Han and Tobias are in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. Han is at the controls, while Tobias is at co-pilot. They are alone, as the others are elsewhere on the ship.
"We'll be at Takodana in about ten hours. Not much to do right now. So, if you have something to say, now's the time." Han says. Tobias sits in silence for a moment, thinking of what to say.
"You left mom. Why?" Tobias asks.
"Uh, it's complicated." Han answers.
"You and mom were happy together. Then, Luke and I show up. We tell you and mom about Ben going darkside. Two months later, you leave. No explanation to me, and mom won't say a damn thing about it. By the way, she looked like hell the last time I saw her. Like she'd aged ten years. So, no bullshit. Why did you leave her?" Tobias asks.
"Because I didn't deserve her. Or you. Or your brother. I didn't deserve any of it. Still don't." Han says.
"That's bullshit, and you know it. You left because of what happened with Ben. You blame yourself for it." Tobias says.
"It is my fault. I wasn't there for you boys like I should have been. I was too busy doing my own thing." Han says.
"Mom was too busy doing her own thing too. Ben and I were pretty much raised by Chewie and Threepio. So, it's not just your fault. I'd say it's both of you, fifty-fifty. Ben and I didn't understand when we were younger, but I think I do now. Mom was doing her duty to the people of the galaxy. As for you, you were doing what was… comfortable. Easy. With no Empire, and no war, what else was there for Han Solo to do? It sure as hell wasn't raise a family." Tobias says.
"Yeah. I screwed up. I know it. If you hate me for it, I deserve it." Han says.
"I don't hate you. I'm disappointed, but you're still my dad. So, come back with me. Make it right." Tobias says.
"I can't. She doesn't want to see me." Han says.
"You're wrong. She wants you to come back. She still loves you. She still loves Ben too." Tobias says.
"Not gonna do her much good is it?" Han asks. Tobias hesitates for a moment.
"I don't know. Ben's probably too far gone by now. The last time I saw him, we fought. I faced him and his Knights of Ren alone. They kicked my ass. Ben… he was going to kill me. I felt it. He wanted to. I was a weakness to him. Then, he changed his mind. He told me to get in my ship and go. He told me if he ever saw me again, I would be dead. I failed him, dad. I couldn't bring him back." Tobias answers.
"That's why you let everybody think you're dead." Han says.
"Yeah. After what happened with Ben, I blind jumped into hyperspace. I didn't care where I ended up. I needed time… to think. That's when I decided to cut myself off from the force. I haven't used it since. Hell, today is the first time I've used the lightsaber since then. I didn't really want to, but… you were in trouble. I had to do something." Tobias says.
"You could have taken the Falcon and ran for it." Han says.
"No. That's not an option. You still have one son. And one dumbass." Tobias says.
"That's your brother you're talking about." Han says.
"I know. Still, he's a dumbass." Tobias says.
"Yeah. I guess so." Han says.
"No guessing about it. He knew better. Luke told him the truth, and he chose Snoke anyway." Tobias says.
"Sucks doesn't it?" Han asks.
"Yeah." Tobias answers.
"So, you and that girl seem to be pretty serious." Han says.
"I've been with Rey ever since I crashed on Jakku. She found me, almost dead. I owe her my life. And she owes me an ass kicking." Tobias says.
"Oh, yeah? What did you do?" Han asks.
"I lied to her. I didn't tell her I used to be a Jedi, and she hasn't seen my saber until today." Tobias answers.
"Sounds like you have yourself a problem. Women have a way of figuring out the truth eventually. It's better if you tell her, instead of her finding out later. Trust me on that." Han says.
"You're right. I'm going to tell her. Everything." Tobias says.
"Good luck, son." Han says.
"Thanks, dad. I'll need it." Tobias says.
A few minutes later, Tobias has left the cockpit, and goes to the main hold of the Falcon. He walks to Finn and BB-8, who are tending to the wounded Chewbacca.
"Hey, Chewie. You good?" Tobias asks.
/It's not too bad. The kid does a good field dressing./ Chewbacca answers.
"Glad to hear it. Have you seen Rey?" Tobias asks.
"Walked off a few minutes ago." Finn answers.
/I think she's checking out the ship./ BB-8 says.
"Thanks." Tobias says.
/She's your mate, isn't she?/ Chewbacca asks.
"Yeah." Tobias answers.
/You kept things from her, didn't you?/ Chewbacca asks.
"Yeah. I screwed up. You could always read me like a book, Chewie." Tobias says.
/I know. You're too much like Han sometimes. Now, go get her./ Chewbacca says.
"I will." Tobias says.
"What are you guys talking about?" Finn asks.
"Family secrets." Tobias answers. He turns away from Finn, BB-8, and Chewbacca, and starts walking.
"Oh. Guess I need to learn his language." Finn says.
"It would be useful." Tobias says, as he keeps walking away.
Sometime later, Tobias finds Rey. She's alone, in one of the ship's cargo bays. She is facing away from Tobias as he enters.
"Rey? You okay?" Tobias asks.
"No, Toby. You I need to have a talk." Rey says.
"I know, Rey. I said I'd tell you everything." Tobias says. Rey turns to face Tobias.
"I saw your lightsaber. That's what it is, isn't it?" Rey asks.
"Yeah. I've had it since I was twelve. Built it myself." Tobias answers.
"Are you a Jedi?" Rey asks.
"I used to be. My uncle was my teacher. Luke Skywalker. You might have heard of him." Tobias says.
"Luke… Skywalker? I thought he was a myth." Rey says.
"No, he's real. My brother and I were his first students. We helped him find others. We had twelve altogether. We settled on Dantooine. An old rebel base that Luke used as our training temple. For the next ten years, we trained there." Tobias says. Rey closes her eyes, and tears roll down her cheeks.
"You're a Jedi. You… didn't tell me. Why didn't you tell me? Don't you trust me? Don't you love me?" Rey asks.
"Rey, I love you more than anything." Tobias answers.
"I'd like to believe that, but how can I? You don't trust me! How... can I trust you? What else... have you... lied about?" Rey asks, voice breaking as she starts sobbing. Toby reaches out to Rey, who slaps his hand away.
"I'm sorry, Rey. I didn't mean to hurt you. It's just… " Tobias says.
"You didn't mean to hurt me, but you did!" Rey shouts through angry tears.
"Rey, please. I… didn't tell you, because I was… ashamed. I wanted to forget about it." Tobias says.
"You're ashamed of being a Jedi?" Rey asks.
"Yeah, because I failed my brother." Tobias answers.
"What happened? Why are you so ashamed? Why couldn't you tell me?" Rey asks.
"You really want to know?" Tobias asks. Rey takes his hands.
"Yes. All of it. If you really love me, then tell me everything. No lies. Please." Rey answers.
"Alright, then. It starts… six years ago. The day my brother became Kylo Ren." Tobias says.
Begin flashback- Six years earlier
On Dantooine, there are twelve young people of various ages and races gathered in a large room within Luke Skywalker's Jedi Temple. In the center of the room is twenty three year old Ben Solo, who is speaking to the others. Twenty two year old Tobias is present, wearing gray and blue Jedi robes. He watches with his arms crossed as his brother speaks.
"Luke lied to us! Come with us! Join us! There's another way." Ben says.
"The dark side?" Tobias asks.
"Think about it, Toby! That power! We can be like our grandfather!" Ben answers.
"Where's Master Luke? You wouldn't talk like this with him around!" A girl of about ten says.
"He's dead! I killed him for lying to us! We're free now! Come with me! Join the First Order! Snoke will show us the truth!" Ben answers.
"Anybody that goes with you is an idiot." Tobias says.
"Come on, Toby. This is me we're talking about. We need to stick together. You and Snoke are the only ones that never lied to me. You'll be safe with me, brother. So will the rest of you." Ben says. Two young men step forward, and approach Ben.
Of course those two would go with him. Tobias thinks.
"Good. You see, Kyp and Zann made the right choice. Anyone else?" Ben asks. A teenage girl steps forward.
"Tahiri, wait!" Tobias says.
"Sorry, Toby. He's right, you know. Luke was holding us back." The girl, Tahiri says. She walks to Ben, and stops next to him. No one else steps forward.
"Toby! Come on!" Ben says.
"Did you really kill Luke?" Tobias asks.
"He was going to kill me!" Ben answers.
"Why would our uncle want to kill you?" Tobias asks.
"Because he's a damn liar and he hates us. Just like Han Solo and Leia Organa." Ben answers.
"Those are our parents, Ben!" Tobias says.
"Not anymore. It's just us now." Ben says.
"No, Ben. This is wrong." Tobias says.
"Wrong? You know what's wrong? What they kept from us! They didn't want us to know! They lied to us! We're nothing to them, so they're nothing to me! Luke tried to kill me! He was out of his mind! He was going to kill the rest of you after that! You were going to be next, Toby! I couldn't let him do it. I said I'd always protect you, and I will. But I can't keep you safe if you don't come with me." Ben says.
"Ben, this is… Let's just calm down, here. We'll go call mom and tell her what happened." Tobias says.
"She won't believe me. Luke was her beloved Jedi Master that she sold us to." Ben says.
"She didn't sell us, Ben. We're not slaves." Tobias says.
"I guess that's true now, since I killed the slavemaster." Ben says.
"What are we going to do, Toby? He killed Master Luke!" A girl of about fifteen says.
"Yeah! You gonna let him get away with that?" A zabrak boy of about ten asks.
"So, what are you kids going to do, fight the four of us? Don't be stupid. You'll lose. I can kill every single one of you in seconds." Ben says.
"It doesn't have to come to that, Ben. Everybody just calm down. Nobody's killing anybody." Tobias says.
"You're not gonna make us go with him are you?" A boy of about twelve asks.
"No, I'm not." Tobias answers.
"We should arrest them." The fifteen year old girl says.
"Under what authority?" Ben asks. The girl takes the lightsaber from her belt, and ignites it.
"By authority of the Jedi Order and the Galactic Republic, you goddamn traitor!" The fifteen year old girl says.
"Jarra, put the saber away!" Tobias says. The girl, Jarra, scowls at Tobias.
"You're not taking his side, are you?" Jarra asks.
"Ben… " Tobias says.
"Yes, brother. Come with us." Ben says.
"Ben, you and the other three leave your sabers here and go to your quarters. Jarra, call the Resistance. Give General Organa our coordinates." Tobias says.
"Alright." Jarra says. She puts her lightsaber away, and starts to leave the room, when Ben throws his lightsaber at her. The weapon impales the girl through the chest, killing her instantly.
"I can't let you do that." Ben says.
"What the frack, Ben? She was our friend!" Tobias shouts.
"Enough, Toby! Don't be stupid like Han Solo! Nobody's calling the Resistance! Nobody's leaving here alive unless they join me!" Ben shouts.
"Go frack yourself, darksider!" A togruta girl of sixteen says as she ignites her lightsaber. The other Jedi ignite their weapons as well. All except for Tobias, who stares in disbelief at his brother.
"Toby, make your choice now. Join me, or die with them." Ben says.
"Ben, come to your senses! The brother I know wouldn't even think of killing a child! This is wrong and you know it!" Tobias shouts.
"Last Chance! Join me, or die!" Ben shouts. Tobias shakes his head as he takes the lightsaber from his belt.
"Dammit, Ben. Don't make me do this." Tobias says.
"Nobody's making you do anything. You're being an idiot." Ben says.
"You're the idiot here. Not me." Tobias says.
"So be it. You made your choice." Ben says, as he ignites his lightsaber.
"I don't want to fight you, Ben. I don't want to fight any of you." Tobias says.
"You should have thought about that, Tobias. It's too late now." Ben says. The three who joined Ben ignite their lightsabers. Tobias ignites his lightsaber.
"All of you, get out of here! Get to the ships!" Tobias shouts.
"What about you?" The togruta girl asks.
"I'll buy you some time. Go!" Tobias answers.
"No, Toby. We're not leaving you behind. They'll kill you." The girl says.
"Shala, please. Go." Tobias says.
"You're the oldest now. We need you. We're not going anywhere. We're going to stay here, and fight. Janna was my best friend, so brother or not, I'm taking his head." The girl, Shala says.
"Don't give in to hate, Shala. You'll end up like him." Tobias says. Shala nods in agreement.
"We're staying too." A rodian boy says.
"Kill them all." Ben says.
Several minutes later, Luke Skywalker is outside the temple, watching as it burns.
"Luke!" Tobias shouts, as he limps toward Luke and R2. He is bleeding from a serious leg wound.
"Toby! What happened? Did Ben do that?" Luke asks.
"Him and three others- Tahiri, Kyp, and Zann. We tried to fight them, but Ben's too strong. He knows some things you haven't taught the rest of us. Even I couldn't keep up with him." Tobias answers.
"Where are the others?" Luke asks.
"They killed everyone who wouldn't go with them. I'm the only one left." Tobias answers.
"Go with them? Where?" Luke asks.
"The First Order. Ben's turned to the dark side. I could feel it." Tobias says.
"I felt it too." Luke says.
He said you tried to kill him and that you were going to kill the rest of us." Tobias says.
"I just tried to talk to him, but he switched on his saber and tried to fight me. I let my guard down, and he brought the walls down around us. Knocked me out. I failed him. I failed all of you." Luke says.
"You didn't fail me. I'm still here." Tobias says.
"Yeah. I guess you are." Luke says.
"So, what now?" Tobias asks.
"We get you patched up, then we go to your parents. Figure some things out." Luke answers.
"Sounds like a plan." Tobias says.
End flashback
"After that, we went to the Resistance base. We talked to mom and dad for a little bit. Then, Luke told us that he was going to go look for some answers, and he didn't know when he'd come back." Tobias says.
"So, he just left?" Rey asks.
"I offered to go with him, but he said no. He was going alone. He didn't even take R2." Tobias says.
"R2?" Rey asks.
"R2-D2. Luke's astromech. That droid followed him everywhere. Even helped him train us to an extent." Tobias answers.
"A droid helped teach Jedi?" Rey asks.
"Yeah. R2 served the old order in the Clone Wars. He's never been mindwiped, so he has decades of valuable knowledge in his data banks." Tobias answers.
"Wow. Sounds like quite the droid." Rey says.
"He is. Look, Rey. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It wasn't to hurt you. It's just… I haven't really talked about any of this since it happened. It's not easy for me." Tobias says. Rey puts her hands on his shoulders.
"It's okay, Toby. I forgive you." Rey says.
"You're an angel, Rey. I don't deserve you." Tobias says. Rey gently brushes back his hair.
"You're a lousy nerf herder, but I love you." Rey says.
"I know." Tobias says. Rey chuckles, then kisses him.
Please note- this is an AU. I'm ignoring the flashback from the Last Jedi. Luke did not try to kill Ben in this universe. He's telling Tobias the truth about what happened.
This story is going to go on hiatus for a while. I'm too busy at the moment to work on three fics at once, so it might be a month or two before the next chapter.