Rey thought about what Ben offered during the meal, half hearing the rest of the conversations around the table. Poe had a foot on the bench, standing as he told the new recruits about his most bizarre encounters with the First Order. Rey thought that he was exaggerating.

The whole table was laughing to tears by the time he was over with his tale. He gave them a light bow and a charming smile. The ace pilot was beaming under the attention. Finn snorted by her side, used to him.

''Thank you, thank you, any doubts, question, you are welcome to ask.''

One of the recruits, a young man with curly hair dared to ask:

''Did you ever fought against Kylo Ren?''

At that the hall went silent, everyone set their eyes on Poe and the conversations ceased. He have the boy a halfhearted smile.

''I wouldn't call that a fight, it would imply that I actually landed a few blows…''he shrugged. ''However, my friend here, the Last Jedi, did.''

Now people moved their attention to Rey, who was trying her best to remain calm and was all too eager to run away from there. Poe went on with his relate.

''Not only she outsmarted him and everyone in Starkiller by escaping, she slashed his face open and then blew up the damn place'' Cheers and loud praises filled the hall. ''We can only wait for their next, and hopefully last, encounter.'' More cheers followed, and Rey tried to smile at them.

Finn must have seen right through it, for he squeezed her hand gently, trying to comfort her for all the wrong reasons. He must have thought that she was scared of facing Kylo Ren again.

Rey had to stop herself from telling him about Ben many times as their relationship escalated. She had seen the way he was with Rose, how he tried to be discreet about it in fear of upsetting her. He thought that she would see his relationship as way of abandoning her. Rey had only watched them with a misplaced feeling of jealously. They could kiss in plain sight and no one would bat an eye at them, other than to congratulate them. She would never have that, and felt guilty for envying them.

Finn was her first and closest friend, she wanted him to know the truth. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to vanish in the middle of the night with no explanation. Finn deserved better than that.

Rey returned the squeeze, giving him a weak smile.

''I'm right here, you know, for anything. You won't have to face him alone, ever. Poe is pure bark, he is just trying to boost the morale.''

And he was doing a fine job. Many things could be said about Poe Dameron, but the man was a natural leader. He had a charisma that made everyone follow him; the squadrons to the battle, the new recruits to the base. He was the General's protégé, and it was known that the high command were grooming him to take the leadership one day. He was young, handsome and bold, the perfect poster-boy for the Resistance.

''He would never send you out there alone.''

Rey had her doubts about it, but she did not voice them.

''I'm just so tired'' It wasn't a lie, the pregnancy was taking a tool on her body.

Finn nodded.

''I know it sometimes feel that this will go on forever, but it won't, we are going to end it. We can't lose hope.'' He smiled, then. ''Tell you what, when this is over, let's go on a little vacation. Just you, me and…'' he blushed, ''Rose''.

Rey's heart constricted on her chest, and for the second time on that day, she felt the tears in her eyes. She hugged him tightly.

In another life, she would have told him about her child. They would have celebrated with Rose, the General and even Poe, Chewie would congratulate her. Her son or daughter would call him 'Uncle Finn' and spend time with him, the whole base would help to raise them.

But it couldn't be.

She had her answer. The next time the force connected them they would start planning their escape.

If she stayed there any longer, she wouldn't be able to leave.

.

Maz Kanata's comlink activated loudly. The old woman was sitting by the counter in her castle, hearing it by chance. She raised an eyebrow at it, not many people had access to that line. Against her better judgment, for curiosity's sake, she picked it up.

''Who's speaking?''

''Maz? It's been a while.'' A deep, but strangely familiar voice answered. ''Ben Solo, I have a favor to ask''.

.

A plan was made. All it was left was the execution.