Force Dyad

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A/N-as always, thank you so much to everyone who has kindly reviewed, read and followed this story.

Chapter Seventy-Three-Decision

Ben remained in the mechanic's section after Rey left him to help Rose do some maintenance on the Resistance's beleaguered starfighters when some had become damaged after the latest skirmish with the First Order. He was due to meet up with Tai and Hennix – they had been off world for the last few days on a scouting mission.

A new ally had been found, a spy in the First Order. Tai and Hennix, along with R2D2, had met up with a contact, an Ovissian, who went by the name of Boolio. Boolio was a mine overseer who'd been siphoning surplus minerals to Resistance-friendly transports for months. While they went to pick up another one of those shipments, Boolio had transferred the spy's message to R2D2. Right now, the two jedi's were closeted with his mother on Tantive IV, deciphering the latest intel.

Even though it was an important meeting, Ben had refused to attend the debriefing, keeping to his silent vow to spend as much time away from his mother's cloying presence as possible. The underlying tension that existed between them made it awkward for all those in attendance, so it was better for everyone that he stayed away. Tai would fill him in later.

As he waited for the meeting to end, Ben continued to peruse the old Jedi texts. The odd thing was that some of the mysterious notations were in Luke's handwriting, which meant they had been carefully ciphered on purpose. Beaumont -a former historian and current Resistance intelligence officer – had been working with him and Rey to unlock those portions of the texts, and Ben hoped to have answers soon.

Frustrated, Ben snapped the ancient text shut when he sensed Tai's approach through the Force. He moved to greet his exhausted friend when Tai appeared around the corner.

"You look rough." Ben said.

"Nice to see you, too, Solo." Tai muttered wearily. "You'd look the same if you hadn't slept for the last forty-eight hours." He rubbed a hand over his bald scalp.

"Why? What happened?" Ben demanded, on the alert at once.

"I've just been through everything with General Organa. I'm too knackered to repeat myself. If you want to know, go talk to your mother. She wants to see you."

Ben's expression immediately changed to one of indifference. It was a valid form of self-defence from having to deal with his emotional issues regarding his fraught relationship with the Resistance General. Rey had challenged him about it only the other day, pointing out to him that it was all well and good that he was trying to protect himself from more emotional pain, but he was in danger of overusing the tactic. Balance was the key. He could only bury his feelings for so long. She knew more than anyone how much he had suffered because of his mother's constant rejection, but she was of the mind that if they wanted to start a life together free of any constraint, he needed to free himself of old hurts by confronting them.

"I am not at her beck and call. We'll talk after you've rested." Ben said flatly.

Tai stared at him moodily. He had always been sympathetic to Ben's struggles. They had been friends for a long time. He looked up to Ben, even admired him on some level. He was highly sensitive with the Force, but nowhere as gifted as Ben or Rey. He was a highly skilled telepath, though, allowing him to sense the emotions of others as well as reach into the minds of other individuals to search for information. He could sense Ben's churning emotions now. Normally he was full of patience, but his exhaustion made him prickly.

"You should count yourself fortunate that you still have your parents around."

"What?" Ben was startled by both the unusual element of anger in Tai's response and also by his unexpected comment.

"Some of us are not so lucky." Tai continued scathingly. "I barely remember my parents. Neither does Hennix. Or Rey. We were only discussing this the other day."

"Rey spoke about her parents with you?" Ben questioned, his emotions had shifted gears and his attempt at hiding them failed as soon as Tai brought up Rey. She rarely brought up the subject of her parents anymore, having told him long ago she had made peace with the fact that she would never remember much about them, or what had led up to them abandoning her on Jakku.

Tai let out an impatient sigh. "It just came up in general conversation. She didn't say much."

Ben breathed in deeply through his nose, turning his head to one side so Tai couldn't get a good look at his face. "Just get to the point, Tai." He said thickly.

"Okay." Tai steadied himself and looked at Ben intently. "My point it this – Rey, Hennix and I will never have the opportunity to reconnect with our parents. But you do. You have a good relationship with Han now, after being estranged for so long. And you have the same opportunity with General Organa, if you would only give it a chance. After our conversation today, I feel she is truly making an effort to reach out to you. She is offering an olive branch, Ben. If I was in your place, I would take it."


Magda didn't look at all surprised when Ben turned up to see her a little while later. When he sat down in the seat she offered him, he noticed the half full bottle of Corellian whisky sitting on a side table next to an empty glass. It was his father's favourite drink. "Has Han been here?" He asked curiously.

"He just left." Magda revealed with a half-smile as she picked up the bottle of whisky. "Would you like some?"

"No." Ben shook his head. The whisky was a strong beverage from his father's home world, Corellia. Even though he drank it on occasion when in Han's company, it remained an acquired taste. "I want to keep a clear head."

"Some Xinphar then?" Magda offered instead.

"The Mon Calamari truth serum?" Ben raised one eyebrow. "What are you up to, Mags?"

"Nothing." Magda settled down in the chair opposite him. "Let's just say I've been blessed with a visit from every member of the Solo family today."

"Every member?" Ben echoed her. "You've spoken to my mother today?"

"Yes."

"About what?"

Magda's face remained serene. "You know I can't divulge that. Leia came to see me in confidence."

"You're on first name terms now?" Ben accused irritably. "I think I will have some of that whisky after all."

"It's funny… your father said the exact same thing." Magda said mildly. She reached for the bottle and poured some into a fresh glass.

"Why was Han here, anyway?" Ben probed grudgingly as he took the glass from Magda.

"You know I can't divulge that." Magda repeated her earlier refrain, her gentle tone taking away the sting.

"To Magda." Ben toasted her, wearing a sardonic smile. "The keeper of everyone's secrets."

Magda's expression didn't change as she watched him throw his head back and down the whole glass. Once the strong whisky hit the back of his throat, he started coughing. "Are you done being childish?" She asked with little sympathy.

Ben glanced up at her guiltily from under his thick lashes when his coughing fit finally subsided. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm sorry." He apologised, feeling ashamed. "My mother has demanded to see me."

"Demanded or asked?"

"Isn't it the same thing with General Leia Organa?" Ben said bitterly. He twirled his now empty glass between his hands.

"She's reaching out to you and you're struggling on how to deal with it." Magda surmised.

Ben's answer was a long-drawn-out sigh. His shoulders sagged in defeat. "You think I should speak to her."

"I can't decide that for you."

"Magda, some help, please." Ben begged.

"In this I cannot help you. Only you know whether you are ready to open yourself up to the possibility of a reconciliation." Magda advised.

Ben frowned. "Rey thinks I should. She thinks I need to confront my issues with my mother, that holding on to old hurt is holding me back."

"Is she wrong?" Magda asked carefully.

Ben huffed out a frustrated laugh. "You know Rey is never wrong."

"Spoken like a man in love." Magda teased.

A tender smile blossomed on his face, bringing warmth to his eyes and face. He gave the Mon Calamari female a grudging smile. "You're good, Mags. I'll give you that."

"What did I do?" Magda feigned ignorance.

"What you always do-gave me the kick up the ass I needed." Ben handed the glass back to her. "Wish me luck."

"Good luck, Ben Solo." Magda murmured as she reached out to hug him to her. "I think you're going to be just fine."


Ben found Rey working on one of the X-Wings with Rose and Hux. He lingered for a while, just watching her. The time spent with him and Han on the racing circuit had honed her skills as a mechanic. There was nothing she couldn't fix if she put her mind to it. She was equal parts stubborn, headstrong and loyal. She had a strong sense of right and wrong, ready to help her friends with her generous spirit and to battle against the sinister First Order. She was scrappy and strong; adept at fighting for herself….

And he loved her so much. He loved her independent spirit. He loved her loyalty. He loved her stubbornness. He loved that she wasn't afraid to call him out on his bullshit. He loved the way she moved. He loved the way she fought. He loved the way she spoke. He loved her beautiful soul. He just loved….

"Ben?" Rey sensed his presence. She abandoned her work and was soon running over to meet him.

The attraction between them became a tangible thread in the air before they even spoke one word to each other. Ben leaned down to kiss her, not caring that Rose and Hux were nearby watching. Just having Rey close excited and calmed him all at once. When their kiss was over, Ben rested his forehead against Rey's and gazed deeply into her hazel eyes, the marriage of warm honey hues and deep caramels warming him further.

"I've decided to speak to her, Rey." Ben confided. "Its time."

Rey just smiled.

A/N-thanks for reading! Please review.