Running Sabine carried Ezra over her shoulder. He had passed out and she quickly put him over her shoulder and ran. Behind her she heard the explosion at the AT-AT factory on Lothal go off. The mission was supposed to be simple, clear cut and easy. But for some reason a squad of the 501st Stormtroopers were on guard there. As Sabine felt Ezra's weight she did not stop running, with sweat running down her face inside her Mandalorian helmet she started to pant harder. The whole mission was a disaster, even though they succeeded. Mainly that was because Ezra did what he did. Approaching the ridge where the speeder bikes waited, she exhaled. "Hold on Ezra, just a few more minutes, hold on." Sabine said as she glanced at his pain etched face, he was only semi-conscious as she put him on the back of her speeder bike. She was upset, it was her fault no one else's that Ezra got shot. Speeding at full throttle she headed back to the secret base.
On arriving, she floored it into the grotto. Kanan and Hera were waiting but both turned from being happy that Sabine and Ezra were back to deep concern.
"What happened?" Kanan asked as he helped take Ezra off the back of the bike. As Hera looked at the blaster burn on his right shoulder. It was bad and bleeding.
"It is my fault, we ran into a squad of the 501st Stormtroopers and he took a blaster bolt meant for me." Sabine replied as she took her helmet off. She then helped Kanan and Hera carry Ezra into one of the tents. Hera then went to get the one almost medic they had. An old woman who went by "Old Dana." Sabine entered the tent and saw Kanan sitting by Ezra concentrating on him.
"I am putting him in a Jedi Healing Trance. But I think it will only keep him from dying it is up to him and his strength in the force that will determine if he lives." Kanan said as he knew that Sabine was in the room. Old Dana came in and shook her head.
"I got nothing for that type of wound. What Bacta bandages we have won't even do much." Old Dana said as she pulled out several of the blue colored large patches.
"There has to be something you can do?" Sabine asked as she sat on the other side of Ezra feeling deep concern for him. Also feeling ashamed, it was her fault if she stayed under cover behind the crate the Stormtroopers would have never been able to hit Ezra. He had jumped in between her and the four troopers, blocked three of their shots with the lightsaber and one with his body. When Kanan sat back she told him.
"You are not to blame, we got bad intel. If we have known that a squad of the elite 501st was their then we would never have sanctioned the mission." Kanan relayed as he looked at his pattawan and friend.
"But if I stayed under cover he would not be dying." Sabine said as she looked at Ezra. Not seeing him Kanan stood and left to tell the others that it was up to Ezra if he lived or died. There was nothing more that they can do.
Sabine took his left hand, holding it. She began to remember back when Ezra first came on board the ghost. She smiled. She knew that Ezra had a crush on her back then, and she was extremely flattered. Later the infatuation he had in her turned to a somewhat friendship. They were a good team, both had completed several missions together and it almost seemed that they were unstoppable. Now he may die because he had to protect her, she felt a tear run down her face. Squeezing his hand, she looked at his face the pain and anguish were gone. He was in what Kanan called a Jedi trance. As she sat there she realized how important he was to her, not just as a team member but as a true friend and perhaps more. Mandalorians were supposed to be involved with other Mandalorians, but in some instances a Mandalorian could be involved with someone that would strengthen their clan. She had considered that when they both grew older, but she did not know when to broach a romantic connection with him. She always thought that they had time.
Sabine did not notice when Hera had come in. The Twil'ek sat and waited for Sabine to acknowledge her.
"Sabine, why don't you go get something to eat, perhaps get some rest. Kanan said it would be hours before we know if he is going to die or not." Hera said sadly as she looked at the youngest member of her extended family. "I will stay with him."
"No, I must stay." Sabine said angrily as she looked at Hera. "I have to be here when he gets better and wakes up."
"Sabine, Old Dana and Kanan both agree that he may not wake up, or even make it." Hera said softly then nodded and stood. "I'll bring you some food."
"He is going to make it and he is going to get better!" Sabine replied angrily glaring at Hera as she left closing the flap to the tent.
"You hear me Ezra, you are going to get better. If you don't I will kick your butt." Sabine stated to the unconscious young man as she looked at him feeling hot tears in her eyes. "You have to get better." She whispered.
Sabine did not know who kept coming in to check on Ezra and her but she knew that each of the others had poked their heads in to see if Ezra was still alive or if he was dead. She did not acknowledge any of them, even when one of them put a blanket around her shoulders then left. Several hours later Sabine slowly drifted off to sleep, she dozed with her head on her armored chest.
Two hours later, Ezra woke up and felt terrible his shoulder felt like it was burned and it hurt. Moaning he glanced over to see Sabine holding his hand and sleeping sitting up. He blinked his eyes and felt the dryness of his eyelids as he considered sitting up. Trying to swallow was even worse. "Sabine." He said in a croaked and dry whisper, as he tried to wake her so maybe she could get him something to drink. Failing he decided maybe trying to get her to wake by squeezing her hand. As she stirred he said her name again. Her eyes flew open and she stared at him.
"Ezra." She looked down at him and saw him give her a slight smile. "Your awake." She beamed down at him then threw her arms around him carefully avoiding the shoulder and started to cry. Yelling. "Ezra's Awake."
In moments, Zeb, Hera and Kanan burst into the tent all stared and started to laugh and cry in relief.
"Can I have something to drink?" Ezra asked in a croaked and cracked voice. Watching as Zeb ran to get him a drink. Then he looked down and saw Sabine hugging him tightly. When Zeb returned Sabine did not allow anyone else to help him sit up to drink. Getting behind him she supported him while he swallowed the liquid and seemed to be pleased that it cut the dryness. The others then left saying that they would be back to check on him later.
"Ezra, I am so sorry, it was my fault you got hurt." Sabine said as soon as Kanan had shut the tent flap. "If I stayed under cover then you would not have had to do what you did.'
"Bantha Bull." Ezra stated. "We got blindsided by those troopers. We were lucky to get out of that with the injuries we got." He watched as she exhaled and put her arms around his chest holding him. Then reluctantly she eased him back so he could rest and recover. Just before she stood she bent down and kissed him lightly. Feeling the first shock then pleasure of her lips on his. Parting a few inches, she smiled then continued to stand. "Maybe I should get shot more often if I get that every time."
Giving a half chuckle Sabine glared down at him "You get shot again and I'll kick your butt." Going to the tent flap she turned. "Now get some rest. We have a war to win." Closing the flap, she walked over to the nearby fire. Looking back at the tent she grinned happily, she has chosen and soon she would lay claim on Ezra as her mate. It would have to wait for the approval of her mother but she knew that as head of the clan her mother would most heartily agree. "You are mine now, Ezra Brigger as by our custom I choose you as my mate." Sabine whispered throwing a ceremonial phrase to the stars, then without comment she went back to her tent to finally get some sleep. Hoping soon that the communications blackout was pulled so she could finalize her claim. Then Ezra will need a lot of rest for she would then make him hers in a more physical way.
