Chapter Text
Having time to enjoy peace and quiet doesn’t happen often in my line of work, often times, I’m being sent from one corner of the galaxy straight into the next corner. Finding myself on Bespin, has truly been a special privilege. One I was going to take full advantage of, after all this could very well be the last time I had an opportunity to truly admire this amazing city, and it’s amazing technological ingenuity.
Ever since I arrived on the transport at the beginning of the week, all I wanted was to enjoy the quiet of a peaceful cafe, to sit and watch the citizens of Bespin walk by, enjoying their lives, choices they got to exercise every day. Options I’ll never have. I chose this life before I even fully understood what it mean to live this life. Had I taken a moment to fully understand, I know I would have walked away, then maybe … just maybe, I wouldn’t be on borrowed time.
Since my arrival, every day for a week, I sat here, eating lunch in the same cafe, for some sure it would have been tedious and boring, a routine that was easily developed. However, for me, it was peaceful, not to mention the food was amazing, something I usually never got to experience, after all when you are on the go all the time, ration bars become your go to meal. As I sat here enjoying my meal, on the penultimate day of my time here, I was grateful I had been able to remain under the radar of most of the citizens. Appearing for a moment in their vision, before they turned away again, I was nothing special to look at, and therefore I slipped in without so much as a hint of awareness from those in and around the area.
My only problem, seemed to rear it’s ugly, today of all days was the 6’5” idiot who hadn’t stopped staring at me the entire time since I entered the cafe. I knew it was only a matter of time before he decided to come over and introduce his nasty self to me, and truly, I wished that someone else would have gotten his attention. Alas, that did not seem to be the case, at least he had the decency to wait till I had mostly finished my lunch before he decided to walk over and interrupt. As he stood near the table the overwhelming smell of alcohol and putridness coming from him hit me like a punch in the nose.
“You come here often?” His speech surprisingly wasn’t slurred, with the amount of alcohol that had to be in his system to smell as he did, he remained upright and hardly any swaying to his demeanour.
I didn’t bother answering him, after all with men like that there was no need. Any answer you gave, they took it as an invitation, you told them to go away, they took it as an invite to try harder. You give them a legit answer, they took it to me you were open to what they were offering. I did the only reasonable option before me, I simply ignored him. Ignore them long enough and usually they went away. However, it appeared he wasn’t going to take the hint, and instead stepped closer, his hand resting on the back of the chair directly before me.
“What sweetheart, droid got your tongue?”
I again ignored him, I noticed how a few in the restaurant were starting to pay attention, this wasn’t good. I needed to be unseen, that was the only way my job worked. Unseen, unheard, forgotten, but this fool was making that impossibly hard. After all, it would be only a matter of time, before someone decided to step in, or decided to record everything in case they had to report it to the Bespin Guards.
“Come on sweetie, I can make your time here a lot more enjoyable?”
I took my final bite, placing the utensils back on the dish. This man was vile, everything about him, his face, his smell, his voice, his appearance, it all turned my stomach. I noticed how in the far corner of the cafe a green helmet had turned their attention towards my table. It seemed to focus even more so as the vile man walked towards my table.
Boba watched from his seat as the drunken idiot got up and walked over to the mysterious woman’s table. He had been watching her for the past week, there were many things Boba was good at, and noticing a beautiful woman arriving on one of the most beautiful cities definitely was one of them. After all the day she arrived, he noticed how she kept to yourself, no one met her at the docking pad, nor did it appear she was seeking to meet anyone. He watched as she checked into her hotel, and promptly went to the cafe and sat down. That’s all she ever did, she would go twice a day, to sit at the same table, order her meal, and watch the citizens of Bespin.
Every day, it was the same routine, every day she ordered a different meal from the menu, if he had to guess, she had practically tasted everything the cafe had to offer. It was as though she was starved for something different, a real meal.
She had intrigued him, she didn’t hide her face, didn’t hide where she sat, didn’t hide at all, it was as though no one except him had noticed her. People looked but didn’t really see her, often people would give her one glance and then move on. It was intriguing, Boba had the ability to not be seen if he didn’t want to, but to truly sit in the open and not be noticed was a skill that didn’t come ease to many. He learned the skill from his father, maybe she learned the skill from someone just as close to her.
The longer he watched her, the more he was intrigued, and today, of all days he decided it wasn’t enough to just watch her anymore, he needed to meet her. He sat at the same cafe, hoping that an opportunity would present itself for him to walk up to her, and speak to her. Maybe find out exactly what a woman of her skills was doing on Bespin, after all someone that skillful was never up to anything good. Unfortunately, this di’kut ruined his plans.
He was impressed by the amount of self-control she exercised, she seemed to restrain her innate reaction, he watched as her hands clenched around her utensils tighter, how she eyed the cafe wondering how many were really paying attention to what was transpiring at her end. Boba had wondered too and noticed many didn’t even care what was happening, many too focused on their own meals, and their own companions.
However, he noticed every movement, every flinch, every dart of her eyes, he’s not even sure why, but he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. From the way she carried herself, he knew she could look after herself, that was never a doubt, but yet, he didn’t want her to have to put up with the nonsense of the man that stood before her.
Boba’s hand moved subtly to the blaster on his thigh, he could hit his target from where he sat easily, but would she appreciate the intervention? Would she want that type of attention? Every fibre within his being wanted to drag that scum away from her and beat him senseless. Yet, she continued to pay that moron no mind, and just let him continue prattling on while she finished her meal, she was unique, definitely something to admire.
“Maybe you won’t talk now, but I certainly can make you scream if you give me a chance”
Okay, that’s it, I was so done with this fool in front of me, especially since now he had attracted the attention of the green Mandalorian that had been sitting on the other side of the restaurant. I knew the Mandalorian had been following me since I arrived. Not that I minded, after all, that was the point, I needed to speak to him. I came with the sole purpose of seeking him out, but I was selfishly hoping to enjoy a bit of a respite before I needed to complete my task. At the very least I earned three days of quiet, before this odious man walked up to my table.
“Come on, sweetheart, let me hear that pretty mouth of your’s speak”
I pushed the plate away from me, and motioned for the waiter to come over. Thankfully, the meal was exquisite, therefore my time in the cafe hadn’t been completely ruined by the vile man. Unfortunately, he took that as an open invitation, I watched out of the corner of my eye, as I continued to ignore the man, his expression changed from one of hope to one of annoyance and had the audacity to sit down in front of me. Ugh!
Well at least this would be an easier way to deal with him, wouldn’t have to make that much of a show. As he sat down he leaned back in the chair, the chair protesting under his weight, as it squeaked and groaned from the excess weight and movement. One arm rested on the back of the chair, as his other hand rubbed his thigh over and over again, all the while his legs spread wide. His eyes raked over the portions he could see, slowly, and deliberately as he licked his lips and rubbed his jaw with his free hand. The man was vile, everything about him was beyond revolting.
I noticed as the waiter came up beside me, he eyed my new companion, his eyes betrayed his stoic face, his own revulsion for the man shining brightly in his purple hued eyes. He shifted his attention back to me, as his hands rested on the table.
“Do you need anything else miss?” His eyes held the question his mouth dare not speak in the man’s company, ‘do you need help?’, I appreciated his concern, but soon enough I was going to deal with this man on my own.
I simply shook my head, nodding my thanks and handed him the credits for the meal, as well as a generous tip for his concern. The waiter smiled, accepting my thanks. He thanked me for my generosity and walked away, taking the empty plate with him. The table was clean, a complete contradiction to the man that was before me.
“Being a bit too generous wouldn’t you say? Then again I wouldn’t mind you being that generous with me, pet”
As the waiter walked away, I reached forward and grabbed the napkin that was on the table, I still hadn’t addressed the man or anyone, no one needed to remember my voice, even when I ordered, I simply pointed to the item on the menu. I delicately took my time to wipe my mouth, as my other hand grabbed my blaster tilting it inside the holster, I flicked on the silencer mode, no one needed to know what was about to happen, after all this was still a family run business. I looked the man dead in his eyes, all he had to do was walk away, I placed the napkin down on the table.
I didn’t want to do this, but he had left me no choice, I took in a deep breath, “Any last words?” I offered.
“For…?”
Before he realized what happened, the blaster shot from my gun hit him square in his chest, killing him instantly. The vile man slumped in his chair, falling forward ungracefully hitting the table with his head. Everyone looked at me, thanks to the commotion his body created. Granted, none of them were aware of what had transpired, simply that the man made a loud enough noise when his head hit the table. I stood from my seat, feeling all eyes on me, thankfully my hood remained in place, covering my face completely. Before long, all the eyes focused back on their meal or their meal companion, leaving only one man to follow my movements. I walked over to the manager, offered my sincerest apologizes for the disturbance and the mess, I handed him enough credits that would ensure his silence and forget my face.
“Please give my regards to the chef, and let ‘em know the meal was exquisite.”
The manager fumbled out an ‘of course’, while I simply nodded and began to walk away.
Boba was beyond impressed, he watched as she had handled that pathetic excuse of man with class, she didn’t even flinch when she shot him. He was in the unique position to see her move her hand to the blaster on her thigh, to watch as she delicately moved it within it’s holster. He needed to meet her, his resolve had never been more determined, lifting his helmet to finish his drink, Boba wasted no time in catching up with her, he wanted to talk to her. No, he needed to talk to her.
Since that first day he saw her, he noticed there was something different about this woman, and he just couldn’t shake the feeling he had. He threw some credits on the table and began to walk after her, hoping he’d find her soon enough, after all he knew where she was staying and had tracked her routine. He was going to talk to her. Today without fail, especially after the incident in the cafe, it was only a matter of time before she moved on.
It wasn’t difficult for Boba to catch up with her. He had a sense she had slowed done on purpose, maybe to make sure he’d be able to follow her through the mass of people that seemingly came out of nowhere. For a second, she slipped out of his line of sight, but he found her easily enough again, after he switched his visor mode to tracking her footsteps. He found her steps leading down an alleyway, further away from the crowd of people.
Did she catch on to the fact he was following her? He watched as she looked around, before heading down another alleyway, her steps were with purpose and faster then they had been walking among the mass of people.
Where was she headed?
I needed peace and quiet, I could feel my chest tightening, I needed to just get away from everyone. I looked around to make sure I wasn’t being followed and no one else was down the alleyway. I needed time to myself, I finally found a spot down the alleyway that was hidden enough from the main passageway’s line of sight.
My hands began to shake as I raised them to push back my hood. I leaned against the wall, allowing it take my weight as my legs began to shake underneath me. My breaths were coming in fast and quick, I needed to calm down, I needed to breathe. I closed my eyes trying to calm myself as I felt the tears beginning to bubble forth. The warm bubble that had been steadily rising since I left the cafe, was now about ready to burst forth.
The image of the man slumping against the table kept replaying over and over in my head, the tears I had been holding couldn’t be held back anymore. All the remaining strength I had left in my legs, evaporated as the tears started, no longer able to hold myself up I slumped down till my butt hit the floor, I drew my knees into my chest, as heaving sobs escaped me. I was better than this, I am better than this. I just needed to breathe.
How pathetic had I become?
Boba couldn’t believe his eyes as he turned the corner, the woman who was so stoic, so full of self-control was now sitting on the floor crumpled and crying her eyes out. Boba didn’t understand why his heart was aching, the same protective feeling started bubbling up in the pit of his stomach, he stood at the end of the alleyway watching, as she fell apart like a wounded animal. He knew he needed to do something, but the more he stood watching her sit there, the more it broke his heart.
Before, Boba had even realized it, his feet took over, carrying him closer to her, he was quiet as he kneeled down in front of her, he wanted to place a hand on her shoulder, give her some sort of comfort, but maybe that wasn’t the best idea.
“Are you okay?”
It was the only thing he could offer, a platitude of concern, but it wasn’t fake, his concern was genuine. He fought the urge to take her in his arms and hold her, to press her head into his chest, to rub soothing circles on her back, to have her sit on his legs, while he provided her a safe space to break down.
My mind was racing, images of all the people I had killed over the years, when the modulated voice broke into my thoughts. I took what remaining strength I had to steady my sobs as I looked up to see the green helmet looking at me, with what I assumed was full of concern. The way his helmet tilted, how close he was kneeling to me, even the tone of voice, his concern leaked through.
This wasn’t supposed to happen, he wasn’t supposed to meet me or find me like this, how was I going to recover, would he even take me seriously? I had a whole plan, but now here I was face flushed with tears, eyes red, and sniffing back the liquid wanting to escape my nose. His hand reached forward and rested on my shoulder, it was gentle, comforting, grounding. Feeling the warmth there allowed me to take in a deep breath, something my lungs desperately were needing.
“Yeah… I’m …” I knew who he was, after all I had seen him as he was tracking me since I landed. No point in hiding anymore, at least I could hold off on telling him who I was until we had more privacy.
“You were there? In the cafe?” I had to play the damsel in distress for now, it was the only move I had left. Although, seeing my current circumstances I guess I was the damsel in distress.
“I was”
“I must seem really pathetic to you right now” I offered wiping my tears, drying my face. No doubt to the great Boba Fett, there was nothing more pathetic, then a killer who breaks down after the deed is done.
Boba watched her face, she genuinely thought she was pathetic, how did she not see what he saw, she stood up for herself, she did it with dignity and grace.
“Not at all,” he offered, she needed to know what she did was incredibly brave, “you’re incredibly strong, you had a great deal of self-control. I was ready to kill the man, myself. You did the only thing that could be done, with men like that, you defended yourself.”
Boba didn’t understand what was happening, what was racing through her mind? Why the sudden insecurity? Why the breakdown?
“Was that the first time you killed someone?”
“No,” his hand never wavered from my shoulder, his words were kind, comforting, maybe I was strong and maybe I had no other choice, but I broke a promise to myself. How could I be strong, if I couldn’t even hold a promise to myself? “That was my thirtieth. Thirty times I’ve pulled that trigger. Thirty times I’ve taken someone’s life away. Thirty times I changed another person’s world. Thirty times I’ve seen life ebb away from their eyes.”
Boba was speechless, she felt this deeply after only thirty kills? His count was much higher, but he understood that battle within him, he didn’t want to take people’s lives, but that was the role he found himself in. The life he choose. After all he was a bounty hunter, and that life came with certain expectations.
“I know what that feels like” Boba looked around the alleyway, it was still empty, but probably not for long, this wasn’t exactly the best place to be having an in-depth conversation, or to offer the best comfort. Maybe he could escort her somewhere safe, somewhere they could talk, somewhere he could bare his soul to the woman who seemed to have lost hers, “I think it’s best if we move from here.”
I nodded, wiping the tears, calming down my nerves as best as I could. He was right, this wasn’t the place to have a breakdown, but I just didn’t have the strength within me to make it back to my room. I needed a safe space as soon as possible, and thankfully I had found that in this small alcove in the alleyway.
How did I get here? How did my life change so drastically? What was going to happen in the next few weeks? Would I even still be alive? Everything was fine until a few months ago, and then after that … after that assignment … my first failed assignment … I took in a deep breath, just calm yourself, find your center. I just needed to get up.
Get Up!
Boba watched as her face changed, returning to the same stoic, determined look, as though the past 20 minutes didn’t happen, as though she wasn’t just having a complete breakdown. Boba couldn’t get the look of her eyes out of his mind, they were pleading, asking … no, begging for help, for some sort of release, for someone to reach out and grab her from spirling down the pit she seemed to have fallen into. He wanted to be that hand that grabbed her, he wanted to help her, maybe he could help her, maybe he could take care of her. All he knew was right now, he wasn’t going to leave her, Boba offered his hand to help her off the ground.
I didn’t hesitate, I placed my hand in his as he helped me off the floor, his hand was bigger than mine, but soothing, comforting, even through his gloves. My hand instinctively intertwined with his as I stood, I looked into the visor of his helmet, though I couldn’t see his eyes, I knew they were examining every inch of my face, my breath hitched a little.
It was as though I could sense him boring into my soul, I didn’t know why but my very being, seemed to want to intertwine with his. Had I known it would have been like this, I would have sought him out sooner. I heard he was gorgeous under the helmet, rarely took it off, but the few times he had, the praise that resonated through the galaxy was unmistakable. I was floored however, by his kindness, everyone always spoke of his skills as a fighter, as a bounty hunter, but no one ever spoke about his kindness.
Both of us stood for a moment, before he pulled me beside him gripping my hand, and lead me out of the alleyway. Neither of us speaking. The silence was comforting, it was as though he knew exactly what I needed. As we walked further on, his hand shifted pulling me along gently, until I was walking beside him, I felt as Boba rested his hand on my lower back, guiding me along and closer to him.
“Where’s your ship?”
“Don’t have one, came here on a transport” I was surprised he asked, I had seen him at the bay, maybe he was testing me to see if I would tell the truth or if this was all a ruse.
“Follow me then” Boba moved from beside her, taking the lead once again, he kept looking over his shoulder to make sure she was still following. He needed to know how truthful she was being. If this had all been an act to let his guard down, then she deserved a kriffing medal because that was exceptional acting.
I followed as best as I could, missing the warmth of his hand. He kept walking further into the city, I knew where he was taking me, but I had never been on this level. My men had found his ship easily enough, and informed me where it was, originally, the plan had been an easy one, wait by his ship until he appeared. However, all that had changed in the span of an hour.
I watched as he walked like a man on a mission, it wasn’t long before I saw a sign, directing people to the docking bays on this level. I kept following the green helmet, fully aware that more than one set of eyes were watching us. He stood before the hangar door entering his code, the door slid open within a matter of second, presenting a beautiful pre-imperial ship, a unique design of a ship, for an even more unique owner. My stomach fluttered a little, knowing what was going to transpire in the next few minutes.
Boba turned and rested his hand on my lower back again, guiding me towards his ship. The pressure and the warmth was grounding and comforting, something that felt oddly familiar as though he’d been doing it forever. I wish he could keep his hand there for all time, but that was unrealistic.
As I stepped on to the ramp, my vacation was over, my borrowed time was over. I had hoped for one more day, but the universe has a way of interfering with plans. As soon as we were on the ship, Boba motioned for me to sit on one of the benches in the hold of his ship. He grabbed a water canteen and handed it to me, I was grateful, and greedily opened it and drank it as though it were my last meal. His helmet turned towards me, watching me, as he leaned on the wall of his ship.
“What brings you here?” He finally asked breaking the silence that had been between us, since we left the confines of the alleyway.
“I was looking for someone” no point in hiding the truth anymore, no point in delaying the inevitable.
“Who? Maybe I can help” there was that kindness again.
Boba watched as her face looked pained, maybe she had found who she was looking for and they didn’t want anything to do with her. Which if that was the case, he’d find that moron and end their life. With so much beauty before them, how could they just turn away? He fought the desire within to wrap his arms around her.
“You” was all she offered.
Boba’s stomach clenched, why was she looking for me? Did someone have a bounty on him? Boba knew it was too good to be true, clearly that little scene in the alleyway had been for his benefit, a way to let his guard down, he was right, and he led her straight to his ship. If his father was alive he would have been beyond disappointed, ‘allowing, a pretty face to get through your defences, son. I taught you better than that.’
I watched as Boba’s fist clenched, whatever could have been between us, certainly was over in that instant. I took one more sip from the water canteen, clearing my throat.
“Lord Vader sent me to determine your progress on finding Luke Skywalker. He is … displeased that his communications have gone unanswered. Despite his numerous attempts to contact you. I have been sent so an answer can be provided.”
“Should’ve known Vader would have sent a beautiful assassin to find me” Boba chuckled, he could care less for the man or for the Empire, and truthfully if it were not for the ridiculous amount of credits coming his way each and every time, he would have walked away a long time ago.
“I’m not here to kill you” I offered, hoping the look in my eyes conveyed my conviction.
“Then why are you here?”
“Like I said, to determine your progress and report back to Lord Vader”
“What if I have nothing to report?”
“Then I will leave, and give you a chance to escape, reporting to Lord Vader a day later”
Boba didn’t know what to make of the offer, why was she putting herself in danger for the likes of him, he knew Vader, seen him force choke enough imperials who failed him.
“I take it the display in the alleyway was for my benefit” his hip popped out, “otherwise how would you have gotten on my ship, right?” If this was the last time he was to see her, he needed the truth.
I couldn’t look at him, my eyes casted down to the floor, I needed to look anywhere else.
“No” I began, I heard him shift, “that was for my benefit, I would have broken down in private, but I … I couldn’t hold it in any longer.”
He came and took the seat beside me, I could feel his eyes searching me, his helmet tilting, his concern radiated through, he didn’t offer anything, he waited patiently giving me the time I needed to continue.
“I … I vowed never to take another person’s life. My last assignment, Lord Vader sent me to a village to kill …” I closed my eyes as I remembered the assignment, “he wanted me to destroy a youngling, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t take the life of an innocent. I failed.”
I turned my head to look him in his visor.
“I didn’t want to - - I couldn’t take any more lives. The more I thought about the lives I had taken, the more the guilt and burden began to eat away at my soul. The man in the cafe … usually when I stay quiet they - - men like that, they usually leave me alone, but he wouldn’t shut up, and I couldn’t have him bringing attention to who I am” as I said that, I realized how contradictory that sounded, I didn’t want him to bring attention to my table with his loud obnoxious voice, so instead I killed him in front of everyone, doing exactly what I wish to avoid.
“So you killed him? in front of everyone? Way not to bring attention”
Boba chuckled, this woman was so … unique. He could spend a life time getting to know her, only to be surprised by every little thing she did.
“It was my second last day here, I have to report back to Vader. I tried to delay this as long as possible, hoping to enjoy what little freedom I had, before I was under his control again.”
“You don’t have to go back” Boba offered, if he could save her he would. Maybe they could come up with a plan, take her somewhere he couldn’t find her.
“What do you mean? Of course, I do. It’s Vader.”
“What if I offered to take you away from here?”
“Wouldn’t work”
“You don’t know that” Boba couldn’t help but have that protective feeling once again bubble up, his hand took a life of it’s own as it laid on her back rubbing circles into it. He shifted closer to her, he really had to fight to keep his hand on her back, he wanted to encase her in his arms, protect her from Vader how ever he could.
“I do. There are about 30 stormtroopers watching us right now. If you were to take me away, Vader’s anger would blaze against you. I am his most trusted assassin. I … I don’t want to see you get hurt or worse because of me.”
“An assassin that doesn’t kill, has a short life span. Especially, to their owners.”
“I convinced him it was battle fatigue, he gave me this assignment hoping it would give me the rest I needed”
“You can’t keep that up for ever, he’s going to find out the truth”
“I can try”
“We can come up with a plan to free you, to make sure he never finds you.”
“You and I both know that’s a fool’s errand. Why do you want to help me?”
“I … I don’t know, ever since I saw you that first day, I just … I feel drawn to you.”
A smile graced my lips, I shifted closer to him, letting my hand rest on his thigh plate, it had been so long since someone genuinely offered to be there for me.
“No one can free me, Boba. I am his, until he no longer has use for me.”
Boba doesn’t even know her, doesn’t know her name, and yet all he can think about is wanting to protect her, to save her, hide her away from a man he knows all too well. His hand reached up and cupped her cheek. He watched as her eyes shut and leaned into his hand, for the first time, since he had seen her, she finally looked relaxed, she trusted him enough to let her guard down in his presence.
“I can, let me help you” Boba didn’t know why he was pleading, he knew he should just walk away, he offered to help her and she didn’t want it, he needed to walk away. He’d have enough heartache in his lifetime, he didn’t need anymore, but her presence drew him in. Despite what his mind was telling him, his body and heart took over. He needed to protect her.
I took in a deep breath, his insistence was endearing it was comforting, it had been such a long time since someone put my needs first.
“Boba, you don’t know me, you know nothing of what I’ve done, who I am. I’m not a good person. I don’t deserve this” despite telling him differently, I couldn’t help lean in to his gloved hand, resting my hand on top of his. It felt like home, like something I’d been missing. My mind kept telling me this was not going to be a reality, my heart knew better than to hope, they both screamed at me to walk away. To get up and put distance between the two of us, but my body refused to listen, it kept telling me I was safe, kept reassuring me this was the right move.
Boba understood that self doubt all too well, all he had to do was think back to his own past to know what she felt.
“I’m not a good person either, but I know what it is to not have a choice. Let me give you a choice.”
Comm: Commander?
I looked into his visor, pushing his hand away. I needed to remember we weren’t alone, my hand slipped off his thigh. I took a moment to really look into his visor, this was it, our moment was over, my borrowed time had come to an end. Reality came crashing down with the sound of my Sergeant’s voice, a man who was more loyal to Lord Vader, than Vader’s own breath. I stood from my seat moving away from the man who was ready to offer me everything. I steadied my breath, pushing the tears away, whatever he thought he could promise was not meant to be, a future with the man I knew so little about was not possible.
Boba rose from his seated position, he kept his visor locked on her, as much as he wanted to, he knew there was no choice, no option unless she believed there to be one. Maybe he could come up with a plan, come up with some other form of deception to break her free. He was Boba Fett, feared bounty hunter, a man who strategized every little detail, it was how he was able to end up on Bespin, he thought of a possibility no one else had considered.
I felt his eyes boring into the back of my head, I turned to look at him, no matter how hard I tried to look away, I simply couldn’t, my eyes never faltered while I raised my wrist comm.
“Yes, Sergeant?”
Comm: Everything okay?
“Everything is fine. I’ll be out shortly.”
I turned my comm off, that reality of my situation came back with a vengeance, my heart and mind telling me over and over again ‘we warned you, you should have walked away,’ they were right, I needed to walk away. I couldn’t just stand here wishing for something that was never going to happen.
“There is no escape for me, there never was, Boba” I looked to the ground, steadying myself once again, I was there for a job, and I needed to complete it, come what may.
“What would you like me to tell Vader?”
“Tell him, I have a plan, I will contact him tomorrow, I need to flush out a few more details today.”
“Is that why you are here in Bespin?”
“Yes, cloud city is owned by Han Solo’s friend, Lando Calrissian, if Vader gets here before the Falcon, we can use them as bait to draw out Luke Skywalker.”
“I’ll inform Lord Vader.”
Boba watched as she turned to walk away from him, he watched as she headed to the ramp. He had spent less time with her than any one he had ever known, and yet all he wanted was to hold her, to bring her into the safety of his arms.
I needed to leave, I needed to leave the possibility of freedom behind, hope had been a cruel mistress to me, always had been. Ever since I was a youngling, hope was always just out of my reach, out of my grasp, no matter how hard I tried, all the different choices provided to me, hope never fulfilled it’s promise. I resolved long ago, to bury hope deep down within me, to squish it, to make it so small until there was no possible way to find it, and now despite my best efforts, hope sparked again in my heart, in the shape of a green Mandalorian helmet, in the shape of a bounty hunter named Boba Fett.
Boba couldn’t let her walk away, not until he had one more thing.
“Wait” Boba called out, maybe, just maybe she’d grant him this privilege, just maybe he’d have something to hold on to, he watched as she turned to look at him.
“I don’t know your name?”
I knew I needed to quash that hope, I needed to end it before it began, otherwise it would really be the end of me. I wanted to rush into his arms, I wanted to feel safe, like he had by simply resting his hand on my shoulder, by rubbing comforting circles on my back, by cupping my cheek. I wanted to offer him my name, I wanted to give him the only piece that was mine and truly mine from the moment I was born, but borrowed time is not worth dragging someone else into my mess.
“Dead people have no names”
It was all I could offer, as I looked into his visor one last time. I held my head high, my face remained stoic, as I walked off Boba’s ship. I knew full well, this was probably the last time I would see him, or anyone else for that matter.
Vader made it clear to me, this was my last assignment, once I reported back, there was nothing left for me. As Boba said, an assassin who couldn’t kill was of no use to their masters.
My emotions were betraying me nonstop today, I wanted to hide away, but the tears began to slide down my face as I realized, my freedom was never more than a dream. A future with Boba, a future away from Vader, away from the Empire was never going to be possible for me. It would be better if he forgot me. He deserved someone who had a future.
Boba watched as she walked away, the assassin without a name, a woman who by all rights, was beyond anything he could have imagined. She was such a contradiction, strong and weak, fierce and timid, bold and shy, he was going to save her. He didn’t know how at that moment, but he would find a way to break her free from Vader, there had to be some way. There would be a way. Boba wouldn’t fail her, he’d failed in the past, but not her, he would make sure to be there for her.