"No, three oil baths over the next month is my final offer," Ezra snapped as he and Chopper traversed the corridors of the Sunrise. "How wasI supposed to know -"

"Know what?" Sabine chirped from behind them. "Seriously Ezra, sometimes I think you've taken one too many stunners to the head!"

"It's nothing!" Ezra almost shouted, his face colouring. He rounded on Chopper, "And don't you start!"

Chopper chortled, and banged on Ezra's leg expectantly as if to say 'Oil bath first, feed yourself later, or else!'

"Why is Chop so… well, being Chop?" said Sabine, her eyes narrowing. "Is there something you're not telling us? Is Kanan all right? I thought he was doing Hera..."

What? Now Ezra was beside himself. "What did you just say?"

The narrow eyes became a glare. "I said, I though Kanan was doing better. Weren't you were going to go see him in the med bay? That's what Zeb - who's probably wondering where the hell we are – said!"

"I did. They'd already sent him back to the Ghost!"

"Then what's the problem?"

Ezra ran his palm down over his face, trying to think of a way to explain the situation without 'explaining the situation'. as they stepped aside to let a contingent of soldiers pass. Finally, he simply opted for the bail out.

"Let's just say Kanan's fine, Hera's fine, and every kriffing thing is fine, OK?" he said sharply, and started to head back down the passage to the galley, where Zeb was waiting.

Chopper chuckled gleefully while Sabine pulled him back.

"Ezra, you're acting like a loth cat in a room full of rockers!" She snapped, exasperated. If I didn't know better, I'd think..." Suddenly, her eyes grew wide, and a touch of colour blossomed in her cheeks as understanding dawned on her. "Oh… Oh no! You didn't..."

"Didn't what, Sabine?" Ezra sighed. By the stars, if she was going to humiliate him for this incident, she was going to have to earn it. "Go on – say it!"

She was as red as a jogan fruit leaf, and mumbled into her chest something that sounded like 'their reunion...'

More footsteps down the hallway. Boots, soft shoes, and heavy claws. Zeb had gotten tired of waiting for them.

"What in tha' name of the Ashla has been keepin' you lot?" Zeb growled, towering over Ezra and Sabine, ignoring Chopper's arm extension poking at his leg. "Been waitin' for you – everything's ready…" He looked at Sabine, then Ezra and back. "Either of you care to tell me -"

"They were having sex, and I almost walked in on them, OK?" Ezra cried out, exasperated. "I went to tell Hera that Kanan had been released from the med bay, but he was already back in the Ghost and I heard him and Herahaving sex in his cabin when Chop opened his door like the sneaky rust bucket he is, and Kanan shouted at him to get out and thank the Force they didn't see me -"

He stopped cold, suddenly remembering they weren't alone on the Ghost anymore, and realizing that they had acquired an audience.

Giggles and snickers faded with retreating boot steps, as a lone, dry, cultured voice interrupted the ensuing silence.

"It seems that Kanan is well on the way to recovery," the man they now knew as Commander Sato said smoothly. "That's good to hear." and without another word, he turned on his heel and left the three remaining members of the Ghost crew to find fascination with the floor. Chopper only gave a mock salute, even sparing them a mechanical giggle until Sato was well out of sight.

"Well," said Zeb at last. "That dinner isn't gonna serve itself…" He gave the two smaller humans a shove towards the galley. "Come on..."

With only minimal protestation, Kanan allowed Hera to help him in the shower. He was bone weary, and not from the bout of lovemaking with Hera (although he had joked that if he was doomed to die, there were far worse ways to go, and that had earned him a playful shove and a kiss.) He was hungry and yet not hungry. Tired but not sleepy, and torn between wanting to see his family, and hiding in his bunk for a week (with or without Hera, he couldn't decide) and now, Hera was helping him dress as if he were an invalid.

He didn't know whether to be defensive or grateful.

He chose the latter, and leaned over to kiss the top of her head as she pulled on his socks.

"There!" she said at last. "Clean sleeping pants, shirt and socks, and a new hair tie – unless you want it down?"

He pulled her close as she sat down on the bed, once again dressed in the (once offending) thermals and headscarf. "No thanks," he murmured, closing his eyes and leaning into her. "I want to keep it out of my face for now. At least until I've eaten something."

"Speaking of which, the kids have… well they planned a 'welcome home dinner' for you. They worked pretty hard to put it together but they'll understand if you need -"

"No, no," Kanan shook his head with a small smile. "Crazy kids…."

"They love you too, you know."

"I do."

Hera sighed. "Kanan, you're falling asleep again as we speak! Let me put you back to bed for a while – by yourself."

"M'kay," he mumbled into her shoulder. "Wake me up when it's ready, will you?"

"I will, love," Hera said tenderly, taking his arm. "Just pretend to be surprised, OK?"

As she tumbled him back into his bunk, she thought to herself that acting surprised wouldn't even be an issue, he was so tired and worn out, she doubted he'd remember the conversation at all...