I saw a couple requests for a role reversal (of Rey protecting Ben, and one asking that she protect him from the resistance, so here it goes…)

“Stop!” Rey shouted, shoving her way through the crowd of recruits from the resistance. A group of thugs in pilot jackets were beating on Ben, who lay on the ground broken, and wheezing. His lip and nose were bleeding, and he likely had a broken rib. She cracked one pilot across the face with her left hand, and laid another pilot flat with her right fist. Their crowd backed up just long enough for Rey to stand over Ben, her saber drawn and ignited, “Don’t you dare touch him.” She growled, holding the saber out, circling slowly, careful not to step on Ben.

“He’s paying for his crimes!” One shouted back.

“Do you realize who he is?!”

“He’s responsible for the deaths of our families!”

Rey looked the thugs in the eyes, “He’s our last hope.” She silenced the rest of the group with her, her grip tightening on her saber. The very air around her seemed to crackle with fury. “Go now.”

“He needs to answer for what he’s done!”

“HE IS MINE TO PROTECT!” Rey snarled, holding the saber to the pilot’s throat, “If you, or anyone else comes near him, I’ll cut you open from your navel to your throat.” Her eyes showed her unbridled rage, and her resolve.

Slowly, the crowd dissolved. The only ones that lingered were the pilots. She knew this wouldn’t be the last fight, but this would be the last time Ben would be left alone with them.

With the pilot thugs gone, Rey shut off her saber and clipped it back to her belt, and crouched beside Ben, who hadn’t moved since her intervention. She touched his face, “Ben?”

He flinched, and groaned, “Rey.”

She let out a sigh of relief, “I came as soon as I heard your thoughts.” Ben groaned and turned on his back, “Steady.” She whispered, “Don’t try to move too fast.”

He held a hand up for her, a silent plea for help, which she gladly took, helping him sit up, her other hand firmly on his back for support. He gasped and clutched a hand to his side, “I definitely think something is broken.”

Rey’s aura flickered red, her lip curling and her brow furrowed with rage, “If I ever see their faces again…” she pulled the cuff of her sleeve down, wiping the blood from his mouth. Ben coughed, wincing in pain, “I’m sorry.” She murmured, “Let’s get you to the infirmary.” He nodded in response, letting Rey stand up first. She held out her hand to him, which he took. “Ready?” Ben nodded again, and she quickly pulled him up. He cried out in pain, staggering into her. Rey planted her feet and caught him, letting him put his left arm across her shoulders, as she wrapped her right hand around his waist to support him. They slowly shambled out of the hangar together.

“Rey?” Ben said quietly.

“Yes?”

“Thank you. For everything.”

Rey smiled, her cheeks turning rosy. She slipped her left hand up to his, lacing her fingers between his own. “Always.”