Two Sides of the Same Coin

Part VIII

The days had passed quickly at the base as they planned for their next strategy. Finn was cleared from the medical wing and took Kylo's place as Poe's roommate. Poe was ecstatic and made a point to express his relief to Kylo. Kylo didn't care as there was another place down the hall that he could occupy. It was closer to Rey's and Skywalker's rooms and he was glad for it. His window was closing. The bounty hunter had stayed for too long already and people were starting to notice.

Leia had insisted in keeping the hunter close by, but it seemed that Kylo couldn't ever get a moment alone with Phasma. They couldn't plan anything without drawing attention, but he would need to come up with something quickly. It was hard with Cristin, Rey, and his mother all at his back constantly.

Although, he found a moment when Poe drew Cristin away and he found the time to right a quick note. When he passed Phasma's barracks later that day, he slipped the note under the door before anyone noticed. Kylo had detailed that she should reach out and send the signal to the First Order. They would be there within four days and he would have a plan to get both Luke and Rey as his prisoners.

"Ben!" Leia shouted as he walked by with Cristin. Kylo froze, pushing his negative feelings down to help his façade. Cristin excused herself, knowing that Leia would be able to handle him for a few hours. Kylo waited for his mother as she walked up to him, all smiles.

"Hello, Mother," Kylo greeted, glancing towards the Togruta as she walked toward the hangar. He turned back to Leia who looked mischievous. "What's going on?"

"I have a surprise for you," Leia insisted as she motioned for him to follow. Grimacing, Kylo followed her.

Leia guided him back to her own quarters where Artoo was waiting. She brought him to the table to sit as she made some tea. Kylo shifted a little in his seat, trying to remember the last time that he had tea with his mother. He guessed the last time they had was before he was sent to Luke's little camp. As the kettle warmed, Leia sat across her son and sighed.

"I owe you an apology," Leia whispered. Kylo froze as Leia stared at him. He never recalled a moment where his mother ever apologized to him so sincerely. "I never should have sent you away to Luke."

"Oh" was all Kylo could muster.

"I could sense so much of my father in you and I thought Luke could guide you. I was wrong," Leia added. Kylo stared wide eyed with his mouth agape. She grimaced before shaking her head. "I sent you away when you needed us most, and I am truly sorry for that. I wanted to give you your best chance when I sent you down the wrong path."

"I don't know what to say," Kylo muttered, getting a hold of himself again. Leia nodded as the kettle whistled. She stood and prepared the tea before bringing him a cup. He only stared in silence before she sat back down.

"You don't have to forgive me, but I just wanted you to know that I am sorry. It doesn't fix what I have done, but maybe it's a start," Leia sighed as she stared in her cup. Kylo watched Leia, unsure of the feeling in his chest.

"Maybe," he growled out. He wasn't sure of what else to say. He found that he was never angry at her, mainly Luke and Han.

"I'm just so glad you're home," she smiled, tears filling her eyes. Kylo flexed his jaw as he looked down. Guilt filled him in the first time in who knew when. Leia watched her son before she frowned. She usually read him pretty well. "You're not planning on staying."

"Not for very long," Kylo admitted, glad he didn't have to lie about that. Leia sighed, but nodded. "I was going to stay for a little bit longer, but no one here trusts me. I doubt any of them will. It might be better for me to leave and find a new life to try and start over. I doubt even you could pardon me. The New Republic, or whatever the next era decides to call themselves, would have my head. I'd like to keep it on my shoulders."