Hi everyone! I just wanted to apologize for making you wait this long for update :/ I've been having some issues with some family members help, along with my last semester of undergrad starting back. The combined stress of that gave me a pretty bad case of writer's block, but I'm happy to say I've found inspiration again! So thank you to everyone who has stuck with me, and all the wonderful reviews, favs, and follows. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I'm already starting on the next one! :)

Rey stood deathly still, attempting to make herself appear invisible in the small, cold metal room that she, master Luke, and Leia stood in. She refused to look up at them as Luke told his sister everything. The truth about Ben's betrayal, his part in it all, his regret. Luke had told Rey he wanted her there, to explain to Leia about her connection with Ben, and her plan to bring him home; but Rey was wishing she was anywhere but in the current situation.

As Luke finished, Leia didn't speak. Through the force Rey could feel the emotions rolling off of the General; pain, grief, sadness, betrayal, rage. The uncomfortable silence was broken, making Rey jumped slightly at the sound of skin making contact with skin. Leia Organa had slapped her brother hard across the face. Rey didn't blame her.

"All these years, you hid away like a coward, while my son was out there! While you kept the truth from us! I had been so afraid Snoke would seduce him over to the darkness, but all along it was you, you're the reason he left! The reason he left me! Left Ha-" Leia couldn't finish his name, overtaken by her grief. Tears stung the corners of Rey's eyes. It was selfish she knew, but in that moment Rey realized with some bitterness that she would never have the mother she had dreamed about. She imaged her mother like Leia; heartbroken because Rey couldn't be with her. Vowing to come back one day and take her away from Jakku, to love and care for her. There was no one like Leia waiting for her. Those years with nothing but hopes and dreams for company had been wasted.

"Yes." Luke's voice was barely above a whisper, but he looked his sister in the eyes. "Everything that's happened, I helped create. I betrayed not only you, my sister, but my dearest friend as well. Leia, I don't expect you to forgive me, I don't deserve your forgiveness. I know what Ben's done, but I haven't given up hope that he can still be saved." Leia considered Luke's words for a moment, then turned to Rey.

"I just want to know how to bring my son home." Rey stared into Leia's eyes. She was so full of sadness, desperation, and yet there was the faintest glimmer of hope. Rey may never have gotten a chance at a reunion with her family, but she would make sure Ben Solo would. Not just for his sake, but for Leia's as well.

As soon as Leia had left to be alone, she excused herself from Master Luke to do the same. People buzzed about the Resistance base, making her head spin. She walked through the door headed outside and breathed in fresh air, letting it clear her head. The planet they were on was covered in forest, much like Takodana had been. Rey wasn't quite sure where she was going, but her feet seemed to. As she walked through the dense woods that sat close to the base, her thoughts wandered to the first time she had met Kylo Ren. He had chased her, toyed with her. Rey remembered being so afraid of him. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and unbearably laughable that he was the one she was trying to save now. Doubt crept inside of her as she thought about the task that lay ahead. Could she really save him? She had never promised Leia anything, only said that she would try, but she wasn't sure she could face the woman again without her son. He wasn't even talking to her anymore! He could be dead now...

No, he wasn't. She may not be able to communicate with him, but she could still feel his lingering presence. Like a ghost. Instinctually she licked her lower lip where he had sucked greedily, desperate for her. Rey stopped walking, her eyes closing, and breath heavy. She tried to push those particular thoughts of him away.

When she opened her eyes, she was startled by the familiarity of her surroundings. A clearing in the woods, with a large log from a fallen tree, covered in dense moss. She had seen this in a dream; their dream. Even alone she couldn't seem to escape him. Hesitantly Rey walked over to the large log. She thought of all the times a young Ben might have been in this same place. A feeling of loneliness swept over her, and she found herself feeling unbearably tired. Rey sat down against the soft ground and laid her head against the moss covered wood.

The dense forest felt like a cocoon. She could see why he would like it here. Rey closed her eyes. A single tear trickled down her cheek as she thought over everything that had happened the past few months.

She felt lost. When she had been on Jakku, still living in the fantasy world she had built for herself, she had a fire inside of her. That flame of hope burning bright had kept her going. But ever since leaving Jakku, learning the truth, that flame had slowly started to dim. Rey felt like she had no direction. She might as well be out in space floating around. Training with Master Luke didn't help ease this feeling. There had been many nights she lay awake wondering if she had really wanted to be a Jedi, or simply pursued the path because she had nothing else.

"You have a lot of anxiety for a Jedi." Rey gasped hearing Ben's voice beside her. He was leaning against the log as well, staring down at her with a fond look. Here he was in front of her like he had been many times before, and yet, something about it felt different.

"Are you alright? Are you with Snoke?" Rey asked frantically, turning to him. She surprised even herself that she reached out to grip his arm. Ben looked down at her hand, then slowly back up at her with a calm smile on his face. Something about the look in his eyes sent a small shiver down Rey's spine. It wasn't a pleasant shiver, like she had gotten before they had kissed.

"I'm fine. I won't be seeing Snoke for a few hours." His voice was too casual. It didn't hold the usual moodiness. Rey's brows furrowed in confusion.

"Then what are you doing here?" He didn't answer her right away. Instead, he brought up a cold gloved hand to gently cup the side of her face.

"Rey..." The voice that came out of his mouth was familiar, one she had heard before; but it wasn't Ben.

Rey gasped, sitting up suddenly. Looking around she found herself alone. The sky seemed a bit darker now than it had been moments ago. She had fallen asleep.

"It was a dream." She assured herself, but still tried to reach out to Ben through their connection. She was hit with the usual brick wall he kept up around his consciousness, but the thrum of his life force told her he was alive at least.

Rey got to her feet, shivering as the cool air hit her sweaty skin. She started back towards the base. Hoping that Finn, Poe, and BB-8 were finally back from the mission they had been sent on earlier. She was anxious to see her friends, but even more anxious to get going. Something felt wrong.

Kylo Ren stood in front of a large pane of transparisteel, looking out at the the planet that housed Supreme Leader Snoke. A twinge of fear gripped him. He knew what he had to do, he just wasn't sure if he would have the strength to do it.

"That's what you thought before you killed Han Solo. Your own father. If there's one thing you're good at, it's killing. Murderer...Monster." The voice in his head sneered. Kylo's gloved hand tightened on the hilt of his lightsaber. It took all of his strength not to slash up the room. Some part of him wasn't sure why he was even worried about making it out alive. What did he have after this? He would be hunted down not only by the Resistance, but The First Order as well. Would he run and hide for the rest of his days?

"Sir, your ship is ready to depart." The stormtrooper's words interrupted his thoughts momentarily. He wasn't sure why he did it, but in that moment he felt for Rey through the force. It wasn't enough to let her in, but just for him to feel whether she was alright. He might begrudgingly admit he was beginning to miss that scavenger. Finally Kylo turned, walking straight past the stormtrooper and heading for the ship that would take him to Snoke.