Hello! I'm back again. To be honest I've got a vague idea about where I'm going with this story but I'm not entirely sure, so I hope that anybody and everybody reading doesn't mind the roller coasters I'm taking you on, from months without an update to the unaware and stupid Hera and Kanan. Again I told you guys I'm not a real good updater but that doesn't mean that I forgot the story it just means it needs some time to mold in my mind just like really good wine. Not that I would really know because I don't drink wine... something to do with being underage and that sort of thing... Enough with my weird analogies.

Ezra was beginning to tire of waking up completely disoriented. He was achy, tired, and sore. But strangely refreshed. Opening his eyes hazily he looked up to see Kanan slouched in a chair reading something. He closed the book however a warm smile coming onto his face when he saw that Ezra was awake. With a sweep of emotions Ezra remembered what had happened. He blushed and ducked his head under his covers. He felt like such a child. Kanan frowned when Ezra's head disappeared under the blankets and he hesitated on what to do.

The discussion he'd had with the rest of the crew had dragged on for quite some time. Though they'd resolved to keep Ezra with them the way they acted around him was still indeterminate and had become an overly discussed point. Each had their ideas of what they should and shouldn't do but for the most part none of them were totally aware of what was the right thing to do. Weren't they themselves completely dysfunctional? I mean for Hoth's sake Kanan had watched everyone he loved be killed, Zeb had seen that plus his planet destroyed, Hera was from a race known for being trafficked as slaves, and Sabine who had been trained to murder efficiently, let alone Chopper who had experienced who knows what. All of them were poorly equipped to assist in the healthy raising of an abused teenager with partial influence of the force. Thinking about it made Kanan want to rip his hair out, of course until he remembered that he didn't want to tempt the God of receding hair lines anymore than he already did.

Absent-mindedly Kanan reached up to run a hand over his hair.

He waited a few moments for Ezra to reappear but was surprised when he didn't. He probably needed to get used to this. Hera had said that change of any kind required a transition time. Ezra was just going to act different and there wasn't anything he could do about that. Reaching out a hand Kanan placed his hand on Ezra's head.

Ezra flinched slightly when he felt Kanan's hand on his head. Internally he cursed himself. He was never this weak. He'd stopped flinching years ago. That imperceptible movement of withdrawal had faded as he'd gotten used to the blunt stares, the vicious stares and rude names. Ezra was surprised when he felt a hot liquid substance roll down his cheeks. Oh goodness, did he have to cry again. The very thought made his eyes burn more and he squeezed them shut.

Kanan felt Ezra tense under his hand, head ducking slightly.

"Ezra?" Kanan asked with caution. Ezra pulled away even more.

Kanan gulped, not anticipating a repeat of yesterday. He still didn't feel adequate for this job. Scooting the chair closer Kanan tried to pull the covers down only to be rejected with a sharp tug away and a growled "Go away".

Withdrawing his hand Kanan peered anxiously down at Ezra. Getting up he exited the room.

Ezra heard him go and he curled up fighting the tears in his eyes. He hated this. He hated it so much. Why did they have to pretend to care? What was the point of him caring when they wouldn't care back? A fierce anger wound its way through Ezra every drop of it determined to not let him cry, to not show weakness. He was so distraught he almost didn't hear the door open. The footsteps were too light to be Kanan or Zeb and it definitely wasn't Chopper. He was even more surprised when he felt the plop of a body on his bed. Whoever they were, they were sitting too close for comfort and Ezra again began to wiggle away trying to avoid pulling any sore or stitched parts of his body while trying to make progress on his space from the intruder.

Unfortunately he ended up looking like a extremely baby seal trying to roll over. Sabine almost couldn't suppress a giggle. Sabine without saying anything leaned over and gave Ezra a hug. Ezra froze as he recognized the smell of paint and gunpowder. Sabine Wren was hugging him. His wiggling became even more pronounced, his throat more constricted.

"Stop wriggling Ezra, it's like trying to hug a seizuring cocoon."

Ezra despite himself stopped. Who was he to deprive the lovely and awesome Sabine anything? Now that he wasn't moving Sabine wrapped her arms around him even more.

"You know I felt the same way. Not exactly of course. I'm not an orphan and I didn't have to fend for myself."

Ezra stopped clenching his eyes and his body relaxed a little, he was listening.

"I couldn't believe that anybody could care, let alone even know me."

Sabine gave a little smile herself.

"Then I met the crew. And I eventually realized that I had people who cared about me and loved me. It may come as a surprise but you matter just as much as everybody else. Sometimes a little bit more because of how crazy you are."

Sabine scooted a little closer.

"Even if you can't see it through our crazy dysfunctional parts. We all love you. I don't think this ship would ever be as great as it is without you."

Sabine squeezed Ezra extra hard and then leaned back rising from the bed.

"Now. I'm going to go clean my guns. And when you decide to come out of your little cocoon you can help me. It's probably about time you learned how to take care of one."

Ezra lay nearly frozen as he heard the soft clip of her boots as she left. Maybe ...mabye they did want him here after all?

Ten minutes later Sabine looked up to find Ezra in her doorway, still in his pajamas, eyes still bleary from crying and plain exhaustion. Sabine smiled at him and he gave a small, if not genuine, smile back. He clambered over and sat down on the floor Sabine already placing one of her guns in his hand.

Kanan watched in surprise alongside Hera and Zeb as Ezra padded into Sabine's room. All three exchanged looks.

"Wonder what she said to 'im?"

Hera shook her head at Zeb's question.

"Well it worked I supposed. He's out of his room and he doesn't look devastated."

Kanan looked on slightly jealous.

"Doing a better job than you eh?"

Kanan glared over at Zeb's mischievous grin.

"Doing a better job than the both of you." Hera said giving Zeb a pointed look.

"But if we want to see him keep looking better than we're going to have to get some food into him. Either of you ladies wanna come cook?"

both Kanan and Zeb exchanged glances arms going to point at the other. Hera rolled her eyes motioning both of them to the kitchen. Hopefully, she thought, Ezra was just what their dysfunctional little family needed. And maybe they would become just a little less dysfunctional. But not before their vigilante jobs were over she thought as she eyed their already dwindling supply.

Again sorry that this is like ... oh goodness I don't even know how long it's been... too long though...Sorry anyway.