Hey Everyone! I apologize for seemingly dropping off the face of the planet for a little bit. The past couple of weeks have been crazy between work and school, I honestly haven't had a lot of time to myself to work on this. But I haven't given up on it! So, I'm back.

Anybody else get goosebumps watching The Rise of Skywalker Teaser? Because I did! I cannot wait for December, it cannot come quick enough.

Forward!


Rey walked through the coffee shop doors the next day, anticipating talking to Ben again. She needed to work on the next chapter, but something was pulling her mind towards the dark man. He was intense, soft spoken yet something like fire burned through him. Rey was guessing that he had a temper underneath those cool brown eyes, yet he showed her compassion as she ranted about Kylo Ren.

Kylo Ren. The asshole author whom she looked up to. Walking towards the counter, absentmindedly waving to Maz in the process, she thought about her response to the author. Last night she had paced her little apartment, debating on how best to respond. She felt like she needed to. His work was amazing, his attitude and people skills not so much. After much deliberation and coffee, she had sat down about three o'clock in the morning and had typed her response. Her hands had shaken the entire time. Sending off a response to her favorite author was hard enough, a scathing response even harder.

Mr. Ren,

Thank you for taking a special interest in my novel, although I did not ask for your opinion. I have been doing quite well on my own without your input and Mitaka seems pleased with my work. Whether or not I stay in the literary world will be entirely based on MY work and not your editing. Your notes, while they have been considered, were not asked for or warranted; I am very aware that I am not done with my characters or editing. I have a long way to go.

If you wish to keep getting copies of the chapters from Mitaka, that is entirely up to you. I do not care one way or another. My only concern is finishing this draft of the novel to move forward. Any other concerns you might have with my work, can be sent directly to Mitaka, as it is his job to help my novel move forward not yours.

I had a teacher, and I do not need another.

Sincerely,

Rey Jackson.

She truly hated being told that she wasn't good enough and being told that she needed help and not asking for it really set her blood boiling. She wouldn't let anyone tell her she was nothing without them and certainly not from a man that she didn't know.

Sighing, she took her coffee from Maz, giving a hint of a smile before walking to her little corner of light. Setting up her laptop, taking a sip of coffee she resigned herself to writing. So close to the end of another chapter, another part of her story finished. Calming herself, throwing the thought of the author from her mind she took in a deep breath, opened her word processor and began to write.

A few hours had passed, lunch came and went, and yet her fingers never strayed from the key board. Maz came and refilled her coffee a couple of times, giving little smiles at the way the author was so immersed in her work she barely noticed her come and go. She had finally found a way around the writer's block, or so it had seemed. Chuckling Maz made her rounds around the shop, glancing ever so often at the young woman in deep concentration. About two o'clock in the afternoon, her nephew walked in.

Ben had nodded in greeting to Maz, taken a cup of her coffee at the bar before glancing at the author. She hadn't even noticed him. It stung a little, but he had softened seeing her so hard at work. Maz had followed his gaze, noticing how he took in the author in her bright corner.

"She came in early." Maz noted. "She hasn't moved since."

"So, it appears."

"Why are you here Ben?" Maz inquired, her eyes narrowing. Her nephew had always been careful of hiding his thoughts. "Not for work, you don't have your laptop with you, although imagine your phone is with you."

"You'd imagine correctly." He continued to look at the author, remembering the electricity that seemed to flow through them the previous day. She was something else.

"So why are you here?"

Honestly, he didn't have a good answer for her. He didn't have to write today, he was up most of the night writing and preparing answers for that blasted phone interview, it was coming sooner rather than later, and he needed to have those answers prepared. But something had compelled him to come to the shop anyway. He had thrown on some clothes and begun the walk, not knowing if his objective was just to see her or to get to know the young author. She was something else. Years of being alone, and not caring, and yet she had easily accepted and embraced him. It was something that he hadn't seen since he was a boy. And he craved it.

He never answered Maz, instead opting to walk over to Rey's corner and sit down directly in front of her. She didn't move a muscle, not looking up from her computer. It gave him a moment to look at her face and take in the emotions flitting across her delicate features. There was a strength about her, a light that shined in her eyes, and it was mesmerizing. He loved it. She was strong, despite hidden pain. Captivated, he could not bring himself to interrupt her.

Rey continued to type, the words flowing onto the laptop without hesitation. She was so close! A little bit more… and then she heard the slight chuckle. Startled from her concentration, she looked up from her work right into the face of the man she had wanted to see today. He was sitting right in front of her. For how long she didn't know, but he was there. Surprise had to go across her face, as ben begun to smirk.

"How long have you been here?" She asked, irritation gracing her voice. He had surprised her, and she wasn't happy about it. Saving her work, she closed her laptop ready to give the man her full attention.

"Long enough."

"That isn't good enough." She was annoyed with him. What had he been doing? Just staring at her?

"Did you know that when you concentrate on your writing your brows furrow and your tongue sticks out of the corner of your mouth?" He offered, arms crossing across his chest. Amused caramel eyes met her own hazel. The game had begun again. Who would turn away this time?

Neither turned away from the other's inquisitive stare. The tension palpable, and energy flowing through them. The connection was strong. Something pulled them together.

"I do not." She retorted, eyes never leaving his.

"You do." He shifted, his arms coming to rest on the table. She was so feisty, it made his skin crawl. He loved baiting her, her honest reactions always welcome.

"why are you here?" She asked, taking a sip of the cold coffee next to her. She had wanted to see him, but she wasn't sure why he had decided to stare at her for so long.

"I wanted to see you." He replied. It was the truth. He was curious about her.

Rey was silent, taking in the truth behind his words. It wasn't just her, he was curious about her as well. She lowered her gaze first, a slight blush taking over her cheeks.

"So did i." She whispered. His ears had just barely caught her confession, but it was enough to make his blood sing.

Silence overtook the pair, both trying to form questions and words to ask the other.

Ben spoke first, his eyes reserved. "Do you want to take a walk with me?"

Rey was surprised. A walk? She was expecting questions but not that one. Glancing at his face, she noticed that he was hiding behind a wall, almost like he expected her to decline. Surprise flitted across his features at her answer though. "Sure."

She began to pack up her laptop, not sure how she was going to walk with him carrying it. She didn't want to expose her one chance to the outside world for any length. Maz always did seem to know all, for at that moment she walked up with two coffee to-go cups.

"Leave your personal items with me." She offered, smiling at the pair. Rey glanced at her in surprised. "Ill lock them up in the backroom. They'll be safe with me."

Rey nodded, hesitating in handing Maz her laptop. It was hard to part with it.

Ben waited until Maz had left the table, a knowing smile gracing the old woman's face before turning towards Rey. "You ready?"

Rey nodded, slightly unsure of herself. She didn't know him all that well and while she wanted to get to know him more, she wasn't sure of his own motives. Ben gave her a tight smile then stood, Rey following his motion. They silently made their way outside, Ben even holding the door open for her. They walked in silence, neither one leading nor following, just becoming one in step. A couple feet, another block, Rey didn't know how far they had gone until they had come upon a small park nestled in between the buildings. It was beautiful, lively. The birds were dancing in between the trees, the flowers in full bloom looking towards the sky. So much life.

"I didn't know this park was even here." Rey commented taking in the beauty. It was the first thing either one had said since leaving the coffee shop.

"There are several parks like this all over the city. You just have to walk to find them." Ben replied, a light taking over his features, making him seem brighter. Rey watched his face fascinated as he controlled their pace.

"And you've seen all of them?" She asked amazed. The city was huge, had he really had time to find all of the little parks?

"between walking and running I have seen several. This is still one of my favorites though. No playground, so rarely any children or families. I usually just encounter bird watchers or those who want to revel in its beauty." He gestured her to look around. Sure enough, she saw very few people about, and no children.

"Do you not like children?" She asked, and immediately regretted it. That was something for partners, lovers to discuss not two people who were just starting to know each other. Ben looked at her, not sure where she was going with this line of questioning. Did she want kids? His kids? He shook his head, lips tight as he sent that fantasy from his mind. He could easily imagine her by his side for years to come. She was so beautiful; unlike anything he had ever seen before.

"It's not that I don't like them, I just enjoy peace." He replied, his body language tense as he took a sip of the coffee in his hand. Rey lowered her gaze. It was too personal to ask. She should have stopped herself before doing so. The silence had returned. Both pairs slowly walking around the park, unsure of what to ask next.

"So…" Rey began, eyes briefly going to his face. "what do you do for work? I see you in Maz's all the time, and I get the feeling that you're like me."

"What? A writer?" He asked, his eyes briefly meeting hers, something, maybe shame, was apparent in his brown eyes for a moment before disappearing. "No, I do a little bit of everything. I, manage, things." He had hesitated when he presented the words managed to her. It wasn't even close to the truth and he didn't like lying to her. But considering her current feelings towards his true nature, he dares not tell her the truth.

"You spend an awful lot of time on a laptop in a coffee shop to be 'Managing' things." She remarked, eyes narrowed slightly. She had seen the lie. Ben's gaze dropped briefly, ashamed of what he just told her. He hated lying and for her to see through it so easily through him off guard. She would push until she got the truth. He was toeing a fine line.

"I manage people." He offered again. Not quite the truth and not quite a lie. He managed himself, and his mask, Kylo Ren.

"Like?" She pushed again. She wanted the truth. She had come to a stop and was now staring at him, distrust written across her face. He hated this line of inquiry.

"I manage peoples lives. I have two clients that I need to keep on top of and I make some money doing so." He hoped that would suffice for now. He didn't think he could continue to follow the line of the lie if she kept pushing. Rey seemed to stare into his soul, bare it open for the world. She was smart, and cunning. It through him for a loop and made him realize that whatever had happened in her past, had made her naturally distrustful of people, even people she wanted to get to know. Her trust was going to have to be earned.

"That's all I can really tell you without giving away private information." He offered, moving forward along the sidewalk. He couldn't continue the lie. So he decided to divert her path. "How did that thing end up with your asshole author?"

Rey looked surprised. He had remembered. Most guys don't remember little details, but he had and he was wondering what was the outcome of it. Interesting. "I replied and that should be the end of it." She matched his stride, once again coming to stand beside him as they walked along. Ben looked at her, thinking he needed to check his email when he got home this evening.

"Do you think he will reply, wanting to have the last word?" He asked quietly, she was unaware of the nervousness taking over his voice.

"Perhaps, if his previous behavior is any indication." She smiled up at him before letting her eyes roam the life around them. "He seems like the type to try and have the last word."

"Most men are." Ben also let his eyes roam around, looking everywhere but at her. Silence passed between them again.

This time it was Rey that initiated the conversation. "Why don't you like your full name?"

Ben quickly glanced at her. It's true he didn't like his full first name. Or his last name for that matter.

"Have you ever felt like you had to live up to exceedingly tall expectations based on your name?" He asked in return. Her step faltered for a second before continuing.

"No." She said softly, sadness overcoming her face for a fleeting second before disappearing. "I've never had those kinds of expectations graced upon me."

"why?" He asked, even though he could tell she really didn't want to talk about it. Rey paused, coming to a stop to fully look at him. He was taller than her, his eyes curious and kind in this moment. He truly wanted to understand her. It was the openness in his eyes that prompted her to continue. Nobody, besides her friends, had ever wanted to know her, all of her.

"I didn't have parents, or I guess I did at one point, but I didn't grow up with them." She continued to look at his face, biting her bottom lip again between her teeth. If only she knew what that did to him, the pool of heat it created in his veins.

"They died when I was very young. As a ward of the state, I spend most of my time moving between foster homes. I had some, troubles." She paused, eyes becoming brighter as she remembered certain events from her childhood and Ben didn't push. He waited for her to continue. "My last foster home was awful. I was regarded as trash, or maybe worse than trash, just a paycheck. I was nothing. So I gave myself my own expectations, losing myself in a world of fantasy, hoping that one day I could rise above the vision that Plutt saw, a girl with no hope, no promises to become anything else than a lowly worker who could barely put food in her mouth."

Ben remained silent. She had been through hell and back. It made his life look easy in comparison. He once again waited for her to continue. "But here I am. I worked hard in school, got my degree and mitaka is the one who noticed my work. He brought it to the attention of a publisher and now I'm working on a full novel based off that short story." She chuckled a little. "Funny thing is, my fantasy is finally coming true."

Ben began to grind his jaw, thinking over his words carefully. He didn't want to say the wrong thing. She had just offered something incredibly personal about herself. It was a sign of trust. A few moments of silence passed between them, and Rey was beginning to wonder what he was thinking. Did he pity her? Did he think less of her for her upbringing?

"You're not nothing." Rey looked up at him in surprise, before turning her face away, tears threatening to spill onto her cheeks. His hand slowly reached under her chin, forcing her head to turn back up towards his face. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She gasped at the electric pulse once again moving through her veins. His hand reached down, gently grasped her own, before letting it fall completely, and resuming his walk. Rey stood watching him walk away before remembering her own feet. She quickly caught up with him, drying her tears on the back of her hand. His expression was twisted. Anger, pain, pity, she wasn't sure, but he was fighting some sort of inner turmoil. They continued in silence once again, before turning around and beginning the walk back to the coffee shop.

They were still in the park, slowly making their way back towards the place where they came in at. He whispered it again, so low she almost missed it. "You're not nothing. Not to me." Rey smiled at that statement never turning to look at him, never faltering from her path, just walking next to him in silence, observing how the silence that was once awkward was now comforting, and strengthening.

"Benjamin Organa-Solo." His statement was quiet, and it did make Rey turn towards him. Organa-Solo? His full name. He offered her the name that had created expectations that were larger than life.

"So, the son of a senator and a race car driver?" she perused. His eyes briefly met hers, confusion coming over his features. "that explains why you hate your name."

Everyone knew of Leia Organa, the Senator who had famously married a Race Car driver after only a couple of months of knowing him. She was a strong female, who was often in the way of the press. She was well known, as was her husband, Han Solo. He had a past. A few affairs with the ladies, a penchant for being reckless on the track, known for his attitude towards the limelight. He hated the attention that his wife brought on upon their home. There was a rumor going around for a while that Han Solo had separated from his wife, until they were recently seen together again.

"You can imagine why I don't enjoy giving my full name to anyone." He spat. He, like his father, hated the attention that was thrust upon him during his childhood.

"Yes, and the expectations that come with it." Rey could understand now why he seemed to hide in his corner of the world. He didn't like his name. "But at least you have a name given to you by your parents. Mine was given to me by my first foster family."

Ben had chuckled wryly at the first comment. Oh, how high his expectations had been. Unrealistic.

"Like you, Rey, I didn't have parents. Sure, my mother gave birth to me, and my father taught me some basics of being a child but most of it I learned on my own. They weren't ever around. The fights were awful and even worse, most of them were about me." His frame had grown tense again, teeth grinding against each other as he tried to keep his anger in check.

Turning out of the park they began the trek back to the coffee shop. Rey stayed quiet, not talking out of fear of his temper. He had one, and it was obvious he struggled with it.

They stayed silent together, once again just reveling in the other's company. Entering the coffee shop, he led the way up to the counter, letting her collect her laptop from Maz, before leaving her for the day. It was his parting words that made her speechless.

"What is worse Rey, never knowing your parents or knowing that your parents never wanted you?" He softly said, his fingers just lightly brushing against her cheek briefly before he turned and left. Rey wasn't sure how to answer that, because she didn't have an answer. Would she feel the same if she had grown up with parents? It would have changed her childhood, but for better or worse, she didn't know. But knowing that your parents had you, and never wanted you? Was there no love? It was something she would have to think about.

"So I take it you're done for the day?" Maz noticed how the young author hadn't moved from her spot at the bar, still looking in the direction that Ben had left.

Rey merely nodded, still confused over his words and touch. His touch had screamed out 'look at me' but his eyes were so guarded. She had wanted to get to know him better and she now understood a little bit more of the pain that hid in his eyes. They were so similar but from different perspectives, she wasn't so sure they were the same. But Ben had never judged her, not even in telling him her origins. In fact, he had offered anger over sympathy, perhaps because he understood how she felt. Perhaps he had grown up thinking he was nothing either.


Several Days had passed and Rey had sent another chapter to her editor. She wasn't exactly happy with the structure, but it could be fine tuned later. Ben's question had weighed heavily on her mind. It seemed to haunt her thoughts, prompting them to turn towards a darkness in herself that she usually tried to avoid. She hadn't been back to maz's, preferring to write in her home while she continued to ponder his words. And worse, she still hadn't come up with an answer that she found a suitable argument to support it. She was at a loss. She didn't have an answer to give him, even though she didn't think that he expected one. He merely offered her a different way of looking at life. He had come from a home and was still not wanted.

She lacked the courage to face him right now, and perhaps she used the excuse of writing at home to hide from him. She just didn't know what to say to him the next time that she saw him. A couple things had happened in the past couple days. Mitaka had given her feed back on her latest chapter, echoing what she already knew. What had surprised her was the feedback given to her by none other than Luke Skywalker. He had written her an email, stating that her progress was coming along but that this last chapter seemed to lack something that her other chapters had. Rey knew that he was right.

The last chapter she had sent in was sloppy, her thoughts all over the page in disarray. Admittedly it was because she was distracted. Ben's question had, Afterall, thrown her for a loop. Her passion had gone from a flame to a simmer as she finished up that last chapter, so she was determined to make the next one better.

Kylo Ren, like ben had predicted, had also returned with his own advice. But what was weird was not that had replied, because Rey was prepared to hear back from him, but the tone of his email seemed almost soft, like he himself had lost some of the fire that had set the tone of his original email. Rey wasn't sure why the change, but she hadn't replied to him yet. Here she was staring at his email, once again reading the words on her screen.

Ms. Jackson,

As I stated before, mitaka would be sending me your chapters as they are completed.

You have a fire in you, and the tone of this chapter is no different than the others. Perhaps it is because you are unsure of where to take the story? Or perhaps you have other matters on your mind. Everyone has good and bad days.

Please let me know if you need assistance in your writing.

K. Ren.

It also puzzled Rey, weighing on her mind. Sure, his tone was still somewhat assholish, but he hadn't belittled her writing. He almost seemed like he was offering peace. Rey wasn't sure what to make of the author now.

It was then that she heard the knock on the door, and the sound of her friends calling her name through the door. Oh lord. What did they have up their sleeve now? Grumbling, she moved to open her front door, looking at the four eager faces on the other side of the frame.

"Get dressed." Kaydel said, moving into her apartment with ease. She was dressed for a night out, or something. Poe and Finn were in suits and rose, like Kaydel, was also in a dress.

"I am happy to be here today, guys. I have too much on my mind." She bit out. Too much on her mind, not enough time being able to think. She really didn't feel like getting dressed up and going out.

"Well and that's why were here." Finn said happily, taking her arm gently, leading her back towards her bedroom. Kaydel was currently throwing clothes on the bed in two piles. Admittedly, Rey didn't have a lot of dressy clothes, she preferred to be comfortable. The items that Kaydel was currently laying on the bed were several years old, most of them haven't been worn since college.

"We have an event to go to." Poe stated, nodding at the clothing that Kaydel was showing him. Rey was speechless. Why were they doing this?

"Quickly Rey. Shower then back out here." Rose said, all but pushing her into her bathroom. "Heels Kaydel. Find her Heels."

Rey was stunned moving on autopilot as she hopped in the shower. What was happening?

"Did you know we stopped by maz's coffee shop before coming here?" Poe asked through the door. "She said that you hadn't been in, in several days. So that means that you're either depressed or stuck. Judging by the current state of your apartment, were going with depressed."

Rey rolled her eyes at that. She wasn't depressed just lost in thought.

"So, we decided that were kidnapping you for this event." Finn finished Poe's thought.

"Oh, Wonderful." Rey's voice was dripping with sarcasm.

"Hurry up!" Kaydel barked. Muttering under her breath, Rey finished up, quickly wrapped herself in a towel, before letting Rose and Kaydel know that she was ready for whatever torture they were going to inflict on her.

It was going to be a long afternoon

Rey was not happy. Here she was, standing with the Press outside of a charity Event. She didn't know why or how, but Kaydel and Poe had managed to get them all press passes to stand right on the sidelines. Not only that, but this Charity dinner they were covering was big. And here she was, standing in three-inch heels, her hair done up in some sort of three bun fashion updo that Rey was sure she would never be able to do on her own. Her face had make-up on it. Make up for heaven sake and on top of it all, she was wearing a white strapless romper, belted with a little gold belt and gold jewelry complimenting her skin tone. She felt ridiculous. Kaydel had begged her to just go with it, that she looked great and would fit in, but Rey had never felt more out of place.

One by one, she watched celebrities and politicians walk the red carpet into the event hall. Rey didn't even know what even this was for, just that it was for charity. She ignored most of the people walking the carpet, bored out of her mind but something caught her attention. It was a name.

"Mr. Skywalker!" someone called out followed by more shouts of the name. Rey snapped to attention, pushing a little closer to Kaydel to see him. The notoriously private Luke Skywalker was on the red carpet. He was a little unkept, and clearly uncomfortable with the attention. He was the owner of Force Print, and he was walking the red carpet.

"Mr. Skywalker, did you attend of your own volition or did your sister make you?"

"Is your sister going to be attending her own event?"

"Do you know where your sister is?"

"What about your nephew? Is he single?"

Questions flew from every direction and the more questions pelted in his direction the more uncomfortable Luke seemed to be. He quickly made his way in side. Rey was confused. She thought he would have a more powerful air about him than one of a man running from press.

"He has a sister?" Rey quietly asked Kaydel, curious to know more about her publisher.

"yes, the Senator, Leia Organa. This is her Event." Kaydel hissed back, making quick notes on a notepad before turning her attention back towards the carpet.

Rey was stunned. Leia Organa was Luke Skywalker's Sister? But that would make…

Her thought didn't have a chance to finish forming as the object of her thought made her way onto the red carpet. Leia organa was short. That was her first thought upon seeing the senator. Her face was wizened with lines and her eyes quietly took in all that around her. Ben's eyes, Rey thought. That's where he gets his eyes from. She had power about her form. Rey looked to Leia's right and saw an older man put his hand on her shoulders.

"Senator, what can you tell us about your charity?"

"Why have you not shown up to the past couple years events?"

"Did your husband cheat on you?"

The questions began flying again. The man on Leia's right had to be her husband, Han Solo. He was taller than what she had imagined, Older than the senator by many years, but his eyes had a spark of mischief about them, a humor. On his face was a smirk. Ben's Smirk, Rey thought.

The questions continued to fly, most of them personal rather than professional. Rey felt pity. It had to be hard to continually be in the spotlight, to have your life examined constantly, for no secrecy.

"I love how you are all so curious about my home life." Leia said, irritation gracing her strong voice. "Yet we are here to raise money for the less fortunate. Let's concentrate on that, yes?" The senator gently took her husbands hand and continued down the carpet.

"Senator, is your son attending this event with you?" Kaydel's question made Rey do a double take. Would Ben be here? Would he see her? Would he even notice her? She suddenly felt very self conscious about her outfit.

Leia paused, looking Kaydel in the eye. Kaydel seemed to flinch. Rey knew the feeling. Ben had the same stare, the stare of someone capable of seeing through you. "My son is here."

The press went crazy. Ben Solo hadn't been seen with his parents since he was a teenager.

Cameras flashed. Voices called out questions and Rey went still. Ben was walking onto the Red carpet, completely in black. He looked paler, some circles beneath his eyes as if he wasn't sleeping well, his hair of course perfect. But Rey couldn't look away.

The more Rey looked at him the more she could see his fear. It was all over his tense stance, the want to run away from this circus. His eyes were cold, hollow, void of any of the warmth she was used to seeing. There was no light, nothing but vast darkness. He absolutely hated this, and the press couldn't have cared less.

"Hey Rey, isn't that the guy from your coffee shop?" Poe whispered to her as he took a couple quick photos.

Finn and Rose stared at her. Did she know that he would be here? What was going on between the two of them? Their curiosity was plain to see on their faces. Rey continued to look at Ben, but it didn't look like her Ben at all. Sure, there were moments when he would let her in and see the inner turmoil but he still didn't put off the air of confidence that she was accustomed to seeing.

"Yeah, that's Ben." Rey whispered back, pushing forward even more until she came to rest against the barriers. She was being pulled. She longed to see that warmth back in his irises, something, anything that reminded her of the man that asked her to take a walk the other day.

"Did you know?" Finn asked quietly, still looking between Rey, who hasn't stopped staring at him and the man who was trying to dodge the presses questions.

"No. I did not know." Rey bit her lower lip. Ben had balled his fists at his sides, whether in anger or to quell shaking she did not know. "We didn't talk about this. We talked about other things."

This peaked Kaydel's interest. She turned to look sharply at her friend. "Like sexy things?"

Rey rolled her eyes again at her friend. Really, she didn't know him that well, but she would be lying to herself if she hadn't thought of what ben might be able to make her feel.

"No like my history things." She snapped at Kaydel.

"So, you don't like him?" Rose asked her friend. Out of all of them, she was always the most observant.

"Not really the time Rose." Rey snapped again. Right now, was not the time for twenty questions regarding her relationship with Ben.

Ben had slowly made his way down the carpet. Every step he took towards the opening of the Event Center seemed more forced than the previous one. A trapped animal.

"Ben." Rey whispered, pleading in her voice. He couldn't hear her. Part of her wasn't sure that she wanted him to hear her. Kaydel didn't even register her quiet call and she was right next to her. She whispered his name again. "Ben."

It's not like she expected him to answer or even notice her. But something at that moment, the moment after she had whispered his name seemed to make time stand still. His dark eyes had slowly travelled over the media circus and stopped on hers. A brief flicker of recognition, a flicker of shame, a tiny light and then nothing. It was like he could see her but couldn't process her being.

"See me." She whispered, eyes never leaving his. She knew Poe was continuing to snap pictures, Finn and Rose continued to watch what was taking place around them. And it was Kaydel that seemed to snap him back to reality.

"Mr. Solo, you haven't been seen with your parents in years, why this event? Why now?" Somehow, Kaydel's voice always managed to carry and it could be heard above the ruckus of the other reporters. Many had asked that same question, and he had offered no answer. Rey glanced briefly at her friend before letting her eyes wonder back to him.

Ben looked tired; he was obviously uncomfortable at this kind of spectacle. His gaze briefly left Rey's, glancing at the ground before meeting her eyes again. His voice was soft, but clear when he answered.

"This event has raised money for the less fortunate for years." He waited for a moment. All of the press seemed to be intent on hearing him out. After all, it might be the last chance to get a quote from him, since he hadn't been to the event for years. "My mother works tirelessly to try and help the poor, the hungry, the children. I applaud her efforts and I support them."

Rey gripped the railing in front of her, her knuckles turning white. The pull was back, and it was evident in the way that ben had taken a few steps closer to her that she wasn't the only one enthralled by the pull. It dawned on Rey, at that moment, that they were somehow connected. Some how in their brief meetings, something had been created. A comforting companionship? Or perhaps it was more? She didn't know what it was but what ever it was, the connection seemed to hum, and Ben was lost in the thrall of it as well. His eyes never left hers, the little flecks of caramel in his irises brightening as he stepped closer and closer to her before coming to a stop just a couple feet short of the barrier separating them.

"This year, I asked her to change the receiving charity of the event funds." Ben continued, his voice still soft, eyes never leaving her face, hoping to memorize the features of the woman who inspired him. "A friend of mine, who is a stronger person than I will ever be, made me realize that helping the children of today will build a better future for tomorrow. The funds will be given to children who are in need."

Rey felt her breath hitch. She couldn't breathe. This man, the one who was as much an enigma to her as she was to him, had talked his parents into diverting the funds into a different charity. Parents that he didn't talk to. Parents that he obviously had some deep-rooted issues with. But he had done it. And judging by how his eyes seemed brighter, he clearly wanted her to know that she was the reason behind the change. He did it for her.

Kaydel was furiously taking notes, Poe taking pictures every few seconds, Finn was looking around and Rose seemed to be the only person who kept looking between Rey and Ben. After a few more moments, Ben continued to make his way down the carpet and Rey felt like she could breathe again. The tears begun to pool in her eyes, and before she could compose herself, Rey felt a couple slide down her cheeks. The man she hardly knew had just given her one of the greatest gifts she never would have asked for. What had she done to deserve this?

Backing away slowly from the railing, Rey decided she needed a breather. Ben Solo left her raw, her emotions uncontrolled, her mind unable to process anything walking towards a quieter place. It was too much, the emotions running through her. Wrapping her arms around her midriff, Rey walked faster hoping to find a peaceful place to cry, maybe punch something or maybe both. She just knew that she needed to run, and her body responded.

The sobs cam and went, and she was left with an empty feeling. The tree with the she came to rest under was large, its branches had seen better days, charred from the remains of lightening. It was under this tree that Rey found a semblance of peace. Taking a deep breath, she steadied herself. Ben had done this for her. She was coming to terms with that, although it was still hard for her to accept. He had changed the course of an entire of tradition to let her know that what she came up from had struck a nerve with his morals. He was guarded, he never seemed to let her in but what she had seen, he was vulnerable, wanting to please. It was unfathomable, to her, how someone who grew up with the parents that he did, to hate the name which he was graced with.

Rose found her. Rey imagined that the others had progressed to capturing the details of the charity gala. They had moved on and yet one friend had stayed behind. Coming to a rest, beside Rey, Rose didn't say a word, merely taking in the emotions that her friend was currently contemplating. She was astute that way. Rose managed to see the best in people despite their short comings, and this was no different. At this moment, all she saw was a friend that was internally dueling with herself. And rose was there to offer comfort.

"Are you okay?" Rose asked after several moments of looking at the charred branches of the tree which they rest under.

Rey contemplated her answer. If she said yes, rose probably wouldn't believe the lie. Rose wouldn't leave. If she said no, rose wouldn't leave her to her own thoughts. In this case, there was no way to lie and keep her friend from prying.

"I'm confused." Rey whispered back.

"Why?"

Rey snuck a glance at rose, noticing that the former's eyebrows had pinched together, as if she herself was confused by Rey's answer.

"I barely know him and yet, days after I told him my story, he goes and does this." Rey gestured to the front of the event hall in the distance.

"So why are you confused?" rose asked, eye bright and concerned for her friend.

"I don't know why he did it other than the answer, 'he did it for me'." Rey rolled her bottom lip in between her teeth. "But why would he do it?"

Rose continued to look at her friend, truly empathetic at her situation.

"Rey, you really don't have a clue, do you?" Rose sighed, looking once again up at the branches of the tree. "You are worth everything that is ever done in your name or for you. You are not a burden but a blessing."

Rose then began to pace in front of Rey. She needed her friend to understand just how much she had touched upon her life, all their lives. Poe. Kaydel. Finn. And now this man, Ben. "You have a light about you. You manage to place faith in people even though you have no reason to. You have this resilience in you, that makes you burn brighter than anything I've ever encountered in humanity. You are truly a star, a bright star in a fucked-up world."

Rey winced at the praise. She hadn't received a whole lot of it growing up and it was still foreign to her. She didn't know how to take a compliment. "You have managed to bring people together and create this group that somehow works. I met Finn through you. Poe and Kaydel met at work but you knew both throughout college and look at them now."

"We are your friends and if we had the power, I'm sure there would be several charity events named after you not just given to you because you touched another person." Rose gestured to the event hall. Most of the media had disappeared inside the event, leaving the front empty except for the barriers surround the said red carpet.

"I don't know Ben, but I can imagine that something in him sees your light and welcomes its warmth." Rose pointed at Rey, completely lost in her words. "Judging by the questions being aimed at him earlier, im guessing he doesn't have a lot of friends and certainly hasn't had that warmth that you radiate. You are truly a friend and I'm betting he doesn't know how to tell you that. This is probably his way of telling you."

Rey knew her mouth was open by this point, but she didn't care. There was still a question nagging her conscience. "And what if I want to be more than friends with him?"

Rose's face was an open book, surprise and a smile gracing her features. "And have you told him this?"

"No. I don't know him that well but there is… something… that pulls me towards him." Rey answered, a sigh escaping her lips, her body relaxing as she let the secret come out. "when I first met him, he seemed dark, broody and well alone. After talking to him a couple times, I told him my story and I don't tell that to just anyone. But something told me to trust him, that he wouldn't judge me. Something that I think he feels too."

Rose nodded, knowing her friend had been grappling with these feelings for a while. It had plagued her thoughts and releasing the knowledge had cured her ailment. "Rey, whatever you decide, whether to confront these feelings and talk to him, or to hide them and continue as friends, we will support you. That's what were here for."

Rey wiped the tears off her cheek, barely noticing that she had begun to cry at Rose's declaration. She was right, of course. Her friends had only supported her. After a few more minutes of silence, rose noticed that her friend had taken on a new countenance, one of confidence and acceptance. Rose began to wonder if her friend was finally beginning to come into herself, a confident young woman who is working on achieving her greatest dream.

"Thank you." Rey's voice was strong, clear and precise. Confident indeed.

Rose merely nodded, before offering her hand to the other woman. It was time to return and support their other friends.


Upon entering the Hall, Rey was struck with two notions of truth. One, everyone who was anyone in this city was attending. It was sure to be a successful charity event. Rey imagined that they had possibly already reached the fundraising goal of the evening. Two, she was glad that Kaydel dressed her for this event. Fumbling with the press pass around her neck, she began to make her way to the press tables, looking for her friends. Rose walked beside her, pointing out some important people along the way.

Kaydel spotted her first, waving to them joyfully as Poe looked at pictures on his camera. Finn, like Rey, was taking in the sights and people attending. It was indeed a spectacle. "This is amazing." Finn's voice was laced in amazement. Rey had to agree with him. It was incredible.

"This isn't even the best part of the evening." Kaydel was practically bouncing in her seat. Poe merely rolled his eyes at her antics, and Rey couldn't stop the giggle that left her lips. Her friend was nearly as excited about this event, as she was when she found out she would be interviewing Kylo Ren.

"How does this get any better?" Rose asked, also chuckling at Kaydel.

"There is an auction." Kaydel's bounces seemed to get higher and higher. "An auctioning off of eligible bachelors attending."

Rey looked around, imagining that most of the young men in attendance were probably taken.

"eligible bachelors?" She asked, continuing to search the crowd for him. She wanted to see Ben, even if she couldn't get close to him at the moment.

"Yes! The senator set it up. Apparently, she's done it in the past but if you ask me, she is doing it this year to get her son a date." Kaydel had abruptly risen from her seat. "Ben Solo is on the list!"

Rey looked over at Kaydel. List? They had listed which men were going to participate in this auction?

"Look!" Kaydel shoved a pamphlet under her nose. The pamphlet listed a little information about the charity, where the raised funds were going to go, and the bachelor auction. Sure enough, as Rey scanned the listed men, she noticed that Ben's name was the last one on the list. In smaller print, under the list, it was stated that whoever won each man, would be granted either an afternoon or evening with said man, as a platonic date. Well at least it was platonic, although Rey was sure that someone would try and make their platonic dates a little less platonic.

"I wish I had the money." Kaydel sighed. "I'd bid on Solo."

Rey's eyes snapped up towards her friend, some sort of fire entering her veins. Possession.

"When is this supposed to take place?" Her voice quiet and low, barely veiling jealousy.

"Soon." Poe stopped messing with his camera and took a quick shot of Rose and Rey. "The senator has already given her address so I'm guessing once everyone has a few more drinks in them, they will begin. Drunk people give more than sober people."

Rey could already see Ben on a date with a mystery woman, but she wanted that woman to be her. Rey reached down to their table, grabbing one of the drink tickets given to the press. They were allowed one drink, and since she hadn't had anything to eat, one drink should be enough to clear her head of the jealousy flowing through it. She took the ticket and began to make her way to the bar placed against the far corner of the room.

"Wine, I don't care what kind, just not sweet." She told the bartender, who gave some sort of affirmative response, but rey wasn't paying attention. While waiting for her drink, she hardly noticed a person sliding up next to her. She was too lost in her own thoughts.

"Scotch on the rocks please." The voice was deep, setting her veins on fire again, but not with unwanted feelings. She knew that voice.

Looking up from the bar, Rey took in Ben Solo. The tension was still gracing his features, but his eyes brightened as she met his. He was truly here, next to her, at the bar.

"Hi." Rey's voice was a little breathless, her eyes never leaving his. Their usual staring contest had changed. She didn't want to look away, not because of a challenge. She was looking for something else.

"Hi." He replied, taking in the flecks of gold and green through her hazel eyes. He too, was looking for something.

"I didn't think that you would be here." She said, one hand gently touching his forearm. Even fully clothed, Ben could feel the heat of her skin, the electricity flowing through his arm.

"I made the decision to come, last minute of course." His own hand gently brushed her cheek, eyes never leaving hers.

"Here you go, one glass of pinot noir, and scotch on the rocks for you sir." The bartender interrupted their moment. Rey took her eyes off of him for a moment to thank the bartender before grabbing her glass. Ben mirrored her actions.

"Ben, I wanted to thank you." Rey said taking a sip of her wine, letting the alcohol warm her throat.

"Why?" His eyes narrowing, confused as to why she would thank him.

"well, this is going to sound silly, but I imagined that you changed the charity for me." Rey took another sip, briefly looking away, hoping that she wasn't making a fool of herself by relaying her thoughts to him. Ben remained silent, taking a sip of his scotch before gently placing a hand on her lower back, and leading her a few feet away from the bar. They ended up at a cocktail table.

"Youre not wrong." He replied, his hand once again reaching up and touching her cheek. Rey shivered at the touch. So gentle.

"You should have never had to go through what you did." Ben looked around at the hall before turning back to her. "I did change the charity for you. But seeing you here, that was surprising."

"I wasn't supposed to be here." Rey grimaced, even though she looked great, she hated getting this dressed up. It wasn't her. "Kaydel had managed to get extra press tickets. My friends came over to steal me away. I was quite happy writing at home."

"Do you regret coming?" His eyes were clouded. That wall of protection was up again.

"No." No hesitation was given. Rey was truly glad her friends had stolen her. She got to see ben after all.

"I don't regret coming either." Ben was gradually letting the tension go. Rey had that affect on him. He always seemed to relax when he was with her. "Afterall, I got to see you, and you are beautiful."

Rey blushed; she could feel the heat rising in her cheeks. Ben's gaze slowly went down her body, taking in everything.

"I don't like dressing up." She offered, the blush still present on her cheeks.

A smirk graced his face. "Neither do i."

"Yes, but you don't look awkward dressed up. You look like that suit was made for you. You own it, I just feel like a slightly more polished version of myself. I don't fit in here."

"I don't either."

Rey let out a huff. "This was your world."

"Was. Operative word there Rey."

Rey had to agree with that. He had already stated he hated being a part of these events.

"I don't enjoy these things, but I thought that maybe if I changed the charity, I might get your attention." Ben reached down and grasped one of her hands.

Rey gasped at the electricity running through their combined hands. The pull was back.

Ben looked at her, his eyes seeking hers. She met his own gaze; both were still searching each other. His walls were down. She was wanting and in his own eyes, she could see that same want.

Moments past, neither moving their gaze from the other. Rey took the first step, coming up to him and gently wrapping her arms around his body in a hug, ignoring the warmth radiated from his large body. She smiled when she felt him return the hug, lowering his head to rest on her shoulder, his hair hiding his face from prying eyes. Only she would be privy to the emotions currently running through him. Only she was worthy.

"You have always had my attention." She let her lips gently brush against his exposed neck as she spoke, delighted by the shivers that went over his tall frame at the intimate action. She didn't stop there. She gently released his body and stepped back, taking his face in her hands. As she brushed her thumbs over his cheek, she noticed a faint scar running up his right cheek. She hadn't noticed it before, but somehow it made his features even more handsome. Releasing his face, she stepped up closer to him. Even with the heels on, she had to rise on to her toes to speak in his ear. Once again, she let her lips brush over the outline of his ear as she spoke.

"Thank you, for everything."

She grabbed her wine and left him there, throwing one last look at him over her shoulder. Ben was standing there, his eyes dark with lust, his hands balling into fists to keep himself from grabbing her. She wasn't ready yet, but she would be. Rey added a little extra sway to her hips as she walked away. She couldn't wait for the moment when she would have all of him and not just his heart.


Hopefully this chapter it okay. I had to rewrite the entire chapter after I lost the hard drive, I had previously been writing this chapter on. Comment away, let me know what you think! I will begin writing the fourth chapter tomorrow!