Chapter 30: You Want a Battle? (Here's a War)

"Ben, we're going to be late," Rey chided as she stepped out of the bathroom into the master bedroom.

Her boyfriend was lounging on the bed, still shirtless and still eyeing her as if they hadn't spent the better part of the afternoon under his sheets. "Come here," he patted the spot next to him.

Rey laughed, shaking her head. "No, you come here and quit stalling. We are leaving for Maz's in five minutes. If you aren't ready, I'll go without you."

"On your bike, dressed like that?" he asked skeptically eyeing her attire.

She glanced down at her outfit. Her friends were throwing her a going-away party, even though she was only moving to the city. As summer ended, the humidity began to die off, but the temperatures were still high, even by California standards. Rey selected a simple sundress for the occasion. It was light and comfortable, but as Ben pointed out, not made for riding a motorcycle.

Rey had forgone heels, not wanting to risk twisting her ankle in an attempt to be fashionable. Instead, she chose a pair of flat, strappy sandals. Much to Jess's dismay, Rey was still no closer to being a true fashionista. The few pairs of heels she did own were carefully tucked away towards the back of her and Ben's shared closet.

"I'll take your car," she flashed him a coy grin, making for the kitchen where she knew the keys were.

"You are not taking the Vanquish," he growled, before pouncing on her.

Rey landed on the floor, wrapped up in Ben's arms, shielding her from the hardwood. She burst into a fit of giggles. "You are worse than a child," she told him.

"At least a child knows I wouldn't let you drive my car. Temiri knows it. I didn't even have to tell him," Ben pointed out.

She raised a brow at him. "Don't you trust me?"

"With my life," he nodded, kissing her forehead. "Just not with my car."

"Fine," Rey groused, shoving against his chest so she could get to her feet. "Then get dressed."

"I'd much rather stay undressed with you in bed," he countered, snatching her wrist to keep her from exiting the bedroom.

"Ben Organa Solo, if you aren't dressed and ready to go in five minutes I'm calling your mother," Rey threatened, but he didn't release her.

"Oh?" His lips curled up into a smirk. "To tell her what, exactly?"

Rey cursed internally. She'd thought he'd be too scared to hear from his mother to call her bluff. Despite Han and Leia's help at the Gala, Ben's relationship with his parents was still strained. She believed in time it would get better, but until then she was happy to be his sounding board. Of course, she was also happy to use his parents to her advantage. Her head raced and she blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"That you got me pregnant."

What?

She cringed, immediately regretting her verbal vomit. Could she have picked a worse topic? Where had that even come from? She wasn't ready for kids. They had only just moved in together. They were starting new jobs next week and Ben was still walking on eggshells, convinced Snoke would come after them again.

When she dropped her eyes to his face, it took her a moment to understand his reaction. His teasing grin was gone. Instead, his face was filled with many emotions — joy, love, but most of all, hope . There wasn't an ounce of fear in his gaze. Unlike the trapped animal she suspected she'd find, all Rey saw as he clung to her wrist was a sense of belonging.

"Are you?" His voice came out so quiet she nearly missed his question.

It was cruel how happy he was over something she had meant as a joke in passing. Rey's throat tightened as she shook her head.

Something flashed in his chocolate orbs, deeper and darker than the standard caramel hue. Then he was yanking her down on top of him once more. "That makes you a liar, Rey," he murmured against her throat. He pressed a kiss to her pulse point and she wasn't able to discern if he was teasing her or legitimately upset.

Until he cracked her ass.

"Ben!"

"What?" his deep chuckle filled the air. God , this man was insatiable.

"Three minutes," Rey snapped, freeing herself from his arms.

She stormed out of the bedroom, schooling her expression until she was out of his line of sight. She wasn't going to let him see her smile over his antics.

The apartment hadn't changed much since Rey moved her items in. Compared to her meager possessions, Ben had more than enough. Her furniture clashed with the overall look and feel of his decor, but he surprised her by setting up the spare bedroom with her items, including a brand new desk he ordered. It was custom made to match the crate furniture she built herself.

"It's your home office," he told her when he unveiled it last week.

Now that Han had taken up permanent residence with Leia, the spare room was free. Ben immediately chose to make it Rey's space, putting the old furniture into storage. The brightly colored area was a complete one-eighty from the rest of the penthouse. Rey loved it, though she wasn't sure she'd spend much time there. After all, the majority of their day was spent at work. When they finally were home, they usually were in bed to sleep or...not.

The only other room they seemed to spend copious amounts of time in was Ben's personal gym. Not only was it a safer option than defiling Master Skywalker's studio, but it was closer to the shower. Ben and Rey tested the time it took to transfer from the gym to the master bath several times already.

She grinned remembering how satisfying it felt to slam him back down onto the mats. Seeing her big strong man reduced to a panting, sweaty mess beneath her would always thrill her.

"Ready?" Ben broke her out of her thoughts.

Rey took in his outfit of plain jeans, a heather gray v-neck shirt and black sneakers. It was casual chic, something he seemed to be able to pull off all the time with absolutely no effort whatsoever.

"Can I drive?" she asked in jest.

"I don't know. Can you even reach the pedals?" he shot back with a smirk.

"Hey! I'm not short! I'm actually quite tall for a woman," Rey reminded him.

"Right," he answered sounding as though he didn't believe her. "Still...no."

Kylo forced himself to relax as Rey was swarmed by her friends — their friends , she kept insisting — the moment they entered Kanata Kaffeine. Though the cafe was technically closed, Jess and Rose had convinced the proprietor to let them use the space after hours to host Rey's going away party.

As pleased as he was that his girl was finally going to start her dream job, Kylo's mind was a storm of conflict. It had been radio silence from the First Order since the gala. Even when he submitted his retirement intent forms, he was met with no response. The only communication he received in the past three weeks was from HR confirming receipt of his intent letter.

After Snoke's hostile words, Kylo had readied himself for another altercation. His parents may have intervened on the Rogue One video, but he suspected Snoke would try again. Anthony Snoke didn't give up, especially when it impacted his bottom line, and Kylo retiring was going to do that in a big way.

So he waited. He anxiously checked his phone, scanned his emails and even went as far as to call Dr. Mitaka about his exit interview and exam. The First Order physician hadn't been able to release any details to him, claiming he knew nothing about Kylo's plan to retire.

Whoever said no news was good news hadn't been where Kylo Ren was now.

If Snoke's silence wasn't enough to make him antsy, his family was. Han caught onto his smart phone, using it to call his son at odd junctures in the day to ask his opinion on gifts for Leia and what Kylo thought Han should cook her for dinner. If that wasn't bad enough, Leia approached him about his grandmother's ring, suggesting he keep it on hand for when the time was right. When he tried to argue with her that a proposal was a long way off, she merely rolled her eyes and shoved the ring box into his hand.

Not wanting to propose now didn't mean Kylo didn't want to propose at all. He did. Oh, how he did, but he wanted it to be special. He wanted it to be a moment Rey never forgot, one she'd tell their children and grandchildren about for years to come. Of course, that would only happen if he had the perfect ring.

Kylo hadn't yet decided if he wanted to use his grandmother Padme's ring or not. Part of him appreciated the sentimental value it held and how it would surely serve to make Rey feel a part of their family. It was an heirloom of the Skywalker line, one she was destined to be a part of.

Part of him wanted to get Rey her own ring, something as unique and bright as she was. She was the first person to see beyond his darkness, to reach past his exterior persona and find the man behind the mask. Someone as singularly beautiful — inside and out — as Rey deserved a symbol of her worth, of what she meant to him so she could be reminded every day.

Padme's ring was in his sock drawer, hidden under a pair of charcoal gray ones he rarely wore. Regardless of not knowing if he'd prefer to use the Skywalker heirloom or not, Kylo felt the presence of the ring every time he walked into the bedroom. His nervousness manifested in one of two ways. Either he could barely function, eyes drawn to the drawer as he debated when would be a good time to propose or he ravaged Rey as if it was their last night on Earth.

Something about the idea of her wearing a ring made him incredibly aroused, but nothing prepared him for her comment from earlier. When Rey mentioned being pregnant, Kylo felt all the blood rush out of his head and run due south. He was convinced he died for a moment as he stared up at her flushed face. It was obvious she hadn't meant to say it, but she couldn't take it back and Kylo found he didn't want her to.

Suddenly the acceptable timeline to propose wasn't a concern. Instead, Kylo's mind was racing with fantasies of seeing Rey with a ring on her left hand and running said hand across her swollen belly. His cock twitched in his jeans at the thought.

Was being together for a couple months too soon to get engaged? His parents had only been together for a couple of weeks before Han suggested they go to the Justice of the Peace. Leia hadn't allowed it, but they had been married within a year.

Of course, his parents weren't great role models for a stable marriage so...

"Ben!" Poe patted a hand on his back, jarring him from his thoughts. "How are you?"

Kylo faced the other man, forcing himself to smile.

"Hi," he greeted her friend.

Since Rey moved in they all began calling him by his real name, mostly because Rey insisted on it. He didn't fight it. When he was with her, he felt more like himself than ever before. Perhaps he was still Ben Solo, deep down. Once he left the First Order, there would be no place for Kylo Ren. He'd merely be a voiceover in video games, a made up character for a made up world.

Glancing around at the collection of Rey's friends, including Maz and his uncle, he realized how genuine they all were. This was real life. The life Rey made for herself was solid and true, a clear family even if it was in name only. And she invited Ben to be part of it. Maybe being Ben Solo wasn't such a terrible thing.

"How's the move going?" Poe asked, offering Kylo a beer.

Kylo shook his head. While beer was alright once in awhile, he preferred whiskey. It appeared the crew was happy with wine and beer, everyone else already holding red plastic cups in their hands as they chatted.

"We're nearly done. The last few things are there as a convenience in case we don't have time to run back to the city to shower or need a quick nap," he explained. "Jess brought her truck last week and helped us move all the big items."

"Rey told us," Poe chuckled. "Don't worry, man," he patted Kylo on the back again. "She's always been stubborn like that."

Poe was referring to the fight Kylo and Rey had gotten into when he suggested hiring a moving company to safely transport her belongings to his apartment. To say she'd been unpleased with him was an understatement. In the end though, it worked out. Whoever said make-up sex was the best kind of sex had been right. They christened his personal gym quite effectively.

Kylo hoped Rey hadn't mentioned that particular detail to her friends, especially Finn. While Poe's boyfriend was kinder towards Kylo, there was still a distinct lack of trust. Kylo remained polite in Rey's presence, but unlike her other friends, who he texted or called on occasion, he and Finn never spoke more than a handful of words to one another.

"Rey mentioned you two are going back to South Africa," Kylo stated.

"Yeah," Poe beamed. "We had such a great time, we're going to try to go every year on our anniversary. Finn loved it there. He learned so much at the facility and I enjoyed all the food, as you can tell," Poe patted his stomach.

To be honest, Kylo couldn't tell. Poe always appeared to be in shape, but he made an understanding face and nodded in response.

"Ben," Rey called and he walked across the room to where she was standing between Maz and Rose. The women were all flushed from their wine and he saw Rey sway a bit. "Can you take a picture of us please?" she asked, handing him her phone. "I'm going to put it on my desk at work."

"Your mornings won't be the same without my tea," Rose pointed out.

"She can make her own tea," Maz reminded her barista.

"Yeah, but it's nicer when someone makes it for you," Rose insisted.

"Alright," Kylo took a step back to center the frame around the three women. "Settle down now and say cheese."

"Cheese!"

He snapped a couple before signaling them that he was done. Rey moved towards him first, snatching her phone up so they could fawn over the image.

"Can you humor an old man and take one with me?" his uncle came over.

"Master Luke, of course!"

Rey shoved her phone back into Kylo's hand as she looped an arm around his uncle's waist. Luke threw an arm over her shoulders and the two smiled at the lens.

"Well the left side of the picture looks good," Kylo muttered, winking at his girlfriend.

"I can still beat you on the mat, kid," Luke grumbled. "Don't push it."

Rey laughed, snuggling up against Kylo as she watched them bait each other. He wrapped an arm around her, glad to have her back at his side. Since she moved in, he'd gotten worse, wanting to be with her every minute of every day, as if he'd miss a crucial Rey moment if he wasn't right next to her.

She was the best — and worst — kind of drug, suffocating his senses and overpowering all reasonable thought. His girl was his light and watching her shine was all he wanted in this life she had given him.

The party was exactly the type of affair Rey enjoyed. It was small, intimate and best of all an excuse to get Ben out of the apartment so he could focus on something other than the First Order.

Rey loved him, but the man acted as if she was made of glass. Ever since Snoke's threat, Ben was more protective than normal. His recent behavior even rivaled the days when he escorted her back and forth for fear Plutt would return.

While part of her wanted to sneak up behind him and pop a balloon just to see what he'd do, another part of her was terrified he'd break before they had a chance to start their new lives together. She knew how dangerous unchecked anxiety was. Like a poison, it would slowly eat away at someone, eroding all reasonable thought and weakening one's resolve. She had suffered in such a way after Plutt. Rey didn't want to see Ben reduced to that state.

Jess passed her another glass of wine, before walking over to Master Luke. Rey suggested last week that Jess be trained. With her spitfire attitude and youthful persistence, Rey believed her friend would be a fine replacement for her at Ahch-To.

Luke worked with her a couple of times this week, convinced she needed more training but ultimately agreeing Jess had a knack for martial arts. Rey felt better about her transition knowing Jess would be working a more rewarding job and that Luke wouldn't be alone when Ben's sentence was up.

Smiling to herself, she sipped her wine. Life was funny that way. Things just seemed to work out.

"Hey Peanut." Rey turned, just as Finn looped an arm around her shoulders. "Congrats again."

"Thanks, Finn," she gave him a one armed hug around his waist.

They both noticed Poe and Ben talking. Out of all of Rey's friends, Ben was at ease the most around Poe, probably because they were closer in age. Of course, the fact Poe fanboyed over him had nothing to do with it. Not at all.

"I was wrong," Finn told her suddenly, his head angled down and his voice low. "He's a good man and good for you."

Rey felt her heart expand with gratefulness. "Finn-."

"Peanut," he shifted and took her hands in his own, "you've never needed anyone to look after you, but I wanted to. Poe and I both did. You were always so full of smiles and cheer, even if other people weren't. I always thought it was your biggest gift. You've worked miracles with Ky- Ben."

She beamed at him. "You called him Ben."

"It's his real name, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Rey nodded. "It is."

"Then that's what I'll call him from now on," Finn promised.

"Thanks, Finn." Rey pulled him into a hug, just as the subject of their conversation came over.

"Congratulations," Finn said to Ben. He released Rey to shake the towering man's hand. "Not many people choose to leave the First Order."

"It was the right decision," Ben replied, tentatively shaking Finn's hand.

"I admire you for breaking away," Finn added. "And I owe you an apology."

"For?"

"For making assumptions," Finn admitted.

"Well you know what they say about when you assume, right, Finn?" Rey asked, stifling a giggle as she felt the rush of wine hit her.

Her best friend rolled his eyes. "Thanks, Peanut. Really helpful."

"She's got a point," Ben agreed with her. "But I appreciate your apology."

"So are we cool?" Finn questioned.

"We're cool," Ben nodded.

"Awwww," Rey grinned at both of them, pretending to wipe tears from her eyes. "That was a Kodak moment."

Ben scrunched his face. "How do you even know what that is? Were you even born then?"

Rey smacked him.

As the party died down, Kylo took in the remaining guests. His uncle retired about an hour earlier and Maz followed not long after. Poe and Finn had just swung over to say their goodbyes. All that was left were the two giggling girls Rey befriended in this little town.

The three females were lounging on a couch in the back corner of the coffee shop, Rey sandwiched in the middle. Kylo could tell all three had had way too much wine, but he could hardly be mad. Rey deserved a night like this and if it meant she'd fall asleep on his shoulder while he drove them home, he'd deal. It was a small price to pay for her happiness. Besides, he liked feeling her slumped against him.

Kylo started to clean up the leftover beer bottles and plates from the counter. There wasn't much to tidy up, but it gave him something to do while he pointedly ignored the girl talk going on. He wasn't sure how the words 'Christian Gray,' 'snakes,' and 'fluffernutter' were related, but he caught those exact phrases coming out of Jess's mouth before he decidedly ventured across the room.

It was probably safer if he didn't know what they were discussing.

As he tossed away the last of the trash, the bell above the entrance chimed. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw trouble.

Jyn, Cassian, Bodhi, Baze, Chirrut and even Kaytoo all sauntered in. "Congrats, Sunshine!" Jyn hollered, lifting up her arms. She was holding two unopened bottles of top shelf whiskey. Jess, Rose and Rey jumped up from their seats, cheering as they raced up front to greet the new arrivals.

Kylo swore under his breath.

Rey was definitely going to fall asleep on his shoulder.

The Saturday before Rey started at Cloud City found her and Ben at Ahch-To saying goodbye to where it all began. Her apartment was completely bare once more, not a single detail left from her time living in the space. In contrast, her heart was full, filled with contentment and joy.

When she was drawn to the academy, Rey never expected her part-time job to lead her to the family she always wanted or to the love she never believed she'd have. This place had worked a magic over her, giving her more than she ever thought possible in such a short span of time. It was difficult to leave, knowing she wouldn't be returning in the morning.

Unlike her though, Ben would be back on Tuesday. After Labor Day, he was set to finish out his last four months of community service, while Rey would be traveling to Bespin for her first day at her new job.

"That's the last of it," Ben informed her, as he shut the trunk of his Vanquish. "Ready to go?"

Rey gave one last longing glance over her shoulder at the darkened studios and her vacant apartment.

"Hey," Ben wrapped his arms around her, stepping up behind her so his chest was flush against her back. "You can come back and visit whenever you want."

"I know," she sighed, before laughing a bit at herself. Her sentimental streak was beginning to become a real problem. If she wasn't careful Ben really was going to think she was pregnant.

She needed a diversion, a way to concentrate on a the good times they had here instead of focusing on saying farewell.

"Wanna go for a run?"

"Now?" Ben asked, dropping his chin on top of her head.

"Yeah," Rey answered, pulling out of his grasp. "Down to Maz's and back." She sidestepped him, moving towards the street. Ben's eyes followed her. "Last one back here has to stomach with the winner's Netflix pick for the night."

Ben raised a brow at her, but before he could accept or reject her terms, Rey took off.

"Hey!"

Laughing, she ran hard, relishing the feel of her feet pounding the pavement as she fled. Ben's strides were longer than hers, but Rey wasn't one to be beat. Despite how often they used Ben's personal gym for a special kind of work out, she also spent a fair amount of time training with him and running. Whenever he went to see Dr. Connix, Rey spent the time he was away running, working up her stamina.

It was paying off.

Though her strides were shorter, she was quicker, racing far enough ahead of him to remain out of his grasp. Rey entered Tatooine's main town center first, darting down Main Street past Kanata Kaffeine, hitting the stop sign with her hand then jetting back the way she came.

When she passed Ben, she leapt away from his outstretched arms, barely escaping his attempt to trap her. He chuckled, low and deep like the rumble of thunder over the desert. Rey tossed him a wink, as she ran backwards for a pass, then resumed her breakneck pace, determined to win.

Competition was good. It was something both of of them enjoyed and it kept them from overthinking things. For Rey it was leaving Ahch-To, but for Ben it was the phone calls he'd received starting yesterday afternoon. Both Phasma and Hux had been calling his cell non-stop. They left voicemails and sent text messages too. They'd even gone so far as to send emails. Ben deleted them all without a second thought. He never even opened a single message up.

Rey was unnerved by their sudden interest in him. After nearly three weeks of silence, the overwhelming influx of communications triggered Ben's anxiety and hers by extension. Ben had gone so far as to call Dr. Connix and fill her in on the situation. His therapist was the one to suggest severing old ties, calling his former colleagues toxic and not productive to the healthy lifestyle he chose to pursue away from the First Order with Rey. While at first, Dr. Connix's advice worked, Rey noticed Ben's phone continued to vibrate for the better part of the morning. She was glad he left it in the car when they finished packing up her belongings.

At the thought of the car, Rey grinned, spotting the academy's sign ahead. Take that, Solo , she thought smugly. We're watching Pride & Prejudice tonight.

"Ha!" Rey squealed with joy the instant her feet hit the gravel of the academy parking lot. "Beat you again!"

Ben came jogging up alongside her, panting as he took in her wide grin. "I let you win."

She wiggled her eyebrows at him, playfully. It was cute how he attempted to lie to her, but as usual his ears were an alarming shade of red, the same color they were when he was embarrassed. It was his worst (or best, in Rey's case) tell. She approached him, wrapping her arms around his neck and staring up at him. "Oh, really? The undefeated Kylo Ren let a girl beat him?"

"Not just any girl, Sweetheart," he told her, his hands resting on her hips, as he smiled at her.

"Good answer."

"Are you going to claim your prize?" he asked, leaning down, but not quite kissing her.

Rey hummed, nodding before she rose up to close the gap between them. Their competitive streak had not dulled in the time they had been together. If anything, their developing relationship turned their battle of wills into a battle for dominance when it came to kissing, among other things. Things they spent the better part of their evenings together in his apartment pursuing.

It was a surprise to both of them, when a voice called out to them.

"Is this who you've been shacked up with, Rey-girl?"

As if someone had doused her in ice water, Rey yanked away from Ben to face the owner of the voice — a voice she knew all too well.

"Plutt."

She could feel Ben tense behind her.

The blob of a man left the confines of his truck, to waddle across the parking lot to them. Rey remained rooted in her spot, unable to turn her gaze away from the man who had terrorized her for years.

After the cops hadn't been able to locate him and neither him nor any of his usual cronies appeared, she thought — more like hoped — it was finally over. She believed she could have her own life, a life filled with good friends, her adopted family at the club, and Ben. She should have realized Plutt would never let her go. He would never let her have freedom.

Unkar eyed her up, before turning his attention to Ben, who was still behind her. He hadn't uttered a word since Plutt interrupted their embrace. His restraint surprised her. Had her ex-guardian shown up in this manner before, Ben would have surely beat him the way he annihilated his competition in the ring. As it was, Ben remained close to her — close but not touching — as if he knew it would rile up Plutt.

"You must be the one this whore's been spreading her legs for. Offer to keep her safe, did you? Well, she's mine . She belongs to me."

Rey felt her stomach churn at his words. It wasn't the worst thing he had ever called her — not by a long shot. that particular word had never been a term Plutt used. He preferred more vulgar phrases. Still, it brought back memories of the times she hid in the junkyard or slipped away to Finn's dorm in college to avoid any altercations. She felt the familiar fear taking hold of her, sucking all reason and resolve from her system.

Ben wasn't affected by the other man's words. "Rey," He handed her his keys, calmly instructing her. "Get in the car and call the police. Lock the doors."

She moved to the Vanquish, when Plutt grabbed her arm. "Let go!" She hissed.

"I don't think so, Rey-girl. Get in the truck. You're coming back with me, where you belong."

"Get your hands off her," Ben snarled.

"What are you going to do about it, boy?" Unkar quipped. "You have more to lose than I do...Kylo Ren." Ben's eyes widened, and Rey's heart sunk as she understood the trap they had walked into. Plutt chuckled, darkly. "You were suspended from the league for fighting outside the ring, weren't you?"

"If you know I was suspended, then you know why. I'd advise you to leave before you end up like him."

Plutt paid no attention to Ben's threat. "Wonder how the press would feel if you attacked a man and his daughter?"

"Rey is not yours. She's never been yours," Ben barked, but she heard the tremor in his voice. Any further violence could cost him his new position with the video game developers and land him in a heap of trouble with the courts. Unkar Plutt knew it and he knew how to manipulate the situation to benefit himself. Ben had been labeled as a hot-headed menace and cast off once already. Would they really be mercifully if he came back a second time?

"You think because she let you fuck her that makes her yours?" Ben had no rebuttal for that comment. His body was taut with aggression he was unable to release, as he warred with his instinct to attack the man before him. "The mighty and powerful Kylo Ren," Plutt jeered. "You're pathetic." He spit on Ben's shoes, his grip tightening on Rey's arm possessively. Ben caught the act and for the first time, Rey saw true fear and self-loathing in his deep brown eyes.

Something inside her snapped. It wasn't the same zen-like flow of energy she fell into when she sparred with Ben, or even the reactive strikes she had completed against Master Skywalker the first time he had brought her inside the academy. This was different. This was something born of pure hostility and burning rage.

She wind-milled her arm out of Plutt's grasp, while simultaneously shooting out her other hand to land a palm strike to his face. Tossing the keys back at Ben, she stepped behind Plutt, kicking her right foot down into the back of his knee. Her hit forced him to land in the gravel, cursing as his hands caught the small stones to break his fall.

"I don't belong to anyone," Rey asserted. "Least of all you, Unkar Plutt."

The man clambered to his feet, a look of shocked terror on his face. In all her years under his thumb she had never spoken to him in such a tone, with such resounding defiance.

"You don't want me as your enemy, Rey-girl. I have friends everywhere. You will live to regret this."

"No."

"No?"

"No," Rey declared. "You are going to regret what you did to me. I'm going to get a lawyer and tell them about the nights you denied me food, the drunken stupors you got into when you needed a punching bag, and how you didn't pay me for any of the work I did at the junk yard because you said it was me earning my keep, while you accepted payment from the state for being my foster."

She took a step towards him, never once blinking or shirking away from him. Her fear had been replaced by an overwhelming anger at having been his victim for far too long. She would never let it happen again — to her or anyone else.

"You will regret what you did to me for the rest of your miserable life." Plutt stared at her, livid at first, before the fear trickled into his eyes. "Get out of my face," she hissed, taking a step towards him, the prey becoming the predator.

Plutt scrambled backwards, running to his truck.

Ben immediately came to her side, crushing her to his chest as he clung to her. "Sweetheart," he gasped, his lips brushing against her ear. "I'm so proud of you. That was amazing, Rey."

"You taught me," she whispered, hugging him back. "You made me believe I could do it, Ben."

"I should have-."

"No," she cut him off, leaning back so she could cup his face and stare into his eyes. "No, this was my fight. I had to face him. It was the only way I could ever really be free."

He nodded solemnly. "Let's go home."

"Home," she smiled.

They turned to get into the black sports car, when a click startled them.

"You can't report me if you aren't around to see it."

Rey and Ben both whipped around to see Plutt with a handgun pointed at them. Rey felt Ben's hands clench around her, digging so hard into her she was sure he'd leave bruises. Before she could react, Ben shoved her aside, diving for the gun the same way he had shown her in defensive weapons training.

Everything happened in slow motion. Rey felt her body crashing towards the ground. She saw Ben duck his head, saw him grab Plutt's wrists and saw Plutt wrestle against the assault. Rey heard the crack of the bullet as it shot out of the chamber, like an explosion into her heart. Then she smelled the powder and the fear in the air. The next thing she knew, time was back to it's normal pace and she was screaming.

"No!"

Ben was on one knee, holding his left side, while Plutt stared down at him in apparent shock, the gun still in his hand. Rey lunged at her former guardian, barreling into him with such force she managed to tackle him to the ground. She kicked the gun from his hand, hearing it clatter against the stones of the lot, before she was throwing fist after fist at him.

A small part of her was aware she'd broken his nose and was well on her way to removing all of his teeth from his face. The rest of her didn't care how she left Unkar Plutt. He deserved his fate.

It wasn't until someone grabbed her under her arms Rey realized the man was unconscious and bleeding profusely.

"Rey."

She glared down at him, hating him with every fiber of her being.

"Rey."

He didn't want her to be happy. He didn't want her to be free. He wanted to control her, cage her, lock her up. That's all he ever wanted but he went too far this time. He hurt Ben.

"Rey!"

She snapped her head to the side, surprised to find Master Luke holding her up.

"I…I," she couldn't form a sentence.

"Ben needs you," Luke told her.

Her stomach lurched and in the next second she was sprinting over to his side, slamming down on her knees, not caring about the gravel or the pain. He was paler than normal, the blood from his wound seeping into his shirt and pants. His breathing was labored and his eyes were squeezed shut.

"Ben," Rey reached down, helping him sit up. "Ben, baby, look at me."

His eyes flashed open.

"We're going to get you help, ok? You're going to be fine."

"Rey-."

"No," she hushed him. "Don't talk. I'll call 911 and you'll be fine."

"Take the car," he pushed his keys back into her hand from where they must have fallen in the commotion. "I trust you..." he smiled weakly.