Taking In An Orphan

Chapter 24

A/N: Hello again! I’m sorry it took me so long to come back, but here is a new chapter. I will try to continue to update every week or so and keep up with the story. Enjoy!

The week after Ezra got lost was busy for the whole crew, especially Ezra. 

 Since Kanan couldn’t easily find Ezra through the force when he was lost, the two force-users trained every day for many hours on their connection powers. Soon, Ezra and Kanan could tell where the other was on the ship at all times without even trying, as long as they both had their mental shields down. Ezra learned more about what his mental shields were and how to strengthen them.

“When you were younger, did you ever show signs of the force?” Kanan asked one day. 

“Yeah. Mommy and Daddy said that I had lots of power in me, but I had to hide it to fit in or I would be found.” 

“Well, that makes sense. Remember learning about mental shields yesterday?” Kanan got a nod from the young boy. “Well, those shields are already built up. They must have broken up somehow as a result of your parents...disappearance. That’s probably how the inquisitor found you.” 

“But I’m making them even stronger so that he can’t ever find me again.” 

“That’s right.” 

Kanan also decided to teach Ezra how to fight with a lightsaber. Of course, Kanan made sure to tell Hera first, since she made it clear that she didn’t want Ezra to become violent. 

“It’s imperative as a Jedi that he learns how to handle a lightsaber. I won’t be giving him my real lightsaber. I’ll try to find a training saber. Younglings always trained with sabers and Jedi did not become overly violent. I did when I was young. And look at me, I’m normal.” 

“That’s debatable, love,” Hera had been listening to him, but she was sneaking glances at the communication port, obviously waiting for a call. 

“Fulcrum?” Kanan guessed. 

“Yes, they’re calling soon and I need to speak with them about Ezra and other things.” 

“What about him?” Kanan asked, glancing at Hera with a raised eyebrow. 

“About vaccines and about that safe place…” 

“What? Do you want to get rid of him?” 

“Of course not, Kanan! But what if something happens to us and Ezra needs a place to go? We shouldn’t rule out the option just because we want him here. I love having him around, but sometimes this job just gets too dangerous. If anything happens I want to make sure he has one safe place to go.”

Kanan thought this over and agreed.

“It makes sense, but don’t mention it to Ezra. He can’t think that we don’t want him.” 

“Where is Ezra, anyway?” 

“With Zeb. Or maybe Sabine,” Kanan said. Last he saw, Ezra was with Zeb, but he could be with Sabine too. 

“I doubt he’s with Sabine,” Hera said, eyeing Kanan.

“Why? They get along great.” 

“I know, but Sabine’s been isolating herself. Didn’t you notice?” Kanan thought about it, but shook his head. “Well she has. Something’s up. We need to talk to her about this. I’m convinced she hasn’t eaten in 24 hours, unless she got food sometime last night.” 

Kanan realized he hadn’t seen Sabine for a while. 

“I’ll go try to get her some food,” Kanan said, feeling guilty that he hadn’t realized her isolation. “Are you sure she’s still alive?” 

“Of course. I’ve been having Chopper watch her since I didn’t see her at all yesterday. He said she only got out a few times to use the refresher.” 

A transmission came in. Hera turned to Kanan. 

“I know, I’m leaving. You’ll have to update me on what they say,” Kanan was just about to leave when Hera said. 

“I think the saber training’s a good idea. Just don’t let him use your lightsaber.” 

Instead of using a training saber like the younglings did when Kanan was at the Jedi temple, Ezra and Kanan used sticks. Kanan had searched for a place that sold training sabers, but he couldn’t find anything. This didn’t surprise him. Most of the Jedi were gone and so were their training weapons. 

After training, Kanan convinced Ezra to help him try to bring Sabine a snack. 

“Why are we bringing ‘Bine food?” 

“Because she hasn’t left her room in a few days.”

“Why? Is she locked in? Can she get out?” 

“Yes, she can get out if she wants. She just doesn’t want to. I don’t know why.” 

Kanan made Zeb make her a sandwich and then Kanan and Ezra brought it to Sabine’s door. Chopper was sitting in the hallway and he chirped at them when they came over.  

“It is gonna work, Chopper,” Kanan said.

Chopper buzzed.

“I’m not even the one that made the sandwich. And how would you know that it’s gross? You’re a droid!” Kanan told him.

Chopper whirred away, insulted at the comment. But he didn’t leave the hallway, staying stationed in watch of Sabine like Hera ordered him to. 

Kanan knocked on the door of Sabine’s bedroom. 

“Hey, Sabine. Ezra wanted to make you a snack. Well, actually Zeb made it, but Ezra decided to deliver it.” 

Sabine opened her door and accepted the sandwich. She looked worn out and like she hadn’t showered in days, and Kanan reminded himself that she probably hadn’t. 

“So, how’ve you been?” Kanan asked. 

Sabine shrugged, looking like she wanted to slam the door, but decided against it because Ezra was there. 

“Hey, I hope you know that none of what happened with Ezra was your fault,” Kanan told her, confident that he found the problem.  

“I know, it was a mistake that we all made,” Kanan paused, having prepared a whole speech on how it wasn’t her fault and she shouldn’t place blame on herself. 

“Then what’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.” Kanan didn’t know what to say to this. 

“Well, Hera’s pretty worried about you. I think you should let her know that you’re fine.” 

“Um...why don’t you?” Sabine asked, confused. 

“I...will. Well, I hope you come out and eat and...shower sometimes because self care is important.” Sabine rolled her eyes and shut the door. 

“Well, I guess it sort of worked.” 

Chopper buzzed again. 

“Hey, I tried.”