Chapter 9: The Voice

And I was burnin' up a fever
I didn't care much how long I lived
But I swear I thought I dreamed her
She never asked me once about the wrong I did

A voice. A lonesome voice floating throughout the galaxy. A voice that doesn't have to be heard to be feared. The damage that the solitary voice can create is unimaginable, but so many have been through the hell that one voice made for them. A customized hell for all those that go with him and an even worse fate for those that don't.

Snoke. A beings whose voice rips through time and space, mass and matter, mind and soul. He will crawl into your mind use what you love against you till you turn to his side, the Dark side. Once upon a time it was Lord Vader they feared, but as time goes on the villains get smarter and more powerful.

I will find you Ren. Did you think you could hide for long...

Ben woke up in a flash, the message burned in his mind along with pain, massive amounts of pain, anger, hatred, and rage rolled into one and torturing his mind. He knew Snoke would find him soon, find Rey. He didn't want to go back, he couldn't go back he needed her just as much, if not more, than she needed him. Oh but the pain that monster created in his head would not stop not till Snoke found him and going back didn't seem so bad when it feels like thousands of little needles are slowly going from your skull to your brain.

Rey stirred next to him, no doubt sensing his pain and tidal waves of emotions. She had slept soundly throughout the night, it didn't take her long to fall asleep either, they had swam in the ocean just a little ways from the cabin till they were about to fall asleep in the water. Ben carried her to the cabin and laid her down on her bed but before he could walk away she asked him to stay with her for the night so he did. He wrapped the thin blanket around them and they fell asleep in each others arms thanking the stars for bringing them together.

Ben slowly got out of Rey's bed and made his way to the canteens holding their water and poured himself a glass. His mind was still on fire but now a small flame compared to the inferno that was raging a few minutes ago. Dawn was approaching and he knew that when Rey woke up she would feel everything he was feeling. He feared that she if she does feel it too that Snoke would find them, find her. As much as he willed the pain away and the sun to stay down, the sun rose and his mind was still burning.

He looked over at Rey, even when she is asleep, her light shines brighter than any star he has ever seen. She was so beautiful, the whole galaxy would bend at her will, and somehow, for some reason she stayed with him. She could have easily killed him or run off with Luke but she stayed with him. She let his rough, calloused body hold hers, she let his sinful lips gaze over hers with all the passion he had, she let herself trust him. Rey saved him in so many ways and he was going to keep her as far away from his demons and the devil that controlled his hell.

Why are you staring at me? Rey inquired. He hadn't noticed she had woken up probably because she lay peaceful with her eyes shut.

Because you're beautiful, he responded with a smile.

"Flattery will get you nowhere," she joked.

"I don't believe that to be true, especially when I, in fact, am telling the truth." Ben got up and walked over to Rey who was still laying on the bed and crawled over her. She finally opened her eyes and saw him, possibly as gently and calm as she ever had, towering above her, a sight something deep down told her that she wanted to see more often. "You are beautiful Rey, so beautiful." He kissed her, a small peck on the lips, her cheeks, jaw and neck. His mouth hungered for her like he had been starved of her for centuries. He attacked her throat with enough passion to leave bruises. His hands roamed over her body till one came to a stop on her hips and the other tangled in her hair.

Rey sighed at the pleasure she felt and knowing it wasn't just hers but Ben's, which made her feel something she's never felt before. When he looked up at her when he heard her sigh and saw a smile plastered on her face. He felt his heart soar because the beautiful smile that was there on her face was put there by him. He bent his head down capturing her lips with his and kissed her with all the love he possessed. Her hands found their way to his impossibly soft hair and when his tongue entered her mouth her grasp on his hair tighten, which only served to spur him on more.

Ben's hands were slowly making their way up Rey's torso when a shooting wave of pain shot through his head. He cried out in anguish grabbing his head trying to will it to stop but the pain kept coming wave upon wave like the ocean in a hurricane. Rey felt some of the pain he was feeling but it was nothing compared to what he was going through. He hopped off the bed his hands still cradling his head. Rey got out after him and to say she was afraid of what was happening was an understatement.

"Ben!" she called out to him. "Ben! What's going on?" Though she had a terrifying theory.

She calls you Ben. "Stop!" shouted Ben, "Leave her alone!" I thought you left that name long ago, is there something you wish to tell me? Ben screamed the pain his head grow with each passing second.

Rey was frightened she could hear a voice from inside Ben's head, a voice that had to be the Devil himself, Snoke. Do you really think me that bad filthy scavenger? And with that phrase he uttered in her mind all the pain from Ben's head went to hers and she collapsed on the ground screaming. "Leave her alone!" He yelled with so much force his throat burned afterwards. But the pain in her head only grew.

How about we strike up a deal Kylo Ren. You like deals, correct? You train her for me, for I can see she is very powerful, and I won't harm her. But if you both try to cross me, that pain you feel in your heads will feel like heaven compared to what I will do to the both you. Then he was gone.

Rey sobbed on the floor, the pain had left her head but she could still feel its aftermath. "Rey," Ben rushed over to where his little light lay on the ground. He held her in his lap, he kissed the top of her head, he wiped away her tears, he did the best to comfort her but it was no use. He remembered the first time Snoke entered his mind, he pretended to be a friend who would help him, it wasn't until a little while later when he felt the excruciating pain. But it was too late to escape the hell he willingly walked into. He thought he would be used to it by now but this was Snoke, and like Rey thought, he is Devil himself.

"How," she sobbed. "How have you lived with that? How have you worked for him?" Her cries didn't stopped when she asked him that which made Ben's heart sink. I... I don't know. I don't know, he whispered in her head. He held her closer fearing something would snatch her away from him. He loved her with all his heart and he would do he best to keep the light in her. But with Snoke's threat he feared what may happen to her.

"Are you hungry?" he asked her when her cries subdued. She had lost her appetite with all that just happened but she knew she had to eat so she reluctantly nodded yes. Ben picked her up bridal style, a flashback to Takodana, and carried her into the kitchen and set her down on the island counter. He grabbed water and rations for them both and set them down next to Rey and divided them up. Thank you, whispered Rey. Ben looked up and gave her a small smile, it's the least I could do, he whispered back.

"I don't want to train you for Snoke but at this moment we have no option. If I don't he will hurt you far worse than what he just did, and I... I can't let that happen. I can't see you get hurt again." he said. His eyes focusing on the floor, too scared to meet her beautiful hazel ones.

Rey picked up his head in her hands, "I understand. And I don't want to see you get hurt either," and with that she brought her lips to his a slow kiss laced with love and passion. Oh god he was doomed. This girl, his light and his hope is going to be the death of him, but at least he'll die a happy man knowing that she loves him too. Right now he wanted to kiss every square inch of her, he wanted to hold her close against him and feel every part of her, he never wanted to let go of her. But right now was not the time and he knew if he didn't remove his lips from hers he would be doing all that. For right now they had orders and he didn't want the light of his life to be put out because he couldn't control himself.

He removed his lips from hers against his will, we should eat, he said in her mind. She nodded in agreement. She had heard all of Ben's thoughts and felt his desires and she would be lying if she said her feelings didn't mirror his. She longed for his mouth on hers, his hands on her body, she wanted to lose herself in his touch. There still might be time for that later love, he smirked. She rolled her eyes at him but a smile graced her lips, the smile that just made him fall more in love with her.

"I suppose we should start training then," she said after they ate.

"Ya," he sighed.

They walked out of the small cabin and onto the beach and Ben could feel Rey growing more nervous. "Ben I'm scared. I don't want to turn to the dark side."

He gave her a reassuring hug. "I know this scares you, it scares me too, but we have to do this. Not even our worst nightmares can compare to what Snoke will do to us if we don't," he spoke. She walked out of his arms, her nerves still on fire. Rey, he called to her. When she looked back up at him he spoke again, "Rey you are the brightest creature I have ever seen. You radiate goodness and blind the dark. You saved me. So if you can save me, you are strong enough not to fall victim to the dark." Rey felt herself calm down and smile at Ben.

They found their places on the sand and Kylo began to teach. "The Jedi believe that with emotions there is no peace. Passion is forbidden for the Jedi, however the Sith believe that passion gives you strength. Rey, you are already very powerful, I know that first hand," he gestured to his scar. "Now all you have to do is fight with emotion. Dig up hatred and rage, use them to fuel your power. Are you ready to spar?" She nodded yes.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

Rage filled the air as they fought one another. Ren was fascinated by her power. He knew that growing up on Jakku left no room for weakness and that she trained for a little while with the Resistance and Luke, but seeing her passion as she fought was truly mesmerizing. "We are connected Rey. You are able to pull power from my emotions and take away skill. It may be the last thing you want to do but it is always an option," he yelled while they were still fighting.

Through passion, I gain strength.

Rey didn't like letting her emotions control her, on Jakku the ones who felt to deeply were the ones that died, she had learned long ago to bury the infernal feelings. But at the same time she marveled at her own strength and how powerful she had become by tapping into her emotions. She scared herself too though, the passion she had frightened her.

Through strength, I gain power.

For hours they fought till Kylo ended up pinning Rey to the sand below him. They panted unable to catch their breath. Ben soon began to think this is what it would have been like this morning if Snoke hadn't intervened. Rey below him, sweat covering their bodies, panting and trying to catch their breath. There still might be time for that later love, Rey mocked. He laughed a beautiful laugh that made Rey smile when she heard it, how she wished she could hear it more.

He got crawled off and over her and laid down next her on the sand still trying to catch his breath. "What do we do now?" she asked turning her head to look at him.

"I'm thirsty, lets go get some water," he replied.

Through power, I gain victory.

Ben got up from the sand and looked down at Rey who was still laying down. She smiled up at him and he smiled back. She lifted he hand and he grabbed her and pulled her up. The sun was just beginning to set and she was exhausted, so much had happed in just a few hours that it felt like eternity since the morning. The walked back to the cabin and Ben still had a hold on her hand. Rey was amazed by how safe she felt with him, he was a piece of her life missing and now that she found him she felt whole.

Through victory, my chains will be broken.

Ben grabbed the water for them and joined Rey at the table. He noticed how tired she was so when they finished their water he grabbed her hand and led her to bed. He laid down with her and pulled her close. They floated off into oblivion as sleep consumed them. This past day had been a nightmare for them both, but hell would be waiting if they messed up. At he moment though they slept peacefully in each others arms, smiles on their faces knowing they had one another to call their own.

The Force shall free me.

"General Organa, is all alright?" One of her officers asked her.

"Yes, but will you excuse me for a moment," she didn't wait for a reply, she had to get out of that stuffy conference room. She walked own the halls of the classified rebel base, they had moved after the attack on Starkiller Base afraid their location might have been compromised. Much has happened since then, so much that it all feels like a blur. Then again it always does.

As she walked Leia felt something change in the force, an old presence she hadn't felt in years had come back to the surface. "Ma'am... General... uh... I mean..."

She chuckled, "It's okay. What is it Finn?"

"There is an unknown airship pulling in near our base." Finn finally got out.

"General I think you will want to see this." called another voice further down the hall. They saw Poe Dameron the Resistance's best pilot since Luke Skywalker. He held up a tablet and showed them pictures of the airship. It was old, about thirty years old, and when Poe zoomed in on the face Leia ran down the halls and when she was outside she saw a swarm of her men and women crowd the ship preparing for the worst.

"Back up," she called. "There's nothing to fear. Get back to your posts." Out of the corner of her eyes she saw them slowly disperse but she was too focused on the ship to care. The door opened and she couldn't breathe, there he was after years and years of searching, he was here right in front of her. When his feet made it flat on the ground she ran up and hugged him. "Luke," she cried, tears falling down her cheeks.

"Hey Leia," he said tears filling his eyes but not spilling over. "There's a lot I need to tell you, quite a bit of things have happened and you should really know about it."

She removed her arms from around her brother and composed herself. "Yes, of course, follow me." They started walking toward big building she had just come from. "Where is Rey and how is she? I like her," she asked Luke, it was strange that she wasn't here with her teacher.

"That is one of the things I wanted to talk to you about in private," he answered.

The General gasped, "She's not hurt is she?" Oh with Luke she tends to fear the worst, an old habit from when they were both young and with the Rebels.

"No don't worry she's fine." Leia breathed in a sigh of relief.

Down the corridors they ran into Finn and Poe. "Luke this is Poe, he is our best pilot. This here is Finn, he was a Stormtrooper but deflected," Leia said.

"Ma'am if you don't mind me asking, who is he and why is he here?" Poe asked.

"He's my brother," she answered.

Before anyone could start talking again Finn spoke up, "Where's Rey then?"

"Finn. Poe. Why don't you come with us." When they got to the conference room Leia ordered everyone who was in there out and as they walked by you could hear the whispers surrounding the strange old man.

"Where's -" Finn tried to ask again but General Organa silenced him with a raise of her hand. She nodded at Luke to tell his story.

"Rey came to find me as all you know, I did my best to train her. I taught her the basics of the force. She learns very quickly so I taught her more of the intermediate things. But my age forbid me to help her on many of the physical training exercises. Four months took a little toll on her and I thought she needed to clear her mind so I sent her to one of my old hideouts. A nice plant with lots of sun and resources, perfect for her. I gave her many rations and told her all about the area she was on, foods to eat, things to stay way from, and where to get the best water.

"A couple of days ago I decided to check up on her to make sure all was fine. There was a massive storm brewing and by the time I was in the planets atmosphere it was pouring like a monsoon. Through the rain I could see shrapnel from an airship crash, and as I got closer to the cabin Rey is staying at I saw that it was a First Order Tie-Fighter. By the looks of the crash it didn't seem like anyone could have survived. But when I landed, I had hurried out of my ship afraid of the worst... Leia it was Ben," he paused for a breath but Finn interrupted yet again.

"Ben Solo also know as Kylo Ren of the Knights of Ren. The guy that kidnapped Rey six months ago, who made a huge ass weapon that destroys planets, who put me in a coma? And also tortured Poe? That guy!?" Finn asked hysterically.

"Finn, correct?" Luke asked. Finn nodded, his eyes were filled with rage, it took a few whispers from Poe to calm him down. "Rey is alright, she is safe and unharmed." Luke gave Leia a look telling her that what he needed to tell her should just be between them.

"Poe could you take Finn to get some lunch I don't believe he has eaten yet," Finn was still on a strict diet and had set feeding times, the doctors thought that would be best for him after he awoke from his coma.

"Yes General," and with that Poe and Finn left.

"Leia he loves her," Luke continued when the door clicked shut.

"What," she asked in surprise, he loves her...

"Yes. I don't know how she did it, but Rey has changed him. There is so much light in him now, and he cares so deeply for her. Or their swollen lips and the little bruises on Rey's neck mean nothing," Luke chuckled.

"What!?" Leia asked again with a smile on her face. She couldn't believe this, her son, her Ben has found the light again and he has found something, someone she should say, to love.

Tears filled Luke's eyes and this time they were about to flow free. "Leia I'm so sorry none of this would have happened if I saved him sooner. I should have seen Snoke entering his mind. I should have saved him. It's all my fault," and just like that he couldn't hold it in anymore, thirty years worth of tears poured from his eyes, a flood gate had just been opened.

"Oh Luke it is not your fault it's mine, he was my son and I should have taken better care of him," she said pulling her brother back into her arms.

The fate of the stars is cruel, they know that more than anyone else. They have lost so much to the galaxy and given so much in return. Leia was just happy to have her brother back and her son's destiny rewritten by all the light in the universe rolled up into one entity, that she knew he loved greatly.

Author's note: As always I hoped you all liked it and please review. The story may or may not be changed to being rated M, idk yet it just depends on the next couple of chapters. Thanks for reading. :)