Notes: My theory on the end of LJ is the Alliance didn't abandon the base just waited until the First Order retreated

Title: Misery loves company
author: Cindy Ryan
spoilers: Last Jedi
summary: Post LJ Rey and Poe share a drink

It took four days to repair the blast door and make the mineral planet base livable. Now at midnight that day Captain Poe Dameron found he couldn't sleep. He was exhausted beyond measure but rest alluded the pilot. So Poe sat in the makeshift mess clutching a bottle of ale. Their distress call had finally been answered two days previous not in manpower but desperately needed supplies. Poe had obtained the alcohol from one of the supply pilots. It wasn't nearly strong enough but for tonight it'd do.

When Poe tried to rest the images and memories assaulted him. Along with the sadness and guilt. He'd lost a lot of friends taken out the Dreadnought. Poe still thought the victory was worth the sacrifice but still the ghosts haunted him. BB 8 beeped sadly as if sensing his owner's mood. The droid sat by the table's leg like a puppy. Poe reached down and absently patted the orange and white droid's round head.

"Have another one of those?"

Poe looked up at the female voice and smiled ruefully at Rey.

"Sorry no, but if you find a glass I'll share."

Rey nodded and began to rummage through supplies until she found a tall thin glass. She brought it to the table and set it down Poe poured so it was half full. Rey smiled her thanks and sat down taking a sip. BB 8 gave her a happy beep in greeting.

"How come you're still up?"Poe asked quietly.

"Too much bouncing around in here."The young woman replied tapping her head with her free hand.

"Thought Jedi had mind control and all that?"Poe asked taking another swig."Some of that could be adapted to sleep."

Rey sighed and shook her head.

"Haven't learned mind control yet."Rey replied.

"Good to know."Poe commented with a smirk.

The Jaku native briefly smiled but her gaze drifted to the wall behind Poe.

"So why are you drinking alone?"Rey asked after a few minutes.

"Couldn't sleep thought I'd try to knock myself out."Poe hedged and he could see his new friend wasn't buying it.

"I heard about the Dreadnought."Rey said sympathetically.

"Lots of blood on my hands."Poe said darkly staring at the bottle in his hands."The plan worked we got the victory destroyed one of the First Order's biggest battle cruisers..."

"But you disobeyed a direct order to do so."Rey interjected softly.

Below BB 8 beeped sadly.

"I thought we wouldn't get another chance."Poe explained meeting Rey's gaze."That thing would've wiped out our fleet or a base or both."

"Your heart was in the right place, Poe."Rey replied."I was the bigger fool who thought I could turn Kylo from the dark side."

"Did he do that?"Poe asked angrily with a nod to her still bandaged left shoulder.

"Snoke's guards."Rey responded.

"If you don't want to talk about it you don't have to."Poe stated grimly."Since tonight you're in Poe's bar rules are we're here to forget or make peace with our demons."

Poe paused and took a long drink. Then raised the bottle to Rey with a nod and a bitter smile.

"If you can't forget or make peace then rule three no judgement on drinking yourself unconscious."

Rey nodded and raised her glass and took another swallow. She then moved and clinked her glass against Poe's bottle.

"I really thought I could get Kylo to listen." Rey said a few minutes later."But all he wanted was an alliance wanted to rule the universe with me."

"Not a lot of people would turn down an offer like that."Poe replied in admiration.

"Wasn't the right path for me."Rey commented with a shake of her head.

"For what it's worth I'm glad you're here."Poe stated sincerely.

Rey smiled genuinely. Then she took another swallow of the dark liquid before settling back in her chair. Poe watched her for a moment then concentrated on his own drink and the thoughts and memories that stole his sleep. Despite the circumstances that brought them here Poe was grateful for the company.