"So you're going into the belly of the beast," Chewie said after a low whistle.

Rey was keenly reminded of the night of the Harvest Ball, sitting in the dark around a table with Chewie, Maz, and Finn. Leia and Poe were missing, of course, but Ben's rigid frame more than made up for the lack. After Finn and his patrol companion had brought them to the manor, Ben had barely spoken. Which left the bulk of the tale to Rey to explain.

She couldn't tell if Chewie spoke in disapproval, but Finn made his opinion exceptionally clear. "This is madness," he said angrily. "What are you thinking, going back there all alone?"

"I won't be alone," she replied levelly, her eyes flicking over to where Ben sat quietly.

Finn rounded on Ben. "What have you got to say, Captain?" he spit out sarcastically. "What good do you think this'll do?"

Ben kept himself still, but he returned Finn's glare easily. "I don't recall you arguing last time."

"Last time we were getting her out of that place. Now you just want to drag her back in?"

"No one is dragging me, Finn," Rey interjected. "This was my choice, and I'm doing it."

Finn looked incensed, his head swiveling back and forth between Rey and Ben, but he settled for a frustrated huff rather than keep yelling. "And I suppose you won't want me to come along this time, either."

"Even if she did," Chewie spoke up, "you have obligations here that you promised to fulfill. And that'll serve the war better than if you disrupted Rey's plans."

Rey turned to him quickly. "What's happening? I don't have any idea of anything going on."

"Well, we had a nice job during the winter making runs to Endor, trying to convince those lollygaggers to make up their minds. Finn helped me with that, and they finally agreed last month. I don't suppose that information got to you, though."

Rey shook her head.

"Troops have begun gathering, but it took a while for anybody to decide on a command base. That's why we needed Endor."

"It's easiest to engage Snoke from their territory. They know that well, and didn't want the responsibility. Or the destruction," Ben muttered. Chewie acknowledged this with a brief nod.

"After they agreed, we sent a good number of fighters and horses down that way - your friend Rose went with them, to serve as a field physician. And Finn and I expected to join them with the rest of us by now, but Leia sent us a message a week ago telling us to hold off. Wouldn't say why."

"Maybe now we know," Maz said slyly with a pointed look at Rey and Ben.

"Maybe," Chewie conceded, "but I've got a feeling there's more to it than these two. Who knows? So we've been sitting here, biding our time, making our usual patrols and keeping the pass guarded."

"Anybody attempt to come through?" Ben asked, almost betraying eagerness even as he sat still.

"No. It was a pretty typical winter, but that's enough to block it up. Even if anybody successfully made it through the snow, our measures would have stopped them."

"But we'll be able to get through tomorrow?"

Chewie considered, but his expression was doubtful. "The snow's probably gone, but we might need a day to clear out our barricades, especially with less help around."

Ben huffed in frustration.

"If I had known you were coming, I'd have done something before you got here. Don't you roll your eyes at me, boy," Chewie stuck out a threatening finger, and Rey almost could have sworn she saw Ben quail under Chewie's scolding.

"We can't change what's been, so you'll just settle in for another day," Maz said gently, but no less firmly. "And it'll do you both good to get some decent rest before this last push of yours."

Ben looked ready to argue, but Maz stood forcefully before he could. "And on that note, I'd say we'd all better get to bed. Bacca, you show little Han here his place; I'll take Rey."

Rey glanced over to see Ben stiffen even more at how Maz referred to him, if that was possible. But Maz simply took her arm in hers, seemingly unperturbed by the frisson of tension that coursed through the room at her words.

Rey slept in the same room she had all those months ago, and she revelled in the luxury of a soft mattress under her body again. Taking turns at the watch and sleeping on the ground for the past few weeks made her more tired than she realized, and she drifted into slumber incredibly easily.

She awoke with the dawn, though; there was no escaping that habit, and she took to her feet quickly to observe the cloudy day outside her window. Perhaps it was Chewie's words the night before affecting her perception, but she could tell the land was more empty, its citizens gone off to an unknown fate. Because of her. All at once she was anxious, and she couldn't stay still. The walls were stifling. She dressed quickly, once more in borrowed clothes as Maz had insisted their few belongings be washed if they were stuck here for a day, anyway.

Rey's feet took her out to the stables, joined along the way by the bounding dog that bore his master's name. He calmed her with his happy, undemanding company, and she felt a smile cross her face as she buried her hands in his fur. The stables were quiet, but as she approached, she saw a door wide open. Curious, she walked in and saw a familiar, midnight-black horse being readied for a ride.

Of course she recognized Ben as he walked around Falcon, tightening straps and making adjustments to the equipment, but he looked vastly different. He was clad only in a loose maroon tunic, dark pants, and his black boots, and it was an unexpected sight. Compared to the thick layers she was accustomed to seeing him in, he almost looked relaxed, as though it were an ordinary day and he was taking his horse out for a pleasant gallop. He murmured to Falcon as he worked, and when Falcon nickered in return, his entire face softened in a fond expression. Rey was afraid of intruding on this private moment, but Ben turned to her with curiosity in his eyes. He didn't seem at all surprised by her appearance.

"Not leaving without me, are you?" she attempted a poor joke.

He didn't share in her levity. "I wanted to get a look at the barricades Chewie mentioned," he replied. "Get started on taking them down."

She nodded. Of course he wouldn't be deterred by anything. "You weren't going to wait for anyone?"

"It's best if I go up there alone. Your friend the guard could have let everyone know who I really am; I don't want to take the risk of someone jumping me on the way up the hill."

Rey wasn't terribly pleased at his assumption of Finn's behavior, but she couldn't entirely blame him for it. "I'll go with you," she said, stepping further into the stable.

"No, you wait for everybody else," Ben said gently. "They'll be set off in a panic if you're gone without an explanation."

"What about you?" she argued.

"You're my witness," he replied with a smirk. "And if you weren't, Chewie would have known the instant he saw Falcon's stall empty."

"Is it . . ." she hesitated. "Is it good to see him?" she asked, gesturing to Falcon.

His lip curled into that reluctant half-smile. "It is. He's been with me for a long time; he would have come in handy these last few months if some scavenger hadn't been so stubborn."

"You didn't have to give him away," Rey retorted, and that corner of Ben's mouth deepened.

"Yes, I did," he said shortly, but not unkindly, his eyes still on Falcon. "Your need was greater."

"What's this?" a booming voice sounded behind Rey, making her jump. She turned to see Chewie walk in, and his namesake barked happily at the sight of him.

Ben's face became a blank. "Just getting a start on the barricade," he replied, his grip on the reins he held a little tighter.

Chewie nodded a few times. "I was hoping to catch you before you got going. We've got breakfast begun; you should eat something."

"I'll eat later."

That familiar feeling of wanting to slap some sense into Ben Solo arose again, and she steadied herself with a quiet, slow breath.

"I wanted to talk to you, too, kid," Chewie said.

"We'll talk later," Ben said, and without another word, he swung himself up into the saddle. Chewie placed an unyielding hand on his leg before he could nudge Falcon along, though.

"I'll hold you to that," he said seriously, and Ben finally looked directly at him.

"Later," Ben said again. With a dig of his heels, Falcon was off, and Rey instinctively jogged after them as Ben guided his horse out, their pace quickening along the road until they reached a gallop, far beyond the reach of her voice.

Chewie came up behind her, and for a few minutes they watched Ben in silence, his figure getting smaller and smaller. Then Chewie heaved a sigh.

"That boy," he mused aloud. "Too much like his father; had to always be on the move, and didn't trust anybody to take care of a job better than he could. Come on, let's get some food in you. Can't leave that kid alone to take apart everything with his bare hands by himself."

The small group of workers, of which she, Chewie, and Finn were a part, gathered at the mouth of the canyon, and made fairly quick work of Chewie's barricades, demolishing the blocks with gusto. The real trick was dismantling the traps that were spread along the path a couple of miles into the pass. Rey worked alongside Finn most of the time, her fingers growing raw with untying ropes, and sweat pouring off her brow as they shifted timber and stone of varying sizes. Every once in a while she would catch a glimpse of Ben, who worked tirelessly, barely taking a break to get a drink of water. His hair was drenched with sweat, slicked back in odd places, other strands stuck along his forehead. His arms strained as he took on the heaviest work himself. She thought he just might kill himself, until Chewie stepped in and forced him to go a little slower. This was a relief; she wasn't sure he would have listened to her.

Chewie declared the work finished a little after midday, and when they arrived back at the manor, Maz took Rey in hand, ordering her in no uncertain terms that it was time for a bath. Rey wasn't about to fight her on that, and gladly followed her to the bathing room for a good soak.

Maz joined her once she was clean and clothed, sitting her down at the vanity in her private chamber and taking a comb to her tangled hair. Once the snarls were cleared away, the repetitive stroke of the comb through her wet tresses was soothing, and Rey was grateful for the trouble Maz was taking. But she couldn't entirely relax. There was one question she hadn't asked yet.

"What are the reports coming out of Naboo?" She was fearful of what Maz might say, but more afraid that Maz would refuse to answer. "I heard a few things, vague things, in the villages we resupplied in, but nothing more than that it wasn't good."

Maz made an expression of resigned agreement. "They weren't wrong. And I'm sure there's more than we know. You'll see for yourself in a couple days."

"I want to be prepared for it."

"Of course you do, child," Maz replied, still applying her hand to Rey's hair. "Snoke has managed to repress a good deal of the news coming out of there. It's been difficult to be sure of anything. We know he's increased recruitment -" Rey took in a hissing breath at that; as though he needed more bodies, "and now it's more forced. Troops coming in and practically stealing poor souls from their beds. More taxes to go toward maintaining the army, and preparing for battle, and a lot of people suffering from starvation and no money to rectify it. Some have resisted, but their efforts are rewarded with destroyed homes. I think many have gone into hiding, but it's hard to survive on nothing in the middle of winter. There's no telling what has happened to them."

Rey closed her eyes, a guilty pain filling her chest.

"But," Maz continued, her voice picking up, "there've also been rumors of some dissension in the ranks. Nothing absolute, and there are only whispers of it, but it seems that some additions to Snoke's army in the last few months have not been to his benefit. Maybe more people are willing to question his methods with the country suffering as it is, maybe you have more allies in the rank-and-file soldiers than you thought. But it's possible that Snoke's increased efforts are a desperate attempt to keep control that's slipping through his fingers.

"It's no help to your people in the short run, I'm afraid, but it might be good news for you." Maz laid a hand on Rey's shoulder.

"I don't care if it's good news for me if the people are still suffering," Rey declared. Maz raised her brow in a reproachful manner. "I know, I know I need to be thinking in terms of permanent peace and prosperity in the future, but I can't help being angry because of what the people are going through right now."

"Your compassion is a great gift," Maz observed with a smile.

"Is that what this is?" Rey asked fiercely.

"It is," Maz affirmed. "You wouldn't get so angry if you didn't care so much. It is difficult to not be able to fix the problems right away, and you will surely have many times you still feel impatient, but you're on the path. You will find your way ahead; I know it. And don't lose hold of your gift; it's one not many possess in such strength. It inspires you to help your people, and it allows you to see a man where many would only see the monster."

Rey pulled up at Maz's concluding statement, but Maz apparently was not going to elaborate. There was no doubt of who she meant, though.

"Now, if you would be a help to me, child," Maz said vigorously, gathering the damp towels on the floor into her hands, "and take these back to the bathing room, I would be obliged. Some of your clothes might have dried in the meantime, too, and you could grab them while you're there." And without further ado, she thrust the pile into Rey's arms.

The skirts of her light dress swished softly on the floors as Rey carried her load, her mind full of what Maz had said. The compliment to herself, the miserable reports of what was happening in Naboo, and the veiled reference to the man she had hardly been apart from for weeks. It was true that, if anybody outside of their small circle knew that Ben Solo and Kylo Ren were one and the same, they would likely see only the villain he insisted he was. And considering those years she had spent in Theed, knowing him only as the faceless servant of Snoke, it was a wonder that she had never hated him. Had she always been destined to see the man behind the mask?

These thoughts crowded into her brain as she distractedly pushed open the door to the bathing room. Just in time to see Ben, his back facing her, shedding himself of the maroon shirt that she had marveled at mere hours earlier. And all thought stuttered to a halt.

The muscles of his back flexed and smoothed as he tossed the shirt to the floor, and it was pure providence that she let out an uncontrolled squeak before he could follow suit with his trousers. In a flash, he turned around, and he froze in place, giving Rey plenty of time to take in the view from the front. She knew he was built like a mountain, but until this moment, surveying the firm planes of his chest and stomach, she never knew he was sculpted as though from marble. And his arms . . . oh, his arms. They looked capable of crushing an oak. And her.

He didn't look alarmed at her presence, and only watched her steadily, as if daring her to look away. But she couldn't. She was too caught at the sight of this man whose appearance made her mouth go dry and her palms inadvertently begin to sweat. It took every ounce of self-control simply not to lick her lips at the sight. He was solid, sinewy, and vital. Stars above, he was beautiful.

He walked toward her, his steps measured and purposeful. Look up, Rey! Look up! she shouted at herself, still trying to tear her eyes away from his torso. It was bad enough that he caught her looking at all, but it was humiliating that she couldn't stop gawking. Her breathing grew erratic as he came closer, and there was an unfamiliar thrumming in her body at his proximity, a dangerous intensity that threatened to crush her.

When he stopped directly in front of her, she finally looked up to see his eyes, already so dark, were nearly black, but with a gleam she could have sworn she'd seen before. Her body tingled, irritated and warm, and she didn't know how to relieve it. He lifted a hand, and she trembled. Was he going to touch her?

But he didn't. Instead, he tugged gently at the bundle in her arms, and as limp and useless as her hands were, the towels fell on the floor in a heap. His eyes followed them as they fell, and then he trained his gaze back on her.

"I . . ." she stammered, still unsure of how to form words, let alone sentences.

"I'll take care of them," he said softly.

She gulped, and then fled. If she stayed any longer, she would surely do something completely rash and entirely foolish.

Upon reaching the safety of her room, she flattened herself against the door, just in case somebody tried to barge in without knocking. She didn't know if she was presentable, certain as she was that she was flushed as red as a tomato. There was also the question of if she would ever be able to speak coherently again. Until she calmed her body's overwhelming reaction, it wouldn't do to see anybody.

This pulsating energy that refused to abate was entirely new. Yes, she had secretly indulged in her romantic daydreams about Ben, and been scrupulously honest with herself about the pull she felt toward him when he laid his eyes on her. She had even vaguely wondered what it would be like to kiss him. But those passing moments when the possibility had occurred to her seemed incredibly delicate and innocent in comparison to what she felt now. This feeling, this raging instinct that took over her entire body, was far more violent and consuming. This was blatant. This was desire.

She had managed to restrain her instincts in his presence, besides the obvious mortification of being unable to look away from him. But she wanted. She had never wanted before, but now she felt the urge to give full rein to her unlocked appetite. She wanted to touch - no, explore - the expanse of his chest with her fingers, and run her hands up to his shoulders. She wanted to feel those magnificent arms surround her. For the first time, she didn't merely wonder at what his lips would feel like pressed against hers, she yearned for the sensation.

Oh! This was exquisite. This was torturous. Rey threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in the covers. This was trouble.

Rey was heading toward the dining hall that evening when she was distracted by Ben's familiar timbre floating from the opposite direction. Without thinking, she went toward the sound, and stopped in the doorway of what looked to be Chewie's study. Chewie and Ben were standing by the fireplace, Ben leaning with both hands against the mantel, Chewie leaning in toward him. Their bodies blocked the flames, making shadowy silhouettes, and their voices were low, but it was clear they were arguing.

She thought she had learned her lesson about eavesdropping, but she couldn't stop being inquisitive and strained her ears to hear them. Besides, she reasoned, if either of the men turned or looked up, they would immediately see her. It wasn't as though she was hiding; she was just making sure to be completely silent.

" . . . shouldn't be afraid of rejection," she finally caught from Chewie's half-concealed profile.

"That's not what I'm . . ." Ben growled back, but she couldn't make out the rest. Her brow creased in thought. Had Chewie taken up her favorite argument and was now trying to convince Ben he could return to his family? She held her breath, afraid that even that quiet sound was interfering with her ability to hear what they said.

"There's not much time left," Chewie remonstrated, his voice growing a little louder. "You're going to need to make a choice soon."

Ben didn't reply to this, and Chewie's massive shoulders drooped a little.

"I'm not going to stop you, but what makes you think Snoke is going to step down quietly, even if everything goes as you plan?"

Ben lifted his head, turning it slightly to look at Chewie. Rey quickly pressed herself against the doorway, trusting to the darkness and their preoccupation to conceal her. "I don't expect him to," Ben responded darkly.

Rey blinked. He'd never expressed that doubt any of the times they discussed his plans.

"And what are you going to do about that little hiccup?"

"What I must."

She shivered. She'd heard that tone from Ben once before, when he had threatened Wes's life.

"And that's going to solve everything," Chewie censured dryly.

"I'll be doing everyone a favor. Most want him gone, and no one will miss him."

"Least of all you."

Rey could easily imagine Ben's eyes blazing in conjunction with the hair-raising virulence in his voice. "Do you really think I could forgive him for everything he's done to me, everything he's done to -" he cut himself off. "I bear the responsibility for what I've done, but he's been the voice in my head for years. If it weren't for him, none of this would have happened. And he can't be allowed to continue."

"Is that really your choice to make?" Chewie asked seriously.

"I need to be free of him, Chewie," Ben replied, pleading breaking through his anger.

"Yes," Chewie agreed. "But you're walking a thin line. Should he be removed? Yes. Does he deserve death? Most likely. But what if he does step down? Will you still do 'what you must' if he cooperates? Will you be free of him then, if you take your revenge in the name of justice?"

Ben turned back to the mantel, and Rey could hear the slow exhale issuing from him. Chewie walked around him, and picked up a long, thin bundle that was propped against a plush chair.

"I'm going to offer this to you again, Ben," he said quietly. "And I want you to take it. He would want you to take it. But if you do, you need to remember what it should be used for, how he used it. To defend yourself and those you love, yes, and even to kill when there's no other choice. But not to enact vengeance. That's not the action of a free man, a good man."

"And that's why I shouldn't take it," Ben said shortly. "Because I'm none of those things."

"That's why you should," Chewie rebutted, holding out the bundle, "to remind you of what you can become."

There was a tense silence, a drawn-out tableau of Chewie extending his arm, offering the concealed gift, and Ben staring at it as though it were poison. Then, quick as a whip, Ben's hand shot out and snatched it from Chewie, bringing it in close to him, hidden from Rey's view. But the firelight shone in Chewie's beady eyes, and she could see the beam of approval in his expression. Somehow, even though she had no idea what it was, her breast filled with relief and pride, a reflection of the satisfaction that Chewie quietly communicated when he patted Ben's shoulder.

Chewie took a few steps toward the open entry, and Rey immediately tensed when his eyes fell on her. There was a slight hesitation in his stride as he registered her presence, but it was hardly noticeable, and he said nothing as he approached. He even looked a little glad to see her. However, he put one of his giant arms around her shoulders, and turned her firmly, marching her away with him to the dining hall.

Ben never joined them that evening.