Ordered

Chapter 27 - In Which Life On Ahch-To Finds A Pace and A Storm Rolls In

(Rated: PG?)

Ben's tricks were astonishing. However, as the two-week mark came and went, Rey started to feel Luke, her preferred teacher, had performed a trick, a vanishing act, all his own. Something was wrong. If she had a way off the island, Rey would have returned to the cloning facility herself.

Silently meditating in the Temple, Rey willed Luke to return. She tried reaching out using Ben's detailed method. She could picture Luke in her mind, the stern, cool face and concerned blue eyes. But the concept of where he actually was, threw her off focus. She imagined him trapped, in the midst of a fight, blood flowing from his weakened body. A strong chill filled her, and she became so lost in terror, she was forced to clear her thoughts and start over again.

Before Rey made a seventh attempt, an angered voice shouted her name. The sound rang, echoed, and faded. It wasn't a Jedi Master from the past, but that familiar grey phantom that conflicted her heart.

"You've been in there a long time!" Impatience trailed his voice.

Their coexistence had fallen into an almost predictable pattern. Strained, but predictable. Although Rey was usually up before to sun to visit the Temple, Ben meant to prove his dedication to her education by pulling her out of bed an hour earlier. Literally.

As per their agreement, Rey returned to her bed, and Ben made a pallet outside her door. However, without a word, Ben entered each morning unannounced and rushed her into his arms. Before she could fully wake and resist, he'd place her on the side of a cliff, driftwood in hand, ready to fight in the waning moonlight. He argued he wanted her to be prepared for an attack, day or night, tired or not. Prepared at all times.

It was almost enduring, the way he wanted her to flourish and survive.

But, also, decidedly annoying.

The last thing Rey wanted to experience was waking suddenly, her face pressed against his solid form, with the scent of his masculine skin all around her. Each morning, for a mere moment, she wondered if it was a dream. If she was lost in the arms of the man she desired. But then, reality hit, and she remembered the Jedi Code and irritating Ben Solo. Almost forgetting, so early in the day, she shouldn't like his warmth. She shouldn't cling to him.

She thought to complain. She had never agreed to this. But fearing his punishment, as her so-called Master, Rey decided it was better to outsmart him.

Therefore during the next week, she deliberately woke two hours earlier and ran straight for the Temple. As she welcomed the Force to flow through her, Rey carried on like usual. Content, she stretched out to meditate like always.

When the hour passed, she was surprised to find Ben waiting, his eyes narrowed, lips pouting, outside the Temple's entrance. The look was nearly adorable.

But she wasn't the least bit apologetic. He'd interfered with her schedule. Luke had encouraged her to seek solace in the Temple. On the whole, Rey felt her visits restored her balanced, and she liked the hallowed place. Ben could wait. He needed to learn a lesson in boundaries and patience.

Although he was visibly disappointed, Ben said little and trained her as dutifully as ever. Perhaps, a little too dutifully. She was sore the next day.

The following morning, when she found Ben, seasoned with annoyance, waiting outside the Temple for her again, she realized he would not follow her inside. Although this troubled her, and her hopes that Ben would embrace more of the light side of the Force, she was ultimately thankful for the sanctuary. And a clever place to hide.

As the fourth week came and went, their odd schedule continued. Ever diligent, Rey woke early, rushed to the Temple, with Ben on her heels. He waited for her with arms crossed, seemingly meditating in his own way. Afterwards, their day started, with the expected training, breakfast, more training, lunch, the chores around the house, dinner, Rey's quiet time building her droid under Ben's constant stare, and rest. The events repeated the next day, day after day.

"I'm becoming concerned," Ben yelled again.

Rey rolled her eyes and lifted from the floor. After a quick dash through the candlelit hall, she found him casually leaning on the Temple threshold once more. He uncrossed his arms as she appeared before him. His face softened. The wind tugged at his clothing against the stormy skyline.

"I..," Ben paused to search her face with his good eye, "I've waited longer than usual."

She lifted her chin, "You're welcome to come inside."

It was only half-true. If he suddenly decided to enter, she knew she'd have to hide certain valuables. Namely the Skywalker lightsaber.

His frown increased. Rey sensed a twinge of thinly veiled anger.

"If we wish to train today," he indicated the sky, "We cannot delay any longer."

Rey eyed the clouds with concern. Their dark puffy swirls expanded in the sky. Out in the distant corner of the sea, the rain had already begun. The crashing tide extended its reach. Ahch-To was pleasant during mild weather. However, after living on a desert world for so long, Rey scarcely felt comfortable in a downpour. The water, itself, was a relief. Yet, the thunder and lightning, and sometimes, high winds, made her wary.

For a mere moment, Rey considered asking for the day off.

But turning her attention back to her impatient friend, Rey felt the intensity of his stare. He seemed to deliberate for a moment, his face filling with mirth.

"You're afraid," he marveled, enjoying the discovery.

She scowled at the accusation. Concern wasn't the same thing as fear.

"I'm not afraid of anything," she boasted.

He laughed. "That will make choosing your Trial of Courage difficult. But I'm unbelieving. Today you'll prove it to me."

And prove it she must.