I use Google Translate, so I apologize for any errors.

Enjoy reading!

I don't own Star Wars Rebels

When Sabine entered the cockpit, the crew was already seated, and Chopper was at Hera's side. As soon as she sat down in an empty chair, she could almost feel the heavy atmosphere of the upcoming discussion falling on her shoulders. She had no idea how to start a conversation, so she chose to remain silent. At times like this, she appreciated Hera and Kanan playing the role of "guardians."

"I've seen the Jedi holocron," Kanan said a few minutes later, starting the conversation.

"I didn't know that trinket contained any information about how to help the guy," Zeb said with a chuckle.

"No, there's no such information there," the Jedi replied, and got a chuckle from Zeb. – But I've found various Power tricks that I can use to help him.

"You said yourself that you can't get through to him," Hera pointed out, earning a look from the man.

- The teacher can't reach the student? - Zeb chuckled.

— Is this normal?" Sabine asked, who personally didn't feel like she had the strength to joke at all.

Yes, she'd thought earlier that some practical joke would have lifted the mood of the team and Ezra, but she didn't feel ready for it.

I'm not a psychologist, but I think he's just trying to protect himself, " Kanan said.

"Speaking of defense," Hera said. "I ran into Ezra today," Sabine immediately remembered him crying in the air freshener. I-I tried to touch him.

For some reason, the thought made Sabine feel sick and afraid. Yes, she'd thought before that rape was definitely not a good thing, but the negative reaction to touching was... it said a lot. The Mandalorian wasn't a particularly tactile person, and she didn't often notice this about the others, but Ezra...

As the three months went by, Sabine began to notice that Ezra was getting in touch with the Ghost crew quite often Ghost, especially when compared to the previous three months when he had kept some distance. And by "contact" she didn't mean communication or a word-to-word exchange. She meant the touch.

She'd seen the boy hug Kanan after a particularly difficult case where the older Jedi had been on the front line protecting freed prisoners. She caught a glimpse of Hera stroking his hair, clearly enjoying it, judging by his closed eyes and contented face (as well as the fact that he was clearly clinging to her hand). More than once, she'd noticed that a light push or punch to the arm from Zeb made him smile and then hit back, which made Lasat grin.

However, Ezra never once approached her. Not once. She didn't need to, but damn it, it hurt that he trusted the rest of the team more than she did. Especially since he kept flirting with her (which made her mad).

They were sitting in the Phantom after a late-night raid on an imperial outpost that only the three of them had participated in. In general, everything went well, if you do not take into account the fact that the girl accidentally fell under the radius of her own explosion, when she did not successfully calculate the time and distance. Kanan had already given her a mini-lecture on security, and now they sat in silence as the Jedi steered the ship toward the Ghost.

Sabine felt a soft, careful touch on her arm. She didn't even have to turn her head to see Ezra looking at her, testing her reaction. The girl was in high spirits, so she didn't move. After a couple of minutes, when she didn't move her hand away, the guy clearly became bolder. After a moment, she realized that he had taken her hand, squeezing her fingers. She might be wearing gloves, but it felt... intimate.

However, Sabine didn't feel like pulling her hand away abruptly. She found herself enjoying the contact. In a way, this was understandable: she hadn't experienced any soft touch in a long time, and Ezra, although he was sometimes quite annoying and annoying (especially with his stupid flirting), was still kind and reliable. Plus, he was finally "in contact" with her.

So, she turned her hand so that she could squeeze his fingers, ignoring the slight blush that appeared on her face under the helmet.

Since that mission, every time the mission was dangerous and the girl could get hurt, and sometimes just like that when they were alone, Ezra gently took her hand for a while. Despite his actions, he never mentioned it, and she did the same.

"...Perhaps we should stay on Lothal for a while after the mission, " Sabine was snapped out of her thoughts at that.

"A mission? " she asked, turning her head in the pilot's direction.

"Yes," Hera said. – We won't discuss the details right now, but we're leaving for Lothal tomorrow night.

"I'm not sure this is the time for a mission," Sabine said sharply. "Ezra isn't up to that right now. He needs rest, not another stress.

"That's why I suggest the following," Kanan said. "The three of us – me, Hera, Zeb-no, Chopper, you don't count as the fourth," he replied to the droid's squeak. You and Ezra will stay on earth with the Phantom.

Sabin was about to curse sharply and protest the idea that she was a Mandalorian, that she shouldn't be sitting on the base looking after someone while the others fought, but she felt guilty about the thought and bit her lip until it hurt.

Girl wasn't heartless. Yes, she could have gone against her emotions (which she'd gotten used to over the years working with Ketsu), but then Ezra was either left alone or with Chopper, although knowing the droid's character, you'd think he'd still be alone.

And Sabine couldn't bear to leave Ezra alone. Not after what happened last time. Even if it's boring on earth, she will prefer to be bored and be around.

"Good," the Mandalorian sighed, nodding and leaning back in her chair.

"What?" asked Lasat. – I thought you'd deny it a lot."

"She acted like an adult, » Hera said. " Ezra needs to be looked after.

- And in general, what are we doing? Sabine asked, since she'd missed part of the conversation. – The mission is clearly not too long and complicated, otherwise we wouldn't have taken it on.

"Yes, if there are no complications, we can do it all in one day," Kanan said. – Then, as I said, we'll stay on Lothal for a while. But as soon as it is besieged again, we will leave.

"Maybe Ezra needs some kind of psychologist." the girl asked. - Surely the leadership of the Uprising has friends somewhere.

"I don't think the guy wants to tell anyone about this," Zeb said, " – and I don't think he would have told us either if you hadn't... well, you know."

Sabin nodded grimly, agreeing with Lasat. Despite everything that had happened to them in these nearly eighteen months, the boy still wasn't particularly willing to share his problems. Yes, to be honest, she didn't want to see the Inquisitor abuse a guy... but the thought of him going through this alone... she shivered. Yes, she would rather be patient, but she would know what was wrong with him and be able to help him.

"Then we have the advantage of knowing what happened," Kanan said. "And we can help."

"After we complete our mission, we'll take a short vacation until Ezra decides he's ready," Hera clarified.

"Ezra won't decide?" Zeb chuckled "Hera, you and Kanan know very well that the guy is eager to fight at every opportunity.

- Yeah... - Kanan muttered awkwardly, clearly feeling guilty that he and Rex were the reason for his participation in the last mission.

"It's not your fault," Hera said, putting a hand on the Jedi's shoulder. " But I agree with Zeb, we can't trust Ezra on this one.

"Don't you think Ezra should be the one to decide that?" Sabine disagreed. "He was raped," they all shuddered, " that is, his body was violated against his will. He wasn't in control of the situation.

"Woob, woob! Chopper squeaked for the first time that night.

"Exactly," the Mandalorian nodded. "Ezra needs to know that he's in control of his body. He was denied this opportunity then, and he must regain it now.

She herself knew that she hated it when she couldn't control her body, whether it was because of the handcuffs or the sleeping pill dart. And she'd faced it half her life. Yes, Ezra had spent half his life alone on the streets of Lothal, but she doubted he'd ever experienced such situations.

"Yes, Sabine, you're right," Kanan said. " Stopping Ezra or controlling his actions too much won't help.

"I only partially agree," Hera said. - Yes, too much control of the boy-obviously will not lead to anything good. But I don't want to give it complete freedom of action either. What if in a day's time he starts having seizures, or something worse, and he's on a mission?

"I'm for Hera," Zeb said.

"Chopper, your word is final," the Jedi growled, already knowing which side the droid would take.

However, he surprised them. Chopper didn't say anything, just drove past and pulled out of the cockpit. The crew's jaw dropped. The droid never missed an opportunity to communicate its opinion or decide which side would be accepted.

"Garazeb Orrelios," Hera said sternly, scowling at him. – What did you do with Chopper?"

"I didn't touch it!" Lasat raised his hands.

"Sabine, did you change its code?" she glanced at the Mandalorian.

"I remember you told me not to," she said.

"I'm pretty sure the droid is just having fun," Kanan said. – We can deal with that later.

"I suggest we drop the subject of Ezra's control," Lasat suggested. "The boy is too independent, he wouldn't like that kind of reasoning. We can return to this topic later.

Everyone nodded in agreement, the conversation apparently coming to an end.

"I'm going to read about the consequences of abuse on the Holonet," Hera said, glancing at the datapad on the panel. – But I want to watch Ezra tonight."

"You should get some sleep before you leave, too," Kanan said.

"I'll wake one of you," Hera said in a tone that clearly indicated the conversation was over, but then added, "and see what Chopper's doing," to which Kanan nodded.

As the Mandalorian stepped out of the cockpit, the Twi'lek spoke. "Wait, Sabine."

"Yes, Hera?" the girl asked, turning around.

"Please sit down," she said, gesturing to the chair across from her.

"I don't like this", the Mandalorian thought, but she did as she was told and waited.

"Sabine, you acted like an adult when you agreed to stay on Lothal with Ezra instead of rushing into battle," the Twi'lek praised.

"Ezra is my friend," the girl said. – I wouldn't leave him.

"I know," Hera agreed, smiling too softly, as if she knew something the Mandalorian didn't. – And that's why I want you to be the one to look after Ezra after me."

"Because I'm his friend?" Sabine didn't really mind keeping an eye on him, but that smile from Hera bothered her. She didn't like not knowing something. "Zeb and maybe Chopper are his friends too, and Kanan is teaching him to be a Jedi!"

"I'd like it to be you, since it will be just the two of you on Lothal, and you'll need to keep an eye on him again," the Twi'lek replied, ignoring the girl's comments.

"Hera, there's something you're not telling me," the Mandalorian said bluntly. " And I don't like it."

"I'm just glad you made friends with Ezra," Hera clarified with a smile. – I think it's good for both of you to have a friend your own age."

Sabine knew in her gut that this was clearly not what the Twi'lek wanted to say, but if she didn't say it right away, she wouldn't say it under duress.

"So, should I go to bed, and you wake me up, or what?" – said the girl.

"Do as you see fit," Hera said. – But I'd still advise you to go to bed instead of loitering around."

Sabine nodded, standing up and stepping out of the cockpit.

In the end, Hera finally woke her up. The Mandalorian didn't actually go to bed, but just fell asleep. She made herself a cup of coffee and sat down on the lounge couch. She only closed her eyes for a second.

And now, Sabine was still sitting in the same mess, reading the report Hera had compiled about their trip to the medstation. Hera had written only the general outline, as well as their encounter with the Inquisitors and their rescue, which clearly indicated that the Twi'lek had spoken to Zeb. There was no mention of what had happened to Ezra. And this is a good thing: the command did not need to know about it.

In front of the Mandalorian was a cold cup of coffee that needed to be emptied: she hated cold coffee. But the girl didn't want to get up.

She probably would have continued to sit there, occasionally putting down her datapad and listening. However, during one of her listening moments, she heard light footsteps on the durasteel floor.

Sabine looked up to see Ezra in her pajamas. For a moment, the girl was surprised. No, not because it was the first time she'd seen a pair of pajamas, because she had one of her own, which she wore when she was feeling relaxed and didn't have any missions planned for the next few days. No, she was surprised, because she hadn't expected him to come out at all, especially not in his pajamas, and they also had an unspoken rule about not wearing pajamas outside their room.

"Hi," the Mandalorian said, putting down her datapad and trying not to raise her voice, as she smiled softly.

"Hi," Ezra said, his lips lifting slightly in a half-smile.

After a few minutes, he looked away, blushing, and only then did she realize that she was practically glaring at him. He was clearly not comfortable with her staring at him.

"I'm sorry," Sabine apologized, then looked down at her cup and a thought occurred to her. "Would you like some tea?"

Ezra paused for a moment, not expecting this suggestion, but she wasn't surprised: she'd never done it before. "I wouldn't mind, thank you," the young Jedi agreed, still standing awkwardly in the middle of the mess.

The Mandalorian rose, picked up her cup from the table, and went into the kitchen, leaving him to make himself more comfortable. She poured out the cold coffee, turned on the electric stove and put on the water, then leaned against the countertop.

After a few minutes, the water boiled, and the heating switch turned off automatically. Sabine opened a cabinet and took out Tarine tea, of which they had plenty, and a packet of coffee with a sugar bag, as well as a clean cup. Remembering that Hera preferred this tea without sugar, she decided that she would also brew it for Ezra. She helped herself to a spoonful of coffee and sugar, then poured boiling water over everything.

Picking up the cups, the girl left the kitchen and went to the mess hall. When she entered, she saw a young Jedi sitting on a couch, his legs drawn up to his chest and his chin resting on his knees. He turned his head as she entered.

The Mandalorian silently went to the table and placed a cup of tea in front of the guy, then sat down next to him, keeping a certain distance so as not to make him nervous.

"Thank you, Sabine," Ezra said, taking the drink in both hands.

She watched him without stopping, knowing what was coming. The boy raised the mug to his lips and sipped. In less than a second, a deep frown creased his face, and he turned his head away, quickly setting the drink back on the table.

Sabine broke down and laughed softly. Ezra had already tried to drink too hot a drink, and once again he was getting burned. Apparently, he had seen enough of Hera and Zeb drinking hot drinks almost immediately.

"This isn't funny," the young Jedi muttered, but she saw his lips twitch.

For reasons unknown to her, she reached out and placed her hand on his knee. All she wanted to do was support him, show him that she was there for him. However, this caused the exact opposite effect. Ezra practically jumped away from her, moving as far away as he could, his smile fading. He was clearly scared.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" Sabine quickly apologized, also moving away so as not to make him even more nervous. – I didn't mean to scare you.

She could feel her heart beating faster with guilt. "Damn it, Sabine!" she swore. Within a day of returning from the abandoned medical station, she was already trying to contact him… Did she try?

Ezra usually does this, she thought, but dismissed the thought when she saw that the boy didn't budge, still staring at her intently.

"If you're uncomfortable, I can go to my room," Sabine offered, wishing inwardly that she could stay.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, looking away. – I'm not ready for physical touch yet..."

"And no, I don't want you to leave," he said. – Just... don't touch me, please."

The Mandalorian nodded silently, not wanting to provoke him, and picked up her coffee from the table, which caught the boy's attention.

"Why did you bring the coffee?" he asked, moving slowly back to his original position. "It's usually harder for you to fall asleep after that..."

"Did he notice?" she thought.

"... do you still have some work to do?"

"Yes, I want to draw a little," Sabine lied. She wasn't going to say that she would keep an eye on him if something happened, knowing that he wouldn't be happy about being treated like a small child. Moreover, she wasn't going to mention any new mission in any way, even casually.

They fell into a pleasant but slightly heavy silence. A few minutes after her reply, Ezra picked up the tea again and sipped it in small sips. Sabine glanced at him from time to time, checking his condition. Overall, he didn't look particularly tense, but his face was still slightly pale, and he also kept his distance...

"I'm too used to him almost always hanging around", she thought, feeling a little bitter. "Hah, I never thought I'd miss this."

The guy finished his tarine tea faster, as the Mandalorian drank coffee slowly, knowing that she had a sleepless night ahead of her. He got up from the table, apparently intending to take the cup to the kitchen, but the girl stopped him.

"I'll take the dishes myself," she said.

"Thanks for the tea," he said, leaving the cup on the table.

"You'll do the dishes for me later," she said, trying to cheer him up.

"Of course," he said, looking at her.

"Um, good night, Ezra," she said with a soft smile.

"Good night, Sabine," the guy said, then left the kitchen.

The Mandalorian heard his footsteps until the doors to his cabin opened and closed.

Strange, Zeb usually gets annoyed when someone interrupts his sleep, she thought fleetingly, but dismissed the thought, thinking that Lasat just didn't do it.

Sabine picked up her datapad again, wanting to read something while she finished her coffee.

"Tarine tea" was made from tarine leaves and served either hot or cold. He was popular on Lothal.