A/N - Hi All!  While this chapter does contain a little smut, its really intended to move the story along.  I need to wrap this puppy up (its taken me waaaaay too long to get here).  Anyhoo....I hope you like it!  As always, I love, love, love comments - and vote if you enjoyed!  Cheers!

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The insistent, repeated buzzing of a phone was starting to become annoying.  Whoever was calling clearly wouldn't take the lack of response for an answer, because they just kept trying, shattering the peaceful quiet of the morning with repeated bouts of irritating buzzes.  By the third time, Rey had sufficiently roused from sleep to mumble into her pillow.  "Make it stop."

Ben blinked his eyes open to the bright sunlight of morning, trying to make his brain work.  A low growl sounded in his throat, before he let out an aggravated grumble.  "I'm not sure if its yours or mine."

"Mine's in the kitchen.  Must be yours."  She muttered, dragging the sheet over her head.

He groaned, trying to think of who would be calling this godawful early on a Sunday.  Whoever it was, he was going to kill them.  "I have no idea where mine is.  Just let it ring.  Eventually it'll stop."

She growled.  "They've called three times Ben.  Answer the fucking phone."

Sitting up disorientedly, he tried to listen for where the buzzing sound was coming from.  It seemed to be emanating from somewhere on the floor.  Swinging his legs over the bed, he looked around the room, when the buzzing suddenly stopped once again.  Breathing a sigh of relief, he flopped back down.  "See?  They gave up."  He said, moving to crawl back under the covers.  It was only a second or two however before the buzzing started up again.

Rey groaned and sat up at the same time that Ben cursed.  "Fuck."

"Check your pants pocket."

He could see the pants he was wearing yesterday discarded on the floor across the room.  Stumbling over, he felt around the fabric, and sure enough – there it was – just where he'd apparently left it.  Looking at the screen, he realized that it was Cardo.  Answering the call, he growled out "Why the fuck are you calling me so early?"

"Don't you answer your fucking phone?!"  Yelled Cardo at the same time.

"Not at 7 AM on a Sunday!"

"I've been trying to get in touch with you since yesterday!  Its fucking important!"  Cardo replied frustratedly.

It was then that Ben noticed the urgency in Cardo's voice and his blood almost froze in his veins.  Cardo wouldn't call him this early - or sound so frazzled - without a good reason.  He took a deep breath to collect himself, running his hand through his messy hair.  "I'm sorry, I was – busy – and forgot to check my phone last night.  What's happened?"

"What's happened?  We fucking lost her!  That's what's fucking happened!"

Relief immediately flooded him, and his heart rate – which had suddenly spiked – slowed considerably.  "It's okay.  She's with me."

He could hear the anger in Cardo's voice when he replied.  "Well, it would have been nice if you fucking told me that Kylo!  Or Solo!  Or whatever you want to call yourself these days!"

Yep, Cardo was definitely pissed if he was resorting to taunts about his identity.

His eyes flicked up to Rey's, whose attention suddenly became laser-focused on the call when she'd heard his last response.  "I didn't know she was coming – and once she got here I didn't think to let you know."

"I can't do the fucking job if I don't have all the details Solo!"  He argued.

"I know.  It won't happen again."

There was a beat of silence before Cardo responded.  "There's more."

Ben's heart immediately began to pound once again, his eyes flicking back to Rey who was still watching intently.  "Go on."

"We're pretty sure she was under surveillance."

"WHAT?!"  Ben practically screamed, making Rey jump.

"She had a tail."  Cardo told him, his voice low.

"Since when?"

"We're not sure.  We figured it out a couple of weeks ago."

"And you didn't fucking tell me?!"  Ben yelled back.  He could see that Rey's eyes were wide and concerned.

"We're not sure how much they know.  We were on her – even during her business trips.  She was totally safe.  But we didn't know about this little trip – which I guess was to L.A.  By the time we figured out she'd left, we'd lost her."

Ben breathed deeply once again, his nostrils flaring, trying to calm himself down.  They'd clearly opened a can of worms with their search for information on Rey's father – on her parents - and now..... he shuddered.  She could be in danger.  He didn't even want to think about it – about what it meant that she was being watched.  "I'm going to put you on speaker – she needs to understand."

Cardo was silent on the other end of the line, which Ben took as his acquiescence.

Turning to face her, he walked over and sat on the bed.  Rey's face was uncertain, her eyes still shocked and wide at Ben's response to the phone call.  "Sweetheart – my former....associate, Cardo is on the phone.  He's the one who's been working on trying to find any info on your Father."

He watched as she swallowed and nodded slowly.  "And?"  She asked hesitantly.

"Before you came here, did you notice anything weird lately, any new or strange people in your building or hanging around or anything like that?"  He asked carefully.

Her eyes widened even more as she gasped out.  "What are you saying?  Why are you asking that?"

"Cardo and his....associates....believe you've been....that you're.....being watched."

"WHAT?!"  She screamed, fear blossoming on her face.  "What does that mean?"

"It means that people may have been following you."  He replied.

A kernel of awareness shivered through her as she remembered the man from the T.  Something must have shown on her face, because Ben suddenly prodded.  "Rey?"

Her eyes met his once again, both fearful and uncertain.  She licked her suddenly dry lips, feeling her throat constrict slightly as she tried to explain.  "There was this – man.  On the T – one day as I was going home from work.  I...jostled him – I think – accidentally.  And when I saw his face, he looked familiar somehow."  She took in a deep breath.  "When I got off the train, he was watching me as the train pulled out of the station.  It was then that I remembered seeing him in the coffee shop by my office that morning."

"And you didn't say anything?"  Ben roared.

Her eyes narrowed at him, but she kept her voice calm.  "Why would I say anything?  It seemed a bit strange in the moment, but then, I convinced myself that he was probably just someone who worked near me – and like me, just happened to be headed home at the same time I was.  I would never even think that I was being followed!"

"Do you remember how he looked?"  Cardo asked, speaking his first words since Ben had put him on speaker.  "Could you give a description?"

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes, trying to recall the guy's face.  His image swam in her head.  "I think so."

"Good."  He replied.  "I'm going to send someone tomorrow.  I assume she'll be safe enough with you in L.A., Solo?"

Ben was quiet for a few seconds, and Rey could see the wheels in his head turning.  "For tomorrow, yes.  But I have to go back into the office starting Tuesday."  He hesitated, looking back at Rey once again.  "Do you think you could send someone – maybe Vicrul?"

"I'll arrange it."  The man replied.

Rey's brow furrowed in confusion.  "Send someone to do what?"

Cardo piped back in.  "Solo – I'll send the sketch artist with Vicrul.  Send me your address – they'll be there first thing Tuesday morning."

"Okay.  And Cardo?"  He took a deep breath.  "Thanks. Your assistance is appreciated."

"Of course.  Somehow, we left a trail, so....its my responsibility to make sure she's safe.  I'll be in touch again soon."

With that, Cardo disconnected the call.

Ben's eyes hadn't left Rey's since she'd asked the question.  He tossed the phone onto the night table and crawled back onto the bed, watching as she started to put the pieces of the puzzle together, watched as her shoulders began to stiffen and anger began to bloom on her face.  It didn't take very long for it to erupt.  "You're bringing in someone to babysit me??!!"  She yelled indignantly.

His voice was measured and even, his demeanour calm, the way it always was when he was being deadly serious about something.  Somehow, in those moments, he clicked into a different zone – one where he was almost unflappable.  "Rey, we talked about this at the start.  We knew it was dangerous to start looking for answers about this.  These people likely killed your parents – they don't fuck around.  They were following you!  We need to make sure that you're safe.  I need to make sure that you're safe."

"I'm perfectly safe here with you.  Like your friend there – Cardo, is it? – they're probably not even aware that I'm in L.A."

"We don't know that, Rey."  He said, scrubbing his hand over his face.  "Whoever they are, they're powerful.  They were able to pick up on the search – and like I told you before, Cardo is damn good at what he does – so these people obviously have means available that others don't."

She inhaled deeply and let out a long sigh.  "So, what?  I'm not to get any privacy while I'm here?"

He shook his head.  "They can be as unobtrusive as you want.  If its Vicrul, he's very good at what he does.  Whoever it will be, think of him as your personal bodyguard – for the time being."

"But we don't even know if I need a bodyguard.  What if I was wrong about that guy?"  She pleaded.  "And...a trained bodyguard is clearly expensive!"

He shook his head.  "Rey, search your feelings, you don't think you were wrong about the guy on the T – not given what you know now.  And it doesn't matter – if Cardo says you were being followed, then you were being followed.  And lastly – you heard him – this is his mess.  Somehow, his people left a clue, so its up to him to fix.  Your safety is up to him to guarantee - so its his cost."

Ben watched as she bit her lip, letting it all sink in.  She looked as if she was having an internal argument with herself, so he added.  "Either you let me have someone stay with you while I'm not around, or you can come and hang out at my office all day.  It's your choice."

Her head shot up, her eyes filling with anger.  "I am not hanging out at your office all day Ben!  First of all, I do not want to watch Celeste with you – I'll probably be hyper-aware of her and want to strangle her every time she looks at you – so that won't be good.  And two, if I'm around all day, you probably won't get any work done, so it defeats the purpose!"

"Do you honestly think I'd be able to get anything done if I worry about you all day?"  He asked, incredulous.

She huffed out a breath, her lips thinned into a firm line.  "Will I be stuck inside the apartment all day?  For the remainder of the time that I'm here?  What's the point then – I might as well just go home!"

"No!"  He interjected quickly, panic lacing his tone.  Inhaling deeply through his nose, he tried to calm his suddenly frayed nerves.  "As long as you're with – Vicrul or whomever Cardo sends – I'm sure its fine for you to still go places.  I'm just sorry I won't be able to be with you all day – but I really want to be able to go back to Boston on time - so I need to get everything done."  He worried his lips between his teeth, taking her hands in his.  "Please – please don't leave.  I really like having you here with me."

Sighing deeply, she looked away from him, the lines of her face still set firmly in displeasure.

"Please, Rey.  Sweetheart.  Do this for me."  He begged, squeezing her hands, giving them a small shake for emphasis.  His eyes were wide and a little bit glassy.  "I don't want to argue with you.  I know its not an ideal situation – and they probably don't know where you are.  But these guys clearly don't fuck around, and until we know what's going on, I need to know that you're safe.  Please."

Looking down at her hands, she gnawed on her bottom lip, considering.  Glancing up at him, he could see the concern on her face.  "And you trust this - Cardo?"

Ben nodded.  "I trust him – and the others – with my life.  They.....used to work for Snoke.  They have – "  He paused.  "...certain skills.  Snoke used them as Enforcers – back when my name was Kylo Ren.  Cardo – and the others – were known internally as the Knights of Ren."  He ran his hands through his hair, tugging at the roots.  "Now, I can see how stupid it all was – how silly.  But Snoke liked to think of us as his own little personal army."

Her eyes were concerned as she looked back at him, and he felt something inside of him shrivel and die.  This would be it.  This would be where she found out how truly ugly he was inside.

"Did they – did you – do anything violent?"  She asked cautiously.

He swallowed thickly, his throat tight with shame.  "Yes.  I was their leader – so I mostly just called the shots for Snoke – strategizing what needed to be done to solve certain problems.  But sometimes, I had to go out in the field with them too."

Rey's eyes widened in shock.  "To.....fight?"

His eyes stayed on her when he answered, but his lip trembled slightly.  "Yes.  He wanted to make sure the....job... was done right.  So he made me train with them, learn their fighting techniques.  And sometimes....sometimes I had to use them."

She was silent for a full minute, her gaze downcast, before her head suddenly shot up again, her eyes wide.  "Have you ever killed anyone?"

Taking another deep breath, he replied.  "I don't know.  At least, I don't think so.  But, there is a possibility."

"You don't know?  You don't think so?"

"I know, Rey.  It's bad.  I....I was...."  He shuddered, his expression pleading as a lone tear tracked down his cheek.  "...a mess."

Huffing out a breath, she replied softly.  "You didn't tell me this....before.  When we talked about Snoke."

"I...."  He began, but then had to restart.  His face was full of shame.  "Even my parents don't know about this part – only my therapist does."  He let out a deep breath.  "It's something I have to live with - for the rest of my life.  Its that part of me that I told you about....the rotting monster....deep inside my core.  The one that's just waiting...."

She reached out her hand, letting it settle softly on his cheek, her thumb gently stroking.  "You're not a monster.  You were clearly lost – a different person.  The fact that you're not sure whether you killed anyone, well, I'm not going to lie, that's not good.  But, it tells me that perhaps you didn't mean to actually kill – so you didn't have the intent.  Because you're a good person Ben – deep in your soul.  There isn't any rotting monster, there's just you.  The man I love."  Leaning closer, she kissed him softly, and touched her forehead to his.

He let out a soft huff and wrapped his arms around her.  "I'm glad you know all of it now.  I'm....sorry I didn't tell you before.  I....I didn't really know how."

"Shhh.  It's okay.  Everything will be okay.  And I will....behave...and accept that I need a damn bodyguard.  Because you're right, we did talk about the fact that this was dangerous.  Now that I've had a few minutes to think about it, I'd probably feel unsafe without one.  And I don't want you to worry either."

He hugged her tightly and let out the breath that he'd been holding.  "Thank you Sweetheart.  And I'm sorry that this has turned into such a mess."

"I know."

They sat there for a few minutes, silently holding each other, before Rey finally asked.  "So, what now?"

"I'm guessing that Cardo will try to figure out who was hired to follow you, and then who – as in a person – actually hired them.  That's why he needs the sketch."

"I'll do my best, but it was probably like, a month ago?  Maybe more?"  She replied uncertainly.

Ben let out a sardonic chuckle.  "Trust me, if you remember how the guy looked even a little, the sketch artist that Cardo sends will get it out of you.  He only works with the best."

"Okay."

"Are.....are you alright?"  He asked carefully.

She sighed.  "I think so.  A little unsettled, but at least I won't feel like I'll have to look over my shoulder everywhere I go."  She wasn't able to keep the sarcasm from her voice when she added.  "I'll have a bodyguard to do that for me."

"That's the spirit."  He replied ruefully, watching as she rolled her eyes.  "Are you hungry?"

"Hmmm.  Surprisingly no.  I could use a coffee though – I have a bit of headache."

He kissed her temple, before releasing her and getting off of the bed.  "Two coffees, coming right up."

She stopped him as he was leaving the room.  "Ben?"

Turning back, he looked at her questioningly.  "Hmm?"

"I'm sorry.  For all the trouble."  She said weakly.  "And....for you having to protect me.  I guess I am little scared."

He stepped back to the bed and leaned over to take her hand.  "Sweetheart, you have nothing to apologize for.  Nothing.  This isn't your fault.  Its mine.  Well, and Cardo's."  He gave her hand a squeeze and then brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss.  "I love you, and I will always keep you safe.  Nothing is going to happen to you.  I won't let it."

"I know.  And I love you too."

"Let's go make that coffee, huh?"  She nodded up at him, letting him tug her out of bed.

****

They spent the rest of the day quietly lounging around the apartment.  The mood was more than a little somber, both of them tip-toeing around the elephant that was still in the room, trying to pretend that nothing was wrong – that nothing had shattered and interrupted their idyllic time together.

Their groceries eventually arrived, and Rey put on some music in attempt to lighten the mood while they put everything away.  She lightheartedly danced around him in the kitchen, more often than not leaning in for a casual kiss or to playfully bump his hip with hers.  Ben just laughed and shook his head, thoroughly enjoying such a simple, domestic task with her livening it up.

Rey was also grateful to finally have not only real food for their meals, but also a selection of junk foods to snack on throughout the day.  Ben watched her happily dive into one of the bags of chips she'd ordered, wrinkling his nose.  "How can you actually eat that stuff?"

"What's wrong with it?"  She shrugged, munching on a chip.  "I like salty things.  And sometimes sweet things.  And these happen to be really good."  She said, force feeding him a kettle chip as she turned to finish putting a few more of the groceries away.  "Maybe tomorrow I'll make nachos."  She exclaimed proudly, grinning.  "Trust me – you'll like them.  I make a killer nacho plate."

"I'm sure you do."  He chuckled.  "I should've known it was a bad idea letting you order the groceries."

"What do you mean?"  She asked indignantly.  "I ordered heathy stuff too – chicken breasts, fresh vegetables, salad stuff....and even ingredients for lasagna.  Mmmm."  She smiled, her eyes lighting up.  "Maybe lasagna instead tomorrow."

He laughed again, happy to see that her fixation with food had returned - it meant she was feeling better.  "Well that's good.  And here I thought I'd have to start going for two runs a day to keep from chunking out!"

"You haven't gone for a run yet the entire time I've been here!"

"I know.  I've been getting my exercise in other ways."  He said, giving her a devious smile and leaning over to plant a quick kiss on her lips.  "But since I'm back in the office this week I'm going to start again - in the mornings."

Smirking, she replied mischievously, stepping closer to run her hands up his chest from his abs.  "I have to admit, I kind of like your fine physique."

Rolling his eyes – something he noted that he seemed to do a lot around her now – he leaned down to kiss her.  "Oh you do, do you?"

"Mmm hmm."  She smiled up at him, whispering, as she leaned in for another kiss.  "Very much."  Wrapping her arms around his neck, she slowly teased her tongue along the seam of his lips, instinctively deepening the kiss.

Huffing out a breath, he pulled away from her sharply.  "I thought you were sore?"

She raised her eyebrows in amusement.   "That was last night.  You know – after 5, or was it 6 – I don't know, I lost count – times yesterday."  She smirked, burying her face in his neck and starting to nibble.  "But things have - settled down - considerably.  After all, its been, what – 12 hours – since the last time?"  She laughed in amazement.  "Oh my God, I can't believe I'm referring to the time in between romps in hours!"

Ben's face reddened.  "You and me both.  Before yesterday – and well, the days before that with you – it had been months in between.  And even then, they were.....half of what they should have been.  But with you, it...."

"I know."  She smiled again, reaching up to stroke the hair off of his forehead.  "I keep thinking that this has all been a dream – a really hot, non-stop sex dream!"  Her eyes sparkled.  "And that I'm going to wake up any minute!"

"Well now, we wouldn't want that."  He purred, his voice dropping to that softly teasing tone that made her breath catch.  Leaning down to kiss her again, he slowly began walking her backwards towards to the bedroom.  "Let's make sure we keep you in that dream world for just a bit longer then, hmm?"

Smiling, she happily let herself be guided into the bedroom between Ben's soft but determined kisses.

This time, their lovemaking was slow and sensual.  Unhurried.  Almost gentle – as if he was wary of hurting her.  But his kisses were deep, and his thrusts measured, trying to keep the desire in her blood simmering, wanting to keep her tilting back and forth without going over the edge himself.  Several times he'd had to stop for a few seconds after she'd climaxed, holding still and breathing deeply to keep himself from going with her.  In those moments, she'd just gazed up at him, wide eyed and panting, raising her hand to stroke his cheek while kissing him softly.  After a minute or so, he'd start thrusting again and her eyes would roll back in her head.

The entire time, his eyes stayed locked upon hers, as hers were on his, communicating without words what they were both so intensely feeling, their emotions still a little turbulent, the experience likely heightened by their fears over what they'd learned that morning.  One of his hands was laced with hers, the other reverently stroking everywhere he could reach, whispering I love you's between deep kisses.  It was one of the most quietly intense emotional connections that they'd shared yet, and something in his soul felt like it had unfurled and wrapped itself around hers, leaving him irrevocably bound and profoundly content.

Rey had also been completely lost to the sensual haze he'd created, her breathing stuttering every few minutes when the sensations spiked and she'd cried out softly, until Ben slowly brought them both back down, needing the time to gather his own wits.  She could feel what he was doing - that he wanted to last as long as he possibly could before building it all back up again, giving her as much pleasure – as much tenderness - as possible.

However, she could sense that something was different this time.  After a series of shuddering, almost languid but bone-deep orgasms, she felt like she was trembling all over, a mass of shivering, never-ending want and ecstasy.  It was as if their shared experience was rewriting her understanding of passion and intimacy, further entrenching the essence of Ben into her soul.  Even after their frequent and intense lovemaking over the past day or so, she knew she'd never experienced anything like this before.  And she loved it; somehow, she loved him even more for it.

Ben's own breathing was stuttering, almost equally lost to the sensations, shocked that the sex just seemed to be getting better and better – and that their connection was getting deeper and deeper each time.  Fuck.  If it got any better than this, they'd both likely combust from passion.  He'd set out to slowly, but surely blow her mind this time, and based on the number of times she'd shuddered beneath him and moaned his name, he was pretty sure that it was 'mission accomplished'.  

When he simply couldn't hold back any longer, he let the both of them crest together, chanting her name, listening to her call his once again.  She began to shake beneath him one final time and he let himself go on a loud groan, feeling a shuddering wave of pleasure that echoed hers, seeming to go on and on.

Afterwards, it took both of them long minutes to recover, almost speechless over the depth of what they'd just experienced.  Ben tenderly wiped overwhelmed tears from her eyes and kissed her lids, murmuring soft words of love as she slowly came back to herself.  Rey had just looked up at him wide-eyed, amazed at what they'd just experienced, her body so limp and sated that she didn't think she'd be able to move.  She huffed out an amazed laugh.  "Ben.  That was... oh my god....Ben.  I..."  She blew out an exhausted breath and chuckled, holding up her hand and wiggling her fingers in front of his eyes.  "Five, Ben.  Five."

He wrinkled his brow in confusion.  "Five?"

"Five times, Ben."  She stuttered.  "You made me...five times."  Laughing, she added.  "That's gotta be some kind of record!"

His eyes widened and she could see his chest practically puff out with male pride, a smug smirk appearing on his face.  "I wasn't exactly counting...but....wow."

"Well I wasn't either, but...."  Leaning up, she kissed him softly.  "Ugh, I think I'm kissed out."  She wrinkled her brow.  "And well, now I think that the shop will definitely be closed for awhile – at least for the rest of today."

Seeing his expression start to cloud with worry, she covered his mouth and quickly added.  "Don't you dare!  That was the most...."  She blew out a breath.  "Suffice it to say – I've never experienced anything like that.  Ever."

That smug masculine pride appeared in his eyes once again as he nodded and kissed her palm, raking his teeth along it.

She hissed in response, narrowing her eyes and trying to look stern, but a laugh escaped instead.  "Behave."

Kissing her quickly, he smiled.  "With you?  I don't think that'll ever be possible Sweetheart."

****

Several hours later they were lying on the couch watching a movie, their mood still quiet and soft following their earlier lovemaking.  Ben's head was in Rey's lap while she lazily played with his hair, both of them enjoying the simple, quiet serenity of the moment.  Neither of them had mentioned their little problem, nor what they were going to do about it.  Other than their earlier agreement to get Rey a bodyguard, both had been suspiciously quiet about it, not wanting to bring it up again.

However, a growing sense of unease had embedded itself in her chest.  One that was swirling around, clamoring to get out.  She really didn't want to shatter their quiet peace, but now that she'd had more time to think about everything, the feeling of impending doom was getting worse with each passing minute, making her anxious to just do something.

An idea began taking shape in her head.  Ben was definitely going to hate it - but given everything that had happened, it really seemed like the most logical course of action at this point.  After mulling it over for a few minutes, she decided that she just couldn't keep it inside any longer, and quietly nudged him.  "Ben.  What happens if Cardo can't find out who's following me?"

He sighed, shifting onto his back to look up at her.  "They will find them, Rey.  Trust in that."

"But what if they don't?"

"They will."  He stressed firmly.

She pressed her lips together, gazing into his eyes.  "I was thinking...."

"About?"  He asked cautiously.

"Thinking that maybe we should have that chip removed from my hip."

His eyes widened and he sat up suddenly.  "No, Rey.  Just no."

"And why the hell not?"

He huffed out a breath.  "Because we don't know what's on it!  It's safe in there - nobody knows about it - except us.  And if it fell into the wrong hands..."

"But maybe it could help us!"  She stressed.

"We don't know that!"  He barked back, concern written on his face, his tone laced with frustration.

"You're right!  We don't!"  Taking a deep breath, she asked.  "Does Cardo know about it?"

"No."

"Then maybe we should tell him!"

Reaching over, he grabbed her shoulders.  "The fewer people who know about it – the better!"

"Ben!  It may be important for him to know!"  She bit back at him in exasperation.

His hands tightened on her shoulders.  "This could be your life we're talking about Rey!  Do not ask me to risk that!"  He begged.

She studied him silently for a moment before softly replying.  "We may be past that Ben.  And it could help."

He remained silent as she continued to plead with him, her eyes looking into his intently.  "Ben.  It might be a good thing to get that thing out of me once and for all.  It might actually make me safer.  Once we know what's on it, we can destroy it.  And if I'm okay with it...."

His face was tormented as he stared back at her, his eyes growing glassy and his bottom lip starting to quiver slightly.  A soft huff escaped him as he resignedly dropped his head and buried it in her lap.  She carded her hand through his hair, trying to calm him down.  "This is my fault."  He shuddered into her thighs.  "If I hadn't gone to Cardo, none of this would've happened."

Although he couldn't see it, she shook her head.  "And if you hadn't done that, I would've done something myself, and we'd be in the same boat – or worse.  So don't blame yourself."   Gently lifting his head, she met his eyes.  "This is not your fault.  Okay?"

He didn't look like he believed her, but took a deep breath and reluctantly nodded, his lips pressed into a firm line as if to stop himself from saying anything more.

"Okay then."  She told him.  "Let's talk to Cardo and let him know.  Maybe he'll have an idea about how we can get it removed without anyone else really finding out about it.  And just maybe, there will be some useful information on it."

Swallowing thickly, he nodded once again.  "You have to promise me something though."

"Anything, Ben."

He knew she wasn't going to like this, but it was the only way he'd be able to remain sane if things took a turn to the south.  "If something happens, and there is any concern that they might actually – do something to you, you have to promise me that you'll go into hiding.  For your own safety.  And maybe that of Obi and Anna too."

At first, her face showed shock, which was quickly replaced by anger.  Until he mentioned Obi and Anna.  At that point it was as if a lightbulb had been switched on – like she'd never realized that they too would be at risk.

"Like what....witness protection?  For a little while?"

"Something like that, yes – but privately."  He replied, searching her eyes.  His own were serious and pleading.

Her lips thinned again, and she was quiet for a moment before replying.  "While all of my instincts want to rebel against this idea – and want to fight – deep down, I know it's the right thing to do.  For the both of us, as well as Obi and Anna."

His face showed his shock as her words registered.  "Rey...I..."

"What?"  She asked drolly.  "You didn't think I'd actually agree to this without you coming with me, did you?  If they're watching me, you don't think they haven't already figured out that we're, well, close?  And that will likely be even more apparent once we get back to Boston."

His eyes darted everywhere, hesitant to meet her own, only now realizing the implications of what she'd just said.  She reached out and gently paced her hand on his cheek to get his attention.   "Ben.  When it came down to it, would you really let me disappear without being with me?  Without knowing where I was?"

A huge breath huffed out of his chest.  "No."

She smiled meekly.  "I didn't think so."

He wrapped his arms around her and held on tightly – as if his entire life depended on it.  "It won't come to that Sweetheart.  I promise."

"I hope not.  But its at least comforting to know that if it does, I won't be alone."  She felt him squeeze her even harder.

"You'll never be alone."

"I know.  Now, let's call Cardo so he can start making the additional arrangements to get that piece of crap removed from my hip."