A/N: An idea I had while hiking one day.
Disclaimer: I own nothing :)
Chapter One:
She had this dream for as long as she could remember.
A path stood in front of her, wide enough for two, but she walked alone.
She turned around and saw the same behind her, a sunny palace of solitude.
Rows of tall trees with red and tan bark lined the edges.
Leaves crunched beneath her feet.
The air was crisp and cool.
It cooled her bones and blew strands of hair from her face.
The sun wasn't hot and unforgiving like Jakku.
It shone between a gap in the trees, lighting up and warming her.
The tall trees had needles, some shorter ones had mustard and crimson leaves.
She stopped, closed her eyes and breathed in.
A hand caressed her shoulder, interrupting the momentary high she felt.
She turned around and opened her eyes.
She found herself staring at a ceiling once again.
This time, she was staring at the metal tiles of the Resistance barracks. She slammed her fist down against the foam mattress beneath her, frustrated by the interruption.
As usual, she spent her entire breakfast wondering about the strong hand that had touched her shoulder.
She rubbed the spot with one hand, the other hand placing part of a muffin in her mouth.
Rey. A voice rang into her head. It was barely a whisper.
She looked around, startled by the intrusion of her thoughts. There were a few others around, but none near enough to speak to her so quietly.
She shook her head in confusion, believing that it was her imagination.
She saw Finn enter the commissary and shot a hand up in the air to wave.
He nodded back, shooting her a sleepy smile.
She smiled to herself, still chomping on her muffin.
Her friend sat across from her, his forehead wrinkled with distress.
"Finn, is everything okay?" She said, placing her empty muffin wrapper on the table.
"Have you talked to the General this morning?" He stuck out his lip as he spoke, a sign that he was disgusted by something.
"No, Finn.." She looked him in the eyes. "What's going on?"
"Our technology has detected First Order ships." He swallowed. "They know where we are."
"How could they possibly.." Rey shook her head. "They want Luke.."
"They will stop at nothing to have him. They want blood, Rey." His eyes were piercing.
Rey. The voice was louder this time. It rang through her ears, her head throbbing.
Finn saw her wince and grabbed her hand in concern.
"Rey?"
"Did you hear that?" Her face was twisted with confusion. She froze in place.
"Hear what?" He raised an eyebrow at her.
He can't hear me, Rey. The voice whispered, and a chill went up her spine.
The voice was deep, nasally, and oddly familiar.
She left the commissary quickly, leaving Finn with a strange look on his face.
Rey jogged to her room, where she cracked the door closed behind her.
She leaned up against the wall and slid herself to the floor, holding her hand over her forehead.
Rey, focus on me.
She pinched her mouth together, concentrating. The veins of life became visible around her as she released her mind to the Force.
Am I crazy?
No, Rey. You're not crazy.
Who are you?
That's not important. I have something urgent to tell you.
She huffed. What gives you the right to get into my head?
Well, to be honest, you aren't exactly stopping anyone. The voice let out a small laugh.
Get on with it, then. What do you want? I have a meeting to attend.
The voice let out a breath. I know. I know what they're going to tell you in there. The First Order has found the Resistance base and they're coming for Luke Skywalker..
Rey was now crossing her arms, a single strand of sweaty hair hung in her face. I already knew that. How do you know all of this anyway?
That doesn't matter. Rey, it's not just Luke Skywalker they are after. It's you too.
She rolled her eyes. Now she was irritated. Why would they be after me? There's really nothing special about me.
The voice let out an exasperated laugh. You know there is. There are only a select few people in the Universe that can speak like we are right now. You're strong with the Force, and the First Order wants to destroy you, or force you to join them.
Why are you telling me this? She unfolded her arms, tossing them in the air.
I want to protect you.
She shook her head. Why should I trust you?
The memory of a dream.
A path stands in front of him.
It's wide enough for two, but he walks this path alone.
He turns around, an agonizing storm behind him.
The frigid cold wind touches his face and puts his steps in motion.
He walks briskly up the trail, noticing tall trees all the way.
At the beginning of his walk, the trees are bare.
He progresses down the trail, and the trees start to show leaves.
Shades of bronze, marigold, and maroon litter the trees and the ground.
The leaves crunch beneath his feet.
That's when he sees her.
A woman stands ahead on the trail, alone.
He retreats into the trees, out of sight.
She stops and turns around.
He remains motionless, holding his breath so she won't notice his presence.
She continues walking ahead.
He wipes the sweat from his brow and returns to the path, following her.
He notices the way she looks at the trees with wonder.
The sun sparkles off of her skin, warming her body with its generous light.
She stops, closing her eyes and allowing the cool wind to flow through her hair.
He inches closer, longing to touch her warm skin.
Her face is toward the sky, and she's breathing deeply.
He reaches forward and places his hand on her shoulder.
A feeling like electricity jolts through his body.
The storm behind him disappears.
She begins to turn at his touch.
He instantly recognizes her now.
The scavenger from Jakku.
A smile begins to form on her face.
He never fully sees her face before he wakes up.
During the interrogation, when he swam through her memories, he saw it: his hand touching her shoulder.
He had been there, but she had no idea it was him.
That dream you have. Someone touches your shoulder.
How do you.. She shook her head.
He cut her off. That's me.
