They found the Resistance on Ajan Kloss, and they were greeted by the jungle and weapons at the ready. Ben was afraid he was the reason for their welcome.

Luke and Finn volunteered to go out first, and Ben watched as his mom spoke to Luke for the first time in years. She looked so happy to see him.

None of the weapons turned on Luke or Finn. They continued to face the Falcon's boarding ramp.

His dad stared at the weapons. "Something's not right." He pointed at Ben. "You stay here, and I'll find out what's happening," he said, exiting the Falcon alone.

"Do you think it's because of you?" Paige asked.

Ben nodded. "Probably." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Everything is going to be fine, he told himself, trying to believe it.

Rose wrinkled her brow. "But how would they know?"

He didn't know, but so many people in the First Order had reason to reveal his identity. Was it Hux, Phasma, or Pryde? They all had reasons to want him dead.

Rey touched Ben's arm, which helped ground him in the present moment. "It doesn't matter what they know because we have your back."

Chewie growled in agreement.

Ben gave them a weak smile. Their support didn't bring him any comfort. He was more afraid of how they would be treated than he was afraid for himself. He had expected to eventually be faced with anger and fear – this was just earlier than anticipated. No one on this ship deserved the same level of mistrust as him. They hadn't earned it.

…

His dad returned, and from the look on his face, he didn't have good news. "They know you were Kylo Ren." He grimaced. "And they aren't happy."

Ben ran his hand through his hair. "They have no reason to be happy." His reputation was well earned.

Rose shared a look with her sister. "What are they going to do?" she asked, sounding concerned, which surprised Ben. He had thought she was angry at him for not telling her he was Kylo Ren.

Han shrugged. "Nothing."

"Really?" Ben asked. Their weapons told him otherwise.

"For now," his dad said with a tired sigh. "Your mom has a lot of sway."

Ben pinched the bridge of his nose. "Not this much," he said. Like he had warned his mom, they were about to relive what had happened when the galaxy found out Darth Vader was her biological father, except this time the monster was still alive.

This time was going to be worse.

Rey crossed her arms. "We're not going out there."

"Yes, we are," Ben said. He wasn't going to hide.

Rey narrowed her eyes. She looked like she was about to argue–

"You saved my life," Paige said, drawing everyone's attention. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Chewie's deep growl made it clear what he would do to anyone who tried to harm Ben.

Ben swallowed, but because of his dry throat, it was like swallowing sandpaper. The show of support was overwhelming. Chewie's support he understood because Chewie had known him since the day he was born, but Paige's support surprised him. She barely knew him.

…

His dad, Paige, and Rose exited the Falcon first. Ben followed with Rey and Chewie at either side.

Chewie had his bowcaster out, and he was gripping it tightly.

There were more Resistance members here than First Order intel had determined survived Crait in the original timeline. That was a good thing, but Ben couldn't help wondering how many Resistance members were hidden in the dense green jungle. The ones he could see were openly pointing their weapons at him. While Ben was the target, everyone was so close to him that if anyone fired, he wouldn't be the only one hit.

He was grateful for Lando's gift of clothing. He had allowed Rey to pick his outfit – too wary of what he would find inside – and she had picked a cream top and dark blue pants. Rey had also given him a worn looking leather jacket to wear. When he had looked in the mirror, he had been startled by how much he looked like his father. Maybe that resemblance would work in their favour.

Ben inhaled slowly and exhaled slowly. He reminded himself he wasn't walking towards his execution – not yet.

…

"Welcome back," his mom said with a strained smile. Whatever genuine joy she felt had been dampened by the clear discontent from the majority of the Resistance.

She was flanked by only two other Resistance members: Poe and Amilyn. Poe surprised him, but he guessed that Poe's loyalty to Ben's mom outweighed his hatred of the man who tortured him. Amilyn wasn't a surprise. He remembered her from his childhood, and it looked like her admiration for his mom hadn't waned over the years. She was a force of nature and Ben was glad she was on his mom's side.

Ben's mom then did something far more dangerous that he was comfortable with. She walked up to him and embraced him.

The crowd was vocal in their displeasure. Whatever goodwill his mom had wasn't enough to overcome her overt show of support.

"You shouldn't be doing this," Ben whispered into her ear.

His mom pulled back. "Yes, I should." She cupped his face. "I am not going to hide you."

"That's not what you said earlier, when you decided my identity would be a secret."

"You need me to say it, don't you?" His mom moved her hands to his shoulders and maintained eye contact. "You were right, and I was wrong."

Ben raised his eyebrows.

His dad gave a low whistle. "Did you admit to being wrong?"

His mom swatted his dad's chest. "I did." She turned back to Ben. "I'm rarely wrong so don't get used to it."

Despite his worry, Ben smiled at his parents. One thing he could count on was that his parents would joke no matter how dire the situation. They shared a dark sense of humour that he inherited.

…

Ben's mom instructed Poe and Amilyn to stay behind and keep an eye of things. Their job was to prevent tensions from escalating further. Ben didn't envy them. His dad and Chewie went back on the Falcon. Ben suspected they were also monitoring the level of unrest.

His mom instructed their small group to grab their belongings and ushered them away from where the armed crowd had gathered. Their hasty departure didn't stop Ben from hearing what people thought should happen.

"–this is a joke. He should be–"

"–why isn't he in cuffs? What if he–"

"–we're not safe with Kylo Ren–"

"–one shot is all it would take to–"

"Ignore them," Paige said. She glared at the man who wanted him shot. "They don't know what they're talking about."

"It's dangerous to walk so close to me," Ben said, his pulse racing. "You could–"

"Anyone who shoots a man who isn't fighting back doesn't deserve to be part of the Resistance," Paige said.

Ben gave Paige a flat look. "And you won't be able to tell them that if you're dead."

"No," Paige agreed, "but I'd like to believe the Resistance is better than the First Order. If we're not, what's the point of all this?"

A woman flushed at Paige's words and dragged the man next to her away. It looked like Paige's words had shamed her.

Finn nodded. "Paige has a point–"

"My sister always has a point," Rose said, cutting in, "but this time everyone should listen because she's right."

"Killing a man in cold blood is something the First Order does," Finn continued. He lowered his voice so only they could hear. "I would know."

It's something I used to do, Ben thought. That's why everyone was so afraid of him, why they hate him.

Ben's mom walked over to them. "Our supporters are quiet, but we do have them."

"You mean that you have supporters," Ben said.

"Yes," his mom said, "but that will change."

Ben arched his eyebrow. "You're more optimistic than me."

"That's nothing new," Luke muttered.

Rey elbowed Luke, and he glared at her, but stayed quiet at the look on her face.

His mom led them into a hangar that appeared to be their operations area, housing, and the mess hall.

"You shouldn't bunk with everyone else," Leia explained. "It'll make them uncomfortable."

Ben nodded. "I'll stay on the Falcon–"

"No," his mom said, "you can't look like you're hiding." She led them to a small room. "This is close enough to me that you can find me if there are any problems. I'll show the rest of you–"

"I'll stay with Ben," Rey said, her tone inviting no arguments.

"You will?" Ben asked.

Rey nodded. "If it's fine with you."

"Yes!" Ben said. "I mean, I'm fine with it." His face heated up.

Leia raised her eyebrows. "There's only one small bed."

Rey grabbed Ben's hand. "That's okay."

Leia stared at their hands and smiled. "Get settled. I'll show everyone else where they're staying and then we'll all meet in my office."

…

Ben and Rey put their belongings on the desk. His mom was honest when she said the room was small. There was a small desk, a chair, and a tiny and uncomfortable looking cot.

That he would be sharing with Rey.

"Are you okay?" Rey asked.

Ben shrugged.

"You can talk to me," Rey continued. "I know you didn't expect anyone to know you were Kylo Ren–"

"I don't have anything to say. They know, and I'll face the consequences."

"You won't face them alone."

"I should–"

Rey put her hand on his shoulder. "I won't let you. You're not alone, whether you like it or not."

Ben smiled. "I like it."

"Good."

"You're angry," Ben said. Her emotions were so strong that it was hard to distinguish between what she felt and what he felt. The difference between her anger and his was that her anger felt justified, like it had been earned. His had often come from nothing.

He hadn't felt that type of anger in this time, since before his mom freed his mind from Palpatine's influence. How much of that anger had been his?

Rey's jaw tightened. "I have every right to be angry."

"I never said you didn't."

"They are wrong about you," she said, pacing.

"They don't know that, and they have no reason to believe that."

Rey stopped pacing. "We'll have to give them a reason."

"How?"

Rey scrunched her nose. "I'm not sure."

"A problem for later."

Rey wrinkled her brow. "And what's more pressing?"

"This." Ben bent down and kissed Rey. "We're finally alone," he said against her lips.

"We are." Rey sat back on the small cot they would have to share, dragging him with her. She patted the spot next to her.

Ben sat down and pulled her into another kiss. He wanted to forget his problems – the Resistance, the war, Palpatine – and stay in here with Rey forever. He licked her bottom lip and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close. She liked being in his arms, and he liked learning what she liked.

Everything else could wait.

…

Ben and Rey were the last to arrive at his mom's office. All the chairs were taken at the small table – Paige and Rose were sitting on the floor – so Ben and Rey leaned against the wall.

"I hope you didn't run into any problems along the way," his mom said in a dry voice.

His dad snorted.

…

Everyone took turns summarizing recent events for his mom. She paled at the mention of Palpatine, and she pursed her lips when Luke described how they got the dagger. Ben wished Luke hadn't mentioned how Ben had distracted the creature.

He had a feeling his mom wouldn't let that go. Rey hadn't.

His mom then told them what had happened to the Resistance. His breath caught in his throat when his mom mentioned being exposed in space without any protective gear. He hadn't noticed, but now that he was paying attention, he could see the tremor in her hands.

The Resistance had managed to sneak down to Crait without being detected. The First Order had attempted to track the Raddus through lightspeed, but whatever Finn, Paige, and Rose had done on the Supremacy worked.

Despite their successful escape, the Resistance had few allies and fewer funds. They could use whatever help they could get.

So this is what it feels like, Ben thought, to be on this side.

It's not all bad, Rey replied. At least we know we are doing good.

Are we? Ben asked. For all he knew, they could be doing more harm than good.

We're trying.

That would have to be enough.

...

Against all instinct for self-preservation, Ben was in the middle of the mess hall. His mom had told them they should go eat together as publicly as possible. She was meeting with his dad, Luke, and Chewie.

Rey had led the way, no one questioning how she knew where to go. They grabbed their food, and then Rey picked the most exposed table. He sat next to her.

Finn sat on his other side, and Paige and Rose sat across from them. They were chatting casually, or more accurately, they were pretending to chat casually. All of them were alert to the threats he faced. The mess hall was far quieter than a room its size with this many people should be. All eyes were on him, even the ones that were pretending not to stare.

Poe joined them. "Hope the food isn't too bad." He clapped Finn on the shoulder and sat across from him, next to Paige.

"It's fine," Rey said between bites.

Ben laughed. "You'd eat anything." Except the green milk on Ahch-To. Only Luke would be adventurous enough to try that.

"Almost anything," Rey agreed, "but there's some seasoning – no spice though."

Poe leaned forward. "The General told me that this is the first attempt to make him look normal."

Ben leaned back. "How am I doing?"

"If you complain about the food, you'll fit right in," Poe said. "Or maybe everyone will think you're a snob. It's hard to say."

"I'll just eat," Ben said.

"Probably for the best," Poe said, stealing bread from Finn's plate.

A blonde woman joined them. She sat next to Rose and didn't look at Ben. "We should catch up," she said to Rose and Paige.

Paige nodded. "How did you–"

"Not here," the woman interrupted. She glanced at Ben. "Come with me."

Rose and Paige followed the woman out of the mess hall.

Poe took their food.

"Who was that?" Ben whispered to Rey.

"Kaydel Ko Connix," Rey said. "She works in communications."

She had made it obvious that she didn't want to be around Ben. Winning over the Resistance wasn't going to be easy.

…

Conversation in the mess hall slowly resumed as Ben continued to eat quietly. The anger and unease was apparent, but nobody had confronted him yet.

Ben's dad met them in the mess hall.

"Are you here to eat?" Finn asked.

His dad shook his head. "No, I'm here to get my son." He looked over at Ben. "We should both talk to your mom."

Will you come with me? Ben asked.

Rey put her hand on his thigh. Whatever you need.

"Rey's coming too," Ben said.

His dad looked at Rey. "I guess she is." He didn't sound surprised.

…

They met his mom back in her office. "Rey," she said, "I wasn't expecting you to join us."

"I want her here," Ben said.

His mom gestured for them to sit. With only them in the room, there were enough chairs for everyone at the table. "You dad has something he wants to tell me," she explained. "He said you should be here."

His dad ran his hand through his hair. "It's about Luke."

A chill came over Ben. "We don't need to talk about this," he said.

His dad leaned forward. "Your mom needs to know."

Ben started to sweat. "You can tell her." He wasn't ready to talk about this.

Ben zoned out while his dad explained what happened at the temple that night. He crossed his arms, holding himself tightly. He stared at the wall, afraid to close his eyes because he didn't want to see that familiar green light.

Rey bumped his arm with her shoulder, giving him something else to focus on. He looked down at where they were touching and noticed that his shirt was damp. The cream didn't hide the sweat.

"He wouldn't," his mom said, the disbelief clear in his voice. He always knew his mom would never believe Luke was capable of doing anything wrong. She had always had an idealized view of the man, but he was just that, a man. All men had flaws.

Ben had learned that lesson the hard way. He had thought his grandfather was strong, someone whose footsteps he should follow, but he was nothing more than a puppet whose strings had been pulled by Palpatine. Just like Kylo Ren.

"I don't think he would have done it," his dad said, "but Luke told me that he ignited his lightsaber while our son was sleeping."

His mom leaned her forehead on her hand. "Why didn't he tell us?" she asked in a tired voice.

"He was a coward." His dad's voice shook from anger.

His mom stood up and walked over to him. "We never should have sent you to Luke." She put her hand on his arm, and he flinched away, causing her to wince. "I'm sorry."

"It happened," Ben said, not ready to forgive. He had every reason to believe his mom's regret was sincere, but he hadn't had enough time to heal from the wounds her actions led to.

"Are you okay?" his dad asked.

Ben looked at his mom. "Are we done here?"

She wrung her hands. "I suppose–"

"Good." Ben stood up. "I'll be in my quarters."

Do you want some time alone? Rey asked.

No, Ben answered, I don't want to be alone.

He left with Rey.

… … …

Kaydel led them outside, far enough away that they wouldn't be overheard. Rose had never felt like an outsider among the Resistance. It would take some getting used to.

"Did you know?" Kaydel asked, sitting on the trunk of an overturned tree.

Rose sat next to her. "Not at first."

Paige leaned on a nearby tree and watched them talk.

"Do you trust him?" Kaydel asked.

Rose hesitated. "He's on our side."

Kaydel narrowed her eyes. "But you don't trust him."

Rose didn't. "Not entirely."

"He won't turn against us," Paige said with a certainty Rose didn't share.

"How can you be sure?" Kaydel asked.

Paige sat next to Kaydel. "Because he wants to do the right thing," she said. "His family is here."

Kaydel crossed her arms. "That didn't stop him from turning the first time."

"It didn't," Paige agreed.

At the sound of footsteps, they stopped talking. Rose tensed up and shared a look with Paige. She didn't want to get into a fight with anyone – not with allies and friends.

Kaydel stood up to greet whoever was coming, and the sources of the footsteps came into view. Rose relaxed her shoulders because it was only Finn and Poe.

Kaydel turned back to Paige. "Why are you defending him?"

Paige gave her a small smile. "He saved my life."

Kaydel and Poe shared a surprised look.

"None of us would have made it off the Supremacy without Ben's help," Finn said, standing next to Kaydel.

Rose nodded in agreement.

Paige gestured to her stomach. "I was shot."

Rose squeezed her eyes shut at the memory. That was the most terrified she had ever been. She had already lost her parents and her home, losing Paige would have been more than she could have handled. "It was bad," she said, grabbing her sister's hand.

"It was Ben's idea to try to heal her with the Force," Finn explained.

Kaydel walked towards Paige. "He healed you?" she asked in a small voice.

"He did," Paige confirmed. "With Rey's help."

Kaydel stared at Paige's stomach, where the wound would have once been. "But he's Kylo Ren."

"He was Kylo Ren," Finn corrected.

Poe raised his eyebrows. "You believe that?"

"I saw what he did on Jakku," Finn said. "I have nightmares about what he did on Jakku, but Ben's different now."

"He may be different," Poe said, "but is he different enough?"

"I'm not sure," Finn admitted.

Rose bit her lip. "Me neither."

"I think he is," Paige said. "If I hadn't seen him use the Force the way he did on the Supremacy, I wouldn't have believed he was Kylo Ren. He's nothing like the stories say."

"It'll take a lot to convince the Resistance," Poe said.

"We don't have to convince everyone that he's good," Rose said. "We need to convince them that he's useful."

Kaydel exhaled. "That's possible," she said. "There are already some in the higher ranks who want his intel."

"I'd be happy to interrogate him," Poe said. "Return the favour."

Rose shook her head. "We can't treat him like a prisoner."

"Maybe not," Finn said, "but that won't stop people from treating him like one."

Rose agreed with Finn. She didn't know if she could trust Ben, but ostracizing him wouldn't do them any good. They needed his help, and she had a feeling that even though he hadn't earned it yet, he would regain her trust.