Authors Note: PLEASE READ

Rey, ward of Luke Skywalker, thought all her worries in life had disappeared when she had been adopted by the benevolent man. Now, she lives on a manor, has a loving family and friends, and her biggest problem is trying to get out of the endless line of balls in her future. But war is on the horizon, one that threatens the peace of her home and of all those around her. And somehow, in the middle of it all, is Ben Solo, a boy she once thought she knew better than anyone in the world. But nothing is as it seems anymore, and Rey finds herself in a deceptive battle between light and dark.

Hey everyone! So new story, and a little different from my usual.

To my returning followers, I apologize, I don't have anything OUAT or the 100 wise coming out soon. The muse just hasn't been singing for those ones lately. Though they are not forgotten! Never! I always fully intend to finish my stories, it's just a matter of the time it takes to do so. *nervous*laughter* (And it Must Be Magic fans, I'm thinking that's the next chapter that will come out!)

Anyways, so we have a Star Wars story! My first one ever!

Just the low down, Rey is the main character, the other major characters of the universe will and have been featured, and it's definitely an AU. The best way I can describe it, and bear with me here, is that it's Star Wars meets War and Peace. But like, not the plot of War and Peace. This is NOT an adaptation of that book. I'm just making that comparison because imagine that time era, the way people dressed/acted/what they cared about, and how the book focused both on their social lives and the war. That's what I'm aiming for with this story. And it's not exactly our Earth, but not the Star Wars universe either, just this made up land I created that uses the names of places in the Star Wars universe. Still with me?

And oh yes, and this is a Reylo fic that will also feature Rey/Poe. There is a Rey/Finn friendship, but nothing more.

Just please, give it a go, and tell me what you think. I'm super nervous about this and not really sure how people are going to respond. Reviews are really, truly. and always appreciated, no matter what. And I'm really going to need them for this one! Hope you like it!

Though she has a loving and close knit family, and two friends who would do absolutely anything for her, Rey can't help but feel alone sometimes.

Which is selfish, she knows. That's why she never-ever-voices this fear to anyone. She knows-oh she knows- that she shouldn't feel this way. That the cold and cruel halls of the Jakku orphanage are long behind her and are nothing now but faint and nasty nightmares that sometimes choose to haunt her. That she hasn't had a empty stomach or dirty and smelly body in God knows how long. That she no longer needs to cry herself to sleep at night, because there is probably a line of people who would sit and stay with her until she finally dozed off.

Rey knows all of this with utmost certainty. And yet…

The loneliness just creeps up on her sometimes. When she's taking a stroll through the gardens, when she's listening to Luke lecture about some far off country, when it's just her and BB8 galloping through the valley like they don't have a care in the world.

In those moments she is once again that small little girl, her hair up in three tight buns, tears streaming down her face as she is screaming-begging-for those blurry faces not to leave her alone.

Luke has told her so many times before, she can't change the past. And Rey knows she can't. She can only learn from it, move on and grow stronger. But, as silly as it sounds, her mind can never move on from that nasty little truth.

You were abandoned once, and it can happen again.

Rey hates herself for not being able to see past such a horrid thing. Because the people in her life now would never-ever-abandon her. They love her. To say otherwise would be the most cruelest of insults.

And so, Rey suffers in silence.

She tells no one because she doesn't wish to offend anyone. To make them think she doubts their love in her or perhaps doubt the love she has for them. Thankfully, the moments don't last long.

Like now. She is curled up in the divan, a warm quilt over her and a open book forgotten by her side. The feeling had just happened upon her, brought on by the distant memory of always being cold and never having a quilt to warm her. So her attention drifted from the book and focused on the misery-on the loneliness-of it all, but she's been better at bringing herself back. Thinking about everyone close to her-that usually does the job.

So with a sigh, Rey banishes the thoughts away and reclaims the book.

She is not that lost little girl anymore.

Luke had saved her from such a cursed life. She'll never forget that blessed day, and that memory, more than the others, helps keep the misery at bay.

She had been outside, on the back property of the orphanage, minding her own business as the other kids played some game without her. They always played without her but she didn't mind much. The orphans at Jakku were more often than not snotty brats that would quicker push you to the ground and laugh then offer some real kind of friendship. Rey had been absently making a crown of small white flowers when a shadow fell upon her.

"What's that?" A tall boy named Gringo asked nastily. Not waiting for an answer, he dipped down and grabbed the crown from Rey, crushing and destroying it in the process.

"Don't!" She cried but it was too late. The thin vines snapped and the petals were smooshed in his fat sweaty palm.

Gringo just laughed and swiped it from his skin. "It was ugly anyway. Just like you weird girl."

By now all the kids were paying attention to the scene, and laughed at Gringo's insult.

Rey felt her cheeks grow hot but she knew better to fight back. She was smaller than Gringo, and though she was smarter, he would definitely do her some harm. So, silently, Rey stood up and turned to walk away.

"Hey! I'm not done talking to you weird girl!" His chubby hand grabbed her shoulder and roughly pulled, slamming Rey right onto her ass on the hard ground.

Again, the kids let out a round of laughter.

Now tears were pricking at her eyes.

"Look at your hair! It's so weird and ugly! What girl does her hair like that?"

That was the last straw. Her hair was the last thing-the only thing-she had from the family who left her here. She never did it any other way because of that lone fact. So Rey swallowed up her tears, calmed her trembling, and swiftly grabbed a stick laying right next to her.

Gringo didn't even have a chance to think as Rey, still sitting on the ground, swiveled in her position and swiped at his legs. They crumbled easily at the sheer force of the blow, and then his face was the one smashing into the ground.

The kids were now torn between shocked gasps and delighted giggles. They didn't necessarily like Rey, but that didn't mean they liked Gringo either.

Rey barely paid them any attention. She jumped to her feet before Gringo could even lift his cheek from the dirt, and shoved the stick right between the shoulder blades. The boy gasped at the pain but was unable to shrug her away.

"You're a mean boy!" Rey exclaimed, pushing the stick further down. "And I don't want you to come near me anymore!"

"Rey!"

The whole yard went deathly silent. The headmistress, a shriveled up old woman with snow white hair and glasses that were about fives times the size of her beady eyes, was looking at Rey like she wanted to kill her. Which, considering she was the height of some of the children, was actually really scary. Her wrinkled and veiny hands were trembling with her contained anger.

The stick fell from Rey's hands. "I-"

"Don't!" The headmistress snapped. "Not a word. You are always causing me trouble. And today of all days when we have a guest! To your room-immediately!"

Rey didn't need to be told twice. She was well familiar with the blunt cane the headmistress used to punish children who disobeyed her.

Rey didn't even notice the man standing off to the side as she rushed back into the house.

It didn't take her long to find out though. She had been on her bed-not room, she didn't have a room (the headmistress was probably trying to look good)-for maybe ten minutes, her face crammed into the yellow white of her pillowcase- when she felt the rock hard mattress slightly dip.

"Hello there"

Her body tensed at the unfamiliar voice. The voice of a man no less. No men worked at the orphanage, just old crabby ladies who liked to hit kids more than smile at them. Was this the guest the headmistress had been speaking of?

Shakily, Rey raised her head to look at the stranger. His eyes were the first thing she saw. They were a bright, crystal blue she could never recall seeing on someone before. It was not their color that shocked her though, it was the kindness shining behind them. No one had ever looked at her like that, ever. It was wonderful and terrifying all at once. Then she took in the rest of his features, a oldish face-though not terribly so. Hair that was graying but that still had some shades of blonde here and there in it. His beard was finely cut, he looked very clean actually. Not exactly the kind of person who should be anywhere near Jakku.

"H-Hi" Rey replied, quiet and uncertain. What did he want with her?

"I'm Luke. Luke Skywalker. Well, Professor Skywalker if you want to be formal."

Rey looked at him oddly.

Luke chuckled. "I suppose none of that really matters to you. I hear your name is Rey?"

She nodded her head silently.

"Pleasure to meet you Rey. I saw what happened back outside with that boy."

Oh. So that's why he was here. The headmistress must have come up with some new kind of punishment. Was this man the one to beat her now? Was this kindness just all a act to catch her off guard? Well, Rey wasn't going to sit around and find out. She was off the bed and on her feet in seconds, backing away from the man.

"He was being mean to me," She exclaimed, though she knew no one cared about reasons or excuses at Jakku. "He was hurting me! I had to!"

Luke immediately put up his hands but made no other move toward her. "Hey, hey. I'm not here to yell at you or anything. I agree with you, that boy was being very unnecessarily cruel to you."

Rey stopped her retreat. So he wasn't here to punish her?

"Apparently this cruelty is a very common occurrence here. I just wanted to say I commend your bravery against him."

"C-Commend?"

"Oh, sorry. I, ah, liked how you stood up to him. It was very brave of you. And you were very skilled with that stick. Though I don't really condone violence."

Rey didn't know the meaning of condone either, but the man was smiling at her, almost laughing actually, so she figured it wasn't anything that bad.

"Look Rey, I came here today looking for someone and I think I found her."

Rey cocked her head to the side in confusion.

Luke blew out a puff of air. "They call me one of the greatest minds in today's world yet I can barely speak to a child. Now I know how Han feels." He shook his head. "Nevermind, forget that. Rey, what I'm trying to say is, well, I was looking for someone to be apart of my family today. And I would really like that person to be you, if you wanted that is."

Oh.

Rey had seen plenty of kids get adopted before her. She watched curiously, never with jealousy though, because she always had it in her head her family was going to come back for her. With that in mind, she prayed everyday that these other families would never want her. And her prayers had been answered, they never spared a second glance at her.

And now here was this man with his kind eyes who couldn't stop looking at her.

"I…" Rey grew suddenly nervous, unsure of what to say. She was ten now. The hope her family was going to come back for her grew dimmer with each passing day but it still was always there. "My family might come back from me," She blurted out, unable to look at him as she did. "I-I wouldn't want to them to worry if I wasn't here when they did."

"Of course," Luke said calmly, not at all angry like she expected. "I would hate for that too. So why don't we make a deal?"

"A deal?" Rey echoed.

Luke nodded. "You come home with me, okay? And I'll make it so that when your family comes back here for you, word gets sent to my manor immediately. And when that happens, I will bring you straight back here. How does that sound?"

That didn't sound bad at all, actually. This man must have money to be able to do such a thing. And waiting at Luke's manor had to be better than Jakku. Anything had to better than Jakku.

So Rey had agreed and never seen Jakku again.

Of course, now years later, she knew the trick Luke had played. Well, not exactly a trick, but her adult mind now understood what her children's one never could. Her family was never coming back for her. Luke had know, but hadn't want to crush her childish hopes. Well, she had been right, he had always been a kind one.

"Rey!" A voice called, pulling her out of the memory.

Rey placed her book down. "In here!"

An instant later Finn appeared in the doorway, grinning madly at her. "Of course you're skulking in the some dark room while every other eligible girl in town is getting ready."

Rey rolled her eyes. "As if you know about any other eligible girls than myself."

Finn gasped and placed a hand on his heart. "You wound me! As I am a perfectly eligible gentleman, I am well familiar with other members of the fairer sex. Not including you."

Finn had been her first ever real friend. Her second ever real human relationship after Luke as well. His family's manor was the closest to the Skywalker's, so their meeting was only a matter of time. And it being so close, Rey naturally couldn't help but try to explore its outer borders one day. It was an early morning in spring when she had come upon Finn alone in a empty field, the poor boy looking miserable as he stared absently at a violin in his hands.

"Hello" Rey called, nearly scaring him out of his skin. He almost jumped as high as a wild rabbit.

Apparently, Finn had run away from his house, more specifically, his violin lessons and forgot to leave the instrument there as he did.

"Who are you?" Finn asked hesitantly, even a little frightened, and eyed her up and down. He later told her he was trying to assess if she looked strong enough to hit him.

"Rey," She said happily. Happiness was easy to come by when away from Jakku. "Luke Skywalker's ward."

"Ward?" Finn brightened at the word. "Well, I'm a ward too. Lady Phasma's ward. We live over there." He nodded over his shoulder to the impressive looking mansion (though every mansion was impressive in Rey's eyes).

Lady Phasma, Rey learned over time, was one of the most accomplished woman in the country (of course, no one ever topping Leia). She was the only child of her father's and therefore inherited his whole steel business upon his death, and never married despite the social pressure to do so. She was very content with her life, and never saw the need of a partner to help her accomplish some kind of happiness she wasn't even missing. However, the desire of a child did eventually catch up with her. Still choosing to remain single and not giving a damn of whatever gossip it caused, she chose to adopt like Luke had. And so came Finn.

While both adoptions were born from love, the two relationships the wards had were very different. Lady Phasma was no Luke Skywalker, and Finn wasn't exactly use to the treatment Rey had grown accustomed to. Luke allowed Rey to find any outlet she deemed worthy of her time, while Lady Phasma pushed instruction after instruction on Finn, not caring if he liked them or not. Violin, obviously, was one of the latter examples.

Rey had helped him chuck the instrument in a nearby creek and the two had been friends ever since.

Finn had a crush on her once, even dared asked her to marry him when he was sixteen and she was fifteen, but Rey had never felt that way towards him. She had been barely used to making actual friends that her mind never even considered the idea of romantic prospects. The whole business had been rather embarrassing, but also very quick, and the two had been back to normal within a month. However, Luke and Hand, especially Han, never failed to tease them about it.

"Finn, you know how I detest these things."

Finn tutted at her. "Lady Skywalker, as a fine, higher, member of society, it is your duty to attend such social gatherings. Whether you detest them or not."

"Yes, but since it is your mother hosting the gathering, and you and I are such close friends, if you allowed my absence it would not seem like an insult."

"But I don't allow it!" Finn exclaimed. He strutted over to her and grasped her hands, tugging on them until she allowed him to pull her up. "So it would be an insult! Come on Rey, I know you hate them but you're being particularly difficult tonight. What's wrong?"

Rey bristled. Was she letting her unwanted mood sour the night? See the concern on her friend's, she sucked in a breath and plastered a bright smile on her own. "Nothing. I'm sorry, you're right. I'm being prickly. You know me, prickly Rey."

"No one calls you that."

"Sure they do, you don't know all my friends."

"Sure I do, since I make up about fifty percent of them."

"How rude of you to say Finn! Now you insult me!"

"Okay, okay, whatever you say Prickly Rey. Now please go upstairs and get ready. The party is in a half hour."

"A half hour! But I haven't' even started on my hair!"

Finn rolled his eyes and pushed her out the library door. "You're lucky I love you so much."

"And there she is," Luke smiled warmly as Rey descended down the staircase.

He and Finn were standing side by side, beaming at her as if she was the brightest star in the sky. She could never understand the utter affection they have for her, but she stopped questioning it long ago. Now she just accepted the way it warmed her blood and made her heart beast faster.

How could she ever feel lonely when there were times she felt like this?

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she did a little twirl for the two. "Acceptable?"

"Very much so," Finn grinned and held out his arm. "Now let's be off,"

Rey too it as Luke obliging draped her cloak over her shoulders. "You know, there was a time when I was the one to always escort her to parties."

Rey winked at him. "Don't worry old man, you're still the only man in my life."

Luke rolled his eyes. "Always the quick wit with you. It seems my curse in life is always to be surrounded by sarcastic young people."

"You love us," Finn grinned.

"Unfortunately, yes, I do."

If they could be called anything, Lady Phasma balls were always the most opulent. Brightly colored decorations lined every wall and table, so bright they almost glowed in certain lights. Likewise, the drinks were also the oddest of colors, imported from so far off place Rye could barely pronounce the name of, and two of them could knock anyone on their rump. The music was never slow and soft and the food always hot and spicy. Her parties was their guests up, about, and alive, and didn't care about he cost to have it so.

Honestly, Rey didn't even know why she had been so difficult. She always had fun at these celebrations, much more so than others she could list.

Her small group was taking in the happy spectacle, descending the grand staircase into the ballroom, when Rey noticed how tight Finn's arm was curled around her own.

Rey inspected her friend's face a little more closely, and saw a familiar vein beating on his forehead, and even the slightest bit of sweat though they had walked in mere minutes ago. "Finn, any particular reason you're so nervous?"

His eyes darted towards her. "Nervous? Me? Why do you say so?"

"It's me here. I can just tell. Now come, tell me."

His shoulders slumped slightly as he blew out a puff of air. "My mother is, well, has been talking to me as of late…about, ah, a wife."

"Wife?!"

"Rey hush!" They were still on the staircase, in front of everyone to see, and even Luke was looking at them oddly.

"Okay Rey?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Oh, um, fine. Just," She glared at Finn, unhappy he had chosen at this moment to fill her in on something so big. "Need to talk to Finn, alone."

"Rey, we just got here-"

But she wasn't listening as she tugged Finn down the rest of the stairs, right past Luke, and off to the side of the ballroom where the lonely usually stood and waited for someone to pay them some attention.

"Explain, now."

"Geeze Rey, could we be less dramatic?" Finn tugged off her arm and straightened his suit. "Look, it's not a big deal. It was bound to happen eventually."

"You getting married? How so? It's not like you're interested in anyone, unless you're keeping that a secret from me too! And your mother, of all people, pressuring you to marry? No Finn, I did not see this coming."

"She's not exactly pressuring me Rey. We've just talked about it and I agree with her on this one. I need to find a wife and have an heir to keep running the family business. It's not like we're going to keep up some tradition of adopting wards."

"But you could!" Rey protested weakly.

"Rey, come now. My mother was opposed to the idea of a husband, but I'm not opposed to the idea of a wife. It would be…nice, to have someone like that in my life."

She swallowed thickly at the soft, vulnerable tone Finn had taken on. She hadn't known he had felt like this. For how long, the two of them had always scoffed at the idea of marriage. Who needed it? It was always more a political union than one made of love anyway, save a select few. Rey had always thought Finn felt the same way about it. But this? This wasn't some passing fancy. She could see it in his eyes. This was something he had always thought of.

"Why did you never tell me?" She asked quietly.

Finn shrugged. "Because I knew what you thought about marriage? Because it was never an issue until my last birthday? I'm 22 Rey. It's time." He squeezed her shoulder and gave her a tight smile. "Trust me, it's what I want." Then he was gone.

Rey couldn't begrudge him. It was his party after all. Finn couldn't stay stuck to the wall calming her irrational emotions. And why did it bother her so much? If Finn wanted to marry, then, as his friend, she should be in full support of it.

Then why did it hurt so much?

Abandonment a small voice whispered in her head. They're leaving again.

"No," Rey whispered, closing her eyes tightly and balling her fists. "No, they're not"

She couldn't let this voice worm its way into her head again. Not tonight.

She needed a drink.

"There's my beautiful niece."

Though she was on her third drink, the smile Rey gave was utterly genuine. She rushed forward into the open arms of her Aunt Leia, soaking in her beautiful familiar scent and warm embrace. Her hair, as usual, was done up in intricate fantastic braids, and her dress was a simple yet beautiful dark purple that reached all the way to the ground.

"Hello Aunt," Rey whispered into the crook of her neck. "You're the one who looks beautiful."

"Psh, you know how I feel about flattery" Leia pushed her back and grinned. "How have you been? You haven't visited in so long."

Rey really didn't want to think about the reason for that. She'd need another drink. Maybe two.

"I've been caught up in studies." Rey offered, knowing it was a good enough and believable excuse. "I've been taking up more of Luke's classes."

Leia rolled her eyes. "Always with his studies. I feel like I lost him forever when he stepped into that ancient university so long ago. Everyone else just took it for what it was, a pile of rubble."

"A hidden trove of knowledge," Luke corrected appearing behind his sister. He wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged, placing a kiss upon her cheek as he did. "Hello sister."

"Luke," Leia smiled affectionately. "I hear our girl has taken on some more of your classes?"

"Hungry for knowledge this one is." Luke beamed proudly, knocking Rey's shoulder with his own. "Just like me."

"That wasn't always you," Leia pointed out.

"Leia," Luke warned, his smile slightly faltering. Whenever the topic broached this way, towards the war that once happened so long ago, Luke always got a little more…somber. Of course Leia was just teasing him, and Rey always wished they would continue talking (because it was practically the only thing she did not know of Luke's past), they would always stop.

Leia shrugged, effectively dropping the subject, and scanned the crowd. "Seen my excuse of a husband around? I think I dropped him off by the drink table a while ago."

"I have not," Luke replied and took a sip of his drink. "When you find him let me know, I need to speak to him about something."

Leia raised an eyebrow. "Oh. What about?" The look on her face said she knew exactly what though.

Again, that hint of somberness tugged at Luke's face. He and his sister shared a look, and the infamous Skywalker conversation began to take place. Rey rolled her eyes as she had to witness it. The two twins did it at least always once at every meeting they had. They just grew silent, starred at each other with knowing looks, and had soundless conversations. It was a little infuriating since no one else ever knew what was going on, not even Han for how long he knew the two of them.

Finally, after eternity, the cheeriness dropped from Leia's face. "Luke" She said warningly.

"Just tell Han to find me," Luka interjected. He took a step back from her, raising his glass as a small farewell. "You and I can talk after."

As he disappeared into the crowd, Rey rounded on her Aunt. "Okay, that one, you have to fill me in on."

"Rey, Luke wouldn't want me to-"

"He never wants me to know. Please? I've noticed he's been tense lately and spending later nights at the university. I'm worried about him Leia."

She sighed but shook her head. "I'm sorry Rey. It's not my place."

"But Leia-"

"Hey kid!"

And speak of the devil, there was Han Solo. Looking rugged as ever but still as handsome as ever, he grasped Rey by her shoulders and pulled her into his chest to place a kiss on her head. "You're looking especially clean tonight."

Rey giggled and pushed him away. "Clean? Really?"

He shrugged with a grin. "Highest compliment I can pay. How the hell have you been? You barely come around to visit anymore!"

Nope, not talking or thinking about that one.

Rey shrugged. "Studying, it's a hard life."

"Not that you'd know," Leia chided with a smirk.

Han grinned at his wife and pulled her towards him by the waist. "This one, always singing my praises. Where's your brother?"

"Hiding from me. Said he wants to talk to you though."

"Gotta love Luke," Han murmured affectionately. "I'll find him,"

"Any chance you'll tell me what the big secret?" Rey inquired hopefully.

Han barked out a laugh. "And risk this one's wrath? Sorry kid."

"You know, you guys are being really unfair,"

Han leant forward and dropped his voice lower, "Mad at us or lover boy? Saw the little spat you two had walking in."

"Not a spat and not lover boy."

He gave a wink. "Whatever you say."

"Han leave her alone," Leia laughed and pulled him back to her. "Go enjoy the party Rey, don't hang around with us old condensing folk."

Perhaps that was the best idea, since they were only talking about secrets around her. The problem was, her list of people to hang out with was dwindling quickly. Finn was on the hunt for a wife and Luke, Leia, and Han were having some conversation over her head.

Which left…

No, he wasn't even back yet. He had left the country about a month ago, off to some urgent business in the North. Not that he would tell her or Finn what the business was, just that it was urgent. Rey rolled her eyes at the memory. Of course he charmed his way out of it, he always does, but now-after a while of no letters-Rey was starting to worry about him. It was this week he would have returned home. Perhaps he would be here tonight-perhaps….

Rey was suddenly looking all around the ballroom, trying to spot his familiar face. No doubt he'd been in the middle of some crowd, telling some colorful story as everyone held onto his every word. Or maybe dancing around the floor with the most beautiful woman in the room. Either was a believable option.

But yet she didn't see him. Rey felt her stomach drop. Not that she was basing her whole happiness on his presence here, but after everything that had already happened at this point…

"Such a beautiful face should not be marred by such an unpleasant frown, my lady," A voice whispered close to her ear.

Rey grinned.

"Dameron!" She exclaimed. She twirled around and blindly embraced him, feeling his laughter rumbling from his chest. "You idiot! Were you hiding from me on purpose?"

"Of course not! How dare you even think so!" He pulled backed and winked. "Just waiting for the opportune moment to surprise you is all,"

"Well mission accomplished. I was hoping you'd be here, I wasn't even sure when you were meant to return from your secret mission."

"Always the dramatics Lady Skywalker," Poe gently grabbed her arm and began to lead her to two empty chairs. "It was hardly a secret mission, just one where I couldn't tell you or anyone the specifics of. Now come sit with me and fill me in on everything I've missed."

Rey sighed as she took a seat. "Honestly, until a few hours ago I would have told you nothing. But now…"

"Now?" Poe prompted.

"Apparently, Finn wants to get married. Has wanted to get married actually."

The news, however, did seem to faze Poe at all. His features barely twitched at the information. "Oh?"

"Oh? That's all you can say? What, have you known about this as well? Was I the only one in the dark?"

"Well, no. But I'm not surprised by it either. Why is it bothering you so?"

"Because! We're best friends and I never knew he wanted this!"

"Rey," Poe gently grasped her hands in his own. They were more calloused than she remembered, but still so warm. "Don't take this the wrong way, but I understand why Finn didn't tell you. We all know how you feel about marriage," Before she could protest he quickly shushed her. "Listen to me, please. I'm not trying to offend you, quite the contrary. I'm trying to commend you. You're so strong Rey, possibly the strongest woman I know. You can be quite, well, daunting at times."

"So Finn was afraid to tell me?"

"Will you hush for five seconds? Maybe he was, I'm not sure. What I'm trying to say is, we admire your ability to be so independent. Finn especially. He's looked up to you Rey, always has. So I don't think he wanted to disappoint you by wanting something you never had."

"But…I'm his friend."

"Which means you'll get over this and support him in his wishes. Correct?"

Rey sighed. "I hate it when you're right."

"Not true. You'd hate me all the time then. And is this the big news I've missed out on? I have to say I'm a little disappointed."

"Well, no, there's something else. Though I'm not exactly sure what it is since no one will tell me."

"Talking in riddles. How exciting."

"Poe," They were still holding hands, for which Rey was thankful, for she needed his reassurance right now. "I feel like something is going on. Something big. Luke, Leia, and Han are keeping secrets, they're the ones talking in riddles. And they won't tell me at all what's it about. But Luke…he's been different. Worried. Luke is never worried. He is the most confident person I've ever known."

A frown tugged at Poe's lips. "Rey, perhaps you should be talking to them about this."

"But that's the point, they won't. I just-I don't know why all this is happening tonight, all this confusion and-"

"Rey," Poe said urgently. Then he was pulling her up and away, through the crowds, the laughter, the dancing, and the drinks. The bright lights and decorations became a blur in her eye sight, the alcohol flowing through her veins making her head feel like it was floating. They were going extremely fast, inappropriately so during a ball, but before Rey could protest darkness stamped out the lights and fresh air washed over her skin.

They were outside on the balcony.

"Poe, what on earth is going on?"

He pulled her further out onto the balcony, all the way until they were pressed up against the marble banister. The cold stone made Rey shiver further.

"Rey, you must keep a secret for me." Poe asked urgently, leaning his head down and bringing their clasped hands up to their chests. "I shouldn't tell you this, I really shouldn't. But I can't help it."

"What? What is it Poe?"

"War, Rey." Poe's voice hardened with an anger she had never seen in the man. Poe, always pleasant and charming Poe, angry?

"War?" Rey whispered, suddenly frightened and unsure.

"After years of peace, a peace your family helped ensure, someone threatens it all."

"Who?"

"They call themselves the First Order. Not much is known about them yet. Just whispers, rumors, horrible incidents that people can't properly explain. But we feel that the time is coming soon they are going to reveal themselves."

It was all too much information to process. War? The First Order? Her family? "Is that where you were?" Rey heard herself asking. "Your secret mission?"

Despite it all, Poe chuckled softly. "Making me sound so important. Yes, that was my business. I know this land quite well due to my family's trade routes. I was sent out for information, to find anything I could on the First Order."

"And were you successful?"

Ruefully, Poe shook his head. "Nothing substantial. They are quite…mysterious."

Angry and now upset? This must all be quite serious to make Poe both these things within moments. Rey untangled one her hands from Poe so she could reach up and gently cup his cheek. All she wanted to do was comfort him, to assure him it would all be better.

Though deep down, her own insecurities and fears were trying to climb to the surface.

"So this is what they're keeping from me. A war." Rey whispered.

He leant into her touch. "They're trying to protect you. I'd like to do the same."

"But you're forgetting, I want to protect you all as well."

He smiled at that. "Always so independent. It's what I love about you."

"Always the charmer."

"Rey," His tone grew serious again and Rey was afraid to meet his eyes. What would he say this time? But she did, titling her head up to look up at him. Her eyes darted to her hand, still firm against his cheek, and she went to remove it but Poe halted her. He placed his right hand over hers, and then gently brought her left hand to splay against his chest. "I'm serious. I do…love that about you."

"Poe," She said a little breathlessly. The way he said love….it wasn't quite like how he said it before.

"I don't know if it's because Finn has finally found the courage to go out and look for someone. That I've been gone for so long. That…that war may be on the horizon. But Rey, when I saw you tonight….I just…I always-"

No. It was too much. Rey couldn't think properly. She just learned war might be coming. She couldn't…couldn't even process that Poe might, that he would ever….God, had she always been so blind when it came to her friends? First Finn, now Poe? How could she have never noticed their true desires? How could she be so stupid?

And why would he think now was a good time to tell her he was in love with her?

"I can't do this," Rey all but shouted, detangling herself from him and hastily stepping back. She nearly tripped on her dress but thankfully stayed up right and thankfully Poe did not follow after her. He looked hurt, of course, but a little resigned like…like he knew this was how she was going to react. Like he always knew.

"Try not to think too harshly of me tomorrow." He said quietly-sadly even though he was smiling. "The prospect of everything to come and from being from home for so long, it-it gave me a bit of foolish bravery I suppose."

"Poe it's…it's just a lot right now."

"No, I understand. It was unfair of me."

"I just, need to think-talk to Luke about-"

"Rey, its fine. Go."

She nodded her head and turned around, swiftly heading back into the ballroom.

Upon reentering, Rey noticed Finn twirling around the dance floor with a young lady she did not know. He was smiling that unabashed smile she loved him for, the kind of smile someone makes when they have absolutely no care in the world. She hoped the girl saw how much of a great man he was.

But she couldn't worry about that now.

Rey scanned the room for her family, knowing they would probably be together and discussing the news she had just learned. She was a mix of emotions now, but confusion and anger were at the forefront. She was angry at herself, at everyone. It was…a lot to process, to try and figure out. She just needed Luke. Luke always helped her.

Wait, there. There he was. A little past the dessert table, up against the wall, Luke was having a heated conversation with his sister. Han was with them, and looking like he was trying to get in on it every now and then, but one of the Skywalkers kept snapping at him. That, of course, wasn't making Lord Solo look all that calm.

Rey started heading toward them, knowing her questions probably wouldn't help the situation at all, but knowing she still had to ask them.

She was so close, she could see Luke's tired sigh, Leia's narrowed eyes, and Han's slumped shoulders. War. They were talking about war. War was coming.

War.

Rey was just about to reach them, was sure Luke had already noticed her and was turning his tired to hers with an excuse at the tip of his tongue, when the last thing anyone could have expected happened.

But with the day Rey was having, how could this not happen, to top everything off?

The band just happened to have stopped their song at that point, were in the process of beginning their next, and people were catching their breath amidst all the general merriment.

And honestly, he was always dramatic when it came to things like these. Of course he would slam the doors to the ballroom open so roughly that they would nearly fall off their hinges as they banged against the wall. Of course it would echo through the ballroom, drawing the attention of nearly everyone there.

Of course.

There, at the top of the staircase, and the center of everyone's attention, was Ben Solo.

Had she been holding a drink, Rey would have dropped it.

Naturally, everyone had to keep going on like nothing odd had happened. It was still a ball after all. They had to act like the only child, the heir, of the Solo family, who had been gone for nearly a year, hadn't just walked in.

They had to go back to acting normal, but that didn't mean they couldn't gossip.

Rey watched, frozen, as Ben stalked down the stairs. His eyes roamed around the room, barely taken in the faces starring up at him but giving out a look of complete indifference. He was all in black, fashionable attire fit for someone in his position, but still, all black. He looked ready for a funeral. He was obviously looking for his family, he wouldn't care to speak to anyone else, but even then-he sometimes didn't even care to even speak to them.

A year, Ben had been gone. A year, since he up and left his manor without so much of a goodbye to anyone. A year of silence, unanswered letters, of worries and fears, and so many questions without answers.

Rey still couldn't move. She was making herself an easy target, she knew, and more than anything she didn't want Ben to see her. But she just couldn't find it in her to do it, not even an inch. Not even enough to grab a fan maybe, and shield her face.

Because all of a sudden it was a year ago, to a month-or had it been two?-before Ben disappeared. She had been in the library at the Solo Manor, and it had been a late afternoon in the coldest part of the winter.

Rye had been staying there, indefinitely, as she often did when it came to her relatives. Luke had been away anyway, travelling in the South giving lectures.

Han and Leia were out, off on some business that they hadn't filled her in on, and in a fit of boredom Rey had opened their liquor cabinet. She had called on both Finn and Poe to visit it her but they both declined due to the weather and Ben was God knows where. Though she didn't care, really, since things between she and her "cousin" were tense as of late.

He was grumpier than usual, keeping to himself and shutting the others out. Even her, the person he was most closest to. At least, that's what she had always believed.

So here she was, cold, drunk, and in the dark library without any intention to read.

And then she rounded a corner, and there had been Ben.

Rey gasped and shook her head. No, do not go back there. She was here, now, in the ballroom of the Phasma Manor, and so was Ben.

And he had saw her.

His eyes were trained on her, dark and broody as usual, but unrelenting and no longer indifferent. He was done with his descent and paused for a moment, as if he was going to make his way over to her.

She tensed at the prospect.

But no, that's not what he wanted. Ben's eyes darted to his family, to his real intent. Whatever he was here for, it wasn't for her. So he gave one last sparring glance at Rey, and then turned to his real focus. And Rey finally found her legs. As Ben walked over to the Skywalkers and Solos, so did Rey.

And they made it to them at the same time.

"Mother, Father, Uncle" Ben greeted coolly, coldly. And, without looking at Rey, "Rey"

No cousin then. Good, she wished he would never call her that again.

"Ben," Han breathed. His hands rose then fell, unsure what to do, how to greet his long lost son. What was okay and what was not.

Leia stepped forward though, looking just uncertain as her husband but willing to risk an offense just to be close to him. "It's been…so long" She whispered. Her small hands rose up and all but brushed against Ben's cheeks before he pulled away.

Everyone flinched at the motion.

"Why are you here Ben?" Luke asked quietly. He didn't look hesitant like the others, just…hurt.

Ben looked at his Father once more, than his Mother, before turning to Luke (but not Rey, not even a glance at Rey). "To warn you," He said simply. "They're coming"