Rebellions are built on hope.

It was agreed that they would leave for Mortis at first light. Poe was exhausted from the transference and Kylo was persuaded to hold off when Rose suggested he also looked as if he could use a good night's rest. He agreed to sleep for a few hours.

'I'm not going with you to Mortis,' Finn told Rose when they were alone.

'What?' Rose said with alarm.

'Rose, I've ignored this niggling feeling for far too long. Now that Kylo is working with us, this is my chance to infiltrate the First Order and finally liberate the other troopers.'

'You can't, it's too dangerous.'

'Think about it Rose, we know Hux has no Force powers, he won't be much of a threat. We know I'm Force sensitive which gives me an advantage and we've already met a handful of defecting troopers who also felt the Force, there might be more. They need guidance, they need to know that what they feel is real. But I want to help them all, not just the Force Sensitives. They deserve a chance to choose. Maybe if I can get to them, talk to them, I can convince them to join us.'

Rose thought of Paige and how eagerly she had wanted to fight for what she believed in. Then she had lost her forever. What if she lost Finn too?

'This isn't your fight,' she said softly.

'Yes it is Rose. You showed me once that you can't run away. I wouldn't be the man you love if I hadn't decided to stay and be a part of this rebellion, if we could get the stormtroopers on our side, we could win this war once and for all.'

Rose looked up at Finn with admiration in her eyes. He had come along way from the brainwashed boy forced into servitude by a cruel regime hellbent on ruling the Galaxy. She couldn't keep him away from this fight, no matter how badly she wanted to.

'I love you,' she said.

'I love you too,' he replied leaning down to kiss her on the nose.

'And I'm coming with you,' she declared.

Finn opened his mouth to protest but Rose had that look on her face that he knew oh so well. That look meant she had made up her mind and there was nothing he could say that would dissuade her.

'Stubborn,' he teased with a quirk of a smile.

Rose folded her arms over her chest and gave Finn a stern look. He tried not to find it adorable and failed miserably.

'You know you won't last five minutes without me,' she retorted.

'Not true, I bet I could make it all the way to ten, maybe even fifteen,' he said with a grin.

Rose smiled back.

'Let's go pack our things,' she said reaching out her hand for his.

As they walked to their tents Finn pulled Rose close to his side and placed an arm across her shoulders.

'To be honest, I'm kinda glad I have a reason to put some distance between me and Kylo.'

'Why?' Rose asked.

'His feelings are so confused right now. He doesn't know who he is anymore and the Light and the Dark are constantly battling for dominance within him.'

'You can feel all of that?' Rose said with awe.

'Yes. I really feel for him. I mean if I want to kiss you. I can just reach out and kiss you.'

Finn stopped Rose in her tracks and pressed his lips against hers to prove his point. For a few moments he forgot what his agenda was and just enjoyed the feel of Rose's lips against his and her warm body pressed up against his chest. They parted and Finn regained his train of thought.

'Kylo can't kiss Rey. Right now, he can't even feel her, and it's killing him,' Finn said sadly.

'That's awful,' Rose said.

'Yeah, if I couldn't see you, and touch you, I don't know what I would do,' Finn murmured, brushing a curl of hair behind her ear.

'I didn't think it was possible,' Rose said.

'What?'

'That I could love you more,' she said with a smile.

Finn smiled back at her.

They kissed again before turning to enter their tents, but kept their fingers joined together until it became absolutely necessary for them to part.

As Kylo and Poe boarded the Falcon, Rose came forward with a familiar broken object in her hands.

'Maybe you should have these?'' Rose offered, handing Kylo the broken pieces of his Uncle's saber. Kylo took the fragments from Rose and examined them. Though the hilt was split in two, the Kyber crystal was merely fractured. Kylo felt his Uncles energy as he held the ancient weapon. If nothing else, perhaps the relic would bring them good luck? He nodded at Rose who smiled at him briefly.

'Good Luck,' she said earnestly.

Kylo decided he was pleased that Rey had a friend like Rose. She was very sensible and honest, but also exceedingly compassionate. He was grateful he had found an ally in her.

'And to you,' he replied.

Finn and Rose had explained to him what they planned to do and though part of him still wanted to command the First Order, a much stronger part of him wanted Rey more. Ben was becoming the dominant voice in his head now and Kylo felt he was almost ready to become one with his light counterpart.

As a show of good faith, Kylo had shared all of his insider knowledge with Finn and Rose and provided them with clearance codes and the ship he had commandeered. His willingness to cooperate with them had went a long way to help strengthen the burgeoning trust between the rebels and the newly defecting Supreme Leader.

Rose walked back to Finn who put an arm around her. They watched as Kylo boarded the Falcon and got into the pilot's seat, Poe had sensibly already chosen to take the co-pilot's seat this one time.

'How long will it take us to get to this place?' Poe asked.

'Not long,' Kylo replied.

Poe nodded nervously and tapped his hands against his thighs a number of times. Kylo looked at him and frowned.

'You're worried about the girl,' He acknowledged.

'Rey? Yeah, I'm worried about Rey.'

'No. I didn't mean Rey. I mean Daughter.'

Poe was silent.

'I know your thoughts. I know you care for her,' Kylo urged.

'Look, it doesn't matter how I feel, it can't happen.'

'Why not?'

'Because she's a...I don't even know what she is! And she doesn't even exist in this Galaxy!' Poe shouted.

Kylo pondered Poe's words whilst he prepared the Falcon for take off and eased her into the air.

'Do you know that Rey and I are a Dyad in the Force.'

'A what?'

'A Dyad in the Force. It means we are one with each other. It is something that is considered to be an impossibility by many. There has only been one documented case, centuries ago, and little evidence remains to support the claim. Despite all of this, the fact remains that myself and Rey are a Dyad in the Force.'

Poe looked perplexed.

'So what you're trying to tell me is…'

'Sometimes things that seem impossible, are not.'

'Okay, I get it.' Poe said with a nod.

'So there's something strong between you and Rey, huh?' he added.

'Rey is my Force mate. I didn't truly know what that meant, until I lost her. It feels...disconcerting. No, it's stronger than that. It's almost as if I have lost a limb.'

'That's rough.'

'Indeed.'

'I can't believe I'm having a heart to heart with the head of the First Order,' Poe said dryly.

'I can't believe I've got this far without one of you shooting me.'

'It crossed my mind.'

'I know it did.'

The two men looked at each other briefly. Something that resembled respect passed between them and an unspoken agreement to try and save both of the women they were travelling towards was made in that moment.

Kylo entered the calculations for their jump to lightspeed. He began to wish he had his silencer when the Falcon predictably malfunctioned right on queue. Kylo and Poe both reached a hand into the air and simultaneously punched the control board. Suddenly the ship was engulfed by light and they made the jump into hyperspace successfully.

The two men looked at each other.

'Just gotta know how to treat the old gal,' Kylo muttered.

Poe hid his smile as he entered the coordinates Daughter had provided him with into the ship's computer.

Whilst Poe took over piloting the Falcon, Kylo moved to the main hold and tried to calm his erratic thoughts by training. He unclipped his saber and tried to ignite it. Nothing.

He tried to wield the saber again and received a sharp shock. He checked the wires. They seemed to be in working order. What was happening?

His father's words came back to him.

That's a mother's love, kid.

He realised with utter amazement, that his own Force energy, now deeply infused with his mother's light, was repelling the weapon.

He placed the saber down and paced the floor as he desperately tried to think of a solution. His tunic felt stifling to him now so he ripped it from his person as he marched.

He had to go after Rey, but how could he go unarmed? He wouldn't last long enough to land one punch. It seemed completely hopeless, then he suddenly remembered where he could find another weapon. He ran to the main corridor and dropped to his knees. He traced his hands over the floor of the Falcon, looking for a hidden opening. He almost cheered out loud when he found the compartment he was searching for.

He flipped it open and took out a modified DL-44. He stroked his hand over the tarnished metal and was instantly transported back into the past.

'I've got something to show you, Ben.'

Ben took the weapon from his father with a look of awe.

'I swiped it from Lando, he needs to learn to settle his bets,' Han said with a wicked laugh.

Ben beamed up at his dad. No one could outsmart his pops. Not even Uncle Lando.

'When you're old enough kid, this will be yours.'

Ben ran his hand over the gun's smooth surface.

'Just don't tell your mother,' Han whispered with a nudge and a wink as he popped the gun back into its hiding place and closed the lid.

Ben giggled and nodded excitedly, pleased that he had a secret to share with his hero.

Returning to the present, Ben silently thanked his father as he pocketed the veteran blaster.

As he returned to the co-pilot chair, he heard his father's words in his head once more.

Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid .

Let's hope you're right, dad. Let's hope you're right.

They arrived at the coordinates and waited nervously for Daughter's signal.

Kylo paced the floor and Poe tapped on the dashboard. Each found the others movements equally irritating.

Suddenly a star appeared before them, it glowed brightly then burnt out.

'That must be the signal, but now it's gone and the ship can't sense anything,' Poe exclaimed.

'I can,' Kylo said, leaning forward, then settling back into the co-pilot's chair. Suddenly the ship started to move on its own. Poe took his hands off the controls. He looked over at Kylo who had his eyes closed and his hand outstretched in front of him. He was controlling the Falcon now.

'There's an energy trail. All I need to do is follow it.' Kylo explained without opening his eyes.

'Bloody Force users,' Poe muttered under his breath.

'I heard that,' Kylo replied as he concentrated on keeping them on the right path.

Kylo could see the trail of energy like a path of light leading them through the stars to Mortis. The closer he got to the fabled source of the Forces power, the stronger he felt, but he still didn't feel Rey.

Anger ran through him when he realised that it wasn't just the distance between them that was dividing them. The Son was blocking her energy somehow. No matter, he would find her with or without the aid of the Force.

'We're here,' he announced as he opened his eyes and lowered his arm. Poe re-engaged the controls and headed for the small planet right in front of them.

Daughter was waiting for them as they landed. Poe un-boarded first and came face to face with the powerful lightsider.

'D,' Poe said with a smile.

'Why do you call me that Dameron Poe?' Daughter enquired.

'Daughter is too long and it's not really a name. I think D kind of suits you.'

Daughter smiled.

'I have never been given a name before. I have only been known as Daughter or Sister. I think I shall like to be known as D.'

Unable to control herself, she came forward and grasped at his collar pulling him close and pressing her lips against his. Poe wrapped his arms around her back and pulled her close. When they pulled away Daughter looked sad.

'You should not have come, Dameron Poe. My brother is too strong with the Force. If something were to happen to you…'

Poe put a hand on her cheek.

'Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself.'

Daughter smiled a small smile and nodded, though she still felt a sharp pang of anxiety run through her.

Kylo exited the ship and Daughter frowned at him, then her expression changed to a more curious one and she walked towards him.

'You are neither Light nor Dark. You are something...new,' She said in wonder.

Kylo swallowed hard and looked uncomfortable. There was only one person he wanted to talk to about the changes within him and she wasn't there.

'I am transforming,' He confirmed.

Daughter smiled up at him.

'But you are holding on. You think a return to your old name means an end of this one. It does not Kylo. Ben has seen your future, he has seen what you will do, together.'

'Rey and I?'

'No, Kylo. You and Ben. Working as one together, both of you alongside your force mate.'

'I need to find her,' Kylo said.

Daughter nodded.

'I have not sensed her energy, if she is here, he has hidden her well.'

Kylo worked his jaw.

'Where is he?' He growled.

'It will do no good to face him now. He is too powerful.'

Daughter thought for a moment then looked up at Kylo with wide eyes.

'There is a cave he visits often. I assumed he used it for personal reflection. It could be a dead end but it is perhaps worth investigating.'

Poe squeezed daughter's hand and she smiled back at him.

Kylo swallowed hard. Jealousy swam in his veins.

'Let's go,' he said his voice gritty.

'We'll find her Kylo.' Poe said determinedly.

'If he's hurt her, I don't care how powerful he is, I'll tear him apart,' Kylo growled as he followed Daughter through the dense foliage.

How long had she been trapped? She had no idea. Time seemed to have no meaning in Mortis. She was weak from lack of food as the Son fed her sparsely to keep her weak. She grieved for her separation from the Force as though she had lost a family member and her head swam in a sea of lonely confusion.

The Son visited her frequently and tried to tempt her with his dark promises but his words held no meaning to her. Padme came to her in her darkest moments. Holding her hand and whispering words of hope. She said that help was coming but Rey didn't know how anyone would be able to find her in Mortis, the world between worlds. Even if they did come how could they defeat the Son?

She longed for her Force mate to come for her. She frequently imagined that he would. She saw him bursting through the entrance of the cave with his eyes ablaze and his soul hungry for revenge.

She wanted the Son dead. She wanted Kylo to impale him on his saber and she wanted to watch while the life drained from his body.

But then Kylo was the one more than likely dead now. His energy was so low when last she saw him, it seemed like an impossibility that he could have survived. She pushed the thought aside. She couldn't afford to break now. She went back to more comforting thoughts, such as killing the Son.

She had imagined choking her captor so many times. If he came close enough to her chains, perhaps she could hook one around his neck and squeeze until his eyes bulged from his head and his tongue thickened in his mouth...

Rey, don't let the dark in…

Padme's voice came to her again, reminding her to stay in the light. Rey shook her head. Maybe it was being disconnected from the Force that had left her vulnerable to the Son's dark poison, either way she feared if she didn't get out of there soon it would infect her heart and turn her against everyone she held most dear.

She heard voices and footsteps, someone was coming, or was it another illusion come to taunt her with visions of being rescued when in reality there was no one coming to her aid.

She didn't even bother to look at the entrance, so convinced was she it was just another cruel trick.

Then suddenly Kylo was right there, using the Force to remove her chains and pulling her into his lap, draping her across his chest. He rocked her gently back and forth. She didn't really believe it until he growled something about a Force block and covered her forehead with his palm. Instantly she felt as if a switch had been turned on within her and all of a sudden she felt the Force all around her and within her and within Kylo. She wept with joy and hugged him tightly, needing to prove to herself that he wasn't a dream.

'You're alive. You're alive,' she repeated, hardly believing it.

'I told you I would come for you,' he said roughly as he buried his head in her shoulder. She felt him draw in a deep breath. The bond between them snapped back into place and she let out a contented sigh.

It seemed like the most natural thing in the world when their lips met. She wrapped her arms around his neck and she felt his arms snake around her back and hold her tightly. His energy was different now, dark and light mixed together, battling, not for supremacy but for...harmony.

She felt both of the men she cared for within him, they touched her soul and renewed her energy.

When they parted, she looked into his eyes and touched his cheek tenderly.

He looked down at her with a relieved smile and eyes full of secrets he wanted to share. She looked up at him in awe of the man he was slowly becoming.

'I hate to break this up, but we gotta get out of here.'

Rey looked towards the familiar voice.

'Poe!' She said with a grateful smile and there was someone else, a beautiful blonde.

'Daughter.' Rey recognised.

Kylo helped Rey to her feet. Daughter looked apologetic.

'I'm so sorry I didn't come for you sooner, Rey. I couldn't sense you.' There will come a time when I can make amends I am sure,' she said taking Rey's hands in hers.

They headed out of the cave and Rey turned her face away from the harsh light, burying her head in Kylo's chest. He put an arm around her to shield her sensitive eyes.

They were halfway to the ship when the Son discovered them. He appeared before them with a sinister smile.

'And so the unworthy suitor returns! I have underestimated you, Kylo Ren. Or is it your mother we have to thank for this miraculous resurrection? I feel her energy within you now. Does it pain you that she died by my hand?'

Kylo pointed his blaster at the Son.

'Let us pass,' he demanded.

The Son laughed.

'No.'

His eyes settled on Daughter.

'Dear Sister! I must admit I am impressed. I believe this may be the most interesting thing you have done in, well, perhaps forever. I applaud your efforts, though they have amounted to nought.'

Son looked at Poe with a critical, all seeing eye. Then he lifted an eyebrow at his Sister.

'A mortal, Sister? And one with no concernable Force powers? This is your chosen partner? What would Father say?'

Daughter stood in front of Poe shielding him from her brother protectively.

Son turned his attention back to the evolving darksider.

'It is irritating that you did not accept your fate Kylo, but no matter. You will die by my hand soon enough. Now, give the girl to me.'

Kylo stood in front of Rey pointing his blaster at the powerful being threatening to take her away from him again.

'Why would I give her to you?' he snarled.

'I'm not anyone's to give ,' Rey hissed.

'If you please me, I may yet let you live,' the Son offered.

Kylo laughed.

'Again I ask, why?'

'You do not fear the loss of your life?'

'Not as much as I fear the loss of the girl.'

'Interesting…'

Kylo bit his tongue. That was too honest an answer. Rey's energy was bleeding into his. It was dangerous for them both. The being already knew too much.

'Let us leave now or I will end your wretched existence,' Kylo bargained.

Kylo knew all too well the importance of appearing confident in life or death negotiations. Never let your rival know they had the upper-hand, his father used to say.

Han hummed his approval from deep down inside his son's heart. Kylo tried to ignore him.

The Son smiled.

'You still do not understand what you are dealing with. You cannot defeat me.'

Kylo felt dread spread through him. He was right. How could such an enemy be defeated? Son was a member of the most ancient family of Force wielders. Killing one of his kind was thought to be impossible. But thoughts such as that were counter-productive. Kylo attempted to quell his fears, he didn't want Rey to know he was concerned he could not defend her.

'If you want the girl, you'll have to go through me,' he growled.

'Very well.'

With a wave of his hand, The Son send Kylo flying through the air. He slammed hard into the outer cave wall then hurtled to the ground.

Kylo heard a crack as he went down. Probably a rib. Excellent.

Okay, this wasn't going to be as easy as he thought. No matter, he had been in worse scrapes...hadn't he?

The moment she saw Kylo go down, Rey called for her saber from Sons belt and lit it. She readied herself to face the Son alone. She knew that Kylo was in pain but she also felt his strong, steady heartbeat so she didn't turn around to check on him less the action put her in a more vulnerable position.

'This is your champion?' the Son asked incredulously, gesturing to Kylo.

'I am my own champion,' Rey retorted angrily. Her hatred made my hasty and she charged at the Son.

'Rey no!' Kylo called out.

He dragged himself up from off the earth and ran back towards them.

Rey soared through the air towards the Son with her saber held high. He immobilised her using the Force and sent her crashing into the ground. Kylo felt a sharp pain in his arm as she went down. Their bond was growing. He ran towards her, wincing in pain.

Son took aim on Kylo as he bent over Rey, his fingers crackled with dark lightning, but when he released it, the electrical bolts froze in the air like shards of ice.

Son looked to see his sister using the Force against him to block his attack. She sent a Force push towards his abdomen knocking him to the ground.

'Go!' She shouted at Kylo, Rey and Poe. They scrambled to reach the Falcon. Poe turned to give her one last longing look before disappearing into the distance.

Son got up and walked up to his sister.

'I told you not to interfere,' he blazed.

'You say a lot of things, Brother,' his sister retorted, her confidence growing.

'This is a new side to you Sister, I like it.'

'Leave the mortals alone, Brother.'

'Or what?' Her brother challenged.

'Or there will be consequences.'

The Son laughed.

'I didn't want it to be this way, Sister, but you are forcing my hand.'

Crackling waves of energy emitted from each of Sons fingertips, Daughter let her own energy flow through her hands and the opposing forces clashed together causing an electrical barrier to form between the two siblings.

A sphere of energy formed between them. Daughter fought hard to over-power her darkside brother but he remained too strong.

Just as Daughter was starting to feel herself weaken, Rey appeared and intercepted Son's attack. Using her saber she reflected the energy back at him. Son screamed in agony as his face was deformed by a series of strong electrical burns. Rey tried not to extract pleasure from his suffering but her darkside sang within her as she mutilated her sworn enemy.

With his vision impaired, the Son cried out in rage and lashed out at Sister and Rey sending bolts of lightning hurtling towards them. Rey shielded Daughter from her murderous sibling and waited for the inevitable life ending pain to course through her veins.

But the pain didn't come. Rey looked up in horror to see Kylo had intercepted Son's attack. He stood with his back to them, taking the full force of the lightning which hit his chest and caused his body to spasm uncontrollably before he fell to the ground, lifeless.

The last thing Kylo saw before he died, was Rey running towards him, screaming out his name.