Ch 24
Rey
After talking to Saige, I felt completely exhausted, the same way I did after the events on Exegol.
Saige knew I was tired and drew me a bath and let me get ready for bed on my own, leaving a nightgown out on the bed for me.
I couldn't stop thinking about seeing Ben in the water at the mausoleum, it felt so real.
And why had I lost consciousness afterwards? Everything was so strange.
I decided to try and meditate for a while after my bath but I wasn't able to find anything, although, I was a bit more relaxed.
I was thankful for the gown Saige had left me tonight, the slip was an ivory fabric, similar to organza. The hem has some gold stitch details and it went with a beautiful burgundy robe with identical gold trim. The robe was a lot warmer than the other nightgown I had used, apparently winter on Naboo was approaching and it would be getting colder.
I didn't want to sleep under the cover and instead dragged a pillow and Ben's cape to the couch in front of the fire place.
I'd had a chill all day and was hoping I wasn't getting sick, maybe it was just my nerves.
I'd managed to fall asleep rather quickly, when I woke up again it was still dark. After glancing at the clock I saw it was just after midnight. I was ready to move to the bed but noticed the French doors were open, I couldn't remember leaving them open before falling asleep.
Something told me I needed to go outside, so I grabbed my saber from under the bed where I kept it hidden and carefully made my way outside.
The Force hadn't alerted me of any immediate danger but something or someone was waiting for me.
Once I was on the balcony I noticed no one was outside but what caught my eye was that the small island across the way from the lake there was a light from a fire on the shore.
As far as I knew no one lived on that island, maybe someone was in trouble.
I felt my instincts tell me to go across, to make my way there because there was someone who needed me.
I was getting ready to walk out of the room when I saw his cape on ground. It was strange but I had a feeling I would need to bring it with me.
No one in the estate was awake thankfully, so I went outside and got on the boat. I didn't want to wake anyone so I used Rami's rowing stick to push myself far enough out before starting the engine. It wasn't a fast boat, I think the motor was on it more for the sake of an emergency than anything.
The closer I got to the island the more anxious I grew, so I reached out with the Force once I was about 100 yards away. It was strange but I couldn't sense much, just someone that was alive.
The person felt familiar, but I couldn't place my finger on who it was, it was like I was deliberately being forced out of the person's mind.
My mind immediately went to what happened earlier in the day but it couldn't be... could it? He was dead. How could he come back? Was such a thing possible?
Many similar thoughts raced through my head as I pulled up on the shore. I pulled the boat out of the water, which was freezing, and dragged it up on the sand. I grabbed my saber and turned it on ready to defend myself just in case.
I walked slowly towards the fire and inspected the area around it, there was a few track marks on the ground that led towards the forest but the eventually disappeared into the trees.
I followed them and stopped just short of where the sand and grass met.
Someone was behind me. I reached out with my mind once again and this time the air was completely sucked out of my lungs. My heart stopped and I was completely frozen in place.
"Rey" he said in a soft voice.
I gulped and felt my throat was dry. I turned around slowly trying to keep my composure, but when I saw him I completely lost it.
The tears poured out of me and I shook my head.
"No... no it can't be... you... Ben you're dead... am I dreaming? This has to be a dream..."
He looked slightly worried and suddenly I felt the connection open. It was like I could breathe again, like a weight had lifted off my shoulders. The dark and empty hole in my chest was closed again and I felt warmth.
"It really is you..." I said and he nodded. He held his hand out to me but I ignored it. I was suddenly in his arms; my body had reacted and ran to him. I ran my fingers through his hair and when we pulled away I looked into his eyes.
It was the same look from Exegol. I could feel everything he felt and hear his every thought, I wasn't alone anymore.
I moved one of my hands to his face, his scar from the forest fight now gone. I couldn't believe he was there, I felt the need to memorize every detail of his face in fear he would vanish. My hand traced his lips slowly, they were full and soft... I could never forget how they felt against mine. I looked up and met his eyes with mine, his were glimmering with fresh tears.
He had been crying, from relief and from happiness but he was also scared.
"Please don't leave me again" I begged him, my voice breaking in the process.
Suddenly his lips were on mine they were soft and warm but there was a hunger there. He was aggressive in his kiss and I reciprocated. I didn't want to lose this again, how long before it all vanished like before?
