Chapter One

Rey and Leia sat together in silence while everyone else around them rejoiced. Rejoiced for what, Rey was not sure of. Yes, they had escaped the First Order today, but for how long? How far could they run when there was no shelter in sight? Their allies had abandoned them to death. Heard them call out in their greatest hour of need and remained silent.

Leia tried to remain positive, but Rey could see the stain on the older woman. The weight of the day came crashing down upon the General and while Leia remained outwardly resolute, her will of iron had begun to crack.

How many years had this woman stood up for the downtrodden? How many sacrifices had she made for the sake of the faceless masses? Her husband, her brother and even her son were gone. The loss was enough to break anyone.

So, Rey smiled back a Leia when the woman told her that "we have everything we need." She held her hand and watched as the others hugged each other and retold the story of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Master, as he faced down the might of the First Order.

No one else knew that Luke was dead. Eventually, they would have to be told, but for now the knowledge remained between the two women. Neither had the heart to caste a dark shadow over everyone else's joy.

Not many people approached her, despite the close quarters Rey could sense that everyone besides Finn and Leia regarded her with a little bit of awe and trepidation. They grateful that she saved them and thrilled that another Force user was on their side, but Rey was also regarded with a little bit of caution. She supposed she would feel that same if her first glimpse of a person was them performing an impossible feat.

The only person that seemed immune was the pilot, Poe. He approached her with no apprehension. Just gave her a smile and introduced himself. His instant acceptance helped her feel at ease in the room full of strangers that were clearly bonded by their shared trauma.

Rey looked over again at Finn. He was clearly distressed by Rose's condition. Rey wanted to help but didn't want to intrude on her friend. Finn seemed like he had bigger things on his mind than their reunion. It wasn't as if they hadn't had a nice reunion. Rey knew that Finn cared about her and didn't feel threatened by him making more friends. If anyone deserved it, Finn did. The former Stormtrooper deserved every bit of happiness the universe had to offer in Rey's estimation.

Still feeling a little out of place, she left to check on Chewie. Besides, the Falcon really needed two to pilot it. Now that the First Order able to track ships through hyperspace, they needed to stay alert. Redirecting her thoughts to what lay ahead, Rey tried to say positive. Despite all that had happened, they had survived. And above all, she refused to think of the haunted look on Kylo Ren's face as she closed the door.

….

"Sir there is no trace of the Rebels. It seems that they were able to escape on the Millennium Falcon." The lieutenant who delivered the message was clearly terrified.

The only hint of displeasure on Supreme Leader Kylo Ren's face was a slight tightening of his lips while his listened to the report. He already knew the rebels were gone. He could feel the distance between himself and Rey. Feel it and hate it. He could not let it distract him. What he needed to focus his energy on was solidifying his position and to rebuilding the First Order.

He could sense the doubt that many regarded him with. He was too young, too inexperienced to take over for Snoke. This first defeat did not help him. Especially since it was clear that he had let his personal history with Skywalker interfere with their primary objective of wiping out the Rebels. Several had seen his reaction when Skywalker had not died in the barrage of canon fire.

Leaders had to inspire confidence in their subordinates. He could not allow himself to be perceived as weak.

People had always underestimated him. Thought that he was only a brute instrument. A tool to be used and disposed of. But Kylo was also a careful student. As a child, he had learned much watching his Mother as she deliberated with other senators from the New Republic. Hell, it was practically the only time he got to spend with her as a child.

He had also learned much from Snoke, far more than his former master had realized. Like the importance of moving in the shadows, of manipulating others to achieve your own goals.

"We are done here," Kylo stated. "Return all troops and supplies to the Vanquish."

As he turned to leave, General Hux attempted to block his path. It was clear from the flush of color that stained the man's face that the erstwhile commander was ready to launch himself into quite a fit. Not in the mood to entertain one of the General's tantrums, or to have him undermine his authority in front of the troops, Kylo exerted a subtle amount of force on the General's body. Forcing him to remain silent and to take a step back.

"General Hux," he commanded. "I leave you to supervise the transfer of any salvageable equipment and supplies from the Supremacy to our nearest star destroyers. The handful of Rebels that survived are beneath our notice. Let them run like the cowards they are and have always been. No longer with the First Order, focus our energies on the petty annoyances of a few rather than strengthening our position within the galaxy."

With that, Kylo departed. Leaving the stuttering General in his wake. Hux had almost outlived his usefulness. Kylo would only need to tolerate him for a little while longer. He smiled at the thought of what would come next for Hux. The man's confidence in himself and presumption of superiority would make his fall even more satisfying.

Besides, Kylo had more important things to focus on. Like how he would punish Rey for turning her back on him, twice.