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“Spectre-2! What’s our orders!” A panicked Sabine asks Hera over her com.
She had been sent out with Ezra on a scouting mission being led remotely by Hera, something they had done countless times in the past. Hera knew this should be an easy mission, routine as brushing your teeth. And yet, she couldn’t think straight. It felt like someone was clouding her vision…
“I… spectre-5… just abort the mission. I can’t...” She admits. Not wanting to risk their lives on the account of her mistake.
“Spectre-2 respectfully, I think we can handle it.” Spectre-6 chimes in.
Suddenly Hera wasn’t feeling super great as a wave of nausea hit her. She fought through the feeling and shoved it down as she spoke.
“Spectre-6 are you positive? I’ll pass the leadership to you on the ground.” She says. Knowing it would be the safest option if they were going to complete this mission.
“Affirmative, spectre-2.” Ezra says. “You can count on us. Be back shortly.”
And with that confidence, Hera puts the ship on auto pilot and starts heading back to her quarters. She just needed a minute to lie down, then she would feel better.
As she was walking back she didn’t notice Kanan sitting at the table nursing some of his burn wounds from the fiery explosion that had almost taken his life the other day.
But instead of caring for himself, he immediately got up and blocked her path. He must have sensed how off she was feeling.
“Are you okay? I have never seen you give up command that easily.” He says placing a hand on her shoulder.
Hera laid her cheek on his hand. Showing her appreciation.
“I’m fine. I must still not be functioning at 100% I just need a little rest is all.” She assures him.
Kanan held her still not entirely convinced. It was nearly impossible to lie to him nowadays.
“I know first hand how much of a toll electric shock torture can take on a person, and you need time to recover.” He says holding her still.
“I know. But you know I don’t like to just sit around all useless.” Hera admits.
“I know you don’t, but I think it’s time for you to take it easy. Go rest up, I’ll look after the kids mission for you.” Kanan says.
“But you need rest too, you’re hurt-“
“Don’t worry about me.” He says walking to the cockpit.
Hera didn’t have the fight left in her to argue with him further and that nap was sounding more and more inviting by the minute.
But when she went to lay down the nausea came back in waves and soon sleep was hard to come by.
She was hoping by morning she would be feeling better, but she was wrong. Morning came and she felt worse than before. But she wasn’t going to let this stop her, she had to fly.
She didn’t bother getting dressed however, and just pulled on a robe that Kanan had given her as a birthday gift and some slippers and made her way out the door.
When Hera arrived she didn’t expect everyone to already be up and moving around. Usually on days without planned missions they all liked to sleep in.
“Morning Hera!” Zeb shouts.
The loudness wasn’t appreciated by Hera. But she smiled best she could and kept trudging along, if she could just go sit down, maybe she’d feel better.
“Whoa Hera are you okay?” Sabine asks. Of course she would be preseptive enough to realize she would usually never emerge this late still in her pajamas.
“I’m fine. Kanan said it’s the repercussions of the electric shocks…” she says waving it off casually still just wanting to sit down.
“Hera, are you sure you’re okay?” Ezra asks. He looked more concerned for her than Sabine.
“I’m fine, Ezra. Thank you.” She says, she was a few feet from sitting down now.
As she walked to her chair she realized someone was sitting in it, already flying. Of course, Kanan had taken this opportunity to take over for her.
“You can give the controls over to me now.” Hera says, hiding her pain.
“No I cannot.” Kanan says. “I don’t think you’re feeling any better.”
“Well I’m up, I’m here and I didn’t break my arms so I can fly.” Hera says, glaring at him. “Besides I’m not letting a blind man fly my ship.” She shot back.
Kanan didn’t want to make her mad so he stepped out of the way and let her take over.
“It’s still on auto pilot.” Kanan says with a chuckle. “You get a co-pilot for today though. And that’s not up for discussion.” He says sitting down next to her.
As Hera flew, she realized her symptoms were slowly getting a little better. And the more she took her mind off of it and focused on flying the better she was feeling.
“How are you doing?” Kanan asks after a few minutes of silence.
“Better.” She said, partly because it was true and partly because she wanted him off her back. She appreciated his concern, but it was also getting a little annoying. Why was he treating her like a wounded animal?
“Well I’m sticking around just in case the blind man needs to take over.” Kanan jabs back.
She couldn’t explain why but this made her mad. No one else needed to fly the ghost except her. Kanan has been wounded before and she didn’t baby him!
“No you’re not.” Hera says, angrily.
“Relax Hera it’s just a joke.” Kanan says softly.
Hera realized that it came out a little meaner than she expected. He was being kind and she had to remind herself of that.
“Sorry, my emotions have really been all over the place recently.” She admits.
“It’s fine.” Kanan says, putting a hand on her thigh. The touch sent tingles up her spine.
Her cheeks darkened into a blush and suddenly, flying didn’t seem that pressing anymore. Why was she so mad in the first place? Kanan cared about her, he loved her.
“What do you say, I turn this on autopilot and you make me feel even better.” She says with a smirk.
Kanan looked a little shocked and then he started to laugh. “Very funny, Hera.”
“I’m serious.” Hera says, pulling him closer to her.
She places a kiss on his face, hoping to sway him.
Kanan's laugh soon stopped and kissed her back, softly on the lips. But he caught himself and held her at bay. He looked scared and how quickly she went from one extreme to the next.
“Hera, a minute ago you were all stressed about flying, now you want to?” He asked.
“Yes.” She said kissing him again.
And who was Kanan to deny her of it. If it made her feel better, what was the harm?
As Hera kissed him she fumbled a free hand around the dashboard to find the autopilot switch. Once she turned it she stood up so she could kiss him better.
“Whoa! Whoa! PDA!!!” Ezra yelled from behind. He started to shield his eyes.
They completely forgot that he was even back there.
“Just go to your room.” Kanan said, preoccupied.
“Why aren’t you going to your room?” Ezra asks, still eyes completely covered.
“Because Hera is flying the ship.” Kanan said strictly.
“Fine but if this ship crashes I’m blaming you both.” He said as he ran out of the room without opening his eyes, which caused him to hit his face a couple times trying to find the door.
“Hey! I never crash!” Hera said, coming up for air.
“Only exciting landings.” Kanan finishes her sentence which only makes Hera laugh and entwine herself in him further.
***
After such an amazing night, Hera thought things were finally back to normal. But she couldn’t have been more wrong.
When she woke up again, this time next to Kanan, she felt worse than the morning before.
She winced when she tried to sit up. She tried to be quiet and not wake Kanan but it didn’t work.
“What’s wrong?” He asks, bolting upright ready to hold her.
She sat there in silence, the headache she started to get was throbbing.
“Hera, maybe it’s time you went to the medbay.” He offered.
She shook her head. “I’m fine.” She really despised going to the medbay.
“You’re not.”
She hated that she couldn’t lie.
“I guess you’re right.” She said pushing herself up, and focusing very hard on not throwing up on his bed.
“Hera, let me help you.” Kanan says, get up and guiding her to the door.
“No. I’ll be okay. Can you please make sure we are on schedule, I don’t want to be the cause of us messing up rebellion plans.”
“Alright but if I don’t hear from you I’m going back there immediately.”
“Fine.” She said and made her way to the medbay.
***
Hera hated laying down on the scanner. It was freezing and her pajamas were doing nothing to fight the cold.
But she told herself to relax and take a deep breath while it scanned.
An automated voice marked the end of the scan and she was able to get up and finally figure out what has been going on.
It took a moment for the file to buffer but once it did she read it quickly, everything looked fine… except…there was one thing she was sure was a miscalculation. There’s no way she was pregnant… was there?
She tried to recall her last period, but being in space and traveling, along with the stress of leading a rebellion, and being a Mother to the Ghost Crew really takes a toll on a girl's body. So periods were commonly missing, it didn’t mean anything… unless it did.
She subconsciously placed a hand on her abdomen… was something there?
Panic started to course through her veins like ice. What if, what if…
How could she still run herself into fights knowing she was putting her child as risk with her?
How do you handle a baby and a rebellion?
What will Kanan think? What will he say?
A million questions started to run through her mind and she found herself overwhelmed and crumpled on the floor.
After the moments of indulging, she picked herself back up and ran the scan again. It wouldn’t give a false answer twice, would it?
After getting the results back she found that she was still indeed pregnant. But at least it gave her anti-nausea pills to at least relieve that side effect of her newfound motherhood.
The shock and fear hit her all over again, but also a tinge of excitement. She wanted to raise a child with Kanan. The idea of the three of them made her smile.
Kanan would just have to be on board for this. She wasn’t going to be able to do this all on her own.
How was she going to tell Kanan?
She paced the room.
She needed a plan. Jedi don’t have children, she could only imagine the shock and terror it could be for him.
As if he could hear her distress, the Jedi himself came bounding into the medbay.
“Hera, everything okay?” He asked, looking concerned.
“I’m … fine.” She says tentatively. She supposed there was no time like the present to tell him. At least they were alone.
So much for a plan.
“Are you positive? You don’t look fine.” Kanan says.
“You have no idea how I look right now.” Hera said, crossing her arms.
“I’ve known you long enough. I’ve got a pretty clear mental image of you. You’re doing that forced smile to hide your pain.” He said, calling her out. She was doing exactly that.
“Alright. I’m not fine. There’s something…” Hera took a deep breath. “Kanan, I have to tell you something.” She said stepping in close to him.
She took his hands in hers and held them for a moment, feeling the rough skin where the scars of many battles left thier marks.
She could hold these hands for the rest of her life.
“Yes?” Kanan asks, squeezing her hands back.
“Kanan… I’m pregnant.” She said softly but she knew he heard her. She could see it on his face, he was thinking. She started to worry about how he would take this.
She was about to start consoling him until he spoke.
“Who’s kid is it?” He asks with a little smirk.
Hera gawked at him and then smacked him on the shoulder.
“Yours, you idiot!” She says “wouldn’t be anyone else’s!”
Kanan raises his hands in defeat so she wouldn’t hit again.
“I was joking!! I swear.” He says . Then he approached Hera and drew her into him in an embrace.
“And I’m not joking when I say, I’m so incredibly happy for us. And you know, you are not raising that child alone. I’ll always be there for you both.” He says kissing her on the cheek.
Hera felt herself start to tear up.
“Kanan I’m terrified.” She said with tears welling in her eyes.
“How am I supposed to do this?” She asks.
“You mean how are we going to do this.” Kanan corrects her. “And I have no idea. But we did a decent job raising our found family.”
Hera chuckles “I suppose you’re right.”
“If we survived Ezra, that kid will be a piece of cake.” Kanan says.
“I suppose you’re right.” Hera agrees.
“I always am.” Kanan says smiling.
“Now you go back and get some rest. You are going to need more now.” Kanan says.
“No I can’t-“ Hera frowns.
“You can.” Kanan insists.
He starts to lead her out the door.
“Wait a minute.” Hera says stopping in her tracks.
“What?” He asks.
“You already knew I was pregnant didn’t you!” Hera objects. “You kept wanting me to rest.” Hera says, glaring at him.
The Jedi went silent, proving her point. “I sensed something different…” he admitted.
“But I was really worried with the interrogation, the electric shocks are bad enough as it is.”
“The shocks…” she said looking concerned. “I didn’t even think about that! That cannot be good on a baby! You don’t think…” Hera trailed off. She may have only found out about this baby a few minutes ago, but she would already do everything she could to save this child.
Kanan placed a hand on her abdomen, he was quiet for a moment, listening, then he looked up.
“I think it’s okay. It’s got a strong life force, just like it’s Mom.”
“And it’s Dad.” Hera added with a smile.
They embraced again.
“I can’t believe this is all happening.” Hera said into Kanan's shoulder. “I don’t know how great of a life it’ll be to grow up in this world. I mean I travel around galaxies, is a ship really a good home for a kid? I don’t even have a nursery!”
“Hey, look at me.” Kanan says taking her out of her spiral.
“It’s okay. We’re going to be okay.”
“How do you know?” She asks.
“We always are.” He says with a grin. “Besides, we can always give up the charade that we sleep in separate rooms and the baby can have my quarters.” He offers. “And as for living on a ship, I would say that’s a pretty amazing childhood. Getting to live and explore amongst the stars.”
“That’s all I wanted when I was a kid, to fly.” Hera admitted.
“See? It’ll be in their blood.” Kanan says. “Now, come on, I think we have some exciting news to tell the others.” He says holding her hand.
“How should we tell them?” She asks.
“I was thinking we would explain our love making in great detail. And we definitely don’t skip on the part where you totally dominated me and-“
“KANAN. JARRUS.” Hera says, punching him.
“Kidding.” He laughs.
“Just call them all out and tell them. Easy as that.” He said, “come on, we will do it together.”
***
When the whole crew was assembled around the table, Kanan and Hera stood up to address them, not too unlike a normal briefing before a mission.
They all looked eager to blow something up, which was not the point of this meeting.
“Alright crew, Kanan and I have an exciting announcement to make.” Hera says.
“We’re getting rid of Ezra?!” Zeb guesses then proceeds to be punched by Ezra.
“No-“ Hera begins before being cut off by Sabine.
“We’re getting a new ship? New weapons? Explosives?!” Sabine asks.
“No-“ Hera tries again.
“The Jedi order has been reinstated?” Asks Ezra.
“No!” Kanan says, face palming. “Stop guessing you are all terrible at this.”
“Then what?” Sabine asks clearly uninterested in the fact it was not an explosive.
“I’m… we’re pregnant.” Hera says, leaning into Kanan for support.
Everyone’s jaws simultaneously dropped to the floor.
Ezra is the first to speak up. “How is Kanan pregnant?” He asks in all seriousness.
“I’m not pregnant!” Kanan tells Ezra. “Hera is pregnant.” He sighs. “Maybe I shouldn’t be a Father, clearly I did a terrible job with you.” He said under his breath.
Sabine comes running over and gives both a big hug.
“Hera, if you need anything you know I’m here for you. I’m great with kids if you need a babysitter or someone to teach the kid about explosives I’m here!”
“Thanks Sabine.” Hera says, smiling.
Zeb came over next.
“Congrats Hera, if you need me to beat anyone up please let me know.” Zeb says with a smile.
“Thanks Zeb but why would I need that?” Hera asks, confused.
“If Kanan starts to be a pain in the ass of course.” Zeb states.
Hera snickered. “Oh I can kick his ass myself don’t worry.”
He nodded. “Of course you can.” He chuckles and walks over to Kanan next.
“Congrats on smashing that.” He says with a wink.
“Zeb!” Kanan says angrily but then pulls him in, “but thanks.” He winks back.
Ezra came over last.
“Wow. I can’t believe it.” Ezra says.
“I know. It’s a lot to take in.” Hera says.
“No it’s great I won’t be the youngest on the ship anymore!” He says.
“You’re still a child.” Zeb chimes in.
“So when did this happen?” Ezra asks excitedly.
Hera looks confused and concerned.
“Nobody asks that!” Sabine says, hitting him. “That’s private!”
“My money is on that mission when we all wore disguises, Hera looked a little too hot.” Zeb mutters to Ezra but everyone hears.
“I’m sorry, what?” Hera said, getting mad.
“They were in a cave together that one time,” Ezra offers. “Caves are sexy.”
“OKAY.” Kanan says, grabbing Ezra by the shirt and dragging him away. “We are done discussing this.”
“Okay but like were we right?” Ezra asks as he gets dragged out of the room.
“Not answering that.” Kanan says disposing of him.
Zeb, not wanting to be thrown out, makes his own exit.
Quick to change the subject, Hera calls over Sabine.
“Also Sabine, if you want to help me turn Kanan's room into a nursery.”
“Say no more!” Sabine says. “I’ve always wanted to paint Kanan's room.”
She starts running off.
“Not now, you have like half a year-“ Kanan starts “never mind.” He says as Sabine was long gone.
Chopper rolls in and makes his sounds of affection to Hera. She patted the droid lovingly back.
“Thanks Chop. Don’t worry I won’t let it replace you.” She says. He seems to be satisfied, but then turns to Kanan and starts to go off on him.
“Chop! It’s fine. He’s not going to hurt me.” She says which makes him happy and he turns back and runs out the door.
They are left in silence. Just the hum of the ship, the stars and planets coursing by, and the two… three of them.
“That went well.” Kanan says breaking the silence.
“That went pretty much how I expected it to.” Hera says with a smile.
“Yep we really are all one big, weird, chaotic, happy family.” Kanan says.
“I can’t wait for our child to meet them all.” Hera says.
“Me either.” Kanan says with a smile