━━ CHAPTER SEVEN / senator bream

Eliana and Poe were ready to meet the Senator in time and Eliana had put her hair up. The hairstyle wasn't particularly elaborate but it was simple and elegant. Her outfit was formal but not overly so. She knew what kind of meeting this would be and from what she had read, Senator Bream was a judgemental man.

His planet was significant in the Mid-Rim but she had never heard the name be of any significance in the wider galaxy. But he had a lot of personal wealth. His family had profited during the Empire's rule and now he was using that very same money to fuel the First Order.

That much, Leia had found out but now Eliana needed to find out about everyone else. Find out who else was doing business with the First Order under the table. Eliana knew that if they were able to cut off the supply chain of credits then the First Order would crumble. That's what Eliana had to do for the Resistance.

Poe was on the military aspect. There were inconsistencies in documents that Leia had got her hands on which led her to believe that the Republic Military was - in some way - helping the First Order. Poe had to find out if that was true.

But for now, they were tackling the dinner with the Senate together. They held hands all the way to the Senate building and Eliana let herself admire Poe. He cleaned up nicely and he had taken a shower so he smelled so much nicer. The lingering smell of smoke and metal from flying the X-Wings gone and replaced with a pleasant smell she couldn't put her finger on.

Pretending to be a couple made it easier. She didn't have to pretend that he didn't smell nice. She didn't have to pretend that he didn't look gorgeous dressed smart-casual. But as soon as they reached Senator Bream's office, she put her attention completely onto him.

She did much of the talking as he finished his last bits of business for the day. Bream apologised profusely for his tardiness but Eliana was as polite and diplomatic as ever. It was a side to her that Poe had never really seen.

There had always been the air of a diplomat to her when they did certain things but this was a whole new side of her. He liked seeing her in her element. There was a spark in her eyes that he hadn't seen since she had first piloted an X-Wing.

The trio eventually left Senator Bream's office and they took a holo-taxi into central Coruscant. Eliana recognised the district as one of the posher ones. Relya had taken her to this part of time so many times during Eliana's internship. It was always beautiful and the food was delectable. Poe got to experience the luxury, probably for the first time.

As they walked into the restaurant, Poe leaned down so his mouth was by her ear and whispered, "You're never this kind when I flirt with you." It was quiet enough that Senator Bream wouldn't have heard but she felt her face flush. Both the proximity and the fact he openly admitted that he did flirt with her made her cheeks heat up.

But also the implication that Bream had been flirting to her felt absurd. She wasn't entirely sure how to take the statement. However, it wasn't an issue for long because they were quickly seated and were ordering. Eliana was careful with what she chose and the conversation quickly began.

It was relatively superficial to begin with. It was mainly chatter and Eliana was able to fill up the conversation well. Bream gave his sincerest words regarding the loss of her 'grandfather' and she played the avoidance tactic, claiming that it was hard to talk about. Bream, thankfully, understood that and the conversation continued.

Eventually, as they eat, their conversation swayed in the right direction. Towards the wealth that 'Hana' had recently accumulated. It was all lies but Eliana was able to lie so easily. Poe was confused by how believable her lies were. At base, she couldn't lie to save her life but here, she was perfect. The perfect facade, the perfect lies.

Poe began to believe he was really called Bo and they really had got married. She was so easy to believe and the charm that Leia had spoken about was suddenly there. He began to believe her name was Hana and she was really wanting to invest into the First Order. It was jarring, almost terrifying to know.

"I don't have as much information as I'm sure you'd like," Bream began as he placed down his now empty glass of Corellian wine. He then gestured for the waiter to come over and he refilled it without a single question, "But I am hosting a soiree in a few days. I can connect you with a few of my people there," Bream continued. He said a thank you to the waiter after they finished pouring the wine and then took a sip from his glass.

"I would certainly be interested. Do you have my contact details?" Eliana asked. Bream nodded and she smiled. It was a genuine smile and a gorgeous smile. Her whole face brightened with it, "Then send over any information. I'm sure we'd love to attend," Her gaze flicked to Poe, trying to get him to join in. He nodded and just about managed to pull his gaze off of Eliana's face. He had been admiring her all that time.

"It sounds wonderful," He said, stumbling over his words. Bream chuckled and placed his glass of wine back down on the table.

"I remember when my wife used to distract me like that. Hold on to those feelings," Bream said, the corners of his lips turning up but only slightly. There was a sadness in his eyes and Eliana glanced between the two men. She had been so focused on Bream that she hadn't even realised Poe had been looking at her.

"I will. I know how lucky I am to have such a... gorgeous woman in my life," Poe's words seemed somewhat genuine but Eliana knew that it was the mission talking. He had to be believable and he had always been a good liar. This should be easy for him.

Eliana pushed a smile onto her face, needing to keep up the facade. She then pressed a soft kiss to Poe's cheek before she returned back to her meal. The conversation briefly lapsed before Poe asked if Bream was married. Eliana winced at the question. It was a bad question to ask but Bream's face seemed to light up. He nodded and then he began to talk about his wife. She had died and all his children were grown now so it was him alone in his house.

It was a side of him that Eliana had not expected and she had to keep reminding herself that this man was responsible for what the First Order was doing. By the end of the night, the invitation to discuss investment at the soiree was confirmed and Eliana felt somewhat successful. It was a good first day and she knew that they now had a few days to prepare.

Bream left to go home and Eliana and Poe went back to the hotel. By the time they reached their room, Eliana was exhausted. Her feet ached from the heels she had worn and she felt a little tipsy from the Corellian wine. But she was put together enough to change with little protest. She took the fresher while Poe changed in the bedroom.

And it was only when Eliana stepped out of the room that she really realised that they would have to share a bed. Her heart sunk and she stared at it. Sharing a bed with Poe Dameron was too much but there was nothing else she could do. He would be sleeping so close to her and that made her heart twist.

The gossip after this op would be never ending and exhausting if anyone found out that they slept in a bed together. But they had no choice and if the staff became suspicious of them not sleeping in the same bed, it would only create more issues. Gossip spread quickly around Coruscant and Hana and her new husband already sleeping apart would not look good.

So, she just looked past her own pride and got into bed beside him. He was already lying down, back facing her and his gaze fixed on his datapad. She wasn't sure what he was looking at but she didn't want to know. She just wanted to sleep.

Once she was settled under the covers, she snuggled up to a pillow and let her eyes close. Part of her could forget that Poe was even in the bed until she felt him turn over. He then settled down, staying completely silent as they both tried to fall asleep.

-

When she woke up the next morning, there was an unfamiliar weight around her. An arm wrapped around her waist and a body pressed against hers. It didn't take a genius for her to realise that it was Poe. And despite how unfamiliar it felt, she couldn't bring herself to push him away. Instead, she reached out and took his hand around her waist.

She intertwined their fingers and pulled it up so it was resting against her chest. Her eyes fell closed again. His body was so warm, it was comforting and he felt so familiar. And she fell back into that half-asleep, half-awake doze, just enjoying his touch. She knew this was exactly what she didn't want to happen but she couldn't find the heart to care. If anybody found out about this, the teasing might have just been worth it.

Then, she felt Poe move. He lifted his head a little and she kept her eyes closed. He couldn't know that she let this keep happening even after she woke up. He would tease her for this if he knew and she couldn't. She didn't even want to think about it. So, she pretended to be asleep.

Poe's eyes blinked open and he realised who he was sleeping with. It took a moment for reality to come back to him and his heart began to race. He wasn't sure when they had gotten like this and she was holding his hand. It rested against her chest and he could feel the steady beat of her heart. He felt almost embarrassed by the situation.

But he didn't want to wake her up by moving. So, he stayed there, thinking of a game plan. He knew he had to leave soon. There were a few old contacts that he was meant to be meeting up with. They knew it was going to be him so he needed to get dressed and make it out of the hotel before anyone else was really awake but he didn't want to leave this.

He didn't realise how much he'd enjoy being with her but he did. All the teasing had only ever been teasing, flirting that didn't mean much. Well, it meant something but never much, he knew Eliana would never have him. But it felt so nice. He let out a soft sigh and tilted his head down, resting it in her hair.

"Maker," He mumbled softly. Eliana heard him and it sent her mind-reeling. Was that bad? Was it good? What tone was that? Her head was spinning and then she felt him lift away. He gently slid his hand out of her hold and she tried not to let out a disgruntled noise. They weren't actually married, she couldn't complain.

He then gently shuffled back on the bed and Eliana rolled over on the bed. She kept her eyes closed as she moved to rest the other way. Now, looking directly at Poe who's eyes had widened at her movement. He was worried he'd woke her but when she seemed to settle back to sleep, he slipped off the bed completely.

Eliana wanted to ask him where he was going but she knew it wouldn't be hard for him to put two-and-two together and realise she was awake the entire time. So, she settled into the bed and eventually sleep took her back before she even heard the door close.

He had his own objectives to complete and she wasn't going to interfere.

-