Hey everyone! Okay, now this chapter will definitely be worth the wait! You'll find out why when you read it, and I've actually had this chapter envisioned in my mind from when I first started this story. I know, crazy right? It's been changed and revised a lot, but I'm really proud of how it turned out. :D

Now I've put a lot of thought into this one, because we have hit a really, really awesome milestone in my books!

We have over 400 reviews! Woo! Can you believe it? It feels like only last chapter we were celebrating the 300 milestone, and suddenly we're at 400?! Say WHAT?! I was so shocked when I saw it that my inner fangirl had a heart attack!

Inner Fangirl: "I know! I'm still wrecked after the season 2 finale (KANAN WHY?!), let alone reaching 400 reviews!"

I just wanted to take a moment to let you guys know how much I appreciate every single one of you. And even if I can't do Q/A's and Reactions anymore I want you to know that I am always thinking about you guys. Whether you be someone who's been following me from the start, or if you just got into it today even! I care about you all equally. :D In every spare moment I think about the next chapter, and as soon as I get one of my stories updated I think of how the next one will go. I really do want to entertain all of you with these stories, and I've had so much fun building and creating these worlds and these plots!

Hopefully you guys enjoy it too, and I hope you all have an amazing, fantastic, super day!

May the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

Ezra's POV

Darkness surrounded me.

I glanced to my sides, but everything was pitch black, shrouded in a thick layer of shadows. I opened my mouth to call out, but no words formed. All was completely silent.

Until suddenly, a dim light began burning into view, illuminating the surrounding area and sending shadows dancing across the ground. Soon, objects could be seen through the yellow glow of candlelight and revealed the long hall of a house. The walls were bare and chipping paint could be seen blending with the filth and grime of the corridor. The air was stale, and a cold gust of wind hit my back, sending a shudder down my spine.

For some reason this place seemed so… familiar. But I just couldn't pin wh-

Loud footsteps cut my train of thought as the worn door at the far end rattled and creaked. Instinct told me to run in the opposite direction, but I found my body floating forward in a dreamlike state as the door flung open on its rusty hinges. I glanced curiously into the shadows, until suddenly, an icy voice snarled "Get in, you filthy brat."

I instinctively froze at the voice, my eyes going wide. No. Not again.

A small child was shoved into view, maybe 6 or 7 years old with coarse blue hair falling down his tan skinned face. The child stumbled onto the floor with a grunt as tears streamed from his stagnant blue orbs, his hand clutching his upper arm tightly.

Another figure stepped through the door, and as the dim light shone on his face, I could feel my body retract in on itself and my blood go cold. He was a large male with wiry grey hair and thick muscly arms, and he wore a scowl as it were going out of fashion. "Bloody orphan," he spat, his silver eyes narrowed and fierce. "How dare you say that in front of everyone!?"

The child growled and glanced up at the male from his position on the floor, snapping "I told them the truth!"

The man swung his hand out and slapped the boy across the face, sending him sprawling across the ground with a loud scream. "And who said you had the right to speak, you scum!" the man barked, stepping toward the sobbing child who had curled into a fetal position. "Go on! Say it then!"

The boy was trembling, his face pressed into his hands and his knees tucked towards his chest. "Go on street rat!" The male barked. "Since you obviously have so much to say!"

The child glanced up, his eyes narrowed into hateful slits as he screamed "YOU ARE A MONSTER! I HATE YOU!"

The man bared his teeth furiously and unclipped his belt, slipping it off and smacking it on the wall above the boy's head with a piercing crack. The boy curled up into a ball, his entire body shaking just from the sheer sound of the snap. "Say it again," the man hissed coldly.

The boy shook his head, rewarded with a sharp kick to the stomach. He yelped in agony, until the man yelled "Say it again!"

"N-No, please don't," the boy begged through his sobs. "Please don't w-whip me again…"

The man's brows furrowed, and he spat "Too. Late."

Suddenly the man brought the belt down, the sound of metal cracking on flesh sounding through the air, followed shortly by the boy's horrific screams. I clenched my eyes shut, trying to push out the nightmare, the memories. I didn't want to see it again. I didn't want my past to return!

But the screams didn't stop, and with every cry and yelp I could feel my arms and back cramp in excruciating pain. I wanted to run, but my legs were paralysed in fear. I had learnt in the early stages of my childhood under this man's 'care' that fleeing was futile, and would only cause you more punishment at a later date. It wasn't worth the risk. It wasn't worth the pain.

And as I listened to my younger-self cry and holler, I could feel everything coming back. Sights. Smells. Tastes. Sounds. Emotions. Dreams. Fears. They all hit me in a wave. These feelings I had tried to conceal, push deep down, were finally surfacing after eight long years. Another cold shudder spiralled through my bones, dragging the oxygen from my lungs and forcing me to my knees.

"Somebody help!" the boy's scream echoed as I began to feel light-headed.

"No one can hear you, you useless piece of trash."

There was no reply, just the sound of muffled sobs and weeping.

"And even if they can hear you," the man's cold voice continued, his voice beginning to fade. "No one will ever listen…"

I gasped, my eyes shooting open and my body jolting upright. Panting, I allowed my wide eyes to adjust to my new surroundings, the air finally relieving my aching chest. I could feel sweat sliding down my back as the cool winter breeze brushed against my exposed skin, the moonlight dimly illuminated the dark room.

I jumped when a loud grumble broke the silence, leaping from the covers and rearing for an attack, only to realise it was just Zeb's snoring. My gaze fixed on the male's sleeping form as he lay half on and half off his bed, looking quite at peace in his deep slumber. And slowly, the tension released from my muscles and my breathing settled back to a normal pace. I collapsed onto the side of my bed and pressed my face into my hands. Only then did I notice the tear streaks running down my cheeks, and the stinging-achy feeling along my back and arms. It's all in your head Ezra. It's all in your head. Those injuries were years ago… far too long to worry about anymore…

Inhaling sharply, I shut my eyes and pressed my trembling hands together tightly in an attempt to sooth the instinctive movements.

Seven years. That's how long I had stayed as Dwayne's foster child.

Seven years of compliance, seven years of bashing.

Seven years of crying out for help, seven years of no-one listening.

Seven years of silent hope, and seven years of building fury.

Until finally, on my seventh birthday, I made my one wish come true. Because I ran away. For good.

They searched, oh they searched. But interest began to dwindle by the end of the first month, until the name 'Ezra Bridger' became just a distant memory. Then a few months later, I ran into Max. He took me under his wing, guided me, protected me, cared for me. He was the only family I ever needed. The memories between running away and meeting Max were a bit hazy, but I knew they weren't anything someone would choose to remember.

For years I had managed to bury those images deep within, and not once had I ever looked back or revisited my horrible childhood. But for some reason, this place, these people were bringing things I had never wanted to see again back into light. It messed with my head, and all I could feel was this growing emptiness inside. Was I mad? Was I upset? Was I afraid? I couldn't tell anymore. It was just one big blur.

I shook my head rapidly, as if it could push those dark memories and thoughts from my mind. But after finding little success, I stood up and headed for the door. "Come on kid, get some fresh air through those lungs to clear ya head," Max's voice played in my ears.

He had told me that once when we were on the street. I was 11, and I'd had a nightmare of Dwayne coming back, hunting me down and seeking revenge. But the older boy simply grasped me by the shoulder and took me for a walk around the park. The surprising part was that it actually worked. The park was quiet that night, and even the few creeps that were lurking around weren't daring enough to tangle with my 13 year old guardian who had already earnt himself quite a reputation on the streets by then. We had strolled around for a bit, neither of us speaking, but neither really needing to speak, until Max finally sat me down under a large oak and watched the stars above. After that I never thought of Dwayne again…

At least until now.

I scrubbed at my eyes I as entered the hallway, closing the door behind me cautiously so not to wake Zeb.

Maybe I'll just skip down to the park quickly to clear my head. They won't even notice I'm gone...

I headed down the stairs with the front door being my goal, until my attention was suddenly adverted to the dim glow emanating from the common room. I halted in my approach, freezing in place as the sound of guitar strings could be heard along with the crackle of a fire.

Blinking rapidly a few times, I mentally debated whether to continue forward, go to bed, or do a Max and just book it out the window. But I found my curiosity got the better of me as the soothing strum of the guitar lured me down the staircase until I was perched in plain sight of the common room. The first thing I noticed was the small fire that was kindling in the fireplace, shining its yellow glow against the walls and furniture. The second thing I noticed was the slight movement on the three-seater lounge, causing me to bend down and hide behind the frame of the rail on reflex.

I watched on carefully, my eyes fixed on the figure sitting on the couch, guitar in hand. The beautiful tune proceeded, the simple melody seeming so gentle, yet rustic. Each note was different than the last, and I could feel myself being almost hypnotised by the song.

The Spirit Buskers were known for upbeat and loud music, since that was the type that caught people's attention, but I couldn't remember the last time I'd heard such a peaceful song. It was soft, and rhythmic, and… calm. A feeling I hadn't been familiar with lately.

"Just close your eyes…" a meek voice cooed, barely audible.

My mind was snapped back to reality when the voice paused, before singing again "You'll be alright…"

Slowly, I crept down the stairs, my footsteps light until I made it to the doorway of the common room. I pressed myself up against the wall and peaked my head around the corner to get a better view. Realisation dawned on me when the figure, Kanan, sung to the tune in his soothing, familiar voice. Or at least, for some reason, his lips mouthed the words, but only a few lines seemed to form into actual lyrics. "Come morning light… you and I'll be safe, and-"

The strumming abruptly stopped, and I heard Kanan grumble and pluck the previous note in frustration. I wondered what was wrong, since it sounded fine to me, until I assumed he must have hit the wrong string and caused a slight imperfection. His brows furrowed as he once again tried to pick up the rhythm, before winding up unsuccessful and slumping back on the lounge instead. His eyes slid shut, and the tension seemed to unravel from his body as he released an exhausted sigh.

Only now did I realise he was still in his police uniform, and glancing up at the clock, I also noticed it was past 1 o'clock in the morning.

Zeb and I hadn't seen him after he went to a meeting at the police station late last night. He and Kallus had taken the police car back out, giving Zeb time to fill me in on his eventful day with Max over dinner. But Kanan hadn't returned by the time we'd fallen asleep, and I was surprised I hadn't heard him drive up to Ghost when he came back.

Maybe Zeb's snoring had drowned out the sound of the engine. Or at least, that's what I'd dismiss it as.

I slowly pulled away, hoping I could sneak back into my room without him noticing if I was lucky enough. But it seemed my luck had run dry as one of the floorboards creaked when I shifted my weight.

I winced, and Kanan's eyes shot open. His gaze immediately flickered towards me, and we exchanged a long, tense stare.

"Ezra?" he asked quietly, his body tensing up.

I released a strained sigh, muttering under my breath "Freakin' typical floorboard."

"What are you doing up?" Kanan asked softly.

"I was about to ask you the same question," I retorted.

Kanan moved the guitar from his lap to the floor, saying "I got back from work and wasn't tired enough to sleep yet. You?"

"Well I had a…" I trailed off, my expression going blank as the memory of my nightmare returned. I flinched, instead answering "I couldn't sleep."

Kanan arched a brow, but didn't press the matter. "You want some hot chocolate or something?" he suggested.

I hesitated, before shaking my head. "No thank you," I murmured, my voice faint.

That all too familiar silence descended upon us, and I could feel the sweat forming under my skin. Kanan too seemed uncomfortable with the tension, as he always did whenever I shunned him away or snapped at him, but for once I didn't feel the hatred I had been feeling for the past few days. And as I shifted from foot to foot, I cleared my throat awkwardly and said "I'll just leave you be now Corporal."

I twisted on my foot to head back upstairs when Kanan suddenly blurted "No, stay!… I mean, if you want to…"

I glanced over my shoulder reluctantly to see he was watching me with keen eyes. He seemed expectant of my next actions, though I could still see doubt lingering in his expression, as if there was part of him just waiting for me to decline.

But, I didn't feel the need to leave this time.

Ever since I'd spoken to Max, all I could do was run his words over and over in my mind. Before then I was convinced that Kanan had abandoned me, passed me on like all the other foster parents, but Max's words had at least some logic to them. If Kanan didn't care, why would he be trying so desperately to make things right? But then again, if he wanted to make it right, why didn't he explain to me what had happened when I first came here?

Something wasn't matching up, and it was either me or him that had the story wrong. And I wanted answers. I knew deep down that I was afraid of it, but I needed to know the truth. Whether it be good or bad.

Slowly, I turned around to face the man directly, my eyes vacant and my expression blank. He waited patiently, and seemed genuinely shocked when I paced forward and sat down at the opposite end of the couch. I fixed my gaze on the floor, staring down at my bare feet and hunching my shoulders while Kanan just adverted his eyes to the corners of the room nervously.

The silence drawled on, until I suddenly asked "That song. What is it?"

Kanan snapped back to reality, and he replied with a fond tone "My… my adoptive mother used to sing it to me, back when I was first placed with her. She could play it on the violin, and it sounded absolutely perfect."

My lips drew into a thin line, and I glanced up and offered "I think it sounds good on guitar…"

Kanan smiled lightly, his fingers brushing over the strings as he pulled the instrument up to his chest with pride. "Yeah, I adapted it myself," he admitted sheepishly. His expression went cold. "But… in my opinion, they sounded far better together…"

His joy seemed to fade at that part, and I pried "Did you play together often?"

He shook his head, tuning the strings as a way to distract his twitching fingers. "We performed together once, about a week before she passed," he murmured. "She was so proud of me when I did it though…"

Another wave of silence threatened to fall upon us, but not before I blurted "Can you play it?"

"Play it?" Kanan repeated, confused.

"Yeah, you know, play the song," I suggested.

Kanan chuckled nervously, saying "Nah, i-it's been years, I'm far too rusty at it."

"Sounded fine from what I heard. And the lyrics weren't half bad either, if you know, you'd actually sung them," I pointed out with a smirk.

Blood rushed to Kanan's cheeks, and he stuttered awkwardly "Oh, y-you, uh, you heard that huh?"

I nodded, replying "Yeah, so I guess you got nothing to lose."

Kanan sighed and glanced up at me with lively aqua eyes, mild amusement glinting through the usually hollow orbs. "You're not going to give up, are you?"

I smiled weakly. "If you're as smart as you claim to be Corporal, you'll make it easier on yourself and just play it," I teased.

"Hm. That would be easier, wouldn't it," he said as he began testing a few of the strings. "But it might not be any good."

I rolled my eyes. "It's me, not a rock concert."

I wasn't sure if this made him less tense, or more tense, but it seemed to activate something within the man. Finally seeming to oblige, Kanan tuned his guitar carefully and shifted his fingers over the different cords, before finally settling down and saying sheepishly "Just work with me here. It's been a while."

I twisted around on the chair to face him more directly as he took a deep breath, loosened his shoulders, and began to play. The relaxing tune soothed into my ears as I was once again taken under the music's spell, my eyes fixed on the guitar but focused on nothing in particular. Only when Kanan began to sing in a gentle, hushed voice did I get partially snapped back to reality.

"I remember tears streaming down you face when I said I'd never let you go… when all those shadows almost killed your light," he cooed. His gaze flickered for the slightest moment towards me, sending a chill up my spine as he continued "I remember you said 'Don't leave me here alone'… but all that's dead and gone and past, tonight…"

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe and sound…"

The lyrics seemed to hit me in a wave, and I couldn't help the feeling that it was talking about us. Like Kanan's plead for forgiveness had been bundled up into the unnoticed words of a song. And I had the feeling, judging from his pained expression as he continued to strum each chord, that Kanan knew it too.

"Don't you dare look at your window, darling everything's on fire. The war outside our door keeps raging on. Hold on, to this, lullaby. Even when the music's gone… gone…"

"Just close your eyes, the sun is going down. You'll be alright, no one can hurt you now. Come morning light, you and I'll be safe, and, sound…"

The pace began to pick up and Kanan closed his eyes, completely lost in the song. "Ooo ooh, ooo ooh," he sung on repeat.

Until suddenly, the music dropped, and Kanan's eyes sprung open with a muffled gasp. He was staring blankly at the floor, shoulders tense, hands trembling. Yet it seemed his fingers had a mind of their own as they still managed to find the right notes with incredible accuracy.

"Just close your eyes…" he whispered, voice hitching. "You'll be alright…"

"Come morning light… you and I-"

Kanan's voice faltered, and the gentle pluck of the strings halted. For a moment, it seemed as if he was no longer present in his own body. Like he was watching a memory of some sort. Or maybe the ghost of a memory. I could even see the tears forming at the corners of his blank eyes.

But finally, Kanan sucked in a deep breath and clenched his eyes shut, continuing on with a torn expression. "You and I'll be safe… and… sound," he finished, before repeating the small vocal section and finishing off with one final strum of his guitar.

A deep silence fell upon us as the man slowly regained his senses and returned to reality. When he finally snapped back, Kanan rubbed the tears from his eyes and shook away any of his previous vulnerability, asking "So, uh, how was that?"

I offered a gentle smile and replied "Good… You play well with the guitar."

This seemed to lighten the mood, and Kanan beamed with pride as he said "Glad to know I've still got it then. It's been years since I last played. Actually, the last person I played it for was…" His voice faded, and he visibly flinched.

I was tempted to ask who, but decided against it when Kanan began instinctively playing the tune again. He seemed lost. Uncertain.

So before the male could slip into another hypnotic trance, I asked the one question that seemed to freeze time itself.

"What happened the night you gave me up?" I asked bluntly.

Kanan hit the wrong note when the words slipped my tongue, eyes going wide and body as straight as a stick. "W-What?" he stuttered in shock.

I hesitated, before repeating sternly "That night. Fifteen years ago."

"Oh," Kanan murmured, slowly placing his guitar on the floor. "…That night…"

My brows furrowed and I nodded sharply, my eyes narrowed on the male. Kanan shifted slightly under my fierce stare as he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. The tense silence was broken when he started in a meek tone "A storm hit Lothal one night. Hail. Thunder. Lightning. The whole works."

"At that time I was unemployed, and I had been trying to apply for the police force but with no success," he explained solemnly. "You see, it had been three years since Depa… Since she…." Kanan hesitated, before continuing "Basically, I was on my own, and the only money I was receiving was from the government. It got me by, but it certainly wasn't living the luxurious life."

"And then one night… on that horrible, storming night, there was a knock on my door." The corner of Kanan's lip raised slightly in a guilty smile, adding "I remember as if it were yesterday."

"On my doorstep I found a little baby boy, bundled up in blankets with a simple note that read 'Ezra'," Kanan described fondly. "He had fluffy, dark-blue hair and big electric eyes, as well as tan skin and a charming smile." Kanan glanced over at me and smirked slightly. "Guess some things never change."

While I remained neutral on the outside, my mind was actually a whirlwind of conflicting emotion. And as Kanan continued his story, I could see his expression begin to darken. "I took the baby inside my small apartment because I didn't want to leave him in the storm," Kanan murmured. "He was so afraid and lonely, and to calm him down… I played him a song."

"It was the first time I'd played it since Depa died…" Kanan said quietly. "…And I never played it again until…" Kanan's hand brushed over the strings of the guitar. "Till…"

I immediately felt something sting within. No wonder Kanan was on the verge of breaking down when he'd played. It was something sacred to him, something associated with the loving mother he no longer had. And with the memory of her would come the memories of her murder.

But Kanan didn't dwell on the subject for too long and instead resumed his story.

"I knew I couldn't take care of the child though. I didn't have the money or experience to take care of a baby. And I remember convincing myself that I wasn't worthy enough to look after someone as special as you, Ezra." Kanan sighed deeply and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. "I remember how I couldn't sleep that night, because I was thinking about you and what would happen."

"I refused to take you to the orphanage because I knew what they did to the children. I was once an orphan there," he growled, a new acidity I had never witnessed leaking into his voice. "Mr Lufensa treated us lower than slaves. He made us work every day, and we still only got fed twice a week. And that's when he was in a good mood too."

"Many of us tried to run away, but at night we were placed in rooms with heavy metal doors and barred windows. It was like a prison, and any of us that did get out were often caught by his workers and beaten senseless… your only hope was if someone would adopt you. And when you smell worse than the sewers and look as if you'd just escaped a horror movie, adoption was highly unlikely."

Kanan turned to face me head on, saying firmly "So when I say that I understand what you've been through, I really do know what it's like Ezra."

My gaze fell to the floor, and I murmured softly "I'm sorry you had to go through that… I… the orphanage is still bad now but… it was never like that…"

Kanan released a tense sigh and closed his eyes. "I'm getting off track," he muttered. "Anyways, my only option left was to take you to the adoption agency, get you into the foster system. You at least had a better chance of finding a nice family that way."

"So the next day I fed you, washed you, and clothed you so I could take you to the adoption agency. You'd had a nap after the bath, so you were a bit sleepy when I took you there. I thought it was better to take you then so maybe you wouldn't realise when… when I left…"

Both Kanan's hands began to tremble as he rasped "I… I-I didn't want to give you up… I was just doing what I t-thought was best for you… I didn't realise that they'd hand you over to…" He froze, but he didn't need to finish for me to know what he was talking about.

I sighed and asked softly "So you know about it then? You know about him?"

Kanan glanced over at me, his expression one of deep guilt and regret. "I read it in your file," he murmured, almost hesitant. Kanan flinched, saying gently "Ezra, if I had known what would happen I would have never let them give you to Dway-"

"Don't say his name!" I barked as my gaze snapped forward. "That monster doesn't even deserve my acknowledgement! All he deserves is to die in hell!"

Kanan raised his hands to signal peace as he spoke calmly "Whoa, whoa, okay. I get it. We don't have to talk about it then."

I folded my arms defensively over my chest and twisted away, trying to hide my face and distract my mind from any memories of my first foster parent. It wasn't worth the effort. Pushing it away was the only option.

I heard Kanan release a tense sigh, and all remained silent until he spoke "I'm sorry, Ezra."

The way in which he spoke made me perk up. He sounded so raw, so genuine. In fact it was so believable I almost thought he was telling the truth. Almost.

"I'm sorry I wasn't there," he continued. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you. I'm sorry I couldn't be the guardian you needed all those years ago…"

I glanced over my shoulder to see that Kanan had shuffled a little bit closer, still keeping a cautious distance but advancing never the less. "But 15 years ago, I promised a little baby boy he'd grow up with a great life," he said, eyes welling with tears. "A great life, with a great family."

Kanan moved across the seat so he was beside me, reaching his arm out and placing his hand on my shoulder. I flinched at the contact, about to pull away, until hesitating. There was something in his eyes that caught my attention. Though his gaze was shrouded in sorrow and guilt, I saw genuine care and warmth behind his stare. And just his comforting touch alone was enough to make me freeze. I had been rejecting his affection for three days straight, and only now did I realise that I actually missed the occasional pat on the back or ruffle of my hair. I'd forgotten what it was like to be cared for and loved. Sure, Max was the closest thing I had to family, but his punches on the shoulder or nudging of the ribs were different. They were a brotherly touch, like Zeb's.

But this was different. This was a fatherly warmth, something I thought I'd never experience, nor need in my life. Yet it was as if a piece of me had been restored. Some kind of emptiness I wasn't even aware of filling in my chest.

"I promised that little boy he would be happy," Kanan spoke, his voice a mere whisper. "And Ezra?"

I waited numbly, and could feel something ache deep inside when he finished confidently "I plan to keep that promise."

My throat jerked in a single, painful sob, and my vision wavered as tears made their presence known. I bowed my head in an attempt to hide my emotions, but Kanan simply squeezed my shoulder and tilted my chin upwards so I stared him straight in the eye. "But I can only do that if you give me a chance," he spoke gently. "Do you think you can forgive me?"

At that I flinched, and Kanan must have realised he was pushing the line. But instead of stepping back from the subject like he usually did, he only pushed it forward.

"Please Ezra. Just one more shot and I promise I'll make it up to you," he urged. "You'll be safe with us, and you'll never have to worry about food, or water, or shelter ever again. You'll have a home, and a family. But… I can't do that if things stay the way they are. I want to fix this, I really do, but I need you to work with me here." Kanan took a deep breath and sighed. "Do you understand what I mean?"

For me, having two lives also meant having two personalities. Phantom versus Ezra. Rationality versus emotion.

And right now it was if the two sides had initiated all-out warfare in my mind.

Phantom would never trust a cop…

But Ezra would take the risk for the reward.

Phantom was loyal to his Spirits and his Spirits only…

But Ezra longed for a family who treated him as an equal.

The Phantom was a brave, fearless being who put the needs of his friends above his own…

But Ezra was still a child. A child that needed a family.

And it was the child within that caused me to shuffle closer to the police officer and allow him to wrap me in his warm embrace. Caused me to nuzzle into the fabric of his blue police uniform while listening to his steady heartbeat. Caused the shields I had been building over 15 long years of pain to finally crumble down.

My vision blurred as tears formed in my eyes, and even though I felt vulnerable to my past I also felt incredibly safe in Kanan's arms. Speaking of the male, he took the contact willingly and coiled his arms around my back. His hand pressed against the whip wounds on my upper back, and even though they shouldn't have hurt, for some reason I still received the bone tingling sting from all those years ago. I grunted in discomfort as natural reflexes almost pulled me out of his embrace. But Kanan wasn't giving up so soon, quickly correcting his position and pulling me back in before I could get away.

I was tempted to protest, but eventually chose against it and leant back into his touch. Heat radiated from his skin and warmed my soul, and it was such a strange feeling for someone else to be providing the support. Usually that was my job, but it felt so good to be on the receiving end for once.

A flash of light caught my attention, and I noticed the gold plated badge on the other side of his chest, glinting in the dim firelight. Slowly, I ran my fingers over the cold metal name plate engraved with the words 'Lothal Police Force, Officer Jarrus'.

My brows furrowed as realisation started to dawn on me again.

I was willingly embracing a police officer, the sworn enemy of the Spirits and a general pain in my neck. And as memories started to fester, anger and distrust began to kindle alongside them.

Police meant pain…

Police meant loss…

Police meant death…

Police meant-

Kanan hugged me tightly and rested his chin a top my head, whispering "I'll never let anyone hurt you again Ezra… Never…"

Suddenly, I felt like I couldn't breathe, and the tears finally escaped from my wide, blank eyes. Years of concealed emotions seemed to flood out, and I buried my face into the crook of Kanan's neck as if to hide my shame. But the man took it with a clear head, enclosing me in his secure embrace with one arm and combing his fingers through my hair with the other. "It's okay now," he murmured. "They can't hurt you anymore Ezra."

I clenched my teeth together in the hopes to stop the uncontrollable sobs, releasing a hostile grunt and holding my eyes shut. But Kanan simply cooed "It's okay to cry Ezra. You don't have to hold it in any longer."

I didn't heed his words and tried desperately to muffle the pitiful sound. I couldn't cry, and that was just that. If someone under my care saw me crying, then doubt would start to swell. If an ordinary person saw me crying, then they would look down on me and think I was helpless. So I learnt quickly that crying was a waste of energy and time. No point being sad about something when you can just get over it and move on with life.

"Ezra," Kanan said softly, rubbing my back in gentle motions. "Ezra, I want you to listen to me."

"Our actions are like a boomerang," he explained. "When you throw something out there, it will eventually come back. So when you do something kind, something good will happen to you. Maybe not immediately, but it'll come. And the same goes for the people in your life. Dway-… I mean, your first foster parent did horrible things to you… so horrible things will happen to him in return."

"You have the right to be angry Ezra. You have the right to be happy, or upset, or afraid, or any emotion you want to be. But you also have the right to cry too," he soothed. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Reluctantly, I stopped fighting my tears and wept into his shirt. I realised that Kanan didn't care if I cried. He didn't look up to me like a Spirit. He didn't look down on me like a normal person. He was the perfect in between. A rock. An anchor.

I couldn't remember how long I cried for, but I just know that an incredible weight was lifted from my shoulders by the time I finished. My muscles were completely rigid, but Kanan's calm presence slowly unravelled the tension that bound them. And soon, I felt my breathing settle down to a gentle pace and my body melt into his touch. The steady rise and fall of his chest made me feel somewhat at peace, and the faint thump of his heartbeat against my ear reminded me that this was all real.

That Kanan was real.

He was really here, caring for me, providing for me, protecting me. He wanted me to be happy and he meant it.

When was the last time I'd met a foster parent like that?

I couldn't remember anymore. All my previous homes were just blurs in my mind, all except for three. The first being Dwayne, nicknamed by my fellow leaders as 'The Silver Devil'. He was definitely the worst I'd ever experienced, and if I were to see him down the street today he probably wouldn't be alive tomorrow. Then there was Eva, also known as 'The Shell-fish'. A woman completely obsessed with her own life that she couldn't give a damn if the children got fed or not, just as long as she got her expensive seafood with her rich boyfriend.

And lastly, there was the Ghost and those who inhabited it.

Never in my whole life had I been in a home quite like this. Never had I met a family that made me feel like I did right now. They caused so many emotions to surface that it was impossible to name them all, but the one thing that was certain was that you felt loved. They cared, and they treated you with respect. You weren't degraded, you weren't neglected, and best of all you weren't abused. It was like every street rat's dream!

But… I wasn't just an average street rat.

I was the Phantom, the most loved by homeless and most hated by commoners. And don't even get me started on cops. They must have considered me the bane of their lives by now.

And here Kanan and I were, the Phantom and the head officer trying to catch the Phantom living under the same roof. It was unheard of. Unthinkable. If any of the Spirits were to find out about this there would be an uproar!

A cop and a Spirit? Pfft. Complete nonsense!

And yet that was the option presented in front of me. A path so completely unbelievable that I hadn't even considered it an option. But was it actually possible to get away with something as risky as that?

If Kanan were to find out the Phantom's identity then I would be done for. Sent to the Howling House and never heard from again. Our connections would step back, and the Spirits would perish. Everything we had worked for would crumble to its knees…

But if he didn't find out… if the investigation led nowhere, and Kanan never found the elusive Phantom, then there was the slightest chance I'd get away with it. Max could hold the fort at Safe Haven while I worked in the background. No one would expect an average kid that goes to school like everyone else and lives under the care of a police officer to be the Phantom. Even to commoners that would be unfathomable!

But it just might work.

I'd get a family. The Spirits could keep growing. And life would continue on far more complete then it once was.

And I reminded myself how each member of the Ghost made me feel. Sabine, smart and energetic, made me feel like her equal despite the fact we were completely different. Zeb, tough but gentle, made me feel like I had someone to look to when I needed support. Hera, loving and caring, was everything I imagined a mother to be and more. Kanan…

Kanan was strong, and determined. And even though he was a cop he made me feel invincible.

Was that not how family was supposed to make you feel? Loved, cherished, respected, understood, at peace?

So finally, I made my decision.

Nuzzling my face into Kanan's shirt, I loosened my shoulders and slowly shut my eyes. Kanan wasn't letting go any time soon, and I didn't mind it that way. It was weird closing my eyes and knowing for certain someone would be there when I woke up. But somehow I just knew he would.

Kanan was everything a father should be. Even Max, my most trusted source of knowledge thought I should stay. And sure, Kanan trying to track me down could be considered a complication, but boy the payoff would be worth it if things went my way for once.

Besides, the police hadn't found me in 7 years. What was the chances they'd find me now?

Super Bomb #2:

Remember Me

The Light in the Dark

Lost Chapters

O' Family of Ours

There is no Death, There is the Force

To Mend the Bond