Ch 56

Ben

I was stunned beyond reason at seeing my "uncle" Lando Calrissian at this base. I hadn't seen him since before I was sent to Luke's academy, this was definitely… strange.

"It's good to see you too Uncle" I said in a monotone voice.

Rey tried to prod my mind, but I partially didn't want her to see how both sad, happy and angry I was that we were meeting him.

It wasn't that I hated Lando, as a kid he was actually really there for me. He taught me how to gamble (behind my parents' backs of course) how to handle more than mere blasters and how to learn my way around the mechanics of droids.

I was sad because he was one of the few people that actually tried to treat me like a normal person despite being Force sensitive and pulled towards the darkness. He wasn't afraid of me, he had even tried to convince my parents a few times to not send me to Luke just yet.

But I was angry because he was the only other person besides Chewie that truly cared about me and they ended up leaving. It wasn't their fault, they had no say in my life, but I always wished I could have left with Lando and never came back, that maybe he could have at least offered to watch over me.

As a kid I didn't understand how difficult that would have been, so I took a few deep breaths to calm down.

Are you alright…?Rey asked, I could sense how worried she was.

I sent her a nod in my head. It was all I could manage for now.

She tried to take a step closer to me to soothe me.

"Poe, please take these cuffs off them. They aren't dangerous, I know they'll be civil, and whatever happens I know you'll be right outside that door should I need you" said Lando with charm. Who could resist him? I could imagine how he must have been in his prime days of youth.

Poe hesitated but complied, throwing me angry daggers with his eyes.

"Now, both of you have a seat please, can I offer you anything? A drink? Maybe some food?" he asked as he made his way over to a small table that had a variety of refreshments and snacks.

"Um… can I bother you for a pair of shoes? I'm sorry when we were captured I was barefoot… and the soil here is quite rocky" said Rey with hesitation. I had felt her pain with every step she took until we made it inside the tent. I tried to send her some comfort or try to provide some sort of mental cushion as she stepped but it was impossible in this terrain.

"Of course sweetheart! Rose, please bring our guest here a pair of shoes, now let's get to it. I do hear congratulations are in order since you married on Naboo what, a week ago? Two weeks? Anyways, I love weddings! I do wish I could have attended, I love Ben like a son. And he's such a good-looking boy, I'm not surprised he was able to woo a stunning young lady such as yourself." He said with a wink.

Rey just smiled and thanked him for the compliment.

"Uncle Lando… I'm sorry for everything I've done. I admit I hated you at one point for… not doing more to try and stop my parents for sending me away… I know you tried… but at one point it wasn't enough for me, so I grew to hate you. I'm sorry for that, I know you were one of the few people that tried to help" I finally said to him, breaking the somewhat awkwardness in the room.

"Ben… it's not your fault what happened. Finn briefed me on some of the things Rey told him about your dyad or whatever it is. And I know coming back from the dark is no easy task, Vader turned back too with the help of Luke, just as Rey helped you. I'm sorry too, I know I could have taken you away for a while, maybe have you do something you actually wanted to do instead of being forced to train with Luke. I knew you weren't ready for that, I knew I could have done something. I'm sorry Ben, I hope you can forgive me"

I could feel he meant it, the waves of sadness and regret radiated off him.

A few tears escaped my eyes, but I quickly wiped them away as Rose walked in the room with some boots for Rey.

"I know Uncle, and I forgive you. I forgave you long ago, and I hope you can also come to forgive me, though my list of sins is far longer and not one easily wiped." I said looking down at my lap.

"Well that's where we can begin our discussion. Ben, I forgive you, and a lot of other people are also willing to forgive you, on account that you helped Rey kill Palpatine. Had it not been for you, I'm not sure Rey or anyone of us could have won that battle. No offense to you Rey."

"No! No, none taken. You're completely right " she answered immediately, her hands raised passively "Had Ben not gotten there when he didi I know I would be dead, or worse, Palpatine would have used me as his puppet. The entire galaxy should be grateful for what he did"

"You're right, they should be grateful for the both of you, so, Ben, what is it you want? I am willing to help you both get out of this situation and avoid a sentence completely. They, way it looks right now, it's split evenly, and as long as we are able to sway a few more planets in your favor, I think you'll both be free at last" said Lando, his statement did not give me the peace I hoped it would.