#Standard Disclaimer, Star Wars isn't mine#

#Revised Chapter#

Sariah sat beside the comm unit and waited. It was early morning on Naboo, she was still staying with her parents, she'd found a position teaching that she was enjoying and she was working on a surprise for Poe. He called at this time three times a week, the time difference between worlds made it his night, but not late. It was easier for him to call her. She touched the piece of paper in front of her, smiling. She couldn't believe he'd made the effort to find paper and a pen and ink and write her a message he then sent by way of merchant freight. These days handwriting was extremely rare. While still taught to Younglings to help them develop their manual skills, it was rarely used beyond that. The comm chirped to life.

She pressed the button to answer and smiled when Poe's face appeared. Smiling, she held up the paper so he could see it. "A hand-written note. I had no idea you were so old-fashioned."

He smiled broadly, and it made her heart race even lightyears apart. "You got it! I couldn't resist. We were on a mission in the Outer Rim and I saw the paper and ink, thought I'd try it. Dad was a Pathfinder, so he pretty much insisted I be able to do stuff like that, you never know when you'll get stuck in the middle of nowhere with blown up tech."

Sariah nodded, she knew his father had been ground forces during the Rebellion, it made sense he'd pass on that knowledge to Poe. "I love it, thank you. I have something for you, but you'll have to come here to see."

Poe answered, his dark eyes bright with anticipation. "I think I can get a few days leave, I'll request as soon as we're done."

They'd been apart only a few weeks, but not out of contact. She smiled as she quietly answered him. "I'd like that."

"So would I." His voice was deep, sincere, as he met her gaze through the holo.

She couldn't believe how quickly she'd progressed from sceptical to love. And she did love him, although the words hadn't yet been spoken, she just knew it. Her mother had told her once that she'd known it was love with her adopted father right away, a love that had lasted through his time with the Empire, although she'd disagreed with the Empire, she'd still loved him.

They talked for a few more minutes before saying goodbye. She turned around and looked at her project. The small BB unit was similar to most BB units, but more rounded in the head and a bright orange and white to match Poe's flight suit, or at least as close as she could get paint for so it was a little more orange than a Republic standard issue flight suit. He was almost done, she'd programmed the little unit to respond to Poe using a picture she had found on the holonet to train the droid. He was almost ready. Her father had helped her find the appropriate Republic files for the little Astromech to be able to do his job as Poe's assistant in flight. She didn't have the latest T-85 X-Wing data but knew BB-8 could plug in and download whatever he was missing once Poe got him back to base.

##

Poe arrived on Naboo, quickly getting a speeder he could use for a few days and flying to Sariah's home. He was wearing his everyday uniform. He parked outside her house and walked up the stone path to the door. He pushed the button for the door alarm. It opened a minute later, Sariah stood there, a pale blue tunic and skirt on that highlighted her eyes. He was torn between holding back and wanting to take her in his arms. When she held out her hand, he took it, but in a second they were holding each other.

"I missed you." She breathed as she leaned her head against his chest.

He stepped back and looked down at her, a little surprised at her quiet admission. "I missed you, too." He waited for her reaction, watching as her eyes widened in surprise and then lit with a smile.

She inhaled sharply, not sure how they'd progressed so quickly, but the connection she felt to him was strong. He leaned forward and touched his lips to hers. It was gentle, chaste, and with a hint that there was more. He broke the kiss, stepping back and smiling as he looked down at her.

Sariah felt warm just from his look, she was sure she was blushing. "We should go in, my parents are glad you've come to visit again. And I hope you like the surprise I have for you."

"I'm sure I will."

He followed her inside, his hand around hers as they stepped into the central room. He greeted her parents.

"Wait here." She walked to the back of the house where she'd been working on BB-8. It was her parent's guest bedroom, but she'd turned it into a small work area for herself and her project. She knelt down beside BB-8 and activated him. "Go find Poe."

The droid rolled out of the room and she followed. It rolled right up to Poe, recognising him from the picture she'd trained him with. He knelt down, a puzzled look on his face as he looked up at her.

"He's all yours. That old astromech of yours has served you well, but I thought you could use a shiny new one." She walked over and knelt down beside BB-8. "BB-8, this is your new master."

The orange and white droid beeped and moved happily from side to side in greeting. Poe smiled. "I love him, I can't wait to try him out in my fighter. Thank you."

He looked like he was going to kiss her, but stopped short. She heard her father chuckle and glanced to see him and her mother stand.

"Don't let us stop you, we'll be outside."

Once they were alone, Poe turned his attention back to her, touching her face with his hand, she leaned her head into his hand, enjoying the warmth.

"They like you, Poe."

He smiled. "I'm glad." He shifted so he was closer to her, leaning in to touch his lips to her, one arm slipping around her waist, moving his other hand from her check to the back of her head, his fingers in her hair. She felt his tongue on her lips, and parted them to allow him to deepen the kiss, her breathing quickening at the sensations running through her. She put one hand on the back of his head, her fingers in his soft, dark curls as she held him in place. She rested her other hand on his chest. BB-8 beeped, bringing them both back to the present.

Poe reached over and patted the droid on the head. "I think I'm going to like working with you, but really, we don't need a chaperone."

She laughed. "I'm glad you like him." Sariah spoke, still in the circle of his arms.

Poe kissed her again before he released her and stood, holding out his hand to help her to her feet.

"Are you staying in Theed again?"

"Yes." He still had her hand around hers.

They spent the day together, Poe returned to Theed after dinner that evening. She walked outside with him. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

"Come for breakfast tomorrow."

"Are you sure that's all right?" He frowned slightly, as if he wasn't sure. That surprised her, that hint of uncertainty.

She nodded, squeezing his hand. She wasn't sure why he was uncertain, but she found that strangely comforting, that he was willing to show his feelings to her that way. "Yes, why wouldn't it be? You've had dinner with us."

"All right, I'll see you in the morning then." He bent forward for another kiss, he kept it simple, after all they were standing outside.

##

The next morning Sariah answered the door, he stepped inside and pulled her into his arms, her hands went to his shoulders and their lips met in a kiss. He stepped back, resting his hands on her waist. "Good morning."

"Good morning. Come, breakfast is almost ready."

He followed her through the central room into the cooking area where there was a table and chairs, neatly set for a meal. The multi-coloured glass plates sparkled in the sunlight coming through the windows on the eastern side of the house. The warmth in the room that wasn't from the sun reminded him of his own home. He smiled at the thought. Her mother was cooking, her father hadn't come down yet.

"Mrs. Kallus." Poe spoke in greeting.

Sariah's mother turned her head towards him, not putting the stirring spoon she was using down. She smiled and Poe realised just how much Sariah looked like her mother inspite of the difference in colouring. Where Mrs. Kallus was a more tanned complexion with dark hair and eyes, the shape and structure were the same as her daughter. She was wearing a deep rose coloured dress. "Please, just call me Ying."

He nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Go ahead and sit down you two." She spoke as she removed the pan from the flame and turned to the counter to finish fixing the meal.

Poe held out Sariah's chair and after she sat down he walked around the table to take the place opposite. They touched feet under the table. She thought it was something that was a little silly for them both at their age, but it was still a sweet gesture.

She heard her father's footsteps and Poe started to stand as he entered the room, but her father waved him off. "I told you I'm retired, Poe."

"Yes, sir." He settled back into his seat, his feet holding on to one of hers under the table. Her father walked over to her mother and gave her a hug and kiss before taking his seat. He looked at Poe, his amber eyes assessing as he spoke. "So, how did you two meet?"

"Sariah didn't tell you?" Poe turned his head to look at her, surprised they hadn't asked before and that she hadn't told them.

He looked back at her father, he shook his head. "She said it was on her last assignment, the one that she came home and quit her job after. I was curious about what happened."

She sighed as Poe turned his dark eyes to her, one eyebrow arched in curiosity. She nodded. Her father had accepted her lack of detail with a raised eyebrow and frown. He'd said nothing, but she had known he wouldn't let it go forever. "I might not have elaborated. Go ahead."

Poe launched into an explanation, noting the looks of concern passing between her parents as he mentioned Hux's presence. They'd started eating. When Poe finished recounting what had happened, Alexsandr looked at his daughter, his expression neutral.

"Sariah, you didn't mention Armitage was there." Alexsandr waited, he was almost casual about it. His amber eyes were calm, patient as he watched his daughter. Poe knew enough about the other man to know he'd been an ISB agent before turning and becoming a member of the Alliance. He couldn't put the two together, it seemed so opposite to him for the other man to have been an Imperial.

Sariah sighed, meeting her father's gaze. Her father's voice was casual enough, but she knew he was worried, which is part of the reason she'd withheld the details. She shrugged, putting her fork down. "It didn't seem all that important. He's with the First Order, but they're not a real threat, just not very nice people."

Poe watched her parents exchange a look that he was sure Sariah missed. One that very clearly said they didn't like the idea of her half-brother being around her. He wondered, but didn't ask.

##

Alexsandr looked out the window at his daughter, she was walking outside with young Dameron. He knew Sariah was two years older than Captain Dameron. Ying had given birth to Sariah a handful of weeks before the Battle of Yavin, Poe on the other hand had been born two years after the battle, while they were still on Hoth. He recalled Poe's mother, Shara, still flying until she'd absolutely had to stop. He felt his wife come up beside him, putting her arm around his waist. He returned the gesture.

"They are in love, I can tell."

"How?" He looked down at his wife, smiling at her.

Ying kept her gaze outside, on their daughter and Poe. "The way they look at each other. I don't know if they've noticed yet."

He nodded, agreeing. Watching the young couple together it was obvious to him they were in love. "If they haven't, they will. I certainly noticed I loved you."

She looked up at him and he stared down into her dark eyes for a moment. There were times he was still haunted by the things he'd done as an Imperial. While some had done far worse, it didn't excuse his own crimes. His hand in interrogating, in death, in destruction was undeniable. He'd been proud to work at Vader's side. He closed his eyes. The touch of her hand on his chest caused him to open his eyes and look down into her dark eyes.

As she always did, she spoke quietly and yet firmly, her eyes full of love and focused on him. "Alex, stop. Don't go there, I can see it in your eyes, you keep those things from before in your mind too much at times. You're not that person anymore, and more importantly, even when you were an Imperial, you never would have done some of the things others did."

He frowned and put one hand to her cheek. No, he wouldn't have. He was even half certain Vader wouldn't have sunk to the level of a few he knew, namely Brendol Hux. "No, I would never have been like some, I could never have…."

She caught his hand in hers, shaking her head. "You're a good man, one I am proud to have as my husband, as the father of my children. I love you."

That was the moment Sariah and Poe re-entered the house. Ying smiled at them and he kept himself in the present, one arm still around his wife's waist. For his part, Poe was glad to see in Sariah's parents what he recalled of his when his mother was alive, it meant she'd known the same love as he had growing up, and that was a good thing.

"We're going to town. We'll be back."

He was fairly certain by "town" his daughter meant Theed. He nodded. "Have fun."

##

They walked along the columned terrace that ringed the royal residence, she'd shown him some of the historical and artistic highlights of Theed. They stopped by one of the marbled pillars. "It's beautiful here, thank you."

"I'm glad you like it, the lake country is lovely too."

"Maybe we could visit? I have another two days of leave."

She smiled at him but shook her head. "I don't think so. I'd have to see if my parents would go with us, and since we don't have a place there, it's a bit short notice to find somewhere to rent." He frowned at her for a moment, she put her hand on his chest. "I'd rather not put either of us in that position."

"I wasn't assuming you would sleep with me, Sariah." He spoke quietly. She watched him for a moment, trying to read him. He hadn't said the 'love' word, and she remained committed to her standards. But they really hadn't talked about this and while he hadn't pushed for anything more than the kisses and cuddles, she was afraid he would, then what?

"Thank you."

He nodded, biting his lower lip in that cute way she'd noticed he sometimes did. He inhaled deeply. "Only when and if you're ready, I don't want you to feel pressured."

There was nothing other than complete sincerity in his eyes. She released a breath slowly, keeping her hands where they were. "Not without commitment, you need to know that now. I'm not giving all unless you're all in as well."

He nodded again. "I understand, and I respect that completely." He took her hands in his. She stretched up and kissed him. "I love you." She took the chance, she whispered and stepped back.

The smile that spread on his lips and reached his deep chocolate eyes was one the seemed to make him brighten even more than his usual cheerful personality. He pulled her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips. "I love you too."

##

He flew back to base with one thought on his mind. How did you know? He'd said the words, but he wanted to be sure, absolutely sure, it was really love. She aroused him, and he'd managed to win the battle to remain a gentleman. She'd made it clear she wouldn't go further without commitment, and he didn't want to run, he wanted to stay. He fingered the ring around his neck. He knew his parents had loved each other, they still did if the way his father still remained true to her even close to 20 years after her death. He'd seen the way Sariah's parents looked at each other, they had to be in love. But how did he know if it was love or want?

He landed and went back to base. He needed to think.