The grocery store was bustling with more life than usual. With the holiday season fast approaching there was always some party or event to attend or host, and that usually meant lots of cooking. And with Thanksgiving in the coming week, it didn't seem the stores would slow down anytime soon.

Hera sat down exhausted next to another employee named Finn. He was basically the only other employee who had even tried to make her feel welcome when she got hired. He handed her a styrofoam cup filled with a mildly edible coffee.

"Thank you, Finn," Hera replied. She sighed and took a sip. She frowned as she thought about her old espresso machine back at her home that was no longer hers.

Finn smiled and then took a sip of his own coffee. "You're welcome. We're gonna need it."

Hera chuckled and nodded. "It's definitely crazy out there." She took another sip and set her cup down. She didn't see herself drinking anymore of it. "How are you Finn?"

Finn shrugged. "Fine." It was a lie of course. He was far from fine. He was in this bizarre world and he was scared. "How about you?"

"Same, although I do have one little thing to be happy about," she began. "They're finally starting up the donations here today. For the holiday season, you know? Anyways, I picked up a few little things to add to it."

"That's nice!" Finn replied. He was about to say more but he was interrupted when someone came in to fetch him. Hera watched him leave and spent her break in silence. When her time was up she stood up and went to restock the shelves. She did this for a few hours and then she could finally go home.

She walked out of the store and went to her car. She grabbed a few bags from her backseat and then headed back to the store. She took the things out one by one and put them in the donation box.

Hera heard some mumbling to her right and looked up. She was shocked to see Mira Bridger there. "Mira?"

Mira looked up at Hera. She was just as surprised to see her here. "Hera? It's been a while, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, it has," Hera said. "How have you been?"

Mira sighed and glanced at the donations sitting in the box. "I'm doing alright."

"How's Ezra?"

"Oh, he's actually doing better, or at least he's pretending to be. I think he's actually pretty lonely."

"I'm sorry," Hera replied. She thought for a moment. "Do you know if he's seen Sabine around? I haven't seen her since, well, you know."

Mira shook her head. "No, we haven't. I'm sorry."

"That's alright. I just hope she's okay. She's a very capable and strong girl, but I can't help but be worried," Hera mumbled. She noticed Mira kept eyeing the donations. She was able to figure out quickly that Mira most likely couldn't afford Christmas presents for Ezra. "What kind of things does Ezra like?"

Mira raised an eyebrow. "What now?"

Hera pointed at the things she had donated. "What kind of things would he like. I don't have much of a variety of things but-"

"No!" Mira nearly shouted. "I couldn't do that! I'll find a way to buy things myself."

"Please, I insist. It's the only way I can help out others right now," Hera said. She handed Mira a bag. "Here, take these."

Mira looked through the bag. It wasn't filled with anything too exciting. They were functional items like a sweater, a plush blanket, and a scarf. "Thank you so much! You don't know how much this means to me."

"You're welcome Mira. I don't know if Ezra will love these, but it's something," she said with a shrug.

"I'm sure they'll work out just fine," Mira smiled. "Um, would you like to come over for dinner tonight? It's my way of saying thank you."

Hera took a moment to consider the offer. "Alright, why not? See you later!"

"You can drop buy anytime after four," Mira stated. She waved bye and continued with her shopping.

-

Hera parked her car right in front of the Bridger household. It didn't look much different since the last time she was here. The only thing that had really changed were the plants in the front. Some had grown bigger and others were dead from the recent drop in temperatures.

Hera stepped out of her car and closed the door. She made her way to the front door and as she did she glanced over at Caleb Dume's home. She actually saw him not too long ago. Which was surprising. She almost wanted to learn more about him. Yes, they had a rough start, but still, there was something about him.

She knocked on the door and was greeted by Ezra. He looked shocked to see her. Ezra called out to his mother before letting Hera in. "Mom? Did you invite Hera?"

"Oh! Yes! I forget to tell you. I'm sorry," she called back.

Ezra let Hera in. Before he closed the door he looked at her car. It seemed to be filled with quite a bit of stuff. Maybe she giving things to the thrift store or something. Ezra shrugged and closed the door.

Mira came out from her room. "I haven't started dinner, but feel free to make yourself at home."

"Thank you," Hera said with a small smile. She sat on the couch and looked around. Last time she was here things were so different. She had brought Sabine over to help her make a friend. To help make her life seem normal. Now she didn't even know where the children she helped were, and nothing ever felt right.

Ezra sat in the armchair holding a book. He doubted he'd even read it, but he held it anyways. He looked over at Hera wondering what to say to her. His mom didn't seem to be striking up any conversations, and sometimes it was hard to start conversations up with adults. Hera didn't seem like that kind of adult though. She seemed to like children and teenagers.

Before Ezra could say anything, he heard it raining outside. He smiled at first, sometimes it was nice to have a little rain, but then he dropped his book and jumped up. "Oh no!"

"What?" Hera questioned, genuinely concerned.

Ezra made his way to the back door. "It's not much, it's just I left the laundry outside this morning to dry!"

Hera got up from the couch and went up to Ezra. "Here, I'll help you bring them in!"

The two went outside into the pouring rain. It was already raining much heavier than a few moments ago. Ezra rushed to the clothing line and began to remove the items from the clothepins.

"So much for doing laundry," Ezra mumbled. He wiped the rain from eyes and continued to grab the clothes.

"It will be alright," Hera stated. She grabbed a few shirts and tossed them in the basket. "I saw a fireplace in your living room. We can start up a fire and then we can dry them in front of there."

"That works," Ezra replied. He continued to grab the clothes and toss them in the basket.

Hera grabbed the last few items and put them in the basket. "Okay, I think that's it."

Ezra nodded and picked up the basket. He quickly ran inside so he could get out of the rain. Hera followed but stopped to glance over into Caleb Dume's yard. She heard his door open and watched him take out the trash. He made his way back to his house but stopped and looked up. He felt like he was being watched, and he was right. He spotted Hera lingering at the back door of Ezra's house. She awkwardly smiled and waved hi, then went inside.

Kanan stood in the rain with a blank stare. He once again wished Hera could remember. He also wished Ezra could remember too. After all, Ezra lived right next to him, and everyday Kanan saw him and was reminded how alone he was. Kanan wondered if there was a way to help them remember. He went inside with much on his mind.

Hera and Ezra placed the wet clothes on a dish rack. It was the only thing Ezra could find to put the clothes on.

"I haven't used that fireplace in forever," Mira said. She was in the kitchen making chicken noodle soup. "At least we're getting some use out of it."

They sat in silence as Mira cooked and as Hera and Ezra finished hanging up the clothes. When they were done Hera sat back on the couch and Ezra headed to his room.

Hera stood right back up and went into the kitchen to help Mira. The only thing Mira needed Hera to do was to set the table. Hera took the bowls and utensils and went over to the table.

"So, um, how long has Caleb lived next to you?" Hera asked Mira.

Mira turned around and looked at Hera. "What? Oh, I'm not really sure actually. A while I suppose. Why?"

Hera shrugged and tilted her head. "Oh, no reason. Just curious."

Mira raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I know that look."

Hera darted her head up. "What look?"

"You know, that look on your face. You like him, don't you?" Mira asked. She looked down at the food for a second and then back up at Hera.

Hera looked down to hide the fact that she was blushing. "No, I don't like him. . . I just - I was asking, that's all."

"Alright, if you say so," Mira replied. She chuckled and went back to cooking.

Ezra came back holding a box labelled 'xmas'. Hera was glad the boy returned. It was a much appreciated interruption from that awkward conversation.

"Hey, mom, can we put these up soon?" Ezra asked setting the box down.

Mira glanced at the box. "Can we wait until Thanksgiving, Ezra?"

Ezra frowned. "Fine."

He pushed the box filled with tinsel and a small plastic Christmas tree to the side. He sat at the table and waited for dinner to be done. "Have you seen Sabine around?" he randomly asked Hera.

"No, I haven't. I'm sorry," she solemnly replied. "I'm honestly surprised she hasn't stopped by to see you. You two seemed to get along decently."

Ezra said nothing more as Mira placed dinner on the table. Both Hera and Ezra thanked her, and they began to eat.

Ezra paused and remembered something he heard at school. "Hey, I overheard some of the teachers at school, and they were saying that no one has seen or heard from Bail Organa."

"That's odd," Mira added. "He's got elected for mayor, he shouldn't just disappear."

"I heard a teacher say he got scared and is backing out before he's put into office in January."

Hera set her cup of water down. "Hm, I don't think so. He seemed really devoted to helping others."

Mira nodded in agreement. "I'm sure he'll show up again soon. Well, let's hope so."

They finished their dinner and Hera said her goodbyes. To her surprise she was invited over for Thanksgiving. She said she would try to make it. They shared one last goodbye and she headed out in the rain.

She fumbled with her keys and turned around. She saw Caleb Dume sitting on his porch drinking a cup of warm coffee. He only seemed to now notice her. He squinted and saw her struggling to open her car door. It looked as if Mira had given her leftovers. That and the rain caused the struggle to open the door.

"Do you need help?" Kanan called out.

"Uh, no! I've got it," she called back. She sighed as she almost dropped her paper plate with bread on it. "Okay, maybe I need a little help."

Kanan set his cup down on a small table and went over to help Hera. He took the plate as she opened the door.

"Thank you." She took the plate back from him and put it on the passenger seat.

Kanan was surprised to see how much of a mess her car was. Hera never let the Ghost become a mess, but this was a different world. He then studied the items and realized it wasn't a mess, this is where she lived. "You've been living in your car?" Kanan asked concerned.

Hera closed the passenger door and looked at Kanan. Once she realized what he said she looked down in embarrassment. "Um, yeah."

"Are you okay?" Kanan wanted to offer her to stay in his house that wasn't really his. His home was the Ghost. His home was with Hera, Ezra, Sabine, Zeb, and Chopper. But he couldn't do that. Not when to her they were just acquaintances.

Hera nodded slowly. "Yeah. I'll be fine." She made her way to the other side of the car.

Kanan opened the door for her. "You sure."

Hera nodded again. "I'm sure. I'll survive."

Kanan smiled. "Well, maybe soon we could uh, go somewhere together. Like a walk or something? That way you won't be so cramped up in that car."

Hera smiled back. "Maybe. I'll think about it."

"Alright, that works for me," Kanan replied.

Hera looked down thinking and then back up again at Kanan. "I'll accept your offer. You have my number, so you can call me whenever your free and then we can meet up."

"Okay, I'll do that," Kanan said.

Hera closed the door and waved goodbye. She drove off into the night.