Through the darkness I hear her say my name quietly, I cannot open my eyes; I cannot see her, I cannot touch her, but her voice surrounds me. "We will see each other again..." She pauses, I can almost feel her breathing, "I believe that." Her lips lower and press gently to my forehead, I suddenly gain control, but I cannot see her,
"Don't leave me!" I demand desperately, immediately reaching into the abyss and grasping her hand.
My eyes flutter open and I'm looking directly at my hand as it grips tightly onto the small pale hand of someone else. My eyes follow the slim, yet strong arm to where it meets a shoulder that heaves up and down rapidly. I raise my eyes just a little higher and they rest upon a beautiful girl, who's glowing in the evening light, her hair is flowing down her shoulders but pushed behind her ears, her lips are parted slightly. Her green eyes glow and I just stare at her, not saying a word in fear I'll wake and she'll disappear. My hand still grasps hers; I tentatively stroke my thumb across hers and loosen my grip slightly. I can't take my eyes from hers "Rey?" I whisper, immediately after her name falls from my lips a smile captures her entire face, and she half collapses, half lowers herself to embrace me.
Her face is nestled perfectly into my neck, her arms holding the back of my head "Finn..." Relief weaves its way through the way she says my name, "you're okay," the words slip through her lips and combine with a deep sigh that seems like she has been holding for a long time.
I am unable to comprehend that she is here, so I lie motionless for a moment. Then as her breathing regulates and I feels my pulse slow I realises I am awake and this isn't a dream. A feeling of joy seeps into my veins and warms me.
"I won't leave you," Rey responds to my call into the darkness, she kisses the side of my neck, it tingles long after she takes her lips away. I wrap my arm around her and hold her close to me, with my free hand I press it into her hair; she holds me tighter; a deep euphoric sensation embeds itself into my very being. I feel my body relax into her as she silently presses another kiss to my neck.
She cannot be comfortable; her knees pressed to the hard floor, her body slumped over me. I use the hand that is in her hair to lift her face up to mine.
"You're really here, aren't you?" I search her face, using my thumb to run it across her jaw line, she nods.
"I came back to you, just like I said I would." I bring my hand back into her hair gently pulling her closer to me, I kiss her forehead. She pulls away and I let my hand fall from her hair.
"I was scared," Rey whispers, sitting back on her knees eradicating herself from my grip.
"Of what?" I query.
"That you wouldn't wake up," Her voice is hushed as if squashed by the weight of her words; she looks away from me but I lean to the edge of the bed, ignoring my protesting muscles. I grasp her face between my hands, her eyes are closed and her face peacefully sad; I recall the way she looked in the snow.
"I was scared," I whisper, "When I held you like this, and you I didn't think you were breathing..." She immediately opens her eyes; as if to shatter the image in my mind. I run my thumbs along her cheek bones, her pale complexion glowing beneath my dark skin. She sighs and leans into my touch.
"I guess we were both scared,"
"We don't have to be now." I smile and she nods.
I did not realise I had fallen back asleep, until I wake up to Starla quietly talking to Poe, Rey isn't in the room and I wonder if maybe it was all a dream. I stare at Starla as she giggles, twisting her blonde her in her fingers and looking dreamily up at Poe. He notices me watching them, then turns his full attention to me.
"Hey, how are you?" Poe walks over to me and squeezes my left shoulder; I take a moment to assess how I feel.
"Sore," Poe nods, and Starla walks over.
"Did you hurt your back yesterday?" She seems worried, guilt fills her features, assuming she pushed me over the edge by letting me train myself, I shake my head.
"Just pulled a few muscles, I didn't ruin the treatment," I smile slightly as she relaxes, and she quietly leaves the room.
"I didn't think sore would be your response," I am able to quickly get myself into a sitting position on the edge of the bed
"What do you mean?" I ask as I stretch, once I answer I understand and a wide smile spreads across my face, he raises one eyebrow, willing me to elaborate on my earlier answer "Is she really here?" I ask, Poe nods before answering,
"She sure is." He smiles.
A moment late I hear her voice as she asks, "You really don't believe I'm back, do you?" She laughs, emerges from behind Poe and standing directly in front of me, I look up to her and I see her eyes sparkling.
"I do now," I whisper.
"I think it's about time you get on with your exercises, isn't Finny boy?" Poe hints and I nod, I push myself slowly into a standing position, I rise slightly taller than Rey, and we stand silently looking at each other for a moment, "Okay, let's go" Poe gently touches Rey's arm, she immediately rejects his mildly affectionate gesture and steps away from him.
"Don't touch me," she shouts defiantly, I try to hide my smile but fail.
"Feisty," Poe winks at me, and she looks to me with suspicion, but I notice her tiny smile.
"I'll see you later," She utters before exiting the room,
"Have a good day," Poe calls giving me a small salute and goes in the opposite direction to Rey.
I have regained almost all the movement in my back, but I still had my shoulder to work on. I accomplish some squats and all different and unique stretches and poses which I have to hold for as long as possible. The day proceeds swiftly and before I know it Starla has come back into my room and it is the early evening.