Foreword:

Hey guys, chapter 3 here! This is a little more in-depth and taken a bit out of bounds of what we see in Season 2 Episode 4 - Always Two There Are. I thought that final shot of Hera and Kanan together was super touching and wanted to play out what would've happened after. Review and favorite, and I look forward to writing more. I'm not sure what's next up, but it might have to wait until new episodes air to get new inspiration. In the meanwhile, I'm interested in starting a new fic detailing Hera and Kanan's exploits pre-Ghost crew. There's a great dynamic between them that I feel occurred off screen which would be fun to explore.

There Are Always Two

"You saying I lack discipline?" Kanan glowered. Hera huffed and balled her hands into tiny fists. Why couldn't these two get along? Rex and Kanan were always arguing ever since the Clone Trooper joined the Ghost crew. She understood Kanan's mistrust at a base level but she hoped he would have overcome it a lot sooner. As Hera spun in her chair in the Ghost's cockpit, she thought back to Kanan when she first met him.

He was such a wise ass back then. He'd make jokes, engage in light hearted banter, but it was all a front. Kanan did not trust easily, and despite what he says, he didn't trust Hera immediately either. It had taken years for Kanan to trust her enough to tell her about his past life as a Jedi, and even now, Hera didn't have the full picture. From what she knew, he was very different as a Jedi, just as he was different on Gorse compared to now. People change, and Hera herself would admit to having 'lightened up' as Kanan would say. Things however had gotten a lot grimmer in recent times.

Since Kanan's rescue on Mustafar, the two of them hadn't had much time together. She was extremely busy with planning the rebellion and organizing supplies and he had taken over ship duties and had his hands full with Ezra. Somehow though, Kanan always seem to have time to take a jab at Rex. She felt bad for the old soldier, but it was likely that Kanan was just taking his stress out on him.

Hera liked Rex. He was a consummate professional and a true soldier. The rebels needed men like him which was why Kanan's mistrust was so frustrating. There was a bigger cause he wasn't seeing and even after their confrontation on Phoenix Home, he still didn't seem to get it. That's not to say Kanan didn't care or have his heart in it. Kanan always had his heart in it where Hera was involved. She just wished they'd be on the same page regarding the cause the same way they were with their feelings for each other.

In the background, Hera heard the two yelling again. She sighed and picked up her data pad, striding towards the noise. "If you weren't so inattentive, Ezra wouldn't have been able to sneak off" Rex gruffed. The two men were inches from each other with heated expressions. "Wait, Ezra's gone?" Hera said, confused. "Uh yeah," Kanan said exasperatedly, his voice rising. "Because Captain Discipline here wanted to set some ground rules."

Hera frowned. "Can you guys please cut it out, I could hear you from the cockpit, and the guys from Phoenix squadron over coms could too." Both men turned their heads down sheepishly at that even though it wasn't true. "Why don't you guys play Dejarik, and I'll be right here," Hera said trying to raise the mood. She made herself comfortable on a couch behind them. "Fine," Kanan grumbled. "But I won't go easy on you," he scowled at Rex. "We'll see if you have a soldier's discipline alright," Rex retorted as they sat down for a game. Hera sighed as she began to browse through some data logs.

"Those inquisitors are nasty business. Kanan, why didn't you tell us there were more of them" Zeb implored. Hera could see the hurt in Kanan's expression. She moved over and wrapped her arm around him. "I'll meet you guys on the command deck," Hera said to her young crew. As they all filed out, she turned back to Kanan. "Did you know there was more than one?" Hera asked. "No, I didn't, do you think Ahsoka knows?" Kanan said, turning to Rex. "I honestly don't know," Rex replied. "We really have no idea what we're up against" Kanan said dejectedly.

Hera rested her head on Kanan's and clasped his hand. She hadn't felt such sadness in Kanan in a long while. They stayed together like that for a few more moments, Kanan slowly lowering his head to rest on her neck. Rex stood off to the side, just as worried, but additionally unprepared for the vulnerability shown by the Jedi. "Rex, can you give us a moment," Hera said. Rex nodded and left the room quietly.

"Sit," Hera gestured at the bench. Kanan shuffled over and Hera slid in beside him. "I know things have been tough since you've been back," Hera began. Kanan avoided her gaze, looking down at the floor, silent. She reached over and took his left hand with her right. "I need you to be strong, Kanan. Lead, set a good example for the kids, and keep your hopes up." "You make it sound so easy," Kanan replied, curling his fingers between hers. Kanan's eyes however never left the floor. "I feel like there's so much out there I'm not ready for. I can't fight them all and win. I can feel it in the force. There's darkness and pain, and I feel responsible."

Hera's left hand reached out and touched his check. She lifted his face up towards hers. "Look at me," she said, a gentle smile forming on her lips. Kanan glanced up for a moment and returned a shy smile despite himself. "I thought I had lost you, that I wouldn't see you again," Hera said. It was a flat statement, and an honest one. "Yet, here you are," Hera said as she ran her hand up Kanan's face to rustle his hair. Kanan smiled again, warming up, but still unwilling to really engage Hera. She leaned in closer to him. "I have hope Kanan, because I have you," she said softly. "You give me strength, and you make me feel as though I'm winning," Hera continued. Kanan looked up from the floor at that and stared back into her eyes. He took both of her hands and held them together in a ball within his own. "Hera, you are a winner. Look at what you have here – a beautiful ship, a cause you believe in, you didn't need me to get all of that."

Hera blushed, she wasn't used to earnest praise from Kanan. She'd rather have the endearing quips. She paused for a second, unsure of what to say. "I used to think I could do it all on my own. But honestly, I wouldn't have gotten far. I nearly died on the Forager and that wasn't even supposed to be a real mission. I had plans but no people to help make it happen. But then I met you." She didn't mean to make it sound so dramatic. Kanan's eyebrows raised, uneasy at Hera's unusual openness. "It's hard now, love, but you're special Kanan and you can do a lot for the people here. You mean lot to the people here. Do you not see the way Ezra looks up to you? He needs you Kanan, the whole crew needs you… I need you."

At that, Hera drew Kanan towards her and their lips met. It was a brief kiss but it was warm and loving. "I don't deserve you," Kanan said with a chuckle as they separated. Hera gave him a roguish smile as she relinquished his grasp. "No you don't," she teased. "But you know who does deserve a little more respect? Rex." Kanan groaned. "When he comes back, brief him on the supply run for tomorrow. Working on something together might help you get over your differences," Hera said as she stood up and made for the exit. "Wait, where are you going?" Kanan called after her. She turned in the doorway with her hands on her hips confidently. "I need to read up on the Outer Rim planets. A new base isn't going to find itself," Hera replied. Kanan smiled back with an expression that said "I can't believe what I'm hearing" and waved his hands as if to shoo her out.