A/N: I managed to tentatively split the whole story into chapters - there's definitely at least 30. I'm still debating if I should split large chapters or combine smaller sections. That being said, thanks to those who reviewed. I understand that some chapters (especially the early ones) won't be as eventful as I'm trying to introduce everything and everyone. Not every chapter I wrote is a major plot point - though the sub plots in a given chapter tie in to the main story in one way or another. Thanks for being patient/understanding about it. Anyway, without further ado, here's a little bit of humor to add to the story :)

~III. Double Booked~

After packing their bags that Friday morning, the four friends settled into Finn's Range Rover and made the five-hour journey to Las Vegas. It was a good thing Poe knew someone in almost every town. Not only that, he was a man of natural charm and always found a means to smooth talk his way into anything as well as get out of messy situations. This was how he managed to snag a nice two-bedroom suite at the Grand Hilton Hotel, the center of the Las Vegas strip, a very difficult reservation to make at the last minute.

"Yeah okay, Poe, you're officially the king," Finn bowed to his friend as they made their way into the impressive lobby.

"What can I say, I'm a well-rounded man," he humbly bragged.

While Poe went up to the desk to check in and grab their room keys, Rose, Finn and Rey were ogling at a pamphlet of the many amenities the hotel had to offer, wondering if they even needed to step foot outside of this building to experience a fun weekend.

"Papa's got keys to the junior executive suite!" Poe announced.

Their friend did not do the hotel justice. Sure, he had described it to the group on their drive over: the numerous facilities, the soft beds, and the proximity to everything. But one look at the suite they booked for the weekend and it felt like they were in wonderland. Not only did he manage to score a two-bedroom suite, but he got the city skyline view as well, making their room all the more stunning. The girls squealed, running around the place and checking out every square inch of the suite, even the coat closet, while the guys found complimentary beers stocked in the refrigerator (they all knew Poe charmed his way for free drinks).

Finn and Poe decided to hit the gym before the start of their festivities that night. They set their bags down and waved the girls goodbye. Rose brought her bag into one of the rooms, obviously because Finn and she were a couple. Rey had told Poe that she would take the sofa bed since he got them the room and as much as Poe wanted to argue, she did not let him change her mind. She reminded her friends that the only way she would agree to come on the trip is if they didn't pity her about her break up with Hobbie. Rose announced that she would take a quick shower while Rey opted to relax out in the suite's balcony before having to get ready for their evening of festivities. She put some earbuds on and listened to some relaxing music, shutting her eyes and taking a chance to unwind, knowing quite well that her friends would want to paint the town crimson that night.

~.~.~.~

While Ben had just been fired from his father's business, he wasn't in any bad terms with his mother. He had asked her, a well-respected businesswoman, if she could find a last-minute hotel stay for him and his friends in Las Vegas that weekend. She had to pull a few strings but ultimately found a resort that offered her son some hospitality. She was aware of the tension between her husband and son and after he had requested that favor, she thought it would be a good idea for Ben to have a chance to clear his mind after the whole fiasco. While she frowned upon some of the reckless choices he's made in the past, nevertheless she always had a loving bond with her only child.

Arriving at the Grand Hilton Hotel, he and his friends were reserved a luxurious junior executive suite, a two-bedroom with a view. Upon reaching their floor and entering their temporary home for their stay, they dropped their bags and let out a contented sigh. It was finally time to wind down.

Phasma had mentioned that she forgot to bring a toothbrush so she and Hux left to go back downstairs to the front desk to fetch some amenities. Ben decided it would be a good idea to take a power nap before he and his friends would get crazy drunk that evening and proceeded to one of the bedrooms. He was surprised, however, to see a duffel bag sitting on the bed upon entering the empty space. He peered outside of the door to see that Phasma and Hux still had their luggage chucked next to the coat closet. Wondering whose belongings were on the bed, he carefully investigated - not even noticing that the bathroom was obviously occupied with the shower running or even hearing the balcony door slide open. Ben noticed a phone was plugged in to the nightstand outlet and walked over to pick it up. Curious of the whole situation, he hoped to find out who the owner of the belongings was so they could sort out this matter.

In an instant, he heard a voice shriek behind him.

"Drop it thief!"

Ben shot his head around and was met face to face with a startle woman, holding what looked like a brass stoker from the fireplace in the living room. Instinctively he raised his arms up, trying to show no harm. But he couldn't seem to find any words of retort. He was momentarily taken aback by this woman. A beautiful one, he immediately noticed, who was keen on impaling his body with that metal stick.

"W-what?" was all he could muster.

"I said drop it. Drop the phone," she said with daggering eyes. He quickly tossed the device onto the bed between them, showing cooperation and that he meant no harm. Although she did look like she could take him down, he couldn't help but be entranced with her eyes; those beautiful hazel orbs staring into his soul. He was somewhat delighted that she was staring at him at all.

"I think there's been a misunderstanding," he finally found his words.

"Yes, you chose the wrong room to steal from."

"No, no. I swear I'm not a thief. I booked this room."

"No, I did."

"No, honestly. They may have glitched the system. I was just wondering why there was a bag in the room. Please you got to believe me." His own eyes begged her to trust him.

Truth be told, it was getting hard for Rey to keep up her façade. When she had heard a faint noise of a door shutting, she took off her earbuds and had noticed a tall figure wandering into Rose's room. Knowing Finn and Poe were still downstairs since she got a text moments before that had mentioned they were grabbing smoothies before coming back up, she deduced that it was a stranger. She instantly panicked. But that lasted all of two seconds as Rey knew that she was the only one who could defend herself and Rose from this prowler. Carefully sneaking back inside, she grabbed the first thing she could use as a weapon - one of the tools for the fireplace. The sharp pointy one, she decided. As she crept up to the intruder who was discreetly looking at Rose's phone, she mustered up her scariest voice and barked loudly.

Rey expected to come face to face with a pathetic slime, but instead was met with alluring brown eyes and an indescribable aura surrounding them. She couldn't deny that the man was practically a human Adonis, but she quickly brushed that aside, not even sure if this god of a man was in fact trying to steal from or harm her. But when he described this as a bit of a mix up, something in his eyes put her in a stupor. Her gut was screaming, and her walls were lowering. The way he was looking at her, she had no other thought but to actually believe him. So, she lowered her weapon of defense, hoping that trusting this man would be the right decision.

"See, yeah. Now we're being civil," he sighed in relief, finally lowering his arms.

"I'm sorry. Instincts," she replied.

"Look, I'm really sorry for this. I don't mean to ruin your weekend. I'm here with friends too and we're all just looking for a good time, right?"

"You can say that," Rey said, leaning her body against the doorframe, still wondering if she can trust this guy.

"Right, so why don't we go downstairs and see if we can fix this little mix-up. Truce?" he held out his hand, hoping to reach an understanding with this woman.

Although it wasn't the most ideal situation to meet such an attractive woman who most likely wouldn't even give him a chance after this whole ordeal, Ben wanted to put good karma out in the world because he really needed to catch a break this weekend.

Rey thought about it for a second. He didn't know that the rooms were double booked. It's not like he was being a perv and digging for Rose's panties or anything. If she were in his situation she'd be thought of as an intruder too. And Mr. Demi-god was a thing of beauty, not really helping her think defensively. She shrugged her shoulders and stepped forward, offering her hand to shake his.

Before their fingers even touched, the door to the bathroom swung open, with a towel clad Rose stepping out.

"Oh my gosh, Rey. You've got to try the shower. The soap smells so g- WHAAAAAAHHH!" Rose screamed when she saw the stranger standing next to her.

In an instant Ben recoiled and pulled his arms back up protectively, as he was once more met by a startled woman.

"No, no, no wait, I can explain!" he pleaded when Rose started swing her arms sporadically. Since she was blocking the only path to get around and out of the room, Ben had no choice but to jump on the bed to get as far away from the screaming woman as possible.

"Rose, no he's-" Rey stepped in immediately and tried but failed to stop her friend from doing what she did next.

Rose managed to grab her hair straightener from her duffel bag and slug Ben across his left temple, sending him toppling down to the ground, falling towards the door at Rey's feet.

"Rose, stop!" Rey extended her arm at her friend who was still wrapped in a towel with her straightener at bat, hovering over a semi-conscious person and her friend kneeling beside him. "Seriously, he means no harm."

Rose finally stopped, seeing as Rey wasn't freaking out. "Who the hell is he?!"

"The hotel double booked us. He thought this was his room too."

Rose wasn't one to need much detail. Especially coming from Rey, the most honest person she's ever met. If Rey said he was harmless, she believed her, no questions asked.

"Oh, okay," she said, lowering her straightener, as if the situation was resolved. Then she realized what she did and shrugged repentantly. "I'm sorry, mister."

"It's alright. I probably deserved that," he winced, trying to ease the situation.

Rose climbed down from the bed and hurried back to the bathroom to put on some clothes. Rey knelt closer to the stranger and tried to help the man sit up.

"Sorry about her. She played softball in high school," she said to him.

"That explains the swing," he chuckled.

He was stable enough to sit up, though he still clutched his left temple, trying to delay the spreading agony.

"I'm Ben, by the way." He smiled a bit before wincing in pain. But that small smile was enough for her cheeks to color.

"I'm Rey," she smiled back.

If there was anything he got out of this moment it was getting to see the beautiful woman in front of him smile. It had barely been an hour into his weekend, but he decided this trip was already worth it.

"Let's get you some ice for that, shall we?"

He nodded in agreement as she helped him to his feet. He noticed first how small of a frame she had. Sure, when they were separated by a few feet and she had stares of death on him she tried to sound bigger than her size, but he didn't realize she'd be this small. It was comforting. She had the same thought as well, as he stood upright, she barely met the bottom of his chin. Yep, she thought. This man is half god.

When Rose emerged and joined Rey and Ben in the living room, they all agreed that it was a hotel mix up. They were about ready to head downstairs to the front desk when the main door had swung open and in stepped Ben's friends. Thoughts of surprise and amusement displayed on their faces as they took sight of their best friend sitting between two good-looking females.

"Uh… Ben, did you call for some entertainment while we were out?" Hux smugly grinned.

Ben blushed, trying desperately to hide it from everyone. For some reason it affected Rey as well and she couldn't get herself to make eye contact with anything but the floor.

"Shut up, dude," Ben hissed. He stood up, following suit by Rey and Rose. "I think there was a mix up in the booking. They reserved this hotel room too."

Phasma, the ever so smart and quick witted one, noticed a bruise on her friend's temple. She pressed her lips tightly trying to contain her humor.

"Okay I think I'm all caught up here. I'm guessing they thought you were a peeping Tom and they knocked you over?"

This made everyone - but Ben - laugh a little.

"If you know it then you don't have to say it!" He gritted his teeth at his other friend.

With the blonde woman's teasing towards Ben, Rey could have sworn those two were a couple - not that it mattered to her. But seeing as she's got her arm around the redhead beside her, a part of Rey was pleased. She had no idea why.

"Um, Hi I'm Rey, this my friend Rose," she gestured.

"Hey Rey. I'm Phasma. This is Hux. We're Ben's friends."

As if on cue, in walked Poe and Finn. They were coming down from a post workout high and refreshing smoothies, have a lively chat between them. That went away instantly when confusion struck once again to the newcomers.

Poe was more relaxed and amused as he always was in situations. He never thought of the worst possible thing, giving people chances to explain themselves. He's seen a lot of happenings at his bar, so nothing really surprised him that much anymore. Finn on the other hand, was a different story.

"Hey guys, what's-" Finn took in his surroundings. He saw two strangers leaning on the kitchen island, then Rey standing next to some guy, who also happened to be standing next to Rose. Even though Ben was standing much closer to Rey, the fact that a strange man was next to his girlfriend flashed a red flag. As soon as he saw this glared at Ben then at a timid Rose and charged towards him. "Who the fuck are you?!" he said lunging forward.

"Oh no," Ben said before meeting this man, falling on the floor, and wrestling to get him off.

"Finn, stop!" Rose cried. Rey attempted to pry Finn off Ben.

"He's fine, we know him," Rey tried to reason with the hot-headed man.

"What the hell is going on?!" Finn demanded. Rey managed to pull him off the stranger before he could do any damage. "Babe are you okay?" He hastily rushed over to hug his girlfriend.

"That's Finn, Rose's overprotective boyfriend," Rey announced, trying to lighten the mood.

Hux and Phasma didn't mind; they were rather amused by it all.

"I'm sorry dude," Finn helped Ben up. "Instincts."

Rey smirked to herself, remembering that she said the same thing to Ben earlier. Best friends really do think alike.

"It's alright," Ben groaned as Rey helped him up. "Wasn't as bad compared to the migraine she gave me."

Finn saw the bruise that he pointed at then looked at his girlfriend, impressed that she had given Ben a battle scar. Rose giggled before scolding him for overreacting.

"Okay, as fun as I loved seeing all of this - and believe me it's one for the books - but what's going on?" Poe finally spoke up, still very entertained from the events that occurred.

"Oh right," Rey decided to settle the confusion. "Long story short, the hotel put us all in the same room."

"When in Vegas, right?" Hux joked. A collective chuckle spread among them.

"We were going to head down to the lobby to clear things up," Rose explained.

"Ahh," Poe, and everyone, was finally on the same page.

"Yeah so this is Poe," Rey gestured to her friend at the door, and then to the others. "And Phasma, Hux and Ben," she introduced everyone in the room.

Suddenly Poe's eyes lit up. "No way, Ben Solo?!"

Until now, Ben wasn't really looking around. To be fair he got smacked in the head and attacked in an aggressive bear hug all within the hour. He wasn't really paying much attention. Though, when someone mentioned his full name he looked up. Instantly he recognized that same person.

"Dameron? Oh shit, Poe!" Ben said as Poe walked towards the man and happily shook his hand.

"I take it you guys know each other?" Finn asked aloud, though it was apparent.

"Yeah, we go way back actually. Since elementary school," Poe said before turning his attention back to Ben. "Dude of all places, I'd see you here! Where do you live now?"

"I moved back home after school. Well sort of. Santa Monica."

"Same man. Dude we got to catch up."

Rose giggled. "Oh man, if only Ben met face to face with Poe. Then we wouldn't have assaulted you. I'm sorry again," she guiltily shrugged at Ben.

"Well as much as we all loved this reunion and getting acquainted," Rey started. "We still have a room situation to sort out."

"Let me handle it, I may be able to sweet talk the receptionist," Poe insisted.

"Always the smooth talker, Dameron," Ben chucked his arm. "No, let me. They'll probably fix it seeing as the room was booked by my mother."

"Look at you, using your connections to get things," Poe was impressed. "I guess all those years hanging around me I've rubbed off on you," Poe ruffled Ben's hair in a playful noogie.

With these boyish antics shared between the grown men, everyone started to believe that the two really did have a long history of friendship

"Who's your mom?" Finn wondered aloud.

"Leia Solo," Phasma answered for him. She knew Ben would beat around the bush as he was never one to brag, but she couldn't help but add to the fun.

"As in Skywalker?! Skywalker Enterprises?!" Rey was flabbergasted.

"Yep. That's the one," Poe confirmed. "I bet your mom is still super hot!"

"Shut up, dude!" Ben grumbled. This made Hux and Phasma laugh.

"Okay, okay. With Ben's connections and my captivating mystique, we'll fix this. Come on, let's all go down to the lobby," Poe announced.

With that the two groups collected their things and headed towards the elevator, hoping to solve this little misunderstanding once and for all.

A/N: Preview of next chapter: Upgrade

"Well we've got good news and bad news."

"Turns out they don't have any more two-bedroom suites to accommodate the second party."

"So... seven people are sharing one room?"

"No, no, no, my dear," Poe said. Then he held up a rather shiny key card. "We all get to stay in the PENT. HOUSE. SUITE."