BethBee_Stings Thank you so much for your kind support and help to make this story a better read.

"It's around this corner.”

“You know you said that at least twice now, don't you?” Ben teased her lightly.

Rey turned around grinning and laid her hands on Ben's chest who had come to a stop right in front of her.

“I know, but someone is distracting me quite a lot.”

Ben leaned in to kiss her softly. 

“I won't apologize.” He whispered. 

Her breath tickled against his skin and he bit down on her bottom lip lightly. Rey walked backwards a few steps until she leaned against a nearby tree, pulling Ben with her by his jacket and deepening the kiss as they went. 

He traced the seam of her shirt with his fingers about to brush the soft skin he knew lay underneath, when a cough came from behind him. Ben broke the kiss and inhaled sharply, his eyes closed as Rey blushed deeply.

“Uncle.”

“Ben.”

“You have developed a strange sense for timing.”

Ben turned around discovering that smug expression on Luke’s face again. It made anger bubble up in him and he was about to make a vicious remark when another voice spoke out from behind Luke. 

“Actually it was me this time.”

Ben's anger faded immediately and was replaced by utter surprise.

“Grandfather...” he whispered as another man came into view behind Luke.

“Walk with me, kid.” Anakin said smiling and nodding towards a path through the trees. Ben stepped towards him taking a look back at Rey who nodded with the hint of a smile on her face. 

As Ben walked beside the ghost of his grandfather, Anakin tried to wrap an arm around Ben's shoulder but ended up placing a hand on his upper back because of Ben's height. Rey sniggered.

---

“She seems nice.” Anakin said looking back at Rey who was talking animatedly to Luke. 

Ben looked back at them as well and a lopsided smile crept onto his face.

“She's perfect.”

“Finally! Maker, it took you long enough to come to your senses!” Anakin burst out, when they were out of earshot.

Ben starred dumbfounded at the ghost of his grandfather.

“What? You think I didn't hear all the conversations you had with that old burned mask? All that stuff about finishing what I started and the power of the dark side? You asked all the wrong questions.”

Ben looked rather embarrassed. 

“But...” he started.

“But I was far more powerful when I turned to the dark side? Sure, but at what cost? I lost the woman I loved, almost killed her and my unborn children in my rage. In the end she died because the things I did broke her heart. You should have learned from my mistakes. Power in the Force won't make you happy in the long term.”

Ben looked at the ground. He was feeling so many things at the same time he wasn't sure what to say or do. His mother and uncle had hinted at this part of his grandfather's past, but it hadn't been a topic they had talked about often and he had not asked. 

“I'm not saying this is all your fault, your parents and uncle have a fair share in how things turned out as well.”

“I get what you are saying, but how should I protect her from the First Order without power?” Ben asked pointing in the direction they came from. Suddenly he felt something hitting his shin hard.

“Heeded your grandfather's words not did you?”

Ben turned to see a small and very old green being about to hit him again with it’s cane. He hastily took a step back narrowly escaping the blow. 

“Master Yoda.” Anakin greeted him bowing slightly.

“Yoda?” Ben asked looking at the old Jedi master again. “THE Yoda? Jedi Master Yoda? From the stories my uncle told me?”

“Mmmmhhh...” Was all Yoda answered.

“You cannot protect her with power alone. At least not with the kind of strength that belongs to the dark side. Your love for her is far more powerful than anything the dark side could ever provide you with.” Anakin answered Ben's initial question.

“Something else there is.” Yoda went on. Anakin nodded.

“There is something else you should know. Listen closely now...”

---

When Ben went out of sight with his grandfather, Rey realised that Luke was starring at her with a rather grim expression. Rey crossed her arms defensively and starred back. When the silence had lasted for a moment, Luke broke his stare and sighed. 

“Well, I'm not surprised given you left the island to get to him.” He said and when Rey didn't answer he asked: “Does he make you happy?”

Rey dropped her arms and let her defensive attitude slip away.

“More than I could have ever imagined.” She answered.

Luke smiled. “Then I'm happy for you.”

---

When Ben returned from the woods he was alone and looked deep in thought. Luke had talked to Rey for a while and after some time had vanished. The woods were getting darker fast, but Rey had a feeling it was too early for dusk to fall already. 

Ben smiled at Rey when he reached her and bent down to greet her with a kiss. In that moment the sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. 

“We should hurry to find that cave you discovered. There's a storm coming."