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Chapter Text

Jyn hated the forced intimacy of house parties when she had to play a role that had never sat well on her. Her mother had done it better but her mother was dead and it was up to her to keep her father safe. The only benefit was that she was allowed to use live ammunition on the firing range, most guests would smile condescendingly at her but that didn’t matter. Saw had taught her to use a weapon because he knew someday she would escape and he understood her anger. He had seen his sister destroyed by those who craved power and built polite fences, he hadn’t been able to save her mother but Jyn would be ready. When the time came, she would save herself.

She lined up her shot and saw someone else approaching the firing range. When she looked over, she saw the young officer, there always was one invited, but she hadn’t noticed him before. Usually they were putting themselves forward to get Krennic or her father’s attention. He met her eyes and for a moment she thought she saw tiredness in them, “May I?”

 “Yes, there’s space,” At her answer, he gave her a little bow and as he turned to the target, she admired his lean lines and his neat mustache that wasn’t ostentastious. Then he fired, a quick shot and she saw a bullseye. As she lined up her shot, she put everything else from her thoughts and fired. The time passed quickly, they didn’t speak except for a good shot here or there, it was restful.

There were footsteps behind them and as they both turned at the same time, she noticed his mask flicker into place. It was disconcerting to watch someone else hide themselves as Krennic said,, “Jyn, there you are. And you’ve met Jeroth Sward, I have hopes for him.”

 Krennic frowned as Sward said, “Miss Erso was impressing me with her skill with a pistol. She has a keen eye, sir.” 

The compliment warmed Jyn as she put her gun away and she shook that feeling away, he was clearly buttering up Krennic or her for something. “Good, good, all of the guests have arrived and you’re needed for tea, Jyn,”

 She nodded, hating that he could order her even in her own home. 

“I was just getting ready to come inside,” As she spoke, Krennic took her arm and she saw a questioning look in Sward’s eyes. What did he see in this interaction? He had a sharp eye, did he see the truth or the lie?

The music was meant to be a salsa, Cassian wished he could change the record, put on a waltz or a foxtrot, something that wasn’t a fake version of his home. He looked over at Jyn who seemed like she was trying to fade into the wallpaper even though she was wearing a blue dress dotted with stars that made her the most beautiful sight in the room. Krennic kept approaching her and then she would turn and talk to her father. 

Finally the record ended and before one of the others could change it, Cassian was up and over to put on the first album he found, a melancholy waltz, he turned to Jyn and offered her his hand, “May I have this dance?” 

She looked at his hand as if it was going to bite but she’d also seen Krennic approaching with a hungry look in his eyes and she stood up, the silk of her dress swishing. Her hand was warm in his and he remembered how tightly she’d gripped her pistol before he stepped back and she easily moved into his arms, but not too close. 

In her mind, he was another Imperial, set to cause her trouble, but she wasn’t why he was here. He had to steal the plans from Krennic and disappear without leaving a trace. And this was simply a dance though he was achingly aware of her warmth and how well she fit in his arms. But dancing to dance wasn’t part of his life and as the record ended, they both stepped back, though she did give him a thoughtful look. He smiled at her, using one of his lighter ones and said, “Ready for a refill?” 

This was the kind of role he was supposed to play, just a foolish officer, no one to pay attention to. Jyn nodded and walked with him, behind them Krennic did something with his throat but they were far enough away to pretend they hadn’t heard.

Cassian focused on mixing the drinks, his a whiskey with more ice than whiskey and a gin fizz for her.

“You didn’t like the music before,” Jyn said or asked, the question was partly hidden in politeness.

“It wasn’t real,” He said with a sip of his drink, he knew real anger was slipping into his voice but he hated the fake versions of the music he grew up with.

She clinked his glass with recognition in her eyes and said, “Nothing here is real.”

Cassian nodded as the dinner gong sounded and she lifted her chin up, while putting her free hand on his arm. In another life, he would enjoy trying to find out what was real about her, but there isn’t the time now.

Chapter Text

Jyn eyed the detective warily, he couldn’t be true with his fancy shoes and mustaches but Saw had sent a message that he could be trusted. And she could speak to him at the police station, this wasn’t a conversation that she wanted to have anywhere near her home. Not when it felt like there were too many eyes and nowhere to hide. She remembered how her mother would stare down Krennic and straightened her back as she entered. Poirot came out to meet her and as he spoke the pleasantries led her to a quiet room, “What worries you, Mademoiselle Erso?” 

“J..Sward, he didn’t kill Golroi,” She put every ounce of conviction she could in her voice, because she knew it was true. Jeroth wasn’t safe, she didn’t doubt that he had killed before, but not this time.

 Poirot considered her, “Why do you say that? Has he charmed you?”

 “No, he didn’t try,” Jyn knew what that looked like and felt like. The smarm of men using her to get to her father or once they realized her father only cared for his science, to Krennic, who prized her father. Sward had never pushed, he’d listened and gave her space. Yes, they’d danced together once but that had been him saving her from Krennic and himself from the music. She remembered how his mask had faltered at the salsa.

“But you are certain that he did not do this? What do you know of him to make you so certain of him?” His questions were matter of fact, which Jyn appreciated, he wasn’t treating her like a fool.

 “I know how he shoots and dances. Which you probably will say isn’t enough. I don’t like talking about intuition, but he didn’t,” Jyn lifted her chin up as she said it.

 Poirot nodded and stood up, offering her his arm. She rose with him as they walked to the cells, Jyn wished she had worn her tweeds, this was a cold place. 

Poirot spoke to a constable and then a door was opened and there was Jeroth. He was still in his evening clothes, but with a shadow of stubble that softened the lines of his face. His shirt was unbuttoned and she found her gaze drawn to a hint of black hair before she went back to his tired and wary eyes. “You have a defender, Monsieur. Perhaps you will tell to her the truth and save yourself. I know you’re not who you say you are but wish only to know who you are.” 

Sward shook his head, “No, I can’t. It’s not only my secret.” 

Jyn said, “Do you know Saw?” 

At her question, Sward gave her a long look, she felt as if he were trying to read into her soul as she heard Poirot move the door closed, “All secrets will remain in this room. This isn’t where you’re meant to be, Monsieur.” 

Sward’s voice was quiet as he shook his head, “Not Saw but others who wish for the same though use different tactics. My name is Cassian.” 

Jyn stepped forward to be closer to him, to honor the trust that he was sharing, and share that feeling of rightness, “I knew there were others.” 

“Yes,” He had pain and perhaps even hope in his eyes, Cassian, that name fit him better, “I’m not good at rescues.”

 She stopped at that statement, she hadn’t thought he was here for her. Jyn would get herself out but he had seen that she was a prisoner too. 

“Non, mes amis, that is what I am good at. You were sent to steal plans?” Poirot announced and Jyn realized how close she was standing to Cassian who nodded. 

“Learn what I could and if I found something worth taking, steal it.” 

“What did you see?”

 “Not enough, a figure passed me as I hid in the alcove near the study. I’ve been trying to think of something identifying but there isn’t much, a whiff of an expensive cologne, one with too much musk in it,” He had frustration in his voice and Jyn remembered how he’d spent time over a crossword and discussed aviation challenges with Ben, her father’s assistant. Cassian liked knowing how pieces fit together. 

Poirot gave a brisk nod, “Thank you, that confirms what I knew had to be true. If you will be patient for perhaps a night, then you will have freedom without your secrets being known.” 

As he finished speaking, Poirot went to knock on the door and Jyn looked once more at Cassian and said, “We’ll rescue ourselves.” 

Then Cassian smiled, it began with the half smile she had glimpsed before then became a true smile which was beautiful. Impulsively, she closed the distance between them and kissed that smile before hurrying back to Poirot. She whispered, “Yes, we will.” 

He looked dazed as she moved away and Jyn wondered if she looked the same as the door closed on Cassian once more.

Back at the house, Poirot gathered everyone and said seriously, “I have learned that Sward was an imposter but not a murderer. I am going to go through his effects.” 

Krennic stood up with a snarl, “Let me speak to him. I’ll find out what he came to do.” 

“There is no need for that, my dear sir. All is handled.” It was wonderful to watch Krennic have to listen to Poirot, he wasn’t going to get his hands on Cassian. She wouldn’t let Krennic disappear Cassian.

Poirot went upstairs and as Jyn went after him, her father asked, “Jyn?” 

“I have the room keys, father. Don’t worry,” Her voice was soothing and he sat down. She loved her father but wished that he was better at taking action in worlds outside of his designs.

Inside the room, clothing was tossed about and Jyn winced, Cassian wouldn’t have left it this way. Poirot sighed, “Krennic wished to search before I had a chance to. He wanted to show his power. I think our friend is normally quite neat.” 

As he spoke, Poirot adjusted a hairbrush and sniffed a jar of pomade. Jyn walked carefully through, gently picking up clothing and folding them. As she went, she noted how there was nothing hidden in the seams or pockets, no pictures of a lover waiting elsewhere or letters of code, “He’s good at secrets.”

“He is, yes,” Poirot said and Jyn thought he sounded like he approved, “I think there is nothing here for us to find. Perhaps, you would pack his belongings so I may take them to him. Though I think this time, you should not accompany me.”

Jyn nodded, she could see the logic of that. If Poirot was going to help Cassian disappear then it would be safer if she wasn’t connected. Packing didn’t take long, everything had its place and a few things told stories she wondered about. All the uniforms were correct but a pair of socks were a flash of red, they were lovely but worn down to almost nothing. How long had he had them? Maybe someday, she could ask him. A pair of leather gloves had a worn spot on the index finger, she thought of his hands holding a gun as she tucked them away and fastened the straps on the valise. 

She handed it to Poirot and he gave her hand a squeeze, “I will keep him as safe as I can, Mademoiselle.”

Cassian stepped out into the grey afternoon light wearing the plainest suit he’d brought, with a worn tweed jacket that kept out the chill. Poirot stood beside him and looked up at the clouds, “I think this storm might be a friend to us. There is a train leaving soon, it will take you to a hustle and bustle to get lost in.”

As Poirot spoke, Cassian walked with him towards the small station and looked around, there weren’t as many watchers as he’d feared; a train conductor and some soldiers on patrol. A small part of him wondered where Jyn was and if she was safe, but he couldn’t risk thinking too much about her, not now, “Yes, this time of day it should be an express.”

“You have read the schedules, they are helpful. Now I am going to buy myself a bun at the lovely bakery and I will tell everyone that you are gone,” His voice was light as he turned with a tip of his hat back into the village. Cassian returned the gesture, before walking down the train and getting on at a random door. At the first empty seat, he sat down and pulled out the paper to start on the crossword as he got to his next place of safety. Then there would be time for more plans as he tapped his lips with his pen, later he would allow himself time to think of that kiss.