Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or its characters.
A/N: Thanks again to everyone who has posted a review. I really appreciate your kind words. They definitely help keep the story going so please post a review for this chapter. Hope you enjoy!
"Han, I wasn't expecting you," Luke Skywalker called to his old friend. Han walked down the ramp of the Falcon and warmly clapped Luke on the shoulder. Slowly, he glanced around the tropical paradise of Scariff where Luke had founded his academy.
"I'm playing messenger," he stated simply as he handed a small datacard to Luke. Luke furrowed his brow as he stared at the datacard in his hand. "I saw Lor a few days ago at his commune on Jakku. He asked me to deliver this to you. Didn't tell me what it was, but said to tell you that he has the only other copy. It's something you've been looking for."
Luke's lips curved into a smile. "I know exactly what it is. Thanks, Han."
"Care to share what I've been escorting across the galaxy?" Before Luke could answer, both turned as a small voice shouted.
"Luke!" Rey yelled as she barreled into Luke's arms, her brunette ponytail swinging wildly. Luke lifted her up as he listened to the little girl chatter happily. "I did it. I moved two stones at once."
"That's wonderful, Sweetheart," he said praising the child. Han stood gaping as he watched the exchange.
Suddenly noticing the other man, Reylen reached her hand to Han. "I'm Reylen." Almost too stunned to respond, Han shook his head and grasped the child's small hand.
"Hi Reylen. I'm Han." Rey smiled wide-eyed as she looked at Han.
"Is he Han Solo, the smuggler?" she asked in wonder.
"The one and only," Luke confirmed.
"Then that means that's the Millennium Falcon! It made the Kessell Run in 14 parsecs." Luke began chuckling as Han looked affronted.
"That's 12 parsecs, kid. What are you teaching her Luke?" Rey wiggled from Luke's arms as she stared up at the ramp. "Go on, kid. There's a furry guy up there that will show you around." Rey beamed as she glanced back at Luke hesitantly.
"Go on, Rey. It's ok," Luke prodded as the little girl bounded up the ramp. Luke and Han could hear her talking away to Chewie.
"What is that all about?" Han questioned, intently staring down his brother-in-law. As Luke started to reply, both men turned towards the roar of an engine. They watched as an X-wing touched down on the other side of the tarmac. "Expecting someone?" Han asked as they continued to watch the X-wing stop and the canopy pop open. A figure quickly descended the ramp. Suddenly, Luke and Han turned as Rey took off across the landing strip towards the pilot.
"Mum!" she yelled as the pilot removed her helmet, a cascade of blond hair spilling down her back. Thea leaned down, scooping Rey into a fierce hug.
"How are you, darling?" she asked as she lightly tugged on Reylen's hair.
"Mum, look it's the Millennium Falcon. Did you know it made the Kessel Run in 14 parsecs," she chattered as they approached Luke and Han.
Han snorted, leaning towards Luke. "You told her that just to mess with me didn't you?"
"Yup and it worked brilliantly," he responded smirking before his expression sobered when Thea stopped in front of them.
"Luke," Thea said in greeting.
"How are you, Thea?" Luke asked, trying to read her expression.
"I'm alright. A little tired. I just got a message to call Rieekan. Is there a holo I can use?"
"Of course," he responded. "You can use the one in my quarters."
Before Thea could reply, Rey began tugging her mother's hand. "Mum, I can take you there. I can show you all around the temple. And then you can meet my new friends and I can show you what I can do with the stones on the beach. I can move them with the Force."
Thea laid a gentle hand on Rey's shoulder. "That sounds wonderful, darling. We have all day but I do need to make this call." Before Thea followed after Rey, she turned to Han. "It's nice to see you, Han."
"You too, Thea," he stated simply, waiting for Thea and Rey to disappear from earshot before turning his attention back to Luke. "Want to tell me what the hell is going on? Why are you playing nursemaid to your ex's kid?" Luke ran his hand through his hair, not meeting Han's eyes. "Unless . . ." Han paused. "She's yours!" he almost shouted as Luke clapped a hand over his mouth, muffling the rest of Han's words.
"Shhh! Han, Rey doesn't know. It's complicated," he said in an urgent whisper.
"So the Kid has a kid. I don't believe it," Han turned pacing as he rubbed his eyes in disbelief. "I should have known. She acts just like you but fortunately she got her mother's looks." Luke rolled his eyes. "C'mon," Han gestured to the ramp of the Falcon. "Looks like I'm going to be staying a little longer. I can't wait to hear this story."
A few hours later, waves slowly lapped the shoreline as Thea sat with her toes in the wet sand of the beach. She had spent the day with Rey after arriving on Scariff. She had never seen her daughter happier. Rey was so excited to show her mother the academy and introduce her to the other students. Thea was relieved to see that they all had taken young Reylen in as one of their own.
While she was happy Rey had found a place on Scariff, Thea felt a sting of pain. She realized after observing Reylen that the child belonged here. The academy was home for Reylen and now she had a sense of belonging she had lacked in her short life.
Leaning back onto the sand, Thea stared up at the starry night sky. She hadn't seen Luke since her initial arrival. In some ways, she was relieved. She wanted to see how Reylen was fitting in on Scariff, so that she could determine what was best for her daughter without her feelings for Luke complicating matters. Thea realized that she would have to let Rey make a home here, without her. While she loved Rey more than anything, Thea knew that she couldn't stay here. She had to finally say goodbye to a dream that would never happen and find a life of her own. While she would visit Rey constantly, Scariff would not be her home. She had no future here or with Luke Skywalker.
Gingerly, Thea stood and dusted the sand from her leggings. She walked towards the ocean, dipping her toes in the water and breathing in the salty air. The wind blew her hair and she closed her eyes feeling the cool breeze. "I've been looking for you," Luke said as he strolled up the beach, towards Thea's spot of respite.
"You've found me," she said as a slight shiver shook her small frame. She wasn't sure if it was from the breeze or the inevitable confrontation that was brewing.
"I checked on Rey. She hadn't fallen asleep yet when I looked in on her. She's so excited you're here."
"I'm glad to see her. She seems very happy here Luke. She said that you tuck her in every night and that her new hairstyle is your doing."
Luke laughed as he raked his hand through his hair. "I never expected to be styling a five-year-old's hair. I had to get creative."
Smiling, Thea turned to face him. "I have to say I expected better than this three bun ponytail you have her wearing. I was thinking something more elaborate with Leia's penchant for braids and twists and I've also seen the holos of Senator Amidala."
"Clearly, I didn't get the hairstyling gene. I have to make do but now that you're here, I'm sure you can fix the disaster."
"Oh no, Skywalker. Now she's committed. She won't let me touch her hair. She says you have to do it." Thea and Luke laughed thinking about the stubbornness of their daughter. Luke visibly relaxed, missing the easy banter they used to share.
"Is everything ok with Rieekan?" he questioned as the conversation lulled into an awkward silence.
"Yes, but I'm afraid I need to leave for Raxus in the morning."
"Will Reylen be going with you?" he questioned, concern wrinkling his brow.
Thea breathed in a shaky breath. She knew she was doing the right thing for Rey and yet saying the words almost caused her physical pain. "No, she belongs here. . .with you." Luke looked at her agape for a moment.
"Thea, I don't want you to feel forced into leaving her here. I love and adore her. She will always have a place with me, but I know you are her mother. She needs you. You may think she is happy now, but there have been plenty of tears at night because she is missing you."
"She'll get past that with time and it's not like I will never see her. But, Luke, I know this is where she needs to be. She's destined to be a Jedi and that is something that I can't help her with. Her abilities I don't understand, but you do. You can guide her in a way I can't." She began walking slowly down the beach towards the temple. Luke followed silently next to her.
"Thea, why does it have to be one or the other? Your apartment is on Chandrila, but you don't have to be there to work. You've said yourself you travel most of the time and much of your other work can be done from anywhere. Why don't you stay here on Scariff? That way when you aren't on an assignment, you'll be with Rey."
Thea stopped and lightly patted his shoulder. "It's a sweet thought and thank you for offering, but I can't."
"Why not?" he pushed firmly.
"Do I really have to explain it?" she asked an air of desperation in her eyes. In that moment, Luke knew he should let it go. He should let her return to the temple and leave on her mission in the morning, but he couldn't.
"Yes, I need you to explain it."
"I can't see you everyday, Luke," she responded firmly. He paused, as if someone had knocked the breath from him.
"You still carry that much resentment towards me that you can't do this for Rey?" he prodded, the hurt evident in his tone.
Turning her back to him and wiping her eyes, her voice came out as barely a whisper. "Is that what you think? The problem, Luke, is that if I stay I will continue giving myself false hope for things that will never happen."
Luke stood rooted to his spot as he watched her make her way back to the temple and disappear from sight. For a moment, he considered letting her go. He had caused her enough pain after leaving her on Lothal, but her words gave him a flicker of hope. Did she still love him? He wouldn't make the same mistake twice. He took off running towards the temple.
Rey wiped the sweat from her brow as she looked at her surroundings. Sand. Sand everywhere. The wind whipped, sending the sand into her face. She could feel the gritty sting as she turned her head to the sky. This planet seemed familiar and yet it was new. It felt like Jakku, but she knew it was not the planet where she had spent most of her life. In the distance, she saw a young man, wearing white. She could see him clearly and yet he never acknowledged her presence. His blond hair shone almost red in the setting twin suns. She followed his gaze as he was clearly lost in thoughts far away from this planet's surface. She knew that expression well. He was gazing into a galaxy beyond—full of possibilities and uncertainties. As quickly as he appeared, he vanished from her sight.
Frantically, Rey searched for the young man, a sense of desperation prickled within her. She sprinted forward, but she saw no glimpse of him. It made no sense, as if he had been a mirage. Defeated, Rey trudged through the endless mounds of sand. She crumpled to the ground in exhaustion, covering her eyes with her hands. Suddenly, she heard a voice.
"Hello, Reylen," Shocked, Rey lifted her eyes upward and saw a different man standing before her. He appeared to be a few years older than the man in white, wearing brown robes. His golden hair touched his shoulders, but Rey most noticed his vibrant blue eyes. They sparkled as he smiled at her. Deep within her mind, a spark of recognition flickered.
"Ani?" she asked in a whisper.
Anakin chuckled. "I feared you had forgotten me completely, Reylen. I'm glad to see that I was tucked away somewhere in your heart."
"I . . ." Rey hesitated unsure what to say. Confusion whirled in her mind. She knew this man and yet she wasn't sure how. Gently, Anakin took Rey's hand and helped her to stand. In an attempt to comfort her, he lightly squeezed the hand he held.
"Reylen, it's time. It's time for you to remember. Even if it hurts. You must know the truth. It will save you and your father." Before Rey could question him, Ani disappeared and she was inside a ship. As she quickly assessed her surroundings, she noticed several figures in black. Then she saw her. Thea Charaeysa was on her knees before one of those figures.
Rey stared, unable to move or speak. Thea's face betrayed no fear except for the unshed tears that glistened in her eyes. "Please Ben. Don't make her watch this," she pleaded. As she said those words, Rey heard the unmistakable sound of a lightsaber hiss as it was being ignited. Rey started to scream.
"Rey, wake up," she heard a familiar voice command. Rey jolted upright and into a pair of steady arms. Frantically she looked around, realizing she was onboard the freighter with Poe headed for Hoth. She gasped trying to catch her breath as she held onto him. Hiding her eyes for a moment against his shoulder, she listened to Poe's steady heartbeat to slow her breathing. Softly he ran his fingers through her hair as he gave her time to compose herself. In that moment, Rey realized Thea Charaeysa was truly gone. She wasn't merely a figure in a holo, a voice in a recording or a line in the archives of galactic history. She was her mother and she was never coming home.