Chapter 3

Ben sat at his desk organizing paperwork, supreme leader jobs came with more than just ruling the galaxy; and he was sick of the paperwork. Honestly if he knew, maybe he would have left with Rey. Hours of his day were spent in meetings and listening to how they were to get fuel or weapons, as well as progress on planets that helped with the resistance. He understood more of his mom after being supreme leader for a year. It was tiring work, how had she managed to do that for so long? Thinking about his mother distracted him from his work that when the door opened and Hux walked in he didn't answer immediately. "…Supreme leader?"

"WHAT?" Ben glared at Hux and watched him flinch, all the while thinking maybe he shouldn't have yelled but he knew Hux was working with the resistance and hadn't figured out a way to get rid of him yet. Better to know your enemy and all that.

"Sir, we might have an idea of where the resistance is, there was a leak that they might be near Coruscant."

Ben arched his eyebrow, he was surprised that Hux would give him that information, what did he have to gain out of getting rid of the people he was informing to?

"I'll look into it. Give me all the information you have."

"Sir, don't you want to take troopers?" Hux was baffled by Ren's apparent lack of caring.

"No, if it's not them then at least I can stretch my legs off this damned ship." Ben rolled his shoulders and stood up.

"Yes, supreme leader." Hux walked out of the room, Ben followed behind thinking it had been a while since he was at a proper party. Hux on the other hand didn't trust Ren as far as he could throw him. He planned on sending a group of troopers to follow at a delayed pace. He was sure the resistance was still there, maybe Ren's feelings for his mother were getting in his way of being the leader they needed.

Rey walked into the party and saw her friends at the drink station. She walked over but not before catching a few eyes of people she'd seen around. Chris came over on her way and walked beside her. "How did the repairs with Rose go today?" He eyed the dress she wore. It was a light green/blue dress that came to her knees but was flowy enough at the hips that in a fight she wouldn't feel constrained. The top of the dress was spaghetti strapped and crisscrossed over her back; it hugged her upper frame. She had to forgo the binder she normally wore over her chest in order to wear this dress, so she felt very exposed even though it was modest and didn't plunge too deep. Leia had also supplied her with a pair of smaller boots that were only ankle height, something about training boots were not to be worn with a dress?

Chris, she noticed had changed into black pants and a red shirt. As she looked around, she noticed everyone in civilian clothes, and wondered when everyone had time to find such things.

"They went fine, took a little longer than planned but we managed to get it running and Poe took it for a test run. Should run fine for you guys for tomorrows supply run." Rey stated the facts and caught the eye of Finn and Poe. She waved and tried to out walk Chris.

"Well, I didn't get to teach you to dance earlier, but I would love to have a dance with you tonight." He looked at her and she didn't know what to say without being rude. "Sure, after I catch up with my friends." He looked dejected but took it in stride. "Absolutely, I've been meaning to talk to Poe today anyway!"

Rey noticed Roses dress right away, it was pink and had floral prints on it, it was more flowy than Rey's and had wider straps. She had also left her hair down and had put make up on. Finn and Poe had almost matching outfits, both with dark pant and blue shirts but Poe wore a vest.

They made their way to the group and upon arriving Poe handed Rey a small cup, "Drink up! And no isn't an option tonight!" Poe showed her by dumping the liquid in his mouth and swallowing it all at once. Rey copied, but ended up coughing a little. "What was that?! It was awful." They all laughed together at the awful drink. Finn passed Rey a cup of whiskey, "This is much better tasting." Rey took a sip and agreed, she took the cup from Finn and he grabbed a new one for himself. Rose and Rey stepped back to talk without them noticing. They wandered over to a snack table.

"You don't drink much, do you?" Rose looked at her as she asked. Rey shook her head no, "Then my words of wisdom my young apprentice (they both laughed) is that you must alternate drink and water. Or throw in some snacks. Poe is planning on getting everyone drunk. We have plenty of look outs tonight and the word is that the First Order is on the other side of the galaxy so we should be good to relax tonight."

Rey smiled, "So we should each bring Poe a new drink." They shared a look and stopped at another drink stand on their way back to the guys. Poe saw them coming and smiled, "About time you two started drinking to catch up!"

"No, actually these are for you!" Poe shook his head, "But you'd never back down from a challenge." Rey smiled as she passed hers to Poe. He smiled and took the drink in two gulps, missing the look Rey and Rose shared.

Leia made an announcement that dinner would be ready in a few minutes, and to enjoy the night. She shook her head as she watched Poe take another shot. She knew the morning wouldn't be kind to him, yet she was interested to see that it was Rey who was passing out shots.

Leia felt a presence on the planet that felt like her son, she stepped into a doorway to concentrate away from prying eyes. Did this mean the first order was here? She gave the order for the soldiers to be extra cautious and to inform her of any trouble. They were always ready to go at a moments notice, but they had been here so long that it almost felt like home. Home, if Rey could convince her son to come home… it wasn't Rey's job Leia knew, but he felt a connection to her. Ignoring the feeling for now she stepped into the lunch room to dinner.

Finn and Poe were laughing about something silly when Rose sat down. "What trouble did you to get into?" They shared a look and smiled at her. "Nothing, Rose don't worry about it. We just have a little bet going, that Rey will be dancing all night since she can't say no." Rose raised an eyebrow, "She is just being nice, she doesn't want to hurt anybody's feelings here."

At that moment Jack took a seat next to Rose, she blushed but said hello. "Hey there Rose, I was wondering if after dinner you'd like to dance with me?"

"Sure!" She blushed and moved back to eating her dinner.

Rey sat down across from Finn and was smiling at Rose; Rey's shadow wasn't too far behind as Chris sat next to Rey. Probably too close seeing as their elbows were touching as they ate. Rey scooted just a little closer to Poe. Poe snickered, but looked at Rey, "Rey, I know I'm attractive, but I have someone already, there's no need to cuddle up to me." Rey flushed and looked shocked.

"You are such a difficult man! You have no idea what you're talking about. Just like when you took the falcon and lightspeed jumped, knowing- "

"Hey! It worked didn't it! And you're the difficult one always training and not joining-." They started squabbling like children, and Finn had to get in the middle. "Guys! Hey, don't argue … Rey, you already fixed that! And Poe, … You know she's busy training and helping Leia."

After a few more minutes they quieted down. "So, who are you seeing Poe?" Rose asked looking around the room for someone she thought would catch his eye. He smiled and laid his hand on the table and Finn took it. Rose, Rey, Chris and Jack all dropped their jaws. "Really?! That's great!" Rey threw her arms around Poe and then got up and hugged Finn. Everyone said congrats and that they made a cute couple.

"Thank you, it's really new, and I was worried because it isn't accepted in the first order…"

Rey rolled her eyes, "Finn, it doesn't matter what they think, they are the first order." They laughed and Chris got up throwing all the trays away. Coming back, he offered Rey his hand. "Can I get that dance now." She nodded, though there was a feeling at the back of her neck telling her she was being watched, she sensed something but couldn't identify what it was.

She stepped out on the dance floor, thankful to see Finn and Poe there as well. Rose and Jack were following behind. In the middle of the dance floor Leia and one of her generals were starting the waltz. It was a good thing she supposed the Ben had taught her to dance. But now, being in Chris's arms was not nearly as pleasant. She was concerned with being too close, and as nice as he was; he didn't lead her like Ben did. She felt the need to lead him, maybe Ben was a better teacher than she gave him credit for. She smiled when he bumped into her and let him lead her right into Finn's back. They all laughed and Finn side stepped away as he turned Poe to bump into Chris. As the song ended Rey couldn't wait to get off the dance floor. They had strung up lights and had a bonfire going. It was a very relaxing atmosphere and she was glad that she had come, but she didn't want to be there with Chris exactly. Chris followed her off the dance floor to get something to drink, as his hand touched her lower back she twisted out of his grasp. "Sorry, I just- ""No, no that's ok, I didn't think. You must be used to fighting so much that a man's touch scared you." "What? No, I just wasn't expecting- "

"It's ok Rey… "He started to lean in and Rey stood like dear in the head lights, as he got closer, she ducked out of the way and he fell into the table. "I'm sorry Chris, but I don't want to kiss you."

He looked shocked, "Really?"

"Really, and I think Poe and Finn played a mean prank on both of us. I'm not looking for anyone." Rey looked sorry at Chris but then followed the line of site over to Poe and Finn still dancing. "They mean well, but- "

Chris shook his head, "It's ok Rey, I understand, there's someone else."

"What? No, there's really not." Rey shook her head and crossed her arms.

He smiled, "I can accept defeat, but only if I meet him. Who is the lucky man?"

"There is no man, I don't need someone to take care of me. I can take care of myself." Rey was getting mad. "Even if there was someone, and there is not. It is none of your business." She glared at him and he looked at her like she was crazy. "Rey, you need someone, I could be that someone if you'd like me to be."

She laughed, "I've been alone my whole life, I don't need someone to take care of me then or now." She felt a presence behind her and thought it was Poe and Finn at first.

"And here I thought we had some special bond." The deep voice behind her shocked her to the core. She didn't feel the bond open. She tried to ignore him but even Chris looked behind her. "Who is he?"

"Shit- "Rey turned around, "What are you doing?" She noticed the civilian clothes right away, the dark pants, boots and then the deep grey shirt with a vest over top. It looked like he even changed his hair for this look. He looked like Han, though she wouldn't be the one to tell him that. "Ben are you here?" She looked around and noticed people staring, but not jumping for their weapons. Which meant, no one besides her and Leia knew what Ben actually looked like.

"I thought I would come see how my dance lessons helped, but it looked pretty poor from where I stood." Rey glared, "Why are you here?"

"I don't think she wants your company." Chris put his hand on her shoulder and moved to push her aside. Ben waved his hand at his side and Chris removed his hand and walked away, looking dazed as he did so.

"Ben! What did you do?" Rey moved to go check on him when Ben caught her hand, "May I have this dance?... "After a few second hesitation where Rey was still looking back at Chris he added, "He'll be ok, I just let him know not to touch you or I would kill him." He looked smug.

"You can't bully everyone." Rey glared up at him. At that moment Rose walked over with Jack. "Hey Rey, who's this?"

Rey smiled at Rose and said "Rose, this is BEN, Ben this is Rose." Rose looked at Rey and then at Ben, then back at Rey. "Ben-Ben?" Rey nodded her head, her hand still in his grasp. Rose looked at him in fear for a moment before she noticed their joined hands. She softened her gaze, then to Ben she said, "Have you talked to your mom since you arrived?"

He looked annoyed, "I see you've been talking about me; I should be flattered." He mumbled so only Rey could hear, "I was planning on avoiding her tonight if I could."

Rose smiled, "You two should go dance!" She pushed Rey toward Ben.

They walked to the dance floor with more eyes on them then both would have liked. "Are you here to inform me that you want me to join you?"

"No"
"Then why did you come? Couldn't just check in through the bond?" She looked up at him as he took the stance for a waltz. "Hux found out where you were, I convinced him that I should come alone to see if anyone was on the planet, but I do see my dance lessons paid off."

"Lesson, we only danced once." She could tell the difference between his and Chris' confidence at once. Maybe it was the bond, maybe not, but she felt more comfortable here. He started leading her around the floor.

"Twice." She stared up at him, "We are dancing now." They danced in silence for a while, until someone tapped Rey on the shoulder. Turning her head, she saw Leia, "May I cut in?"

Rey smiled so big, "Yes! Ben be nice to your mom."
"Believe me, I'm more scared of her than she is of me." He mumbled. Looking to his mother with a grim expression.

Thank you to everyone for reading. I hope you enjoy!