Chapter Five

They had woken him early, but Ben couldn't say he was disappointed. Although exhaustion had caught up to him, Ben's sleep hadn't been pleasant in years. Wakefulness was all too welcome, even if he felt as though he was flying toward his destruction, and with it, something much worse. But Rey…he had to crush his excitement at seeing her. It was the only way to fend off the ultimate feelings of disappointment and betrayal. He had suppressed his urges well while detained—he owed it to his mother at least not to break her promise that he was an ally to the Resistance—but his fingers itched to order his TIE fighter back to Exegol. He felt as though his hands might run away from his arms, scoop up Rey, and carry her back to the rest of his cowardly being. Perhaps it was fortunate that he didn't have any say in the matter.

Ben's ankle, still bandaged, was feeling remarkably better and, ignoring the twinges of pain, he strode after Finn, cloak flowing behind him. Someone handed Leia's lightsaber back to him and another thrust a wrapped meal into his hands. Finn was getting similar treatment. The two boarded the Millennium Falcon where Chewbacca was already making pre-flight adjustments. Chewie glanced over his shoulder as they approached, looking Ben up and down but saying nothing. Ben couldn't help but notice that Chewie sat in the pilot's seat now. Best to give him space. Ben found a seat in the communal area and unwrapped his meal.

Kylo Ren had never been much of one for breakfast—or lunch either, for that matter—but the scents wafting from the food reminded Ben that he had hardly eaten in the past several days. Here was some sort of soft bread loaf, still hot from the ovens. Steam rose from the wound in its light crust as he took a bite. Along with the bread was a green jungle fruit. Long dormant memories told him it would be crisp and sweet. Ben savored the feel of the bread in his mouth. He had nearly forgotten the simple joy of eating. He was used to going long periods of time without food—he was one of those men who rarely noticed the effects of hunger until long after they began to plague him. And Kylo Ren had rarely found time in his schedule for the indulgence of a meal.

Ben marched to the front of the ship and ducked inside the cockpit, glad they hadn't taken off yet.

"We need more of this," he said, gesturing with the bread that was still in his hand.

"You…really like the bread," Finn observed.

Ben threw his head back in exasperation, casting his eyes to the ceiling. "Not for me! Rey is alone on Exegol and I don't think Palpatine stocked the pantry for her. Even Sith need to eat."

"That's a fair point." Finn got up and returned momentarily with a satchel full of food. "Alright, Chewie, are we ready?"

The Wookiee growled softly and the ship took off.

After he finished his breakfast, Ben had spent most of the flight pacing. It was simultaneously the longest and shortest trip he could remember. Now the Falcon had landed on Exegol and Ben was walking down a long stone hallway in a tight group with Finn and Chewie. They had found the doorway in the caverns, close to the throne room. Inside seemed to be some sort of living space. The hallway was lit but the passage was long and complex. The three had figured this was where they would be most likely to find Rey.

Ben fiddled with the strap suspending the bag of food from his shoulders. It crossed his broad chest almost protectively, and he clung to the idea of it with nervous hopefulness. Even with all that he had shown Finn, the former stormtrooper didn't seem to grasp the gravity of the situation. His plan was simple: find Rey, bring her home. Of course Finn hadn't understood, Ben was beginning to realize. What Ben had shown him, told him…Finn hadn't seen Rey turn around and betray all that she had worked for. He had seen Rey defend herself against their common enemies, Emperor Palpatine and Kylo Ren. He must have believed that ultimately, this would still be the same Rey he knew. Ben just hoped that his offering of food would be enough to soften her rage.

Finn and Chewie pulled closer to Ben as the door they had entered through came into view. The main hallway must have been a loop, then. Finn's hand kept finding its way back to the blaster on his hip; he must not have been quite so confident after all. Then the Empress stepped out from the shadows, blocking the door.

"Kylo Ren, made up your mind and come to join me?" Even in a few days she had changed. Her skin seemed paler and her face was overshadowed by a draping hood attached to a black, broad-shouldered tunic.

"Rey, we've come to bring you home," Finn said.

"Rey is dead!" the Empress hissed. "Ren, what say you?"

"I'm with them." Ben nodded at Finn and Chewie.

"Pity," she said. "Looks like I'll just have to take care of these two."

"Rey?" Finn stepped forward.

The Empress drew a lightsaber from her belt. Ben didn't recognize it—it certainly wasn't Luke's. She ignited the blades, bathing herself in red light, and moved toward Finn. The man's hand shook on his blaster, still holstered, and Ben knew with chilling certainty that none of them could draw on the Empress, not knowing that somewhere inside, she was, or had been, the Rey they loved.

Chewie growled a warning, but Finn seemed frozen. Ben sensed that he wasn't the Empress's quarry, no, she wanted him alive to rule with her. She simply intended to clear out those who stood between them. If he fled back to the Falcon while she killed Finn and Chewie, she wouldn't follow him. But no, he couldn't give up Chewbacca to save his own skin. His father's best friend. As a child, Ben had called the Wookiee Uncle Chewie. And Finn. Finn had shown him more kindness than he was due. But more importantly, Ben knew that Rey would never come back from killing Finn. It would tear her apart until the Empress crushed her into nothing.

Ben stepped forward, in front of Finn, in front of Chewie. "You want them, you have to go through me."

The Empress hardly hesitated, slashing at him with her double-bladed saber. Ben hadn't quite expected this immediate and vicious of an attack, but dodged the blow and danced to the side, trying to manipulate her position farther from his companions. Ben ducked as a blade sliced the air over his head. If he could get in under it and disarm her…He spotted Finn and Chewie, still frozen, staring as the Empress fought. "Go!" Ben yelled, and the two seemed to unfreeze, moving toward the exit.

The Empress took advantage of Ben's momentary distraction and kicked at him, her foot connecting with his chest and sending him backward. And then the stone floor was digging into his back and Rey—no, the Empress, was crouched on his chest, her saber hovering over his throat. The skin of Ben's neck was uncomfortably warm. Every point of contact with her buzzed with energy. He stared up into her face and then she saw him glance behind her, where Finn was hesitating in the door, his weapon half drawn. The Empress rose fluidly, turning her weapon toward its original target. Ben tried to scramble to his feet but his ankle throbbed again, buckling under his weight. He bit his lip to keep the string of curses from escaping his mouth."Get out of here," he roared. "No more deaths on my behalf!"

Finn's feet thudded down the tunnel, and the Empress raced after him. Desperation helped Ben concentrate and he reached out with the Force, grabbing her and holding her, and ever so slowly dragging her back toward him. She spat and struggled furiously, and Ben shook with the effort of containing the Empress's power. Then in the distance he saw the silhouette of the Falcon rising, and he let her go as he slumped back to the floor.

Author's Note: The action's finally starting to pick up, I'm excited! Please let me know what you think!