Author's Note: This chapter was getting out of hand in length, so I split it up. So much happens in this force bond and it all becomes important to what occurs moving forward.

Chapter 4 - I call to you

It had been many hours since Kylo had last connected with Rey. He was sitting in his office, frowning at the datapad in front of him. For his day to day activities, he had decided to continue utilising the private workspace. The grand throne room which had only recently been constructed would only serve its purpose for meeting guests, ceremonies and any other official business. He was adamant that he didn't want to emulate Snoke, by wasting away his days on a chair. He was trying to be a more benevolent leader, who refused to rule through fear and intimidation. He had traded executions for negotiations and war for peace. However, Kylo wasn't above slaughter. When he was under the tutelage of Snoke, he was encouraged to take satisfaction in the kill. Even though he still had to demonstrate his authority through this method, he took no pleasure in it.

With his new position of power, he had been doing his best to curb his childish outbursts. It had been a while since he had destroyed a panel or piece of equipment with his lightsaber or fist. He couldn't say the same about flinging people into walls or force chocking individuals. He was still the prince of darkness, not a fully reformed man. He had been using meditation to assist in balancing himself. He no longer hid in the darkness or turned away from the light. With his old master no longer whispering in his ear, he became less conflicted. He didn't realise how much control Snoke had over him, until after his demise.

Since he had become Supreme Leader, he decided to change his title to Emperor. It was a simple way to differentiate himself from his previous Master, as well as a nod to the fallen Empire that his grandfather Darth Vader had helped to build. Ever since Crait, he had immersed himself in learning all that he could, about the policies and procedures that were currently in place and figuring out ways to maximise their efficiency. He was using his newfound position to make positive changes within the First Order, as well as the Galaxy under his control. This was proving to be a long and drawn out process.

Many people within the First Order weren't keen on his methods and found ways to question his authority at every opportunity. The most vocal was Armitage Hux. The email that Kylo was currently perusing declared Hux's 'dissatisfaction' over the lack of resources, that had been deployed to 'eradicate' the last remaining forces of the Resistance 'threat.' Kylo rolled his eyes. This man doesn't know when to give up. Kylo was trying to come up with an acceptable defence over his lack of action regarding the Resistance. His current justification of them not being a danger was becoming more difficult, due to their increasing numbers. He knew that Rey was the real reason he hadn't pursued them, and he couldn't come out and tell that to Hux.

He sat down the datapad and pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He had been at this so long, that he was considering retiring to his chambers and getting some much-needed rest. He was abruptly washed over with a rippling anger that threatened to consume him. It was causing his pulse to elevate and a spike in adrenaline that was dilating his muscles. It was a familiar strength that he normally wasn't afraid to utilise. Nevertheless, this felt strangely different. He was struggling to grasp control of it and before he knew it, he was punching the cabinet behind him with as much force as he could muster. The resulting blow causing the flesh that was stretched over his knuckles to tear open. The pain compelling him to realise that the acquainted emotion wasn't his own.

"Rey," he breathed.

He focused on pulling himself to her and observed the scene before him. Rey was standing on the opposite side of the table he was seated at. They were in a mess hall that was littered with broken glass. The people surrounding himself where either crouched down, leaning away from the table or covering their faces. He instantly recognised that the pilot and traitor were among them. Their expressions showing a variety of reactions from disbelief to fear. As he stood up, her astonished gaze locked onto him.

"I…I didn't…" Rey was faltering in the situation she had found herself in.

Kylo quickly coached her: "Rey, just breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth." He exaggerated a breath for her. "Copy me," he instructed.

She did as he said and released a shuddering lungful of air slowly.

There had been an unexpected hush within the room and Poe was the first to angrily break the stillness. "What the hell Rey?" he growled. "Why did you do that?"

Rey glanced over at him, she opened her mouth but was finding no words coming out. How was she meant to explain what she had just done?

"Tell him it was a disturbance in the force," Kylo answered.

Rey barely managed to choke out the words he had fed to her. "It must have been a disturbance in the force," she mumbled.

"So, you didn't do that?" Poe raised an eyebrow.

Kylo's voice was calm and comforting. "No," he said.

"No," she parroted.

Poe turned his chin up. He was considering what she had presented. "Was it Kylo Ren?" he asked.

She looked at Kylo and he nodded. She shrugged and offered, "Who else?"

Poe grimaced, he didn't understand the force and he wanted to accept what she was saying. She was on their side. She had no reason to lie to them, right? "What did he do?" he inquired.

"Tell him you have no idea and that you need to meditate on it," Kylo responded.

She cleared her throat. "I don't know. I should probably meditate on it."

Poe placed his hands on his hips and surveyed the table. "It must have been pretty bad for that to happen. That bastard is evil."

She opened her mouth to argue but Kylo was quick to shush her. "Just agree with him and get out of there."

Rey contemplated what to do.

"Rey, I know you don't feel that way. Please just do it," he smirked. "Call me a monster."

She closed her eyes and sighed. "He's a monster."

The tension in the room began to relax and was met with different shouts of agreement. Rey commenced making her way for the exit as Kylo moved around the table to shadow her.

Finn stood up to follow Rey. "Would you like some company?" Rose saw his movements and glared.

Rey plastered a fake smile on her face. "No thanks, I should do this alone." She made a hasty departure with Kylo Ren hot on her heels. She pushed on one of the exit doors and found herself outside. The door closed itself behind them with a loud thud.

The harsh humid air stung her face. The swampy world that the base occupied was covered in scattered, shallow marshland and a thick billowy fog that gave it an eerie feeling. Exotic creatures hid in the darkness and could be heard calling out to each other. It felt like eyes were watching them at every turn. It was similar to the planet Dagobah that Yoda had exiled himself on.

Rey was shaking as she turned back and faced Kylo.

"Are you okay?" He inquired despite knowing the answer.

Rey giggled uncomfortably and shrugged. "I'm supposed to say yes. That's what the champion of the light would say, but I'm not," she explained. "I want to be okay, but nothing about any of this is okay." She folded her arms around herself. "It's all too much too fast. I think something is very, very wrong with me."

"There is nothing wrong with you," he said. He bridged the gap between them, draping his arms around her.

She relaxed her stance as he moved towards her and practically fell into his embrace.

"I don't know what to do," she murmured into his black tunic and wrapped her arms around his waist. She clasped her hands behind his back.

He whispered into her hair. "Can you show me what happened? I want to help you."

"I don't think I could resist you right now, even if I tried," she absently sighed.

"How could my little Jedi become so defeated in only a few hours?" He asked with concern. "What happened to the girl who gave me my scar?"

She murmured. "She gives up."

He shook his head. "Nope, not my scavenger. She's a fighter," he declared. "She'll never give up."

She released him enough to peep up at his face. "Ben, I spend my days surrounded by all these people and yet I still feel completely alone. It's not like any of them really know me," she explained. "All they see is this mythical saviour, someone who they believe will slay the mighty Kylo Ren. I didn't ask for this."

He stared ahead as he spoke. "Neither did I," he explained. "I didn't choose to be a Skywalker. I had this destiny thrust upon me without a choice." He hesitated before continuing his train of thought. "Sometimes, I wish I was normal. I imagine having unimportant parents and being able to live an anonymous life."

She frowned. "Being born to nobodies isn't so great."

"That's not what I meant," he clarified. "I mean no force, no destiny. The ability to make my own choices."

She bit the inside of her cheek. "If you were given the chance, what would you choose?"

"A simple life, a job, a home," he squeezed her tighter, "a family of my own."

She found herself caught up in the picture he was painting. "I never really imagined myself as a mother," she whispered.

"I can see it," he said, making a bold leap and hoping she would play along. "I can see a big family. We could have two, maybe three children," he offered. "We would absolutely make up for the failings of our own."

She interrupted him. "I'm not staying home and becoming a baby factory," she grumbled. "I want to work too."

His heart skipped a beat. She was accepting his fantasy as her own. "I wouldn't dream of making you do that, but you would look adorable with a permanent pregnant belly."

She lightly punched him to lighten the seriousness of their conversation.

"Okay, okay," he chuckled. "You can go to work sometimes while I stay home with the kids. Maybe I can find a job where I can bring them with me," he pondered. "All that matters to me is that you all know you are safe and loved." He silently hoped that she realised the hidden meaning in his words.

She recognised the hint he was dropping. He was imagining a future with her, not because of her force abilities, but because he loves her. "Sounds nice, but it's only a dream. You aren't a nobody, and neither am I. Not anymore," she declared. "So where does that leave us?"

"Bonded by a force that insists on driving us crazy," he said. He kissed her on the top of her head and then pulled back from the embrace to see her face. "So, are you going to tell me what happened, or are you going to show me?" He smiled down at her.

She looked up at him. "You can see it for yourself," she offered. "I wouldn't want to miss out any important details."

He brought his hands up to either side of her head and she whimpered in response. "Don't be afraid," he stated. "If you relax, this shouldn't hurt."

"I'm not afraid," she grumbled. "I was enjoying your arms around me."

He chuckled. "I promise I will hold you later," he declared. "Just breathe and focus on the events in the mess hall."

She took a deep breath and he allowed his mind to touch on hers. He slipped effortlessly into the memory and began watching the events through her eyes.

She was seated around a long table with Poe to her left and Rose and Finn sitting across from her. They all had trays of food in front of them. They were in the middle of their meals when Rose piped up.

"So, Rey what happened on the Supremacy?" she stated.

Finn elbowed her casually and she glanced at him. "What? I know what you told me, but I want to hear the rest from her," she explained. "She knows what happened to us. I'm just curious, what happened with her and Snoke?"

Rey swallowed. "I don't really want to go over it. All you need to know is Snoke is dead," she stated. "That's all that matters." She allowed her eyes to fall to her meal and proceeded to push it around with her fork.

Rose continued. "Why did you go there in the first place?"

Rey's answer was simple. "I had a vision," she said. "The force guided me there."

"You never told me that," Poe interjected.

"What was in the vision?" Finn inquired.

"It doesn't really matter now, does it?" Rey replied. "The result won't change."

Rose considered Rey's admission. "Was it Kylo Ren?" she asked.

Rey shifted uncomfortably in her seat. "What makes you ask that?" she responded.

"Chewie, he said that you went there to save him," Rose stated it as a matter of fact.

Rey grit her teeth. "Can we drop this?"

"They are reasonable questions, Rey. If you answer them. We won't need to ask you anymore." Finn suggested to her.

"Okay, fine," she abandoned her fork on her tray. "You want to know the truth? Well, here it is. Snoke sent me a vision of Kylo Ren turning back to the light. I foolishly went to try and bring him back. It ended up being a trap," she explained. "Snoke tortured me in front of Kylo, wanting to know Luke's whereabouts and to punish Kylo for his compassion for me. Things got crazy, and Snoke ended up dead."

"Wait, Kylo Ren has compassion for you. Are you trying to tell us, that he is in love with you?" Rose had a hopeful glint in her eye.

"He asked me to rule the galaxy with him and I rejected him," Rey replied angrily. "You happy now? You heard enough?" The anger was bubbling up inside of her. How dare these people, her supposed friends, demand to know things that don't concern them.

"He proposed?" Poe laughed. "Jeez, that guy is delusional. You know we could use his feelings for you against him?"

She pushed her tray forward and sprung to her feet. "No!" she shouted, the pain evident in her voice. "I won't do it. I left him, that was cruel enough. I won't play with his feelings for your sick gain," she snarled.

"Calm down, it's just an idea. If I didn't know any better, I would think you're in love with him too," Poe countered with an arrogant grin.

Without warning the glasses on their table exploded and scattered in different directions. Everyone in the room reacted immediately through shrieks, gasps and varying states of shielding themselves. An unnerving silence engulfed the room, her eyes inspected their faces. There was no understanding, no compassion only fear, until her gaze fell onto Kylo.

She found herself addressing him. "I…I didn't…" Didn't what? Didn't mean to scare them with her uncontrolled powers, is that what she was trying to say? Or was it an apology for revealing more than she planned to? Either way, she was finding herself at a loss for words.

Kylo gently removed his mind from hers. He tucked a stray hair that had fallen across her face to behind her ear. He caressed the edge of her jaw. Their faces were so close to each other, they could feel each other's breath. Was this the moment that would change everything for them?