Reflection of Fire

Part III Chapter 2

If Rey had been less nervous, she might have been amused by Rose's expression. It was clear, at any rate, that Rose knew enough about the family history to know who Kylo Ren actually was.

"How did you... what made you think you could do that?" Rose asked haltingly, her eyes wide, looking at Rey as if she had never seen her before.

"Well, I... we had talked a few times before. And Luke – Master Skywalker – confessed to me what really happened with the fire. So I thought I might be able to heal the rift in the family. I was wrong," she added, feeling tears prick her eyes.

Rose's face softened in empathy before she frowned slightly, considering. "What did Master Skywalker confess?"

"He started the fire, not Ben."

The slow blink that met this statement made Rey almost smile. "Luke Skywalker, renowned hero of the people, started the fire that killed Mistress Dameron and Master Solo?"

"Yes. Not on purpose, of course," she added hastily.

"Of course," Rose echoed distantly. "And why would he confess that to you?"

Her tone was not insulting, but she clearly wondered what a mere governess could have done to earn Master Luke's confidences. "I... maybe forced it out of him."

Rose burst out laughing. "Did you really? I would have loved to have seen that. I always thought there must be more to the story, what with him exiling himself and refusing to talk to anyone for years. It had to be more than just grief driving him. But how did you know? Why did you think to ask?"

Studying at her hands, Rey considered. "I ran into Ben a few times, like I said. He was very insistent I know the truth about what happened," she said quietly.

Silence greeted this revelation and Rey waited, afraid to look up. At last, Rose cleared her throat. "Well. So he told you what really happened and you got confirmation from Master Skywalker."

"Yes."

"And then you decided to go to old man Snoke's to rescue Ben and bring him back to a welcoming family, once they knew the truth."

Wincing at her own naivete, Rey nodded.

"How did that work out for you?"

"Snoke was... happy to see me. He wanted to ask me questions. When I refused to answer them, he intended to use more... effective methods."

Rose gasped. "No! What did you do?"

"Nothing. Ben stopped him," she said simply, feeling heat in her cheeks at the memory of how he had looked at her afterward.

Obviously waiting for more, Rose didn't speak right away. When she did, Rey could feel her eyes searching her face and didn't want to look up. "I see. And then you made your offer?"

"No. Snoke had asked so many questions about B.B., and I had told Mr. Bacca to pick me up after he'd packed her along, and I was afraid for her, so..."

"So...?"

"So when Ben also mentioned B.B., I got scared that I hadn't made any difference at all. And I... ran."

Rose snorted and Rey looked up sharply, hurt. "Of course you did. I would, too. It was very brave of you to have gone," she told her reassuringly.

"It didn't work, though," was her miserable response.

"We rarely know what effect we have on people," Rose answered, sounding distracted. Her brow was furrowed as she considered something, then she leaned forward. "What did he say to you? Kylo Ren. After he stopped Snoke."