A/N: Alright this chapter is mostly all fluff. I wanted to give Rey sometime on the base to get to know them before being whisked off to Luke Skywalker. So please enjoy!

Chapter 11

"There have been mixed thoughts on her presence here. Some have seen it as a sign of hope, but there are some who would much rather see her punished for her allegiance" Poe was explaining to Leia who looked at him gravely. "I am concerned she won't be safe here for long"

Leia nodded resting her chin in her hand. She had a feeling not everyone would be so welcoming of another first order defector. Finn's welcome had been mixed as well but he had been able to prove himself by helping destroy the Star Killer, Leia feared Rey would never get the chance. The child's position in the first order spread like wild fire throughout the base, everyone has heard that the dark knights apprentice was on their base though the reason wasn't clear. Some believed she was a prisoner, others said she had switched side, but the truth was far from both of those. The child was just that, a child who had no real alliance to the first order or the resistance she had just managed to get stuck in the war between the two.

Leia marveled at Rey's ability to bring out the goodness in people, especially the cocky pilot that stood before her. Poe was a good man at heart but he was hot headed and quick on the trigger in and out of his X-wing, Leia's respect for him grew when he apologized to Rey and went out of his way to make her more comfortable here.

They were in Leia's office next to her room, Rey was still asleep on her bed and while Leia didn't want to leave the child alone she didn't want to wake her either. Leia let out a hum in concern.

"She isn't a threat to us" Was all she could think to say.

"Are we really sure of that?" The question surprised Leia, she was sure that Poe's initial opinion of Rey had changed. "Here me out General I don't think she will do anything to put us in danger, but will Snoke come after her here?" Leia had thought about that but she doubted it.

"I don't think so, Rey said Kylo Ren was training her not Snoke if anything I think it will be him that will come to find her." Part of Leia hoped that her son would come for Rey. She wanted to witness for herself the care Rey had spoken of, she still had doubts if her son was capable of those kinds of feelings.

"If he comes for her, we need to be prepared and everyone should know of the risk that is following her" Poe knew that Leia cared for the child staying in her bed, but they weren't equipped to deal with the First Order's wrath.

Leia sighed, Poe was right. "Call everyone to the hanger, I will address them all at once." Leia didn't want Rey to be present when she spoke to the resistance, she didn't want the child to feel like she was putting anyone at risk by being here or to feel she herself was at risk.

"Have everyone meet in the hanger then report back, I want you to keep an eye on her while I address the group" Poe nodded then marched out to call everyone to a meeting. Leia decided to return to her chambers.

Rey was sitting up in Leia's bed rubbing her eyes when the aging woman entered. Rey could sense the stress Leia was feeling, she wanted to provide the woman with comfort but she didn't know how.

"Luke wants me to go to him" Her voice was rough, dry from sleep. "He wants to train me to be a Jedi" The dream she'd had was peaceful, Luke was had called to her and spoke to her. Rey wasn't sure if she trusted him completely yet, but she knew she didn't have a lot of options. "Ben is looking for me" It came out as a whisper. Leia felt more relieved by the last bit of news more than anything.

"Do you want to go back to him?" Rey was surprised Leia asked.

"Can I?" The uncertainty in her voice confused the once princess. "Luke doesn't want me too, he wants me to go to him so I can beat Kylo Ren" Rey's voice quivered at the statement. Beating Kylo Ren meant something else to Luke than it did to her.

"Rey you have to do what you think is best. Luke could make you stronger and smarter, but Ben could too in a different way" Leia didn't like admitting it but she knew that Ben had more knowledge of the dark side now than even Luke had and as much as she wanted Rey to help Ben she knew that there was still a chance Ben would lead her to the dark side and Leia didn't want that for Rey.

"Ben's mom" Leia laughed, but Rey didn't feel comfortable enough to call the princess by her name and she didn't know what else to call her. "Snoke scares me but you should know that not everyone in the first order is bad like him." Leia smiled at her and sat down on the bed at Rey's feet.

"I know my dear, unfortunately good people are the cost of war" Leia really didn't know how to explain it in a manner a child would understand. "There are some people in the resistance who aren't the most good either" Rey was surprised by the honesty but nodded. She really didn't understand how a good person could kill another good person and still think they were right but she knew that there was a lot that she didn't understand and all she could do was hope to learn.

A knock at the door brought Rey out of her thoughts and she pulled the blanket up towards her face as if she were trying to hide. Leia called Poe and he said that everyone was ready.

"What's going on?" Her inquisitive nature always got the better of her. She knew Poe Dameron trust her more now than he had when she arrived but she still felt something off about him. Leia turned to her and smiled but Rey didn't like it, she felt like there was a secret between them.

"I have a meeting I need to go to, Poe is going to keep an eye on you alright?" Leia wanted Rey to be comfortable but having Poe watch her wasn't optional.

Rey looked up at Poe and nodded slowly. "Your friends don't trust me" Rey may have been strong in the force but she didn't need it to know what the elephant in the room was. "I will be good, I promise! I won't talk to anyone or touch anything" The little girls pleading broke her heart. It reminded her of when she had to leave Ben home with their maids. He would always beg to go with her and make promises that he had thought would convince her to let him tag along.

"I know, but I need to talk with some people and I have to do it alone" Leia kept her voice firm and Rey just nodded trying not to feel disappointed. "I will bring you back something to eat, okay?" Rey nodded again staying quiet. Leia looked at her with sad eyes before turning and leaving the room.

"She is just looking out for you?" Poe spoke up sitting in a chair across the room.

"I just don't like being alone" Her voice was quiet, she wasn't sure but she thought she saw a flicker of offense cross Poe's eyes.

"I'll have you know I am one of the most fun people here on base, you know probably in the whole galaxy." Poe pouted and crossed his arms, Rey tried not to but she couldn't help the giggle she let out. "Get up, we're going to break some rules" Poe demanded.

Rey was confused but did as he told her hopping out of the bed. Poe turned around and bent down in front of her. She just gave him a look like he was insane. "Jump on" He instructed. She took a step towards him put a hand on his shoulder unsure but he pulled her closer and wrapped his arms under her knee's pulling her onto him, as he stood up she wrapped her arms around his neck scared of falling.

"You can't choke me" He wheezed out and she loosened her grip just enough so he could breathe and he laughed. "I won't drop you don't worry" He spun in a circle and Rey let out a shriek in terror and sunk her face in his neck, he chuckled again.

Poe carried her out of Leia's room and ran with her down the corridor. He knew he couldn't take her to the hangar but for the most part the rest of the base would be fair game. He felt her pull her head out of his neck just a little and smiled. She was starting to trust him now. After running down a few more corridors she began giggling and laughing.

"How about we go outside?" He asked her and she gasped with excitement. He carried outside, Rey was surprised to find the sun was going down… or maybe it was coming up she wasn't too sure but sky was a beautiful explosion of color.

"oh wow" She sighed looking at the colors of the sky. She'd never seen a sunset like that before. On Jakku she was only outside a couple times for the transition from day to night and it had never been of her own volition.

Poe set Rey down in the grassy field at the edge of the base and watched as she looked at the sky in awe then down at the grass bending down to run her hand across it. Poe laughed, it was like she'd never seen grass before. She ran further into the field Poe chasing after her, Leia was already go to be mad at him for taking her out he couldn't imagine how angry she'd be if he lost her completely.

"Wow" She said again looking at the vast fields filled with the green. Without warning she threw herself onto the ground rolling around enjoy the tickle of the grass on her bare arms.

"What kid have you never seen grass before?" He asked chuckling as he sat down in the grass across from her. She sat up quickly looking at him.

"Well I think there was grass on the Star Killer base but the ground was covered in snow so I couldn't really tell" He hadn't expected her answer and he just stared at her blankly. "There were these tree's that were so big! They were covered in these spiky needles" She couldn't contain her enthusiasm.

"You hadn't seen tree's before either?" He tried imagine what it would be like to go through life without ever seeing grass or tree's.

"Green things don't live on Jakku, that's where I grew up" Poe shook his head at her.

"child you're still growing up" He didn't like hearing her talk like an adult, it was too weird coming out of the mouth of a child of her stature. She was still practically a baby in his eyes.

"I am 7 years old, I am no baby" Rey huffed defiantly.

"Are you reading my mind?" He'd noticed she done it the day before but it hadn't really clicked until now. Her face fell in worry.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to I can't help it sometimes" A look of shame crossed her eyes and Poe chuckled.

"If I could do that I would probably read everyone's mind. Especially Leia's I always wonder what she's really thinking when I talk to her. Half the time I don't think she's even listening" Rey giggled and he smiled at her glad he could make her laugh again. "So what other freaky force things can you do? Leia never talks about it so we all just kind of make things up and guess" He admitted, and it was true. It wasn't often that someone would ask Leia about it or that she would mention her own Force-abilities but when she did it was always cryptic.

"Um well I'm not very good at it yet but I'm learning!" Rey was excited to talk about something when she could actually contribute to the conversation. "I can feel people's energy and things. Like this grass is alive it's like it has it's own warmth to it. If I try I could figure out how many people are on this base. Ben was really good at sensing people he could probably survey this whole planet!" She let herself fall back into the grass as she looked up at the changing sky. "Is it safe outside at night here?" The pilot was confused by the question but nodded. "Can we stay out to see the stars?" He didn't think it was such a good idea, but he agreed reluctantly.

"Only for a little while, Leia will be worried and we don't want others on the base to see you" He confessed and he rolled around so he could lay in the grass next to her. "So do you like Ben?" Poe didn't really know what inspired him to ask such a question but he was curious to know more about Rey and her relationship with Kylo Ren.

"He's not a monster" She whispered not taking her eyes from the darkening sky. "And I know there is good in him that is fighting to come out, he just needs help"

Poe let out a sigh and rolled onto his side so he could face her. "Do you really think you can help bring it out?" She turned her head to look in his eyes and she didn't have to say anything, he could see her determination and intention.

"I just don't know if I'm strong enough right now" She confessed turning her head to look back up. She hopped up to her feet quickly pointing at the stars turning to Poe with a huge smile. "Look stars!" She gasped.

"You've been in space, didn't you get to see them?" Poe smiled at her enthusiasm.

"Well yeah a couple times, but I think this is where they're most beautiful!" She sighed dreamily staring up at the now dark sky. "Ben's darkness looks like this. There's a lot of it, but there are millions of holes where the light comes through."

"Huh" Poe said beginning to understand a little better. "well you know the incredible thing about stars?" He asked propping himself up holding his hands out to her. She looked at him confused but hesitantly put her hands in his, he pulled her into his lap tickling her sides as she squealed in a fit of laughter and giggles. "Stars are really just suns that are far away" She looked up at him in wonder as he stopped tickling her. Without warning she latched her arms around him giving him the warmest hug she could manage, slowly he wrapped his arms around her tiny back.

The pair didn't spend much longer outside before Poe began leading her back to Leia's room. As they walked through one of the corridors a small group approached Poe looking less than satisfied. There were two men and a woman, one of the men was and burley while the other was scrawny looking the woman with them was average height with a black pixie haircut. Rey thought she was beautiful until the woman threw her a nasty look, then Rey slumped back behind Poe.

"So ugh, what did the general need to discuss?" Poe asked awkwardly taking slow steps backward moving Rey with him gently as he went.

"That we have a First Order spy on our base." The small man snarked. "Not just any spy but an apprentice" Rey's face hardened at the man's accusations and she narrowed her eyes.

"I am no spy" She coolly stepping around Poe. "Not for anyone."

The three rebels just laughed at her. "Do you think you're intimidating anyone here? Do you know what half of this base wants done with you?" It was the burley man who spoke up now, but Rey didn't flinch or stand down.

"Do you think you can do worse than Snoke? If you're going to try maybe you're on the wrong side of this war." With that Rey used the force to nudge them back and she stomped around Poe in the direction she thought was Leia's room.

Poe was impressed to say the least. She had faced those who opposed her and didn't let herself be pushed into a corner by them, not only that but she put them in their place. Her comment about Snoke left shock written on all their faces, Poe included. It took him a minute to remember himself and chase after her.

"Rey!" He called running to her. "That was incredible!" He smiled down at her but stopped when he noticed tears in her eyes. "Hey, hey it's alright. Don't let those idiots bother you. You were incredible" She wiped away the tears in her left and nodded.

"Sorry, I just- this is a lot and I'm so confused" Rey did her best to take a deep breath in but her shoulders shook with a quiet sob. "I am trying to be strong but I don't know if I can."

"Come on lets get you back to Leia's" He took her hand and walked slowly beside her. "Being strong doesn't mean you can't be sad or scared. When I went on my first flight mission I was terrified" It was true. Poe was a great pilot and he loved it but his first mission had nearly been his last he almost let his nerves get the better of him. "You just have to remember no matter how upset or emotional you get you just have to keep pushing through"

She looked up at Poe and nodded. Rey wasn't so sure about him at first, but she decided she liked him. As they turned down the hall to Leia's chambers they found her pacing in front of the door. She stormed up to Poe putting a finger in his face.

"You do not disobey. What were you thinking?" She took Rey's hand a little more roughly than she had intended and all three of them went back to her room.

"We went outside and there's grass out there! And he let me stay to see the stars. Sunsets are so pretty" Rey wanted to tell Leia all about their adventure. "And on the way back there were these three people, they didn't really like me but I took care of them" She finished confidently and Leia just gave her a wide eyed stare while Poe was nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"I ugh just thought a little fresh air wouldn't hurt and everything is fine. Everyone is fine" Poe assured Leia as she turned to him. He could tell he was in for tongue lashing and flinched back a little. It shocked them both when Rey jumped off the bed and into Poe's arms hugging him tightly.

"Thanks Pilot" She whispered to him resting her face into the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arms back around her. Any frustration that had been lingering in Leia vanished at the sight of the resistance pilot in the arms of the small girl.

"Well at least you have a friend now Poe" Leia smirked at him and Poe gasped in mock offense.

"Don't listen to her Rey I have lots of friends, people love me" Rey giggled as Poe set her back down on the bed.

"So general what does everyone think of our little star?" Poe asked giving Rey a wink and they both looked at Leia, Poe hopeful, Rey doubtful.

"Well the goodness news is there are more people who think you belong with us than otherwise, but there is a group that think it's to dangerous to have you here. Everyone usually listens to me but we will have some extra security for you just in case alright Rey?" Leia confirmed and Rey nodded sadly.

"I don't want to make anyone unhappy. I should try and find Luke anyway, he wants me too" Leia gave her a soft smile and bent down to her height.

"You will Rey, but we have to make sure we can get you to Luke safely" Leia explained. "Chewie is making some repairs on the Millenium Falcon and I time he will take you too Luke" Rey nodded with a sigh of relief. She trusted Leia and now Poe but she was still worried she would be confined to a room like she was with Ben.

"How is Finn?" Rey asked as she began nibbling on one of her finger nails. A nervous habit she thought she'd gotten herself out of but apparently not.

Leia looked to the floor breaking their eye contact. "He was hurt pretty bad. They're fixing him up but it's going to take time before we'll really know" Rey nodded solemnly, she felt responsible for Finn's pain.

"Hey, he's going to be alright" Poe said putting a hand on her shoulder giving her a warm smile. "The more we believe that the better" Rey nodded rubbing at her eyes.

"Are you still tired child? Please lay back down and get some rest" Leia practically ordered it, but Rey shook her head.

"I can't keep you from your bed, I can sleep on the floor. I did it for years" Leia shook her head.

"Absolutely not" Leia rejected the idea without sparing it a thought. No child under her lead would have to sleep on the floor.

"She is right General you need to get some rest, it's been a hard week. I will take her back to my room if that's okay?" Poe looked down to Rey. "What do you think sunshine?" It made her a little nervous at first but she thought staying with Poe couldn't be much different than staying with Ben and nodded.

"I suppose that will be acceptable for right now." Leia sighed. "Don't stay up all night, and Poe no Caf." Poe nodded and reached out for Rey's hand. She took it as she hopped down from the bed.

The pair gave Leia overly innocent smiles but she just shook her head at them as they left her room. "I'm going to regret this, I can tell already"

Poe led Rey to a different part of the base she hadn't seen yet. Poe noticed how she eyed every person they passed suspiciously and gave her hand a little squeeze. "Come in here for a minute lets get you something to eat before bed, you must be starving!" and he was right.

He led her into the refectory where she thought it looked kind of similar to the one the First order had, different stations with different meals although nothing looked familiar.

"What do you like?" Poe asked grabbing to trays and leading her across the buffet line.

"Um I'm not really sure, most stuff and I really like fruit!" She thought for a few minutes. "Jogan fruit is my favorite thing" Poe smiled and nodded.

"My mom used to make me eat jogan when I was your age, but I didn't like it" He made a gagging noise as his face twisted at the memory and Rey laughed. Poe started putting things on each of the trays just guessing what she might find appealing but mostly giving her the same things he enjoyed. The last station had a bunch of fresh fruits and vegetables on it Rey clapped with joy when he put a couple jogan fruit down on the tray.

They sat at a cluster of empty tables, the only two in the room and ate in silence. When Poe looked over at Rey he realized she was half asleep in her tray, with a chuckle he stood up and lifted her into his arms. "I can walk" But Poe wasn't convinced she could make it to his room without passing out. He left their empty trays on a return and carried her back to his chambers.

She had already drifted into a light sleep by the time Poe set her on his bed covering her up with a thin blanket. She made a small grumbling noise and her eyes peaked open.

"Will you lay with me?" She asked blinking lazily up at him. Poe nodded not seeing the harm in it.

"give me a minute" He said back quietly stepping out of the room and Rey nodded scooting closer to the wall making room for him. Poe reappeared in a pair of pajamas and sat down at the edge of the bed. "Are you sure? I don't want you to be uncomfortable" It was true.

She nodded and rolled onto her side to face him. "Sleeping with Ben helped keep the nightmares away" As innocently as she had said it Poe still couldn't help but think of the nefarious Kylo Ren hurting her in one way or another. Poe hesitated for a minute but finally laid down beside her staying on top of the blankets. She gave him a warm smile and reached out ruffling his curly locks.

"hey" He said in defiance but she just giggled.

"Thanks for taking me outside" She whispered. "You're pretty fun" Her last two slurred together and she began breathing more shallow in sleep.

"You're not bad either kid" He whispered back closing his eyes.