A/N: I apologize for the late update! But I'd rather give you all a (hopefully) better chapter than some half-baked thing I typed up at 1am. :P I might start updating on Mondays (North American time), as that gives me a little more wiggle room with classes and all.
A quick reminder that in this AU, Kylo was technically alive when Darth Vader was, but he never met his hero.
Hope you enjoy this update, and THANK YOU SO MUCH for the amazing reviews! It makes my week! ^.^
"It's just, I want her to care about me. But I want her to care about me, not Matt, even though technically Matt is me, but he's also not me, which means that even if Rey likes Matt, she still doesn't really like me, and aarrghh…" Kylo dug the heel of his hand into his eyeballs in frustration.
He was sprawled lengthwise on a black couch in his personal quarters, head propped up by a pillow emblazoned with a vinyl Darth Vader and the words "JOIN ME". BB-9E was next to the couch, extensor claws extended and gripping a datapad, with which the little droid made rapid notes.
"And like, then Hux just casually mentions without any warning whatsoever that both of the people who forced me into this wretched galaxy will be here later today, at my base, and we'll all be in the same room. One I can handle, but both?" After the bombshell revelation that Hux had so graciously delivered, Kylo had barely managed to make it back to his quarters before dissolving into a hurricane of raging testosterone. His furniture bore the testifying marks to his tantrum, and his lounge area had certainly seen better days.
"I haven't communicated with that old man in years, much less talked with him face-to-face. Can you imagine what my officers might think if Han Solo decides to open his Sarlaac-pit-sized hole of a mouth and tell stories about Ben Solo? I'll be disgraced. Dismissed. Rejected. Publicly humiliated!" Kylo growled low in his throat. "And that's unbearable. Why does everyone seem to have a complete disregard for my emotional stability?" He continued moodily, frowning at the ceiling above him.
/ Or emotional in stability /
"You're supposed to ask questions, not make comments. Do the job I hired you to do."
A rapid series of beeps and whrrs, punctuated by a high pitched shrill.
"I know, I know, it's a free session, but please just stick to asking me how stuff makes me feel, alright? Besides, I pay for your processor upgrades, so we're technically even on that score."
BB-9E tooted a quick retort.
"Kriff Niney, I can't tell her who I really am, did you short a circuit or something?"
/ Why not tell her? /
"Because she'll hate me forever if I tell her that her newest and closest friend is actually the CEO she passive-aggressively despises. My shot with Rey would be gone, obliterated, extinguished." Kylo waved his arms in the air for added emphasis.
Niney burbled something that sounded mildly rude.
"I'm being dramatic! Well, excuse me for overreacting to a highly sensitive and complicated situation that may have life-changing and potentially catastrophic repercussions for the future of both Starkiller and my mental health, not to mention pride and dignity." He sighed deeply and threw an arm over his face. "I'm sorry." He mumbled after a short pause. "This whole situation is just….a lot to handle."
BB-9E set the data pad down, rolling up to the couch to peer at Kylo through the visual sensor. / You're also a lot to handle. Next time it'll be 50 units /
"So, what forms are we doing today? Got any more emotional Force thingys for me to tap into?" Rey twirled her staff around, stumbling awkwardly when the weapon caught in her fingers, but catching herself before it clattered to the floor.
"Next, we focus on some of the hardest aspects of training." Kylo intoned dramatically, flicking his tunic behind him as he carefully seated himself on the floor in a traditional meditation pose. He had pulled himself together after his session with BB-9E, and now was only more determined than ever to win Rey over.
Rey followed suit, sitting and crossing her legs, fingers itching to tackle the next lesson. "Whatever it is, I'm ready for it."
One Hour Later
"What would your ROI be if you invested 100,000 units in a company worth 2 billion, making your profit 75,000 units?"
"If you as an investor and business owner are attempting to replicate a price-weighted index, would you need to hold an equal, greater, or lesser of shares?"
"What types of portfolio risk will diversification help reduce?"
"Compare passive and active management investment and what each involves."
"If a decrease in the selling price of a company's only product results in an increase in the company's total revenue, is the demand for the company's product considered elastic or not?"
"How long am I supposed to keep trying to answer these?" Rey protested with a groan from her cross-legged position on the floor. "And remind me again how these questions have any bearing whatsoever with teaching me about the Force? This isn't learning about an ancient power, this is a business management class." She squinted up at her teacher. "You know, you're really not being very subtle with the whole vice president thing."
"I have no idea what you're referring to." Kylo grinned beneath his mask, not bothering to hide the smirk from his voice. "But surely you must know as the granddaughter of the Emperor, the Empire itself was built on a system of overly complicated business rules and scores of unnecessary red tape that kept its adversaries perpetually confused. Genius, really."
Rey rubbed her temples, her previous confidence sorely depleted. "If I have to hear another word about advisory firms and financial statements I might scream."
"Very well, we shall have a brief lunch break on the bridge." Kylo offered, glancing at the large chronometer that hung on the training wall. "It offers quite an excellent view, and by some miracle the cooks manage to produce menus nearly on par with that of Coruscanti chefs."
"Gee thanks, but even though you know how much I love spending time with you," Rey teased as she rose to her feet. "I already have a prior commitment."
Ah, yes. Yesterday Rey had wrung out of him-Matt-an agreement to meet for lunch.
"I feel like I hardly see you anymore." She'd claimed, gazing up at him in a way that had made Kylo's stomach drop faster than a dead Jedi. "I miss talking, how about lunch tomorrow?"
He had stuttered out an assenting reply, already knowing he'd have to break the rendezvous somehow. He couldn't keep spending so much time with Rey as Matt, especially if Rey was ever going to like Kylo better than the awkward radar technician monster he'd created.
"Rey, your commitment is to your teacher and your training. Besides, why would you want to eat with boring, uncultured, badly dressed, and near-sighted radar technicians who probably couldn't even read a lunch menu if it was six inches in front of them?"
He'd struck a nerve.
"First of all, Mr. I'm-the-Epitome-of-Culture-and-Fashion-Because-I-Only-Ever-Wear-Black-and-Never-Show-My-Face, those "uncultured" employees happen to be my friends, and according to the official employee rulebook, I am at liberty to spend my breaks wherever and with whomever I choose. And currently, I'm choosing to spend it away from you."
Kriff, she had fallen harder than he'd thought for his alter ego. Increase sabotage and manipulation tactics to Level 8.
"And just where in the rulebook does it state that nonsense?" He demanded, glaring up at Rey from his seat on the ground. Stars, she was beautiful when she angry.
"Chapter 47, Article 9, page 238, paragraph 6." Rey shot back, unable to keep the pleased grin off her face at Kylo's apparent speechlessness. She had memorized the specific reference for exactly such a time as this. Payoff was sweet indeed.
"Well...well...that may be true while you're on break, but I expect you to meet me back here in thirty minutes sharp. The Resistance Inc. is coming with consultants today and you will attend the meeting again." Kylo's tone brooked no further comment, and he hastened out of the room, his anger a palpable entity.
"Jerk face." Rey mumbled under her breath as she made her escape. Kylo was hands-down the most complicated man she'd ever had the misfortune to meet, though Matt came in a close second. One day Kylo was on the verge of kind and personable, the next he went straight back to being an insufferable prick. The guy clearly had issues.
Honestly, I don't know what Matt sees in him.
"...and I don't know, Matt, I've already learned so much, but sometimes it's hard to convince myself that it's worth the trouble of putting up with Kylo Ren." Rey explained with a sigh as the pair walked out of the canteen following their lunch together.
"Rey, Kylo is the teacher you need and deserve." Matt admonished as they rounded a corner. "Why would you pass up a chance to gaze at him uninterrupted for thirty minutes straight? I heard his face made sculptors weep because they couldn't capture his beauty and perfection."
"Too bad I've never seen his face, just his chest." Rey rolled her eyes sarcastically, though she couldn't help the way her tongue tripped over itself as Kylo's chiseled abs came into mind. Not helping. "Besides, I like your face." She smiled bashfully, but Matt was for once oblivious to the compliment.
"Well, your chances of seeing his face go down 99.99% if you're not spending time with him."
Rey halted in puzzlement, cocking an eyebrow and placing a defiant hand on her hip. "Are you saying you'd rather that I ditched our lunch time, the one chance we get to see each other nowadays, for an awkward lunch with Kylo Ren, the guy who only wants me for his vice president because of my ancestry?"
"Yes." Unblinking stare. Internally, Kylo was writhing with indecision, hating to destroy the friendship he'd built with her as Matt. But if Rey was to be his-Kylo's, not Matt's-certain sacrifices had to be made.
Rey narrowed her eyes, disguising the cold pool of hurt that spread from behind her left lung like a cancer. "That's...rather unlike you. Even given your fanatic Kylo obsession."
Approaching voices prevented Matt's reply as two individuals came into view. One was a large brown Wookie, and the other was an older man, hair frosted with grey and the grim slant to his mouth warring with the laughter crinkles around his eyes. A worn leather jacket and belt full of blasters and ammo suggested a scoundrel or a smuggler, but his face appeared honest. Rey felt Matt go rigid next to her.
"Hey, you two! You guys must know this mess of crazy hallways, how do we get to the bridge?" The man called while the Wookie chuffed and growled something to his companion. "I told you, Chewie, we were taking the scenic tour, now get off my case. Sorry," He straightened his jacket and stuck out a hand. "Chewie thinks he can navigate hallways." A snort. "Anyways, the name is Han."
"Rey." She shook his offered hand, wondering what the kriff this motley duo was doing on Starkiller. Maybe more of the Resistance crew.
"Not impressed." Matt stated decisively, as he stubbornly ignored the friendly hand Han held out.
"Oo-kay then, guess you doesn't like shaking hands, huh? It's better than swapping saliva like some races do." Han fell silent as he studied Matt's features for minute.
"Do you know me?" Matt asked quietly, an unidentifiable emotion lancing his voice.
"Never met you in my life, son. But kriff, you need to get some sunlight. And a sandwich or two wouldn't hurt, you look like you weigh thirty pounds soaking wet, kid."
"What did you call me?" Matt snapped out, his eyes flashing upwards to meet the older man's.
"Matt, 'son' and 'kid' are just expressions, he didn't mean to be disrespectful." Rey soothed, placing a restraining hand on Matt's sleeve.
"I happen to be an adult." Matt remarked coldly, eyeing the pair with disdain. The Wookie growled warningly in his direction. "And I'm not your son."
"I can take a hint, someone's got daddy issues." Han raised his hands in surrender.
"You have no idea."
"Uh, the bridge is three floors above us." Rey interjected, steering the conversation back to the original topic. "Take that lift up two floors, turn to your left until you see another lift, and take that one up a level."
"Thanks, kid. Glad to see some people still have manners in this corporation." Han motioned to the Wookie as they moved in the direction Rey had pointed them. "C'mon Chewie, we have a certain someone's day to ruin."
As they disappeared behind a corner, Rey spun back to Matt. "What was that all about? I get you being awkward around people, but why so rude? You've never even met them before."
Matt evaded her question. "This is why you should spend more time with Kylo, he's consistently rude to everyone. I'm not on his level yet, I'm only rude part-time."
"Matt." Rey's comm link went off, and she cursed Kylo, Starkiller, and kriffing board meetings that always managed to be at the most inconvenient times possible.
"We're not done talking about this," She informed Matt sternly as they parted ways. "Not at all done."
Add attending boring conferences and fighting with Kylo to part of my daily routine. Rey thought glumly.
Once again, she was seated next to Kylo Ren in a large conference room while the officers around her gossiped in hushed whispers behind gloved hands. The wait for the Resistance executives was a relatively short one, and soon enough the now-familiar figure of General Leia Organa and her posse walked through the door. Rey marked the absence of the disruptive Vice President Dameron and the traitor FN-2187. She supposed the General wished to conduct the day's business proceedings without any further distractions.
This time however, two additional figures strode in, glaringly obvious in their lack of Resistance uniforms.
Han and Chewie, the pair from the hallway. And the Resistance financial consultants, apparently. Rey surmised, recalling an previously overhead conversation in which Hux had ranted on the atrocity of listening to the babblings of a man whose idea of a strong investment was building a bar. She never would have pegged the two as financial experts from their earlier interaction. Guess people aren't always what they appear to be.
The Resistance officers made their way to their seats, exchanging polite nods by way of greeting to their First Order counterparts. Han caught sight of Kylo and he sighed heavily as he sank into his chair, Leia Organa following more gracefully. "I've got a bad feeling about this…"
"Then why don't you just leave?" Kylo hissed intensely from across the table, stiffer than a two-day-old Bothan corpse.
"This from the boy who complained that all I ever did was leave."
"Han…" The General started warningly, casting a self-conscious at the curious and surprised faces around them.
"Who's the girl?" Han asked without preamble, clear brown eyes sizing Rey up shrewdly, recognition flashing through them before he turned back to the General, who motioned discreetly at Kylo and then back to Rey.
Han's eyes widened as he caught the General's drift. "Aw, hell, are you seriously telling me Ben got a girlfriend? You're too good for him, sweetheart." Both he and the Wookie broke into uproarious laughter, and Rey watched with concern as the steel armrests of Kylo's chair crumbled beneath his violent Force-grip.
Who is Ben anyways?
The Resistance and First Order officers appeared as confused as Rey felt, and Hux looked like he'd bitten into a sour Muja fruit. Then again, a typical expression for him.
The consultant, Han Solo according to the meeting docket, was still catching his breath and wiping his eyes, ignoring the exasperated glares from the General. "Oh boy, have I waited a long time for this. Kid-Rey was it?- I hope you've prepared yourself to put up with mood swings bigger than black holes and delusions of grandeur the size of Death Stars."
"It's not delusions when your grandeur is real." Kylo muttered sulkily from his end of the table.
"Well, I can see your ego hasn't shrunk. Good to see your head is still swollen."
Rey stifled a choked laugh, mainly because this Han Solo was condemning Kylo for the same vices and faults she'd berated him for mere days ago.
"Maybe if I'd been allowed to grow up with my grandparents like normal children, I wouldn't be such a gross disappointment to your pitifully minuscule expectations. Sorry that I actually became success outside of your little "family" corporation."
"Still bitter we never took you to meet ol' Darth while he was alive, is that it?" Han chuckled, gleefully unrepentant as he propped his booted feet on top of the table, reveling in the muffled gasps from the present company. "Why don't you take off the mask? Or are you too afraid to show your lady friend your lack of any skin pigmentation? He always was pale, but geesh, just don't give me albino grandkids or something." He remarked aside to Rey, who was torn between the desire to laugh at the ridiculousness of the entire situation, and bit her nails in worry at the escalating tension.
Pieces were beginning to click into place, though, and Rey recalled that Darth Vader, Kylo's grandfather, had had a daughter, a daughter raised by a senator on Alderaan….. Leia Organa, the name had always sounded vaguely familiar.
"Han, we're here on business, remember?" Leia-Kylo's mother-exclaimed in frustration, her cool demeanor slipping for a brief moment as she twisted in her chair to face the rogue consultant.
"Did I...miss something?" Hux interjected, calculating eyes quickly shifting between Kylo Ren, the General, and Han Solo.
"Just about thirty years of bad feeling, Hugs, that's all." Han explained good-naturedly. "You don't mind, do you?"
"It's Hux. General Armitage Hux."
Han snorted. "Someone had parents who hated them."
"Yes, that makes two of us." Kylo snapped, swiveling in his chair. "Hux, I want everyone out. Except them." He nodded at Han, Leia, and Rey.
"But the subsid-" Hux began.
"OUT!" Kylo yelled, slamming a fist on the tabletop as Resistance and Starkiller officers alike fled the scene of the family drama, Hux exiting last with obvious reluctance.
"You always were temperamental." Han commented, watching the officers file out of the room. "Half temper and half mental."
Kylo exhaled shakily, rising to his feet to glare at his parents. "What the hell are you playing at? Did you think I wouldn't buy your subsidiary if I was too upset to concentrate? Is that your plan? To distract me by pretending that you actually care anything about me beyond my net worth and the fact I didn't follow in the family business?" His voice was steadily rising, and Rey noticed uneasily how various objects in the room were shaking with the passion Kylo exuded. The room seemed to shrink, the walls denting in as if a giant hand were slowly squeezing the room.
"Ben-" Leia began hesitantly.
"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"
"Then stop acting like a child! We named the family droid Kylo, your name is Ben!" Han exploded, his carefree exterior shattering as his face flushed dark red. "And don't talk to your mother with that tone of voice!"
"I'll talk to her however I want! You can't ground me anymore!"
Chunks of the ceiling rained from above. Rey thanked the stars that the officers and Hux had left before they witnessed more of the playground shouting match. It was rather embarrassing, and it wasn't even her family issues. Thank the Maker for that. There are perks to being an orphan.
"This is why we disowned you!" Han yelled, fingers dangerously fiddling with his blaster. "Why don't you grow up already?"
"Han, Ben, STOP!" Leia commanded imperiously, but neither man paid any heed to the General. Both father and son were now nose-to-mask across the conference table.
"I AM grown up!" Kylo yelped insistently, his voice cracking on the last word and rising two octaves until he sounded more like a pubescent jawa than a human male.
"Kylo, stop!" Rey tightly gripped the rough fabric of his tunic, yanking him backwards, desperate to end the totally unasked-for family drama. "Please." She added quietly, gazing steadily into the depths of his darkened visor as he faced her with exaggerated slowness. "It's not worth it."
There was a pause, broken only by the labored breathing of the party, as Kylo continued to stare down into Rey's firm but entreating eyes.
"I want them off my base until further notice." He gritted out, visibly checking his rage. "The Resistance should enjoy their autonomy while they still can." He whirled out of the room, stalking away with his Vader-cape swishing behind him. The door snapped closed behind him, and Rey was left with the parents of her boss and years of awkwardness.
"Um, I apologize...your ships are in Hangar 97." Rey offered, rising to follow Kylo's escape trajectory.
"Wait."
It was Leia. Rey halted at the door and slowly turned to face the CEO of the Resistance, who gave Rey a watery smile. Han was grinning from ear to ear.
"Rey, that was amazing." Leia walked over and clasped Rey's hand in both of her own. "I've never, ever seen anyone calm Ben down like you just did."
"It was something else." Han agreed from behind Leia's shoulder, winking at Rey's bewildered expression. "You're definitely The One."
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what's all going on," Rey confessed, slowly pulling her hand out of Leia's grip. "But I don't want to get caught up in any family affairs."
"Too late for that, kid."
"He listened to you." Leia attempted to explain. "He listened and did what you asked, and you didn't even have to use tickets to the Darth Vader Memorial Museum as bribery."
"We blew so much money on that bucket of propaganda. I hear he's the main benefactor now."
"The point is: you could help him tremendously in running Starkiller and his different businesses."
"Not to mention help him run his life."
"We need you, Rey." Leia pleaded. "Help Ben see reason in his business transactions and the way he runs Starkiller. The Resistance Inc. could go under, and our family has worked hard for so long to build the corporation we now have."
Rey bit her lip, slightly ruffled at the idea of manipulating Kylo to benefit his rivals, even if they were his parents. Not that she had an issue with the manipulation part, she'd do that gladly, what was irritating was the fact she was being asked to do it by the competition.
"Thank you, I guess? But I highly doubt he would listen to any advice that involved helping your company." She nodded briefly to the pair before turning to exit the room, pausing at the threshold to deliver a parting comment.
"And his name is Kylo now. It might help if you tried to call him by it."
A/N: So, good news! I now have a better defined plot arc for this fic, and more drama and humor is about to go down. :3 Your support is what keeps me writing, thank you all for being so faithful and wonderful!