Published October 1, 2020

"Separation"

Our separation so abides, and flies,
That thou, residing here, go'st yet with me,
And I, hence fleeting, here remain with thee.

~ William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra, Act I, Scene iii

Rey insisted that they approach the locals and explain their reason for being there before doing anything else on the island.

On their way from the landing pad to the Lanai village, they passed by something that made Ben pause: the charred remains of a vehicle that he just barely recognized. "Is that—is that my TIE fighter?"

"Um, yeah."

"What is—how did—"

"I was going to stay here," Rey blurted out. "After we fought—after I almost killed you—I thought I would stay here, where I couldn't hurt anyone. That was what Luke did, after he almost killed you. But … he wouldn't let me stay."

Ben looked at her with narrowed eyes. "You saw him?"

"He gave me your mother's saber and his old X-wing. He had submerged it when he wanted to exile himself."

"So he can manifest himself," Ben murmured.

He was still processing this new information while they interacted with the Lanai. They did not act very friendly, and they looked on Rey with a degree of suspicion. She seemed awkward around them, though she tried to be diplomatic.

"Threepio," she said, "tell them that this is Master Skywalker's nephew, he's going to live here now, and he might have occasional visitors."

C-3PO repeated this to the Lanai in their language. Their reactions differed slightly, though it was hard to tell from their expressions.

Finally C-3PO turned to the humans again. "The caretakers say they will not bother you so long as you do not bother them."

Ben nodded. "That sounds fair."

"They also insist that you both respect the integrity of the Jedi temple and village as well as the natural environment."

Rey looked sheepish at this, and Ben wondered if there was a story behind that.

"Finally, they ask whether the two of you are cousins, or brother and sister," C-3PO finished.

"… What?" Ben spluttered.

Rey laughed. "Ah—I forgot: when I was here, Luke told them I was his niece."

Ben considered this ambivalently. "Well, considering my family pretty much adopted you, I guess it's not much of an exaggeration."

"Well … you can tell them the truth, that … we're not blood relatives. Or that I'm not, but they are."

When they had finished the obligatory visit, Rey said, "Threepio, can you and Artoo unload the supplies while I show Ben around? You can bring them to the Jedi village. Artoo knows the way. We'll meet you there."

"Certainly, Miss Rey."

Ben and Rey exchanged smiles as the droid left them. It was the first time the two of them were completely alone, without other people or droids nearby, since Exegol.

When they reached the village, Rey spread out her arms and gestured grandly. "Here it is. You can take your pick."

"Did Luke live in one of them?"

"Yes—um—" She turned in a circle to pick out which one. "That one," she said, pointing.

"Then definitely not that one."

As they were looking around, Rey stopped in front of a half-finished hut, tilting her head to the side as she studied it. "Huh. The caretakers must have rebuilt it."

"What?"

"This is … where I was when we touched hands." She looked down, trying to hide her smile and keep herself from giggling. "Luke was so scandalized when he saw us, he made the whole hut explode."

"That's not surprising," Ben remarked. "What happened after that?"

"I attacked him and made him tell me the truth about what happened when you left. That was when I decided to go to you."

What a turning point that had been. The memory was beautiful, but the events that followed had been so wrought with emotion and misunderstanding and violence that remembering them now was painful.

"I think this is a good time and place to talk," Rey said. Once again, she held out her hand to him in invitation. Ben reached for it slowly, interlacing their fingers, and let her lead him to some stone benches surrounding a fire pit.

When they sat down, Rey turned to him, looked directly into his eyes, and said, "I want to tell you what Luke told me then. It was closer to the truth than his earlier story, and it more or less matched your version of events."

Ben would have let go of her hand then, but Rey held on to him. Her eyes never left him as she described Luke's account of that fateful night, the shame he had felt for his moment of instinct, and the regret he felt upon seeing his nephew's reaction.

"He came here because he felt responsible for what happened to you—what you went on to do," she said. She was earnest, implicitly pleading with him to believe her, to understand his uncle's point of view. "He was your master, and he had failed you in the worst way."

"It figures," Ben said bitterly. "Sometimes I think the Skywalker legacy is letting people down—especially each other. I'm no exception."

Rey had no good response to this, so she returned to the subject of Luke. "Do you know why you couldn't find him?"

"You mean why we couldn't find the map sooner?"

"No, I mean why you couldn't sense him in the Force while he was hiding from you."

"… No, I don't know exactly. I assumed because he was hiding."

Rey explained that Luke had been cut off from the Force during most of his time on Ahch-To, but he had opened himself up to it while she was there, and he had poured out his entire being to project himself on Crait. Rey had not fully understood this until Luke spoke to her after his death.

"You may not believe this, Ben, but I'm convinced that he loved you. That's why he came back and faced you. He wanted to apologize. You both needed that closure."

"It didn't feel like closure to me," Ben protested. "The last thing he said sounded like a threat. When I realized he wasn't really there—before he disappeared—the last thing he said to me was, 'See you around, kid.'" He scoffed. "Kid. He never called me that. You know who did?"

"Your father?" Rey guessed.

"He wanted to throw me off. I spent the last year looking over my shoulder, wondering if he was going to show up and haunt me."

Rey looked at him curiously. "Do you wish he had?"

In truth, Ben did not know whether he was more irritated or grateful that Luke had not appeared to him. On one hand, he was rather relieved. On the other hand, he was angry at being left in a state of suspense, and Luke's failure to show up seemed like yet another of his family's empty promises.

Ben stood up from the bench, looking around before turning to face Rey. "You said the Jedi of old helped you on Exegol."

"Yes."

"If they can act from beyond the grave—if some of them can communicate with the living—I don't understand why they didn't for me. When I learned my grandfather was Darth Vader—I didn't know, until I was about your age—I was so confused about who he had been, and who I was. I wanted to know him so badly that I thought I heard his voice speaking to me, when it was really Palpatine all along." Ben paced around the fire pit, his voice rising with his anger. "Why didn't my real grandfather reach out to me? Why didn't Luke, if he cared so much?" He almost laughed, running a hand through his hair. "Heck, I'm named after Obi-Wan Kenobi, and I know for a fact that he could commune with the dead when he was alive, and with the living when he was dead. Why didn't they show up for me?"

Rey was blinking back tears. She shook her head helplessly. "I don't know. I wish I knew. I wish someone had been there for you. There's so much we still don't know." She took a breath and went on, with that unrelenting optimism, "But now you might have the chance to find out. Palpatine's gone, you won't have his voice in your head; and if you're open to facing your past, then maybe you'll be able to hear them."

Ben sat down heavily, resting his forearms on his knees. "I don't know what to think, Rey."

"Well, you'll have plenty of time to think about it."

Before either of them could speak further, C-3PO tottered up with R2-D2 rolling behind him. "Excuse me, but the supplies have all been unloaded."

"Thanks, Threepio," Rey said. "Why don't you go back to the ship? You can power down if you want."

"Well—if you wish." C-3PO turned to Ben and bowed. "Master Ben, it was good to see you after so many years, and I wish you well."

Ben actually smiled. "I appreciate that. I think you're one of the few who does."

"I guess this is goodbye for you and me, Artoo," Rey said, kneeling down to meet the shorter droid's eye level. "Take care of Ben for me—for all of us."

The droid made an affirmative sound. Then Rey straightened up and faced Ben, offering her hand again. "Come on. I want to show you around before nightfall."

Rey gave Ben a full tour of the island, pointing out where he could find food and fresh water. He was not fazed by the prospect of spearfishing or milking thala sirens (he rather enjoyed seeing how she blushed when she told him about that option). He was used to an ascetic lifestyle: he had spent his adolescence in a monastery, and the years since then in a military organization.

She spent several minutes—much more time than he thought necessary—trying to introduce him to a local avian species. "They're called porgs. A few stowed away in the Falcon when we last left. I think Chewie originally meant to eat them, but they ended up as friends."

"Do you recommend them for food?"

"Not really. I think it's better to stay on good terms with them. They can be a nuisance, but most of the time they're harmless." Rey herself seemed to find them endearing, Ben noticed with some amusement.

He was surprised when she brought him to the entrance of the mirror cave. "That's the cave I told you about, the first time I was here," she reminded him.

Ben looked down at the blowhole, and then back at her. "You trust me on an island with a cave that has a strong connection to the Dark Side?"

"I do. In fact, I think it might be helpful to you."

"In what way?"

"It shows you truths that you don't want to face—things you know that you don't want to admit. It showed me who I am and who I might become."

"People have been trying to tell me who I am and who I should be my whole life."

"Well, now you can decide for yourself. And so can I."

Ben was not sure how he would be able to be anyone or anything if he was to live completely alone. Who was he if he was of no relation to anyone? If he was not the grandson of Darth Vader, the son of Leia Organa and Han Solo, the nephew and student of Luke Skywaker, the apprentice of Snoke, the master of the Knights of Ren or half of Rey's dyad, who was he?

One feature of the island had changed, which puzzled Rey. "There used to be a tree there," she said pointing to a charred stump. "It was hollowed out. It served as a library for the original Jedi texts."

"So what happened to it?"

"I took the texts with me when I left. I don't know what happened to the tree. Maybe Luke did something after I left."

Their final stop was the temple, which was situated on the highest point at the western end of the island. It turned out to be little more than a cave with some meditation plinths.

In the center of the cave, illuminated by the sunlight coming in through the west entrance, was a pool of water with a mosaic. When Ben came up to it, he recognized the image. "Do you know what this is?" he asked Rey.

"No."

"It's the Prime Jedi, the founder of the Jedi Order. It's supposed to be a symbol of balance—see how the light and dark are equal opposites."

"Like us?" Rey said, sounding a little shy. Ben rather liked hearing how she said that pronoun.

"Yeah. Like us."

They gazed on the mosaic a few moments longer before turning to the western entrance, which led them back into the open air. Here, the topmost meditation plinth was set on a cliff overlooking the sea. Rey walked around the plinth and touched it nostalgically. "This is where Luke taught me about the Force."

It felt eerie to Ben. "I can feel him." In fact, Luke's presence here felt stronger and different than anywhere else on the island. Something profound had happened to him here. "I think … this must be where he died."

They looked at each other from opposite sides of the plinth. Then, at the same moment, they sensed something—a presence, almost a calling—that made them turn their heads to look toward the sea and sky. They both stilled.

Luke and Leia stood side by side on the edge of the cliff. They were translucent, but somehow radiant, dressed in white robes reminiscent of the Jedi. They were both smiling, their eyes full of pride and love.

Ben and Rey stared. She was less surprised than him, and quite happy to see her old mentors looking so happy, so peaceful. But the sight shocked Ben and elicited mixed emotions in him. He had lived in fear of Luke for almost a decade, and he had long expected Leia to be, at the very least, reproachful if he ever saw her again. He could not help feeling some fear and shame. Yet they looked immensely pleased to see him. No one had looked so happy to see him besides Rey and, in his memory-vision, Han. In fact, they looked like they were proud of him, something he had craved his entire life.

No words were spoken. No words were needed. A silent understanding passed between the two parties. Then, the twins faded, revealing the sky behind them. Now the two youths could see Ahch-To's two suns setting over the water, casting a glorious red glow over the island and the ocean.

Rey looked away first, and saw that Ben was trembling, his gaze still transfixed on the spot where his mother and uncle had been. Rey slipped her hand into his. Ben clasped it and squeezed it, taking deep, shaky breaths.

"Do you want to sit down?" she asked gently.

He nodded, and Rey circled around to his side before they both sank to their knees. They remained there, hands clasped, until the suns slipped below the horizon.

Ben broke the almost sacred silence with a remarkably mundane comment. "I can't remember the last time I saw a sunset, or a sunrise."

"Well, now you have the perfect spot to see them, and nothing to stop you."

"Rey …" He finally looked at her. "I'm not happy about being here … but I'm glad you came with me."

She smiled at that, but her eyes were sad, wistful. Ben understood and felt similarly. They had only just discovered the power of their bond, learned to be comfortable in each other's company, and begun to actually enjoy being together. And now they were separating again.

"Come on," he said, stepping toward the entrance. "I'll walk you back to the ship."

"Thanks."

They did not speak much on the trek back to the landing platform. They started out at a brisk pace, helped by the downward slope of the terrain as they descended the mountain, but as they drew closer they slowed.

"I'm trying to remember if there's anything else I need to tell you," Rey stalled.

"If there is, you can just call Artoo," Ben reminded her.

"Is there anything else you want to talk about?"

"Not really. But you've given me a lot to think about."

"You have the journal from Maz?"

He had almost forgotten about that, but he felt it inside his jacket. "Yeah."

"I won't ask to read it if you want it to be private, but I will check to see if you've used it. If you have, we'll consider that progress."

"Progress in what?"

She shrugged. "Healing. Rehabilitation. You can call it what you want."

They finally stopped and stood on the slope leading down to the landing platform. Then Rey turned around to look at Ben—and all she could do was look, wordlessly.

Though they had encountered each other on numerous occasions, this was the first time they had the opportunity and desire to exchange farewells. There was so much to say—and yet they both found themselves struggling for words.

"I think most people say 'I'll miss you' in these situations," Ben said. "But considering our history, I'll understand if you don't."

That brought a wry smile to her lips. "No hard feelings?"

He smiled back. "Not anymore."

"Good." Rey paused, and decided to be honest, even if it was awkward and made her a little emotional. "It has been nice—getting to see you like this—and spend time with you, these past few days. I think—I will miss that."

"I will too. And I'm sure I'll miss fighting by your side. I might even miss you trying to kill me."

She raised a hand threateningly. "Don't tempt me."

They both broke into laughter, and the fact that they could now laugh about such things made them laugh even more. At times, their having any kind of relationship other than that of enemies had seemed so improbable; yet now they were parting ways on good terms, as equals, as one-time allies, and somehow, incredibly, as friends.

They stood smiling at each other, until their laughter and smiles subsided. It was easier to make light of everything than to face the serious things they wanted to say.

Ben spoke first. "Rey … I don't know how to thank you."

Rey lowered her eyes. "Speak for yourself. You … I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you. If you hadn't come to help me, the galaxy might have been destroyed, because I couldn't have stood against Palpatine alone. I …"

Ben cut her off by coming up and embracing her. Rey immediately slid her arms around his middle, burrowing her face against his neck. They held each other for a long moment, breathing deeply, trying not to cry.

It occurred to Rey that hugging Ben was the closest she would ever come to hugging Leia or touching Han or Luke again. She had not had time to properly mourn for Leia yet, and now her grief was only tempered by her gratitude that Ben was still alive, that his family's sacrifices had not been in vain, that they would live on in him.

Ben's hand came up to the back of her neck, his fingers tangling her loose hair. She felt his breath on her cheek as he spoke softly into her ear. "Thank you. For everything. This is … more than I deserve."

Rey did not know if he was referring to their hug, their relationship, or simply the fact that he was allowed to live in peace. "You didn't deserve everything you went through," she whispered.

He was quiet for a moment before pointing out, "Neither did you." She had not done anything to merit all her suffering, nor anything to merit the blessings she received through his family, the Resistance, and the Force itself.

But after all the good she had done, all that she had suffered and sacrificed for the galaxy, she deserved every happiness. She deserved better than exile on a haunted hunk of rock. She had friends, freedom, and, for the first time in her life, prospects of a bright future.

Which was why, for the first time, Ben kept his mouth shut and did not ask her to join him on his path.

What he said instead was, "I will miss you, Rey."

"And I you," she admitted. "But we will see each other again—one way or another." She pulled away enough to look into his face. "You came back for me. And I'll come back for you. I promise."

"I believe you," Ben told her. Somehow, they both felt how meaningful that was.

Rey cupped his cheek—the one she had scarred, which was now healed—in one hand, rested her other hand on his heart, and kissed him.

She meant for it to be a brief farewell kiss. She had not expected him to tighten his arms around her and deepen the kiss, as though trying to make up for lost time. It made her heart ache, just when she had been trying to cheer him up; it made her want more, when she was trying to be content with less.

When they broke apart, still holding each other close, she sobbed. "Oh, Ben."

"Rey." He cradled her head in his hand and kissed her again. This time she kissed him back, disregarding whatever had restrained her before—shyness, decorum, self-preservation. For a few fleeting moments, they allowed themselves to express, deeply and genuinely, what they really felt: regret for all the opportunities they had missed, sorrow at being separated, joy that they were both alive, and hope that they would remain in each other's lives.

Even if—when—they saw each other again, it would be difficult. They would grow and change in each other's absence. But something would always connect them and draw them back together. If their own feelings were not enough to spur them on, the Force would cause their paths to intersect, either through their bond or through circumstances.

Ben only loosened his hold when Rey pulled away, as reluctant as he. "Goodbye, Ben."

"Goodbye, Rey."

"May the Force—" they both began, but halted when they heard the other.

"—be with you," Rey finished.

"Always," Ben said.

They smiled sadly at each other, and then Rey turned away and walked to the ship. She paused on the ramp, casting one last glance backward at him, as she had on Starkiller Base and Crait. This time, he was standing, whole and relatively happy.

She managed to hide her tears until she was in the corridor, out of sight of Ben or the droids. She allowed a few sobs to escape, then wiped her eyes before entering the cockpit.

Ben stayed outside to watch as the Millennium Falcon took flight, just as he had hundreds of times in his childhood. He was almost getting used to seeing Rey leave him in it. But unlike the other times, on this occasion they waved to each other through the viewport.

At his side once more, R2-D2 interjected a question. "It's for the best," Ben said, brushing aside the droid's concern.

That thought was in both of their minds, and as clear to each other as if they had spoken it aloud; but it was hard to tell who had it first, and whether they were reassuring themselves or each other.

Then, they both turned away from each other and started toward the places that they were determined to consider their new homes.