- Chapter 4✨

Over the next few months, Rey proved to be an efficient, if occasionally combative assistant. To be honest, he'd always liked a challenge, and this beautiful girl was certainly that.

Then she tried to run away.

Somehow she'd pried open the window in her room. It was bolted from the outside! How did she- He pitched the bridge of his nose and cursed. He should have seen this coming, she'd witnessed a brutal interrogation earlier. Idiot! You saw how upset she was, and yet you ignored it! He hissed at himself.

He caught her not an hour later, trying to Hotwire a Tie Fighter, her ankles sticking out beneath it as she worked.

"Oh dear, it's so difficult to find a way off planet isn't it?" He asked sarcastically, as he surprised her, grabbing her ankle and hauling her out from underneath the small ship.

"Shut up, Kylo!" She snapped, sitting up and trying to kick him away. "Can you really blame me? What would you do in my place?"

"I cannot deny, that your place I would also seek to escape. At the same time, what do you imagine would happen to me if I allowed it?" He asked, looking her in the eyes as he took her hand and pulled her up.

Her face fell, and she looked away quickly before he could see the tears in her eyes. "I hate it here, how can I stay and not lose myself?" She whispered.

He frowned, catching her chin and turning her face until their eyes met. "You shouldn't have had to see what you saw. Despite all your ferocity and bluster, you are a gentle person. I've felt that since we met. It was unfair of me to expect you to so easily cope with the harsh realities here."

His hand moved, coming to rest on her soft cheek.

She closed her eyes, leaning in to his touch.

He wanted so badly to kiss her, despite how annoyed he was at her escape attempt.

It felt good to be touched so gently, but no, it was more, much more than that. She wanted him. Oh gods, no!

She pulled away, feeling strangely empty.

"W- we should be getting back, it's late, and I know you have inspection tomorrow." She stammered looking away, looking anywhere but at him, her hands were trembling.