Chapter 176

As soon as she heard Qi'ra was in her Base, Laetitia ran to find her. She needed to find her and ask her questions. Why did she show up now? How did she know where the Base was? How had Han and her met again? What was her intention?

Just what?!

The last time she saw her was 8 years ago when Maul held Hera and the others hostage. She was with him and practically held her hostage. But she broke free very easily. She Force-pushed her against the wall and knocked her out. That was all.

Of course, Leah had not told Han about any of this. She didn't want to be the one who created problems between them, or caused them to break up. Though they weren't together anymore, Leah knew they still loved each other. Or Han did.

She stopped when she finally found Qi'ra ... but she almost wished she hadn't. She was with Luke, and they were chatting like they had been friends for years.

"Well, well, well! What do we have here?" Leah started in anger and fake happiness as she walked closer to them.

Luke turned around to find an extremely annoyed sister behind him. Qi'ra just pressed her lips together, trying to act normal.

"Leah, this is Qi'ra. She's a friend of Han's." Luke introduced them to each other.

"Used to be. She left a long time ago." Leah corrected him.

Luke frowned in confusion as he exchanged a look with Han. He was standing behind Leah, making worried faces. It was clear they did NOT like each other.

"You two know each other?" He asked. It wasn't that much of a surprise, but he had never heard of her.

"You could say that." Leah muttered, not taking her eyes off of her.

"Qi'ra was the one who found Princess 16 years ago on that ship." Han simply said.

Qi-ra frowned as she looked at Leah in puzzlement. She hadn't told him how the reason why she really left, and what she did the next time they saw each other. Or how she tried to kidnap her on Tatooine when she was only a child.

She was ... grateful for that. She didn't want Han to know the real reason why she was here. Or the things she had done.

"Hi, Laetitia." She forced to say.

"Hi, Qi'ra. The years haven't been kind to you seeing how you are right back to where you started. You know, most people take steps forward." Leah sharply said.

"Wait. What am I missing?" Luke asked.

"Nothing. It's just Laetitia and I go back. I saved her life a few years back." Qi'ra answered quickly as she smiled.

Leah scoffed in disbelief as she walked closer to her. She was ready to punch it out. The baby in her was not a reason for her to back down. She would not let anyone or anything stop her from punching the Gold-digger.

"You know, Qi'ra, I would punch you in your fake plastic nose, but you'd just go buy another one. So I'm not gonna waste my very needed energy." She shot with her words.

Luke held back his chuckle. Han opened his mouth to say something but he didn't. And Qi'ra just stayed still as she processed what she just told her.

"Okay! So how long are you staying with us? We're a bit short on rooms, but we can get you something." Luke said to break the ice, but Leah shot him a glare in annoyance.

"That would require her staying in the Base in the first place."

"You're not gonna kick her out, are you?" Han asked with his high-pitch voice.

He knew they didn't like each other very much. And Leah wasn't the one to play well with others, but ... would she really kick out of the Base?

"Luke, take Han for a drink. I need to talk to his girlfriend." Leah ordered.

"She is not my girlfriend!" He quickly blurted out.

When everyone turned around and gave him a look, he just looked down, not saying anything.

"Just don't hurt her, buddy ... Please?" He asked.

"What do you think she is? Let's go!" Luke said as he dragged him away.


Once they were alone, Laetitia dragged Qi'ra away from public eyes. That was the last thing she needed. She opened the door to a room and just threw her inside.

"Laetitia ..."

"What are you doing here, Qi'ra? How did you get here?" Leah demanded.

"I saw Han when he was out buying supplies for the people inside this Base. I accepted his offer to come here because ... I didn't have anywhere else to go." Qi'ra said Han's side of the story.

"Why don't you just crawl back to where you came from?" Leah coldly stated.

"That place is no longer safe ... I had no choice but to come here."

"And I have no choice but to kick you out of here." She said as she walked closer to her.

Qi'ra took a step back to make distance between them. She was so, so nervous. From what she had heard, Laetitia Skywalker was not someone to mess with. But she also didn't know what to do. She couldn't go ... Not when ...

"This is an EMP." Leah suddenly said.

Qi'ra frowned as she followed her gaze and found what she was talking about. When she moved back, the EMP that was in her pocket fell. She quickly tried to grab it, but Leah was quicker than that. She used to the Force and held the EMP in her hand.

"Why do you have an EMP?"

"I can explain." She nervously said.

"I have the Rebels guarding the entrances search for EMPs. That's my strict order. So either I need to kill them for disobeying me, or you smuggled it inside." Leah coldly said in a dangerous way.

"That is just a thought from your paranoid mind." She tried to defend herself.

"Really? Because if this thing is turned on, I would drop dead!" She shouted in anger as she threw the EMP on the ground and shattered it to pieces.

Qi'ra almost jumped up and grabbed the blaster hidden under her clothes. She was acting very dangerous and ... hateful. She could see that Leah was seconds away from finishing her off. The last encounter they had was an indication that she was no match for her.

"There is another reason why I'm here." Qi'ra suddenly said to stop Leah, who was coming closer to finish her off.

"There always is, Gold-digger." She muttered.

"Han's in danger."

Now, Leah was half-listening to what she was saying. Not that she trusted her. That would never happen in a million years ... But ... it was Han. She couldn't take that risk. What was she talking about? How was he in danger?

"My contacts on Tatooine said Jabba is not very happy about not being paid. Apparently, Han owes him some money from the previous jobs. I tried to pay for it myself, but Jabba didn't accept it. He wants his head. That's why he's hired Boba Fett to look for Han and bring him to him." Qi'ra explained.

Leah sighed in frustration. That was the last thing they needed.

But Boba Fett? The Clone Cadet who hated Mace Windu and tried to kill Laetitia and Thexan? How the hell was he still alive? She guessed Darth Vader killed him after he found out what he did to his daughter.

She expected that at least that much of his fatherly instincts survived his ... transformation.

"Han's not leaving with you. He couldn't be safer in here. Besides, anyone who comes after him will be sorry they did." Leah stated.

"That's for him to decide, isn't it?" Qi'ra strongly said.

Leah narrowed her eyes at the woman. She could feel like there was more to the story than she was telling. She knew it. Having her here was dangerous. She couldn't let her stay.

"You're not staying here, Qi'ra. As the Leader of the Rebellion, I have the right to decide who stays and leaves. Han knows that I make decisions with my brain. He actually trusts me." She firmly said.

"So I'm sorry, but you have until tonight to get the hell out of my sight, and make sure I will never see you again. Or I will kill you." Leah warned her.

Qi'ra just looked down with no words to say. The way she put it and how she sounded was more than enough reason for her to shut up. Her eyes looked to be 2 seconds away from turning red.

"Okay. I understand." She quietly said. It's not like she could do anything about it.

"I'm sorry for everything I did to you in the past. The part I played in holding you prisoner ..."

"And trying to kidnap me on Tatooine when I was only 5 years old." Leah added.

"I just hope one day you can forgive me." Qi'ra asked honestly.

Leah scoffed as she moved the hair out of her face. She didn't buy her forgiveness act or what she was saying. She could feel that she was lying about something. It was like ... she was sorry for whats she was about to do.

But what was it?

"I don't believe in forgiveness, Qi'ra. I stand by my actions, good or bad ... And I accept the consequences." She strongly said.

She wasn't one to believe in much, but what she believed in was that regret was a useless thing to feel. And she fought for her beliefs hard. She had to believe that. Otherwise, she would lose her mind because of her father.

What was the point of regretting the choice you made? Or asking for forgiveness? You should just not do it if you know it will cause harm to others.

"Unmerciful to the bone." She chuckled to herself to her disappointment.

"That's what makes you a fearless General ... A great Leader. Always made you the best." Qi'ra stated.

If Leah was affected in any way by what she told her, she didn't show it at all. She just coldly turned away from her and left Qi'ra alone to go.


Laetitia walked outside the room and left Qi'ra alone. This much stress and pressure wasn't good for her or the baby. But she couldn't also ignore it.

"Hey." Han panted as he ran to her.

Leah rolled eyes and just kept walking. She knew what that was about.

"So? What did you two talk about?"

"I'm sorry, Han. But she has to go." Leah simply said.

"Why? If we don't have a room, she can stay ..."

"That is not what this is about."

"Then what is it about?"

"I don't trust her! She's not telling the whole story. She's withholding information!" Leah shouted her reasons.

"Leah, I know you two have always had your problems. Even 16 years ago ... But ... I know her. We can trust her." Han pleaded.

Leah sighed in frustration as she stopped. She didn't want to tell him how his precious girlfriend tried kidnapped her twice in the 16 years she knew her. He would never forgive Qi'ra if he did.

"You're not over her, are you?" She suddenly asked to change the direction of the conversation.

"What, me?" Han tried to bluff, using his high-pitch voice.

"No, me! Because I'm the one who stares at her every time she looks away." She sarcastically said.

"I don't stare ..." He mumbled under his breath.

"Oh, you stare … like a pro. Honestly, it's more 'creepy' than 'charming'. So, please stop it. I'm pregnant and emotional. Wouldn't wanna do something in my hormonal episode that you'll regret." Leah said, completely meaning what she just told him.

Han just nodded in acceptance and looked away to where Qi'ra was. Maybe she was right. Maybe he really still did love her.

But what he really wanted to know was what happened between Qi'ra and Laetitia. He knew that even when they just met, they didn't like each other. Qi'ra shouted at Leah and suggested to offer her to heir previous boss as a prize to get away. But he hadn't even told Leah about any of that. She would lose it and kill her if she knew.

So what the hell had happened that made her hate her this much?

"Has she told you about Jabba and Boba Fett?" Leah asked.

Han just sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. That problem was something he had not seen coming. That was the last thing he needed.

"Yeah ... She did." He slowly said, not looking her in the eye.

"Look, if you wanna go with her, you should go with her." She suddenly said.

"What?"

"I'm not gonna hold you here against your will. I would want you to stay, but ... if what you really want is to have a life with her ... you should do it. At least one of us should get to be happy." She softly said.

She really didn't want him to go. He was her big brother. And he had been a lot of help in her pregnancy. She really needed him. But none of that meant anything if he didn't want to be here.

"I am not going anywhere. I'm going to stay here and be with you when you give birth to my niece." He replied, assuring her.

"You sure? 'Cause if you wanna back down, now's your chance. I might get angry if you change your mind later." She warned him.

"I want you to get angry if I change I mind. Use all that hormones you're feeling and kick my ass until I change it back. I wanna be here with you." He strongly said.

Leah smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. He wouldn't even leave her when she was asking him.


After having that tense conversation with Laetitia, Qi'ra went back to her ship and started packing. She had to get away from there as soon as possible and as far as possible.

Laetitia Skywalker was not someone she should cross ... not any more than she already had.

"Hey." Han broke the silence as he entered the ship.

"Hey." She emotionlessly replied.

"Can we talk? Do you have a minute?" He asked.

"Look, Han. I am only here to do what's best for you. I love you, and I always want to protect you." She said and paused to say what she really wanted to say.

"But you know when I had a minute? This morning when you were with Laetitia in her room. You two were whispering and laughing. When she dragged me away, you didn't do anything and just did what she said. She yells 'go away', and you listen!"

"Ha!" Han laughed. It was ridiculous.

"That's not funny."

"Come on, Qi'ra! You know that's not what she means."

"You always defend her! Even when we met her when she was a kid. You always feel the ... this need to protect her or defend her." She stated in irritation.

"She was only 5 when we met her! You really bringin' that up right now?!" He asked in disbelief.

"My point is, you always side with her. Even when she is being a total bitch to me."

"Don't ... Don't call her that." He asked, which caused her to be more irritated.

"There you go ... And why wouldn't you? She has all the power here. She is 'the Leader'. You have to be with her. Otherwise, you're gone ... just like I am." She bitterly said as she went back to her work.

"Qi'ra, you're not gone. You're here. I'm gonna ask her to change her mind when she's feeling better."

"Let's be honest. You will never be able to change her mind. And even if she does, I'll only be here physically, Han. She will spend her days acting like I don't even exist."

"So what? You think she just sees you as my ex?"

"She doesn't even see me as that! She has always taken you away from me. She drags you away like you're nothing!"

"Okay. That only happened once ... And it was an emergency. She needed to ..."

"Emergency for what? To get you away from me?"

Han pressed his lips together as he sighed. He couldn't let anyone know about Laetitia's pregnancy. She didn't want anyone to know. Not that Qi'ra was 'anyone', but ... he still couldn't break his promise. Laetitia was ... the most important person in his life.

He would never betray her.

"I can't tell you that." He quietly said, which caused to scoff as she was right.

"One of the reasons why I want you to come with me is because I want to distance you from her. You are too close to see what's happening." Qi'ra stated.

"I'm sorry. What?!"

"She has an all-access pass to you. And you know the worst part? It's that you let her! She is, and has always been, your priority!" She shouted.

"That is not true! She has been through so much. Too much. She lost her husband on her wedding day. Her life is upside-down!" Han shouted back.

Qi'ra blinked in surprise. She didn't know that Leah's husband died. She didn't even know she was married. When did that happen? Was that why she was so ... closed off?

"So what? That gives her the permission to treat me like crap?" She asked.

"No! It means she has the permission to take her crap out on me! It means I'm gonna be there for her whenever she needs me, no matter what. Because she is the only one in the whole Galaxy I know I can always count on!" He strongly said.

"She is the only one?" She asked in offense.

Did he really not see her as someone reliable?

Han took a deep breath to calm down. The reason why he felt bad was because he meant what he said. Honestly ... he didn't see Qi'ra as someone to rely on. How could he, when she'd left him repeatedly over the years?

"That is ... Look, she stood by me for years, even when everyone else left me. Even when you left me. She has never left me, no matter what. I didn't mean ..." He tried to apologize, but he was interrupted.

"No, I get it. You're taking her side again because she's your priority." Qi'ra stubbornly stated.

"Well, you don't get to tell me what my priorities are!" He angrily shouted.

Qi'ra turned around in disbelief and hurt on her face. Han didn't say anything as he just walked out in anger.


Once Han left, Qi'ra tried to pull herself together and stay focused on her task. She couldn't believe what Han told her. How he talked to her to protect her.

She took out the transmission line she had hidden in her pocket and turned it on.

"Yes?" An automatic voice responded.

"This is Qi'ra."

"Have you made a decision?"

"Yes ... I know the location of the Rebel Base."

Done :)


Done!

I know this chapter was a bit too long, but I didn't want to divide it into 2 separate chapters. That would have been too much.

And OMG! Qi'ra is giving away the location of the Rebel Base! Who is she talking to over the line? Where is Laetitia when we need her? How would she react? Would she let the Gold-digger live after what she's done?