Luke regarded everyone standing around the planning table somberly. "As I have already informed some of you, and as the rest of you have probably come to realize, the First Order has expanded. We are still gaining intel, but this is most likely now a New Empire that we are confronted with."

"Do we have any word on Rey?" Finn piped up, his expression hopeful. Luke shot him a disapproving look, and he shrunk. "I—I'm sorry, Sir, I just have to know."

Poe raised his head. "Yeah, Master Luke, surely we have something?"

Luke's heavy gaze shifted down at the table. "We have no such thing," he said, shaking his head slowly.

"We do have word that the New Empire has a new Grand Admiral for their military," Admiral Ackbar interjected. "Although he is one all too familiar."

"Yes," Luke said, nodding. "I am aware." Seeing the despondent expressions on everyone's faces, he knew he needed to increase morale, to lift everyone's hopes. "But our military forces are strong as well. We are prepared to face them." He looked to Poe and Finn, who both nodded at him.

"Who exactly is leading this New Empire, then?" One of the generals asked.

Luke was about to speak as they all turned at the sound of approaching footsteps.

Several people gasped in surprise as none other than Leia walked into the room. People quickly parted from the way of her path as she slowly made her way up to the table. She looked around at everyone, her expression stable, determined.

"Snoke," she said, her voice dark. "It is he who is controlling the Empire."

"Leia," Luke uttered, his voice filled with shock and wonder. "How are you out of the hospit—"

"Nevermind that," Leia said, waving Luke off. "I cannot rest knowing that Snoke is in control. He plans to rule the entire galaxy." She glowered across at everyone around the table. "If we are to have any hope in stopping the Empire, we must take him down."

….

Rey sat on the edge of her bed as she stretched her sore arms, sunlight streaming in from the small window near the ceiling of her bedroom. She sensed Ben nearby, and she got up slowly as she stretched, yawning.

As she entered the living area of the dwelling, she found him at the window on the wall to her left, surveying the outside.

"It snowed a lot last night," he observed, glancing across at her.

"Did it?" Rey asked. She made her way to his side.

As she looked outside at the fresh, untouched snow, she felt Ben's sidelong gaze on her face. She turned and looked up at him, their gaze locking for perhaps a moment too long.

Ben blinked and looked back outside. But Rey's eyes remained, travelling from his dark eyelashes to the coils of his hair. She felt lured to him.

Ben's eyes flickered back to hers, and she quickly averted her gaze, turning around to grab a piece of fruit from the kitchen area. She bit into it as she moved back to his side, leaning against the wall.

"I say we go outside and take a look," she said. Ben looked back to her and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"Okay," he said.

Rey followed him outside into the wintry white world. The sky was a clear blue, only a few grey clouds scattering across it. Even so, the air was frigid, turning their cheeks deep shades of pink.

Ben stood before her in the deep snow, surveying the environment. Rey trudged past him as she continued to eat her fruit. She kicked flurries of snow into the air casually with her boots.

She turned around, kicking some of the new snow in Ben's direction. He held his hands before him to block the snow from his face. "Hey!" He complained. His eyes narrowed as a sly smile tugged at his mouth. Rey watched him suspiciously.

With a twist of his hand Ben yanked the fruit from Rey's palm, using the Force to send it flying into his own.

"Get your own fruit for once, would you?" Rey teased. Ben took a bite of the fruit as he eyed her mischievously. "You're a scoundrel."

Rey leaned down and began gathering a generous handful of snow. She rose and positioned the snowball behind her head, preparing to launch it.

He raised his eyebrows, shaking his head. "Don't do it," he said, his tone cautionary.

Rey leaned back and then forward as she hurled the snowball at him, exaggerating the movement. It hit him squarely on the shoulder, and he looked down at the snow that now clung his dark cloak.

He raised his eyes back to Rey's, lowering his brows. "This is war," he said. He dropped the fruit into the snow and leaned down to gather snow.

Rey flipped around and began running away, laughing brightly as she heard his heavy footfalls crunching behind her. She suddenly felt the strong impact of his snowball at the center of her back, disrupting her balance. She steadied herself and turned, stopping to narrow her eyes back at him. She quickly formed another snowball, and he did the same.

They both rose and launched snow at each other at almost the same time. Rey's missed and travelled just past Ben's face, while his hit her stomach.

Rey stumbled back at the impact, and widened her eyes as she saw his collection of already-made snowballs in his arms. She yelped and sprinted away, continuing past the line of buildings.

She giggled as one of Ben's snowballs hit her in the back.

"Do you surrender?" Ben called, still chasing after her.

"Never!" She yelled. She saw Ben's command shuttle ahead, covered with a thick layer of white snow. She decided to hide inside it for cover.

As she neared it, she sensed Ben slowing his pace behind her. "Rey...Rey, don't go in...that's not fair," he called after her. His voice seemed stiff.

As Rey slowly and stopped just in front of the ship, panting, she turned and saw Ben standing a few yards from her in the snow. He looked uneasy. Rey studied him curiously, unsure of his hesitation.

"C'mon, let's go back," he said, motioning his arm.

She squinted across at him, perplexed. "Are you hiding something?" She asked, tilting her head.

"What—no, I'm not hiding anything," he said, his brows raising in concern.

Rey frowned at him. She turned and made her way to the ship's side door, using the Force to open it.

Ben took a step forward through the snow. "Rey—"

But Rey stepped up into the ship's central chamber, searching her surroundings. The shiny glint of an in the far corner of the room caught her eye, and she began to move towards it. Rey swallowed as she moved towards the silver and black object slowly, and stopped as realization began to flood over her. She stepped forward and slowly lifted the metal helmet from the chair, the blood drained from her face, her heart thudding heavily in her chest. She felt sickened. Betrayed.

She stalked back through the ship, helmet in hand, and leapt back down into the snow. She glared across at Ben, who still remained a few yards before the ship. He appeared distressed as he looked from her face to the helmet.

"Rey—"

"You," she seethed, her voice shaking. "You said you were no longer with the First Order."

He shook his head, taking a step towards her. "I'm not."

"Really?" She exclaimed, holding the helmet up as if it wasn't obvious enough to him. "That's what you're going to tell me? This wasn't in there before." Ben tensed, shifting on his feet as he stared at her anxiously. Rey squinted at him as she reached an epiphany. "You didn't leave to get fuel that night, did you?" She questioned, taking another step towards him. "You left to meet with them, to go and get this!" She shook the helmet before her. Tears welled in her eyes as her body trembled with anger, despair. She took in a shaky breath. "You lied to me," she breathed.

He looked at her forlornly. "Rey, I'm sorry...yes, I lied. But I had to, you wouldn't have understood."

Rey scowled as she dropped the helmet into the snow, staring down at it in hatred as she lifted her hand to the belt at her side.

"Rey," Ben warned.

She lifted her eyes to his, a hot tear sliding down her cheek. She abruptly pulled her lightsaber out from under her cloak, igniting it before her. She began stalking towards Ben, gripping her saber tightly. He watched her warily as she approached, but he didn't bring out his own lightsaber.

Rey lept forward, grunting as she swung at Ben, but he moved backwards, swiping her lightsaber away from him with a swipe of his hand, by using the Force.

Rey repeated her attack, only to the same outcome. "Rey, don't do this," he pleaded, backing away from her. But Rey only pressed forward, swinging her lightsaber aggressively. She jabbed at him, and he didn't block her attack, her lightsaber nicking his upper arm, opening a small wound through the thick cloth wrapping his arm. Ben hissed in pain as he gripped at the injury, stepping back from her.

Rey stopped in her tracks and blinked in surprise at what she'd just done. But a new wave of pain flooded through her, and she leaned forward challengingly as she stared Ben down. Ben's eyes moved slowly to hers as he returned her serious gaze, his eyes growing darker. He slid his gloved hand from his bloody cut, pulling out his own lightsaber. "Is this what you want, Rey?" He bellowed.

Rey moved forward and swung at him, and he ignited his lightsaber as they clashed together. Rey continued her attacks, pressing him backwards into the line of trees behind them. After blocking several more of her attacks, Ben turned and jogged a few paces away from her, creating some distance. "Rey, this isn't right," he huffed, gripping his lightsaber tightly.

"You betrayed me," she yelled, frustratedly wiping the tears from her flushed cheek. Choking out a breath, she charged at him, swinging strongly as he parried her attack. She swung continually at him, her chest tightening. Rey grew angered as he did not pull any attacks of his own, resorting only to blocking hers. She wanted him to fight back. She attempted to reach around and strike his other arm, but he leaned quickly away.

"Rey, stop," he urged, attempted to force her backwards by bracing his lightsaber against hers. She struggled against his heavy strength, and she closed her eyes momentarily, attempted to shove her feelings of hurt and betrayal into his mind.

Ben staggered back suddenly, his face afflicted as he stared at her. Rey charged him again, and this time Ben swung his lightsaber quickly overhead before bringing it down against her saber. He began his own offensive hits at her, forcing her to to block his heavy swings.

Losing energy, Rey swung her lightsaber wildly at Ben, who seemed able to parry her every move with ease. Their pace quickened, and Rey focused on her footwork as he'd taught he before, trying to keep up with him. Ben focused fervently into her eyes between hits.

Gasping for air, Rey's movements began to grow unstable, desperate. She growled as she attempted an aggressive swing at his torso, but his saber was quick to block her movement, and he jumped back from her. Just feet apart, the two circled each other closely, their lightsabers perched at their sides, ready for the other's next move.

Rey lunged at Ben, aiming her lightsaber at his arm. But instead of blocking her attack this time, again he did not save himself from injury, allowing her saber to make contact just below his bleeding cut on his upper arm.

He leaned back and winced, and Rey froze. They were both taken aback as they stared at each other, and Rey read pain in Ben's eyes, triggering a flash of regret in Rey.

This time it was Ben who moved offensively. With one quick sweep, his saber crashed against hers, nearly knocking it from her firm grasp. She stumbled back, righting herself just as he came at her with another quick swing, then another, making a succession of aggressive hits at her. He was overpowering her, and she knew it.

"Do you still hate me?" He asked between hits, and Rey looked at him confusedly.

She tried to collect herself as she made an unsuccessful swipe at him, then another. Rey attempted focus her movements but ended up slashing her lightsaber wildly at him.

Her lightsaber slammed and locked against his, brilliant red and blue sparks intermixing as they flew off of the weapons between them. Ben's dark eyes bore straight into hers, but she did not read animosity in them. His face was concentrated, his eyebrows lifting ever so slightly.

Rey felt Ben pressing at the forefront of her mind, and an inexplicable fervor built within her.

Ben released one of his hands from his lightsaber and latched onto her right wrist, attempting to pry her grip off from her own saber. She grimaced as she struggled to maintain her hold on the saber, but her left hand slipped from it. Slowly, Ben pulled her right hand holding the saber up above her head, his softening gaze locked on hers.

A look of confusion swept Rey's face as she noticed he was lowering his own lightsaber, the very air around them teeming with magnetism, with the Force. Ben let his drop to the ground below with a thud, his gaze following it for a moment. Still firmly holding her right wrist with the saber, his dark eyes moved back up to hers, rousing, and Rey took in a quick breath. All at once Ben's right hand moved quickly up to her face as he pushed his lips against hers.

Rey was frozen in shock, but a glowing warmth flooded through her body, her mind going blank as she closed her eyes. Ben moved his lips slowly against hers, and she began to relax her tense body. She instinctively moved her left hand to the crook of his right elbow, resting it there. His hand still held her raised wrist, but he softened his grip as she slowly lowered her arm and lightsaber.

Ben gently broke from the kiss, his hands sliding from her wrist and face, and Rey blearily opened her eyes. She disengaged her lightsaber at her side. Her mouth remained open in shock, the feeling of his lips still lingering on hers. No coherent thoughts were able to formulate in her mind.

Ben's eyes opened halfway as he gazed down at her. Rey's body pulsed, her heart thudding heavily in her chest. Ben closed his eyes as he leaned down and kissed her again, more fervently this time. Rey moved her lips with his, sliding her hand up his arm, gripping it.

He pressed his lips further into hers, and she reciprocated the pressure. His hand slid to the back of her head, pulling her face more closely into his, his other hand running down the side of her waist, the sound of his breath resonating in her ears.

Ben shifted his face as he kissed her from the opposite angle, sliding his hand around to the small of her back, pulling her body closer to his.

Rey's body pulsed with warmth, vigor as she eagerly received his advances, instinctually molding her body to his.

Rey abruptly broke from the kiss to catch her breath. She took in a shaky breath as she bowed her head, leaning her forehead into Ben's dark shirt. Her body was still held close to his with his hand around her back. Rey tilted her head back up.

They both breathed in unison as they searched each other's eyes. Rey's mouth quivered, and Ben slid his gloved hand against her slick cheek, brushing away her tears. "Ben…" she breathed, unsure of what to say.

Ben seemed as if he were about to speak, but his brows furrowed, his gaze shifting. He abruptly turned his face away, sliding away from her. He took a few steps away as he stared into the distance. His body tensed, seemingly froze in place.

Rey blinked and wiped her eyes, looking at him confusedly. "What? What is it?" She asked. She took a step towards him, confused. "Is it a Nexu?"

Ben's eyes still remained focused away from her, his gaze now turned towards the sky. Rey frowned in concern as she watched his hands ball into fists, his arms lifting at his sides. His breathing seemed to quicken.

Rey reached out and placed a hand on his wrist, and he abruptly turned and looked down at her, alarm in his eyes.

He shook his head, pressing a hand to his forehead as he shut his eyes. "No, no," he breathed, seemingly to himself.

"Ben," Rey urged, concern in her voice. "What is it?"

He opened his eyes and looked back up towards the sky through the trees. "They found me," he said, his voice flat. "How…" His face flipped down to Rey's, his expression distant. "We need to get you out of here," he said. "Now. Hurry." Ben grasped her wrist and tugged her along behind him as he led them swiftly through the trees.

"Where are we going?" She asked, startled. She struggled to keep up with him through the thick snow. She yanked her wrist from his grasp and she slowed to a stop. Ben flipped around and looked at her anxiously.

"Rey, please, there's no time, we have to hurry," he urged. He held out his hand to her. She reluctantly took it, and he continued pulling her along, out through the line of trees, past the encampment. She realized he was heading them towards the command shuttle.

"We're leaving?" She asked, and again he did not answer. As they reached the command shuttle, Ben unhatched the door and waited for her to step up inside. As she did so, he remained in the snow below, and she stared at him expectantly. "Come on," Rey said, holding out her hand to him.

"No, Rey," he said firmly. "You're going to fly this out of this place as fast as possible. Go straight to the Azalea system, find it on the coordinate map. You know how to fly, don't you?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

Rey stared at him. "What? I—I'm not leaving without you," she said shaking her head in disbelief. Panic began rising within her.

Ben furrowed his brows. "Rey, there's no time, you have to go now," he pressed.

Rey remained where she stood. "Why can't you come with me?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"It's me they want. I have to distract them here, so you have time to gain distance from the planet."

Rey shook her head. "No. Ben, I'm not leaving without you. I can't just leave you here." She moved to step down from the ship, but he held out his palm, pushing her backwards with the Force.

"Yes you are. Go!" He exclaimed, and pushed her back again, Force-shutting the door before her. Rey leapt towards the door, trying to open it with the Force, but it remained shut. She stared at it, dread rising in her throat. If it's the First Order, they'll kill him, she thought.

Rey banged against the door, but it didn't budge. She then ran to the front of the ship, watching out of the pilot's window as she saw Ben holding his palms out towards the ship, his face concentrated. Go now, hurry, she heard his thoughts in her mind.

Ben turned and moved away. As he did so, Rey was startled as she could no longer sense his presence, the aura of emotions he gave off. Has he cut off our bond?

Rey shook as she leaned over the pilot's controls, her trembling hand hovering over the engine lever. She looked out at Ben, who continually glanced back at her, clearly waiting for her to start up the ship. I can't leave him...I can't...she thought.

She let out a pained groan as she yanked the engine lever, starting up the ship. She would let the engines heat up for a few minutes, giving her the chance to think over her decision, her plan.

Through the Force I just sensed you readers sighing in disappointment-did you really think I'd just let them have a peaceful makeout in the woods? You thought wrong. It's going to get dark, fam, hold on to your hats. Thanks for reading and commenting! Love hearing your thoughts.