A/N: I know, two chapters in one day! Tomorrow we're leaving early to go to a drive-in safari at Six Flags and I'm not sure I'm going to have time to post at my usual morning time. So you get a bonus chapter today! I will still try to post tomorrow, but if not, I promise a very exciting chapter on Monday!

Chapter Fifteen – Ben

Ben's jaw almost unhinged when Rey walked down the stairs. She was always beautiful to him, but seeing her in this shimmering white dress with her hair down and a huge smile on her red lips stunned him.

Want

Her emotion towards him hit even harder as it mingled with his own desire for her. He had to shake his head to dispel the image of him throwing her on the dining room table in the next room and taking her right then.

She finished descending the stairs and stood next to him, her hands running down his chest. "I wasn't sure I ever wanted to see you in black again, but this suit is so..." She trailed off as if looking for the right word.

"You look..." He understood her dilemma. His brain couldn't find the right words to convey how gorgeous she looked and how much he loved her.

"The words you two are looking for are handsome and ravishing," Han spoke up as he came down the stairs. He pulled at the collar of his suit. "I hate wearing these things."

"But you look so handsome in them yourself," Leia commented as she followed behind him dressed in an emerald green gown, her hair braided around her head. She glanced out the window as Luke came down in a suit as well. "Shuttle's here."

"Where's Chewie?" Rey looked around.

"The furry lump can't handle the crowds at these things," Han answered as he opened the door.

Ben checked to make sure his lightsaber was clipped firmly to his hip and saw Luke do the same. He noticed Rey's hand at her own hip, then a quick frown as she remembered she no longer had one. He made a mental note to discuss getting her a new one with Master Skywalker.

The door opened, revealing the shuttle. His mother's flight commander stood in front of it.

Glee

"Poe!" Rey cried. She ran to him with her arms open, which was quite a feat considering the delicate, strappy shoes she wore. Then, just before she reached him, she pulled up short.

"Well, hello," Poe's smooth voice greeted her as his eyes appraised her. He smiled coyly. "You seem to know me, and even though I don't know you, I'd like too."

Disappointment

Ben squashed the jealousy attempting to flare up within him. Instead, it mutated into sympathy. Obviously, she'd known him from before but Poe had no idea who she was. Even worse, he was trying to hit on her and she didn't like it.

Rey floundered. "I... I've heard a lot about you. About how good a pilot you are."

One of Rey's memories flashed in his head, a continuation of the same one from when they'd been attacked by kidnappers on Jakku. She stood in the desert next to the wreckage of a shuttle, the shuttle she'd blasted out of the sky with blue lightning. Poe yelled down from a ledge to her and another man that they had to get out of there. Rey stared at her hand for a moment before looking at a man on the opposite side of the wreckage. Him. No, not him. That other Ben, Kylo Ren. He stood in the desert heat all in black, cloak billowing in the breeze, intensely eyeing Rey. How Ben despised him!

Ben caught himself. He had to keep his temper in check or else he'd end up force choking someone again. He'd worked too hard training over the years to let his control fall apart.

Ignoring the memory, Ben took pity on Rey and stepped up next to her. His arm circled her waist. "Hey, Poe. Good to see you again. I was telling Rey about that maneuver you pulled off in the atmosphere of Agamar. Rey's a pretty good pilot, so she was thoroughly impressed."

Poe's smile widened. "That was quite a maneuver!" His eyes slipped down to Ben's hand at her waist. "So you two? How's that work with the Jedi thing?"

"Long story. How'd you get stuck with the scut work of shuttling us around?"

"Made a deal with the boss that I get to see the concert in exchange. Tried to convince Mirabella to give me a private concert, but she turned me down. This was my best chance to see her."

"None of us is going to get to see the concert if you don't stop talking so much!" Leia yelled from the back of the group.

This prompted all of them to climb into the shuttle. The ride was uneventful and not too long. Poe landed them on the roof of the concert hall, a location exclusive to those VIPs attending an event.

Night had fallen as they exited the shuttle and Rey gasped as she saw the expanse of the city lights. She captured Ben's hand and pulled him to the railing. "So many lights! It's so beautiful!" She didn't let go of his hand as Leia urged them into the elevator that took them down to their level. He didn't want to let go either.

An attendant droid guided them to their private box. Ben had been there a few times before for concerts and plays and his mother always splurged on a private box. He was glad they had one this time just so he could give Rey the best experience.

The inner room contained plush sofas and tables lined with snacks and drinks. A door in back led to a tiny private refresher.

Rey's whole face brightened as she spied the snack table. "Is all this food for us?"

Ben realized in all the rush they'd forgotten the mid-day meal. She had to be ravenous.

"Yep," Han answered as he finished fixing himself a drink. His eyebrows flew up as Rey practically dived into the bowl of root chips.

Ben couldn't help laughing at her gusto.

"Sorry," she mumbled around a mouthful of food. It didn't stop her from tossing a few Bofa treats in her mouth.

"Actually, that reminds me. Mom, Rey comes from Jakku. The planet is in need of serious aid. Their economy is abysmal, they still have slavery and people are starving. You need to send a team there."

"No talking business," Han admonished him. He handed Leia a drink and then handed one to Rey, who gladly accepted it as she continued munching.

Poe finished making his drink, then clapped Ben on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll start an investigation on Jakku."

Rey looked back at him, a sincere smile on her face. "Thank you, Poe."

He gave her a nod and answering smile.

"Shall we take our seats? The show's going to start soon." Leia slid open the clear door on the opposite side of the room. The heavy sounds of a crowd flowed in. "I'm so excited to see my girl on stage here!" Her, Han, Luke and Poe stepped out the door and Ben could see them taking seats, leaving the two on the end for him and Rey.

Rey grabbed two giant handfuls of cracknuts then looked at the dress she wore with a frown. "No pockets," she whined.

Ben snorted. He grabbed a cup off the drink table. "I've got you covered." He held out the cup and she dumped the cracknuts inside.

"Thanks! Now I can carry my drink out too!"

He put his hand on the small of her back and guided her out the sliding door. Their box had a private group of chairs on a platform above the general crowd but with a fantastic view of the stage.

She gasped and froze as she took in the enormity of the arena before her. "So many people!" she whispered.

"This arena can hold forty thousand people, and I believe Mirabella has sold it out," Ben told her.

Rey's eyes widened. "There's more people here than live on the entire planet of Jakku."

The lights above them dimmed and the crowd below quieted.

"Here, sit." Ben pointed to the chairs.

Rey, still clutching her drink and snack, scooted into the seat next to Han.

Ben sat down next to her.

The thick, maroon curtain rose up, revealing a beautiful woman. Mirabella Solo dazzled in a form-fitting black dress splashed with twinkling crystals. A slit ran up the side of her dress, hinting at a shapely thigh underneath. Her long brown hair hung down her back with numerous tiny braids interspersed within the waves. Dark lipstick covered her luscious lips, almost making her pale skin glow. The crowd cheered as she smiled.

A band of Bith musicians behind her began playing, and a haunting melody filled the arena. It went quiet.

Mirabella sang and her lovely voice carried easily to every person listening.

As the music washed over Ben, he could practically feel the endorphins releasing from his brain. He breathed in deeply and closed his eyes. His muscles relaxed as his sister continued singing. He had known for years that Mirabella's gift with the Force actually manifested through her singing, her use of suggestion soothing and delighting people. He'd once asked her if she realized her use of the Force, but she didn't understand what he had been trying to tell her. She'd insisted he was the Force user of the family.

Rey leaned over and put down her cups on the floor by her feet. Then she entwined her finger with his.

Ben opened his eyes and met hers. As they stared into each other, their breathing, and even their heart rates, matched up with one another.

Love

Her emotion filled him and he could see his equivalent emotion of love filled her as well. Her pupils dilated as her lips parted. The bond between them thrummed. His breath caught in his throat as her hand trembled in his. He couldn't stop himself from leaning over and pressing the lightest feather kiss to her lips.

When he pulled back, he saw his mother watching him. She gave him a slight nod before sitting back in her seat with a smile on her face.

Mirabella sang song after song. Some were sweet, others haunting and one downright hard. The audience gave her standing ovations after every song, which she received with grace and poise, a huge smile on her face and sending kisses out to the crowd. Finally, she paused her singing and spoke directly to her fans.

"I have one last song to sing tonight, but I wanted to thank all of you. I'd be nothing without your love and support. Each show I do makes me want to try harder and harder for you, my wonderful fans. This show is particularly special, considering I've grown up spending my summers here on Naboo."

The crowd exploded with cheering.

Mirabella laughed. "I love this place too! And my family is here to share this show with me! Love you, Mom and Dad." She pointed up at their private box.

All heads turned towards them.

His father, in typical Han fashion, stood up and took a bow. His mother just waved. Luke turned his body in his chair, looking away with a grimace on his face.

"Oh, Uncle Luke, don't be nervous. I'm just glad you've finally made it to one of my concerts."

Luke relented, turning back forward and raised his hand to crowd. A slow smile spread on his face as he looked down at his niece.

Affectionate clapping resounded.

"Hello, Poe."

He waved and winked at her.

She giggled. Then she tilted her head. "I'm not sure who the woman is holding my brother's hand up there, but if you make my brother happy, then I already like you!"

The crowd awwed.

Rey made a squeaking noise as her face changed to bright red and she tried to melt into her seat.

Ben chuckled, shaking his head at his sister.

She stuck her tongue out at him, eliciting a laugh from the crowd. Then she started her last song.

Sailing among the stars,

off into the black unknown,

finding yourself alone.

Encountering others,

who then become part of you,

the little parts making a whole being.

Inside the burning sun,

it melts your fears away.

You open yourself,

and find happiness.

The crowd went wild, forty thousand people on their feet, screaming her name over and over.

She bowed, threw out kisses and walked off stage.