Force connections

Difficult conversations

I had been dreading this since my conversation with Rey the previous night.  I had called a meeting and now the six faces of the other knights stared eagerly at me.  I removed my helmet and cleared my throat.  "I have a proposition for you.  We need more man power, people with weapons, ships and fighting skills.  I know of a group who are also looking to eliminate the First Order".  Malbus stood then, his tanned face cold and taut with irritation "Don't say the resistance" he barked.  I raised my chin, trying hard to maintain my hold on the other men, "It is the resistance " I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.  A groan went up from the table and for a moment my mind went to Rey and I wondered if she was having as hard a time as me.  "I know, I didn't want to join them either, that was why I wound up here, with you men, but this way we don't have to join them, we can just use the extra man power to achieve our goal" I finished.  Malbus spoke then his deep voice filling the room "And after?  What then, what we cozy up with them?".  "No, we remain separate, they go their way, we go ours" I said, my eyes scanning the other knights faces.  "Give us a moment master"Malbus said, waving his arm, signalling for the others to huddle around him.  They spoke in hushed tones whilst I remained sat at the opposite end of the table.  Finally Malbus approached me, his hand held out.  I hesitated and then took it, shaking firmly and then after that I shook every other knights hands.  They were in, now I just had to wait to speak to Rey.

I waited until the evening to connect with her.  I figured that she might be busy convincing people today.  I hoped that she had managed to get them on side.  My heart momentarily ached at the thought of her turning me down again.  I closed my eyes, regulating my breathing and looking for her light and then, when I found it, I headed for it.

Rey saw me coming this time, I guessed she was waiting for me.  She didn't hesitate when I appeared and threw her arms around me, her lips touching mine.  To be completely honest, tonight all I wanted was a yes or a no but the kiss was so good that my body over-rode my mind and soon I was returning it.  Finally we parted.  "How did it go?" I asked eagerly, taking Rey's hands in mine.  For a moment she didn't answer but then she suddenly hugged me, her lips kissing my shoulder.  "It was a long day filled with difficult conversations.  Some people aren't happy, but we're in, Ben we will join you".  My heart soared and tears sprang to my eyes. Rey saw my emotions and reached up, wiping my tears away,"How did your people take it?" She asked softly.  "They're in" I said simply.  We hugged again and my heart swelled.  Rey was trusting me, letting me show her a new way.  I promised Rey that I would be in touch soon with details of a rendezvous point so that we could all come together and then with a kiss on my cheek, she vanished.

My mind whirling I sat down on my bed.  The day had gone far better than I had dared hope and then I thought of Rey and a flutter of excitement filled my stomach.  I would see her soon in the flesh and that thought made me more excited than anything.