I'm not going to apologize for how late this is. First of all, it isn't late because I didn't decide on a schedule. Turns out, that finale hit me so hard I couldn't be invested in anything Star Wars for basically a month. Then exams happened, then I had to return my school computer. I prefer to write on my couch with a real keyboard... Can't do that any longer. Then this chapter fought me the entire summer. FYI, this is the last chapter for this. Enjoy.

Ezra put the last wires into place on his new leg, content to leave the metal bare. With all he would put it through, replacing the synthetic skin every time it got burned or scraped would be more of a hassle than just fixing and cleaning up the leg himself. Plus, now that they knew of his leg, he felt much more comfortable walking around with it bare. His boot was a little small, but it would stretch to fit. It's not like it bothered him or anything. He couldn't feel it. For some reason, Hera kept the leg, keeping it hidden in her room. He had only two glimpses of it when he walked by and was scared to ask Hera about it. She didn't need it for anything, and they could sell it for scraps. Might buy a week worth of rations, but even when they went through five systems, the leg was still in her room.

The leg was on his mind constantly, please-don't-tell-Kanan-or-Hera, even as they traveled to an entirely new planet. Ezra was forced from his thoughts by Kanan dumping three blankets over his head. "What's this for?" he asked, trying to escape the blanket's grasp.

"We're going to Hoth. We haven't got you a coat yet. You'll want it," Kanan said.

Ezra fingered the blankets, unsure of how to respond. Most days, he was sure of what to expect from this family, and then the moments where they do something, and then he realizes that he's part of this family as well. They cared for him. They made sure he would be warm enough for the weather. He was actually part of this ring family and not just a guest. It was an interesting idea, and Ezra wasn't sure it wasn't a dream. He hoped it wasn't a dream.

"What are we doing there?"

"To see if it's good enough for a backup base," Sabine said, "Organa wants as many potential backups as possible, and Hoth is on that list." She pulled on a thick coat. and matching gloves. "It snows there year round. You'll want those blankets pretty quickly."

"I wasn't going to not wear them, Sabine," Ezra muttered, sorting the blankets by the order he planned on putting them on. The Ghost shuddered from the landing on the snowy planet. Hera and Chopper were running around, prepping the Ghost for the new conditions as Ezra busied himself with getting the blankets to act as a makeshift snowsuit.

Soon enough, everyone was trekking through the snow as they searched the terrain for the best possible backup base. Ezra was shivering not even three minutes of walking, and he refused to say anything about his metal leg, and that it was taking more effort to move it than it should be. They were in the snow after all. It should be harder to move. Not harder to bend. Like it seemed t be doing. Ezra swore under his breath. They were just out of sight of the Ghost when the knee joint stopped moving altogether. His pace had been slowing, and the others were far enough ahead that they couldn't hear him swearing at his leg. He stumbled forward. This leg was new, it shouldn't be slowing him down this much. They thought they were done with leg problems. Ha. He would be dealing with it. He stripped a blanket from his head and tied it around the frozen wires. Hopefully it would help enough that the leg would move again. He would have to ask Chopper to help him alter his leg if this was going to be a common occurrence. He turned away from the biting wind as he secured the blanket around his leg. Satisfied with the results, Ezra stood, and proceeded to move as if nothing had ever happened to him. Until he fell flat on his face into the snow. He flailed around, hoping that no one would see him, but someone would help him, because he may or may not be stuck.

Kanan stopped. "Where's Ezra?"

Zeb growled. "How can he run off in a terrible place like this? The snow's blowing too hard to see too far."

"I'll retrace our steps. You go on ahead," Sabine said, turning to look for their passing footprints. "He might have just lagged behind." She started away, hoping that Ezra didn't wander off, or get taken away by one of the wild animals that roam these barren plains.

Sabine stumbled her way back through the snow, searching the never-ending whiteness hoping for a splash of color who may or may not be Ezra. Just past the ridge where the Ghost was barely out of view, she tripped over something hard. Sabine went back to what she thought was a rock. She kicked it, curious if it was a rock or not.

"I'm going to die alone," the rock moaned.

Not a rock. Sabine laughed in relief. "Are you stuck, Ezra?"

"My leg stopped moving," Ezra said through the snow.

Sabine stared at him, trying her hardest to not laugh too hard. "What do you want me to do about it?"

"Don't you say a word about this to anyone. You hear me?" Ezra said, attempting to move to his back, shivering when a clump of snow found its way through the blankets to his bare skin.

"My silence has a price."

"So does my death but I'm not trying to get anything out of that either."

"Yes, you are."

"No," Ezra said.

"It's your life, or my silence," Sabine said, "Unless you pay a different price."

Ezra groaned. "What is it?"

"You let me paint your leg whenever, and however I want."

Ezra shivered, and he was sure it wasn't all from the cold. Was her silence really worth it? "For how long?"

Sabine smiled, unsure if she would follow through. "For the rest of our lives."

"Karabast," Ezra said, squirming in the snow, "Help me up."

Strong hands wrapped around Eza's middle, hoisting him out of his small prison in the snow. His feet were set on the path everyone else had already traversed. He took a step forward, and promptly fell again. Sabine burst out laughing, already bending over to pick him up again.

"Not a word," Ezra said as he was adjusted on Sabine's back piggy-back style.

Sabine didn't say anything, only trudging through the snow back to the Ghost crew, letting Ezra lean up against her. She had walked for a while before she broke the silence between them. "How about you talk so I know you aren't dead?"

Ezra snuggled close to her neck, intent to whisper what ever he wanted to say. He wasn't sure what to start with, but he obvious. "This leg doesn't do cold so well."

"No kriffing way," Sabine said, adjusting him better on her back, "How could anyone tell?"

"I thought you wanted me talking?" Ezra said, trying not not pout, "It's not my fault this leg can't do cold. I bought it from a guy who probably never experienced a winter before." He continued to talk about random things while Sabine worked on catching up to the crew.

Sabine stumbled just as their crew came into view. "Put me down. I can walk the last bit," Ezra said, shifting his weight so Sabine had to put him down. Once he was on the ground, he forced himself forward, leaning on Sabine as they slowly trudged through the snow. It was slow going. Even with Sabine being so exausted, it would have been quicker if she took a nap and carried him the rest of the way after. Yet, their crew was waiting for them.

In the same spot Sabine left them apparently. Until Kanan surged forward, picking up Ezra and letting him test against his back while helping Sabine stumble towards Zeb who picked her up without question. Ezra leaned against Kanan's back as they continued on their way to scout a possible base on Hoth.

Kanan had walked with Ezra on his back for some time before his curiosity got the best of him. "What happened?"

Ezra sighed, resting his head on Kanan's shoulder, mouth close to his ear and slowly spilled the story of his stupid leg and the fact he kept getting stuck in the snow and kriff, Kanan, how are you so warm? Kanan chuckled in reply, letting the kid ramble through what was happening in his head, which was nicer than having to guess every thought he might have been having.

They ended up taking shifts carrying Ezra through the snow. They didn't know who exactly they would need when they arrived at the spot Ashoka suggested for a backup base.

The space didn't look ideal when they first stumbled onto it. The cave itself was large enough for the base, sure, but it would need some serious work. Heaters most definitely. Zeb set Ezra down, anticipating a fight brewing in the depths of the massive cave. It looked deep, but not deep enough for the purposes the Rebel base would need. Kanan fingered his comm, unsure if working on a base here would be worth it in the end.

Sabine turned, eyeing the snowy expanse with an expert eye. "It's doable, but just barely so." She gestured to the entrance. "This would have to keep its natural look and they could build barricades underneath the snow for attack. The cave would need to be bigger and deeper, but it's possible."

The comm crackled, and Hera's voice came through full of static. "Roughly how much time and how much work?"

"We'd need to see the inside to be sure, but you're u could start a small base already and work on the inside for a bigger station," Sabine replied. "Shall we see what's lurking in the shadows?"

"There's no need to be so dramatic," Ezra said, readjusting his blankets again, "but I'm freezing, and I've heard caves are nicer that out in the snow."

"This is nothing compared to what I had to go through to be on the Honor Guard," Zeb said, eyes roaming the too white terrain, "However, I don't like the feeling of being so exposed."

"I feel ya, big guy," Kanan said. He stared at the cave, as if waiting for an angry animal to come charging out any second. "Who's turn is it to carry Ezra?"

Sabine laughed as Ezra fumbled to stand and walk on his own, muttering darkly about how he could walk and how they didn't need to carry him. Zeb joined in when he successfully stood, took a few steps, and then fell flat onto his face again. Ezra swore. He hated the fact that he was useless today, and even a hindrance to the mission. Again.

He kept on swearing as Zeb picked him up and led the group into the cave. The swearing stumbled to a halt when Kanan's hand clutched his lightsaber. It wasn't time to be making noise. Rather, Ezra realized, he should be keeping an eye and sense out since he wasn't able to do anything else productive. Stupid stupid leg. The group kept trudging deeper into the cave. Kanan had ignited his lightsaber for some light, and Sabine's flashlight bounced along the jagged walls, searching for an enemy or something else.

The faint sunlight of Hoth's sun had all but disappeared as they traveled deeper and Sabine had stopped. "Did you find anything?" Ezra asked, leaning against Zeb's arm.

Sabine eyed the wall, and pulling out one of her paint cans, began one of her paintings.

Kanan stared at her. "Is this really the time to be doing that?"

Sabine shrugged, "This cave needed something and this spot called to me." She continued painting while Kanan, Zeb, and Ezra watched her and their surroundings as her signature star bird came into existence. Once it was finished, she put away her paints and admired her work.

"Beautiful as always," Kanan said, a note of joy lacing his voice, "But we have to finish scouting this place." Kanan continued, turning once to see her masterpiece again.

Ezra couldn't stop looking at it. There wasn't really anything else to look at, and it was boring not walking like the others. As Zeb carried him deeper into the cave, Ezra's vison wavered, the brilliant painting faded to be framed by white walls and the constant murmur of a thousand voices accomplishing their duties at once. He blinked and it was gone, fading into a memory.

No one else seemed to have saw what he did, so Ezra said nothing, keeping an eye on their backs.

Their journey through the cave was rather boring, and Ezra fought to stay awake and keep an eye peeled for danger. The cave was massive, and seemed to go on for a million clicks.

Yet, they reached the end of the cave with no sign of an enemy in sight. Abandoned, spacious, and on a forgettable planet, it was the ideal base. Except for the snow. Most species can't stand the cold and getting enough heaters to warm a major base would be too costly to run for however long this war against the Empire would last. Sabine let her hands roam he end of the cave, maybe hoping for something more to it. Ezra slumped against Zeb's back, furiously blinking back sleep. There was nothing to look at, which meant there wasn't really anything to do.

After thoroughly looking for something else to explore with no success, they turned around and headed back toward he entrance of the cave. Zeb wanted to comm Hera but all that could get through was static. Sabine's shoulders slouched a little now that the journey came with no threats or surprises. Ezra had completely fallen asleep, limp against Zeb's back who was dragging his large feet, dreading the long walk out of the cave. Kanan's grip on his lightsaber had slackened, letting his normally tense body relax a little.

The poor kid. They kept walking towards he exit, eyes dull as the adrenaline rush and no expected fight left the group drained and sleepy. Each step seemed to pound upon the snow and rock, sending up a rhythmic beat, sending their lull deeper and deeper. Nothing could possibly happen now that they unexplored had been explored. Two-hundred steps. Three-hundred. On and on and on their steps came, two hard boots and clawed feet beating a rhythm that sent the child deeper in his sleep despite the cold creeping further and further into their bones.

It wasn't his fault. Everyone was sleep walking when he appeared right before them. They didn't notice he was there until the signature sound of a lightsaber pierced through the air. He couldn't have noticed. Ezra snapped awake when Kanan's lightsaber ignited and Zeb's grip on him dissipated, dropping the small boy into the snow.

"You have made a grave mistake, Jedi," the voice of Fifth Brother cut through the frigid air.

"A mistake that brings me great pleasure to see you," Seventh Sister said, igniting her own lightsaber, illuminating the glee on her face.

Kanan settled into a stance, analyzing the threats before him. Which one was the most threatening, and which one could Zeb and Sabine take?

His decision was made for him when Seventh Sister launched herself at him, forcing Kanan to focus on her. Zeb and Sabine would be fine. They would have to be fine. Ezra hopefully wouldn't be caught in the crossfire since he's indisposed at the moment.

"You know," the female inquisitor said, locking sabers with Kanan's, "It's rude to be focused on anything other than your date."

Kanan smirked, "Sadly my date isn't here right now. However, there is this annoying girl that thinks she can take her place."

She snarled, leaping away to help Fifth Brother with his battle against Sabine and Zeb, who were surprisingly holding their own pretty well. Ezra was helping as much as he could, shooting to distract and using his lightsaber to block anything heading his way. Sabine and Zeb did their best to keep Fifth Brother from approaching Ezra, and they weren't doing too bad. Until Seventh Sister decided to help, rebounding one of Sabine's shots into her unprotected arm, sending her down with barely a cry of surprise. Ezra screamed, trying to shuffle himself over to her to help in any way.

Seventh Sister shoved Zeb off of her, approaching the two kids, a maniacal smile on her face. "Hello kiddos," she said, gripping her lightsaber with one hand, "you've both been very naughty. You both will be punished." She raised it above her head, poised to kill. "It's murder time." She let the red blade drop. Sabine tried to roll away but her injured arm impeded her ability to roll properly. With a shaking hand, Sabine shot blindly at the impressive mass of a being before her. The female inquisitor did not react, and her blade did not falter.

Sabine closed her eyes as the heat of the lightsaber grew hotter. She was going to die. At least she went down fighting in an honorable death. Just as the red blade touched her neck, a fierce blue blade stopped it, followed by two feet standing over her, pushing the red blade away. "Ezra?" Sabine asked in awe. He wasn't able to stand. What happened?

Ezra smirked at her, "Just paying back a favor. Can't have my leg bare and boring forever." He took one step forward, metal limb glinting in the sparse light, shoving the female inquisitor as far away from them in his unstable position.

Seventh Sister stared at his leg, letting her lightsaber extinguish. "When did this happen, child. Did your so-called family do this to you?"

Ezra stood tall. "Nope, this happened before them. It doesn't matter what you say to me about how alone I was then, I'm not alone now, and I never will be alone again." Zeb and Kanan had grouped together while he was talking, Fifth Brother had mysteriously disappeared, and Ezra had an idea how. He took one more step forward. "You may try your mind games with me, but nothing you do to me will hurt as much as losing this leg has already given me. You may torture me with all you have, but it will be nothing to what I've experienced before. So here's a word of advice," he gestured towards her with his lightsaber, "stay away from me and my family, because you will not win."

Kanan and Zeb appeared on both sides of her, leaving her with only two options; fight and lose, or escape out the exit they left open for her. Seventh Sister turned to find Fifth Brother, and bolted when she couldn't find him. Her frantic footsteps faded quickly, leaving the tired group to themselves in the cave.

Ezra turned to help Sabine up. "You good?"

Sabine nodded, touching the new scar on her neck while holding her burned arm close to her body. "Thanks for the save."

"No problem," Ezra said, extinguishing his lightsaber. He turned to Kanan, "Can we head home now? Hera's probably worried."

Kanan laughed. "Yeah. Let's head home."

Ezra trudged through the hallway, trying to keep quiet enough to make it into his bed without waking anyone. He could barely keep his eyes open, even after Hera's lecture. Too bad Kanan wasn't asleep and waiting for Ezra to stumble towards his bed and into Kanan's waiting frame. Ezra stopped just before the strange muscular wall of green. Strong hands grabbed his shoulders, bright teal eyes staring into his blue ones.

"Ezra," Kanan said, his voice hoarse from un-use. Ezra blinked slowly, forcing his eyes to open farther than half-way. He hadn't seen Kanan since they got back. Kanan led him to his own bed, letting him sit while he sat on the floor. "What really happened to you?" he said, barely a question and barely above a whisper.

Ezra yawned, wishing he could die to avoid this conversation. He wasn't old enough, and Kanan probably wouldn't appreciate that. Plus, too many close calls today. He sighed, blinking, before the words hit him like a freight train and became more awake than he had been in the past week. "Why do you need to know?"

Kanan bowed his head. "I care about you."

Ezra nodded, closing his eyes for a brief second, the memory of that month flashing before his eyes. "I was 11. It was a particularly bad winter that year and a Storm Trooper had gotten a lucky shot when I was taking his belt. He had hit me in the leg square on. It didn't close like they usually do. I bandaged it up as best as I could, but it got infected faster than I had ever seen. It slowed me down, so when I went to take someone's meal, he had a blade, and cut me in the same leg. It was deep enough and infected enough that I had to remove it. The leg. I made it look pretty with some makeup I had acquired from a friend, wrapped it up nice and pretty, and cut it all the way off. Worst night of my life. I then sold it to the body marketers and used the money to get a prosthetic. Had to pay off that debt for three years after everything, including the food that guy provided. Whoever bought my leg hopefully died from the infection in it. Haven't seen the body marketer since, so maybe he died from it." He stared at the floor as he spoke, explaining what happened during the surgeries, and the long years repaying the debt. Kanan listened, fighting back any emotional response until Ezra lied down and fell asleep.

After Ezra had fallen asleep did Kanan react; collapsing in on himself and forcing himself into another deep meditation. Ezra did what he had to do to survive, but hearing what he had done to do tore at his heart. A heart he had sworn wouldn't be torn again so long ago. Not anymore. To care he had to sacrifice the security of not being hurt by loving and letting himself be loved, which is what Ezra would need for the rest of his life. To spend such a large part of your childhood grown up and fighting battles and hardships most adults would not wish on themselves. Kanan opened his eyes, smoothly unfolding himself off the floor. Never again would he be left alone or without knowing he was loved and cared for.

Ezra shifted in bed, a bright smile upon his face. Everything was okay, and he finally had somewhere to belong and people to love. What more could he ask for?