Once Upon a Slave...

Chapter 20

Ezra's P.O.V

   I opened my eyes and waited for my vision to steady. I looked around the room to see that I was still in the med-bay. I felt something beside me shift and looked over to see Kanan sleeping. It felt strange or even foreign to be cared again but it was amazing. I felt safe and protected in Kanan's arms and the same with Hera too when she holds me.

   Kanan started to stir in his sleep and woke up. He saw that I was awake and said, "Hey Ezra." I waved and we both sat up and stretched. "You ok?" He asked me and I nodded. I stood up and followed Kanan out of the med-bay to the common room. We entered and saw Zeb playing a game with Chopper and Sabine painting a lothcat.

   Sabine looked up from her drawing and over to us. "Well if it isn't the two sleepy heads," she said. I raised an eyebrow at her with suspicion. I could see Zeb and Chopper laughing quietly which raised my suspicions. What did they do? I glanced over at Kanan and he seem as confused as I was. Hera walked in with the biggest smile on her face.

   "Ok, what's going on?" Kanan asked very confused. "Oh, you didn't see my latest drawing?" Sabine said with a cocky smile. By the sound of her voice, I was a bit nervous. What was she talking about? "Come and all shall be revealed," she added, me and Kanan followed her.

We entered Hera's and Kanan's room then I saw it on the wall. A picture painted of me and Kanan sleeping in each other's embrace. I was completely shocked that I froze and thought my heart stopped. I looked at the floor with heat rising in my cheeks from embarrassment but mostly in a shocked state. A million thoughts raced through my mind so fast that I couldn't keep up with them. The picture made me and Kanan look like we were......like we were........father and son.

I didn't want to betray my real father or mother like that. Kanan and Hera weren't my mother and father. Only my parents are and I don't want that to change. "Ezra, are you alright?" I was snapped out of my thoughts when something laid on my shoulder. I jumped back in surprise to see Kanan and Hera looking at me with worry. I felt so small at the moment and the only thing that was working was my reflexes. I ran out the door while my name was being yelled from across the Ghost.

I hid in a supply closet and sat in a far corner with my head hiding. What was wrong with me? Why did I fall asleep hugging Kanan? Why do we look so much more like a father and son in the picture or in real life? I am so confused at the moment that I didn't hear the door open. "Ezra, are you in here?" A voice called and I glanced up from my hiding spot to see Hera with concern in her eyes.

"There you are," she said, "I was getting worried. Are you ok? What's wrong? Did you not like the picture?" I stopped her from ranting on and sat back down, hiding my face in my veil of hair. Hera slid down the wall and sat next to me. "Can you tell me what's wrong and maybe I can help?" She asked and I was considering it for a moment.

I made my decision and shook my head no. "Alright, then I'll just keep you company," Hera said smiling and I was glad she was staying. I didn't exactly want to be alone. We sat there quietly for as long as I needed so I could clear my head of things. Hera would sometimes rub my back and it soothed me.

Once I was done thinking, I stood up and Hera did too. "Are you ok?" She asked worried and I smiled then nodded. I knew that she and Kanan would be their for me but they aren't trying to replace my parents. I knew that I was safe with them now. I walked closer to Hera and wrapped my arms around her, minding her stomach. She wrapped her arms around me and asked, "What's this for?"

I had to move on from my parents after worrying about them for seven years. So, I did what anyone would least likely expect me to do.

"Thank......you," I said in a raspy voice from lack of using it. I still can talk but my vocal cords are just not used to me talking yet. "Your welcome, Ezra," Hera whispered into my ear after shaking off her shock.

So from then on, I was yapping the crew's ears off. Let me just say that everyone was completely and utterly speechless. I moved back in Zeb's room and soon got used to his snoring. We did missions and evidently I know this thing called 'the force.' Kanan offered to train me on how to use it to become a Jedi and I gladly expected. The crew became my new family and I was finally happy.

I climbed the latter up into my bed after Hera called "lights out!" My smelly roommate walked in and laid down on his bed. Soon Hera walked in to see if we really were in bed. She walked over and whispered to me, "Goodnight Ezra." I yawned cause I was really tired that I wasn't thinking straight. "Goodnight.........mom," I said and fell asleep.

Hera's P.O.V

I was surprised when Ezra called me mom. My surprise faded into a heart-warming smile. I kissed his forehead as soft snoring escaped from his nose. I quietly left the room and went to my own.

Inquisitor's P.O.V

I grinned evilly as my plan was finally perfected and ready to be used. "Those Jedi won't see what's coming," I said and turned to my partner, "Right Thrawn."

"To defeat your enemy, you must know your enemy," he said walking out of the shadows. I nodded as a picture of the merry little crew popped up. "And I'm sure my slave will be happy to see me again," he said smiling and looking at the young padawan. "Then let's proceed with the plan," I said with a wide grin.

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THAT'S ALL FOLKS! The end....for now if you all want a sequel. But it probably won't be out for a while if you all want one.

See ya!