Keep Him There

The Night the Ground Shook

    The Lothalian sky was crisp blue as the Falcon descended into its atmosphere, the same color that lined the sky of Ben's homeworld, Chandrila. It was his favorite color.

He stared out the viewport onto the expanse of golden grasses. They had almost a calming effect on him, bending back and forth with the wind like waves in the ocean. Though they were nothing compared to the woman beside him.

Ben glanced at Rey. Her eyes were bright with excitement, pointing to the white towers of Capital City in front of them. She was so excited with anything new, it was impossible for him not to be ecstatic with her. He'd been everywhere. Even before joining the First Order, his father and mother had dragged him along to countless systems. Nothing in the galaxy was new to him anymore.

Seeing her like this though, it brought a fresh look to everything. Like he was discovering things for the first time too.

"Ready?" he asked her as the ship landed. Rey nodded eagerly, nearly sprinting out the door. Ben strode after her with a grin plastered on his face.

She was outside when he caught up to her, standing in the midst of a patch of cropped grass.

"I wonder why it's so short here." Rey looked back at him.

"It's finally growing back. The Imperial excavation of this planet wasn't done with preservation in mind." a female voice called from behind them.

Immediately, Ben's hand slipped down to the lightsaber at his side and drew it. Behind them stood an older woman, looking a little bit older than his mother had been. Her hair was a bright peach color, contrasting nicely with her tanned skin.

"Easy, friend." the stranger took a step back, "My name's Sabine Bridger, I believe you're looking for my husband?"

"Ezra Bridger? Yes, we need to speak with him." Rey spoke up, moving to stand next to Ben.

"He told me to expect you. I have speeders waiting, how many are with you?"

"We have three. Chewbacca is staying with the ship." Finn said, emerging from the Falcon.

"Alright, you can ride with me-"

"Finn."

"Finn, you'll ride with me. You two," she gestured to Ben and Rey, "Can take the other speeder. I apologize in advance for Chopper.  He'll be the droid accompanying you. He's very senile these days."

Rey giggled. Sabine's eyes crinkled as well, but before she could add anything more she was interrupted by a slew of profanity in binary.

"Alright Chop, we're coming. Good luck with him." the old woman led them to the speeder toting the droid and then climbed on her own speeder with Finn.

"Follow me."

And then she took off toward the white mass.

Ben mounted the speeder and Rey settled herself behind him. Her arms moved under his armpits, her hands pressed flat against his chest.

"Hold on," he told her gently as he accelerated.

"I know how to ride a speeder, Ben." Rey replied with a huff.

"Then why are you hanging on so tightly?"

Rey didn't answer him, just buried her face in between his shoulder blades. He could feel her trying to suppress a smile. Ben smirked too.

They pressed on into the fields of Lothal, farther and farther away from the city. Great round mountains sprung up from the terrain in front of them. Off in the distance stood an old radio tower, probably once used by the Empire. Sabine seemed to be taking them towards it.