Chapter 35 Running

Ben walked through the wet woods alone looking. The skies were grey, the earth beneath him made that squishing sound every time he took a step. The trees did help shield him from the rain a bit but by now he was for the most part soaked. Ben stopped and listened and looked around knowing he was getting closer. The men behind him also stopped and went into fight mode.

Ben ignited his saber and began to walk forwards with a small battalion behind him. The rain was finally letting up after some time so Ben could see what was in front of him, Troopers. But they weren't just the typical Troopers, Antar has been busy over time. These were new, different and more deadly. Another Resistance battalion had fought with them before and died.

"This system has declared itself to the new Republic." A Resistance fighter called out.

"The Order and Supreme Leader Antar do not recognize the Republic as anything more than a terrorist organization that will be brought to justice." A Trooper responded. Ben stood there knowing that talks of peace were becoming far few now. The Order and the Resistance were now fighting more and more and it became winner takes all.

"Fine," Ben sighed under his breath and threw his saber at the Trooper and his men began to fire at them. Ben held out his hand calling his saber back to him and charged on. Ben gave his team the upper hand but he couldn't always be there and in the last few months the fights have become guerilla warfare in nature.

"Solo!" A voice rang out and that voice stopped Ben in his tracks. He turned around and the fighting stopped. The owner of the voice walked slowly to Ben with a smile, his red fire eyes. "It's been some time." Ben already felt his mind being invaded but he placed the wall up.

"How?" Ben asked and the enemy smiled at him.

"Duros, we can take a hit." Bleys answered. "Where's Rey?" He asked, as he did not see her. Ben wasn't going to answer that. "You think because you have a little…political power and a frail government you can win?"

"No, but by force yes." Ben continued to stand there. Bleys jumped from the sidewall landing igniting his saber.

"It's alright Solo, I don't want you, leaving you for Antar." Bleys explained as everyone stood still wondering what was going to happen. "I want Rey, she and I have some unfinished business that does not concern you. You, however, Antar has something special for you…something so grand not even you could truly understand it." Ben twirled his saber holding his ground. "I'm not going to kill you, we need you." Bleys charged at Ben and Ben held his hand out and used the Force pushing Bleys back. The fight broke out.

Bleys jabbed the saber at Ben and Ben dodge the blade and then struck at him. Bleys' swings were hard and large. It was an odd move that he has picked up and there was anger behind it. Ben knew this style was perfected over time and intended for Rey, he was just the tester. They both swung their sabers letting them cross as they danced around one another.

Ben's crossguard caught Bleys' saber and Ben shoved him back to the rocky wall and the rain began to fall heavier again.

"You have no right to fight with that saber anymore, you aren't one of us!" Bleys gritted through his teeth and then managed to shove Ben back and took another swing. Ben kept on the defensive end letting Bleys continue to use the heavy swings knowing he was going to tire out sooner than later. Ben continued to back away knowing while he wanted to kill Bleys he would need him alive because he knew what kind of storm was coming.

Ben criss-crossed his saber in front of him ready for the onslaught. Bleys charged once more as Ben defended himself. While he wanted to bring Bleys back he also knew that could be a trap. Bleys may even wanted to be captured in order to figure out the location of the base and any other information. This would have to be handled delicately also if Rey sees him alive then he will be killed.

Ben held his saber close to Bleys and the crossguard started to burn his shoulder digging in. Then Ben pulled away grabbing Bleys wrist and slashed him across his chest. It wasn't going to do any real damage but it was going to subdue him. Bleys fell back and Ben placed his foot on Bleys neck and would make sure that he would pass out. How was he going to tell Rey? He looked up seeing that back up has arrived to help liberate the city.

Rey was typing on the computer in the dark. She wasn't tired but she was also very tired. Physically she was ok but her eyes and mind were tired. She woke up early before Nova did to get some work done. Luckily Nova sleeps through most of the night but one child was a lot of work. She grabbed a piece of parchment and discarded it. Just then she heard some cooing knowing who had woken up.

Rey smiled and got up and walked to the other side of the room seeing a small child standing in her crib. Nova was not walking but she could pull herself to a standing position and hold it with some help. The little girl smiled at Rey, big brown eyes, black hair that stuck up more than anything and no teeth just gums at the moment. Rey reached for her baby and picked her up ready to get the day started.

Ben walked the halls of the base ready to give the mission report and he only had one word. Leia had just turned the corner and in her arms was Nova. If Leia had her way she wouldn't let her grandchild go.

"Back so soon?" Leia asked because this mission should have taken more time based on scenarios.

"Failed." Ben answered and Leia sighed. The success of this mission was a low one to start but they had hopes.

"You know we'll win some and lose some." Leia assured her son. Nova smiled at Ben cooing again. "Yes, your father is home." Leia's voice went different, a little more high pitch. "Isn't that nice?"

"Can I have my baby?" Ben asked and Leia looked up. "Please?" Ben added.

"You should wash up first." Leia suggested seeing Ben was a bit worn and tattered.

"I'm clean." Ben knew what his mom wanted to do. Ever since Nova was born he took a backseat, he was just a vessel.

"Cleanliness is next to godliness." Leia then started to turn away.

"Mom, can I please have my child?" Ben asked again as Leia walked away. "Mom?" But Leia just kept talking to Nova ignoring her son. Ben rolled his eyes and figured if he washes up he can pry Nova out of her grandmother's arms.

Ben was laying in his bed with Nova asleep on top of his chest. He would sleep too but he liked watching his daughter sleep. She was already getting big and just being gone for the last three days he swears she's gotten bigger. He lightly touched her soft hair listening to the little baby snores. He then looked over seeing Rey was asleep next to him. He turned off his mind about Bleys because these moments are what he lives for now. He wouldn't trade anything in for this.

Poe flew the small cruiser to a small floating compound in space. The hopes would be that one day this would be a floating prison. So far they did have a few First Order officers here including Hux. Next to Poe sat Finn. They would come out here once in a while to check in on things but Ben requested them. Poe linked the cruiser up to dock it and the two started to head into the compound.

The small cells were mostly empty as the plan was to arrest more people of the First Order as time moves on. But being here today seemed off. In the last mission no reports of prisoners were mentioned so why were they here? And why them and not the General? Poe and Finn turned the corner and Ben was there.

"So what's all this about?" Poe asked as Ben turned around and pressed a button lifting the doors to a new prisoner.

"Oh, what the," But Finn was interrupted.

"Rey is not to know." Ben informed them, both Poe and Finn looked at one another. "He has information and I need it."

"Fine, but Rey," Finn continued because none of this could ever end well.

"She doesn't know about this, not until I get the information I need." Ben warned them but this was a bad idea.

"Ben, I want to torture him, like I'm with you on this. And then yes kill him in the end and let Rey do it and we can cheer her on." Poe stepped in. "But this, hiding this from Rey," Ben knew he would be in a different world of trouble but he has to keep Rey safe and keeping Rey safe meant keeping Nova safe too.

"One thing that Han taught me," Finn thought maybe bring Ben's father into this might help. "He said that women always figure out the truth, always." Ben knew that was true but he needed Bleys to stay alive for as long as possible before Rey kills him. Poe and Finn stood there looking at the sleeping Knight, Ben not only physically knocked him out but he was also sedated, heavily.

"Ok, so what do we ask him?" Poe knew he was not going to be able to convince Ben not to do this.

"Nothing." Ben answered.

"So, why the hell are we even here?" Finn's voice was angry.

"Keep Rey distracted anytime I come here." Ben replied which only made Poe and Finn question this whole plan, it was bad and it was going to end badly. "He knows something about that voice, why I'm having these dreams, he knows Antar's plans."

"He probably does," Poe acknowledged in agreement. "But this all seems like a trap, something doesn't sit well Ben. You feel it right?" Poe was worried for both Ben and Rey's safety. Yes, revenge would be sweet on the Knight but Ben wasn't thinking this through.

"That's why he's here and not at the base, that's why I sedated him so he can't possibly know where he is." Ben did take extra measures to hide as much as he could. "And this is why I'm going to lay some ground rules while he's here and alive." Ben looked to his friends. "It is important that if you are here with me that you stay away from the cell and avoid any conversation with him." Something was unsettling about all this. "If you have to be here with me then only ask what is relevant, anything beyond that is dangerous understood?"

Poe and Finn looked to the sleeping Knight realizing something had Ben afraid. He would never hide anything from Rey. From the start of all of this there were three times Ben showed fear, all having to do with Rey. This will be the fourth time. "He's a Sith and a liar. Bleys will lie to confuse me and us. He will also try to mix lies with the truth to attack us. Snoke taught us to attack psychological and it's powerful. So don't listen, do not listen." Ben finished the laying out the rules.

Poe looked to Ben knowing this was bad but he was hiding something. Poe and Ben have been getting close since the start of this. While Ben may not talk to Poe, the two could look at one another and convey thoughts. Poe could see it; Ben was searching and was afraid of something.

"Ben, this can be done in a different way," Poe started.

"You don't understand," Ben interrupted and now Poe can tell they were about to hit a chord. "You don't,"

"Then make me." Poe demanded and walked closer to him. "Why bring him back alive, risk your sanity, risk our location, tell me." Ben looked back to Bleys knowing he would wake in a few hours. He wouldn't be able to stay for that, Rey would be expecting him back soon.

"I'm doing this because I can't sleep at night anymore." Ben turned back to Poe, Finn gave a sigh of relief knowing there was something more behind this than pure torture. "When I close my eyes now, I hear that voice, I see that dark place. I need answers and he has them. If he doesn't then he can lead me to them." Ben finished and started to leave. It meant they'll come back in the morning.

Rey sat at the edge of the bed with a sigh, the day was over and Nova was finally asleep. Nova has started to sleep more and more through out the night, sleep was returning at least for Rey. Ben sat quietly on the other side of the bed deep in thought. Rey noticed he was very quiet since the last mission and in general. Rey turned her focus to him and crawled over the bed to him and sat next to him.

She looked at him knowing that thoughts swirled in his head. He might let some come forth, others he'll keep to himself. But Rey knows Ben well these days, she can feel when he's unbalanced, feel when his center is off or shaken.

"Do you want to talk?" She asked, she always asked because it allowed him to freely talk and not feel pressured to do so. Ben looked to her, he looked tired and not because he was a new father and baby keeps you awake. There was something else. Rey reached over to him and placed a hand on his cheek. He should tell her right now everything, the dreams, Bleys, all of it. He turned a little more to her and placed both of hands on her face.

"I will once I know what it is I need to talk about." And Rey felt honesty through those words. It was true, once Bleys gives him the information he needed then he could tell Rey. Rey nodded slightly knowing if she continues to push then nothing else will come forth. She was about to pull away but Ben crashed his lips into hers, it was desperate. She could always make the nightmares go away and he needed that now, he didn't want to feel anything. Rey responded to the kiss. Ben pulled away and Rey began to run her fingers through his hair.

She tucked some hair behind his ear feeling that he was calming down. Ben continued to look at her knowing it wasn't just her he was protecting. He now had a daughter to protect, the heir to the throne, a new Jedi and line of Skywalker. The burden was getting heavier on his shoulders but Rey could help lift some of it. For now he'll take the weight. Ben pulled her in for a tight hug, which felt good.

It lasted a moment and the two pulled apart and Ben was about to go and lay down but Rey knew he needed her and well with a baby they've gone a while without being with each other. Rey leaned in for another kiss, which Ben wasn't going to turn away. He pulled her onto his lap without breaking the kiss. The kiss became feverish and just as he wanted those unwanted thoughts and feelings started to leave for once. The baby was asleep; they were alone and actually not too tired today. Ben pulled at his pants and then felt it and Rey gave a moan and looked to him.

He gave a slight smirk and just took a moment to look at her. He should just make it official and marry her. They already have a child together; if he were to die he would make sure Rey sat on the throne if Nova was not of age. In fact a long time ago he wanted Rey to sit on the throne of the First Order with him. Back then he wanted to rule to galaxy and he wanted her at his side. They may not rule the galaxy but he still had her at his side. In the grand scheme of things he had everything he always wanted so it was getting harder and harder imagining losing any of it. He's even considered just taking Rey, Nova and his mother and leave all this behind just to keep them.

Rey leaned in for a deep kiss and Ben pulled her closer and the rocking started. Ben ran his hands up and down her thighs and her back finally enjoying the black abyss and the quietness she was able to give him. Rey pushed him back so she was hovering over him and they both can look at one another.

Their lovemaking continued on as they were trying to stay quiet so Nova wouldn't wake up even though she was in a different room within their room. But they haven't done this in a while, being parents you're either taking care of your child or sleeping when they're sleeping. So this was nice just to be by themselves even if it's just for a short time. Ben let out a bit of a large groan that was unexpected to him but Rey didn't seem upset by it. She then she slowed down wanting to draw out the moment.

Ben looked up at her and ran his hand up her neck to under her chin and to her cheek. Rey leaned into his hand where it almost felt like her whole face could fit in the entire palm. Ben could just lay there and look at her and that would be enough. Ben sat up to met her eyes and continued on for a little longer knowing that they were both tired but they both needed this.

Rey leaned back while Ben pulled her closer riding out the last moment before they both collapsed to the bed. The moment was rising and Ben felt that final release that he desperately needed. He look to Rey, she was heavily panting and leaned in for a kiss thanking him as he fell back to the bed holding her. Rey leaned in and placed her head on his chest as Ben wrapped his arms around her. His head was empty once more and he enjoyed it. For Rey a small smile was across her lips hearing his heart slowing down and a his breathing steadying. She nuzzled a little closer letting her eyes fall into a deep sleep. Ben felt his body relax, syncing up with her breathing and letting the rest fall away.

Ben stepped inside the corridor and began to walk down the long hall to the new prisoner. At his side was Poe. Finn was going to sit this round out and keep Rey from asking questions. The two turned the corner and came up to the cell.

"Monitor room." Ben ordered Poe. Bleys will be able to get into Poe's head easily and also Ben wanted Bleys to believe that they were alone. Poe headed down the hall and will watch the interrogation on the screens. If at any time he thought Ben was showing signs of distress Poe will pull him back. Ben pressed a button and the door lifted to show a series of bars and on the other side sat Bleys although he was no longer tied to the chair. It's been several hours since Ben left this place.

Ben walked closer to the cell as Bleys watched him. Over the last few hours Bleys had been trying to get out but the bars had an electric barrier on them. The walls were thick of metal and if by some miracle he did get out he was fitted with a chip that will bring him down.

"Ben Solo," Bleys greeted him as Ben stood there. "Head is still foggy from the hit or the drugs, maybe both." Ben held out his hand and a chair flew over to him and he sat down. "So where am I?" He asked but Ben sat there unmoving and he placed up his mental defense knowing Bleys will try to pry into his mind. The two looked at one another. "We're not going to get the answers we want from one another, you'll know nothing more than what you know now."

"Maybe." Ben finally spoke. "Although dehydration and starvation will settle in." That was a threat.

"You're supposed to be a righteous king, a noble and you're going to let someone starve to death?" Bleys asked.

"You're expendable Bleys, you know this. If Antar wins he's not going to save you." Ben started but he knew that wasn't going to work.

"Then why spare me?" Bleys asked. "You're not saving me from anything Solo. And don't say I can save myself because I have nothing to save, I'm free." Bleys wasn't lying Ben could feel it. "You use to say it Solo, you believed in the code as much as we all did." Ben believed in something else but he wasn't going to say because Bleys could use it against him. "You believe in something that never existed and it never will. I will not give you the answers you seek, I will rot here long before I do so. These answers you seek…there's only one you can ask and you've seen him."

Ben kept his composure as to not let Bleys know any emotion. "Antar has seen a vision and you have too, I know it." Bleys smiled at Ben. "I'm here to seek vengeance only, I can care less what happens to Antar, you, the galaxy."

"A vision?" Ben asked and Bleys smiled. "What vision does he see?" Bleys then sat down in the cell.

"Remember when we all first met?" Bleys asked. In the monitor room Poe watched and was rather interested. "The six of us, all in a room, young." Ben remembered that day. "Luke walks in and welcomed us to the new Jedi Order." Bleys smiled looking around. "Jedi! We were going to be Jedi! The elite, the be all end all Solo! You felt it, us…us six, we were going to be the ones."

Poe can tell while on the outside Ben wasn't affected, the inside was different. These were his friends from both the light and dark. Through both this was maybe his first family and he has killed most of them. How hard is that? Poe couldn't fathom taking out his friends for the greater good or not. "You can't deny those feelings, we were brothers and sisters, we made a promise…you remember that?"

Ben sat there but nodded. "What was it?" Bleys asked. Poe felt right then and there he should pull Ben out but he could see it through the screen, Ben was ok.

"If Snoke…if anyone threaten us…" Ben started. "If anyone tried to break us we would fight back." Bleys nodded. "We even cut our hands for a blood oath."

"You failed your promise." Bleys sounded hurt. "We were going to over throw Snoke for you, for you to lead us…" He snorted at that thought. "You kneel for a no nothing scavenger and I know I'm not going to live much longer. Disgraceful." Ben stood up knowing not more was coming from this. Ben reached over to close the cell doors and sighed.

Poe then joined up with him as the doors were closed crossing his arms in front of him.

"Anything that you got that I didn't?" Poe asked as Ben stood there. "Seems pretty upset." There was then silence between them as they stood there. Just then Poe felt Ben place a hand on his shoulder, which surprised Poe and he looked to Ben. Ben was still staring to the closed doors. This had to be painful, to have a group you called friends and family and to let it all go.

"I've done a lot of bad things Poe." Ben finally spoke. "A lot that I have yet to tell Rey." Poe knew he was about to say something important and will unlikely repeat it again. "You should have a imprisoned me a long time ago." It was true but the only reason why he was left to be free is because of his name. If he were any other Knight or First Order officer he'd be in that cell now too. "I've done horrible things as Snoke's servant and Commander…I was built to be an assassin like them…" He then looked to Poe. It meant if Poe was going to be at these sessions he was going to hear some nasty things. "I'm done running and hiding from my past." Ben then left leaving Poe to realize they've just touched the surface of this.

Ben sat on the ground as he held Nova's hands as she stood up. Nova was able to pull herself up and as long as she had assistances she could just stand there all day. She hasn't wanted to take a step yet but that will come sooner than they knew. Ben slowly pulled away as Nova outstretched her arms to balance herself and Ben couldn't help but smile a little. It was strange to watch a person grow up, watching them try and tackle the simplest task such as standing. Nova then fell to her butt and started to crawl away, crawling was easy for her. Ben just watched Nova play on the floor and it eased his mind.

Ben laid there and looked over feeling Rey was in deep sleep. He quietly got out of bed and walked to Nova's part of the room and saw his daughter too was fast asleep. Ben quickly got dressed and left and as he left the living quarters Poe was there to met him. They were heading to the prisoners' station once more. It was easier to do this in the dead of night.

"So, are we going to talk like grown-ups?" Ben asked as he sat once more on the other side of the cell. Bleys smiled and chuckled a little.

"Sure…we can talk, let's talk." Bleys got comfortable. "What are we going to talk about? Hmm? I know someone from the Resistance is watching us…probably some expendable guard. You sure you're ready to talk? Are they ready to know the real you? Because I gotta say Solo…you were vicious that's why he liked you."

"Let's stay with Antar and these visions." Ben steered the ship.

"Show me yours and I'll show you mine." Bleys wasn't just going to talk. "What's your vision like then we can compare notes." Bleys sat there quietly. "This is a waste of time you know that."

"Bleys, I'd rather talk and execute you later than beat it out of you killing you in the process." Ben threaten but that made Bleys smile.

"There it is, there's Kylo Ren." Bleys was trying to provoke him. "Come on, just come in here, beat me to death like that one kid. How old was he? Sixteen, maybe seventeen." Ben then turned away. "Oh come on, you don't remember that? I do," Ben then turned back to Bleys. "You asked him nicely too, you asked him where the frater runner was. What did he do? Spat at you…oh he deserved what he got right? You grabbed him right at the neck and beat the Wookie shit right out of him. Drowned in his own blood too."

In the other room Poe felt his chest get heavy. He prepared himself to hear awful stories but for some reason he thought they would start off easy, gentle maybe. To know that Ben killed a young boy was a tape being ripped off the skin. But Poe knew that half of what Kylo Ren did was out of manipulation, fear and torment. He just had to keep telling himself that. Ben Solo was a completely different person from Kylo Ren.

"I can't get into your head, neither you into mine…anything you want from me needs to come out of brute strength." Bleys stated. "What are you afraid of? Remember, Snoke always made us fight, we always left with broken fingers, busted bloody noses."

"No." Ben was not going to revert back to his former self.

"Oh come on, then afterwards we would just drown ourselves in grog, those were the days." Bleys went on. There was then silence once more between them. "Right, you went on to be all noble."

"Bleys, I'm not here to relive what you call our glory days," Ben started. "Visions, what does Antar see?"

"What makes you think he tells me anything?" Bleys asked which was true. Would Antar confide in him? "Hmm, oh got a vision here let's talk and wallow." He was mocking Ben.

"A signal was sent out to the Commonwealth." Ben then held a little recorder and played the message for a moment or too. "Exegol…we both know the stories. What does that mean to you?"

"Well, one you know none of us were ever taught to speak Sith so…what do you want from me?" Bleys asked.

"Exegol!" Ben gritted through his teeth.

"Fine, the supposed Citadel of the Sith, the origins of the Sith. Do you not remember?" Bleys asked as Ben at there. "I don't know what is being chanted…you've seen Exegol haven't you?" Bleys asked and Ben sat quietly knowing this session was over. "That's your vision, Exegol…" Bleys smiled which caught Ben's attention.

"He's not seeing Exegol is he?" Ben asked and Bleys continued to smile. Antar was getting different visions, which isn't good. "What does he see?" Just then Bleys flew back to the wall as Ben was now getting tired and impatient. Bleys laughed as if he wanted this.

"Ben!" Poe yelled out and Ben faced him as he let go of Bleys. Ben started to walk away closing the cell door and the two left.

"Ok, we got something." Poe sounded excited but also wanted to let Ben know he wasn't dwelling on Ben's past either.

Finn was half asleep as the bright blue screen nearly blinded him. It was the middle of the night, the base hummed it's ambiance, the fighters all asleep except the skeleton crew. Ben, Poe and Finn were alone in the communications room looking at the map of the galaxy.

"Legend says that Exegol is in the Unknown Regions, said to be the birth place of the first Sith." Ben started the history lesson.

"Completely forgot you were a Sith." Finn pointed out, it's been a while since Ben joined the Resistance, renouncing the Order.

"You were a Storm Trooper." Poe jumped in defending Ben. That seemed to come out of nowhere. "We can go the rest of the night about that." Poe was defending Ben, after hearing that story about the kid, it did shake Poe but just like Rey, he could separate Ben and Kylo Ren.

"Just saying…anyways." Finn, like them was tired. "Is it just legend?"

"As of now yes but…" Ben trailed off. "If there's a way to confirm it's not real,"

"It's the Unknown Regions for a reason though." Finn pointed out. "No craft can get there, it's all asteroid fields, solar flares, magnetic fields…worse then the Kessel Run."

"Which makes sense why the Sith would pick that place." Poe added. "Who in their right mind would attempt to go out there?"

"Us," Finn muttered and Poe shrugged in acceptance. "Let's say Exegol is real, the Sith…central is there…why send you visions…who?" Ben continued to look at the map.

"Bleys isn't telling us everything, he knows the answers." Poe sighed at his statement. "He's not going to give us anything either. We should just let him rot there and be done with it."

"So what now?" Finn asked. "Ben can't fly to Exegol and find out." Ben remained quiet through the conversion.

"Maybe Bleys will give us the answers Ben, you just need to beat him down literally." Poe offered.

"What will that do?" Finn sounded confused.

"The dude wants Ben to kick his ass…I don't know why but he wants it." Poe explained and he too was confused.

"And that's why I'm not going to do it." Ben stood up straighter. "He does want to tell me something."

"He's just going to tool with you, might as well just beat him up." Finn wanted this to end; the three turned off the computers and decided to get some sleep.

Ben ignited his saber as he stared at the massive building. He walked in as the lightening around clashed, breaking the black and blue sky. He walked into the place looking around. The wind outside found it's way into this place creating a slight howl. He looked up in this horrible place and continued to walk around. He found himself back in that room standing before the throne with what now looked like long fingers extending out, a dark hand reaching out.

"I'm here." Ben called out looking around the empty room. "Where are you!" He yelled out and his voice echoed in the dark.

"The Force is with you young Solo." The gritty, deep voice answered back. Ben turned back to the throne as the hooded dark figure sat there and Ben gripped his saber tighter. "Kneel before me, let the Force flow through you and I will give you all that you wish."

"No." Ben declared.

Ben's eyes opened up as he looked to the ceiling. He was in a cold sweat and felt nearly paralyzed. He managed to turn his head seeing Rey was still sound asleep. Whatever was plaguing his mind had not found her. As much as he hated these visions he would not allow Rey to see it. Ben slowly sat up feeling even more tired, worn and maybe even scared. Ben got up and headed to Nova's room seeing her still asleep to.

He reached into the crib and gently lifted her into his arms. She let out a sigh and shifted but did not wake. Ben sat in the chair next to her crib and let Nova stay asleep on him. He felt his tense muscles relax, felt his racing heart slow down. He could feel her tiny little breath near his neck and sat there needing this.

Ben and Bleys continued to stare at one another. No words, silence, calm. It had been this way for some time now.

"I know you or Rey will kill me soon." Bleys sounded a little defeated. "Why her? Out of all of us, why her?" That was a simple question. Ben knew he could answer that, in fact Bleys deserved to know why.

"We were never family," Ben began. "Snoke would have had us kill one another all for fun and you know it." Bleys didn't deny that statement. "The Force bond…" He trailed out not knowing how to explain it.

"Are you going to die for her?" Bleys asked and Ben looked to him and there was no need to answer that.

"I will." Ben answered meaning he would sacrifice himself for Rey, he's nearly done it before. He will sacrifice himself for Rey and Nova without hesitation. "That's what makes us different; me and you. You have nothing." Bleys nodded.

"Then kill me." It almost sounded like he was begging for it. Ben stood up knowing this round was over. "Just do it, kill me, let me die, I want to die."

"No," Ben answered. "You're going to stay here…" Ben walked closer to the cell. "I have nothing else to ask you, you're going to sit here and rot."

"You should be here too." Bleys added and Ben nodded in agreement.

"Yes, I should and I still don't know why I'm not." Ben was honest. "But that's not the case." Ben then started to walk away.

"Kill me!" Bleys demanded once more. "You coward! You stupid son of a bitch!" Bleys continued to yell at Ben as he left. Bleys knew that was the last time he was going to see him again.

Ben sat quietly on the floor thinking about everything Bleys had said, their conversions and anything he could put together. Poe and Finn were watching Ben.

"Is this a Jedi thing? Sitting on the floor?" Poe asked to Finn, Finn just shrugged.

"Ok, so this helped as far as some catharsis…should we oblige him?" Finn asked meaning they should just kill Bleys.

"I'm going to be honest Ben, let's off him and be done with it." Poe agreed folding his arms across his chest. But Poe could see something in Ben's eyes. It wasn't defeat but something else. Ben then stood up slowly.

"Exegol is real." Ben stated but that made no sense in the context that they were in. Finn and Poe looked so confused at this let alone they have been up all night.

"I don't remember Bleys telling you that." Poe added.

"I know how to find it." Ben seemed to ignore them.

"I don't remember him telling you of a map either." Poe continued on and Ben started to walk away. "Hey, wait, Ben," Poe went after him. "Hey, look cool Exegol is real but you can't go by yourself to find it."

"I can," Ben started.

"Don't say you have the Force ok," Poe wasn't going to let him leave. "Rey, you need to tell Rey what your plans are. Also, before you go wherever you plan on going, you need a nap." Which was true, Ben needed to get some sleep, they all did.

The sun was high in the sky as Ben poured through the ancient Jedi text. These books have been shelved for a bit but it was time to open them again. He was searching for anything on the Sith or at least the origins of the Sith. The Jedi and the Sith were one once, they broke off at some point taking the extremes of one another at least that's what these text seemed to the suggest. But as he turned the pages of the text scanning them he felt frustration.

"Ben?" And Ben turned around seeing Rey there. She saw the Jedi text opened and sprawled out over the desk. "What is it?" Ben stood up and looked at the text. It won't be there because the rules of the Sith was something different. He needed the Sith text but those books are lost and were passed down by word. But there could be a place to find out, a place where he knew to find Exegol as well.

"I need to go." Ben started to walk away.

"Go?" Rey asked in confusion. "Go where?" And she followed him. Ben said nothing and started to grab some things.

"While I'm gone, I need you to deputize for Alderran," Ben began and now Rey needed to put the breaks on.

"I'm not deputizing anything that's for Leia to do." Rey countered. "Ben, what's happening?"

"I don't know but I need you here." Ben answered but that wasn't enough for Rey. "Rey," Ben wasn't going to be able to reason with her. "Just stay here."

"No!" She was firm on that answer. "No! Don't shut me out." She demanded. "We promised we would do this together, all of it." She reminded him.

"I need to do this alone." He admitted and Rey stood there.

"You know I won't ever stop you from being whoever you're meant to be," Rey started knowing she needed to act fast or he was gone. "But tell me, please tell me." She begged and Ben stood there. "I can help…" He then walked over to her and pulled her in for an embrace. He should take her, they were always stronger together since this all started. Rey felt a slight tremble from him so she embraced him even tighter.

A/N: None of this seems right. Hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Any guess what's to come? Thank you everyone fro reading, following and commenting.