DEFENDER • THE MANDALORIAN

FOURTEEN

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When Alya awakes, the Mandalorian's ship is deep into space and far away from the planet they fled from. She is lying on some sort of cot which lies near the corner of the Mandalorian's ship.

The sore Jedi sits up, wincing sightly as her bruises sting. She could heal it, but it would be a waste of energy she doesn't have. When her brown eyes glance down to her arms, the woman notices that they are wrapped in bandage; must be the Mandalorian's doing.

Her boots hit the floor as she stands from the cot. She feels odd, having lost her cloak that her master had given her; she had always had it since the day Yoda had given it to her. It would just have to be something she would get used to.

That, however, is not the only reason for her feeling. It was the fact that she should not be feeling.

Her mind runs over the events that took place; her fear as the troopers questioned her, her relief when the Mandalorian saved her, her happiness when the Child was okay, her protectiveness when Greef had threatened to kill the Mandalorian.

These are all things she shouldn't be feeling; they should not be running through her mind.

For five years, the woman had been alone, distancing herself from emotion and discussing only on the Jedi Code. It had been a lonely time, but Alya would never admit that.

So why was it that her emotions would swell for the Child or chill at t

he sight of an enemy? She is a Jedi Knight; emotions should not be existing in the first place.

Alya shakes her head as she walks towards the cockpit of the ship, assuming that to be the location of the Mandalorian and the Child. Now isn't the time for those thoughts; their next destination is of greater importance.

Reaching the door, it automatically opens and reveals the cockpit. Inside, the Mandalorian sits at the helm, controlling the ship, and in the chair to  his right is the Child.

She takes a small step into the room, the door closing behind her.

As her light footsteps are heard, the Mandalorian turns in his chair to see the woman. The Child, whom is placed on top of the side console, turns as well and coos as he sees the woman.

"You're up." The Mandalorian says, helmet tilting slightly as he looks over her arms and bruised face. Small steps were taken by the Child asit climbs down from the console. "Are you feeling better?"

The small Child waddles up to the Jedi and holds up his hands. Catching onto what the Child wants, Alya crouches. Her shoulders tense as she winces from the pain, but her arms pick up the Child securly.

"You shouldn't be moving around so much." There wasn't any hint of command in his voice, his words were merely a suggestion; a suggestion he had made out of concern.

"I'll be okay." The woman says, sitting down in the seat besides the window. Small,green hands fiddle with her torn tunic as she looks at the Mandalorian. He still faces her, having put the ship into autopilot. "I can heal myself once I regain my energy."

"That's good." The Mandalorian says, looking at the Child again. He is happily cooing as he leans against the woman, inspecting her. For a moment, the Mandalorian feels a swell of guilt run through him as he looks upon the two who suffered because of his decision. "Listen, I'm sorry." 

Alya's eyebrows furrow as she hears the man's apology. She watches as his shoulders get tenser under her gaze, waiting for a response. "What for?"

"Leaving you and the kid." The Mandalorian breaths a heavy sigh as he looks down. A small hint of shame is in his voice as it hits her ears.

The Jedi purses her lips and leans back in her seat slightly. Through the Force, she could almost feel the guilt rolling off the man in waves.

In this moment, as she looks at him, the Mandalorian looks exhausted. His shoulders were slouched and his breathing slightly heavy.The man hadn't slept since their escape.

"But you came back."

The helmet of the Mandalorian tilts back up to look at the Jedi. Her dark eyes hold the strength and calmness of a true Jedi as she smiles upon the man. Despite her frame looking ragged and beated, her presence alone states power.

"I don't-"The Mandalorian goes to say, but the Jedi cuts him off. She softly takes his gloved hand in her free one, in a moment of thoughtlessness. He silently looks at her as she speaks.

"You could have left, but you didn't." The woman still holds the man's hand in hers, despite knowing it wasn't professional. She looks upon the metal helmet of the Mandalorian and continues to speak. "You helped get us out at your own expense, at your own reputation and life."

The Mandalorian still remains still, not doing anything but inspecting the Jedi's face. Knowing that she still hasn't convinced the man of his innocence, she continues on.

"Yes, turning us in was incorrect, but you made it correct by getting us out." She squeezes the man's hand for second, as if that will get her message across easier. "Even before that, I could sense some of your hesitance. So, I am not upset nor angry with your actions."

"Thank you." It is a hesitant thanks that is given as the Mandalorian gently takes his hand out of her hold.

The Jedi sighs, looking down at the child in her lap. Looking up to the woman, the Child giggles as he watches her face.

"You seem tired." The Jedi states as the Mandalorian turns his chair to face the front of the ship. "Have you rested since leaving the planet?"

"No." The bounty hunter states, keeping focused on the console of the ship. His shoulders are still slumped slightly, displaying his exhaustion. The Jedi feels a small amount of pity swell for the exhausted man.

"Go sleep. I can watch the Child and the ship." The woman stands from her chair slowly, walking over to the side console. She places the Child down and turns to the still seated Mandalorian.

"Do you know how to pilot a ship?" The man turns his head to look at the woman who now stands beside him. There is only curiosity in the man's voice as he looks up to the woman.

"An old friend of mine used to fly X-wings for the Rebellion; he at least taught me enough for me to pilot for a few hours while you rest."

The Jedi looks over the console, taking in some of the switches and levers. "Or you could put the ship into auto-pilot and I could come wake you if something happens."

The Mandalorian nods his head and flips some switches, placing the ship into auto-pilot. He soon stands and steps around the chair.

Alya sits down in the center chair but faces the Mandalorian as he stands by the door. There seems to be a bit of hesitance in his frame as he glances at the Jedi and the Child.

Alya sensing it, nods reassuringly at the Mandalorian. "It will be okay. Go rest."

It is a soft order, Alya not wanting to be too demanding over her acquaintance. The Mandalorian nods and the automatic door opens. He takes a step through but stops as he hears the Jedi call.

"My name is Alya." The Jedi gives a small smile over her shoulder before turning back to the console. "I figured you might want to know."

With that the automatic door closes, cutting off any response that the Mandalorian could possibly make. The Jedi looks over to the Child and placing him in her lap. Her eyes then go to the ever shining stars of space.

Just outside the door, the Mandalorian stands. His head is tilted down slightly, shoulders still slouched. He finally has a name for the mysterious Jedi.

Alya

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A/N: THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR WAITING! Exams have been kicking my butt, but as soon as I'm free from school I will be able to update DEFENDER quicker.
ALSO, thank you all so much for getting DEFENDER to 25K reads and 1K stars! Like I cannot express how thankful I am to you all for reading this story!
So I hope you enjoyed reading and I love you all ❤️❤️❤️.