Today was a major lead for the Resistance. They finally got ahold of an alliance member on the Outer Rim. They should be coming in with more weapons and battleships too.
Rey just wanted to make it back to her room after the announcement so she could talk to Ben. Anything would be better than hearing people talk about killing other people. There was no good or bad side, was there?
"Hey Rey, hold up."
She stopped, biting her lip in annoyance.
"Yes?"
She blinked a few times, seeing both Poe and Finn before her.
"You okay? Look, we both wanted to apologize for the other day."
"No, it's fine. Don't worry about it." Her lips twitched a quick smile.
"No really. I should've listened. I should've been open. I can listen now," Finn said genuinely.
There were so many people bustling around and talking and making noise. It was blotting out her thoughts.
"I'm sorry, maybe another time."
She started scurrying away but her arm was caught.
"Wait, Rey. I am sorry. Really. It's just been hard ever since I've become general...since we lost Leia. But I am trying to hear everyone, especially you."
He bit his lip and smiled. "You're a good fighter."
Rey could hear something in his tone that made her smile too. "Thank you."
Her fingers instinctively tucked a lock of hair behind her ears. She glanced over her shoulder one last time with a grin. So there is some hope.
Her cheeks hurt from smiling so much. Good. There was something.
Oh wait.
She was running as fast as she could. Her door was right in front of her.
It was too late. Her heels skid to a stop, almost making her topple over from the sudden halt.
"It seems you've been pretty busy."
She jumped at his voice.
Rey glanced over her shoulder and Ben was standing there with his arms folded. Not good.
Her hand flew to her chest.
"Kriff, Ben you scared me."
He didn't respond, just kept staring.
She turned her back to him to avoid his gaze. His next words were a strike of lightning in the dark.
"What do you do when I'm gone?"
"It's none of your business, is it?" She started heading for her door.
A blush started to grow on her cheeks as she passed him by.
"Do you want the other men that flatter you?"
How did he know... It shouldn't be a surprise that he does but it still bothers her.
But back to what he said, how could he think of that her when she only thinks of him?
Maybe he saw her and Poe.. Or he heard her thoughts...
Finn is just a friend and Poe is nice but Ben is...everything.
"I didn't want to talk about this. I wanted to ask something of you."
He nodded, facing away in contempt.
"I don't like where this is going."
She folded her arms, looking directly into his eyes. "You always do this. Why can't we just talk without you getting upset?"
"If I remember right, the first time this Bond happened, you tried to shoot at me."
Her shoulders lowered from their defensive position.
"What did you want to talk about?"
She sighed, rubbing her arms shamefully. "You're Supreme Leader now. Can't you do anything to stop this? Or change the course-"
"I've already spoken to you about this."
He stomped away from her.
"No. I've asked you to come back. Not about this."
He rubbed his face with his gloved hands.
"No one will be happy. If I do that, there will be those who will be upset and those that will be happy. It's a constant cycle. And the Resistance will rise up and make a new First Order. It never changes. Both sides need to quit but they can't because there needs to be order and-"
"-balance."
She knew he was right. The Resistance is going down that very path. They're no better than the bad guys.
"But the worst part is, I don't care about making the First Order, or the Resistance, or even the galaxy happy. All I care about is making you happy."
Their eyes connected and she swallowed.
He reached out a hand and she took it this time with no hesitation, stepping up to him.
"Please come to me. I want you to be with me again."
"Now this is a conversation we've had."
She dropped her hand away, walking to the other side of the room.
"Why can't you understand I'm trying, Rey? I'm trying so hard so that you will come back to me."
"You can't do that with all this mess."
His fists clenched. "Why do you even stay? No one trusts you anymore."
"That's not true!" She whipped around.
"Then why do you stay here? What have you contributed to the Resistance? Hope?"
She bit the inside of her cheek, keeping her head down. There's really nothing she has done.
"Or you're hitting it off with new General and that's the real reason you can't leave," he muttered with much disgust.
Her body started shaking from his random accusation. "What-no!"
"It's true though, isn't it? You can't hide anything from me. You haven't done anything here to help. Except maybe tempt men."
"Are you serious? How dare you! I can't stand you. I don't even know why I think I can speak to you!"
He exhaled aggressively.
"You're being so unreasonable. Except this isn't the first time so I'm not surprised."
His eyes darted to her. "What?"
"Would you have said yes? If you were in my position, would you have said yes to the offer you gave me?"
"Yes," he firmly stated.
"Why?" She hissed.
"Because I don't have expectations, Rey!"
She sucked in a breath at his raised voice. He never yells at her like that.
"That's pretty hard to believe considering you have so many of me."
"I don't."
She threw her hands up in confusion. "That-that doesn't make any sense! Why would you ask me that then-?"
"I thought you felt the same!"
His jaw set as he averted his eyes away. Her heart moved in her chest once she realized what he said.
"Ben-"
"No, don't say anything. You've refused me several times. I don't need to go through that again."
He turned his back to her.
"Ben wait!"
"Don't act like I'm leaving forever. This damn Force Bond doesn't let us hide."
He left her alone in her dark space. If she could make him come back or will herself to him she would, but she can't. Rey wanted to tell him that she already told him that she can't fulfill her duties here because of her feelings for him.
It hurts more and more when she thinks of how they could be together now. She has been thinking of the offer lately. If he didn't want to rule everything, if he didn't want the power and it was just them, then maybe...she might've said yes. But he's such an ass.
