Helloooo! Okay, so I know I updated this story in the last super bomb, but I actually had most of this chapter ready by then, so I thought why not do another this time? :D Hopefully you guys enjoy, but I will warn you people: Ezra does get quite sick in the Hera POV section of this chapter. So if you have a squeamish stomach, YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! ;D Enjoy!

May the force be with you, always!

-Superherotiger

Kanan's POV

My brows furrowed as I scrolled further through the information Sabine had provided me. A trip to see Vizago had wasted a good hour or so, and time was the one thing we were desperately running out of. The only thing the trader had told me was 'If you're looking for answers, the locals know best'. Since I had already tried checking out the black market and every other trading system that I knew of, the only option left was going to the ice planet of Krachu, home of the Kreptors.

I slumped back in my seat and ran a hand through my hair with a sigh. Swivelling in my chair, I glanced into the other half of the Phantom to see all the supplies Hera had prepped me with. A gas mask, a winter jacket, meds, a first aid kit, extra armour, protective goggles, heat packs, emergency flares, anything you could think of really. A small smile snuck onto my lips as I remembered Hera's instructions…

"Is all of this really necessary Hera?" I quizzed as she packed the back of the Phantom to the brim.

"Yes. If you end up going after a Krepter, I want to make sure at least one of my crew survives the next 48 hours," she muttered.

I sighed, placing my hand on her shoulder and twisting her around. She stared up at me with wet, crystal green eyes, and I returned a sympathetic gaze. "Hera, it's going to be fine," I said. "I promise."

Her brows furrowed, and she said "How can you be sure? What if something happens?"

"The only thing that will happen is me getting the venom so we can make an antidote," I replied firmly. "By the end of this, Ezra and I will both be safe and alive."

She sighed deeply and folded her arms, her gaze down casting. After grinding her foot into the Phantom's floor for a moment, she glanced up and said quietly "You be careful, okay?"

I smiled lightly. "Always."

She didn't seem encouraged, and the colour drained from my face. "Hey," I murmured, holding her hand in mine. "It's going to be fine."

It was silent for a long moment, the tears welling in her large eyes, until she suddenly flung her arms around my neck and engulfed me in a tight embrace. "Just in case," she rasped. I stood completely frozen, eyes wide, shocked by the sudden contact. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I nuzzled my head against hers and leant into her warm touch. And as we stayed in each other's arms for another minute or two, I could feel a tension building in my chest. It was one I always felt when I was around the Twi'lek, with adrenaline flowing throughout my veins and blood rushing to my cheeks.

Eventually, Hera pulled away, and I immediately craved her presence again. And then I did something crazy.

I dragged her body closer and bent forward, our lips colliding in a passionate kiss. Hera tensed, but I didn't stop, instead pressing her body against mine and leaning in even deeper. Finally, Hera melted into my arms and joined in the action.

We continued this for what felt like forever, until I reluctantly pulled away and gasped for fresh air. Hera stared at me with awe, her eyes wide and still in a daze. "J-Just in case," I stuttered, sliding my hands away from her sleek body.

The Twi'lek's face went bright red, and she shook her head and came back to grips. "R-Right," she fumbled, rubbing the back of her neck bashfully. "Just… Just in case…"

My expression darkened as I recalled the scene, and I tilted my head back and closed my eyes. What was wrong with me? A true Jedi was not to feel attachments. But these emotions were getting harder and harder to contain with each passing day, and it was causing me to do unthinkable things. It had put me in my current position, where my drive to protect Ezra as if I were his father was sending me out on a suicide mission. And my increasing feelings for Hera were making it impossible to breathe when in her presence.

I pressed my hands against my face in frustration. I was at a complete loss. The belief that I could push down these powerful emotions and continue my life with Ezra as my padawan and Hera as my work partner was becoming more and more difficult to maintain. I wasn't sure if I could do it anymore.

Ezra was more than my student. He was my son.

Hera was more than my co-pilot. She was my love.

And this constant internal conflict, this act, this lie I was living was tearing me apart. Taking a deep breath, I turned in my seat and set the coordinates for Krachu. There was no time to lose and I knew that despite what could happen to me, to Ezra, to the crew, I was determined to get that venom.

No matter what the cost.

Hera's POV

"How long do we have Sabine?" I asked, my voice a mere whisper.

"Well," Sabine started drearily. "Starting from the time he was first bitten, I'd say about… 43 hours."

I sighed deeply. "Okay," I murmured, taking a seat beside the sickly boy. "I'll keep watch on him for now… you should probably get some rest."

Sabine didn't budge as she folded her arms in defiance. "I'm not tired."

I arched a brow, stating "The rings under yours eyes say otherwise. Now go to bed Sabine."

"But Ezra-"

"Isn't going anywhere," I assured. "Trust me Sabine. It'll be better for you and him if you're alert and energised when he wakes up."

Her lips drew into a thin line, and she seemed to weigh up my suggestion rather reluctantly. But finally, after a long moment, she glanced up and murmured "Okay, but… come get me if he wakes up."

"Of course," I smiled while guiding her out of the med bay with a little gentle encouragement. Sabine was obviously not happy about being away from our sick member, but was far too tired to argue anymore after staying awake for almost 48 hours herself.

Once Sabine stepped into the corridor the door slid shut and allowed a cold, stagnant atmosphere to fill the room. The presence that once surged energy through the air and to the crew who breathed it was now silence, and my thin façade of confidence was unable to contain my ever growing concern. Slowly, I made my way to beside the teen and used a nearby cloth to wipe away the sweat perspiring on his forehead.

It was completely heartbreaking to see Ezra in this condition.

In the few hours that Kanan had been gone his temperature had dropped even further and yet he was still releasing more moisture than he was consuming. The swollen, pussy bites on his neck had flared up again, which in turn caused Ezra's breathing to weaken to a frightening pace. It was almost as if he were completely lifeless.

I sighed and gently stroked the side of Ezra's pale cheek, as if my touch could somehow bring his corpse to life. "Always getting into danger, my little Tooka," I teased weakly. "If you keep this up, you'll be as bad as your master…"

My expression darkened at the thought of my co-partner.

My fingers instinctively trailed over my lips, where the sensation of Kanan's forbidden kiss still tingled on my skin. It was against his code. It was against my code. And yet it still felt devilishly right. I had obviously picked up on his strange behaviour lately. Like whenever I glanced over at him he seemed to be staring at me, only to shift his gaze away quickly in the hopes I didn't see. Or his more frequent attempts of flirting whenever we were alone.

I had, of course, just shrugged it off as playful banter and Kanan being… well, Kanan. But that had dramatically changed when he left. The hug. The kiss. It all happened so quickly. And yet I could tell there was more than just physical attraction behind his actions. Like he wanted to have a real relationship instead of a juvenile, flirtatious partnership.

Maybe he didn't just like-like me, but maybe he had actually fallen in love with me.

And that was a big thing. The three words 'I love you' could either end in the most memorable day of your life, or the most disastrous one if the feelings weren't shared.

And for that very reason, I'd let him move first. If he wanted a loving, committed relationship with me, then I was all in. One hundred percent. But if he didn't, then I would remain quiet and keep my cards hidden. I wasn't about to jeopardise our friendship and the bonds of our crew just because of my own feelings for the man. Even if I did love him, I wouldn't risk the pain of it being rejected…

Ezra suddenly moaned, my attention completely fixed on the boy as he shifted slightly on the bed. It was the first time he'd moved in hours, and it was the first sign of life he had showed besides his scratchy breathing. "Ezra?" I asked hopefully. "Hun, can you hear me?"

Another groan escaped his lips, until his eyelids slid open just the slightest crack. I gasped at the sight and brushed stray hairs from his face, exclaiming in relief "Ezra! How are you feeling?"

He didn't respond. In fact, I wasn't sure if he'd heard me at all. Hazy blue eyes just stared at the roof in a daze, and his wheezy breathing continued on in a heavy pant. "Ezra?" I asked worriedly as I grasped onto his hand. "Can you hear me?"

His eyes suddenly shot open, and he croaked "Bu-… b-bucket…"

"What?"

Suddenly, Ezra sat bolt upright and clamped his hands over his mouth as he began to heave again. Maternal instinct took control as I hastily grabbed a container and handed it to the boy, rubbing his back in soothing motions as he began the vomiting process once again. I pulled the loose locks away from his face, cooing "It's okay hun. I'm right here."

Tears fell down his cheeks and sobs combined with sickening lurches, until Ezra cried out "What's… w-wrong… with me-?!" Another flood of mucus.

I winced at the sight and continued to sooth the boy by wiping his mouth with a cloth and patting his back. "It's okay, just relax dear," I whispered. "You're going to be okay, let's just be nice and ca-."

It seemed Ezra's body had a different plan in mind as I was cut off mid-sentence by another wave of vomit. Ezra hunched over the container, trying desperately to hide the tears that fell from his eyes. "It… burns!" he wailed while trying to spit the horrible substance from his mouth, only to spew again and repeat the process. "H-Hera… it's… burn-in…"

"I know dear, I know. It's going to stop soon, I promise," I cooed. "Nice and easy Ezra. You're going to be fine."

The door to the med-bay sprung open, revealing a startled Sabine and confused Zeb. Both of them stared at Ezra in shock, but this only seemed to make the boy even more anxious than before. My brows furrowed, and before they even had the chance to mutter a single word I ordered "Out!"

They didn't hesitate in following my command.

And with that, Ezra began to relax slightly once he realised it was just me and him again. I knew that Sabine and Zeb had good intentions but now was just not the time. Ezra was being violently ill, and the last thing he needed was an audience to watch him do it.

And soon, Ezra's insides had been moved quite painfully from his stomach to the bucket, leaving an orange acidic liquid to swish at the bottom of the container. Once I was sure there would be no more surprise vomits, I moved the bucket to the side and gently lay Ezra back down on the bed. "H-Hera?" the boy wheezed.

"Yes hun?"

"Why… is this happening… to me?" he croaked, his eyes glazed over as he stared at the roof blankly.

I combed my fingers through his fine blue locks, replying "You're sick honey. But Kanan's getting the antidote and you'll be better in no time."

Ezra took deep, stabilising breaths, his throat scratchy and coarse. "I'll… be… okay?" he rasped with frightened eyes.

I visibly flinched. Sabine had emphasised the fact that the Kreptor venom was a high risk. Usually it wouldn't have been a problem, but with Ezra being force sensitive it did caused a bit of an obstacle. If we didn't give him the venom, he would die of the insect bite slowly, and painfully. But if we did, it could destroy him inside out. Which in that case would be far more excruciating than the insect bites. Either way wasn't pretty.

But Ezra must have realised my uncertainty as whatever hope he maintained slowly drained from his eyes. I immediately put on a confident face and assured "You'll be fine Ezra. You just need to rest for now, and if you're feeling any better later we can try giving you something to drink. We need to replace the liquids you've lost."

The teen nodded reluctantly, and he didn't seem at all convinced that he'd be okay. I pulled the blanket up to his chest, over the arm he had pressed against his stomach and under the other so one was sticking out. "Hera," Ezra murmured, eyes half lidded.

"Yes?"

"It's really h-hot," he finished, sweat forming on his brow.

I held my hand against his forehead and replied sternly "Hun, you're as cold as ice."

Ezra shifted slightly, grinding his jaw in discomfort as he clutched onto his waist. "H-How long will this l-last?" he stuttered.

I sighed and stroked his head to comfort him, and it obviously worked as the boy nuzzled into my touch without a second thought. "I'm not sure," I answered hesitantly. "But we'll fix this... For now, I think it's best if you sleep Ezra."

Suddenly, I felt Ezra's cold, damp hand grasp onto mine and squeeze it tightly. At the same time those hazy blue orbs flickered to gaze up at me, large and afraid. "Stay with me," he whispered, voice frail. "I don' wanna be alone… I want to know someone will be there when I open my eyes…"

I smiled gently, dragging the seat closer and taking my spot by his side. I wrapped his icy hand in mine and spoke "I'll be right here when you wake up. I promise."

With that, Ezra finally relaxed and pushed himself deep into his pillow. I could see he was still in pain from the horrible experience, but taking it like a champ he still managed a weak smirk. "I'll… hold you… to that…" he slurred as his eyelids began to shut. "Thank… you… Her-ah…" Trailing off, Ezra finally fell into a deep slumber.

I smiled. "You're very welcome dear."

Super Bomb #2:

Remember Me

The Light in the Dark

Lost Chapters

O' Family of Ours

There is no Death, There is the Force

To Mend the Bond