Author's Note: I don't really have any notes for this chapter, I guess? Except that I'm going to start responding to reviews again, we have five last chapter and that's not going to make the chapter exponentially longer! I also just miss talking to you guys directly!

Reviews:

xxSpades231xx: Oh stars, you'll be exhausted from clapping for 4 hours! Thank you so much!

BookL0ver1998: Oh, that frustration is definitely coming and won't be going away any time soon, I assure you.

ravenclauses: THANKYOUSOMUCH, also I really liked that suggestion and sort-of added that in this chapter. But only sort-of, she doesn't really say it to anyone specifically... gah, just read it, I don't want to spoil it hahaha

LoveFiction2018: Thank you, thank you, thank you!

kuppcake: They're going to interact alright... and hopefully not... kill each other... icantmakeanypromises

Anyway! Thank you to those who reviewed and keep reviewing from chapter to chapter, you guys are the real rockstars here. Remember to review guys, I love hearing from you!

Ash was more than happy to have escaped that awkward situation. She knew between Leia and Kylo Ren there were years' worth of turmoil that clearly wasn't going to be settled in their brief moment. However, it was a start. Hopefully, things would end up better than before.

When it came to awkward confrontations though, Ash wasn't exactly out of the woods yet as she turned the corner and stumbled into the familiar pilot with the rolling droid by his side. Their eyes widening when they saw each other, before the pilot frowned. "Am I allowed to hug you yet, or am I going to get thrown across the base again?" Poe asked bitterly as he looked behind Ash to make sure Kylo Ren wasn't there. BB-8 chirped, agreeing with Poe.

Ash grimaced. "Sorry about that."

"Yeah, well-" Poe reached forward, bringing Ash in for a tight hug. The two embracing for a long while. "I'm glad you're okay, First Order."

"The feeling's mutual, hero." Their hug reluctantly ended as the two pulled away from one another. Ash leaned down to the funny little droid, smiling brightly. "I missed you too, buddy." BB-8 blipped. "I know, I left without saying 'goodbye'-" Another whirlwind of chirps as Ash laughed. "I know, I know, I still owe you those upgrades! I promise I'll get them to you before all this is over."

Ash stood up again, looking at the awkward smile of her pilot friend. "So-" He began. "Kylo Ren, huh?" As much as he hated Kylo Ren; this was Ash. He was her friend and he had supported her through all of this. Even though he absolutely despised the man she was apparently with, he knew that didn't tarnish their friendship. Even though he wished it would; seeing her in potential danger wasn't exactly something he enjoyed.

She bit her lip nervously, feeling like she was having an awkward conversation with a parent over their disapproval of her new boyfriend. Granted, she never had that little luxury growing up. This was better than nothing, right? "Yeah. Kylo Ren."

"You know what he's done, right?"

Ash rolled her eyes, shifting on her feet as she did. "Please don't try and lecture me on this, I've had so many people do so already-"

He raised his hands defensively. "It's not my place or my business."

"Thank you." Ash meant that, even if she was still somewhat defeated over their conversation.

Poe blinked a few times, now he was trying to make sense of it all. "But he's so… moody."

Ash laughed full heartedly. "Yes, he is quite moody. He's also tall, handsome and-"

Poe interrupted her then, waving her off. "Alright, alright. Enough daydreaming over here. You're grossing me out." She smiled at his discomfort; discomfort that washed away the minute she did. "Just promise me you'll be careful though. I honestly don't think I can take him in a fight-" Ash laughed again. "The guy is huge and he's got magic powers!"

"You know it's not magic powers, right?"

Poe shrugged playfully. "Might as well be."

"Found them!" Poe and Ash turned to see Finn and Rey walking down the hallway and towards them, smiling brightly when they saw Ash. "I heard this troublemaker was back on base." Finn teased as Ash walked to him, the two hugging quickly.

"I'm so happy to see you up and about again." Ash said in earnest, only to instantly regret it as Finn responded.

"I am; no thanks to your boyfriend though." Finn retorted, receiving a look from Poe and Rey.

Ash shook her head. "I deserved that one."

Finn bit his lip; now feeling awful. "No, you didn't. I'm sorry. It's not an excuse but, everyone's just on edge today."

"Oh, don't I know it." Ash agreed, looking at the trio apologetically. "I get it; I get how this looks and I get everyone's reservations about him. He doesn't exactly help the situation by any means. He's telling the truth when he says he's here to help. We have to work together, now more than ever. The prophecy is real and Snoke knows what we're trying to do; he's scared."

Rey looked at Ash in disbelief. "Snoke knows?"

"He reached out to me again-" Rey was horrified then, panic taking over her face as she was reminded of what had happened to the both of them. Ash quickly tried to calm her down. "He didn't try to hurt me this time. But, I think he's scared." She looked back at Poe and Finn. "We need to work together; Kylo will help us. If not-" She licked her lips, somewhat nervously as she tried to think of how she could reassure the group.

"Then you will accept the consequences that go with it, should he betray us." Another voice chimed in, the group looked down the hall; seeing Luke Skywalker as he came closer. "Hopefully it won't come to that and my nephew will see the Light." He looked to the group. "Leia has called a meeting with all of us. We are discussing happens next."

The group silently agreed as they followed Luke Skywalker to the debriefing room where Leia and Kylo Ren were. Ash's nerves getting the best of her as her head began to swarm with doubt. This meeting could only go so well considering who was in attendance.

He was relieved to see Ash walk into the debriefing room; only to have that immediately wash away when Poe followed in not much after, followed by the stupid scavenger girl. He knew she had been with them and that twinge of jealousy soon took over as Ash walked over to him. "Hey-" She spoke softly. "How did it go?"

"Fine." That was the end of that conversation.

Ash sighed, knowing he was grumpy about something. Most likely that something was the pilot in the orange jumpsuit. She gently touched his arm, he flinched ever-so-slightly as she smiled up at him. "Relax."

He rolled his eyes. "I'm fine." He insisted. Ash gave him a knowing look.

"Everyone, please have a seat." Leia instructed; the group responding immediately as they sat around the large debriefing table. Ash noticed the room was rather dusty all things considered; as though the base hadn't been used in decades. She'd come to find out that was exactly the case. "I won't hide the fact that my son has done awful things-" Leia began. "I also will not let the fact that he is my son blind me to the fact that there is a lot at stake here." All eyes fell on the slightly smirking man. "We will work with the Ascension, at a distance for now until the time is right. Ben has informed me that the first stone is on Cularin. He will be joined by Ash and Rey as this is now their burden."

"When do we leave?" Rey asked.

She was answered by Kylo Ren; the mood obviously shifting not in his favor. "The sooner the better. Once we have the stones we can begin the final takedown of Snoke and the First Order."

"Do we know where the other stones are?" Poe asked. Ash could feel the tension in the room build as Kylo Ren glared at him from across the table.

"I will take that responsibility and research what I can to find the remaining stones." Luke chimed in; sensing a potential fight between his nephew and the noble pilot of the Resistance.

Finn made a face before glancing quickly at Rey. "So, we're all splitting up again?"

"That's what it looks like." Poe agreed. "Unless the Force Users could use extra help, I can fly out with them to the Extended Region. It's not exactly safe out there."

Stars, even his voice was annoying. Kylo Ren hated that pilot with every fiber of his being. He wanted nothing more than to crush his windpipe and be done with it. If he wasn't certain Ash would never ever forgive him for doing so… he would have by now. The red-haired girl next to him made it extremely difficult for him to act out on his impulsive need to murder the pilot across from him.

There was something about the way Poe looked at Ashlyn; even if it held nothing but a fondness that was meant for friendship… he was still looking at her. "Ash and I-" Kylo Ren began.

"And Rey-" Ash mumbled.

He rolled his eyes. "And Rey." He distastefully repeated. "Don't need your help, pilot."

Poe glared at him. "I was just offering-"

"I know what you were offering." Ren growled.

Ash sighed. "Stars-"

"This whole mission involves all of us; Commander." Poe dared right back.

Ash began to sink in her seat then as Kylo Ren smirked. "Not a Commander anymore, pilot."

Poe raised his hands defensively, feigning any fear as he said. "Right, sorry. You're leading some rogue group of traitors, right?"

Kylo Ren waved his hand without much effort and soon Poe flew backwards in his seat; the chair landing with a thud on the ground as Rey and Finn abruptly stood, checking on their friend.

"What is your problem?!" Rey yelled as Finn helped Poe to his feet again.

"It's alright, Rey." Poe explained calmly, repositioning his chair as he sat down in it again. "The guys got an attitude problem."

"No-" Kylo Ren began and Ash knew immediately where this was going, and before she could stop him, the words came out. "I just don't like the way you look at my wife." That undoubtedly made things a thousand times worse as everyone except for Leia, Ash and Luke, screamed 'WHAT' in unison.

Ash's head found the table immediately as she rested her forehead against it. She wanted to crawl into a hole and die. This was not going the way she had hoped. Then again, no one had shot him yet, so there was some silver lining in all this.

"You two got married?" Rey asked incredulously; praying she misheard him.

Kylo Ren was so proud of himself; it showed in his expression as Ash groaned into the table. "Won't be for much longer if he doesn't cut this crap out."

Ren feigned hurt as he frowned. "That's a mean thing to say."

Ash shot up, the blood rushing to her head as she glared at him. "You're joking, you've got to be joking. I'm the one being mean?!"

Luke Skywalker had had enough; it showed when mimicked Kylo Ren's earlier motion and sent Kylo Ren flipping backwards in his own chair. "Can we please get back to business here?"

Kylo Ren sat up, glaring at Luke. "And that was uncalled for." He grumbled, standing up and fixing his chair.

"You deserved it." Poe argued back at him; probably not his best choice as Kylo Ren glared at him. "You flipped my chair over too!"

"Then stop thinking about my wife." He growled.

"I can't even think about her?!" Poe yelled. "She's my friend too, pal!"

Ash stood from her seat, saying nothing as her face remained unmoved; hiding all emotion as she stormed out of the room; leaving Kylo Ren to face everyone and them equally facing him. She didn't care. She was exhausted. She was over it. Everyone was being childish and they had work to do. Yet, everyone seemed to forget that little fact. Ash stomped around the base until she found herself inevitably, and quite happily, lost.

Kylo Ren immediately went to follow after her, only to be reprimanded by Leia. "Ben-" She began. "You can't just walk out there by yourself. The base-"

He glared. "I don't care."

"Clearly." Leia's sarcasm was not to be matched. Not even by her own son as the two were locked in a stare down of epic proportion.

Ash was undoubtedly lost as she wandered the salt mines; she had been following a clear path and soon found herself staring at a familiar salt formation. She had passed this hallway before. In any other circumstance, she'd probably be freaking out over the possibility of having lost her way and being forgotten down here. Except now, she was welcoming that idea. Ash groaned, plopping herself down on the ground as she looked up at the red salt formations around her.

Things were out of control lately; she had to worry about a galactic war, completing a prophecy, and now her husband fighting her friends. Things were much easier when she was simply Ashlyn Novafall. Well no, she wasn't 'Simply Ashlyn Novafall' or even just 'Ashlyn Novafall'. She was 'Ashlyn Solo' the wife of one of the most feared men in the galaxy. The wife of the man who couldn't keep his ego at bay. The man she loved more than anything and yet also wanted to slap that stupid smirk off his face. She knew she could never have a 'normal' life when married to that man, if anything, she was the only thing controlling his behavior at times. He was frustrating, he was infuriating… and yet, she loved his stupid-fucking-face.

Ash closed her eyes, leaning back against the cavern wall as she breathed in; holding her breath for a moment before exhaling. "Didn't think I'd see you again." She commented. "Not after Naboo."

"I'm your Force guide; you can't get rid of me so easily." He mused as Ash opened her eyes to look at him. Anakin stood across from her, leaning up against the opposite wall. "So, they seem to really like each other." He was clearly joking.

Ash frowned at him. "We have more pressing matters to deal with in the galaxy, and those two decide they'd rather be at war with each other." Ash deflated slightly. "What do I do?"

Anakin shrugged. "The only thing you can do; keep fighting."

"They're not making this any easier." Ash was starting to feel that overwhelming and crushing weight of defeat then. "Snoke reached out to me again-"

He pursed his lips. "He did." His reply didn't seem too surprised.

Her voice was quieter then; her thoughts cloudy as she remembered all that Snoke had said and showed her. The fear and uncertainty of not being able to win. "Are we going to die?"

"There are many outcomes-" Ash interrupted him then.

"And in how many of those outcomes do we lose?" He didn't answer her, which only made her feel a thousand times worse.

"There's still hope." Anakin reminded her. "One outcome, while I can't tell you exactly what it entails, something truly special comes of it."

She offered a weak smile. "So, I just have to keep fighting for that one possibility out of thousands?"

He reciprocated her smile. "Millions, actually."

Ash unwillingly laughed. "The odds are forever against me."

"And in your favor." That was comforting and also terrifying all in the same. "How long do you plan to hide down here?"

Ash looked around; the red salt crystals were shimmering from the light that manages to break through from the surface. "I'm lost."

He gave her a knowing look. "You have the Force, you can find your way."

She smiled. "I know, but I'd like to pretend I can't for just a little while longer."

"As you wish." And soon, Ash was alone in her thoughts again.

The "children" were yelling at each other once more; this time was an escalated reprise of another fight that had happened five minutes prior when Kylo Ren rolled his eyes at Poe Dameron's plan. Then after a (very brief) moment of calming down, Poe returned the gesture when Ren was speaking. Now, they two were at each other's throats again, arguing like children.

Rey and Finn were lounging in their chairs, looking completely defeated and over it as they exchanged glances. Luke looked bored and unamused at the power struggle before him and Leia had had enough. In fact, she was so done, she moved the entire meeting to another room. The insane part of it all was how long it took Kylo Ren and Poe to notice that everyone had left as they continued to scream at each other.

"Where is everyone?" Poe looked around the room in confusion, his shoulders rising in falling as he tried to catch his breath. His face red from yelling. Kylo Ren did the same, looking around and noticing the two were alone then. He said nothing as Poe sighed. "Look, you hate me and I most certainly don't like you."

"Hate is not a strong enough word-" Kylo Ren mumbled.

"I get it!" Poe snapped. "Okay, I get it? You want to kill me, which you so kindly tried to numerous times now. And to be honest, I wouldn't mind shooting you with my blaster either." Ren rolled his eyes, knowing full well that that wouldn't go over well with Poe. He'd stop the blaster shot and kill Poe where he stood. He didn't see how he'd lose in this situation. "We have to work together. Not for the galaxy, forget the war, forget Snoke, forget all of it. Ash is your wife, alright? I know that, I understand that. You both took a vow to be married and I'm not here to mess that up. But, she's my friend too." He reminded him. "She's my friend, she's Rey's friend, she's Finn's friend; and she's allowed to have friends. What she doesn't deserve to deal with is our crap. I'm willing to put whatever hostility this is aside and work together for her sake."

Kylo Ren's arms folded over his chest, Poe realized then for a man who was so feared and so strong… he could be quite the child at times. Granted, Poe wasn't helping dissolve the situation earlier either.

He didn't want to admit Poe was right. He really didn't. But Ash was important to him and unfortunately important to the pilot as well. For his wife's sake, he was going to have to work with these Resistance scum bags. He had to for a multitude of reasons, but Ash was priority number one. "Fine." Poe sighed in relief over the (even though it was reluctant) cooperation of Kylo Ren. "But know this pilot. You overstep your boundaries in any way I deem unacceptable; you will regret it."

"Well, that's going to get ugly fast. You threw me across the room for trying to hug her."

"That's unacceptable." Ren shrugged.

Poe groaned. "C'mon, work with me here!"

"Fine, nothing more than that." Ren grumbled.

"Thank you." Poe's appreciation was slightly misplaced, but he knew it was the best he was going to get for now. "Now, I know there isn't much I can do to hurt you, at least not face to face." Poe threatened. "But, if you hurt her; I'll kill you."

Ren grinned wickedly. "Are you really threatening me, pilot?"

"You got to threaten, why can't I?"

He rolled his eyes, while he still absolutely abhorred the man, he respected his spirit. "Noted."

Poe looked around the room nervously then, remembering that the two were alone and the only other man in the room wanted to kill him. "We should probably go find the others." He suggested, an attempt to be around people just in case things went south again.

"No-" Ren's smirk fell as he responded sincerely. "We should find Ash first and apologize for our behavior."

Poe scoffed. "You apologize?"

"Only when it involves her." Ren replied, somewhat amused at the accusation. While the two were not friends by any means, hell, they weren't even 'okay' with one another, they were at an understanding. They'd work together and not try to kill each other, but only for Ashlyn's sake. It was a start towards a truce. To show they meant it, in good faith, they needed to apologize to the red-haired girl that was wandering around the salt mines.

Ash wandered deeper and deeper into the salt mines; twisting and turning down any new passage she found. On her adventure, she found salt, salt, oh and more salt, and sometimes the occasional crystal fox things. They didn't really care for her existence and she simply kept walking, not wanting to be a bother to the natural inhabitants of the planet.

She turned a few more corners until she found herself face to face with a large wall of rocks; there must have been a cave in she had come to realize. There was light trickling in from cracks within the formation. There was something peaceful about Crait, she realized. Something about being around all this oh-so-very-exciting salt and the natural formation of the mines, it was actually quite beautiful.

The serenity of it all would immediately end, however, when Ash felt the familiar presence of two negative beings wander closer. "Told you I could find her." The deep voice said smugly.

"Well, you have that whole Force thing." Poe retorted with the same dry tone.

Ash sighed, she was trapped. She had nowhere to run now and knew as much as she turned to face the two men that approached her. To her surprise, however, they hadn't killed each other. "Have you come to apologize?" She asked dryly, clearly not expecting them to.

"Yes, actually." Ren informed her, his brow quirking as he watched the expression on Ashlyn's face go from disinterested to shocked in a matter of seconds. "What, we can't apologize?"

She blinked a few times, her eyes darting from the other Force User, to the pilot and back again as she waited for some cruel trick to tell her their intentions were disingenuous. "Really?"

"We've agreed to work together without killing each other." Poe added. "There's too much going on and even though we wish we didn't have to, we have no choice in the matter but to work together. I'm sorry for the way I acted."

Ash smiled, looking over at Kylo Ren, waiting for his apology. He looked at her, then to Poe, then back at her. "I'm not sorry for what I did." Poe sighed as Ash's smile dropped. "But I'm sorry for upsetting you and-" He inhaled deeply, as though saying the next sentence would ultimately kill him. It didn't. "I'll work with the pilot."

Ash frowned. "His name is Poe."

"Sure." Ren was short with her.

This was the closest she'd get to a resolution, she realized. As long as the two worked together and not kill each other; that was all she could ask for. However, she couldn't help but feel like this headache wasn't truly over, especially when Kylo Ren wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. He was doing this not just because he loved her, but to be possessive. Poe saw right through that as well and simply rolled his eyes at the gesture before heading back from where he came. "We need to regroup with everyone." He informed them flatly.

Ash pulled back from Kylo Ren, still clearly angry with him. "I said I'd work with him."

"And I appreciate that." Ash explained. "But you don't need to go all dominant species now. I'm your wife, you've won. He doesn't need to be reminded of that."

Ren's face remained unchanged. "You know I don't like to share you."

"You're not sharing me; I'm yours. You just need to control your jealousy and let Poe be near me without this display of-" She tried to find the word. "Whatever it is you're doing." She reached forward, grabbing his hand and holding it within hers. "I'm just as much yours as you are mine and nothing is going to change that, okay?"

His lips unwillingly tugged upward as he leaned forward and kissed her lovingly. "I'm sorry-" He meant it and while he didn't say specifically what he was sorry for, Ash took it to mean he was sorry for all of it. Even what he had done to Poe.

"Good." She beamed. "Now let's go follow him out of this mine. I'm getting sick of being here."

Ren chuckled, the two leaving the dead end and following after Poe, but still keeping a good distance from the pilot. "You know he threatened me?" Ren mused.

"Did he?"

"Another person who thinks I'm not good for you. Shall I start keeping a list?"

It took everything in Ash to not roll her eyes at him. "Behave yourself, Ben Solo."

He glared. "Who said you can start calling me that?"

"You did when you made me your wife." She replied smugly with a mischievous grin as she walked a little faster now, leaving behind a smirking Kylo Ren as he shook his head in disbelief.

Final Thought: Hallelujah they didn't kill each other! I mean, there's still time. Just because they have to work together doesn't mean they have to play nice... we all know Kylo Ren can't play nice. Now we're heading into some adventures with our Force Users and then... the final showdown. It seems so far off but... I realized... it's really not. Guys, we're almost there. We're getting there. Holy cow. Anyway, remember to review and see y'all in the next chapter!