"Amazing how they can get a hearing of the full Senate together so fast because of the scary Kylo Ren, but when we ask for, oh I don't know, important matters like the functioning of the galaxy, months go by," Poe grumbled as he plopped down to the gray Jedi's right.

Kylo allowed a hand to tread through his hair nervously as he watched the Senators slowly trickle into the huge gathering space. The sleek silver tables wrapped in a wide semicircle and descended down to a small gathering area. A metal table stood within the space, and an imposing podium faced it. A large unit lay on the floor behind the table to project a holo of those in the space to ensure every member of the Senate could see and hear everything. He sat to the side of the gathering area where guests would occasionally observe Senate meetings. The space felt too sterile to Kylo, and too much like the First Order for his liking, although he supposed his negative relationship with the room may have something to do with that impression.

He glanced at Poe, silently glad to have a friendly face nearby. "Maybe you should just say whatever you're trying to get accomplished will in some way inconvenience me."

Poe barked a laugh loud enough to draw the attention of a few of the Senators. "As sad as that sounds, some might actually go for it."

Kylo gave a soft hum in agreement and fiddled with the ring on his left hand as the Senators began taking their places. Rey convinced him that leaving off his gloves would convey no intent to hide anything, and he hoped the gray clothing would make him appear less like the Dark Sider most of the Senators seemed to think he still was. He kept his eyes on the ring as he spoke again. "Are you here to be a character witness again?"

"Nah. I've repeated myself too many times to really make any difference." Poe clapped a hand on Kylo's shoulder, and he suppressed a frown at the touch. "They know I side with you. I just thought reminding them of that fact would help. They seem to like me."

Kylo snorted softly and pressed his lips together for a moment. "Everyone likes you, Dameron."

Poe's lips twitched into a smirk. "They tend to trust people who aren't Force-sensitive, you know? Even when they talk to Luke, they're wary. It creeps them out that you can do mind tricks, even though you've all sworn to only do them for the good of the Republic."

An Abednedo Senator stood from his place in one of the front rows and hobbled slowly down the stairs with a short cane to stand in front of the podium. A twinge of relief flooded through Kylo as he recognized Atsay, one of the three he had saved in the fire. The Senators rotated among their ranks for the positions of Overseer and Assistant to prevent mistakes made by the Old Republic. He must have more allies than he thought if the hearing fell during Atsay's month.

The Abednedo cleared his throat loudly, and the holo burst to life with an image of the Senator. The general chatter slowly died down as Atsay began with his voice amplified by the podium. "As we all know, having the support of the Jedi is paramount to keeping peace in the galaxy. Jedi Master Luke Skywalker has frequently given testimony of his full trust for Master Kylo Ren. Yet there are some among us who doubt the intentions of Master Ren, so we once again ask the members of the Senate to give their valuable time to listen with open hearts and minds. We will hear from several witnesses of the shocking fire that destroyed the Jedi Academy."

Atsay paused and glanced at Kylo, and he felt a strange feeling of apology through the Force. "Since I must give my own account of the event, Overseer Assistant Kilnetel will take over for the duration of this hearing."

The name sounded vaguely familiar to Kylo, and he cast his eyes over the numerous faces until they rested upon a green-skinned Twi'lek who descended the stairs from her place among the Senators of the Inner Rim. The woman took the podium, and Kylo's stomach sank as her gaze fixated on him.

He was used to looks of fear and distrust – or happiness and love from his wife – but the piercing green gaze of the Twi'lek made the hairs on his neck stand on end. No one had ever looked at him in such a way. Not even Snoke, who had always watched him as if he were a prize. Rey had ranted on how unprofessional and inappropriate Kilnetel had been with her stares on the training ground. Kylo thought Rey had been overreacting, but now that those eyes raked over his body again, he realized he had not reacted enough.

Kilnetel looked as if she wished to devour him as she spoke. "We will begin by hearing the accounts of Senators Atsay, Tomsega, and Truski."

The three Senators took seats at the metal table in the gathering space, and the holo flickered for a moment before showing their images. Tomsega, a Twi'lek with a blue hue to his skin, spoke with an authoritative voice as he looked out among the Senators. "Let me begin by saying that I, like many of you, once believed Master Kylo Ren could never truly break free of his dark past."

Kylo's fingers curled into fists, and he focused upon Rey's faint presence through their bond to keep his annoyance at bay. She was nearby, but since she did not have nearly as much political experience as Kylo, the Senate might coerce her into saying something out of context that could harm him.

"Master Skywalker invited us to stay at the academy to observe Master Ren's teaching of the Padawans. I expected to see veiled attempts at preaching the Dark Side." Tomsega paused as several members of the Senate nodded. "I cannot speak for my fellow Senators, but I found not an evil Dark Sider. Rather, I discovered master Ren to be a caring, effective teacher who worked to make sure his students did their best and understood his lessons."

The human Senator Truski raised a hand as a few murmurs sprang up. "Before you object that he only acted caring because we were watching, we told the Jedi we would arrive in the evening and watch a session the next day. We instead came in the early afternoon and watched a live holovid of Master Ren's training session. We were supposed to watch in person the next day, but the fire happened that night."

A green light flashed from about halfway up the rows of tables to indicate someone wanted to ask a question, and the Senator sitting behind it shouted, "And do you have this holovid for us to watch?"

Truski sighed and shook his head, his shoulders tensing. "No. It was destroyed in the fire. I suggest you watch his future sessions to get an idea of what we witnessed."

"And how do we know Ren didn't just use some Force trick to make you all think this?"

Kylo's hand ran through his hair again, and he could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He wished more people were Force-sensitive to detect lies and sense when mind tricks were at play. Sometimes he just wished he had not inherited the Skywalker powers.

Truski met the accusing Senator's gaze evenly. "Considering he saved our lives, I doubt that very much."

"Please give us your account of the fire, Senators," Kilnetel's amplified voice cut over another protest.

Atsay leaned forward and frowned up at the gathered Senators. "Master Skywalker showed us to very comfortable rooms, and I went to bed early. I think you could all imagine how confused I was to have seen a very different Master Ren than I'd been expecting." He paused as if to gather his thoughts. "I slept for maybe a few hours when my datapad alerted me to a fire. I think the systems of the building had been tampered with because when I opened my door, smoke was already thick in the hall.

"I found Tomsega within the smoke, but an explosion went off in front of Truski's door before we could get to him. I do not know how many of you have experienced a fire, but we could barely see, hardly breathe, and we did not know how to get out."

Tomsega rolled up his right sleeve to his elbow, revealing a long, pink burn that marred his blue skin. The holo focused on it for a moment before spanning out to give the images of the three Senators again. "We tried getting into Truski's room, but the flames got my arm. We were suffocating in the smoke when Master Ren came. He pushed the flames down – I assume with the Force – and cut open the door with his lightsaber. He was coughing even more than we were, but he helped us find the way out. We thought we were in the clear until part of the ceiling collapsed. Master Ren pulled Truski and me out of the way, but a pillar fell on Atsay and a sheet of durasteel hit Ren's shoulder."

Atsay spoke up again, and Kylo noticed the Senator unconsciously rub his leg. "The pillar broke my leg. I could hear Master Ren coughing hard, and I figured he would just save himself. But I felt the pillar move several times before his lightsaber cut through it, and he pulled me out."

The room was quiet for a moment before a Senator burst out, "I wouldn't put it past Ren to start the fire and then save you just so that he could gain the trust of the Senate."

Kylo shut his eyes and pulled in a slow breath like Rey told him to do. He seemed to learn so much about himself that he never knew at these hearings.

"I would think after the very thorough invasion of Master Ren's privacy these last few years, we should be convinced of his loyalties toward us," Truski frowned at the man who had spoken. "Quite frankly, I'm not even sure why this hearing is necessary when Master Skywalker has already determined the origins of the explosives were from Geonosis, a planet in which Master Ren has never been to. He has proven in front of us on numerous occasions that he has severed ties from the First Order, especially with his help of defeating Snoke with Master Solo."

Truski cleared his throat nervously and then continued, "I would like to put forth a motion to end this hearing now and continue finding the true perpetrator of the fire."

Kylo's eyes flew open in shock, and he looked up at large room. Poe muttered a cuss word in some language Kylo did not know. The rest of the audience stared at Truski in silence.

"Motion denied, Senator Truski," Kilnetel smoothly broke the quiet. "We have information from a source that wishes to remain anonymous for their own safety that Ren started the fire. We will adjourn for a short break and return to hear Ren's account of the incident."

Kylo stood as a few of the Senators left the room and clenched his fists as he paced a few steps forward and back to where Poe lounged in his chair. "Well, your new friends certainly like risking their political necks for you."

Kylo ran a hand through his hair to push a few stray locks out of his face. He felt exposed without the familiar weight of his lightsaber at his belt. "I would like to know who fed this rumor of my starting the fire."

Poe grunted in agreement. "'For their own safety.' If a coward wants to accuse you, they should face you directly." The pilot nodded over Kylo's shoulder. "Your admirer's coming."

He turned and chewed his lower lip for a moment as Kilnetel approached. The Senator appraised him as she spoke. "Ren. I would just like to give you a warning that we will be needing to see the injury you sustained to confirm Senator Tomsega's words."

Kylo crossed his arms over his chest as an uncomfortable feeling crept into his stomach. Rey was the only person he really allowed to touch him, let alone see him without clothes. "The medical droids have images on my record that I am sure we could retrieve quickly." He ran his left hand through his hair, moving slowly enough so that Kilnetel's eyes trailed the silver band on his ring finger.

Kilnetel's dark green lips curled into smile. Kylo studied her face and found he had trouble reading her emotions through the Force. "Unfortunately, once a hearing has begun, we cannot allow outside sources to enter the proceedings."

"And what kind of bantha fodder is that?"

The Senator jumped and turned to face the scowling face of Rey. Kylo felt his lips twitch in an involuntary grin as his wife blatantly took his hand and intertwined their fingers together. "I've been doing some rather dry reading lately since you've decided to once again attack my husband. There is no such rule about barring outside sources."

Kylo blinked down at Rey in surprise, and he felt her hand squeeze around his. "I think you can find hearing proceedings under section eighty-three or something. It's hard to remember when the numbers get so high, and especially when I have my husband around."

Kilnetel flustered for a moment before she quickly turned away. "I'll see what we can do about getting those images."

Kylo kissed Rey's forehead for a moment and whispered softly, "Nice bluff."

Rey grinned up at him. "Like I would ever read something that dull."

Dear stars, he loved her. They took a seat together at the row of guest chairs, and Rey waved at Poe as Kylo frowned. "Weren't you going to do something with the Padawans today for me?"

"They insisted on playing with Poe's flight simulators. I couldn't say no."

Kylo gave a soft laugh, watching as the Senators began taking their seats again. "You're worse than me."

"Guilty." Rey pressed a datapad into Kylo's hands. "Here. Eeth suggested having the droids try to retrieve information of us looking at pictures that night. They got a little bit back, but it could help."

He nodded and took the damaged datapad as Kilnetel took the podium again. "The Senate asks Kylo Ren to give his account of the fire."

Kylo stood and crossed the gap to the table in a few strides, trying to keep his nerves out of his face. No matter how many times he had done this, he still hated all the eyes that stared at him. He looked down his hands for a moment before forcing himself to meet Kilnetel's gaze. "As the esteemed Senators stated earlier, I was with three of Padawans that day training them on lightsaber forms and teamwork. Afterwards, I ate dinner with Rey in the kitchens. A few droids that I believe did survive the fire saw us."

He paused and twisted his ring around his finger. "Rey and I got into a dispute over our wedding plans, which the protocol droid in our rooms likely recorded. We then retired and were looking at some images on this datapad before the fire alarm went off."

A droid shuffled forward and inserted something into the droid-access port. It then beamed a holo of the information on the device. Flickers of the image of Ben Solo in Chewbacca's arms projected into view along with a time stamp of its last viewing. It was up just long enough to read the time before the holo dissolved and schematics of explosive devices projected in its place.

Kylo's eyes widened, and he turned his head sharply to Rey, who looked horrified.

The accusations flew throughout the room as the Senators erupted into chaos. The hostility resonated through the Force and stabbed at Kylo's being.

"We've seen enough!"

"Deceiver!"

"Dark Sider!"

"False Jedi!"

He shook his head, struggling to calm himself with turmoil of emotions radiating from the large audience. "No! Why would I submit this if I was guilty? I wouldn't resort to fire that could've killed me, too!" His voice was lost in the clamor, and he felt the Force burst a wire in the droid as he started losing control. The explosive schematics disappeared, and the droid let out a malfunctioning whine.

"Order!" Kilnetel's amplified voice echoed in the room. "I think we must take a vote on the guilt of Kylo Ren."

The holo behind Kylo flickered to display votes of the Senators. He turned to watch the numbers under 'Guilty' quickly begin to climb.

"Wait!"

A shout resonated over the room, and the Senators stopped in surprise at how young the voice sounded. Kylo looked up to the top of the rows of ascending tables to see the small forms of Teela, Jessika, and Sonzy staring around the room. The Padawans looked bewildered as the eyes of the room turned to them, but they scrambled down the stairs.

Teela stood in front of the table, holding her hands out in a gesture of peace. "We apologize for interrupting, but we assumed you would not want to convict an innocent man."

Kilnetel laughed, and the sound grated against Kylo's ears. "Younglings cannot speak at Senate hearings."

"We are not younglings. We are Jedi Padawans, and that grants us the authority to speak in political situations, provided we have permission of our Master." Jessika grinned at Kylo, and he nodded once, sensing a mix of emotions from Poe's daughter. "We have a surveillance holovid from the Academy that we recovered from the wreckage."

Sonzy walked to the large holo projector behind Kylo and pressed an image chip into it. A video blossomed over the audience. Kylo watched the familiar halls of the school, tinted blue from the hologram, and recognized the hall near the guest rooms the Senators had stayed in. A hooded figure, broad with a heavy gait, appeared and pressed something against the wall opposite the rooms. Kylo caught a glimpse of a horn as the figure turned the corner.

The image shifted to the hall near the Padawans' quarters. The figure appeared again and pressed another device against the wall next to the room shared by Jessika and Kaydel. The figure turned to look over a shoulder, and the hood fell to reveal the face of Eeth.

The Zabrak Padawan entered his room. Sonzy pressed a button on the image chip, and the video burred as it skipped over an hour. The image shook and recorded a moment of the explosion before it went dark.

Kylo sat frozen as he stared at the empty space above the holo projector. The room was silent for over a minute until Kilnetel's voice, quiet even through the amplifier said, "Cleared of all charges."

AN: The plot thickens! Thank you all for your wonderful comments and ideas!