Chapter Text
The cool metal of the Millennium Falcon’s control panel was a comforting feeling for Rey. After spending months away from the beloved ship, being able to sit in the captain’s seat once more was the most comforted she could ever feel.
Training with Master Skywalker had been difficult and trying, pushing her in ways she didn’t know she could be pushed. But now she was rather fluent in the ways of the Force and had extreme capability with a lightsaber. Her resolve was even stronger than before, as was her will, and Master Luke told her that she would have made her parents proud. Whoever, and wherever, the hell they were.
Seeing Chewbacca was equally as comforting. When he and the Falcon had arrived once more on the surface of the desolate, water planet, Rey was more than happy. Yes, she enjoyed Master Skywalker’s company, but he could be very cryptic and somewhat irritating at times. Despite the excitement of training in the ways of the Force, she was ready for something new.
Her training had been drawn out longer simply because of an ever-present distraction in her mind. Kylo Ren. The young man had confused her immeasurably. He was a ruthless killer, killing his own father and many others, and had an absolutely horrific temper, but that wasn’t all that was to him. He was far more complex. Somehow, despite being a murderer, he still hesitated to hurt her (and even Finn). Somehow, despite terrible issues with his anger, he hadn’t lashed out when she called him out for being fearful. Somehow, he wanted to train her.
With thoughts of the complex boy who had been tempted by the Dark side distracting her often, her training in the Light side of the Force dragged on too long. Her focus would dwindle at the worst of times, and her resolve would falter at thoughts of him.
“Are you okay?” Her Wookie co-pilot questioned as gently he could in Shyriiwook.
Not even realizing that she had zoned out, Rey shook herself out of her strange daze and turned to face her friend. “Yes, yes,” she smiled. “Of course. I’m just going to miss Master Skywalker.” After a moment’s pause, she added, “Despite how irritating he can be.”
Chewbacca did a form of a laugh. “Han found him irritating too, but he was a great friend.”
“He is,” Rey replied, smiling faintly. “So. We should get back to the base, shouldn’t we? I’m sure General Organa will have plenty for us to do.”
Beginning to set the controls to hyperdrive, her companion released another faint roar, “More like plenty for you to do.”
She rolled her eyes, laughing quietly. “Right, definitely more for me to do.”
As the ship lurched into hyperspace, Rey leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes and sighing softly. There were some days that the idea of simply travelling through the galaxy without a care in the world sounded like a perfect life, but she knew better. She was needed in the Resistance.
Chewbacca needed her, Finn needed her, even Leia did. If she were to just disappear like Luke had, she would be missed, and she’d feel guilty as hell. She had duties to uphold and responsibilities - especially now that she had more training with the Force.
After what only seemed like five minutes - but was more likely five hours - the Falcon had entered D’Qar airspace. The familiar sense of homecoming filled Rey as the scenery of the planet entered her vision.
“I didn’t know you could miss somewhere you’ve only been twice.”
Upon reaching the ground, Rey gathered her wits about her, wrapping her cloak around her shoulders. “Guess I oughta say ‘hello’ to everyone, huh, Chewie?”
The Wookie nodded.
She opened the doors, squinting her eyes at the sudden inlet of sunlight. The first sight she set her eyes on was that of a large crowd. Both droids and other members of the Resistance were congregated outside the ship, talking in varying dialects and ranges of tone.
Every member of the crowd’s attention turned to the two figures exiting the Falcon, and Rey was instantly swarmed in greetings of all sorts. Slightly overwhelmed, but also slightly excited, she scanned the crowd of Resistance members for familiar faces until she finally managed to find one.
Finn.
“Finn!” the scavenger yelled excitedly, pushing her way through the crowd to reach her friend. “Finn,” she sighed, smiling brightly, wrapping her arms around the man in a tight embrace.
Her friend smiled, returning her platonic affections. “Rey! It’s been awhile.”
“Seven months, one week, and two days, actually,” she quipped back, listing the exact amount of time from memory. “You’re looking better than when I last saw you.”
Beginning to lead her away from the crowd and towards the building, Finn nodded. “I sure hope so. Last you saw me, I was in a coma, so if I didn’t look better, those medical droids and I would be having words.” Rey was sure that Chewbacca was following them a little bit back, equally as grateful to escape the large crowd of curious people.
Seeing her friend had made her feel safer. Being on D’Qar now felt like less of a duty and more of a comfort, much like the Falcon and Chewie.
After a little more friendly exchange, Finn left to talk to Poe, and Rey was left in the amiable yet serious company of General Organa.
“How was your training with Luke?” the older woman asked, completely putting whatever it was she had been doing on hold.
“Difficult,” Rey answered immediately. “And trying, but also amazing.”
Leia laughed, nodding, “That sounds like my brother. Do you feel more in control of your power?”
If Leia had been any other person, Rey would have felt too uncomfortable with the amount of questions she was being asked. But Leia was Leia, and had been practically like a mother to her in the short time they had known one another, and for that, Rey was thankful.
“I do,” she nodded. “I’m definitely nowhere near perfect, but I’m a thousand times more prepared for anything thrown at me than I was before I trained under Master Skywalker.”
“That’s good news!” The general smiled before she sighed slightly. “But with that, I have a favor to ask you, Rey.”
Slightly wary of what words would leave the other female next, Rey nodded slowly. “Of course, anything.”
“I don’t want you to think you’re being taken advantage of - because you definitely aren’t!” Leia began.
Well, that’s comforting. Words like that definitely made Rey excited to do whatever it was the general was asking.
“Okay…”
The general released another, drawn out breath. “I need you to find my son.”
Rey wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but it wasn’t that. A tremor in the Force caused something on the other side of the room to fall, clattering loudly. “What?” she squeaked, swallowing her surprise as she tried to remain calm in the Force.
“Kylo Ren. I need you to find him… And to bring him home.”