4. Settling in

For any of my readers who find themselves drawn to Hux more than Poe, have no fear, he will return. I wouldn't be so cruel as to only have him feature in two chapters before writing him off as a lost cause. You'll just have to read on to see where he makes his next appearance. For those of you who love Poe more than the stern ginger…. Well, I think you will enjoy the next few chapters. As always, Lyra is the only thing that's mine.

They spent the rest of the journey talking less about their personal lives and more about the Resistance. Poe informed Lyra of the missions they had undertaken and Lyra was shocked to hear how much they had accomplished right under the First Order's nose. Either that, or Hux had not thought it appropriate to tell her.

As they approached D'Qar, Lyra suddenly felt nervous. She was the wife of a General in the First Order about to touch down on a planet teaming with rebels who would probably want to kill her at first glance. Poe noticed her breathing change and her nervous tapping on the glass of the ship.

"It's alright you know, you have me to vouch for you. Nobody will hurt you here" he told her.

"What if they hate me?"

Poe smirked. "Hate you? You saved their most beloved pilot, they will practically be throwing flowers at your feet."

As he landed the ship, Lyra looked out at the landing docks. There were rebels everywhere, making their way in and out of the ships and the bases. Poe docked the ship and jumped out before helping Lyra down, lifting her with ease.

"Commander Dameron, it's good to see you in one piece."

They turned to see General Organa smiling at Poe. He wasted no time in running to her and shaking her hand. Lyra thought it strange he didn't bow, she was a princess after all.

"And who's your friend?"

Poe reached behind to take Lyra's hand and bring her forward.

"This is Lyra, General Organa. Lyra Hux."

Lyra bowed, much to Poe's amusement.

"Hux? The First Order's General Hux?"

Lyra gulped down as much of her fear as she could as General Organa eyed her warily.

"Lyra isn't her husband General. She helped me escape. If it wasn't for her. I would be dead right now" Poe finished.

Leia stared her down for a moment longer before smiling. "If what Poe says is true, you are very brave indeed, that kind of act takes tremendous courage. I thank you for returning our commander to us safely."

Lyra bowed again, unable to contain a smile this time. "Thank you General Organa, your highness, your majesty?"

Leia, apparently just as charming as Poe, winked at her. "General will be just fine. I assume you will be staying with us then?"

Lyra rose again and switched looks between Poe and Leia. "Well General, yes, if that's alright with you? I have nowhere else to go now."

"She can stay in the room down the hall from me" Poe interjected, a little too eagerly, causing that blush to creep up on Lyra's face once more.

Leia nodded. "Careful Poe, think I just saw some drool on your chin. As long as Lyra is fine with you breathing over her like that, she's welcome to stay there."

This time it was Poe's turn to blush and he turned like a small dog with its tail between its legs to show Lyra to her room.

"The General likes to joke around like that, you get used to it, even when she's embarrassing you" he told her as they walked through the main base.

Lyra laughed softly. "That's quite alright, she makes a welcome change from the Generals I'm used to."

Lyra watched as the rebels around her eyed her cautiously. Word couldn't possibly have gone around so quickly as to who she was, so she supposed the stares were because of her attire.
Most of the women around her wore pants and tunics, not dresses worth a couple thousand credits. She had nothing with her, and even if she had managed to pack a few of her things, her entire wardrobe would have made her standout amongst the women at the base.

Poe passed a few people he knew, greeting them excitedly as they walked past. Finally they reached the living quarters and Poe showed Lyra her room. It was a lot smaller than her shared chambers with Hux. Just enough room for a bed, a small wardrobe and a desk and an even smaller bathroom in the adjoining room. It felt cosy though and the windows looked out onto the grassy knolls surrounding the planet. It wasn't just stars and darkness.

"Sorry it's probably not what you're used to but it's all I can offer you. We use most of the credits we get on supplies for the Resistance, ammo, transport, things like that."

Lyra shook her head as she smiled at him.
"No, don't worry, it's fine. Cosy."

Poe grinned at her. "You really aren't what I was expecting."

She crossed her arms. "Just what were you expecting Mr Dameron?"

He leaned against the doorframe, admiring her.

"I don't know, a spoilt princess maybe, or a whiny child. Not someone who would sell an expensive necklace for a man she barely knows to help the resistance."

The smile left her face and for a moment he thought he had deeply offended her.
"I've found that people can surprise you every day, no matter how long they have been in your life."

Poe nodded. "Yeah, they can. I'm sorry today must have been hard for you. Oh and Lyra, call me Poe, not Mr Dameron. I don't know who that guy is but it doesn't sound like me. Besides, I think we're past that now right? Listen I'll let you get settled in and come check on you in a while ok? Maybe introduce you to some people."

As he turned to leave she stopped him.

"I hate to ask this of you but, might you have any clothes I can borrow? I think this dress has seen better days and besides, it's not exactly rebel uniform."

Poe giggled as he went to his room to fetch her some clothes.
He handed her a small pile of things. "Probably way too big for you but we can have them taken in on base. I'll leave you to it."

As she took the clothes, her hand touched his gently and she met his eyes.

"Thank you Poe, not just for this but for everything."

He shrugged off her thanks. "It's me who should be thanking you. My knight in a shining, beautiful, very expensive albeit it entirely impractical dress."

With that he left her to get settled into her new room. Her new home. Her home until the First Order found her and had her killed. She carried a small radio on her at all times that could dial through to her husband, but she had turned it off when she planned to free Poe. Just like he had when he planned the attack on Hosnian Prime.

She toyed with the idea of radioing through to him, just to let him know she was safe, that she was alive. She wasn't sure if that would please him, or aggravate him more. Deciding against it, she placed the radio on her desk and stripped off before getting into the small shower.

The water was warm against her skin. It seemed to wash away the aches from the bruises the crash had inflicted upon her. After washing her entire body, she stood in the shower a while longer, the water hitting her body seemed to be the loudest sound in the world to her and she was suddenly hit with the realization of her actions.

She had run away from her husband and with that, her entire life as she knew it. No home, no husband, no First Order, no plan. She was as good a rebel and her very life was in danger. If she went back to Armitage now he might spare her. He might be able to persuade the First Order to spare her, she would have to live without him back in Naboo but she might have been spared.

Or maybe he would want a divorce after she brought him such shame. She clutched her ring again as tears escaped her eyes, falling with the rest of the water to the ground. She could scarcely remember a life without Armitage. They had been betrothed since she was 19, he was practically all she knew. She loved him. Despite it all she loved him and walking away from him had been the hardest thing she had ever done, but he had hurt her more than anyone had ever hurt her. Besides that, he didn't want her, he wanted her back on Naboo, away from him. What if he didn't just want to divorce her? What if her leaving him had cut him so deep he wanted her dead? What if Snoke had turned him to the dark side so much he would kill her for not believing in the First Order?

She could hardly stand it, the thought of him hating her, the thought of him not even loving her anymore. She wiped her tears away and stepped out of the shower.

She put on a pair of Poe's black pants and tucked one of his plain white shirts in. He was right, they were a little big on her but she managed to temporarily secure it with some of the pins that were left in her hair, leaving her hair to fall past her shoulders, un-styled. She couldn't remember the last time her hair wasn't styled into some elaborate plait or form. Looking into the mirror in the bathroom she barely recognised herself. A shadow of the girl she had grown into these past six years.

She picked up her radio again and against her better judgement, turned it on. She didn't say anything, stuttering to find words to say to her husband.

"Lyra? Lyra is that you? Lyra darling can you hear me?"

Tears stung her eyes again as she heard Hux's voice on the other end. He must have heard her breathing.

"Armitage, have you had this channel open the whole time?"

"Stars you're alive, oh thank the stars you're alive. Lyra where are you?"

She could have sworn he was crying himself. His voice wavered, threatening to break with each strained word.

"I'm safe Tij, I'm alright."

"Where are you? I can come and bring you home, Lyra please, come home. Are you sure you aren't hurt?"

She wiped her tears away but more fell in their place. "I can't come back Tij, I'll be killed for what I've done."

He paused for a moment before speaking again. "No, no I won't let anybody hurt you but you need to come home now, before any more trouble is caused. I can stop this now if you come home, please."

She let out a whimper. A part of her wanted to let him know where she was, to return to him. But it wasn't just about her anymore. Poe would be killed, along with the rest of the Resistance if she led the First Order right to their front door. All that aside, she knew even Hux could not dissuade Snoke if he decided on her death. "I can't Tij, I don't, I don't belong there anymore."

This time, she knew he was crying, he let out a noise of frustration as his voice broke. "No, no Lyra please, your place is with me, you belong with me. Stop this madness now. Please, I need you. "

Her cheeks were wet with her tears now as they fell without pause. "I can't. I'm so sorry Tij, I, I love you."

Before he could protest, she turned the radio off once more and hid it in one of the desk drawers and wiped her tears away before waiting for Poe to return for her. Lyra had thankfully composed herself when he finally did knock for her.

As she opened the door to him he smiled at his baggy clothes on her before noticing her eyes were slightly red.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine, thank you. It just took a while to adjust to the new surroundings."

He nodded. "Yeah, I'll bet, it's a lot to take in for you. Listen, you need a nice meal and a good night's sleep so I don't want to keep you too long. I just thought it might help to get to know some friendly faces around here while we grab a bite to eat. Is that ok with you? If you don't want to I totally understand."

Not an order, a question. She felt a sense of ease at his gentleness, like she had known him as a good friend for a long time.

"That sounds perfect, now come on my charming pilot, lead the way" she smiled as took the arm he held out for her.

The canteen was busier than the docks were and again, unlike the First Order, the rebels came in all shapes, sizes and races and Lyra smiled nervously as Poe led her to a table with a few father colourful characters sat at it.

"Lyra, I want you to meet Nien" Poe said, pointing to a male Sullustan. "Ello" he motioned to a friendly looking male Abednedo. "Snap" he said indicating a human male. "And Jess and finally Kaydel" Poe smiled as he finally pointed to two human women.

"Pleased to meet you all" Lyra smiled as she sat next to Ello and Jess.

"I'll get us some food, you guys, be nice to her, she's new and nervous" Poe said as he went looking for food.

Ello and Nien seemed to stare at her curiously as the man named Snap eyed her cautiously.

"So, you're the main General of the First Order's wife huh? Word travels pretty fast around here" Kaydel smiled at her.

"So like, did they force you to marry him and you finally escaped? Is that why you're here?" Jess asked eagerly.

She shook her head. "No, not exactly."

"Then why are you here? If you chose to marry into the First Order, why are you here helping us, are you a spy?"

"Easy Snap, if Poe trusts her she can't be all bad. Give the girl a break, and a chance to explain herself" Kaydel replied.

Lyra gave Kaydel a small nod in thanks and proceeded to defend herself. "I knew Poe needed help. I couldn't stand by and watch him get hurt. Then I saw the extent of the First Order's vision of a united galaxy. United under fear and hate, and I couldn't be a part of that anymore. The truth is, I don't know what my plan is. Or how I even fit into this war, but I just did what I thought was right and it's led me here."

Everyone but Snap smiled and as Poe returned with food, Snap continued his interrogation.

"So you have no loyalty to anyone? Not even us? How do we know you won't betray us to the First Order?"

Poe frowned. "Alright that's enough Snap. The poor girl only left everything she knew a few hours ago. She's scared, and alone and upset so will you cut her some damn slack? If General Leia says she can stay then do you really want to argue with her judgment and mine?"

Snap put his hands up in surrender and shot Lyra a sympathetic look. "Sorry, we just have to be careful with who we trust around here."

Lyra nodded and bent her head to eat her food in peace. Poe gave Snap a warning look as he saw Lyra was visibly upset.

"Well, in any case, leaving your home like that was very brave" Nien said, making Lyra feel a little more comfortable.

"Yeah, and escaping a ship teeming with Stormtroopers isn't an easy task either" Jess said.

Ello began to talk in his native language and Lyra looked at Poe for guidance.

"He agrees with Jess, he says what you did was brave. He thinks you are worthy of being a member of my squadron, the Black Squadron."

Lyra had never met an Abednedo before, and she wondered how many languages Poe could speak, seeing as he must have understood binary code too to understand his missing BB droid too. She smiled at Ello.

"It sounds like it's been a long day for you and Poe, we'll leave you to your food. But if you need anyone to show you around, all of us would be happy to help, wouldn't we guys" Kaydel asked.

To Lyra's surprise, they were all in agreement, even Snap, albeit more reluctant than the others. She smiled at them all as they left her and Poe alone to eat. She glanced down at the food Poe had brought for her. It was a stew of some sorts with fresh vegetables and a meat she had thought was best not to question. It was a real, home cooked meal, just like she had been craving for months now. Poe noticed her eyes close in enjoyment as she took another bite of the stew.

"They don't have good food aboard the Finalizer?"

She finished the bite quickly, embarrassed he had been watching her eat and shook her head. "Not like this."

Poe nudged her affectionately. "Hey so, I'm sorry about Snap. He's a good guy, really he is. He almost lost his wife to the First Order when they took her prisoner. It was only cos of my Squadron getting there on time for a rescue mission that she survived so he's a little, touchy when it comes to new people."

Lyra nodded. "Your Squadron, are they still together?"

Poe's face fell as he thought about it. "Kind of. There was a spy in our ranks so we had to disband for a while. Got so bad none of us could trust each other, even though before that, we would have entrusted each other with our lives, but those remaining are loyal to the cause."

"That's very sad. But now I understand why he was so, prickly. The spy, did you find out who betrayed you?"

Poe looked at her with the same look he had given Hux when brought aboard the Finalizer. "Yeah. We found out who it was. Cost us a lot, but we caught him. The Squadron was never the same after that though, everyone had their own part to play against the First Order. It's been just me and BB-8 together for most of my missions since."

Lyra returned his shoulder nudge. "And now you have me to help."

Poe held her stare. "Yeah, now I have you."

The rest of the evening they spent talking about each other's lives and Lyra was amazed at everything Poe had achieved in such a small amount of time. He had completed countless missions for the Resistance, saved so many lives, intercepted so many of the First Order's messages and thwarted many of their plans that had delayed Starkiller's completion.

Poe walked her back to her room after dinner and leaned against the wall as she opened her door.

"So, tomorrow morning at 8, there's a briefing for what to do next against the First Order, do you want to come along? You don't have to get involved or kill anyone or anything. Just might be a good idea, to see what we do. If that isn't too much too soon?" he told her.

"No, I want to, I want to help. I want to earn my place here as much as everyone else has. I'll be there. Until tomorrow Poe."

"Sleep well Lyra. If you need anything, anything at all, you know where my room is. Just knock for me, whenever, whatever hour, I'll be there ok?"

"Thank you Poe. Goodnight" she nodded before closing the door behind her.

As she undressed for bed, she heard the sounds of people outside by the docks, talking and laughing. She was so used to the silence on the Finalizer at this time of night, hearing people laugh without the worry of a senior officer asking them to be quiet and move along was a welcome sound. Climbing into bed knowing she would not hear Armitage Hux's footsteps enter the room or his soft breathing against her ear later that evening was not a welcome sound though.

While they rarely went to bed at the same time, she had grown used to waking up when he did return to her in the early hours of the morning to hold him close. That comfort was now lost to her and she would sleep alone from now on, a realization sad enough to bring a few more tears to her eyes.

"Goodnight Armitage" she whispered into the night as she settled herself down into her small bed and waited for sleep to claim her. Somewhere in the distance on-board the Finalizer, Armitage Hux bid his wife goodnight too.