Saying good-bye to the scavengers should have been difficult, instead, it was rather easy to do. They were busy creating a new framework, she didn't need to be there for that. That itchy feeling was back, of being in the way, much like how she feels at the Resistance. Sure there are times she's needed but that's mostly in a fight, there are better mechanics. There are better people who at least have an idea about politics, about talking to people, convincing them. Rey wasn't gifted when it came to words, but fighting she knew. Checking her pack as she prepared to leave on her speeder stopping when she caught sight of the jagged edge of the kyber crystal.

Broken, useless just like you. Came a chilling whisper.

Rey snapped her head surveying her surroundings, she was alone. "Where…" She began breathlessly trying in vain to find the person responsible for that whisper. But none appeared. Shaking her head, blaming the heat or the exhaustion for the whisper as she strapped down her pack.

Quickly she made the final checks on her hobbled together speeder before she noticed a young boy running towards her. "Rey!" He shouted, waving his hands as he ran. Curiously she stood and waited for him to reach her. 'What did he want?' She wondered.

Out of breath, the young boy panted for a moment, it was a relief to see more life in his young face since the last time she saw him at the burial. "You're… you're leaving?" He panted tight fists at his side.

A quick nod was her initial response. With practiced ease, she unhooked her canteen offering him a drink of water. She waited till he took it from her watching as he dragged from it "My parts done. I'm just in the way now." She said softly with a shrug "Besides the Resistance needs me back."

Clumsily he wiped his mouth before returning the cap to her canteen. Looking up he opened his mouth once, twice as if to say something before slamming shut and handing her back the canteen.

"Thank you." She said softly and watched as he turned to glare at the sand. Looking back at her speeder she smirked. "I'm going to need to leave someone with this thing." She said nonchalantly shrugging and leaning against the vehicle. "You any good with machines?" She asked schooling her expression to be impassive.

His head shot up, eyes bright, and nodded "Yeah, I mean...I need to learn more but. Yeah!"

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AN: Thank you all for your patience. I have finally been able to work on this. I've already started work on the next chapter so I hope to have it up soon. Thanks for your time and stay safe.

Rey smiled, enjoying the brightness in his blue eyes. Gently she ruffled his brown hair, "Alright kid, It's yours." Easily she moved into the seat, "C'mon, I'll teach you how to drive it." extending her hand to help him clamber on behind her.

She waited till he was seated before fishing out another pair of goggles, handing it back to him. "You'll need these. And hold on." Giving the only warning before they were off, dunes flying past them. The outpost grew smaller and smaller as they sped away.

Easily Rey explained the speeder to the young boy while she navigated it to where she left her ship, enjoying the company. When they finally reached her ship, she heard him groan at the sand atop the vehicle. "That's going to take forever!" He lamented jumping off the speeder with Rey.

Rey chuckled before focusing and sending a gentle nudge through the Force, the sand easily falling away from her ship. Turning back to the young boy she was met with wide eyes behind thick goggles. Casually she began taking down her pack and slinging her staff onto her shoulder. "You know the way back?"

"Yeah" He responded with awe still ringing in his voice.

"Good." Turning back to face him she frowned "I don't know your name." She mused.

Shame seemed to swim across his face as he looked down. "I don't have one." He muttered.

Rey sighed, Jakku shouldn't surprise her at this point but here she was. Thinking for a moment "If you'd like." She began hesitantly waiting for him to raise his head before continuing "I could call you Ace." she offered.

He frowned mulling over the name "Ace." He said quietly as if testing it. A slow smile broke his features "I like it." Straightening, he stuck out his hand to shake hers "Hello Rey, My name is Ace."

Rey couldn't help the small smile at his pride, easily she clasped his hand. "Nice to meet you, Ace." A single pump of their hands before they let go.

He turned to look back at her ship, "You're leaving." He turned back with a serious expression as he watched her nod. "Will you be back?" He asked, not daring to hope.

For a moment she stayed silent, she hadn't considered returning to Jakku. Would she? She wondered. With a quiet sigh she responded, "Maybe, I don't know." She watched as he seemed to deflate at her answer. Placing a hand on his shoulder she knew that longing, to be with someone, for someone to care. She didn't know who he'd lost in the battle or if he even had anyone to lose. "But I know my speeder's in good hands." She started softly "Things are changing here and you're a part of it, Ace. They'll need you." Dropping her hand from his shoulder they held each other's gaze for a time. Only when he gave a firm nod did she move forward, towards her ship.

"Bye Rey." He said softly as she passed him. As she walked up the ramp she turned her head "May the Force be with you, Ace." and while she couldn't see his face, she could feel that little flame of hope and pride in him as they parted. Once inside she watched as he sped off. Maybe their paths would meet again? Who knew? But that uncertainty made saying goodbye just a little easier.

The take-off had been easy, almost seamless. Establishing a secure line, was quick. Reporting her success to the leadership had been annoying, as they pointed out that Jakku wasn't a part of the Resistance. She could accept that they called her mission success but a net loss for the Resistance. Talking with Finn afterward was the challenge. "What does it matter?" She yelled exasperated "Jakku is free!" She insisted, a scowl on her face as she spoke to her friend.

"No, it's not. It's still working for those degenerates." Finn argued, arms crossed and raising his voice to match her own.

Her hands slammed down on the console before her "On their own terms!" She snarled and watched as the holo glitched for a moment after her outburst.

He pinched the bridge of his nose "For now." He sighed and continued "But how long until someone else comes along and takes over the council you set up?" He pressed with a shake of his head. "They aren't self-sufficient, they're still vulnerable if-"

"If they don't join the Republic?"She snapped, scowl deepening "You mean the government that didn't give a damn about them for years? That one?" Pushing away from the console she found her hands as tight fists, for a brief moment, the whispers were back far in the distance but all too aware of her. Closing her eyes for a moment she took a few calming breaths.

Finn groaned, rubbing his hands over his face before he noticed her eyes closed. Taking her lead, he took a few breaths himself. "Maybe they'll join after we win, after the Resistance gets everything in line. After we make it better." He said with conviction and a hesitant smile on his face.

Opening her eyes she gave a shrug. "It'll be up to Jakku." she conceded arms finally relaxed at her sides.

"Rey." Finn started after a moment of silence, eyes darting around him, checking that there weren't others around. He spoke softly "Are you okay?" He asked with hunched shoulders.

Rey raised an eyebrow at that, sure Finn's default setting seemed to be worried but it caught her off guard. "Yes. Why?" She asked in a lower tone as well.

Keeping his voice low "I heard the report." He began, eyes worried, "I heard how you killed that guy." He whispered with a hint of fear in his voice.

She scoffed at that, shaking her head. "No one is going to shed a tear over Unkar Plutt." She said flippantly, "He would never let Jakku be free."

"Rey you strangled him with the Force before skewering his corpse and leaving him to rot in the sun." His scowl was back, incredulous at her response.

Baring her teeth in a snarl she wiped a hand down her face before crossing her arms "What's your point?" She asked with a bite to her tone.

He straightened and shook his head lightly "Rey, That's not you." he said, keeping his voice low, entreating her to listen.

"Who says?" She snapped a scowl on her face. "I'll see you soon Finn." She finished cutting off the call before he could respond.

Stomping to the pilot's chair she focused on getting back to the Resistance. She swore she could see fear in those brown eyes. Was that her fate, to be feared by everyone until they wanted something from her? At least for now it seemed that it was.

She looked at her pack, with the broken kyber crystal. She needed a lightsaber again. "He wouldn't have cared if I had cut the blobfish down." The Force could be savage when it needed to be. She just needed to have a lightsaber then they wouldn't be so skittish. That was the excuse she was going with, even if she didn't really believe it.

Politics was something Kylo had never excelled at. Getting others to do something, convincing them to be on his side wasn't something that came easily to him. Somehow he had to if he ever hoped to bring order to the galaxy. He relied on fear, intimidation, and in most cases humiliating his opponent into submission. Leading the First Order wasn't any different, and for the most part, it worked.

However, it didn't exactly breed loyalty. A fact he was coming to confront more and more every day. His subordinates wanted him to fail, waiting for him to fail. Probably the only reason he was alive right now was because of his abilities in the Force and that they at least shared some of the same goals.

The scent of charred remains clung to the room as he stood around the bodies of his would-be assassins. With his saber drawn he panted as he waited for the arrival of troopers. The assassins hadn't been quiet.

Standing among the dead he was hardly shocked when he saw Hux rushing with the troopers, the scowl on his face made it clear that this had been his hair-brained scheme. Thwarted by the would-be victim. But what evidence did he have? None. "General, you're late," Kylo growled out stalking toward the black-dressed man in front of the sea of white troopers. He enjoyed the fear that took over the man as he advanced with his saber present and crackling dangerously at his side. "I've already killed the would-be assassins."

Hux stood straighter, throat bobbing as he swallowed his fear "Well done Supreme Leader." His voice wavered slightly.

"I will find the filth behind this. And when I do they will be destroyed." The red saber crackling beside the general's face brought the veiled threat home. Kylo waited to watch his face be taken over with fear for a moment before extinguishing the blade and stomping off. "Clean this up." He snapped as he stalked out of his office, and towards his quarters. He needed time to plan.

She was making good time on her journey, well at least the autopilot was. Rey was finishing a nutripack when the sound seemed to be sucked out of the ship. "Rey." She heard him breathe her name behind her.

Setting down her dinner she turned to greet her dark partner, eyes widening as she saw his bareback. That heat that usually came to her face was nowhere to be found, as she noticed a large wound still fresh and bleeding on his back. Forgetting his state of undress she rushed forward to inspect the wound. "Blaster fire…" She whispered to herself before wide eyes snapping up to the profile of his face as he turned to her "What happened?" She demanded, chest rising with deeper breaths as she waited for him to explain.

He looked down at her, he found himself wanting to tell her to believe the worry in her eyes. But what if it was her people? No he'd need to hold this to himself. "A hazard of the job." He flippantly remarked as he reached back trying to place a Bacta patch on the wound, with some difficulty.

Rey scowled at his evasive answer snarling as he fumbled at his attempt at first aid. Her hand snapped out holding his wrist before snatching the Bacta pad from him. Swatting his hand away she placed the patch on the wound, even if it didn't cover it completely. "Fine. Don't tell me." She snapped at him glaring at his back. It was only then she noticed the various scars marring his skin. Tentatively she reached out to trace a jagged scar, wondering what weapon could cause it.

Kylo froze as she took over caring for his wound. Her feather-light touch shocked him. It felt...nice until he remembered which wound she was tracing. He could still feel the lightning, swore he could smell his own burning flesh. Jerking forward he shrugged on a loose black tunic before facing her, keeping a good foot of distance between them. "How is Jakku?" he asked, voice cold trying to maintain some control of his emotions.

"Running away again?" She sneered as she crossed her arms, to show her frustration with him. Not at all to stop from reaching out again. "Fine." she huffed with exasperation when he didn't respond. "It's free." She shrugged, waiting for yet another person to criticize her mission.

Kylo nodded "Well done." He clasped his hands behind his back as he watched her. "I'll admit I didn't think you could get them all to agree to be part of the New Republic. Outer worlds tend to be more independent."

Shaking her head she scoffed "No, Jakku is free. Not under anyone but themselves the way it should be." Hands balled into fists as she took a shocking step forward scowling "But then again you think they should be bowing to you." She sneered

Thinking for a moment he rolled his shoulders, lips pressing together "Yes, I could protect them. Bring order and end the wars, the suffering." He said quietly standing silently as she seethed.

"Even if it means destroying them?!" She snapped at him "Even if they don't want order, even if they don't want to be controlled?!"

"If the galaxy had given any order to that planet, you would never have gone hungry." He said softly as if that answered everything. Shaking his head "It would be easier for them to be under someone bigger." He watched her keeping his tone quiet and level "But if the people there are willing to create their own order, I admire them for it. Their independence is a strength." Taking a silent step back from her to maintain his distance.

For a moment she was shocked, Finn hadn't seen that the Resistance hadn't and yet the person that wanted to subdue the Universe under his command was standing here telling her that he admired Jakku for being free on their own terms? Her eyes squinted as she regarded him trying to feel that river to see if there was a lie or half-truth hidden in the depths. Finding none she relaxed.

Being under her scrutiny wasn't as unpleasant as when he'd been under others but it damn sure wasn't comfortable. "I imagine your little band of rebels are happy to have you back with them." He offered to try to divert the topic from himself.

Rolling her eyes Rey turned on her heel to pick up her meager dinner. "They can't wait to have their little bomb back," she muttered before turning back to see his inquisitive stare. "A bomb is useful in the right situation yes?" She waited for him to nod before continuing "But it can hurt you just as much as your enemy, you fear it but you want it." Extending her arms she gestured to herself and then to him. "We are bombs." She finished with anger tainting her voice as she dug back into her meal.

Kylo thought for a moment, hands coming to his side "I think that's a fair analogy for me at least." That at least was definitely true of the First Order, but they weren't the Resistance. "What makes you think that you are a bomb to them?" He asked curiously, she had sacrificed for them and turned him away for them. That had to mean she saw a place with them or at least that she felt she belonged, right?

Taking her time to finish the nutripack she tossed it aside before answering. "They're worried." she started arms crossing as if to ward off a chill in the air "Not for me, about me." Unconsciously she moved forward, her voice quiet as she continued "I killed him, and they don't like how I did it." she sneered out.

He stayed still, ignoring the distance he had tried to keep between them before, when she came closer he responded with a quiet voice as well. "And how did you kill him?"

She thought to keep her eyes on the ground, or anywhere else but his soft voice had her rise to meet his gaze. "I strangled him using the Force until he died." She began her voice quiet as if it were a secret "I left him to rot in the sun skewered." Remembering her actions, how Finn had reacted, she frowned questioning herself. "It was wrong." Her eyes stayed locked on him as she spoke searching for the judgment she had found before, for the judgment she felt for herself. "But…" She trailed off

"You never felt more alive." He finished for her familiar with the self-doubt in her eyes. The war between two sides of the coin. "That is the Dark Side of the Force, Rey. Destroying things that deserve to be destroyed." He offered her in his own quiet voice. Shuffling slightly closer his hand rose unbidden to trail down her arm lightly.

A quiet shiver ran down her spine at his touch, watching his eyes she saw only acceptance. She thought he might be happy that she'd done something so savage or that he might judge her as others had. Instead, he simply accepted her actions with no judgment one way or another. Shouldn't she be the calm one? Shouldn't he be relishing the evil she's committed? She let out a quiet sigh feeling adrift and uncertain. Everything was easier when he was Dark and she was Light, but that wasn't true. It was never true.

With a gentleness, he wasn't aware of he moved a tendril of hair that was dangerously close to getting in Rey's eyes. "You did what you thought was right, everyone will have opinions on your actions but they are yours alone. The only one whose say has any worth is your own." His voice deep as his hand came back to rest at his side, watching her hazel eyes wishing he could chase away the pain he found there.

They stood for a few moments quietly, comfortably letting his words hang between them. Keeping her gaze on his face Rey noticed the red mark at his hairline, certain it would soon discolor into a bruise. It reminded her of the wound she'd seen, and worry bloomed fresh in her chest. "Stay safe" she whispered and reached out to grab his hand.

As he quickly accepted her hold of his hand they both let out a quick gasp. For a moment they weren't standing instead curled close together with a fire nearby in a small shelter. Something wrapped around both of them. Just as before the vision ended before it really even began. When it released them, the two found they were alone once more. The only question being how long until that vision would come to pass?