—— Rey ——

"Wait, this is... this is Endor?" Rey smiled widely. "Endor, as in the battle of Endor?"

Poe and Leia both turned to Rey surprised at her excitement.

"I've heard stories of the battle from traders passing through Jakku"

"Is that so?" Leia smiled gesturing you both to follow while the rest of the able crew started making their way off Falcon, thankful for fresh air. She began walking forward into the forest. BB8 quickly rolled after them before getting far, the droid took up position at Poes heel.

"So, What are we doing here Leia, and where are we going?" Poe asked scanning the surroundings. There was nothing but trees and dense vegetation surrounding them on all sides. Chewbacca had landed directly in the middle of the forest.

"Paying a little visit to some old friends" she gave Poe a quick wink. "We are low on fuel, and supplies. Perhaps they can be of some help"

"Uh, Furry friends?" Rey looked confused. "You couldn't possibly mean.."

"Oh she most certainly does" Poe interjected less than amused. "Ewoks"

"I've read that Ewoks are suppose to be very territorial." Rey directed her question to Leia.

"Incredibly" Was her only response. "That's what makes this the perfect place to hide from the First Order."

Rey just nodded her head deciding to trust Leia's judgment.

The Falcon was out of sight now. The forest had come alive with vast species of creatures scurrying about. The landscape was much different than she was used to on Jakku. Rey took in every sight and sound as she followed her companions deeper into the forest. They traveled in silence for a while, keeping pace with each other. Poe hung back a short amount to keep watch, BB8 still close at his heels, as Leia lead the front. She felt at ease being surrounded in the thick of the woods. It was as if a blanket had been draped around them, shielding themselves from the rest of the world.

"Rey..." Rey became alert as a hushed whisper rang out through the air. Goosebumps trickled up her spin. The voice was eerily familiar. She could have sworn she heard Kylo Ren calling out to her. She turned to Poe and then Leia, but neither of them showed any signs of distress. Even BB8 who senses were more acute than humans rolled along unfazed. "It must be the forest air" she thought to herself taking in a deep breath.

"I won't let him get inside my head" She swore to herself with a nod. But it was harder than she thought. She suddenly felt sad. Rey wanted to believe there was still light in Kylo Rens heart. She had seen it on Achtoo, when their hands touched.

The memory brought back feelings of vulnerability. Remembering how she has shared her pain and loneliness with him, then allowed him to comfort her. There was an indescribably warmth between them.

A cold breeze shook the trees ahead violently and Rey was snapped into reality. The sun had grown low in the sky. She rubbed her arms gently, trying to bring her body temperature back to normal. She hasn't realized how cold it had become.

She was startled when a thick brown object draped around her shoulders. It felt warm and leathery against her skin and the scent of oil and sweat filled her nose. Poes Jacket.

She glanced in his direction as he walked a few paces ahead of her now. She wanted to call out to him and thank him, when she remembered their encounter on Falcon. How kind he had been to her, with gentle words of comfort. His hand on top of hers. She suddenly felt embarrassed. Her cheeks grew hot. Ultimately she just stared at him.

His tan shirt clung to him fittingly, showcasing his broad shoulders and muscle underneath. His chin was sharply chiseled and covered in stubble. His expression charismatic. She tugged his jacket closer to her face trying to hide her flushed cheeks.

She hadn't realized BB8 had trailed up beside her. The droid chirped merrily at her.

She gasped, her face serious. "oh you better not tell him!" she scolded.

At last the forest spread out into a large opening. Rey and the others stopped at the front of the clearing. Small brown furry creatures scurried about amongst the many huts that occupied the area. They were no bigger than a meter tall, ranging in colors of black and brown. A patter of scattered footsteps echoed throughout the trees and forest floor. Rey glanced up noticing rope ladders that swung down from the trees above, connecting to large wooden platforms that wrapped around the trees trunks.

"I've never seen one before" Rey looked up at Poe astonished.

"They're not much to look at, but despite their size they're actually pretty strong" he replied with humor in his voice.

"Oh indeed they are" Leia chimed in cheerfully. "They can be rather feisty as well. That's why I want you to wait here, while I go seek out an old friend."

"But.." Poe started

"That's an order" Leia cut him off sternly. She was more than capable of handling herself.

"Well BB8s going with you" He commanded. The droid looked up at him before rolling to Leia's side.

"Alright, Fine. It it'll shut you up" she smiled down at droid "I'll only be gone a short moment." She waved them off and made her way down to the village.

"If anything she can be rather feisty herself" Poe mumbled under his breath. They watched as the Ewoks gathered around Leia. They were chanting wildly in their native language, raising their paws in the air. Leia remained calm with a smile on her face. The commotion died down as a larger Ewok, dark brown with a speckle of tan spots, extended his paw to Leia and escorted her deeper into the village. Poe sighed with relief.

Rey looked at him curiously. "She'll be just fine you know. Leia is strong" she addressed his concerns

"I look up to her" he replied after a moment. "Before all this. I was just a pawn in the Republics Fleet."

Rey continued listening.

"They were doing nothing against the constant barrage brought on the first order. When I met Leia she offered me a place in the resistance and it changed my life forever. So sometimes I even feel I owe her my life."

"So you've been with the resistance long then?" Rey's asked. She realized the two of them didn't really know each other. Now was a good time to talk. She kept the conversation going.

"Not long enough, if you ask me." He shrugged. "But yeah, I've been here a while, and I wouldn't change it at all." His face widened into a grin. He turned to Rey. "I'm just glad to be apart of something that really matters. Where I can do what I must to protect the people I care about." His grin settled into a soft smile.

His smile warmed her cheeks. Something about him made her feel safe. Perhaps his commitment to the resistance which she found noble or his compassion for justice which was also very admirable. His hair swayed softly as a swift breeze rolled in, his eyes twinkled. Rey could see herself getting lost in them.

"Rey..." Again she heard a voice. Kylo Rens. It seemed to be much closer this time. As if he was standing right next to her, whispering in her ear. Instinctively she whirled around to face him, her mind racing with fear. There was nothing there. She felt relieved, but a small part of her felt slightly disappointed.

"Hey!, Rey.. are you okay?" Poe put his hand on her shoulder. She took a deep breath and spun around to face him. Sweat beaded on her forehead, her skin had turned pale. "What's wrong?" He looked at her concerned.

She began to tell Poe what just happened when her words got caught in her throat. She thought better of it. She wasn't going to try explaining something she didn't fully grasp herself. She decided to keep it hidden. She didn't want to alarm him over something that could be all in her head.

"I just thought I heard a noise, but it was probably just the wind" she managed to mumble. "It's not entirely a lie" she justified to herself. Poe's studied her face a moment. He then looked past and scanned the woods for any sign of danger.

"We're safe here" He reassured her. He straightened himself upright.

Before she could reply commotion came from the village below. They both turn their attention to the bottom of the hill were Leia now stood surrounded again by chanting Ewoks.

"Is that a good sign?" Rey looked to Poe once again for answers. But Poe didn't turn to her, he was staring intently down into the clearing.

A small light brown Ewok held Leia's hand in his paws. Leia bent down to hug the small creature in a friendly embrace. She stood and waved to the rest of the village as the Ewoks continued chanting happily .

"Well it doesn't look bad" he shrugged

With BB8 at her side she began her climb back up the slope towards them.

"Good News?" Poe asks.

"Good News" Leia smiles up at him. "It looks like the Ewoks have some spare huts in the eastern part of their village. They're willing to let us stay and rest a few days until we can get ourselves situated."

"But what about the rest of the resistance? Can't we regroup with them?" Rey suggests cluelessly.

Leia looks to her sadly. "My dear, this is the rest of the resistance. We sent for a distress signal when we were on Crait. It was revived, but no one replied. I'm afraid we need to make due on our own for the time being." She rests her hand on Rey's shoulder "it will be alright though. We are safe here. We have friends within the Ewok troop and they despise the first order just as much as the rest of the galaxy, and they are not afraid to fight it."

Rey studied her face a moment. Once again she could see a face full of hope that put her mind at ease. The resistance was lucky to have such an inspiration for a leader. She could see why Poe looked up to her so much. Leia was like a mother she never had.

"We should head back and tell the others before it gets any darker" Poe interrupted the thoughtful moment.

Rey looked up into the trees as the suns rays turned a dark shade of orange. She felt the ache come back in her shoulders from her previous uncomfortable nap on the Falcon. She was exhausted and looked forward to a good nights sleep.