Let the Light In

Chapter 48: Tentative

Chapter 48: Tentative

"So what's the protocol for taking me in?" Rey leaned back from their embrace to look him in the eyes.

Ben's trepidation was still apparent, and Rey would be lying if she said she didn't feel the same way. In fact, is was only his arms firmly wrapped around her waist that was keeping her together at all while she so boldly faced the prospect of being brought before Snoke.

At the disheartened look he gave her, Rey threw him a cheeky, if not slightly shaky, smile past the unyielding rain.

"Are you going to carry me onto your ship again?"

Ben graced her with a laugh. It was a nervous, slightly bitter one, but it had a genuine ring to it that made Rey's heart lighten. He squeezed her before loosening his arms, and leading her back under the thick cover of the trees, where the rain was not so heavy. She clipped her discarded lightsaber to her belt, before taking the hand that he held out to her.

"Now," he cleared his throat of the bubble that weighed it down, "Now I'll take you to Korriban in my fighter. When we actually get to the ship, I'll let Phasma know that the Knights are dead. This will prompt them to retreat with immediate effect."

Rey followed him as he carved a path through the forest, her hand firmly clasped in his.

"You're certain?" she asked, nimbly keeping up with him.

"Positive. Your targeting of the Elite camps knocked quite an unusual dent in their easy-access garrison, and while Stormtroopers are effective, the Resistance boasts equal skill. And Luke. The First Order couldn't spare many for this fight, and the Knights were sent in place of whole squads. With them gone, there is little to no chance of a victory."

"So," Rey breathed as they jumped down a short drop-off to the next level of forest floor, "I take it General Hux won't be charmed that you've essentially fracked the First Order over again, in favour of me."

Ben snorted another laugh, "Don't be absurd. I'm blaming both the Knights' deaths on you."

Rey beamed at the way he seemed to be easing up, whether it was from the nerves or if he was working out of them, she didn't care. At least he wasn't rejecting her, or cutting himself off.

"That's the spirit!" she chuckled, nearly running into him when he stopped by a clearing.

The rain made it difficult, but Rey could make out the shape of his fighter from Hoth at the edge of the little glade.

"This is awfully close to the battle, Ben."

"It's not my fault you expanded those borders when you crashed so far away."

Rey rolled her eyes, letting his hand go so that he could open the fighter.

After a beat, he spoke again, his voice hesitant, "Rey, do you intend on just disappearing, or are you going to let one of your friend know?"

Rey had to blink at him for a few moments before she understood that he was being completely serious in his question. Then she laughed aloud and brushed past him to climb into the co-pilot's seat.

Leaning out, she grabbed the door, "Yes Ben," she smiled down at him, all nerves gone for the time being, "Because I get kidnapped often enough to tell whomever has me in their nefarious grasp 'hang on just a click, I need to let the General know I'm alright.'"

With that, she swung the hatch shut and sat back in the seat, wiping the water off her face, and pulling her hair out of its twine to shake it out. The fighter shook slightly when Ben closed his own hatch, and fired up the engines.