A/N - Welcome Back my Lovelies!  Ready for part 2 of "Negotiations?"  Well.... hold onto your butts!  Its gonna be a bumpy ride!  I really hope you like it!  Please send my any love and comments  (I'm really excited about this chappie and would love to hear from you) - and please don't forget to vote!  Toodles!

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The meetings the next morning started similarly to the day before.  Everyone was slightly reserved for the first hour or so, before the teams relaxed and they got down to constructive discussions once again.

A few times, Rey's mind started to wander, and she noticed that Finn continued to give her weird looks every few minutes.  She didn't think she was imagining it – he seemed even more upset than the day before.  When he and Poe had picked her up from Ben's suite last night, they had tried to grill her about what the two had talked about, but Rey kept it very general about the Force.  Finn's questions all seemed very distrustful, which made her uneasy.  So what did he say? What did he want to know?  What did you tell him?  It was like he thought she was up to something.  Well, she kind of was, with Ben, but it wasn't anything that would harm anyone.

After they got back to their rooms, Rey begged off hanging out with them, saying that she was tired and was going to bed.  Which was completely true - she hadn't slept well the night before. She went into her room, put on her sleepwear, brushed her teeth, and went to Ben's room through the bond, where they just lay in bed talking and holding each other, until they fell asleep.

Shaking herself back to the present, she surreptitiously glanced over at Ben, who was facing away from her.  She was glad they were able to spend some time together in person last night.   It really was different.  She could almost feel his Force merging with hers – wrapping abound each other , when they were in the same room.  And when they touched, or were intimate it was.....hotter she thought, and her breathing sped up.

You think I'm hot?  She heard in her head, on a chuckle.

She mentally rolled her eyes.  Stop it!  She laughed in her head.  Don't start this so early.

Do you know what I was thinking about?  He asked.  Being able to give you a good morning kiss one day soon....

Warmth flooded her chest.  I'd like that too.

She heard Leia begin speaking, and turning her attention back to the meeting, decided she had better focus on what was being said.

They broke for refreshments after another hour or so, and Rey noticed that the young General summoned Ben from the room again for an urgent transmission.  Her eyes followed him as he left, before she grabbed some caf and a piece of sweet looking bread.  Turning from the refreshment table, she noticed the female General – Avanti – approach.

Smiling at her, she asked.  "Miss Rey, how are you this morning?"

"Uh, its just Rey."  She smiled.  "And I'm well thanks.  You?"  She asked out of politeness.

"Oh, I'm perfectly well thanks."  She gave her a sideways glance.  "I just wanted to enquire if you were well after your dinner with Kylo Ren last night."  Turning to face Rey, she looked at her with sympathy.  "I'm sure most inexperienced young women like yourself would be unnerved by the entire situation."

Rey took a breath to calm herself, trying to figure out where this was going.  "What exactly are you implying by inexperienced General?"  She asked innocently, trying to give an appearance of being wide eyed.

"Oh, goodness, not what you're thinking!"  She exclaimed in embarrassment.  "I meant inexperienced in political matters."  Avanti corrected.

Not quite believing her, Rey gently peered into her mind, and was shocked by what she saw. Behind that seemingly sincere smile was jealousy.  Simmering jealously.  That Rey had had dinner alone with Ben.  It wasn't malicious, but it was jealously all the same.  Avanti had wanted that.  Wanted to be alone with Ben – no, Kylo Ren – because she was attracted to him.

Rey peered a bit deeper, her own heart beginning to course with unreasonable jealously.  The woman was attracted to the man she saw Kylo Ren becoming.   The one doing good for the galaxy.  The one who was quiet and reflective, who listened intently, and made decisions without hesitation.

Although she knew him as Kylo Ren, this woman was falling for Ben Solo.   Did Ben know?  Rey thought.   Is he aware of her interest?  While she was relatively certain of Ben's feelings for her, the notion of another woman potentially trying to catch his interest disturbed her on a purely basic, female level.  That spurred Rey on to give Avanti something to stew over.

"You're right, I am inexperienced in political matters.  But Kylo and I did not discuss politics."  Rey told her with a soft smile.  Avanti's own smile faltered a bit.  Good. Rey thought.

"Oh."  She was quiet for a moment.   "I hope you don't think I'm being rude, but if you didn't talk about politics, then what did you talk about?"

Rey looked back her with a kind, tolerant smile.  "Kylo and I have met a few times previously – not under the best circumstances I might add – but given that we are likely two of the last trained Force user's in the galaxy, we need to figure out what that means for the galaxy, and for the two of us."  Let her read whatever she wants into that  thought Rey.

Avanti appeared to be taken aback.  "Oh....well, I ....didn't realize that you two were previously acquainted."

Rey nodded, a friendly smile still on her face.  She didn't want to completely alienate any of Ben's senior staff, but she really didn't want this woman flitting around him.  "I would expect that he and I may need to meet a few more times while I'm here."

Just then, it dawned on her that this is how he must feel about Poe, and she could suddenly understand his frustration and anger – especially when Poe touched her – even casually.  The thought of this woman casually placing her hand on Ben caused a sickening feeling in the pit of her stomach.   Now I get it.  She thought.

"I understand."  Avanti told her.  "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"Thanks, I will."  Rey smiled.  Not likely.  She thought.

The meeting resumed for the rest of the morning and went into the early afternoon hours until they broke for a short lunch.

The teams quietly mingled for a few minutes before the food was served.  Kylo made his way over to Rey.  "How are you today?"  He asked, seeming very formal.

Rey smiled up at him.  "I'm good thank you.  But you seem preoccupied, and keep being pulled away on First Order business."  She said stiffly.  "Is everything alright?"

"Just dealing with a few issues on a planet that is refusing to abolish slavery."  He told her, wanting to keep her in the loop a bit.

Her eyes widened, and brow furrowed.  "What kind of planet would refuse to abolish slavery?"

Looking at the concern on her face, he knew that this was a sore topic for her.  "One where the planet's rulers benefit financially from the industry."

That's disgusting!  She said to him in her head.  The ruling class makes money off of the slave trade?   "I see."   She said outwardly.

We've been negotiating with them for months, but it looks like it was a delay tactic.  I had to order some action against them yesterday.  "Yes, that can make it very difficult."  He said out loud.

What...what kind of action?  She asked, clearly nervous for what he'd done.  "I can imagine."

Military action.  But we're trying to minimize loss of life, while letting them know that slavery will not be tolerated any longer, and if they resist in ending it, there will be consequences.  "It's a relatively minor skirmish."

She nodded at him, in case anyone was watching them.  Hearing what he told her though – how they were trying to deal with the situation but not kill everyone gave her some hope.  And the fact that these were people who dealt with or sanctioned slavery meant that to her, they were some of the ultimate scum in the galaxy.  Good.  She told him.

Turning her head, she glanced across the room and saw Finn staring at her oddly.  Now what? She thought.  He must have noticed her frowning at him, because he suddenly turned away, looking uncomfortable.

**

After lunch was finished, they reconvened for the afternoon.   Rey had been impressed by how well the negotiations were going so far, but wasn't surprised when they reached a topic that they couldn't seem to agree on.  The point of discussion was related to the First Order providing advance notice to the Resistance of any military action against other worlds.   Rey didn't actually remember this being in the original plan, and so had looked at Leia oddly when it came up.   Had Leia added that in at the last minute?  And if so, why?

When Connix had introduced the point, and the Resistance's requirements around it, Ben's voice had cut her off almost immediately.  His response was quiet, measured, and firm.  "No."

Kylo felt all eyes widen and turn to him when he spoke.  Turning to look at each person in the room briefly, he continued.   "The First Order is involved in numerous types of dealings across hundreds of systems, and the Resistance has no idea of what these are – nor do you need to be involved.  Some are simple trade endeavours, while others are construction and development projects.  Still others are related to humanitarian dealings – such as shutting down the slave trade."

There was silence in the room, when he resumed speaking.  "We can give you our guarantee that we will not launch any such actions without just cause – and insert a clause in the treaty for the Resistance to seek further details after such actions have been launched – should you have any questions – but we will not be coming to you to ask your permission to launch the actions."

Finn spoke up at that point.  "Yeah, your definition of 'just cause' may not be the same as ours." Leia held up her hand to silence him.

The First Order Generals sat back in silence and let the Supreme Leader continue, since he seemed to have this well in hand.  "All right then.  Let's define 'just cause' and insert it into the treaty."

"And what if after the fact – after an 'action' – we disagree on whether the definition was met?" Leia asked him directly.

Kylo's eyes met hers dead on.  "You'll just have to trust that we'll follow it."

Leia's gaze never wavered from his.  "No."

Rey's gaze flicked back and forth between Ben and Leia.  Both were staring each other down, and she felt that they were rapidly heading towards an impasse.   "Why don't we take a short break?"  She offered.

Both Ben and Leia turned to look at her and she smiled back at both of them.  Sighing, Ben got up and left the room.   Leia sat back in her chair, eyes following him as he left.

"I think I would like to have a quick conversation with the Supreme Leader, if you don't mind?" Rey asked, to nobody in particular, but settled her glance on the young General – Needa.  He nodded, as Rey got up and scurried after Ben.

When she exited the room, she could see him striding down the hall.   "Ben!"  She called.  He stopped, and turned to face her, waiting for her to catch up to him.

"What are you doing?!"  He hissed at her.

"Having a private conversation with the Supreme Leader."  She smiled.

Looking around, he dragged her into a hallway off of the main corridor.  "Well?"  He was clearly angry, and Rey wasn't entirely sure why.  While she could understand that Leia's request wasn't perfect, she was sure they could find a compromise, but he didn't seem to want to listen.

"Why are you so angry over this?"  She asked softly.

"Did you know about this?"  He growled, trying to remain quiet.

She tilted her head as she looked back at him.  "Of course not.   I'm not sure that it was in the original plan.  She may have added it at the last minute."

"Of course she did.  Probably this morning, when word of the action on Vandor-1 got out!"  He spat.

She could feel the anger flowing through him, and how he was trying to calm himself.   It dawned on her that he had left the room to walk it off.  Nevertheless, she could feel him trying to calm down, and a hint of pride sparked through her.

He could feel it through the bond.  "Don't!"

"Ben.  I know Leia's ask is unexpected, but again, why are you so angry about it?"  She placed her hand on his chest as she asked him softly.

"Rey.  Do you not realize what she is asking?  How it looks?"  He barked.

Her brows scrunched as she thought about it.   "No.  I'm not sure what you mean?"

He let out a frustrated breath.   "Rey.  It looks like I have to go ask my Mommy for permission before launching any such actions!"

Her mouth dropped open in shock.   "Ben – no!  I'm sure that's not what she intended!"

"Wanna bet?"  He bit out sarcastically.

"Ben – I'm telling you she wouldn't do that!  Don't let your twisted perceptions of her behaviour when you were younger taint your understanding of her motivations now!"  Rey was desperate to make him understand.

He straightened to his full height and looked down at her, her hand falling from his chest.  "Is that what you think I'm doing?"   His voice was patronizing.

"YES! IT'S EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING!"  She lost her temper.  It was like he had a mental block, and just wouldn't listen to what she was trying to tell him – what was so clearly obvious. He was going all Kylo Ren about this – being dragged back in time when his relationship with his parents was so strained.

His voice dropped, the tone quiet and almost menacing.  "Do not presume to know anything about my past relationship with my Mother!"

He turned away from her and started walking away, but she grabbed his arm, her voice pleading. "Ben, please!  Don't just walk away!"  Taking a shaky breath, she continued.  "I'm not asking you to accept something that clearly upsets you and makes no sense for the First Order.  But won't you please just take a breath, and maybe we can all come up with a compromise?   Isn't that what we've been doing?  What these negotiations are all about?"  She gently turned him around to look into his eyes.  "Please don't let your anger over this cloud your judgement."

He stared back down at her, jaw tight, and gave a curt nod before turning to walk away from her. Her heart clenched in her chest.   I think we just had our first fight.  She shook her head to try and clear it.  He definitely had some kind of major phobia when it came to his Mother.  They'd have to address it at some point.   But it was beginning to look like this meeting probably wasn't the time for a reunion between the two of them.  She sighed.  There was a burning feeling in her throat as she blinked back tears, and began making her way back to the meeting room.

The teams were milling around when she entered, but all eyes quickly shifted to her.  She gave them all a tight smile and walked over to the refreshments to get a glass of water.  Leia approached her.  "I take it your chat didn't go well?"

Rey shook her head.  "If I may ask – why did you add that request?"

Leia's eyes narrowed at her.  "Rey, while we've been sitting here negotiating with them, the First Order attacked several locations on Vandor-1 earlier today."

"Yes.  He told me about it earlier this morning."  Leia's eyes now widened.  "But Leia, do you know why?"  Leia shook her head.  "I don't have all the details, but apparently they've been negotiating with the Vandorians to shut down their slave trade for several months.   The ruling administration made it seem like they were cooperating, but it was a stall tactic.  They're in on it, and make money off of it, and so are essentially refusing to shut them down.  I'm pretty sure that's why they launched the attack."

Leia sighed deeply and grumbled.   "I should never have listened to Poe when he came to me with it this morning."  Rey's eyes widened.  "But – I still think it's a good idea to keep the First Order in check when it comes to military assaults!"

"I agree."  Rey began.  "But there has to be some sort of compromise.   You can't expect them to actually ask your permission?  I didn't realize it....but...think of how it looks.... to Ben..."

Rey could see the wheels turning as Leia thought about it, could see the moment she realized exactly what Ben did.  She gasped.  "Oh, Rey!  Sometimes I can be really thick!"  She covered her eyes with her hand – an affectation she'd seen Ben do many times.  "That's why he seemed so... so....offended by it."  Rey nodded.   "Okay, let me think about it for a bit."

At that moment, the Supreme Leader strode back into the room, his manner all business.  "Shall we continue?"

***

Rey sat back in her chair and breathed a huge sigh of relief.  They had reached a compromise.  It took almost 2 hours, but everyone seemed to be satisfied with the end result.   They would write some conditions into the treaty, and if met, the First Order would give the Resistance advance notice of certain types of military actions.  Others – say where the First Order was provoked or were attacked first, would not require such notification.   In turn, the Resistance would be allowed to offer potential diplomatic solutions first, and committed to NOT providing any sort of advance warning to those being attacked.

It was definitely tense – everyone had been on edge, but she could sense that Ben seemed a bit more focused and less angry than earlier.  However, they were able to hash through and rationally discuss everyone's concerns, in the end finding the compromise that they needed.

Having reached consensus on that issue, they all agreed to break for the day.  As per General Avanti's suggestion, tonight they would be dining together.  The meeting room was located next to an outdoor terrace, and since it was still relatively early, and a nice evening, the staff decided to set up their meal outside.   It had a beautiful view of the city, being on one of the highest vertical zones.   However, since they were finished a bit earlier than originally planned, they once again had some time to socialize beforehand.

Rey was still uncomfortable with how she and Ben had left things between them.  Ben had not looked at her even once during the entire afternoon.   He also seemed to be blocking anything from coming through the bond, so she couldn't sense his emotions – couldn't feel him at all, as a matter of fact.  Hmm....she definitely needed to learn how to do that.  Her stomach was a mass of churning nerves.  She desperately needed to talk to him – but didn't know if he wanted to talk to her just yet.  Also, after she left to chat with him privately earlier, she didn't want everyone in the room to see her chase after him to do it again.

She approached Leia and gave her a small smile.   "Well, at least we were able to solve that."  She said quietly.  Leia nodded, but wasn't really paying attention to her.  Her gaze was fixated on a point over Rey's shoulder, and she subtly inclined her head to get Rey to turn around.  When she did, she found Ben standing right behind her, which was a bit of a shock because she could usually feel him so strongly when he was that close.    It surprised her that he was able to close off the bond that completely.

He inclined his head to Leia, who nodded back.  "Supreme Leader."

Turning to Rey, he asked.  "May I speak with you privately?"

She nodded, and followed him out of the meeting room, back to the corridor they used earlier that day.  When they stopped, Ben didn't turn around to face her, instead keeping his head down.  He must have decided to drop his block, because she was very suddenly overwhelmed with feelings of shame, regret and fear.  She shuddered out a breath, and fighting back tears placed her hand on his back, her touch calming and settling them both at once.   "I'm sorry.."  She heard him whisper brokenly.

Wrapping her arms around him she whispered back.  "I'm sorry too."

She could feel his breath shudder as he turned around to face her, a slight sheen visible in his eyes.  He embraced her tightly and kissed the top of her head.  "I'm stupid.   I'll admit it. But....I...."  He sighed.   "Something about my Mother still sets me off."

Running her hands down his arms, she grasped his hands in hers.  "Its okay.  I think even just seeing each other, being in the same room together, and even talking formally like you are in these negotiations is a good, healthy first step.  You can meet privately another time, when you're both ready.  But I can tell you, that she didn't think of the ramifications – about how it would look – when she originally made her request.  She was mortified when she realized it."  He looked mildly surprised, but then gave her a small nod.  She dropped her forehead to his chest.  "I'm sorry I lost my temper with you."

He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her, kissing the top of her head once again.  "I forgive you. I think I've been a lot worse with you, so..."

She pulled back and looked up into his eyes.  "No, you haven't."  Reaching up, she stroked his cheek, and gave him a sad little smile.  "That was our first fight."

His eyes widened as he gave her a smug smile back.  "Well.... Technically, no...the first time we had light sabers, but..."

"Seriously?  You're going to go there?"  She asked incredulously, still smiling.

He grinned hugely.  "Sorry, I couldn't help it."  Leaning down, he said.  "I heard that making up is the best part of a fight."

"Really?"  She said on a laugh.  "Where'd you hear that?"

Suddenly, his face froze, and he looked away.  "My parents."

Her heart clenched.   How something so simple could turn sad.   Reaching up, she turned his head back to face her.  "Oh yeah?"  She teased lightly, drawing his head down to her.  "Let's find out."

**
Poe made his way through the halls of the center trying to find the Imperial Meeting Room, but got twisted around and felt hopelessly lost.  Although he wasn't on the negotiations team, at least he was invited to dinner.

As he rounded a corner, he could hear voices of a quiet conversation.   He wasn't entirely sure, but he thought one of the voices belonged to Rey.  Stopping, he listened intently, but couldn't overhear what they were saying.  He inched closer, trying to see if he could figure out who she was talking to.  The other voice was definitely male, but it wasn't Finn.

They were in a corridor, and he could see Rey standing in front of someone, but from this angle he couldn't make out who the other person was – could barely see the body of the person.   He stayed completely still, knowing perfectly well that he was invading her privacy, but given Finn's concerns, he felt it was necessary to make sure she was safe.

He could see her run her hands down the person's arms, and grasp their hands.  A minute later her head dropped onto the person's chest and he could make out arms coming around to embrace her.  WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?  Not long afterward, he could see her lean up and clearly kiss whomever she was with.  His breath whooshed out of his lungs, followed by a constriction in his chest.  She was kissing someone?  Who could she possibly be kissing?

It took a few seconds before his brain registered the only possible person it could be.  He quickly backed up the way he had came, back around the corner and peered around it.   A few minutes later, Rey appeared, walking in the opposite direction, entering a room up ahead.  Not long afterward, the man she was with exited the corridor and stopped.  Poe jumped back just in time, as Kylo Ren turned around to look in his direction.  He waited there for a few seconds, completely still, clearly listening for any sounds, before turning to walk in the same direction Rey had taken earlier, entering the same room.

He was shaking, his breathing erratic.  Holy shit!  Finn was right!  Kylo Ren had somehow done something to Rey!  She had been kissing Kylo Ren!!  Wiping a hand over his face, he realized that he was sweating.  He needed to talk to Finn.  They needed to do something about this – and fast – before it was too late to save Rey.

Taking a deep breath, he followed the path Rey and Kylo had taken previously, and entered the Imperial Room.

***

Rey was having a polite conversation with General Needa when she saw Poe walk into the room. Catching his eye, she gave him a smile and a slight wave as he walked over to Finn and pulled him aside.  Continuing to watch, she noticed them both turn to look at her and then look away quickly when they saw she was watching.   Something's definitely up.  Glancing over to Ben, she noticed that he was watching them intently too.

Those two are up to something.  She told him through the bond.

Yes.  They are.  Pausing, he wasn't quite sure how to tell her the rest.  Rey, I think the pilot was eavesdropping on our private conversation in the hall.

Her face went white, and her gaze shot to the floor.  Whaat??  Why do you say that?

Sighing, he told her.  Because I'm pretty sure I felt him when I left the corridor.  He was hiding around the corner – I knew someone was there as I was leaving, but wasn't sure who.  Given the fact that he walked in a minute after I did, and is acting strangely upset, I'd say its highly likely that he saw and/or heard us.

What should we do?

Nothing.  Let them make the first move.  Growling, he told her.  You may have to tell my Mother – so she can keep them in line.  I don't want all hell to break loose at these meetings and jeopardize the progress we've made here.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to consider their position in this.  They're probably just worried about me.  Finn says I've been acting weird since Lothal.

Weird how?

Still looking down at the floor, she replied on a smile.  Believe it or not – happier!

She could feel warmth radiating in her chest through the bond, and glancing up at Ben, he gave her a small smile.

Just then, a serving droid announced that their dinner was ready to be served and asked everyone to take their seats.  Moving to take his seat, Kylo inclined his head at her.  Enjoy your dinner Sweetheart.

The First Order team was seated at a separate table from the Resistance team, at the opposite end of the balcony.  It appeared that this was a small attempt to keep everyone together, while still giving them space apart to be able to discuss things without being overheard.

The meal was somewhat of an upscale event, with a number of different courses from around the galaxy.  Although she was upset by what Ben had just told her, Finn and Poe seemed to be ignoring her, so Rey tried to relax and enjoy her dinner.  She tried to taste everything, loving the experience of a plentiful supply of new and different foods.  Wow, this was such an amazing and diverse spread for dinner!  She thought.  Flicking her eyes up to Ben, she noticed that he was watching her with a very slight, amused smirk, which caused her to blush.  He seemed to like to tease her about her love of food – and love of eating in general.

Part way through the meal, Rey began to get an odd feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Looking around, she couldn't quite place the cause of it.   As she was glancing around, she caught Ben's eyes on her.  He had noticed something too.  Do you feet it?  He asked.  Something's not right.

Yes, she told him.  But I'm not sure what's wrong!

Me neither.  He responded.  But stay alert.  Something's about to happen.

She could feel his anxiety, and see it beginning to show on his face.  Suddenly, they all heard a weird sound, followed by an explosion.   Rey was thrown backwards out of her chair, landing hard on her back.  The wind was knocked out of her, and she could feel some burns on her body from the heat of the blast, and cuts due to flying debris.

Taking a deep breath and shaking her head to clear it, she sat up looking across at the area where Ben had been sitting only a minute earlier.  The entire half of the terrace was gone. "Beeeennnnnnnn!"  Rey screamed.

A/N - Cliffhanger!  Sorry folks!  I hope you liked this one.  A few things happened here!  Please vote if you enjoyed!