Days later, 'Hera's Farm' hung from two wooden poles at the entrance to their field. The quiet summer's morning was interrupted by a gust of wind. Coming from above.
Just inside the cargo bay, Sabine and Ezra carried out their morning spar. Sabine was having a hard time flipping him onto his back. One grappling adjustment later, she had him. Ezra hit the floor a little harder than she intended. He tapped out.
"You're getting better." she complemented.
"Don't patronize me." he grinned, getting back up to try again.
Ezra halted when he noticed that her frozen gaze was directed outside. Looking down the ramp, he watched the wind whip around Kanan's workbench, knocking over some of the smaller figurines.
Then they heard the sound of the Phantom II's engines.
The small ship glided smoothly down to dock on the Ghost's back.
Inside the Ghost, everyone gathered at the base of the ladder to welcome Zeb. Sabine brought her guns.
"Hey, what are those for?" Ezra pointed.
Sabine shrugged in her armor, "You can never be too careful."
The hatch opened and Zeb's smiling face appeared, "I come bearing gifts."
"It's good to see you, Zeb," Hera smiled back, resting a hand on her stomach.
"You still don't look pregnant at all," Zeb jested. Then his eyes glanced at Ezra, "And how's the birthday boy?"
Ezra rubbed his bruised shoulder, "A little sore but fine."
"Oh yeah? Sabine been too rough on you at night?" Zeb laughed at his own joke.
Sabine was very glad she had chosen to wear her helmet. The sight of her maddening blush would have surely betrayed what she was feeling to everyone but Kanan. She still hadn't told anyone, not even Ezra, about her feelings. Zeb was just about the last person she wanted to inform. He had to be shut down, "Listen Zeb, whatever you think is going on, it isn't."
The Lasat held up his massive hands in mock defense, "Ok ok. If I didn't know you better, I'd say I hit the nail on the head." Then he turned back to Hera, "So, how do you want to unload the supplies?"
After they were done, the Spectres gave Zeb a tour of their progress.
On the way down the ramp, Zeb picked up one of the many oddly shaped figurines drying on the makeshift bench just outside, "You made these?"
Kanan reached up to feel the figurine Zeb was inspecting, "Yeah, I started with cups and bowls and then began experimenting with other objects. This one is a loth-cat."
Zeb squinted at the small asymmetrical piece of dried clay, "Eh, sure, I guess that could be a cat."
Kanan grumbled, "It's a prototype." he defended.
"Sure," Zeb agreed dismissively, placing the figurine back down on the bench. Something else had already caught his attention.
Kanan quickly snatched up the piece and re-examined it with his fingers, trying to figure out the flaws he needed to correct.
Meanwhile Zeb had wandered the worn path leading to the sign hanging above the entrance to the farm field, "Very nice." he admired. Turning to Sabine, he gestured with his hand towards the handcrafted art, "I take it this is your handy work?"
The Mandalorian nodded, "Yeah." She knew she should have given some credit to Ezra for his help, but she was not about to give Zeb more ammunition that way.
"And the TIE solar panels too?" Zeb continued.
Sabine shrugged, "The wiring part at least."
"Heh, what would they do without you?"
Chopper cut in suddenly to point out that he was the most hard working of all. Nearly everything was a result of his superior capabilities, which dwarfed Sabine's.
"What did he say?"
The droid sighed.
Hera gave Chopper a pat, "We've all worked hard to make this farm a success."
Zeb glanced out at the rows of young green crops, "So, is that the plant you'll be sending with me once it's ripe?"
Hera nodded, "I'm expecting enough of a surplus by the end of the season to fill the Phantom 5 times."
"Oh fun." Zeb deadpanned, "I can't wait."
Sabine and Ezra snickered quietly.
Hera placed a hand on Zeb's shoulder, "I know this isn't exactly a thrilling task, Zeb, but it's important. The rebellion can put the food to good use."
"No, I get it. Don't worry, I'll make sure it gets to where it is needed."
"Thanks, Zeb."
Zeb shared updates on the war and their friends.
Kallus, Rex, and Ryder first received their message over long range communications from Zeb. They had kept their reactions neutral and their responses vague with some key words which signaled to Zeb that they understood that Hera and the others were still alive. The plan had worked.
Sabine's parents had also immediately understood her cleverly designed message. They crafted an equally cryptic response for Zeb to relay. Sabine decoded it for him. They were happy their daughter was still alive. They wished for her safe return.
Not any time soon, Sabine thought, as memories of her mother's scheming resurfaced.
The Spectres swapped stories, old and new, for the rest of the afternoon.
When dinner time came, they all gathered in the Ghost's common area to surprise Ezra with presents.
Kanan had made his padawan a cup, bowl, and even a ceramic spoon. Though the creations were a little rough aesthetically, they were functional. Kanan had spent the last few days honing his newfound craft, as evidenced by the new mug in Hera's hands and the earlier-made, carefully-glazed-yet-misshapen bowls that were currently holding veggie appetizers on the table. His creations were getting a little better every day.
From Hera, Ezra received a fruit dessert that she had made.
Ezra was very eager to try some, just as soon as he finished unwrapping Zeb's present. Opening the box, it turned out that Zeb had bought him a very large, decadent cake.
"Hey, are you trying to show me up?" Hera feigned indignation.
Zeb held up his hands, "I didn't know you had plans to make a dessert for the kid. Also, it was Kallus's idea and his credits. So it's really from him."
"Well tell him thank you from me," Ezra said, slicing up a large piece for himself. "Help yourself, everyone!" he invited.
Hera took a bite of a small slice, "Oh my ... this is better than meiloorun!"
"Now that's saying something. I'll have a piece, too." Kanan smiled, "Looks like you win the gift giving competition, Zeb."
Hold up, interrupted Chopper, I haven't given Ezra my gift yet.
Ezra turned to the droid, "Oh? That was thoughtful of you, Chop. What did you get me?"
Chopper opened his compartment and withdrew a small, wilted weed. He dropped it into Ezra's palm.
"Eww, what is this?"
A metaphor, Chopper said, for your work ethic. This weed didn't last two days, and neither did you during plowing.
Ezra rolled his eyes.
Chopper giggled at his own joke.
Ezra took another slice of Zeb's cake.
Hera did as well, "Hey, Sabine, come on in here or there won't be a slice left for you."
"Hang on," Sabine called from the galley.
Hera heard the sizzle of the frying pan and Sabine's swearing, "Do you need help?"
"What? No, why would I need help?" Sabine insisted somewhat nervously.
"What is she doing in there?" Kanan whispered.
"Making Ezra's present," Hera whispered back.
I detect fire, Chopper mentioned nonchalantly.
"I'd better go help her," Hera rose up and entered the kitchen.
Zeb watched her go. Then he leaned over to Ezra, "You know, Sabine doesn't normally cook. She must really like you."
"Umm..." Ezra had a mouthful of cake at the moment, and couldn't explain away his blush.
Fortunately Zeb became distracted by the hushed disagreements between Sabine and Hera as they came out with a very hot dish. Their argument ended when Sabine assured her, "I got this." Then she placed the dish on the table in front of Ezra.
"Oh," Zeb said, eyeing the blackened food, "I take it back."
Ezra tried to be polite, "Uh, ... thanks, Sabine. ... What is it?"
"It's squirrel steak. I just caught it this afternoon."
"Is that what you were doing when you disappeared for an hour? Hunting Ezra's birthday present?" Zeb hid an amused grin.
"And what's wrong with that?" Sabine crossed her arms and glared back at Zeb.
"Nothing. It's just very last-minute of you." Zeb smirked and turned to see if Ezra would even attempt to eat the charred meat.
Ezra stared at the food, hesitating. Finally he looked up at Sabine with a sympathetic smile, "Thanks, but I'm afraid I've already filled up on cake. I'll ... eat this later."
"That's fine," Sabine took the plate back to the galley, avoiding eye contact with Zeb.
The lasat chuckled. Then he moved the conversation on to the next topic.
In the galley, Sabine took a minute to catch her breath. This last minute birthday gift had not gone well. Cooking was not her forte. However, she'd had to improvise once Zeb showed up unexpectedly. She was definitely not going to reveal the real present she had spent days on. It was too personal. Zeb would immediately assume something was going on between them if he saw it.
Of course, something hadn't been going on between them. Not yet.
Sabine kept trying to find the courage to tell Ezra her feelings. But every time she was about to, she lost her nerve. Her past trauma silencing her voice. It was as frustrating to Sabine as Zeb's sudden arrival. Before Zeb came, Sabine had planned out the perfect way to tell Ezra her feelings on his birthday.
It would have started with his real gift. The one she had spent days meticulously painting. It would have been ok to show her usual crew mates. Kanan wouldn't be able to see it, and Chopper wouldn't have been able to guess its sentimental significance. Hera would know, but then again, Hera already knew. Zeb ... Sabine felt Zeb would recognize the significance right away, no matter how abstract it was.
She had painted it with her soul, and to her, the carefully picked colors and geometric shapes exposed her feelings as clear as day. She hoped Ezra would understand its meaning when he saw it. And if not, she would tell him what it meant, once they were alone. And then she would kiss him.
But now, with Zeb here, it seemed they would not get a chance to be alone at all. She wondered when she'd even have time to give Ezra his real present, and apologize for the fake one.
Sabine waited. Once she was sure the conversation topic wasn't about to involve her, she quietly slipped back into the common area to join the others, and sit not-too-close to Ezra. He gave her a subtle smile of acknowledgment before returning his attention to Zeb.
Kanan and Zeb were dominating the conversation, exchanging old stories well into the night.
Sabine was getting antsy.
At one point, Zeb gave a yawn.
"Ready to turn in for the night?" Hera asked him, "You're welcome to stay in your old bunk."
"Nah," Zeb dismissed, "I don't think I'll sleep over. Especially since I can't sleep at all. Not with those things." He pointed at the ysalamir in the corner of the room.
It was then that Sabine realized Zeb's ears had been twitching sporadically all day. Of course! How could she have forgotten? Zeb couldn't sleep with the ysalamiri noises. He would be gone within an hour! ... Or two?
Zeb gave another yawn and stretched, "I think it is time for me to get going. I'll sleep better in hyperspace."
Sabine's heart silently soared.
They extended their goodbyes to Zeb in the hallway as he ascended the ladder to the Phantom II. Once at the top, he and the others chatted a bit more. It was excruciatingly long for Sabine, but she made sure to do nothing that would indicate her impatience. It was very late when Zeb finally left. Infuriatingly, Ezra yawned and began to head straight to his room while Hera and Kanan hung around the hallway, commenting more on the topics from today.
Would she never get time alone with Ezra?
Just before Ezra entered his quarters, Sabine grabbed his arm to stop him, "Hey."
Ezra turned around to look at her.
Sabine kept her voice low so that Kanan and Hera would not hear her, "Wait here. I have your real present in my room."
She entered her quarters quickly and came back with a small rectangular canvas covered in an old cloth.
Making sure to position herself such that Hera would not see, Sabine removed the cloth and presented the gift to Ezra. His eyes widened. Rich hues of blue and orange dotted across the canvas. The shapes were abstract. Yet there was a familiarity to it.
"D-do you like it?" she asked, becoming a little self-conscious as he studied her work silently.
"It's beautiful," he admired, "Is this for me?"
Sabine nodded, "And it ... it is you."
Ezra paused his marveling and cocked his head, gently asking for clarification.
Sabine gathered her courage, and tried to remember the words she had been preparing to tell him, "This is ... what I feel when I see you."
A small, hopeful smile formed on his lips as a blush crept onto his cheeks.
"And I ..." Sabine gazed into his blue eyes. He was close. Her heart begin to race. She was becoming lost in the same color she had bathed his painting in. And then she heard Hera and Kanan walking closer behind her.
"You-?" Ezra encouraged after her pause became quite long.
Kanan and Hera were moving right past them now. They would hear everything she was about to say, "I ... I wanted to wish you a happy birthday." Sabine quickly turned and entered her own quarters.
Closing the door behind her, she locked it and breathed a sigh as the results of her failure sank in.
A moment later she muttered to herself, "I'm such a coward."
Outside her door, Ezra had just watched, dumbfounded, as Sabine had hastily retreated.
Hera, only half-paying attention to their exchange, glanced in his direction to try and assess what had happened. She caught a glimpse of the painting in his hands, "Oh, that's beautiful."
Distracted, Ezra looked at her and then down at his painting, "Yes ... yes, it is." he stared at Sabine's door, puzzled.
