Onboard the first orders star destroyer, two armed Stormtroopers patrolled past Kylo's quarters. They stopped dead at the sounds of destruction coming from inside the room. Clearly their leader wasn't in the best of moods. Suddenly the doors open and Kylo Ren appeared. His eyes were fierce as they darted between the stunned troopers and he was breathing heavily. Both men instinctively took a step back.

'Ready my ship!' Kylo growled. Returning to his room.

The troopers looked at each other. This couldn't be good.

Kylo moved quickly collecting what he needed for the journey. What had she been thinking? Foolish girl. She wouldn't listen and now she was at the mercy of that degenerate on some godforsaken planet and he was the only one who knew what had happened, meaning he had to go after her, and he was going to see her again. Really see her. He stopped for a moment. There would be no force connection to hide behind this time. Well, assuming she wasn't dead already, he thought dryly. But he knew she wasn't. He knew if she were dead, even across the galaxy, he would feel it.

He would have to think up a good excuse to explain his absence. The supreme leader of the first order didn't just leave on away missions without an official decree and a squadron of soldiers following in his wake. Kylo pinched the bridge of his nose. Trouble. He has known from the start that the girl would be trouble.

He reached the hanger having explained to Hux that the mission was confidential and required his immediate attention. Hux has been so delighted to take on the role of acting leader in Kylo's absence, he didn't ask too many questions about Kylo's reasons for leaving.

Kylo took a minute to settle into the cockpit of his ship. He didn't get to fly very often anymore. When he was out there, relying on his instincts, he felt truly alive. Being stuck in board rooms, and hearing about financial forecasts was not his idea of fun. As he took off, he pondered what he did find joy in. The only thing that came to mind was Rey.

Rey opened her eyes and immediately shut them again as she felt a sharp pain in her head. She assessed the damage, just a headache and a bruised ego. She would recover. She tried once more to open her eyes, this time very slowly. She saw the sky above her, a delicate pale lilac. Beautiful. So this is what passed for daytime on this planet then. Her shuttle and the lying scum were long gone. Rey sat up and hugged her knees. What a mess she has gotten herself into. She should have listened to Kylo. So she was taking advice from the leader of the first order now? She almost laughed at the notion. Her world really was upside down. Speaking of which could she reach him? To let him know she was okay? Maybe she could make the bond open again if she tried. She crossed her legs and closed her eyes and tried to imagine him. His dark waved hair and dark eyes and so tall, and his skin so pale but not sallow, youthful, and his physique, toned from vigorous training and his large hands, and...

'Hmm hmm.' Someone cleared their throat. Rey opened one eye and saw big black boots, she opened the other eye and let them travel up to Kylo's eyes.

'Wow it worked.' She said.

'What worked?'

'I was thinking about you just now, I was trying to activate the bond and it worked.'

'No it didn't. I'm really here.'

Rey's eyes widened. 'You're here? Here, here!'

Kylo rolled his eyes and sighed, 'Yes. Can we go now? I'm somewhat conspicuous.'

'You came for me. I can't believe you came for me.' Rey said softly.

'I said I would.' Kylo said avoiding her eyes. But it was too late.

In that moment something changed in Rey. Something awakened within her and she knew she wouldn't be the same again. The revelation cemented itself into her thoughts. There was nothing anyone could say to change her mind now. She knew that Kylo Ren was a good man underneath. She stood up and placed her palms on Kylo's chest. For a moment he forgot to be angry and sullen and he looked down at her. Rey felt his consuming loneliness, the conflict within him and something else, something he was fighting hard to hide from her.

'Thank you.' Rey said.

Kylo opened his mouth then closed it again. He pulled his eyes away from hers and the walls went back up between them.

'Let's go, you've wasted enough of my time.' He snapped striding off towards the ship.

Rey ignored the outburst and stood still for a moment observing him carefully as he walked away from her. She caught her lip between her teeth as she considered the fact that the first orders supreme leader has just flown half way across the galaxy just to make sure she was okay. A slight breeze caught her hair and she smiled and tucked a stray curl behind her ear.

'Come on!' Kylo shouted exasperatedly.

'Coming.' Rey called as she ran towards the ship.

Once the two of them were on board, it was difficult to think about anything other than their close proximity to one another. Rey ran her hands over the sleek black interior of the ship. It screamed of money. It was huge compared to her shuttle. There were only two seats, so she settled in the co-pilots chair. Rey felt raw with emotion and she suspected Kylo felt everything she was feeling. The thought was both frightening and exciting for her. She sensed he was guarding his thoughts and decided not to pry further. Rey had never been attracted to a man before, the feeling was new and intoxicating which made it difficult for her to hide. She tried not to watch him but it was fascinating to observe his skill at piloting the craft. Rey was an excellent pilot but she didn't have the superior training Kylo displayed. Rey was all instinct, completely self-taught. Kylo had benefited from someone's teachings. Who? She wondered.

'My father.' Kylo explained. 'It was my father who taught me.'

'Oh.' Rey said suddenly feeling uncomfortable as he answered her thoughts and she remembered Han. Then she realised what she has been thinking and blushed and changed the subject.

'What are you going to do with me?' She asked. Then flushed again when she realised what she had said.

Kylo swallowed hard but let the comment go, 'I'm taking you back with me.'

'What? No!'

'I can't deliver you to the rebels, I'll be arrested on site and besides, I can't afford to have you distracting me from my work, running off on fools errands all the time and nearly getting yourself killed.'

Rey rolled her eyes, 'that only happened one time. Stop exaggerating. Look , if you give me something to trade with drop me off somewhere and I will barter for a way home.'

'No. I've made my decision.'

'Your decision!' Anger flared inside Rey and she balled her hands into fists and puffed out her breath. 'You do not control me supreme leader.' She hissed through gritted teeth.

'When you can ensure your own safety, you can be in-charge of it.'

Rey sat down, dumbfounded. She didn't know what to say. She has no way of contacting the rebels and she didn't know the solar system well enough to know if any rebel sympathisers were close by. Maybe it was better that she go with him for now? Did she really think it was better or was it just the pull she felt towards him that was leading her to agree with his plan? She tried to steady her heartbeat. It was infuriating that the situation seemed to be affected her more than him. Kylo seemed at ease while he manoeuvred the craft. Rey folded her arms across her chest. An angry Kylo Ren was much easier to argue with than a sensible one.

Kylo knew his calm demeanour was an irritation to Rey. He found it quite amusing, as it was her very presence that had allowed him to adopt the new attitude. Having her near and knowing she was safe was somewhat comforting. He also found it easier to engage empathetically around Rey perhaps because she was so adept at connecting with others. It seemed she had quite the influence over him. He would have to conceal it. It could be a major weakness.

Other than the calming affect she had on him, he couldn't deny that his attraction to her was growing. Every moment they spent together made it harder to ignore. He felt her watching him, read her thoughts about him, she admired his skill greatly. It made him feel proud. She also couldn't mask her feelings for him. They poured out of her and he was using a lot of energy to try to stem their flow. They threatened to overpower him. She didn't notice him watching her, he was more careful, but every sigh, every stretch, every-time she licked or pursed her lips a little part of him reached out for her. He didn't know if it was a good idea to take her back with him, he just knew that he didn't want to be parted from her just yet. In many years, Rey was the one thing that made him feel...wanted.

'Are you going to pass me off as your prisoner? I swear if you try to cuff me again Ren, I'll...'

'No cuffs then. I will let you choose. You can be my prisoner or my guest. A traitor or a defector.'

Rey's brow furrowed as she mulled over his proposal.

Kylo kept his composure while his insides churned. He hadn't realised how much her answer to the question would mean to him until that very moment. He wanted her to come willingly but as that wasn't an option, the illusion of free will would satisfy him for now.

'Defector.' Rey answered firmly. 'I don't want to be caged like an animal.'

'Rey I would never... very well. Defector it is. That will make everything...easier.'

Rey took a deep breath. 'How long until we get there?'

'Not long now. Don't worry. As long as you are with me. No one will question your presence.'

'I'm questioning it myself so I'm sure your men will.'

'Let me rephrase that, no one would dare voice their concerns if they value their lives.'

'Violence begets violence Kylo.' Rey warned.

'Not if I kill everyone first.'

Rey rolled her eyes. What was she letting herself in for?

'Argh!'

Rey was jolted awake by a very loud shout.

'What is it?' She said rubbing her eyes.

Kylo gestures in front of him. Rey saw a ship approaching. A ship she recognised.

'It's Leia. It appears she has come for you.' Kylo said disappointedly.

Rey smiled, 'she came to find me?' The gesture touched the soul of the little girl who had been abandoned on Jakku.

'This is all wrong! This is not the plan!' Kylo shouted slamming his fists into the control panel.

'Calm down.' Rey said gently. We just have to change the plan. Simple.'

'What are you suggesting?'

She smirked, 'you can be a prisoner or a defector? Which is it? Oh, and there will be cuffs.'

Kylo narrowed his eyes at her.

'What else can we do Kylo? You don't want it getting back to the order what really happened do you? And I can't go with you now. They will pursue us and probably get themselves killed in the process. Please just for now? Until we figure out what we are going to do?'

Kylo didn't respond but Rey took his silence as compliance.

Leia hailed them and Rey took the call, 'Rey, I sense your energy, I'm so glad you are safe but who is with you? It can't be...?'

'It is ma'am. I apprehended him on Ghetta 5. He's my prisoner.'

Kylo glared at her as she pressed her lips together to keep from laughing.

'Well, How...strange that you should run into my son on a relatively unknown planet such a Ghetta 5. I wonder what business would bring him to the outskirts? But no matter, follow us and we will guide you home.

'Thank you, Leia.' Rey responded.

'She suspects us.' Kylo said matter-of-factly.

'What?'

Kylo rolled his eyes, 'you lack the ability to guard your feelings with any permanency Rey, no doubt she knows your thoughts better than you by now. She probably knows everything about us. Certainly, seemed that way. She didn't buy your story.'

Rey chewed her thumb then smiled and shrugged, 'Well if she does know about us, she knows everything I do is to help the rebels.'

'Really?' Kylo said raising an eyebrow at her.

'Yes, if I could get you to see that you should join with us, that would be a huge victory for us.'

'I won't join your band of dysfunctional misfits Rey.'

'We'll see.' She said as she took over piloting the craft. 'I'll drive, shall I? As your my prisoner and all.'

'Defector. I choose to be a defector.' Kylo corrected and felt Rey's excitement spike at the prospect.

Back at base, Rey accompanied Kylo as they exited the ship. Kylo's eyes darted menacingly amongst the rebel soldiers, nearly all of whom stepped back when they saw Kylo.

'It's okay!' Rey called, putting her hands out in front of her. 'He is changing sides. Kylo will now fight for the light!'

The men looked at each other apprehensively. Poe and Finn approached Rey.

'Are you sure about this?' Finn asked. 'He looks like he wants to kill us all.'

'He's just cranky from the long journey.'

Poe and Finn starred at her.

'Okay, he isn't completely turned but I can do it! I just need time!'

'You want us to help you convince the rebels we should let him stay? Even though it's putting them all in danger?'

'Just give me a chance. I can do this.' Rey said.

'It's Leia's decision.' Poe said putting up his hands in mock surrender.

Finn gritted his teeth, 'I think this is crazy. I say we kill him.'

'No!' Rey shouted and both the men looked at her with suspicion. Rey lowered her voice,

'We can't kill him! He came here willingly. He let me disarm him. Maybe he is ready to come back into the fold. Maybe he wants to find somewhere he belongs!'

Finn let out a puff of air. 'I do not want him anywhere near me.'

'Done.' Rey agreed.

'And this is your room.' Rey said.

Kylo stepped around her and eyed the small quarters.

'This is squalor.'

'Don't be dramatic.'

'You can't expect me to live here?'

'Well then leave!' Rey said raising her voice.

Kylo was still and Rey softened,
'I'm sorry...I know this is hard for you. I didn't know what to do when I saw Leia. I don't know how to explain our...friendship.'

Kylo looked at her with curiosity.

Rey sat down on the bed,
'Look, you could probably leave whenever you want to but I want you to stay. Give me a chance to convince you that you could choose a different life.'

Kylo folded his arms and turned away from her. Rey stood and curled her fingers around his arm, gently turning him to face her.
'Please.' She said softly.

'One week.' He said.

Rey smiled, 'more than enough time.'

Leia was disorientated by her son's presence. His feelings remained as turbulent as they had always been and Rey's optimistic desires to change him remained a difficult belief for Leia to buy into even though she desperately wanted it could be true.

Their relationship was curious. Was he playing with Rey? Or was he honestly developing feelings for her? She knew that Rey was genuine, but she doubted Kylo. He was better at concealing himself. She couldn't get a handle on him. It was like wading through a swamp trying to reach his thoughts. Finn entered her office,

'Ma'am, I don't trust him.' He blurted out.

'I know Finn, I'm not sure I do but I think we have to give Rey a chance but you keep an eye on him and report to me.'

Finn smiled, 'Yes ma'am.'

The atmosphere in the base was difficult to read, Rey could sense hope and anticipation but also fear and anxiety. She would have a lot of work to do if she was to change people's attitudes towards their new guest. Kylo stayed in his room for the remainder of the day. She knocked a few times but he ignored her. She knew the only reason he was there was because of her, and having that knowledge made her heart race.

That night as she was going to bed, she wondered if she should check on Kylo. She had put him in the room next to hers because it was easier to keep an eye on him, she reasoned with herself knowing full well she just wanted him close by. She decided to leave him to his rest and soon dropped off to sleep.

Later, she awoke to sounds coming from the room next to hers. Low growls at first then a anguish filled howl. Rey felt hot pain in her chest. Kylo. Was someone attacking him? She ran to his room and was confused to find only Kylo inside. His eyes were tightly closed and he moved around the bed fitfully.

Rey carefully approached.

'No, no.' Kylo murmured.

Rey reached out and saw into his mind, unguarded as he slept. She saw a small boy with his hands over his ears, curled into a ball on the ground. Snoke circled him,

'They don't want you Ben.'

'They do.'

'They keep you close because they fear you. You are their prisoner Ben, not their son.'

'It's not true!' Ben cried with tears in his eyes.

'It is! They want to stop you from becoming great. I will help you. I am the only one who truly cares for you Ben.'

No! That's not true!' Rey shouted suddenly finding herself immersed in Kylo's dream scape. Ben looked up,

'Rey.' He said when his eyes focused on hers. Then the boy transformed into Kylo and he rose from the floor coming towards her and grabbing her throat.

Rey couldn't breathe, she desperately scratched at his fingers as they gripped her neck.

Kylo glared at her.

'You think you can save me? There is nothing left to save.' He said before the dream suddenly ended and Rey fell backwards across the small bedroom.

Kylo suddenly sat up in bed.

'Rey?' He said looking confused.

Rey wrapped a hand around her neck which still felt sore from the pressure. Her eyes were wide with fear.

'Rey what happened?' Kylo asked them realisation reached his face,
'It wasn't a dream was it?'

'No, it wasn't.' Rey said firmly before leaving the room.

Rey returned to her room and sat down on the bed, she held her hands to her neck and tried to fight back hot tears. What had she done? Had she brought a monster into their sanctuary? No. She couldn't believe that. He had saved her life. There was good in him. It was just a dream. That's all. Just a depiction of his own fears that he truly was a worthless monster. She couldn't let one little dream scare her away. She had known from the start that this wasn't going to be easy. She couldn't back down now. She had to be close if he was lashing out. The thought gave Rey some comfort and she took some deep breaths to calm her nerves. The knock at her door made her jump. She knew it was him before she opened the door. Kylo stood outside her room looking down at her with concern.

'Rey, I don't know what happened.'

He stepped forward and Rey stepped back, her hand went to her neck.

'It's fine.' She said quickly.

Kylo's eyes focused on her injury.

'Did I do that?' He asked.

Rey nodded.

'Let me see.'

Rey let her hands fall to her side. Kylo moved toward her, his eyes remained focused on her neck. His fingers lightly skimmed her collar bone and she trembled slightly. Kylo pulled his hand away and stepped back.

'Rey, I...I'm sorry. I didn't know what I was doing. I don't remember...'

'It's my fault.' She interrupted, 'I should have known that the bond between us might be dangerous. I didn't think. I entered your dream somehow... dreams are... unpredictable.'

'It doesn't excuse the fact that I hurt you.'

'It was an accident...'

'Hit me.'

'What?'

'You should hit me, I hurt you, now you should hurt me.'

'Are you mad? That's not how we do things around here. I'm not going to hit you!'

'Fine.' Kylo said then formed his hand into a fist and launched it hard into the stone wall.

'Kylo!' Rey shouted in shock.

'There.' Kylo said calmly looking down at his scratched up swollen hand which was already dripping blood on to the floor. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Rey looked at him in alarm. It was as if he believed he deserved the pain, it was almost as if it comforted him.

Rey frowned and took his hand in hers, inspecting the damage. She grabbed one of her arm coverings to bind his wound.

'That was completely unnecessary.' She scolded as she wrapped up his hand. 'You have got to learn to control your temper.'

'I...I hurt you. I deserved it.' He said looking down at her.

Rey stopped what she was doing and looked up at him. Her fear ebbed away as her eyes met his. She saw the anguish he felt. She felt his remorse that he had hurt her and understood that in his way, he was just trying to process his emotions in the only way he knew how. Through violence.

'I'm okay. She said gently. 'I'll be fine.' Unable to stop herself she reached up her hand and touched his cheek. Soft skin met her fingers. Kylo kept his eyes on hers but she saw him swallow roughly. She took her hand away and finished bandaging his wound.

'Okay.' She said collecting herself. 'That should hold until the morning, we should get some sleep.'

'Yes.' Kylo agreed, his voice thick with unspoken emotion.

He took one last long look at her then turned quickly and left.

Rey let out the breath she had been holding in and sat down on the bed. Kylo was such a mass of swirling contradictions it made her head spin. One minute she was afraid for her life and the next she was drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She let out an exasperated noise and threw herself down onto the bed. She hoped she would be able to get some rest, tomorrow was shaping up to be a long day.