A/N - Hello all my fellow Reylo Lovelies!!  OMG, OMG, OMG - you helped this story hit 4K in reads.  WOW!!  I am so excited!!  I never thought that so many people would like it and be interested in reading it.  So THANK YOU so very, very much.  And well....we've finally reached that point in the story.... but just breathe.....🤭 Everything will be okay. 😊.  I hope you enjoy it!  Please leave me some love and comments - I'd especially like to hear them on this Chapter.  And please don't forget to vote!!  Thank you again for helping to make this so much fun!!

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The lights were dim as the two lovers lay in bed later that night, their arms wrapped around each other in their now typical spooning pose.  It was how they usually fell asleep each night.   Rey sighed in sleepy contentment, happy to feel Ben next to her – wrapped around her.  She had felt more tired than usual tonight, but had chalked it up to the stress of being on the Resistance Base today.

When she had first arrived at the base, everything had seemed okay, but as the day wore on she began to get a funny vibe from others around her – Rose, Kay and Leia excluded.  It took a few hours, and some odd looks, but eventually she figured out the cause.

Many were aware that Poe Dameron had left the base, and it seemed like they were blaming her for his departure.  Rey had felt their skepticism and growing hostility towards her all day, and even though she was sure that they didn't know the full story, she had been upset that they would jump to conclusions about what had happened.  Thinking about it, she admitted that it hurt her feelings – that they would hold her responsible without really knowing everything that had happened.  I guess many of them weren't as good friends as I believed, she thought to herself sadly.

Ben could feel her tremulous emotions, and tried his best to soothe her.  He gently stroked a hand over her hip, while placing soft kisses at the side of her neck and just below her ear, which he knew she liked.  Feeling her relax a bit, he asked her quietly, his voice resonating deeply.  "Are you feeling a little better now?"

"Mmmm.  Yes."  She breathed.  "Being with you always relaxes me.  Especially in your arms like this."   She turned her head to look at him.  "But what about you?   You were so angry earlier – I was really worried."

He knew she'd had a rough day, and didn't want to worry her with all the details of his troubles with Hux.  That could wait for another day.  "It was nothing."  He told her, brushing it off.  "The Ascendancy was ready for delivery a bit earlier than expected, and there was a minor issue related to that.  I'll take possession of it tomorrow though."

"You were that angry over a minor issue?"  She asked in surprise.

"No."  He told her softly, with a sigh, deciding that he needed to explain a bit.  "I also found out that Hux was feeding the Vandorians a lot of misinformation."  He let out a frustrated sigh.  "It's likely one of the reasons why we couldn't reach a peaceful solution with them in regards to ending their slave trade.   That is what really pissed me off."

"They tried to kill you because of it.  What will you do?"  She whispered.

"I'm not really sure yet.   I'll figure something out.  But I need to make an example of this – to make sure it doesn't happen again."

She could feel him getting angry again and so tried to change the subject.  "So, are we going to live on the Ascendancy now?"

He smiled against her hair, excited at the idea he was about to share with her.  "For a little while."

Turning around to look at him, she raised a brow.  "And after a little while?"

"I've been thinking..."  He brought his hand up to stroke through her hair.  "That in order for the First Order to move towards becoming more of a governance body, that maybe our center of primary operations shouldn't be on a starship."

Her face scrunched up in puzzlement.  "Okay.  Then where should it be?"

His mouth turned up slightly.  "How about on a planet?   Maybe a relatively civilized planet?  One that has forests, lakes, animals –"   He was cut off by Rey throwing herself at him and kissing him happily.

"Ben!  Are you serious?"   She exclaimed.

Leaning over, he kissed her softly.  "Completely."  He stroked his hand through her hair again. "When we were on Naboo, I could see how much you loved it.  The sunlight.  The green.  The beauty."  He gave her a tender smile.  "That's when I knew you wouldn't thrive on a cruiser for too long.  That you're a creature of the sun.  That you need to live in the sunlight.  And you need colours.  Need them to maintain your vibrancy and life in connection to the Force."   He chuckled.  "And... it makes sense for the future of the First Order.   So I'm on the hunt for the perfect planet.  We'll find it together."

She practically squealed as she pulled him to her tightly once again.  "I love the idea!"  She gave him a happy, smacking kiss.  "And I love you, Ben."

Her happiness was contagious, causing him to smile back at her adoringly and to return her kiss with his own.  "I love you back Sweetheart."

****

When she opened her eyes the next morning she was happy to find herself still on the Finalizer, and tenderly gave Ben a good morning kiss.  "One more day."  She whispered, and he smiled, wrapping her in his snug embrace.   His excitement flowed to her through the bond and she heard him blow out a calming breath.  She burrowed deeper into his arms and lay nestled there enjoying the quiet serenity for a few minutes.

She could feel him kiss the top of her head and sigh regretfully.  "Sweetheart, while I would like nothing more than to stay here with you for awhile longer, I have a meeting in half an hour...."

"Okay, I'm getting up."  She gave him another brief kiss before climbing out of the bed.  "Don't forget that I need a shuttle to come get me tomorrow.   I'm not sure Leia can spare one... all I'm doing today is saying some last goodbyes and gathering my things, so I'll definitely be ready to leave tomorrow morning."

Chuckling he told her.  "Trust me Sweetheart, I will not forget."

"Okay.  I'll see you later."  She gave him a lingering goodbye kiss before ending the connection.

As soon as she was back in her quarters, she knew that she needed to talk to Finn first off.  She just needed to get it out of the way, or it would weigh on her shoulders for the rest of the day.

She strode purposefully across the base on her way to the canteen, hoping to catch Finn at breakfast.  When she entered the dining hall, she found him sitting alone at a table.   He caught her eye, but then looked down at the table in shame.  Making her way towards him she asked. "May I sit?"  He just nodded, his eyes still not meeting her gaze.  They sat there in uncomfortable silence for a few minutes before Rey finally spoke.  "Finn."  When he didn't respond she raised her voice, but kept her tone stern.  "Finn.  Look at me!"  He finally raised his head and met her intense stare.  "What in the hell were you thinking?   How – how could you go along with Poe's stupidity?  Especially after we had spoken that night.   Why would you do it?"

Finn swallowed visibly and let out a long, drawn out sigh.  "I don't know Rey.  I honestly don't know."  He breathed.  "Poe can be very convincing."

"Poe is an ass!"  She hissed in exasperation.

"I know."  He said meekly.

"You know?!!  You do realize that your boneheaded scheme frightened me - hurt me – and could have damaged me in unknown ways!!  Yet you did it anyways!  You're supposed to be my best friend.  HOW COULD YOU DO THAT!!??"  Her voice had gotten louder and louder till she was almost screaming.

"I know!!  I'm sorry!"   He screamed back.  Looking around, he realized that they were drawing a lot of attention.   He ran his hand over his face in attempt to calm himself down and lowered his voice.  "It was never supposed to hurt you Rey."  He told her earnestly.  "I know you told us all about your relationship with Kylo – I mean Ben, and I truly believed everything you said.  I just didn't understand it.  And I still couldn't believe that you would choose him over all of us.  So when Poe came to me the next day, and said we could get you back – get our old Rey back – I just....I wanted that Rey.   I didn't – don't – want you to leave us."  His eyes were glassy and pleading as he gazed at her sorrowfully.

Rey swallowed her anger and tried to speak calmly.  "Finn.  How am I so different than the 'old Rey'?"

He clasped his hands together, and took a deep breath, looking down at them.     Before he spoke, he met her gaze once again on a sigh.  "I don't know Rey.   It's just that – before, you were always with us – one of us – laughing and,"  He groaned.  "I don't know – just – belonging."  Gazing back down at his hands, he appeared to be lost in thought for a few minutes.  "But now....it's like you're different from us.  You're apart from us.  And now that we know about it, it feels like its because of him."

She took a calming breath and looked straight into his eyes.  "Finn, when you say 'before' do you mean before Crait?  If so, you barely knew me then, and I was just off of Jakku where I had literally been alone my whole life.   I was starving for human contact – for friendship.  Also, I was just starting to discover my abilities in the Force."  Reaching across the table, she took his hands in hers.  "I am a different person now – I'll admit it.   More confident.   I understand myself in ways that I never could have imagined then.  And I'm more versed in the Force.  But Finn – none of those changes are because of Ben.  Well, maybe some are related – we've trained together a bit, and that's helped strengthen my abilities – but most of the changes are because I've grown as a person.  And matured.   Because I'm no longer alone."  She tugged on his hands.  "Because I have friends."

Finn looked at her in shock.  "Are you saying, you're different because of us?"

She smiled at him softly and nodded.

He looked down at their hands silently for a minute.   "I'm so sorry Rey.  I never intended to hurt you.  As soon as I started to see that you were being harmed, I was going to put a stop to it – but Ben showed up before I could."  His eyes were full of tears when he looked back up at her, and his voice was shaky.   "I....I can understand if you never forgive me – but I hope that one day, you will."

"Finn.  I am still really angry with you.  And honestly, I'm shocked – but very glad - that you're still alive.  Do you realize that Ben wanted to lash out at you and Poe for hurting me??!!"   Finn just nodded briefly.  "He would have done it too – but held back, because of me!   I think I actually would have been okay if he'd hurt Poe - just a little bit, and I'd really like to beat the shit out of you for being so gullible, but I have already forgiven you.   You were my first friend – my best friend – and I don't want to lose that."  She smiled across at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears too.

They both stood at the same time, and hugged across the table.  Friends again.

****

Kylo could feel a surge of warm happiness flow through him, and smiled.  Immediately, he knew that Rey had spoken with Finn, and forgiven him.  A few minutes earlier, her emotions had spiked, and he figured that she was confronting him.  He shook his head, marveling at her compassion, and ability to forgive.  He had at least expected her to make it a little more difficult for her friend – but that just wasn't his Rey.

His Rey.  After all they had been through and experienced together, and the undeniable connection between their families, he was now more sure than ever that they were on the right path.  That the Force meant for them to be together.  Had given them to each other.  He still wasn't entirely sure why, but knew that one day the reason would make itself known.

Sitting back, he tried to envision their life – their future.   He would give her a beautiful home.   It would be suitable for the Supreme Leader and his wife, but not ostentatious – that's just not Rey.   But it would be a happy home.  And he would do his very best to help fill it with their children, he thought smugly.  They hadn't talked about it, but growing up as an only child, he had always felt so lonely.   Because of that, he wanted lots of kids, and hoped Rey felt the same.

Smiling to himself, he ran his fingers over the scar she had given him, imagining their children asking about it.  He could see a dark-haired little girl on his lap, touching his face curiously, and asking,  "Papa, how did you get your scar?"   He would chuckle and whisper, like it's a big secret.  "Well, this is Mama's scar, so you'd better go ask her."  Yes, he thought happily, smiling again.  It would go just like that.   He wondered what Rey would say when their little girl would go running off to ask her.

Shaking himself out of his musings he refocused his mind back to the present.  He had already started the search for a planet on which to centralize their operations, and when he found it would build them a home there.  Not as part of any base though.  He had a plan.  There would be a base, but that would be separate from their governance buildings, and those would be separate from the residential cluster – and that's where he'd build their house.   It would be safe, it would be beautiful, and it would be a home.  He almost couldn't wait.

****

Back in her quarters on the Resistance base, Rey was packing up her belongings.   She didn't have much, but they'd been here on Dantooine for over two months now, and she'd collected a few more things than usual.  Normally, they'd had to switch bases so often that most Resistance members kept only minimal possessions.   It made it much easier than always leaving everything behind when they had to evacuate suddenly.

A feeling of melancholy washed over her as she tossed most of her belongings into a box, remembering how she acquired them.   In some ways, she'd miss being with the Resistance.   But she had to admit that she was excited to begin her life with Ben – together.

As she continued going through her possessions she found that some things were too worn or old – like her extra pair of decrepit shoes, or her ripped pants – and just threw those into the trash.  Normally she would never throw anything away, but figured that she wouldn't have any use for tattered clothing on the Ascendancy.  Although the clothes were comfy, she didn't want the First Order to see her as a scavenger – especially as the wife of the Supreme Leader.  She smiled, looking down at her ring.  They hadn't yet had a chance to discuss when they'd marry.   As far as she was concerned, there was no reason to wait – so the sooner the better.

She noticed the unopened envelope sitting on her night table, and was about to dispose of it too, when an overwhelming sense of curiosity stopped her.  It was her health exam results from when she first went to the Finalizer and the nurses had patched up her cuts and bruises after the explosion on Coruscant.   When Ben had almost died.  She thought, as a shudder coursed through her.  Remembering how superior everything had seemed, she wondered if their advanced technology scanned for anything different than the doctor's in the Resistance's MedBay.

Ripping it open, she took a quick look at the report before tossing it into the trash can.   As she turned back to the task of packing, she stopped, her brain registering something she had glossed over at her quick glance.  Retrieving the paper from the trash, she looked at the scan again, her eyes widening in shock.  The breath whooshed out of her lungs and she sat down hard on her bed as she tried to process the one word she never expected to see on the scan.

****

Kylo entered the Command Deck, responding to an urgent summons from Pride, who stood patiently waiting by the tracking screen.  The radar technician looked up with a hint of concern, and Kylo could feel his fear.  "General.  Is there a problem?"

Pride cleared his throat.  "Sir.   It would appear that General Hux is making a stop before he arrives here with the Ascendancy."

"What kind of stop?"   Kylo's face tightened into a frown.

"I'm not sure Sir.  But he's dropped out of hyperspace and is orbiting Vandor-1."

Kylo's face now showed confusion.  "Why would he go to –"  He stopped, feeling fear course through him.  "General, what type of ventral cannons is the Ascendancy equipped with?"

Pride considered before answering.  "I believe we equipped her with the standard cannons we use on our Dreadnaughts, Sir."

"He's going to blow up a City on Vandor-1."  He told Pride in stunned shock.  " Likely their capital.   Get me Hux on screen NOW!!"

"Right away Sir!"  Pride bellowed.  "Comms -"

"On it Sir!"  The comm tech yelled back respectfully, before he could even finish.  After a minute of strained silence, the tech turned back to them.  "The Ascendancy is not responding to our hails, Sirs."

"Fuck!"  Kylo yelled.  "Try them again.  On all channels!"  There was another long silence, and he turned to Pride.  "Varda came to me with some visitors from Vandor-1 yesterday.   It would appear that Hux has been feeding them misinformation, and that's the reason why they refused to cooperate with us.  He was also involved in the plot to assassinate me."

Pride looked back at him in utter shock.  "Holy shit!"  He gasped out, then added.  "Sir."

Kylo paced back and forth around the Command Deck, the feelings of foreboding and terror increasing until they were almost crushing his chest.  "He must have found out that the Vandorians talked.  This is payback."

"He can't think to get away with this Sir!   He must know that he'll face...."  He cleared his throat again.  "..punishment."   Kylo stopped pacing and looked Pride dead in the eye.  "Its treason and conspiracy Sir.  He has to know that."

Kylo nodded.   "He also knows that the penalty is likely death."

"Sirs!"  The tech yelled.  "They're charging their ventral cannons!"

"Hail them again!"  Both the Supreme Leader and Pride shouted in unison.

Kylo resumed his pacing, his hand on his face in shocked disbelief that this could be happening.   The rulers of Vandor-1 would likely be wiped out.  He sighed.  The First Order would have to make amends, and that would probably involve rebuilding their capital city.  Inwardly he let out a silent scream.  He didn't need this right now!  Especially since Rey would be coming aboard tomorrow.  Oh shit – Rey is going to be pissed!   He closed his eyes.   The loss of life would probably number in the tens of millions.  Turning back to the tech he yelled.  "Anything??"

"No Sir.  Sorry Sir."  The radar tech's head snapped back around to him.  "They're firing Sir!"

"No!"  Kylo yelled, clenching his fists and taking a step forward.   A massive pain hit him square in the chest, and he could feel a tear in the Force as a wave of fear and loss punched through him, bringing him to his knees.  Recovering after a moment, he got back up.  His eyes were wide as he turned to Pride, who's face also portrayed shock, his shaking hand scrubbing over his face.  "Damage report?!"  Kylo demanded.

The radar technician's face was completely white when he turned back to the Supreme Leader and quietly uttered.   "Sir.  The planet – Vandor-1 – its gone."

****

Rey wandered across the base in a daze, her mind not really focused on her surroundings, just heading in the general direction to find Leia.  Her head was spinning, and her stomach churning.  Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you'll see Leia.  Her mind felt fuzzy, her body numb.  She tried to think back over the last few months.   Were there any signs?  Even if there were, how would she know?   It was such a shock - she didn't even know if she should feel happy, upset, or frightened.  She started to shake and her eyes filled with tears.  Keep it together Rey – just a little longer.

Suddenly, a massive pain hit her in the chest, and she could feel a huge rip in the Force as a wave of fear and loss streaked through her, causing the breath to whoosh from her lungs.   What was that?  She thought frantically – stopping to look all around her.  Whatever it was, it was bad.   After a few minutes, she started to hear the din of background noise escalating across the base, and seemingly out of nowhere she could hear Finn desperately calling her name.

"Reeeeyyy!   Reeeeyyy!"  Turning, she could see him racing toward her.

When he got to her she grabbed his hands.  "Finn!  What is it?!  What's happened?!  I know something has – I could feel it in the Force!"

He looked at her sympathetically, as he quietly told her.  "Rey.  The First Order just blew up Vandor-1."

Afterward, all she could remember was that that was the moment her entire world crumbled, and everything went black as Finn's arms caught her.

****

"HOW!!!???"  Kylo bellowed.  "How is it possible for the Ascendancy to destroy an entire planet?   Our standard ventral cannons can't do that!"

Pride squirmed under the Supreme Leader's intense and angry gaze.  "I don't know Sir.  It was my understanding that she'd been equipped with several batteries of our standard cannons – just more of them than a typical dreadnaught."  The normally fastidious General scrubbed a hand over his face.  "I suppose its possible that they were upgraded?"

"Under whose authority?!  That would've been a decision –"  Kylo stopped, as comprehension dawned at the same time as it did for Pride.  The two men just looked at each other, before stating in unison.  "Hux."

"That fucking bastard!"  Kylo bellowed.  He let out a frustrated growl.  "I need to contact Rey.  The Resistance is going to be pissed!  She is going to be pissed!!"

Pride stopped him as he turned to leave.  "Sir.  Might I caution you on whom you choose to divulge this information."  Staring at the Supreme Leader meaningfully.  "Think of how it would look to the galaxy if they knew that a rogue member of the First Order stole a starship with planet destroying capabilities that we were heretofore unaware of, and then proceeded to actually blow up a planet..."

Kylo blew out a heavy breath.   "We'll look like fools.  The galaxy will never trust us – nor see us the same way – ever again."  Considering the long term ramifications of that information, his rage escalated.  "FUCK!!"  He screamed, causing everyone in the silent room to startle.  "We can't even clear our fucking name on this!  Hux has totally screwed us!"  He began pacing once again, and tore at his hair.  Turning back to the radar technician he barked.   "Status on the Ascendancy?!"

The tech's fingers flew over his keyboard.  "Sir.  She's jumped back into hyperspace.  Her last coordinates appeared to have been towards us.  Sir."

Turning to Pride he told him.   "I want the rest of the Generals assembled in the main conference room immediately – yourself included.  Have Hux brought there the moment his steps his ass onto this ship."

"Yes Sir."   Kylo nodded at Pride before turning and exiting the Command Deck.

Kylo strode through the ship making his way to his quarters.   He needed to talk to Rey.  Walking into his rooms, he sat down heavily on the bed and tore his hands through his hair.  How was he going to tell her this?  What could he tell her?   He had no problem telling her – and his Mother for that matter – that this was an act of treason by a mentally unstable General.   But it couldn't go further than the two of them.

He sighed deeply.  This could affect the treaty with the Resistance.  If the facts weren't made public, the rest of the Resistance would not want to sign any sort of treaty with the First Order.   He also fervently hoped that this wouldn't affect things with Rey.  Taking a deep breath, he reached out.  And felt – nothing.  A prickle of unease shot through him.  Did she close the bond?   If so, he'd been so upset with everything that was going on, he didn't even realize it.

Focussing more intently, he tried again.  Still nothing.  Fuck!  She's upset!  He leaned his elbows on his knees and rested his head in his hands.  Letting out his breath on a long exhale he realized that she probably needed some time.  Okay.  So he'd give her time.  He'd try again later.

Rising from his bed, he decided that it was time to go brief the rest of his Generals on everything that Hux had done.