Victory, with only one loss to his squad. Poe had never thought he'd see the day. He mourned the loss of a good soldier, but revelled in the survival of all the others. They sat in a large passenger vessel on its way back to the base. The space on the vessel was cramped, but it was the best atmosphere. This victory would put the First Order on the retreat yet again. No Star Killer bases here. They drank and talked, and laughed, and sang. This was a celebration. Poe even sat with Blue Squad for a time, consoling them on their losses, and complimenting them on their own glories. Poe felt good. For now. He might feel terrible about the loss of life later. He might stop and think that beneath every Stormtrooper helmet was another Finn. But tonight was not the night for that. Tonight was a night for revelry. He was still in his flight suit, but he had stowed his helmet away. He led the squad in an old Rebel Alliance victory song, which quickly consumed the canteen, with many a banged fist, and stamping foot. He was getting red faced and euphoric. Finn was grinning like a fool, and Rey was joining in with the old Rebel songs. He hadn't seen Dara, and thought that perhaps she wasn't on the same transport ship, which was a shame. He wanted to kiss her, and celebrate with her.

As though thinking about her, had summoned her, Dara appeared into the canteen to great cheers and applause. Many a troop and pilot had seen her streaking ahead, cutting through the enemy. Many had heard the story that she had fought Kylo Ren, just as Rey had the last time. The Jedi were heroes once again. She smiled and waved awkwardly at a few people, but she made her way right over to Poe. A couple of people were giggling amongst themselves as Dara went to Poe, and the whole canteen erupted in cheering and wolf-whistling as Dara kissed Poe very passionately, and wrapped her arms around her. Poe put his arms around her and kissed her back, the victory feeling all the sweeter. He'd won a battle and he'd won a kiss from a Princess. His Princess. She broke the kiss at last and ginned down at Poe, holding him close.

"I love you too." she said quietly enough that only he would hear her. So they were in love. He grinned like a boy who'd been kissed for the first time. Every time felt like the first time with Dara. She sat at table with Poe, Finn and Rey, and the Black Squad. A drink was pushed towards her and her hand was shook by several people.

"Big fan of your work." said one of the bright eyed female pilots on Poe's team. "The last motion passed by your royal decree was a long time coming, your majesty." Poe frowned at herm inquisitively. "What? I'm from Alderaan." Dara smiled at the pilot.

"And your work kept me and my friends safe. I am in your debt." Poe could tell that meant a lot to Kenza, one of his favourites. They passed the night in rapture, until the crowd started to dwindle. They were all suddenly exhausted. They had been in battle. It was reasonable.

When Finn and Rey moved off together, Dara and Poe sat alone together, staring into each other's eyes. Poe wished he wasn't sharing a dorm with the rest of the squadron leaders. As though she had read his mind, and she may well have done, Dara tugged on his hand, and stood.

"I have a room to myself. If you'd like to come with me." Her voice sounded tremulous. Poe stood with her and thought a while. Maybe they were finally going to go to the place they had been headed the first night they had met. He hadn't been expecting it of her. He never had expectations of her, never waited for her to do something. He took things as they came.

"I'd love to spend time with you." Poe said quietly. She took his hand and smiled brightly at him. She guided him down a hallway to a small room that had but a bed, and she closed and locked the door. They stood in silence, holding hands for a time, looking at each other, when suddenly she pushed Poe up against the door and kissed him furiously. He felt a moan at the back of his throat. He was always getting pushed up against doors, but this time, he really could complain. His desire and affection for her made a heady blend. Her hands pulled the zip of his flight suit down, exposing his chest. She pushed back the shoulders of the suit. Poe kicked off his boots, as his own hands clumsily fumbled with her tight clothing. She was much more efficient at undressing him. He kicked off the flight suit, and felt her strip the rest of his clothing from him. He had finally managed to loosen off her top half a little, when she stepped back and pulled it off her in a quick motion.

Poe wasn't even aware of the fact that he was naked, he just didn't really care. Dara Varana, the woman of his dreams was in nothing but her underwear before him. He took a moment to admire her beauty, before gently, and with permission, removing the last of her clothing. They hugged for a moment, nothing between them.

"I love you Dara. I'm so crazy in love with you. I just need you to know that."

"I know." she said, and she pulled him gently towards the bed. She kissed him softly before Poe went on his knees before her.

"Are you okay, Dara? Is this what you want?" Poe had to be sure. Always always be sure. With her permission, they spent the night tangled up in each other and occasionally in the sheets of the bed. Waiting made everything so much more worthwhile. Love made everything so much more meaningful. Nobody had ever made Poe feel so good before, and she said much the same thing to him, when they lay together on the bed, completely spent and breathless. Dara closed her eyes and sighed, cuddling in closer to Poe.

"This is what should have happened that night after the bar." she said. Poe couldn't agree more.

"You really made me work for your attention, Dara Varana Solo. And it was worth it, just to see you smile at me." He kissed the top of her head, stroking her hair, still marvelling at the sight of her beautiful naked body. She had wider hips than he'd realised, beautifully curvy. He could cushion his hands onto her waist, and hold on Her waist was small, appropriate for someone of her height and build. Her stomach was toned Her breasts were small, and he admired them greatly. Her shoulders were slender and freckled and smooth. Her neck was long and graceful, like that of a swan. And then came her face. The most astonishing part of her body. Striking, breath taking.

"Poe Dameron. You are a difficult man to get."

"But I'm all yours now. Only for you."

"Are you asking me out?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

"Awesome."

"Bit of an anti-climax, don't you think?" Poe sat up and looked down at her with a mischievous grin.

"Is that a request for another climax?" Dara winced at the bad wording and started laughing.

"Oh my gods no. Get out of here!" He kissed her cheeks repetitively making her laugh and fight against him. When he had calmed down a few minutes later, she cuddled into him again.

"So this is the start of our big adventure." she said, her voice quiet and a little sleepy.

"You and I will see this galaxy to a glorious and prosperous future."

"I'm going to tell my mother that I have a boyfriend." she said, in a teasing voice.

"She's going to actually murder me." Poe said, the realisation that he had just had sex with the General's daughter sinking in.

"She knows that I love you, Poe."

"She's going to kill me! She will chew me up and spit me out!" Dara laughed, amused by his genuine terror. Maybe she didn't realise that he was actually scared.

"That can be your next battle then."