Thank you all for following, faveing, and reviewing! Your support helps me to keep going!
NightElfCrawler: *hands you a tissue* Yeah for a reunion! But at least it was sweet. Aleta Wolff: I'm glad you loved it! It was a proud moment for Ren to admit those things to his mom. Finally he is progressing. But he might have some bumps still ahead for him on this journey. sweetes forbiden candy apple: *also hands you a tissue* I'm happy that scene resonated with some of you. You reread it as much as you want, and review as often as you like! I try to keep this as accurate as I can. Sometimes I deviate from canon, but with the characters, I try really hard. I don't want this to end, but at the same time I do. I want to write these next few chapters so bad! The ending is what I first envisioned, with the story forming from there. So I've had this ending in my mind for so long and I want to get it out!
So this chapter was interesting. I don't know if you guys have read the interviews the cast have done with EW, but some things they said (Mark Hamill) are actually kinda in my story. So it might look like I took the things he said and put it in here. But I've had this planned, dammit! Right when I read this article I was like, "What?! People will probably think I'm copying this!" But in the end, it doesn't matter. You guys will see what I mean. Probably.
And omg, look how quickly I got this chapter out! I'm so proud of myself. But it was quick because I has to cut the chapter in half. So you know how I previously said there would be action and setup for the finale? That is now the next chapter. This one is the quiet before the storm, a lot of character interaction, A LOT of foreshadowing and getting into Force lore. Some of you might find it boring. Oh well. It's necessary.
Anyway, onto the chapter!
Chapter Forty:
Days turned into weeks, which bled into months, the horrors of what happened at the Resistance base now spreading from ear to ear. Yet, despite the simmering unrest left behind from the battles, power struggles, and fearful divides, there was a momentary calm in the galaxy.
Not peace. Just calm.
The war was at a temporary standstill. The Resistance was now scattered, and staying that way for security purposes. Because of that, everyone was split up: Finn was with the Resistance fleet, overseeing the ESC with the help of Breaala; Leia made her new headquarters on Takodana, with only a handful of people actually knowing her precise location; and Poe and Jess split their time between the two places.
Then there was Rey. She mainly stayed on Dandoran, only going back to Takodana when Ben or Luke needed to switch places every few days. The two men had agreed that one of them would guard Leia at all times, while the other stayed with Rey. The time apart was harder on Ben than it was for her, but she promised to open their connection in the evenings so they could talk. Or just to feel the others presence more strongly.
But Rey made sure not to stay connected to him while falling asleep. Ben's dreams were either full of violence, or they were fantasies about being intimate with her. Both caused unrest for different reasons.
Luke was with her this time on Dandoran, but they would soon be leaving to Takodana. Rey was excited, but also nervous. Technically, she was still lost somewhere in the galaxy. Leia had told the council she hadn't been found in order to protect her. So when she went to Maz's planet, she couldn't step foot off the ship. Leia had a few personal aids, but since Rey was wanted by Trend, they couldn't be trusted not to report anything back to her.
Casterfo had it a little better than Rey. He stayed on Takodana, walking among the others as if he were one of those aids, using a different name and identity to allow him his freedom.
Walking on the path between the meadow and Soniee's home, Rey should be more experienced with leaving her grandmother by now. But this time was difficult, like all the others. Rey would never grow tired of listening to Soniee's stories or watching the same recordings of her parents over and over and over again. To see herself when she was a baby or a toddler playing with them, being loved by them, it was the greatest gift she could have ever been given.
Soniee also enjoyed watching some of Rey's training being done right outside her home, although Rey wasn't sure how Luke felt about that. But with the truth about Rey's heritage becoming known, Luke gave into the woman, probably out of respect for his old mentor.
The evening sun was strong, shining the yellow and gold hues along the planet's surface. Even surrounded by the bright berry bushes and wide trees, Rey's feet were heavy, her demeanor disheartened.
She breathed in the calm air, smelling the mustiness of the moss.
"Your mental barrier has become incredibly stronger over a short span of time," Luke commented. "You did well this morning." The Jedi Master walked beside her, his robes lightly brushing against the lightly packed dirt.
Rey shrugged. "It's all about practice."
But that was somewhat of a lie. One night, against Ben and Luke's orders, Rey had secretly met with Kayani in her dreams. Rey made it clear she wanted nothing to do with the woman's plans and that she couldn't bring herself to trust her. That didn't seem to phase Kayani. The woman just smiled, understanding. Even apologized for wanting to let Ben die on Lothal and for telling Rey they shouldn't be together.
Now, the woman was the strongest proponent of her and Ben's relationship.
The sudden change caused Rey to be concerned. But then Kayani brought up that she could help her with her training, especially when it came to her mental capabilities.
Initially, Rey declined. But it only took one harrowing training session with Luke to push Rey into seeking out Kayani and accepting the offer. Ever since then, Rey's skill level had risen exponentially. Kayani probably thought she was using Rey, but in truth, Rey was using her.
"How am I doing compared to Ben?" Rey asked, brushing the sweat from her brow.
Luke gave her a side-glance. "This isn't a competition, Rey."
"I know…" she mumbled, feeling like it kind of was.
Beneath Luke's thick beard, there was a hint of a smile. "You're both very quick at learning. You're a natural, just like him. But… you do catch on to certain techniques faster."
Rey beamed with pride.
"Don't go challenging him to a duel, though," Luke reminded her, bringing her ego back down a notch.
Rey leapt over a log while Luke went around it. "How are you liking Dandoran?" he asked.
"It's nice having Soniee here."
"But if she wasn't here, what would you think of this planet?"
She looked at the predominant shades of green and brown, the hints of red hidden in the shrubbery. "Well… the forests are beautiful. I like the smells. But it's a bit dry." Rey rubbed her cracked hands together, being reminded of her days on Jakku. "Honestly, I sometimes miss training on Ahch–To. Things were so quiet there, and I could focus on learning while listening to the waves of the sea and smelling the saltiness of the air."
"You like the ocean," he commented.
"I do," Rey answered with a slow smile. "I've found that I much prefer being near water than being on a desert planet where the only organics to be found are those of scattered corpses."
Luke found her statement amusing. "I know what you mean." He swatted a bug away as he elaborated. "Growing up on Tatooine, my aunt and uncle would show me vids of the planet Adamastor, promising me that one day they would take me. We didn't have many credits, so it was going to take them a while to save up enough to go. I'd watch those recordings, imagining myself on those beaches, looking out at that deep, blue sea. Made me wish that I wasn't surrounded by desert."
"What happened when they took you?"
"We never went." Rey tilted her head, seeing the distance behind her master's stare. "The moisture farm was never as profitable as my uncle was hoping it would be. I did leave eventually… when there was no longer anything keeping me there."
Rey let her fingers run against the soft moss on the trees, yet her fingers came away dry. "When you met my great-grandfather," Rey stated. She knew his aunt and uncle had eventually been killed.
"Yes. He offered me an adventure and I came along for the ride." Luke stretched out his arms. "And now here I am, training his descendant some of the things he taught me."
"Do you still find it strange I'm related to Obi-Wan?" She recalled when Luke had first found out. The man had been floored, looking as if he might faint. But a few hours of being alone remedied the shock, so much so that Luke sat Rey down and told her all he knew about her relative, answering as many questions as he could.
"No." They jumped over a narrow stream. Luke readjusted his tunics, glancing at Rey with a twinkle in his eye. "Things have a way of coming full circle."
They continued down the faded path. "Did you ever go to Adamastor?"
The twinkle disappeared. "No. Seemed wrong to visit the place without them. It had been a dream for all of us to go together."
Silence ensued between the two the rest of the way to the Falcon. Not in an awkward way, but more reflective. Both were thinking of the lives they once had and the ones they currently led.
Artoo greeted them aboard the Falcon and followed as they headed to the cockpit, Rey lighting up the engines, getting comfortable in the pilot's seat.
"How's Ben doing with the constant separation from you?" Luke asked as he sat across from her.
Rey's hands paused over the console. "Why ask about him and not me?"
"I'm with you often enough to see that you remain focused, even when I can sense how much you miss him. But Ben has always struggled with patience and regulating his emotions. He can become very attached to things."
"Things…" she angled her body more towards him, "as in me." She regarded him with a pensive eye. "You think I shouldn't be with him?"
Luke shook his head while waving his hand. "That's not what I'm trying to say. You've been good for him. And you have someone devoted to you and who loves you, something you've never had. Just…" he sighed. "Be careful. Love can become distorted and morph into obsession. It destroyed my parents, in the end."
"Ben's getting better with balancing his emotions." Rey was a little too fierce in defending Ben. Luke's face soured. "What?" Rey asked. "You don't think so?"
"I do. I just find it interesting you used that word to describe him."
"Which word?"
"Balance. There was a time in my life when I thought…." Luke paused, staring out the foreport to the rich green meadow. "I was told he would bring balance to the Force."
What?
Rey was floored for a moment. "Told?" she asked, leaning over the armrest slightly. "Who told you that?"
"Obi-Wan and my father, when I was once able to communicate with them." Luke returned Rey's steady gaze. "They told me that while Anakin brought temporary balance, Ben could make it everlasting."
Rey frowned. "How could he do that?"
"That they never told me," he said with a tinge of frustration. "There were things they couldn't reveal. Not then, anyway. So I traveled the galaxy, going temple to temple to see if I could find anything that would hint at how something like that being possible."
"Did you find anything?"
Scratching at his beard, Luke was reflective while saying, "Clues. Suggestions. More pieces to a puzzle that had no real outline. If I never found the answers, than in the very least, I could teach Ben all I knew. Prepare him for whatever might come. But I never was able to pick up on how much the Dark side had infected him over the years. I knew he had some in him; we all do to an extent. I just thought he was going through a typical phase of adolescence." He shook his head, gazing back out to the planet. "Leia knew, though. She would argue with me how she could feel something watching her son, even when he was in the womb. Something sinister. I should have listened to her."
There was silence, except for the hum of the engines. Rey looked to the control console, seeing that the ship was ready for take off. But she wasn't going anywhere till this conversation was over. "You can't contact your father or Obi-Wan anymore?"
"No. After Ben destroyed the academy, I haven't been able to contact them."
Sheepishly, she asked, "Could I somehow contact Obi-Wan?"
"Through meditation, maybe. But it's up to them if they want to show themselves or not."
Rey's hope deflated somewhat. "Do you think they still expect Ben to somehow balance the Force?"
Luke made a pitying expression. "I hope not. I don't know what that fate would entail, which worries me. You put too much responsibility onto one person and they just might break."
"Wasn't it said that Vader would balance the Force?"
"Prophecies are always hard to interpret. But he did destroy the Sith, which was one of the criteria. The balance after killing Palpatine didn't last long, though."
It was then that Rey felt a chill.
Rey wasn't scared of much. She had grown accustomed to the fact that the Force rendered her almost invulnerable, unstoppable. She had lived through fights, fought in battles. But there was something about what Luke was saying that gave her pause. Like maybe the Force wasn't done with Ben. Maybe it never would be.
She knew what the Force wanted with her, if she were to believe what Kayani had said. But the expectations for Ben were unknown.
Rey swallowed hard. "Ben doesn't know about this, does he?"
"No. I never told him," he said quietly. "I've never told anyone."
"Why are you telling me then?"
Luke looked to her compassionately. "I want you to be aware of what you're getting yourself into by being attached to my family. It's a difficult road to walk, and everyone gets hurt along the way."
Rey considered that for a second. "But all my life I've wanted to find a purpose that seemed right and true. And I found that with you and your family."
"Purpose," he almost scoffed. "That word is almost as dangerous as prophecy."
"Isn't it healthy for an individual to be driven?"
"But driven towards what?"
Rey glanced to the corridor. Then out the foreport. Settling on a shrug. "Well, something good and fulfilling?"
"When do you know you've found something fulfilling?"
Rey didn't appreciate her answers being flipped back on her in the form of questions. "When it feels right," she concluded.
Luke nodded slowly. Knowingly. "I thought my sole purpose after the Empire fell was to restore the Jedi Order. I took guidance from my mentors during that time, listening to them when they told me how to put things back to the way it used to be. That I should take the opportunity to tutor and train my nephew for something I didn't have all the details for. But it all ended in fire and ash. I put so much of my self-worth into being a Jedi Master that I never really thought if what I was doing should be done."
Rey wasn't sure what to say. There weren't a lot of times where this legendary man had confided in her, actually spoken to her about his life.
Luke's voice went softer. "My mentors, the ones I leaned on for direction, abandoned me. And now, I don't know where to go from here."
The man sitting next her, who was always a symbol of strength and wisdom, now appeared jaded and lethargic. Unmasked and vulnerable. Rey didn't like it. He was supposed to be strong. "You told me on Ahch-To that you were thinking about changing the Jedi code. Maybe getting rid of it all together."
"I remember."
"So do it," she said earnestly. "Make the Jedi into what you feel would be right for the galaxy and right for someone that is Force sensitive. You probably understand the old Jedi's weaknesses and shortcomings better than me, so learn from that."
Luke rounded his jaw, contemplating. "It's difficult to do on my own."
"What do you think I'm here for?" Her voice almost got shrill. She calmed. "I'm going to help you."
Luke sort of smiled, a slim piece of white showing through his curled lips. Then the expression was gone. "Ben once tried to exterminate the Jedi. Probably still believes they shouldn't come back."
"I'm not Ben."
He regarded her longer than what was deemed comfortable, maybe trying to find any falsity to her claims. "No," he finally muttered. "You're certainly not."
()()()()()
In a small, musty room of Maz's decimated castle, a meeting for the Resistance was taking place. Sitting at a rusted table was General Organa, Ren, and Poe. Threepio and Casterfo were standing off to the side, both remaining out of frame. They all looked to the holoscreen, the faces of Admiral Trend and Ackbar staring back at them.
Vassena was annoyed when Ren had started joining the meetings, but she never said anything. It was written in her eyes every time he spoke, which was extremely rare. Poe was more vocal since he was now an actual member of the council. With Statura and Ematt no longer having a seat, Leia had to find people she trusted to fill the openings.
She even offered Poe a promotion to General, but he declined gracefully. In Poe's words: "I belong out in the field. Not behind the scenes."
"The Core and Inner Rim are under First Order occupation," Vassena reported. "That leaves some allies left in the Mid and Outer Rims. But the ones who donated the most to the Resistance are the worlds now controlled by the regime."
"We need to expand to planets we haven't talked to before," Ackbar offered as a solution.
Leia placed her hands on the table. "I can't imagine any of them being financially giving." Her tone of knowing cynicism did not go unnoticed.
Against his belief that staying quiet was the best policy, Ren joined the conversation. Because when people were blatantly wrong, it was hard for him to keep his mouth shut. "You won't find the credits you need in the Mid and Outer Rims." All attention went to him. "At the end of the day, the only difference between two sides of a fight isn't ideology, it's money and resources – neither of which you have."
A vein popped out of Vessena's forehead. "The Rebellion didn't have those things, and yet we still won."
"That was a one in a billion chance," Ren lectured condescendingly. "The Emperor was unwise to put the majority of his military and resources into the Death Star. The First Order doesn't make the same mistake, which is why after Starkiller imploded, they were still a formidable force. And Snoke does not have an apprentice like Vader."
"Not anymore."
His eyes narrowed. "He never let me get close to him. I never knew where he was located. All because his paranoia was sharper than Palpatine's."
Poe was rubbing his temples as he said, "So what else can we use if we don't have money to win this war?"
"Propaganda," Ackbar interjected. "We need the majority of civilians to believe we are the better choice. And for them to willingly donate their time and ships to fight with us."
They all agreed, except Ren. There was a problem with that plan as well: majority of people were afraid of the First Order. But this idea was better than begging planets for money, making them look desperate. So it might be better to subtly manipulate the galaxy's population instead.
Vassena tossed up an idea. "We can still record Ren and leak it onto the Holonet, like we previously planned."
"No." Leia immediately shot that down. "It's been an asset not having the galaxy know his face. Makes it easier for him to go out on an assignment." Vassena pursed her lips, making eye contact with Ren. He gave her a small, corner smile. "We'll use Finn instead. His story of being taken as a child and forced into fealty will be more compelling and will resonate with more people."
And that was that. No one argued with General Organa.
Leia changed the subject. "Have you found anything in the remains of the base?"
Vassena rolled her shoulders, collecting her emotions. "Not much that can be used. But we've salvaged most of the shipyard and are either fixing or repurposing the ships. Also… Statura's body was found."
Silence.
"You sure it was him?" Leia asked reverently.
Ackbar nodded. "The remains matched his DNA."
"And Harter?"
Ren tensed, readying himself to hear the worst.
"We still haven't found her."
He shut his eyes, letting out a long breath from his nose. While the news of her corpse not being found was ideal, there was still the question of where she was. The possible answers were of no comfort.
Leia gathered up her two datapads, readying to leave. "If there isn't anything else to report, than we can close this –"
"Actually, there is," Vassena interrupted, her energy reinvigorated. "Brendol Hux will be traveling to Chandrila Opera House in a few days. I can't imagine he'll bring a large amount of security with him for such an occasion. Especially since Chandrila is theirs now."
Leia raised a brow. "What are you suggesting?"
Vassena shrugged. "He is a prominent member of their council, and his son destroyed the Hosnian System. We should terminate him with the use of extreme justice."
Ren smirked. "That sure is a fancy way of saying assassinate."
"Or we could take him as a prisoner," Poe suggested. "Try to draw Hux out of his Star Destroyer stronghold."
Ren put his interlaced hands on the metallic surface, trying to sound mature and convincing instead of derisive. "I assure you, by getting rid of Brendol, you'd be doing Armitage a favor. He holds no affection toward his father."
Vassena rolled her eyes. "He must have–"
"No. This plan would fail."
Leia turned to him. "Would Brendol's knowledge of the First Order be more extensive than yours?"
"More than likely. I was never a member of the Shadow Council."
"We should grab him while we have the chance," Poe said. "Not to draw out his son, but to get information."
"And how would you get this information?" Ren asked him.
Leia was the one who answered. "By any means necessary. I'll oversee that a team is put together and prepared."
The meeting came to a close shortly after her staunch reply.
Leia leaned back once the holoscreen was off, rubbing her neck, rolling her head back and forth. "What are the chances that Brendol is actually going to Chandrila?"
Ren crossed his arms, chewing at the inside of his cheek before saying, "He loves the arts fiercely and does attend multiple performances throughout the year. The intel could be valid."
"Do you think he knows where Snoke resides?"
…."Possibly."
Leia stared at where the faces of Trend and Ackbar once were, calculating. "Commander Dameron," she gazed at Poe. "I'm giving this mission to you."
Poe straightened, looking honored and ready. "Do you want me to interrogate him as well?"
"No. That I'll leave to Ben." She eyed her son. "You're both going to Chandrila."
Lieutenant Connix entered, announcing that the Falcon was right outside Takodana's atmosphere before whispering something in Leia's ear. Ren nearly jumped from his chair, not even waiting to be excused. Not far behind was Poe.
But with only three steps into the stale hallway, Ren came to a stop. Clamming up. Hands trembling.
Chewie was walking in his direction, but the Wookie ignored him, walking right into the room he'd left his mother in.
In the air lingered the malodorous smell of Chewie's fur.
Ren put a hand out to the wall to steady himself. This wasn't their first encounter with each other. A few days after being on Takodana, he saw Chewie for the first time since… he couldn't even recall the last time he'd seen him.
All Chewie had done, as Ren stood motionless, was walk up to him, stare him in the eye for a long moment, and march away. From then on, Chewie ignored his existence. And every time Ren saw him, he remembered the Wookie's roar, the one he had billowed after Ren had murdered Han.
Ren wasn't sure which reaction made him feel worse: being outwardly threatened, or Chewie noticing his existence.
"You okay?" Poe asked from behind, actually startling Ren.
With a quaking hand, he shoved back his raven hair. "I'm fine," he croaked out before resuming his strides.
Poe walked next to him. "Are you sure you know what those two words mean?"
There was a big possibility Ren didn't.
Out into the afternoon light, Ren felt like he could breathe again. That basement was less like a meeting room, and more like a cave. A small, unforgiving cave. "You're really not going to protest against your mother ordering you to come with me?"
Searching the sky, Ren spoke honestly. "These orders I don't mind. I never particularly liked Brendol."
"You can't kill him."
Ren gave him a dry look. "I won't. I'll just make him wish he were dead. It's a faster, more efficient way to get someone to talk."
"It steps over the line of ethics, is what it does," Poe mumbled.
"Is torture beyond your principles?"
Poe rubbed at his scruffy chin. "I can knock someone around, but when it comes to the harder stuff, I don't think I could do that."
Ren's gaze went back to roaming over the skyline, his hands now in his pockets. "I think when you get the nerve, you'd be surprised at what you're capable of."
A line appeared between Poe's brows as he mulled over Ren's comment. Then he joined in staring heavenward as he cautiously said, "Soooo…. You've been sticking by the general a lot these days."
Ren sighed, looking bored. "Is there a question in there somewhere?"
"I didn't really expect you to be in her presence for more than five minutes."
"Skywalker and I switch off personally guarding her. You know that."
"I do. Just didn't think you'd actually take it seriously."
Oh, but he did take it seriously. After admitting to his mother that he cared for her, his drive to keep her safe became more of an immense responsibility than just a concern. "Who else are you going to request to come with us to Chandrila?" Ren asked, jumping topics.
"I was thinking the usual: Finn, Rey, and Jess." Poe interlaced his fingers and popped his knuckles. "Already have a plan in the works that involves those three."
Ren nodded, then squinted. A small speck showed off in the distance, moving below the clouds.
"Can I, uh… give you some advice?" Poe said in a more serious tone.
"I don't recall asking for any."
Poe squared off at him, all sense of mirth gone. "You got a good thing going here, considering you were once enemy number one."
"I thought Snoke was your number one enemy."
Poe stared at him flatly. "Enemy number two, then. Regardless, don't do anything to mess this up."
"Oh, yes," Ren said sarcastically. "I do so love being on the side of a losing cause, waiting for everything to crumble due to lack of support and resources. What a life."
"You want to bitch about how we're gonna lose, then fucking leave," Poe snapped. "I don't need you giving a monologue about it every five minutes."
Ren glanced up, seeing a more prominent outline of the Falcon. "I'm not going to leave," he professed solemnly.
"And why is that?"
Hesitating, Ren openly said, "There are people here I've come to care for."
Poe glanced to the forest, facing the light breeze, letting it sweep back his hair. He breathed in deep. "What I've been trying to say is don't take two steps forward and six steps back. You've actually been good company to be around lately. I don't want to see you go back to the person you used to be."
"Your concern is not needed."
Poe spread out his hands. "And yet here I am, giving it anyway."
Ren pinched his eyes. "Why?"
"I view you as a friend, man. Do I need to spell it out for you?"
The offer of friendship was a very kind gesture; the kind that made you blink quickly and have to take a couple of deep breathes. "I don't need–"
Poe raised a palm to stop him. "Please don't start by saying how you don't need any friends, that you're above all that. I know that's just your pride talking. Just accept it, okay? I'm not looking for a sentimental moment where we both hug and braid each other's hair. When I say I'm your friend and I got your back, all you need to say is 'okay, cool.'" Poe put on a mischievous smile. "And then maybe compliment me by saying my friendship is so important to you that you wouldn't trade it for the universe. That's it."
The sound of engines could now be heard as the Falcon started to lower on the part of the dirt designated as a landing zone. "Okay," Ren breathed out, the words sounding strange, but he said them anyway. "Cool."
Poe waited expectantly. "No compliment?"
"Don't push it."
Rey's excitement was potently palpable from being this close, but he wouldn't see her walking down that ramp since she needed to stay hidden.
Skywalker was the one to exit.
"One more thing," Poe said before Ren went to meet with the man to give a quick report. "How is your hair always so perfect?"
Ren let a chuckle escape his nose. "It's genetic and unattainable."
()()()()()
Rey leaned against the marble counter in the refresher, looking over her makeup with keen curiosity. The all-in-one stylist had left ten minutes ago, praising her work that had taken three hours to do: giving Rey a complete transformation.
She had been excited in the beginning. Especially when she decided to cut her hair just above the shoulders. But now, staring at her reflection, she was questioning all of it. To her, she appeared drastically different. Almost unrecognizable. Her softly curled hair showed none of its usual unruliness. The form fitting, dark green dress loosened slightly below her knees, draping to the floor and showing womanly curves Rey wasn't accustomed to seeing. What was more unusual was the high neckline, but low back. Rey didn't know this so called 'fashion' existed.
At least her arms were completely covered.
But could she wear this all evening? The plan was once her and Ben were done with dinner, they would separate. She would go with Jess to the theatre, where they would keep an eye on Brendol, updating the men waiting a few blocks away as to when he left. Then they would look for an opening and snatch him.
Rey straightened, looking at her whole ensemble.
Was she beautiful?
She would need a second opinion.
Rey neared the door, hand hovering over the panel. "Okay. I'm coming out... and you better not laugh. Promise?"
"I'm not going to laugh at you, Rey," Ben answered, amused.
"It's just..." she explained nervously. "I've never dressed like this before. I don't even look like me with all this makeup stuff on my face."
"Rey, it's fine," he said coaxingly. "Come out so I can see you."
She took a deep breath and opened the entryway. Keeping her eyes on the floor, Rey went to stand by the bed, her hands brushing at the dress as if it would somehow help her jitters.
Ben didn't say anything. She glanced up to see him staring at her, eyes wide.
"Do I look that ridiculous?"
Ben opened his mouth. Nothing came out.
She began to panic. "You're not saying anything. Why aren't you saying anything?"
He came to her, running his hands up and down her arms. "You look stunning," he said with warming sincerity. He brought a finger up to one of her curls. "And your hair…"
"Oh." She laughed timidly, patting at the new hairdo. "Yeah. I was feeling up for a change. I've always had longer hair, but I wanted to try this out. Do you like it?"
"It looks perfect on you. Everything does." He got closer, his need evident in the way his eyes locked and held upon her form, the way his voice rumbled, the way his body heated. "But now I just want to take this dress off of you."
Rey pushed him back. "Oh no you don't. It took hours to get ready. If you ruin even a strand of my hair –"
He put up his arms defensively, a sly smile curving his lips. "I won't touch you. Not even a hair. Satisfied?"
"Well, you can touch me. Just be careful." Feeling more confident, she was able to take in Ben's formal black robes, noting that it wasn't much different than what he wore when with the First Order. The fabric was just thinner and smooth, and he swapped out his beloved boots for shiny black shoes – which must've been a first. But all in all, he looked good. Really good. "Those robes really suit you. I've never seen you look so polished and non-threatening before." She went up and twisted one of his perfect locks around her finger. "You're really handsome when you clean yourself up."
He stole a quick kiss before she could back away again. "Because I'm so scruffy looking otherwise."
Hand in hand, they left their opulent room and exited the hotel, making their way into an enclosed speeder, a driver already at the helm.
Rey tilted her head closer to Ben and whispered, "You're sure Poe is okay with this?"
"You've never been to Chandrila before. And we have a few hours to spare before going to the opera house. I'd rather enjoy some dinner than wait in the room with the rest of them."
"Thanks for paying for their room, by the way. Finn seemed really excited to stay somewhere so nice."
"If you have the means, you should experience a few luxuries from time to time."
"Credits really do get you everything," Rey said as a joke.
Ben didn't interpret it that way. "If that were true, my life wouldn't have turned out the way it did. I'd rather be poor and content, than rich and regretful."
They arrived at their destination before Rey could come up with something to say.
Arm looped through his, they walked into the ornate eatery. Rey gaped at the sparkling ceiling, the view reminding her of when she would look at the sky during the nights on Jakku, gazing at all the infinite stars. Beneath her the floors were rich colors of swirling blue, with flecks of gold lining the perimeter. Everyone was dressed in the same fancy manner as them, all looking like they belonged there.
She stopped and tensed.
Ben tried pulling her along, but she didn't budge. "What's wrong?"
"I…." Her stare darted from one humanoid to another. "I don't fit in here." She caught sight of a nearby table. "I don't even know what most of those forks and spoons are for."
Ben touched her cheek, craning her head to face him. "Don't look down on yourself. Ever."
"How much does the food even cost here?"
"It doesn't matter. I have more than enough to buy this restaurant." He dropped his hand. People were now watching them as they stood in the middle of the lobby. "Do you want to leave?" he whispered in her ear. "We can go somewhere more comfortable for you."
What am I doing? she asked herself. Never in her life had she given much credence to the opinions of others. Especially when they were judging her. If she had, she wouldn't have survived for as long as she did.
Being with Ben had brought these new insecurities to light. And right now, she had reached her limit of caring what random strangers thought of her. She wanted to have a nice night with the man who brought her here.
"No," she replied resolutely, banishing the anxiety from her soul. "You made the reservation. Let's stay. But you'll have to explain to me what most of the food is and what fork goes with what."
"Don't worry," he whispered, an attractive smile lighting up his face. "I'll be your teacher."
They were shown to their table, the view looking directly down to the dance floor below. Rey went to pull out her chair, but Ben beat her to it, motioning for her to sit. Awkwardly, she sat as he pushed it in. As the night went on, Rey learned that this custom was commonly practiced with other couples. She thought that odd. Women were perfectly capable of handling a chair.
Next, Ben went over the menu with her, helping to pick out what she was most in the mood to try. The waiter, who was thankfully human and not a droid, was patient and polite, giving his own recommendations.
Once their orders were done, the man asked, "Would you like any wine this evening?"
"No, thank you," Ben said.
"Actually, I would like to try some." This drew a surprised look from Ben.
"Which would you like?" the server inquired.
"Uhhhh…" That was when she realized she didn't know the names of any wines. She could cite some alcoholic beverages, but wine was for the rich. Nobody was really rich on Jakku.
Ben thankfully came to the rescue. "Bring a glass of Emerald, Toniray, Corellian, and Port in a Storm."
The waiter bowed and left quickly.
Rey sat back, grabbing a fork, picking at the prongs. Probably wasn't proper manners, but she didn't care. "That's quite an array of wine."
Ben lifted an eyebrow, remaining still as she kept being fidgety. "Have you ever tried wine? Let alone alcohol?"
"Well... No," she admitted.
"Then you should have choices."
The drinks came and then the food, Rey greedily enjoying every morsel and every swallow of the mauve liquids, except Port in a Storm. The smell alone made her eyes water and nose sting. Ben found it entertaining how she refused to taste even a drop.
She had to abstain from chugging all the other drinks. Ben cautioned her to take small sips since they had to get Brendol in a few hours. Poe would be livid if she showed up drunk.
And as Rey expected, Ben didn't ask to try any of them. He hadn't had a drop of alcohol since the night he died on Lothal.
As the night went on, they chatted mostly about Soniee and the recordings. But there were small moments when Ben would talk about things from his childhood, even sometimes memories with his mother. It was a relaxing atmosphere, just the two of them, enjoying the others company.
But then Ben said something offhandedly about Skywalker, and all that did was remind Rey about the conversation she had with the Jedi Master a few days ago. As much as she tried, she couldn't shake it from her mind.
Dessert was brought out, choc filled banja cakes for Ben, and Jogan fruit drizzle for her. But her appetite had dissipated, and not because she was full. "Why didn't you order dessert first?" Rey asked after taking a bite, trying to relish the sweetness as her mind kept reeling.
Ben chewed and swallowed his big bite. "In a place such as this, I would never do that."
She somewhat smiled, poking at the dessert she should be enjoying.
"Do you not like it?" Ben asked, examining the plate to see if anything was wrong. "Normally, you would have inhaled that by now."
She put her utensil down and raised her eyes to his. They had promised not to keep anything from one another. And the longer she didn't tell him, the guiltier she felt. "I wasn't going to tell you this… but only because I don't have the whole picture. And I don't want you to obsess over it or get overwhelmed."
Ben wiped his mouth with the linen napkin, becoming confused. "What's going on?"
Rey took a deep breath and told him all she knew. Throughout it all, Ben kept a straight face, his eyes focusing on the table, his body not even twitching.
It had been a few minutes since she finished talking, the sound of dishes clattering, guests chatting, the harmonic music below the only things filling the void.
And then Ben did something she did not expect: he went back to eating his dessert.
She watched him finish the whole plate, wipe his mouth, and push the dish out of his way.
"You don't seem surprised by this?" Rey queried, confused.
"Surprised that a member of my family kept information from me?" He tried to sound sarcastic, but she picked up the bitterness. "I'm quite used to it by now. It's how my family operates."
Rey winced, twisting her fingers in her lap. "Your uncle never told Leia, if that helps. He never told anybody."
"But he told you," Ben bit out, and Rey winced. Ben calmed himself when he saw how she reacted to his tone, but his finger methodically tapping the table was a giveaway for his anxiety. "It's interesting how everyone thinks they know what's best for me. Leia, Skywalker, even Poe…"
Poe? She'd have to ask him about that later. "I'm not on that list? I did keep this from you."
"For three days. That's hardly a blink of an eye in terms of time." That didn't make her feel any better. "I'm not upset with you, Rey," he assured her. But then he looked off to the side and went quiet.
"What do you think about all of it?"
He shrugged.
"That's it? I thought you'd have a more adverse reaction."
Ben's voice was eerily flat. "It doesn't mean anything."
Rey was taken aback. "How does it not mean anything?"
Sighing, he matter of factly said, "There's no way I could bring balance to the Force. I've a hard enough time finding balance within myself. And no one actually knows what 'bringing balance to the Force' entails. I was with my uncle all those years as he tried to find the answer, but he never did." He batted his hand through the air. "It's all ambiguous and probably just a myth of wishful thinking."
Rey blinked at how he just brushed it all off. "But… Anakin and Obi-Wan told him that you would succeed where you grandfather failed. Doesn't that mean something?"
He derisively answered her question with one of his own: "That the Skywalker legacy is just one person after the other failing at life?"
"I'm being serious, Ben. How about you do the same."
The sides of his jaw protruded. Then, with a hard will, he wiped his expression clean of the frustration. "Just because they are Force beings, doesn't mean they know everything. Remember what Kayani told you? The Force lets her know what she needs to know. What they were saying about me is just their speculation. Nothing more," he stated, trying to put an end to this particular topic.
But his explanation just brought up more questions. "What is the Force exactly?"
Ben frowned. "It's everything," he answered, like it was common knowledge.
"Yes, I know. Luke talked to me about it, but there has to be more depth to it than that."
The waiter came by, clearing the table of their plates. After he left, Rey kept staring at Ben, patiently waiting for him to devise an explanation. "Skywalker was the one to teach me about the Force, though we believe in utilizing it for different things." Ben adjusted his posture. "Basically, you have two different aspects of the Force: the Living Force and the Cosmic Force. The Living Force is the energies of all living things. The Cosmic Force is an aspect of the Force that binds everything together from energy fed into it through the Living Force. It makes possible for those that are Force sensitive to sense things that are happening light-years away."
Rey nodded. "Who controls the Cosmic Force? Is it, like, actual people?"
Ben raised his shoulders, thinking over his answer. "Sort of. It's theorized that the Celestials created numerous numbers of galaxies while continuing to live among the Cosmic Force. Kind of like an alternate dimension."
"The who? Celestials?"
Ben eyed her passively. "I take it Skywalker hasn't explained any of this to you?"
"Uh, no."
"Probably doesn't want to overwhelm you."
Rey shivered, not sure if it was from her exposed back or the topic of discussion. But she did sense there was something significant about all this information. She just didn't know what. "Can you tell me?"
Ben's mood was improving exponentially. Rey did have an ulterior motive for all the questions: she new Ben loved to teach. And since Rey was genuinely curious about all this, they both came out as winners. "The Celestials were considered one of the earliest and most potent cultures of their time. The lack of information on them makes them seem to be a mystery, but it was found that they left objects on planets showcasing their existence."
"Were they humans?"
"Not really. More like powerful alien architects. Their appearance is a mystery: it's written that they have malleable form, or that they are discorporate entities who had perhaps merged themselves with the Force and continue to guide the fate of the galaxy as the Cosmic Force."
Rey cocked her head. "So the Celestials didn't create the Force?"
"No. The Force has been around since the beginning of the universe. The Celestials merely overlook this"–he tapped the table–"specific galaxy. Maybe a few others. Though some believe that the Celestials are descendants of those who created the Universe."
"Has anyone ever seen them?"
Ben took a sip of his water before answering. "They used to have more interaction with the galaxy. But apparently in 35,000 BBY, their domain was attacked by the Rakata slave race, waging a war of extermination upon them. The Rakata's felt as if they were being used by the Celestials, and they were seeking retribution. In response, the Celestials created a barrier of black holes to protect them against the Rakata. Many believe those black holes are what make up the Maw Cluster that is near Kessel, where smugglers use it as a shortcut for the Kessel Run."
He paused, glancing down at his hands. Rey was sure the mentioning of the Kessel Run brought up memories for him.
Ben rubbed his lips together before continuing. "By 30,000 BBY, the Celestials were nowhere to be found, withdrawing from this dimension completely. They remained in their own, sometimes guiding the events of the galaxy, but mostly leaving beings to their own machinations."
Rey stared at him for a moment, and then asked, "When Kayani said that the Force only tells her what she needs to know, do you think it's these Celestials communicating with her?"
"Possibly. But there is still so much we don't know about them. All we do know is from the writings and personal accounts that can be found in the Journal of the Whills. But with the journals passing through so many hands, how does anyone know for certain that some passages weren't changed?"
Rey sat back, feeling the soft spine of the chair on her bare skin. "Do you always look at things with skepticism?"
"I do," he said with a smirk.
"Then how do you believe in anything?"
"I can still draw my own conclusions."
"Which are?"
Ben didn't say anything for a few seconds. "I believe the Celestials could exist."
"Really? You don't think this is all far fetched since they are of the Light side of the Force."
His forehead creased. "What makes you think they are of the Light side?"
Now she was staring at him as if the answer were obvious. "Well, entities that are evil don't create – they destroy."
"But the Celestials enslaved the Rakata. Do you view that as being virtuous?"
The question tripped her up for a moment, making her view things differently. "Ummm… No, I guess not."
Showing a small, satisfied grin, Ben said, "The Force is both Light and Dark, neither here nor there. It just is. Only when there is an imbalance does the Force demand to be realigned."
"And they choose actual people to do this," Rey stated. "If these Celestials are all powerful, why don't they fix it themselves instead of dragging us into it?"
"Usually the reason for the imbalance is because of those so called 'people'."
"Then make it so everyone abides by a set of rules so everything doesn't turn into a mess."
"You mean control the people by having order?"
"Yeah." Rey paused. Blinked. He watched as she slowly realized what she agreed to. "Wait. No. You twisted this conversation around on purpose."
Ben's lips curved upward. "I merely helped you see things from my point of view."
Rey wasn't going to give up that easy. "But what's the point of creation if those who are sentient can't think for themselves? Where's the progress?"
"The ones with the control are the ones who make the progress."
"But that's such a small percentage of the population. You need diverse individuals to make any real change."
Ben ran his fingers through his hair. "You know, I once believed as you do."
"Why don't you anymore?"
"I've seen how instability can ruin civilizations."
"But doesn't that go hand in hand with balance? You have those who contribute great things to society, and those who become bottom feeders and criminals."
Ben laughed heartily, clapping his hand together. "I would have loved to see you debate my philosophy professor from school. You're actually quite good."
Rey shied from the compliment, cheeks turning crimson. "Thanks." She went for the Emerald wine. "Do you really not believe you could bring balance to the Force?" she asked before drinking.
All amusement left his face. He didn't answer her.
Rey put the glass down, criticizing herself for bringing it up. She peered over the handrail, down to the lit floor, watching the few couples that were holding each other close and dancing to the symphonic tune. One of the men whispered something into his partner's ear. She blushed and laughed, carefree.
These people openly showing their love and affection towards one another panged her with envy. Her and Ben didn't have a relationship like that where they could–
"Would you like to dance?"
Rey blinked back the surprise at Ben's sudden request. But of course, he saw her watching the people below.
She shrugged shyly. "I don't know how to dance."
"It's quite simple." He stood and came to her side, hand opened and inviting. "Just follow my lead."
They made their way down the marble staircase, past the small orchestra, and onto the gilded dance floor. Ben grabbed her hand and waist, pulling her close against his body. They started slow at first, swaying and shuffling their feet over the smooth floor. Rey apologized the few times she stepped on Ben's toes, but all that elicited was a laugh on his part.
Her cheeks grew red, her body hot as those feelings of self doubt started to creep into her mind. But Ben whispered for her to stay focused on him, to not care if others were watching. This moment belonged to her, as much as it belonged to him.
Soon, he had them turning about in this three-step rhythm she quickly became accustomed to. Sweeping around the space, their movements became wider, the music becoming nothing more than far off background noise.
Around and around she went, smiling and laughing and loving the man she was experiencing this with.
And as she looked at his untroubled face, it was as if she'd known him for decades, instead of mere months. But she figured that must be what happened when you cross paths with someone your compatible with:
Felt like you've been with them forever.
()()()()()
Tall apartment buildings lined the street, their outer surface worn through years of sun exposure and weather, no one really taking the time to make any repairs. Down the way, children battled with their play blasters, hiding behind makeshift forts out of repurposed trash. The air of Chandrila was a welcoming temperature, the sky dark and clear of any storms.
Poe and Ren kept up a steady stream of chatter, mostly talking about their flying skills, both of them trying to one up the other. Finn nodded in the right places, but couldn't seem to stop glancing at a poster on one of the building's walls. Once Poe brought up his triumph at Starkiller base, the discussion hit a snag. So Finn walked away from the two men, down the dimly lit walkway and studied the print:
Power Through Unity. Strength Through Stability.
He raised his head some more so the cap on his head didn't obstruct the whole view. Hux's sharp profile was below the line of propaganda, his head angled in a way that made it seem like he was looking at the neatly placed Star Destroyers in the corner.
Ren, now in his usual civilian clothes, came up beside him. Scowling. "At least they used his bad side."
Finn motioned to the large placard. "What's the point of even putting these things up? They already have control of this planet."
"Want to make sure people keep believing it. Reminders are important."
"Important for keeping everyone in line," Poe said as he joined in with examining the picture.
Ren glanced over at him. "I haven't seen or heard any talk of a rebellion while being here."
"That's because we've only been around aristocrats," Poe countered, his eyes roaming over the poster disapprovingly. He elbowed Finn softly. "Just think, soon you're going to be the face of the Resistance. Maybe you'll even get plastered on a wall like this guy. Which will be a far better picture–"
Finn grabbed the top of the poster and ripped it off the wall in one sweeping motion. He shredded it quickly, letting the breeze catch it and take it down the street.
Even through the sudden show of outrage, Finn was still able to pick up on the glance Poe and Ren shared.
They might've taken the sudden aggression as a sign he didn't want to be used in Resistance propaganda. But he really didn't mind that. What irked him was that this war was gradually looking to be more and more in the First Order's favor. And being on a planet controlled by them made that fact particularly more evident.
Lately, he really had to think about what he would do if the Resistance utterly failed.
Rubbing his nose so hard that his eyes started to water, Finn annoyingly said, "Is anyone else having trouble with breathing?"
"That would be the ammonia from the urine," Poe pointed out, rattling some small rocks in his hands as he leaned against the durachromed wall.
Finn turned his head in each direction, looking at the decrepit and rusted buildings, hearing the muffled cry of a baby, the shouts of a heated argument. At least those kids down the street were having fun. "We're only two blocks from the theatre and I can't believe how broken-down this area is compared to over there."
Ren waited for a group of human women to pass by before explaining. "We're in the Nimetra district. The theatre resides in the Noli, where the nobility live. Both are under different mayors, both have different budgets."
"One should give the other a bit more credits out of charity," Finn murmured.
Poe tossed a pebble across the street, trying to make it into one of the potholes. "Since when are aristocrats ever charitable?"
Finn went silent, the warm wind teasing his skin, rustling his jacket. He focused on Poe tossing the rocks, counting how many times he made it in the hole. The count wasn't too high.
"How have you and Rey been?" Poe asked Ren as he chucked another rock, accidentally hitting the wall. "You two have been spending a lot of time apart."
Finn was expecting some snide remark about not prying into someone's personal life, but then Ren started talking in a manner that seemed very open and honest... which was weird. "It's necessary with everything going on. I don't think she minds it as much as I do. She's learning a lot from Skywalker with me not being around to distract her. It's just… not what I'd prefer."
Poe shrugged. "Well, you know what they say: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger."
"More like gives you a murderous complex and a need for a psych eval," Ren muttered.
Finn actually chuckled, looked to the right… and stopped breathing. A woman was walking toward him, her long black hair, slanted eyes, and red leather jacket all immediately resonating with him. Of all the people he thought he would run into on this planet, she was at the bottom of his list.
Caliiya.
Poe elbowed Finn as he caught him gawking. "Finn, pretend like you've seen a woman before."
Finn's mouth went dry, his eyes fixated on her as she neared. Caliiya stopped in front of him, eyeing him nervously.
The two just stared at each other, doing a whole lot of not talking.
But Ren made up for that. "What the fuck are you doing here?" he snarled, stepping up beside Finn. Almost getting in between them.
Caliiya glared. "You're just full of warm welcomes, aren't you?"
"Am I supposed to be thrilled to see you? You did nothing to help us against the Guavian's. You even sold Finn out to them."
"This is the girl from the Eravana?" Poe asked, getting a nod from Ren. Poe joined in with staring her down.
Caliiya looked to be uncomfortable from the threatening attention. "Can… can I talk to you?" she said softly to Finn, glancing at the two men. "Alone?"
The men bluntly told her no, but in a way that was laced with profanity. All the while Finn watched her take the heat willingly.
In the end, against Poe and Ren's warnings, he went with Caliiya a little ways down the pavement, staying within eyesight of the others. He could still hear Ren recounting the story of how they met her, talking particularly loud when it came time to bring up the Wookies.
Finn cleared his throat. "How did you find me?"
She gave him an once-over. "I'm good at what I do."
"Did you tell the First Order that I'm here?"
Caliiya showed offense to the question. "No. Of course not."
"Then what do you want?" he asked in a tired tone.
She looked down, taking a breath. "I– I want to apologize… for what I did to you. I sold you out, when all you wanted to do was help me. I've never had anyone offer me help before."
Finn adjusted his cap, sighing. "I understand why you did it. Freedom was being offered to you and you couldn't pass it up."
Her face shined with hope. "So, you don't hate me?"
He shook his head. "But I don't trust you." That snuffed out the spark in her eyes. Finn swallowed, even though he had no saliva to gulp down. "Look, I appreciate you finding me to tell me this, but you should leave."
Caliiya glanced over his shoulder at Poe and Ren. "You guys gonna snatch Brendol Hux?" When Finn looked surprised, Caliiya explained. "I heard he's here. I… could help."
Finn was all shades of confused. The way Caliiya was staring at him, her gaze big with optimism, her demeanor more than willing to be of aid, it knocked him off base. He didn't know who this woman really was. He knew who he wanted her to be, but that was before she betrayed him.
"I gotta go," he muttered, pivoting around quickly so he didn't see her reaction.
"Hey," she called out. He glanced behind. "Take care of yourself. Your face is well known among bounty hunters."
The corners of his eyes crinkled as he slightly smiled. "That's what this is for," he pointed to the hat. "Stay safe."
By the time he walked back to the two watchful men, Caliiya was gone.
"Yeah…" Poe drawled. "So I vote that you never see that woman again."
Finn walked past them, going back to their original spot in the shadows. The two of them followed.
"Bounty hunters are without loyalty and only look after themselves," Ren added.
Finn positioned his back against the wall, folding his arms. "Funny. I could give that definition to you."
Ren was more stoic and quiet after that comment.
"Did she say how she found you?" Poe inquired.
"No. But she didn't tell the First Order we're here."
"And you believe her?"
"I do."
For a while none of them said anything. The kids at the end of the street went inside their homes. The last of Poe's pebbles were thrown. He didn't go back for more.
Finn didn't want to be the reason for the silence. He didn't want to be in a sour mood. He wanted to find his foundation again. And not think about Caliiya anymore.
"So…." Finn said into the night, addressing Poe. "What's going on with you and Jess?"
"Nothing," he answered too quickly.
Finn snorted. "I just spent the better part of a day in a room with you two. All those awkward stares and attempts at casual conversation say otherwise."
Poe didn't immediately answer. Finn noticed that his jaw was tight. Brows furrowed. "I don't know." He inhaled. "You know that feeling you get when you see someone and your heart just skips a beat?"
"That's an arrhythmia," Ren said flatly. "You could die from that."
Poe cast Ren a reptilian look, and then ignored him. "I, well…. We kissed, back on the base.
Finn held a hand up. "Hold on. You two kissed months ago and I'm just hearing about this now?"
Ren's eye roll was more dramatic than usual. "I'd rather not hear about this at all. So if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find a private spot where I can relieve myself."
Finn waited for the man to disappear around the corner before shaking his friend, his excitement genuine, the image of Caliiya now a distant memory. As it should be. "What happened after you kissed her?"
Poe grabbed his arms to calm him down, chuckling at Finn's enthusiasm. "The First Order showed up."
"I know. I meant are you two, like, together now?"
Poe's grin faded. "No. We agreed we should keep it professional. We can explore whatever's going on between us after the war." Poe saw how Finn narrowed his eyes. "You don't agree?"
"Who knows how this war is going to turn out. You might not get a chance to have a relationship with her."
"But working with her might get complicated."
"Ren and Rey go on missions and they seem fine," Finn countered.
"Really? Ren always looks like he's going to pull his hair out worrying over her."
"And you don't worry about Jess now?"
"I do. But it would be a lot worse if we were actually together together, you know?"
Well, technically he didn't. He'd never even had the prospect of being in a relationship. And the few women he knew were either his friends, or it was complicated. "I guess."
"Thinking about that bounty hunter, aren't ya."
"Sort of," Finn said thoughtfully. "I'm more thinking about how I've never experienced affection with someone before."
Poe stumbled over his words. "You've… you've never… you know."
He shook his head. "Nope."
Poe put a hand on his shoulder. "Oh, you sweet, virtuous stormtrooper. I'm blushing at your innocence."
"Me, too."
A strong wind came through, drifting and floating Poe's hair. "Hey, it's nothing to be ashamed over," he said while pushing his mane back into place. "I can't imagine you having a lot of opportunities."
"I did have a few." A good portion of the stormtroopers were women. And as long as you were sneaky enough, two people could find privacy. "But I could never make myself do the casual thing."
Poe watched a speeder race down the way. "You and Rey were close. You never thought about, I don't know… seeing where that could go?"
Finn shook his head, thinking about the first time he met Rey. It made him smile. "Believe me, first thing I saw was how gorgeous she was. And I was interested, for a bit. But we functioned so well as friends that the thought of being with her faded from my mind."
"Never tell Ren that. Don't need another reason for him to want you dead."
"No kidding." Speaking of which…. Finn looked to the corner Ren had walked to. "Ren's been gone a little too long."
Poe and Finn wandered down the walkway, turning where Ren had. From there, he could have taken three different routes. They went down each, getting curious looks from the humanoids they passed.
Going down the last alley, Finn stopped as Poe kept moving forward.
He stared down the dark backstreet littered with trash, thinking that this would be a perfect place for privacy. But no matter how long he stood there, peering into the twilight, there was no sign of Ren. No signs of a struggle. And if Ren had been taken, that guy would have raised hell before being brought down.
Events were being set into motion, a spark to what would be an eventual inferno. Finn wasn't gifted with the Force, but he still had his sharp instincts. Whatever was happening was a catalyst to something bigger, and it was going to drag them all along for the ride.
Poe came up beside him, his irritation throwing off some serious heat. "You better comm Jess," Finn suggested.
"Shit," Poe bit out, going for the device at his belt.
A/N
I feel like after writing this chapter that it's now obvious where the story is going. But I hope not! Still planning some surprises along the way.
And where is Ren? What happened to him? If anyone can actually guess correctly, I will be shocked.
I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. If you have time, leave a review with your thoughts! May the Force be with you!