A/N - Hello all of my Reylo Lovelies!  Things are really starting to cook now.... and the pieces will soon start to come together.  I hope you're all still enjoying the story!  There's still a  little bit more to come....  Thank you to all who have kept with me, and for your amazing comments, anecdotes and pleas for hints!  They keep me inspired!  Please continue to send them, and vote, vote, vote!  Thanks again!!  Very, very much!!  Enjoy!!

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Rey sat in the cockpit of the Falcon with Finn and Poe as they made their way to Corellia.  Things were still a bit awkward between the three of them, but both Finn and Poe seemed to be trying extra hard to engage her in light conversation – joking and laughing about all sorts of things as they caught Rey up on everything that had happened on the base while she had been away.  They'd told her how Snap Wexley had almost blown himself up while cleaning a firing canon on one of the X-wings, and made her laugh when telling her how one of the more flamboyant on again/off again couples in the Resistance had broken up in spectacular fashion for the 4th or 5th time.  Both stories made her laugh so hard that she cried.

Little by little she relaxed around Poe, and started to get comfortable with him again.  There were still a few awkward periods of silence where she caught him staring at nothing – somewhere deep in thought – but he'd just smile and shake his head when she tried to coax him into revealing what he was thinking about.

By the time they reached their destination in the city of Coronet, things were starting to feel a bit like old times, and she was happy that she had decided to go along on the mission.   The plan was to meet up with their contact - a man named Bular Ashek - establish what supplies he could provide from the list that Leia had sent along earlier, have them delivered to the Falcon and then head back to Dantooine.

Arriving at Ashek's "office", they were ushered in by a pretty Twi'lek and told to wait.  Ashek finally showed up 5 minutes later.  He was a large, unkempt man who spoke Basic in a loud, booming voice and a strange accent.  "My Resistance friends!  You have found your way back to me!  Commander Dameron, how are you?"

Poe got up and shook Ashek's hand, slapping him on the upper arm.  "I'm well Bular – very well.   You?"

"Couldn't be better!   Business is great!"  He said, with a huge, gap toothed grin.  "Now, what do you need?"

The three of them frowned in unison, but again it was Poe who replied.  "You didn't receive the order from Leia?"

It was Ashek's turn to look confused.   "I'm truly sorry my friend, but I did not!  Perhaps you can contact her and ask her to send it again?   You are welcome to use my comms – they're in the other room."

After a bit of confusion, Ashek finally received the Resistance's order.  He scanned it for a minute and nodded.  "Ok, this won't be a problem.  I can have all of this together by tomorrow afternoon, and have it sent to your ship."

Realizing they'd have to spend the night on Corellia, they thanked Ashek and then decided to find a place to grab a meal and some drinks before either finding someplace to stay, or heading back to the Falcon for the night.   Poe told them he knew of a restaurant not too far away where they could get some good food and local drinks – Corellian whiskey and wine – which were notoriously the strongest in the galaxy.

Rey was excited, as she hadn't had a night out on the town with these friends in awhile, and recognized that it might be her last opportunity for a long time.   "I don't know about you guys but I'm starving!   And I'd love to try some of the Corellian wine!"  She told them with a huge grin.

Her excitement was infectious, and as they sat around eating and drinking, they all seemed to have forgotten the stress of the past weeks, and just enjoyed being together again.  They even surprised her with a special dessert.   Rey loved sweets, but was particularly fond of anything chocolate.

The server smiled as he set the dessert in front of Rey with a flourish, telling her that this was also a Corellian specialty.  "Guys!  That's so sweet of you!  You remembered how much I love chocolate!"  They both smiled, looking oddly uncomfortable with her happy thanks.

"Of course we did Rey. You're our best friend!"  This was from Finn, who seemed to have finally relaxed around her again too.

Poe just shrugged.  "Yeah, we want you to remember who your real friends are."  At this, both Finn and Rey gave him a dirty look.

Rey looked down at the dessert and her mouth watered.  It was a dense, chocolate cake-like concoction that was drenched in Corellian whiskey and covered in chocolate icing.   One bite and she was in heaven at the burst of flavor in her mouth.   "Mmmm.  Guys this is amazing!  Do either of you want a taste?"

"No!"  They both exclaimed in unison.

Rey frowned at them in amused confusion.   "Okay then.   I'm good with that.  More for me!"

She had almost finished eating her confection when something started to feel off.   Her head seemed woozy, and when she looked up at her friends she could see two of each of them.  "Finn?  Poe?  Suddenly I don't feel so well...."

Neither of them spoke.  They just looked at her in silence, until Finn broke her gaze and looked down at the table.

Sensing his discomfort, a jolt of fear crept up her spine.   "Finn?"  She whispered, feeling like she was about to pass out.  "What did you do?"

He looked back up at her, a wealth of emotion on his face.  The last thing she heard was,  "We're saving you Rey"  before she could feel herself slump in her seat and everything went black.

****

Kylo paced back and forth in his quarters, fear and worry clenching in his chest, almost eating him alive.  Two days!   It had been two days since Rey had last contacted him through their bond!   He could still feel her, and he didn't encounter any walls when he tried to contact her - he just felt nothing in response.  No emotions, no response to his continued pleas to answer him, nothing.  He was going out of his mind with anxiety for her.  Terrified that something really bad had happened.

At first, he thought she was just enjoying herself, and didn't want to contact him while she was with her two friends.  But when he hadn't heard from her at all last night, and then again this morning, he really began to get nervous.  He even had his staff check with the First Order stations on Corellia to see if they had been captured, or if there were any reports of the Resistance Jedi Rey being spotted on the planet.   However, unfortunately there was nothing. Nothing!

It was now evening and there wasn't even a glimmer through the bond, and he knew he was going to have to resort to the one thing he didn't want to do.  But he was going crazy – would start tearing things apart soon - and there was no way he'd be able to get any rest if he didn't get at least some answers.  He sighed, walking over to his desk to get his holopad.

****

Leia sat in her quarters, enjoying a cup of hot herbal tea before retiring for the night.  This was her favourite time of the day, when she could simply sit and relax with her tea, enjoying the blissful peace and quiet while she let her mind drift.   There was nobody to harass her or make demands on her.  She was free to just – be.   For a few minutes anyways.  She rested her elbows on the table and closed her eyes on a contented sigh.   Her quiet serenity was brought to a painful end by the ringing of her holopad.

Exhaling slowly, she leaned over and activated it.  And almost dropped her mug of tea.  For at the other end of the connection was her long lost son, Kylo Ren.  Her mouth opened, but her throat closed, preventing her from uttering a sound.

At his end of the connection, Kylo was equally dumbfounded.  He'd known that this would be hard, but hadn't expected exactly how difficult it would actually be.   His mouth opened and closed, but similarly, he didn't know how to begin.

Leia was a bit quicker to recover.  They had always shared a connection through the Force.  She could always feel him.  His Force signature usually blazed like a bright red fiery light in her mind.   Lately, she had noticed that the colour had changed.   It was now an orangish yellow.  However, she knew he wouldn't contact her willingly unless something was very wrong.  Now, as she gazed upon his face, she even felt his worry.  "Ben.... What is it?  Are you okay?   What's wrong?"

Relieved that his mother was so perceptive, he could finally croak some words through his dry throat.  "It's Rey..."

"What about Rey?  What's happened?  Is she okay?"  She asked concernedly.

"I...I don't know.   I..... haven't heard from her in two days.  Usually she... speaks to me..."  He was hesitant, unsure of how much Rey had told her.

"Yes, she told me about your connection – your bond."

He nodded.  "She told me you sent her to Corellia.  With.... her friends.  Have they checked in?  Is everything all right?"

A feeling of unease whispered through Leia.  Poe had indeed checked in this morning.  He told her that they had decided to stay on Corellia for a few more days because Rey needed to work on something – and it was going to be a surprise.   Leia had thought it seemed odd, and felt a weird vibe from Poe, but didn't really think much of it, attributing it to their 'surprise'.  Now, she was worried that this had something to do with Poe's incessant and unwavering belief that Rey had been brainwashed by Kylo Ren.   Taking a deep breath, she growled at him.   "Ben, Poe did check in this morning to let me know they'd be staying a few more days."  She placed her hand over her eyes and inhaled deeply.   "I'm sure they'd never hurt Rey but...."

She could see his face change to a mixture of fear and anger.   "But what?"

"Something seemed off with him this morning.  I should've realized it."  Not wanting him to lose his temper too badly, she tried to be as gentle as possible when she told him.  "I think they may be trying to do some sort of intervention with Rey."

He didn't understand.  His eyes narrowed.   "What do you mean?  What kind of intervention?"

Leia swallowed thickly.    "The kind where maybe she forgets that she's in love with you."

She could hear Ben suck in a shocked breath, and actually would've thought the situation was funny if it wasn't so crazy.  The expressions that flitted across his face were almost comical.  First, chagrined embarrassment about his mother knowing that Rey loved him, followed by fear and frustration that they might actually succeed, and then finally anger that they would even dare to try and do that.

"Ben."  She began, causing him to look up at her once again.  "Please – don't kill them?"  She shuddered.   "They're only doing it because they care about Rey, and they don't understand...."

"I know that!!  Don't you think I know that!!???"  He yelled.  Taking a calming breath, he continued.   "I will find them.  And I will bring her back."  Gritting his teeth, he told her.   "And I won't kill them."  Then he smiled sardonically.  "I fully intend to let Rey do that!!"

Leia just nodded, a smirk of her own appearing.   "You can find her – through your bond?"

"Yes."

"Good."  Taking a deep breath, she tried to say something else.  "Ben –"

"Good night."  He swallowed.  "Leia."

She slumped in her chair as he cut the connection.  Tears forming in her eyes, and a small smile on her face.  He was worried, and he came to her.  Asked for her help in finding Rey, to try and make sure she was okay.  It wasn't really a reconciliation ..... but it was a start.

And he was right.  Rey really was going to kill them....

****

Finn nervously paced around the small apartment they had secured, wondering for the thousandth time whether they were doing the right thing.  Poe sat calmly at a table, browsing through his holopad.  Finn stopped and looked over at Poe.

"So, tell me again.  How long is this supposed to take to work?  And how do we know if its working?"

"Finn, buddy, sit down for stars sake!  You're even making me nervous!"  Poe quipped.

Finn scrubbed a hand over his head.  "I can't help it Poe!  I know we talked about it, but this still doesn't feel right!"

Poe tossed his holopad on the table and got up.  "Whoa, whoa, whoa.... There is no turning back now Finn.  You heard the doctor – if we try to stop mid-way through the reprogramming process, it could do unknown damage!"

"Yeah, sorry Poe, but that guy – Armvik – is not a real doctor."  Finn shuddered as he thought about the twice daily injections and "therapy" the "doctor" was performing on Rey – trying to get her to fear Kylo Ren once again.  He knew the guy was drugging Rey heavily – to the point that she was completely unaware of anything.  When he had tried to speak to her, she didn't know who she was, where she was or what she was doing.   Also, earlier today he had heard Rey screaming, and suspected the "doctor" was scaring the shit out of her as part of his therapy.  It kind of seemed like mental torture to him.  He shook his head.  "Poe – we don't even know what he's really doing to her.  What if he's actually hurting her?"   Poe just glared at him silently.  "Also, what's she going to do to us when she finds out we did this!  She's our friend, but I don't think she'll ever speak to us again.  And... honestly, knowing Rey, she may do worse...."

Poe frowned at Finn, frustration on his face.  "Finn – don't give up now!  She probably won't even know we did anything.  And if she does, she'll thank us when this is over!"

Finn's mouth tightened into a line and he shook his head again.  "I don't know Poe.  I just don't know.   It just doesn't feel right...."

****

Darkness.  Fog.  Confusion.  That was all she could feel.   She was floating in a black cloud, being dragged along as it swirled and moved.  What was happening to her?  She struggled to hold onto a thought – any thought – but her mind felt like mush.  Breathe deeply.   Let the Force flow through you she thought.  That seemed to help a bit.   A slight glimmer of awareness reappeared.  She still couldn't seem to open her eyes, or move any of her limbs, but she was able to think a bit more clearly.  Where was she?  she wondered.  A hint of fear whispered through her.   Why couldn't she make sense of anything?  Suddenly she could hear a voice in her head.

Rey?  Sweetheart?  Are you okay?  Where are you?

Confusion still muddled her foggy brain.  Whose voice was that?

He could feel her confusion through the bond.   At first, he was so relieved to feel something – anything from her, that he almost wept.   But he could tell something was very wrong.  Sweetheart.  Its me.  Its..... Ben.   Please talk to me.   Let me know you're okay.  He sent her soothing feelings, and a mental image of his face.

Ben?  she thought.  Ben... Ben....who?   A slight feeling of panic reached her, followed by the flow of warmth and love, peace and..... completeness.  Wholeness.  She could picture his face – his warm brown eyes, staring deep into her soul.  She sighed, and continued to float, the black cloud now dissipating.  Suddenly, recognition dawned.  "Ben!"

Relief poured through him, almost making him weak.  He didn't know what they had done to her, but he thanked the Force she still remembered him.   Rey, Sweetheart.  Are you okay?   Please tell me!  I'm on my way, but I need to know you're all right.  Talk to me!

Her voice in his head was a bit shaky.  I'm not sure.   Maybe?   I don't know...

She could hear him growl in her head, and could feel his desperation spike.  Okay Sweetheart.   I'll be there soon.  Just – hang on...please he begged.

Her mind started floating away again – feeling light and fluffy now instead of dark and swirling.   She couldn't understand why it kept happening, but she tried to respond to him anyways.  Everything would be okay, because Ben was coming she sighed to herself.   Still calmly floating in a sea of confusion, she told him.  Its okay Ben.  I'll see you when you get here.....

****

Kylo was getting closer – he could feel it.  Could feel her more strongly.  He had landed on Corellia about an hour ago, and was making his way towards wherever they were keeping her.   Although the bond had been silent for the past few hours, at least he could still feel her and he let that guide him – following to where it led.

It was still in the early morning hours in Coronet, as he stalked through the streets, his senses heightened and alert, looking for her.  He was worried, not knowing what he was going to find when he got there.   She had been in rough shape when they connected – her mind and thoughts muddled, unable to focus.  Perhaps even unable to wake up.  He could feel it, and that made him very scared for her.  Although he'd told his mother he wouldn't kill them, if they had done anything to really damage or hurt Rey, he wasn't sure if he'd be able to restrain himself.

Trying to remain calm, he turned down a small street and stopped in front of the entrance to an apartment complex.  She was in here – no doubt about it.

He made his way to one of the upper floors and stopped in front of a door.   This was the one.   Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he steeled himself against the impending confrontation.    Remember, don't kill them he chanted to himself.  However, inflicting a little bit of pain should be okay he thought, and raised his hand to knock.

****

Finn sat groggily at the table drinking a cup of caf he had made for himself.  It tasted terrible, but at least it would wake him up.   He had barely gotten any sleep last night, worried about this course of action they had taken for Rey.   After being here for 2 days, he no longer felt convinced that it was the right thing to do.

Up until now, Poe had been in charge of their secret mission within their mission.  He had found the "doctor", and had arranged for her "treatment".  Poe had been the one to tell the doctor about how she'd been brainwashed, etc, and so Finn had few specifics of what was really being done to her.  Armvik would be arriving shortly to administer Rey's treatments for today, and when he did, Finn intended to ask him detailed questions about his "treatments" and exactly what he was doing to her.  If he couldn't or wouldn't answer them, there was no way he'd be letting that quack get anywhere near her again.   It would probably piss Poe off, but he didn't care anymore.  Rey's well-being was more important.

There was a sharp knock at the door.  Finn took a steadying breath.  He could do this – he had to do this - and keep calm.  He needed to, for Rey's sake.   When he opened the door however, his resolve turned to utter shock, and his faced paled to see Kylo Ren leaning nonchalantly on the door frame, with his arms crossed.

"FN-21-... Finn."  Kylo said in his deep voice, maintaining a clipped but measured tone.

"Wha....what are you doing here?!"  Finn asked in shocked astonishment.

Kylo straightened his posture and walked into the apartment, brushing by him.   "Let's not waste any time by pretending that you don't know why I'm here."  Turning he looked him straight in the eye before snarling,  "Where is she?!"

Finn was still incapable of speech.  Kylo Ren had just shown up and brusquely walked into their temporary lodgings, appearing to own the place, clearly looking for Rey.   He couldn't believe it.   How had he known about what they were doing?   How did he find them?  Did Armvik sell them out?   He must have.  A shiver of fear overtook him, knowing that Ren would surely kill them both over this.  His voice had turned darkly ominous, but urgent when he had snapped out his question, and his eyes were full of anger as they focused on Finn's.

"None of your business."  Came Poe's angry voice from behind him, poised with a blaster in his hand.  "If you so much as even twitch I'll blow a hole in the middle of your head."

Kylo sighed, his eyes still focused on Finn's.  He kept his voice low and measured.  "I'm not here to hurt either of you.  I just want Rey.  I know you've drugged her, and are holding her here against her will."  Taking a measured breath, he continued.   "I don't know why you've done this – I don't really care.  I just want to make sure Rey's okay."  His voice was calm.  Steady.  He surprised even himself.

Finn's gaze was locked onto Kylo's – neither one even blinking.  Somehow, in that moment, a silent communication passed between them, and the two men understood each other completely.  Finn's eyes flicked over Kylo's shoulder.   "Put down the blaster Poe."

 A look of confusion crossed Poe's face.  "What?  No!"

Finn slowly moved around Kylo, walking toward Poe.   "Finn, buddy.  Stop – what are you doing?"  His voice sounded a bit panicked.

He continued moving closer to Poe, while Kylo turned himself slightly so that his back was no longer facing the angry foe holding a blaster on him.  Finn's voice took on a pleading note.   "Poe – please put the blaster down."

"No.  No no no no no!  Finn, we've come this far – we're not stopping now.  Its only a few days more and we'll have our Rey back!"

Kylo remained silent while Finn continued to plead with him.  "Poe.   He's hurting her.  I can feel it.  We have to stop!   She's barely been awake for two days Poe!   Please – put the blaster down!"

Poe's eye's went round as saucers and shock rippled across his face.   "I can't believe it.   Finn – buddy – don't you see what he's done?  He's mind tricked you too when he just gave you that evil stare!  Now you're on his side!"  He snapped his fingers repeatedly in front of Finn's face.   "Finn – c'mon buddy wake up!"

The moment of distraction was all Kylo needed.  With a quick wave of his hand, he put Poe into a Force sleep, who immediately slumped to the ground.  "Finally."  Kylo said in a calm monotone.   "He was really starting to annoy me."

Finn just looked over at him, and then down at Poe, his eyes wide and mouth agape.  Kylo followed his gaze, before looking back up at him.   "What?"  Kylo asked.  When Finn looked back down at Poe once again in astonishment, Kylo realized why Finn looked shocked, and smirked.   "Don't worry about him – I only put him in a Force sleep.  He'll wake up soon enough."

"You couldn't have said that sooner, Ren?!"  Finn's face clearly showed profound relief that Poe wasn't dead.

Kylo shrugged.  "Sorry."   He glanced around Finn who was still standing between him and Rey.   "Now, I can feel that Rey is behind that door, and she's not doing well - so move out of my way – quickly.   Please."

Wait?  Did Kylo Ren just say Please to him?   He watched as Kylo strode toward the door, waving his hand to unlock and open it.   Finn followed behind, stopping when he saw Kylo freeze for a second before literally growling and rushing to her side.  He watched as he scooped Rey up into his arms and cradled her to him.  She was fitful – thrashing around in his arms, and moaning.   Her face was scrunched up as if she were in pain.  "Shhhh.... Its okay.  I'm here Sweetheart."

Finn's chin literally hit the floor as he watched Kylo's gentle treatment of his best friend.  He swore he could see Kylo's hand shake as he tenderly brushed the hair out of her face and placed a kiss on her temple.  "Rey, Sweetheart, can you hear me?  Rey?   It's okay.  I'm here.  Please.   Sweetheart.   Let me know you're okay."

Kylo was desperately trying to control his anger over the state she was in, and his voice was hoarse when he harshly asked Finn.   "What did you give her?  What were you trying to do??"

"I...I don't know what he gave her.  There's a doctor guy that Poe got..."  Finn swallowed thickly.   "He was supposed to make her afraid of you – Kylo Ren - again.   I...I wasn't entirely comfortable with Poe's plan."

Kylo's eyes snapped up to Finn's.   "Yet you didn't do anything about it!"  He screamed, his emotions finally boiling over.

"I....I'm sorry."  Finn whispered.  "I was going to stop it today – this morning – I swear it."  He came closer to Rey, tears running down his face.  "She's hurting – I can feel it."  A sorrowful breath rattled out of his chest.  "She's my best friend.  If you can help her, please help her."  He leaned over to stroke her face, but Kylo pulled her closer into his embrace.

"Don't touch her!  You've done enough!"  His eyes flicked up to Finn's, and what he saw shook him.  Kylo's eyes were filled with fear.  Anguish.

"Can you help her?"  Finn asked desperately.

Kylo got himself under control and nodded.   "I think so.  Just – stay quiet."  He placed his hand on her forehead and closed his eyes.   He gently went deep into her mind and tried to calm her – tried to put to rest the demons that that bastard had attempted to put there.  Whatever he had tried to do, because of Rey's strength in the Force, it was not entirely successful.  He also pushed some of his Force into her, to help overcome and counteract the effects of whatever drug she was given.  After a few minutes he could feel her begin to settle, and soon drift off into a healing sleep.

A few minutes later, Kylo took a deep breath and looked up at Finn.   "She's sleeping now.   Hopefully after a few hours of rest, she'll be fine."  He took a deep breath, and looked back down at her, softly stroking her cheek, his eyes never leaving her face.   "Your plan would've failed, you know."  Kylo said quietly.

"I know that now."  Said Finn.  "But what makes you so sure?"

He continued stroking her cheek with the back of his fingers, gazing at her now peaceful face, before replying.  "Because she doesn't see me – doesn't know me - as Kylo Ren.  Not anymore.   Not in a long time."  He looked up at Finn, completely dropping the mask and all the guards he normally wore to almost everyone else but Rey.

Finn took a step back, his face showing complete shock.   "Holy Shit!"  Finn replied.   "You're Ben Solo."