Chapter 2

Rey looked back to Kylo only to find him gone. She stood up rapidly and walked over to Leia.

"I can explain," she began, and then stopped. Leia was still staring at the spot Kylo had been and holding onto the doorway as if it were the only thing keeping her standing. Rey reached out a hand to Leia's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Leia looked away from the chair to Rey. "Was that really him? Was it Ben?"

Rey paused at the look on Leia's face, part hope, part devastation. She wondered how long it had been since Leia had seen her son. A thought occurred to her and she frowned. Why could Leia see Kylo when no one else had seen him the last time he appeared to her?

"Yes," she finally replied. "It was him."

Leia walked shakily to the couch, sitting down opposite the chair. She seemed lost in her own thoughts. Rey, not wanting to intrude but unsure of what to do, remained standing by the doorway. After several minutes Leia composed herself, squaring her shoulders and looking back at Rey.

"How was he here?" she asked.

Rey walked over to the couch and sat down, looking at her hands. "I don't really know how it works." She glanced at Leia, who was listening intently. "After I found Luke, when I was on the island, I just woke up one morning and something felt different. And then there he was." She fidgeted. "We have a sort of c-connection." She stumbled over the word, feeling oddly embarrassed. She looked at Leia again. "You could see him?"

Leia closed her eyes. "Yes. I could see him."

Rey frowned again, not understanding. "But how? No one else can see him. The only other person was-" She paused, understanding dawning, "Luke. It's because you're sensitive to the force."

Leia nodded. "I was standing there and then felt his presence. I hadn't felt him since – " She stopped, a pained expression on her face. "Since the ship's bridge was breached," she finished.

Rey leaned forward, horror dawning as she realized Leia's meaning. "You mean…you can't mean that Ben was the one who shot it?"

Leia shook her head once. "I don't know for sure. But he was there when it happened…I felt him." All of a sudden she seemed to collect herself and looked at Rey, her gaze sharpening. "Does he know where we are?"

Rey's heart dropped and she nodded. "He knows we're on Naboo. How, I don't know."

Leia leaned back on the couch and put a hand over her eyes. "He doesn't know about this bunker. He's never been to Naboo, at least not…before he went to the academy, although it's possible he knows about the family we have here and the house above us."

Rey spoke quietly, "Is there any place else we can go?"

Leia sighed. "Only more obvious places, former rebellion bases. This was my last resort to lose the First Order so we could regroup." She stood up. "I'd better call the leaders together and come up with a plan."

Rey stood quickly. "No, wait!"

Leia looked at her, surprised, and Rey swallowed. She had blurted it out without thinking, a kneejerk reaction. "I just...he doesn't know where we are exactly. And you said yourself this was your last resort. If we run, he'll only find us again."

Leia looked at her a moment, then shook her head. "They need to know. We can't keep this a secret."

Rey reach out towards Leia and looked at her, pleading. "Please. I…I don't want them to know about the connection." She paused for a moment, before adding, "I don't want them to think less of me."

Leia laid a hand on Rey's hair. "No one will think less of you. But if you're so concerned we don't need to mention the connection. We'll tell them I received intel."

Rey let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Thank you."

Leia looked at Rey a moment longer, a faint smile on her face, before turning around and heading out to tell the others.

Kylo put the ship on autopilot and stood up, heart racing. He paced the cockpit, eyes darting everywhere and seeing nothing. He had not seen his mother in years. He swallowed and shook himself mentally. His mother was the one who shipped him off to Skywalker in the first place. Skywalker, who had tried to kill him when he was younger and who had taunted him on Crait. He felt the familiar rage at being deprived his revenge and tried to hold onto the feeling as his thoughts continued to spiral.

Despite attempting to keep the memory at bay, he recalled his father in the moments before Kylo had killed him saying "we miss you". His anger crashed into loneliness and regret at the memory. He pictured the look of shock on his mother's face and felt a tightening in his chest. Did she truly miss him?

He shoved the question aside, choosing instead to focus on a more pressing matter. His mother would now know of the bond between himself and Rey. Would she expose it to everyone? Would they leave Naboo before he got there? He walked briskly to the controls to see how much longer until he arrived and sneered. Too long. They could be gone before he got there. He pounded his fist on the controls in frustration. It had taken months to find them. Who knows how long it would take to find them again should they disappear.

Sitting down, he recalled Rey's abrupt cut off and pondered its meaning. What was it she was hiding? It frustrated him that she continued to keep herself from him. Why couldn't she see what he was trying to do? Had she not noticed that the First Order had stopped their pursuit months ago? Why did she continue to expect only the worst of him? He had thought she understood him, had killed Snoke in part because of his devotion to their future together. Again he asked himself why she refused to see? More importantly, how was he going to get her to see beyond the rebellion and the First Order, to see him?

Hours later he lay in his bed, restless, unable to sleep. Frustrated, he threw off the covers, stood up, and began pacing. If only he knew how to ignite the bond between them. If he could control when he saw her, maybe the connection wouldn't be so easily broken. He stopped pacing and closed his eyes, concentrating on the feeling of the force within him, trying to find…something, anything that felt like it might be what he needed, a thread to lead him to Rey.

He didn't know how long he had been standing there, it could have been minutes, it could have been hours, but at last he felt something different within the force. It felt as if there was indeed a thread, tied to him and leading elsewhere. He concentrated on it, followed it and tried to tug. He felt a change in the air around him and opened his eyes. Rey stood before him, surprise and something like heat in her expression before she masked it. He glanced down, seeing he was wearing only his sleeping pants. He smirked at her affectation of calm, hope blooming in his chest.

"How..." she shook her head, glancing around her before walking a few steps towards him. "How did you start the connection yourself?"

Kylo tilted his head as he looked at her. "I concentrated until I felt the connection between us." He leaned subtly forward. "How did you know I was the one who connected us?"

She shook her head again, frowning in confusion. "I don't know. It just felt different…almost like you were tugging me towards you." She glanced around suddenly. "I can't talk now. You have to go."

Desperation grabbed hold of him as he felt her begin to reach out towards their connection, likely trying to sever it. "Are you leaving Naboo?"

Rey looked at him, but didn't respond for several seconds. "I can't tell you. Leia knows about our connection. I convinced her not to tell the others about it for now, but it's only a matter of time before they find out."

Kylo glanced away at the sadness that entered her expression. "Afraid the mighty members of the resistance will judge you?" His question dripped with bitterness.

Rey shook her head. "It's not that."

Kylo narrowed his eyes. "Don't lie."

Rey's pressed her lips together, her expression limned with worry. "It's not just that."

"Then what is it?" He stared at her, silently urging her to speak the truth.

She frowned at him a few moments, unsure, before answering. "If they know that you have a connection to me, they could exile me from the resistance. I'm a liability now."

Kylo's face softened in surprise. He shook his head. "I would never hurt you."

"It's not me I'm worried about." She looked away a moment before returning her eyes to his. "Why did you continue hunting the resistance?"

Deliberately mistaking her meaning he replied, "I haven't been hunting the resistance. I've been searching for you."

She shook her head. "That's not what I meant." She took another step towards him. "Why did you keep pursuing the resistance after I left in Snoke's escape pod?" She took yet another step, coming close enough for him to touch. His heart raced. "Why did you not stop bombing the resistance when I asked you to?"

He gazed down at her, deliberating his answer. "What good has the resistance done anyone?"

Rey recoiled. "What good have they done?" Her voice began to raise. "They've fought against Snoke, the man who destroyed planets, the man who destroyed you."

Kylo felt pain lance through him at her mention of Snoke, the master who had only been after him for his power, just as his father had said. He stepped towards Rey and she took a step back. "But what good have they done? They weren't the ones who defeated Snoke. I was. The resistance is nothing but a bunch of nobodies parading around as the saviors of the galaxy."

Rey gave him a hard look. "Well one of those nobodies is your mother." Her expression softened as she looked at him, a mix of emotions appearing on her face. Raising her chin she said softly, "Found it." Before he could respond the connection between them snapped like a plucked string and she disappeared from in front of him.

Rey rubbed her eyes, the letters in front of her blurring. It was late, but she was nearly done translating the section on building a light saber and wanted to finish it as soon as possible. With Kylo's arrival on Naboo imminent, she didn't want to be left without a weapon to match his. Her heart twisted at the thought of facing him on the battlefield again, but she pushed the feeling aside and forced herself to return to the translation.

"Huuguughghg aaaaahnr huurh uggguh."

Rey started, not having heard the wookie approach, and glanced over at him. "I'm just trying to get this translation done."

Chewbacca motioned towards the door to her quarters. "Huurh uughguughhhghghghhhgh."

Rey shook her head, rubbing her eyes again. "I need to finish this."

"Huuguughghg." Chewie reluctantly turned towards his own room.

Rey turned back to the translation, then paused, looking back at Chewie. "Wait."

Chewbacca turned back. "Uugggh?"

"Can I ask you a question? About Ben?"

A mixture of emotions flew across Chewies eyes before he replied, "Uugggh."

Rey looked down at her hands a moment, wondering if she truly wanted to know his answer to her question. "Do you hate Ben? For…for what he did to Han?"

Sadness entered Chewie's expression. "Aguhwwgggghhh uughguughhhghghghhhgh uuh huuguughghg."

Rey softly replied, "It matters to me."

"Raaaaaahhgh wrrhw wuuh huurh."

Rey nodded. "You're right. He's not." She walked over to Chewbacca and put a hand on his arm. "But what if he could be again? Could you forgive him?"

Chewbacca paused a moment before responding. "Aarrragghuuhw uughguughhhghghghhhgh raaaaahhgh."

Rey nodded again and Chewbacca walked back into his room. Turning back to the Jedi texts she pondered Chewie's answer. He had shot Kylo after Han's death, but he had also helped Rey when she had gone to Kylo, despite his misgivings. Though Chewbacca said he didn't know if he could forgive Kylo, Rey suddenly felt sure he wouldn't try to harm him unless provoked. And that thought gave her a small measure of hope.

Though she had been up late, Rey woke early after a restless night's sleep. Her worry over her liability to the Resistance had kept her tossing and turning throughout the night. Her body ached from exhaustion but Rey got up anyway, knowing more sleep was unlikely. She glanced at the bed and found it empty. Leia was already up it seemed.

When Rey entered the common area she found it largely empty, only a few folks milling about, eating breakfast. She wandered over to the dining area and grabbed a quick meal. As she was finishing up, Finn and Rose walked over.

"Morning!" Rose exclaimed brightly, heading over to the food.

Finn rolled his eyes at her chipper greeting and Rey bit her lip to keep from smiling. "Good morning," she replied, standing up.

"What are you up to today?" Finn asked, grabbing a bowl and helping himself to food.

Rey shrugged as she washed her own bowl. "Nothing much. I'm hoping to get in some training, but aside from that nothing."

Finn nodded. "Great. I'll join you." He wandered over to join Rose at the table.

Rey raised her eyebrows. "You want to train?"

Finn shook his head. "Not really. But I don't want to be stuck underground all day either."

Rey hid her smile. "Well, I wasn't planning on going above ground. We're trying to lay low, remember?"

Finn rolled his eyes as he shoveled food into his mouth. "Please." He waved his spoon around. "Where will you be able to train in here?"

Rey looked around and then frowned. He was right. It was close quarters, even if there weren't many of them, and there weren't any spare rooms. "I guess I won't be training after all," she said, disappointment evident in her tone. Perhaps her time would be better spent rebuilding her light saber. If Kylo was truly seeking them, then perhaps training wasn't as important.

"Go back into the woods we landed in," Finn replied. "Just stay far away from the entrance and no one will find us. It's a big planet."

Rey contemplated his idea, unsure. He wasn't aware of her connection to Kylo, so he wasn't fully aware of the dangers involved. Then again, perhaps it would be best if Kylo did find her when she wasn't with the rest of the resistance. But she didn't want Finn there when he did.

Squaring her shoulders she said, "You're right. Great idea. But you won't be joining me."

Taken aback, Finn replied, "What? Why not?"

"It's too dangerous," Rey answered. "If the First Order arrives, I can't protect you."

Rose chose this moment to chime in. "Wouldn't it be better to have someone else there with you in case they do come?"

Finn nodded and looked at Rey. "I'll bring my weapon and keep lookout."

Rey bit her lip, wanting the company but not sure it was worth the risk of Finn's capture. Finn got up, not letting her reply. "I'm coming with you." He gestured towards her room. "Grab your staff and let's get going."

"Where are you going exactly?"

They all three looked over and found Leia standing a few feet away.

Rey cleared her throat. "I thought I might head up top and train," adding quickly, "but of course far away from our location. I-I thought it might be best if I stayed away from the bunker in case the First Order arrives." She tried to silently communicate with Leia her fear of being near the Resistance if Kylo found her.

Understanding sparked in Leia's eyes and she nodded. "Just make sure you're far away when you stop."

Rey let out a breath and nodded. A hand clapped on her shoulder. "Great," Finn said, "Let's get going."

Rey looked over at him and sighed. "Are you sure?"

Finn raised his eyebrows. "Sure about not being stuck in a bunker all day? Yes, I'm sure."

Rey looked at Rose, who shook her head adding, "There are a bunch of things that need fixing around here. You two have fun." Rey nodded, resigned.

"Well, I guess that's settled," she said to Finn. "Let's go."

The long trek back to the exit seemed much shorter than they remembered, perhaps because it was just the two of them. They both agreed it would be good to remain close enough that the entrance was within running distance, but far enough away that no one would discover it if they were caught. After walking for awhile, they came upon a small clearing in the trees, still hidden by the canopy above. Finn leaned against a tree with his back to Rey while she began her exercises.

Closing her eyes she breathed in, feeling the force around her. It amazed her how Naboo felt differently than Ahch-to had. With her eyes still closed she began her stretching exercises. The peace she found on the planet helped calm her nerves, still on edge after so many connections with Kylo in such a short period of time.

Once she completed her stretching she picked up her staff and began running through some basic combat exercises. Some she had picked up from Poe and Finn, although both of them preferred blasters to hand-to-hand combat. Others she had learned from her time on Jakku. After her first run through she turned to Finn to ask if he wanted to join her, only to find him asleep against a tree, lightly snoring.

She laughed to herself and ran through her exercises again. She swung the staff around, closing her eyes and letting herself sense the force flowing around her. She concentrated, trying to sense the barriers around the clearing. She parried forward, slashing the staff at one tree first, then another as she sensed them with each step she took.

She wasn't sure how long she had been practicing, having lost herself in the feel of the force and the staff at the end of her arm, when abruptly she gasped, opening her eyes and swinging her staff around quickly. Rather than connect with the intruder, it was stopped by a hand. Rey's eyes grew round in alarm as she looked first at the hand and then into the eyes of Kylo, standing there before her.

A/N: Thanks for reading! Reviews are always appreciated. :) In case you were curious I used a wookie translator for the scenes with Chewie. I'm not sure how legit it is, but in case you were wondering here's what he says, in order: Why are you awake?; Got to sleep; Fine; Yes?; It doesn't matter; He's not the boy I knew; I don't know.