A few days have passed, Poe visited often, he had even spoken to Rey over the videocomm a few times but I'd leave the room so their conversations stayed private.

Poe hasn't stayed the night since he confessed his true feelings about his injuries: telling me that he likes his own space, and being able to do things without assistance, but wish he could stay because I want his company.

"Finn," a voice tears me from my thoughts and I turn my head to see Starla approach as I hand in the holocharts back to XR49P.

"Hey."

"Are you busy?"

"No, I've finished for the day?" I take a glance at the clock; it is only just turning midday.

"Bradlee and Ryand are being released," the brothers had only just been admitted a few days prior. Her relaxed expression doesn't seem to be one of joy at their recovery.

"So that just leaves Jaeden?"

"Yes, exactly, General Organa enquired if you wish to begin training?" my brows twitch with surprised; I had not known that the general had agreed.

"Yes, I would like that, a lot." I can't help but grin, Starla nods.

"The team is coming together for a briefing in a few hours in the compound, you're welcome to join."

"I'll be there."

"Good," she begins to turn around, but stops and twists back on her heels to face me, her short hair swishing with the force of the movement. "Are you feeling better?" her voice is soft, unlike her previous motion.

"Better, thank you for asking," I shift my weight slightly.

"What about Rey, did you get in contact with her the other day?"

"Yeah, she's having as much fun as Luke allows," I can't help but smile as I recall our conversation the other morning when she told me the night before they played some sort of hologram game and they used the force to move the tokens.

"So that wouldn't be a lot I take it?" she smirks, and her wink was so quick I almost missed it.

"I wouldn't say you were wrong," I chuckle, knowing it would have been a very rare occasion for him to play a game.

"Poe seems happier," her voice is quiet, as if it's a secret, and I suppose it kind of is. An infirmary full of physicians might not be the best place to state that a previous patient is doing much better outside of the clinic.

"He is coping the best he can," I give her a small half smile and she returns it.

"I'm sure I'll see you around, be careful training," she turns back on her heels and disappears down the corridor and then down the stairs.

**

Rey gives me the bad news that, particularly chilly, evening.

"I won't be able to come home for another week," she closes her eyes, anticipating and bracing herself for the loud sigh I try unsuccessfully to hide, I watch her tense slightly.

"It's okay," I can't help but sound as defeated as I feel.

"I miss you," is the closest thing to an explanation she is able to give me.

"I start training tomorrow," I fill the silence that was only making us miserable.

"You do?" she sounds surprised, but her shoulders loosen when she realises I won't push her for an explanation, I know she wouldn't stay longer unless there was a reason. If I ever meet this new king I will be sure he is following the advice he is avoiding so Rey won't be sent back again.

"All the patients have been discharged, except for Jaeden."

Rey nods slowly, "Are you excited?" she smiles brightly; obviously she is able to feel my joy as well.

"I can't wait," my eyes squint slightly as I grin. "Poe is running the program with some other commanders. We had a meeting a few hours ago," I begin and Rey leans closer to the monitor. "We train four times a day, two hours blocks with an hour in between, so I will be able to go to the clinic to help Jaeden, and anyone else who needs it as well." I am grateful at how the timetable works out and I remember Poe's bright smile when he handed me my new uniform.

"I'll have to come and watch you once I get back," she smiles tightly and I nod enthusiastically.

"I can't wait!"

We chat for a while longer, Rey tells me about her training with Luke and how he keeps testing her patience and addressing any situation where her anger levels could rise, so that she can handle them with tranquillity instead of rage. She calls it a night and we share a quick goodbye and then she shuts off her communicator and my screen turns black.

The nights are becoming a lot cooler and I find myself wearing a few extra layers to bed to compensate for the lack of Rey. I am becoming too accustomed to the empty space beside me, and I am unsure how I will cope another week sleeping alone. I twist and turn around under the sheets, pulling them close to my chin, trying to will sleep upon me. It takes a while but eventually I am able to slip into a long sleep.

I wake up late the next morning, definitely not the way I wanted to start my first day of training, I groan and roll out of the sheets. I quickly get undressed, catching a glimpse of my jagged scar in the reflection but don't by much attention as I stretch and twist to try and erase the evidence of sleepy, tight muscles. I awkwardly try to shimmy into my new uniform and making sure it looks presentable before making my way out of the unit.
Grabbing some fruit from the dining hall and quickly passing everyone, my head down, focused on the concrete that moves like a dark wave under my feet as I make my way out of the compound and to training block. I realise once I arrive that I am not as late as I thought and other people are filing in.
Poe is waiting patiently at the entrance, grinning when he sees me approaching.

"Looking good soldier," Poe looks me up and down before laughing and rolling into the small building.

"Thanks," I call and he give me a thumbs up.

We are briefed and then split into groups: offence and defence, and then we run a few basic drills. After each break everyone returns to their other duties; some are nurses or work in administration, others are the chefs from the diner, or are part of the maintenance crew. However, they all seem to have the same agenda: learning how to defend themselves, and the Resistance.

I visit Jaeden and we dead lift some weights together, his back strength is coming along and he is getting better, adding an extra kilo every few days.

I make my way back to the block and we continue to train. The second round involves no physical component, we are given a layout of the program, Poe and the other commanders go through it with us. The training intensifies as the days go on, we will learn about team work and the handling the weaponry, it seems almost too similar to Stormtrooper training, but then it is explained that we will learn how to defuse a heated situation and the best ways to avoid violence, as well as a lot of theory and body language lessons, which I could still use some skill interpreting. I know this is not going to feel like the simulations we were forced to complete in the First Order and I can't hide my grin when I am congratulated on my enthusiasm at the end of the first day.

**

The week passes, and I have found a pleasant routine: eat, train, visit Jaeden, train eat, train, help in the infirmary, train, eat and spend time with Poe then sleep.

I tap my foot on the tarmac, pacing back and forth. I miss her, and I have to stop my mind from wandering to the inappropriate thoughts I have at night or else I'll have some embarrassing second glances from people who walk past. I try to breathe through the adrenaline. I close my eyes, but I can't help but see her peacefully erotic face as she moans my name.

I see the Falcon glide over the tree tops and land near the wildflowers at the edge of the forest. I try to contain my excitement and walk under the freighter and head towards the ramp which seems to lower too slowly.
Her hair is tied back, three buns, of course. Her tunic the same but her shoes have a few more scrapes compared to when she left. Her smile is full of joy and I walk a few steps up the ramp to meet her. She is up slightly higher than me and she presses her forehead against mine just taking a moment to look into my eyes. Her feet slide down and the tips of our shoes crush together softly. I lean forward and her press her lips to mine. We both take deep breathes simultaneously, and our noses brush as we get used to each other again. My hands are pressed into her sun damaged hair and hers clutch at my shirt, nearly dragging it from my body.
I kiss her deeply, with a hunger I only have for her. She sighs into me and I open her mouth with my lips and let my tongue explore her even though I know each curve.
I break us apart, my hands slide down her arms and I wrap them around her back pulling her into a tight hug. Her arms wrap around my waist. I breathe her in; the scent of sand still lingers in her skin. I never thought I'd love the smell of Jakku. She kisses my chest and I kiss her hair.

"Hey," she mumbles the greeting into fabric.

"Hi," I kiss the top of her head again, but itch for a lot more. "Miss me?" I quiz.

She pulls out of the embrace and looks me in the eye, hers twinkle with mischief. "Nah, I was too busy," my hands runs down her back and grip her hips.

I lean down so my lips are against her ear. "I think you're lying."

"I think you're right," she breaks, and then presses her lips to my jaw as I pull away from her. "It was boring and all I thought about was you," her fingertips slide under the hem of my shirt. We hear loud beats of shoes on metal, so Rey slowly takes her hand out; but holds me tightly.

"Luke," I nod a greeting to the elderly man who walks down the ramp beside Chewie. He nods back at me. Chewie grumbles something I don't understand.

"Young love, my friend, young love," he states with a faraway expression. Chewie shrugs and grumbles in an incomprehensible acceptance.

I turn back to Rey, "Can we-"

"Poe!" Rey calls, cutting me off when she sees the soon to be again pilot wheeling around near our hangar. "Sorry, I'll be right back," she slips from my grip and rush over to him, holding her lightsaber to her side so it doesn't fly off the clip. I stand on the ramp for a while, rather dumbfounded. Did she just leave me for Poe? I laugh at the absurdity before I slowly walk down the ramp. I do not interrupt instead I sit on the end of the ramp and wait for her to come back. Their conversation doesn't last long but I see Poe's happy smile and he nods. Unexpectedly Rey starts to bounce on her toes and she looks back at me, eyes shining before she looks back at Poe and they speak only for a moment longer.

Rey rushes back over to me and as I stand to my feet it is like I'm overcome by the fact she is in front of me again, I think she is too. She reacts out and grasps my upper arm, for confirmation that I'm really in front of her. Her jaw goes slack, and her eyes flicker from my eyes to my arm. "Finn," Rey grips onto my bicep tighter and I instinctively flex. Her eyes darken and I tilt my head to coax her to look up at me again.

"Is everything okay?" Her fingers run smoothly over my skin as if weighing it in her mind. She raises one eyebrow and bites her lip a little, heat spreads through me as she looks back into my eyes. Both of her hands delicately examine the span of my bicep.

"Mmm," she hums in affirmation. "How long have I been gone?" She doesn't let me answer before continuing, "You've worked out since I left," I blush and shrug.

"Well, I guess. Rehab has become more intense for the patients, and I've started training..." She looks back at my arms as she squeezes them softly.

"I think you should put these muscles to good use," she winks and the blood rushes from my cheeks down my body.

"How would I do that?" My voice is rough and deep and I almost feel the way Rey reacts to me.

"That's up to you, soldier," she bites her lip further before letting it go. I watch the way she licks them, my thoughts are more than enough for me to become flustered. We have a long walk back and I grab her hand and pull her off the ramp and towards the compound.

"I think we have some catching up to do," I hint at my intentions and her eyes flicker with lust.

"Lead the way," she is chirpy and my hand finds hers. When I realize just how far away we are from our bedroom I become increasingly irritated and tug her hand to walk a bit faster.
She has to skip every few steps to keep up and I grin over my shoulder at her. We pass the dining hall and she waves to one of the cooks who is closing the doors for a few hours before they reopen for the dinner rush.

I feel as though I need to fill the silence even though I really don't want to be exchanging words with her. "Did you have a good trip besides that one day?" I ask loudly.

"Yeah, it's all fine. I didn't do any damage or anything. I'm glad I'm back though. Next time you're coming with me."

"Agreed."

"How was it around here?" She skips up to my speed again.

"Fine, Poe stayed over a couple of nights. I ran rehab, trained and that's about it," I give her a sideways glance. Her cheeks are a little red and I nearly trip over my feet, will this hallway never end?

Finally we reach the new corridor especially built to lead to our home and I fumble over the code, my shaky fingers get it wrong the first time. I feel Rey's impatience radiate and it mixes with my desire for her. Finally the door opens. I pull her inside and the front door barely closes before I turn around and push her against it. My mouth immediately presses to hers and she gasps, my tongue against hers and the sensation is intoxicating. I tear my lips from her and start to make my way across her neck. Her hand tugs at my hair and she sighs.

"I've been thinking about you," I confess and swipe my tongue along her collarbone before kissing her sensitive skin.

"So have I," she admits and I moan into her neck. I step close which pushes her back against the door. She grinds her hips against mine, noticing the way the front of my pants already strains. "Bedroom?" She breathes.

"Good idea," she grabs my hand and she pulls me down the hall and into our room. She lets me go and disappears into the adjoining bathroom. I pull off my shirt and slip my pants down. I hear the faucet run for a moment. I'm standing in the middle of the room when Rey walks out just in her undergarments.

I can't tear my eyes from her chest, cupped high enough to create a small but noticeable dip in between. I hadn't realised I paced up to her until my fingers caresses over her skin, following the curve of her bust. My other hand grasps onto her bare skin. I see small bruises running down her abdomen, for a moment I fret before I realise they're from my lips and it only makes me want to add more.

I decide to just say it. There is no point hiding the fact I want her.

"Rey, do you still have those tablets?" I hint and she grins.

"I took one," my brows rise in surprise.

"I saw the way you were looking at me when I got off that ship. I thought we wouldn't make it into the house," she moans as I lift her up and wrap her legs around my waist.

"I almost didn't," I walk us around the bed, and somehow skilfully manage to climb on so she sits in my lap and my back is against the headboard. My hand cups her breast and I massage her, my thumb dipping into her cleavage. There is something about the way they look that ties knots inside me, I think she knew it would, because she has a devilish grin on her lips. I do enjoy the way she looks with her chest covered but I love it more when she doesn't have anything on at all. I fiddle with the clip, throw the material across the room and immediately bury my face in her chest. Her hands press against my shoulder blades, pulling me into her.

"Is it okay, if we..." I start to ask as I pull back from her

"I want you," she announces and kisses my cheeks. "And I want you to want me too,"

"Oh I do. I do," I reply firmly and she grins, and somehow, some instinct inside me immediately encourages me to grasp her hips and roll her against me. She presses herself tighter around my legs, she starts slide down the bed and I do that same. She ends up straddling my waist, her hands run across every inch of my chest and my hands continue to rock her hips against mine until I feel the build up of pleasure, and she can feel it too. We are all gasps and grunts as we awkwardly dispose of our undergarments, and the skin on skin contact nearly drives me insane. I have to restrain from lifting her up and sitting her right on top of me. No, she sets the pace, not me. Rey takes control of her movements and she rubs her slick entrance up and down my length.

I moan and she sighs. I'm nervous, she's impatient, but we are both bursting from anticipation.

Rey mirrors my expression. I close my eyes as she takes both cheeks and crashes her lips to mine. I feel her attempt to lower herself onto me, but she whimpers in pain and sits back up again, not taking her lips from mine. My heart aches and I rub my hands over her hips to try and soothe her. Her lip shakes against mine, but she kisses me harder so I can't form words to ask if she is okay. She takes one hand from my cheek and runs it down my body as she tries again, this time I feel her small hand try to guide me but it doesn't work. She sucks in a breath through her teeth.

"Finn," she mutters into my mouth, she's frustrated. I run my hands up and down her sides. "I don't know how..." Her voice is small, defeated, as if she's let me down. I moan and tear my lips from hers and I kiss down her neck. I don't want her to feel this way. Everything else we have tried has worked, and felt amazing, but none of it was forced, Poe told me to make sure Rey was comfortable. I suck on Rey's neck softly and she whimpers. I think it's time I step up.