Tala: Lol guess this chapter wasn't an all nighter either. x3
B.O.B: Woohoo! More sleep tonight!
Disclaimer: We do not own rebels. That right belongs to Disney. Except for our adorable OCs, those belong to us. :)
It had been a week since Lara had disappeared. With each and everyday that passed Arcas grew more irritable and violent. He spent most of his time in the turret. He withdrew from everyone else and hardly spoke. They circulated between every place on Lothal that Lara could have possibly gone too, but they had yet to find her. Jem blamed himself for letting her go, Kya tried to comfort her twin but he would have none of it.
The Phantom docked at the back of the Ghost and the hatch opened. Ezra and Zeb stepped out, they both looked tired and worn. Sabine walked up to Ezra and put her forehead on his shoulder. "Can't you use the Force to find her." Sabine's voice was as tired as Ezra looked.
"I've tried. " Ezra wrapped his arms around Sabine. "Trust me I've tried."
Jem was leaning against a wall and listened to his parents conversation. He pushed himself off the wall and made his way to his room. He threw himself down on Lara's bed and soon fell asleep. When he awoke Kya was lying next to him with her arms wrapped around him. He wanted to be mad at her but knew she couldn't sleep any other way. Jem unhitched Kya and kissed her forehead before heading to the cargo bay to tinker on the droid he found. The droid was glitchy and had stopped working the second is was on the Phantom. There he found Platt and Arcas. Platt was clearly trying to get Arcas to hug Little Zebby.
"I don't want you stupid toy!" Arcas yelled at Platt.
"Hug Little Zebby. It make you feel better!"
"Dad! Patt won't leave me alone!" Arcas yelled upwards.
A moment later Zeb appeared. "Hey little bud." Zeb picked up Platt. "How about you and I go see what's there is to eat?"
"Noms?" Platt asked as he looked up at Zeb.
"Yep noms. Oh! And Arcas, Hera wants to talk to you." Zeb said before leaving. Arcas rolled his eyes in annoyance before reluctantly following Zeb up the ladder.
Once Jem was alone he began tinkering of his new droid. He had the droid completely torn apart when Kya came down the ladder. She didn't say anything, just took a spot by the wall closest to Jem and watched him clean fix and clean all the parts of his droid. At some point Jem looked up at Kya.
"You're sulking." Jem said breaking the silence.
"No I'm not."Kya said defensively.
"Yes you are. Come on Kya I know you better than anyone. What's wrong?"Jem said in a the kind loving tone he only ever spoke to Kya in.
"I've been plotting things Jem. Daddy and Zeb said they looked everywhere for Lara that they could think of.. What if she went somewhere where she normally wouldn't?"
"I was thinking the same thing Kya." Arcas had come down the ladder without either twin noticing. Arcas joined the twins on the floor. "And I have a plan but you two need to listen up if you want in."
Jem and Kya were awoken by Arcas who gestured for them to be quite. They nodded and sat up. As quietly as they could all mange the trio snuck out of their room. They listened and their was no sighs of the adults being awake. One by one they snuck to the ladder and climbed up it. They all gathered at the hatch of the Phantom. Looking at the younger two Arcas nooded and opened the hatch. Quickly they climbed into the Phantom and took off, but unfortunately were noticed.
"Arcas! Arcas Bridger you get back here this instant!" It was Hera 's voice coming over the com.
"Sorry Hera. I have a sister to find." Arcas replied dryly.
"You won't get very far you little thief!" The Ghost appeared behind them.
"You'll have to kill me and the twins before I ever redoc! I'm going to find my sister!" With that Arcas shot the small craft into full speed.
The the Ghost was out of range the twins let out a sigh of relief. "where are we going anyways?" Jem asked from his seat across from Kya.
"We're going to start at Capital City, if she's not there we'll search every inch of Lothal."
"Mommy is going to be so sad we left without saying anything." Kya said softly as she stared at the floor.
"I know Kya, dad's going to pretty upset with me for kidnapping the two of you. But they don't know Lara like we do." Arcas answered in a soft tone.
"We have to find her." Jem said in the same tone as Acas, taking Kya's hand.
It wasn't long before the city came into view. Arcas landed the Phantom near the tower. "We start at the last place Jem saw Lara." Arcas said as he opened the ramp. Once they were all off it Arcas handed Jem and Kya small blasters saying "In case we run into trouble."Jem took his without hesitation whereas Kya hesitated.
The trio made their way to the city and started at the market. From there they went to a large round hatch in the ground. Arcas began working on opening it. Someone came up from behind Jem and grabbed his shoulder. The boy whirled around. It was only Ezra. "Dad?"
Arcas's head snapped up from his work. "I'm not leaving and you can't make me!" He growld at his father. Ezra was about to reply when he sensed something. He followed the trail though the Force and found that it was Lara. Her energy was very low and it swirled with pain.
"I'm not going to make you leave." Ezra moved to the small panel Arcas was at. With just a few quick movements Ezra opened the hatch reliving a dark hole with a ladder.
Though it reeked the kids and the Jedi made their way down. At the bottom of the ladder tunnels went off in every direction. The kids looked around, when Ezra reached the bottom of the ladder he followed the Force down the left tunnel; the kids followed their father. "What made you all think it was a good idea to run off on your own and steal the Phantom?" Ezra demande as he took another left.
"You were looking in all the wrong places." Kya said.
"You don't know Lara like we do." Jem said.
"Lara wouldn't have gone anywhere where she thought we'd be. She thinks it's her job to protect us from every little thing." Arcas grumbled.
They turned right and came up short. There was a crumpled shape not to far from them. Arcas didn't hesitate longer than two seconds before he ran across the distance and threw himself beside the figure. "Lara!" The others ran up behind him.
She was too pale and her cheeks red with fever, but that wasn't what made Arcas and the other's panic. There were tears rolling down her cheeks and the red stains on her clothing that scent a wave a panic through them all. "Lara it's me!"
"Arcy?" Lara said in a weak whisper her eyes rained closed as her form was still in a tight ball.
"Yeah, it's me Lara. You're safe now." Arcas began to cry.
"Arcy -" it seemed as if she were going to say more but she went limp.
Ezra took Lara in his arms and the kids followed him back through the maze of tunnels to the ladder. Zeb was there and waiting. The Lasat eyes widen when he saw Lara. "You found her!" he said with a smile.
"Zeb she's injured. Can you carry her up the ladder?" Ezra's voice shook, his desperation was clear in his tone. Zeb only nodded and took Lara in one arm. The all climbed up the ladder as quickly as possible.
"You there! What are you doing?!" It was a group of stormtroopers. Without hesitation Ezra used the Force to knock them all back and into a nearby wall. They all ran as another group of bucketheads came into view. The stormtroopers began to fire and Ezra pulled out his lightsaber to block the blast, not caring at this point, he just need get his daughter aboard the she and away from danger. "Get her back to the Ghost!" He barked at Zeb.
Zeb nodded without question and ran off. The twin hesitated but followed. Arcas took up his blaster and began returning fire at the bucketheads. "Arcas! Get out of here!" Ezra demanded.
"Not without you old man!" Arcas said as he continued to fire. Ezra backed up and Arcas maintained his position. Once Ezra was standing next to Arcas they both turned and ran down the alley way.
"This is Specter 6 and Spook 2! Going to need a lift!"
"Where's Specter 4?" Hera asked through the com.
"I'll find him! Just come get us Specter 2!"
They ran and caught up with Zeb. "Got a plan kid?" Zeb said directing his question to Ezra.
"No! But I got a ride!" The looked up and saw the Ghost with it's ramp open. Sabine stood on the ramp and fired at the bucketheads that followed them.
"Up top!" Arcas yelled at the twin. It was on of their codes for when they were running. The spotted a place where they could climb and began climbing. Arcas stood below them firing at stormtroopers.
"We're up!" Jem called down. Arcas turned and climbed twice as fast as the twins had. Zeb, carrying Lara in one arms climbed one handedly up the same way the kids did. Once everyone else was above Ezra Force jumped up onto the roofs. The Ghost hovered over the alley way. The ramp was just far enough that the kids all had to jump onto it. Ezra covered them and Zeb jumped on too the Ghost. "Let's go Jedi!" Zeb yelled at Ezra. Ezra jumped onto the ship, they all moved and slammed the ramp closed.
"Get us out of here Hera!" Sabine called into her com before turning to look at Lara. Zeb gently laid Lara down on the floor.
"We're going to need the med kit down her Hera. We found Lara, she's pretty banged up." Zeb said into his com as the Bridgers gathered around Lara. Sabine had move Lara in such a way the Lara's head now rested on Sabine's lap. Arcas Held one of Lara's hands in both of his.
"On my way."
Lara had several blaster burns and cuts, they were all infected from lack a care. Hera had done everything she could to keep her hands from shaking when she stitched up a gash that was across Lara's torso. They put Lara into a very lightweight dress and laid her in her bunk. The twins barely left her side, Arcas however didn't move at all. He sat on Lara's bunk holding her hand and staring at her as if he were begging her to open her eyes. When her fever finally went down everyone on the Ghost felt as if they could breathe again. Jem had gotten his droid to work and let Kya paint it. She managed to do a good job, painting the head of the droid a light sky blue and the decorative stripe a dark green He still hadn't come up with a name for it but was thinking of one. Sometimes he'd just say a name and if it didn't feel right he let it drop. Kya tried to help but nothing seemed to stick.
Sabine checked on Lara hourly, Ezra kept an eye on her through the Force. None of the adults were willing to go on missions until Lara was better. It was a while before Arcas was finally convinced to leave his sister's side.
Lara's head spun as she sat up. She was on the Ghost. . . But she had thought that before. She climbed out of bed with a lot of effort. She remembered hearing Arcas's voice, but she blamed that on her fever. She began making her way to the door of the small room, but she hadn't recovered her strength yet. and she fell. At that moment Arcas and Jem came into the room and caught her. They both stared at her with concern and joy in their eyes.
"Lara?" Arcas asked with a pained voice.
"I'm home. I'm actually home." Lara said with a smile before passing out in her brothers' arms.
"Yeah." Arcas smiled warmly at her. "You're home big sis. And I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Arcas's arm tightened around Lara.
"Nor am I." Jem said as he too tightened his arms around his Elder sister. After a moment the two boys put Lara back on her bunk. Jem ran to tell everyone she had awoken.
After a moment Lara's eyes fluttered open again and she looked up at Arcas who had just placed a cool rag on Lara's forehead. "Arcy? What are you doing? You're not suppose t-"
"Just shut up and let me take care of you." Arcas said gently with a soft smile.
Lara smiled weakly up at her little brother. "Okay Arcy." with that she closed her eyes again and was soon asleep. Jem had returned to the room with Kya who looked at Lara.
"She going to be ok Kya. She's just resting now." Arcas smiled at his younger sister.
"Do you promise?" Kya said in a sad tone.
"I promise."
Kya smiled. "When she gets all better we should all play hide and seek."
"We will." Jem smiled at his twin. "When Lara is better we'll all play together again."
Sabine could hear their laughter from the caff. She made her way to their door and opened it. All the kids were on Lara's bunk. Lara was the only one lying down and was smiling. "What are you little trouble makers up too?" Sabine smiled.
Lara looked at her mother with a smile. Lara had regained color in her skin as looked as healthy as ever, though she still had a small fever. "We were just thinking of names for the new droid."
Chopper came up from behind Sabine and made beeping and whirring sounds. "For the last time Choper! We're not get rid of the new droid!" Jem said in annoyance. Chopper beeped in annoyance before rolling off angrily. "You'd think he'd be happier that we have a helping hand around here." Jem shook his head. "We droids got to stick together."
"You're not a droid!" Arcas said, looking at his brother in annoyance.
"I am too!" Jem said defensively.
"Are not!" Arcas argued.
"Well then I'll just become one. Mom can I become a droid?" Jem looked at Sabine
"No."
"Told you!" Arcas bragged.
"But mom!" Jem whined.
"I like you better as a boy than a droid. " Lara smiled.
"Me too!" Kya added.
"How about we call your rust bucket Screw-loose." Arcas said jokingly.
"That's perfect!" Jem beamed. "I'll call him Screws!"
Ezra came up from behind Sabine and wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder. Through the Force he could see Lara's energy swirling with joy and comfort. This made him smile, after finding her weak and injured it was a relief to see Lara back to her old self again.
"Hey dad?" Lara asked.
"Yeah?"
"When do we start jedi training again?"
"When you're better."
"I am better." Lara smiled sitting up. Everyone smiled at Lara.
"Good to know, but it's late. All of you need to go to sleep." Ezra smiled.
They didn't protest, they all arranged themselves around Lara and settled in to sleep. "Goodnight Zebby!" Platt called and waited as he did every night.
"Goodnight Platt." Zeb's voice called back.
"Goodnight Mom, goodnight Dad." The kids all said in sync.
"Goodnight kids." Sabine said softly before turning off the light.
"Goodnight Hera!" Lara called out.
"Sleep tight Lara." Hera's voice came from the cockpit. With that Lara settled into sleep.
There were very few places in the Ghost the weren't colorful due to year of the kids painting. Hera realized that was she looked at the painting in her room. The only two places that hadn't been painted was the cockpit, thank goodness, and the caff. Hera left her room and found Chopper fighting with Screws. "That's enough you two." She heard the sound of roughhousing in the commoners. With a heavy sigh Hera went to end the fight, thinking it was Jem and Arcas again. She was surprised to find that it was Zeb and Ezra.
"Really?" Hera said in annoyance. "When are you two going to grow up?"
Sabine was sitting on the booth with her legs tucked under her. "That's what I said."
"Where are the kids?" Hera said as she joined Sabine.
"Still sleeping. They stayed up all night talking again."
Before Hera could reply a door hissed open. Platt came down the hall and into the room. Platt glared at Ezra who was still fighting with Zeb. "Bad Daddy!" Platt threw his purple toy at Ezra who laughed. "You've turn my own son against me!"
"Not my fault he likes me more than you." Zeb teased as he picked up Platt with one hand and placed the child of his shoulders. Neither of the men seemed to realize that Platt was wearing a dress.
"Platt sweetie. What are you wearing?" Hera asked as she looked at the boy.
"A dess like sissy's." Platt smiled.
"Okay." Hera said in confused acceptance.
Zeb removed Platt from his shoulder to see what Hera was talking about. "You look like a little girl!" He laughed.
"I pretty!" Platt smiled at the Lasat.
"Yes you are princess." Zeb smiled at Platt and put the child back on his shoulders.
Lara came out of the room and smiled at Platt. "You still dressing like me Platt?" Lara said rubbing one eye.
"I no want you to change, you pretty in that." Platt pouted.
"Feeling better?" Sabine smiled softly at Lara.
Lara nodded. "Much better."
At that moment the rest of the kids came out of the room. They were all dressed in simple dresses like Lara's. Zeb laughed. "What?" Arcas said both tired and annoyed. "Lara said she felt out of place in that dress. So we fixed the problem."
Lara turned and smiled at her brother. "I'll go change back to my normal clothes."
"No! You look pretty!" Kya protested.
"She's right." Jem added with a smile. Arcas didn't say anything but the look of his face said he agreed with them.
Before Lara could reply the sound of Tie flying over head made her flench. The sound for the Ties firing made Hera run to the cockpit. The kids all huddled together. Platt whimpered as Zeb placed him on the floor. "Take Platt to our room and stay there! Arcas man a gun!" with that Lara ran to the cockpit to assist Hera. The shipped rocked sharply as a Tie managed to land a shot
"Would appreciate it if someone took care of the Ties!" Hera's voice rang sternly through the coms as she tried to steer the ship out of trouble. Meanwhile Jem, Kya, and Platt were stumbling through the ship. The youngest was clinging for dear life to his sister as they finally stumble into their cabin. Chopper had already separated from the young trio and was now helping Hera on the bridge. However Screws staid with them, seeming to follow Jem like an odd shadow.
Another rough jossle rocked through the ship, nearly knocking the kids over. Suddenly the children brought their hands up to their ears as a sharp static noise came through the coms.
"Whats going on?!" Kya called over to her twin in a scared voice.
"I think the com is down! Kya stay here." Jem quickly went to the door and glazed back at the old astromech. "Screws, come on, you're with me!" With that the young boy and droid ran out of the cabin and into hallway. He nearly stumbled and fell over but managed to use the door as leverage to keep him up. Finally he managed to make it onto the bridge, but what he saw completely terrified him. There on the ground, smoking and giving off sparks was Chopper. "Chopper!" Quickly the boy ran to the mech's side and when he reached out to see how he could help the droid he got burned by a spark that seemed have lept up and bit him, causing the boy to yelp.
"Jem? What are you doing here? Get back to the cabin!" Lara barked from the co-pilot's chair as she what ever she could to help Hera.
"What happened to Chopper?!" Tears stung at the young boy's eyes as he looked up to his older sister.
"He'll be fine! Get back to the room!" Lara yelled as assisted Hera.
"But-" Jem began to protest
"Kya! Get Jem out of here!" Lara yelled towards the door. Kya appeared and half dragged Jem back to their room.
Screws rolled into the cockpit and and plugged into the side panel. Instantly he began to work on fixing the coms. Once they were up again Screws turned around and began to work on Chopper.
The sound of explosions came from outside the ship. Soon everything went quiet as Hera gave a sigh of relief when the scanners picked up no more of the enemy's ship nearby. The instant Hera told the crew it was all clear, Jem made a mad dash for the bridge. He had to get to Chopper. He needed to help his best friend. But as he the doors hissed open he was shocked to see that the astromech was back on his feet. A huge grin spread across the child's face and he lept at the old C1-10P, embracing him in a hug. "I thought I lost you!"
Hera and Lara turned around in their chairs and smiled at the two. Making a few a few beeps, Screw attempted to wrap his small mechanical arms around the two only to be shoved away by the orange droid.
Tala: Yay! Chopper lives and is just as grouchy as ever. x3
B.O.B: Poor Screws only wanted a hug. XD On to the next chapter!