Building castles on sand
Author's note: There is a change in POV at the end of the chapter. Watch out for it.
Their skin is the color of a summer sky, but their eyes are red and hot like burning lava.
Rey feels the hair on the back of her neck rise in warning when a few Chiss delegates regard her stonily as she comes to stand next to Ben. She has her head hidden under the hood of her cloak and her hands clasped loosely in front of her, trying not to show the unease she feels in their presence.
The Chiss are tall, solemn and very, very cold.
The two greeting parties stand across from each other in front of Coruscant's Government building, with a mood as heavy as the leaden sky. The Chiss have always kept to themselves, from what Rey recalls from her history lessons back at the Academy, and have detested any form of contact with foreign civilizations. She is surprised that Ben has managed to break through their seclusion and work an alliance with them, which means that the Chiss must need something in return for the Republic's support. Perhaps it has to do with the First Order posing a rising threat to the galaxy - she thinks - or the Vagaari causing problems in their Confederacy once again.
Or perhaps there are other intents hidden behind those burning gazes.
Ben steps forward, imposing as ever and with his politician's mask solidly in place.
"Aristocra Xeno Ar'alani of house Nuruodo," he addresses one of the delegates, an older man, judging from the white strands of hair peppered on black. The man is dressed in rich rust-red colors and seems to be the head of the Chiss party. "I welcome you to Coruscant. May our meeting help retain peace in our galaxy."
Ben does not bow. He does not hold out a hand for a shake, or make any other attempt for physical contact.
"High Chancellor Ben Solo of House Skywalker," the man steps forward and responds just as stiffly with his strange clipped accent. "May our meeting bring peace, indeed."
The wind is crisp, biting and it only accentuates the icy sensation crawling up Rey's spine. Many gazes are set on her as she remains at Ben's side with her saberstaff ready at hand. There must be a total of twelve delegates, dressed in earthly colors of grey, bronze and copper green depending on their house, and it's not hard to distinguish which ones of them are armed. This might be a meeting aimed to retain peace in the galaxy, but it wouldn't take much for things to go south. And Chiss weapon technology is not to be taken lightly.
"May I inquire about my betrothed's whereabouts?" Ben asks.
Jealousy wrenches Rey's insides. She shouldn't feel so surprised about his question. She really shouldn't. Rey had been expecting to see his fiancee amongst the delegation, but it looks as if the meeting will revolve strictly around politics for the day.
Rey is relieved to know that the inevitable has been postponed for a few more hours.
"My daughter is on board our ship orbiting your planet. She will meet with you later in the day," the older man informs him before sliding his eerie red eyes to Rey. Many more burning gazes follow his lead. "Alone."
Ben's already stiff back straightens even more, and he clenches his jaw. She feels his anxiety spike in the Force momentarily before he expertly cloaks it. But it's a little late. Rey has sensed the fears hidden behind his determination to make this alliance work. He's trying to protect her from his worries, but hiding from one another has only brought them harm.
She wants to reach out to him and tell him that she's here for him for better or for worse, but feels as if she can't so much as glance his way under the Chiss's bone-scorching gaze.
"Of course," he rumbles in reply without a sliver of emotion.
He steps aside and extends his hand to Xeno Ar'alani to proceed.
"Shall we head inside? There is much to discuss."
Ben steals a glance her way for a heartbeat and her throat clenches. He looks so desolate in that brief instance, and Rey realizes with dread that all their hopes, their dreams and reckless moments together may come crashing down like a castle of sand in a matter of minutes. How foolish of them to believe they could build anything solid so close to the destructive waves of an upcoming war.
Xeno Ar'alani steps forth but does not look her way, as he passes in front of her and accompanies the High Chancellor up the stone steps of the Senate Building.
"The infamous Jedi," a woman dressed in bronze robes speaks to her. She too is elderly, with a grace in her movements that is only acquired by authority. "We have heard so much about you. But perhaps rumors should not be given much heed. It's always best to see for oneself and make their own conclusions, wouldn't you say, Jedi?" The woman smiles icily at her. "I believe your High Chancellor would agree."
They know.
Rey suddenly realizes and her stomach twists into an ugly knot.
About me and Ben, they…
"Miss Jakku? I believe your place is at my side."
Ben is waiting for her at the steps, body half turned in her direction. The wind unfurls his heavy, black cloak and messes his hair. He looks grand and stern, but Rey can see his anxiety seeping through his immaculate composure.
He is barely holding on. And he needs her.
She nods and falls in step behind him, feeling his relief wash over her. The rest of the delegation follows as well.
The talks and negotiations drag on with barely any breaks. The Chiss are hard, cold-blooded, and very calculative in their demands, causing many representatives of the Republic to object or flat out turn down their propositions. Ben - or High Chancellor, Rey tries to remind herself - intervenes many times in order to smooth out territorial differences and explain the diversity of cultures within the Republic, and how fundamental it is for them to abide under a common law. But the Chiss, it seems, wish to retain control of their independence, a matter that completely contradicts this whole effort to combine their powers.
"They are afraid of the First Order. Don't let them fool you. The Empire brought too much destruction upon the galaxy," Rey leans in to whisper in Ben's ear many hours into the discussions. He is sprawled on his seat, with his chin resting on a tight fist and the down curl of his lips more prominent than ever. Rey swats away the desire to run her lips along the curve of his ear. The residual musk of his aftershave always has this effect on her.
"I'm sensing the same but they are so damn stubborn," he rumbles back irritated. "They cannot remain independent and demand the Republic to finance their needs or cover their backs. They have to give something in return. And a few battleships is not enough."
"You're too lenient with them. They know the Republic is desperate. Maybe you should change your approach?"
Ben hums, rapping his fingers on the polished surface of the large conference table in deep thought. When he eventually turns to look at her, Rey's heart nearly breaks at the disappointment written all over his face.
He stares at her with those intense, brown eyes and Rey suddenly understands.
"They do not wish to cooperate," he says. "They must have a better deal from the First Order. There is no other explanation."
She almost wishes it were true.
"Ben…"
"I don't know what to do…" he sighs.
She sets her hand over his to comfort him and he simply stares at her. Stares at her as if a miracle could happen and sanity could return in this galaxy.
Rey does not know how long they remain enclosed in each other's presence. But when she looks up Xeno Ar'alani does not seem to be pleased.
"Won't you be seeing… Hannah?" Rey asks when she and Ben have taken their respective seats in the lounge of his ship. He signals at the serving droid to leave them and turns to look outside the large durasteel window. He rubs his face.
"I asked to meet with her tomorrow. I'm tired and I need to think." He mumbles.
Rey feels a heavy stone settle in her guts. Coruscant's lights wash over his features, as the ship rises in the evening sky, and she wishes they could wipe away his brooding thoughts. Because Rey knows the conflict that's eating him up.
She's the reason behind it.
"How about we go someplace that can take your mind off these talks? We can be back in Coruscant in the morning. There's a moon close by and it has a reclusive resort in orbit that we could go to. We wouldn't worry about anyone seeing us or..."
"I despise being careful and trying to hide you from prying eyes."
"We can't be anything more at the moment, Ben. Going public wouldn't be a good idea."
"Because of your Jedi rules or because of the Chiss?"
She presses her lips together tightly. The pressure he is under is immense, but there is no reason for him to act this way.
"You're tired and not thinking straight."
His shoulders sag with an imperceptible sigh and he runs his hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry… I didn't mean to be abrupt. The Chiss are giving me a hard time, which I expected of course, but there's more hidden behind their reluctance to cooperate and I'm trying to figure out what it is."
Rey nods, clamping down the guilt churning her insides.
"But I'd rather not talk about the negotiations now," he continues. "Not when I'm finally here with you. Just you..."
His gaze bores on her, opaque and heavy with burden, and she finds herself once more unable to lift a single ounce of it. Lights fleet on his pale face in succession to shadows, making her wonder if this man will ever find a way to combine those two sides of himself that are always at war.
Find a way to make peace.
"Come here,"
His hand is raised invitingly and his voice is deep and throbbing.
Rey quickly slides on his lap.
Slides right at home.
It's the first real contact she's had with him for the day and she wraps her arms around his neck, buries her face in his thick hair and inhales his scent. Stars, all she's wanted to do all day is to hold him.
He crushes her to him as if she could disappear without warning.
Their lips meet under the fleeting lights of the city, instinctively. Desperately. Filling the monotonous sound of the ship's whirring engine with that of their kiss.
"I've been dying to kiss you all day," he mumbles on her lips, slides his tongue hungrily inside. Rey feels the longing in his hot mouth and in the bruising grasp of his hands. In his imperceptible grunts and his hard erection rubbing against the side of her thigh.
Yes, she knows. Has felt the danger of this need too.
The precipice on which they stand can crumble so easily under the weight of their desperation.
And Rey is afraid. So afraid she'll lose him...
Their initial frenzy slows down, falls into a sweet heartache. Ben pulls away. Panting. Setting his forehead on hers and closing his eyes to gather his senses.
"We should stop," he pleads. Warns. His breath is tangy and sweet on her lips, laced with the spiced refreshment he had had a few minutes before they left. Rey is not certain if he's referring to this moment, or all of the ones they could have together. "Unless you want me to take you right here and now. I won't be able to hold back."
But Rey has other plans. He is worn out and discouraged, and she wants to do something to make him feel better. Something she has never tried before.
She slides down to her knees between his parted legs.
Ben cocks an eyebrow at her. "What are you doing?"
She sets her hands on his knees and looks up at him. Licks her lips nervously.
"You'll see…"
His eyes spark with interest. He's so good at reading her intents.
"Are we being a little daring?"
She smirks at him, in what she hopes looks like coyness, and Ben chuckles amused. Yes, perhaps she is a little daring tonight, she thinks, as she runs her hands slowly up the muscles of his thighs. Rey is so anxious about what she is about to do, she can feel her fingers tremble.
His dark gaze begins to simmer.
She can feel her heart thud and her mouth go dry when she hesitates over the bulge between his legs. She darts his eyes to his face to decipher his reaction. Ben is watching her fervently with two fingers curled in front of his smirk.
She runs her hand over the thick erection hidden under the rich fabric. Ben's breath hitches. It's such an imperceptible sound that she would have missed it if she weren't paying such close attention to every single expression on his face. She loves how pliant he seems to be in her hands. At her mercy.
When she begins to unfasten his bindings he curls his hands carefully around her wrists, tugging them away.
"Your pretty, pink lips have not been trained to take me yet," he says. "Are you sure you want to continue?"
"You've done the same for me so many times. I want to make you feel good tonight."
"You don't have to take my cock in your mouth to make me feel good," he says softly. "There's no need for you to do this. Having you in my arms is more than I can ask for."
"It's not something I feel obliged to do."
"But do you want it?"
Rey has been wanting to take him in her mouth for a lot longer than she is willing to admit.
"I do."
He chuckles again, leans in and touches her bottom lip with his thumb. "Believe me I want nothing more than to ravage these lips, kitten…but I don't believe you're ready."
Stars, she loves when he gets like that. Her very own monster.
There's always something about him and the way he challenges her that makes her want to reach beyond her limits. Explore territory she never knew existed. Conquer it and make it hers. Rey never realized she owned a possessive bone in her body, and yet here she is. Wanting to own every piece of him.
Every drop.
"I am ready," she declares.
He falls back against his seat, continues to watch. "Very well, then."
Her movements are inexperienced and a little awkward as she works to release him. But he only strokes her hair and caresses the highbone of her cheek in affection. And patience.
When she holds him in her hand and wraps her lips around the silky tip, his grasp on her hair tightens.
"Don't be in a hurry," he instructs. "Loosen your jaw. That's it…"
He hisses as her canine runs along his length and she blinks up at him in worry. But he only bites his lip and sets his hand under her jaw. Runs his thumb tenderly on her cheek. "There's always pleasure behind a little pain," he rumbles. "You'll see... Go on, now. Take what you can."
And she does. Or at least tries. She can tell her affect on him from the way he holds her head, pushes himself in her mouth. She looks up at him just in time to catch his head falling back on the cushions of his seat in utter abandonment, grunting his pleasure deep in his throat.
Rey feels emboldened.
She sucks and laps at him, exploring him with her tongue, until her cunt is as soaking wet as his cock in her mouth.
Until she suddenly feels him thrust at the back of her throat. She gasps for breath and he tugs her away from the roots of her hair.
"Are you alright?" He sounds as breathless as she feels.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she leans in to take him once more but he holds her away. "Why won't you let me go on?" She pouts. She knows she has no experience in the matter, and she really hopes he's liked it so far. She'd feel so disappointed if he didn't. But he continues to hold her away from him.
"You don't like it," she states, feeling her cheeks heat in embarrassment. Gods she wishes there was a place for her to hide. Of course he wouldn't like it. He's had so many...
"I love it. It's exactly what I needed."
"Then why do you want me to stop?"
"Because I want to go deeper than you can handle."
Oh.
Rey swallows around a parched throat.
"Do you want me to show you what I like?" he asks carefully. Testing the dark waters.
Rey nods.
Ben wraps his hand around her own, tightening her grasp around his length and starts to stroke. She lifts her gaze to his, at the sinful way he looks at her.
"Doesn't it hurt?" She feels so naive at this.
But he shakes his head. That strand of black hair falls in his face. "No."
The strokes become shorter, more rapid, and she can feel the tension coiling down low in her belly as if its his own. He looks absolutely ravenous with those parted lips and quickened breath.
Rey knows she is doing this to him, taking him apart.
"I want to cum in your mouth,"
His demand makes her clench around nothingness and all she can do is whisper yes, feeling a little dazed.
He gets up on his feet and Rey watches him tower over her, with his fingers still threaded in her hair. He tilts her head back and continues to use her hand to pump himself.
"What do you want me to do?" She asks, her voice sounding hoarser than she expected. His pace is punishing and his eyes as dark as midnight. Rey digs her fingers into the muscle of his thighs.
"Open your mouth."
Rey does more than that. She swipes her tongue at the swollen head.
Ben hisses.
"That's my girl," he growls, on the brink of losing control. "All decadent and wanton. Are you wet for me, Rey? Do you want me to fuck you and cum inside you when I wreck your body tonight?"
"Yes…"
She wants him so bad she will finish herself from the mere sound of his voice.
She reaches to wrap her mouth around him as he pumps himself rapidly. She moans and that is all it takes for him to tip over the edge. His hips buck and thick spend covers her lips and mouth and trickles down her neck.
Rey shudders with his release, chases after his residual spikes of pleasure as if they are her own. His gaze softens and his strokes turn languid, and Rey can't help but feel as unraveled as the man falling apart before her.
It's a strange thing, this connection they share…
"Swallow it, my love," he commands breathlessly, keeping her head tilted back. "Lick it off your lips and taste it. Good. Very good…"
Rey does as he says, and he watches her hungrily, still flushed from his climax.
"Thank you..." he breathes out when she's licked her lips clean and swallowed him whole. He smiles at her tenderly and wipes the side of her mouth. "I'll be returning the favor later tonight. Be ready."
Rey rubs her thighs together to alleviate the throb in her center. She doesn't believe she can wait until later tonight to have her own needs taken care of.
"I want to finish now," she states, and dares to look him in the eye as he tucks himself back into his pants.
Ben pauses in the middle of fastening his belt and regards her darkly. Has she overstepped? She can't help but wonder with a little dread. He's quite unpredictable when his darker side emerges. Maybe he has plans to take his sweet time playing with her body later and wants to keep her craving.
Stars, she's definitely not going to make it till then.
"Please, help me finish. I don't think I can wait that long…"
He looks at her and something comes undone in his gaze. He offers his hand and helps her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her body and kissing her soundly.
Tasting himself on her.
And then his hand is down her pants, and his thick fingers dip between her wet folds, exploring, rubbing and digging deep inside her….
"Of course I'll let you finish," he croons decadently in her ear. "You were so good to me, taking care of me the way you did. How could I not?"
Her body goes slack in his embrace and her knees buckle.
Rey sighs…
They reach the estate as the sun's last rays begin to hide behind the Manarai mountaintop. It's a peaceful evening, all shy twinkling stars and musky earth and the forest's settling sounds. Ben falls back due to a discussion with the pilot about a navigational glitch in the ship's systems while Rey makes her way inside with a light spring in her step. There's an unknown silver ship stationed at the far end of the landing bay, but Rey is too excited to pay attention to it. Ben had mentioned purchasing a new one, she remembers vaguely.
The promises he'd whispered in her ear as she clenched around his fingers have already ignited a fire inside her, and Rey can't wait for him to make them come true.
She walks down the grand entrance hall, setting her saber staff on an ornate table at the center of it, and passes outside the main lounge. The lights are on and a serving droid is on its way out carrying a tray with empty plates and glasses. Rey finds it odd because the staff usually take their meals in the kitchen. There should be no reason for a serving droid to be whirring about in the lounge.
Rey halts, feeling the new presence inside it.
"You must be Rey."
The female voice that drifts from within is smooth, with an accent around its rim that Rey has grown very familiar with today. She walks inside as if in a trance.
A tall woman stands by the large window overlooking the canyon, sipping from a high stem glass. She is dressed in a rust-colored gown and her black hair spills down to her waist in carefully groomed waves. When she finally turns to face her with those burning red eyes, Rey somehow knows that the dream she has been living these past few days has come to its end.
"You're Hannah," she states flatly.
It's funny how reality catches up so abruptly.
The woman approaches her with the hem of her heavy dress whispering against the marble floor. She sets her glass gracefully on a coffee table before she comes to stand a few paces away from Rey.
"I should thank you for protecting my fiance and keeping him from harm's way." She tilts her head. "He is a difficult man, and not very easy to please. But you haven't had any trouble getting along with him from what I've heard."
Rey raises her chin at the woman, stealing herself for a confrontation long overdue. Hannah is the last person she wanted to come across in the galaxy, but she had never considered shying away from such an encounter when the time came. But Hannah is needling her, and Rey is not yet certain if she wants to play her game.
"I don't know what you're implying," she states, attempting to buy some time in order to discern her intentions with the Force.
"I am not implying anything. I'm speaking very openly."
Yeah, definitely picking for a fight.
"I've known him since I was a child," she offers simply. "We are comfortable with each other."
"Rumor has it you are more than comfortable with him."
Rey glances away, clenching her jaw. She has to be very careful around this woman. One wrong word and it can be used against Ben.
"I never thought the Chiss could fall victim to malicious rumors. Aren't those beneath you? Or are you planning on relying on these rumors as an excuse for your failing negotiations?"
The woman smiles. A very practiced, elegant smile that Rey immediately despises. She's certain she's used it too many times to charm her opponents. She is the daughter of an Aristocra, after all. The woman takes another step forward, and the room's lighting shimmers on her blue skin and raven black hair. Rey hates to admit it, but the woman's beauty is striking and her posture very imposing. She can see why Ben has picked her to become his wife.
The thought makes her feel sick.
Rey straightens her back, clasps her hands in front of her and stares at the Chiss stoically. She is determined not to allow this woman to upset her.
"The negotiations are failing," Hannah drawls, "because he doesn't have his heart in the discussions. The High Chancellor is not proving to be a man of his word."
"That is not true."
"I'm afraid it is. You have simply chosen to ignore his faults."
"Ben wants the best for the galaxy. He has fought and given up everything to save it. You don't know him at all!"
Damn it.
Rey already regrets her outburst. She's given the woman exactly what she needed to hear.
"Whereas you think you do?" The Chiss chuckles coldly. "No, he has not given up everything. He is still holding on to you. And that will be his downfall as well as the Republic's."
Hannah steps closer yet, and all pretext of politeness crumbles in the blink of an eye. The two women regard each other with narrowed eyes.
"Do you think you love him?" she snarls at Rey. "What would you know about love, Jedi?"
Ben immediately picks up on the tension in the atmosphere as he strides inside the estate. The raised voices and hostility are so blatant and sharp in the Force, they practically cut into his skin. He hurries down the long hall, with the most foreboding feeling wedged in his chest, only to collide into Rey as he turns a corner to enter the main lounge.
It all happens so fast that he barely has time to take in her glassy eyes. She looks so upset that Ben stands completely baffled for a moment wondering if his imagination is playing tricks on him. Everything was fine just moments ago...
She pushes by him.
"Rey?" He grasps her arm, tugging her back. She looks utterly heartbroken and he's at a complete loss.
"What happened to you? What's going on?"
But she only shakes her head, tries to hide her face from him. "I'm so sorry, Ben... I'm so sorry for what I've done."
"What? What are you talking about?" She tries to pull away from him, but he doesn't let go.
"Hannah is right. I should have never allowed anything to happen between us."
She raises her eyes to his, and Ben feels like the whole damn galaxy is being sucked into a vortex. He finds himself unable to breath.
"Hannah?" he stammers. No way. This cannot be happening. "Hannah is here?"
She tugs on her arm once more, releasing it from his hold and all he can do is stand like an idiot, watching her rush down the hall and up the staircase. His whole body goes numb. All his plans, all his hopes and dreams feel as if they are being swept away by the beige cloak flaring behind Rey.
He glances at the entrance of the lounge. Hannah is standing there looking at him emotionless. Fury rises inside him.
"What have you done?" he spits. "What have you said to her?"
"Exactly what she needed to hear."
His nostrils flare and he can feel rage burn in his veins. Ben knows she has twisted reality around to hurt Rey. Hannah is very clever with words.
It makes him want to wrap his hand around her slender throat and squeeze. The visceral need is so strong he barely contains himself from giving in.
"Rey has done nothing to hurt you!" He roars.
"She has done enough to hurt the alliance, and you have allowed it."
He grinds his teeth and stalks up to where she stands. Glares straight in to her blazing red eyes.
"What the fuck are you talking about?"
"You fell in love with her! You have been brazenly galavanting the galaxy with the Jedi at your side!"
His jaw goes slack and all color drains from his face.
"Everyone has been talking about the two of you," she continues. "Everyone knows about the emotions you harbor for her because you were so incapable of hiding them, Ben. And you have shamed me! Shamed me and my house! You will never strike an agreement with my father or the Chiss. You have lost their respect!"
Ben stares at the woman baring her teeth at him, unable to process the implications. It all makes sense if he doesn't dig too deep. His behavior must seem completely disrespectful. But the truth is, the Chiss were aware of his reputation way before he made a wedding proposition to her father in order to cement the upcoming deal between their worlds. It doesn't make any sense. Rey and him have never shown any kind of affection in public that could be considered brazen. Not even by the Chiss.
"Don't give me this shit." No. Something else is going on. "You knew exactly who I was when you agreed to marry me."
"You have gone too far." She seethes, practically nose to nose with him.
"You never cared, Hannah. That was the whole deal! I have fucked more women than I can count since I met you, and you never gave a damn. What the hell has changed in the meantime?"
Hannah stares at him absolutely livid.
Unless…
His brow furrows.
"You're afraid I'll call off the wedding. That you will have to return to your society."
Hannah has always been extremely good at hiding her emotions. Much better than him, he has to admit. But that little spark of fear in the deep red of her gaze is enough to verify his suspicions.
"Why? Why does it matter so much, if I call off the wedding?" he tries to placate. He must find a way to regain her cooperation. "We can always claim it was a mutual decision, and still figure out a way for our worlds to work together. Why is it so important for you to marry me?"
But she doesn't answer him. Instead, she stares long and hard. "We will not back down now, if you want this alliance." Her voice is as sharp as a blade coming down on his neck. "And I will not tolerate you having a mistress. Especially her. And if she means anything to you, anything at all, you will spare her the humiliation."
Hannah gives him one last cold look, before lifting her dress to walk out of the room. Every chance at finding a logical solution, at figuring out a way to break off the engagement civilly, cordially and manage to broker a deal with the Chiss, has just evaporated into thin air.
Ben still does not understand why this wedding means so much to Hannah. All she ever wanted to do is leave her society behind. He could still help her do that, somehow, without marrying her.
Unless…
He follows her retreating back with narrowed eyes. They are a proud race. There is no doubt about that. But still… Could he have been so wrong? Had he really known her so little?
But there is no other explanation.
"You're not marrying me for political reasons, are you?"
She halts. Her back stiffens, as his words resonate with conviction from the marble and glass of his luxurious estate. But Hannah does not turn to look at him.
Ben takes a step closer. Fumbling for her thoughts. He wishes he could have been as good in searching minds as he is guarding his own. "What are you hiding from me, Hannah?"
But she does not acknowledge his warning.
"The wedding is in three days. I suggest you say your goodbyes to your Jedi," is all she says before she resumes her walk down the long hall and out of the mansion.
Ben remains standing in the middle of it all, feeling his whole world come crashing down around him.
Author's note: What did Hannah say to Rey? You'll have an idea in the next chapter. Yes, she is a little shadier than expected and the Chiss were aware of the rumors between Ben and Rey, although there was no concrete information about it. Is that enough for failing negotiations? Of course not, Ben is aware of that and sees through their dubious games. The Chiss want what they always have wanted. Power and independency. But they are using his 'affair' as a stepping stone. Especially now that the Republic is desperate for allies.