Chapter 6: The Accident

Soon enough it was seven and Kanan, Ezra and Hera were walking out of the station and to her car.

"I live on the edge of town," Hera said. "About a ten minute drive from here," she explained climbing into the driver's seat.

Kanan sat down in the shotgun position and Ezra climbed into the back.

"So how long until supper when we get there, I'm starving." Kanan said. He didn't notice Ezra's flinch at the term. Ezra tried to brush it off, but it was hard. He knew it was an expression, but he didn't like it, because just a week ago he really was starving on the streets.

"It will be about twenty minutes." Hera replied. "That alright with you Ezra?" she asked, glancing in the review mirror.

"Hm?" Ezra asked, he was lost in thought, "Oh yeah, that's fine."

Hera mentally kicked herself afterwards, she should have remember, that only a week ago did the kid start having regular meals and of course wouldn't mind wait half an hour for food, he was just happy to be getting food.

Ezra watched out the window at the passing town as Hera drove towards her house, and as promised ten minutes later she was pulling into a driveway of a small, but respectable house.

"Here we are." Hera said, parking the car. She led them to the front door and opened it for them.

Kanan and Ezra stepped into the house and looked around. They had walked into a nice living room, there was a sofa sitting behind a coffee table in front of a TV, and a large arm chair off to the side.

"Have a seat while I finish up supper." Hera smiled before walking into the nearby kitchen.

"Is something bothering you?" Kanan asked.

"I'm fine." Ezra said. "It's just, weird to think, that just a week ago, you saved my life, in more ways than one."

Kanan smiled, and wrapped his arm around his foster son's shoulder and pulled him into his side.

Ezra sighed, "You said something in the car that bothered me a bit."

"What?" Kanan asked. "What did I say?"

"You told Hera you were starving." Ezra explained. "It just bothered me because,"

"Because on the streets you were actually starving." Kanan finished. "God I am so stupid."

"It's alright, you didn't mean anything by it." Ezra said.

"But you never have to worry about starving again," Kanan comforted, trailing a hand through Ezra's hair. The boy leaned into the touch, loving the comforting feeling he received.

"So," Kanan started, "How was your day?"

"Alright, I did some reading, nearly got tazed, played cards with Zeb and Chopper." Ezra said.

"Wait, back up. You nearly got tazed?" Kanan asked, his hand momentarily paused.

"Zeb convinced me to try to prank Chopper while he was sleeping. So we tried to tape him to his seat, and he pinned me down when he woke, he was about to pull out his tazer, when I told him it was Zeb's idea." Ezra explained. "Then Zeb nearly got tazed, but Ahsoka stopped him. What about you?"

"Pretty slow," Kanan said. He smiled and teased, "Now that you aren't pick-pocketing or shoplifting."

Ezra pulled his head away from Kanan's hand and stared at him, "You're teasing me right?"

"Yeah, bud, I'm only teasing." Kanan said.

"Okay," Ezra said, returning his head to Kanan's shoulder. Kanan got the message and continued stroking his fingers through Ezra's somewhat long hair.

They sat in pleasant silence until Kanan broke it, "Ezra," Kanan started.

"Yeah?" Ezra asked.

"I don't know if I told you this yet," Kanan said.

"What?" Ezra asked.

Kanan opened his mouth to answer, but Hera called from the kitchen, "Okay guys, supper is ready."

"I'll tell you later bud." Kanan promised.

Kanan and Ezra walked into the dining room where Hera had a bowl of stew each at three seats.

Kanan, of course, took the seat next to Hera, so Ezra sat next to Kanan.

"This looks great Hera." Kanan smiled. "What is it?"

"Taste it first, then I'll tell." Hera smirked.

Kanan took a bite, followed shortly by Ezra.

"This is amazing, what is it?" Kanan asked.

"It's Cioppino," Hera answered.

Ezra agreed that it was good, and would have eaten more, if it wasn't for one thing.

"What?" Kanan asked, he never heard of Cioppino.

"It's a seafood stew." Hera said.

"Seafood!" Kanan yelled, looking over to Ezra.

Ezra was leaning over the table, holding one hand to his swelling neck, and gasping for breath. His throat had started swelling two seconds after swallowing.

Kanan shot from his seat and knelt next to Ezra, "Where did you leave your bag?"

Ezra pointed towards the living room. Kanan ran towards the bag and grabbed the epi-pen he had packed. Quickly running over, he jabbed the medicine into Ezra's thigh.

Ezra breathing eased, but was still struggling.

"It's going to be okay, just breath, we're going to the hospital now." Kanan comforted. He picked the boy up bridal style and headed for the door. "Hera we need to go now!"

Hera grabbed her purse, "What's wrong?"

"Ezra has a severe seafood allergy." Kanan explained as Hera opened the front door for him.

"Oh my God, I am so sorry, I didn't know." Hera apologized.

"Apologize after we get him to the hospital." Kanan said, climbing into the back seat and holding Ezra close.

Hera started the car and drove towards the hospital.

Kanan pulled out his cell phone and called 911.

"911, what's your emergency?" the operator asked.

"Can you tell the Lothal hospital that I'm bringing my charge in? He's having an allergic reaction to seafood." Kanan said.

"I'll inform them immediately." the operator said. "So he's having an anaphylactic reaction? Has he been given an epi-pen?"

"Yes," Kanan said. "But he's still struggling for breath."

"Lay him on his back, loosen any tight clothing and cover him with a blanket. It's going to be okay sir." the operator said.

Kanan laid Ezra on his back across his lap and searched for a blanket. "Hera do you have a blanket?"

"I don't think so." Hera said glancing back for a moment.

Kanan did the next best thing. He took off his jacket and covered Ezra with that.

"Sir, are you still there?" the operator asked.

"Yes," Kanan answered.

"Okay, the emergency room knows you are on your way. I just need you to ask you some questions to make it easier when you get there." the operator explained. "What is the patient's name and age?"

"Ezra Bridger, and he'll be fifteen on the 6th." Kanan answered. He could see Ezra's slight fear in his eyes, he started using his free and to run through Ezra's hair.

"What is your name?" the operator asked.

"Kanan Jarrus." Kanan answered.

"Is there any relation between the two of you?" the operator asked.

"No, he's my foster son." Kanan explained.

"How quickly did he receive his epi-pen?" the operator asked.

"Maybe twenty seconds after he went into shock." Kanan said. "Hera how close are we."

"Two more minutes." Hera said.

"We're almost there." Kanan told both the operator and Ezra. Kanan looked down and saw something that really scared him. "Oh God there is blood coming from his mouth."

"Turn him on his side so he doesn't choke." the operator instructed.

Kanan did as he was told and Ezra started cough out the blood.

"It's okay buddy, we're almost there." Kanan comforted, but he wasn't sure if he was comforting the boy, or himself.

"We're here take him." Hera instructed.

Kanan hung up the phone, picked up Ezra gently and ran into the hospital.

"Help," Kanan called.

"Mr. Jarrus?" a nurse ran over.

"Yes," Kanan answered.

"This way." the nurse said and led him quickly over to a stretcher. "Lay him down."

Kanan did so and two other nurses started to wheel it away, Kanan attempted to follow but the first stopped. "You'll have to wait here."

"But," Kanan protested.

"We'll let you know when there are any changes in his condition. The best thing you can do for him now is wait out here. Maybe ask someone to pick up some stuff for him." the nurse informed before walking away.

Kanan stood there for a moment before heading over to the seating area. Hera came in a few minutes later after parking the car.

"Is he okay?" Hera asked.

"I don't know, I can't see him." Kanan said. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Anything." Hera agreed, after all, this was her fault.

"Go get his bag from your house, and then if you can head to my apartment and get him some clothes?" Kanan asked, handing her the key to the apartment.

"Sure, I'll be back as soon as possible, and bring some drive-thru." Hera said.

After Hera left, Kanan rested his elbows on his knees and put his head in his hands. He didn't know what he would do if Ezra didn't pull through. He loved the boy so much.