Author's Note: Remember my very first note about how important happy endings are? I hope you do because it is upon us! This is my favorite chapter for many reasons. I'll talk about why in an after note.

Chapter 11
Acceptable Outcomes

Ezra had difficulty sleeping that night. He was far too excited and ready for Sabine to be done with her project. Sabine's self-imposed exile had gone on long enough as far as Ezra was concerned.

When morning came, he went about his daily routine. Rumors had begun to circulate that something big was happening today. The Great Hall was off limits to everyone. The warriors tried to ply Ezra for information, assuming he had an in with the Countess' family. He told them all he knew; that Sabine was unveiling some new artwork. This seemed to cool their enthusiasm a bit, but they still hoped that there was more to it than that; drama and excitement seemed to follow Sabine and Ezra.

After the midday meal, the announcement came. Everyone was to meet in the Great Hall. Ezra walked slowly, suddenly rather nervous. Steeling his courage, he entered the Great Hall to see it already filled with dozens of people. In place of the throne, there was an enormous easel covered with a sheet. Sabine stood by it smiling radiantly. "Oh wow," Ezra thought, dumbstruck when he realized she wasn't wearing her armor, but a formal gown, coral at her feet and slowly changing to a brilliant purple by the time it reached her neck. Her hair had even been dyed to match. He knew he'd never seen a sight so perfect in his entire life.

Suddenly he felt very silly and underdressed in his orange shirt and brown leather jacket. He shuffled his feet, trying to hide at the edges of the room and hoping his courage wasn't about to fail him. The Countess spotted him. "There you are, Ezra, come! We're waiting for you! Come!"

Ezra reluctantly walked to the front and of the hall, every step taking him nearer to Sabine. When he cleared the front of the crowd, she crossed rapidly to him and wrapped him in a soft embrace. After he said nothing she laughed, a sweet melodic sound in his ears. "Well, are you going to say anything, Ezra?"

"I'm not sure anything I say will come out right. You're the most perfect thing I've ever seen." She beamed at him. Then he laughed. "You might have warned me. I could have dressed a little nicer. I look like a rascal in this old jacket."

Sabine grabbed the collar and straightened it. "No, you look more like a Loth-rat. But you're my Loth-rat. Stay right here. Mother's about to speak." Sabine returned to her spot beside the concealed painting.

The Countess spoke. Ezra remembered that happening, though he didn't ever really remember much of what she said. Some formalities surely. Ezra was too busy concentrating on Sabine. And not locking his knees; he'd learned that lesson the hard way. He did catch the painting's name though when the Countess announced it: Acceptable Outcomes. That was enough to rouse him from his distraction just in time for the Countess to say in a commanding voice "Show us your masterpiece, Sabine!"

Sabine pulled back the sheet covering the painting. It billowed gracefully and slowly to the floor revealing the nearly three-meter tall painting. Ezra gasped. It was of him and Sabine; he could see that immediately. They stood together, hands joined and fingers interlocked. Ezra's other hand was high above his head; his lightsaber ignited, emerald green. Most surprising to Ezra was that he wore full Mandalorian armor, like Sabine. Their helmets sat at their feet. His armor was styled in the Clan Wren style, but rather than painted in their customary grey and yellowbitter was adorned with brilliant sapphire and orange. Sabine's Starbird motif featured heavily across the chest plates; it's hopeful wings stretched upward. Ezra's painted face had a confident, but mirthful look on it, his sapphire blue eyes shining.

Ezra looked at the painted version of Sabine, realizing that her armor was in the same color scheme with the same Starbird motifs, except her armor also incorporated her beloved purples. Her hair even seemed to be the same orange and blue it was when he had first met her, so long ago. With one hand she grasped his, and with the other, she held one of her beloved blasters at the ready. She stood a little him, her eyes looking up at him, her face an expression of trust and joy.

Through some trick, it appeared as if the happy couple was nearly leaping off the canvas. Ezra guessed it had something to do with the background, a chaotic swirl of Sabine's favorite colors, that somehow didn't draw attention to itself, but rather to the painted Sabine and Ezra.

Ezra had never seen such a painting, had never seen such a joyful explosion of color. No one else in the hall had either, and there were a few gasps of astonishment. Ezra stood in awe, wishing this moment of seeing it for the first time would never end. But he was glad the way it did end.

Sabine was in front of him, took his hands in hers, and said simply, loudly enough that all could hear. "I love you, Ezra."

Ezra swept her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. Clan Wren erupted into cheers.

After what seemed like a long time, Sabine pulled back slightly and whispered quietly in Ezra's ear.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde."

Ezra's eyes went wide in recognition. He knew those words of Mando'a. He knew them in Basic. We are one when together, we are one when parted, we will share all, we will raise warriors. He had memorized the vow the first night at Krownest with Alrich. "Just in case." he had said. He was glad he had.

"Mhi solus tome, mhi solus dar'tome, mhi me'dinui an, mhi ba'juri verde." He said back to her. He didn't whisper. He wanted everyone to hear, everyone to know.

Sabine practically squealed with joy and kissed him again as the cheers degenerated into a thundering cacophony of celebration.

Ursa was the first to reach them. Her mouth was opened wide with happiness and tears streaming down her face. Alrich was close behind and crushed them all in a hug.

In truth, the next hour was something of a happy blur for Ezra. So many people wishing them well. Hugs from friends and strangers. Fenn Rau congratulating Ezra with a knowing look and a joke about young people and their drama. Tristan playfully punching him. More than a few happy kisses with Sabine.

At some point though, it was over, and only Sabine and her immediate family were left in the Great Hall. Alrich was admiring the painting again. "You know Sabine, we won't be able to display this one in public. You painted Ezra with a lightsaber."

"We will proudly display it once the Empire falls," she said simply and defiantly.

Ursa remembered something. "Oh right, Sabine, this may be an odd time, but may I... may I borrow Ezra. I'd like to get him to the armor workshop for measurements. The armorers can get started today, but he'll have to help, starting tomorrow, as is tradition."

Sabine nodded. "Take him. I need to call Hera."

Ezra finally roused from his happy stupor and looked disappointed. "You're not going to tell her without me, are you? I kinda want to be there."

"Nope," Sabine said smiling mischievously. "I've got a much better idea. Mother, how long will it take the armorer to get Ezra set up?"

"Three, four days tops." Ursa had a guilty look on her face. "I already had them looking for pieces to reforge for Ezra. They have nearly everything they need ready to go."

"I'm not complaining," Sabine said. "I'll need another day or two to paint it to match. In the meantime, I can go ahead and get started on my own. Mother, how do you feel about having guests here in, say, a week's time?" She had that mischievous grin again.

Hera put down the datapad she had been reading. She had spent all morning going through the reports of their Lothal mission. The amount of paperwork involved in losing two Jedi was simply unfair. She sighed but then smiled. Today was a good day. Last night was the best night of sleep she'd had since Kanan had died.

Hera had a lightness of heart that she couldn't explain. She would never stop missing Kanan. Today though, she knew for the first time that she would be okay, that each day would be better and that one day the bitterness and ache would be gone. One day she would think of Kanan and remember only the good. She would remember him for the man he was and the life that he lived, and be glad for it.

This wasn't that day, was it coming anytime soon. But today, today was the first day better than the last, and that was a good thing. Hera looked around her cramped office. Cold stone walls inside the temple at Yavin IV. She was done with work. Standing up, she opened her door and left. She walked briskly down the corridors, ready to be out in the sun, to feel it on her skin.

Senator Mon Mothma. In her path, blocking her escape to freedom. "General Syndulla, I'm glad I caught you, do you think you could..."

"No, I couldn't. I'm through, for now, senator. Today is a good day, and I'm not wasting it."

"Oh? I.. I see."

Hera wasn't sure she did, but then again she didn't really care either way. Not today. She stepped outside of the temple and broke into a run toward the Ghost, enjoying the warmth of the sun on her leku. Ten minutes later she lay on her back on top of the ghost. Just peaceful. Quiet. Other than an X-Wing occasionally firing its engines. It wasn't quite the sweet melody of the Ghost's engines, but it didn't bother her. She fell asleep happily smiling.

Sometime later that afternoon. A familiar sound woke her up. "Whomp Whompa, Whump." Chopper said, leaning over here.

"Chop, General Syndulla isn't taking calls today."

"Wuh Whomp, Whomp."

"Woah, Chop! You know I didn't mean Sabine. Put her through!"

Chopper rolled back and projected a life-size hologram of Sabine.

"Oh wow, Sabine! You look amazing! What's the occasion?!" Hera said, taking in Sabine's formal dress.

"Oh this, right, almost forgot I was wearing it. I uh... had a family thing."

"Fancy. I forget that you're almost nobility. Guess that means you managed to smooth things over with your mother?"

"Yeah, that actually went a lot better than I thought. Ezra and I are still on Krownest."

"Oh that's good," Hera said, surprised by that turn of events. "I was a little worried when I didn't hear from you guys again. Hard for me to stop playing mother sometimes."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Hera."

"Good, because I'm not going to stop worrying about you two kids anytime soon." Hera eyed Sabine's dress again. "Speaking of which, I bet Ezra's eyes bugged out of his head when he saw you in that thing. You look amazing!"

Sabine laughed "You have no idea." There was something about that laugh, Hera thought. Something joyful. Something... new.

Sabine must be having a good day too, Hera mused to herself.

"I was wondering if you could maybe bring the Nightbrother to Krownest in a week. We're ready for the swap if you are."

Hera shrugged. She didn't know what her schedule looked like, but she'd make it work out. "Sure, seven days it is."

"Oh and Hera. Make sure and bring the others. And see if you can stay at least one night. There's going to be a bit of a celebration, and, well, Ezra and I thought it would nice to get to spend some time with all of you."

"Yeah, okay I can do that." Hera narrowed her eyes a little. Her mother-bird sense was warning her of a scheme, but she couldn't quite pin down what it could be. "Ezra is supposed to be dead. Was there someone else you wanted to let in on the secret?"

"Ezra mentioned Rex."

"Okay, I'll see what I can do. Sabine?"

"What's, up Hera?"

"You're up to something. I can feel it. What do you two have up your sleeves?"

Sabine laughed that same joyful laugh. "Nothing at all. Bring the others. Seven days. See you then."

Hera narrowed her eyes. "Alright. Take care and see you then."

The hologram faded. "Whuuump Whomp Whump.

"You're telling me, Chop. I'm not sure what's up with Sabine, but it sure seemed like she was happy."

"Whompa Whump, Whuuh Whumpa."

"Mmmm. I don't think so, Chop. They've barely been gone a week."

"Whomp Whomp?"

"Someday. I hope. Zeb's got me thinking about what beautiful kits those two would have."

I hope you liked this chapter as much as I do! I may have gone overboard and gone full fairy tale structure. Ezra's patience, the repeated formula of the "I love you and kiss" before bed, and the grand reveal of the painting and subsequent marriage vows steal a lot from classical fairy tales. And I have no shame, though this is but an imitation of much better authors and stories. I do wish I was an artist and could create Sabine's piece. I'd love to see it, but alas my skills would not be up to the task!

I'm also really pleased with the Hera side. While the story hasn't focused on Hera, I was happy to get to show some of her grievings. A good deal of the Rebels fan community has already dealt with the more poignant and angsty sides of her grief. I've already talked about I think the happy ending is important. It's important that the darker emotions be dealt with. But I feel it's more important to show the dawn on the other side, and I wanted to show Hera beginning to see that glimpse of daylight. This thread isn't over by the way. I'll have some more celebrations of Kanan and Hera to come.

Just a few more chapters! I'm so thrilled reading reviews. Some of you guys predictions have been right on the money too. Thanks again!

(Also, those new rebels episodes...)