#also i'll probably need a beta soon so if anyone is interested :eyes:

[random-writer-23]

The Mechanic (Poe Dameron x reader)

Summary: Reader is a rebellion mechanic for ships and droids, and on repeated occasions is sought out by Poe.

Word count: 7,239

Warnings: Poe being a desperate loser but in an affectionate way, Mentions of injuries, probably canonical inaccuracies, star wars cursing, X-wing crash.

Edit: wow this fic has gotten over 100 interactions y’all are amazing ily!!!

A/N: I hope you like this one shot, this is my first time writing for Poe so hopefully I get better at writing for him. Also fun fact this is my 70th post so thats cool. Also I am looking for beta readers to read my works before I publish them to the rest of y'all so if that's something that you are interested in see the pinned post on my profile for more information. Anyway enjoy my lovelies, and as usual, any and all comments, likes, Follows, and reblogs are welcome and appreciated. Happy reading!

My workshop, my own personal safe haven, and the place where I'm currently making some small changes to a device prototype that would hopefully allow better cloaking for our rebellion ships. All I needed was a few more tweaks and then I'd be able to run some diagnostic tests to see if it works. I hum a random tune to myself while I unscrew the cover so I can tweak it. The door to my workshop slides open with a loud woosh, and I'm ambushed by the electronic beeping of one of my favorite droids.

"bee po woooip" BB-8 screams entering my shop and rolling to a stop at my feet.

"Hey BB" I respond putting my cloaking device aside so I could focus on BB-8. "what's up buddy" he responds with a couple of beeps and my eyebrows furrowed giving him a once-over look. "Kriffing hell, BB I just did your matinence upkeep last week what happened?!" I groaned guiding the droid over to a ramp he could roll up to get to my eye level. I put the screwdriver I was holding in my tool belt and walked over to my tool chest to get the tools I'd need to fix BB-8's problem. "Alright BB let's see what the problem is," I said and he chirped happily in response. I pulled my magnifying goggles over my eyes so I could see him closely.

"ooh BB okay, I think I see the problem, some of the wires over here got crossed, and then your gyroscopic regulators are all out of sync, no wonder you're not moving as smoothly as usual. and OH BB! This whole plate over here is broken, and these circuits over here are completely fried! How'd this happen!" I exclaimed continuing to examine the damage done to my favourite droid.

"weoop" He said dejectedly, and I chuckled buckling myself in for a long story.

--Time skip--

It turns out that BB-8 got all his so-called injuries, on a classified mission transporting valuable and delicate information to another rebellion base. However, he and his companions ran into some trouble with the empire. After his long-winded explanation about everything that went wrong, I cut him some slack and forgave him for ruining all the things I fixed last time.

I worked on BB-8 for more than an hour before finally fixing all his problems and getting him back to perfect working condition, then even after I fixed his issue, I sat and spoke to him about some of the upgrades I was developing for him, and for some of the other droids on the base.

"ooh, you know what I can do for you BB?" I asked flitting around my workshop quickly rummaging around to find the newest prototype I was working on for the droids on base. I brought it excitedly back to BB-8, and began explaining some of the upgrades I was giving him. 

"Now BB this signal booster I made will allow you to transmit signals to the next planet over, depending on how far away it is. I'll work on distancing issues soon"

"Waaaaaaaooopp" BB-8 chittered excitedly and I blushed.

"Oh BB you flatter me, but anyone could've done it, it wasn't that difficult," I replied with a smile as I installed the amplifier to his antennae. But was interrupted by the door of my workshop once again opening with a loud woosh. But instead of a droid or one of my fellow mechanics coming in for a chat, it was a voice I was unfamiliar with.

"Hey BB you in here?" The voice of a man called and I turned around to face him. I looked at him blinking in surprise as I forgot my magnifying goggles were still on my face, I took them off my eyes and put them on my head.

"who's asking," I asked taking my glasses off and laying them on the table next to me, so I could get a good look at the man who'd invaded my safe haven. 

"uh, Poe... Poe Dameron?" He replied as if it was a question, looking around my workshop in wonder. I turned in my chair to look at BB-8 who beeped happily and gave a little spin. The man, Poe, walked further into my workshop, glancing at all the gadgets and tools scattered around.

"yeah, uh sure come on in" I mumbled disgruntled by this man coming into my workshop uninvited, but I turned back to BB-8 with a smile on my face. "Almost done, BB" I mumbled putting my goggles back on and finishing installing the amplifier. "Alright BB, my new signal amplifier is still a prototype so you come back to me right away if you detect any problems okay?" I told him guiding him down the ramp, and over to Poe, who stood at attention when I turned to face him. "Now Poe, it's Poe right?"

"uh, y-yeah, ahem, yeah it's Poe" He stumbled over his words before clearing his throat, I threw him a small smile before giving him care instructions for BB. In the low light of my workshop, I saw his face flush.

"Well, then Poe" I put extra emphasis on his name, "I fixed all of the problems BB came in with, so he's as good as new, however, I did install a prototype signal amplifier that if it works as it should, will allow him to transmit across planets." I watched his eyebrows raise.

"impressive" He murmured

"I know" I responded with a smile. "But I just need you to watch over BB and ensure he takes things easy so he won't have to come back in for repairs too soon. And also bring him in immediately if you notice him malfunctioning" I instructed grabbing a towel and wiping the grease off my hands. BB rolled down the ramp from my table and rolled next to us. I looked back up at Poe, who had a dopey half-smile on his face, and even though the light in my workshop was dim, I could tell he was handsome. I'd heard about Poe Dameron, I'd just never run into him or introduced myself. Surprising considering he was the commander of an x-wing squadron and I was a mechanic, who fixed x-wings. But it was neither here nor there, I'd simply never had any reason to talk to him. I ushered BB and Poe towards the doors in an effort to get them out of my workshop. 

"So what you're saying is I'm invited to come see you again?" He asked leaning against my doorframe and swatting at BB-8 who was trying to usher him out of the room.

"Only If BB is with you... and if you don't track mud into my workshop again" I said looking at the trail of mud he brought inside, before kneeling down and placing a kiss on BB's head and ushering them out, quickly closing the door behind them before Poe could speak again. I heard BB-8's accusatory chittering through the door.

"No BB I'm not into her, I just met her, I just..." BB-8 interrupted him with more beeps and I chuckled. "no you know what, shut up, I've been looking for you for hours and you were there the whole time? Told me you were going to get repaired but didn't tell me you were going to get repaired by a cute girl. Conveniently left that part out" He replied their voices fading away. 

I laughed walking back to my desk picking scraps up as I walked, trying to clean up and put stuff away. 

--Time skip--

I was still trying to perfect my cloaking prototype when I got a buzz on my radio and simultaneously heard the woosh of my door open, and BB-8's electronic shrieking entered the room.

"Huh, Slow BB I can't understand you." I spun in my chair taking my goggles off my head to look at the droid. BB shrieked and beeped a little slower this time and I finally understood what he was trying to tell me. "They need me at the landing dock?" I clarified and he spun in a circle beeping his agreement. "For emergency repairs!?!" Why didn't you say so!" I explained jumping out of my seat. BB shrieked exasperated, as I hurried around my workshop grabbing tools I'd possibly need for the repairs. Once I grabbed everything I could possibly need I rushed out of my workshop and BB-8 rolled along behind me as fast as he could. Once we got to the landing bay I was completely out of breath from my sprinting, I mean running was hard enough on its own but running while towing a bunch of tools forget about it. I stopped in front of General Leia trying to calm my racing heart and catch my breath.

"Ah (y/n)! You're here! Perfect" General Leia said calmly and by her tone of voice if I wasn't previously made aware of the Emergency I wouldn't even know we had one.

"Reporting for duty General" I smiled having finally caught my breath "where do I start?" I adjusted my grip on my toolbox while she filled me in on what happened. I nodded along as she explained trying to contain my excitement at the number of repairs that were needed considering this was a somber occasion. As she came to the end of her explanation, I saw Poe walking by out of the corner of my eye, and I silently prayed that he would simply walk by. However the force was not on my side at the moment and he noticed the general and I. His face lit up when he made eye contact with me, and he turned around so he was walking towards us.

"Now I've divided up the repair tasks with you and the other mechanics but you're the only one I trust to make all the major repairs, you are my best mechanic you know this" General Leia explained and I beamed with pride.

"Thank you General, I'll get to work right away!" I replied trying to escape the conversation before Poe made it to us.

"I told you, you can call me Leia" She insisted at my formal manner, and I nodded with a smile.

"Ooh hoo on a first-name basis with the general?" Poe asked stopping next to us, as Leia and I Rolled our eyes in sync.

"I am... aren't you?"  I shot back and I saw the corner of Leia's mouth twitch upward. "Actually don't answer that, I have work to do" I nodded goodbye at Leia and spun around whipping my hair in Poe's face walking towards my first ship.

"Doing repairs are you?" Poe asked trailing behind me and I didn't answer him hopefully he'll get the hint and leave me alone. Thankfully I didn't have to answer him cause Leia did it for me. 

"Yes she is, so leave her alone! That's an order, Dameron!" Leia yelled after us and Poe spun around to face her walking backwards so he was still following me.

"Nice try general but we both know I don't listen to orders!" He shot back and I scoffed, "Besides she's got so much work to do she's gonna need an assistant" He saluted the general and ran to catch up with me. Which wasn't very hard considering I was weighed down by a giant toolbox. I tried to speed up as I heard his footsteps closing in but it was no use. He caught up and slowed his pace to walk next to me, and I felt the weight of my toolbox lighten as he lifted it and took it from my hand. I didn't argue with him carrying my toolbox considering it was quite heavy and he carried it all the way to the ship I was supposed to repair first. I pointed to an area on the ground where Poe could set my toolbox down.

"You can put my toolbox down over there" I mumbled walking to the side of the ship that has the most damage.

"So she speaks!" He grinned setting my toolbox down where I instructed, walking over to where I stood. I huffed my displeasure at his presence and ran my fingers over the damaged hull and cringed. Muttering to myself and making a mental note of things I need to fix. "Soo how long have you been working for the rebellion?" Poe asked leaning against the ship.

"Don't lean on that" I instructed and he stood up putting his hands in the air. "And pretty much as long as I can remember" I replied to his question pulling a wrench out of my belt and unscrewing one of the damaged plates on the ship's hull. Pulling it off with a huff I tossed it to the side causing Poe to have to jump out of the way to avoid it. I wiped some sweat off my face effectively smearing dirt and grease on my face.

"Woah watch it" he chuckled "you uh got some dirt on your face" he commented and I scoffed.

"Yeah it kind of comes with the job description" I shot back pulling another damaged plate off the hull. Smiling at the satisfying clank of metal on metal when I threw it with the other plate.

"She jokes too! By the way, you never gave me your name" He said trailing his sentence off purposely.

"Maybe I don't want to" I replied putting my magnifying goggles over my eyes so I could take a look at the engine.

"And why not?" He asked incredulously.

"Because you'll take that as an invitation to keep bothering me" I sighed, what the hell did the pilot do to this engine?

"Yeah you're right, but even without your name I'll just bother you more until I get it" he smirked.

"Listen Dameron-"

"Poe" he corrected.

"Listen Poe, I've got a lot of repairs to get done, and I like to work in peace and quiet so If you're going to sit here and bug me, you can at least make yourself useful and help" I huffed turning towards him with a frown.

"Fine fine, I know when I'm not wanted" He muttered surrendering and backing away from the ship.

"Obviously you don't" 

"I'll just catch you when you're not so busy next time" he grinned and I shook my head.

"Please don't," I said hurriedly but he turned a blind ear as he walked away.

"See you soon gorgeous!" He shouted picking his pace into a slow jog as he walked away. My face flushed at the compliment. 

I turned back to the ship in desperate need of repairs and cracked my knuckles anxious to get started on repairs and make actual progress. However even while I started getting into the ship repairs Poe stayed on my mind. I had to admit he was funny, funny and very handsome. But he was annoying, and he's a squadron commander, and I'm just a mechanic. So he's way out of my league not that I was thinking about Poe like that he was annoying, and kept bothering me, but he was very sweet. But I had to stop thinking about him, it was interferring with my work, and I had a ton more repairs to do by the end of the day. 

--Time skip--

I had finally managed to carve out a section of time for me to just sit in my workshop play some music and work on my cloaking prototype I had fixed all the visible bugs and was ready to run diagnostics on it. I stood up from my chair and scurried over to my computer trying not to giggle in excitement. Hooking up my prototype to my computer I loaded up my diagnostics program and attached the prototype to a piece of scrap metal so I could test it. I input the dimensions of the scrap metal and hovered my finger over the run diagnostic button when the door of my workshop opened with a loud whoosh. I audibly groaned and hoped for whoever was there that they had an excellent reason for interrupting me. Cause if they didn't I'd skin them alive and use them as a doormat. I heard BB-8s panicked beeps as he searched my workshop for me.

"Over here BB" I signaled him over to where I was and he started over to me. I was always happy to see BB-8, so I didn't mind him interrupting my diagnostic test.  "What's u-" I was interrupted by another person entering my shop.

"Kriff, BB you were going so fast I couldn't keep up" the now all too familiar voice of Poe Dameron accosted my ears as he entered my workshop. I audibly groaned looking at BB-8 my eyes full of betrayal. "Alright don't be too excited to see me now" he joked coming over to where I was with BB-8, I schooled my features into one of mock annoyance. 

"Don't worry I'm not" I mumbled, throwing a meaningful glance at my computer, I shut down my diagnostic program turning it off. It would have to wait till later. "So what can I do for you boys" I spoke mostly to BB-8 but it was Poe who spoke.

"So I wouldn't bother you unless I really needed to"

"That's a lie"

"Yeah that's a lie, but my ship got damaged on its last flight" Poe explained rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. My face lit up at the prospect of being able to fix something.

"And you want me to fix it" I clarified

"Of course! The general said it herself you're the best mechanic the rebellion has at its disposal" I blushed at his words. "Besides none of the other mechanics are half as cute as you are" he flirted and I was rendered speechless for a moment, my face starting to heat up.

"And here I was thinking that old Bolban was your type" I shot back turning away from him under the disguise of gathering my tools in my toolbox so he didn't see my face flushing. Maker, Poe has a way of weaseling his way into your heart, just the way you don't want him to. 

"Oh please Bolban is way out of my league" he replied and I laughed, covering my face with my hand in a lame attempt at hiding it. "Aha she laughs" he pointed out victoriously as I picked up my toolbox so I could go fix his ship. He pushed my hand away picking it up for me and walking out of my workshop without another word. My eyes followed him out of the workshop and I gave BB-8 a sideways glance. BB beeped a response and rolled after Poe. 

"He is not growing on me!" I whispered loudly at BB-8 as I ran to catch up with the two. I caught up to them and started asking Poe about his ship. "So what exactly is wrong with your ship?" I asked as he continued leading me towards where he landed it.

"Well it just wasn't running as smoothly as normal, the controls were jerky and I couldn't stabilize properly" he replied offhandedly "My turn for a question so what's your name?" He asked hurriedly. I squinted my eyes at him.

"This isn't a ask questions back and forth game Poe I'm trying to fix your ship" I insisted furrowing my eyebrows, in mock annoyance.

"But it could be a question game, think about it" He winked and put my toolbox on the ground next to his ship. 

"But it's not, so I'll take a look at it and let you know what I find" I informed him double checking my tool belt to make sure I had most of my main tools in there. Waving him off. 

"Uh no, it's my ship, I'm staying" he insisted crossing his arms stubbornly. I almost started protesting but there really was nothing I could do about it. It was his fighter jet after all.

"Fine, you can stay, but you better make yourself useful" I mumble dreading spending time with Poe significantly less than normal. 

"Yes ma'am" He saluted sarcastically giving me a wink, and I turned my face away from him, to hide my flush. Maker what's wrong with me? I'm supposed to find him annoying, he's done nothing but bother me for the past couple weeks. 

—time skip—

I spent over an hour checking on Poe's x-wing trying to find any evidence that something was wrong with it. But no matter where I looked his ship was in perfect condition as far as I could tell. I climbed down from the hull of his jet and turned to Poe once I got to the ground. "I just don't know what to tell you, Poe, your ship seems to be in perfect condition" I informed him and he furrowed his eyebrows. He opened his mouth about to respond when Finn walked by.

"(Y/N), Poe! hey guys!" He shouted happily, giving me and Poe a hug. I looked at Poe to see if he had caught Finn's use of my name and it took him a minute but it finally sunk into his thick skull that Finn had used my name.

"(Y/N)" he pointed accusingly at me "your name is (y/n)" he insisted.

"Yes fine my name is (y/n) don't wear it out" I huffed crossing my arms and sending a frown toward Finn, who looked between the two of us confused. "Thanks a lot Finn" I mumbled. 

"what what'd I do?" he asked, confused, and Poe answered him

"I've been trying to get her name for the past 3 weeks, and she hasn't been giving it to me, but now thanks to you Finn, I have it" He beamed proudly, and my heart fluttered a little at the sight. How could he get so happy over just learning my name. 

"Yeah that was for a reason, but as I was saying Poe, I can't seem to find anything wrong with your ship" I changed the topic quickly, and Finn looked at me confused. 

"Of course, there's nothing wrong with his fighter" He looked between the two of us, and I watched Poe's eyes widen, and he cleared his throat repeatedly. "Shut up Poe, but yeah I saw him getting his ship diagnostic when he came in earlier" He looked at me with a shrug. 

"Pft Finn doesn't know what he's talking about that wasn't my fighter diagnostic" Poe tried to explain, but Finn interupted him. 

"Uh yes it was, I heard his diagnostic guy say yeah everything's good as usual Poe, and then you said perfect flying as usual, and then you-" Finn faltered off in his sentence as Poe elbowed him in the stomach. 

"Alright, Finn she gets it" He hissed pushing Finn away who hunched over cluching his stomach. I looked at Poe, an unemused expression on my face, my hand on my hip and my wrench clutched tightly in my other. Poe laughed nervously. "Haha well you uh see, um so I y'know," he trailed off as I narrowed my eyes at him. "Alright fine! My x-wing is in perfect condition, I lied so you'd be forced to talk to me" he admitted.

"Are you Kidding me, Dameron? I could have been in my workshop the whole time testing my prototype!" I fumed poking him in the chest. "But noooo you just had to come bother me and make up a story so I'd waste hours trying to fix a ship that DIDN'T NEED FIXING!" I screamed and Finn backed away slowly.

"Yeah I'm just- I'm gonna" He pointed off in another direction and ran that way leaving Poe to be the sole bearer of my fury.

"Hey hey hey (y/n)" he held his hands out in front of him. "The day wasn't a total waste..." he trailed off seeing my foot tap on the floor quickly. " I mean come on... I know your name now." He finished speaking a goofy half smile on I his face as I screamed my frustrations. I took a deep breath and calmed myself down pointing an accusatory finger at Poe.

"If you ever, and I mean EVER step foot into my workshop, or approach me to talk to me without having either an actual proper emergency. Or strict orders from a superior to come to get me, I will murder you in your sleep. Do you understand me, Dameron?" I threatened him my voice lowered to a deadly calm, and for once he had no snarky remark. He simply nodded and I watched his shoulders deflate as I smiled satisfied with his agreement. "Good" I announced turning sharply on my heel and walking back to my workshop.

"She's even hotter when she's angry BB" I heard Poe sigh wistfully behind me and BB-8 beeped sarcastically in response. I resisted the urge to turn back to look at him, and continued to stomp away leaving him behind me. What was it that made him keep seeking me out, not that I was complaining, a hot, funny guy persistently trying to get my attention? It's not the worst thing that could happen to me. As I entered my workshop I caught myself smiling over thoughts of Poe, in all his annoyingness, the pilot was kind of growing on me. But I'd rather be shot dead by a stormtrooper than let him know that.  

--Time skip-- 

It worked! My cloaking prototype worked! After having to postpone my diagnostic tests for weeks, I was finally able to block out all distractions and test it and it worked! I laughed pumping my fist in the air and doing a little happy dance around my workshop. The best feeling in the world was knowing something I created and worked hard on worked to perfection. Of course, I'd still have to test my prototype on a bigger subject before presenting it to Leia. I sat down in my chair and started writing down things I could test my device on before presenting it to the general. I knew she'd be ecstatic to see what I've come up with. I was in the middle of making my list of things I could test it on when the door to my workshop wooshed open. And the beeps of my favorite droid were heard.

"Oh BB! You're just in time!" I swiveled in my chair turning to face him a grin spread wide on my face. "My prototype is done and it works BB! Can you believe it! It actually works! A few more tests and we might be seeing this bad boy on every ship in our fleet!" I sighed wistfully talking over the little droids' beeps. It was only when he ran himself repeatedly into my leg that I snapped out of my own head and listened to what he was saying.

"What? What about Poe?" I asked in too good of a mood because of my prototype to be annoyed or even pretend to be annoyed at the mention of his name. "HE CRASHED HIS X-WING?!?" I shot up from my chair panicked. Poe is the best pilot in our whole operation if he crashed his fighter something must have gone very wrong. I grabbed as many tools as my belt could hold and ran out to the landing bay as fast as I could. I arrived in record time and searched the area for Poe's X-wing and found it quickly. Everyone was gathered around it and Finn was helping Poe climb out of the pilot's seat. Poe leaned on him heavily until his gaze caught mine and then he swatted his friend away insisting he was fine. I approached him and he smiled wincing and clutching his ribs in pain.

"Wow (y/n) if I didn't know you better I'd say you look concerned for me" he grinned masking how painful it was to simply stand there in front of me, once again swatting Finn away when he went to support Poe.

"You may annoy me Dame- Poe but believe it or not I care" I huffed watching him try to suppress a smile on his face.

"Awe you hear that Finn she cares!" He looked at Finn who gave him a grimace. "I can die a happy man" He put his hand to his forehead miming a faint, and I rushed to support him.

"Don't even joke about that you idiot" I stood him up straight. "Now what happened?" I asked trying to move out of Poe's hold, but even being injured, he sure kept a tight grip on me.

"Oh you know the usual x-wing crashes, caught in a blaster battle with some empire tie fighters and, my engine went down during hyperspace travel, luckily I managed to touch down at the launch bay, relatively safely." He retold his story animatedly, as I unknowingly held my breath.

"Dank Farrik, Poe, alright well you get to the med bay while I get started on repairing your ship," I told him trying to pass him off to Finn, who reached out to loop Poe's arm around his shoulder.

"Uh-uh, you're with me (Y/n), you're not working on my ship without me." he protested clinging onto me like a koala. Finn and I gave each other a look.

"But Poe, you have to get to the med bay, and your fighter should start undergoing repairs as soon as possible" My reasoning fell on deaf ears as Poe turned his head away. 

"my ship my rules" he insisted stubbornly. 

"Oh you- I- Kriffing hell Dameron you're stubborn! Let's get you to the med bay. Your ship will have to wait" I rolled my eyes at Poe's smug expression as he threw his arm over my shoulder keeping his other hand pressed against his ribs. 

-Time skip because I'm not a doctor- 

I sat in the waiting room of the med bay fiddling with the tools on my belt pacing back and forth. Finn watched me from where he sat. 

"You really do, care for him don't you," He remarked after a long silence, and it stunned me enough to stop my pacing. 

"I mean I barely know him..." I insisted knawing on my bottom lip. Finn raised his eyebrow. "I only met him a couple of weeks ago, but he's got a way of weaseling into your head," I mumbled laughing lightly. 

"Yeah he does... he really likes you y'know?" Finn remarked, and I turned towards him. "for real, he tells a lot of jokes and brushes a lot of things off with a laugh, but he hasn't stopped talking about the cute mechanic who made him his droid's second favorite person" Finn laughed, and my face softened. 

"I didn't know he liked me" I messed with the tools in my belt nervously. "I just thought- Kriff, I don't know what I thought" I mumbled sitting down next to Finn. 

"Just, give him a chance, or at the very least hear him out. You don't even know the crazy ideas he came to me with to try and get your attention." Finn nudged me making me look at him and laugh. I went to respond but was interrupted by the med bay nurse, she looked at us her gaze not telling.  

"We've diagnosed him and have done everything we can, now he just needs to rest and heal" she instructed, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding in. "you guys can go in and see him now" She turned and walked back through the door. Finn and I stood up at the same time and he gestured for me to go ahead. We walked through the door and found Poe's room. My breath caught in my throat at the sight of him in the bed. He was going to be the death of me, His wounds wrapped up with gauze and a lazy smile on his face. 

"you stayed" he murmured and I almost didn't hear him.

"of course I did, I was" I glanced at Finn for a brief second and took a deep breath. "I was worried about you Poe" I walked closer to him and sat on the edge of his bed. 

"you were worried about me" he reached for my hand then, and I didn't pull it away. 

"Yeah but don't let it go to your head" I chuckled sniffling. Finn stepped forward. 

"How are you feeling," He asked. 

"like shit" Poe laughed, wincing and bringing his hand up to his ribs. 

"Careful man" Finn replied, and Poe waved him off. 

"I'm fine" He hissed in pain trying to sit up. 

"you're obviously not" I cut in, trying to coax Poe back to a lying down position, he refused and sat up. 

"I'm gonna go check in with the nurse and see what's wrong with him," Finn announced, giving me a meaningful glance. He walked out of the room and I listened to his footsteps fade. Poe and I sat in silence before I snuck a look at him, he was already looking at me. I took a deep breath and spoke. 

"So... Finn told me you came up with all sorts of crazy plans to get my attention" I watched his eyes widen a little before he schooled his features. 

"Yeah, well y'know" He replied nonchalantly but I heard the waver in his voice. 

"I don't actually" I giggled, and he smiled a bit as I moved closer to him. 

"I didn't have to use any of them anyway, turns out all I needed to do to get your attention was end up in med bay" He smiled. "hurts like hell but I think it's worth it to get you to care" My face flushed as I tried to hide the smile blooming on my face. "So, when I get out of this prison will you let me take you for dinner." He asked, I contemplated my answer for a moment, I nodded slightly, and he grinned widely. "Wooooo" He cheered enthusiastically, and I laughed, we fell into silence, and I fiddled with my hands. I looked back up at him, but he was already looking at me with a smile on his face. I flushed and tucked my hair behind my ear. "Can I kiss you?" He asked and I looked at him my eyes widened slightly. "Please?" He added quieter than I've ever heard him before. He sounded almost nervous. He quickly regained his composure. "I mean I'm just so wounded, and it would make me feel better." He pleaded jokingly. I chewed on my bottom lip fighting a smile, he was so handsome, I leaned forward my mouth next to his ear.

"you're so pretty, Dameron" I whispered, leaning back slightly, smiling at the awestruck look on his face, I committed it to memory and closed my eyes leaning in and pressing my lips against his. It lasted no more than a couple of seconds before I pulled away, and when I did I watched him take a deep breath. "speechless for once?" I asked teasingly, and he smiled bashfully.

"I've been wanting to do that for a while" He admitted bringing his hand up to brush some hair out of my face. I leaned into his touch, and he moved his hand to the back of my neck and pulled me in for another kiss. I leaned into it, letting him lead, moving my lips in sync with his. He pushed against me eagerly deepening the kiss. I ran my hand through his hair tugging gently, he groaned and I smiled. His hand made its way to my thigh rubbing circles with his thumb. We only broke apart from each other at the sound of a throat clearing from the doorway. 

"got a little excited there Poe?" Finn chuckled motioning to the heart monitor by his bed which was beeping quickly. Finn and I laughed,  "the doctor said they're gonna keep you here a couple more days, just to keep an eye on you." Finn announced, and Poe groaned at the thought of spending more time in the med bay bed. 

"Hey I'll come visit you" I smiled tucking my hand under his chin and giving him a kiss on his forehead, I moved back so I could leave the room with Finn. Poe didn't let me back away before giving me another kiss. He finally let me go, and I moved away from his bed. "Get some rest Poe" I smiled. 

"Come back soon!" He told me, "I'll be sure to get better fast so I can take you on that date." He smiled slyly and I rolled my eyes. 

"Alright, bye Poe" I walked out the door. Finn followed behind me. I smiled, as Finn and I walked alongside each other leaving the med bay. 

"soo... took my advice I see" He teased elbowing me, gently. 

"Oh, shut up Finn" I rolled my eyes. We walked down across the grass to get back to my workshop. We walked in silence, for half the way there, when Finn cleared his throat and spoke up again. 

"He did it on purpose, y'know" Finn said hesitantly, and I looked at him confused. 

"did what," I asked. 

"uh, crashed his x-wing... he did it on purpose..." Finn mumbled, and I looked at him my mouth falling open. "it was one of the crazy plans he came up with to get your attention after you told him not to bug you anymore when he lied about having problems with his ship. So he figured if he had an actual emergency..." Finn trailed off and I clenched my fists at my side. I. was. fuming. 

"Kriffing hell, you mean to tell me he purposefully put himself in danger just so I would give him the time of day?!?!" I shouted. "Maker, of all the stupid, recklessly idiotic, ways he could have gotten my attention he had to go and get himself hurt, and put in the med bay" I fumed, ooh when I got my hands on Dameron. I looked at Finn really quick, and he gave me a questioning look. Before I bolted running back the way we came to the med bay. 

"(Y/N)" Finn shouted after me and I heard him running to catch up with me, I sprinted into the med bay building and arrived at Poe's door right as I saw Finn turn the corner barrelling towards me. I kicked open Poe's door. 

"DAMERON" I yelled and he turned towards me a smile on his face, the smile quickly vanishing when he saw the anger displayed on my face. His expression morphed quickly into one of fear, Finn stepped into the door frame, reaching forward to grab me and hold me back. "You're an idiot Dameron, of all the ways you could've gotten my attention you had to go and injure yourself! Do you know how worried I was? What if you had died huh? What if you got so hurt you could never fly again huh?" I tried to peel Finn's hands off of me, as I yelled at Poe. "when you get out of here ooh you're gonna be in so much trouble" I yelled Finn finally being able to drag me out of the room kicking and yelling at Poe the whole time. 

"I'll see you when I'm out!" Poe yelled.

--Time skip-- 

I didn't go visit him in the med bay, I was still fuming at him for purposefully crashing his x-wing just to get my attention. It was stupid and irresponsible, but I suppose it was kind of sweet that he was so desperate to get my attention. I sighed, I should go apologize for yelling at him. It wasn't fair for me to yell at him after he'd gotten in an accident, especially since it was on my account. I sat at my desk fiddling with a bit of scrap metal, and wiring. I had to find him and apologize. I was about to get my jacket and head out to find him and apologize to him when I heard a knock at my door. I guess his apology would have to wait.

"(Y/n)" A voice called out from the other side of the door. I tried to make it out. " I know you're in there" It was Poe, he must have been released from the med bay. I walked to my workshop door and unlocked it using the keypad I had installed, the door immediately wooshed open, revealing him on the other side of the door.  "(y/n) Hey," he said earnestly when he saw me standing there.

"hey, Dameron" I mumbled, not making eye contact with him.

"back to Dameron am I?" He joked halfheartedly, "listen um" I finally looked at him and he looked back at me with these big puppy dog eyes. My throat dried up, wow he was handsome, handsome but oh so stupid. "I um, I just wanted to apologize for making you worry like that, I was just so desperate for your attention, and you just wouldn't give me the time of day, but it was no reason for me to go and risk my life like that, it was reckless and irresponsible, I'm sorry" He rambled, and I smiled, here he was after spending days in the med bay cause he purposefully crashed his x-wing to get my attention, and he was apologizing for making me worry. I looked at him with a smile and pulled him in towards me for a kiss, I pulled away from him. And he looked at me with a dumbstruck look on his face. 

"Poe, Poe, Poe, it's okay" I interrupted him, sparing him from rambling any longer. "it's okay, I overreacted" I gripped his shirt tightly. "I was just so upset 'cause it really was irresponsible and dumb of you to crash an x-wing just for my attention, I didn't like seeing you hurt, especially when there were other ways for you to get my attention" I mumbled smiling slightly. 

"I know, I know, I'm sorry" He replied pulling me in for another kiss. I smiled into the kiss, feeling his hands drift to my waist. He pulled away not going very far. "Can you ever forgive me?" He asked teasingly. 

"I guess I can" I wrapped my arms around his neck. "As long as you promise never to do it again." He nodded excitedly, "good" I gave him another soft kiss on the lips. 

"Alright, cool cool" he smiled, "So if you're not busy, Finn, Rey and I are going down for dinner at the canteen, if you want to join us." He asked and I chuckled, "yeah I know not exactly the dinner date you probably had in mind but I'll take you out, for real this week." I nodded. 

"yeah, I've got some time" I answered. I walked back into my workshop to grab my jacket slipping it on. Walking back to the door I gestured for Poe to move out of the way, and I stepped to the other side turning to lock the door with the control panel. "alright I'm ready to go" I smiled, and we made our way to the canteen his hand slipping into mine.

--Fin--

QOTD: Who's your favorite star wars character?

Join my discord: https://discord.gg/9bwRmtXCuB

[cal-cium-the-nerd]

Just finished writing my second short story for MoL! This friday (nov 22) I’ll start editing them as I’ll have a lot more free time by then. I don’t want to promise anything, but if things go well, I might be able to post some of them before november ends. 

Most of the other stories are already by 50% (In total, so far I have 9 short stories, 2 of which are complete. 26063 words as of right now. Am I a masochist? Probably). 

Also, one of those is centered around Kirielle, Nochka, and Kana’s adventures! I’ve been having some problems figuring out how to write from Kirielle’s point of view, but I’m positive I’ll work it out soon. (Another one is a family meeting between the Kazinski siblings. Chaos ensues). 

In the meantime, I’ve been toying around with an idea for a new story (because apparently I’m not sure if I already had too much on my plate and I hate myself). I’m not sure if I want to do a “5 times people wrongly assumed Zach and Zorian were a couple and one time they were right” or “5 times people didn’t notice Zach and Zorian were a couple and 1 time they did”. They are kind of similar ideas, but at the same time not?? I’m kind of inclined towards the second one, but what do you guys think? (they asked their 3 followers) (I love you guys, you’re the best).

At the same time, I don’t want all my stories to be Zach/Zorian (-central. Since they are in love with each other, at least implicitly, in all of my stories, even if they don’t interact), since I’m worried they’ll become repetitive, so if anyone has an idea or wants to read something about other characters (like Ilsa, Kael, Imaya, Xvim, Alanic, Orissa, Taiven, Red Robe, Quatach-ichl, Zorian’s simulacrums, Zach’s simulacrums, etc) don’t be scared to request anything! (by comments, reblogs, asks, or dm). Tell me what you think!

[londonsquitebiggg]

THE ONE - Part One

^^^ this is the town in which my story is based^^^

Krista's Pov,

*BEEP, BEEP, BEEP*

"mmmmhhhmmmmm" I groan rolling over to turn off the horrid sound that is my alarm.

Today was the first day back at school after a very long summer break! I'm not excited to go back to campus today but I can't wait to see Sam, we have been the best of friends since we were born.

I start my day off with my normal routine, I wake up, reluctantly got out of my warm bed and walk into my in suite bathroom. I plugged my IPhone into my Ihome port and put my music on shuffle as I hopped into the shower. After I washed my hair with my strawberries and cream shampoo and conditioner, and washed my body with my strawberry body wash (Okay so I love the scent of strawberry don't judge me!). I washed the soapy suds off my body and shut off the water. I dried myself off with my big fluffy towel.

As I walked out of the bathroom and headed to my walk in closet trying to figure out what to wear today, I peaked out of my window to see what the weather was like, it was the same as always, hot and sunny! I decided on a tealy greenish cropped tank top, some ripped skinny jeans, and some white lace toms.

After I'm dressed I walk over to my vanity and plugged in my straightener to try and tame my mess of hair. While waiting for it to heat up I did my make-up which consisted of some concealer to mask my dark circles, a bit of powder to make my face look less oily,  some mascara, a little bit of blush, of course I did my eyebrows, and put on my chap stick. I'm not a huge fan of make up mainly because I honestly don't know how to do it but I also am too insecure to not where any at all so I do what I can.

Once deciding that this was as good as it was going to get I  ran my straightener through my hair till it was less of a mess and more of a wavy look. I walked to my bathroom to brush my teeth, and put on perfume and deodorant so I wouldn't smell ,  I pinned my hair back so I was out of my face and put a hair band on my wrist in case I needed to put it up later in the day. I grabbed my phone and backpack and headed downstairs to get some breakfast.

I guess it's about time that I introduced myself, my name is Krista Mayfield, I live in High Water, North Carolina, I'm currently 17 but my birthday is just three short days way. I am a Sophomore in college, I know that I'm technically "too young" but I worked my booty off and graduated high school early so it works. I still live at home with my family, we have our own house cause my Father is the Alpha of our pack.

Yes. I know what your thinking and it's true, I'm a werewolf. Well I will be you see, I'm 17 still and I haven't shifted yet so I don't have my wolf yet. That will all change soon though, just three days and I will shift and I'll be able to start looking for my mate.

"Krista get your breakfast before your father eats it all!" I heard my mom call me and walk into the kitchen, I grab some toast and a banana not feeling all that hungry and also running late to meet Sam at the school.

I kissed my mom on the cheek "Morning mom! I have to get to school early to meet Sam, I love you! Bye" I rushed as I grabbed my keys off the hook, almost out the door when my Father's voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Krista, there are some new wolves that are on our territory looking for their mates, they'll be attending your school so if you see them be nice please? I don't want them to feel unwelcome, they are from a neighboring pack and their families are old friends" I nod my head in response kiss my dad on the cheek, and rush off to school.

After a thirty minute drive I pull up to school and jump out, I saw Sam and I screamed as we ran to each other we crashed into a big bear hug, (yes we are those friends).

"Oh my gosh I missed you so much!" She said and we broke the hug. "I know I don't know how I survived without you!" Man was that the truth.

We saw each other over break, of course. Spent lots of time at the beach and just hanging out in general, I mean we practically lived at each others houses! However Sam's birthday was a month and a half ago, so she had to start her training and also her family went on a vacation for like three weeks so I haven't seen her as much as usual as of late.

We were out front of the English department when the we realized the time. We walked to our first lecture of the day and picked out our seats and put our stuff down, I went over to Sam and started to talk about her trip before the teacher got there, I wanted to know everything.

During the conversation I heard the door open but was too involved in my conversation with Sam and some of our other friends that had joined upon their arrival. Sam stopped talking and focused on something behind me, she was staring wide eyed, I wanted to know what had her so distracted. I turned around and there was four cute boys, well three cute boys and one extremely hot one, he had brown hair styled in this messy, effortless pushed back style, he was wearing all black and from the looks of his arms he had A LOT of tattoos... he is SO hot! I was basically drooling at how absolutely stunning the god like man.When suddenly I remembered that my birthday is in a couple of days and I will be able to find my mate and I know for a fact that the moon goddess would never me with someone as hot as him no matter how much I have prayed for basically a mate just like him I knew he was just too far out of my league. Plus he definitely is one of the wolves looking for his mate, not to mention that he's probably a lot older then me he has to be at least 25-26, I mean age doesn't really matter when mates and werewolves are involved but I could practically feel the power radiating off of him and I didn't even have my wolf yet! there is no way that I would be paired with such a strong Alpha!

Harry's Pov,

I'm not going to go into detail about my morning mainly because its not very interesting, I got up, got dressed, and drove to the new school I'm attending while one the BloodMoon Packs territory. Alpha Mayfield told me that a lot of the wolves from his pack go to this school which I could tell by the smell but I could also smell some humans, So it's a mixed school which is common considering it's a big city and it's not just a werewolf community.

I'm Harry, I'm here in High Water to try to find my mate, I'm 26 years old so I'm starting to get concerned that I don't have one. Which would be bloody terrible if you ask me but if that's what the Moon Goddess has planned for me then I guess I don't have much of a choice, but that sure as hell isn't going to stop me from looking for her.

I grew up in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. You guessed it, I'm British. My family moved to the states when I was 16 after our Pack was attacked, my father was lost that night, my mother was lucky enough to be blessed with her second chance mate, Robin when we moved here. He was an Alpha of one of the biggest packs in America. My sister Gemma she found her mate last year, He took over Robins stop as Alpha and Gemma is now our Luna, I'm be an Alpha but I lost that opportunity from not having a mate yet. It didn't really bother me, I would be the Beta of our pack unless I don't find my mate, or unless she is to become the Luna of a pack, making me her Alpha... If she accepts me that is.

"Harry! my main man, nice of you to finally show up" one of my best mates Louis said knocking me out of my thoughts as I walked up to our group.

"Yeah, I figured if I'm here to find my mate I should get out of the house and start looking around shouldn't I?" I jokingly replied.

As he was about to say some smartass response when we noticed everyone rushing inside and we figured it was time to head to class, we didn't want to be late to class on our first day, well we didn't care about being late to class we just didn't want to miss an opportunity to find our mates. We were all just leisurely walking a when I suddenly got wind of this amazing, intoxicating, overwhelming, and addicting smell of Lavender, Cedar wood, and what I could only describe as sugar, my wolf Marcus was howling with glee, he kept chanting

"Mate, Mate, go to mate"

Over and over again, I started walking a little bit faster towards following her smell which lucky for me lead right to my first lecture I was so lost in her sweet smell, I could barely see straight. I opened the door and almost fainted at sight of my gorgeous mate. She was tall and tan, she had perfect long blond hair that was pulled back away from her face in a natural wavy style, She had the most stunning face that I had ever seen, she had very little make-up on which worked because she didn't need any she was so gorgeous, she was wearing very skinny ripped jeans that hugged her in all the right places and a green crop top that showed her skin which made me mad because I didn't want anyone else seeing what was mine!

I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth when I caught her checking me out, wondering if she was think about me in the same manner that I was thinking about her. Shit, it's taking every ounce of self control I have to not rush at her and claim her right here right now!

But just the she realized something and turned around, which made Marcus whimper because that means she didn't recognize me as her mate, or she did and didn't want me. I couldn't help the longing to walk up to her and say hello, to tell her how beautiful she was, how much I wanted her, how much I loved her eyes. So that is exactly what I did. I walked my way over to her and tapped on her shoulder.

"Hey, my names Harry, It's nice to meet you." I introduced myself to her once she turned around.

"Hi, I'm Krista, I don't mean to sound rude so if it comes across that way I'm sorry. But why are you talking to me? I mean your so hot and so much older then me...I.. uhhh.. umm I mean your like older and you don't want to embarrass yourself on the first day here talking to the awkward nerd when you could get in with the top of the food chain so easily with your looks.. I mean age...  I mean I'm, I'm going to shut up now " My little mate was rambling with nerves, making me chuckle at how adorable she looked all flustered, not to mention that she called me hot, but I didn't like the fact that she thought that she was embarrassing, a nerd, or saying that I was so old, Kind of hurt the ego a bit... I guess her hot comment could make up for that.

"What are you talking about? I'm only twenty-six??". I asked her confused.

"Yeah and I'm only sevente.." before she could finish her friend cut her off.

"Oh come on Krista you know your turning eighteen in like three days." my cute little mate was blushing at the reveal of her birthday being so close, especially it being such an important one.

It all made so much sense to me now, she wasn't rejecting me, she didn't recognize me as her mate because she hasn't shifted or got her wolf yet. Without her wolf senses she wouldn't be able to identify my smell, or feel our mate pull as intense, she would still feel it but she wouldn't be able to understand why she is feeling things towards me.

"Oh well, don't worry I just wanted to introduce myself to such a gorgeous girl as yourself, I'll see you around love" as I was walking away I winked at her and she blushed, bloody hell she looks so innocent when she blushes. It makes me want to do very unholy things to her! Which is okay because I am her mate but if anyone else was thinking these things about it I would rip their throat out.

I turn my head back as I walk back to the guys, because and can't stand not looking at her for longer than three seconds and I see her looking at me a bit flustered, her breathing is labored and her cheeks are tinted the most beautiful shade of pink. It's good to know that my words had there intended effect on her, 1 point Harry.

Krista's Pov

I can't believe that he just freakin' talked to me!!! Like the hottest guy that I have ever seen in my life just came and talked to me, he literally just called me love! Let's not  forget he called me gorgeous!! I think something is wrong with his eyes I mean has he seen me? I mean don't get me wrong I know I'm not ugly, I just don't think that I am pretty enough for the literal hottest guy to say I'm gorgeous!!!

Also how sweet is he to talk to me and not even care about my nerdy status! I mean the wolves here wouldn't dare disrespect me like that but the other students here find every excuse they can to pick on my age and my grades.. which doesn't make sense to me? like you come to college because you want to learn stuff so you can get a good job.. why would you want to have bad grades????

"what the heck just happened???" Sam said pulling me out of my thoughts.

"I have no stinkin' idea! like did you see that man? like holy smokes he is good looking" I said fanning myself trying to cool down, feeling like the temperature has risen like 20 degrees in here since him and his friends walked in.

"And let's not forget that incredibly sexy British accent!!" One of my best friends Ashlyn said. No matter how much I agree with that statement, it was makes me feel super annoyed that she just called him sexy, why am I feeling this way? Normally I would be blushing at her use of the word "sexy" but no I'm fuming with anger at the thought of someone else finding him attractive!

"Get a grip woman! You have no claim over him!" my subconscious screams at me. As much as this irritates me I know she is right. He isn't my mate and I don't have any sort of claim on him... he isn't mine.

"Do you think he is one of the wolves that's here looking for his mate?" Ashlyn questioned.

"I would assume so. I've never seen any of them before, heck I didn't even know we had wolves coming on our territory until my dad said something this morning. Why do you ask?" Was my reply to her, irritated that she was intrigued with him.

" Well I'm just wondering why he came over and was talking to you of all people".....OUCH! that was kind of harsh. I mean I'm as surprised as anyone that he was talking to me. I know that I'm not the prettiest girl around but I wouldn't expect one of my best friends to be so shocked that I could actually attract male attention.

As if sensing what I was thinking, probably because I wear my feelings on my face, she jumped into action to dig herself out of this hole.

"I didn't mean it in the way that you are thinking!! I just meant that his whole purpose here in High Water is to find his mate, so by him coming and talking to the most literally prettiest girl in school, I assume that means that he hasn't found his mate yet which means that talking to you could come across as him being a guy who doesn't put his mate first and flirts with other girls before he finds her... or he found her and he's a huge player..." Ashlyn nervously rambled, making some really good points.

" I don't know Ash, maybe we should consider the fact that maybe Krista is his mate??" Sam cut in. Both mine and Ash's heads snapped towards her staring in shock and confusion.

"I mean, she doesn't have her wolf yet so she wouldn't have been able to sense if she was. But he doesn't come off as the kind of guy to cheat on his mate, and he's twenty-six. Don't you think he is a little too old and mature to be flirting with girls that aren't his mate?" She said trying to explain her logic.

" I mean, yeah but like me? And him? I mean that's funny Sam I don't think the Moon Goddess would do him that disservice. I mean he is way out of my league! We aren't even playing the same game that's how far out of my league he is." Was my response to her outrageous theory.

"oh don't start this crap again! Krista you are the most gorgeous girl in the whole world! As much as you don't believe it, Sam's right. I mean his whole purpose of coming her is to find her, why would he jeopardize that by making her insecure and jealous of you?" Said Ash, They hate it when I talk bad about myself.

"And don't bring the Moon Goddess into this! You know just as much of the rest of us that, looks, age , and status have nothing to do with who she pairs you with! All that matters is that your mate is your other half. They complete you! Heck, your probably the best mate that guy could get!" Sam said being the best friend ever and boosting my confidence up a little.

I looked over my shoulder behind me at him, my mind jumbled with the possibilities of me and him being mates. As if sensing me staring his head turned at that exact moment. Gorgeous green eyes locked with mine, a stupidly attractive smirk on his face. It was that moment when Professor O'Neil walked in telling us to find our seats so we could start. It was like he knew how he was affecting me, my breathing labored, my cheeks flushed, and my heart pounding.

I couldn't tare my eyes away, he chuckled as he winked at me and faced the front to pay attention to what our Professor was saying. I rushed to my seat, trying to calm myself down and control my breathing. Trying to pay attention to my English lecture, but was struggling because my mind kept floating back to what Sam said.. could I really be his mate? Maybe.. but if I truly was, why didn't he say anything?

[bumbershots]

A CERTAIN ROMANCE

CHAPTER THREE: WHO ARE YOU?

Author’s note: Hello! Once more I would like to thank you all for the love this story’s been getting, it truly blows my mind. I am also looking for a beta reader so if anyone out there is interested let me know! (: Let’s pick up right where we left off...

Story masterlist ** Word count: 2.3K **

Two souls don't find each other by simple accident, Harry thought after taking a seat for the first time that night, his feet were probably going to be swollen tomorrow, they were killing him already. But he wasn't keen on turning down a dance from the girl collapsing in the settee right next to him. A slow Amy Winehouse song was their cue to rest.

"Do you want a beer?" Her voice sounded a bit hoarse, probably from all the giggling and singing she did while dancing the night away.

"Yes please."

He watched her trot to the small bar on the other side of the flat, focused on how the multiple bracelets bounced in her left wrist as she instructed her brother which beer to give her. As she came back to take her previous seat, he felt a small wave of anxiety for wanting nothing more than to start a conversation with her, as she handed him the beer. Usually it was the other way around, but in most of the cases, people wanted to know his persona.

He knew the silence was becoming awkward, but he was still debating whether to ask about her upbringing or what she did for work, whatever the case was, he didn't want to make a fool out of himself, he almost never seemed to be that lucky.

"You're not used to people being calm around you, are you?" Alma’s frown os curiosity is a mirror to the one on the musician's face.

"Yes and no?" Harry's coy tone makes her smile warmly and shake her head in denial, "so, I'm Hampstead station guy?" Her eyes widen, a shy smile appears on her full lips before she takes another large sip of her drink.

"It's unlikely to find the same person thrice in the tube! I told my friend Laura, it felt like a glitch in the matrix." She answers and he lets out an amused laugh.

"For the record, I wasn't following you, at all..."

"I know, you just had to take the same line I did and it was a happy coincidence," she interrupts him, the new song gathers a few more dancers and Harry wonders if she will ask him to dance again, "although it would've made a great anecdote for my YouTube channel; story time, a famous musician follows me around the city possibly plotting my painful death." She joked as she gingerly flashed her hands before the two of them, as if presenting the latest play from the West End.

It was Harry's eyes turn to be wide and smack his hand into his forehead.

"You have a YouTube channel?" His interest was genuine and Alma made herself more comfortable on the sofa, before proceeding to fill him in about what that was about, just videos about her 'sort of interviewing remarkable people' or so she claimed.

It was something that started as a class project back when she was seventeen, trying to get good grades to win a scholarship and study abroad —none of those things happened. She kept doing it afterwards because it was too much fun, once she interviewed all her friends, she moved onto her family. "Believe me when I tell you, that I have more relatives than I should!" With a smile as big as hers, he sighed before breathing 'lucky' as his heart sped and she continued.

Restaurant owners, chefs, firefighters, barristers, doctors, accountants, waitresses, sexual workers, sex shop employees, bankers, homeless people, hairdressers and apparently every person from her home country had been on the informal interview series. Harry was impressed with the whole concept and her.

"I sort of abandoned it a little when I moved here last year, it was crazy busy the first couple of months and the whole bureaucracy... and I was a little homesick to be honest." For the first time in the night, her voice is thinner, he has to lean in a few inches to hear better, "I miss my parents, my cousins, my aunt, my grandparents. But this is something I've wanted for the longest time you know?" Her eyes bore into his, allowing him to see the vulnerability swimming in them, "I've never felt like an outsider here, never got lost in the tube, took the wrong bus or anything like that. Isn't it weird?" Harry smiled at the sentiment, thoughts of his latest trip to Japan flashing before him.

"No, I think it's marvellous that you feel that way." He cannot be real, is the only thing running through her mind like a restless hamster in its wheel.

Harry and Alma talked about everything they didn’t have in common, despite the brief interruptions to do some shots and drink champagne with the birthday boy. Their families were discussed, their favourite things to do in the summer. Alma even asked him how was work going, as if she didn’t know that he was one of th world’s most successful artists. Harry was thrilled to joke through their drinks and the girl wasn't shy to ask him for a couple more dances. None of them noticed the partying dying around them, it was only after Fernando said his goodbyes to his laughing sister, that they noticed how late/early it actually was.

Before they knew it, golden hues streamed through the window behind them as Freddie walked out of his room and offered them coffee.

"I'm never drinking straight vodka again," Freddie mumbled to himself after finishing his cup of coffee.

"At least it wasn't Vodquila like last time," Alma's words make him groan but agree. "I should go now, need a shower and a healthy breakfast."

After Harry also admitted he needed to be on his way, with all their belongings gathered and after saying goodbye to a very ill Freddie, neither Harry or Alma looked forward to their imminent separation. He had spent hours hearing how busy she is, when not recording content, she was working at Wenzel's and teaching Spanish to her neighbour's daughter on the weekends. Still, he was determined to meet with her again.

As soon as they started moving down the street, Harry noticed the next one was where he had to turn right in order to go home. It wasn't a short walk but the most effective route for sure.

"So, the bus stop is that way," Alma nodded her head to the left, smirking knowingly as she stuffs her hands in her coat pockets.

"Of course," they had come to a rolling stop at the corner. Harry suddenly felt beyond nervous about asking the girl for her phone number. "Thank you, for keeping me company last night." It was amazing he wanted to add, but licked his lips quickly instead.

"You mean keeping you from catching up with all your friends," she corrected him.

Harry shakes his head and smiles, the dimples graciously adorning his cheeks, his racing heart giving him the last push needed to finally ask. "Do you think we could go, like for coffee... sometime?” With that she laughed, immediately memorising the sound of it, her loud cackle is one of the nicest things he has heard in awhile.

"Only if I can buy you something from the selection of pastries." Harry laughed loudly, completely relieved by her answer. She dug around her purse for a moment before taking out a pen and what seemed to be an old receipt, quickly scribbling down her number and handing it to him.

"I'll call you," he beamed, carefully placing the piece of paper in his wallet. He'd be an idiot to lose such a precious fragment of information.

"Looking forward to it," Alma smiled at him for one last time before she started walking to the opposite direction. "See you around Harry." His face was a bit puffy from not having slept properly, but she would be lying to say he didn’t look adorable at the same time.

He waved and watched her walked away, her sweet and tired morning smile seemed to be engraved into the musician's mind as he headed home.

The air was still a bit cold, but the heat was starting to rise and plague London for the rest of the day, the hot summer everyone's been yearning for was finally here, even Harry could feel it in his bones as he continued down his path. He was still highly enamoured by the amazing night he spent sharing a piece of himself with Alma. His feet felt heavy, were even burning a little, but it was nothing as he made his way through his home gate twenty minutes later.

He decided to get some toast and a cuppa for breakfast, his high spirits not faltering even one bit although he could feel the consequences from the all-nighter already with each yawn. After eating he decided to take a shower that got him ready for a well deserved sleep in his comfortable bed.

Waking up around six o'clock startles him at first, Harry is well rested now but a bit grumpy for the weird taste on his tongue, something usual after drinking beer. He scolds himself for not brushing his teeth earlier as he walks in his bathroom. The cool tiles against his bare feet wake him up a bit more. After some needed dental hygiene, Harry gets dressed to go out and pick up his sister for their weekly dinner. Hopefully he can convince her to stay in, that way he can go on and on about the events from the night before.

His feet still hurt, he can even feel a blister underneath his big toe. But it doesn't bother him, it's actually a nice reminder of the incredible things that miraculously happened. Harry knew that since Alma was related to Fernando, someone that was bound to be in his life for the next six months or so, there was a big chance they would've met at some point. But he'd rather think it was fate, some sort of good karma coming round, he stared at her contact on his phone, still charmed by the fact that she gave it to him on the back of a receipt. Ignoring that she only did it that way, because the thought of asking for his mobile to enter it herself, was a very bold move. And Alma wasn’t really that confident, not when his green eyes were boring into hers anyway.

"When are you gonna call her then?" Gemma's voice snaps him out of his daydream for the third time during their quiet dinner in her flat. "What is it? You've got that look."

"What look?" He asks before his sister frowns and pinches her bottom lip with her thumb and index finger. It's his nervous quirk, he sighs, "I don't know, I'm just so nervous." Without a valid reason, he knows the girl is so lovely, maybe that's why.

"You're afraid of fucking it up," she knows, Harry nods. "Well, you could tell her that, perhaps on a text—

"—I want to call her, texting her will make me feel a wanker." Gemma smiles at her little brother, he looked uncharacteristically unsure of himself but nonetheless excited. It was endearing how the first thing he told her after crossing her home's threshold was 'my life is officially a chick flick!' Before proceeding to explain with detail about the whole situation.

"What about a text that reads: hello, this is Harry please save my number so when I find the guts to call you, you don't think it's a telemarketing scam," Gemma might be joking and mocking him all at once, but has a point. A text so she also has his number, makes the situation more even, she can call him too. "Assuming she gave you a real phone number."

"What?" Harry is mortified.

"I'm kidding, you should've seen your face," his sister wanted to drag a bit more her joke, but the preoccupied look on his face stopped her. Gemma couldn't wait to tell their mum, knowing that she would be just as absorbed. "There's nothing wrong with showing interest right away. If you want this to be honest and genuine, set an example." She finished before taking the last bite of pizza.

Harry knew that to be true, but now he was left wondering if it was the right time for him. Had he really left behind all the ghosts and baggage from his past? Or was he still carrying them in the new tattoos of his knees?

Despite his sister's encouraging words about how nothing could go wrong this early with Alma, he couldn't help but wonder if his still grieving heart was ready.

He takes his time walking back home, not caring if it was a really long one, he was aware of the curious eyes once he reached the Southbank but paid no attention to them. He welcomed the chill breeze, hoping for it to cool his boiling mind. Remembering the last time he walked along the river arms around his former flame, her laughter still ringing in his ears, her tender kisses in his knuckles, her delicious scent flying away with the airstream into London's sunshine.

Missing someone is not wrong, Harry reminds himself.

There's no point going down the rabbit hole of what ifs about their relationship. Harry can admit his mistakes, no matter how hard it comes to him, he can also apologise wholeheartedly. He did all those things already, months ago. Which is why he was able to keep her as a friend, not a close one, more like an acquaintance. And she's happy, he can see that, knows it.

Why does he feel like he's still drowning? He's already been pulled from the vast ocean of hers. Harry groans, struggles to open his gate, his good spirits from this morning nowhere to be found.

He doesn't know if it's the memory of her, the fear of loneliness, coincidence and laziness, or a bad habit? But he doesn't text the girl with warm brown eyes, instead he plays the voicemail that sometimes haunts his nightmares, on repeat, for the rest of the night.

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Next chapter

[davidcarner]

Wanting It All Ch 2, The More Things Change

A/N: A lot of you seem to like it. It has raised a ton of questions. For the record, Halfachance's wonder May Your Walls Have Joy gave me the itch to write an actual child again. Also for the record, I do have a single parent fic where Chuck and Jill are the parents, and Jill is out of the picture. Who knows, someday I may yank that one out. (Perhaps I should finish one of these first). Currently wrestling with chapter six. My beta and I actually co-wrote it and she plotted it. I find myself smiling a lot with that one. To clarify, both Chuck and Jenny/Sarah think the other hurt them….but they can't both be right, can they? Surely these two who communicate so well, and were 17 at the time didn't make any assumptions, right? (was the sarcasm too subtle?) By the time this chapter is over, you're going to have *some* answers. Strap in, Ellie gets involved, and things are, well, complicated. (DON'T TWITCH THAT EYEBROW AT ME ELLIE!) Welcome to Wanting It All Ch 2, The More Things Change.

Disclaimer: I don't own Chuck, and I honestly felt a little scared for Sarah writing this.

"Mommy, should we get Mr. Chuck a present?" Jordan asked from his seat. Sarah smiled at the thoughtfulness of her son. Birthdays hadn't meant a lot in her life until a certain one nine years ago that had changed her life. There was also the one just two months ago that had changed it again.

-ooooo-

2 months ago

"I don't know how you do it," Felicia said to her. There were six children at the party, 6 adults, but Daniel was no where to be seen, again.

"I do believe I'm not the first single mom in the history of the world," Sarah said with a grin.

"Oh, not that, having the dad around for four years now without making an ultimatum." Sarah gave her a look. "Listen, I'm not judging you, I'm saying I don't know how you do it. He's a good looking guy, you're obviously both in to each other if your still together for this long."

"I wouldn't say together," Sarah said, shrugging. "What we have works."

"See, that's what I'm saying, if Brad missed this party…" she trailed off and shrugged.

Sarah gave her a smile. "Can you watch them a second?" Felicia nodded and Sarah snuck off to the back bedroom. She pulled out her cellphone and made a call, after the third ring she heard his voice. "Hey, good mission?"

"There's no mission," he said, sounding confused.

"Oh, well, Jordan is having his birthday party."

"I know, you told me, wait…did he not get his gift?"

"He did," she said, slowly. "If there's no mission then why are you not here?"

"Sarah, I don't want him to get to attached, you never know when my next one could be my last one."

"That's kinda why you need to be here now, Daniel, you're his father."

"Sarah, we agreed," he said, as if that should be the end of the conversation.

"I have to go, MY son is having a party and one of his parents needs to be there."

"Sarah-" she hung up, put the phone on silent, and went back to the party.

It was evening, Jordan was in bed after his big day, and Sarah was sipping a glass of wine. She looked at her computer and the application she was thinking about submitting. It was away from here, and back to him. God, why go back there? He had broken her heart in ways she didn't think possible. He owed her answers. She knew it was nearly eight years, but he owed her a why. Why would he hurt her? How could HE hurt her? It was so unlike him, but he did. It didn't make sense. She snorted, nothing about the two of them made sense.

She'd failed seduction class at the farm because of him. She couldn't use guns correctly because all she could think about was him, and his look anytime anyone got hurt. She missed that smile, those curls, that smile, those eyes, God she missed him. Eight damn months were all they had together and the rest of her life combined had never equaled as much happiness. She loved Jordan, and she would do anything to protect her baby, but this guy had changed her life. He had shown her how to be loved, he had shown her that she deserved love, and then he had dumped her. It just didn't make sense. Was what happened the night before he broke up with her too much? Did he find out what she and her dad were? How could he have done that? There was a knock on the door. She shook her head, setting her jaw. She knew who it was, but that he had the balls to come over here right now….

"Daniel," she said as she opened the door. He had his left hand on the door frame grinning at her. "What the hell do you want?"

His expression changed to surprise. "Oh, sorry, someone here?"

"No, wait, are you seeing someone?"

"No, you know I wouldn't be 'seeing' someone." Her eyebrows raised. "Seriously, we don't even see each other."

"I'm aware," she said. Daniel was all sorts of confused.

"Can I come in?"

"I don't think that's a good idea."

He didn't hide the surprise. "We had an agreement-"

"Damn it, Daniel, yes, we did, but we have a kid, and I know what I said, I know what you said, but do you really want to keep living like this?"

"Sarah, I have to keep going until I get them for her."

"But, Daniel, you have a son here, you have me."

"But you're not her."

She swallowed. She knew. Deep down she had always hoped that the two of them could help each other forget, but it had never worked. They were good together, but they weren't perfect, and both of them had had perfect, and it ruined them. She wasn't so much mad at him, but mad at herself for letting herself believe there could be more, wanting more.

"We have a good thing, Sarah."

"Yeah, but I want it all." She looked at him through her lashes and she knew, she didn't love him and he didn't love her, and they both knew it. He had always known, she had spent the time since their son was born trying to convince herself there could be more. There wasn't more. There never would be. "Once you find them, get justice, then what? Is there a chance at an us then?" He shook his head. She took a deep breath. "I'm leaving DC."

"Okay, let me know where, and I'll send the checks, and if you need anything-"

"Daniel, I don't want your money. In fact, I'd like you to sign away all rights." He blinked and then nodded. He reached into his coat pocket.

"I had two reason to come by, one of which was to see you, but the real reason I came." That stung, but he was being honest. Daniel was always honest, but his honesty and someone else's were so much different. "Your dad asked me to give this to you." She gave him a questioning look and he shrugged. "He called, said you needed to see this, and not to come tomorrow. In fact he doesn't think you'll ever come back again." He paused. "I really want to do my duty with Jordan." Sarah closed her eyes. "Please, once you get where ever, just let me know."

"Okay."

"And I can send the check?"

"Sure, Daniel, thank you."

"Yeah, hey, I get it. We both knew what this was, and if you want more, than you deserve it. But with what you feel about him…"

"I know," she sighed. "But I have to try."

"Good luck, Sarah," and with that he left. She shut the door, stared at the DVD, went over, and put it in her player.

"What the hell have you done now, Dad?" She watched the DVD and as she listened to her father, her mouth dropped open. She began to cry. She wanted to throw things. She wanted to break something. God, she was going to kill him. She was going to kill him just as soon as he got out. He ought to be glad he was behind bars. She looked down at her computer and hit submit, sending the application. She pulled up a word document and typed up her resignation letter, tears streaming down her face. She was getting the hell out of this worthless hellhole and going back. She was going back and try to fix her life. She had no idea how the hell she was going to do it, but she had to try. He taught her that much. She deserved to be loved.

-ooooo-

Present

Chuck walked up to his sister's front door and knocked. The door opened quickly, and the brunette on the other side had a huge smile. She quickly studied him and went into diagnosis mode.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, sounding weary. "Can I come in?"

She brightened and stepped to the side. "Please. Now we have a lot to talk about, like which of my single doctor friends you would be interested in me having at the party." Chuck entered and winced at the reminder. "You promised."

"Heh," he chuckled, remembering the second half of her promise, but thinking better of it…although….he might as well get something out of this. He began to laugh. Ellie watched him, wondering what was wrong with her brother. She had said that the only way she wouldn't invite them was if she came back. "You remember your promise?"

"Chuck! Don't go there. Don't, you need to move on, for God's sake, it's been eight years."

"I know exactly how long it's been."

"I swear if I find her I will kill her."

"No, you won't."

"I'll throttle her."

"Nope."

"I'll…."

"Be mad, but smile while she's here and make remarks to me and Devon that you think she can't hear."

"You're probably right…WAIT A MINUTE!"

"Here we go," he said, thinking back to how easier it was years ago.

-ooooo-

2009

"Hi, I'm Chuck Bartowski, I've been asked to show you around." Jenny stared at the hand that he was offering her. She then followed the arm up to the shoulders, and the head with curls that went on for days. Someone should really help him fix those. Her fingers twitched with the thought of doing it for him and she had to concentrate to make them stop. He started to look awkward. Why? Oh! She hadn't shook his hand. She put her's out quickly, catching his, and he gave her a smile and his brown eyes lit up. Oh…oh boy.

"Jenny Burton," she said, giggling. What was she doing, she didn't giggle? Then his smile turned on full blast and she forgot she didn't giggle. In fact, she wasn't remembering a lot of anything. He walked her to each class, sat beside her during class, and Jenny had never remembered anyone being as nice as he was, that didn't want something. So, she watched him, her dad's training took over, and she watched him like a hawk. But there was nothing he wanted, other than to just be with her. Talking, sitting, texting, listening to music and that's the way it had been for two weeks.

"So Ellie is throwing me a birthday party Saturday, and I know it's really lame but would you like to come?"

"YES!" she was shocked at the force in which she said it. She needed to get a grip. Her eyes traveled to his curls. Maybe that's what she should get a grip of….down girl! She waited for the week to fly by, but it crawled and she found herself met with the most awful dilemma of her life. She wanted to buy him the moon, the stars, star wars (whatever the hell that was) but the only money she had was con money, and it didn't feel right buying Chuck Bartowski something with con money.

It was Friday afternoon, and she was dropping him off at home, she insisted on driving him to and from school each day. He tried to give her gas money, but she refused. As he started to get out of the car, she grabbed his arm, gently.

"Chuck, I need to tell you something." She swallowed. It was now or never. "I really didn't have the money to buy you anything."

"Jenny, it's fine."

"No, it's not. I did get you something, and I'd like to give it to you before you go. I want it to be special, just me and you." He got that goofy grin he got only around her. It made her smile. He was special, and she was going to protect him from this crazy world. Two weeks of knowing him and she already knew that. "May I give it to now?" He nodded, and before he had a change to change his mind, she sprang. Chuck had been kissed by a few girls…no…that wasn't right. Chuck had attempted kisses with a few girls, this, this was a kiss. It started out sweet, but it quickly became more. She had gripped his shirt by this point, twisting it and pulling him further into her. She pulled away and stared into his eyes. "Happy birthday, Chuck," she said softly.

"Best birthday present, ever." His grin made her so happy she thought she might burst. "I really wish I had more birthdays."

She smiled at him. "Those don't have to be for just birthdays," she said, biting her bottom lip.

"Nervous, Jenny?"

"Yeah."

"Why are you nervous, you're just about perfect." She rolled her eyes. "Hey, you're funny, sweet, beautiful, and those eyes of yours…they just see into my soul. And when you smile that smile just for me…Thank you for the best gift I've ever gotten." She grinned. He smirked a little. "I could seriously think of only one better gift."

Here it comes, this was all an act, just to get me in bed. Dad warned me. He warned me that's what guys wanted. "What's that, Chuck," she said it with no emotion in her voice.

"If you were to be my girlfriend," he said quickly. "Sorry, I probably," he had begun to turn away, when her hand grabbed his face and gently turned it toward her.

She wasn't expecting that answer, but she proceeded cautiously. "What does that entail?"

"Oh, riding to school with me, but I guess we'll have to go in your car since I can't afford one." She laughed. "Sitting with me at lunch, watching movies together, texting, talking, maybe every once in a while we pretend it's my birthday."

"Really, Chuck," she said. He gulped. "If you're my boyfriend, everyday will be your birthday." His eyes lit up. "Uh, is that Ellie?" Chuck turned.

"Oh, crap, she's going to wonder what we're doing."

"Tell her the truth, you were telling your girlfriend goodbye." She pulled him for a quick kiss and then pushed him away. "Now go, before you get into trouble. I'll see you tomorrow." He got out of the car, shut the door, spun and stood there grinning. She rolled down the window. "Bye, Chuck,"

"Bye, Jenny," he said, as she pulled away.

"Chuck, who is that?" Ellie asked. Chuck looked up toward the heavens as the squeal began and birds flew away in fright.

-ooooo-

Present

"Good job, Agent Shaw," Graham said. Daniel had a pleased smile on his face. "So, with Sarah resigning, is that the prelude to you two getting married?"

"No, Sarah is moving to LA, so if I need to be stationed anywhere for this operation, I can be."

Graham nearly exploded. "You let her?"

"Let? Sir, I don't know if you've noticed, but Sarah has martial arts training and while I think I would win in a fight, I'm not crazy enough to try. If I told her she couldn't or more appropriately shouldn't then she would have expected our relationship to change."

"So change it!"

"Sir?"

"Agent, she was your cover!"

"No, sir, she wasn't, and frankly I'm not happy with what your suggesting."

"I don't give a damn if you're happy or not. You are to go home and win her back."

"Sir, she's in LA."

Graham was livid. "Damn it, I never should have approved her resignation."

"Sir, you couldn't have stopped her."

"Go to LA. You are now stationed there."

"Sir, you can't make her take me back."

"You can win her back."

"I never had her to start with, Sir. She's not in love with me, and if she's there in LA, then she's with the man she loves."

"Daniel, go to LA, win her back."

"I'll go to LA, Sir, but I promise nothing."

"There are things we can do."

"Sir, you are two seconds from me resigning."

"Okay, Daniel, okay, but I need you in LA, with your child."

"I don't like this, at all. She's a civilian, he's a civilian."

"Noted." Shaw shook his head, got up, and left.

-ooooo-

Present, Ellie's home

"She's here, in Burbank?" Chuck just nodded. He was sitting at a stool at the bar, while Ellie paced and mumbled things incoherently. She hadn't been able to get a grip for a few minutes. "What did she say." Chuck grinned.

"Well, she introduced me to her son," Chuck began.

"SHE HAS A SON!?" Ellie was livid. Chuck thought it was very wrong of himself to enjoy this, but he really couldn't help himself. She was pacing, and stopped, midstride. "She's after your money."

"Maybe," Chuck said, nodding. "I think we should put Casey on it."

"Why did you let her come to your party, why would you invite her?"

"Because Anna told her son and said he should come and have cake and ice cream," Chuck replied. Ellie sighed.

"You couldn't tell her no," Ellie said softly.

"I did manage to tell her I wouldn't give her my phone number." Ellie just stared and waited for the rest. "I did however let her put her number in mine."

"Of course you did, Chuck."

"I'm sorry, Ellie."

"Why are you sorry, Chuck. You love her."

"Yeah, I still do. Eight damn years and I can't quit. Eight years of trying to date anyone to make me forget her." Tears were in his eyes. "She left, no goodbye, no nothing, for eight damn years. I don't know if the government could snatch and hide someone that well." Ellie came over and hugged him. "Her name is now Sarah Walker, it's not Jenny Burton any more."

"Did you get a picture of her?" Chuck shook his head. "She's beautiful now isn't she? That beauty you saw inside her is out for everyone to see." Chuck nodded. "Why, Chuck, why did she leave?"

"Maybe it was me," he said softly. He cried. He let out the emotions he had thought were gone over the past eight years. He let it all out, and Ellie held him. She hadn't seen him like this in so long. After some time he stopped. She sent him to the room they had for him in their house, because he was always family, and he fell right to sleep. She grabbed his phone, punched in Jenny, now Sarah's birthday and pulled up her contact information. Her thumb hung over the delete button. She thought for a second. Sarah Jenny Walker Burton wasn't hurting her brother any more. She hit the button.

A/N: Ellie. Don't. Play. Next time, a birthday party. Who will be there, what will be said, will there be a showdown, and does someone go against Ellie? *GASP* Hoped you liked it, reviews are always welcomed…til next time.

DC