AN: Thank you for all those reading. Hope this chapter finds you well.
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When Rey was summoned she had expected one of her friends seeking her company, or someone asking for assistance on some machine. She didn't expect to be called into a heated debate.
"It's foolish and wasteful! She has no experience!" was the booming voice of a COmmander Rey couldn't recall the name of. But Poe's voice quickly jumped into the fray "She lived there! Of course, she's the right call!" was his response. But that seemed to only make more of a commotion. Glancing back at the pilot that had led her there she almost asked if it was a joke but he gestured for her to enter the meeting room.
Taking a steadying breath she opened the door, revealing her to those in the meeting. She stood stock still for a moment before General Organa beckoned her to stand beside her. Trying to focus only on her General Rey gave a tight smile. "You asked for me?" She asked hoping for some hint or explanation to this.
Her General nodded and endeavored to explain "Commander Dameron has put you forward for a mission." Rey stared at her incredulously, she didn't have much of a good track record when it came to missions. Each one a failure, one after another.
Thankfully Rey didn't have to wait long as Poe began to explain, straightening his jacket he moved to stand in front of Rey. "You know about the Holo, right?" She nodded as he pulled her forward to stand at the table with numerous reports and screens – one replaying the aforementioned Holo. "Well, we've been getting a lot of support because of it. You showed them the First Order is beatable and because of it rebellions are popping up everywhere. "
He explained bringing up articles and reports of those in open hostiles against the First Order. "But there's one place that hasn't made a single move towards rebellion." His voice calmed and slowed as he spoke close to her "Jakku" At the mention of her old home planet, or cell depending on how you think of it, Rey's eyes snapped to Poe's. "We need a planet like Jakku and those in the inner rim to help with parts and for bases."
While Rey was thankful for his explanation, her brow was still furrowed in confusion. "Alright. But where do I fit in this?" She asked
At her question, Poe seemed to falter for a moment but soon he launched back into his plan. "Considering your past, we want you to start a rebellion on Jakku." He said this conspiratorially "To destroy the system that enslaves people there and put a new one in its place."
Her brown eyes narrowed at the pilot "Jakku is a worthless planet where worthless things end up. How would it help the First Order let alone the Resistance?"
One of the other commanders nodded "Yes young one. It's a planet the Republic never reached because it wasn't worth going up against the outlaws." The others turned and kept their attention as he explained further. "The inner rim is tightly held in the hands of the outlaws and the resources we could get from them are impossible unless we take one and loosen that hold."
"Exactly, it's a starting point. But the people there deserve a different way to live. You know better than anyone." Poe pleaded as the other members tacitly agreed.
"But why me?" she whispered wondering about her place in this.
The pilot gave her a trademark smirk "You're Rey." He announced as if that explained everything, but thankfully he continued "Your story is a compelling one, C'mon the orphan setting the planet free? It writes itself!" Rough calloused hands slammed on her shoulders forcing her to focus only on Poe's fiery eyes. "It's gotta be you, you can help us keep this flame alive."
Watching him she could see the frantic passion that took over him at times, slanting her eyes she looked to the General. "You won't be doing this alone." The General said with a sense of authority "We'll help you. This flyboy is crazy but he's right it would be best for Jakku and us if it was you." The General walked to the table and crossed her hands atop her cane. Following her lead, everyone joined at the table as they explained the details to Rey.
While Rey still wasn't sure of her diplomatic abilities or even of her success rate on previous missions, she left knowing that this was her mission. And with help, she would free Jakku.
Reviewing yet another report Kylo Ren groaned and began rubbing his eyes in frustration. "Idiots" he muttered "Cowards" He growled and leaned back in his chair irritated.
"That's what happens when you lead through fear. You get idiots and cowards." Rey spoke making herself known but still, the Supreme Leader didn't open his eyes yet and so that voice continued "What's wrong?" it wasn't her question the prompted him to respond bu the very obvious concern that she showed.
Finally opening his eyes he saw her, standing with a hip cocked and a worried expression marring her features. Initially, he thought to bark at her, demand her to not ask questions, but that felt wrong. Then he thought to deflect her question but that too felt wrong. There was no deceit or manipulation in her she was simply concerned. She was concerned for him, and he cherished that. "My Ambassadors are cowards. They keep making excuses to avoid meeting with the Senate," he explained with a huff as his frown deepened.
Raising her hand to absently scratch at her shoulder Rey thought for a moment. "Well, maybe they don't think their position is strong enough and are afraid they will only disappoint you even if they tried."Taking a step closer she continued "Maybe talk with them, see if they are worried about their position if they are you can embolden them to be not so cowardly."
Thinking her words he had to admit there was sound logic there in her form of leadership. Curiously he leaned forward "And if they are just cowards who won't speak up. what then?" He wondered what she would do if presented with such a situation. Would he naievity show itself?
She sighed and shrugged "Count your blessings and fire them now." She said with a calmness he hadn't expected from her. "If they are just "Yes" men then they are useless to you. Your advisors and ambassadors need to be strong and smart enough to tell you when your policies are stupid." She began and leaned on her back foot crossing her arms. "And if they are too afraid of your opponents, then it isn't the right job for them anyway."
Listening to her explain her point made sense and he felt himself agreeing with her. "I'll take it into consideration." He said softly while turning and making a note in his schedule to hold such a meeting. He stood and collected a glass of water for himself. Snoke had demanded all agree with him through fear and manipulation. If Kylo wanted to achieve his dream of a better galaxy he would need to find another way to lead.
With his mind clear and calmer he finally noticed her attire "Off to the desert?" He asked as she set down his empty glass.
Hesitantly Rey nodded, would she tell him the full truth? "Yes, I'm going to Jakku." She explained wondering if that was the right move as she had just given away her location. But they weren't enemies and she had his word and so even as her heart raced she trusted him.
HIs eyes widened slightly at her honesty and the trust she had shown him. For a moment he floundered "Jakku..." He trailed off for a moment before refocusing "That has to bring back some uncomfortable memories for you." He mused and moved closer to her wondering why she would return to that planet. 'Has she left them?' He wondered and tried to ignore the hope the bloomed and burned in his chest at the thought of her leaving the Resistance.
Rey looked to the ground and picked at her threadbare pants "yes." she whispered it was something that had clung to the back of her mind since the meeting. Being back on Jakku how could she not recall all the pain, the heat, the isolation she had lived through.
Her hurt tone distracted him from dreams of her leaving the Resistance. He knew how painful it was to talk about this subject with her. The silence clung to them but it didn't feel wrong. It felt like it needed to be there. Silently Kylo came to stand beside her watching her emotions play out. Pain, hurt, anger and sadness flashed across her mind but still, he said nothing.
Rey frowned at the floor the anger catching up with her finally. "How could they do that?" She seethed between clenched teeth. Anger held fast to her, her body tense with anger she had never let herself express.
He remained her quiet companion, her silent audience to witness the rage that had been building since she was so small. He shook his head having no answer "You deserve to be angry." He spoke softly and crossed his own arms to curb the desire to hold her and offer some form of comfort. "Anyone would be angry."
"But I don't get to be!" Her head snapped up to meet his eyes - the rage plan on her face. Glaring at him for a moment she shifted her attention to glare at the wall instead "I have to be everyone's hope Or else I'm turning to the Dark Side." She growled out
Kylo shrugged "Is there anyone else but me and you here?" he asked and only continued when she shook her head. "Then you get to be. You don't have to be my hope, your Resistance needs that. HIs arms tensed but he pushed through trying not to think of her cursed Resistance. "And we both know I'm not afraid of you. Dark or Light." He scoffed and her responding scoff tugged at a smirk wanting to make itself known but his face remained impassive.
Again silence came as their companion but a storm was brewing in her, body tensing rage building until she let loose a guttural scream. Panting from the exertion "They were selfish kriffing people!" she yelled and stalked closer to the wall as her tirade continued "And I was the idiot that thought they could be better. That there was a good reason for being abandoned!" Shaking her head her arms flung to grip tight at her hair, tears building in her eyes. "They never cared. Probably don't have a heart between the two of them!" she scoffed and spun to face Kyo hands curled into fists at her sides. "If they had a heart they would have never sold me!" she screamed.
Silently he watched her, brow creasing as he saw her face contort in pain and rage. With such raw emotion there is never the right thing to say and so he listened to her rant and scream even if her words made no sense. When she finally calmed he stepped forward arms falling to his sides "You survived the only way you knew how." he whispered reminding her of the strength that young girl had to stay hopeful in such a hopeless place. "And now you are going back, and you can make it so that doesn't happen again." He watched her panting tears threatening to spill as he continued "You have a heart. Despite all that you went through. You are better than they ever deserved." His voice was resolute leaving no doubt as if his words were fact. And to him it was fact.
The silence made walked among them again as his words seeped into her mind. Eventually, the storm stopped and Rey moved forward to stand in front of him. Holding his gaze for a moment she saw his compassion for her, he wasn't afraid. She had been awful to him - sometimes deserving - and yet he never ran from her. She let loose a sight before leaning her forehead against the expanse of his chest, Resting there she used his heartbeat, steady and strong, to calm her.
Suddenly feeling her weight on his chest had him freeze for a moment as he hoped she wouldn't notice his heart speed up at the contact. He should push her away but instead, his arms rose to gently lay on her shoulders, savoring the moment. "Rey?" He whispered not wanting to startle her.
Slowly she lifted her head and rubbed away any evidence of her tears, as she moved his hands dropped to his sides as he watched her take a steadying breath. "You're right." she nodded and straightened her stance "I'm going to change it. No more slavery...The Resistance will help me." she spoke with more resolve as she placed a tentative grasp back onto her hope for the future.
Anyone could see she was worried at the prospect but excited too. He wondered why she would doubt herself so much when he knew just how incredible she was. "It won't be easy." He said softly "If you want help all you need to do is ask."
Rey was slightly shocked at his offer. No matter how many times she had rejected his offer he still extended his hand. A soft smile tugged at her lips as she nodded. Unlike all the other times it didn't feel like he wanted to lead her. This time it felt like he only offered to walk beside her. "I know." She whispered.
There they were, one happy to receive support and the other happy to provide it. Each assured and comfortable in their arrangement.