Chapter 5: Connection That I'll Never Understand

The Falcon had barely powered down amidst the jungle trees of Ajan Kloss, when Rey was racing down the gangplank, furiously stalking towards the Resistance base. The Force guided her directly to Poe Dameron's office, her Bond roaring to life with a cry of relief and gratitude, as she burst in shaking with fury.

Ben was standing by Poe's desk, bound in ion cuffs, with Finn and Poe both surrounding him, blasters trained.

"What is the meaning of this?!" Rey blasted. Finn jumped at the sudden intrusion, his blaster wobbling as he whirled to gape at her. Rey was immensely satisfied to sense his aura chill at the sneer she sent her best friend. "So... you thought you could use your new Force powers to lumber your way to my husband, and then the minute I was off-planet, you swoop in and arrest him. How did you even do it?" It might be arrogant to think so, but there was no way a Force-sensitive ex-Stormtrooper could have taken down a Jedi from the most legendary Force bloodline in history. No kriffing way.

Ben sported something between a grin and a grimace. "He has amazing raw talent in the Force. Much potential."

Rey ignored this, waving a hand across both Poe and Finn's faces. "You will release my husband now."

Finn instantly moved to obey and remove the cuffs; evidently, his 'raw talent' did not cover the ability to block Jedi mind tricks. Poe Dameron, however, stopped him, unswayed.

"On what grounds?"

Rey scowled. "On the grounds that we are married, thank you very much, and your execution of him would leave me a widow and destitute." This wasn't exactly true - despite his fall to the dark side, Leia had never disowned her son, so it stood to reason that Ben was poised to inherit the entire Organa fortune. But Poe didn't have to know that. Her glare deepening, Rey tried again. "You will release my husband now," she intoned, stronger this time.

Now, both Poe and Finn moved to un-cuff Ben in a trance. Upon release, Ben ran into Rey's arms and swept her into a breathless kiss. When the haze cleared, Poe shook his head, bewildered. "So, you have done that to us."

Still in Ben's arms, Rey looked back at him and laughed. "Just don't give me reason to do it again, Dameron."

Ben had been right. The Force was indeed a powerful ally in getting others to do what you wanted.

Several months later, the OBGYN on site at the Ajan Kloss med ward looked up gravely from the scanners and shook her head.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Solo. You do not appear to be pregnant. It is my conclusion that your husband is unable to provide you with children."

A stunned Rey fell back into her husband's arms, dissolving into tears, weeping bitterly. At the couple's side, a shaken and distraught Finn hung his head. Even Poe Dameron appeared moved.

"Rey, I'm sorry," the General murmured.

Rey sobs gradually subsided into sniffles, and she glanced to her husband. The one dream that she had yearned for, which they had actively discussed and happily tried for since his release, would never come to pass. "What will happen now?"

Ben didn't answer. Instead, he clipped, his voice low and somber, "Finn, I need to talk with you alone."

Finn jumped at being addressed like this, obviously expecting his old boss to still call him by his old serial number, FN-2187. Rey was crying again, reaching and clinging to her husband, but he disengaged from her gently. Placing a hand on her belly and willing the Force to calm her, passing through their Bond gentle words of reassurance and love, Ben turned and stalked outside. Finn followed behind curiously, warily.

Out among the jungle trees, Ben turned to Finn, his eyes beseeching and filled with unusual vulnerability. "Finn, I need you to do something for me." He paused for a moment to gather his words. "You have a connection with her... that I'll never understand." He heard all about Finn's defection, how he had become fast friends with Rey over many adventures. Rey loved Finn like a brother, and to this day, she called him by an affectionate pet name - "Finny."

Ben cleared his throat. "I will talk to Rey about it. Let her know that she would in no way be dishonoring me or our vows... but I want you to sleep with her. Give her a baby."

Finn's eyes went as wide as saucers. "Are you even being remotely serious? You... you're sick, you know that? You're insane!"

"Maybe so," Ben conceded. "But I'm also willing to do whatever it takes so that my wife can have a child. Rey deserves to be a mother, have a family - it's what she's always wanted. And... you're the only man I think both of us trust. The only man that I trust with her." He glanced at Finn pointedly. "I know you love her. I can't blame you that you do. And I know that you will treat her with respect."

Finn sighed deeply. No matter how hard it was, he would also do anything to make Rey happy. So, shoulders back but chin trembling, he nodded. Ben dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"Thank you. I'll contact you once I have arranged it."

Rey agreed to the proposed plan. That very same night, shortly after leaving the hospital, she crossed from the Falcon and over to Finn's apartment, where Ben dropped her off.

"I'll be by to pick you up in the morning, love." Kissing her head, Ben left.

Rey knocked on the door, and Finn admitted her in nervously, wearing nothing but a tasteful bathrobe. Facing him in her nightgown after the door had closed behind them, Rey regarded her best friend awkwardly, biting her lip.

Finn cleared his throat, the sound coming out almost as a squeak. "Well... I suppose we should... kiss first..." Dipping his head, he softly brushed his lips against Rey's. She didn't move, but willed herself to close her eyes. Make it seem as though she was enjoying this. On the whole, Finn tasted nice. He drew away. "Rey? Was that all right?"

"Y... Yes..."

Kissing her again, Rey allowed herself to sink into the embrace, and Finn copied her. Holding the kiss, the two best friends stumbled back into Finn's bedroom and closed the door behind them...

"AHHHH! GAHHH! Oh, GODS! Force, please help me..."

Nine months later found Rey sprawled flat on her back in a hospital bed, knees spread, ready to bring her and Finn's baby into the world. Ben flanked her on one side, holding her hand, and Finn matched him on the other. Off against the wall, Poe Dameron oversaw the scene, looking grim.

"Just hold on, little desert flower," Finn coached, brushing back her bangs.

"Just push, Rey!" Ben encouraged, kissing her forehead sweetly, then her lips. "I love you. I love you so much."

"It's crowning!" the medical droid called. "PUSH!"

Rey bore down with a shout, and with one last heave, a cry pierced the evening as Finn's and her baby slid out of her into the world. Getting a flashing glimpse of it as the medical droid held it to the light, Rey observed how it had the most creamy, brown skin, and her eyes. A girl.

All at once, another contraction hit her, followed by a sharp pain. The medical droid ducked back down between Rey's legs. "Hold on... there's another one..."

Finn nearly went collapsing to the ground. "There's another one?!"

Poe smirked. "I guess your boys don't know their own strength, buddy." Rey glowered at the pilot.

"You want me to cut you down with my lightsaber, Dameron?!" she screeched. Poe wisely shut up.

Crushing Ben's hand in her fist, Rey keened into the agony of labor. "AHHHHHH!" With another cry of suffering, she slid out a second baby into the world. But when it was held to the light, both she and her husband were startled to find that it was white as milk... and looked like the spitting image of Ben. Their son.

Rey gaped in astonishment. "I don't... believe it..." Bursting into tears, she hugged herself, praising the Force. "A miracle! The Force has willed it..."

"I don't understand..." Finn glanced to Ben. "How did that happen?" Evidently, his... assistance hadn't been required after all.

Ben had a feeling he knew. Thinking back to the day he and Rey had been told of his infertility... how he calmed her through the Force while placing his hand on her belly...

Rey tearfully hiccuped. "It doesn't matter now." Reaching to cup Ben's face, she craned up to kiss him. "Now, I have a child by my best friend, and a child by my husband." She glanced to Finn, who had averted his gaze respectfully from the private moment. Rey beamed with affection. "Finny," she crooned. "Come in."

Perplexed, Finn leaned in quite close. As soon as he was near, Rey tilted her head up and chastely pressed her lips to his. She felt Finn nudge against her mouth for a moment in surprise, but he didn't pull away. She held it for a moment before they broke apart.

"Thank you..." she whispered hoarsely, still in tears as the med droid placed their baby girl in her arms. "For giving our daughter to me. You will always be a part of this family."

Finn nodded, choked up. "For you, Rey... anything," he vowed.

The little girl's half-brother was placed in Rey's arms, too. And as Rey and Ben embraced and tearfully kissed, Rey knew that her dream had come true at last. She had a family with the man she loved... and her best friends by her side, having finally come around to accepting her marriage. And soon, she and her husband and her children would reintroduce the Jedi to the galaxy and bring Balance to the Force. All while living happily ever after.