"Supreme leader, we've had a communication from the Jedi." Doppler's voice was suspicious as to why a Jedi would be contacting the leader of the First Order. "Shall I patch her through?"
It took a while for Kylo to work out what Doppler was telling him, and even then, he thought why would Rey want to contact him. "Do you mean Rey?" He had to force himself to say her name. "The Jedi, Rey?"
"Yes, sir, Rey, but she didn't say what she wanted, only that she needed to talk to you." Doppler replied slowly, to make sure that the Supreme leader understood.
Why would Rey contact him this way? She had their bond, which would be more private for them. What could she possibly have to say to him after her abandonment with the Resistance from Crait? It would make more sense for it to be Leia, pleading for the First Order to give up from crushing the remnants of the Resistance. He couldn't imagine Rey wanting to talk to him in front of his other officers, so why did she choose to contact him this way?
There could only be one reason. She must have told his mother of their connection, and Leia desperate to have her son back, had instructed Rey to use their bond to bring him back. He scoffed and felt amused that Leia could manipulate Rey this way. "I'll take the call in my private chambers," he ordered. He walked away and headed to his sterile chambers. It had been months since Crait and he hadn't heard from Rey since. He had hidden his feelings of loss and craving of her love from her, and closed his eyes to close off his emotions, it wouldn't do to let her know of his feelings for her.
As he stood there, Doppler patched her feed through and there she was, the beautiful Jedi, who haunted his dreams and days. He acknowledged her with a nod and allowed her to speak. He studied her closely examining her features and clothes, while avoiding her soulful brown eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak, stopped and swallowed, as if what she was about to say was hard for her. "Thank you for taking my call. I need to talk to you, I need your help."
His help? He didn't know what he expected Rey to say, but it certainly wasn't that she needed help. Perhaps it was a ruse to distract him from what the Resistance had planned. "Help? You need help from the Supreme Leader of the First Order?"
For a moment he saw temper come into her eyes, then, to his surprise, she returned to her calm self. Maybe her Jedi training had taught her self-calm. He wondered what dire straits the Resistance must be in to get him to help her. She'd rejected him when he'd offered everything to him. The memory of her rejection made him spiteful and he ground out. "What could you possibly need, the last time I offered you something, you rejected me."
"I am here to beg your help, although I cruelly rejected you the last time. Your mother is dead, our leader Leia, passed away from illness. Without our x-wings and mobility the Resistance cannot prevail against your army. I need your help with allowing us to go to Naboo, so we can bury your mother without being attacked."
The one appeal he had not expected, and the one he could not refuse. He had known his mother had died, however, they differed, they were connected by blood and he'd felt her passing. He would not weaken, and let her know of how much sway her eyes filled with tears held over him. "I know she passed, I felt it. However, if I let the Resistance go to Naboo, what guarantee do I have that you're not getting troops and equipment to fight against us?"
"I'm going…" Her voice caught, and her eyes dropped, making him want to reach out and tilt her chin up so he could see her eyes. "I'm going to come to you and while I'm with you, the Resistance will not try to make any attack on the First Order, they don't want to risk me. If you could please find it in you to allow us to bury Leia, the Resistance would be so grateful."
There, she'd said it. Rey had offered herself to him, her heart was heavy, and she was unconsciously holding her breath waiting for his reply. He was their last hope, and she could only hope that his interest in her wasn't lost, so he would not turn down this opportunity.
"No, not good enough." Kylo replied. Rey closed her eyes, she'd failed, he'd moved on from her and was so bitter about her refusal of him that he wouldn't even allow his mother a simple burial without killing the rest of the Resistance. She had hoped that that offering to stay on the ship would allow him to let the Resistance pass without incident.
Faced with his refusal, she said, "If the exchange of me isn't good enough to allow your mother to be buried, what will it take for you to allow us to give your mother the decent send off she deserves? I know you want me with you, what else do you need?" She hated herself in that moment offering herself to him, to a man, who had killed innocents including his own father.
While she was making her plea, Kylo looked at her image, and thought of how much he did want her with him. But he wanted much more than her to just be on his ship, he must find a way to keep his bond mate with him. This was a perfect opportunity to bargain with her.
"I'll think on it and let you know." He then terminated the call with a grin, leaving Rey in suspense.
Rey spent the next few days sick with suspense, unsure of what hideous plan Kylo was coming up with. Would he ever help her? Or would his price be too much? She was surprised Kylo had not taken her up on her plan straight away. She remembered when she'd seen Ben Solo shine through when he'd offered her to rule the galaxy with him. He'd had pleading soft eyes with his hand held out, he looked so lost and alone, and it had taken all her self- control to refuse him. Now, she was the one pleading with him, but he wasn't going to make it easy on her.
She was in her small room reading the Jedi texts she'd taken from Achtoo when she felt Kylo and she looked up to see him through their force bond. "I've come to a decision." He spoke with a small smile playing upon his lips. Rey felt her stomach knot, what could he possibly have up with? "I've decided that I do want you on my ship, but not for a temporary period, nor as a visitor. You'll be my bride." Rey's mouth dropped open and she could not have said a word, even if it meant saving her life.
"I have decided that the best solution is for us to get married. That way we will bring an alliance between the First Order and what is left of the Resistance. They shall have the assurance that as long as you're married to me the First Order will not attack the Resistance."
She had no idea how to respond. Did he expect her to just blindly acquiesce to his wishes, no, his demand? She squared her shoulders and looked him straight in the eye. "If that is what it takes to get Leia a decent burial and the Resistance safe, then I will accept your demand." He came further towards her and just like on Achtoo he touched her hand and said, "I'll see you soon, Rey."