Chapter 4: Hope

As the hours passed, Kanan thought about putting some kind of signal out for Hera to see; a fire, or rocks lined up, drawing in the sand. It seemed like a good idea until he heard a lone TIE patrolling the area; after that he decided to think of something else. The Jedi was glad that the fire didn't put off much smoke and he was well hidden watchful eyes of the Empire.

Next, but for only a brief, extremely fast moment, he considered gaining the attention of the Imperial vessel and striking a deal in order to get Ezra taken care of figuring out his escape later on. With how wanting they were now, no deals would be made and both of them would end up dead, or worse.

Kanan looked up from his seated spot near the fire. It would be dark again soon and his student still had yet to drink or eat anything, or wake up for that matter. While it had been daylight, he had moved Ezra into a warm, but shady area so that he would stay warm. Not knowing how long they were staying, Kanan continued to add modifications to the shelter to help keep them warm over night when the temperature dropped.

Kanan gently force woke him to try and urge him to eat something.

"nnn…" Ezra slowly opened his eyes. Everything hurt and he felt sick. He noticed that Kanan had him propped up against his whole body using one arm to hold him up. The other was currently out of view. The youth also noticed his master felt really warm.

"You're running a fever…." He said weakly but in a 'matter of fact' way.

"So are you. The bacteria in the ocean is really high on this planet we both swallowed enough water to make us sick but you not only inhaled it, it also got into your leg wound and there's nothing to disinfect with…I was starting to get worried you weren't going to wake up with how high your fever is." Kanan said softly as he shifted the boy a little more so that he was sitting up more.

"I need you to drink a little…to keep you hydrated and give you some kind of nutrients." He grabbed the fruit from earlier bringing it to his student's lips. This time Kanan successfully managed to get a few teaspoons into the younger male before Ezra turned his head away. The youth unconsciously rested leaned more against his master seeing warmth and comfort before shutting his eyes.

"Come on, I need you to stay awake a little longer kid." Ezra half groaned and half whimpered. The older human checked his temperature feeling at the fever was worse.

"I need it to stop going up…at this rate the kid isn't going to last long enough for a rescue." He watched with great concern as Ezra drifted back off to sleep unable to remain awake.

"Ezra?" A very tiny unconscious groan emitted in response. Kanan sighed. With the sun going down he knew there was limited time to make Ezra as warm as he could be. The Jedi picked him up and moved him back against the rocks. With the modifications, Kanan had been able to move the fire closer, almost inside. He felt the heat of the flames glad his idea was working.

He got up to find more wood knowing the kid would be safe until his return. Kanan had picked up an armful when a coughing fit hit sending him to his knees doubling over as he fought the urge to throw up. The Jedi hated the feeling and would do almost anything to avoid it.

When the nausea passed he gathered the wood, slowly making his way back to their camp.

"It won't do any good if I comp out too. Just need to hang on a bit longer, then I'll sleep." He made a few more trips until he was sure he had enough wood to last the night. He built up the fire and got himself situated looking down at his sleeping padawan.

Ezra was shivering violently; his teeth were chattering. Kanan frowned, it wasn't even that cold yet, maybe in the 40s. Trying to think of how to keep Ezra warmer he finally removed his armor plating and stripped out of his green sweater leaving his black under shirt.

Kanan worked to get the sweater on the boy, finally managing to do so. It seemed to help, for now at least. Kanan got settled up against the rocks and looked out at the stars. He allowed himself to shut his eyes and meditate for a while, it allowed him to keep a rational mind about the situation. He did this for several minutes before sighing looking over at Ezra.

Something in the force was trying to tell him something but it was foggy. He scanned his student's person feeling the sickness spreading along his body, up his leg, in his lungs and midsection. He finally landed at Ezra's leg. He could take a hint, but he didn't understand how the was going to help them.

Ezra's leg was swollen and starting to turn beautiful but deadly colors signifying that the infection had gotten worse. As Kanan sat staring at the leg for several minutes he unconsciously shifted his eyes are still trying to understand what the force was telling him to do. Finally he saw it; in one of his student's lower cargo pockets, he saw a small lump. Ezra's tool kit! He pulled it out seeing the mini set trying to figure out once again what the force wanted him to do. Why would the force want him to find this?

The Jedi sat for a moment before it hit him hard. He reached over and grabbed his communications link prying it open. He set to work on trying to get the small but important device working. Ezra was getting weaker he had no time to waste. Without medication or medical treatment, it was only a matter of time before his body would give out. Kanan wasn't about to allow that to happen.

Ever few moments he had to stop and urge his body to not expel his stomach contents. Kanan could feel his own body succumbing to the bacteria but he wasn't going to let it keep them from getting rescued. As the temperature continued to drop, Kanan was unable to prevent himself from shivering. Thinking back to his training as a youth he finally gave up on his project and set it aside knowing he needed to warm up and let his ill body rest.

The Jedi built up the fire a little more before laying down next to his student. Ezra was shivering again even with the extra layer on. Kanan hesitated before pulling him closer to share his own body heat. Kanan usually didn't like people touching him when he tried to sleep, that's why he slept alone. On occasion there was room for exceptions. Survival was one of those very exceptions.

Ezra continued to shiver but it died down a little more with the added warmth of his master. The youth remained in an almost fitful sleep. Slowly, Kanan drifted off himself his last, feverish thoughts were of what would happen if Ezra didn't make it. With the tool kit, at least now he had a little hope.