"Once we finish eating, I think it's time to go." The next morning, Rey was eager to leave, ready to get a head start on their new found solution, to completely squash the worry that had nestled itself in the pit of her stomach.

"Are you really trying to tell me that you have no desire to explore at all?" Ben said, looking over at her.

Rey scrunched her nose in that adorable way she always did when she was caught in something, and Ben couldn't help the smile that slipped it's way onto his face. "One day for sure, but for I want to work on our solution." She grinned. "And I'm sure you gave me a good enough distraction last night."

He leaned over, placing a kiss on her cheek. "Anytime you need, sweetheart."

She giggled, her heart lighter then it had been the past few days, content to sit in the oneness that hummed between them, the soreness from the previous night having abated almost entirely now that she knew there was a way forward. She nudged him with her shoulder lightly. "Before we go back, though, I know there is somewhere else that's been nagging for you to go."

Ben nodded, his expression turning a bit nervous as he glanced away. "...I think it's time we paid a visit to the resistance."

"Are you sure?" She asked, sliding her hand to rest on top of his.

Ben nodded. "I know how much you've missed your friends, just so that we could be together. I've kept you away from them long enough; I don't want you to start feeling trapped with me."

"I could never feel that way with you." She leaned over, giving him a brief kiss. "I love you far too much for that." She smiled, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "I can't deny though that it would be nice to see them again." As much as she loved being with him, with the life that they were building together, wouldn't trade it for anything in the galaxy – there was still part of her that dearly missed her friends. She had been ignoring it in light of finally finding a sense of belonging, but still it persisted.

He nodded, "Then that's where we're going next. Only...I still don't know where that is." He added, rubbing the back of his neck.

She laughed lightly, watching as he was still so adorably awkward, even after all this time. "It's on Ajan Kloss."

/

The closer they got to the resistance base, the more Rey could tell Ben was getting nervous. She didn't blame him; she'd be lying if she said she wasn't the same. Being found out and forced apart from each other had been their biggest fear; and while it was still there, they had come a long way from where they had first arrived on Ekair.

"It's going to be okay, Ben." She said, reaching over to place her hand on top of his.

He looked at her, a frown on his lips and worry evident in his eyes. "Are you sure? I wouldn't be surprised if they shot me on sight. I know we talked about making up for the things I've done, but…"

She shook her head, giving his hand a squeeze. "I'm sure I can get them to see you the same way I do." She grinned, before adding, "Besides, you're my husband now, which makes you officially mine. And I don't take kindly to anyone messing with what belongs to me."

"That's my scavenger." He said, his eyes turning soft as her favorite smile graced his features; his free hand tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear.

She grinned. "And don't you forget it."

"Forget you? I could never." He said, returning her grin, "Especially not after you have so thoroughly stolen my heart."

"And don't be expecting it back anytime ever." She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his.

After all, you already have my heart in it's place

He leaned into her, one hand softly snaking around the back of her neck to pull her closer.

A treasure I will hold dear until even long after the stars have turned cold

/

Once they were about to enter the atmosphere of Ajan Kloss, Rey switched the Falcon's communicator back on, half wondering if she should have checked to make sure it still worked after all the time it had spent unused. It was too late now; all she could do was take a deep breath, and pray that it would work. "This is the Millennium Falcon, requesting permission to land."

After a moment that felt as if it would last forever, a familiar voice finally answered. "Rey is that you?!"

"Y-yes, it's me, Rosie." She knew it would be good to see her friends again, but she hadn't expected to end up blinking back tears at the sound of her best friend's voice. It really had been awhile, hadn't it? She had missed them so dearly, a feeling that she had kept locked up in the back of her mind surfacing fully at the thought of seeing them again.

It was Ben's turn to reach over, taking her hand in his as Rose spoke once more. "Of course you're free to land! This is amazing, I can't wait to see you! I have to go tell everyone!"

The communication shut off, and Ben chuckled. "That's Rose, huh?"

Rey nodded, smiling. "She can be pretty energetic at times."

After the landing gear was down and engines turned off, Rey took Ben's hand as she stood up, pulling him along with her to make sure he followed. If she didn't, she was sure he would stay behind with some sort of 'I don't belong out there' nonsense.

"Rosie!" Once the hatch was open, she found Rose already waiting, and wasted no time running down the ramp to close the distance between them, pulling her friend into a tight hug.

Rose returned it, wrapping her arms around Rey tightly. "I missed you so much! You need to give me all the juicy details and how you and your space boyfriend are doing."

"Actually…" She giggled as she pulled away, lifting up her right hand to show off the butterfly mark, grinning widely, "We got married." It was a phrase that made her positively giddy to say, and she didn't care who knew.

"Really?!" Rose exclaimed, excitement on her face as she grabbed Rey's hand to get a closer look. "That's amazing! Is this some sort of ink? But it doesn't appear to be drawn…"

Rey laughed a bit at Rose's enthusiasm. "It was done in what's called a binding ceremony. It was more private, with just me, Ben and Eir. She used a special ink that seeped into the skin, and it was the force that created the design."

"Okay, now I'm jealous. BUT I do still need to actually meet this Ben. I need to make sure he's good enough for you."

Rey looked behind her, to see Ben still at the entrance to the Falcon, leaning against it. She twirled their ribbon between her fingers, and idea forming. They were supposed to be trying out new things, right? With a grin, she gave it a light tug, almost immediately causing it to be more taunt, pulling Ben's wrist from where he had crossed his arms to instead laying at his side.

He watched it in fascination for a moment before looking over at her. In reality Rey had been right; these were her friends and he didn't think that he had anyplace to get between them. He had been content to simply watch; but the way she was pulling him forward, wanting him to be a part of everything in her life only served to make him love her all the more. She really was still too good for him.

I'm really not, I think it's just right. Now get over here, you big dork.

He shook his head with a chuckle, pushing off from where he had been leaning to make his way forward.

Alright, I'm coming, sweetheart.

Rey smiled, holding out a hand for Ben to take as he neared. "Rose, this is Ben. He's the one I told you about." Rey said as Ben intertwined his fingers with hers.

Ben glanced over at her.

What did you tell her about me?

Just the basics. I couldn't tell anyone that I had a crush on Kylo Ren, but I also couldn't keep it entirely to myself. She only knows you as Ben.

"Oh, so you're theBen I've heard so much about. It's nice to finally meet you." Rose stepped up to Ben with a smile, before her expression turned deadly serious. "She seems happy now, but if you ever break her heart again, I will break you in half so fast you won't know what hit you." She said, pointing a finger up at him, completely unfazed by the difference in height. "Got it?"

"Loud and clear." Rose had a fierceness to her that Ben had no trouble believing her words.

You never said she was terrifying

Rey laughed softly next to him.

"Go easy on him Rosie, he's more then made up for it."Rey said with a fond a smile, giving Ben's hand a reassuring squeeze.

She's just protective of what she cares about; she really does mean well.

Rose watched Ben carefully for a moment before backing down, taking a step away. She glanced between the two of them, before finally nodding to herself. "Alright, I guess he passes." She opened her mouth to say more, but was cut off by the sound of a familiar Wookie's cry.

Looking over towards the source, Chewie was barreling towards them. Ben's stomach started twisting itself painfully into knots at the sight; it made sense that the Wookie would still be here. Of course, he was here. Why had he been stupid enough to think it would be just a simple reunion with Rey's friends?

He braced himself, ready to take whatever punishment Chewie had decided on. Ben knew just how close he had been to his dad, and it was only fitting for Chewie to be angry with him. It was no less then he deserved, after all.

At least he wasn't carrying a bowcaster this time.

Whatever Ben had been expecting, the last thing was for Chewie to pull him into a tight hug, warbling softly. So stunned was he, that it took a long moment for it to register what happened. It passed after a moment and slowly, Ben reached up to return the hug. The last time he had done this he had barely been above Chewie's knee, but now he just about reached the Wookie's shoulder.

"I…I missed you too." He buried his face further into Chewie's fur, even as he could feel the edges of his eyes begin to prickle. Ben had hoped, wrongly it turned out, that he was getting more over what happened, only to have the guilt rush up anew, tearing at his insides like the twisting of a hot knife. "You should be madder at me."

Chewie simply growled in a hushed tone, patting his head gently.

"Chewie's always been a big softie."

They were his father's words; if Ben were smart enough to take them at face value, he'd accept Chewie's words of forgiveness, of just being glad that Ben was back where he belonged. That really, by this point the bowcaster shot and Ben's own guilt on the subject was enough. He sniffed, almost feeling like a child again, having woken up from a nightmare to have his uncle do his best to try and comfort him.

"Yeah, it's...it's good to be back."

/

"Rosie, why don't we go look around?" Rey said, placing a hand on Rose's arm in order to draw attention away from Ben and Chewie, "I'm sure there's a lot we need to catch up on." On the one hand, she really did want to know how things had been after she left, but mostly it was to give Ben as much privacy as possible. This was exactly the sort of release that she knew he needed; no matter how many reassurances she gave, this was the kind that only Chewie would be able to give.

"You're not worried about Ben getting lost?" Rose asked.

"I'm pretty sure he'll be able to find us when he's ready." Rey shook her head, smiling softly as she glanced at the ribbon tied around her wrist. "What happened after we left? We didn't exactly stick around for the aftermath." She added as they walked further into the base.

"Some left to try and go back to some semblance of normal, but a lot of people stayed to help with the clean up." Rose shook her head after a brief pause. "Actually, it might be better to discuss that with the both of you, and probably with the others. Poe, Finn, and Armitage should be back soon."

"Armitage?"

"Oh, that's right you wouldn't have met him. You remember that informant I was talking to, the one with the best information?" When Rey nodded, Rose continued, "Well, he finally made it here! It was shortly before you sent the signal of how to get to Exegol."

"That's wonderful!" Rey smiled, giving Rose's hand a squeeze. "How are things going with you two?"

"It's going well, definitely not as far as you and Ben, but it's progress."

"I can't wait to meet him then. I need to make sure he's alright for you too. He did make you pretty upset at one point as well."

Rose laughed. "I guess both our dark side others are good at that. Although I don't think mine is quite as dramatic as you with Kylo Ren."

"You knew?" Rey asked, stopping to place a hand on Rose's arm and looking around out of habit to see if anyone had overheard.

"I thought it was obvious, staring at nothing, talking to yourself almost like you were having a conversation with someone? I couldn't really think of anyone else who could possibly fit that description." Rose shrugged. "I wasn't a hundred percent sure before, but your reaction pretty much confirms it."

Rey sighed. They really did need to get better at the whole incognito thing. "Did anyone else find out?"

Rose shook her head. "I doubt it, that would require them to be paying attention. Also, I wondered about it when you asked what was a good soup when you're sick and never saw the container you used for it again."

"Yeah…Ben was being an idiot but I couldn't just sit around when I knew that he wasn't feeling well." Rey said, rubbing her neck. "Wait a minute…" she added as a thought struck her, "you said both our dark side others. Was Armitage-"

"I didn't know at first, but it turned out that he was."

"Which is why you were so upset at one point. I'll have to give him a thing or two when I see him."

Rose laughed. "They're out on a mission right now, but in the meantime, there's this old engine I've been working on, and since you're here it would be great to get your input."

"I'd love to!" Rey said with a smile, "I miss the times when we would build things together."

/

Once at Rose's workspace, Rey was greeted by an orange cat sitting on the work desk.

"Meow." The cat said on seeing the two enter, stretching as it stood up.

"When did you get a cat? It's so cute!" Rey asked, unable to resist the urge to pick it up and give it a hug, causing the cat to meow happily.

"Oh! That's-"

"If I didn't know any better I'd say that cat was familiar."

"Ben!" Rey turned around with a smile to see her husband walking towards them, with Chewie not too far behind. "You know this cat?"

"I thought so, but it's impossible to be the same one." Ben said as he came to stand next to her.

The cat reached out, meowing as it pawed at Ben for attention.

Rose laughed softly as Ben reached out, petting the cat's head as it began to purr. "She seems to like you a lot. Are you sure you haven't met before?"

"The only way for that to be true would be if her name was-"

"I'll ask you once to unhand my cat, Ren."

"-Millicent." Ben finished with a frown, turning to see the unfortunate cat's ginger haired owner.