Chapter 25 healing

*Last time on WO: Ben hangs with Poe, Rey pushes herself hard physically, and comes to another misguided conclusion that Ben is in love with Poe.*

After Ben recounted what was going on to Poe, he sat quietly for a minute then laughed. "So, basically your mom tried to help. Senator Leia Organa, mediator and master speaker clashed with giddy mom who sees her kid truly happy and balanced. Well, somewhat anyways, no offense Solo. But she said the one thing that would cut poor Rey down. And now we have a jealous Rey who is probably doing weird uncontrolled force stuff because she's emotional?"

"You're a jerk Dameron. I don't see how any of this is funny," Ben said, trying to reign in his temper.

"You gotta admit it's ironic with your mom. But now you know, Rey's got a thing for you."

"What makes you say that?" Ben grouched. "It just hurt her feelings, preyed on a weakness."

"Are you blindly in denial, or just that laser brained? That girl is jealous, she thinks that you're with someone else."

"Hey boys," Luke said as he came around the corner, effectively halting that conversation. Not that Ben minded, he thought that Poe was off his rocker. More than usual.

"Sup, Luke. How's it hanging? Actually don't tell me, you never give me the time of day," Poe said from his place on the floor, scrolling through a holo about ships.

Luke rolled his eyes, something that must be against some Jedi rule somewhere, but Poe could do that. Bring out the exasperation in someone while at the same time being so charming that it made you smile. Or in Luke's case not frown. "Just checking on Rey. Have you seen her?"

"No, we've been sitting here for hours. Solo Jr. here is too much of a coward to knock," Poe said, waggling his eyebrows.

Ben shoved Poe's shoulder, this time not holding back the slight force push to it.

"Umph. Well, he has the muscle even if not the courage or the brains. Can you believe that he still isn't convinced homegirl is into him? Jealous, I'm telling you, I see it all…"

"Thanks Poe for the enlightenment this morning, but if you'll excuse me," Luke said, gesturing to the panel. Luke couldn't help but be relieved that Poe had shown up when he did, and help mellow out Ben and distract him.

"Tell her that I want to meet her, I can tell her all kinds of stories about her boy," Poe said, saluting Luke. "I've got to go check in with mom, she might be ready to go, but I won't leave without saying bye, Ben. And of course meeting the lovely Rey, if she'll have me."

Ben sighed as his friend walked away. Luke was just about to enter, but Ben whispered "Tell her… Well, that I… Just never mind." Ben ran his fingers through his hair and dropped his head into his hands.

Luke nodded, he felt pity for his hurting nephew, knowing that feeling helpless to emotions, especially other's pain, when you couldn't do anything about it was no easy feat. He patted Ben on the shoulder, and went in Rey's room. He felt her calmness and balance of the force as she meditated, breathing deeply even though the strain of healing, learning the force, and the bombardment of new emotions-both good because of Ben, terrifying with the sith's voice in her head influencing her, and hurt because of the misunderstanding and her extremely low self esteem.

Luke was sure that she was aware of him by now, but she made no move to leave her trance, so he pulled up a chair. He questioningly 'knocked' on her signature. He felt a hesitation, but she opened it for him, he joined her in the space just outside the room, there but not quite, you could reach when meditating. He marveled that she could do this, it took most of his students years to be able to enter that plane with someone else, if they ever gained the ability. Though, he should have learned by now to not underestimate Rey.

Luke's curiosity got the best of him, and he brushed up against the barrier to her brain. He felt a strong reluctance, and was just about to pull out completely when she dropped it all of the way. This was huge, something that they'd never done before. He'd only been able to push healing at the barrier, and at different points in her body and through her force signature. But something about the meditative state, as well as her willingness and trust gave him insight he'd never had to the way she'd protected herself and survived. He'd never seen anything quite like it, it was extraordinary, just like the girl who created it with little or no concept of the force.

Luke sent a question of permission the best he could, and he felt the nod somehow. He lightly pushed his force along the edges of her brain, carefully surrounding it, and finding all of the areas that it was still swollen.

Rey wasn't sure what would happen when she agreed to let Luke in her head, and past the barrier she'd made for protection and healing. But it was nothing like the force healings before. It felt like icy water crashing over her, somehow vast but also pinpointing places in her head. It didn't exactly hurt, but it wasn't comfortable. She turned all of her focus to keeping the barrier up, because every instinct was to slam it closed. It was sort of the same but completely different from when the sith had spoken to her. It was more akin to the bond that she shared with Ben, but much more clinical and detached.

She wasn't sure how long it lasted but a cold sweat had broken out on her face from the strain, and her exhaustion only heightened the longer it went on. She could almost hear whispers of encouragement from Luke and Ben, telling her to hang on, that it was almost over. She clung to that, and was so grateful for Ben's proximity. She curled around his force signature, trying to bury herself in it. A while later, seconds, minutes or hours later, she couldn't tell you, but Luke withdrew and she felt every shield snap into place. She couldn't keep her focus and her body felt strange, detached, her mind was fuzzy and blurry somehow. She only vaguely felt the signature of Ben and Luke, but she once again was drawn to the light and warmth, familiarity of Ben and attached herself as much as she could before her thoughts were no more.

Luke stumbled to the chair and lowered himself to it. He was getting too old for all of this. But he wouldn't change anything. Teaching his students, being a part of Leia's family, and now meeting this powerful, wonderful girl. He heard a tentative knock on the door, then it got louder.

"Luke, I know she is deep asleep, please let me in," Luke heard Ben pleading from the other side of her door. He didn't know the right thing to do, but he couldn't bear to hear the pain in his nephew's voice.

"Fine, one hour. Understand? If she starts waking up, you leave until she asks for you."

"Thank you," Ben said, wrapping his arms around Luke. Ben didn't know what was getting into him, first his mom and now his uncle. He hadn't hugged anyone besides Rey in years. He walked slowly towards Rey's bed, as if he might startle her. He could feel through the bond that there wasn't awareness of the outside of her mind, so he was careful not to push or disturb their bond. He finally laid his hand next to hers, not wanting to touch her until he was certain that she wanted it.

"What happened? The bond and her signature was all over the place," Ben finally asked after a bit.

"She let me in fully and I was able to do some healing without the barrier. I don't know what to expect when she wakes, but she was drained. I think that she pushed herself too hard earlier, maybe even reaching for the dark to help her be physically stronger. She's confused and there has been so many changes for her. But hopefully something helped, I don't know when or if she would let me in like that again."

Ben nodded, not really sure what to say, but still thankful for Luke being invested and doing all he could for Rey. They sat in silence, Ben could feel how tired Luke was, but he was calm-reaching for the force and centering himself once again. Ben's own eyes were heavy, but he didn't want to miss this time in case she didn't let him in again for a while. Time by her side was already passing so quickly, and he wished that he could climb in bed with her, share her pillow and warmth.

What felt like minutes- but Ben knew was far longer than an hour- Luke cleared his throat and motioned for Ben to come with him outside.

"Thank you," Ben said, sliding down the wall to the spot by the door he occupied earlier. "I know I should have left earlier, but she was so peaceful. I felt her waking up, or at least not being so deep under…"

"Ben, it's okay. Why don't you go get some sleep? I promise someone will get you if she asks for you or if anything changes."

"I don't want for her to be alone," he answered. He knew it was an unreasonable notion, she was so strong even in her weakness. Plus there are med droids and doctors everywhere. But if Luke was there, he knew that if the sith were to reach her, he could talk her down again. Ben could always try from a distance but the way things are he wasn't sure if Rey would welcome his presence.

"I've got her. It's only hours from dawn, I will get you shortly after, I have to teach this morning," Luke answered.

Ben hesitated at the door. He felt a surge of guilt. Luke looked tired and almost frail. "Go, son. I will meditate deep. I can rest but still feel any disturbances."

"Okay. A few hours?" Ben asked. When Luke nodded he turned and trudged down the hall. This bond was still so new, and this was the first time they'd been apart by choice save hours here and there when Ben was training. He wondered at how healthy it was, but then decided the force must have a reason.

Ben was interrupted from his musing with a jab to his kidney. "Oof," he pivoted to see Poe.

"Off your game Solo? You usually sense me from half a mile away."

"Well, you can never shut your mouth so it's not as much sensing as hearing you," Ben quipped.

"You might be right. Maybe. Ugh that hurts to say. Forget I said that," he lowered his voice and stuck his hand out in front of him.

"You nerf herder that's my move. And I do not sound like that."

"Whatever you say man, whatever you say. Anyways, you look like death warmed over, so go to bed. I just wanted to let you know that mom and I are headed out for some top secret stuff. I'd tell you but I'd have to kill you kind of thing. Take care and tell Rey I will meet her next time," Poe replied.

"Be careful. See you soon?"

"Yeah, yeah. The force with you and all that," Poe said, but Ben could tell he wasn't making fun, just Poe being Poe. He turned to leave, looked back and started back over to Ben. He gave him a quick hug, three pats to the back and left without another word.

What was with all the hugging? It didn't really bother him, although before Rey he'd grown quite used to being without physical touch. And now, it was really only her touch that he wanted.

Ben gave his head a shake and finished his walk to the dormitory and fell on his face, asleep almost before he reached the pillow.

**AN: I have decided to do a minor recap at the beginning of the chapers since I know I forget some details if I don't read a story straight through and/or am reading multiple fics at a time. If you hate it, let me know.

If you like what you're reading, let me know. If you like reylo let me know. :) **