We got a review in the last chapter where it was believed chapter 15 was the last chapter. It is NOT. There will be many more chapters to come all here so stay chuned for updates.
In the loading dock on the Phoenix ship, Hera paced up around with anticipation for Kanan and Ezra to get back. Hera had not had a moment's rest when she had found out that Ezra was nowhere to be found. First she had searched everywhere in the medbay. When she asked Zeb and Sabine if they saw him, they also helped look for him. Once they started looking on the Phoenix, it was all hands on deck to find him.
It wasn't until Rex brought up the surveillance projectors did they realize Ezra had snuck onto the Ghost. After that they had desperately tried to call Kanan to tell him that Ezra was gone, with no luck. It had first been several hours later Kanan had called back and told them how Ezra had sneaked unboard unnoticed, had been chased down by Kallus and imperials. That they had hide on Gorse and that Ezra felt unwanted and last but not least the horrifying the tale about how the Grand Inquisitor had attacked their mind. Hera had wasted no time in ordering them back to the Phoenix Squadron.
"I still can't believe Ezra ran off like that?" Hera angrily stated for the seventh time that day as she paces around.
"I can," Sabine admitted as she and Zeb stood by with more patience than Hera did.
Hera looked at her with puzzlement, "Why do you say that?"
Sabine shrugged her shoulders as she explained, "Kid has some doubt, and that's expected. We all did when joining this rebellion, but we all came around in the end. Ezra just needed the time and reassurance from Kanan that he belongs here."
Hera though did not seem too happy about that, "Still, the two are gone for a couple hours and ending up with the whole damn Empire is on their tails! Now they are coming back after an Inquisitor attack. When they get back, they will go to the medbay, or so help me…"
Just then they heard the loading dock connecting with the Ghost. The three stood by and the crew waited in anticipation.
As the door opened, they saw the two human male's entering, Kanna holding Ezra's hand for encouragement and to the crew's horror saw the kid's arm was in a sling, made from what appeared to be a ripped blanket.
Hera raced over to Kanan and hugged him, "We were so worried!"
"So much for the tough woman who was going to force them to the medbay" Zeb whispered to Sabine as the young girl was having a hard time containing her laughter.
Kanan hugged her in return, but then felt a full force Hera punch to the shoulder
"Ow! What the heck was that for!?"
Hera began to turn angry, "For scaring the crap out of me! You didn't call or ask for backup! WE JUST GOT YOU BACK AND I WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH MYSELF IF EITHER OF YOU TWO GOT HURT!"
Ezra then clung to Kanan's leg tightly looking full of worries at Hera, scared that the normal kind woman was so mad. Would Hera be mad enough to hit him like she had Kanan?
A series of warning beeps was heard from Chopper and it made Hera stop and look at Ezra who was shaking like a leaf and looked at her with fear.
"Are you that mad at us? Will you beat me to?" Ezra asked with apprehensive weak voice.
Hera then realized her mistake, "No, no Ezra. I was just scared for you guys. I would never beat you. I just gave Kanan a light slap because he scared us so much" Hera explained.
Ezra then asked hopefully, "Because you like us?
Hera smiled as she got down to eye level with the kid, "Yes, I like you both very much."
Hera then patted Ezra's head, who leaned into her touch and let out a sigh of relief. Once Hera stood up she directed to Kanan, "I will like you guys more though if you you two get to the medbay for a check up."
Kanan chuckled before he replied, "Okay, we're going,"
As Kanan walked away with Ezra, the boy made him stop near Chopper.
"Thank you for helping me" Ezra said weakly.
Chopper bepped all happy for that and the kid (while shaking a bit) gently patted the droid while smiling to it. The rest of the crew smiled hoping that Ezra might finally start to get over his fear for Chopper. All though when Chopper approached, Ezra still clung to Kanan a bit. Sabine walked over to the droid and patted it.
"It is okay Chopper, give him time I think he will like you soon" Sabine assured the droid.
Ezra nodded weakly before he and Kanan continued towards the medbay.
Sabine smiled as Zeb said, "Nice to have you two back," Zeb was about to pat Kanan's back when Ezra, who noticed the action, hide his face in Kanan's shirt.
Zeb realized his mistake and put his hand down, "Sorry kid, just a pat, that's it."
Ezra took a deep breath as he looked up, "It's okay. I have to learn you guy's won't hurt me, it is just hard when you are used to a raised arm meaning people want to smack you.
Zeb smiled to the kid as they moved to the medbay. While they walked, Hera called Sato to explain that both of males were back. The whole time Ezra held onto Kanan's side, unwilling to let go of him; making them an adorable sight. However, it was evident that the kid was pretty tired; Ezra leaned into Kanan and was beginning to fall asleep. The crew smiled at the sight of their fearless leader having a small child clinging on to him.
"Who would have thought that out our brave leader would be the father type" Sabine grinned to Zeb that smiled back. Kanan lightly growled at them, but there was no bit to his bark.
Soon they reached the med room and Kanan saw Ezra was practically asleep on his feet. Hera and Kanan helped each other lift Ezra onto one of the gurney's; who fell asleep as soon as his head was laid onto the pillow. Kanan glanced at the peaceful child before he headed over to an empty gurney himself, sighing over once again being here. The feeling was apparently mutual for the doctor rushed in to look at Kanan and Ezra before he grumbled. Kanan did not care about the Doctor's emotion, or his own condition, he was more worried about Ezra.
The doctor looked over Ezra first. It only took a moment before he stated the diagnosis.
"Broken shoulder" the doctor confirmed which made Kanan cringe for the boys sake.
The doctor told them he would get an appropriate sling for Ezra to wear for a while leaving the crew alone for some much needed catch up time.
"So Kanan, What's the story? What happened? "Hera asked as things began to settle down.
"Kallus happened," Kanan growled.
"What? How? Why?" the three asked.
Kanan then told them everything; the temple, the reason he went to Lothal, the reason Ezra left the ship, and how he had found Kallus pulling Ezra's shoulder and Ezra biting Kallus. Once Kanan finished up telling them about the Inquisitor, he saw the Lasat and Mandalorian a little upset.
"How could you not want to keep him?" Zeb protested.
"Yeah Zeb and I painted his room for Ezra to move in to" Sabine snapped.
"I told you to let him stay" Hera reprimanded, as she smiled at her 'children's' protest for their new crew member.
Kanan held up a hand to stop further comments.
"I need to explain why I have been so resisting the idea of letting Ezra stay. There is something I haven't told you, something that happened when we escaped.
"You see Ezra found me in my cell and gave me some of the bread and water that they had left to taunt me with. After that he freed me and helped me escape but not without problems. Then, we were discovered and I tried to fight the Inquisitor but I was too weak, that motivated Ezra to tap into the dark side and nearly killed the Grand Inquisitor by throwing him into the wall .. hard. His eyes turned dull yellow and he smiled so coldly that it gave me goosebumps. For a second I truly thought I was watching the Inquisitor and not Ezra and when I took him with me," Kanan gulped the tension out of his throat before he could go on,
"I did not know if Ezra had fallen to the dark side and I might have just lead a Sith to you guy's. I even considered if I had to do something about it … permanently.
Hera was stunned for a moment before her anger boiled over and smacked kanan upside the head,
"Kanan NO! How can you say that? How could you even think that?" Hera growled.
Sabine and Zeb were glaring at Kanan with disappointment.
"I did not wish to at all, but I could not risk calling you and then leave you with a Sith. The boy could have killed you all if it had come to that. Even so I did not have the heart to do that and I am grateful for that, even so you need to understand that taking Ezra in is a high risk.
"Not only is he wildly hunted by the Empire, he is also bearing a risk of falling to the dark side. Should that happen we might have to take some very hard choices; like rather having Ezra with us is the best thing for him, or if it will only result in him becoming a threat to us, or the rebellion. A jedi and a Sith can't be in the same room" Kanan said.
"That is more of a reason to have Ezra with us. I won't let that boy go down that road" Hera said.
"You mean 'we' won't," Zeb said after he and Sabine had shared a look with each other.
Kanan smiled, "None of us will. I understand now that I'm meant to teach Ezra what little I have learned in the temple" Kanan admitted and gazed at the small sleeping child.
Soon the doctor come back and fitted the child with a new sling before he did an overview of Kanan's condition.
"Well you will be pleased to know that you got away mainly unharmed but you need a few days of rest without too much use of your legs. Which can be done in your own ship." the doctor cut in.
All smiled over the good news.
"Now you heard the doctor, off with you to rest" Hera demanded.
"But Ezra" Kanan protested.
"Will sleep with me, we have already made the room ready for him" Zeb cut in.
"Perfect. Now march, you need rest" Hera ordered with a smile on her face, point at the way out.
Kanan got up and walked out with Hera following. Sabine and Zeb looked at each other having a hard time not to laugh at the 'secret couple'. The two ended up snorting to keep their composure. As their amusement died down they walked over to the small child and looked at him. Ezra was still thin but the months with them had helped no doubt about that, Zeb could feel that when he lifted Ezra up. Unfortunately it woke the small child up.
"Zeb?" Ezra asked tiredly.
"I got you buddy. Sabine and me are going to show you something" Zeb said.
Ezra smiled as he closed his eyes a little while snuggling into Zeb's strong hold, but then he realized what Zeb mentioned, "What are you showing me?"
Sabine chuckled as the three made their way onto the Ghost, "Well Ezra, Zeb and I made a surprise for you. Think of it as your 'welcome to the crew' gift."
The three then arrived just outside of cabin room doors. Ezra was wondering what kind of gift he could be given when he saw the door opened, and gasped in awe.
When the door opened, his eyes fell to the top bunk. The bed was covered in a dark blue blanket, the pillow a bright shade of orange, and the ceiling above it showed the night sky.
Zeb put Ezra down to the ladder so he could climb up for a better look. Ezra smiled when he saw it. The stars and planets shined with the dark blue ceiling; they were the same stars and planets he would see every night when he was in Lothal. Ezra climbed onto the bed and sunk to the comfort the mattress offered.
Ezra was looking up in wonderment when he heard Sabine, "We painted it. Figured it would be nice for you to see something familiar while you fall asleep."
Ezra was stunned, "Wait… is this my room?"
Zeb chuckled, "'Our room', but I'll be on the bottom bunk," Zeb then patted the top bunk, "This one is yours."
Ezra smiled happily, he almost cried at the most amazing gift he could ever receive; not only did he have people who cared for him, but he had a place that he call his own, and it was so beautiful.
Ezra stuttered to thank them but Zeb chuckled as he ruffled the kids head, "No thank necessary."
Sabine smiled as she pointed out, "It was so much fun to create. I can't wait for Hera and Kanan to see."
Ezra then sat up and went down the ladder, "Let's go show them. I want them to see!" Ezra said this all so fast and eagerly, the Lasat and Mandalorian smiled as they caught the childlike wonder Ezra had in that moment. Assuring them there was indeed hope for the child to have a somewhat normal childhood."
SWR
Hera pushed Kanan along, she could feel how much he was leaning on her indicating that he was tired.
"I think we are safe love" Kanan tiredly mumbled when they were out of view.
Both of them had agreed to hide the affection for one another because of security risk but they really wished they did not have to.
Kanan walked into his chamber with her following right next to him. When the door had closed Hera gently grabbed Kanan and kissed him passionately. The kiss lasted as long as they could before they had to take in new air.
"I have waited for this for months" Hera said.
Kanan gazed at her with sad eyes.
"I feared I would never be able to do this again when the Inquisitor had me. I missed you so much, all of you but none more than you. Every time I thought I would never hold you in my arms again it hurt all the more. I could think of the rest of the crew and find strength in knowing I was protecting them but you meant to much for me. When I could barely take any more I stopped thinking of you because it hurt to much" Kanan said but was surprised over admitting him.
"Oh Kanan I thought my heart would turn to ice when you were gone. No one was happy and we were falling apart. Kanan please never do that to us again" Hera said.
Kanan looked at her like he was in pain.
"I can't promise that Hera, don't ask me for something I can't give" Kanan said.
"Kanan I never want to lose you like that again. You nearly did not come back" Hera nearly cried.
Kanan scooped her into his arms and sat down on his bed.
"It is the risk we take doing this. Please Hera don't do something stupid if it comes to this again. If something happens to me you must be there for the crew and Ezra" Kanan said.
Hera leaned in and kissed him again looking heartbroken.
"I love the crew and I adore Ezra but I can't promise that I will leave you behind. My heart broke there" Hera said.
"Hera please be careful with such things" Kanan said.
Hera leaned into him.
"Enough of this for now. You need rest remember?" Hera said.
Kanan sighted but took on his nightclose along with Hera before he laid down but just as he was about to go to sleep Hera grabbed his head gently.
"I said rest not sleep" Hera said.
Kanan smiled as he gently kissed her.
SWR
Ezra rushed towards Kanan's room before Zeb or Sabine could call him back. Both of Zeb and Sabine was smiling wildly, happy that Ezra for once acted like an excited small child before the thought occurred to them. Kanan and Hera might not want to be disturbed right now. Heck they might be …
"Ezra, hold on" called Sabine with Zeb rushing right behind her.
But Ezra had already opened the doors and looked in.
"Ezra!" cried out both Hera and Kanan in shock from inside the room.
Sabine and Zeb finally reached the room, and Zeb, not knowing what else to do but to cover Sabine and Ezra's eyes, as he tried to look away.
On the bed was Hera laying on the bed, with her top shirt off, but tank top on; while Kanan was kneeling on the bed, midway taking off his shirt. However upon hearing 'the kids' come in, Kanan pulled his shirt back over as Hera sat up straight.
Ezra saw the two adults looking very uncomfortable.
"Are you guys okay?" Ezra asked with concern and confusion.
"Fine!" the two adults quickly replied in unison.
"What's up?" Hera asked as calmly as she could while she tried to find her shirt.
Zeb and Sabine (Who removed Zeb's hands from her face) looked awkwardly at each other before Sabine explained, "We wanted to show you what we did with Ezra's bunk."
Hera smiled as her cheeks turned a dark shade of green.
Ezra eyes then bugged out as he had an epiphany, "Oh, did we interrupt a 'married thing'?"
Kanan was now full on red faced as Zeb and Sabine burst out laughing, so hard that it sounded like they were going to lose a lung.
"No you didn't hun" Hera tried to say in a not all to normal voice as she finally got her shirt back on.
"So Kanan had a nightmare? Is that why you were here with Kanan?" Ezra asked confused.
This only made Zeb and Sabine laugh harder.
Kanan and Hera stood by the bed as they thought of how they dealt with what the crew just saw.
Ezra looked at them all confused, "I am very confused."
Sabine decided to explain, "We interrupted their mommy and daddy time." Sabine told him, smiling at her own joke.
Ezra though tried to confirm as he looked up at the adults, "So you guy's are married; that explains everything."
The laughing and awkward shyness seemed to fade.
"What do you mean 'explains everything'?"
Ezra shrugged his shoulders as he admitted, "I see how you guy's act with each other. Always leaning into each other and smiling at one another. I thought it was very close for friends, but now i know you're married, it makes much more sense."
Zeb had to withhold a chuckles as Kanan sat Ezra on the bed, "Ezra, let's make it very clear; Hera and I are not married."
"Oh," Ezra then looked confused, "Then what were you doing?"
Hera and Kanan looked at each other, trying to read the other with how to explain it to Ezra.
"Well…."Kanan could only stutter, before Hera jumped in.
"I… was checking him for bleeding." Hera light up as she came up with as she continued, "To see if the doctors missed anything during the analysis."
Ezra thought about this as he nodded, "makes sense," The two sighed in relief, until Ezra asked, "Then why was your top shirt off?"
Sabine and Zeb chuckled. They knew what they two were up too, and couldn't help but to laugh at how they were trying to dig themselves out of the whole situation the two created.
Kanan then came up with a 'possibility', "I was checking Hera as well" he knew it was not a good lie, but what choice did he have?
The laughter from Zeb and Sabine increased.
"But Hera wasn't wounded, she has been here" Ezra said even more confused.
"Okay you two that is enough, just admit to Ezra that you are married and was having some mommy and daddy time together. It is not like it is a surprise to us, we have known it for years" Zeb said.
Hera and Kanan glared at them irritated over the admission.
"So you guys are married?" Ezra asked.
"NO" both Kanan and Hera protested.
"Yes" Sabine and Zeb replied mockingly as they grinned.
Kanan and Hera glared at Zeb and Sabine while those two was laughing their ass off.
"How can you not know if you are married?" Ezra asked even more confused.
"Oh they are but they have tried to keep it secret until now, even though we all know it. Sato knows, Ahsoka knows, every men on Sato's ship knows, even the cleaning droid knows, but we never said anything because you wanted it to be a secret" Sabine said while grinning.
Kanan and Hera glared at the two in chock. Sabine just raised an eyebrow and smiled like asking if they prefered to tell Ezra what really had been going on. Kanan and Hera looked at them in chock before they gave up.
"Okay yes we are a couple but no we are not married" Kanan said.
"Okay" was all Ezra said "now can we go and see the painting? Zeb and Sabine has made it really beautiful" Ezra continued impatiently.
Kanan smiled and allowed Ezra to guide him towards the room of Zeb and Ezra while the crew happily followed. They reached the room where Ezra showed them the painting.
"You have outdone yourself Sabine, and Zeb not bad. It was very nice of you letting Ezra stay in here" Hera said while Kanan nodded in agreement.
Ezra smiled while his eyes got heavy. Kanan sensing this grabbed Ezra as he was about to fall, seeing this Sabine grabbed the quilt and pulled it back so Zeb could lift the tired child onto the bunk. The 'married couple' gently patted the boy on his head before they let him sleep and they all went to their beds. While Ezra was happy over the gift of a bed and a wonderful picture and nice friends, the crew was even happier to see their smallest member happy, and sleeping relaxed.
SWR
The Grand Inquisitor felt out of his meditation position in a scream of pain. Such power had hit him and he had felt the burn of the child using the light side of the force. What was it about that stupid jedi that had made the child display his power so openly, even after a half year he had not managed that.
A pain spread through his body, the boy was powerful indeed. The Pau'un raised and walked over to the datapad and got it to show the boy's file. There had been taken a blood sample from the boy at arrival, he could still recall his surprise when the result was in. As he scrolled down in the boy's file he found it almost 19.000 on the midichlorian count, no wonder there had been such power. It filled him with anger that the child would spill such power on a weakling that had not even finished his own education. The thought of the Jedi made his anger raise so much, how he longed to see the weak man brought to his knees by him, if he captured they boy maybe he could get the Jedi when his master was done with him, maybe even the whole crew so they could see him bring the weak man to his knees. Nothing would please him more than letting Jarrus suffer in front of his beloved crew.
"I will find you boy and when I do, I will drag you and the Jedi screaming and kicking all the way to Mustafar" the Inquisitor sneered.
A/N There you have it the end of part 1 - but NOT the story. The reason we keep it up is because Charm and I had different ideas for the story so we combined them. I had the idea for part 1 while Charm had the idea for part 2. You will get an update for chapter 17 as soon as we have edited and written some more. So stay with us like you have for the last 250 pages with doable line.