Hey everyone! I am writing these chapters faster now as I can't hold in my excitement for how I plan this story to go! This chapter is a transition chapter, so I can get the next plot point in motion. Thanks to everyone who reviews and you can receive more thanks next chapter if you review this one!
Ezra gave Abby one last look and then left the room with Sabine and Zeb. Once everyone had left, Ezra noticed that Hera and Kanan were still in there. He then peeked in the room, and saw that Kanan was saying something to Hera in a hushed voice. Ezra leaned closer to the door, but lost his balance and went tumbling into the room.
"Oh hi guys, um I'll be leaving now."
"Actually, Hera was about to leave, so you can stay and keep me company."
"Oh, sure Kanan."
Hera then got up, and Ezra walked over and took her place. Hera then reminded Ezra that he needed to get a good nights sleep, and then she was off.
Ezra relaxed in his chair and watched Abby's breathing. It calmed him to watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and it reminded him that she was truly there with him.
After a few minutes Kanan cleared his throat and said, "Hey, I hope you know that everyone will work out fine. Your friend is perfectly safe here. How about you get some sleep. I can watch over her."
"I know Kanan, but I feel like she has done so much for me. I feel like I own it to her to watch over her, she would do it for me."
"Ok," Kanan sighed, "if you want to disobey Hera then be my guest."
That was all it took for Ezra to get a momentary look of panic on his face, and then jump into the nearest bed.
"Fine 'master', I will go to sleep like a three year old with a bed time. Would you like to read me a story?"
Ezra figured Kanan would take this all as joke, but Kanan actually seemed concerned. Ezra took a big breath as Kanan got up and sat on his bed.
"Ezra, I know it must be hard to see her after all this time. It probably brings back both sad and happy memories. But try to think of the good ones, and remember that if the bad memories come, I will always be here."
Ezra looked away. He wished that people would stop being so concerned about him. However, he knew why Kanan was concerned and he secretly enjoyed having someone care about him. It had been a long time since someone truly looked him into the eyes and said that they were always there for him. It reminded Ezra of the days when his parents were alive. Ezra shook his head, and knew that he had to get those thoughts out of his mind. He looked at Kanan for a moment, and he could see all the concern his Kanan's eyes.
"It's ok if you don't want to talk about this kid. I just need you to know that you're not alone."
"Thanks Kanan. I just can't stop thinking about her. What will happen to her- to us? I know that you are probably on the fence about training her and everything, but she truly does need your guidance. She won't like me saying this, but she needs a good role model right now. She needs someone to show her how to use the good side, and how to be a good person. She needs someone to talk to her when she does something wrong, and to push her to the light side. She needs someone like you. And I know that you will probably flip this on me, and start telling me that I should listen to my own advice, but I am truly worried that if she doesn't have someone to support her she will just crumble, and start thinking like an Inquisitor again. The Abby I know is in there beneath all the damage. Please Kanan, please help her."
Kanan stared at Abby. She looked at peace right now, and from the bit of time they interacted together today, he knew that she had many sides to her. Kanan just worried which side would become dominate. What if he wasn't a strong enough influence to push her to the light. Ezra seemed certain that he could do it, and Kanan didn't want to disappoint him. He knew that he had to do.
"Ezra, if I trained Abby along with you, you wouldn't get as much training time with me. In fact, the first few weeks I would have to devote my time to changing her ways and habits. I need you to know that this will be a huge change for everyone, especially you."
"I know Kanan, and I don't care if you even have to postpone my training for a few weeks. I will do anything to help her, she's my best friend."
Kanan nodded slowly, and then thought of something, "Hey kid, what is Sabine going to think of another girl around here."
Ezra scoffed, "Listen, Abby is just a friend, so Sabine is still mine."
"That's not what I meant," Kanan said rolling his eyes, "Do you think that they will get along? I mean two teenage girls might get to be a lot."
Now it was Ezra's turn to roll his eyes, "I think we have more important issues here Kanan. I'm sure they will get along just fine."
Kanan laughed, "Ok Ezra. Now how about you get some rest, it's been a long day."
Ezra sighed and laid down, turning his back to Kanan. Why couldn't Kanan tell that he didn't want to go sleep, that he wanted to sit next to Abby. Whatever, he figured he could use the sleep anyway. So, Ezra closed his eyes and let sleep consume him.
Kanan stared at Ezra. He could tell that Ezra was upset about something, and he just wanted to help. Kanan watched Ezra until he heard Ezra's breathing go steady and he knew Ezra was asleep. Kanan looked from his left to his right. He had two force sensitive teens with him. Wow. Kanan truly didn't 100% process it until that moment. Kanan knew what he had to do; he had to train them both. There are barely any Jedi left, and he should be taking any opportunity he gets to increase the number. He had to teach Abby the ways of the Jedi, not the Sith. Kanan knew it would be hard, and that even though Ezra said he wouldn't mind, Kanan knew it would become hard for Ezra.
Kanan knew that Abby still had to recover, so he decided that tomorrow they would talk. Talk about what's she's been taught, what she thinks is right and wrong in those teachings, and then Kanan will establish a game plan from there. His priority was to get her to forget everything the Inquisitor taught her about hate and anger, and to transform those teachings into ones of love and peace.
Kanan took a deep breathe again. He just had to stay calm. So matter what happens tomorrow, no matter what she tells him, he needs to stay calm and focused. He needs to set the example of calm.
Kanan got up and decided that the two of them weren't going anywhere, so Kanan left to go find Hera.
Hera was sitting on a work bench fixing Chopper's antennae when she saw Kanan standing at the door. He looked very tired and stressed, so Hera quickly finished what she was doing and then shooed Chopper out. Kanan then took a seat in an empty seat and rubbed a hand down his face.
"Hera, I know what I have to do. I need to train her. I just don't know if it's the best choice."
"Love, don't doubt your decision! You will be making her life better, not worse! Our goal is to help people, and that's what you're doing."
"I know, but what about Ezra? What if he gets mad at me, and thinks I don't care about his training? I can't lose Ezra over this."
"I know it's hard, but Ezra will understand! Please don't stress over this, save it for another time."
Kanan gave a short laugh, "Ya, I have a feeling tomorrow might get to be a little stressful. I plan on talking to her tomorrow about everything, then I need you to do me a favor."
"Of course, what can I do?"
"Hera, I think about has some scars; both physically and emotionally. I need you to check her out for the physicals ones. I have found some already, but I think there are some on her back and such. It will probably be a task in itself to get her to show you them, so don't go too hard core Mom on her. And if she wants to talk about them, I know that you would be the right person to listen."
Hera sucked in a deep breath, "that poor girl! I will check for you don't worry love."
Kanan smiled and nodded, then he let out a loud yawn.
"Sounds like you need some sleep. Now don't give me that look Kanan! You go and get some rest, I can take care of things."
Kanan seemed hesitant, but eventually got up and went to his room to get some rest. Hera then made her way back to Ezra and Abby, and sat in a chair between them. She got comfortable as she knew she was going to stay here all night. Hera looked at Abby and sighed, tomorrow was going to be a big day.
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