The sound of running water. A persistent beeping of a comm unit. The sound of water stops, followed by some rather vile cursing. A very wet, very angry, towel-wrapped Inspector Falkus exited his hotel room's ensuite fresher and stalked over to the bedside table.

He grabbed the shrilly beeping comm unit and keyed the receiver.

"This better be damn important Dameron," he growled into the comm.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything Inspector." ventured Poe.

"Report, Dameron."

"Yes sir. Finn and I found the Grey Order meditation center but no one was there. Are you sure Agent MacBheatha gave us the right directions? That place looked more like a little bungalow than a mediation center."

"Yes, Dameron. The source he used was highly accurate."

"Yes sir. Finn and I are going to take a dinner break in Both Chèi. Do you want us to stake out the meditation center when we are done or return to Sruighlea?"

"Hang out in town for a while," directed Falkus. "Chat with the locals, ask some questions, keep your eyes open. I'll leave staking out the meditation center to your discretion."

"Do you want us to attempt an arrest if we see Hux?" asked Poe, a thread of enthusiasm for the possibility in his voice.

"No Dameron. Do not engage Hux if you see him," ordered the Inspector. "Observe and follow only. Comm me immediately and wait until backup arrives."

"Yes sir," responded Poe. He hesitated, then asked, "What if it looks like he is getting away?"

Falkus sighed mentally. All these young twerps think they're action heroes. "Attempt apprehension as a last resort only. Armitage Hux is extremely dangerous. You are not to approach unless you have no other option."

"Yes sir," answered Poe. "Anything else, sir?"

"No. Falkus out." The Inspector closed the comm, tossed it on the bedside table, and stalked back to the fresher to finish his shower.

*TaBa*

Aurelia and Hux were seated at a wooden table at An Druma Briste, a popular pub in Both Chèi. The remains of their dinner and mostly drained pints of ale had just been cleared away by one of the servers.

The public room had filled up rapidly after they arrived, attesting to the quality of the establishment, though it may have been that lack of much else to do in Both Chèi. Apparently, it was musical competition night, as several groups were taking their turns on the stage. There was a small area in the middle of the public room for dancing, and a few couples were taking advantage of that.

Aurelia sat back and observed Hux from under her lashes. Damn the man, he looked absolutely delicious. They were attempting to blend in, so he wore muted colors - a forest green long-sleeved shirt tucked into a pair of doe-colored pants and a dark brown open vest that complemented his lithe, powerful figure. His hair was loose and tousled instead of being gelled to an inch of its life and he sported a scruff that wasn't quite a beard but more than a 5 o'clock shadow. And those piercing green eyes. It was distracting.

"How are you holding out, Alasdair? Are your mental shields firm?" asked Aurelia, raising her voice above the noise.

"Well enough at the moment," he replied.

"Have you been using the Force to test for the aether for random thoughts in the crowd?"

"A little," Hux answered.

"Just a little?" she frowned.

"Picking out thoughts in a crowd is a bit harder than I thought," he huffed.

"Is anyone thinking about you?" she wondered.

"Yes, but they're just thinking about how lucky I am to have such a pretty girl on my arm," he smirked.

*TaBa*

By the time Poe and Finn arrived in Both Chèi the last bit of light had fled from the sky. A sliver of moon reigned over a scattering of stars as the night reached out and wrapped the town in a blanket of darkness.

As a beacon of civilization Both Chèi was less than impressive. It was essentially a wide spot in the road, one that served as an agricultural hub for the various farms and ranches in the area. Most of the storefronts had closed for the day.

"Looks like they roll up their sidewalks at sunset in this burg," commented Poe as they drove into town."

"No, they didn't. There are sidewalks on both sides of the road," protested Finn.

"You didn't run into similes and metaphors much in the First Order, did you sweetie?" teased Poe.

After leaving their transport in the public car park they walked through the town centre and looked for a likely place to have dinner.

"What do you think of this place?" asked Poe as they stopped in front of a two-story structure. It had a solid-looking brick facade with large brightly lit windows on the first level. The sounds of music and laughter flowed out through the open front door. The sign hanging above the door proclaimed the establishment's name as An Druma Briste.

"I like it," answered Finn. "Do you think they have haggis?"

"Darling as far as I can tell every eating establishment on this planet has haggis."

"Hey, I like haggis," replied Finn, shoulder bumping Poe.

Poe pushed his arm affectionately as they walked into the pub.

*TaBa*

Aurelia thanked the server as she set down a refill of her ale and a tumbler of Glen Moray in front of Hux. He took a generous sip and smiled.

"Damn, that's good," he remarked. "A welcome change from the drek from the last hole in the wall cantina we were at."

Aurelia looked at Hux speculatively as yet another group took the stage. The shrill of a penny whistle and slow beat of drums decided her. She wanted to dance, and this would be an interesting challenge for him.

"You're doing so well Alasdair," complimented Aurelia, "So why don't we step things up a bit?"

"What are you thinking?" he asked cautiously, setting his whisky glass down on the table.

She stood up and grabbed his hand. "Dance with me Alasdair," she beamed.

"I, I'm," he sputtered, "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Didn't they teach the young officers how to dance at your Academy?" she teased. "As I recall Imperial officer cadets had it in their curriculum."

"Yes," he replied, flustered. "But it was formal ballroom dancing and it was decades ago."

"Treat it as a stretch goal," she encouraged as she pulled him to his feet. "If you can shield, test random thoughts, and dance at the same time you'll be able to multitask with the Force in almost any situation."

"I'll help with the dancing," she grinned impishly as she led him out onto the floor.

"Do you see the pattern I'm projecting to you?" she asked as she place a hand on his shoulder.

He closed his eyes a moment and nodded.

"Hand at my waist, Alasdair," she said as she took his other hand. The music sped up and they were whirling around the floor.

As the song picked up speed the musicians began to sing.

Side by Side/ Ties that bind

Your hand/ My hand/ Hearts intertwined

Hux looked down at Aurelia, almost hypnotically drawn to the golden green that colored her hazel eyes. He wasn't sure why she affected him so strongly, but he found he was perfectly happy circling the floor with her.

My best friend Til the end

As long, As long as love shall last

As the song moved to a leisurely tempo they were both reluctant to see it end. Aurelia couldn't look away from his face as their steps slowed.

Take me as I am

My heart is in your hands

I'll follow

As the music stopped they were both unwilling to move apart. She moved her hands up to his shoulders as he pulled her closer for a rather passionate kiss, one in which she was an enthusiastic participant.

*TaBa*

Finn scanned the pub looking for an empty table. Or some empty chairs at a partially occupied table. As he looked around the room his eyes lit on a couple kissing on the dance floor.

"Poe," he hissed, "Look out at the dance floor!"

"What? Do you mean that couple out there kissing?"

"Yes!"

"They're kind of cute. And some people say romance is dead."

"Poe! That's General Hux!" blurted Finn.

"Are you sure, Finn? He's kind of scruffy. And he's acting totally out of character."

"Of course I'm sure, Poe!"

"I mean, he's kissing a girl. Wasn't he in a long-term relationship with Starkiller Base?"

"Funny, Poe."

"Well, I guess he could have started dating again, though I would have expected another Death Star or something."

"Look Poe, I know this is Hux."

"Force whoo-whoo?" he asked.

"Well, yes, I feel something in the Force. But I was also a Stormtrooper on the ship he commanded. And don't call it 'whoo-whoo' please."

"Sorry sweetie," responded Poe contritely. Then he brightened and grinned. "So let's make the arrest."

"Poe, your boss told you to just observe and follow."

"I know, but bagging the Starkiller would be a real feather in my cap. Probably a promotion."

"Are you sure this is a good idea?"

"All my ideas are good ideas, Finn."

"What about the time we tried to make out in the cockpit of your X-Wing?"

"Ok. I'll give you that. But it should have worked."

*TaBa*

Hux released her lips and raised his head, perplexed.

"I'm sorry, I'm not sure what prompted me to do that in a public space," he apologized.

Aurelia gave him an arched look and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Oh, just shut up and kiss me again, Alasdair."

Hux bent his head and touched his lips softly to hers. Suddenly he stopped kissing her and seemed to be listening to something she couldn't hear. He pulled back slightly and murmured "Someone is watching. Someone who knows who I am."

"Where are they?" she whispered against his mouth.

"Behind you. That Resistance pilot and FN-2187."

"Poe Dameron and his husband Finn?"

"We can use their names if you insist."

"Don't do anything foolish, Alasdair."

Hux straightened and gave her an annoyed look.

"So little confidence in me, Doctor Galen?"

"Apologies Alasdair. I have a Force trick I can use and avoid another bar fight."

"What's wrong with a bar fight?"

"Just follow my lead, please."

They slowly walked off the dance floor, Hux wrapping his arm around Aurelia and she cuddling against his side. As they moved closer to their table they could hear the raised voices of the Damerons.

"Poe, they're coming this way," observed Finn.

"Excellent," gloated Poe, "It's about time Hugsy faced justice."

"You sound like a character in a holonovella, Poe" snorted Finn.

"Ignore them and keep walking," muttered Aurelia.

That was easier said than done. Poe stepped in front of Hux before they could reach the table and loudly declaimed "General Armitage Hux, by order of the United New Republic you are under arrest."

Aurelia coquettishly fluttered her eyelashes at Poe. Then she looked up at Hux.

"Mo leannan, why is this fandan calling you General?" she asked Hux.

"Miss, you probably aren't aware but your boyfriend is a wanted criminal," advised Finn.

"What makes you think I'm this General person?" asked Hux.

"Well," drawled Poe, "For one thing you're tall and thin and you have red hair."

"Look around," replied Hux. "Half the men in this room fit that description."

"I know who you are," challenged Finn. "You commanded the Finalizer when I was a Stormtrooper onboard."

"Gentlemen," said Aurelia sharply, pulling their attention back to her. She raised her right hand and focused in the Force.

"This is not the man you are looking for," she said conversationally, making a small movement with her fingers.

Poe's eyes immediately glazed over as he repeated "This is not the man I am looking for."

Finn was more resistant to her Mind Trick, so Aurelia repeated "This is not the man you are looking for," with more emphasis and more Force.

After Finn's eyes glazed over and he repeated that in fact, this was not the man they were looking for, Aurelia pointed at two empty chairs and told Poe and Finn that they were tired and wanted to sit down and take a nap.

After they settled in and put their heads on the table Aurelia turned to Hux and said "Let's go. It won't last very long."

"That was a neat trick," approved Hux. "Will you teach it to me?"

"I'm sure I can work it into the lesson plan," acquiesced Aurelia.

As they walked to the main doors Hux looked over at Aurelia. "Why did you call me sweetheart back there?"

"The same reason I called Poe a pretentious idiot," she replied with a sweet smile.

Author's notes: The Inspector is interrupted. Aurelia and Hux go to a pub in Both Chèi. Poe and Finn go to a pub in Both Chèi, where they are surprised. Aurelia talks Hux into dancing with her.

The song that is playing when Aurelia and Hux dance is "Irish Handfasting" by Tuatha Dea. It's a lovely, haunting song and worth a listen if you like Celtic music.

The last time our characters were at a 'hole in the wall cantina" was way back in Chapter 62.

Yes, yes, I always intended for Hux and Aurelia to have "a moment." This looked like a good place for it.