Permanent Mark

Chapter Seventeen

Ben felt so much better now that he was home. Although the days when Rey was away at school, the voice tried to creep in.

It whispered that his parents still didn't love him, that Han only came after him because Rey cried for him. It knew about Rey now, there was no more hiding her.

She's just a kid. She'll grow up and forget about you. Unless you can turn her. Teach her my ways. Then you can keep her forever.

"Shut up....." Ben muttered under his breath.

Leia looked up from her plate. "What did you say, Ben?'

"Nothing Mom. Nothing."

"Oh....okay. Hey, I was thinking. You want to go with me to Jakku? I need to go check on the progress there."

Ben is shocked. Maybe his Mom trusts him more now....

"Really Mom? Yeah, I'd love to. Should we take Rey?"

Leia shakes her head, stabbing her fork into her food.

"No, I don't think she's ready to go back there. It may bring up bad memories. Besides, school...."

Ben nods. He'd never stand to see Rey traumatized again by that place.

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"But I want to go......and I'm out of school for a week!" Rey whines, just a bit. Ben sighs. He's packing his bag.

"Rey....we all think it would be too hard for you. For once, I agree with Leia."

"Ben, please?" She looks at him, those hazel eyes a bit greener from the dampness they hold.

"Rey....no."

"Ben....please?? The last time you left, I didn't see you for eight months! You promised not to leave me again!"

"It's not like that Rey and you know it. You know I'll be back."

Then the tears.

Not the kriffing tears.....Ben thinks.

Then she bites her bottom lip and he's done for. He slams his last bit of clothing into his bag.

"Dammit Rey!! It won't always work, you know.....ugh!!"

"Yay!" She shouts, bouncing up and down as Ben leaves to speak to Leia.

They depart a few hours later, Han included since Rey is also going. Ben and Han pilot the Falcon.

They arrive on Jakku at midday, the sun high in the sky, the heat permatrating every surface. It's miserably hot.

Rey handles it like the desert girl she is, walking out onto the sands like she owns the place. Ben stomps out, covered in black, grumbling. Rey looks up and shakes her head.

"Black? Really?"

"I hate sand," he mumbles.

Rey just laughs at him. "Big whiny baby."

"Me?? You whined your way here, brat."

"Now children, quit fighting," says Leia in her best mom voice, walking ahead.

"I'm with Ben on this one, it's kriffing hot as hell." complains Han.

Leia and Rey just look at each other and roll their eyes.

Rey runs ahead, excited. She is eager to see the changes. Ben stretches his legs as far as they will go, wanting to stay close to her. He doesn't like for her to go far.