"When will you be back?" Rey asks as she changes Jonathan.
"As soon as possible." From her room, Ben watches everyone in the kitchen and living room. No one seems to be paying them any attention, but he knows his dad is because he's walking towards them. "The longest part of the trip is going to be driving to Nashville. That's why I was going to leave tonight—"
"Why don't you take the airplane then?" Han volunteers from the doorway. "That way your travel time is cut in half at least."
"That's true. Then I won't have to leave—wait, the plane is here?" Ben asks.
"Well, I might have bought a new one. It's a little jet, you'll love it," Han admits with a grin.
"Do you want to come too?" Ben asks his dad.
"I'd love to."
"Alright, be at the airport at five?"
"I can do that." Han nods towards his grandson. "One day, when you're not trying to save the world, he can go too."
"I know he'll like that," he whispers. Han turns to go back, but he says, "Hey Dad?" Han turns to meet his gaze. "Thank you for everything."
He wants to tell him thank you for watching over Rey. He wants to run to him and get one of his hugs that tells him everything is going to be alright. He wants his dad.
Then as if he could read his thoughts, Han closes the couple of feet between them and wraps his son in the hug he was just wishing for. "I love you, kid."
"I love you Dad." He notices that Rey has finished with Jonathan and the baby is happy, well as happy as a newborn can be. "Have you gotten to hold the boy yet?"
"I have not," Han murmurs. "Rey? Do you mind—"
"No, go ahead. I know it's a little crowded out there right now." And it is. Ben doesn't know anyone out there but Rey's roommates and his parents. Hux introduced the new people as some of their co-workers from the brewery.
He can tell by the way Rey looks, that she'd rather be alone with her son, resting.
But as much as he'd like to take them both to his hotel room or even to the ski lodge, he doesn't have that right anymore.
He looks around the living area one more time, when his mom comes to join them. Her smile is gentle as she takes in Rey and her husband and her grandson. And bless his mom, she must pick up on something that he only has an inkling about.
Leia goes over to Poe and whispers in his ear. He nods, and meets Ben's gaze, by accident, he's sure. But then Poe does something he didn't think he would ever see—he quietly goes from guest to guest and whispers something to them. Some nod. Ben even hears some of courses. Then they go and put their coats back on and make their leave.
Then the rest come over to Rey's doorway and with a wave or a couple even blow her a kiss. They make their way to the door. In a matter of minutes, Leia Solo clears the place without raising her voice even once.
Once the noise is gone to distract the baby, Jonathan remembers that he's hungry with his little cry. He's returned to his mother's arms and Han kisses her forehead before he goes to join the others.
He starts to follow but when Rey says, "Ben? You can stay if you'd like—" he doesn't have to be asked twice as he sits in her rocking chair. It only takes her a moment to get the baby started eating and then she says, "I know the past couple of days has been crazy, but I just want to say thank you for everything you've done. I really do appreciate it."
"I just wish—"
"I know. Me too. But all we can do now, is go forward from this point." She smiles but it's not her usual bright smile that lights up his days. It's sad and heartbreaking and he hates himself for being the reason she smiles that way.
Brbrbrbrbr
"This is really a nice plane." They just took off and can see the beginning of the dawn peeking over the Great Smoky Mountains. The pinks and purples that streak across the sky—Ben's never seen anything so beautiful in his life. "Can I use it when Rey and I—"
"Get back together?" Han teases. "She still loves you son. And your baby, he's beautiful."
"That's what I'm counting on. Now, I just need to put Snoke away and hopefully—"
"I know. You know your dear old Dad could always come out of retirement to help—"
"Yeah, Mom would kill us both. Besides, Luke is doing all he can. I think he wants to get Snoke and then retire."
"Luke always considers Snoke to be one he never caught. That's probably why he recruited you to turn on your boss."
"Like Luke will retire," Ben quips.
"No, he really wants to. Even has a girlfriend he wants to marry. But he knows he can't ask her to do that when he's having to run all over after the bad guys."
"He has a girlfriend? He's never mentioned her to me before."
"How often do you see him?"
"I see Tobias more—not really that much. I know we're all concerned about Snoke watching me."
"Well hopefully things will start coming together and you can get out sooner rather than later," Han offers. Ben knows what he wants to happen compared to what needs to happen. He just hopes that he has the patience for both.
But when he pictures Rey with their son, he just wants to grab both of them and run away. His dad's murmur of talking to the tower for landing the jet pulls him back to the present. He flips the switches on his side of the cockpit and meets Han's unspoken question with a nod of his own.
Han then lands the plane on the runway the tower gives him permission to do so. After they're parked next to the other personal aircraft, they lock up the plane behind them. "Did you call Luke?" Han asks.
"No, I didn't want to pull him away from the courthouse. We'll just take an Uber." Ben already the app pulled up and confirm that they arrived. He drops his work phone back into his messenger bag, and father and son walk out to wait.
"How far away—" but Han is interrupted by a SUV pulling up beside them.
"It's right here," Ben smirks. "Get in old man."
They are silent for the most part, the only sound coming from the backseat was practiced neutral conversation about the parts of Nashville they pass on the way to the courthouse and Han's text chime as they use his phone to talk to Luke.
Ben nods as he reads the text saying that the knights are agitated for having to wait for the federal judge on a Monday morning and Snoke has called several times.
Just his phone was on airplane mode. So, it's not until they are in the back of the uber that Ben sees how many voicemails his boss actually left. Han's glance is sympathetic at best as Ben swipes to hear the first message.
As expected, Snoke gets more and more angry the more messages he leaves. "The worst part of all this? I have to think of an excuse as to why I didn't answer the phone."
"My girlfriend tells me all the time that she can't find a charger," the driver volunteers from the front. "It works until I remember that she has twenty chargers between my house, her house and our cars. I think she just doesn't want to talk to me."
He shrugs. "It might work? How far away are we from the courthouse?"
"Five minutes. It's right off this exit."
"I'll just wait? But I will text Bazine. She can tell him."
Ben: Hey. it's a mess here, just got all of Snoke's messages. Tell him I'm going in now to see the knights and I'll call after that.
Bazine: He's pissed
Ben: Yeah, I'm not looking forward to that conversation. At least I'm a thousand miles away.
Bazine: He wants you home tomorrow.
Ben: Yeah, I'm meeting people for stuff for the ski lodge.
Bazine: I'll let you tell him that. Good luck with the knights. I had to talk Snoke out of coming down to Nashville this morning.
"Fuck." Han's brow arches and Ben just hands him the phone.
Han doesn't say anything, just hands the phone back to his son because the SUV pulls to a stop. Han gives the driver a cash tip and gets out after Ben. They start up the stairs, and immediately Ben spots Tobias standing off by the entrance. Under his breath, Ben whispers to Han, "Ignore him. We're being watched. He'll find us inside."
"This is not my first rodeo son. You forget I'm the one who trained him."
"I just—this needs—Rey—" Ben stumbles over his words like he hasn't in years. Even when he had to argue his first court case, he wasn't this nervous.
But then everyone he's ever loved is depending on the next several hours.
The Solo men, by unspoken agreement, split ways once inside. Ben goes looking for the knights and Han goes looking for Luke.
But before Ben can make it to the jail, someone grabs him and tugs him into an empty room.
"Well at least your disguise is better than the last time I saw you," Ben quips.
"The last time I was covered in blood from your gang of assholes," Tobias growls. Now however the blond-haired man is sporting a beard and glasses along with a tailored suit that looks like one of Ben's Tom Ford's. "I'm not sure if you'll get to talk to Luke, some of your other friends are here."
"I thought I spotted them out on the street. They already saw me come in with Dad, I'll be alright, just watch out for him." Ben pats himself down even though the gun he's looking for is still on the jet at the airport. Thankfully, he knows that Dad still has his strapped to his torso.
"What time do we go before the judge?"
"Ten I think?"
"That's what Luke said." A quick look at his watch confirms that it's still a couple of minutes after nine a.m. "Let me go see the jerks, I'll see you in the courtroom."
"Oh, Solo?" Tobias calls after him before he opens the door. Ben turns and he continues, "Be careful out there. They're pissed that we caught them. I think they're even more pissed because you weren't with them."
"That sounds like them."
"And I think this is it. Judge Kenobi just arrived in town. Luke knows him from Washington."
Ben met him at his dad's retirement party but he doesn't mention it. Instead, he lets himself feel that one thing that he's been denying himself over this past year.
Hope.
Brbrbrbrbr
"Oh look, the hot shot lawyer finally showed up," Ben heard one of the knights through the door. The bailiff shakes his head.
"I apologize that they've been acting this way," Ben says.
"Actually, they've been decent until they heard your voice." Then he lowers his voice to an almost whisper. "We have everything on a flash drive for you."
"Thank you." Ben tries not to let that throw him. He's never had a jail offer him a copy of the recorded stuff his clients did. Were they that bad?
They let him take over a visiting room and one at a time one each knights comes in. From what he can understand Cardo had his knife, ready to plunge it into the mark's chest when the police along with Luke came charging in. All six of them are arrested on attempted murder, aggravated assault, possession along with several dozen different charges.
But when the text comes from Bazine to get them out on bail no matter what, Ben feels a headache coming.
Thankfully, it's time to appear before the judge. Judge Kenobi reviews the charges and sets the trial date. But when it comes to bail, the old man exhales and stares at the knights. Unfortunately, he includes Ben in his condemning stare.
"I'm not new to what you men are doing. You are serving a master who expects a heavy price from each one of you. You need to use the next several weeks to examine your lives. Is this what you want for yourselves?" The knights are quiet as Judge Kenobi continues, "I set bail at five million each—" he pauses and holds up his hand to stop any questions. "Yes, you can go back to New York. Honestly, if you are going to kill any more Tennesseans, I don't want you here. But I do expect you back for trial. If I hear of any of you causing any more trouble, you better believe that I will make sure you end up under the jail, with or without Alexander J. Snoke."
Judge Kenobi picks up the gavel and slaps it on his desk. "I'll see you at trial, gentlemen. Solo, my office, now!"
Ben turns and the six knights watch him expectantly. "Go talk to them. I'll find you in a minute. Call Bazine if you need her to wire money to the courthouse." He doesn't wait for them to respond but hurries to the court officer.
He just simply points at the side door. "It's the first door on the right."
"Thank you," Ben says as he opens the door. The only door in the hallway is standing wide open but Ben still knocks before he enters.
"Benjamin Solo! I've been waiting to meet you for years! How are you?" The older man is unzipping his robe to reveal a pair of khakis and a Hawaiian shirt underneath.
"I'm good Sir—"
Before Ben can ask him the how do you know me question, there's another knock at the door. This time his dad and Uncle Luke come walking in. "Solo! Skywalker!"
"Ah, that's how he knows me." Ben mutters as the older men shake hands and slap one another on the back.
Judge Kenobi meets his eyes again. "I called you back here because I wanted you to know that I'm well aware of the case you are gathering against Snoke. To help you, I don't want you representing the knights in my courtroom when it's time for trial. Now, I'm hoping that we will have that asshole arrested by then, but just in case, you will need to tell Snoke that he will have to get a Tennessee lawyer to represent his boys. I recommend Gwen Phasma."
"I'll pass on the information, your honor. Thank you for all your help today."
"That man they were threatening and beat, that's my stepson. The only reason I let them go today is if they don't show up for court, their asses are mine. But I'm also counting on you to get what you need to put them all under the jail for a very long time." Judge Kenobi hangs up his robe. "Now, Skywalker, how much more crap do you need to prosecute Snoke?"
"The stupid fool is buying—"
"It's already bought and paid for," Ben interrupts.
"He's bought a ski lodge in the Western North Carolina."
"Laundering money," Judge Kenobi adds.
"Is your stepson willing to testify?" Luke asks.
The judge digs out his cell. Several swipes and he cusses, "Damn it." and hands the phone to Luke. "I never should have agreed to this."
Ben looks over Luke's shoulder to see the text that his wife must have sent. "Toby isn't responding. The doctor is saying that he's slipped into a coma."
"Excuse me gentlemen, I need to go to the hospital."
Han shakes the judge's hand like men do who want to say or do more but can't. "Keep us posted, please oh how he's doing."
Judge Kenobi nods. "I never should have set bail for them." He looks at Luke then at Ben. "Whatever you need—"
"Thank you. Go see your stepson." The Skywalkers and Solos follow the judge out of this office. He locks it behind them, gives them one final nod and almost runs for the exit.
"I guess I need to go check on the knights." Ben shuffles. "I wonder if Snoke sent his private jet for them."
"What about you? Can you go back with me to North Carolina?"
"I shouldn't, but I'm going to anyway. Then go back to New York tomorrow." Ben doesn't say anything else but walks towards where he thinks the knights are being processed. Before he gets back to the processing area, his work phone hums in his pocket.
He doesn't even have to look to see who it is. "Ren," He answers.
"Kylo, my boy," Snoke almost purrs in his ear. "I need you in New York. My private jet is at the Nashville airport. I expect you to be on it."
His heart sinks. He knew that this was going to happen. At least he flew and didn't drive his truck. He tries to think of an excuse to fly back with his dad, but really can't come up with a good reason. But he does say, "I had a couple of meetings that I had to move from today to tomorrow with the contractors. Can I meet with them in the morning and then catch a flight after lunch?"
"Fine," Snoke rumbles. But Ben knows that when he uses that tone, he's actually very pissed. "Do make sure those dumb asses are on the plane within the hour. I'm locking them up until their court date."
"That might be wise. I just heard that the kid just slipped into a coma."
A long silence on Snoke's end makes Ben think that the call was disconnected. "Are you still—"
"That's enough Ren. Have them on the plane within the hour. Then you're back here by at least noon tomorrow, damn it." Then in typical Snoke fashion he hangs up, no goodbye, good job, fuck you, nothing.
Ben shoves the phone in pocket and continues to the bailiff's office.
Brbrbrbrbr
"What did Snoke say?" Han finally asks but only when they are in the air.
"He wants me back tomorrow after I talk to the contractors." The silence in the plane is almost deafening. "Isn't there a way to hurry and get what Luke needs? And I'm not even sure what he's looking for anymore."
"Then that means either it's so secret, he can't tell, or he's not sure anymore." Han adjusts the controls before he meets his son's gaze.
"I just want to come home," Ben whispers.
"I know, son, I know."
Brbrbrbrbr
It's only four in the afternoon, so as soon as they hit airspace where Ben can use Han's phone, he calls Rey. He knows that when she answers, she's expecting his dad, but he still says, "Hey, I had to call on Dad's phone my burner won't work up here. Is that ok?" His words come rushing out.
"Of course," she murmurs.
"Is the boy asleep?"
"Right here beside me. Where are you?"
"According to the map somewhere over Gatlinburg."
"Not much further," she answers. "Are you and Han coming here when you land—"
"I was going to, if that's alright."
"Yeah, I mean you want to see Jonathan and all."
He decides to put everything on the table. "And you. I want to see you."
"Ben—" she breathes. "I just don't—"
"Do me a favor?" He doesn't wait for her to answer but continues anyway, "I still love you—" he doesn't miss the look his dad shoots him out of the corner of his eye. "And I know that you are pissed at me. Like never want to see me again, pissed. All I'm asking for is a chance to make it up to you and Jonathan. I've missed so much, but I'm here now. Let me in."
"Ben—" but then he hears the click of the call disconnecting.
"Damn it," he swears. then softer, more to himself, "damn it."
"That always happens when a Solo confesses everything to the woman he loves. Make sure you tell the boy that when he gets older."
"I will," Ben chuckles even as a single tear trails down his cheek.
"Son, it will be ok. You might have to do a lot of begging, buy her some jewelry, grovel some more. But it will be ok. Once we get Snoke behind bars—that will help more than anything. How long do you think Snoke will keep you in New York?"
"I figured that I'll be in Asheville for a while. Let me go see what he wants, then I'll be back. There's no one to oversee the construction on the lodge."
"Contractors? Do you remember Chewy and Maz? He was one of my partners in the bureau several times. He finally retired and moved."
"Let me guess, he moved to Asheville too?"
"He moved to a little town north of Asheville, Mars Hill. But you could always hire him to be your construction crew."
"Is he actually wanting to work, or is this to cause disruptions so I have to stay here?"
"We'll call Chewy when we get home. If anything, I bet there's going to be a lot of inconsistencies in the paperwork if Snoke's going to be laundering money."
"Whatever we can do to get this over with. I just hate having to do what he tells me. I think he knows I would have quit a long time ago if Rey hadn't left."
"Get ready to land, we'll be home soon, that is if traffic behaves."
Brbrbrbrbr
It takes them another hour to get back to Rey's house. Which works out perfectly. Poe and Finn are still at the brewery, and Hux and Rose stop to help them. Which leaves Leia bringing Rey supper.
But when Han calls her on the way home and she hasn't left their rental yet, Jonathan's grandparents get to work. Han drives Ben to their house first where Leia hands him several bowls of food and pushes him towards his truck.
Before Ben can ask if they're coming too, Leia waves from the porch and shouts, "Take care of our girl, son." Then if Ben isn't mistaken, the front door of their house slams behind his mom.
A chilly winter wind blows through his light jacket encouraging him to hurry. It doesn't take him long, five minutes in fact, to pull up in Rey's driveway. But then he looks down and softly curses. "I should have stopped to get her a little something—" but then he spies a familiar snack bag in his back seat. He pulls it to the front where he can see, and chuckles. "Thanks Mom."
What surprises him is Rey's front door flinging open even before he knocks. Ooh, thank God. Another adult." He's not sure how to take that until he hears Jonathan's cry coming from behind her in the house.
She turns to go to the baby, and he follows. First, he puts the food on the kitchen island, then catches up with her in the living room. His heart breaks when he sees her tears and his son's. Instead of asking who needs a hug, he picks up the baby who sits in a baby sized chair that looks very comfortable.
He puts his belly to his shoulder in a burping position which causes his son to let out a huge belch. "That was impressive," Ben says as he starts to rub his back. After Jonathan lets out a smaller burp, that's when he wraps Rey in a half hug. "Are you ok?"
"I am now. Your mom came by this morning, I thought we'd be alright. He ate and went to sleep. I was going to lay down with him. He slept for about thirty minutes then woke up fussing. And has been ever since." She runs her hands through her hair. "Can I go take a shower? Please?"
"I have food—"
"I know and I'm so grateful. But just hold him, I won't be but a moment—"
"Go shower."
"Thank you," she leans up and even he can tell that she just means to kiss him on the cheek but instead he turns his head and her lips land on his.