Title: Next phase
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: See part one

Once they entered the medium sized tent that held the medical unit Finn hung back by the door. A young sandy haired male with a beard met them. He wore kaki pants and a light weight green shirt with a white lab coat over it. Poe knew Dr. Mike Woosten had been with the resistance for years and was well respected. His youthful appearance sometimes took people aback. Poe knew that Mike had grown up working at his doctor father's mobile clinic and had entered school at an early age. Woosten took Poe to the semi-private area in the back of the clinic where Rey lay on a cot. A curtain segmented the area from the rest of the unit. Poe realized he was still holding his helmet and placed it on the floor near the head of the cot.
Poe moved to the cot and looked down at his fiance. Rey's clothes had been switched for a white hosptial tunic. She had scratches on her face. Her left hand was in a splint and Poe winced at the brusing that was already appearing on her fingers. Rey also had a small bandage on the top left of her forehead. The monitors at the left side of Rey's bed on the wall beeped steadily monitoring heartrate.

"How is she?"Poe asked anxiously turning to Wootsen.

"Rey has a mild concussion and a broken left hand. "Woosten explained gently "She hasn't regained consciousness yet."

"Why hasn't she?"Poe inquired worriedly. "Finn said the hit she took wasn't anything out of the ordinary."
Woosten gestured toward a nearby chair. The fear that Poe had felt earlier returned and intensified. What did the doc have to say that he had to sit for it? Numbly Poe sat down and looked at Woosten.

"Level with me, Doc."Poe pleaded. "Why isn't she awake?"

"I suspect that her body is taking the time to rest that it needs. With the busy life Rey leads she isn't taking care of herself as she should."Woosten began as he walked over to the monitors.

"You're saying she's sick?"Poe surmised as he looked once more at Rey's still form.

"Not in the way you're thinking."Woosten said with a smile. "When a woman is expecting; her body needs more calories and more rest. Even a Jedi."

Poe did a double take at Woosten and his mouth fell open as he looked at the heartbeat monitor. There was Rey's and there was another line below hers. Their child. Now he could hear the second heartbeat mingled with Rey's. His stomach dropped.

"Rey's about eight weeks along."Woosten explained as he walked back to Poe. "The baby doesn't seem to be affected by today's events."

Baby. The word echoed in Poe's stunned mind and he felt his face drain of color and his head swam. Woosten saw and walked quickly towards him.

"Put your head between your knees, Poe."Woosten instructed. "Deep breathes; the light headedness will pass."

Poe did as instructed and after a few minutes he didn't feel like he was going to keel over. Slowly Poe raised his head and looked over at his fiance. Now that the shock had passed Poe was beyond happy and excited to be a father.

"You alright?"Woosten asked gently.

"Yeah."Poe acknowledged in a dazed voice.

Woosten smiled as he clasped Poe on the right shoulder.

"Congratulations."Woosten said. "I have a few other patients to check on."

Poe nodded as Woosten left. His mind was spinning with thoughts and emotions. While he and Rey had talked about children it'd been something in the future. When life was settled as it could be in the resistance. Poe pulled the chair closer and took Rey's right hand in his. He wasn't sure how Rey was going to take the news. Poe was just grateful she wasn't seriously hurt. This change in their lives; they'd handle. Poe just hoped it' would bring them together and not pull them apart.