Ready to burst, Rey and Finn exploded into simultaneous conversation as soon as they hit hyper-space.

"Could you imagine we would actually be able to go out - And find Kylo Ren?! - Capture him for the Resistance?! - It's too much! Can you believe it? - Did you see the General's face when -"

The two, somehow completely understanding the other through the mess of words, trailed into laughter. Rey's sides ached, and she leaned back too far, plopping out of the cockpit and into another fit of giggles.

"Ah! Oh no, let me help you -"

"I'm fine, I'm fine -"

Finn leaned down to help Rey up. Once again, their nearness made each of them rigid. They paused, searching the other's eyes, finding their exact sentiments behind the other's. Stammering, the two were once again interrupted.

Bweep, boop boop, bweeeep.

"BB-8?" The two turned in unison toward the corridor behind the cockpit.

Bweeeep

Rather irritated at the faulty identification, R-2 rolled their way.

"What are you doing here?!" Rey stepped back in disbelief. "You're going to give us away as Resistance members."

R-2 would be rolling his eyes if he had any: "Bup-bup." Staccato.

"Fine, just please stay on the ship. And don't tell me we have any other stowaways." Rey found herself doing the old Solo-family-finger-wag.

"I'm afraid it's not within my protocol to be deceiving." C3-PO clambered into the cockpit behind his friend. "The General wanted us aboard as a means of company. And, of course, a direct line to her base in case anyone, might ... meet an untimely fate."

"That's encouraging." Finn quipped, finally rising to his feet.

"Oh, quite so! In case young Solo goes rogue, droids are almost impervious to most bodily harm. No need to worry, we will complete the mission and be back to the General before -"

"Ok, ok that's enough. We get the picture."

"Brilliant. Then you're not unhappy with us."

"Don't test me, droid."

"Oh, dear."

...

C-3PO at the helm, Finn and Rey attempted to rest before reaching the Outer Rim. Finn slept fitfully on his bunk above Rey's, insisting she keep the bedroll to herself. His propriety also forced him to sleep in his day-clothes. Sleeping in his underclothes, as usual, seemed impolite ... seemed wrong. He would never want Rey to think ill of him. And he was still kicking himself for not kissing her then-and-there! He tugged the leather jacket Poe had given him, attempted to find some sense of comfort. Tossed and turned, finally facing the wall of the tin-can ship and falling into a light sleep.

Rey wasn't so lucky. With each parsec closer to Ben, she felt the pull of the Force grow stronger. At times, it felt like it was taunting her. At rest, however, the pull was more of a yank - and she was flung right there on the deserted planet prematurely.

"You're close, aren't you?" Ben said. She saw only his bare back. She hoped he wouldn't turn around again. She didn't want to see him that vulnerable. It made her stomach turn.

"Yes. We're going to rescue you."

"You know I don't need it."

She toyed with several retorts, each curt and biting. Instead, she spoke to him like a peer ... like a friend: "Stop it. Stop. For the love of the galaxy, stop moping. Take your head, take your mind and your power, and the Force, and focus it outside of yourself! Think of your mother. Think of your father. Ben - not everything is about purpose, and destiny, and ruling. Some things are just plain, ordinary, sentimental things. And they deserve your care." She faltered, finding herself rambling. "What I'm trying to say, Ben, is that there is something greater outside of you. It's not you. It's not any one individual."

"Don't you think I know that?"

"No, I don't think you do. At least, not yet."

"Don't you think I know how incapable I am? I've had it drilled into me over and over - when it wasn't my uncle Luke it was Snoke. I'm sick of it. I'm sick of not being enough."

"Enough for what, Ben?"

"Enough!" His frustration created ripples in their connection, like a seething mirage.

"But you are enough."

Silence between them. She saw the muscles on his back tense, then release.

"You are. It sounds hollow now. But the galaxy isn't meant to be on one person's shoulders. So, let that go."

"Years of fighting, and you think it's just so easy to give up." He scoffed. "You are like them."

"Who?" She rolled her eyes. "What low-blow is it this time? My parents? Look, I know. I know my parents were nothing, and that you think I'm throwing my potential out into the garbage. I know your opinion of me, Ben. I'm just a filthy scavenger, a -"

"You're - you're not -"

"Sure."

"You're like them. Like my parents. Selfless. I was never that way. I resented them for it." He paused. "I don't know why I'm telling you this. I shouldn't. But, you're wrong. I don't have a low opinion of you. I resent you, too."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" She allowed a genuine chuckle to escape her. "I think that's the closest thing to a compliment Ben Solo has ever given anyone!"

And she heard him laugh, too.

And it woke her up.