Last time on WO: Ben gives Rey the sex talk (sort of-parts of it anways) after a heated make out. And a tentative strategy for Onderon is talked about. But mostly Ben was embarrassed.

Ben woke up in Rey's arms, and he sighed happily. He'd missed this. Her smell, and her warmth, the comfort he had emanating from the bond at how close they were. He shifted his hips away from her, especially since she knew what his hardness meant. Not that he was embarrassed per say, neither of his reaction to her body, or of her knowing that it affected him. Still, he didn't want her to wake up to that. Or feel any pressure. He mostly wanted to let her lead. Though he could feel her emotions through the bond, and he would know if she were uncomfortable, but he wanted that control to be in her hands. But then he remembered that he'd been the one to ask to kiss her, but somehow that felt different than exposure to that overtly sexual reaction. Though from what he understood, kissing was often the gateway to other things, he didn't know how much she really understood even with his fumbling explanations the night before.

He felt her waking, the awareness in the bond clueing him in. She nuzzled into his shoulder and he could feel her lips turn up into a smile. "This is nice. I'm glad we figured things out."

"Me too," Ben replied, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"Do you think you could help me walk? I'm tired of the drones and that blasted chair," Rey said. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms over her head.

"I think I can manage that," Ben got up and supported her under her arms, and pulled her to her feet. She only wobbled a bit, which was a good indication that the med droids did a good job of keeping her muscles worked and limber. "Anywhere in particular?"

"Fresher?" Rey said.

"Okay. How much support do you want?" Ben asked.

"I don't know. Just don't let me fall," she turned her head towards him and winked. She knew the last thing Ben would ever do is hurt her on purpose.

He smiled back and stood behind her, letting go of her arms. She stood still for a couple of seconds, testing her balance. She tentatively stepped forward, taking slow but steady steps. Ben smiled and followed her, watching her gait and looking both with his eyes and through the bond for signs of exhaustion, but didn't really find anything concerning. Whatever happened with her and Luke was nothing short of miraculous.

They'd reached the door to the fresher, and Ben, not paying attention to anything but the sway of her hips followed her in. He wasn't sure when he stopped watching her feet. But he was a man after all, walking behind a beautiful girl. One who despite all the odds-and everything the girls at school had made him believe about himself-she liked him back.

"Uh, Ben? I got it from here," Rey said, glancing in the mirror to see what he was doing. He was staring… at her butt? Rey chuckled and Ben blushed.

"Yeah… Of course. Sorry. I'll just be, um, not here."

Rey smiled at him walking out the door. Poor Ben; he blushed so easily, but she loved it. That he felt as out of sorts, slightly out of his mind-in the best of ways- at their connection and exploring their new status. They were... well she wasn't really sure what the word for it was. But they felt more than friendship for each other, and they kissed each other, so she would have to find out what the words are for that.

Rey finished and went to the mirror, examining her face and hair. The braids were beginning to come out, so she took them down and brushed out her hair. It had waves, something that she wasn't used to. Her hair was usually straight, and she put it up almost constantly because of her work on Jakku. Well, she wasn't going to be climbing starships, or dealing with taking apart or assembling parts, so she just left it down. She noted that her face was paler than she remembered from glances, but she guessed that being infirm and indoors for so long would do that. Rey brushed her teeth and finally went back out to rejoin Ben.

"Ben? Do you think we could go outside? I miss it so much?" Rey asked.

Ben had been sitting on the chair by her bed, and snapped his head up when he heard her voice. Oh, Force. He thought to himself. Her hair was down, flowing down her back in curls, loose and shiny. Ben swallowed. Something about her hair and her standing there, leaning on the doorway staring at him did something to him. He was half hard and he sighed at his lack of control. He thought of his mom and Han kissing and it effectively made it where he could get up and go over to Rey.

"Yeah, there is a courtyard where we can sit, and Luke could bring some books for us to go over. See if we can find anything about force protections we might face," Ben answered. He mentally calculated the distance to said courtyard he'd passed the many times to and from the med ward. "You just have to promise to tell me if you get too tired, okay. Walking is still new to you after your injury."

Rey smiled, and nodded eagerly. It was cute how worried Ben was, she thought, although he better get over it sooner rather than later. Since her parents, she hadn't had anyone really to look after her or be concerned with her until she came here. Jemma, the woman that was her neighbor back on Jakku, had given her a few portions here and there, but she had died a few months after her parents diappeared. She fell trying to get a part and broke her leg. Rey had never seen anything like it, the bone jutted out of her leg, and Rey wanted to vomit any time she looked too closely. Rey had been the one to find her and put her on the large piece of smooth metal Rey and her parents used to load up their finds and drag to the outpost. It took a long time because the woman was heavy, but Rey got her back to her tent. Then it was Rey's turn to share a few portions. At Rey's young age, she couldn't spare enough for any bacta patches or remedies, so when infection set in, a horrible smell that filled the tent, and the oozing and blackened flesh she saw when she accidently caught a glimpse of the leg Rey hated it but she knew there was nothing to do at that point and had to watch her die. At least it was quick.

Ben's voice startled her out of her thoughts. SHe hadn't thought about that in years, probably blocking it out for good reason. "Rey? Are you okay?" He'd felt such strong guilt, revulsion and pain through the bond. He couldn't imagine what she'd been thinking about, but he knew that she might be thinking about her past. Life on Jakku had to be hard at the best of times, then unforgiving, and brutal at the worst. He sent her some comfort and she gave him a weak smile.

"Bad memories," she commented. "So, where is this courtyard? I want the sun on my face again." Rey tried to shake off the feelings, she just wished that she would have asked Mashra about her parents. She was so small, and it made her furious that she could remember something like her death, but not the truth of her own parents. Rey just hoped that she and Ben could find out something one day, or find someone who did. She wasn't overly optimistic. She couldn't remember her last name, and unless people at Niima were holding out, no one else knew either. About her family name or anyone disappearing on a ship. If they were dead, and she'd really buried them there would be no way to know even if she could find the ship where they were buried.

Ben felt the eagerness and happiness once and again, and took her hand. They left her room and he made sure to shorten his strides and be mindful of when she might be getting tired. Before they got far, they met Leia coming around the corner. She grinned at their joined hands, and the content smile on her son's face.

"Look at you, Rey! Did you get my son to break you out?" She asked, keeping pace with them.

Rey nodded, smirking. "I think he just likes to watch me walk. Though he may have enjoyed the view more when he was following me." Oh, force. I have no idea where that came from. This is his mother.

Ben's mouth flopped open. Kriff, Rey was going to kill him. Maybe death by embarrassment. He felt a wave of mischievousness when she'd said it, and then after a beat, humiliation. At least he wasn't alone.

Leia barked out a laugh. "I like you, Rey. You'll keep Ben on his toes." She glanced at him and decided to have a bit of mercy. "Luke wanted to meet you for breakfast and he has some books he thinks might be a good start. He's almost done with students for the morning."

"Do you mind having him meet us at the courtyard up ahead. Rey wanted to go outside," Ben asked.

"Sure thing, we'll meet you soon." Leia answered, leaving them to their devices.

"What was that?" Ben said, attempting a stern voice, though his smile undermined it.

"Well you were checking out by butt, Solo," she paused. "It just came out though. I wasn't thinking really, that I was saying that to your mom." She giggled and looked away, sheepishly.

"Well, I'll get my payback, just you wait," he quipped back. Maybe some remark to his dad, he'd just have to time it right. Although in front of Luke may have more impact. "But I can start with this." He steeped in front of her, wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her neck a few times before cupping his hands around her side and tickling her.

She giggled and when he didn't stop, snorted. "What are you doing?" she asked through her laughs.

Ben felt a wave of sadness. Either her parents didn't tickle her or she was too young to remember it. He pushed that down, and smiled down at her. "Getting you, now that I know you are ticklish I have a new way to make you laugh."

It felt strange, but in a good way. Rey needed a break, so she decided to distract him. She thought of what he was watching her earlier, and it gave her an idea. She reached around him and lightly grabbed his rear end.

He squeaked in surprise and then relaxed into it. That is until she pinched. It didn't hurt, but it did catch him even more off guard. He smirked and met her eyes, raising his eyebrow. He had said it before, but nevertheless, it bore repeating. Rey would be the death of him. But oh, what a way to go.

Rey laughed and released him. "Geez, Ben. What are you waiting for?" She took his hand again and started walking. Of course she didn't really know where she was going, but for now the hallway was straight.

By the time they reached the courtyard, Rey had slowed considerably, but she was still steady on her feet, so Ben didn't comment. It was still empty, being out of the way, early in the morning, and Luke and Leia would take just a bit longer. Ben pulled Rey into his lap on a bench, and thought about kissing her, but she was looking around with wonder and contentment that he didn't want to disturb her.

"I've never seen so much green," she sighed. "My window gave only a hint of it, and I couldn't always have a great view."

Ben smiled, and vowed to show her other systems. Snowy and cold, humid ones filled with all sorts of flowers, and definitely ones with an ocean. But for now, she seemed more than content staring at the grass, trees and the new wildlife that came with such a different climate.

Before long, Luke and Leia showed up with breakfast and stacks of books. Ben eyed them warily. The amount of books never seemed to end. Reading Jedi texts was a mixed bag, and he'd been doing it for years. Rey soon realized this-she would excitedly share something she didn't know before (even when it didn't have to do with force shields or how to counter traps.)

Rey could read Basic, and bits and pieces of other languages. The first time she handed over a book to Ben she seemed embarrassed since no one else mentioned they couldn't read whatever section they were working on. Ben smiled and didn't seem to think anything of it, before switching what he was reading with hers.

It was much longer than anyone expected but after Rey was quiet for some time without sharing something she found interesting that she finally proclaimed "Jeez, some of this is dry."

"Welcome to the club, Rey. You just completed your next level of padawan training and I believe even set a record." Ben said.

"What kind of record? I didn't even know I was actively training to be a Jedi."

"It really is pretty remarkable. The amount of text that you read without complaining," Luke said with a chuckle. "So, how about a break?"

They sat around and enjoyed the sunshine and it wasn't until after a droid brought them lunch, that they dove back in.

**AN: Would dating be the word they'd use for their relationship in the star wars universe? I couldn't recall it being called anything in particular. Or even addressed in the movies, or the novelizations of 7, 8, or 9. I'm still so new to all of this so forgive me.

And I still get great pleasure out of embarrassing Ben.**