Author Note:

Before I begin, I must acknowledge that this is not a fix-it fiction but for the sake of this small novel, the timeline is altered. Ben Solo did not die when resurrecting Rey and he joined the Rebel Alliance for much of the First Order was still a prominent power in the galaxy. I hope you enjoy! :3

40 ABY

The morning glint of dawn shone through the room, bathing Rey's face in a coral glow. She frowned; Ben forgot to shut the curtains again. She buried her face into the soft linen of her pillow before letting out a frustrated huff as she felt a brush of Ben's lips on the back of her neck.
"Good morning to you too." She sighed, turning over to face him.
Ben was beaming, his eyes were a soft brown as his gaze travelled down his wife's naked form. "Morning."
Rey blushed, running her hands along his face, her fingers tracing the sharp line of his jaw as she pulled him close. His full lips were always soft and by the force, he was a good kisser, his tongue laced with hers' like a dance that they knew all too well.
"You forgot to shut the blinds." Rey gasped as he left a trail of small kisses along her jaw and neck sending a rush of heat to her core.
"Perhaps I like seeing you in the morning glow." His chuckle made her shiver which only made his smile grow. Stars she loved this man and he loved her; so very much.

Ben moved on top of her, propping himself as he continued to kiss her. His hands traced down her sides, along her breasts and stomach eliciting little moans from Rey's lips.
"You are so beautiful." He whispered as if he were mesmerised. Rey simply pulled him back onto her, desperate for any friction.
She wanted him so badly and she suspected that he could see it stark on her face. When he finally entered her, she cried out. It was pure bliss. Rey glanced down at Ben's sculpted body and sighed at the sheer sight. Their pants quickly turned to moans as he began to move, only to be interrupted by a near-silent thump on the door. Rey had shoved Ben off of her before she had heard it, thanking the force that she could sense her daughter before she came bursting into the room.

"Mum, Dad. Are you still sleeping?" Leia's little fingers went to open the door before Ben hastily force pushed it shut.
Rey giggled as he scrambled out of bed to put some clothes on, "One moment, I'm coming." Rey's giggle turned into a cackle as she watched her husband glare at her, "I didn't mean it like that, and you know it." He growled before opening the door.
"Hey Leia, let's get you something to eat."
"I love you!" She hollered down the hall, only to be replied with a rush of air that snaked down her body making her shiver.
"We will continue this later." Ben's voice echoed in her mind sending another shiver down her spine.
Rey rolled back over, tucking herself into the soft covers. She looked out the window and at the breathtaking landscape that was Dantooine as the pink sky finally gave way to blue. They're small home perched on a hill and faced the beautiful rolling hills and lush forests where they would train and Leia would frequently play in. Sometimes she would just lay there and take the scene in, thanking the unknown that she was granted with such a fortune. Finally, a family that she always wanted; a family to call her own. But this darkness curled around her mind at every waking moment. It had always been there but now she was afraid it was growing and one day it might consume her, and that was her biggest fear of all. Whenever she closed her eyes, she couldn't help but see her failure, she wasn't good enough for Ben and never will be. Rey scrunched her eyes shut, soothing the growing rage and hatred in her heart.
You could have been so much more, my child.
She pretended she didn't hear him…

53 ABY

Shit. They were in such deep shit. Chewie and Philip's chains rattled together as they were forced to trudge through the mines, pickaxes in hand.
"No, this isn't my fault this is your fault." he hissed at the Wookie, who growled in answer, only to be zapped by a slave master's staff.
"Get to work!"
"We are doing that." He spat. Philip was making the situation worse for they were both zapped a second time.
Chewie groaned in submission as he began swinging his axe into stone, he was more patient then the young man next to him. No one lasted very long as a slave in the spice mines of Kessel; the fumes are toxic and cause a slow, painful death. Not to mention the hard labour. Philip could see the damage to these people with his own eyes. The old man working next to him entered a coughing fit before spitting a thick glob of blood onto the hard stone. Who knew that unpaid debts would get them here?

"We have to escape, or we'll die here." Philip lifted his head as the day's work had finally ceased and they were forced to move out of the mines and into the fleeting light. Days were short here on Kessel and he was thankful for that as he glanced down at his blistered hands. Shoved along the muddy path. His clothes and chocolate locks were plastered with red and orange dust and his brow coated in sweat. He didn't know where they were going but he suspected it wouldn't be good. The Wookie growled once more, highlighting that the Falcon had probably been torn to shreds for spare parts. Another disaster, he knew what the Falcon meant to him. They arrived at the camp, where their pickaxes were taken away from them and their chains removed. Blast! No weapons but at least they were mobile. The slave quarters were truly a sorry sight. Those of all species trudged along like ghosts with no purpose, withered and gaunt, desperate for food, sleep or maybe for some sinful entertainment. They all lined up for their daily meal which wasn't much if any at all; gruel possibly, judging by the horrid smell.

When they were finally given their rations, they sat down on one of the many sandbags under a shaded area, a miserable excuse for a bed with Chewie's large form taking up most of it. They each pointed out a vantage point for possible escape. To the north of the camp was a large ramp that led out of the mines to a makeshift hanger where slaves prepared the spices before placing them onto ships. Perhaps, they could sneak out with those slaves and escape, though highly unlikely. To the west, there were the masters' quarters which also lead out of the mines. If Philip and Chewie somehow got hold of a weapon that was better than a pickaxe, then maybe they could escape.
Philip buried his face in his hand, "Stars, how are we going to get out of here?" Chewie brought the man into a tight embrace explaining that he has been in many situations like this before and had gotten through them. Philip simpered, "Alright, good thing my father was a spice runner, that might work to our advantage." A great advantage indeed if he still spoke to his father.

They continued to watch the soulless people stumble through the dust-coated courtyard, desperate for something to eat, when he saw her. A girl strode from the mines, handing her axe to the master who releasing her chains. Philip did not know why, but he sat a little straighter at the sight of her. She was small and sickly thin like the other slaves that roamed; only she seemed livelier; like she had the smallest shred of hope that one day she'd be free. Her tanned cheekbones were sharp, and her petite nose was speckled with freckles under wisps of thick black hair brought up in an oddly familiar yet very peculiar hairstyle. As she walked, she received many unwanted advances of lowly scum, yet she simply paid no head as she ventured to the ration table. Just across the courtyard, a group of Zabraks closed in on the girl and Philip's stomach jolted in alarm. One of them grabbed hold of her as she struggled and screamed; no one seemed to pay her any head. He figured she spoke Galatic Basic based on the foul words that came from her mouth. Philip was already rushing towards her, Chewbacca not far behind. When they crossed the courtyard, the young woman managed to get free of the Zabrak's hold only to punch him in the throat. She was swift as the mob was on her again, clearly trying to steal her rations. She was quick, in a swift movement, she swept the legs of two thugs before knocking out another. She was incredible as if she could sense the movement moments before it happened. Philip and Chewie jumped on two more before the scum decided it was too much of a hassle to mug her, hastily getting to their feet before scramming.

"Are you okay?" Philip asked, grasping the girl's arm. It was not a good idea as she quickly turned and kicked him in the stomach. Chewie simply laughed as he helped up his winded friend before asking the girl the same thing.
"Yes, I'm fine. It's common." Her words were dry as she strode to a sandbag.
Chewbacca's growl was low, and Philip only nodded. He didn't know what the Wookie was thinking but she must have struck a memory.
"Come on let's go, we'll figure out what we're gonna do in the morning."

Leia glanced at the pair from across the courtyard as she attempted to get comfortable. Eleven years she has spent in the spice mines and no one has ever tried to help her when she was attacked. A harsh reality, she learned at a very young age. She felt pity for them knowing they were new slaves and they didn't last very long. She glanced back at the man who she had kicked on instinct perched next to the giant Wookie. He was very handsome and incredibly foolish. Who did he think he was, trying to help her? She had survived this long.

Leia slipped her fingers into the hidden slit in her sandbag before pulling out a long cylinder of metal. The laser sword was cold against her clammy fingertips as she adjusted her grip on it. It had been almost five years since she had found it. She had been allowed out of the mines to aide Jika Darus on one of his many dodgy business transactions. On this exhibition, Leia had fallen off the slave master's speeder and of course, he had not saved her until it was convenient for him. She was left in the barren, rocky hills for two days before she was found. Leia remembered how desperate she was for water. She was aching for it when she began hearing voices. Perhaps she had finally died, and she was experiencing limbo, but she continued to follow these voices into a cave hidden deep within the rocky peaks. There she found it, hidden between cracked limestone was the laser sword. It had a dark hilt that was speckled with scratches and dents as if it had been used in to knock people over the head for many years before it was converted into another weapon. Leia twisted the latch at the end of it, igniting the blade. She remembered the mesmerising colour, a sunset yellow that would visit her dreams sometimes when she finally found a comfortable position on her sandbag. She has never ignited it since.

Leia still sometimes hears the whispers and the screams when she touches it.
Don't be afraid of who you are…
Ben! Don't do this Ben…
Look at yourself, you wanted to prove to my mother that you were a Jedi, but you've proven something else…
Where is she!
Where is she!
Give it to me…
Come back!
Rey!
Rey…
Empress…

Leia sat up startled, why was everyone screaming? The man and the Wookie were sprinting to her now and she lurched to her feet.
"We got to go!"
"Why?" She spat but was quickly swept off her feet by the giant oaf, "Put me down you walking carpet!" She wiggled out of his hold only to be dropped to the ground before he roared.

"What do you mean she'll recognise the Falcon?" Philip said.

Leia frowned at the two before looking up into the sky; star destroyers and tie fighters blasted out of hyperspace and began zooming into the thick atmosphere.
"Yep, we've got to go." She squeaked dragging the two along.

Blaster fire reverberated against the mine shafts as stormtroopers opened fire onto the unsuspecting slaves in the pits bellow.
"There is a place that I found in the mines, that you can hide in when there are raids!" As if on cue, blaster fire came from two tie fighters speeding past decimating the shafts into nothing but rubble and spice dust.
"Got a plan B?" The man grabbed her arm and they sprinted in the other direction. Up the ramp right into the thicket of the battle. The Wookie disarmed an unsuspecting stormtrooper before throwing him into the pit. Blaster fire sounded everywhere.
"We have to get to the Falcon!" The man screamed as he too got hold of a blaster. Leia knew for certain that the slaves were not going to survive this and that her best option was to fight for her life like the others. Reaching inside her tattered shirt, she pulled out her most prized possession and ignited it. It was a rush as if the laser sword was waiting for this very moment. Her companions looked upon her in shock and Leia only grinned before they began sprinting for the hangers. They were a bigger target now, Leia's weapon shone like a beacon of light as blast after blast reverberated her way, deflecting them with ease. They finally approached the hanger and the Wookie directed them to their ship.
"You're going to fly us out of here in that?" She screamed as they avoided an explosion.

"It's a one of a kind ship, so don't use that tone."

She gritted her teeth, the man was insufferable. Part of her wanted to turn back to the mines on the notion that she had to spend any more time with them or better yet, with a single swing that blabbering mouth would not be moving any more.
The Wookie ran up the ramp and into the cockpit whilst Leia and his co-pilot fought off any storm troopers that came their way.
"I never got your name." He said, cocking a grin her way.
Leia rolled her eyes, "Now is not the time for conversation."

A roar came from inside the ship, indicating it was time to go. They both ran up the ramp, but Leia stopped.

"What are you doing? We've got to go!" The man grabbed hold of her, his dark eyes were wide with terror.

Leia shook off his grasp before reigniting her weapon as she slowly walked down the ramp. In the middle of the hanger, a large Imperial cruiser landed with a whoosh of steam. Her heart was in her throat as she saw the ramp of the shuttle lower to the blood-stained Earth. Her strides were quick, fluent and laced with power. There in front of Leia was Empress Palpatine staring right back at her. Her hood shielded most of her face, but she could see her yellow eyes that looked upon her in startled bewilderment that quickly turned to rage. The queen matched the many descriptions that she heard around the mines; indeed, she was beautiful and rather young with her high cheekbones and ruby lips that matched the double-sided weapon she wielded. Leia wasn't sure if she was breathing when the ramp of the Falcon suddenly began to close. She stumbled backwards only to fall into the man's arms. Their ship shot into the sky, leaving the only world that she had ever known behind.

Author Note:

I hope you enjoyed this and because we are all in quarantine, I can hopefully update quickly. I want feedback. Please give me feedback because it makes me a better writer, especially when English is not my first language. ;) Just for context, Leia calls her lightsaber a laser sword because she doesn't know what the Jedi and Sith call it. Her story is rather sad but hopefully, it gets better?
Je t'aime tout!