I exit the flashback as I look at the very same stars as I viewed with hope nine years ago. It's hard to believe that what I dreamed about for so many years has finally come true. I didn't want anything fancy, like millions of credits or all of the riches in the galaxy. All I wanted was for someone, anyone, to come back for me. And someone did.  Finn.

Stars were my only escape from a hard life on Jakku. Now, once again, stars are a relief for my brain.  Luke cannot sense my thoughts at night, so I allow my brain and heart to work as one. In the day, I would never dream. But at night..... Well. That's different. 

My thoughts always stray to Finn, this boy who changed my life in so many ways. When he showed up into my life, everything changed. Sure, I might have attacked him at first. But when he held my hand, that was the first physical contact with a human that I can remember.  Sure, I acted like I didn't like it, but I have to admit, I kind of enjoyed it.  The man who gave me so much that I never had before may not survive his hibernation. It's terrifying to think about his death, but I have thought of plenty of scenarios in which he survives.  It feels me with bliss to think of them. But I can't help but feel guilty for what I've concocted in my head. Finn just thinks of me as a friend, and I'm training to be a Jedi.  I can't have love, and if I did Luke would abandon me for sure.  Having a man would weaken me as well, which I surely don't want.  I attempt to convince myself that I cannot and do not love him. I try to enjoy the few hours of darkness and peace I have left.

---

I awake to beautiful sunrise, which I wasn't expecting.  I must have fallen asleep in the grass last night! Running frantically back to my house to get ready for the next day, I clear my mind of any risky thoughts.  I brace myself for whatever might come next, and strive to work hard today to ensure more time to think tomorrow.

---

"Good, good.  Clear your mind.  That's it." Luke says softly, his shockingly blue eyes penetrating my skull.  I like blue eyes, but brown eyes are better.  Like Finn's..... But that's off topic. 

I'm upside down in a handstand, concentrating hard.  The waves crashing into the shore help me to focus.  Luke insists that I clear my mind further, in order to see beyond.  It takes me a couple of tries, but I eventually manage to see mist in my mind.  I mentally push through the swirling water droplets, and come across an image.  Pushing a little farther, I enter the picture. It's just like I'm actually there.

General Leia Organa is quietly looking at Finn, who looks no better than when I last saw him.  The cuts on his face seem to have healed, but he's clearly not much better off than before. 

He's in a tank of Bacta, wearing nothing but shorts and an air mask. 

My heart skips a beat.  I can't say I've seen that many topless dudes, but Finn looks really good.  His upper body is strong and solid, his muscles rippling as he breathes....

I quickly push that frightening thought out of my head and shudder.  What would Luke think if he was reading my mind right now?

Leia looks at the doctor.  "This Bacta seems to be helping him."

The doctor looks down sadly.  "I only wish that this stuff lasted a little longer.  This is my last tank of it, and it should stop healing within the hour."

Just to prove this, a sensor goes off and alerts the doctor that the Bacta has stopped healing. It's useless goo now.  They pull Finn out, and put him on a stretcher right in front of me.  I try to touch him, but my hand goes through him just like air.  It's so real, I almost forgot this was a vision.

Finn looks so peaceful in hibernation.  I wonder what he thinks about. Our friendship remains strong across the galaxy.  I may think about him sometimes, but he definitely isn't thinking of me.  I wish I could give him a hug, or a kiss.  Heck, I'd even settle for a pat on the shoulder.  But I can't. We're too far away, and Finn would never allow it.  I don't usually think of this. I guess I'm just really tired. That's all.  Nothing greater.

"He should stay stable for a few hours, but I'm going to need more Bacta as soon as possible."

Finn remains steady for a minute or so, but then his heart rate rapidly decreases.

"We need more Bacta, now!" Leia yells. "How much time does he have left?"

She checks his vital signs and gulps.  "Forty eight hours." The medic replies sadly. "At most."

I look down at Finn in horror.  He's dying!  I have to help!  I cannot bear to watch as he slowly stops breathing and his heart stops beating.  "No, no, no, NO!!!!!" I scream in agony.  "FINN!" I sob as the mist returns and the vision ends.

I collapse on the ground and struggle to keep my emotions and thoughts in check, but it is too late.  I cry quietly as Luke runs over to me.

"What did you see?"  He asks, surprised.

"Finn!"  I sob, my head in my hands.  "He's... He...."

"Dead?"  He asks quietly.

"Dying." I gulp.  "With forty eight hours at most.  I have to go help him."

Luke's expression hardens.  "You shouldn't abandon your training.  You're not ready to face the First Order again. And yes, they will show up.  They're searching for you!"

"What do you mean, 'I'm not ready'?" I demand. "I've beat them once, I can do it again."  I stand up, and run down the cliff to the Millennium Falcon.

"They'll be expecting you to try and save him!  They'll corner you! With Finn in trouble, you'll be lured into dangerous territory!"  Luke calls down to me.  

I whirl around to face him, anger in my eyes.  "And why should I care?  I'm not just going to sit here while my friend is dying halfway across the galaxy!"  I scream with rage.  Luke's eyes flash with hurt, and I take a deep breath.  "He rescued me from Starkiller Base.  I have to rescue him."    

Luke sighs.  "I understand.  I'm the same way.  Go.  Try not to be caught."

I blink in surprise. "You're letting me go?"

"I'll probably regret it.  But I know that if I don't give you permission, you'll just go on your own." Luke sighs.  

I chuckle, picking up my staff.  "Yeah, you're right."  I grab my lightsaber and turn to face Luke.  "Don't worry.  I'll be fine.  I should be back before the week is over."

Luke nods and follows me down the steps to the Falcon.  He gulps, like he's about to ask something that he probably shouldn't.  "So, you like this boy?  Finn?"

I whirl around to face and shake my head furiously.  "Of course not!  He's just a close friend!"  I say, trying to convince myself as much as him.  

Luke raises an eyebrow at me.  "Yet you're abandoning your destiny to save him."

I glare at him. "I really don't want to have to leave here on bad terms."

He raises his hands in surrender.  "Okay, fine.  I believe you." 

"Thank you."  I mutter under my breath.  I open the gangplank to the ship that once belonged to Lando Clarissian, Han Solo, Ducain, The Irving Boys and Unkar Plutt, and now belongs to me.  

Luke Skywalker looks at the ship sadly.  "You inherited it from Han Solo, I assume?"  

"Yes."  I say carefully.  We haven't exactly talked much about Han, mainly for the fact that he was killed by Luke's former trainee.  

"He was too young to go."  Luke muses.  "Killed by his own son..."  

"I am going to get that little son of a bantha..." I snarl quietly.  

He looks at me.  "Please, Rey.  If you run into him, don't kill him.  That's the path to the dark side." 

"Oh, I won't kill him.  I'll make him hurt so bad that he'll regret all of the awful things he's done." I reply cheerfully. "Like killing Han, torturing Poe, turning to the dark side, almost killing Finn..."  

Luke sighs.  "Okay, fine.  Get going, you psychopath."

I embrace Luke tightly, and then run up the gangplank.  As I take off,  Luke smiles and waves sadly.  I don't want to leave him.  But I don't have a choice.  I need to save Finn.  I have to.

I'm not going to let my heart collapse if I have a chance to prevent it.