Saving the Monster

Chapter 31

After they had dried off they headed to the mess hall to eat their supper.

As usual the mess hall was busy and noisy. Rey, Finn and Rose managed to find seats next to Poe and Zorri who were sat with their hands linked.

"Well, well, well, looks like you two have patched up your differences" Finn said with a smirk.

Poe huffed irritatedly, "Might not want to shout that too loud, unless of course you want me to blow the lid on your little secret".

Rey knew what Poe was referring to.  For the last three weeks or more Finn and Rose had been creeping about together, disappearing for hours on end, leaving everyone around them in no doubt that they were secretly seeing each other.

For a moment the two men's eyes met and Rey braced herself for trouble. Zorri had seen it too and instead of trying to talk Poe round she leant in and kissed him on the lips, "Shut up" she hissed. Rey's eyes widened as did Poes and then he did something totally unexpected, he laughed.

Still laughing, Poe kissed her back. Rey felt the heat creep into her cheeks, even more so when Finn swore loudly, "Fuck it!" and leant in to Rose to do the same.

They were all laughing now except Rey who truly didn't know where to look. Suddenly Finns hand landed on her shoulder, "We need to find you a man" he said smiling.

Rose clapped her hands together in excitement, "Yes!  Oh my goodness, we so have......how about Exodus, you know, dark hair, dark eyes, tall, you paired up with him in training today"

Rey swallowed hard, "Not really my type" Rey lied, knowing full well that Rose had unknowingly described Ben Solo. 

It was Zorri's turn to interject, "And what is your type?"

Feeling cornered as all of her friends eyes came to rest on her , Rey shrugged, "I guess I'm not really looking for anyone".  Another lie, Rey loved the thought of needing someone and someone needing her just as much.  With a shudder Rey realised that the closest thing to that, the closest thing that she had ever had to that was what she had with Ben Solo, with Kylo Ren, the Supreme Leader of the First Order.

"Everyone needs someone" Zorri said matter of factly. 

Finn held up his hands, "Come on, leave her alone , Rey will find someone when she's good and ready"

Rose nodded, "Well the way those guys we were training today were looking at you I think you won't be short of offers when you are ready"

Rey smiled back at Rose, grateful for her kind words but painfully aware that her heart only wanted one person, and he wasn't here.