SEE ME, SEE YOU: Series Two

C H A P T E R F I F T E E N

REINA'S POV

I couldn't sleep. Those consectutive kisses I shared with Din lingered on my lips...I didn't dare toss and turn in my spot, though, because Din was snoozing right next to me, our backs pressed together just like every other time, and of course the child snored quietly above us in his little hammock. My heart was thumping so loudly against my chest, I knew there was a good possibility that it could wake my partner up.

Well, I was half-right. I should've known better to think Din wasn't actually sleeping the whole time...In fact, I could sense he was awake, like I could feel his active consciousness. It must have been because of my weird powers, which were still such a mystery to me. Sure, I was getting used to the sudden spurges of power and senses whenever we were in tense situations, and the fact that, on occasion, I hear a strange raspy voice that talks funny in my head, but I still didn't know what it actually was. Perhaps whomever this "Ahsoka Tano" Jedi-character was could finally answer all my questions.

I mean, I couldn't possibly...be a Jedi myself?

I felt Din stir and turn over to where he faced the back of my head, and I held my breath as he whispered my name. At first, I didn't reply. Maybe I could pretend to be sleeping and he would let whatever was on his mind go.

Wrong again, me. My brain said as Din reached up and touched my shoulder. "Reina, I know you're awake."

"That shouldn't stop you from getting some sleep." I sighed in surrender. I then rolled over and met my reflection in his helmet's visor.

"What's on your mind?" he asked.

"Ahsoka Tano." I said truthfully. "And perhaps...the possibility I could be a Jedi. Silly, right?"

Din did chuckle through his modulator. "A little." He paused. "Is that all?"

Yep...I sensed what he was referring to, and if I was being honest with myself, my feelings for Din were becoming...complicated. I mean, he still won't show his face to me willingly...I know, when the first and only time I did see his face, it was the matter of life and death. Additionally, despite having deep respect for Din's devotion to the Mandalorian creed, I've learned that he is commited to only a zealous branch of Mandalorians who require members to never show their face...Every other Mandalorian do not do this...

And yet, he allowed me to lift his helmet just enough so we can share a kiss or two...Which meant Din had some feelings towards me...

Why did I have to fall in love with the Mandalorian who's part of a cult that forbids them to show their face?...

Luckily, I was saved by the alarm that we were approaching Nevarro, so our conversation was put on hold. Din sighed and scooted out of the compartment and disappeared around the corner. I sat up in my spot and gazed up, where I met the baby's large dark eyes. I smiled and shrugged helplessly at him. "What am I do to?" In response, the child cooed and giggled.

It wasn't a pleasant landing, of course, but at least the Razor Crest held out until the very end. The ramp didn't even lower all the way so we could unboard properly...Din had to jump down first, take the child from me, briefly set him on the rocky ground, and finally help me. His hands gripped my waist and lowered me down.

"Looks like someone could use some repairs." a familiar voice boasted behind us. We turned to see Greef Carga and Cara Dune approaching with amused reactions of our ramshackled ship. We met them halfway and while Din took Greef's hand in greeting, I reached out and embraced Cara. "Long time, no see." she said.

"In a new way, yes." I laughed. "But nonetheless, it's great to see you again."

"How's my credit around here?" Din joked, nodding to the Crest. The magistrate glanced over at Cara with a raised brow. "Well, Marshal?" As I stared at her, impressed with the new title, she smiled. "I think we can work something out."

"I'll get my best people on it." Greef winked, and then proceeded to order some workers in the loading area to fix the Razor Crest until she looked brand new. He then, with a broad smile, turned his attention to the child in Din's arms. "And you, come here, little one! Has Mando been taking good care of you?" Greef shot a look at Din. "You have been taking good care of him, right? And Beckett, here, you've been taking care of her? Or is it the other way around?"

"Eh, let's keep it a mystery." I shrugged with a grin. Greef let out a hearty laugh and, with the child tucked into the crook of his arm, started walking towards the town. Din, Cara, and I followed behind.

As we walked through the streets of Nevarro, I couldn't believe how much things had changed. The shops and bodegas were open, freshly painted and refurbished, and families strolled around without fear of the criminal element I and I'm sure Din remember being very persuasive the last time we were here. Now, the city seemed to be flourishing!

"H-how?" I gawked in awe.

"Looks like you two have been busy." Din agreed.

"I myself have been busy with clerical work," Greef said ruefully. "Marshal Dune here is to be thanked for cleaning up the town."

We continued down the long street. That was when Cara nudged me and leaned in to where only I could hear. "So, any progress with the two of you?"

"Are you seriously suggesting 'girl talk' right now?" I whispered back. Cara grinned and shrugged. Sighing, I shimmied my shoulders undecidedly. "It's complicated, okay? I—I haven't seen his face since, you know...But he does allow me calling him by his real name—as long as we are alone. And then there's been..." My voice trailed off, but Cara caught on and her grin turned devious. "Sounds like progress to me."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't stop my cheeks from flaring up. Cara patted my shoulder and said, "Give him some more time. Maybe one day, he'll come around." I noticed her eyes drifting over to Din with a soft expression in her eyes.

"Yeah...Maybe..."

We reached the town square and I jumped a few extra steps to touch Din's arm when we gazed up at an erected statue of IG-11, in honor of his heroic sacrifice when we escaped Nevarro from Moff Gideon... Nearby was the public bar that the four of us had hidden in when facing off against the Imperial officer, and where I had seen Din's face for the first, and only time. Din chuckled in amusement, "I'm surprised this place is still standing."

"Wait till you see the inside." Cara smiled.

Stepping through the doorway, my heart was touched to see it had been transformed into a school. Children sat in rows of desks, paying close attention to the protocol droid who stood in front of them and pointed out floating models of planets on a large display board.

"It's wonderful..." I breathed in disbelief.

Greef stepped forward with the child still in his arms. "We're going to leave the little one here so we can talk business."

"Wait, wherever we go, he goes." Din objected.

"Mando, please," the magistrate said. "Where we're going, you don't want to take a child. Trust me." Greef then proceeded to carry the baby and settle him into an empty seat on the far end of the classroom. As we began to leave, I noticed the other children all turning and leaning in to get a closer look at the new arrival, and then whispering and giggling amongst each other.

"Oh..." I frowned as my protective side surged. "Those kids better not—"

"Don't worry, Reina." Cara pulled me along. "He'll be fine. Come on." Reluctantly, I followed her and the two men to Greef's office, where Din and I were briefed on a dire mission to free Nevarro from Imperial enslavement once and for all.