Force Dyad

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A/N-thank you very much to everyone who kindly read and reviewed the last chapter.

Chapter Fifty-Five-Reflection

Ben's mood ricocheted between low and lower. He had no energy or motivation to finish the final checks on the Millennium Falcon in preparation for leaving. After an hour of flicking random switches and soldering broken wiring, Ben threw his tools down and stared moodily out of the large viewscreen. Of course, it was bound to happen - Rey had developed feelings for someone - why else would she be comparing notes on different courting couples on the base?

Ben wondered who had caught her attention. When in his company she had shown no signs of pining after anyone. If she was yearning for someone, she was certainly good at hiding it. It was clear by how old the data was that this 'crush' or whatever it was she was feeling had been going on for some time. Ben found himself feeling envious of this faceless individual who had been lucky enough to capture Rey's fancy. He knew he was being ridiculous but he couldn't stop the spike of jealousy consuming him. If only he knew who it was, he could figure out what it was about them that made Rey go to the extremes of actually gathering data in an effort to attract their attention. It had to be someone older, more experienced and sophisticated in the ways of love.

Whoever it was, Ben already hated them, in his mind no one was worthy of Rey. He closed his eyes in despair, his fingers finding their way into his hair as he pulled at the inky black strands in a sense of hopeless frustration. The pain from almost tearing his hair from the roots did nothing to ease the pain in his heart. Ben let go of his hair and collapsed in his seat, his eyes still closed. Growing up had been such a baptism of fire for both of them, without each other to cling to during the darkest times it was possible that neither of them would have survived. But Ben realised the time had come when he might have to try and endure the separation. He had asked her to come with him, but there was now a real possibility she would choose to stay behind.

Like a snapshot out of time, Rey appeared in Ben's mind, her chestnut hair blowing in the spring breeze, her youthful face turned toward the sun. She was dancing, dancing like the joy of life within her couldn't be tamed. Ben felt his heart burgeoning with love. To him she was the world itself and without her he knew his life would be devoid of any happiness. There was nothing he wouldn't do to keep her safe from harm, but he knew he couldn't protect her forever. Whatever she chose to do with her life. or whoever she chose to spend it with, he would always be there when she fell and stand well back while she reached for the stars without him.

As Rey said goodbye to her friends for the last time, her thoughts remained preoccupied with Ben. He was always on her mind. When she woke, he was always her first thought of the day, he ruled her every daydream and every fantasy of future years. Rey knew she must separate these fantasies from reality if they were ever to have any chance together. He may be her whole word, but he was still a man, great though he was, she wasn't privy to his inner thoughts and feelings. He might not share her fantasies; they did not build those daydreams together. She needed to let those go. If there was ever going to be a possibility of a real romance, it needed to be a new thing, a new book with clean pages. One they would write together.

There was so much history between them. Rey worried that the weight of their past and the expectations she carried could crush both their hearts. She knew he was the one, but she had to consider that maybe she wasn't his. Rose had already warned her to expect disappointment and to take Armitage's advice with a pinch of salt. Rose was convinced the age gap was too big to breach, and pleaded with Rey to guard her heart and to remember Ben was an individual with his own thoughts, needs and heart...

"I'm here if you need me." Rose promised as she hugged Rey goodbye, already convinced that the whole endeavour was going to end in disaster and that the next time she saw Rey, her friend would be nursing a broken heart.

Rey found Ben waiting for her at the bottom of the Falcon's ramp. She approached him cautiously, trying to read his expression. "I've done all the pre-flight checks." He said causally. "Oh, before I forget…Han left this for you." He handed her the non-descript bag containing the datapad.

"Oh." Rey's throat tightened and she paled considerably when she took the bag from him. She had recognised it at once. "Um…thanks. You…you didn't look inside, did you?" She stammered.

Ben kept his face composed as he watched Rey bite her lip and avoid eye-contact with him. She was clearly fretting about whether he had discovered the datapad. Even though he was dying to confess, he knew it would only upset her. And he hated seeing her upset. He unintentionally moved closer. "Hey, its okay." He assured her. "I didn't look inside the bag."

Rey's breathing became softer, her pensive look melting into a smile as soft as the morning light. Her body squirmed just a little as her muscles relaxed. "There's nothing in there. Just a broken old datapad." She admitted.

Ben shrugged. "Well, you'll have plenty of time to fix it on the way to Ahch-to." He caught her gaze and held it, wondering for an instant if she was the one who was actually going to confess.

There was something about that gaze of his that Rey knew she would never find in another man, as if in that moment their souls have made a bridge. She took advantage of the moment, stepping closer, her fingers moving to her hair and playing with one of the loose strands. Rey saw his warm brown eyes unconsciously track her movement. She curled one brunette strand around her forefinger in the same way she remembered Kaydel doing when she smiled coquettishly at Paige. Rey pursed her lips slightly, cocking her head to one side as she looked up at Ben from under her thick lashes. She thought he looked a bit dazed, and when he raised his own hand to instinctively brush a strand of his own hair away from his face, she realised he was mirroring her movement, just like Paige had mirrored Kaydel's.

Rey was silently contemplating whether to push things a little further when the precious moment was interrupted by the arrival of Han and Chewie. The hairy Wookie crept up behind Rey and hauled her off her feet, huffing out a deep throaty growl that resembled human laughter as he did so. Rey squealed in surprise, suddenly reduced to a gauche young girl again as Chewie wrapped her in a bear hug. As she looked over his shoulder, she saw Han and Ben laughing at her shocked reaction. She loved Chewie, but right now she wanted to smack him.

"Put me down!" She demanded in annoyance.

Chewbacca finally obliged. He lowered her gently back onto her feet, completing the final humiliation by ruffling her hair like a small child. Rey groaned internally, only deriding some satisfaction when the Wookie did the same routine with Ben. She had to admit it was quite funny watching Ben swept off his feet. Being so tall and muscular himself, it took the strength of a Wookie to lift him. Chewie hugged him, huffing out more laughter as he reversed his grip on Ben so that one hairy arm was around his shoulders and pulling his surrogate nephew into his side so he could ruffle his hair just like he had Rey's.

"Get off!" Ben laughed as he wriggled out of Chewie's hold.

Han was wearing one of his lopsided grins. "You two all set?" He asked.

"Yeah." Ben agreed, glancing back at the Falcon. "I've done the pre-flight checks. For once she seems in good shape." He teased.

"Hey!" Han complained, pretending to be insulted.

Rey rolled her eyes at their childish banter as Han reached out to hug her. "Stay safe, kid." He murmured, pressing a brief kiss on top of her head. "And no light speed skipping." He warned after letting her go.

"I promise." Rey agreed.

Han turned to face Ben, locking his son into his serious gaze. "Take care of her." He said to Ben. "And I don't just mean the ship."

"You know I will." Ben responded huskily.

"And don't forget to take care of yourself, too." Han added.

"I will." Ben promised solemnly. "You can count on that."

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.