A/N first off, unlike my other stories, this one is not connected to my overall personal 'Expanded Universe', but a stand-alone fic, taking place years after the series in the old Expanded Universe timeline, roughly around the same time as the graphic novel "Star Wars: Unity". Also it will be Ezra/Sabine as well as Kanan/Hera. If you aren't fond of those pairings you likely won't enjoy this. Beyond that, as always I don't own Star Wars or any related character. This story is rated M for violence, adult content, and language.

Star Wars Rebels
Remember Me

Chapter 1: Trying to Say Goodbye

"Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye"

Patty Loveless – "How Can I Help You Say Goodbye"

Coruscant, 20 ABY

It was supposed to be a day of joy and peace. The Pallaeon-Gavrisom Treaty had been signed a year earlier, ending the twenty one year long Galactic Civil War between the Imperial Remnant and the New Republic, and this day, a year later the marriage ceremony of Jedi Grand Master Luke Skywalker and former Emperor's Hand turned Jedi Knight Mara Jade was taking place.

But peace wasn't something everyone wanted.

"GET THE WOUNDED TO COVER!" A teenaged half-Twi'lek Jedi Knight yelled as she wielded her blue lightsaber, pointing to a couple of still standing knights then to a couple who were injured and trying to get to safety.

She turned quickly back to the rogue Storm Trooper squad, making her long tan and green-striped lekku slap her cheek. She spun her lightsaber before her, deflecting a few blaster bolts before she force-jumped among them, slicing at their weapons and armor.

"Not bad, my former Padawan," Her green eyes widened at the familiar voice, turning her head to see the human Jedi Master standing behind her with his arms crossed. "Not even knighted a week and already in over your head."

"I've got the situation under control, my former Master," she replied deflecting a blast. Feeling irritated at her master just seemingly strolling along the battlefield, dodging blasts without his lightsaber even leaving his belt. She blinked rapidly when a detonator rolled at her feet and barely was able to jump away, hitting the grassy ground outside the still being rebuilt Jedi Temple unceremoniously on her butt.

"It definitely shows," the man smiled behind his dark beard broken up by twin scars on his cheek. His bright blue eyes danced in amusement behind his long dark bangs.

"You know, if you were really concerned about your former apprentice, and the safety of the Temple, you'd help her out…" the female Jedi grunted, kicking a Storm Trooper away.

"Oh?" The middle-aged Jedi Master blinked, "I had the understanding that she had the situation under control…"

"Karabast! Would you just help me!" the girl finally snapped as a Storm Trooper tried to grab her, but she flipped him over her shoulder.

"Since you asked so nicely," her former master pulled his lightsaber from his belt. It was a unique weapon, with a blaster barrel built into the hilt's hand guard. He pulled the trigger and fired four blue blaster bolts striking the troopers surrounding the girl, before he leapt high in the air, engaging his blue bladed saber in the air with a deeper than typical pop hiss, and with the grace of a fine dancer he moved around the troopers, slicing at their weapons and equipment, and then used the Force to shove them all together, knocking them out.

"You didn't kill them?" the girl asked.

"This is a day for peace, Depa, let's not ruin it with bloodshed," the Jedi Master replied.

Depa Jarrus placed her hands on her hips, "Not even a little blood shed? They made me miss Master Skywalker and Mara's wedding having to kick their tails."

"You were obviously dressed for such a ceremony," her former Master placed his Lightsaber on his belt and let his orangey-brown robes drape around him. "What exactly are you wearing anyway? That looks so protective…"

Depa looked down at her tight dark brown halter top and matching form-fitting pants that hung low on her hips, with a belt that served little purpose besides hanging on one bare hip and hooked her lightsaber. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

"Nothing at all," her master crossed his arms, "I wasn't aware there was a mission for you to go undercover as a street walker…"

"You're not my Master anymore, Ezra!" Depa stomped a foot childishly, "If I want to show off my butt, boobs, and legs, then there's nothing you can say about it!"

Jedi Master Ezra Bridger smirked, a low chuckle coming through his throat, "I may not be your Master anymore but I am still your Uncle. And Let me tell you something, young one, I have a power over you that goes beyond even the Force."

"And what may that be, Great Master of this Unknown Power?" Depa quirked one of her thin eyebrows.

Ezra snorted and pulled out a comlink, "Hey, Hera?" he spoke into the com.

"Uncle Ezzy!" Depa squeaked with a look of pure terror.

"Hey, Ezra," Hera Jarrus answered with a spark of joy in her voice along with a hint of worry, "Is everything ok?"

"Is everything ok, Depa?" Ezra smiled at the Twi'lek girl.

"Yeah, Mom, we took care of the rogue cell," Depa replied, "Tell Daddy there were a few minor injuries but Uncle Ezra showed up and it was downhill from there."

"Yeah, and another thing…" Ezra started, and Depa stared at her former master and beloved uncle pleadingly. "You guys would be very proud of your daughter. She's a brave and noble Jedi Knight."

"Thank you, Ezra," the smile was evident in Hera's voice, "If you hurry you two can make it for the reception party."

"We'll be there… oh, Hera, have you seen…" Ezra asked tightly with nervousness in his tone.

There was silence for a moment, before Hera's voice came back. "I'm sorry, Ezra… she's… She didn't… There's no sign of her here."

"Oh… ok… thanks for looking for me, Hera…" Ezra's face fell slightly, "We're on our way. Save some finger foods."

"Hey! Just because I'm pregnant doesn't mean I eat everything that moves…" Hera retorted.

"To be honest, I'm hoping that their not moving…" Ezra smirked, earning a giggle from his former apprentice.

"Hardy har-har," Hera replied, "Just get yourself and my daughter to the party."

"Roger that, Spectre Two," Ezra smiled using their old codenames, "Spectre Six out."

"C'mon, Kiddo," Ezra threw an arm around the girl, "At least put a Jedi robe on… let's not give your dear old dad a heart attack…"

"But…" Depa pouted.

"Just do your uncle a favor this one time, OK?" He smiled, and she shook her head, and wrap an arm around his back.

-SW-

Hours later, Ezra stood alone on the balcony of the old Senate Building, tears in the corners of his eyes as all below him and inside the hall celebrated. They just had to celebrate with fireworks.

Fireworks…

The Jedi Master hated fireworks now.

Made it worse, they lit the air with oranges, pinks, and purples, and every so often would take the shape of the star bird. "Ezra?"

Ezra wiped his eyes, and glanced back. He smiled softly as Hera approached him, her hands resting on her swollen belly. "Hey…"

"Hey, yourself," the Twi'lek come to stand next to the Jedi. "Never thought I'd see the day Ezra Bridger would miss a party. Zeb and Kanan are missing their drinking buddy."

"Not really in a party mood, Hera," Ezra replied, staring up at the fireworks display.

"Ezra… If she was going to come back… she'd have been here for this," Hera said sadly, tears in her own emerald eyes.

"I know…" Ezra lowered his gaze.

Ezra could remember clearly the last time he had seen Sabine Wren. Seventeen years ago, on the Rebel Alliance flagship, Home One. When the Galactic Civil War broke out in full, and the various Rebel Cells formed the Alliance, the crew of the Ghost had split up to various groups in the much larger organization, but they had made sure to keep in contact with each other. Ezra particularly was clinging to the group as the only family he had left, though he had since welcomed others in. First came Ahsoka Tano, the elusive "Fulcrum", then came Luke Skywalker, a young Jedi-to-be the same age as him, Princess Leia, one of the leaders of the overall organization, Han Solo and Chewbacca, a fun pair of smugglers. But one member of his family was slowly but steadily withdrawing. She was the last one he wanted to lose at that. No matter what he did, she still seemed to draw away from the Alliance and their strained family. He remembered that fateful night, sitting in his quarters on Home One, meditating in the Force, focusing on how to draw his best friend back to the fold.

They had lost Han Solo to Boba Fett a bounty hunter in the service of Jabba the Hutt, and Luke Skywalker had faced the monstrous Darth Vader, and had lost a hand to remember the encounter by, and he could sense his friend was emotionally struck by something the Sith Lord had said to him. With all of that happening, the thought of Sabine going farther and farther away greatly distressed Ezra.

He had been brought out of his meditation by the sound of his door opening. Only a small number of people knew the access code to his door. He opened his eyes to see Sabine herself standing before him, removing her helmet, letting her hair fall to almost the base of her neck. Ezra blinked upon realizing she had returned it to the dark blue/orange color, same colors as when they had first met, albeit longer now.

"Sabine?" Ezra asked, standing up, and she wordlessly closed the gap between them and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his shoulder. The smell of her shampoo and fresh hair dye flooded his senses.

Ezra had no idea what had brought it on, but before he could ask anything her lips was on his. Seventeen years later, he still had her taste on his tongue. That night they had given their purity to one another. For a single night, the Empire, the Alliance, even the Force itself did not exist, all there was and ever would be was one another. A laugh almost formed in his throat as he remembered struggling with her battle armor, and Sabine teasing that it wasn't exactly designed for others to easily remove it.

After years together on the Ghost, they were very opened with one another, but that night all stops were removed. He remembered holding himself over her in bed, the look of trust -and he dare even say love- reflecting in her soft chocolate eyes. The feel of her bare skin on his was still clear in his mind; the firm, strong muscles beneath her smooth skin, decorated in temporary tattoos of her own design, it marvelously contrasted the soft, delicate flesh of her breasts. She was soft and firm all at the same time, strong and delicate, fierce warrior and beautiful woman all in a single colorfully beautiful package.

"Ni kar'taylir darasuum gar…" she had whispered to him before they fully surrendered to one another.

It was awkward. It was weird. In some points it was even uncomfortable. But through it all, it was wonderful. A night that he would remember until the day he becomes one with the Force.

Falling asleep with her curled in his arms, the two young lovers holding one another was just as wonderful as their love making. Her last words, before he fell into slumber, still haunted him. "Remember me."

"Remember me."

He woke up the next morning alone. She had stolen a small hyperspace capable Starfighter, and escaped into the night shortly before morning. The Ghost launched not long after and tracked it down. They had found the ship on at an independent space station, sold for unmarked credits. Sabine was gone, and they had no way to find which way she went.

He'd tried to move on, he'd had a few short term relationships and love affairs, but no other woman had fit what he wanted, needed. They lacked the same color, same vibrant life.

"Ezra," Hera spoke up softly, bringing him out of his remembrance, "I know it's hard. But you have to let her go. It hurts me, too, but… I've long realized… Sabine isn't coming home."

"I know, I just…" Ezra bit his lip as he looked up at the endless stars, where the Mandalorian who had stolen his heart had disappeared into.

"You loved her," Hera spoke, turning to face him, "You love her. But… she left for a reason. Whatever it may be, you have to honor that… and…" She placed her hands on his shoulders and turned him to face her. She reached up and cupped his cheeks in her hands, "Ezra… if any one of us deserves to be happy… it's you, son. That's… that's all I want to see, Ezra. I want to see you happy."

"Hera…" Ezra shook his head, and then embraced the Twi'lek. "I am happy. I'm very happy. I've achieved my dream, I'm a Jedi. I've reached the rank of Master and helped Luke, Kanan, Kyle and Ahsoka rebuild the Jedi Order. I've trained Depa in the ways of the Force, and watched her become one of the first of a new generation of Jedi Knights. You and Kanan have let me spoil Depa, Kora, Lux, Caleb, and Sabi. And I plan to spoil this next one just as much as her brothers and sisters. Hera, I am happy. See? Happy, happy, happy!"

"You know what I mean…" Hera smiled into his shoulder as she held her 'oldest son' close. "You need a nice girl who'll be good for you."

"I know," Ezra nodded against her Lekku, "And I'll find her somewhere… out there…" he said looking out into the stars.

-SW-

The music was loud in a smoky bar on Nar Shaddaa. Many people of multiple species and genders were gathered drinking, dancing, gambling and other less than civilized activities in the large establishment in this seedy district.

It was how the mysterious Mandalorian woman found the rough and tumble area. With twin blasters on her hip and multicolored body armor she slowly walked up to the bar.

Her eyes were focused on a single figure, seated at the bar, sipping at a fruity drink. She was dressed in a dark outfit and her brown hair was tied up in a head wrap. As the Mandalorian took the stool beside her, the woman turned her scarred face toward her. She and the Mando nodded to one another before she went back to her drink.

The Mandalorian removed her pink-ish purple helmet and sat it on the table, letting her multicolored hair fall free, and then ordered a drink. After taking a few hard hits of the strong beverage, she glanced to the scarred woman beside her. "Aren't you Shira Brie?" the Mando'ade asked.

The woman known as Lumiya looked at the Mando'ade unimpressed. "Look, I'm assuming you're a bounty hunter," she said, stretching her long ago injured neck, "I will tell you now, it is not worth it. Walk away."

"You do have several prices on your head, Lady Lumiya," the brown eyed woman said, taking a sip of her drink, "But, honestly, I'm here on a more personal mission. Surrender yourself to the Jedi, or else."

Lumiya threw her head back and laughed. "The Jedi sent a single Mandalorian to do their dirty work? And one in pink of all colors… Go home before you get hurt."

"You have till I finish my drink." Lumiya said, sipping on her half empty drink.

The Mando finished off her own drink, stood up, and put her helmet back on. Lumiya smirked as she walked away from her.

The Bartender dove behind the desk as Lumiya felt a warning of danger through the Force. She barely was able to dodge a barrage of explosives that blew part of the bar to smithereens. "And people call me crazy," Lumiya growled, pulling out her lightwhip. "I gave you a chance to walk away, Honey, now I'm going to get that pretty pink armor all bloody." She said to the Mando who had drawn her twin pistols and had her in her sights. Bar patrons turned over tables for cover to stay and watch the fight or just ran for their lives.

A moment later the battle was started by the Mando opening fire on the Sith warrior, who deflected the shots with her whip. The Sith lashed at the Mando, who back flipped away to dodge it, tossing another bomb as she moved. The bomb exploded in Lumiya's face, covering it in red paint. She screamed and clawed at it to uncover her eyes. "You're welcome for the improvement…" The Mando said with more than a little snark.

Lumiya yelled in anger lashing out right at her attacker, the pink Mando'ade holstered her gun and rapidly hit a few buttons on her gauntlet and lifted her arm to block the lightwhip's strike. An energy barrier appeared over her forearm, protecting it as the whip wrapped around her arm. The weapon sizzled against the energy shield on her arm and left dark rings around the pink armor beneath it. The Mando'ade twisted her arm wrapping the weapon around her arm as she drew closer and closer to the surprised Sith.

The Sith raised her other arm to force shove the Mando away, but it was too late. The Mando stretched out her free arm, extending a pair of long vibroblades from her gauntlet, then sunk them deep into Lumiya's stomach.

Lumiya saw her own pain and shocked face reflected in the Mando's black faceplate. With no hesitation, words or mercy, the Mando jerked her arm to the side, spilling out Lumiya's blood and intestines onto the floor of the bar.

The Sith who had caused a great deal of heartache and trouble for Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance fell to her knees, holding her critically injured stomach in a futile attempt at holding her broken body together. "Sky…Skywalker must have done… something really… special... for you to defend him and… his pathetic Order… like this…" Lumiya coughed as the Mando'ade walked up to her.

"Not Skywalker," The Mandalorian replied, placing her hands on either side of the Sith's head. "I fight for Ezra Bridger," She said, twisting the Sith's head around backwards with a sickening crack. The Mando'ade allowed the Sith's devastated body to fall to the blood-soaked floor, and turned toward the Bartender. She tossed a hand full of credits to cover the damage, then walked out the door.

It was deadly silent for several moments, then the music started back and people started going about their business and a cleaning droid began mopping up the blood.

The Mandalorian paused slightly at a holomonitor with news from Coruscant.

"An attack by a rogue group of Storm Troopers on the currently being constructed Jedi Temple on Coruscant, striking out against the recent truce between the New Republic and Imperial Remnant, was foiled by a group of Jedi Knights led by member of the Jedi Council, Master Ezra Bridger, earlier tonight Coruscant time. There were a few injuries on both sides but no casualties. In other news…"

Though the helmet hid her face from all those in the bar, her eyes held a longing gaze for the Jedi Master being filmed from a distance. She stayed there till the scene changed, before turning and walking away. With one sad thought running through her mind… 'It's better this way…'

To be Continued…