Chapter 14

They walked through the entrance, avoiding the people exiting the club. Rey was in awe of the huge central area consisting of a large bar and several gambling tables, surrounded by screens on the walls. The screen showed different sporting events. The floors were gold and white and there were several floors in the club. It was loud and full of life. The customers were dressed in all manner of colors and styles and the dazzle of lights made Rey's head start to swim from too much information.

Poe scanned the room and lead them to a table in the corner. "This table will do well. Gives me a full view of the main level area. Our contact should be here soon."

Finn looked around, disgusted. "Well, at least there are no animal sporting events."

"That you can see," said Poe under his breath.

"What did you say?" yelled Finn over the noise.

"Where is he?!" yelled Poe back. He shook his head. "You want to a drink, Rey?" He pulled Rey toward the bar. He ordered two drinks.

Rey could sense something was wrong. "Poe, is everything all right?"

"I don't know. I've got a bad feeling about this now." He looked around as he sipped his drink. "Doesn't feel right."

"Maybe we should leave," Rey suggested.

Something caught Poe's eye and he stiffened. He cursed under his breath. "First Order troops. Damn it!"

Rey glanced at the entrance. A couple of troops had entered the bar and looked around the floor. "Rey come here," Poe pulled Rey close and put his arm around her. He put his face close to her. "Look at me Rey." She did. Her breathing quickened as her pulse increased. She was ready to battle. Then she felt something strange.

"Did you just smell my hair?" she growled at Poe.

Poe cleared his throat. "Sorry it was there," he apologized.

A commotion happened near one of the gambling tables. Poe and Rey saw the troopers drag off one of the players away from the table and out the door.

"Apparently, he was bad at cheating at sabacc," Poe shrugged. "There he is. Finally!" He turned back to Rey. "Stay here. I will come and get you when I am done talking to him." He rushed off toward the elevator to where a man was standing.

Rey watched as Poe seemed to have a heated argument with the smuggler. Poe glanced over at her and then back at the man. Poe crossed his arms over his chest to think. Reluctantly, Poe motioned for Rey to join him.

"I don't like this one bit," whispered Poe angrily as Rey moved in beside him. Poe sighed. "Rey, this is Wan Alturf. Wan , Rey. There. Introductions."

Wan took Rey's hand. "Pleasure to meet you." Rey snatched her hand back.

"Poe, you naughty boy…," said Wan mischievously, "Zorii would not be so happy of you keeping such fine company."

"Who is Zorii, Poe?" asked Rey quietly.

"No one." Poe poked Wan in the chest. "You said you had intel on this spy. Now spill."

"Okay, okay! Cool it Poe! Feisty in your old age huh?" Poe gave him a sharp look. "All I know is that the spy is on Supreme Leader Kylo Ren's main star destroyer. So they are pretty close to the situation."

Poe waited for more. Wan stared at him. "That's it? Nothing else?" Wan shook his head. Poe made a sound of disgust as he thrust a small bag of credits at Wan's chest. "Get out of here."

Poe took Rey's arm and walked her back to where Finn and Rose were talking quietly. "Let's go," Poe said disappointedly.

"What happened? He didn't have any info?" Finn asked.

"No. And he was being a dick. Let's get out of here quickly before any other troopers come in."

Finn took Rose's hand and lead the way out of the club toward to shuttle. Poe and Rey walked quickly to keep up.

"So this was a waste of time?" asked Rey.

"Not all of it," Poe smirked. "I got to see you in a dress. And that is something!" he teased.

"If you weren't the best pilot in the Resistance, I would toss you off this bridge." Rey growled.

"Promises, promises," Poe whispered to her as he arched his eyebrow. And he went up the ramp into the shuttle. Rey followed him. She hit the switch to retract the ramp.

"So now what?" Rey asked as Poe started to warm up the shuttle engines.

Finn and Rose were already in the passenger area of the shuttle, getting settled.

"Rey, you want to co-pilot?" Poe asked as he gestured to the seat next to him.

"Why not….," Rey said under her breath as she sat down and helped Poe with pre-flight.

Poe looked over at Rey as he watched her finger nimbly move over the controls. He smiled.

"Rey, I appreciate you coming with me tonight. I know you have been training and working on your own things. I miss … I mean, we miss having you on missions."

Rey smiled at him. "I miss it too. Maybe next one. Ready for launch?"

Poe smiled. "Let's get home."