My sincerest apologies for keeping all of you waiting for this. I'm also at work on a Naruto fic, "Dawn of Wonders", but both WILL be completed if I were to have anything to say about it. :D Just pray life doesn't make me put them on hold; I've managed to finish every story thus far.

Chapter Two

The Boss's Stubborn Grandson

If Ben Solo didn't know any better, he'd say Anakin did this on purpose in sending a willowy, wide-eyed girl to guilt-trip him - oh, yeah, and R2 to add on - and damn him for making it work. A heartless brute would focus while those eyes watched him on.

She was inside his ship now, but she was still in that wet jacket she had to choose of all times; she must have thought it would be easy to handle, or she was just putting on the tough girl act to hide the fact she was still cold and shivering. "You should just find someplace to warm up," he told her, though really wasn't giving her the choice, and she continued to act like she was fine, which he refused to believe. The fact the rain beaded on that flimsy jacket of hers as well as turned her clothing into a muddy brown, her dark locks into fragile strings...

"You wanted five minutes. You're getting them," Ben told her, impatient to get this over with. The ship was secured to the dock and going nowhere. He watched as she shrugged off her jacket; something in him compelled him to go over and take it from her, and when he ended up touching her hand by accident, the sudden warmth surprised him. He'd have thought it would remain icy as the storm. Miss Kenobi might try to be "strong" in harsh conditions, but he preferred business in warm comfort after being out there in too much combat. Given he was not amid any conflicts at the present.

Her small boots apparently had soft soles so that the heels didn't clatter annoyingly in his ears. He had to estimate she was up to his shoulder length, and dainty but otherwise strong. His grandfather employed her in his garage; did that also mean Anakin would have asked her to stand outside in the freezing elements just to wait for him?

Ben was so distracted by his thinking that he didn't notice she came so close to him, taking the time to admire her surroundings, at how broad and sterile it was, but warm and inviting in the atmosphere because of the heating system he had to raise a tad just for her. He hadn't realized how frigid he felt until they were both back inside. Even R2 was glad to be indoors even though he would gladly keep watch outside.

He whirled around to keep her from falling off her feet, and not only did he instantly warm up faster than from the raised temperature, but he also caught a whiff of a blend of soothing herbs and subtle, soft fruits - intriguing and sweet. It radiated off her hair while her skin was musky. "Whatever is wrong, Miss Kenobi?" he asked her, helping her stand again.

"Oh, I - I didn't realize it'd be so refreshing." He was unable to stifle a chuckle since she clearly thought it likely inappropriate to use the word "lovely". "Do you live here, on board?"

"Yes, whenever I can. But my main location is on the other side of Aldera Lake, beyond the capital." Where I like my privacy.

Her eyes widened. "Your grandfather told me about that part." And what else did Anakin tell her? Certainly not the biggest secret which was better off kept in the Skywalker-Solo family closet...

Suddenly, he was cold again and really needed caf, and knew she could use it, too. It was bitter, but it warmed the bones and made you alert. However, she tried to refuse, which was beginning to annoy him. She could pretend all she wanted, but he didn't buy it, especially with the way she kept hugging the weather-protected datapads in her arms. That flash in her green-brown eyes was enough to warrant his answer. Her and her attempts to be high and mighty - maybe more irritating than her Little Toniray Girl act.

With a harsh exhale, Ben took the bundle from her hold. "The last time I checked, my grandfather didn't grant a raise for appearing professional to this extent." Because the old man couldn't care less as long as you showed proper respect and did what you were supposed to. "Just please humor me and have some caf." She lifted her nose and did just what he wanted, and that was when a certain droid showed up, surprised at the visitors.

"Master Solo, I was just wondering if you needed any assistance - oh, miss, it's a pleasure to see you, and this new friend!" R2-D2 beeped and whirled in acknowledgment, which made the girl laugh a little, softening up that face from the previous stoic.

~o~

"No, thank you, GG. We are both just fine. You can power down for a while if you wish," Ben told the silver droid with golden yellow sensor eyes, and it bowed its head to him as well as to her and R2. She found herself following him then right into the kitchen cabin, where there was a more welcoming environment in terms of appearance: the walls painted the color of red wine, the table itself a perfect brown wood like those of the forests. All of which were two-folded by the sleek steel of tech.

The fact he took to making the caf himself, telling his droid crewmember he didn't need assistance after the long travel? She was impressed that he wasn't so spoiled and expectant, since he was raised better than that just like she'd been. Rey nearly doubled over when she sat down as he told her to, R2 coming to remain by her side. Her legs shot with heavy electricity as they worked to function. Even though she didn't want to admit it, she was sort of relieved Anakin's grandson was making her have bitter caf. Because of that, she was experiencing the odd combination of hot and cold - especially when her torso was unable to forget the close contact of his body near hers. I didn't mean to be caught up in admiring this place the way I did. And it sure was nicer than a lot of the pieces of junk that came to the Skywalker mechanic shop for repairs, those often being outside visitors and traders.

When it was done, he came her way with two mugs and set hers in front of her. "Here, this will warm you up while you talk." She thanked him, winding up putting the thing against her breastbone, stifling a moan at the heat which spread throughout differently than the one from before, comforting her.

"GG seems like a good droid," Rey said, even though she spent only a few seconds with that generous creation, making her wonder how he and 3PO would have gotten along.

"Been part of this ship and the crew - namely the two of us - since I was a student at my uncle's academy and training grounds in Bespin. Been by my side even after I left the place." There was the bitter hint. Then there was just silence between them as he glanced down at the dark liquid than her, even avoiding looking at a slightly nervous R2 who had no idea how to intervene since she had a job to do. "Anyway, you said five minutes, and they hadn't officially begun."

"Yes." Rey looked around for the datapads he took from her, then spotted them on his desk, still bundled up. "Your grandfather left a short but important note with the financials and intel, telling you everything. He asks that you visit him for just a lunch and no later than the given time."

Ben's laugh was deep and throaty. "You're not kidding. He made you stand in the rain just to tell me that?" No, more like YOU made me wait in the rain. Anakin said don't leave the premises until I had your answer. "He just wanted to make sure I didn't ignore it."

"And he's glad you're back home," she said, and it would seem Anakin was probably the only one. It made her wonder if she was really supposed to be involved in the Skywalker-Solo family drama, even though she felt she knew these people through her late grandfather.

"No later, but no earlier, either." There was that smirk, which told her he knew and made her smile back. Anakin was known for his requests and demands, seeing them done as he told, but one rule trumped all of them: no one was to interrupt him during his lifelong pod racing program, and even his children, Luke and Leia, knew that. So did his grandson, Ben.

It was then that Rey found herself stricken when she watched the way he drank his caf; she'd seen how Finn and Poe had done it, but not like this. The way the drink was so long until the tension in his jaw was gone, and how his full mouth had a sensual aspect, so soft and strong at once...

"You can tell Anakin that he should wait and see. That's my final answer."

~o~

It was amusing that he found Rey predictable even if he had just met her.

He followed her out when she stepped off his ship, but before she left, she paused only to turn and give him the full brunt of befuddled irritation in her eyes at his response. She'd expected a solid one, not liking the fact he was being difficult. But difficulty ran in the family, being part of the game. His grandfather really wanted something, but he'd sent in the intriguing Rey Kenobi - the granddaughter of his oldest friend as well as Grandmother's. Her and R2 together rather than them paired with the fussy 3PO.

He found himself still watching after her, nodding and smiling down at the astromech who was glad to see him, as she departed for the capital, pulling the hood of her jacket back over her head. He was fixated on the way her hips swayed in grace with her agile legs. It was almost hard to believe she was a mechanic. He couldn't forget the moment her body pressed up to his. Ben really needed to distract himself as long as he was stuck here.

Rey seems like the kind of sweet young thing who could expect long-term, but it's not on my plate. If such a thing can exist more than it does.

His grandfather he was definitely thinking about. Anakin had never remarried since his wife died weeks after childbirth. In fact, the old man told him that "players truly moved on", as far as he was concerned. Uncle Luke was still with Aunt Mara, last time he checked. Mother...no doubt she was still single. He liked to think that widow-ship often ran in the family, but why the hell was he thinking about relationships? Perhaps being back here in Alderaan was dredging up the memories he often shoved away.

The girl and his family's lifelong droid companion gone, he called for GG and turned his attention to the bundle of datapads left on his desk. "Master Solo, I take it this is -"

"Yes, the past three years of financials and dealerships," Ben grumbled. "My grandfather must be assuming I'll take a look at them and then return them. The mechanic shop had some rough spots, but it's not like he'll let it go anywhere. And it's not like I'm really needed there. You know I've asked myself why I bothered coming back many times before, GG, and it comes back to one thing." Grandfather...Grandfather is the reason I stay in touch. If it came from anyone else, I'd tell them to back off. But not...

Not Anakin Skywalker. Not the man whom he idolized even as a young boy. Who sat him on his knee and shared his heroics from his youth during the Clone Wars - the threatening division of the Republic of Lah'mu between the Separatists, even traveling to nearly the whole planet - and who had assured him that what happened in their family was no one's fault and that no matter what he chose, he was welcomed any time. His nineteen-year-old self was desperate to hear that from one person who understood more than anyone. Ten years ago it had been.

He fought to resist the urge to look at the pads. The things were nothing but a mockery, and if he had the sense, he'd release the docking clamps and take himself, GG and the Grimtaash the hell out of dodge and head to somewhere else, like Naboo...

...but instead, along with the figures, he found himself reading Anakin's note and relented, having no choice but to head back to the illusion called "home".

~o~

When she got back to the shop, she was relieved to be surrounded by familiarity and warmth from the chill of the rain. The speeder in the back of the workshop waited for her ever since she had been sent out there; its circuitry needed recalibrating as well as replacements in other areas. The owner wanted it back before the week ended, but it was nothing she and R2 couldn't handle.

Except...she should have counted on the sneeze which tore from her throat, and it didn't escape Anakin Skywalker who was just right behind her, seen through the opened doorway where he had his private office. The silver-haired man with the brightest blue eyes you'd ever see peered at her without so much as a squint.

"Don't tell me you're catching the cold, Rey."

"N-no, Anakin." Just cold from being out there. My bones still feel it. Coupled with the fact she still had to change from her soaked, flimsy garments, which the old man noted and insisted she do before she got to work on that speeder. They had two more hours before his grandson would - maybe - arrive.

"Oh, Mistress Rey!" And there was 3PO himself, having known something like this would happen, and presented her with folded-up white linens which were another version of her uniform. "Thank the maker you made it back safely - and R2, I just hope Master Ben was well." The astromech beeped somberly, making the protocol sputter. "Oh, why am I not surprised? He was such a loving child, but that's what happens given -" He was then interrupted by the elder human, who had been just a child when he first created him.

"3PO, will you get on with checking the next available shipments? And Rey, before you get back to work, please make yourself some tea just in case you are coming down with something, just to be safe."

Oh, she was more than happy to do that and did so in a haste. Her new clothing was reminiscent of before, but it was a much cleaner white just like the snow in the mountains, and her still-damp hair was out of the three buns she preferred to keep even now after leaving Jakku a long time ago, brushing it so it was straight down her back and left to dry in the air. All the while, Ben Solo's response continued to rub her off in the wrong way. Anakin had taken it with a throaty chuckle, stating that his grandson had the stubborn streak which ran in the family - and was confident he would still be here on time. "He's still a good boy, Rey."

By the time she was leaving the changing area and heading for the back of the shop, R2 already doing some repairs himself as he could always be counted on, that was when Rey heard the sounds of vehicles smashing against each other along with audience applause, joined with a frustrated Anakin shouting from his place on the lounge at the HoloNet.

"Seriously, damn it! You just had to maneuver just to get ahead - that was fool's gold from the start!"

She chuckled and shook her head. It was amusing and sweet to watch that transition from commanding businessman and retired war hero to obsessed pod racing fan - and a onetime winner in his own childhood - and it was a side to the Skywalker patriarch that few got to see. Grandfather Obi-Wan used to catch these times whenever they weren't out there on the battlefield across the world, and he'd been there when young Anakin won his first and only time. These moments just make it easier to deal with his old friend...this tender, grandfatherly side.

And while the man was distracted for the next hour, she was kneeling beside the speeder with the toolbox and R2's assistance. Ben made a joke about her efficiency and skill, but she called it being responsible. The old man's own children were hardly home these days, so someone had to look out for him as well as the shop.

She kept a tea machine of her own in this space so that she didn't have to use the shop's for clients. And close to twenty minutes later, she smelled the heavenly herbal aroma. This was found anywhere in the world, but the Alderaanians especially prized it. And this was just what Rey needed to chase away the cold: a divine whiff and the warmth going into her lungs and throughout the rest of her body. All the while, she wondered how the hell people like Ben Solo could endure the cold like that, if he managed to stay out just as long as she had for him.

It would explain that hard exterior, if his insides are just as frozen...no, scratch that. With the way we collided, he's anything but. Just that one moment of contact...

Yes, that one touch literally was all it took to make her melt inside.

Ben's droid aboard the Grimtaash is Geegee, which I thought could work if it were shortened to GG like many of the droids in Star Wars (if it isn't shortened already).

Mara Jade is mentioned (Luke's wife from Legends universe, which many still consider canon unlike the sequel trilogy). I just felt I had to bring her in. :3

Okay, the Clone Wars was mentioned. While the galaxy is combined into a whole planet like Earth, the aspects of the Jedi, Sith and the Force are treated as mythology while the warriors themselves likely existed a long time ago, possibly leaving artifacts and archival evidence. Here is pure sci-fi as I mentioned in the last chapter.

I'm happy people have read, but it's a disappointing surprise no one reviewed. Given how popular Reylo is, I'd have expected a LOT of feedback. :( Pretty please, no flames?