Poe was guilty.

He had led multiple pilots to their deaths. He had falsely accused Vice Admiral Holdo of betrayal. Holdo had died saving the Resistance, Poe included. Poe knew it wasn't his fault. He hadn't known his squadron would die because of his disobedience. He had honestly thought Holdo was a traitor. But none of that suppressed the knot of guilt in the pit of his stomach. It was my fault.

Poe had just talked to General Organa. She had made him feel somewhat better. He wished he could apologize to Holdo's and the fallen Resistance members' families immediately. But it would take weeks to find them all. Of course, the one family member Poe didn't want to apologize to was right at his fingertips. Rose Tico. She was Paige Tico's little sister. Rose was a mechanic and had proven extremely useful during the escape from Crait. She had almost died protecting Finn. That was why talking to Rose would be so awkward. Rose, Poe greatly assumed, was in love with Finn. Finn and Poe were good friends. I have to apologize to my best friend's girlfriend for being an idiot and getting her sister killed, he thought dismally. This is going to be great fun.

Poe walked down the stone halls of Maz Canata's palace. He shared a room with Finn, Nien Nunb, and a young fighter whom he'd never met. There was literally nothing in the room except two bunkbeds. Poe and Finn shared one, Poe on the top, Finn on the bottom. The latter was totally satisfied with being near the ground, but Poe enjoyed the height openness. It reminded him of flying.

Right then all three of Poe's roomates were vacant. Happy to be alone, he flopped down onto Finn's bed. He didn't feel like climbing the rickety ladder to his bunk. He rubbed his eyes, then sighed, letting his hands drop. He stared at the bottom of his bunk which served at a ceiling for Finn's. That was another thing Poe liked about being on top: he didn't always feel like the bunkbed would collapse and crush him. Strangely, Poe never worried whether it would collapse on Finn. He knew it was well built, strong. But that did not stop him from his own fears. He guessed he had some claustrophobia crap, even though he spent half his time in a cramped cockpit. Go figure.

He heard a familiar series of beep-bloops, followed by the door creaking open. BB-8 rolled in. Crazy droid had somehow opened the door. BB-8 stopped at Finn's bedside where Poe laid, beeping a greeting.

"Hey there, buddy,'' Poe murmured.

Beep-beep-bloop.

"Yeah, I know.''

Bloop.

"Probably.''

Beep-bloop.

"I get it.''

BB-8 started rapidly chirping on a rant.

Poe rolled his eyes. "I know! I said I get it, okay, I— Hey! Watch your language.''

BB-8 purred.

Poe sighed, getting up. "I love you too, buddy.''

The astromech droid followed Poe out the door.

With BB-8's encouragement, Poe had decided he would talk to Rose immediately. He'd run into Nien who'd said he had seen her with Finn and pointed Poe in the right direction. Poe still was unsure of what to say. "Hey, sorry I got your sister killed'' seems a little blunt. Poe also found it frustrating that Rose was with Finn. That would make things even more uncomfortable. But it had to be done.

Poe found Rose standing with Finn in a doorway. They were facing each other, murmuring, there faces hidden in the shadows. Finn saw Poe approaching. He became alert and Rose—somewhat reluctantly—did as well.

"Any news from the General?'' Finn asked.

Poe shook his head. "None. It's all up in the air. May be like that for awhile longer.''

Finn looked disappointed. He, like everyone, wanted to be on the move. Rose was less responsive. She just eyed him cooly. Poe swallowed. He couldn't do this. BB-8 whistled more encouragement.

"I need to talk to Rose,'' Poe forced out.

Both Finn and Rose looked mildly surprised.

"What for?'' The girl wanted to know. Poe glanced at Finn. It would be easier if his friend stayed our of this one. He might try to smooth things over, which would annoy Rose. The last thing Poe wanted was for her to be mad at Finn too.

"Could we have a moment?"

Finn looked curious but nodded, moving on. Rose and Poe stood in an awkward silence. BB-8 beep-blooped. Thanks for the moral support, buddy, Poe thought. Rose crossed her arms. It was now or never.

"Sooo,'' Poe averted his eyes. He hated how easy it was to do that. He forced his eyes to meet hers. They were almond-shaped, dark, almost black. Poe continued, "I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am about Paige.''

That got Rose's attention. She listened intently as Poe talked.

"I knew I should pull the squadron back. I didn't know it would get them all killed, but I figured it was a risk. A rich I shouldn't take. But I did because I thought if we kept at it just a little longer we could defeat the First Order. I was wrong and I am sorry. If I could have saved Paige. . ." Emotion swelled in his throat. "I'm sorry. I—I don't know what else to say. If you ever need anything. . .''

Poe felt tears well in his eyes. He forbade himself to cry. BB-8 nuzzled his leg. A single tear traced down Rose's face. Poe was worried he had upset her further but she smiled.

"I forgive you.''

Poe tried for a smile. He dipped his head to her. "Thank you.''

Rose brushed her tear off and inhaled. She nodded goodbye to BB-8, turned and left.

Poe was surprised how relieved he felt. Grateful that Rose forgave him. He started heading back to his bunk. He passed the girl, Rey. He absentmindedly winked at her. She smirked, rolling her eyes. Now that was a girl was something special. . .

BB-8 bleeped at Poe accusingly.

"I was not.''

Bloop-bleep.

"Alright, that's enough from you.''

Bloop-bloop.

Poe smiled. "Okay, buddy.''