Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars

Leia's POV

"I have a plan to save Poe," Rey breathed out. "And I really think you are going to want to hear me out."

Her words rang out loudly and I became increasingly aware that various members of the Resistance around us were staring intently. I narrowed my eyes at her and cocked my head to the side.

"A plan? Why didn't you suggest something before Han and Leo left?" I knew my voice seemed a little irritated, but I was rather confused with why she had withheld any ideas up until this point.

She glanced around at everyone before looking at me directly. "The plan doesn't involve Han or Leo."

I gave a skeptical expression but sat back in my chair. I let out a small sigh and decided I would hear her out. "Alright. What exactly is your plan?"

"You need to send me," she told me lowly, trying to keep the conversation between us. She didn't seem to like how everyone seemed to be trying to listen to us. "Kylo Ren doesn't know me. I can say that I want to join the First Order and then I can break Poe out."

I considered my words. It wasn't a terrible plan, but it was a bit late to try and change things around, considering the boys had left so abruptly. "Forgive me, but why couldn't this have been said when Leo and Han were here?"

"Like I said, they don't listen to me," she said. "Han is stubborn and wants to do this for personal reasons, as you are aware, and Leo never wants me in any danger. Please, consider this. Please, listen to me. I know that this is the best decision."

I felt something strange as I looked at this young girl pleading with me. I felt an odd connection to her that I couldn't quite explain. It was a feeling I had felt a long time ago, when a young farm boy had come to rescue me from Darth Vader. I trusted him instantly, as for whatever reason, I trusted Rey. I could tell she was pure of heart. I could tell that her intentions were good, and that she would be loyal to me.

"Rey, your plan is good," I granted. "However, Leo is trained in collecting people."

"Yeah, dead people!" she protested. "Leo is my best friend, but I'm telling you, something inside me is telling me that I need to do this! I have to!"

"I understand the need to prove yourself," I said. "I was once eager to show the world what I was made of. The importance of Poe is just too great for me to risk his well being on someone I just met."

I saw the hurt flash in her eyes, and I wished she understood where I was coming from. Poe was my most trusted confidant these days. He had been by my side for so long, and although I felt this strange connection with Rey, I wasn't one to go with sudden strange feelings. Leo and Han were the logical choice, and that's what I would stick with.

"Why did you need to get BB-8 before the First Order?" she asked. "What does Poe know that is so dangerous? At least tell me that."

"Well, I'm sure word is already spreading around the galaxy, so I suppose telling you can't hurt anyone," I said. "BB-8 and Poe have retrieved information regarding the location of my brother."

"Luke Skywalker!?" she gasped.

"Yes. So, you can understand why this mission is so important. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

She nodded slowly. "I understand. Thank you for everything, but I'm going to go to my room now."

I was startled by her quick departure, but I tried to pay no mind to it. I bid her goodbye and continued to finish my meal. I really was sad to disappoint Rey, but I knew my decision was the wisest. I tried to eat what was on my plate, but my appetite was small, all things considering, so I ended up engaging in small talk with a few others. I found myself becoming easily distracted as I thought of what exactly me had so drawn to the young girl.

Once the meal period ended, I departed to my room. I entered in my passcode and held my fingerprint to the pad. My door slid open and I stepped inside. After a moment, I decided I would go to the Millennium Falcon and say goodbye to Han before he left. I don't know what I planned on saying, but I knew that I would regret it if I never got the chance to say goodbye.

I turned to exit my room and as the door opened, a gasp exited my lips.

"Hey, Princess," Han leaned against the side of the wall. "Going somewhere?"

"No," I said.

He gave me a doubtful look.

"Nowhere important." I shrugged.

"Sure, sure," he nodded, stepping into my room. He looked around the room as if he were examining the details. The door slid shut behind him. "Chewbacca wanted me to tell you that he says goodbye."

"Is that the reason you came?" I asked, walking over to the mirror. I glanced at his face in the reflection of the mirror as I began to take down my hair.

"Not the only reason," he admitted, coming to strand behind me. "I wanted to come say goodbye, just in case…"

"Han," I said, stiffening at the thought of his words. "Don't do that."

"Don't do what?" he asked, brushing my hands away so he could take down my hair.

"You know what," I hissed. "I don't want to think about it."

I moved to step away from him, but he grabbed me. He turned me so that I was facing him and I glared up at him.

"Anything could happen," he said, his voice sounding soft. I felt my eyes widen, my mind not ready for what was about to come. I couldn't remember the last time he spoke to me like this. "I don't want something to happen and you be left wondering how I felt about you."

"Han," I started to protest, but he brought a finger to my lips.

"I have loved you since the moment I met you. I don't think either of us knew it then, but it didn't take me long to realize how I felt about you. It hit me, stronger than any blaster ever has. It wasn't just lust, or the thrill of the chase. I knew from the moment that I laid eyes on you that you were one of the rare ones. You were one of those women who was unapologetically themselves and I had never met someone so confident, so good hearted, so beautiful. I never believed in the Force, but you and Luke have changed me in so many ways. I wish things had gone differently with Ben, but we can't change the past. I love you, Leia. I have loved you, even when I haven't done right by you. I have never stopped loving you, and I never will."

My mouth was open slightly and I knew that my heart was fluttering out of my chest. "Han, I-"

I was cut off by the sound of an alarm going off. I recognized the sound of the alarm immediately and looked at Han.

"I'll be right back," I told him. "Someone is trying to go AWOL."

He nodded and took a step away from me. "I understand."

"Please, don't go anywhere," I said frantically, already making my way out of the room. "I have a lot to say in return!"

I didn't wait for his response as I began making my way down to where we kept our emergency ships. I quickly ascended down and realized I was the third to arrive, C-3PO hot on my heels. I noticed the stunned girl laying next to the buzzer and scanned around to see which ship was being loaded.

"My goodness! Look! It's BB-8!" the golden droid cried out, pointing at the third ship down on my left.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion and others began arriving.

"Why would a droid be stealing a ship?" General Ackbar questioned.

I looked at BB-8 and suddenly something clicked in my mind. It was a set-up. BB-8 wasn't trying to steal a ship.

"Rey! I yelled out, turning to run.

I left the others behind without informing them, hoping they would catch on. There was still time to try and stop her. I ran as fast as my legs would let me toward the Millennium Falcon. Luckily, the ramp was still down, so I quickly entered.

"Rey," I called out her name, entering where Han had piloted us on so many missions before.

"Please, General Organa," she pleaded, standing up. "This has to happen."

"No," I said, the authority in my voice causing her to flinch. "As leader of the Resistance, I command you to get off of this ship."

"No!" she cried out. "I'm so sick and tired of everyone telling me what to do! I'm doing this. Something is telling me to do it, and for once in my life, I'm listening to it!"

I was shocked at her outburst, but it was clear the girl had made up her mind. She turned her back to me and started the Falcon.

"What are you doing?" I asked. "You do not have permission to fly this ship! I am not leaving this base."

"We're going to get Poe!" she said determinedly. She lifted the two of us off the ground and I heard the screams of people down below.

"Rey, stop! You can't do this! Do you know how many people want me dead? I can't just leave. Land this ship immediately."
"I'm sorry, General Organa," she said. "But if I land this ship, everyone down there will prevent me from leaving. There's no turning back.

Before I could make another protest, she thrust us forward into the open galaxy where nothing good could be waiting for us.