Chapter 22 - Bring me a dream

Rey heard the buzz of the intercom. She reluctantly untangled herself from Kylo's arms, tiptoed around the room and changed into fresh clothing. She felt guilty about sneaking out, but it was clear that Kylo needed more rest. He had healed her repeatedly in the last couple of days, and it seemed that it was all catching up to him.

She saw him grimace a little in his sleep. Before leaving, she grabbed her newly constructed lightsaber, clipped it to her belt, and leaned down to kiss his forehead. The confused expression disappeared from his face, and he relaxed.

"I'll see you soon, my love," she whispered to him.

She marched towards the exit and stole one more glimpse of her sleeping husband before leaving the room. After she opened the door, she was met with the sight of Hux. She placed her finger on her lips and stepped through the door, pausing for it to close before she spoke.

"Is my transport prepared?" Rey asked.

"Captain Parlux is completing the pre-flight checks as we speak," Hux responded. "I thought you would want to depart as quickly as possible once they are complete."

"Yes, I would. Why don't you lead the way?"she said. They began to walk, with Rey only trailing him by half a step.

"Is there a reason you didn't want to wake our lord?" Hux inquired.

"He needed to rest after healing me," Rey responded.

"I just assumed it was other activities that wiped him out," Hux smirked.

"Perhaps it was both," Rey replied with a smile.

Silence had settled between them as they navigated the corridors together. Hux finally broke it.

"I'm confused, my lady. How did you get aboard the ship?" Hux questioned. "All the transports in the hangar are accounted for."

"The Force transported me here," she explained. "In truth, it wasn't my original plan."

"I'm surprised you're even answering my questions," Hux replied. "Our Lord normally tells me that it's not my business."

"I'm just assuming that you're making sure the ship is secure and there isn't a secret way on board," Rey responded.

"Nothing escapes you, does it, my lady," Hux replied. "Can other Force users teleport?"

"Not that I'm aware of," Rey responded.

"Where are you staying on Naboo?" Hux asked.

"Just at some Resistance hideout," Rey smoothly lied.

"I wasn't aware the Resistance had property on Naboo," Hux responded.

"They don't," she quickly replied. "They just have weak sympathisers who feel bad for them."

Hux nodded. "Yes, well, some people do prefer to support the underdog even when their cause isn't worthwhile."

"I can't argue with that," Rey replied. "Will you be joining the dinner tomorrow?"

"No, my lady, someone needs to stay aboard the Finalizer to navigate any potential issues," Hux said.

Rey nodded. "Well, we certainly have been plagued by them of late. I heard you've been instrumental in tracking down who is targeting me."

"Of course, my lady," Hux responded. "We can't lose our spy within the Resistance."

They had made it into the hangar and were navigating their way through the activity of stormtroopers and a variety of ships. Rey was following slightly behind Hux, not knowing which ship she would be taking.

"Oh, and here I thought you were growing fond of me," Rey offered.

Hux swallowed, "I... uh."

"I'm only teasing, General," Rey interrupted. "I heard you prefer tall blondes anyway."

Hux smirked. "Not just blondes," he replied, fleetingly glancing at her before pointing to a trooper transport before them.

Maybe Ben is right. He might have a little crush.

"This is the transport, my lady," Hux gestured.

Rey looked up to see Captain Parlux with a clipboard in her hand, inspecting the landing gear.

"Thank you, General," Rey nodded towards him.

"Until we meet again, my lady," Hux bowed and turned to exit out of the hangar.

Captain Parlux spotted Rey and said, "I've just finished, my lady. We can depart when you're ready."

Rey, looking around and not seeing anyone nearby, whispered, "Thanks, Sam."

Parlux smiled and turned to head into the ship. They both boarded the transport and took their seats.

Captain Parlux started the sequence for takeoff. "I'm glad to see you made it here in one piece," she said. "How are you feeling?"

"Better," Rey replied. "Hopefully, our leader is back to full strength soon too."

There was a slight jolt as the transport took off.

"Is something the matter with him?" Parlux questioned.

"I think he's exhausted from having to heal me so much over the last couple of days," Rey replied.

"I'm not surprised," Parlux said. "Your accident shook him, and I'm sure controlling that magical force is exhausting."

Rey chuckled. "Yeah, it can be. Well, once the Knights of Ren are taken care of, maybe I can visit the Finalizer more."

"That would be nice," Parlux responded. "And perhaps I might get a chance to visit JK too."

"JK did tell me the two of you are close," Rey smiled. "I appreciate you lending him to me to maintain my cover," she explained. "People within the resistance now think he's my boyfriend."

Parlux blushed. "It's only fair. If anyone got to see my face, they think I'm the Empress and that I'm paired up with your husband," Sam playfully responded.

"At least the truth is shared among friends," Rey replied.

"Yes, friends," Parlux echoed. "And as your friend, Rey, I need to tell you that I have a suspicion that Hux may have a thing for you."

Rey frowned, "That's what my husband said. Do you really think so?"

"Hux was so mad when he found out you were targeted again. I heard that he was shouting at everyone on the bridge," Parlux explained. "He was desperate to prove his innocence and make sure you were okay."

"I'm glad to hear that he's not the one responsible," Rey said. "Did you hear that I tried to choke him with the force?"

"No, I didn't," Parlux gasped. "What happened?"

"I was so angry because I thought he was the one who caused my ship to crash and leaked my hospitalisation to the press," Rey explained. "I didn't give him a chance to explain. I kind of feel bad now."

"You shouldn't," Parlux replied. "He's done some awful things. I probably didn't hear anything because he was too embarrassed to admit it to anyone."

"Maybe," Rey replied. "It's so good to talk with someone about these things outside of my husband, of course."

"I'm glad I can be of service," Parlux smiled.

Throughout their conversation, they had navigated their way out of the Finalizer and through the atmosphere of Naboo. Parlux had landed in a different clearing than the Millennium Falcon.

"Where are we?" asked Rey.

"JK said he would meet us here," replied Parlux. They lowered the ramp and stepped outside. JK emerged from the nearby trees. Captain Parlux ran towards JK and they hugged.

Rey smiled as she watched them embrace. "I'll give you a moment," she said, walking away from them towards the end of an embankment that overlooked the water.

She turned back and saw them kissing, and quickly averted her eyes. She was glad to know that Sam and JK had found each other. She was gazing at the shimmering water when she felt a connection with Kylo Ren.

"Did you really need to sneak out of our bedroom?" he grumbled. "I would have liked to say goodbye to you properly."

"You needed the rest before you try to confront the Knights," Rey explained, as she turned to face him. "Do you at least feel more rested?"

"Honestly, not really," Kylo sighed. "I had this dream about a little girl stuck in an orphanage, and she looked like a mini-you," he explained. "She couldn't have been more than a couple of years old. It felt so real."

"That's probably because we found out the news about my fertility, and your mind is thinking about the child we may never have," Rey sadly responded.

"Rey..."

"No, it's okay," Rey interrupted. "I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. The last couple of days have been insane."

"They really have been," he replied. "I'm just glad you're okay. Now it's time for me to keep it that way. I need to face the Knights of Ren," Kylo declared.

"Well, call me if you need me," Rey offered.

"I'll see you soon, sweetheart," Kylo replied.

Rey smiled as Kylo ended the bond. She took a deep breath and felt Jk and Parlux appear behind her.

"Well, I must depart, my lady," Parlux declared.

"Thank you, Sam," Rey replied. "I'll see you soon."

She looked up to see Parlux nod then turn back towards the transport.

Rey addressed JK, "How are we getting back to the Villa?"

"I have a boat right down here, my lady," he gestured towards a small nearby pier. "I have to ask, how did you get back to the Finalizer? I went back to your room when I realised I'd dropped part of the clothing you gave me and found you weren't anywhere on the grounds and you didn't pass me in the hall."

"I was transported to the Finalizer by the Force," she explained. "I'm connected to our lord and can transport to him at will."

"That's pretty cool," JK stated. "It makes for a quick and easy getaway."

"It definitely does," Rey replied. "We'd better get back to the Villa before the sun sets and the Resistance wonders where we are."

After Kylo fell asleep, when Rey was still on the Finalizer. Kylo found himself in a darkened room with a dirt floor and a lowered curved roof. He wondered how he ended up there when he was just lying beside Rey moments before.

He heard a little whimper and noticed a series of beds on the far side of the room. Although there was enough light peeking through the shutters, it was still difficult to see. He followed the sound to a little cot at the end of the room and saw a little girl curled up in it, crying.

Why are you crying?" Kylo asked.

Between sniffs, he heard the little voice say, "I don't have a family."

"What about a mother or a father?" Kylo offered.

"No," she replied. "I live here with kids with no mummies or daddies."

"Come here," Kylo said, scooping the little girl up into his arms to take a closer look at her. She looked so much like Rey, with light freckles dotting her nose. Her signature nearly felt the same; it was only had a slight difference.

Kylo asked, "How old are you?"

"I was told it's my birthday tomorrow, and I'll be two," she replied.

"What's your name?" Kylo inquired.

"I don't have one," she explained."They call me 'girl.'"

"How about we change that to Leia," Kylo offered. "That was my mother's name."

"I like the name Leia," she smiled.

"Can you be my new daddy?" Leia asked with a sense of longing.

Kylo chuckled. "Why not, I'm pretty sure this is a dream anyway?"

Leia squealed with delight.

Kylo suddenly felt Rey kiss his forehead. He could hear her voice whisper, "I'll see you soon, my love."

"I'm sorry, Leia, I need to go now," Kylo said.

"No, please don't," Leia looked sad.

Kylo tucked a stray hair behind her ear as her hopeful brown eyes with little amber flakes begged him to stay.

He sighed and placed her down.

"Wait," Leia said, grabbing hold of his hand.

He paused and looked back at her.

"Can you move stuff with your mind?" she asked.

"Yes, I can," he chuckled.

Her eyes grew wide. "So can I," she whispered.

Kylo raised his hand, and a ball that was sitting in the corner flew into his hands. "You mean like this?"

"Yeah," she replied as she raised her hand to pull the ball towards her. She effortlessly caught it.

"Now I'll have to play another time," Kylo responded. "My wife - um, your mother is calling me."

"I have a mother now too?" Leia replied.

Before any further words were spoken between them, Kylo found himself pulled back to his bed. He woke up and discovered the space next to him empty. Rey was already gone. He blinked and tried to adjust to being back in his room aboard the Finalizer. He was still attempting to register why that dream felt so real.

It almost felt like one of his Force bonds with Rey, but with a little girl that was the spitting image of her. He shook the feeling away and got changed into clean clothes. He made the decision to quickly say goodbye to his wife before he made the flight to Taris. It was time to confront the Knights of Ren.