Chapter 2: The Black Car
Rey's POV
I woke that next morning in the security of my own bed, wondering if it had all been a dream, a figment of my imagination. I rose up and let the covers sink to my shoulders.
Glancing down at my body, I realized I was still wearing the same clothes from the night before, except for my jean jacket, which had been draped over the bedpost at the foot of the bed. I glanced over the side of my bed, and noticed my navy ballet flats were positioned neatly on the lavender rug.
After driving me home to Obi-Wan's house, Ben Solo must have brought my slumbering body up to my bedroom and placed me in my bed. I didn't remember anything after we pulled out of the diner parking lot in my Jeep. I had passed out from the shock of almost being...
I shuddered as the image of my attacker flickered in my mind's eye. It was, in fact, reality. I had almost been raped. If Ben hadn't been there...
Forcing those thoughts from my brain, I tossed the covers to the side and placed my bare feet on the rug where my shoes lay. My arms ached around the elbows. I pulled up my sleeves to see several misshapen, purplish bruises now adorning my arms. I wondered how I would explain them to Obi-Wan.
I also wondered if Obi-Wan had been home when Ben brought me to my room. Ben probably had quite a bit of explaining to do, judging from the fact we had never met before last night and he had driven my Jeep home. I just hoped Ben had kept his promise and didn't tell Obi-Wan about the attack. Being the police chief, Obi-Wan wouldn't rest until he found the man who did this to me. I just wanted to shut the whole night out of my memory and leave it in the past.
After showering and trying to scrub away any trace of my attacker until my skin turned red, I dressed in a pair of jeans and a long-sleeved, V-neck t-shirt, and headed downstairs to the kitchen. Obi-Wan was seated at the small wooden table, a cup of steaming coffee in one hand, the latest edition of the Richmond Times Dispatch in his other.
"Morning, Rey," Obi-Wan greeted me, his eyes never leaving his Sunday paper.
"Good morning, Obi-Wan," I reciprocated, throwing my arms around his neck from behind and giving him a slight peck on the right cheek. He instantly perked up.
"Hey, what was that for?" He set his coffee mug down, grabbed my hand, and turned slightly in his chair. A tender smile formed under his thick, gray mustache.
"Can't I show some affection towards my grandpa?" I laughed, taking a bowl from the cupboard and reaching for my favorite cereal on the top shelf.
"Yeah, um..." He awkwardly cleared his throat. "It's just, you haven't done that in awhile. It felt… nice."
He pretended to cough, returning to his paper. Obi-Wan was so sweet when he wanted to be. He rarely ever wore his emotions on his sleeve, even though I knew he cared deeply for me. I wouldn't be where I was today if it hadn't been for him.
"Have an interesting night last night?" Obi-Wan inquired as I opened the refrigerator to retrieve some milk for my cereal. I stiffened, feeling his questioning eyes on my back.
What if Ben had told him about what happened at the diner?
"N-no..." I stuttered, reaching for the milk and closing the door to the refrigerator. "Why do you say that?"
"Well, when I got home at two, I peeped into your room to see if you were all right, and you were still wearing the clothes you had on when you left last night."
I sighed in relief. He obviously didn't know about Ben bringing me home, or he would have mentioned it. However, I now had to come up with some lame excuse as to why I'd slept in my clothes.
"I was just exhausted when I got home. I didn't feel like undressing." I poured some milk into my bran cereal and then into a tall glass. My capability of lying was shot all to hell, but I hoped he would at least buy my little fib. It wasn't a complete lie anyway. The attack had completely wiped me out.
"Out at the diner again?" he asked knowingly, looking up at me from his coffee cup, and my heart fell in my chest again. I wondered if Sarah, the waitress from the Niima Diner, had called him at the station to tell him I'd left in such a hurry last night.
"Yeah, just studying for finals." I sat down opposite him at the table with my cereal and cup of milk, eyeing him nervously.
"Rey," he paused, placing his left hand on top of mine from across the table. "It's spring break… go out, have fun, meet some new people. You shouldn't be cooped up at a diner on a Saturday night, or here at home with your ole grandpa."
"Obi-Wan, why would I want to be out with other people my age when I have you here? I came home Friday to visit you and just you." I smiled at him, dipping the spoon into my cereal and taking a mouthful.
"Ah. Well, as you can see, I'm a wealth of entertainment. I have to work every day that you're home," he regretfully spoke as he closed his paper and folded it neatly on the table in front of him.
"I don't mind. Any moment I get to spend with you is worth it." I wasn't lying. I craved his company more than anything. As I'd thought many times before, Obi-Wan was very special to me. I would be ever grateful to him for taking care of me after my parents died.
"You're too good to me, Rey." Obi-Wan peered at me with thoughtful eyes. I could almost detect the evidence of tears forming in them. "You've always been so strong… and caring. Just like your mother."
"Obi-Wan," I ignored the comment about my mother and changed the subject. "You know Solo's Garage and Repair in Chandrila?"
"Of course I do. You've heard me talk about the owner Ben before, and I'm sure your mother did." Obi-Wan appeared a little confused, possibly wondering why I'd abruptly steered the conversation in a different direction. "Why do you ask? Is the Jeep running all right?"
"Well, it has been giving me a little trouble lately," I purposefully lied, taking a sip of my milk. I just wanted to drive by the shop and see if Ben was working. I wanted to thank him again in person for what he had done for me. I also couldn't quite shake the exhilarating feeling I had whenever I thought of him. "Is his garage open on Sundays?"
"I think so. Probably not till after noon, though. It's open every day of the week if I remember correctly." Obi-Wan sipped his coffee and wiped the tip of his mustache with the back of his left hand. "You want me to take it up to Chewie's tomorrow and have him take a look at it? You won't have to drive as far."
"No, that's okay. I just thought since you're such good friends with Ben's dad, he might give me a discount on whatever repairs I needed." I hated lying to Obi-Wan, but I didn't want to explain why I desired to see Ben or how we had met at the diner.
"Well, Chewie's always been fair to me. Plus, we went to high school together, and I've known him longer than Han. Look, Rey." He stood up from the table and straightened the shirt of his police uniform. "I have to get to the station, but if you want to take it to Ben's garage, that's fine with me. I'm sure he'll be honest with you, given the fact that he knew your mother, and he knows I'd kill him if he took advantage of my granddaughter."
"Okay, thanks, Obi-Wan." I smiled as he bent down and kissed my forehead. "Have a good day at work… and be careful."
"You know I always am." Obi-Wan returned my smile, grabbing his gun belt from the coat rack near the front door. "Bye, Rey. Remember what I said. Get out and have some fun today."
"I will," I promised as he shut the door behind him.
Digging into my cereal once again, I knew exactly the plans I had in store for the day ahead. I would venture to Chandrila in the hopes of seeing Ben Solo again.
~.~
Later that afternoon, I found myself on the road to Chandrila in my red Jeep. Knowing that Ben probably wouldn't mind a little pick-me-up snack, I went by the local Jakku bakery and bought a half dozen blueberry muffins. It was more of a thank-you gift for the night before. Even though I anxiously wanted to forget what had happened, it was something I felt I had to do.
Oh, who was I kidding? Just being near Ben once more was all the encouragement I needed. There was just something about him, and I wanted to find out exactly what that something was.
As I continued on Old Chandrila Road past the flashing caution lights, I glanced into my rearview mirror and noticed a black car with tinted windows following behind me. It was following so closely, if it came any closer, it would hit my back bumper.
I pressed down on the accelerator in an attempt to appease the driver. Maybe I was driving a little too slow for his taste. To my dismay, the car sped up along with me, matching my rate of speed.
"What the hell?" I spat at the rearview mirror.
Slowing down and panicking just a little, I stuck my hand out the driver's side window to wave him around me. I hoped he would pass my Jeep and quell my fears; the driver could have possibly been my attacker returning to seek revenge. Just the very thought of his pale blue eyes rocked me down to the core. I was out traveling on a desolate highway, away from Obi-Wan or any other help for that matter. Ben's garage was still a mile or two away.
The black car continued to trail behind my Jeep, revving its engine provokingly every few seconds. What was even more frustrating was the fact that I couldn't see the driver through the tinted windows. My heart hammered within my chest, for I knew this wasn't some silly teenager playing games. Someone was out for blood, my blood.
I could feel the chills inching their way up and down my spine as I tried to keep a grasp on my composure. It wasn't that much farther to Solo's Garage and Repair, so I bore down on the accelerator, desperately hurling myself forward to safety.
Finally, I saw the shiny red sign of the garage to my left and took a deep breath of relief. Pulling into the garage's parking lot, I maneuvered my vehicle into the first available space. I cautiously glanced out at my side mirrors, and watched as the black car passed the garage without slowing. I turned my head and squinted to try to read the license plate number, but unfortunately, it disappeared around the bend in the road.
Good riddance. Hopefully I would never see that car again.
Knowing that I would be safe now in a public area, I grabbed my box of muffins and headed toward the garage's office. I was so shaken by the experience, I had almost forgotten my purpose for even coming there.
As I entered through the glass door, an electronic buzzer signaled my presence. My sense of smell instantly was assaulted with the familiar aromas of tire rubber and engine oil.
"Hello, ma'am. May I help you?" A friendly man asked as I walked up to the front desk.
"Yes, I'm looking for Ben Solo," I said, taking in the man's appearance. He had a boyish face, but appeared to be about the same age as Ben. He wore mechanic's coveralls bearing a patch with the name Finn stitched in the center and a backwards baseball cap. From the colors decorating the hat, I concluded that he was a Nationals fan.
"May I ask your name, miss?" Finn responded, wiping his grimy hands with a terrycloth rag. I noticed he had a gold wedding band on his left hand.
"It's Rey Vos. I would really like to speak with him, if he's not too busy," I added, and gave Finn a flirty grin for good measure.
"Sure." Finn just stared at me with doe eyes, almost as if he didn't even hear my request the first time.
"Well..." I placed the box of muffins on the desk and tapped my fingers on the countertop. "I would like to see him today, if you don't mind."
"Um… sure. Uh, sorry," he stammered, obviously embarrassed, then walked around the desk toward the door which led to the shop. He paused, his hand on the doorknob, and flashed me a bright smile. "I'm Finn Storm, by the way."
"Charmed, I'm sure." I rolled my eyes, slightly annoyed, when he turned to enter the shop.
After Finn left, I peered out the glass windows surrounding the lobby of the garage, searching for any sign of the black car that had stalked me on the highway. A nervous knot rolled over in my stomach because I knew I'd have to take the twenty-minute drive back home. What if the stalker returned?
"Rey," a familiar voice called as the shop door reopened, startling me. "What are you doing here?"
I turned only to see the face of Ben Solo, a beautiful smile etched across his lips. I smiled in return, my eyes raking over his body. He wore a long-sleeved, button down shirt, similar to Finn's coveralls, and black dress pants. Several of his shirt's top buttons were unfastened, exposing the crest of his pec muscles.
I uncomfortably swallowed and cleared my throat.
"To bring you these." I retrieved the box of muffins from the counter and handed it to him. "A little thank you for last night."
"Rey, you shouldn't have. Really." Ben opened the box and sighed. "I was just being chivalrous like my father always taught me. Plus, I wanted to teach that asshole a lesson. But I'm glad you're here."
Ben's smile stretched further across his face, and I shyly laughed, looking down at the concrete floor. I was probably blushing and embarrassing the hell out of myself.
"Hey, if you have a few minutes, there are some picnic tables out back. You want to have our lunch date now? We can share these," Ben propositioned, holding up the cardboard box.
"Sure, if you're not too busy. I don't want to keep you from more important things."
"Nonsense. I always have time for friends." Ben walked toward the front door, cracking it open, and motioned for me to follow him. "Come on."
He led me toward the rear of the garage to a quaint picnic area. We sat down at one of the two wooden picnic tables, which were positioned under the shade of several dogwood trees. Luckily, the weather had decided to cooperate and provide us with a little warmth from the sun.
"So, what are you studying in college?" Ben asked once we were settled, muffin in hand. He sat across from me at the picnic table, his eyes never leaving my face. I was grateful that he didn't bring up the events of the previous night.
"English. I've always loved to read and write. My mother always read to me when I was little," I replied, taking a bite of my muffin. I frowned at the thought of my mother, but somehow just being around Ben made me feel at ease.
"That would explain that behemoth of a book you were reading last night." He winked at me while enjoying his muffin. "What are you going to do when you graduate? Write a book?"
"Maybe." I chuckled. "I thought I might get a job in journalism, maybe work for the Washington Post or the Dispatch."
"Wow, the big time. It seems you've got it all figured out then."
"Not even close," I countered. I knew it would be next to impossible for me to get a decent job at the Post. I'd probably end up as some columnist's errand girl or as a clerk in the mailroom. "How about you? When did you decide to go into the garage business?"
"When I was fifteen actually," he began, finishing the last bite of his muffin. "My friend Finn and I used to work on motorbikes for fun. You know, take them apart and rebuild them. I learned a lot about mechanics that way. Just something I fell in love with. When we graduated high school, we took out a loan and bought this old shop from my uncle, who was too ill to run it at the time."
"I love that," I said, watching his face light up as I doted on him.
"What?" he asked, appearing somewhat befuddled.
"The fact that you knew what you wanted to do and went with it right out of high school. You didn't let anyone tell you what you should do or where you should go," I added softly.
"Why? Did Obi-Wan or your parents pressure you to go to college?"
"No, I went willingly. I just admire you for what you've done. Seems like a big task to take up just out of high school." I reached into the box and grabbed another muffin, offering it to my companion.
"Thanks," Ben said, taking the muffin. "Well, it was a labor of love, but I'm passionate about what I do. Finn will tell you the same."
"Ah, Finn." I chortled at the mention of his name.
"You met Finn, huh?" Ben questioned, his mouth full of muffin.
"Yeah, he struck me as a little odd," I confessed, and Ben burst into laughter.
"So it's not just me who finds him a little off?" Ben patted his chest to aid his muffin from getting stuck in his throat while he laughed.
"Nope, but at least he's a Nationals fan, right?"
"Ah, you're speaking my language now," Ben happily stated. "You like baseball?"
"Love it!" I exclaimed, leaning closer to the edge of the table. "I used to go to games all the time with my dad."
"Nice. I love a woman who's into sports," Ben said before clearing his throat. "I mean, I respect a woman who likes sports."
I smiled timidly down at my half eaten muffin. Ben and I seemed to be hitting it off quite well. I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to date an older man such as Ben. However, Poe's face kept popping into my head each time I even considered it. He would be heartbroken to learn I was interested in someone else, or worse - seeing another man behind his back.
"Listen, Rey..." Ben abruptly reached across the table and took my right hand into his. He stared down at my palm, running the forefinger of his other hand along my lifeline. The action sent pulses throughout the rest of my body. "I know this is going to sound rather forward, and you just went through a horrible experience last night. You can totally say no… but I would like to take you out on a date."
My heart fluttered as he spoke those words. I couldn't even answer him. I was becoming aroused as his fingers continued to trace the lines of my palm.
"I mean, I know you just met me, and you probably aren't interested in an old man like myself, but-"
"I'd love to," I blurted out, grabbing his hands with both of mine. If he'd continued to finger my palm, I didn't know how much longer I'd be able to take it before I jumped across the table and straddled his lap.
Just the thought of doing so made me even more aroused.
"Really? A beautiful woman like yourself isn't taken?" I frowned as he asked that question. Technically, I was taken, and I knew I was going against all my morals, but I decided to lie. A man like Ben Solo—successful, handsome, mature-didn't come along too often.
"No, I'm one hundred percent single," I replied, pulling his left hand up to my face. His fingers instantly molded to my cheek. I sighed into his hand, feeling electricity shoot through me just at his touch. I wondered if he felt it too.
I turned my head slightly and kissed the flesh between his thumb and his palm.
"Rey..." Ben's lips parted, his breath becoming ragged. His eyes widened and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed hard.
Damn, he was so hot. It wouldn't take much just to lean across the table and press my lips gently to his.
"Hey, Ben!"
The call broke our connection, and Ben snatched back his hand, blinking.
Disappointed, I shook my head and looked to my left as one of Ben's employees came running up to us.
"Oh, sorry, boss, I didn't realize you were busy."
"It's okay, Artoo. What's up?" Ben gave me an apologetic look before turning to his mechanic.
"Mrs. Tarkin is back, complaining about her squeaky brakes again," the mechanic informed, rolling his eyes, and gave me a friendly wave. "Who's this?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi's granddaughter, Rey Vos." Ben turned back to me. "She's home from college, visiting Obi-Wan for spring break."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Artoo. Sorry to hear about your mom and dad," he said, extending his greasy hand to shake mine.
"Don't be. It was a long time ago." I looked down at his hand hesitantly.
"Uh, sorry, my hands are filthy." He hurriedly wiped his palms on his coveralls, then shook my hand.
"It's okay," I said, laughing. "It's nice to meet you, too."
"Rey, I have to take care of this customer. She tends to bully the guys around if I'm not there. A real pain in the ass." Ben winked at me, taking the muffin box from the table. "How 'bout I pick you up at Obi-Wan's house tomorrow night around seven?"
"Sounds great," I replied, the smile returning to my face. Then I remembered the events leading up to my arrival at the garage. "Um, Ben, before you go, I need to talk to you about something else."
"Can it wait until tomorrow night? I really have to get to this customer." Ben looked regretful, but I knew I couldn't bother him with my problems at the moment.
"Sure," I simply said, feeling a little dejected.
"Good. See you then. Thanks again for the muffins." Ben grinned before joining Artoo, who was already hurrying back toward the shop.
As I watched them disappear into the rear entrance of the garage, I overheard Artoo say, "You dog, you! How old is she, like twenty?" and then "Hey, are those muffins?"
I couldn't help but laugh at Artoo; he was very perceptive indeed.
I walked back toward my Jeep, feeling somewhat elated that things had progressed so quickly with Ben. I knew I would have to explain my whereabouts tomorrow night to Obi-Wan, but he shouldn't mind. Didn't he say earlier that he wanted me to get out and meet new people over my break instead of being cooped up in the house? Besides, he knew Ben; I just hoped he wouldn't object because of the seventeen year age difference. Obi-Wan did have a legal right to wield a shotgun. I laughed quietly to myself at the image as I opened the door.
Pulling back onto Old Chandrila Road, I flipped on the radio and sang along with the familiar tune. I strummed my fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of the music, feeling truly happy again for the first time in years.
A blaring horn suddenly interrupted my contented mood. I hurriedly turned down the volume on the radio and took a glimpse into the rearview mirror. My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach. The ominous black car had returned.
"Shit!" I said aloud, pounding my fists against the steering wheel. "What do you want?"
The horn continued to beep as I accelerated down the road towards Jakku. Thoughts of every horrific scenario started to flood my mind. What would happen if I stopped? Would he pass me and continue on down the highway as he did before? Would he race from his car, grab hold of me, and drag me to his car? Anything was possible at this point.
Speeding up, the black car abruptly swerved and flew into the left lane. I heard the engine rev as it sped up beside me, daring me to take it on in a race. It jerked back and forth to the side tauntingly, acting as if it might slam into me at any given second.
I stared straight ahead at the road before me, pretending not to notice, and trying not to let him intimidate me. However, it was completely impossible. I could feel the tears already rimming my eyes, and I knew my life was in danger. The driver of the car beside me obviously wanted me dead, or at least wanted to scare the shit out of me. He was doing pretty well on the latter so far.
An oncoming car suddenly appeared over the horizon, and I darted my eyes toward the black car beside me. If the driver didn't move over, the two cars would crash into each other right beside me. I feared more for the driver of the oncoming car; they didn't have a clue as to the madness of the man behind the wheel of the other.
The red car hurtling toward us began to blare its horn in an attempt to make the black car move over into its rightful lane. It didn't budge. A feeling of ultimate dread tugged painfully at my heartstrings, knowing I might be the cause of someone's untimely demise.
The cars inched closer and closer, and just when I thought all hope was lost, the black car swerved back into the lane behind my Jeep, spinning on its wheels and branding the pavement with angry skid marks.
The red car passed by us, the driver bearing down on the horn and flipping off the driver of the black car behind me. I took a breath in relief, wanting desperately to get back to Jakku.
The black car still continued to pursue my red Jeep as I crossed the Jakku city limits. I couldn't very well drive home; he would know where I lived if I did. Deciding my best course of action would be to drive to the police station, I increased the speed of my car and made the necessary turns toward Obi-Wan's office.
Finally reaching my destination and steering my Jeep into the police station's parking lot, I glanced into the rearview mirror. The black car had vanished without a trace. Taking a deep breath, I pulled my vehicle into the spot beside Obi-Wan's cruiser and dashed from the Jeep, messenger bag in hand.
"Rey, what's wrong?" Obi-Wan stood up from his desk the second I entered the double doors of the police station, taking in my panicked expression. "Is the Jeep okay?"
"Someone's following me, Obi-Wan," I confessed, not caring at the moment if he knew someone was after me.
"What do you mean someone's following you? Did you get the license plate number?" Obi-Wan asked, placing his hands on my shoulders and looking me straight in the eyes.
"No, but it was a two-door black car with dark tinted windows. I couldn't see the driver," I revealed, shaking like a leaf. "Can you please just drive me home?"
"Okay, Rey." Obi-Wan released his grip on my shoulders and turned to one of his deputies. "Nien, get a few officers out and look for a two-door black car with tinted windows. Run the plates and see if this SOB has a record."
"Sure thing, chief," Deputy Nien Nunb called, before reaching for his jacket and heading out to his cruiser.
"Ok, Rey, let's get you home." Obi-Wan wrapped his right arm around my shoulders. "I'll bring your Jeep home tomorrow."
"Thanks, Obi-Wan," I said, showing my gratitude to my grandfather as he led me out the door to his police car.
Someone had saved me from imminent danger once again, but I had to wonder… how much longer would it be before my luck ran out?
A/N: Who do you think is pursuing Rey? What are your theories as to why? If you read my notes at the beginning of this fic, you know that Ben is not the villain, but how do you think he will play into this whole situation now that they've met? Please leave me your thoughts and/or kudos. Thank you for reading! ~Dazzy xxoo