Dathomir was a nightmare.

Kanan and Sabine were possessed by the spirits of long-dead Nightsister witches, who almost used their bodies as a means to return to their former power. It was only through pure cunning that Ezra was able to defeat the ghosts and free his friends.

But Sabine wasn't completely free.

Not from the memories, at least.

While she was possessed, she was able to see what the Ghost was doing with her body. She saw Ezra fighting for his life as her possessed form swung at him over and over with the Darksaber. She was relieved when he managed to push her out of the cave so the spirit would leave.

Her dreams, however, wouldn't be so kind. They didn't end with Ezra successfully freeing Sabine from the ghost's torment.

They ended with him dying by Sabine's hand.

It was the same dream every night for a week. The spirit got the upper hand and ran the Darksaber through Ezra's heart, only to add insult to injury by leaving Sabine's body just as he died.

Waking up sweating bullets was starting to take its toll. Hera noticed that Sabine was getting sluggish on missions, and was downright lethargic whenever they were on base.

All because that damn dream kept her awake for hours each night.

She knew it wasn't real, that Ezra was alive and well, but the dream still hurt. She couldn't imagine him dying at her hand for any reason, not when she...

What was it? That emotion that the young woman had been feeling for her Jedi friend for just short of three months?

She loved Ezra, for sure, but she always believed that it was that kind of familial love between an older sister and her bratty younger brother.

But Ezra wasn't like that anymore. He had grown into a selfless warrior, truly worthy of the title of Jedi.

And Sabine took notice. No less than five times in the last two months had she caught herself staring at his back whenever he walked away from her, felt herself wanting to get up and run after him. Then Dathomir happened. He had put his life on the line to save hers, and something changed. Sabine found herself wanting more from him.

More of him.

One night, she woke up from that same wretched nightmare and said "Kriff it."

The following day, Ezra finished up a sparring session with some of the troops and came back to the Ghost. Sabine just so happened to be in the cargo hold tuning her jetpack, so she saw the sweat that was making Ezra's shirt stick to his muscular torso. The blush that crept onto her face was thankfully concealed by her welding mask.

"How's it looking?", Ezra asked as he sat down beside her.

"Hmm?"

"The jetpack. You've been working on it all morning."

"Oh. It's... it's fine."

The reluctance in her voice confused Ezra, as Sabine was normally more confident when it came to talking about technology. He decided not to probe into her business, instead standing up and walking to the ladder.

"Well, have fun. I'm gonna change and go for a walk around base."

That statement made Sabine put down her welding torch. She threw off the mask and hopped to her feet. "Mind if I join you?"

Ezra was surprised, but the surprise was a welcome one. He smiled. "Sure."

If not for the giant spiders, Atollon would've been one of the most beautiful and peaceful planets in the Lothal Sector. Its midday sun gave off a vibrant orange hue that reminded Ezra of something that Sabine might have painted. As they walked and talked, he couldn't help but notice how her tan skin seemed to glow. It made her look even more like an angel than usual.

The two young rebels walked up to the top of a coral mesa, one that had a perfect view of the base and the horizon. Ezra sat down criss-cross and took a deep breath, patting the space beside him. Sabine sat down as well and they spent some time in silence, just enjoying the atmosphere.

"Sometimes I wish every day could be like this", Ezra spoke up after a few minutes.

"Like what?"

"This. Just a peaceful planet, no war, no constant threat of death, nothing. Just this."

The Mandalorian nodded. "It sounds nice. Listen, Ezra. I've been thinking."

"About what?"

"I never thanked you for Dathomir. For saving me."

"Sabine, you don't have to. I'd do anything to protect you, and the rest of our family."

"No, Ezra. I do have to. I need to. You've done so much for the crew, for the Rebellion, for me, and you deserve all the thanks in the galaxy. So thank you."

She surprised both Ezra and herself by capturing him in a firm hug. Once he recovered from the initial shock of the gesture, Ezra slowly wrapped his arms around the Mandalorian in return.

"You're... you're welcome, Sabine."

They remained like that, with Sabine resting her head on her Jedi friend's shoulder.

Just tell him. You might never get another chance.

"Ezra... I... I lo-"

She was cut off by her comm buzzing.

"Specter 5, come in. Specter 5, come in."

It was Hera. Sabine answered. "Yeah?"

"You and Ezra need to get back to the Ghost. We've got a mission."

"Copy that, Specter 2. We're on our way."

The two young adults stood up and began walking back to the ship, the Mandalorian mentally kicking herself.

You di'kut. You took too long. That's one less chance.