Rey took a deep breath and opened her eyes, turning her head to look at the man sitting next to her, his legs crossed as if he had just sat down to chat with a friend. He had a small smile on his face, and his eyes were the gentle brown that reminded her so much of his mother. "You're here?" she whispered.

He nodded. "I'm here."

Rey wiped the tears from her face. "I can't do it, Ben," she told him. "I can't go on anymore."

"That's why I'm here," he told her. "The Others could feel you giving up hope. They thought it best that I be the one to give you some."

"How?" Rey said despondently. "There really has been no hope this whole time. I've just been making it up as I went along."

"That's not true," Ben argued. "As long as there's life, there's hope."

"You sound like Poe," she said, her voice catching.

"Good," he said firmly. "Then maybe you'll listen to me."

She shook her head. "He'd tell you I never listen to him."

Ben smiled at her words, and she realized with a start that she was actually arguing with him. And it felt good. She took a deep breath. "What do you suggest I do, then?"

"What do you need to do?"

She shifted her weight, trying not to move her leg. "I need to climb up off this cliff."

"You can climb anything," Ben said.

"Not with a broken leg," she told him.

"So, fix it. Hell, you fixed me."

"I tried," Rey told him, frustrated. "I can't use that power on myself. Somehow I think you know all this!"

"Then let me help," he said patiently.

Rey stared at him. "What do you mean?"

"Dyad, remember," Ben said with another small smile. "Great power and all that."

"But, you're…"

"Dead?" He shrugged. "That hasn't seemed to weaken the bond," he told her. "I'm here, after all. Not a dream, this time." He cocked his head, and she was suddenly reminded of his father. After a moment, he offered her his hand.

Tentatively, she took it. Shock filled her when she felt warm skin under her fingers and palm. How was she able to physically touch him? "Ben?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. And I don't ask." He nodded at her. "Now, focus. Let's do this."

Rey saw him close his eyes and she followed suit. She felt the Force surround her and she shivered knowing that it wasn't just her power that she was feeling. She felt her body leave the ground and briefly wondered if she could just levitate to the canyon rim.

"One thing at a time, Rey," Ben said, humor lacing his voice.

She smiled and focused on her injuries. Ben was already there, focusing on her broken leg first. She 'met' him and soon felt her leg tingle as the bone slid back into place and began knitting itself together. After that, the laceration on her leg healed. Then the scrapes on her face, knuckles and arms. The bruising disappeared and the swellings went down to nothing. Even her right ankle and her head, both still tender from their respective injuries, healed completely.

Letting her breath out in a rush, Rey settled back to the earth. She felt Ben let go of her hand and she opened her eyes, looking at him with wonder.

He stood suddenly. "Now, I think you can manage the rest on your own."

She jumped up, amazed at the lack of pain in her so recently abused body. "You're leaving?" She felt panic at the idea of being alone again.

Ben looked up the cliff face. "You need more help?" he asked.

Rey glanced up the wall. "Not with that," she told him. There were more than enough rough edges and divots in the rock to help her climb. "But what happens when I get up there? Do I just keep…" her voice broke and she swallowed. "I still have no way to get home."

"But you do," he told her. "You just don't understand, yet." He stepped back. "Here's the deal. You get up there and I'll show you what you need to do from there." With that, his image faded and disappeared.

Rey stood there, confused for a moment. Was he gone or was he really coming back? Only one way to find out. She licked her lips, resettled her bag, turned to the wall, and started climbing. Within minutes, she was on the canyon rim. She pulled herself over the edge and clambered up to her feet, dusting herself off. She heard a noise off to her right and reached for her lightsaber, but instantly stopped the movement when she recognized Sal's presence. He was galloping toward her, swinging his head and growling in consternation.

"Sal!" she cried and ran to meet him. He must have followed the bird as long as he could and had been looking for her. He came up to her and she wrapped her arms around his neck. He ducked his head down, squeezing her body between his head and chest, hugging her back. She laughed, but then pulled back, her eyes taking note of the jagged laceration on his back and then coming around his other side to look at the one on his neck. His bleeding had stopped, but they were deep and were bound to get infected. Taking a deep breath, she put her hand next to the wound on his neck and closed her eyes. The Force didn't disappoint, and soon both wounds were healed. Sal nuzzled her as if he was thanking her.

"You are amazing," Ben said from behind her.

She quickly turned to face him. Sal also stared at him, and Rey looked back and forth between them. "He can see you," she said with wonder.

"Triss are very Force sensitive. That's why he attached himself to you so strongly." He stepped toward them. "I really am not supposed to be here anymore, but I know you won't believe you can do this by yourself, and I think you've been through enough."

"Thank you? I think," Rey said a bit sarcastically. "Do what by myself?"

"Contact home."

Rey frowned. "I've tried that, too, Ben. Often. I can't connect with anyone through the Force."

"Rey, you've been connected to someone through the Force this whole time," he told her. "You just haven't figured that out, yet. Probably because you don't think it's possible with this person."

"What do you mean?" Rey was searching her memory, trying to think of anyone she had connected with, however little, in the past few days. "The only person I've even had consistent thoughts about is…" She looked up at Ben, startled. "Poe?"

Ben smiled and nodded.

"But, how?" she breathed. "He's not even…"

"Force sensitive?" Ben asked. "He may not be able to use the Force, but he can feel it. He always has. And his connection to you has only increased that sense." He held out both of his hands toward her. "I'll help you complete that connection," he told her. "Eventually, you'll be able to do it on your own."

Rey stepped toward him, taking his hands without hesitation. He gave them a squeeze, then he let go to move behind her, holding on to her shoulders with a firm grip. "Focus," he said. She felt the Force like a living, breathing thing flow around her, and she opened herself to it completely.

"Find him," she heard Ben whisper.

It wasn't hard. It was as if her soul was already pinpointed in his direction. She found the Organa, the brand-new MC-85 Star Cruiser that the Resistance had acquired last year. It was now their flag ship, named after their founder, and it was only a few star systems away. She felt herself in the main stateroom aboard the Organa, and she saw the man sitting at the desk in the room, his head in his hands, exhaustion emanating from every part of his body. He lifted his head as if he heard her. Several days growth of grey-streaked beard graced his fatigued face, and his eyes were red-rimmed and had dark circles underneath. His uniform was wrinkled, the jacket thrown across the back of the chair he was sitting in. His eyes searched the room. "Rey?"

"Poe?" she gasped. Had he even slept since she disappeared?

He stood up suddenly from his chair. "Rey?" he shouted this time.

"Poe, I'm on a planet in the Drackenwell System," she told him in a rush. "Stevie is dead," she continued as she saw him come around the desk, his eyes still searching. Suddenly, they focused on her. "An Imperial faction is responsible, so be careful coming into the system. I don't know what kind of ship may be in orbit."

He was looking at her now, joy lighting his face. "You're okay?" he asked.

She nodded. "Hungry and tired," she told him. "Ready to come home."

"Drackenwell System," he repeated. "That's not far." He looked past her and she thought for a moment he might be looking at someone coming in the door of the stateroom, but his brow furrowed a bit in confusion, then his gaze settled on her again.

Rey could feel the connection waver. She was losing it. "Find me, Poe!"

"I'm coming, Mesh'la," she heard him say as he faded from her view.

She opened her eyes to blue sky and a hot wind. She turned to face Ben. "He saw you, didn't he?"

Ben nodded. "He's much stronger than you give him credit for," he said. "He'll never be a Jedi, but I don't think either of you would want him to be."

Rey continued to stare at him. "I felt something else, too," she told him. The corner of his mouth turned up, as if he knew what she was talking about. "At first, I thought it was Shaina, but I know Poe would have never brought her with him on a mission like this. I'm sure she's with her grandfather." She took a step back. "Besides, this was different."

His smile increased and his eyebrows rose as if challenging her to finish her thought.

It hit her, then. "A baby?"

He smiled. "One tough baby, to have gotten through this."

Rey took a deep breath, focusing now on one area of her body in particular. "A boy. Skyler," she grinned.

"You have a name already?" Ben said with a laugh.

"Poe did," she said fondly. Then she frowned at Ben. "Why is it your family has to notify me of when I'm pregnant?" It was Leia's Force ghost that made Rey aware of her pregnancy with Shaina.

Ben laughed again. "I'm just glad you took my suggestion to have children to heart," he told her.

Rey suddenly became shy. "I told Poe I want a ship full."

"And what did he say to that?"

"He agreed on one condition," she paused. "Every one needs to be born on a different planet."

Ben grinned. "Well, I don't think that will be too much of a challenge." He sobered. "You're fine, now, Rey. In a few hours, you'll be heading home." He stepped toward her, gently grabbing her shoulders, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. She knew he would have done more, but would not out of respect for the man she had chosen as her mate. "Take care of each other," he told her softly, backing away. "And never forget you're not alone. May the Force be with you." With that, Ben Solo disappeared.

XXXXXX

It wasn't even sunset when her commlink started emitting static. Sal looked at her curiously as she snatched it out of her bag.

"Rey? Do you copy?" It was Finn's voice.

"Finn!" she answered. "I'm here!"

"Damn, it's good to hear your voice," he replied, with joy. "Turn on your transponder so we can locate you!"

She did as he requested, but knowing the transponder only worked at limited distances, she asked, "Are you sure you're at the right planet?"

"There's only one in this system that has oxygen, Rey," he informed her. "You got lucky."

She grinned. "Luck has nothing to do with it," she told him.

"Yeah, yeah," he quipped.

"Hey, Finn," she added.

"Yeah?"

"You're in a shuttle, right? Not a transport pod?"

"Yeah, we're in a shuttle. Why?"

"I'm bringing back something rather large," she told him. "I just wanted to make sure you had room." She smiled at Sal, who was still watching her.

"How large?" It was Poe who responded. He must be flying the shuttle, she thought.

"Smaller than a Fathier," she said.

There was a long pause. "Is this thing gonna poop on my ship?" Poe groused.

"Probably," Rey said with a laugh.

"Why are you guys always bringing strays home?" she heard him ask, and she knew he was including Finn in the question.

At that moment, she heard the shuttle engine and looked up to see it descending toward her. Sal also heard and saw it and began to get nervous. His experience with flying things had not been very good these past couple of days. She put a hand on his neck. "It's okay," she told him. "This is our ride."

She waited as it touched down, then stood still for a while longer until the side ramp dropped. She started forward, her body already shaking with emotion, as she saw her husband rush down the ramp. Then his arms were around her and she let the tears come. "It's okay, baby," he whispered, his voice rough. "I've got you." She burrowed her face into his neck, breathing him in.

Eventually, she felt in control again. She took a deep breath and stepped back. Poe released her, but she could tell he didn't want to. "The Imperials?" she asked.

"There was a Carrack-class light cruiser in orbit, but he high-tailed it out of here when we dropped out of hyperspace," he told her.

"Senator Ketterly," Rey said. "She's the one responsible. Her aide was here with some others in a shuttle. The officers got away, but he didn't."

"They were after you specifically?" he asked.

"Yeah," she sighed. "They must have sabotaged the shuttle while we were on Naboo. The hyperdrive just died, then four X-Wings attacked us and the ship went down. Stevie was gone before we even crashed."

Finn was coming up behind Poe, having taken his time to allow them their reunion, and he heard what Rey was saying. "I'll send a message to the Chancellor as soon as we get back to the Organa."

Rey moved in to hug him as well, and he held her close. "Kriff, Rey. Everyone thought you were dead." He paused. "Everyone but Poe."

She smiled and turned back to her husband, but he was looking at Sal. "Is this what we're bringing back?" he asked.

She grinned and walked over to her friend. "This is Sal," she said, stroking the Triss on the face. "He's helped me a lot in the last few days. His own kind don't really care for him because he's different. I figure he'll be happy with some Fathier friends."

Poe shook his head with a smile, his exhaustion evident in his body language, but his relief and joy glowed in the Force. "Whatever you want, Mesh'la." He held out a hand toward her. "Let's go home."

XXXXXX

A/N We're not done yet! The epilogue is coming up soon. I hope you are enjoying the ride!