Notes:
Hello, and thank you for showing an interest in my first fanfic! I hope to express my ideas and goals for this short story based on Star Wars Rebels. With it being my first, I welcome any feedback and/or criticism in order to make it an enjoyable tale while at the same time keeping mostly true to the original. (One thing I HATE is a fanfic with ENTIRELY re-molded characters that act, talk, think, and feel in the opposite direction of their true counterparts)
My story will mainly contain the perspectives of Ezra and Sabine. Assuming you have watched the SWR show, you will know of Ezra's lingering crush on Sabine. Being a fan, I totally ship them, and I was a little disappointed when Sabine seemed to just shrug him off. (but I still have hope for them yet!) Yeah, I think you know where I'm going with this.
If you see little steaming piles of shit in my story, I will try my best to take your criticism to heart. Oh, whats that? You don't have anything worthwhile to say? Well, by golly, feel free to rant and spew all the hate and profanity you possibly can! After all, it is the internet. You paid for the service, so you have the right to angrily mash your keyboard to your heart's content. Ok, you look bored, so glance at the disclaimer and get reading.
Disclaimer: I do not own or make profit from any content within the Star Wars universe. I merely write for the entertainment of myself and others. All things Star Wars belong (unfortunately) to Disney now.
PROLOGUE: (Set during season 1, episode 7)
After snatching Tseebo out from the ever-tightening grasp of the Empire, the Ghost's crew was shaken by the events that followed. The Ghost is now Ezra Bridger's new found home, yet he is unsettled by the clouded fate of his mother and father. In addition to emotions for his parents, his impressive display of the dark side of the force on the abandoned asteroid base left Ezra bewildered and faint of heart. True, he had saved Kanan from the dark force weilding Inquisitor, but nonetheless, he still felt a chilled emptiness as a result of harnessing the power of his fear and anger.
The others tried consoling him, but mostly to no avail. Kanan, Ezra's unofficial Jedi master, seems to be the sole member of the group that Ezra has truly confessed his worries to. Even so, Ezra has released only a fraction of the emotional pressure built inside of him. Perhaps with time accompanied by vigilance, the rest of the group will be able to offer him their encouragement parallel with Kanan's guidance.
CHAPTER ONE:
"Thank the force that Kanan and Ezra got back safely." Sabine thought to herself after watching them climb down the ladder and into hull of the Ghost. She noted the grave expression upon Kanan's face as well as a perplexed, disturbed look that visibly hung from Ezra's downcast visage. Whatever happened on that monster-infested hunk of space rock, Sabine knew better than to inquire about it now. The Mandalorian decided that Kanan would discuss it with Hera first. The two had met years ago on the planet Gorse, and they obviously trusted each other unconditionally.
"They would make a fine match." Sabine smiled slightly as her thoughts drifted. "Blasted daydreams,"
A common trait in a great many artistic and creative minds is a tendency to lose focus. She, being quite an artist herself, found this to be true sometimes. Her line of thought shifted to Ezra now.
"Why was he so quiet when he came back? What was he hiding?"
Seated across from her, Zeb and chopper were engaged in a game of holochess. The figures of various species of aliens moved and made their own sound effects as the battle ensued between droid and Lasat. Sabine found the game to be a dull, seemingly primitive form of entertainment, but for the moment, it suited her just fine to sit and give the false pretense of observing the holochess board. That way she could be left in peace to ponder the mystery that was Ezra Bridger.
"What had gotten to him? Those creatures… the fyrnocks… or the Inquisitor that was hunting them with the tracker we discovered on the Phantom perhaps. The Empire's capture of Ezra's parents must certainly be a factor. It might very well be the whole collection." Sabine deducted. She also knew that he held a grudge toward the Rodian, Tseebo, for slinking into the shadows while Ezra's parents were taken into custody… not that there was much Tseebo could do to thwart the Empire.
Sabine was genuinely concerned for Ezra. She was sorry for playing it tough on him since he had joined their humble band of rebels. Prior to his encounter on the asteroid base, she justified her haughty attitude and sarcastic remarks because Ezra persisted in flirting senselessly with her. Not all the time, but it was often enough to exasperate her, or anyone for that matter. She did care for him, but it was a sense of comradeship that she felt for the rest of the crew. It was anything but the hormones that Ezra was intoxicated with... Being prepared as usual, Sabine did indeed have a plan to make it up to him. She had recovered a holodisk from Ezra's old house and also discovered it was his birthday.
"I'll give it to him once he's had time to calm himself," She concluded, "I just hope he doesn't snap." Unfortunately, 'snap' is a mild term for what had ensued in their conversation just before Ezra embarked on the mission with Kanan. This time would be different though. Sabine would make sure to proceed cautiously.
Ezra was seated in one of the Ghost's numerous compartments staring into the depths of space while a vacancy crossed his features. He heard the release of the sliding door open behind him, but he didn't bother turning around.
"How are you feeling, Ezra? I know things have been tough the past few days."
"I'm still trying to make sense of everything." Ezra replied, avoiding Sabine's question. Normally he savored the sound of Sabine's voice. It wasn't melodious, yet it was easy on the ears and quite soothing. Today, however, was an emotional pod race, and Ezra had too much on his mind to be eased at the moment.
"I found a rundown holodisk in your old basement. I was able to recover some of the data and I found something you're gonna want to see." Sabine said as she reached over for the control console and plugged in the small device. Ezra's deep blue eyes flashed as a projection sprang up in front of him. In the image was a squirming young-ling of about five or six being held by none other than Ezra's parents.
"It-It's my parents… with me…" Ezra exclaimed with a gasp. He sat there utterly mesmerized by the three contented faces in the projection. "I don't know how to thank you, Sabine."
"You can thank me by getting enough sleep to function tomorrow," she retorted in a joking manner. "The Ghost needs a fully operational crew." Sabine reminded before leaving for her bunk. "Oh, and… happy birthday Ezra Bridger."
"Right. Thanks." Ezra said absently while still gazing at the image. It was only after she left that the weight of what just unfolded hit him squarely in the feels. A solitary tear rolled down his cheek as he sat comfortably looking at the two dearest faces he hadn't seen in almost nine years. Mixed into the brew was a feeling of thankfulness for his new family, especially Sabine.
As Sabine made her way down the ship's corridor to her cabin, she contemplated her actions. She was pleased with herself, she decided. "See, that wasn't so bad," she told herself. "Sabine, ya gotta step outside your own star fighter and do the unexpected to help those in need." A grin broke out on her previously ponderous face as she remembered that THAT was the whole reason she and the rest of the crew defied the Empire: "We help those who are unable to help themselves." Sabine whispered to herself. What Sabine didn't know was that Hera overheard that barely audible whisper. The Twi'lek smiled to herself, proud of what she taught, Sabine. Proud that what she extended to the locals on Lothal, Sabine had extended to Ezra. "Seems like the girl is starting to shedsome more of her hostile Mandalorian customs. There's more underneath her armor than I thought." Hera mused as she turned off the cabin lights.