//God Speed Rebels\\

V

"Mercy!" I cry sarcastically. Leia lets a small smile slip on her creasing face. She lowers her blaster. I stand slowly and take a deep breath before rushing to her. She pulls me into an embrace and chuckle in deligh.

"That was pretty badass, Ma'am." I compliment while backing up to see her fully.

"I'm always badass, Commander Caden, you just don't see it." She winks at me before turning around and pointing in Poe's direction.

"Get the flyboy." she scoffs. The last of the Resistance fighters run in with a medical bed and pull Poe onto it. I follow them out and watch as Leia walks back to the Infirmary. I hesitate to follow, knowing that I can talk to her later. My feet pound against the ground as I make my way into the hanger. I follow Poe's medical bed and wait next to him. After a few more minutes of waiting, Vice Admiral Holdo walks out with Leia by her side. She scolds me while walking up to Poe. Her hand brushes against his face before she looks up to me.

Did she just touch his face?

"He's a troublemaker."

I watch her, not bothering to respond. Something boils up deep down in my heart. My eyes glued to the woman.

"Watch him carefully, Commander Caden." she commands with a small smile. I continue to watch her as confusion spreads across my face. 

Jealousy. That's what it is. Before I could snap at her, someone rips my attention away from the Vice Admiral.

"Hey, Caden, help me push your lover boy up."

I whip around to see Strife winking at me. I laugh at her as we push Poe up into the shuttle together. The three of us sit in the back corner closest to the cockpit. The Zeltron girl tuts quickly to herself while leaning to look at Poe. She switches her glance between me and him before scoffing.

"And what is that supposed to mean?" I ask with an amused chuckle.

"You're lucky." Strife says. Jealously lacing her words.

"You think so?"

"I know so..." she trails off. "He loves you, Al. As long as you've got someone who does..." She hums to herself in agreement. "You can do anything."

I breathe out slowly before pulling my friend into a hug.

"I missed seeing you around, Strife."

"Hey, word travels. I know everything you've been up to. Just don't get arrested at our new base." she warns while looking over her shoulder at one of the officers who stood by Admiral Holdo. I recognize him from just an hour before when Poe and I stripped Holdo of her duties.

"I need you around so I can tell you all about my guy, Al."

I laugh hysterically with Strife as she plays with her hair, obviously trying to get the officer's attention. It seemed to be working. His gaze would meet hers ever now and again. They would look so good together.

"Commander Strife? Commander Caden? We need someone to pilot the pod."

Strife looks to Poe then smiles to me before standing to her feet.