Star Wars: A Long Drabble Ago

Never Face It Alone

A/N: How a certain scene from Dark Journey should have gone. When you lose all hope, it only makes sense to turn to what's left.

  Desperate for even just small talk, Leia peered around the Trickster and asked her daughter, "So, how does this thing work?"
  A brightness took over Jaina's face as the subject turned and she prepared to launch into a ten-minute rant on how differently the Vong ship worked and how frustrating it was to work on their repairs, but stopped short when her gaze met her mother's. A shadow suddenly crossed Jaina's face and tears spilled down her cheeks, unbound.
  "Mom?"
"I thought I was 'Mother'?"

  Her tears free-flowing now, Jaina shook her head and begged her, "Mom?"
  Leia walked back to her daughter, lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "Jaina," she said softly. "I'm listening, baby girl."
  "Sometimes, I need you more than I admit."
  Leia first responded with a soft smile before taking her daughter into her arms and stroking her back. She hushed her daughter until Jaina's cries calmed and she gently pushed back to look her mother in the eyes. "I love you, Mom. Please help me. I need help. I want to give up and let the darkness take over. Mom, I need help."
  "I know, sweetie. So do I."
  They hugged again and Jaina, in her most vulnerable voice, muttered, "I love you, Mom."
  "I love you too, Jaya. Always and forever. Daddy and I are always here."
  "Mom?"
  "Yes, Jaya?"
  "Thank you."