Audience Chamber, Dreadnot.

When the bidden materials had arrived at what was left at his quarters, Kylo Ren had proceeded to move the supplies into place with the Force, instructing the various troopers to begin welding and applying metallic adhesives. Several layers of metal hull siding, two interruptions from Hux, and a few plastic alloy sheets later and the area could function without emergency force fields. But it sill needed significantly more meticulous labor before this section was livable again.

Kylo maintained his position, giving orders and directing workflow, as his mind turned to more significant concerns. Mainly Rey. The only person he really wanted to communicate with right now. The person instrumental in his burgeoning plans for effectively evolving the galaxy.

In his conscious thought, Kylo wished this were simply a desire to reach out to a fellow Force user, a professional and necessary working relationship. But in reality, he craved her soothing presence. An unexpected desire blossoming in him to discuss his recent illuminating experience with her, just as she'd shared her ordeal under the island with him. Hope and something indefinable pooled in his chest, despite a nagging, bordering on rage inducing, fear that she might betray or deceive him in someway. These thoughts and feeling associated with Rey were the last confusing considerations left to him. And the only way he was going to sort that out was to communicate with her directly.

After realizing that, Kylo promptly elected another to take his place as micromanager before vanishing into the large and spacious audience chamber at the center of the ship. As he disappeared inside this new, temporary residence, Kylo gave one order. "No disturbances."

Now he stood, several hours of resolute concentration later, with his hands clasped behind his back, eyes closed, waiting. He knew she'd felt his exploratory presence through their bond. And since she neither accepted nor rejected his questioning probe, Kylo assumed she was postponing opening communication until she was in relative privacy.

He took another deep breath around his stiff jaw. This was taking awhile.

A sudden break of tension in the Force caused him to look up, eyes alight. She was standing before him slightly out of breath and soaking wet, a dry over-shirt the only thing that didn't seem out of place on her.

"Am I interrupting?" He asked, eye's inquisitively roaming over her loose, dripping hair and bare feet.

"Yes but at least you asked politely." She answered easily with a small quirk of her lips. There was an indescribable twisting in his stomach at the site of her, something between intense anticipation and curiosity.

"You found a way to open the bridge." She offered enquiringly when he failed to rein in his absorbed inspection of her appearance.

"Yes it took some time but… I… I wanted to talk to you about something that occurred this morning." Kylo wavered, having never been so forward with someone about his emotions before. Her eyes brightened in recognition.

"I felt it. Whatever happened, I felt the pain through our connection." She revealed quietly, gazing up at him with open acceptance, waiting patiently for him to share his experience.

He told her everything, far more than he intended.

Pacing back and forth while she listened attentively, he pored out the whole conversation with Anakin Skywalker, as well as his experience of being completely submerged in the Force and the realization that came after.

The bare bone details, that's all that was needed. Not the expression of his shear relief on having the input and unique experience of his grandfather. Not his unadulterated craving for solace, he was sure she could see it… But she wasn't stopping him and there was no judgment in her eyes.

"I know what I am now and I can accept it. I won't apologize for the past…" He summed up, finding her steadfast gaze again, "But I will remember it. And those mistakes will never be repeated." Something about those understanding brown eyes made him feel vulnerable. "I don't want to be a monster."

Sorrow washed over her features. She nodded, eyes watery. "If there's one thing I've learned in the last few weeks, it's that dark and light exist in everything. A duality that we all have to make peace with and find balance."

She said it so sagely. A bitterness washed through him at how simple this all was for her. No confliction, no tragic past… no mistakes. But still… she understood. And she wasn't looking at him like he'd crawled from the depths of horror.

"I understand why you wont apologize for the past, but what are you planning to do that's different for the future?" Her question made his lips twitch in an almost smile.

"That will depend on you, actually. I have begun laying the foundations for galactic independence." Her eyes widened comically in surprise, causing his half-smile to grow into a full-blown smirk, as he raised a finger. "But unlike when the empire was overthrown, I'm going to maintain control of the military for the foreseeable future while slowly handing power back to the individual systems. The start of this will be an official systems armistice assembly, which… I want both you and my mother to attend."

It was almost like a processor program stalled. For a long moment she just stared at him, eyes desperately searching his face for any sign of duplicity. The news, he knew, was almost to good to be true. Kylo wasn't sure what he expected, but he was slightly taken aback when her face closed off slightly and her voice became stern.

"I'll have to talk to Leia about it." She warned and though he'd probably think her terribly gullible if she wasn't a little skeptical, he was also disparagingly affronted that she doubted him. The rational part of his mind applauded her sound caution, while the other desperately smothered particularly violent inclinations.

"Of course." He nodded dispassionately, consciously unclenching his hands. The wrinkle in her brow suggested she'd felt his brief burst of resentment through the Force and was unsure what it meant.

Instead of commenting however, she simply nodded back and some of the tension eased. They stared at each other for what felt like a long time.

"You'll need a new lightsaber." He broke the quiet moment.

"What?" She asked startled into a frank response. "Why would you suggest that?"

"A Jedi needs a lightsaber." He shrugged, assuming she'd want one. But yet again she surprised him.

"I'm not a Jedi. The Jedi are over." She responded, just a hint of sadness underlying the bravado as she firmly folded her arms. She might not even know the unhappiness was there.

"Sad isn't it." His suggestive tone made her eyes narrow. Old habits. Manipulation was as much a part of him as his dark hair.

"No" She said, stubbornness setting her jaw "Just a part of life. Things end, people die, and nothing can be as it once was."

"How very wise," His mocking voice was visibly caustic to her, "Is that something you've read in one of the numerous surviving Jedi texts?"

It was an educated guess, knowing what he did about both his mother and Uncle, but her lack of response along with the look of shock and disturbance on her face was enough to prove it.

"Why would you say you're not a part of them if you continue to uphold their sentiments?" He demanded, stepping closer, towering over her and invading her space.

"Because there's dark in me too." She practically spat out, fists clenched at her sides, refusing to falter. "Because even if you don't agree with everything someone says, that doesn't mean they don't have any worthwhile opinions or beliefs." The way she said that made him think she was talking about more than just the Old Jedi. "Because even though we may not agree on everything, despite everything you've done, I'm still willing to give you a chance."

Her eyes were steady but her chest was heaving with emotion. "That's why I'm not a Jedi."

He stared at her, realizing for the first time that this had all been difficult for her.

Her head shot to the side, ears perking. Then she turned back to him, "I have to go. I'll talk to Leia and get back to you." Her face and emotions were closed to him and for some reason he hated that.

Nodding, jaw stiff he said "I'll have more details for you when the time comes,"

She nodded back and was gone.

Forest Path, Baskarn

"Rey!" She knew it was only a matter of time before they came after her. Actually, it was rather impressive they'd gotten this much time alone. She'd turned back to Ben. "I have to go."

His face was characteristically difficult to read. Some vague mixture of determination and grief, as the bridge snapped closed.

"Rey, who… who are you talking to?" A damp and out of breath Finn reached her first, hands leaning down to rest on his knees as he gasped. Poe and Rose followed quickly with the rest of Rey's blessedly clean, if slightly damp clothes. With a muttered thanks she began getting dressed, not at all sure how to answer Finn's question.

"It's…" she shoved one leg than the other into her calf-length pants. "Can we talk about it back at base? I have to tell the General and it'll be better if we do it all together." Rey wasn't at all certain how her friends would respond to the news that their supposed enemy was in intimate contact with her. To be honest, she was too scared to face their reactions alone. She wanted Leia with her.

Finn and Rose glanced at each other perplexed but just shrugged, "Sure, Rey." Rose said soothingly, obviously sensing her distress. Poe on the other hand, was gazing at her critically, accomplished instincts noticeably engaged and on high alert as she sat down quickly to put her boots on.

"Is it something to do with the Force?" He asked with grim authority, apparently unwilling to wait. Rey stood meeting his eye and nodded, hoping that would be enough.

Mollified somewhat, he gave a sharp nod back. "Alright then, let's get back so we can hear your story."

It was a long, quiet walk back.

Poe was the first to reach the small hut that General Leia alone occupied. He knocked surreptitiously on the large center pole, "General? Can we have a word with you?" Trailing behind slightly, apprehension was wriggling in Rey's gut like maggots on a corpse.

"Come in, Poe." Leia's weary voice called out and the four youngsters ducked into the shelter.

There was a sly grin on her face as everyone settled into the crowded space. "What can I do for you?" She asked the group at large, eyes settling on Rey who fidgeted, perceptibly anxious. All the other eyes quickly found her as well, waiting.

"He contacted me." She revealed hurriedly, "It wasn't just the bridge connecting us—he found a way to reach out to me." The tautness of her body was mirrored by the tension filling the hut. Everyone but Leia, who nodded thoughtfully, was visibly confused at her vague pronoun use.

"Who?" Poe leaned forward, breaking the eye contact between Rey and Leia and raising his eyebrows, pointedly irritated by the exclusion.

The General quirked a brow at Rey in silent question, the younger woman glanced down and away, desperately hoping Leia would understand her predicament.

If Rey had looked up, she would have seen the aging General grin, cunning eyes shining as she turned to the rest of the group.

"When I told you all that Snoke had died and that my son had assumed command of the First Order, that is not information I gleaned from the Force… but rather, a first hand account." Leia started leisurely, graciously willing to elaborate on what Rey could not. "Rey was there. While we were fleeing in the cruiser, she selflessly turned herself over to the First Order, in order to help Kylo Ren."

"WHAT!" Disbelief and shock were displayed freely on Poe and Rose's faces.

"REY! How could you not tell us?" Finn appeared more scared than angry, worry creasing his brow. "What happened?"

They were all looking at her expectantly. Rey opened and closed her mouth a few times in distress before looking back at Leia, eyes pleading.

The General, astute as ever, cleared her throat bringing the other's attention back to her "She was there because Snoke found a way to join her mind with that of my son through the Force. This allowed them to communicate enough were Rey realized there was good in him and the possibility for change. She went there, hoping he would come to the light and help our cause."

The others were silent now, eyes darting between Leia and Rey in fascination as the story unfolded.

"In the end, he killed Snoke to save her life… but was unable to completely conquer the dark within himself." The frankness with which she said this did not completely mask the grief in her voice.

"Something's different now," Rey finally revealed in a soft voice, eyes on the General. "When he reached out to me this time… he had some, unbelievable news."

She hesitated but they were all expectantly waiting for her to continue, so she took a deep breath. "He said he wants Galactic independence." There was a collective intake of breath, even from the General. A this point the other's seemed to be out of shock and simply stared at her but Leia's eyes were already calculating.

"What brought this on and how does he plan to accomplish this?" She asked shrewdly, not in any way critical of Rey, just extremely wary of this promising new development.

Rey quickly described the events leading up to Ben's revelation, leaving out only a few personal details. She didn't want to completely betray their burgeoning trust.

"I don't know for sure, but he was as sincere as I've ever seen him. Even though he wants to retain control of the military, I do believe he plans for things to change." Rey said earnestly, feeling rather relieved now that the whole story was known.

"But he wants you two specifically to attend this summit? Nah uh. I don't by it." Poe was shaking his head adamantly. "He knows how important both of you are to the Resistance."

Rey and Leia shared a long look. In it, they both expressed their hope, doubt and a need for time. General Leia looked back at her commander with a found smile, "You're right to be skeptically. This is a matter that requires time and thought, not rash action." Poe managed to look abashed while still sporting a cheeky grin.

"Would you all give Rey and I a moment, please?" It wasn't a request. They all knew an order when they heard one. Poe, Rose and Finn all rose to leave, with Finn giving Rey one last worried look before he ducked out the door.

"Your friends will forgive you," Leia said leaning in, an indulging smile gracing her features. She was so calm and understanding, it made Rey want to hide and cry.

"What if they don't?" Rey almost sobbed, tears leaking out. This is why she'd kept the truth from them. The idea that they wouldn't understand, that especially Finn might hate her for giving Ben a second chance was so overwhelmingly painful that she simply couldn't talk about it.

But Leia seemed to recognize Rey's feelings completely. Leaning forward to grab the younger woman's hands she said, "If you believe what your doing is right, then stand by it. The people in your life who are worth keeping around will understand eventually." Her eyes were so empathetic and gentle Rey broke down completely.

Tilting forward, her head came to rest on Leia's knee, allowing the tears to flow unchecked. As she sobbed, Rey noticed the fear and tension she'd been carrying drain out as the older woman ran a soothing hand down her back. Of course Leia was right, the older woman knew how to handle hard decisions and if she believed Finn and the others would forgive her, then they would.

After a few moments, the tears were spent and Rey sat up, hurriedly wiping at her nose and eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry, I've just… I've never been in a situation like this before." Rey stammered a little helplessly.

Leia smiled again, in a way that made her seem both sympathetic and wise. Then the General got down to business. "Rey, you mentioned that Ben seemed different now, after speaking with his Grandfather. I need you to tell me how, did you sense it in the Force?" She was intent but not overly pressing and Rey tried to concentrate on the feelings she'd picked up from Ben during their longer conversation.

"He seemed genuinely calm. There was no storm in his head, like… he finally knew what he wanted. Resolution replacing the confliction that was there before." Rey frowned as her mind turned internal, focusing on the whirlwind of emotions she perceived in that few minutes. He'd also seemed oddly excited and sad at times, though those emotions seemed to be directly related to her reactions and not his internal stability.

Looking up, Rey noticed that Leia was staring at the wall, eyes distant and unreadable.

"Leia?" Rey questioned, leaning forward to catch her eye.

The General took a deep breath and her eyes flicked back to Rey. "I told you that this connection was dangerous, and knowing that, you still wanted to maintain it. I admire your courage but are you sure you wish to continue? Because things have the potential to become much more complicated from here on, and loyal friends have been lost over less."

In Leia's eyes Rey saw a warning and a choice. Her confidence solidified in the knowledge that what she was doing was right.

"What do I need to do?"

AN: Woo! Had fun with that Chapter :) let me know what you guys think!