Star Wars: A dyad in the Force Chapter 62: Preparations, a star wars fanfic

Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.

Note: This is a Reylo FanFiction (slow-burn)

「Act 62: Preparations 」

The Blossom Forest, Eanor, 37 ABY

A heavy silence settled over them as they were walking towards the main Halls of the Blossom Forest. The silence was thicker than the uneasy tension in the atmosphere. For weeks now, Ben, Poe, and Rey had settled their maps and notes trying to plan their last part of the mission: Reaching coven Terror and destroying the Sith's Soulstone. Rey ignored the unsettled eyes and glanced unceremoniously around. She could listen to the Gossip that had already started around her name, apparently sharing a tent with a male was shocking to the humans that found shelter under the Blossom Forest. At least the Blossom Forest's inhabitants didn't seem to have any issue with it.

"The darkness is deepening," Dathel spoke first, sitting effortlessly on a seat made of stone. "The enemy knows you are near."

"How near do you think they know we are?" Poe asked as he was going through the maps.

"Where exactly and when you decide to go forward with your quest, the enemy doesn't know," Delmuth informed them. "Only if their spies manage to spot you crossing their land."

All the officers were already seated around the table inside the main Halls used as now as the location they held all their meetings. The group was there - Ben, Rey, Poe, Finn, Jannah, Rose, Hux, Chewie, and the droids, the Lady of the realm, with the captain and a few high officers of the humans that had found shelter in the land of the Blossom Forests.

"They should find it more difficult now," Ben said, gazing out at the blossom trees, "to deliver messages to the Enemy. If we stay focused and don't mess our plan."

"So you want to attack the enemy in two fronts simultaneously," an older man with red hair and beard responded, "Our troops are fighting close to the Gates of the Inferno-Tower. We can turn west and secure you the passage."

"About that," Finn interfered, "That could delay the enemy and aid our mission."

"It's only a matter of time for the enemy to bring our defenses down," the red-haired man informed them, "The enemy is regrouping as we speak; you have to act now!"

"Our mission isn't through the Inferno-Tower, but the passage towards the coven." Hux pointed out as his finger rested on the spot on the map where the coven passage started. There were a few moments of silence around the table. Hux stared fixedly at the map as if it would give him all the answers.

"You need time and safe passage across the coven." Dathel advised them, "We and the army can give you that."

"How?" Rose puzzled. "If we have to fight to reach the passage, the enemy will know."

"Draw out the troops of the enemy," suddenly said Ben. "Have him focus on the front battle; some of our team will need to be there, as the rest will escort the droids towards the passage. The second front to encounter the enemy there."

"Building a trap inside their land!" Poe understood Ben's plan, Hux followed. All three had previous experience with battles, and it didn't take them long to set the plan in motion.

The red-haired man stood up and placed a pawn close to the Gate. "We will attack here, bring all our available men, and try to give you as much time as you need."

Poe said, "Finn, Rose, Hugs, and Jannah will be with you. When it comes to ground battles, they have more experience." He cast a glance at Ben, waiting for his approval, and Ben nodded his head slightly.

"We might not achieve victory through strength of arms, but it will work," Hux added as he seemed to agree with their plan.

Chewie roared, asking about the rest of the team and what their mission would be. The droids seemed to agree with the Wookie.

Ben placed another pawn on the passage against the map "The rest of us will keep the mission as planned. We'll aim to reach the coven. And fight through any trap or troops that will cross our way, because trust me they will."

"Sir, this is madness!" the protocol droid complained, "I could wait for you all here!" R2-D2 beeped, annoyed at C-3PO insecurities, and BB-8 pumped a few times against him, causing C-3PO to agree to follow them.

"No, we'll need you," Ben answered, "No one of us can touch the Sith's Soulstone; you are the most important part of the mission."

"Thank you, Sir," C-3PO said, "Though next time, I hope you have a safer mission for me."

Leaning against the wooden door was Rey, she watched and listened to the meeting that was taking place, and until now, she had not said anything. Now, as their mission had reached its last part, she was getting more anxious.

"And Delkor will know how?" Jannah asked them and caught everyone's attention.

"She has a point, he might have found out that our armies moved the front, but will he know about your being there." the red-haired old man answered.

"He will," suddenly Rey spoke, "I'll make sure he will know!"

"Rey. How?" Finn jumped up, worried about her.

"Dark Rey always managed to contact us; I'll try the other way around when the time is right!" she added.

"That could work actually," Poe gazed at her with a smile.

Ben didn't need to say anything; Rey already knew what his thoughts were. He trusted Rey, the stubborn Jedi in front of him, capable of going through such a plan. Ben trusted her abilities; Rey couldn't do things, but contacting Dark Rey and setting a trap was indeed something she could manage. Poe agreed with him, only Finn reacted again, always needing to protect Rey.

The rest of the day went like that; finally, after staying around the Blossom Forest for a long time, they had set a plan and were ready to start the last part of their mission.

Translucent, preferably transparent, was the night. No sound, no cry. Everyone was ready, and the plan was set, in the dawn, they would depart from the Blossom Forest, separately in two teams, the first one would be led by Finn and would be part of the ground battle, and the second would follow the passage to the coven. Rey just needed to play her role and communicated with Dark Rey, hoping the plan would work.

Rey had found a quiet place, her surroundings were confusing, and she had sat down crossed legged. She closed her eyes and reached out to the Force and towards the unknown. It took her a while to master the ability to focus on Dark Rey's face. Meeting with her still terrified her, but she knew she had to go through it.

Rey's steps echoed as they met the floor; she opened her eyes and found herself in a dark chamber. She ignited her lightsaber, a yellow color beamed alive, revealing her lightsaber. It seemed that with Ben's help, Rey had finally managed to craft her lightsaber. It was a unique color, and the hilt felt familiar inside her hand.

It didn't take her long, and she spotted at the corner of the chamber Dark Rey sitting on an enormous chair, resting there with her eyes closed. Almost against her will, Rey began to reach closer to her. She stopped only a few steps away from her. She observed the clone now; she looked like her, a bit older and prettier, she had to admit.

"You found me." Dark Rey finally spoke, as if she was waiting for her, but she didn't move from her spot; her eyes remained closed.

Rey secured her lightsaber in front of her, ready to attack if needed, "It's a power that Jedi have; I felt something and found you." she responded, keeping her eyes steady against her darker version.

"Is that so," Dark Rey said calmly. "What do you want then? Fight me?" she suddenly opened her eyes and gazed at her. "Tell me...?," she smirked, "How are Ben these days?"

'Bloody Clone,' Rey cried out inside her head. 'I'm gonna kill her.' She glared at her trying to keep her anger in place.

'Rey,' came Ben's voice, which was still with her, 'Don't let her pull your anger.' His words were enough to keep her at bay.

Dark Rey waited for her answer; oddly, this time, she didn't attack her with her weapon; she sat there with an evil smirk on her face. "A new lightsaber," she noted, "That will not save you!"

"Neither will yours," Rey hissed. "You lost! We are coming! And this time, you and the master your serving will fall!"

Dark Rey straightened her sitting position and crossed her legs, narrowing her eyes; her smile never fainted away. "I'll be waiting!"

The dark chamber vanished into thin air, and she found herself sitting on the grass of the Blossom Forest. She looked straight ahead, noting Ben leaning against the nearest tree trunk keeping an eye on her. She took a deep breath as her clone was gone. But the terror and her annoyance remained.

Ben pulled away from the tree and stepped towards her; he was wearing the usual attire that Han Solo had given him. Black shirt, black trousers, and his black leather boots. He stopped in front of Rey and offered her his hand for her to stand. He grasped her fear and anger; her emotions reached him through their days.

Rey deactivated her lightsaber and placed it against her belt; she accepted Ben's hand and stood up. Brown eyes met dark, and time had stopped again. Lately, only by watching Ben could calm her down. She wasn't always like that; indeed, the dyad offered them a special connection. And Ben came to understand her better than anyone, but there was an unknown illness that rose inside her each time Ben was so close.

It lasted only a few hours, but lately, it could trouble her for days and nights. Her stomach was a battlefield of butterflies, her heart pounding like crazy, and her mind... her damn mind... was the worse pervert of all. She was lucky until now that Ben had not noted those images her imagination created. It would make even Dark Rey burn from embarrassment. That bitch.

"Jealous Again," he challenged her. For his sanity, he would end mocking her and nagging through moments like those because it wasn't easier for Ben as well. He was suffering from the same illness, and although the kisses they had exchanged had calmed him down and ensured him, it was only illness and that it would pass. It was moments like those that he almost acknowledged what was happening. Someone had cursed him, which was a better explanation; he had done so much damage in his past, someone surely put a spell on him and was cursed.

"Did you hear her?" Rey's voice came loud and reliable "I'm telling you, Ben, she is obsessed with you!" She tilted her head, suddenly confused. "Wait, no," she answered him, "I'm not jealous! You can have your fan-girls, but she is dangerous!"

Ben cracked a smile; listening and watching at Rey's reaction somehow fed his pride, and he liked it. "I'm sure I can protect myself from a dangerous Rey!" Ben nagged her further, "After all, lately, I have been winning whenever we duel."

Rey paused with her mouth open and her hand in front of it, hiding her shock. "You don't know her, Ben; she could have evil plans," Rey argued with him.

"Like what?" Ben asked curiously as a satisfying smile appeared on his face.

"Seduce you, or tempt you, or worse," Rey explained as her heartbeat was getting faster, and she felt her chest heavy. 'Stupid Ben,' she yelled inside her mind, and the thought reached Ben at once.

Something not only stirred in him, but it took over his thinking. However, he decided not to comment on calling him stupid. It was safer that way. Rey's reactions were getting stronger by the day and poking him to acknowledge what was happening. "I ain't you," Ben suddenly said, "It would take her years to accomplish her mission."

"What?" Rey increased the tone of her voice, "You mean I'm easy?" she glared at Ben, "or that I can be seduced?"

"You are the one who runs around kissing people here and there," Ben answered, and a second later, he had regretted it. "I meant,"

Though Rey was now fired up and didn't let him continue, "I don't run around kissing random people, I only kissed you!" she presented, "It happened a few times; it doesn't mean I'm easy."

"No, you aren't easy!" Ben said softly as he leaned forward, his lips close to hers, almost touching, "No one can easily seduce you!" he played her. It was fun, even mesmerizing, to watch her blush and react so innocently. Though the problem was, it wasn't easy for Ben as well. He was troubled by his actions. His heart was skipping beat after beat. He felt his face burn; teasing the scavenger had a worse impact on him.

Rey remained close; she could play that game as well. If Ben wanted to mock her, she could return the favor. Her lips almost touched his as her fingers clenched against the fabric of his black shirt. Her head half tilted, and her big wide eyes were still staring at him. "How about you?" she spoke under her breath. The moment was burning her all over; she had to bite her lips to avoid smashing her lips against his.

The rest of his world became an unimportant blur that was banished into the far recesses of his mind as he watched her biting her thin pink lips. The only thing that mattered was her. She was so close. Though, she still felt like an unattainable dream. He could ignore it, the pinch on his heart. The beat skipped a few seconds ago.

He should know just... He could easily... He must...

Silence.

His right hand softly rested behind her head, pulling her closer with each breath. He should stop now... It was not noble... 'I do not care!' He had to stop... 'I do not mind!' He was a monster, who still had not paid for his crimes... 'I can't ignore her!' He thought loudly as he leaned closer. His lips were pressing with hers. His lips remained there, waiting for some response.

Anything!

She was taken by the moment. 'He would think I'm easy... assure him that he won the game... Bloody illness will only get worse...' Her mind was spinning. It was turning earlier, though now she could see fireworks above her head. She decided and leaned closer, pressing her lips against his.

More fireworks! Ben! More fireworks!

He received his reply. His lips shifted and slowly, gently nibbled and kissed her sweet lips. His grip around her waist tightened, and the kiss started slowly to burn. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Her lips responded wilder to the gentle touch. A few more kisses before he pulled away and gazed at her. Her face was redder than ever. His cheeks softly blushed. Her breaths so fast. He smiled at her. He was holding her closer near to him.

"Ben..." she mumbled under her breath, unsure what was happening, that illness had gotten worse and had affected her being. Though, even as troublesome as it was at the same time, it was satisfying. Tomorrow they would face the most significant danger, and there she was kissing Ben without reason. True be told, she had many reasons, but still, she was too arrogant to see it through.

As for Ben, he knew what was happening. He just knew the reason. But he was so damn scared to acknowledge it because there was no future for him. And Ben, as he was burning into pain and terror of his past, the new fire that grew inside him caused him to be torn apart again and again. Moments like those, he hated Kylo Ren; he loathed him for stealing away from him the chance to live through moments like those.

Ben wrapped his strong arms around Rey and trapped her inside his embrace like he was trying to shelter her not only from the world but from him as well. He was a lucky bastard, having someone like Rey deeply involved with him, but poor Rey, she had to share a dyad with such a monster, and now there was something more that connected them. He knew he should step back, avoid her, make her hate him, ignore him even. But he was weak, a complete idiot as Rey had called him.

"Fuck it!" Ben said under his breath and picked her up, his arms around her hips, holding her closer to him, his lips crushed against hers, and he softly pinned her against the tree behind her. He didn't step back; he put all his passion and lust in that kiss and deepened it. 'I'm a fool...' he agreed with her.

She wrapped her legs around him as her hands grabbed against his shoulder to keep her balance. Rey kissed him back, smiling through the kiss when Ben's thought reached her. 'Told you! Stupid Ben!' She shared her thoughts with him and continued kissing him.

Neither Ben nor Rey knew how long they were kissing under the blossom tree, but it had to be for a long while since when the kiss ended, they were out of breath, and their lips were sore and reddish. Once again, they didn't speak about it; it was like a secret agreement. Like both didn't want to mention it. The problem was that Ben had finally recognized what caused his illness. And it troubled him a lot that he had started something that he could not continue. He would talk with Rey after their mission was complete, and if he were still alive, he would speak with her.

That night they went a bit happier to bed, and in the morning, they would finally face their last part of the mission.

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Sixty - Three」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 62nd chapter.

Thank you all so much! Stay awesome! Stay sweet!

And be nice to each other, see you soon, in the next chapter!

Feel free to Review and Follow the story!

Feedback is always appreciated!

Adelgado28: I have fun writing jealous and arrogant Rey. Slowly I believe they will acknowledge their illness. ^_^

stepankahanusova86: Yup, they are stubborn and don't precisely neither Rey nor Ben had even gone through feelings like those. I like them how childish they are until their emotions grow and figure out what is happening. ^_^

L: Yosh, we need some "L" elements in their journey.

grasshoper: Thank you for the kind review and reading it even if you aren't big fun. It means a lot.

amyunder: ^_^ Cannot wait to write and post the remaining chapters.

kitsuneAi: Thankies, ^_^ hope you will enjoy the rest of the upcoming story.