#I just know Kanan got on the ship and chop immediately runs over his foot and beeps at Hera like

[stay70573]

Of a Love To Fly: Chapter Three.

Authors Note: Same song and dance as before. Angsty and full of sadness. Also Space Dad and Son bonding... kinda.

Once more, a cookie or some other reward for the person to correctly guess what the titles of the chapters are referencing.

And onto the show!

EDIT: Because author is stupid, repeatedly need to remind myself: Thanks to @eyeloch, @aceofstars16, and now adding @what-a-strange-little-star to the “you helped me with this story in some way and or shape” list!

Chapter Three: But You Catch a Glimpse of Sunlight

 When the crew members of the ghost saw the light from within the cockpit, they weren’t sure what they were looking at, but the sudden breaking of the cockpit windows was all the sign they needed. Luckily, the shuttles force fields kicked in immediately, and they could see the vacuum of space had extinguished the fires at the sudden lack of air. Kanan and Ezra, however, could feel the light aboard the shuttle before them dying.

“Zeb! You’re with me, we need to get them out of there, now! Ezra, bring us in!”

Zeb nodded and rushed behind Kanan as they flew to the docking port.  Kanan could sense something was wrong, but he wasn’t sure what. All he knew was Hera’s life was beginning to fade away.

“Zeb, get the med-bay ready, we may not have much time.”

Zeb nodded and sprinted off. Kanan returned his attention to docking door, fear coursing through his veins. He attempted to take a calming breath, but the way the air barely entered his lungs made him realize just how afraid he was. He was broken from his thoughts at the sound of the two ships docking, the solid metal followed by the hiss of the airlock sealing enough. He hit the door panel and rushed in, unsure what to expect. He could barely hear the sounds of foot steps behind him, from the sound they seemed like Ezra’s, instead using the force to focus on Hera. As he made his way in he kicked something, something metal. He pushed it aside and focused once more, the room becoming visible to him through the force. He could see a light, one that normally shined brighter than the stars did in his memories, fading rapidly. He rushed over, running his hands over Hera’s body. He attempted to move her, but there was a weight upon her. He felt around, his hands hitting something metal. He pushed it aside, gently scooping his arms under Hera. He lifted her carefully, cradling her limp body in his arms as he rose. He heard a soft gasp come from behind him, followed by a deep but quiet “Karabast.” He ignored his crewmates, gently but swiftly moving towards the med-bay. Ezra turned to watch, but his gaze returned the remains of the ship, unable to look away.

Karabast barely described it.

The interior was scorched, every inch of the ship covered in black. The cockpit console had exploded, shrapnel had imbedded itself everywhere. But perhaps worst of all was the scattered remains of an astromech droid. Zeb knelt down and picked up the once orange dome of Chopper. Ezra moved to look for another piece, but was stopped when he felt his foot step on something squishy. He looked down, moving his foot to see what it was. His eyes widened when realized what the contents were, his head turning to the crates, one of which had its contents spilling out onto the floor. Ezra ran and attempted to flip the crate back over.

“Kid! The kriff are you doing? We don’t have time for this!”

“ZEB! It’s BACTA! We need to get this into the Med-bay!”

Zeb dropped the dome and rose, moving over to Ezra, tilting the crate back the right side up. He grunted as he grabbed the sides, lifting the crate.

“I got this one, you get the other two!”

Zeb began to move towards the exit when Ezra’s voice stopped him.

“How? The grav-lift is broken!”

Zeb growled.

“Use the Force!”

Ezra swallowed and nodded, having not even thought of it. But he wasn’t even sure if he could concentrate on this. Normally he could lift rocks when he focused, but this? He steadied himself, raising a hand in front of him. He exhaled, not realizing how long he was holding that breath for, and began to focus on the crates. He could feel them, but they did not move. He felt his frustration rise, but he kept it up.

I must, for Hera.

He turned his focus to the Captain of the Ghost, all thoughts focusing on her, and how he had to do this to save her.

She’s saved me in more ways than one. I can’t let her down.

He felt the crates moving slowly into the air. He opened his eyes and relaxed, the crates now floating next to him. He heard a quiet “Whoa” from behind him, and he turned to see Zeb.

“I got these, gather up Chopper.”

Zeb nodded solemnly, stepping inside and moving to allow Ezra through. He sighed as he knelt down and began to gather the pieces.

“We’ll get you back together Chop.”

“Sir, you need to move!”

Kanan ignored the medic, attempting to keep pace with the gurney that Hera laid upon. They had managed to stabilize her with the supplies on the ship, the crates a major boon for the situation. When they returned to Yavin 4, Ezra had called ahead, and as soon as they landed there had been medical crews. Now they were wheeling her as quickly as possible to the Medical Center, but Kanan continued to interfere, trying desperately to ensure she was ok. But in his panicked state he could barely focus, and his inability to see caused more problems than anything. Eventually Zeb had to grab Kanan away after the doctors threatened to sedate him as well, but not without some issue.

“Karabast Kanan! Calm down!”

“LET GO OF ME ZEB! SHE NEEDS ME!”

“Kanan!”

Kanan stopped struggling for a second, the voice of Ezra stopping him. Even without the force he could tell he was at the breaking point, the boy’s voice cracking in anguish.

“Kanan… You need to stop.”

“Don’t tell me I need to stop! You can feel her too, she’s starting to fade!”

“I KNOW! But you can’t keep stopping them! You’re just blocking them from doing their jobs!”

Kanan began to struggle again, this time managing to escape Zeb’s grasp. He managed to sprint forward a few feet, but as his foot moved down, it failed to hit the ground. Kanan began to float, unable to move any further. He managed to turn his body, sensing the force stopping him. He attempted to speak, but it came out more as a growl.

“Ezra…”

Ezra said nothing. His eyes were closed in focus, and advanced slowly, hand still outstretched.

“Kanan.”

Kanan stopped squirming, having never heard Ezra speak like this.

Like an adult.

“Kanan, do you trust the Force?”

Kanan quirked an eyebrow, which was hidden behind his mask.

“Of course I do.”

Ezra’s eyes opened slowly, a smile on his lips.

“And do you trust the Doctor’s to do their job to the best of their ability?”

“Of course I do but-“

“And do you think you could do a surgery better than they could?”

That stopped Kanan’s thoughts.

“Well… I… That’s not the poin-”

“And do you trust Hera to fight with all her heart and soul?”

“Of course!”

Ezra released Kanan, allowing his mentor to gently touch the floor. He placed a hand on the Jedi Knights shoulder.

“Then trust the Force that it will be fine. We can’t do anything back here, but we must believe.”

Kanan felt the force flow through Ezra and into him, a wave of soothing peace washing over him. He exhaled, nodding his head. The duo returned to a stunned Zeb, his mouth slightly agape.

“Karabast Kid, when did you become so… so…”

Kanan supplied the word.

“Mature?”

Zeb nodded.

“Yeah, that.”

Ezra gave a light scoff.

“Hey, one of us has to be the adult here, and it didn’t seem like it was going to be either of you. Now come on Zeb, let’s try and Chopper back online. Kanan, why don’t you head over to the waiting area. We’ll catch up with you when it’s time to eat. And we will make you eat, so don’t even think about staying and ignoring food.”

Zeb folded his arms and smirked, a soft laugh escaping. He knew that Kanan probably would just skip every single meal if he could help it. He turned to follow Ezra, who was making his way back to the Ghost to get Chopper’s pieces. Kanan stood by himself as his crewmates walked past, a tad bit dumbfounded. He reached out with the force and found Ezra’s guard down. He reached in, sensing the fear and anger and powerlessness of the situation. But none of it overwhelmed him, and instead he could sense the focus in Ezra. The focus on Hera.

He’s growing up. He’s starting to become an adult, to be mature. To be like Hera, keeping calm in the face of danger and adversity. She’d be proud of him. I’m proud of him.

Kanan smiled softly, relaxing a bit. He turned back to where Hera was taken and calmly walked over to where the waiting area was.