Chapter 6

When Allana awoke the next morning, her stomach was in knots. With shaky hands, she got dressed and headed out to join the others. She was far from ready to face what the day had in store. On unsteady legs, she entered through the corridor to where the din of crewmembers conversing originated. They were all sitting around the table eating breakfast. When she sat down, Chewbacca pushed a plate of toast and a cup of caf in front of her. Nothing had ever looked less appetizing to her. She tried to take a bite of her food, but promptly spit it out.

Are you okay cub?

''I'm fine. It just tastes like chalk. When do we land?''

''Seven hours,'' said Poe as he cleared Rey, Finn, and Chewbacca's plates.

''Seven more hours before the galaxy explodes then.''

You shouldn't expect the worst cub.

''The last time I spoke to my mom, we were screaming at each other because she was mad at me for taking a mission that she considered suicidal. I don't think this time will be any different.''

Allana carried her plate to the galley and dumped the uneaten portion of her breakfast into the trash. ''Thanks for breakfast.''

Seven hours later, they were all gathered in the cockpit. Allana guided the ship to a landing pad as Poe and Rey communicated with the base. She didn't realize that her hands were shaking until Chewbacca reached out to steady her.

You need to relax cub. She wants to see you.

''I'm completely relaxed,'' said Allana as she drew her hands away.

''Your shaking hands say otherwise,'' said Finn. ''Let's go.''

As the ramp lowered, Allana tasted bile in her throat. ''You guys should go first. I'll wait.''

They looked at her concerned but silently walked down the ramp without her. Time seemed to halt as she saw the bustling and packed base she had run away from, the place where her relationship with her mother had finally imploded. General Organa and Master Skywalker stood at the bottom of the ramp. They stood expectantly waiting for the group to depart the ship, unaware of the bombshell awaiting them.

''General Organa,'' said Poe as he walked up to her, ''we have some information that I think you will want to see right away. Master Skywalker, it's good to see you again.''

''It's nice to see you as well Poe. Rey, Finn, I'm glad to see that you made it back unharmed.''

''We were perfectly safe,'' said Rey as she hugged him.

Princess, we have something that I think you need to see right away.

''What is…?''

General Organa trailed off, her eyes fastened on the ship.

Luke's eyes followed hers, and he suddenly froze. Allana was standing at the top of the ramp.

''Poe,'' asked the General, ''is that…?''

''Yes General, we brought her back.''

Allana slowly made her way down the ramp, her steps unsteady. She stopped right in front of her mom and uncle. Allana hesitated, searching for the right words. ''Hello.''

''Allana!'' Luke threw his arms open and wrapped his niece in a big bear hug. ''I haven't seen you in so long!''

''It's been eight years.''

''You've grown up!''

''Well that tends to happen as you get older.''

Luke was still holding Allana tight, not really believing that she was really there. ''Thank the force! I was so worried about you.''

''Hey Uncle Luke?''

''Yes?''

''I can't breathe.''

Luke immediately let go of her and stepped back, leaving Allana and her mother face to face. The two women stared at each other for a long time.

''You're back,'' said Leia, softly.

''I'm back.''

''Why?''

Leia's voice was no longer composed and firm, but instead shaky and unsure. To everyone around them, she no longer look like a confident leader, but rather a scared little girl.

''What?''

''Why did you leave? Why did you come back?''

''I had my reasons for leaving and maybe one day I'll tell you, but right now that doesn't matter. I'm here now.''

''To stay?''

''I'm not sure.''

Leia studied her daughter's face as tears came to her eyes. She reached out her arms for her daughter.

''Come here.''

Allana allowed herself to be pulled into the embrace, and she clutched her mother tightly.

''I missed you mom.''

''I missed you too baby girl. I missed you so much.''

When Chewbacca growled softly, they pulled away from the embrace.

''I guess you need a bunk,'' said Leia as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

''Well, if I'm going to stay for awhile then I need a place to sleep.''

''Come with me. All of you, follow me.''

Leia lead the group deep into the base. As they made their way down the hallway, many Resistance members stopped in their tracks and did a double take. The few that got over their shock called out to welcome Allana. They stopped at the command center.

''Davis,'' she called out.

''Yes General?''

''I need you to find this girl a bunk. Do we have any empty ones?''

''We do General. I'll get it set up. It's good to have you back Allana.''

''Alright, what information did you get from your contact?''

''Everything we received is on these data pads. The new key for the coded messages from the First Order and the latest battle plans are on here,'' said Finn as he slid the data pads to Leia.

''Did everything go well?''

Well…

''What happened Chewie?''

They were guarding the ship, so we couldn't get in. Our contact sent us to stay at Allana's. Apparently she's been working for him.

''You have?''

''I needed money,'' Allana said, throwing her hands up in the air. ''He offered me a job, so I took it. It's not a big deal.''

Anyway, we stayed at Allana's for a night and left early the next morning. We had to shoot our way out, but we didn't do too much damage.

''Well not too much is the best we can hope for sometimes. You all must be exhausted. Go back to your bunks and get some rest, and you can get your orders from your superiors after lunch.''

''We have one more thing,'' Rey said, reaching into her jacket. ''Here''

''What is it?''

''A letter from Lando Calrissian. All they could tell us was that it was important,'' Poe said. ''I thought he wasn't supposed to contact you.''

''He wasn't unless there was an emergency.'' Leia opened the letter and scanned it.

''What is it mom?''

''Cloud City has been taken over. He and Ami are coming here. They should be here in a few days.''

''Ami's coming? That's great! What about Luna?''

Leia went silent.

''Poor Lando,'' Luke said softly.

''Can someone please tell us who these people are,'' exclaimed Finn.

''Lando is an old friend of Han's,'' Leia said slowly. ''Luna, who recently passed away, was his wife, and Ami is his daughter. You all should go rest. I have work to do.''

''Mom?''

''I'll talk to you later Allana. I have work to do now.''

''Mom!''

''Later Allana!''

''Figures,'' she muttered under breath.

Allana clenched her fists to keep calm, and followed Rey, Poe, Finn, Luke, and Chewbacca out of the room. Once outside, she lost it. She banged her fist up against a wall, hard. Allana winced as she cradled her hand.

''Can someone please explain to me how my mother, who I haven't see in three years has no time for me. I thought this time would be different, but I guess that was just too much to hope for.''

Allana's traditional mask fell and the look on her face broke the other's hearts. She quickly gained her composure, and her face-hardened back into a mask.

''It doesn't matter. I'm going to go find my bunk and find out what my assignments are. I'll see you later.''

She took off down the hall almost knocking over some pilots in her path.

''Allana wait!'' Poe chased down the hall after her. When they were gone, Luke turned to Rey and Finn.

''You two need to go rest. Rey, I'll come by in three hours or so for a sparring session. Right now I need to talk to my sister. Chewie, will you come with me?''

When Chewbacca nodded in agreement, the two took a deep breath and entered the command center.

''Well,'' Rey said to Finn, ''I guess it's just you and me.''

''I guess so.''

Rey and Finn wandered down the hallway to their rooms.

Inside the command room, Leia was pouring over maps and charts.

''Leia!''

''Not now Luke, I really need to finish this.''

''No, what you really need to do is spend time with your daughter, whom you haven't seen in three years.''

''Luke…''

''I'm not going to let this go Leia.''

Luke is right princess. Allana has been gone for three years, and you can't spend three hours with her.

''I have to go over this new data. It may be crucial to our victory.''

Leia, I know for a fact that someone could do that for you and give you a summary of the information.

''Have Ackbar do it. He is just as qualified as you.''

''Guys…''

''Leia, listen to me! All Allana wants it just a little bit of your time. You're always working. I'm not saying that you have to be best friends right away, but you can't just push her aside. Leading the Resistance is not an excuse to brush off your daughter.''

Leia was silent for a moment. ''It's just hard. She, she reminds me so much of Han and of Ben. She's the only child I have left. I don't want to get close to her because I don't think I can stand losing her again.''

You're going to lose her if you don't spend more time with her. Go see your daughter. I'll make sure that these data pads get to someone who can properly analyze them. Go!

Leia hesitated but ultimately went off in search of her daughter.

''Allana! Allana wait!''

Poe ran to catch up her. When he finally reached her, he grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face him.

''What was that all about?''

''Oh you know, all my pent up anger and frustration at my mother finally coming out.''

''How's the hand?''

''It's fine,'' she said, not meeting his eyes.

He grabbed her hand gently and winced at what he saw. Her knuckles were bruised and were beginning to bleed.

''Kriff, Lana. This must hurt like hell!''

''It's fine. I'll go get a bandage if you want, but it doesn't hurt that bad.''

''Fine. Come with me, the med center is this way.''

Poe led her to the med center and practically shoved her inside. A doctor looked up when they entered.

''I'm Dr. Stevens. What brings you two here today?''

''I punched a wall, and this idiot seems to think that I need surgery.''

''Hey!''

The doctor chuckled. ''Let me see the hand.''

Allana extended her hand, and the doctor took it gently. He winced when he saw it. ''It's a good thing you came in. It's not too bad, but if you don't cover it up it could get infected.''

''I told you,'' Poe said.

Allana rolled her eyes.

''I have a patient that I really need to check on, so I'm going to let you bandage it up yourself,'' said Dr. Stevens as he searched through a cabinet. ''Here's a bacta patch and a bandage. Come by later tonight, so I can check on it.''

''Okay,'' Allana said, ''Thanks doctor.''

She sat down in a chair and began wrapping her wound. Poe knelt down next to her and took the bandage from her. ''Let me do it.''

Allana knew better than to protest and let him wrap her hand.

''This reminds me of Yavin 3 when you broke your wrist on that mission,'' said Poe.

''I remember that mission. The General was dead set on me not going, but she finally agreed when you said you would go with me. My hand hurt for days.''

Allana chuckled softly under her breath.

''Lana?''

''Yes Poe?''

"Why did you leave? You can tell me that you left because of your mother until you're blue in the face, but I know that's not the real reason.'' Poe raised his head so they were looking directly into each other's eyes.

Allana froze. ''I can't tell you. I'm sorry.'' She said it so softly, Poe could barley hear her. He silently finished bandaging her hand and stood up. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and they exited the med center.

''So,'' Poe said slowly, staring at her hand, ''do you want to talk about it?''

''About what?''

''Lana!''

''I don't need to talk Poe. I'm used to it.''

''That doesn't mean that you don't need to talk about it.''

''Poe!'' Allana whirled around to face him. ''I. Am. Fine. Every time something doesn't go the way I hoped it would, I'm not crushed. I appreciate your concern, but I don't need it.''

She stopped in front of a door. ''This is mine. Thanks for walking me here.''

''No problem. Will you meet us for dinner?''

''Sure. I'll see you guys then.''

She punched in the passcode and slipped inside leaving Poe in the hallway, staring at the door.

''Lana? Allana are you in here?''

Leia banged on the door to Allana's bunk.

''I guess you're not here then.''

Leia turned around and headed for the place where she was sure to find her. She made her way through the base and out to the landing pads. Taking a deep breath, she climbed up the Falcon's ramp in search of her daughter.

''Allana?''

''Mom? Is that you?''

Allana pulled herself out of the compartment where she had been working.

''It's me. Kriff Lana, what happened to your hand?''

''I punched a wall. Don't worry. Poe dragged me to the med center and made someone look at it.''

''Good. We need to talk.''

''I'm kind of busy now mom. You made me wait. Now it's your turn.''

Leia felt as if she had been slapped. She sat down on the ground next to Allana. ''I'm sorry Lana.''

''For what?''

''I'm sorry that I pushed you away earlier. You didn't deserve that.''

''It's fine mom. I'm used to being put second. It doesn't bother me any more.''

''Well you hand begs to differ. Lana, I don't want you to be used to it. It's not fair to you.''

''I appreciate the apology, but one I'm sorry is not going to fix twenty years of damage. I'm sure you're sorry, but the damage has already been done.''

Allana stood up and wiped her hands on a cloth. ''I have to go. I promised Rey, Finn, and Poe that I would meet them for dinner. I'll see you later.''

''Allana!''

She was already gone. Leia took a deep breath and tried to stop the tears from flowing. ''Han, I wish you were here. You were the only one she would listen to.''

AN: So… what did you guys think? Please, please, please review! I love hearing your thoughts, good or bad. Special thanks to my beta reader for helping me with this chapter! Disclaimer- I still don't own any of this!