{A/N: Gonna start using that picture (I put it together for this story) as the header lol. Also, sorry about the long wait!}

The tracks ironically led straight to the camp, which was exactly what Mando was counting on. As he approached the outskirts, he crouched down and glanced over his shoulder. "What's the plan?" He whispered.

Jarren's eyebrows furrowed together as he scanned the camp. "I can't tell where they're keepin' the hostages. Could be any of those tents." He shook his head. "There's bound to be people guardin' it, so that should make it easier to spot once we get inside."

"We don't know what weapons they have in there, so we'd be going in blind. I'd like to know who we're up against."

"We don't have all day to scout them out. It'll be dark soon. It's now or never."

"Going in broad daylight is suicide. Bounty hunters put up a nasty fight, especially when protecting their quarry."

"Those are people they have in there, not objects! And why should I believe what you say? You're a bounty hunter yourself!"

You listened to the two bicker back and forth before deciding to say something. "I have an idea."

Mando let out an exasperated sigh, obviously annoyed, and turned his head. "What is it?"

"Why don't we just sneak in when it's dark? That way, we'll be less visible. Jarren said it was going to get dark soon anyways, so we won't have to wait long." You said, glancing between both men. You were hoping Mando would take your side on this, as you really didn't want to go along with Jarren's plan. It was stupid and would probably get all of you killed.

Mando looked away, as if he were pondering over what you had said. Once he came to a conclusion, he shifted his weight so that he was facing you. "Alright, fine. We'll wait until dark, then move in."

Jarren opened his mouth to argue, then closed it. He shook his head in disagreement but said nothing.

You smiled, happy that Mando had actually accepted your plan. Though, you couldn't really tell if he liked it or if he was just going with it because there wasn't a better option. You decided to believe the former over the latter.

***

Night fell rather quickly, shrouding the entire forest in darkness. If it weren't for the bright fires burning just ahead, you would have no clue where the camp was.

"Alright, so what's the plan?" You asked Mando.

He knelt down after spending some time scoping out the camp. "If we go in quietly, we may be able to rescue the prisoners without alerting the hunters."

Jarren nodded, but he looked skeptical. "We'd have to split up, and that would create more of a chance of one of us getting caught." He paused to think for a moment. "What if I create a distraction? I can lead them away from the camp while you two sneak in."

"Are you sure you want to do that? What if they catch you?" You frowned at Jarren. It sounded like he was sacrificing himself and you didn't like it.

"They won't, trust me. I know these woods. Just get in and out as quick as you can."

You pursed your lip, then nodded. There was no point in arguing. As you let out a small sigh, you looked over at Mando. "Ready?"

Mando didn't seem too thrilled with the idea of having you tag along, but it wasn't like he had a choice. He nodded and stood up. "We'll have to go quickly, so get ready to move."

"Good luck." Jarren threw a playful salute in your direction before disappearing into the darkness.

You stood close to Mando, close enough that you could almost hear him breathing under his helmet. You then found yourself wondering how he kept warm in that armor. He didn't look too cold. Then again, he wasn't the type to show weakness. Now you were beginning to wonder what his face looked like under than tin can of his. He probably made all kinds of facial expressions since no one could see his face. Or maybe his facial expression was as stoic as his attitude.

Shouts and gunfire ripped you from your thoughts.

"Let's go." Mando uttered, already slipping into the undergrowth.

"Wait!" You whispered rather loudly, shuffling after him. Your heart pounded as fear blossomed in your chest. You had never done something like this before. A thousand 'what ifs' whirled through your mind as you tried to focus on following him through the snow.

The smell of smoke grew stronger as you approached the edge of the camp. From what you could see, it looked deserted. However, a few bounty hunters had stayed behind to guard it.

"Look." You whispered to Mando when he halted, pointing at a tent with two guards standing by the entrance. "I bet that's where they're being kept."

He nodded, his hidden gaze focused on the two hunters. "I'll take them out. Sneak around back and free the prisoners."

"W-What?" You sputtered.

"Just do it." He hissed through his modulator. Before you could say anything else, he was already gone.

You cursed under your breath. "Stubborn Mandalorian..." Huffing softly, you took a quick look around the camp. You mentally mapped out the route you would take to avoid getting caught, then sighed softly. "Alright.. I can do this. I can do this."

You moved at a crawling pace, terrified of making a mistake that would alert them to your presence. To make matters worse, your leg was starting to throb from how much weight you'd been putting on it by crouching for the past two hours or so. Every step on your injured foot felt like hot needles piercing your skin. You breathed heavily through clenched teeth and forced yourself to keep moving.

As you came around the back of the tent, you could hear the 'thwack!' of metal on metal and the noises of a struggle. It was a 2 on 1, with Mando being at the disadvantage. You hoped he would be alright.

"Focus.." You mumbled under your breath. You crept up to the rear of the tent and carefully lifted the flap with one hand. Inside, several people were gagged and bound, most of them being tied to stakes so they couldn't escape. They flinched upon the sight of you. "It's okay, I'm here to help." You reassured them.

One by one, you hurriedly untied them and got rid of their gags.

"Thank you so much, dearie! We were beginning to lose hope of anyone coming to save us!" A woman praised, clasping your arm with her trembling hands. She had wispy brown hair and kind eyes.

You smiled at her. "You're very welcome. We'll have you back at your village in no time."

Just then, Mando burst through the front entrance of the tent. He was hunched over, one hand pressed against his side while the other gripped his blaster. "We need to go. Now." He urged. It worried you that his voice sounded strained.

Then you saw it. Dark trails of crimson streaking down the reflective beskar armor on his thigh. Your eyes widened in horror.

He was wounded.

"Come on, Y/N! We need to move!"

You snapped out of it and nodded briskly, helping him usher the villagers out of the tent. In the distance, you could hear more gunfire. It sounded close. Very close.

"The bounty hunters... they're coming back! We'll all be killed!" One of the villagers cried.

"Not on my watch. Go!" Mando huffed, standing aside as they fled into the woods.

"What about Jarren?" You asked him, growing more anxious by the second. "It sounds like he's in trouble."

"You heard him. He can handle himself." Mando uttered. He glanced down at his side and slowly pulled his hand away, cursing when he saw how much blood coated his glove.

You placed a hand on his shoulder, your face taut with worry. "That looks bad. Maybe we should-"

"I'll be fine." He interrupted you, wheezing softly. "We need to get the villagers back to camp. Come on." His shoulder slipped out of your grip as he pulled away and began hobbling after the villagers.

You were quick to follow despite how badly you wanted to stop him. Fear and worry twisted into a knot in your stomach. This whole thing was a mess and now, Mando was badly injured. Not to mention that Jarren was still out there somewhere. Hopefully he made it back in one piece. Still, you were more worried about Mando's condition than his.