Chapter Text
He’s falling endlessly into nothing. He tries to fight the hold on his body as he falls, but he can’t. As soon as he hits the ground, searing pain shoots up his back and leg. It is hard for him to breathe, to think. To feel. He gasps for breath and tries his best to sit up. His chest and his lungs hurt after getting the wind knocked out of him. The darkness surrounds him, and the lightning in the sky doesn’t help him see. Ben knows he needs to get out of there and fast. Rey needs him. He manages to stand, groaning and mumbling curses as he does so. He can tell he broke something on his right side. Too much pressure sends agonizing pain to his ankle and foot.
He reaches out to Rey with the Force. He can tell she is still lying on the ground, unmoving. He needs to get out of here. Climb, he tells himself as he limps his way to the abyss wall. Hand by hand he clutches the rocks and pulls himself up. The sharp rocks cut into his palms and fingers, and he can feel his blood wetting his hands. He ignores the pain in his right leg as he moves upward, but his right foot slips. He’s falling, but this time he has control of his body. He uses the Force and jumps, bringing his body upward. It exhausted him, but he’s driven to meet his goal. He’s closer than he was before. His body hurts, but he can’t give up.
Just one more climb, he tells himself as his fingers grasp the edge of the rocks. He can see Rey and sense the Force surrounding her, guiding her, influencing her. He hears her voice inside his head. Be with me. He’s filled with a tingle of warmth.
As soon as he reaches the top, he stops. He can feel the strength and guidance of the Force calling to her and to him. He closes his eyes and lets himself feel. Be with me.
Then something changes. A surge of energy. “I have all the Jedi,” he hears her say, and he can feel them, too. Luke. His mother. His grandfather. Others he doesn’t know but wants to. His eyes open, and he watches her strike. He hears her familiar war cry as she blocks off the lightning. He’s nearly there, his body moving on its own. He’s running to catch up to her, to help her win this fight. To end the torment and torture of their families.
He reaches out to his lightsaber and catches it in his hand. It ignites, then he’s right there with her, fighting back Palpatine.
Lightsabers clash and sparks fly everywhere. Palpatine laughs, gathering the last of his strength. Ben and Rey move as one, gaining ground on Palpatine, step by step. The electricity is starting to destroy him. Ben can sense the power overwhelming the Sith Lord. They take one final step forward, and the lightning overtakes Palpatine. His body explodes into nothing, and the ceiling and stands explode and crash down around them.
Ben and Rey fall down to their knees, destruction falling around them. Their lightsabers hit the floor, damaged from their fight. Darkness surrounds them. Up above ships are falling from the sky and being destroyed. It is quiet. Both can sense the relief and restored balance in the Force.
Ben turns to look at Rey, then he feels the all too familiar loss of another soul.
Rey.
Before he can react, he sees her collapse and fall to the ground. Ignoring the pain of his body, he embraces her with one hand and his other cradles the back of her head. Her skin is pale and turning cold. A tear rolls down his cheek as a million thoughts hit him. He places his hand on her abdomen as she did to him, and he blocks out the thoughts of what if and closes his eyes, using the Force and the energy around him to heal her. He feels the powerful energy of the Force flowing from his hand into her still body. He feels the life of his body fading slowly as he sees her body coming back to life in his mind. He knew he could bring her back to life, but feeling the rise of her abdomen as she takes her first breath and a cold hand touching his own is still a shock to him.
Ben opens his eyes and looks at her face. Her brown eyes are bright and full of life, her cheeks are pink, and her skin is tan and warm. “Rey.”
“Ben,” she breathes with a smile. She senses the shift in him, knows that he’s abandoned Kylo Ren. He is good, and she is good. She knows together they will restore what is broken. She’s lost in his dark eyes. A thousand questions plague her mind, and she knows he has them, too.
Rey shifts her body, and her lips press against his. Ben is frozen at first. This wasn’t at all what he imagined, but he quickly follows his instincts. His arms snake around her, pulling her body close against his as he deepens their kiss. It’s rushed, messy, and new to both of them. New emotions course through them and their weakened bond. The feelings are overwhelming and warm.
Ben breaks their first kiss, and his forehead rests against hers. Their breathing is heavy and ragged. Rey’s fingers release their grasp on his clothes. She closes her eyes, and then she feels it. His body goes limp against her, and she can feel his life fading away in their bond.
“No!” she screams as she holds his body in her arms. This wasn’t what was supposed to happen. Tears fill her eyes as she holds him. His face is peaceful, and his eyes are closed. “Ben,” she cries, resting her hand over his chest. “Come back to me.” She closes her eyes and calls on the Force like before. “Please, Ben.” She feels the familiar warm energy pass through her hand and flows into him. She feels her body becoming weak and tired, but she won’t give up. Either they die together, or they both live. The rise and fall of his chest causes her to open her eyes.
She can see Ben is breathing, but he hasn’t opened his eyes. He’s barely hanging on. “Thank you,” she whispers, unsure of to who, and she gives his forehead a quick kiss. With all the strength she has, she gets Ben on his feet, and she walks them to his TIE fighter. She does her best to make Ben comfortable as she maneuvers his body in his seat. Ben moans in pain. The healing she provided didn’t do much for his injured leg. She soothes him, brushing the hair out of his face, then she buckles him in, sets his ship on autopilot, and puts in the coordinates for the Resistance’s base.
It isn’t long before she’s in her X-Wing and catching up with Ben’s ship. She manages to send a message to the Falcon. “Lando?”
She hears Finn’s voice immediately. “Rey? Are you okay? Do we need to pick you up?” He’s alert and protective and worried.
“No, Finn. I’m fine,” she half laughs. I’m on my way back to the base, but I need a favor.”
“Anything you need,” Lando replies.
“I need you to inform the other ships to not attack the TIE fighter flying next to me.”
“Rey, are you crazy?” Finn blurts out, already catching on to Rey’s plan.
“Just trust me,” she pleads. “I’ll explain everything once everyone is back.” Nothing can prepare her for what will happen next.