Ok I've been having so much fun writing this that I had to write another chapter. Please leave a review. It means the world and let's me know how I'm doing and I promise I'll reply to each comment! Have a lovely holiday everyone.
"Fayne . . ."
She turns her head but there is no one there. It's the drugs. And it's not the drugs. Ever since she found out she was pregnant, she's always been in pain. Not just the physical kind. The kind that makes you thrash. The kind that makes you cry. And through all of it, she sees Ben. And other things.
"If somebody's there," she whispers as she lies sprawled out on the bed, "you better tell me because I think I'm about to pass out again." Nothing. "Nope? Ok then. I'm out."
When she wakes up, she's being wheeled along the corridors. It hurts to turn her head but it's a bit odd not to know who it is so she does it anyway.
"Poe?"
He's always been so kind. Despite . . . tension. Always kind. Always sure. "It's ok."
And then she sees it. Where were all the people here when she came aboard this ship? Why have their numbers dwindled. Why does Poe still smell of gasoline fluid?
"Poe . . ."
"Sshhh."
"No I won't," Fayne says. "Poe, where is he? Where's Ben?"
He snorts. "Why should you care? He's not your concern anymore."
She jolts clean off the wheelchair, stumbling flat on her face. Poe is at her side in seconds but she brushes him off.
"I don't like these drugs Mr Dameron," she hisses, pulling herself upright. She feels it now, the firmness of the walls, crawling forward, inching. "And I don't like you saying he's not my concern anymore. He's my husband."
"He's a traitor."
Her heart aches. Elle told her to move on. To let it go. But she is not willing to believe that Ben Solo is gone so easily. There's a ring on her finger that says she shouldn't, and there are vows in her heart that mean loyalty. Always.
"Poe. Please."
He wants to say nothing. But when she turns her eyes on him. Those cool, ever changing eyes, he breaks down.
"He's with the Supreme Leader again."
"Where?"
"If you'd do as you're told, I'd show you. But first get back in the wheelchair. You're barely covered."
"I'm not sick!"
"And you're not well either my friend. Get in or I'll just wait for you to collapse."
She sticks her tongue out and receives a playful slap around the head for her troubles. Back in the wheelchair. And to the Bridge. Whatever jokes she had with Poe, whatever small world there was, it pales now. At the sight of the Dreadnought. Visible there, beyond the bay. She doesn't even see anyone else. She just knows he's there. On the Dreadnought. Out there. And coming closer.
"I . . ."
"Ah . . . my darling Fayne."
"General . . ."
What a fighter! Still here. Still strong despite everything. Leia. And she's in such a haze that it is all she can do to take the hand of this kind woman, and squeeze it with tears in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry about Han . . ."
"Save your sorrow for after this fight," Leia sighs, lowering herself so Fayne can see her more clearly. "Ah Fayne. I am so glad to see you."
"And I You, mother," Fayne smiles. Leia is not her mother. But playing with Ben growing up together, Leia and Han became the parents she never had, now One is gone. And if Ben leaves that ship, she knows it will not be with good intent.
"Do you sense it?" Leia rasps, her brown eyes saddening.
"People and their hope," Fayne replies. She looks around at the Bridge. At that gigantic ship in the rear view. They're all looking forward. As if they're expecting something. A miracle. "The Force is strong here."
"And the same Force has revealed something to me," Leia says. "There is a ship in the hangar. It's not much, but it will take you where you need to go. Far away from here."
"No."
"Fayne . . ."
"I'm not leaving you. I won't leave you. You're the only family I have left. Poe is the only family I have left!"
"And your baby?"
"I'm not my baby!" Fayne snaps. "Why am I being treated like the victim here?! I can still run and fight and fly as well as Poe can! Maybe even better if there's someone chasing me!"
"Fayne . . ." Poe starts.
"I won't let you send me away like this . . ."
"Fayne . . ."
"It's not fair to me and it's not fair to these people . . ."
"Fayne!" He jolts her so hard her head rattles. "You're a strong woman, a brave woman, but you've got a head like the hide of my x wing for goodness sake. Listen to me. We have a spy aboard Snoke's ship. Kylo Ren has been given orders to seek you out, and your child. Fayne . . . you are leaving this ship."
"Fifteen years, five months and ten days ago," Fayne interrupts.
"What . . ."
"We were hiding under the chairs in Commander Ardon's chambers. You took my hand. And I took yours, and we swore to each other that every fight for them, every fight for the Resistance, and for Ben, when Snoke was still rising to power, we swore that we would fight until this galaxy was free of him."
"That was a long time ago."
"But I have never forgotten my promise," she insists, touching his cheek. "Poe. General. Please don't do this. If I leave now I'll never forgive myself, I won't run from him again. I won't. Not when there are people here dying for the freedom of everyone."
"There are many paths to hope, little one. I hope you will see that. I only wanted . . ." What's wrong with her? Every now and then, she pauses. Closes her eyes. Seems to be somewhere else. And then she resumes. "I only wanted to thank you, for seeing the good in Ben. For . . . for loving him, as I never could. Godspeed. Poe."
"No . . ."
"Hey don't fight me," He whispers in her ear. Even though the needle has already gone in. Even though her dear Leia is fast fading into mist and smoke. And these people. "Don't fight me Fayne . . ."
"Poe . . ." Is she even talking anymore. "Take care of them." Losing feeling in her tongue. She tries again as she collapsed into his arms. Just before she closes her eyes, she hears him whisper back to her. Feels his lips graze her forehead.
"Godspeed Phoenix."