All I can say is thank you! I am totally blown away by the comments for last chapter. You guys are incredible, from the amazing regular commenters to the guests and first timers...thank you! Keep up the comments, good, bad, I take everything into consideration!

Like I mentioned before, I've had these few chapters in my head for a while so they are in coming out in pretty rapid succession. There's way more to the story to come...so hang on!

Yet again, I own nothing, all rights to Disney

Chapter 20

"My Lord? My Lord?" A voice broke into Ben's brain and he instantly snapped awake, sitting up, his arm reaching out to protect the sleeping form beside him as he called on the force.

Fahdar grabbed her throat as the air was suddenly cut off and Ben blinked a couple of times before quickly releasing her. She crumpled over onto the plush carpet, coughing and sputtering with surprise.

Ben dragged his hand down his face grimacing, "Fahdar. I am so very sorry. Are you alright?" He said shifting to get up then realizing he was still completely naked and grabbed the sheet, glancing at Rey to ensure she was covered as well.

Fahdar stood slowly, rubbing her neck eyeing him suspiciously, "I am alright my Lord." She croaked out and turned to open the blinds of the room.

Ben groaned inwardly at his complete laps of decorum and control, moved back into the bed a little as Fahdar approached again glancing at Rey, still sound asleep and obviously unclothed under the sheet.

"I will wait in the main area for my lady to awake and arrange for your breakfast to be delivered." She said, back to her normal self and gave a curt nod before leave the room and closing the door silently behind her.

Ben shook his head and shifted to look at Rey. She was laying on her stomach, one of the many pillows clutched under her, and the sheet only covering the lower half of her body. Her hair was fanned out on the pillow and her face was partially covered by some rogue strands. Ben reached over and gently moved the hair out of her face, leaning down to place a kiss on her cheek.

"Rey, it's time to get up." He murmured in her ear, unable to help himself and trailing his fingers lightly down her exposed back.

"Hmmmmph." Was her response as she wiggled under his fingers and buried her face in the pillow.

Ben couldn't help himself and he chuckled a little into her neck, Fahdar is already here and in the other room. You need to get up. He purred through the bond and gave her neck a little nip with his teeth.

"Mmm, hey!" Came her muffled voice in the pillow as she tried to bat at him and turned her face to meet his eyes, "Okay, I'm awake." She said with a sly grin, letting her thoughts flow freely to him, showing him exactly what she was thinking.

Ben's blood boiled at her bold thoughts coming through and he felt his face heat, "We don't have time for that." He growled low, his eye burning into hers and leaned in to kiss her gently.

Rey lingered as he kissed her lightly, her hand coming up to play with his impossibly soft curls before laying back on the mound of pillows with a contented grin, "Okay, I guess we need to focus on why we came here."

Ben sighed and firmed his resolved, he got out of the bed, giving Rey full view of his bare backside as he strode to the bathroom naked and shut the door.

Not fair. Rey shot through the bond before groaning and getting up herself, searching for her discarded clothes.

Once dressed she slipped out of the room as the smell of food had started to waft in, and her stomach growled in protest.

Fahdar was waiting patiently and swiftly moved to serve Rey as Ben immerged from the room, dressed as well in the loose clothes from last night.

They ate for a while in comfortable silence as Fahdar slipped away to prepare their clothes and clean up the bedding.

"I guess we have to make an appearance at the pod race before we try to get the holocron." Ben said with a frown as he thought about sitting in the hot viewing box in the stuffy clothes.

"I've never seen the pod races myself," Rey said with slight excitement in her voice, "But I have heard they are pretty incredible."

Ben sat back in his chair with the strong stim drink in his hand. He had missed not having the drink since leaving the First Order as it had been part of his morning routine on the destroyer. "It was said that my grandfather was the only human to race." He told her and her eyes widened in surprise.

Fahdar cleared her throat, "My Lady, we need to get you ready if you are to make it to the race on time." She said politely.

Rey grimaced slightly and rose with a sigh, grabbing some fruit of the center of the table before padding off to the room.

Ben moved to the couch and sat in a meditative position and calmed his mind and breathing as he focused on his exercises. It had been a long time since he had meditated on his own and he slowly drifted into the grey.

You think last night means she belongs to you now? A synthesized voice drifted through to him as the walled-up mirror materialized in the grey.

Ben's mood instantly darkened as he regarded the wall critically, black ooze leaking through some cracks in the 'bricks' and around the edges of the wall. She always has been mine, made for me. He bit back viciously.

Enjoy her now. I will enjoy her later. The voice taunted and drifted away in the mist as Ben stepped forward threateningly. He was jarred out of his meditation and rose to pace the room trying to stave off the darkness inside of him that was clamouring to get out.

Rey closed her eyes as Fahdar plated her hair into another intricate design on her head and her thoughts drifted into a meditative state, relaxed by the hand maids' gentle ministrations. The grey mist surrounding her, giving her calm and peace as she floated until a dark voice broke through to her.

You think you have changed him? You silly girl. You have just sealed his fate. He will be mine. The darkness will overtake him and he WILL BE MINE.

With that Rey jumped with a small squeak, her eyes flying open as Fahdar jumped back, dropping the hair in her hands.

"My apologies my Lady. Did I hurt you?" She asked with surprise and concern filling her voice.

Rey's heart was pounding, "Sorry Fahdar. I'm fine." She muttered in reply and reached out to Ben, feeling his dark and stormy mood.

Ben? She said seeing him pace the room.

We need to get the holocron and get back. Ben said back to her, his voice almost edging on panic as he replayed the conversation he had with the darkness.

Rey opened herself and showed him her experience as well and he halted in his pacing, his breathing coming in forced deep inhales as he refused to let his anger overcome him.

We will get the holocron. I think we need to talk to Maz too and see what she says. Rey said in thought as she tried to calm him.

Ben nodded across the bond and continued to slow his breathing, as the darkness ebbed away and he became calm and balanced again. Turning, he walked over to the room and made his way to where Rey had set the bracelet on the dresser, tossing a glance over at the ladies sitting by the mirrors.

He grabbed the coms and slipped back out of the room, "Finn, are you there?" Ben said with more anger than he really meant to have in his tone.

"Is Rey okay?" Was Finn's immediate response.

Ben grit his teeth together and took a moment before he responded, "She's fine. I need you to contact Maz and see if she can meet before we go back to Ahch-To."

There was a break of static for a moment as Ben waited, "Okay...I will see if she's available."

Ben sighed and sat down on the couch. If this holocron didn't have the information they needed, they were going to have to try to find another way to bind the darkness.

The room doors opened and Rey came out and Ben glanced up for a moment before his head snapped up again and he stood.

Fahdar had dressed Rey in a strapless dress that was deep blue at the top, slowly lightening to a very light blue at the bottom. Like the dress from the night before the outer material was complete sheer with the under outfit being a lighter color, but this one was a cropped top and thigh length shorts. While the sandals had elegant ties that wrapped up both of her legs to her knees.

Around her neck was an ornately jewelled necklace and her hair had been swept up into an elaborate plate of braids that sat at the top of her head like a crown. Fahdar had lined her eyes again like the night before, but in a brilliant blue that made them look like they were a completely unnatural shade of green.

"At least I can move." Rey said with a slight frown as she felt terribly exposed on her top half of her body.

Fahdar nodded her head at Ben and directed him into the room, "Your clothes are laid out. Unless you need my help, I will return to the ship my Lord." She said formally.

Ben dragged his eyes away from Rey, "Thank you. Can you arrange to have our things brought back to the ship later?" he asked, staying rooted to his spot, his eyes drifting back to Rey again.

"As you wish, my Lord." She said with a little bow of her head and headed to leave.

"Thank you Fahdar." Rey said softly, causing the maid to turn back for a moment.

"My Lady, you do look lovely." She said with a slight blush before hastily leaving.

Rey's face broke out into a self-conscious grin as Ben approached her, "She's right. This color is very nice on you." He said and dipped his head to place a light kiss on her bare shoulder.

Rey's smile spread a little and she reached out to place her hands on his chest as he continued to scatter kisses across her exposed skin, "Fahdar will kill you if you mess up all her hard work." She said teasingly as he sighed in resignation, giving her one las kiss on her collar bone.

"My turn I guess." He said and strode into the room, not bothering to close the doors as he pulled his shirt off.

Rey blushed and moved to the table, popping a few pieces of fruit in her mouth. She had really come to miss the sweet little treats while they had been on Ahch-To. She had acquired a taste for them since joining the resistance and she almost wanted to pack a bunch in her bags for when they got back.

It didn't take Ben long to change and soon her was striding back out in a blue suit that matched her dress. The material was incredibly light for how it seemed to hold the its shape around his lean frame and the front having a wide opening to reveal a crisp white laced up shirt that was slightly opaque, hanging open a little to reveal his chest.

Rey smiled as he approached her and ran a hand over the bare skin of his chest, "This is nice." she said with a mischievous gleam in her eye.

Ben huffed a small laugh and looked down at her, "Where exactly are you supposed to keep your saber?" He asked with a frown.

Rey beamed up at him for a moment before heading back into the room, skirt swirling behind her and reappeared with a small hand bag that matched the dress exactly.

Ben swiped the tickets off the table and offered his elbow out to her, "Shall we?" He asked, his prim and proper demeanor returning.

They made their way to the track, going through security and being ushered to their box in the grand stands by the start and finish line. Their seats were plush with a roll out covering to block them from the hot sun in the later afternoon. Bins of drinks and a serving bot were off to the back of the box for their convenience while the walls of the box were solid allowing them privacy from the boxes beside them.

Rey headed to the railing and looked over the edge, eyeing how all the other boxes we identical to theirs, most having already drawn the sunshade over the top.

"Wow!" Rey breathed out in awe of the whole spectacle.

Ben came and stood beside her, "I went once with my dad, but we didn't have anything like this." He said, appreciation in his tone as he looked around.

The racers were being paraded into the arena, their flags flying and the crowd started to roar. The announcers came across the speakers and begun the introductions along with all the stats and odds for each racer.

They settled in the posh chairs after having cold water served and watched the fan fair with interest. It wasn't long before the engines were started and the race began.

The race held Reys interest for the most part, but by the late afternoon the heat and noise was starting to grate on her nerves.

"Any chance we could slip away?" She finally asked fidgeting in her chair as she felt the sweat dripping down the center of her back.

Ben shot her a sympathetic look and had the bot bring over more cold drinks, "There's only six racers left for the final lap. We should be able to get out of here very soon." He stated handing her a glass tinkling with ice.

Rey sighed happily and held the cold glass up to her neck and Ben's temperature seemed to exponentially rise as he took in the sight of the drips of water making their way down her skin. Rey shot him a heated look as his thoughts made their way to her across to her.

"You sure we can't leave early?" She asked coyly leaning into him a little, the front of her dress gaping a little, unintentionally, giving him a spectacular view of her silky skin down her sternum causing his mouth to go dry.

Ben's stare turned predatory as he leaned in towards her, "I don't think your delicate outfit would survive that." He said close to a growl, eyes flashing with fire as he kissed her bare shoulder.

Rey beamed at him and turned her attention back to the race as one of the racers pods had a spectacular crash right at the finish line, causing a huge commotion and yells from the surrounding stands.

The rest of the race passed without any more issues and finish ended with a spectacular final sprint to the line resulting in a near tie to the crowd's delight. Ben tucked Rey's hand back on his arm and herded them back out of the box in the dwindling light of the early evening, his anxieties starting to rise with the nearing auction.

They inched their way through the crowds, making their way back to the room for a short reprieve as they got the coms unit and made sure all their items had been moved back to the ship.

Rey took a few minutes to freshen up before sitting on the plush carpet and stretching out a little as Ben watched her from the doorway of the bedroom.

"You alright?" He asked watching her lithe frame stretch out, her sheer blue skirt pooled around her on the floor.

"I'm not used to being so sedentary. Just a little sore." She said, bending forward at the waist, her legs folded under her. She suspected that some of her stiffness was from the night's activities, but she wasn't about to say that out loud.

The coms unit crackled to life and Finn's voice came across quietly, "Heads up, our contact said the Holocron has been moved out of the vault. You guys are good to go. I will be leaving here on the speeder in a few minutes."

Rey got up off the carpet and strode purposely to Ben, "We are on our way." Ben responded, handing her the bracelet.

They headed out of the room and to the lift, Ben having clipped his saber to his belt on the inside of his jacket so it was hidden from view while Rey ensured hers was easily accessible in her clutch.

When the doors opened at the lobby, the main area was crammed with all the patrons, music filtering over the laughing and boisterous conversations. It took them a few minutes to just navigate their way towards the large double doors where a stage and chairs had been set up for the auction.

Ben nodded his head over to the side of the room where partitions had been set up for the items to be staged prior to being brought out on to the stage for bidding. We need back there. Let's try the balcony to get around without too many eyes on us. He said carefully through the bond and took her hand, weaving at a moderate rate through the crowd towards the glass door.

Once at the doors, Ben turned his back to them, pushing down on the handle to find them locked. Kriffing hells. He muttered and glanced around to make sure no one noticed him pushing on the doors.

Rey casually reached up and pulled out one of the pins holding her hair in place, Move. I can open this. She said firmly as Ben's eyes widened a little in doubt at her.

Ben stepped forward and she slid behind his wide frame effectively being blocked from any preying eyes. She slid the hair pin in the card lock slot and focused on finding the right spot. Bending the pin there was a small pop and spark and the lock clicked, opening.

Rey turned slightly to quickly look to make sure no one had taken notice of what she did, Let's go. She said opening the door a small way and slipping through.

Ben turned and followed her lead, shutting the door soundlessly behind him and regarding her with a look of awe, "Where did you learn that?" He asked in a hushed tone.

Rey flashed him a proud grin, "I'm a scavenger. I know how to get into anywhere." She said, her tone matter-of-fact.

Ben huffed a silent laugh and moved forward on their mission, heading to the doors that were covered, and on the other side of the partition. He hesitated briefly before trying the handle and it slid open silently.

They both slipped in the door to the darkened room, only minimal lighting showing through as the sound of the gathering crowd filtered through, over the partition. They made there way over to a curtain and Ben peaked inside.

Four guards and the holocron is on the display platform. He said meeting Rey's eyes.

How should we…..Rey started as she saw a thought flit through his mind she groaned inwardly at the idea.

Ben just raised his eyebrow at her and shrugged his shoulders as if to say it was the best he could think of on the spot. He wrapped his hand around her waist and sauntered through the curtain as if he owned the place.

The guards immediately turned, guns drawn as they approached, "Stop. You are not authorized to be here." The larges guard said.

Ben raised his hand, dropping him just like he did to Rey in the forest and turned to the second one, repeating the action as Rey turned to the other two.

"We are fine to be here." She said as the second guard dropped to the ground.

The two looked at her and Ben, "You are fine to be here." They repeated and Rey's brow furrowed with concentration.

"In fact, you are going to turn off any alarms for the holocron and give it to us." She said as Ben raised his eyebrow at her words.

"Why don't we turn off the alarms and give them the holocron?" The smaller guard said to the one holding a key card.

"I'm just going to give them the holocron." He said and walked over to the display case, swiped his card and opened it up. Grabbing the metallic cube he turned and handed it to Ben.

She smile ruefully at their glazed looks, "You are going to walk us out now." She stated, Ben glancing over at the door.

"Let's walk them out." They both agreed happily as a large guard, twice the size of the other guys walked through the curtain.

"What is this?" he demanded eyeing the guards with Ben and Rey, then spotted the holocron in Ben's hands.

His gun flew up and Ben immediately acted, his hand coming up as the guard moved to fire. Nothing happened and the guard started to laugh, "What do you think you are? A Jedi?!" he laughed and aimed at Ben.

Rey!! Ben yelled through the bond and force pushed the two complacent guards at the third as Rey pulled out her saber.

The two guards slammed into the big one just as he fired, Rey stepping in front of the shot with her saber just in time to deflect the bolt. Unfortunately the guards were getting up and blocking their exit to Finn.

This way! Ben yelled, taking off and igniting his saber as the large guard got up, yelling into his coms for back up.

Rey took off after Ben through the balcony doors, going back the way they came as two more guards burst through the hall doors, having Ben and Rey skid to a stop.

Ben turned back towards the railing of the balcony, Rey hot on his heals as he launched himself over the railing and down the steep hill. Rey didn't even think as she leapt after him her arms both windmilling as the ground was much further away then she anticipated. Blaster bolts hit the dirt around her and Ben was a few feet in front of her, keeping a slightly slower pace so she could keep up.

To their left they could see more security coming out onto the packed dirt of the race track to try to cut them off when they made it to the bottom of the hill.

Just follow me and stay close! Ben ordered her as he hit the solid ground and glanced over this shoulder at her, shots cutting the air all around them as the voices of the guards filled the air. He paused only to deflect the close shots back to keep the way clear for Rey as she made it to the track, before he spun on his heal and bolted to the pod racers that were in pit row. He eyed one made for a larger racer and A seat like a speeder, hopped in, hitting buttons and firing the engines.

Ben?! Rey questioned him as she jumped on the single style seat behind him just before he punched it, only allowing her enough time to switch off her saber and grab his waist. They took off like a bullet into the night the shots hitting the side of the pod as they did, yells of the guards barely even noticed over the sound of the engines roaring to life.

Let them catch us in this! He said triumphantly as the wind whipped Rey's hair around and she held on for dear life. The track was plunged into darkness as they headed out into open desert and he banked the pod to come around and headed in the direction of the ship.

Ben drew on every bit of the force as he dodged boulders and formations that materialized in front of the pod at blinding speeds and Rey closed her eyes, pushing her face into the middle of his back as they just missed a tall formation.

Ben reached down keeping his eyes on the terrain in front of him and hit the com's unit on Rey's wrist, "Finn, we've had a problem. Get back to the ship and be ready to leave. IMMEDIATELY!" He yelled and strained to hear the response over the noisy pod racer.

"I figured, there are alarms and guards everywhere so I stayed as long as I could before I had to go. I'm almost at the ship now."

Ben hit the accelerator as shuttle lights started to make their way after them and Rey squeezed him tighter, feeling him start to draw on her power as well to keep them safe. She closed her eyes and let her force flow unimpeded through to him as he kicked the speed up faster seeing the shuttle on an intercept path to where they needed to go to get to the ship.

Almost there….almost….there…Ben said as he dodged two more rock formations by mere millimeters, one exploding just as they passed it, a shuttle firing on them from behind.

KRIFFING HELLS! Rey exclaimed, using Ben's favorite term, her focus wavering for a moment before she split her attention, lighting her saber while hanging on to him with one hand, her head swiveling the best she could to track the firing shuttle.

It came around for another pass and zoned in on their trajectory, guns trained. Just before it fired the Falcon swooped in, lighting it up in a brilliant display of fire power and peeled off drawing another shuttle off the chase of the pod and after it.

Ben cut the speed a little and swerved through an arched rock formation, banking the pod tightly to come around to where the shuttle was. He slammed on the brakes and they both took off running as the perusing shuttle started to open fire, earth shattering around them as they ran.

They hit the ramp and the ship lifted off, guns firing, and ramp closing in one fluid motion. It peaked off at a steep angle throwing Rey across the ramp into Ben with bone crushing force and they both were sent into the wall, Ben twisting to keep her protected, taking the full weight of them as they slammed into the hard surface, his shoulder popping with a sickening crack.

"Arrrgh!" Ben roared as the pain hit him, his arms remaining locked around Rey as the ship banked steeply to exit orbit, vibrating only slightly as it smoothed out with the jump to light speed.

Rey could feel the pain shudder through her and she turned, Ben's eyes squeezed shut as he focused on his panting breaths, face pale.

"Oh stars! Ben….someone help us!" Rey hollered and shifted out of his vice grip.

Fahdar was suddenly beside them both, medbot in tow, "My Lord, lady!" she exclaimed seeing Ben's face dotted with sweat and getting greyer by the moment.

Rey didn't wait for the bot and took a breath, the pain burning through her via the bond, and she focused, lifting Ben up and onto the stretcher for the bot to push him down the hall to the small med bay.

After a couple scans and a quick shot, Ben was unconscious and the pain lifted from Rey's mind. She stepped back keeping an eye on the bot as it moved swiftly to shift Ben's arm and pop the shoulder back into place with an equally sickening, loud crunch.

Rey turned away at the noise, directly into Finn's chest, his arms automatically wrapping around her tightly.

"Are you okay?!" He breathed in her ear, relief flooding through him before he held her back at arms length to giver her a thorough check for injuries.

Rey frowned, "I'm fine Finn." She said hugging him again. "We got the holocron." She said, finally pulling away.

She was an absolute mess. Her hair was falling out of its intricate design all over the place with small cuts across her arms from her decent down the steep hill, and the battering of the blasts that through rocks and debris at her as she was running. The beautiful sheer blue skirt was ripped in several places with one of her sandal straps broken and hanging halfway off her leg.

Fahdar appeared at her side and gave her a once over as well, "Come my lady. Let's get you cleaned up. The medbot will have Lord Ben out for a short time while he fixes his shoulder." She said glancing at Finn for a moment before steering Rey towards the main chamber.

Rey found her voice and froze in her track, "See that the bot brings him to the chamber when he is done." Rey said firmly, discouraging any arguments.

"As you wish my lady." She said, quickly turning back into the med room for a moment, and giving the bot her orders.

"I will give you some time." Finn said glumly and slunk off towards the cockpit.

Rey sighed but was to tired to deal with her friend for the moment and she turned on her heal and headed to the main chamber. Fahdar closed the doors behind them both and shooed Rey into the washroom, making quick work of the mess left in her hair before suggesting firmly that she use the refresher.

Rey scrubbed herself clean as quickly as she could, and when she got out the tattered dress was gone. She slipped into the fluffy robe, existing the washroom to find Ben laying in the large bed, color much better in his cheeks.

Fahdar had laid out another loose pair of pants and top on the empty side of the bed and had dimmed the lights before exiting.

Ben's jacket was over a chair with his saber and the holocron sitting on the side table and Rey sighed with relief. She padded over to the clean clothes and quickly dressed just before Ben started to stir, his eyes immediately searching for her as they opened.

"It's okay," Rey said crawling onto the bed to sit at his side, "We are clear and on our way." She added to ease his sudden anxiety.

Ben sighed and relaxed into the pillows, "Are you okay?" He asked taking in her cuts and scrapes in the dimly light room.

Rey nodded with a tired smile, "I'm fine, now that you are." She said reaching out to smooth some hair off his forehead.

Ben inched himself up a little higher in the bed, grimacing a little at the lingering pain from the repairs that the medbot had completed and reached out to get the holocron, turning it over in his hands, examining it.

"Do you know how it works?" Rey asked, watching him study it closely.

"No, but we will be with someone soon who should." He said the cube seeming to hum with power in his hands.