A/N: Happy Star Wars Day! Hope you surround yourself with all things Star Wars today (and Reylo because we love them). And of course, May the Fourth be with you :)

This is a sweet Rey and Poe friendship chapter. Also, his subplot concludes. Enjoy!

~XXIX. Friends Don't Let Friends Drink Alone~

"Hey Rose. You and Finn get to the airport safely?"

"Yep. We just boarded our plane. Should be leaving in a few. Wanted to call before we take off."

"Is Finn freaking out yet?"

"We hadn't gone through security yet and he was already hyperventilating," Rose chuckled.

"You should take my advice!" Poe joked about an earlier comment he made.

"We'll see how he handles the air and if there's too much turbulence later on."

"Good idea. But seriously, how's he doing?"

"As best as he could be given the situation," she teased. "How's our girl doing?"

"As best as she could be given the day she had," Poe lightly joked back. "Rey's doing alright. She's staying strong."

"Augh, I feel so bad Finn and I aren't there. We should've cancelled our plans."

"Hey don't say that. You know Rey would've been upset if you did. Don't worry, I'll take care of her."

"I know but she needs us all to be there right now. I'm a terrible friend."

"No you're not."

"I know, but still," they both chuckled.

"You're right, she needs us. But maybe she doesn't really."

"What do you mean?"

"You know Rey, she's stubborn. Of course she wants us around, but she also wants to deal with things by herself. I'm surprised I got her to even hangout with me after everything that happened today. She was just going to stay at your apartment the rest of the day and mope in bed."

"I guess you're right. And it's good that she went out with you."

*PA Announcement: Thank you for flying Millennium Airlines. We will be taking off in just a few short minutes. Doors are now closing.*

"That's my cue."

"Don't you worry. Rey will be safe with me."

"Alright. Give her a big hug from me and Finn. When we get back on Sunday, we're having movie night and a sleep over at my apartment!"

"Will do, Rose. Have a safe flight."

*click*

Poe set the phone back into its holster on the wall then walked across the empty dining hall over to the bar. He settled on cleaning some glasses to busy himself while he waited for his friend to return from the restroom. Rey appeared minutes after his call and perched herself on a stool in front of him.

"Just got off the phone with Rose. Finn's super nervous on the plane," he informed her.

"That man is terrified of flying," Rey said of their friend.

Finn could watch scary movies, go bungee jumping in a thunderstorm, and snow board down a rough terrain, but the man feared being trapped in a 'giant metal ball floating in the sky' (his words) of all things.

"He'll be alright. I told Rose to give him some Dramamine."

"Is that even enough to calm him down?"

"You didn't let me finish," he said to her. "I told Rose to give him some Dramamine… and Vodka," Poe joked.

Rey laughed at that comment. The first genuine laugh she had all day.

After their court appearance, Rey and Ben spoke briefly (and separately) with their attorneys. While Snoke's decision was indeed final, the paperwork itself would take several weeks to process. It wasn't over yet, but Rey was given permission to move out of Ben's loft. Poe, however, suggested she pick up her things another time and just separate herself from the situation for the rest of the day. She wanted to mope in bed since Finn Rose were away on a trip to visit Finn's family in New York that weekend. She also didn't want to burden Poe anymore that day with her grief. But he was insistent to not let her be alone, so he managed to convince her to hang out at the Cantina with him for the rest of the night.

"So, what are we doing tonight?" he asked his friend.

"You make it seem like we're celebrating something," she looked at him skeptically.

"I don't know," he flung his arms in the air. "You don't want me to make it a sad moment and obviously it's not a happy moment. You've got to help me out, Rey. I'm not good at reading your cues. I'm not Rose," he said desperately.

"It's alright, Poe," she gently smiled at him. "You're being the best support right now by not letting me be alone."

"I guess," he shrugged in defeat.

He didn't accept it, but at least Rey said he was helping. He just wanted to do more. He knew he could. He just didn't know how.

"What about food, are you hungry? Who am I kidding, of course you are, you're always hungry!" they both laughed.

"See, you're doing great. Just be you, Poe. That'll cheer me up in no time," Rey said.

"Alright. Let me see if I can get Kaydel to come in a bit early for her shift. We can grab a bite before the bar opens. Sound good?"

Ret nodded in agreement then Poe took out his cell phone and typed a message to Kaydel. She was curious about what happened between him and his lady friend after he spent the weekend at the loft, so she segued into that topic to take the spotlight away from herself.

"How are things going with you and Kaydel by the way?"

"Hey if I can't ask you how you're doing in your personal life, then you can't ask me," he teased her.

"Humor me, Dameron," she said sarcastically.

"You're lucky I'm giving you a free pass tonight, kiddo," he playfully slapped his bar towel at her. "There's nothing really new going on there. I mean if you count me not getting into any more bar fights," he joked.

"That's definitely progress," she said to him.

"I talked to her after I left your place and she's at least agreeing to be civil with me. After all we do work together."

"That's good. So you're friends now?"

"'Almost friends', if that's a thing," he air-quoted the phrase.

"It definitely is a thing," Rey confirmed. "Believe me, I know."

The two friends laughed at her remark.

"It's just a tricky area," he admitted. "Not sure what to do or think about it."

"Better friends than nothing at all, right?"

Poe raised an inquisitive brow at her. "Take your own advice, Rey."

"Free pass tonight, Poe," she reminded him. They glared at each other and chuckled.

As luck would have it, Kaydel walked into the Cantina.

"Hey, I literally just got your text. Good thing I was already in the area running errands before my shift. I tried to get here as fast as I could," she hurriedly rushed to the bar. "Is everything alright?"

Poe had texted Kaydel in a rather urgent tone that he had an emergency errand to run and needed her to cover the bar for him. Maybe he was being a little over-dramatic in his text, but hey it got Kaydel there faster right?

"Y-yeah," Poe replied nervously. Suddenly his whole demeanor had changed. "I just need someone to cover for me for an hour. Need to help Rey with something."

"Oh… okay," she said, unsure of the situation or if she could prod about it.

She waved to Rey and excused herself to go to the back room to put away her things. Poe stood in place like a deer in the headlights, something Rey's never seen in her usually confident friend.

"What was that about?" she wondered.

"Huh?" he shook his head lazily and turned his attention to her.

"You were acting so… weird," she said pointedly.

"It's tough, kiddo," Poe bluntly admitted. "I still like her a lot."

"I get it," Rey acknowledged him.

Honestly, Rey was probably the only one (and Ben too) who understood Poe's feelings about Kaydel. And with all he's been doing helping out Rey and Ben with their situation, the least she could do was help her friend get the happy ending. Someone should get it.

"Poe take it from me. Don't miss your chance," she winked at him encouragingly.

"Right…" He said plainly, still fixed in a lucid state.

She gawked at him, gesturing with her hands as if to say what was he still doing talking to her and not the girl in the back room.

Slowly he realized what Rey was motioning. "What, now?"

"Yes now," Rey urged.

"I don't know…" he began to fiddle with his bar towel aimlessly.

Rey stood from her stool and leaned forward, grabbing him by the shirt and pulled him towards her to get his attention.

"Listen to me," she looked him square in the eyes. "You're Poe Dameron. The most confident guy I know. You can have any woman, but you want her. That means she must be one hell of a girl. Tell her that she is."

"But Rey-"

"No more bullshit. Remember?" she told him what he said to her all those nights ago. "Don't make the same mistake I did. You're better than that."

"Aren't I supposed to be the one consoling you?" he lightly joked.

"I would never let my sadness keep my best friend from his happiness," she assured him. "I'll be fine, Poe. Now go. You got this."

She let go of his shirt and sat back down. She looked at him surely this time, no sadness in her eyes for the briefest moment. When he was sure she was alright, Poe nodded at Rey more confidently.

"Okay," he said. "Wish me luck!"

"You don't need it, buddy," Rey winked at her friend.

Poe thanked her once again and headed toward the back room. Here goes nothing.

"Hey," he waved at her upon entering.

Kaydel was currently on the computer clocking in for a shift. She quickly punched a few numbers down and got up from her seat.

"Hey Poe, is Rey alright? She seemed... off," she had noticed the awkward air earlier.

"Yeah, that's what I was going to tell you," he said. "But that's not important right now…"

Kaydel studied him, brows furrowed, a look of concern and confusion on her face.

"What's up?" she questioned.

One look at her and Poe couldn't do it. He was too nervous to express himself. He was scared of getting rejected again. I swear, Ben and Rey's anxieties might be contagious! He thought to himself. Instead, he just shifted the conversation back.

"Uh… I'm going to grab some food with Rey before the bar opens tonight. Did you want me to pick you up something?"

"Wait," Kaydel shook her head dubiously. "You asked me to come in early just so you can get food? I could've gotten some for you and Rey on my way here." She almost sounded annoyed.

"Kaydel," Poe stopped her. Might as well share the news, right? "Rey and Ben split up."

"Oh."

"They're court date was today. It's official."

"Oh…" she said again. "I'm sorry."

"Yeah," he sighed. "Rose and Finn are out of town so I'm the only one Rey has tonight. She needs me."

Kaydel felt the gravity in his voice. She's never heard Poe speak this way in fact. It was a different side of him. A good different.

"You should take the rest of the night off. I've got it covered. Go be with your friend," she insisted.

"No, Rey doesn't want to mope," Poe irritably shook his head. "It's frustrating really, but I'm just going along with whatever she wants to do tonight. It's the least I can do."

Poe was fighting his internal desire to have a solution for everything. The charmer that he is, he hated not knowing how to make Rey's situation better. His aggravation seemed to have shown as Kaydel noticed his sudden change in demeanor.

"Well you're a good friend," Kaydel said to him. This was a side she's never seen of Poe. It made him more… human. Different from his usual 'lady's man' façade. She kind of liked it.

"Right so… did you want me to pick you up anything?" he asked once more.

"Sure. Whatever is fine," she gently smiled.

Poe's breath hitched. He was surprised that she smiled at him. Maybe he didn't miss his chance. Come on, Dameron. Just tell her, Poe thought to himself. But before he could, the office phone rang.

"Cantina on the Pie?" Kaydel answered for him. "One moment please… It's for you. One of our suppliers."

She handed him the phone and stepped aside, seemingly waiting as if she knew there was more to talk about with him.

"This is Poe Dameron…. Ah, one second," he turned to Kaydel for a second. "Do you mind checking on Rey for me while I take this call?"

He knew he couldn't leave Rey alone that long. Who knows the kind of dreary chasm she'd fall into after one hell of a day like this one?

"Sure thing, boss," she winked at him and left the room.

He almost dropped the phone in his hands. If Poe didn't have to talk on the phone right now, he'd further explore what that wink meant. God damn you whoever's on the phone!

Kaydel walked out of the back room and into the bar, standing where Poe had been just minutes earlier.

"Hey Rey," she greeted her.

"Hi," she kindly responded.

Remembering what Poe had said, Kaydel wasn't sure how to go about making small talk with her. She wasn't even sure if she was supposed to know anything.

"Heard you and Poe were grabbing some dinner?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry he had to call you in early."

"No worries, girl," she dismissed. Kaydel decided to get busy and wipe the counter down. Was it a think for bartenders to mindlessly wipe stuff?

"He's just trying to take care of me. It's sweet but I don't think anything will work," she admitted. She assumed Poe told her about the situation. No use pretending anymore.

"Yeah," Kaydel pondered that thought slowly to herself. "Poe is sweet sometimes, huh?"

Rey glimpsed at her, that dazed expression on the barmaid's face. Then she smirked. Maybe Poe still had a chance. This was Rey's way of paying him back for helping her.

"You know…." Rey said grippingly, catching Kaydel's attention.

If she wasn't getting lucky that day, someone should have the happy ending.

"I've known Poe for… gosh has it really been seven years?" she and Kaydel giggled at that remark. "Anyway, Poe is just a whole lotta energy. But he never ceases to amaze me with every layer he reveals."

Kaydel liked the thought of him being a complex man. All she ever saw was one side of him. The goofy side.

Rey continued. "He's got a fun side, he's got a sensitive side, he's got a nurturing side, and he's got a terrified side. Don't let that whole 'I'm fearless' crap get to his head. It's rubbish. Poe can't watch horror films unless the lights are on," this made them laugh.

"Duly noted," Kaydel said.

"But he is as genuine as it gets."

"Oh yeah?"

"He may kid around a lot, but when he's serious take it at face value."

Kaydel thought about that for a moment. Maybe he really did mean it when he said he wanted to try to change for her. Maybe he really was more than meets the eye.

"It's hard for him just as much as it's hard for me and Ben. He's the only one who knows us both. He's both our best friend. He's just trying his best to make sure his friends are going to be alright…"

Although Rey meant to talk Poe up to Kaydel, the words she spoke rang true. Poe was trying his best and that was more than anyone could ask of a friend. Especially tonight.

"Hey ladies," Poe stepped out of the back room wearing a frown. "Augh… Rey I'm really sorry. That was one of my suppliers. His new delivery guy is on his way here today instead of our usual Monday scheduled time and I have to be here to sign the orders."

"It's alright, Poe," Rey understood.

But Poe still felt guilty, shrugging in defeat.

"I can grab food for all of us if you want?" Kaydel offered.

"Oh would you? That'd be great thanks so much," he touched Kaydel's shoulder briefly. He wasn't thinking when he did. When they both realized it, things got… awkward.

Poe recoiled his arm immediately and the two stood there nervously. Her best friend was trying his best not to make eye contact with anyone, and the barmaid was trying to hide a blush on her cheeks.

This thoroughly amused Rey. So this is how everyone felt when they saw Ben and I interact, she thought.

"So yeah. Let me give you some cash and uh, do you want a pizza, Rey?" he asked.

"Sure," she agreed.

Poe and Kaydel walked towards the front of the Cantina so he could grab cash out of the register.

"Here, this should be enough. Thanks again for doing this, Kaydel, I really appreciate it," he said nervously.

"No problem. Go be there for your friend," she smiled sweetly at him.

He curtly nodded, turning back towards the bar. Kaydel was about to step outside when she turned back around at the last minute. With everything she and Rey talked about just now, maybe she was coming around to see that Poe can actually be a decent guy.

"Hey Poe?"

He stopped and turned around a little too eagerly to look at her.

"Yeah?"

She anxiously fiddled with her keys, gathering some courage. Then she walked back up to him for a second.

"Maybe… we can try this again. You and me. If you want."

It's as if she solved all the world's problems. At least in Poe's world because he was absolutely glowing.

"Really?" he said in disbelief. He swore he was dreaming.

"Yeah," she smiled at him. "Everyone deserves a chance, right? Even you and me?"

"Yes, I'd like that so much," he happily agreed. And Dameron gets the girl!

Once Kaydel left, Poe walked over to the bar with a skip to his step and a permanent smile plastered on his face.

"There's that Poe Dameron swag," Rey said teasingly.

"Did you have something to do with this?" he wondered.

"I may have nudged her to your direction with your already great personality," she winked at him.

"Oh man, Rey. I owe you one!" He said gratefully.

"Yeah well you're babysitting me tonight so let's just call it even," she shrugged.

He tossed a drink coaster at her and chuckled.

"So, how are you holding up, kiddo?"

"Ugh Poe," she rolled her eyes. "You've asked me that like five times today. I'm fine."

"Yeah, I don't buy it," he leaned his elbows on the counter and narrowed his eyes at her.

"It's been a long day… All I want to do is just stop thinking."

"I can respect that," he said to her. "But I know you, Rey. And I know how important this day was supposed to be… Both circumstances," he treaded lightly once again.

Rey deeply sighed, playing with the coaster in front of her. As much as she wanted Poe to stop bringing this up, he meant well in doing so because he didn't want her to keep her misery bottled up. Especially after everything that happened today.

"Well what is there to say?" she said to him. "I got divorced on my wedding day."

Though he knew nothing could fix it, he patted her hand consolingly. At least she finally acknowledged it out loud. He knew it was eating her inside.

"I'm just breaking all the records, aren't I?" she tried to lighten the situation, though he knew she was just trying to cover up her pain.

"I'm sure someone has a shorter record than you," he tried to joke with her. "And technically, it was an annulment," he added.

"Like that makes it any better?" she replied.

"No, I guess not," he shook his head apologetically.

Rey sadly smiled to herself at an aching thought.

"What's worse is that I split with the guy I wanted to be with instead of marrying the one I wasn't supposed to."

Finally, Poe shouted in his mind. FINALLY, SHE ADMITS IT. It was just too bad that he couldn't kid around with her at that moment.

"Yeah well… the universe is a bitch sometimes," was all he could say.

Rey sulked in her seat even more. It was the first time that day where she spoke openly about the given situation. Yes, today was supposed to be Rey and Hobbie's wedding day. In fact, the plane tickets Rose and Finn booked were for her wedding as they were supposed to exchange vows near Hobbie's home state where most of his family lived. When they broke it off, Rey insisted that the couple keep their flights since Finn had wanted to visit his brother in New York at the same time.

Rey didn't want to admit it at first, but Hobbie's sudden appearance at the loft seriously messed her up. She wasn't succumbing to his manipulation, no. She was completely over him. But he still had that power over her and made her believe that she wasn't allowed to have a happy ending. Especially with Ben. To say that his mind games may have clouded her better judgment with Ben wasn't completely off. It wasn't until that morning when Pryde had said those honest words that she realized if the universe wasn't going to write her a happy ending, then she'd write one herself. However, stubbornness from both herself and Ben got to the best of them and well… so much for a happy ending.

It was, to say the least, tough for her six months ago when Snoke appointed their follow up court date on the same day as her supposed wedding ceremony. But she didn't want it to get to her head. She assumed all those months ago that today would be a good day, a fresh start from a horrible relationship and a poor choice in decisions. Though after getting to know Ben it all changed. She started to believe that the universe was showing her that when one door closes (a broken engagement) another one opens on the same day (a relationship with Ben). However, none of that happiness came to fruition. She wasn't given a fresh start with anyone, not even herself. Instead, she was sitting at a bar with Poe, broodingly thinking about how today was possibly the worst day of her life.

"Hey, you're done with the whole no alcohol thing, right?" he randomly asked her.

"I don't see a reason to keep going," she shrugged.

"Good answer!" Poe immediately grabbed a top shelf bottle of Vodka and poured himself and Rey a half a dozen shots.

Rey picked up her first shot and clinked glasses with Poe.

"Alcohol you bloody temptress," she said before downing the clear liquid. "Christ, I forgot how much this stuff burns."

"Hey, alcohol isn't as bad as you make it to be," he teased.

"You're talking to the wrong person about that," she said as she roughly tossed back her second shot.

"It could've been worse, Rey. But it wasn't." He took another shot as well.

"Poe," she stopped him. "Please don't tell me something cheesy like it brought me to Ben, and he was the best thing to happen to me. I just… I don't want to hear that right now okay?" she mumbled.

"Alright, I won't," he assured her. "But it is magic, though."

They both took a shot of their next round.

"How so?" she asked, wincing from the burning sensation of the vodka sliding down her throat.

He poured them both a fourth shot. Before clinking glasses with her, he thought for a moment. He knew there wasn't much he could say to turn her day around, given the events that occurred. And alcohol clearly wouldn't solve his friend's problems. But Poe knew that while she wanted to be numb of this pain, Rey just needed a friend that evening to remind her that she wasn't going to be alone. Not today. Not ever.

"Well the way I see it… You treat an outside wound with rubbing alcohol, and you treat an inside wound with drinking alcohol. So, here's to you, kiddo."

She smiled at that sentiment and then at her friend.

"Touché," she touched glasses with him.

"Cheers."

A/N: As much as I'd love to take credit for Poe's brilliant line, it was actually taken from an episode of the show "New Girl". I may work on screenplays but I'm nowhere close to that level of genius dialogue lol

A/N: Preview of next chapter: Back To Normal

"I just don't want to risk getting rejected anymore. I'm tired, man. I'm tired of gambling my own hopes, my own feelings only to lose it all."

"Maybe this wasn't only about you gambling on yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Maybe it was also about you gambling on Rey. I mean think about it, Ben. Was she worth taking a risk? Is she still worth it?"