Close to Me {Poe Dameron}

twenty-seven

She let out a watery laugh. "I doubt that. Or did you forget that I didn't throw my evil brother in some kind of cell?"

"Well, there is that." He chuckled. "He is still your brother though, evil or not, I know how much family means to you. And I mean besides before that feisty mechanic took my place you took a chance on a kid from a world deemed evil because it's a sith lord's homeworld."

"Are you saying that I have a soft spot for jerks?"

"No, you have a soft spot for good people who've been thrown in shitty situations."

She sat up, wiping her tears away, shaking her head. "I think you just made an understatement of the year."

Wes laughed. "Okay, so maybe it's not exactly that but I know how high you place family on your list of priorities. So what are you thinking?"

"I've got a basic idea but I need to discuss some specifics with Finn before anything is solid."

"Anything I could help with?"

Kat stood and grabbed her datapad. "Mom left these files that detailed all that the previous Republics did when running the galaxy." Wes raised his eyebrow at Kat calling Leia mom, something she never did when they were on Naboo. She just rolled her eyes and waved off his silent question before continuing her request. "I've already made some notes and marked things I need to reread but I would like your opinion on things and what I've already started to piece together. I just can't focus on the Republic right now until I settle things with Ben and end the First Order for good. I'm going to need you as a soundboard."

He took the datapad from her and turned it on, planning on spending the next few hours combing through things. "You got it. Anything as a senator from Naboo I can do for you, General?"

Kat rolled her eyes at his emphasis on their titles. "I ask for your planet's patience and support as we work through rebuilding efforts."

"I can give you that too." He smiled up at her. "Now you wanna talk about that other thing that's bothering you?"

"Not to you I don't."

"Oh, c'mon, I'm great at relationship advice."

Kat rolled her eyes and picked up her batons to which Wes rolled his eyes at.

"Leave them."

"No."

"You don't need them."

"They help me think and besides you definitely don't give great relationship advice. You punched the last guy I had issues with." She said as she opened the door to come face to face with Poe who was just about to knock.

"Hey! I told you that was more for me than for you. And don't forget you agreed that it made you feel better." Wes said, not realizing Poe was on the other side of the door until the pilot spoke up.

"I'm glad you're at least admitting to someone else that there're some issues."

Kat ground her teeth in frustration. "I don't have time for this." She said as she pushed past him.

"Ooh, I'm surprised you didn't get slapped, pal," Wes said.

Poe just glared at the other man before going after Kat. "Kat! Kat, wait!" He called out before he finally caught up to her.

He caught her wrist and she whirled around on him, pulling her wrist from his grip. Poe was reminded of Leia's warning when he had just brought Kaz on. You're playing with fire. It had been a while since they had actually fought that he almost forgot what it was like to have those stormy blue eyes pointed at him.