Star Wars: The Rebirth Of The First Order

Chapter 17

Later, when Ben was alone he felt a familiar presence. He was relieved when he turned to see Rey standing there. At least this time he would have good news to tell her.

He opened his mouth to speak, to tell her that Hux was willing to try to negotiate with the Resistance, but there seemed to be a lot on her mind and she started talking before he had a chance.

"Ben... I don't know if there will ever be peace between the Resistance and the First Order. The Resistance found one of the First Order captains still alive at the crash site. We're taking care of her in our medical bay..."

Her? Ben thought. Could it be? "What's her name?" he interrupted.

"Finn said that her name was Phasma," she answered.

Ben smirked. Wait until I tell Hux, he thought.

"She said that there could never be peace between the First Order and the Resistance." Rey continued, she sounded upset and concerned. Ben hated to see her that way. "There will never be peace."

Ben gently placed his hands on her shoulders. "Rey don't worry, everything will be okay. Hux, my top General has agreed to try to make peace between the First Order and the Resistance. He really has more pull in the First Order than I do and if he's on my side I'm sure that the rest of the First Order will follow."

Rey smiled and hugged him excitedly. "That's wonderful Ben."

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

She pulled away from him and looked up into his eyes. "Ben... even if there isn't peace between the First Order and the Resistance, I hope that there can at least be peace between us."

Ben smiled and gently brushed his fingers across her cheek. "There will be, I promise. If there can't be peace between the First Order and the Resistance, I'll come to you."

"Really?" she asked.

He nodded. "I promise."

"Supreme Leader we've dropped out of hyper......" Hux tallied off as he seen the two of them.

Ben turned to look at Hux, surprised. He moved to stand between Hux and Rey. He trusted Hux more than he used to, but he wasn't willing to take any chances with Rey. He watched Hux carefully.

Hux just stood there jaw hanging open as though it might come off the hinges

Ben looked at Rey but she had vanished. He turned back to look at Hux. "General..." he began, not entirely sure what he intended to say.

"So that's what he meant" Hux whispered to himself.

"What?" Ben asked, he couldn't make out what he had said.

"So that's the REY girl" Hux said

Ben blushed slightly. "Um... yeah."

"She's the reason you've been acting so different" Hux yelled in realization.

Ben looked at him for a moment. "No..." he replied, he could see that Hux was becoming angry and he didn't want him to see Rey as the one who was causing his weakness. He wasn't sure what Hux would do to her if he knew the truth.

"Yes she is don't bother denying it I know she is" Hux said crossing his arms across his chest

"Fine," Ben gave in. "But if you even think about hurting her Hux..."

"You'll kill me" Hux finished

Ben nodded, solemnly.

"Uhh sometimes you can be too protective of the people you care about"

Ben didn't reply, he was still watching Hux cautiously, trying to sense rather or not he was thinking about trying to hurt Rey.

"Well aren't you going to say something...defend yourself?" Hux asked

"I... I don't want anything to happen to her and I don't care what anyone, including you thinks about it, I will defend her with my life if it comes to it," he finally spoke.

Hux smirked "she must really be special"

Ben nodded, "she is."

Hux shook his head still smiling "well come on we're here" then he walked out of the room

Ben sighed in relief that the awkward conversation had passed.