Chapter 7: Luke Arrival

Boys, when my baby found me

I was three days on a drunken sin

When Rey first landed on Ahch-To, Luke felt something he hadn't felt in a while, the light. She was a blinding ray of sunshine and all things good in the galaxy, but she was also hidden in the shadow of her past, the light sometimes hard to find. Luke did all he could to train her, she was powerful but he wasn't as young as he used to be so sparing was out of the question; so he stuck to training her mind.

He could feel a foreign darkness living dormant in the back of her mind. He knew what got her here, why she was now the pilot of the Millennium Falcon, how she came to find him, he knew who that foreign darkness was.

Luke was nervous to train her, the last time he had a student that was this powerful they had gotten seduced to the dark side. But Rey wouldn't take no for an answer, so he gave in and she became his apprentice. After about four months he thought she could use a break from life there on the cold, wet planet, so he sent her to one of his old hideouts, one he used before he made it Ahch-To. She could still train but he thought it might help her being in solitude.

After about two months he thought he should check on her, make sure her rations were good, that nothing had happened to her or the cabin. He felt no disturbance in the force, no tremors of fear or darkness, so he knew his apprentice was well, but a visit was overdue. The trip from Ahch-To to the tropical planet was almost a week's time so he packed enough rations for his trip and for Rey and her stay. He felt that a little while longer would do her good with her training.

Days past before he got to his old planet and when he got there he could see dark clouds encircling the beach Rey is on. Flying extra careful, trying to avoid the worst of the storm, he flew closer to the ground. He remembered his days as a pilot for the Resistance, the battles he won, the friends he lost, but was all of it worth it if another dark force had arisen from the old Empires ashes, he wondered.

Getting closer to the cabin he saw debris in little fragments leading up to a First Order Tie-Fighter. Panic over took Luke. His mind raced with the worst possibilities, his vision went blurry, so bad in fact he almost missed the cabin. He landed and got out of his little ship, the wind and rain so powerful it felt like it could push him down. Barely being able to see through the storm he noted everything looked fine, but he didn't trust his worn out eyes.

He ran as fast as his old body could move in the menacing storm. He saw the windows and doors boarded up so the rain wouldn't penetrate the cabin, so he knew someone was in there. When he got to the door he grabbed his lightsaber and swung as hard as he could, fearing the worst of what he might find inside.

He froze. It was him, his nephew with her, his apprentice. They were standing close to each other as if they were old friends. Luke hadn't seen him seen that unfaithful night when all his padwans were stricken down by him, Snoke, and the First Order. And Rey, she looked more shocked to see Luke then the person who was standing beside her, the darkness in the edge of her mind. But he felt no darkness, just grey.

"Ben," said Luke, the first person to break the deafening silence.

"Skywalker," he said after seconds of shock from hearing his name for someone other than Rey. He wanted his mask more than he wanted anything right now, other than Rey. He felt weak and unprotected, he felt like the big eared and pathetic Ben that trained under Luke all those years ago. But he could do it, he could finish his mission, he had found Luke. Ren felt Rey enter his mind wiping away the darkness that crept back into his thoughts.

Rey could feel Ben tense, she could feel all the emotions radiating off him, she could read his thoughts. Her eyes never straying off Luke, her mouth never moving as she spoke to Ren. No, you're not a monster. Don't be the one people think you are, the one the First Order says you are, who I thought you were. Ben's stature calmed, but he remained frozen; he wished he could grab her hand, wished they were back to what they were doing before Luke got there. The memory burned in his mind, the feeling of her hands in his hair, his mouth on her. Ren could see Rey's cheeks turn a light shade of pink after seeing what was playing through his mind; he would have smirked if his uncle wasn't standing no less than six feet away from them.

"I suppose that's your ship out there," Ren nodded. "Care to explain Rey?" Luke said though his eyes never lift his nephew.

"There was a Rebel attack on the Finalizer, Ben got away but barely. He was knocked unconscious when his ship crashed here, I saved him."

"And the Force Bond?" he asked, gaining a clear shock from Ren and Rey. "It was quite obvious, even for some old Force user like me," he chuckled doing his best to lighten the awkwardness surrounding them.

"I think you could guess that one," Kylo said coldly, finally speaking up; Luke just nodded his head. The fell into a deeper, more awkward silence, the old Jedi never tore his eyes away from his former padawan. He still remembers when Leia and Han dropped off a scared little Ben, a child of pure light but also one of sorrow. He knew his parents tried their best, but they were young and naïve, not fully knowing how to raise a child. No matter how broken their little family was Luke knew that they loved their son with all their hearts.

A loud bang of thunder boomed right above their heads, shaking everyone from their thoughts. Though there were storms on Ahch-To, Rey was still getting used to water falling from the sky, claps of thunder, and flashes of lightning, after spending her whole life on a desert planet. The thunder startled her enough to were she grabbed Ben's arm, she felt sparks of energy from both him and her when she touched his arm, an arm that was usually covered in a robe.

Luke saw this, he felt the light flow through the Force, he watched his nephew was calmed by the touch of his current apprentice. He knew something had happened between the two. Taking a closer look he noticed Rey and Ben's lips were swollen and bruises were forming on Rey's neck.

"Would you like some water Master Luke?" Rey asked. Ren scowled at hearing her call him, Luke of all people, Master. It should be me, Kylo thought. He was actually young enough to spar with her, he knew things Luke didn't, and even though she could never be tempted to the dark side he would teach and show her everything there is to know about the force.

"Yes that would be nice, thank you. I'm quite thirsty from the long trip." And with that Rey was off leaving Ben and Luke alone in their stances. "No mask?" asked Luke, but Ren said nothing, why would he.

Rey got back with the water and Luke muttered a small thank you, which she accepted with a nod. They elapsed into quite once more and they stayed that way for a good thirty minutes, the only one really moving was Rey, she needed something to distract herself from the awkwardness taking place.

The heavy rain eventually subdued into a drizzle, lightly surprising them on how quickly the storm blew threw. When Rey realized all the water was gone, she tried grabbing all the canteens to fill up but being overwhelmed with the load she called to Ben's mind, May you please help me with this? She asked. He got a couple canteens before they fell to the ground and grabbed a couple from Rey to lighten the load. "We'll be right back," she called to Luke as they walked out the busted door.

The sky was lighter but not by much, the clouds were still a dark grey, the rain had almost stopped, and the ocean wind blew cold against their faces. They stalked into the jungle, the wet sand clinging to them on their way there. They walked quietly, the only noises came from the nature surrounding them; when they got to the stream Rey bent down and started filling up the canteens.

Ren noticed her hands shaking as they dipped into the cool water. As she set a canteen on the ground to retrieve another Ben bent down to her and grabbed her hands stopping her. She kept her head down so he put a hand on her cheek, his long fingers running by her ear and into her soft honey brown hair. He lifted her face so her eyes would meet his, she didn't have to speak a word because he knew what exactly she was thinking and feeling. He could feel her overwhelmed emotions, see all the memories of Ahch-To flowing through her head, nothing bad, just somber and dull.

Rey felt the hand on her head draw her in, she felt her eyes close, she felt his lips on her. This kiss was sweet and understanding, no hurry, no lust. His lips moved slowly against hers, not wanting to rush things, just wanting to stay in that moment of bliss. Rey pulled away, We should probably be heading back, she said, her voice a quite whisper in his head. He nodded and moved his hand from her face as he stood up, he offered his hand to help her up; and when she grabbed it he could feel the warm light she possessed so greatly. She was light, his light, and he wasn't planning on losing her.

Luke could see, anyone could see that his nephew had fallen deeply in love for Rey, and even if Ben didn't know how deep that love went. Judging by their swollen lips and the bruises on Rey's neck they both liked each other with a great passion. Rey wouldn't just let anyone kiss her like that, or at all really. No, this was more than lust, and Luke knew it, he just feared what the future outcome of their love we bring them.

When Rey and Kylo got back to the small cabin no words were said as they both put up the canteens of water. After they finished Rey turned to Luke, "If you don't mind me asking Master, why the sudden appearance?"

"Even though we agreed I would come every third month, I thought I would come and check up on you and make sure this old house was still standing." He said, Rey just nodded. "Since the rain has subdued I'm going to grab the supplies and rations I brought."

Luke got up and left leaving Rey and Ben alone again. She turned to him, his eyes were cold, distant, and staring into nothingness, his posture was rigid and stiff; she could feel the pain and bottled up emotions threatening to spill over. Are you okay? She asked. He stayed still; If your not going to talk, I'm just going to help my master. And just like that she was gone. He heard her put an accent to the word master, and it stung. She always knew what to say to make him hurt, but this time he didn't quite blame her.

Ren snapped out of his haze and went to go help Rey and Skywalker. He stepped out of the shack seeing the old ship Luke has had forever, probably since his early days with the Rebels. Seeing that old ship brought back so many painful memories; his family leaving him with an uncle who didn't seem to care, his dad leaving for the hundredth time, his mom never being there and always with the Rebels, all the mean kids who would make fun of him and his big ears. Why did this have to happen, he thought. Rey looked over at him, sadness filled her eyes, and he noticed she just saw all of the painful memories that young Ben had to live though. But he knew it was nothing compared to the horror she had to grow up with.

They all carried the rations and supplies into the cabin filling up every bit of counter space. There was just one more load to carry in, "It's fine I'll go grab it," said Ben giving Rey a small smile. She was worn out from the long day that felt like forever. The storm and Luke's arrival had taken a toll on her.

He walked out to the little starship; Luke was trying to grab the last load, which was too large and too heavy for a man of his age. "I got it," said Ren. He may not like Luke but he did it for Rey, his little light.

"Thank you," said look with a sigh. "I know you think you had it rough as a kid, and you did, but we loved you. Your parents loved you with all their hearts."

"No I didn't have it rough, she did," Ren said turning away from his former master.

"You love her," called Luke causing Ren to stop in shock. "She is the light that blinds the dark in you, not that you have much left. I can see the light in you Ben, I always have been able to, but with her you shine brighter than ever before."

Ben walked away not wanting to hear his uncle's words. Yes he did love her; he loves her more than anything he's ever had. She makes him feel whole, makes him feel the light. When he is around her he feels at home, something he has never really felt before.

In the hut Rey was finding places for all the supplies and rations they brought in; boxes upon boxes of supplies and rations. Ren placed the last box on the ground not having enough space for it on the counters. He helped her place everything away, they moved around each other, putting the stuff away, in a quiet, peaceful harmony.

This day was crazy, from the second they woke up he knew it was going to be a crazy day. But Ren couldn't complain about the whole thing; his mind drifted to her lips and how only hours ago his lips were on hers. He wished he could go back to that moment, maybe someday he thought.

They ate dinner from the left over rations Rey had, a dinner that was silent and cold. Something strange filled the air when all three of them were together, but when Rey looked at Ben she felt peace. The same for him; it was almost hard to feel that light with Luke here, all the pain from his childhood bubbled up to the surface. But when he saw Rey, he could feel the light with an overwhelming power and he could feel his heart soar, he loved her with every fiber of his being.

When night fell over the small planet Rey set up her bed for Luke and a spare cot for herself. Yet you made me sleep on the sand, laughed Ben in her head. She smiled shaking her head at his nonsense. "It's too wet to sleep outside, I'll set up a place for you on the floor," she said. On the floor, indoors! I feel so honored Rey, you shouldn't have, he joked. She laughed; her laugh was as sweet as honey and it made his heart skip a beat.

Luke was asleep by the time Rey set up Ben's place on the floor by her cot. She sat on her bed for the night as she watched Ben make the final touches for his night on the floor. "Thanks for not making me sleep outside tonight," he said standing up.

She smiled, "Of course, it's the least I could do." He smiled back at her. And again he couldn't stop himself, he leaned down and kissed Rey goodnight. A soft gentle kiss on her lips made her smile even bigger. She could feel the love he had for her and he could feel the love she had for him. He wanted to stay in her arms, but knowing that his uncle, her master was about twenty feet away from them, he knew he couldn't.

He pulled away, "Goodnight Rey." He smiled at her and she smiled back. Goodnight Ben. He doesn't like his real name, but when she said it he smiled. They both laid down for the night, Rey on the cot and Ben on the floor. They went to bed with a smile on their faces; they went to bed feeling they could take on the stars.

Author's note: Hey guys, thanks for reading. As always I hoped you all liked it. Sorry for taking so long to update again, and hopefully I can update a new chapter sooner. Please review and again thanks for reading! :)