"We send them here and here." Ezra looked up at Ahsoka, blue eyes tracking her every moment even as she directed the ships along with Commander Sato. "And this system is in need of medical supplies thanks to the blockade of the Empire."

He noted her looking up and glancing at Kanan, opening her mouth only to quickly look at Ezra when the young padawan moved to his Master's side, the teen touching the others arm to get his attention. "Kanan, could you go over that lighsaber form with me again, I think I almost got it now."

"Again Ezra?" Kanan sighed before smiling and nodding. "Well, I'm gad you're taking your studies seriously at least. Alright, to the Ghost bay, we'll try again."

She watched them go then let out a deep sigh, glancing to where Hera was standing, arms loosely crossed over her chest. The Twi'lek shrugged awkwardly, she knew exactly what Ezra was doing but was in no position to stop the teen, not at the moment at least.

"He's angry. I...he'll get over it?" She tried awkwardly to find something to say.

"He may, eventually. But we have to send Kanan out on missions soon." Ahsoka straightened, staring at her. "He needs to understand that this is not just about one cell anymore."

"...He knows that. But he's not going to let any of you close to send Kanan out, not yet. Ezra is like many of us, experiencing the loss the Empire bought but...he thought better about us. About the Rebellion." Hera hesitated, glancing at where Sato was standing, a eyebrow raised at the two females.

"...Ezra lost his parents to the Empire, he lost the safety a family and home provides, we...the Ghost crew we became what he had lost. We...reminded him about what he could fight for because for so long he had no one and looked out only for himself. And...we abandoned Kanan. You told us not to rescue him, didn't give us the chance, the option, the choice. And I agreed." Hera sighed, tightening her arms around herself.

She knew it had been the right choice, strategic it was the right choice.

But it hadn't been the right choice in her heart.

"...He lost enough. He lost enough for ages. He wasn't about to lose Kanan. He'd do what he did again and...I'd help him again. I know that is not what you want to hear but that's the truth." She peered at them with her green eyes. "...We're family, mismatched, damaged, hurt and limping, we pull each other along slowly when another falls behind. I'm sorry but I right there with him...I can't help you. Not with Ezra and his anger or his protective instincts." She moved towards the doors too, stopping before turning. "If you want, I could get Ezra to talk to you? If you manage to talk to him... perhaps you could resolve something Ashoka." She slipped out.

()()()()()

Ezra shifted and slowly climbed down his ladder, being careful not to wake Zeb as he did, barefoot feet making no noise as he slid out of his room and moved down the hall, stopping by Kanan's room and sliding down the wall, running a hand through his sleep tussled hair.

'In through the nose, out through the mouth...and reach.' He thought, eyes going soft focused as he reached out towards the living being that was Kanan, reaching to sooth a damaged and hurting soul.

He could tell that the other was aching, the Jedi hiding all his pain underneath his bluster and sarcastic wit.

But he couldn't hide from Ezra.

Not with the bond they had.

So the teen sat and listened with his mind, his focus set on his master. Ezra couldn't do much for the body, the body was something that needed to heal on hits own but he could reach out to the soul while Kanan dreamed, his sleep undisturbed thanks to Ezra.

And in return Ezra felt his own frazzled nerves settling, helping sooth him as he listened to Kanan's Force, the sensation like a small waterfall in his mind.

If he hadn't been so connected to the Force he might not have noticed the quiet being slipping onto the Ghost. But he was, instantly recognizing the presence as he got up, his eyes no longer faded away as he moved to intercept the person before they reached the cabins.

He slipped down the ladder quickly and stood there, barring the way as she came into view.

"Lady Tano." He murmured shortly.

"Please Ezra, I've asked you to call me Ahsoka." She smiled at him only to be meet with Ezra's narrowed eyes. She sighed inwardly at the suspicious young eyes. Kids was always the most naive to the wars that were fought.

"I don't like where your thoughts are going. I've seen enough of the Empire and I don't like your train of thought." Ezra said sharply, hands clenching on the ladder. She looked at him in surprise. "You...must be strong in the Force if you can sense that much of my thoughts."

"You don't survive the streets being naive. If I had been naive I would have been dead or worse." Ezra was puffing himself up like a angry Lothcat.

And perhaps that was just what he was. One angry little Lothcat, ready to defend its little family.

"You almost tore my family apart." Ezra's knuckles were turning white on the ladder at the force he was putting on it.

"The Em-"

"The Empire took him. The Inquisitor. But you denied us the chance to save him. You and the Rebellion refused us. And you got Hera to go along with it. You made us splinter and we could have lost one of ours. We might be a cell to you." Ezra's sapphire blue eyes sparkled in the dark, the light from the hall over the ladder shining down on his hair. "But to me we're a family. And I'm not letting anyone take that away from me again. They'd go through me before that."

There was a disturbing silence.

"...You're very brave to talk like that. I remember a time when I had people I cared for like that, now I lead a Rebellion and there are always difficult choices to be made." Ahsoka started carefully.

"The Empire takes all." Ezra cut in. "The Empire takes your family, your friends, they take your livelihood, your home and your freedom." His hand slowly eased the grip he had on the ladder as he turned to fully face her.

"The Rebellion is not taking what happiness I managed to find from me. The next time you or Commander Sato decided that any of the Ghost crew is disposable, I won't be held accountable for what happens."

"Are you threatening the Rebellion?" She tensed.

"No. But I will take what's left of my family and you will NEVER see or hear from them again. I won't let them be in harms way by the Rebellion, we'll go back to what we did before, hit and runs and helping those who need us. That's a promise." The teen stood in front of her, courageous, strong and firm in his opinion.

And truthful.

If they were ever to discard any member of this crew, Ezra Bridger would stand up to his word and take his family away to keep them safe. She had a feeling they would listen to the teenager too if he spoke as passionately then as he did now.

"..I understand. You're not going to let us send Kanan out for a few more days are you?" She asked softly, stepping to the teenager who peered up at her before shaking his head. "He was hurt. He's still hurting. If you think I'm going to just stand and watch you guys send him any where, you're dead wrong."

"The medical droids says he's healing fine."

"A medical droid doesn't have a bond and doesn't feel him." Ezra glared at her, challenging.

Ahsoka didn't rise to it. Instead she gently placed a hand on Ezra's shoulder, smiling at his suddenly confused face.

"Your master is lucky to have you Ezra. You're a brave young man." She placed her other hand on the opposite shoulder, peering at the scar on his face. "Facing the dangers for those you care for, not letting those you love fall to despair despite the pain it brings to you..."

Ezra flushed, looking down instead of at her, feeling a bit ashamed of how venomous he had been towards her.

"I will not schedule Kanan for any missions just yet. On your request." She added.

"...Thank you. Don't tell Kanan though? I mean...he likes to pretend he's alright..."

Ahsoka smiled a bit. 'Like master like padawan...' Then she nodded. "Of course. If he asks I will tell him I believe you require his full attention for now."

She stepped back and gave Ezra a little bow before walking away back to Phoenix home.

"...Ahsoka?" She glanced back in surprise, watching the teen by the ladder.

"...Thank you, for coming I mean, for coming to save us." He smiled a tiny bit, warmth in those blue eyes glowing at Ahsoka, bringing a ray of hope.

"You are welcome Ezra Bridger."

Author note: Someone (and they know who they are!), asked about Ezra having lingering backthoughts about how the Rebellion left Kanan in the Empire's hands, so instead of my horrible angsty chapter that I was going to update in, you get this! Enjoy!