Chapter Eighteen:

AN Apologies in advance as there should be more to this chapter but I wasn't going to have it up in time so I cut it a little short ;P

Rey had worried for one bitter moment, some sixty breaths taken when she felt a nauseating stab of fear for Ben Solo. It passed, been for naught, but for that moment, those excruciating sixty breaths, it forced her to recognize the depth of her bond with the man who insisted on being Kylo Ren.

Standing between Finn and Rose in Leia's cave, Rey keeps her gaze firmly on Leia, waiting for her to speak, to bring to light the discovery they had made. Rose had interrupted the small victory they'd known, anxiety replacing relief. With relief restored once more, Rey allows herself to feel that excitement once more, of knowing that there is a way.

If Kylo... if Ben... agrees to help.

"We found something," Leia addresses the group in her usual calm tone. There's not even a thrill of emotion in her voice—no excitement, no triumph. Ever poised. In that moment, Rey's deep respect for her trebles.

"What did you find?" Kylo asks, just as calm, just as stoic.

Leia slips the pocket sized book free from the folds of her cape.

Kylo staggers forward. It's an inadvertent move, Rey can tell by the way he grimaces and retreats again. But he can't hide the expression that glimmered in his eyes at the sight of the book. Intrigue.

Leia must have seen it too. A crooked grin curves her lips. "C-3PO was able to translate some of the text for us. Unfortunately, there is a language used here that goes beyond even his knowledge. From what he was able to discern, answers might be found in a temple on a planet referred here only as 'the Heart of the Jedi'."

"The Whills," Kylo suggests at once. "But Jedha was destroyed."

Rey knows the story. It's a tale of heroism passed around in the Resistance, one that honours the group of rebels that gave their lives to retrieve the plans for the first Death Star, a mission that ultimately brought Leia, Luke, and Han together.

A stab of sadness strikes Rey in the heart. Once three. Now only one. If she looks closely enough, she can see those lines of sorrow woven into Leia's face.

"The Holy City was destroyed," Leia corrects him. "But I do not believe this refers to Jedha."

"Not to mention that Jedha's a moon, NaJedha's the planet," Rose adds, in a very matter-of-fact tone.

"And what precisely are we trying to find in this temple?" Poe asks.

"A way to destroy the Sith," Leia says simply. "Once and for all."

A shivering ripple of foreboding reverberates through the room. Rey trembles at the sense of it. Leia and Kylo flinch the same. Even Finn grimaces, though Rose and Poe remain oblivious to the disturbance in the Force.

"You can't destroy the Sith without destroying the Jedi," Kylo says. "The balance of the universe will be overthrown if you remove only one." His eyes lock with Leia. "Are you prepared to do anything to secure peace?"

"I am," she replies steadily.

Kylo shifts his eyes to next connect with Rey's. She can't help but step back at the intensity in his gaze. It's without anger. But his eyes look deeper than her own, to her soul. "And you?"

She straightens her back, lifts her chin high. "I am."

Kylo nods, glances back at Leia. "So, where are we expected to find this planet?"

"Hold on!" Poe exclaims, jumping back into the conversation. "This is a Resistance mission. There's no we." His surge of certainty wilts as a long pause meets his declaration. He casts a despondent gaze at Leia. "Right?"

"This quest is bigger than the Resistance. That's why I need all of you to work together."

A cacophony of noise barrages the inner chamber of the cave.

"Nope. Nope. Nope," Finn intones again and again over

Poe saying, "I will not be flying anywhere with that scum," over

Kylo saying, "Rey and I are enough. We don't need to be held back by others," over

Rose saying, "Awesome!"

Rey has her reservations as well, but she keeps them to herself. She trusts Leia. The idea of Poe, Finn, and Kylo Ren sharing one confined space for an extended period of time can only lead to disaster and rage.

"Enough!" Leia's voice cleaves through the rabble, not a scream, only raised enough to be heard. And firm enough to be obeyed. The quiet that falls teems with displeasure, but quiet it remains, eyes lingering on Leia in wait. "I know this situation is not one you would care for. But this is where we are. But Poe. Finn." Her sharp eyes land on each in turn. "If you would rather not, I'll find two others to take your place."

"Good luck with that," Kylo mutters.

Rey can't help but agree with that proclamation. If Poe and Finn won't accept Kylo in their gang, there's little to absolutely no chance that anyone else on this planet will.

Leia takes a heavy breath. It seems to age her, as if she's breathing in the years of weariness she's lived so far. "This may be our best chance at ending the war. Please."

Poe and Finn exchange a glance. Whatever silent conversation they share is one that Rey can't detect, but she senses at least, with relief, that they are considering this seriously.

"Fine," Poe says. "We'll do it."

The gratitude aglow in Leia's eyes adds a warmth to the room. It eases some of the age in her face.

Rey glances at Kylo, hoping to see some emotion on his face. To know what he will do. His lips are pursed in a thin scowl. His eyes slit with disappointment. They turn towards her as her gaze lingers. His voice is in her head. I don't like this.

You don't have a choice, she communicates back to him.

Kylo shrugs. You do realize you'll be playing peacekeeper.

She does. She did. She is not looking forward to it. But she'll play whatever part she has to for Leia.

"So, where do we start the search for the planet?" Finn asks.

"I had the idea of searching on Ahch-To," Rey speaks up. "Luke might know something. Maybe I can reach him there."

"We don't have to go that far," Kylo says. He nods over his shoulder. "He's right here."