"—President Palpatine is currently in hour number three of deliberations with the Congressional Committee discussing the President's pursuit of an unprecedented third term in office."

Feeling the bags in my left hand start to slip, I readjust my grip while keeping the drink tray balanced and continue down the sidewalk.

"Thus far, Senator Padmé Amidala has been the biggest critic of the President saying quote—"The podcast switches to an audio clip.

"We can achieve much greater representation through term-limited members. And if George Washington felt it necessary to limit himself to two terms, then I believe in the same."

Good point. People would have been fine with it if Washington crowned himself King.

The podcast continues on as I walk down the sidewalk to my apartment. "Senator Derlin of South Dakota found a more balanced tone, saying—"

"This country is at a tipping point. This crisis cannot be allowed to seep back into our society. If allowed, it could fester and degrade the very foundation upon which this great nation was built upon. While unorthodox, I believe that measures beyond many of our comfort may be needed to properly confront these issues."

My apartment building comes into view before a familiar gray SUV pulls past me and signals to take a left.

Blast. I was hoping to beat them home. A tie is close enough I guess.

Smiling to myself, I stop long enough to pull out my headphones and stow them away before continuing on to my apartment.

"Ezra!" I hear Jacen call out just before he pops out of the covered parking. His Dad follows up, saying something I can't quite catch before I get close enough to take a left of my own and start down my complex's sidewalk.

"Hey guys." I call out as Jacen is standing beside the SUV as Kanan is messing with Mira's car seat.

Jacen turns around then rushes to me, only for me to kick my feet out to stop him. "Not so fast bud. Can you grab these bags for me?"

"Sure! Who are these for?" He questions as he takes the bags, leaving me with the drinks.

"I don't know, I was expecting guests." I tease him, only to get a toothy smile sent my way. "How are you today bud?"

"I'm good! How's your day?"

I shrug as Kanan finally straightens up, Mira in his arms. "Kind of a rush. Sorry I'm late."

"You're not late." Kanan corrects me. "We'll meet you up there, I have to grab Mira's bag."

Mira misses seeing me as she holds onto her Dad's shoulder before I wave Jacen towards the stairs. "C'mon."

Jacen and I start up the stairs, arriving at my door before I fish out my keys, unlock it and kick open the door.

Boy that's cold.

"I did not…" I set the drinks down on the kitchen counter before hustling over to my thermostat. "—mean to keep the AC on. It'll warm up in a second."

"Okay! What'd you get for lunch?" Jacen asks, setting the bags down beside my drinks.

"Your favorite. Chicken nuggets and fries. Although I've got something for you to try. You think you can do that?" I ask.

Jacen gives me a skeptical look. "If I don't like it, do I have to have it?"

"No, no." I shake my head while grabbing my two sandwiches, packet of nuggets and set them aside before grabbing a plate for Jacen.

"Alright." Kanan announces his arrival just before the door shuts behind him. "Ooh, that smells good."

"Ezra bought lunch!"

Kanan immediately gives me a slightly disapproving look before turning Mira around to face me. "I can't stay long. Council is meeting shortly after Palpatine is done in DC."

"I was listening to how that is going." I reply as I set Jacen's meal onto the plate. "Ketchup is in the fridge Jacen."

Jacen hustles over to the fridge and pulls it open before I feel something brush up against my leg.

Ghost.

"Hey Ghost!" I smile, then crouch down as he is looking up at me. "Good to see you boy."

Giving Ghost some scratches behind the ears, Kanan meanwhile replaces Jacen at the fridge and begins unloading Mira's bag into it. "I think it's going alright. Although it looks like he's going to win."

"Do we have an official position on this?" I ask.

I honestly don't know. The Council doesn't confide in me their positions on many things.

"Our position is that there are norms and decorum for a reason." Kanan replies while shutting the refrigerator door. "That hasn't changed."

"Do you think that he's leveraging the economy against us?"

"Yes." Kanan nods then tells Jacen "Take that into the living room and sit down. Here are some napkins."

"Ezra wanted me to try something." Jacen parrots back.

Kanan gives me a funny look before I reply ""Take one of those rectangular packets. Try dipping your chicken into it along with your ketchup. I think you'll like it."

Doing as he's told, Jacen leaves my tiny kitchen before Kanan smirks. "Bold."

"It's good. I think he'll like it." I counter before smiling at Mira. Mira smiles back and reaches out for my shoulder.

Oh damn. Jacen's milkshake.

"Hey Jacen!" I call out as I take Mira. "C'mere."

"Drink?" Kanan correctly reads me, and I nod.

Jacen reappears before I grab his small milkshake and extending it to him. "Surprise."

"A milkshake?!" he exclaims joyfully before beaming at me. "Thank you Ezra!

"You're welcome. Please don't make a mess." I add.

I don't think he will.

"I won't!" He dashes back toward his lunch.

Mira latches onto me tighter and babbles something softly before her Dad adds "He's going to be bouncing off the walls."

"You said he's been god as of yesterday." I counter him. "He's deserved a treat for lunch."

Everybody deserves a treat.

Kanan shakes his head before pulling out his own sandwich. "Thank you, by the way."

"No problem. You were saying about Palpatine?"

"He's leveraging the economy, the shrinking deficit and his successful trade deals so far. He hasn't had to pull the strings of his favorites in the Senate yet."

"They do the voting right?" I ask.

Kanan takes a bite and nods. "Realistically, he's going to get approval. And besides, it's not like the opposing side has anybody comparable running."

"Cayle's said that whoever they choose will be cannon fodder."

Kanan nods again before grabbing the drink meant for him. "They will be. The primary candidates haven't exactly distinguished themselves so far. Is this diet lemonade?"

"No." I laugh. "Don't tell Hera."

"She's trying to keep me on this diet." He says mournfully. "I don't mind it. But diet drinks just don't taste the same."

I shrug then sip my sweet tea before Ghost trots away towards the living room. "Your classes cancelled I thought?"

"Yeah. I helped a couple of friends get registered for classes before I went and got this." I gesture towards the food.

"You said you were off." Is Kanan's reply.

"Eh." I noncommittally shake my drink. "Wasn't hard. They knew what they wanted. Mostly just talked."

"About?"

…

"Sabine." I reveal, then pull open a ketchup packet. "They're the ones I usually hang with when I'm with her."

"And?" Kanan tees me up.

I groan, then shake my drink again. Mira seems to notice my increased tension and moves to grab my head. "They want me to start playing 'The Game'. Whatever that is."

"Ahh." Kanan says, a laugh in his voice. "Yes, 'The Game'. I remember having to play that."

"It's real?"

Sounded like a bunch of machismo crap to me.

Kanan nods, having taken a bite of his sandwich. "It's real. And it works. To a degree. But I'll warn you: she'll most likely notice when you change, if you do."

"Did Hera?" I ask.

"Yup." He nods. "Marched right down to where she knew I was and beat me over the head with a curled up magazine. And called me an idiot."

"Oh no." I laugh.

Mira giggles right along before her father smiles and plays with her hair. "But it worked. Stayed over and watched a movie. And a little more."

Oh no. Stop. Stop!

Apparently my discomfort is on my face because Kanan laughs. "I'll stop. I'll stop."

"Thank you."

"I haven't checked, has she been over the last few days?" He asks before walking over to peer at Sabine's work space.

"Yeah. She's working on her final project for her art class." I inform him.

Same old techniques as last time. Tracing, underpainting. I think if she comes over today she'll start mixing together paints and putting it on canvas.

"Seems to me like she's talented." Kanan's voice drifts to me, encouraging me to walk out of the kitchen and see that Kanan's looking at Sabine's paused work in progress from last night.

"I think she is. Can't really tell." I confess.

"Me neither." Kanan admits.

(Sabine Wren POV)

The concrete and steel stairs clang along as a I make my way up the stairs, brushes in hand as my backpack pulls on my shoulders.

Wonder if Ezra would mind if I took another shower here. I need it.

I really needed this day off.

More interviews, another round for whatever candidates.

At least they sent the email early today.

Arriving at Ezra's door, I swing my keyring on my finger then unlock the door and walk in—

A loud, aggressive barking sound causes me to freeze in my tracks.

What in the hell is that?!

"Ezra?" I call out quietly before another loud bark comes from behind me.

"Ghost!" A tiny voice calls out before I turn around in time to see an enormous Husky staring right at me past Ezra's recliner just before a small boy appears.

"Shh…Don't bark. You know Ezra's not supposed to have dogs up here…oh."

This must be Ghost. And Jacen.

"Hi." I say quietly, then wave at them. "I'm Sabine. I'm Ezra's friend."

The Husky doesn't budge as the boy lights up. "Oh. Ezra's mentioned you. I'm Jacen!"

"Hi Jacen. Is that Ghost?"

Jacen's face tilts. "Ezra told you about Ghost?"

"Yeah." I nod. "He's really pretty. I, uhm, I came to work on my painting. Is Ezra home?"

"Uh huh." Jacen nods before putting a finger to his lips. "He's taking a nap."

"Uhm…" I stall nervously, then take a step forward. "Do you mind if I stay?"

I don't want to be here if he's uncomfortable.

The Husky eyes me very warily before Jacen shakes his head. "No, that's okay. My Mom and Dad mentioned you too."

They did?

"Oh yeah?" I ask, then take another step forward only for Ghost to growl aggressively.

Ohhh—I might need to come back later.

This dog is huge. Beautiful, but he doesn't like me right now.

"Shhh…" Jacen turns back to his dog. "It's okay. She's nice. Don't growl."

A moment of tense silence passes before I ask "Should I come back later? I don't want him to get mad."

I know Ezra's complex doesn't allow dogs. I don't want him to get into trouble.

"No." Jacen replies simply before gently directing Ghost deeper into the living room, "Go Ghost."

Ghost reluctantly takes a few steps back and I step forward, only for my heart to melt.

They're…AWWWWWW!

Ezra and the baby are asleep on the couch.

"Is that your sister?" I ask as Jacen is eying me as I look at Ezra on the couch.

He looks relaxed while he's sleeping.

They both look so peaceful.

"Yeah. Her name's Mira. It's nap time."

"Oh." I blurt out. "I didn't wake you up did I?"

Jacen shakes his head. "No. I couldn't fall asleep. I'm playing a game. Is that yours?"

He points to my project for Ezra that's propped up on my easel. "Yeah. I'm still working on it. I came with paints." I smile at him.

Kids like to paint.

"Are you an artist?"

"Yeah." I nod. "All this junk is mine."

I gesture to all the supplies that have built up here, various bottles, brushes, my sketch book, a couple of blank canvases…

"Is it hard?"

"No." I smile back at him. "It just takes time. But I like it."

Ghost continues eying me near the coffee table as Jacen sits back down at his tablet, Chick-Fil-A cup nearby. "Did you guys get lunch today?"

"Yeah. Ezra got it for us." He replies.

"Did you like it?"

"Oh yeah." He lights up in enthusiasm. "Super good."

I laugh, then finally start setting my stuff down.

Okay…I've got a little more prep work to do, then I'll lay out some sheeting and mix up some paint.

Oh, and I have to remember to look up 'The Golden Falls' in Iceland. Since that's what I'm going for and all.

"Uhm." I hear behind me, and turn back to see Jacen looking at me.

"Yeah? What's up?" I give him a big smile.

It's okay. You can trust me. I'm a friend.

"Can…you get me some juice?" Jacen asks shyly, looking down at the ground.

"Sure!" I reply. "Do you have a cup?"

Jacen quickly shakes his head. "No. Ezra usually lets me use one of the plastic ones he brought from home.

Probably Jacen's home.

"Okay." I give him another smile then move towards the kitchen.

Alright…juice. Ezra keeps Apple Juice regularly in the fridge. That's got to be what he means.

I pull out the apple juice from the fridge, then grab one of the plastic cups set aside in Ezra's cabinets. "You're Ezra's friend right?"

"Yeah." I turn back and see Jacen standing in the doorway to the kitchen. "We're friends. He's my best friend here."

"Here?"

"I'm from Chicago. Do you know where that is?" Jacen shakes his head. "It's a ways away."

"Oh. Are you Ezra's girlfriend?"

Girlfriend?!

"No." I laugh, then start to pour out his apple juice. "Did Ezra say I was?"

"No. But my Mom thinks you are. Everybody does. Cayle, Daddy. Everyone."

"Everyone huh?"

I don't want a boyfriend right now.

That's one of the great things about Ezra. He doesn't seem to want to get all romantic or take it in that direction.

Later on, maybe. But not right now.

Definitely not right now.

He understands that.

"Yeah." Jacen says as I top off his juice, then eye the glass.

"Is that enough?"

"Uh huh." He replies, before I turn and extend the cup to him.

"Here ya go."

Jacen lights up then steps up and takes the cup. "Thank you!"

He knows his manners.

"You're very welcome." I smile at him, and Jacen returns the smile before starting back to the living room.

(Ezra Bridger POV)

The sensation of my nose being smushed into my face roughly jolts me out of my nap before I blink a couple of times and see Mira's face right in front of my nose.

As soon as she realizes that I reacted, Mira makes a gentle cooing sound and smiles. "Hey…Did you wake me up?"

Mira babbles softly again before I smile and rub her back. "Did you have a good nap? Huh? Is it time to get up?"

I yawn widely before keeping one hand on Mira's back and stretch, only for Mira to be yawning too when I look back to her. "Oh big yawn."

Mira giggles again before I hear the clinking of Ghost's collar just before he appears right next to my face and begins inspecting Mira. "Hey, it's Ghost."

Using her arm, she pushes on me and reaches over as gracefully as I've seen her and pat Ghost. "Yeah…it's Ghost. And you're being gentle. Good job."

Ghost accepts Mira's love before resuming his sniff test of her before he starts to lick her face, sending Mira into raucous giggles.

I laugh along with her as Mira turns away from Ghost's love, but not far enough to escape, which only gets her to giggle and squirm more. "Huh?"

"We're okay." I tell Jacen softly as Ghost keeps licking Mira. "Is she clean yet?"

Ghost stops his licking briefly and lets Mira smile, a look of unfiltered joy on her face before Mira reaches back out for Ghost's face. "Okay. C'mon."

Let's get you a bottle because I bet you're hungry.

"C'mon Mira. I bet you're—" I start as I sit up, then turn and see Sabine near her painting, looking at Mira, Ghost and I.

Sabine?!

I must be dreaming.

I rub my eyes for a split second before I hear Sabine laugh. "No, it's me. Did you have a good—"

Sabine's question is cut off by Ghost rudely beginning to growl.

"HEY." I turn and frown at Ghost. "No. Stop it."

Ghost eyes me briefly before turning back to Sabine, a determined look on his features before I grab him by the collar. "Hey. No. She's okay."

I know you can understand me.

"C'mon." I say as I rise to my feet, feeling Mira's hold on me tighten before I begin to walk towards to kitchen. "With me Ghost."

Ghost obediently trots behind me before I turn to Sabine. "C'mere. I got this."

I know how to bribe him and get him to relax.

He's just being protective.

"You sure?" She asks nervously. "He's been like this the whole time."

"Yeah. He's just being protective. When'd you get here?"

"Maybe an hour ago." Sabine says indifferently as I turn into the kitchen. "How was your nap?"

Pulling open the fridge I grab a bottle, which gets Mira's attention. "Good. I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Maybe your needed it." Sabine laughs as I hand over Mira's bottle to her.

Mira lets go of my shirt to grasp her bottle and begin feeding herself. "Sorry about Ghost. Did you meet Jacen yet?"

I would imagine they talked. Jacen's smart.

"Oh yeah." Sabine answers. "He's sweet."

"Hey!" I hear him protest in the living room.

"It's a compliment Jacen!" I call out, head still in the fridge as I grab the container of sliced ham, meant for sandwiches before I rise back up and set the container aside.

Mira doesn't notice as I pop the top off the container then roll up a full slice of ham then break it off into two pieces. "Ghost." I get his attention as he is still positioned in the middle of the kitchen between Sabine and Mira.

Ghost turns, sees the food and instantly sits down.

One, two, Three…

"Thank you." I smile before extending my hand, and Ghost happily gobbles up his snack. While he's doing that, I get Sabine's eye and extend the ham to her.

"Good idea." She smirks at me before lowering herself to his height. "Hey. You want some more?"

Ghost immediately lets out another growl, and I drop right down to his height as well before snapping my fingers once.

HEY.

You know better than that.

"She's not a threat. I'm trying to tell you that…" I frown at Ghost before he finally gives me his attention.

I point in Sabine's direction, and Ghost turns right where Sabine has her hand outstretched, ham rolled up all nice and neat for him. "I know, you think I'm a bad guy."

"He'll warm up." I reassure Sabine as Ghost eyes the ham before taking a half step forward and starts sniffing Sabine's hand.

Sabine allows Ghost to sniff her hand before he diverts and starts sniffing her jeans before rising out of his seated position to—

"Ghost." I remind him.

The ham, dummy.

"It's okay. I think he's investigating me. I need a shower more than anything so." Sabine shrugs before smiling. "Sorry Ghost."

I laugh, which gets Mira to adjust her position slightly but not take her focus off her bottle.

Good. One thing at a time.

Ghost makes his lap around Sabine before she extends her peace offering again. This time however, Ghost only briefly sniffs it before scarfing it down. "See? She's a friend."

"Yeah." Sabine smiles, still showing him her palm. "You're gorgeous Ghost. Can I pet you—."

Ghost quickly steps away from Sabine as soon as she touches him. "Oh, sorry. I'm sorry."

"Ghost." I say, moving to grab the ham once again. "Sit."

"He listens to you pretty well." Sabine observes as Ghost does as I asked.

"Yeah, well I knew him as a puppy before Jacen and Mira came onto the scene. We've been friends for a while." I smile, rolling up another slice of ham before splitting it again. "Let's try this again."

Mira turns on my shoulder as I extend my half of ham to him. Ghost gobbles it right up without hesitation before I hand off Sabine's half to her. "C'mon Ghost."

"Hi." Sabine smiles at Ghost, repeating her action from before with her palm open and extended to him. This time Ghost steps forward more confidently and takes the ham.

"Yeah…" I smile as this time Ghost allows Sabine to start petting him. "She's a friend. Sabine's my friend Ghost."

"What's he doing?" I hear Jacen call out as Ghost remains still while Sabine is smiling and petting him.

"I'm introducing Sabine and Ghost." I smile as Ghost looks back to me.

It's okay.

"One more." I decide on the fly, then move to grab the container again. "Then I'll introduce you to Mira."

"I'm not sure the same tactic will work." Sabine jokes. "She's got her bottle. She's set."

I smile then turn to Mira as she's sucking down her snack while peering at us. "You'll be nice. You've already met Sabine. Remember? You tried to eat my phone."

I can't help but laugh, which gets a smile out of Mira despite her bottle before I turn and split the ham— "Mira…"

That's her diaper.

Sabine suddenly starts giggling before I turn to her and see that she's covering her mouth to try and hide her smile. "What?" I ask.

Mira's smile sticks on her face as Sabine keeps on laughing. "You know how to change her? Hers doesn't quite work like yours."

"I know that." I roll my eyes, then toss Sabine her ham. "I've changed her before."

"Well I'm here if you want help." Sabine volunteers as Ghost gobbles up his ham as Sabine pets him.

I think they're okay.

"Alright. C'mon Stinky." I turn to Mira as she has resumed bottle time. As I stand up Ghost doesn't divert his attention from Sabine as she smiles even wider.

Haha. Very funny.

"—know they've interviewed like five people. But a couple backed out because they think there will be sanctions on the program here pretty soon."

"If they're afraid, then they're not the right ones for the job." I counter, then glance back.

Jacen is seated cross-legged on the couch, coloring in his coloring book. Mira meanwhile, is beside Ghost, surrounded by her toys.

She giggles, which causes Sabine to smirk. "You know, most kids aren't this comfortable away from home."

"How would you know?"

"I used to babysit for extra money in middle and high school." She explains before dipping her brush back into the green paint she's mixed. "Usually they start getting antsy by now and start acting out."

Acting out?

"Nah." I smile as Mira shakes a rattle enthusiastically, causing her to giggle excitedly.

They know they're safe and loved here. I hope so at least.

"Looks good by the way." I compliment her work. "Is this for your final?"

"Thinking it might be. I don't know quite yet." She admits, not taking her eyes off her work. "Did you see what Calhoun did already?"

"Yup."

Cancelled.

"You're right. He really does hate us." Sabine tells me.

"Not us so much as having to teach us."

Sabine rolls her eyes while Mira raucously giggles again. "Still hates us."

"Yeah ye—"

A knock at the door garners my attention just before I turn and Ghost barks strongly. "Shh." I motion before—

The knocks suddenly turn into three bangs on the same door, which gets Ghost to leap to his feet. "No No." I say to him as I feel Jacen's eyes fall on me. "Keep him here. I got this."

Probing the Force briefly, I pull open the door and slip through before succinctly shutting it behind me. "Hi. No need to bang, I was already on my way."

My Residential Advisor, or RA standing on my doorstep, clipboard and pen in her hand while looking irritated. "Hi Ezra, I assume you remember me. I'm Amber, your Residential Advisor?"

"Of course, how are you Amber?" I smile.

"I'm fine, thank you." She says, eyes dropping back down to her clipboard. "I'm here today because of a complaint we received about thirty minutes ago. Excessive noise, sounds of a pet on the premises?"

"Yeah, my niece and nephew are here."

Amber's tone turns icy before she comments "I'm not dumb, I heard the barking."

"I never said you were dumb. He's here for the kids. They'll be gone shortly."

Hera and Kanan should be swinging by to pick them up quite soon.

"Well." She peers back down. "Unfortunately this means that I do have to write you up for an unauthorized pet allowed on the property. In addition to confiscating your deposit for the semester, this is a Level II infraction—"

"Hang on." I stop her right there. "How is this a Level II infraction?"

Amber gives me a cross look before continuing. "When you signed your lease back in August, we spoke to you about our no tolerance policy about pets. That qualified as your warning, implying this is your Level II infraction."

"I wasn't aware I've already committed a Level I infraction." I reply.

This is ridiculous.

Amber taps her pen impatiently against her metal clipboard. "Well I'm sorry." She says, not sounding sorry at all. "I'm—"

Kanan's here.

"—sign here, initial here that you understand the infraction as well as the consequences, sign and date there on the—"

"Is there a problem here?" Kanan asks coolly, arriving on my doorstep and causing Amber to turn.

Oh. Hera's not going to like this.

"Yes, Ezra here has committed an offense that is in violation of his lease. I was just about to ask him to sign—"

"He's not signing anything." Hera declares forcefully before pulling out her FBI badge. "What is the offense?"

Hera snatches the clipboard away, replacing it with her badge before moving to look at the clipboard. "I'm here today because of a complaint we received about thirty minutes ago. Excessive noise, sounds of a pet on the premises." Amber begins.

"We weren't being loud." I tell her.

If you have a problem with a baby laughing and a dog entertaining her, then you're too uptight.

"Regardless." Amber continues on. "The offense results in him forfeiting his deposit along with signing for a Level II infraction. A level III infraction—"

"Can and will result in the eviction from the premises within thirty business days." Hera's frown turns into something darker before she hands off the clipboard to Kanan. "I wasn't aware Ezra's committed any sort of infraction before this."

"I didn't."

Amber flushes slightly but doesn't back down. "We spoke to him when he came and got his keys back in August, we spoke to you about our no tolerance policy about pets among a host of other things. That serves as his warning, leading to this as the Level II infraction."

"I'd like to see that in the lease's paperwork." Hera retorts.

Kanan adds "If it's so noisy, then why can't we hear anything?" He pauses for a moment, only for dead silence to prove his point.

"I'm not here about the current volume level. I'm simply here to resolve the pending issue with Mr. Bridger. Which I cannot discuss any further." Amber says shortly.

Ooh.

"We co-signed for him." Hera snaps back. "Fourth page. Hera Syndulla, Kanan Jarrus."

Kanan barely smirks as I feel him reassure me through the Force just before Amber takes her clipboard back. "And as I stated earlier, I'd like to see where speaking with Ezra at the start of the semester constitutes his Level I infraction in the lease's paperwork."

"I'm sorry." She replies. "Our office closed for the day at 4. You'll have to come back tomorrow and speak with the complex supervisor then."

"I'd be more than happy to do that." Hera smiles at Amber.

Amber immediately turns back to me. "I need you to sign, initial and date."

I pause long enough for Hera to nod curtly before Kanan asks "When we co-signed, we were made aware that both parties have an out at the conclusion of the semester, is that correct?"

"Yes, this little meeting today doesn't automatically trigger that out. However, if—"

Yeah Yeah. If I commit a level III infraction…

As quickly as I can, I sign, initial and date where I need to then turn he clipboard back to her. "—your supervisor as well in your notes that I mentioned it. I'll be asking in morning." Hera concludes.

"Absolutely." Amber smiles thinly. "Well, I'll leave you all be. Have a great day."

"You too." I reply, then roll my eyes as Amber starts down the stairs. Hera is shaking her head as soon as she's out of sigh before Kanan moves to open the door.

"If an eight month old and dog bother you, you've got other problems." Kanan grumbles as we all sidle back inside.

"Outside of the no pets policy, which is ridiculous—oh." Hera turns to me. "You didn't say Sabine was here."

"I didn't get a chance…" I say to Kanan as Hera has already gone to introduce herself to Sabine.

Kanan laughs before I hear "Mommy!"

"C'mere." Kanan waves Jacen over as Ghost bounds over and sits at Kanan's feet.

"—so nice to finally meet you. Ezra's mentioned you a lot." Hera smiles.

I nervously scratch Ghost's ears as Mira begins crawling her way over to her Mom. "yeah, he's mentioned you guys too. Jacen and Mira a little more though." She jokes, getting Hera and Kanan to laugh."

"Kanan." He smiles and waves to Sabine. "Nice to finally meet you."

Sabine returns the smile before asking "What was the big deal. I heard like five voices out there."

"Ezra's RA is being stupid about a noise violation and not allowing pets." Hera shakes her head.

"But we were never loud!" Jacen defends me. "Mira was a little loud sometimes and Ghost barked. But it wasn't that loud!"

"I know." I smile at Jacen, only for him to frown.

I don't think he likes that I got in trouble.

Not really though.

"It's okay. We were looking for a reason to get you out of here anyway dear." Hera turns to me. "We'll find a place with a patio and a washer/dryer connection."

Sabine's eyes dart towards me before Kanan adds "Are you really going to come by in the morning?"

"Yes love." Hera tells Kanan flatly. "You heard her. She inflated those charges. One more and they could kick him out."

"Kick him out?! For what?" Sabine quickly asks.

"Some ridiculous violation system." Hera shakes her head.

"I swear I wasn't warned before this." I tell them.

Kanan seems understanding before saying "I imagined that they just wanted to keep your deposit."

"Yeah…" I groan.

That's seventy hundred and fifty bucks down the drain right there…

Mira makes an insistent noise, and her Mom reaches down and scoops her up. "Hi! Have you been good?"

"You weren't counting on that were you?" Kanan asks me.

"Nah." I shake my head. "Woulda been nice though."

"—did you meet Sabine?" Hera turns Mira to look at Sabine. "Did you say hi?"

"Not really." I laugh. "She decided to be shy."

"You're never shy!" Kanan adds, causing Mira to turn and babble at the sight of her father.

Hera hands over Mira before turning to me. "I imagine they're not ready to go yet."

"No." I quickly shake my head before Sabine laughs behind Hera.

Not funny.

"That's okay." Hera replies before turning back to Sabine.

Quickly, I slide past them and begin gathering up all of Mira's toys before Kanan tells Jacen to start cleaning up.

When I've gathered up all of Mira's toys and set them back into the crate I store them in, Kanan's disappeared and Hera's in mid conversation with Sabine.

"—it's supposed to be the Golden Falls over in Iceland." Sabine says, then extends her phone to Hera.

Hera peers at the phone, then to Sabine's work in progress. "I can kind of see it. It looks great. How long did you prepare it before you got to this point?"

"A few hours."

Yeah right…

Jacen walks over to me and extends his box of crayons to me. "Here ya go Ezra. I'm sorry we got you into trouble."

"You didn't get me into trouble." I smile at him, then take the crayons and pull him into a hug. "I had fun. Did you have fun?"

"Yeah!" Jacen says while hugging me back.

I give him a final squeeze before letting go and smiling. "Good."

I'll get into trouble any day if they had a good time here.

"—we'll work out a time, Kanan and I know Finals week is coming up, and I imagine your schedule is quite busy." Hera says to Sabine.

Sabine smiles and nods. "Yeah, that sounds like a plan. Sounds great."

"Great." Hera says, then turns back to Jacen and I. "Are we ready?"

"We're ready." Kanan proclaims, appearing with Mira on one shoulder and the diaper bag in the other.

Jacen and I start towards the door before I reach Kanan, causing Mira to reach out for me. "Hey…c'mere."

I accept Mira from Kanan, give her a kiss on the cheek and a big hug as Mira holds on tight before giving me a big smile. "I'll see you soon. Love you. Okay?"

Mira giggles, and I stick my tongue out at her before giving her back to Kanan. "it was nice meeting you Sabine."

"Nice meeting you guys too." She smiles. "Bye!"

"Bye!" Hera and Jacen wave before the four of them slide through my door and out of sight, closing it behind them.

Quickly, the silence of my apartment becomes all too apparent before I turn back to Sabine and see that she's smiling at me. "It got quiet."

Yeah…

I probe out with the Force to the apartment below me, who likely snitched on me before I frown. "yeah it did."

"Those are good kids. They love you."

"Yeah." I laugh. "They're good kids."

(A/N: A few housekeeping notes: A.) I cannot seem to keep a chapter under 4,000 words right now.

B.) Apologies for not posting Friday. I don't know who lives in the States and who doesn't (I'm not looking at any of the stats of the story right now) but after the week and a half we've had here, I just didn't want to write for much of this past week. Sorry. Everybody, please love each other. Love, listen, learn.

C.) In regards to some of the reviews I've seen…this is very much a Sabezra story. It always has been and always will be. It's going to take a while (we're not even close to being done, or halfway for that matter) and for those of you who read Flaming Rebellion, you surely know I like to break down my Ezra and Sabine before putting them together. In the words of a wise Jedi Master: "Patience, my young Padawan. In time, in time."

Thank you as always for reading. See you Friday.)