Permanent Mark

Chapter 37

Rey looks up from under the X wing as the ship lands. 

She immediately senses his force signature. 

"He's here!" she shouts, dropping her wrench. 

"What the hell?" Rose says. 

Rey bounds to the ship just in time for the ramp to lower. She throws herself at him. 

"Luke!" she shouts. 

"Oh my goodness, Rey!" Luke stumbles back a foot, catching himself, "be careful, I'm old, remember? Wow, look at you. All grown up."

Things have been tense between Luke and his sister's family, to say the least. Luke knows he's done wrong. He'd taken good care of Rey though. It was his only way to try to make up for the wrongs he'd committed with his nephew. 

As word reached Luke what his nephew had become, Luke took the full blame. He shut down his academy, considering himself a failure. He went into exile on the planet containing the original Jedi temple, in search of himself. He couldn't help Ben but maybe he could return to his roots and prevent himself from harming anyone else. 

Rey is fully aware of Luke's bad decisions. It took her a very long time to get past it. She's still not fully past it. However, she still loves her master. Her excitement in seeing him overrides her anger, for the moment. 

Ben watches from the trees, torn, angry, confused. He's avoided Rey all day. Last night's events were so strange. He doesn't understand what happened. He knows without a doubt that he didn't hallucinate Rey in his room. Neither did she force project herself. The effort would kill her. Besides, why would she when he's literally just down the corridor? Something strange is happening. He senses it in the force. The connection between him and Rey has grown stronger. She doesn't seem to realize it though. 

His nightmare comes back to him in a flash, jarring him. But it wasn't a nightmare, was it? It was Snoke. He's weaseling his way in while Ben is unguarded, in his sleep. He's showing Ben his full intentions. 

He wants Ben. Worse than that, he wants Rey. 

There's no way in fuck that will happen, even if Ben has to die to keep Rey safe. 

Even if he has to cower at Luke-fucking-Skywalker's feet. Whatever it takes. 

He throws his pride down and emerges from the trees, making his way to Rey and his uncle. 

Luke's eyes bulge from their sockets at the sight of his nephew. They haven't seen each other in ten years. 

Not nearly long enough. 

"Ben," Luke says, pulling away from Rey's embrace. 

"Uncle," Ben acknowledges him, not able to hide his disgust. 

"Look Ben it's Luke!" Rey says, overreaching with excitement, making an effort. 

"Yes, Rey, I see him," Ben says, a tiny bit of a smile sneaking in at her. 

Luke is looking up at his nephew, a little bit in wonder. 

"Wow, how'd you get even taller?"

"Wow, how'd you get even older?" Ben responds back at him. 

"Touche'" Luke replies. 

"Rey," Ben says, not taking his eyes off of Luke, "it's lunchtime, wanna eat with me?"

"I thought I'd eat with your parents and Luke. Aren't you coming?"

"No," Ben replies. 

"It's okay, Rey, I need to speak to my sister," Luke tells her.