CH.10: All together

The plan was simple…use the stolen Imperial Shuttle to get the other ship to lower its shields and then board her to get the stolen plans back. Kanan sat in the cockpit running through the pre-flight sequence as Hera would stay on the Ghost and monitor their progress. So far he had to say working with a group…weirder then he expected. He had flirted with Hera only to find out she didn't play for the straight team and chances are Ezri thought he was probably some creepy perv. At least Zeb and him got along-.

"So you think you can fly this Imperial garbage scow?" Zeb inquires seated himself beside him as he leaned the chair back far as it permitted.

"Hey…I can fly any ship…I don't see you flying anything," Kanan shot back as he started the ship up.

"I can fly…I can fly circles around that womanizing head of yours," Zeb gave a toothy smile as he placed his hands behind his head.

"Ok first off when we get back I'd like to see you try…and secondly…where do you get the impression I am a womanizer?" Kanan didn't treat women badly…sure he slipped out the window and usually didn't wake them…but that was just so there wasn't any attachment.

"Oh c'mon Kanan…you were flirting with a gay woman and hitting on a unsuspecting teen, that says you don't got your priorities straight. You see women as tools of pleasure to deal with when you see fit…I think it is time you re-evaluate your situation before you wind up in a gutter."

"And how is your situation any better? You sleep around with guys Zeb…you haven't even committed yourself to the one guy who saw to get you out of your predicament of getting caught by the Imperials. How does that medicine taste huh?" Kanan shot him a look just daring him to prove him wrong.

Zeb didn't say anything for a bit and in that time Ezri showed up. Soon as he looked back he noticed how drained she was. There was something off about her…he couldn't explain it but there was some sort of power emanating off her…could it be the Force? When they first met and he interrogated her he didn't sense anything…but after meditating…maybe it opened up something that lay dormant till now. It would be hard though approaching her about this after their awkward turn of conversation back on the Ghost.

"Look what the cat dragged in…you doing alright kid?" Zeb queried and as Ezri lifted her head she ran a hand self-consciously through her hair before taking her seat.

"Uh yeah…doing fine…where is Sabine?" Ezri looked around the cabin and Kanan himself had noted the absence of the Togatoyan. The feline like creature who had arrived on the shuttle with Ezri seemed hard to approach, distant even.

"After Hera told us the plan she said something about needing a change…whatever that means." Zeb shrugged as he sat forward and looked at the display of instruments that lit up. Kanan smirked seeing how confused he was.

"If you are going to be co-pilot I suggest you familiarize yourself with the instruments Zeb…cause if things go badly…we'll need both hands on deck." Kanan saw understanding in Zeb's eyes as he got to work on reading the instruments. Shuttles were slower than fighters but they managed to make up for that with extra shielding. Judging by the cozy interior it was safe to say whoever the girls stole this from it was a very important person.

"I'm sorry everyone…I had to find something fitting and there weren't a lot of options." Kanan turned at the sound of Sabine's voice but what he saw made his jaw drop. Ezri had also turned and she too was stunned by what she saw. "Is it alright…why is everyone staring?"

Sabine had chosen a skin tight flight suit that revealed and accentuated her curves leaving little hidden from view. She wore gloves over her hands and on top of her head was a flight cap. On her feet were boots that went pretty high up on her and the only sign of her Togatoyan fur was seen on her face. Kanan didn't know that flight suits could look so air tight on a figure…oh this was not good…if he kept up this line of thought he'd only alienate another of his would be allies.

"They are staring cause you are hot stuff…not that I noticed any, good fit on ya. Now if we're done making the girl uncomfortable can we be on our way?" Kanan nods his head at Zeb's words and launching from the Ghost he puts them on a close course following behind their 'friend'. Now it was all about deception…he just had to keep his eyes directed ahead instead of behind.

Ezri had been blown away the moment Sabine made her presence known. The Togatoyan wore that outfit with pride and she found herself sweating through her own outfit. When Sabine took a seat beside her she cleared her throat and ran a hand through her hair. "So…what made you choose that?"

"I don't see how it is any different from your own outfit…though I suppose what drew me to it was how comfortable it was on my fur. I did not want to wear anything too revealing and I didn't want to wear anything that would irritate my fur. The Inquisitor will be looking for me and it is best I keep most of myself hidden for the time being."

What she said made sense…and yet she still found herself drawn to her. Sabine was beautiful and alluring and if not for the seats spaced apart she would be giving her mouth a good tongue washing, ok, she probably needed to cool that down or Zeb and Kanan would be pulling them apart. For the mission her part would be staying on the shuttle…thankfully it was with Sabine. The two of them though had been awkwardly pitted against each other for a bit and the closer she thought they were getting…Sabine pulled back.

"Uh yeah…that sounds perfect for you," Ezri sighed, "so listen Sabine about us-." Ezri noted the alarm on Sabine's features and she bit her bottom lip expecting some outburst over the factor there was no 'us'.

"Listen Ezri…you are great…but it is still too soon for anything to happen between us. I do like you…and I will admit that there is a certain chemistry I would wish to get to know better…but just be patient ok?" Sabine gave her a soft smile hoping it took the sting off.

"Oh of course…yeah…no need to rush these things," Ezri did her best to be brave even if her heart was breaking. She was madly in love with her and she was keeping her at arm's length…it was maddening to say the least. Just how much time was she to wait…and what if someone else came along…what then?

"We are coming upon enemy vessel…time to cool the romantic drama back there while the adults do their thing." Kanan advices as he patches through using the Imperial code.

"Inquisitor…to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" The voice spoke over the comm and Kanan froze. Zeb himself was left speechless.

"Oh…I might have forgotten to mention in our interrogation that this was the female Inquisitor's shuttle she used to take Sabine to Lothal in. Oops." Ezri realized she had just left a vital clue out of their mission.

"Er hrm…please hold while I get her." Kanan shot her a look and she held up her hands in defense. "This is not good…if they realize the Inquisitor is not onboard this mission is good as scraped. Zeb how is your female impersonation?"

"Kanan I like guys remember…I mean been with a few that had a female figure of sorts…but my voice is too gravel like to impersonate any of them, I mean I can try when they are-."

"Yeah I don't need to know the specifics of your bedroom life Zeb. Ok which of you girls think you can bring your acting skills to fruition?" Ezri would love to but looked down realizing she hadn't spent a lot of time with her to know her character properly.

All eyes fell on Sabine and she seemed defeated as it all fell on her. Ezri realized she and the Inquisitor had spent a lot of time together but far as what the two of them did Sabine kept quiet on that. "Patch me through."

Kanan started the communication up again and he cleared his throat making it gruff as possible. "Here she is."

"This is the Inquisitor…I come to inspect your vessel for I suspect rebel stowaways to have slipped onto your vessel when you fools weren't looking. Lower your shields so a team I have selected will procure them, if there are any there; so you can be on your way without further delay. Failure to lower your shields will bring attention to your incompetence to follow orders and the Emperor himself will hear of this-."

"We are lowering shields ma'am…your team may come aboard when ready." The signal was cut and everyone in there grew quiet.

"Well done Sabine…looks like you might have saved the mission." Kanan praised her but Ezri hadn't listened looking at how worn down Sabine was. Reaching over she goes to hold her paw like gloved hand waiting to see if she would shake it free. However Sabine squeezed her hand gratefully and it was shown on her face as well. True she couldn't read this as romantic but she would be here for Sabine…no matter what.

Kanan went to board the vessel and soon as he got on he used the force to throw the officers about and Zeb rushed one with a weapon drawn. The pilot remained seated and Zeb made his way over making sure he didn't patch in to send for help.

"The plans have to be around here somewhere…and if we don't hurry those who are waiting on Courasant won't be too pleased about the delay."

"Where are the plans?" Zeb pulled at the collar of the Imperial Officer and pulled him out of his seat with him struggling to free himself.

"I won't tell you where they are…Rebel scum…those plans will help us take down your Rebel cells once and for…all…" He swung at Zeb and he was dropped back into his seat with a plop.

"This is not helping any." Kanan shook his head as he began to look through the compartments. Once the plans were found he would be on his way with Zeb and return him to Lando…and then he'd never see any of this people ever again. Some part of that actually saddened him.

"I could be a bit rougher…but not sure how long his human body would hold," Zeb noted as he gripped the collar pulling him back into his seat.

"Zeb you aren't actually thinking of-?" Kanan left his thought unfinished and Zeb gave him a blank stare.

"Is everything about sex to you Kanan? No I am not going to do that to this guy…plus I'd hate for you to be uncomfortable in such close quarters where you can't hide from your feelings of those in a same sex relationship."

Kanan would have said something but he figured what was the point. He was being introduced to a galaxy of change from working with others, same sex couples, and coming to terms that maybe it was time for him to truly embrace being a beacon of hope in the wider aspect of things. Finding the plans in the pocket of one of the guys he holds it up. "Zeb knock out the pilot and set them back on course…I'm sure the Emperor will love finding them without their plans."

Kanan headed out hearing the pilot get knocked out; now it was clear where they were heading…to whoever wanted these plans. Maybe he'd hear out these Rebels and see if their cause was worth joining.

Authors note: Mission success and while the team is still adjusting their bond will continue to grow as they become something far more than a ragtag group. Next chapter we meet up with the Rebels and reunions are in store for our weary heroes.