One-Shots -- Star Wars

What Should Have Happened-- part III

The rebels had arrested Ben about a week ago. An unused storage shed had been converted into his cell, and there was at least one rebel standing guard outside at all times. Rey had gotten the rebels' doctor to treat his injuries, though it had taken less convincing than she had expected.

"We take an oath," the doctor had told her. "We're to treat whoever comes to us to the best of our ability. Whatever other people may think of them, whatever their social station or their history, first and foremost they're just someone who needs treatment." That had been that.

Ben hadn't fought, hadn't resisted once. The first few days they had questioned him, asking for information about where other high-ranking members of the First Order had been at the time of the Exogol battle or where they might go. Ben had cooperated, answering their questions willingly and as best he could. He knew many of them didn't know what to make of that.

The past couple of days had been quiet. Rey had told him the rest of the Resistance was trying to decide what to do with him, and had promised to do all she could in his favor.

The days had been outwardly quiet, anyway. At times Ben was calm, willing to wait and think. Other times he would jump up and pace the shed enough that he felt like he should've worn a hole in the floor by now.

Ben was leaning back against the wall, contemplating trying again to search the Force for information. Were the odds of success any better than before?

But then he felt a familiar sensation. He sat up straight as the connection opened again, for the first time since Exogol.

He felt relieved at the sight of Rey. He hadn't been sure whether the connection would continue, or whether its purpose had been served and it would end. He had felt like he would know if it had been severed, but didn't know for certain.

"Any news?" he asked immediately.

Rey had nothing definitive. "Well, a number of people aren't sure what should be done," she said. "Things have been going slowly. I've done all I can, told them you're not a threat, argued for giving you a chance. There are a few who would be willing to at least lessen a sentence. But the thing is... there's still a lot of people on this base who think you need to pay. And a lot of people out in the galaxy who'll be out for your blood once they know you're alive."

Ben just nodded. He had expected this. He had been thinking of ways he could run if the chance arose.

"But you're my family," Rey went on. "I don't want to see you thrown to the raiders."

Ben felt a warm glow in his chest at Rey's words. It was such a simple statement, but it was a sentiment he'd long thought he would never hear again.

Rey held out her hand. She was holding a small multitool, a good one with a few dozen different applications. Ben took it, and she could see that ideas were already forming in his mind. She wasn't sure what he would do, but was certain that he could manage to escape with it.

"Just don't hurt anyone," she asked of him.

Ben set the tool down. "Don't worry."

"The main landing pads are to the east, where we came in," Rey said. "There's another set of ships to the south. There's nothing further on but jungle in either direction. The droids all plug in for the night, but there may be a few people working there."

"Rey..." Ben said. "Thank you. For everything you've done."

"You're worth it," she told him, holding his gaze.

"I'm going to miss you," Ben confessed.

"Miss me?" Rey raised a brow as she gestured between them. "This isn't goodbye. You can't get rid of me."