Sounds of celebration had since died down in the streets of Lothal. Sabine peered up into the ebony night sky speckled with twinkling stars. She felt dark, cold, alone. But, prepared. Filled with anticipation and purpose, she immersed herself in Ezra's essence, which clung to her. Kanan's too, to a subtler degree. No celebration would have been possible without the two gallant Jedi having sacrificed themselves. Strong, smart and selfless, those two. Kanan was one with the Force.

Ezra?

Sabine was positive about what she felt. Her husband still lived. While sighing, she knew she was bound, destined to find him, against all odds. He'd told her he could count on her. Of course he could. There were no more reasons for tears, which went against her Mandalorian conditioning as well as a good dose of Jedi influence along the way. She adjusted her posture, firmed up her slumping shoulders, scorning the need for indulging in any more pity parties. She thought, frowning.

"I'm going to do this." Saying so aloud had become a mantra. Sugarcoating the situation wasn't what she was doing. Getting Ezra back was going to be tough. Like a weak-minded person trying to offset a Jedi mind trick tough. Sabine glared at herself in the mirror of her reflective introspection. She arched an eyebrow and gently nodded, running a hand through her severely-cropped hair. Nothing masculine about her appearance though. Her sweet, feminine curves hugged the form-fitting suit she wore like a cast-beskar mold, high atop the radio tower.

"So…how're you holding up?"

That voice!

Wheeling around, knowing that lilting, buttery tone dipped in honey anywhere, Sabine gasped. "Lando-" Bewildered, not as much startled as intrigued. Flirtatious Calrissian. She stared at him, mesmerized.

His appreciative gaze stroked her gorgeous face and form that were equal parts crazy sexy and sweet young thing. She being the kind of woman every guy would love to love every chance he got. Down boy…Lando chided himself. But, couldn't resist thinking that Sabine had that…incredible, indefinable something that fueled testosterone like gasoline on a bonfire.

"What are you doing here?" Sabine asked, not dulling the edge of her voice.

"Heard about your hard-won victory." He raised a fist in triumphant salute. "Go Rebels!" His laughter, mellow and jovial, flowed from his mouth. "I came to congratulate all of you personally." You in particular, wriggled in his mind. Having the sound of an afterthought, he chipped in, "Where's your sidekick…uh, Ezra?"

He'd already heard of her loss, but felt he had to hear her utter it.

Stiffening, Sabine spat, "My husband…" Voice trailing, she looked away from her suave, admiring inquisitor, who knew how to play to any audience. "Expects me to track him down." Following another brief pause, she finished, "And I will."

"Just how will you do that?"

Before Sabine could stop herself, her words tumbled out, "I don't know…" Raggedly, she muttered, "I only know I've got to find him." Those tears she'd vowed to fight off threatened to spill from her glistening eyes. She raised her gaze up to the sky. As if the action would force them to recede into her head with an assist from gravity. More tears, her eyes swelling with them, blurred her sight and she closed her eyes in defeat.

"Sabine," Lando soothed, tucking her into his arms that were all too anxious to have her fill them.

They weren't unwelcome, surrounding, sheltering her. Shakily, after she swallowed down the huge lump that had risen, clogging her throat, she sorrowfully elaborated, her voice cracking, "He trusted me. He'd made this plan. I distracted everybody so he could slip out, make his escape. Carry out what he'd had in mind. If he hadn't gone ahead with his idea, if I had stopped him, matters would've been worse. But, but, it was me. My fault he was on that ship with Thrawn in the first place. He had depended on me. He still does. Ezra's out there somewhere, relying on me to come through." She was trembling against Lando like leaves on a wind-thrashed tree. Her skittishness fanned what he felt for her in his heart of hearts. Deep concern, laced with affection she'd triggered ever since their first meeting.

"Why would you blame yourself? Kanan and Ezra, especially, were in the self-sacrificing business. Knowing what they would be willing to give up from the get-go." His hold of her tightened.

Her face echoed non-comprehension as a maelstrom of anger swirled within her. A gong went off in her brain as she wormed her way out of Lando's arms. Her tone was deceptively calm. "He's still in business. Still depending on me. Just like…" Unable to finish, Sabine clammed up; the maelstrom's intensity was overwhelming. She sank to the tower floor with her back leaned against the railing, powerless to prevent mentally replaying the events that had led up to Ezra's removal and final words. "I could've gotten to him. Could've resorted to using my jetpack. Why is he always so reckless? And…" She sniffed back more unbidden tears. "So, so brave?"

Lando was compelled and impelled. Not giving her rebuff a moment's thought, he camped down alongside her to sit. "Look, he made his choice. Find comfort knowing that he fought on his own terms. Most of us never get that in life." His arm came around her shoulders before Sabine could protest. Her eyes gravitated to the open doorway that led to Ezra's old secret hideaway to gaze upon his collection of knickknacks and sundry trinkets. She considered all that he'd left behind. The most important of which being her.

Lando, being as noble as he could be, which was considerable, just let her be. He didn't say anything, sensing that's how she wanted it. Sabine contemplated her husband's lightsaber, heavy in her hand. "His own terms," she repeated, her memories of Ezra colliding.

"Exactly," Lando concurred, as he angled her more protectively against himself. All too willing to show her how explicitly he cared. "Ezra was a fighter. The kid never quit. And—"

"He IS a fighter. He's a survivor!" She shook him off. Stood and glowered. "Always has been. Always will be!"

That parting of the ways had occurred several days ago. Sabine wasn't sorry how it had ended, bumpy and abruptly. What had passed between Lando and herself was galvanizing. More determined than ever before, Sabine knew she must set out after Ezra without further delay. She couldn't fail him even though she had no idea where to start the ardent search.

Would meditating help? She'd done nothing but sulk, brood, chaff and barely eaten since Lando's disturbing intrusion. While fixing herself something to force down, she decided she'd do what Ezra would often suggest. Calm herself; let her thoughts and feelings meld, fondle her soul. When she was at peace, and glad that she'd taken in some nourishment, a feeling, one gripping and true, overshadowed her thoughts. At the end of the tunnel, there was hope and light, burning as brightly as twin suns.

His was the face she saw, as clearly and as surely as if he were right in the sanctuary with her.

Years passed without Imperial interference for Lothal. If it had come, those who'd remained would've been ready, but, no. It never did. Sabine, loyally had remained.

"You can count on me," Sabine whispered, squeezing his lightsaber in both hands, her face aglow.

Faintly, but unmistakably she heard: 'I know. Tell me something I don't know…'

She rose, took only those things she knew she'd need, and strode out to join the person awaiting her.

Ahsoka Tano, clothed in a creamy white robe, bearing what looked to be an impressive staff of cryptic origin, acknowledged the Mandalorian with a firm set of her jaw.

"It's time to bring him home," Sabine stated, locking eyes with Anakin's former Padawan, now truly a master in her own right.

"Nice work," Ahsoka complimented, admiring Sabine's newest and most spectacular mural, on proud display for any and all to see.

"Thanks. My second family."

"Two it is…" Tano agreed with much understanding smoldering in her sage-looking eyes.

"My husband. Means everything to me."

"Yes. And to us. It is time. Bring him home we shall…" Ahsoka vowed with portent and conviction imbuing Sabine with optimism, reliance and the brand of courage Ezra inspired. Her cyar'ika. The love of her life. No matter where their quest promised to take them, he had them on his side, now and forever.

Just The Beginning?