CH.11: Embracing destiny

Hera stood in the bathing part of the ship letting the water run down her body. A few weeks had passed since the mission to Hoth. The mission to procure fuel for the Ghost had been a success however the Phantom would be down for repairs. Missions had been scarce and apparently Ezra had fallen into himself where he hardly spoke to anyone and he seemed extremely nervous around Kanan. She questioned Kanan but he told her once he knew something she would know something. Clearly this was all force related so after two days she just let it drop.

News of Kallus's death rang like wild fire and instead of being labeled a traitor he was actually named a hero of the Empire. Hera remembered looking at everyone and seeing their disbelief over this news as his actions spoke quite loudly that day standing up to the Inquisitor. And what of him? There was no mention of the Inquisitor and her contact told her to be wary…one of his abilities would not die so easily. Sometimes her contact said things that made her question them…like how they knew these things. Why couldn't a dead person be dead?

Hearing the door open she became wary…that is until arms wrap themselves around her wet body and she wears a soft smile. "I didn't take you for the regular bather?"

Sabine laughed a musical laugh that filled her soul and her body with a sense of youth. Listening to the water she fights past the urge to turn around and take her up against the shower wall. Clearly something was up as Sabine hardly spoke. Their week together had been kind of rough…they hardly spoke of Hoth and they kept mostly to themselves. Hera was repairing the Phantom while Sabine was keeping to her art projects.

"Hera…I want out." Sabine's words caught Hera by surprise and she finally turned around and saw the girl looking straight at her.

"This is sudden…what brought this on?" Hera reached for her face and stared deeply into those eyes she had feel for so hard and so fast so long ago it seemed.

"It is not safe anymore…if we continue down this road one of us may-." Sabine began to cry and Hera pulled her to her body kissing the top of her head.

The water ran down their bodies and she had lost all trace of heat and want that had almost claimed her. Right now she was here for her lover as she was on the verge of breaking down. The thing was…it made sense. Kallus was dead and the Inquisitor may very well be as well. The Empire would not take kindly to what they did and the hunt for them would be spreading across the galaxy like wild fire. They barely got by as it was mission to mission, that being said it was time to consider splitting the team up and seeking out new opportunities.

The thing was they were like a family…they had been through so much together and they would be leaving them two members short. It was then she had a plan…pulling back from Sabine and keeping face focused on her love's face she wears a soft smile. Running a hand through her wet hair she drinks in her beauty…the beauty she always love even when they grew old together. Deep down in her heart she knew she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Sabine. "Wait right here…don't move."

"You know I might prune if I wait that long," Sabine calls after her as she slips out of the shower ambles over to where she kept her present. The brilliant shine caught her eye and she kept it in a case she had found rummaging through some of the odds and end box they kept on the Ghost. This was it…even though they weren't exactly decent she was going to take full advantage of her vulnerability to garner the best reaction.

Proceeding with the box behind her back she spots Sabine running her hand through her hair as the water coasted down her body. Clearing her throat she watched as the girl opened her lids half way and made a motion with her finger to join her. Instead, as planned, Hera dropped to one knee before her and presented the box with nervous heart. This was it…the moment she had planned for on Hoth but Kallus had chosen that time to interrupt. Deep down though she had butterflies then and likely would not have been able to do it.

"Sabine, my love, we have been through a lot together and I know who I want to spend the rest of my life with. You are right in saying this universe is dangerous and that we need to get out of it…so…I'm making this proposal. In five or so months we will marry and go on our honeymoon and see about living a normal life. However till that time we will work as members of this ship and in our spare time we will look for replacements. I guess now the only thing left is…will you marry me?"

Sabine was dripping wet from head to toe and her eyes just stared down at the ring that shined from its box. Hera did not know if this was bad timing or not or whether it was too soon…not that she thought it was as they had known each other for a bit now. Sabine was rough around the edges and they didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things but they loved each other. Hera would not rush her on an answer…even if the ship only had one place to properly bathe.

"Yes…Yes I will marry you!" Sabine's voice brought Hera out of her reverie of thoughts and rising up she goes to place the ring on her finger.

"I found this while on Hoth…a rare beauty amidst a whirlwind of chill and death. It is meant for the girl I plan on giving myself all to…well…all that I am right now. I think you already have had me a bit much." Hera gave her a coy grin and Sabine's blush melted her heart.

Sabine looks at the ring and then she launches herself at her before pulling her into the shower. Hera tries to protest but Sabine is too much for her, she always had been and their moans fill the shower as their wet bodies collide.

"Wait…you are what?" Kanan sat there unbelieving in what he heard. He had just plotted a new course for a new mission when Hera and Sabine came into the cockpit. The ring on Sabine's finger shined brilliantly, more brilliant then any gem he had seen before.

"We are getting married. I'm sorry there was no warning…but…I think it is time. Sabine and I have been talking and it is time we think about our futures. It isn't like we were going to do this forever Kanan…just till things either got better or worse…and right now it is worse. We will not leave immediately though, in fact we plan on serving this crew to the fullest of our capacity till the wedding and finding suitable replacements for ourselves. This is still our family and we will help out any way we can…in fact if you never need help we'll be there."

Kanan shook his head incredibly at this. He could understand Hera and Sabine dating, he had come to terms with that…but…marriage? Was it even possible for two of the same gender to marry in this galaxy? Kanan could see that Ezra was awfully quiet about this when he was most certain he would be reacting emotionally. Zeb was shocked but there was no telling what images were stirring up in that brain of his. Chopper was bleeping and stuff and Sabine shot him a look.

"I-I mean that is great…getting married…huge commitment there. I mean where will you go and do…the Empire wants us out of the picture remember. I don't think it is safe to leave…"

Hera stared at him with those eyes of hers and he heaved a sigh. He had known Hera a long time and he realized that while she had been supportive of him and his need for secrecy about his Jedi past or the decisions he made in combat…it was time for him to be supportive of her. It was clear the two were madly in love and this was not the same crew it was long ago. The ship did feel like it was getting two crowded for two people dating…people dating after all needed privacy and the Ghost offered little.

"Alright…we'll see how it goes then. During your engagement we'll still undertake missions and if we happen upon some possible recruits you two will oversee them personally. Ezra you and I have some training to do. Congratulations you two…I'm glad something good has come out of this bad mess we have fallen into."

Congratulations went all around the room but once again Kanan found his eyes on Ezra who refused to join in on the cheer. There was something disturbing going on there…a chill he could not get away from. He did not know what this would mean in regards to the future but as Ezra pushed away and walked down the hall he decided to follow.

Ezra was losing it. Sabine was getting married…how could this be? He loved her…was patient with her wanting her to be happy but also realize her mistake and go back to liking boys. His footsteps echo down the hall and he finds himself in the hangar where the Phantom, newly restored sat ready for more missions. He kept picturing sitting in the cockpit with his hand moving to the firing control and shooting upon the Inquisitor.

"Hey there Ezra…wanna talk?" Ezra turned around and saw Kanan leaning in the threshold. Kanan had been there for him continuing to train him in the ways of the force, to be better…but it just wasn't clicking as it should.

"Kanan…why aren't you exploding over this? Don't you love Hera…I mean…her marrying Sabine where did that come from?!" Ezra was losing it as he paced about finding his emotional stability fluctuating.

"Hera has made her decision and I support her in it. She will always be my close friend…any door to romance has been closed and I am ok with that. I need to stay focused…for a Jedi to fall in love it could very well lead to a repeat of what happened to another Jedi. Keep up your training and find that stability…you are getting there-."

"That is just it Kanan…I'm blocked…nothing is sinking through as you think it would. The Inquisitor…his words…they keep haunting my waking and sleeping dreams. When I was in the Phantom and saw everyone in danger…something just snapped and I settled into a calm, it settled over me and I fired. The only thing is…it did not make me feel good…it just made me shiver-."

"You let into the hate Ezra…that is a slippery slope leading to the dark side. Don't give in…once down the path of the Dark Side there is no coming back…so c'mon let us meditate-."

Ezra felt his patience slip and then he lowered his lids before letting the rage fall over him before he found his hands pushing out against Kanan sending the Jedi Master into the wall. "No…I'm done meditating…I need to find some answers…don't follow me."

"Ezra wait…stop!" Kanan rushes towards him but Ezra is already ascending the ramp and staring up the main sequences as the Phantom goes to depart. It was good thing there was a switch in here meant to open the launch doors. Flying out he knew only one place he'd find these answers.

It was on the planet Hoth where Ezra went. His ship landing down and while he realized Hera would be upset over him stealing the ship he had to take it…wasn't like anyone would give him leave to go and seek out the dead. Once touched down he began to move down the ramp and felt the chill…but somehow it did not bother him for some reason.

Proceeding over to where the Inquisitor had been shot he noted that Kallus's body was taken away…likely given a proper burial by Imperial order. The heavy amount of snow that hid the body of the Inquisitor still was there…apparently no one had thought to search through it. Getting down on his hands and knees he starts to dig through it and then he sees…nothing? This couldn't be…surely his body would be here.

"Hello Ezra…surprised to see no body." Ezra leaped back and looked up to see the shadowy form of the Inquisitor, a red blade extended out as he wore a toothy grin.

"How did you survive…I saw it hit you…" Ezra was stunned and as the pale faced Inquisitor leaped down before him he saw his body was burned but he clearly was not too far gone.

"I felt your anger Ezra and as you fired off that shot I managed to ease it a bit away to cause the avalanche and my body was propelled in the air. I could not avoid much of the explosion so I took some licks…but…I wanted to make it seem like I had perished. Kallus was a fool but he was right in that the Rebels did not need to die…I lost sight of that. There is someone more suited to hunting down Jedi and he will be entering the picture soon…for now I have a new mission…you Ezra."

Ezra felt goosebumps all over his skin as he looked at the man who held out a hand and before he could stop him he lifted up his lightsaber from his belt. "What are you doing?"

"It is time for you to start a new journey Ezra…one not attached to the good but more towards the dark side. Time to put your friends behind you and embrace the life that awaits you, it is only natural given the taste of the dark side you have already let inside. Take control…destroy this weapon of the Jedi and be who you always were meant to be…my Apprentice."

Ezra felt the cool metal in his hand as the Inquisitor gave him his lightsaber. It felt heavy and as he saw the lightsaber he had constructed himself he saw the faces of his friends…and of Kanan his master. Taking a breath he feels a flash of anger surge through him and with a yell he brings the red blade down destroying the weapon.

TO BE CONTINUED

Authors note: Sabine and Hera are getting married…about time too. Ezra joining the dark side…say it isn't so. I hope you have all enjoyed this tale and keep a look out for the sequel, same name but with a 3 attached to it. The net story will take place close to the wedding, about a month or so and in that time the crew will have gone through many changes and new characters will be introduced. Also you will get a glimpse into Ezra…dark apprentice to the Inquisitor. See ya then.