'ello, peoples of the earth!

So, at long last, I have scrounged up enough time to write this last chapter for y'all. I hope I did it justice; it was tough to write. So grab your tissues and your blankets, cause if I did my job well, y'all are gonna cry.

Hope y'all enjoy!

The First Time I Saw You as a Man

"BEN!"

The masked figure halted in the middle of the bridge.

Han wet his dry lips. Now that he had made himself known, there was no going back. Kylo Ren knew who had just called him by name, and he would more than likely react unfavorably.

But Han stood his ground. His hand went to the railing to steady himself as the dark knight turned around. Red emergency lights glinted off the black mask Kylo wore. "Han Solo," he said. His voice was deep and halting, conveying no emotion. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

A weathered hand released the railing, and Han stepped onto the walkway. He knew he had to tread carefully. "Take off that mask," he demanded, a father's direction to his son. "You don't need it."

The artificial voice seemed to mock Han as he approached. "What do you think you'll see if I do?"

Han knew what others would have said. The face of Kylo Ren, they would reply, would have to be quite a horrendous sight to match the monster the robes and mask concealed. "The face of my son."

This reply seemed to throw Kylo off guard, though he quickly regained composure. Lifting his hands, he fingered the buttons on the side of his mask. Han watched as the helmet lifted off of Kylo's face with a click and a whoosh, and the helmet was thrown to the metal bridge with a dull clang.

And Ben Solo stood before him once more.

Han's chest tightened as he gazed upon his son for the first time in twenty years. Ben had grown tall and lean, with dark hair that fell to his broad shoulders. He had his mother's dark, soulful eyes and his father's cheekbones. Han suspected he'd found the reason for the mask when he found that he could still read his son's face like an open book.

If you see our son, bring him home.

He'd certainly found their son.

"Your son is gone," Ben bit out, as if he'd heard Han's thoughts. Han wouldn't have been surprised; Ben had been trained to use the Force. "He was weak and foolish like his father, so I destroyed him."

Han kept walking, determined to follow Leia's instructions. He ignored the voices in his head that taunted him, berating him for running away when his family needed him most, mocking him for having raised a beautiful son that turned into the creature that stood before him. "That's what Snoke wants you to believe," he tried. The voices quieted a little. "But it's not true. My son is alive."

"No." Ben didn't move. His right eye twitched. He was enraged. "The Supreme Leader is wise."

"Snoke is using you for your power," Han pressed. He stopped about two feet from Ben, watching his son closely. The younger man did not reach for Han's neck, nor did his gloved hand reach for his lightsaber. "When he gets what he wants, he'll crush you."

Ben hesitated, and Han saw his face tighten. His stomach dropped when he realized that his son had known this for some time; his arms ached to gather Ben in his embrace as he had when Ben was a little boy.

At last, Ben spoke. "It's too late."

Han's vision became blurry as he watched pools of water gather in Ben's eyes. "No, it's not," he replied, grabbing Ben's arms. "Leave here with me. Come home."

Ben looked down and swallowed hard. Han resisted the urge to throw his arms around the taller man. "We miss you."

And for one moment, one brief and shining moment, it seemed as though Ben would respond to his father's plea. Surely he remembered the trip in the Falcon, and the efforts his mother made to come home from Senate meetings in time to kiss her son good night.

Surely he remembered the love his family held for him.

"I'm being torn apart," he finally murmured, his breaths shallow. The shield Ben had built around himself crumbled, and he stood before his father vulnerable and damaged. "I want to be free of this pain."

Out of the corner of his eye, Han saw Ben's hand reach for his lightsaber, but he made no move to stop his son as he continued speaking. "I know what I have to do, but I don't know if I have the strength to do it." He looked up. "Will you help me?"

No questions. No details. No backup. "Yes. Anything."

Ben slowly exhaled and removed the lightsaber from his belt. Han's mind was racing as his son held the weapon out to him. He would have to explain to Finn and Rey what was happening, and he would have to get Ben out of Starkiller Base without getting either of them shot.

He didn't care. Leia's happiness and Han's own joy at having his son back would more than make up for the hassle.

Without thinking, Han grabbed the saber. Too late, he saw Ben's finger move.

And a white-hot pain shot through Han's chest as the red blade stabbed him.

Chaos ensued. Han could feel the stares of his three companions on the back of his head. Chewbacca's howl echoed off the high metal enclosure, and Rey's screech pierced his ears. Ben drove the blade further into Han's gut, and Han swore he saw Ben's face morph into the bloodthirsty face of Kylo Ren.

The tears had disappeared. The emotion and the guilt had vanished. "Thank you," the dark knight said casually, as if he were discussing the weather. With a flick of his hand, the blade was ripped from Han's chest.

It didn't matter what deed had just been done, or what atrocity had just been committed. Han reached up to touch Ben's face, grateful that he had been able to see his son one last time.

He was getting old anyway. Better to die a quick death than a long and painful one.

The sight of Ben turned to darkness, and Han felt himself falling.

His last thought was a rather humorous one. Wonder if I'll see the guy from Echo Base.

In honor of Han Solo, 29 BBY to 34 ABY.

So Kylo's redemption arc better be good to make up for that scene. I choose to believe Rey thought ahead, put a trampoline at the bottom of that chasm, and saved Han Solo's life.

If you liked it, hated it, or wanted to light it up and watch it burn, review and let me know! Thanks so much for reading, and may the Force be with you always!