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chapter seventeen: homecoming
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LEIA IS ALREADY waiting for her when Indira takes her first hesitant steps into the general's private office. The older woman is sat at her desk with a map spread across the table top, studying it intently. She doesn't even look up when Indira enters the room; just gestures for her to sit in the chair across from her. Obediently, Indira does as she's told and takes a seat; crossing her legs and wringing her hands nervously.

     "You've been avoiding me," Leia says, still not looking up from her work.

     Indira's shoulders slump and she looks down at her hands. "Not intentionally," she mutters, though that isn't entirely the truth.

     The general looks up at her skeptically, finally setting aside her map and folding her hands together on the desk's surface. "You have been rather busy," she concedes. "I was starting to worry. If you'd gone any longer without sleeping, I would have had to sic Threepio on you."

      Indira blinks. "You knew about that?"

      Leia gives her a wry smile. "On this base, I know about everything, kid."

     Somehow, that doesn't surprise her at all. "Of course you do," Indira breathes, sighing once before rubbing her eyes and sitting up in her seat. "General," she says solemnly, "I owe you an apology —"

     "Apology accepted," the general cuts her off, stopping Indira in her tracks. "There's no need for us to rehash past wrongdoings when we've got much bigger problems than you mouthing off at me." She leans in over her desk, looking at Indira shrewdly. "There's something else you wanted to speak to me about. Am I right in thinking that you didn't come all the way here just to apologize?"

     Indira swallows harshly before nodding her head. "I saw him," she admits, voice faltering slightly. "I saw Poe. I was dreaming and I just ... I don't know why or how, but I saw him again and ... I know it doesn't make any sense, but I think know where he is."

     General Organa's eyes widen in disbelief. "Where?" She demands.

     "In the desert," Indira replies. "Surrounded by nothing but sand for miles. He was ... hurt, but I don't think his injuries were life-threatening."

     "Jakku," the general mutters, leaning back in her chair. "He must've returned to Jakku after escaping." For a moment, she loses her stone-cold composure and a hysterical sort of laugh bubbles out from her lips. In her eyes, Indira can see the faint shine of unshed tears. "I don't know how he does it," she says, shaking her head in disbelief. "I really don't."

     Running her hands over her face, Leia collects herself and stands from her seat. "Come with me," she instructs Indira. "I need to speak to Connix and see if we've received any transmissions from Jakku."

     Indira follows her out of the room, shoes squeaking on the freshly polished floors of the hallway as they head in the direction of the command room. When they enter the base's hub, Leia pulls her blonde-haired lieutenant aside and mutters something to the younger girl quickly. Immediately, Connix sits herself down at one of the transmitters and begins to check the various frequencies for any sign of contact from Poe.

     After a few minutes of tense silence, the blonde haired girl gives a triumphant shout. "I've got it!" Connix exclaims, though her brow furrows directly after. "A distress call was issued to the base, but it wasn't from Commander Dameron," she says with pause. "It came from ... his father?"

     The tail end of her sentence sounds like a question rather than a statement, causing General Organa to frown. "From Kes?" She asks. "Kes Dameron?"

     Connix nods. "I ... yes," she says. "Sergeant Kes Dameron on Yavin Four."

     "What the varp," the general mutters under her breath, taking Connix's earpiece and placing it up to her own ear. She listens to the message carefully, brow furrowed and lips pursed, before she sets the earpiece down and shakes her head.

     "That's Kes," she confirms. "Poe must've hitched a ride off Jakku to Yavin. Connix, see if you can patch me through to Kes."

     "Roger that," the lieutenant replies, switching a few dials before settling onto a steady frequency. Indira listens with bated breath as the general speaks into her headset.

     "Kes, do you copy?" General Organa asks, pausing for a response. Her eyes narrow, straining to hear a response before her face relaxes. "Sergeant, it is very good to hear your voice. I hear you've got a visitor with you — one of ours. I hope he's not causing you too much trouble." She pauses to consider her words. "Well, no more trouble than usual, at least." A somberness falls over her face. "How is he?"

     Inside her chest, Indira's heart pounds rapidly. Her hand finds its way to her necklace, gripping it tightly as she waits to see the general's reaction. Leia, though, has mastered the art of keeping a neutral countenance even in the face of bad news. Her expression gives away nothing.

     "I ... see," she says slowly. "No, I don't want you to wake him. Let him rest. Gods know he needs it." Her eyes meet Indira's. "I'll send a crew to pick him up." There's a few more moments of silence before the general's voice softens. "You should be proud of him, Kes. I know I am. We all are." A flicker of a smile makes its way across her face. "Always. We miss you over here, Sergeant. Take care of yourself."

     There's a few more moments of silence before the general removes her headset and sets it on the table beside her with a sigh. "He's alright," are the first words she says, glancing over at Indira. A shaky smile makes its way across her face. "Kes says he found passage on a ship from Jakku to Yavin at an outpost in Blowback Town. He's a little battered and bruised — a bit shaken, too — but he's sleeping it off."

      Indira lets out a breath that she hadn't realized she'd been holding in, releasing her necklace from her grip. "That's very good news," she replies and Leia nods in agreement.

     "I want you to find Wexley and Kun," she instructs Indira. "Tell them I'm sending them to Yavin Four on one of the transports to extract him — and pack your bags. You're going with them."

     Indira's eyes widen with surprise. "Me?" She asks, raising her eyebrows. "Why me?"

     General Organa arches a brow at her. "You know why," she replies shrewdly before turning on her heel and leaving Indira behind to puzzle that statement.

     You know why. The memory of interlocking her fingers together with Poe's and squeezing his hand flashes into her mind and Indira sighs.

      Yeah, she finally admits to herself. I do know why.

THE JOURNEY TO YAVIN FOUR takes nearly three days in hyperspace; a time in which Indira learns much information about the two members of Black Squadron that she knows least. Karé Kun and Temmin "Snap" Wexley had been hand-picked by the general to retrieve Poe from his father's home on the moon Yavin IV — much to the chagrin of Jess Pava, who'd been required to remain behind on base.

     Karé had always seemed intimidating to Indira, but she learns that the pilot is just quiet; not aloof. She doesn't talk much, but Snap makes up for it by running his mouth constantly. The chatter seems to stem more from nervous anticipation than anything else and Indira can sort of relate to that. They're all nervous; it hangs in the air between the three of them. None of them really know what to expect on Yavin IV.

     As she gets to know more about them, Indira can't help but notice that Snap and Karé are an unlikely couple — at least, they seem that they should be. The age gap between them spans over a decade. Kare is tan, lithe, and fair-haired; Snap is pale, portly, and dark-haired. She's quiet and calm; he is ... decidedly not. And yet, they work. Indira can't explain it, but there's something between the two of them that just fits. The love they share for one another is a visible thing; one that she can see in every fond glance, every gentle touch, every kind word. There's no mistaking what they feel and it makes Indira's heart ache in places she's never felt before.

     On the eve of their third day of travel, the ship exits hyperspace and emerges in the Yavin system. The gas giant glows a wondrous shade of a sinking summer sunset; all oranges and yellows and muted reds. Indira watches from the cockpit of their transport with wide eyes, taking in the sight of the foreign planet. It's a jarring reminder of just how very small she is in the midst of such a huge galaxy.

     In comparison to its primary, Yavin IV is much smaller and far less intimidating. The moon is a pale blue color with vibrant splotches of green spread across its surface. In some respect, it reminds Indira of D'Qar; especially since the planet was once used as a base for the Rebel Alliance during the Galactic Civil War. Indira wonders if there was a chance that her mother had ever visited this place, too.

So many questions unasked, she thinks to herself dismally as their ship enters the planet's atmosphere. So many questions unanswered.

      They approach the colony on Yavin Four within the hour and a nervous fluttering starts in Indira's stomach, making her feel a little queasy. She tries to keep her fidgeting to a minimum in the backseat, jiggling her knee anxiously as they grow closer and closer to their final destination. Outside of the cockpit, the ship passes over old temples and ruins while flying over miles of sprawling tropical wildlife. Already, she can practically feel herself beginning to sweat from the humidity that she's certain will engulf them the moment they step out of the confines of the transport ship.

"Reminds me of home," Snap sighs from the co-pilot's seat as Karé prepares the ship for landing.

      Indira glances over at him curiously. "Where are you from?"

"Akiva," the pilot replies. "It's not quite as nice as Yavin. Hot as balls in the summer and wetter than a Kamino rainy season."

"Don't be dramatic, Temmin," Karé interrupts him, rolling her eyes. "Nothing is wetter than a Kamino rainy season."

     The pilot's expression turns impish. "Nothing?" He repeats with a devilish grin. "Not even —"

"Finish that sentence and you'll make the rest of this trip from outside of the cockpit," Karé threatens him.

      Immediately, he shuts his mouth. "Roger that, Captain Kun," he mutters.

      Karé gives Indira an apologetic look. "Sorry," she says. "My boyfriend is an idiot."

"Hey!" Snap shouts indignantly.

"My apologies," Karé amends. "I meant to say a lovable idiot."

     "That's not much better," Snap grumbles, but Karé just offers him a wan smile before touching the ship down onto the ground in an open patch of grass just outside of the colony.

     As soon as the ship has powered down, Karé stands up and stretches with a yawn; Snap following suit. Indira rises from her seat as well and lifts her arms above her head, feeling a certain stiffness in her limbs that had settled over her during their long journey. She smooths her hair out as well, tying back some of the loose strands that had been crowding her face before exhaling deeply.

     They leave the ship shortly after, making their way through long strands of grass towards the scattered buildings that litter the surrounding area. It seems to be a lazy day in the communal area. A few children run through the grass, chasing after one another without a care in the world. Indira watches them with a faint smile, doing her best to ignore her pounding heart and sweating palms.

"Poe's house is the one closest to the big tree," Karé supplies informatively as they walk, pointing towards a large tree planted at the heart of the compound. The trunk stretches up far above the other houses, towering over them with thick branches that are covered in moss green foliage. "Luke Skywalker gave it to his parents and they planted it here."

"Poe says it's Force sensitive, but I wouldn't know," Snap adds with a scoff. "I'm about as Force sensitive as your average bantha."

"Actually, I think the average bantha might be more Force sensitive than you," Karé jests, causing her boyfriend to scowl.

     The two trade insults as they make their way towards the house closest to the tree, bickering so softly that Indira can barely hear them. It feels a little too intimate for her to be apart of anyways, so she drags her feet and hangs back. The nervous energy thrumming through her veins seems to increase with each step she takes towards the house by the tree. She stops beside the tree briefly, resting her hand on the bark to feel something stirring underneath her touch. Indira gasps softly, yanking her hand away as if she'd been burnt before hurrying after her travel companions. Around her neck, the crystal pulses faintly and she touches it to steady herself.

     As they stop just outside of the entrance to the house, Snap pauses before knocking on the door. "You know," he says, glancing over at Indira intently. "I think it's a good thing that you're here. He might need it."

     Indira's cheeks flush. She doesn't have to ask who the he in question is before Snap pounds on the front door with his fist. Almost immediately, she hears noise on the other side of the wall; the sound of heavy-footed steps drawing nearer and nearer until the door abruptly opens. An older man with dark, greying hair and brown eyes stands on the other side. Wrinkles line his face, creasing his forehead and crinkling his eyes as he takes in the sight of the trio outside his door.

"Sergeant Dameron," Snap greets him respectfully. "It's good to see you, sir."

     Poe's father offers him a wan smile. "How many times do I have to tell you to call me Kes, boy?" He asks the pilot; the words spoken in a sharp, lilting accent. "I'm not a sergeant anymore."

     Snap grins. "At least one more time, sir. You'll always be a sergeant to me."

"Bah," Kes replies sourly, shaking his head. He turns to Karé. "You still haven't managed to teach this one to listen?" He asks accusingly.

      Karé shakes her head with a grin. "No, sir. I don't think anyone could teach him to listen even if they tried," she says, ruffling her boyfriend's hair affectionately. "And believe me — I've tried."

     Poe's father laughs at that. "Of course you have," he agrees, letting his gaze fall on Indira. He studies her face, eyes narrowing slightly as he tries to identify her. "You look familiar," he frowns, tapping his chin. "But I don't believe that we've met."

"Indira, sir," she says, offering him a hand. He reaches out and grasps her hand firmly to shake it before letting go. "Beren."

      His eyes widen and he smiles fondly. "Of course," he says, shaking his head. "You look exactly like your mother."

     Immediately, Indira's head perks up. "You knew her?"

     He nods. "I once considered her a friend."

     Indira smiles in response, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "I'm sure she considered you a friend, too."

"Speaking of friends," Snap says hesitantly, interrupting their conversation. "How is he?"

      Kes's smile fades into a grimace and Indira feels her stomach drop. "He'll be alright," he finally tells them after a long pause, running a tired hand over his face. "Eventually. He's not home right now; said he wanted to go sit down by the river." He glances behind them, as if searching for any sign of his son's return before gesturing for them to follow him inside the house. "Come in, come in. I'm sure you're all tired from your travels and we have much to speak of."

     Kes ushers them inside, seating them on a sofa in the living area before handing them each a warm mug of spiced milk. Indira inhales its familiar scent and feels a pang of homesickness as she thinks about the times her mother prepared the very same drink for her as a child. She takes a sip of the beverage and sighs, cupping her hands around the clay mug.

     Poe's father takes a seat across from the trio with a mug of his own, cradling it between his hands. He doesn't speak for a while, rocking back and forth in his chair as he searches for the right words. "Poe is going to be okay," is the first thing that he says, finally meeting their eyes. "Physically, he is healing well. The bruises are fading; the cuts are scarring over. But my son..." Kes shakes his head. "I don't know what those First Order bastards did to him, but he has been shaken — make no mistake about that."

"How so?" Indira asks, clenching her hands around her mug and biting her lip unsurely.

     Kes shrugs helplessly. "He suffered a head trauma during his escape," he explains. "Told me that he fled captivity with the aid of stormtrooper in a stolen ship, but they were shot down and crashed on the surface of Jakku. Poe was thrown from the crash and his head took the blunt of the fall. He said he couldn't remember anything when he woke, but he somehow knew to come here and found passage on a ship."

     Indira's heart aches a little at the thought. "He came home."

     He gives her a faint smile. "He did," he confirms. "Showed up on my doorstep late in the night four days ago and collapsed. I brought him in, helped clean him up, and put him to bed. He slept for nearly thirty-six hours before fully waking."

     Indira shakes her head in slight disbelief. "Thirty-six hours?" Snap repeats, brow furrowing. "Kriff."

      The sergeant nods. "When he finally woke up, he ate nearly everything I had in my kitchen. He was acting strange, you know. Loud noises made him jump; sudden movements frightened him. At first, I thought it was because of his injury, but he has since regained his memories and every day he tells me his head hurts him a little less — yet there is still something plaguing him. Something he is unwilling to share."

     Indira's stomach feels sick. She sets her mug down on the table. "Can ... can we see him?"

     Kes nods quickly. "Yes, yes; of course," he agrees. "Truth be told, I think he will be happy to see some of his friends." He pauses before hesitating. "But, I think it might be best if only one goes at a time."

     Indira nods in understanding, glancing over at her companions. "Snap," she begins, knowing that Wexley is Poe's second in command. "You should be the first to —"

    "No," he says immediately, shaking his head at her. "You go, Beren. Tell him to come see us when he's ready."

     Indira doesn't protest, standing from her seat on the sofa and wiping her hands on the fabric of her pants. "Around the back of the house, there's a path that leads straight to the riverbed," Kes instructs her. "You can't miss it. He'll be there."

     Indira thanks him quickly before hurrying towards the door. She barely makes it outside of the house before she breaks into a run, skidding around the side of the building and hurrying down the dirt path. The air is thick and muggy around her as the sun begins its descent in the sky, casting red and orange hued rays that break through the canopy of trees above her. Indira thinks her heart might burst from the way it's beating in her chest as she makes her way down the path. She comes to a sudden halt when she sees the riverbed up ahead and the figure of a man sitting with his back facing away from her.

     Slowly, she approaches with quiet footsteps; not wanting to startle or disturb him. However, her foot catches on a twig and it snaps loudly, alerting him to her presence. Immediately, he shoots off the ground to his feet; hand reaching for his blaster on reflex. Poe spins around, eyes wild until he takes in the sight of her face. A sharp breath leaves his lips as he looks at her.

     "Indira?" He asks unsurely, as if he isn't quite sure that what he's seeing is real.

     She nods, suddenly finding it difficult to speak. "It's me," she manages to say and his face crumples as he lets go of the blaster instantly.

    Without hesitation, she closes the distance between them and embraces him fiercely. His arms wrap around her tightly as he buries his head against the crook of her neck; not saying a word and just holding her close. Indira grips him back just as tightly, supporting his weight as he sags against her. One of her hands pushes away some of his curls from his forehead and she presses her lips to his temple, closing her eyes in silent thanks. Against her throat, she feels his breath hitch before his shoulders start to shake.

"I'm sorry," he chokes out, tears leaking down his cheeks onto the fabric of her shirt. "I'm so, so sorry. I failed ... everyone. I just couldn't stop him. He was too powerful —"

     She shushes him quickly, holding him tighter. "It's okay," she promises. "It's okay, it's okay. It's over; you're safe now. They won't ever touch you again. I promise."

     Something between a sob and a laugh escapes his lips as he pulls back slightly, allowing her to take in the sight of his tearstained, blow-beaten face. One of his eyes is black, the skin of his cheek is red and swollen, and his lip has just started to scab over in a way that looks painful. "You gonna fight them off yourself?" He asks; the ghost of a smile teasing at the corners of his mouth, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

"Every last one of them," she vows fiercely, reaching up to cup his face. Poe closes his eyes as she brushes her thumbs over his cheeks to wipe away the tears tracks that remained.

     He presses his lips to the side of her palm, holding her hand to his face before exhaling shakily. "I'm glad you're here."

She closes her eyes and rests her forehead against his. "So am I."

a/n: YEAH .... YEAH

EDITED ON:
08.21.19