Ben had known they couldn't hide the truth forever, that it was getting more difficult to lie, but he hadn't been ready for the truth to be revealed so soon.

As earned as it was, he wasn't looking forward to facing judgment. The majority of the Resistance hated him for the smallest of his crimes. He wondered what they would do when they found out he had done so much worse.

Ben watched Rey as everyone else reacted to her words. Her jaw was tense and her posture rigid, like she was preparing for a fight. Her gaze was defiant, a look he had too often been on the receiving end of, though not recently. "You don't believe me," she said, sounding disappointed.

"I don't understand," Rose said, the first to respond and admit confusion.

Rey looked at Ben, silently asking him to help her explain.

Ben squeezed her hand in a way he hoped was reassuring. He took a moment to collect his thoughts. "It means that we lived a year that hasn't happened yet – a year we want to prevent." He looked across the table at the others, willing them to believe him.

Rose tilted her head. "You're saying you're from the future?" She sounded like she couldn't believe she was saying those words.

Ben understood her disbelief. "I am."

"We are," Rey agreed.

Ben's mom glanced at Luke. "I've never heard of anything like this before."

Ben didn't blame his mom for her skepticism. He'd experienced time travel, and he found it hard to believe. Still, he didn't like the way his mom, even after everything she had learned, looked to Luke for answers.

Not that Luke gave her an answer. He looked lost in thought.

Finn turned to Luke. "Is it possible to travel through time?"

Luke shook his head. "Not that I've heard of."

Once Ben would have believed that if Luke hadn't heard of it, it wasn't possible, but Ben was no longer a lost boy who looked up to an uncle who was repeatedly disappointed in him. He was now a man who had seen more of the Force than Luke could dream of. He had been to some of the darkest places, and with Rey, he had seen the beauty of the light side of the Force.

Ben's mom leaned her head on her hand, her forefinger brushing against her temple. "Could it be a vision?" she asked, looking for an explanation she could understand.

Rose leaned forward. "Force users have visions?"

"Visions happen," Luke explained, joining them at the table, sitting as far away from them as he could get, "but they are never clear enough to mistake for reality, and time travel… it can't be possible."

Ben didn't care if Luke believed them. He looked at his mom. "What do you think?"

"I don't know." She paused. "I have seen many impossible things, but what you're claiming is... I don't know what to believe."

Finn wrinkled his brow. "Then why do they believe it to be true?"

Finn's uncanny ability to know the truth made Ben uncomfortable. He had no intention of lying, but there was some comfort that came from knowing you could lie. Finn took that comfort away.

Luke scratched his cheek. "I don't know."

Ben didn't know whether to believe him because Luke rarely shared useful information.

"If I may interrupt," C-3PO said, "the odds of what they're claiming is 968,328,283,924 to one."

Ben snorted. C-3PO was the same as he always was, and because they weren't going to wipe his memory, he would continue to be himself. He was relieved that Rey had revealed the truth because as annoying as C-3PO could be, Ben didn't want him to be wiped away. He had spent so much time with the droid as a child.

"Thank you." His mom smiled at the C-3PO. "That was very helpful."

"Better odds than I expected," Luke muttered.

Rey let out a small puff of air. "You've seen more impossible things." She crossed her arms.

Ben didn't know if she was referring to this Luke or the one from their timeline, but he could tell she was annoyed. He didn't envy Luke.

Luke raised his eyebrows. "Like what?"

"I saw you talking to your dead teacher," Rey said, and that was news to Ben. He had known about Force ghosts. Luke had told him many stories of being visited by Force ghosts. That's part of the reason that Ben had believed his grandfather had been talking to him–

–but it had been Palpatine all along. Ben had never been visited by a Force ghost.

He would have to ask Rey about the experience when they were alone. He wanted to be able to tell the difference between a true Force ghost and a deception.

Luke sighed. "That's different."

"How?" Rose asked. "Both seem equally impossible to me."

Finn nodded in agreement.

Ben tried to hide his smile. His uncle wasn't prepared for Rose's ire.

"It would explain how close they are," his mom said, looking between Ben and Rey, "how well they understand each other." She sat up straight and stared at Ben and Rey. "You have more shared history than any of us realized."

"We do," Rey agreed.

Ben shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "We weren't on the same side in the original timeline."

Rey put her hand on his thigh. "It was more complicated than that."

"Was it?" Ben asked. From what he remembered, it was a clear explanation of their roles. After the events on the Supremacy, they didn't see each other in person again for nearly a year.

"Yes," Rey said, "you wanted to work together to defeat Palpatine."

That was only part of the story. "But I also wanted to hold onto power." One of the reasons he had wanted to defeat Palpatine was because he hadn't wanted to have another master "We would have stayed at odds if we didn't come back."

"No, we wouldn't have," Rey said, tightening her grip on his thigh. "You were dying."

She was right. The only reason Ben was alive was because they had travelled back in time. He had forgotten how close to death he had been. It was like it happened in another lifetime. Ben covered Rey's hand with his. "We don't know what would have happened."

"I know it would have been worse," Rey said, scrunching up her face, "without you…" She didn't finish her sentence and her eyes were glassy.

"I don't know what to think," Finn said, leaning back in his chair, "but pretend we believe you for a moment. How bad was it?"

Rey blinked back tears. "It was bad."

Ben didn't like seeing Rey this upset. "It was," he agreed, "but things are already better."

He wasn't looking forward to answering their questions about the original timeline.

…

Ben and Rey took turns explaining. Rey told them how decimated the Resistance had been, and Ben shared how powerful the First Order has been.

Ben needed to share his own role in the destruction the First Order had wrought. "I was–"

Rey cut in. "Still part of the First Order."

"I was more than just part of the First Order," Ben said.

Rey narrowed her eyes. "Do you really want to brag about how powerful you were?"

Ben shook his head. "You know it's not that."

"Don't wallow in guilt for things you can't change," Rey said in a soft voice.

"He has changed them," Rose said to Rey, and then she turned to Ben. "From what you have told us, you've both changed things. Whatever you did the first time, it hasn't happened."

Ben slumped back into his chair. "I'll always remember the things I've done."

"Good," Rose said.

"How is that good?" Rey asked, ready to defend Ben.

"It means Ben won't make the same mistakes," Rose explained.

Ben was grateful for her confidence. It was enough for him to start to hope that they would be able to be friends one day.

…

As they shared more details of their former future, expressions grew more grave. Ben could tell that none of them wanted to believe him and Rey. It wasn't the thought of time travel alone that fueled their doubts. The future they described was one that none of them wanted to be true – even in an alternate timeline – because of the fear that it could happen again.

…

The discussion moved towards the Sith wayfinders. Ben told them how he located one on Mustafar, killing many Sith cultists in his pursuit of the wayfinder.

Rey told them an edited version of what happened on Kef Bir. She left out the details of how he nearly died.

His mom stood up. "Thank you for telling us–"

"There's more," Rey said.

Ben raised his eyebrows. "There is?"

"There are former Stormtroopers on Kef Bir," Rey said.

His mom sat back down.

"There are?" Finn asked, hope in his voice.

"They refused to fire on civilians," Rey explained. "Just like you refused."

Finn's eyes were filled with an excitement Ben hadn't seen before. "We have to meet them. They'll help us."

Rose put her hand on Finn's arm. "If anyone can convince them to help, it's you."

Finn smiled at her.

"More Stormtroopers defecting is good news," his mom agreed, "but we can't make any decisions yet. We have a lot to think about." She stood up again. "That's enough for today,"

Rey stood up. "That means that you want to talk about us while we're not here," she said bluntly.

His mom didn't disagree. "We can't make any decisions yet." she said.

Ben tried not to let his disappointment show. "You don't believe us."

His mom sighed. "I don't know what to think." She sounded tired. "We don't share this with anyone outside of this room."

No one argued with her.

…

It didn't escape Ben's notice that he and Rey were the first to leave.

It also didn't escape his notice that most people were unhappy to see them – more unhappy than they had been earlier that same day. Tensions were escalating.

Part of Ben wanted to distance himself from Rey – for her own protection – but he knew better than to make choices like that for her. If she was willing to step into the fire with him, he had to let her.

That didn't stop him from feeling guilty.

As they walked through the Resistance base, he overheard what Resistance members had to say about them.

"–we're not safe with that monster–"

"–how can she stand to touch–"

"–she's worse than he is–"

They could say whatever they wanted to about him – he deserved it – but Rey didn't. She had once been their beacon of hope, but now she was a pariah. He would do whatever he could to make sure the Resistance knew how lucky they were to have her on their side.

"Don't listen to them," Rey whispered in his ear. "They don't know what they're talking about."

"You deserve so much better."

"I know." Rey smiled. "I have you."

Ben sighed. "That's not what I meant."

"I'm happier now, with you, that I was without you," she said. "Their anger is a small price to pay."

Ben brushed his hand down her arm. "You shouldn't pay that price."

Rey leaned forward. "Neither should you," she said, her lips ghosting against his jaw.

…

Their path was blocked by General Cypress. "I don't trust you," he said, looking at Ben and ignoring Rey.

"Thanks for letting me know," Ben said in a dry voice.

General Cypress tightened his hands into fists. "This isn't a joke," he spat out. "You are a threat to everything I have fought for my entire career. I won't put up with you–"

"There you are," General Ematt said, stepping between General Cypress and Ben. He wasn't a tall man when compared to Ben, but he towered over General Cypress. "We have to discuss the upcoming mission to–"

"Don't," General Cypress said, his face reddening, "say that in front of him."

General Ematt looked back at Ben. "Oh, I didn't notice him there," he said, lying with a straight face. "Let's go back to the command centre and discuss." He put his arm over General Cypress' shoulder and led him away.

Ben let out a relieved exhale.

"We should go," Rey said.

Ben followed her outside.

…

On their way to the Falcon, they ran into Paige and Kaydel.

Paige was leaning back against a large tree and Kaydel was in front of her. Once he moved around the smaller tree that had been obstructing his vision, he realized they weren't talking. They were kissing.

They clearly weren't expecting company.

Rey's eyes widened. "Sorry," she said, sounding like she wished they had taken another route to the Falcon.

Paige and Kaydel sprung apart. Paige's face was pink, but Kaydel just looked smug.

"You two shouldn't be walking around alone," Kaydel said.

Paige elbowed Kaydel.

"I'm right," Kaydel said. "Anger has increased around the base. It's not safe for them."

It was worrying that Kaydel had also noticed that tensions had grown. It meant that Ben's worries were justified. "We're going to the Falcon."

"That's a good idea," Kaydel agreed. "That ship is a symbol, and even the most enraged Resistance member won't attack it."

Rey's eyes widened. "You think things are that bad?"

Kayde nodded.

"Paige," Rey said, "do you agree?"

Paige sighed. "Kaydel is right."

Rey's face fell. "We'll have to change that."

"It won't be easy," Kaydel warned.

"That's never stopped me before." There was an edge to Rey's voice that Ben knew well. It gave him some comfort because he knew that you didn't want to stand against a determined Rey.

…

Paige and Kayel accompanied them to the Falcon, and they found his dad and Chewie in the main hold playing dejarik.

"We're going to stay here for a bit if that's okay," Ben ben said, rubbing his neck.

His dad raised his eyebrows. "Things are that bad?"

Rey grimaced. "Yes."

Chewie let out a low growl, showing his displeasure.

"You're always welcome here," his dad said.

Ben believed him. He didn't know when he had started trusting his dad again, but he had. Some of the tension he had been carrying left his body.

...

Chewie continued to be the most competitive dejarik player Ben had ever seen. Sensing that a fight was imminent, he offered to play one side so that Chewie and his dad could play against him.

Rey joined his team, and she had a gleam in her eyes that told him he had made a terrible mistake.

She was as competitive as Chewie was.

…

Paige and Kaydel watched two rounds of dejarik before leaving. Ben thought they were smart to leave before there was a bloodbath.

When Chewie growled at them, Rey growled back, causing his dad to laugh. Ben didn't laugh. He had seen Rey when she was angry, and he knew that Chewie had met his match.

Ben was surprised that Chewie didn't seem upset that Rey was as competitive as he was. He seemed thrilled. Chewie gave a gleeful laugh every time she tricked him.

Ben was outclassed by all three players. He told himself that it was because he was rusty.

Rey and Ben lost two out of three games against his dad and Chewie before giving up. They retired to the crew quarters.

…

Ben sat on one of the bunks, and Rey sat next to him. He wasn't tired.

From the way she kissed him, he could tell Rey wasn't tired either. He wished he could ignore their problems and kiss Rey forever.

"Stop thinking so much," she said against his lips.

"Okay," he agreed.

Ben didn't want to pull away, but it was so hot in the crew quarters. Ben wondered if Chewie had accidentally turned the heat up too high again, which he sometimes did when troubleshooting the start up procedures. He pulled back and took off his shirt.

Rey stared at him.

He swallowed. "Nothing you haven't seen before."

Rey reached forward and touched his chest. He shivered at the contact. "But I wasn't able to touch you last time," she said.

Ben smiled. "You could have."

Rey laughed. "I wouldn't have." She ran her hand down his chest towards his stomach, exploring leisurely.

"Your loss," he said.

"It was," Rey agreed. "You haven't seen me."

"You don't need to–"

Rey removed her tunic, and he lost the ability to form words. She was even more beautiful than he had imagined, all lean muscle and so much smooth looking skin.

And then she removed her breast band.

Ben's mouth went dry.

"You're staring," she said.

Ben nodded in agreement. He couldn't look away from her. "Can I touch you?"

Rey smiled. "Yes."

Ben brought his lips to her neck, and she moaned at the contact. He wanted to touch her everywhere. He moved his lips across her shoulder and down to her breast.

From the sharp moan she let out, he could tell that she liked when he licked her nipple.

Ben had never been so turned on before. This was the furthest they had ever gone, but Ben reminded himself that they had time for more. He wanted to enjoy this moment.

They took their time learning each other's bodies.

… … …

Finn found Poe in the mess hall. It was late, so Poe had a table to himself.

"Something is brewing," Poe said as Finn sat across from him.

Finn raised his eyebrows. "Something good?" he asked in a weak voice. Things were already complicated enough. He didn't want more problems.

Poe barked out a loud laugh. "I wish." He took a sip of his caf. "Do you have any good news?"

"I might. There may be more Stormtoopers like me."

Poe's eyes widened. "That's great news. How do you know?"

"Lando implied as much–"

"Lando Calrissian?"

Finn nodded. "We stayed with him after we escaped the Supremacy."

"Why am I getting the feeling that there is a lot I don't know?" Poe asked, running his hand through his hair, messing it up a little.

Finn shrugged. "Because you're perceptive?"

"Thanks," Poe said dryly.

Finn leaned forward. "We need to meet them."

"I agree." Poe had another sip of caf. "Do you think they'll join us?"

Finn smiled. "I do." Everything that had led him here, all the pain, all the fear, it would be worth it if he could help more Stormtroopers find freedom.

…

Strategizing with Poe gave Finn hope that they could take out the First Order from within. They needed to meet up with the former Stormtoopers on Kef Bir and find out how many of them there were.

Finn wouldn't be surprised if as many as one-third of all Stormtoopers were willing to change sides.

…

Poe also caught Finn up on the latest gossip. He didn't care about who was dating or who were hated rivals, but Poe delighted in sharing the gossip. It was a welcome distraction.

A distraction that because of the dark circles under his eyes, Finn could tell Poe needed.

Poe hit Finn's arm.

Finn looked at him. "What?"

Poe nodded to Finn's right. "Luke Skywalker is here, and he's looking at us."

Finn waved at Luke.

"Fifteen minutes," Luke said, and then he walked off.

Poe pinched his brows together. "What was that?"

"I'm training with him," Finn explained, standing up. "I should go get changed first."

Poe stood up and put his hand on Finn's arm, stopping him from walking away. "You're a Jedi?"

Finn hesitated before answering. Becoming a Jedi would have once been a dream come true, but now he had seen what the dark side of the Force could do. "I'm training with Luke."

"The Resistance is lucky to have you."

Finn hoped Poe was right.