Title: Next phase

author: Cindy Ryan

notes and summary: See part one

Six months later.

It was winter in most of the galaxy. Not the best time of year for travel. Yet as a General in the resistance it was a necessity. Poe was finding himself traveling more and more establishing new allys. Sometimes Rey was with him most often she was doing the Jedi thing. She'd been busy searching the galaxy for people like Finn. People who didn't have full control of the Force but were sensitive to it. They had found time for each other; like this trip to Tilev V.

It was a short three day venture to establish a supply hub in the sector. On the second night there Rey and Poe sat in a quiet cantina in the downtown area of the capital city of Movin. The buildings were brick and hundreds of years old. The native population was humanoid but with three arms and a shorter statute. Poe looked across the table at his fiance and smiled Rey looked beautiful tonight. She always did but they had each dressed up for dinner. She in a light blue dress with slim shoulder straps and he in a dark suit with a white shirt and a dark tie.

"What?"Rey asked with a grin as she took a sip of wine.

Poe reached across and took her free hand in his and interlaced their fingers.

"Just admiring the view; you're beautiful tonight."Poe stated huskily.

Rey blushed but squeezed his hand. A few minutes later the waiter appeared with their main course and Poe let go of her hand and dug into the food.

"Thank you."Rey said as they were halfway through.

"For what?"Poe asked after swallowing a bite of fish.

"For tonight and combining this trip with business and pleasure."Rey continued with a smile. "We haven't seen much of each other the last few weeks. I've missed you."

Poe felt a warmth sweep through him at her words. He smiled and have rose leaning across the small table and kissed Rey. He let the kiss linger not caring what the other patrons thought.

"Missed you too."Poe commented with a tender smile as they broke apart.

Hours later they lay awake tangled in each others arms in the bed of the rented room near the spaceport. They were both breathing hard from the love making. Rey scooted so she was closer to Poe. She nestled so her back was to his stomach. Poe wrapped his arms around her waist in a tight embrace. Rey smiled she'd never been as content and happy as she was now. She could sense that Poe was close to sleep. She felt his body shift.

"I love you, Rey."Poe said softly.

"Love you too."Rey responded.

A short time later she too was asleep.

The next morning they lingered in the room ordering in a meal. As they ate in bed the food on a large wood tray Poe picked up something from the back of the nightstand. When he placed it near her plate Rey saw it was a small dark blue bag about the size of her palm. She glanced at him.

"What's this?"Rey asked.

"Gift."Poe replied simply with a smile as he kissed her. "Bought it yesterday morning at a market in the square after my meeting."

The square was in the middle of the older section of the capital city. Large fountain bordered by shops and catinas. Rey picked up the bag and carefully opened it. She pulled out a leather strap necklace that contained a stunning pendant. It was a medium sized jewel that was a gold bronze in color. It was shaped like a star. The morning sunlight through the window bounced off of it making it sparkle.

"It's beautiful, Poe. I love it."Rey said her voice barely above a whisper.

"I'm glad."Poe replied his voice husky.

Rey leaned over and kissed him. He pulled her down onto the bed and soon the food was forgotten.

They returned to the resistance base two days later. Then it was another five day stretch before Poe and Rey saw each other for more than a few minutes. Poe was stepping down from his x-wing into the mid-day sun. It was the start of the week; lots to do as always. He'd taken a few minutes to join the patrol after coming back from his latest mission. He had wanted to see Rey but he had needed to clear his head too and relax a bit. While patrolling wasn't exactly relaxing it was a chance to fly his x-wing. Flying was always his first love.

As his feet touched the ground Poe placed his helmet under his right arm. BB8 was lowered to the ground by a tech beeping happily. Poe was about to comment when movement caught his attention and a familiar face. He turned to see Finn walking to him quickly a worried expression on the former stormtrooper's face.

"Finn, what is it?"Poe asked with concern as he stepped forward.

"Rey, she's in the infirmary."Finn explained slightly out of breath.

Cold fear snaked up Poe's spine as he surged forward and started towards the infirmary. He knew Finn would fall into step.

"What happened?"Poe demanded worriedly.

"She was in a training session with some of the Force sensitive recruits."Poe replied grimly. "She got knocked out. It shouldn't have phased her, Poe. She should've gotten right back up and back into the training. I've seen her do that hundreds of times. I couldn't wake her so we brought her to the doctor."

Poe nodded; swallowing hard. They walked quickly through the camp with BB8 beeping worriedly in their wake.