So I must apologize for the very long wait. I do hope you enjoy this chapter. 

Kanan POV

Darkness was all I could see. I could sense a large mass of heat and destruction being held back by my hands but I wouldn't be able to hold it for much longer.

"Kanan!!" A voice cried from to the side.

I cocked my head to the side trying to pin point the voice.

"No!!" A second voice cried desperately.

I was trying to remember where I knew it from.

"Papa!!"

Wait, that's Ezra's voice! He sounds terrified. What's going on? Why is my son terrified and why can't I see him?

"Papa please!!!" He begged.

Turning my head toward where his voice came from, I tried to calling to him but my voice wouldn't respond.

'Please, I just want to see him,' I silently begged.

A second later the blackness faded and I was able to see what was happening.

A massive wall of fire was being held back by my hand; turning my head back towards Ezra's voice I was shocked to see how much he had grown. He was trying to reach for me while being held back by someone I couldn't recognize. 

"Papa!Papa!"

Realizing I was what was keeping him safe, I glanced at the fire and then back at my child. I smiled at him and felt my heart break as tears of heartache and terror streamed down his face.

"I love you Baby Boy," I whispered letting go of the wall and putting all my strength into pushing him away.

The next thing I knew the darkness had returned.

My eyes shot open with a gasp as Ezra started crying. Panting, I jumped out of bed and stepped over to where my son was twisting and crying caught in his own nightmare. 

"Hey, hey, EJ it's okay," I said shaking him gently "It's me, it's Papa, wake up."

He shot up with a scream and started crying harder.

"Papa, Papa!"

I gathered him up in my arms and sat down on my bed.

"Shhh, shh, shhh, I'm here Baby. Daddy's here," I whispered rocking him a bit.

A few minutes later, he calmed down.

"You're here," he slurred still clinging tightly to me. 

What did he dreamed that scared him so bad? Heck what did I just dream?

"Of course I'm here," I whispered kissing his head. "I'm not going anywhere."

"You left me," he whispered as sleep started to claim him again. "You died; the fire ate you."

I was shocked to say the least but instead of trying to understand what any of that meant, I laid us both down to try to get a few more hours of rest.

"I'm here Son," I whispered tucking the blanket around him. "Nothing is going to happen."

NPOV

Kanan huffed as he walked around the marketplace.

After dealing with the nightmares the man had gone back to sleep hoping to erase the memory. However he had woken in a panic thinking he was late for work . Racing out the door, he was down the street before remembering that the bar was closed and realized he did not have his young toddler. Rushing back home, Kanan was relieved to see the child still sleeping  and decided to make breakfast.

A short time later Ezra was awoken by a loud alarm and a short string of curses. Placing his tiny hands over his ears, the boy got down and went to the kitchen. He was greeted by the sight of his father running water over a smoking pan.

"Papa!" He called over the noise.

Kanan had turned to see his son cringing and went to shut off the smoke alarm.

Ezra's giggling brought him out of his thoughts.

"What are you so giddy about, huh?" He chuckled looking down at the boy.

Ezra pointed to where several birds were fighting over a half eaten piece of fruit. Looking closer, Kanan could see a young teen staring sadly from the shadows of an alley.  Sighing, Kanan readjusted his grip on his son and dug into his bag for some of the bread he had just bought. Crossing the street, he smiled at the young man hoping to not scare him.

"Here," he whispered offering the food.

The young man hesitantly took it and stared at them for a few moments longer.

"Thank you," the boy said.

"You're welcome," Kanan replied. "If you like there is a place on the south side of town called Celia's goods. Go to the back door around sunset and tell her Derick sent you. She can help you with whatever you need."

The teen nodded and thanked him again before taking off.

"Why did you do that Papa?" Ezra asked after they had started to walk again.

"Because Son, it's hard for everyone these days," Kanan said glancing down. "We have to make sure to help those who can't help themselves."

"Why doesn't his Mama or Papa help?"

Kanan wasn't sure how to explain that.

"He doesn't have his Mama or Papa," he said after a few minutes.

"Why?"

"I'm not sure, but hopefully the lady he's going to see can help," Kanan offered hoping that answer any other questions.

"Maybe  to help find his family," Ezra said laying his head on Kanan's shoulder.

"Maybe," Kanan answered not having the heart to tell his innocent son the truth.

He knew who the young man was when he got a good look at his face. His parents had been arrested several weeks ago and the boy had disappeared into the night. That's why he had sent him to Celia, the woman could help the kid escape and hopefully have a better life.

"Papa, I'm tired," Ezra whined.

"I am too Buddy but we still have a few place to go."

Ezra pouted but remained quiet. Half an hour later the two were finishing up when chaos broke loose. A group of people had gathered in the square to protest the new tax. The troopers were around to make sure nothing happened but one of the officers had decided enough was enough and told the men to fire. Kanan ducked into an alley and crouched behind a dumpster keeping his body between the shooting and his son.

"Papa what's happening!" Ezra yelped trying to move his head from its spot against kanan's chest and under the man's hand.

"Just stay still, it'll be over soon," he whispered keeping his own head low.

"What's going on?"

By now the child was in tears and struggling even more.

"Shh...shh... Ezra stop fighting," Kanan ordered quietly, hugging him tighter. "Just relax."

The boy couldn't understand why things were so loud and why his daddy was hiding like this. The only thing he could do was cry and squirm. Kanan held him tighter and waited for the shooting to stop. When it did he peaked around the dumpster to see troopers fanning out and several bodies on the ground.

"Shh...it's okay. It's over now," he said pressing a kiss to Ezra's head.

Kanan POV

Ezra looked up at me with wide eyes.

"I'm scared," he slurred a few tears leaking down.

"I know, but I need you to be brave for the moment. No matter what happens I need you to listen and be quiet. I will make sure we make it home."

He nodded and buried his head against my chest.

"I love you," I whispered nuzzling his head gently.

He nodded rubbing one eye.

"I love you too."

Though his voice was quiet I could tell he was trying hard not to cry. Stepping toward the entrance of the alley I had to bite my lip to keep from gasping. A third of the protesters were lying dead and the busy market was now empty. Taking a deep breath  I moved to leave when I heard a trooper order us to halt. I did so and waited to be shot or handcuffed.

"Citizen, you dropped this," the trooper said quietly when was close enough. 

Turning around I saw it was my pouch of credits.

"Thank you," I said taking it.

"I have a young one of my own, I know it's hard to juggle everything. Get home as soon as you can," he whispered pointing the rifle at us.

"Do you follow the Emperor?"

"I...," I gulped and cursed for my still  wavering voice. "I do. Hail the Empire."

The words just felt wrong. 

"Good, now get out of here."

Nodding, I quickly walked away. Once we were in the safety of the apartment did I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. Ezra was still holding onto me like I would disappear. Knowing I wouldn't get him to let go, I put up the cold items and went into our bed room. Sitting down on the bed I kicked off my boots and sat with my back against the wall. Laying my head against his I sighed deeply. What a day; first a horrific nightmare then a crazy breakfast, running around the market, the shooting, saying I was loyal to Empire, ughh... sometimes being an adult really stinks. Ezra whimpered curling into a tight ball.

"Papa."

"It's okay Son, I'm here. We're safe," I whispered, running a hand through his hair. 

Ezra relaxed and fell back to sleep.  

"luv you daddy.." 

Then again, maybe being an adult isn't so bad. 

I do hope you enjoyed this chapter and as always have a wonderful day!