Rey awoke a few hours later from a dreamless sleep in Ben's arms. She wiggled back, pressing her back against his chest and immediately became aware of his… Situation. Ben groaned and pulled her tighter against him, his hips bucking against her backside instinctually.

"Rey…" His voice was low and strained, it rumbled through his chest and into her, "How much time do we have…?"

He trailed kisses from her shoulder all the way up to right under her ear, nipping at her earlobe. She shivered deliciously in his arms and he growled his approval, his hands moving to rove over her body, one groping at her breast, the other snaking down her side to grip her thigh.

Arching her back, Rey let out a sigh, enjoying his attention. His lips were like fire on her skin, leaving hot lines of pleasure behind each kiss, each nibble. Her hands moved over his, encouraging him while she ground her hips back against his arousal. She felt his breath hitch when her hips moved and immediately decided they were both wearing entirely too much. Rey hooked her thumbs into her pants and began to wiggle them off when R2 beeped loudly behind them and startled them both.

"Not long enough…" she whined, pulling her pants back up.

Ben gave her hip a squeeze and let out a frustrated groan, "I'm going to need a minute…"

Rey nodded and crawled over him to get off the bunk, turning an annoyed look at R2, "We better be close or I'm finding a restraining bolt."

R2 wobbled a rude comeback and Rey had to laugh, "Fine fine, you were just doing your job, I know. Thanks R2."

She glanced back at Ben who was now sitting on the edge of the bunk awkwardly waiting for his situation to… subside. She dipped to catch his lips in a kiss before heading to the pilot's chair.

"Not helping." he called from behind her.

Rey strapped in, preparing to drop from hyperspace over Ajan Kloss. A few minutes later Ben joined her, running a hand back through his hair before strapping himself in as well.

"You okay?" she asked with a sly smile.

"I will be when I get you alone later," he said giving her a wink.

She flushed a dark crimson before pulling the lever.

They arrived in the middle of what looked like a fleet and were immediately hailed.

"Rey, welcome back," Poe's voice echoed through the comm and his x-wing appeared on their starboard side, "I'll escort you in."

Rey looked confused, "Uh.. You don't need to do that, I know where to land Poe…"

"It's a formality," Poe replied, "Since you have Ren with you."

"Oh." She said, a frown in her voice.

Ben leaned over and placed a comforting hand on her arm, "It's okay, I expected this."

Rey's confused look turned angry, "Lando promised you wouldn't be arrested."

He considered, "I don't think they'll arrest me. It's more likely that I'll be assigned a security detail to 'watch' me. You can't expect them to trust me on your word alone."

Rey let out a frustrated sigh, "They should, after everything I've done…"

Ben nodded, "I know love. I know."

It didn't take long for her to land the ship at the base on Ajan Kloss. It had grown since she'd left only a few days before, a few more buildings had popped up and many, many, more ships sat amongst the trees.

Rey hesitated before rising from her seat, Ben following her. "Ready?" she asked before opening the gangway.

"I'm ready," he answered, taking her hand.

She laced her fingers between his and opened the door to the ship.

They were immediately greeted by about 20 armed guards, they weren't pointing their blasters at them but they were definitely holding them at the ready. Rey swallowed and walked off the ship with Ben.

The tension was thick in the air, Rey could feel everyone's eyes upon them, it raised her hackles. Ben gave her hand a squeeze and tried to soothe her through the force. It helped a little but she still felt on edge.

Poe and Finn pushed their way through the crowd, Finn bursting forth to wrap Rey in one of his signature hugs. Rey did not let go of Ben's hand, using her free hand to hug Finn back.

Finn leaned back, hands on her shoulders, he examined her, "You're okay?"

Rey nodded stiffly, "I'd be better if we weren't being treated like the enemy…"

Finn sighed, glancing up at Ben, his eyes narrowing, "You're not the enemy Rey… He is."

She shrugged Finn's hands off her, "Without him we'd all be dead right now. Palpatine would have won and the Final Order would rule the galaxy."

Poe stepped forward, placing a hand on Finn's shoulder as he slid a wary look to Ben, "Come on, Lando is waiting."

Ben did his best to look unintimidating, settling his features into a soft uncertainty, gripping Rey's hand tight enough that his knuckles whitened. He could feel the anger, the hatred, dripping off the crowd around him, all directed his way. He wasn't surprised but he also didn't like it. Ben knew this wasn't going to be easy. He had to earn their trust and that would take time.

Poe led them through the main command hangar, security detail in tow, taking them to a meeting room full of important looking people and holo projections of important looking people. A couple guards followed them into the room, the rest taking up position just outside the door.

Rey and Ben stepped into the middle of the room, Lando stepping forward to greet them, he was the only one in the room to smile, "Ben. It's been a long time my boy." Ben offered a hand for a shake but Lando pushed it aside and wrapped him in a warm hug, giving him a few solid thumps on the back before stepping away, "Not really a boy anymore though," he gave Ben's shoulders a squeeze, "What are you seven feet tall?"

Ben smiled nervously, "Not quite."

Lando nodded and gave his shoulders a pat, "What took you so long?"

Ben and Rey exchanged a look and Rey answered, "We came as soon as we could."

Lando shook his head, "Not what I meant. What took you so long Ben? I know you wanted to come back a long time ago, why didn't you?"

Ben swallowed, his voice emerging uncertain, shaky, "It was complicated. I couldn't just leave the First Order. I had hoped to bring peace in my own way. I was wrong. I was in a dark place Lando. I thought what I was doing was right, was the best for everyone. I was wrong. The darkside warps your mind, it changes you, and once you fall it takes a lot to pull you back."

Lando examined Ben's face, "You look so much like your Father." he whispered.

Tears shone in Ben's eyes and his lips trembled as he fought to keep from crying. Rey squeezed his hand and stepped closer, looking up at him, concern plain on her face.

"Leia told me there was still light in you, that you'd return, and that when you did you would help Rey to finally bring peace to the galaxy." Lando turned to address the rest of the people in the room, "Ben Solo is NOT Kylo Ren. This man, right here," he pointed at Ben, "Saved Rey and helped her destroy the Sith Lord Sheev Palpatine. Without him the resistance would have been defeated on Exegol. He is a valuable asset in our continuing fight against the First Order. He has intel and skills no one else can provide. We need him and you will all respect my orders that he is to be untouched. We must leave the past where it belongs, in the past, in order for us to pave the way to a brighter future."

There was a grumble from the crowd that surrounded them, "There are reports of the First Order using force users in battle now. So far they've been used in skirmishes between General Parnadee and her rivals but make no mistake, they WILL be turned against us and when the time comes we must be prepared. We need the last Jedi on our side. You may not believe in the force, you might not believe in the Jedi, but I do. I have seen what they are capable of and it is not something we can handle with more blasters…"

Lando moved over to a holoterminal, "Leia recorded a message a few hours before she passed, I think you should all see it…"

He pressed a button and an image of Leia was projected into the room above the terminal. Ben stiffened next to Rey, the tears he'd held in now breaking through, running down his face. He sniffed and blinked through the tears, he hadn't expected to see his mother again. Rey moved to hug him, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning her head against his chest while they watched.

Leia's voice emerged, soft and warm, "If you are watching this holorecording it means that I am no longer with you. Please do not mourn my passing but celebrate it, as when I die my son will be reborn to continue my legacy. I ask that you trust me when I say that when he returns to you it will be as Ben Solo, my son, Prince of Alderaan, and nephew of Luke Skywalker. Kylo Ren is dead but my Ben lives. He and Rey will bring balance to the force, I feel it. I know it. Let my death be the spark that rekindles the light within him."

"Ben, my son, I love you, I have always loved you. There was a time I feared I'd lost you but Luke reminded me as I remind you now, no one is ever really gone. Good luck, take care of Rey. I love you." and with that Leia's holo image disappeared and the terminal shut off.

Ben was openly weeping now, his arms tightening around Rey as he leaned forward to bury his head in her shoulder. She stroked his hair and soothed him as best she could.

Lando stepped forward and placed a hand on Ben's shoulder before looking back around the room, "We will assign a security detail for the time being even though I believe it is unnecessary. Is that satisfactory to everyone here?"

Everyone nodded, a few grumbled more than the rest but they seemed to have a general consensus.

"Good," Lando said finally, leaning forward to whisper to Rey and Ben, "We've assigned you new quarters, I suggest you lay low there for a bit while we figure out our next move."

Rey nodded to Lando, glancing to Finn and Poe who motioned for her to follow them.

Ben wiped the tears from his face, letting Rey lead the way, their security detail closing in around them as they left the room.

Poe led them to a new building, it was heavily guarded, when they entered their security remained outside. Inside there was a short hallway and one door on each side. Poe and Finn turned, "Lando had this place put up for you specifically. Rey your room is on the left, Ren… Ben.. Yours is on the right." Poe said, hands on his hips, "I suggest you stay here for the time being."

Rey bristled at this, "So we're prisoners?"

Poe shook his head, raising a hand, "No, you're just… There are a lot of angry people out there that need time to.. Adjust to this new reality."

"Poe we need to train, we need to prepare. I can't just sit in a room doing nothing." Rey's face scrunched up in frustration, "If Lando is right and we have to deal with Sith we need to be ready."

Finn joined Poe in trying to calm her, "We know. We can probably arrange for us all to train but it will take time. Until then Ben can stay here and you and I can train…"

Rey cut him off, "No, Ben goes where I go. Non-negotiable."

Finn sighed heavily, crossing his arms and looking at Ben, "I suppose you feel the same Ren?"

Ben shook his head, "Actually I think you're right, you and Rey should train. I can wait here…"

Rey turned her angry look up to Ben, "Non-negotiable."

Ben raised his hands, "Okay, okay."

Finn and Poe shared an amused look, "Anyways, you two get settled," Poe said, "I'll let you know when we get clearance for you both to train outside."

They all stood there awkwardly for a minute looking at each other before Poe gestured to the rooms, "Well?"

Rey glared at Finn and Poe as she tugged Ben towards the room she'd been assigned and opened the door, maintaining eye contact as she pulled Ben into the room and let the door close between them.

She heard Poe laugh from behind the door and listened to the sound of Finn and Poe leaving before turning to Ben with a sigh.

Ben forced a feeble smile, opening his arms to her. She fell into them, burying her face in his sweater. This was not going as well as she had hoped it would but at least they were together.