Summer slowly slid into autumn, bringing shorter days and less oppressive heat. Rey began working remotely for her father's firm, making appointments and answering questions over the phone, as well as managing the accounts. She started riding in the early mornings versus the evenings as the weather moderated, and this left her evenings free to work on her book, as well as the other two 'works in progress' that she told Poe she couldn't stop thinking about.

In the middle of September, she left her father's house and moved in with Poe.

This action caused more than a little discord at the barn, and even branched out into the local dressage community. Poe had two clients remove their children from his program, and two other parents complained, though they did nothing more than that. "She's too young," was the most common verbalized criticism, though "isn't she a student?" was often asked, too. Those who knew them well, such as Finn and Rose, calmly defended them. Her father, though obviously unhappy with the arrangement, did not argue. Rey's aunt, however, was more than happy to verbalize her opinion. "I am so happy for you guys!" she told them on her first visit to the barn after Rey moved in. "I do hope you plan to fill this little house with babies!"

"Aunt Leia!" Rey had responded, her face turning bright red. "It's a little soon for that, don't you think?"

After the initial shock of Leia's words passed, Poe had laughed. While they hadn't talked about it, the idea of having children with Rey was more than appealing. But she was right, it was a bit early to be thinking about such things.

Rey quickly became comfortable maneuvering around Poe's little house, and the fact that she was just steps away from the barn, which she was already comfortable with, meant she was out and about with the horses whenever she wasn't working. In early October, Poe took her to a doctor recommended by the United States Para Equestrian Association and she was officially assigned to the Grade IV Classification. The appointment also allowed Rey to receive a dispensation certificate with the United States Dressage Federation, permitting Poe to direct her from the center of the arena even at able-bodied dressage competitions. Her scores would go to both the USDF and the USPEA and would enable her to qualify for regional, national, and even international competitions.

Later that month, Rey and BeeBee showed for the first time since her accident.

Poe had three students showing at the same show, an annual event in Conyers, so Rose went with them to keep Rey company while Poe was busy with the other riders, one of which was Bobby Bliss. Surprisingly, Zorii had not been one of Poe's clients who had been critical of Rey and Poe's living arrangement, and seeing as this would be Bobby's first dressage show, she was also keeping Rey company, chatting excitedly as she watched her son prepare his pony for his Training Level test. Poe wasn't sure if Rey appreciated this or if she was just very good at being polite.

Finally, it was time for Rey's test. He could tell she was nervous, and that had been a rare thing before her accident. Her confidence in not only herself but her horse had never wavered back when she could see, but today was a whole different story. Poe walked alongside BeeBee's head as her number was called. They had very little trouble in the warm-up arena, as most of the other riders avoided her in deference to her blindness. Poe was also very aware of the angry stares he was receiving from several of the 'old guard,' trainers and riders whom Poe had known for years who were not afraid to show their disapproval of Poe's relationship with Rey.

One of those stares came from none other than Amilyn Holdo.

Poe did not say anything about what he was seeing to Rey, but he had an inkling she could sense some of the animosity around her. He glanced up at her atop her prancing horse, who was reacting excitedly to not only the show atmosphere but his rider's nerves, and took a deep breath, releasing his own nervous energy.

The three of them entered the large arena. The dressage arena was in the center of the main arena, its white boarder fencing bright in the October sunlight, colorful flowers decorating every letter. Poe stopped and looked up at Rey as Bee stopped next to him. "Walk about ten strides, then turn right," he told her. This would give him time to move to the center X. "Focus. The two of you have done this before. You're just 'seeing' it different now."

Rey took a deep breath and nodded. Poe stepped away and watched them as they walked forward, turning just past the outside corner of the arena. As soon as they entered the rectangular arena they would be under a judge's scrutiny, but for now they could take time to settle themselves. Poe walked into the dressage arena and stopped at the center, then watched Rey as she collected BeeBee, using her reins and her body weight to bring her horse into a classical frame. They were riding a third level test today. It was close to the same test Grade IV riders would use in international competition, though Rey had ridden at a much higher level before her accident.

The bell rang. Rey and BeeBee had forty-five seconds to enter the arena and start the test. He watched as Rey turned Bee and moved him into a collected trot. "Corner!" Poe called out as she reached the corner, then "A!" shortly afterwards. Bee turned into the arena smoothly and headed directly for Poe. Bee was used to him sharing their arena space now and didn't give him a second glance. He knew what was going on and how important it was, so he was completely focused on Rey. "X!" Poe said, then stepped aside. Bee stopped short, his weight moving to his hindquarters, making the halt smooth as silk. Poe saw Rey lick her lips and swallow as she saluted the judge she couldn't see, then she took up her reins again and asked Bee to trot once more.

Poe continued to call out the letters as Rey and BeeBee danced through the test. About half-way through, Poe started getting excited. They were brilliant, as fluid and polished as if they hadn't been away for months. He tempered his enthusiasm, reminding himself there was still plenty of time for mistakes.

But they made none.

After a little more than five minutes, Rey and BeeBee were trotting down the center line toward him once more. Instead of telling them where 'X' was, he stepped aside and called out "I" when they reached the point half-way between 'X' and 'C' at the end of the arena, the stopping point for this particular test. They halted, and Rey saluted once more.

Suddenly, a roar of applause sounded from behind Poe. He turned, startled, not realizing that almost everyone on the show grounds had come to watch Rey's first ride back. Rey also turned her head toward the sound, her mouth open in astonishment. Grinning, Poe walked toward her. BeeBee was pulling at the reins, reminding Rey that the test was over and she needed to let them go as they needed to leave the arena on a loose rein. "Here," Poe said loudly so he could be heard over the clapping and whistling.

Rey dropped her reins and let Bee turn to follow Poe. Poe looked up at Rey as she bit her lower lip, wiping tears off her face with her white glove. The crowd continued to applaud as they left the arena, and at the gate of the main arena, more than one person, many of them fellow riders, came to congratulate her. "That was amazing!" "You guys were great!" "It's like you never left!" "Welcome back, Rey!"

Poe walked them back to the barn, unable to wipe the grin from his face as person after person congratulated Rey. BeeBee stopped in front of the stall he had been assigned for the show and Poe moved back and touched Rey on the knee. Without any warning, she threw her right leg over Bee's neck and slid to the ground, right into Poe's arms. He could hear Rose giggling as she walked up to take a hold of Bee. Holding her tight, uncaring about the press of her helmet against the side of his head, he felt tears of his own form in his eyes.

"Thank you, Poe," Rey whispered. "Thank you!"

"Seventy One Point Two One Six!" Zorii cried, running up to them.

Rey pulled back and turned toward her. "What?" she asked, her voice shaky.

"71.216!" Zorii repeated. "Your score!"

"We got above seventy percent?" Rey asked, turning to Poe.

He laughed. "Sounds like you might have won the class."

"Against riders who can see!" Zorii gushed. "Rey, that was amazing!"

Rey still looked stunned, but Poe wasn't surprised.

And he wasn't surprised the next day, when she again won her class with a 72.250%.

Rey's confidence grew by leaps and bounds after that. She travelled with his two top students to Ocala two weeks later winning her third level test on the first day, then placing high with quality scores in two tests the next day, one of them a fourth level test. Just before Thanksgiving, Rey and Poe travelled alone with BeeBee to Wellington, where Rey competed in her first official Para Dressage competition. She won both classes easily, and the officials took notice. Almost immediately, whispers began to fly about their chances in the Paralympics, which were held after every Olympic Game in the same location.

One lead trainer commented that he knew of a fabulous Hanoverian stallion for sale that Rey would be a perfect match for. She shut down the man immediately. "BeeBee goes where I go," she told him. "I do not need nor desire a new horse."

The fact was, Rey was getting the attention Poe had always felt she deserved before she lost her eyesight.

While the idea of the possibility of her competing in the Paralympics excited him, Poe had more important things on his mind after Thanksgiving. One day the following week found him visiting a reputable jeweler in downtown Savannah. After much deliberation, he chose a 14k white gold diamond inlaid ring with one modest sized diamond in the center, twelve tiny diamonds surrounding it in a horseshoe shaped pattern, and eighteen more tiny diamonds, nine on each side, along the band. The inlay pattern would keep anything from catching on the diamonds, something he knew Rey would appreciate as she worked with BeeBee and the other horses.

Poe arrived home shortly before eight that evening and was surprised to see several cars parked near the house. One of them he recognized as Luke's, but three others were unfamiliar. Upon entering the house, he saw Rey sitting in the living room with her father, her aunt Leia and uncle Han, Doctor Kanata, and a man he didn't know.

Rey heard him and was instantly on her feet, moving toward him, a huge smile on her face, her eyes bright. "Poe! I'm so glad you're here!" She turned toward the stranger, who had also risen and was walking toward him. "This is Doctor Krennic," she said.

Poe shook the man's outstretched hand.

"Doctor Krennic used to work with the Foundation Fighting Blindness," Rey continued. "He's developed a new laser technique that can help repair trauma to the occipital lobe of the brain."

Poe stared at her, comprehension dawning.

"Poe, he can help me see again!"

XXXXXX