It was like watching a flickering candle.

A flame, once strong and blazing, was encountering wind, and the fire could not overcome it. Moment by painful moment, the heat disappeared, and now all that remained on the wick was but the barest blue flame. The fire's spatter was nothing but a whisper.

I knew that the next gale would end it.

"Ezra," I cried and buried my face in my hands.

I could sense that the flame of his life was burning low, and I had no choice but to watch the spark extinguish. As Ezra's master, this was my punishment for failing him. As the leader of the Ghost crew, this was my punishment for failing all of them.

I dug my fingernails into my palms for the millionth time, not giving a second thought to the pain it caused or the blood that trickled between my fingers. If only I'd been smarter, more strategic. If only I'd gone alone. If only I'd never lost Ezra. If only I'd never let him go.

I wouldn't even be with him when at last he was no more.

Screaming in frustration, I groped around the Force, searching for Ezra's familiar, faint light. I panicked when I couldn't find it, but only for a moment, for there he was. Flickering. Fading. Startling me, I came across a familiar presence I hadn't noticed before. It seemed I'd been too distracted by Ezra to notice, but now my heart broke with relief.

Hera was here.

Immediately I stood to my feet.

There was still hope.

Releasing a sigh, I suddenly became aware of the pain emitting from my hands. Looking down at them, I found that they weren't just bleeding but had in fact been scraped raw. What was left of the skin of my palms shown bright pink, and blood seeped from the exposed flesh.

Swearing at my carelessness, I searched my cell for something to bind my wounds. Since the station had once been used for medical purposes, I quickly searched my cell. After rummaging through several drawers, I discovered a few rolls of bandages, and I carefully wrapped my hands with them, stuffing the remainder underneath my waistband.

I doubted it would be enough to help Ezra, but since Hera was here, that meant the rest of the fleet was too. With us freed and the Imperials occupied, we could search for Ezra on that green planet. There was a chance we could find and save Ezra, and if a handful of bandages improved that chance, I would carry as many as I could.

A scuffle drew my attention to the door to my cell, and soon the metal sheets were pried apart, revealing a certain Lassat. Following behind him was Sabine, her face strained and shoulder bandaged, and supporting her came Hera.

"You're safe," I said breathlessly and lunged forward to embrace them.

"You surrendered?" Hera snapped, stopping me in my tracks.

"It seemed like the best choice at the time," I said. "As soon as we came out of hyperspace, we were surrounded. If I hadn't surrendered, we wouldn't have survived." I hesitated before finishing, "Plus, I knew that we could gather medical supplies--"

"For Ezra," Hera finished, her hand finally finding its way to my face. For a minute, she inspected me, looking for injuries, and her eyes zeroed in on my hands. Biting her lip, she shifted her gaze back to my face.

"Do you know where Ezra is?" She asked.

"He and Ashoka are on the green planet not far from this station," I explained, "I can still sense them, but Ezra especially is fading."

"Then we'd better get moving," she said.

Speaking up, Sabine pressed something into my hand. Looking down, I recognized it as my light saber. "This belongs to you," she murmured.

Taking the weapon, I surveyed the Mandalorian. I recognized the signs evident on her face and arms. She'd been tortured, yet somehow I knew that she hadn't given any information up. Wrapping her in a hug, I held her.

Immediately she stiffened, but soon her body melted into the embrace. "I'm sorry," I said.

"C'mon," she said eventually, "Lets get out of here."

"Sure," I said and pulled away.

"Do I get a hug now?" Zeb drawled.

I smirked. "Don't count on it."

Laughing, he followed Sabine out into the corridor, and Hera and I were left alone. Gazing at her, I couldn't help admiring her. Not everyone could convince Sato into action, and yet she'd done that and now she was here. Just like Sabine, she was strong, probably stronger than me.

Even as I thought, my eyes filled with tears. "I thought I'd lost you. All of you."

"Nonsense," she said and snaked her arms around my waist, "I've been with you the whole time."

"You're right," I said and kissed the top of her head. Seemingly undone, Hera trembled as sobs escaped her.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she said, "And I was so mad at you and myself. I should've gone with you." She sighed. "I shouldn't have let Ezra go."

"We'll find him," I assured her, "Him and Ashoka both." I squeezed her shoulders. "I promise."

"I hope you're right," she said and pecked my cheek. "C'mon."