Chapter Text
The sun rose as Poe and the others rode into D’Qar.
Leia was sitting in a rocking chair in front of the Sheriff’s Office. As soon as she saw the riders, her face lit up. She stood. “You look like hell, Poe,” she said as he came to a stop in front of her.
“Feel like hell,” Poe said. He got off his horse, limped over, and gave her a hug.
“How’s the ranch,” she asked, sniffing at Poe’s clothes and noting that all of them were covered in soot.
“It’s still there,” Poe said.
“Mostly,” Iolo added.
“We can fix the barn and the stables,” Snap said.
Karé wrapped her arm around her husband. “The important thing is, we all made it through alive.”
Maz and Nien walked over from the saloon. Maz was shaking her head. “Nien,” she said. “Go wake up Dr. Kalonia. Tell her she has some people to see to.” Nien trotted off.
Maz frowned at Bastian. “How bad is it?”
“I’m fine, ma’am,” he said.
She reached for his shoulder and he flinched. “Yes, fine,” she said, shaking her head. She turned to Snap. “And you?”
“Not as bad as Poe,” Snap said.
Maz walked over to Poe, who was favoring his right foot. Before she could ask, he said, “Twisted ankle is all. Bastian’s been shot.”
“I’m fine,” Bastian said again.
“Being shot isn’t fine,” Maz said.
“How were things here,” Karé asked Leia.
“Quiet,” Leia said.
Nien and the doctor ran up the sidewalk.
Dr. Kalonia looked at the group and sighed. “Who do I need to look at first?”
All of them said, “Bastian.”
He groaned and repeated, “I’m fine.”
The doctor motioned to the Sheriff’s Office. “Come on in and let me take a look.”
As the doctor led Bastian inside, Leia said, “Should we move this over to the saloon? You all look like you could use a drink.”
“Yes,” Snap said.
“And maybe sit down,” Karé said, eyeing Poe’s limp.
“Yes,” Poe said. “Sitting would be good.”
They slowly made their way over to the saloon. After a few minutes, Bastian and the doctor joined them.
“It wasn’t that bad,” the doctor said. “Just a scratch, really.”
“I told you guys I’m fine,” Bastian said, nodding as Maz held up a liquor bottle.
When everyone had a drink in hand, Poe lifted his glass, “To those who aren’t here but who helped us get here.”
Everyone lifted their glasses.
“To Ello,” Nien said.
“To Lor,” Bastian said.
“To my dad,” Poe said quietly.
They all drank and sank into their memories of missing friends and their worries about what had happened with Finn, Jess, and Rey.
The rumble of a wagon tore them away from their thoughts. Maz walked to the window. The wagon passed the saloon and came to a stop outside Dr. Kalonia’s house. “Doctor,” Maz said, the alarm clear in her voice. “I think you’re needed.”
The whole group rushed to the windows.
Poe dropped his glass as he watched Chuy lift Finn’s body out of the wagon. He felt Leia’s hand move to steady him.
Dr. Kalonia ran across the street and began directing Chuy into the house.
Then, Iolo noticed another body in the wagon. “Oh no,” he whispered.
Karé spotted it next. “Is that?”
Leia gasped and started running for the wagon. Poe followed, ignoring the pain in his foot. The rest followed.
When they got to the wagon, no one spoke.
Poe stood behind Leia, his hands on her shoulders. She reached a hand up to squeeze one of his.
Rey and Jess walked out of Dr. Kalonia’s house, both looking drained and dazed. Everyone turned.
Poe wanted to ask, but he couldn’t. Thankfully, Bastian did. “Finn?”
Rey swallowed and tried to speak but couldn’t. Jess wrapped her arm around Rey’s shoulder. “He was shot, but he should pull through.”
Poe let out a sigh. Thank the maker. He could feel tears flowing freely down his cheeks.
Bastian walked over and wrapped an arm around Rey’s other side. “Why don’t we all go wait in the saloon?”
He looked at Iolo, who seconded the idea. “Yeah, we’ll all be more comfortable there.”
Everyone but Poe and Leia slowly moved back over to the saloon.
After a few minutes, Chuy walked out of the doctor’s house. Leia looked up at him with a sad smile. She patted Poe’s hand. “Go on over to the saloon, Poe,” she said.
He squeezed her hand and left.
Leia slowly walked over to Chuy, who enveloped her in a hug. Neither spoke. They simply leaned into each other and cried.
# # # #
Poe stood at the window watching Leia and Chuy.
“Boss,” Snap said, “you sure you don’t wanna sit?”
Poe shook his head.
Bastian got Rey seated and Maz set a drink in front of her. “Drink,” Maz ordered. “All of it.”
Rey did as she was told and Maz refilled her glass. She produced a second glass for Jess. “When you two are ready, we’d like to hear what happened.”
After three drinks, Rey started talking. She told the group about the evidence she’d found and how Kylo Ren had appeared and killed his father and shot Finn. Jess kept her hand on Rey’s shoulder throughout the speech.
As Rey finished talking, she suddenly looked up, remembering something. “Poe,” she said. “Poe?”
“Hmmmm,” he said, startled. He turned around.
“What’s the Dameron Gold?”
“What,” he asked, walking over.
“The Dameron Gold. Ben…Kylo Ren asked me about it.”
Poe shut his eyes and shook his head. He walked over to the bar, grabbed a glass and handed it to Maz. She filled it and he took a long drink. He walked over to the table and sat across from Rey.
“Kriffing Dameron Gold,” he muttered. “I should’ve…” He remembered what Kylo Ren had asked his father just before… Poe tensed and took another drink.
“So, it’s real,” Rey asked.
Poe shook his head. “No. It isn’t real,” he said with an exasperated sigh. “Well, not really.”
“What do you mean,” Jess asked.
Poe shook his head. “Grandpa Dameron was a bit poetic.”
Bastian groaned. “Are you saying that the Dameron Gold…”
“It’s the land,” Poe said. “Grandpa wrote poems about it. Hell, he wrote songs about it! Old man loved this land. Anyway, one of the poems was called The Dameron Gold.”
“You have to be kriffing kidding me,” Jess said. “They attacked your ranch over a poem?”
“Twice,” Poe said. He tried not to remember that his father had died because of it. Instead, he whispered, “We are men of this earth.”
“What,” Rey asked.
“We are men of this earth,” Poe said. “That was a part of it. I don’t remember much of Grandpa’s poetry—lost most of it eight years ago in the fire—but…” Poe stood and walked back to the window. “I remember that.”
A fragment came back to him and he started speaking in a low voice, “We are men of this earth. Born of it, worked in it, returned to it. The earth is our sustenance. It is our grace...” Poe trailed off. “He loved this land,” he whispered.
Leia and Chuy walked over to the saloon. The space was quiet as they both took glasses from Maz and sat at the table.
After a long while, Leia raised her glass. “To Han.”
“To Han,” everyone answered.
# # # #
Dr. Kalonia walked across the street. It was clear that she was tired.
As she walked into the saloon, Poe held his breath. Please say he’s okay. Please give me this.
Dr. Kalonia turned to Poe and smiled. “He’ll be fine, Poe. He’s resting.”
Poe closed his eyes and then realized he was crying yet again. Seems to be a day for it, he thought as he brushed past the doctor to stand outside.
Snap shared a worried look with his wife and made to rise. Karé shook her head. “Give him a few minutes,” she whispered.
Dr. Kalonia walked to the bar where Maz was already pouring her a drink. Dr. Kalonia took it, drank it in one go and waited for another. “How can you afford this, Maz,” she asked with a smile.
Maz smiled back but didn’t answer.
The room felt heavy. No one was meeting anyone else’s eyes.
Jess frowned and then decided to be the person to break the silence. “I know we technically won, but…”
“But,” Iolo asked.
“This isn’t over,” Rey answered.
“No,” Karé agreed.
Everyone seemed to be waiting for Leia to say something. She sighed and sat up straighter in her chair. “We need to figure out how to move forward from here.” She turned to the door. “Poe?”
Poe wiped his eyes and moved back inside. “Yeah?”
“You’re going to want to be a part of this,” Leia said.
Poe came in and found a seat at the table. “So?”
“Where do we go from here,” Jess asked.
Rey said, “I found some things in Snoke’s house. Ledgers, letters, plans.” She frowned. “I don’t know that it’s enough to get Snoke, but it definitely implicated Ben and Hux.”
“And we’re pretty sure the Governor is tied up in this,” Nien added.
Bastian leaned forward. “If Ben Solo was working for the Marshal’s office, we have to assume that there could be some corruption there too.”
Iolo let out a long breath. “That’s a lot of people in some very powerful positions.”
Snap nodded. “Okay, so for the moment, let’s assume that Governor Palpatine and Snoke are working together and that the Marshal’s office in Coruscant is also involved. Who does that leave as possible allies?”
“There’s Lando Calrissian and the Kallus guy that he told me about,” Jess said.
Leia tented her hands and narrowed her eyes. “I think it might be wise to send a group up to Coruscant to try to see what they can learn about just how far-reaching this is. Maybe find some allies while we’re at it.”
Maz asked, “What are you thinking?”
“I think this is bigger than the Dameron Gold,” Leia said. “There’s something here that they want. They’ve been biding their time for eight years, but I can’t think that this one setback is going to stall them for long. We need to find out what they want and who will stand with us when we start shoving back at them.”
Poe smiled. Shoving back at the people who killed his father and wounded Finn sounded like a really good idea.
“Who goes to Coruscant,” Nien asked.
“I do,” Leia said.
Chuy rapidly said something in Spanish.
“I’m going to guess that Chuy is going too,” Snap said.
“Yes,” Leia answered.
Bastian said, “I’d like to come as well. I have some friends up that way. And no offense, but Snoke and the others are going to see the two of you coming. I don’t think they’ll pay that much attention to me, not even Ben.”
Leia nodded. “I think you’re right. Bastian’s with us.”
“Who’s going to look after your place,” Nien asked.
“Lu,” Leia said. “He’ll keep an eye on things.”
Snap jumped up. “Oh crap!” He ran from the saloon.
Jess suddenly figured it out. “That other red-head. Didn’t they capture him earlier?”
“Poor Lu,” Karé said. “We completely forgot about him!”
A few minutes later, they watched as Lu and Snap drug Nines across the street to the jail. A few minutes after that, both men walked back to the saloon.
“Glad you could finally make it,” Iolo quipped.
“Glad you moof-milkers finally remembered me,” Lu said, taking a drink from Maz.
“That leaves four in the jail,” Snap said.
Bastian nodded. “I’ll send word to the sheriff in Naboo before I leave.” He shrugged. “I’ve got to hope that the corruption is centered in Coruscant, right?”
“Naboo should be safe,” Maz said.
Jess said, “I didn’t mention this earlier because…well, we had a lot going on yesterday, but…” She looked up at Leia. “Lando gave me some information on where we might start tracking down your brother.”
Leia took in a sharp breath. Chuy took her hand.
“It’s not a lot,” Jess said, “but I think with a little bit of ingenuity and tenacity, we might be able to find him.”
“We,” asked Poe.
“Well,” Jess started, “I thought I…”
“We’re going to have to hire a new school teacher,” Nien said, shaking his head.
Everyone laughed.
“I should go too,” Rey said. She took Jess’ hand and squeezed it. Then, she looked to Leia.
Leia nodded. “Okay, that’s one group to Coruscant and another to find my wayward brother and drag him back here.”
“And the rest of us here, taking care of D’Qar,” Snap said.
“Okay, but with Bastian leaving, who does that leave as sheriff while Finn’s recovering,” Poe asked.
Maz chuckled. “I think that leaves you as sheriff,” she said.
“Me?”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Jess said.
“What do you think, Bastian,” Leia asked.
Bastian leaned back in his chair and considered for a moment. Then, he nodded. “I think that will work.”
“Wait,” Poe said, rising. “Don’t we need a vote or something?”
“As mayor, I can appoint a sheriff while Finn recovers. It isn’t permanent,” Leia said.
Rey looked up at him and smiled. “You should do it, Poe.”
Poe shook his head. “I think you’re all crazy, but okay.” He then smiled. “And I’m appointing Snap, Karé, and Iolo as my deputies.”
“Sounds good, boss,” Iolo said.
“That settles it. Poe is the new sheriff,” Leia said.
Poe walked back to the window, staring at Dr. Kalonia’s house.
Leia shared a look with Dr. Kalonia who rolled her eyes but finally nodded. Leia called to Poe, “I think we’ve handled the major issues, Poe, so why don’t you go check on Finn? The rest of us can finish planning things while you’re gone.”
Poe turned and nodded. “Thanks, ma’am.”
He jogged to the door, but stopped as Dr. Kalonia said, “Be quiet and don’t get in his way. I’ll be back over soon and if I hear you being loud or—”
“You won’t even know I’m there,” Poe said, already sprinting out the door.
# # # #
Poe planted himself next to the window, across from Finn’s bed. For the first hour, he was content just to stand there in silence, but as the time drew on, he started talking in hushed tones.
“…And Rey and Jess are going to go looking for Skywalker.” He shook his head. “If you’d asked me two months ago what we’d be doing today, let me tell you…” He turned and looked at Finn’s sleeping form, suddenly remembering two months ago, meeting Jessika at the train station for the first time.
“So, I have a confession to make,” Poe said, rocking back and forth on his heels. “The way I got Rey out to meet Jess at the train station. You remember that day?” Poe tried to chuckle. “Maker, that seems like a lifetime ago.” He bit his lip. “Anyway, the way I got her out there,” he said, turning back towards the window, “was I made a deal that I’d ask you to the social.” Poe let out a long breath. “Thing was, I figured I got the better end of the deal. ‘Cause I did want to ask you.” Poe looked down at his feet. “Always wanted to ask you.” Poe reached up and touched the glass, watching the leaves of the scrubby tree in Dr. Kalonia’s backyard blow in the wind. “To the social. To picnics. Heck, just to have dinner.” He leaned his head against the window pane. “You have to wake up, Finn,” he said, his voice cracking.
“Why is that,” came a scratchy voice from the bed.
Poe spun, his eyes wide and full of tears. “Finn?”
“Yeah?”
“Doctor Kalonia,” Poe yelled. “He’s awake!”
The doctor came running in. “Lord, Poe! You scared me.” She smiled at Finn. “You gave us quite a scare yourself, Sheriff.”
“I did,” Finn asked, trying to sit up before the pain got to him.
“Probably best to stay where you are for the moment,” the doctor said. “Your back is still healing.” She looked to Poe. “I’m going to go get his food. After he eats, you’ll need to go. Let him get his rest.”
Poe opened his mouth to protest.
“No, Poe. After he eats, you are leaving. Understood?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Poe said.
After she left, he stayed at the window, unsure how mad Finn still was with him.
“You sick or something,” Finn asked.
“No,” Poe said.
“Then, why are you all the way over there?”
“Last time we talked, we weren’t on the best of terms,” Poe said.
“Yeah, well, nearly dying can change a man’s perspective on things.”
“Kriffing hell, Finn,” Poe said, walking forward. “Don’t say that!”
“It’s true,” Finn said.
“No, it isn’t, but I don’t care if it’s kriffing true. I don’t want to think about you dying, okay?”
Finn smiled. “Whatever you say, cowboy.”
“And don’t call me that,” Poe said, sliding into the chair next to Finn’s bed. “You only call me cowboy when you’re mad at me.”
“What should I call you then,” Finn asked.
“Poe? Dameron? Sweetheart? Whatever. Just…not cowboy.”
“Okay, sweetheart.”
Poe shut his eyes and shook his head. He reached over and found Finn’s hand, squeezing it. “Don’t ever do that again.”
“Call you sweetheart?”
“Nearly die on me.” Poe’s voice was barely above a whisper. “I don’t know what I’d do without you, buddy.” He brushed the top of Finn’s hand with his thumb.
“Me too, Poe.”
They sat there for a few moments before Finn asked, “So did you mean it earlier?”
“Mean what?”
“What you were saying by the window.”
“You heard that?”
“Ummmm-hmmmm,” Finn said.
“All of it?”
“Enough,” Finn said.
“Oh.”
“So, you’re sweet on me?”
Poe thought of a million lies, a hundred little ways he could take this conversation down another path, but he also remembered that feeling in his chest when he’d seen Chuy carry Finn’s body into Dr. Kalonia’s place. “Yeah,” Poe said quietly. “Figure I’ve been gone on you from day one.”
He braced himself for the inevitable rejection.
“You stupid, fragging nerf-herder,” Finn said with a vengeance.
Poe was about to stand and explain that Finn didn’t have to get nasty, a simple no thank you would suffice, but Dr. Kalonia walked in with a tray. She handed it to Poe. “Make yourself useful,” she said. “And when he’s finished…”
“I’m gone,” Poe said. Trust me.
She nodded and left.
Poe inched his chair forward and held out a cup to Finn. “You gonna be able to…”
Finn nodded, took the cup and brought it carefully up to his lips. He closed his eyes. The liquid felt so good against his throat.
He held the cup out to Poe and opened his eyes. “As I was saying—”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to elaborate. Why don’t I just help you eat and then I’ll be on my way.”
“Poe,” Finn said.
“Don’t worry, Finn. I’m not going to make any advances on you while you’re eating,” he said.
“But when I’m better, will you then?” Finn was smiling a bright smile.
“What?”
“You’re an idiot because I’ve been sweet on you since the first time I saw you, Dameron. I’ve been in love with you for eight damn years!” He shook his head. “You really thought I got that dressed up just to go to a social? I dressed that way for you.”
“That white shirt? With the black vest? That was for…that was for me,” Poe squeaked.
“Yep,” Finn said, nodding at the bread. Poe handed him a slice.
“Stars,” Poe said. “When you’re better,” he said, licking his lips. “We’re gonna re-visit that outfit.”
Finn chuckled. He took a bite of the bread.
Poe put the tray down on a side table. “Finn, I think I owe you an apology.”
“I think there’s a lot of apologizing that needs to be done,” Finn said.
“I shouldn’t have let Leia talk me into keeping what we were doing from you, but you have to know, we were trying to protect you.”
“I’m not a damned child, Poe,” Finn said. “Never was,” he admitted ruefully.
“Fair enough,” Poe said. “I just…” He shut his eyes. “I’m sorry, Finn.” He sat down on the bed and took Finn’s hands. “I’ve been in love with you for eight years. I should have done better by you. That’s all I’m saying.”
Finn leaned back and thought. “Apology accepted, Poe.” He met Poe’s eyes. “But next time…”
“Next time, I come straight to you, tell you everything from the beginning.”
“Damn straight.”
“And,” Poe added.
“And,” Finn asked, raising an eyebrow.
“And next time, you take a moment to listen to me before you go rushing off and damn near get yourself killed.”
“I’m the sheriff, Poe.”
“Actually, right now, until you’re better and Bastian gets back, I’m the sheriff.”
“Lord save us all,” Finn said.
“Hey!”
Finn smiled.
“Promise me, Finn,” Poe said in all seriousness.
“I promise, Poe, just as long as you realize that I’m a grown man with a dangerous job.”
“Finn, sweetheart, I’m pretty sure we all have dangerous jobs now. Snoke is still out there.”
“Kriff,” Finn said.
Dr. Kalonia’s voice filtered back through the house. “I don’t hear enough eating,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am,” both men said.
# # # #
Four days later, Leia, Chuy, and Bastian crowded into Finn’s room at Dr. Kalonia’s.
Bastian sat next to the bed. “The Naboo sheriff sent two deputies up yesterday and they took the prisoners to their jail. I explained to them a bit of what’s going on and I think we can count on their help. At the very least, they’re going to make sure that Miss Phasma, Nines, and the two others don’t disappear before they’ve faced a judge.”
“Hopefully, an honest one,” Finn said.
“Well, yeah,” Bastian said, shaking his head. “Let’s hope.”
Finn looked up at Leia and Chuy. “Be careful,” he said. “And listen to Bastian. He’s a good man.”
Bastian tried not to blush, but he couldn’t help it.
Leia smiled and put her hand on Bastian’s shoulder. “I promise to listen to him.”
Chuy said something Finn missed.
“And Chuy,” Leia said. “Between the two of them, they should keep me on the straight and narrow.”
Finn chuckled. “Take care of yourselves and keep us posted, okay?”
“Will do, boss,” Bastian said, rising. “And you get plenty of rest.”
Finn nodded. “I’ll try.”
# # # #
A week later, Poe was chewing on one of his cheeks, frowning as he watched Finn carefully pull on a pair of boots. “Are you sure,” Poe asked Dr. Kalonia.
She tried not to roll her eyes as she said, “Yes, Poe. As his doctor, I’m sure that he can walk around for short bits. I don’t want him riding a horse or doing anything strenuous, but he’s up for a short stroll.”
“But are you really sure?”
“Poe,” Finn said, clearly exasperated. “You heard the woman. I can do this.”
“But—”
“No, cowboy. No buts.”
“Fine,” Poe pouted.
Dr. Kalonia smiled. “I’ll just leave you two to it, then.” She shook her head as she walked out of the room.
After she’d gone, Poe leaned in and whispered, “I just don’t want you overdoing it, Finn.”
“Poe, I love you,” Finn said, looking up, “but if you don’t stop, I’m going to lock you up for a week.”
Poe smiled. “Can’t do that. I’m still the sheriff until Dr. Kalonia clears you.”
“Wanna bet,” Finn said, pushing himself up with a grunt.
“Finn,” Poe started.
“No,” Finn said, raising his hand. “I can do this, Poe.”
“Fine,” Poe huffed. “I worry,” he grumbled.
“Yeah, I know,” Finn said. “It would be adorable if it weren’t so damn irritating.”
Poe shook his head and sat on the bed. “I…” He looked up at Finn. “I’m sorry.”
“Poe,” Finn said, reaching out with his good arm and cupping the side of Poe’s face with his hand. “I promise you, I’m not going to break.” He rubbed his thumb across Poe’s cheek. “I’m not goin’ anywhere,” he whispered.
Poe put his hand over Finn’s and closed his eyes. “Promise,” he whispered.
“I swear,” Finn breathed out. “You’re stuck with me.”
Poe opened his eyes. They were glistening as he stared up at Finn. “Forever?”
Finn smiled. “Forever.”
Poe rose and stepped forward, taking Finn’s face in both of his hands. “I love you, Finn,” he said. He pressed his forehead into Finn’s, smiling.
A smile spread across Finn’s face. He couldn’t really move his hands without losing his balance, so he leaned into Poe, closing his eyes. “Love you, too,” Finn whispered. “I’ve always loved you,” he breathed out. “Always will.”
Poe made a little noise at the back of his throat at that. He closed his eyes and brushed his lips against Finn’s. It was feather light—just the hint of something really—but Poe felt as if he’d been struck by lightning. He quickly pressed in again. It was one kiss and then two and three and then Poe’s hands were moving to the back of Finn’s head to draw him even closer and Finn was opening his mouth with a sigh and trying to say, without words, yes, more, please.
Poe felt Finn’s weight leaning on him and he moved a hand to Finn’s waist, nearly lifting him up to hold him there. Don’t stop. Don’t ever let this stop, Poe thought as he sucked in a breath and moved his lips for more, yes more, oh god, more, more, moremoremoremoremore…
Finn ran his tongue across Poe’s bottom lip with a groan and his whole body felt light and free in a way in hadn’t in months, maybe years. He wanted to laugh, to cry, to scream out. Instead, he moaned and repositioned himself as Poe began nibbling on his lip. He drug in a quick breath, suddenly wishing that Poe would walk them both back over to the bed. “Poe,” he heard himself say, and he sounded so thoroughly wrecked. He could feel Poe smile into their kiss.
“Finn,” Poe answered, drawing it out, making it sound like a prayer. “Oh kriff, Finn,” Poe said. One kiss, two kisses, three kisses. Finn pressed in and kept Poe in one place with a growl. Poe moaned and Finn felt the sound tingle up his entire frame.
Dr. Kalonia walked in. Of course. She cleared her throat. The two men were kissing as if they were going off to war. Seriously. She cleared her throat again. “Poe. Finn,” she said. She cleared her throat as loudly as possible.
They stopped kissing, but didn’t move away from each other. Finn turned his head slightly to look at her, a ridiculous grin on his face.
“Your friends are outside asking for you.” She raised an eyebrow. “Or should I tell them you are indisposed?”
Finn chuckled. “We’ll be right out,” he said.
“Ummmmm-hmmmmm,” the doctor said, unconvinced. She left.
Finn turned back to Poe. “More later?”
“Hell yeah,” Poe breathed out. He rubbed his nose against Finn’s. “We’re doing that every free moment we get for the rest of our lives.”
Finn laughed. “Sounds like a plan, Dameron.” He gave Poe a quick kiss and then slowly disengaged from Poe’s arms.
# # # #
Finn hobbled out of Dr. Kalonia’s to find Snap, Iolo, Karé, Lu, and Nien gathered around Jess and Rey. Poe followed him for several steps before Finn realized he was trying to be ready in case Finn fell. Finn stopped and turned. “Will you stop fussing over me?”
Poe opened his mouth and Finn said, “No. Don’t even try to pretend that you aren’t trying to mother hen me. Dr. Kalonia said I could walk short distances with a cane, and that’s what I’m doing, Poe.” He narrowed his eyes. “Don’t make me call her out here to yell at you.”
Poe shrugged dramatically. “Fine.”
“Walk ahead of me,” Finn said.
Poe made an irritated noise and stepped in front of Finn. “That good?”
“Good view, if nothing else,” Finn said.
Poe spun to look at him and Finn winked.
“If you two will stop flirting, we need to get going,” Jess yelled at them.
“Yeah, yeah, we’re coming,” Finn said. He nodded to Poe. “Go on. Move!”
Poe started ahead and then slowed, being sure to swish his hips just so.
Finn laughed. “What am I gonna do with you, Dameron?”
“Anything you damn well please,” Poe said with a chuckle.
“Oh, now really, Poe? I don’t want to hear that,” Iolo said as they reached the group.
“You’re just jealous,” Poe said.
“We’re really not,” Karé said.
“So,” Lu said, “if we can get these two to keep their hands off each other for a few minutes, before you go, Snap and I have been discussing something.”
Rey and Jess looked to the group, worried.
“We need a better name than the Protectors,” Snap said. “No offense, Nien.”
“None taken,” Nien said, laughing.
“That’s the important thing we needed to discuss before leaving,” Rey asked.
“Yep,” Snap said. “We need a name. Something to put fear into the hearts of our enemies.”
Iolo snorted and Karé hit him.
Everyone thought for a moment before Jess said, “What about the Resistance?”
“The Resistance,” Finn said. “Yeah, I like it.” He leaned against his cane, smiling. “The Resistance.”
“Then, it’s settled,” Karé said. “We’re now the Resistance.”
“Well, Resistance,” Rey said. “Now that that’s settled, it’s time that Miss Pava and I took our leave.” Rey walked to Finn and kissed his cheek. “Take care of yourself, Sheriff.”
“You too, peanut. Try not to get into too much trouble while you’re out there.”
“We won’t,” Jess said, stepping up and kissing his other cheek.
“I don’t trust you any more than I trust her,” Finn said.
“We’ll be fine, Finn,” Rey said, squeezing his arm. She walked over to Zeb. “You ready,” she asked Jess.
“Let’s do this,” Jess said, getting on Artoo.
“Keep us updated,” Poe said, coming to stand next to Finn.
“We will, Sheriff,” Jess said, laughing.
“Could someone please not find that funny,” Poe mumbled.
Finn bumped his shoulder into Poe’s, smiling. “I think you make a good sheriff.”
Snap made a retching noise. “Please don’t,” he said.
“What,” Finn asked.
“You two were bad enough when you were pining. Now that you’re an item,” Karé shook her head.
“Seems we’re leaving town at just the right time,” Rey said, raising her hand in a wave.
“Be careful,” Finn called out as she and Jess started out of town.
# # # #
After a few miles, Rey looked over at Jess and smiled. “So, Miss Pava,” she said.
“Yes, Miss Solo,” Jess said with a snort.
“Fine, Jess,” Rey said, “do we have a plan for what we’re going to do if we actually find him?”
“Well, you knew him, right? I figured you could talk to him.”
“And say what?”
“Help us, Luke Skywalker, you’re our only hope?”
Rey laughed. “Sounds good,” she said. “That should work.”
Jess smiled. “I’m not the best reporter in the region for nothing.”
Rey shook her head. “Ex-reporter. And ex-teacher, for that matter. At least until we get back.”
“Can I tell you a secret,” Jess said.
“What?”
“I never wanted to be a teacher.”
Rey laughed. “Well, I guess we should thank the Order the next time we see them for saving you from such a tragic fate.”
Jess shook her head. “I would’ve figured a way out of it eventually.”
“Sure. Like what?”
“Well, I had already talked Nien into hiring me on as a reporter, so there was that possibility. Plus…” Jess blushed.
“Plus what?”
“Well,” Jess said, avoiding Rey’s eyes. “My other plan was to get hitched.”
“Oh,” Rey said, a bit of disappointment creeping into her voice. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Jess said. “I’d heard the local blacksmith was looking for a wife and I figured if I played my cards right…”
Rey leaned over and swatted Jess’ arm. They both laughed.
They rode on for another few minutes. Then, Rey said, quietly, “You know, I would if you would.”
“Huh?”
“I would if you would,” Rey repeated.
“Would what?”
Rey bit her lip. Might as well. “I’d marry you if you’d want to,” she said.
Jess said, “Woah,” pulling on Artoo’s reins. She got off her horse. Rey pulled up and stopped by didn’t get off Zeb. “Rey Solo, get off that horse right now,” Jess said.
Stupid, stupid, stupid, Rey thought, dismounting.
She walked around to face Jess. “Yes?”
“Did you just ask me to marry you?”
“Kinda?”
“Kinda?
“Fine. Yes,” Rey said. “But I didn’t mean to.”
“Oh, no. Now, wait. You proposed and I’m not gonna let you take that back,” Jess said, stepping forward.
“You’re not,” Rey asked with a slight smile.
“No, because I’m going to accept your gawd-awful proposal, and then you’re going to be stuck with me for the rest of your life.”
Rey smiled as she leaned forward into Jess’ arms. “Is that right?”
“Mmmmmmm-hmmmmmm,” Jess hummed against her lips.
“Well, as long as it keeps you from teaching,” Rey murmured as she brushed her lips against her fiancée’s.
# # # #
Finn watched until he couldn’t see them anymore. Then, he took a deep breath and surveyed his town. Snap had wrapped an arm around Karé and the two of them were ambling towards the Sheriff’s Office. Nien and Lu were walking back to the Daily D’Qar. Maz was standing outside the saloon sweeping.
Poe stood beside him. “Ready to face the new day,” he asked.
Finn smiled at him. “I am,” he said, “Sheriff.”
“After you, Sheriff,” Poe said, sweeping into a bow.
Finn laughed as he hobbled towards his office.
Hux and Ren and Snoke were still out there somewhere, and the evidence seemed to indicate that this thing was far larger than they’d originally thought. Heck, everyone was scattering for a while. By all accounts, he should have been nervous, and yet Finn felt calm.
Maybe it was because they’d stopped the attack at the Dameron Ranch and kept Rey out of Snoke’s hands. Maybe it was because he and Poe were finally being honest with each other and he was hopeful about what the future held. Whatever it was, Finn was just thankful that he felt like smiling for a change.
Poe helped Finn up the steps to the Sheriff’s Office. He had pulled two chairs outside for the two of them. “Thanks, Sheriff,” Finn said, sitting down.
“Anytime, Sheriff,” Poe said, settling in next to him.
“Yeah, that’s not going to get old,” Snap yelled from inside the office.
“You’re just jealous that you’re not a sheriff too,” Poe yelled back. He turned and winked at Finn.
For a moment, they stared at each other, smiling. Then, Finn leaned back in his chair and tipped his hat forward over his eyes. “Wake me up if you need anything, Sheriff.”
Poe laughed. “Will do, Sheriff. Will do.”
“D’Qar’s finest,” Karé said stepping out onto the sidewalk and shaking her head. “Lord save us all.”
“Exactly, ma’am,” Finn said from under his hat. “D’Qar’s finest, ready to protect her from whatever the day might bring.”
“Especially if it’s bringing naps,” Karé said.
Finn chuckled under his hat, loving that after so many weeks of feeling like D’Qar was lost, they were already back to joking around. We’re still standing, he thought. And then the full weight of that hit him: They’ve tried to tear us down twice, and we’re still standing. He smiled, looking at his cane. Well, mostly still standing.
“Finn?” Poe looked at him, a puzzled look on his face. “What’s on your mind?”
Finn reached over and took Poe’s hand, squeezing it. “We’re gonna do this,” he said quietly.
“Yeah?”
“Yeah,” Finn said. A few townspeople were already out and about. He tipped his hat and nodded to a couple walking by. They smiled and waved. “This is my town and they aren’t getting her without a fight.”
“Damn straight.” Poe smiled. “Welcome to the Resistance, Finn.”