The Pivotal Moment

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A/N-thank you for reviewing this story.

Chapter Seventeen-More Surprises

Niima Outpost was a junkyard settlement on Jakku. The outpost was named for and founded by Niima the Hutt after the battle of Jakku to capitalise on the new scavenging opportunities the battle created on the barren planet. Scavengers, like Rey, who salvaged materials from the technology leftover from the Battle of Jakku made up the backbone of the economy, but other branches such as black-market trading, mercenaries for hire, and other unlawful activities also existed.

Ben followed in Rey's light footsteps as she led him into the centre of the junkyard. He noticed she kept her head down as she walked, failing to make eye contact with any of the other dubious looking characters roaming around the outpost. In the centre of the all the chaos stood Unkar Plutts's concession stand. It was here the scavengers went to trade their finds in exchange for supplies. On the outskirts of the tinpot town were several different ships, of all varying sizes and shapes.

"I can introduce you to Plutt." Rey said suddenly as she drew to a halt a few meters from the awning roofed blockhouse that Unkar operated from. "He may be able to direct you toward someone who can give you a ride."

"Right." Ben rolled up the sleeves of his sweat soaked shirt. He was dying for a change of clothes. He felt naked without a weapon. Rey had her quarterstaff. All he had was his bare knuckles. Raking his fingers through his abundant hair, he looked over to where Plutt was holding court and he frowned. "I haven't exactly got anything I can trade right now to pay for passage on a ship." He confessed.

Rey shrugged. "You must have been in more tight fixes then this one. I'm sure your name alone will be enough."

"You expect me to trade on my name? I don't think so." Ben had difficulty hiding the sour note in his voice. His legacy had been like a chokehold around his neck his entire life. He hardly wanted to claim it here. His earlier elation at the heroic rep his counterpart seemed to enjoy in this universe was wearing off now as reality set in.

Rey stared at him, clearly confused by his outburst. "Well, it's not really any of my business. After I've made the introductions, we'll part ways."

Ben felt the panic begin like a cluster of spark plugs in his abdomen. Tension grew in his face and limbs as he tried to think of an excuse to keep Rey with him. He raked his fingers through his hair again in an unconscious gesture of anxiety.

"I could use a guide." He blurted out.

"A guide?" Rey looked at him oddly. "What for?"

"Um…" Ben fumbled for words, feeling like a complete idiot. He gazed back at Rey helplessly, willing his weary mind to come up with some convincing excuse. So much for the great Ben Solo, the commander of the Resistance's Starfighter corps! He was like a child fumbling around in the dark, helpless, lost and alone. He was dead on his feet and he felt himself actually swaying.

"Are you okay?" Rey asked in concern as she reached out to steady him with her hand.

"I feel a bit lightheaded." Ben confessed.

"I'm sorry. I should have thought of that. It's probably the aftereffects of heat stroke. You've had too much sun exposure." Rey gave him a compassionate smile as she steered him toward a handy rock. He leaned against it, his head swimming as dizziness overwhelmed him. "Here, drink this." She offered him her water flask.

"Thanks." Ben took it gratefully and tipped the water into his opened mouth. The glorious feeling it evoked as it slipped down his throat couldn't be described. He took another long draught, grateful when his rapid heart beat began to slow.

"Better?" Rey checked when he handed the flask back to her.

Ben nodded as he caught her concerned gaze and held it. He watched a growing blush dust her cheeks as something indefinable passed between them. Ben could feel their force bond simmering just below the surface, though he was certain Rey couldn't put a name to what she was feeling in that moment. A small frown appeared between her brows the longer they stared at each other. The force swirled around them, picking up momentum, vibrating, as it bound them together. Ben stepped forward as did Rey, their movements unconsciously mirroring each other.

"What's happening?" Rey whispered as a slight tremor rippled through her body. "Why do I feel- "

"BEN!"

A loud yell shattered their concentration. They were both left breathless and wanting as the yelling got louder and louder. Ben, breathing shallowly, reluctantly turned away from Rey to find the source of all the noise. He got the shock of his life when he saw the former stormtrooper, FN-2187, or Finn, running fast toward him.

What the hell was going on?

Ben stood protectively in front of Rey as Finn drew nearer. He was out of breath and panting hard when he reached them. He drew to a halt a few feet from Ben, taking a few minutes to steady his breathing before speaking.

"You made it!" He crowed, hitting Ben hard on the shoulder in an apparent show of delight.

Ben scowled, taking a defensive stance as he glared dangerously at Finn. "Back off!"

Finn's brown eyes widened in surprise. His dark skin was coated with perspiration. He was still breathing hard like he had been running a marathon. "What is wrong with you, Ben? Quit being a jerk! I've trekked across miles of desert to get here." He lowered his voice conspiratorially as if not wanting to be overheard. "I've found the Falcon."

"What?" Ben breathed.

"Its here, Ben. Old Plutt has it. Don't ask me how. Your tip off was right. Now we just need to recover it so we can get the hell out of here." Finn hissed. "Come on, we've wasted enough time on this detour as it is. If your parents hear about this…" He stopped talking suddenly as he finally seemed to notice Rey hovering behind Ben. His whole demeanour changed as a cocky grin lit up his face. "I'm Finn. And you are?"

"I'm Rey."

"Nice to meet you, Rey." Finn held out his hand toward her.

Rey-still reeling from the intense moment she had shared with Ben-shook it lightly. "Nice to meet you." She echoed him.

Ben's scowl deepened as he stepped in front of Rey again, cutting off Finn's view of her. It irked him the way Finn was looking at her. He was just about to tell the former stormtrooper to back off again, when something captured his attention, making his dark brown eyes widen in surprise. Hanging from Finn's belt was a lightsaber. He was totally caught off guard by the sight of it. Without realising what he was doing he called to it; the saber ripped off Finn's belt and flew into his hand.

"What are you playing at, Ben?" Finn demanded irritably, not seeming at all intimidated that Ben had just stolen his weapon. "We haven't got time for you to mess around trying to impress the girl with your Jedi mind tricks." He motioned toward Rey with his hand, a smile tugging at his full lips again as he glanced in her direction. "My superior charm always wins them over in the end anyway."

Ben's fingers curled around the haft of the borrowed saber. He fought the urge to ignite it. The feel of it was so familiar and alien at the same time. He wondered who it belonged to, until Finn pulled out something from a bag he had slung over one shoulder. It was another lightsaber. Ben's gaze was immediately drawn to it.

"I was keeping it safe for ya!" Finn laughed as he handed it to Ben.

Ben's grip loosened on the one that had been hanging from Finn's belt. He exchanged it wordlessly for the other one. The haft of this one felt perfect in his hand. It was well balanced, the hilt nestling firmly against his palm as he wrapped his long fingers around it. Without conscious thought, he ignited it. A blue plasma blade shot out, humming quietly like a well-tuned engine. He twirled it skilfully from side to side, his keen gaze never leaving the flickering blade.

Finn rolled his eyes. "Show off." He muttered, shaking his head. He noticed Rey gazing at Ben wonderingly. He chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ben, we've got to go. Rey, it was nice meeting you."

Ben shut down the saber and returned his attention to Finn. He had to be so careful. Everything in this universe was so confusing. He didn't want to arouse Finn's suspicions, and most of all, he didn't want to scare off Rey. He could tell their intense moment had shaken her up. From what little he could gather, it appeared that in this world, he and Finn were friends? He shook his head at the absurdity of that. Finn was force sensitive. He had a saber. Was he a trained jedi? Who had trained him? Luke? Had they been trained together? He had so many questions, but no way of finding out the answers without revealing he was an imposter.

"You said you found the Falcon?" He said, clearing his throat.

Finn was suddenly all business. "Yeah. Follow me." He headed off, expecting Ben to follow.

Ben turned to face Rey. She was standing tensely behind him, her expression pensive. "This is where we part ways." She declared. "Have a safe journey, Ben Solo."

Rey's eyes were hazel, but not a shade that could easily be described. They were the softest brown infused with green. She blinked and the beauty of her eyes was momentarily covered by the shield of her eyelashes; naturally long and soft looking. Ben wanted to stay lost in those eyes forever.

"Come with me." He begged, holding out his hand toward her. "Please."

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.