Kanan walked around the ship looking for the kid. He could hear Hera explaining to Sabine, Zeb, and Chopper about taking in a new member. Chopper was strangely all for it. So was Sabine, but Zeb didn't like the idea of a kid joining the rebellion. "It's too dangerous", Kanan heard him say. "Plus, how do we know he won't be a reckless teenager?"
"Just about everyone on this ship acts like reckless teenagers", Hera said. "What's wrong with taking in another?"
Kanan was about to protest against that comment, when he felt a tug in the force. It seemed to be coming from the store closest. Kanan opened the door and walked in. There were a bunch of crates all over the small room. "Alright, come on out buddy", Kanan said gently. There was the faint noise of a shoe or a leg moving around. A head slowly peeked out from the side of a crate. Nervous yellow eyes met Kanan's gentle green eyes. "It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you", Kanan said, squatting down to the floor. The boy slowly slid out from behind the crates until he was almost in front of them.
"Why'd you run away?", Kanan asked.
"Because", he answered quietly "you're rebels. You fight and kill the empire. Especially people like me".
"You mean people with yellow eyes?", Kanan asked. The boy nodded. "What's your name? All I know is your last name. Bridger, right?"
The kid shifted slightly and nodded again. "It's Ezra, Ezra Bridger".
"I'm Kanan Jarrus".
Ezra looked down at his knees uncomfortably. "Why'd you save me? Why didn't you kill me or leave me or hand me over to the empire?"
"I saved you because you were a person in need", Kanan answered. "Plus, I was told that I had to meet you".
Ezra looked up, puzzled. "Who?"
Now it was Kanan's turn to shift uncomfortably. How do I say this without weirding him out?
"Well, to be honest, your conscience told me".
Ezra stared at Kanan like he had grown a third eye or something. "I know, I know, it's hard to understand. But it's true".
"Ooookkkkk. Well, what else did my conscience say to you?"
"Um, that I had to take you in and teach you the ways of the jedi".
Ezra just stared at him awkwardly once again. Ok, that was a bit too blunt.
"Ok, now I know you're just saying that to keep me here", he said, standing up and adjusting his back pack. "No, no, no, no, that's not it-"
"You're just trying to get me to trust you so that you can take to your rebel base and hold me for ransom for the empire".
"When did I ever say that?! I'm not"-
"Listen mr, I don't fall for pirate or rebel tricks. I've learned my lesson in the past. Just step aside and let me out".
"Wait, learned your lesson? Has that happened to you before?"
"Stop questioning me, ok! Just get me off this old bucket and take me back home".
Ezra went to push Kanan out of the way, but Kanan held him by arms to stop him. Ezra began to fight it, but Kanan kept his grip. "Ezra, calm down! No one here will sell you off to the empire or kill you. We're here to help you. That's what we do. I mean, why else would I save you from the inquisitors. I didn't even know about your eyes then".
Ezra stopped struggling. He seemed to let the words sink in. "I don't know about your past or what or who has hurt you. And you don't have to tell me until you're ready. You don't even have to tell me at all. But all I ask is that you give me and this crew a chance to prove ourselves to you. And if we fail to do that, just say the word and we'll bring you back to your home. Just give us one chance".
Ezra looked up at Kanan. He isn't like the trader. I feel his honesty and.......kindness.
"I-I don't know", he answered. "It's just.......I don't think I can......."
Before anyone could say anything, the door opened and Hera walked in. She looked up at Kanan then at Ezra. As soon as she saw his eyes, she seemed a little perplexed and nervous. But after a minute she rushed forward pulled Ezra into a hug. Ezra looked startled and didn't move. Kanan knew Hera wouldn't just do that for no reason. He was going to have to asked her about it when he got the chance.
Hera didn't let ho until Ezra had slightly rested his head on her shoulder for a few minutes. She took his hand a slowly guided him out the door and through the hallway. The ship was oddly quiet. There was no sound of Sabine's spray paint or Zeb's loud obnoxious snoring or Chopper's complaining. What had Hera done while he was in there?
Kanan followed them into the rec room, where Hera had made a bowl of her special soup and had set it in front of Ezra. She looked up at Kanan and said in her matter-of-fact tone, "I sent Zeb, Sabine, and Chopper to do some trading with Vizago. They should be back in an hour or so. Do you mind checking the phantom's wiring just so we're prepared for the next get away?"
Kanan nodded and walked toward the phantom; leaving Hera with Ezra. What's she talking about with him?", he wondered to himself as he checked the controls. Whatever it is, I'm sure she knows what she's doing.
By the time Kanan was done, Zeb and Sabine and Chopper were back and doing their normal business. Kanan found Hera in the cockpit, but she was alone. "Where's Ezra?", he asked.
"In his room", Hera said, her voice sounding as if she was in a far away place. "He said he was tired so I gave him a room".
"And?"
"And what?"
"He didn't say anything?"
"No, not really. I don't think I broke through too much. He used to being neutral and relying on himself for anything".
"So I'm guessing no team playing for a while from him?"
"Not for a while".
"Hey, if you don't mind me asking, why'd you run up and hug him?"
Hera didn't answer right away. She continued to stare out the window. "When I first laid eyes on him, I got a little scared at first. But when I looked into those eyes, I didn't see the same hateful murderous eyes a normal sith has. I saw something that was blocked by a wall of insecurity".
"What did you see?"
Hera turned and looked Kanan dead in the eye.
"Pain".