"What?! I can't leave Ben! Finn, I need to be by his side when he wakes up!" Rey exclaims.
She turns towards Ben and rests a hand gently on his cheek. Her eyes well up and she tries to fight them back.
"I don't want to leave his side. I...I can't lose him…" she whispers.
"Rey, I know you and...Ben...have a connection I will never quite understand. But we're talking about the future of the entire galaxy. The galaxy needs us...it needs you, Rey," Finn replies gently.
He tentatively places a hand on her free hand, taking a breath before continuing.
"Look, I can see if the council for the New Republic can speak with you over holo instead of in person. You would be here on the base still and be able to get back to him," he says.
Rey nods slowly and takes a deep breath. She interlaces her fingers in Finn's.
"Thank you, Finn. I know it's difficult to understand but I promise I'll explain my connection with Ben to you once he's awake again," Rey replies.
She looks him in the eyes and Finn smiles softly at her. He squeezes her hand gently and stands up to leave. With one more nod, he makes his way out of the medbay. Rey watches him go and sighs.
"You know he cares about you," a gruff voice coughs behind her.
Instantly Rey's eyes light up and see turns to look at Ben. He looks at her before closing his eyes and smiles gently. She gasps and tears flood down her cheeks as she practically pounces on him to hug him close. He grunts from the impact but chuckles softly, hugging her back as best he can.
"Careful, Rey...I still have...ngh...healing ribs," he groans with a chuckle.
"Oh right! I'm so sorry Ben," Rey exclaims, pulling back but not too far away from him.
She holds his hand in both of her hands and brings it close to her heart. Tears still stream down her face as she presses soft kisses to his bruised knuckles. Ben watches her, feeling his heart flutter from her tender care. He opens his hand she's holding and cups her face. His thumb brushes away her tears and he sighs as he feels her lean into his hand.
"Oh Ben, I was so worried you weren't...you weren't going to…" she stammers.
"You can't get rid of me that easily, Rey," he replies with a smile.
Rey can't help but return the smile. She turns her face and kisses his palm, feeling him shudder slightly. Their bond pulses with life for the first time in what seems like ages. Rey leans forward and rests a hand on his forehead, brushing his hair away slightly before trailing her hand gently to rest on his cheek.
"How are you feeling?" she asks, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice but failing.
"Tired. But I can feel myself getting better slowly but surely. More importantly, how are you?" he questions.
Ben tries pushing himself up and is able to sit up with Rey's help. She scoots closer to him and they hold hands together.
"Tired as well. But I've been mostly worried about you. I'm just...Ben, I'm so happy you're awake," she replies.
He smiles at her and slides a hand through her hair until it rests on the nape of her neck. Gently he pulls her close and brushes his lips against her own. They grow closer together as their kiss intensifies. Rey wraps her arms carefully around his neck as Ben's arm snakes around her waist, bringing her even closer. His heart feels so full and complete in this moment.
"You're with me," he whispers against her lips.
"Always," she breathes.
