Author's note: Another update! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Chapter 11

March 2017

Once again, Rey was the first one to the rink that morning. March was still chilly in Connecticut; she kept her Wild jacket on until she warmed up a little. Poe missed their morning run, which was unlike him. Even though they were friends now, they kept up a healthy competition, just for fun. It made the days interesting, at least. Of course, it also meant she got to see him in form-fitting workout clothes daily. She certainly wasn't going to complain about that.

She sighed as she did her stretches. She'd given up lying to herself. She had a crush on Poe. A stupid, hopeless, annoying crush. Of course, she hid it with snark and teasing, but it was getting harder. She felt bad about it because he had a girlfriend. She knew that. She didn't like Zorii; she suspected Zorii didn't like her either. Thankfully, the woman was back in London; she didn't even come back for Valentine's Day. Rey couldn't understand what Poe saw in her, but it was none of her business.

She was there for one reason; she wasn't going to jeopardize everything they'd worked for because her stupid emotions refused to obey her. Getting to the Olympics was too important to them both. She couldn't ruin it.

Poe trudged in while she was warming up with some jumps. She felt so much better about them now; it was practically second nature. She landed her double axel cleanly as Poe laced up his skates. She frowned as she stopped in front of him. He was pale as a ghost; he looked like he hadn't slept. He shivered as he stood. "You look like hell."

"Good morning to you too," he replied, sounding stuffed up.

"Are you sick?"

"No, I'm getting ready to run a marathon."

Rey crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't get smart with me, Poe Dameron. You look like death warmed over!"

He shrugged. "Doesn't matter. We need to practice."

"Not if you're sick!"

"I've had worse. Let's get to work." He ignored her and stepped onto the ice. He was moving slower than usual, but at the end of his warmup, he gritted his way through a triple salchow. Rey rolled her eyes. He was so stubborn!

Leia asked him pointedly if he was okay when she arrived a few minutes later, but Poe brushed her off too. Rey shared a look with Leia, both thinking the same thing. Poe would fight them tooth and nail if they tried to call the practice off. Instead, they got to work. They spent a couple of hours going through individual elements of their short program, which had come together nicely with Sabine's help. She was intrigued by the music selections Rey and Poe had made; it had been fun to work with her and Leia to come up with something that felt fresh and different.

Now they had to put in the work to make sure they could do it perfectly.

All through the morning practice, Rey kept an eye on Poe. He was having a rough time though he tried to hide it. They had to take a few unexpected breaks; he had to keep blowing his runny nose and coughing. He tried to stay away from Rey as much as possible, but those lifts put them in close quarters. His arms shook on one; he had to put her down unexpectedly.

"Ow," Rey muttered, her foot hitting the ice at an awkward angle.

"Sorry. I just…need a minute."

"It's okay."

Poe ran his fingers through his curls, huffing in frustration. He looked even paler now; his hands were clammy. There was sweat on his brow. After a brief pause, they tried the lift again. Poe's usual sure hold trembled; he didn't drop her, but Rey was done. She righted herself and pressed her hand to his forehead. He was burning up. His brown eyes were glassy with fever. "Okay, that's enough. Poe, you are going to bed."

"I'm fine," he hissed.

"You are not fine," she shot back. "You probably have the flu!"

"That's impossible. I got a flu shot! We both did!"

"That doesn't cover all the strains," she argued.

"When did you suddenly get a medical degree?"

Rey rolled her eyes. "I don't need one to know you are in no condition to be training."

"You're not my mother!"

Rey looked to Leia. "Poe, I agree with Rey. You should rest."

"Not you too!" Poe skated off in a huff, his hands on his hips. But he started coughing again. His legs shook and he fell.

"Poe!" Rey cried, hurrying after him. She knelt beside him. He gripped her arm as another coughing fit seized him. Once he calmed, she spoke. "Believe me now?"

"I c-c-can do this," Poe replied, shivering hard.

The shivers and a fever? Sounded like the flu to her. "You don't have to prove anything to me, Poe."

"But we'll get…behind," he replied, coughing again.

"We'll get even further behind if one of us gets injured," she argued gently. She couldn't yell at him when he looked so pitiful. "You don't want that, do you?"

His eyes widened. She could tell he hadn't considered that. "Of course, I don't want you to get hurt," he replied.

"Okay then. Let me take you back to the house."

Poe looked like he was going to argue some more, but then he started coughing again. It sounded like he was trying to cough up a lung. Once he calmed, Rey helped him up. He leaned on her as they made their way off the ice. It took a few minutes to swap their skates for sneakers; Leia kissed Poe's brow gently. "I'll head into town and get some supplies," she promised Rey.

"Thanks."

"Leave your bag here," Rey said to Poe. "I'll get them later."

"You're the boss now," he agreed.

Kes was out of town again; it was just them and the staff at the compound. There was no point in exposing anyone unnecessarily; Rey would send them home as soon as Poe was settled. She could look after him by herself. The dry cold air outside set Poe off again; they had to stop a few times as he coughed. But Rey kept his hand in hers; she remembered what it felt like to be sick and feel like you were alone.

They went directly to Poe's room. "Can you get changed by yourself?"

Poe snatched his hand away. "You don't have to look after me. I can take care of myself."

"If that were true, you wouldn't have tried to train today," she countered. "Go get changed; no arguments!"

He growled something under his breath; Rey didn't catch it. She rolled her eyes at him and headed back downstairs. She explained to the housekeeper what was going on; the older woman was sympathetic. She even offered to stay and help take care of him. "Thanks, but I think I can handle it. I don't want any of you to get sick too."

"That is very kind of you, Miss Rey."

"I'll call Kes and let him know what's going on. I'll make sure everything is okay."

"Mr. Dameron is very generous with us. But thank you."

The staff cleared out; Rey dialed Kes while she searched for supplies in various cupboards. She noted things they were missing like extra tissues and flu medicine; she texted them to Leia. "Rey?" Kes said, confused. "Shouldn't you and Poe be training right now?"

"Yeah, but I think Poe's caught the flu."

"You think?"

"He's running a fever, but he keeps shivering. He's stuffed up and coughing. I'm not a doctor, but I've had the flu enough that I know what it looks like."

"Fair enough." He paused. "Do you need me to come home?"

"No, no. I can handle this. I just wanted to let you know that I sent everyone home. I can watch him."

"What if you get sick too?"

"Then we'll be sick together. It's fine, Kes. I do this for my sister back home all the time."

"Anything you need, you get it," Kes said firmly. He gave her the number for the family doctor in case she needed it. If it were the flu, there wasn't much a doctor could do; they'd just have to wait it out.

She made Poe some strong tea and some soup; that always made her feel better when she was sick. She carried the tray upstairs, finding Poe staring out the window in nothing but his flannel pajama pants. Rey closed her eyes briefly; this was going to be harder than she thought. "Shouldn't you be in bed?" she asked pointedly.

He turned; his fingers curled around the ring that hung from his neck. He blinked, surprised she was carrying a tray. "You brought me food?"

"Just some soup and some tea. It, uh, always helps me feel better when I'm sick."

"You've done your duty," he chided. "You don't have to do any of this."

She rolled her eyes. "Just shut up and try it," she ordered. They stood there, staring each other down for what felt like an eternity. Poe finally broke, coughing into his elbow. He trudged over to the bed and climbed in. Rey set the tray down across his lap and squirted some hand sanitizer into his palm.

Poe felt like he'd been run over by a truck. He'd been feeling off for a couple of days, but he ignored it. They had too much to do. He'd trained sick before; he knew he could do it again. He didn't count on Rey being so…solicitous. She seemed to genuinely care about him. He couldn't even remember the last time someone looked after him like this when he was sick. His mother? Kes avoided illness after Shara passed; it freaked him out. In all the time he'd been dating Zorii, she certainly never made him tea and soup.

He took a tentative sip of the tea. It was still pretty hot, but the warm sweet liquid soothed his raw throat. Moreover, it was exactly the way he liked it. "How did you know?"

"Believe it or not, I do pay attention."

"Um, thanks."

She offered him a soft smile. "You're welcome."

She disappeared while he sipped at the soup. He felt so run down; the soup didn't have much taste, not that it mattered. He knew he had to keep up his strength so he could get better sooner rather than later. He forced as much of it down as he could. He was so tired. Maybe he could sleep off the worst of it? It had been a long time since he'd been this sick; he was embarrassed Rey had to see him like this. Playing nursemaid wasn't part of her job description.

She returned, a heavy skating bag on each shoulder. "Leia brought us some supplies. We should be good until you get better."

Poe pushed the tray away. "Look, Rey, I appreciate all this but…"

"No point in arguing, Poe," Rey said, putting him off. "For once, you'll just have to tone down the stubbornness."

"I'm just gonna sleep through it," he argued. "You don't want this, believe me."

"You think you just got sick today? I've already been exposed. If I get it, I get it. At least this way, we won't get anyone else sick."

Poe blinked. "Wait, you're staying here? In my room?"

"Relax, I'll sleep over here in the window seat. No need to get all dramatic on me, flyboy."

Poe blinked. "Flyboy? Where'd that come from?"

Rey bit her lip; her cheeks were a pretty shade of pink. Then she shrugged. "Nevermind. Forget I said it."

"No, I want to know. Please? I promise not to make fun." He had a nickname for her too, though he never used it aloud. She'd just tease him mercilessly. Plus, it was something that just belonged to him. He liked it that way.

Rey sighed. "Fine. When you jump…it looks like you're flying. It's stupid. Can we please just forget it?"

"I like it."

"Great," Rey continued like she hadn't heard him. Then she stopped. "Wait, what?"

"I said I like it."

"You like it?"

"If you call me that in front of anyone else, I will take it back and eviscerate you," he replied, grinning. "But yeah. I like it."

Rey laughed. "Alright, deal." She put his bag at the foot of his bed and set hers by the window seat. She'd have to arrange some pillows and get a blanket, but the long cushion would be fine for sleeping the next couple of nights. She'd spotted Poe asleep in the window seat more than once on her walks to or from the main house. Not that she was looking. Not at all.

Poe started coughing again; Rey unzipped her bag and pulled out some of the supplies Leia brought them. She set what she needed on the nightstand by his bed. "Let me run downstairs and get us some water. I'll be right back." She took the tray with her, returning in minutes with two tall glasses of water. "Here, let's get you settled."

Poe doubled over again with coughs; his diaphragm was starting to hurt. "Ugh."

"Leia brought you some goodies. Let's get some fluids in you, then you can sleep for a while, okay?"

Poe nodded, not trusting himself to speak. He was alternatively hot and cold all over. He wanted to bury himself under the covers, but Rey wouldn't let him until he took the medicine and drank a whole glass of water. She disappeared into his bathroom for a moment; he heard the water running. She came back with a soaked cloth. "Alright, lay back."

"I'm not an invalid," he protested as he obeyed her.

"Says you. You can barely keep your eyes open."

He started hacking again, his head buried in a pillow. Rey rubbed his back soothingly until she realized what she was doing. She drew her hand away hastily, but this coughing jag was rough. She swallowed her panic and started again. Poe's skin was hot; he was still feverish. Thankfully, he didn't say anything after he calmed down. Rey placed the cool cloth across his forehead. "Try to sleep, okay?"

He gestured for a tissue; Rey handed him the box. Once he finished, he grabbed her hand and squeezed. "Thank you, Rey."

"It's not like I've got anything better to do," she teased.

"Still, you don't have to do…all this. Especially after I've been so awful to you."

Now she was sure he was delirious. "Yeah, we got off to a rough start, but who cares? We're friends now. I don't let down my friends, flyboy."

He smiled weakly. "You're a better partner than I deserve."

She brushed some of his curls back. "I think you should sleep now before you go soft on me."

"Yes, ma'am."

He closed his eyes; Rey sat on the edge of his bed until she was sure he was asleep. He looked so peaceful, more boyish than usual. God, he was handsome. He could be such an ass, but once you got to know him, his kind heart got to shine. "Get better, okay?" she whispered. "I'm used to having you around."

Poe's fever lasted two days. Rey stayed with him, waking him up every few hours for more medicine and fluids. A couple of times, she made him more soup and tea. For a little while during the second night, she got really worried. His sleep was restless; he soaked through his sheets. She couldn't sleep herself, so she laid beside him, carding her fingers through his curls. That seemed to soothe him; eventually, he stilled. By morning, his fever broke for good.

Relieved, Rey finally succumbed to exhaustion and slept herself.

Poe woke up with a groan. His throat was dry; he still felt congested. But he wasn't burning up anymore. He stretched his arms over his head, feeling slightly more himself. When he rolled to get some water, he realized with a start that he wasn't alone in the bed. Rey lay peacefully beside him, curled up on her side. When had that happened? Poe wasn't sure what day it was; he was out of it a lot. Yet everything he did remember involved Rey. She stayed with him the whole time.

The water sat on the table beside her; he didn't want to disturb her. Carefully, he climbed out of bed and walked around to the other side. He gulped at the water; the cool wetness made him feel a lot better. Unbidden, his eyes fell on Rey's sleeping form. He wasn't sure how she wound up in his bed, but she looked so peaceful, he didn't have the heart to wake her. She'd been so selfless to look after him. He brushed a lock of her hair away from her face; she was beautiful.

You can't think of her like that, he reminded himself. But why not? Why couldn't he objectively appreciate her beauty? That seemed stupid. Rey was beautiful, any idiot with eyes could see that. He remembered the first time he saw her in their finished costumes. She took his breath away. She was completely transformed from a hardscrabble hockey player into a stunningly beautiful figure skater, one he was proud to share the ice with.

So many of their competitors would be jealous of him. The thought made him smile.

Rey shivered; she lay on top of his comforter without a blanket. He retrieved the one from the window seat and gently draped it over her. "Sleep well, Sunshine," he murmured, his lips brushing her forehead.

Rey woke up to her stomach growling. She stretched and blinked. What time was it? She glanced at the alarm clock beside the bed; it read 2:37 pm. Wait, the bed?! Rey sat up abruptly, her heart racing. But Poe wasn't beside her, thank god. He sat in the armchair a few feet away, a book in his hands. "Hey sleepy head," he said, glancing over the book.

"How long was I out?"

"Not sure. You were asleep when I woke up."

Oh god. She fell asleep in his bed! What the hell was she thinking? She waited for him to scold her or make some snide comment, but he didn't. He did blow his nose and return to his book like nothing was wrong. Well, shit. Okay, she could do this. If he could pretend everything was normal, so could she. "How are you feeling?"

"A lot better. Fever's gone. I'm still congested, but I'll live."

"That's good. That's really good, Poe." She swung her legs over the side of the bed; she realized she was covered in a blanket. She didn't remember having one; Poe must have given her one. Her stomach growled again.

"Hungry?"

She flushed. "Very, actually."

"Surprisingly, I am too."

She looked down; she was still in her pajamas, a tank top, and thin cotton pants with comic book panels all over them. She stood and grabbed a more appropriate shirt from her bag. "Are you up for a trip downstairs?"

"I think I can manage it." Poe marked his place in his book and followed her downstairs. He kept a box of tissues with him, certain he would need them. Rey made him sit at the central island while she made them a late lunch. Nothing fancy, just tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Poe hadn't eaten like this since he was a child.

"We probably shouldn't tell Leia about this," he commented, taking a bite of his sandwich.

Rey chuckled, her cheeks red. "Probably not."

"It'll just be our secret then."

"Sorry, I'm not much of a cook," she added. "Warming up soup and making sandwiches are about the extent of my skills."

"I don't mind." They were quiet for a while, sating their hunger. Poe couldn't remember the last time he ate, though he was sure Rey would have made sure he ate something while he was feverish. "How are you feeling?" he asked at last.

Rey blinked. "Um, I'm okay, I think. Hopefully, if I were going to get it by now, I would have."

"That doesn't seem fair."

She laughed. "Maybe it's payback for all those bruises you gave me when I first got here."

Poe winced. "Maybe. Sorry about that by the way. I was an ass."

She shrugged. "Just made me more determined to prove you wrong."

Poe nodded thoughtfully. "You did, you know."

She grinned. "I know."

Poe rolled his eyes. "What should we do now? Unless you, uh, want to go back to the loft. Which I would totally understand. I'll be fine." He didn't like admitting it, but he liked having her there, just hanging out.

"I think I could stay for a while. Movie?"

"You want me coughing and sniffling through a whole movie?"

"Right, probably not a good idea." She frowned thinking. "What about games? Do you have any board games in this place?"

"I think so."

She grinned evilly. "Good. Prepare to have your ass kicked, flyboy."