Permanent Mark

Chapter Twenty

Note:

This chapter is quite different than my previous ones. It's more of a "where are we now".....

Eight years later……..

Rey runs, dodging trees, leaping over crevices. Her constant companion, BB8, zips behind her.

"C'mon BB!! Don't let me win!!" she shouted at her little friend as he teased her back, threatening to beat her. 

She sliced the last flag with her saber, flipping forwards and over, catching it after landing on her feet. BB just moans. 

"I told you to hurry!" Rey smiles widely at the droid, who is sulking, being a sore loser. 

"Droids never lose with dignity," a voice says gently. Rey turns to see the woman who raised her. 

"Leia!" Rey says, with a smile. She leans over and places a gentle kiss on her cheek. In turn, Leia cups her hand on Rey's face, looking at her daughter with love in her eyes. 

"Are you feeling better?" Rey asks, always worrying over Leia. Her 'accident', as everyone refers to the explosion that exposed her to space, has wreaked havoc on her body ever since. Rey furrows her brow, the memory still haunting her. 

"Yeah, just a bad day yesterday. The med droids fixed me up good though."

Rey leads Leia to a large boulder. 

"Here, sit. Get off your feet. You shouldn't have come out this far."

Leia sits and smiles just a bit, patting the seat next to her. 

"I've missed seeing you run the course. It's been too long. You've improved." 

Rey lays her head over on Leia's shoulder. She has to lean over much more now than even a year ago. She's much taller than the woman who has been a mother to her for 9 years. 

"I couldn't have done it without you and Luke," Rey says with a hint of sadness to her voice. 

"You're a smart kid, you were already strong when we found you. A survivor."

Rey sighs, looking at the ground. 

"When he found me, you mean…"

"Yes, yes, I did mean that. I'm sorry. I know he found you."

"It's okay, Leia, I miss him too. So much."

Leia pats her leg, moving to stand. Rey stands first and helps Leia. 

"Where did BB get off to?" Leia asks.

"No telling," Rey responds, allowing Leia to change the subject. "B?? Where are you?"

Rey looks back at Leia. 

"I better find him. Poe will be so mad if I let him wander too far. Are you okay going back?"

Leia nods. She's rather tired but she won't let Rey see it. Rey has too much pressure on her as it is. 

"If he beats you back, Poe will know you lost sight of him. Go ahead. I'm fine."

Rey grimaces, knowing Leia is right. Poe is very protective of his little droid. She needs to find him, now. She watches Leia just for a moment, reassuring herself that she can walk back unaccompanied. Then she moves quickly, in search of the little orange and white defector. 

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The Resistance had managed to hide away efficiently. Their newest base was located on D'Qar, a jungle planet in the outer rim.