All of the Stars - Reylo

Chapter Four

Chapter Four:
Homeward Bound

Rey

   As Ajan Kloss came into view from my seat in Luke's old X-Wing, I started to feel nervous about Ben coming face to face with the Resistance. I didn't think that Poe and Finn especially would be so thrilled to see him. And how about Chewbacca? Would he be happy to see Ben? Or would be resent him? It didn't matter though. I wanted Ben to come with me, and that was their own issue if they couldn't come to terms with it.

I landed in an open space, not too far from the Rebel base. Ben landed his TI-Fighter not too far from me, stepping out of it sooner than I stepped out of my spacecraft. My feet hit the ground and I made my way over to him. "Are you alright with this?"

   "Oh yes, I can't wait." He said sarcastically. I slipped my hand into his, holding it again. I gave him a comforting squeeze, causing him to smile down at him. "Let's get this over with then."

Ben

   To say I was nervous would be an understatement. All of these people cannot stand me. These people have spent years hating me and trying to put an end to my reign. I couldn't blame them either. The feeling of Rey's hand in mine soothed me. She brought time to a halt just by meeting my eyes. I took a deep breath as Rey led us towards the crowds of Resistance members.

   They all looked so happy. People were smiling, laughing, cheering and hugging. Rey pushed through the crowds and I followed her not too far behind. She must had seen the pilot and the stormtrooper because she quickly took off to embrace them. I watched them from over a couple heads of people in the crowds. Everyone was too busy celebrating to even notice me, to my relief. I watched as the three of them smiled and laughed, knowing it was only a matter of minutes until they noticed me.

Suddenly, FN... Finn's eyes fell upon me. I had never seen a smile go away so fast. He let go of Rey and Poe, which caused them both to look over at me. Finn began to make his way over to me, but was quickly stopped by Rey before he got too, too close. "What the hell is he doing here, Rey?" He grunted loudly, causing a few heads to turn. "He's evil... He's a murderer, Rey!" I kept my eyes straight on him, resisting all urge to turn away.

"Finn, enough." Rey interjected, sighing as she kept a grip on his arm.

"Rey you shouldn't have brought him here." The pilot interjected. He was right. I shouldn't have came here. Me being here just makes things harder on Rey. She'd have to deal with this just as much as I did. I turned around, beginning to head back to my ship. How could I make Rey go through all of this?

I felt a tug at my hand, causing me to turn my head and see Rey standing behind me. Her eyes looked sad. I didn't know if I caused it, but it made me stand still. "Ben."

"Ben?" Finn echoed, but Rey chose to ignore him. I liked him better when Rey didn't give him the time of the day.

"Are you crazy?" Poe Dameron asked Rey, causing her to sigh.

"You don't understand." She shot back coldly are them. "If I'm crazy, fine. At least I'm not dead." The crowd around us was now watching, much to my dismay. "Ben saved me. I was dead, and Ben saved my life." She stood in front of me defensively, seemingly ready to go at anybody who came toward her. "He'll be staying here indefinitely... with me." She spoke boldly and assertively. She always mesmerized me that way. She was so strong and defiant. I looked up to her confidence. "If you find a problem with that, you have a problem with me as well."

   Finn stepped forward, causing Rey to put her arm up slightly. "Rey... he's the leader of the First Order. How could you trust him?"

   "You were a stormtrooper, yet I trusted you, did I not?" She was so sharp. I couldn't stop marveling at her, although it clearly wasn't the time. "Now if anyone else would like to discuss their issues with this, you can-"

   "Bring it up with me." The pilot stepped in, patrolling the crowd with his eyes. "Your general." He looked over at me, nodding ever so slightly. I don't think he sympathized with me though. He assumed my mother's position. He probably felt indebted. I cannot imagine anyone liked me here.

   The crowd began to part, creating a path. My eyes fell upon a face I knew all too well. My heart began to ache, just like it had when I saw my father, and when I saw my mother. Rey finally stepped out of the way, leaving just the two of us across. Everyone circled around, like this would be the deciding factor of everything that would happen with me being on the base. I felt tears come to my eyes unwillingly. I would not cry in front of all these people. I refused. I took a deep, unsteady breath. "Chewie." I felt like a child again, looking up at the big Wookiee before me.

   His eyes softened as he took a few step forward, embracing me in his large, furry arms. He grumbled a bit. This all happened to my surprise, but my arms shot up to embrace him the best I could. Even after what I had done to my father, Chewbacca welcomed me. Buried in his fuzzy chest, I allowed myself to let a few tears slip out. I struggled with vulnerability. Rey was the only one who could truly bring it out of me... until today. I felt light. If Chewie could forgive me, maybe I could begin to forgive myself. If my father could, I could.

   We parted and I quickly wiped my eyes before anyone could see, but I wasn't so confident that I was successful. Rey took my hand, clearly able to read what I was going through. The dyad thing, I suppose. The crowds began to scatter, finally. "Come with me. Let's get cleaned up." She rose her hand to my face, removing a smudge of dirt from my cheek. I smiled again. I couldn't stop smiling with Rey nearby. My heart was beating quickly. I placed my hand over hers. "C'mon now, we're together. We're home."