Rey

I had a decision to make.

I could go back to base, to Finn and Rose and Leia. Pick right back up where I'd left, and fight with the Resistance against the First Order.

Or, I could go to my mate.

I stared out at the specks of light in the black void in front of me, and thought, really thought about both options.

Base was familiar, comforting. I knew what was expected of me and what to expect from the people around me.

Leia had been the only mother I had ever known. But, she'd asked me to bring her son home. If I returned without him, I'd feel as if I were letting her down, and I wasn't sure I could handle that.

There was Finn, who was my best friend. He'd been my first friend. He'd come for me in Star Killer Base. That had been the first time anyone had ever come for me, and just a week ago, he'd gone to Naboo to save me.

I'd told him that I'd left the base, and stayed gone, on my own, but if I was being honest with myself, I couldn't blame him or the others for not believing me.

They'd only seen Kylo Ren. And, he had certainly proved himself capable, and fully willing, to use his skill set to force other people to do his bidding.

There was Rose, who I'd grown close to since the Battle of Crait. She'd taken me in, and patiently answered all of my questions about life off of Jakku. I'd gone from cleaning the sweat and grit off of me only when I had water to spare, which was not often, to having access to a hot shower daily.

My moon cycle had been delayed, the base doctor had told me it was from years of exertion and starvation, and when I'd seen blood in my panties that first time, Rose had gently explained it to me.

The memory of that took me back, because the Bond had brought Ben to me, as it always did whenever we were hurt or in trouble. It had been my first experience with menstrual cramps, and I was in bed. I'd been absolutely mortified when I looked up to find him standing next to my bunk.

He'd asked me what was wrong, and I'd told him the truth, his eyes softening with understanding.

He'd assured me that he could help, and asked if he could touch me. I'd just nodded, and felt his hand on my lower back, applying pressure. I'd looked up at him in amazement when the pain subsided.

"How do you know-?" I'd asked.

His mouth pressed into a thin line. "Han used to do this for my mother."

When he'd disappeared shortly after, the pain returned.

That memory made my chest ache. It had been right before The Battle of Hoth.

Now, I was sure that he'd used the Bond to find me that day he'd rescued me. Back when I felt the connection between us like a tether but didn't know yet exactly what it was.

Poe had rightly assumed that I was protecting Kylo Ren, but I'd willingly betrayed him, and the entire Resistance to keep Ben safe. Because I loved him, and couldn't imagine a life without him.

I was a lying piece of traitorous filth.

Not only because of what I had done to save Ben, but also what I was still willing to do.

He'd gone back to his First Order after I'd done the very thing that he knew I would do. I'd rejected our Bond, rejected him. It was the reason he hasn't told me from the beginning, and I'd proved him right.

Of course he was bitter. Of course he was angry.

Of course he'd hidden behind his mask of Kylo Ren.

The words Chewie told me still haunted me.

If I was going to accept Ben, I had to accept all of him.

But, could I be Mated to Kylo Ren?

I let my mind wander, considering.

I could go to the First Order, and make the changes that needed to be made.

The trafficking of children would stop, immediately. Those who could be returned to their families, would be. Those who couldn't would stay on, and I would oversee their education and care.

We'd work together to end poverty and hunger across the Galaxy, to bring peace before democracy was restored, when we could walk away with our consciences clear.

We could finish our training together, taking in others like us.

He could be….Ben. He'd never have to be Kylo Ren again.

Never again used for his power. Never again tortured or abused

And, I could bring him home to Leia, and she'd help us train a new generation of Jedi, just as I'd seen in my Force vision.

I'd be his wife. His mate. And, since we would walk away after restoring the republic, there'd be no assassins after Ben. Or after me. Or, after any children that I would give him.

We'd be safe.

We'd be a family.

I sat up, knowing I'd made my decision and set course.

oOo

Two TIE Fighters escorted me on either side when I approached The Finalizer.

I'd told their command that I was turning myself in, and requesting a private meeting with Kylo Ren.

I couldn't help but remember the last time I'd come for him, on The Supremacy.

He wasn't waiting for me as he was last time, and two stormtroopers put me into stun cuffs, and took me to the throne room.

When the metal door slid open, I spotted Kylo Ren in the middle of the room, seated in a high backed chair.

He was in all black, with his helmet on, the back of it covered by the hood of his cloak.

He waved a gloved hand and the troopers, as well as his guard, all filed out.

I felt ice creep up my spine as he stood, and strode closer. But, I ignored it, knowing that I was only reacting this way because the last time I'd seen him like this was on Star Killer Base before….well, before things got complicated.

"Before you say anything, I just…." I sighed. "Could I speak first?"

He stopped, waiting.

"I'm sorry." I told him. "I was selfish and naive, and I regret every single word of what i said to you when I rejected the Bond."

His head tilted to one side, and I wished that he'd take off that helmet so that I could have an idea of what he was thinking. But, he stood a few feet away, staring at me.

I guess that was fair after what I'd done.

"I know that it may take a while for you to trust me, but I'm willing to work and earn it back." I offered. "If you're willing?"

No reaction. Not even an indication that he'd heard me.

Ok, I deserved that.

"I don't know if you'd even still have me, but," My heart thundered in my chest as I took a breath. "I accept the Mating Bond."

I felt a crack, deep in my soul, as every piece of me fell away, replaced by tethers that anchored me to him.

His life, his entire existence flashed before my eyes, and fused with my own memories until I wasn't sure where he ended and I began.

His thoughts, his feelings, his senses, his being, belonged to me now, coursing through the ties that took root in my chest, and sang to life between us.

I felt its pull immediately, tugging me...back?

Toward the door.

And, down. Into the belly of the ship.

That's where Ben was, I could feel it.

So, then, who was….

I swallowed, looking at the man standing in front of me, panic rattling the Bond.

"Oh." Kylo Ren purred, as if he'd just figured it out. His voice was off, even under the modulator.

I broke out in a cold sweat.

"You're his mate." He drawled.