Welcome back to, I guess the long...long awaited final chapter. I am very sorry that it was such a wait. CovId, working from home, kids, a promotion, family health issues...finally took a toll and I needed to just focus on the moment for a bit. My most heartfelt thanks to all those that took a moment to send wishes and thoughts to check in, not just for the story, but for me. Things are much better and my family members are doing the best they can with a good projected outcome.

As for the story...well...honestly, part of my lengthy wait was the difficulty I had on letting it go. This story was meant to be at most just a couple chapters, but I had such an incredible response and support for it, it took on a life of its own and I have TRUELY loved each moment of writing it.

A big thank you to each and every one of you who read, commented, and shared with me thoughts and ideas as this ballooned into 37 chapters and over 170,000 words, and 100,000 views. I am STUNNED, as my daughter would say...it's filled my bucket (heart).

Not sure what's next, but I do have an original rattling around so you never know...not to mention Season 7 of The 100 is wrapping up and I am sure there could be a story or two in there for rewrites.

Stay safe, stay home, and be kind everyone. You never know when a simple kindness can make the biggest difference.

Enjoy...and as always, I WISH I owned this, but all rights to Disney (unless you want to offer me a writing gig...)

Chapter 37

Once everyone was comfortable Finn glanced around at the group and cleared his thought awkwardly. He wasn't sure how they were supposed to go about finding Rey and Ben in their own minds, but he felt it with every fiber that they were doing the right thing.

"So, no one has been able to reach further than what we all feel here?" He clarified, slightly hopeful that someone would admit to something they hadn't already, but figured that wouldn't actually be the case.

Again, heads ducked and eyes reflected the disappointment and worry that rippled through everyone. Finn sighed and bit his lip in thought on how he wanted to approach the next part.

"Look, I know you all have been training longer than I have..." He trailed off, feeling on edge, his uncertainty in his abilities within the confines of the group.

Nelo spoke up from his chair in the back of the group, "We all respect that you have a different relationship with Master Rey and Ben. Your dedicated efforts have not gone unnoticed during training either." His voice supportive as he spoke the truth.

Finn ducked his head at the praise, shifting his feet awkwardly. No one ever commented on the fact he never referred to Ben or Rey as 'Master', knowing he had a very complicated history with both of them, but in the moment, it seemed like it was a gaping chasm between him and the rest of the group.

Finn took a breath and lifted his head with resolve, "You each have been given an incredible gift which came at a high...cost." He said carefully choking on the words at the end, his emotions and loss of Maz fresh and drawing tears to the surface.

"The First Order tried very hard to destroy all these crystals because they are said to focus the powers of those sensitive with the force." Finn sighed at the thought of his connection again to the First Order and how they had destroyed so much. He looked back up at the group, "If we all focus now as a group, as one. I think we can reach Rey and Ben." He explained, without actually explaining how it would happen.

Damia straightened up in her chair a little, "Master Ben or Rey had always been our guide in meditation. How are we supposed to do this Finn?" her voice was light and high, almost girlish, making her appear much younger than she actually was, but slowly she had learned to branch out a bit from Raan's side over thier training.

Finn nodded in acknowledgement of her words, "I know, but we can all feel that faint tether of their force. If we focus on that and just reach out as a whole..." he said, trying to encourage his plan as much as he could. He knew he couldn't do it alone, but didn't want to fail in front of the group either.

Tsaro stepped around the side of the group where she had been listening and observing quietly, "Young Master Finn will lead. You, young Masters, follow." She dictated softly but with the firm tone of one who wasn't to be trifled with.

Finn blinked at her words, stunned at the finality of her tone, his mouth opening, then closing again in shock while the others nodded respectfully at the caretaker.

He turned to object and she silenced him with a look, "Sit. Meditate." She ordered with a pointing finger at a folded mat she dropped beside him on the stone floor.

Snickers rippled over the group quietly despite the seriousness of what they were about to attempt, as Finn's mouth snapped shut on his retort to Tsaro and sat with a frustrated sigh. The others followed his lead, smiles still lingering on a few as their eyes drifted shut in preparation for meditation.

Finn reached into his pocket, pulling out his crystal into his lap, the others following his lead the air in small hut seeming to become charged, causing the hairs to raise on Finn's neck. It was power, and he could feel the energy of it all around him as he tried to focus and not let his hope overwhelm his concentration.

"Okay, lets focus on their tie to the force." He said out loud, more just voicing the plan and desperately hoping that his idea was going to work.

Tsaro took a step back as the power of the group stirred and bloomed to life. The hut was slowly charged with the pull of the force that was so deeply rooted, that she could feel it in every part of her, calming and warm, a sense of peace in all that was and all that could be. She closed her eyes, the feelings welling up in her as the power grew till it almost cracked in the air around the pair laying on the bed. There was balance in this power, the darkness that lay in each of the young students of the group, the waring of the dark and light in the island itself adding to the mix, creating a heady sensation.

Finn could feel the crystal in his hand remain cool even though his hands were damp and clammy around it as he focused. He reached out and searched, weaving his way through the force with his feelings until he felt the faint tug of the dyad, like a whisper in the back of his mind as he reveled in the shear strength of the group.

Ben and Rey's bond was thin, like a whiff of smoke floating on the wind, seemingly just out of his reach when he felt the strength of the others that had been lingering in the wings, surround him as if they were all with him, following, pushing him forward. He reached out to the thin, floating thread, and it seemed to wrap around his mind, becoming more tangible and firmer. He gripped it and drew on the group to reach out calling, Be with us.

…...

Rey had clung to the presence of Ben and just drifted, floating in the nothing for how long, she had no idea. Nothing was in her grasp but the steady connection in her mind, edging out the fear that she felt of being alone again. She wasn't fighting for every scrap of food, pulled by an unknown power that scared her, trapped by her family name and the darkness that came with it, facing some evil or rising as a beacon for the resistance.

It was calm, Ben likening it to floating in water, and Rey marveled in her mind on that, never having had enough water to anything but drink or slightly clean grimy from parts for sale. He shared thoughts and memories with her, for once, not holding any detail back from her as they drifted in peace.

Ben had no walls in this place, and no desire to keep anything from Rey anymore and it seemed to unlock something deep inside of him as all the memories he had locked away came rushing forward, lulling him as he let himself drift. For the first time in a very long time, his memories and past didn't bring him pain, just an aching sadness of what he lost by having such a jaded and dark view that skewed the memories. He let them lap over his mind, remembering everything with a clarity and acceptance that he had never had before, his soul seeming to settle with each new one that crossed his mind.

Rey felt all of Ben's memories and the ache it brought within him, the sound of his mother's laugh, the way his dad was always patient with teaching him how to make repairs on the Falcon, how Chewie would sit for hours and teach him the ins and outs of Dejarik. All the tender looks, and touches they gave him over the years were mixed with bitter-sweet moments of training at Luke's temple with the other students, laughing young faces shining in his thoughts.

With all of those memories did come some sadness, though. The remembrance of fights overheard between Han and Leia about his power and decision to send him away to training. The way Han left to just avoid the constricting responsibilities placed on him with the formation of the new government and how bitterly he fought with Leia about the amount of time she was spending engrossed with politics.

No family was perfect, but for the first time ever, without the whispering of Palpatine in his head, he saw how much his parents truly had loved him, worried over him, despaired over his loss and he shared it all with Rey, feeling like he was finally closing a chapter on his past, allowing him to truly be at peace.

The feeling was welcoming as the internal conflict finally seemed to come to an end inside of him and he wanted to just drifting in this place, in peace, with Rey.

Rey wound herself in his memories, letting him intertwine with her own as the power of their bond burned away all remaining walls she had built up as a child and she was washed with the love of her parents, the fear of them leaving alone, and the world she built up in her mind to protect herself from the loneliness of their loss.

You're not alone...echoed through the nothingness as the memory of the hut filtered through everything else. Neither are you...floated softly behind it and Ben felt his mind drift into an accepting quietness, as if wrapped in the space just before sleep, with Rey in his arms. He let it consume and fill him, letting everything else drift away.

Rey had no concept of space or time in this existence, but slowly felt a nudging in the back of her mind. It was if she had forgotten something, but couldn't quite put her finger on what it was that she had forgotten. That feeling seemed to pull at her, tugging something in her mind to look within herself to find what was wrong, stirring her mind from its lulled state of bliss and focusing it slightly.

Ben? Do you feel that? She asked, momentarily frightened that she had only imagined them finding themselves in the abyss their consciousness seemed to be banished to since he was so still in her mind.

Hmmmm...came a questioning hum from inside her mind that felt like a languid purr. She had never felt him so at peace in a moment before.

I can...feel...something. Something calling. She said trying to find the words to describe the pull on her soul, the fog in her mind lifting further.

Ben stirred in her mind, taking note of what she was feeling, not wanting to leave the calm state he was in for anything at that point. It was as if he had been weary beyond belief and his body wanted rest. What...where is that...he asked, his mind sluggish and lulled by his calm.

Be with us...came suddenly floating through like an afterthought of a dream, hard to hold on to in the moment right after.

It was enough though. It was enough to put Rey on the path to follow where it came from. That sounded like...Finn! Rey said in disbelief. The faint whisper was enough to burn away the rest of the cloudiness in her mind, allowing her to begin the search for where the call had come from.

Find us...you are not alone. Whispered again like a ripple of a chorus of voices this time, stronger and surer as it seemed to reverberate through the space in Rey's mind.

Come back home...Finn's voice floated through to Rey again and she could feel the pain of hope edging through the force to them.

Rey took a surprised 'breath' and suddenly felt the air hit her lungs, the physicality of her chest expanding, her body responding faintly as she seemed to slip slowly back into herself and as she did, she felt Ben's grip shift and start to slip from her mind.

Ben...no, Ben...she said desperately as she clung to the tendrils of their bond in her mind while she became more aware of the sensations of her physical body. It was if the peace of the place was unwilling to release its hold on Ben now that he had accepted it.

Rey? Echoed distantly in her mind and she scrambled, feeling as if their bond was slipping through her fingers like sand on Jakku and she tried to grasp harder at it. His voice drifting away from her, becoming soft and quiet, like it did when he was falling sleep.

No...No, no, no....Rey said feeling the struggle of her mind to reach out as her body felt heavy on the mattress, sensing the warmth of what she could only assume was Ben's body beside hers.

Rey?! Oh, thank the stars! Rippled through her mind gently, a sense of relief flooding her that was not her own.

Finn?! Finn...it's Ben...he's slipping away...HELP ME! She begged desperately, feeling the energy drain from her the farther away he became in her mind, their dyad connection feeling the strain of their pending separation. She panicked, her breathing coming is short rapid gasps as she grasped at the frayed wisp of a connection left between her and Ben.

Tsaro felt the shift in the force as Rey took a short breath on the bed, while Ben started to become pale beside her. There was a waning in the force, as if sorrow and loss was seeping into the room and she gasped, covering her mouth at its intensity, the weight of it causing her to drop to her knees as tears sprung to her eyes.

Rey felt strained as the power seemed to be draining out of her and she felt Finn and the group focus on her light, and her dwindling power like and anchor. She could feel herself begin to sweat and feel cold as she strained to focus further.

No...NO! She has been through too much! Finn seamed to growl through the bond at the force itself, it's not fair, don't you dare leave her Ben Solo... don't you leave us all!

It seemed that the force of every living thing decided hold its collective breath for a single moment before the tension snapped, opening like a damn, releasing the power of the universe itself, rushing through the group as its own entity, a tidal wave, washing over them.

Rey stilled with the shear intensity of the wave and let the power overtake her, filling her with a calm breath, sensing, not just the group and Finn with her, but all that was, all that had been connected with the force.

Breath...reached out to Ben, in the calm of his mind as he drifted. Not demanding or insistent, just a thought that softly triggered his mind.

Just breath...wrapped around his thoughts, pulling at him in the fog and he became aware of how far Rey seemed to be from him as air filled his lungs.

You aren't done yet...don't be ashamed of what you have done to get you on the road here. It has led you to who you were meant to be. The voice said gently again to Ben as anxiety started to filter in about the uncertain road ahead when he was at peace where he was. It focused his mind gently, guiding him and showing him the way to where the deep voice was speaking to him from.

Ben shuddered with sudden recognition of the voice. Grandfather? He responded, feeling the emotions well up inside him, connecting him with his body again, his breathing hitching momentarily, Rey's presence weaving a little closer, edging towards him in his mind.

I am so very proud of you, of how far you have come...live...go live your life...with her. The voice said again, warm and radiant. A far cry from Palpatine's twisted version that pushed him to the darkness.

Ben's breathing hitched again and he felt a hand clamp around his, warm, strong and small as the voice faded away to nothing and Rey was present, their bond strong, secure in its place as if it had been set right by another.

Damn it Ben! Thank the stars! Finn's voice sounded in his mind, filled with relief as the world came crashing in on him completely as if Ben was waking from a deep sleep.

"Hmmmm..." Rey murmured, her eyes fluttering open carefully, all her aches and pains coming to the forefront of her mind, and she felt the strength of Ben's grasp on her hand, comforting her.

Ben shifted with a groan as well and slowly propped himself up on his elbow to see the group rise, looking to him and Rey, faces filled with exhausted relief with seeing their Master's awake before he looked down at Rey.

Rey looked up at his bruised and battered face and, for just a moment, she just drank in the sight of him, his warm brown eyes focused on her and she broke into a grin, eyes filling with tears.

Finn cleared his throat loudly, feeling suddenly exhausted and awkward all at the same time as he witnessed the look between Ben and Rey, "Welcome back." He mumbled, shuffling his feet, focusing on the stones.

Ben blinked at the sound of Finn's voice, and his eye flicked to the group before he helped Rey sit up. They shifted to the edge of the mattress, acutely aware of the large group in their personal space watching them closely.

Ben felt as if he had been drained of life and tossed down a pit again as he eased himself to the edge of the mat beside Rey. At the same time, he felt unusually self-conscious under the radiant gaze of the group, unused to such adoring looks, even after all the time he had spent with Rey, and then he caught Finn's gaze.

Finn stepped forward, his hand reaching out to Ben, "Welcome back." He said softly again with a respectful nod of his head.

Ben's eyes flicked down at the man's hand and he realized just how far he had come in that moment, and was slightly dumbfounded. He reached out, giving it a firm single shake before dropping his eyes to the floor as he muttered, "Thank you." In response, feeling uncomfortable with being the focus of the attention in this manner.

Finn turned his attention to Rey who broke into a beaming grin, "You good?" he said before rushing forward, headless to what Ben or the group may think, and wrapping her into his arms.

"I heard you." She whispered into his neck and she pushed aside the pain that his crushing hug caused her ribs and breathed in his familiar smell, squeezing her eyes tight.

As Finn eased up reluctantly, he moved away and his gaze flicked to Ben momentarily, expecting to be met by a dark scowl. He was completely shocked to find a soft look playing on Ben's lips instead as he took in the two. The sense of calm and balance surrounded Finn and he felt slight confusion flicker across his face before he turned his attention back again to Rey.

"We heard you all." Rey said with a smile to the group over Finn's shoulder, and they collectively nodded their heads in respect to their Master's as the door banged open suddenly, causing everyone to start in surprise.

"Mas'er Ben, Rey!" a small voice exclaimed in panic, as a slight body appeared out of nowhere to launch at where Ben was seated, startled, and ready to call his saber to his hand.

"Ooff!" Ben huffed out as the full weight of Jek slammed into his chest, taking everyone by surprise.

Rey stifled a laugh as Ben caught her eye and she could feel his hidden delight in seeing the boy again, along with the embarrassment of such a display of affection with everyone present.

"Jek! That not..." Tsaro began, seeing the slight frown cross Ben's face and taking it as displeasure of his actions before Finn cut her off.

"And with that, I think it's a bit crowded in here." He said with a wink at Rey, while he caught the thankful glance of Ben before his eyes turned back down to the white mop of hair pressed against his chest. It was surprising to him to see Ben in such a manner with the young boy.

The group all respectfully muttered there, "Master's" as their goodbye before slipping out the door, all the while Jek clinging to Ben, his small arms locked around as much of Ben's waist as he could.

"It's alright Tsaro." Rey said softly as she watched Ben, who finally reached down gently and lift the boy's chin to meet his eyes.

"I'm sorry we didn't come for you." Ben said, slightly taken aback at how warm and tender his voice seemed to come out.

"I...I felt..." Jek said, swallowing, his eyes filling to the brim with tears while he hesitated and finally reached up to touch Ben's cheek where a nasty bruise and deep cut had been tended to by Tsaro.

The corner of Ben's mouth tugged up at the boy's sweet gesture and he reached up enveloping the small hand in his large one, bringing it back down to his lap. He lifted a curious eyebrow at the boy at his words, "And just what did you feel from so far away?" Curious as to the amount of power in the little boy.

Jek turned to Rey, his tears finally spilling over and down his cheeks, "I felt you both...leave." His statement coming out in a choked wail while his lip trembled in a pout.

Tsaro 'tsked' as his words and set to putting a fresh pot of tea on with simple food, busying herself with the task to hide the tears and relief she was feeling at seeing her young Master's awake and well and sharing a tender moment with the youngling she had become so fond of.

Rey moved forward and sat on the edge of the bed, Jek shifting over to her lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her neck to her surprise. She could feel his small chest hitching with his tears and she sighed, looking up at Ben, heart squeezing with emotion in her chest for the boy.

"I not...feel you.... at all..." He hiccupped into Rey's neck, his young voice slightly muffled, "Then...we land...I feel...pulling...and you back!"

Ben's face reflected the amazement at Jek's words as he described the deep connection he seemed to have with the force, and he reached out, placing a hand on his back, moving awkwardly up and down in a soothing motion.

Can you feel our bond? Ben locked eyes with Rey as he posed the question to Jek though the force, creating a window in his defenses to allow the boy in.

Jek's head bobbed up off of Rey's shoulder and he swung it around to meet Ben's gaze, his eyes wide, It shiny...and warm. He said a smile beaming across his face.

Ben took a moment to reach out, feeling already drained by such a simple action as reading Jek, "We will need to give you different training I think." Ben said and leaned back a little on the bed, bracing himself with one arm in exhaustion.

Rey felt the wave of fatigue roll off of Ben and moved to set the boy back down to stand on the floor as a knock sounded on the door.

Tsaro mumbled gruffly about them needing rest as she shuffled over to answer the door, finding Poe on the other side.

"Finn told me they were awake?" He said, his voice filled with relief and hope as Tsaro moved to the side, ushering him in.

"You not stay long, Master's need rest." She stated in a grumpy tone that had Poe grinning as they all knew there was no real heat behind her words.

"Come my young one," She said to Jek, waving him over as his face fell a little, but following her command. "Master Ben an' Rey rest. You, come." her words firm, but soft and caring.

Jek glanced quickly over at Ben who lifted his eyebrow again and nodded his head to Tsaro, indicating he should head her words. Jek sighed, resigned and followed the caretaker out the door.

"Glad to see you both up and in one piece." He said walking to Rey, and placing a hand lightly on her shoulder, "You alright?" He asked her gently before glancing at Ben to include him in the question as well.

"Yeah, I think we are." Rey smiled softly and leaned into give Poe the hug he was holding back on in the moment.

Poe beamed as Rey squeezed him tight and shot Ben a look, his face faltering for a moment when he met his gaze.

"Don't expect a hug from me." Ben said with mock afront and Poe froze for a moment, his mouth dropping open in surprise.

Rey shifted out of Poe's arms, her face delighted, "Ben!" she chided him as Poe broke out into side splitting laughter.

"Really?" Poe said, wiping away the tears of laughter that squeezed out of the corner of his eyes while he tried to catch his breath, "You had to almost die twice and save the universe to find your sense of humor?!"

Ben smirked in response, keeping his features smooth, "I always had a sense of humor, I just didn't find you funny." Ben shot back quickly, his voice deadpan.

That was the final straw for Poe and he doubled over in more laughter as Rey shot him an exasperated look as she rolled her eyes.

"Alright you two. Poe, I think we should leave things here for now, while we are all laughing." Rey said with a grin and started to usher him to the door as he tried to subdue his laughter.

"Alright, but just so you both know, the cousel has voted. They have lifted your exile, in light of you saving the universe and all," He said and finally sobered. "But I wouldn't go too far though, not all have forgiven or forgotten." He added by way of gentle warning.

He wrapped a quick arm around Rey's shoulders again placing a quick kiss on her temple, "You really did have me worried." He said softly, his eyes speaking the volume of his emotions that he didn't voice.

Rey smiled and nodded her head, not willing to voice just how close this had come ending very differently, "Thank you Poe, for everything." She said as he nodded back to Ben and slipped out the door, closing it behind him.

Rey sighed, her hand on the door frame, pausing for a moment before she flipped down the lock and turned back to Ben.

Her eyes said it all as she gazed across the hut at him. She had kept everything at bay when she had woken to find everyone in their hut, but now that they were alone, the reality of what they had just been through came crashing in.

As tired as he was, Ben crossed the hut in three steps, sweeping Rey up in his arms as she was overcome with emotion, her breath catching at the tears beginning.

Rey felt him catch her and she locked her arms around his neck, unable to control the sobs that bubbled over. She felt like she couldn't breath as she let out all the fear and the pain, she had gone through watching him take the darkness inside of him, collapse to the ground after and nearly losing him in the abyss. She could feel herself shaking as he scooped an arm around and behind her knees, lifting her in his arms as tears continued to soak his shirt.

Ben couldn't tell if he was feeling her tremble in his arms or it was his own shaking, as the reality of their victory and what it nearly cost them caught up to him as well, along with her flooding of emotions taking hold on his mind. It was all so much and so raw that he gasped to regain his own precious control as he sat on the bed, cradling Rey beside him tightly.

He was never good at this, comforting her, especially when he was trying to processes everything that had happened. But he just sat with her in his arms, breathing in her scent and whispering soft hushing words into her hair.

Rey finally felt the flood trickle off to a manageable stream and she hiccupped and swallowed, trying to put herself back together as gracefully as possible as her nose ran, and her eyes were red and swollen from the tears.

"I'm sorry," She mumbled as she swiped at her tears, running her sleeve over her face, "It's just all been too much, I think."

Ben cleared his throat as he reigned in his own thoughts on the matter, "I know." Was all he dared at the moment, just focusing on the feel of her in his arms.

Rey shifted away from Ben and regarded him thoughtfully, "Why didn't want to leave that place?" She asked softly, leaving her hands resting on his chest, feeling the warmth of him.

Ben looked down at her hands for a moment, thoughtful, remembering the voice of his grandfather. He captured one of her hands in his, studying it as he thought, "The only time I have felt a peace like that...is, with you." He eyes lifted from her hand to meet her gaze willing her to understand the torment his soul had truly been in for, as long as he could remember.

Rey searched his hazel eyes carefully, feeling warmed at the thought of what she had brought to his life beyond the challenge, "I can understand that." She said, seeing and feeling something different in him.

"Stars! I am tired!" Ben huffed and leaned his forehead to rest on Rey's, closing his eyes and letting the scent of her wrap around him.

"I thought I was going to lose you." Rey whispered into the small space between them as she slid her hands up his cheek and around the back of his neck to tangle in the soft curls at the nape of his neck.

"I was worried there for a bit too." Ben whispered back feeling the ache and fatigue seep into his very bones.

"How long do you think they will let us rest?" Rey said moving to lay down while keeping one hand hooked around Ben's neck so she could draw him down with her.

Rey could feel his silent chuckle as he tucked her head under his chin and pull the blanket over them both. Ben became still and quiet, his breathing even and deep in the ear she rested on his chest, making her think he had drifted off in his exhaustion till she heard his whisper in her hair.

"You should be more concerned with how long I let you rest." His words barely audible, and more 'felt' through their bond.

Rey smiled, feeling her whole-body flush as sleep pulled her under in the safe cocoon of his arms.

Epilogue

A soft breeze shifted the curtains, carrying the heavy scent of exotic flowers and salt air through the open room, stirring Ben from his sleep. He started to roll onto his back, to find the movement halted by firm cushions of the couch he was stretched out on.

In the last four years they had focused Jek's training once they had realized the power within the small boy, Ben had taken him under his tutelage as an apprentice of sorts. The thought of having an apprentice still made the darkness inside him want to push forth, and Ben focused very carefully on keeping his own balance in check in those times. He refused to warp or twist anyone in the way he had been manipulated for so long by the dark side.

Jek was now giving him a serious run for his money in sparing sessions, despite his young age and significantly smaller size, and Ben was finding himself more and more tired with the lengthier sparing bouts they got into. When he had returned to the room after such a session, to shower and dress but had stopped before heading outside to stretched out on the couch for, what he had told himself was going to be a few moments of meditation.

The sun was starting to dip through the window frames indicating he had slept soundly for at least a few hours as they tended to train earlier in the morning to prevent being scorched in the afternoon sun. Ben groaned slightly as he rose off the couch feeling stiffness from the workout and extended sleep on the firm sofa.

Soft voices and laughter drifted into the room on the breeze as the sheer curtains billowed with soft rustling as Ben padded across the cool stone of the patio in bare feet. He could feel the bubbling laughter and joy calling him like a siren's song as he squinted in the suddenly bright sun as he moved around the side of the building.

His eyes slowly adjusted to the light and focused on the Rey's form, doubled over in the lush green grass on the hill that lead to the beach, Jek and Tsaro, with her. Jek was animatedly explaining something as he laughed while Tsaro fussed with a basket of food, prepping what appeared to be a late meal.

"Oh, Jek!" Rey huffed as she attempted to catch her breath as tears squeezed out down her cheeks, "I wish I could have...could have seen that!" She managed to get out between laughing breaths.

Jek caught Ben's approach and sobered a little, "Master." He said with a respectful nod, eyes dancing and his dimples still flashing with the humor of the story he recounted to Rey.

Jek still carried the look of his young age, but there was a composed calm about him that exuded a maturity far beyond his years. He still managed to be the only one that could get Rey into a fit of laughter that had her grasping her sides and huffing for air.

Rey's head shot up at Jek's greeting to meet Ben's gaze, her eyes still misted from the humorous tears that were starting to calm. She had felt his mind stir to consciousness a few moments earlier, but had been so thoroughly engrossed by Jek's story that she had missed Ben's approach.

"Ben, please tell me you really weren't that ungraceful and I didn't miss a rare opportunity to see you almost bested by this boy?!" She asked with a teasing tone, her humor just barely being contained.

Ben glimpsed the version of the story that Jek had woven for Rey to tease the best type of response out of his other favorite Master.

"Not nearly as dramatic as it has been described, was it, my young Padawan?" Ben said with a flat and serious tone.

Jek had enough sense to at least fain a guilty look and duck his head in Ben's halfhearted reproach. He couldn't however, keep from making a soft, imitating squawk, meant to poke fun at the undignified sound that had inadvertently came out as Ben had lost his focus for a split moment, causing him to fall, quite inelegantly into a thick muddy stream bed, flat on his back.

Rey snorted at Ben's dark look and rose carefully to approach him, "I'm sure it wasn't that bad." She whispered as she sent calming waves through their bond, following them by placing soft hands on his chest.

Ben eyed the boy over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow, "I will not be pleased if your joking causes an early labor." Ben commented before shifting his gaze to Rey's glowing face.

She had about a month to go and had begrudgingly given up on the physical training sessions with Jek and the rest of the new young ones two months previous. It nearly took Ben forcing her onto the ship with his saber to convinced her to leave the island and go with him to Naboo to spend the last few weeks in luxury at the Royal summer house. She had only finally relented if Jek would be permitted to come so that there, "would be no lapse in his training." However, Ben suspected it was more to keep him busy as his anxiousness seemed to spike whenever he had little to do or little to challenge him.

"My 'pologies, Master." Jek said lightly, his grin still softening his features before he turned his face away from the pair. He had been thrilled to be asked to go with them to Naboo and the last few days watching Ben and Rey in a more private and relaxed manner had seemed to shift their relationship to something much deeper than just a Master and Paduan relationship, despite Be's still stiff nature with him in training. He had felt accepted into their little, soon to be family and had found himself growing more protective over the baby that reached out to touch his mind so often. He had squirreled those moments away in his heart though, not wanting to share that detail with Ben and Rey, feeling as if it was to be between him at the child.

Ben focused on Rey and the firm belly wedged between them, his hands drifting up to cup the sides as his eyes fluttered closed. He could sense the slumbering mind of his child, calm, warm, reassured as it had a thumb wedged tightly in its mouth.

Rey huffed momentarily as she caught Ben's slightly annoyed reaction to the child's involuntary habit it seemed to have formed in the last week.

"It will not make them any less of a Jedi." Rey whispered quietly with slight humor at his reaction. They had already shared small glimpses of the child's future through the force shortly after Rey had conceived, and a couple times in dreams, but they had yet to discover the sex of the child.

It had taken them a couple of years to finally start feeling comfortable enough with the rebuild of the island, the training of the new recruits, and lack of world ending catastrophes to actually even have the first conversation about it. The whole topic being forced to the forefront one morning as Rey had been just on the edges of sleep when she had slipped into the tail end of Ben's dream.

In it, they stood close, side by side, watching a group of children running and playing together in a large field, their eyes fixed on a slight figure with a mop of soft black curls. It had been the briefest of dreams, but Rey knew the feeling immediately that it wasn't a memory, it was the possibility of what could come to pass.

Ben had remained dark and pensive for most of the day, avoiding most conversations and snapping with a short temper with any irritation. Rey had finally had enough and pushed him to let her in.

"If we are going to go back to this behavior, let me know, cause I thought we had gotten past you shutting me out and not talking about things" She had snapped at him after nearly dragging him back to their hut after he had lost his temper at Jek for not paying attention in training.

Rey had braced for the storm, but Ben ended up surprising her by launching into all of his fears. He let them tumble all out, like an emotional waterfall till he slumped to their bed deflated and spent.

He was scared. Scared of his past, who he had been and the legacy that seemed to been in their blood, his inability to connect with the new young ones that had come to the camp, his darkness, the life of possible danger, even though there had been no further attempts on his life. All of it came to the surface and he quietly had finished his rant with how he felt he was holding Rey back from happiness and less complications.

Rey had sat with him, quiet for quite a whil before she felt the energy shift through their bond to a place where he would be receptive to her words and then she told him just what had been in her heart since catching his dream.

"Ben, our tragedies and failures will not be our legacy if we had a child. The child, and the life we choose to give them will be the legacy. I have never had a thought to having children until I met you. And if it is meant to be...then, I have as much faith in you to be a wonderful father, as I did in the light inside of you."

It took another year before Ben brought up the thought of finding a doctor for the island, since they were getting more and more sensitives, and some of the older one's training was resulting in some minor injuries. They had been in bed during the height of a rain storm, after making love when he added the possibility of find a doctor to not just help out, but to reverse her preventative block that had been in place since Jakku.

The rest had been a whirl wind of training, living and just learning who they were together and as a dyad until the night they both felt the force shift in them and between them as they reached their climax together. It had been a soul changing moment and they both had a dream that night of the field and the bubbling laughter of a dark-haired child that made them both feel whole.