The first thing Rey became aware of was the cold metal against her back. Her mind reached for her last memory, trying to remember where she was. It all came back in a rush. She had allowed herself to get captured by the First Order. She remembered Kylo staring at her and trying to reach into her mind. But the next thing she remembered was blinding pain and falling backwards. What had happened after that? She couldn't remember. She didn't open her eyes, not wanting anyone around her to know she was awake. She used the force to feel around her, to get a better sense of where she was. She was alone in a room, though there was likely surveillance on her. Her reached out further beyond her room, and felt him immediately. He was there, right outside her room. He was pacing, his mind a whirlwind of worry and anger. She was able to get bits of his thoughts.

"If she doesn't wake up… But they said she would be fine… No serious damage… But they're idiots… He has never felt true pain, but he will-"

His thoughts cut off suddenly, and she realized he had sensed her presence. He knew she was there. "Rey?"

She heard footsteps in real time and then the sound of a door sliding open. He stopped right beside her, standing over her. "Rey. I know you're awake. Open your eyes."

She did so slowly, squinting against the sudden harsh white lights. Kylo stood over her, his brow furrowed as he looked her over. "How do you feel?"

She shifted slightly and felt a dull soreness in her shoulder. She looked down at herself and sat up abruptly. She was wearing simple black pants on the bottom. On the top, her chest and shoulder had been wrapped in bandages, and that was all she wore.

"Where are my clothes?" she demanded.

Kylo straightened his shoulders. "If you are feeling better-"

"What did you do with my clothes?"

He shifted on his feet slightly. "I didn't do anything with them."

"Kylo." Rey growled.

"There are much more pressing matters we need to focus on."

Rey's face tightened slightly. She remembered then why she was here. She was his prisoner. She swung her legs over the side of the table. Even though she was on a raised platform, he was still taller than her, forcing her to tilt her head back to look up at his face.

"So, what now? Are you going to bombard my mind to get information? I won't give you anything Kylo, no matter how hard you press."

He pressed his lips together slightly, though that was the only part of his face that changed. "That wasn't what I meant."

She raised her eyebrows. "So, you aren't going to try to get information from me?"

His eyes shifted away for a moment before moving back to her. "Not at the moment, no. As I said, there are more important matters."

Rey narrowed her eyes. What was he talking about? She had been sure that the moment he got his hands on the real her he would begin picking his way through her mind. "What important matters?"

He didn't look at her as he spoke. "To everyone outside this room, you are a key resistance member. An enemy."

She tilted her head. "Not to you?"

His jaw tightened. "I don't want you to be. I've put a lot of thought into this. The only way you'll be able to be here and be safe is if they believe you have come over to our side."

"Never!" she snarled. "I told you Kylo, I won't join the dark side!"

"I know that," he nodded. "But they don't."

Rey frowned. He knew she would never join him, yet he still wanted her here? She pressed forward into his mind tentatively, trying to understand. What she saw made her shake her head. "You think if I'm here with you for long enough, I'll change my mind. I won't."

His eyes flicked down to her. "Perhaps. But what other choice do I have? Would you rather be locked in cell while I pretend to torture you every day? That would get tiresome."

Rey sighed. That didn't sound fun. But could she really pretend to have joined him? Would anyone even believe it? "How would you convince people I had joined you?"

"I will tell them that we have been communicating through the force over these past few months, which is true. I'll tell them that I have brought you to my side. That was why you left the falcon. Not to help them escape, but to come to me. It'll be easy enough to spin, they'll want to believe it. Two powerful force users are better than one, and the resistance losing you is a major hit to them."

Rey scoffed. "You've really put a lot of thought into this."

He nodded. "I had to think of a way to keep you safe."

She stared up at him, wanting him to look down at her. She reached her hand up and placed it on his face. He noticeably flinched at her cold touch. This was different than when they had touched through the force. This was solid. When he finally made eye contact, there was more warmth in them than she remembered. He lifted his own hand and pressed his fingers into the side of her neck. Goosebumps erupted on her skin. She closed her eyes. He ran his fingers down to her collarbone, his eyes following his hand before moving back to her face. When he spoke, his voice sounded hoarse.

"Rey."

Her eyes snapped open and she immediately pulled her hand from his face. What was she doing? She shook her head. "We can't do this."

"Why not?" he asked, and it almost sounded like he was whining.

"This is too complicated. Even if we tell everyone that I've joined you, it isn't the truth. We are still on opposite sides. We can't be together."

"But you said we could have this."

"That was before! Things have changed. Even if you won't say it, I'm a prisoner. We can't allow feelings to make this worse."

He frowned, shaking his head. "Rey, why do you think I'm doing any of this? Do you think I would let just any resistance member roam free on my ship? My feelings for you are what drive my actions. I won't deny them."

"I won't ask you to. But I won't let my feelings affect me. I'll go along with your lie and play a part. But it will be a platonic part. That is the only way I will agree to this. Otherwise, just go ahead and lock me up."

She watched as his jaw tightened and relaxed. "If that is what you wish, I won't force you to do anything you don't want to. We will be… partners."

She couldn't help the small smile that pulled at her lips. "Thank you."

He took a deep breath. "I will have proper clothes brought to you. Then we will address the crew together. You will need to give off a darker energy than you are now though, for it to be believable."

"What, I'm not dark enough for you?"

Now it was his turn to smile slightly. "I've met ewoks that give off darker energies."

She laughed. "I'll see what I can do."

He nodded. "Very good." He spun away and made his way to the exit before stopping and turning back. He gave a slight bow of his head. "Lady Rey."

With that he turned and was gone. Rey took a steadying breath. She was sure this was about to be the greatest challenge she had ever faced.