On the day that Rey is gone six months, Kylo declares it a milestone. It's time to move on. He's done being miserable and rejected. He shaves his beard off and he summons his lawyers. Prepare divorce papers, he instructs, on grounds of desertion. And, yes, he said that there was no divorce option, but he's changed his mind. He refuses to remain married to a woman who betrays him.

Next, Kylo resolves to start dating. Holonet dating. But that turns out to be a project itself. Kylo spends the entire morning trying to write a profile description of himself in 300 characters or less. It's an impossible task. But he gives it a shot.

Bored of meeting disappointing people? I'm the guy for you. Divorced, no kids, ready for fun and casual dating. First Order politics a plus but not necessary. No aliens please.

Nah, that's all wrong, Kylo decides. He's giving the wrong impression. He's ready for some fun, but Kylo knows he himself isn't fun. So he tries again, aiming to be more specific.

It's lonely at the top. Been too busy with my career to do much dating. But now I'm ready to settle down. Passionate, impulsive, busy executive seeks beautiful, intelligent, low maintenance woman for a soul mate. I like pod racing, the Force, war, and Darth Vader. I hate holidays, my family, disorder, and people who laugh too loudly or too much. Not into drama/lies/betrayals/secrets/commitment issues/Jakku.

And, well, maybe that's too honest. With a scowl, Kylo deletes that attempt and starts over.

Romantic nerd/thoughtful loner unlucky at love wants to move on. My ex broke my heart and I'm equal parts fucking pissed and suicidal. Be my rebound one-night stand (at your palace, not mine).

Nope. Way too honest. Desperate, too. Kylo cringes as he rereads that effort, and then immediately deletes it, too. Who knew this dating thing would be so hard? And, unfortunately, this isn't a task he can delegate. That realization sends him surfing the holonet for advice on how to write a good dating profile. Luckily, he's not the only one who finds this task daunting. Kylo reads how he should be witty but serious, and appear hardworking and successful but still laid back. Oh, and he should be intelligent but still approachable. Smart but not too smart. Impressive but not off-putting. Basically, he's supposed to be a mess of contradictions. Er . . . huh?

Kylo reads sample profiles that include obnoxious made up sap like 'I like long speeder rides, twin sunsets, and lazy Sunday mornings.' He sees profiles of men who are gourmet cooks, wine enthusiasts, and music aficionados. Some are clearly way too into their dogs. These are guys who describe themselves as fun-loving, adventurous dudes with a good sense of humor. They purport to be up for either a night on the town or a 'holonet and chill' evening. Because they are the malleable, easygoing type you can take home to mother. Ugh. That's not him. That's not him at all.

He's an intense, workaholic creature of habit.

His only hobby is flying and he hates pets.

He thinks he hates holonet dating now too.

As if the profile wording isn't bad enough, there are pictures. You have to post pictures. After a couple of fruitless attempts at a proper selfie, Kylo gives up on the picture part. Grinning isn't something he does well. And all he sees when he looks at the pictures is the faint scar that remains from the Starkiller duel. Kylo has never been into how he looks—that's one plus of wearing a mask. He's well aware that he has a long nose and big ears. Plus, posing shirtless makes him feel like a vain idiot.

Forget the pictures. He decides to work on the wording part again. This time, Kylo endeavors to be less honest and more direct.

I might ruin your life. People will warn you against me. But if it's destiny, who cares? Fuck them all and give me a chance. Because if we're fate, you won't be able to get away anyhow.

There. That's perfect. Except the one girl in the universe who it would work on is already gone. Kylo reads it again, focusing on the last line. And that's what convinces him to stay married . . . for now. His faith is being tested, Kylo realizes. He should trust in the Force that things will work out with Rey in the end. With that sentiment in mind, he calls off his lawyers. Perhaps it's not yet time to move on. Besides, holonet dating is more intimidating than an interview with angry Snoke. It's even more anxiety ridden than his uncle's Force projection mocking him before his troops at Crait. He'll just be miserable awhile longer, Kylo resolves.

Three months later, Rey is still AWOL and insurrection is afoot. One morning, Kylo is marching across the Palace landing platform to board his shuttle when he is rushed by a group of military malcontents. They are disguised as stormtroopers in a poorly planned assassination attempt. The Force tips him off to danger, as always. Kylo immediately lights his sword and summons his power. In seconds, he easily dispenses with the six attackers. They lie in pieces strewn about the ground.

"Any more?" Kylo hollers as he looks around glaring. "Bring it on!" Bring it the fuck on because he is ready. He's got a lot of pent-up anger to release and the rush of real combat had felt good. It's been far too long since anyone has shot at him. Peacetime is dull and he needed that adrenaline. He should kill people more often, Kylo thinks. It really takes the edge off his stress.

It takes two days to track down all the conspirators. They are amateurs who appear to have acted without proper planning or imagination. Kylo laughs as he listens to the intel presentation detailing the full plot. "Ready to take your turn?" Kylo goads Armitage Hux who sits in attendance by special request. That prompts the Chancellor to dutifully and repeatedly vow his loyalty. They both know it's a well-rehearsed lie. If Hux had plotted the assassination attempt, its outcome would have been far less certain. As annoying as Hux is, the man knows his stuff. Kylo keeps him close and keeps him watched.

Feeling more besieged than ever, Kylo decides he needs a friend. That sends him back to the holonet dating sites. He spends hours one week looking at profiles of single women. He settles on a pretty, chubby blonde elementary school teacher. She has a happy, relatable smile and she looks nice. Non-threatening and supportive, like he wants. This girl wouldn't pull a gun on him in the Takodano woods and start shooting. She would never throw four praetorians to their deaths. She would stand by her man through whatever happens. And if he offered her the galaxy and asked her to join him, she would be flattered and not pissed off.

This girl says she wants a relationship for an end goal of marriage. She likes kids and she loves her family. She lists several non-objectionable hobbies and her profile is full of pictures of her dressed up as a bridesmaid at her friends' weddings. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Poor girl, he thinks. Well, he can change all that. He can make her an Empress. Kylo sends her a message and starts planning their future.

Later that day, he receives a message back. It turns out that his new girlfriend is no longer single. Kylo reads her exceedingly polite response. She's embarrassed that she forgot to take down her dating profile. She's been too busy planning her wedding and that task sort of slipped through the cracks. She thanks Kylo for his interest and wishes him luck in love. Kylo is especially disappointed because now he likes her even more. She's so nice. So . . . not Rey.

That leads him to debate taking matters into his own hands. His secret police could easily get rid of the fiancé, and then the nice teacher girl would be available. But Kylo decides against it. She's happy, and he's happy for her even though they have never met. Everyone wants to be happy. Seeing that this girl has managed it gives Kylo renewed hope for himself. But with almost ten months without Rey, things are looking bleak.

And that's why on his next trip to the Rim, Kylo detours to Mustafar Castle on the way home. It's been many months since he's last been here, but maybe a sojourn into the World Between Worlds is worth a shot. Maybe the Force will give him a version of Rey that doesn't reject him this time around. That might really cheer him up.

So, with a deep breath and a quick prayer to the Force, Kylo steps through the portal and discovers that he's handcuffed. Great. Apparently, he's a prisoner again. But he's not a Jedi prisoner, he realizes, as he looks down at his First Order uniform. He's in Supreme Leader Ren garb minus the sword, mask, and gloves.

The door opens and Kylo looks up to see Rey enter his cell. From the looks of her tidy Resistance uniform, he won't be marched into Snoke's throne room any time soon. Rey's eyes are normal in this reality, Kylo notes with some relief. Maybe that means she likes him this time around.

But he's getting weird vibes. This Rey is nervous. Very, very nervous. "I'm sorry about this," she stammers with sincerity. "I never thought it would end like this." Rey's face is guilty and her demeanor is upset. And that does not bode well for him.

Kylo says nothing. He has no idea what's going on in this reality. So his strategy is to stare Rey down and use the silence to his advantage.

It works. Rey continues making her excuses. "I tried to talk them out of this, but with Hux already dead they need to make an example out of someone for Hosnia. No one wants to let that war crime go unpunished."

Great. So, he's a war criminal now? This is not good. But it explains the handcuffs and the cell.

Squirming Rey looks like she's about to cry. "I tried to talk them out of this. R-Really, I did. But they are so af-fraid of you. It didn't help that your mother recused herself. She made it look like she was fine with a d-death sentence."

Death sentence? Wonderful. This reality keeps getting worse. Kylo keeps his stern silence as he eyes his miserable girl.

A lone tear leaks down Rey's cheek now. She shifts her weight side to side as she keeps her distance in the small cell. "I'm s-sorry. Ben, I'm so s-sorry. You trusted me and I . . . I . . . " Rey's words trail off. Apparently, that's as far as she will go with her confession. She moves on from her mea culpa now as she fights to regain her composure. "The General wants to see you. She's on her way now—"

"I don't want to see her." Leia Organa always makes things worse.

"I know. I tried to talk her out of it. But, well, you know . . . When she's got her mind made up, she can be very stubborn."

Yes, he knows. "I don't want to see her," Kylo repeats. His words are harsh and clipped. And just as aggrieved as he feels right now. Seeing Rey in the flesh in this reality has a mix of strong emotions bubbling up.

"Luke is here, too."

"Got any other good news?" Kylo demands.

His biting sarcasm makes Rey blanch. "Not really," she admits. "I wish I did. Ben, you have to believe me . . ." She falters a moment to wipe at her eyes again and sniffs. "I didn't realize that I was bait for a trap."

Before they can discuss that topic further, a Resistance Officer sticks his head into the cell. "Rey, the Jedi wants to see you. And you're not supposed to be in here. It's not safe. Those are the General's orders."

"Yeah, okay," Rey answers him. "I'll leaving now," she promises. Then she turns back to Kylo. "Luke is arguing with the leadership about how to carry out the sentence," she explains awkwardly, avoiding his eyes.

"You mean how to execute me?"

Rey nods and sniffs. And now, it gets really uncomfortable as she asks, "Do you have a preference? Because if you do, I'll let him know."

"What are my options?"

"Firing squad . . . lethal injection . . . sword. I think that's it. They decided against a hanging. Said it was too archaic."

Kylo agrees. "Sword," he suggests automatically.

"No!" Rey steps forward as she objects. "They'll make me do it!" she hisses. "Please choose something else."

"Sword," he repeats, doubling down on his selection. A Dark Force user should die by the sword. Not like a regular prisoner in a firing squad. Or by lethal injection like a criminal. He'd rather be eaten by a rancor than be put to death by lethal injection, like you might put down some rabid animal. Kylo's eyes dart back to Rey now. In another life when the roles were reversed, he had saved this woman from her own execution. But it doesn't look like she's about to return the favor. He's unsure of any of the circumstances, but it's clear that Rey has betrayed him. So, he's not going to make it easy for her.

Kylo grits his teeth as he repeats again, "Sword."

"But Ben—"

"If you're too squeamish, then my uncle can finish what he started years ago. Get him to do it. Luke almost did it once before."

"Yeah . . . okay. I'll go tell him." Deeply troubled Rey starts to leave and runs smack into his mother when the cell door opens.

"You're not supposed to be in here," Leia Organa censures Rey.

"I was just leaving," Rey averts her teary eyes.

"Well, you might as well stay now," his irked mother decides. Then, she turns to him. Leia Organa looks him over with a frank look of disappointment and sighs. "Ben, I always feared it would come to this." Unlike Rey, his mother clearly won't shed a tear when he dies. She looks more annoyed than sad.

"Did they decide?" Rey asks anxiously.

"Sword. Luke's agreed to do it. You're off the hook."

The answer makes Kylo smirk. Luke Skywalker wouldn't fight his own father he barely knew, but apparently, he's willing to execute his nephew he trained for years.

"This is a mistake!" Rey argues. "He should have a trial at least!"

"There is no question of guilt," his mother points out. "The senior leadership has decided that Ben is too dangerous to let live. Time is of the essence in their opinion." And does his mother disagree with the decision? Kylo isn't sure. Leia Organa looks resigned as she levels Rey a sorrowful look. "I held out hope for so long, but I know my son is gone. In time, you will realize that too. Once you can look past your personal feelings on the matter."

Turning back to Kylo, his mother passes judgement. "You have been to dead to me since you killed your father. That was unforgivable for me. And since you have refused Rey's attempts at redemption, you have squandered your last chance at forgiveness from the others. So, in some ways, Ben," his mother rationalizes, "this is more your decision than it is ours."

Whatever. Maybe this ought to be a poignant family moment, but Kylo just rolls his eyes.

And now, his uncle walks in. It's Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master, flushed out from his hiding place and back playing official rebel mascot again. Only this time, he's not the fair-haired young knight. Now, he postures as the grizzled wise warrior in his formal robes with his full beard. Seeing him makes Kylo seethe with anger. He lays a lot of blame on his uncle.

"It's getting crowded in here," Kylo snarls out his trademark sarcasm.

Luke ignores him and turns to Rey. "You're not supposed to be here. I told you to stay away."

"I was just leaving—"

"Luke, let her stay," his mother intervenes.

"I want her away from him."

"And you'll get your wish very soon," Leia Organa points out.

"He's a bad influence on her."

That comment makes Kylo even angrier. "Are you here to say you've forgiven me? To save my soul?" he demands of his uncle.

"No. I can't save you," Luke answers quietly as he eyes him. "Only you can save yourself, and you blew your chance."

"Because 'let go of your hate' didn't work again?" Kylo jeers back. "Because I'm not Vader with a deathbed conversion? If that's what you're expecting now, save your breath."

Luke shakes his head slowly as he admits, "I failed you, Ben. I'm sorry."

Livid Kylo loses it and shouts back, "You failed everyone! You and the Jedi Order have failed the galaxy once again!" Killing him won't advance the cause of balance, Kylo knows. It will impede it. But Luke Skywalker will never understand that. He's too trapped in the Jedi mindset that he was taught by Kenobi and Yoda. Unable to see beyond the limitations of the bright line dogma that failed the Old Republic two generations ago. But like a fool, his uncle keeps holding on.

"I won't fight you. Not with a sword or with words," his uncle responds calmly. He is the picture of Jedi zen. And that too has Kylo incensed. There's nothing more frustrating than trying to argue with someone who won't engage.

"How long do we have?" Rey interrupts.

His mother answers, "That's really up to everyone in this room."

"Then let's get this over with," Kylo announces. "I hate long waits." He hates his family too. Having this confrontation as prelude to his execution feels like torture before the kill. "Let's do this."

Rey and his mother defer to Luke. His uncle appears to deliberate. He crosses his arms and pulls at his beard in a showy gesture of contemplation that grates. "Under the circumstances, I think that's wise," Luke decides.

"Good. I'm ready now," Kylo boasts. He plans to march into his execution like the martyr for the Force that he firmly believes he is.

"Do you want some time alone with your mother?" Luke asks.

"No." Hell no. "I want time alone with Rey." Kylo's mind is racing as he quickly formulates a plan on the fly. It's one part revenge against his uncle, and one part a last ditch play for balance in the long run. But Kylo needs to speak to Rey alone to pull it off.

His mother and his uncle exchange worried looks.

His uncle answers. "I don't think—"

But his mother cuts him off. "It's her decision. If Rey's okay with it, then let them talk. He can't do any more damage now."

Luke and his mother exchange another tense look, but his mother wins. She always wins. "Rey?" Leia Organa raises her eyebrows questioningly.

"I'll talk to him," Rey agrees.

"Five minutes max," Luke orders. Then the Jedi and his twin leave the room. "I'll be right outside," Luke tells Rey with a warning look for them both.

Then, the cell door shuts and he and Rey are alone. Kylo is five minutes from his execution at the hands of his own kin. All over the Force and politics. It's the same old Skywalker conflict repeated yet another generation. And the girl now weeping openly before him is largely responsible for it. Rey let him down in his own reality and apparently, she did something similar here, too. Kylo calls her on it.

"You betrayed me." The rage behind those words is real, and it's more for his own experience than for this World Between Worlds drama.

"I . . . I . . . "

"You betrayed me!" he accuses again.

"I didn't mean for this to happen—" Rey wails.

"I forgive you," Kylo lies and that unexpected magnanimity shuts her up. He's got her attention now. Next, Kylo dangles the bait that he's sure Rey will take. She took it in his reality, after all. "Listen to me. Find your father. He's alive and hidden in the Unknown Regions. That man who sold you on Jakku was not your father, Rey."

"What?" She looks shocked. And confused.

"Your father needs your help. He will call to you in the Force. Heed the call and go to him. Release him. Do not be afraid," Kylo instructs.

"I don't understand."

"Don't tell Luke. He will stop you from going. He will keep you from learning the truth."

"Why?" Rey isn't following. "Why would he do that? And how do you know this?" Yes, she's definitely intrigued. Perfect. Unleashing the hidden Sith on his family is poetic revenge. They think he's bad? Well, wait 'til they meet the devil they don't know. Let's hope this leftover Sith no one knew about is one badass Jedi-killing, Republic-hating motherfucker who will swoop in and shake shit up.

Kylo stares Rey in the eye and urges her, "Join your father and reunite your family. Don't let Luke talk you out of it. Don't cheat yourself out of the truth because Luke is afraid."

"Afraid of who? Who is my father?" Rey demands.

"I cannot tell you," Kylo sidesteps the question because he actually has no idea. Fingers crossed he's someone good and Dark, though. "Rey, you need to find that out for yourself."

"Is this true? Is it really true that my father is alive?"

Kylo looks her in the eye and plays the manipulative Dark Master. He intones in his most spooky, Sith-y, Snoke-y voice, "Yes . . . I have foreseen it."

"You really were only trying to help me," Rey chokes out her unhappy realization. Because yes, she's buying it. Completely. "You were being honest with me all along—"

"I have only ever wanted to help you," Kylo says a truth from his own reality. "There was a reason I wanted to keep you from Luke. But it's too late for that now." It's too late for him and Rey. Too late for the First Order. But it's not too late for that captive siren Sith in the Unknown Regions to reemerge and kick Luke Skywalker's ass. And, hopefully, bring a little balance back to the galaxy and act as some sort of mentor and family for Rey.

"You need to get away from the Skywalkers and find your father," Kylo urges. "My mother and my uncle will only use you for their own aims. Don't be the young Jedi pawn they once wanted me to be."

"Oh, what have I done?" horrified Rey moans. She rushes up to him now to throw her arms about him. And mad as he is, damn that feels good. Kylo closes his eyes and relishes the moment. He can't reciprocate because he's in cuffs.

That's the cue for buzzkill Luke Skywalker to open the cell door and proclaim gruffly, "Time's up."

Kylo is now marched rather unceremoniously to his shabby, makeshift execution. Really, he thinks as he casts his eyes about the paltry, ragtag bunch of Resistance officers and surviving New Republic officials, they ought to do better than this. The First Order excels at military pageantry, and their specialty is executions. No one kills its prisoners with more fanfare. Kylo would get a much better send-off were he a traitor to his own kind than he is receiving here amidst his enemy. This humiliation is just one more reason to haunt Uncle Luke in the Force, he decides.

With his mother and Rey looking on and his Jedi executioner at his side, Kylo is forced to listen to a summary of his crimes. Blah, blah, blah Jedi Temple . . . Blah, blah, blah Starkiller Base . . . Blah, blah, blah Crait . . . Whatever. Next, his uncle gives an irritating short speech about the eternal struggle of Light versus Darkness. About the need to have compassion for those who fall from grace but to deal firmly with their excesses. Somewhere looking on from the netherworld of the Force, Kylo hopes Darth Vader is kicking himself for having saved his son on the Death Star. Because Luke Skywalker is far Darker than he lets on. Kylo's senses are finely attuned, and he can feel that on some level his hypocrite uncle is enjoying this vindication.

And that makes this scene even more annoying. Because whatever Kylo was when he trained with Snoke, he has evolved past that now. He is so much more than merely Dark. But these people don't know that. And if they did, they wouldn't care. They are so stuck in the past. Trying again and again to recreate the idyllic Old Republic that was far better in theory than in practice. Desperate to revive the fallen Jedi Order that failed everyone long ago.

The ranking New Republic official now steps forward to announce that Supreme Leader Ren of the First Order, the erstwhile Ben Skywalker Organa Solo, has been sentenced to death. And finally, the main event begins. It looks like this is really happening, Kylo surmises. He doesn't spy any portal to leap back through to safety. He's about to be executed for real in this reality. Does that mean he will die in his own reality? Kylo isn't sure. Maybe he ought to be nervous or upset by that prospect, but he's too damned disgusted by his uncle and his mother right now to muster those emotions. Because yeah, he's made some mistakes and his methods are far from pristine, but he is the change agent trying to move things forward for the Force. To let the past die and the Jedi and Sith traditions fade away so a new era of balance can begin. But these people stand between him and that goal. And at least in this version of his life, they have won.

On the bright side, Kylo thinks, if he dies here now it will end his misery in real life, too.

Luke Skywalker fires up his sword. It's the green one he almost murdered him with years ago. That's fitting, Kylo thinks. And now, it's his turn to say a few choice words to his uncle. Kylo makes sure he's loud enough for ashen faced Rey to hear. "What you do today does not matter. You cannot kill Darkness. It is eternal."

"Maybe so. But you, Ben, are not." For the first time, his uncle looks vaguely uncomfortable. "I take no pleasure in this. I want you to know that," he says under his breath. And if that's a version of 'this hurts me more than it hurts you,' Kylo calls bullshit on that.

"Liar! Yes, you do! I know you do! Because a part of you is Dark too!" Kylo accuses loudly. He fixes Luke Skywalker with a hard look of warning. "Remember, Uncle, there's always a bigger fish."

The Jedi ignores him. "Kneel," he instructs.

"No," Kylo flatly refuses. He won't die on his knees.

"Fine" his uncle retorts as he drops to the classic Jedi ready position stance. As if this is a duel and not an execution.

"Go ahead. Strike me down. You're not a hero. You're a fool." The resentment drips from Kylo's words. "Rey will see that soon enough when she meets her father."

"What father?" Luke blinks.

"There's always a bigger fish," Kylo smirks.

"Master Jedi?" It's the ranking New Republic official politely prodding Skywalker to hurry up with the killing blow.

Luke nods back his understanding. Then he readies his blade.

Kylo lifts his chin and looks down his long nose at his uncle. He is the picture of Dark Side hauteur, unrepentant to the end. Fuck these people, he thinks. In any version of his life, Kylo owns who he is, mistakes and all.

"I'm sorry, Ben. I am more sorry for this than you will ever know."

And maybe in his own way, that statement is true. But it's no solace for Kylo. He locks eyes with Rey as he answers grimly, "I'm sorry, too."

His heart is pounding as the green blade flashes and everything goes black.

When Kylo opens his eyes, he's back in Mustafar Castle. Very much alive. And very, very pissed. He started out angry at Rey, then succumbed to months of near suicidal sadness, and now he's back to being angry again. Even in the World Between Worlds that faithless bitch betrays him.

How could Rey do this to him? What the fuck was she thinking? She has betrayed not just him, but the Empire by seeking her supposed father. Kylo obsessively runs through all sorts of scenarios wherein Rey becomes his latest would-be usurper. She and her Sith father will plot to steal his Empire to rule it for themselves. It will kick off yet another bloody civil war that will tear the galaxy apart. And who knows how that will end?

The more Kylo thinks through the possibilities, the more paranoid he becomes. Would the First Order even follow him? Kylo has his doubts. What if the First Order elite decide to dump him in favor of Hux as their leader to fight Rey and the Sith? Or what if the First Order simply sides with Rey and her father? Hell, Rey might even cut a deal with Hux in some quick, bloodless coup and then Kylo's cause will be lost. Those fascist crazies will be in charge and Kylo's galaxy-wide reforms and freedoms will be abandoned. What's worse, the Force will never be balanced and the cycle of war and galactic disorder will continue for yet another generation.

Kylo seethes as he thinks of how things might play out. Will the Sith seek to bargain with him with Rey as the prize? Kylo refuses to be baited into that situation. Rey betrayed him first. He'll be damned if he remains loyal to her now. So if the Sith holds her hostage or threatens to kill her, Kylo won't play along. She made her choice. She knew the risks. They spoke about them many times. Kylo saved Rey once from Snoke and offered her everything. He's not going to be a chump for her again.

His heart hardened, Kylo returns to Coruscant and resumes his routine. This time he's really moving on. Just not with another woman. Kylo decides to throw himself into work instead. He needs to shore up his support among the First Order in case any of his fears for the future come true. Truthfully, it's as much for the galaxy as it is for himself. For Kylo Ren is a Skywalker, so his ambition is always tied to altruism. It's never been just about him. It's why he would make a poor Sith even though he is plenty Dark. Intentions matter, Kylo knows. It's why his uncle's simplistic Jedi ethics failed miserably in the very nuanced, very complicated real world.

Several months later, when Kylo is well into his new charm offensive, he calls a meeting to announce plans to accelerate the new Death Star construction. The news goes over well, as expected. Kylo has been giving his military chiefs a big budget and lots of tasks to keep them busy. That means there is a great deal to report on. The meeting is well into its second hour when Kylo's focus is broken by a ripple in the Force. It's like a tickle to his mind. He stops midsentence and sucks in a breath.

"Rey."

He's so shocked to sense her in the Force, that he speaks her name aloud. All thoughts of construction timelines and weapons systems upgrades are instantly forgotten. Kylo concentrates hard on one thing: her.

She's back.

Oh, fuck. She's back.

His heart is pounding. Kylo can't decide if this is a dream come true or a nightmare about to unfold. Have his prayers been answered or is he truly cursed? Only time will tell now.

"Rey."

That Force signature is so distinctive. It shines so bright like a beacon to his Dark soul. Like it used to shine before she woke up with yellow eyes. Rey feels like hope again. Like Light. And how can that be? He is instantly suspicious.

"Rey."

He's at the large conference room window now. Staring out at the Palace landing platform. And that's when he sees the flying saucer shape that always fills him with an uncomfortable mix of nostalgia and regret. She's circling to land in the Falcon. She has come back to him like she said she would.

Kylo whirls to find his men all looking at him curiously, for they know whose name he keeps saying. This is the same crew that he and Rey dueled in front of on top of a table a year ago. No doubt that made quite an impression.

"Supreme Leader?" It's Hux. The Chancellor is on his feet now, eyes wide and expression sharp. "Is something wrong?"

Yes.

No.

Maybe.

Probably.

Yes. Of course, yes. Who is he kidding? What is he doing standing here gaping like a lovesick idiot? This is an emergency. Kylo comes to his senses and starts barking orders to his high command who are conveniently already assembled in the room.

"Get every Palace guard down on the landing pad to surround that old freighter that is landing. This is not a drill!" He turns to the ranking admiral in attendance and instructs, "Put the entire Coruscant defense sector on alert and scramble the perimeter ships for a blockade. Close all hyperspace lanes in and out immediately until I give the word. Alert all commands in the Empire."

"Are we being invaded?" Hux asks as he too moves to the window.

"Rey is back," Kylo answers tersely, pointing to the Falcon. "And she might not have come alone."

"Did she stuff an army into that mid-size transport?" Hux raises an eyebrow.

"No," Kylo shoots back as he heads fast for the door. "But she might have stuffed something far worse."

Hux is jogging alongside him as he heads for the elevator. The Chancellor slips in behind him just as the door slides shut. They are alone.

"Ren, what is this risk?" Hux demands.

"This is the risk that kept Palpatine up at night. The risk Snoke searched the Unknown Regions for. It's the risk that could bring down the First Order and start another war," rattled Kylo spews out.

"What is the risk?" Hux hisses impatiently.

"Her father. The Sith Lord."

Hux swears.

"Precisely," Kylo snaps back.

"I thought we were done with Force sorcerers other than you."

"Not yet."

Hux swears again.

"Maybe you should stay inside," Kylo eyes his Chancellor, "since you are half our government. If he's here, there will be a fight." Kylo is already flexing his right hand to warm up his sword grip. He eyes his longtime nemesis without enthusiasm but dutifully observes, "One of us should live." He might hate Hux, but he owes it to his citizens to lead responsibly in a crisis. He will shove his personal feelings aside when it comes to Hux and Rey, and do the right thing. As Supreme Leader, Kylo has an Empire to protect.

"I worked for this Empire every bit as much as you did," Hux takes umbrage. "I'm no coward."

"You're no match for a Sith Lord either," Kylo points out as he dashes out the opening elevator door and heads outside to the landing platform. Yes, he can see the Falcon settling down now. Motioning to the pair of stormtroopers guarding the door to follow, Kylo heads for the ship that was his father's pride and joy.

With each quick step, he summons his anger, stoking his power. Whatever walks down that ramp, he'll be ready for it. But so far, all he senses is Rey. Still, Sith Lords were notorious for cloaking their power. Yoda met with Darth Sidious on a weekly basis for years and was none the wiser. So, Kylo will not be lulled into lowering his defenses. Besides, he's still plenty angry with Rey. She has a lot to answer for. On some level, the sheer gall of her coming back has him livid, even if the proof she lives is a relief.

The Falcon's repulso lifts switch off and the creaky old ship settles down hard with a loud clunk. The exhaust jets exhale a cloud of steamy oxygen from the hyperdrive with an ominous hissing sound. Into this vapory mist, the Falcon's ramp begins to lower.

Kylo watches from ten meters back. For so many reasons, he is filled with dread. It feels like his heart is pounding in his throat. His blood is racing as his adrenaline kicks in.

Praetorians now fall in behind him and four squads of troopers run up to assist. Kylo has a small army at his back as he reaches for his sword and lights it. His men follow his lead and raise their weapons as well. Then, they wait.

He sees the flash of mustard colored skirt, so vivid against the dirty grey freighter as backdrop. Then Rey herself comes into view. She looks like a princess in the expensive caped dress, her hair pulled back and her usual slick of red lipstick on. As Kylo stares, his mind registers two important things instantly. First, she's not armed. Second, her eyes no longer match her dress.

For her part, Rey looks at him. She looks at his sword. Then she takes a small step back.

Friend or foe? Kylo can't decide. But the silence and the tension of their standoff is killing him. A large part of him wants to turn off his sword and open his arms to welcome her. But he knows he can't do that. Supreme Leader, do not get distracted. He gives himself a silent pep talk. For this reunion is much more than a meeting between estranged spouses. And surely, the Sith will know his history with Rey and seek to use it against him. Plus given all that has occurred between them, if today is a choice between his Empire and his marriage, Kylo chooses the Empire.