The stormtroopers brought Nara to a holding cell in Kylo Ren's commanding shuttle. It was small, dark, and lacked any basic utilities such as a place to sit. Without hesitation they pushed her inside, locking the thick iron door behind her. They hadn't even bothered to take off the ties that were wrapped around her wrists, keeping them together behind her back.

For a moment Nara didn't know what to do. Motionless she remained, her mind working fast. Deep inside she had already figured this might happen, but in reality it was much more scarier than she had expected. Where were they taking her?

Nara wiggled with her arms but the ties remained firmly in place. There was no way to pound on the door, and she didn't think screaming would be of any help. The chance that there was another stormtrooper willing to switch sides was extremely tiny. She only had herself and she reminded that she needed to remain sane if she were to get through this.

Where she once had hope there was still some of Ben left in Kylo Ren, she now had to hope the Resistance would come back for her.

Time seemed to slow down as she tried to keep her mind busy. Wherever they were taking her, it was far away from Takodana. Judging by the lack of turbulence, the command shuttle was a sophisticated ship. Nara wondered what Kylo had done to earn himself something like this.

The stormtroopers didn't return until they had reached their destination. In silence they opened her holding cell, grabbing her by her arms as they took her through what looked like the boarding area inside of a Star Destroyer.

As they lead her through the ship, Nara kept her eyes open for Kylo, but she failed to see him through the mass of stormtroopers surrounding her.

After passing through a corridor they brought her to what seemed the lower levels of the ship. There were less stormtroopers passing on this deck and Nara figured they were brining her to another holding cell.

"I want to see Kylo," Nara spoke, but she failed to get any response. It looked like the stormtroopers were under strict order not to speak to her. Perhaps Kylo was afraid she would share information about his past. About who he truly is.

This time the cell was much bigger, yet it still felt cramped. The walls were structured but there was no window looking out. Nara was glad to see a sizable bed in the left corner and a door that led to a tiny bathroom. The lighting was harsh and when she sat down on the bed she found the bedding to be formless. But still, it was an improvement of the cell she had just been in.

Nara let out a sigh. She wondered where the girl was. There was a chance she was in the cell next to hers, but when she moved towards the door she found there was absolutely no way of looking out.

Her stomach began to rumble and her mouth was dry. With difficulty she moved through the cell, the ties around her wrists were beginning to hurt and still restricted her movement. Her elbow managed to open the door and with her mouth she opened the tap, letting the water flow out. Eagerly she began to drink it, not caring about it streaming all down the sides of her face, wetting her hair.

Nara's body tensed when she heard the door of her cell opening. She moved her mouth to her shoulder, wiping it before she went back.

Kylo was standing near to her bed, notably without his lightsaber. He still had his helmet on while he had removed the hood. It wasn't until now Nara could truly see the likeness in the shape of it in regards to Darth Vader's helmet. It was very clear to see where he had gotten his inspiration.

"Sit," he ordered. Kylo pointed towards the bed.

Nara lowered her eyes as she shuffled to the other side of the cell, sitting down. She wanted to cross her arms in front of her chest but it was impossible with her hands still tied to her back.

"What did you do to the girl?" Nara asked.

Kylo remained still, his fingers flexing every now and again.

"I thought you did not know the girl."

His mechanic voice felt so unfamiliar that it was hard to imagine it was truly Ben underneath the mask. It was almost as if he was hiding who he truly was. As if he needed to convince himself he no longer was Ben Solo.

"I don't."

"Then why do you care?"

Nara lifted her gaze, allowing them to meet his through his vizor.

"It's called empathy. You might want to try it some time."

A silence followed. His mask made it impossible to read any emotion on his face, which was probably the point of wearing it in the first place. Kylo started to pace around the room, his hands behind his back like Nara's.

"I do not understand why you are here," he mumbled, perhaps more to himself than to Nara. "Is this a test? Are you a test?"

"Ben," Nara sighed. "Please, untie me first, okay? Then we'll talk."

He considered her proposal and to her surprise he gave in. With just a few steps he stood besides her. Kylo moved down on one knee and leaned forward to undo the ties that bound her.

Nara shifted her body so it would be easier for him to untie her hands. Her heart pounded in her chest as butterflies fluttered in her stomach. She had all forgotten about the hunger she had earlier. This was the first time she had been so close to him in years.

She didn't dare to look up as his fingers fumbled behind her back. When he accidentally touched her wrists her back stiffened. His hands were surprisingly warm. For a person so cold she expected his fingers to feel the same.

Kylo remained down on one knee, his head low. She could hear him breathing through his mask.

Her hands rubbed the place on her wrists where the ties had been secured. She didn't know what to say to him, especially not now he was so close to her.

He raised his arm, an unexpected move which made Nara jump slightly. Kylo held his hand out in front of her face and she quickly realized what he was doing.

"No," she resisted, shaking her head. Nara didn't want him to read her mind, but she also didn't want him to see her beg.

"Why are you here," he repeated. "Did Leia Organa send you?"

The way he spoke of his mother made her angry. He made it seem as if she was just a random person who happened to stand in his way of getting what he wanted. Nara was scared he was seeing her like that as well. An object, simply waiting to be thrown away in the trash.

Her scalp began to tingle with pain as Kylo managed to force his way inside. Nara knew she wasn't strong enough to keep him out. The only thing left for her to try was think of the things he didn't want to see.

It took Nara all the strength she had to change her memories of the Resistance. She tried her best to recall the first time she had seen Ben. The first time they kissed. The visions were dull, but she hoped it would be enough to throw him off.

She forced her memory into her meeting Leia and Han. Her favorite memory of the two of them staying up all night. The first time they made love. And finally she managed to find the memory of Ben saying goodbye before he would leave to train with Luke.

As she went on, her memories became more vividly and she began to doubt whether Kylo was in still in her head.

Slowly, Nara opened her eyes again. She felt the sweat drip down the sides of her temples. A tear escaped her eye and rolled down her cheek.

Her breath got caught in her throat when she noticed Kylo had taken off his helmet and placed it besides her on the bed. She didn't allow his eyes to meet hers, as Nara first took in what she was seeing.

Beneath the mask was the man she knew. It was Ben. She recognized his jet-black hair that seemed to have grown longer since the last time she had seen him. She recognized his freckles and his goofy ears. What she didn't recognize was the expression in his eyes. It was as if he was rejecting her from his existence.

"Ben," she whispered, moving her head forward ever so slightly.

Nara didn't know if she could bring him back from the dark side, but she could try. She had nothing else to lose.

"Ben. Come home."

Another tear escaped from her eye. Without the mask it was very hard to envision this was the man who caused death and despair. This was supposed to be the new Darth Vader. But then why did he look so much like the man she loved?

Kylo raised his hand, his thumb finding the tear on her cheek. Nara's body tensed in surprise. She exhaled slowly as he wiped the tear away. His gaze seemed to soften as it never left hers.

For a moment they remained in the same position. Nara didn't dare to breathe, fearing she would ruin the moment. This was the closest she had gotten to seeing Ben, and not Kylo. This was the moment that gave her a newfound hope. Ben was still in there somewhere. Nara was witnessing it right this moment.

Kylo abruptly moved back. He pressed himself into the wall opposite from her, and Nara quickly moved her arms in front of her chest. He rested his hands besides her, the fingers of his sword hand flexing. Nara was very glad he hadn't taken it in here.

Whatever just had happened was not supposed to happen, she knew it and he knew it. Kylo Ren had let down his guard, and that was going to cost him.

"I'll see to it you'll get some food," he spoke, his voice low.

Nara couldn't help but notice how he wouldn't look at her.


A/N: A little later than usual, but I managed to upload another chapter before the end of the day! I don't want to make any promises when I'll be able to upload the next one with the holidays and everything, but I'll do my best.

Thank you all for your lovely comments. As always, please let me know your thoughts.

Hopefully you all will have an amazing christmas :D Take care!