Kylo and Rey look at each other briefly and then back to Inspector Falkus.

[[Kylo, I don't like this. He's not our enemy but he's definitely not our friend.]]

{{Don't panic Rey. Let's see what he has to say.}}

"Inspector Falkus," said Kylo smoothly, "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"Official business," replied Falkus, "but not concerning you, Master Ren. At least, not this trip."

[[That's a relief.]]

{{Don't let your guard down yet, Rey.}}

The Inspector turned and bowed slightly to the Meimeal.

"Thank you for seeing me at this late hour, Master Mac Dhomhnuil."

"Of course, Inspector," answered the Meimeal. "And who are your companions?"

"I have with me my pilot, Inspector Poe Dameron, my guard, Mr. Finn Dameron, and the Comraichie government liaison, Agent Mìcheal MacBheatha, Interior Security and Defense Bureau." Falkus indicated each man as he introduced them.

{{I see mother's little helpers are back.}}

[[Kylo, stop. They're still my friends.]]

"Gentlemen," acknowledged Master Mac Dhomhnuil with a small nod of his head. He turned back to Inspector Falkus. "And what business do you have with the Grey Order, Inspector?"

Falkus pulled some documents out of an interior coat pocket and handed them to the Meimeal. "I have an arrest warrant from the United New Republic for one Armitage Hux, former General of the First Order. I also have a UNR extradition request for General Hux that has been approved by the Comraichie Council of Lairds, the Council of Commons, and cosigned by the First Minister."

Master Mac Dhomhnuil glanced briefly at the documents and handed them back to the Inspector. "And what does this have to do with the Grey Order, Inspector?"

"I'm going to cut to the chase, Master Mac Dhomhnuil. Where is Armitage Hux? He was seen on a Grey Order transport vehicle departing Sruighlea Aerodome several days ago."

The Meimeal leaned back in his chair and puffed his pipe, considering the question. After a long pause, he deigned to answer.

"Armitage Hux was present here for a short period of time."

"What was the purpose of his visit?" queried Falkus.

"That is not a subject I am willing to discuss, Inspector," responded Master Mac Dhomhnuil.

"Is he still here?" asked the Inspector.

"No," replied the Meimeal.

"When did he leave?"

"I don't have an exact time of his departure, Inspector."

"Well, do you know where he was going?"

"Perhaps."

"Perhaps? You either know or you don't, Master Mac Dhomhnuil."

"And I choose not to say, Inspector."

"Can you say if Hux has left the planet?"

"I could Inspector, but again, I choose not to say."

[[The Master is handling this rather well, Kylo.]]

{{He's smooth, Rey. I'll grant him that.}}

Falkus ground his teeth in frustration. Bloody space wizards.

"I could charge you with obstruction of justice, Master Mac Dhomhnuil."

The Meimeal smiled at Falkus, amusement in his eyes. "No, you can't Inspector Falkus."

The Inspector looked over at Agent MacBheatha. "Can't I?" he asked.

MacBheatha looked uncomfortable. "The Grey Order holds an extralegal status on Comraich, Inspector Falkus."

"And that means what, exactly?"

"It means the government keeps its nose out of Grey Order business."

"So if Master Mac Dhomhnuil refuses to cooperate …"

"It means we can't do anything about it," said Agent MacBheatha reluctantly.

"You can't be serious!" interjected Poe.

"The law is the law, Inspector Dameron," acknowledged Agent MacBheatha

{{I think the Jedi had the same arrangement with the old Republic.}}

[[That's a lot of power with no real oversight, Kylo.]]

{{The idea was they policed themselves. The Jedi was supposed to be above power grabs.}}

And right about then Kylo and Rey heard a deep baritone voice in their minds.

**Do you mind? You two are being very distracting.**

[[Sorry Master Mac Dhomhnuil]]

{{My apologies, Master.}}

The Maimeal smiled genially at Inspector Falkus. "May I offer you refreshments before you go?"

"Thank you, but no," replied Falkus, a thin smile flickering briefly on his lips. "I need to make my report to my superiors. Thank you for your time."

As the Inspector and his team moved toward the door of the parlor he stopped and turned back to Kylo and Rey.

"Just one more thing. Master Ren, Master Skywalker, where is Dr. Aurelia Galen? Did she come with you to Comraich or did you leave her on Ord Mantell?"

***TaBa***

Aurelia spent the majority of their drive to Both Chèi trying to decide what to do with Armitage Hux. She occasionally snuck side glances at him, trying to discern what was at the top of his mind. He had been staring pensively out the windscreen, his thoughts winding impenetrably around him in the Force, until he finally dropped into a light doze.

It was rather a cluster, no doubt about that. She knew he needed enough training to control his connection to the Force, but how much was enough? How much should she teach the man who was given the sobriquet 'Starkiller' by a good portion of the known galaxy? She felt like banging her head on the dash in frustration.

"We've arrived Alasdair," said Aurelia as she pulled their transport onto a gravel driveway in front of The Bungalow. True to its name, The Bungalow was a small, almost tiny house, surrounded by a smattering of oak, maple, and hickory trees and set at the end of a dirt road near the top of a gentle hill. With the exception of a dim light over the front porch the little house was completely dark. "Welcome to The Bungalow."

Hux sighed a deep breath, opened his eyes, and straightened in his seat.

"The Bungalow? It's actually called The Bungalow?" he sneered.

"We could call it 'a place where Adepts and Masters go for solitary meditation and workings in the Force' but that's a bit long and cumbersome don't you think?" she retorted.

"Looks delightful," he observed in a voice that indicated he thought anything but that.

"It's adequate for our needs," snapped Aurelia. She was tired, achy, and in no mood for his attitude. "Now help me bring the bags in."

***TaBa***

"Of course we didn't leave her on Ord Mantell, Inspector Falkus," retorted Rey. "She asked Kylo and me if she could travel with us for a while longer."

"Did she?" replied Inspector Falkus, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, she did," said Kylo flatly.

"Why?" the Inspector asked skeptically.

"She said that the Force had a reason for her to stay with us," answered Kylo.

"That doesn't make any sense."

"The Force often doesn't to the uninitiated, Inspector."

"Uh, Inspector Falkus?" interrupted Poe. "She did tell me and Finn that she was staying with Rey and Ren. I sent you a memo." He paused a minute and frowned. "I think I sent you a memo," he muttered.

Falkus turned and looked at Poe. "I don't think you did, Dameron. But that's not important right now."

He turned back and looked at Kylo and Rey. "What's important is where she is now and if she is alright."

"We haven't seen Aurelia since this morning, Inspector Falkus." declared Rey.

"And she was fine when we saw her last," chimed in Kylo.

"Did she leave with Armitage Hux?" asked Finn, jumping into the conversation.

"Why do you ask that, Mr. Dameron?" grunted the Inspector.

"Just a hunch, Inspector Falkus," answered Finn.

"Well, Master Ren?"

"We told you, Inspector. We haven't seen her since this morning and she was perfectly fine then," snapped Kylo. "We don't know where she went and who she may be with."

"I'm responsible for getting her involved with you and possibly now Armitage Hux. I'm afraid she's gotten in over her head."

"Inspector," Master Mac Dhomhnuil injected smoothly, "Dr. Galen is safe and assisting the Grey Council with some issues that are within her professional purview."

"May I ask which issues?" requested Falkus.

"I'm afraid privacy matters prevent me from saying more. Please be assured that Dr. Galen's comfort and safety are of our highest concerns."

Inspector Falkus stared speculatively at the Meimeal, who returned the look calmly.

"Thank you for your time and cooperation," he drawled, finally. "Please let me know if you have any other information on General Hux or his location.

He nodded to Kylo and Rey. "Master Ren, Master Skywalker, if you talk to Dr. Galen please ask her to contact me. She has my comm number."

***TaBa***

"Why must you always argue with me, Armitage?"

"It's just not appropriate, Aurelia!"

"If you were on field maneuvers you wouldn't care who you slept next to."

"We're not on field maneuvers."

"There is only one bed. We both need to be rested so we can start training tomorrow."

"I'll sleep on the couch."

"It's not long enough, it's not wide enough, and it's hard as a rock."

"It's fine. I'll be fine."

"The bed is more than wide enough for two people. And I'm not going to molest you in your sleep, Armitage."

"I. Will. Sleep. On. The. Couch."

"Fine. Suit yourself."

"Goodnight, Aurelia."

"Goodnight Armitage."

Author's Notes: My grandson has been down visiting for the past few weeks. Consequently, writing has been a bit slow. Also, visiting the zoo in 90+ degree temperatures may not have been the smartest thing I've done recently.

And to provide a little clarity: Italics indicating Kylo and Rey talking mind to mind, and the Grey Master finally telling them to hush.

I'm going to try to get the next chapter out a lot faster. Reader comments would help! (blatant hint)