✓ The Mandalorian's Everything - Book One

Chapter 13

Episode Seven - "The Reckoning"

Word Count: 8405

Warnings: fluff, angst, swearing, major character death, jerks towards the end, blood, crying, more slow burn that makes everyone want to kill themselves, and, that's right, even more idiocy.

Standing in the cockpit the Mandalorian counted to five in his head before he saw you walk up to the steps, look back and forth between your sprained ankle and the bottom ladder rung, then shrug and slowly start climbing up the rungs one by one. Rolling his eyes he sighed as he reached down to grab your hand and pull you up with him, then chuckled when you squealed and slightly slipped, making him pull you into his arms to keep you steady.

"I left you down there so you'd stay there and rest your ankle."

"If you wanted me to rest my ankle you should've at least left me up here so I had something to do," you grinned, biting your lip and wrapping your arms around his shoulders. "Plus, I have a big strong man to help me around and make sure I'm okay."

He rolled his eyes again and glanced at the control panel as it started beeping, alerting him that he had a message, and he looked back at you. "You said Karga?"

You furrowed your eyebrows. "Yeah, but... I just assumed it was an old message because... well, isn't he dead?"

Humming in agreement the bounty hunter grabbed your hand and pulled you over to the panel, gesturing for you to sit down as he pulled up the message while leaning one arm on the console and the other on the back of your chair.

He leaned in as he realized the message was sent only a day ago, then after a quick glance down to see the baby waddle up to your feet and giggle as you pulled him into your lap, he pressed play on the message, which popped up a tiny, blue hologram of none other than Greef Karga.

"My friend, if you are receiving this transmission that means you are alive. You might be surprised to hear this but I am alive too. I guess we can call it even."

He glanced back at you to see you had your eyebrows furrowed as you watched the small man with his hands on his hips, and the Mandalorian smiled softly before turning back to the hologram.

"A lot has happened since we last saw each other. The man who hired you is still here, and his ranks of ex-Imperial guards have grown. They have imposed despotic rule over my city, which has impeded the livelihood of the Guild. We consider him an enemy but we cannot get close enough to take him out. If you would consider one last commission I will very much make it worth your while. You have been successful so far in staving off their hunters, but they will not stop until they have their prize. So here is my proposition: Return to Nevarro, bring the Child as bait. I will arrange an exchange and provide loyal Guild members as protection. Once we get near the client, you kill him, and we both get what we want. If you succeed, you keep the Child and I will have your name as well as Brainy's cleared with the Guild, for a man of honour should not be forced to live in exile. I await your arrival with optimism."

When Karga flicked off the message the Mandalorian sighed and stood up to glance down at you and the baby, who had fallen asleep in your arms.

"I don't know if I trust this," you sighed, standing up slowly to put the baby in the old container you had put blankets in to act as a little crib.

"At least your instinct is still intact," he teased, laughing as he sat down to plot the course and felt you push against his head.

"Excuse me, I'm the one flying here," you mused, walking over to wave him out of the chair. He stood up with a grin and rested his hand against the back of your chair, trying not to laugh as you looked down at the controls but didn't press anything. Slowly, you turned and looked back up at him. "So... where are we going?"