Force Dyad
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A/N-thank you very much to everyone who kindly read and reviewed the last chapter.
Chapter Thirteen-Emotional Reunion
When distance is immaterial, so is speed, and so the idea of time becomes a thing that is malleable. The galaxy spread out before Ben, observing the motions of lifeforms upon other planets that had entirely different notions of time and reality to his. Both lost all meaning to him as he continued to push Grimtaash to her limits in an effort to reach Rey quickly before Voe and Hennix had a chance to fix the Verity and move on.
When Ben finally reached their last pinpointed location, only to find them already gone, his anger boiled over. He noted Tai's worried expression as he clenched his fists on the console so tight that his knuckles turned white. He knew the young Jedi apprentice had considered his piloting extremely reckless. Ben had gotten grim amusement pointing out to Tai that he had never flown with Han Solo-his father's piloting skills were the definition of reckless.
Now it was a game of catch up. They had closed the gap, but it meant chasing the Verity's crew all the way back to the Jedi temple. Ben had hoped to intercept the starship and retrieve Rey before that happened. He had to accept now that a confrontation with Skywalker was almost inevitable. With great difficulty he swallowed down the anger that was like a growing fire-seed in his belly so that he could focus all his attention on what needed to be done.
As Ben recognised the familiar constellations leading up to the secret location of the Jedi temple, he felt his animosity building up again. When he had left with Rey to start a new life, he had hoped to never see this place again. And here he was, right back where he had started. From the viewscreen in front of him, he could see the Verity in the distance. They had finally caught up with the starship and would be arriving at the temple at the exact same time. Ben could see the semi-illuminated rear engines of the Verity glowing in the darkness, the lower half shining around the rim, the upper half several shades darker. As the Verity dipped the line between shadow and light moved.
As both ships began to make their descent toward the planet's surface, from the night came a sound as if thunder could be stretched. Ben tilted his head upward, seeking lights that flash, the red and white in the deepest of blue skies. For a moment he became still, feeling the cool air, breathing in a steady rhythm. Then there they were, those crazy passing stars, flying high, overhead as they finally touched the planet's surface and Grimtaash's engines fell silent.
As Ben descended the ramp the tension inside him grew. He could sense Skywalker's presence close by even if he couldn't see him yet. He could feel the breath getting caught in his chest and knew the fear of having to deal with his uncle again was gaining on him. He breathed shallow to find a way to release the tension. The more apprehensive he got, the more worried he became that he would lose control over his anger and prove everyone right and that he wasn't to be trusted with Rey.
Calm.
He needed to be calm.
He could do it.
For Rey's sake.
He would.
It was a picture-perfect day-blue skies, no wind, ambient temperature. Ben could feel the anticipation building inside him as he sprinted, leaving Tai further and further behind him as he concentrated on the three figures running ahead of him in the distance. Voe and Hennix were moving at a fast pace, desperate to reach the Jedi temple and Skywalker before he did.
They didn't stand a chance of beating him.
Ben ran, his feet kissing the land. He was built for speed. Months of strenuous work had given him the physique of a pro-athlete. Breathing steady, heart strong, he continued to close the gap. He could see Rey now, Hennix had resorted to carrying her. Her head was resting on the Quarren's shoulder, her face covered by a loose swathe of shiny brunette hair.
Each one of Ben's mighty strides were worth at least two of Voe and Hennix's. Voe glanced over her shoulder to check on him often and he got immense satisfaction when he saw fear tensing her face. She was afraid of him. Scared of his reaction. Good. She was right to be afraid. He would make her pay for what she had done. One day. But not yet. Not yet. Right now, he had other priorities.
Ben was outrunning the two jedi apprentices, barely breaking a sweat and not panting in the least, he gave a sudden spurt and bypassed them completely. Voe and Hennix came to a staggering halt as he stood in their path, blocking them from completing their journey toward the jedi temple.
As Ben approached them with stormy eyes, he could hear their pounding hearts and rasping gasps of air. "Give her to me." He demanded.
Hennix immediately complied, not willing to engage in combat with an angry Solo. He ignored Voe's wrathful glare as he bent down and placed a trembling Rey gently onto the ground. He then stepped back a few paces. "She's fine. She's not hurt. We looked after her." He called out to Ben.
Ben ignored the Quarren's pathetic entreaties. His sole focus was on Rey. Her hair had slipped out of its loose braid and now fell in tangled waves around her face. The smattering of freckles across the bridge of her nose stood out in stark relief against the paleness of her skin as her hazel eyes welled with tears of relief at the sight of him. Ben's face split into a rare happy grin and in fast easy strides he closed the last remaining distance between them. Before Rey knew it, she was hugging him tightly, her tears dripping down her cheeks on to his shirt. His arms scooped her up, pushing everything she had suffered into the background, making her forget everything except for his smiling face in front of her.
A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.