The three of them are crowed around a table together, rain misting lightly around them. Rey and Poe's is dark and slick around their faces; Finn has found an ugly wide-brimmed hat somewhere. For a moment she can see herself, Luke and Han sitting around a slimier table winding down from a slimier victory. At least these three have managed to avoid the pomp and circumstance of the first Rebel Alliance. The advantage of not being royalty she supposes.
She can feel Rey, burning like a sun, at the edge of her mind, the way Luke once did. Finn too, though not as brightly, and Poe, just a quiet spark the way most folk were. She had heard the rumors about Rey, and her brother Luke. Leia squashes the hope that rises in her. She cannot imagine a galaxy where Luke would abandon a child. Rey does reminds her of someone. Beyond the desert tan, and under the peasant wrappings; it's like there's anther face peaking through.
Rey turns her head, and something like recognition sparks through Leia. She tries to chase the memory it sparks. It's not about Luke, it's some one else. Finn laughs and pulls the ties out of Rey's hair. Poe steals his hat. Rey swats at both of them laughing.
Leia stares, Rey reminds her of her brother yes, but someone else more... The three stand up from the table, Poe now wearing the ridiculous hat, Finn his nearly iconic jacket, Rey still in her desert whites, now indecently transparent. Poe notices and slings off his wet jacket for her. Rey pulls it on tugging at the lapels, tugging at Leia's memory. Rey mock glares at Finn, and suddenly the memory overcomes Leia. A dark jacket and dark hair; a glare and large round eyes.
Lyra Erso. Rouge One.
The knowledge echoes clearly through the jungle as it had once echoed through Endor. Luke would have never left a child, but Erso would have. She would have done it for all the right reasons and damn the consequences.
Leia watches the trio retreat from the rain; hope and grief warring in her heart.
end