"Is it true?" General Hux asked, once more going over paperwork with Kylo-there was a lot more paperwork in ruling the galaxy than Kylo expected.
"What are you questioning about?"
"That you had a briefing with the general of the resistance."
"If I did," Kylo said, watching his words carefully, "it would mean that we would be one step closer with them signing a treaty with us to keep them out of our hair."
"Very good Sir. Have you given thought to my proposal?"
"If you're talking about trying to track them down to send in 'representatives'," Kylo said, getting tired of this question, "the answer is no. I still don't trust you."
"Wise decision."
"What do you even have to gain by tracking down a handful of rebels? Is your grudge against that pilot that large that you can't focus on the larger problem?"
"That's rich coming from you. I believe you spent the better part of a year tracking down that scavenger."
"That scavenger happens to be one of the greatest force users to exist in the past thousand years. She was a real threat-not some low level cocky pilot."
"Of course sir."
Kylo could read Hux's mind so easily:it was like an open book with all the important parts highlighted. It wasn't just that pilot. He was fixated on some mechanic that bit his hand. For what reason, Kylo didn't know because it appeared that Hux himself didn't know.
Anything involving Hux and a girl made Kylo sick to his stomach so he didn't press any farther.
"Have you chosen a date for my execution?" Hux said this so casually that it would have concerned anyone who happened to be listening.
"End of the month." Kylo said, handing him a piece of paper, "I need you to go over the speeches I plan to give."
Hux let out a sigh.
"You do realize how weird it is to grammar check my own death certificate."
Kylo gave a small wicked smile.
"So you said I would have equal power as you, if I go through with this…" Hux said and Kylo knew a long game of bargaining was going to start.
"In theory."
"I want to place more troops in certain locations."
"You know my views on that." Kylo said, trying to steady his anger and use logic as his mother suggested.
"It wouldn't be a hostile invasion," Hux assured, even though they both knew he was lying. "Just a few more guards to keep things in order-maybe help find some more of those slavers you're fixated on."
"What locations."
"Just some in the outer rim," Hux said, beginning to show his plan of getting his way, "Felucia, Batuu, Geonosis, Tatooine and maybe Jakku."
Batuu. The planet Kylo knew the resistance was hiding on. It couldn't have been a coincidence that Hux had casually mentioned that planet. Hux was clever, but he couldn't figure out how he had learned about that.
"Why those planets in particular?"
"Well they're all controlled by governments that aren't official. Survival in the law in one way or another. There must be some sort of crime syndicate on those planets."
"Not one worth the time and energy at the moment."
"Weren't you the one who said he wanted to eradicate all slavery?"
"I had no intention of starting in Tatooine."
"Wouldn't it be poetic, given your blood line? And besides, you did give me the power."
"You're getting on my nerves."
"It's something small. It's not like I'm requesting another Starkiller or my own fleet."
"Which makes me even more concerned. I know you're intelligent Hux. Whatever this is, you have a plan."
"And if I do, you could easily kill me."
The two men glared at each other, waiting for the other to crack.
"I agree to 100 more troopers being stationed on the outer rim territories." Kylo eventually said.
"500."
"200."
"250."
"Deal."
The two gripped each other's hands in a handshake that seemed more about breaking the other's fingers than agreeing upon a military strategy.
…
Kylo was faced with a dilemma: did he warn his mother about the impending invasion of stormtroopers on Batuu or did he not. 250 more troopers wasn't a grand invasion but he knew Hux would double or triple that number behind his back easily. And even with 250, they could wipe out the resistance.
His mother was still on board which made the decision harder. He could just convince her to stay longer (which she intended on doing anyways) but any sort of progress they have made would be completely shattered if he found out he sent troopers to Batuu.
He wished Rey was here. She would force him to make the right decision. She would beg him to save her friends whatever means necessary.
The day slugged on and eventually he found himself eating an awkward dinner with his mom sitting silently across the table.
"I've never known a military organization that knew how to cook." Leia said, picking at her Tip Yip and cheroroot, "Good to know the First Order doesn't break that tradition."
"Mother, I've seen the nutripacks you use in the resistance."
"The difference is the First Order isn't in hiding. Now if you want good food, find a gang den somewhere. Hated every moment in Jabba's Palace, but that Burrgfire was the best drink I've ever had."
Kylo honestly hadn't had a decent meal since...well honestly since he was a kid. Jedi training was a lot of greens and no fried food that his teenage body longed for and still did to this day. And the First Order's food was always mediocre. Didn't stop him from shoveling down at least three helpings of whatever was being served.
What he would give for a decent dish of Tip Yip or Nerd Kabobs.
"Mother, as much as I would love to discuss food," Kylo said, "I do have something I need to discuss with you."
"What would that…"
Kylo's com buzzed and he instantly picked it up.
"Supreme Leader?"Kareth said.
"Yes?"
"It's Rey." Kareth said warmly and happy. "She's sitting up and she's asking for you."
"I'll be right down."
He hung up the com and turned to his mother.
"Would you want to come see Rey?" Kylo asked, offering his arm to her.
"I would love to."
Leia took his arm and the two began the brisk walk to the medbay.
…
Rey was so hungry. Kareth has assured her they had been injecting her with supplements to keep her strong but that didn't stop her stomach from rumbling louder than it had in a while.
She was shoveling Tip Yip into her mouth when Kylo came into the room and she almost choked when she saw Leia at his side.
"General." Rey said, unable to contain the shock in her voice. "I-I can explain…"
"Don't worry, Rey." Leia said kindly, "Ben already caught me up to speed on everything. I'm so sorry for your sickness, but congratulations on your son."
Rey just stared blankly at the two of them. She never thought she would ever see them in the same room together, let alone them seeming to get along.
Kylo offered the one chair by Rey's medbed to his mother which convinced her more that she was dreaming.
"How are you feeling?" Kylo asked quietly.
"The woman just had a baby, Ben." Leia answered for him, "she feels tired and everything hurts in places that you never want to hurt."
Rey gave a slight laugh and finished off her plate, wanting to lick at the plate but thought better of it.
"I feel like bantha crap." Rey said quietly, her voice hoarse. "Ben, how's our baby?"
"He's doing good."
"Have you named him? Have you held him yet?"
"I haven't named him."
"Have you held him?"
Kylo stayed silent, not wanting to upset her.
"So that's a yes." Rey answered for him. "General, have you?"
"Yes dear. He's a precious little thing."
"Could you ask Kareth if I could hold him?" Rey almost pleaded.
"He'll be right down." Kylo planted a kiss on her forehead before leaving the room to find the doctor.
"Rey," Leia's voice turned so serious so fast that it made Rey jump a little.
"Yes General?"
"I have a few questions for you involving my son." Leia said, her voice low, "I want to know if what went on with you and my son was consensual or not."
"Consensual?"
"Did he-force himself on you."
"Oh," Rey wished she had known more about love and sex, "No, no, it wasn't like that."
"He didn't ask for intimacy for your safety or the safety of others?"
"No."
"Mind control?"
"No. That doesn't work on me."
"No manipulation?"
"Not that I can tell and nothing I didn't do right back to him."
"So it was consensual." Leia confirmed, but still not entirely pleased with the situation. "Foolish, but consensual."
"What's this about?"
"I need to know if my son's redeemable." Leia said. "He didn't touch you in a way you didn't want to...there's hope. I'm much more forgiving of murder than of rape. Killing is a part of war- sometimes it's needed. There is never any situation where rape is justified."
"It wasn't like that." Rey assured her. "We were just...two lonely souls. We didn't know...that much about it. Not that you need to know that."
"You did know that you could get pregnant by him, right?"
"I did. I just didn't think it would...did he explain the bond?"
"To the best of his ability."
"We didn't think...that it was possible. It was stupid."
"You're young. It's a mistake we're you brought someone into the world as opposed to taking someone out of it- it's not the worst thing to live with."
"I love him." Rey said, ringing her hands, "both of them. My son and...and Ben. I know it's foolish...but it's like he completes me."
"That's what he said too."
"What do I do?"
"I don't know."
Rey gave a little sigh. She still looked so tired. It would take weeks before the dark marks under her eyes disappeared.
"You're not mad at me?" Rey finally asked.
"About what?"
"About me...running away from the Resistance."
"I wasn't mad when you left." Leia admitted. "It just felt like I lost someone else to the dark side. I suspected that you and my son were...involved in one way or another. I thought you had run off to be with him. But in a weird way, I was rather relieved if that was true. You have darkness in you, just like everyone does, but you had so much good. My son would have been in good hands. But knowing that you spent those months running from him while expecting a baby...I'm rather mad about that."
Rey was silent. So this was what being scolded by your parents felt like.
"If you had told me, we would have hidden you away somewhere safe. Like Naboo."
"It wasn't your problem to fix."
"You were carrying my grandchild."
"I didn't want you to know…" Rey sobbed, "I didn't want anyone to know."
Leia's face softened as Rey broke down and cried so openly.
"I was scared." Rey said, choking on her tears. "I didn't want anyone to know. The perfect little Jedi getting pregnant by some unknown man. Or worse...if anyone found out who the father was."
She buried her face in her hands and her shoulders shook violently.
"If anyone found out," Rey sobbed, "I-I don't know what they would have done. They'd either think he raped me and see him as even more of a monster. Or that I had willingly slept with him."
It took her several shaky breaths before she was able to talk more.
"It wasn't a one night stand." She admitted shamefully. "It was often. The force would connect us almost once a day. And...and it felt so right to be him. When he held me, his arms always trembled, like he was so afraid of me leaving. But I didn't want to leave. It was always the force that cut us off."
She let out a frightened sigh.
"If anyone knew about that...I was so scared...so I ran."
Leia gently took Rey's hand. She looked up, completely broken, at the General that always seemed to have the answers.
"I'm sorry you felt so alone." Leia said in a hushed voice. "I'm sorry you felt that you couldn't trust anyone. But you don't have to be afraid any more."
"I still am scared. I don't know what to do…"
"Whatever you choose, I support you."
"Can't you just tell me what to do?"
Leia gave a gentle laugh.
"You have to forge your own path, Rey, whatever that may be."
There was a tap on the meddoor before it opened. In walked Kylo, a little bundle in his arms.
"Rey?" Kylo asked, seeing her tear streaked face. "Are you ok? Do you need the medic?"
"I'm alright." Rey said, sitting up a bit, spreading her arms out a bit. "I can hold him?"
Kylo gave a small nod and gave the cutest smile Rey had ever seen grace his lips. He didn't smile often, but when he did it made her heart melt.
This was it. She was finally going to hold her son. She didn't think she would be able to live long enough to get to this point. And this was the moment.
She took a deep breath as Kylo gently lowered the little bundle into her arms.