Skywalker Rises

A Reasonable Agreement

"Do you want to put me in restraints, General?" said Ben.

Rey glared at him. "Stop baiting him. This is bad enough without alienating one of the few people who really wouldn't consider killing both of us."

"Rey, can you restrain him?" asked Poe.

Poe walked ahead of them. They'd stayed in the infirmary for three days after they woke. The nurse had nearly lost her mind trying to keep Ben in his bed. Rey had gladly stayed in hers. She had just yesterday stopped feeling like the floor was tilting beneath her whenever she stood.

"I can, if you really want me to," said Rey. "But I think it's more likely I'll need to restrain one of the Council members. Just how bad is this going to be?"

"We'll find out soon enough," said Poe.

"Maybe they'll banish us to a far away planet in a remote system where we can live out the rest of our lives in peace no where near them," said Ben.

"I'm training new Jedi," said Rey. 

Ben stared at her, not comprehending. 

"They'll almost all be children," said Rey. "Children aren't peaceful."

"They can't be as bad as First Order officers," said Ben. 

Poe stopped outside of the room Rey had met the Council in before the botched execution. "Stay here until I call you in. Let me try to smooth some feathers before they see you." He entered and closed the door behind him. 

"You're pale," said Ben. 

"I'm OK."

"How long will they make us wait?"

"Who knows. They probably want to present a united front. It might be hours."

"I know a way to put some pink in your cheeks and pass a few hours."

He slid a hand beneath her shirt and brushed the healing scar with his fingers. "Assuming this can withstand it."

"The doctor did say I should work on increasing my physical activity." 

She buried her fingers in his hair, and pulled his mouth down to hers. His other hand went around her waist, tugging the shirt up further. 

The Council room door swung open, and Rey turned to see a few dozen pairs of eyes on them. She smoothed her shirt back down and walked into the room, Ben behind her. 

"Not a few hours," murmured Ben. 

The members of the Council were visibly uncomfortable. 

"I was not informed of the nature of your relationship," said Minister Vandor. His scowl bordered on petulant.

Rey sat in one of the chairs at the end of the table, and motioned for Ben to sit in the other.

"It happened while I was dead, sir," said Ben.

The minister opened and closed his mouth a few times, like a grounded fish. Rey hadn't ever seen him speechless.

"Rey was alive," Ben offered, providing absolutely no clarification for the bewildered Council.

Rey looked at Ben. He caught and held her eye. His face was believably serious, but his eyes glittered with wicked mischief. She frowned at him. If only she could master silent communication. Just to project her thoughts. She didn't want anyone else speaking directly into her mind, not even Ben.

Finn was staring at them. Rey offered him a cautious smile, but he was too overwhelmed to respond.

"We have other issues to discuss," said Poe, pulling everyone's attention back to himself. "Say your piece and let's move on. I will not approve of an execution in light of recent revelations."

Casia, and several other minister looked like they might object, but none did so out loud.

"We have heard recommendations for banishment and imprisonment," said Vandor, finally recovering his voice. "Master Skywalker, what is your opinion?"

"Honestly," said Rey, "we can make all kinds of plans. None of them matter. With Force users like us, there isn't a single thing you can do to stop us if we decide to go our own way, aside from killing us."

"This isn't reassuring," said Vandor.

"I agree," said Rey. "But we should make sure everyone understands the reality. I have a proposal, if you'll hear me out."

The Council members nodded.

"I will return to Ahch-To with Ben Solo. He will help me train new Jedi." She held up a hand to forestall the muttering. "If he returns to the dark side, if he shows any inclination toward his old ways, I will kill him myself."

"Even if you love him?" said Finn.

"Because I love him," said Rey. "I will never allow him to become that person again."

"At the cost of your own life?" said Casia.

"Yes," said Rey.

Ben reached under the table and grabbed her trembling hand. He squeezed once, and when he began to pull away, she clung to him.

Poe nodded to Rey. He wasn't happy with her plan, but he seemed to accept it as a best case scenario. Otherwise, he'd have to figure out how to imprison Ben, and risk his injury or death also effecting her when Ben inevitably decided he didn't want to stay any longer. 

"Perhaps give Mr. Solo some time before he begins teaching," said another Council member. "To give the students a chance to adjust to him."

Rey grinned. "I only have one student so far. The issue will be how long it takes for Ben to adjust to him. This student is very gifted and powerful, and has a history of putting powerful men in their places when they misbehave."

Finn snorted, and Ben looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"I'll ask him to repeat it and see if it jogs your memory," whispered Rey. "Or perhaps to help you form a new memory. I think it's one you can learn a lot from."

"One other thing," said Poe. "The identity of Kylo Ren must remain in this room. I assume all of you have some idea of what would happen to those here if the truth was revealed? For those who haven't considered it, imagine the political backlash if your complicity in allowing him to go free is revealed. It would be political suicide, and I know how much you all value your esteemed positions."

Ben squeezed her hand again. Poe really was a brilliant commander, whether he accepted it or not. 

"You are dismissed," said Poe to Ben and Rey. 

They wasted no time leaving.