Authors note: The final chapter, I can already hear all of you haters cheering for this to end. By the way thank you for the continuing support you lovely people. I did say no flaming but clearly that has gone past those continuing to send reviews my way. One would think that a simple please would be enough but you continue to do so, it is rather sad to be honest the state of reviews and that attached to the reviewer themselves. Oh well, you chose to read it, I gave you warning but you went through with it and had to have your views noted, read them loud and clear. One would think that with all the pairings out there quite a few of them are accepted, a lot of them as a matter of fact. Well If I ever do write another one I hope you all keep your disgust and hate to yourself, thanks.

CH.10: Togetherness

Hera sat in the cockpit of the Ghost as they left Tatooine behind them, her hands were on the controls as her mind weighed heavily on what was to come. Everyone had retired to their quarters and only her and Kanan were left alone. The sound of the gentle sigh of the engine as they went into hyperdrive didn't make things easier as she looked at the distance to their next planet. It was great seeing Sabine again but it was a reminder that she had to do the hardest thing she would ever do in her life.

"Your awfully quiet…wanna talk about it?" Kanan asks her and she sits back folding her arms over her chest and bringing her knees up to her chest.

"Kanan…is love restricted to one gender?" Hera looked over at the Jedi Master and saw him nearly fall out of his chair.

"Uh…well…naturally the love of a man and a woman is universal…why do you ask?" Hera smiled softly knowing Kanan would say something like that. The love of a man and a woman; the strict forbearance in the galaxy that was viewed by mostly everyone; well, she thought, except for those on my planet. Ryloth was open about who was with who…Twi'lek weren't defined by the rules that were put on them by society.

"Well…I'm in love with someone…of the same gender. She is a little younger than me and we're still in the early stages of our…relationship. I have yet to tell someone close to me about it…someone whom I have been tied to for a while, through thick and thin. The thing is…I don't know how to tell him because I'm afraid it will change things."

Hera heaved a sigh and watched the stars explode as they spread out before the Ghost sending them deeper into space at a faster level of speed. Kanan was awfully quiet and she could not blame him. The Jedi were quite strict about their way…including the no romance policy along with a religious sort of harmonious essence. Time and again she just wanted to explode right there but kept herself in check as she looked from Kanan to the monitor closing in on some planet she had never heard of.

"Hera…who is she?" Kanan's voice was soft but there was a strength that belied the fact he was hurting.

"You know her…she lives on this ship…with us." Hera was tearing up inside and yet she noticed that Kanan kept himself composed.

"I see. She is a little young for you don't you think?" Kanan was cracking a smile and Hera slid her legs down as she gave him a hard stare.

"Wait a minute….what are you pulling Kanan?" Hera saw whatever sadness had been on his face disappear and he stretched his arms behind his head.

"Hera…you are my closest friend since my Master passed away. Some part of you will always be close to me but due to my code, my principles I could never really push through with whatever we had that seemed to be shared in our hugs or our laughter. The Inquisitor or the ruthless killer of Jedi himself Darth Vader could use you as leverage…and I'd never want that to come to bear in on you. Love is both a gift and a curse for a Jedi, while it lifts one's spirits…it can also spread doom and pull at the emotional heartstrings and lead to strong despair bordering on the Dark Side. Anakin Skywalker was a prime example…he broke almost every rule possible including the slaying of innocent children. You deserve to be with someone who will return those feelings…who can go with you places where I can't.

"While romance on the Ghost isn't exactly recommended due to our constant dealings with the Empire and our deathly encounters pushing us closer to the brink, I also realize you are perfect for Sabine in that you two keep each other grounded. I mean you have morals and principles and she…well she knows how to have fun and think things through…practically if you would. Promise me though when it comes to the job you don't let your emotions cloud your judgement…ok?"

Hera leans in and kisses his cheek before heading out. It still hurt going through that and she imagined some part of Kanan would be in her heart always, but, right now and right here she knew where she wanted to be. Standing in front of Sabine's quarters she gently knocks on it expecting the girl to be fast asleep; drained most likely, she figured but was surprised as the door swooshed open.

"How did it go?" Sabine was standing there and from the looks of it she had been pacing back and forth for a bit, her wall was painted with figures from today including that of Boba Fett.

"It went as you would expect…some hurt and understanding. You ok?" Hera walks over and places her arms behind her as she rests her head on her shoulder.

Sabine sighs quietly and Hera doesn't rush her. "Are we doing the right thing Hera? We both told people in our lives who cared about us that we are in love. Can we really make this work?" Hera turns her around and gazes deep into her eyes.

"I love you Sabine…and I promise that no matter what comes our way we will get through this. True the future is uncertain even in this period of civil strife but I know in my heart that we are doing the right thing here. I thought I lost you today…I don't want to feel that again." Hera ran a hand through Sabine's hair and pressed her head against her.

"Is that an order?" Sabine jokes and Hera laughs as well. This whole day had been quite tense and it did good to let loose a bit.

"If it were I don't think you'd follow it…so…consider it a request." Hera then waited a beat before kissing her on the lips. The two just stood there embracing each other and holding each other tight for whatever came their way. Here and now they were together and they couldn't do any better than that. Hera didn't want to look back in regret over what could have been, no, she knew she wanted Sabine and no power in the galaxy could take that away from her. Deepening the kiss she smiles and leaves it at that.

Authors note: I would like to thank all those who read this and rather or not if they liked it or not they kept it to themselves, I mean yeah I would like some positive reviews and all but I won't go begging for them. With this the chapter and the story closes, again might not be my only outing of these two so next time go into a bit more prepared and keep your distance if not your cup of tea. And now I will exit stage right, may the force be with you.