Hey guys!

Just a short update today! I just finished what's available to watch for the Obi-Wan series and holy moly! It's the sickest thing I've seen. I'm so excited for more episodes.

Anyways, I'm just recovering from my Ireland trip and I'm hoping I'll have more time to write. I still have a few chapters already written so we are sitting pretty!

Ben slowly opened his eyes. His body felt light and for a moment he just lay there, on the floor of his cell. He breathed in deeply. The air was fresh and it spread from his chest to his limbs. He could feel them, but he didn't move them yet. Ben felt bliss. He had relief from the pain and stress his body had endured for so long. He figured the faster he tried to move the faster the feeling would disappear. He closed his eyes again. Awake, but finally alive.

Rey had been up earlier. She had snuck away before Ben could stir. She needed to find a way to get him out of here. She walked up to Poe as he was charting courses for the rebels who needed a way home to their planets.

"I'm taking Ben Solo with me." Rey confidently stated.

"With you where?" Poe inquired unfazed with his head still stuck staring at maps.

"I don't know, but I'm leaving with him."

"I thought we already agreed that that couldn't happen." Poe raised an eyebrow and stole a glance at her.

"Palpatine is dead. His army was blown to bits." Rey slammed her palm on the table with maps. Disrupting Poe's concentration. He raised his head and stood up straight. He sighed and then folded his arms and gave Rey his full attention. "Ben Solo is only one man. One man who decided to turn to the light and save the galaxy. You can't keep using him as a way to get back at the First Order." Poe looked at her with guilt in his eyes. He looked down to digest her words. "We've already won!" Rey reminded him.

"How are you going to convince the resistance to let him off the hook?" Poe questioned.

"I don't need to convince them." Rey insisted. "They need to give Ben the chance to do that."

Poe nodded his head. "I'm honestly surprised you haven't run away with him already." He let out a soft chuckle. "I'll make that announcement to the remaining rebels, and you can do whatever you want with Ren… Sorry, Ben." Rey smiled and hugged Poe.

"I only ask you, because you are my friend."

"I know. You're my friend too." Poe let her out of his embrace "Listen…Rey… This isn't without conditions." Rey looked at him intently.

"What are they?" she asked warily.

"You helped us translate a lot of the Jedi texts. When we returned them to you, we kept copies of the translations and transcripts." Poe continued "As you know we found a recipe for a strong neural inhibitor. Rose used the recipe to spike Ben's food… at my request." Poe stroked his lips with his fingers as if to lessen the blow of his words.

Rey raised an eyebrow and folded her arms "Go on…"

Poe brought his hand away from his mouth and gestured forward to further explain. "I marked the pages in your books before you packed them away. You can take a look at it later. It was just… a precaution. A way to set my mind at ease and a buffer for when others discover I let you take the prisoner away."

"How did you know I would?" Rey smirked.

Poe smiled wide in amusement "Oh come on lover girl, you've pulled crazier stunts than this!"

Rey grinned and looked down in slight embarrassment. "Alright Poe, you got me. What else do I need to know?"

Poe continued "It's not permanent… it's just a… clean slate." Poe emphasized "A second chance. Maz made sure of that."

"Maz?" Rey asked

"She's older than this planet!… probably." Poe scratched his head. "Anyways, she's been around so she knows about this force stuff more than anyone. I figured if I couldn't keep your buddy a prisoner I at least needed a way to send him out to the galaxy a little less dangerous. Of course, Maz knew exactly what to do." Poe smiled proudly.

Rey relaxed her face "Thank you, Poe. I know this is more than you think Ben deserves, but I know he's different. I've felt it." Rey moved closer to Poe. "When we return, and we will, Ben will be an asset to the resistance. You won't regret this."

Poe swung his arm around to the side to gently pat Rey's arm "The only one who needs to worry about regret is Mr. Supreme Leader. Keep an eye on him alright?"

Rey playfully slapped his arm in agreement and then rushed off towards the cell. It was still early in the morning and Chewie was doing repairs on the ship. She had talked to him before she had talked to Poe. He reluctantly agreed to accompany her and Ben on their getaway. Part of him wanted to get reacquainted with the young Solo that he once had a hand in raising.

Rey approached the prison. There were no more guards. Ben was still laying on the floor with his eyes closed, but Rey could tell that he was awake this time.

She wrapped her hands around the bars and pushed her face through them. Looking down at Ben she said "Let's get out of here." with a playful smile on her face. He opened one eye for a moment and smiled up at her. His smile broadened until he was laughing to himself.

"I just got comfortable." He teasingly whined.

Rey chuckled "Without me?"

"Where are we going?"

"I thought we would run a small errand on Tatooine."

"Tatooine." Ben opened his eyes fully "Did you get orders to ditch me there?" Ben's voice was a mixture of amusement and apprehensiveness.

"No!" Rey countered, "In fact, you can stay on the ship if you want."

"The ship?"

"I know you hate the Falcon, but would you rather stay here?"

"Who said I hate the Falcon?"

"You do."

"I do…"

Rey laughed and opened the door. She grabbed Ben's hand and hoisted him up. When he was standing Rey took a breath in. He was incredibly tall, and she hadn't realized it until now. She was so close to him and she had to strain her neck to look up at his face. It was different from what she was used to. She could look Finn and Poe right in the eyes without any effort. Rey stepped back so that he could exit the alcove. He stretched his limbs and Rey couldn't help but notice his muscles bulging from under his black shirt. She could finally see the outline of his body now that it wasn't hidden under his black dress. She turned away quickly, realizing that she had given herself away.

She quickly changed the subject: "You cut your hair."

"I tried to." Ben tousled his shortened hair. It was filled with dirt and ash.

"It looks nice." Rey smiled and grabbed his hand. "Come on, we better get you stowed before someone sees you and starts shooting."

Ben followed a determined Rey to the Falcon. As they ascended the ramp Ben looked up to see Chewbacca with his goggles on. He didn't seem to notice him. Yet…

When they were finally on the ship, Ben took a look around. He felt he needed more time to process as millions of memories flooded his head. However, Rey quickly pushed him towards the refresher.

"We just got a new sonic shower installed and the water shower repaired." She said "Feel free to freshen up. I will have food ready for you after." Rey smiled at him and ran off towards the cockpit to get things ready for departure.

"It's about time they fixed the shower," Ben said to himself after remembering the long voyages he would take with his father. Ben walked into the bathroom and took the note from his vest. He sat down and read it. Staring at the handwriting took him back to the past again.