Rey is snuggled safely across his lap and they're watching a holo. After such a fraught day and a half, Ben had thought it might help soothe things between them. He tries to pay attention, he really does. But he just keeps staring at her perfect face.

Rey, however, is watching intently, and every time she laughs, his heart swells. He loves making her happy, even with something so simple. He doesn't even know the plot, and as he strokes her hair, he decides he truly doesn't care.

She's always made him feel a bit frantic and desperate, but the need to be close to her after he nearly destroyed the beautiful thing between him is like a living thing. It's hungry and it craves.

He'll never, ever get enough of her.

She hasn't put her hair back up, much to his relief and consternation. Having her hair long and loose has … implications in the Alderaanian tradition and he wonders what his mother thinks about it all.

"Ben," Rey admonishes. "Are you even watching this?"

"Uhm. Not really."

"But you picked it!"

"Honestly, all that mattered to me was holding you," he admits sheepishly.

"Oh, really?" she asks with an arched brow.

"Mmmhmm." Then he nuzzles the soft skin of her throat. He can't help himself, he has to taste, so he leaves an open mouthed kiss at the juncture of her neck and shoulder, hoping he's not pushing for too much, too soon after his behavior.

But she makes a little moan and squirms a bit in his lap. Oh, he adores the noises his touch, his lips elicit. So, he does it again, sucking slightly. Rey gasps and wriggles again. She's placed just so on his lap and he's reacting.

Craning her neck, she catches his eyes and smiles wickedly, making it clear she knows exactly what she's doing to him. Then she shifts in his lap, turning towards him and before he's caught up, she's kissing him.

Really kissing him. He'd thought she might not be comfortable with the more passionate side of their relationship, but there's intent and that heat that always moves between them, a delicious undercurrent to everything. He's not entirely certain his heart will survive if she ever lets him see her naked.

Before he knows it, he has his hand at her waist and her shirt's ridden up. His fingers glide along the thin strip of skin, entranced by the silken texture. It's so easy to imagine sliding his hand up. She's not wearing anything under her shirt and if he just … no, he won't even try.

Then she arches her back, as if she's inviting more. Could she be asking for him to … He holds her eyes for a moment and she nods. Slowly, his hand starts to inch up her bare skin, disbelief rioting through him.

He goes back to kissing her as his fingers travel closer, closer. Oh gods, just the thought of feeling that perfect weight in his hand, skin to skin, has him rock hard for her. His fingertips have just grazed the underside of her breast when he hears a loud clearing of a throat. Immediately, he snatches his hand back and stops kissing her, his gaze swiftly finding the source of the noise.

His mother is standing at the entryway to the family room, her arms crossed and looking quite disapproving. "I do believe that's what your bedroom is for," she says with just a touch of humor.

Ben sighs in relief at the realization that his mother isn't truly angry with them. Rey is hiding her face in his hair and he can't help but laugh at their predicament.

"Rey, dear, don't be embarrassed. I was teasing."

Slowly, Rey comes out of her hiding place, but her cheeks are absolutely flaming.

"Well, this is as good a time as any." Leia comes into the room, flicking off the holo emitter, and sits in a chair opposite them. Rey scrambles from his lap and Ben crosses his legs, hoping his mother won't notice his predicament.

"I wanted to talk with you both, about Ben going with Han. It's only for a few days and I—we—think you both could use some space. "

He and Rey share a look and she smiles encouragingly. Ben grasps her hand. He doesn't like this, not really. He doesn't want to be away from Rey, not even for a few days. They've only just started to knit back together and the thought of her having time to think about his actions makes him extremely nervous.

"Why?" he asks his mother neutrally.

She sighs. "I think you both need to really process what … happened. Both at the temple and the other night. What it means for you, both together and as individuals."

"I don't like the idea of Rey all alone," Ben says with a frown.

Leia looks at him oddly. "She'll have me. I know I've only just met her, but after what we've shared, I'd like to think she trusts me."

Rey nods quickly. "I do."

"But won't you have to work?" Ben asks, still confused at how much time she's spent at the apartment.

"I cleared my calendar the minute Rey told me about what happens to you in the future."

He can't remember his mother ever doing that before and he looks at her with shock.

"I know … I know I didn't handle my responsibilities to you and the galaxy well in the past. Rey's arrival was a much needed wake-up comm." She looks away, her face full of sadness. "I'm sorry I was almost too late."

Ben doesn't know how to feel. He'd wanted his mother's attention, so badly, when he was younger, and there's a deep well of pain that he's not sure he can ever drain. But he sees that she's trying and that has to count for something.

"It's alright," he mumbles with a shrug.

"No, it's not, but it's where we are." Leia holds his eyes and it's Ben's turn to look away. Sighing, his mother says, "Your father is leaving this evening and I do think you should consider joining him."

Ben's jaw works as he thinks, hard.

"I … I'd like you to go," Rey says with a note of entreaty.

His fingers clutch hers and he can't shake the fear that he'll return to everything being different. "What about the nightmares?" he asks with a quivering voice.

Leia puts her hands on her knees and pushes herself up from her chair. "I'll give you some time to talk."

Once they're alone, Rey says, "I've dealt with them for years. I'll be alright."

Ben frowns, not liking the idea of her suffering. But she's right. He knows how to cope with them, too. Besides, he'd like the opportunity to tell the voice to go to hell before he explains it all to Rey. He'd like to be able to say he's taken care of it when he tells her about it.

Rey lets out a long breath. "I … I also want you to spend time with your father."

He winces, the image of his father's murder flashing behind his eyes. "Yeah … I'd like that, too."

"It won't be long, and I'll still love you when you come back," she says with a smile.

"Promise?" he says, disliking the naked insecurity that underlies his tone.

"I promise."


"Alright, alright, come on kid," his father grouses as he's kissing Rey goodbye. Kissing and kissing and kissing.

She pulls back and whispers, "Go. Remember, together."

He takes a deep breath and answers, "Together," firmly.

Then he stiffly turns to walk up the Falcon's ramp. His feet feel like he's walking through thick mud; all he wants to do is run back to Rey. It's a short trip, he knows it is, but it feels like an eternity.

As he's halfway up the durasteel, he turns and finds Rey's open, beautiful face watching him. There are tears in her eyes, but she's smiling.

Well, if she can do this, so can he. He manages to make it the rest of the way.

"Finally!" Han exclaims. "I know you're nuts about her, but this'll be three days, tops."

Ben only nods, trying to push away the desolation. He'd wanted to spend this time with his dad, anyway.

"Well, come on, I need you to co-pilot."

Ben perks up immediately. Han has only let him help fly the Falcon a handful of times. "Where's Chewie?"

"He's staying behind. This is just us. Figured you might wanna talk."

Ben really doesn't. He wants to forget it ever happened, but on some level he supposes his father is right. He shouldn't just shut it all away, much as he wants to.

He follows his dad to the cockpit and can't suppress his grin as he takes the co-pilot's chair.


"What's the job, anyway?" Ben asks as they enter hyperspace.

"We're headed to the Murakam System, gotta pick up some plants."

"Plants," Ben says flatly.

"Yeah, I know. But these aren't strictly legal. They aren't illegal, mind you, but … regulated," Han says carefully.

"Dad, are we running drugs?" Ben asks, only mildly surprised.

"No! I wouldn't take you on that kind of trip. Besides, you know your mother."

"So, what's the deal with them?"

His dad looks slightly uncomfortable. "Well, uh, they say they have the Force."

Ben blinks. He's read about some flora having latent sensitivity to the Force and he's instantly fascinated. "What are they called?"

"Black orchids, or sometimes just Murakami orchids."

"Huh …" Ben roots around in his bag and finds his datapad, immediately pulling up every article he can find.

Han makes a boisterous laugh. "Always with your nose in some research."

"I like to learn things," Ben says defensively. His father was always twitting him about how much he read when he was younger.

"I know. You could read before you could talk properly."

"I could?" Ben asks in surprise.

"Oh yeah. Always made me proud to have such a smart son," Han says and Ben looks at him in confusion.

"But you were always teasing me for studying."

"Well, sure. I mean … I tease you about everything."

Ben sits back in his chair. He'd never thought about it that way.


He yawns hugely and his dad chuckles. "Get some sleep. We'll be there by morning."

Ben really doesn't want to. Black orchids are enthralling and he's absolutely going to ask his dad if he can keep one back for Rey. They bond with Force users, even allowing for rudimentary communication. He's certain she'd love it.

But he should try to get some sleep, so he stands, stretching. "Yeah, you're right. G'night."

"'Night, kid."


In his little cabin, with the berth he shared with Rey, he sighs heavily, missing her. He'd comm her to say goodnight, but that's always tricky through hyperspace. Besides, he's supposed to be giving her accursed space.

He pulls off his shirt and he's about to remove his trousers when he gets the most peculiar sensation. His senses are screaming that Rey is here, but that's impossible. But he can't shake the feeling and he whirls around to find her standing right in front of him.

Rubbing his eyes to make sure he's not seeing things, he blinks furiously. Did she stow away?

"It's alright! I should have warned you!" she exclaims with outstretched hands.

"What's going on?" he asks, completely confused.

"It's the dyad, our bond. We … we appear to each other, sometimes."

He raises an eyebrow, too many questions running through him to settle on just one. Finally, he asks, "Why hasn't this happened before?"

Her eyes grow sad. "I think because you hadn't … you hadn't gone into my mind before."

Flinching, he looks away. "I'm sorry," he utters lowly.

"I know, I know."

Then her eyes go to his very naked torso and he crosses his arms in front of his chest. He's finally begun to fill out, and he's rather proud of his new muscles, but it still seems like he should hide himself from her.

Then she starts to giggle and his face falls. That's really not the reaction he'd hoped to inspire.

Her eyes go wide and she starts to shake her head. "No! I'm not laughing at you, I promise. It's just … once when the bond connected me to you in the future you weren't wearing a shirt then, either. Stars, I was so flustered."

He's utterly shocked when she steps up to him and her hands clasp his wrists. They can touch? What is this? Just how powerful is the bond between them? She pulls his arms away and she smiles.

She gets that look that usually means something good for him and she says, "This time I get to touch." Her hands smooth over his bare chest and he groans. Her fingers leave a trail of fire in their wake.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," she says in a husky voice that makes pleasure tighten in his core.

He places his hands over hers and he's astounded. It feels like she's really here. "How is this even possible?" he asks in awe.

"I have no idea, we never could figure out how to control it. It just … happens."

"Well I'm very grateful that it does." Yes, he's going to research this, yes, it's fascinating. But not nearly as fascinating as Rey's lips.

"How was your evening?" he asks, staring at her plump mouth.

"It was fine, but I'd really rather be kissing you. I don't know how long this will last."

Her hands move along him as she finds his lips, kissing him softly at first. Then she strokes his nipples and slides her tongue into his mouth at that same moment. Oh, gods, that feels amazing, and it's like her kisses and teasing fingers are going straight to his cock.

Pulling her close, he presses himself against her, and he's beginning to get completely lost in the sensation of her hands on his naked back, her tongue tangling with his. Force, he hopes the bond holds. As if the universe heard him, his hand is halfway up her shirt when she's gone.

He lets out a strangled cry of frustration and stares down at his very prominent erection. His loud sigh fills the small cabin.

Well, it won't be the first time he's taken himself in hand in this berth.


A/N: Thank you, ArtemisBare, who always asks REALLY good questions. Our conversations yield some of the best scenes.

Thank you, Readers! I'm beginning to get a little tired, so I don't know if there will be a chapter a day for much longer. I might need to take a day off, but we'll see. You're all absolutely splendid!