XIV: Saying Goodbye

At the landing pad at base 658, an imperial shuttle began prepping its engines. Outside at the ramp, Rebecca watched sadly as her father loaded the last of his luggage on board.

"Daddy, do I really have to go with Grandma?"

Deroh nodded, pulling her into a tight hug. "That's what the courts said, honey. I hate this just as much as you do..."

"But why can't I come back with you to Coruscant?"

"They feel I'm unsuitable to look after you because of my schedule. I tried to convince them you were strong enough to live on your own but they wouldn't hear of that either."

"This isn't fair..."Rebecca said quietly, holding back tears. "I'll still get to see you, won't I?"

"Of course. I'll always come home for the holidays and whenever I can. And--" He was interrupted as Elsa walked up and tugged on her granddaughter's arm.

"Come, sweetheart," she said. "Lets go home..."

"But..." Rebecca stammered, "I'm ...I don't want to go yet..."

Deroh glared at his mother-in-law. "Do you mind?"

"I do actually. Your shuttle wants to leave and I'd like to go home before I become ten years older."

 Deroh didn't take his glaring eyes off of Elsa. "Rebecca, could you take a few steps back?" he waited until his daughter was out of earshot before continuing. "You know, if I can take any satisfaction from you winning that custody battle, it's that I never have to see your sorry hide ever again." he growled.

 Elsa smirked. "So, you finally admit defeat. How noble of you."

"How noble of me? ME? That's cute coming from you. Now get the kark off your high horse and listen up. No, I haven't admitted defeat. If there's any loser here, it's you. I don't know how stupid you think I am, but I know you gave some serious shit testimony at that hearing. You think banning Rebecca and other character witnesses for my support from speaking would just slide right by? In any sane court, you would've been thrown out."

Elsa narrowed her eyes at him. "What are you getting at?"

"How is it that the one judge who finally manages to pick up the case happens to be one of your closest friends? And through all that obvious trash you presented, what made you win? I'd say you paid him off ahead of time."

"How dare you!" she hissed.

"You may have fooled the judges, but you didn't get me. You tried to hard and you know-- you only made the situation worse for yourself. YOU'RE the one who's stuck living with a terribly emotional teenage girl who by now probably hates your guts. So congratulations, Elsa." He paused, pointing an accusing finger at her face. "But...if I find out you brought any sort of harm onto my daughter, I will personally make sure you regret it." he turned back towards Rebecca.

"Was that a threat, Deroh?"

"You figure it out." He returned to Rebecca and brushed his finger over her cheek.
"Hey, don't cry cry, Becks." He said quietly, then pulled her into another hug. "I need you to be strong...if not for me then for Mom, alright? She wouldn't want you in tears. If she were here, she'd say make the best of every situation."

Rebecca cried into his shoulder. "If mom were here there wouldn't BE a situation..."

"Touche." He glanced behind him as the pilot beckoned him aboard. "Sweetheart, I have to go now. I'll write to you as soon as I can. Be strong, be well, and piss off Grandma to your heart's content."

Rebecca showed a weak smile. "I'll try, Daddy."

"That's my girl..." He kissed her forehead, gave her one last hug goodbye, then reluctantly retreated aboard the shuttle.

Rebecca took several steps back and watched as the shuttle switched into gear and took off, taking her father away, and feeling the same pain inside as years earlier--except now she felt it alone.