Is he alright?

I'm not sure, give him some air!

But he's been asleep since they got back.

Finn knew of voices. The voice of his commanding officer. The voice of his fellow Troopers. The voice of the innocent he wanted to protect. Protect…always a protector. Was that who Finn was? A protector of those who knew not of safety?

I think he's coming to…everyone get back.

The world around him came into focus, what was once the simple heartbeat of two men, grew into a cold chrome room, and a familiar black eye patch tied around one eye. "You back with us, kid?"

Finn had found himself on the floor of the SHIELD bay hangar, surrounded by grey walls, and friendly faces. Sam Wilson looked down with a concerned glee, Rhodey Rhodes shook his head with a distilled pride, Luke Cage crossed his arms, trying to seem as disconnected as possible, T'challa stood with a grand majesty, and Fury could only smile.

"You did it Finn," Fury said, "You did it."

The medical beds were full, apparently making sure the Avengers were cleaned of Red Skull's mind control took precedence, not that Finn minded. He wasn't injured…just exhausted. The simulations on Corusant never taxed him like this, but that was to be expected, wasn't it? The SHIELD hellicarrier stormed with agents, and medics, and other personnel, just trying to get as much info out of Skull's readings as possible.

The rest of the commandos had returned home. Luke Cage to his bar, T'challa to his embassy, but Sam Wilson and Colonel Rhodes stayed behind. Something about making sure their comrades were safe.

Fury and Finn walked the halls of SHIELD, and into the bay hangar where Finn's ship was stored. It was hard to believe that that small thing was what saved an entire planet of people. That Finn himself, FN-2187, had saved an entire planet. He could barely believe it.

Nick Fury placed a heavy hand on Finn's back, "You're quite a guy, Finn."

But Finn only shrugged, "You know," he closed his mouth, unsure of how to proceed. He wasn't used to praise, or a simple shoulder pat. If he were with Captain Phasma, she would have scolded him for his cowardice, for his hesitance, for his resistance to do what was needed. "…but I was afraid."

Fear was not to be tolerated in the First Order. If you were afraid…that meant you were useless.

"I know," Fury said, "I could send that much…but you pressed on." The strangest thing about this man, Finn who had come from a faraway place, was that he did not realize how strong he really was. Mace Windu knew strength. Nick Fury knew courage, and Finn had demonstrated both to an alarming degree. Not even Obi-Wan Kenobi could have had as much strength of character. How had Finn not realized that? "You know Finn," Nick asked, "I remember asking you what you stand for." Nick glanced back to Finn, who looked as if he were about to fall over.

"Yeah," Finn said, "You did." Finn reached into his jacket and pulled out the lightsaber, it felt right in his hands, as if it were meant for him…but Finn knew better. "And, I think I know who that is now."

"Really?" Nick asked, "Please enlighten me."

"I may not be the best lightsaber wielder, or the best shot, or the best pilot…or the best anything really." Finn gently slipped the lightsaber into Fury's fingers.

"But?" Fury asked. He twirled the hilt in his hands, he could sense a change deep within Finn's chest. A small token that had grown into a blaze…grand enough to light an entire galaxy.

"But," Finn stood tall and proud, "I don't let any of that stop me from protecting the people I care about."

A proclamation strong enough to carry the hope of an entire star system. "That's right," Nick said, "And don't ever forget that."

Finn looked towards his ship, small and maneuverable, completely capable of anything it wanted to do…a reflection of the man who had flew it here. A testament to both Finn and Fury, men who had learned to stand on their own. "You," Finn began, "Should come with me. Back home." Nick Fury did not belong to this galaxy, Finn knew it better than even Nick himself. The boy placed his hands behind his back and smiled, a tentative grin that almost looked frightened, "This place…it isn't your home…and I know our galaxy could use someone with-"

Fury raised his hand, stopping Finn midsentence. "That galaxy is no longer where I belong, young one," Fury said. "My place is here." He had known that for a long time now, longer than even he wanted to admit. But Earth was the place he was sworn to protect, just as Finn was now promised to his old home. "Remember Finn," Nick said, "A soldier's place is always where they are most needed." Fury glanced down to Finn's young face, "And I'm needed here." It took Fury a long time to come to terms with that fact. The Jedi Order often taught that the will of the Force is paramount to one's own wishes. But Windu still knew, and Fury still hoped that the Force was still with them…and Finn was proof that it was.

And Finn nodded, "Right." And stepped slowly towards his ship. He climbed in, and the bay hangars began to open, flooding the entire place with light. The X-wing rose into the air, swirling and swirling. The future is always difficult to see, and even harder to prepare for, but courage is a constant, in any galaxy. Mace Windu, and Nick Fury knew this, and that wisdom, had been passed on to a new generation.

Nick Fury watched up from below as the ship ascended into the sky, and Finn, Stormtrooper of the First Order, hero of the planet earth, and soldier of two galaxies, disappeared from beyond his view, and out into a galaxy far far away.

"May the Force be with you."