(A/N: All rights to the scene inside belong to LucasFilm. I'm just going off Youtube clips and my shaky memory. Thank you to everybody for reviewing the last few chapters. Hope you enjoy this Friday's installment.)

Ezra POV

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh…

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh…

That sounds like a fan…

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh…

I…

I think I'm lying down.

Why?

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh

Everything is…soft.

This is weird.

...

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh

I need to figure out where Barriss and Shark Bait are.

I take a breath and pro—

What

Sabine's signature is right behind me.

Open your eyes you moron.

My eyes pop open, and I squint to see…

NO.

I'm not playing their games.

This is a dream.

Sabine's hands are around my waist.

She's behind me.

I don't believe it.

I shake my head and take a deep breath, then scoot away from "Sabine"

They're messing with my head—

Wait.

I'm not restrained.

Slowly, I extend my left arm out all the way, then move it around.

I'm not restrained.

Then I hear a groan behind me.

"Ezra, why are you—" Sabine's voice asked, sounding sleepy, then a figure jolted up.

"Ezra! You're awake!"

I quickly scramble out of the bed and put distance between me and "Sabine".

"No. Not going to do it." I mutter quietly.

I'm not playing their games.

Leave Sabine alone.

"Huh? Ezra, it's me. Sabine. You're safe." "Sabine" called out softly to me.

"No. I'm not playing your games. Bring in the interrogation droid. Leave her alone!" I say, voice escalating at the end.

I hear a rustling sound, then a soft light pops on, revealing a girl that looks like Sabine in a black tank top with tousled hair.

She smiled softly at me.

"Ezra…it's me. I'm not a droid."

"I don't believe you. You've already played this card. Stop it!" I yell at her, then look around for a way to break this…dream.

I don't see anything except for unplugged medical equipment, drawing supplies and bags for clothes.

When I look back at "Sabine", she's looking at me with a concerned expression.

"I…this is real Ezra. It's not a dream." She softly smiled at me, reassuring me.

"I don't buy it. Where is everyone?" I ask, then look up and see a one bladed fan softly spinning above both of us.

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh

"Ezra…we rescued you. You're safe now. I promise. I'm not a dream."

I look away from her and back around.

It does…feel real.

But I was just at wherever they were keeping me.

There was a panic outside. I felt it.

Then a Stormtrooper whacked me in the head, knocking me out.

That was the last thing I remember.

I look up at the sound of cover moving and see that "Sabine" has stood up and is slowly coming my way.

"Ezra…I don't know what they did to you…but we're gonna fix it. Okay?" She said, sounding ready to cry.

The closer she gets, the farther I scramble into the corner.

Stay away.

Unfortunately I can't get much farther than this.

And that door isn't real.

None of this is real.

I blink, and Sabine's cautiously in front of me.

"Ezra…I would never hurt you. Okay? Ever. You've been asleep for a while. Come back to bed. You'll be better when you wake back up." She smiled gently at me.

Going to sleep in a dream.

Sure.

I just eye her closely and try to keep my distance.

After a few seconds, she's blinking back tears.

"Are you…afraid of me? C'mon, talk to me. Let me fix this…"

"You were in a dream. It can't be you." I shake my head.

It can't be.

They don't know where I am.

"Sabine" nervously swallowed, then reached out and gently put her hand on my knee.

It's warm.

"Ezra…we saved you. It's all over. Okay?"

"How do I know that?" I ask her.

"Sabine" bit her lip quietly, then thought for a moment.

"How about this? You just come lie back down. If you don't fall asleep, then I'm not real. Okay?"

I…guess I can do that.

That's a weird thing to say.

I slowly nod, and "Sabine" smiled, then grabbed my hand.

"C'mon. We can talk this out in the morning. I promise. Every word." She said, pulling me to my feet and onto the bed.

I let her hand go as I feel how…soft the bed is.

Everything feels soft right now.

I comply and lie down on one of the pillows, which is slightly warm.

"Sabine" slowly climbs back under the covers, then presses a button on a remote.

The light immediately disappears.

She lies down on a pillow, then softly finds me and cuddles up next to me.

"It's all gonna be okay Ezra…Nobody is going to hurt you again. Just close your eyes baby." She whispered, then found my hand and slipped it over her waist and into both of her hands.

Soft.

I am tired.

I quietly yawn, then pull Sabine a little closer.

(4 Hours Later)

Warm.

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh.

Wait…

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh.

Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh Woosh.

It's the same.

That's the same sound.

Sabine softly snoring in my arms makes me glance down at her barely visible figure.

I…

This is real?

I'm out?

Slowly, I slip my hands out of Sabine's, trying not to wake her up.

I need a shower.

That'll knock some sense into me.

I don't understand.

I can barely see the frame of a doorway a little ways away.

I slowly climb out of bed, then make my way over there as quickly as I can.

My legs are stiff.

This feels real.

I slip inside, and find that it's a bathroom just like the ones on Polis Massa.

Same design, same door and everything.

I close the door and feel around for the lightswitch.

Flick.

The room gently lit up, revealing the same set up.

Am I at Polis Massa?

I was hurt.

The droid.

Shark Bait.

Barriss.

The droids with the staffs got a few whacks at me.

I need a shower.

I creep over, legs still not cooperating and flick on the nozzle to the shower.

The gentle sound of a shower rushes over me, and I can't help but smile.

Quickly, I take my clothes off and slide under the water.

This feels great.

It's actually warm water.

This is real I guess.

I'm out.

But how?

The last thing I remember is coming back from that lightsaber training session with those two droids.

I impaled them, threw them outside, killed the Stormtroopers, then got taken back to my room.

I got a few hours sleep before Shark Bait woke me up with his charming electric wake up call.

He played with me for what felt like forever, then suddenly left without a word.

Not long afterward, another Stormtrooper came in and knocked me out.

And now I'm here?

I quietly groan and lean my body weight against the shower wall.

I made a fool of myself in front of Sabine.

It felt so real though.

And after my rude introduction to Vader, the Inquisitor and Shark Bait…I didn't buy it.

That's embarrassing.

I blink, shake my head, then grab a generic body wash and start cleaning—

OWWWWWWWWWWW!

I cringe and freeze up as it feels like my chest is on fire.

I quickly take my hand off my chest, bubbles from the body wash still on it and look down.

There's…skin.

Underneath, it looks like it's peeling, revealing a bunch of cuts and healing skin.

Ow.

I stick my hand up to wash the body wash off me.

I guess water will have to do for now.

I stand underneath the warm water for a moment, then inspect myself.

There are several spots like that.

One on the left side of my chest too.

My whole left arm.

My elbow.

Where the hole was.

I don't think it's supposed to be like that.

I poke my head out of the shower, locate a towel, then pull it to me and shut off the water.

AS gently as I can, I dry myself off, the stand in front of the mirror.

A thin, tired, worn looking person is looking back at me.

It looks like they tried putting protective…skin on my skin.

My face and most of me looks normal.

But I can feels places where it doesn't feel right.

Like my chest and entire left arm.

Wait.

I quickly look at my eyes in the mirror.

Blue.

Blue eyes.

I didn't go over.

I…

I'm so confused.

This makes no sense.

I…thought that was my only way out.

That makes no sense.

I could have just stayed strong.

Kept fighting.

Instead…they had me.

But…I was in control?

The whole time!

My thoughts were mine.

My actions were mine.

I don't understand.

Slowly and gently, I finish drying off, then slip on my black shorts and white shirt, then peek back out where Sabine is.

Still sleeping.

My eyes rest on where a pair of boots, socks, and a jacket with a pauldron is.

My jacket.

Sabine must have been so bored waiting for me to wake up that she made a new one.

I shut off the light behind me, stumble my way to where the jacket and shoes are, then grab them and walk outside.

This feels just like my jacket.

The right arm is just a little worn, and it fits amazingly.

I love it.

I slip the shoes on, then look around.

It looks just like Polis Massa.

I…guess they brought me here.

I must have really been bad.

How long was I there?

I don't know.

I didn't see sunlight, or a clock, or anything.

I just had pain.

And silence.

And darkness.

A gentle tug causes me to jump out of my skin.

What was that?

It was the Force…but what?

The last time…I felt the Force so clearly…I heard the dark side trying to tempt me.

I'm not a picture perfect Jedi anymore.

Between the lightning, the extra training with the Inquisitor, tapping into my pain against Shark Bait and killing those two Stormtroopers.

I'll be lucky if Kanan and Ahsoka take me back.

Even though I probably won't be training for awhile.

I can barely move.

I'm so stiff.

My arms, legs…everything.

They must have had a ball with me.

I feel like the guy in the old stories Mom used to tell me…the one that they had to piece back together after he fell off his speeder,

All the King's banthas and all the King's men couldn't really put him back together again.

The Force gently nudges me…forward.

Towards somewhere.

I start walking and allow my curiosity to get the best of me.

I might not exactly be a Jedi, but the Force has never let me down before.

I don't think it's good or evil.

It just is.

People are good or evil.

That's the key.

I shake my head.

I'm not making any sense right now.

I don't feel right.

Everything is soft.

My body hurts.

I'm just following the Force.

The tug gets stronger until I reach a room I've never been to before, at the very edge of the base.

It's an oval shaped room, with benches on the outside of it.

It's dark, but I see a gently shaped table in the middle of the room.

It looks like what I'd guess a baby delivery room looks like.

Complete with droid in the—

Suddenly, the scene lights up, and four figures appear.

And a light blue droid.

There's a woman lying on a table, a man in tattered, burnt robes inside the room.

Outside there's a tiny green…person?

And…the two droids from when we escorted Minister Tua on Lothal?

And Senator Organa?

I look at him, then my hands.

Now I don't buy—

Suddenly, a loud, painful scream rings out as the droid makes soothing noises.

I've heard that scream before.

I heard it…last time I was here.

During the Princess's speech.

I glance over at Senator Organa, who looks a little younger, then back inside the room.

Then I realize who the man is.

That's Anakin Skywalker's master.

Obi-Wan Kenobi.

I inspect the woman's face right before she releases another painful scream and the droid attempts to soothe her.

While…

I gasp as the pieces click into place.

Baby.

She's pregnant.

But that's not possible.

She didn't have a husband.

Or a boyfriend.

The closest thing she had was—

My train of thought is shattered by another painful scream, followed by the droid…

A baby…

"Luke…" The woman, Padmé breathed out before sighing and leaning her head back.

I can't believe this.

This has to be the Force showing me this.

Because…she's dead.

I've never met Kenobi.

Or this green…guy.

And Senator Organa is younger.

"Hmmm…" The green…creature said.

The woman's whole body tenses up, then she lets out another piercing scream.

The droid softly cooed to her, then…brought out another baby.

Twins?

I…

That's what twins are, right?

Babies born at the same time?

"Leia…" Amidala gasped, before leaning back.

She looks exhausted.

Makes sense, she did just have two kids.

"Sir…I don't know why, but we appear to be losing her." The droid suddenly said to Kenobi.

His eyes widened, while the baby in his arms squirmed.

"She's dying?" He asked, sounding like he doesn't believe it.

"NO!" I yell.

She…

NO!

I look around to see that the scene hasn't changed.

I'm not here.

I'm just watching.

She can't die.

What about…the kids?

I keep watching as Amidala quietly says something to Kenobi…

Then her head gently droops to the side, and the baby girl in the droid's arms starts crying again.

Kenobi finally looks up from Amidala, to Senator Organa and the green…creature.

It's silent.

She's dead.

Oh man.

Oh man.

I can't help but sigh and put my head in my hands.

That…was awful.

That's how she died?

After having two kids?

I thought that they had ways to stop that from happening.

I look back to the delivery room, and see Kenobi tending to the baby.

A gentle sensation on my arm causes me to look over.

Then jump out of my skin.

It's her.

Padmé Amidala.

She looks just like the guy on Naboo.

There's a haze around her.

I look back to the delivery room, and see that Senator Organa is now on his feet and approaching Kenobi, who is holding…Luke?

That's his name I guess.

Numbly, I look back to the woman beside me, who is looking up at me with a slight frown on her face.

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

Amidala gently smiled at me, then hugged my arm, rested her head above her hands and looked back to the delivery room.

I hear a quiet breath to my left, then someone grabbed on to my other arm.

I look over, and see Sabine.

Looking at the empty delivery room.

Huh?

Quickly, I look back to my right.

Amidala has let go of my arm.

She gently smiled at me, bowed slightly…

Then gently faded away.

"You okay?" Sabine gently asked me.

I turn back to see her looking at me.

"I…yeah." I say.

I guess I'm okay.

I'm…oddly peaceful.

Which I shouldn't be after watching that.

I feel…better.

I don't know why?

"Let's grab some breakfast real quick." Sabine said quietly, then gently turned me around and starts towards the kitchens.

"Sorry about earlier…" I say quietly.

I'm never going to live that down.

"It's okay. They…You said that I was in a dream you had there?" Sabine asked gently, looking up at me.

I nod.

"It was…bad."

Sabine nodded silently.

"Okay. You can tell me later if you want."

Fair enough.

"How am I here? What happened?" I ask her, brain finally starting to move again.

I can't believe what I just watched.

"It's a long story. But 8 days ago, me, Rex, Echo and some other clones went and rescued you. You were really, really hurt. So we brought you here. I stayed as the others went back to Safe Zone."

Safe Zone?

"You stayed?" I ask quietly.

Sabine smiled up at me.

"Yeah. Somebody has to watch you."

I quietly laugh, then Sabine smiled next to me.

"Thanks." I say to her.

"No problem. You were knocked out and on a super strong sedative when we got you. But we put you back together as best we could with you knocked out, then slowly let you rest and weaned you off the sedative."

"I…when I woke up. This last time. I took a shower. I felt disgusting." I tell her.

Sabine smiled.

"You were in bacta. I did the same thing when I got out."

"Well, I…the body wash hurt. And it looked like something was peeling." I admit, looking at her nervously.

I hope I didn't mess something up.

If it's because I took a shower I'm going to feel like a moron.

I felt literally like something that had been thrown out, now that I think about it.

"Oh no…" Sabine muttered, then stepped in front of me.

And aggressively yanked my shirt up.

"Sabine!" I mutter quickly, trying to pull it back down.

There are people here!

"Dang it…the synthiskin is peeling again. It doesn't want to take." She frowned, then let my skin drop back down.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"That's the third time we've tried to patch you up with synthiskin. We put it on there so your skin could heal and you could go to the wedding tomorrow. But your body keeps rejecting it."

WHAT?!

"What? Wedding? One thing at a time Sabine. I…I'm not going at full speed here." I say quietly.

"Sorry…remember how that guy on Concordia talked about how Lux should marry Ahsoka."

"Yeah?" I say.

That feels like years ago.

Even though it was maybe…five months ago?

"Well, Ahsoka finally said yes."

I can't help…somehow, but to smile.

"Really? When?"

"We were on Denon when it happened apparently." Sabine said quietly, as we finally arrive at the kitchens.

Denon.

"Oh yeah…what happened there?" I ask.

Sabine shrugged.

"Not today. I think we should talk about that later. Can we talk about this wedding first?" Sabine asked softly as we reach the door to the ordering area.

I slowly nod, the Sabine smiled and gently pulled me inside.

I hear a gasp, then look up to see the cooks smiling at me.

"You're awake!"

I laugh and smile.

"Yeah, I guess I am."

"What do you want?" Sabine asked me.

"Can I have…a heavy omelet, with tomatoes and ranch?" I ask.

Ranch.

That sounds amazing right now.

"We can do that." The cook smiled, then looked to Sabine.

"I"ll just have the waffle and the powdered sugar and syrup on the side please."

The cook smiled, and nodded.

"We'll get that right out."

Sabine thanked them, then led me out to a table.

Then she went back in and grabbed some juice for me, and a caf for her.

I don't want caf right now.

No.

"When is this wedding?" I ask her.

Sabine smiled.

"Actually, it's tomorrow. We were going to gently wake you up today. That was the plan. But you woke up on your own."

Yeah.

"Kind of." I say.

Sabine shrugged, then we slip into a comfortable silence.

"How'd you escape?" I ask her, as my brain is still moving slowly.

She smiled at me.

"You…got knocked out by one of Kallus' goons. I got separated from you and started to the spaceport by guards and your friends. Then—"

WHAT?

"WHAT?" I yelp. "They—"

"Let me finish…I can explain." Sabine gently cut me off.

Okay.

I sip my juice, and enjoy the cool sensation slip down my throat.

Feels great.

"Rex, Echo and some other clones came and killed the Stormtrooper escort. Your friends surrendered. We hopped on a ship and went to Safe Zone. I was a mess. Crying about you. In shock. Everything."

I hear a shout, and Sabine popped up and walked back to the kitchens.

Darcy…

Is a prisoner?

She surrendered.

Unless she decided on the spot that she was done with the Empire.

Which…I don't know.

I don't know anything.

I'm so out of it.

Last time I saw her…I was shocked to the point of getting a bone sickness.

Or something.

I don't remember what Tarkin said.

This is all crazy.

I've got Sabine, Darcy, Tarkin, Vader, Shark Bait, Barriss…

They're all crisscrossed.

I'm honestly lost.

I might need to be sat down by somebody and walked thru what happened step by step.

In front of me, Sabine sits back down and slides my omelet, tomatoes and ranch in front of me.

Well, the ranch is between us.

She also…apparently got some cantaloupe?

"Eat. We aren't in a rush." She smiled at me.

I need to be careful.

And keep it down.

Two bites.

One sip.

I clumsily grab a fork, then break off a piece of omelet and take a bite.

That tastes amazing.

...

Ow.

It hurt to swallow.

"Good?" Sabine asked me, smiling.

I nod, then sip my juice.

"So…what am I wearing to this wedding?" I ask. "I don't have anything."

"I was thinking you'd wear what you did to that thing you went to with Darcy." Sabine said softly.

The Ball.

The Imperial Ball.

Did that actually happen?

It feels like it happened in a different universe.

"How'd you know about that?" I ask.

Darcy ordered the stuff to her place.

I didn't say anything to Sabine, because I know she didn't like Darcy.

We nearly got into a fight over it.

Lightsaber versus blaster.

Wait.

My lightsaber is ruined.

Tarkin sliced it in half.

I don't think I'm a Jedi anymore.

"It was in your stuff. And I found a picture in your stuff. I…was worried I'd never see you again. And they had me look thru your stuff. Sorry."

What?

I lost what we were talking about.

"Huh?" I say dumbly.

Sabine smiled and shook her head.

"Your clothes."

"Oh."

Oh yeah.

I nod and meekly take another bite of omelet.

I'm actually kind of hungry.

"You feel okay?" Sabine asked me gently. "We can take this back to the room if you want to lie down."

I shake my head.

"No, it's okay. My brain isn't exactly working at top speed though." I try to joke, then smile.

Sabine however, looks concerned.

"I…You can think okay though right? You…had a condition. Something to do with electric shocks. It affected your brain and nervous system."

Whoa.

"Really?" I ask, surprised.

Sabine nodded, then took a bite of waffle with powdered sugar on it.

"Yeah. It was kind of scary. Everybody said you'd be okay, but…do you feel okay?"

I guess?

I shrug.

"Nothing is working like I want it to. My brain's slow, my body is sore…I feel broken." I admit.

"Like something hurts?" She asked gently.

I shake my head and spots pop into my vision, then quickly fade away.

"No, not like that. It'd just not…normal."

Sabine smiled at me.

"You were captured for 17 days. And recovering for another 2 weeks. I think it'd be weird if you were 100 percent right away." Sabine said softly, then cracked a slight smile.

I laugh.

"Yeah, maybe."

"So, a wedding tomorrow?" I ask again.

Sabine smiled, mouth full.

"Yeah. We're invited."

"Who all is going? Will I know anyone?" I ask.

Sabine smiled.

"Yeah, Kanan and Hera. Echo and Rex. You'll have people to talk to. It's supposed to be a short thing. More of a get together than anything."

"Really?"

Sabine nodded took another bite of waffle.

I sip my juice and cut off another bite of omelet.

"I thought weddings were supposed to be long, elaborate things. Not short and a get together." I admit.

Sabine shrugged, having just sipped her caf.

"They didn't give me many details. Just to dress nice really. Kanan and everyone just mentioned they were coming when they called about you."

Called?

"Did I sleep thru people visiting me?" I ask.

Please say no.

"No, not really. Rex and Echo were here for a couple of days after we rescued you. But then they went back to Safe Zone. Everybody else just called. I guess me being here was enough." Sabine said, then shrugged her shoulders at the end.

"Was I like…close to dying?" I ask nervously.

How bad was I?

"No…not really. You just looked really bad. I thought you were when we came and got you. It…wasn't pretty. But Tech and Echo said you weren't going to die, and here they fixed you up, put you in the ICU, then bacta, then let you rest with me until you woke up."

Huh.

"Sorry…for scaring you. I'm sure I'll hear about the details later." I say, not able to look Sabine in the eye.

I can't imagine.

I'm gone for forever, then when she sees me, I'm…like I was.

A mess.

"You didn't have a choice in the matter. I'm just glad you never stopped fighting. Otherwise, you wouldn't have been so beat up." Sabine smiled at me, a…look in her eye.

I laugh, then shrug and look at my omelet.

I need to eat.

I take a bite of my omelet then see Sabine still smiling at me.

I'm safe.

I guess.

Now what?