.

“Why?” Jyn started to stretch to cool off muscles from her own run and in preparation for whoever had the idea to challenge her to sparring practice. The men still seemed to be under the belief that her standing record was nothing more than a mere fluke.

“Ever since Bix–you heard about Bix, right?” Xaul stopped to motion towards Jyn and Bodhi, the newcomers to the squad’s dynamic and overall base-life gossip. “Well, ever since she left, he has been considered fair game.”

“You make him sound like some kind of rare dewback.”

Xaul paused at Jyn’s comment and considered the thick canopy above them. “There is word play there that a cleverer man than myself would have fun exploiting.”

“I guess this is a good time to also comment that many of his admirers are not keen on there being a time when the two of you were off exploring the galaxy alone.” Stordan added a flourish to his voice on the last word.

Jyn had only been in residence on Yavin 4 for less than two weeks, yet she was well aware that there was some sense of infamy surrounding her. A distrust that some of the rebels seemed to harbor towards her. She had assumed this had to do with her Partisan past or that Melshi had to break her out of Wobani. Maybe even surrounding her parentage. It was more than a bit insulting to discover the subtle animosity was from idiotic jealousy of time spent lost.

Did the Alliance not work their people hard enough that there was energy for such frivolity? Did the Council take suggestions on how to better manage their soldiers’ time?

“You mean while he was being forced to marry an Imperial pseudo-scientists daughter and I was staging worker revolutions?” Jyn condolences her irritation into a simple sentence laced with derision.

“Yes, that.” Bodhi either didn’t notice her tone or wanted to add to whatever was fueling it.

“Then those admirers really should stop…doing whatever that is, and talk to him themselves.” Dropping the arm she was slowly stretching across her chest and over her shoulder, Jyn shook out her hands and bounced on the balls of her feet. “If they did, they would realize that nothing did, and never will, occur between me and Cassian.”

Melshi shook his head with a patronizing ‘tsk’ of his tongue. “Never is a long time.”

“So is forever, and I have no intention of spending that with anyone.” Jyn countered, half-heartedly jabbing at his defined torso.

He easily deflected from her ‘attack’ with an easy grin crinkling along his eyes as he exchanged looks with the rest. “A’ha.”

“What?”

“Nothing,” Bodhi quickly pointed upward, towards the porch at Jyn’s back, “just that Cassian is heading down.”

“Does anyone else hear a high-pitched squeal?” K asked from where he sat with his back against the building. Not needing to do anything to remain in peak condition, the droid had developed the habit of sitting by the accessing his organic squad members while they seemed to undergo near levels of physical torture.

Stepping off the stairs, Cassian started untucking and unfastening his shirt as he walked towards where his subordinates were gathered and tossed the garment over the fallen log Taidu was currently sitting on, leaving nothing but warm skin and toned muscles.

Maybe he did it because he knew he had an audience. Maybe he knew those watching had so very little going on that he might as well supply them with a voyeuristic thrill.

“Come on Jyn,” he said with the half-smile she had long found herself associating with him. That along with the lean in and head-tilt he effectively used when attempting to get his way in matters. “you’re probably the only one here who can give me a good workout.”

“Are you sure about that never and forever comments?” Melshi whispered as he ruffled her hair.

“Absolutely.” Was Jyn’s automatic response, fearing that—-somehow—-the larger man could sense that, for a brief moment, her treacherous heart had fluttered.

~

—

~

ABY 1

Hyperspace

~

Like nearly all adults who grew and learned and matured throughout the course of their lives, Cassian had long shed the skin and mindset of ‘Kassa.’ Not from denial of his heritage, as he believed Maarva sometimes wished he had, but through the course of learning to better control his emotions and think through the consequences of his actions.

Yet the little boy who took out his grief via trying to destroy an Imperial science vessel with nothing more than a blow-dart pipe still existed within his physique and, in moments of duress, seemed to once more make himself known.

Rather than destroy and dismantle the current Imperial vessel he was inhabiting, he found his rage potentially misplaced onto the one individual currently onboard he held no loyalty or protection towards.

“Who are you?” The words came out as a snarl; teeth bared and near itches from the Chiss’ face. He held Aki against the wall by his throat with the barrel of Cassian’s blaster pressed under his chiseled jaw.

Voice nothing more than a rasp, Aki managed to get out, “I already told you–”

“And I saw how you were in there. So smooth. So knowledgeable. So prepare for what to expect.” Cassian tightened his grip. “Who. Are. You.”

“Aki’he’mikkle….” The Chiss managed to establish a full breath when Cassian momentarily relieved the pressure on the other’s throat. Words spilled out while there was an opening, in hopes of revealing enough to keep Cassian from digging his fingers into Aki’s flesh once more. “I served as an Imperial Intelligence officer until the moment the Empire started destroying worlds. I abandoned my post before your farm boy made his lucky shot and probably the only one of the contracts you saved who was aware of what he was signing up for at the time.”

Hold remaining solid but not choking, Cassian searched along the Chiss’s expression. “Why?”

“To disappear.” Aki swallowed back a gulp, not trying to maintain the composed dignity his race seemed to be associated with. “To pay my penance. I offered to take over the contract of a young woman from Alderaan, who fell on hard times.”

“Yet you left with us when we extended the offer.” Cassian’s hand flexed. “You could have stayed and continued with your reparation efforts, but you chose to come with us. You even aided in getting us in the compound. You had it all so eloquently depicted and timed.”

“Because defecting seemed like a better way of atoning than shaking my ass for credits.” Aki explained as his fingers began tapping along the metal behind him. “Saying this may get me shot, but would it help if I confessed in knowing where they would most likely have taken your girl?”

“What?”

Feeling Cassian’s hold ease once more, Aki began voicing a near stream of conscious thought. Most likely trying to once more buy time before Cassian rethought the alleviation. “Going off the sector we’re in and the level of damage we left in our wake. They’re going to want her somewhere free from due-process and a documented ledger.”

“Somewhere they will torture her for information.” Melshi growled. Face still drawn and eyes strained, he finally broke the silence that the others were holding while they witnessed their captain rapidly unravel.

“We have to warn the Council.” Bix said, still clutching the necklace and seeming uncertain where to stand or what to do or how to express the thoughts going about her mind. “They need to know that there’s…that Jyn…Everything that is in Jyn’s head will soon be known.” She finally managed to force out the words.

“No it won’t.”

“Everyone breaks.” Cassian knew Bix was trying to soften her words; it only fueled his anger.

“Not Jyn!” Cassian yelled, having to believe it. “Gorst is gone, all they can do is–”

“Torture. All they can do is torture her.” Xaul summarized, cracking his knuckles with a tick forming along his jaw.

“If we tell the Council, they’re going to try to send someone in to handle it.” Stordan said into his hands. The weight of his guilt was near tangible on how it was gradually crushing him.

“Bomb the place.” Taidu explained to Bix. An outsider might think him hosting a detached and pragmatic manner towards what was going on. An outsider did not know Taidu, or how he was on the brink of ripping something apart. “Bomb the place as soon as possible with hopes that she holds on for long enough. It’s what she’s going to be expecting.” His last comment was for the others.

Something they all know but none wanted to admit. Jyn had done her task with the expectation of only enduring whatever those Imperial bastards inflicted upon her long enough for the Alliance to handle the problem.

Retracting his grip, Cassian allowed Aki to slump down towards the floor while he began to gather what limited items were available. “Give me an hour's head start.”

“What?” Grabbing his wrist, Melshi forced Cassian to look at him.

“All I ask is for one hour,” Cassian clarified. “That and to be placed somewhere with access to the shipyard.”

“Your plan is to steal a ship, go to some secret Imperial prison, and get Jyn out before the Alliance can scramble the fighters?” Bodhi looked towards the others to assess if they had come to the same conclusion. “Is that what I’m hearing?”

“Yes.” Cassian bit out.

“Excellent.” Clapping his hands, Xaul joined Cassian in accessing what was available. “Let me go get my grenades—-I knew they were worth hiding from those pirates—-and we should consider the benefits of the rocket launcher I helped myself to while we were on Lianna.”

“Aki, you said you know where they took her, give Bodhi the coordinates and then get ready to divulge all possible intel you may be harboring.” Melshi ordered while Bodhi started up towards the flight deck once more.

“Unless you just want to be tied up and thrown through an airlock.” Xaul offered when the Chiss did not immediately fall into action.

“As fun as that sounds, and I am not one to kink shame,” Aki climbed back to his feet and started to follow Bodhi, “but I’m more than willing to assist you on this course. No need for either threats or promises you have no intention of keeping.”

“What's going on?” Cassian found his bafflement somehow momentarily managing to eclipse his rage. Rage was the safest of the emotions currently battling for domination; he didn’t want to risk its placement to be substituted with one of its more undesirable, less productive adversaries.

“Did you seriously think we wouldn’t be coming along?” Stordan had managed to muster up enough will and resolve to find his feet and lend assistance to the preparations.

“The vain bastard honestly thought he’s the only one who loves the sarge.” Xaul’s mouth continued to hang after speaking this.

“Just because we don’t spend time meant for sleeping rolling around with her on a couch–”

“How did you…” Cassian cut-off where Bodhi’s voice hollered back from the pilot’s chair.

“My eye circuits nearly burnt out at the sight.” K—-having powered back up from the forced reset he had manually put himself into, once he regained a semblance of control over his limbs and processes—-leaned into view, raising his hand in confession. “I had to tell someone or risk going mad.”

“Yeah, there’s still a lot to debate about that,” Melshi said.

—

“Miranda.” Aki explained.

Unable to access the needed files with the datapad available, he made do with a paint pen he had found amongst the things from the original inhabitant’s items that the pirates had deemed useless for their marauding purposes. He drew images and notes along the wall for the others to take into memory.

Taidu stepped closer, as if that would better assist him into mentally logging the intel. “Never heard of it.”

“Is it a moon?” Bodhi questioned. As an imperial pilot, he had a better understanding of the placement of certain worlds and celestial objects within various sectors and quadrants. By no means did he know the galaxy’s entirety, but he was the most knowledgeable.

“You wouldn’t have heard of it.” Aki assured the two that the gaps in their education were not by their own fault. “And, no, it’s not a moon. It’s a space station that doesn’t technically exist.”

“A prison.” Cassian’s hands kept curling into fists. No longer searching for someone to strangle, the impulse had been slightly nullified once Bix had relinquished Jyn’s necklace to him; the action was more of a self-soothing tick he was developing.

“We, in Imperial Intelligence, used to call it the menagerie.” Aki smoothed away the smile that wanted to lift his lips. Not one that read as mocking or even pleased, just an expression tied one thing to a deeper memory. The Chiss clearly hadn’t hated his time in wearing the red uniform, which Cassian flagged as it could be troubling. “It’s where all the rare breeds of criminals were kept.”

“Jyn’s a rare breed?” Bix seemed uncertain.

The others just stared at her.

Cassian scoffed. He hadn’t lied when he told Bix that he still loved; he was just now realizing how Maarva felt all those years when she told him how she would always love him, that didn’t mean she would always like him.

At the moment, Cassian did not want to like Bix. Knowing that it hadn’t been her fault, that they all knew Jyn had made up her mind and that there was no stopping her once she had a course set, did not stop the irrational, petty part of him from attempting to find a way to place the blame away from Jyn’s actions.

It might be insulting and an injustice to all parties involved—-and once Jyn was safely back, he would shift the blame to a more reasonable location—-but, for the moment, though, this was the only way he knew he would maintain sanity.

He needed third parties to blame and a course of action to correct the matter.

“She took down the security detail of a top secret facility nearly single-handedly and was able to counter their magnetic restriction while starting what sounded like the droid revolution’s second coming.” Aki slowly broke down what everyone else knew. “They’re not going to risk her in a common cell at a standard prison or labor camp.”

“How many guards man it?” Melshi rubbed a hand along his jaw. Always a preferred man to have at your side in a fight, he was not the best at detailed analysis and hypothetical speculation. He was best with dry facts and distinct limitations.

“That’s the benefit, secrets are only effective with fewer numbers aware. I don’t know the exact number; it is safe to say there is never more than fifty inhabiting the place at any time. Though there are several battle droids to factor in.”

“Bigger concern. What do you propose we do with the traumatized and brain-altered individuals we are currently harboring?”

Xaul waved a hand towards where Kino and the others, who had undergone whatever programming treatment the Empire tested upon them, sat. Cassian wished Gorst was alive, so he could have him killed again; there was no way the sadist hadn’t been somehow involved. All affected simply stared blankly in front of them. They answered when there was a question or spoke if a comment was directed towards them, but there was no sense of life to the husks.

Cassian hadn’t even had the time to process what had become of Kino, an indulgent he wouldn’t have availability to contemplate and search for possible resolutions till he had Jyn back.

“Doesn’t seem like a stable group to bring along to a prison break.” Aki agreed, capping his pen.

“Our current course is for The Slice.” Bodhi told the rest.

K had plotted the course while under whatever program Jyn had installed—-another matter Cassian would have to discuss with her. Rather than direct them off course, the pilot had decided to maintain the route and plot for the station’s last known location after arriving.

“Mothma’s Sanctuary project?” Cassian vaguely recalled hearing about her work on establishing an Alliance secure haven for those in need of a safe port. It was also part of the supposed plans for relocation off Yavin 4.

“I figured we could drop them off there and get what we need. We could also take them to Mon Cala, but I didn’t know how well they would take to the environment in their condition.”

The Mon Calamari were fierce fighters and generous hosts, but their world was primarily water and so humid it made Yavin 4 feel like an arid wasteland.

“Bix?” Melshi offered.

“What?”

“You don’t have to be a part of this.” His expression to her wasn’t unkind nor did it hold any of Cassian’s, or some of the other’s, misguided blame. “You already went with one unsanctioned plan, we can’t expect you to be an accomplice for another.”

“We just ask for the original hour head start.” Strodan requested.

“And that you don’t tell them the station’s location,” Taidu added. “They can evacuate the base without risk of us blowing up along with Miranda.”

“I’m not going anywhere.”

They all just stared at her in silent disbelief, even Aki.

“It’s a space station, right?” Standing up, she took the pen from the Chiss’s grip.

“Yes,” Aki nodded. “I literally just said that.”

“Then you’re going to need a skilled mechanic if you expect to get out of there alive and with Jyn.”

“What are you proposing?” Cassian tugged at the crystal hanging about his neck.

Bix pressed the pen to one of the diagrams available. “A lot can be done with life support…”

—

—

—

AN: I know I said it before, but I really do mean it this time when I say I am not sure when I will be able to make the next installment. I am hoping for Wednesday/Thursday, but everything is a bit up in the air this week.

Chapter 18: Wait

Miranda

~

When Jyn was a child, no older than eleven, Saw sat her down to have what was probably one of the most important talks of her life. An explanation of what it meant to be one of the Partisans. That, if captured, she was expected to swallow the pill he placed in the palm of her small hand, or—-if failing to do so, from physical restraint or shameful cowardice—-she was to make those who took her regret the act.

Fight every second. Turn off all thoughts and emotions beyond that of survival and violence. Become the beast that all sentient beings are at their cores…

Jyn had managed to kill three of those who had been sent to integrate her since her arrival at what she presumed was a space station for political criminals and other unwanted individuals.

All were dead through their own hubris: the first thought her battered body had no fight left, so he attempted to garner the illusion of goodwill by allowing her to be unshackled; his predecessor had been more cautious but did not seem to understand what Jyn could still manage if there was enough slack on her chains and how easily it was to dislocate a thumb; the last took one step too close to where she had been hanging, unanchored from the ceiling.

Each death should have been savored as a victory. Each brought additional time where she successfully maintained her silence and brought her closer to the moment when the Alliance would bring forth her death. Ensuring her silence. She should be proud of her actions, except for the fact that nothing she did was from the desire to protect the rebellion’s succession. Nor was it why she had made sure to discard her ISB hat and tunic—-knowing K would have wiped the security logs of the squad’s entrance when he placed the virus in the droid hive mind—-while she had been fighting her way to the control room.

She accomplished her tasks not for the overall cause in the Rebellion, but so that her squad, specifically, had time to get to safety.

And that was where she failed.

Saw would be so disappointed in her; at the weakness she allowed to encroach about her thoughts and actions. Because it was her emotions that were fueling her silence and why she fought each second she was being tortured and questioned. Not some primal instinct to slaughter her enemy, but from thoughts of Xaul’s sulking sarcasm, Bodhi’s poorly concealed anxiety, Stordan’s attempted maturity, Taidu’s steadfastness, Melshi…just the fact that he was Ruescott Melshi and possibly the best friend she ever had.

She thought about how K was the most peculiar and unique droid she had ever encountered; how the world would be a darker place without the fried circuit board that made it possible for him to become a drama addict. At least she would never have to face his betrayed rage over what she had done to his programming.

There was no reason to deny that she was going to die there. The rebels would figure out where she was and send either their bombs or one of their assassins. Maybe it would be Kleya who was given the assignment to infiltrate the station and forever silence Jyn’s voice. Even if they didn’t, Jyn was resolved to die before the Imperial personnel running this location could bring in something capable of breaking her. Soon they would have to accept that simple pain was not going to be enough.

“Did you want it to mean something?” Cassian’s voice whispered in her mind as she felt his phantom touch ghost along her lower lip. “Tell me what you want.”

This, not rage or hate or sheer stubborn defiance, was what filled her mind and kept her silent. It was what made her finally admit that she was ruined as an agent. Her mind should not be thinking back on such moments, like some love-struck teenager. It should be on pragmatic realism and cold calculation on how to take out as many Imperials as possible before her time came.

“--I owe you a life after this. I want us to have a life after this. Somewhere we can go that is warm–”

He was safe.

While her programming had not specified an exact location, she had done enough to know K would make sure that Cassian and the others got somewhere safe. Once there, they would follow protocol and inform the Council that Yavin 4 needed to be evacuated. Bix would make sure of that.

“--I was lost after Bix left, but I wouldn’t be able to survive losing you–”

A hyperbole. She had known this even as Cassian had professed it. Something spoken in the heat of the moment and not what should be taken as literal truth, no matter how hearing the words had caused her petty heart to lift.

She was glad it wasn’t the truth. He would endure her loss as he had with so much else. A thought that caused her heart to experience a tormented prang so much more agonizing than anything her captures could inflict.

She was glad he had Bix. Be it romance or simply from having the familiar along his side; she was confident that he would not be alone and would have a means for comfort.

She could admit to herself now that she wanted what he had proposed: a life together. One away from all the pain and death, betrayal and schemes. A beautiful promise of what could have been.

She hoped her last thought would be on that. It’s what she focused on whenever the torment ceased and she could close her eyes and escape.

~

“You said she managed to kill two of your men?” Cassian’s full focus was on where Jyn dangled from the ceiling of the otherwise empty room. Wrists shackled and crossed from where her lank fingers nearly skimmed the surface above her. Her bare feet did not come close to touching the grated floor beneath her, where the blood was dripping.

Unable to see him on the other side of the observation glass, there was no way for her to know he was there; that she had not, once more, been abandoned. He had to keep his thoughts on her, on getting her out of there, on all the things he would lecture her about and demand of her once they had time to properly speak.

If he thought about her—-about the future her where this would only be a bad memory, when the nightmares woke her in the head of night, he could hold her and offer comfort—-he found it tolerable to maintain the role he was playing.

The time he needed to stall ticked away in his head.

Miranda’s warden was a balding man whose jowls wiggled when he forced a cough to clear his throat. “Three, actually.”

“Right, three.” Cassian nodded, looking over his shoulder at where K and Melshi stood at the back of the observation room.

Melshi remained in his earlier security uniform where Cassian now played the role of cape-wearing science officer. There was something about the excess of fabric that seemed to demand respect and invoked authority. He had hoped the sight of him in the ridiculous get up would make Jyn laugh when she recalled it days from now.

“It’s nothing to be ashamed about, not considering.” Cassian continued, turning back to face forward once more. How Jyn’s chin slumped against her chest.

Why were the seconds going by so slow?

“Considering what?” The warden’s thick brows drew together so they formed an unbroken line over the top of his blood-shot eyes. It was late, via the Standard Coruscant time that all stations are to keep with; Cassian’s arrival had dragged the man from his bed.

“You’re not aware of who you have in there? You truly just happened upon her.”

“Who is she?”

“The birth daughter of Galen Erso, a colleague and mentor of mine, and Saw Guerrera’s adopted daughter.” Keeping his hands clasped behind his back, Cassian cocked his head towards the Warden in an almost condescending manner. Secret prison or not, there was no way a science officer would treat a mere Warden as an equal. “You’re aware of who Saw Guerrera is, yes?”

“Some crazed rebel.” Cassian’s patronizing had been a part of the act, but now he truly wondered if the man standing with him was fit to serve his station. Anyone who spoke of Saw Guerrera in such a dismissive way was not worthy of an officer’s uniform.

“The leader of a militant sect that focused on guerrilla tactics and possessed an undeniable charisma that invoked the desire of others to please his extreme expectations. Honestly, you’re lucky that you only lost three. She has been known to take down far more significant numbers.”

“I suppose that should not be a surprise, given the state of how we found the Dedoon facility.” The man grudgingly stated before he scoffed away any hint of respect he may feel towards the spectacle Jyn would be attributed to. “Formidable as her pedigree may be, we have her properly contained, and it seems reasonable to infer that she has managed to persevere this long simply by the delusion all undergo when they first arrive.”

“And that would be?”

“No doubt, she thinks that all she has to do is hold on until her companions come to save her. That as long as she buys enough time, she will be rescued.” The bastard had the gall to flutter his fingers in whimsical parody before his hands dropped once more to his sides. “Once that hope is gone, I am confident she will tell us what we want to know—-and what we don’t even care about.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.”

“How so?”

“What she is waiting for isn’t salvation, it’s death. She is expecting to die. If she had it her way, her crew would be long gone and back on the rebel base. I’m kind of insulted that she didn’t know we would always come for her.” For the first time, Cassian allowed himself to look at the man face on, pulling out his blaster as he did so. “That I would always come for her.” He pulled the trigger as his innerclock hit zero.

~

“How do you know how to do this?” Taidu asked, holding the grate while Bix partially climbed into the duct beyond to gain access to the wires and workings beneath the station's main floors. The two had snuck in while Cassian and his ‘honored guard’ made their grand entrance. The hanger was so busy putting on a strong first impression for this unexpected visit that no one noticed the two creeping about.

She had requested that the lieutenant assist her in her actions as, out of the lot available, Taidu seemed to have the most stable presence and the least judgemental manner. ‘Of those available’ meaning that Melshi refused to be anywhere except for with Cassian and K on the forefront of reclaiming their girl—-to use the squad’s vernacular—-out of whatever cell or interrogation room she was currently placed in.

That and no one trusted Aki to be left outside of the main group. He could not be left on the shuttle with only Bodhi as a guard nor, in the same spirit, would Bix serve as the solo obstacle between himself and whatever potentially nefarious plan he was considering.

He got them in, that did not merit immediate trust.

Carefully running a blade over the coverings of specifically selected wires, Bix kept her hands steady and voice tense. “Back from my days on Ferrix. I ran a scrap yard–”

“Yeah, Cap used to tell us stories of the hustle you two worked while that guy—-Timm?--ran the shop. Did he really not know what was going on?” There may have been a bit of a double-meaning to his seemingly innocuous question, though Bix suspected that it was only old wounds and regrets feeding into linger paranoia.

“Well, there was a time when we wanted to get onto a vessel before it was technically up for auction, while there were people still inhabiting it for appraisals and inventory.”

“And you?”

“Tampered with the life support,” Bix started twisting naked, frayed wires together. “I figured out how to make it look like it was on the brink of failing, and then slipped on when everyone else evacuated to get the parts I needed.”

“Sounds risky.”

“It was.”

“Then why do it?”

“My dad was dying and I was in denial about it. Wanted to get him into a special hospital that cost far more than we had and Cass was more than willing to lend a hand. It was how the ‘hustle’ began.” She shoved herself out of the duct and took up the datapad she had plugged into an already overworked panel.

“You do fit. Or, you know, you could.” Taidu confessed, moving the grate about in his hands.

“Excuse me?”

“With us.” He clarified. “You’re starting to fit in now that we’re over all the drama.”

“I thought you guys like drama.” Bix almost laughed with the comment, thinking about how the topic of holodramas seemed to always be just a breath away from being released.

“In our entertainment, not our missions. If you stick around after this, please keep that in mind.”

“I don’t think I’m made for this type of work.” There was a lightness to be felt after giving the admittance. “I’m actually looking forward to returning to a hanger after this is finished. To get my hands covered in grease once more.”

“Nothing wrong with that.”

Bix and Taidu exchanged smiled as she pressed a final button and the alarm begin to blare.

~

The sound of the glass shattering was covered by the wail meant to warn all inhabiting the station that they were at risk of suffering the true cruelty of space. Per protocol, the limited guards would activate the battle droids to ensure the prisoners either rode out the danger from their cells in wait for the guards’ return, or they would die in the unbreathable, frozen void the station was soon to become.

Even if they could hear the destruction of the observation’s barrier. No one would care to investigate.

Climbing over the wall separating the two rooms, Cassian didn't care about the lingering fragments that caught on his clothing or scratched at his skin. Jyn pulled him in as if she had a personal tractor beam, and he was not fighting it.

Then cursing himself for not grabbing the keys…

A jingle behind Cassian let him know that Melshi had seen to the oversight, reaching higher than Cassian was able, he unlocked Jyn’s shackles and caused her collapse right into Cassian’s waiting arms and be wrapped in his cloak. The white material was soon largely speckled with crimson.

She felt too fragile. He knew it was impossible, but it felt as if she had lost a significant amount of weight since he had last held her. Though there was no imagining the blood caked and cracked about her face and through the tears in her clothes. He also was mindful of how wrong some of her limbs felt. Bones had been broken or popped from sockets.

The pain from the disturbance may be what caused her eyes to flutter open on contact. A hand—-it’s fingers looking askew and crooked—-reached up to lighting touch his face with a visible tremor.

“I’m glad…I got my wish.” She gasped out with a small, pained smile before her eyes cleared and the realization of her circumstance began to settle in.

“Hey…Hey. Hey. It’s okay.” Cassian tried to calm her while Jyn tried to free herself from his grasp and the cloak’s fabric. Words trying and failing to form and articulate what was causing her distress.

“Easy there Sarge.” Melshi also attempted to ease her frantic attempts at freedom. “You’re in no shape to go off on your own.”

“Oh for the love of…Here, take this. It’s only a loan; I expect you to give it back once we are on the ship.” K held out his blaster, pushing it into Jyn’s hands far more tenderly than the irritation in his tone implied.

The moment the weapon was in her hands, Jyn’s posture sagged in relief. Her arms cradled it to her chest like a child would hold a favorite toy.

“Alright, up you go.” Melshi reached down to scoop-up Jyn from where she stood limp against the line of Cassian’s body.

Cassian’s arms tightened around her; eyes snapping to glare up at the taller man. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“Cassian, it would be better if I carried her.”

“Why?”

“Because you're better with a blaster.” Melshi calmly explained with gentle understanding of what was not being said. “The moment we’re on the ship, K will get back his blaster and you can have her, but we need to get out of here first and there are battle droids on the way.”

Taking a deep breath, Cassian brushed his lips along Jyn’s forehead before relenting his hold and allowing Melshi to cradle Jyn against his chest with a reminder that he should not resent the man for being a small giant.

“Keep her safe.”

Melshi didn’t dignify Cassian’s comment with a response.

—

They had made it inside the station-prison by the random grace of the intelligence that lingered within Aki’s mind. Stations’ codes and procedures seemed to be compiled within whatever limited gray-matter a Chiss brain possessed. Though there was still a moment of tense anxiety when they—-like when they had approached Scarif’s shield gate over a year past—-had no way of being entirely certain if the information would be deemed too out-dated to allow admittance.

There was also always the lingering possibility that Aki was setting them up; they were already at a prison, after all. They could simply have been naive baby shaaks trotting off to be slaughtered.

“Is this still necessary?” Aki was asking Xaul from where he, Xaul, and Stordan—-dressed in some more of the ill-gotten security uniforms—stood in the precise location along the main corridor they had been told to remain at while Cassian and the other two had been escorted to the observation room.

The redhead continued to subtly press a blaster against the Chiss’ side, giving no indication of being willing to relent his stance as the sirens continued to drone. “We’re not back on the ship yet, and we’re far from hyperspace” His pale eyes remained on Aki while everyone else—-including Aki himself—-turned to see the three return with Jyn.

“Ah, Cassian–may I call you Cassian?” Aki asked, his tone jarring against the weight everyone else seemed to be feeling from the sight of Melshi trying to contain Jyn’s broken body in as comfortable of a position as possible.

Moving her was most likely not ideal, but they had no other choice.

Even by not looking—-undoubtedly knowing what he would see if he did—-Xaul contributed to the tense atmosphere. His eyes seemed to take on the practice of rapidly blinking as his jaw tensed.

“It’s Captain Andor,” Cassian growled, motioning the others to fall in line—-Melshi position in the middle of their queue with Xaul maintaining his sentinel position against Aki—to make way back to the hanger. “And you heard the man.”

They managed to round one corner before they found themselves having their first encounter with a pair of the station’s battle droids.

Blasters came out as a wall was formed about Melshi and, more precisely, Jyn. They all wanted to make quick work of the inconvenience so they could get to the ship and finally make their way home.

Chapter 19: Aftermath

AN: So this is it–The End.

Thank-you all for the comments, subscriptions, kudos…etc. It really means a lot, and I hope you guys are not disappointed with how this ends.

I may start a Melshi/Kleya story [have a couple of ideas and need to narrow it down] but—-full disclosure—-sounds like I will be needing surgery so, if I write, the updates will most likely not be as frequent as this one.

—

—

—

ABY 5

Niamos

~

It was a small bar located on a prime, if understated, bit of real estate right along the shoreline. Somewhere unimposing enough so not to attract large crowds of trendy tourists, those who came to the occupied pleasure planet on the whim of wanting to pretend a war was not raging. Yet it possessed a casual, inviting charm that guaranteed a steady intake of both regulars and curious visitors.

More patrons if the cook had the kitchen’s blinders open, so those sitting within could watch him go about his tasks. Shoulder-length hair partially tied up as he worked away at whatever special the day held.

Less patrons when the manager was restraining a man—-a side of his face pressed flat against a tabletop with his arms held painfully behind him and a hand gripping at the back of his neck—-for being too aggressive with his alleged flirting.

“Kassa!” The bartender, a man in his late-fifties or early sixties with a full mane of white-silver hair, casually called out as he placed a complimentary drink in front of the young woman the aforementioned man had been accosting.

“Yeah?” The cook yelled back, leaning out of the swinging doorway between the kitchen and main room.

“Your wife is manhandling clients, again.”

The cook’s dark eyes warmed in growing amusement at the sight of his slender, petite wife adding pressure against the man when he once more tried to break free of her hold. All he managed from his efforts was for a choked whimper to fill the air. The regulars paid no mind—-locals were well-versed by now on the penalty of what happened if someone got out of hand within the establishment—while the tourists either actively disassociated from the calm violence the manager invoked or watched the display with active intrigue.

“What did he do, Linn?” Kassa remained in the doorway, wiping his hands off on his apron and pretending not to notice how a few of the clientele present sighed at the sight of him in a partially open shirt with the sleeves rolled up.

“Doesn’t understand the concept of ‘no’ and caught him palming a vial of sedative,” was Linn’s answer, not looking up from the screen of hair that fell along her face.

The young woman sitting at the bar visibly shook as she shoved her previous drink further away from her before taking a sip of the untainted.

Kassa nodded, thin lips momentarily down turned and looking over towards the bartender. “Sounds like it was well deserved.”

The bartender shrugged. “Never said it wasn't, just thought you would want to know.”

The authorities—-stormtroopers who had been permanently stationed to Niamos—-came soon after to collect the assailant, receiving tokens for free drinks for their efforts. The small bar was a preferred place for those who wore the uniform, making it a place to frequent while they were off the clock, and where they directed other Imperials, normally those on leave, to go if nothing more was desired than good drinks, equally as delicious food, and a laid back atmosphere.

“So…Kassa…” A woman, sitting with two others at a table that was perfectly stationed to watch the cook move about his kitchen domain, asked with a slight glance up at where Linn placed drinks in front of her and her companions.

“Yes?” Linn wondered if there was a question within those pauses, tucking a stray hair behind her left ear while letting a heavy fringe continue to fall over the right side of her face.

“I didn’t know he was married.”

“Did you spend a lot of time studying his hand or speaking to him?” Linn asked, tray resting against her hip.

Kassa’s marital status was actually something he liked to bring up into any conversation, whether prompted or not. One night, he got inspired, grabbed a guitar from the band performing, and began to compose a ridiculous ballad that had nearly the entire town humming its refrain for the better part of a week.

“I just find it so romantic.” One of the other women sighed.

“Lonnie, was Kassa out here, again, telling everyone about how we met or any of his other unneeded nonsense?”

The bartender’s brows rose. “Not that I’m aware of.”

“Oh, no. It’s just romantic that he…with you…” The last at the table made to motion at Linn’s face before she caught her action and looked away with a crimson blush.

It was clear that all at the table were aware and transfixed on the part of Linn’s face that she tried to conceal but would still peek through as she went about her tasks. Where pale skin was marred in webbing scars along her temple, partially across her brow, and touching the top of her cheek

“Ah,” Linn nodded, finally understanding, “right.”

~

—

~

ABY 1

Turkana

~

Jyn woke to a cloudy detachment that separated her mind from the ailments of her body which could only belong to very, very strong medications. A sensation she had always hated, feeling as if she was trapped within her body and struggled to complete the simplest of tasks.

Such as opening her eyes.

When they finally peeled themselves open, she discovered that she was in a sterile room that smelled heavily of disinfectants, yet the space still possessed the faint underlying scents of illness that no amount of cleaning could truly cover.

She was stretched out on a cot, under a tightly tucked white blanket that went well with the white robe her body was wrapped in, and shielded from the sunlight streaming in through the windows by a white screen that Bix sat in front of on a short, backless stool.

“Where…” Jyn’s voice croaked over the questions, trying to piece her last coherent memory to what appeared to be her current reality.

“Turkana,” Bix set aside the datapad that had been resting in her lap. “It’s one of the worlds that Senator Mothma is turning into an Alliance headquarters.” She stopped her explanation with only a faintly uncomfortable twist of her expression. “Or are you wondering where Cass is?”

Jyn wasn’t entirely sure herself. During the first moments of her regaining consciousness, she had wondered what had actually been real during her recollection of escaping the space station. Had it all been some fantastical dream where Cassian and the others had come for her.

One where Cassian demanded to be allowed to hold her in his arms the moment they were back on the shuttle and K near begged her to return his blaster?

Bix stood up and moved to the cot’s side in order to help Jyn sit-up, both trying to be mindful of the plasto-casts about more than one of her limbs.

“You’ve been out for nearly a week.” Bix continued her explanation, awkwardly adjusting how the pillow supported Jyn’s back. “The med droids insisted that you remained sedated while they did what they could to get the initial healing started. Cass stayed with you for nearly the entire time. He would be here now if he wasn’t ordered to get some sleep or be court-martialed for all the regulations we fractured since leaving Lianna.”

Back sinking into the pillow, Jyn caught sight of herself in the metallic surface of a supply cabinet. How the upper part of the right side of her face was now a network of angry skin that was certain to scar.

Noticing what had claimed Jyn’s attention, Bix tugged at one of her twin braids. “...Yeah, their focus was on your body. Not your face. They said they would–”

“No need.” Jyn wanted to believe these words while she found herself fighting back an abrupt, baseless desire to cry.

She was a soldier. Superficial wounds should have no significance in her mind…Though maybe the problem resided with the acknowledgement that she wasn’t a soldier anymore. Not after what had happened. Maybe it was the loss of the certain identity she had held for so long that made her chest burn and her eyes sting.

She knew she had lost the edge Saw had honed during her childhood and she maintained during her exile and, with it, her desire to press forward and maintain the fight. All she had wanted, while trapped on the station, was to be free. Free of the war and the struggles it brought with it. All that she was expected to overcome and persevere through on a daily basis.

It was selfish and weak and would mean leaving the others…leaving him.

But, then again, she was useless to them now.

“Don’t do that.” Bix scolded as Jyn managed to successfully force down her emotions

“Do what?”

“Hold it in.”

“I…” Jyn shook her head, uncertain how to express what she was feeling.

Bix sat down on the edge of the cot and rested her hand on top of where Jyn’s fingers peeked through the openings of her cast. Saying nothing and looking away as Jyn allowed sobs of grief and confusion and loss to rack through her body.

~

Technically, Cassian had obeyed Mothma’s orders and sought to gain some slumber. He attempted this for a little over three hours. After the failed attempts he deemed it impossible and went to join Kino and the others who had undergone whatever Imperial mental torment that had caused them to lose so much of themselves.

When they had deposited the group at sanctuary, before setting course for Miranda, Cassian had taken the moment needed to send a comm out to Yavin 4; to let them know an evacuation would be required without relaying the details as to why.

When they returned to The Slice—-with an unconscious Jyn cradled in his lap—-they had been intercepted with orders to report to the nearby world, which would now serve as their base of operations until a better location was determined.

Kino, his fellows, and the med droids that had been assessing the group’s mental well being were already accounted for when Rogue One made their arrival. Cassian wasn’t sure what analysis was done or treatments were given, but those of Dedoon seemed—-while not wholly present or entirely accounted for—-to becoming more engaged with their environment and those around them.

Stepping into the developing mess hall, Cassian noticed how Kino’s eyes turned questioning on seeing his arrival. The look of someone working their way through a puzzle.

“Aren’t you supposed to be sleeping?” Xaul asked. Those of Rogue One had been given bunks—-similar to what they had used on Yavin 4, now lost to them through the evacuation—-to sleep in and were given allowance to go into the mess hall.

Other than those two locations, they were barred from the rest of the base and those occupying it. They had broken more rules than usual this time, and no one was certain how much the Council would allow to pass by without reprimand and punishment.

If Senator Bail Organa was still alive, they would most likely be lined up against a wall to be shot for insubordination.

Aki was the only one who was more conventionally detained, as no one was certain what to do with a former Imperial Intelligence agent. Though Cassian doubted the Chiss’s station would remain at such restrictions for long. Not after all the rumors that had been circulating about the information Aki had provided the Council since his arrival.

“Aren’t we all supposed to be in a cell?” Stordan commented, as if he could hear the thoughts scrolling through Cassian’s mind.

“They don’t have anything assembled yet,” Melshi said, holding out his fingers so the older woman sitting near him could continue her yawn-base game where she made various shapes by passing it between her fingers and the soldier’s.

“We are grounded, possibly till the end of the war,” Taidu reminded. Even if there were no other disciplinary actions, the chances of the squad being called out again, on an independent assignment once more, was limited.

“I told them I was kidnapped.” K sulked.

Bodhi patted the droid’s shoulder. “They stopped believing that lie a long time ago.”

“Anything?” Cassian asked, not fully processing the conversation around him, walking more on autopilot than conscious will.

Melshi offered some caf. “Not yet…”

The mug shattered on the ground when Cassian failed to properly take hold of it on seeing Bix enter the mess hall.

Two strides and he was near level with his childhood friend. “Jyn?”

“Awake, but–-”

Cassian continued walking past her, far beyond listening to her objections on his way to the infirmary. It was the only fully established part of the base thus far; as it was the only space that already was required for full use.

Jyn was where he had left her, though now awake and sitting upright. Plasto-casts ran from left shoulder to elbow with some fingers in splints. Another stretched along her forearm with her hand partially exposed. Then there was the matter of both of her legs.

He wanted to yell at her. During the flight back to The Slice, he had planned the lecture he would make her sit through. Instead, seeing her awake and alive, all he found himself capable of doing was gingerly sitting on the cot’s edge and lightly brushing away the hair that concealed her face.

A relieved, near nonsensical smile stretched along his lips on seeing that—-while red rimmed—-her eyes were once more bright and alert.

“I’m very upset with you.” Were his words, but his tone and actions greatly contradicted this.

His fingers traced the column of her neck, sweeping hair off her shoulders before leaning in to softly press his lips to her eyes as they closed and she leaned into his touch.

“I know…and you’re going to be more so in a moment…”

Pulling away, he searched her expression. Feathering fingers under her jaw to keep her from looking down. “What?”

“Cassian, I–I can’t–”

“What? You can’t walk?” Cassian jumped off the cot as if his presence put her at risk of breaking further. “I was told that your legs would heal fine.”

“I can’t do this anymore. I don’t have it in me anymore.”

“Wait. What are we talking about?”

“I need to find another way to fight; it can’t be out in the field, going on missions and…” Tears startled trickling down her cheeks.

Tears Cassian’s thumbs swept away with an affirming nod. “All right.”

“All right?” Jyn’s offense momentarily overshadowed her palpable heart-break. “I just told you that I can’t stay with you, and you say ‘all right’?”

“No, you said you can’t be in the field anymore. All right, you won’t, and obviously I’ll be coming along with you, wherever you end up going. We’ll figure out this new fight together.”

“Isn’t that selfish of us?”

“Frankly, I could care less.” Hesitantly, not wanting to risk causing her harm or hindering her healing, Cassian bent down over the cot. “I have some Aldhani credits stashed away, we can go wherever we want,” he whispered before claiming her lips.

~

—

~

ABY 5

Niamos

~

Jyn and Cassian lived in an apartment above the bar while Kino had converted parts of the basement into a small space of his own. When they had left Turkana—-after Jyn had been deemed safe to travel a little less than four years ago—-the older man had been waiting for them at the transport the Council had allotted them to use for their departure. A shuttle complete with a complex radio Kleya had outfitted for the two’s purpose.

None of the squad, or even Aki, had been present when they had left the base on that day, all having said their good-byes during the unauthorized send-off party the night before; the lot of them had been either sleeping off the excess of revnog consumed or not wanting to risk tears being shed on either end.

With the bar closed for the night and her closing chores done, Jyn made her way upstairs with only the thought of a hot shower in mind. The only true downside of living this close to one of Niamos’ iconic beaches was the sand. though, as a natural exfoliate, Jyn’s skin had never been clearer.

Well the part of her face not ruined by blaster fire and torture.

Standing under the steamy downpour of water, Jyn closed her eyes and took a moment to appreciate how whole and strong her body was. No signs of the numerous breaks and torments her limbs had undergone on Miranda. Not so much as a limp. No one looked at her and suspected the truth of her past. All they saw was a woman with a temper who had gotten caught in the crossfire of an ‘Alliance Terroristic’ protest.

The cover story had garnered her more than a few sympathetic looks from the Imperials who came in. Ones who got drunk and started to talk. She had been a bit apprehensive about Cassian choosing this as their base of operation, thinking he only wanted a warm world where they could be in comfort, but the level of intel they had acquired over the years was staggering.

Arms wrapped about her waist, pulling her back against Cassian’s chest as he let himself into the stall to join her.

“What is your obsession with never letting me shower alone, in peace?” Jyn asked, resting the back of her head against his shoulder as a faint shiver ran down her body from being cut off from the fiery torrent.

“Other than the obvious part involving you being naked?” Cassian gently lifted wet locks of hair off Jyn’s face and kissed her neck right under her right ear.

Biting her lip, Jyn nodded. “Yes, other than that.”

“Sentimentality?”

“Really?”

“Yeah. The first time you seduced me was in a shower.”

“That was for the mission.” Jyn reminded, voice low though they had long established that the apartment was safe to speak freely. They had gone out of their way to make nice with the troopers and officials who roamed the streets. Most would considered the Aldanas above reproach.

Cassian slowly turned her about and combed away her hair so her face so it was clear for him to kiss along the right side.

Understanding the cause of his actions, Jyn relaxed into his touch and began to unwound the tie holding back a portion of his hair. “I don’t care what those women said.”

“What women?”

“Don’t act like Kino didn’t tell you.”

“He may have mentioned something about a group of jealous harpies, but you know I have no time to waste my energy on idiots.”

Hands on her hips, Cassian stepped Jyn back against the wall. A playful grin on his face as he pressed against her for another kiss as his hair fell free. Water mingling between their lips as she allowed him to pretend that this had nothing to do with him assuring her that he continued to find her desirable.

If he wanted to, who was she to stop him?

“No, this is about what we were talking about this morning…” He stressed by lifting Jyn off her feet so she had to wrap her legs about him.

Despite her placement, Jyn shook her head. “We’re not having any children until the war is over.”

“Well then,” Cassian made a show of deep consideration, “we’ll just have to keep practicing.”

“Oh, will we?”

“It’s simple logic’” He sagely explained. “The more we practice now, the more likely we’ll have a kid the moment we decide we want one.” Cassian lowered his head to suck on her collarbone. “Trust me, I did the math. It all works out”

Again, who was she to counter him?

—

Jyn woke to the sounds of the radio beeping an indicator that, somewhere on another end of the matrix workings, someone desired to correspond.

Climbing out of bed, ignoring Cassian’s protesting grunts at her extracting herself from his embrace, she settled on her floor and reached under their bed, to the loose floorboards where they kept the device concealed. Usually, it was only to be used outside their pre-arranged communications—-which this was most definitely not—-during times of duress or vital importance.

Taking the headset, she held one side against her ear and angled the mic to catch her voice. “What’s going on?” She asked in Kenari, the only language to be spoken over their line.

She had to jerk her head back from Bodhi’s slightly slurred, overly loud voice. “Jyn! Cassian! We’re on our way to you!

“Make sure to have something acceptable at hand for our arrival. None of that shit you offered last time.” Aki’s cultured voice made itself known.

“What do you guys think you’re doing?” Jyn asked through gritted teeth. Not only were they speaking Standard, but they were acting as if the radio frequency was nothing more than a party-line.

“Why wouldn’t we?” Xaul sounded genuinely baffled over her question.

“Stop speaking Kenari, Jyn, you know Aki never learned.” Melshi chastised.

Reaching down over the bed’s edge, Cassian claimed the headset that neither had to hold to their ears in order to hear their family. “Are you guys drunk? Who let you near the radio while drunk?”

“Yes. Yes we are, but we have excellent reasons and no one cares” Stordan almost seemed to sing. “Not today.”

Cassian and Jyn exchanged looks; neither able to figure out what was going on.

“And why is that?” He asked into the mic.

“It’s over.” K seemed to think this adequately served as clarification.

Holding out her hand for the headset, Jyn took the headset. “What’s over?”

“The war.” K sounded annoyed at being the only sober party within whatever they were currently using for travel.

Taidu’s deep laugh rumbled in the background. “Kicked their asses on Jakku and now…”

“Welcome to the New Republic.” Everyone yelled at once.

“We’ll be there within two Niamos hours. Be prepared to deal with these inebriated idiots by then.” K could only maintain his drawl for so long before confessing, “I’m glad it’s over; it means we don’t have to separate again.”

Dumbfounded, Jyn could only look up at where Cassian looked down at her over the bed’s edge. a devilish smirk spreading across his face. “So…about all that practice…”

—

—

—

AN: Again, I hope you guys enjoyed it and were not disappointed.

Thank-you all who made it this far!

*For the handful of you who stated possible interest in a Melshi/kleya story: thoughts on ratings? Would there be interest in a more mature level or would teen be more ideal? [I will write whichever one I feel is best, but am curious on your thoughts before I commit]