Jeyna ends up sitting hesitantly, and tries to answer Revan's questions about the state of the galaxy to the best of her ability. He seems to have filled in a great deal on his own somehow, but he listens to the information with an attentive focus. She has a hard time holding his gaze, and resorts to searching the small medical room instead.
"Do I make you nervous?" Revan asks suddenly, voice curious.
Jeyna flushes with embarrassment that he has noticed, and when she glances at him briefly, his eyes are once again amused. "Yes," she admits lowly.
"Why?"
She fidgets in the small chair, trying to find the words to explain. Surely, he is aware of how his power in the force is nearly tangible? The energy he possesses pulls her like gravity now that he has healed. "You're… you're very strong," she tries to explain. "I can feel it, in the force. It's intimidating."
"Your Master is just as strong," Revan remarks. "I would think you are used to it."
Jeyna looks at him in confusion. "My Master?" she repeats, before she realizes he is referring to Ben. "Ben isn't my Master…"
Revan smiles, and she is surprised at how it changes his features, rearranging them into something warm. "Isn't he?" he presses.
She shakes her head. "It's not like that, he isn't training me," she denies.
Revan raises his eyebrows slightly. "He opened you to the force, guided you through its currents. Perhaps his lessons weren't by design, but he's taught you how to use it like another sense," Revan says. "He will teach you a great deal more, I think."
"How do you know that?" she asks suspiciously.
"I was in your head, on Dromund Kaas. I felt the bond you have formed, the way he used it to help you. He guided your power to force Vitiate out," Revan explains. "You may not be the strongest with the force, but you make a good student."
Jeyna considers what he's said before replying. "A student of what? I don't think Ben wants to follow either side anymore."
The smile returns to Revan's face. "And that is exactly what makes him so valuable to the galaxy."
"What do you mean?" She presses.
"Stability cannot be found by clinging to extremes," Revan answers vaguely. "We are all a duality, and I am pleased to find another who has embraced this nature. Perhaps now I can meet the end of my journey."
Jeyna is alarmed at his words, at his apparent acceptance of his fate. "Why did you say we can't stop the Emperor? There has to be something we can do."
"I meant that you will not stop him. It is my fight," Revan answers.
She furrows her brow, not content to settle for the explanation, when the door slides open. Ben is standing in the doorway, his expression openly irritated. His eyes scan over Jeyna before jumping to glare at Revan, accusatory.
"You," Ben snaps.
"Me," Revan replies calmly.
"Were you trying to block her from me?" Ben asks, stepping into the room.
"You noticed sooner than I expected," Revan replies, shrugging a shoulder slightly.
Jeyna stands, attempting to place herself between the two men. She hadn't even noticed that Revan had been meddling with their connection, the effects too faint for her to detect. But Ben must have, his stance threatening, hands clenched. "We were just talking," she insists futilely.
Ben doesn't even look at her, his furious eyes locked onto Revan. "Stay out of her head," he orders.
"I'm sorry for intruding upon your territory," Revan remarks coolly.
Jeyna's surprised to see the anger fall from Ben's expression, replaced by something uncertain. "I don't manipulate her mind," Ben finally argues. "Not like you've done."
"You don't," Revan agrees. "But you hover close, using her mind like a comfort. I apologize for valuing privacy, but warn you that one day she will desire the same. You should learn to give it to her when needed."
Jeyna is taken aback by the way Ben's stance falters, his discomfort clear to her through their bond. Revan seems to have hit a nerve, his words targeting some insecurity she wasn't even aware of. Ben finally looks away from Revan, his eyes searching hers questioningly.
She tries to reassure him with her thoughts. She doesn't mind his presence, the way he is always lingering in her thoughts has been a welcome constant. But perhaps one day, when they both feel safer, she wonders if they could find more of a balance. A way for her to control the connection as well, to keep her thoughts to herself when desired. But she would never dream of giving up those intimate moments altogether, when their minds meld into one.
Ben gives her a small nod, and she knows he understands. "Maybe you're right. But if you're well enough to talk to her, then you are well enough to meet with all of us," Ben concedes.
Revan's lips quirk into a small smile. "True. I do have one question for you alone."
"What is that?" Ben asks, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.
"I need to ask what you intend to do with the galaxy. Can you accomplish what I did not?" Revan presses, shifting to lean forward in the bed. Their eyes lock, and Jeyna tenses as she feels their energies clashing.
"What did you not accomplish?" Ben asks after a moment.
"I was forbidden to train others. I settled for that, for keeping my knowledge to myself. It was an error," Revan says. "When the time came for me to die, I battled against it. I clung to life, so my lessons wouldn't die with me. But you have learned those same lessons. You can pass them on."
Ben laughs slightly, but the noise is a harsh sound. "I don't think the Jedi would have wanted me teaching anybody."
"Not the Jedi," Revan corrects him. "You said your power is your own. You have found balance, and refused to be claimed by either side. This is a hard thing to accomplish, but it is what the galaxy needs."
Jeyna can feel the energy shift in the force, both of them seeming to relax as they come to some understanding. She breathes easier, watching as Ben shrugs slightly. "I failed at being a Jedi, like I failed at being Sith. And you call it an accomplishment," he muses quietly.
"You did not fail," Revan insists. "You have found the way forward."
Later
Jeyna surveys herself in the small mirror mounted to the wall of the refresher. The clothes she's borrowed feel strange on her, the Rebel insignia marked on the jacket. It doesn't feel quite right, and she ends up shrugging it off to leave on the hook. She walks out into the sleeping quarters she'd shared with Ben the night before, watching as he pulls a gray shirt overhead.
"We should head to the meeting room," he says when he catches her eyes. "They cleared Revan from the medbay, so we can get moving on a plan."
Jeyna nods, her stomach in a knot with emotion. She had too much time to think, her mind running over all of their many close calls. She's come so close to losing him, to losing everything, too many times. She is reluctant to think about another situation that could risk either of their lives.
Ben comes close, his eyes searching hers. "You're afraid," he says gently.
"I'm always afraid," Jeyna replies with self-deprecation. A wry smile twists her mouth.
He frowns slightly, pulling her nearer to wrap his arms around her. "Your emotions aren't a weakness. With the force, you might find they are a strength."
"Did you hear that?" she asks, thinking of her time alone in the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon. Had he been listening, as she questioned if her feelings made her seem incapable?
"Yes," Ben admits. "I am not very good at giving you space." He gives her a small, apologetic grin.
"Well, we can work on that," Jeyna says, smiling teasingly.
He nods. "I intend to. But I needed to explain…I didn't hide it because I think you are weak. I didn't want to see you hurt more, even knowing it was inevitable."
"I understand," she murmurs as he draws closer, his honey brown eyes all that she can focus on. "I just don't want to lose you," she admits quietly.
"I'm not going anywhere," he breathes against her lips, before they are lost to a kiss. It is sweet but desperate, and they end up clinging to one another, prolonging the inevitable.
Rebel Headquarters
They find Han and Leia already in the meeting room, both falling silent as they walk in. Jeyna suspects that their arrival has interrupted a private conversation, some sort of tension lingering between the pair.
She doesn't have long to consider it before they're joined by Luke and Revan. Revan is back in his armor and robes, looking to be near full strength. Jeyna's eyes fall to the lightsabers that hang from his belt, curious if they match the descriptions she had found in the archives. None of her research had prepared her for the man Revan has turned out to be, his personality still something of a mystery. Though Luke had accompanied him into the room, the former Jedi hangs back near the door while Revan comes closer.
"I'm glad that you have made a recovery," Leia greets Revan. "We were hoping you'd be able to assist us in a plan to handle the situation."
Revan nods, gesturing to the galaxy map projected above the center table. "Do we have a location on him?"
"My team is tracking the First Order to the best of our abilities. They seem to be approaching the core planets," Leia answers.
"We need to intercept him before he acts again. Are your forces capable of handling the First Order long enough to get me on his ship?" Revan asks.
Jeyna notices the way Han looks at Leia, his face skeptical. It makes her wary, even as Leia assures, "We can get you to his ship. Getting on board is another matter, however."
"I can hack the codes to get into a hangar bay," Ben speaks up. "They use a revolving key code, but I know the patterns."
"We're going to need every X-wing on this planet, and even that is going to be a stretch," Luke speaks up from near the door. He catches Leia's gaze, and for a moment they seem to be communicating silently with a long look.
"It is going to take everything we have," Leia admits finally. "But it's what we'll have to do."
"You need to get on comms," Luke insists. "Call in for reinforcements. Maybe if your allies hear you, they will come to our aid."
Leia considers it before inclining her head. "I can see if there is any more assistance to be gained. I'm sure news of Hosnian Prime has reached them…. Given the stakes, perhaps they will fight."
Jeyna can't help herself, speaking up when it is clear Leia has finished speaking. "What is the plan for stopping him? We can't just kill Hux, can we? Not if the Emperor can just take someone else."
"He must be incredibly powerful in the dark side of the force," Luke adds. "How do we contain him long enough to defeat him?"
Jeyna freezes when Revan's eyes rise to meet hers from across the room. "I learned a great deal from my experience with Vitiate. I believe I can manipulate his power, and force him back into a merger with myself."
Ben shifts next to her, his energy turning agitated. "What good will that do?" he asks.
"If I can control him for long enough… I can become one with the force, and take him with me. I don't know what will become of him, but what he has stolen will be returned to the universe," Revan explains. "He'll be left powerless, and pulled from the physical realm. It is as close to death as can be managed, for something like him."
Jeyna's jaw drops open. "You mean you're sacrificing yourself…" she says in horror. The room is silent as she stares at Revan. The thought of him persisting for so long, only to sacrifice himself troubles her. She can't imagine everything he has seen and done, and all of it will be lost with him, forever.
Revan's gaze on her softens. "This is not my time. I should have finished this, long ago."
"What happens if you are wrong?" Ben speaks up to question him. "If you can't control him?"
Revan's gaze turns to the younger male. "Then you are the back up plan. You kill me, and him. Bury your lightsaber in my chest."
Jeyna winces at the thought, trying to think of another way. But she comes up blank, and by the looks of everyone else in the room, they too are lacking in another option. A silence permeates the space, thick with tension.
Ben breaks it. "Is no one going to say it?" he asks, looking around. "Fine, I'll say it. This is a terrible plan."
Han shifts, his face suggesting he'd like to agree. But a stern look from Leia seems to still his tongue. "It may be all we can manage, given the circumstances," she says quietly. "Our numbers are low. We should-"
The door slides open, and she pauses as Poe throws himself into the meeting space. "General, we are out of time," he pants. Jeyna realizes he is out of breath, as if he'd run to catch them.
"What's happening?" Leia asks.
"The First Order's moving on Corellia," Poe announces. "Their fleet is surrounding the planet."
Minutes Later
Jeyna runs up the ramp into the Millennium Falcon, trailing Ben and Revan. Ships are taking off from D'Qar in a hurry, rising to break from the atmosphere and jump to lightspeed. Revan and Ben both make for the cockpit immediately, the engines firing up a moment later. She turns as Han boards the ship behind her, only to flinch as they are joined by a massive Wookie.
The Wookie shuts the hatch, then turns back to study her like he is fascinated. Jeyna tries to calm herself, her heart pounding with instinctive fear. But she suspects she recognizes this Wookie. Could it be the one whose picture had been saved on the holopad in the dormitory locker?
Han looks between them. "Chewie, this is Jeyna. Jeyna, Chewie," he introduces them. "She's Ben's girl," he tell the Wookie helpfully, and Jeyna can't help but feel amused at the title Ben's father uses to refer to her.
"It's nice to meet you," Jeyna says, trying to be polite. The Wookie roars loudly, and her eyes widen with confusion as she fails to understand.
"Sort of like life mates," Han answers him, apparently knowing Shyriiwook. Jeyna cocks an eyebrow as the Wookie, Chewie, makes a gentler noise. "I'm glad we got him back too, Chewie," Han agrees.
The ship lurches beneath them as they lift off in a hurry, and Han gestures towards some of the flight seats. "You might want to buckle up. This could get rough," he suggests.
Jeyna sits down. "It'll be okay. Ben's an amazing pilot," she says, distracted with buckling the harness over herself. When she looks up, Han has a smile on his face.
"He is, huh?" he asks. She nods, not missing the way his smile grows, pride apparent in his eyes.
Chewie disappears down the ladder towards the laser cannon, and Jeyna hangs on as the ship jumps to hyperspace. Her heart beats faster, feeling like it's risen up to somewhere in her throat. She clings onto the harness nervously. Han seems to be aware of her nerves, and gives her a reassuring look.
"If it helps, I can guarantee you this is far from the stupidest thing I've ever done," he says.
"What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?" she asks.
"That's a long story, but I promise I'll tell you when this is all done," Han answers. "It's a good one, so something to look forward to."
She can't help but smile, even as she lets her eyes close, reaching out for Ben. Jeyna feels him, the connection as strong as ever. His voice fills her mind: I'm here. I'm not going anywhere.