Ezra had a war buddy who was an incurable drunk and his cure for hangovers was a dish of gravy and radish juice. Well, that only sent Ezra hurling into the great porcelain god again. He just decided to sleep it off. He slept the whole morning and well into the afternoon. He woke up around three o'clock, groggy and hungry. Thankfully, a plate of food had been left for him. He ate it, not really noticing the flavor.

"This would taste better if Sabine was eating with me," he muttered solemnly. He hated not being able to see her. It was driving him crazy. He completely understood why she wasn't seeing him; he couldn't remember the night before at all and Ezra knew he could get stupid when he drinks. He must have done or said something to really steam her. Though, that probably wasn't the only reason. She must have been really upset with him about his 'tantrum' from yesterday too. Things didn't look good for him. He'd actually made Sabine mad, something he hadn't seen in years. He had just exploded on her without warning, like an over charged cannon. He wondered if there was even any hope for him.

"She still wants to talk to me," he told himself, "so, maybe I've got a chance." But he needed to actually talk to her before he knew for sure and that meant finding her. Still a little queasy, Ezra left their rooms to find his wife so he could apologize and maybe even save his marriage.

He had no idea where to look. He knew Sabine and he knew she wasn't going to hide anywhere he could find her. That was okay; Ezra could take a challenge. However, before he could start his search, a Clan Wren valet found him.

"Ezra," said the man in a stuffy manner, "Her Excellency, Lady Ursa Wren, wishes to have a conference with you." Ezra suddenly remembered that his mother-in-law had overheard his and Sabine's argument. He gulped.

Oh, shit.

"Right now?" Ezra was surprised his voice didn't crack.

"Right now," the valet said sternly. Ezra willed himself to not to break out in a cold sweat as he was obliged to follow the man to his mother-in-law.

I'm a dead man. I'm a dead man. I might as well jump out the window and take my chances with the snowy wilderness. Ezra toyed with the notion at every window he passed.

In the span of an eternity and seconds, Ezra was before the doors of her office. Ezra was exceedingly proud of his nerves of steel, but nothing is scarier than an angry woman. Let alone a warrior woman.

The valet knocked.

"Yes," said a very familiar voice. The stuffy shirt opened the door. He stepped partially into the room.

"I've brought Ezra for you."

"Ah, yes, thank you. Send him in and that will be all." The valet seemed a little disappointed that he didn't get to stay. He stood to the side and held the door opened for Ezra. He bowed his head to the man and entered the room, expecting a blaster bolt to his chest. He heard the valet close the door and Ezra was sure his fate was sealed.

"Don't stand on ceremony, son, sit down." Ursa Wren gestured to a chair across from her desk. Ezra didn't look at it; he was looking at the long, cold sword that the former Countess was sharpening, slowly and deliberately.

Sheek

The metal on the whet stone rang his certain execution.

"Ezra? Won't you sit down?"

Sheek

"Uh, yes." Ezra clumsily collapsed in a chair. He forced himself to smile.

"How are you today, Ezra?"

"Uh, well…"

"Because I heard you're hung over." Sheek

'I honestly can't remember."

"Mm, hit the drinks a little hard, didn't we, son?" Sheek "Now, why in the galaxy would you go and do that?"

"Uh…"

"Oh, no need to answer. It's quite understandable to drain one's frustrations after a fight with one's spouse." Sheek "You and my precious, beloved, only daughter have been fighting." Sheek

Ezra said absolutely nothing. He actually didn't have a voice.

She's gonna kill me. I'm dead. I'm dead where I sit. Sabine, I wish I could apologize to you.

Sheek

"You said some rather hurtful things to her." Sheek "Raised your voice to her. Wished you hadn't married a countess, which means, you wished you'd never married her." Sheek

Ursa stood. She set the whet stone aside and tested the edge of her sword. Ezra tried to blend in to his chair.

Oh, fuck. This is it. I don't want to become one with the Force yet. I at least wanted to have another kid with Sabine. My love, please live happily without me. Ezra fought the urge to shut his eyes so he wouldn't see his end coming.

"Now, wishing to have never married anyone, that is an unforgivable sin." Ursa came from behind her desk and stood in front of Ezra. She weighted the sword in her hand. "It is most unfortunate, most unfortunate indeed."

I wish…

"But, not every couple is perfect," Ursa laughed off.

The fuck? Ezra watched with a mix of relief and disbelief as Ursa walked over to the mantle above the fire place and set the sword on a stand.

"Exquisite blade, isn't it? It's my ceremony sword, never had to use it once. I sharpen it when I'm bored."

I'm glad that's all you do with it when you're bored. Ezra rubbed his neck, glad to feel it under his fingers.

Ursa admired the blade for a few more seconds. She went back to her desk and sat down. "Even happily married couples fight, Ezra," she said, nodding. "Naturally, you feel bad about it, anyone would. I have to admit, I turned to a drink or two when Alrich and I had a disagreement. Oh, yes, fought plenty." Ursa smiled. "I remember this one time, it was actually at the beginning of our marriage. My husband, now, there was a handful. He was the son of a duke and we'd met at a formal affair. He came in place of his father. Anyway, I courted him and we became betrothed, but for some reason, he was not taught the proper protocol of palace life. I'm sure you can relate."

"Oh, yes. It took me forever to adjust."

"Yes, I noticed, (Ezra frowned). Anyway, we weren't even able to go on our honey moon right away. I was in the middle of figuring out a new trade route with five other clans and Alrich was feeling neglected. Perfectly understandable, but he wasn't telling me this. He actually kept his distance from me. I realize now, he was respecting my duties, but at the time, I thought he resented me. He was barely talking to me and still addressed me as 'Your Excellency' or 'My Lady'. I suppose I should have spoken with him, but I was new to marriage too. Then, one day, just as the ambassadors and I were finishing up the plans, Alrich bangs the doors open and shouts, 'Bedroom. Now!' Then he stormed out. I of course, had to go."

"Of course." Ezra tried to cover his face with his hand to hide his blushing cheeks. He could actually see his deceased father-in-law doing that. He could also see Sabine doing that. He'd like it if Sabine did that. Ursa sighed.

"Ah, such memories of youth. Now, Ezra, I'm sure you've been trying since the fight to make up with Sabine, and I'm probably keeping you from that."

"Oh, not really. Sabine's avoiding me today."

"Hm, silent treatment. I wondered if she learned that from her father."

Ezra chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if she did."

"What's that supposed to mean," Ursa asked sternly.

"Nothing!"

Ursa grinned. "Yeah, you're right, I wouldn't be surprised either. But the situation with you and Sabine, I'm not saying you're right and I'm not saying she's right, but the two of you need to have understanding about what's expected from each other."

"Yeah, I know that, and-"

"Shut up when I'm talking to you."

"Yes, maam."

"I know it's hard, considering you married a countess. Nothing in this compound is familiar to you at all and things are not simple, but you two won't be able to be together forever. Don't ruin the time you have together fighting over silly things and then not talk about it. Make the most of the life you two have made together." Ezra sighed. Ursa was right.

"Thank you, your Excellency, for your wisdom. Now, I think I'll go and put it to good use."

"I think I'll tag along, just to make sure you do."