Chapter 25: Now You Know

Finn eyed the syringe of blue liquid pinched in Ben Solo's fingers warily.

"This isn't going to hurt, is it?"

Ben twirled the syringe between his fingers. "It shouldn't, in theory," he mused. "It is, however, supposed to restore your memories from before you were abducted."

Somehow, after some tedious research, Ben had managed to track down Finn's file from within the First Order archives stationed on the regime's capitol of Ganash. After some discussion with Poe, he had been allowed to extract all of Finn's sensitive information before the entire library was seized.

As Kylo Ren, Ben had never been directly involved with the Stormtrooper program. He had never wanted Stormtroopers in the first place, preferring clones, but Snoke had overruled him, leaving the program to Hux and Phasma's jurisdiction.

The topic of Finn's past had come up as he and Emmary were giddily making wedding plans. Long nights of pillow talk had convinced Finn that he did want to know about his family, about his homeworld. His last name... which he desperately wanted to ask Emmary to share, and that she happily agreed to take, as his wife.

He hadn't felt entirely comfortable, coming to Ben and asking if there was anything to be done, and although his Jedi ally wasn't certain, he threw himself into the task doggedly.

Ben eyed Finn hard. "Now, Finn: are you sure about this?"

Lacing his fingers through those of his beloved fiancé, Finn nodded. Ben nodded back and prepared to inject the syringe into Finn's temple. The ex-Stromtrooper jerked away.

"Wait. Did... did Jannah also agree to this?"

"Poe promised me that he would deal out these syringes to her and the other Stormtroopers, to do with what they wished. It is your own decision, Finn."

Emmary laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Sweetheart?"

Gazing into her eyes, Finn saw only support, solidarity and love. She would stand by her soon-to-be husband, no matter what. He turned back to Ben.

"Do it."

Ben nodded grimly, then prepared to inject the syringe into Finn's temple. He was almost there when -

"Wait." This time it was Emmary who spoke up with a tremble. "This... this won't fundamentally change who he is, will it? He won't forget me?"

Finn gawked at her, taking her hand and raising her knuckles to his lips. "Forget you? Nearly everything good in me, everything I am, is because of you!"

Emmary smiled weakly, happily allowing Finn to dip his head and kiss her. Drawing away, he finally nodded.

"OK. I'm ready now."

Ben nodded. "Hold still." He aimed the needle over Finn's temple. "Three... two... one..."

Finn squeezed his eyes shut. "I love you, Emmy."

Ben plunged the needle in and pushed.

As soon as the blue liquid was injected into Finn's bloodstream, his entire body seized up. With an agonizing cry, everything went black.

He came to a few moments later to feel a wet, warm pair of lips pressing against his. The softest hand cradling his cheek.

"Em... mary," he croaked, stirring against her.

He felt her breath tickle his face as she laughed, the sound like sweet music. "Wake up, my handsome, brave Trooper..."

Opening bleary eyes, Finn slowly sat up and Emmary clambered into his lap, embracing him. A flood of memories came rushing back, and he stared at her, at Ben, at Rey who was biting her lip in concern.

"I remember everything..." he whispered. "I was... born on Mygeeto. Ice and snow everywhere..." Eyes finding Rey's, he cracked a smirk. "No wonder I never wanted to go back to Jakku! That damn planet was against all my climate sensibilities!"

Rey trilled out a laugh... or was it a sob? He couldn't tell.

Emmary was stroking his hair, kissing his face. "What else?" she crooned.

"I was taken... when I was probably half Temiri's age, maybe even younger." He blinked. "We lived on an ice farm. My last name... was Nescius."

Ben nodded slowly. "Now you know," he murmured.

Next moment, Finn felt Emmary's lips on his.

"I love you, Finn Nescius," she whispered into his lips. "And I can't wait to be your wife." Slowly, she guided their intertwined hands to her flat stomach. "I want to bear your child."

Finn beamed, pecked her lips. "I want that too, love. But first we've got a wedding to complete."