A/N: Here's another chapter! I hope you all enjoy it!

Rey couldn't remember the last time she'd been so nervous.

The room was filled with people. Half of them looked like they'd just gotten the best gift they'd ever received, and the other half looked like they were out for blood. Rey swallowed; Ben's trial was the last place she wanted anyone to look like that.

The council of people in charge sat at the front of the room. Leia sat in the center, Poe on one side of her, though he wasn't part of the decision-making body. Maz and Luke, though also not in the official council, sat on either end of the table. Ben would have to stand up in front of everyone and plead his case to them. Though Rey didn't want to, she was starting to feel hopeless. These people weren't going to hear him out.

But maybe Leia would. Maybe Leia could change their hearts and minds in ways Rey just couldn't fathom.

She wouldn't give up hope. Something good would come of all this. It had to. She'd done too much, come too far, for anything else to be the case. Ben had tried too hard only to lose at the end.

"General Organa," started a prison guard, "Majors Ematt and Brance, Admirals Statura and Ackbar, your presence today is appreciated."

Rey sat up straighter in her chair. Maz glanced her way, the fear in her eyes bright for a flickering moment before she tried to mask it with a smile. Rey gave her what she hoped was a smile back.

"Let it be known for the account that I am Lieutenant Rex Amala. Today is the trial of the First Order extremist Kylo Ren. We are to determine his sentence for his crimes against the galaxy. They are as follows: several cases of murder, including the murder of his father Han Solo, mass murder bordering genocide, and treason to the now dissolved New Republic. These, while not his only crimes, are the most notable, and for what he will be sentenced."

Rey flinched at his words. They hung thick and heavy in the air, and even Leia didn't seem to be able to shoulder them. The doors at the back of the room opened and Ben was shouldered inside, jeers and whispers rippling through the crowd as he was marched up the aisle. Rey's hand twitched with the need to reach out to him, to assure him that there was someone here who cared amid all these people who wanted nothing more than his head on a platter. But he didn't even glance at her as he passed. Cut all ties, he'd said. And cut all ties he had.

True to his word, he hadn't opened the bond once since she'd last spoken to him. He refused any visits from her, and any time she gave Leia or Maz a message to relay to him, they'd always come back with no response. It seemed he was determined to separate them from each other entirely.

Rey had been wrong about him coming back here. How had she been so naive as to think these people would see what had taken her months to realize? Ben didn't have months here, but he'd come anyway. Because of her.

If he were executed, Rey would never be able to forgive herself.

"There will be an opportunity for each member of the council to question the accused as well as a time for him to plead his case," continued Rex. "We will start with the plea, then move forward to questioning, starting with General Organa."

He turned to Ben who stood silently in front of his escorts. He didn't seem proud, though he held his head level as though he was willing to accept whatever was decided for him. Rey's heart beat faster. He wasn't even going to try and change their minds. He had no intention of making a plea, none whatsoever. He wasn't interested in saving himself.

And there was no one else out there who could save him instead.

"If we could have the accused step forward-"

"Apologies, Lieutenant Amala," said Major Ematt as he stood, "but none of the formalities are necessary."

Rey felt all the air leave her lungs. Maz looked her way with a frown. She didn't know what was going on either.

Ematt waved his hands placatingly as the murmurs grew louder. "The council appreciates your attendance today everyone, but we've already come to a decision."

Based on the look Leia wore, she had not.

"We should carry through with the execution," Ematt continued. "There is no need for a formal trial; we know he is guilty. We've all borne witness to this man's crimes against the galaxy, there's no defense that can be made."

Rey's vision blurred when she saw other people nodding in agreement. Ben hardly even flinched. Why would he? He'd been right all along. These people didn't want his help; they wanted him dead.

They weren't giving him anything less than he'd expected.

Leia stood from her chair. "I was not made aware of this decision, Major."

"We didn't see it necessary to include you. We already had the majority vote. Besides, we believed your vote would be biased."

Poe stood to face Ematt, a hand on Leia's shoulder. "You can't just leave your general out of your sentencing, sir. All due respect."

His tone did not convey the respect his words had invoked, and Ematt's brow furrowed. "I suggest you learn your place, Commander."

"I have," Poe snarled back, all pretense gone. "It's right here next to General Organa."

Ematt growled and turned toward the congregation. "This court is dismissed!"

"No!"

Rey's chair clattered to the floor, she stood up so fast. Everyone turned to look at her, stunned into silence.

"This man deserves to prove himself, just like everyone else." Rey stood straighter. "He has the right to plead his case."

Rex laughed at her. "What defense does he have? Anything he could plead would be laughable."

"It doesn't matter! We can think his defense is pathetic, but that doesn't mean he shouldn't get the chance to present it. We've had worse defenses made, but we've listened to them. You just don't want to listen to this man's plea because he's Kylo Ren!"

Ben flinched at her use of the name, though he tried to hide it. Immediately, Rey felt guilty.

"Exactly!" Ematt roared. "He's Kylo Ren, a man who has committed several deplorable crimes against the people of this galaxy, and has the capability to commit many more if given the opportunity!"

"He shouldn't be different from any other prisoner we've had!"

"But he is! He's the face of a regime that wants nothing but this galaxy's demise, and killing him significantly weakens the image of the Order and gains us support and morale!"

Rey was sure people were appalled at how avidly she was fighting for a man whom all of them hated, but she didn't care. This was Ben she was fighting for, not them. She could care less what they thought as long as she won.

"His death shouldn't be used as a tactical advantage!"

"Why not?"

"Because he's human! He wants to change! He wants to help! That's why he came back here! He wants to give any assistance he can, and we should give him that chance!"

Ematt leaned forward. "Why do you care so much about what happens to a lowlife criminal?"

Now, Rey was silent.

"Yeah," Rex said. "Why do you care so much? It's no secret how you've fought for him since he got here. Why is that? It's just you and your little club that meets sometimes that seems to know why. I think it's time you shared with the rest of the group."

While Ben's bearing wouldn't have seemed to make much of a change to anyone else, Rey could see the tightness of his jaw, how his eyes darted around the room. He was starting to get anxious. And still, he wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Gentlemen, I think you forget that Rey is not the one on trial here," Maz said from her seat. "She doesn't have to explain her reasoning to you. The fact that he is human should be sufficient enough."

"No, I'd like to hear this," Admiral Statura said. "If she thinks a reasonable defense can be given, then by all means, present it."

Maz, defeated, gave Rey an apologetic glance.

"Because…" Rey started.

She swallowed hard, and Ben looked up, finally meeting her eyes. They shared a long look, and she searched his face for something to say, something to use to get through to these people who were the difference between his life and his death. And then suddenly, she knew, and he knew too, and his eyes widened and his face grew pale and he shook his head. That hardened her resolve. This wasn't how she wanted to tell him, but she figured she might never get another chance.

"Because I love him."

Rey could've sworn that every eye in the room widened, and the heaviest silence she'd ever witnessed fell upon them.

"Rey, no!"

Ben made a move toward her and his escorts caught him by the arms and dragged him back.

"I've seen who he was," Rey spoke over him. "I know what he's done. I watched him kill Han Solo. But I've also seen who he's become. He's a man who wants nothing more than to help us bring down the Order."

Major Ematt looked scandalized. The others at the table appeared much the same way. Even Luke appeared mildly surprised. Leia and Maz were the only ones who seemed not at all shocked or offended by her words.

"Rey, stop this!" Ben said, now fighting through clumps of fighters that had sprung between him and her. "Stop!"

"He knows he's hurt people," Rey continued. "He knows what he's done. But we should at least give him a chance to set things right before we kill him. And if you want my help in bringing down the Order, then you'll have to give him that chance."

Ematt finally found his voice. "You are in no position to be making those demands, young lady."

Rey resisted the urge to shrug. "Even so."

A chair scraped against the floor and Rey caught sight of Finn ducking out of the room. Her stomach soured and she felt the familiar burn of tears at the back of her eyes. But, she could either save Ben's life or save her and Finn's easy friendship. A friendship, she could mend. An ended life was something you could never get back.

"Either Ben Solo is given a fair trial and an opportunity to make amends, or you receive no help from me, a Force user, in taking down the Order."

"You would give up this entire cause for one man?" Admiral Ackbar said.

"If this cause cannot be fair and just, then I will not serve it. That's the last I will say about it."

Outraged cries sprang up from around the room. The entire council rose from their chairs and exited, leaving only Leia, Poe, Luke, and Maz at the table. Ben still fought against the guards at his arms, and the look in his eyes was one of such utter betrayal and pain that Rey couldn't help but wonder if he'd ever forgive her.

Oh, well. At least he might be alive.

"Enough!" Poe shouted over the noise. When everyone quieted, he continued. "Rey, with me. Boys, take the prisoner back to his cell. Everyone else, get out. We'll reconvene later."

After Ben was removed, everyone slowly filed out, whispering among themselves. Poe helped Leia from her chair and handed her off to Maz and Luke before grabbing Rey around the upper arm and dragging her into a connecting room.

"Rey, what the hell were you thinking?"

Rey frowned at him and pulled her arm from his grasp. "That I was going to save his life."

"You may as well have just signed both of your execution warrants."

"How? By showing them that he's human? That there's someone here who cares?"

"No, by giving them something to hold against him. To hold against you. They're either going to think that he manipulated you into caring about him or that you've joined his side!"

"This is his side!"

"Says two people, Rey! Two! You," he held up a finger, "and him!" he held up another. "And you've just given everyone here a reason to find suspicion in that! So now neither of you hold any credibility."

"I think you're wrong."

Poe stared at her for a moment and sighed. "Think whatever you want, but what just happened out there didn't do anything good for the case you're trying to make."

He walked over to the door to watch everyone leave through the transparisteel window.

Rey blinked back tears. "What was I supposed to do, Poe. Let him die?"

He shook his head. "I don't know, Rey. I really don't."

Rey wrapped her arms around her torso and moved to stand next to him at the door. Some people still loitered about in groups, talking in low voices about what had just happened.

"What do you think they're doing?"

"Who?"

"The council."

"Right now? Probably discussing how long they can throw you in the brig for this before it becomes cruel and unnecessary."

Rey bit her lip. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I already knew. Already assumed, anyway." Rey opened her mouth to explain herself further, but he continued. "We can't always choose who we love. I just wish there had been a better way to do this."

Rey blinked. "Don't you hate the Order?"

"Of course."

"So why aren't you with them?" she gestured to the people outside.

Poe shrugged. "Because I trust you. If you say he's changed, then he has. Besides, backing you up doesn't mean I'm backing him up. If I had my way, he would be executed for what he's done. Exiled at least. But I know that Leia cares about him, and I know that you care about him, and I know that I care about the two of you. If you trust him or care about him there must be a reason. I just don't see it yet."

"Why can't Finn see it that way?"

Poe put a hand on her shoulder. "Finn's seen the First Order in ways we never have, Rey. He's seen Kyl- er, Ben, in ways we haven't. It'll take more time for him to trust it than it took you."

"I just don't want to lose either of them."

"In a perfect galaxy," Poe sighed, "you wouldn't. Unfortunately, we're far from perfect."

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

Rey was silent for a moment. "What if I lose both of them?"

"I don't think that's possible."

"Ben told me to cut all ties. To stop fighting for him."

"That's definitely not what you did."

Rey nodded. "I know. He'll never talk to me again."

"I don't think-"

"You didn't see his face, Poe. You didn't see the look in his eyes."

"Well, Finn, at least, will come around eventually." He paused, then said. "And, if not, then I'll step up."

Rey smiled. "Thank you," she whispered.

Poe gave her shoulders a squeeze. "You're welcome."

"What are you doing in here? I want you out."

"Ben-"

"I said out."

Rey blinked back tears as the doors shut behind her. "I can't leave for another ten minutes."

He was facing the wall and refused to turn and look at her. It was silent for a moment, but Rey could feel something building. She closed her eyes, bracing herself against it-

"What were you thinking?"

It wasn't a yell, like she'd expected. In fact, instead of sounding mad, he sounded broken. Defeated.

"I told you to cut all ties. To stop fighting for me. I stopped talking to you, and I fought you at every turn so you couldn't see me. And now, you're tied to me whether I like it or not. And I can't undo it. There's nothing I could do to save you. And it kills me."

"Why?" Rey said. "Why can't we be in this together?"

"Because my biggest fear, the thing I've dreaded since the moment I knew I was in love with you, was that I would drag you down with me. And now I have."

"But I chose that, Ben. You haven't unwittingly tainted me. I chose to stand up for you. I'm choosing right now to fight for you, and you shouldn't feel guilty about it."

Finally, he turned to her. "But I do. I couldn't stand to watch you be ridiculed because of me."

"Ben," Rey sighed, taking a step closer to him. "It's happening anyway. I already have people who don't trust me or don't like me, and you trying to push me away won't change that. It just gives me one more person who doesn't want me around. And I don't need any more of those. I don't."

She took another step closer and Ben stood. "I can't have you doing this for me, Rey. I don't need any more people who've fought for me only to lose."

"Some people are worth fighting for."

Ben shook his head. "Not me."

"Yes, you." Rey took another step closer. "I can take care of myself," she said. "I don't need you to protect me. But can we please stop doing this so at least we have each other?"

"Rey-"

"Please, Ben."

He sighed. Finally, he nodded, opening his arms. Rey ran into them, hugging him tightly.

"They don't have you chained up," she said into his shirt.

"They didn't figure there was a point. There's no way out of here except the door. No windows, no vents. They've got my only exit guarded."

"Poe talked to the council. They said they're revising your sentence."

"To include you," Ben said.

"Maybe not."

Ben didn't answer.

"Can you...can you open the bond again? Please?"

Again, he didn't answer, but slowly the bond opened. For the first time since he'd shut it, she could feel how scared he was. Despite his outer appearance, he really was afraid to die. But Rey was still determined that that wouldn't be the case.

"It'll all be alright," she whispered, more to herself than to him. "I promise. It'll be alright."

"I assume, Miss Rey, that you know why you were called here."

Rey stared down Major Ematt as he stood from his seat at the table.

"I'm afraid I don't."

They were back in the room they'd used for Ben's trial, except there was no one there but Rey and the council. Rey was made nervous only by the fact that Leia wouldn't meet her eyes.

"Since you thought it prudent to share your thoughts on the matter with the entire base present, we've realized that we have no choice but to take active measures in regards to your relationship to Ben Solo."

"Are you throwing me in the brig, sir?"

"Not quite." He gave her a smile that came just short of meeting his eyes. "The council has discussed it, and we've come to a decision. We are giving Mr. Solo full control of his fate."

Rey almost fainted. "What?"

"We've planned a strike on the Order in two weeks' time," Admiral Statura said. "He will be given the opportunity to help us orchestrate and execute the strike, and his cooperation, or lack thereof, will help to determine his sentence."

"If he is cooperative and our strike is successful, then we will see about lightening his sentence considerably," Ematt said. "However, the moment we begin to suspect foul play, he'll be pulled from the strike and executed immediately upon return to base."

"Leia," Rey said. "Leia, is this true?"

Leia nodded. But still, she didn't seem as happy as Rey thought she should be.

"What's the catch?"

Ematt looked surprised. "Catch? There isn't one. It's that simple."

Something about that didn't feel right. It seemed too good to be true, and Leia appeared hesitant. But Rey would take what she could at the moment. As long as Ben wasn't going to be executed tomorrow, she could work with it.

"Thank you. Does Ben know?"

"Mr. Solo has not yet been informed, but he will be shortly. You'll be allowed to see him in the morning. Until then, you are asked to return to your quarters and to keep this information to yourself. It will be released to the rest of the base tomorrow."

Rey nodded. Each of them gave her a short nod before getting up and leaving, but Leia stayed behind. She waited until the others had filed out before getting up and coming around the table to Rey.

"Leia!" Rey smiled. "This is amazing! They aren't going to execute him, they-"

Leia gripped her shoulders. "Rey, I don't trust them. And I don't think you should trust them either."

Rey frowned. "What do you mean?"

She shook her head. "I don't know. I just don't feel good about it. They decided too quickly. Too easily. They have it out for you because you challenged them in front of everyone."

The sinking feeling in Rey's stomach was expected but unwelcome.

"What should we do?"

"I don't know. But keep an eye out. Watch your back. Ben will need us now more than ever."

A/N: I'm really trying to write and update now while I have the time on break, so there could be a couple more updates in the coming week(ish). Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for reading!