Chapter 1

His eyes. His eyes will forever be burned into her skin. Rey didn't want to leave him. Since they've discovered their special bond, all Rey has wanted to do is be with him to explore it further. She also wanted to be with the first person she has ever connected with on all her deepest emotions, thoughts, and experiences. His eyes were pleading, wanting, begging. His eyes told her things he didn't dare say aloud to his followers around him. But Rey knew she couldn't go with him as long as he still stayed with the darkness.

Rey walks silently around the Millennium Falcon as it travels through hyperspeed. She looks among the last remaining members of the Resistance. They chat quietly in small groups as they try to keep hopeful smiles plastered to their faces. A bump behind Rey's right leg causes her to stop. She turns to hear a cluster of excited beeps and looks down towards the floor. BB-8 nuzzles against her leg lovingly as a soft smile crosses her lips. Rey kneels down and pats his round belly in return. He bows his head to show her his brand new antennae and she giggles softly.

"It looks very nice, my friend. It is so good to see you," she says gently.

BB-8 beeps happily in response and nuzzles her once more before he rolls away to talk to R2-D2. Rey laughs quietly to herself when she hears the two droids chattering back and forth about the porgs which have stowed away on the Falcon. She turns away and sits alone on a bench. As she sits she hears a soft clank from her pocket against the bench. Her hand reaches in and pulls out the remains of her lightsaber. Images of her time with him instantly flood her mind as she stares at the two halves of the ancient weapon. She thinks of the way they stared at each other after he killed his master to save her, how they teamed up and defeated all the guards together, her hand on his hip as he pushed back against her to help her kick away an attacker. Rey also thinks of the way he looked at her after the fight, his eyes staring into her with an intensity which made her think he was going to kiss her. She thinks of the softness in his voice as he pleads for her to stay with him.

"Rey," a voice says softly.

Her eyes turn up towards Leia Organa, leader of the Resistance. Leia smiles down at her and carefully sits beside her. She wraps a gentle arm around Rey's shoulders and hugs her. Rey leans her head on Leia's shoulders, closing her eyes and letting out a breath she had no idea she was holding.

"I'm so glad you're safe," Leia whispers.

"I'm glad you're ok too, Leia," Rey whispers back.

Leia gives her another hug then turns to face her fully.

"I know this has been a long day for all of us, but I must ask. Did…did you reach my son?" she asks.

Rey lifts her head and locks eyes with Leia. Of course Leia knew. She has the Force and had to know why Rey was late to join when Chewbacca and R2 had already joined back up with the Resistance. Leia watches her but waits patiently.

"I did. I thought…I thought I was going to bring him back to the Resistance. I thought he was the key to our success against the First Order. For a moment in Snoke's throne room, I saw clarity and joy in his eyes when we battled against Snoke's guards. But when the fight was over, he…he told me to let the past die and join him to create a new world order. He offered me the galaxy but I…I couldn't…I…" Rey shares but can't continue as tears stream down her cheeks.

Leia places a hand on Rey's and pats it gently. She says nothing for a few moments but holds firmly to Rey's hand, letting her know she's here for her.

"I know, Rey. I know. I have tried to get back to him too. I know Luke says no one is ever really gone but it is hard to see it sometimes. If only -" Leia replies but pauses when a bleeping sound brings everyone's conversations to a halt.

BB-8 rolls over and plugs into the Falcon's computer to access the source of the bleeping sound. Something clicks and the room is suddenly filled with a holo of Kylo Ren. There are gasps from everyone as they stare at his massive form. Leia stands to step closer to the holo and realizes it is a broadcasting message the Falcon was able to pick up from the main galactic broadcast which travels to all and any frequency. Rey stares at the holo and feels her heart quicken beneath her chest.

"People of the galaxy! This is your Supreme Leader. The Resistance has fallen to the might of the First Order. There is little hope for them to continue forward at their vastly reduced numbers," Kylo's voice booms about the Falcon cabin.

Sad sighs and a few sniffles are heard from the remaining Resistance members. Although his words are true, it's still too soon for everyone to fully grasp their great defeat.

"However, I have a proposition for the Resistance to help restore some semblance of the peace we had before the First Order came to power. Unlike Snoke, I do not wish to see the galaxy in turmoil. We should be united as one to protect against any greater threats that may come to us all in the future," Kylo continues.

Everyone's interest peaks and they all lean in to hear his proposition. Rey's body tenses less as she hears his words and looks up at the holo of him in hope. The group readies themselves for Kylo's last words in the broadcast.

"I will work hard to make the galaxy more sustainable for all and to eliminate the fighting between the Resistance and the First Order. But in order to ensure the safety of the Resistance, I only require one thing: bring me Rey of Jakku."