I'm so sorry I'm late guys. Life has kept me busy over the last couple of days. Anyway thank you to everyone welcoming me back. Let's get into Rey's shananigans.

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of the amazing characters.

Please read and let me know what you think.

Chapter 5:

Rey

After being back at the base for almost three weeks working non-stop with training, repairing ships, speeders and X-wings and dealing with Kylo's quiet rage at what happened back on Ilum Rey was worn out. She needed some kind of break. All of the training she'd been doing would be no good if she was too mentally and physically exhausted to actually fight.

It was Kylo's suggestion that she take a day to spend with her friends. After lots of thought she decided that she wanted to go for a picnic. So, she went to find her friends.

She found Finn and Rose down in the basement of the base fixing some kind of pipe or another. Rose had been training Finn to work with her as a maintenance worker ever since they'd gotten to Olara simply because it was too much work for one person and almost everyone else had better things to do than to make sure the base had power, heat, air, running water and a working septic tank.

"Hey guys, what's up," Rey asked startling the couple.

"Hi Rey," Rose said as she continued her welding.

"Hey Rey, what are you doing down here," Finn asked looking over at her.

"Nothing much, I'm taking a break from everything today and was wondering if you guys would like to join me for a picnic out in the jungle," she asked.

Finn and Rose exchanged a glance and then shrugged.

"Sure. We should be finished with this soon," Rose said.

"Perfect. Meet me at the rear entrance to the base in a half an hour," Rey said and skipped off to look for Poe and Kaydel.

Kaydel was right where Rey thought she would be, at Leia's side. Rey knocked on the door to Leia's office and Kaydel opened the door. Rey shot her a bright smile.

"Just the person I was looking for," Rey said.

"Me," Kaydel asked.

"Yes you," Rey answered. "Hey Leia can I barrow Kaydel for a few hours," Rey asked.

Leia barely looked up from the paperwork she'd been reading over as she nodded and waved them both away.

Rey laughed.

"Meet me at the rear entrance to the base in like 30 minutes," Rey said as she ran off to find Poe and BB-8.

She knew they would be the easiest to find because there was only one place Poe Dameron would be at this time of day; the hanger. Rey found him and BB-8 working on his newest X-Wing, though the term new was used loosely. Poe and BB-8 had been rebuilding the X-Wing since before Kylo had taken Rey to the Vengeance so it had been literal months of hard work to get the thing to the state it was in now.

Rey stood there and watched the two of them work for a few minutes. Finally after a lot of cussing Poe rolled from under the X-Wing with BB-8 at his side.

"Screw it, BB-8. I'm done with this thing. It's like it doesn't want to fixed," Poe practically yelled drawing the attention of every mechanic in the hanger.

BB-8 tried to console his angry organic but in mid-sentence noticed Rey standing there. The little astromech rolled over to Rey and began on a trill that was almost too fast for even Rey to catch. She caught something about the X-wing not wanting Poe to be its new pilot and the thing setting off different sensors so that Poe would have to keep working on it instead of taking it out to fly.

Poe came over wiping engine oil off of his hands onto a towel that was probably dirtier than his hands were.

"Hey Rey, I thought you were off today," Poe said.

"I am. I was actually coming to see if you and BB-8 would want to join Finn, Rose, Kaydel and I for a picnic," Rey said with a smile.

Poe seemed to think about it for a moment but BB-8 agreed right away.

Poe finally nodded his head and said, "Sure. I need to take a break before I grab a lightsaber and start hacking that stupid ship to pieces."

"It would probably be best for everyone if you didn't do that," Rey said. "Come on. I need help gathering the things I wanted to take for lunch," she said and together the three of them headed for the kitchens.

They were able to find a basket big enough to fit 10 sandwiches, loads of fruit, 5 bottles of water and a can oil for BB-8. Poe carried the basket to where Rey had asked the others to meet her. When they got there Finn, Rose, and Kaydel were all waiting for them.

"Good to see you man. It seems like you're always down in the tunnels now days," Poe said.

"Yeah, this base is huge and there are still parts that don't have power or running water. Rose and I have had our work cut out for us," Finn said shaking Poe's hand.

"I talked to Leia about putting together a training program so you guys can start teaching people to help you," Kaydel said as Rey began leading the group down a long winding path.

"That would be great Connix," Rose said with a bright smile.

"Looks like you're gonna have to start recruiting more people just to run this place," Rey said to Poe.

"Yeah. I actually was planning to go out again soon. It's gotten harder to recruit with Zoroyais and Hux setting up anti-resistance task forces on every planet we've ever recruited from. He's producing clones by the second it seems," Poe replied shaking his head.

"We know the First Order has control of Kamino, it would make sense that Zoroyais would put that to use," Finn said.

"No," Rey said softly as they crossed through the barrier around the base. "Zoroyais had clones before he ever took over the First Order. Whatever his source is, he's had it long enough to amass an army already," Rey said.

She could sense her friends' unease at being outside of the barrier so she decided to change the subject.

"On a brighter note the rebels that have taken up training with lightsabers are doing really well. We may even have enough people to start doing real patrols or at the very least being able to send guards with you on your recruitment missions that can actually fight the people Zoroyais sends after us," Rey said with a bright smile.

"Hell, soon I'll be able to use a lightsaber well enough to defend myself," Poe said with pride.

"Yeah because Eshreal is giving you private lessons," Kaydel said with a teasing smile.

That was news to Rey but before she could ask they came upon her picnic spot. She spread out the blanket. Then Rose and Kaydel moved to unpack the basket. While they all got settled Rey cast out her senses to make sure that they were alone on the hill top. After a while she plopped down on the blanket between Poe and Kaydel. The suns were shining and there was a nice breeze that kept the heat and humidity at bay making this the perfect day for a picnic.

Rey would have invited Kylo but he was insisting on wandering the jungle though he did promise her that he wasn't doing anything that could reopen his wounds. He also reminded her that she needed to spend some time with her friends instead of just him and the Knights of Rey. It really irked Rey that Kylo had to tell her to spend some time with her friends because he felt like she was neglecting them.

It made her wonder if some of their personality traits had leaked over with the merging of their souls.

"Rey, can you even hear me," Finn asked breaking Rey out of her thoughts.

"Nope, not even a little bit," she said with a big grin.

"Lost in thought or talking to your beau? Both make you look like you're in la la land," Kaydel asked.

"Lost in thought about my beau," she admitted. "I wonder if some of our personality traits may have bled over."

"Are you worried that you are becoming more like Ren," Finn asked and Rey nodded.

Poe, Finn and Rose all busted out laughing. Kaydel and Rey shared a confused glance.

"What's so funny," Rey asked.

"You thinking that you're taking on Ren's personality traits," Poe said and continued to laugh.

"There are many unknown effects of the Force Bond. Rey has every right to consider that possibility," Kaydel explained and they all looked at her. She shrugged and said, "Leia has all of us looking into everything we can find on Force Bonds and there isn't much. Rey and Kylo may be the first Jedi, excuse me, Force Users to have formed a bond in a very long time And being romantic soulmates makes their connection a lot more powerful than the average apprentice-master Force Bonds of old."

Rey was really impressed with Kaydel's knowledge of the Force Bond. She and Kylo hadn't been able to find much on the subject involving two people who were romantically involved but Kylo had been aware of at least two other Force Bonds that had been formed. The first had been Count Dooku and Yoda and the second had been Darth Maul and Ezra Bridger. Both had happened long before either Kylo Ren or Rey were born.

"Yes, because we are so closely linked we've had unintended side effects like invading each other's dreams and taking in each other's light and darkness. It's not too far of a stretch to think that our personalities are blending together," Rey surmised as she took the first sandwich off of the pile. She took a bite and then said, "Kylo shouldn't be the one reminding me to spend time with my friends and yet it happened."

"Wait, Ren told you that you weren't spending enough time with me and Poe? Yeah something is definitely off about that," Finn said and began laughing.

Poe joined in.

"Or maybe Ren knows that Rey isn't the least bit interested in you normal humans when she could have him," Kaydel said and shot the guys a look that made them both stop laughing.

Rey blushed as Kaydel made eyebrows at her.

"It's not like that. I love Kylo Ren and he knows that I need to be around people but ever since he's woken up he seems more like Ben Solo than ever," Rey said softly.

She hadn't mentioned this to anyone yet. Not even Kylo. She'd kept the information in the little black box in the back of her mind that kept all of her secret fears and hopes from leaking over into her other half's subconscious. When she was sure that he could handle it, she would tell him.

After everything they'd been through starting from the moment they actually admitted their feelings for each other back on the Vengeance to having to flee when Hux decided to side with Zoroyais, then the defectors of the First Order having to acclimate to life among the Resistance, all the way up to Kylo almost losing his life on Ilum, they hadn't seem to be able to catch a break for longer than a couple of weeks at max. If that was all the time they were going to have to recuperate Rey would rather Kylo do it without having a bunch of things weighing on his mind.

"Are you saying that Kylo Ren is transitioning back to Ben Solo," Finn asked suddenly serious.

"I don't know if its that actually. It's more like he's finally finding the balance between his light and his dark side," she said and smiled.

"Look at her, she totally smitten with the guy," Kaydel said.

"Yeah she is," Rose agreed and Rey detected notably less hostility in it than normal.

Finn had confided in Rey that Rose was feeling less animosity toward Kylo now that he had been willing to die for Rey and the others. Whatever the reason, Rey hoped that soon Kylo would feel comfortable enough around her friends to hang out with them.

"Don't act like the two of you aren't just as bad and you don't have all of that mysticism on your side," Poe said and a grin as he elbowed his best friend in the ribs.

Both Rose and Finn blushed as they glanced at each other. Rey and Kaydel laughed. Those two gave a lot of people hope for love. Rey found herself inspired by them.

Should we be more like them, sweetheart? All blushes and secret whispered jokes, Kylo's deep voice filled her head and made her shiver.

No, we are perfect the way we are. Besides our secret jokes and whispers are better than theirs, she said back and was rewarded with a deep chuckle from him.

Glad you feel that way. I was just checking on you. I'll leave you alone with your friends. I love you, Rey, Kylo said and was gone before she could respond.

"What's it like always being inside each other's head," Rose asked suddenly.

Finn looked from Rose to Rey and then back. Rey smiled as she thought about all of the times they'd accidently invaded each other's minds. She went on to explain how they had to wort at not invading parts of each other's minds, dreams and realities accidently. It turned out that her friends were secretly fascinated with the Force Bond, not necessarily the connection to Kylo but the connection itself.

It was fun talking to them like this. They laughed and talked for hours just enjoying the peacefulness of the day. Gods knew the life of a rebel was generally a crazy one.

"Hey Rey, can I talk to you for moment," Poe asked after a while.

"Sure," Rey said standing and following Poe down the hill.

They walked to the edge of a small pond and just stood there for a moment. Rey looked at her friend and could tell that he was thinking rather hard. BB-8 came rolling down the hill and almost splashed into the water but Rey used to Force to bring the little droid to a full halt.

"I think I can handle this on my own," Poe said to the little droid.

BB-8 protested and Rey just shook her head.

She laughed as she asked, "What in the world is going on Poe?"

"Rey I just wanted to apologize," Poe began.

"For what," she asked.

"Oh, come on now Rey, don't pretend like I've been a good friend over the last few weeks. I was an asshole to you and Ren. I can see that he's been nothing but good to and for you. I was just to selfish to see it before. I wanted you without even thinking about how you felt about me. Ren was right for kicking my ass and probably should have done it a few times more," Poe said and Rey shook her head. "I'm glad you two are happy together. Can you ever forgive me," Poe asked.

Rey smiled at him.

"I forgive you, Poe. Emotions get the better of everyone every now and then," Rey said. "So, what's going on with you and Essie," Rey asked with a smile.

Poe blushed.

"It's nothing really. I mean it didn't start off as anything. I've been teaching her to shoot and she's been giving me extra help with the whole light saber thing. I'm not a fan of the red blade either by the way," Poe said. "But she's funny and kind and beautiful, if a little on the off side," he went on to say.

"You try being alone with only a droid to keep you company for 11 years," Rey said with a shrug and BB-8 let out an indignant beep. "No offense intended BB-8," Rey said quickly.

"Yeah buddy, calm down," Poe said with a laugh. "So things are good between us," Poe asked.

"Yeah they are but I would suggest you having a similar conversation with Kylo when you're up to it," Rey said.

Poe seemed to think about it for a moment and then he nodded.

"Okay," he said and they began to head back up the hill.

"Wait. How does Kaydel feel about you hooking up with Essie," Rey asked.

Poe blushed.

"Connix and I gave it a try but it just didn't work. We're okay though. No hard feelings," Poe said with a smile.

"Oh, that's good."

Rey was happy that all of her friends seemed to be happy. Once she, BB-8 and Poe reached the top of the hill where everyone was waiting they went back to chatting and spent the rest of the afternoon just catching up on things outside of the war that was once again consuming everyone's lives. It was a great day and Rey went to bed that night thinking that things had to get better now.

Oh no Rey, keeping secrets never leads to good things. The sooner you tell Kylo the truth the easier it will be. Things are going so well for everyone. When is the other shoe going to drop, because we all know its going to happen sooner rather than later.