Sorry this chapter took so long! I was having major writers block and was very distracted by the SNL Adam driver hosted last night lol. Thankfully his Kylo skit got my butt back in gear here! Thanks everyone for the reviews I love hearing people can't wait for the next chapter! You all are too kind! :D

Rey returned to camp just as the rest of the resistance was having dinner. She grabbed a plate and went and sat by herself. She didn't feel like arguing with Finn anymore and surely he had told Poe all about what was happening and she couldn't deal with two people yelling at her. Yes, she felt ashamed that she had these feelings for a murderer...she knew how messed up it was. She knew some weird deep secret part of her enjoyed the thrill of it all. She couldn't help that. Hadn't she been predisposed to being on the dark side? She could be doing so much worse right now! And her friends complained why...because she likes a man who just happens to be a little sadistic? You can't help who you're attracted to...

She brooded a little longer and finished eating.

"Rey," she heard and turned to see who called her. It was Leia. The older woman walked over to her and sat down.

"I heard your friends found out about Ben being here and didn't take it so well," she started. Boy that was an understatement...Leia continued talking realizing how uncomfortable Rey was.

"He can't stay here much longer, Rey, I think you know that. It's just a matter of time until someone that won't give him a second chance when they see him finds him there. Not to mention the danger he's putting this planet in if the first order finds him..."

"I wanted to talk to you about that," Rey started seeing this as a perfect opportunity to bring up the plan she had thought of.

"I think I have a way we can keep him from being hunted and give him a somewhat peaceful life."

"I'm listening," Leia said suspiciously.

"We have to fake his death. Make the resistance and first order believe he truly isn't coming back. If they honestly think he's dead, no one will be looking for him. Then he goes to a neutral planet way out in the middle of a nowhere solar system, and he stays low. It may not be the life he would want, but it's better than being killed..." she looked over Leia's face carefully trying to read her expression then continued.

"Maybe with time, once the war is over, we can slowly convince the resistance to accept him and give him a second chance...but to the first order he would have to remain dead. He's too powerful and they will try to win him back over to use him or kill him if he refuses."

Leia frowned and stared at the table for a long minute.

"How are we going to fake his death in such a way the whole first order will believe it?" Leia asked.

"We'll have to do something drastic but I haven't figured out exactly what that is yet..."

"Rey, I think the plan is good...but I can foresee a lot of problems if even one tiny thing goes wrong."

"We'll be careful and take extra precautions so it doesn't. We don't have a choice. We're all Ben has fighting on his side..."

She could almost feel Leia's sadness as she spoke those words. Rey knew she would have to discuss this plan with Ben. Maybe he would have some suggestions. She waited a few days out of respect for her friends to go back. She really did care what they thought but she knew there was no changing their minds. She would just have to see Ben less frequently and keep her tracker on to appease them. When she did decide to go, she brought a razor thinking of how Leia had mentioned Ben needing a shave, along with more food.

She grabbed her staff and after her friends all went in their tents, she took her usual path towards Ben. She was nearly half way there, just peacefully watching the moon on the leaves surrounding her, enjoying the quiet, when an eerie feeling overcame her. She froze, gripping her staff tightly and looked around. The sensation sent a cold shiver of fear down her spine and made her hair stand on end. Almost like static electricity was running through her veins...

She turned quickly around, then the other way...but there was nobody.

"Finally," she heard a sinister voice in her head say. She jumped and spun around quickly, her staff her only defense.

"I've been searching for you for so long..."

"Where are you?" She said quietly and viciously, looking all around her in case this was some kind of trap.

"Don't worry dear granddaughter...I couldn't get to you personally if I wanted to. I was rather hoping you would come to me..."

"Think again," Rey said realizing this must be Palpatine's unnerving voice.

"It matters not. I have people that could find you...and ways of doing so..."

"If thats all you want then I'd appreciate you getting out of my head now..." Rey replied with sass.

"So spirited and feisty...must be from my side of the family."

"You're no family to me. I'll kill you the first chance I get."

There was creepy laughter echoing through her head.

"I look forward to it..." the man said, "speaking of murdering people...have you been in contact with Kylo Ren?"

"No. And I wouldn't tell you if I had," she clenched her jaw.

"I think you have...there's been a shift in the force...he'll betray you, you know."

"You know nothing about him," she defended angrily. But he continued, ignoring her completely.

"I know he's a master manipulator...I bet he came to you acting injured and weak didn't he? Claiming he was in some valiant fight for his life..."

Rey faltered a bit.

"No!" Her word shook slightly when she said it.

"He'll have his way with you until he's bored then slaughter you like he did all the others..."

Rey's heart skipped a beat. He had to be lying, this was absurd.

"You're a liar and I won't listen to another word you say!" She said loudly.

"Fine...but when it happens you can't say I didn't warn you. And if you're lucky enough to live through it...well you come find me, dear Rey. I'll be waiting to help you get your revenge..."

Rey stood there breathing heavily looking around. The feeling of the connection was lifted. How had he found her? Did he know what planet she was on? Would he send people after her? Was he...telling he truth? That thought made her feel sick and a little scared. She began to walk down the path towards Ben again and quickly broke into a jog wanting to hurry and not be alone anymore. She just felt...unsettled now.

"Rey?" Ben stood, seeing her jogging form come out of the trees towards him. He was wearing only his pants to escape the humidity of the evening. She jogged straight to him and caught him in a hug which he instantly returned.

"What's wrong?" He grabbed her arms and pulled away so he could have a better look at her. He could feel something wasn't right.

"I'm fine...just...missed you was all..." she smiled. He gave her a stern look.

"Really, Ben...I'm fine. I'm fact, I need to talk to you. I may have a plan to keep you alive and somewhat safe."

"You're still on that?" He said and they walked together to sit on the log.

"Of course I am," she shot him a dirty look.

"Okay, let's hear it then if you're so set on it."

"So I'm thinking that we fake your death. Make it believable...so believable the first order won't be looking for you anymore. You can hang low on a neutral planet until this blows over and maybe one day...eventually...we can be back together."

Ben looked lost in thought and mindlessly scratched his arm.

"You think we can plan a fake death the first order will believe?" He finally asked.

"Yes...I haven't thought of anything definite yet but...it's a work in progress," she shrugged. He thought another moment.

"I suppose it's not the worst idea...and I could still keep tabs on my child without putting it in immediate danger..."

"Exactly!" Rey nearly sighed in relief that he was considering this. She felt a small rush of relief. Their child. How could she believe Palpatine when Ben was so focused on their child and worried about its well being? She leaned up and planted a soft kiss on his lips. He placed his hand on the back of her neck and pulled back to look at her.

"What?" Rey nearly laughed.

"Nothing you just...look so..."

She thought of the small bump in her belly and how horrible and worn down she must look right now and her face fell a bit.

"I know...I haven't exactly had the chance to shower everyday and I think these pregnancy hormones are messing with my skin and hair and-"

"Beautiful," Ben stared at her, "I was going to say beautiful."

Rey grinned and looked down, she knew her cheeks were turning pink. He grabbed under her chin and brought her face back up.

"I know I've never told you that before...I'm sorry if it was awkward...but I have to be honest with you now. I don't know why the force decided to connect us like it did, but I'm glad it happened. I regret some of the things I've done to get to where we are now. In fact, I regret almost all of them," he squirmed and swallowed, "but I'll never regret our relationship. Or this," he placed his hand on her belly.

Rey could have cried. She had never had anyone say anything so sweet to her in all her life.

"What...did I say something wrong?" He looked alarmed at her holding back tears.

She shook her head, "Ben Solo...that means so much to hear you say that..." she choked out through her tears. Then leaned in against his chest.

"I didn't think you were capable of emotions like normal people..."

"I didn't either..." he muttered.

"But I can see now...you have this hard exterior," she touched his chest, "but underneath it you're as soft and broken as the rest of us."

Ben stayed quiet thinking a long moment. How can this one girl seem to know better than he even knows himself...

Rey suddenly felt a realization wash over herself and knew what had to be done. When it hit her she felt like she had known what she would have to do all along. Her voice cut through the silence.

"I think...I think in order for the first order to believe you're dead...I need to do it myself."

Ben took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly.

"I think you're right. Almost all of the troops have ever only seen us fighting, me kidnapping you, locking you on the ship, interrogating you...as far as most of them know, you still want me dead." Rey pulled away from his chest. She spoke this time.

"All we have to do now is find an audience and a stage then put on a hell of a show..."

"We can't lure them here and put the resistance in danger," Ben said trying to come up with an idea.

"You said General Pryde is dead right?" Rey asked furrowing her brow.

"Right. And most of the troopers he got to turn with him."

"So who is in command right now then? Who are the troops taking orders from?"

Ben gave her a weird look. She grinned.

"I don't like that grin," he said uncomfortably.

"You need to get back in command," she said as if this were the final word.

"No Rey, I don't think that's a good idea."

"No, you need to get back in that ship, get your troops under control, and you need to play the part of supreme leader. Just long enough to stage a fight with me then when I 'kill' you off, you'll be free to go to any neutral planet you want."

Her eyes were full of hope and determination.

"I don't know if I can go back...they may kill me on the spot-"

"Oh I'm sorry," Rey now stood and Ben turned to watch her, "I thought I was in the presence of the mighty Kylo Ren, the man who has taken down entire planets, the man who claims to rule the galaxy, the man who would sooner run a light saber through you than admit he was wrong about something!"

Ben felt a little embarrassed, "that was the old me, Rey."

"And it's going to be the new you as well!" She pointed in his face, "you haven't left us a choice. You've done so many terrible things you have nearly every living thing in the universe turned against you. And now you're afraid of a few storm troopers?! You think they are going to be able to kill Kylo Ren?!"

Ben felt her energy all around him. She was trying to motivate him.

"No Rey, I can't even remember how to act like him anymore! That's not me!"

"Well you had better remember!" She roughly shoved him, nearly knocking him off the log.

"I know what your doing and I'm not taking the bait," he said. She shoved him again. He stared at her with a stubborn look on his face. She stared at him with the same stubbornness, then suddenly walked over and grabbed her staff off the ground. Ben quickly got to his feet now and stepped away from the fire. Rey walked quickly back over to him and swung directly for his side. He jumped back just barely making it out of the way.

"Stop!" He said loudly not taking his eyes off her. She spun around and swung again, wielding this staff even better than she did a lightsaber. He was so impressed and so afraid of getting hit at the same time. She expertly swung at him a few more times, Ben barely able to move in time.

"I said stop, Rey!" His fists balled up. He was getting angry. She attacked him with vicious combo, almost landing what would have been a devastating hit to the side of his head. She looked a bit surprised at herself and paused for a moment. But Ben had had enough. He spotted a long semi thin fallen branch by the edge of the trees and opened his palm summoning it towards him. As soon as the wood was in his hands, Rey began swinging again, over the shock of almost really hurting him. He expertly blocked every move and pushed her back. She stumbled a bit but went right back to the offensive. He protected himself and continued to let himself be pushed back by her blows. He had fought her before and knew how tough she was but the intensity with which she was attacking was remarkable. He didn't even have time to get a swing in.

"Enough!" He said loudly startling her and giving him the split second he needed to swing back at her. She blocked it and swung back but now he had a chance to begin swinging back. As they battled it out, wood clanging and little yells of effort from Rey the only sounds around them, Ben was getting into the swing of this, it felt good to fight. He hadn't had an adrenaline rush like this in awhile. He began to gain some leverage over her and soon she was the one who began stepping back as he swung at her, driving her backwards.

"Come on!" He said with a slight grin, "you fight like a pregnant girl!"

Oh he wanted to play did he? She grinned back and while she was swinging, she aimed right for the center of his branch and snapped it in two instantly. Ben threw the two halves down and before she could hit him, grabbed her staff. She attempted to spin out of it but he timed it just right so she would land with her back against him, her staff horizontal under her chin pressed against her neck with Ben holding either side of it. Rey paused to think for a split second and took a quick breath. She elbowed him sharply in the stomach, doubling him over, then kicked her heel into his leg. He dropped her instantly and she yanked her staff out of his hands.

"That's the best you've got?" She panted out holding her staff in a defensive position.

Ben held his stomach but leaned back up breathing a little hard.

"Okay, okay..." he said taking a step towards her, his hand not on his stomach held up in surrender. She grinned triumphantly and lowered her guard. Ben took this moment of calm to grab her staff, throw it aside, then grab both her arms and force them behind her, pulling her back into him and capturing her in an effective hold she couldn't get out of.

"Never let your guard down," he said in her ear.

"There he is...I knew Kylo was still hidden deep down." He let her go and she turned to look at him. He looked...disappointed.

"What is it?" Rey asked knowing he had to get something off his chest. He sighed and sat down in the dirt, resting his arms over his knees.

"I guess I'm...well I'm afraid okay? I'm not Kylo anymore. He was so much stronger and more confident than I ever could be."

"Ben do you hear yourself?" Rey said sitting across from him, "you are Kylo Ren...Ben, Kylo, you're the same person. Just because you made up some silly name to fit in and got a little cocky-"

"I'm not cocky."

She rolled her eyes, "what I'm saying is you think this fake person you made up is stronger than you and you're wrong. It was you the whole time. You were just lost and confused and hurting so you thought by changing your name it would change who you were. Well it didn't."

He moved his jaw around while he stared at the ground taking in her words.

"Listen, I love you Ben, but you really need to get some of your spirit back. I can feel how depressed you are sitting around here doing nothing all day, and I know when you're alone with your thoughts they eat away at you, so it's time to man up and do what needs done so I can focus on bringing this baby into the world without fear of it being murdered."

Thinking about his unborn child being born into the chaos of the universe right now lit a spark of fear in him he didn't know he had. He knew he had to protect his baby and Rey. Them and his mother was all he had left to care for in the world.

"Okay...I'll do it. I'll get my things together and prepare to leave in the morning. I think I know where I can find the first order."

"Thank you," Rey smiled and scooted up to him, placing a hand on his leg, "this child is only going to know it's father as the man who did everything he could to protect it. I'll make sure of that."

"It's going to find out what a horrible person I was sooner or later..." he said looking away from her.

"Yeah, it will hear the bad. But it will also hear the good and how you changed. I won't lie to it about anything but I'm not going to paint you to be a horrible person because you're not."

Ben gave her a sad smile then looked away again for a long moment lost in thought.

"Stay with me tonight."

"I really shouldn't if someone notices..." but she looked at his face and saw his expression and her heart grew soft.

"Okay...I'll stay. It's going to be a tight squeeze in that tent though," she teased.

"I don't care. I just want to hold you and remember what you look like in case..."

"In case what?"

He shook his head. "Nevermind. Come on let's go lay down."