Poe had kissed a good many girls in his life time. He had a few that stuck with him – from past girlfriends or lovers. But more often then not, they were meaningless or sexually driven. Forgettable moments. He was used to solely deriving physical pleasure from the action, rather than anything deeper. And yet, here he was, kissing a girl he had known for nearly twenty years, almost ready to burst into tears from sheer joy.

It was so astoundingly different. Everything from her hesitancy at first to kiss him back to the feeling of her arms around his neck and her hand in his hair. The way she fit in his arms and the scent of vanilla that wafted off her skin. The mutual taste of liquor on their lips. He felt boundless in that moment with her. Relieved and happy and free.

"I really hate to break this up, but you two need to see this."

Then they both hesitated. Slowly, and rather unwantedly, breaking apart. They looked at one another for just a moment before turning towards their interruption. By the cantina door stood Karé and Snap, the latter of whom looked alarmingly sober and solemn compared to earlier.

"Never a dull moment," Poe mumbled, hands still resting on Marina's waist.

"Certainly not," she agreed, almost breathlessly.

"We better go check it out," Poe conceded with a sigh, shaking his head.

She nodded at him, her lips still parted as he dropped his hands from her waist. He ran his thumb over them before forcing himself to turn back towards the cantina. However, Marina's hesitation was still palpable. She stood still, looking just past Poe.

He reached out his hand to her. "Together?" He asked.

Marina flittered for a moment, looking around her before bending to pick up his jacket from the ground. She looked back to him and nodded again, taking his hand into her own. "Only because it seems important."

"Of course," Poe said, intertwining her fingers with his.

Together, they made their way over to Karé and Snap who quickly turned and lead them back into the bar.

"So what's going on?" Poe asked, alarmed by the sudden subdued nature of the other cantina patrons. They were grouped around the large holoscreen in the middle room, mumbling things to one another as they looked up at the stark brightness of it.

"Nothing good," Karé admitted, pushing their way through the crowd that had amassed for a better view of the screen. Coming out at the front, they found Finn staring up at the screen as well, mouth agape. "This just came on, overriding all other channels."

"Repeat, it is the duty of the First Order to rid the galaxy of all disorder and instability. We will not tolerate traitors, defectors, or rebels," came an automated voice. "Therefore, we are offering the following: for the confirmed kill of any single offender - a bounty of fifty thousand credits. For the capture of any single offender in the name of the First Order, a bounty of one hundred thousand credits."

Itemized neatly on the screen was a list, each name followed by a corresponding photograph. It read as such:

Princess Leia Organa

Colonel Fry Kaplan

Admiral Gial Ackbar

Defector FN – 2187

Commander Poe Dameron

Captain Temmin Wexley

Poe swallowed hard. He could feel the eyes in the room on him, waiting for his reaction; waiting for his directions on what to do. He was reminded suddenly of why he never wanted to be part of high command.

In his true nature, he couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, one thing's for sure, the General certainly won't be happy to see that she's listed as 'Princess' on the First Order's most wanted list."


"I don't like how calm you are about all of this," Marina admitted to Poe, as they stood outside her quarters later that night. She was resting against her doorway as Poe stood before her, leaning a hand into the doorway above her. He was toying with the zipper on his leather jacket which was once again draped over Marina.

"Everything's gonna be fine, kid. It doesn't really change much. I figured they'd come after me for stealing and wrecking a perfectly good TIE eventually." He smiled at her from ear to ear.

Marina rolled her eyes begrudgingly. "Poe, I'm just saying - one hundred thousand credits for you, for the General, for Finn… all dead or alive. The First Order might still be reeling from the destruction of Starkiller but they've got funds to play with. And any sane bounty hunter won't hesitate for a prize like this one."

"Good thing we all live on a secret base then, huh?" Poe quipped at her.

She shook her head and looked down. "Poe, I'm serious…"

He sighed, staring at the wall above her head. "I'm sorry, Soph. I just don't want you to worry about it too much."

"I'm going to worry whether you want me to or not," she retorted, crossing her arms.

He couldn't help but chuckle at her. "Always so stubborn."

She looked back up at him. "I have to be when it comes to you."

"I must be such a burden."

She nodded adamantly. "You have no idea."

Poe smiled down at her. He lifted one hand to graze her cheek, pushing a strand of hair back behind her ear. Her skin was like cold marble under his touch. "It's been… one hell of a night, huh?"

"Yeah, it's been something," she murmured, her doe eyed look returning as she stared up at him.

"So, if you don't mind me asking," he began, clearing his throat. "Do you still mean everything you said earlier now that the alcohol's worn off?"

Her cheeks flashed bright red as she darted her eyes away from his. "I, uh… yeah. Yes."

"Sorry, I didn't catch that," Poe whispered with an all too knowing grin. "Could you tell me again?"

Her eyes flickered back to his, her hazel stare cutting his own. "I hate you, Poe Dameron," she muttered, rather obviously fighting back a smile.

"No, you don't," he muttered.

"Yes, I do-."

He cut her off, making their lips meet once again and drinking in the cold from hers. His heart beat faster as she pulled him against her in the doorway, biting his lip as their bodies pressed against each other in the night air. His hands found their way around the curves of her body so easily.

He wasn't sure how long they stood their kissing for. All he knew was that he didn't want to stop. Even when he was losing his breath. Even when the cold was biting at his finger tips. It felt so important to be there with her in that moment. To not let go. He wondered if it would be this way every time he kissed her.

Then he felt her tremble in his arms, and realized it was time to let go – slowly breaking apart from her. The look on her face told him she only wanted to stop as much as he did. "You're shivering."

"I don't care," she muttered back.

"You really like me that much, huh?" Poe teased.

"Yeah. I do," she replied, staring him straight in the eyes.

For a moment, Poe felt heat rising to his own cheeks. He quickly pulled her into a tight hug, resting his head atop her own, breathing in her scent. "You've got no idea what this means to me, Sophie."

"You promise this isn't just some alcohol induced fever dream, right?" She asked, slipping her arms around him.

"Promise." Poe kissed the top of her head before they parted once more. "Now get inside, where it's warm." He playfully pushed her towards the door.

"I'm going, I'm going!" Marina turned to the code pad, punching in the password for her door which slid open in a matter of seconds. She turned back towards him. "Goodnight, Poe Dameron."

"Goodnight, Sophie Dehaan."

"Oh!" She exclaimed, rolling the jacket off of her shoulders. "Do you want this?"

He waved her off. "Keep it. I'm sure I'll have plenty of chances to get it back."

Hugging the black leather in her arms, she dashed out of her quarters to plant a peck on his cheek before turning right back around. "See you bright and early, Commander." Then she disappeared into her quarters.

"See you," he mumbled, more to himself than anyone else, smile twitching on his lips. Poe took the trek back to his own quarters slower than usual, basking in the joy that was permeating his body. Taking pleasure in every little moment along the way; his thoughts dominated by her. Dominated by the replaying of every moment that had transpired. That night, despite an awe-inspiring bounty on his head, Poe Dameron slept better than he had in years.