AN: So, I know it has been forever since I've updated. And even longer since I've updated Lunatics, but trust me I'm working on that one! I started my freshman year of college (yay) and it's hard as frick so I've been super, super busy. So, please just bear with me as I try to update my stories and not leave you guys hanging. Lunatics will be my next update, I swear! I love you guys, thank you for being so patient with me. Please review! (Even though I probably don't deserve it *nervous laugh*)

Chapter Seven

"Old Acquaintances"

Ezra was left in a terrible state of confusion and remnants of fear from moments before.

One does not assume that some stranger in the middle of a cannibal camp will be a kindly, even if one's companion appears to know him. Even if said person shot and killed the man who was about to kill you. One does not. One does not trust in that way, especially in the world they were living in.

So, without much surprise, Ezra was wary.

Kanan was still holding his arm tightly, staring at the man he had referred to as Janus. Ezra was having trouble keeping his breathing and stomach in check, the stench of flesh still in his nose. He tried to draw comfort from the hold Kanan had on his arm, but it was no dice. He didn't feel any better about the man.

The guy named Janus put his gun away into a holster on his hip before looking around. He then gestured for Kanan to come forward without another word and Ezra knew it was to avoid anyone else in the camp coming to their leader's rescue. Their dead leader.

Kanan, to Ezra's surprise, didn't question the gesture and instead dragged Ezra forward with himself. Ezra tugged back, causing Kanan to look at him in surprise at the defiant action. The action that was saving him from the blade of a chainsaw.

Ezra knew Kanan could see his unease, but Kanan only nodded and muttered the words, "It's alright. I know him."

Kanan pulled Ezra's arm again and this time the boy allowed himself to be led towards Janus who was waiting patiently for them. They moved upon the not-so-tall fence, all three jumping it with ease. Ezra's eyes widened in surprise when he saw two horses there, waiting.

Ezra opened his mouth to speak, but Janus turned around and looked at Kanan. He must have felt more at ease behind the fence, because he asked in a fierce tone, "What are you doing out here, boy?"

Ezra could have sworn there was a bit of fondness in his voice, though Kanan made no motion to return the fondness as he replied rather coldly, "We were coming to find your camp actually. Got caught up in some…Trouble."

"Obviously," Janus sighed, putting his hands on his hips. He looked down at Ezra for the first time before nodding his head, "Hey there, kid. Name's Janus Kasmir. But, you can call me Janus."

The boy eyed the adult warily, glancing at Kanan. He was still shaking, and he wasn't sure if introducing him to a total stranger would give any better results than what happened back in the cannibal camp. Kanan only nodded his head in a reassuring way, and Ezra finally croaked, "Ezra."

Janus gave an accepting grin before Kanan said suddenly, "What're you doing here, Janus? Why do you have two horses?"

"I was planning on getting some people out," Janus sighed. "My camp and I usually come by every once in a while trying to keep people from getting sucked into their camp. It's sickening what they do, and we just try to keep it from getting worse."

"Hero work," Kanan huffed, crossing his arms over his chest. "Not really your gig."

Janus raised an eyebrow, "And fathering is yours?"

"He's not-" Kanan stopped and took a deep breath. "He's not mine; I'm just helping the kid."

Janus shrugged, turning to the horse and hopping on. He looked down before nodding towards the other horse and saying, "Well, you said you were on your way to my camp. Hop on and I'll take us that way. Then you can explain to me exactly what it is you need."

Ezra was rather nervous to get on the horse. He honestly would have rather walked because…Well, he had never been this close to a horse before. He had never even touched one, so the idea of getting on its back and letting the animal bring him off into the sunset was…uneasy. But, the thoughts were shut down when Kanan lifted him under the arms and set him up on the horse before climbing on behind Ezra, reaching around him to grab the reigns.

They started riding in an uncomfortable silence, though Janus was whistling loud enough for it to bounce through the trees. However, the uncomfortable silence was among himself and Kanan and he knew very well why. Though he wanted to avoid the conversation for as long as possible, it wasn't long before he heard Kanan clear his throat, readying to talk to him.

Ezra prayed to every deity he could think of that Kanan wouldn't…But, of course he did…

"That was really stupid," Kanan spoke from behind him. "Running into the camp like you did back there."

Ezra's shoulders sagged and he muttered quietly, "I wanted to help those people."

"I know you did," Kanan huffed. "But, it was stupid. We can't save everyone, Ezra. Especially if it's going to put you at risk-"

"I don't care about me, they were the ones in danger," Ezra's voice was steadily rising, even making Janus glance behind himself at the two of them. "And they're dead now because we waited too long to act."

Kanan grabbed his arm and squeezed, almost making Ezra cringe. Kanan hissed, "You're important, Ezra. I know that's hard for someone your age to grasp and especially since life hasn't treated you kindly, but you are important. And putting yourself in unnecessary danger isn't going to help save anyone. I thought you wanted to help people?"

"I wanted to help those people," Ezra's voice cracked slightly and he shut his mouth hurriedly.

Kanan lightened his grip on Ezra's arm and he sighed, "How do you expect to help anyone if you're dead?"

Ezra gulped and fell silent. He didn't know the answer to that one, but then again if he could help someone and die in the process, wouldn't that be just as good? Kanan wouldn't obviously be willing to die for him, so why can't Ezra be willing to die for others? For the safety and the well-being of people more deserving…

People who should live longer than him. He wanted to die for those people.

Because he was a walking disease. A walking virus. And a human Corpse is still a Corpse.

Ezra slumped forward, resting his forehead on the back of the horse's neck. The creature was silent besides his occasional huffs from his large nostrils. It was dark brown and Ezra could feel the life in every step it took. The boy weaved his fingers through the horse's mane and allowed his eyes to flutter closed and feel the world shift and turn under the gallops and the heartbeat that was the giant animal.

Ezra wasn't so afraid of the animal anymore.

The boy dozed for a long time, his mind dreaming of blood and the sounds of gas powered chainsaws. However, he was woken when he nearly slid off the horse's back, Kanan's arm suddenly wrapping around his abdomen to keep him from plummeting to the earth below.

Ezra cried out slightly, digging his fingers into Kanan's arm as the man pulled him back upright on the horse. Ezra blinked blearily, realizing they were approaching a large gate that was opening slowly upon their entrance.

"You ok?" Kanan asked. "You fell asleep."

"I'm fine," Ezra said, peeling the arm off of him, his cheeks turning pink from anger. He didn't need Kanan's help. Kanan obviously couldn't help those people back there, so he didn't have to help Ezra either.

Kanan sighed deeply, shaking his head as they entered what seemed to be a courtyard of the camp. Kanan climbed down first, offering to help Ezra, though the boy refused the hand. As Ezra began to climb down, his foot missed the stirrup, sending him into the rocks below.

Ezra grunted loudly upon impact, but swatted Kanan's hand away again when he offered to help him up. Janus approached the two, a woman coming out and leading the horses away from them. She eyed them warily, along with several other people who stood around.

Janus chuckled at Ezra before asking, "You alright?"

"'m fine," Ezra huffed, standing and brushing off his clothes.

Janus turned his attention to Kanan before asking, "Alright, care to explain to me why you and the boy were on your way here?"

Kanan licked his lips, rubbing his hands together a moment, and Ezra was actually surprised. It was like a kid who was about to tell his father he had lost all of their rations in a poker game. Kanan shifted on his feet before continuing, "We got separated from some of our crew and I need a radio to let them know where we are so they can come get us."

"So a radio?" Janus grinned.

Kanan nodded, though he didn't smile back. Janus shrugged, "You're lucky, boy. We just got ours up and running."

He turned, beginning to walk towards a large building. The people who had been watching seemed to go on about their business. Ezra followed close behind Kanan, missing the horse from their trip already.

Once they were inside, Ezra was surprised to be met with a feeling of cool air. He blinked, looking around Kanan to ask, "You have air conditioning?"

"Yep," Janus called over his shoulder. He pointed to the roof and continued, "Found this place covered with solar panels. The hard part was getting them up and running, but now that they're working, we pretty much live in luxury here. Your friend can tell you all about that little adventure."

Kanan's eyes narrowed on Janus back and he replied, "Rather not. It's kind of a boring."

Janus grimaced, turning back around as they continued down the hall. No one said anything else as they entered a small office room, occupied by one man. He was typing on a keyboard, his back turned to the three of them as he appeared to work diligently.

Janus cleared his throat and said, "Tápusk, we've got some company."

The man turned around and Ezra saw Kanan's shoulders go rigid immediately. Ezra stepped around Kanan so that he could peer up at his face to inspect the reaction to the sudden appearance of the new man that looked to be around Janus' age.

The guy named Tápusk didn't look any more pleased to see Kanan, scoffing loudly as he said, "So the brat came back looking for scraps I suppose? Finally ready to forgive you when he gets into a jam."

"Shut up," Kanan snapped, causing Ezra to jump in surprise. Ezra looked over at him with wide eyes as Kanan continued, "I came here to ask Janus for help, not you, so you can keep your two-cents to yourself."

Tápusk opened his mouth as if to speak, however Janus held up a hand between them to stop the bickering. He glanced back and forth between the two before growling, "Now, we're not going to repeat the behavior from years ago."

He looked at Tápusk before reprimanding, "Kanan just got separated from his group is all and he needs to use our radio to contact them. So, be kind."

Tápusk rolled his eyes and stepped aside, gesturing to a radio on the desk beside his keyboard. Kanan's eyes narrowed into slits as he approached it, sitting down in the chair the other man had been in moments before. Ezra eyed Tápusk warily, going to stand behind the chair as Tápusk glared down at him.

Kanan fiddled with the radio a few moments before the static came to life. Ezra held his breath as Kanan turned the knob…

What if they hadn't made it back to the RV? That was all Ezra could wonder. If they hadn't made it, he wasn't sure how Kanan would react. He probably wouldn't want to finish the assignment for Fulcrum. He'd probably just throw Ezra out…

But, more importantly…He had just gotten to know them. It wouldn't be fair for them to be taken away right when they had begun to treat him like an actual human being and not some walking science experiment. Zeb and Sabine…They were starting to treat him like one of their own, and Hera…God, if Hera was dead Ezra wasn't sure what he'd do.

She was so much like his mother. He didn't know if he could go through losing Mira twice.

Ezra's heart bolted into his throat when he heard a familiar voice on the radio say, "Hello? Hello?"

Kanan looked back at Ezra, eyes wide. Ezra felt like he could cry when he recognized the voice.

Hera.

"Thank God, Hera, it's you," Kanan laughed.

There was a slight gasp from the other end of the radio and Hera's voice exclaimed, "Kanan! Oh my God!"

Ezra could hear other voices shouting in the background. Voices that he knew to be Zeb and Sabine's. Ezra couldn't help the smile that fell across his lips when they all started asking questions at once.

Kanan blinked, "Woah, woah, hey! Guys, calm down! One at a time!"

They all silenced before Hera's voice returned, "Where the hell have you been, idiot? Is Ezra alright?"

"Missed you too," Kanan grunted. "Ezra is fine. He's here with me right now."

"Thank God," Hera breathed. "Where are you, where have you been?"

"It's…Kind of a long story," Kanan said rather sheepishly. "I'll spare you the details, but basically we…We're at Janus' camp and we need you guys to come pick us up."

There was another round of voices speaking at once, though this time Kanan allowed them to sort their own selves out. Finally, once Zeb and Sabine had ceased, Hera said, "How in the world did you guys get so far out? And why…Why his camp?"

Kanan paused before looking back Janus who was standing silently, his face a stone. Ezra looked between the two with interest, though he didn't question the sudden rift that had filtered through the giddiness in the room. In all honesty, he didn't know why Kanan seemed so wary of Janus. The man gave off good vibes, and he appeared to be trustworthy and even acted like he cared deeply for Kanan's wellbeing.

He would ask later.

"That's also…A long story," Kanan grunted, turning his attention back to the radio. "When can you guys get here."

Hera didn't answer a moment before her voice replied, "We can probably get there tomorrow around noon. We just now got the RV up and running again, so we'll have to take things slow."

"I understand," Kanan sounded relieved. Like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. When the radio began to make a heavy static sound, Kanan went on to say, "I'll see you tomorrow then. Over and out."

"Please be safe. Over."

The feed cut off and Ezra approached the table, putting his hands flat on it before leaning over to peer at Kanan's face. However, before he could ask what he had planned to ask, Tápusk had jumped back with such momentum that his back slammed into another table behind him. Both Ezra and Kanan looked over confused, Janus sharing the same expression as he held out a hand.

And much to Ezra's disdain…The man pulled out a pistol.

Kanan was up in an instant, putting himself in front of Ezra. Janus held out his hand towards Tápusk, saying quickly, "Woah now, what the hell are you doing?"

"What is on his arm!?" Tápusk asked, causing Ezra's face to drain of color. He felt light headed all of sudden and Kanan covered him further. The boy could feel anxiety filled bile bubbling up in his throat and threatening to explode.

"What?" Janus sounded lost, looking back at Kanan as if he expected it to be on Kanan's arm. He narrowed his eye on him, before turning back to Tápusk. "There's nothing on his arm."

"The kid!" Tápusk insisted, shaking his gun wildly. "I saw a fucking bite just now! When he put his arms on the table!"

Kanan held up his own hand, much like Janus. He tried to speak evenly as he explained, "It's not what you think."

"Not what he thinks?" Janus breathed, looking at Ezra who was peaking around Kanan's back at this point. He looked at Kanan in the eyes before stepping forward and snapping, "Did you bring an infected person into this camp!?"

"Listen to me!" Kanan ordered, voice rising in frustration. "I'll show you his arm, but you have to put the gun down!"

Tápusk shook his head wildly and Kanan looked at Janus with pleading eyes, begging him to convince his comrade that he and Ezra meant no harm. All the hope inside of him filled with the faith that maybe Janus still trusted him somewhat. Maybe that same bond still lived within them to understand each other, just by a glance.

Janus nodded his head at Tápusk, seeming to find Kanan's words to be honest. The man was hesitant before he did so, setting the gun down on the table beside him. Kanan sighed in relief before reaching behind him and pulling Ezra around. Ezra had his arm curled up tight to his chest and it took Kanan tugging several times before Ezra would allow his arm to be broadcasted to the others.

"What the fu-"

"Yeah, I know," Kanan interrupted Janus. "It's healed…Just a scar. That's why we're here…Why we're so far out. W-we…"

He paused, taking in the fact that Ezra was trembling below his hands. He squeezed firmly in an attempt to comfort the teen before he continued, "We're going to the Alliance and we're going to use him to find a cure."

"You mean…" Tápusk began before scoffing. "This is horse-shit. People aren't immune."

Kanan shrugged, allowing Ezra to pull his arm back in. He then explained, "Well, it's apparently several months old. So, it's looking like he is, smart one."

Ezra felt unimaginably panicked as he cradled his arm close to his body. He couldn't believe how easily Kanan had given up that information. But, then again, there had been a gun pointed in their faces…Still. Maybe it was because he knew Janus. Maybe he felt comfortable enough to tell the truth, but Ezra didn't. And it was his body that was being put under scrutiny right now. It wasn't fair.

Kanan rubbed Ezra's shoulder as Janus and Tápusk chewed on the information. It felt like a thousand years to Ezra as he stood shell shocked. How could he not have been more careful? He was going to have to find another hoodie. Kanan had bled out all over his orange one, so he didn't have much of a choice when he threw that one away. He was going to have to cover the bite. It was too obvious. Too out there in the open and he couldn't believe he had made that mistake.

"You'll have to forgive us if we find it hard to believe," Janus sighed, shaking his head. He looked at Ezra and asked slowly, "How'd you get bit, boy?"

Ezra grimaced and shifted on his feet. He hadn't even told Kanan that. He hadn't told anyone that, except for Tseebo. He wanted to try and push away the question and avoid it, but the other man's gaze was still hard and the gun was still so freaking close…

"I-It was an accident," Ezra began slowly, voice cracking. "My f-friend…Zare…He said it was a bad idea. He said we shouldn't go outside of the quarantine zone but I…I just wanted to see."

"See what?" Kanan questioned, obviously taken in by the fact Ezra was revealing the details.

Ezra looked down at the floor and shook his head, "Corpses. You know, in Lothal there aren't any unless you go down to the sewers. Even then, they're hard to find. So, I told Zare I wanted to see some…Just see them. I didn't want to kill any or anything like that."

"Why the hell would you want to see those things?" Janus questioned.

Ezra shrugged, "Curiosity I guess. So Zare and I snuck out and we got overrun. B-both of us got bit…But, when we were sitting there, being poetic and shit, waiting to lose our minds…I didn't turn. B-but, well…Zare did."

Ezra's shoulders began to shake and he fought back the tears that threatened with a firm bite to his lower lip. He wasn't going to cry in front of these people. Not now. Especially not in front of two strangers. He took a deep breath, pulling the emotions back in as he looked up at the adults. The sun had begun to set and the room was beginning to get dark.

Tápusk still looked like he didn't trust Ezra in the slightest, but Janus' eyes were sorry. And if Ezra could have seen Kanan standing behind him, he would have probably worn the same expression.

Ezra didn't think he wanted them to feel sorry for him, but it was better than a gun in his face.

Janus sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose before saying, "I can't believe I'm doing this…"

"What?" Tápusk asked in shock. "You don't actually believe this, do you?"

Janus shook his head, "Should I not? You saw his arm, it looks healed. And, there is a piece of me that truly hopes it is."

He then looked pointedly into Kanan's eyes and continued, "And the source is unimaginably trustworthy."

Tápusk threw his hands in the air and exclaimed, "I can't believe this! You're trusting these people over my judgement!"

Kanan opened his mouth to say something but Janus only raised a hand and ignored Tápusk completely as he said, "We'll give the two of you a room for tonight until your crew can get here tomorrow. If this is how I can contribute to the revival of humanity…Then so be it."

"You're not exactly the obligated type," Kanan said, raising an eyebrow.

Janus shrugged nonchalantly, "I'm not exactly any type. Now, follow me, I'll show you to the room."

Tápusk stayed behind while the other three exited. Ezra was glad to get as far away from the man as possible. His eyes were uneasy. His stature was ferocious. Violent. It reminded Ezra of the dad who used to hit his daughter down the street from his family home.

Ezra followed silently as the other two men walked beside one another. Ezra was still shaking and when they stopped in front of a large door, Janus opened it easily. The walk had been much too short as he followed Kanan and Janus inside.

The room was quite small. There was an adjoining bathroom and a twin bed. Other than that, the room was almost completely empty. Janus sighed, rubbing his hands together as he said, "I know it's not much. But, I suppose it'll do for now, eh?"

"Yeah," Kanan answered quickly. "It'll do."

Janus looked awkward suddenly, eyeing Ezra uneasily. Ezra couldn't blame him…He'd be afraid of himself too. In fact, he was afraid of himself. He didn't think he'd ever be comfortable with the fact he was almost half a corpse.

The fact that he had turned Vizago.

Janus was gone in one sweep of the door shutting and the room sliding into a silence that was strong enough to smother. Ezra shifted on his feet and looked up at Kanan as he rubbed his arm nervously.

Kanan sat down on the bottom bunk, sighing heavily as he leaned back to relax against the headboard. Ezra twiddled his thumbs, glancing around the room as he wondered silently what he should be doing or saying to ease the tension after the events of the morning.

"So," Ezra began awkwardly, rocking back and forth on his heels. "How do you know Janus?"

Kanan glanced over, one of his eyebrows raised. Ezra rolled his eyes at the gesture and snapped, "It doesn't mean I'm not mad anymore. I'm still mad. I just want to know."

The man shrugged slightly, sitting forward a bit more. He seemed to ponder on his words and Ezra had begun to understand that it meant that he didn't really want to talk about it in full detail. But, screw Kanan, because he tended to pry into Ezra's life more than he should so why shouldn't Ezra do the same?

"He's an old friend, like I said," Kanan grunted, picking dirt from under his nails. "He looked after me after my mother passed away. But…We had a falling out and I decided I was better off without his help."

Ezra sunk to the floor slowly, staring up at the guy on the bed. He looked tired. Not as bad as he had looked those weeks ago when he was bleeding out over the convenience store floor, but it was a close second. Like the conversation had just sucked out his life.

"What kind of falling out?" Ezra inquired. Kanan gave a warning look, one that said he really wasn't in the mood for speaking about it, but Ezra was going to push for his answers. He wanted to know the kind of people they were staying with. He wanted to know why Kanan was apparently tiptoeing around his supposed 'friends'.

Kanan sighed, eyes looking slightly resentful at the boy's ability to pry so easily. He shook his head and explained, "He traded me off to the Empire for a stupid bargain. After he got what he wanted he rescued me, obviously…But, still…You can't trust someone after that. I only came here because we needed help."

Ezra was quiet a moment, his eyes looking sorry, but Kanan chose to ignore it. Ezra then cleared his throat and asked, "What about that other guy? Tápusk? What's your problem with him other than the fact that he appears to be a total psycho?"

Kanan tilted his head and gritted his jaw, "Tápusk used to work for the Empire. I don't think people just have random changes of heart, so I'm going to leave it at that. Just keep your distance from him, understand?"

"Got it, Boss," Ezra rolled his eyes. The boy then laid flat on the floor and Kanan shifted on the bed, switching off the light and sending them into impending darkness.

Ezra thought the ceiling went on forever until eventually his mind became fuzzy and blessed sleep showered him.

When Ezra woke, Kanan was sitting up in bed, staring out the window.

It gave an ominous feeling initially and Ezra sat up hurriedly when anxiety hit him. Kanan looked over at him, his face passive as he did so and Ezra stared up with wide eyes, expecting to be told something was wrong and that Corpses were invading or something to that extent.

"What's wrong?" Kanan questioned, raising an eyebrow.

Ezra puffed out a breath, realizing how silly he probably looked. He cleared his throat, opting to ignore the question as he asked, "Uhm…Did you even sleep?"

"I did," Kanan replied, though Ezra had a feeling he was lying. He had seen the man lie down, but he could imagine him staring at the ceiling for hours and hours, listening to every little sound outside of the door.

Kind of like how Ezra spent those several weeks while Kanan recovered from his gunshot wound.

Now he knew how the guard dogs felt.

Ezra's heart settled in the next several moments and Kanan stood from the bed. He said quietly, "Janus came in while you were sleeping, I was about to wake you because he said breakfast would be in twenty."

"Oh good," Ezra said, clutching his stomach. "I'm starved."

Kanan raised an eyebrow again and Ezra raised his in return, slightly confused. Then he remembered. The events of the day before. The guilt. The horror of the day. And suddenly his stomach twisted into a knot and the hunger flew away like autumn leaves, leaving his gut lonely and cold for the winter.

The man held out a hand and Ezra took it, standing from his place on the floor. The two exited the room and Kanan began to lead him down the hall, pondering every few moments on where he was going. He would peer down several halls at once, checking for the danger they both new wasn't there, but then again, very well could have been.

Better safe than sorry.

They came upon the cafeteria easier than Ezra thought, leading him to believe that Janus had probably given Kanan directions when he had supposedly come into the room that morning. Ezra was slightly turned away by the fact there appeared to be only a few tables and they were all full besides two seats with Janus and Tápusk.

"They saved us a seat," Ezra thought, looking at Kanan to see if his face showed the same remorse. "Time for the most awkward breakfast on the planet."

Sure enough, Janus was quick to wave them over. Ezra heard Kanan mumble a curse word under his breath, but he didn't bother to correct him. In fact, the boy slightly agreed.

They approached and two plates of eggs and toast were already set out for them. Both sat down silently as Janus gave a welcoming yet uncomfortable smile and Tápusk continued to glare harshly at them both. Ezra bit the inside of his cheek, noticing how the man was still eyeing the bite on his arm with distaste.

"Look," Kanan snapped suddenly, making Ezra jump. "If you're going to stare at it, we'll leave."

Tápusk scoffed, "Please do."

Janus glared and said, "Now, stop it. I told them they are welcome to stay and I believe their story. That's the end of it."

Tápusk rolled his eyes, but went back to eating nonetheless. Ezra felt a pang of frustration. How could this guy be so judgmental when he had once worked for the cruelty that was the Empire? He had no place to complain about Ezra's immunity and his existence.

Of course, Ezra questioned his own existence enough. He didn't need this guy to make it worse.

"So how did you two sleep?" Janus questioned. "I know it's not the most comfortable of place, and the floor didn't look that great, but still-"

"Janus," Kanan said, cutting him off. Ezra paused in his bite of eggs and looked up at the two. Kanan was giving the older man a stern look as he sighed, "Look, I appreciate this. All of this. But this small talk…There's no way to deny that this is damn awkward. But, I just want to get Ezra and I out of here as soon as possible, and acting like we didn't part the way we did is just…uncomfortable."

Janus' face became grim suddenly and Ezra's shoulders slumped. Even with what Kanan had said, Ezra still felt bad for the man. He was making and effort and Kanan had shot them all down the prejudice. Prejudice that was deserved, but it was still harsh.

"Alright," Janus sighed. "But, I do have a question that I think is owed to me."

Kanan looked away, the annoyance flashing on his face like a lightning bolt. There one second, gone the next. He grumbled, "What?"

"This cure you're going to find," Janus began. "Is it plausible?"

Kanan looked over at Ezra who was looking at him in return. It was obvious Ezra was looking to Kanan for the answer, but honestly, without the opinion of a doctor, Kanan didn't think he could really give a truthful reply.

"We…hope so," Kanan managed to grit out. He watched Ezra's shoulders fall slightly at the unsure answer. Kanan continued, "But, our leader is very hopeful. And so are we. We're thinking the chances are very high."

Janus nodded and looked at Ezra, "Must be pretty strange, traveling so far with a stranger."

"He's not a stranger," Ezra replied confidently. "Not anymore, at least."

A small smile graced Janus' lips, and Tápusk rolled his eyes angrily, standing from the table and leaving the room. Janus sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he wanted desperately to ram his own head into the nearest wall.

"I'm sorry," Janus apologized, making Ezra feel slightly sorry for him. "He's just…"

"He's Tápusk," Kanan snapped. "Which leads to my question. Why the hell is he here?"

Janus bit into his cheek and tilted his head, "Because he has changed. He's not like he used to be, he renounced his loyalty to the Empire and I believe him."

"Dumb move, if you ask me," Kanan mumbled under his breath, but Janus gave no reply. Just a simple tilt of his head and a sad sigh. They finished their meal in silence, causing Ezra to glance up every now and then to look at the two adults. Soon enough, they were the only three in the room.

Once Ezra finished, he found that Janus and Kanan had both finished before him. They were…Waiting. Waiting for him to be done and the looks were awkward. Ezra bit into his lip and jumped when Janus clapped his hands together and suggested, "So, boy. You ever cleaned up a horse before?"

Ezra's eyes lit up and his back straightened, "No, I haven't. Actually, yesterday was the first day I've ever been that close to a horse."

Janus smiled a bit, "Well, if you're guardian here is ok with it, I wouldn't mind taking you to the stables."

"Well-" Kanan began, but Ezra cut him off by jumping out of his seat excitedly.

"He doesn't mind!" Ezra answered for him.

Janus laughed…

And Ezra couldn't image him being the same man Kanan had talked about the night before.

The horses were the best things Ezra had seen in years and he didn't know how he had been wary before.

He loved them, absolutely to the max that he had loved anything for a long time. When the group had first entered the stable, the sight of the large animals that had brought him to the camp made him tense up. They were giant compared to him and the things were thoroughly terrifying. But, that was just it, they could probably stomp Ezra down without much effort and yet they didn't.

Janus had let him brush the creatures and then clean the hooves. Kanan had stood by without much expression his face other than amusement at Ezra's wonder about the animals. In particular, Ezra liked the dark brown one the most. She went by the name of Charlie and she was amazing in Ezra's opinion. Not just because she had brought him to the camp.

Or maybe he was just biased because she had been the first to let him feed a carrot.

"You know kid," Janus said, grinning at the boy as he gave the horse another snack. "You're gonna make her too full to be useful. She won't be able to move for hours."

Ezra rolled his eyes, "It makes her like me better."

"Well, you're not lying there," Janus chuckled.

Ezra glanced over at Kanan who was watching the pair. His eyes had gone from amused to serious in a matter of moments, and Ezra knew it was a look of pure and utter distrust. Ezra sighed deeply, returning his attention back to the horses in front of him.

Kanan was paranoid.

So was Ezra, but that wasn't the point. It annoyed him. Sure he had enjoyed having someone to watch his back, but Kanan treated him like some sort of kid and Ezra might be young, but he definitely wasn't stupid. He knew who to trust. He knew who not to trust.

Unless they appeared to be something else…

Damn.

Ezra ran his fingers through Charlie's hair and whispered to her, "Things must be nice here, huh? Getting food whenever you want and never going hungry. Feeling safe."

Janus stared at him silently, his eyes holding something. Understanding? The older man's face held some stories, that was for sure. It held pain and sorrow. But, it also held a past of wrong. A past that he wanted to atone for and was trying to atone for. But, Kanan wasn't willing to let him.

The comfortable silence among them and the huffing of the horses was cut off suddenly when one of Janus' men enter the stable and announced, "Boss, there's an RV at the gate. They say they're being expected…"

Kanan sat up straight, eyes sparking in recognition as he said hurriedly, "That's our crew."

Ezra rushed out and followed Kanan who was already walking out of the stable. His heart began to hammer in his ribcage with excitement and he wasn't particularly sure why. Happiness sparked within him and he chewed on the inside of his cheek with anxiety. An anxiety he hadn't felt before and suddenly he knew what it was…

It was joy.

Pure and untainted joy.

It was when he saw the RV pull in and in the distance three people filed off. It was then that his heart exploded and when he saw Hera wrap her arms around Kanan's neck in a warm embrace. When he saw her smile and her eyes shut in relief at holding him in her arms.

Ezra jogged up, not particularly expecting the ruffle of his hair from Zeb and the squeeze on his shoulder he received from Sabine. He definitely wasn't expecting Hera to hug him just as fiercely as she had hugged Kanan. If not, more so. He tensed, unsure what to do with himself at first. How long had it been since someone held him as if he was their child? As if they were his mother?

His heart flittered inside of him again.

Joy.

"Thank God you're both alright," Hera breathed. She pulled back from her hug and placed a hand on Ezra's cheek gently. "Were either of you hurt? Did you make it out ok?"

"Yeah, I was wondering the same thing," Zeb said skeptically while glancing around. "How'd you end up…here of all places."

Ezra wondered silently if Zeb even knew the background between Kanan and Janus, who was now approaching the group from behind.

"I was hurt," Kanan provided, pointing at his abdomen. "Had a nice gunshot wound from some of Vizago's men. But, the kid here managed to get me patched up and keep me alive long enough for us to get here…"

Ezra decided to ignore the looks of shock and concern that was aimed towards him. They should be concerned about Kanan. He was the one who got shot afterward. But, no…They were shocked he didn't run. Shocked he didn't panic. Which he had but…they didn't have to know.

He paused, glancing at Janus, "I'll skip the gory details…But, Janus saved our asses when we ran into some Nibs. We…We have him to thank for a lot of this. Us getting back with you safely."

No one spoke a long moment until Hera walked around Kanan and stood in front of Janus. Ezra thought for a moment that maybe she was going to slap him, but instead she held out her hand. A small smile of gratitude pulled on her lips as she whispered, "Thank you. So much."

He didn't have time to respond however…

As soon as Janus took her hand and opened his mouth to speak, a loud crash fell over the camp as a sudden explosion erupted from the gates that had just been sealed back a moment before. Ezra felt the ground shake below his feet and he looked over, his eyes widening at the sight before him, trying to ignore the way his ears were ringing.

Six large Imperial trucks filed in one by one and Ezra wanted to cower in fear immediately. Janus stepped back in shock, Kanan's eyes looking at him wide and betrayed…

"I didn't…" Janus began but lost his words. "I didn't contact anyone, Kanan. You have to believe me on that."

Kanan shook his head, his eyes aimed darkly at someone standing several feet away behind Janus. Kanan growled out, "Oh I know…I think I have an idea of who would be in touch with the Empire and know exactly where to send them and why."

Ezra followed Kanan's line of sight to where Tápusk stood, his face stone cold and unforgiving. Stoic even. Ezra wanted to rush up. Wanted to beat his face in, and from the sound of Kanan's voice he wanted to do the same.

Zeb groaned, "Can we just go?"

"No way," Sabine interrupted, pulling her pistol from her belt. "We can't just leave these guys. We brought these people here."

"We didn't," Kanan hissed. He pointed towards Tápusk and continued, "He did."

Several more of Janus' men seemed to look at Tápusk in anger. The Imperials were beginning to exit their vehicles, their weapons drawn on the group around the RV. Janus whispered, "You all go, get in your RV and drive far and fast. I decided to trust Tápusk, this is on my hands-"

"We're not leaving," Ezra insisted, looking at the crew for reassurance. "We wouldn't do that."

Hera nodded, "The kid is right. We led these people to you, it's our responsibility-"

"Drop your weapons!" A voice boomed and Ezra felt a chill run down his spine as soon as he heard it. Kallus.

Kallus went on, speaking loudly, "We're here to collect the boy and nothing more. We know he is here; we've been informed by one of your own. Now, hand him over and we won't torch your settlement."

"Fat chance," Zeb scoffed under his breath.

No one moved, and Ezra was sure no one breathed. They all just stared at Kallus and the Inquisitor who had been in the gas station. The ones who had been looking for Ezra…The ones who knew what he could do…

"Kanan," Ezra whispered, fear almost eating him alive. Kanan looked over at Ezra and the boy continued, "Please…"

"They're not going to touch you," Kanan growled. "Never."

It didn't make Ezra feel any better. If anything the rage in Kanan's voice made him feel even more uneasy. He gripped his fists tightly, hearing several of the guns place their bullets in the chambers…

"Alright!" Kallus announced, growing impatient. "Then we'll do this the hard way!"

And the firing began…