Chapter 1: Chapter 1
As usual, Jules found himself on one of the Resistance aisle looking for something to do, or at least someone to tell him what to do. The past few weeks there were lacks of x-wings to repair as a result of an uncommon peace in the galaxy. Jules didn't care, he preferred this instead of thousands of injuried rebels and completely broken ships but he couldn't get out of his mind what that would've mean. If the empire was attacking... that would've mean he could see Poe Dameron every day pacing his aisle from side to side, looking stressed but also hot as hell. He would talk to him about the repair work for his x-wing and Jules could talk to him without looking like a creepy dude who's obsessed with Dameron.
Jules shook his head and returned to the mechanic's bay, whereupon he once again found himself staring at the hulking mass of metal and wires that was Poe Dameron's x-wing. He was sitting in his seat, eyes glued to the screen in front of him, breathing in deeply. This was his place of employment after all. Jules felt somewhat guilty considering how often the man sat in that seat.
Poe looked up at the sound of Jules' voice, his face lit with a brilliant smile. "Hey, Jules!" he said, his voice deep and booming. "What's it look like?"
"It looks like you have a broken power generator," Jules said, unable to not sound as though he was straining against the weight of the universe. "I'm going to need to check the entire ship from top to bottom."
"No you won't," Poe said, his eyes drifting back down to the screen. "Because I'm going to take care of it myself. You just make sure that piece of shit works tomorrow."
Jules sighed. "Yes, sir."
"And, Jules," Poe said, his mouth curling up at the sides. "I would appreciate it if you could give me a few minutes of your time. I'd like to speak to you in private."
"Anything for you, sir," Jules said with a nod. He glanced around a bit. "Where's your co-pilot?"
"Oh, she's been gone for a while," Poe said, scratching his head. "I think she's dealing with some personal issues."
"Yeah, I guess that makes sense," Jules said, wondering why he even bothered asking.
"So, what do you need?" Jules asked, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall next to the door.
"I need you to come with me because I think we've reached an agreement."
"Uh-huh," Jules said, not committing to anything. He hated it when people kept secrets. Especially men."Come on," Poe said, standing up and pulling his jacket onto his shoulder. "It's not telling anyone else's secret. Plus, I think you'll finally be able to meet the man of your dreams."
"That's good," Jules said, smiling slightly. "I've always loved this ship."
"Good," Poe said, nodding. "Because it's about to become your new home."
Jules stared back at him, his mouth hanging open. "You're leaving?"
"I didn't say that," Poe said. "I'm staying in this hell hole until you come out and talk to me like a human being instead of trying to hide behind your ship."
"I never try to hide behind my ship," Jules said. "That's what pilots do, not mechanics."
"Yeah, but you are a mechanic," Poe said. "So unless you want to be thought of as a fancy dealer who deals in information, then maybe you should try acting like one."
Jules rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to be a mechanic. I'm trying to be a good friend and help you."
"Well, you can't do that here," Poe said. "You're supposed to be home now, getting ready for our party."
"Our party?" Jules asked, dumbfounded.
"You know, the one you and your sister are both supposed tobe planning." Poe said. "We're going to be there, right?"
"Of course," Jules said. "I wouldn't miss it."
"Good," Poe said. "Because I would. Come on, let's go."
"Go where?" Jules asked, following his friend out the door and into the hallway.
"To the party," Poe said. "It's time we met the rest of the crew."
"You know, the thing about parties is that they usually happen either before or after a mission," Jules said. "But I'm afraid that'snot possible this time. My sister and I have a little something called'school' to attend together."
"Aw, Jules," Poe said. "Come on. It'll be fun."
"It will?" Jules asked, surprised.
"Sure," Poe said. "We're going to get drunk, we're going to dance, and we're going to blow offsome steam after being stuck in a damn ship all day."
"Blowing off steam?" Jules asked, tilting his head to the side. "Does that mean...?"
"Yes," Poe said, nodding. "It means that we're going to go home early, okay?"
"Early?" Jules asked, frowning. "But we're supposed to stay late.""Till midnight," Poe said. "I know, I know. But my parents are going to be here, and so is my brother. We're not missing out this year."
"This year?" Jules asked, tilting his head to the other side. "You know, you keep saying that. Maybe I don't remember, but I've never seen you be excited about anything."
"This is different," Poe said. "It's special. You'll see."
"See?" Jules asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's your plan? You're going to show me a special night?"
"Yeah," Poe said. "And we're going to find out if this year is any different than the last two times."
"Like last year," Jules said. "Or the year before that."
"Yes," Poe said. "Like those years. Only more fun."
"More fun?" Jules asked, laughing. "Is that your plan?"
"Yes," Poe said. "Come on. Let's go."
"You know," Jules said. "You might win."
"You know," Poe said. "You'll probably win."
"Me?" Jules asked, tilting his head to the other side. "You know, one of us will end up with a girlfriend tonight."
"One of us will have a chance to be cool," Poe said. "One of us will have a reason to live."
"Okay," Jules said. "You'll have a reason to live.""I already have a reason to live," Poe said. "It's called you."
"Right," Jules said. "We're going to go to this party, and you're going to have a good time because I'll be there."
"Can't forget to have a good time," Poe said. "That's the point."
"I know the point," Jules said. "And I also know that you'll go home early, and I'll be stuckhere with nothing but time to hang out with my sister and deal with our own version of high school."
"High school?" Poe asked, laughing. "Please. You're talking about a girl."
"Who's also talking about a boy," Jules said. "And by the way, so am I. But no one has any idea who he is. So it's really not any of your business."
"And you're not going to tell me?" Poe asked, tilting his head to the other side. "Really? I find out that he's the star of one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time, and you don't want to tell me?"
"I told you. It's not any of your business," Jules said. "And anyway, you don't want to know. You're going to go home early, and I'm going to stay. So it's really not any of my business."
"Jules," Poe said. "That's not very nice."
"I don't care," Jules said. "You're going to go home early, and I'm going to stay. You won't even let me tell you who he is. So then how can I tell you everything about him?"
"Because I'll eventually figure it out," Poe said. "I'll either ask or I won't. And if I don't, then I'll just assume that you and him will go out of your way toavoid me. So it's kind of my fault that I go home early. I'm the reason you have to go home early. It's only fair I should have the same privilege."
"Fair enough," Jules said. "But I still don't want to tell you. And I still don't care if you figure it out or not."
"Okay," Poe said. "Well, I guess that's fine. I won't tell you. But I may still figure itout myself. And if I do, then I'll let you know."
"Deal!" Jules said.