Star Wars: A dyad in the Force Chapter 72: Imperial Court - Ben's Verdict, a star wars fanfic

Warning: Major Spoilers of TRoS.

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

Be Aware: Concepts contained in this chapter include semi-silliness content. ^_^

「Imperial Court」

「Act 72: Ben's Verdict 」

Imperial Supreme Court, Galactic City, Coruscant 38ABY

"We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life." C-3PO said as he approached next to Ben, and R2-D2 danced in place, demanding that C-3PO would be a bit positive at this moment, as everyone was waiting for the Verdict.

"We're not done yet," Ben responded to the droid. "But it's somehow our destiny Threepio."

"The kid is as happy as a graveyard," Luke nudged, trying to confront Ben and making him finally respond, "Still dealing with the shock?"

Ben exchanged with Luke a few glares, but he didn't answer; he was trying to keep it together, too many things were happening at once, and waiting to hear what his future would hold, maybe there would not be the next day for him, perhaps it would. But Ben was grateful for the small amount of time he had managed to have around his friends, Rey, and without the hate and pain. But everything comes to an end, and that's what he was waiting for.

Rey skipped over, sitting across the desk, gazing at Ben and smiling at him. She was a bit happier now that Luke was there, that he at least defended Ben, as stubborn Ben was still keeping his guard up. "I can't explain it, but I have hope," she whispered as her hands rested against Ben's.

Chewie roared a few times, trying to ask Ben what would happen now; he brought up Falcon and Han. Ben noted that the Wookiee was as well anxious about the Verdict, Ben had never seen him complain about so long. But he couldn't blame him. Lately, they had become close, and Chewie had lost too many friends, Han, Leia, and Luke; it would make sense if he were all emotional.

"We'll see, Chewie," Ben said; he wasn't sure what kind of promise he could give him. His future was unknown, and he was trying his best not to break down into tears and let all the sadness show.

It didn't take long; Poe and Finn showed up; it seemed that the council had already decided about their vote, and Poe was angry. He sat against the desk, where Ben was cuffed. "They are talking about imprisonment; we just needed one more to agree with us," Poe cursed under his breath.

"Poe," Ben responded a bit weaker than usual "You already have done enough," Ben would add that it still sounded like a good deal, if after all his wrongdoings, he only would get held in prison, but he tried not to make them sadder or anxious.

"They could be fair, buddy," Poe said, his hand tapping against the desk in anger. Finn mumbled a few words about what had happened and why the council wouldn't fully agree with the Generals.

Ben had to grab his head with both hands; things were out of hand. Everyone was talking at the same time. He shook his head in disbelief, a time like this, and he could not grieve in silence. And he hadn't finished his thought, as Jannah strode back, where everyone was, holding Rey's results in her hands. She seemed astonished, her eyes wide open, and she was still reading the results.

Rey watched her approaching, "So what did they say?" She tilted her head, confused at how serious Jannah looked. "Hey, is that so serious?" her smile vanished, concerned Rey looked at her. "What's wrong?"

Jannah looked at Rey and Ben, "You aren't sick..." she mumbled but still refused to break the news to them, "You are..."

Everyone paused and paid attention to her; Rey and Ben looked at each other, unsure why she was reacting so bizarre. Poe approached and grabbed the results, slowly reading through; soon, his facial expression was similar to Jannah's. "You surely aren't sick," Poe said loudly, his voice hit his astonishment. Then he looked at Ben, "You sure work fast, Pal!"

Ben raised an eyebrow, confused at Poe's reaction, "What is all about," he finally asked.

"What happened?" Rey asked and tried to take away the medical report, "Let me see!"

But Poe shifted away and dropped the report inside Ben's hands. Then he leaned against his ears, tapping Ben's shoulders. "Well done, buddy, you have a thing to create drama in your life!" Poe stepped away.

Ben tilted his head baffled as he took Rey's medical report and started reading it. Rey stood next to him now, wanting to find out why everyone ended up in such confusion after reading the results. Ben hit his back against the chair. His mind was now spinning in any direction. He blinked his eyes and reread the report; he must have misread it. His gaze fixed against Poe, who was now smirking at Ben. Ben's face became paler; he forgot it was his trial, forgot about his verdict, and even annoying Luke, what mattered now was Rey.

If his hands weren't cuffed, he would knock his head a few times. He dropped his gaze; every part of him went on pause while his thoughts caught up, his heart beat faster, his brain was confused. Today was supposed to be the most challenging day of his life; today, in a way, his future would be decided; perhaps he wouldn't live another day. True be told, Ben made peace with the idea, but now reading that report changed things. He needed to remain alive, to be there for her, to be there for them.

"It'll be okay," he said under his breath, trying to convince himself first. Then he gazed at Rey; he had to tell her the news. But how on the Galaxy would he? He was trying to remember how to breathe, unable to speak, totally stunned as the report bounced around inside his skull. He took his time, time to man up, and tell her. Ben gazed at her and handed her the report, "You are..." he paused and took a deep breath, "You are pregnant..." That's the only thing he managed to say; his words couldn't come out.

"What?" Luke jumped up.

Rey grabbed the report and started reading it, as she dropped against the desk in disbelief. It began to make sense of why she felt sick every morning the past month and why she was gaining weight. Rey fired up, "Those damn things," she yelled, "Liers!" she hissed, gaining everyone's attention.

"How did that happen?" Finn questioned, tapping her shoulders.

"You honestly bother to ask that Finn," Poe had to comment. "We surely heard how it happened."

Ben cast a glare towards Poe, almost telling him, 'Really now you joke about it.'

"Why are you angry?" Jannah questioned, "and at whom?"

Rye hissed. "The Menstruation control, that's supposed to keep the period under control, it doesn't... it freaking doesn't work," Rey looked at Ben apologetic "I had the injections, Ben, years ago, like all women, I don't know why it didn't work..."

Ben took a deep breath; he wasn't worried about that; of course, Rey wouldn't lie. "Rey, that's not the problem; I never thought you would...wait ... what?" Ben tilted his head, and honestly, now he was ready to accept any execution "Rey, Menstruation control?" he repeated unbelievingly.

Rey nodded. "Yes, you know the month-ingy thing, we girls need to keep in control,"

Ben interrupted her, "You know Menstruation control is too keep control on your period, it has nothing to do with birth control, you can get pregnant even if you are in Menstruation control."

Silence.

No one dared to speak. "Ops!" was Rey's first reaction. "That's why you kept asking me, Ben, I thought..."

More silence.

He sighed, "That's why I was asking you, you dummy," Ben responded, the trial was now forgotten, damn, that they were even in a courtroom, they couldn't recall, "Even I knew that difference, how could you honestly mix it up?"

"Well, em..." Rey scratched her head, unsure of how to answer his questions. In Jakku, she never really had anyone talk to her about those kinds of things. Once a year, and if she were lucky and cross paths with a medical team, she would have her usual check-up and the Menstruation control injections; she thought it was also working as birth control. "Now, what?"

Ben blinked, observing her, without really knowing how to answer her that question. "About what?" he said.

"About the Menstruation control, aren't we going to report it," she thoughtfully said, "it didn't work, you know!" She felt all eyes falling on her, and she turned and looked at them. "What guys, it's not a priority, but if those injections aren't working us..."

"Rey," Ben shouted in frustration, and she turned and looked at him. "It doesn't matter; that is the least of your issues right now. The point is you are pregnant..."

When the enormous wooden doors opened, the audience started stepping into the courtroom, the council, jury, and the senators followed. Slowly everyone walked away from Ben and took their seat, as it was time for the verdict to be delivered. But Ben, Rey, and the rest of their friends were still trying to process the news that Rey was pregnant.

"Order!" came the Chancellor's voice brutally and loud, bringing silence at once all over the courtroom. "Juri, what is your vote?"

An elderly woman stood up and turned, facing Ben, "We found defender guilty; we voted for capital punishment."

"One vote was for execution," the Chancellor said, "Council, what is your vote?"

The first vote had taken everyone back. Ben fingers pinned against the desk, and his breaths were sharp; a few minutes ago, he was ready to accept death, but now with Rey pregnant, he needed to stay alive. But he remained calm until all the votes were given. Rey was white as chalk. Her eyes and her mouth were frozen wide open in an expression of stunned surprise, and although she was staring straight at Ben, she appeared not to notice him at all.

Poe stood up, his breath heavy, he hated that he was the one to announce the vote "The council finds the defendant guilty, the council vote goes to life imprisonment."

The audience was restless, Ben and Rey cast a few glances, but no one dared to talk. Their friends were in a worse position; things were getting serious now, as they were waiting for the last two votes that could send Ben in prison or kill him.

"Order in my court," the Chancellor demanded. Dark Rey waited, and when there was finally silence in the courtroom, she continued, "The court decided that Ben Solo is guilty of all the crimes listed below, the murder of Han Solo..." the Chancellor went through all the felonies that Ben Solo was found guilty of and then concluded "With the majority of the votes two out of four, Ben Solo, you are convicted in exile on Tatooine for the rest of your life, you are given a short period to prepare yourself and to attended the rare ceremony that will include honoring Leia Organa, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker. Then you will be monitored, and you cannot leave Tatooine without permission. The trial with the case number Z-001-38 is over; uncuff the defender."

There was an explosion in Rey's brain, the right sort, the type that carries more possibilities than she could be conscious of, but there were hundreds of ideas there in that buzz of electricity... she could feel it. It was the calling card of adventure, of paths awaiting her feet. Ben's punishment was one she could live with; he would not be in prison; he wouldn't be killed... Whatever was ahead could be a great challenge, and there could be tears, but it was her adventure to take, and so she smiled. She smiled and ran over, jumping against Ben, whose hands were finally uncuffed, and she hugged him so tight to make sure he would feel it.

As she ran towards him, his blood woke up his brain, though he thought himself already awake. His smile grew of its own accord, and the world brightened all around them. He didn't wait and wrapped his arms around Rey. He was lucky, and he knew he owned some luck because of Luke; he saved him speaking on his behalf. But for now, what mattered was the girl inside his arms. They had to figure out their next step.

Their friends stormed over them; smiles, hugs, and happy sounds had filled the area. That day, the trial of Ben ended with a massive verdict, but also with hope. Ben Solo would have a lifetime to pay for his wrongdoings, he couldn't just undo his past, and he was ready to pay for it. But along his way, he would have loved ones and friends, a family to make those times just a little better.

「Upcoming Chapter: Act Seventy - Three」

Okay, guys, that's all. I hope you enjoyed reading the 72nd 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!

stepankahanusova86: Agreed that, since Ben didn't speak for himself, someone had too; I hoped you liked the verdict? ^_^

Guest: Took a while to write the trial, but I wanted it to a bit long; this was the final moment Ben was waiting for. ^_^