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—

Rey woke very early one morning, bathed, and dressed.

Just as the sun was rising, Rey walked alone to the edges of the forest where Leia's followers lived.

There, on a small, moss-covered hill, Rey sat down and pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs.

The view was relaxing, spanning several miles of lush grassland with trees dotting here and there.

It was peaceful and it would stay that way.

Rey knew, it was something she had discovered a long time ago.

No one ever came that far to the edge of the forest.

Rey had spent many reflective mornings and quiet evenings there on that mossy hill.

Rey closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath.

She focused on the chirping of the birds and the gentle humming of the insects that flew far above her head….

Letting her breath out, Rey opened her eyes.

The hill was still peaceful, but Rey could feel that she was no longer alone.

"Good morning." Rey smiled, still looking straight ahead.

"Good morning." A voice replied.

"Would you like to sit with me?" Rey asked.

The voice didn't answer, but a few seconds later, Ben sat down beside her in the moss.

"Did you follow me here?" Rey asked with a laugh.

"No," Ben replied. "I watched you come here before I woke."

A moment of silence passed between them as a gentle morning breeze blew past.

"It looks like I'm doing nothing, but I'm actually very busy right now." Rey explained, looking over at Ben.

Anyone else would have thought that Rey was being sarcastic, but Ben recognized the importance of mindfulness and meditation.

"I can see that." Ben replied. "Maybe I can join you?"

Rey smiled at Ben and closed her eyes, stretching her legs away from her chest, and crossing them, Rey laid her hands on her knees, opening her right one.

Ben took the invitation and clasped Rey's hand.

Then he closed his own eyes.

Neither of them were truly prepared.

At first it was gentle and pleasant, they were there, the two of them, experiencing the ebb and the flow of the life force that flowed through all living things…...

Then that ebb and flow morphed, spawning visions, visions of Leia and Luke, of Anakin, and Obi Wan, visions of family and Jedi, some they had loved and lost, and others that they had never met but somehow knew very well.

Ben and Rey's grips tightened on each other as the visions started to accelerate, coming faster and faster…

Ben and Rey saw the battles they had both survived, the fall of the Sith, they looked at themselves while they lay injured and clinging to life in that desolate, stony hall.

Then a new vision presented itself…..

Ben and Rey watched themselves stand somewhere warm and sunny, laughing and embracing.

Rey's lips met Ben's…..

Their arms wound around each other…

They fell down together in the tall, bronze grass…..

While they watched themselves entwine with each other, Ben's palm grew sweaty in Rey's hand and she felt her pulse start to quicken.

In the vision, while Ben and Rey laid in the grass, tangled in each other's arms, footsteps fell gently on the ground nearby.

There was a shadow of someone coming….

Someone…...

Rey released Ben's hand with a gasp and the vision ended, both of them staring blindly ahead, wide-eyed, and winded as they returned to reality after such an intense break.

Ben and Rey were both breathing hard as they turned to look at each other.

"Wha…...what do you think that was?" Rey asked once she recovered the ability to speak.

Ben has never been so excited about something yet so shy at the same time.

"I think you know what it was." Ben said, looking at the woman beside him intently.

It was the future, Rey. Ben thought silently. It was our future.

—

Ben and Rey returned to their encampment silently that morning.

Both of them were too lost in their own thoughts to speak to each other.

The attraction was undeniable between them.

The only thing that had kept them apart before was that they were on opposing sides.

Since that boundary had been eliminated, little stood in their way.

But Rey and Ben had larger problems than their relationship.

The galaxy was still trying to recover, including their own community.

Rey had done what she could to care for the wounded, but that certainly wasn't the end of the work.

Every day was filled with tasks, missions to complete to help those in need, supplies that needed to be delivered or returned…...

Ben and Rey spent a lot of time apart.

Now that Ben had fully recovered, he took on as many jobs as he could, helping to rebuild, bringing food to the needy, doing anything and everything he could to prove to the people and to himself that his allegiance to the dark side was over.

Rey did similar work, scavenging for parts to repair ships, helping to care for those unable to care for themselves, building her own following just as Leia had, through determination and kindness.

However, after several months with no real leader, it became difficult to keep order.

The individuals in Leia's community decided that it was time to put someone in charge.

Rey's dedication and Ben's hard work paid off.

Rey and Ben were chosen together as the new co-generals.

A party was thrown in their honor that lasted long into the night.

"Your mother would be very proud." Rey whispered to Ben when they got a moment between congratulatory handshakes.

Ben didn't know what to say in return.

Ben thought Rey was beautiful, exceptional, truly mesmerizing…..

He was certain if Rey's parents could see her, of course they would be filled with pride.

Rey…

Wanting to express his feelings but lacking social skills, Ben attempted to return Rey's compliment, the oing so in a way that was clumsily beautiful as he looked at her and said honestly, "You make me proud."

Rey laughed and gave Ben a look.

Ben's statement was sweet, but it was a little out of place.

Had he always been this awkward?!

—

Once Ben and Rey were selected as the new generals, preparations began.

Leia's followers hoped to scrape together the planets that had survived the war and band together with them, forging a new, free world, but one that was connected….not driven by power or greed.

A world where resources were freely available, a world that all beings could enjoy living in.

Ben had obviously been in a leadership role before, but this was entirely different than controlling the Republic…..

This time Ben would be using his leadership skills to help others, not himself.

Rey had never been in a commanding position before and while she was daunted by the task, she knew that she could rise to the challenge.

Reyhad been mere breaths away from accepting the Sith throne, after all…

Rey was strong and bold, cautious and clever, resourceful…..

Yes, Rey had the qualities necessary of a leader.

It was a good thing that the people had nominated both Rey and Ben.

Together, they balanced each other out, they complimented each other and that was important, not just for them, but now, for what remained of the galaxy.

Arrangements were made for Ben and Rey to depart from the encampment soon and begin traveling from planet to planet, seeing if anyone was interested in joining their new community.

The morning they were scheduled to begin their journey, Rey sat on that same mossy hill at the edge of the forest.

That day, Rey's eyes were open as she gazed out over the landscape absent-mindedly.

"You're not focusing." Ben said, interrupting her thoughts suddenly.

Once again, he had woken and followed her.

"I'm not trying to." Rey said with a sigh. "Not on that at least, not now. My mind is too clouded today."

Ben remained silent but he sat down at her side, quietly keeping Rey company.

"Don't be nervous." Ben said after a few minutes.

"I'm not nervous." Rey said with a shrug. "I'm just….apprehensive, that's all."

"Don't be apprehensive either." Ben said flatly.

It was a firm statement that made Rey look over at him, momentarily offended.

Ben looked back at her very seriously.

Rey cracked a smile at the look on Ben's face and then she started to laugh.

"I'm serious." Ben said, not understanding why Rey was laughing.

"I know, that's what makes it funny." Rey said with a smile once she calmed down.

The early morning breeze whistled past them just like it had on the day that they had held hands together…..

A piece of Rey's hair blew into her face and Ben lifted a hand, gently tucking the stray strand behind Rey's ear.

Rey looked into Ben's eyes and Ben looked back.

The birds chirped cheerfully in the trees…..

The leaves rustled softly as another gust of wind gently whispered through the trees….

Rey closed her eyes just before Ben's lips met hers.

Together, on that mossy hill, Ben and Rey shared their first real kiss.

This time, no one was mortally wounded, no one was celebrating a great triumph, no, this time, Ben and Rey kissed just because they were happy being together.

And they were very excited about the future they could help bring to the galaxy.

Side by side.