To say that this cold/flu has messed with my ability to concentrate is an understatement. Last chapter and this one, took alot to get out, so thank you all for the support and comments. All your reviews have helped me make it through the last little bit of rewrite after rewrite. I have building a little here, so again, I hope it meets up to the standards you guys hold me to. There's a little something in here from a guest suggestion that made me giggle, so enjoy. AND REVIEW PLEASE!
Yet again, I still own nothing, and would like to not get in trouble, so all rights to Disney.
Chapter 15
The next three days went by in a blur of training, literally. Rey had never felt so stretched and tested as she had before, but they were finally getting to the place where they could build the wall within hours and maintain it for long stretches while doing other activities, such as sparing. It was like creating muscle memory, continually doing an action until it became like second nature. It took time, and work, and still left both exhausted by the end of the day, but they were making good progress.
Tsaro banged the door open the morning of the third day with both Rey and Ben still asleep from their rigorous schedules. "Up, up, young Masters!" Tsaro barked, clamouring around the hut as she made breakfast and got the fire going again.
"Hmmmph, Nooooo!" Rey wailed pitifully as the old care taker tugged on her blanket. "Tsaro, just a little longer." She added in a whining tone.
"Up, must get up! Must train, must meet friends! UP!" She barked yanking on Ben's blankets this time.
"They are her friends, not mine." Ben grumbled in a snarling growl, trying to snatch his blanket back, "Give me my blanket, you old…" He started until she slapped his hand with the wooden ladle she used to stir the tea with.
"Ow!" Ben yelp and muttered, "You old bat!" as he groaned and got up, and she smiled at his attempt to snatch the blanket again, while she batted at his hand with the spoon again.
She connected again with a resounding crack and he yelped as Rey smothered a laugh, "That for call me old bat. Young sprout!" she said wickedly as he rubbed his hand.
She had smacked him so good, Rey felt the tingle of the pain through the bond. "Alright Tsaro, we are up." She chuckled at the caretakers attitude. Rey could see her grin as she had her back to Ben who's scowl had made much lesser people cower and run away.
Ben stalked out of the hut, taking the stormy anger with him to go wash as Rey smiled at their matron with affection. "Tsaro, do you have children?" Rey asked offhandedly.
"Oh yes!" She said proudly, "I mother 78 hatches." She stated to Rey's utter astonishment.
"Sev….seventy eight?!" Rey stammered, mouth dropping open in complete disbelief.
"I not as bless as other, but proud all my hatchlings. Him like lots my boys. Spit and fire, heart of moss." She said with a wistful tone nodding in the direction that Ben stormed out in.
Rey chuckled, still not believing that she had so many children before she cut into her thoughts and reached out to pat Rey's hand, "You like youngest. Iron outside, tough, take lots to crack, but inside…." She trailed off and tapped Rey's chest with a wink.
Rey blushed at the comparison to her child, the smile beaming on her face as Ben came back in, freshly washed and in a better mood. Rey nodded to Tsaro as Ben shot her a curious look, and Rey flitted the memory of the woman's words back to him as she left.
"Spit and fire, hey?" He asked Tsaro, trying not to grin at the old lady and she smiled knowingly at him.
"Bluster and noise. Heart of mush." She reiterated as he sat, and she patted his cheek, tenderly.
The gesture caught him completely off guard as it was something only his parents had done in the past. And that caused him to automatically mutter repentantly, "Sorry, I called you an old bat."
"Hmph." She responded with a nod and continued to putter around cleaning and prepping their food. "Eat. We train soon. Have exercise." She commented as she served him a plate.
Rey returned shortly and sat down, eagerly digging into the meal Tsaro had laid out. With all the training and sparing, Rey's morning appetite had been much bigger, her body finally getting used to regular and sufficient meals.
Once finished and tea served, Tsaro brought out a wooden cage from inside her wagon, and a baby porg squinted black eyes at them and thrilled loudly.
"This your exercise. Make cage, keep in cage while do training. Keep focus." She said and motioned them to sit on the floor and begin.
The baby porg squawked and trilled as they focused on each other slipping into the space between and gathering their power.
It took them most of the morning and part of the afternoon to corral and cage the feisty little porg in a force made cage. By the time they managed it Ben was in a fowl mood, frustration running higher as the arrival of Poe and the others came closer.
Rey was tired, and a portion of her mind preoccupied by the cage they had built, but it seemed as if the biggest drain was in the building. Once created, she could feel it took minimal draw on their bond to keep it in place. It was an encouraging sign that lightened her mood as she freshened up and changed clothes.
Just as she was exiting the hut, there was a rumbling pop sound, and the tell tale drone of the Falcons engines. Rey jogged to the crest of the hill leading to the landing area as the ramp descended, and Finn made his way out.
"Rey!" he yelled, spotting her on the ridge, grin beaming as he sprinted towards her.
"Finn." She replied as he enveloped her in a tight hug, burying his face in her neck as he did.
She could feel his relief and joy as he clung to her, the fears he had thought up, slipping away from his mind quickly, and she realized how easily she had invaded his thoughts.
"Ah, we need to talk." Rey said moving out of the hug with a serious look. She had promised Finn no more lies, and he needed to know what this bond meant between her and Ben.
The smile slipped a little from Finn's face as he took in her serious look, "What happened?" He demanded in a whisper.
"Later. I promise. No more secrets." Rey whispered back with and encouraging nod as Poe, Chewie and Lando approached.
Finn nodded slowly, still having reservations as Poe swooped in and gave Rey a hug, followed closely by Chewie. "So where's Mr. Dark and Stormy?" Finn quipped shortly looking around to find Ben.
Rey shot him a withering look and he held up his hands defensively as if in surrender. "Sorry." He muttered as Poe winked at him in good humor.
"Come on. There's food waiting." Rey said with an exhausted sigh. This was going to take all her energy to keep the peace.
Making their way back to the hut Chewie howled pitifully at Rey and she turned with a smile, "No, Chewie, we aren't having Porg."
He huffed in relief as they entered the hut, all cramming into the small space. Tsaro had made some room, adding more chairs around the fire where Ben was sitting, with an, almost visible, dark cloud over him. His face was stoic and calm, but on the inside Rey could feel his frustration and jealousy just below the surface.
He stood, turning with all air of Ben gone, and the confidence of Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader in place like a protective mask and shield. Rey froze for a moment with the rest of the group as she reached out along the bond tentatively.
"General Poe." He said by way of greeting to Poe and held out his hand formally and stiffly.
Poe's eyes narrowed at him and Rey held her breath sensing Ben's posturing, before Poe reached out and took his hand, giving it a firm shake.
Ben's eyes narrowed at the man's grip and Rey cut into his thoughts, Ben. We need this remember? She reminded him gently.
Ben's eyes flicked over Poe's shoulder at Rey for a fraction of a second before the Kylo persona dropped away and Ben's softer features smoothed over the harsh lines of his face.
"You came to talk." Ben said, voice still tense and on edge as he dropped Poe's hand and turned back to have a seat.
Poe shot Finn a questioning look as they all took in the changes in Ben. The first, being his clothes, they were loose fitting and a light charcoal grey in color, completely out of character for the once, dark, Supreme Leader.
Poe watched him take a seat, posture relaxed, yet controlled at the same time, his air of confidence not from the power of fear, but from an internal power that seemed to permeate the whole place. In a way it seemed more complete, whole, and all together terrifying.
"I see exile has been treating you well." Poe poked, as he looked around and thought of the last time he had been a 'guest' of Ben's.
Ben's lips thinned to a tight grin, "It has been educational so far." He stated cryptically, his eyes flicking to Rey's again.
The tension was about all Rey could handle with her mind already being tired from the training in the morning while keeping track of maintaining the Porg's cage through the force, and she couldn't help but snap, "Oh, for God's sake. Lets just stop all the posturing and eat."
Ben smirked as the others looked chagrin by her chastising and made their way to the table to sit and eat. Chewie wasn't able to fold himself into one of the chairs so he made himself comfortable on Ben's bed across from the fire pit and they all settled to dig in to the meal that Tsaro had prepared.
Once the food was cleared away and tea was served, Chewie headed back to the Falcon muttering something about having enough of those blasted birds making a mess already. Lando and Poe settled in to talk with Ben about First Order bases and strategy.
You okay here? Rey asked Ben as she finished helping Tsaro with putting the food in her cart.
Ben glanced at her with a questioning look, Yes. Where are you going? He asked trying not to be pushy as he felt his anxiety start to worm it's way through his mind.
Rey moved to place her hand gently on his should as the others seemed surprised by their contact. I need to speak with Finn. We will stay close. She said keeping his eyes, regardless of the look from the others.
Ben nodded slightly and quickly reached up to touch her hand that lingered on his shoulder, letting her feel his apprehension and peaking jealousy, before turning back to the stares of the other three men. Ben's face harden at their judging looks and he could feel Rey frown beside him while she moved around the group.
"Come with me Finn." She said a little more harshly than she actually meant.
Finn rose and headed out, his face dark and serious, shoulders slumped slightly as he gave one last glance at the hut before following her out.
Rey headed off towards the outcrop where her and Ben would train, sensing Finn was following in stone silence. She sat on the edge and just waited for him, feeling his emotions churn in a dark storm as he was working on something.
"Out with it then." Rey said as he sat beside her, their legs dangling over the edge, waves crashing far below.
"What exactly is going on here Rey?" He started softly, but his tone sharp with bitterness.
Rey frown, not exactly sure where he was going with his question, "Finn, I….I'm not sure I understand…" she trailed off, trying very hard to stay out of his head.
"What are you thinking, bunking up with him?!" He spat, anger finally getting the best of him as he shifted to face her directly.
Rey's mouth opened slightly at a loss, before it was replaced with anger, "Bunking up? Really?! You are going to angry with me over sleeping arrangements?"
Finn scowled at her, "I just….he's just….and you…." He stammered, fumbling for the words to express his frustrations hands waving around as if he were grasping for the reason, while not getting into why he was so mad.
Rey felt an unguarded wave of pure jealousy wash over her and it took a moment to realize it wasn't coming from Ben. She was stunned for a moment before her anger died and comprehension struck.
"Finn, I need to tell you what we found out here." She started gently, desperately hoping to soften the blow she knew her words were going to cause.
Finn could feel the hesitation in her voice and knew he wasn't going to like what was coming, "This isn't going to be good." He muttered and plucked a piece of grass to play with as Rey continued.
Rey sighed, but went on, "I already told you that Ben and I are bonded, but we found out what that means." She started before swallowing and plunging on, "We aren't just bonded through the force, it ties us deeper than that. Our very life forces are now bonded to each other." The weight of her words pressing in on her as heavily as they did in the space between her and Finn.
Finn just blinked a couple times as his mind wrapped around what she said, and then he started shaking his head, a low chuckle shaking his shoulders, "Of course." He stated low, his voice holding no humor despite his laughter.
"Of course your life would be linked to his!" He stated again, his voice raising with incredulity of the situation, as he kept shaking in slight disbelief. "I can't catch a break." He added under his breath.
"Finn…" Rey started feeling the hurt and frustration rolling off him as he ripped piece after piece of grass apart.
"No, Rey." He cut her off, "Seriously. Don't." He said, swallowing past the lump in his throat and taking a deep breath.
Rey stayed silent, letting him process and work through what he needed to as he plucked at the grass and the waves crashed. She tried in vain to give him the mental space to deal with his hurt feelings, not wanting to listen to his thoughts even though he plainly broadcasted them.
Finn seemed to stick on something and stopped in his destruction of the grass for a moment to peek sideline at Rey, "He's been really good to you here, hasn't he?" He asked just above a whisper, voice strained with the torture of the thought. He desperately wanted Ben to stay the bad guy of her story.
Tears threatened as she felt the last desperate hope slipping away from her friend in her silence, but she swore to him no more lies, and he knew that when he asked. "Yes, he has." And with that his pain was complete and a single tear slipped down her cheek as she felt Finn's heart break.
Finn focused on a distant point in the sea as he swallowed down the emotions that he fought. He wanted to rage, and tell her that she was brain washed, that he had used the force to convince her of all this. But he didn't just hear the truth in her voice, he felt it in her, and saw it in the exchanges between her and Ben. He hadn't just changed because of Rey, but she had changed because of him, and the power around them was so strong that it didn't take him being force sensitive to realize it.
He took a deep breath and steeled his resolve, "If he ever hurts you…" he trailed off turning to finally meet her eyes and seeing her tears, "Oh, Rey, no." He said instantly realizing she had been aware of everything.
Rey ducked her head, taking slow breaths and he swiped the last of her tears away before lifting her chin to meet his eyes again. "I will be okay, as long as you are." He said, his voice firm with the honesty of his statement.
Rey smiled weakly and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug, "I'm sorry." She said into his neck as she squeezed here eyes shut and dried her face in his shoulder.
Finn sighed and tried to shove his thoughts away, "Really, I know you could kick his ass on your own, but I will hunt him down if he hurts you." He said with a chuckle that was back to his regular humor.
Rey hiccuped a short laugh into his shoulder before pulling away from him, a full grin across her face, "Okay, I guess you should have some extra training." She said with a teasing grin.
"Oh, ouch! Low one Rey!" He laughed, their easy demeanour slowly returning as they laughed.
As the laughter eased Rey took another deep breath, "There's more Finn." She said with a frown.
Finn pinched his lips together, "That doesn't sound ominous at all." He tried to joke nervously.
Rey raised and eyebrow and shrugged apologetically, "We have stumbled on something worse than the Final Order. A darkness is coming." She said looking out over the ocean as the breath whipped the loose strands of her hair around her face.
Finn's face filled with concern, "Worse than the Final Order? Rey, that literally killed you to defeat!" He said, his voice raising with his fear.
Rey cut off any further comments, "I know, but we are training, and have a plan." She gestured for him to calm down as she went on to outline the information they hand received from the Lanai, the power they had discovered in the space between, and finally the plan to get the holocron.
Just as she finished Finn had opened his mouth to say something when Poe yelled from the top of the hill, "Guys, we've got incoming!"
Rey and Finn jumped up, and raced back up the hill just in time to hear three loud cracks, followed by the engines of three assault shuttles before they swung around and started an attack run. Lando was just reaching the hill towards the Falcon as Poe and Ben came out of the hut, Ben tossing Rey Luke's saber without a word.
"Poe, Finn, get to the Falcon, NOW!" Rey ordered, pointing after Lando and igniting her saber at the same time as Ben, while the other two broke out in a flat out run towards the Falcon that was raising above the hill, ramp lowered and lined up within inches of the top of the hill.
Rye watched as both men leaped onto the ramp and as it started to raise, the ship banking as the assault shuttles started firing. She turned to Ben, "They found out about the meet?" She questioned eyeing the ships paths as one ship swung around to land while the other two angled after the Falcon.
"Two birds, one stone?" Ben said with a serious raise of his eyebrow indication the first orders attempt to take out him and key members of the Rebel Alliance at one time.
The shield blocked another volley of hits as the Falcon swung by, guns blazing in a roll, taking out one of the shuttles. Rey whooped just as blaster fire exploded and soldiers crested the ridge, drawing both her and Ben's focus.
With a nod, they made their way forward deflecting shot after shot, downing five of the soldiers right off the bat, sabers swinging and moving in smooth motion. The Falcon swung by again, the last shuttle hot on its tail, blasters firing, Rey and Ben turning, and force pushing a large boulder straight up from the crest of the hill like a catapult, hitting the back engine of the shuttle before turning back to a fresh group of soldiers.
The shuttle jerked and shuddered from the force of the hit, but kept going after the Falcon as it banked at an impossible angle around the peak of the island to come around behind the crippled shuttle, taking it out in a couple of shots.
Rey and Ben engaged the final soldiers making quick work of them, leaving no one but the pilot left, who promptly dodged the Falcon and exited orbit as fast as it could. Rey and Ben stood on the crest panting slightly with it the effort they had exerted, and watched as Chewie and Lando brought the Falcon in for landing again.
Finn was the first down the ramp surveying the scattered bodies of soldiers while Ben and Rey stood on the ridge, like a dangerous tableau of greys against the blue sky. The wind was whipping their hair as they stood like identical sentinel guards, protecting their temporary home.
Poe was beside Finn in a moment taking in the same scene and whispered, "Just a little bit scary," under his breath as he strode up the hill.
Finn followed with a glance at a couple of the downed soldiers, before hurrying up the hill and glancing at Rey who had a red slice on her left arm.
"Rey, you okay?" He asked with a nod towards her injury.
Rey glanced down at it, as if it were nothing, "I'm fine. Let's get inside." She said and turned to leave, Ben right behind her.
Poe raised his eyebrow at the pair and shot Finn a look, "Yeah, okay, a little scary." He said back to Poe before heading towards the huts.
As they entered the hut, Ben ordered Rey to sit and grabbed the first aid kit, "Let me clean this up." He said gently before the other two men made it into the hut.
Poe and Finn entered, closing the door and took a seat by the fire, watching Ben in silence, as he treated Rey with tenderness. It wasn't long before he had her patched up and Tsaro was banging through the door with her wheelbarrow of food to prep for dinner.
"Everything getting cleaned up?" Ben asked her softly and she nodded, but stayed otherwise quiet as she worked.
Ben continued his conversation with Poe while Rey and Finn sat in comfortable silence listening to the banter between the other two while Tsaro puttered around cleaning, mercifully quiet for the time being.
"No, no, no!" Ben said, getting up from the table to pace in his frustration as Poe scowled at him before he continued, "I keep telling you, you can't just go off and take out things at a whim." He stated mocking Poe's cocky comments from earlier.
"It's worked up till now just fine." Poe muttered darkly as he frowned at the map in spread out in front of him.
"You wanted my expertise. If you aren't going to listen to what I say, then the information I give you is not going to get you anywhere!" Ben exclaimed, exasperated with Poe's lack of willingness to trust what he was saying.
Poe was about to retort and start a much bigger fight when Rey jumped in, noticing it was starting to get dark, "Okay, enough for now, you two." and she glanced at Tsaro for a moment as she stated, "There is another hut if you would like to stay there instead of the Falcon."
She paused in her preparations, "Master Rey, storm coming. If need to leave, better go before lightening here. Can last long." She commented with a nod to Poe and Finn.
Finn looked deflated and Ben looked relieved at Tsaro's words, while Rey turned to Poe for the decision, "Poe? We have been through one of the lightning storms already. It's bad and lasted for almost a full day." She said honestly, looking at Finn with the last couple of words.
Poe frowned and thought for the moment, "If the First Order knows we are here then we should get back sooner rather than later. They are less likely to attack you again considering how well defended you are here, especially if the storms are as bad as you say. Our bases, though, are another matter." He said, thinking through things, then added, "Especially if they figure you are giving us intel." Nodding at Ben.
Poe stood, "Rey, we will be in touch. Ben, I hope this information pans out." He said, mild doubt coloring his tone and he moved to hug Rey.
Finn frowned but followed, "Be safe." He said firmly to Rey before enveloping her in a hug as well. "I will see what I can do to help with your plan." He whispered before letting go ad Rey grinned her thanks.
"Say bye to Chewie for me?" Rey asked as they exited.
Finn nodded and shot Ben a last look, "Ben." He said quietly as a goodbye to Rey's complete shock before he slipped out the door into the late evening air, and closed it behind him.
Ben turned and mirrored her surprised look, "Progress?" He asked doubtfully.
"Possibly." Rey responded and sat heavily in her chair the length of the day catching up to her, while she replayed her conversation with Finn in her mind.
Ben eyed her for a moment and she could feel him gently nudging on their bond as he searched for the source of her concern towards Finn. He edged around her chair and sat, his brow furrowed as he looked at her, "You told him everything?" He questioned her with frustration.
Rey huffed out a breath, her own frustration rising to meet his, "Yes, Ben. I told him everything. I told him I wouldn't lie to him anymore." And with her final comment, she threw the memory of the first part of the conversation at him in their bond before she got up and stalked out for some space, seeing the Falcon lift off and break for the heavy clouds.
Ben slumped in his chair pondering the conversation she had with Finn. He knew that Finn was interested in Rey, which was why he was jealous of him, but to see that she was had been honest with him regardless of the pain she knew it would cause her friend, was humbling. He regretted being so short with her about their plans, but he could sense going after her right now would not be the best plan.
Rey stalked off to her hut to wash up as the clouds had moved in, darkening the sky quickly. She was frustrated with Ben for questioning her, yet again, about Finn when he had been way more accepting of everything than anyone else so far. Not to mention that the bond between her and Ben had put the most strain on one of the most important relationships she had formed so far.
She fumed, splashing the cold water over herself after changing out of the blood-stained shirt. The water felt good as she let it soak her hair and drip down her back, sending shivers down her spine. Splashing her face over and over, she let the cool water refresh her and easy her mind out of its agitated state. As she was washing, she felt a light release in the back of her mind, but she didn't really think anything of it.
By the time she dried off she could hear the light patter of rain starting so she quickly cleaned up and headed back to the glow of the hut. Off in the distance she could see the gathering storm sparking rapidly over the water and she ducked in through the door quickly. Ben was still in his chair by the fire, long legs stretched out in front of him with the holopad ignited in his lap, reviewing the plans for Malastare.
Ben glanced up as Rey entered and moved to put some food together as Tsaro had already left for the evening with the impending storm. She was just adding some of the roasted meat when something flew at her, causing her to squeak with surprise and drop her plate.
Ben was out of his chair in a shot as the baby Porg flew past his head with a chirp, landing on Rey's bed, "Stars! The kriffing bird!" He swore as Rey couldn't help but laugh as he started to chase it around her mattress.
It flapped around, flying back towards Rey who dodged and tried to snatch it, while Ben made his way between chairs while it swooped and landed again on Ben's bed. He made another grab for the small bird and it deftly avoided his large hands making a straight shot back towards the window where Rey froze it in mid-flight with the force while she continued to laugh.
Ben's face was pure fury as he spun around and eyed the little thing being held in place by Rey, and he turned his murderous stare to her as she laughed.
"Oh...Ben." She chuckled out trying to contain herself, "It's just a bird." She sputtered as he looked totally frazzled after his chase of the small creature.
"Let's just get it back in a kriffing cage." He muttered and raked his hair out of his eyes with both hands while walked over to her to take her hand.
Rey took a few breaths to calm her laughter before they set to building the cage back around the small thing and setting their hut back into place.