- Rey. Rey heard a voice. Someone was calling her name. Rey blinked and looked around, uncertain of where she was. What had happened? She was still in the Sith temple, but she was not there physically. Rey couldn't feel... anything. Not the wind that echoed through the cave, not the cold of the darkness, and not the pain of the wounds her body had sustained. Rey lifted her hands to eye level and examined her skin. Where once there had been wounds, her skin was now unblemished and glowed with a slight blue hue. Rey lifted a hand to her head. No longer did she long for rest, for she was not tired. She felt no more pain or exhaustion, but rather, she felt renewed. She felt... peace. It was odd. She couldn't quite describe it, but there was some type of... beauty in it.

With a frail breath, Rey looked down at her broken body and gasped. She pressed her fingertips to her mouth and a sob escaped her lips. The relief began to fade and Rey felt overwhelming sorrow. Sorrow because she had not lived a full life. Sorrow because she would not live to rejoice in this victory with her friends. And sorrow because she never got the opportunity to have a family of her own with the man she loved. Ben. He was alive. That was all that mattered now. Rey sighed. She may not have lived a full life, but she had lived a happy one, for what little time she had in the end. Rey had friends and family who loved her. Her parents had loved her. Rey once again looked down at her physical form, now glad to be free of the pain. To be free of the burden that had once laid on her shoulders. The emperor was dead, the Sith were gone, and Rey could now rest in peace.

Rey. The voice called again. Rey turned away from her body and looked up. She saw a man, surrounded by a blue haze similar to her own. He smiled gently and held out a hand to her. "It's time to come home, Rey." He said gently. Rey's eyes widened and she gasped, lifting a hand to cover her mouth. Rey felt tears enter her gaze and she let out a small whimper. She stared at the man, unable to believe her eyes. Rey stepped forward slowly, reaching out and gingerly brushed her fingers against his. Rey gasped. She could feel him. It wasn't like when she was alive. If she'd tried to touch Luke's ghost, her hand would pass right through him. But now, Rey could interact with a being of the Force. Rey had known that she had died, but this only confirmed it.

She looked back at her body once more and choked on a sob, letting the tears fall. Was she ready to leave her life in the land of the living behind? Could she truly say goodbye to everything she'd fought so hard to protect? Could she forget about those whom she'd come to care so dearly about and let them go? And even then, could she truly be at peace with the short life she had lived? Could she accept what little happiness she had been given in her living life and move on the the afterlife? So many questions ran through her head and Rey gasped. The intake of oxygen was not needed, she didn't truly need to breath at all, but Rey was not accustomed to a life beyond the living.

Rey let out a shallow breath and turned back to the man. "Dad?" Rey asked in a whimper. The man nodded. "Dad!" Rey cried, collapsing in his arms. "I'm here Rey. I'm here." His deep voice calmed her and Rey trembled. "Oh father, I waited so long. So long to meet you..." Rey said between sobs. Her breath was short and she choked on her whimpers. "I know, Rey. I'm so sorry." He said, stroking her hair and wrapping his arms around her back to hold her close. The joy she felt upon meeting her father sank in, and Rey buried her face in his shoulder. There was still sorrow in the embrace, for Rey could not feel his warmth or finally know the smell of her father's clothes, but the good outweighed the bad. Rey sighed, finally feeling safe in her father's embrace. She'd finally found the belonging she'd sought her entire life.

When her father finally pulled away from Rey's embrace, he placed a hand on her cheek so that he could look at her. Rey met his eye and tried to keep her voice steady. "Mother?" She asked, fearing she already knew the answer. His eyes scanned her face and Rey saw tears enter his gaze. "Oh Rey, your mother wasn't Force sensitive. She can't be here with us now." Her father said, his eyes, Rey's eyes, full of sorrow. He brushed her hair away from her face so that he could look her in the eye. "But she loved you so much Rey." Rey smiled sadly and her father let out a short breath. "You've grown so much. My beautiful, beautiful little girl." He said, pulling her close once more. Rey saw his tears fall but could not feel them as they splashed onto her shoulder. She shuddered slightly as she too let the tears fall and they streamed down her face.

Rey. Rey hugged her father tighter, believing the voice who called her name to be his. Rey? She heard his voice call her name again. But this time, it sounded weak and vulnerable. "Yes father?" Rey asked, pulling away from his arms to face him. Her father shook his head. "It is not I who calls for you, Rey." He released her and Rey slowly turned around to look back down on the mortal world. There she saw Ben. He struggled, limping over to where her physical form lay. She could feel his pain, even still in death. He was in such agony. Ben reached Rey and pulled her into his arms, cradling her lifeless body. It was lifeless because she was not with it. She was here, in the world between worlds.

Rey looked down at the man she loved. He was so heartbroken it pained her to watch as he trembled, holding her body close to his chest. She looked back at her father, who looked down on the scene sorrowfully. "He is a good man, my daughter. It is you who we may all thank for bringing him back to the light. Ben Solo returned to the light because of you, because of his love for you. He would have given you a wonderful life." Rey took in her father's words and watched as Ben lowered her into his lap. He looked down into her eyes that stared so emptily. Rey thought that he was accepting her death and that he had begun his mourning, but she continued to watch, dumbstruck, as he laid a hand on her stomach and closed his eyes.

Hurriedly, Rey turned back to her father and gasped. She felt a change begin to blossom within her. She began to feel it again. Warmth. Rey lifted a hand to her stomach where she felt the warmth began then felt it rise to her chest. She looked to her father desperately and he watched, amazed. He let out a long breath and took Rey's hands in his, smiling brightly. "He's made his decision." Rey blinked. "What decision? What's happening?" Her father looked over at Ben then back to his daughter and happiness entered his eyes. "He's bringing you back, Rey. He's giving you another chance to live." Rey looked down and let out a hollow breath. She looked back at Ben. She loved him so deeply. But as she turned to her father, Rey felt the want... no, the need to stay with him longer. "But father, can't I stay here with you?"

With a sad glance, Rey's father shook his head. "No my child. You must not pass up the opportunity for the chance of a new life. Ben Solo is making a great sacrifice, do not let that sacrifice be in vain. Return to him. One day, you will come to learn that there are other reasons you must live, but for now, you must save Ben Solo one last time. Do not let him fall into darkness." Rey's eyes widened and her father raised a hand. "Not the darkness within him, he would not fall to the dark side again, but the darkness of pain and grief. Ben will fall into the depression of loss. He is broken and weak. He does not have the strength to carry on and will not survive your death. You must return to him." Rey's father sighed. "I love you. So much Rey. You will always be my little girl. But it is not yet time for you to join me here. Soon, you will know why. But it is here that we must say our goodbyes... until we meet again."

Rey stepped forward and hugged her father one last time. He smiled and took her face in his hands, wiping a tear away with his thumb. "Your mother and I couldn't be prouder sweetheart. We love you so very much. Don't you ever forget that." Rey smiled and nodded then released her father and turned back to her body. She felt warmth spread across her mental form and a pull for her to return to her physical form. Ben's eyes remained closed and he continued to focus on bringing her back. It was working. Rey could feel the energy entering her, pulling her back to her body. He was transferring all of his energy into her. Soon, her Force being would reunite with her physical form.

The pull was so very strong now. Rey reached out to take her father's hand, but her fingers passed right through her his. She was returning to her physical form, which meant she could no longer interact with beings of the Force. Rey felt her heart begin to beat again and her blood pumped with a rush of adrenaline, flowing through her veins. The pain began to return to the parts of her body that had been wounded and she felt the exhaustion return. Rey gasped, suddenly feeling the need for oxygen. She took a deep breath, taking in as much air as she could. She looked back to her father once more. "I love you." Rey said her final goodbye to her father. Rey sighed then closed her eyes and entered her body.

As soon as Rey was able to move, she lifted her hand and laid it over Ben's. Rey took a deep breath, now fully in her physical form and blinked. Ben opened his eyes then looked down at her and Rey saw tears glaze over his vision. Rey knew what he was thinking, for she was thinking the very same thing. She'd finally taken his hand. With a deep breath, Rey sat up straighter, taking in every inch of his face. His expression was so sorrowful and yet, now, so full of relief and beautifully joyous. Rey smiled, feeling overwhelming joy upon finally having a moment of happiness with the man she loved. This was the moment she'd been waiting for. "Ben." Rey whispered, not breaking her smile. Her voice was weak and soft, but she had poured her heart into that one word.

Rey smiled and let out a breathy laugh, causing it to sound more like a whisper. Then her face became serious and she reached up and gently caressed Ben's cheek. He was so warm. Rey trembled slightly. Ben's arms still cradled her with what little strength he had left. One hand found the small of her back, and the other was pressed against the nape of her neck. Rey bit her lower lip and let out a gentle breath. She didn't much know what to say. Words could not describe the emotions she felt. Rey couldn't begin to explain the depth of her gratitude, compassion, and affection for him. Ben would not believe her if she tried, for words could not describe her love for him.

Unable to wait moment longer, Rey closed her eyes then leaned in and brought her mouth to his. As soon as their lips met sparks began to fly. Rey felt a warmth spread across her entire body. She'd waited so long for this moment. The moment she could finally show Ben that she truly did love him. Rey hadn't been able to find it in herself to tell him when he had been Kylo Ren. It was true that she'd always loved him, but it was a part of him he'd kept locked away. Rey hadn't been able to tell him she loved him because he had been someone else then. But this... This was the man she loved. She loved Ben Solo, and now Rey could finally give him the love she'd carried for him for so long.

Ben gently pulled her closer, with one hand on the back of her head and the other around her waist. Rey kissed him hungrily and Ben returned it desperately. They'd both longed to be in each other's arms for so long and now that they could finally have each other, the kiss soon became heated and passionate. But as all good things did, the kiss soon came to an end and Ben pulled away. Rey met Ben's eyes and saw peace enter his gaze as he took a deep breath for air. Ben let out a low laugh and grinned. Rey couldn't help but smile back. She had never seen him smile before, let alone a smile of true, pure happiness. Ben looked at Rey as if she was his everything, she no longer nothing. She was his, and he was hers. The kiss they had shared had proved that much. It had been pure bliss and Rey knew that Ben had felt it too.

But just as soon as Rey and Ben had experienced their moment of heaven, it was taken away from them. Ben's lips twitched and his smile disappeared as his face fell. Rey gasped. Concern and fear entered her gaze as she felt him waver. His consciousness faded and Ben became too weak to sit up. Rey gasped as his eyes closed and Ben collapsed in her arms. She quickly leaned forward and caught his head so that he would not hit the ground. Rey lowered him gently to the ground and laid his head down. She felt tears enter her eyes as she looked down at Ben.

Rey clutched his hand, holding it tightly as if it were his lifeline. She looked down at Ben, her eyes scanning him for any sign of life. He wasn't breathing, and his skin had become very cold. Rey laid her hand, still wrapped around his, against Ben's chest. His heart was still beating. Faintly, but still beating. Rey let out a breath of relief. Perhaps she could revive him? Transfer some of her energy, as he had for her. But as soon as the idea came, it fleeted without a trace. Rey felt Ben slip away from her grasp. His heart stopped and his body began to fade. Rey gasped. No! No, no, no! Rey watched in sorrow and dread as Ben's body disappeared. She held his hand as long as she could until his fingers slipped through hers.

Taking deep and long breaths, Rey closed her eyes and reached out. Ben. Ben. Please. Be with me. Be with me. Come back to me. Come back to me. Rey cried out to him through her mind, praying that their bond was still in tact. Please Ben. Don't leave me. Rey's breath was short and thin now. Could she reach him even in death through their bond? Rey swallowed, reaching out and searching for his presence. She had to connect with him. She had to create a Force connection as they had before. Rey squeezed her eyes shut and whispered as her energy drained. Rey opened her eyes and let out a cry, realizing that there was no use. Their bond had been broken and their dyad was no more.

Tears streamed down her cheeks and Rey let out a strangled sob when she realized he was gone forever. His body had disappeared and there was no way she could bring him back. Rey felt an overwhelming emptiness upon his absense from her. Both physically and mentally. She hadn't realized how tremendously his presence had affected her until it wasn't there. Now she only felt hollow, as if she'd lost a part of herself. Their bond, their dyad was gone and Rey had lost her second half. Ben had been a part of her from the moment they'd met. No matter how much she'd denied it in the beginning and towards the end, Ben had always been a part of her.

Rey gently reached out and picked up the sweater Ben had worn and held it close to her chest. How could life be so cruel? To take away his happiness when he had only just found freedom? Rey had felt his peace of mind, it had been so beautiful and serene. She'd never felt him so happy, not even close. The conflict had been resolved and replaced with belonging. Ben had finally discovered who he was and found himself amungst all the confusion. And he'd become the man that she'd always known he was. Rey let out a whimper and buried her nose in Ben's shirt. After a lifetime of being manipulated, conflicted, and abused how could Ben turn to the light side only for his life to be taken away? It wasn't fair.

After years of waiting, they had finally been able to be in one another's arms. In each other's arms, Ben had found peace and Rey had found belonging. Because of each other, they'd finally found what they were looking for. But after all they'd been through, after all that they'd faced... against their enemies, against each other, and against themselves, fate had decided they didn't deserve their happily ever after. She didn't deserve Ben and he didn't deserve to live. Rey's breathing was thin now. She felt weak and sick, unable to carry on. Rey laid down on the cold hard ground and stared into space, cradling Ben's shirt close to her chest. Her only consolation was that Ben had been at peace when he died and that he was now one with the Force. When his physical form had disappeared it was a sign that he had joined his family as a being of the Force.

Rey sighed, unable to breath properly anymore. She laid on the ground, unmoving and unwilling to carry on. Part of her wished for death to take her. Part of her prayed that death would take her so that she could join the people she loved. Ben, Han, Leia, Luke... But then she heard her father's voice clearly in her head. "Ben Solo is making a great sacrifice, do not let his sacrifice be in vain." Rey took a shallow breath. "I love you Rey, so much." But that was not the voice of her father. That was a deep voice, as soft and beautiful as velvet. Could she believe her ears or was death truly taking her? "Do not let my sacrifice be in vain. You cannot die now. You must live Rey."

Deep pools of tears formed, blurring her vision. Rey took a deep breath and lifted her fist to the ground. She grunted, struggling to lift her own weight. She wouldn't let his death be in vain. Rey was now taking in deep, regular intakes of breath. Her vision clouded with tears and and she closed her eyes. Ben had died to save her. Rey's parents had died to save her, just as Leia had died to save Ben. She would not let their sacrifices be in vain. Rey grunted and pushed herself up slightly. As she did, the planet began to fall to pieces around her. Rey let out a groan, gathering the strength that Ben had given her. She didn't know if she could make it out alive.

"Rey!" A voice called and Rey looked up. She saw the Millennium Falcon fly above her head, landing on Exegol not far from her. "Rey!" The voice called again and Rey saw Finn through teary eyes. "Here!" She yelled but it only came out as a whisper. Her voice was too weak. She saw Finn and Lando searching the area but they went in the wrong direction. "Wait!" Rey croaked. "Come back! Come back! Please! I'm here!" Surely they could see her. Surely they would find her. Rey collapsed to the ground in exhaustion, unable to walk or run to her friends. Her eyes slowly slipped closed and she let out a shallow breath.

With what little consciousness she had left, Rey prayed that she hadn't breathed her last breath. But then she felt a pair of strong, furry arms wrap under her and lift her from the ground. Rey's eyes snapped open and she saw Chewbacca. Then, realizing she didn't have Ben's clothes she cried out. "Wait!" She reached towards the ground and Chewy slowly lowered her so that she could reach them and pull them into her chest. She shuddered and Chewy let out a small whimper. "Thank you Chewy." She said, closing her eyes. Rey let out a ragged breath and looked up to the stars through half closed eyes. The battle was won.

Author's Note:

So I decided to add Rey's father because I felt an immense need for her to come to peace with her family. Her parents died for her and there wasn't much conclusion after that. After the whole entirety of the first two movies where Rey felt the need to return to Jakku and wait for her family. Also, after Ben's death I kinda took the Padmè route for Rey with her depression and sadness because I feel like in the movie she did not show enough emotion upon his death. I also included a bit of the Titanic with the part where Rey decides to live and call to her friends to honor Ben and his sacrifice as Rose did for Jack. So I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I know you all were probably hoping for Ben to live in this chapter but I have not ruled out bringing him back so please keep reading! And please be sure to leave feedback and let me know what you think!