They sat in silence as Kylo Ren engaged the autopilot, beginning their trip back to the Flag Ship of the First Order. Rey bit her bottom lip trying to fight the anxiety starting to form in her stomach. Her mind raced with questions. What in the world was she to expect when they arrived? Would he closet her away? Would he have her wear shackles in front of others? What had he told the First Order about her or their arrangement?

"Nothing." Kylo answered.

"What?" Rey asked shaking herself of her cluttered thoughts.

"I have not told anyone in the First Order anything. A few know that I have a guest coming to stay with me. That is all. Do you want me to answer more of your questions? You are thinking them very loudly." He turned to look at her. Her face flushed red.

"Umm…" She managed to stamper out.

"And like I said, you are not prisoner. There are some things we should keep private." Referring to his given name. "But, you will not be confined or shackled. However, it might be best not to venture off on your own for a time."

"So, let's get to the rules." She said trying to regain some confidence.

"Yes." He responded, leaning forward in his chair.

Rey pulled up her legs and crossed them in the chair. "Well, I know I cannot call you Ben. Should I call you Supreme Leader or Master Ren?"

He flinched slightly at the question, not caring for either title from her lips. He opened their connection and answered. Perhaps we should converse through the Force in front of others to start. Many will not understand your role. Dutiful apprentice will make them less…apprehensive.

"I am to be seen and not heard." Rey said, purposefully saying the words out loud.

"To avoid any missteps, silence shows wisdom."

"Okay, so you are going to tell everyone I am your apprentice?" Rey knew there would be other battles ahead and it was best to move on for now.

"Yes." Was all he said.

"So, no talking and just follow you around. This doesn't seem like being a prisoner at all." She said, her tone oozing with sarcasm.

"This may not be…ideal. We could kill anyone that would oppose this and replace them with sycophants that know not to ask questions or give their opinions." He said smirking.

Rey raised an eyebrow, "How many people are we talking about?"

He knew she was kidding, but enjoyed the flare of darkness. "Embracing the Dark Side already?" Then, she laughed. He never heard her laugh before. It was beautiful. He wanted to do it again, but couldn't think of anything to add. Suddenly, a long-forgotten memory pushed its way to the surface. Long ago, watching his parents. His father making his mother laugh. He had to push it out of his mind. Thinking of Han Solo, brought…conflict.

Rey reached out and grabbed his hand. His eyes dropped to the floor and started to breath heavily. She saw…

"That was beautiful, Ben. How old were you?" She asked.

"Maybe five. Don't be fooled. They fought most of the time. Their conversations dripping with sarcasm."

"What did they fight about?" She truly wanted to know more about what happened. What drove him into the darkness.

"Any one of three things: Han Solo's desire to escape to some smuggling adventure. Leia Organa's commitment to rebuilding the Republic. And, me…" He trailed off. Another memory slipping through. His mother and father yelling at each other. Truly one of their grandest fights encompassing all three topics.

"That's right just run off, that's what you are good at!" Mother yelled.

"Is that right, Princess? Maybe you should have said 'yes' one of the dozens of times I asked you to marry me. Maybe I'd have more of a reason to stick around if you weren't so caught up with politics. Hell, maybe I'd stick around if you didn't yell at me so much!" Father yelled back.

I tried to make myself small and hide behind some containers on the Falcon. I want to go with Father.

"Our son needs us both to make this decision. We both know what is happening." Mother said, her voice cracking slightly. She might cry…I hate that I make her cry.

"And sending him away is the answer? Off to some Jedi Temple with Luke? We both know Luke got lucky with Vader. His training was a couple of lessons from a couple of masters near death. He's going to know how to handle Ben?" Father was still yelling at Mother. I don't like it when he yells. I don't like it that they fight about me.

"And running off with you on some adventure will keep the darkness at bay?" Mother's question made my heart race. Yes! I want to go with Father!

Two large furry arms pick me up from where I'm hiding. Chewy growls and I hug him. Chewy is one of my only friends. "I'm sorry, I just want to go with you and Father." I tell him. He carries me to Mother and Father, handing me to Mother.

"Ben, what are you doing here? You should be asleep." Mother says. I do not answer.

"Hey buddy!" Father says ruffling his hand in my hair. He never scolds me.

"I suppose it is good that you are here. We have something we want to tell you. You are going to stay with Uncle Luke and learn the ways of the Jedi." Mother said like it was supposed to be fun.

"I want to go with Father!" I shout.

Mother set me on the ground. Father took a knee and looked me in the eyes. His eyes look sad. "You need to listen to your mother. Training with Uncle Luke will be good for you. You don't want to run around with your old man."

I can feel the lies in his words. I grab his hands. "Father, please. Take me with you!" He picks me up, hugs me, and hands me back to Mother.

"Maybe next time buddy. Now be good and listen to Luke and your Mother. I'll be seeing you, kid." He says before turning away.

Mother starts to walk me off the ship. I scream. The ship starts to shake.

Kylo Ren snaps out of the memory sweating. Realizing Rey had gotten out of her chair and was kneeling between his legs holding the tops of his arms. "I'm so sorry."

He looked away trying to slow his heartbeat and calm himself. It was like he was right back in that moment and Rey had seen it all. "What are you doing to me?" he asked, looking back at her, searching her eyes for an answer. "I haven't thought about that moment in a very long time…"

Rey raised a hand to lightly touch his face, "I'm not doing anything. I promise you." She said soothingly. "I did not know you where so close to your father…" Rey's voice trailed off with a tone of sadness. Kylo Ren knew she had grown fond of his father despite the short amount of time they had been together.

"You know now I wasn't kidding when I told you he'd have disappointed you, had he the chance." He answered.

"From what I could tell, he wanted you to come with him. It must be hard for a parent to try to figure out what is best for their child."

"Like abandoning a child in a junk yard?" he seethed. How could she possibly defend awful parents given what was done to her. When he saw the hurt in her eyes, he instantly regretted the question. Rey looked down and he caught her chin raising her eyes back up. "I am…sorry…" the words reluctantly left his lips. "Those memories are…hard for me."

Rey looked into his eyes, "Ben…" she whispered. He felt a need to close the distance between them, pulling her up and into his lap in an embrace. She fit so easily into his arms, her head leaning against his chest. He rested his cheek against the top of her head, breathing in the scent of her hair. They both could the crackle of energy that sent tingles throughout their bodies.

They just held each other and became frozen in a moment. Neither wanted to risk moving and disrupt the peace and tranquility they felt. A sense of balance…completion. Just in the simple act of holding her. Then, the world came crashing back to Kylo Ren as he heard the voice of General Hux over the com device. "Welcome back, Supreme Leader. Please proceed to bay 7."

Rey practically leapt away from Kylo Ren, her heart frantically racing. This was it. She was about to be part of the First Order. Rey took her seat at the consul to help prep the ship for landing. Kylo Ren, hit the call button. "Acknowledged, General." As he steered the ship towards the landing bay. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, wondering more aloud if he was ready than her.

"I hope we both are, Ben."

To be continued….