The Goodbye

I never thought it would be like this. Ruling the galaxy. Somewhere my mother is laughing saying I told you so. Alone I sit in my chambers wonder how much longer Hux will keep standing outside my door. Five years after the Battle of Crait and he still hasn't tried to kill me. I'm surprised.

"That will be all General," I reply loud enough for him to hear my through the closed door separating us.

"I, I…," I hear Hux scrambling to speak. "Was just inspecting your Knights…"

I can't help but smirk, "I'm sure you were General, you may leave …"

Hux doesn't reply. A part of me knew he wouldn't. Letting out a sigh I look out onto the blackness of space. I wonder how she's… The air in my chambers goes cold.

"Rey," I gasp as I quickly turn around to see.

My eyes search for her but suddenly a ache starts to burn in my chest.

"Ben," a hoarse voice calls.

The pain spreads…

"No…." I whisper as start to shake my head. "… You died five years ago…"

"Shhh, please Leia…."

"I'm sorry, Ben…"

As I hear my mother's voice I start to see her. Laying in a bed she rests with Rey beside her. I walk closer to them, holding my breath as I go. My heart was up in my chest because she looked so frail.

"Mom," I whisper.

Why was the force making me watch this? Had I not suffered enough. I had almost made peace with the fact I didn't stop those missiles all those years ago. The past had died to me and now it was coming back.

"… Your father and I should have kept you with us…" my mother mutters her voice struggling to speak. "We should have…"

Approaching her bedside my mother head turns to face me.

"…Ben…" her eyes burn into mine. "… Just remember we love you…"

I feel the life slowly seeping out of her… My hand reaches down to touch her, but a warm hand catches me. Rey's hand laces into mine.

"Mom…" I try to reply but my voice cracks.

Rey guides our laced hands towards my mother's.

"I love you too mom," I reply as tears well up in my eyes.

Our hands touch. I clasp onto her hand tightly. A soft smile spreads across her face.

"I know," she says as a tear falls down her cheek.

I reach down and brush it away. The wet salt brushing against my fingers.

"… I'm sorry I failed you…" I say. "There are things coming mother that… We need the First Order… I can't come home…"

I pause. I feel Rey's heart start to race.

"… Not until I can keep you safe," I continue. "All of you…"

My mother nodded for she knew.

"I knew you had too much of Han in you," my mother says. "Bunch of nerf herders."

My mother's words gradually grow faint.

"Leia,"

"I love you Ben…."

"Mom," I scream. "I love you too…"

But it was too late.

She was gone. The past had finally died. I step around Rey and kneel at my mother's bedside. Leaning over my mother's body and let out a cry.

"Forgive me…."

"She did Ben, she did," I hear Rey whisper.

Rey knelt beside me and wraps her arms around me.

Rey paused, "I did too."

Leaning away from mother I feel Hux's presence still linger outside my chambers. I must warn her before it's too late. I bring her hand to my lips and place a kiss.

"Rey," I say looking down at our linked fingers. "If anything happens to me know that the Knights of Ren will protect you from what's coming. Even some of the First Order will join your cause…"

"Ben…. Ben!"

"I'll be back I promise…" I say as I end our link.

"Is everything alright Supreme Leader?" I hear Hux say. "I heard screaming…."

Still kneeling in my chambers, I let out a sigh.

"Everything is fine Hux…" I reply getting back up to my feet. "You are not needed.

I heard his snake like footsteps slink away. How much he heard it didn't matter. At least I got to see them one more time…