Reflection of Fire

Part II Chapter 8

Author's Note: Fun fact, I based Snoke on the judge with tuberculosis in Captain Blood, which, if you haven't read, is fantastic (there's mutual pining and a man angsting over what the lady called him on their previous encounter; it's great).

Anyway, thank you for all the awesome comments and things! I will be continuing this story with a gothic romance approximation of what will be happening in IX, so, hopefully you'll enjoy that as much as these chapters :)

"Ben," Rey whispered, pleadingly, searching his face for some sign of the man she'd come to know in those clandestine meetings. Surely it wasn't all a trick to bring her here? To bring B.B. here?

She watched, feeling sick, as Ben tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, holding her gaze. Snoke's laughter made her shudder.

"You think you could change him? I cannot be betrayed. I know his every intent. I have assurances of his loyalty. He knows he is nothing without me," Snoke's growling voice barely registered as she watched Ben, trying to read his expression. Never had she seen his face so carefully devoid of emotion.

Ben gave a nod and Rey closed her eyes, anticipating the cruel stroke Snoke had threatened. Instead, she heard a crash and a cry behind her. Hastily, she looked up to find that the guards had rushed forward, pinning Snoke to his seat by the arms.

"What have you – ?" the old man gasped, staring disbelievingly at Ben.

"I won't have more blood on my hands because of you," Ben said with surprising calm, considering the angry look on his face, walking over to the old man. "Where is it?"

Snoke looked much smaller somehow, staring at Ben as though he'd never really seen him before. "In the desk."

"Good. Give me the key."

The old man glared but pulled a key out of his pocket. Focused on this, Ben did not appear to notice as he reached into another pocket to pull out a knife.

"Ben!" Rey cried, leaping forward at though to stop him, despite the distance.

Thus warned, Ben jumped back just in time, wresting the weapon from the feeble fingers of his former master. Then he turned to look at her, dropping the thing to the floor. "Guards, remove this man from my home," he said, not breaking eye contact.

Rey stared back, at least as surprised as Snoke as he was led roughly from the room. The thought of B.B. arriving soon, possibly running into the old man, galvanized her into action.

"Ben! Order them to lock him up. There's still time to leave," she said, hurrying over to the window and trying not to think about the intensity of his gaze.

When he didn't answer, she turned around to find him unlocking one of the drawers. He didn't remove whatever was inside, just stared down at it for a long moment, eyes wide and mouth somewhat agape as though just realizing what he'd done.

"Ben?" she asked tentatively.

He took a deep shuddering breath. "It's time to let old things die. Snoke. Skywalker," he turned to look at her and began walking slowly closer. "The political factions. Let it all die." He paused, his mouth working as though afraid of what he was going to say. "Rey." Holding out his hand, he said her name like it was the most important part of his speech. "I want you to join me. You and Beatrice. We can bring new order to our country."

Tears pricked her eyes and she stared at him. "Beatrice needs to go home. Please don't do this," she whispered, dismayed that he, too, considered the girl somehow important like Snoke had.