Sparks

Disclaimer: all characters and copyright belong to their respective owners.

Chapter Eight-Trap

Six months.

Rey had promised Finn and Poe the next six months of her life, just long enough for them to get their negotiations on track, before she quit and took her life back. They had agreed, on the one proviso, that when she travelled with them to the other planetary systems that Ben stay behind on the base. They made no secret of the fact that they still didn't fully trust him. Ben Solo may have helped end the war, but that didn't absolve him of his past crimes. Both men made it clear that they were being tolerant enough keeping Ben's former identity as Kylo Ren a secret from the other members of the Resistance, and they were only doing that out of respect for her and Leia.

Rey was openly opposed to Finn and Poe's proposition at first. As far as she was concerned, she and Ben weren't just a Dyad, they were a partnership. She had spent the majority of her life alone, and now she had found her soul's other half, there was no way she wanted to leave him behind. Still traumatised about nearly losing Ben on Exegol, it took a lot of persuasion on his part to get her to agree to Finn and Poe's terms.

"We knew this was never going to be easy, Rey." Ben reminded her. "Baby steps, remember?"

"I don't like the thought of being separated from you." Rey whispered brokenly, her hazel eyes glimmering with uncertainty. "It scares me. I don't think I can do this alone."

"You're not alone." Ben's words were an echo of the sentiment he had used before. But this time they hit different. "Wherever you are, I am always with you. Just reach out with the Force and you'll feel me."

"But I'm not a negotiator. I'm out of my depth with all this stuff. I can't do it, Ben. Your mother spent a lifetime on diplomatic missions, she was an expert at it. I'm just a lowly scavenger thrust into the limelight against my will." Rey lamented as her doubts continued to plague her.

"Rey, you are the strongest person I know." Ben reassured her. He reached out and swept his thumb across the curve of her cheek. "You can do this. You've always managed to adapt to whatever situation you're in. I mean you kicked my ass when you'd never even held a lightsaber before." He gave her a lopsided grin.

"Well, you were mortally wounded at the time." Rey attempted to smile back but it faltered. She was glad that they had moved beyond the shared heartache of their past, but making jokes about their earlier interactions was something she still found difficult.

Ben felt her struggles and continued to caress her cheek with gentle fingers. "To be honest, you'll probably be merely a distraction. Everyone just wants the opportunity to meet the last jedi. Dameron and Finn will be the ones doing the hard negotiating."

"You think I'm distracting?" Rey teased as his head inclined closer to hers.

"Very." Ben murmured huskily as his gaze zoned in on her parted lips. Though Rey's lips were pretty, it was the feel of them that always sent Ben's mind into a sensual state of intoxication. That's why he reached toward her face and touched them reverently as the urge to kiss her became overwhelming. He gave into the urge, pressing his mouth on hers, effectively putting an end to their conversation.

The next few weeks proved Ben right in so many ways. Rey merely felt like window dressing as she was unwillingly thrust into the limelight, feted and celebrated by all the major players in the galaxy. She was the last heroic jedi in existence, who, according to them, had managed to defeat the Emperor and the First Order singlehandedly on her own. The Resistance had been delegated to mere background participants.

Every day became a whirlwind tour of different planets, interacting with visiting dignitaries, different species, all with their own unique customs and ways of negotiating. Rey was forced into different outfits, in order to placate and please those of high rank she interacted with. She had to be seen to be one of them, someone they could relate to and feel good about. She was their beacon of hope, or the version they insisted on her being. While she did the endless meet and greets, Poe and Finn did the tough negotiating in the background, as trade deals and future treaties were discussed between the differing star systems.

Located in the Jinata system of the Core Worlds, Vardos was once populated with Imperial installations, training grounds and military bases, as well as housing millions of citizens loyal to the Empire. The stunning red soil of the planet could be seen from space, just like its mountain ranges and oceans. But the planet's jewel was Kestro, the capital city and Imperial hub. It was also the location of the Future Imperial Leaders Military Preparatory School, as well as the headquarters of Jinata Security.

But due to Operation: Cinder, Vardos was left an uninhabited dead world, the former great cities being reduced to ghost towns covered in ash, an atmospheric run-off from the storms generated by the satellites. Following the Empire's defeat at Jakku, Vardos became a base for Project Resurrection: the kidnapping of children to convert to First Order stormtroopers and came under First Order control.

Now free of the tyranny of their former masters, Vardos was trying to reinvent itself again, the former inhabitants had returned and were resolved in rebuilding the capital city Kestro and restore it to its former glory. In this event, they had reached out to the Resistance, asking for parley.

Like all the other negotiations, a round of parties and feasts preceded it as the reformed Jinata Security (the past government) sought to impress. And that's where Rey found herself now, seated at a long table, squeezed into the most ridiculous dress, the fine boned corset obstructing her ability to breathe, listening to Max Sonata, the newly elected leader- a fat, human male, with bulbous eyes and fleshy lips-wax lyrical about his family's illustrious history and the benefits Vardos could surely bring to any newly formed senate.

Rey tuned Max out as she looked around the long table. Poe and Finn were seated at separate ends-Poe looking at ease as always as he flirted with Merla- Max's oldest daughter. Finn was in deep conversation with the trade secretary, Seamus-an Aqualish, a species of sentient humanoids, who were identifiable by round black eyes and fur. The rest of the table was made up of other important members of the Jinata Security, an eclectic mix of the planet's different species-human, Abednedo, Mirialan, with a few scattered Quarren, Twi-lek and Weequay among them.

The food would be served later. First of all, a masquerade ball was to take place. Everyone was already in costume-hence the uncomfortable dress Rey was wearing. A feathered black mask, with purple diamante sparkling on the edges, disguised Rey's face. Although weapons weren't allowed inside, she had ignored this particular rule and hidden hers underneath the long skirts of her dress, strapping the lightsaber to a leather thong which curled around her upper thigh. She could feel the hilt pressing into her skin every time she moved, a reassuring feeling. She had been experiencing a deep sense of foreboding ever since entering the great hall. Unlike Poe and Finn, who both looked totally relaxed and at ease amongst the various guests, she remained alert and on edge.

"May I have the first dance, young Jedi?" Max stood and offered his hand as the music started up, filling the great hall.

Rey wished Max's mask covered his mouth as well, seeing his fleshy lips flapping made her feel queasy. She disguised her abhorrence behind a bland smile as she took his hand and allowed him to help her rise. The long skirts of Rey's flamboyant purple and black dress impeded her movement as she tried to keep up with Max's longer strides. She noticed Poe a few feet away, dancing with Merla, he was obviously keen to make a good impression on Max's daughter, who was known to be a favourite. Finn was still seated; he caught Rey's eye and gave her a sympathetic smile as he watched her sway back and forth with Max.

The music turned from a lively tempo to a slow one. Rey grimaced as Max drew her closer, his fleshy lips pulling back into an obsequious smile. He made her skin crawl, if he dared let his hand wander lower than the small of her back, she would cut it off, consequences be dammed.

"May I interrupt?"

Rey found her heart skipping a beat at the familiar sound of Ben's voice. His voice was like auditory caramel to the ears, deep and magnetic, it travelled to the core of who Rey was. She couldn't believe he was here, really here. How had he managed it without her knowing a thing about it?

Rey cast her eyes over his tall form, smirking slightly when she noticed he was dressed as a space pirate. A simple black mask covered his face, disguising his handsome features. He took her hand, his dark brown eyes twinkling merrily, as Max reluctantly gave her up to her new partner.

"What are you doing here?" Rey said in a low voice as Ben whisked her gracefully to the centre of the great hall, blocking Max's view of them with other dancing couples. "And why didn't I sense you?"

"I thought it best to keep my presence a secret, even from you." Ben answered quietly.

"Why? And how did you get off the base without anyone knowing? You aren't allowed to pilot a ship." Rey asked curiously.

"I had a little help."

"Who from?"

"Lando."

Rey's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Don't tell me you came here on the Falcon?"

"Uh huh." Ben grinned as he twirled her round in a slow, graceful circle.

"You're enjoying the subterfuge." Rey guessed when they were facing each other again.

"I'm not going to deny that." Ben agreed with a low chuckle. "But I'm only taking the risk because something serious is about to go down." His tone turned sombre as he leaned close and whispered in her ear. "One of Lando's contacts got in touch with him with an important warning. This whole thing is a trap, Rey. Max Sonata isn't interested in trade negotiations, he's an affiliate of one of the First Order factions who are trying to seize control again. What better way to get all the major players in the same room together under the friendly guise of conciliatory talks and then execute them all?"

Rey's blood ran cold as she stared at Ben in horror. "I sensed something was up, but not this!"

"Please tell me you have your weapon concealed somewhere?" Ben pleaded.

"Of course." Rey's hand wandered to her thigh to double check that her trusty saber was still secured safely under the long skirts of her dress.

"Good girl." Ben praised her. "Get ready, sweetheart. You're about to need it."

A/N-thanks for reading!