The Resistance fleet exited hyperspace a short distance from the planet Naboo only slightly later than promised. Fortunately, all was well at their destination. Poe immediately contacted both the Chancellor's office and General Meazumi's office. Meazumi was the current commander of the New Republic fleet, and he had seemed inordinately pleased that the Council had requested Poe take charge of the combined fleet. He and Chancellor Berreth agreed to meet with Poe in person in an hour's time at the new Capitol building in Theed. Chancellor-Elect Leeway would also be there; the former president of Lirra, a planet with a tragic and ever evolving history, he had been elected Chancellor of the New Republic just before the invasion of the Traagmol, but had yet to take over the office.
After the communication link to the planet surface closed, Poe heard the distinctive tone of another link connecting. He looked at Lieutenant Gunn, the communications officer currently on duty. The man was listening intently to the incoming comm through his receiver, but he looked at Poe almost immediately, his eyes bright. "Comm from Yavin for you, sir," he said.
Poe had a feeling every eye on the bridge was on him. "I'll take it in my stateroom," he said quietly, and headed off the bridge and toward his quarters, which acted both as an office and as his bedroom. He immediately sat down at his desk and switched on the holo. He took a deep breath as Rey's figured appeared in front of him, feeling his whole body relax.
"I am so sorry I didn't get there in time," she started without preamble. "I saw the shuttle lifting off, but I was too late!"
"It's all right," Poe said with a smile. "How's Colt?"
Rey smiled back, but he could see the fatigue in her eyes despite the rough image of the holo. "He'll be okay, but he was pretty beat up." She shrugged. "He lost his concentration on the rope bridge and the Force decided to reintroduce him to gravity." Poe grinned at her words. "I helped slow his fall, but it was still pretty hard." Poe didn't bother to ask why Rey hadn't healed the boy herself as her abilities were almost magical in that area. She had long ago told her students she would not interfere unless it was a life or death situation; they would not have her around to fix them once they headed out on their own as Jedi, so they needed to learn how to treat and deal with injuries on their own.
"How's Shaina?" he asked. He had actually been able to say goodbye to his little girl this morning, who had been staying with his father for the day while Rey had taken her students on the training course for what was supposed to have been a brief run.
"She's still with Kes," Rey told him. "I came straight here after I missed your departure; I have a feeling I'll be here a lot." She meant the command center on base, the only place with a comm system strong enough to communicate via holo with the Organa. "Kes did comm me a short time ago with a message from her to you, though."
Poe cocked his head. "Oh, yeah? What?"
"She said that when you come home to not forget your hair."
Poe laughed out loud, and it felt wonderful. He ran his hand over his scalp, which now sported a burr cut. He had felt the need to make himself look older and more serious before heading out on this campaign. His normal thick locks made him look younger than he was, even with the strands of grey that were becoming more and more prolific. "And what do you think?" he asked. Rey hadn't said anything when he had walked in with the new do yesterday, but she had given him a knowing smile and had managed to give his head a quick rub before they had been interrupted by Finn and Rose, who were bringing over a 'good-luck' dinner for him.
"I didn't get much of a chance to appreciate it," she told him with a small smile. Even after their best friends had left, Poe had had to make a trip to the command center to finalize his orders before he could settle in for his last night at home. Rey had already been asleep, wrapped around Shaina, when he got back. Shaina had taken to waking up in the middle of the night and climbing into bed with them. Poe thought she may have been having bad dreams. Or she was being awoken by her mother's bad dreams. He wasn't sure what disturbed him more. "You know how much I love your curls," Rey continued with a grin. "But I can't say I don't find this look sexy," she added softly. Though they both knew the crew of the Organa was to be trusted and would not purposefully listen in on their conversation, they also knew the comm wasn't secure; coded communications were restricted for military use only, not personal.
"Kriff, Rey. I wish you were here," Poe responded. All the tension from the last couple of weeks had gotten to them, and it was amazing how such a simple conversation such as the one they were having was a balm to his soul.
"I wish I was, too," she told him. "But we're both were we belong," she said. "For now," she added firmly.
He nodded. "For now."
They talked a bit more about simple, mundane things. Poe was extra glad the base was on Yavin so Rey could be close to Kes, and he was glad Finn and Rose had also stayed behind, not only to continue helping Rey with the students, as they normally did, but to provide extra protection should the base need it. While the Traagmol seemed to be focusing their attention on Naboo, the capitol of the New Republic, Poe wouldn't put it past them to attack other worlds they deemed important to the new government.
Eventually, Poe had to end the conversation. "I've got a meeting on the surface shortly," he told her.
She nodded. "You need to focus on why you're there, now," she told him. "Don't worry about us. Just work on ending this thing as soon as possible so you can come home safe to us, okay?"
Poe nodded, not wanting to end the communication. For some reason, he dreaded it. Almost as if he knew it would be a very long time before they had another one. He closed his eyes. He wasn't the Jedi. He had no experience in prognostication. Besides, Rey had told him even Jedi couldn't do that very well. Something about the future being always in motion. Opening his eyes again, he kissed his palm and threw her the kiss. She caught it and placed in on her heart. "As soon as possible, Mesh'la," he told her. "I promise."
XXXXXX
