Two days passed without Rey or Ben being pulled to each other. Part of Rey was disappointed but she was mostly relieved since she was seeing his mother nearly every day. It was hard enough blocking him from her mind when Leia was around, she didn't know what she would have done if he had suddenly appeared next to her.

She kept busy enough that she didn't have much time to think of him anyways. It was only at night, when she was curled in her bed that her thoughts would inevitably turn to him. She questioned herself in the hours she should be sleeping, whether she was doing the right thing.

She had taken his advice and tentatively asked for a heating unit, annoyed that he had been right when one of the Resistance showed up at her room with it later, apologizing profusely for not having thought about it sooner. The warmth of her room was so different now though, feeling distinctly lacking after being curled up against Ben.

During the day, Rey's time had been filled with preparing for the party on Coruscant. She needed to be measured and fitted for a dress, which filled her with a nameless sort of horror. Leia assured her that she would be fine and refused to teach her more than basic etiquette.

"Just be yourself and everyone will love you," she kept saying, which did little to calm Rey's nerves.

And then she trained with Poe, an activity she found herself enjoying more than she'd anticipated. Since she had no lightsaber to bring with her and couldn't strap her staff on her back at a party, Poe took it upon himself to spar with her and train her to use a blaster. She'd been hopeless at the start but her aim had improved slightly over the previous two days.

She liked Poe. He was easy going, quick to smile, and never looked at her with the same expectations as everyone else. He treated her like another new recruit and she appreciated it.

Ben had popped in on her mind once when they were sparring, getting a glimpse of her positive thoughts about Poe, even as he swept her legs out from underneath her. He'd been sour and didn't speak to her for the rest of the day. Rey suspected it was more because he wasn't over Poe escaping him than actual personal dislike.

But finally, after two days of hectic preparation, the group going to Coruscant was finally ready.

Rey stepped into the ship hangar with Leia at her side, feeling self conscious in her formal gown. She had never worn a dress before, and never dreamed she would be wearing one such as this.

It was crimson, a shade darker than blood, with full skirts that rustled when she walked. The neckline was high but the shoulders and back bare, skin that Rey normally kept covered, out for everyone to see. The bodice had swirls of beads that trailed down her skirts and glistened in the light.

Leia had even done Rey's hair, an intricate braided crown that Rey liked, if only because it kept her hair out of her face.

And strapped to her thigh under her voluminous red skirts was a blaster pistol.

Leia had assured her that she wouldn't stand out at the party, that if anything, she was under-dressed. But she still felt uncertain as she made her ways through the halls of the base, people watching her with wide eyes. She felt like a child playing dress up.

They decided against taking the Falcon, opting for a less recognizable transport ship that would work just fine. Poe was waiting for them where the ship was being loaded up with extra soldiers in case of any issues. Rey hoped they would have a boring, uneventful night and not be needed.

"Rey!" he exclaimed as she approached with Leia, giving her an appreciative look over. "Well done, General."

Leia rolled her eyes. Poe was in a black tuxedo, but his bowtie was red, a shade that almost perfectly matched her dress. He saw her looking and chuckled.

"I did say we'd be going together. Looks like you're my date for the night." He winked.

"I don't recall agreeing to this," Rey teased, laughing at the exaggerated look of hurt on his face.

"Ugh, you wound me, you really do," he groaned. His eyes landed on something behind her and lit up, a grin taking over his whole face. "Hey, Finn!"

Rey spun around to see Finn hurrying across the hangar to them. His jaw dropped when he saw Rey.

"You look… Wow." He said, then grabbed her in a tight hug, not caring about her dress.

Rey felt her eyes well up. She'd hadn't seen as much of Finn lately as she'd wanted. She missed her friend but understood that their paths were slightly diverged at the moment. Hopefully, once she got back, she'd be able to set some time aside to sit down with him.

"I just wanted to come wish you luck," he said and Poe clapped him on the shoulder. "And I wanted you to know I'd come with you if I could." His friendly eyes stared into her own, begging her to understand.

"I know Finn, I wouldn't expect you to." Rose still hadn't woken up, Finn spending every extra moment he could with her. His loyalty was something Rey loved and admired about him.

"Even if I'm not with you, I've got your back, Rey. Just be careful." He pulled her in for another hug and she returned it fiercely.

"I will," she whispered against his shoulder.

"Rey." Leia's hand was on her elbow. "We have to go."

Finn smiled at her when they parted. "If you can survive Kylo Ren, you can handle a stuffy party."

It was meant to be a joke, a reminder of the unlikely odds they had both survived on Starkiller Base, but Rey's stomach sank. She forced a smile that felt more like a grimace and waved goodbye, heading up the ramp and into the ship.

…

The party was everything Rey had expected and it was as worrisome as it was a relief.

The second they entered and were announced, the party had gone silent. It was a huge glittering ballroom, more wealth than Rey had even known existed crammed into one room. People dressed in glamorous clothing of every color, filled the room. And they were all staring.

Leia strode forward, chin held high, greeting who Rey assumed was their host, a tall thin man in purple robes. They embraced like old friends and like a switch had been thrown, the volume went back to normal.

Rey trailed after Leia for the first hour or so, being introduced to person after person. Everyone was polite to her but Rey could hear the whispers floating around the room, the eyes all latched on her.

"I heard she killed Supreme-"

"Where is her lightsaber?"

"… supposed to be a jedi or…"

She kept her spine straight and head held high, bowing graciously as she met people and trying to conjure up a convincing smile.

Finally, Leia waved and Poe appeared at her side. "Why don't you take Rey to get some food and maybe dance? I need to talk some business now that the pleasantries are over."

There was a spark in her eye that made Rey almost sympathize with who she planned on speaking with. She was sure the General had a thing or two to say to their supposed allies who abandoned them on Crait.

"Food sounds good," she said, wanting to avoid dancing like her life depended on it. Poe gave her a knowing smile, holding out his arm. She took it and allowed him to lead her to the buffet table, ignoring the whispers that followed them.

She tried to hide her awe at all the food laid out. She'd never seen so much in her whole life.

She must have failed because Poe chuckled at her. "What would you like the try first?"

When she couldn't choose, he started picking random things, laughing at her surprise and sometimes disgust when she tried it. Despite the stress of the party, she found herself laughing too, appreciating Poe trying to put her at easy. He really was a good friend, she mused, understanding why Finn spoke so highly of him.

Once Rey had gotten her fill of new flavors, they claimed one of the small tables that outlined the dance floor, Poe not even bothering to ask her if she wanted to dance. Instead, he started telling her the story of Finn's daring rescue on Starkiller Base, one she hadn't heard from his point of view yet. It was much more dramatic and unbelievable when he told it.

Are you still hanging around this bore? Ben asked, his tone scathing.

Rey quickly made sure her shields were still up where they needed to be, letting nothing of the party or what she was doing trickle in. She'd been so careful the last few days, not wanting to believe Ben would do anything if he found out, but not willing to risk it. It looked like he had only picked up that she was speaking with Poe, fortunately.

This bore happens to be my friend, she shot back. He didn't respond and she could feel stress rolling down the line that connected them.

Are you okay?

Yes, just distracted. He sounded like it, even his mental voice was strained. I just wanted to… check up on you. He said it like he didn't know what the words were doing in his head.

Check up on me? What for? Perhaps he was feeling lonely but didn't want to admit it. Perhaps he had just missed her. She quickly banished the thought.

Nothing, nothing. A pause. Are you and the pilot training?

He meant Poe. She made sure her shields were firmly in place, praying he wouldn't be able to pick up on her lie. Yeah. Just killing time, trying to keep busy.

Good. He sounded relieved rather than his usual annoyed when she was around Poe. Something strange was going on but neither of them was willing to address it, the tenseness in their conversation.

Well… I'll leave you to it.

He vanished abruptly from her mind, leaving Rey wondering what that was all about. He had definitely been acting strangely. Maybe he wanted to make sure she was busy because he was doing something he didn't want her to know about. Maybe he was having a woman over.

The food Rey had eaten churned in her stomach. That was not a possibility she wanted to consider.

"Rey?" Poe snapped her out of her dark thoughts, giving her a strange look. She had no idea how long he'd been trying to get her attention.

"Sorry, I spaced out for a second."

"Everything okay?" he questioned and she realized she was frowning.

"Fine. Sorry, I just got lost in my own head." She looked for something to change the subject, noticing several women staring in their direction. "Why don't you go dance? You seem to have some admirers."

He glanced over then grimaced. "Not my type."

"Gorgeous women aren't your type?" she teased.

He looked straight at her, lifting an eyebrow. "No, they aren't."

"Oh… Oh!" she said, cheeks coloring for not understanding at first. Well that explained the look he got in his eyes when he spoke of Finn. "Well..." she scanned the room quickly, noticing a handsome blonde man lingering alone near the edge of the dance floor. "He looks like he could use a partner."

Poe laughed, looking the man over appreciatively. "You sure know how to pick them."

Ben popped into her head, tall, broad shoulders, dark hair. The wicked scar down his face. If only Poe knew, she thought then internally pinched herself.

Poe started to get up then paused. "I really shouldn't leave you here," he said, throwing another look at the blonde man.

Rey glared at him. "I'm sure you aren't insinuating that I can't take care of myself for a few minutes."

"I would never." The blonde man was now staring at him too, a playfully curious look on his face. Poe sighed. "Fine. But if the General lectures me, I'm telling her it was all your idea." He straightened his jacket, ran his fingers through his black curls, then walked off.

Rey watched him go, glad that at least someone was going to enjoy the party. She couldn't get the thought of Ben with another woman out of her mind.

She sat for a few minutes before standing up huffily, needing to move before she went out of her mind.

Poe was dancing with the blonde man, both of them grinning as they shuffled across the dance floor. Rey could see Leia seated at a table with several men and women, looking ferocious even from here as she addressed them. That woman was a force to be reckoned with.

She made it two laps around the room before the worst thing she could imagine happened, the thing she had been fearing; the unmistakable pull of the bond.

Rey knew she had mere seconds so she ducked into the darkness of one of the servants corridors connected to the ballroom. What could she do? She shouldn't have let Leia talk her into coming, should have known this might happen. But maybe she could still save the situation. He'd be able to see her and know she was somewhere different, somewhere she had to dress up for. That didn't tell him where she was or what she was doing. She just needed to think of something-

Suddenly Ben was in front of her, his presence crowding the dark hallway. She opened her mouth, no idea what she would say.

But the words dried up as he took one look at her, taking in her dress, her hair, his face changing from annoyance to horror in a flash.

"Where are you?" he rasped out, sounding choked. His scar stood out on his rapidly paling face.

"I- I-" She hadn't been prepared for this. Confusion, yes, but not the feeling of horror, of fear and disbelief that radiated off of him and closed her throat up like poison gas.

"Where are you?!" he yelled, closing the distance between them in a split second. He loomed over her, looking feral.

"Stop it, you're scaring me," she hissed, flattening herself against the wall, her dress crinkling.

"Are you on Coruscant? Tell me!"

How did he- Rey swallowed heavily. She'd been so careful, guarding her mind. There was no way he'd found out from her so that meant-

Ben must have taken the look in her eyes as all the confirmation he needed. He cursed, low and viciously.

"Listen to me. Rey, listen," he commanded, undisguised panic in his voice. "You need to leave right now. You need to go!"

"What's going on?" she whispered through numb lips, already knowing the answer but not wanting to believe it. Not wanting to believe he had played a part in this, that he hadn't warned them. That he hadn't warned her.

"The First Order, they're coming. Probably already there! You need to go now!"

Rey took off down the hall before he could finish, his desperate voice echoing through the space. She could feel him following her but she couldn't stop.

Poe, Leia, the bodyguards and resistance fighters who had come with them… they were all still in the ballroom.

Before she could reach the doorway, an explosion knocked her off her feet and into the wall.

So I've been planning where I'm going to go with this story and it's heavily pulling me towards some more mature themes *wink wink* seeing as I've been sitting in the T rating, I wanted to know if any of my readers would have an issue with that change? Please let me know! Also, I'm on tumblr at .com so come say hi!