Din is holding the small, silver ball in between his thumb and forefinger, asking Grogu if he wants it.

"Come on," Din coaxes. "You can have it."

Grogu closes his eyes, his tiny hand, stretched out and...suddenly the ball flies out of Din's hand into Grogu's.

"Dank Farrik!" Din exclaims, striking the control with the palm of his hand.

Grogu makes a noise, dropping the ball.

"Hey, no. I'm not mad at you. You did good." Din has to fight against the growing sadness inside him, knowing that someday soon, he'll have to give Grogu up.

.......

Din is free falling over the cliff. He immediately reaches around, hitting a button on his jetpack.

Idiots. If you're going to push someone over a cliff, better make sure they aren't wearing a jetpack.

Din swings his body around, anxious to get back up to Cressida. He's hoping whoever was firing at them, hasn't taken her.

Din swoops upward, catching a glimpse of Cressida, lying motionless on the ground.

As worried as Din is about the fact that Cressida isn't moving, he's at least relieved she's still there.

Din lands and rushes over to Cressida. He kneels down, gently lifting Cressida into his arms and carefully cradling her body close to his.

Din checks for vital signs. Oh, thank the maker! She's still breathing.

However, she's been hit by the blaster in the back, blood slowly seeping through.

There's more blaster fire coming from somewhere. Din isn't about to stick around and find out who it is.

He pushes the button on his jetpack once again and quickly heads for the ship, eager to help Cressida.

......

"How does that damned Mandalorian keep escaping?" Pallas is furious, his doughty face, bright red with fury.

"We did as you told us," a stormtrooper says.

"Apparently not well enough!" Pallas begins pacing back and forth, his brow furrowed.

What is he going to have to do to get rid of that Mandalorian? Probably kill the bastard himself.

"Do we have any idea where the Mandalorian and Miss Orion might be headed?"

"Mando is after a bounty. An Alzone Geer."

"Hmm." Pallas begins forming a plan in his mind. Perhaps if they reached this Alzone Geer before Mando does, maybe they could lay a trap and kill the sneaky bastard.

Then, Pallas would be rid of the Mandalorian for good.

And he'd get Cressida back and there'd be no one to help her escape from his clutches anymore.

"Where is this Alzone Geer located?" Pallas asks.

"On Tatooine." A slow grin begins to spread across Pallas' face. How convenient!

If he remembered correctly, there's a Sarlacc pit on that planet! He won't have to get his hands dirty, after all.

He'll simply capture that annoying Mandalorian and toss him into the Sarlacc pit.

And let the him suffer in there, for the next thousand years.

.......

Cressida can feel a sharp pain, directly in the middle of her back. She groans, rolling over.

"Careful! You don't want to reopen your wound."

Cressida looks over. Din is sitting on the edge of the bed, watching her.

Cressida slides over, moving closer to Din and taking one of his hands. She realizes he's not wearing the gloves.

She chuckles, as she slowly draws a finger across Din's naked palm.

"Is this how Mandalorians seduce one another?" Cressida asks, as she continues to slowly trace her finger over Din's palm.

"I can't give away all the Mandalorian secrets, can I?" His tone is teasing and it catches Cressida off guard.

"No, I don't suppose you can." Cressida reaches up, touching the side of Din's helmet and wanting to...stroke his hair.

"What happened?"

"Don't you remember?" Din takes ahold of Cressida's wrist, and begins rubbing his thumb over the underside.

Cressida closes her eyes, allowing Din's gentle touch to soothe her. She can feel the calluses on his fingertips.

Probably from making repairs on his ship or working on his weapons.

Cressida opens her eyes, keeping her gaze trained on Din's helmet.

"I remember you going over the cliff. But after that, nothing."

"I had my jetpack on." Cressida can hear the smirk in Din's voice and she has to smile.

"You were struck, in the back," Din fills in, sliding his hand down Cressida's arm and up to her face.

"Was it bad?" Din's fingers begin softly massaging Cressida's scalp. Ooh, this man is no stranger to tenderness.

"Bad enough. I took care of it myself. You'll probably be sore for a few days."

"Did you happen to see who was firing at us?" Din shakes his head.

"I wasn't interested in sticking around to be their target. I only wanted to get you out of harm's way."

"How chivalrous you are, Din Djarin."

"You have no idea, cyar'ika."

"What does that mean?"

"Sweetheart or darling."

"It's from the Mandalorian language?"

"Yes." Din abruptly draws his hands away, leaning his upper body closer to Cressida.

"I want to remove my helmet, cyra'ika. I want to show you who I am."

Din's low voice is causing Cressida to feel...things. Inappropriate things. She squirms.

"You don't have to remove your helmet to show me that, Din Djarin," Cressida whispers, reaching up to lay her hand against the smooth, cool metal.

"I already know who you are." Din chuckles softly and it the sound pierces Cressida's heart.

"I'd like to remove it." Cressida nods.

"That's entirely your decision."

Din straightens up and places his hands on the side of the helmet, slowly lifting it off.

Cressida's breath catches. Oh, maker! Din is...handsome.

Not just handsome. He's beautiful. Curly, dark brown hair. Deep brown eyes. A scraggly beard and cute, little mustache. Full lips.

And..Din is...smiling and Cressida catches sight of the dimples. She feels lightheaded.

"Oh, Din. You're...beautiful." Cressida straightens up as well, sliding up against Din's body, reaching up to touch his face.

Cressida notices that Din colors slightly, his cheeks going pink. Cressida feels as though she can't look away.

"I'm...pleased you..approve, cyra'ika." Din shifts uncomfortably.

"Can..can I kiss you?" Cressida grins, as her fingers linger on Din's cheek.

"I'd like that, Din Djarin." Din gently slides his arm around Cressida and tugs her closer, gently pressing his lips to hers.

Oh, maker! Din feels ready to explode! Cressida tastes as sweet as she looks. He never wants to stop kissing her.

"Oh, Din." Cressida rests her forehead against his, just gazing into those beautiful brown eyes.

"You're perfect. Absolutely perfect."

Din looks away, chuckling nervously. He wants to...make love to this woman resting in his arms.

"Cressida?"

"Hmm?"

"I..I want to make love to you. Would that be okay? If you don't want to, I completely understand."

Cressida smiles widely, kissing Din this time.

"It's okay by me, Din." Din smiles, tugging Cressida up into his lap and pressing his lips to the crown of her head.

"I promise to be gentle." Cressida looks at Din, grinning wickedly.

"It's okay if things get a little rough." Din chuckles again.

"You might be sorry you said that."

......

Afterwards, they lay tangled up together on the cot, Cressida's head resting on Din's bare chest.

"Oh, cyra'ika. I think we have a problem now."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I don't want you to leave me." Cressida looks into Din's eyes, kissing him.

"If you don't want me to go, Din Djarin, then consider me yours. Forever."

.......

A/N: whew! Din and Cressida really bonded now! Lol. Anyways just letting you know that another certain bounty hunter will be making a guest appearance in the next chapter! And you all soo much for reading and voting on this story!! It means a lot to me♡♡