Sorry for the slower update on this story. Been under the weather this week with asthma problems due to seasonal allergies. Wipes me out! This chapter is partly based on something that happened on a camping trip a few years ago. Enjoy!

Chapter 7 "Tubing the Woh River"

The next morning Zeb woke up earlier than Ezra and Sabine. He felt a little better and his throat wasn't as sore. Rex, Gregor and Wolffe were up getting a pot of caf going on the campstove and warm water over the campfire for tea or hot chocolate. Hera and Kanan were awake still dressed in their night tunics and pants, light jackets over them. They saw the Lasat come over from the tent wrapping his jacket around him more. He was shivering a little but smiled seeing his family.

"Morning," he said his voice a little stronger.

Hera got up from the table to help him over.

"Hey big guy!" Gregor said getting ready to pour a cup of caf for his friend, "Want a cup of caf?"

"No," Zeb said sitting next to Hera. She reached over to caress his cheek.

"Jogan juice?"

"Nope."

"How about hot chocolate?" Rex suggested, "Ezra and Sabine tried some while you were in the hospital. They really liked it."

"Okay."

Rex poured Zeb a cup of hot chocolate hoping the Lasat would like it. He was a bit worried that his friend wasn't eating and drinking much. Zeb took a sip and his eyes widened. A smile crossed the Lasat's tired features.

"Hey, Rex, this is great! Can I have some more?"

"You sure can, buddy."

Sabine and Ezra woke up a little later and were relieved to see Zeb looking better. They sat down next to him giving him quick hugs.

"See that Rex has got you trying hot chocolate," Ezra said seeing the Lasat enjoying the sweet hot drink.

"Yah, I think I like this better than caf."

Soon the GHOST family and the three troopers were enjoying a breakfast of Barrelian eggs and bacon. A full day of activities was ahead of them. Priscilla had arranged for the families at the Woh River Campground to go on a float trip down the river using inflatable tubes.

"Rex, have you Gregor and Wolffe gone tubing before?" Ezra asked.

"We sure have," the trooper said, "Even at our ages it is still fun. It's very relaxing and anyone can try it, even you, Zeb."

The Lasat's face broke into a big grin.

"No, Zeb," Kanan added, "Not this time. You have a broken arm in a cast and aren't strong enough to handle anything like this."

The grin turned into an almost pout. Hera reached over to pat his good arm.

"Kanan's right, Zeb," she said seeing his hurt look, "You've only been out of the hospital two days and can't get wet."

"It's not fair," Zeb grumbled.

"I know, but you can walk around the campground, visit with the other families, spend time with Dr. Tebeken and Bette or maybe help Priscilla out with her campground duties."

"Okay," came the half-hearted response.

Priscilla came by later to let them know when everyone was going tubing.

"This is one of the funnest activities for families to do and also a great way to get to know each other. I see you have your tubes ready to go. Have you ever done this before?"

"This is the first time," Hera said looking over at Kanan and the "kids".

"We've done it lots of times," Rex answered, "It's not only fun, but relaxing too."

"Will it be safe for our children since this is their first time?" Kanan asked.

"There's nothing to worry about," Priscilla answered, "I, and several of the rangers will be following in two pontoon-like boats. We take these along for family members who don't like to be in the water and also if anyone gets into trouble."

"This sounds fun!" both Ezra and Sabine said running to the tent to get their swim suits on.

"Can I go?" Zeb asked again, hoping Hera and Kanan would change their minds.

"No, Zeb," Hera said, "You can't."

The Lasat bowed his head.

"Zeb can go along," Priscilla said seeing the sad look on his face, "He can ride in one of the boats with anyone who doesn't want to go tubing."

"He's not well yet," Hera said.

"Hera don't fret. Zeb will be fine in a boat. The boy deserves to have some fun. I'll make sure he stays dry. Izzibo likes to ride in the boat and will be thrilled to have Zeb along."

Hera knew she couldn't change the older woman's mind. Anyway the sad look on the Lasat's face made her feel bad.

"Okay, Zeb, you can go as long as you stay in the boat and don't get wet. Keep your sling on your broken arm and sit away from the sides."

"Yes...Mom," he said a grin starting on his face. He ran to the tent to get his swim suit on.

"I think you made him happy," Priscilla said seeing Zeb come out a few minutes later in a pair of swimming shorts and a tank top on. He adjusted his arm in the sling and went to stand by Ezra and Sabine who were dressed in swim suits the same color as his.

A few hours later, the families who were going tubing gathered together down by the side of the Woh River.

Two pontoon-like boats were sitting next to the shore waiting to be loaded with family members who didn't like to be in the water.

"Garazeb," came a familiar voice from near the congregation of families.

It was Orla and she was holding a tube.

"Are you going tubing?" she asked smiling at him.

"Hi Orla," he said swallowing hard at her warm smile that was just for him, "I can't get my casted arm wet. I'll be riding in a boat."

"You look nice," she said admiring the Lasat in his tank top and shorts.

"Uh...thank you...You look nice too."

The young Wookiee female had a life vest on since she couldn't swim very well.

"Okay everyone, listen up," Priscilla said getting everyone's attention, "The one's of you who aren't good swimmers make sure you wear your life vests. When you get your tubes into the water, wait for me and the rangers to get the boats loaded and then you can get onto your tube and ready to float the river. For you youngsters, we have water pistols if you want to squirt each other as you float by. Even the adults like to get in on the fun. Here's a bag of the water pistols so you can choose one. There's enough for everyone."

Ezra and Sabine looked a little confused until Amy, Ashley, Jesse and Jeri showed them how to use one of the water pistols. Zeb found a big one that fit his big clawed hand. He got a grin on his face thinking about getting Ezra with the water pistol as they floated by.

The ones who were floating on tubes placed them in the water waiting for Priscilla to give the order to push off from the shore. Besides Kanan, Hera, Ezra, Sabine and the three troopers, three other families readied their tubes.

"Zeb, do you need help getting into the boat?" Priscilla asked as she helped Izzibo and TyPk in.

"No, I'm fine. Are you sure this boat can hold us all? I'm not exactly a featherweight."

"Don't you worry, kiddo," Priscilla answered ruffling his furry head, "Step carefully and sit on the seat towards the back. I think Izzibo wants to sit by you."

Zeb stepped into the boat and was relieved that his bulky Lasat body fit just fine. Izzibo saw him get comfortable an walked over to sit by him.

"Can I sit with you?" she asked.

"Sure, squirt, c'mon up on my lap," he said helping the tiny Rodian up onto his knees.

"I won't touch your arm," she said pointing to his casted arm in the sling, "That's a big boo-boo."

Zeb chuckled at her statement and gave her a quick hug with his good arm. Izzibo leaned back her head against his chest. TyPk sat on the seat next to him.

"Hey, TyPk," Zeb said to Izzibo's brother, "There's enough room up here for you too. You don't mind do you, Izzibo?"

The Rodian girl smiled at her brother. TyPk smiled back and crawled onto the Lasat's lap.

Several family members along with the Rodian children's parents got into the boat too.

The other boat was loaded and Pricilla gave the signal for everyone to get into their tubes and push off the shore.

"Okay, everyone, push your tubes out into the current. That't it, try to stay near your family members. She looked over at the Jarrus/Syndulla clan especially, sonsidering this was their first time tubing.

Soon over two dozen humans and non-humans floated lazily down the river. Zeb in the first boat, gazed around at the scenery glad that he could go along even with a broken arm. He saw that Ezra and Sabine were staying near his boat and gave him smiles showing they were up to something.

"Hey Zeb!" Ezra called from his tube directly in front of the boat, "Watch out!"

He aimed the water pistol he had in his hand and got the Lasat square in the face with a stream of water.

Spitting out water, Zeb laughed and picked up the pistol he had grabbed back at the shore. With a big toothy grin he aimed at Ezra and got him right in the face. That got laughs out of everyone else in the boat and the one behind them.

"Zeb, be careful," Priscilla said, "Don't get that cast wet or your parents will be very upset with me."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

Soon an all-out water war occured on the Woh River with not only the kids squirting each other but the adults getting in on the fun too. Hera and Kanan enjoyed seeing their three "kids" having fun, especially Zeb. The big Lasat was laughing constantly and getting Ezra and Sabine with blasts of water. Soon all but his casted arm was wet and he shook his furry head getting Izzibo and TyPk squeeling with delight. The tubes and boats kept going along the river and eventually came to a dock where they'd unload and head back to the campground in ground shuttle vehicles. Everyone was tired from the fun trip down the river and Zeb in the boat was half-asleep with a gently snoring Izzibo and TyPk on his lap.

"Zeb," Priscilla said seeing the Lasat leaned over dozing. She had to smile at the sight. "Three tired children. Zeb? Wake up, honey, we're at the dock."

"Huh?!" he muttered and opened his eyes, "Hi, Pricilla."

"We're at the dock and will be unloading the boats. Your parents and the rest of your family are getting their tubes out of the water."

A few minutes later, Zeb was reunited with his family and they boarded the shuttle to take them back to the campground. They took their seats in the ground vehicle and Zeb sat next to Hera. He yawned, closed his eyes and leaned over so his head was on her shoulder where he dozed off.

"I think you have a tired kid," one of the other parents said eyeing their own tired children. He knew about the unique family of human, Twi'lek, human clones and Lasat.

"Yes, we wore himself out," Kanan said watching Hera place a beach towel around Zeb's broad shoulders. He never stirred.

"He's still a bit weak from fighting pneumonia," Hera answered, "He just got out of the hospital a couple of days ago. I hope he didn't overdo it."

"I'm sure he's fine, " the parent replied, "I've only seen one other Lasat in my life and she was alot older than your son. I admire you and your husband for adopting possibly one of the few Lasat left in the galaxy. Not many people would take in a being who's possibly scarred...emotionally."

Hera bristled at that remark.

"Zeb is our...son and we love him no matter what species he is. He has adjusted just fine to us being his parents."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you."

"Don't worry," Kanan added hoping to calm Hera down, "My...wife is very protective of Zeb since he was our first adopted child and the most wounded both physically and emotionally."

Hera put a protective arm around Zeb amd kissed him on the cheek. That showed the other parents that they were seeing the unconditional love of a loving mother no matter the size or species of the child.

The shuttles arrived back at the campground unloading everyone and their tubes. The boats were secured back at the dock if needed again.

"Wow!" Ezra said putting his tube down next to the rest of his family's. "That was so wizard!"

"Can we do that again?" Sabine asked wrapping a towel around her waist.

"Yes, we can," Kanan answered, "That was quite a trip and very relaxing."

He looked over and saw Hera fussing over a half-asleep Zeb who had plopped himself on the cushion. The Lasat was still wet and she was worried about him getting chill.

"Ezra, you and Sabine get into some dry clothes, okay?" Hera said seeing Zeb slump over. She had to surpress a chuckle at the sight of the sleepy Lasat with wet fur.

A few minutes later the two teenagers came out from the tent in dry shorts and short sleeved tunics.

"Zeb, wake up," Hera said giving a wet shoulder a shake, "You need to get dried off and into some dry clothes."

"Uh...uh," he muttered his green eyes open a slit.

"Garazeb Orrelios," she said in a firm voice that made him fully awaken, "Get into the tent and dry yourself off."

"No," he muttered in a whiny tone.

"Garazeb Orrelios..." she said in a harsher tone, "Yu sit up and get your butt into that tent, now!"

"Aw...Hera...," he grumbled but obeyed her.

Dr. Tebeken and Bette came over for a visit having watched the families float by on their tubes.

"Looks like you had fun floating the Woh River," Bette said, "How did Zeb do in a tube?"

"He rode in one of the boats," Kanan answered, "Our other two kids rode in tubes and had alot of fun. Even us grownups had fun floating along and squirting each other with water pistols. Even Zeb from a boat, was enjoying himself."

"Where is the boy?" Dr. Tebeken asked not seeing the Lasat.

"He's in the tent getting dried off and into dry clothes," Hera said looking over towards the tent where Zeb was inside, "At least he's supposed to be doing that."

Hera got up and followed by Bette unzipped the tent entrance. Zeb was sprawled out on his sleeping bag fast asleep. Both women tried not to laugh seeing the Lasat still wet and only dressed in undergarments.

"Zeb, wake up," Hera said shaking his shoulder.

The Lasat woke up with a start and looked up to see Hera and Bette staring down at him.

"Zeb, you need to get some dry clothes on," Hera said motioning Bette to help her get him sat back up, "Something more than undergarments."

"No," he said in a whiny tone. Bette smiled knowing he was just overtired.

Hera gave him such a stern look that his ears drooped.

"Garazeb Orrelios," her tone in full "mother mode", "If you don't get into dry clothes by yourself, Bette and I will do it for you."

A real pout crossed the Lasat features.

Hera reached over to his pack and pulled out a short sleeved tunic and a pair of shorts.

"Get dressed...now!"

The pouty look grew. Hera motioned to Bette to follow her out of the tent hoping that Zeb wouldn't fall back asleep.

A few minutes later a soft snoring could be heard coming from the tent. Hera motioned to Bette to follow her back into the tent where they discovered that Zeb was asleep again his shorts on but nothing else. Getting more annoyed, Hera woke him up and gave him such a stern look that he almost burst into tears.

"Zeb, please sit up," she said her voice taking on an anooyed tone, "Bette and I will help you."

"No," he said in a petulant whiny tone of voice so unlike himself.

"He's just overtired, Hera," Bette said getting the tunic put on Zeb, "All children get cranky and fussy when they're tired. It doesn't matter who big the kid is. Remember he's still recovering from pneumonia and a broken arm."

"I know...I'm not used to him being so stubborn ad whiny."

"Don't worry, let's get him back outside with the rest of the family. Maybe he'll feel better after getting something to eat."

The older woman ruffled Zeb's furry head getting a smile out of him.

They helped him back out to the picnic table where Sabine and Ezra were munching on granola bars while the troopers were fixing dinner over the campfire. The two kids handed Zeb a granola bar which he munched on happily liking the flavor.

"Everything all right?" Kanan asked sensing the distress that Zeb was feeling earlier but was better now.

"He's just overtired, Kanan," Bette said, "All kids get a bit cranky and petulant when they're tired. Even a big kid like Zeb is entitled to getting fussy when he's tired. He's fine now."

Kanan looked over at his big friend feeling more like a father than ever to the oldest of the three "kids". Dr. Tebeken checked Zeb over making sure he was doing fine after a full day of activities. Thankfully the Lasat was doing well for having pneumonia a few weeks back and would get stronger with time. Sleep was the best thing for him.

"Looks like you wore yourself out, kiddo," the doctor said and tweaked the Lasat's nose getting a giggle out of him. He turned to Hera and Kanan.

"He's doing very well for being so sick a few weeks ago. Make sure he gets plenty of rest and takes the medications that the hospital sent home with you. He should be right as rain in a few weeks. When does he have his follow-up appointment at the hospital?"

"Tomorrow afternoon," Hera answered seeing Zeb go over to sit on the cushion. The Lasat let out a big yawn and shut his eyes.

By nightfall, the GHOST family sat by the campfire chatting with the doctor and his wife having grown fond of them. The three "kids" were dozing on the cushoins cuddled up to each other. Kanan helped to get Zeb to bed first seeing the Lasat was the most tired. He fell back asleep before his head hit the pillow. Ezra and Sabine followed not long after.

"Rex," Hera said leaning over next to Kanan, "Thank you again for suggesting this camping trip."

"You're welcome. You, Kanan and the kids seem to be enjoying yourselves even though Zeb got sick. There's still alot of things to do. Tomorrow after Zeb comes back from his doctor appointment, I'm taking him, Ezra and Sabine fishing..."