The Resistance's command center is packed fuller than usual. Resistance Officers don't just go about their daily tasks. After the successful mission of destroying Starkiller Base, the Resistance continues to pursue Kylo Ren and his master, Supreme Leader Snoke, and prevent them from taking action against the attempted destruction of the Resistance itself, the galaxy, Luke Skywalker, and the Jedi Order.
It had only been a short time since Leia had watched Rey take off in the Millennium Falcon with Chewie and Artoo. She had hoped with all her heart that Rey could find and convince Luke to reunite with her and join the Resistance in the fight against the First Order. She knew it would be hard after everything that had happened with Ben. She knew he blamed himself, but she couldn't help but blame herself for failing as a mother to protect her son.
Leia fiddles at the collar of her gown with thought. Her eyes watch her working officers, but her mind is off somewhere else. She feels empty with the loss of her love, Han Solo. It hadn't been long since his death. He may have been the one impaired, but she felt like she had also taken one right in the heart also.
"General, we have something." Lieutenant Connix speaks from a nearby monitor. Leia snaps out of her trance and moves in front of it. Other Resistance officers follow. They crowd around the monitor. "We received a signal from the Falcon signaling touchdown on Ahch-To." Connix continues.
"Rey did it." Leia smiles.
"Now we just have to wait and see if Luke's on it." Another says. Leia looks back at the spoken officer, almost heartbroken. She feels as if she'll never find her brother, Luke, again. If she does, things won't be the same. Everything has changed.
Leia moves slowly out of the command center and to the outside of the base. She passes by the hangars and all the X-Wings, where pilots tend to repairs. She mopes all the way down the runway, where she stops when she reaches the end of the cliff. She looks out at the passage below. It's full of thick green grass, willow trees, and plants and flowers of all kinds. At the base of the cliff runs a small river, crackling as the water flows into what seems like infinity. Leia looks out into the sunset, remembering the heartful memories she had with Han.
33 years ago
Han sits on a daybed aboard the ship, attempting to catch the chips he throws up in the air in his mouth. His attention turns as he notices Leia looking at herself in the mirror. She studies her outfit; a subtle, long, white, nightgown that drapes to the floor. Han's eyes are starstruck. He flash his famous side smile.
"Come here." He says to Leia.
She turns around. "What?" She smiles.
"Come here." He repeats.
Leia moves towards him with a confused smile, unsure what he wants. Han reaches up, taking a hold of her wrists, and pulling her down to sit next to him.
He pauses for thought. Leia's face falls, worried.
"What is it?" She asks.
"Do you ever think about the future?" Han responds.
"Why of course I do."
"Your future with me?"
She smiles. "Yes. I have."
"What do you think about?" He asks seriously interested.
"I think about where we can go in the future. Where it will take us... our children." She's almost afraid to speak the last one.
"Our children, huh? I guess you have no plans to get rid of me yet." He says cocky.
"Don't push yourself too far, Captain."
They exchange smiles full of love. He moves in to kiss the woman he loves, something he's always been afraid to admit.
Leia bounces back into reality. She smiles at the memories that flood in her mind. She turns around as footsteps approach her. Poe Dameron strides up to her. He sees her and is automatically concerned.
"General, is everything alright?" He asks her.
"Just needed some fresh air." She responds while putting on a strong face. "Is something wrong?"
"Finn's waking up." Poe says powerfully.