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Chapter Text

   Pain. There was pain. 

   The world around her was hazy, beginning to fade. She was dying. She could feel it. She wished her crew was with her. She's a Mandalorian, death never really scared her, but she at least wanted to be able to say goodbye. She shouldn't have gone off on her own. How stupid was that? But when Sabine Wren had realized there were traitors in their midst, she couldn't help but investigate. She knows she should've talked to her crew about her suspicions, but she wasn't ready. She needed more than a "feeling" to bring up, and while her suspicions were based on factual observations, she didn't feel they justified interrupting the important work they were doing with the rebellion. An official investigation would cost time and resources, and if she was wrong, it would leave the rebellion three men short. So she did the only thing she thought she could, and investigated herself. She was a Mandalorian, she could handle a simple investigation like this. Once she had some more solid proof, she'd expose those sleemos for exactly who they were. Easy peasy. In hindsight, having no backup had been exactly what resulted in the situation she found herself in now. It had taken only one moment of distraction, one moment where her thoughts weren't fully focused on her surroundings, and now here she was. How could I have been so stupid? she thought as she lay there, silently praying that somehow, she'd be saved.

   Sabine had suspected the three new recruits for a while now. Ever since they'd joined, something had gone wrong on every single op they were on. Sabine had immediately noticed this pattern, and quickly decided they weren't to be trusted. Unfortunately, nobody else in the alliance seemed to notice this. Though Ezra had shown some aversion to the three of them, she couldn't tell if it was because he also suspected them, or he didn't like the way they talked about the crew and treated Chopper. Hera was willing to work with them as long as they were helping the alliance, and Kanan had stopped arguing with her about everything regarding this rebellion. Zeb didn't really care what people thought of him, and Chopper just zapped his frustrations out. So it seemed she and Ezra were alone in their distaste for these newbies. 

   As time went on, Sabine grew more and more sure her suspicions were correct, but these guys were smart enough to keep their tracks covered. They would take solo missions where nothing happened to any of them, and take missions apart, where only one or two of them would fall into some sort of trouble. Which meant Sabine couldn't easily prove they were the problem. So, when a mission came up where the Spectres were forced to team up with these new guys, she'd jumped at the chance to further her investigation. The mission required their group to split up, and Sabine had volunteered to go with the new guys without hesitation. The mission was simple, Sabine would take the new guys and sneak into the Imperial base, collect some intel and get out, while Kanan, Zeb, and Ezra, all provided a distraction. Sabine and her group had come in on their own shuttle, but Chopper was waiting in orbit on the Ghost for the Phantom, which Hera was waiting on ready to pick Kanan, Ezra, and Zeb up when the mission was done. 

   Sabine was actually beginning to wonder if her suspicions had been incorrect when things went wrong. They'd made it in and gotten the data they needed without a hitch. It was during their escape that Sabine noticed something was off. Someone had been tailing their group. She quietly split off from the other three, ensuring it wouldn't be noticed. As she snuck up behind the trooper, she pulled out her blaster. "Hello there. Don't remember inviting you to our little party." she snarked, grinning as the trooper froze. "Drop your weapon, now." she commanded. The stormtrooper hesitated, and Sabine shot at the ground next to him. "Next one goes in you buckethead, your choice. Drop. Your. Weapon." She commanded once more. Luckily, this trooper put some value on his own life and did as he was told. "Good, now you're gonna answer some questions for me. First things first, how is it you're the only trooper in this whole base to have noticed my little group?" 

   "As if I'd answer to a kid like you, rebel scum!" the trooper spat. Sabine sighed. 

   "You guys never make this easy, do you?" she muttered, quickly shooting him in the knee. The trooper let out a shout and dropped to the ground. She'd had her blaster set low, so it would hurt but not kill. She needed information. "Have I made myself clear yet, or do you need another reminder of what this 'kid' can do?" she said, pointing the blaster at the trooper's head once again. 

   "Alright! Alright! Look, you're obviously a smart girl. I wouldn't be surprised if you figured it out already, but those new recruits of yours are spies sent to disrupt your operations. Specifically your team." the trooper replied. 

   "I knew it. Wait, my team? You mean the Spectres?" Sabine asked. The trooper nodded.

   "That's right. You've become quite the problem to the Empire. Ever since that kid put out that message." he replied.

   "How were you planning to disrupt us? This is the first time those three have been on a mission with us. Seems like a lousy plan if you ask me." she said.

   "Simple. We were gonna kill Ezra." a voice responded.

   Sabine froze. Her final mistake, as she moved a moment too late, a blaster firing right into her chestplate, the pain radiating through her body as she began to bleed. She fell to the ground, gasping softly. "Holy kriff Razor! Are you out of your mind?" a second voice, belonging to one of the traitors yelled. 

   "Couldn't be helped Crank. The girl was onto us. Besides, with her gone, maybe we won't have to take Bridger out at all. That kid's a loose cannon, he'll fall apart." the third traitor replied.

   "Might kill him anyways. Kid gets on my nerves." Razor added, turning to the trooper with a grin. "Sorry man, but we can't let you live. See, it's just so unfortunate that she managed to get one last shot in before she died." He fired, even as the trooper begged for his life. "Crank, Edge, let's go.  We'll come up with some excuse on the way back to base. By the time anyone realizes she's missing, she'll be long dead." With that, Razor and Edge left her to die. Only Crank looked back, a look of guilt and regret on his face. Sabine wondered for a moment if this kid would have a change of heart, but in the end he too turned away. 

   She struggled to reach her comms, grunting in pain as the movement disturbed her wounds. Letting out a cry, she found it impossible to make her body cooperate. Tears began to pour out of her eyes. If only she hadn't let the thought of her team getting hurt distract her. If only she hadn't hesitated when she'd heard Ezra's name. Ezra....she thought as her mind began to fade. He's in danger....I have to....get back. Have to warn him. But still her body wouldn't move. She cried more as she thought of her team, her family, how much this really would hurt them. Suddenly she heard a voice, calling out her name. It was so warm, so familiar. A comforting presence through the pain. Ezra. she thought as she recognized the voice through the haze. He was telling her to hold on, begging her to stay. I'm sorry Ez. I was so stupid, and now....it's too late. she thought. She felt him lift her into his arms, holding her closely as he cried. Can't....hold on....goodbye, Ezra Bridger. Stay safe. Keep training. I know...you'll be....a great...jedi. Those were her last thoughts before the darkness won.

   Little did she know, there was something at work in the Force. Something that just might save her life. Something that not even the being causing it knew was happening.

   Ezra did not like this mission, not one bit. 

   It wasn't just that Sabine was alone with those new guys, but he'd had a bad feeling from the moment she'd volunteered to go with them. After the briefing, he'd begged Kanan to let him trade places with Sabine, reminding the man that he was just as good as breaking into places as her. "Ezra, you might be good at breaking in, but Sabine knows what she needs to hack their system and get the data we're going for. Plus two jedi will always be a bigger distraction and priority for the Empire than one. If you're not with me they might suspect something." Kanan had told him. Of course, he personally disagreed, the bucketheads were far too stupid to draw that conclusion on their own, but Kanan had made a good point about the data, so he'd given up, reluctantly. Before they'd left for the mission, he couldn't help going to Sabine. 

   "What do you need Ezra? I'm kinda busy right now." Sabine had snapped. Ezra had sensed something in her the moment she'd volunteered, and he had a feeling she didn't like this any more than he did. It made him wonder why she'd volunteered to join those sleemos in the first place. 

   "I'm sorry, I just-" he'd started, rubbing the back of his head, then sighed. "Never mind, it's stupid. Sorry for bothering you." He'd turned to leave, but Sabine stopped him. 

   "Ezra, wait. I'm sorry." she'd said. "Just, on edge I guess. I shouldn't have snapped at you. Though I really do need to finish getting ready."

   Ezra had nodded. "I know, I know. I just....look, just....be safe, okay?" he'd said, sighing and staring at the ground as he rubbed the back of his head again, one hand curling into a fist as he tried to control his emotions. "I know you're a good fighter, and you can take care of yourself, but these new guys...I don't trust them. So....so watch your back, okay?"

   Sabine had smiled, reaching out and taking the hand that had curled into a fist. "Hey." she'd whispered, prompting him to look up at her. "I promise, everything's going to be okay Ezra. We'll get through this, just like we always do."

   "We do best when we all stick together." Ezra had muttered, and Sabine had laughed.

   "True. I seem to recall you getting yourself captured, on more than one occasion." She'd joked.

   "Hey, I got myself out the first time! And the second time it was to protect you!" he'd cried indignantly, then blushed as he realized he'd forgotten Zeb. "And Zeb. You and Zeb. Both of you. Uh....point is, I handled it!" 

   Sabine had laughed again, grinning at him. "Fair point. Tell you what, if anything happens, you'll be my first call, as long as you promise not to get yourself captured doing something stupidly heroic the way we all know you're fond of." she'd teased.

   Ezra had laughed then. "Okay, deal. Not that I need to. I'll have Kanan with me, and he does that way more often than I do!" he'd replied. Sabine had laughed, and Ezra had felt a little better when they'd gone their separate ways. 

   The minute they'd landed on the planet though, the bad feeling had returned, and it hadn't left. Even know, it was plaguing him, screaming at him as he deflected blaster shots and threw rocks at their opponents. Sabine....please be safe. he thought. Suddenly that bad feeling had amplified, something was screaming at him. He felt...pain. Lots of pain, and frustration and.....FEAR. There was so much fear. He turned in the direction of this feeling, reaching out, trying to find the source. Ezra...Sabine's voice called softly in his mind, and his eyes went wide. Sabine! he thought, and raced in the direction of the feeling. 

   "Ezra! What are you doing? Get back to your position!" Kanan shouted, furious. Ezra ignored him. Sabine was in danger, and she needed him. 

   Hang on Sabine! I'm coming! Just hold on! he thought as he ran. He kept running, not stopping as Zeb and Kanan shouted at him to get back, or as the troopers tried firing on his fleeing figure. Ignoring the calls through the comms from a very confused Hera who had begun firing at the troopers chasing after Ezra. Nothing could have stopped him, not even a herd of banthas. Sabine was scared, and she didn't get scared. Worse, she was in pain, which meant she was injured, and she hadn't called him like she'd promised which meant something was really wrong. Sabine kept her promises. That's just the kind of person she was. 

   So he ran. Ran faster than he ever knew possible, aided by the Force, following its call as Sabine's voice continued to cry out to him. When he finally reached the spot where the call was strongest, he froze. There was a dead stormtrooper on the ground, and lying in front of it, blaster still held in one hand, the other clearly having been reaching for her comm, blood pooling underneath.....was Sabine. "SABINE!" Ezra screamed, rushing to her side and dropping to his knees. "No. No no no no no no no no no!" he cried as he gently lifted her. "Sabine! Sabine, please, say something!" he begged, tears filling his eyes. Sabine was silent, even as he began pressing down on the wound. "Oh, God, no. Please. Please." he whispered, pulling off her helmet though he knew she'd have hated it. He couldn't help it, he needed to know, needed to see if-her eyes were still open. Just barely, but enough that he could see them trying to focus on him. "Sabine! Oh, kriff! Sabine, hold on!" he begged, quickly pulling out his comm unit and calling out. "Spectre-2! Spectre-2 come in!" he cried, keeping his eyes on Sabine as he began to notice the soft, slow, gasping breaths she was taking. "Spectre-2 please! Spectre-5 is down! She needs medical assistance, now!" 

   "Spectre-6, this is Spectre-2, did you say Spectre-5 is down?" Hera replied.

   "Yes! Yes! She's down, she's been shot!" Ezra replied, his voice desperate and pleading. He didn't understand why Hera didn't just get moving. 

   "Okay, I'm on my way Specre-6, just hang tight!" Hera responded.

   "Hurry! Please, Hera, there's so much blood. I think she's dying." Ezra begged, forgetting the need for codenames in his upset.

   "Don't worry kid, we're on our way." Kanan's voice spoke up, his voice far too calm for someone who had just learned one of the comrades was bleeding to death.

   Ezra didn't respond to that, his entire focus now on the girl lying entirely too still in his arms, her breathing far too slow. "Stay with me Sabine. Hera's on her way, we're gonna get you some help, so just stay with me." he begged, pulling her tighter to him. There was blood all over his flight suit, blood covering the beautiful painted armor that should've protected the girl from harm. Yet someone had found a weak spot, and now here she was. He could feel her emotions starting to fade, the pain was not as present now, her body was growing limp. "No! No, Sabine! Stay with me. Please! Don't leave me!" he begged, sobbing now as he held her tighter. "Please! I can't lose you too! Please, don't leave me!"

   He reached out in the Force, begging it to save her, praying that somehow he could trade places. Please don't leave me. Please, let me save you. Just hold on. Sabine. He begged silently, not realizing what he was setting in motion with his actions. Unbeknownst to him, a bond was forming, one that was nearly unbreakable. He felt her presence in the Force, and instinctively reached out for it, calling out to her. SABINE! he screamed. Sabine's presence suddenly stopped drifting, being pulled towards him as he reached out to grab it. 

   Ezra. Sabine's voice whispered.

   I'm here. I'm here Sabine. Please, stay with me. Help is on the way. Ezra replied.

   He was so deep in this trance he didn't hear the engines of the Phantom as the help arrive. Didn't register it as Kanan called out to him. His only thoughts were on Sabine, on keeping her close to him. "Ezra, listen to me. We gotta get Sabine out of here, now. I need you to let her go. Let Zeb carry her." Kanan's voice finally broke through, Ezra's eyes staring back at him as the tears continued to flow, silently pleading with him to help. "It's gonna be okay kid. Let's get her out of here. We can start patching her up on the Ghost." Kanan promised. Finally, Ezra let her go, his emotions too much for him to process as Zeb took her, numbly accepting Kanan's help standing, somehow he remembered to grab her helmet before rushing on board the Phantom.

   "Chopper! Have the Ghost ready to hit hyperspace as soon as we've docked!" Hera called as soon as they were all on board. She piloted the Phantom faster than any of them knew they could push it, barely slowing down enough to dock with the Ghost. Ezra stared at Sabine the entire trip. He didn't leave her side once, even as they boarded the Ghost. Even as they rushed her to their small medical bay, doing the best they could to patch her up before they reunited with the rest of the fleet on their temporary base. 

   Stay with me Sabine. Don't go. Please. I need you. You can't leave me. His thoughts looped over and over. A part of him knew thinking like this was wrong. Kanan had warned him of attachments leading to the Dark Side, but it hadn't been the Dark Side which was calling to him when Sabine needed help, and he didn't feel its presence now. He heard Hera call over the comms that they only had a few minutes before they'd reach the rebel base, and he gripped the hand he'd been holding since they placed her on the bed tighter. We're almost there Sabine. Just hold on. I'm right here. Just please stay with me. He refused to let her go, even as the ship landed, and a medical team rushed aboard to take her away, following them straight to the temporary base's small but efficient medical station. 

   As the doctors began to work on her, he was forced back. That's when he felt it again. Pain. Only this time, it was like he was feeling it himself. His body started to tremble, his breaths coming in gasps. The bond he'd forged unknowingly making its presence known as Sabine's eyes suddenly flew open, and she screamed.

   And Ezra screamed with her.

Chapter Text

   Ezra was overwhelmed by pain. After he and Sabine had let out their screams, the doctors had gone even madder in their rush to help the girl. They were all speaking so fast he couldn't understand them, all he knew was Sabine was in pain, and he could physically feel it. There was fear too, and her voice crying out for him, but not out loud. It echoed in his mind, making him feel sick. Kanan was next to him, trying to get him to respond, but he couldn't. His breathing was too quick, the pain was too much, he felt so sick, and he couldn't stop hearing Sabine's voice. "Ezra! Ezra, what's happening? Talk to me!" Kanan demanded again, and Ezra could feel his fear as well. It was too much. Everything was just too much, and he didn't understand what was going on. 

   "I-I can't." he gasped out, his heart pounding as the pain continued to radiate. He saw as a doctor inserted an IV into Sabine's arm, and suddenly her presence was gone. That was worse. "I-I gotta get out of here. I can't-oh God." He turned and ran. Ignoring his master's calls, Hera's and Zeb's voices echoing with concern. Ran as fast as he could, straight to the Ghost. He ran into the fresher and promptly threw up. Too much. Too much. Too much. he thought as he choked and gasped, vomiting once more before falling back against the floor, his hands tangling in his hair as his heart continued beating faster than he'd ever felt it before. His hands....they were covered in her blood. He was covered in her blood. He vomited again, before furiously ripping off his gloves and flight suit, leaving him in only his black undershirt and shorts as he ripped off his boots as well and threw them to the ground before throwing himself in the shower, desperately trying to rid himself of the feel of her blood.

   It didn't help. Nothing was helping. He slid to the floor, still letting the water poor over him as he drew in gasping breaths. He was trembling, everything felt out of balance and he didn't know why. All he knew, was it wasn't the Dark Side which was throwing him off. This was a completely new feeling, at least, new to him and Sabine. He'd had this kind of bond with Kanan for a while, sensing when the man was hurt, and it went the other way around too. Kanan would know when he was hurt, and the two of them could sometimes communicate without words. But he'd never felt pain like this, not from Kanan. 

   As if summoned by his thoughts, suddenly Kanan was there beside him, pulling him out of the shower, picking him up and leading him to his own cabin. He sat Ezra down on his bed, wrapping a towel around the soaking boy, keeping his hand his shoulder. "Breathe Ezra. You need to calm down." he said sternly. Ezra would love to do that, except while Kanan's voice was calm, his true feelings were far from it. Fear and concern for both Sabine and Ezra were swirling around inside his master, and the sudden silence on Sabine's end still shocked him. 

   "I can't." he replied, shaking his head. 

   "Yes you can. We talked about this, Ezra." Kanan told him, the hand gripping his shoulder tighter. "I know you're afraid, but you can't let that fear control you or else -"

   "I know that! You don't understand Kanan!" Ezra snapped, throwing Kanan's hand off his shoulder and jumping up, the towel falling to the floor as he began pacing the room. "I could feel her. I could feel her pain. I felt her slipping away. And then it was gone! Like she's there but everything is muted!" he cried, tears starting to form again. He hated crying like a child, but he couldn't help it. It was just too much, and Kanan was getting mad at him, at least he could feel some frustration starting to mix in and it wasn't helping. "You're the one who told me to open up to people! You told me to let people in! Well I did that, and now, I can't make it stop!"  He was shaking again, and he looked at Kanan, desperate to make it stop. "So tell me how to make it stop! How do I make this go away? I don't know what's happening Kanan!" 

   Kanan was staring at him, eyes wide at what he'd told the man. "You....you could feel her?" he whispered. "That...that shouldn't be possible."

   "Well it's the truth! You think I'd lie about something like this?" Ezra shouted. He couldn't stop shaking. Help me. he begged silently.

   "Ezra, if what you're saying is true, you somehow formed a Force bond with Sabine. Like the one you have with me." Kanan explained, shaking his head. "It's not something we can just get rid of. You've obviously grown too attached to her, I don't even know how this is possible." 

   "So what do I do? Kanan, tell me what to do!" Ezra begged, but Kanan just stared at him, and Ezra sensed that he didn't know either. His breathing came in pants once more, and he gripped at his head, tearing at his hair. "How do I let her go? Kanan, what am I supposed to do!?" 

   "Ezra, calm down!" Kanan barked, but Ezra shook his head. Kanan let out a frustrated sigh. 

   Hera walked in then, her voice soft, gentle, and calming compared to Kanan's gruff, frustrated grumble. "Ezra, they just finished surgery." she said softly, and Ezra froze. He felt Hera place a hand on his shoulder, her presence beginning to soothe a bit of the anxiety. "The doctors said Sabine is stable, she'll make a full recovery." she continued, and suddenly Ezra could breathe again. "You can come see her now, if you'd like."

   "Hera I don't think-" Kanan started, but Hera held up her hand. 

   "I really think you should see her Ezra. She's still asleep, but I think she'd want you by her side." Hera said.

   Ezra didn't wait for Kanan to respond this time, he turned and left the room, not even stopping to grab his boots before rushing to Sabine's side. When he got there, Zeb was by her side, speaking to her. Ezra didn't catch what he was saying, but he knew the lasat heard his approach by the way his ears twitched. "Ah, speakin' of the kid. Here he is. Told ya he'd be back. I know you'd prefer his company. I'm not exactly one for comfortin' words or anything." Zeb said as Ezra approached, backing up to make room for Ezra by Sabine's side. Ezra gave Zeb a nod, silently thanking him for staying with Sabine, though there was no need. Not one member of their crew would've left her alone when she was vulnerable like this. Sitting next to her, Ezra gently reached out to take her hand. 

   "Hey Sabine. I'm here. Sorry I left." he whispered. He reached out for that bond between them, now that he knew what it was, finding relief flood him as he felt it was there, but weak, like Kanan's was when he was sleeping. Though he knew Sabine wasn't just sleeping, she was unconscious while her body recovered from her injury. He sensed as Kanan and Hera walked in behind him, but he wouldn't look away from the girl in front of him. Tears filled his eyes again as he stared at her, noting the doctors had washed her hair and face. "They washed her hair. She'll be furious when she finds out, they didn't do it right." he sniffled out, clearing his throat as he fought back the tears. "Not that I have room to talk. She'd be mad at me too. I removed her helmet." He wasn't exactly addressing Kanan and Hera, but he wasn't talking to Sabine either, mostly speaking out loud to try and keep himself from breaking down again, though it was no longer panic or pain causing his tears. "I couldn't help it. She was so still. I had to see if she was breathing. I don't care if she gets mad at me."

   "She'll understand, I'm sure if the roles were reversed she'd have done the same." Hera said. 

   "Nah, she's stronger than me. She wouldn't have lost her cool. No way." Ezra replied, clearing his throat again before speaking. "I'm sorry you guys. I didn't mean to lose it like that." He felt as Kanan placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a gentle squeeze much like he'd done before when trying to calm him, though it was in support now, letting the boy know he understood.

   "It's okay Ezra. We understand." Kanan said. "Now that we know what's going on, we'll work through it, together. Sabine's going to recover, and everything will be alright."

   The tears fell now, relief flooding through the boy as he felt his family gathered around him, though only Kanan truly understood what he was going through, he could sense Hera and Zeb were both willing to support him through this as well. Even Chopper had rolled over, the little murder-bot showing a rare sign of affection by gently patting his leg with his metal arm. "You hear that Sabine? We're gonna be okay." he whispered, leaning forward and laying his head next to her on the bed, both wanting to be close to her and wanting to hide his tears. He was really getting tired of crying. Get better quick Sabine. We miss you already. I miss you. he thought, his body finally truly relaxing for the first time since before they'd gone on that mission of doom.

   Ezra didn't leave Sabine's side that night, or the day after. The third day, Zeb took his place, telling him to go shower and eat something because he was starting to smell worse than a bantha. Ezra had shot back a joke about still smelling better than Zeb, but he knew it wasn't a suggestion when he'd noticed Kanan standing at the entrance of their little medical station giving him a look that said it was more an order than a suggestion. He'd admitted defeat then, heading to the Ghost to get cleaned and eat something. It was on his way back to Sabine that he overheard a conversation between Hera and Kanan.

   "Look, something's just not right with those three." Hera was saying, causing Ezra to pause. 

   Are they talking about those newbies? he wondered, frowning. I coulda told you that weeks ago Hera.

   "I know, but we don't know for sure what happened. Until Sabine wakes up we have to accept their side of the story." Kanan replied. Ezra's eyes went wide. They were talking about that mission. Why? Why would they be discussing it now? 

   "Even so, it doesn't change the fact that they left without her. If Ezra hadn't sensed her pain she'd be dead." Hera replied, and Ezra froze.

   They left her.....they left her there to die. He'd been so focused on the fact that Sabine had been shot, he hadn't even thought about the fact that there had been three other people with her. Three people who weren't there when he arrived. 

   As if asking for trouble, the group came walking by then, Razor loudly complaining about being benched while they waited for Sabine to recover. "Not my fault she's a lousy mando. Shouldn't have sent a girl to do a man's job. Women got no business on the battlefield, much less a girl like her." he said. Edge laughed.

   "Gotta admit, she's pretty cute though. What I wouldn't give to get a piece of that-" Edge didn't have a chance to finish his comment. Ezra's fist connected with his face. 

   "What the kriff!? You crazy kid!" Razor snapped, grabbing Ezra who had continued punching his friend. That was a mistake on his part. Ezra used the training Kanan had given him to wrench himself free of Razor's grip, turning his fists on him instead. He'd really been the one deserving of the punch in the first place, being the de-facto leader of the three, but Edge's comment had poured gasoline on the fire that had started the moment he heard Razor complaining about Sabine. 

   "You bastards! You kriffing sleemos!" Ezra yelled as he pummeled Razor. 

   "Hey, kid, come on!" Crank yelled, though he made no move to pull Ezra away. Edge, on the other hand, jumped on top of the boy, trying to wrestle him off. 

   A crowd started to form, all watching in awe as Ezra fought with the two young men who despite being bigger, were no match for the training of the Jedi. For every punch Edge would get in, Ezra would get two more, switching between swinging on him and throwing kicks at Razor as he attempted to grapple with the kid. Crank finally pulled Edge out of the fight when he landed a particularly rough punch, splitting Ezra's lip and causing the boy to spit blood. "Come on dude, two against one isn't cool! Would someone help me instead of just standing there!?" he called out as the fight between Ezra and Razor continued, both spitting insults  at each other. 

   "You lousy loth-rat! Kid like you has no place in a rebellion!" Razror hissed as he shoved Ezra, kicking the boy as he fell to the ground. Ezra quickly bounced back, diving on top of Razor and pinning him down, landing punch after punch.

   "At least I'm not a coward! You lousy stinking nerf-herder!" Ezra shouted. He pulled back for another punch, but a firm hand gripped his arm, stopping him and pulling him back. "Get off me! GET OFF ME!" he growled, fighting to get back to his opponent.

   "Ezra! That's enough!" Kanan's stern voice snapped. 

   "He left her for dead! They left her alone to die!" Ezra growled, fighting against Kanan's hold.

   "I didn't know! None of us did! We were already in hyperspace when we realized she wasn't on board, you crazy kid!" Razor spat back.

   "You liar! How could you miss a whole member of your team!?" Ezra snapped back. He struggled harder against Kanan's hold, but the man refused to let go.

   "Ezra!" Kanan snapped again. "You're done. This fight is over. Knock it off before I drag you back to the Ghost and lock you in your cabin." 

   "You should put a muzzle on that puppy. Before he hurts someone." Edge sneered. Kanan shot him a cold glare that shut him up immediately.

   "We're done here. You three can go. I'd get that nose looked at if I were you kid. Wouldn't want your face looking worse than it already does." he said coolly. Razor huffed, dusting himself off before walking away with his group. Kanan didn't let Ezra go until the three of them were far out of sight. Even then, he immediately turned the boy around, grabbing him by the shoulders and glaring at him, absolutely fuming. "What the kriff were you thinking kid?" he growled out. Ezra met his gaze, and that pissed him off even more. "This isn't a game Ezra! You can't just attack people like that, and you don't use your Jedi training to get advantage in a fight you started!" 

   "They left Sabine to die, Kanan. They left her alone, and then they had the nerve to comment about her having no business on the battlefield." Ezra said, not backing down, shaking himself out of Kanan's grasp. "Not just that. If you heard what Edge said, you'd have hit him too."

   "Ezra, I understand those guys have a habit of speaking poorly about our team, but that doesn't give you the right to hit them, no matter how badly you want to." Kanan reminded him with a sigh.

   "Imagine if it was Hera they were talking about. Would you have held back?" Ezra shot back. Kanan was silent. "Yeah, that's what I thought. Now if you don't mind, I'm gonna go clean myself up, again, and go see Sabine." Ezra walked away, leaving his master sighing and wondering what he was going to do with this kid. Ezra wasn't wrong, after all, those guys would've gotten the same treatment, and worse, if it was him in Ezra's shoes and Hera the one who was laid up. 

   Two more days went by after that incident. Ezra stayed by Sabine's side the whole time. The doctors had told them because of the extent of her injury and the stress on her body it could be a week before she woke up, so Ezra wasn't too worried. He held onto that bond between them, checking in on it just to be sure it was still there, sending encouragement to Sabine as she slept, letting her know he was with her, that he was waiting, that he knew she'd pull through this. He rarely left her side, and Kanan didn't pressure him to. By the fifth day she'd been asleep, Kanan decided it might be time to get back to some training. Ezra had reluctantly agreed, knowing Sabine would want him to be ready to get back in the fight as soon as she recovered.

   He'd finally begun to have fun again during their training session, going back to the witty banter he and Kanan usually engaged in while sparring, his grin and laughter something that had been missing ever since the mission that had left Sabine on the brink of death five days ago. they were taking a break when suddenly Ezra froze. Something was wrong, there was a disturbance in the Force. He gasped as a pain he'd never felt before suddenly hit him, bringing him to his knees, his whole body trembling. "Ezra! Ez, what's wrong?" Kanan called, rushing to his side. Ezra couldn't answer him, gasping as he tried to breathe through the pain. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, and he looked up to see Kanan had now frozen too.

   "Sabine." Ezra whispered, rushing over to the medical station, Kanan hot on his heels. He froze as he arrived, seeing the doctors rushing around yelling at each other as a machine screamed. A machine attached to Sabine that had been monitoring her vitals while she'd been unconscious. Ezra was trembling, his heart pounding, the pain screaming just as loudly as the machines in the room. "Nngh. Guh." he gasped, a hand clenching at his chest, choking on air as he realized why there was so much pain. Kanan had explained long ago that while Force bonds could be useful, they came with an unfortunate side-effect. When those bonds were suddenly and forcefully broken, it was painful, more than anything in the universe. A sensation that left an emptiness too great to comprehend. 

   "Ezra!" Kanan's voice called next to him. He hadn't sensed him, couldn't sense anything. Couldn't feel anything except the pain of Sabine's loss. "Zeb, get him outta here!" 

   Suddenly he was being led away, and he couldn't even fight. He'd lost all his will. Sabine was gone. She was gone. He knew this pain meant only one thing. Her heart had stopped beating. Sabine was dead. He couldn't even cry, all there was was emptiness. Eventually as Zeb led him further and further away, the pain started to fade, leaving a numbness he'd never known before. "You okay kid?" Zeb asked softly, the worry clear in his voice, and the pain as well. Of course he'd be upset. Sabine was dead. Another comrade fallen. It didn't make sense, she'd been just fine. Yet still, she was gone. 

   "No. No, Zeb." Ezra finally whispered. "I'm not okay. I'll never be okay again."

   He didn't need to look at the lasat to know his ears had drooped, he knew Zeb's mannerisms well, but he was slightly surprised when his friend wrapped one of his large, hairy arms around his shoulders, offering him support as they continued to walk. "Kid, I know that's how it feels right now but -" he stopped suddenly, and Ezra looked up, frowning as he saw a look of confusion on Zeb's face. He was about to ask what was wrong when Zeb suddenly dragged him behind some supply containers, silently pointing at a group of three young men, a group Ezra knew easily. They were having an argument, and Ezra wondered what Zeb had heard to make him take cover. He didn't have to wonder for long, as the group got closer it was made clear. 

   "Razor, you've gone too far!" Crank was shouting. "Look, I joined this team to avenge the death of my parents. I agreed to cripple this dangerous rebellion. But I never agreed to killing someone who can't even fight back!"

   Ezra's eyes went wide. "Quit your whining Crank! You agreed to be part of this group, so whether you like it or not, you're part of this! That bitch had it coming. She would've blown our cover the moment she woke up. I didn't have a choice." Razor hissed. 

   "There's always a choice! We could've come up with a story, a reason she was confused. It would've been our word against hers, three against one!" Crank replied.

   "Would you quit shouting before we get caught?" Edge snapped. "Besides, Crank. We were gonna kill that Bridger kid anyways."

   "I never agreed to that either! I thought he was just saying that to distract her!" Crank was shaking his head, and Ezra sensed he was telling the truth. 

   "Oh I meant it. I meant to kill that bitch too. Don't know how she survived, but I don't regret it for a minute. Now if you want out, that could easily be arranged. I'm very good at getting rid of pests after all." Razor said, a threat in his voice.

   Ezra's hands were in fists, and he could feel Zeb's own fury radiating beside him. "Karabast. Those lousy traitors. You were right not to trust 'em kid." Zeb whispered. Ezra was silent, his body shaking. It had all been them. They'd shot Sabine. Left her for dead. Made awful comments about her and her body, and from what they'd been saying.....Razor was responsible for the pain he'd felt as she died. He felt hate welling up inside him, his rage uncontrollable, he was seeing red.

   "Zeb. Go get Kanan." he whispered. 

   "What? Kid what are -" Zeb questioned, but Ezra just pulled out his lightsaber.

   "Get Kanan. Now." Ezra repeated, his teeth gritted, his voice short. He left the safety of their hiding spot, igniting his saber as he stalked towards the trio of traitors.

   "Oh kark! Bridger!" Crank shouted, backing away as Ezra approached.

   "Well well well, looks like puppy broke free from his leash." Razor laughed, grinning at the boy. Edge laughed as well, neither of them realizing the danger they were in. "Look kid, I'm sorry about your girlfriend, but she shouldn't have been so nosy. Wouldn't have had to kill her if she'd just stuck to a kitchen where she belongs." 

   Ezra was silent, stalking closer and closer. No mind was paid to Crank, who had been the only one smart enough to run. The chill of the dark side washed over him, telling him to destroy them the way they'd destroyed the one person more dear to him than anything in the universe. He reached out in the Force, finding an ability he'd not known possible as he reached out and wrapped an invisible hand around Edge's throat, causing the traitor to gasp and choke. Razor's confidence disappeared in a moment, and Ezra sensed fear replacing it. Good. he thought, throwing Edge to the side, letting the lackey slam hard against the crates. He didn't move after that.

   "You've lost your mind!" Razor shouted, starting to back away now. 

   "Oh no. Not my mind. It's never been clearer." Ezra whispered, his voice a low, threatening growl. "But you made the mistake of killing my soul." Razor's fear was flooding through to him, but it didn't make him feel any better. All he could picture was Sabine's fear, how scared she'd been when the monster in front of him had left her for dead. "Run." he growled out, his control slipping further and further away with every moment. Razor, despite his fear, showed his extreme lack of intelligence, choosing to fire his blaster at the boy rather than take the opportunity he'd been given. Ezra deflected the blast, using the Force to rip the blaster out of the traitor's hands. Finally Razor began to back away, but it was too late now, Ezra lifted him, throwing him back to the ground. When he landed, he attempted to crawl away, but Ezra used the Force to throw himself forward, landing on top of the traitor, slashing the ground beside him with his saber. 

   "Okay! Alright! I surrender! I give!" Razor cried, his body the one that was trembling now. "You win kid! Y-you don't have to do this!" 

   "Too late." Ezra whispered, raising his saber to strike him down.

   "Ezra! Ezra, stop!" Kanan's voice cried out as Ezra raised his saber. "Kid, come on! Don't do this!" Ezra felt it as Kanan used the Force to keep him from making the final blow.

   "Let me go! He killed Sabine! He deserves to die, alone, afraid, just like she did!" Ezra growled, fighting against the pull. 

   "Ezra, please! You need to fight this!" Kanan begged, there was fear in his voice. Fear of losing Ezra. "Kid, please. Don't make me lose you too."

   "He deserves it! Why should I spare him? He didn't spare Sabine!" Ezra cried, tears had formed in his eyes again. "She couldn't even fight back! I'm just returning the favor!"

   "Ezra, that's not the Jedi way. That's not what I taught you. I know it hurts. Please." Kanan was desperate, and he was slipping. Ezra fought out of his grasp. 

   He let out a yell, ready to swing his saber down.

   "Ezra!" came the voice of an angel, and he stopped, frozen mid-air. It couldn't be.

   "Sabine."

Chapter Text

   Kanan was shaken. 

   Not only had Sabine been shot, but somehow his padawan, his unfocused, undisciplined, pain-in-the-ass, giving him grey hairs because of course he's throwing himself in the line of fire again, reckless padawan, had somehow formed a force-bond with her. He didn't even know that was possible. Yes, the Force was strong with Ezra, but having a force bond with someone who isn't force-sensitive was unheard of. Yet somehow his padawan, his amazing, brilliant, loveable padawan, had done the impossible. He was so proud of the kid for coming so far, and so terrified for what this could mean. Attachments had been forbidden by the old teachings, and while he knew they weren't entirely wrong and could provide strength in times of darkness, for someone like Ezra an attachment this great was dangerous. 

   Still, he wouldn't abandon his padawan. Wouldn't abandon his kid. He'd accepted long ago he couldn't control where Ezra's journey would lead him, could only guide him on what he hoped would be the right path. So that's what he'd do. They would take it one step at a time. Of course, the kid didn't make it easy, immediately getting into a fight the second he was away from Sabine's side. He hated even more that Ezra had been right. Kanan knew the way those guys talked, well, two of them at least. Razor and Edge were the worst offenders, Crank mostly kept his mouth shut, but that meant he didn't stop them from saying the things they did about the women on the Ghost. If he was honest with himself, he was less mad at Ezra and more jealous he hadn't been the one to give them the beating they deserved. Wouldn't look good if one of the leaders of the rebellion went around starting fights with the new guys after all. Silently he'd been quite pleased with how well Ezra had done in the fight, until Hera had shoved him forward when Crank called out for help stopping the fight, giving him a look that promised he'd be in trouble later if he didn't put a stop to this right now. 

  Then came the moment he'd prayed would never happen. Ezra had dropped down in pain during the break they took from training, and it didn't take long to realize what had caused it. Oh kid. No. he thought as he chased after Ezra, staring as they reached the temporary medical station on their temporary base. "Ezra!" he called as his padawan gasped in pain, a look of utter despair on the kid's face as he stared at Sabine's lifeless body while the medics tried desperately to restart a heart that had suddenly stopped beating. He shouldn't be here. It'll only make things worse. he thought, turning to Zeb and ordering him to get Ezra out of the room. Hera came in as Zeb left, and Kanan held her as she fell against him, her silent sobs breaking his heart as much as the pain he'd felt radiating from Ezra. "I know, I know." he whispered as Hera struggled to speak. He didn't need to hear clearly to understand what she was trying to say. Their worst fear had come true. One of their kids had been lost, and it didn't make any sense. Sabine had been on her way to recovery, and now she was gone. As the medics called out a time of death, Hera's silent sobs became louder, her grip on Kanan tighter as they both mourned the loss of their daughter. 

   "How? How did this happen?" Hera sobbed. "She was fine. She was going to be alright, the medics said she was stable. Kanan, what could have happened?"

   Kanan was silent, having no answer for her. He only held her tighter, fighting back tears of his own. Ezra was a mess, Hera was a mess, he couldn't fall apart too. So he held his love, offering her the strength and support he knew she leaned on when times were tough. It was as she was finally starting to calm down that Kanan sensed it. A cold feeling swept over him, his body freezing as his bond with Ezra suddenly grew cold and dark. Zeb came running in, the lasat out of breath, his eyes wild and filled with both fury and concern. "Kanan! Kanan, it's Ezra!" his friend called, and Kanan tensed up further. Hera pulled back now, turning to the lasat as well. "Those new guys. They're traitors. It was them. They....they killed Sabine." Zeb explained, and Kanan's hands clenched into fists. "Kid told me to come get you. Somethin's not right with him, Kanan. I've never seen him so....it was like it wasn't even Ezra anymore." Kanan didn't waste another second, glancing down briefly at Hera for permission to leave before rushing out of the med station, following Zeb to where he saw Ezra, the chill of the dark side surrounding his padawan, his body poised to kill. 

   "Ezra, stop!" he cried, reaching out and grabbing the kid with the Force. I have to stop him. If he goes down this path, I'll lose him too. he thought as he begged the kid to stop, desperately reminding him that this wasn't the Jedi way, begging him not to let him lose him too. In his fear he began losing his grip on the kid, his own emotions fighting against him, freeing Ezra from his grip. The kid cried out, ready to swing down, when suddenly a new presence appeared. One that left him too shocked for words. 

   "Ezra." her voice called, stopping his padawan in his tracks. It was impossible, and yet there she stood. Her presence a brilliant shine comparable to his padawan's. Where before she'd had a dim light, a presence so weak no Jedi or Sith would have paid her any mind, there was now a glow, one impossible to ignore. Her light automatically chasing away some of the darkness that had surrounded this area.

   "Sabine."

   Darkness. Endless darkness, that's all there was. She was so cold, so afraid, so alone. 

   Then there was a light. A voice. Calling out her name. Ezra. she thought, hearing him call her name through the darkness, his light shining brighter and brighter as she felt him reaching out for her. She reached back, and suddenly she was warm again, comforted and held by his bright light. She stayed there, listening to his whispers, comforted by his presence. Then suddenly he was torn away, his presence dimmed, the pain returned, consciousness returned, bringing back memories of pain, betrayal, a blaster wound that should have killed her, a warning she needed to give, found herself unable to give even as the boy arrived at her side. She screamed, crying out her pain. Ezra! Ezra! EZRA! her mind shouted, desperately reaching, searching for that warmth and safety she'd felt before. Not behavior typical of the Mandalorian, but one she found unable to help. Then everything was gone, a blissful sleep took over her, she was gone again, her mind trapped beneath layers of what she was sure was pain medication.

   Unsure of how much time passed, she stayed drifting, but never alone. Ezra's presence by her side was a constant comfort, his voice calling out to her, telling her he's waiting, promising he'll be there when she wakes. Even when she senses him leave, he never goes too far, a constant connection somehow keeping them close. It was strange, the more she heard Ezra, the more she seemed to sense others. Presences she was so familiar with, but this sensation was new. She hoped when she awoke there would be an explanation, because it was confusing, and she hated when she couldn't understand something. 

   The next time Ezra left her side, he promised he'd be back as soon as he'd finished some training with Kanan. She was tired of this. She wanted to be there, with her family, with him. She couldn't warn him of the danger he faced in this state, couldn't tell her family that there were traitors in their midst. She fought to the surface, fought to get out of this strange sleep she was in, when suddenly there was a threat. Two threats. Familiar signatures that left her feeling disgusting and wrong. She knew without looking it was the traitors, the ones who'd left her for dead. She was just regaining some form of consciousness, feeling in her body, her eyes barely opening a crack when she felt the strange new danger alarm spike. The world around her fuzzy, she catches a glance at the face of the one who'd shot her as he injected something into a tube that was attached to her body. "Can't have you waking up sweetheart, no matter how cute you are. Don't worry, the rest of your family will be sure to join you soon." Razor hissed. She felt pain, her breath suddenly stopping, the little moment of consciousness and control she'd gotten ripped away from her suddenly as her body succumbed to whatever they'd injected her with.

   No. Not like this....please....no..... she thought, but it was too much, the darkness swallowed her up once again. This time, no light came to save her. 

   Sabine. Sabine, darling, you must wake up now. a voice called. It was soft, and kind, and so gentle. She felt a warm presence, one that reminded her so much of a certain blue-haired boy. 

   Mira, is she awake yet? He needs her. another voice spoke, this one male. This presence was also warm, though a bit rougher than the first, it also reminded her so much of the boy. She grunted, opening her eyes. 

   The first thing she noticed, was how bright it was, the second was that the pain was gone. She looked up, seeing two faces that looked so familiar, though she couldn't seem to remember where she'd seen them before. The woman before her was dressed in a beautiful purple outfit, her hair hidden and held back by a matching headpiece. The man was wearing orange robes, and a matching shirt, a belt around his waist and white pants. Their faces were so familiar, but it was when the woman smiled at her that she realized why. Those blue eyes gave it away, they shared the same beautiful hue of a very special Spectre. You....you're Ezra's parents. she whispered in shock. It set in then, the bright light, the absence of pain, the presence of the two in front of her, it could all only mean one thing. I...I died.

   Mira looked at her sadly then, nodding. I'm afraid so my dear. But don't worry, you won't be gone long. Ezra's mother assured her. The Force is not yet finished with you, and our son needs you. Sabine frowned, wondering what she meant by that, but her confusion was quickly replaced by a sudden and intense feeling of unease. 

   Ezra! He's....he's gone. Karabast, this is all wrong. Those lousy traitors, they poisoned me. She whispered, panic clear in her voice. Mira placed a calming hand on her shoulder, and when she looked up, she no longer felt afraid. You came here to meet me. You knew. 

   Of course we did. We've been with you all since the moment Ezra joined your crew. Maybe not physically but, well, I'm sure you understand. Ephraim said, walking over and standing next to his wife. 

   It's time for you to go back now. Ezra's mother said, pulling Sabine in for a hug. Sabine felt a little sad, knowing she would get to be with Ezra but not them. Mira seemed to sense this, holding her tightly and shaking her head. Don't be sad. We are always with you. Always with him. She whispered, pulling back and placing a gentle hand on Sabine's cheek, getting a good look at her face. Take care of our little loth-cat. He's wild, and needs someone like you to remind him when it's time to come back home. 

   Sabine smiled at Mira, giving her one final hug before stepping back, watching as she and Ephraim began to fade away. I promise, I'll take care of him. Thank you, for trusting me with your son. she told them. 

   The light faded, and was replaced with darkness once more, but the darkness was different this time, for all she had to do was open her eyes. 

   As Sabine came back to her body, she noticed just how different she felt. There was power flowing through her, all around her. Her senses were heightened, and she could feel strongly the emotions surrounding her. Hera. She was still crying, her pain was so strong it was almost unbearable. Sabine took a breath, her eyes finally opening fully for the first time in five days. She looked over at Hera, reaching over and placing a hand on the sobbing twi'lek's shoulder. "Hera. It's okay. I'm back." she whispered, watching as Hera's head suddenly shot up, her eyes widening in shock.

   "Sabine!? But...but how?" Hera asked. 

   "It's not exactly easy to explain. All you need to know, is that I'm okay now." Sabine told her. Hera looked for a moment as though she'd argue, but then she shook her head, reaching over and pulling Sabine in for a hug. 

   "You're right. It doesn't matter how. You're alive." Hera whispered, the relief strong. 

   As much as Sabine wanted to give Hera the hug she obviously needed, someone else needed her more. "I need to get to Ezra." she told her. Again Hera looked like she might protest, but Sabine pleaded with her silently, and she relented, helping Sabine down off the bed and leading her out of the med station. Sabine felt it hit her as soon as she stepped foot outside, the pain, the anger, a dark and ugly feeling that was coming from the one who had previously been her light. She could feel Kanan as well, and it was so strange, yet so familiar. She felt as though this was how things were meant to be, as if she'd always had these abilities, they were just buried deep inside her. Running now, she reaches the spot just as Ezra wrenches himself out of whatever hold Kanan had on him. "Ezra!" she called, ignoring the look of shock on Kanan's face, watching as Ezra froze.

   "Sabine." the boy whispered, his body starting to tremble. 

   "I'm here. I'm right here Ezra." Sabine called, moving closer. "Please, put the lightsaber down. We'll deal with these traitors the right way."

   Ezra stayed frozen, the dark energy, which Sabine was starting to realize was this Dark Side she'd heard Kanan warn Ezra about, swirling around him, consuming his light, preventing him from letting go of his anger, of his pain. "No. I don't believe you. It's a trick!" Ezra cried, shaking his head. "Sabine's dead. I felt it." He raised the saber again, his hands gripping it tighter as his whole body shook. 

   "I promise you, it's no trick! I'm right here Ez." Sabine cried out, taking another step closer to the boy. Kanan called out a warning to her, but she ignored him. "Ezra, please, come back. Come back to me." she begged, reaching out for that bond they'd had, desperate to smother out the darkness with her light, the way he'd done for her when she was shot. "Come on you wild loth-cat. Come home." she whispered. There. A sudden spark ignited, Ezra's light fighting through the darkness, fighting to get back to her. She felt him reaching out, and this time it was her grabbing onto him, pulling him out of the darkness. She watched as he dropped his saber to his side, turning around to look at her. 

   "Sabine." he breathed, tears spilling out of his eyes. 

   "Hey Ezra. I'm here." she whispered back. They stood there, their eyes locked, their bond shining brightly once again. Oh how she wished this moment could - a flash of danger hit her a moment too late. 

   Ezra cried out in pain as a knife was jammed into his side, ripping through him without mercy, the person holding the knife bearing a sinister grin. "Thanks for not killin' me kid. Here's your reward." Razor hissed, ripping the knife out. Sabine felt the pain hit her as Ezra let out another cry, and she glared at the one who'd caused his pain. Razor was still holding onto Ezra, dragging the knife threateningly closer and closer to his neck. "I don't know how you're still alive sweetheart, but you shoulda stayed dead. Now, you're gonna let me go, and maybe, just maybe, I'll leave his body behind for you to bury."

   Sabine rolled her eyes. I'm getting real tired of this sleemo. she thought. Without hesitation, she pulled out her blaster, a single shot to the head was all it took. Razor went down.    

   Ezra fell with him. 

   Sabine raced forward, dragging the boy away from the corpse and holding him, much the same way he'd held her when she'd been shot. "Ezra! Ezra, hang on!" she cried. Ezra let out a groan, his eyes clearly having trouble focusing, tears spilling out, a mixture of pain and regret flooding through him. Sabine could feel his pain, and she wondered if this was how he'd felt after she'd been shot, wondered if it came close to the pain she knew he must have felt when he saw her die. Kanan was kneeling next to them now too, and Sabine felt it as he reached out to Ezra, assessing the damage. It was his intake of breath that told her how bad Ezra was. 

   Ezra groaned again, letting out a cough. "I'm...I'm sorry." he whispered, his body trembling from the chill of blood loss. "I'm so sorry. I l-lost control. I couldn't-ngh." his apology was cut off by a grunt of pain. Sabine held him tighter, looking desperately to Kanan for help as she heard Hera call out for a medic. The base had been mostly empty, a majority of the rebels being called out on an urgent rescue mission moments before this disaster. Sabine had been dead, and they'd needed medics to go and help on the rescue, as several members of the alliance had been injured. 

   "Shh, it's okay. We understand. Right Kanan?" Sabine whispered.

   "Yeah buddy, she's right. We do." Kanan agreed, his voice choked up for a moment. "You told Zeb to get me. You knew you needed help. I'm so proud of you Ezra."

   Ezra gave them a brief smile, it was quickly replaced with a grimace of pain. "'Bine." he whispered, reaching out to gently touch her face, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. She hadn't cut it in a while, having been too focused on her plan to get rid of those traitors. "Sorry.....took off your helmet...." he mumbled, his eyes starting to droop closed. Sabine could feel it as his light started to fade. 

   "It doesn't matter. It's fine." she told him, reaching up to grab his hand. "Ezra, I don't care about that. Just hang on. Stay with me." Her words echoed the very ones he'd said to her five days ago. Ezra didn't respond. His hand went limp, sliding out of hers and falling next to his body. "Ezra!" she cried, tears spilling out of her eyes. No. NO! I didn't come back just to watch you die Ezra! she thought. Closing her eyes, she reached out into the Force, reached out for these new powers she'd discovered. Placing her hand over Ezra's wound, she silently prayed for help from his parents, commanding it to close, to heal, calling out to him at the same time, commanding him to stay. 

   "I don't believe it." Kanan whispered beside her. Sabine opened her eyes, watching with awe as Ezra's wound began to close, the blood around it clearing away as if it hadn't been leaking out of him moments before. 

   Ezra gasped in a breath, his eyes opened once more, and Sabine felt as his light returned to the bright shine it always had. 

   "Ezra." she breathed, relief flooding through her as she pulled him upright and into a hug. Ezra seemed confused for a moment, but then his arms wrapped around her too. 

    "I'm here Sabine. I'm here." 

   Nine years had passed since that day. With Sabine's newfound Force abilities, she'd begun training under Kanan. Eventually, Ahsoka had taken over, saying something about the Force telling her she was meant to take on a padawan. Sabine had known it for a while of course, but she'd been enjoying training together with Ezra, so she'd waited until Ahsoka came to her before confessing as much. Of course, training with Ahsoka was very different, but it had prepared her for the events on Malachor well enough. When Ezra had fallen in that pit, she'd followed him down, and when they'd met Maul it had been her caution which saved Kanan from a blow that would have left his life changed forever. 

   Then Ahsoka had been lost. Choosing to stay behind as the temple fell. Ezra had avoided Sabine for weeks after that, closed himself off from everyone. She'd finally managed to drag him out of his dark space after a mission nearly took his life. Then it had been time to return to Lothal. Both she and Ezra had sensed something wrong about this particular trip, and when Hera had been captured they knew something was up. It had been that warning that saved Kanan from a fiery death, and when the Loth wolves had led them back to the temple, it was Ezra's actions which saved Ahsoka from her fate. 

   Then came the moment of Ezra's sacrifice. When he'd chosen to give himself up for the sake of his family. Oh Sabine was furious. And she told him as much when she and Kanan had managed to bring him home only a few months later. She still wasn't quite sure how they'd managed that. Then Spectre-7 had been born, and Ezra and Sabine had both enjoyed watching Kanan and Hera parent their little brother. Of course, Ezra had been a bit unsure at first about taking on the older brother role, but there had come a moment where Jacen latched onto him and wouldn't let go, and Sabine had watched as Ezra fell absolutely in love with the kid. 

   Now she and Ezra sat together at the top of his tower, watching as the sun began to set over Lothal. Sabine sighed as she held Ezra's hand, leaning against him as she thought about the moment he'd asked her to be his girlfriend. She'd begun to wonder if she would have to do it herself when he finally asked her. Granted, he'd also been concussed and high on pain medications, but she'd been happy nonetheless. She let out another sigh. If Ezra hadn't saved me that day, if we'd never formed that bond, what would life have looked like? she wondered.

   "Whatcha thinking about?" Ezra asked, his voice now deeper, closer to how his father sounded. He looked a lot like him too, though his smile and his eyes were still that of his mother, he'd grown a beard and let his hair grow out a bit longer than he'd kept it after Malachor. 

   "The day this all started." Sabine whispered, reaching out for that bond that had been there since he'd saved her from death. "You saved me, you know that right?" she asked him. "Not just when I was shot, but in every moment after. I could feel your light, even through the darkness when I slept. I could hear you calling out to me." It had been the sudden silence of that bond that had helped drag her back from the clutches of death when she'd been poisoned by Razor as well. Ugh. Even thinking of that guy filled her with rage. In the end, he'd got what he deserved. Edge did too. Ezra's throw had given him a head injury that took all his memories of the rebellion and his mission to destroy it. Crank had willingly turned himself over to the rebellion, apologizing for his traitorous ways and swearing to serve whatever punishment they felt justified in giving. Sabine had found him easier to forgive, after all, she could understand wanting revenge for the death of a loved one. The rebellion had made him an orphan, not on purpose, but there was always a price to war. 

   Ezra reached out when he felt her anger, soothing her with his love. "You saved me too. I'd have been lost without you 'Bine." he whispered, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek. Sabine sighed happily, leaning against him once more, she closed her eyes and felt the breeze of the wind flow through her hair. She'd let it get long, but she planned to cut it back to her usual short look again soon. She preferred it that way. Jedi or not, she was still a mandalorian, and long hair doesn't fit well under helmets. 

   I love you Sabine. To the ends of the universe and beyond. Ezra whispered in her mind. She smiled.

   I love you too. To the ends of the universe, and beyond. she whispered back.