The sun was shining brightly as Rey stepped out of the office tower and into the cool October air.   It was a perfect autumn day and she was happy to have the afternoon off to go visit her adoptive parents, Obi and Anna.  Although she called them weekly, she hadn't seen them in over a month, and was therefore long past due for a visit.

She didn't really remember her real parents.  They'd been killed in a car accident when she was a child – just 5 years old - leaving her an orphan with no family.  She didn't even think of them very often anymore, but every once in awhile she'd have flashbacks of them.  When the flashbacks came, they were more like memories of feelings rather than actual images or thoughts, having been too young when they died to retain very much.

Obi and Anna Kenobi had taken in the 5-year old orphan as soon as they'd found out about her parents, and that she was all alone in the world with no other living relatives.  Luckily she had been at day care when the accident had happened, but it had taken her family away in an instant.  However, when her father's former teacher and his wife had found out about her parent's deaths, they didn't think twice about taking her in.  They'd never been able to have children themselves, and had always wanted a daughter.

Even though they were older, and money was always short, they'd been happy, and did the best that they could, giving her as much love as her own parents would have.  They'd become a family, and she couldn't love them any more than she did.   She loved them as if they were her natural grandparents – to her, it certainly felt like they were - and was extremely grateful they'd taken her in when they did.  Had they not done so, she certainly would've ended up in foster care.

They'd given her a good life.  Their down to earth outlook on the world had helped instill a sense of hard work and self-reliance that most kids her own age didn't have.  When she was little, she used to sit for hours watching Obi tinker with his old pickup truck.  It was forever breaking down, but they couldn't afford a new one.  Eventually, Rey learned enough about engines that she would help him fix whatever was wrong with it.  It was one of her favourite memories growing up.

In contrast, she'd spent an almost equal amount of time with Anna, who'd taught her to cook, as well as tried to teach her to sew, and generally 'keep house'.  Thinking about it, Rey chuckled to herself.  Anna had called it her biggest failure.  Although Rey had mastered cooking - to her, cooking was just a form of chemistry - she was dismal at anything else related to house chores, unless it involved fixing something that had fallen apart.  Like engine repair, she excelled at fixing plumbing or electrical problems, and other small things.   By the time Rey was 10 years old, Anna had given up on trying to teach her the basics of 'all things that women should know' as she called it.

As a teacher, Obi had been strict with her studies – teaching her that knowledge was powerful and that she should never stop learning – about anything and everything.  Because of that, it was her life's guiding principle to learn something new every single day.  She never forgot it, and that dedication to her education combined with hard work and her natural knack for fixing things - as well as generally understanding how things worked - helped her earn an engineering scholarship at MIT.  Quite simply, she excelled at it. It was her calling – and by the time she was 14 she'd known it without a doubt.

When she was in her late teens, she'd been curious about her parent's deaths.  Obi and Anna had cautiously pulled out a file of police reports and old newspaper clippings for her to read.  That was how she found out that the circumstances of the accident were unclear, with one witness having reported what they'd thought was another car running them off the road and into oncoming traffic.  However, the mystery car was never found and the police apparently attributed the eyewitness accounts as some sort of trick of the fading sunlight.  No investigation was ever launched and the case was closed.  In the end, the accident was reported as simply that – a tragic accident and nothing more.

They'd also give her their name as a child.  When she turned 16, they'd explained that it had been simpler at the time, but told her that they wouldn't be hurt if she decided to change it back to her birth name, in memory of her parents.  After a great deal of soul searching, she'd decided to keep Kenobi.   After all – they were the ones who put their heart and souls into her upbringing, so the least she could do was to continue to honour them by keeping their name.

Although they had eventually adopted her, and she carried their last name, she'd never really called them her parents – never referred to them as mom and dad.  They were always just Obi and Anna – its what they'd asked her to call them when she was little.  It didn't mean she loved them any less.  They were simply her family.

She was startled from her thoughts by her phone dinging, alerting her that her Uber had arrived.  It was waiting at the curb to take her to their tiny, post war bungalow in one of the lower middle class suburbs of Boston.  It wasn't much to look at, but it was filled with love, and to Rey it would always be home.  She knew that Anna would force feed her lunch when she arrived, and her stomach rumbled, imagining what would be waiting for her.  Anna's home cooked meals were simply amazing.

Arriving at her childhood home, she noted that the hood to the old pickup was up, with Obi leaning inside, studying something.  "Is she misbehaving again?" Rey teased.

Obi looked up suddenly and the carefree, happy smile that appeared transformed his face.   "Rey! Come here my darling girl and give this old man a hug!"

After exchanging hugs, she peered into the engine compartment.   "Want me to have a look?"

"No, no.   Anna will kill me if you go into the house covered in grease before she's even seen you.   I'm almost done – go on in and see her and we can sit down to lunch."

"Okay."  She gave him another kiss.  "But don't be too long. I'm starving!"

Anna was busy at the kitchen counter, but turned when she heard the door slam.   Her face lit up.  "My little Susse!"  Anna called when she saw Rey, using the nickname for 'Sweetie' she'd given her as a child.  "You're back!"  Wiping her hands on a dish towel she embraced Rey and gave her a huge buss on the cheek.   "How was your trip?  It was Florida, right?  Did you see the Mouse?"

Rey chuckled. Anna always spoke in rapid fire sentences, often asking multiple questions at once.   "It was good – thanks!   Yes, I was in Orlando, but didn't have time to go to Disney.   I wouldn't have wanted to go without Finn anyways."

Waving her hand in a dismissive gesture, she continued.  "Bah. It wouldn't have mattered – you would've had fun.   It's the happiest place on earth!"

"Anna,"  Rey laughed.  "It's full of screaming children and frazzled parents.  Trust me – none of them think it's the happiest place on earth when they're there!"

"Still, you need more fun in your life.  All you do is work, work, work!"  She admonished.

Rey rolled her eyes.  "That's not true!  I have my friends, I see them all the time.  And I love my job – you know that!  Its just who I am."

"Okay, okay – I'll stop now.  How's Finn?"  She asked.

Her eyes were smiling when she answered.   "He's good.  Busy with work too.  Its that time in our careers where we work like slaves.   Eventually it'll quiet down."

Anna nodded.  "Yes, when you eventually have a family, your focus will shift to your children."

"I can't even imagine that right now.  One day – maybe – when we're ready.  But I'm not sure that Finn will ever be ready."

Anna's eyes narrowed.  "And why do you say that?"

"I'm not sure.  Just a feeling?"

"Hmm."   Anna scoffed, wisely dropping the subject.

Rey's nose twitched as she sniffed the aromas in the kitchen, her mouth watering in anticipation.  "Soooo.  What's for lunch?"  She asked, trying not to sound overly excited.

"Oh, nothing fancy.  Just schnitzel, sauerkraut and potatoes."  Anna responded nonchalantly.

"Yeeeee!"  Rey jumped up and down.  "My favourite!   A little heavy for lunch – but I'll happily admit that I don't care!"  She told her with a huge grin.

Turning back to the stove Anna replied.  "I know, but I made it anyway because I know how much you love it, and you haven't been over for dinner in ages.   Now go yell out the door for that old man to get in here, before he tinkers with that piece of garbage all day!"

After they'd all finished their lunch, the three of them sat around the kitchen table, catching up on everything they'd missed since they'd last seen each other about a month earlier.   Rey told them all about the two business trips she taken in that time, as well as the others she had coming up for the rest of the year.

Her phone dinged and she grabbed it to see who it was.  Seeing a text from Ben, she smiled.

'Hey.  I've got some news – and I needed to tell someone!'

Grinning, she texted back.   'Well hey back.  So, what's this news ur bursting to share?'

'Remember that client I've been chasing for 6 months?  Blutech?  They finally signed today! 😁'

She gasped, a huge smile cracking her face.  'Ben!  That's amazing!  Congrats! 👏👏'

'So you can forget calling me Stupidhead.  You can call me Master from now on 😜'

Laughing, she muttered to herself.  "Cocky bastard."   She texted him back.  'Oh I don't think so!    How about Super Genius, or Supreme Leader – but just for today 😉'

'You're heartless – but I'll take it'

'I'll grab some champagne for tonight!  We have to celebrate your success!'

'Too late – already got some – the really good stuff....'

"Ohhhh, fancy!"  She said out loud as she bounced in her seat.   'Oooh – DP?  Looking forward to it!  See you later!  Super Genius. 😝'

'Bye.'

When she glanced up both Obi and Anna were staring at her oddly.   "Was that Finn?"  Anna asked.

"Huh?  Oh, no!  It was my friend, Ben."  She told them, a wide grin still plastered on his face.

"The one you met on vacation with Finn last year?"  Obi questioned.

"Yes, that's the one.  Him and his girlfriend Kay are coming over for dinner tonight.  We still do our bi-weekly dinner thing – depending on our schedules."

Anna's eyes were speculative.   "That's a pretty big smile your friend put on your face."

Rey was still smiling brightly, her enthusiasm contagious.  "He just got some really big news – and I'm so excited for him.  He signed a really important client today – one he's pursued for a long time.  He's pretty sure he can help them, but they kept putting him off, and I guess they finally agreed.  So it's a huge deal for him – and his company.  It could take him global."

"I see.  That does sound exciting."  Obi remarked, and pondered her speculatively.  "And how's Finn doing?"

"Finn?   He's fine.  Busy, like I am."

Anna interjected softly.  "He hasn't come to visit in awhile.   You two should come to dinner soon. Maybe next weekend?"  She sounded hopeful.

Rey hated to let them down, but she knew she'd be away for work.  "We'd love to Anna, you know how much I love your cooking, but I'll be away over that weekend – in Denver.  Maybe the weekend after that?"  she suggested.

She tried to hide her disappointment.  "Okay, Susse.  Write it down in your calendar so you don't forget."  Anna chided gently.

"I will.  And it'll be Thanksgiving a few short weeks after that, so you'll see us twice in the span of a few weeks."  Rey leaned over and squeezed her hand.   "I can't wait for your turkey dinner."

Obi chuckled.   "Always thinking of food.  That's the only way to bribe her to visit these days!"  he teased.

"Hey, that's not true!  I'd come by to see you even if you didn't feed me!"  She retorted in mock indignation, before smirking.   "But it definitely helps!"

"Then we'll feed you every chance we get Susse."  Anna cooed, leaning over and giving her a warm hug.  "You're still too skinny anyways."

****

Rey called Finn while roaming around the small market that was located down the street from their apartment.   "Hey, its me."

"Hey, you.  What's up?"  He asked quietly.  She could hear him typing in the background and smiled.

"I'm just picking up the things for dinner tonight and I wondered if we need anything else?   I didn't have time to take a good look this morning before I left."  She was pushing a small grocery cart and had the phone tucked into her shoulder.

"Nah, I stocked up a few days ago."  Still more clicking could be heard.  "What's on the menu again?"

She rolled her eyes.  When Finn was busy, he was absentminded – sometimes not really paying attention to their conversations.  "Steak.  And salad.  And potatoes.  I'm going to splurge and get T-bones for you and Ben.  He signed that client today – so it'll be a bit of a celebration."

"What client?"  He asked nonchalantly.

Rolling her eyes again, she replied.   "Never mind.  I'm sure he'll be mentioning them tonight.  So we're good for food?"

"Yeah.  Wait!  Get those little chocolate cup things for dessert."  He added.

"The little mousse cakes?  Good idea – will do."  Pausing, she reminded him.   "Finn – don't be late tonight."

She could hear him scoff on the other end of the line.  "Don't worry, I won't."

"I know you Finn.  You get engrossed in your coding and lose track of time.  Make sure you're home by six."  Her voice was stern.

"I will, I will...."  He cajoled, but sounded far away as if he wasn't really paying attention.

Blowing out a breath, she tried to keep her voice light.  "Okay.  I'll see you soon.  Bye!"

"Soon.  Bye."

****

Rey was just opening a bottle of wine when a knock sounded at her door promptly at 7 o'clock. She growled. That would be Ben and Kay, and of course, Finn still wasn't home. She'd already texted him 6 times but he didn't respond. She was going to kill him – later.

Trying to brush off her irritation, she put on a bright smile and answered the door. Her guests were standing in the doorway, with Ben holding a bottle of champagne, and Kay holding a huge bouquet of flowers. "Hi guys! Come in! Finn's not back yet – but I'm sure he'll be here shortly."

Kay held out the flowers with a sweet smile, and leaned over to give Rey a quick kiss. "Hi Rey. These are for you."

"Oh! They're beautiful – thank you!" Turning to Ben she gave him a beaming grin, and laughed. "Super Genius!"

He rolled his eyes and handed her the bottle of Dom Perignon. "No, I said you could call me Master."

"Yeah, there's no way I'm calling you that."  Rising on her tip toes she gave him a swift kiss on the cheek and a brief hug.  "Congratulations Ben!  I'm so happy for you.  You must be so proud of yourself."

He grinned widely.  "I kind of am."

Kay furrowed her brows in confusion.   "What happened to Stupidhead?"

Rey laughed again.  "I told him I'd call him Super Genius for tonight only – in honour of his success at signing Bluetech."

"Ah. Super Genius.  That's kind of cute.  Arrogant, but cute."  Kay said, laughing up at Ben.

"Do you guys want a glass of wine first, or should we open the champagne?"  Rey asked, heading into the small, but open kitchen.

"Why don't we wait for Finn before opening the champagne?" Key suggested.

Rey glanced at Kay, touched by how thoughtful she always was. "Of course."

After everyone had a glass of wine and was settled on the couch, they sat back to relax, chatting amicably – just catching each other up on Ben's success that day, Rey's recent trip to Orlando, and Kay's job as a telecommunications systems analyst.

Rey kept glancing at the clock every few minutes, pissed that Finn had still not arrived.  She began to relax a little as the buzz from the wine kicked in and began to settle her nerves.  Ben had noticed her agitation over it, and after the third time seeing her check the time, asked.  "Do you need any help with dinner?"

"No, its okay, everything's pretty much ready to go.  Steaks are ready to go in the broiler once its heated.  I just need to finish off the potatoes.  I'll do those now."   She said, getting up.

"Here, let me help."  He said following her.  Glancing back at Kay he teased.  "Kay's useless in the kitchen."

"Hey!"   She cried indignantly, telling him pointedly.   "While that may be true, I'll remind you how bad you are at laundry!"  Glancing at Rey, she told her.   "He ruined an entire load of his whites last week.   They're all grey now."

Rey laughed.  "I kind of suck at laundry too.  As hard as Anna tried, other than cooking, she was unable to teach me the finer points of domesticity.  But I can get the job done when needed."

Rey was in the open kitchen area gathering spices to season the potatoes.  "Move over."  Ben nudged her out of the way with his hip.  "I'm a master at roasted potatoes."

She rolled her eyes.  "Another 'master' reference?   Really?'

"Absolutely."  He grinned.  "Just once tonight – that's all I ask."

"Not on your life."  She teased.   "Wouldn't want to give you a swelled head."  She bumped him back with her hip.

He looked over her selected seasonings.  "Do you have any chicken broth?"

Her nose wrinkled.  "Somewhere.  Why?"

"Just trust me."  He smirked.

After she had produced the broth from one of the cupboards, Ben worked his magic on the potatoes and slid them into the oven.

She leaned back on the counter and watched him silently for a minute, a soft smile on her face. "I'm really happy for you Ben."

"Huh?  For what?"  He looked up at her, puzzled.

"For signing Blutech.  That's a major accomplishment for you, isn't it?"

Looking uncomfortable, his eyes darted around at anything but hers before he finally shifted his gaze to hers.   "Yes."

Glancing over at Kay she asked.  "Aren't you so proud of him?"  Kay nodded in response, a huge smile on her face.   Rey reached out and squeezed his arm, genuine affection written on her face.  "Congrats again.  You're going to be even more successful than that previous company you worked for – the one you told me you hated."

Something shifted and hardened in his eyes, and his tone was harsh, but quiet.   "I don't ever want to be compared to them."

"Oh.  I'm so sorry..."  She said, uncomfortable but apologetic.  "I shouldn't have mentioned it." Taking a breath and glancing at the clock again, Rey muttered under her breath.  "I'm going to kill Finn!"

He placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it light squeeze.  "I'm sure he'll be here any minute.   He probably just got caught up.  It happens to me too."

"I know he did – but I told him not to be late!"  She growled.  "Especially not when we have company!"  She took a deep breath to relieve her irritation and glanced at the steaks on the counter.  "I wish we could grill these."

"Broiled will be fine.  They look amazing.  I'm starving."  He told her.

Kay had come up to sit at one of the barstools along their counter, and quietly sipped her wine.   Rey glanced over at her.  "What do you say, Kay?  Shall we do the steaks now?"

"We could wait a few more minutes for Finn."  She said quietly.

"Nah.  Fuck 'im.  He shouldn't have been late."  Rey leaned over to grab the broiling tray, intending to warm it up in the oven.  Her movements were stiff, still pissed that Finn was not yet home, and she accidentally touched the inside of the oven with her uncovered hand.

"Fuck!"  She yelled, bringing the side of her pinky finger to her mouth.

Ben immediately leaned over and flipped the cold water tap on, grabbed her wrist and dragged it under the water.

"That was so fucking stupid of me."  She muttered.

"Yeah, but it happens."  After a minute he pulled her hand out of the water.  "Let me see."  He inspected it closely.  "It's blistering.  Does it hurt?"

He was holding her hand very gently, his eyes showing concern as he inspected it.  Something fluttered through her and she immediately tried to wrench her hand out of his grasp.  "It stings a little, but its fine Ben.  Stop being a mother!"

He held her wrist tighter, ignoring her protests.  "It's not fine – there's going to be a huge blister on the side of your hand and finger.  Do you have a first aid kit somewhere?   Bandages? Polysporin?"

Rolling her eyes, she inclined her head towards one of the cupboards.  "In there."  She told him curtly.

Looking over at Kay he asked, his lips turned up in a slight smirk.  "Can you please grab it KK?  If I let her go she's going to escape."

"Okay."  She nodded and laughed when Rey gave her a dirty look that said 'traitor'.  Glancing back apologetically at Rey, she said.  "There's no stopping him when he's like this."

A few minutes later, Rey's hand was bandaged to Ben's satisfaction and he ordered her to sit at the counter next to Kay.  "I'll put the steaks in.  The broiler should be hot enough now."

It was just after 7:30, when the door suddenly opened and Finn walked in.  Rey swiveled her head and gave him a death glare.  "Hey guys – I'm so sorry!  I got stuck at work..."  he walked up to Rey and tried to give her a kiss on the cheek, but she silently turned her head away and took a sip of her wine.  He gave Kay a kiss on the cheek and looked up at Ben who just shrugged.

"I think you're in the dog house Finn."  Ben chuckled.

Finn sighed and left the room to put away his jacket and briefcase.

Ben topped up Rey's wine and she gave him a terse smile before taking a big sip and turning to chat with Kay.  After a few minutes, Finn came back in and helped Ben finish preparing the meal.   By the time dinner was ready, Rey had almost finished her 2nd glass of wine and her ire had subsided somewhat.  She really enjoyed these get-togethers with Ben and Kay, and didn't want her shitty mood to ruin the rest of the evening, so she put it behind her to deal with later.

Their conversations flitted around through different topics throughout the night.  As usual, work topped the list, followed by politics and local news of the day.  Eventually the topic of their living arrangements came up.

"So, do you two have any plans to co-habitate in the near future?"  Rey teased Kay.

Kay looked embarrassed and looked down at her plate.  "Um.  No.  Not yet."  She looked up at Ben shyly.  "My parents are kind of old, and I'm all that they've got.   I can't leave them yet."

Rey reached out and squeezed her hand. "Kay, everyone has to leave the nest sometime.  I'm sure they'd understand."

Kay shook her head, whispering softly.  "Then I guess I'm not ready yet either."

Ben leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek.  "There's no rush."  He told her, but when he glanced up at Rey, she could see something in his eyes that looked strained.

Rey's face fell in empathy.  "I'm sorry Kay.  I didn't mean to tease you like that.  I think its admirable that you're waiting till you're absolutely sure you're ready.  Living together is a big step.  Sometimes it can be hard."  She turned and gave Finn an annoyed glance, letting him know that he wasn't out of the woods yet.

Ben looked up and gave her a small, but thankful grin.  Rey took another bite of potato, and closed her eyes in bliss, a small moan escaping.  Ben watched the whole thing, and when her eyes opened, she caught him staring with one brow raised and a sarcastic looking smirk on his face. "You like my potatoes, then?"

"Oh my God, they're so good!  They're even better than Anna's!"  She waived her fork at him as she spoke.  "But I'll deny it if you ever tell her that!"

He continued smirking at her.  "Well?"  He waited.

"Well, what?"  She asked.

"You owe me a word.  One word.  Its all I ask...."  His voice was low and deep.  For a minute, Rey thought it almost sounded hypnotizing.

She sighed.  "Really?  You're really going to make me say it?"

"Yes."  His eyes were dancing with amusement, fully aware that he was starting to annoy her.

"Fine.  They're delicious.  You're the Potato Master."  She bit out.

His eyes narrowed.  "No.  That's not it.  Just one word.  Please?"

It was her turn to narrow her eyes.  Finn and Kay watched the by-play, curious to see what would happen.  Rey stared at his deep brown eyes, thinking they held a hint of pleading in them, in addition to his normal mischief.

Suddenly, Rey's phone rang, breaking the silence of the moment.  Shaking her head swiftly, she looked around to find the incessant ringing.  "Its on the counter."  Finn told her.

She got up and grabbed it, her face visibly falling.  "Its work."  She announced before answering the call and heading out of the room.

"Shit."  Finn cursed.  "It's never a good thing when work calls her at this time in the evening."  He pushed his empty plate away.

Rey came back into the room a couple of minutes later, a weary look on her face.  "I have to go to Seattle tomorrow."

"I knew it."  Finn muttered under his breath.

She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a quick kiss at the top of his head.  "I'm sorry."

"You've only been back a day."  Kay said quietly.

Rey nodded.  "Yes. But unfortunately one of the systems I helped design and install went down earlier today.  I know it better than anyone, so it has to be me."

She wasn't happy about this last minute trip, but she couldn't say no.  It was her system, so she felt responsible for it.  However, she knew that Finn was likely really pissed about it, but she didn't really have any way to make it up to him right now.

Glancing over at Ben, she could see him staring at her intently.  He could always read her better than anyone else.  Often better than Finn, who just wasn't quite as observant as Ben was – well, when it came to her at least.

Returning to her seat, she grabbed the bottle of wine and topped off her glass with the little that was left.  "Damn! I wanted another glass!"

"We haven't opened the champagne yet."  Kay suggested.

"Yes!  Of course!  We still have to toast Ben's success today!"  She smiled overly-brightly and went to get the bottle from the fridge.  Handing it to Ben, she searched through the cupboards for the champagne flutes, and returned to the table with the glasses.  She heard a sharp pop, and saw Ben deftly tilting the bottle to start pouring the bubbly liquid.

They each picked up a glass, raising them in the air.  Rey immediately began to speak.  "To Ben – and Solo Strategies!  Congratulations on your achievement.  May this be the first of many!"

"To Ben!"  The rest of them echoed.  Ben looked distinctly uncomfortable, but gave them a small smile.

They all drank, and Ben quietly thanked them.  Rey gave him a big smile, and beckoned him closer for a quick hug.  "Come here, ya big lug."  She laughed, as he leaned down to receive her hug.  "I'm proud of you.  You work so hard – you're always working – and its paying off."  She slipped away from him.  "But don't forget to have fun sometimes too."  Glancing over at Kay, who was speaking quietly with Finn, she added.  "And don't forget to pay attention to her."

"Don't worry, I won't forget."  He responded quietly.  "Mom."  He added in a teasing tone, rolling his eyes.

"Okay, okay.  I guess that was kind of mom-ish, wasn't it?"  She blushed.

His eyes scanned her face.  "Are you going to be okay?"

Her nose scrunched in confusion.  "Of course.  Why wouldn't I be?"

"You're travelling again....you just got back."  He looked over at Finn.  "You look tired, and Finn's clearly pissed."  He turned his gaze back to her.  "Looks like you're the one in the dog house now."

She sighed.  "I know.  Don't worry about me.  I'll be fine."

"You seem to be travelling a lot more lately."  He noted.

Nodding, she glanced over at Finn, lost in thought.  "Yeah."  She was quiet for a minute.  "We're really busy.  I think I'm going to have to talk to my boss about hiring an assistant.  Someone I can train on all of my systems so it doesn't always have to be me that goes on site."

"That might help.  It would probably make Finn happy."

Smiling, she responded.  "If I can keep the travel to one week a month, it'll make me happy."  And then smirking, she added mischievously.  "And I'll make it up to Finn.  It might take an hour or so, but he'll eventually let me out of the dog house."

Ben's face went red.  "I don't want to know."

A shit-eating grin was plastered on her face, and she wiggled her eyebrows.  "I'm sure you can guess though."  She chuckled.  "I'll make him forget he's mad at me – for a few minutes, at least."

"Okay, this conversation is done."  He said, face still red, as he stepped back over to Kay.

Rey watched him and chuckled.  He was so easy to fluster and embarrass.  Especially when she teased him about sex.  It had surprised her at first.  For such a big guy, he always seemed to be so easy going with her.  But he'd told her that he'd never really had many friends growing up – and still didn't – because he just didn't feel comfortable in new situations and around strangers.  However, Kay was the one who often seemed uncomfortable in conversations, not him.  When she teased him, or made sexual innuendos about her and Finn or him and Kay, he always blushed furiously.  She thought it was hilarious when his ears went deep red.  While she was away, and bored in the evenings, she'd have to think of a few more ways to torment him.  She smiled to herself at the thought.

Ben had glanced up and caught the look on Rey's face.  She appeared to be thinking about something privately humourous.  He cocked his head to the side and gave her a questioning look, mouthing the word – 'What?'

Rey grinned and shook her head.  'Nothing.'  She mouthed back, a smirk still on her face as she poured herself a 2nd glass of champagne.

After a few minutes, Ben whispered something to Kay who nodded, and then announced that they should call it night.  "Its been a long day, and I think Rey probably has an even longer one tomorrow, so we're going to head out."

Gathering their things, they headed to the door to say their goodbyes.  Rey gave Kay a quick kiss and a hug, before turning to Ben to do the same.  "Thanks for your help tonight."  She told him, before pulling him a bit closer to whisper in his ear.  "Master."

He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek in return, grinning like an idiot when he pulled away.  "Don't get too cocky."  She warned.  "Tomorrow you're back to Stupidhead."

"Hey, I'll take it!"  he laughed.  "Goodnight Finn.  Goodnight Rey."  He looked at her a bit sadly.  "Try to have a good trip."

"Oh, I will.  Don't worry about me.  I'll message you."  She put on a brave face and smiled – knowing that she was likely about to have an argument with Finn.  "Bye guys!"

After they'd left, she went into the kitchen to start cleaning up. Finn worked silently beside her for several minutes before finally speaking.  "You can say no sometimes.  You know that, right?"

"Yes.  I know that.  Sometimes.  But not in this instance."  She replied.

"And why the hell not?"  He asked indignantly.

She blew out a breath.  "Because this was my system, from start to finish – not just the install.  Would you let someone else fuck with your coding after it was finished if they found a bug?  Or would you insist on fixing it?"

"That's different!"  He replied.

Turning towards him, she looked at him in shock, anger written on her face.  "Exactly how is it different Finn?"

"Because I wouldn't have to travel across the entire country in order to fix it!"  He bit out.  "I could even do it from home if I had to."

She took a deep breath.  "Fine, I'll give you that.  But the premise of who is responsible is exactly the same.  If our positions were reversed, and you had to travel to fix something that was entirely your responsibility, tell me that you'd say no?  Go ahead, I dare you!"

Finn stalked away, clearly trying to calm himself down.   This was not going well, and she knew it.  She was leaving first thing tomorrow, and did not want to leave with this anger between them.  However, despite her teasing with Ben, she really did not feel like going to bed with Finn right now when he was being an ass.  He had a right to be angry – but it really was out of her hands – so he shouldn't be that angry with her.

She spent the next half hour tidying up before shutting everything down and heading into the bedroom.  Finn was in bed, with his laptop perched on his knees.  He didn't look at her as she walked into the room.

"Finn.  I'm sorry.  I don't want to go.  You have to know that.  I feel as if I have to go."  She looked away for a minute and turned back to him.  He was now watching her with ambivalent eyes.  "I promise that in the New Year I will try to cut my travel down to no more than one week per month.  I can't guarantee it – but I will try."

He looked away for a minute, stretching and popping the joints in his neck before turning back to her once again.  "Okay.  Fine.  But this is becoming a problem Rey.  You're away more than you're here now.  If it keeps up...."

She reached out and placed her hand on his.  "I know Hon, and I'm sorry.  I promise, I'll try to switch it back to the other way around."

Nodding once, he turned his attention back to his laptop, effectively dismissing her.  Hurt bloomed in her chest, and she sat there watching him for another minute before getting up to have a shower.

Once the bathroom door was closed, she leaned her hands on the counter and slumped forward.  She didn't know what was happening here, but something had changed recently.  Lately, she'd definitely been travelling a lot more than usual, and sometimes things felt a little.....strained, between her and Finn.  She wasn't entirely sure what had caused it, but she'd probably have a few weeks to think about it while she was away.  Hopefully she'd be able to figure it out.