The Pivotal Moment
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A/N-thank you to everyone who reviewed the previous chapter. I really appreciate it. Ah, we are on the dreaded thirteenth chapter. Not my lucky number. Be kind….
Chapter Thirteen-The Calm Before the Storm
The Millennium Falcon hurtled through hyperspace like it was on the crest of a wave. Its signature speed was a direct result of its hyperdrive, a propulsion system that pushed the vessel to lightspeed-though Han Solo boasted that the ship could travel even faster. This time Ben hoped his father was wrong. He would rather get to their destination a little slower in order to give him a few more seconds to get his shit together. He was once again donning Kylo Ren's robes and he was drowning in bad memories.
Their destination was the Supremacy-disparagingly nicknamed Snoke's boudoir to those brave enough to speak their mind about the Supreme leader-it was a Mega-class Star Dreadnought that served as the flagship for the Supreme leader and the mobile headquarters of the First Order. It was a capital ship built on a nearly unimaginable scale; the Supremacy was a fast flying wing more than sixty kilometres wide.
"Ben…Ben!"
Ben tried to focus his attention on Rey's lovely face as she spoke his name. Her hazel eyes were wide, filled with concern, for him. "I'm okay." He lied badly.
"I know that's not true." Rey leaned out of her co-pilots seat just enough so she could reach for his hand. Her fingers were cool as they curled around his. "We can do this." She said firmly, sounding like she actually believed it.
"How can you be so confident?" Ben didn't want to let go of her hand but was forced to when a light on the console began to flicker. He sighed, flicking a few switches. They were approaching their destination already.
Because we defeated him once before.
Rey's response was like a ringing endorsement in his head. He glanced over at her, his posture relaxing slightly.
You remember what we have to do?
Rey's response was a sharp nod of acknowledgement. They had been over and over the plan in their heads until they got sick of it. Their communications radio crackled as a tinny voice demanded they announce themselves. It was coming from Snoke's ship. Ben closed his eyes briefly, his jaw clenching as he forced himself to respond.
"This is Ren! I'm engaging the landing sequence now. Inform the Supreme leader of my imminent arrival and tell him I have a prisoner aboard."
There was a surprised crackle on the other end, before an immediate confirmation followed in a much more respectful tone. Ben scowled, cutting off the communication signal before he lost it completely. He turned to look at Rey, she was as tense as he was now. This was it, there was no backing out now.
"Rey- "He began.
"Ben, I have something for you." Rey cut in quickly before he had a chance to talk further. She rose hastily from her seat and opened a secret compartment with a flick of a switch. "I know you weren't comfortable taking Luke's saber. I know you only accepted it as a gesture to appease him. So, I brought you this…"
Ben looked at Rey curiously as she produced another saber. He stared at it, confused, but also feeling a faint recognition. The lightsaber was calling to him. He was itching to hold it in his hands. Without realising what he was doing, he flexed his fingers and the mysterious saber flew out of Rey's grasp and directly into his. He ignited it and the blue plasma blade hummed to life.
"Where did you get this?" He murmured in awe.
"Ahch-to." Rey confessed. "Luke had it hidden away. It belonged to…"
"Leia." Ben stood up, swinging the saber back and forth in his hand, getting to know the feel of it. It was lighter than his old weapon, it felt more fluid in his grip, comfortable, safe. After a moment he shut it down, his dark eyes meeting Rey's. "I'm going to shove this right through Snoke's heart." He vowed. "It will be a blow from my mother."
Rey smiled grimly. Now this was fighting talk. All her worries about giving Ben Leia's lightsaber, and his reaction to it, were diminished. She had stolen it at the last minute, right before they had left the island with Luke in tow. She had felt Leia's saber calling to her the whole time she had been on the island, and now she was glad she had taken it.
Ben walked with purpose; his whole being focused on staying in character. Rey was in front of him, shackled between two stormtroopers. Captain Phasma strode confidently beside him, her distinctive armour of salvaged chromium glinting brightly in the overhead lighting. She had been there to greet him off the ship, an impressive array of Stormtroopers arrayed behind her. Phasma had the command of the First Order's legion of stormtroopers and had a fierce reputation, she had no use for fancy titles and didn't suffer fools gladly.
They had reached the main command bridge. The bridge sat upon a massive structure at the centre of the ship, which had a similar design to that of the Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought, and to a lesser extent the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. The bridge had access to displays allowing 360-degree views over everything within the city scape like structures on the main wing of the destroyer.
"You can leave now." Ben ordered Phasma sternly when she had finished bringing him up to date on the First Orders pursuit of the scumbag resistance.
"They won't outpace us for long." She sneered.
"I said you can leave now!" Ben snapped impatiently. "I'll take charge of the prisoner and bring her to the Supreme leader."
"Those weren't my orders." Phasma said bitingly.
"Are you questioning mine, Captain Phasma?" Ben's voice purred.
Phasma recognised that tone. "Of course not. It's just the Supreme leader- "
Phasma's airways were cut off as Ben extended his arm, his fingers outstretched. He noticed Rey's eyes widening in alarm as she looked at him and he winced slightly. This was all a part he had to play. He had to put Phasma in her place. He suddenly relaxed his chokehold on the impertinent captain and she dropped to the floor, gasping for breath.
"Do not question me again." He stated coldly as he dismissed the stormtroopers caging Rey and took hold of her arm, leading her further down the bridge and out of sight.
As soon as turbolift's doors closed behind them, Ben took Leia's saber, which was hidden under his belt and ignited it, surprising Rey as he slashed at the cameras, sending sparks flying. "There are eyes everywhere." He growled by way of explanation.
Rey took a deep breath, steadying her nerves. In a few minutes they would reach Snoke's throne room. She didn't feel ready. The shackles felt heavy on her wrists. "Ben." She whispered.
"I know." Ben shut down the saber and hooked it under his belt again. He noticed Rey trembling slightly and he took her face in his hands. "We can do this!" He said firmly.
"We can do this!" Rey echoed him.
Ben leaned down and kissed her, his lips brushing hers. Not innocently, like a tease but hot, fiery, passionate and demanding. Rey's fears fell away as she kissed him back just as hungrily, her hands suspended in front of her because of the shackles, yearning to break free of them so she could touch him, pull him closer. She needed, wanted him, so badly, so desperately, it was like a violent ache in her heart.
"Ben." She whispered. "Ben."
Unexpectedly, his hand drifted to her hip. It settled there and pulled her closer. Rey inhaled sharply. She was against his warm chest; she could feel the chiselled muscles underneath his black tunic. His breathing quickened as did hers. He began nuzzling her neck with delicate kisses. So faint, they were whispers. Rey knew she needed to take control and focus her mind on what lay ahead, but she couldn't. What if this was the last time, she got to savour his lips! His closeness! This wonderful intimacy!
Her limp body began to tremble uncontrollably. His head was angled slightly to the side as his lips came closer and closer to hers. Rey was surprised to find her own lips parted in anticipation of another soul searing kiss. Their breaths mingled. Her heart fluttered inside her chest. At first, it was a delicate butterfly of kiss. Then his arms encircled her and the kiss deepened to almost bruising intensity.
Rey's brain lit on fire and the warmth spread throughout her entire body. His kisses were both her salvation and her torment. She lived them and would die with the memory of them on her lips.
That is not going to happen.
Ben's voice was a soothing murmur in her head as he finally pulled away from her. Rey took an unsteady breath and turned away from, her lips still tingling like crazy.
It's time.
The doors to the turbolift opened to reveal the vast throne room. Rey and Ben breathed deeply in unison as they stepped inside…
A/N-thanks for reading! Please review…
