My story is almost to completion. Only a few more chapters to go. One of the challenges I gave myself was to try to lead my story into the beginning of The Rise of Skywalker. In the previous chapters, I had to establish the intimate relationship of Ben Solo and Rey (which they fully deserved) through the Force, and then I had to break it apart again while still maintaining the hope in each other that the other will join them. I hope I have accomplished this. Enjoy! And as always, your feedback is truly appreciated!

Chapter 20

Rey awoke in the middle of the night. The lights were dim in her room and she got up to get some water. Her throat was dry. The warm evening air did not help. Her temperature control in her room must need adjustment. She walked to her table, poured a drink, and went to the controls. Yes, a bit of adjustment. She turned and he was standing there. He was in his black silken robe, glaring at her. She dropped her cup in surprise.

"Ben," she whispered. She wanted to rush to him, kiss him, hold him, but she hesitated.

"Yes?" he said annoyed.

"I've been trying to see you for days." She moved toward him and he put up a hand.

"And I have been busy," he said curtly. She stopped. "And now you know how it feels," he growled.

She didn't know what to say.

"Well I am here now." He is in a foul mood, thought Rey. He sat down on the couch with his arms resting on his legs. His head was down, hair covering his face.

"Ben," she said quietly, "I missed you…" He lifted his head to look at her. His face was blank with no emotions.

"And?" he said annoyed.

That was it! "Look here! Just because you are in a foul mood doesn't mean you talk to me that way!" she said through gritted teeth. He quickly stood up and closed the gap between them, grabbing her wrists. Fire burned in his eyes. Oh no… too far… Rey began to panic.

He looked into her eyes. He picked up her tiny form by her waist with one arm and under her bottom with his free hand and kissed her. Her legs easily hooked around his waist as he held her close to his body as she kissed him back. His kiss was rough, eager, filled with desire. Warmth and longing filled Rey as she returned his kiss. His tongue bid entry into her mouth and she welcomed it. His kisses became more frantic so when he stopped kissing her mouth she gasped for air. A moan escaped her mouth and his manhood grew in excitement.

He walked her to the bed and laid her roughly on it. He looked at her panting form as he climbed on the bed to hover over her. "Is this what you want, Rey?" he growled as he kissed her neck and moved his rough hand up her thigh.

Yes… no…I don't know! she thought as she arched her back under his touch. Her mind raced.

"Oh, Ben…. Stop!" she groaned, pushing him away. Her mouth was dry again. She was breathing hard.

He looked at her with an inquisitive eyebrow. He was breathing hard too. He rolled to his side. "Too much?" There is that grin…

Rey hit him. "Not fair! Why did you do that?"

He chuckled then went to a straight face. "Because you are also dealing with Kylo Ren, Rey. Don't forget that."

"Get away," Rey said under her breath as she got up. "You don't have to be that way, Ben."

He got up and went to the couch again, sitting with a hard sigh. "Rey? What do you want from me?"

"Just to be you!" she pleaded. "I want you, Ben. Not Kylo Ren. That is not who you are."

"What if you are wrong, Rey? I am set to become the most powerful man in the galaxy." He stood up and move toward her. "Maybe the best way to help your cause is to join me. There, you would have some kind of sway on me. You could be my Queen."

"Ben, you know that is not how this ends," she said quietly.

Ben reached out and pushed a lock of hair behind her ear. "We have seen two different visions Rey. Maybe they are one and the same. Or maybe not." He picked her up, cradling her in his arms. "But let's not talk of this now. I have come to be with you." He looked sadly at her. "I fear things are going to change very soon." He placed her gently on the bed and he laid down next to her. He looked at her as if memorizing her face. A sadness pulled at her. He kissed her gently as he unbuttoned her sleep shirt. He ran his hand down her neck, across her chest, and down her stomach. A fluttering feeling filled her stomach and tingles ran down her spine. She reached her hand up to cradle his face. "Ben… I need to tell you something… I…"

He kissed her. "Rey… no words…" And he kissed her more deeply. He pulled her sleep shirt off and moved his hand to her sleep pants, which he pulled away effortlessly. Rey pushed his robe off his strong shoulders and down his tone arms. She wanted to memorize every part of him too. She put her hands on his firm stomach and up to his broad chest. He pulled her close into another kiss. Her hands moved into his hair as she wrapped her leg over his hip. His rough hands moved over her soft skin as he caressed her bottom and back. He rolled gently on top of her as he kissed her neck and face.

He broke their kiss as he gazed into her eyes. He plunged into her and she felt herself gasp. He moved slowly as he continued to kiss and touch her. Pleasure rolled through her and she could sense so much from him. He could no longer contain himself. His pace quickened and she gratifyingly moaned in his ear. She felt like her world was exploding. He shuttered in her and his groans sent her to ecstasy again.

He rolled to his side and pulled her tightly into his arms and she felt sadness and love from him. She rested her head on his chest. Why does it feel like good-bye? Rey thought.

Ben kissed the top of her head. He pulled away from her so he could look into her eyes. "Rey, just know you are not alone. I am here. But this is the last time I may see you."

There was so much going through her head. She was trying to understand what was happening. "Ben?"

"The next time I see you, I will truly be there in the flesh. And I hope you will take my hand and be by my side." He kissed her.

"And if I don't?" she whispered.

His gaze hardened. "Then we will be enemies. I will crush the Resistance and you along with it."

She searched for unspoken words in his eyes only to see he was determined to win one way or another.

"Until we meet again, Rey." Ben kissed her long and passionately. She tried to say everything she could through her mind – all the feelings of hopelessness, love, longing, and fear that she felt. He stood up and looked down at her one more time only to disappear.

Rey pulled her legs up to her chest and cried. Through her pain, she could sense Ben – he was feeling ashamed, miserable, afraid, and full of pain.

Why would he say those things? A new wave of pain flowed through her. She didn't how long she stayed that way. Waves rolled over her over and over. She gasped. Was it her pain or his? She could not tell them apart anymore. Anger and fear. Love and loneliness. And shame. Him for leaving her that way. Her for being a fool to love him.

Her door sounded. She didn't want to deal with whoever was there. A banging at the door. Someone calling her name. Another wave flowed through her.

She heard the door unlock and open. Someone rushed in. "Oh Gods, Rey!" she heard someone gasp.

She felt someone wrap her in a sheet. Her world was blurred in tears. She was picked up and taken out of her room. She could feel them moving quickly down the hallway. Another wave crashed into her.

"Hang on, Rey!" she heard someone whisper. She clung to the edge of the jacket of the person holding her. Agony and anger… she could feel Ben's pain as her own pain.

Someone held her tighter as they ran through the complex of buildings. Reassuring words were said to her, but she couldn't understand it.

A new voice. New hands grabbing onto her and holding her tightly. "Rey, we are almost there,"
a warm, calming voice told her.

"Finn?" she whispered.

"Yes, I have you, Rey." His voice sounded frightened.

"Where are you taking me?" Rey felt her mind clearing.

"To the General." Rey heard another voice say.

"Poe?"

"Leia sent me to your quarters," Poe panted. "She said you were in trouble."

A door opened before them. She felt herself being placed gently on a couch. She looked up at Finn. Poe brought over a blanket and gently wrapped her. He pushed her hair out of her face. Finn brought her a cup of water. She took it and drank deeply. She looked gratefully at them both then looked past them and saw Leia's face. Relief washed over Rey.

"All right gentlemen. She will be safe with me," Leia said assuredly. Poe and Finn looked at each other.

"Rey, we'll check on you later." Finn patted her hand. Poe smiled warmly at her.

Rey watched as they left Leia's quarters. Leia sat next to her on the couch. She took the cup from Rey's hand, placed in on an end table, and took her hands. Rey felt a reassuring feeling enter her and a growing calm and tranquility eased her pain and sadness.

"Rey, you need to clear your mind," Leia said calmly. Rey closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Ben became a distant thought, a far away feeling. Rey's shaking started to subside. "Better?"

Rey nodded. Leia smiled. "So my son…" Rey face paled. "He must care for you," Leia said soothingly. "Now, is there anything you would like to tell me?"

Rey blushed. Not about a lot of things. "I think he is doing something rash, something dangerous," Rey whispered.

Leia nodded. "I suspected something like that. Otherwise he would not feel like he is feeling now."

Leia sighed. "Let me get you some clothes and you can rest." She got up and heading to her wardrobe. She pulled out a nightgown. 'Sorry this is all I have to offer." Rey took it gratefully. "There is an empty chamber next door you can use. I would like to keep you close to me in case something happens again."

Rey nodded. Leia looked toward the door and sighed. She turned back to Rey. "Apparently our two gentlemen are in the corridor waiting still to see you. I will speak with them outside while you change." Leia smiled at her and exited. Rey could see Poe looking past her to look at her as the door closed.

The link had broken finally. The distant feeling of Ben had gone. It felt very lonely. Rey knew they had been foolish. They had played a dangerous game. But she wouldn't trade her time with him… the feel of him… the smell of him. But had it truly been real at all? Or was it something that happened in their mind?

They had had a connection. He was lost and lonely just like her. Looking for someone to understand him. She understood how he felt. She had people to care about her – Finn, Poe, Rose, Leia – but did they truly understand her? Ben seemed to understand her more than sometimes she did. She felt she knew Ben better than himself too.

Rey dropped the blanket and sheet on the couch and pulled the nightgown over her head. The soft fabric felt cool on her skin. She wrapped the blanket around herself. The door opened and Leia, Poe and Finn poured into the room.

"See," Leia reassured the men, "She is better. But I would like her to stay close tonight so she will be next door."

Poe looked at Rey and blushed a little. He cleared his throat and spoke to Leia. "I would like to stand guard outside just to make sure all is good."

Leia studied him. "I guess that would be fine. You would do it anyways even if I did say no." She looked to Finn. "Finn, please make sure Rey's quarters are secured. And I know you will be joining Poe too." Leia shook her head and looked at Rey. "Your escort awaits. I will see you first thing in the morning. We will need to get an early start." Leia patted her on the arm. "Good night. You need not worry."

"Good night," Rey smiled at Leia. She looked to Poe and Finn. "After you." Poe and Finn lead the way.

Finn turned to Rey. "You had us scared, Rey. I am glad you are better. We'll both be out here if you need us." Rey gave him a quick, heartfelt hug. Finn looked at Poe. "I'll be right back." Finn headed towards Rey's quarters.

Rey looked at Poe as she moved to the door of the guest quarters. "Thank you, Poe, for coming to get me." Poe blushed again and ran his hand through his hair. Rey could feel the heat in her cheeks too. She knew what he had seen – her writhing in pain and misery, naked on her bed. Rey smiled softly at him as she touched his forearm. "Good night, Poe." And she entered the guest room to go to sleep. She heard him murmur, "Night Rey," as the door closed. Rey looked around the small room. The bed was tucked in the corner, trying to look inviting. She didn't want inviting. She saw a large chair. That will do. She curled up in the chair and tried to keep her thoughts from Ben. Sleep came for her and left her empty.