Rose wanted to make a run for it, but she knew the risk was too high, so she stood frozen, watching and waiting for an opening to act.

"Phasma," Finn said, his voice steady, "I wish I could say it was good to see you."

"Put down your weapons," Phasma ordered, pointing her weapon at Finn.

The Stormtroopers had their weapons pointed at the rest of them.

Rose made eye contact with her sister. Paige's teeth were biting down on her bottom lip. She gave Rose a slight nod and started lowering her blaster.

Rose's heart was pounding in her chest. She slowly put her blaster on the ground and raised her hands.

"You're lucky," Phasma continued. "You won't be executed until we get answers."

Finn's jaw tightened. "I'm not telling you anything."

It looked like Phasma shrugged, but it was hard to tell through her armour. "Traitor, we only need one of you alive to get answers. Who should we kill first?"

Han snorted.

"Is something funny?" Phasma asked.

"Yes," Han said. He had a smirk on his face.

"Are you going to elaborate?"

"Sure," Han said. "You First Order types could use some humour in your lives."

Rose didn't know how they could get out of this situation, so she hoped Han knew something she didn't. It was unlikely that Phasma or one of the Stormtroopers had time to alert anyone to their presence, but they weren't alone in the hangar. Any escape attempt would draw attention.

"Well?" Phasma prompted.

"You think you have us at a disadvantage," Han said.

Phasma sighed. "You're stalling." She nodded at one of the Stormtroopers. "Shoot him first."

Han lowered his arms and put his hands out. "You're not even going to get my name first?"

"The dead need no names." Phasma kept her weapon trained on Finn. Rose guessed that he was her main priority, that she wanted to make an example of him. "Fire," Phasma ordered.

The Stormtrooper moved to fire, but was hit by a blast of plasma energy.

…

Rose used the distraction to grab her blaster and run towards the Falcon. Paige was at her side and Finn and Han were followed behind them.

Han stopped running, drawing the attention of Phasma and the Stormtoopers, providing a distraction for the rest of them. "Go," he said.

Rose looked at her sister and Finn. "We're too exposed."

"Follow me," Finn said, leading them away from Han and the Falcon. "We should be able to sneak behind the Falcon if we go this way."

"Are you sure about this?" Paige asked as she followed Finn through the narrow opening between two out of commission ships.

"Not really," Finn admitted, "but I don't think anyone saw us go this way. If we remain out of sight, we'll have a chance."

Rose followed Finn and her sister until they were behind the ships. Stormtroopers were guarding the entrance to the Falcon. "How do we–"

"Who are you?" Phasma's voice rang out.

Rose stilled. She hoped Han had a plan.

"I thought I was a dead man?" Han asked.

Rose heard blaster fire, but that sound wasn't enough to tell her what was happening. She moved to the edge of the ship, trying to get a look at what was happening.

Phasma was striding forward. "You're alive for now," she said.

Rose couldn't see Han, but she guessed he was who Phasma had her blaster pointed at.

"I'm planning on staying alive," Han said.

I don't want to tell Ben his dad died, Rose thought. I hope Han knows what he's doing.

"Your odds aren't good," Phasma warned.

"I'm Han Solo" – Rose heard the grin in his voice – "That's never stopped me before."

"I should have known." Phasma shook her head. "Only Han Solo would be stupid enough to come to the Supremacy." She had to jump back to avoid another plasma blast.

Rose still didn't know who was providing cover, but whoever they were, she was grateful. Their well timed shot had saved Han's life and given the rest of them the opportunity to escape.

And their shots continued to keep Han safe.

Paige grabbed Rose's arm and tugged her in the direction of another ship. This one was beside the Falcon. Finn's plan was to hide behind the Falcon , wait until the Stormtroopers guarding it were distracted, and quietly take them out before slipping onto the Falcon unnoticed.

It was the best plan they had.

...

Rose's heart sank. More Stormtroopers were waiting for them behind the Falcon.

She fired at them, hitting one, but it wasn't enough. There were too many for her, Paige, and Finn to take alone. Whoever had been providing them cover was busy keeping Han safe. They were on their own.

They had to run.

…

Rose's jaw dropped. The blaster fire had frozen midair.

Her sister's eyes widened, and Finn's grip on his blaster tightened.

"Kylo Ren," Phasma's voice rang out, "what are you doing?"

Rose turned to see what was happening, and she saw Ben Solo with his left hand out, using the Force to stop the blaster fire.

Rose narrowed her eyes. Why had Phasma called him Kylo Ren? Shouldn't she know who Kylo–

"Helping the Resistance escape," Ben said, answering to the name Kylo Ren. It was then that Rose noticed what he was wearing. All in black, he was dressed in a long tunic, holding a lightsaber – not yet ignited – in his right hand. His presence had always been intense, but he had never looked dangerous like he did now.

"He can't be Kylo Ren," Paige said.

Rose wanted to agree with her sister, but doubt had crept in as she watched Ben and Phasma interact.

"He is Kylo Ren," Finn confirmed.

Rose didn't want to believe Finn, but the evidence was on his side. She didn't understand how someone so emotional, so human, could be Kylo Ren. She had told him what the First Order did to her home, to her family, and he had said nothing. She had thought they were becoming friends. She had thought he understood her, and she thought she was starting to understand him.

I was wrong.

Rose swallowed. "How do you know–"

Finn cut her off. "I'll explain later. We need to take advantage of the distraction." His voice was low enough that only her and Paige could hear.

Rose knew he was right. Even though she was desperate to know how Finn knew Ben was Kylo Ren and she didn't, the truth could wait.

"Can he stop more blasts from hitting us?" Paige asked.

"I don't know," Finn said, "but I don't want to risk him missing any."

One well placed hit was all it took to kill.

"We need to wait," Paige said. "He has everyone's attention, but if we move, we'll be noticed. When the right moment comes, we need to get out of here."

"You're right," Finn agreed.

…

"You're on the losing side," Ben said, taunting Phasma. "You can still join us."

"You're a fool," Phasma said.

"I was," Ben agreed, "but I'm seeing things more clearly now."

Is he on our side? Rose asked herself. She didn't know what to believe.

"You may have the advantage, but you can't take on the entire First Order. When back-up arrives–"

Ben smiled. "You're not the only one with back-up."

… … …

Killing Snoke for the second time hadn't been as satisfying as the first time. All Ben felt was relief.

He looked over at Rey and was amazed by how much she had learned in such a short time. The first time they fought the Praetorian Guard together had been exhilarating, but this was on another level. There was a beautiful ferocity to Rey's movements. Her style, which had once mimicked his, had developed into a style that relied more on speed than strength.

They didn't need words to communicate. It was like they were two halves of one whole.

Like they were a dyad in the Force.

For all his research, he didn't know what it meant to be a dyad in the Force. Now that they were on the same side they could learn together.

Rey elbowed the Praetorian Guard he didn't realize was at his side, giving Ben the opening he needed to stab him.

Fighting with his mom's lightsaber was different than his old crossguard saber. It was lighter, which meant that he had to use more strength to hit his opponents with the same harsh blows he was accustomed to using. The stability was also different.

He found that he didn't mind the differences. The stability of his new saber encouraged him to take a more measured approach. Instead of fighting with reckless abandon and drawing strength from the pain of his injuries, he went on the defenice more often, which prevented unnecessary injuries.

Keeping the Praetorian Guard away from Luke was an added complication, but he was strong enough to stand on his own. He was leaning against Snoke's thone, his green lightsaber out, ready to defend himself.

Luke must have exaggerated how hurt he was. Ben was relieved they wouldn't have to carry him out of here.

He told himself that was the only reason he was relieved.

There were only three Praetorian Guards left. Rey was fighting two and he was fighting one.

Ben spun away from his opponent and went on the defensive. He wanted to lull him into a false sense of security and then strike.

The Guard leaned forward too far as he advanced.

Ben kicked his opponent, knocking him off balance.

The Guard tried to stab him with his electro-bisento, but Ben flipped over him and stabbed him from behind.

He looked over at Rey and saw she was only fighting one Praetorian Guard. Where had the other gone?

He heard a cry and saw the Praetorian Guard had Luke cornered. Ben ran towards them and heard a pained grunt.

Ben let out a relieved breath. The sound came from the Praetorian Guard. Luke had sliced through the Guard's stomach.

Ben turned to Rey and saw that she had already taken out the last Praetorian Guard. They had won.

…

Ben ran to Rey and embraced her.

She wrapped her arms around him. "We did it," Rey said, breathing heavily.

"Did you doubt us?" he asked with a false sense of bravado. He had doubted them.

Rey leaned back and looked up at him. "That was closer than I would have liked. Don't tell me that this went the way you planned."

"It didn't," Ben admitted reluctantly, "but it still worked." He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

Luke coughed. "Not to, uh... interrupt, but we still need to get out of here."

Ben sighed and dropped his hand.

Rey let go of him, putting some space between the two of them. "What's the fastest way back to the Falcon?" she asked.

"Fast isn't going to be enough to get us out of here. We're going to have to come up with a good lie." Ben looked at Luke. "Nobody is going to let us leave with you. There will be questions."

"So we don't let them ask any questions," Rey said.

"What do you have in mind?" Luke asked.

Rey bit her lip. "We need a distraction."

…

Ben hoped his distraction had given Rey and Luke enough time. Now he had to find a way to save his dad and Rey's Resistance friends.

He looked at the Falcon and made eye contact with Chewie who was providing cover while partially hidden behind the main sensor antenna on the top of the Falcon. He was using the same bowcaster that he had once used against Ben.

But that was in another time. This Chewie had never shot him. He hadn't given Chewie a reason to shoot him.

His body was free of that scar, but like so many others, his mind wasn't.

…

Hux entered the hangar followed by more Stormtoopers. "Surrender!"

Ben ignited his lightsaber. "Why would I do that?" he asked. He could handle Hux.

"We have you surrounded," Hux said with a hint of disbelief. He had always underestimated Ben.

Ben shrugged. "I thought you would have brought some real fire power."

Hux's face turned red. "You killed the Supreme Leader."

"Exactly," Ben said. "I thought you'd want your revenge."

"I will get my–"

An explosion went off just like they had planned.

Ben ran towards the Falcon, deflecting blaster bolts with his lightsaber and pushing Stormtroopers away with the Force.

His dad and the Resistance members made it onto the Falcon first.

"You will pay," Hux yelled.

"Wrong again." Ben closed the boarding ramp. He hoped the Falcon was ready to depart.

…

Rose screamed.

Ben ran in the direction of the sound.

He saw Rose pressing fabric against Paige's stomach and Finn opening a medkit.

Paige had been shot.

Ben's chest tightened. He moved forward to help.

"Don't touch her," Rose said sharply.

Ben flinched and stepped back.

"She's breathing," Finn said. He put a blanket under Paige's head.

Rey arrived. She took in the scene and covered her mouth with her hand.

Finn flexed Paige's knees, taking the pressure off her abdomen. His Stormtooper training was being put to good use.

Ben needed to know what was happening. "Did Luke–"

"He's flying the Falcon with your dad," Rey said, still staring at Paige. "Chewie is manning the guns."

The blood had bled through the fabric Rose had wrapped around her sister's stomach. Paige didn't have much time.

Unless…

Is this what you saw? Ben asked Rey so that only she could hear.

What?

In your vision. Could we have been healing Paige?

Rey's brows pinched together. Maybe. It's hard to tell…

If he hadn't wasted time baiting Hux, they could have escaped sooner and Paige wouldn't have been shot. We need to try.

Rey nodded.

Ben stepped towards Paige.

Rose looked up at him, and he saw tears pooling in her eyes. "Go away," she said.

"We can help," Ben said.

Rose added more fabric and continued pressing down on Paige's wound.

Finn turned to him. "How?" he asked.

"Rey and I can heal her."

Finn furrowed his brow. "Have you done something like this before?"

"No," Ben admitted, grimacing.

"Finn, he's right," Rey said, walking towards her friend. "We can help."

Finn glanced back at Paige and then spoke to Rey. "I don't trust him."

"Do you trust me?" Rey asked.

Finn nodded. "Rose," he said, getting her attention, "we should let them try."

Rose shook her head. "He could hurt her."

Ben knelt beside Paige. "I want to help her," he said, hoping Rose believed him.

Rose stared at him for a moment and then nodded. "Do what you can," she said, her voice thick.

…

Rey joined Ben at Paige's side.

Rose was still applying pressure to the wound in a futile attempt to stop the bleeding.

Finn was checking Paige's pulse.

Ben had been so certain that they could heal Paige with the Force, but a hint of doubt crept in. What if we make this worse?

We won't, Rey said.

He hadn't realized he had projected his thought.

Ben took a deep breath and put his hand over Paige's wound.

Rey covered his hand with hers.

He closed his eyes.

…

Ben saw a bright light and heard the Force hum. It felt like life.

Rey's hand was warm against his.

It was working. He felt life passing through him and into Paige.

...

Someone pulled him back.

Ben opened his eyes and saw Finn staring at him with wide eyes.

Paige wasn't fully healed yet. He moved towards her.

Finn grabbed his arm. "Stop," he said.

Ben looked at him.

"You've healed her enough," Finn said. "Both of you have done enough."

Rey took his hand in hers. She was paler than he had ever seen her.

Ben felt lightheaded.

…

Ben locked himself in the refresher. He was cleaning the blood off of his hands.

We almost lost Paige.

The way Rose looked at him when she told him not to touch her sister was at the forefront of his mind.

She blames me.

And she was right to blame him. If he had been paying more attention to them and less to Hux, he could have stopped the blast from hitting Paige.

There was a knock at the door.

He ignored it.

There was another knock. "It's me," Rey said from the other side of the refresher door.

Ben opened the door and Rey came inside, closing the door behind her. There was more colour in her skin, but she was still pale.

Rey started washing her hands.

...

There had been less blood on Rey's hands than there had been on Ben's, so they didn't take long to clean.

He didn't think his hands would ever be clean.

"We saved her," Rey said in a gentle voice.

Ben swallowed. "She wouldn't have been in danger if it wasn't for me."

Rey brought her hand to his face. It was still damp. "This wasn't your fault," she said.

"I could have stopped the blast from hitting her."

Rey stroked his cheek with her thumb. "I met Paige for the first time when we came back."

"You did?" he asked.

"Last time she died in the evacuation of D'Qar," Rey explained. "She was the bomber who took out the Fulminatrix."

"That didn't happen this time." More had changed than he realized.

"No, it didn't," Rey said.

Ben let out a deep breath. "That doesn't mean that I didn't make a mistake."

"Not everything is your fault." Rey pinched her lips together. "You didn't shoot Paige."

"Rose and Finn wouldn't agree with you," he said, shaking his head.

Rey raised her eyebrows. "Are you sure about that?"

"You saw how they–"

Rey dropped her hand. "Finn doesn't like you and Rose is in shock, but neither of them blame you for Paige." She put her hand on his arm. "It was out of your control."

Rey had a point, but he still blamed himself. His plan had put everyone in danger. He had thought that it would be easy to repeat past victories, but too much had changed. They couldn't rely on their past knowledge to predict the future.

"How's Paige?" he asked, covering Rey's hand with his.

Rey gave him a slight smile. "She woke up for a moment, but is resting again."

"Good." When Finn stopped them from continuing to heal, Ben hadn't thought they had done enough. Paige waking up, even for only a moment, was a good sign.

"Healing her was your idea," Rey said.

Ben squeezed her hand. "Only because of your vision."

"It was your idea and it worked," Rey said. "They will remember that."

…

Ben needed more time before he could face the others. Rose now knew who he was, and he felt guilty about lying to her. She had been kind to him because she had thought he was Ben Solo. She wouldn't have been kind to Kylo Ren.

He didn't deserve kindness from someone who lost their home and parents to the First Order.

Finn had given him a look after he stopped him from healing Paige more that he didn't know how to interpret. It had almost looked like concern, but that couldn't be right.

Rey told him they couldn't stay in the refresher and led him to the forward hold. He swayed a bit as he walked. Healing Paige had taken more energy out of him than he had realized.

Rey sat him down on an overturned box and sat across from him on a small crate. "Everyone survived," she said.

"Did the Resistance get away?" he asked, hoping for some good news.

Rey's eyes were bright. "The Raddus jumped to hyperspeed before we did," she said with a smile. "They won't be tracked."

"And us?" he asked. While he was relieved that the Resistance got away, he was concerned that they were now the main target of the First Order. It didn't help that they were in one of the most recognizable ships in the galaxy.

"I don't think we're being tracked," Rey said. "Chewie stayed with the Falcon while we were gone. He says that Stormtoopers guarded the ship, but they didn't board it." She gave him a pointed look. "You must have a reputation."

"That's putting it mildly." Ben snorted.

Rey frowned. "Your dad says it's too dangerous to meet up with the Resistance."

"He's right." Ben sighed. "Where are we going?"

"I don't know, but your dad seems confident about the destination he has in mind," Rey said. It didn't sound like she was as confident as his dad was.

"He always seems confident," Ben said. "That's the key."

"You two have that in common," Rey said, her voice dry.

Ben wrinkled his brow. He'd rarely been told he was similar to his dad. The comparisons had always been to the Force users in his family – initially, his mom and Luke.

And later his grandfather.

"I know you weren't as confident about your plan as you pretended to be," Rey continued. "You don't have to pretend with me."

"I know," he said. "I'm not used to admitting to weakness."

Snoke taught him that he had to be strong.

Rey leaned forward. "Uncertainty isn't weakness."

"Snoke taught me it was." Ben looked down. "It'll take me a long time to unlearn the lessons he taught me."

"I know," Rey said. "Let me help you."

He looked back up at her and nodded.

Ben didn't know how he ended up here. He knew he didn't deserve a second chance, didn't deserve to have someone look at him with affection like Rey did.

Deserved or not, he wasn't going to waste his chance.