A/N - Hey there my Reylo Lovelies!  This is a bit more of a filler chapter (hopefully not too boring), but it lays the groundwork of whats to come.  We're getting closer to the end (but there'll still be a bunch more chappies yet - so don't worry!).  I hope you enjoy it!  As always, thanks to everyone who has stuck with this story and kept reading.  I love, love, love your comments so please leave them freely, and please don't forget to vote!

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Rey looked out over the base as the shuttle slowly descended through the atmosphere, nearing their destination.  Apprehension began to build within her as she started to see people streaming out of the small buildings scattered across the base, all looking up at the approaching craft.  All too soon she felt the shuttle touch down softly, and anxiety coursed through her.  She steeled herself against the unknown – unsure of how she would be received by her 'friends' after her stay with the First Order.

Under normal circumstances, a First Order shuttle landing at a Resistance Base would typically cause outright panic and chaos.   However, these were not normal circumstances.   It was for this reason that the singular shuttle was greeted by a relatively large crowd of nervous looking Resistance members as Rey walked down the shuttle's ramp.   Two Stormtroopers followed behind her.   Although she had told them that their presence was not necessary, they had replied that the Supreme Leader wanted to ensure her safety upon her return to the Base, so they were to see to it and make sure her greeting by the Resistance members was not hostile.

Upon seeing Finn, Rose and Poe, they happily called her name and began rushing forward to greet her.  She turned to the Troopers and thanked them profusely with a big smile.  "As you can see, everything is fine and I am perfectly safe.  Thank you for your assistance.  And please let the Supreme Leader know that I arrived safely."  They both gave her a nod, and turned to re-enter the shuttle.

Finn ran up to her and scooped her into a big hug.   "Rey!  Are you okay?   You were gone so long.   Did they hurt you?  Were they mean to you?"

She laughed.  "Calm down Finn.   I'm fine.  One question at a time please."

Rose and Poe also came up and gave her hugs.  "Glad to have you back kiddo."  Poe said genially, catching Rey off guard.  She was certain that he'd be wary around her from now on, but it was almost as if nothing had ever happened.  That he had never set foot on the Finalizer to retrieve her.

She gave Poe a terse smile and turned to Rose, holding out her arms to enfold her in a hug.   "Hi Rose.  Its so great to see you!"

"You too!  You look perfectly fine.  Better than fine actually.   I can't put my finger on it though." Rose told her, a pondering look on her face.

"Why wouldn't I look fine?"  She asked.

Rose giggled.  "The way Finn was talking, I expected you to come back half starved, with dark circles under your eyes – a mere shadow of yourself."

Rey turned to Finn and gave him a dirty look.  Finn glanced away uncomfortably.

"Well, as you can see, I'm no worse for wear, so there was nothing to worry about.  Everybody treated me very nicely.  Well, except for General Hux, but that's to be expected – he's an ass."  Rey gave them a cheeky grin, as she started walking toward the barracks to go to her quarters.

Poe cocked his head to the side, then stopped her, raising her left arm, as he noticed the new scar on her bicep.   "What's this?  I don't remember you having a huge scar here?"

"Yeah, I got into –"   she was cut off by her name being called.

When she looked up, Leia was approaching.   "Rey.  You're back!  It's so good to see you."   Leia reached out and gave her a tight hug.  "You're looking very well."

"Hello General Organa.  I thought it was time to check in with everyone, to make sure they knew I was okay."

Poe interrupted.   "Rey was just about to tell us –".

Leia stopped him by holding out her hand.   "I'm sure you're all anxious to catch up with Rey, but I would like to debrief her first."  She casually threw her arm around Rey's shoulders and began to lead her away from the group, towards her office.  Poe fell into step beside them, and Leia turned to him.   "Alone, Poe."

Poe's face scrunched into a frown.   "But why?   As one of the Commander's on this base, shouldn't I be present for her debrief?"

"Absolutely Poe.  But I would like to debrief her alone first – particularly about the negotiations with the First Order, which technically you were not a part of.  So you can debrief with her on other matters later, okay?"  Leia's tone left no room for argument, so Poe just thinned his lips and gave a frustrated nod before turning to walk away.

"Thank you Leia.  I have so much to tell you, and I wouldn't have wanted Poe there.   But I guess it wouldn't really matter anyways."  She sighed.

Leia smiled at her.  "Oh, I'm sure there are a few things you'll want to talk about that you don't want him to hear."

Rey blushed.  "Well, maybe.  But it doesn't matter because of what I told him when he came to get me."

Leia looked confused.   "I don't understand.  What did you tell him?"

Now it was Rey's turn to look confused.   "Didn't Poe tell you about the conversation we had while he was on the Finalizer?"

"No.   He just told everyone that you looked okay but refused to return with him."

Rey stopped, thinking.  "That's definitely weird.  I thought for sure he'd come back and announce to everyone that Ben and I were a couple."

Leia smiled.   "And are you?  A couple?"

Rey blushed, and started walking again.  "Yes. I told Poe...I told him that no matter how much I love my friends – my Resistance family – that it doesn't compare to how much I love Ben and that he loves me.  And that that's why I wasn't in any hurry to come back to the Base."

Her eyes misting over with tears, Leia reached out and embraced Rey once again.  "Oh Rey.  I'm so happy for you.  And for Ben."

"Thank you Leia.   He's so very different now.  Kylo appears once in a while - usually when something happens and Ben doesn't know how to control his emotions – but when that happens he's just a bit wild, no longer dangerous, and he'd never, ever hurt me."  Rey's eyes were shining with happiness, which Leia could clearly see.

"Everyone treated me very well – except Hux – and most of them behaved as if I was someone important.   They even called me Lady Rey."  She shook her head.  "I kept telling them it wasn't necessary – but it only seemed to upset them, so eventually I just accepted it."  She said with a shrug.

Leia pondered that for a minute.   "Hmm.  That's actually very interesting.  So, it was common knowledge on the ship that you and Ben were together?"

"Yes.  At first, when he was in the MedBay, we tried to keep it to ourselves, but I guess the nurses and other staff noticed how we were with each other – how we acted – and well, eventually the rest of the ship knew.   Ben was...."  Rey thought about it for a minute, and then smiled.  "Proud of it."

"Huh.   Interesting.  I wouldn't have expected that – not from Kylo Ren.  But I guess he really is very different now."  Leia appeared lost in thought, a small smile teasing the corners of her mouth.

"I still think its weird that Poe didn't tell you what I'd told him."  She thought about that for a minute.   "I wonder if he told Finn and Rose?"

Leia thought about it for a bit and shook her head.   "Well if he did, neither of them mentioned it to me."

Thinking back to when she exited the ship, she realized that she didn't get any weird vibes from either of them.  "No.  I don't think he did."  Looking down at the ground, she let her mind wander.  "Leia, what does that mean?  Why would he keep something like that – something so monumental – to himself?"

"I'm not sure.  Maybe he was respecting your privacy?"  But even as Leia said it, she knew that that wasn't Poe.  At least, not the Poe who stalked her office almost daily until they had heard from Rey – trying to convince her that Rey was the victim of some twisted and sinister Jedi mind trick.   Something was definitely up with him, but she didn't want to worry Rey, and so kept it to herself.   Reaching her office, Leia sat down behind her desk and gestured Rey to take a seat too.   "So.  Tell me all about your adventures aboard the Finalizer."  She said with an amused smile.

Rey smiled back, as she began.  "Well, there was this female Knight of Ren who was really jealous..."

****

General Hux stalked through the bowels of the Finalizer en route to the prisoner holding cells.   It was very late, and the corridors were practically deserted, which was good because he didn't want anyone to see where he was going.   He had also ensured that all cameras in this area were disabled so that no one would be able to trace him to what he was about to do.  Smiling in anticipation, he thought about everything that he had been planning.   There had been a few glitches along the way, but things were finally starting to come together.

As he entered the detention block, he moved to dismiss the two Stormtroopers that were on duty.   "Your presence is not required here any longer."   He commanded.  "Leave.  Now."

One of them attempted to protest.   "But Sir -."

"Did you not hear me?"  Hux shouted at them.  "I said leave!  And if I find out that you ever saw me here, I will ensure that you are placed on Sanitation duty for the rest of what will be your very short lives.  Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir.  Very clear."  They responded in unison and hastily departed.

Hux watched them depart, memorizing their ID Designations, before turning to head to the Force restricting cells.   He casually strolled down the aisle, extending his hand to trail his fingers along the cell bars as he passed each cell.  When he got to the only one currently not vacant, the occupant jumped up and gave him a hateful glare.

"Hello Vitka."  He said, smiling evilly, gazing at her stiff form.  Her hair was unkempt, her clothes dirty, and her wrist was still bandaged over the stump where her right hand used to be.  "I do have to say that you're looking somewhat worse for wear."

She continued to glower at him silently, her body language still radiating anger.

"Nothing to say?"  He goaded.

"What do you want?"  She hissed angrily.

Hux relaxed, and leaned back on his heels.   "I am here..... to offer you a proposition."

Vitka just stared, standing completely still, pondering his words.  After a few minutes of consideration, she asked cautiously.  "What kind of proposition?"

A slow smiled formed on Hux's face, and he removed an access card from his pocket, holding it between his fingers, in front of her face.   "The kind where I give you this card, and you make sure that Ren and his Jedi whore eventually end up dead.  Sooner, rather than later."

Her face slowly changed from one of anger to expectant, vengeful malice, and Hux could see why she was one of the more feared of the Knights of Ren.  She clearly relished the thought of killing Ren and the girl.   "Do you have any particular method you would like me to use to kill them?"  She queried, an excited look on her face.

"Any way that accomplishes the goal and makes them dead is perfectly fine with me."  He told her sarcastically, holding out the access card.  Just before she grabbed it with her left hand, Hux snatched it back.   "Be advised, if you are caught, and ever mention my name, I'll make sure you die in the most painful way possible.  Is that understood?"

Vitka gave him a baleful glare.  "Of course.   That is to be expected."  She reached out for the card once again.  "My lightsaber?"  She asked.

Hux just shook his head.   "Ahhh, yes.  Unfortunately, I can't help you with that.  Ren confiscated it, and its likely locked up somewhere."  Her face turned pensive.   "Do not even think about going to look for it!   If you're spotted, you'll be killed on sight.   You will leave this ship immediately – and execute your task somewhere else, once you are recovered.  The girl has left the ship anyways, so nevertheless you'll have to wait for another time."

"I need my saber!"  She spat.

"No!   If you try to prowl around the ship searching for it, I will shoot you myself."  He replied calmly.   "Now, I am going to leave the detention block.  You will wait 3 minutes.  A ship is prepped for you in Hangar S4, which you will find vacant.  Get there, and get off the Finalizer."

She stared back at him resentfully, grabbing the card from his fingers as he held it out again. "Don't even think of double crossing me."  He warned.   "If you do, you'll find yourself hunted so fiercely you'll never be able to raise you head from whatever hole you find to hide in.   Wherever you go – I will find you."   He paused.  "Complete the mission, and you're free."  He gave her one last glance before turning and walking back up the aisle.

****

The fire crackled cheerfully, as Rey took another drink of firewater, laughing with her friends.   She had definitely missed them, and was so happy to see them and just spend some time with them again.   It was a beautiful evening, and Rey took a deep breath of the fresh night air.  She really would miss this when she left the Base this time, intending to officially move to the Finalizer with Ben.   She'd certainly come back to visit, but it might be long periods of time in space, on the ship.   Maybe she'd ask Ben whether they could spend a couple of nights somewhere off ship once a month.

The night was getting a bit cool, and Rose was snuggled up in Finn's arms.  Rey glanced over at them and couldn't suppress her smile.   They looked so cute together.  She noticed Kaydel also eyeing them wistfully.  Wrapping her arms around herself, she gave a small shiver.   Poe noticed and came over to sit beside her.  Oh no, not this again.  She thought to herself.

"Cold?"  Poe asked.

She smiled, and got up.  "Yes.   I'm going to grab my jacket.  I'll be right back."

Poe got up too.  "I'll walk with you."

Rey put her hand out to stop him.  "Thank you, Poe, but that's not necessary.   I'll be right back.   You stay here with the others."   His face fell as he gave her a brief nod, and she turned to head to her quarters, thinking about Poe's refusal to stop pursuing her.

Honestly.  Was there something mentally wrong with him?  She thought to herself.  How much clearer can I be?  I told him that I loved Ben for Kriff's sake!  She shook her head.  Realizing it was starting to get late, she hurried to her quarters to grab her jacket, but reached out to Ben, wanting to let him know that she was all right.

Ben?

He answered almost immediately.  Is everything okay Sweetheart?

Yes, I'm fine.   But I probably won't be there until later.

She startled when he suddenly appeared in front of her.   "Oh.   Hi."  She smiled.

He smiled back at her guiltily.   "Hi."  He told her.  "Sorry.  I just wanted to see for myself that you really were okay..."

Her lips thinned, but she rolled her eyes, her heart warming, despite a brief flash of annoyance.   "I really am fine Ben."  She took a step closer and wrapped her arms around his waist.  "We're just hanging around a fire, drinking firewater, and having a nice evening catching up with each other."  Her conscience pricked slightly, knowing that was something he likely hadn't experienced in a long time – if ever.  "I just didn't want you to worry."

Something flickered in his expression, but it was gone in an instant.   Leaning down, he gave her a soft kiss.  "Enjoy yourself.   I'll be awake when you get here.  Don't rush."  He told her with a small smile.

Leaning up on her toes, she whispered in his ear, before giving him a kiss.   "Maybe sometime soon you and I could go somewhere and have our own campfire."

He had to admit, she never ceased to amaze and surprise him.  He had been trying so hard not to let her know how jealous he was of her – sitting with her friends around a campfire, relaxing, and enjoying each other's company.   But she knew him so well, even without hearing his thoughts, she could feel that that's what he wanted.  As usual, his heart melted.  Reaching out his hand, he stroked her cheek.  "I'd like that.  Very much."

Giving her a quick kiss, he nudged her out of his arms.  "Go.  Finish your evening.  I'll see you soon."

"Okay."  She said with a kiss and a smile.  "See you later."

The mood around the campfire was still mellow when Rey returned.  She hated to change that, but knew that this was likely the best time to finally tell everyone.  Taking a deep breath, she began.  "Guys.   I need to tell you something."

She could see the expression on Poe's face change to one of wariness as everyone expectantly turned their attention to her.    "I know that you've all been wondering why I helped the First Order Generals, and Be- Kylo Ren after the blast on Coruscant, and then why I stayed on the Finalizer for so long."

The silence was so deafening that you could hear a pin drop.  "First of all, I want all of you to know that I am not under any sort of spell, or mind trick."  She frowned at Finn and Poe briefly before continuing.  "The truth is – I am different than all of you."  Finn immediately started to protest, and Rey held out her hand to stop him.  "Yes. I am.  You may not feel it, but I do."  She inhaled deeply, followed by a slow exhale.  "All of the times that I encountered Kylo Ren, I could see – and feel - something inside of him.  Something I didn't expect at first.  Light."  She paused.  "And when I was with him – fighting him - he never, ever hurt me.  Well, except for the time he threw me against a tree – that actually did hurt!"  She shook her head, a brief smile on her face at the memory.  "It was as if, he was holding back - trying to be, kind of – gentle – as crazy as that sounds."

Looking around, she could see the shock on their faces.  Poe was simply staring at the ground, likely worried that she was going to out him – to let them know she had already told him about this when he came to the Finalizer.  But she didn't.   "I knew that Ben Solo was still in there somewhere.  And the more times we encountered each other, the more sure I became.  That is why I went to the Supremacy.   I had had a vision, and I.... I thought he would turn back to the Light."

They had all been stunned into silence, and were watching her, listening warily, but intently.   Sighing, she told them.   "Part of my vision turned out to be true – he killed Snoke to save my life, and we fought together against Snoke's elite guard, and defeated them all - together.   But... it wasn't enough. Kylo Ren took over again, and I lost Ben to the Dark once more."

She swallowed thickly.   "I was devastated.  We have this.... connection.   I really can't explain it.   And....suddenly it was gone.  That was a very difficult time for me."  Nobody spoke, so she continued.   "Eventually, Ben and I were able to see each other again.   At first, he was angry – still Kylo Ren.  But, as we got to know and understand each other much better, eventually, he became more and more Ben."  Letting out a deep sigh, she told them.   "By the time we went to Coruscant for the negotiations, he was truly Ben Solo once again......and.....well.....we were in love."

Rey watched the expressions on everyone's faces as her last words sunk in.  Both Rose's and Kaydel's mouths fell open, and hung there, while Finn yelled "What!!?  Noooo!!"  and she could hear Poe mutter "Fuck" under his breath.

"I...I know its hard to believe – and hard to absorb, but its true.  He's my other half.  We both have the Force, and so see and feel things differently than everyone else.  He knows me like no one else can – just the same as I know him."

Finally, Rose found her voice. "You love him?  Like actually love love him?"  Rey gave a small chuckle and smiled softly.  "I do Rose.  More than anything."  Looking around at them, she told them.  "You guys are my family.  And I love you all too.   I'm....sorry I didn't tell you about this earlier, but I just didn't think you'd understand.  I didn't understand it myself as it was happening."

Kaydel gave her a knowing grin.   "Sooo... that's why he wanted to have dinner alone with you."

Rey blushed.   "Yes."

"Eeewwww!  Gross!  Rey, no!!"  Finn cried out.

She took another deep breath.  "I want all of you to know that he is Ben Solo now.  He still goes by Kylo Ren – or Supreme Leader – to the First Order.   But he has changed.  Is very different than he used to be – not the same person at all."  Turning to the others she said.  "You saw that on Coruscant.  And he's making so many changes to the First Order, to make it a good organization that actually helps the galaxy."

At this, Poe decided to chime in.   "Yes, but, if he really wanted to change the galaxy, he would –"

Rey cut him off.   "Poe – I don't want to get into a philosophical debate with you about the First Order.   I understand what you were about to say, and know where you're coming from.   But he has his reasons for doing it this way – and they're really not about power - well, not anymore.   Mostly, its due to history, and the wars between Dark and Light that we just keep reliving over and over.  He's trying to stop that from happening again."

"Bullshit."  Poe replied, getting up and walking away.

"Poe!"  She called.  "Poe, please!   You knew this was coming!  I know you saw us on Coruscant!"

He stopped in his tracks, and turned back to face her.   "No Rey, I didn't know this was coming.   I thought you had come to your senses, which is why you finally came back to us.   And I didn't tell the others because I was hoping that that was exactly what would happen.  I guess I was wrong." Poe turned around once again, and stalked away angrily.

"So, what does all this mean?"  Finn asked, exasperatedly.   "We're just supposed to accept this – accept that you're all lovey, lovey with him and completely forget what he's done?"

"No Finn.  Nobody should forget.   Ever.  And he has to live with that for the rest of his life.  But everyone deserves a second chance to change.  To be forgiven for the wrongs they've done.  A chance to atone for their past, and to try to make up for it by doing something good."  She told them quietly.

Rey watched Finn struggle to keep his composure.  "No!   No Rey.   There is nothing – nothing – he could ever do to make up for, to atone for the things he's done!  Nothing."  He shouted.

At that, Rey lost her cool, shouting back at him.  "This is Han and Leia's son we're talking about!!   He was twisted by Snoke – made into Kylo Ren!  Tortured brutally every single day until he became what he was!!"  She screamed.  "From the time he was 8 years old, was told that nobody loved him!  Was fed lies upon lies by that evil, menacing bastard!  You have no idea what his life was like.   Certainly nothing like yours – which was also shitty - yet you were given a second chance."

Finn was taken aback, having never seen Rey lose her temper so thoroughly.  "Make no mistake – all of you – we could just disappear, and live our lives together.   We'd never have to worry about any wars or any of this stuff again.   We could be happy.  And you'd never find us."

They all just stared back at her, still in shock.  "But that's not what he wants.  Its not what either of us wants.  Because if he did that, the First Order would likely go back to what it was – and the galaxy would be fighting to get out from under someone like Hux's control.  And if he just blew it all up instead, and allowed a new Republic to accede, in all likelihood the same mistakes would be made, and within another decade – maybe two – another evil would arise, and we'd all be right back where we started.  Fighting the same war between Light and Dark, good and evil, freedom versus control, that we have been for the past several hundred - maybe several thousand - years."

Everyone was still silent.   Still wary at this new Rey that none of them had really ever seen before.  "Instead, he wants to try to change the First Order in a way that is good for the galaxy.  In a way to try – try – to prevent that never ending circle from starting again.  He's probably one of the only people in the entire galaxy who has a chance to be able to succeed.  So, Finn.   What's that worth in terms of atonement?"  She spat.

Finn's face was still set in a grim line.   "I just don't know Rey.  Some of what you're saying might make sense."  He let out a deep sigh.   "I think I just need some time, okay?"

"Fair enough."  She replied.

"But Rey,"  Rose asked.   "what does this mean for you?"

She smiled at them all wistfully.   "It means that although I love all of you, my place is with him.   I'll be staying with him on the Finalizer or his new ship once its ready.  But I promise to come back and visit you regularly."

"Rey – no!"  Finn pleaded.

"Finn.   Yes.  Please, try to understand.  I love him.  Would you want to be – be willing to be - parted from Rose for long periods of time?"  She asked.

He looked down at Rose, who was smiling up at him questioningly.   "No, I guess not."  He mumbled.

She stood up and smiled at them – holding out her arms for a group hug.  Rose and Kaydel rushed over to her first and squished her in a huge hug.  Finn however, just stayed off to the side and watched.

Rey glanced over at him with sad eyes.  Finn looked her right in the eye and told her seriously.  "I'm never gonna like the guy Rey."

Rey burst out laughing, breaking a bit of the tension, as the others released her from their hug.   "And that's okay.  But it would be great if you could give him a chance – for me."  Finn looked away, grumbling, and she couldn't help but smile, walking over to give him a peck on the cheek.   "Thank you, Finn."

*****

Not too much later, Rey was lying in bed with Ben, wrapped in his arms.  She had told him about everything that had happened when she returned to the campfire, and how it felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her chest, now that all of her friends knew.  Although they may not agree with it, at least they had appeared to accept it.  Well, everyone except for Poe that is.   She sighed.  At this point, she wasn't sure that her friendship with him could be salvaged.   That hurt a bit, but honestly, he'd been acting like an ass for the past few months – and maybe that's who he really was.  In the grand scheme of things, the loss of his friendship might be a small price to pay.

Kylo could feel her angst over the pilot.   While a part of him wasn't surprised, another part of him wanted to rip him apart for hurting her.  He sighed, pulling her tighter and kissing the back of her neck.   "What are you going to do about the Pilot?"

"I'm not sure."   She answered.   "I'll probably give him some space for a while, before trying to talk to him again.  But if he can't accept things, then so be it."

"I'm sorry Sweetheart.   I hate to see you hurt."

"Actually – and surprisingly – I don't really feel that hurt.  Just annoyed.  I think that somehow, this is who he really might be.  I remember you told me once that you saw that, to him, its all about winning.   About winning the girl.  And..... I think you might have been right."  He could feel an unnamed emotion skitter through her.   "Its like he simply won't listen to whatever I tell him.  Or just doesn't believe me.   I was starting to think that... maybe... he has some sort of mental issue..?  I know that sounds awful.   But, it may just be that you're right.  He can't handle not winning."

At that point, Kylo let her go and sat up. His voice was serious.  "Rey, I want you to be careful around him."

She scoffed.  "He's not going to hurt me Ben."  Sitting up too, she turned towards him.

"I don't care.  I want you to be careful.   Promise me.  For real this time Rey."  He took her hands and looked deep into her eyes, giving her hands a little tug.  "I mean it.  Promise."

Looking at his concerned face, she searched his eyes.  Worry was clearly written there.  "I promise.  For real.   I'll be careful."

He leaned over and embraced her.  "Thank you, Sweetheart."

She leaned back, and gave him a sweet kiss.  "Let's go to sleep.  Its been a long day, and I'm tired." They lay back down, snuggled into each others embrace once again, and contentedly closed their eyes.