The Day After...

Despite the extra time they had to get ready, Rey and Poe almost ended up having to rush in the end. They continued to linger in the shower, even as the water got cold, and once out they took their time, touching and kissing and laughing as they helped each other get dry and dressed. Poe brushed and braided Rey's hair, and when she asked where he learned to braid, he smiled at her. "Juilliard."

Rey laughed, and then got to return the favor. While his hair wasn't quite long enough to braid, she took a great deal of pleasure in carefully combing through his thick curls, making note of the grey roots she saw here and there. "Are you going to dye your hair again when you get back?" she asked.

"No reason to for a while," he told her, his voice thick and his eyes closed as he enjoyed her attentions. "I was heading back to L.A. with Snap to finalize a deal I was offered last week." He paused, opening his eyes. "Damn, I was so stressed about it before I left Jackson. Now I realize I haven't thought about it in days."

"What kind of deal?"

He pulled away and turned toward her. "I'm starting a production company. It will allow me more control over what projects I want to do in the future, and give me the power to pick and choose what actors, directors, and film crew I want. It will also give me more time to stay in Jackson; I can control a lot of the projects I'm not actively starring in from there."

"That sounds amazing." Rey was excited for him, but it also drilled into her how out of place she would be in such a life. This distraction from his real life was temporary, just as she knew she was temporary.

He shrugged. "It's a big step," he told her. "I've been pulled and prodded and handled by agents and directors and producers for all of my career, and while I have a lot of them to thank for getting me where I am, I'm ready to take control of my own path, now." He took a deep breath. "It's kind of scary."

She smiled. "Most things worthwhile are scary," she said. "But if it's meant to be, it'll be worth it."

Poe gave her a look so intense that she felt a chill go up her spine. It wasn't arousal, nor was it fear. She wasn't sure what it was, but it was powerful, that look.

Realizing time was flying, Rey skipped over to the restaurant for breakfast, bringing it back to the room where they ate in front of the TV, watching an episode of the First 48 rather than any news. Poe had said more than once that he hated watching himself, especially in candid interviews.

Before they knew it, Rey's phone dinged, and they grabbed up their meager belongings and headed out to meet Cal, who was waiting for them directly in front of the little hotel.

The drive to Pinedale was so short, Rey couldn't help but wonder why Cal hadn't just driven them all the way there the day before. But then they wouldn't have had to share a hotel room, and quite possibly the best night of her life wouldn't have happened. They drove through the small town (though much larger than Boulder) situated at the base of the Wind River Mountains, eventually turning into the Hampton Inn and Suites. A large group of people were already converging at the front of the building, where a small stage had been set up with microphones. Cameras were everywhere. Rey felt panic sweep through her at the scene.

Cal drove them behind the building, and immediately Rey's eyes located Finn and Rose, who were standing next to what looked like a rental car, talking to two men, a dark-skinned man in a suit and a burly red-headed man in a law enforcement uniform. Standing around them were several others that Rey had gotten to know from the plane. When Cal pulled up to them, recognition flooded their faces and smiles lit them up.

As Rey and Poe stepped out of the vehicle, the group of survivors started to applaud. Rey felt her face flush, but she smiled, rushing over to Finn first to give him a big hug. She was moving to hug Rose when Poe reached them, shaking hands with several of the other survivors.

"Everyone doing okay?" he asked. There were nods and affirmations and laughter.

The man in the suit came up to them. "Mr. Dameron, Ms. Smith, I'm Agent Michael Demaria of the NTSB." Though he was dressed sharply as his job as a Fed indicated, his demeanor was pleasant. "We're going to start the press conference at noon, so you have some time to clean up and change if you like. I think Ms. Smith's friends have your luggage?" He looked over at Finn and Rose. "I'll give an update on the investigation into the crash, and then you can speak, Mr. Dameron. I've told the others that they can also come onto the stage and take questions if they like, but they don't need to stay if they don't want to. Everyone has a clean bill of health and is free to head to whatever destination they choose; the government is paying for any car rental fees and the airline will pay for any flights."

"That's very generous," Poe told him, nodding. "Thank you. If you guys hadn't, I would have." He glanced at the others as they nodded in approval. "Do you have a cause, yet?" he asked, turning back to Demaria.

"Tentative," the Agent said. "The pilot reported engine failure, most likely due to a damaged carburetor. The weather conditions hindered his ability to get to a safe place to land. The fact that the majority of you survived is a testament to his expertise."

Poe nodded, and Rey remembered him saying how impressed he himself had been that so many had survived such a crash, and that the pilot had done a good job with what he had.

Rose stepped up to them, handing Poe his carry-on bag, and then gave Rey hers. She motioned toward the side door they were parked next to. "There are public bathrooms right in there to change. When you're through, we're gonna just drive home. It's only about a six-hour drive from here."

Rey gripped the bag, then glanced at Poe as they headed for the door.

"Oh, Poe!" Rose said.

They turned to look back at her.

"Just to give you a heads up," she motioned toward her neck. "You got a little something on your neck." She looked as if she was about to burst out laughing.

Rey looked at him as he touched his neck lightly, just noticing the obvious hickey. She felt her face heat and turned back to the building quickly, trying to ignore the stares of those around them. She entered and quickly headed for the women's rest room. Once alone inside the bathroom, she eyed her own neck. There, on her collarbone, was her own reminder of last night. The sight was both amusing and embarrassing. It also made her sad, because she knew it wouldn't last long. The memory of her time with Poe would also fade, and she dreaded that more than anything.

Taking a deep breath, she used the facilities, then dug around in her bag for anything moderately clean to change into. She ended up with her slightly dirty khaki shorts and a tank she hadn't worn during the weekend in Jackson, pulling a flannel shirt over it to hide the mark on her collarbone. She exited to see Poe waiting for her.

He had changed into a pair of jeans and a navy turtle neck. He hadn't shaved that morning, so his five-o'clock-shadow was already strong. His hair wasn't styled and the messy curls made him look boyish. He was absolutely scrumptious.

"Wasn't planning on the turtle neck," he told her with a grin. "But thanks to you…"

"Shut up," she said, then moved aside the collar of her shirt to show him her own brand. He just grinned harder.

"Are you gonna come up there with me?" he asked, his eyes bright.

Panic surged once more, and the reminder of who he was and who she was hit her hard. She shook her head. "I can't," she said shakily. She tried to smile. "I don't even like my friends to take pictures of me. I really don't think I can handle that kind of attention."

His smile faded as she talked, and his expression became troubled, but he nodded slowly. "Okay," he said. "I'll see you after?"

She gave him a quick nod, but could tell he wasn't convinced. She stepped up to him, bringing her lips to his. She was holding her bag with one hand, but she brought the other up to cup the back of his head, threading her fingers through his hair… one last time. He opened his mouth, sweeping his tongue out to meet hers, his hand gripping her arm, holding on to her tightly.

Finally, they pulled away, both gasping for air. Rey bit her lip. "You better go."

He nodded, but was still frowning at her. He let her go and turned to head out the door. Once outside, a tall man with a beard that Rey recognized as Poe's agent and friend Snap Wexley rushed up to them. He hugged Poe tight and the two men laughed with joy. Snap, without even looking at her, started tugging Poe toward the other end of the building where she knew the crowd waited.

Agent Demaria motioned toward the other survivors. "Any of you who would like to be a part of the conference, follow me!" Rey stood still as about half of the group started following Poe and the others. Rose and Finn stood at the car, watching Rey.

"Aren't you gonna go?" Finn asked. "You should be up there, you know. It was you and Poe who really saved us."

Rey shook her head. "No, I'm not meant for that kind of attention. I'm happy being a nobody." She turned to look at her friends.

"Let's go home."

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