Part XXII

They were standing on the landing deck when a simple transport, about twice the size of Rey's came to perch next to the Command Shuttle. She was rolling up onto her toes, barely able to contain her anxiety, not knowing if she could expect Cale to be carried off the ship on a stretched and rushed off to a medical facility or…

But her worries were answered as the guard came trotting down the ramp with his right arm in a sling. Two men flanked Cale and gave him encouraging slaps on the back. The group crossed the small tarmac and the two Knights kelt down before Ben, Cale quickly slid into a similar position.

As a guard, Cale didn't have to completely submit to the Emperor, but as a Knight in training, he had to bow before his Master. They all addressed Ren as such, muttering a low 'Master' in unison.

Even in civilian clothing, Rey could feel the power rolling off of the Knights and she remembered Ben telling her that they too had the Force and they came from the academy as well.

"Stand," Ben commanded and the three rose to their full heights. "Alister, Jix, I would like for you to meet your Empress, Rey."

Both men bowed their heads and she studied them. Alister was just as tall as Ben and maybe a few years his senior, and Rey was curious why he may have been passed up for leadership. By Jedi standards, Ben was rather old when he joined the academy and most Lightsiders were becoming Masters in their mid-twenties. Jix on the other hand reminded Rey of Finn, his stature was shorter but it was obvious that he was strong. His skin was the color of rich cocoa but his eyes could rival her's in their lightness.

"There is no need to worry Empress," Jix spoke. "The plan went off without a hitch."

Rey remembered that Jix was an empath and figured that her emotions could be easily read by just the concerned expression on her face. "I doubt Cale feels that there were no hitches," she eyed the arm that was cradled to his chest.

"You mean this?" Cale said, shrugging his shoulder, attempting to be nonchalant, but winced. "It's just a scratch."

"Scratch, my ass," Rey said under her breath but was clearly heard by the men that stood around.

Alister's lips pulled in to a smile and he made eye contact with Ren, tilting his head as if they were having a private conversation within their own bond.

Rey huffed and rolled her eyes, knowing that she would be asking Ben about that later. "Let's all go down to the apartment and you can debrief me on the mission." She started walking towards the doors that led back into the building, "And I made brownies," she called over her shoulder, not stopping to see if they were following.

"Your wife made us brownies," Jix said in a teasing but also pleasantly surprised tone.

"Yes," Ben answered, but quickly added, "But not my wife…not yet at least." And all five men watched the small fiery woman enter the high rise.

True to her word, Rey cut and served all of them pieces of the chocolaty dessert, before taking her place at the head of the table. She didn't feel as informal around the Knights yet to sit in Ben lap as she had during dinner with the guards.

She was getting the report on her mission, this had to be handled in a professional manner. "So take me through it."

"We departed Coruscant and made a stop on Corellia so it would appear that we had originally taken off from the world you reported the freighter on. We were intercepted about a thousand parsecs outside of Truuine." Alister started.

"We put just enough fight to make it believable," Cale added.

Alister shot the trainee a look, clearly, he was the senior Knight under Kylo and perhaps his Master had gone soft on the guards since such an interruption would never be tolerated under Snoke…

Rey sensed a clouding of Darkness, so she pushed, "What happened next?"

"They surrounded us with a few X-wings and then coupled to our ship with one of their own transports and then boarded us."

"There were only three that boarded. They were nervous, unsure if your intel about the crew was correct, but I sent out waves of reassurance but also fear." Jix added.

"Fear?" Rey asked.

Jix took another brownie from the plate in the middle of the table, "If they sensed that we were over confident, then they would have panicked, thinking that they had been tricked. But if they thought we were, as you had told them, simple civilian pilots, with no real loyalty to the Order and just wanted to escape with our lives, they were less likely to try and harm us."

"But they did harm you," Rey pointed to Cale's arm.

"That was your General's doing," Alister cut through.

"She's not one of them," Ben's voice was authoritative and left no question to Rey's belonging.

"Forgiveness, Master…Empress," Alister addressed and bowed his head at each.

"Poe?" Rey finally questioned. "Poe was there and he injured Cale?"

"Yes, ma'am," Cale spoke, looking between the Knights to see if it was proper for him to speak.

Rey huffed at all of this pomp and gave her order, "Just tell me what happened Cale."

"We had surrendered, agreed to give all of the goods and even the ship over to them if we were allowed to escape using the pods. But then Dameron had stepped forward, blaster in hand, raving about making sure we went back and told the uh…" he looked over at the Emperor.

"Just say it, Cale. I've been called worse," Ben offered.

"Told us to tell the cowardice dictator Kylo Ren that the Resistance won't be stopped and that the Force and the Jedi were on their side."

Rey snorted, "Poe wouldn't know the Force if it smacked him in the face." This, in turn, made the other Force sensitives at the table chuckle. "Well if he wanted you alive to deliver his message, why did he hurt you?"

Both Alister and Jix turned to look at their trainee with a smug expression and Cale shrunk in on himself some. "Well since I knew the source of their intel and also know your alliance to Ren and the Order…" he grimaced. "I may have laughed at him."

Ben hummed out a laugh through his nose as Rey full out barked. "Oh, you poor thing. You never had a chance if your plan was to bruise his ego," she quipped.

"He shot me!" Cale bellowed. "Right then and there…shot an unarmed man for just an eye roll and a laugh."

"You're lucky he's a pilot and not a marksman otherwise he could have blown off your head," Jix teased.

Rey bit at her lip and made eye contact with Ben for just a moment before standing and walking over to Cale. "May I?" She asked, pointing to the sling around his neck.

"Yeah…sure…" He didn't understand what she was doing but wouldn't deny her.

Carefully, Rey pulled the sling over his head and watched him clutch his injured arm to his chest with his good hand. Now she worked at the buttons down the front of his shirt.

Cale's eyes went wide and his terrified gaze slid to Ren and then back to the woman working at his tunic. "Empress?"

She didn't answer, just pulled the fabric away, seeing the clean but still angry blaster burn on his right shoulder. "This is your dominant arm? The one you shoot with…fight with?" Her eyes moved to Ben, confirming what she had feared.

"Yes, ma'am."

Bitting her lip again she wondered… "I'm going to touch you," she stated, trying to read the expression on Cale's face. "It won't hurt. At least I don't think it will. I've never done this before."

The Empress had misread the horrified look on Cale's face as fear of pain. Perhaps it was fear at having to sit there and have the Emperor's dark eyes upon him as the Empress undressed his chest and prepared to lay hands upon him. But again, he would not deny her, so Cale simply nodded.

Rey took a calming breath and then placed her right hand at the front of the guard's shoulder and the left on his back. She had only read about this in the Jedi texts but had never tried it, but she had to do something. An injury like this, if not properly healed could be career or life ending for a Knight. If Cale could not properly protect himself, he was good as dead out there.

Concentrating, she pulled from her Light, letting it wash over her and move through her. Ben sucked in a breath from the other end of the table, feeling her pull at her healing light through the bond was like waking after a never-ending sleep.

"Is she doing what I think she is?" Alister asked Jix as they both watched the skin under Rey's hands practically glow.

"I think she is," Jix answers dumbly.

Force healing was strictly a Light sided power within the Force and no one who had ever truly given themselves over to the Dark, even if they were redeemed, would be able to draw enough power from the light to heal.

But Rey had never fully succumbed. Rey had never snuffed out her Light for the power and draw of the Darkside.

The room was quiet for a long time. Rey's brows were pinched together and a bead of sweat slid from her forehead down her cheek. When she finally pulled away, everyone was shocked to see the wound completely healed as if it has never happened.

Cale ran his left hand over the new skin and tested his range of motion, "That's amazing Empress. Thank you."

Rey smiled and went to speak, but her eyes fluttered and then the room when dark.

Apart from Cale, Alister was closest and he caught Rey in his arms before she hit the floor. As he held her for just a moment, looking down upon her pale but flushed face, he was in awe at the sheer power that coursed through her. "Incredible," he mused.

Ben stepped up to his First Knight, "I'll take her…the effort must have been too much."

Alister half nodded, half bowed and deported the small woman into the arms of his Master. He watched Ren place a kiss to her damp forehead as the couple moved through the kitchen and disappeared into the living area.

"Did you see that?" Cale gained Alister's attention, still moving his arm around as if in disbelief that the injury was truly gone.

"I've never seen anything like it before," the First Knight replied.

"We should be off," Jix said picking up a forth brownie from the plate for good measure.

"Yes," Davin spoke for the first time since collecting the Emperor and Empress from the training room. "Tyris and Arlan are anxious to hear about the mission as well."

They walked towards the entry, all but Alister filing out the door. Ren reappeared and walked up to the Knight. "Thank you for everything old friend." Ben spoke.

Instead of a normal handshake, they clasped their hands around the other's forearm as brothers in arms often do. "Her Light…" Alister started, still in awe.

"I know," Ben simply answered, having felt it more intensely than his Knight could ever fathom.

"Where did you find her?"

Ben released his hand from his friend's arm, "Brought by Han Solo to Takodana by way of Jakku." Alister's expression was even more confused and Ben laughed, "Have Cale tell you the story some time."

Alister nodded, but his brows still pinched together and he made no move to leave, "You two are bound… Cosmically bonded."

"We are," Ben confirmed.

The Knight thought through the situation more, "She's good for you…"

Ben smiled and placed his hand on Alister's shoulder, "She's good for all of us. The galaxy is a better place because of her."

Bowing, Alister moved to the door and once again the apartment was dark and quiet.

Entering their sleeping quarters, Ben saw that Rey was right where he had left her, sprawled out on the bed, her chest evenly rising and falling. He moved her gently, removing her boots and pants. He cradled her head against his chest as he slid her arms from the gray vest she was wearing and then scooped her up once more, only to place her at her side of the bed.

As he laid her head upon the pillow, he bent down and kissed her forehead again and then pulled the blankets up around her shoulders.

He shut the door of the fresher behind him, not wanting to disturb her with the light, but he also doubted that she would wake until morning. Ben made quick work of undressing and a shower before pulling on a pair of sleep pants.

All the while he thought about Rey's ability to Force heal and what it meant for their bond. Historically, bonds between Master and apprentice worked as two-way exchanges of information and power. His bond with Rey was no different in that aspect, but so much more than anything that had ever been recorded. He was unsure if ever before in the eons of time, the Force had created two people so perfectly matched to the other.

He did know how much Rey's dark corners bothered her and how scared she was to fall completely into darkness. Now with certainty, he could tell his love that she was so soundly in the Light that the Force had smiled down upon her in glorious fashion.

Sliding into bed beside her and wrapping strong arms around her middle, Ben felt that he was reaching for greatness itself. There would never be a time when he would doubt her power or cease basking in her Light. So with a soft kiss to the skin just under her jaw, he closed his eyes and slumbered.

Rey woke to sunlight streaming into the room from the vast windows and an empty bed. She shivered, not due to a chill, but because of a absent feeling she had without Ben at her side. But the smell of bacon and caf pulled her from the comforts of their bed.

Pulling on her robe, she noticed that she was only wearing her panties and tunic from the prior day. Padding across the apartment, she spotted Ben standing at the stove, bare from the waist up. Taking an extra moment to appreciate the vast expanse of his broad shoulders, she bit at her lip and wrapped her arms around herself.

"Good morning beautiful," Ben said without turning around.

She pushed off the doorway and fully entered the kitchen. "Good morning," she replied walking up to the steaming pot of caf and pouring herself a cup.

Ben snorted, "I see where your priorities lie." He set down the spatula in his hand and walked to two paces over to her and placed a kiss to her upturned face.

"Stop having such good caf and maybe you can have my attentions first thing in the morning," she said in jest, looking up into his eyes which seemed lighter as they glowed in the morning sunlight.

"I'll have to keep that in mind," he kissed her one more time before returning to his spot in front of the stove.

Taking a sip of the dark liquid Rey moaned to herself and then looked into the pan that Ben was stirring. "I thought you said you didn't cook."

"I don't cook much…but I do know how to fry an egg and put bacon in the oven."

"Aren't I a lucky girl," Rey mused.

"I would say so," Ben said back with a smirk before he twisted the dial to shut off the flame. "Can you grab us some plates?" He pointed to an upper cabinet.

Rey set down her mug and retrieved two plates and set them next to the stove. Ben portioned out eggs and pulled a pan of bacon and also some toast that he was keeping warm in the oven.

They ate out on the terrace, watching the city come to life and the sun come up the rest of the way. "So what do we have planned for the day?" Rey asked.

"I'm not quite sure. What would you like to do?" Ben replied.

Rey thought for a moment, "Well I have to pick up Rose and Finn by sundown tomorrow so that gives us another two days…" She looked over at him, "Take me to see something beautiful."

Ben laughed, thinking that he could be cheeky and go fetch her a mirror, but after she reminded him of their limited time together, he didn't want to waste any of it. "Do you want to stay on world or go off?"

She thought again before smiling, "Surprise me."

He returned her bright expression and they quickly finished their breakfast. Since Rey was unable to bathe the night before and had slept with the grime and sweat of their prior day's training session, she wholeheartedly joined Ben in the shower.

What started out as innocent washing quickly turned in to panting breaths and wandering hands. As she had tired to wash her hair, Ben lavished her breasts with his fingers and lips. He gripped at her toned rear and ran his fingers between her thighs.

Before long he had her bent over, her hands resting on a stone bench built into the corner of the shower. He ran his hand down her spine and she looked over her shoulder at him. When she moved her right hand between her legs and started to tease herself, Ben lost all control and entered her quickly.

It wasn't often that he took her like this, much preferring the intimacy of facing one another and he also loved watching her expression as she fell into bliss, but in this moment, as he slammed his cock into her heated center, an animalistic side him took over.

Ben placed a large hand where her neck met her shoulder, digging his fingers into her collar bone as he pulled her back into him with more force. His other hand was reached around her body, palming one breast and then the other. Rey was a mess of cries and pleading for release. He bent his knees and rocked into her at such an angle that had her legs quaking.

Abandoning her chest and throat, he moved both of his hands to her hips, firstly to provide her some support as she raced towards her finish, but also to run his right hand into her curls and placed pressured swirling motions upon her clit with his middle finger. With his hand splayed out across her lower abdomen, he could feel her soft tissue give under his palm with each of his deep thrusts and he groaned at how completely her tiny body accommodated him.

She was becoming impossibly tight and taking his unoccupied left hand, he moved it along her rib cage, bringing her more upright and pressing her back to his chest. This new position rubbed the sensitive spot under the head of his cock against the ribbed patch of her core and they both moaned at the sensation.

This position also allowed Ben to suck at her neck and shoulder, his finger still teasing her pulsing bud. Rey expressed screaming yips with each up-thrust and Ben loved how verbal she was during their love making. She wasn't shy around him, she was never ashamed to tell him what she wanted…what she needed.

So when she cried out, "Ben…don't stop…please…please…"

He gripped her tighter and buried himself harder into her until she was gasping and her inner walls were clenched around him and then fluttered. A few more thrusts later he was joining her, his body unable to deny her as she milked him of his spend.

Unable to release her, he held her for a few more minutes, stroking his hands down her slick body and kissing her as her head lulled back against his chest.

Fully satisfied, they finished the rest of their shower quickly and dressed in simple pants and tunics. Just as Ben was fastening the belt around his waist, there was a chime at the front door. "I'll get it," Ben offered and trotted out of the room.

A few minutes later there was a knock at the doorframe to their sleeping quarters and Rey turned to see Arlan standing there. "May I come in?" The female guard asked, having been told by Ren that she was not to be in the bed chambers without the express permission of the Empress.

"Yes," Rey offered with a smile. "I'm guessing Ben has asked you to help me pack."

"He has ma'am."

"Any chance you will tell me where he is taking me?" Rey did love Ben's surprises but also apart of her was very curious.

"He made me swear on my life," Arlan gave a teasing smile, both women knowing that the Emperor wouldn't strike her down for spilling the beans, but she also did not wish to anger him anymore.

Rey giggled, "Well then you better not tell me."

Seeing that the guard was still standing across there room, Rey opened up her closet and took a step back, "Thank you for getting such pretty things for me, but I'm hopeless with these dresses."

Arlan smiled and moved over to the closet, "The Emperor had particular needs and events that he would want you to dress for but left the color selection up to me and I hope you are pleased."

Rey reached out and traced her fingers over a midnight blue gown with beaded shoulders and a flowing cape. "I never dreamed I would have such nice things."

"You know that Ren would give you anything your heart desired."

"I know that…"

"And if I may be so bold, I think that he prefers you like this," Arlan looked down at the simple wrapped tunic, three-quart length pants, boots, and vest. The Empress had even adorned her arm warps, looking every bit the backwater Jedi that she was.

Rey looked down at herself and then back at the rack of beautiful clothes. "Why would you think that?"

Arlan started to busy herself, pulling comfortable clothes out the drawers at the side of the closet and also pulled out the blue dress that Rey had been admiring. "If he just wanted a pretty girl in an expensive dress, he would have had his pick of queens, princesses, or daughters of the galactic gentry, but he wants you. He's fought…killed, changed, and made sacrifices to be with you. There's something to say for that."

"I suppose there is," Rey said after a long thoughtful moment and she watched Arlan slip the dress into a protective bag and zip it inside.

"That should be all you need from here," Arlan laid the garment bag across the bed. "Would you like me to go get your toiletries?"

Rey thought about the bottle of pills setting next to her sink and still wishing for some privacy in those matters, she declined the help and walked herself into the fresher to collect her things.

Once her small travel case was packed, she held the pill bottle in her hands, shaking it for good measure. Sighing, she opened the lid, gulped down the tablet with a swig of water from the sink and then tossed the bottle in with the rest of her toiletries before walking back into the bedroom and putting the small case into a larger tote.

Arlan started to collect the bags and Rey reached for one. "I can get them," the trooper reassured.

Rey rolled her eyes, not used to be treated like she was incapable of even carrying a bag, "At least let me take the dress so it doesn't get wrinkled."

The guard agreed and they walked out of the sleeping quarters and into the entry where Ben was waiting.

"Sir, she insisted," Arlan said nodding to the bag in Rey's arms.

"I don't doubt it," he said with a smile and leaned down to kiss his Empress. "Are we ready to go?"

Rey beamed a smile at him and nodded.

He turned and picked up the red cloak that she had worn yesterday and held it out for her. "Do I have to?" Rey asked thinking that the velvet cloak would look silly over her normal clothes.

"It's just until we are in the shuttle…unless you want to make our relationship public right now?" He got a glint in his eye. "I can call my press secretary and have a holo-conference set up within the hour."

She huffed at him, passing him the garment bag and taking the cloak out of his hands before shoving her arms into the long sleeves. With slightly aggressive movement, she fastened it closed across her collar bones and pulled the hood up, giving him an expression as if to say, 'Is this better?'

"That's what I thought," he said with a chuckle and placed his hand at Rey's back as Arlan led the way out of the apartment. They took the lift up to the landing pad and Rey ducked her head so that she was completely concealed and she let Ben lead her on to the MK3.