Rey went to bed straight after dinner, pleading a headache and stress. From the look of her, it was true – once more her eyes more closely resembled those of a panda, and while the smiles had flitted across from time to time, she exuded sorrow like a Shawn Colvin song. Kylo hated to admit it, but he had been anticipating at least the goodnight hug and kiss, and he felt their absence. After half an hour whittling further on the Millenium Falcon model, he swept the shavings into the fire and banked it up, then turned his damp clothing on the rack and hoped it would dry soon.

On his way up the stairs, he thought he heard a noise from the other bedroom – a gasp, a sob – but when he stopped to listen, there was only silence. He knew what it was. She was crying again, and he ached to go to her and hold her and kiss her and make it better. But if he went in, he would never come out. Instead he headed for his own room and tried to ignore the sorrow-filled noises that he knew she was trying to muffle. The exertion of chopping and bringing back the tree, and the emotional strain of the day, sent him into an exhausted sleep quicker than he thought possible.

He woke once to a distant coyote howl at four in the morning. Ice crystals were spreading across the skylight, framing the late-risen moon with a lacework of silver and pearl. For a few minutes he watched as it slid across the space, racing to catch whatever star was just ahead of it. Twenty years before he could have named the star immediately, but it had been too long. He soon drifted back to sleep, and woke again to the scent of something delicious – bacon, yes, but something more. According to his watch it was nine o'clock, well-past time to be getting his act together.

He passed Rey on the stairs on his way down to the shower, towel wrapped around his waist to spare her the view of his old and ratty underpants.

"I've made French Toast – it's in the oven. Coffee might be a bit cold." She barely looked at him, although her voice was soft. "What time did you want to head in?"

"In an hour?"

"I've made a shopping list."

He felt the detachment, and recognised it for what it was. When his parents finally decided to divorce, his father had had to wait a few days before his new apartment was ready. Until then, they had been coolly formal around each other. Civil. Letting the other know if something was running out or someone needed to take Ben to an appointment, but not really connecting. At the time it had seemed cold and emotionless, but he realised now they were trying to put their emotions away to stop it hurting so much when Han finally left.

And it hadn't worked. The divorce was cancelled after they both showed up at a protest rally against logging in some backwoods forest. Between the rain and the dirt and getting chained next to each other for five hours when everyone else had gone home and neither of them had the key, they'd managed to patch up their differences. They ended up coming home covered in mud, giggling like teenagers and spending another two hours in the bathroom washing it all off – or that's what they'd said when they finally emerged. Kylo was pretty sure his father had lost the key on purpose. The grin on Han's face said far too much. Teenage Ben had been disgusted by the display and it was from then that he started schooling his features not to show any emotions.

It had worked fine up to now.

He knew now that Rey was using civility to cover herself. She must have learned that from him. But it was helping hide the feelings he was desperately trying to quell. What he'd said to her on Tuesday worked both ways – if he was trying to protect her, but he got distracted by feelings for her, it might be a problem. So. Civility.

The shopping bags were gathered by ten, and they started the cold drive into town. Rey watched as Kylo carefully chose gears that would get them over the icy snow, with barely a slip even on the black sections under the trees.

"Did you always drive a manual?"

"A manual? Oh – stick? I prefer it." He turned onto the main road into town, grateful to be off the ice-covered mud. "I like the control. I think I need it. Do you drive yet?"

"Around Naboo? Not a hope." A shade of the original personality bubbled through, the bouncy almost-teenager with the puffy jacket and pigtails, and he grinned as she wrinkled up her nose. "Unkar or Miss Phasma drive me everywhere I need, and those roads! We spent an hour once trying to get from one side of the Theed University district to the other, just because the traffic was so bad. I can take the subway when I need to. Or a bus."

"If there's a warm spell and the snow goes, I'll teach you. If you want."

"Thank you." She rubbed her nose. "Yeah. That would be nice."

The road was almost deserted, with only one car passing them on the way. Rey had her mask out almost as soon as they pulled into a parking space, this time around the corner from the store, and Kylo wasn't far behind. As they approached the store, she held her shopping list out to him.

"Anything we need to add? I think we should have some hand sanitiser in the car, for after we've been in these places. And I want to get some snacks."

Kylo looked in his wallet. "Do you want to get the stuff, while I go and grab some lunch for us?"

She didn't answer, and he looked up to see her looking quizzically at a man walking down the street. He was middle-aged, unmasked and wearing clothes more suited to a city than the mountains, although if he kept to the populated areas he would be fine in the long black woollen coat and the black shiny pointed shoes.

"Rey?"

"Huh?"

"Someone you know?"

"I'm not sure." The man passed by them without looking at them, his heavy black overcoat wrapped hard around him against the cold. Kylo watched as he reached the bar and went in. Rey shook her head. "No-one I really recognise, but I feel as if I should."

"One of Palpatine's men?"

"I don't think I ever saw him at Poppy's place. I can't place him at all. Maybe some actor or writer or something."

Kylo nudged the holster, just to check it was there. Most of the time he could do it without thinking, but it didn't hurt to make sure. And to be extra cautious around town. He was fairly certain he'd done nothing that could be traced to this remote location, but it would be so easy to make a mistake. And fatal.

He pulled out some notes and handed them over. "Go get the shopping, and meet me in front of the library in half an hour."

"'Kay." She took the cash and stashed it in her own purse. "Saves me using mine. Snacks?"

"If you like. But I prefer your baking."

She crinkled her eyes behind the mask with the first proper smile of the day. "I have other plans too." Without saying anything more, she turned and walked into the shop with what could only be described as a sassy wiggle in her hips. With a sigh for what could not be, he headed for the church.

The church itself was dim, the candles at the front a contrast in light and warmth. There were many more than there had been the other day, and Kylo thought he might know why. The lack of masks on most of the townsfolk probably indicated a lack of attention to other necessary virus-avoiding actions, and he swore he'd disinfect everything when he got back to the cabin. It was too easy to become complacent. As he walked up the centre aisle, the door to the priests' office opened and a tall Hispanic priest came out, bare-faced and grinning at him.

"I assume that mask was what was in your mother's letter."

"You're just jealous because your mother can't make you one covered in gold embroidery."

"She sewed me a mask. I just can't wear it – it's tiny. She forgets how big her baby boy is these days." Father Poe gestured towards the office. "Come into the warmth.

Once inside, Kylo grimaced. "No hugs, and I'll keep the mask on. I should have last time, but the Archbishop …"

"Makes his own rules, I know. I'll be sanitising that chair once you've left, too." Poe sat down and opened a drawer, pulling out a thick manila envelope. "This is from your usual sources. And I have to tell you, things are crazy down in Naboo."

"Give me the short version. I'm meeting my client in just under thirty minutes."

"Well, you know the Don's in a bad way. It looks like the Capos are choosing their sides. There's been a flood of disappearances that your people suspect have ended up in the foundations of that new hospital they're building out in the suburbs. Word has it that Snoke's going to go head-to-head with that Consigliere of the old man's … what's his name?"

"Hux."

"Yeah. So it's not a safe place to be right now."

"And the contract on Rey Jackson?"

"Can't get anything on it. The other Families all seem pretty quiet. Mind you, this wouldn't be the first time they've done something without your people finding out. I have no idea if there are algunos topos en el bosque in them as well. You've done well to not be unearthed."

"How are you finding it here?"

"Lonely." Poe laughed. "I'm hoping this wasn't some sort of punishment. At least Finn and I are adults, and know our own minds. But it's so hard fitting in with the rules of the Church and what's in our hearts. If we were allowed, I'd marry him in an instant, and we'd set up a home for the lost rainbow community. Between the young guys trying to work out why they're attracted to their best mate, and the ones who've found their gender but don't dare tell anyone else … The Archbishop can only go so far changing the city."

"And there's a lot of the older generation holding it back. Thanks. And you've reminded me – I need to ring the old man."

"But I told you …"

"Yeah, but officially I don't know that yet. Can I use your sacristy?"

"Go for it. It's freezing in there though – we don't bother with the heaters unless we have to change." Poe laughed. "I think Father Jerd suspects something. He's been extra careful not to get changed near me. And I really can't tell him he's not my type."

"I know your type – dark and cheerful. Say hi to Finn when you talk to him." Kylo nodded, resisting the urge to hug his old classmate. He headed straight to the sacristy and pulled out his phone.

At the third ring, it was answered by a woman.

"I'm sorry," Kylo said automatically. "I must have …."

"Wait – is that Kylo? It's Gwen Phasma. Don't hang up."

He wanted to, badly. But either the Don's place had been taken over, or she just didn't know. "What is it?"

"Hux … Palpatine's in hospital. ICU. Not on a ventilator – he refused. But they don't think he'll last."

"And Hux?"

"Coughing his lungs out in some hotel. I'm in quarantine, but I don't think I have it. Yet. There's two more tests to go." She was almost crying, which surprised him. She'd been Rey's second housekeeper for the last eight years, but you don't get that position without being tough. "How's Rey?"

"She's fine. As am I. I need to go."

"Can you tell her something from me?"

"Make it fast."

"Tell her to tell you. To explain things. And if she doesn't believe that I said it, tell her mixing backwards doesn't work."

"What the hell?"

"Just say that. I'll be here at the house for two weeks from yesterday. Ring me if you need to."

She beat him to hanging up the phone, and he looked at it in confusion. Things must be worse than he thought.

He had fifteen minutes until he was meeting Rey. Hustling to the bar, he wondered what was really going on. Tonight he might get some answers. Until then, there was lunch.

He was just looking over the list outside the diner when a voice from his past spoke up behind him.

"She'll be finished shopping in about fifteen minutes – wanted me to tell you."

He turned to see the purple hair of the librarian, who was viewing him with the calm detachment she had had when she handed him the book of spaceship models. He assumed she was smiling – her face wasn't very visible under her floral calico mask.

Kylo felt his heart almost stop. Did she recognise him?

"It's good to see you again. Kylo Ren though?" Right. She did.

"You're the one who suggested I read the book."

"Scourge of the Galaxy. A bit out of date these days, but it got you reading."

"How did you know?"

"Your ears are still as prominent as they were when you were ten. You're supposed to grow into them, not have them grow with you." Her eyes were crinkled with amusement. "And the library is also where the town records are kept. When your parents sold you the cabin, I filed the paperwork. As soon as young Rey mentioned where she was staying, I knew it was you." Miss Holdo was tall, but she still had to look up to see his masked face. "She's an exceptional young woman. Told me you were her brother, but I knew that wasn't true. So what is the story?"

"I can't tell you."

"You're obviously looking after her. She told me about the hot stones, and I can see you're set to protect yourself." She glanced at where his holster showed under his open jacket. "And you're your mother's son. The son of Han Solo, rapscallion of Corellia, might be up to anything; but the son of Leia Organa would have a good reason to bring a young woman to an isolated cabin." She handed over a business card with an address written on the back. "If you ever need help, call. Or drop her off at my place and she can stay there, no questions asked. I've told her the same. But there's a cost."

"Should I ask?"

"When all this is over, because I have a good feeling that it's a short-term situation, come and tell me about it."

Kylo felt his shoulders drop a great deal of tension. "Yes, that I can promise."

"And one last piece of advice."

"Yes?"

"Don't get the clam rolls. They're terrible."

He laughed. "Chalmun's was never great at anything involving seafood. Thanks. But did you tell her you knew me?"

"No." Miss Holdo grimaced under her mask. "I know where you work, so if you're pretending to be someone else, it's not my place to give away your secrets."

"Wait! How did you…?"

"I never reveal my sources."

She stepped back and gave a salute with one arm across her chest, before heading off.

Rey was hopping from one foot to the other in front of the store with two filled shopping bags. As soon as he opened the car, she threw them in, followed them with the lunch he'd bought, then dragged him into the store. Near the back, beside the summer dresses and pairs of socks, a small selection of boots lay gathering dust. Most would be too small, but there was one huge pair that looked as if they'd been there forever.

"What size do you take?" Rey sat him down in the cracked leather chair then knelt and pulled out a Brannock Device from under the bench.

"Twelve, I think." He didn't tend to ask when he bought shoes, and it had been a while. She unlaced his right boot and tugged it until it came off. Sliding his heel into the curve of the measure, she slid the bars and checked the reading.

"A bit over. These should fit you." Hauling over the large dusty pair, she loosened the laces and opened the top. "Slip off your other one and try them both on."

Five minutes later Rey was watching the store assistant wrap up Kylo's old boots and slip them into a bag with a tin of dubbin, as he wondered at the fit of the new ones. The assistant shook her head.

"We've had those here nigh on fifteen years; never thought we'd sell them."

"Why so long?"

"Ordered them special for some family used to holiday around here, but they stopped coming. They didn't take up much space, so we just left them there."

Kylo tried not to look up while he heard that, certain that the tips of his ears were red under his shaggy hair. He started peeling off some notes from his clip, but Rey stopped him.

"No, these are a present to you."

"That's sweet of you," Kaydel said. "Not many sisters would buy their brothers a gift like that. On credit?"
Rey handed the card over, then jumped as Kylo grabbed it back and handed it to her.

"No, I will pay for my own boots. And it'll be cash."

Rey was scowling at him over the mask, but Kylo chose to ignore it, handing over the bills and stuffing the receipt in the bag. He stalked out to the car and sat in the seat, trying to get the anger down before Rey came in.

"That was incredibly rude of you," she said even before she had put on her seat belt. "That poor lady – her grandfather 's been taken to hospital and she's having a hard time with the store and you had to be like that!"

"You idiot. You used your card there on Tuesday, didn't you?"

"Why should that matter? Of course I did."

"Because if someone checks the bank records, they'll know where we are."

"Oh. Shit." Rey removed her mask and reached for the sanitiser. "I'm sorry – I didn't even think of that. Who would be able to, though?"

"You get your money from your grandfather?"

"Yes. But it's my account. I'm the only one with access to it."

Kylo accelerated away from the town, trying hard to tamp down the fear in his chest. "Your grandfather would have until you were of age. And I'm betting his accountant had that info too. Did you change the passwords when you turned 18?"

He glanced over at Rey. She looked close to tears, and he sighed. "I apologise. I shouldn't be so rough. But it could be the difference between life and death. I don't want anyone to find you, and this is one way they could."

"I didn't change them at 18, but I did a couple of years later." Rey put her mask back in its tin. "Some idiot stole my handbag, and I had to get all new cards, so I changed them then."

"Oh. Right. So hopefully no-one else can get into your account."

"No. So stop being such a bully." She slumped back down in the seat, looking like the sulky miss he'd brought out along this very road a week before.

He concentrated on the road, and grumbled as the snow started falling again. The silence hurt. Finally, as they turned onto the dirt road to the cabin, he took a deep breath and tried again.

"I'm sorry. Things aren't good back home, and I'm getting paranoid."

"You could ask nicely, or not be such a dick about it."

"I could, yes." Kylo pulled up near the house. "But would that really be me?"

"It could be."

"I suppose. Who's on dinner?"

"I'm making a pie. With vegetables."

"After dinner, I'll catch you up on all the news." And that would give him time to read the contents of the envelope in peace.

algunos topos en el bosque Spanish for "Mole in the Woods"