AN: Rogue One is so awesome! Can't wait for Episode VIII!

Thank you so much for the reviews, follows and favorites! You guys rock!

This chapter might be a tiny bit more angsty and bit more "realistic" (Ben has of course, some serious daddy issues and Rey, some very serious family issues) but hopefully is also funny...

I had to divide the chapter in two (next part is shorter and a bit funnier), so their meeting with Han and Chewie isn't until chapter eight...


Chapter six - The escape in the Falcon

They enter the freighter, Rey first with Ben in tow, followed closely by Poe with Finn, who quickly hits a button and the door closes behind them.

BB-8 rolls in a nick of time and chirps angrily at Poe:"DAD! You forgot me!"

"So, so sorry! The gunner positions are down there," says Poe, who lets go of Finn's hand, and as the former trooper is so used to following orders, he climbs down without a word, while Rey races with Ben to the cockpit.

Rey had intended on letting go of Ben, but for some reason Ben's hand, who at first had been too warm had gone stone cold and something told her she couldn't let go of him so she nearly has to drag him the whole way.

What happened to him? I hope he doesn't pass out her on the floor! I wonder if he thinks we were signing our death sentence anyway by entering this junk! But what choice did we have...and we can't give up now?!

As Ben still is frozen Rey quickly plombs him down in the co-pilot seat, throws her staff into a corner and jumps in the pilot seat.

She flips the controls, furiously while muttering. "I can do this. I can do this!"

Poe reaches over Ben and flips some switch. "The shields are up."

"Whoa! This seat is moving!" shouts Finn from the gunner position. "How do you move in this thing?!"

"I will go help Finn. Stay low, it confuses their trackers."

Rey just nods to Poe's commands, as she seems to be doing things on autopilot. BB-8 follows Poe out of the cockpit and the ships takes off...mostly without a hitch.


Everything feels so weird, like in a dream. Rey is no longer sure what is real and what is fantasy.

For a long while, she was sure she had for some reason been dragged into a stupid improv play and that BB-8 was only finding a innocent volunteer to play some part. That was one the trick the traveling troupes did, but they always tried to find a new way to surprise the easily bored and judgmental audience.

However, none of the plays spokes so directly to me...

Through the years she had seen a lot of different plays, one of the few entertainments that the people of Jakku could enjoy and break up their days. Traveling troupes used to come on their tour around the system and Rey always envied them of their freedom to travel, whereas she was stuck on this planet, waiting forever. Of course, she had thought of just joining one of the troupes to find her family, by being world famous, but as she had no acting talent she quickly gave up on that dream.

There was also something that told her to stay and wait, even though she didn't understand what, maybe just the fleeting hope that her family would return to the place they left her and wouldn't find her, if she wasn't at the same place. Logic kept her prisoner, so it was good to sometimes being able to escape into a fantasy world, far, far away..

As a child she was filled with wonder and awe of the tales about the heroes the galaxy, the one who saved the galaxy from the clutches of the Empire in the past and how even Darth Vader himself, the Emperor's right hand, destroyed the Emperor to save Luke, what in a later updated play, was revealed to be his son. She knew all the heroes names by heart, Luke Skywalker the Jedi master, Leia Organa the princess, later revealed to be his twin sister and the smuggler Han Solo, the war hero, who flew the Millennium Falcon along with his co-pilot Chewie and then there were the two faithful droid, Threepio and Artoo...

But all of this was just myths, stories, none of it could be true, not to someone who had never left the planet since she was a child, as the biggest adventure she had ever experienced was finding ship parts to sell and not starve to death.

But maybe my family is out there trying to save the galaxy and that is why they left me...for the greater good...

About six years ago, the stories changed and became filled with propaganda about the First Order, about some supreme leader, his right hand Kylo Ren (who for some reason was one of the good guys today) and his knights of Ren. Sometimes a resistance friendly troupe came with their side of the story and Rey was filled with dread, as she had always hoped that her family was just too busy saving the galaxy and that was why the left her and that they would come back for her when the galaxy was safe and now the fight was on once again and who knew how long that would last this time?

However, as the years flew by, the childish innocence faded slowly away, the hope in her heart died and with each passing day, she felt surer that her family were not some heroes, but some unlucky ones who had to evade some enemies or even someone who couldn't be bothered with her.

The darkness in her heart grew stronger with each passing day, she felt more bitter, but also more adamant to survive in case her family would return and then she planned on given them her piece of her mind for leaving her...

Then he said he could help me find my family...

Rey wasn't sure whether that was real, part of the play or someone just outright pranking her as the scavengers were certainly known for, as they used to pick on her when she was the youngest and weakest and none of them had really cared about helping her find her family. But, how she desperately wished for it come true, that someone really cared. Rey was done waiting.

One of the things that made her really believe in what was happening before her eyes in the so-called play, was the might of the so-called force, how she could see straight into the mind of Ben or was it Ren? Even though his mind was mostly shrouded in darkness, like she had to wade through a mist to get through the heart of it and to her surprise found some very strong feelings and that everything he had told her was true. This was no play.

Did that also mean he can help me find my family...?!

If the might of the force hadn't been enough to convince her, never mind the special effects the traveling troupes had used through the years, his darkside powers was something more closer to magic and the people looked genuinely scared of him, not to mention that the bombing Tie fighters also gave a convincing argument, that this was no dream but all a true reality happening right before her eyes. She had stepped right into the fantasy of her dreams...

But...he did it for me...he was angry on my behalf...why? For as long as Rey could remember, no one had ever protected her like that and it confused her, as a small warmth spread inside her chest she couldn't put her finger on what was.

Could this be lov...?

You know he's only after your power... says a voice, she sometimes hears from when she is at her loneliest, lost and most desperate.

What power? asks Rey, the voice, who always has a knack to find the worst in everything and seems to try to destroy whatever hope she has left. Usually she ignores it or it doesn't come up at all as Rey beats it without mercy down in order to not lose her mind, but now she was intrigued by what is was saying, but also afraid.

He said you were strong in the Force, answers the voice.
I've no idea what that is...or very little...

You should leave this place forever. Your family is never coming back and you know it.

I can't leave. I've no other place...you know it...

Let him train you in the darkside so you can take revenge on your so-called family.

Rey knows she can't let the voice win, she never knew and hardly knows still what it is today, but now knows it must be somehow connected to her powers. The voice can't win or she will lose everything...that is the only thing she is certain of...

I'm sure something like that happened to Ben Solo or Kylo Ren, that's why his mind is shrouded in darkness...and I don't want...revenge...and from the looks of it darkside is a very bad power...I mean, Poe even punished Ben or was it Ren? For using it...

But, don't you want that power? You will never be powerless again...

I...just want my family back...wait Ben Solo...could it be that is his father is Han Solo? Nah, there are probably more Solos around...


"Everything alright here?

Rey is startled to find Poe suddenly standing behind her and staring at her.

How long have I been spaced out like that? I shouldn't space out while flying! What am I thinking?! Is Poe here to scold me?

To Rey's great relief, they are still airborne and no sign of them, losing altitude, despite the Tie-Fighters constantly trying to shoot at their tail.

Did I...use this force thing or something...?

A Tie-Fighter blows up, followed shortly with Finn shouting in the back: "Wohoo!" Rey could just imagine him punching the air in happiness. "I did it, POE!"

"WELL DONE! He is really good at this," remarks Poe. "I didn't have to teach him that much, as soon as he got used to the moving seat." He adds the last in a calm voice, clearly a battle veteran who has seen a lot and isn't the least frightened by the seemly endless pursuit of the Tie-Fighters.

"Oh, sorry. You're a pilot too...I just followed my instinct..." Rey bites her lower lip in embarrassment for having stolen the pilot seat like that. She is not used to having other people to rely on and instead having to do everything herself.

Poe smiles despite their circumstances. "Don't worry, you're doing great. Besides, I know he would rather have you pilot this ship than me." He pats Ben's head, but to his surprise, Ben doesn't react in any way, but only stares into space.

"What does he care?" asks Rey.

Why has he shut down? I didn't know he was a droid...

"You could say it's his family heirloom." "Hello, is anybody home?" He knocks lightly on Ben's head and frowns when there is still no reaction from him. "Do you want me to call your mother and have her pick you up?"

"Family...heirloom...?"

And you called it a garbage! The voice scolds her, as it also has to criticize her and really rub in her mistakes.

How was I supposed to know...it's falling apart...what was it doing here in the first place? I know it got stolen...Could he be like this because I called his family heirloom...a garbage? Is it my fault...?!

"'But, I'm impressed. You seem to have everything under control. Let me know if I can help you. Remember to stay low," says Poe and is about to return to the gunner position with BB-8, when Rey stops them by saying: "I'm fine, thank you. You should be more worried about..." Rey nods her head at Ben, who looks like a zombie. "What's wrong with him? Is he sick? Do we need to find a medic?"

Maybe it's just the heat...he nearly passed out earlier...

Poe puts his hand on Ben's forehand to take his temperature. "Wow...he's stone cold..."

Cold...but not warm?!

BB-8 shoots out his electric arm.

"Hmm, yeah, try that..but only once.." says Poe, but when BB-8 sapps him and Ben still shows no reaction, Poe grabs his wrist to take his pulse. "Okay, now I'm scared...phew he still has a pulse, the general would've had my head if something happened to him while under my care. Must be a Jedi thing. He will come back when he's ready...I hope..." Poe runs a hand, exasperated through his own dark hair. "You better come back, Ben..."

Come back...he better come back...

"Do you have any idea what's wrong with him?" asks Rey quickly before a painful memory resurfaces and Poe waves a hand in front of Ben's face, who only stares blankly ahead. "I don't know him that well...but...I guess you could say that the past has caught up with him in more ways than once."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

Because of this ship?

"I will explain later, focus on evading this Tie-fighters. I will help Finn shot the rest of them down." Poe pats BB-8 on his way to the other gunner position. "Watch over our troublemaker and let me know if he shows any change."

"Yes, dad..." chirps BB-8, who stares intently at frozen Ben and looks to be ready to sap him if he misbehaves.

Even the droid has a family...but, what did he mean by the past has caught up to him? What's going on with him...? Well, whatever is going on with him...I will protect him...just like he protected me...I will bring him back to his family...and then I will return to Jakku..to wait for my own...


KR: Calm down, this ship has been lost for many years. What are the odds of your father finding it now? None.

Are you...helping me?

KR: I don't want you to have a complete meltdown, I still need you...you know...

For...what?

KR: For instance, you could bring Rey to the supreme leader.

What?! Why in the...?

KR: She's strong in the force. She needs a teacher.

You know, he will kill me if he gets another student. Besides, I'm a way better teacher than stupid Snoke...

You?

Yeah, uncle often got me to help him with the little padawans.

Yes...because they were at your level...

Not true and shut up, I'm trying to enjoy my alone time with Rey.

KR: Alone... stuck in your head...

I'm shy...and this way I won't make a fool out of myself...

KR: You are trying to escape, you know. How about helping out a bit instead of having a meltdown?!


"Aren't the shields up yet?!" shouts Finn.

"I need a working co-pilot!" shouts Rey back.

Working...co-pilot...?

"Don't worry, the shields are already up...they just aren't working perfectly. Ben, won't you do the honors?" says Poe and shakes him violently.

"Huh.. honors... wha... where...?" asks Ben in a groggy voice.

Where am I...oh no!

"Finally, you are up! Do something useful, be the co-pilot." Poe points at the control panel in front of him.

Ben is really tempted to just snatch up his lightsaber and destroy the control panel, but two things stop him, one it would bring them swiftly to their deaths and that's not fair to Rey and two, his dad would haunt him if he did anything to the Falcon.

"Don't even think about it, Ren," says Poe warningly and slaps his hand away from the lightsaber hilt in his belt, which Ben had unconsciously reached for.

Ben glares at him, though deep inside he's thankful that he stopped him for doing a horrible mistake.

"Ren as in Kylo Ren? I'm so confused...you have two names. I thought your name was Ben, Ben Solo? Which it?" ask Rey with a puzzled expression, which Ben think makes her look adorable, but all her adorableness aside, he answers her: "Ben. The other was my darkside name."

KR: Is your darkside name.

"Darkside...oh like how Anakin Skywalker turned into Darth Vader," asks Rey and Ben lifts an eyebrow. "Yeah...how do you know about that?"

"A saw a play once...is it really true that he is Luke's and Leia's father?" ask Rey excitedly.

A play...about one of the most well guarded secret in the galaxy?!

"Yes...and as Leia is my mom, he was my grandpa..." replies Ben.

"Grandpa!" shouts Rey.

KR: And the coolest grandpa ever!

Except we never met him...

KR: Which sucks! But we went to check out his castle on Mustafar. It was so cool!

Yeah...it was...
"Hello, take the controls...now." Poe points back at the control panel as he doesn't seem to care in the least about Ben's awesome family history, only that they can survive this pursuit and get off the planet to the resistance.

KR: At least he has his priorities straight...though he has a funny way of doing things...

Ben crosses his arms. "No, you do it. I don't like the idea of flying this particular ship...I'm going to find an escape pod..." He stands up, but Poe pushes him back into the seat and puts the seat belt on him.

"Hey!" shouts Ben and plans on unfastening the seat belt, but Poe stops him by grabbing his hand. "You're not going anywhere on my watch. Stop being so stubborn!"

"Oh, come on. I thought you dreamed of flying...this...this ship," whines Ben.

Why is he forcing me to pilot it?!

KR: Yeah...what is he trying to prove...?

"This...ship?" ask Rey and looks skeptically around what she called garbage and Ben can't really blame her as the ship looks to be falling apart, which mirror exactly how he is feeling.

I can't do this...I can't!

Poe nods to Ben's earlier question and lets go of him, so he can move. "Yes, always dreamed of it, but this is more important to you."

Is he trying to be nice...or a jerk?

KR: Jerk..obviously...

"Well, I don't like it! And you can't make me!" shouts Ben and tries to reach for his saber, intent on cutting through the belt and maybe bit of Poe, like his stupid hair, on the way, that would show him!

"Put your saber away. You need this to be able to move forward," says Poe sternly and grabs his saber grabbing hand.

"You can't force me!" snarls Ben and thrashes in his grip when suddenly Poe lets go of him and lift his hands in the air, like he's giving up.

"Maybe you don't know how to fly...?" says Poe and Ben snarls, insulted: "Of course I know how to fly! I even learned to fly on this...thing!"

"Wow..I envy you so much!" Poe grins, but Ben shakes his head. "Don't...It wasn't much fun."

"Maybe you were just bad learner." Poe shrugs and Ben, who is too tired to retort replies: "Maybe..."

"Guys! We don't have time for this! Take the controls now!"

Ben obeys Rey instantly and the minute he takes the control and just as he feared, he's bombarded with memories from his long forgotten past.


"No! That's the button for the lightspeed!" shouted his father at him and grabbed Ben, who was a toddler at that time and had somehow managed to crawl into the empty co-pilots chair and was about to push the forbidden button.

After that I wasn't allowed back in the cockpit.

KR: Never?

Well, no...he also tried to teach me how to fly...

KR: I trust it didn't go too well.

"No, no. Where is your head at boy?" His father pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm sorry, but you're not ready for this."

"I am ready! We haven't even left the spaceport yet! Grandpa Ani was flying a podracer when he was nine! I'm ten!" shouted Ben indignantly and pointed out the views shield, as they had barely started and already his father had given up.

"Well, he was also the chosen one...and had no dad to say no to that stupidity..." His father lifted him from the seat and onto the floor. "Come on, let's play chess instead...far safer." He took his hand, but Ben dragged his feet, intent on winning this battle: "How old were YOU when you started flying?"

His father sighed. "That has nothing to do with this. No, we will wait until you're much older...preferably twenty..no thirty...it's much safer." He picked him up, put him in the sofa and turned on the chess piece.

"Thirty?! Can't I just try a smaller ship first?" begged Ben and his father pretended he was thinking it over. "Let me see...no. And you know, your mom will agree with me."

One of the chess pieces lunged into another and threw it to the ground, which was like how Ben felt at the moment, defeated and humiliated...

You're right...I didn't really learn to fly until I got another instructor...many years later, when I was a teen, but I often was a stowaway on the ship, forcing dad to bring me on dangerous missions, which really pissed him off and several days after that lesson I even tried to steal the Falcon...


"BEN!"

"Wha...what...?" Ben is drawn away from his memories by Poe shouting at him:"You can't space out now. We need you to control this thing. Watch what you are doing!"

"I don't understand why you can't be the co-pilot, aren't you like one of the best pilot in the galaxy...?" Ben sugar coats his voice.

Pretty please...I can't have more memories tormenting me...!

KR: You know, Poe loves to torment you...

Poe smiles. "I'm flattered, but that is only your words not mine. Come on, you can do it." He pats his shoulder encouragingly.

No! I can't! Endless memories!

"I need some help here!" shouts Finn in desperation and Poe blinks him as he leaves for the other gunner's position. "I will help Finn take down these endless Tie-fighters. I will leave you two alone...well with BB-8..."

"Poe!" shouts Ben, but Poe is long gone, leaving only BB-8 who chirps something and Ben is seething because of the unfairness of it all.

Stupid rebel...rebelscum...

"Would you rather be the main-pilot...?" ask Rey, as if what really is bothering Ben, is that he's stuck as the co-pilot in his family ship and for some reason that's beneath him.

Ben shakes his head. "No, you are doing just fine."

To get through this...I need guidance from the force...


But the minute Ben shuts his eyes, Rey shouts at him:"What are you doing? You can't fly with with your eyes closed! Are you doing this to spite, Poe?! This is no joke you know!"

"Ben, behave!" shouts Poe in the back and as on command BB-8 saps Ben.

"Ouch! HEY! I'm using the force!" snaps Ben back without opening his eyes.

Stupid, stupid rebel scum!

"Can you use the force for anything?" asks Rey in disbelief.

"You might say so. Try it yourself. Trust the force," says Ben and doesn't get far in getting strength from the force as Rey continues shouting: "I'm not closing my eyes like an idiot!"

"I will have you know, that my unca Luke destroyed the first Death Star by closing his eyes like an idiot!" snaps Ben, his eyes open up and he blushes.

"Unca?" ask Rey puzzled.

KR: Hehe, unca...?

I misspoke...shut up...

"My Jedi...uncle..." corrects Ben himself.

"Okay...but, wasn't it just a lucky shot?" asks Rey.

KR: True, he could've been lying to look better...your family lied about lot...like the fact that you had the coolest grandpa in the galaxy!

"Fine...but still trust the force." Ben shuts his eyes again.

"Okay...I will try that..."

"Do or do not there is no try."

KR: I thought you hated that line...

"That'a load of bull! There is always a try first!" shouts Rey.

KR: Well said!

"Just do it!" shouts Ben while he desperately tries to get guidance from the force despite all the noise.

"Fine..." replies Rey, defeated and starts to use the force.

I didn't know teaching was this hard...

KR: I understand a bit now why your uncle was such a prick to us, all the time...

Me too...we...or well I wasn't exactly the best of student...

KR: And you plan on meeting him again...

No...that wouldn't be wise...I'm just delivering the map to mom...nothing else!

KR: He must be so pissed at you...

More like angry...or as angry as a Jedi is allowed to be...

KR: He probably has some awful punishment lined up for you like always...

Like lines...

KR: Well that and...

"Wohooo! That was the last of them!" shouts Finn.

Wha...what happened...? Is it over...already?!


Ben opens up his eyes and witness as the last Tie-Fighters gets blown up and they fly out of the atmosphere, straight into space.

KR: You weren't paying attention...just like in the Jedi Academy...

I hope know one realized that...

"Amazing job, Finn!" shouts Poe and Ben can hear the clanking of the ladder as they both climb up from their gunner positions.

"Thanks!" shouts Finn and Ben can hear them, give each other high fives before they walk into the cockpit to join the rest of the gang.

"And really, well done, Rey!" Poe gives her a high five as well.

"Thanks...I have never left the planet, but I have flown before..." says Rey and gives Finn a double high five, like they had just won a big sports game instead of winning a aerial battle. "We did it!"

A natural flyer...dad would like her. Nothing like me...

KR: He didn't really give you any chance...

"You too, BB-8," Poe kneels and pets BB-8.

BB-8 chirps something happily.

Of course Poe won't say anything to me...

Ben feels a little hurt over being left out of the celebration, even though he didn't really do anything, but to be frank BB-8 didn't do squat either! The he notices how Poe is staring at him with a strange expression.

KR: Why is that idiot staring at you?

Probably plans to scold me for not paying attention in a life-threatening battle...

"You did well too!" Poe smirks, attacks and ruffles Ben's hair.

Hey! Only my mom or dad...I mean nobody gets to touch my hair!

KR: Not even Rey...?

Rey can do anything to me...

KR: Of course she can...

Ben bats Poe's hand away after an awful long petting. "I didn't really do anything. Great job, Rey." He smiles at Rey, who smiles back and replies: "Thanks...you too."

Phew...she has no idea I left it all to her...

KR: But at the same it makes you kind of useless...

Why do you have to ruin everything?!

"High five?" Rey turns to Ben and timidly lifts up hand.

Is she asking me...for a high five?

KR: No...armless BB-8...

Really...? Not me...?

KR: Do I have to spell out everything for you? Where does your brain go when you look at that girl? Of course it's you!

Ben turns scarlet and can't look at her when he lifts up his hand and she high fives him.

Then he lowers his hand and stares at it, as if she had just given him million credits.

Poe grins when he notices that and Ben turns his head sharply to him, when he realizes his secret is out.

Oh, no. He saw!

KR: Right...because you have hidden your feelings towards her so well...

He will definitely use it against me somehow! Like start hitting on Rey!

KR: Hmm...I'm not so sure about that...

Instead Poe turns to Finn, who seems to be clueless about everything and puts a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, Finn how about some chess to relax after this and to celebrate our escape?" Poe points behind them, at the holochess on the table in front of the comfortable sofa.

"Sounds good to me." Finn flashes him a smile, all too happy to not having to sit in the gunner position any longer and to be able to relax in a sofa.

"Good luck..." mouths Poe at Ben behind him and blinks him teasingly.

Is he playing a matchmaker now...?

KR: That guy is an enigma...

"Come, BB-8." Poe waves at BB-8 to follow them, who chirps something and rolls after him and Finn to the holochess table in the back.


After Poe had left with Finn and BB-8, an awkward silence ensues between Rey and Ben.

Shiiit...what should we talk about..?!

"I told you, you were strong in the force," says Ben at last.

KR: You know talking about the force...is kinda like speaking about the weather...you should ask her about something personal...like her hobbies...

"You keep saying the force, this and that, but what is it anyway? I have heard about it, but..." says Rey and hopes that Ben will finish her sentence, which he is happy to do: "It's a energy that surrounds us and binds together every living thing. You need a teacher...I can show you the way of the force...at least until you can meet unca...master...Luke..."

KR: And you said unca again...like when you were a toddler...and are you really going to send her alone to Luke?

It's safer...wait no, I don't want to send her away!

"Thanks for the offer, but I have to get back to Jakku after I've brought you to the resistance..." says Rey firmly, as he had planned otherwise on packing her in a container.

"I will help you find your family," offers Ben again.

KR: Hmm, will but not can...are you sure you should be making promises like that?

"Look, it's awfully nice of you and all, but there is nothing you can do to help. I just have to keep on waiting for them to return. They will...one day. Besides, you are going back to your own right or at least to your mom?" Rey glares at him. "Or else..."

I will at least bring mom the map...but I'm never meeting uncle, never and dad...well,, never ever either...

KR: You know how much a stickler she is for family staying together...I wouldn't say anything more if I were you...

"I guess...but it's not that simple..." begins Ben and ignores Kylo's advice as he looks in deep thought, through the view shield into the endless space.

KR: Are you really planning on telling her the truth...?! It's not too late to back out!

I hate lies...

"How so...?" asks Rey and Ben turns to her, guilt written over his face. "I may have abandoned...my family..."

Ben could've just as well spit in Rey's hair, she looks livened and her nostrils flare, as she reaches for her staff in the corner.

Oh, o! Maybe I shouldn't have said that...

KR: You're so dead man...


Next up: Rey snaps...