Chapter 20: First Apologies

Kanan slowly allowed his mind to bring himself to consciousness. As he did, he realized that he was under a thick heavy blanket in a warm bed, practically naked. The Jedi cracked his eyes opened revealing a dark room that was dimly lit.

"Mrs. Bridger! The Jedi is awake!" He heard the voice of a young female shouting to Ezra's mom running off into another room. The girl had to have been about Sabine's age by what he could tell from her voice. Where was he again? He shut his eyes trying to take everything thing in.

His body hurt all over, that wasn't new. Kanan had more injuries than he had let on to Ezra or Hera. It had been hard to keep the pain blocked; somehow he had managed, even in his weakened state. They were just surface wounds after all, but they were in number and still hurt.

The Jedi felt that he was in a soft bed, he didn't know the size and didn't frankly care. It was comfortable compared to the cold ground he had been on for several days. Everything else was foggy. Ezra? Where was Ezra?

Kanan tried to sit up earning a painful groan expelled from his lips as he clutched his chest going back down.

"Careful Mr. Jarrus…" Mira's soft voice chided as she strode in.

"It looks like you took quite a beating. The injuries are still fairly infected even after a few days." The older human started to look him over and start to take care of him. She didn't need to wait for his questions; she seemed to know what he was going to ask.

"You're on Alderaan, in our house. Hera and the others brought you here so that you could be treated and heal. You're a very lucky man. One more day and you would have been dead." She fixed the cool cloth that had been on his head. He hadn't noticed that when he woke.

"Ezra…he's.." His memory flooded back to his student. Ezra had been freezing. Where was Ezra?

"He's sleeping. He's actually right next to you. We got to him in time…at least we hope we did. He had severe hypothermia when Hera found him. I guess you can say you balanced each other out. You had a fever of 104 almost 105 when Hera took it and Ezra was down below 82." Kanan nodded; he didn't want to open his eyes and look at his student's mother. He felt ashamed that he was unable to keep his student from harm.

"He hasn't woken up yet though…" The young voice chimed in. Kanan's curiosity bested him and he willed his eyes open again. Sitting in a chair next to Mira was a girl about Ezra's age with flaming red hair. She was very pretty, but he had never seen her before in his life. Her words finally hit his slow mind.

"He hasn't woken up?" Kanan grew concerned and tried to shift to get a look to his student.

"Just stay still Mr. Jarrus. He hasn't woken up but his vitals have for the most part stabilized. His temperature is still fairly low, but not dangerous." Mira gently put her hands on his arms to keep him in place. It was then that Kanan realized that strange women were next to him, and he was practically exposed. The Jedi blushed and tried to cover himself.

"Don't worry, Mr. Bridger made sure you had underwear on. They had to get to the rest of your body because of all the cuts and scrapes and things. Does getting shot hurt Mr. Jarrus?" The girl grinned when she spoke. Mira gently shushed her.

Who the heck was this kid? Did Ezra have a sister he didn't know about?

"Kanan…just call me Kanan…" Kanan pointed out; he didn't want to be called a Mr. Never liked that. It sounded too much like Master Jarrus, and he wasn't really a master; he had never become a knight. Kanan tried to figure out what he really was.

"You have much to learn still as anyone does. A Jedi you have indeed become by the actions you have chosen." Yoda's voice echoing in his head which confused him even more even though he had been given his answer. A headache was starting to build up.

"My name is Moreena. I'm one of Ezra's friends from Lothal. We had to move here when the Empire took our farm." She said realizing that she never introduced herself properly. Kanan nodded.

"Where's Hera?" Guilt washed over him remembering their last conversation on the ship before he walked out. The Twi-lek probably hated him now, and what's with the kiss she gave him? Was it just her way of trying to get him to stay? He wished he had; Ezra would have come back eventually and none of this would have happened.

"She and the others had an assignment. She said they would return as soon as she could." Mira continued to clean and re-dress the Jedi's bandages.

"We're sorry for our behavior Kanan. I don't know what my husband and I were thinking. Ezra didn't grow up in an ideal situation, but he still turned out how we always hoped he would. He is full of life, spirit and a very kind nature. Moreena said that he had become self-centered after we left and took to thieving to survive. I guess after he found you he discovered who he really is and found his purpose in life. Thank you Kanan for showing him the kindness you did." Kanan could feel her guilt and sincerity.

"I'm glad I found him. He has done the same for me. He has taught me who I really am and helped me find my own purpose. Until Ezra showed up, I was just living to be living. Your son is a very special child Mira and I hope he never changes." Kanan started to cough again and Mira gently sat him up to help him clear his lungs.

He felt her prop him up with pillows sinking him back into them gently. His energy had suddenly left him feeling weak and sick.

"Moreena, will you go get Kanan something to eat from the market?" The girl must have nodded because Kanan heard her get up and leave.

"She's a sweet girl. Always kept Ezra out of trouble when they were little. Get some rest and I'll come check on you later." She pulled the covers over Kanan gently and dimmed the light further so he was more or less in the dark. Mira left the room allowing the door to shut.

Kanan opened his eyes again. He had one objective flowing through his head right now. He turned his head to the other side of the bed where a bundle of blankets was. In the midst was the face of his padawan. Ezra was pale but seemed to be sleeping peacefully.

Relaxed at seeing that his student was safe Kanan settled back down and shut his eyes drifting back off to sleep.

Mira watched him from the doorway. She had come back in to get something but stopped to watch. She could see, now, the devotion that Kanan had for her son. He really did care about him. She was upset that she had accused him of the horrible things she had. Kanan didn't deserve to be treated like that.

Ezra's mother seemed to be able to feel the pain and suffering that the older Jedi had endured in his life. It made her feel even more sad. No one should have to go through pain like that; why did the Empire enjoy it so much?

She walked in after seeing that he was asleep and grabbed her forgotten data pad before leaving, allowing them to be them in peace.