It shouldn't have come as a surprise, yet telling Eir all they had learned was somehow worse then when they initially learned the truth. It was something so raw, so fresh, that in so speaking it aloud was like poking an open wound; the words driving ever further how much they were to falling into the same mistakes.

"…Thank you for telling me." Eir spoke somberly, once the tale was finished. The tone of the room had taken on a darker tone, despite the brilliant sun shining through the windows. "It would seem even with such an ability one must take care not to fall into complacency."

Rey nodded, giving Ben's hand a squeeze that he had not let go of since they had began to explain. "You were right about Kaine leaving her knowledge behind as a warning. After hearing her whole story, we realized just how close we are to following the same path."

It still wasn't something either of them liked to talk about, an issue they avoided bringing up since the night they had learned the truth. Yet still it remained in them both, a fear of losing what they had finally achieved, of being forced to exist as only half a whole; an ugly possibility collectively shoved down until the time was right to deal with the pain up front.

"Which is why before anything else happens, it needs to change." Ben said. "There has to be a way we can go to each other, the same as when we hand things over. We just need to figure out how."

"Hmm…" Eir placed a clawed finger against her cheek as she titled her head in wonder. "Tell me, when you converse with each other across distances, can you see the other's surroundings?"

Rey shook her head. "No, I'm afraid not."

"Then I would suggest you start there. How can one go to the other when you can't see where they are?" Eir smiled softly. "The best way to make progress is to go back to the beginning. Find where the biggest change was, and try to recreate it."

"Should I go jump in the lake and come back?" Rey said, a grin tugging on her lips.

"I rather not have a repeat of you almost drowning." Ben grimaced. "On second thought," he added, standing up, "the first thing we need to do is teach you how to swim properly."

"You already helped me with that back in the cave."

Ben rolled his eyes. "Rey, that was not swimming. At most it was a simple dog paddle."

"Well, I see you two still have some things to sort out," Eir said with a small laugh as she stood up, "I shall leave you to it then." She gave them a small bow. "Again, you have my thanks for telling me of Kaine and Meru."

Rey shook her head. "It's the least we could do for all you've done for us."

Eir smiled softly. "It was no trouble, really; you are part of my people, after all. If you need any other help with anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask."

"I know you said that you don't get much news out here, but…" Rey began, sharing a look with Ben as the looming worry of Quinn resurfacing.

"…things aren't quite as resolved as we hoped they would be." Ben finished, rubbing the back of his neck.

Eir gave a thoughtful nod, placing a hand on her chin. "I see, that is rather unfortunate. If I hear anything, I'll be sure to let you know."

/

After Eir left, Rey convinced Ben to make progress as the older woman had suggested, on the pretense of being able to go to each other wherever being far more important. It hadn't taken much for him to agree to it; how could he refuse her? Especially now with the sun shining on her face, stray strands of hair framing her cheeks, and a soft smile on her face as she leaned back, her eyes closed. She was stunning in every way imaginable, and he thanked whatever higher power there was for being so lucky as to have her.

Rey opened her eyes, a smile spreading across her face. "How are we supposed to go back to the beginning if you keep flirting with me?"

"You mean there wasn't any?"

"Is that what it was supposed to be? I'll remember for next time you try to offer to rule the galaxy."

"And you're still trying to kill me." He tried to sound serious, but couldn't deny the smile that was tugging at corners of his lips. He leaned forward subtly, staring directly into her eyes. "Ah, you are."

A shiver went down Rey's spine, but not an entirely unpleasant one – it was the feeling of being completely seen, missing not even the slightest detail; the same she had first encountered back on Ahch – To. She had been unprepared and taken off guard back then, but ever since it had quickly become one of her favorite things. She grinned. "Well, you are my Dragon after all."

"And you saved me, now you're stuck with me. What are you going to do about it?"

"What, indeed." She leaned forwards, placing one hand down to brace herself while the using the other to grab onto his collar, pulling him close so that she could kiss him.

"Um, Missus Rey? What are you doing?"

They broke apart, albeit a bit reluctantly, resting their foreheads together.

"Kira?"

Rey nodded against him, a small laugh escaping her. "This must look quite strange to her." She began to pull away, but stopped at the touch on her arm.

"Wait, are you sitting in a tree?" It was faint and muted, yet still Ben could just make out the outline of the subtle, warm brown that could only belong to that of a branch.

Rey smiled, even as the outline of part of a ship came to be, the vague image of the table Ben was leaning against. "And you're in the Falcon."

It wasn't much, but it was still far more than they had ever seen before, and with it came hope; the knowledge they could truly go deeper, farther then they had ever before, bringing them that much closer to completely easing the fear of being separated ever again.

"Were you talking to someone?" Kira asked as she watched Rey climb down from her tree.

"I was talking to Ben." Rey answered, jumping the remaining distance and landing easily on the ground.

"But, where is he? It was only you up there."

"I could see him. We can use the force to see each other no matter where we are."

Kira's eyes lit up. "Really?! Can I learn that?"

"Uh, well…" Rey scratched her cheek, unsure of how to handle the question. How could they teach something they barely understood themselves? That wasn't even counting the fact what she shared with Ben was unique; it wasn't some everyday occurrence. No, it was more realistic it couldn't be taught, and would only set Kira up for disappointment later. Denying her didn't sound much better, either though…

A little help here?

Rey heard a soft chuckle behind her, and turned back to see Ben approaching them. "Kira," he said once he was near enough, and bending down so he was at her eye level, "everyone has something unique they can do. You just have to find yours."

"Are you sure?"

"Definitely." Rey said, bending down as well. "It'll just take time and practice, but you'll get it." She smiled. "In the meantime, do you know how to swim?"