"I'll come back for you sweetheart, I promise"
Rey stands rooted to the spot in awe. The words she'd told herself all her life had just been spoken back to her and she knows this is her destiny.
The words she thought she had invented for herself, were actually a picture of the future. This future. Maz was right. All of it was right.
Rey stands as she watches the shuttle ascend carrying away the man who is her sense of belonging. She lifts an arm as dust blows through her hair, whipping her clothes. She shields her eyes from the sun, watching the shuttle until it vanishes as a speck in the sky. She feels his warmth in her chest, getting further away and she wraps her arms around herself suddenly cold.
Finn watches Rey as she stands, debating whether to approach his friend.
He saw the kiss and he's still reeling, hit with a blank shock and he doesn't know how to think or feel. Then he remembers how Rose, sweet as she is, kissed him in the heat of battle. There was still a confusing, on-again, off-again affectionate thing between them. But honestly Finn didn't even know what relationships of that kind entailed. He was still so innocent and new at everything and the First Order certainly didn't permit fraternizing between troopers.
Maybe this was the same? Maybe this kiss was in the heat of the moment and Rey is confused?
He takes a deep breath and walks up beside her, standing silently as Rey continues to look to the horizon. Finn clears his throat.
"So, you and him…"
She just nods, eyes still on the sky.
"Was that the first time he… you know…" Getting nervous, Finn makes little fists with his hands, shaping his thumbs like mouths and pushing them together miming the action of kissing.
Rey looks at him, smiles and shakes her head.
"Oh," says Finn. Well, there goes that theory. He's sort of terrified to ask anything else but he's also curious and concerned.
"So, you've been… like, like doing that stuff… in between the uh, the uh, everything else?"
Rey raises and eyebrow in amusement and walks back towards the encampment.
"Come on," she says.
Finn is left with his mouth open. He runs after her a moment later, still stuttering.
"Because, you can trust me Rey! I'm your friend, I know this is all… like, overwhelming, and…scary, and…"
Rey stops in her tracks and Finn almost crashes into her. The next moment she's spinning around, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Thank you for worrying about me," she says into his shoulder. "I thought you'd hate me."
Finn grabs her by the shoulders, pushing her back and looking her in the eye.
"I could never hate you Rey. I'm not going to pretend I understand any of this, but I am your ally… And if he hurts you, I'll help you kill him, ok?"
Rey laughs and nods. Then Finn gets serious.
"But, not everyone is like me. Rey, a lot of people hate him and don't trust him. They're worried about the plan and about the truce. You have to help us all understand, ok? Some people want to defect because of it. Others want to use this as an opportunity to kill him…"
The color drains from Rey's face and Finn shuts his mouth. Maybe he's shared too much, but it's the truth and she needs to be prepared. Few people have bought into this redeemed Kylo Ren, and they're angry enough to kill him and Rey.
"Look, let's get something to eat," Finn says squeezing her shoulder. "We'll talk about everything over some hot rations."
…
Around the round table of the Falcon sit Poe, Finn, Rose and Rey. They take the chance for an intimate talk, before they face the greater resistance to execute their plans.
"When did you know he had changed?" Rose asks sincerely.
"On Ach-to really. He comforted me through our force connection when Luke rejected me, and he told me I wasn't alone. He felt abandoned by his family too. I learned that Luke tried to murder him in his sleep when he was a young man at the Jedi Academy."
There's a small collective gasp around the table.
"Why would he try to kill his nephew? Leia's son?" Comes a shocked Poe.
"Because he feared his power. Luke saw what he could become and thought he could stop it."
"I wonder if Leia knows…" Poe thinks out loud.
"He's been manipulated by Snoke from the day he was born. Leia and Han loved him but didn't know what to do to help him with his power or the voices in his head."
"But, that doesn't excuse everything he's done since. He has an awful lot of blood on his hands. Just being honest," Finn says calmly, putting his hands up. "People aren't ready to forgive him."
"He got lost," says Rey. "He got pushed over the edge. But we found each other and like I said, I was able to heal his mind a little back on that planet. Snoke's voice is gone from his head and he knows now that the answer lies in the middle. All they have to do is give us a chance to prove it."
Her trio of friends share nervous looks.
"It's a lot to ask people to put their lives on the line to give Kylo Ren a second chance," Poe tries to say delicately.
Rey sighs and thinks about this. He's right of course. But there must be a way to get people to understand. Then she has an idea.
"First things first, stop calling him Kylo Ren. He's Ben Solo, General Leia's son. He's back after helping me kill Snoke, the man who's manipulated and controlled him all his life."
"But he'll kill anyone who calls him Ben!" Cries Finn pointing at Poe who rubs the back of his neck, still sore from being force thrown against a wall.
"I'll work with him on that…"
They all chuckle nervously.
"People need to know the truth," Rey goes on. "He killed Snoke to save me, the last Jedi. He was deposed because Hux found out. And now he wants to destroy Hux and use the First Order to restore Democracy and freedom to the galaxy via this transitional constitutional monarchy or whatever…details to be ironed out…" Her passionate plea fizzles as she realizes she's not one for politics. She'll need to figure that out quickly too.
"We need those details…" says Rose, urgency in her voice.
Finn thinks a moment then speaks.
"Well, the good news is all the worlds will be involved in those talks right? That's the point. After all of this, the leaders will get together and work out a deal that works for everyone. No more war, just, what's that word…"
"Diplomacy?" Poe adds.
"Yeah! Yeah, that. Diplomacy. That's the promise we got. Meanwhile, the First Order stops it's advance. It's the best we're going to do. Like he said, otherwise, the power vacuum could make things worse."
"But how do we get everyone to see it?" Asks Rey concerned.
"If I hadn't seen him fall to his knees before Leia myself I would never have believed it," says Poe shaking his head. "We'll do our part to convince the other leaders and troops."
He puts a hand on the table urging everyone to add their hands on top.
"There's a lot of work to do gang. Let's get started."
Woah! They lift their hands up together smiling and laughing and Rey feels that glimmer of hope growing and spreading from heart to heart.
"And if he betrays us we'll just blow him up."
"POE!" They shout laughing. "What?" he asks in mock defense.
Her friends are more at ease, talking plans and figures. But under her smile, Rey makes note, that Ben's life is at risk. One wrong move, with either the resistance or his knights could spell the end of her partner. She swallows her dread, determination flashing in her eyes. But this is the best shot we've got.
—-
A communication comes shortly after. The First Order is considering Naboo's terms of surrender, including the matrimony. Soldiers run to and fro as they all prepare to depart for the idealic planet.
Rey wanders back to the medical unit where Leia lays unconscious. Rey has been assigned two body guards, who she suspects are there to protect everyone from her as much as they are to protect her from anyone else. It's a dark feeling, knowing people are suspicious and angry.
Rey grasps Leia's hand as they begin their ascent.
She hopes that she's not too late to save… her family.
—-
There is hustle and bustle in the organized chaos that follows the resistance's arrival on Naboo.
Rey stands over a balcony of the royal palace looking over the manicured gardens, lakes, fountains and sumptuous décor of the gold and stone castle. Blooming flowers creep on vines around nearly every structure, filling the halls and patios with lush colors and sweet scents.
She's seen so many beautiful things since leaving Jakku. Rey wishes she could bottle it up and carry this beauty with her wherever she goes.
She's finally led to a private suite within the royal palace where she can sleep. The room is…wow. A giant four poster bed is the centerpiece. It has delicate white fabric draped over the top, dangling over red and gold comforters. There are more pillows than she can count. The walls are an ancient and elegant décor, everything red and gold and green. French doors lead to a balcony over looking the immaculate grounds, that are now playing host to the rebel encampment.
She needs to be ready in the morning to begin her royal training if she's going to impersonate the queen. Her. A desert rat.
Rey is fussing with her hair nervously, overwhelmed by the luxury of it all when she feels that tell-tale tug in her chest. The sound flees the room and then… he's there.
Wearing just arm bands and black slacks, Ben is all chest and abs and sensitive eyes. There's that cut of muscles pointing down like and arrow below the band of his pants to that bulge just under the surface and her stomach swoops in that weird way that it only does around him.
He had been preparing for bed too.
Ben approaches his Rey slowly and she fills her eyes with all of him. His dark, brooding presence sends her hairs on end, and there's electricity as he brushes her bare shoulder with the lightest touch.
There are no words. Their fingers do the talking.
With brushing touches Rey burns a path down his chest, over his abs… then jumps down to his knees with her fingers, running them up his thighs and across his crotch. Ben throws his head back with a groan.
He returns fire with his own hands. He's going up her arms, then down her throat and over her chest. Rey arcs towards him, shuttering and tingling, longing for a firmer touch from across the stars, but he denies her.
A feather light kiss on the corner of her mouth makes Rey whine with want.
"Ahh, patience young one," he rumbles.
To Hutt with that. She wants him. NOW.
Rey steps back and begins to remove her clothes. Her belt falls to her feet and her tunic flies over her head, but when Ben reaches out a hand to touch her, she slaps it away.
"Patience, teacher," she says with a bite in her voice and he thinks he's going to lose his mind it's so hot.
She goes on, painfully slowly, until she's down to just her beige capris and her armbands also. "Now we match." Her humble, supple breasts rise and fall, so much smaller than the wide expanse of his broad, muscular form. A cute look of defiance plays on her face.
Ben's done waiting.
He's on her with his soft luscious mouth and his hot hands wrapping her up in a desperate embrace. She clumsily leads them back to the heavenly silk bed where they fall with a laugh and a moan.
Eager hands fumble through the remaining clothing, hands sliding down under waist bands, rubbing, stroking, grabbing, desperation rising! They tear each others pants away and soon they're one again. A hard, hot heat ravages Rey's core… as flashes of the universe light the theater behind their eyelids.
—-
After, they lay side by side, Ben up on an elbow, the other arm wrapped around her waist, looking over a pensive Rey who plays with his hair. He gulps at the intensity of his adoration, his heart racing at her smile.
"Is it really going to work?" Rey asks almost more to herself.
"Yes," is all he says.
"When do you meet them?"
"10 standard hours from now."
"Don't die," she says again.
He lets out a short chuckle.
"Don't worry about me."
"Right, you're making that hard to do."
"Hmm," he hums, nuzzling her neck. "You're the one making things hard."
She hits him and he leans back with a smile on his face.
"I like that."
"Hmm?"
"Your smile. I like it."
He quickly frowns and looks down, flush on his cheeks.
"What? That makes you shy and what we did just now doesn't?"
Ben shrugs making a deep noncommittal sound.
"I want to make you smile more. I want your smile for always."
Ben's heart can't take it. He collapses onto her, nuzzling into her neck, letting her stroke his hair and his back. Cuddling in the safety of each other, they fall asleep.
—-
When Rey wakes up it's still dark and she's alone.
Their night together feels almost like a dream. Almost. Looking down at her wrist she can see a bruise in the shape of a thumb print from when he held her hands above her head. She rubs her wrist and holds it to her heart.
At the first sunlight, attendants come bursting into Rey's room.
There's news! Naboo has received communication that there is tentative approval for the match! Rey is hauled out of bed nude and confused. She covers her chest as the little women, not phased in the least, begin to dress her and push her out the door.
There's much to do to prepare before the wedding and the downfall of Hux.
—-
In a long, elegant dressing chamber, eager royal aids are draping Rey with the most sumptuous fabrics she has ever seen, gushing over how lovely she'll look in her gown.
"You know this is not a real wedding…" Rey laughs with a bit of exasperation in her voice.
"You will be a vision to behold!" Pipes up a tiny tailor. The little bearded man in an impeccable green suit busies himself with more measurements.
"I need to be able to fight in this," she says firmly.
The tailor bristles at the idea, tutting as he makes notes on a little clipboard.
"We'll make the necessary modifications young lady. That doesn't mean it won't be a work of art!"
Rey laughs at his fervor.
An hour later she truly is a sight to behold. There are still pins and extra hanging fabric but the outline of the gown is magnificent. They resemble robes of white, red and gold with a wide embroidered belt wrapped tightly around her tiny middle. The dress flows out with layers of bold color into a long train. The sleeves become wider as they approach her wrists. The fabric is secured to her hand with thin gold chains that attach to her fingers.
On her head is a magnificent headdress, also of white, gold and red, with hanging white gems and jewels that sparkle. Some light makeup is applied to try to get the full effect. The tailor and the aids stand back smiling obviously pleased with their work.
Rey doesn't recognize herself in the mirror. She could have never imagined looking this way…like a queen… Her fingers are tracing the fabric in wonder, looking with some insecurity at the unrecognizable version of herself when… she feels the bond tugging in her chest!
He's coming!
Rey rushes the people from the room, begging for some private time. She's just closed the door when the sound is sucked away and the fiery electricity of his being is with her.
She turns slowly and sees him standing, black and hooded in the center of the room. He must be speaking with his knights. They make eye contact and whatever words he was speaking to them fall away.
Any insecurity she had about pulling off this look melts away at the shock she sees in Ben's eyes.
Rey picks up the fabric, walking slowly towards him. His wide eyes don't leave her for a moment. She circles her love who stands looking every bit like the dark monster she once knew him to be. And she, his siren of light.
"Master?" she hears. The knights are around him. She can't see them but she can hear them. They watch their master as he's captivated, his eyes following something that isn't there.
"Excellent timing," Ben finally says. He removes a glove and extends a hand towards her. Rey takes it and instantly she appears before them. She hears soft gasps and looks down, seeing translucent men in helmets and dark armor kneeling before them in a semi-circle. Their connection is growing stronger if she can see his surroundings.
"This is your Queen," announces their Master.
They stand and her heart pounds. She's never met other force users besides Ben, let along the most ruthless and deadly in the galaxy. She remembers her vision from when she first touched Luke's lightsaber and instantly she recognizes them all. Ben squeezes her hand, imbuing her with strength.
One particularly broad one steps forward. He has a hammer on his belt and a metal helmet with a red vison on his head.
"Why should we accept her, this, your Rey of light?" His voice is like gravel and his intent deadly.
Silence and tension fill the clearing and an icy fear goes down Rey's spine. So she was right, they would not be easily swayed.
Ben growls and she can feels rage building in his chest.
"She reeks of weakness, of sentimentality and…" he sniffs at the air like an animal, then there's dark scorn in his tone, "recent carnal indulgence. Both of you. You bring us your mate and demand we accept her authority?"
"Jealousy is an ugly sentiment Calo," Ben says low and dangerous.
"You expect us to not question when you tell us you cut down Snoke…"
Anger flows from Ben's hand across her body and back. An odd sensation is building. Along with their rage and desire to protect, it feels like negative and positive charges sparking between her aura and his.
"…has our master gone weak and sentimental? Should we cut you down too? Why should we fight for this Jedi desert bitch…"
He must be the dumbest Knight.
The others take a step back as the word 'bitch' leaves his mouth. Rightfully so, because it's like the match that ignites the powder keg of energy building between their Master and his Queen. They feel themselves tapping into an infinite well of power in the force, and out of their fingers scream blue and white lightening!
Calo crumbles and screams! But Ben and Rey are relentless, a strange joy and thrill of power fills them both as they unleash their blinding assault on the enemy knight, frying him until he is nothing but smoldering embers among scorched earth.
They call the power back and stand strong together.
The others fall to their knees. Admiration and smiles on their half hooded features. Now, that is a power they would like to learn.
"All those who seek whole wisdom may continue to serve us. Would anyone one else care to object?"
None do. Their master is still strong and obviously endowed with certain secrets and wisdom that surpass those of dead Supreme Leader Snoke. The weak fall, the strong rise, they respect that.
Ben smirks and turns to Rey who's eyes are wide as she examines the hand that just unleashed that incredible power. She meets his gaze and they marvel at each other, squeezing their still clasped hands.
"We have a celebration to attend," he says huskily, bringing his lips to her fingers. She feels the ghost of his kiss on her knuckles as he lets go and vanishes.
She's back in the dressing chamber, surrounded by opulence, heart racing with wonder.