Chapter 12 Come Together

Ben looked into the mirror and saw his face. The bruises were fading but they were still there. He can at least open his eye more. His face still hurt a bit though. He left the fresher and got dress. He wanted to train Rey though but he's been laid up in bed since his return. Ben left his room and walked down the hall. The base wasn't awake yet, a few people were awake but they were half asleep.

Ben found the eatery and it was empty except a few people starting to set up the food. He was looking for Rey but when he passed her door he didn't feel her there. As he walked through the base the people he passed they looked at him funny most likely because of his wounds. He then stepped outside into the morning and the sun hadn't quite peaked over the horizon. He looked around and then felt her.

He made his way to the mountaintop and found her with her saber ignited. As Rey twirled the saber she could feel Ben and turned around deactivating the saber. She hasn't seen him a whole lot since returning because of his wounds. His face had completely swelled up and the medical staff loaded him up pain medications so he has been asleep for all intensive purposes for the last few days. The two just looked at one another.

"What the hell Rey?" Ben asked and Rey looked around a little confused at the question. His voice was low and he sounded upset.

"Uh?" She more or less answered.

"I read what you did." He then made his way to her and Rey nodded.

"That." She wanted to tell him but he seemed to be thinking about other things.

"What were you thinking?" He asked and Rey couldn't help but shrugged.

"They needed help so…I help." She answered simply and Ben slightly nodded.

"You just…charged into Storm Troopers." He still didn't sound happy.

"I saved their queen, I help their planet." Rey justified herself.

"You could have been killed." Ben finally said and Rey stood there.

"I know." She was honest and Ben continued to stand there. "I know what I did Ben."

"How could you have possibly have known what could have happened?" Ben continued to ask.

"I had to do something." Rey stood tall before him. "I did what was right." She finished as she continued to look at him. "You're just mad that it wasn't you." And she wasn't sure she should have said that. Ben almost looked hurt. Now she wanted to take it back. Ben then turned his back. "You left Ben. I trained like you asked, I did everything on my own for three months." She went on but maybe she should stop. Ben then turned around to face her. "No one would help, so I did." She finished and Ben continued to look at her. "Go ahead tell me it was wrong and stupid."

"It was reckless, stupid, you could have died and…" He trailed off. Thinking of her dying made him stop breathing for a moment. Rey waited for more. "I wouldn't have let you,"

"What I do Ben…now…it's not up to you." She informed him. "I can handle myself, I have all my life." She added and Ben continued to stand there looking at her. He really did hurt her by leaving. Rey then turned slightly away. "You just left without telling me why and don't say it was to protect me because it was me who saved you…again." She added that last part in.

"I left because I needed to answer my own questions." Ben began and Rey faced him again looking annoyed. He could see it in her eyes. "I know you can protect yourself, you beat me in a saber fight, you killed Snoke's guards and you managed to defend yourself against a Knight of Ren and now I guess your new hobby is saving towns." Rey continued to stand there. "No, I couldn't share that moment with you and…" Ben turned away a little and decided to swallow his pride. "I was proud reading it." Rey's defensive soften a little. "I was…I was very proud." He then walked a little closer to her. "I was also very afraid because I wasn't there."

Rey understood why he was upset. If she had died he wasn't there to be with her. Rey walked a little closer to him as he stood there. "You scared the hell out of me." Rey then reached out and placed a comforting hand to his arm squeezing it slightly.

"Trust me." She stated and that's what he needed to do. He needed to let go because she was that strong. She has proven more and more that she is the strongest person he has come up against.

"You're still running laps. If you're going to be charging at the First Order then you can start running laps." Be added and a smile crossed Rey's face. "Go, down the mountain then back up." He instructed and Rey attached the saber back to her belt.

"Want to join?" Rey asked and Ben shook his head no and Rey's smile disappeared.

"My face still hurts." Ben gave his reason and Rey nodded.

"Yeah, he did bash your face in pretty well." Rey decided to poke some fun at him.

"I feel it." Ben added and he gestured her to start running. Rey started a small jogging pace passed him and he tracked her. "Pick it up, you need to be faster than that if you're going to be saving more towns." Rey heard that and smiled again and picked up her pace. Ben then stood there and knew it would be a while before she gets back. It was nice to feel the breeze again.

Ben sat in the medical quarters sitting there as a medical personal dabbed something on his face. It stung at first but then it started to sooth after some time.

"Much better." The man said because he saw what Ben looked like when he had returned. His face was no longer round and swollen but almost normal again. Ben slid off the examining chair and grabbed a jacket and put it back on. "Here," The medical personal gave Ben a bottle. "A few more days of the medications should be good." Ben took it and headed back to his quarters.

Rey walked the hanger seeing the new X-Wings and Poe was literally floating among them, he had new toys to play with. BB-8 was rolling behind Rey as she looked around. The Resistance fleet was starting to form again. Finn then stood next to her looking.

"Not bad for a gambler." Finn commented how Lando was coming through. Rey nodded and then Poe passed by them smiling. It made Rey smile a little seeing him so excited. Just then Rey felt Ben's presence just off to the side and looked towards the pull. She saw Ben walking through the hanger and Finn caught site of him too. Finn had hoped he and Rey could talk about that night but they haven't. He knows she didn't just forget.

Ben slowly joined up next to Rey looking just how much the fleet has grown. He was impressed and he could not deny that. They had a line of new X-Wings, a medical frater, a scout ship, main command vessel and gunner. Lando really did pull through on this. Ben looked to the X-Wing and he kind of wanted to get in one just to fly.

"Can't wait to take these out for a spin." Poe came up to the three. "Ben, you don't look horrible anymore…just awful." Poe might have regretted that last part. Ben resisted choking him, throwing him across the room and half a dozen other ways of killing him. Rey was here and if she could charge at Storm Troopers then he was no match for her at his current state. "See you're sense of humor hasn't changed." Poe muttered, couldn't Ben lighten up just a little? "Ok," Poe turned to them wonder what was next.

"A meeting." Poe heard a voice and looked over the group as Rey, Ben and Finn turned around seeing their General. "Ten minutes." She finished and left. Rey and Ben broke off from the group and walked together. Finn continued to look and linger a little longer while Poe stood next to his friend.

Rey, Ben, Poe, Finn and Chewie sat before Leia and the General couldn't be happy to see her son. He was rough around the edges but it was great have him here. Also, Ben did save some of the information he got on the Knights of Ren. Leia held the little chip and then plugged it into the HOLO and the images started to scroll pass the group.

"Ben was able to hack into the Order." Leia started and Rey, Finn, Poe and Chewie all turned to Ben.

"And you're upset about me chasing off a few Storm Troopers?" Rey asked but Ben continued to look ahead ignoring the question. Rey then turned back to the HOLO.

"We have some information about their next moves which will give us an advantage." Leia started to look through the information. "There is one thing we have learned about the Order, a base."

"Death Star or Starkiller?" Finn asked and Leia shook her head no.

"Nothing like that…that we know of at this time." Leia answered. "This is another base, one of the main stations."

"And, we're…going to…?" Finn asked because he didn't like where this was going.

"Destroy it." Leia answered simply and Finn nodded but not in agreement. "The Order knows that we have returned." She then looked to Rey. "They know we have a Jedi Knight." She then turned to Ben. "We have Kylo Ren with us." She added. "The fighting isn't going to get any easier from here on out. We need to make another move and I think base can provide us with more." She finished.

"What does this base…do?" Poe asked because it might be important. Leia sighed knowing she was going to ask a lot.

"Weapons manufacturing." She answered and the room was silent. Finn's eyes widen and he nodded.

"Ok." Finn was shaky on the ok.

"I know you guys want to hit the Order but this is a lot more than just a simple outpost." Ben jumped looking at his mother.

"If this is a weapon's base, wouldn't we be just sitting ducks?" Poe asked and Chewie stepping in and Poe sighed.

"It's where their weapons come from, nothing is completely live there." Leia answered and Finn nodded.

"Completely, ok." Finn was still not over the fact that they were going to attack a First Order base like that.

"We cut their weapons supplies, it gives us more time." Leia gave her reasoning. "Attacking small outpost won't be enough."

"The fleet isn't ready." Poe added and Leia seemed to understand that.

"It'll be small group of fighters we send in." Leia continued on.

"Like us small?" Finn asked pointing to the others in the room. Ben sat there and looked to Rey out from his peripheral vision seeing she was thinking. He will follow her lead only. Rey knew what Leia wanted, the five of them to lead a charge.

"We're asking people we don't know, never met to risk their lives" Rey spoke up and Ben turned to her. That's what this war has been like for so long. People coming in to fight and barely knowing anything about one another. Leia nodded to the statement. The Resistance Fighters were risking everything; the Rebel Alliance did the same.

"This is something that only a few will go on and I want you five to lead them." Leia seemed determined about them.

"Why us?" Poe asked looking around. Yes they did liberate a small planet but the Order wasn't heavily grounded there. This was a full on assault against the Order and attacking where they build their weapons. "Le, General, this is something huge." Leia looked to Poe knowing full well what she was asking. "You want me to train, we don't have an elite…task force." Poe would have to recruit within the Resistance asking people to train for this.

"People aren't going to be up for it." Finn added and Chewie something adding to Finn's comment. Leia felt them fighting this and they should but until they do something of this magnitude then they will never be able to be the Resistance this galaxy needs. Destroying Starkiller Base was about to pave the way until they were nearly wiped out. Leia gave a sigh and looked to them.

Each of them came from some unique background. She could feel it within the Force itself. All them were broken at some time but yet so strong and they could drive something.

"Alone," Leia looked to them. "All of you are not enough," The five stared at her to listen. "We will not be enough." Leia looked around hoping to spark something. She knew what the galaxy wanted but that wasn't going to happen right now. So, the galaxy needs something else. "This galaxy thinks it needs Luke Skywalker. I thought that as well but," She was honest and it was true. It was always about Luke Skywalker and Rey could not lie about that. She believed in Skywalker. "But Luke is not coming back, not now. He no longer believes in the galaxy. We have to believe and give them something to believe in." Leia continued to look to Ben and Rey and to the others. "We're doing this to bring us together."

Ben stood in front of his mirror again thinking. He just called to Rey to seek her counseling. He heard the door open knowing it was her and he stepped out his fresher and Rey slightly looked away. Just like one of their Force connections he was shirtless. But this time Rey didn't feel as bothered by it. In fact seeing his scars made him human. He comes across as this nearly immortal being but underneath he was a man.

Ben went to reach for a shirt but he felt that Rey wasn't tense so he refrained. Rey then spotted the large scar to his side that he took for the Resistance. Ben then invited her in more as he headed to the desk. Rey saw him nearly touching the ceiling, he seemed too tall for anything, he was just giant and massive. Ben sat down as Rey walked closer and Ben seemed a little tired. He let out a sigh as he sat down and Rey sat on the edge of his bed to face him.

"What do you think?" Ben asked slouching a little resting his head in his hand looking to Rey and while Rey was surprise that he was asking her she understood. They were just two people talking about a dangerous mission that will kill them. Rey shrugged at the question and sighed as she sat back a little more allowing herself getting comfortable. "We have three weeks to train a group of people for this."

"Feels like three years is needed but that doesn't seem to be long enough." Rey added and Ben nodded. She then continued to look at him. "You're interested in this." She felt it but something threw her off. "Why?" Ben then looked to her. "You seem to want to hang back in the shadows." And it was true, Ben rather remain in the shadows as the galaxy fights. But he had to be honest with Rey because she was going to find out anyways.

"I'm fighting to fight with you." Ben answered and Rey wasn't sure if she understood. Ben looked down a little for a moment then back up to her. Rey could remember the first time she saw him without the mask. She thought when he took off the mask she would see a monster, some disfigured person. But instead she saw a man, handsome, his face was unblemished but carried weight. She gave him that scar and his face turned hallowed. Now looking at him with the fading bruises and cuts she saw someone else. She saw that man but he wasn't blemished or holding weight anymore. His eyes though have not changed, not for her. His eyes only seemed be the softest around her.

Rey then looked down to his hands that were no longer covered with gloves. He was peeling back the entire mask and she could see him. She could definitely see him now.

"What does that mean?" She asked because she wanted to know as she looked to him.

"Back in the throne room with Snoke, when we fought Kral," Ben began to answer her question. "Us, fighting side by side, that's all that matters." And she knew that was honest and true. He felt the most balanced with her next to him. "You…you standing with me is all that matters." He finished in a whisper and never took his eyes off of her. Whatever her choice was he will follow as long as he can stand next to her. She didn't feel pressure either about it. Rey then reached out to him placing her hand on his bare shoulder. Ben looked to her hand and reached for it holding it. She felt Ben embrace her hand gently but firmly. She nodded to him knowing what he meant.

Ben then scooted to the edge of the chair as Rey leaned in a little to pull just a little closer to embrace him, Ben seemed like he needed lots of hugs even though he pulls away; everyone could use a hug. So, Rey then reached for him a little more to give him a hug. Ben slowly wrapped his arms around her just to deepen the embrace a little more. He was really warm and she let out a small smile while her chin rested on his bare shoulder.

"I'll stand with you." Rey whispered and the pulled away. It meant Ben wasn't going to leave again. But just like when he was going to leave they were close, a breath or two a part. Also this moment was a little bit more intimate, Ben had nothing on but his pants and boots and they were literally locked in his room. They continued to look at one another in the eyes and knew they should pull away. What could transpire can and will cause pain. They seemed to be always treading in deeper waters and whatever it was they were feeling, it can't surface. But if that was the case then why were they still close.

Just then their foreheads rested on one another. Rey closed her eyes feeling calmness. She then thought about that dream she had of him. It was an intense dream so much so that she believes it might not have been just a dream. Ben thought about it to and knew they would have to address it but not now, now they were relishing in their own calmness. But the pull was harder to quell. And without a thought Ben reached to her cheek only closing the gap between them a bit more. There was electricity between them; they were about to create their own spark. The question was just how much did they want to stand next to one another. The two breath space started to close a little more until a beeping noise brought the two back from some other world.

They pulled away as Rey looked to the COM link beeping. Ben let out a sigh and he stood up needing to leave because that was just a bit much. He stood up to walk it off or at least try. He then turned to her as she gazed at him. It would be so easy to just give in and they wanted to but the COMM kept buzzing. Ben grabbed a light tunic and then reached for the COMM knowing it was time to meet the people that he will be training. Rey pulled herself up went to leave the room but looked back to Ben one last time. She could see the longing in his eyes and she wanted to answer to the call. But she needed to walk, they needed to stop getting close.

Rey and Ben met back up but separately with Poe, Finn and Chewie out in the hanger. Before them stood a group of a dozen fighters chosen to be trained for this mission. Ben then took a step towards the men and women and other worldly creatures. Some were young too. He didn't see fighters; he saw scared faces. How was he going to train them? How were they going to train them in three weeks?

"These are the best?" Ben asked and looked to Poe. Poe didn't give a response though. Rey could feel that Ben was uneasy about this. They were going full force to the First Order and they still had little. Ben looked at the group and began to judge. He felt all twelve won't return from the mission and this was a mistake, they needed more time. But he was going to do it, he will help train for Rey.

Poe leaned over an X-Wing as Ben sat in the cockpit. He hasn't flown in a bit well not a fighter ship at least. He had to remember the X-Wing controls and the system as it was different than TIE-Fighter or a TIE-Silencer. Poe then looked to Ben and this was the first time they were actually having a conversion, a quiet conversion though.

"Ok," Ben seemed to be ready and Poe nodded leaving the X-Wing and went to board his own. Ben then looked over seeing Rey standing there and he pulled himself to the side a little. Another Resistance fighter was on the other side of Ben prepping the X-Wing. "You look nervous."

"I know you can fly." Rey commented. "Just, never thought I'd see Kylo Ren in an X-Wing."

"Never thought Kylo Ren would be fighting with the Resistance but here I am." Ben added as he put on the helmet. Rey had a Rebel helmet back on Jakku. "Just taking it for test." Rey could tell he was itching to fly, he belonged in the air and he's been laid up for a week and was ready to do something. The X-Wing started to fire up while the cover closed over Ben. Ben then looked back to Rey and he just couldn't help himself and gave her a small wink and she even saw a faint smile. Rey smiled as the X-Wing started to hover and leave the hanger.

"I saw that." Rey heard Leia's voice just off to the side and she looked to the General but didn't say anything. Leia just gave this smile and continued to walk away.

Ben flew out of the hanger and pulled up and finally he felt free. Behind Ben was Poe and the two X-Wings began to dance in the skies. Rey stepped out of the hanger to see them flying above and Finn stood next to her shielding his eyes from the sun. Rey smiled and looked to Finn. Maybe they can do this.

The blasters had stop firing as the dozen people looked to their targets. Poe and Ben were standing off to the side and started to inspect the targets. On day one none them were close now they were nearly dead on. Everyday had been nonstop training for them. Ben was tired, Poe was tired everyone was tired. But was it enough to take out the weapons center of the First Order. This was a huge step and it could be the end.

Poe put his hands on his hips looking to Ben not sure what to say.

"Well, this is it." Poe finished and Ben looked around. They only had three weeks because a huge order of weapons was to be shipped out to the Order. If they could intercept that can help them gain more ground. What else could be taught? They were not going to improve anymore than now. Ben then looked to the group as Rey and Finn went to join them. Something was missing.

Ben then started to pace in front of the group.

"I can see why he was the Commander of the Order, who wants to piss him off?" Finn leaned towards Rey and she looked to Ben.

"Out of those who have been recruited you twelve are the best?" Ben asked them and they all stood there. Something was missing; something wasn't there. "Why are you here? What brought you here?" Ben asked and no one spoke up. He then looked to Rey as she was wondering what Ben was about to do. "Luke Skywalker? Right, you were hoping he was here or would lead us again right?" Ben asked and again no answer. "He's gone, he has no part in this. Maybe we all believed in the legend. But he is not coming back."

That was the hard truth in all this. That is what this Resistance was built on now, the return of Skywalker. "You wanted to be led by a Jedi," Ben then turned to Rey and then back to the twelve. "There is a Jedi here to lead. But why are you really here?" He asked again and once more there wasn't answer. Ben then took out his saber and the twelve all jumped just a little. "The enemy is going to attack." He then swiped at the ground and the dozen soldiers stepped back. "This is the First Order," Ben advanced at them with his saber. "I killed you people once." He swiped again and Finn was about to engage but Rey reached to him holding him back.

"The Order is strong." Ben then pointed his saber to them. "What's going to make you stronger?" He asked them. "Why…are you here?" He asked again and then a young woman stepped forwards.

"They killed my village." She answered and Ben lowered his saber as it continued to hum.

"You seek revenge." Ben stated and she didn't answer but thought about it.

"I seek justice." She answered and Ben nodded and looked to the eleven. Then another one stepped forwards to Ben.

"My parents were killed and my brother was taken to be a Storm Trooper." The man stated his reason. The rest knew what Ben wanted, if they wanted to be apart in any of this then they have to have a reason. Ben then put his lightsaber away and then left in silence.

Ben sat alone in his quarters at his little desk thinking. Hearing why these people wanted to fight struck something in him he didn't know was even there. In reality they were fighting everything he thought he believed in. He even believed in the legend of Luke and in turn sought out his own revenge on him. He was just like these fighters but he didn't know what side to fight on.

Just then he slightly turned around seeing Rey at the door. What she saw him do was both smart and stupid. She walked into his room to his little desk knowing he needed to talk.

"Why are you here?" Rey asked and Ben didn't have an answer other than that the Resistance had taken him in. Rey continued to stand there wondering. "I know why I am. I thought staying on Jakku was the safest thing to do." Ben continued to look to her. "I found Luke and he was everything I imagined and he was everything wrong too. I'm here because I do believe in the Resistance."

Ben knew Rey had a clear heart and will. And maybe through the war that won't change, he hoped she wouldn't. The galaxy will need that purity. "I know you don't believe Ben and I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that all this has happened to you," She looked into his eyes. She was honest about it as he was still conflicted. "I will stand with you Ben but you need a reason and can't just be me." And she was right because if she were to die then what will he fight for? Rey then walked closer to him and squatted down to be eye level with him. She was trying to bring his soul forth and it was a battle but she wanted to fight that battle. He can fully redeem himself he just needed someone to believe it.

She then placed both hands on his face and it sent a shock through him. Why did her touch do that? "You are the only person that's like me right now." Her voice was nearly a whisper as he slightly leaned in. "You are one of the biggest things I believe in." She let a small smile form as he continued to look at her. She then stood up as he looked up to her and she left the room so he could be alone.

The X-Wings were lined up outside the hanger along with the Falcon. The dozen fighters were getting ready leave as the final plans were being made. Leia was surrounded by the fighters, Poe, Finn, Rey and Chewie as she talked. She paused a moment as another soldier pushed through the group and Ben stood there for the final briefing.

"Ben has provided the coordinates to the planet. You will enter at another sector hopefully unnoticed." Leia went on and Rey looked to Ben as he stood next to her. The base will be heavily guarded and it is built to with stand a large scale assault." Ben then crossed his arms listening. "However, the Order doesn't think that a group of less than twenty will be a problem."

"We're infiltrating." Ben commented and Leia nodded.

"You will have to listen and work together." Leia added. "You have two Jedi to help." Ben wasn't prepared to hear that there were two Jedi though. Rey yes, but him, he didn't know where he stood in the Force. "Any questions?" Leia asked and no one spoke up. "Well, then may the Force be with you." She gave the send off.

"Alright, to your stations lets go." Poe called out everyone broke off. Rey and Ben walked side by side and he looked to a X-Wing and then to Rey.

"I'll be in the Falcon." She took off to the Falcon as Poe saw the moment and then joined up with Ben.

"Just kiss her already." Poe demanded in a whisper but Ben continued to look ahead trying to ignore the pilot. "For all our sakes, watching you two dance around is getting old."

"It's none of your business." Ben added and Poe nodded.

"Yeah, it's not but you're making it to be." Poe argued to Ben. "Well, maybe if we do win this one then you can kiss her." He suggested and Ben continued to walk away. "Let it happen, no shame…all is as the Force wills it right?" Poe asked and not once did Ben turn to him but kept walking. "Worse than two teens in love." Leia caught the end of it and smiled.

Ben joined Chewie in the cockpit prepping for take off. The rest of the task force was boarding and Poe will follow behind in the X-Wing. They would have to surprise attack the Order so it meant less ships. But less ships meant less help. As Ben was getting the Falcon ready for take off he felt Rey enter the cockpit and take her spot behind him. Finn also came in and took a seat while Ben finished up the take off sequence.

"So, what will this place look like?" It was Poe coming over the COMM.

"Heavily guarded, hard to infiltrate, and nearly impossible to get free if captured." Ben answered.

"Ok, then what are we waiting for?" Poe asked and both Rey and Finn looked to one another knowing if they made out of this one then the Resistance has a chance.

Ben sat at the little table in the Falcon as they got closer to the First Order base. He should steady himself because this not going be a hit and run mission. This would set the Resistance on a path or destroy them completely. It was hope they carried and he felt very little of. It was that darkness within him, telling him none of this was worth it. That darkness told him he was nothing. He sat there in the dark with a small bit of light in the backdrop. He was alone and while that's how he liked it, the way he preferred he still felt as though there was something with him.

Over the months he has been able to bury that ever creeping darkness. It wants to rear itself. It wants to destroy and take what it feels that is rightfully its. Ben hasn't understood why it's managed to stay just below the surface. Even fighting Kral he managed to keep it in check although he might have defeated Kral if he let the anger out. He did let it slip when Kral threaten Rey. That seemed to make his blood boil a bit when he thought about Rey getting hurt.

He should start to let go of her because she liberated a town and help defeat Kral. She was getting stronger in the Force; he could feel it burning. But if he was to let her go then why did he care so much? Compassion? He could only feel when he was around her and he liked the way it felt not feel before her. He left everything for the Darkside and the Order. He built something there and within. He was something more than just a name and now he was here. Why? What keeps on the edge? And of everything in the galaxy why her?

Rey sat in the cockpit with Chewie as they went through hyperspace. They were going to have to talk to everyone and formulate a plan to what would be next when they get to the base. Rey sat in the pilot chair resting her head on her hand. She thought about going into to the Force and speak to Ben but she had a feeling that was not the best thing to do right now. Then Chewie started to speak and Rey looked to him.

"No I do not." Rey insisted and Chewie said something else. "Well…" Rey turned away a little. "He's my Master, he's training me and," Chewie spoke again and Rey looked to him. "No, no," Rey insisted again but Chewie continued on. "Yes, he's handsome but no, we're…friends…" Rey was not convincing and Chewie gave a low bark. "I'm not going to talk about this." But once more Chewie continued and Rey glared at him. "Chewie just, don't." She warned the Wookie and then Chewie seemed to chuckle a little but it didn't amuse Rey. Then Chewie muttered something and Rey looked to him. "You think so?" Rey asked and Chewie nodded as Rey looked out into hyperspace. "Why me?" She asked and Chewie shrugged and said something else. "Oh please, he's a prince a real prince and then there's me." She added and Chewie looked to her. "I don't want to talk about it." She ended the conversion as Chewie looked to hyperspace as well. But Rey couldn't shake the feeling of getting flustered.

"What are you guys talking about?" Finn asked as he entered the cockpit and Rey shot around with her eyes widening. Did Finn hear any of that?

"Nothing." Rey insisted and Chewie started again as Rey shot a look to him. "I swear Chewie," Rey wasn't having it.

"Is this something we all should be discussing?" A low voice asked and Rey saw Ben standing there. "I can hear you from out there." Ben added and Rey was still, how much did he hear.

"It's…nothing," Rey insisted once more looking to Chewie and she could see that look. "Chewie and I were…talking." Rey added and looked to Ben hoping to drop it. Ben wasn't going to press it any further feeling Rey was not happy within the Force and Finn stood their awkwardly knowing what the conversion was about. Just how much did Ben hear?

"Debriefing in ten minutes." Ben announced and walked away. Rey then turned to Finn and he stood up straight and went stoic mocking Ben. It didn't amuse Rey as Finn then gave a salute.

"Yes sir." Finn added as Chewie continued to stare at Rey and she dried to ignore it.

"That's not funny." Rey added and Finn smiled.

"You like him, it's all over you." Finn was poking at something he shouldn't. "You think he's handsome and you like him." Finn did a little dance as he went on. "Rey, it's fine," Finn was trying to reassure her but then again it would be nice if she could drop Ben and go for the reform Storm Trooper. "Just have to ask though, what do you see in him he's so…serious." Then Chewie said something on why Rey liked Ben and Finn's eyes widen and Rey turned to the Wookie looking annoyed. Chewie chuckled a little.

"Laugh it up fuzz ball." Rey dared him and the Wookie went quiet as Rey got up storming out just a bit. Finn knew he upset her but he wasn't stupid. Ben walks into the room and Rey's eyes glitter just a little. Chewie then said something and Finn sighed.

"They should, it's getting annoying." Finn agreed as Chewie got up.

Around the table the small group of fighters stood while the room was low lit to see the HOLOgram of the base. Ben did more than just look up the Knights of Ren he gathered a lot more intel on the Order itself. Poe was patched in from his X-Wing. Ben would have to give some sort of direction this one as everyone stood around. Once Ben felt everyone was here and ready to listen he started.

"We'll pull out of lightspeed before we reach the planet. We'll have to blow through their shields to get in." Ben started as he looked to the digital base. He was about to hit one of his own and he wasn't sure how he felt about it. "Poe, you'll stay in the air." Ben added and Poe's image nodded. "Chewie, you continue to pilot the Falcon, two ships above us won't hurt." Ben then looked to a young alien. "You'll manage the guns of the Falcon." The young alien nodded. "The rest of us are on the ground once we get in."

"When we get there," Another fighter spoke up. "What are we going to be up against?" Ben knew he had to be honest.

"More defensive canons and guns than Troopers but a distress signal will be hailed." Ben explained. "We won't have forever to take the place out."

"Central hub is where we need to plant the bombs." Finn stepped in knowing the structure and Ben looked to the former Trooper. "Once we're inside we shouldn't have a problem." Ben let out a sigh agreeing with Finn but it was getting into the hub that was going to be the issue. Then something beeped meaning they would be coming out of lightspeed soon and need to prepare.

"Ok, Resistance Fighters lets look a live and maybe have a little fun." Poe spoke through the HOLO. Everyone broke off the grab their weapons and the bombs to get ready. Rey waited to join up with Ben but not before Chewie muttered something and Rey just ignored it. Ben could see Rey was annoyed but now was not the time to ask.

"Stay close to me." Ben didn't ask but ordered. Rey wanted to question it but this was a full Order base, she needed to follow him this time. The two then walked side by side the ramp of the Falcon as the other fighters start to join them. Finn joined next to Rey with his blaster ready to go.

The Falcon and Poe's X-Wing came out of lightspeed near the planet's entrance and cruised seeing the weapon's base. It was big and around it they saw a thin vial keeping it guarded. Just then Poe and the Falcon started to fire at a small section to break down the shields. Once the shields are down then they would have to work fast. The Falcon flew in low opening the ramp and briefly touched down letting the fighters out with Rey and Ben leading them.

"They'll send out a distress call in the next three minutes." Ben spoke into his wrist COMM.

"Let's use all three minutes." Poe's voice came over the COMMs. Just then the canons started to fire the X-Wing and the Falcon but they both fired back. The ground team fanned out as they ran towards the hub. Just then across the way a team of Troopers start form. Ben and Rey stopped together as the rest of the team went to hide behind some of the structure. Ben then looked to Rey as she called the saber to her hand and he did likewise. He needed to let go, she charged at these things once. Rey ignited the saber and Ben followed. She then looked to him seeking approval but she saw something in his eyes, he was looking for her approval. Rey gave a smile to him and then charged and Ben ran in behind her.

The Storm Troopers started to fire at them but the red and blue saber blocked the blaster rays. Ben held out his hand holding some of the rays in place as the rest of the fighters came out shooting beating the Troopers back. Then Poe flew overhead firing from above taking them out. Over the COMM everyone could hear Poe cheering.

It was far from over but it was great start. Rey and Ben continued to charge on side by side and then Rey jumped in the air, tucked and rolled to the ground taking out a Trooper. Ben spun and swiped at a Trooper giving coverage to the ground team to get to the central hub. Rey and Ben hung out on the outside fighting back oncoming blasters with sabers and the Force. Poe and Chewie provided cover from the canons while the small task force moved forwards.

Just then Ben saw a group of Storm Troopers running towards them from the back. Rey took out a Trooper as did Ben and now he waited. Rey then brought up her wrist COMM to her.

"Poe, Chewie," She called to them. "Keep the fighters covered, Ben and I have these guys." Rey finished as Ben twirled his saber a few times and was ready. Rey then walked next to him and that feeling hit him again, he was balanced. As long as he could fight next to her then everything was ok. Rey and Ben stood their ground and held their hands up blocking the blaster rays in mid air as they piled up. But instead of doing this alone and together the burden wasn't so heavy.

The two then ducked letting the blaster rays and charged. Ben jumped in the air and landed into the Troopers swiping them as Rey jumped into the air kicking one back and swiped at another. The two then went back-to-back guiding one another and protecting each other. Ben held out his hand forcing a Trooper back while Rey rolled over Ben switching places and continued to fight. Rey looked up seeing the Falcon and the TIE-Fighter clearing the way, they were almost there.

Rey and Ben moved together towards the hub while keeping the last of the Troopers at bay. Ben blocked a blaster ray and hit it back to the Trooper. Ben then reached to Rey pulling her so she just slightly behind him. He held out his hand slamming down a Trooper to the ground and they ran towards the hub.

Rey and Ben got inside the hub and the rest of the crew was already unloading the bombs planting them. Rey ran inside reaching for a pack and took out a hand held computer and started to type. She was the tech lead on this. She was synching the bombs up to go off together. Ben held out his hands as a fighter tossed him a bomb and he planted it. This was strange for him. He was attacking the very thing he believed in. Maybe this was one way of letting it burn.

"Last one!" A fighter called out placing it as the rest all joined together. The three minutes were up.

"Time to go." Ben announced as Rey finished the last programming and put the tech away. The fighters gathered up as Rey joined back with Ben as he reached for her pushing her out first. Finn joined up with the two stepping outside as they raced out. Ben ignited his saber and blocked some blaster rays as did Rey. The fighters shot back as they ran. The Falcon and the X-Wing flew over head firing as well. Poe turned his X-Wing around firing everything at the last of the Troopers as the Falcon hovered just slightly off the ground. The ramp lowered as Ben grabbed Rey's hand at the same time disengaging his saber. Ben jumped on the ramp pulling Rey with him. He stepped off the ramp and held out his hand holding off the last of the blasters while reigniting his saber and blocking the rest.

Finn climbed up the ramp seeing Ben standing there making sure the last of them were accounted for and onboard safely, a true leader was always the first off the ship and the last one on. Rey waited and then reached out her hand as Ben took it jumped back onto the ramp and the Falcon started to take off with Poe behind them. The ramp closed and Rey pulled out a small remote to detonated the bombs. The blast radius was going to be big as all the explosives and materials that created the weapons would go off too.

Rey held the little things with a switch. Ben then walked over to her placing his hand over it too. He wanted to blow it up. It meant obliterating the past as First Order Commander and follower. This was how he was going to let it all die. He placed his hand over Rey's and she looked up to him and he down to her. He leaned in resting his forehead to hers and closed her eyes. She then placed her other hand over his and he did the same. She realized just was he was going to give up. He was giving up Kylo Ren completely.

The command was given that they should be far enough away to not get hit by the blast although they may feel it. Both Rey and Ben flipped the switch as Finn looked out the cockpit of the Flacon and the weapon's base started to blow. There was a loud cheer through out the Falcon and through the COMM from Poe.

Just as Rey felt Ben in the Force in calmness she felt something else. She felt Ben's hands cup her cheeks and in almost slow motion she felt his lips collide to hers. It wasn't something through the Force it was real. She dropped the control and reached for his wrists that continued to hold her cheeks into the kiss. The Falcon shook a little in the blast wave but it didn't pull the two apart. The cheering was still going as they watched the weapon's base burn. Rey just slowly reached out to Ben placing her arms around his neck only to pull them more into the much long awaited kiss. He didn't object, wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her closer too.

The Falcon gave one final rock and leveled out. Rey and Ben then pulled away slowly looking into each other's eyes. It all seemed to happen in slow motion and they couldn't pull back. They usually could. They just continued to stare at one another not knowing where to go from here.

Finn was clapping with the rest of the fighters and turned around to have Rey come in and join. But when he turned around he saw the two embraced as closes as they ever been; it broke his heart but he had to somehow rejoice in the moment.

Rey was shaken to the core as she has never been kissed. And that kiss wasn't just physical it was felt through the Force they melded in such a way she was nearly paralyzed. Ben was shook as well and he felt the need to almost lay down. They were both trembling and they almost had the need to want to kiss more to feel that complete euphoric high again.

The Resistance base cheered as the fighters returned. There was going to be cheering all night long in fact. But when leaving the Falcon Rey and Ben left separately. In fact after more cheering and toast and when finally the night was done Rey sat alone in her room. She stared at her door though giving herself reasons why she should stay there or maybe why she should see him. This was madness and wrong and it will end wrong she knows it.

Ben sat on the edge of his bed holding a tall drink. He was trying to drown out that feeling from the kiss. He had no idea what that was, where is came from and why it made him literally quiver. But Ben knew that was a mistake a completely in the moment mistake. He felt liberated even for moment from the Order and the dark and in her embrace he felt…happy. This wasn't going to end well though he knew as he down more of the drink. He shouldn't have done that but everything in that moment pulled him to her and all he could see was her.

A/N: Oh Snap! They blew up a weapons manufacturing base oh and yes Ben and Rey made out. They made out hot and heavy kind of made out. So much so they were shaking when they pulled away. Now what happens? You guys tell me? What else do you want to see? Are Ben and Rey thing now? I don't know. Let's discuss.

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