Kanan opened his eyes. He felt a little calmer as he stared down at his hands. They were unclenched, spread evenly on his thighs. He stared at the knuckles, scarred and calloused from years of drudge work.

The Inquisitor wasn't wrong. He wasn't a Jedi. He was just some guy with a lightsaber and a handful of magic tricks. He had been Ezra's age when his formal training had been cut short by betrayal, by the death of his master. Kanan rose and sat down on the edge of his bed. He yanked open the drawer build into its base and took out the holorecording. He activated it and watched Master Obi Wan give his warning to the Order. He bowed his head, squeezing his eyes shut.

How was he equipped to teach Ezra? He wasn't a Master. He wasn't even a Jedi. He was just a Padawan. With a Padawan's understandings of the force. What if he taught the kid wrong? Gave the wrong answer to a question?

And what about Hera? From moment one meeting her had been an adventure. A tingling of the senses that hadn't let up since. The instant spark of attraction he had felt, had only deepened into…. Into what? It wasn't love. He couldn't do love. That was impossible, even if he weren't a Jedi. Even if there weren't a Jedi Order to enforce the rules. Sure, he had sought female companionship once every so often. But Hera was different. Hera was more.

The door of his room swished open. He wanted to groan. There was some cosmic joke being played on him.

Her hand curved over his shoulder, the bed sinking a little under her bodyweight.

"I bet I can guess what you are thinking." Her voice was soft.

Kanan opened his eyes and turned his head meet her gaze. Her expression was serious.

"Ezra?" He asked.

"He's fine," she said, and touched his chin lightly. "You have been meditating a long time. I was worried."

Kanan caught her hand and held it in his own broad palm. Her hands were delicate. Long and slender and capable. "Had to get my head back on straight."

"Always a first time," she teased him gently.

He couldn't help but smile. She could always make him smile.

"What are you worried about?" she asked him softly.

Kanan bowed his head again. "Not being good enough. Fast enough."

Hera caught his chin and beckoned him to look at her. "What brought this on?"

"The Inquisitor. He has thoroughly kicked my ass each time we have met now. I don't know that I can beat him, Hera. I don't know that I can protect Ezra from him." His throat grew tight, and he looked up, expecting to see disappointment in her eyes at his confession. She was always so competent, so brilliant. What he saw startled him. Amusement and affection. "What?"

"I have faith in you, Kanan." Her voice wrapped him with it's warmth. "Even if you have lost faith in yourself."

Before he could think, before his brain told him it was a bad idea, he kissed her. She made a startled sound, too surprised to respond at first. Then her hands splayed over his chest, crept around his neck and threaded through his hair to draw him close.

His thoughts scattered like leaves in a strong wind. His senses were entirely taken by their kiss. When reality interfered with Chopper scuttling down the corridor, banging into a wall on his way, Kanan broke the kiss and stared down at Hera. They were sprawled on the bed, her arms wrapped around his torso. Her lips had that thoroughly kissed plumpness.

"Whew," she said, a smile curving her lips. "You are pretty good at that."

"Hera," Kanan planted a hand beside her shoulder to push himself upright. "I'm sorry, I didn't…"

Her hand smoothed over his forearm and slid up to cup his cheek. "Don't you dare." She curled her fingers in the soft fabric of his shirt and pulled him inexorably down. "I might have to try that again." He didn't resist.

Some time later, they lay side by side on his bunk. Their breath intermingled as they studied each other's face with new eyes. Her fingertips traced the smooth skin of his lower back where his shirt had rucked up a little. His hand rested lightly on the curve of her hip, tracing the rough stitching of her flight pants.

"You have faith in me?" He asked finally.

Hera smiled at him, propping her head up on the palm of her hand. She removed her hand from his back and traced a fingertip over his lower lip. "You have earned it." She kissed him lightly again. "The Inquisitor shook your confidence. But we will find a way. You have to keep training Ezra the best you can. You still know what it is to be a Jedi…in here." She placed a hand on his chest, over his heart. "And I will be here for you."

Kanan's eyes stung. He had never had a family before. This felt a lot like what it was supposed to be. "I don't deserve you."

Hera smiled. "No you don't." She wriggled out from his bunk and rose to her feet. She leaned over, kissed him again. "Once more the galaxy doesn't make sense."

Kanan rumbled a laugh.

"See you on deck in a little while. Sabine is making dinner."

He wrinkled his nose.

Hera raised her hands helplessly. "I know, I know. I shouldn't have insisted we all share chores equally. Maybe she won't burn it?"

As if to punctuate her comment, a distant smoke alarm sounded. Kanan closed his eyes. Hera face palmed.

"I had better go take care of the kids," he drawled.

"I had better go fly the ship."

She headed for the door, her hand hovering over the sensor. Just before she pressed it, he caught her again, pressed her against the door and kissed her senseless. When he drew back, she looked up at him dazedly. "Wasn't sure when I would get the chance again." His smile was wicked.

Hera huffed a soft laugh, pressed the door sensor and stepped through. She glanced back at him over her shoulder. "Later."