Redemption and Ruin
Chapter Fifty-one
Resistance Base - Corellia
"Ben?"
With bleary eyes, he glanced up from the datapad in his hands. His mother stood in the opening to his room. He hadn't even heard the door open.
"Yes?" His voice was rough from lack of use.
"Have you slept at all?"
Ben shook his head. "No… I have to figure this out. I have to get to her."
"Ben, you're no use to her like this. You need to rest. You suffered traumatic injuries and your body needs time to heal—"
"If it was Dad… you'd do the same thing."
His mother sighed, a big, deep sigh. "It took almost a year to rescue your father from Jabba. I did have to rest. I had to sleep. I had to eat. I had to survive. It hurts. I know. But you can't help Rey or your child like this."
"I don't have a year. Snoke will kill her once the baby is born. I know it. I know him."
Leia sat next to him on the narrow bed. "Rushing in without a plan won't help her or the baby. You need to rest and heal. Let us worry about planning for a bit. The Finalizer is no place for a rescue. You've told me that before."
"She's pushing me out. I'm afraid, Mom. I'm afraid I'll lose her."
"I know. I know."
She wrapped her arms around him and Ben found himself hunched up and in his mother's arms again. He felt like a little boy again. He'd missed this. He'd missed her. He'd missed his home.
"We are going to save her. I promise," Leia soothed, stroking his hair. "The best thing you can do for Rey right now is take care of yourself and rest."
"But—"
"Ssh, rest. We will get her back."
He glanced up at her. "I missed you, Mom."
"I missed you, too, Ben. We never should've sent you away."
He swallowed hard, years of hurt and pain washing over him. "If you hadn't, I might not have ever met her. There's so many things I wish I could change, but not that. Not Rey."
Leia smiled at him. "Get some rest. I'll let you know if anything changes."
He nodded, letting go of her and lying down on the narrow bed. The sheets were scratchy compared to the bed he shared with Rey and the mattress thin, but he didn't care in the moment. He was too tired to care anymore.
The Finalizer
She shifted on the bed, trying to find the right spot. Her stomach curved under her loose gown, her growing child stirring as well. She rubbed her stomach gently, soothing the upset little peanut growing inside.
The bed dipped as he crawled under the covers beside her.
She felt his hand cover hers. He kissed her stomach and she smiled, her free hand stroking his short hair.
The dim lighting caught the red in his hair. He glanced up to grin at her. "Rey..."
"What?"
He shifted, lying beside her. "Nothing. How's the baby?"
"Restless. She's growing so fast."
"Just like her brother. I just got him to sleep. Took four stories tonight."
"Oh?"
"The scavenger and the officer is still his favorite."
Rey smiled. "Bren..."
"Yes?"
"Nothing. I'm just so happy."
He kissed her deeply, pressing her further into the luxurious bed. Her legs parted to allow him closer when his com link buzzed.
Bren growled, reaching over to grab it, still in full uniform minus the top two buttons of his jacket.
"Yes?" he said into the com, his irritation evident.
"General, the Supreme Leader requests your presence immediately. It concerns the new weapon."
"I'll be right there." He clicked the com off. "I'm so sorry, baby, I'll be back as soon as I can."
He kissed her again and she groaned, tugging on his jacket, trying to keep him close. He was warm.
"Make him wait."
"I can't. You know that. I'll be back before you know it."
She groaned in frustration as he pulled the covers up, tucking her in with a quick kiss to the cheek and another to her stomach.
Rey drifted, her eyes heavy.
The bed dipped again and she felt a warm body tuck up against her. She sighed happily, rolling toward him. "Bren," she breathed.
A hand stroked her cheek. Caressed it. She leaned into the touch as his other hand found her stomach. Her daughter kicked eagerly.
His breath was hot on the back of her neck. She leaned back against him, kissing one of his hands. He groaned softly and she smiled a bit, turning on her back to look up at him.
Only it wasn't Bren. It was a dark-haired man in black robes. A long scar bisected his face.
She gasped, tensing. One hand covered her belly protectively.
"It's okay. I won't hurt you."
She shook her head, wanting to scream. She couldn't help but tremble. Where was Bren?
"Please… don't hurt my baby…"
"Ssh, Rey, like I would hurt my child?" He put a hand out to touch her stomach and she shrank back.
"What did you do to him?"
"Hux? He's fine. I just had to see you. You're so beautiful. My Rey."
"I'm not yours… don't touch me!" She slapped his hand away as he tried to stroke her cheek.
He raised a hand as if he might hit her. She curled up slightly, waiting for a hit that never came. He laughed instead, grabbing her wrists. "Oh, my sweet Rey, I do love it when you fight…"
She screamed against his mouth as he pressed his lips to hers. Tears streamed down her cheeks. He brushed them away with his thumb, still holding her firmly, both wrists now in one hand. She trembled, her only thoughts for the child growing inside her and her young son asleep in another room.
"Oh, Rey…" he breathed. "My beautiful, sweet Rey. And our child. I hope she looks like you. I think she will."
She bolted upright in the bed, panting. Beside her, a body stirred.
"What's wrong?" he asked, sitting up slowly.
"Nothing… nothing. Just a bad dream," she said, still trembling.
He kissed her forehead. "You sure you're okay?"
Rey nodded, her heart racing and her child stirring, upset and anxious. "I'm sure, Bren."
He pulled her close, a hand resting low on her stomach. "How's my baby?"
"He's settling down. He likes you."
"A he? It's a boy?" His face lit up.
Rey smiled. "Yes, we're having a boy. You have a son, Bren. And he's so strong already."
"A boy," he marveled, caressing the bump. "A baby boy. Rey… I…"
"I know." She touched his cheek. "We're going to have a boy."
He kissed her full on the lips, pinning her down with his body. She moaned, kissing back with vigor, wanting—no, needing—more. He gripped her wrists with his hands, holding her down.
She felt her body tense, the memory of Ben heavy. "Let go! Get off! Get off!" she shrieked, kicking and twisting and squirming, her chest tight.
Bren let go immediately, retreating to his side of the bed as she huddled up, her legs pulled toward her chest, protecting her baby. She trembled, her breath coming in little pants.
"Rey? Baby? What did I do?"
He reached out a hand to touch her arm and she shrank away. "Don't…"
"Rey? What did I do?"
"Don't touch me. Don't touch me."
"Baby…"
"Please," she whimpered. "Don't."
"Was it your nightmare? Did I hurt you? I'll never hurt you. Baby, talk to me."
"Bren, don't."
She pulled away further, retreating almost to the edge of the bed. She could still feel Ben on her. His hands. His lips. It made her queasy.
"Rey? What did I do?"
"It wasn't you."
"Then who? Who hurt you?"
"It doesn't matter." She couldn't look at him. Not like this. Not when she felt so wrong. Dirty. Confused. She couldn't. He was too good to her.
"Just tell me," he pressed.
"It was Ben," she said softly.
"Ben?" he repeated.
"Yeah… dark hair… robes?" Eyes that pierce through your soul…
"That Ben? Snoke's errand boy?"
Rey nodded.
"I won't let him near you. Not ever. I promise."
"But—"
He took her hand gently, kissing her wrist. She fought the urge to pull away from him. "Ben won't come near you. I promise. I'll kill him if he tries to. I love you, Rey. And I love our baby already."
"I love you, too, Bren."
He slowly pulled her back into his arms and she let him. He was warm and comforting. She felt safe. At home almost. Nothing bad could happen to her while she was with him. Bren would protect her and their child.
Rey closed her eyes, slowly letting sleep pull her back under.
Resistance Base – Corellia
His eyes flew open at the pain and distress. Rey.
He pushed against the bond, trying to get her attention. Trying to relax her. To make sure she was alright.
"Rey?"
She bristled. "Go away!"
"What happened? What's wrong?"
"Get out of my head!"
He could sense her confusion. Her fear. For herself. For their baby. For… Bren?
"What did he do?"
"Him? It's what you did! You… you're lying to me… always lying to me."
"I never lied to you. Rey, please…"
"Go away… leave us…"
She had her arms around her stomach. Protecting their child. He could see it—feel it. She was so scared for their child. She was running on instinct now—instinct telling her to protect her child. Even from him. Somehow she thought he was a threat.
"Please, just tell me if you're hurt."
"Don't speak to me! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!"
It was like a shove. She almost pushed him away. Threw him out.
Stunned, Ben sat up in his bed, rubbing his head. It hurt. His temples throbbed. What had happened to his Rey? Why was she pushing him away? What had she seen? Why was she afraid of him?
It had to be Snoke. Snoke had done something. He knew it.
He had to kill Snoke. And soon. To protect his Rey and their child. He had to kill his Master.
Author's Notes:
It's one co-worker's last week of work and I spent most of the weekend out running errands, so I'm a bit behind on the writing front. I'm also going away again for a week – pup sitting again – so I have to pack Friday night/Saturday morning, get settled, etc. Fingers crossed that my health doesn't decline again… I should have a new chapter up by Sunday night.
I'm working on getting a new medication but it's a time-consuming and likely expensive process to get it.
Thanks for being patient with me and my increasingly erratic updates. You guys rock!
