Chapter 1

"You know," Rey huffed, adjusting her goggles to stop sand from getting into her eyes as she trudged through the sand. "Most husbands think flowers or a nice dinner for their anniversary, not trips to a desert wasteland."

Ben laughed as he tightened the scarf around his head, feeling Rey's jest through their bond. "I can't control when Poe sends us on mission sweetheart," he replied, grabbing her hand and squeezing it tightly. "Unfortunately flowers and romance will have to wait."

Secretly the pair was happy to be off base and on a mission again. With liberation movements slowing down and the galaxy recovering from years of occupation under the thumb of the First Order, their workload had been sparse as of late. While this enabled them to spend lots of time with the Force sensitives, they both longed to travel and stretch their base bound legs.

Seeing a large dune ahead, they headed towards there for shelter from the unrelenting winds that Tatooine was sending their way.

"How much further to Mos Espa?" Rey asked, leaning over Ben's shoulder to look at his tablet. "It can't be far now…" she added. Reaching out through the Force she could feel that their destination and who they were there to meet were both close at hand.

"Not far now," he replied. "Can you feel it? The Force signature is so strong. Whoever this is, they're powerful." Rey could sense his concern and worry, as the waves they were picking up were chaotic and lacking balance.

"I can't tell which path they walk," she muttered, trying to get a sense of what they were experiencing. Darkness swirled with light, but not balanced like the Grey path they walked. Instead it felt like drastic and violent swings of a pendulum.

"This should be interesting," he replied, smiling softly at her, kissing her gently on the lips. Happy anniversary, he whispered through their bond, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

Can you believe it's been a year already? She sighed into his warm embrace, allowing herself this selfish moment, as she deepened their kiss, the wind whipping around the dune that acted as their brief refuge.

Almost three since Exegol, he added, placing his forehead on hers. He allowed her scent and energy to flow through him, washing him with love and connection. Their Force signature hummed and buzzed around them, their touch causing the slightest hint of electricity on their skin. While it was always like this between them, they had not grown tired of the magnitude of their bond. Sealed and consummated in a way that few understood, they truly were one soul in two bodies.

"I love you," Rey whispered, kissing him gently one more time, before pulling her goggles back down on her face.

"I know," he replied with a wide grin, kissing her nose softly and then pulling his own goggles back down. "Let's go meet our new Force sensitive."

. . . . .

In stark contrast to the desolate isolation of the desert, Mos Espa was a flurry of activity. In many ways, Tatooine reminded Rey of Jakku, with a similar feel, energy and even smell. The dry heat and the oppressive sun almost made her feel at home, but she quickly shook that feeling from her awareness. Former home, she gently reminded herself, as she thought of the new life she was building with Ben.

Having faced this reality for more years than she cared to recount, she was eager to settle down, one day, on what she called a 'patch of green'. Something with water and life and vibrancy. Sharing her dream, Ben had shown her his grandmother's cottage on Naboo while visiting there after their wedding. In a state of disrepair and in desperate need of some love, they had gone back as often as they could over the last year, slowly transforming it into a home.

Rey brought her attention back to the city, as she took a deep breath, allowing the Force to flow through her like water in the ocean. She could feel Ben connecting too, as they collectively reached out to the Force sensitive that was living here. Like a moth to a flame, they could easily follow the energy signature, until they happened upon a stone hut, near the centre of the large city.

Just as they were walking up to the house, a young woman emerged from the front door, looking directly at them. Clearly having sensed them coming, she smiled happily and walked up to the Dyad, her eyes dancing. The energy that flowed off of her was of pure light, sending waves of confusion through their bond. There was no sign of the chaos and violent swings of Force signatures they sensed before.

"Hi there," Ben said softly, reaching his hand out to shake hers politely. "I'm Ben and this is Rey. As I'm sure you've figured out, we've come here to meet you."

"And my brother I imagine," she replied, still smiling. "Cyrus is around here somewhere. I'm River and we need to get you inside. A sandstorm is coming." She gestured towards her home, opening the door. Ben gave Rey a knowing look. A brother..

Indeed, she replied through the bond. "Thank you River. Being stuck in a sandstorm is not an experience I care to repeat."

River busied herself in the kitchen, making tea for her guests. At first glance, it appeared she lived there, alone with her brother. There was no evidence of any adults, despite her young age. She couldn't have been more than 17 or 18, but she moved around the kitchen as someone with a lot of experience taking care of herself.

"We heard your call," she said kindly, handing them their tea. "But Cyrus didn't want to seek you out. Said you wouldn't understand us."

"Why does he believe that?" Rey asked as she gently sipped her tea. It reminded her of the tea Ùna made for them so often during their time on Ahch-To.

"Because it's true." Ben and Rey turned to see a young man standing by the door, removing his face coverings he used to shield himself from the coming storm. "You won't understand us."

"Cyrus, be nice. These are our guests."

"Guests are invited," he spat, removing his goggles, tossing them onto a chair that was close by. The violent swings of Force signatures were immediately understood by the pair as they felt waves of aggression, anger and rage rolling off of young Cyrus. He was the dark to his sister's light, that much was clear. Together they created balance but alone they were a torrent and storm in a bright blue sky.

"Why don't you hear us out," Rey added, gesturing for Cyrus to sit with them. "If you still feel the same way, we will leave without incident."

Cyrus sat begrudgingly beside his sister, wrapping his arm around her protectively. "I know you can sense us," he said slowly. "You want River, not me."

"Cyrus," Ben said slowly, "do you know who I am?" The young man continued to stare at Ben, with what could be described as malice. He slowly shook his head no.

"Three years ago I was known as Kylo Ren," he stated bluntly. "While I no longer go by that name, perhaps you have heard of me."

River's eyes went wide at the disclosure of Ben's former identity. He could feel the fear trembling through her body.

"You cannot be…" she whispered as she tried to reconcile what she knew of the First Order monster and the man who now sat in her kitchen, drinking her tea.

"I was," Ben corrected, "so you see Cyrus, I may understand you a little more than you think."