Star Wars: The Lost Jedi

Chapter

Serer was losing consciousness as Ren traveled quickly through the narrow ice tunnels of Hoth. Her body and mind felt weak and cold. Every pounding step he took sent pain shooting to her side. As she looked up at the ice tunnel ceiling, Serer could feel tears forming in her eyes as they traveled swiftly down her cheeks. The pain was almost unbearable. It almost felt as though her heart was beating in her side as the thumping raced throughout her body. She closed her eyes in exhaustion, unable to keep them open any longer. The taste and smell of fresh blood consumed Serer's mind.

He could feel their connection fading. There was hardly a connection there anymore. He could no longer feel her. She wasn't just losing consciousness, Serer was dying. Ren stopped in his tracks, looking down at Serer. His breathing became heavier and his body shook for a second. Ren gently placed Serer down, his breath bouncing off her face as he gently laid down her head. There was no time to waste. They'd never make it to a medical droid in time. He was her only chance of survival.

Ren contemplated what to do in a moment of hesitation, but then hesitated no longer. Placing his hand over where blood continued to expel from her side, he centered himself, focusing his mind on the Force. Ren inhaled deeply and waited. He had never done something so drastic while using the Force before. He didn't even know if he had the capabilities to do it, but he had to try. He had to heal her himself. As he attempted to heal Serer, Ren's mind began to wander. Shouldn't he want her disposed of? If she died this way, his conscious would be cleared. But even with this thinking, Ren knew that his conscious would never be clear if he let her die. He could feel their connection growing stronger once again. However, Ren started to feel weak. His strength was draining as Serer began to grow strong once more.

Serer opened her eyes in a moment of panic. She looked up at Ben in a hazed confusion but felt no more pain from her side. She realized after a few moments what he had done for her. What he had done to help her. What he had done to save her.

Serer's hand gently ran over where the bleeding gash used to be. However, all she could feel now was the softness of her skin. There was no more gash. She was completely healed as though nothing ever even touched her.

"Ben..." Serer's voice was barely audible. She could feel that he was weakened from using so much of his ability saving her life. "You saved my life."

He took off his mask once more, wanting her to look directly within his eyes. He wanted her to see him. He wanted to see her. The pair paused, completely in their own world and ignoring the on going battle outside the cavern.

"You're weak." Serer stated, feeling Ben's dim Force connection.

Serer reached out with both of her hands, cupping Ben's face gently. She watched as he shut his eyes, it was almost as though he could fall asleep within her grasp. Serer gazed upon him gingerly, odd and unexpected feelings. He was still Ben deep down. Kylo Ren wouldn't have thought twice, but Ben weighed his options.

"Take me with you." Serer stated, causing Ben's eyes to flutter open and his mouth to fall slightly agape. "Please, Ben. I want to come with you."

Ren's heart fluttered. She wanted to go with him? Why the sudden change of heart?

"Serer, I..." Ben started to trail off, holding his head within his hands. It felt as though gravity was pulling him his towards the center of the planet. Realizing he needed time to recover, Ben shook his head, placed his mask firmly on his head, and stood. Looking down at the girl, he extended his hand.

Serer paused for a moment, hesitating, before taking it willingly. Ben helped her to her feet before sweeping her off of them.

"I-I can walk!" Serer protested, realizing how small she truly was within his arms.

Ben simply held on tighter, making his way out of the ice caves. His head felt weak and heavy, his muscles and bones like paper, but he knew that neither of them could truly rest and reconvene until they were on board his ship and making their way towards StarKiller Base. Taking her there would be their safest option.

Serer closed her eyes tightly as they emerged from the ice caves. The brightness of the light reflecting off the snow along with the many sounds of battle overstimulated her. Ben continued forward, unfazed and focused on his mission at hand.

"You need to do exactly as I tell you." Ben instructed harshly. "You have to trust me."

"What do you mean?" Serer questioned as the pair approached his ship. "Trust you with what?"

"Don't make me regret saving you." Ben seethed underneath his mask. "Pretend you are asleep."

Serer oddly did as instructed and appeared limp. As they climbed aboard, troopers hardly gave her a second look. Ben quickly retired to his chamber upon the vessel, allowing Serer to her feet before quickly locking them both inside and safe from lingering ears and eyes.

Serer stood for a moment, unsure of what to do next. The pair merely stared at each other, breathing heavily, as the vessel began its descent into the planets atmosphere and then into hyperspace.

"Stay with me." The distorted voice almost begged as Serer felt a shift in their connection. He was weak, exhausted from the power he performed.

Serer walked closer to him before taking off his mask. Staring at the face of Ben, she turned quickly to the closet and rummaged, finding a black outfit for each of them. Naturally, the clothes were sized to Ben's proportions, so it would run large on her. She put the clothes over her existing outfit. Turning around, she offered Ben privacy, which he accepted. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and turned around to see the man she once knew. His eyes almost pleading with her as they began to droop.

"I will stay with you."

A/N: Hi! Respectfully, I know my writing is rusty... I apologize! But I hope to back & writing more often! Enjoy! :)