(Author's Note: The next few chapters take place right before Rey arrives with Chewbacca at Luke's hut in "The Last Jedi". I know it's not canon, but I like to imagine that the white garment Luke's holding right before they crash open the door was Saoirse's. For this story, pretend it was; that's the only thing he has of hers- one of her shirts. Everything else burned in the fire. Luke has nothing of Mando's.

Also, I've had a lot of people privately ask me how to pronounce Saoirse's name. Good question! It's an Irish name (I first heard it in "Song of The Sea"). It sounds differently than you might imagine: "Sur-sha". When I picked it for the character, I didn't realize how different the spelling and pronunciation were, at least in English (I chose it because it sounded very pretty without first seeing how to spell it). How this helps!

Again, I did my best trying to keep the timeline as accurate as possible. If I got it wrong, just switch the years around in your mind. Enjoy!)

[I tried not to look at her, like she was the sun.

Yet I still saw her, because she was the sun.]

Saoirse's Spirit P.O.V. (24 Years Later)-

I woke up when a soft, cool, moist mist rolled over my cheek. I was laying not on cold steel but on grass; lush green grass….. much like the grass back home. The air smelt funny- pungent I'd say. My eyes fluttered open to see both my arms out in front of me. My hair was scattered all around the grass behind me. Unlike the last time I woke up, I was wearing only a white gown now…. It reminded me of a night gown. It's possible that Moff Gideon could have had his cronies change my clothes, but I doubt they'd put me in something like this. I don't think they'd have any female clothes so fine onboard their ship. Plus it felt well-worn, despite being all-white.

Where am I? Did I travel back in time again? How come my clothes were different now than before? They didn't change last time I passed out. All these thoughts and more ran through my head as I slowly pushed my upper half up off the ground. Glancing around I found myself to be laying out exposed in a valley…. A valley overlooking an ocean. High cliffs were nearby, with large fast waves crashing into them. The sky was grey and uninviting; the wind was picking up.

For a long time, I just stared out at the coast. The sea breeze fluttered my hair all about. The smell of salt was stronger now, refusing to leave my nose. My body was translucent and glowing pale blue again. My real body must still be back on the ship, I lifted my right hand up to gaze at it. Well, I guess that means I'm still alive. But why would the Force send me back into the past again? A wide, disappointed frown etched itself onto my lips. My hand rolled into a fist. The past is the last place I want to go… And I better not see Anakin again.

"Do you have to keep sending me through time? Couldn't you just let me sleep for once? You know, like you used to when I passed out?" My head tilted back up to towards the sky. Heh, speaking directly to the Force; now that's a new one. But I had no idea what else to do. I didn't have a clue how to reconnect my spirit to my body; I was virtually at the aim of the Force's will. Nugh, that sticks in my mouth- and I used to trust the Force.

Of course, I was expecting no actual reply. I was at the Force's mercy, and I think that's how it liked it. Still, I was here all alone and wanted to talk to someone. I don't think me being alone with my thoughts was the best idea right now. Not after what I've seen…. "Can you send me back? I don't want to be in the past! Come on, Force; do it for me. Please?" Nothing except the wind blowing through my hair. A sigh left my mouth as a wave of bitterness overcame me. Well, what did I expect? The Force to listen to me for once? Heh, that's not the way this works. No one tells the Force what to do.

I waited a few more minutes to see if anything would happen, but when nothing did, I didn't see a point in hanging around here any longer. This was the past and I had a sneaking suspicion a Skywalker was close by. The Force just seemed determined to bring us together for some reason. But screw that noise! I figure that if I keep walking- or in some cases, running- I can avoid Anakin. Just because the Force thrusted me back in history doesn't mean I have to obediently comply. I did before and look where that got me. No, I was done. I'd never see a group of tender little lives brutally slaughtered in front of me again. Never again.

I stood up. I got to my feet and the wind suddenly flung the entire outer rim of my gown all around me. My hair went everywhere along with it. It was like the environment saying "she's arrived". And I'll admit, I rather liked it; I've had a few magical moments in my life, and this was one of them. A hidden grin struggled to stay hidden at the corners of my mouth as I shut my eyes. Oh, don't think you're getting off that easily, Force. Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't happy to be a dress again; even if it is more of a nightgown. I gave a few small twirls before I remembered that I'm really, really sad.

The helm of the gown was just long enough to graze the grass as I walked on it. I had no idea where this planet was or what it was, but I think I was on an island of some sort. Well, good news- no sign of any Jedi yet. Why the Force would send me here of all places, who knows? If it wanted to send me on a mental vacation, then why did it have to be near water? I was still afraid of the sea for obvious reasons…. Hey, wait! I flinched, automatically freezing my feet in place. Where's scarred face man's cloak?! The Force swapped it for a gown? "Not cool, Force!" My eyebrows arched upset. I wanted my cloak back! That thing was warm, and it has sentimental value. Now here I was, with nothing on my person but a solid white nightgown. I didn't even have shoes on!

My eyes peered up from my bare feet back to the area. It seemed devoid of civilization; I doubted that anyone lived on this rock out in the middle of nowhere. But that brings up the question why I'm here. "Maybe I'm supposed to be alone….." I pondered out loud before continuing to stroll along the grass. My gaze kept shifting back to the water a bit nervously. "I hope nothing dangerous is out there," I said, completely forgetting that I was a spirit currently.

I walked a little bit more, contemplating my situation as a spirit. I wasn't a full-on ghost, so I wouldn't remain like this forever. But… I would be one. I couldn't help but wonder if it would be the same. I could feel certain sensations in this form, but I wouldn't say I could physically touch anything or vice versa. Hot and cold, dampness, and wind- that's about it. Is this what being dead is like? I guess I could handle that. It was made easier knowing that I would return to my body…. My feet came to another halt as a gust of wind blew over me. I looked back out at the water, with my hair swaying behind me. Whenever that might be….

Letting out a sigh and shutting my eyes for a moment, my head turned back forward. They grew at the sight of someone sitting on a rock. It was a man, I think; it was kinda hard to tell from all the way over here. What I could make out was that whoever it was, they were staring out off into the shore as well. They wore a brown cloak which reached to the ground and appeared rather tall. They seemed totally unaware of my presence. Unsurprisingly, I nevertheless stopped abruptly.

Ten to one that's Anakin- it's gotta be him. Why else would the Force send me here? It certainly wasn't any of my masters. It must be that Jedi…. That evil, evil Jedi. My foot slid back a step; I didn't make any sudden movements lest I draw attention to myself. I didn't want him to see me. And he didn't…. not right away anyway.

Thankfully he soon spun his head a little, still not spotting me a mile away. You can't imagine the sigh of relief I gave when I realized that it was not, in fact, Anakin. My hand even rose up to my chest. "Oh, thank you Force," it's nice to see it's on my side….. for once. I still had no idea who he was- yes, it was a "him"- but I could tell he was old. That's how I knew for sure it couldn't be Anakin. Anakin died young; he must have since his Force ghost was always a youthful man when he showed himself to me. This man was nowhere near his age. Well, knowing that and seeing how I haven't come across anyone else on the island, I contemplated if I was supposed to go to him. Would he freak out seeing a see-through person come towards him? He's probably a humble fisherman or something. I don't want to scare him.

But I didn't know what else to do. Who knows how long I'll be here and I can't spend the whole time avoiding him. Well, I could but I doubt that's actually possible considering how big this place is; though I didn't really know that fact. Still….. he's not Anakin, so what reason did I have for staying away? If I scare him, I can just run away. Who knows however? He might be able to tell me where I am at least.

I made my way over to him, being extra careful not to make any sudden noises so to startle him. He was back to watching the horizon; he looked deep in thought, not really doing anything else. His old head only shot in my direction when I was about five feet from him. I froze like a statue, staring back at me. His eyes were much larger than I'd expected; actually, his whole expression was shellshock. Like he'd seen a literal ghost…. Though I guess that's not too far off. What happened next shocked me just as much.

This man was instantly on his feet; his eyes cemented on me with a force I'd never experienced before. His jaw dropped open on its own accord. He faced me straight on, ogling me like he couldn't believe what he was seeing. His mouth flapped several times before any sound came out. "Saoirse!" He gasped totally breathless; the wind was taken right out of him. And the way he spoke…. The way he said my name just now. It was as if the hadn't it in a long time and forgot the way it sounded, if that makes any sense. But he knew it- it's like he hadn't said it in forever, but it was etched into his soul.

I, for my part, was immediately bewildered. W-Who is this guy? How does he know my name? I'd never seen him before- I'm sure of it. So then, how…..? He didn't seem startled or taken aback by my stunned reaction. Instead, he continued to watch me like he couldn't comprehend what was happening. His eyes looked me over, soaking every fibre of my glowing self. He wasn't smiling or anything; he still had this look to complete and utter disbelief. It took some time for his whole being to finally relax a little. Without either of us saying anything, his face softened. I wanted to say something but his response to my appearance took me totally off guard as well. And I was curious to see as to what he would do next.

His eyes lowered ever so gently; this tiny, meek, sad grin growing across his lips. "I never thought your Force ghost would visit me; not after what I did…." His voice was both chilly and warm at the same time, as if to be remembering something bittersweet. Again, if that makes any sense. Wait, my eyes widened a second time.

"Force ghost? Wait, you mean….? Oooooooh no. I'm dead! Wait, I can't be dead yet- I don't know you. So then that must make this the future, which explains why you can see me cause I've been born already. But then…. W-When did I die?! How old was I? Was it Moff Gideon? Wait! Is Mando still alive? Oh god, please tell me he's still alive!"

The old man blinked at me with a mixture of confusion and surprise. Both his hands- one which wasn't real- rose up in front of him. "Hold on; hold on…. You…. don't know who I am?" Beardy man, hereby dubbed until I learn otherwise, asked me. I looked back at him, taken aback by his question. "No? Should I? Unless…. Are you…. Carl? Gasp! Are you Mando?! Is this what you look like with your helmet off?!"

Beardy man couldn't have eyed me more perplexed, like he was trying to figure out what was going on himself. "You… don't remember anything?" "No, I remember everything. Well, I don't remember you, but that's because I don't know you. I've never met you before…. Have I? Did we meet when I was a baby or something?" He just stared incredulously. "You don't remember…." "Remember what? What are you talking about?" Instead of answering my questions, his face simply softened again. He didn't look happy but the closest you could get to it without being actually happy. "You're so young…." "I'm almost thirty-two," I didn't think I was that young anymore. "You look just like when I first met you," he sighed. When he first…. Hold on a minute. "W-When… did we meet exactly?" I inquired, starting to put the puzzle pieces together myself. His expression too, changed.

Beardy man's gaze grew more serious. "What is the last thing you do remember?" "Last thing? Uh…. I was… on Moff Gideon's ship. His soldiers kidnapped me from the seeing stone on… on… oh, I forget the planet's name," my hand raised up to my forehead. "Anything else?" "One shot a laser at me which sent me to sleep, and I thought I went back into the past cause that's what happened before, but clearly I'm wrong," and thank goodness for that.

He considered what I just said a minute, his eyes drifting downwards. Eventually he peered back up my way. "So you are still alive. You're just seeing a vision of the future." "Why would the Force show me that? Erm…. Do you…. know what the Force is?" That made him smile- a little, little bit. He gave a single chuckle to himself, lowering his shoulders a bit. "Yes, I know what the Force is," he replied like what I just asked was comical.

"Then maybe you can help me. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be doing or see here." "Presumably you're here to see me," beardy man stated. My eyes blinked at him dumbfounded. "You? B-But I don't know you… yet. Wait, when do we meet?" "Soon enough; you don't need to worry about that." "Well, I mean… I am a little worried. I die….. eventually. I don't die before Mando finds me, do I? How old am I when I die again? Did I grow to be at least a little old?" To my surprise, he let out another chuckle, softly shaking his head. He began taking a few steps back towards the rock he'd just been sitting on. "You were always so full of questions."

"Hey, wait! You haven't answered any of them. Now, how do I know you? When do we meet?" "I told you not to worry about it," he continued walking, with me right along after him. "Why won't you tell me anything? Is it because this is the future and telling me stuff might alter the course of time?" "No. It's because I don't want our first conversation in years to be on such trivial matters," beardy man retorted. "They're not trivial to me. The Force sent me here for a reason. If I figure that out, then maybe I can return to my physical body." His head gave another shake. "The Force doesn't work like that. It'll send you back when its ready- not a moment before or after." "Well, I don't care. I wanna get back to my husband- he's probably worried sick about me." "He's busy at the moment," he said matter-of-factly. I frowned at him.

"Ok, fine. Can you at least time me where and when I am?" "A hidden planet called Ahch-To." "Ok, and when is this?" "Well, it's certainly been a number of years since…. since…." Beardy man stopped, unable to finish his sentence. His lips hung open momentarily, then he glanced back in my direction. "I don't wanna talk about it." "Why? I need to know this stuff!" "No, you don't." "Yes, I do. If you know me, then why won't you tell me? Are we enemies?" "No, I could never be…." His words froze again; his eyes locked onto mine. When he spoke next, he sounded much sterner.

"Listen, Saoirse. I know you don't know me yet, but I need you to trust me on this. I've waited so, so long for….. And now you're here, standing in front of me. I never thought this would happen, but it has." "Thought what would happen?" My eyebrow began to raise suspiciously. Just who was this man exactly? His hand lifted up slightly. "It's not important. Let's just….." "Hold on. You said you never thought my Force ghost would visit you. Why is that?" I interrupted him. The colour drained from his face. "Saoirse, listen to me." "What did you do?" My tone was a little firmer this time. My foot took a step backwards as his took a step towards me. His false hand was raised higher now. "I can explain everything. Just calm down….." My foot slid back some more. My eyes narrowed keenly onto him. "Who are you again? What's your name?"

Beardy man froze. His mouth shot open, then closed. With some reluctance he inhaled deeply and closed his eyes. They reopened, only to set apprehensively onto me. His pale chapped lips parted.

"Luke… Luke Skywalker."

It was as if the planet opened up, swallowed me, and spat me back out. I could do nothing but stand there, gawking at him. My eyes were wider than they'd ever been. I swore my heart stopped beating. My fingers twitched, though I did not feel them move. It took what seemed like eternity for me to be able to muster up any words in my throat, and even longer to get them out of my mouth.

"S-Skywalker? Did you say…. Skywalker?" Reading my facial expression and body language, Luke had the audacity to step closer to me. He was more than a little worried by now. "Saoirse….." He began but didn't have time to go on. I had already spun around and started marching away as fast I could down the green grassy hill.