A/N: If you've seen the movie, there's an easy reason for them to go to court and get their verdict. Wrote my own reasoning for the courtroom scene. I'm no lawyer so obviously not everything I made happen may have been fact-checked. Work with me here, people!

~IX. A Courting Disaster~

Come Sunday the weekend was nearing its end. There weren't any plans for the day since everyone wanted to beat the rush from the dessert back to the city. Ben, Hux, and Phasma left about an hour before the other group. This was only because Poe wanted to stop by a gift shop to commemorate this weekend with a little souvenir. The memento of choice – a shot glass of course. While Rose opted to go with Poe to the giftshop downstairs, Rey and Finn gathered their bags before leaving the hotel room.

"Poe wants us to grab whatever's left of the beers in the fridge," Rey reminded Finn when he walked past the kitchen.

Her friend snickered and checked the refrigerator. "As if there's any beers left. The man's got more alcohol than blood in his body," he joked. "And Poe owns a bar, that's more than enough alcohol to last him!"

"I have a feeling someday soon we'll find him at an alcoholics anonymous meeting in Beverly Hills," Rey added to the tease.

As Finn grabbed what remained of their stocked fridge – a bottle of beer and a half a bottle of tequila – Rey scanned the living room one more time. She fished around the throw pillows ensuring nothing was left behind. Picking them up, she couldn't help but remember the night before when she was in a pillow war with Finn. She laughed at that memory. Then she sat on the couch for a second. The same cushion where she and Ben had nestled together not even twelve hours ago. Ben Solo. If there was anything that she would get out of all of this was that she was able to experience her wild, off the books weekend with him. And although some questionable choices were made together, she admitted to liking the spontaneity of it all.

"Crazy weekend, huh Peanut?" Finn said to her as they stood at the entrance, looking around the luxurious suite.

"One for the books, that's for sure."

"Come on, let's go home," he gestured for the door.

"Back to reality," she said.

He hugged his best friend and the with one last sweep of the place they shut the door, ready to head home.

~.~.~.~

First thing Monday morning Rey met up with Ben at the courthouse to get their annulment processed. Since Poe had apparently been a witness, he opted to tag along in case they needed someone to help back up their requests. Though he didn't fool anyone – he just wanted to be there because he was such a gossipmonger. It was a bit weird for Rey to see Ben in their surroundings. Of course she was familiar with the place, it was Los Angeles and she lived there as did he. But since she had literally only known Ben for 48 hours, it was awkward to see him anywhere outside of Las Vegas. This just made all the more of their situation very real.

Somewhere in the universe someone had it in for Ben or Rey (or both). Everything seemed to go against them all morning. First, their 8 AM appointment was pushed to 10 AM. When Poe suggested that they grab some coffee in the cafeteria while they wait, they learned that the coffee machine was down. No caffeine to start a grueling Monday morning. Rey was not having it.

To make things worse, their original judge had been reassigned to another case and the one given to them was – in Ben and Poe's opinion - the grouchiest man alive. He was an older gentleman, someone who probably should be retired by now. He also did not like anyone under the age of 50. He thought the millennials were a lost generation. And don't even get him started with the Z's - seriously he thought they were pointless. Which is why even as they settled into the courtroom, Ben had a feeling he and Rey would not have an easy time. Even Poe couldn't find it in him to be optimistic for his friends.

The judge settled in his chair and let out an exasperated sigh even before the meeting began.

"Let's see... Ben Solo. Rey Andor-Solo. Yada, yada, yada… Request for annulment after forty-eight hours of marriage?"

He tipped his glasses to the bridge of his nose, observing the two people in front of him, then continued reading their file. When he finished, the judge, Anthony Snoke, set the file down and rubbed his forehead. He was already over this case before it even started. It was not looking good for the two of them.

"Alright," he grumbled. "Who wants to start?"

Normally he would be more formal, but Snoke as well wasn't having the most pleasant of mornings.

"Your honor," Ben's attorney, Sabine Wren, spoke up. "My client and his spouse would like to file for an annulment as they mutually believe that this union was made under the evidence of want of understanding. Neither party was fully aware of the happenstance when it occurred."

"Want of understanding… Is that so?" he belittled the attorney's words. Like he's never heard that about a hundred times a month. "And where were these nuptials taken place exactly?"

"Las Vegas, Nevada your honor," Sabine replied.

"Oh… Las Vegas…" he grunted loudly.

He then turned his attention to the couple.

"May I ask how old you both are?"

"Sir, I'm 30 years old."

"I'm 25 your honor."

"Of course," he spewed.

He already figured their ages out just by looking at them. This was just a long drawl as he was worn-out with these types of cases.

"So, are you telling me that you two are too young to be married?"

Sabine nudged Ben to stand up. He stiffly obliged.

"No, your honor. We just both think we aren't ready is all."

"Not ready? How so?" Snoke sardonically leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms.

"I mean…" Ben looked at Rey for help, but she was too scared to move. Sorry Ben, you got to take one for the team. "This just isn't the right time in our lives to even think about settling down and making such a commitment."

"And why not? You two seem like a healthy young couple. You can work this out." Now he was just being difficult for the sake of it!

"Well… you see sir…" Ben gulped hard before continuing, "We had only just met last Friday…"

Poe, who was sitting in one of the benches behind Ben, shook his head and buried his face in his hands. Even he knew that Ben and Rey were not going to get off that easy.

The judge was still for a moment, glaring at Ben. Then he turned and fixated his stare on Rey, who nervously tried to avert her eyes elsewhere.

"You know, I am sick and tired of your generation disrespecting the sanctity of marriage. Of commitment, of honesty," Snoke spat. "Have you kids no respect for the foundations of loyalty? Of trust?"

The fearful judge's tone had evolved from tolerance to resentment. This was the last 'annulment case' he would do for some irresponsible kids that didn't care for their actions.

"Your honor, we are in no way trying to disrespect anyone," Ben retorted. "I respect her, she respects me. This is a mutual decision."

"Respect? What do you know about that? You kids think you're so much smarter, more confident. But it's really arrogance and ego!" he slammed his hands on his desk, causing Rey to shutter in her seat. She felt bad that Ben was getting a beating for them.

"Your honor," Rey finally spoke up. "We understand. We've owned up to our actions, but doesn't it count a little bit that we are fixing things in the most mature and responsible way as possible? We know this isn't right. That's why we are trying to fix it right away."

"No young lady, you're not owning up to anything. You made a huge dent and want someone to erase it as if nothing happened," he fought back.

"But sir, if that's not what annulments are, then why is it an option for us? If it's in our rights, then we are entitled to use it," Ben reasoned.

"Entitlement is what your damn generation ever thinks about," the angry judge griped.

Poe saw that his two friends were being crushed out there. Not wanting to just sit there, he thoughtlessly stood up from where he was sitting and chimed in.

"Your honor, you were young once, right? You know how it feels to be spontaneous, in the moment, in love? Or at least infatuation… We all go through it. We all make mistakes, and like Rey said we own up to it. That's why my friends here are doing what's best for them," their friend offered his help.

"Who the hell are you?" the judge sneered at him.

"I-I'm Poe Dameron, sir. A friend to both Rey and Ben. I was there when their nuptials happened. Now I'm here to help them reason with you for a pardon."

"Well, friend Poe. If you're supposed to be their voice of reason, why didn't you stop their nuptials from happening in the first place?"

He got him there. Poe didn't even want to share that he was drunk out of his mind to this soulless judge. Instead, he sunk back into his seat, giving an apologetic shrug to Ben and Rey.

"I've been in law for my entire life," he explained to the trio. "Was a supreme court justice for 15 years before I stepped down because of my damn health. I've seen it all, heard it all. You civilians think just because we have a court system, we can fix problems. When I was your age, we fixed them ourselves, or we knew better than to make stupid decisions in the first place. Federal crimes, civil disagreements… I take more divorce hearings than marriage ceremonies. The sacredness of marriage, companionship, partnership - it's romanticized so much that everyone does it like it's a damn hobby."

The three of them sulk their heads in shame.

"Let me tell you something," he started, "I've been married to the same pain in the ass woman for 40 years and even though I want to put a shotgun through my mouth every time she bugs the crap out of me, I still love her and still stay married. You know why? Because on our wedding day we made vows, we promised to stay together."

The judge saw the look in Rey's face. It was full of contempt and misery. He observed Ben's sullen demeanor, respectful enough to him. He hated these trials of stupid young adults breaking the bonds of marriage so early. But for a brief moment he felt sympathy.

"Look, I get it. Your dumb friend is right. When you're young you do stupid things. But I honestly don't see anything wrong that can come of this," he said to the couple.

"I'm sorry?" Ben was confused. As was Rey given that she wore the same expression.

"You two seem like you can make this work."

"Sir, we hardly know each other," Rey defended.

"Well, then get to know each other. Don't you kids watch those moronic reality shows about the misrepresentation of love? How anyone can even begin to believe that love can be a prize on a two-month dating show."

"What about free will? What if we wish to see other people?" Ben asked aloud.

"And you think an annulment with grant you free will?" the judge scoffed. "Will that teach you two to be more responsible?"

"I mean… it's a start," Rey meekly replied.

"It's a start, huh? How do I really know you two actually understand what marriage is?"

"Sir, my parents have been married for 30 years. And Rey's parents were together until their dying days. I understand what true marriage is. We both do," he gestured at himself and Rey, holding on to anything that can help them.

"Yes sir we do," she helped out.

"Your parents, huh? You're the son of Han and Leia Solo, am I right?" he asked Ben.

"Yes sir," Ben stiffly nodded. He didn't know where Snoke was going with this, but he was feeling even more uncomfortable bringing up his parents since this meeting started.

"Did they not teach you the meaning of commitment?" Snoke questioned. "I'm sure the son of two very prestigious people in their own fields would have picked up some things about loyalty."

"Sir, I don't see what my parents have to do with this," Ben tried to dismiss the subject.

Snoke grunted, seeing that Ben was trying to ignore the question. Rey saw that he was getting uneasy about the topic of his parents, so she tried to divert the attention back to their situation.

"You honor, we know how important marriage is between two people, "she spoke up. "And although what we did was irresponsible, we understand our actions well enough to respect each other and allow both of us to carry on with our lives separately so we can find the right partner to marry for real."

Snoke rolled his eyes. "Well you two are smart people. If you weren't responsible the first time, why should I even bother to hand out another chance?"

Is he serious right now? They all thought.

"Goodness of your heart?" Ben suggested. At this point they were desperate.

"Goodness of my h- okay, you're both ridiculous," the judge had enough of these youngins. Did they really think they could persuade him to an easy way out? Not this time. So, he decided to play with this. "I'll make you two a deal."

This prompted both their attention, as well as Poe's and their counsels.

"You two show me how responsible you really are, how respectful and understanding you are about the sacredness of marriage and I'll grant you this pardon."

Ben and Rey looked at each other, the first sigh of relief shared.

"How can we do that sir? We'll do anything," Rey implored.

The judge let out a disparaged laugh, a grimaced expression on his face.

"I want you both to stay in this 'marriage'," he air quoted the word, "for six months. Show me that you two can respect one another, honor your vows, and if you truly understand the commitment of being with someone through the eyes of the law, the eyes of God, or whatever the hell you two believe in, then I'll grant an annulment. You have up to a year before it's an official divorce and I'm letting you off with half that time."

"B-b-but-" they both stuttered.

"No. I've had enough of this crap. Every week I get a couple like you thinking you can charm your way into getting out of a mess. That's my final offer," he didn't budge. Sympathy and patience were thrown out the window as Snoke went back to being the forceful, scary judge they had had the entire morning. "Show me some respect for the laws and I will give you what you truly you want."

"Wait, but-"

"You've made your bed, and now you must lie in it."

"Sir, you can't-"

"Oh yes I can," he cut them off.

This time he stood up, towering over the two.

With daunting eyes, he spoke, "Am I missing anything else? Oh right. I now pronounce you, husband and wife. This meeting is now adjourned."

The cracking sound of his gavel pierced throughout the room, causing Ben and Rey's hearts to stop beating.

A/N: Preview of next chapter: Judge's Orders

"Can he do that?! Tell me he can't do that?!"

"Is it really that bad that you two have to stay married for six months?"

"YES!"

"What?" Poe asked, as if he were missing something.

"We literally have to play 'house'!"