Chapter 2

Rey couldn't be sure what kind of vehicle had run her over, but she was sure that whatever it was had been at least the size of the Falcon. She rolled over in her bed, clutching at her head and realized that she was about to be sick. She barely managed to pull herself out of her berth and into the 'fresher before she was suddenly, and violently, haunted by all of the drink that she had consumed the previous night.

When she emerged into the main room of the ship, she was surprised to see Chewie asleep at the dejarik table. He stirred as the metal flooring clanked with each of Rey's steps.

"Sorry to wake you," she muttered, her cheeks flushed and her hair disheveled.

He shrugged and stretched out his enormous frame with a yawn. She wondered if he'd stationed himself there to make sure that she hadn't gotten herself into any trouble overnight. Rey set about making some caf in the Falcon's small galley. She was sure that they could both use a cup after drowning their sorrows. She knew that she should eat, as well, but nothing available seemed to call out to her cravings. It was still somewhat strange to think that she could just hop off of the ship and go trade credits for food.

Rey found it amusing that the mugs available in the galley were all Wookie sized. Perhaps Han must have enjoyed drinking caf enough to warrant such big vessels. She smiled at his memory, knowing that she was following in his footsteps in this small way. She poured a cup for her companion and herself and savored the hot beverage as it warmed her soul and soothed her aching body.

"I'm sorry for last night," Rey said over the rim of her mug.

Chewie shook his head at her.

"Truly. I shouldn't have put that burden on you to know what truly happened there. It's in the past. I've just got to pick up and carry on."

He slung a heavy arm around her and dragged her in for a hug before grunting some words of wisdom in her direction.

Rey smiled. "Yeah, me too. Want to come along and find some food out in town? I could use a proper meal before we get back to work."

Chewie elected to stay behind and make some small repairs on the ship, but Rey was eager to grab some food and explore Mos Eisley for a bit before they took off towards Ajan Kloss. Surely she wouldn't find too much trouble while trying to rustle up some food, but still she packed some credits, a book, and her data pad in her satchel and clipped her lightsaber to her belt before wrapping her torso in a light shawl to protect her from the rays of both of the system's suns.

The streets bustled with activity. Shops were set up for the day and people of all species were out perusing their wares. Rey stopped by a stall selling jewelry and admired the pendants. She'd never afforded herself the luxury of wearing anything that wasn't practical on Jakku and didn't see a reason to start now. Then she remembered Leia and her many pieces. Heirlooms, or gifts from Han, most likely, she thought.

The shopkeeper noticed her after a moment and came to her side. "Found something you like, dear? Rings are really my specialty. Everything you'll find is handmade by yours truly."

Rey beamed at her. "I'm just looking. They're all lovely, but I'm not sure if I would ever have the occasion to wear such beautiful pieces."

"Nonsense, child, you can wear anything anytime and anywhere! Try something on. I'm sure you'll love it." She told her.

Rey reached for a fairly simple golden ring with a design hammered into its surface. She slipped it onto her finger and admired it. It gleamed in the light of the early afternoon. It fit her perfectly, but still, she wasn't sure if she should waste the credits on something as trivial as jewelry. She frowned and removed it, putting it back on the stand.

"It's really beautiful, thank you, but I don't think I should just now." She said to the woman with a sad smile.

"I'll hang on to it for you - pick it up next time that you're back, then." The woman gave her a smile and returned to her work.

Rey felt an emptiness where the ring had been a moment before, but she pushed the thought from her mind. Jedi were not materialistic and she didn't recall Master Skywalker having any such baubles. Perhaps another time.

She found a cafe a little off the beaten path that served some local specialties and decided to try her luck with the cuisine. She settled on a Bantha steak with mashed tubers and some kind of green vegetable that she had never seen before. Food on Jakku had been both scarce and bland so Rey savored every bite of the well seasoned dish.

Rey wandered a while longer through the town taking in the sights and admiring the small shops. There were robes, tunics, and leggings of many colors available at one stall and she decided to purchase some. Everything on her wardrobe had been battle worn and might not be the most suitable for wearing to any kind of diplomatic situations that might arise once she'd rejoined the resistance forces and leaders.

Making her way back towards the berth where the Falcon was docked, Rey sensed that she was being followed. She was suddenly thankful that her lightsaber was at her side, should she need it. She felt eyes on her back as she scanned the items for sale. She took her time now to see if she could spot her shadow in the crowd. Rey closed her eyes and reached out with the Force. It was then that she realized that she was being followed but she did not sense any danger. Just then, a small girl ploughed into Rey's thigh before quickly hiding behind a rack of robes.

"Are you lost? Do you need any help?" Rey asked her as the girl pulled a piece of fabric in front of her face.

She shook her head and finally spoke. "Are you Rey Skywalker?"

Rey smiled kindly at the girl. "I am."

"My nanna said she met you at the old Lars Homestead. She didn't think there were anymore Skywalkers." The girl said softly.

"I came to see where the Skywalkers came from. Do you know about them?" Rey asked her.

"Just that there are stories about them being Jedi knights. Are you a Jedi?" The girl asked, her eyes finding Rey's lightsaber.

She nodded to the girl. "I am. What's your name?"

"Alara. Alara Denz." She replied.

"Well, Alara Denz, what do you know of the Jedi?"

"They help people and protect them. That's what nanna says. I wish I could be a Jedi, too." The girl answered, beaming.

"Close your eyes, Alara," Rey instructed the girl. "Reach out with your feelings and see if you can sense what's around you."

The girl obliged and a serene look passed over her face. She was quiet for a long while before her eyes snapped back open and her jaw dropped.

"Watch out!" Alara cried, pulling Rey to the ground with her as a blaster bolt fired off over their heads.

Rey whirled around with her lightsaber ignited to face the oncoming danger. Stormtroopers. She held up her hand to channel the Force towards them and pushed the three armored figures into the rough duracrete wall behind them.

"We are no longer enemies," Rey told them with a loud, clear voice.

"Bantha spit," the one who had recovered the fastest retorted. "You're resistance scum and our orders from the Supreme Leader are to bring you in."

That remark stung, but she collected herself. "The Supreme Leader is dead' the First Order has fallen."

The troopers all looked to each other as if one of them could confirm that she was lying, before the woman asked her, "How do we know that that is the truth? You could be using the Force on us."

Rey extinguished her saber and approached them. She could feel in the Force that the troopers were anxious and untrusting and she could not blame them. Standing in front of the one that fashioned herself as their leader, Rey removed the woman's helmet and saw a face younger than her own staring back.

"Were you taken? Do you remember where you come from?" She asked her.

The girl shook her head. "You're not going to trick me with this mock kindness, Jedi! Get the binders on her."

The other troopers looked to each other before setting down their weapons. One placed a hand on the woman's shoulder when he spoke to her.

"We haven't heard from command in days, KT. I don't think that she's lying," he told her before turning to Rey. "Did you kill Kylo Ren?"

"I did not," she replied. "Ben Solo gave his life for mine and helped to destroy the Final Order. Your leadership is all gone. The rebuilding will start soon and we are hoping to gain access to First Order records on where you've all come from so that you can get home if you'd like."

Alara watched on from behind Rey in awe. She knew that Jedi were fierce warriors, but she never imagined that the attack by the stormtroopers would result in them laying down their blasters.

"Come, let's have a drink and I can answer any questions that you might have," Rey told them. "Alara, would you like to join us?"

The girl beamed and took Rey's hand as they headed off towards the milk stand.

"So Kylo Ren renounced the First Order?" The trooper called KT asked, her eyes wide.

"He did. Kylo Ren died on Kef Bir and Ben Solo was reborn. He helped to defeat Emperor Palpatine on Exegol and gave his life for mine there." Rey told them. "It was incredibly selfless and he became one with the Force."

Rey had learned that the troopers were called KT-1287, RT-0710, and DL-1026. They sat sipping blue milk in what little shade they could find nearby. The suns were sweltering to Rey in her light tunic and leggings - she could only imagine how the troopers felt in full gear.

"We were kids that were taken," KT told her then. "I never would have chosen this life, but it kept me fed and alive. I can't believe that there were others who deserted. It makes me wish that we had seen that path and taken it."

The Jedi placed her hand over the other woman's on the table and looked into her green eyes. "No one will fault you for not deserting. It's what we do when we rebuild that will matter, KT. I have a ship and you are all welcome to come with me to start over and start searching for your families if you'd like."

The troopers all smiled at that and DL responded, "We'd like that very much. We were just on a scouting mission out here and once we landed we lost contact with our command. We had heard whispers of the fall but couldn't believe it. I still can't, but I'm glad."

Rey smiled at them. "You must have felt very alone out here with no contact. I can't imagine that the last few days have been easy."

DL drained their drink. "The last few days? More like the last 15 years! Thank you, Rey. Thank you for talking to us instead of fighting back. I think I can speak for the three of us when I say that we're very grateful to you for the chance."

"It's the right thing to do. We've got to set an example for the future, haven't we?" Rey responded with a smile before finishing her own drink. "Speaking of which, Alara, let's get you back to your Nanna. I would hate for her to worry."

Alara pouted. "But I want to go with you!"

"I know how exciting it must seem to get away from a planet that is just desert from horizon to horizon, but I promise that we're not going anywhere very fun. I'll be back soon enough, little one." Rey told the girl.

She smiled. "When you come back, will you teach me to be a Jedi like you?"

Rey, thinking of the girl's quick instinct when the troopers had appeared considered her words. "I just might, Alara Denz. But for now, it's back home for you."

Author's Note: Thanks for the kind words and reviews, everyone! I forgot how exciting it can be to see those in my inbox. Sorry it took a little longer than planned to get the 2nd chapter out, but ch 3 is already in the works and should be up this weekend. This one ended up being re-written like 3 times because the dialogue just wouldn't flow naturally. Here's hoping that that goes away when some more familiar characters come into the fold! Thanks for reading and may the Force be with you!