Chapter 10

River was usually calm and collected. She was the light to her brother's darkness, the groundedness to his unpredictable and frenetic energy. However, today was another story. All of the anger and frustration that had been building since they arrived on Chandril was bubbling over.

"How could you?" she seethed, as she approached Cyrus who was now standing, brushing off his body which was covered in brush and leaves. His eyes lifted to see an expression on River's face he had never once faced in all of their life together. He had always thought he was the stronger of the two of them, but in this moment he was frightened of her and what she was capable of.

"You knew I was happy here," she spat, standing right in front of him now. "For the first time in my life, I finally felt like I belonged. And you just had to go and ruin it!" Ben and Rey were now behind the pair, having jogged their way over to the scene.

She's really angry, Rey said through their bond. We can't let her do anything she will regret. Ben nodded in response.

"River I didn't…" Cyrus started, his hands up in the air as he slowly approached his sister.

"Didn't what?" she replied, her face softening as she started to cry. "Didn't think about how awful this has been for Ben? Or what it would do to me?"

"I just wanted to put him in his place," he spat. "He thinks he's so perfect. Bet you didn't see me coming?" he turned facing Ben, the smug look of satisfaction back on his face.

"How?" Ben asked, directing his question to River, while keeping his eyes on Cyrus.

"He's always been able to do it. Ever since we were kids," she sighed. "I don't know how he does it truthfully. I suspect he doesn't actually know either. What I do know is that it frightened our parents. So much that they went searching for a way to stop him."

"Right," Cyrus yelled. "Tell everyone how it's my fault that our parents are dead!" Any fear or compassion for his sister was gone, as he seamlessly flipped back to anger and bitterness. "Go on, tell them. Tell them how they left looking for a way to stop me. Tell them how they died and never came back to us."

River stood quietly as she watched her brother, tears flowing down her face. She walked to face her brother now, grasping his hands in hers. He visibly calmed as their hands touched, his face softening ever so slightly.

"You know I don't blame you baby brother," she whispered, placing her forehead to his. "I never have. But this…"

"This what?" he replied quietly.

"You crossed a line Cyrus," she replied, standing back and releasing his hands. "These people have been nothing but good to us. They gave me hope for the first time in my life. Helped me to understand who I was and what I was capable of. You are putting all of that at risk."

"River," Rey said softly, feeling the need to interject. "While I cannot condone what Cyrus has put my husband through, please know this is still your home. That is not at risk."

"She won't stay here without me," Cyrus said, with an edge of hesitation in his voice.

"Do you create the nightmares?" Ben asked, lifting his eyes to connect with Cyrus. Startled, the young man didn't quite know what to say. He took a deep breath, shuffling his feet slightly in discomfort.

"No, not exactly," Cyrus said cautiously. "I just give your mind a nudge, find a fear that is buried. Your mind fills in the rest."

Ben walked up to Cyrus, passing River, standing within inches of him. He reached his hand to Cyrus, placing it on the side of his head. Without asking permission, he flooded the young man's mind with the horrors and images that had become his life over the last eight days. Unrelenting, he shared exactly what his nudge had caused, including the emotions and absolute heartache that followed it.

Cyrus was shaking, his eyes open wide as he watched the results of his little game flash through his mind. He hadn't known either of them long, but watching the scenes unfold still shook him to his core. Tears formed behind his eyes, as shame and guilt washed over him. Ben backed away, dropped his hand, and just watched as Cyrus dropped his gaze.

"I didn't know," he whispered, unable to meet Ben's eyes.

"You didn't care," River corrected. "You never care about the consequences of your actions Cyrus."

"This is why we teach control," Ben said slowly. "And why we also teach balance. Everything we do has consequences, regardless of which side of the Force we are wielding." His voice was low, unable to hide the fatigue that moved through him. The amount of control it was taking to step into the role of teacher insteading of allowing victimhood to swallow him was exhausting.

"Why are you being so nice?" Cyrus asked, with an edge of hesitation and questioning in his voice. "You should be furious with me. Kick me out."

Ben took a deep breath, gathering what little energy he had left to answer the young man. "I am furious with you, but I also understand you. More than you know."

Cyrus stood, just staring at Ben, uncertain what to say.

"I also know that's exactly what you want. For me to prove you right. To tell you that you aren't worth helping. And I won't do that."

"Why?" Cyrus asked.

"Because everyone deserves a chance."

. . . . .

It had taken Ben a very long time to fall asleep. Despite Cyrus giving him his word that he would never manipulate his dream state again, he wasn't able to shake the feeling that he would descend into nightmares yet again. It was finally when Rey gently entered his mind, sending him peace and calm, that he was finally able to surrender to his exhaustion.

The sun was high in the sky and the hour was late, but Rey wouldn't leave his side. She carefully swept the hair that had fallen across his face as he slept. It had gotten long again and while Ben mentioned getting it cut, she loved it when it was long. The way it framed his face, rounding his dark soulful eyes and strong features, made her heart flutter. All their years together and she couldn't resist just watching him. Biased, of course, but she thought her husband was absolutely stunning.

She could feel his mind starting to wake, knowing her time for observing him was coming to a close. His mouth upturned to the slightest of smiles, as he opened his eyes to look upon her.

"You're gawking," he chuckled, his voice thick with sleep, as he pulled her body in close for a warm embrace.

"Admiring," she corrected with a smile, kissing him softly as he wrapped his arms around her body. It had been too long since they shared a moment like this, the nightmares souring more than just their sleep.

"That's my line," he replied with a laugh, as he pulled her in for a passionate kiss, feeling her hands running through his hair. He groaned in response, having missed this level of intimacy and affection between them.

"Mmmm. I need a cut," he muttered, his lips still on hers, continuing with his soft kisses.

"Don't you dare," she laughed against his lips, rolling her body onto his. She placed her forehead on his, keeping her eyes closed, basking in this quiet moment between them. "Did you sleep?" she said quietly, almost afraid to ask.

"Like a baby," he replied as he pulled her in for another kiss, dragging his hands up her body slowly, showing her exactly how he wanted to spend their morning.

She giggled in response as all plans or obligations for their day lay forgotten.