"Master Luke has requested to see you," the medical droid told Rey and Ben.

"How is he?" Rey asked, trying to speak around the lump that felt permanently lodged in her throat.

"The blast punctured multiple organs and shattered a number of pelvic bones," the droid said, ratting off information in a monotone voice. "The chances of survival are approximately thirty to seventy,"

Rey was vaguely aware of Ben slipping his hand into hers. "We'll see Luke now," Ben said.

The door to the makeshift operation room opened. With the knowledge that Rebels were headed into battle, the Resistance had provided a handful of medical droids, along with other equipment to assist the wounded. Even then, the donations were not sufficient enough to remedy Luke's injuries.

They found Luke stretched out on a medical cot, the bed sheets covering his wounds while his head rested on a pillow. His eyes were closed, but he didn't appear to be in any pain. Two droids stood nearby, one watching Luke's vitals while the other sterilized surgical tools.

Rey took ahold of Luke's exposed hand. "We're here now," she said reassuringly.

"My Padawan," Luke gave a weak smile, his eyes still closed.

"I'm afraid I cannot hold that title anymore," Rey said. It was now or never- she may never have another chance to share the news with Luke. "Ben has asked me to marry him,"

Luke opened his eyes halfway. His consciousness may have been slipping in and out, but he was cognizant enough to understand what had just been said. "A marriage?" he asked, as if clarifying what he heard.

"Yes uncle," Ben placed his arm around Rey's waist. "I don't deserve a woman like her, but I've promised to love Rey the way she deserves until my last breath,"

Luke gave a weak smile. "I could not have wished for a better union,"

"I hope you will forgive me for my decision to leave the training," Rey said. "I just cannot be a wife and a Jedi at the same time,"

"There is no need to seek forgiveness," Luke reassured her. "Being a Jedi is one of many noble paths. To join the soul of someone you love is but another,"

A tear rolled down Rey's cheek. Luke sounded so tired. She was afraid if Luke fell asleep he might never wake again.

"The Master should rest now," the droid that led Ben and Rey in said, "Before we prepare him for the second procedure,"

Rey turned back to Luke. Never before had he looked so physically vulnerable. "Please don't leave us," Rey begged as she squeezed Luke's hand.

"Death is a natural part of life," Luke reminded her. "If it is my time to go, then there is no use resisting,"

Ben gripped the metal edge of the cot with his free hand. "You are the only family I have left," Ben said, his own voice on the verge of breaking. "Promise me this will not be our last conversation,"

"I cannot make a promise I have no control over," Luke said. "Now Ben, remember this: do not forget that the woman by your side will soon be family as well. Guidance is not exclusively found in the minds of the old, but likewise in the hearts of the young. As such-" Luke tried to lift his head, but he winced and fell back on the pillow.

"What is it?" Rey asked.

"A drink of water, if you will," Luke said. "I'm afraid the medication has made me thirsty," Ben quickly poured a glass of water from a nearby pitcher. Handing the drink to Rey, she helped elevate Luke's head and brought the glass to his lips.

"Thank you," Luke said when he finished drinking. "What I was going to say is, I have a request of you two,"

"Anything," Rey said.

"Promise me that, for the time being, you will watch over the Padawans,"

Ben hesitated while Rey nodded her agreement. "Of course," Ben said, "But how? I cannot reveal my face to the Resistance,"

"It matters not," Luke said. "We need the Padawans removed from the Rebel bases. To keep them there is to endanger them all over again. If they isolate themselves with the two of you, they stand less of a chance of being discovered.

"Veh has joined the ranks of the Jedi since we last spoke," Luke said, referring to the eldest in the group of eight. "The training was completed a few months ago. Veh can train the other Padawans, and both of you can assist. Remember, when it comes to the ways of the Force, you can always provide guidance so long as you never lose sight of the light,"

Despite the silence emanating from her room, Rey might as well have been screaming. Ben could feel her pain permeate through the walls and settle in the neighboring room where he sat. Standing up, Ben walked into the hall and knocked on her door.

"Come in," Rey said, already knowing whom her visitor was.

Opening the door, Ben was taken aback to find Rey sitting on her cot with her hair down and her face red from crying. He'd always known Rey to be strong, despite whatever obstacles were thrown her way. To see the woman he loved in such a vulnerable state was almost too much for him to handle.

Ben took a seat next to Rey, but no words of comfort came to mind. Instead of offering consolation as he had earlier intended, Ben wrapped his arms around his fiancée instead. When he realized she was trembling, he held her even tighter.

Realizing she didn't have the strength to fight her tears anymore, Rey rested her forehead against Ben's chest and let them fall. Moments later, her tears mixed with his.

"I'm sorry," Ben said, his voice breaking as he gently rocked her back and forth. "I'm so, so sorry,"

They sat like this for a while, their hearts beating in sync while they held one another. The future felt so uncertain now that Luke's soul lingered between this life and the next. He'd been their foundation, whether it was teaching them the ways of the Force or offering advice. Without Luke, there would be a fatherly void that could never be replaced.

Still, they had one another, and nothing in the universe could replace that.

Ben began to lean back, intending to look at Rey and tell her everything would be all right. But before he could view her face in it's entirety, Rey quickly pulled Ben back.

"Don't let me go," she whispered. "If you do, I'm afraid I'll fall apart,"

[Continued in "We Always Knew"...]