A/N - Hello all you Reylo Lovelies out there!  Just a bit of forewarning - this is a non-Reylo chapter (sorry)!  We're really coming up on the end now (I think only 2 chapters plus Epilogue left...).   We need some drama to finish things off... so, here we go!  Thanks to everyone who has continued to read  and comment - you really do make my day!  Please send more comments my way, and please remember to hit that little star to vote if you like it!  Enjoy!

____****____

Ben's panic spiked at the shot of fear and adrenaline he'd felt from Rey – followed by the terrifying sound of nothing at all.  After she'd nudged him to let him know that something wasn't right, he'd been relieved to hear that she was already on her way back home.  But suddenly, everything had gone quiet.  She'd been mid-sentence when he'd felt her fear, and then - nothing.

His mind went blank for a few seconds, his brain unable to comprehend that something must have happened to her, when his comm link started to ring.  A feeling of fear – of sheer and utter panic crawled up his spine.  Ripping it off his belt, he plugged it into the holo unit in the conference room and slammed his hand down to activate the call.   Vicrul Ren – whom he hadn't had contact with in more than 2 months - was kneeling before him on the holo, and he immediately knew it was all connected.  "Vicrul.   What have you found?"

"Master.  Vitka has finally surfaced."  He said, with his head still bowed.

Ben had literally stopped breathing at those words.  Vitka.  He'd almost forgotten about her. Almost.  But he'd just known that she'd been out there, biding her time, plotting.  Waiting for a moment of inattention to strike.  His gut clenched, and it took everything in him not to vomit on the floor.  She had Rey.  He knew she did.  And Vitka wasn't one to delay her revenge.  Every second counted.  He had to get her back, now!

He hit the link to the communications center.  "Yes, Supreme –"

"Find the shuttle Artemis, NOW!"  He bellowed.

"Yes, sir.  We're locating her now."  The seconds ticked by in silence, causing Ben's hands to begin to shake.  Clenching his fists, he tried to take measured breaths, resisting the urge to lash out and destroy something – anything – in the room, but terror was starting to take over.  "One moment, Sir.  We're having some trouble locating her."

No........ He felt a painful constriction in his chest.

The communications technician came back onto the line.  "Sir.  Um.  The Artemis seems to have disappeared from our system."

"Fuck!"  He screamed.   "Keep looking!  Find her last known trajectory.  It left the Resistance base on Dantooine not long ago!"

He took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind, now muddled and numb, to keep fear and panic from taking over.  She wasn't gone, she wasn't gone.... He had to think.   Rey needed him to think!  Turning back to the holo, he spoke to Vicrul.   "She has her.  She took her Vicrul!  I need you to tell me everything you know - NOW!"

Vicrul responded immediately, without hesitation.   "Ap'lek contacted me, Master.  She found him, and asked for his help in..... gaining revenge on you for betraying the Knights.  It sounded like she wanted to bring all of us back together.  He refused, but believes that she also contacted the others."

Ben began to shake in rage.   If the others helped her, it would mean their deaths, as well as Vitka's.   "We have to find her Vicrul.   Time is of the essence.  You know Vitka."

"Yes, Master.  She doesn't keep her prey alive very long.   If... she hasn't already..."

Ben huffed out a breath.   "No.  She's not dead.   I can still feel her – a little.  But we don't have long."  He growled.  "They were able to disable the tracker on Rey's shuttle.  I don't know where they've taken her."

"She told Ap'lek that she was hiding in the Outer Rim, Master."

"I've told you to stop calling me that Vicrul!"  Ben told him in annoyance.

"Not yet, Master."

Ben nodded.   "Very well.  If you are able, contact Ap'lek, see if he has any more information about which planet she may be on,"

"Yes, Master."   The holo winked out.

He looked around the conference room at the stunned faces of the 3 Officers with whom he'd been in a meeting, and with a wave of his hand dismissed them.  Once they'd left, he sunk to his knees and pressed the heel of his hand between his eyes.   Rey.... He tried reaching out to her. Rey, can you hear me, Sweetheart?  Answer me.   Please, anything... Then, he felt it.  It was the smallest nudge.   No words, just feelings.  One that said,  "I'm scared, but all right."

I will find you Rey.   I know its Vitka.  Please, just, don't antagonize her.... I need time to find you.... I love you Sweetheart, and I'm coming for you.... Again, he felt the briefest spark – only a feeling – but this time it was relief.

His comm link rang again, and he hit the button to connect.  "What?"

"Sir, we've located the shuttle.  A First Order patrol ship found it drifting near Serenno."   The comm tech relayed hesitantly.

"Have my Silencer readied.   I'm leaving in 10 minutes."  He commanded.  "And contact Pride.  I want the Ascendancy to meet me there!"

"Yes, Sir."

His hands were still shaking, abject terror for her threatening to take over his entire being.  He didn't have time to meditate to try to calm himself, so just inhaled deeply followed by a slow exhale to further steady his rioting nerves and clear his mind.  He didn't expect to find anyone on the ship, but there could be some clues or traces of – something.  So he'd go to the shuttle and see what he could find – if he could sense anything.  If there was nothing, he wasn't sure what he'd do.... But he would find her.  Nothing would stop him.  He didn't have a choice – she was his everything.

He tried reaching out once more, sending her feelings of love and encouragement.  Hang on, Rey.   I promise I'll be there soon.

****

Rey's eyes blinked open in confusion, a searing headache throbbing at her temples.  Raising her head, she tried to get her bearings.  Where was she, and why did her head hurt so badly?

Trying to clear her mind, she searched her still foggy memory, and it all came flooding back.   That feeling of foreboding, fear and panic, and then that voice – that horrible, sing song voice that hinted at lunacy – just before everything went black.  Vitka.

Sitting up, she looked around, taking stock of her surroundings.  She was lying on a cot, in a dimly lit room.   A faint purple glow filtered in through a small window set high up on the wall.   Looking down, she saw that her hands were bound in cuffs in front of her, and immediately began to panic.

Stay calm Rey.  She needed to clear her mind, before fear took over.  Closing her eyes, she tried to let the Force flow through her, and felt – nothing.  Panicking, she tried again with the same result.  Glancing back down at the cuffs once again, she realized the problem.  Force blocking cuffs.  Shit.  Fear once again began to tease at the back of her mind before she tamped it down.

Looking around again, she began wandering around the room.  Noting an open door, she walked over and peered inside, finding a simple 'fresher with a toilet and sink.  At least there's that.  She thought as she continued walking around the otherwise empty room, searching for some means of possible escape.  In her current state – both very pregnant and without the use of the Force – it was probably hopeless.  Still, she walked the perimeter a few times, looking closely, trying the door, which was of course locked.

Sighing, she sat back down on the bed.  Vitka.  Ben had been right.  She'd been careless – had let her guard down - and Vitka had been able to get to her.  Her heart clenched.  Ben.  Did he even know what happened to her?   If so, he must be going out of his mind!  If she ever got out of this – no, when she got out of this – she'd never disregard Ben's adamant requirement for caution again.  Reaching out, she tried as hard as she could to push any feelings toward him, to let him know that she was all right.  Even though it was probably useless, she had to try – had to let him know she was okay – for now.

She wasn't exactly afraid, but she was nervous.  If Vitka had really wanted her dead, she'd be dead already.  But what did she want with her?  Recalling the woman's previous obsession with being "Kylo's" mate, and the Mistress of the Knights of Ren, Rey hoped the crazy bitch realized that there was no chance of that anymore.  The mere thought that the spurned knight could still harbor those ambitions worried her.  She obviously now knew that Rey was carrying "Kylo's" child, and that worried her even more.  Trying to touch her belly while cuffed was difficult, but she stretched out her fingers to rest them on it, closing her eyes to send warm feelings of protectiveness, love and comfort to the baby.

Breathing deeply, she felt a small spark of something flow back to her, and her eyes flew open. The baby had sent a wave of emotion to her!  Contentment.   Love. Trust.  Happy tears filled her eyes, and she pressed her fingers against her belly more firmly.  I will never let anything happen to you.  She thought fervently.

She had no idea what Vitka wanted with her – other than to probably do her harm.  All she could do now was wait for her to show herself, which she hoped was soon, because her stomach was growling.  Hopefully, they'd feed her.  She was pregnant, after all, but supposed that didn't really matter when one was a prisoner.

She didn't have long to wait.  Shortly afterward, the door to the room opened, and in strode Vitka with two men behind her.   All were dressed in black – the two men both wearing helmets.   It was the helmets that made her realize that they were two of Ben's former Knights.  But why would they help Vitka?  Ben had released them, and told her they had all gone their separate ways – by choice.

"Hello little mouse.   I see you find yourself caught in my trap."  She laughed musically at her own joke.

Rey just regarded her silently.

"Nothing to say, little mouse?"  She grinned back.

"How's the arm?"  Rey asked sardonically, causing Vitka's expression to lose its smugness, as she glanced at the cybernetic hand on the woman's arm.   Before the former Knight could respond, Rey spoke again, resignation in her voice.  "What do you want, Vitka?"

"What do I want?"  She asked incredulously.  "Well, I'll admit, I really wanted nothing more than to kill you – most gruesomely – to make Kylo suffer.   But now, I'm....reconsidering."

"Whatever you do, he's going to kill you for this.  You know that."  Rey shifted her attention to the two men behind her.  "Especially the two of you – after he gave you the choice, and set you free."   Rey could see the two men glance at each other and begin to shift uncomfortably.

"Be quiet!"  Vitka shouted.  "You know nothing!  He betrayed all of us – killed the Supreme Leader - for you!  A scavenger girl turned Jedi!  And for that he must pay.   He must suffer!"

Rey really didn't want to make her angry, but she wanted the other two to see what was likely Vitka's real motivation.  This wasn't about Ben turning and betraying the Knights.  This was personal – to Vitka, and her alone.  "Bullshit."  Rey told her.  "You were all his Knights – loyal to him, not Snoke.  He brought you from the Academy."  She stared at Vitka, who's eyes showed stunned surprise, then glanced at the other two once again before looking back at her.  "The truth is, you've been in love with him for years.  Wanted him.  You told me yourself that you believed you would be the Mistress of Ren.  Ben – Kylo - told me you wanted to - fuck him, but Snoke wouldn't allow it.  And once Snoke was dead, you offered yourself up once again, but he didn't want you – and that pissed you off!  Then, when you found out about me..... well....you couldn't take it – couldn't accept his rejection.  You still can't!"  She hated to be so crass, but didn't want to romanticize Vitka's obsession with "Kylo" in any way.

"Shut up!"  Vitka screamed.   "Lying Bitch!"  She pulled out a lightsaber and ignited it in one fluid motion.  "You twisted him!  Just like you're twisting the truth!   And you will pay – as he will pay!"  Vitka took two strides towards Rey when a monotone voice from behind halted her steps.

"Vitka, stop."

She was breathing deeply as her head snapped to the man who spoke.  "Cardo –"

"You will thank me for stopping you.   Don't react to her.  She's just trying to get you to lose your temper."  Rey focused on the man who spoke – Cardo, Vitka had called him.  Definitely one of the former Knights.  His voice was devoid of all emotion and inflection through the modulator in his helmet, which Rey found very creepy.   Had Ben sounded like that when he was Kylo?  Thinking back, she remembered the sound of his altered voice.  No - it wasn't like that.  Even through the modulator, there was always something about his voice that caught her attention.   

The other man spoke up.  "It is best for us to think about what to do with her.   If you truly want revenge on Kylo, we need to consider our options carefully and plan for all eventualities.  If you don't want to just kill her now and be done with it, then we cannot underestimate Kylo's abilities – or we will all end up dead, just like she said."

"Ushar is right, Vitka.  Stand down."  Cardo told her.

Vitka practically growled as she disengaged her saber.  Her eyes bore into Rey's, then moved over her body to land on her stomach with a distinct gleam.  "Yes.   I do have a few ideas."  She said with an evil smile.

Rey definitely got nervous at the malicious gleam she saw in Vitka's eyes, but she couldn't resist angrily commenting as she looked down at the saber Vitka still held in her hand.   "That's my lightsaber."

The woman's face glittered with malevolence.  "It was your lightsaber.  Since I lost mine because of you, I've decided to claim this one."  She turned it over in her hand.  "I have to say – I quite like it."

Rey tamped down the feelings of resentment and possessiveness at the sight of her saber in someone else's hand, deciding that now was not a good time to further provoke the unstable Knight.  She would get it back.  For the time being however, food seemed more important. Holding up a hand, she asked.  "A question... do you intend to starve me?  If not, would it be possible to get some food – or at least some water?   I tend to pass out if I don't eat regularly, and I'm sure that would spoil all of your fun if I'm unconscious the entire time."

Vitka's eyes narrowed, and she let out a frustrated yell as she turned and walked away, brushing by Ushar and Cardo.   They exchanged a glance before Ushar spoke.  "I'll have a droid bring you something."   With that, the two of them left, locking the door behind them.

Not great.  Rey thought.   But at least she wouldn't starve.  Hopefully, it was a start.

****

Ben could feel them the moment he boarded the inactive shuttle.  His former Knights – they'd been here.  He sighed, trying to push down his anger.  When he'd given them the choice to continue to stay with him, or to leave and be free, he had hoped that they'd use the chance to find.... something.  Some semblance of peace, or purpose.  A new life.  But maybe he'd trained them too well.  So well that they didn't know anything else – couldn't find anything else but darkness.  After this, he couldn't allow them to live.  That would be another burden he'd have to bear.

He wandered into the cockpit and laid a hand on the control console.  Ushar.  He'd piloted.   Continuing on, he reached out to see what else he could feel.  Brushing by the passenger seats, he stopped and placed his hand on an armrest.  His throat tightened, and he closed his eyes.  This is where Rey sat.   Traces of her latent fear were still present.

Moving on, he followed his senses to a supply closet, a feeling of dread overtaking him.  Death.  Rey's two elite Troopers and the shuttle pilot had been stuffed into it.  She'd gotten to know them over the past few months, and would be upset when she found out they were dead.

Spreading his fingers over the door latch he could feel the residual aura of two Force Signatures.   One was Vitka's, and the other was Cardo's.   Shaking his head, he continued to walk around the shuttle Artemis, trying to sense any more clues, but there was nothing.  Nothing at all.

Returning to his Tie Silencer, he could see that the Ascendancy had arrived, and was waiting nearby.  Pride met him in the docking bay when he exited his craft a few minutes later.  "Supreme Leader, Sir.   Were you able to find anything?"

"No.  Nothing useful – other than to confirm that several of my former Knights are involved with her disappearance."  His tone showed his disgust at that revelation, before he regained his stoicism.  "Allegiant General, bring the Artemis in.  The bodies of Lady Rey's crew are in the supply closet.  Have them retrieved and ensure they receive an honorable memorial.  They were clearly no match for my former Knights."

"Yes, Sir.  Right away, Sir."  Pride looked at his leader's stoic, outwardly emotionless countenance, which was now unusual to see from him, and offered further assistance, feeling badly for him.  "Sir, I'm so very sorry the Supreme Lady has been taken.  Is there anything else you need me to do?  For you, or to help in the search?"  The expression on Pride's face was one of compassion and understanding.   "Anything at all, Sir."

Ben regarded Pride and decided that he respected this man more every time he saw him.  He could see that Pride knew very well that his Supreme Leader was likely holding himself together by a thread, and was offering whatever help and solace he could, even without specific orders.  Ben gave his head a small shake.  "No.   Not at the moment.   I hope to have some more information shortly, and once I do I will let you know immediately."

"Very good, Sir.  I have already put 6 full contingents of Troopers on alert.  They will be ready to leave at a moment's notice to begin conducting searches.  They just need to know where."

Ben had to admit that he was both surprised and impressed at Pride's foresight.   Grateful too.   "Thank you, Pride.  That is much appreciated.  I hope to let you know shortly – but, just in case, have three of them deployed to start checking the more habitable planets in the Outer Rim.   Maybe someone will have seen – something.  Also, in the meantime, please have Comms check for any latent transmissions from the Artemis.   I don't expect there to be anything, but... "  He took a deep breath.  "I'll be in my quarters if you need me before then."

Pride nodded.   "Right away, Sir.  I'm sure we'll find her – that you'll find her – in short order."

The fear in Ben's eyes spoke volumes as he quietly responded.  "I hope so."  Turning, he strode away, leaving Pride to gaze at him sympathetically.  Poor Bastard  he thought.  If it was my wife, I'm not sure what I'd do....

****

When Ben reached their quarters, he sank to his knees in the middle of the room.  Scrubbing a hand over his face, he took a deep breath and re-positioned himself to meditate, wanting to try to call out to Rey.  Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply and slowly, trying to find some semblance of peace.  He was simply too distraught.  If he didn't calm himself he'd never be able to seek out and move towards her Force Signature.  But no matter how he tried, he couldn't find her.  He could still feel her, but he couldn't connect.  They must be using some kind of Force block on her.  He growled in frustration.

Like before, he pushed as much energy toward her, to give her strength, and to let her know that he was trying to contact her.  Similar to the last time he'd reached out, he was surprised to feel a small spark – a flicker of feeling – reach him.   Calm.  She felt calm.  That had to be good.   If she was in danger, or being held in less than comfortable circumstances, he'd expect to feel fear or other negative emotions.  He didn't know how she was doing it, but at least he could feel something from her.  He'd probably go absolutely crazy if there was just static.

At that instant, his comm link began ringing, and he answered immediately.

"Yes?"  He barked anxiously.

It was Vicrul once again.  "Master.   I have spoken to Ap'lek.  He knows nothing more.  She told him nothing, other than that she wanted help to kill your Lady Rey.  When he declined to assist her, she left immediately."

His temper spiked again, and the tightness in his chest increased.   "Cardo and Ushar are with her."  He growled.  "I gave them the chance for a new life – to live free!  And they just threw it away because Vitka convinced them to go on some half assed mission for her own revenge!"  Trying to calm his rising temper, he inhaled slowly, before speaking again.   "I cannot let them live, Vicrul."

"I am aware of that, Master."

"I am trying to figure out where to start searching."  He said frustratedly.  "But right now, I have no clue – no leads as to where to even start!"

"We will find her Master.  Of that I have no doubt.   Where are you?"

"I'm on the Ascendancy.  I will send you coordinates."  He was quiet for a minute.  "Thank you, Vicrul."

"I told you that I would help finish this.  And then I'll be free."  He told Ben solemnly.

Ben didn't have any words for the only Knight who'd remained loyal to him.   "You're a good friend, Vicrul."

"As are you, Ben."

Disconnecting the call, he walked over to the bed and sat down, resting his elbows on his knees with his head in his hands.  Being in this room, he was flooded with memories, and they tore at his heart.

They had spent the first few months here after the wedding, and all he could recall was happiness.  He closed his eyes and let the feelings wash over him.  He could hear her laughing as she regaled him with stories of her exploits to new planets with the Conciliation team, hear her voice scolding him when he was too harsh with Tiga one time after committing a minor error, and hear her passion when they made love on the bed that he was currently sitting on.

He let out a shuddering breath.  She was his entire life – his absolute everything.  The center of his galaxy.  He couldn't lose her.  There was no way he'd retain his sanity if he did.

How the hell was he going to find her?  He had to find her quickly – before Vitka hurt her, or worse.  His heart rate sped up and his temper flared.   Fuck!  He felt so helpless.  How could this have happened?  How could Vitka have gotten onto the Resistance base, and onto Rey's shuttle unnoticed.  He was so scared for her.  What if something happened to her – or the baby?  He knew he'd never forgive himself, and regardless of any promises made to stay in the light, he'd certainly burn the entire galaxy down if....... No! He couldn't think like that!

His hands started to shake once again.  That stupid, spiteful, bitch Vitka!  He'd kill her when her found her.   There would be no mercy.   She'd already be dead if it hadn't been for that bastard Hux.   He'd be doing the galaxy a colossal favour by killing not only her, but Ushar and Cardo as well.  And if Rey was hurt in any way, he'd do it slowly.  Torture them for daring to take what was his.   He could imagine his lightsaber removing small pieces of each of them, bit by bit, while they screamed in pain, until they bled out.

"Now, Ben.  We thought you'd come so far.  Yet here you are, venturing down a Dark path once more."

Lost in his musings, his whole body jolted.   His head snapped up to see his Grandfather smirking with his Uncle Luke beside him, frowning in disappointment.  Bloody Force Ghosts.

Ben just looked up at his Grandfather and replied sarcastically.  "Yeah, Grandfather?  Tell me you wouldn't have torn apart anyone who would've dared to take Padmé away from you?"

Anakin winced.  "You do have a point.  Although, killing someone to protect – to rescue – someone you love, or to keep them out of harm's way is a totally different thing, son.  Fantasizing about torturing someone because of your anger – your rage – well, we all know where that eventually leads."

Ben sat up straighter and crossed his arms in front of him, silently staring at them with a blank look.  A terse silence settled over the room for several minutes until Ben spoke, incredulity permeating his voice.   "So, you're telling me, that because I am sitting here, scared shitless about the crazy witch and unstable darksiders who have my wife - who probably want to kill her painfully - and because I'm thinking about gleefully murdering them if they so much as touch a single hair on her head, you are worried that I am falling back to the Dark side again?"

"The thought had crossed our minds."  Luke answered sarcastically.

Anakin stepped closer to him.  "Son, we just wanted to check in on you....to make sure you're....handling all of this all right."

Looking up at his Grandfather, Ben let out a mirthless laugh.   "Really?  Have I killed anyone yet?"

They were all silent again for a long while, before Ben spoke again, quietly, his voice breaking, his gaze unmoving from the floor.  "I have to find her.  I'd be lost without her."

"You will find her, Ben."  Anakin leaned down to lay his ghostly hand on Ben's shoulder. "Just.....trust in the Force.  The Force will lead you to her."

Ben rolled his eyes.  "Her Force is being blocked somehow!   Likely through Force blinding cuffs or a Force suppressing cell.  Your stupid Jedi riddles are bullshit!  How in the hell am I supposed to find her?!"

Luke spoke up from behind Anakin, his eyes boring into his Nephew's.   "Ben.  There is only so much we can do for you.  Please – listen to us.  Trust in the Force.  It will show you the way."

He looked at them with pleading eyes.  "Please.  Uncle.  Grandfather.  No riddles.  Help me.  Now!"

Anakin smiled at him as they both began to fade away.  "That's exactly why we came.  To help.   Remember, trust in the Force."

Ben blinked, staring at the spot where they'd been standing.  Fucking Force Ghosts.  He growled to himself. What the hell was that supposed to mean?  He had to figure out their riddle, and so kept repeating their words in his mind. Trust in the Force – it will lead you to her – it will show you the way.

Closing his eyes, he flopped back on the bed, the mantra running through his mind over and over until he fell into a fitful sleep.

****

Purple.  The aura that this planet emitted was always purple.  It had been at least a full day since Vitka had brought her here, and the light filtering in through the window always had a purple hue.  Lighter purple in during the day, deep purplish indigo at night.   She wondered where she was – what planet she was on – and how she could try to tell Ben that.

They had refused to remove the Force blocking cuffs for any reason, which was damn inconvenient, especially when it came to using the fresher – and because of her condition she had to use it a lot!  Sighing, she kept wracking her brain to come up with a plan to get out of this mess, but so far had been unable to do so.  Her best hope was probably trying to speak to either Ushar or Cardo – to try to convince them that Vitka's motives were not what she had told them.   However, she hadn't seen either of them since yesterday.

Suddenly, the door to the room swung open and Vitka strode in, closing it behind her.   Rey immediately stood to face her, waiting silently for the woman to speak.

Vitka looked her over from head to toe, cocking her head.  "And how are we feeling today little mouse?"

Rey's brows furrowed in confusion.  Why would Vitka care how she was feeling?  She cautiously responded.  "I'd be a lot better if I wasn't wearing these cuffs."   Rey held out her hands to Vitka.

Vitka laughed, an amused smirk on her face.  "Do you think I'm a fool?   No, no.  You'll be keeping those on."

Rey continued to look at her distrustfully.  "Then I don't understand.   Why would you care about my well being if I'm your prisoner?"

The woman's smile was positively gloating as she gazed back at Rey.  "Well, I have to admit, I'm not concerned about your condition specifically...."  Her gaze flicked down to Rey's belly, and her smile grew.

Rey immediately felt a spike of fear and protectiveness for her child.  She reached her hands up and laid them on her belly as best as she could.  "Why do care about my baby?"   She asked carefully.

Vitka walked closer to her and extended her hand to try to touch her belly, but Rey twisted away to avoid Vitka's hand.  Vitka's smile was thoughtful as she continued to gaze at Rey's pregnant form.   "Your baby is the key."  She told her.

"The key to what, exactly?"  Rey asked.

"Everything."  Her eyes moved up to Rey's.  "You see, Kylo will be happy to not have lost both of you – and this child will be the key to keeping him in line – to ensure that when I become the Supreme Lady of the First Order, he doesn't do anything stupid."

Horror dawned upon Rey, unable to keep her mouth from falling open in shock.  Vitka wanted her child.  But it sounded like she had every intention of not keeping Rey around after the baby was born, and would use the baby to blackmail Ben into doing what she wanted.   "You underestimate the Supreme Leader if you think that will actually work."  Rey told her.

"It will absolutely work."  Replied Vitka in her crazy sing song. "He will not risk losing the child – his only remaining tie to you."  She looked at Rey with glee.  "And I will be the one to raise it.  It will have everything it will ever want.   I'm sure it will be strong in the Force – only, I'm sorry to have to tell you – it will not be as a Jedi.  The child will be raised to know only the Dark Side."  Her malicious smile was now stretched over her entire face, which was clearly lit with lunacy.

Rey swallowed back her fear, and just stared at her silently.  The words  'You're insane'  almost slipped from her lips, but she was able to stop herself in time.  Don't antagonize her.  She reminded herself.   Let her think she has the upper hand.  Rey walked back over to the cot and sat down, continuing to watch Vitka in silence.

Vitka's grin began to falter.  "Nothing else to say?"  She taunted.  When Rey remained silent, Vitka's impatience got the best of her.  She walked up and got right into Rey's face, whispering her taunt.  "But by the time I'm done with you, you will.  Once your whelp is born, I'm going to kill you slowly and without mercy, for daring to take what is mine!"  Turning, she strode from the room without a backward glance, leaving Rey to shudder out a deep breath at her exit.

****

Purple.  His dreams were filled with the colour purple.  Everywhere he looked, that was all he could see. Purple ground, purple skies, purple glow.  Turning his attention, he could see a small, dark haired girl running through a field of purple grass, laughing joyfully.  Stopping, she turned and regarded him adoringly.  Look Papa - everything is purple.  Its such a pretty colour, don't you think?  Her smile was blinding but serious, filled with love and innocence, as only a little girl's can be when looking at her father.

He startled awake, gasping.   Sitting up quickly, he ran his hands through his hair and wiped the sweat off of his brow.  What the hell was that?   Was the Force taunting him with visions of a child – of the daughter - he might never meet?   Or was he just so terrified of what might come to pass that thoughts of his daughter were preying on his mind?

He rubbed his hand over his face, trying to wake up.  It had been 5 days without any sightings, without any additional clues as to where Rey could be, and he was starting become desperate.   She wasn't dead... he could still feel her Force Signature distantly.   Time was of the essence – he knew that.  Vitka was keeping her alive for a reason.  But she'd always been.....unstable, so her mindset could change in an instant.

After the first two days, he'd contacted his Mother to let her know what had happened.  She'd been beside herself, horrified that Rey's captors likely gained access to her through their base.   Desperate to help atone for whatever breach had occurred in their security, she'd promised to give whatever assistance he needed to help find and retrieve Rey.

Not long afterward, Finn contacted him and let him know that he and Chewie would be ready with the Falcon at a moment's notice, to help bring her back once he found her.   Ben hadn't bothered to tell him no – that Finn would likely only be in the way against his former Knights - knowing that arguing with her friend - and Chewie - was probably pointless.

He sighed.  He needed to focus.  Needed to try to connect with her again.  Getting into a meditative pose, he opened his mind and tried once again to reach out to Rey.  Once again, he could feel her, but couldn't connect.  Also, his mind was still racing, refusing to clear, completely consumed by a singular thought – purple.

It was like a chant in his head, repeating over and over.  Purple, purple, purple.

Gah!   This was useless!   Eventually, he gave up, deciding to have a shower to try to clear his thoughts – hoping that it would help him to relax a little and maybe focus better.  He'd try to contact her again later.

Turning the water to a scalding temperature, he stepped into the spray, relishing the feel of the heat on his back and shoulders, releasing some of the tension that had been building there since he'd lost contact with Rey.  The dreams still weighed heavily on his mind, and his chest was tight with worry and confusion.  What's so godsdamned important about the colour purple?  And the little girl that he knew was his daughter telling him that everything was purple.   In his dreams, all around her, all she could see was purple.  Purple ground, purple skies, purple glow.

Frustrated, he growled out loud and turned off the water, reaching for a towel to wrap around his hips.  Why can't he figure this out?  What's so special about -

He stopped dead in his tracks, his mind racing as an idea came to him, and suddenly it all made sense. Holy shit!

Striding into the bedroom, he sat on the bed and once again tried to clear his thoughts and connect with Rey.  He felt a flicker - a spark - of something, whisper across his senses.  Purple.  Purple.   It wasn't even a word – it was more of a feeling that was conveyed.  He opened his eyes, his pulse racing.  Gods!

He began to laugh, almost hysterically.  Purple!  He was now pretty sure that his baby daughter – his not yet even born, Force sensitive child - was telling him that purple was everywhere around her!  Closing his eyes again, he took another deep breath.  Fucking Force Ghosts!  Their stupid riddles – they couldn't have just told him to look for some kind of sign?  Trust in the Force indeed!

Scrubbing a hand over his face, he took a calming breath and felt a bit foolish as realization dawned.   The Force was telling him - his child was telling him through the Force – through some type of Force connection – that she was somewhere that was purple.   Whatever Force blocking device that was being used on Rey wasn't working on the baby.  His beautiful baby girl.

Walking purposely across the room, he picked up his comm link and contacted the Navigation desk.  They responded immediately.   "Yes, Supreme Leader, Sir?"

"I want you to find me every known planet that is purple, has a purple sky or gives off a purple aura.   I need the list ASAP.  Is that clear?"

"Yes, Sir.   Right away, Sir."'

As an afterthought, he added.   "And I want you to contact General Organa at the Resistance Base on Dantooine.  Tell her to let Finn know that its time – and send them our coordinates."

"Yes, Sir."

He plopped down onto the bed, still wearing nothing but a towel, in stunned shock.   The Force works in mysterious ways. Shaking his head, he remembered his Uncle always saying those words.  It wasn't until this very moment however, that he actually believed them.