"Ben? Ben!" Rey screamed, clutching his now bare hand.

His head moved slightly at the sound. She caught his pale face in her free hand. His skin was light and speckled with moles. She traced his cheek with her thumb several times.

He was alive. There was hope.

"Ben, wake up, we're safe now." Rey said, quieter now.

Rey could hear a low, deep groan as he reached up to touch his face, now clear from Snoke's entrapments.

"What...?" His eyes fluttered open.

Rey sat back on her heals, her hands flying to her mouth to stifle a gasp.

His deep brown eyes probed her face.

"Rey?" he started to sit up, "You can see me? The real...me?"

Rey nodded mutely.

Ben blinked a few times and glanced at his hands.

"Are you alright?" he probed her.

"I'm fine," her voice was little more than a whisper.

He nodded. His hand slowly lifted to her face where a tear was trickling down her face.

"Don't cry," he said softly as he wiped the tear gently with his thumb.

"I never thought—" she shook her head, banishing the words.

Without thinking, she sprang forward and caught him in her arms.

The wind was nearly knocked out of him, or maybe Ben was in shock at her abrupt affection, but a moment later he found himself wrapping his arms around her, pulling her closer.

He breathed her name into her soft brown hair.

"You saved me," he whispered.

She pulled away enough to look at him.

"I love you," he whispered, "I'm so sorry, so sorry about everything."

She shook her head and leaned into him again, resting her forehead against his.

"I love you, Ben Solo."

And then he kissed her, pulling her into his lap and wrapping her up in his arms.

When at last they pulled apart for a needy breath, Rey finally said, "There are a few people who, I know, want to see you."

A shadow passed over Ben's face as he nodded.

"We'll do it together." She whispered against his cheek.

She felt him nod, "Together."

Rey stayed by his side as Ben reunited with his family. The castle was entirely free of Snoke's power. The land surrounding it had healed from the fiery inferno to a grassy meadow with wildflowers sprinkled about. Maybe it wasn't the lavish gardens of the past, but there was time to grow those things back.

There was hope now for Rey and Ben Solo. They would never be parted again.