Chapter 13 One of Us

Rey and Ben were in a sparring match and like the true adults they are they have not discuss the kiss on the Falcon. In fact they were acting like it hadn't happened. There was a bit of awkwardness between them and they should sit down in private and talk. But sparring seemed to be better knowing they could face another Knight of Ren in the future. Ben blocked a strike as Rey advanced to him.

"Good," Ben commented on her, she has progressed faster than he ever thought. "But you're weakness isn't your technique." Rey nodded and then ducked from a strike and they continued.

Down in the base Finn and Poe walked together through the hanger bay with Finn holding a HOLO in his hand.

"An additional shipment of speeders are being sent," Finn informed Poe and the pilot nodded. "As far as our scouts can tell the Order hasn't built or remodel their weapons center so we're still in the clear for a bit."

"Ok, so what's next?" Poe asked as they continued to walk together.

"I say we just attack the First Order head on but I don't think the General will agree." Finn answered and Poe cocked a smile.

"Yeah, my days of jumping into an X-Wing and blowing things up is on hold for now." Poe added. So what was next now? Just then the General was before them. "Ah, what a surprise." Leia smiled a little.

"Rey and Ben, have you seen them?" Leia asked.

"Probably hiding in a closet and using the Force." Poe air quoted the word Force and Leia didn't seemed amused. "Sparring on the mountaintop at least that's what they're calling in." Leia then looked to Finn. Finn told Poe what he saw on the Falcon how he saw Rey and Ben kiss and it wasn't a peck on the lips either.

"They're…sparring." Finn added.

"Good, then can one of you please bring them here?" Leia asked. "Me hiking up a mountain doesn't seem like a good idea." Leia then started to walk away.

"Yes ma'am." Both Finn and Poe answered and looked to one another.

"I hate interrupting their sparring matches, Ben always looks like he's going to kill me." Finn started.

"He looks like he's going to kill everyone." Poe added and Finn shrugged. "Fine I'll go, I'll fly a X-Wing up there that should keep me safe." Poe just wanted to fly.

On the mountaintop Rey had taken a knee for a break while Ben twirled his sparring stick. He felt maybe another hour or so they will train and then call it a day. Ben walked over to Rey and held out his hand to her and she took it as he helped her up. Rey twirled her sparring stick and then the two heard something and Rey turned around while Ben walked up to her. A X-Wing appeared and Poe opened the door looking at them.

"What the hell?" Ben asked and he looked like he was going to kill someone.

"You're mom wants you!" Poe yelled and the Ben chucked his sparring stick at the X-Wing as Poe took off. Rey was a little amused, as Poe always seemed to want to provoke Ben. She wasn't sure why though but she would love to know someday.

"I hate him." Ben declared and Rey walked passed him with a smile and gave his arm a quick squeeze and walked away. Ben then followed his student down the mountainside.

Ben looked in the mirror at himself. He knew putting off the moment in the Falcon was not good and every time they did get a moment alone to talk something else called their attention. He was going to talk after the sparring match but of course their attention was called elsewhere. Ben ran his fingers through his wet hair as he showered quickly before this meeting.

Rey was already in the General's quarters with Poe, Chewie and Finn. Ben walked in and slipped a little grabbing the side of the door. Leia looked up to Ben as he stood there. Everyone slowly turned around seeing Ben.

"Stealthy." Finn commented and Ben looked sharply at Finn.

"Floor is slippery." Ben defended himself as he walked in and joined them. Leia kept her smile to herself and looked to her crew.

"So what's the mission?" Poe asked and that's what everyone wanted to know.

"Recon." Leia answered as the five sat before her. "We have word of an operations report on the Order. I'd like the five of you to oversee it." It shouldn't be hard. "Canto Bight is the location." Finn's eyes then widen.

"Why there?" Finn asked and the group looked to him. "Nothing but gamblers and racing."

"You've been there?" Poe asked.

"May…maybe." Finn answered and Leia brushed it off and continued.

"Well, that will be a place to start, from the intel there will be an officer from the Order, see what we can pull." Leia continued and that seemed easy enough. "You leave tomorrow." This seemed like it would be easy enough. "Ben and Rey stay for a moment." The other three left as Rey and Ben sat there. "I have a question for you both." Ben and Rey sat there. "I'm in need of two commanders."

"No thanks." Ben then stood up ready to leave.

"You don't want to hear me out?" Leia asked as Ben stood there and it meant no so he walked away. Rey watched him leave and she sighed and then turned back to Leia. "He's more stubborn than Han ever was." Leia sighed as well.

"He probably doesn't feel like he belongs. I mean he left the Order, he's given up his title as Kylo Ren, where does he belong? Most of the Resistance hates him because…he did try to kill us all. How should he feel?" Rey asked and Leia understood as she lean forwards a little. "Give him time I guess." Rey offered and Leia nodded.

"He belongs here, he has a place here and I feel we can use him as a leader." Leia decided to open up to Rey. Her son was back and she wanted him to stay, she missed him. Just seeing him walk through the door even the small trip that broke up the seriousness made her happy. She loved seeing her son even if there were no words exchanged between them. It was enough for him to be here.

"He doesn't want it not now at least. I don't think he's ready to show himself to the Order not as a Resistance Fighter." Rey pointed out and Leia understood. Ben was still conflicted and Rey sensed it everyday. The dark and the light still pulled him in different directions. He has yet to resolve his past deeds and then there's Han. He hasn't spoken about his father much. He has opened up but very little and it's only been to Rey. And she could only glimpse into his soul when allowed.

Ben waited for Rey and as he left Leia's quarters wondering what her answer was. He leaned up against the wall waiting and thinking. He sees the fighters pass by him and some would look at him other's would completed avoid any eye contact. How could he lead these people when all they do is judge, maybe some want to slit his throat while he sleeps? He can't take that position because no one will follow. They would think it was a hand out from his mother. He has to prove himself to the fighters. Part of him didn't want to, he could care less about them. If this place were to be blown apart he wouldn't care. He would make sure Rey got out alive. But then other times he wanted to prove to them that he was with them; prove he can fight with them. It was that conflict.

Ben stood there quietly as he continued to wait. Just then the memory of him and Rey kissing took over his mind again. He really needed to sit down with her and discuss it, discuss where they stand in this. Could they be something? No, no he thought. That was treading dangerous waters. If he were love some one, have some one close to him it will be used against him. Rey was his only hope for anything in this pitiful and forsaken galaxy; he couldn't lose her. Just then her presence was close and he looked up.

Rey walked out of the quarters and spotted Ben and headed towards him. Ben stood up tall as he had to look down at her. She seemed happy as she stood there.

"I'm your Commander." Rey had a smile and Ben's face was still straight. "Please, Ben stop jumping up and down." Her voice was just as straight as Ben's face.

"I'm still your teacher." Ben reminded her and she nodded but she could feel it, he was proud of her even though he may never truly show it. "Congratulations." Ben offered and she could tell he was sincere about it. The two then started to walk together and discuss the mission with the others. They would need to talk about which of the twelve Resistance Fighters will come with them as this was going to be a small operation. They should talk something else but once more there were more pressing matters.

Ben sat in the pilot chair of the Falcon with Chewie at his side as they came out of hyperspace with Poe in his X-Wing pulling right up next the Falcon. They were before the ritzy Canto Bight planet. Chewie then started to speak as Ben looked to the Wookie.

"I don't care what you think." Ben answered and Chewie went on but he looked to Wookie and was interested. "She does not." Ben insisted and Chewie nodded and Ben looked confused. "Because this gaping scar on my face makes me that more appealing; I look like a space pirate." Ben pointed to his face. But Chewie protested and Ben rolled his eyes. "Why do you even care about my love life?" Chewie answered and Ben regretted even asking. "No, thanks I'm fine but thank you for your concern." Ben turned his attention back to piloting the Falcon but like with Rey, Chewie persisted. "Chewie," Ben warned the Wookie. "Chewie, I'm fine." Ben insisted but the Wookie persisted again. "I do not need to know what my parents did." Ben added but he grew uncomfortable as Chewie talked. "Please, stop," Ben more or less whispered and Chewie kept explaining. "Ok, you finish here I need to change." Ben got up to leave the awkward conversion. Chewie chuckled a little as Ben left knowing he rattle him a little.

Everyone has to be dressed to look the part of this mission. They had to look more than rich. Ben finished putting on his gloves and was dressed all in black again with the side cape. He clipped his saber to his belt and it would stay hidden under the cape but it was ready just in case. As he walked through the Falcon everyone around him looked dressed up, clean and not tired Resistance Fighters and he was impressed.

Just then he looked over and saw Rey and he had to hide all his feelings and think about something else. He was most impressed with the last dress she put on but this one was red, low cut, high slit, barely on her shoulders. He felt the need to close himself off from her or there might be a repeat kiss and more than he should be thinking of. Rey walked to him and looked down at her outfit.

"Is it too much?" She asked and he shook his head no and using all his will to not show his nervousness. It also didn't help with the conversion he and Chewie had.

"Ready to go?" Finn came up to the two. "Wow, Rey," Finn went on and Ben has killed Finn twice in the last two seconds. "Yeah, yeah uh…let's head that way." Rey watched Finn leave and then looked back to Ben. He held out his arm meaning he wanted to escort her and she smiled just a little and accepted. They left the Falcon that had landed outside the city and Poe joined them. He had to change in the X-Wing as he tried to fix his hair and joined up with Finn but not before seeing Rey.

"Holy…" Poe commented and Finn nodded. "Maybe it's ok to be a little bad." Seeing Ben was with her.

"Shut up." Finn said to Poe because he wanted to be the one to escort Rey but he was too shy to do so. The group made it into the city as the sun began to set and the place was starting to wake up. Finn then saw the main building he was in before knowing that's where they would need to be. The group headed up the steps and stood outside the casino and looked around.

"We'll fan out when we get inside." Rey, as their new commander, started to give out orders. "Keep the communication to a minimum." She added, as they didn't want to draw unwanted attention. The Order officer won't be in full uniform and may wear just a subtle symbol of the Order. Ben and Finn would be able to notice faster than anyone. They probably won't find him right away either as the night just started.

"We're going to lure him out when we find him and go from there." Poe jumped in. "Stay visible." They wanted to always see one another if needed. They walked in and the last time Finn saw this place he and Rose trashed it. Now it looked like nothing had even happened. Ben looked around to the fancy place and it some what made him sick. These were the high class, snubby and snobbiest people you will ever meet. He then escort Rey away from the group as they were going to do their own recon.

"These people love money," Ben decided to educate his student on the first class. "Pretend you own a lot of it." That's how she can draw attention away from herself.

"So, talk about how rich you are?" Rey asked and Ben didn't answer as he walked with her. "You know where I'm from right?" Ben then looked to her.

"I do, they don't and not in a dress like that. Who picked that out?" Ben wanted to know.

"Connix did." Rey answered and Ben nodded a little. "Doesn't strike your fancy?" She tried to sound a little sophisticate and Ben just held his thoughts but she knew it did and they continued to walk. Rey looked around seeing some of the galaxy's richest people. She was the lowest of these people; she scavenged parts that these people probably bought.

Just then a woman walked up to the young couple and they stopped in front of them. She looked to Rey and the young Jedi knew she was being sized up. She then looked to Ben and gave a glint to him and started to walk away. "What's her problem?" Rey asked and Ben looked to her.

"You're new money." Ben answered and Rey looked a little offended.

Night had completely fallen on the casino and nothing yet. Rey sat at the bar as she finished a scan and then all of a sudden a drink appeared before and Finn was sitting next to her.

"No luck right now." Finn updated his new commander as he took a sip of his drink. Rey looked to the drink and so far this mission wasn't going well. But the night was still young. Rey then reached for the petite glass with a bubbly drink and she sipped it, unlike the last drink she had this was sweet. Then Poe came over with Chewie and Poe ordered something. It was time for a break.

"It's a typical fancy night around here." Poe commented and sighed. "This officer probably won't show until the very late hours."

"Why?" Rey asked because why be here late.

"I have no idea, don't usually hang out in places like these." Poe answered and sipped his drink. "Yup, this taste expensive." Rey smiled a little sipped her drink again rather enjoying it but the glass was super small and there wasn't much. Just then a gloved hand appeared and dropped off a wod of credits on the counter. Ben then squeezed in and the creature behind the counter started to make a drink and gave it to Ben and he went to drink it and finished it in one large sip and then looked at the glass.

"It's crystal from the mines out in the outer rim." He then set it down and slid it to the creature meaning he wanted another.

"Which it means if you smashed it?" Poe asked.

"It's worth more than your X-Wing." Ben answered and then took Rey's glass away giving it back to the creature and ordered something else. Rey looked like she belonged here and should try a drink that cost more than she needed to know. Finn got annoyed quickly as Ben was upstaging him again. First it was the dance a long time ago, then it's the dark bad boy look, now it's money and fancy drinks. The creature gave Rey a new glass that was fancy and the drink was layered in colors.

"What's in it?" Rey asked as Ben held up his crystal to Rey meaning don't ask. They clicked their drinks together and Rey took a sip of her colorful drink as Ben gulped his drink. Ben then stood up straight, one arm behind his back and another out, holding his other hand out to her asking to dance; he couldn't resist. Rey set her drink down to join him as he led her away.

"I want to hate him." Finn commented as he continued to drink and Poe smiled.

"Leia fell for bad boy, she was a pretty princess. I mean have you heard the stories of Han Solo?" Poe asked and Finn was interested. "He was running scams on the streets since he was ten. What makes you think his son is any different?" And Finn did to slightly agree.

Rey remembered what Ben taught her at their first dance lesson. She placed her arm on one of his broad shoulders and he took her hand in the other while wrapping his arm around her waist. They stayed to sway but she followed his lead, it was a bit faster than the slow dance they did. Dancing was like sparring; placing their feet in such away to mirror, anticipate each other's moves. But they felt a little awkward. They needed to talk. They needed to sit down and discuss everything but instead Ben spun Rey out and then back in and she smiled slightly. That was lesson number two. He pulled her closer and maybe they were talking just in a different way. Words don't always convey the message. Ben then spun her halfway so her back was against his front, his hand on her hip and the other guiding as they continued to dance. He knew more than he let on about dancing.

"Show off." Finn commented as he and Poe watched and Chewie walked passed them saying something. "I know, dancing and drinking on the job." Poe chuckled and tonight maybe a bust. Rey turned around back to Ben as they swayed but then there was someone else watching.

"Excuse me," A voice broke the two's intensity on one another and they looked to a man some dressed like Ben, missing the cape, the tallness and overall attraction and he was older…much older. "May I ask to dance with your lady?" Ben almost pull Rey away, said a colorful word but he didn't. Through the Force he told Rey this was the Order officer as he picked up on the emblem on his belt. He shouldn't let Rey dance with him but it could lure him out.

"Sure," Ben didn't sound confidant in the sure nor willing to share Rey; Kral was right he was going to be selfish and keep Rey to himself. The officer held out his hand to Rey and she took it. Ben walked away and went through the closed COMM signaling that they found who they needed, now they need to corner him without being noticed.

"I have yet to meet you here." The officer started to strike up a conversion. "My name is Don by the way." Rey nodded and wasn't sure if that was even his real name and if she should say her name.

"New money." Rey answered why she was here and Don nodded with a smile. Rey was uncomfortable though. Unlike with Ben where they were close dancing crating some different feelings and needs she created a massive bubble with this man. But she didn't feel alone though. She could feel Ben not far and she could feel his own trust in her knowing she was safe. His ever watching presence was just a reach away. "And…what do you do?" She asked just to make small talk.

"I'm a Bridge Officer for the grand First Order." Don was full of pride and Rey nodded.

"Do you believe in what the Order is doing?" She decided to pry at him a little.

"Why yes, we are bringing order to this lost galaxy. They could not run themselves as a democracy so someone must rule them." Don answered quite easily. Rey didn't like the answer though as it was too full of pride. "We know the Resistance is out there and soon we will have them again." Rey wasn't sure if she should continue and he'd catch on. Rey then gave a smile, a very fake smile.

"Well, if you excuse me sir, I have other places to be." She then went to back away but just like the last scumbag in a bar he persisted. Don went to grab her not wanting to be done. Ben saw it and wanted to intervene as did Finn. Just as Don reached for Rey she grabbed his wrist holding it. Unlike the last time, feeling that sense or meaning nothing and feeling helpless she was anything but these days. She then grabbed his wrist harder and then threw him away. Finn almost jumped in to help but stopped and Ben cocked a half smile, no one will ever hurt her, he's trained her to fight for herself.

Don slowly got up looking to Rey a little terrified and embarrassed and left. But he wasn't leaving alone. As he took off to the streets he headed down a more quiet alley and took a moment. As he walked he heard something, a hum and out of nowhere a red saber was before him. The man owning the saber appeared out of the shadows and he saw the man with that girl.

"I…I was never going to hurt her." Don insisted but then something hit him. "Kylo Ren…?" Ben clinched his fist and decked the man square in the face and the man fell. Ben could have just waved his hand and knocked the officer out that way but he needed to use some power. Ben deactivated his saber as that was just for show. Then Poe rounded the corner seeing the passed out officer with a bloody nose.

"You don't always have to beat people up." Poe explained and Ben started to leave as Finn joined in knowing they were going to have to lug the man to the Falcon. "Starting to hate this job." The pilot muttered.

At the base the five members sat with Leia. But there was an awkwardness in the room.

"So, we're good with Ben torturing this guy?" Finn spoke up and Ben didn't even look at him.

"We could you know ask nicely, please and thank you." Poe added meaning this officer wasn't just going to hand over information. But is that how the Resistance acts? The Order yes but what about them, was this right? Leia wanted to say no and talk to the man. But at the same time she may need to be more aggressive.

"I will speak to him, perhaps a settlement." Leia informed them of her plans. Ben wasn't going to say anything. "Rey, keep all operations as plan." She said to her Commander and Rey nodded. Leia got up and went to speak to her enemy leaving the others in the room. Chewie then barked.

"Yup, buddy I know." Poe added and let out a sigh. Ben continued to sit there not wanting to add to the conversion.

Leia entered the room and before her sat the Order Officer.

"General Leia," He sounded a little impressed. Leia had a plan as she dimmed down the lights. No distractions, just them. Leia then sat down before the man. "Where am I?" He knew she wasn't going to say but it didn't hurt to try.

"The Resistance Base." Leia answered and it wasn't a lie. The officer smiled a little.

"Whatever you want to know…I won't say anything." The officer informed her and Leia knew this was going to be a losing conversion. "I don't care what you have to offer. I won't betray the Order." Leia nodded because if she were in his position she would be saying the same thing. Leia then stood up and thought it was a good thing she wasn't in this man's position and left. The officer sat there wondering what that was about and why it ended with nothing.

Just then he heard something ignite and the room glowed red. That color only belong to one person he could think of. Out of the shadows a figure in black appeared. Ben kept the black suit on with the side cape, black seemed to suit him best. The officer then saw him as he came under the light and wondered how he got in. It's Kylo Ren, he knows how to sneak around.

"I should have known it was you, you traitor." The officer began as Ben stood before him. "You're working for the Resistance! You," But his head flew back as Ben stood there. "You won't get anything out me Ren!" The officer yelled as Ben stood there barley using the Force. He didn't have to; he could feel this man's fear. He was a squealer and Ben has been around long enough to know who the squealers were. Ben then walked closer to the officer as they were more face-to-face.

Ben looked at the man, a fellow member of the Order, a movement he left. The hue the red from the saber blotted out the white of the light. Ben knew he could extract the information easily, this man was weak minded. But it was that darkness that crept in the back of his mind; that crawled up his spine, prickled in his fingertips. And his light, Rey, was not here; she needed to be out of his mind and presence. He needed to show the galaxy and the Resistance who he stands with; he needed to show himself.

"I need to know what the Order plans on doing next." Ben started his list. "I need to know where the Knights of Ren are and I need to know all of Hux's dealings or at least where I can find the information." Ben finished and the officer sat up slightly.

"No," The officer declared and then he felt a sharp pain as Ben stood there. Ben was barely using any mind torture and it shouldn't take long to find what he needed. But there was that want to slowly draw it out, to allow the darkness work it's way in him. He hasn't tapped into in a while and it was like a drug you haven't had, it felt good, it was nearly calming. He'll regret it later but for now, that power he was feeling, it was a little bit of a high.

"You tell me and it stops." Ben offered and then the officer looked to Ben.

"That Jedi," The officer took in a deep breath. "Hux wants her in the Throne Room with the Knights. They want…to show the galaxy…there will be no more Jedi." That was a threat and Ben saw his inner thoughts, he saw that they wanted to torture Rey. That fed him enough anger to wipe out the base if he so desired. The thought of anyone hurting her in anyway didn't feed the darkness it drove it out and the sheer anger and hate settled in. Ben held out his hand letting the dark consume him a bit. The officer let out a cry of pain as Ben pulled the information he wanted.

Ben released the man from the mind tortured and paced a little still holding his saber that was still lit. Returning the officer to the Order would mean death for him as he gave up vital information. But there were two pieces of information he got. One was of Rey and he was going to kill Hux along with the Knights. But the other one; the next move of the Order. They wanted to draw out the Resistance and they might. "The Resistance will perish!" The officer yelled and Ben had enough of him. He saw another inner thought and it was from Canto Bight when the man danced with Rey and that inner thoughts the officer had sent Ben nearly to the Darkside again. Ben twirled his saber at the officer and relieved him of all his commands.

Ben walked into the General's quarters still with his saber ignited with the information but Leia already knew something was bad.

"Naboo," Ben blurted out. "The Order plans to seize Naboo." And Leia stood up.

"Then to Naboo we'll go." She stated knowing this was a trap to draw them out. But Naboo was innocent in this, they held no place in this and they deserve no part in this. The two left together to place a call out for an emergency meeting. But Leia could still feel something in Ben as he has yet to disengage his saber. "Ben?" She asked and finally the red blade was gone. Something shook her son.

Ben knocked on Rey's door and she opened it and he just needed to see her first before the meeting. Ben couldn't help himself and pulled her into a hug. For once he wanted the darkness to leave him alone, to hear the whisper disappear and she was the only one that could make it go away.

"Ben?" She asked as she felt him pulling her close. She replicated to him and felt him tremble just a little. Something was wrong, she knew he was going to allow some of the darkness in to get the information he needed but this was something else. "I'm ok," She assured him as she picked up that's what he needed to hear. She wanted to know what had happen but he'll tell her later, for now he needed to be in the here and now. Just then she felt her feet leave the ground as he slightly picked her up still holding her, allowing the darkness to wash away.

The moment lasted a little longer as Ben placed her back down and pulled away. She finally got to see his eyes and they were full of fear but just a small spark of hope. They were close again like on the Falcon and alone for a moment. Ben wanted to, he felt the need so he leaned in resting his forehead to hers taking in the breeze and wild flowers. Rey rested her hands on his chest feeling his heart pulsing fast. She then leaned feeling the near feather of a kiss about to start.

"All personnel report to the hanger bay immediately, all personnel report to the hanger bay!" A voice called out over the main COMM. The two pulled back now looking at one another. Duty called and as a Commander Rey needed to be at Leia's side. She stepped out of her little chambers wanting to dial back the moment feeling Ben needed her and she wanted to be there. He then reached out holding her hand hoping to grab hold a little longer.

"We have time." Rey assured him and Ben nodded. Rey let go and headed out to find Leia to undertand what was happening. Ben stood there in the hallway alone but he didn't feel alone now. The darkness washed away and he felt steady again. He was going to take one more moment to push out any thoughts from the officer because that's all they were, thoughts. If anything he had Rey in the end no matter what plans the Order has, what the Knights wanted to do or Hux. But all three the Order, the Knights and Hux were on his list in red and underline. Ben started to make his way to the hanger to join the Resistance as one of them.

A/N: And where do our lovebirds stand? Closer I think. Don't worry I have something for you guys in the next chapter about them. This was a bit of a fluff chapter but I think it shows Ben is here and not completely for Rey. Is he turning into the good guy with a bad attitude? Now what happens next as we go back to Naboo. Remember the true queen is on that planet, the mother of the Skywalkers and Ben's grandmother and the Order wants to hurt the planet. And Ben's got a top three-name list with their names in red and underline. We have a long way to go people.

What are your thoughts? What do you hope to see next? Let's discuss. Thank you everyone for reading, commenting and following.