Author's Note: Chapter 4 is up. Hope you enjoy.

The back of Season 4 has also started. So far my story hasn't diverged in any major ways. We'll see how long that holds...

Chapter 4

The Path Forward

They walked back to the Phantom in silence. Ezra could feel Sabine brooding, and not just through the Force. She wore her unsettled mood on her face with no attempt to hide it.

From experience, Ezra knew that when she was done and wanted his input, she would let him know. Until then he would have to wait. Kanan would have had some Jedi saying about patience probably. Ezra sighed inwardly. If he was supposed to preserve Jedi knowledge, he might have to start recording as much as he could remember of Kanan's teachings. Even the pithy sayings.

After a moment he managed to remember one. "Patience is not a gift; it must be relearned daily." Or something close to that. Ezra repeated it to himself mentally several times, making sure that it was firmly committed to memory.

If nothing else, Ezra was a master of patience. His affection for Sabine had been the finest teacher. He'd been waiting for her feelings about him to change since pretty much the moment they had met. And while he had long ago left behind the arrogant assumption that one day it would happen, he had contented himself to be her friend and simply wait. And wait. And wait.

While Kanan and Zeb had given him a tough time about it, Hera had thought his unending devotion to Sabine was sweet. In time, Hera had begun to encourage it subtly. "I don't get it, Hera. Why should I bother? She'll always see me as the kid on the crew."

"Hmm," Hera had said. "I don't think so. She may not return your affections, but I do think she cherishes them."

"What? That doesn't even make sense!" Ezra had exclaimed.

"Oh, I think it does. Let's just call this feminine intuition, but I think your persistence will be rewarded someday."

Ezra remembered staring at Hera as if she had two heads. "Yeah... I'm not sure I believe that."

"Well, we'll just have to see won't we."

That had been nearly a year ago. And even though at the time, Ezra didn't dare have too much optimism in Hera's prediction, he had a growing suspicion that she was right. After all, look at where he and Sabine were right now. On their own. And Sabine here of her own free will too. It was crazy how the universe worked sometimes.

He smiled inwardly. For the first time in a long time, Ezra had begun to hope that someday Sabine would return his affections. Maybe. As long as Countess Ursa Wren didn't interfere, which unfortunately seemed all but guaranteed.

They pulled out some of the survival gear from the Phantom II. Hera had always kept two climate-controlled tents in the shuttle in case of an emergency. They were big enough to sleep three each. Two if one of those was Zeb.

Zeb had grumbled the one time they had to use them. "Why two tents and not one big one. These things are a pain to deploy."

Hera had raised an eyebrow "One for the boys. One for the girls."

"Oh come on Hera, if we're in danger of freezing to death do you think that's going to matter?" Zeb hadn't been thrilled about bunking with Kanan and Ezra. Calling it a tight fit with the three was an understatement.

Hera had crossed her arms. "I say it matters. So it matters."

"We should have Sabine paint one pink and the other blue then." Zeb had gotten in hot water for that one, and the males had discovered that their tent had been painted pink during the night.

Ezra laughed at the memory as he worked to deploy the tents, thankful indeed that Hera had insisted on two. Having no better idea, they had decided to camp out in the landing field. Ezra naturally chose the pink tent. It was the tent for the boys after all. Sabine had deployed a small sensor dish that would wake them if anything moved within a hundred meters.

They sat now outside their tents gazing up at the stars. Sabine had already removed her armor for the evening, putting on one of the sets of civilian clothes. Ezra was always a little uncomfortable when she took her armor off because it happened so rarely even aboard the Ghost. Sabine had always donned her gear in the morning before leaving her room. Those few times she went without were usually reserved for when she had been injured or in disguise.

Don't stare, he reminded himself. Even if she did look weird unarmored.

Moving his attention back to the stars Ezra sighed. "It's always strange looking up and not seeing the stars of Lothal. I used to watch them from my tower nearly every night. I knew every constellation in Lothal's sky." He waved his hand at the sky. "These stars are beautiful, but they aren't mine if you know what I mean."

"I do," Sabine answered, checking her sensor one last time. "The sky at Krownest will always be my favorite. Though I was more partial to the sunsets."

"More color?" Ezra decided to guess.

"More color," Sabine confirmed.

They were quiet for a few. Sabine finally broke the silence. "So I'm afraid most of our discussions this evening are kind of nullified."

"I was afraid of that," Ezra said. "So what happens now? How does this work itself out?

Sabine looked down from the sky and straight at Ezra. "I don't know yet, but there are several layers of problems here."

"Okay. Let's work through them."

Sabine nodded. "After Mon Mothma's meddling, I'm going to owe some sort of explanation to my mother. But if I go back to Krownest, there's no way she'll let me leave to wander the galaxy with you anytime soon. Or ever. The civil war on Mandalore may have cooled for the last few months since Tiber Saxon's death, but it could flare up at any time if the Empire pumps more troops and equipment into its puppet clans. If I'm not with the Rebellion, my family will want me close by so I can assist in their fights."

"And you don't want to do that?"

Sabine shook her head. "No, not right now. We've got to figure out where in this big galaxy we're going to hide you away from the Empire. Mandalorian wars and politics aren't very important to me at the moment."

Ezra thought about this. "Well, what if I'm supposed to help you find your place in the galaxy instead. I could join you on Krownest or Mandalore. I've done that before."

"Right, but that was for a short season. There's no way my mother will let you stay at Krownest long term. Also, you're supposed to be dead."

Ezra sighed. That was a problem. "I guess we can't trust your family with this kind of secret?"

"I think we could," Sabine said slowly. "No, we definitely could. I could bind them with a Mandalorian oath that they would keep till death. But there is also the fact that Mon Mothma... How should I say it? Misunderstood the scope of our relationship."

Ezra laughed and felt his cheeks turning red. He used to hate how easily he blushed. He'd long ago learned it wasn't stopping anytime soon. Certain thoughts and feelings he just couldn't hide. "So what's so bad about your mom thinking we're, you know... a couple? It's just a misunderstanding, and we'll be able to correct it easily enough."

Sabine rubbed her hands together. "Ready to learn some Mandalorian culture?"

Ezra straightened, interested. "Teach away."

"Relationships are very personal on Mandalore. And very serious. When Mandalorians decide to marry all they have to do is recite the traditional vows in Mando'a to each other, and they are married for life. This practice may seem casual to outsiders, but you have to understand it's anything but that to us. A Mandalorian marriage is a lifetime commitment. In some cultures divorce is common. On Mandalore, it is only acceptable in the direst of circumstances."

"Sounds noble to me."

Sabine smiled. "It is. All this is to say that Mandalorians treat relationships as something very serious. Something not to be trifled with."

Ezra felt like he should be taking notes. "If what you're saying is true then what would your mother care if we were... romantically involved."

Sabine grimaced. "She wouldn't. Except she's the Countess of Clan Wren. Tristan is the heir, thank the Force, but if something happens to him, I'll be the next Countess."

Ezra's mouth dropped open. Somehow this possibility had never crossed his mind. "And if that happened," Ezra said connecting the dots, "the entire clan would have a vested interest in your romantic life."

"Yeah..." Sabine said slowly.

"And Mandalorians don't much like Jedi."

"Not much, no," she agreed uncomfortably.

They were quiet for a few moments. Ezra looked out at the lights of the nearby city absentmindedly. "So what you're saying is if I just walk right in and say hi, your family will probably try and kill me. For real this time."

"Maybe. Probably not. They'd let us speak and try to explain. It's going to be awkward no matter what happens."

"Great. So let's back up. Is there any way for us to not go to Krownest?" Ezra asked.

"The way I see it, broadly speaking we have about three options," Sabine said. "First is I send mother a message explaining everything and refuse to come home. We continue on and do our thing. We avoid the family drama and potential hazards to your life and limb and move on."

"Not an option," Ezra said with conviction.

"Why not?"

"Because you spent years separated from your family. You've finally patched that back up. I'm not going to have you open that rift again over me. You need your family. Not happening."

Sabine sighed, disappointed. "I was afraid you were going to say that. Honestly, I have half a mind just to refuse to go home."

"Sabine," Ezra said sternly, "We're not going to burn that bridge down."

"I know," Sabine said quietly. "Sometimes I'd just rather take the easy way out. But you're right. I know you're right," she said again with conviction.

Ezra continued "Okay moving on then. Option two is: you return to Krownest work things out with your mom while I stay away to keep things peaceful."

Sabine shook her head. "And this is the one that I have to shoot down. There's no way mother lets me leave again right away. She'll pile responsibilities on me and forbid me from leaving. The only way I get away is by sneaking off, which gets us back into territory you wanted to avoid. And if I'm forced to stay that leaves you waiting off planet alone for me to come back to you, which who knows how long that would be. Not happening. We've been over this. I'm not leaving you alone."

Ezra stood up annoyed and began to pace. He wanted to argue on this one but before opening his mouth thought better of it. She'd made up her mind already, and he'd decided not to make her question a firm decision.

Sabine watched him quietly. "Which brings us to the third option. We both go to Krownest and endure the wrath of Ursa Wren."

Ezra breathed in deeply and slowly let it out, drawing on the Force to ease his tension. Finally, he turned and smiled. "Option three it is. How do we make this work? Obviously, I don't just waltz right into your families stronghold and say hi."

"You mean like the first time?" Sabine said, raising an eyebrow and smiling coyly.

"Right. Not doing that this time. It could be as simple as me waiting on the Phantom till you've explained the whole 'not a couple' thing."

"Ezra, they'll have scanned and know that there are two of us. At the least, I could probably keep you under the watch of clansmen at the Phantom until I give the okay."

"So held prisoner by your evil cousins until Ursa relents," Ezra said with a wink.

"Yes I remember the evil cousins quip," she smirked. "There had better be none of that at Krownest."

He grinned "I know, I know. Just bringing up an old memory." He continued, "So you explain to the Countess that I'm alive and we're 'not a couple' then reintroduce me to the family and swear everyone to silence. This is getting... convoluted."

"Yeah, the senator put us in a bind. Remind me to thank her if we ever see her again. And it gets worse. Mother will make me stay at Krownest. She won't allow you to stay long term."

"Right, you mentioned that before. My help freeing your father wasn't enough?"

"Ezra, Mandalore is in a state of civil war. A non-clan member is not really going to be welcome at any clan stronghold right now. Mother was barely tolerating Fenn Rau's presence, and he's as Mandalorian as they come."

"But he's not a Wren, and I'm even less of one," Ezra said glumly and went back to pacing.

Sabine stood and stopped his pacing by grabbing his shoulders. "It's not personal, Ezra, I promise. And it's not even that you're a Jedi. Most of the clan would happily trust you; many of them fought by your side on Mandalore. It's just a propriety thing. Traditions run deep. I'm sorry Ezra, I really am." She sighed. "We'll figure out I. I just need some time to think this through."

"Time we don't have if we leave for Krownest tomorrow," Ezra said shaking her hands off so he could go back to pacing. Sabine turned and walked a few meters in the other direction, probably to clear her thoughts. "I should do the same," Ezra mumbled to himself. On instinct, he drew his lightsaber hilt to practice forms. Knowing it might be seen, he refrained from igniting the blade.

After ten minutes he stopped abruptly. Sabine had returned and had been watching him. "Sorry," he said. I was focused and didn't hear you."

"It's fine," she said with a soft smile. "I always enjoyed watching you a Kanan practice with your lightsabers. I've always been a little jealous because it's a combat form I will never truly be able to master."

"You did pretty well with the Darksaber."

"Yeah, but you, Kanan, or an inquisitor would take me apart in seconds in a real fight. And Gar Saxon had no idea how to wield a saber. He used it more like a club, swinging it around with no finesse."

"And you took him down handily for that mistake."

Sabine smiled at the memory. "It was a good day in the end. I didn't know how much I missed my family until I returned to them."

"Ha, I thought it was a pretty sorry day when you decided to stay behind. My favorite crew mate was missing for a few months. The Ghost wasn't the same until you returned."

"I hated staying, and I hated going. Having two families was hard. I felt like both needed me."

Ezra smiled a tight smile. "Well, only one needs you right now. So back home you go." He paused as an idea came to him, then came and sat down beside Sabine. "They won't allow a non-Wren to stay at Krownest right now, correct?"

Sabine looked at him sideways. "Right. Ezra Bridger, what are you thinking?"

"Is there any way for me to join the clan? If only Wrens are welcome can I, well... become a Wren?"

Sabine leaned back gave Ezra a good long look. "I mean it's possible. People do certainly join Mandalorian clans. It's not exactly rare."

"Well is that our answer? How do I join clan Wren."

"Someone adopts you."

Ezra was taken back a little. "Oh"

Sabine laughed. "Oh, is right. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I don't know any Mandalorian that would adopt a Jedi. They would expect you to adopt Mandalorian ways and let's just face it: certain things about you are too Jedi-like to ever let you become a full Mandalorian." Suddenly she laughed again.

"What is it?" Ezra asked.

"I had a thought. You probably don't want to know."

"You made me tell you my circus acrobat idea."

"No really," Sabine said. "You're going to regret it."

"And now the curiosity will literally drive me mad if you don't tell me," Ezra pouted.

"Fine. If you don't like it, it's your fault. I was thinking that I could probably talk my dad into adopting you. He seemed to like you, and I always could get my way with him."

"Oh, what's so bad about..."

"Ezra that would make me your sister, which I'm pretty sure is the last thing in the Galaxy that you want to happen." Sabine covered her mouth trying not to laugh and failing.

Ezra shut his mouth, glad it was dark and that Sabine couldn't see the shade of red his face turned. "Moving on..."

"I warned you."

"You did." Ezra swallowed. "You did. So there's no other way to join a Mandalorian clan then? Because unless we come up with something, we may be going our separate ways."

Sabine looked at Ezra. Blinked once. Twice. And then froze. Ezra felt Sabine's inner turmoil hit him like a wave through the Force. Whatever was going on was bothering her. A lot. He hesitantly reached a hand out to her and placed it on her arm. "Are you.. are you okay, Sabine?"

"Yes. Maybe. I don't know." She cradled her forehead in her hands. "What if I told you I had a completely crazy idea. So stupid it might work."

"Then I would want to hear it," Ezra said suspiciously.

"Nope, I need to think about this one first."

"Oh... okay."

Sabine stared straight at Ezra. "I'm serious. I need to think about this. And don't go prying with your Jedi tricks to figure it out either."

Ezra frowned unhappily at the implied accusation. "Sabine you know I'd never do something like that." He wasn't even sure he knew how to invade someone's mind against their will. Thankfully that was not something he had asked the Sith Holocron. He suspected it would have held answers he was better off not knowing.

"I know. I know, Ezra. I'm sorry," Sabine said. "This isn't an idea I can discuss with you. I need to figure it out on my own. Give me until the morning to think about it. If I think this idea is workable, then I'll let you know in the morning." Ezra cocked his head. "Please trust me," Sabine said

Ezra nodded. "Okay then. I guess that means it's time for bed." Suddenly Ezra realized how tired he was. They had been up for most of two days with only a couple short rests. Whatever crazy idea Sabine had cooked up he was certainly not going to hear it right now. "And don't forget to get some sleep," he said standing.

"I will," Sabine said standing as well and drawing Ezra into a hug. "We'll figure this out. Good night, Ezra."

"Good night, Sabine."

Ezra was awakened sometime later by Sabine shaking him awake. "Mfff," he said. "Go away. What time is it and why are you in my tent?" He opened his eyes reluctantly. Still dark out. "Have you been to sleep yet?"

Sabine was on her knees beside his sleeping bag. Looking nervous. Maybe guilty Ezra couldn't decide which. "Alright what is it," he groaned.

"I've decided that my idea might work."

"Great. You can tell me about it in the morning."

"Actually, I can't."

Ezra frowned and sat up, still barely awake. "What?"

"I think I can get my mother to let you stay at Krownest. But you can't know how or what I'm going to do. The plan entirely depends on you being ignorant of it."

"Sabine I think you might be losing it."

"Maybe, I told you it was a crazy plan. Ezra, do you trust me?"

"What?"

"Do you completely and totally trust me?" Sabine said, a pleading in her eyes.

Ezra paused, a little more awake now. Okay, she was very serious right now. "I have complete and total faith in you, Sabine."

She smiled, softly at first and then triumphantly. "Thank you. This will work. Everything is going to be okay."

Ezra gave Sabine a good long look, then yawned already beginning to fall back to sleep. "I believe it; now go to bed. Have you slept any yet?"

She laughed but looked exhausted. "Nope and I need to get around to that." She stood up. Then bent back over to hug Ezra from the back. "See you in the morning."

"You too," Ezra said, nearly asleep already as he even heard her leave his tent. Wait, he thought before sleep took him completely, did Sabine just kiss the top of my head? No that was surely his sleep addled imagination. And he then was happily dreaming.