He felt the tug of the Bond as Rey walked down the corridor to stand in front of a large metal door.

"I need to see the General, immediately." She told the Guard stationed in front of it. "It's urgent."

Wait, we're doing this now? Ben asked.

Now or never.

Ben gritted his teeth together and crossed his arms over his chest. He was Supreme Leader, the most powerful man in the universe and this woman thought that she could just summon him like some mongrel on a leash? He wasn't going anywhere, and he certainly was not going to speak with his mother.

Rey tugged on the Bond again with enough force that his body lerched forward and he had to take a step to keep from toppling over.

He flet her snicker through the Bond.

It's not funny. He growled.

It's a little funny. She smiled, her dimples creasing her cheeks.

The heavy door was opened for her. Are you coming?

No! His mind yelled to hers.

She sent a memory down the Bond in response, replaying the moment they'd just shared and Ben saw himself as she'd seen him, with so much love pouring out of him and his russet eyes pleading desperately.

"FINE!"

His surrender shook the Bond, and he swung her door open, ducking as he stepped into the corridor so he wouldn't hit his forehead on the door frame. He stormed to the end of the hall, pulling his glove on, ignoring shocked gasps and yells of warning from onlookers.

He waved his hand when the Guard at his mothers door stepped in front of him and the man went flying, hitting a nearby wall with a thud.

Was that really necessary? Rey asked and he tried his best to send a menacing look through the Bond, earning him a laugh for his trouble.

Rey stepped into Leia's chambers and the General looked up, concern etched into her sad, brown eyes.

"Rey?" Leia asked. "What's-" Her face lost it's color when Ben stalked into the room.

Took you long enough. Rey chided and he shot her a look that had made grown men cower to him. Rey pursed her lips to keep from smiling.

"Ben?" Leia breathed. "Is it really you?"

Ben thought for a moment. "Technically, no." He answered, honestly.

Leia's eyebrows pulled together in confusion.

The back door to Leia's chambers burst open. "Leia!" Poe yelled, running in. "Kylo Ren is-" He skidded to a stop as the three of them stared at him. "Is in this very room." He finished, deflated.

Ben sneered at him and Poe went for his blaster. Rey lifted her hand, pulling the weapon out of his grasp and tossing it, harmlessly, to the other side of the room.

"Not so tough without your gun." Ben snarled.

Poe lifted his arms in invitation "Come see how tough I am, Bennie Boy."

Ben growled and took a step forward, but Rey put a hand on his chest and held him back.

"Poe," She warned. "The General and I are in no danger."

Poe shot her a doubting look.

"Ben and I need to talk to Leia." She told him, voice low. "And it does not concern you."

Poe looked at Leia who nodded in dismisal. He swallowed, looking at Ben, then to Rey, and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Ben was seething darkness laced with rage and jealousy.

Rey moved through the Bond, soothing his raw edges with her light and reminded him why they were here.

The Baby.

He sighed. "Something has happened." He said to his mother.

"How are you here?" She asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Rey and I are Force Bonded. We're mated, it made the Bond stronger. We're able to move through it, to get to the other. You see me, you can touch me, feel me, but I'm on my ship."

Leia looked him over, and her gaze slipped to Rey. "You're mated?"

Rey felt a blush flood her cheeks. She nodded. not trusting her voice if she spoke.

"What's happened?" Leia asked, her gaze going back to her son.

Ben looked down at the ground, not knowing how to tell her, and Rey gave him a gentle nudge through the Bond.

"Rey's pregnant." He blurted. His mothers eyes grew wide and she looked to Rey.

"By me." He added, after a long, awkward moment of silence.

"Through the Force?" Leia asked. She'd heard stories of her father, being concieved by the Force by a Sith Lord who could create life.

"Um..." Ben stammered. "No, by...well, we..." He blushed, the tops of his ears turning pink.

"I see." Leia said, her chair creaking as she sat back.

"I've asked her to come live with me, and she's agreed." He blew breath out. This was exactly as difficult as he knew it was going to be.

Leia looked to Rey. "Is this true?" She asked.

The younger woman nodded. "Yes."

Leia's eyes lingered in Rey's belly as she processed what she'd been told, then flickered up to her son. "Ben." she said, and Rey had never heard her voice so soft. "Think about this."

Rey felt Ben tense through the Bond.

"A First Order ship?" Leia continued. "There's not one being on the vessel who doesn't know who Rey is or what she's capable of. And if they find out you're mated, or that the child she's carrying is yours, it'll paint an even bigger target on her back."

His fists clinched at his sides, the leather of his gloves straining. "I'll do whtever I have to do to keep her safe." He swore, the intensity radiating through the Bond.

Leia leaned forward. "Yes, you would." She agreed, after studying him for a moment. "I see it. Something in you I feared I'd never see. You love her. More than you thought possible."

Ben's voice cracked when he said "Yes."

"And any one of your enemies will exploit that to see you fall."

"They can try." Ben growled. Rey felt his anger and tried to reign it in but he shook her off.

"Do you want me to stay away from her?" He demanded. "Is that it?"

She does. His insecurities whispered. She thinks you won't protect them.

Leia looked up at him with the stone cold patience that only a mother could have. "Of course not." She said.

Ben sneered, not believing her.

"Ben." She called, locking his gaze when he looked up. "Of course not. But think." She begged. "Think of her. Of your child. "

" I am." He growled, the Darkness in him simmering to a boil.

"What are you suggesting?" Rey cut in before Ben's explosive temper could get the better of him.

Ben relaxed a bit at her side.

Leia took a breath. "My birth mother was Queen of Naboo. Her estate belongs to me, now." She showed her palms to them as she offered. "Go there. Raise your baby away from this war."

Have you been there? Rey asked.

Yes. He sent his memories to her through the Bond. The gardens, the lake, a balcony overlooking the grounds.

"I can arrange transport." Leia went on. "And ensure Rey's safe arrival on Naboo, where she can wait for you to get your affairs in order."

Away from the Resistance. He thought.

Away from the First Order.

Away from me. He pointed out.

But, not for long. . She reasoned.

I don't like the idea of you being there without protection.

Since when have I needed protection? She countered.

As much as I hate to admit it, my mother is right. He frowned. The baby will make us vulnerable. And anyone who finds out it's mine, or what you are to me will use it agaisnt me.

All the more reason to keep me as far away from that ship as possible.

He sighed in defeat. Alright, I can't fight both of you.

He met his mother's gaze. "Naboo it is."

She nodded once. "I'll make the arrangements."

"Thank you, mother."

"Ben." She signed, water misting her eyes. "I love you. I always have. And when this child is born, you'll finally understand what I've felt for you all these years."

She still loves me after all I've done? After everything I've taken from her?

Yes, she does. Rey smiled up at him. And, so do I.