Rey stood up and shook out the stiffness in her legs and arms before heading up the trail towards the summoning call of her teacher. She wondered what he would think of her choice. Should she even tell him?

He was waiting for her at the top of the trail, grinning as the breeze ruffled his scratchy grey hair. Behind him stood a tall and imposing mass of honey brown fur.

A reflexive grin splashed across her face. "Chewbacca!" She beamed running up the last of the path to rush him into a hug. The gentle smuggler closed large furry arms around her and yodeled out a warm greeting in his native tongue.

Luke grinned at her as she pulled away. "He's come by to take us for supplies." He said. "We're running low on fuel." His face suddenly turned more serious. "In light of your new, communications, I thought it might be wise to refrain from using the Falcon. It's too recognizable."

She nodded agreeing. This was perfect. She looked up at Chewbacca with a smile. She knew once she told him her plans he would help. The smuggler always had her back. A thought stopped her.

"We?" She asked. "You're coming too?"

Another smile. "Don't sound so surprised. We hermits get restless too. I need some adjustments in my hand. The sea air takes its toll."

Panic rose up slightly in her stomach. She forced it down. Luke motioned to her and the trio set off to prepare for the outing.

Rey bit her lip. This was not perfect.

—

They landed smoothly. Rey's stomach twisted with the descending altitude and ascending worry. She had not told either of her companions about her meeting the Knight of Ren. She felt a pang of guilt.

She would just have separate from them. The settlement was large. Surely it couldn't be that hard to meet her nemesis and keep him clear of her friends. She coughed clearing her throat. Her companions turned towards her.

"Um...would it be alright if I went on my own this time?" She asked hesitantly. "There's a part I want for the comms on the Falcon. I'd like to be able to have an encrypted way to reach Finn." It wasn't exactly a lie. She did want the part. She did want to talk to Finn. There would just be a slight detour.

Luke looked at Chewbacca. "It can be dangerous to separate.." he worried.

Chewbacca looked at her with a curious expression. They held each others gaze for a moment then he laughed slightly and turned to the old Jedi and rattled to him with a purring voice thick with humor.

Lukes eyes widened. "Ah I see, yes I suppose young ladies need..things."

Rey cringed inwardly. They had jumped to an unfortunate conclusion. Still she needed to get away so she decided to go with it. She smiled awkwardly.

"I knew I couldn't hide from you." She chuckled embarrassedly as Chewbacca ruffled her hair with a large paw. She turned to look at Luke. "May I go?" She asked sheepishly.

Luke laughed dryly. "Of course, we'll find a place where you can meet us later."

Chewbacca turned to ready the ship for their final landing. Rey breathed a sigh of relief.

—

Kylo Ren felt nervous. He paced outside on a small canteen pulling distractedly at his the shirt of his tunic. He felt underdressed and vulnerable without all of his layers but he knew he couldn't just walk around in full regalia and expect to go unnoticed.

He had shed down to the dark but simple inner layers of his robes. A simple dark grey tunic over black spun cotton pants. He had left the lightsaber on the ship. A risk but he wanted this meeting to work and looking at the inhabitants, he doubted that any would be difficult to dispatch away by Force.

He felt the hum surge. He reached out his thoughts smoothing it out for her.

"I'm here." She said "where are you?"

He opened himself up so she could see the little street corner he was pacing. "I'm in the eastern district."

"Ah good, I know that place." She answered. "Go wait in the canteen and I'll meet you there."

He felt absurd. So they were meeting for drinks now? He frowned.

She clicked her tongue in annoyance at his hesitation. "Just do it." She commanded. "I'll be there in a bit."

He turned and stepped into the canteen. His eyes squinting to adjust to the sudden shadows. After his eyes adjusted he spied a seat far in the back. He strolled over purposefully and claimed it with a thud. He rested his head on his hands with a slump and waited. He hoped this was worth it.