A/N: Alrighty! This is where it ends! I'm going to upload the Epiligue straight away! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 16

Birken Six

Poe was waiting for Finn in front of the small shuttle Clayn had provided them with, so they'd be able to get back to Chandrila without the Liberty having to wait for them. Clayn was doing them a big favour by dropping out of hyperspace ahead of schedule to let them out. After their brief talk with the General, who had explained to them what was most likely going to happen to the prisoners, Poe and Finn had been led to a miniscule cabin, where they had both fallen into a dreamless sleep as soon as their heads had hit the pillows.

Waking up in Finn's arms and not feeling guilty about it or angry at himself for feeling guilty, had been a huge relief, but of course Poe didn't even pretend to believe that the nightmares had ended forever or that he'd ever be free of missing Morap. Still, he had found a way to share with Finn that, which he hadn't shared with him before and that made it all easier to bare. Maybe, over time, he'd actually be able to say those things aloud. To speak of Morap without remorse or guilt, because he knew and felt that Finn was neither angry or jealous, but showed more understanding and warmth than Poe thought he deserved. Still, he was more than willing to take both. In addition, he had the feeling that at least Morap's brother would stay out of his nightmares from now on.

Just knowing that, after all these years, he had triumphed over Bendar at least in some way, was a huge weight off his chest, which he hadn't even realized had been sitting there. Whatever came next, whether Bendar would be sentenced to a lifetime in prison, or just a few years, didn't matter exactly. Not right now anyway. Bendar's family and followers would be questioned and sentenced accordingly, but Poe felt like somehow it wouldn't affect his personal life, though he was sure that he was very likely to be worried about the people of Birken Six and everyone else Bendar and his people had hurt along the way about getting what they deserved: justice for their losses.

Poe felt the ship shudder slightly under his feet and looked back to the corridor from which Finn should have emerged long ago. He'd hate for Clayn to be delayed because of them, but of course he also knew that Finn talking to Rey was really important to Finn. Poe still wasn't sure exactly how he felt about Finn asking for Force training, but he knew and appreciated that it had been Finn's ability to access the Force, which had saved him. He was fully aware that he would have lost his mind, had it not been for Finn and had Finn not had the Force, he may have lost Finn in the process as well. This connection they had shared had kept him sane and feeling safe in an environment which was far from safe and secure and Poe knew that Finn simply had to do something to be able to control this ability better. To be able to actually do good with it, because Poe knew that this was exactly what Finn would do with this gift, which he had supressed for so long, partly because of Poe.

When Finn finally turned up, he wasn't smiling exactly, but there was a certain briskness in his pace, which suggested a kind of purpose Poe hadn't seen in Finn since the day of the Resistance. It wasn't like Finn wasn't passionate about his work, or anything else anymore, but right at this particular moment he looked as focused and determined as Poe hadn't seen him in a while.

"So, I take it the talk with Rey went well?" Poe asked, but instead of responding, Finn simply grabbed him by the waist, pulled him close and kissed him without giving a damn about who could see them or what they might think of this open show of affection on board a warship surrounded by military vessels and personnel. Just like he had back in the day every time, before either of them had left for a mission.

Grinning widely, Poe ran his hands over hands over Finn's arms and let them rest on the other's cheeks. Finn's skin was incredibly warm, almost hot from excitement and the way Finn deepened the kiss assured Poe that Finn's conversation with Rey really had ended well. Completely out of breath and his heart pounding hin his chest, Poe pulled away and as he did so, he only barely caught the glimpse of sadness in Finn's eyes.

"What?" Poe asked, thumbs gently stroking Finn's cheeks.

Finn shrugged and Poe could almost see Finn's lips forming the word "nothing", but then Finn gave Poe a forced smile. "Rey said that rudimentary training is of course possible, just enough, so that I know what I'm doing. She'll come and stay with us regularly, so I don't have to abandon my job or anything, but…"

Poe heaved a sigh of relief and then took Finn's hand into his, grateful for the fact that Finn was talking about this matter now and also appreciating that Finn would not be thrown together with that maniac Kylo Ren in the near future. "But?", he prompted, the same moment the Liberty dropped out of hyperspace. They needed to get a move on, but right now he needed Finn's answer more than anything else.

Finn shrugged. "What if they're all dead?", he asked quietly and looked towards the shuttle Clayn had provided them with. The anxiety was clearly visible on Finn's face now. Poe could only imagine what it might be like never knowing about one's family and then, just before you had the chance of meeting them for the first time, no matter how willingly, there was this very likely possibility that none of them was left. The threat of going to a graveyard and not feeling anything but regret at never getting to know those you were visiting had to be suffocating.

Poe gave Finn's shoulder a light squeeze. "Let's find out, shall we?" He didn't even try to sound optimistic. He knew that the chances of finding Finn's family had been slim from the start, but after that massacre it was very likely that even if they had been there, none of them had survived. He still didn't know what to think of Bendar and what his plans with the settlement on Birken Six had been, but at the thought that he had sent those ships to at the very least intimidate the people there, he felt a giant lump rise in his throat. Bendar would have willingly sacrificed the people on that planet and bringing that to mind made Poe feel sick to the pit of his stomach. Whatever his personal relationship with Bendar might be because the memory of Morap wouldn't let it be any different, it was highly unlikely that he'd ever be able to forgive and forget what Bendar had done to those people and who knew how many others. All records had been erased and destroyed from the base computer, Clayn had told them, so there wouldn't be any proof or record about who else had been hurt and it was very unlikely that Bendar's officers would talk. The way Bendar had talked to his son was such a stark contrast in comparison to what he had seen back on Birken Six that it was more than hard for Poe to figure out which Bendar he had shaken hands with.

"Let's find out…" Finn murmured and walked past Poe into the small shuttle.

Poe followed him after only a brief moment. He took a small moment taking in the standardized layout of the space craft they were on. As he had expected, it was clean and perfectly adequate to its task. The small passenger compartment would fit them both, but only just. At least they had a way off Birken Six, once this whole thing was over, he thought, as he walked past the miniscule and well disguised kitchen unit into the cockpit. Finn was already sitting in the co-pilot's chair, staring out through the viewscreen. The comm light in front of him was flashing in bright green, signalling to them that someone was trying to reach them. As Poe pressed the button he wasn't at all surprized to see that they had take-off clearance and were scheduled to leave within the next five minutes.

Flashing another short look at Finn, Poe started the engines. Within seconds they shot out into space. Birken Six lay beneath them, its surface consisting mostly of a reddish landmass sprinkled with blue flecks of water here and there. How anyone could voluntarily live here had been a mystery to him since he had first looked it up before they had come here. Of course its natural resources could tempt a couple of people to go there to work, but to actually voluntarily live on a planet such as this, was incomprehensible and from what he gathered the planet had been independent for the better part of the last forty years. Bendar's involvement in Birken Six' economic situation couldn't reach back more than a couple of years. The First Order possibly going there from time to time to reap children for their army apparently hadn't changed the people's desire to live here either.

Poe suppressed a shudder, as he steered the shuttle towards the settlement they had crashed in only a couple of days ago. So much had changed and yet the situation they had been in at this distance from the village had been very much the same they were in now. Both he and Finn were nervous about what they'd find down there or if they'd be able to even reach their goal. The Pinn was a wreck now, Poe had known it the moment he had crashed into that building and he was glad, not for the first time, that Beeebee-Ate hadn't been with them. According to Clayn the wreck was still on the planet, but of course there was no way of repairing it or getting it out of the way for them now. The Republic had no authority here and all they could do was to offer medical attention if the villagers let them help.

As they approached the village, Poe could see the destruction both the laser fire from Bendar's people and the Pinn had caused to the buildings. What the situation concerning the people in that settlement was, was undiscernible from their position. Finn shifted uncomfortable in his seat and only the fact that he had to steer the ship towards a safe landing site kept Poe from putting his hand on Finn's knee.

Poe landed the ship softly on the outskirts of the village, next to the tents that had been set up by the Republic to help the injured and offer the homeless some shelter. The insignia of the Republic on the ship's hull made sure that no one rushed off in a panic at the sight of another approaching ship and Poe was glad for it. Next to him, Finn heaved a heavy sigh and Poe could see Finn's hand trembling. Without hesitation Poe took Finn's hand in his and got up. "Come on, chief," he said.

Finn was looking at him, his eyes and mouth showing the insecurity he was feeling and to Poe it was like he was experiencing an echo of Finn's insecurity in his very own soul, perceiving the rapid heartbeat and the horrible, lung shattering pain in his chest. Nodding, he pulled Finn to his feet. "I know, buddy," he whispered. "Let's do it anyway."

Poe had to fight down the urge to pull Finn closer and make him forget where they were and why for even a moment. Now was not the time. Finn needed to go out there and at least try to find out what he could. Poe was here to help him, not to distract him and he knew that Finn was fully aware of that and was counting on Poe. With a slight nod, Finn faced the cockpit door and started to make his way towards the loading ramp. Poe was right behind him and it was as if he himself could feel Finn's fear reverberating through his entire being. The tremble within him was indistinguishable from his own nervousness, as Finn pushed the button and the ramp was lowered.

This time Poe realized that the air wasn't as hot as the red, dry earth would have suggested. Far from it: the temperatures here were only barely higher than they had been on Bendar's base. Still, Poe breathed in the fresh air, smelling some strange minerals on it and he followed Finn out into the open. Doctors and helpers were walking from one tent to another. They were clearly distinguishable from the villagers by their light brown and grey uniforms and the fact that they didn't look as forlorn as the people in their simple clothes staring at what was left of their home with hunched shoulders and tired looks on their faces even days after the attack had happened. As they walked towards the main tent, Poe could see that not nearly all the houses were destroyed, but what must have been the main storage buildings at least were nothing but rubble littering the roads.

"Bendar did one hell of a job…", he murmured, clenching his fists at his side.

Finn nodded grimly. "I only hope they don't let him get off easily."

"We'll see…", Poe murmured, pushing the thought of Bendar's trial and the day he'd be asked to answer questions, far away from him. That was something he couldn't think about right now, but he took the time to look at what he was seeing, before entering the biggest tent right after Finn. The destruction was clearly visible and it was only too obvious that not only a lot of lives had been lost here, but even more lives had been destroyed. Whatever Bendar's demands on those people had been, they had obviously been harsh, but had managed to sustain this community in a way. The destruction of the most basic facilities had left this village crippled and it was only too likely that it would die out sooner rather than later, now that Bendar's grip on it had loosened. Not for the first time in his life did Poe wonder how in the name of all that was good and fair, Morap had ended up such a lovable, soft and bright person, while his brother had become this monster, who was willing to burn everything in his path as long as doing so served his own personal goals.

On entering the tent, he found that Finn had already started talking to one of the helpers, who, by the looks of her, was a medic.

"We're doing what we can, but of course we can't really help them rebuilding what has been destroyed by the attack," the female Arkanian was saying, as Poe stepped closer to two of them. "They do not qualify for that kind of aid, since this planet is not part of the New Republic."

Poe only barely suppressed an irritated eye roll. He had heard this line of arguing before, back in the day, when the New Republic had been on the verge of splitting into two factions. Back then things had been difficult, because the two parties of Centrists and Populists had been fighting over whether or not each Star System should be provided with more individual power and jurisdiction, or not. But then the war with the First Order had put the whole discussion on hold. After the war, Poe had retired to training younger pilots, but only now did it hit him, that the New Republic was still taking the same view on matters of the Galaxy apparently. As the white eyed Arkanian looked around the tent, at the dozens of individuals being treated, with this distant and almost arrogant look on her face Poe saw that the Republic didn't seem to want to concern itself with things that by the look of it were out of its jurisdiction and it was as if a huge lump of ice had just slid down his throat and settled in the pit of his stomach. Of course he understood that it was a matter of jurisdiction whether or not the Republic could or should interfere in Star Systems that weren't part of it, but that didn't mean that the Republic should stop helping those in need! Apparently it was a matter of credits and credits only and whether or not enough systems approved of spending money where it wouldn't be beneficial to them.

"Well…", Finn said, looking around and pushing up the sleeves of the shirt he was wearing. Poe could see something like real purpose gleaming in Finn's eyes. "If you don't mind, I'd like to help, where I can."

The Arkanian turned back to look at Finn, then at Poe again back at Finn. "General Clayn didn't mention help," she said, her white, pupilless eyes not betraying any emotion. "But of course we'd appreciate it. I believe at least Commander Dameron has some knowledge of basic medical care due to his service in the navy-"

"Finn is the medic," Poe interrupted her, unable to hold in the anger rising up in him at her words. "I'm no good with anything but bandages."

Finn gave him a barely visible wink. He didn't seem to care that the Arkanian in front of him had no idea who he was apparently.

She raised her eyebrows in surprise. "You are? I had no idea, Doctor-"

"Dameron. Finn Dameron."

Poe flinched at the sound of his last name in combination with Finn's name, which had been the only one the former Stormtrooper had ever used to this day. His heart swelled with pride at the name, but at the same time he couldn't help but wonder why Finn had chosen this moment to declare his relationship to Poe to a total stranger. Maybe just being on this planet, where his family might be, made Finn want to prove to the universe that he didn't need them. Just in case.

The Arkanian nodded. "Very well then, Doctor Dameron, there is plenty to do for you. Let me show you where we're keeping our equipment." Turning away from them, she started walking towards the other end of the tent, past rows of people sleeping or talking quietly to each other.

Finn and Poe exchanged only one look and Poe knew immediately that Finn wanted to stay here and help where he could. That he considered it his duty and rightly so. Poe nodded, gave Finn's hand a little squeeze and started backing away. "I'm going to find someone I can help as well," he said quietly, noticing that some of Finn's anxiety had left him. This was Finn's job after all and helping out here in the infirmary might actually make finding out about his past a bit easier.

"Alright…" Finn said. "I'll see you around."

"See you around." Winking, Poe turned around and on his way to the tent's exit, he felt Finn's eyes rest on him. None of the faces he could see looked even remotely familiar.

It had started raining a couple of hours ago, but Poe didn't mind the icy droplets trickle down his face. He was sweating and his arms were aching from lifting and dragging rubble away from the house. It hadn't taken him long to find somewhere he could be useful. The Kiffar with his dreadlocks tied at the back of his head so they wouldn't fall into his damp face, had been grateful for Poe's offer to help and together they had been busy clearing the road which led into the centre of the village so as to make access easier and Poe was relieved to be of some help at least. His hair was sticking to his forehead by now and he was already out of breath, but moving about and participating more actively in the rebuilding of this small society than the Republic itself felt good. Everyone who wasn't injured was working hard to salvage what was left of their home and with every stone Poe picked up, he felt his anger and frustration with the Republic reach another level.

Pushing his hands against his aching back, he looked in the direction of the tents. It was growing dark and the work at the road would have to stop soon. The Kiffar, going by the name of Vapiuna, stopped next to him and wiped his brow. "What is it you're doing here exactly? I still don't get it." The dark red Qukuuf, the facial tattoos across the bridge of his nose, made him look like he was angry at Poe for being here, though his clear blue eyes told an entirely different story.

"It's a really long story," Poe said, wishing for a hood he could pull over his head to keep the rain from falling on his face. But he really shouldn't be complaining, he thought. He had a roof over his head waiting for him back home and a secure job, even if there had never really been a time he had resented working for the Republic more than he did just now for abandoning these people here.

"You were here before, weren't you?" Vapiuna looked him up and down. They had been working quietly alongside each other for quite some time now, but until now they hadn't spoken more than a couple of words. "Your ship crashed in the town square."

Poe managed a feeble smile. "Sorry about that. We made a really bad impression there, didn't we?"

Vapiuna shrugged and put his hands on his hips. Looking around he heaved a heavy sigh. "We won't get any more done here today. The sun sets quickly here."

With a nod, Poe ran one hand through his wet hair. "I'm sorry I couldn't do more," he said and didn't only mean the work at the road, but also his feeble attempt at fighting Bendar's soldiers after their crash landing.

Vapiuna looked at him with a vague smile on his lips. "Don't be," he said. "We've been getting along on our own for quite some time now and we're going to survive this as well."

"How?" Poe couldn't help himself but ask this question and he immediately realised that it was absolutely none of his business. "You could appeal to the New Republic."

Shrugging, Vapiuna shook his head. "You know, if we wanted the Republic's help, we'd be living in the Republic. I guess most of us are going to try and find a way off this rock and make a new start now that this place is done for and business is about to shut down."

Poe swallowed hard and nodded reluctantly. He hadn't expected this answer. Not at all. "Your work for Bendar didn't pay off too well, did it?", he argued feebly, fully aware that Vapiuna wasn't too impressed by his question.

"Bendar? That's his name? People around here only call him the General, because that's what his people call him." He paused, apparently thinking the name over and allowing his eyes to roam over their surroundings. At the damaged buildings and broken homes. "Well, that's what you get for working for a mobster. Everyone knew that could happen eventually when they decided to move here for whatever reason."

Poe flinched. The word didn't seem harsh enough to describe what Bendar had done here and on who knew how many other worlds and all of a sudden Poe felt like that might all Bendar could appear to be in the eyes of the Republic. He didn't ask any more questions. The reason why anyone would want to move to this forsaken planet in the middle of nowhere and work for someone like Bendar or any other criminal willingly was none of his business either. The people here had apparently willingly decided to live on this rock and mine for Spice, probably because there had been no real alternative for them. What about Finn's parents? They had fought in the Rebel Alliance back in the day… why had they come here? But then again, they may not have come here at all. Poe looked towards the tents just as Finn stepped out of the biggest one and Poe's heart contracted painfully. Maybe all of this had been in vain after all.

"Do you even have transports?" Poe asked, not meeting Vapiuna's eyes, but keeping them focused on Finn instead, who was looking past Poe and Poe felt something unfamiliar creep up on him, just by staring at Finn standing there like an ice sculpture.

"Not a whole lot, but I guess most of us will be able to get away…" The "before the Republic arrives to shut us down" was implied and Poe shuddered at the thought that no one here would be available to speak up in court against Bendar. But that wasn't his primary concern at the moment.

The sound of feet behind them made him turn around and he saw one of the paramedics, accompanied by a tall humanoid male with deep purple skin and black hair, rushing in their direction and only slowing down to walk more carefully over the path Poe and Vapiuna had managed to clear. Poe took a step backward to make way for the two of them and the hovering stretcher on which a very old woman was lying, her eyes fixed on the man, who was carrying a covered up, woven basket.

Come here… Poe flinched once more, as he heard Finn's voice echoing through his head. I need you. Please. Hesitantly Poe looked at Vapiuna. "I'll be back later," he said, fully aware that night would set very soon and he'd only be able to make true on his promise the next day at the earliest, but he didn't pause to explain anything to the Kiffar, but made his way towards Finn, who was standing by the tent's entrance through which the woman was being carried at this very moment.

"Do you know her?" Poe asked hoarsely, as he reached Finn, who immediately took hold of his hand.

"No." Finn shook his head. "But… there's something…"

Poe didn't let go of Finn's hand as they entered the tent and saw the Arkanian putting a set of blinds around the cot the old woman had been transferred to. "Finn, I talked to this Kiffar over there just now… I don't think these people even want the Republic's help."

Finn nodded absentmindedly. "I know… it's what I heard as well…" His eyes didn't reveal what he was feeling, but Poe knew that Finn must know that his family had come here by choice and for a very good reason, which he desperately wanted to know. And that his family had come here after had become clear enough, at least to Finn, within the last couple of minutes. The way he stared at the woman revealed only too plainly that Finn had sensed something which Poe couldn't and something seemed to have fallen into place for Finn. Letting go of Poe's hand, he moved towards the cot, Poe right at his heels.

"Please, Zarin, let me…", he murmured and at a look from him, the Arkanian retreated.

"You're the doctor?" The man, who had brought the woman in asked, his voice desperate. Without another look from Finn, Poe stepped nearer and closed the blind behind him, so they'd had some privacy at least. The man put the basket he was carrying on the ground next to the cot. The woman had her eyes closed and she was breathing steadily, though she didn't look well at all. Her lips looked way too dry and she was shivering violently. Still, Finn didn't even attempt to touch her. Helping anyone at this point must feel like an impossible task.

"Yes…", Finn said quietly, forcibly turning to look at the man. "What happened? Why are you only bringing her in now?"

The man sighed. "This is Alma," he wiped his eyes. "Her granddaughter's husband was the one who usually took the products to the General, but he didn't return… we weren't able to deliver the expected quota so…" He was rambling and, shaking his head, he focused his gaze back on the old woman lying there under a crisp white blanket. "When the attack started she was with her granddaughter. They were both wounded in the fight and yesterday Tessa went into labour… neither of them wanted to be taken here… apparently it's a sacred family tradition that the baby had to be born in the family home…" He scoffed, apparently disgusted by the old woman's sentimentality and willingness to risk her grandchild's life like that. Poe felt a shiver run down his spine as he looked down at the basket, protected from the rain outside by a now soaked through blanket. "So she helped Tessa give birth and had no chance of saving her life…" The man's voice had risen in unmistakeable anger and with trembling hands Poe knelt down next to the cot and pulled away the purple grey blanket to reveal a wrinkled but clean baby wrapped in numerous other blankets. "My wife kept insisting on moving them both sooner," the man continued, his voice still angry but a lot quieter now, "But Alma wouldn't hear of it… when she passed out I just … I ran over here to get help."

Poe put the blanket on the ground, but didn't dare lift the basket in case he woke up the baby. Not even a day old and already without a mother or a father… the very thought brought tears to his eyes, which he blinked away quickly, but his chest was hurting like it had barely ever done before. All of a sudden he had to think of his mother. Of the day she had died and what it had felt like to lose a parent, his father's presence not being of any comfort or consolation in his darkest hour. Looking at the infant, sleeping happily in her basket, brought back the ripping pain tearing him in half.

Silence met the man's words and nothing but emptiness seemed to resonate through this little inadequate room the Arkanian had provided them with. Poe didn't get up off the ground, but stayed with the miserable orphan. He couldn't bear leaving it there for even a moment. He raised his head however to look at Finn, who just kept staring down at the woman.

"Is there no one else left in her family?" Finn asked huskily and the man shook his head. At the same moment the woman stirred and Finn, who had been standing there next to the cot like a statue, sprang to life. "Th- thank you," he stammered. "I'll take it from here."

The man nodded. "I'll be outside… my brother is here as well." And with that he left, shutting the blinds behind him.

"Finn…" Poe muttered, looking at his fiancé rather than at the woman or the baby. "This is-"

Finn nodded. "The women we saw when we arrived… the one who was hit by that blaster shot must have been her granddaughter."

"Tessa…" Poe remembered Finn staring at the pregnant woman and the elderly woman, before being shot down himself and only now did he begin to grasp the full impact of what had happened here.

"What name to you go by?" A croaky, raspy voice said and, picking up the basket despite his misgivings, Poe got to his feet. The old woman, Alma, whose eyes were so much like Finn's it hurt to look at them surrounded by deep wrinkles and silvery grey eyebrows hovering over them, was staring straight at Finn. It was clear to see that breathing alone was hard for her and she was so pale, her face looked grey.

Poe… is this really her? The fear reverberating in this strangely familiar voice was only too palpable. Finn's warmth was receding with every heartbeat and Poe did his best to reassure him without really knowing how and even though he himself was scared out of his wits by the woman's mere proximity. Not only did her eyes look so much like Finn's that Poe almost felt like years and years had passed in an instant and he was staring down at his dying husband, but there was something else. Something more. And he knew that he himself was experiencing nothing, that it was Finn and only Finn, who was desperately trying to explore the woman's strange and yet somehow eerily familiar energy.

As they clashed, Poe tried to pull back, a sudden jolt going through him, striking hard at his very soul with a searing pang of recognition. Recognition. That was it. Recognition of two pieces of one enormous puzzle which hadn't been close for such a long time. And then flashes, images Poe hadn't expected, were streaming down on him. Suffocating. Drowning him. They kept coming at such an incredible speed that none of them had even the slightest chance of sticking out. Colours. Smells. Shadows. Sensations. Only later on did he remember the last one. The most important one. The one of at least a dozen white clad soldiers entering a tiny room, ripping a screaming baby out of his mother's arms. The baby didn't even have a name yet. The sense of gut wrenching desperation this image transported stuck with Poe until an indescribable wave of relief washed over him and he knew that Finn was the one picking it up.

Finn's jaw muscles were tense and Poe could see a vein pulsing in his temple. "Finn," he said through clenched teeth. His very essence seemed to be streaming off him and Poe's insides churned at the feeling of insecurity and fear draining him of the ability to swallow or even blink.

Alma nodded and gasped for air, but still Finn didn't move. Poe knew why. He knew, like Finn did through some mystical, unexplainable thing Finn was sharing with him that there was nothing more to be done for the woman lying there in front of them. At a silent request Finn stretched out a hand towards the woman.

"Your father's face, but your mother's eyes. Tessa was their child as well… born after you were taken…", she mumbled, her eyes fluttering.

"Where are they?" Finn whispered, his voice barely audible but his meaning carrying through the sticky air, which smelled of blood, sickness and rain.

The stare Alma gave him was more than Poe needed to see. The air seemed to have grown denser around him and, as if he could protect the little human being in his arms from what passed between the two people next to him, he pulled the basked closer to his chest. He was dripping with rain water, shivering from the chill, which had crept up on him and froze him to the very core of his being, but he clutched the basket to him as keeping it safe was the only thing that could keep this world in order. And then he realized that it wasn't only him feeling this way, but also someone else but by now, Poe, his ears ringing, couldn't tell who that person was.

Finn nodded, shaking all over.

It apparently took Alma a lot of effort to turn her head so she could look at Poe as well. "Show her to me…", she asked softly and it took Poe a moment before he realized what she wanted from him. Pulling himself out of the trance his body had been subject to, he set the basket on a stool. The baby, a girl, going by what the woman had said, was still fast asleep, though her lips were moving in a sucking motion and before Poe knew it tears were burning painfully in his eyes again. It had been a long time since he had held a baby and even longer since he had lifted one up. He was shaking as he reached for the little creature, wrapped so tightly in her blankets. Taking care to hold her just the right way in the crook of his arm, he straightened himself up again, but didn't dare wiping his eyes lest he dropped her.

"Is he yours?" Alma asked again, looking at Finn, who nodded without hesitation.

"He's mine. I'm his… whatever." He obviously wanted to make it sound like it was no big deal, but his voice was shaking as violently as Poe's knees.

She nodded. "Good." Her breathing had become even heavier and Poe could see her eyes flutter, as he turned towards her so that she could see the baby. "Mia…", she said quietly. "Take her…"

Finn gasped, but didn't say a word. Not a single sound escaped his lips as he stared down at the woman. The grandmother he had never known and there were bound to be so many questions, which would never be answered now.

Poe could see that she didn't have the strength to say anything else. To plead. To ask the most vital of all questions. She was staring at Finn with an intensity he had never seen in anyone's eyes and that alone must be enough to freeze Finn in place. Poe clutched the baby girl in his arms and, without thinking, he nodded. "We will," he said, his voice unwavering and stronger than he would have thought it would be.

Their eyes met. Finn's eyes, only old and covered by a light g

rey film Poe hadn't noticed before. And then it was over. She was staring into nothingness and after one last, unbelievably slow intake of breath, she lay still.

The silence between them seemed to be stretching out, forming a barrier between them, but still Poe could feel everything that was going on inside Finn through this one invaluable link that had been established between them. The deep, endless quiet and numbness spreading through his limbs. The nothingness gaping in front of him and still there was this warmth, which had never left and never been gone. It was as if Poe was seeing the world through Finn's eyes and it scared him more than anything.

All of a sudden, with a jerk, it all was gone. Finn looked him directly in the eye and there was an apology in those eyes. An apology which couldn't be said out loud, but Poe saw it anyway. Shaking his head, Finn let go of his grandmother's hand and made to turn away.

"Wait…" Poe mumbled, not sure whether or not he was even allowed to speak. He looked down at the dead woman and, pulling the baby even closer to his chest, he reached out to close her eyes. Her skin was still warm, almost burning from fever, but that would soon fade, he knew. When he looked up again he saw that Finn was gone.

The baby, Mia, still hadn't opened her eyes, but Finn had the strange feeling that soon she'd look like Finn. His heart pumping wildly in his chest, he realized what he had done. What had happened. This little creature in his arms was relying on him now. This life, which wasn't even a day old, had only two people left in this entire galaxy. The enormity of it all hit him like a mallet. But what else could he have done? What should he have said?

Breathing heavily, he backed away from the woman. A thousand thoughts were racing through his brain, but only one was standing out among them. As he stepped outside the little secluded area, his eyes searched the tent for Finn. He was sitting on a chair near the tent's entrance and without hesitating, the baby still in his arms, Poe made his way towards him.

Reluctantly Finn looked up at him, his eyes wells of unfathomable depth. "I don't know…" he said, but didn't elaborate. He didn't need to.

Without waiting for Finn's reaction, Poe bent over and held out the baby so Finn had to take her.

Finn's lips were forming a tight line as he looked down at the miniscule life form. "Poe…", he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"We can't leave her here…", Poe said firmly and shaking all over. He didn't know if it was just the cold from his wet clothes or the added emotional rollercoaster he was on.

Finn nodded, though he seemed reluctant. "I didn't want it to be like this," he said quietly. "Neither did you."

Poe sat down on the ground. The cover that had been put up under the tent kept away the dampness and most of the cold, but he was still shivering as he put one hand on Finn's knee. "She needs us."

Finn, still holding his niece in his arms, turned his head to look out at the ruins, which were already being swallowed up by darkness.