Beating Heart ♔ Rey

epilogue

Epilogue; A New Hope

Hester glanced at all the items she would be taking with her on her journey to Luke. She had enough pairs of clothes, she thought - there was nothing much else she needed. There were a few books she'd taken with permission from Leia. Hester was sure that, even while Jedi training, there would be times when all she'd want to do was sit down and relax.

She'd chosen a new outfit for that day: trousers made of a stretchy material, a vest and jumper. Soft lace-up boots were on her feet. None of her clothes contained a hint of black or grey - she'd had enough of wearing those colours for a lifetime.

A knock sounded at her door. After bidding the person to come in, Hester smiled to see Poe walk through the door.

"You ready?" the pilot asked. He'd once again offered to be Hester's guide and she'd accepted at once. She was pretty sure that by now she had a rough idea of the base's organisation, but she wasn't about to turn down time to spend with her friend when they had such limited time available to them.

Hester swung her duffle bag over her shoulder. "For sure. Let's go."

The two walked through the corridors of the Resistance base, though not toward the outside. Hester had insisted on seeing Finn first. The medics had stabilised him, though he was yet to wake up. Hester wanted to lay eyes on her friend at least one more time before leaving; she had no idea when exactly she'd be back.

Along the corridors, Hester noticed several people smiled at her and greeted herself and Poe warmly. She flushed at the reception and Poe laughed, nudging her playfully in the ribs. "I told you they'd warm up to you," he said. "And I might have mentioned the way you attacked Kylo Ren to protect Finn and Rey so, you're welcome."

He grinned, and Hester rolled her eyes, though an indulgent smile was on her lips. "You have my humble thanks, Poe Dameron," she said dryly, and they both laughed.

Their next turn brought them to the medical bay; Hester wasn't very surprised to see Rey there. "Thank you, my friend," she heard Rey say before she stood up and walked out of the room.

The two smiled at each other as they met in the exit. Rey now wore an outfit that was predominantly grey; her rucksack was slung around her shoulders as well as her staff. She looked better than Hester had ever seen her in the way that somehow, she looked somewhat healthier. Having access to a shower and not being shot at by Stormtroopers could do that.

Rey grasped Hester's wrist. "I'll be outside at the Falcon - I'll let you have some time alone with him."

"Thanks, Rey. Don't take off without me, okay?"

"Wouldn't dream of it!"

Hester chuckled. Rey waved once before she strode purposefully through the corridors to the outside, where the Millennium Falcon was waiting. The laughter died from Hester's lips when she turned and saw Finn, lying so still. She glanced back once at Poe before she made her way within the room and sat at Finn's side.

The room smelt of bacta and in the corner, a machine beeped steadily. Hester watched Finn, taking in the rise and fall of his chest and the barley audible sound of his breathing. She was left unsure of what to say and instead, just took his hand and sat with him for a few minutes.

When Poe called that they needed to leave, Hester squeezed Finn's hand. "Thank you for everything, Finn," she whispered. "I wish you could understand just how grateful I am to you for always having my back. I'll miss you while I'm gone, but I'll be back, and we'll meet again. I promise you this, my friend."