#not long ago they broke so i started using the exact same model but wired that i was gifted a while ago

[maizixie]

actually I changed my mind. wireless headphones are in fact more convenient but sound quality on wired is absolutely unmatched

[summahsunlight]

We Belong to the Stars, CH.1

Word Count: 2828

Pairing: Poe/OFC

Characters: Poe Dameron, Leia Organa, BB-8, Kaleb Skywalker (OC), Evelyn Skywalker (OC), Karé Kun, Iolo Arana, Kylo Ren 

A Resistance spy has sent vital information about the First Order’s super weapon before his untimely death at the hands of Kylo Ren. Now, it's a race against time to obtain the information before the First Order destroys it. Leia sends members of the Resistance's top squadron in the hopes that they can track the information down before its too late.

A/N: This story takes place in the verse that my Drabble series ( Pathways ) verse sets up. You don't need to read those to necessarily to understand what's going on in this story however.  I hope you enjoy it!

AO3

Unknown Regions, 33 ABY

There was no time for escape once the first Star Destroyer showed up in system.

His only hope of getting the information he possessed to the Resistance, then he had to transmit it.  Since no one knew their exact location, there was no way it would reach them directly; he was going to have to get creative.  Plugging in the code for one of his more trusted contacts from his days in the New Republic's Intelligence Core, he slipped the disc into the computer, frantically downloading the information he had gathered for the last six months.  It had been General Organa’s idea to get some on the inside, Lothor had been one of the Republic’s top-notch spies—it only made sense for him to infiltrate the First Order.

He'd made it pretty far up the ranks until Kylo Ren suspected him.

Screaming outside the door announced the arrival of the enemy. Lothor looked at the screen, desperately.  Still fifty percent of the information needed to be downloaded.  He knew that it would take those bucketheads a while to break through the coded door, he just hoped it was enough.   Thirty-five percent.  Something began to cut through the heavy armor of the door, the tip of a red light saber. Lothor could feel the fear running through him—through the tiny little outpost he had taken refuge in when fleeing the First Order.

Kylo Ren, the demon behind a metal mask.

Twenty-five percent.  Lothor unholstered his blaster and aimed it at the door.  He knew it would not hold off Kylo, he’d seen the man stop blast bolts mid-air, but it would provide a distraction, perhaps one long enough for the rest of the information to send to the Senator.

One hand on the controls of the computer, one eye watching as it ticked down, while the other hand held the blaster, the other eye watched as the metal of the door fell away.  Kylo stepped into the room, face hidden behind a mask. “Agent Lothor. The plans—you will stop that transmission immediately.”

“Make me,” Lothor snapped, firing at the dark side user. He wasn’t surprised when Kylo easily deflected the blasts with his saber.

“My patience is wearing thin,” Kylo snarled, holding his hand out and snatching Lothor in a paralyzing grasp. “The plans—now!”

Lothor managed to glance at the computer, even if he was being held against his will with the Force.  It was blinking: transmission sent.  “You’re too late, Ren.  The plans are in the hands of the Resistance.”

Kylo hissed, tightening his hold on the spy. “I will just trace the transmission.”

As if on cue, the computer console overheated, wires sparking and igniting, sending small plumes of smoke into the air. Lothor managed a weak smile. “Doesn’t seem like you’ll be able to. You can certainly give it a try, but I highly doubt you'll be successful.  Even if you are, good luck breaking through all the encryption codes.”

“I will get those plans back, traitor,” Kylo said.

“Like I said; good luck,” Lothor snapped.

Those were his last words. Kylo Ren cut him down and left his body behind.

Resistance Transport Ship

It was incredibly difficult to sleep on a transport ship.

Commander Poe Dameron—formally of the New Republic Navy, now a full-fledged member of the Resistance—had given up an hour ago to catch some shut eye. He laid on a bottom bunk, one arm behind his head, eyes staring up at the sleeping form of one of his lieutenants.  He regarded Iolo Arana and Karé Kun as family; he was both happy and relieved that they were joining him on this journey.  All three were tired of their hands being tied, of being told not to engage the First Order.  Well, the Navy’s lack of response had cost Lieutenant Muran his life and would have cost Poe his commission if Leia Organa had not taken notice.

Rolling over onto his side, Poe took a deep, steadying breath. He’d been shocked to see Leia when he landed back on Mirrin Prime after directly disobeying Lonno Deso’s orders. It had been five years since he’d seen her, five years since she formed the Resistance—five years since he’d walked away from the woman he loved without ever letting her know how he truly felt.  Squeezing his eyes shut, Poe fought his emotions, fought to push the image of Evelyn’s face the night they said goodbye from his mind.  He felt the same twist in his gut, the same clench of his heart, whenever he thought about her. He’d been so young and stupid five years ago, walking away from her at her most vulnerable hour because he had some stupid oath to the Republic to honor…

“You thinking about her?” Iolo mumbled next to him.

“Every waking hour,” Poe mumbled back.

Iolo sat up on his bunk.  The Kershian had been there when things had all gone to hell five years ago, he’d been there when they had gone to hell five days ago.  “Have you thought about what you’re going to say to her when you see her?”

Poe winced. No, he had not thought about it, even though he knew it was going to be unavoidable.  She would be there; she would be fighting right alongside her aunt to protect the galaxy from tyranny. “What can I say to her? I left, Iolo…”

The other man sighed, pushing his hair back. “How about starting with I’m sorry.”

His chest tightened. “Yeah… that probably is a good place to start.”

Karé shifted above him, her voice sleepily calling down, “And then you should probably tell her what an idiot you are, you know, for walking away from her like that—after she pleaded with you to join her, to fight with her.”

“And after giving her that really expensive, beautiful pendant,” Iolo added.

“Right. I forgot about the kyber crystal,” Karé said.  “Stars, Poe, you suck at the romance thing.”

“Alright, alright, I get it,” Poe whispered, harshly, noticing that their conversation was disturbing the recruits that had managed to fall asleep on the transport. “I suck at romance.”

Iolo glanced at the commander, then up at Karé.  In the last five years, they’d watched as Poe pined away for Evelyn, even making some desperate attempts to move on from her that never really panned out because, quite frankly, Poe had never stopped loving Evelyn.  “Maybe you should also throw in there that you love her,” he said, then shrugged his shoulders, “you know, just a suggestion.”

Poe rolled onto his back once again, rubbing his hands over his face. What if she’s moved on? What if she doesn’t love me? These thoughts had plagued him for a while now, but more so since he agreed to go with Leia back to the Resistance.  “I don’t know if that’s what she wants to hear… it’s been five years Iolo, anything could have happened in those five years.”

Karé clicked her tongue. “You think she’s moved on? Well… I guess with how you left things… I don’t say I blame her if she did.”

Neither do I, Poe thought, instantly hating himself. I broke her heart, I made her believe that the Republic was more important than she was.  Kun is right—you are an idiot. 

It was with this thought on the brain that Poe fell into a restless sleep.  He was woken by the transport coming out of hyperspace and the lights going from dim to harsh.  Inwardly groaning, Poe climbed out from underneath his bunk, grabbing his duffel at his feet.  He slung the bag over his shoulder and woke BB-8 from his low power mode.  The droid buzzed to life, asking if they had arrived at their new destination.  “We have for now, buddy, let’s go.”

BB-8 followed behind the three pilots, his photoreceptor taking in the scene.  They were on a bright, shiny, refitted Mon Calamari cruiser.  In the hanger there were various makes of starfighters, mostly slightly older models of X-wings.  He was happy that his master had not left him behind, that he believed he could do some good for the Resistance as well. 

A slender, very young woman with dark hair, met the three pilots at the end of the ramp.  Poe tossed her a smile. “Hi Korrie,” he said, recalling the nickname that Leia had often used with her. “Are you the welcoming committee?”

Korr Sella pulled her lips into a small smile. “Commander. Yes, I guess you could say in a way I am the welcoming committee.  General Organa wanted to meet with you as soon as you arrived. I’m here to take you to her. Lieutenant Kun, Lieutenant Arana, someone will be along to help you get settled into your quarters. I’m sure you’re all tired from your trip.  I know how difficult it can be to sleep on those transports.”

Poe glanced at his squad, gave them a slight nod that it was okay, and then left the hanger with Korr—BB-8 following closing behind him.  They were led through the stark white corridors until they reached the General’s private office.   The young woman entered a code in the keypad, and the doors opened.

“Commander Dameron has arrived, General,” Korr announced as they stepped into her space.

“About time,” Leia Organa quipped from behind her desk. She rose her whisky brown eyes to his and smiled, “What took you so long, Poe?”

“Stubbornness?” Poe offered, because he didn’t have any other explanation.

Leia chuckled. “I guess that’s good as any explanation as I’m ever going to get.”

Poe smiled, sadly. “Maybe I just needed to see things for myself.”

“Perhaps.  And now that you’ve seen these things do you see what I was talking about five years ago?”

“Yes ma’am, and I’m sorry that I didn’t see it sooner.”

“I’m not sure I’m the one that you really need to be apologizing to, Poe,” Leia said, softly.

“I know,” Poe replied in a near whisper, casting his eyes downward.

Leia took a deep breath, sympathy filling her brown eyes. “I’m sorry, Poe, about Lieutenant Muran.  He was a good pilot.”

Poe nodded in agreement. “An even better man.”

BB-8 warbled in agreement, which caused Leia to smile. “I see you still have your droid.”

“Wouldn’t trade him for anything in the galaxy, ma’am,” Poe said, with fondness. “He’s saved my life quite a few times.”

“And for that the Resistance is thankful,” Leia commented. “I don’t know how much Korrie was able to tell you, but we lost our wing commander a few weeks ago, my fighter squadrons have been a royal mess and we haven’t been able to send anyone out on any missions, except recruiting.  I’ve thought about giving the job to Kaleb or Evelyn, but they don’t have military training—can outfly most of our pilots—but lack the strategic planning, formation knowledge.”

Poe remained neutral.  He had no doubt that Kaleb or Evelyn Skywalker had the piloting skills to be wing commander, however, Leia was right—neither of them had been trained by the military. “Is this like the old days, when you would comm me and ask for advice on pilots and if I thought they were up for the job?”

Leia smiled and shrugged her shoulders.  “Something like that,” she said. “Lieutenant Kun and Arana are due promotions, both capable leaders in their own right.  I have about twelve pilots that just entered the ranks and I think they could whip them into shape fast.”

He titled his head to the side, glanced at BB-8, and nodded in agreement with the General. “Both are fine pilots, would make great squadron leaders. Although, I’d hate to lose them… it’s time for them to move up in the ranks.  They’ve more than earned it.”

She continued to smile at him. “I’m glad to hear you say that, Poe. Because I feel you need to move up in the ranks as well—you’ve more than earned it.  I only wish I could see the look on the brass' faces when they find out what I’ve done.  You angered a lot of people higher up.”

“I did what I thought was right, ma’am.”

“I know.  And stop calling me ma’am.”

“Do you prefer General?”

“I prefer Leia.”

Poe smiled, shyly. He felt that he needed to earn her respect back before he ever started calling her Leia. “Give me more time with that, General.”

Leia shook her head and handed him a data pad. “We’re going to be working together a lot, Commander Dameron, if you’re going to be our wing commander.”

His dark brown eyes went wide for a second.  Poe could hear BB-8 beeping and warbling, brushing his dome against the pilot’s calf. “Ma’am—General—Leia…are you sure?” he stammered, not sure what to call her or what to say, exactly.

She grinned at him and stretched her hand out, offering a firm handshake. “I never make decisions lightly, Poe.  As I told you on Mirrin Prime, we need passionate right about now, someone devoted to doing the right thing at all times, even if that means getting a little reckless here and there.  So, congratulations. Now, your first official order of business—go to your quarters, get some rest.  I’ll see you in the morning at zero seven hundred to meet with the others.”

“Yes ma’am,” Poe said with a slight grin, finally feeling like he was actually doing something about the First Order.

“Poe,” Leia called to him just before Korr led him to his quarters, “you need to talk to her, and soon; you’ve already waited five years too many, don’t you think?”

Yes, I probably should have chased after that transport five years ago; said goodbye to the Navy—but Papa, how could I turn my back on him? Poe knew that was a ridiculous excuse, his father would have supported his decision no matter what.  “Does she even want to…see me?”

Leia sized him up for a moment, how the usually cool, confident young man was so absolutely unsure of himself when it came to speaking to her niece. “I don’t have the answer to that question.  I can tell you that in the months after we left Hosnian Prime, she kept trying to find answers as to why you walked away.”

Poe winced, his eyes catching sight of BB-8. “Did you tell her because I was a coward?”

“I didn’t tell her anything. Other than you had your reasons for staying behind.”

“I put my oath before her.”

“Common mistake that a lot of good leaders make, Poe.”

“General Organa… I never meant… I didn’t want to hurt her.”

Her stance softened, a motherly look coming to her eyes. Leia knew this, he did not need to tell her.  Poe had been there the night the Jedi Temple had been destroyed, he’d been there when Evelyn and Kaleb had revealed that it was her own son that had perpetrated it all and if circumstances were slightly different, perhaps Poe would have been there when she formed the Resistance.  However, that was all in the past.  “Just talk to her, Commander. You both need closure.”

His shoulders slumped, slightly, and he nodded, looking more exhausted than he had five minutes ago.  Poe heard Leia order him to get some sleep once again, and he was off, following Korr. She made small talk; he could tell she was feeling slightly uncomfortable given all the history that Poe shared with Leia and her family. BB-8 certainly perked up when the young woman mentioned that they had already placed a charging station on Poe’s quarters for him.  Poe smiled, tiredly. “Thanks. He really hates charging in the hanger.  Too cold for him.”

Korr shot him a funny look. “Do droids feel temperature?”

Poe shrugged. “Honestly, I don’t know.  It’s just what he’s told me. Besides, he’s my pal, and I kinda hate the idea of him alone in that hanger.”

“There are other droids charging in the hanger,” Korr pointed out.

“Yeah but none as special as BeeBee,” Poe supplied, scratching his droid for good measure.

She rolled her eyes and left him for the night outside of his new living space.  He took a deep breath and keyed the code in.  Stepping inside he could make out a small sitting area with a sofa, chair, and table; there was a desk on the far-right side, and on the left a door to the refresher and his bedroom.  Next to the sofa he could see BB-8’s charging station. 

Poe heaved a sigh as the door closed behind him. “Home sweet home,” he murmured to the droid. 

BB-8 brushed against him, softly beeping.

“I’m fine, buddy, tired,” Poe assured the droid. He dropped his bag down near the sofa. “Why don’t you plug in for the night? Sounds like we have a busy day tomorrow.”