POE RETURNED a day earlier than expected. The Falcon landed at their campsite on Yavin 4 as well as a Poe's Black Squadron. It was a huge relief for Poe to know Snap, Jess, and Karé had all survived. Just as good as it was to know they had survived, it had hit Poe how many men he lost in his Black Squardon.

He shakes it off as he walked down the ramp of the Falcon with Finn, BB-8, and Chewie. He looks at the sight before him. Karé and Snap embracing each other and even giving each other kisses on the lips. The married couple had spent so long inside their X-Wings flying away from First Order fleets, they weren't sure they were even going to make it. Poe's eyes made it to Jess. Jess looks at him and winks at him. Poe gives her a small smile. Hearing Jess's voice over the comms made his anxiety just shatter into tiny pieces.

"So what's next, buddy?" Finn asks standing next to Poe.

Poe knew Finn was a bit worried over him during this mission. These people they were saving were very close to Poe. Poe knew them for years, longer than Finn. Finn knew Poe had more friends than just him, it's like how Poe isn't Finn's only friend.

Poe looks at Finn, "Debrief with the General," He says, "And I think a nap afterwards."

Finn watched as Poe yawned. Finn noticed as Poe hadn't been sleeping much. Finn had tried to get Poe to rest on the Falcon during their mission, but the man just brushed it off like nothing had happened.

Finn kept his eyes on Poe, "You sure you don't want to see Amara before a nap?" He asks, "She'd probably be happy to see you."

Poe pondered over that thought. A small smile escaped his lips.

"Maybe I'll push the nap back an hour," Poe says.

{RISE OF SKYWALKER}

DEBRIEFING WENT well, as well as Poe had expected it. Leia was happy to know they all made it back safely but was sadden that only three pilots remain from Black Squadron. Poe felt the same way and it was apparent on his face. Despite that, he and Finn ended up leaving Leia without anything else. Leia must've knew that both boys just wanted to be surrounded by friends again after their mission ripped them from their friends literally after the near destruction of the Resistance.

When Finn, Poe, and BB-8 arrived to camp, Finn spots Rose.

"Rose-!" Finn exclaims with a big smile.

Rose looked up and smiled. Rose was then met by Finn sprinting over to her and hugged her tightly. Rose held onto the former trooper tightly until he pulled back from the hug. Poe walked over slowly with BB-8 rolling behind his master.

Rose looks at Finn, "You're back earlier than expected." She says, "Welcome back."

Poe knew Rose was being polite and addressing both of them on their return, but Poe knew before he left how Rose seemed to be a bit closed off from him. He assumed it had to do with her sister's death being his fault. He doesn't blame, how could he?

Finn smiles, "Thanks." He says, "We just finished debriefing Leia."

Rose's eyes briefly land on Poe before moving to Finn. She had a genuine smile on her face whenever it was on Finn, but for Poe it seemed a little forced. No one seemed to notice it, either that, or Poe assumed no one wanted to bring it up.

"We were wondering where Rey and Amara are?" Finn asks.

Rose groans, "Those two have been joined at the hip ever since you two took off into space." She says, "I mean sure, we spend dinner together, but they've been in the forest mediating or doing Jedi stuff."

Poe seemed puzzled by that, "I'd never picture Amara mediating."

Rose's eyes drift to him briefly before turning back to Finn. This time, Finn noticed it. He noticed the look his new friend was giving his first Resistance friend. Did Rose hate Poe? And why?

"They should be coming back to camp any moment," She tells Finn, "So maybe just unpack and wait."

After that Rose walked off, leaving the two men standing there. Finn and Poe, who carried a small bag with dirty clothes, glanced at each other before they walked in the direction of their tents.

Finn glanced at Poe, "Was Rose acting weird?"

Poe glanced at Finn, "I don't know," He says, "I don't know her like you do."

Finn glanced back, he saw Rose by another tent laughing with Kaydel and Jess. Rose seemed to be normal, normal around others, but before with Poe it was like she was pretending to smile or seem okay.

"I don't know," Finn says, "Something doesn't seem right."

Poe placed his hand on Finn's shoulder, "Don't make a big deal out of nothing." He says.

That's when the two reached the tents. Both men agreed that they were going to do their laundry later, like tomorrow. After both men tossed their own bag into their respected tents, they sat outside the tents and waited for Rey and Amara. As they sat there, Poe was cleaning up BB-8 from all the dirt covering him from their past adventure. Finn leaned back and looked at the sky, wondering if Poe did something to offend Rose.

"Finn-!" A familiar voice brought Finn out of his thoughts.

Finn and Poe both looked up to see the two girls back in camp. Amara's eyes lit up seeing Poe and sprinted over to him. Poe had to stand up and brace himself for her impact, but lucky for him that Amara was practically tiny. Rey walked over to Finn and also gave her dear friend a hug.

Amara wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Poe had one hand on the back of her head and the other on her back. After what felt to be a long enough hug, Amara and Poe let go of each other. Poe cups Amara's cheeks as Amara's hands rested on his shoulders, before one hand rested on his chest. Her eyes never leaving his.

"You weren't suppose to be back until tomorrow," Amara says.

Poe gives her a small smile, "So we've been told."

Rey and Finn step over. The two give the couple an awkward smile, as the two noticed that they weren't alone.

"Why don't we give you two some space," Rey says, "Alone."

Amara flushes pink, "R- Right," She says, "Um- We'll see you in a little bit."

Rey nods and gives a smile. After that, Finn was dragged off by Rey as an attempt to give the couple some space.

Amara and Poe turn back to each other.

"So I hear you're mediating," Poe says, "That's new."

Amara gives a sad smile, "I have my reasons,"

Poe brushed some of her hair out of her face, "Is everything okay?" He asks.

Amara glanced at the campsite and then back to Poe. Clearly she didn't want to have this conversation in an earshot of someone else.

"Care to take a walk?" Amara asks.

{RISE OF SKYWALKER}

SHOCK WAS an understatement for Poe. He had heard Amara explain her and Rey's trip to the Force sensitive tree. He listened to her tell him of her vision, a vision with a younger version of her and Ben. He listened to her tell him how she sensed something from the tree at a young age. And he listened to the theory that her and Rey came up with, that Amara somehow repressed being Force sensitive at the age of six until she grew older after fear from what she sensed.

It was a lot. Amara and Poe walked a path on the Dameron land in the forest, it was a path that Amara and Rey had been comfortable with traveling in the past few days.

"Mediation is the only suggestion I can think of to figure out if or how I managed to repress my knowledge of being Force sensitive as a child." Amara says.

Poe nods at Amara, "Does Leia know?"

Amara nods.

"How did she take the news?" Poe asks.

Amara sighs, "She went on for a moment how she was right from the very beginning about me." She says, "But other than that supported my choice to mediate in search of answers."

Poe stopped dead in his tracks. Amara stopped as well. She stood a few inched ahead of him, and turned around to face him.

"And have you found any answers yet?" Poe asks.

Amara shakes her head, "Mediation doesn't just come to you after your first attempt." She says, "Rey has been helping me, but it's a process. I- I haven't been successful yet."

Poe nods, "I'm sure you'll get the hang of this mediation thing." He encourages.

Amara looks at him and gives him a sad smile. She turns away from him and then ran her hands through her hair, before turning back to him.

"It's so irritating," She says, "All my life I had this ability but for whatever reason I got scared and shut it off. And- And when I need guidance from my uncle, he isn't around."

Poe steps over and reached out his hand to her. He held onto her hand, causing her to look up at him. She felt his other hand cup her face. The mere touch of Poe seemed to calm her.

"It's going to be okay," He says, "You're not doing this alone."

He lowers his head on her forehead and closes his eyes. Amara held her eyes open on him for a moment, before slowly closing them. She felt his breathing on her, but it made her feel close to him.

"You're never going to do this alone," He says, "I'm always going to be with you, Amara."

{RISE OF SKYWALKER}

TONIGHT WAS a mixture of a celebration and just a regular dinner. Everyone was gathered around the campfire; eating food, socializing, soaking up in the warmth the fire possessed. Poe found himself next to Finn, sharing the same log. Poe looked in front of him to see Amara sitting next to Rey, the two girls were silently talking among themselves. Poe couldn't help but feel a little bit jealous, but then swallowed back that feeling. He can't have Amara all the time. She was her own person, plus Amara needed someone who understood this whole Force sensitive thing. Amara needed Rey.

Poe looks down at his food. If Vira had survived Crait, surely Amara wouldn't have been too open in a new friendship. Amara was far content with just Vira and Poe in her corners, sure she counted on others in the Resistance, but she only went out of her way for Vira and then later for Poe. Poe's eyes drift to Finn. Finn was talking to Rose. And everyone now and then, Rose would glance at Poe with a sad smile that looked forced on her face.

"A Force sensitive tree-?" Finn's voice brought Poe back to reality.

Rey nods with a smile, "Uh huh." She gestures to Amara, "We went on a hike together to see it."

Rose couldn't help but pout and cross her arms on her chest, "I wished you had invited me." She says.

Amara looks at Rose with sympathy, "Sorry Rose," Amara says, "Next time, girls trips."

Poe sees how open Amara is with Rose, Rey, and Finn. Poe found it so interesting, Amara has probably grown a lot in her time in the Resistance, but Poe never saw Leia pull her to the side and tried teaching her the ropes of leading in the future. Amara managed to build up to the rank of captain. She had been a captain for a few years and seemed prideful of that rank. She wasn't promoted until the Raddus by Holdo, and Poe was certain the ranking still stood as Commander Solo. Poe had been given his status as commander again, but it came with a lecture by Leia. A lecture to not be a hero but be a leader. Poe mentally shook his head, he wasn't a leader or a hero. He was a stubborn pilot.

Rey is a hero.

Amara could be a leader.

Finn leans close to Rose, he does so in order to speak closer to Amara and Rey.

"So this Force sensitive tree," Finn says, "They're from Yavin 4?"

Amara shakes her head, "No, actually. The tree was a gift to Poe's parents from Luke Skywalker."

Finn's head snapped over to Poe so quickly. He was stunned and amazed.

"Wow, that's incredible." Finn says.

Poe lightly chuckles, "It's not that big of a deal," He shrugs.

Rey shakes her head, "It really is, Poe. I never felt so calm before," She says with a small smile on her face, "It was incredible."

Finn kept his eyes on Poe, "Oh we have to see this tree, Poe!"

Poe glanced at Amara. She gave him an apology in her eyes, she knew Poe was exhausted and he wasn't going to go light on himself. There was too much work to do, as he would say.

"Yea- Yeah," Poe says rubbing the bridge of his nose, "Sure, buddy."

After that, Poe stood up.

Amara knew he was tired. She was told by Finn that Poe had barley slept on the Falcon. The stress of finding a new base was getting to him and the guilt of Crait was also eating at him. She had told him before it wasn't his fault, she knows her mother did the same, and yet Poe was just too damn stubborn to believe their words.

"I'm gonna call it a night," Poe says, "Night."

The others wave and then watch the pilot walk off, with BB-8 rolling behind. Amara watched Poe walk off, a frown on her face didn't go unnoticed by Rey. However, now that Poe had left, Finn seemed to turn his attention to Rose. He had been wondering if there was an issue with her and Poe since arriving back to Yavin 4, but he hadn't asked her.

"Rose," Finn spoke, "Do you hate Poe?"

Rose lifts her head to look at him, "What? No."

Finn frowns, "Then why have you been pretending to smile when he is around?" He asks her.

Both Rey and Amara had noticed it, but kept quiet. They weren't even sure how to address it as neither of them were really close to Rose.

Rose shakes her head, "Finn, I don't hate Poe." She says and sighs, "It's just complicated, okay."

Rey look at Rose, "So something about him is bothering you?" She asks.

Rose looks to Rey and then her eyes flicker to Amara. Rose knows of Poe's relationship with her, the two were the talk of the remaining Resistance. The best pilot of the Resistance in a romantic relationship with the General's daughter. Rose didn't know how to answer without pissing off Amara.

"Rose," Amara says, "Just tell us what's wrong, please."

Rose sighs and says, "Look, after I woke up here on Yavin 4, Leia came to talk to me. She explained what happened after I went unconscious on Crait and told me how we all escaped." She says, "But she also talked about Paige's death. Apologizing about her death and- and all I kept doing was thinking about how Poe was in charge during that attack."

No one said anything. It shouldn't come to a surprise that Rose would blame Poe about Paige's death. Amara knew Poe was blaming himself for anything at this point, if she had fallen in a hole, Poe wouldn't probably take the blame.

"Rose," Finn says, "Poe wasn't the one who killed her. The First Order did."

Rose looks at Finn, "But it was under his command to take down that damn ship-."

There was a little bitter in Rose's voice now. She groans and ran a hand over her face in frustration. Amara can tell by looking at Rose's eyes that Rose doesn't hate Poe, but is in fact conflicted at the moment on how to process it.

"Rose," Amara's voice spoke up, "It's understandable to be mad at him. Poe made a mistake and we lost a lot of good people. You sister included."

Rey's and Finn's eyes locked on Amara, while both Amara and Rose were staring at each other. Neither breaking eye contact.

"I was pissed off at him when he came back into the hangar," Amara says, "He didn't see anything wrong at first until- until everything hit him all at once."

Amara's expression fell.

"He blames himself for your sister's death, for all those Resistance pilots who died against the First Order, for the Raddus, for Holdo, for all of those who died in those transports, for those who died on Crait, and my best friend." Amara says, "But- But it isn't his fault, at least not all of it."

Amara sighs and felt her eyes tearing up as she tried to explain it to Rose.

"I could blame Poe for Vira's death on Crait," Amara says, "But I didn't. I knew she was going to go out there and fight for the Resistance, despite what I wanted for her. Vira is gone and I have to live with that, and so does Poe. He has to live with all of those Resistance pilots and officers who didn't come back."

Rose felt a single tear slide down her face.

"Blaming each other is what the First Order wants us to do," Amara says, "Because if we fight among ourselves, then they win."

Rose just nods, but says nothing.

A little away, Leia stood watching her daughter. She had heard the words she had said to Rose. Leia watched as Rey pulled her in for a hug, which caused Leia to smile lightly. She was happy Amara had a friend in Rey. Leia knew Poe was struggling with his own guilt and needed to get it sorted. She glanced from the small group to the stars in the night sky. Luke would know what to say or what to do, he was always wise beyond his years. Instead, Leia lowered her gaze back to her daughter. Guess it was time for Poe to get a nice fatherly talk with Kes about this self-pity and self-blame.