Saving the Monster

Chapter 55

Rey swallowed, "Is there somewhere we can go? Somewhere more private?"

Lando hesitated, his eyes switching between Rey and Kylo, before he nodded slowly, "Ok, come on"

Lando led Rey out of the bar and Kylo followed, his head down and his face hidden. He led them back through the town and then into a steep ravine, it's walls textured by the strong desert winds.

At the very end stood what looked like a cave. Rey hesitated at the entrance, glancing behind her at Kylo and then following Lando into the darkness.

"Watch your step, we'll be in the light in a few moments" came Landos voice from ahead of Rey in the gloom.

They turned a corner and Lando paused, pressed something on the wall and then turned to grin at Rey as a whir went up and the room before them flickered to life.

The cave was simple and yet comfortable looking. A table with benches stood along one wall and on the other side Rey could see a makeshift kitchen and then beyond it a seating area with expensive looking chairs and shelves laden with treasures.

Lando held out his arm, his walking stick raised triumphantly as he turned to Rey, "What do you think? Not bad for a gambler!"

Rey managed a small smile and nodded, "It's wonderful. Look Lando I..."

He held up his hand to stop Rey, "Can I fix you a drink?"

Rey shook her head.

Lando leant past her to look at the other cloaked figure, "How about your friend? Say, I didn't catch your name?"

Rey turned just in time to see Kylo pull his hood down. When she turned back to Lando his face was ashen,

"Ben?" He stammered, his hand reaching out to press against the cave wall, his other gripping his walking stick so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"Lando look we have some explaining to do" Rey began, approaching the older man, her palms held out to him as if she were dealing with a dangerous creature like a Rathtar or an Anooba.

"You can say that again.....this is Kylo Ren, Supreme Leader of the goddamn First Order!" Lando cried, pointing his stick at Kylo

Rey kept her hands raised as she spoke quickly, "No, no, you were right the first time, this is Ben Solo. He's with me.....he's left the First Order...we need your help, we've nowhere else to go"

"What's Leias take on all this?" Lando asked, his eyes on Kylo

Rey gulped as hot tears began to sting her eyes and she dropped her head.

"Leia doesn't know. Does she?" Lando said slowly.

Rey sniffed, swiping at the tears that were falling down her cheeks, "No. She made me leave..."

Lando sighed heavily, gesturing for Rey and Kylo to follow him through to the seating area, "I think you better start from the beginning".

Rey told Lando everything, the visions, the force bonds, the Dyad between her and Ben, the futures they'd glimpsed for one another, and finally the sacrifices they'd made for one another, and what her sacrifice had cost her.

Kylo had sat opposite Rey, listening intently and Lando had sat next to Rey, his eyes searching her face as if trying to ascertain whether or not she was lying.

"And you want me to hide you both here? I'll have troops on my doorstep in no time. Why the hell should I do this? He murdered my dearest friend!" Lando said, standing up to pace the room as he leant heavily on his stick.

Rey glanced at Kylo, who had hung his head and then back at Lando, "When I left the resistance base do you know the only member who was sad to see me go, that voted for me to stay, despite my allegiance with Ben, despite what Ben has done?"

Both men looked at Rey, equally intrigued. Rey took a deep breath, trying to quell the tears that were creeping up on her, but failing terribly as her mind was filled with memories of her friends. "Chewbacca. He wanted me to stay. Doesn't that tell you something if Chewie can forgive? Ben Solo is still alive"

"That true? Am I looking at Kylo Ren or Ben Solo?" Lando asked, turning to look at Kylo, who was still busy staring at Rey,

Kylos eyes moved to look at Lando and Rey watched as he chewed his lip before speaking, his voice low and steady, "Kylo Ren is gone, I'm with Rey"

Rey beamed at him, fighting back the urge to run to him and throw her arms around him.

Lando nodded, "Ok. But I'm only doing this because Chewie cares and I know Leia would want you both safe. I only have the couch and one spare bedroom so you'll have to try to work that out between the two of you, and I don't want any trouble, you hear? No trouble, I'm too old and grouchy for that"

Rey smiled, relieved to have an  ally "Thank you" she whispered through fresh tears.