Glitter and Gold

Chapter 24

34 ABY – Outer Rim Territories

When they'd returned to D'Qar, Vex and Poe had immediately gone to Leia to deliver the bad news. Learning about Starkiller Base had appropriately horrified her. Her second thought, after the wellbeing of the galaxy, was the same as Vex's. Anakin needed to be sent away – now.

That was when Poe had made his suggestion. Yavin 4. It was a planet where a lot of rebel activity had gone on during the Galactic Civil War, but it had been quiet since. Poe's parents had served there as pilots in the Alliance Fleet. They'd settled there to raise a family, raise Poe. His father still lived there, and Poe knew he'd happily offer shelter to Anakin and Ayla'Lyn.

Leia had thought the idea sensible, especially liking the idea of Anakin remaining in rebel territory. Vex had agreed reluctantly, her doubt lying in the fact that Yavin 4 was historically associated with rebellion. Poe knew she'd agreed in the end because she trusted them. Trusted him.

Poe didn't want to shake her faith in him. He didn't want to lose that shaky trust. So he'd volunteered to take Anakin and Ayla'Lyn out to Yavin 4 himself. It'd been a small comfort to Vex, who suddenly only had a day to spend time with her son before having to say goodbye for the foreseeable future.

Poe didn't see them much for that time as he prepared for the trip. Vex had been sequestered away in her quarters with Anakin, and Leia spent all her free time with them. He'd be taking Vex's ship again – his X-wing was too small and uncomfortable for two days of travel with two passengers. EV-9 would be going too – leaving behind her mistress and staying with Anakin and Ayla'Lyn on Yavin 4. Vex had insisted. Her droid had been around since before Anakin had been born and had helped Vex care for him since.

Watching Vex say goodbye to her son was painful. Tears leaked from her eyes as she clutched Anakin close, murmuring to him lowly. The boy's chubby hands clung to her, not entirely aware of what was going on, but he knew his mother was upset. He continually mumbled "Mama," in her ear.

Leia stood back, eyes filled with tears, but she didn't move to approach. She must have said her goodbyes in private. Vex finally handed her son to Ayla'Lyn, who embraced her and whispered words of comfort before boarding the ship.

As Anakin disappeared from sight, Vex let out a noisy sob, back bowing. Leia moved to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Poe," Vex said brokenly, her red-rimmed eyes finding his. Poe made his way over.

"I'll protect him, Vex. Don't worry," he said before letting out a sigh, planting a hand on his hip. "Who am I kidding? I can't tell you not to worry," Poe continued, shaking his head. This prompted a half-hysterical laugh from Vex. Poe looked up to see a smile fighting to emerge on her features, even as tears escaped her eyes.

Vex sucked in a deep breath, trying to quell her wracking sobs. "Will you stay with Ani a day or two? To make sure he's settled?" she asked.

The request took both Leia and Poe by surprise. Words failed him, so Poe found himself nodding rather stupidly. "Of course," he managed finally. "I swear to you, Vex. I won't leave until I'm certain Anakin is safe and happy," Poe promised.

Vex managed a weak smile, hand reaching out to him. Poe quickly moved to take it, squeezing it lightly. "Thank you," she said, voice hoarse from crying.

Poe returned her smile. "What are friends for?" he replied.

Two Days Later

"Vex, this isn't healthy. You need sleep," Rose Tico pointed out, looking exasperated beyond all measures. The burgundy-haired woman gave no sign of having heard her friend, still bent over the workbench in the cramped, cluttered workshop they shared. Rose heaved a loud sigh, approaching Vex with her hands on her hips.

The Jedi had retreated to the workshop not long after her son's departure, and in the two days since – she hadn't left. Instead, Vex worked tirelessly on the droid she and Rose had designed. If it hadn't been for her friends bringing food to her and forcing her to take short breaks in order to eat, Rose was sure Vex wouldn't have stopped at all.

Deep purple bruises were etched beneath her eyes, and her burgundy locks were greasy and untidily pinned up into a bun. Her clothes were wrinkled and stained with grease from the different parts and tools. "Vex, come on. BB-8 can wait," Rose pleaded, grabbing at her arm to force her to stop, if only for a moment.

Vex looked up, finally, her eyes glazed from lack of sleep. "I wanted to give BB-8 as a gift for Poe – a thank you," she said, voice slow and deliberate.

Rose sighed again, fingers curling around Vex's arm. "Poe would want you to rest. So would Anakin," she retorted, not looking the slightest bit guilty as the Vex's eyes widened. "Let's go now, or I'm coming back with a blaster," the younger woman threatened. With her eyes still wide in surprise, Vex allowed Rose to escort her out of the workshop.

Yavin 4

Poe stood just outside the doorway of Anakin's new bedroom, watching with a smile as the little boy wandered the room in wonder. He held up a datapad, recording Anakin as he joyously explored each and every crevice of his new home. Vex hadn't asked, but Poe knew it would bring her great comfort. It was only once Ayla'Lyn stepped in to settle the toddler for a nap that Poe turned off the recording, lowering the datapad.

Kes Dameron leaned against the wall in the hallway, dark eyes keenly observing his son. Poe resembled his father completely, except for being a little shorter and stockier. And his smile. His smile belonged to his mother, Shara. Kes kept his dark hair short and tidy, tinged with gray now. "This Vex must be one hell of a woman," Kes said suddenly, catching his son's attention.

Poe turned towards his father, eyebrow crooked up in surprise. Kes gestured towards the hall, pushing off and starting towards the kitchen. "What do you mean?" he asked, following Kes down the hall.

Kes flashed him a crooked grin as he walked. "You wouldn't bring just anyone here, Poe. You wouldn't ask me to shelter someone if they weren't important to you. I know you. You wouldn't risk revealing me," he explained, settling on a stool at his kitchen counter.

Poe set the datapad down on the counter, leaning against the surface. His brows furrowed as he tried to come up with an explanation, knowing perfectly well his father was right. "Who is the boy, really?" Kes questioned in a hushed tone.

"I told you the truth. He's Vex's son. He's in danger, and we need Vex with us in the Resistance," Poe said quietly.

Kes sighed harshly. "But that's not all. Why is he in danger? Who is this Vex?"

"The Reaper," Poe whispered, eyes lowered to the counter as his father's flew up.

"The Reaper!?" Kes demanded. "How can you think you could trust her? How could Leia?" he questioned.

"Because I know her!" Poe argued, silencing his father. "I felt the exact same way when I met her, but then I got to know her, Dad! Vex never had a choice in any of that. Snoke took her when she was a child, not much older than Anakin now!"

Kes was silenced by that, expression thoughtful. "And Snoke seeks her son now," he murmured.

"He wants them both, Dad," Poe uttered lowly, looking troubled. "And with Anakin in hiding, Vex can concentrate on helping us, and protecting herself,"

"And you're sure she's come to the light side?" Kes questioned one last time. Poe gave one last tired nod.

"The dark's all she's known her whole life. If you met her, you'd see how hard she's trying. How far she's come. She needs help," Poe confided quietly.

Humor suddenly returned to Kes' features, one eyebrow quirking up. A familiar smirk slid onto his face. "Your help, I imagine," he suggested.

Poe's brows furrowed for another reason. "I did promise-" he began, only for understanding to suddenly flit across his features. "Dad! Don't start!"

Three Days Later – D'Qar

Poe had been back on D'Qar for no more than ten minutes before he'd gone in search of his new friend. He'd honestly expected Vex to be there to greet him when he'd returned, but she hadn't. So he'd reported to Leia to fill her in on his successful mission and found out that Vex hadn't left her workshop more than once since he'd left five days ago.

So now Poe was on his way to her, datapad in hand. He'd filled the little device with as many recordings of Anakin as he could in the short time he'd been on Yavin 4. The boy had seemed delighted by it all, even if he asked for his mother constantly.

The workshop Vex occupied slid open at his approach, allowing Poe to step in and look around. The room was cramped and small, filled up by two workbenches and piles of scrap parts. Vex sat hunched over one bench, piecing together a sleek, round droid body. "Looks interesting. What kind of droid is it?" Poe said suddenly.

"A BB unit. One of a kind," Vex answered lightly, as if unsurprised by his presence. Poe's brows lifted. It wasn't until she glanced back and saw Poe standing there that her mouth dropped open. She dropped the tool onto the bench with a clang, jumping up from her seat to approach him. "Poe!"

Poe grinned, planting his hands on his hips. "What, you have so many people coming in to bug you that you didn't know it was me?" he laughed.

"Actually, yes," Vex breathed. "But how was it? How was Anakin-" she began to question. Instead of answering, Poe held up the datapad and pulled up the video of the little boy discovering his new room.

Vex grabbed hold of the device eagerly, her eyes misting as she watched the recording. "He's good, Vex. He was really excited to explore, as you can see. He's safe with Ayla'Lyn and my dad on-" Poe began to explain, only to be cut off.

"Don't say where!" Vex said vehemently, closing her eyes tightly. Poe fell silent, his eyes questioning. "I wiped it from my mind, Poe. The whole conversation we had deciding where to send him, all of that. Anything that mentioned where," she explained.

"Why?" Poe questioned in shock.

Vex glanced at him, her piercing blue eyes pained. "In case I'm ever captured, he'll never find out where my son is," she answered. "You're the only one who knows,"

"Leia?" he said, brows furrowing.

"We agreed she shouldn't remember either," Vex answered. She'd wiped it from Leia's mind, too.

Poe let out a long sigh. "But then you won't know where he is when it's time to find him," he pointed out. "What if something happens to me? No one will know where he is!"

Vex's gaze was steady, trusting. "Then I guess you'll just have to survive, Poe. You have to take me to him when it's safe. If it's ever safe," she spoke.

"You're putting a whole lot of faith in me here, Vex," Poe breathed out, surprise crossing his features.

Vex nodded. "Because I trust you," she admitted openly, raising a hand to rub at her eyes. It was then that he noticed the dark circles beneath them and her pale skin. Vex looked exhausted.

He sighed, deciding to drop it. For now. "Come on. I'll walk you back to your quarters," he said. Vex's brows lifted in confusion. She glanced back towards her workbench, towards her unfinished droid. "I've been told you've holed up in here practically the whole time I was gone. I'm back and Anakin's safe, so now you're going to rest," Poe told her.

Vex rolled her eyes, lowering the datapad to her side. She exhaled lowly, fixing Poe with a stern look. "You're not going to threaten me with a blaster if I refuse, are you?" she asked, quirking a brow upwards.

"Who threatened you with a blaster?!" Poe spluttered, stuck somewhere between shock and amusement.

"Rose," Vex answered, a smile lightening her features.

"Well, that makes sense," Poe uttered, a laugh escaping him as he imagined the encounter. "Did it work?" he asked curiously, weaving his arm into Vex's to start guiding her towards her quarters.

"Yes," Vex acknowledged. At first, she'd been surprised at Poe's boldness. No trace of hesitance as he'd taken her arm. But then she'd relaxed, allowing him to lead her away.

"I'll have to remember that," he said thoughtfully, coaxing a laugh from his companion. Poe grinned over at her, the sound filling him with warmth. "I mean, I'll try not to do that, but I can't guarantee a thing," he went on humorously. Vex only laughed again, shaking her head.

Poe kept her entertained over the short walk to her quarters, to keep her mind off the absence of her son. The direness of their situation. "Well, you have your orders, Vex. From Leia herself – and me, too. Get some rest," he stammered awkwardly, drawing a hand through his curling hair.

Vex lifted an eyebrow, leaning against her door. Poe stood less than a foot away from her – so close they could easily touch. If Vex wasn't leaning against the door, their chests would be touching. "I don't think you can order me to do anything, Poe," she said challengingly.

Poe only shrugged, flashing her a grin before his gaze fixed on the floor. "Well, then take it as a friendly suggestion. I loaded that datapad with as many recordings of Ani as I could-" he began, only to be cut off by soft lips pressing against his.

His eyes darted up, finding Vex had pushed forward to close the distance between them. His moment of hesitation was enough for her. Vex drew away, her own gaze lowering. She bit her lower lip, cheeks glowing red. "That was stupid," she muttered. "I must have read the moment wrong-" Vex said, looking up to him, expression almost apologetic.

Poe didn't let her finish the sentence, pressing forward to pin her back against the door, seeking out her lips with his own. The kiss resumed with a hunger, a fervor, neither had ever felt. Poe's arms wrapped around her waist as Vex's wound about his neck, fingers toying with his dark curls.

The heat between them grew and grew, until Poe was forced to pull back to catch his breath. "You didn't misread- it was there," he said quietly, finding her eyes.

Vex's expression was uncertain, her piercingly blue eyes searching his as she thought. Then something changed in her features – a decision reached, Poe thought, as she grabbed a fistful of his shirt and tugged him into her quarters.

The doors closed behind them, leaving the hallway empty and quiet.

Review, Please.

Thanks to my two reviewers last chapter - carolinamalo53 and MagicIsPowerDearie!

I know some of you might disagree with the new pairing, but it's always been my endgame. While Vex and Kylo really had something, in real life, I think having that much loss would destroy a relationship - especially since they were forced into it. Kylo and Vex will remain really close and stuff - but the romance is over for both of them.

Much love, Suz Singer.