The massive tree loomed overhead, the lower branches – thicker than several Hutts – barely visible under the clouds. Deep green moss covered the trunk, but no other creatures roamed the ground where roots occasionally curved. The air felt eerily silent as if waiting for something to happen.

Something about the tree called to Kylo. He stepped forward, his hand held out to touch the moss-covered trunk.

"Kylo Ren."

He turned, his fingers hovering in the air just over the moss. Rey wore the thin Jakku clothes she had been wearing when they first met. She raised a blaster pistol at him, her eyes narrowed with hate. "Get out of my head."

She pulled the trigger, and the blaster bolt whipped past his face. He turned to watch it hit the massive tree and paused.

Teela perched on a large, curved root. She was smaller than he remembered, and the black tattoos across her face were only a few diamonds on her cheeks. She shrank under his gaze. "M-Master – Master Ren?"

She looked up, and Kylo craned his neck with her. The small figure of Kaydel jumped through the thick branches of the enormous tree, her giggles echoing down to him.

"Master Ren!" Sonzy lounged against the massive trunk. His lekkus and montrals were short, his face round with youth. "Can you help her?"

He pointed, and Kylo followed his finger to a young girl who partially hid behind another thick root. Her auburn hair stuck out of a poorly done bun, and her eyes filled with tears as he started toward her. "Jessika?"

"Monster." Eeth stood over her, his lips curled into a sneer. His skin was void of the red tattoos, and his horns had not yet grown to full length, but his expression held the malice that had developed years later. "Are you going to let her die like you let me?"

Kylo reached for Jessika's hand, but she pulled away with a squeak. "No… I saved her… That day on Chandrila…"

"You destroyed her. You destroyed all of them." Eeth stepped over the small Jessika, his horns growing with every step. "The Force ruined all of us."

Kylo held out a hand to stop the Zabrak's advances. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen to you. I'm sorry, Eeth."

A red hand closed around his throat. "You will be."

Kylo pulled in a sharp breath and kept his eyes closed. He knew he would see his wife asleep beside him, but a small part of him believed the tree would be just beyond his eyelids. He listened carefully. Footsteps a floor above pounded across the floor, and a loud thunk followed by a laugh came from somewhere within the house.

"Kylo?" Rey's strong voice shattered the last of the dream. She shifted next to him, and Kylo finally let his eyes open, relieved to find his wife sitting against the headboard. She gave a worried smile. "Your heart is racing."

"Just a dream." He sat up slowly, pushing his hair out of his face. A hand ghosted to his throat to reassure himself that Eeth was not there. "That tree again."

Concern flickered over Rey's face, and Kylo felt a pang of guilt for worrying her when she needed rest. "Did… Did I die again?"

He shook his head and glanced at the chronometer before laying back against the pillows. "No. Eeth was there…" He swallowed past a lump in his throat.

Rey's fingers tapped on her blanket for several long moments. "Maybe we should go away for a little while."

Kylo turned his head to look at her. His heart still thumped loudly in his chest, and he willed it to slow even through the twist in his stomach. "But you're–"

"On bedrest. Yes, I know," Rey snapped. Kylo flinched, but he did not blame her. He would be in a worse mood if he had been in her position. She took a deep breath through her nose and sighed. "Sorry. Yes. But I can walk to a shuttle and rest in a hotel. Somewhere we can get away from everything before little Leia comes."

Kylo closed his eyes, considering her idea. "We'll already be away from teaching she when comes. And I don't know if Dr. Kalonia would like you leaving the planet."

"There are medical facilities on other planets, Kylo," Rey said in a dry voice. "And even though we now have Jedi – that you trained – to teach those classes, we could give the younglings some time off, too. Those holidays you and Poe celebrate are coming up, aren't they?"

"Mmhm. Life Day is this year, too. It would be nice to see Chewbacca if we can find him." Kylo's datapad made a small noise, and he reached for it. He blinked rapidly to get used to the bright light and frowned at the list of messages. The twist in his stomach tightened into a knot. "That kriffing Gungan works fast."

He showed Rey a screen that read:

Tension in the Jedi? Ren's Lightsaber Hints at Darkness

Plus an exclusive! Rey Solo Pregnant with Kylo Ren's Offspring

By Flash Zizz

Rey rolled her eyes and tapped the screen. Kylo took it back to see she had closed out of the article. "It's not like we were hiding it at this point." She gently pushed the datapad away from his face. "What's wrong?"

Kylo scowled at the screen as if it was responsible for the problems piling up within it. "Senators are asking about my saber, and Luke says he felt a disturbance while meditating last night."

Rey's shoulders sagged. "You need to address the Senate and investigate the disturbance." She crossed her arms over her chest. "Didn't we train new Jedi to help us with these things?"

Kylo chewed his inner lip, reading the message from his uncle again. "Looks like the disturbance was around Rakata Prime, which is close to Ilum. I can investigate and then find a new crystal before coming back."

Rey sighed, and her frustration at not being able to join him radiated through the bond. "Three days, and then we need to get away from everything."

Kylo leaned in to kiss his wife. "Deal.

The Coruscant sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting rays onto the courtyard in front of the Jedi school. Yellow and green lightsabers clashed together in a sparring match a small distance away. Kylo watched Jessika's and Kaydel's feet moving as they danced around each other. While not as graceful as in a ship, Kaydel moved quickly, forcing Jessika to change her usual fighting style.

A luxury speeder drifted down to park nearby, and Kylo tore his gaze from the two Jedi to see a tall, blue Twi'lek climb out.

"Master Ren. It's good to see you." Senator Tomsega gave a smile and shook Kylo's hand. He took a step away, studying Kylo intently for a few moments. "How's Rey?"

"Restless, but she's healthy." Kylo turned back to watch the sparring match. "You're here about a certain article, I presume?"

Tomsega sighed, and Kylo saw him nod out of the corner of his eye. "Yeah. I figured you could use a friendly face before everyone else descends on this. Atsay wanted to come, too, but he's got a constituent meeting on his home planet." He looked uncertain and asked, "Is, ah, Jedi Pali doing all right?"

Kylo grimaced but nodded. "Teela is recovering. I'm not sure what we would've done without Kaydel's quick thinking."

"I'm glad. She's become an invaluable asset on giving us insight into the Jedi perspective."

"I have noticed I'm spending less time in Senate inquiries." Kylo gave Tomsega a wry smile, and the Senator relaxed a little.

"You don't mind if I record this? You know how trusting the Senate is." Kylo nodded at his dry tone, and Tomsega pressed the comm on his wrist.

Kylo fingered the lightsaber at his hip. The dent was repaired, but the crystal within still could not maintain a stable blade. "What do you need to know?"

"Your lightsaber is… a 'crackling menace' according to the article in Coruscant Daily."

Kylo suppressed a roll of his eyes and decided he should not be surprised that Zizz had exaggerated. "The crystal that powers the blade was chipped in the crash a few weeks ago. I have not had time to find another, although I plan to within the week."

He sensed some hesitation from the Twi'lek, but the Senator took a deep breath. "There are… concerns on what it means, considering you wielded an unstable lightsaber as a member of the First Order."

"That crystal was cracked, too, but I assure you, the color has not changed and neither have I. It's just been damaged." Kylo paused as he watched Jessika and Kaydel circle each other, each unable to find the upper hand in their spar. "Kyber crystals are becoming sparse, however, with the Empire's excessive mining for their superweapons. It would help us grow the Jedi Order if the Senate would approve our request to send an exploration for more sources."

Tomsega gave a terse nod. "I'll bring it up with my committee when Teela returns."

Jessika struck forward, and Kaydel blocked her before their sabers exchanged a flurry of blows. Kylo glanced at the Twi'lek. "There's something else?"

Tomsega pressed his blue lips together. "The general public is becoming… anxious. Many of us have received comms from concerned constituents about Rey's pregnancy."

Kylo let out a slow breath, forcing down the burn in his stomach. "And? We aren't concerned with how their families are growing."

"No, but you're a public figure, whether you like it or not." Tomsega shook his head and made a frustrated noise. "As much as I don't agree with them, considering I know you and the other Jedi, I have to hear them out and let you know of their concerns." He gave an apologetic smile. "They're afraid of your bloodline."

"Of Vader."

Tomsega cleared his throat and inclined his head. "Well. Yes."

"You know, Leia Organa never fell to the Dark Side. Neither did Luke Skywalker nor did my wife." Kylo finally turned to meet Tomsega's gaze, his hand wrapped around the saber hilt at his belt. "My daughter will have the support that I never had. The public does not need to worry about a baby."

He glanced back at the two young Jedi, who were shaking hands. "I am curious to know why the Senate is taking a few scared comms about my unborn child and isn't looking further into the shuttle crash that killed several people."

Tomsega shook his head, one of his lekku falling behind his shoulder. "You know the Senate, Ren. There's still some lingering… thoughts in a few of the representatives from Kilnetel's fearmongering." He shuddered and chuckled at the look on Kylo's face. "I'm ashamed she was part of my race, and I'm working to undo her influence still. I'll get Senator Truski to bring the crash up in the Security Committee."

Kylo nodded once. "Thank you."

"Master. Senator." Jessika placed her hands on her hips, smiling politely. Something within Kylo started at how much she had grown from the scared youngling in his dream.

Kaydel gave Tomsega a bright smile. "Everything all right?"

Tomsega gave a curt nod. "Yes. Just clearing some things up with Master Ren." He glanced between the two and cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Er, nice fight."

Jessika grinned. "Thank you. Can we help, ah, clear anything else up?"

Tomsega shook his head and held out a hand to shake Kylo's. "No, I've got all I need. Thanks, Ren."

The Twi'lek headed toward his parked speeder, and Kylo let out a slow breath. The knot in his stomach unclenched, and he thanked the stars he had not lost his temper again.

"Did you need us, Master?"

Kylo blinked back at Jessika and nodded. "Care for a trip to Rakata Prime?"

AN: Less than a week for VIII! I had hoped to finish this story by then, but alas, my responsibilities have taken priority. See you on the other side, for better or worse!