Hey guys I'm back! Had a great time at conference and camp, but very glad to be back home. And just to let you guys know, I will not be updating as much as I did before. I will most likely just post one or two chapters a week from now on. Anyhow, here's the next chapter!

P.S. And please don't hate me after you read it...

It all started with a simple cough.

The day after their meeting with Morad, Zeb was rudely awakened by a loud, hoarse cough. He flipped over to the face the other bed.

Ezra was curled up under his blanket. He was trying to suppress his coughs, but failing miserably. Zeb felt his heart clench in concern.

"Hey kid, you okay?"

The teen jumped at the sound of his voice. He looked up and nodded, then ducked his head as another cough shook his small frame. Zeb frowned, but decided not to push it. The kid might've just choked on his own spit for all he knew.

"Come on kid, let's go get something to eat."

…..

At breakfast, Hera noticed that Ezra hardly ate a bit of his cereal. He simply stirred it with his spoon, watching the oats swirl around his bowl.

"What's wrong Ezra? Is something wrong with your food?"

Ezra shook his head. On his other side, Kanan frowned. The youth appeared to be exhausted.

On impulse he laid a hand on Ezra's forehead. The boy jerked away, but not before Kanan felt the heat radiating off his skin.

"He's burning up."

Hera reacted instantly. She moved to Ezra's side of the table and knelt down, also feeling the boy's head. Her expression became concerned.

"He's sick." She looked up at Kanan. "Should we get him to a doctor?"

At the mention of the doctor Ezra's eyes grew wide and he shook his head frantically. Despite her worry, Hera could help the laugh that escaped her lips.

"Okay, we won't go unless we absolutely have to." She ran her fingers over his dark hair. He leaned into the touch, making her smile.

"Go lay down and get some rest, okay? I'll see about finding something for your fever."

Ezra nodded. He rose shakily to his feet, only to have his legs give out from underneath him. Kanan reached out before he could hit the floor, cradling him in his arms.

Without a word Kanan scooped the boy up into his arms and headed out of the kitchen to the teen's bed. Ezra struggled weakly at being carried, but soon tired and limped against him. He felt the man rest his chin on the top of his head. The boy closed his eyes against the emotions that overwhelmed him at the fatherly contact.

It was difficult, walking up the stairs while carrying the youth, but somehow Kanan managed. He entered the bedroom and settled him onto his mattress. He stroked the dark hair.

"Want me to bring up your food?"

Ezra shook his head, then shivered as the fever took its toll. Kanan grabbed the discarded blanket, draping it over the boy. Ezra snuggled into the warmth, once again clsing his eyes as he savored the feeling. After a moment his shaking started to ease.

Hera walked in holding a glass of water and a couple of tablets. She sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Come on, sit up." Ezra wasn't happy about it, but he propped himself up on his elbows and took the medicine. As soon as he drunk some water he flopped back down, curling underneath his blanket. He felt a hand on his back, rubbing soothing patterns. He relaxed at the gentle touch. He couldn't prevent the yawn that escaped his lips.

He heard a small chuckle, than felt someone softly kiss the back of his head.

"Sleep little one. You look like you could use it."

…..

As much as he hated being sick, Ezra had to admit that he enjoyed the attention he received because of it.

Over the course of the next few days, Ezra found himself being fawned over by the others; Sabine brought him some art supplies to use while he was bedridden, along with some music cds; Hera would bring him his meals up to him and make sure he took his medicine. Even Zeb had been sympathetic, making sure the boy had everything he needed and even sneaking him treats when Hera wasn't looking.

Kanan however…Ezra hadn't seen much of him. The man had come to check on him a few times, but would always leave shortly afterward.

Hera had simply said that Kanan was busy and wasn't able to have much free time. Whatever the reason, it bothered Ezra that he never saw him. He had grown close to the man and some part of him couldn't help feeling neglected.

One night, Ezra was sitting up in bed drawing when he heard muffled voices just outside the door. Zeb had taken Sabine to the library eariler to do some research. Thinking that it was them, Ezra laid the paper to the side and carefully stood, padding over to the door to greet them. He was just about to open the the door when he made out Kanan's voice.

"Can't afford another mouth to feed, Hera." The man sounded annoyed for some reason.

"Oh come on Kanan." Hera's voice protested.

"Look at the poor thing. He's obviously been on his own for a long time, he needs a home."

"I don't care, give it to someone else. Let it be their problem."

There was a moment of silence, then footsteps moved off down the hall.

Ezra felt something in his chest constrict. He wanted to deny that they were talking about him, but deep down he knew that there was nothing else for them to be discussing about that way.

His eyes started to burn. Kanan didn't want him. He had thought that maybe, just maybe, this family would be different. He had prayed for them to be. He had started to believe they were.

Seems like he was wrong.

He pressed his back against the wall, sliding down until he was sitting on the carpet. He brought his knees up and buried his face in them. He tried to force the painful lump in his throat.

He was such a idiot. He should have known better than to trust them, no matter how friendly and open they appeared to be. You put your faith in someone, they always let you down.

Ezra looked up, pushing back the tears that were threatening to overflow.

So what? This wasn't the first time someone had rejected him, thought he was a nuisance. He had been on his own before, he could do so again.

He brought himself up to wobbly legs. He pulled his backpack out from under his bed and began to fill it with his few belongings. No use putting it off. If he was going to leave, might as well do it now.

He closed the pack and swung it over his shoulders. Then he opened the door and peeked out to find the hall empty. With one last longing glance at the the bedroom, he shut it behind him.

He silently crept down the stairs, reaching the front door without incident. He breathed a sigh, a mixture of relief and regret as he exited the house. He glanced up at sky, covered in dark clouds. As if it was mourning with him.

Ezra paused to look back at the house, the place that he had grown to love-along with the people inside it. His heart kept tugging at him, pleading with him to go back.

He blinked back more tears. No, there would be no more putting his faith in others. There was only one person he could trust-him.

And he ran.

….

Kanan was in his and Hera's room, glancing through a folder when his wife walked in. He looked up to greet her-only to frown at what she cradled in her arms.

"What is that thing?"

The 'thing' Hera held was a large orange tomcat, with patches of fur missing and a torn ear. Its ears flattened and it hissed at Kanan.

"I found it in the backyard." Hera said as she held it closer to her.

"It looks like it's about to rain, so I went ahead and brought it in." She pulled a spare blanket off the lounge chair, wrapping the animal in it. The cat purred.

Kanan watched the way Hera held it, the look in her eyes as she gazed down at it. He could tell what she was thinking.

"Oh no Hera, we are not keeping it."

"Oh, come on love." She carried it out of the room. Kanan hurried after her, grabbing her arm and stopping her in the hall.

"Don't tell me to 'come on' We can't afford another mouth to feed, Hera."

"Oh, come on Kanan." Hera argued.

"Look at the poor thing, he's obviously been on his own for a long time, he needs a home."

"I don't care, give it to someone else. Let it be their problem."

She glared at him, mouth set in a stern line. Without a word she turned and carried the cat into the kitchen. Sighing, he followed her.

Once there she set the animal down in the floor, then opened a can of tuna and put it in front of it. The cat wolfed it down hungrily.

Kanan sat down heavily on a nearby chair, watching Hera as she petted it. After another moment of silence he let out another sigh.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. That was the stress talking."

She left the cat and came over to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her warm breath tickled his ear.

"Want to talk about it?"

Kanan breathed in the faint scent of lavender in her hair. The calming smell soothed him somewhat.

"I contacted the adoption agency. They refused to even consider the adoption until after the trial. Something about guidelines and whatnot. I wanted to scream at the worker on the phone."

Hera traced his jaw lightly with her cool fingers.

"I know its frustrating love. But it'll be worth it in the end."

"I know." He kissed her cheek. "Still, I can't wait until this is all over."

"Me too." She returned the kiss, pulling back when the cat mrowed and batted her leg. She laughed and scooped it up.

Kanan reached out to pet it. He quickly drew back as it once again hissed and tried to smack him.

"He just needs time to warm up." Hera said quickly as he glared at it.

"He's really a good cat, honest."

Kanan wanted to argue, but sealed his lips shut. It was no use arguing. His spouse obviously had her heart set on the creature, He glanced up at the clock and changed the subject.

"When did you give Ezra his medicine last?"

Hera frowned as she tried to think. "About four hours I believe. Its time for his next dose." She made to put the cat down. Kanan stopped her.

"No, its fine. I'll take it to him." He stood and quickly found the medication. He then headed upstairs to Ezra's room. He knocked on the door to let the youth have some warning before walking in. He stopped in confusion.

The room was empty. Paper and pencils were strewn across the youth's bed from where he had been drawing earlier.

Frowning, Kanan set the medicine on the bedside table and left the room. Maybe Ezra had gotten up to go to the bathroom.

But when the man passed the restroom, he found the door wide open and no one inside. Kanan felt a spike of worry.

He checked the living room, the bedrooms, even the closets. But it was no use.

Ezra was gone.

And outside thunder began to roll, and rain began to pour.

Please don't hate me for this chapter, just in case I made anyone mad.