Chapter Text
Chapter One: All The Way
Jyn froze in her spot, her mind tried to shake off the thoughts of despair, so instead she tried to divert the thought to find a way to take down the man in white. Her emerald green eyes filled with anger and hatred toward the man in front of her, for what he had done to her life and her family.
She had been waiting for the moment to meet the Director and kill him with her own hands, if only she was in a better position. Right now, her life was on the edge, she had no weapon in her possession. But she wasn’t afraid, not anymore. She kept her chin up and introduced herself who she was and her purpose in this damned place. That was it, and she was ready to die even though she wished it shouldn’t have ended this way.
There was the sound of blaster. Jyn's eyelids closed in a second, thinking she was about to meet her death, with having her only regret which was failing this mission. Her friends' sacrifice to get her to this point, was in vain.
Thud.
The man with cape fell onto the steel flooring.
It was Cassian.
A wave of relief washed over her when the Captain had just returned to aid her. She had lost the counts how many times Cassian had managed to come back for her in the last few days. For a moment earlier, she thought she had lost him, she thought his luck had ran out. In no way Cassian could survive after falling a couple stories. But he could, and against all the odds, he somehow climbed up to the top of Citadel tower and arrived just in time before things got worse.
Jyn couldn't suppress the small content smile her lips were forming. She had never been so glad to see someone. It was honestly the most beautiful sight she had ever seen.
Cassian’s determination brought him back in action even though his body was not capable to walk properly. The pain was excruciating, one leg injured, ribs broken, a blaster wound on his stomach. Most people would have stayed down and give up. But not him. It took a long struggle to get to the top of the tower. Every movement he made was a torture to his own body. But giving up never was in his dictionary. He was aware Jyn’s life was in danger. Krennic was after her, so he had to make sure Jyn succeeded before Krennic could stop her. Because million lives in the galaxy depended on them, the success of their mission.
He was leaning his body against the steel wall for support, blaster still pointed toward the unconscious Director. And now Jyn could finish their mission. The battered Captain Andor watched as Jyn transmitted the Death Star to the fleet out there. A hand was pressing his side stomach to try to stop the bleed. His breathing was ragged.
The Death Star plan has been transmitted, Jyn couldn't help to cast another relieved smile toward him. They did it. However, the moment quickly passed when she noticed how bad Cassian's situation now, her smile faded. She couldn't imagine how he was feeling right now, and how he still could manage to endure the pain and go all the way to save her. She wanted to know, but she couldn’t ask, at least not now. Besides, she knew Cassian wouldn't be honest to answer her concern.
Quick on her feet, the woman trekked her way towards him through the broken platform, yet her sight betrayed her. She caught the sight of Krennic’s body stir slightly, indicating that damn Director was still alive. It made her blood boil. She was enraged, she moved to do the honor to finish him off. In her head, she got a couple ideas at once about the brutal ways to kill the man who ruined her family, her childhood, her life.
Until an arm stopped her. Cassian.
“Leave it.” Cassian spoke softly to her ear, his grip was tight on her to keep her in the spot. It was no use to lay their attention on the Director. There was no enough time, if they wanted to get out of this place alive, they had to find a shuttle. They realized they were the only Rogue One members remained since the comm from Bodhi went static.
Jyn eventually listened and understood the situation they were in. Her vision switched from the Director to the blue sky, which now there was a big circular object hovering. They knew what it was. It wasn’t a random object, it was the Death Star itself. The Empire were going to wipe their own territory like they did to Jedha. It was clear the Empire haven’t got the time to evacuate their men. And they decided to sacrifice their loyalist’s lives? Jyn felt more sick at this.
“Come on.” Her arm was wrapped around Cassian’s body, while setting his arm around her shoulders. Together they made it to the turbolift.
As the door closed and the lift descended to the ground, they had shifted to face each other, so close that there was no personal space between them anymore. Their eyes locked, faces merely inches apart. Neither guarded their faces with the usual mask they often put on default. This time it was full of emotions.
They knew that they didn’t have much time left. The last few days had become something memorable in his life. The presence of Jyn Erso turned his life upside down. Even they haven’t known each other long, she had made a significant change to his life. She brought hope, she taught him things he never considered necessary before. There was connection between them, that makes him wonder if they would be something more if they get the chance to know each other better. Cassian never prayed, he wasn’t the religious type, but now for the first time, that he made himself wish that they could have more time.
When they got out of the lift, they could notice that the war in the ground had calmed down. The place was a little quieter than an hour ago. The remaining troops from both Empire and Rebels had left and evacuated. Because they knew this planet would be destroyed in a few minutes.
“I'm slowing you down here, Jyn” Cassian said between heavy breathes. His body almost reached his limit, the pain and fatigue would soon take his consciousness.
“No you aren’t.” Jyn replied, her green eyes observed the surroundings to find if there was a shuttle they could use to escape. No she didn't want to give up yet. There must be a shuttle out there.
"There's a chance for you to get out this damned planet."
"For us."
“Jyn.”
“Cassian. Don’t.” She warned him, knowing what his intention was. “Listen. I am not leaving you. We survive together, or we die together.” This time her eyes gazing intently at him, making his brown eyes catch her green ones.
His lips parted again as if to say something, but decided against it. He knew how stubborn Jyn was, she could be immovable when she had insisted something. There was no use for him to convince her to leave him here to die. He didn't have enough energy for argument either. He closed his mouth, and nodded weakly. Jyn had made it clear that she wouldn't go if he wouldn't. No, he didn't want to ask her to die here, she should live, she could survive.
“So, are you with me?” Jyn pressed. Since she didn't hear any response from him.
“All the way.” This time there was no sign of desperation in his voice. This time, his voice was filled with determination.