The Other Solo

Chapter 25

"I know things didn't go as planned..." Poe sighs giving Jaina's hand a quick squeeze.

"I'm trying not to get my hopes up these days." Jaina leans back on the headrest.

It's been 2 years since the Snoke incident on Corusant. She and Poe have been following rumors and fragments of clues to locate the Church of the Force. Unfortunately, many have been dead ends.

In the meantime the First Order gets stronger and stronger. Snoke's reign of terror spreads throughout the galaxy but the Republic remains unmoved in it's neutrality. Their sympathizers have infiltrated the Senate blocking any progress to aid the Resistance.

Jaina and Poe are on their way back to Yavin 4. They like to go there after failed missions to recharge. Jaina spends time in the archives and honing her skills with the force. Poe spends time at his childhood house and tending to the temple gardens. It's relaxing for them both and gives them time to escape the disappointment and stress around them.

Poe lands the ship in front of the main entrance. The sun is setting on the west side of the temple making it seem to radiate crimson. Jaina stretches before rising from the co-pilot seat.

"Home." She exhales.

"Home." Poe repeats kissing her hand.

As they disembark, he wraps his arm over her shoulder. "So... Your place or mine?" He seductively whispers into her ear.

She giggles running down the path to his house and he closely follows her. Just before she reaches the front door he scoops her up into his arms.

"Gotcha!" He exclaims triumphantly.

He sets her down but doesn't release his grip around her waist. She turns to face him.

"Now that you have me, what will you do with me?" She say alluringly while pulling him closer by his jacket lapels.

A devilish grin spreads across his face and he pushes her against the door. Slowly he traces her neck up to her jaw with his lips. A small moan escapes her and he chuckles low in delight. Not able to take any more she grabs his face and presses her lips firmly to his. He lifts her slightly and she wraps her legs around him. Flinging the door open they enter the house still entangled together.

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Jaina flinches at the light pouring in from the open windows. She moves onto her back stretching her arm to the side. Feeling around she opens her eyes to see that Poe is not laying next to her. She sits up confused looking around the room for any sign of him. Hearing his footsteps coming down the hall she eases back against the pillows.

"Good morning!" He greets carrying a tray of food.

"Morning!" She smiles at him.

Poe sits on the bed and sets the tray between them. "Sleep well?"

Jaina stretches her arms yawning. "Definitely... You wore me out last night."

Poe leans over to kiss her cheek. "Eat up... You'll need your strength."

They finish breakfast and a repeat of the night before. Its the middle of the day when Jaina gets out of bed. Poe sleeps soundly as she takes a bath and dresses. She kisses him before slipping out of the house.

She spends the rest of the day in the temple. She doesn't have the concentration or strength to train today so she just aimlessly wonders around the grounds. It's become easier for her to be at the temple. At first she was plagued with ghosts of what was, then gradually she let go of her grief and was able to focus on what is ahead of her.

She finds herself in the grand courtyard at the center of the temple. Poe has done a marvelous job renovating the gardens. It looks just like it did when she was growing up there. She smiles at the memories of Anakin, Luke and Ben in the courtyard. Now these lovely memories are joined by the new ones she made with Poe there. This place will always be her sanctuary... her home.

"I made dinner." Poe breaks into her thoughts. He rests his hands on her shoulders lightly kissing her ear.

They walk hand and hand to the force tree where Poe has made a picnic for them. The sky turns dark except for the moon and stars sparkling. Fireflies glow making the picnic look enchanted. Poe leans against the tree with Jaina in his arms. She closes her eyes and focuses on their heartbeats.

"Jaina?" Poe asks softly.

"Hmmm?" She answers not opening her eyes.

"You know I love you more than anything and I've enjoyed these past few years together but..." He pauses.

She sits up and twists to face him. "But?"

"But... I want more."

"More?" She tilts her head questioningly.

"Yes... I want you to ...to be my wife." He musters to get out.

Shocked Jaina lets his words sink in. Marriage? She loved Poe but hadn't thought too much about marriage. Honestly, she felt like marriage wasn't a guarantee of a lasting relationship. Her parents were married many years but it didn't stop her father from leaving numerous times to go on adventures. Even her mother would leave for important missions for months at a time without her father.

"Please say something..." Poe pleads nervously.

"Poe, I love you too... I'm just not sure marriage is for me."

A look of dejection washes over his face. "Oh I see..."

She takes his face in her hands. "I promise it has nothing to do with you... I love you more than anyone in this galaxy. I don't want to live without you..."

"Then what is it?" He asks sadly.

She leans back on her heels, "I just feel that we don't need to be married to prove we love each other... And I know it sounds silly but I'm worried that marriage will actually hurt what we have..."

Poe's eyebrows pull together, "How?"

"Well look at my parents. They've been married my whole life and it hasn't kept them together. I can't tell you how many times they seperated."

Poe pushes back Jaina's hair, "But they always come back to each other. My parents were married for many years as well and they had the strongest bond I've ever seen."

"But there's no guarantee that we would be like them." Jaina stands with her hands on her hips.

"There's no guarantee that we would be like your parents either." Poe rises in front of her.

He envelopes her in his arms, "Just think about it... Either way I'm not going anywhere."

She nuzzles into his neck, "Ok... I'll think about it."