"Don't get your hopes up. I suck." Sabine says sheepishly, holding a beanbag in her hand and chomping down on a fry at the exact same time.

I think I can openly admit to being good at this for once.

"It's okay, I'm really good at cornhole." I decide to reveal on a whim. "Played it a ton growing up at like baseball games and stuff."

"Really?" Jaicey asks curiously as Sabine starts patting down her pockets then turns to me.

"Can I borrow your keys? I think I left my phone in your car."

I laugh to myself, then pull my keys out and extend them to her. "Have fun."

"I will!" She replies, marching off toward the gate.

Matt and Trey exchange looks before JJ uncorks a sly smile. "You two seem right as rain."

"We're fine." I shrug. "I hope you like losing."

"Don't deflect." Jaicey smiles at me. "She's bouncing around."

"Is she?"

Jaicey quickly nods. "She's been quiet, almost silent since that party. Apologized to the team, has been doing what she needs to, and other than that, nobody's really seen her."

And she's with me.

"Bet that wasn't fun." Matt turns to Jaicey.

Jaicey nods. "It was bad. Some people told her she should pack it up, go back home."

"Open format?" Trey looks surprised.

"Who said that?" I ask Jaicey quietly.

So I can know who to cross off the trustworthy list.

"I'm not saying. That's our business."

The Force jangles a warning to me before I hear the gate open and impulsively toss a beanbag at the wooden board, allowing it to slide up and drop into the cutout in the center near the top. "Hey Ezra?"

"Yeah?" I reply, then turn around.

"Nice shot Ezra." Trey compliments me as I smile at Sabine as she closes the gate then turns back to me.

She smiles, then turns my lightsaber over in her hand before looking to me. "Did something break off your car?"

Oh.

"What is that?" Jaicey asks.

"No." I quickly shake my head and take it from Sabine, who extended it to me. "It's a tire removal tool. If you break down on the side of the road. Then bend in the handle helps you get leverage. Even clips to your belt. See?" I explain, then clip my lightsaber to my belt.

"Huh." Is all Sabine says, then picks her food back up and sips her drink.

Matt calls out my name, then tosses the beanbag back to me. "Let's go."

(Flashback)

Screams ring out around the house, spilling into the street as I take the stairs entering the house before the Force screams a warning to me, just as I cross into the house as a defender has come at me with a large knife.

Fool.

I duck to my left, and his momentum carries him right into my body before his knife gets stuck in the screen door. He begins to yell something, but I cut it off by kneeling him roughly in the sternum, causing him to double over even more before knocking him to the ground.

I'll deal with you when I get back.

Without a moment's hesitation, I focus on the man's fibula, release a breath before I hear the delicious crack of it shattering under pressure, causing the man to scream in agonizing pain.

That'll flush out some friends…

Right on cue, I get another warning, and I whip around, grab part of the island in the kitchen that contains the oven and throw it deeper into the house before I hear it make contact with at least one person before landing heavily. The man whose leg I broke squirms feebly, trying to get away as I look around.

Those plans said that the circuit breaker would be around here…oh stop screaming and whimpering.

I briefly pause my search to turn to the man. "You sound like a puppy. Be quiet."

"Nunca ganarás Tu maldad será tu fin." The man spits out at me, sounding bitterly angry.

"So my evil will be my end, leading that I'll never win huh?" I ask then man, whose eyes widen in terror. "Sí, hablo español."

The man begins making even more noise before reaching for a pan and suddenly swinging it at me, catching my in the funny bone.

Oh? You'll die for that.

Livid, I spin back and deck the man full on in the face, feeling his orbital cave under my fist before smiling. "So there it is."

That's a weird spot to put the circuit breaker.

I cease my assault, flip open the circuit breaker then yank then entire thing out of the wall with the Force causing sparks to fly everywhere and for the house to suddenly go dark, making an ominous sound as well. "I'll be back for you. I know you know that."

The man eyes me, terrified with both hands over part of his face before I stand and march deeper into the house to no resistance, probably due to the four people I caught with the oven.

Father will be pleased with the efficiency.

I take the stairs two at a time as the sounds of women and children squealing and crying in terror drift to me before I spot two men carrying pistols on top of the stairs. Before they can move to fire, I yank both out of their hands and they both raise their hands in the universal sign of surrender.

"Okay. Lead the way." I wave them on, and they keep their hands over their heads before marching right into an office, crowded with women and children who all squeal and yell in fright when I walk in.

"Gushh…Shhhh…" I stare a small boy in the eyes as he stares right at me, too terrified to do anything else. "Where is Sifo-Dyas?"

Multiple people speak rapid Spanish over each other, preventing me from understanding outside of a clear desire for me not to hurt anyone else. "I know he's here."

"I am right here." A man coolly answers behind me, and I turn to see a man dressed in simple brown clothes with a poorly receding hairline and pencil thin facial hair. "You must be the new Sith we have gotten wind of."

"Where are the others?"

Sifo-Dyas looks bemused then gestures downstairs. "You killed them with the oven, I'm afraid."

Dammit! He wanted them alive.

"You'll have to do then." I spit out. "Surrender, and I won't kill anyone else."

"But you will hurt them." Sifo-Dyas sees thru my statement.

Angrily, I pull the smallest boy into my left hand and catch him by the throat. "No games."

"I'll…surrender. Take off your mask though, young Sith. You don't need it. We can talk this out, man to man."

"The mask stays." I spit out at him. "Your lightsaber."

Sifo-Dyas surrenders his lightsaber to me, and I clip it on my belt before signaling for my extraction. "Good." I say, then set the boy gently down on his feet. Immediately he kicks me in the shins, his tiny foot sliding underneath my armor before he starts whacking me with both his fists on the leg.

OW! YOU LITTLE BRAT!

The room briefly goes silent as I pull the air out of the room and focus my attention on the boy's windpipe, lifting him up at the same time, causing him to kick desperately before all the women scream like banshees.

"My Lord…let him go." Sifo-Dyas asks me.

I silently turn to him. "Why?"

"He is only a boy."

"He hurt me." I counter.

Sifo-Dyas smirks. "His small feet may slip under your armor, but he cannot hurt you."

The boy's mother lets out another yelp of terror as the boy continues kicking like mad in an attempt to free himself and I count the room.

Seven.

"Fine." I say as my HUD flashes that the extraction team will be out back momentarily. Dropping the boy, he scrambles back to his mother blindly before she dives and pulls him into her arms. "Down the stairs, let's go. No funny business."

Sifo-Dyas signals his compliance with open palms, then starts downstairs and into the remnants of the kitchen. "Oh dear." He says, spotting my friend by the door.

"Don't worry, he's coming too." I smile, then pull him up by Force before he catches himself on the counter to steady himself.

Ooh.

One side of his face is revealed to be completely slack as he looks to me, then spits at me, landing a glob on my mask.

"Gushh…Shhhh…fine then. Your hands." I spit out, then focus my thoughts upstairs and close both of my fists.

Zero.

I don't hear anything else from upstairs for a brief moment before shoving both of my new friends out the front door where a helicopter is landing where the grill used to be. Screams follow me out the door, and Sifo-Dyas turns to me.

"What did you do?"

"Nothing." I lie. "I believe they've just realized we're leaving."

(End Flashback)

"Maybe this was a bad idea." Matt turns to JJ, who laughs as Jaicey walks back to Sabine and I, extending cans of something to each of us.

"This is good, try it you two." She smiles at Sabine and I. "Whole case is for you. I have the lime flavor if you want some of that over there."

Sabine takes the cardboard case of "Strawberitas" as I spot the amount of liquid inside. "8 ounces?"

"It's more than enough." Jaicey responds.

"I'm not playing another game until Ezra chugs two of them!" JJ points at me. "Maybe then he'll miss."

"Fine." I roll my eyes.

Eighteen ounces of anything won't mess me up.

Sabine hands me two tiny cans, and I take them before she takes one for herself. "Cheers." She smiles, then opens mine for me.

"Very funny." I frown at her, then down the entire tiny can before waiting until Sabine starts drinking to check my phone.

T – New iMessage (2)

I smile to myself as Sabine yells something at Matt and JJ and open up the messages.

"Hi Ezra, I'm back."

"I was able to devote my computing resources to the USC finance investigation while Alexandre worked on my OS. I believe we have our answers."

"You go first." I tell Sabine, then start replying to Twos.

"Okay, what do we think we have?"

On the very edge of the board.

"There's a joke in there somewhere." I tease Sabine, who instantly giggles and covers her mouth.

"Drink, you jerk."

I roll my eyes, down the other drink then watch as JJ holes out his first throw. I counter by landing my first throw in front, before it drops down, giving us the lead, causing Sabine to cheer. "All-Time partner!"

"We'll find a way." Matt answers slyly, then flings his beanbag up onto the board before it too drops down, tipping the balance back in their favor.

Damn.

"Six to Four." Jaicey calls out as we start gathering the others bags, then exchange and move back to our spots.

I don't think I'll need a Tac Team tonight. I'm fine.

My phone buzzes as a beanbag lands heavily on the board, then falls onto my feet, causing JJ to yell angrily and spin around.

"It's completely systemic. Football, Basketball, Men's and Women's Soccer, Basketball, Gymnastics, Golf, many members of the athletic department and even the school's president."

Whoa. So it's worse than anybody could have thought.

I let out a sigh, then halfheartedly fling my beanbag up before it gets stuck on the very edge, causing everyone to go nuts.

I missed.

"HE MISSED! FINALLY!" Matt celebrated as Trey takes a picture.

"No more drinking for you." Sabine teases me.

"Jaicey!" JJ asks her. "More drinks!"

Jaicey starts to the house. "Agreed!"

"Sorry." I turn and smile at Sabine, who leans into me. "It's okay. We'll still win."

(Five Hours Later)

"Okay, we're home. C'mon…" I unlock my door easily, then start easing Sabine inside.

She wobbles slightly, then smiles at me. "Do you have more clothes for me that I can borrow?"

I bought more.

"Of course." I say, happier than I intended.

"Why so happy?" Sabine frowns suddenly.

I stop than shrug. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Oh. You're drunk."

I shake my head. "No, I'm not. Just buzzed. I think." I reply, recalling a conversation from a year or two back about a pair of Padawans getting in some serious legal hot water.

"Disagree. I like being able to latch onto you all the time though. You're warm. Warmer than Bzzzghhz."

Huh?

I lead her into my room and sit her down. "Try again."

"NO." She says loudly. "I shouldn't…he stinks. No."

"Your friend from the party?" I ask her, pulling out the new sweats and turn to hand them to her. "I told you I'm not mad about that anymore. You…had a good night. Wasn't your fault."

"But still…he doesn't matter. My problem. Don't be so weird about me begin with somebody else. Ezra, number one. Everyone else, number zero."

"Zero technically comes before one." I hand her a shirt and smile.

Sabine suddenly shoves me out of my crouch by the dresser and onto the floor. "Bye! I'm changing now. Stay close though."

"Okay." I nod, then leave the room, heading toward the living room.

I'll sleep in here. I have some homework to do but it can wait until tomorrow. My head's throbbing a bit and I'll just end up frustrated and sleep deprived.

"EZRA!"

I sigh, hall closet open and blanket in hand. "On my way!" I reply, then toss the blanket onto the recliner and start back to my room.

"Water?" I assume, then smile at Sabine, who is already under the covers.

Instead, she pats the spot next to her. "C'mere."

"Why?" I blankly ask.

"Just do it."

Fine…

"Don't fine me. Lie down." Sabine says.

"I said that out loud?" I ask her.

"Drunk. Cuddle." Sabine says, pulling my basically onto her before curling into my side and smiling.

Uhh…

I subtly shift, then clear my throat. "Sabine."

"Shut up."

Okay. Well, this is weird.

I shift again, and Sabine shifts, her back pressing more into me before she pulls me closer. "You're still warm."

"Well I'd hope so. Otherwise that's not good." I joke, getting Sabine to giggle.

"Turn off the light. Then come right back here."

"Sab—"

"Right. Back…" She turns and frowns at me, staring until I walk over and flick off the lights. "Here."

I let out a breath, force myself to focus then amble back to my bed and lie down as requested. "Okay."

"Now shhhh."

Okay.

I quietly obey drunken Sabine, who slowly but gently grabs my hand first, then shoulder before curling back up to me.

I'll stay here until she falls asleep.

The time seems to start passing agonizingly slow, Sabine curled right up next to me. I try to ignore her breath and heartbeat slowing down at an even rate.

I think she's…

"No." She blurts out the moment I start to move my feet to leave.

"But—"

Sabine rolls back over and covers my whole mouth with her hand. "SHH. Just…shhhh. Don't make it weird. Yeah, I'm kinda drunk. But I know it. And you shouldn't have to go sleep on the uncomfortable couch just because I'm here. Just…don't tell anybody. Okay?"

"The couch is comfortable. I don't mind." I reassure her.

I barely see her blink before she gently lays her hand on my chest. "I don't care. Stay."

"Okay." I sigh before seeing her smile before she rolls back over.

"If you tell Cayle I'll kick you in the face with a soccer ball."

HEY!

"I…wouldn't…" I sputter out, causing Sabine to laugh.

"Good. Now shhhh. Go to sleep."

She's…in a mood.

Which is why she mentioned that guy.

I probably shouldn't even think about it. Not my business.

I let out a quiet breath and instead shift slightly before Sabine slides the comforter over she slyly and I feel her feet basically on mine. "Shh."

Bossy.

She's lucky I'm going along with this. I just don't want to upset her.

But if the guy is a threat to her, I should look into it. She did sound sort of scared, and it might explain her erratic—

STOP. STOP EZRA. Give Sabine her privacy.

I shake my head, then probe out to find Sabine's Force Signature very placid and relaxed.

I think I can get up.

Very slowly, I—

"No. No no no. if I have to crawl on top of you and make you sleep in your own bed, I'm going to do it." Sabine snaps at me, then swats my chest.

"Oww." I say.

That hurt. She got a lot on that one.

Sabine silently rolls over and lays her head defiantly on my chest. "Stay. Sleep. You always look tired. Please? For me."

I do not look tired.

I roll my eyes and don't respond, which she takes for obedience before she curls up even closer.

Thump thump. Thump thump.

Heartbeat.

Sabine lets out a quiet breath, then I feel her smile. "Yes. Shhh…Go to sleep."

No. I'll just stay here until you fall asleep and use the Force to make sure you don't feel me—

My eyes pop open, and I wince to myself.

How stupid am I? Like, really?

I let out a breath and pretend to stretch out in an effort to fool Sabine.

Those drinks Sabine gave me along with the two beers I nursed must have affected me more than I thought if I'm just now thinking of using THE FORCE to get out of this.

Christ Ezra, you damn moron.

I listen to Sabine's heartbeat for a moment or two more, then slyly raise my hand near Sabine's head. "Shh…" I distract her while focusing on her consciousness.

Go to sleep.

"Go…to sleep." I whisper, feeling Sabine instantly start relaxing more and more before her head droops fully onto my chest, mouth open slightly before she lets out a breath.

I think I got her.

I wait for a moment, straining to hear her heartbeat, reassuring me before she lets out another warm breath onto my shirt.

Gotcha.

Without hesitation, I grab her whole body with the Force to keep it still, slide out from underneath her position, curled to me then move my pillow and gently, tenderly as I can, lower her head onto my pillow.

I win.

As quietly as I can, I creep out of my room, sliding the door shut behind me and hitting the lights before turning back to my apartment.

Now I can go to bed.

(A/N: My apologies for the delay in this chapter. I wrote it about five times, the backyard scenes in particular, but nothing seemed even remotely right or what I wanted. And I'm not going to put something out that I'm not personally happy with. That being said, thanks for reading and until next time.)