Letters from the First Order

by Astrophysicschic

A/U: Post-apocalyptic CULT As a teacher, Rey is subject to certain rules. Courting is expressly forbidden if she wants to keep her job. When this year's batch of men clamoring to win the chance to marry come to town, Rey finds herself haunted by a pair of pretty eyes. Can she resist his persistance and his beautifully written secret notes?

5. You're Hard to Get Rid Of

Rey was torn.

Yet again, she had spent a few minutes ranting at an inanimate object. This time it was her stationary set sitting on one end of her kitchen table where she had turned it into a makeshift desk.

"Fine. Fine! You win." She flounced into her seat and picked up her pen. Pausing, she pondered how to address him without incriminating herself. Finally, she scrawled Dear Cauliflower across the page.

I first wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me. I'm not sure what I've done to earn your kindness, but I'm grateful for it nevertheless.

She paused again, searching for something interesting to say to answer his curiosity. What had he asked about again?

Where to begin on the rules? There are so many that it's a chore to try to remember them all. I'll tell you two that are related. I'm not allowed to color my hair (not that I have ever wanted to) and I'm not allowed to wear bright colors. Of all the rules, this is one of the worst because I adore yellow and the closest shade I am allowed is ivory. Even then, it's not really an appropriate shade for a teacher. Strictly dark colors. I hate it most days. It's so gloomy.

Rey stopped and questioned her sanity once again. Not only was she writing a reply, but now she was sharing her private thoughts. Even worse, she was complaining about her rules and putting that complaint to paper. Could she trust that this wouldn't get out and get her another infraction?

From what she'd seen the past few days, it didn't appear that Kylo would do anything intentional to get her into trouble. Maybe she could trust him.

I really don't think it's a great idea to continue our correspondence, but I'm already going against my better judgment for this. So I'll ask you this one question. Besides black, what is your favorite color?

There's a tree near the laundromat. It has a hole in it. If you decide to continue this correspondence, leave it there and we'll figure out some sort of sign.

Rey paused. How did she sign off? "Love" had too many connotations. Your friend? Were they friends? Your pen pal? No, that was too cheesy. Sincerely, then. But what was she being sincere about? It didn't quite fit.

Finally, she just decided to sign the code name she'd picked out for herself.

Jamón

Rey let out a huff and threw down her pen. She carefully folded the paper down to the size of the handkerchief Kylo had loaned her. Crossing to the drawer in her nightstand, she pulled out the creamy monogrammed fabric. She glanced once again at the initials and wondered what the B stood for and why it was so much bigger than the other two more obvious initials. Did Kylo go by a middle name? Or did the B stand for a last name he wasn't using for some reason? Shrugging, she slipped her letter into its folds and replaced it in the drawer.

Tuesday had been a day filled with more assessments. There were more skill tests this time, especially if anyone had an interest in a trade. Kylo breezed through them all. He had no desire to be put into a manual labor job. Of course, he'd do it if that's what his results determined. And he'd been doing a lot of farming and trade training at Ahch-To since he was young. Now that his cover was blown, he doubted that it would come to that. Still, he hoped he'd get a fair assessment and not be automatically called to leadership. Teaching might be a nice choice.

They all had the morning off Wednesday so that their results and schedules could be decided and posted. Kylo woke early as always. The anticipation for the results made him slightly antsy. As the sun rose, he jogged through the main part of the compound. He passed the shops just barely opening up for the day. Coming to the end of the street, he turned to run past the school. The man he'd met that day with Rey- Poe, was it?- was standing near the door to the school and ushering kids inside. He seemed to be popular as he greeted all the children, giving some special handshakes and ruffling one boy's hair.

Kylo continued onward, passing more children along the way. The buildings started to thin and soon he was at one of the long stretches of broken asphalt that flanked the compound inside the wall. Most people his age couldn't imagine the machines that had used these unbroken black ribbons back before everything fell apart. He had grown up hearing stories about his grandfather who had flown fighter jets and by all accounts was the best pilot in the country.

Stooping to press a hand to the rough pavement, he closed his eyes as if to summon the ghosts of the past. He tried to imagine the roar of the engines as they hurled themselves into the sky. If the stories were to be believed, the speed at which they traveled was mind-boggling.

Inspired, Kylo's eyes flashed open and he shot off down the old runway as fast as he was a stiff breeze today and he could almost believe that he would take off. Where, though? Home wasn't ready to welcome him, even after so long. Ahch-To was where he'd lived, but it was never home. Even this place seemed strange in how people acted and how most of them always seemed to be on edge. After quite a ways, he finally slowed, legs and lungs burning.

Turning down a side street, he continued his train of thought. Could this place ever be home? He had thought so once, but something had changed. Was it just because of the new revelation? Or was something else going on?

A good question. For another time.

Arriving home later, he checked the mail slot and found his results already waiting for him. He carefully opened them as he continued to his room.

Kylo had his choice of several jobs. But he could only pick two for a trial period to help the High Council decide where he was most needed. Engines and carpentry would have to stay hobbies, he decided. His heart lay with teaching.

He'd discovered a talent for it while taking some of the younger boys at Ahch-To under his wing. Those boys had ended up being the best workers there. Some had taken their skills home and by all accounts had turned their lives around and were helping their communities out more than ever.

And that wasn't the only reason that teaching appealed to him so much.

The thought of being able to work with Rey filled him with excitement. He could see them bantering over lesson plans, her eyes sparkling with the love she held for her students. In time, maybe...

Kylo pushed the thought aside as he considered the last option on the list: Church leadership. The Patriarch now knew who he was. He would expect Kylo to take on a role. There might even be a chance that he would force Kylo out of any other choices purely because of his bloodline. Not only that, but Kylo knew his family would expect him to step up in a way that they hadn't been able to since his grandfather's death.

Sighing, he noted the times of each orientation and headed to the shower to freshen up.

Rey couldn't catch a break. Her poor introverted mind was screaming, but for the third time this week, she was heading somewhere else for the evening.

Paige Tico had been another friend at school, not as close as Poe and Finn, but one of the few girls that Rey could stand. She and her sister Rose had been forced to drop out of school to help their parents take care of the orphanage.

Rey let herself into the building and looked around for any signs of children or their caretakers. As she approached one particularly noisy room, Temiri burst out of the door and ran past her like the Devil himself was on his heels. Rose, red faced and panting followed, but stopped at the doorway when she saw Rey.

"Oh!" She straightened her blouse. "What can I do for you, Sister Andor?"

"I was hoping to talk to one of you about Thomas, but clearly, you've got your hands full. Maybe I could talk to Paige?"

"Sure. She's in the kitchen." Rose indicated with a lazy swipe of her arm, then rushed past her in the direction Temiri had run. "Sorry, gotta run. TEMIRI! COME BACK!"

The kitchen smelled like heaven. Rey found Paige stirring a pot of stew, a knife and vegetables fresh from the community garden laying next to it on the counter. Rey knocked loudly on the doorframe to announce herself. Paige turned and smiled. "Rey! Come on in! Or is it Sister Andor for this visit?"

Rey dismissed her remark with a wave. "I have come as a teacher, but don't bother with formalities at the moment. Let me help you while we talk."

Paige pointed to a bowl full of risen dough. "By all means." She turned to her pile of potatoes and began chopping.

Rey punched the dough and sprinkled some flour on her counter. "Unfortunately, it's about Thomas. I know he really only comes around for meal times, but I was hoping you could tell me a little more about what's going on with him here at the Home."

"Is he acting out in class? I can talk to him... if I can ever catch him."

"No, actually. He's… quiet. More so than usual. I'm a little worried about what he's doing in his spare time. He seems… listless. Lost. Last year, he was making really good grades in my class and this year, he just doesn't care anymore. He hasn't turned in any work and he just stares out the window when we have tests."

"Sorry, I haven't any clue. Once his sister got married to whichever Elder it was, I stopped seeing him around." Paige's shoulders slumped. "I'm worried about him too. If he keeps disappearing and the High Council finds out about it, not only am I in trouble, but they could send him to Ahch-To. He's too sweet of a kid for that."

Rey finished kneading the dough and went to grease a large pan. "I assume you want this turned into rolls?" Paige nodded. "I'll see if I can talk to him at school. Can you try when you see him next and see if he's willing to tell us what's wrong?" Another nod. "Thanks."

They worked in silence for a few minutes before Paige slid the last of the potatoes into the pot and replaced the lid. "So. Have you had your evaluation yet?

Rey shook her head. "You?"

"Not yet. Are you as nervous about it as I am?"

"Nervous about what?" Rose asked as she hustled into the kitchen.

"Those interviews they said they were going to start doing last Sunday." Rey replied. "You know, those ones to find a compatible husband?"

"Oh yeah! I'm excited to see who they'll match me up with. It will be an honor to be finally chosen as a wife, don't you agree?"

Rey glanced sidelong at Paige, who rolled her eyes. "Only if he isn't a complete idiot. Or super old." Paige resumed stirring. "I haven't been interested in it since I started working here and seeing where some of the girls go when they have no choice. I still can't believe you, sis. Marriage in this community isn't exactly sunshine and roses, especially if you're not the first wife."

Rose looked shocked. "But they're helping to bear more children for the First Order and for God's chosen people! What could be better than that? Right, Rey?"

Rey raised her hands in mock surrender. "I just want to keep teaching. I feel like that's my calling in life. And I'm really worried they're about to take that away from me."

"But what if they find you a husband who's happy to let you continue?"

Rey snorted. "That's about as likely as I am to fly. Besides, I'm not even allowed to court while I'm under contract, much less get married. And I'm already on thin ice with what happened on Saturday."

Paige looked up from the stew. "What did happen with that? I heard you broke the guy's nose."

Rey pinched the bridge of her own nose. "Nope. Not even close."

Rose looked eager for a story. "And I heard some tall, dark and handsome stranger saved you."

"Well, that part is true."

"Which part? The tall, dark and handsome or that he saved you?" Paige quipped.

Rey glared at her friend.

"Hey, I'm just sayin'. I saw him at church and that boy is fiiiiiiine! Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll get matched up with him." Rey tossed the towel she'd been holding at Paige, who chuckled. "Ooh, jealous already, I see."

"That's it, I'm leaving." Rey thrust the pan of rolls at Rose in mock disgust. "But in all seriousness, best of luck. I'll see you on Sunday."

The Ticos chorused a goodbye as Rey made her exit.

Friday morning, Rey rushed into her classroom, slightly late. Slamming her stack of books down on her desk, she paused to catch her breath. A low chuckle sounded behind her and she whirled, ruler in hand.

He was sitting in a chair against the back wall, eyeing her weapon of choice. "I would have pegged you as more of a pointer stick kind of teacher. Interesting."

"Normally I am, but you surprised me and the stick is across the room. But you." She pointed the ruler at him as if brandishing a saber, "You're hard to get rid of."

Kylo shrugged. "Isn't perseverance a desired virtue? You can probably put the ruler down now."

Rey flushed and set it down. "What are you doing here?"

"Job shadowing."

"For teaching?"

"Didn't think I was smart enough?" His eyes twinkled despite his mocking tone.

Rey sputtered. "It's not that. I just pegged you for more of a work-with-your-hands kind of guy."

Kylo shrugged again. "I do that too." He stood up and walked to her desk. "What are the lessons for today?"

"Some trigonometric identities for most of my classes. Quadratic equation for the others." She shuffled her papers and handed him some notes. "Are you staying for the whole day?"

"I think that's the plan."

"In which case, I need to return your handkerchief. Remind me at lunch time to retrieve it?"

"There's really no need…"

"Actually." she interrupted. "That's not the only thing I have to get, so… please remind me?"

They were cut off by a sharp rapping at the door. "Is this Sister Andor's classroom?" A white-haired lady with a cane hobbled into the room. "I see that it is. And are you Brother Ren? Oh, of course you are. Tall and sturdily built, they told me. They didn't tell me you'd be handsome as well. Well, I'm the chaperone. I'm also here to evaluate Brother Ren's performance and I'll be here for every scheduled session. And might I remind you, Sister Andor, that your contract stipulates that you are not to be alone with a man." The woman hobbled across the room. "Though just this once, I will overlook it as I'm sure you were NOT made aware of his presence beforehand. Now will you please get me a chair so that I may sit and observe?"

Rey scrambled for the chair behind her desk and dragged it over to the side of the classroom. The woman continued. "Yes, that will do nicely. And if you'll be so kind as to arrange the cushion so that it may sit at my lower back. Thank you, dear. I don't suppose you have tea?"

"No, Sister…?"

"Danbury. Tea can wait until lunchtime, I suppose. As for why you are wondering why you don't remember seeing me before, I don't make it into town often, but Patriarch Snoke asked if I might come and stay while all the evaluations are being held. It has been a while since I was needed as a chaperone and goodness knows I could use a change of pace. Be warned, young man," she said, pointing her cane at Kylo. "I will be scrutinizing you thoroughly, so don't think you can slack off if you are truly serious about cultivating the next generation of young minds."

Kylo straightened. "No, ma'am. I intend to teach."

Sister Danbury dipped her head. "Then proceed, Brother Ren. I do believe I interrupted lesson collaboration. Don't mind me!"

Rey hid a smile as she passed him her notes on trig identities. "How well do you remember these?"

"I remember wanting to swear a lot before it clicked in my head, but I know them well. How would you like to do this?"

"Since I wasn't expecting to share my class, would you mind if I taught it by myself? I usually have them work problems all together afterwards, but perhaps today we could split into groups and you could help with that?"

"It's your classroom."

Rey gave him a small smile. "I appreciate that, but I do still want to help you. Do you know which days you'll be here? Maybe we can collaborate for those days."

"I'm sure we can plan that out after your classes, but I know the kids will be here soon."

"It's a deal." Rey turned to start writing on the board.

The day went very smoothly and Rey noticed that Kylo had a way of explaining things to the students who struggled most that helped them to understand the material better. At lunch, Kylo escorted Sister Danbury to the cafeteria and fetched her the tea she requested. Rey rushed home to retrieve the handkerchief and returned in time to eat a sandwich. Classes were much the same in the afternoon.

Rey straightened her papers as the final bell rang, feeling the weight of her letter in her pocket. Sister Danbury was asleep in her chair, snoring slightly. As Rey turned to erase her board, she caught sight of Kylo leaning against the doorway, arms folded and looking expectantly at her.

"What are you doing out there?"

Kylo gestured towards the sleeping old woman. "After the warning you got this morning, I didn't want to get you in trouble by being in the same room with you unchaperoned."

"Thank you."

"Sure." He shifted his stance. "Did we want to coordinate schedules?"

"Um, yes… let me find mine…" Papers shuffled as she found the lesson plans. "What days have you been assigned?"

"Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. I'll also have evaluations on random days by a High Councilor."

Rey stroked her lip, thinking. "I have everything planned from now until Christmas, but I suppose I should let you practice before anyone comes to watch. Let's say next week you take all your days and then we can coordinate from there. I'll loan you the lesson plans for Monday and write up the topic schedule, but after that, you're on your own for lesson plans."

"Fair enough."

Her papers shifted again. "Here it is." Without looking at him, she held the plans out as she straightened the remainder of the pile. When she found herself still holding the papers after a few seconds longer than she expected, she glanced sidelong at Kylo. He was still planted in the hallway.

"Oh. Right." Sheepishly, she crossed the room and handed them over. Kylo flicked through them with a long fingered grace that had Rey feeling strangely light-headed. "You think you can handle that?"

"Easy."

"Oh, and…" Rey reached into her pocket, producing the handkerchief. "I do believe this is yours."

"I told you you could keep it."

"I know, just…" she glanced over her shoulder at the still snoring sister. "Just take it." Rey jammed it into his hand and closed his fingers over it so that the stiffness of the letter hidden under the linen was obvious.

Kylo's eyebrows shot up. "What's this?"

"I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about." She fixed him with a pointed look, then glanced again at Sister Danbury. "Do you think I should wake her?"

Kylo shrugged mischievously. "At least check she hasn't died."

Rey's eyes went wide and her jaw fell open. She playfully backhanded his arm. "You're awful."

"So I've been told."