"No…" Rey breathes as she stumbles forward.
She is able to catch herself but is saddened at the loss of contact she felt from Ben holding her. Rey hugs herself and tries to catch her breath. They almost kissed. They were so close and their connection ended.
"Isn't it how it always goes?" she murmurs to herself.
"Isn't it how what goes?" says a voice from behind her.
Rey is so caught up in what just happened that she jumps slightly at the voice. She turns to find Leia standing there. A blush of embarrassment creeps across Rey's face as she tries to calm herself.
"Oh, it's nothing," Rey states quickly.
Leia leans to one side and crosses her arms with a crooked eyebrow.
"Nothing? Really?" Leia asks with a teasing voice.
The blush on Rey's cheeks deepens. She has not told anyone about her connection with Ben since they arrived safely on the outer rim world of Batuu. After Finn's reaction to her defense of Ben, Rey is reluctant to share how close she really is to the new Supreme Leader. Although, based on how he acted with her just moments ago, Rey has hope he is not lost to the dark as people think.
"If it's really nothing, why are you hiding my son from me?" Leia inquires.
Rey is taken aback by Leia's question. She stares with an open mouth at the great General before her.
"How...how did you know?" Rey asks quietly.
Leia chuckles warmly and takes a seat, waving for Rey to come over and join her. Rey walks over and sits down next to Leia. She smiles at the girl and pats Rey's lap lovingly.
"You may remember who I'm related to. I am strong with the Force like my brother was," Leia explains.
She pats Rey's lap again and smiles kindly at her. Rey nods in response to Leia's words, smiling as she feels nothing but understanding and love radiating off the General.
"If my son were to end up with anyone in this galaxy, I would have wanted him to pick someone like you. Before I sent him to train with Luke, I had envisioned him taking his place as King of New Alderaan. But I do not even know if he would want to rule in the end," she continues.
"King?" Rey asks.
Leia chuckles at Rey's shocked expression. She reaches up and brushes a loose strand of hair behind Rey's ear. Her hand rests on Rey's shoulder as she speaks again.
"He is heir to the Alderaan throne. I am still Princess of Alderaan, even if my homeworld was taken from me. In the end, we are a people and we have rebuilt to uphold our traditions," Leia says proudly.
"I suppose it makes sense. He is a natural leader and is now head of the entire First Order. I just never would have thought he is a prince," Rey murmurs.
She looks down at the floor. Her mind is racing over this realization. Leia gazes at Rey and sighs sadly.
"It is his birthright. But whether he chooses to accept it is entirely up to him. I fear with him accepting the mantle of Supreme Leader, he is lost to us for good," Leia sighs.
Rey looks up at Leia and grasps the General's hand in her own.
"No Leia, he's not gone. I can feel it. The conflict still resides in him and I feel the light trying to break through," Rey exclaims.
Leia gives Rey a questioning look. She has been wanting to believe in her son for so long and never gave up hope. She still hangs on to just a pinch of hope for him. Hearing the positive tone from Rey makes Leia's hope grow steadily in this moment. Rey takes a deep breath before continuing.
"I can't explain how we are able to connect, but we have been able to see and talk to one another through the Force. I have formed a great bond with him. He is the only one who knows who I am and understands the loneliness I have felt all the years I was on Jakku," Rey explains.
Her heart goes out to Leia who flinched slightly at the mention of loneliness. After all this time, Leia will never forgive herself for sending her son away.
"The last few times we've connected, we were able to physically touch. I saw his future. He will turn back to the light. It's why I went to him in the first place. And just now when we connected, he told me he would do anything for my happiness," Rey finishes with a blush on her cheeks.
"He said that?" Leia asks.
Rey nods and feels her blush deepen. Leia gives her shoulder a squeeze before standing up. She looks down at Rey and smiles as Rey gazes up at her.
"Then there is hope for my son after all. You were the key," she says softly.
Leia leans forward and gently kisses Rey's forehead.
"Thank you, Rey," Leia whispers.
She leaves and Rey stares after her. A smile pulls at Rey's lips as she stands up. Knowing she could bring Leia peace makes her happy, especially with how Leia has taken Rey under her wing. Rey moves over to her makeshift bed, yawns with a stretch of her arms, and lays down. As she drifts off to sleep, a smile crosses her face as she feels and arm wrap around her.
"Ben," she breathes happily.
"Shhh...just rest now, Rey. I'm here with you," he breathes.
"That's all I've ever wanted," Rey replies, yawning with a smile.
Ben holds her close and falls asleep beside her, feeling a peace he has only dreamed about.