Sabine deliberated for a few moments, torn. She had said she was going back to help her clan, but being with Ezra again made that decision that much tougher. She'd missed him more than she could adequately express. She'd head back to her clan, but maybe not as soon as she'd first indicated. A few days couldn't make so big a difference, could it? It wasn't as if she was going to stay away forever from the fight. Not with so much at stake. But the look in Ezra's eyes had made her sigh and take stock of what was important right now. Especially after what Ursa had told her dear husband.
Yes, her mother had misjudged Ezra. Sabine had tried to convince Ursa of his worth, but as the saying held true: Actions spoke louder than words. He was a Jedi apprentice and a Lieutenant Commander, certainly significant and praiseworthy commissions.
Ezra had proven himself in her mother's eyes, and now Ursa saw that the young Jedi was the best possible man for her strong-willed daughter. This, coming from a woman who had wanted to have their marriage annulled. How short-sighted and rash that opinion had been.
Sabine could see how badly Ezra had missed her. He'd tried not letting his feelings seep through to the surface, but he wasn't that good of a pretender.
Neither was she, sitting in the Ghost's cockpit, watching the Rebels scrambling, trying to put themselves back together after such a major score for the Empire. Who would've thought? They'd managed to pull off a major coup. The only thing the Rebellion could do was to lick their wounds, in a manner of speaking, and regroup. Just as Sabine was going over how the shield she'd devised could be improved for future assaults, Hera came storming into the cockpit.
"Kanan Jarrus will be the death of me!"
Sabine gave her an open-face stare, not exactly knowing what to say, except, "Are you sure about that, Captain?"
Hera threw that look back in her face. "Positive!" She scoffed.
"Okay...what's he done now?" Sabine caught Hera's roll of her eyes and smiled. "That bad, huh?" She sucked in a deep breath.
"He thinks it wouldn't be a bad idea if we take some time away from the Reorganization and go back to Atollon." The way Hera had said that made it sound as if Kanan had every intention of committing suicide.
Sabine raked her fingers through her purple ombre hair and tried soothing, "Knowing Kanan, he must have a reason. So...what is it?"
"There's this creature there, the name Kanan says is Bendu. Anyway...this 'thing' helped us escape being captured and killed by Thrawn and the Death Troopers. Kanan says he senses something he can't explain... He fears...won't rest easy until he knows if this Bendu still lives." Hera hung her head, a wave of gratitude and admiration washed over her. "We owe that being our lives, even though it seemed as if he was trying to wipe us out too."
"Just Kanan plans on going to check this out?" Sabine asked, her eyes wide and knowing. She had a solid suspicion Kanan going solo was not the plan.
"I gather Ezra didn't tell you, then," Hera said.
"Nope. Hasn't said a word." Of course, since their reunion, they'd spent most of their time together getting reacquainted connubially speaking. Sabine grinned impishly. "He's used his mouth a lot though. On mine."
His kisses would hit like diving into a freezing cold pool, brilliant flashes of light melded with pain and longing. Leaving her gasping for more.
Hera was sure she didn't want to know, not even a pinch of their intimate moments. TMI, no matter what universe one was from.
"Please-spare me. What you two do in private is none of my business."
"Yeah. Got it. So...when are they making the reconnaissance?" Sabine asked.
Catching the tail end of that question, Kanan popped his head in and replied, "A-s-a-p. The ship-"
"Which ship?" Hera asked sharply, a thin furrow in her brow prominent.
"The Kom'rk-class," was Kanan's crisp response. "Ezra's firing it up. We're about to scurry."
"We should all go," Sabine insisted, picturing her husband's serious face spot-checking the Nightbrother's delicate console.
Looking worn-out and exhausted, Hera shook her head. "I pass. There are scads of details to work out with this Reconstruction. My input is mandatory. Besides, I'm not in any hurry to return to Atollon any time soon."
Sabine nodded. "Sure. That's understandable. Then it'll just be me." Her eyes shot to Kanan. "Any objection?"
Kanan threw his hands up in exasperation. "The more the merrier, Sabine. Ezra isn't the only one who's missed you. I know you're doing what you have to do for you and yours, but it's been too long that you've been along for the ride. So, welcome aboard!"
Bidding Hera, who'd smiled at their retreating backs for a long time after they'd departed the Ghost, goodbye, Kanan and Ezra boarded the Nightbrother.
"Look who's volunteered for this party?" Kanan called to Ezra.
Hearing them approach, he swung himself away from the console.
Seeing Sabine, he jumped up from the flight seat and waited for her to rush into his arms. "I thought you were heading back right away."
"I changed my mind. I've missed these old times," she said. "Ursa told me she understood, but reminded me to return as soon as possible. Our fight is far from over."
Ezra squeezed her tighter. "I've missed fighting alongside you, Sab. Since you came to help us. It's only fair I return to Krownest with you. I'm sure it would get me in even better with your mother." He felt her shiver even more in his arms. He nuzzled her soft, warm neck with the tip of his nose. "The way we took out that Interdictor is something I won't soon forget."
"Me neither. Yeah, coming back with me will put you on Ursa's best side." She laughed.
"But that's not the most important reason. You are," Ezra said, impassioned. "I'm never being without you again!"
"Okay, you two, one mission at a time. Let's get this one underway," Kanan prompted, his heart pounding, reliving the life and death experiences on Atollon.
Ezra retook his seat, with Kanan alongside him. Sabine sat in the flexi-form jump seat directly behind her husband. She sat back, relaxing, inhaling air being recycled by an advanced filtration system. Her heart leapt as, effortlessly, the Nightbrother rose higher and higher until it was just a speck in the azure midday sky. Sabine leaned forward, placing the palm of her hand firmly against Ezra's back.
"Is there anything you can't fly?"
Ezra chuckled. "We'll find that out, won't we."
Kanan sensed Hera watched as she focused on the ship's graceful ascent. He felt her relief, knowing that he wasn't making this visit to his so-called friend, more so just a sketchy acquaintance, at best, by himself.
Hera laughed, and sounding cocky, said, "When you see this 'buddy' of yours, Kanan, tell him Hera says, 'hi.' Oh, and thank him too for all those lightning bolts he threw that narrowly missed us."
"If he had really wanted to strike us down, he would've," Kanan assured.
"Tell him," Hera insisted.
"Yes, ma'am. But...knowing him, he already knows. Provided he's still alive."
"Oh, he's alive, Kanan," Ezra said confidently.
"What makes you so sure?" the Jedi challenged.
"It's the very good feeling I have that he wants to see you again...and soon."
"The sooner the better," Kanan settled, with his eyes scouring the atmosphere that thinned swiftly the higher they rose.