[ she reaches out to take his hand. in part to guide him, in part because it would keep her better attuned to his reactions in the strange new world of his loyalty to her new empire, and in part because she could not stand to watch him wipe the phantom tears from his face again. force help her, she didn't have the strength. ]

Come on.

[ she helps him off the bed and leads him to the door. it opens into a first order hallway. at first brush, it's no different than the first order had ever been. it really isn't different at all, yet. but there are ... hints. small things. stormtroopers without their helmets talk in the hallways.

it is, after all, their barracks. ]

I've always admired your resolve, Poe. You do the hard thing, even if it kills you. You don't compromise. That's what I need at my side.