Light Up the Dark

Finn Mediates

Kylo had been in the hospital for about a week. Rey never left his side. Finn and Rose would stop by every other day, which provided endless entertainment for Rey. Kylo was also warming up to the pair, even though he claimed it was the drugs making him soft.

Today was the day of Rey's meeting with Poe, and she was sick that whole morning. Kylo couldn't sit up yet, so he could only offer his hand as comfort. Rey held it tightly as the time came closer and closer.

She had avoided Poe, and he had avoided her, understandably. Rumors about Poe's mental state made Rey worry, even though she didn't want to feel anything for him. She knew she still cared for Poe, and he ultimately needed all of his friends right now. But she was still full of rage and disgust. She had no idea how to get past everything. It was a constant buzzing in Rey's head, her feelings so intense everyday. She had to work something out or she was going to go crazy.

She kissed Kylo and headed towards the meeting room. She opened the door and sat down, thankful that she was the first one there. Five minutes later, Finn arrived, followed by Poe.

It was as if time stopped when Poe met Rey's gaze. He looked like a man on the brink of death. His face was sunken in so badly that he almost didn't look like himself anymore. His hair was everywhere, and his beard had grown.

Finn motioned for Poe to sit, then Finn found his own chair. For a moment, there was silence as all three stared at the table, unsure how to proceed.

Finn decided to break the ice.

"Rey, Poe. You both know why we're here. We have to confront this thing head on if any of us are going to move on with our lives. It's what Leia would want us to do."

At the mention of Leia, Poe closed his eyes. Finn gave him a minute before he continued.

"Poe, you can to tell Rey everything. Rey, you can respond when he's finished."

Rey nodded and fixed her eyes on Poe. He tried to make eye contact with her but couldn't hold it for long without glancing back down at the table. He took a deep breath.

"Rey, first, I want to say that I am so unbelievably sorry for the pain I've caused you and everyone else," he said as his eyes filled with tears. "I take full responsibility for Leia's death and Kylo's injuries. I take full responsibility for everything."

Rey opened her mouth to speak, but Finn stopped her.

Poe continued. "I hired the bounty hunter out of spite. I convinced myself I was doing the resistance a service, taking down the escaped 'Supreme Leader' myself, you know...become the hero of the revolution," he said sarcastically, knowing his decisions did nothing of the sort. "In reality, I just didn't want to believe you loved him, telling myself you were under his control and everything. Deep down I knew it wasn't true. I had no right..."

Poe choked again, but pressed on. "I had no right to do what I did. I didn't come to my senses until it was too late, and Hux had already taken over the base. I tried slipping a note to Finn, but I couldn't get all of it written in time. The only thing it said was 'BH, not Rey.'"

"Thankfully I've worked with Poe enough that I knew what he meant," Finn chimed in.

Poe spoke again, "We couldn't contact you without giving away your position, so we were kind of stranded. I could only wait and see if you came back. And then...I fucked it up. Rey, I fucked it all up...I'm so sorry..."

Poe started to completely break down. "It's alright," Finn whispered. Poe nodded.

"When the fight started, I didn't think about the bounty hunter because I assumed you already knew. When I ran around the corner to attack him, it was too late."

Poe stared at the table for a moment, then continued. "As it turns out, there were supposed to be two bounty hunters. Somehow, Hux found out about my plan, so he found the same guy and gave him a better offer for the two of you. The asshole was going to collect double payment." Poe's hands balled into fists on the table.

Rey was frozen, unblinking, as if she had turned into concrete. Poe made another effort to make eye contact. He looked at Rey, but when he saw her face, he broke. He put his head down on the table and cried. Finn patted him on the back and let him grieve.

"Rey, you can respond now. Poe and I will answer all of your questions the best we can."

There was a long pause, the room thick with tension and despair. Finally, Rey leaned forward and spoke.

"Poe, Leia stepped in front of that blaster voluntarily. You now know about the vision she had, right? So you see why it happened. She intended for everything to play out the way it did, as much as we wish it were different."

Rey let out a deep breath and spoke, "Leia's death is not your fault."

Poe raised his head up at her statement. His mouth hung open and his eyes widened in shock.

"Rey, do you really belei..."

Rey interrupted Poe. "It's not a belief, Poe. It's a fact."

Poe slumped in his chair as he took in her words. Finn observed the two a small smile.

"Who else knows about all of this?" Rey asked.

Finn answered this time, "Only Rose, me, and Chewie...and BB-8 if you're counting droids."

Rey thought for a moment. She fought the tears forming in her eyes. She didn't want to look weak in front of Poe.

"Finn, since you are to be sworn in as our new general, I believe it's up to you to make the final decision regarding Poe's fate," Rey spoke as firmly as she could, but her voice trembled. Finn raised an eyebrow.

She went on. "However, it's my recommendation that no further action be taken. Poe has to live with his actions for the rest of his life, and that is punishment enough."

Poe looked back and forth between Finn and Rey. He was dumbfounded by Rey's words, but he had to admit, he already knew Rey's kind heart. This was the type of thing she would do.

Finn responded, putting a hand on Poe's shoulder. "Poe, you're cleared, buddy. You can return to work in six months."

Poe gave the biggest smile he could give, which only amounted to a lip curl. He focused on Rey, gratefulness in his eyes.

"We need to make sure none of this gets out, of course," Finn thought out loud.  "I'll erase the memory from BB-8's hard drive just to be safe. Otherwise, I think this our secret is safe within our group."

Rey nodded in agreement.

Poe turned his head to Finn. "What about..." then he turned his head to Rey, "Kylo Ren?"

Rey and Finn looked at each other. Finn motioned for Rey to speak.

"He and I are leaving as soon as he is able to fly."

Poe nodded sadly.

Finn joked to ease the tension. "Don't go visiting Kylo with a balloon and a 'Get Well Soon' card..."

All three snickered. Finn smiled widely, proud of himself and his joke.

Poe pushed his chair back. "I'm sorry Kylo wasn't able to go to Leia's funeral."

Rey lowered head. "I know," she whispered.

The three took a moment, then Finn stood first, signaling to them that the meeting was over. Rey watched Poe as he walked towards the door. She felt her heart break with every step he took, and she couldn't stand it anymore.

"Poe," she called to him. He turned to face her.

"Yes...?"

Rey interrupted him with a hug. She sobbed into his shoulder, and Poe cried for what felt like the 100th time that day. Finn couldn't stop his smile.

His family was back. Broken and healing, but back nonetheless.