Thursday update. Just think you can get to kickstart the weekend. Enjoy some fluff from the crew as they help Ezra find comfort, something he has not experienced in a while.

Hera walked down to the common room for breakfast and found the whole crew sitting around the table. Hera smiled at the peaceful moment as she sat down to eat.

Hera soon noticed that Ezra seemed tired as he yawned every time he thought no one was looking. Hera gazed towards Kanan who also had noticed the kid's exhausting behavior as well.

"Ezra is everything okay?" Hera asked, looking towards the child with concern.

Ezra's eyes widened as he looked at Hera and sent her a small smile.

"Fine" Ezra replied, though his eyes drooped as he spoke.

Kanan gazed at his padawan and Hera could tell he did not believe him either.

"Ezra you look exhausted," Kanan pointed out before he gave the boy a gentle smile as he realized what was up with the boy, "Being tired wouldn't happen to be from you staying out at the shooting range an hour past midnight?" Kanan asked gently.

That made the whole crew look down at the child in shock, as that was way too long for the boy to be up.

"Kid, why are you working so hard? I told you to call it at night long before that. If you wanted to stay out longer I would of watched so you wouldn't over work yourself" Zeb added with worry.

Ezra meerley shrugged his shoulders unsurely.

"Ezra you need sleep at night, it's not a debate" Sabine said.

Ezra hung his head in shame.

"I'm sorry" Ezra mumbled.

"Oh hun, you don't have to apologize. It is just we worry about you" Hera assured Ezra.

"Well… it is just … difficult not to ... I was only allowed back to my cell by Kallus or the Inquisitor's; and they wouldn't let me back to the cell until i got my training forms done perfectly. I keep forgetting you guys actually like it when I sleep. So I stayed up because .. well, I guess it's a habit that's too hard to break." Ezra told them with a pained expression.

"Oh Ezra we, just like to know that you are staying healthy by getting enough sleep" Hera said gently.

Ezra hung his head.

"I know, I am sorry." Ezra admitted.

"Ezra, you don't have to apologize all the time you know." Kanan pointed out.

"So-," Ezra caught himself before he came up with "Okay," with a weak grin before he let out another loud yawn.

Hera rolled her eyes, "Come on, your gonna take a little nap." Hera ordered, though it was with a grin.

"But what about training?" Ezra asked.

"Oh no young one you are going to bed and that is final. There is nothing that can't wait until you have rested" Hera said and looked at the crew, as if they dared to disagree.

"But if I get behind training then … the Grand Inquisitor got really mad if I fell behind" Ezra sounded panicked over the idea.

The crew noticed that Ezra was rubbing his left shoulder like he was in pain and Kanan's gaze turned dark for a short moment.

"Hun we are not the Empire we won't punish you for missing a day" Hera soothed.

Ezra wanted to argue but was so tired that he just nodded his head instead. Hera was up and scooping him away from the table. Ezra was to heavy for her to carry, after almost 7 months with them the boy was not as skinny as he had been, (All though he was still to thin for there liking, despite they feed him as often as the could). Hera supported him as she lead him to his bed. The whole way to the cabin, Ezra was leaning his head into Hera's side as they entered the room and Hera brought him to his bed.

"Ezra you need to crawl up to your bunk hun. I can't lift you alone" Hera explained gently.

Ezra opened his eyes a little more and crawled up and under the blankets with Hera tucking him in. Hera gently stroke Ezra's head as he looked at her with a slightly sad expression in his eyes.

"Ezra is something wrong?" Hera asked.

"You remind me of … of …." Ezra mumbled.

"Of who hun?" Hera asked.

"My mother … she would do these things when I was little" Ezra admitted as tears almost fell.

"Oh hun I know I can't replace your mother, but I hope you can find some happiness with us; with me." Hera pleased gently, almost like a little prayer

"It actually helps when you are around; because it feel like I have a mother again" Ezra said.

Hera looked at Ezra stunned but beamed with pride over the admission.

"Well I am happy to hear that Ezra; now get some sleep," Hera said and prepared to leave only to feel a small hand holding on to her arm.

"Hun is something wrong?" Hera asked and turned back to Ezra.

"Will … will you stay with me a little longer?" Ezra begged.

Hera heart swelled at the request, this was the first time Ezra had specifically asked for anyone besides Kanan. Hera was not about to turn down Ezra, especially for something so small. Yet it seemed like the kid thought he had asked for much more than he was allowed. Ezra started to shiver a bit and let go and looked down like he regretted asking her.

"Of course I will Ezra" Hera said and crawled the latter in order to join him.

When she joined him Ezra snuggled up to her and she put his head in her lap while stroking him. Hera could see that Ezra was fighting the sleep.

"Sleep hun we will be there for you when you wake up" Hera said.

"Thank you Hera" Ezra said.

Hera leaned down and placed a light kiss on his forehead before she slowly started to sing an old lullaby in her native language. It seemed to work as Ezra finally started to drift to sleep. Even so, Hera kept going until she was absolutely sure that Ezra was a sleep before she placed his head on the pillow and climbed down. All the way out the door she had a huge smile on her face and her chest and heart was filled with a warm glow.

SWR

Hera came into the common room and all looked at her.

"Ezra's asleep finally" Hera told them.

They all smiled and relaxed. Kanan looked in the direction of Ezra and Zeb room and smiled, chuckling lightly.

"What?" Hera pondered.

Kanan shook his head, "Nothing, just nice to see Ezra adjusting to being with us so well. I can sense his emotions and he is happy"

Hera smiled, "I'm glad to hear that. For such a young kid, it's amazing how much he has helped the crew on missions and with the rebellion. But it is more than that, he is also a light in our life I could not imagine our lives without him. I still can't believe that the Grand Inquisitor tried to ruin that; he is such a sweet boy. Yet all they saw was a chance to grab power and convert him into a soldier I don't get why they are doing such things"

"For them he is just a tool Hera, they don't care about who's destroyed in the process, just the results" Kanan said darkly while rubbing his back in old memories, Hera gently squishing his shoulder to support him.

"Still he could not even sleep, he was scared we would be punish him for resting and for falling behind in practice" Hera said sadly.

"I suspect he has been caught in the crossfire at some point when there was a fight between the Inquisitor's. That is not a pleasant to be in the middle of Inquisitors fighting" Kanan stated as his voice became lower, almost like despair weighed it down.

Hera glanced at him.

"You have ended up there as well haven't you?" Hera asked.

Kanan's eye flickered, his mind recalling how they had fought over what torture would be most efficient on him as the test subject when they wanted to demonstrate for others. Kanan had nearly not survived as they had left him bleeding and chained on the floor walking out to continue their argument elsewhere.

"I don't want to talk about it. I've done enough talking with Ahsoka" Kanan said.

"Kanan I know you have but you can still talk to us about it too. You don't have to shield us, we know how cruel the empire can be" Hera protested.

"Hera trust me, you will be better not knowing" Kanan said.

"We can take it" Hera protested.

"I know but there is no need" Kanan said clearly not willing to give in.

Hera, knowing she was losing the battle then looked around, and noticed a colorful absence.

"Where did Sabine go?

"Said she needed to paint something, head to her room," Zeb commented.

Hera nodded.

"Well I need some updates on the Phantom and the other rebels have told us they will bring in some supplies later. They need to go through it and have asked if we can help" Hera said.

Kanan and Zeb nodded that they understood, even so Zeb sighed.

"Something wrong Zeb?" Hera asked even though she had an idea what it was.

"Well it is just … I wish it was us out there instead of hiding on this planet" Zeb said.

To her surprise it was Kanan who replied.

"We both wish so Zeb but I don't want Ezra near The Grand Inquisitor. When I had my vision he looked ready to kill anyone when we last escaped. I shudder to think what that bastard would do to Ezra... or to me." Kanan reluctantly admitted.

"Sorry boss," Zeb said.

Kanan looked at Zeb full of sympathy.

"It is not your fault Zeb none of it is. I understand your frustration, but as a warrior you also understand the importance of waiting for the right moment" Kanan said.

Zeb sighted and nodded while Hera smiled warmly to Kanan and tried to give Zeb a reassuring nod that they would get back in the game at some point. They all dispersed to make their assignments.

SWR

Hera was looking at some things on the Ghost when she heard the most blood chilling scream she had ever heard. Her body froze for a second before she sprinted towards the sound. Hera could hear that she was not the only one on the ship running towards Zeb and Ezra's room. Kanan was already at the door racing in as Hera was close behind and what she found shattered her heart.

Ezra was laying on his bed tossing and turning while sobbing and crying out in his slumber

"Please no, please don't, don't hurt them!" cried Ezra.

Kanan was already at the bed trying to shake Ezra awake but it only seemed to make it worse.

"Please, please don't hurt them. I'll do anything! I … no I … NO" Ezra screamed while curling into a ball and cried.

Kanan scooped Ezra into his arms and closed his eyes. Normally the crew would tease Kanan when he showed his soft side, but in such a stressful moment, comedy was not on anyone's mind. They all waited for Kanan to finish before Ezra finally opened his eyes. Ezra's breath was pieced and he looked in wild panic which shattered Hera's heart even more.

Hera had hoped they were passed this, but it seemed she had been mistaken. Ezra was clinging on to Kanan like his life depended on it will crying and shaking uncontrollably.

"Hun take a deep breath and try to calm down. You are safe, with us on the Ghost. Ezra sshh, try to relax" Hera tried to comfort the child.

Ezra slowly started to calm down and still clinging to Kanan while tears ran down his cheeks. Kanan wrapped his arms around the boy trying to comfort him while Hera patted the boy on his back. It took some time before Ezra fully awoke and registered where he truly was.

"Ezra, what was this nightmare about?" Kanan asked gently.

Ezra looked at him with fresh tears in his eyes starting to fall.

"Easy Ezra take your time and remember we are right here" Kanan soothed.

It took some time before Ezra finally whispered 'Inquisitor' with a trembling voice.

All faces fell when Ezra said that. For a time it had seemed like Ezra had stopped being plagued by nightmares. Now they were not so sure anymore that he had put it behind him.

"I was on the streets, and I was little, I know because I was wearing a sweater that I outgrew when I was alone. I tried to find you guys, but then...I saw him! I saw the Grand Inquisitor, and he was hurting Kanan and… and my parents were there too. when I tried to protest he … he … he killed them, he killed Kanan…. and then..." Ezra whispered and shivered.

"It's okay Ezra it was just a bad dream. I am alright, right here and the same with the crew. The Inquisitor is not here, we are hiding so he can't find us that is why we stay here" Kanan explained to calm Ezra.

Kanan held him close and the rest of the crew moved closer to try and calm him down. The crew emerged in a group hug trying to comfort their smallest member. Slowly Ezra sobbing stopped and his breathing slowed down.

"There there; it was just a nightmare" Kanan said.

Ezra sobbing had stopped, but he did not look like one who would go back to sleep anytime soon.

"Hun would you like to help me give the Ghost a diagnostics run," Hera asked Ezra.

Ezra's eyes became wide and a small smile showed on his face as he nodded.

"Tell you what, why don't you go freshen yourself and then you join me in ten minutes in the cockpit" Hera said gently.

Slowly they all moved away giving Ezra some space and he left the room. The crew just stared at each other.

"I had hoped that he would stop having those awful nightmares" Hera said in a low and sad voice.

"I think we all had hoped he was passed that state but I am worried. I can feel something else besides the nightmare is bugging him, but I can't tell what" Kanan said darkly.

They all looked worried at their leader.

"Any ideas?" Sabine asked worried.

"I am not sure but something is nagging him his emotions is clearly colored by this and that is when he is open to the dark side" Kanan said.

"Well then we will just have to help him and make sure things are going good" Zeb said.

They all nodded in agreement to that.

"I better go and check on him I am not sure he is as okay as he wants us to believe Kanan said and left.

Hera looked at the two other crew members who was just as worried as she.

"Will the poor boy ever relax and be a child like he should be?" Zeb asked heavily.

"We will do our best but we might never give him a completely normal childhood. The things he has been through will stay with him forever and define him" Hera said in a sad and low voice.

"Yes but he can overcome it and we will help him do so" Sabine said.

They all nodded and that leaving to join Kanan and Ezra.

SWR

Hera walked into the cockpit and waited for Ezra but after 10 minutes he had not arrived. Hera slightly worried as she checked the clock … 12 minutes … 15 … 20 … first 30 minutes after Ezra woke up, did he come in carried by Kanan who kept relaxing him.

"Hun are you okay?" Hera asked even more worried.

Ezra nodded as he was placed on the ground with an assuring hand from Kanan rubbing his back.

"I am sure you will love a fly lecture with Hera she is the best pilot in the rebellion" Kanan encouraged.

Hera smiled at the praise and looked at Ezra who looked full of doubt and worries.

"Will …" Ezra began but did not seem to be able to finish the sentence.

"Will what?" Kanan asked.

"We won't fly near the Inquisitor?" Ezra whispered full of fear.

"Oh hun we won't be flying anywhere besides a small trip around the base. We can't right now as we are to stay here to make sure the Inquisitor doesn't find us. Even so I thought you would like to learn how everything works" Hera said.

Ezra brightened up at that and nodded.

"Well then sit in the co pilot seat and I will show you" Hera said.

Before Ezra could say any more the doors opened and Chopper rolled in. Ezra looked worried at the droid but did not move away much to Kanan and Hera's had used time with Ezra trying to learn him that not all droids was evil and cruel so they were glad that Ezra did not freak over Chopper.

"Hi Chopper" Ezra said carefully as Kanan gently stroke him.

The droid happily beeped a return. Ezra looked at Chopper.

"So you will help with the flying lesson?" Ezra asked quietly.

Chopper beeped confirming.

"Thank you" Ezra said softly.

Chopper beeped back and Kanan suspected that the droids was behaving due to the amount of threats Hera made to it if he ever dared to do something to Ezra or near him. As Kanan left Hera started explaining how you controlled and flew and how the different parts worked with Chopper beeping additional information. Much to Hera's delight Ezra took it all in and even seemed to warm up to Chopper who was very well behaved. It was some time into the lecture when Ezra looked up.

"It is really nice to learn all this but you don't teach me all this to fly over and bomb things?" Ezra said looking unsure.

"Oh hun no why would you even ask that?" Hera asked dreading the answer.

"They did. They let me see as a TIE flew over and destroyed what some homeless people had made to protect themselves for the cold. They said it was because it was a place the Empire had bought and they would not accept sloppy people who couldn't even get a job. Kallus made me look from the sideline as they would not allow me to fly afraid I would flee. It was one of the few times I was allowed outside the base," Ezra said.

"I wish you had never had to experience all these things but rest assured we would never force that on someone. We are trying to be better than the Empire" Hera said.

Ezra smiled weakly to her.

"Well since you mentioned the guns why don't I show you how they work. I am sure Chopper would love to fire a shoot out in the empty space just to show you" Hera said.

Chopper sent several happy beps out in the room and for once Ezra looked at him without fears. Hera offered her hand which he happy took and followed her out with a small smile on his face.

A/N That was some fluff more is coming along with a certain day, can you guess which?