AN: Sorry for the wait! This chapter took a few forms before I was ready to publish.

Chapter 9

"But I believe the world is burning to the ground

Oh well, I guess we're gonna find out

Let's see how far we've come

Let's see how far we've come

Well I, believe, it all, is coming to an end

Oh well, I guess, we're gonna pretend,

Let's see how far we've come

Let's see how far we've come."

How Far We've Come, Matchbox 20

"Where is the lightsaber?"

Rey blinks her eyes in disbelief. "That's what you want to ask me?" When Ben doesn't reply, she says, "Fine, I guess that's something Kylo would want to know."

So used to hearing his real name from her during the evening's adventures, Ben starts at her use of his chosen name. "I… It has personal meaning to me."

"Yes, of course, who could forget your insanely powerful genealogy?"

"So it's somewhere safe?"

Rey rolls her eyes and then punches him in the shoulder. "Yes, it's safe. And not here with me tonight."

"Because it's not finished?"

"How do you know that?"

"Because I'm the only person in the universe who knows how to reconstruct it."

"You certainly think a lot of yourself, don't you?"

"It's the truth, Rey." Ben finally says, "You need a Kyber crystal."

"I'm well aware of that."

"Do you have one?"

"Not at the current time - I've been a bit busy with the Resistance and all." Ben says nothing. "You're not the only one who owns it, you know."

"It was my grandfather's."

"You're not a Jedi."

"Technically, neither are you."

They sit in silence.

Ben finally asks, "Let's say, for the briefest moment, I was interested in joining you, what would happen?"

His quiet question is unexpected among the din of the casino. Rey's hazel eyes flick to the clock - difficult to find in the crowded room - and she realizes they are much closer to morning than she originally realized. What originally seemed like an easy task, now approaches something of an impossible nature, and the stakes are climbing. While perhaps this is not the time for such a conversation, Ben's defection to the Resistance could potentially change the fate of the universe. "Seriously?"

"Seriously. All cards on the table." He seems to remember to smirk, which echo actions of his late father. Charm does not fall far from this proverbial tree.

The plan comes to her in a flash. "It wouldn't be hard. You and the Garibaldo could go missing at the same time. Would it be so difficult to believe he captured you?"

Ben lifts a dark eyebrow. "Someone gets the jump on the Supreme Leader?"

"Aren't you here getting the jump on the First Order?"

"Point taken."

"Anyway, kidnapping Kylo Ren would only make the Garibaldo's reputation grow."

"I capture myself?"

"Something like that. Hold yourself ransom? Given everything that's happened here tonight, I'm sure it wouldn't be too impossible to believe."

"And what, you think Hux would actually pay for my release?"

Rey realizes he's probably right and asks, "What about your Knights? Could they not force him?"

Ben shakes his head. "They would most likely come after me. No, they would definitely come after me."

"And could you persuade them to join us?"

He sighs and takes a drink. "How are you still so optimistic?"

"Why do you ask?" Rey looks down.

"You were abandoned. Your master is dead. Your parents sold you."

You are nothing. His previous words echo in her ears. Her shoulders slump for the shortest moment, then she picks her head up and answers earnestly, "I've seen a future worth living for."

He has too. One that he rarely allows himself to think of.

Any further conversation is interrupted when a large boom sounds from inside the vault where Finn, Poe, and Rose disappeared into. Rey is on her feet and moving towards the explosion before she can stop herself. An alarm sounds and heavy smoke fills the space. Frightened guests start running to the exits from the building, and it's only Ben's imposing figure that helps them move forward to the cages. With a nod at each other, Rey and Ben begin using their Force power to remove debris. Just when Rey is convinced she'll never see her friends again, against all odds, the slightly disheveled trio emerges, and it is Rose, complete with a cheeky smile on her face, who holds the blaster victoriously in her hand. Poe and Finn both have handfuls of casino chips spilling from their hands.

As expected, security appears. Rey and Ben look to each other. Ben's eyes flick to the clock.

"Come with us!" Rose shouts, the crowd taking her in the opposite direction.

"Throw us the blaster!" Rey shouts about the noise.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! We'll lead them away from you."

"Catch!"

Ben doesn't hesitate, nor does he have to use the Force. Rose's aim is true and he snatches the blaster out of the air, his large hands easily intercepting the weapon. Across the mass of moving bodies, Rey shouts, "Meet you at the ship! We'll be right behind you."

Allowing themselves to be seen by the security team, they dash through the crowd, tripping customers and Rey manages to upend yet another tray full of drinks. The security is no match for the two, and end up confused, on the ground, or covered in liquid. Ben tucks the gun into his belt and grabs Rey's hand, drawing her into an alcove away from the chaos. Unable to stop himself, he nuzzles generous lips along her ear, as she leans into the embrace, sighing against him.

"It's almost time." He murmurs, unable to tear himself away.

"I know." She runs both of her hands through his hair.

"Let me do this alone."

"You know I'm not going to."

"You're a stubborn scavenger, aren't you?" His lips find the corner of her mouth.

"Why didn't you use the Force?" She answers in response, pushing gently on his chest and creating space between them.

"When?"

"At the beginning, with Foreefo, why bring me along at all? You could have easily overpowered him. You could've stopped all of this."

"I didn't want to."

"Really?"

"Rey…"

"You're not going to come with us, are you?" There is a sheen of moisture in her eyes, but perhaps Ben's vision is playing tricks on him.

"I'm not. There's still too much I need to do within the First Order."

"And the Garibaldo?"

"I suppose he might make an appearance from time to time."

"Can I tell your mother about this new identity?"

"You can."

Rey stands on her tip toes and begins pressing small kisses along his collarbone, making it very difficult for him to think. "And do you think this particular scoundrel might be able to find some time to help me locate a Kyber Crystal?"

"I think that is entirely a possibility." Ben is just about to use their remaining time together in a most pleasurable way when his eyes catch the distinct red hair of Hux. "Kriff."

"Hmm?"

"Hux is apparently recovered. No doubt he'll think the Garibaldo was behind the explosion."

"How are you going to hide yourself?"

"The more important thing is how are you going to get to the ship. Your costume hasn't exactly held up."

"No thanks to you!"

"No matter. I don't think we'll be able to try the same trick twice."

"Then I suppose it's time to cause another diversion."

"What were you thinking?" Rey pulls up her dress, revealing a nearly obscene amount of leg, and pulls out three small disks, which were strapped to a garter. Ben recognizes them immediately, smiles, and says, "Chewie always did like fireworks."

"They are set to go off in 30 seconds."

Ben looks to the clock, realizing he has less than five minutes to cross the casino and meet Foreefo with the blaster. Before he can think better of his actions, he rummages in his pocket and pulls out a small object.

"What's this?" Rey asks.

"I…"

"Ben, there isn't time."

Pressing a small bag, almost weightless, into her hand, he says, "Open it later."

"I…"

"I will see you again, Rey of Jakku." With this statement, he kisses her passionately and without abandon. The girl in his arms has no choice but to respond, opening her mouth, and matching his action.

When she catches her breath, he bends to kiss her hand and walks away in silence. Rey presses the small explosive devices into the wall, then walks to where she hopes the jet is waiting.

AN: Unless some wild plot idea comes along, I think we're just one chapter to go. As much fun as I was having, I didn't want to add chapters, just to add chapters. Plus, I can always do one-shots to revisit this little universe I've created, or maybe a meet up to find those crystals...