Author's Note: Update! Wish I could be a bit faster but life is being...well, life. So thank you to everyone who is waiting patiently for the updates. The end is near and hope it's well worth the wait.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars. Never have, never will. I simply play in their world.

Reviews: Thank you so, so much for your comments. You have no idea how much they mean to me. So just...thank you.

"You are my infinite...my universe...

the missing piece my soul aches for.

You will never be lost to me...

I will always find you

and

always love you

of that I am sure.

Because you are the one for me.

You define my existence;

you are my reason for being.

I begin and end with you."

-Ranata Suzuki

Ben Solo

So this is how it's going to be? Ap'Lek has them forming a circle trying to cut off all avenues of escape.

I'm familiar with the tactic. I should it's one I've used countless times in battle.

Testing me or taking me for a fool? Either way he's underestimating my abilities.

"So the boy from the temple coming to fight? You should have kept running, you might have lived a few hours longer."

Vicrul.

I don't need the Force to know I'm in danger. Six against one wouldn't be so bad if I had a weapon. But I don't have time for his pandering, I can sense Rey's growing despair like a dark stain across my soul.

I need to end this before Palpatine can take her.

"Are you going to talk me to death or actually do something?" I slant a gaze at Vicrul, "Surely you're not afraid of this boy?"

A growl and he breaks formation. I was counting on that. He's too short-tempered to follow orders properly, a weakness he's never been able to master.

His scythe sweeps across my face as I side-step his attack using the Force to slam his head into the nearby wall.

The impact stuns him but it won't be long before he's back on his feet.

Ap'Lek lifts his hand into a closed fist and I duck, snapping my leg out as Trudgen tries to take me from behind.

I might not have a weapon but I am not powerless. I have more strength with the Force then all of them combined.

A garbled noise as my kick deflects off of metal. His armor snaps but it does the job of protecting his bones.

Damn.

This is going to be tedious. Another whisper in the Force and I tuck into a roll but not fast enough. Stars blooming behind my eyes as something hard connects at my temple.

I land on one knee, disoriented as blood trickles down my face, Ushar's crude laughter in my ears.

So this is the plan.

Ap'Lek thinks to wear me down with these skirmishes and considering I'm fighting with bare hands, it holds merit.

"I didn't think you would go down so easily," Ap'Lek speaking in guttural tones, "how the mighty Kylo Ren has fallen. You betrayed your master for a worthless scavenger girl."

My vision blurs and I wonder if the blow has given me a concussion until I realize what I'm looking at isn't my current surroundings.

The bond sparking deep within and my vision sharpens as two figures come into view.

I hear distant chanting, a sense of ancient evil but it is an afterthought.

All I see is Rey.

Dirt smeared across her face, the shadow of a bruise forming along her right cheekbone but it's the utter despair in her eyes clawing at my chest.

A single tear slips down her face, wretched misery in every curve of her body.

"The Jedi will die and the Sith shall rule forevermore!"

He really does enjoy the sound of his own voice.

Tell me you're not actually listening to his pompous nonsense sweetheart.

Heat swimming in my blood when her eyes snap in my direction, lovely amber widening in disbelief as her lips tremble in shock.

I have no doubt she can see me.

It seems I still have the ability to surprise her. I look forward to seeing how much I can keep it up in the future.

You're here...you found me...

Her lilting voice like sunlight in my veins and I am drunk on the intoxicating scent of midnight flowers in bloom.

The heavy warmth of her soul twinning around mine feels like coming home.

As if everything I have endured until now was for this moment in time.

Her lips part and I know she can feel me as intimately as I feel her.

I will always find you. Didn't I tell you there is nowhere you can go I won't follow?

Amber blazing and I hear her breath catch, a cascade of emotion pouring through the bond that would have put me on my knee's if I wasn't already on them.

An echo of grief and a whisper of despair quickly buried beneath a river of desperate longing tinged with such unfettered joy it sings along my nerves.

I knew she loved me.

Her elation shatters into horror.

Ben! Behind you!

My senses screaming in time with her warning I'm already tucking into a roll, the shadow of Ap'Lek's execution ax missing my head by millimeters and my temper ignites.

You want to play dirty? Fine by me.

I reach out for the Force, feel the living current in my grasp and shove it hard against them.

It goes off like a blast wave and sends them sprawling as I get back on my feet.

I've bought myself seconds of breathing room.

Where is your saber? You can't fight all of them without a weapon!

Worry and aggravated annoyance channeling through our bond, stealing into my soul and I have to chuckle.

Only my Rey can sound pissed off and absolutely adorable with it.

The Knights are back on their feet and I see the glint of barrel before a plasma blasts erupt into the air. I turn the deadly burst away and into the nearby wall but I'm too close and the resounding blast knocks me off of my feet.

Chips of obsidian rock fly through the air and I feel a sharp sting across my face, the scent of iron in my nose as hot blood drips down my face.

I spit it from my lip and look up to see Rey staring at me with angry, frightened eyes.

Damn. I thought I had managed to chase that look from her gaze.

You idiot! Why didn't you bring your lightsaber!

I wince as her voice makes my ears ring.

Maybe coming here without a weapon wasn't my brightest idea but she doesn't have to be so defensive about it.

I hear the crunch of gravel beneath boots as my enemies move in for the kill. This is no time to be arguing with Rey.

I have left that life behind me.

I need her to understand the man I was, Kylo Ren, no longer has a place in my life. I have chosen a new path. I want to be more.

Something better than who I used to be.

Her eye widen minutely and the tightness in my chest eases and I know she understands my meaning.

She shifts her weight, the glow of the blue saber illuminating her face to ethereal beauty.

Her eyes soften, a spark of knowledge in her profound gaze and I am captivated by her light. She has thought of something and yet I sense her hesitation.

Ben I have your lightsaber but he'll know...

I want to close my eyes and savor the way she speaks my name with such intimacy but now is not the time for such distractions.

I understand what she's trying to tell me.

She wants to use our connection to give me the lightsaber but fears the consequences of Palpatine learning of our bond.

I have no such concerns.

We're a Dyad? Let him, he'll learn soon enough.

Her lips twitch and a shimmer of light across the bond, her amusement spilling into me.

The shadow of indecision has fled and I see her chin lift in an all too familiar way.

My Rey is ready to fight.

Fine but you owe me one.

The heat coming into her eyes sharpens my instincts and I want to kiss the laughter from her lips but hold my ground.

Rey wants to play and I'm ready to indulge her.

For what?

For keeping me waiting.

Exasperating woman. Of course she would blame me for being late after she stole my ship.

I can't wait to spend the next few decades arguing with her.

She moves out of her crouch and lifts her saber across her shoulders in an aggressive stance and I see the question in her reflective gaze.

I give her a slight nod. I'm ready.

I get to my feet, turning so my back is to the wall and watch as my opponents close the gap certain they have me pinned.

"Strike! Make the sacrifice and be reborn! Do it now!"

Palpatine's voice reverberating around me as I step into her space. I hear the hum of the saber, feel the kiss of mild heat against my back.

I lift my hand over my shoulder and feel her smooth, silken skin beneath my grip.

I swallow hard and promise myself this will not be the last time I touch her.

Now!

The Force surges between us as we bend time and space to our will.

I step back into my own space, my grandfather's saber shattering the darkness around me.

My enemies take a collective step back and I can't help but smirk.

I have my saber and their chance of defeating me just went down to zero.

I can feel Rey's battle-lust heating my blood, making my heart beat a little faster.

She always was a little blood-thirsty. Something else I adore about her.

Don't get killed sweetheart.

The guards who protect Palpatine are not something to be taken lightly.

You worry about your own ass. I can handle this.

I love a confidant woman and she's right.

Time I get serious.

"You are a traitor and you will die a traitor's death." Ap'Lek stepping forward, his execution ax pointed in my direction.

"Not by your hand."

I twist as Ushar leaps at me cutting through his war club and armor. The stink of cauterized skin burns my nose.

His screams are short-lived.

Cardo raining blaster fire trying to disorient me as Trudgen swings his vibrocleaver, aiming to sever my head from my neck.

The saber spins in my grip as plasma bursts bounce off and I grab Trudgen with the Force, lifting his body to impale it on a nearby protruding spike.

He doesn't even have time to scream before death claims him.

Two down. Four to go.

Cardo and Kuruk working in tandem, keeping up with the firepower and I feel a slight pressure against my brain and turn to see Vicrul with his hand lifted against me.

Trying to bring me down with his ability to magnify fear. I am not amused.

Blaster fire cutting across my vision, the acrid stench of ozone heating the air and I jump, flipping so I land behind Vicrul and plunge the saber between his shoulder blades, cutting straight through his spine.

He drops like a broken doll when I pull it out.

Three down.

I snap out my hand and send Cardo and Kuruk flying, the sound of bodies hitting the ground satisfying but not permanent.

The red haze from their weapons dissipates and I am plunged back into darkness with only my saber for light.

They'll be back on their feet in moments but Ap'Lek is still here somewhere in the shadows.

The Force screaming from behind, my muscles burning from exertion when I tuck and roll, bringing my saber up to guard my back as I feel the blow of a weapon bounce off.

Ap'Lek. Trying to cleave through my spine. I take a quick breath and reach for Rey.

She's still fighting but her strength is waning is well. She's not going to last much longer on her own.

I spin on my knee, bringing my saber up as Ap'Lek steps back and cut into his guard, removing head from body.

The spray of blood and he drops.

Four down.

Only Cardo and Kuruk left.

Cardo makes himself known by lighting up the cavern in a hailstorm of firepower.

He's never been subtle.

Plasma bolts bouncing off my saber and I turn, grabbing one of the bursts with the Force and send it back at him.

His muffled scream lasts only a few short seconds.

Five down. Now it's just Kuruk.

I look to the jutting ledges, anything with a vantage point for a sniper.

There.

The glint of metal in the distance and I side-step his precise shot and grab him with the Force.

I hurtle his body down into the chasm where they tried to drive me not too long ago.

His screams echo long and loud before abruptly silenced.

There is nothing but the scent of blood and hot ozone around me, the carnage of broken bodies littering the ground.

Perhaps I should feel remorseful but I don't. I never planned on letting them live, I know too well the destruction they've caused long before I became their leader.

"Like hell!"

Rey's screaming and I take off at a dead run. I've wasted too much time with them.

Rey!

I reach for her, praying she hasn't been badly injured. I didn't come this far to have her die on me.

I'm...fine!

Her snarling fury washes my vision red and I realize she isn't injured.

She's pissed.

She and I are going to have a long discussion about her penchant for giving me heart failure. I can see blaster fire lighting up a cavern not too far away.

Even with her ferocity her strength is diminishing. Rey is a skilled warrior but she hasn't built up the stamina for prolonged battles.

Something else we'll need to work on when all is said and done.

I turn the corner and see a guard let loose a volley of fire at Rey and she moves with a scant inch to spare from having her head blown off.

Now I'm furious. The Force swims in my blood like a dark current as I yank the guard off of his feet and slam his unprotected back into the cavern wall.

The snap of bone as his spine breaks means nothing to me.

She had better be alright.

She turns at the same moment, the ground littered with her kills. A red smear across one eyebrow, dirt and soot marring her forehead and chin. Her eyes vivid with battle-fury and I swear no woman in the galaxy looks as beautiful as she does right now.

A blistering heat across our bond, her love and protective fury wrapping around me with fiery arms and all I want is to run to her, to take her in my arms and make her promise to never leave my side again.

Her eyes soften and she takes a step forward and I see the yearning, feel her desperation and watch her throat move but she keeps her silence.

I love you.

A whisper in my soul, a tender caress so devastating she's threatening to put me on my knee's.

She hasn't spoken but I hear her all the same.

I would know her if I were deaf and blind, the call of her soul the only light I will ever need. I cross the distance and see her trembling and I'm looking for other injuries besides the obvious ones.

Her clothing is torn and I see a dark stain by one knee but I can't tell if it's blood. She isn't limping so whatever it is cannot be too serious.

Swirling amber look up at me with trembling love, shadows of disbelief still lingering as if she can't quite make herself believe I'm really here.

I would walk into hell for her. Nothing in this known universe will ever stop me from being by her side.

She is the keeper of my heart.

"Skywalker! You were foolish to come here."

Rey shuddering at the sound of Palpatine's voice and I am more than a bit annoyed with his interruption.

Can't he see I'm busy with Rey?

She glances up at me, her lips twitching and I feel her amusement through the bond.

I intend to fill her life with laughter. I never want to see fright or trepidation shadow her lovely eyes ever again.

My breath catches as I feel her intimate touch brush against my mind.

Are you ready?

I feel her soul nestle against my own, making me whole. Complete in a way I haven't been in years.

I would die for this woman.

I feather a touch to her mind, feel her lean into my caress and her response is everything to me.

Always.

Nothing else needs to be said between us and we turn, our sabers raised to strike down the mad emperor once and for all.

Flickering yellow eyes against mangled skin stare with unmitigated hatred at my beloved.

"You are a disgrace!" I feel his power building, the Force a dark vortex stinging against my skin, "how dare you turn on your Master!"

Rey bristles at my side, her visible anger feeding into the vortex and I realize the intent behind his goading words.

He's trying to establish a link with her.

"You are not my master!"

I cut the link before it can attach to Rey, using our bond to block his intrusion. However the link goes both ways and I need to calm her down.

Calm down. He's feeding on your negativity. It's how he gains power.

I feel her withdraw, taking in a fortifying breath and the link breaks completely. Palpatine snaps his head in my direction and I knew he would sense what I've done.

I would rather his attention be on me than Rey.

"So the last Jedi has finally arrived to save this worthless scavenger." His words are tinged with obsessive madness, "She is nothing! You are nothing! You're interference will be your death!"

The dark vortex I sensed earlier is coalescing around him and his fingertips crawl with black lightning.

Rey is already moving in front of me before I can counter and the lightning hits her saber. I hear her silent scream in my head as she tries to contain the dark energy.

Idiot! She doesn't have to do everything by herself.

Her foot slides back from the pressure and I cross sabers with her, channeling my own energy.

I too am a dark Force user and I know how to manipulate its current. The surge of my power combined with Rey's is too much and the energy redoubles back on Palpatine.

He screams as his flesh begins to burn, his robes already smoking. I drop my saber from Rey's, sweat coating my hands, my shirt soaked and muscles trembling.

Exhaustion gray's my vision.

Channeling that much dark energy takes its toll.

Rey looks at me and I see shadows beneath her eyes like heavy bruises and she's almost to the edge of her endurance.

Neither one of us are going to last much longer. We have to find a way to end this if we have a chance of surviving.

"I won't be defeated by the likes of you! Fight together then die together!"

I turn to Palpatine and grit my teeth as I feel the pressure of his power trying to bow my spine, beat me into submission.

So this is what it means to fight a Sith Lord. Snoke didn't have a tenth of his power.

But something is wrong. His power, even at this level, is not enough to hold me and the vicious smile on his face has me turning back to Rey.

Too late. She screams as she's lifted off her feet and thrown halfway across the cave.

Her head hits the ground with an audible crunch and I watch in horror as blood seeps a dark pool beneath her hair.

The bond between us flickers and searing pain drives me to my knee's. It feels as if someone is trying to carve out a piece of my soul.

"Rey! Say something! Answer me!"

Mocking laughter in my ears and then a vice around my lungs, cold and brutal, constricting my airway.

"Foolish boy leaving yourself defenseless. Sacrifice the girl and you might stand a chance against me."

Never.

I will see the universe burn before I give her up.

The bond flickers like a dying candle and I feel her slipping away.

I ignore my own pain, the need to fight back and give myself to the Force.

I grab onto her soul and despite the fact I've never attempted anything like this in the middle of a battle, I reach for her wound and channel my energy into healing her.

She stirs briefly and her soul is nothing more than a dim light where an inferno should be.

Sorry sweetheart this is going to hurt.

No time for finesses.

"Skywalker...what are you doing...No...NO!"

Pain!

I grit my teeth, biting through my lip as his power rips into me. My concentration falters and she slips out of my grasp.

The light in my soul dims and the fear of losing her enrages me past the point of recklessness. I grab onto my power and slap it against her cracked skull, cauterizing the bone and forcing the skin and muscle to heal instantly.

Get up! Don't you die on me!

The bond blazes between us, a fiery light scorching my bones and I hear Palpatine's scream as Rey jerks awake, her body shuddering.

"I should have killed you before you left your mother's womb!"

The bands around my heart and lungs tighten and black spots dance in my vision and I am too weak from the healing to throw off his power.

I'm jerked to my feet, hovering and stare down at him. He sneers up at me and despite having no strength left, I smirk at him.

"You...lose."

Fury twists his features into a hideous mask and I pay for my small rebellion as he sends my body flying.

Weightless for a few seconds and then I'm in free fall with no way of stopping my descent.

Damn this is going to hurt.

I hit the ground on my right side and feel my shoulder pop, dislocating. My mind blanks as pain overrides every other sensation, my tortured body no long able to endure.

"Ben!"

Rey screaming my name and relief washes through me to hear her voice.

She's...alive...I need to get...up...

Darkness takes me.

Wake up Ben. It's not your time to join us.

A familiar voice whispering to me but I'm no longer in pain and the relief is overwhelming. I've forgotten what I was doing. I just want to rest, to close my eyes and sleep.

Get up! Can't you hear her calling for you?

That voice is insistent, giving me no peace and I growl in frustration. Who is calling for me?

I swear you get your stubbornness from your mother. Get up grandson, Rey needs you now!

Grandson? But that can only mean one thing...I blink and a shadowed silhouette appears in my vision but it's too blurry to make out. He spoke a name...Rey...

Rey! Damn it, I've got to get back to her!

Now you're catching on. Get going already.

Something akin to a current of light surrounds me as my grandfather fades and I feel as if several hands touch me at once.

I'm shoves out of the darkness and I gasp, the restriction around my lungs gone and I take a deep breath.

"...not a Palpatine! Love is not a weakness, it's my strength."

I hear Rey screaming her defiance at the mad emperor. The bond blazes in my soul and the crippling pain is gone.

This fight isn't over yet.

"T-that's it sweetheart." I grapple for my lightsaber and feel a twinge in my shoulder, "You tell him."

I thought I had dislocated it when I fell but it seems to be working.

A ripple in the bond, her relief slamming into me and I shudder as I get to my feet.

Yeah, I'm happy to be alive too.

I move to her side, our sabers lifted in unison yet again. I see her wince and glance down at her hands, angry red lines radiating out of her exposed palm.

Scorch marks. What the hell has she been doing in the short intern I was knocked out?

No time for questions. Palpatine has retreated but not because he's defeated.

I feel the deadly calm descend around us.

A gathering of his power and the small hairs on the back of my neck and arms stand on end.

His fight against us isn't going the way he intended and he's about to make his final strike.

One way or another this war is about to come to end.

I can't think of anywhere else I would rather be than right here at her side.