Chapter Text
Ben sat in the chair next to Rey's bed as the doctor and nurse once again attached the EEG, EMG, EOG, AND EKG sensors to both him and Rey. He felt he almost got her to wake up last time. Though she would have woken from a nightmare, Ben did not want her to wake up frightened and ready to fight, as the previous dream sequence was the memory of their duel on Starkiller Base. He didn't want to fight her, and she’d felt she had no choice but to fight him. Ben had his orders: bring the girl to Supreme Leader Snoke. He only needed to tire her out. She was untrained, and he highly underestimated her. Ben managed to awaken, startled before the dream sequence went to their fight.
He clenched his fists as each sensor was placed on his head, face, and chest. He could only hope whatever she was dreaming about would be better than their first hours together. Though he had no choice in the matter, he regretted fighting her; being a touch more aggressive than he had to be. Even though she was untrained in the force, he knew she was highly skilled in combat, just not with a lightsaber. He just needed to get her to the point of exhaustion and make her pass out once more or cuff her. He wanted her to join him. He wanted Rey to be willing to let him teach her.
"Supreme Leader, you are both ready now. Are you sure you do not need anything to help you fall asleep?" the doctor asked.
"I do not need anything."
"Very well, sir, you may lie down next to your wife." The doctor turned off the lights on the way out.
There was just enough light from the monitors that he could see where he was walking. Then Ben laid down on the bed. He softly kissed her shoulder and wrapped an arm around her sleeping frame.
Before long, Ben fell into a deep slumber, but he knew he wasn't falling into her dream. This was a dream he had before.
The thunderous sound of hoofs galloping on the dirt and mud echoed throughout the forest, and a light mist filled the air. Panic swept through the master of the Knights of Ren as he could no longer feel the magical bond to his other half. As he traveled further north, the light precipitation turned into tiny snowflakes. This land was cursed; he knew as much but could not turn away. He had to find her.
"Kriff! Faster Whisper!" he yelled and gave his valiant steed a swift nudge of his heel. The beautiful black Alderaanian horse picked up speed. He was getting closer; he could feel it.
The snow began to fall heavier, leaving his hair and cheeks wet in its wake. In his time of worry for his beloved, he also felt free as he’d also just destroyed the helmet he’d donned for so many years. The helmet symbolized his repressed self, the symbol of fear and hate. A symbol his former master, Lord Snoke, made him wear. The same man who cursed the lands he once called home. Lord Snoke also helped curse Kylo's beloved by helping his master, Lord Palpatine.
During this snowy and desperate ride, Kylo thought back on what led up to this point:
Lord Palpatine knew Kylo would betray him; he sensed it. The older Lord, the supposed blood of Rey, was too old to summon most of his warlord powers. When Kylo decided to approach the older man in one last effort to achieve peace, he sent his faithful knights to protect his betrothed.
When Kylo felt the knights had enough time to locate Rey, he and his generals rode to Lord Palpatine's castle in Exegol. He no longer needed Master Snoke's guidance nor Snoke's master Palpatine's influence. He went to them when he lost all hope. He lost Rey when they were young. He never had his uncle's approval or his parents: at the time, they were as good as dead to him.
As Kylo, Hux, and Mitaka walked inside the macabre castle, they were immediately met with nine guards surrounding and escorting them to Palpatine.
"My boy. This visit is quite an unexpected- surprise." Palpatine slowly walked to greet him. "Traveling with just your generals? Not your fellow knights?"
"I prefer they be near my fiancé when I am away from her." Kylo calmly answered."I thought Master Snoke was due to be in Exegol?"
"Lord Snoke had other matters to attend to." Palpatine flashed a vile smile. "Ah, yes. One mustn't be too careless with such a delicate flower," Palpatine answered and waved for him to follow as he walked.
"She is not as delicate as you think," Kylo coldly responded.
"I'm sure the streets of Jakku taught her to be strong. I only had her here in Exegol for such a short time before you whisked her away."
"She wasn't happy here."
"I had hoped since you took her away so quickly, you would wed her just as fast. It caused a scandal instead."
"You don't care about the scandal. Let's get straight to it, you wanted. You only wanted me to bed her and mix our blood to provide a powerful heir. Because you know she holds the same power as I. You just wanted to corrupt her power-"
"That is enough, boy," Palpatine's voice grew dark.
"Is it enough because that is the plan?"
Palpatine slowly turned around and looked at Kylo.
"Tell me why you are here."
"With my upcoming union with Rey, these lands will become hers, and ultimately mine due to the laws of the lands. You should have given her power over Exegol amongst others by now." Kylo quickly responded. Hux and Mitaka shift uncomfortably as the guards slowly move as well.
"So, you think you can have power over my lands now?" Palpatine’s cold smile was gone, and just pure evil remained on his face and in his old eyes.
"Yes."
"You think you can take anything? I am in control of everything. Including the life of my granddaughter."
"My king!" Hux hastily whispered before Kylo could reach for his sword. He stepped closer to him and whispered in his ear, "You cannot let your personal feelings interfere. We are severely outnumbered, even with your abilities."
"We will not be getting out of here without a fight. Be at the ready," Kylo whispered back.
"Young fool, I have been in control this whole time. If I were you, I’d be extremely careful. Your uncle could not trust you with your powers because I saw to it he didn't. I helped him foresee what you would become, unbeknownst to him; you only became who you are because of your lack of guidance. You are severely indebted to me. Even if your pathetic mother has already transferred the status of power over to you by making you king, she will never forgive you for the atrocities you committed."
"You wouldn't have power over those lands if it weren't for me. Are you willing to lose your last bit of integrity over power?"
"Exegol, Coruscant, Takadona, Ilum, and Jakku are mine. And you are nothing but dirt beneath my boot. And that girl will be thrown into the sinking fields of Jakku."
"You have now threatened the future queen's life twice. You are breaking the laws of the lands by not relinquishing your rule. I have no choice but to declare war on you and all your lands in the name of Alderaan, D'Qar, Ajan Kloss, and Chandrila," Ben answered with his voice echoing off the walls.
Palpatine barely moved his hand, striking Kylo down with a flash of lightning. Kylo fell to the ground with a sickening thud as his generals drew their swords. Palpatine's guards drew their weapons and charged the three men. Kylo stood back up and drew his cursed sword while lifting his left hand to throw a guard that aimed to attack him. Hux and Mitaka began to parry and attacked the guards along Kylo's side. They never got used to Kylo's "witchcraft" but trusted and followed him loyally.
As Kylo struck down a guard by stabbing him in the abdomen, Palpatine had walked closer and once again struck him with the same wicked lightning. He dropped to his knee and placed his blade in front of him as he took a deep breath; the pain was nearly impossible to ignore. He stood back up just as another guard swung his sword at him. He blocked his opponent's sword, pulled a dagger from his belt, and stabbed the man in the ribs and neck repeatedly until the guard fell, blood pouring out of his body and onto the stone floor. Hux and Mitaka were slowly taking down the guards that surrounded them as Kylo attacked his final guard, keeping Palpatine in his visual range to not be taken by surprise by another strike of lightning. Suddenly he felt the horrible sting of the flesh of his arm being sliced open along his upper bicep. Kylo growled in anger and ran his attacker through with his sword; Hux and Mitaka had finished off their guards in the exact moment. No sooner than had Kylo pulled his sword out of the guard; bolts of unrelenting lightning once again attacked him.
"I should have ended your life years ago, boy."
The sounds of Kylo's groans filled the room, and Hux and Mitaka tried to attack just to be frozen by the force. Palpatine stopped his attack, watched the remaining electricity run through Kylo's body, and then resumed when he tried to push himself up. He paused once more and grinned as he could hear Kylo's moans while he tried to catch his breath.
"Snoke and I knew you were still a weak fool. Snoke already performed the spell. All of the land's pomegranates have been tainted for Rey's lips and hers alone. When the young girl bites into the once forbidden fruit, she will fall into an endless slumber. Young fool, you will never overpower me." Palpatine's sinister laugh filled the air.
Kylo's sword glowed in an amber color as he swiftly stood up. In the split second that followed, Kylo summoned the power of the light and dark he had been trained in and struck his true enemy down with one swipe of his cursed blade. Cutting through Palpatine's old body was as simple as cutting through a softened pear.
Kylo’s heart sank; he couldn't feel his bond to her. He needed to find the love of his life. And after he found Rey, he would have to deal with Lord Snoke.
Kylo could hear Palpatine's words repeatedly during his journey home. His generals tried to keep up, but their horses were not fast enough.
He crossed into Naboo's enchanted forest and found his betrothed. Surrounded by his knights, her friends, and his mother, she lay in a glass coffin.
"Gods no…" He jumped off Whisper and ran over to the coffin. His long legs ached significantly from the long ride, and he nearly stumbled into the coffin. "No, no, no." His hands pressed on the cold glass, and he looked down at his lover. Her brunette hair flowed down past her shoulders, and she wore a dark blue dress that once brought out the light in her eyes, a silver necklace he once wore lay from her neck to her chest, her hands lay on her abdomen, her engagement ring looked as if it were glowing.
He spent his life searching for her, and he’d finally found her, just for her to be ripped away shortly after.
"It's too late," whispered a brave warrior named Finn.
Ben couldn't look up at Finn or anyone else. He could only look down at his wife. His vision blurred as the tears formed. He felt his mother softly touch his arm.
"My son, you must let go. She's gone now," the former queen softly muttered.
"Open it." He stood tall, his eyes never leaving her face.
"My king, I'm sorry, we did everything we could. But Lady Rey is-" another warrior named Poe said sympathetically.
"Open it! Let me bid my farewell to the woman I love," Kylo demanded.
Finn and Poe looked at one another and began to slide the glass top off with the help of the knights.
Kylo stepped forward once the top was off and removed his wet gloves. He watched as the snowflakes fell on her dark brown hair and delicately ran his fingers through her long locks.
"I'm so sorry I was too late. I'm sorry I failed you. I hope when we unite again in the afterlife, if there is such a thing, or in our next life, I will find you sooner." He bent down towards her and placed his hand on one of hers. "My desert rose, I love you, and I will always be with you." He softly kissed her lips.
It felt as if the whole land trembled when he kissed her. When his mouth left her cold lips, she inhaled deeply and grabbed the hand holding her other hand. Kylo looked to her pale face that grew a touch of color and could see that her skin was warming up. Her hazel eyes opened and found his.
"Ben!" She cried out and smiled at her beloved. "You found me."
He helped pull her up into a hug and kissed her again. His free hand held her face even after they slowly pulled back.
"I will always find you, my love." Ben smiled and picked her up out of the coffin.
"What happened?" She tugged at some of the singed materials of his tunic. Then carefully ran her hand down his injured arm, feeling still wet traces of blood along with crusted dry blood. Her other hand traced his face.
"I went to confront them. Lord Snoke and Lord Palpatine. I only found Palpatine. I tried to reason with him: to make him realize his hold on the lands was slipping and to step down with dignity. He refused, and I declared we would be at war. He struck me with his lightning just as I was about to leave. I killed him, Rey. Your grandfather-"
She placed a finger to his lips. "I don't believe I am related to him. I am glad you killed him. Did you ever find your master?"
"He is no longer my master. And no, I have not found him. I needed to find you." His body trembled as he looked her over once more. "I thought you were dead."
"I'm alive, thanks to you." She smiled at him and grabbed his hands.
"Rey, if Palpatine is dead… you are the rightful ruler now," Finn said cautiously.
"Oh? Maybe we should unite our lands once and for all?" She cocked an eyebrow up at Ben.
"You are ready then? I have not courted you for long."
"We were betrothed before we met. I think I do know everything I need to know about you now."
Ben could feel he was waking from the dream, but it felt familiar. Like he lived the dream before. And in this world, Snoke was still alive. The idea of his life-long abuser still living made Ben shudder.
Ben woke with a start. He held perfectly still for a few minutes as he calmed down. He knew for a fact Snoke was dead in this life; he killed the older man himself.
Ben slipped off the bed and paced along the bed to recall the dream. He looked down at Rey and stopped moving. Ben climbed on the bed, then leaned over her and glanced at her lips. He placed his lips on hers, just as he had in the dream, and hoped she would awaken. He pulled away as he felt her grab his arm.
She took a deep breath, her heart monitor began to increase, and he watched as her eyes fluttered open. She held her breath as she looked at his face and found his eyes. Ben remained frozen in place, afraid she would fall back asleep if he moved.
"Ben…" Her voice was raw. "You… found me." She gave him a tired smile.
Her voice, her smile, she was back.
"I will always find you," he said after a moment and smiled at her.
"And you were… always with me?" Tears formed in her eyes as he nodded; his lips quivered. "What happened to me?"
Ben pressed the button to the nurse's station. "I need the doctor in here. She just woke up."
"What?" Rey tried to sit up, but Ben stopped her.
"Rey, you were in an accident. You've been in a coma for a couple of weeks now. Try not to move much," he whispered to her and kissed her forehead. "I've missed you."
"I missed you too," she whispered back. "I could hear you- even when I wasn't dreaming. The dreams," she laid her head back, "they felt so real. Like I've lived them before."
Ben sat down beside her and pulled her hand to his lips.
"Tonight and last night, I think I was in your dreams."
"Sweetheart, you are always in my dreams," she replied as a nurse and doctor came in.
"No, I mean actually in your dreams. I've seen the one from tonight before, but it felt like I've lived it before. Last night, I saw our memories."
"Of Starkiller base?" she asked as the doctor and nurse went over her readings before turning the lights to a dim setting to help her eyes adjust. "I recalled it recently, but something odd happened." She slightly shook her head and smiled. "I know it was just a dream of what happened."
"Rey, you know you can tell me anything," Ben replied as the doctor made her lean forward as he took the stethoscope to her back and had her breathe in and out.
"Well, you remember how it was? After I struck you down, the ground split apart, as if the force was separating us. We were looking at one another. And you didn't say anything in that particular moment, but this time, I heard you. Your mouth didn't move as if you were speaking, but I heard you say, ‘I will find you. I will always find you.’ And I replied, ‘Come find me.’ we never said that to each other on Starkiller." Her throat felt raw, and her hand shook, trying to grasp Ben's hand as she spoke. "Can I have some water, please?" She looked to the nurse, who quickly obliged.
"I said it to you last night. I woke up before my dream got to the fight." He gently placed his other hand on top of her trembling hand.
"My lady, could you tell me what you were dreaming of before you woke up?" the doctor asked as he typed notes into his datapad.
Rey tried to bring the cup to her lips then looked at Ben, embarrassed. "My arm feels too weak to lift this."
"You haven't moved in weeks. Your body will need physical therapy. It will be fine, Rey. You'll be fine." Ben took the cup, brought it to her mouth, tilted it as she drank, and then pulled it away when she made a small noise.
"In my dream last night, I ate my favorite fruit and fell asleep. I could hear dull voices. Then I heard you." She looked at Ben again. "You thought you lost me. You kissed me, and I woke up."
"And I once again said I would always find you. That isn't something I would normally say." He stroked her hair lovingly.
"You normally say you will always be with me before we separated for different reasons."
"Everything is looking fantastic, Supreme Leader. We should try getting her to move soon. I will be back in a bit, and you can try to walk her to the ‘fresher once we remove all the medical equipment."
Rey's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she averted her eyes from his.
"I've been a complete invalid, haven't I?"
"Rey, you almost died. You are here, and you are awake now. That's all that matters. Everyone will be excited. I'll summon Mitaka." He pulled out his comlink.
"What? No! Everyone is probably sleeping. And who is everyone?"
"My mother, Rose, Finn, Poe are among those worried about you. Threepio comes in and tries to talk to both of us, Chewie as well. They haven't left since we brought you back on board. Don't worry; I found them some of the finest rooms."
Her mouth shook as she tried to smile more. "You let them stay."
"And visit. And I talk with them and let fucking Dameron fly my ship because he was bored. I might as well let him have the Whisper. It's a dumb ship, to begin with." He softly kissed her lips again.
"Don't."
"Why? What's wrong?" Ben looked worried and sat up straight.
"I need to brush my teeth." She tried to grip the blanket under her hand then Ben began to laugh.
"My love, that should be the least of your concerns."
Rey leaned against him after she gave him a sheepish smile.
"I wonder if we can connect in each other's dreams now that you are back. The dream felt so real. I've had others like it before. In worlds and times, I don't recognize. I wonder if we knew each other in past lives?" he whispered into her hair.
"I've been wondering the same thing. I had similar dreams growing up. They started after I had first seen a vision of you." She kissed his arm.
"Let's figure it out, together."