Summoned again by Kanan, why? You honestly didn't care and wished he'd just leave you alone. Alone, like the others did with you. At first, you refused but Hera made it a command that you had to follow and since she was the General you had to obey and grudgingly went to the Jedi who was sitting nearby the camp.

"Come sit with me."He said without turning around. You do as he says with a stubborn huff."You're too tight. Try again."He said calmly, but you were sure it was an order.

He waited patiently for you to do so."I would rather not. I am fine."You said back definitely.

Kanan knew you weren't going to be easy. He inhales peacefully. His focus straight ahead. While your choose look down at the shadow your body cast. It would be pointless to get you to look up. So Kanan let you be. Silence filled the space between you two. While he remained calm, your mind was on edge and quick defense to see what he was going to do and what he was thinking.

Yet, he remained unreadable, before you could read him. But, that was in the past. Still, you tried inadvertently. Just as I thought, Kanan thought to himself. "Can I go?"You asked rather rudely. Board just sitting here.

"No." Kanan responds."I'd like you to sit with me for a little while longer." He inhales again."It's nice isn't it?"

Not sure what he was talking about or where he was going just grunt."If you think so. Calling a planet that's dying nice. It's already filled with misery and weighed with despair."

The lashing and cruelty in your words of spite and mocking, Kanan didn't need his eyes sight to see the venomous look in your eyes to cover up your truth.

"It's a lost cause, coming back here."You continue." this whole planet is. It always was. Taking everything."Mumbling the last part to yourself.

The Jedi saw through your words. He turns looking up at you now standing glaring across the land. In deep reflection. Your eyes filled with the beginning, which your eyes saw through shattered windows. That same disconnection was there, he could feel it. It pushed you further and further from it. Leaving a hollow space.

His eyes still on you Kanan saw the detachment. It was as Hera told him. And he felt responsible to prevent it. You had such a strong connection.

On the Gauntlet, Kanan was in his quarters speaking to Hera via hologram.

"How's everything on your end?"He asked casually.

"Fine, we're still setting up on Yavin 4."She reports."We've got the fighters now, setting the command and communications. Scouted the area around the temple. Everything is good. Getting our signals started. More are coming. What about you?"

He knew who she was talking about. Kanan let ous a solemn sigh."His decision is still affecting him. It haunts him, he's conflicted, despite his focus on Sabine's mission. He's taking it better than I thought."

"May isn't doing well,"Hera admits sullenly."I'm not saying she's broken no, but she's...she's different. She walks around here like a phantom. Searching for what's not there. In her eyes there's nothing. She's always staring at the sky vacantly. I don't know what's going to fill in that vacancy."

Hearing the worry in her tone. Kanan thinks for a second."Sometimes I wonder if it was the right decision Ezra made."Hera nods agreeing. Wishing there was something she could have done. Kanan felt the same.

But the reality was neither of them could. "She's slipping Kanan. I know she is."

Her words to him seeking his help and suggestion on what to do. But, there was little he could do being lightyears away. "Yeah...I know."He agrees.

Standing up now next to you. "What do you see?"He asked.

What did you see? Repeating the question in your mind."...I see nothing."Answer in darkly. Bitting your lip. Holding back."There's nothing there...nothing at all."Staring at your hands, then down to your mid-section. There was never anything. Clenching your fist tight, your nostrils flare slightly and exhale to yourself.

Kanan just looks at you. Imaging a younger you standing next to him with wide eyes, not narrow and baring ones. You'd turn to him with a smile, now you wore nothing but a wounded scowl. Years ago he'd wasn't as close to you as Hera. Right now he wishes he could. But, this blockage you had up was like steel refusing anyone who came. Yet ready to attack Ezra if he trespassed. Kanan stood and observed a way through this fortress you put up. Hearing your disconcern for the safety of the others. Especially Ezra.

Raising a hand he puts it on your shoulder stopping for a second. Feeling your hostility automatically come and defend you. Warning him. He takes his hand back to its side. You'd already devised a defense mechanism.

"...Can I leave now?"You asked again. Even without an answer, you start to walk away.

For Kanan to grab you by the arm. Stopping you. "You're eyes were always bright and clear. May, you don't think you're the only one. Suffrage and suffering don't provide or prove anything. It doesn't fill you with anything. Only pain that you can't escape from. It makes you become detached, forcing you to focus on the object of the pain. Pain can take everything from you and you'll never get out of it. Don't let it turn you into something you don't want to become."

You knew who he was talking about. It nearly made you see, nearly. But it wasn't enough, snatching your arm away almost stumbling because he let you go."Well, pain was the only one there for me. The only one who comforted me. Do not come back here Kanan and try to provide me words I do not need."

"I'm not providing you with anything," He retorts."Just like you said, pain's given you everything you need. And it'll take it at a cost. If you listen to it for too long."

"Well, then I guess I'll just have to pay it. Won't I?"You say abrasively, with a twisted smile. And light laugh. Walking away. Closing your eyes for a second, see that white cat with the child next to it.

The child was looking at you disapproving. Along with the cat.

"May, there you are,"Sabine calls to you. Opening your eyes she walks over with April."The others are bringing back the hyperdrive, I could use an extra set of hands to help, could you?"

You look from Sabine to April, then April to Sabine. Then once more Sabine to April. It disgusts you and you grimace at them both. Bitterly."No."You harshly respond pushing pass them.

Sabine and April look at each other. Shocked just a bit and equally annoyed. To remember your reason and just look on sympathetically. Sensing April's duress Sabine places a hand on her shoulder leading her away.

After stashing the hyperdrive the day before after crashing the Imperial's new TIE defender Ezra and Jai Kell the two disguised as scout troopers went to retrieve it, hidden in the rocks in which it was stashed. While Zeb waited impatiently on a speeder bike nearby. Asking if Ezra has found it yet. While Jai stayed on look out.

"It was dark, okay?"Ezra responds."I didn't have time to make a map." Suddenly a white Loth-cat appears perched on top of a rock."Hey, when in doubt follow the Loth-cat."He tells Zeb.

Who was skeptical."You're kidding right?" But does so anyway, moving the rock aside they find the hyperdrive. They pause for a second as an Imperial gunship flies overhead.

At the crash site of the defender, Governer Pryce awaits and greets Thrawn's assassin. A biped, hairless, grey-skinned species of small stature, heavily and sinewy muscled. By the name of Ruhk.

Still keeping watch using electrobinoculars, Jai notices something. Something running in their direction."Uh, Ezra, we have a problem."He alerts his friend.

Coming over Ezra looks to see someone or something approaching."What is that?"

"I don't know and I don't think I wanna to know."Jai states. Sensing the situation rising, there was still a job needing to be done. The hyperdrive still needed to be taken back.

Thinking quick Ezra devises a plan."We'll draw them away,"He tells Zeb."You get the hyperdrive out of here."Flipping his vizor down he and Jai go to handle the approaching individual.

Jai holding a blaster ready to use, for Ezra to tell him to hold off, while he handles them. Walking calmly over to them, with Jai staying just a few feet behind. Ruhk reaches them as Ezra does his best to halt him.

"LS-3226 and LS-3227 reporting. We checked out this area and found nothing."Ezra attempts to deceive them. Uncomfortably moving back as Rukh sniffed the area."Should we continue our search?"

"No," Rukh said not fooled at all and smacks Ezra aside. Ensuring a fight with him. Jai held out his blaster and fires shots at the two scuffling trying to hit Rukh but to no avail. Almost shooting Ezra. Realizing this he turns and tries to shot at the assassin but his speed and maneuvering were faster than Jai could keep up with. Also panicking wasn't helping either.

Seeing this Ruhk charges and pounces upon Jai, ready to kill if not for Ezra who uses a force push throwing him right into the rocks. With him slightly stun for those few seconds Ezra and Jai eventually escape on the speeder bike and Rukh pursues them, just as Governer Pryce and several stormtroopers arrive as backup. Realizing Zeb was still there she has the troopers fanout and searches for him. Who was hiding up on one of the rocks spires with the hyperdrive. Thinking of a way out when he notices the Imperial Troop transport. And notes he found his way out.

Ezra and Jai are still being pursued by Rukh and two scout troopers into a maze of rock spires. Ruhk pulls up on their side and attacks with his electrostaff, which Ezra blocks with his lightsaber.

"Can't this bike go any faster?"Ezra asking Jai who was the controls. Which Jai responds that it can't. They go deeper into the maze, Rukh pulls back to avoid crashing and shoots out a tracker on the back of the bike without either of them noticing.

The assassin continues his pursuit like a missile with the two scout troopers. Hot on their tail."I'll be honest," Jai admits."Kind of wish May was here. We could really use her aerobatics and firepower."

Jai wasn't wrong, Ezra couldn't agree more. Having his wife here would actually make this a bit easier. She'd be able to at least to cover their rear, hopefully, give the assassin a run for their money. She could use strength to shatter one of the spires. To cause a blockage. Her presence would come in handy right now, but, she wasn't here. She wasn't by his side. To offer that type of assistance. So it was just himself to think of another plan. Taking out and planets a detonator on a partially-collapsed rock spire as they pass under it. It goes off, taking out one of the scout troopers, and the other is forced to stop. Rukh, bringing up the rear, rides his bike over the obstruction, which Ezra manages to shoot and destroy the assassin's vehicle before he and Jai flee.

And head back to base.

Far enough Jai cast his eyes over his shoulder back."Not the finesse that May gives, but, good enough."He jabs at Ezra. Who didn't really find humor in it, realizing this Jai takes it back."Sorry."

"Yeah...it's fine," Ezra said dishearting. Sighing internally.

Which Jai picks up on and tries to make light of it. To cheer him up."It's just married life right? I'm sure things will get patched up. Between you two." If only it was that easy, Ezra eyes think about it.

"Thanks, but...it's more complicated than just regular married life," Ezra said a bit distressed. Mumbling the last part. Thinking about it. It was much more than Jai even knew. The weight of it all was becoming heavier. He had his planet to think about, how to save it from the Empire as it was suffering and dying. Just like with his marriage.

The tension and hostility were suffocating and rising. He could feel it. Burning deep, that it caused a chasm that kept growing. The connection was fading, his eyes saw nothing, but his heart held on. Desperately. Was it his fault for giving them their space? There was something dark and condescending in his wife's adverting eyes. Letting out a lamenting sigh, for better or for worse crossed his mind. The vows both of them made, he wondered how worse really.

Back at the rebel camp Hera and Sabine were going over the installment of the hyperdrive."Zeb should be here soon, you ready?"Hera checks with her.

"I should be able to drop the hyperdrive and run power to it."Sabine states walking away to get ready.

"This ship is old," Kanan points out approaching." there's no guarantee the defender's hyperdrive will even work in this thing. Nevermind the Imperial blockade."

"Getting this TIE defender's data to the rebellion is vital," She stresses its importance.

To which Kanan counters with a question of his own."When do you think you've done enough for this rebellion?"

"I guess when the Empire is overthrown. People are free to live their lives the way they want to."

"And when that time comes, how do you want to live your life?"

A question that hadn't crossed Hera's mind."Huh, I don't know. Guess I never really thought about it."She admits.

"So I guess you've never really thought about us?"

Hera crosses her arms."Kanan, we've talked about this."He moves in closer taking a hand."Have we?"He expresses gently caressing the hand he held. She looks down at it briefly before looking back at him.

"You know how I feel," her voice lowers.

"Do I?"

She knew what he meant and he knew that she did, her eyes held their gaze with him and for that moment forget about everything and lean into their feelings accepting them and getting over what was held back. Almost there to be interrupted by Ryder, alerting the camp to an incoming troop transport, and Hera rushes off to check. Leaving Kanan extremely frustrated.

He then hears hidden shuffling footsteps close by, he was about to investigate, when Zeb drives up in the transport. Holding your breath, remain still listening to Kanan's footsteps walk away. That you let out a breath. Peering and emerging slowly from behind the U-wing, overhearing everything said between the two. There was nothing antagonistic at all, nothing soiled or bitter. No pain. It was the same with April. With Sabine. Your eyes study each and everyone like displaced fragments.

Shutting your eyes to escape find yourself back again in front of the child and loth-cat. Both who look up at you, the child had their smile on, along with the cat. You weren't sure why or for what reason. Why they smiled, you wanted their smiles. Their joy. Reacting your hand reaches out towards the child, which they deny stepping back shaking their head.

Pointing behind you."That way. Behind you."

You didn't understand their words."What?!"Quickly looking behind seeing nothing."There's noth-Wait! Where are you going?!"Reaching out to them as they begin to fade away. Smiling and waving at you.

Your hand went right through them."Behind you. That way."They repeat giggling."Silly mommy. That way. Okay. Open your eyes. Move!"They scream the last part, waking and bringing you back to reality.

"May move!"

Someone yells and next thing you knew your body was tackled down just as shots fired overhead. What was going on? What happening? Wanting to look up when a voice tells you to stay down and you hear return fire. The base was under attack. Shocking you. Still covered by whoever kept you under them, caused pressure to be upon your wounds, sending pain through you. They realized this and quickly ease their protective pressure on you.

"Come on."They get up quickly grabbing you by the wrist forcing you to follow them. It happened so quick, using an arm to cover yourself, from any sort of shots fired. Some nearly got you, luckily you managed to get out unharmed. "Jai, here."

Finding your self in the passenger seat of the landspeeder, with Jai at the wheel. "Well draw off the fire and contact you,"Ryder tells him.

Everything was happening so face, the engine starts up when you finally speak."No."You say abrasively, jumping out. An idiotic mistake as the pain spiked through your body. Using the side of the speeder manage to catch yourself. Stubbornly you manage to hold yourself up fine."I'm not goi-"

"May!"Ezra snaps with a sharp look at you. You could see the irritation in his eyes and by the tight grip, he had on your arm. This wasn't the time. And he wasn't going to deal with your mood right now. His eyes telling you to hush and get in.

He was doing it again. Your eyes turn cold and spiteful at him. Snatching your arm back, to find his grip was stronger. This surprised you and him. That it loosened his hold and you take your arm back. Get in the landspeeder quickly. Keeping your eyes adverted away from his. With you in Jai takes off.

It silent for you both. He glanced a few times to look at you, finding you hold the arm Ezra held. Though it wasn't out of comfort or worry. It was something else. Something deep. "Hey, you okay?"He asked concerned.

Only to get the cold shoulder from you. Dismissing him. Though his question had an impact on you, you couldn't answer it even if you wanted too. With a hazy look in your eyes, the answer to his question was simple...no.

Not anymore.