***Thanks to everyone who reviewed! If you're reading this please check out my new story (yes I will be juggling!) called Stranded! Thanks for your continued support, it's really appreciated. And, no, rebels-lover, I will not leave you with a cliffe this time.***
Kanan felt a disturbance pulse through him, and his head looked to the door to the pilot's chamber automatically. No one.
Hera turned to him, eyes half closed. "Something wrong?"
"Yeah, I don't know wha…" Kanan trailed off as Hera looked over his shoulder, face paling.
The cabin was dead silent, the air stilling, before Kanan broke it. "What's the matter?"
"The holomap. One of the kids are being taken by the stormtroopers."
"Kids?" Kanan asked, his head turning to the left, back to the holomap, lack of sleep confusing his mind for an instant before he realized what she meant.
Walking through the corridors were three stormtroopers, in front of them a red dot, being led to God only knew where.
"Oh no." Kanan muttered, forcing worry from his mind. He needed to enter the Force. He needed to make sure that Ezra was safe.
He reached out, and could feel his padawan, radiating fear and concern and distress.
Ezra are you okay? Who was taken?
His padawan reached out to him, and he pushed calm through the Force at him. He sensed Ezra relax a little, and it calmed him down.
I'm okay. Came his shaky reply. It seemed to take forever.
Was it Sabine that was taken?
Yeah… they noticed the change from 40 to 42 in the system.
Crap. We can see where they're taking her, I'll tell you where it is.
Thanks.
Do you know what you're going to do kid?
No, not yet… All of those kids, but then I need to rescue Sabine… And what are you going to do?
I won't infiltrate unless absolutely necessary. You're still undercover. If I break in they'll know something's up and they might take it out on the kids. I can't take that chance. I'm not going to risk their lives. What were you thinking of doing?
I, I don't know, Kanan. Just let me think. Irritation began to spark in him, and Kanan pushed calm through the Force.
Just think harder.
Kanan was blasted with wave of irritation.
Sorry kid! I'm just saying, 40 lives are riding on this!
Not helping!
I'm sorry! I'm just as worried as you are.
Well then maybe you could try to help me instead of adding so much pressure!
Focus on the kids first. Sabine is strong, she can take care of herself.
Sabine gave me the codes.
That's good, you can get back then.
40 kids… 40 kids to get out by myself… I need a distraction.
What kind.
Big. As big as you can make it.
Where from?
The opposite side of the ship, if you can.
Opposite side, let me check… Come on, stupid overlay. I hate this piece of junk.
Don't let Hera catch you saying that. Ezra joked.
It made Kanan smile.
There's a lot I'd rather not have Hera hear.
Wait, you think bad about her?
No, no! Kanan replied.
I can tell you're lying! I can feel it through the Force! You think bad of her! I'm telling when I get off this ship!
No! I like her! No, no! I mean, I don't like her, I just, it's, I, jeez kid stop making me stutter! I admire her piloting skills!
Suuuure. You like her. Ezra started to laugh again. Ripples of relief filtered towards him. You like mom!
She's no- Kanan cut himself off with a chuckle, before his eyes were torn back to the holomap. Karabast.
What happened? You just got really worried.
They took her to the interrogation cells…
That's it! I have to do something! I can't let them hurt her! I've been through that, no way I'm letting that happen! Protection and fear and anger hit Kanan like a wall.
Ezra calm down. You need to calm down. You need a clear mind and you can't have that with violence tainting it. Yes I can feel your thoughts getting violent. Think only of the protection. Remember your training Ezra. Go back into your mind, separate yourself from the situation until the wave is over.
Ezra did as he was told, and Kanan sensed him calm down slightly. Kanan what do I do…
Keep focusing on the kids. I'll rescue her when I create the distraction.
Okay. Ezra took a breath. Are you sure you know what you're doing?
Kanan remained silent for a long pause, the silence stretching into a minute before he replied. That's it! I'm going to lecture you, right here! Right now! I have been to hell and back in my life! When you go through the Clone Wars, you can question me! When you've saved a hundred lives, you can question me! When you've risked your neck for your crew, for a family that could possibly be killed off just like your own were, you can question me! When you have made countless rescues, then you can question me! When you have been tortured and watched others, innocents, being harmed because of you, when you've had to look into the eyes of their loved ones and apologize from the bottom of your heart, then you can question me! But until that happens, Heavens forbid, you are still my padawan, I still know more than you do, and you just have to get over your trust issues and trust me for once, trust me to keep you safe! You and the crew! Do you understand me!
Silence met him.
Ezra! You had better have been listening to me! Are you listening to me? Ezra answer me!
I'm right here! And no, I wasn't listening to you! I'm sorry, I was a little distracted. I should be more focused on you. I will absolutely stop trying to figure out how get the 40 kids you're so worried about out and listen to you next time, I promise master.
Kanan sent out a wave of irritation in the Force.
Ezra ignored it.
Kid I'm sorry for going off on you like that. This isn't over but I am sorry.
Whatever. When are you going to make that distraction?
When do you need me to do it. When would be a good time?
I don't know, they lock us in here and it's only accessible from the troopers hands… I guess when they come to give us food. Once every morning. When everyone's awake.
I'll rely on Chop's vid feed. When they come to give you food come morning?
That sounds perfect. I can't wait to get these kids out of here. And get Sabine out.
We'll get them all out in just a couple of hours.
Hey, is Zeb back from Lothal yet?
No, still on his own mission.
Of course. Always taking days to do things that should only take him hours.
Sounds like he's taught you more than just how to cuss.
Hey! You say asshole and karabast too!
Ha, don't let Hera catch you saying that.
She'll put me in the shafts again.
Where you're most comfortable. Just don't think about spying on her again.
We all know how well that went. Ezra gave a chuckle.
I'm going to keep an eye on the transmissions with Hera, Ezra. If you need anyone to talk to just reach into the Force. I'll be here.
Thanks Kanan…
We'll get through this. Remember, come breakfast, be ready.
I will. You too.
Always.
Stay safe Kanan.
Don't do something stupid, kid.
Ezra felt Kanan quiet, and didn't reply.
With a huff of air, he laid back down, feeling his blood pressure skyrocket as his head pounded with his heart, suddenly beating to the point of being felt in his chest. Just breathe in and out. Just in and out. If I forget how to breathe I know Kanan will never let me live it down…
Ezra took a breath, exhaling halfway before inhaling sharply when something hit his leg. Jerking in surprise, he looked down to see Reddon had kicked him, tossing about in his sleep. Sighing, he wrapped an arm around the boy.
Just like Kanan would with him when he had nightmares.
He sighed, and felt a smile begin to turn his lips, holding the little boy just a tad tighter. Ezra wasn't much older than him, just by seven, eight years. They had the same life. His was ending just as Reddon's was beginning, he realized. Just like it had been with Kanan.
Ezra hoped that the Empire had been less cruel to the boy than to him or his master, even though he knew that odds were, it hadn't been much better. The sick truth was that on this ship, he was probably headed to one better than the one on the streets. Ezra shook his head, his chin winding up nuzzling Reddon's hair. It smelled musty, and could have used a good washing.
The teen thought that this was what Kanan must have felt toward him. Kanan if this is how you feel about me, I know you would never let someone hurt me. He thought, the words going unanswered since he hadn't spoken through the Force.
He felt so strongly about the little boy laying into him for comfort, for safety, the false knowledge that everything was going to be okay, that he was going to make everything okay, the one thing that had gotten him to sleep. Ezra hoped that the boy was Force-sensitive, so that one day he might be able to train him like Kanan did for him. So that he could have a bond with Reddon. So that he could teach him, watch him grow, be proud of him. Be his friend, protector, mentor. The only person he could fully trust to save his life. A dad, almost.
All the things that Kanan was to Ezra.
The boy realized how wide he was smiling, and it grew even more. He let the happiness move inside of him, giving birth to a renewed hope, determination, a promise to never turn into what they were fighting against. The kid had put that happiness inside of him, not even trying to. All he had done was go to Ezra for protection, for love and comfort, and it made the teen swell inside to know he had given those two things to him when he had been at the worst point in his life, when he had been most scared.
"I'll never let you die, kiddo." Ezra whispered in his ear. "You don't have to worry about anything, I'm taking care of you now."
As Ezra reached out to the Force, he realized Reddon wasn't Force-sensitive. It didn't matter. He still wouldn't let anything happen to him, and he still would stop at nothing to calm his nerves. The teen thought it was strange that he felt so strongly toward him, but it didn't matter.
"Nn, 'zra…" The kid mumbled.
"I'm here." He found himself saying.
As he sleep began to take him, he smiled.
He would be ready for tomorrow. He could and he would lead them to safety, no matter what the voice said. No matter who tried to corrupt him, they wouldn't be successful.
He smiled, knowing that not he nor Reddon was alone, nor would they ever be.