20. REY - The Ultimatum

"I don't like it. You know you don't have to do it. They need us to defeat the First Order."

Ben leans down to kiss the frown on my forehead and I close my eyes tightly to hold on to the moment.

"Cave of Evil, how bad can it be?" Ben jokes and I want to hit him.

"Ben," I try and he dares to laugh. Frustrated, I turn my back to him. "Please don't joke. Many of whom have entered have died."

Walking up, he wraps his arms around me and I lean my head back onto his chest. We stand like this for several minutes. Neither of us speak and with our breathing synchronizing in speed and depth. His chest lifting with my chest and his warm exhale mixing with mine. I never want to move. But nothing ever lasts forever.

Ben begins to speak in an effort to ease my worry. "It's a cave, Rey. Whatever is in there, it can't hurt me. It's Evil. I'm Evil. Whoever died was weak. They didn't have my powers and they didn't have this."

He squeezes me tighter and places a kiss at the top of my head. I feel myself surrendering. Not that there is a choice. This is not about the Rebels and their ultimatum. Ben could care less of what they want and need. He knows as well as I that they would never dare to refuse him. If they did, they would forfeit their best chance at winning this fight. And, I am sure, they also fear what Ben might do if they would tell him no. Entering the Cave is all about Ben. This is who he is. A challenge has been presented; a dark, exciting, and dangerous challenge. And Ben is not only accepting the challenge, he is looking forward to it.

"When?" I ask, for there is nothing else to say. The decision was Ben's and he has made it.

"Tomorrow," he replies. "No need to wait."

"No need," I echo back, feeling a coldness creep up on me. It feels like a forewarning. "I'll come with you."

"I know you will. But only to the entrance of the cave. Only I enter."

Frustration and anger rise. "Why? Because it's dangerous? Because I might die?"

"Yes," he whispers back, his lips at my ear. I try to rotate to see him but he holds me tight and close. " Please. Let me keep you safe, Rey. Please."

In my head, I had been preparing an argument. Even before I was a Jedi, I never feared danger. Ever battle will have a risk of death, but still I always chose to fight. And, his fight is also my fight. This is what I was going to say. I was but his words turn me mute. Hearing him say Please has this effect on me. Lord Kylo Ren, the strongest and most feared, asking me please.

"If I see something... hear something... sense something, I'm coming... and I will tear that cave apart until I find you."

"I know you will."