Never Tell Me The Odds

Chapter 8

Finally after a long ride back, we make it back to Darth Mauls ship feeling defeated. I park my ship in his, as we get off the ship I hope that he won't kill me for not finishing the mission. I follow Qi'ra looking down at RJ almost the whole time. "Look who's back!" I look up to see Darth Maul standing in front of us. "Where's the Beskar?" I look over at Qi'ra awkwardly then back over at him. "Anyone?"

"We couldn't get it... the place was dangerous. We couldn't even get inside" I admit looking down at my feet. "We got the ring but couldn't get to the buyer"

"Hm" He hums, starting to tap his foot on the ground. "Qi'ra?"

"It's true" She looks over at me then back at Darth Maul.

"So what you didn't get the job done" I look to see him holding his arms out to the sides with a mischievous smile across his lips. "It's fine"

"Really?" I say softly feeling my heart beating out of my chest with anxiety.

He smirks, "Bring him to me" Suddenly two guys come up from behind me, grabbing on to my arms. I see him take out his lightsaber as the men begin dragging me up to where he stands.

"Wait wait! I can do a different mission! I-I can be useful!" I try digging my heels into the floor to stop them but it's no use. "I'll do whatever you want!" I try yanking my arms away from them but again it's no use.

"Leo!" I hear RJ begin beeping like mad as I'm being dragged away.

"You failed me. Nows your punishment" Darth Maul lifts his lightsaber up above his head.

I close my eyes as He's about to swing at me when he's quickly interrupted, "Wait! The ring!" Qi'ra yells stopping him. "The ring is a map! It leads to a huge supply of Beskar. I can do it but I need him. He's.. very good at being a distraction for the enemy. He can be useful for this mission" She explains. He glares at her before putting his lightsaber away.

"Fine. Just if he fails again.. him and the droid die" He says as my heart beats out of my chest, I swear I can feel my heart beating in my ears. "Let him go" The two men toss me back on my butt before walking away. "Now get out of my sight!"

I get up and quickly walk back to Qi'ra and RJ. She grabs my arm and drags me off towards the hangar. "You saved me..."

"Don't get used to it" She sighs still dragging me along with her.

"Thank you..." I smile at her as her eyes widen.

"Just.. get on the ship." She shakes her head as we approach our ship and she lets go of my arm.

I open the hatch and the three of us get on the ship. I start up my ship and fly off Darth Maul's ship just to get out of there. "I'm so glad you're alive Leo" RJ says hopping up onto my lap.

"I told you I wouldn't leave you" I chuckle nervously and look over at Qi'ra. She's looking at the map being projected from the ring. "Where do we have to go?"

"The planet Mandalore. We have to go deep into this cave I believe to get the Beskar" She explains to me as I direct us towards Mandalore.

"That shouldn't be too hard.." I look away from her as she puts the ring away in her pocket. I then look over at her quietly, i watch as she picks at her fingernails. "Qi'ra?"

"Yea?" She looks over at me with a soft expression on her face.

"...You can have the small bed in the back if you want.. I'll sleep in here" I offer scratching at my forearm nervously.

"Oh. Thanks" She smiles and looks forward again. Why am I so nervous all of a sudden??

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Later on Qi'ra got tired and went to the back to sleep. So now I sit in silence with RJ up front with me still sitting in the pilot seat. "Do you like her?" RJ says breaking the silence.

"What?"

"Do you like Qi'ra?" He asks me again.

"What are you talking about? I haven't known her for long. And who says I can trust her?" I start questioning him feeling nervous again.

"... I think she's trustworthy." He beeps a few times turning to look at me.

"What makes you say that?" I raise an eyebrow at him.

"She saved you, twice. She didn't let you die, when she easily could've sat there and let you be killed. I'd say that's trustworthy." He explains.

"Ok.. Fine, she is a lot more trustworthy then I first thought she was. But that doesn't mean I like her, I don't know what makes you ask that question" I say starting to sound defensive as I sit back in my seat.

"You're being defensive"

"Alright smart ass, it doesn't matter if I do or don't. So drop it" I point at him narrowing my eyes at him.

"Fine. It's dropped... for now" He laughs, beeping in amusement. I roll my eyes and groan turning away from him.

"I have to land"

"What?" He asks confused.

"I need fuel if we are going to hyper speed our way there" I sigh now having to land on the nearest planet.

As I begin the landing process, Qi'ra walks into the cockpit. "What are we doing?" She queries sitting down as RJ goes back to his own little seat.

"I have to get fuel. So we are landing here" I sigh as I land my ship on this small planet. "Stay here I'll be back. RJ, you want to stay here?" I query getting up from my seat.

"Yes I'll stay here"

"Alright, I'll be back" I nod to Qi'ra then quickly leave the ship to go get fuel.

Qi'ra's POV:
I sit looking at the ring in my hand, waiting for Leo to come back from getting fuel. "Qi'ra?" I put the ring in my pocket and turn to RJ.

"Yes?"

"Do you like Leo?" He asks taking me off guard.

"What!? Of course not!" I exclaim positioning myself forwards once again.

"Then why did you save him from being killed by Darth Maul?" He queries.

I sit silently for a few moments before clearing my throat. "He's a good guy, you two should be able to be home. And far far away from all of this. He shouldn't be killed for me telling him we need to return to the ship." I explain turning back around to face RJ and see Leo standing behind him. "Leo uh.. you're back"

"I was gonna see if you wanted to help me out here" He chuckles awkwardly, I hope he didn't hear that.

"Sure" I get up from my seat and follow him back out of the ship. I watch him begin filling up the gas tank.

"You ok over there?" He checks looking over at me.

"I'm great. Yep." I chuckle nervously looking away from him.

I peak over at him to see him with a big smile plastered on his face. He finishes up with the fuel and walks up to me. "I appreciate you saving me by the way. We should go inside now" He smiles softly at me making my heart start to race.

"Yea you're right" I clear my throat and follow him back into the ship.