45Hey Everyone, I'm reposting this chapter again because a couple people were still commenting that it was showing up with code. If it's still a problem let me know.
And it turns out she can fix anything, though Poe shouldn't be surprised given that she did repair the entire inventory of X-Wings and spruce up this ship in a single afternoon. He's no slouch when it comes to ship mechanics but her skill is beyond his, especially when it comes to First Order ships. She proclaims that it's not the best job given their limited supplies but that it will suffice until they can get to their check in, which is on the other side of the planet. He feels confident the temporary repairs won't pose a problem but he knows the local military might and he holds his breath just a little bit the entire flight.
"So how is it that there's a rendezvous point on this planet when the local military isn't integrated into the Resistance enough to know our mission?"
"It's a small base; really just a limited outpost to keep an eye on things and fix and refuel ships when need be. It's hardly used. The local military may have some limited knowledge of it— enough to keep everyone from getting in each other's airspace— but not of its inner workings or what we're doing. It's not the only one like it out there."
He calls in their landing clearance code and smiles when he hears a familiar voice at the other end of the comm.
"Dameron, what the kriff are you doing all the way out in this part of the galaxy?"
"Here to collect on that bet you lost, Keeter."
"You lost that bet; not me."
"That's not how I remember it. How about we settle that after we land this thing?" He glances over to Rey quickly once the comm cuts off. "Old friend."
The check point is small like he said; it's basically a glorified warehouse that he knows has been modified to have a MedBay and several rooms for people as well as a central information and surveillance hub. Situated just far enough from the populated areas, nothing about it draws attention or suspicion.
Once they've landed, Poe immediately stands and begins to make his way out of the cockpit, only to stop when he realizes that a certain brunette is missing from his side. Turning, he sees that she's busying herself with shut down protocol and checking systems.
"They'll take care of that, Rey. You don't have to worry about it."
She acts like she doesn't hear a word he's saying, which sends momentary panic through him. Did he do something wrong? Thinking over the past couple hours he can't think of anything that would upset her. The images of her obvious discomfort at parties back on base come to mind and he feels slightly stupid for not thinking of this earlier. Quietly he slips back to the co-pilot seat and leans his elbows atop his thighs as he looks at her.
"The guy who runs this place is an old buddy of mine— he's a good guy— he'll get us all set up and introduce us to everyone. It's a small crew out here; nothing like the crowd of the base." He tilts his head and continues to look at her, hoping for a response of some sort. He doesn't get one. "Rey?"
She knows he's trying to reassure her but her mind can't process it right now. Despite her earlier reassurances, she's tired and she doesn't look forward to navigating a social situation with people she doesn't know. It'd be much better to stay with what she knows is safe at least until she can better collect herself.
"I should really check the systems and take a look at how the repairs are holding up and talk to the mechanics. They're probably not used to working on a First Order ship but I recognize some of the hardware from the older Empire ships and can give them advice." She glances over at him then but is careful to avert her eyes back to her task as quickly as possible. "You should go talk to your friend; it's been a while, I'm sure. I'll be fine."
That's his dismissal and he knows it so he stands and places a gentle hand on her shoulder. "OK. Take your time— I'll get the rundown from Keeter and be waiting for you outside when you're ready."
Keeter's waiting for him at the bottom of the ramp and immediately shakes Poe's hand and pulls him into a familiar hug. They begin walking from the ship over to the side of the small hangar.
"You're in one piece— that's good. I got reports of the local military firing on a First Order ship."
"Yeah, it took both of us to get out of that one; I got to test out the gunner on this." He points a thumb behind him at the ship they just landed. "We took some pretty significant damage, though, and had to stop last night until we could repair it this morning, otherwise we would have been here sooner."
"Don't worry, we'll get you back up and running in no time. But I thought you were supposed to be with Skywalker's student."
"I am. She's just a stickler about checking all the systems and talking to the mechanics, you know."
"Ah, I like her already." Keeter claps him on the shoulder. "How's Kes doing these days— still on Yavin?"
"Yeah, he's good last time I talked to him. Enjoying retirement."
"That sounds nice: retirement."
"That's because you're getting old."
"Yeah, well, you're not too far behind me." The older man cuts off as his attention is drawn over to the ship and Poe turns to see what he's looking at. Sure enough, Rey has come down the ramp and is busy talking to one of the mechanics, pointing to different areas of damage on the ship. "That's the Jedi— Skywalker's student? Sithspit, I didn't know they made Jedi like that. Sign me up for the Jedi Academy."
Poe doesn't miss the way his old friend is watching Rey's every move, almost like an acklay spying its next lunch. He can feel his stomach twisting. It's not that Poe thinks the guy would do anything to Rey and Keeter certainly wouldn't hurt her but after everything that's happened he hates the idea of one of his oldest friends flirting with her.
"Yeah, well, I wouldn't get any wild ideas; she's pretty terrifying in a fight, even to Kylo Ren. Rumor is he has a scar on his face from her. She's still not a big fan of new people so I wouldn't want to make her mad if I were you; she may look young and harmless but she's not."
Silently he hopes that the heat he can feel crawling up his neck doesn't spread far enough above his shirt collar for Keeter to notice but once the other man turns to look at him and a grin splits his face, Poe remembers how much the galaxy seems to hate him at random intervals lately.
"I see: you like her. You know, you could have just said that and told me to lay off instead of telling me how scary she is."
Yes, yes I do like her, and I can't stand the idea of you near her.
He'd love to say the words to his friend but he realizes quickly why he can't: he and Rey haven't really talked about what all of this means. She saved his life but she's a Jedi; isn't that part of what they do? She'd saved his life when she couldn't stand to be in the same room as him and he's certainly saved people without any romantic inclination associated with it; clearly it doesn't mean the same thing to them as it can to other people. But this one time he would really like it to mean something more. And yes, they'd kissed a few times— kriff he loved kissing her so much that he's been thinking about it practically to distraction all day— but he can't tell Keeter that without knowing if Rey wants anyone to know. Well, and without knowing what Rey actually wants this to be. Sure, she'd agreed to a date when this mission is over but that's not exactly the broader commitment that would warrant other people knowing and he's already messed up enough when it comes to her, he doesn't want to do it again. If he wants to have a shot at anything with her, he needs to tread carefully. It's best for him to push his friend to believe there's nothing between them at least until he's sure.
"Keeter, have you been chewing the luna-weed?" Poe raises an eyebrow at the man and crosses his arms, hoping to appear annoyed by the idea of being with her. "We can barely stand being around each other; she's a total pain in the ass. I almost didn't survive the trip here without losing my mind."
The words do nothing to erase the smile from his friend's face, and if anything, it broadens.
"Caraya's soul, you've got it bad. I never thought I'd see the day when Poe Dameron would fall for someone. Kes will be over the moon when he finds out, if he doesn't have a heart attack first from the shock."
"I don't know what you're talking about. Like I said: we can barely stand each other."
"Yeah, that's why you volunteered for this incredibly dangerous mission that didn't require a second person." He can't help but look at his friend in alarm. Word gets around fast, apparently.
"I only did that because she saved my skin on The Finalizer after we picked up Master Skywalker."
"Sure, Dameron. Just remember that I've known you for a long time and you're a terrible liar." Keeter chuckles as he watches Rey. Poe can feel his stomach sinking. "If she irritates you so much, why is she wearing your jacket?"
"My job is to make sure she comes back alright. She's from a desert planet; she doesn't handle cold well."
"You just have an excuse for everything, don't you?"
"It's not an excuse if it's just an honest explanation."
"Fine, then. If you're not interested in her, then why don't you introduce us?"
"Keeter, I have to introduce you to her anyway."
"Yeah, but the quicker you introduce me to her, the quicker I can ask her to have a drink with me." He grins again at Poe. "Unless there's a reason you wouldn't want me to ask her."
I hate this.
"Nope, just trying to save you from getting sliced in half by a lightsaber. If she can resist my face, then you don't stand a chance." The next time Rey glances in their direction, Poe waves her over to them. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Oh, I don't need a warning. Remember which one of us has the better track record with women."
Rey comes to stop a few feet away from them with a small smile on her face but a slightly wary look in her eye. The leather of his jacket swallows her slight figure in its too-long sleeves with cuffs she's pushed up and the hemline resting below her hips. He loves the sight and for a moment his mind wanders to how she would look in one of his shirts, hair rumpled from sleep while she's wrapped up with him, but then he shakes himself back to reality. He doesn't need to look to know that Keeter is watching him intently.
"Rey, I want to introduce you to an old friend of mine and the man in charge of this outpost: Captain Jerome Keeter." He motions to the man next to him that offers his hand for Rey to shake, which she does.
"It's exciting to meet you, Rey; I've heard a lot about you." He smiles warmly at her and after a few moments stops shaking her hand but still doesn't let it go. "It's not every day we have a Jedi here, much less one who's rumored to be an amazing pilot."
"I'm not a Jedi yet; only an Apprentice. I have a lot to learn still." Poe almost audibly lets out a sigh of relief when she drops Keeter's hand to look over at Poe and return to the conversation she'd initiated while still on board the ship. "Like I thought, the mechanics didn't really know much about the wiring differences and system variations on a First Order ship."
"I'm betting they do now after talking to you."
"Yeah, a few pointers, though I'll probably check back with them in a while just to see it's going well."
"Wait, so you're a mechanic too?" Keeter looks between Poe and Rey in something like entertained disbelief. "Is there anything you can't do?"
And there's Keeter's fatal mistake: while Poe's friend can usually crutch conversation on compliments, Poe can tell that Rey not only is unimpressed by such an obvious tactic but even seems mildly annoyed.
"Plenty. Most of the things I do know are because they've been practical at some point."
"That's still amazing. Well, we'll get you two set up with what you need for the rest of your trip and make sure the ship's in shape— should have you ready to go by tomorrow. But we can get you some decent food tonight. Rey, maybe then, over a drink, you can tell me more about how you learned to fly?"
Her brows furrow momentarily and then she glances over at Poe with concern. "Uh, I think Poe and I are going to do some planning for the rest of our mission since our timeline is now changed. Right, Poe?"
She's uncomfortable. She needs an out.
"Yeah, we were."
"Oh, well, I invited Poe, too." When Poe glances over to Keeter, he sees how the other man's eyes sparkle with amusement. "He wanted to see how you felt before giving me an answer."
Poe knows what Keeter's doing and he's mildly confident that it won't be as successful as the man thinks.
"Well, then I guess we could for a little while."
Her eyes betray weariness and immediately Poe realizes how tired she must still be, no matter how much she claimed this morning that she'd recovered from healing him the night before. He can feel the muscles in his arms twitch with the impulse to wrap around her and whisper to her that they can go to their rooms right now and she can sleep in his arms again like she did last night. Instead he stuffs them in his pants pockets so he doesn't do that and embarrass her in front of everyone. When she fails to stifle a yawn, however, he decides he should at least say something.
"You should go rest for a while—Keeter can have someone show you to one of the empty rooms. I can make sure that the mechanics don't destroy the ship for a couple standard hours."
Her face is an obvious mixture of gratitude and concern. She must be really tired because she nods without an argument. "Come get me before they try to test any of their repairs?"
"Of course."
"And keep yourself from dying."
"I think I can manage for a while— I did for thirty-two years before I met you."
"Not very well from what I hear."
"What, worried you won't get to see this beautiful face enough, Jedi?"
She looks at Keeter with a raised eyebrow and a look of irritation that Poe can tell is feigned. "So, has he always been this way?"
"Worse, actually." He remarks before he calls to one of the soldiers who's standing several paces away. "Kendrix will show you to the empty room. Please forgive me that I situated you two next to each other. It's what's available."
"I've had worse but not by much."
"Alright, alright, get out of here and get some rest—you can snark at me later, Jedi."
Poe waves her off with an eye roll, hoping to end this strange conversation before any real damage can be done. He doesn't think he's imagining the way Rey's weight shifts toward him but then stops as though she intended to approach him. Maybe she feels the same impulses he does to return to the closeness they had shared the night before and that morning. Or maybe he's just being hopeful. Regardless, there's only a moment of hesitation before Rey instead turns and walks out of the hangar with Kendrix.
"I think she likes me." Keeter proclaims it to he pilot with a broad grin.
"Optimism isn't a bad thing, I guess."
Their conversation is cut off by one of the mechanics addressing Keeter.
"Sir, the repairs will require more than we anticipated. The ship took extensive damage."
He glances between Poe and the mechanic. "We knew that, didn't we?"
"You…you should come look at this, Captain."
Poe holds his breath as they walk over together, knowing what it is that the mechanic wants his friend to see. It will only bring another conversation and questions he doesn't want to deal with right now. It looks, however, as though it's going to happen whether he likes it or not as they approach the ship, walking straight to where the gunner hatch used to be but now is mostly just fragmented and melted metal.
The mechanic explains to them both what the options are to make sure that the remains of the structure don't threaten the ship's integrity at light speed. Poe considers the options presented but ultimately decides to leave it up to Rey, telling the mechanic to check with her when she returns later. They have enough other repairs to keep them busy until then so it won't slow anything down. Once the mechanic has walked away, though, Poe knows he has to face his friend's questions that he really doesn't want to answer.
"Didn't you say you were in this thing?"
"Yeah, I was."
"But you weren't when it got obliterated."
"No, I was."
"How in all the galaxy did you survive that?"
"That's the thing: I didn't."
"Wait, what? How did you…" Poe holds the Captain's gaze for several moments before letting his eyes slowly drift over to the exit Rey had walked through not long ago. Understanding obviously strikes his friend then. "You're kidding. But you don't even look like you have a bruise."
"Yeah, I know."
"She can do that?"
"Amazing; I know."
"But I thought Jedi couldn't bring people back from…" he leaves off those two words.
"I don't think they can. She did some emergency medical technique she knows to deal with…that, but I was in rough shape. Pretty soon all of that work wouldn't have mattered. So she healed the rest with her…other abilities."
"Holy Sith. You're serious?"
"Even I'm not creative enough to make this up."
"Well, I can understand why you've got it so bad, then. That's incredible."
"Look, just because she saved my life a few times doesn't mean I'm automatically in love with her."
Keeter gives him an amused yet predatory smile. "Who said anything about love, Dameron?" Being on this side of that joke isn't as entertaining, Poe realizes. "But if we are talking about that, I don't think anyone would fault you for falling for a multi-talented, beautiful Force user who can save your life. Oh, and who has multiple times, apparently. There are worse decisions you could make. I know— I've seen you make them."
"I don't make bad decisions."
"Do you remember that time you went after a bomber by yourself? Or basically any of your decisions regarding women?"
"I'm not that bad."
"Yeah you are, but with this you would be turning over a whole new leaf, Dameron. She's pretty amazing."
"Kriff, you sound like Finn and BB-8."
"BB's met her?"
"Met her? My droid's obsessed with her. I can't get it to stop beeping incessantly about her."
Keeter eyes him for several moments before grinning again. "Yeah, but I don't think you're all that put out by it."
Kendrix is perfectly nice as she leads Rey to the set of neighboring rooms down the hall off the hangar where she and Poe will be staying. It's a simple room with a bed, a desk, and a chair as well as some drawers and a closet. Considering that they will only be there through the next day and she doesn't have much in the way of belongings anyway, it will do. With Poe right next door and the small size of the outpost, it will be easy to find her way around and coordinate with him.
Poe. He's been acting odd since they landed. The night before and that morning he had been so gentle and tender, that she temporarily forgot that not long before that he could barely stand to be in the same room as her. But she thought that had changed in the past hours as they slept tangled together and when he asked her to go on a date with him when they get back. Now she's not so sure. Perhaps being around one of his friends is reminding him that he doesn't really like her— he was just grateful she saved his life.
She really wishes this wouldn't be so terribly confusing. She also wishes that her mind and the rest of her would stop gravitating toward him so much; it took an embarrassing amount of restraint to keep herself from wrapping her arms around him before she left the hangar and asking him to come with her so she wouldn't have to sleep alone. Given his obvious want to return to their previous dynamic and the anxiety that she can feel rolling off of him near constantly, she knew doing that would have been disastrous. She has no want to be rejected so publicly, so she simply responded in kind.
This is ridiculous; she's on an incredibly dangerous mission and needs to concentrate on that instead of on whatever feelings Poe Dameron may or may not have for her. She doesn't have time to think of her nonexistent love life. That thought is her last before she drifts into a fitful sleep.
She wakes immediately on guard, yells echoing in her mind from her dream and dread knotting in her stomach. She has a bad feeling about this and it isn't just because of her nightmare. No, there's something terribly wrong and she knows it. Reflexively her mind turns to Poe and without any hesitation she's scurrying out of bed and into the hall. Down it, in the hangar, she can hear shouts and blaster fire.
He said he'd keep himself from dying, damnit.
As quick as her legs can carry her, she runs to the hangar, stopping just inside the door to try to understand what is happening. She can see Poe and Keeter along with a couple others exchanging fire with two men— one of whom is a mechanic she spoke with earlier and the other she recognizes as having been present when they landed though she never interacted with him. The two men have their backs to her as they continue shooting at Poe and the others.
What in all the galaxy happened while she was asleep? The mechanic shoots again and this time she sees that the blaster bolt catches Poe in the arm, which is enough to send her into action. Her lightsaber is activated in a second and she's behind them both within barely a few more, though she knows she shouldn't kill them. If she hadn't left her staff on the ship she'd be able to use that to knock him out. Instead, she waves a hand over the closest one, rendering him unconscious using the Force. The second man turns to her feet away and points his blaster at her, firing a bolt that she easily deflects with her lightsaber. Almost instantly he takes a blaster bolt to the shoulder and loses focus on her long enough for her to reach out and leave him unconscious like his comrade.
Several people run past her to haul the men to the few cells she knows every outpost and base has. She doesn't really care what they do with the men; her attention is across the hangar with the dark haired man standing in an off-white shirt and dark pants, who currently looks back at her with concern as blood stains his shirt on his upper arm. There's nothing that can keep her from him as she jogs over to him and stops barely a step away.
She doesn't notice the glance that Poe throws at Keeter or the way the other man glances between her and the pilot before announcing that he and the others have to go deal with the two traitors. Faintly she hears a male voice tell her good job but she's too busy scrutinizing the wound on Poe's arm to care. The pilot shifts nervously under her gaze and reaches out to hold on to both her arms while his eyes search her form anxiously.
"He didn't get you, did he? I thought I got him before he could but…"
His words fade out of her consciousness as she blankly stares at him and feels all of her own fear and anger at him flare. She doesn't know if she wants to laugh, cry, scream at him, hug him, or slap him, so she ends up doing a bit of them all.
"You said," she shoves against his chest but it proves ineffectual since he's anchored himself to her, so she grabs his chin in her hand and forces him to look at her. "You said you would keep yourself from dying!"
The words are a bit louder than she intended but she doesn't care because she's so, so mad at him right now and it's an anger born out of her own fear for him. Luke would tell her something about controlling her dark emotions but she can't hear them right now because all she can think about is how there's blood on his shirt because he's hurt. Her eyes train on the wound that cuts across his tricep with a crimson trail.
"And I did." He glances at his arm. "That's nothing some bacta can't fix right up. I'm going to be fine— I promise." Slowly he reaches his hand up to gently take her wrist in it and tug at her grip on his chin. When she loosens it he guides her hand to rest on his shoulder. "I'm sorry."
It's the sincerity of his words that does her in and suddenly she can feel the tears, which she had pushed away in the midst of adrenaline, threatening at the corners of her eyes. Before any of them have a chance to fall she's crushed against his broad chest, his arms caging her securely to him while his hands idly stroke her back. She lets herself breathe in his scent and her hand stroke the silver chain around his neck that dips down to tuck under his shirt. Faintly she feels his lips press into her hair and rest there.
"I'm right here, Rey. I'm not leaving." He wills her to hear his words and all of the comfort he hopes they'll bring. "Did you hear the fight? Is that how—"
She moves so her ear is pressed against his chest. "No, I just knew. I don't know how but I woke up and knew something didn't feel right."
"You're amazing." It's a whisper that glides against her hair. "But you could have gotten yourself killed, you know."
"I was fine."
"He tried to shoot you at point-blank range."
"And I deflected it."
"If anything had happened, though…" his words trail off, leaving her to listen to his uneven breathing in the resulting quiet.
She pulls away just enough to rest her chin against his chest so she can look up at him. When he looks back down at her she notices for the first time the worry etched on his face and the glimmer of unshed fear in his eyes. How in the world is it that they've both become this attached to each other this quickly? Since they arrived she's doubted he really cared for her the way she had imagined the day before but now he's looking at her like there's nothing more precious in the entire galaxy.
"But nothing did happen." Tentatively she reaches a hand up to caress his cheek, his stubble scratching the skin of her palm. "Come on, we should get some bacta on your arm and then you and Jerome can tell me what in the galaxy just happened here. I think the good Captain owes us both a drink."
"That he certainly does."