AN: Welcome back! I've been neglecting this story because, in all honesty, I've been reading Reylo fanfiction instead. Can you blame me?

Chapter 8

"So smoke 'em if you got 'em

'Cause it's going down

All I ever wanted was you

I'll never get to heaven

'Cause I don't know how

Let's raise a glass or two

To all the things I've lost on you

Oh-oh

Tell me are they lost on you?

Oh-oh

Just that you could cut me loose

Oh-oh

After everything I've lost on you

Is that lost on you?"

- Lost on You, LP

After a rather long conversation, with many (many!) pauses to explain and confirm and assure that Ben is, if only for this evening, on their side and perhaps, against everyone's distrust, actually the Garibaldo he claims to be, it is Rose's plan they decide to go with.

As they walk forward, Ben thinks with some degree of luck (a concept he has never given much credit to), they might have a chance. Luck hasn't particularly been on their side this evening, and the clock is ticking down. Grumbling to himself as they make their way back through the casino, he ultimately blames Hux for the situation they are in. If Hux hadn't interrupted their trip to the higher rollers room this all would've been over.

And he'd be alone. False plans unloaded, and another paycheck in his secret account. Another move in the chess match that is his relationship with the ginger General. Another day living...

As Supreme Leader of the known galaxy… Master of this entire domain. Emperor Ren.

You aren't meant to snoop using the Bond. It's quite rude, you know.

You're emoting loud enough I couldn't miss it. Anyway, we'd have you.

Diminishing the bond for a moment, Ben pretends he didn't hear her offer. Pretends it's not something he hasn't constantly dreamt of since watching Rey leave Crait. Pretends it's within the realm of possibility.

Suddenly, they are in view of the vault, of the elaborate cages that protect the chips and other treasures of Canto Bight. Without hesitation, Ben and Rey approach the worker at the counter. Rey can sense Finn, Poe, and Rose hovering at a nearby machine, ready to make their move.

Are you ready for this?

I don't suppose we have any other choice, do we?

And just what would you have us do?

Leaving sounds like a good idea. I've got credits in a separate account.

You keep bringing this idea up. I'm not going to change my mind. You've met my friends. Furthermore, why would I go through all this entire effort to run away?

I didn't mean running away…

It sure sounds that way.

Her unwillingness to join him stings less than it did in the throne room, but her refusal is not without a small degree of pain.

Although both of their wills have bent just a touch in the past few hours, the reality is a future that can never be. Whatever they saw so many months ago, decisions take them further and further from that actuality. Turning her attention to the attendant, Rey leans both of her elbows on the reception desk, such that her small breasts immediately come together and even Ben catches himself staring. Affecting an even flirtier tone than her chat with Hux, Rey asks, "My silly man here seems to have deposited a gem of mine without me knowing. Can we please get it back?"

Rey has promised Rose they will first try to do things without the use of the Force.

Which is pointless.

I lived nearly my entire life without the Fore and did just fine, thank you.

You barely survived on a desert planet, that is hardly an accomplishment.

We cannot all become Supreme Leaders.

No, but don't you feel the call of something more?

If you're referring to the Dark…

I am not. Rey of Jakku, you were destined for more.

Rey ignores his prediction, strangely flattering as it may be, and flutters her lashes. In the common tongue, the attendant says, "Not our protocol. It's probably in your room." Blatantly eyeing Ben lasciviously up and down, the uniformed attendant, which Rey cannot determine its gender, continues, "If I were you, I would be in my room."

"Well, we're not. We're down here and paying customers of this establishment."

Ben reaches over, directly crowding her space, and conspiratorially looks at the attendant. Licking those fine lips of his, he asks, "Can you go and check for us? Please? My mistress does so love her jewels. I'd hate to think how she would punish me if they were missing."

"Fine."

I thought you said you weren't going to use the Force?

I didn't. As you mentioned, there might be something of a scoundrel in me.

Well, however, you accomplished that… You can back up now.

Ben decides not to. He keeps his body casually leaning over Rey, idly fingering parts of her hair that have come down in the evening's activities. He tells himself he's playing into the pretense and not that he's enjoying this interaction.

Into her comms device, Rey uses Kylo's blocking as a cover and says, "Rose, go!"

With the front of the cages unattended, Rose slips in to start fiddling with the locks. As this is Canto Bight, the design of the locks are, of course, seamlessly integrated into the design. While Finn and Poe stand in front of Rose to block her actions from the cameras, Ben and Rey maintain their position, not wanting to alert anyone. Rey wants desperately to move, but knows she can't.

Do you need a distraction?

For the umpteenth time in the evening, Rey's cheeks flush beneath her makeup.

Not that kind.

What kind then?

Didn't Luke teach you meditation?

I'm not going to meditate here!

No, but you can calm your thoughts. Seek the balance.

Why?

Look.

Feeding off Rey's nervous energy, nearby chips rattle and shake, twittering on the countertop. Just when Rey thinks their plan will be a total failure, that the casino security is going to arrest them and throw away the key, that Stormtroopers are going to storm the room, that Hux will turn up, Rose cracks the lock with a giant smile and the trio silently dips into the room. Step one, complete.

And why didn't we go with them?

Even without the Force, your friends are resourceful. Trust them.

"I didn't find it." The attendant returns, surprising Rey. "Looked everywhere."

"Oh…" Rey shrugs her shoulder.

Ben flashes a huge smile, one she would never expect from him. "Do you know what? I think you might be right… Perhaps we should look in the tub, rinjla?"

Rey can hardly speak she's so embarrassed at the wanton implication, and it is Ben who flips a significant coin in the direction of the attendant who quickly catches it with a smile and a wink, as Ben leads a slightly bewildered Rey away.

Unsure where to go, she is surprised when Ben takes them back to the bar where they originally spotted each other. Ordering another round of drinks, she tries not to notice his arms, still bare from their last minute 'costume change.' Much like her own, they are scattered with scars.

"There are things we need to settle before this ends," she says, after the drinks arrive, taking a large gulp to regain her composure.

"Such as?"

"The General - your mother - asked that we bring the Garibaldo back. It would mean a lot to her. If she knew what you were doing… What you had been doing..."

"Don't say it."

"There is light in you, Ben, I know it. Tonight proves it."

"Tonight was an accident."

"Nothing is an accident. And...if it wasn't tonight, then it would've been sometime in the future. We both know it's true."

She knows he's keen to walk, to act, to do something destructive. She can feel the tension in his system and reaches across to grab his hand. He's lost the gloves at some point during the evening and there's something different about touching his bare hand, so warm against hers. Because there's nothing else she can think to do, she remains still, holding his larger hand in her smaller one, waiting and hoping her friends are successful.

AN: Okay, there'll be some action next chapter - promise! I also can't decide if I want a happy ending or a bittersweet one. Also, I want to get them into a hotel room somehow but haven't quite figured that out just yet. Suggestions are very welcome.