Chapter Nine: Subterfuge

True to his word, Mr. Ren began texting her to see if she was prepared for their first formal dinner at a very early hour on Saturday morning. She had spent the previous night working an event for CCC and was not anticipating the numerous text messages he had started sending her at 9am. All of them were various commands and bits of information to prepare her for their first foray into society.

Shower but leave your hair wet. Do not wear makeup.

Bring a bag to store your regular clothes in.

I am not sure when we will be returning.

Every time he texted her, she responded with a simple "OK" or "no problem." She still felt awkward about their last dinner together and how nothing had been resolved between them. Rey didn't even know what version of Mr. Ren to expect when he arrived. Would it be the quiet, thoughtful, generous Ben Solo? Or the brash, angry, insensitive Kylo Ren?

She didn't know, and she couldn't be sure by the short messages he had been sending her. They had not communicated at all since Wednesday, even though he had constantly been in her thoughts. Every time she remembered their fight during dessert her body lit up like a candle, and she didn't know how it was going to affect the day ahead.

One thing was certain, if Rey wanted to survive this night she needed to focus, and bury any and all thoughts of Mr. Ren under a heavy guise of professionalism. She had a job to do tonight, a mission, whatever it was. It was up to her to help Mr. Ren succeed.

Rose and her sister Paige had gone home to Long Island for the weekend, leaving Rey in the dorm room alone. For the first time in her life she welcomed the solitude as she reread Ren's message about coming home late. Answering Rose's questions were already difficult enough, she didn't want to explain why she was staying out with Mr. Ren until the late hours of the night.

Rey took a short run in the morning, then ate a late breakfast and showered as per Mr. Ren's request. She left her hair wet, twisting it up into a tight bun, remembering the way Mr. Ren had worn it during their dinner. She tried not to think about it too hard as she slipped the borrowed jewelry from Ventress and her diamond earrings into her oversized bag.

She wore casual clothes out the door, and at 1 pm she saw a familiar town car pull up in the parking lot outside of Hoth Hall. Mr. Rook was driving, and when the car stopped, Mr. Ren exited the backseat. He was not yet dressed for the event as she took in his navy sweater and black denim jeans. He stood in the cool September breeze, holding the door open for her with an unreadable expression on his face.

It was her first time facing him since their argument and she stood her ground, prepared for whatever version of him was in control.

"Good afternoon, Miss Jackson," was his deep and warm greeting. So far, so good.

"Hello Mr. Ren," Rey passed by him with a small smile as he watched her enter the car. She scooted over to the opposite side as he climbed in after her. While she had driven with him many times before, they had never shared a backseat, and had always been separated by a center console. Now it felt like she didn't know where to put her arms or legs as his giant frame took up a sizeable amount of space.

"How was the rest of your week?" Mr. Ren asked as they pulled onto the main road. He was being just as aloof as ever and she couldn't get a good read on his feelings yet.

"I worked a long event last night," she supplied. "I didn't get home until about 1am."

"You might have another one tonight, Miss Jackson. We have a very far distance to travel."

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To the Canto Bight casino in Atlantic City."

"New Jersey?" She questioned with a tilt of her head. "I've never been to New Jersey before!"

"You're not missing much," he grumbled. "It's like Diet New York. Everything looks the same, but the taste is slightly terrible." He wrinkled his nose like he smelled something bad.

Rey couldn't stop a small giggle from escaping her. "I'll take your word for it. I've never been to a casino before either." He glanced at her knowingly.

"Yes, well, that I could have guessed. But we will not be gambling tonight. The event will take place in the casino's banquet hall."

"How long will it take to get there?" She wondered.

"Almost three hours, depending on traffic. Thus the reason why I have summoned you so early. Ventress is expecting us shortly. We must both be dressed and then we begin our descent into hell," a teasing grin lifted his cheek. "I mean New Jersey."

She laughed again, feeling more at ease with him with every passing moment. She had not been expecting this jovial, light-hearted banter and was enjoying it thoroughly. She had expected him to be angry, annoyed, awkward, or nervous. Maybe all four mixed together. Rey had definitely not been expecting the giggles and grins that were presently being shared between them.

"You seem to be ready for your mission," she added, hating how his shoulders suddenly tensed up. She cursed herself for mentioning it and breaking the casual mood between them, but he simply shook his head.

"The nerves will come later, Miss Jackson. Right now I am trying to enjoy whatever good mood I have been able to summon." His eyes narrowed at her in a playful way. "I got some extra sleep this week. It seems to have improved my demeanor."

"I can see that," she mused, fighting back a grin that threatened to split her face in half. "It suits you."

Oh boy, did it suit him well. Just an ounce of humor completely transformed both his attitude and his body language as he looked genuinely relaxed for the first time in their entire acquaintance. The man even looked like he was lounging as he sank back into the leather cushions and tried to stretch his legs out. He didn't get very far in the cramped backseat, but their ankles were now curiously close together as she angled her knees towards him.

His relaxed demeanor reminded her of Wednesday night. She could remember the contented look on his face as he slept, and the gentle way she had returned his tender gesture. His hair had been just as silky as she'd imagined when she tried to tame it back from his face. She longed to run her fingers through it again, now that it was down and loose around his jaw.

"So what's the plan?" She ducked her head towards him, conspiratorially. "How are we going to succeed at the mission?" It felt like they were scheming together as his brow lifted knowingly.

"I have already planted the seeds of our success, Miss Jackson. I can only hope they come to fruition tonight."

"You said you know this person," she urged, wanting to know more about the plan. "Do you work with them or is it a personal acquaintance?" He hadn't mentioned a single person outside of his job besides his family, and she knew he had a rocky relationship with them.

Mr. Ren looked slightly uncomfortable as he glanced away from her. "Personal," he grumbled. "Very personal."

Rey didn't know how to interpret his words as silence stretched around them. He didn't look like he wanted to elaborate so she let the subject drop. She would be meeting this person tonight anyway. As they got closer to Ventress' boutique she could sense him becoming more and more closed off as he hid into himself once more.

Ventress greeted both her and Ren at the door with a warm smile. "The ladies are waiting for you in the back," she said, lifting her arm towards the curtain that separated the work room and the boutique. Rey looked up at Mr. Ren only to catch him staring down at her with a look of hesitance in his eyes. He looked like the curtain would bring him into another dimension, and she instinctively knew that he was not looking forward to the evening ahead. They walked in silence into the back room and it felt like Mr. Ren was already attached to her side when the evening hadn't even begun.

"Good luck," she called to him as two familiar assistants started to pull her toward the makeup table. He didn't look happy to be dragged towards the tailor.

Rey's back was to the workroom as the makeup artist started working on her. Ventress kept calling out commands that demanded Rey look older and more sophisticated as she steamed Rey's dress.

"She will probably be the youngest person there, don't make her look like it." It made Rey wonder as to the kind of party they were attending. When the woman stepped out of Rey's line of view, she had to do a double take at what she saw.

Rey had never looked so beautiful in her life, she was sure of it. Dark, smoky eyes made her look more like a vixen than she had ever felt as it was paired with a blood-red lipstick. Her jaw and cheekbones were contoured to be far more angular than normal as the hair stylist dried her hair and pulled it up into an elaborate twist.

When she exited the makeup chair, Mr. Ren was still nowhere to be seen. She was waiting to be dressed and wondered what outfit she would wear. Part of her desperately wanted to wear the midnight blue gown of her dreams. The one that made her look like a walking constellation. It was the kind of dress that a kid from the streets should never have imagined, and for Rey it was so close to her reach she could almost feel the fabric on her body.

She had to hide her disappointment when a dress the same shade as her vibrant lipstick was brought out on a mannequin. It was an elaborate cut that exposed the majority of her back and shoulders as strappy lines of silk fabric criss-crossed around her neck. The material was light and flowy as she slipped it over her head with the help of the assistants. They made it so her hair hadn't moved a millimeter as they adjusted the garment on her body. Tall, open toed stilettos finished the ensemble and Rey struggled to keep her balance in them.

The assistants placed her clothes in her spare bag, and removed both her earrings and the jewelry she had borrowed from the last event she had been dressed for. Hux's birthday dinner felt like a million years ago when it had barely been a week since the event. So much had changed since then, it was hard for Rey to fathom it all as she placed the earrings on with a small smile.

"They are absolutely exquisite," Ventress commented as she passed Rey a pair of red, elbow-length silk gloves. She slipped them on and felt far more older than her scant twenty years. "You look quite fine tonight, Miss Jackson."

"Yes, you do indeed," was the warm interjection from behind her. She felt her heart thud once before she gathered the courage to turn around and face her benefactor.

Mr. Ren was wearing a black tuxedo with silk lining around the lapel and cuffs. His double breasted jacket was paired with a red striped pocket square, and a sharp black bowtie. The vest was also black, but she could see some red fibers woven into the material. His hair was loose and wavy, brushed to the side in a way that made him look almost regal. His eyes lingered on her frame for far longer than was necessary, but she made no protest. In fact, she welcomed it.

"You look quite fine yourself, Mr. Ren." A light dusting of red was prominent on his pale cheeks, but he hummed in appreciation.

"I do believe we are ready to go, Miss Jackson." He was talking to Ventress, but his eyes stayed on Rey. "Thank you, Ventress. You have done quite well."

"When I am given a canvas as lovely as you two, my job is incredibly easy." She was still caught in Ren's gaze as her stylist's words wrapped around them. Mr. Ren held out an arm for Rey to take. She held onto it and was amazed at the strength she felt beneath the suit jacket as he led her out of the store.

Rey had to take a few deep breaths as she entered the car before Ren. Her emotions were spiraling out of control as her mind slipped into some kind of elaborate fantasy that involved her and Mr. Ren. She had never looked so fine, and he had never looked so handsome. His gentleness and humor was softening her regard for him and the entire experience felt like a fairy tale. The poor, wretched girl getting swept away by her rich and dashing Prince Charming. Wasn't that what every girl dreamed of?

But Mr. Ren was the furthest thing from a Prince Charming as his entire presence filled up the back seat of the car. She had to ignore the way he was looking at her. She had to pretend that she didn't want to run her fingers through his locks. She had to stop her heart from beating out this now familiar rhythm whenever Mr. Ren was around.

It was past three o'clock, so they would not be arriving in Atlantic City for hours. Mr. Ren didn't seem to be in a hurry as Mr. Rook got caught in lingering New York City traffic while crossing over the George Washington bridge.

Rey was toying with her gloves, never having worn them before this evening. She couldn't stop rubbing her hands together and feeling the smooth material on her fingertips. She had also kicked off her shoes for the time being, not seeing a reason to wear them in the car.

The city backdrop slowly melted away into the more suburban landscapes of eastern New Jersey as the car made its way south on I-95. Rey was fascinated by the forests and corn fields that passed her by, since she had always been accustomed to city life. Mr. Ren was quiet throughout the car ride, removing his cell phone from his pocket to check and send random messages for work. It was a comfortable silence that Rey was enjoying before she felt Mr. Ren's eyes on her once more.

"You're wearing them." Ren's low voice reached across the backseat of the car and made her shiver in her sleeveless dress. She knew he was talking about the earrings as goosebumps trailed down her arms.

She glanced up at him from her gloves. "You asked me to."

"So I did," was his low response. "Do," he coughed once, clearing his throat. "Do you like them?"

Her eyes widened at the slight tremor of fear in his voice. "Yes, very much so." She wanted so badly to touch him, and reassure him in some way that she liked her gift, but she kept her hands firmly in her lap. "I wasn't lying when I said it was my first real present, Mr. Ren."

"I guessed as much," he said, looking thoughtful. "It's a curious thing."

Her brow lifted in confusion. "What is?"

"Seeing you wear them," he provided. "I didn't know it would make me so. . . happy."

She grinned then, and he looked mortified to have revealed such a thing to her. "I think that's the whole point of giving presents to people, Mr. Ren," she laughed. "And just so you know, it makes me happy to wear them."

A frown was directed at her, but she could tell that there was no fire behind it. "Then there seems to be some merit behind this whole 'gift-giving' thing. I might have to do it more often."

Now it was Rey's turn to frown, and the emotional conflict that had been brewing inside of her all week was coming to a boiling point once more. "Mr. Ren, you can't keep giving me presents like this. You give me enough just by paying for my tuition, let alone the laptop and the clothes. You shouldn't give me anything else."

"Why not? I believe that we have both firmly established that it makes us happy when I do so." Rey opened her mouth to battle with him once more, but was stunned to feel his finger press lightly on her lips, stopping her from stating her opinions on his generosity.

"Miss Jackson," Ren pleaded, and he had leaned in so close to her that she could see the swirling browns of his eyes. "Can we please go through one evening together without us arguing with one another?"

She was so stunned by his request she could barely stutter a response. "S-says the self-proclaimed king of arguments!"

"Tonight requires us to engage in a bit of subterfuge," he had removed his finger, leaving her lips tingling from the loss of contact. He still leaned in close to her, near enough that she could feel his warm breath tickle her cheek. "We need to be on our best behavior tonight or else none of it will work. It's hard enough trying to control my temper, and while I do enjoy engaging you in our many disagreements, tonight is neither the time nor the place to do so. " He gulped as his jaw worked around nothing. "Can you do this for me?" The look in his eyes was as close to begging as Mr. Ren could get, and she swallowed up her many protests with a heavy sigh.

"Fine," she breathed, moving back from him and breaking the trance that had fallen between them. "I will be on my best behavior, as will you."

Ren nodded, and when his cell phone beeped once more, Rey was grateful for the distraction as their conversation was dropped.

It was another forty-five minutes until they started to see signs for Atlantic City. Rey could feel the anticipation building for the night ahead as she slipped her shoes back on and fiddled with her red clutch. Mr. Ren was silent once more, shutting his cell phone off for the evening as the car pulled up in front of the Canto Bight casino.

Mr. Rook drove past the main entrance, where Rey could see a plethora of patrons gambling away at bright, loud machines. Instead, they were pulled around to the far side of the building, where the front of a large banquet hall was decorated by flowers and spotlights.

Rook came around to let Rey and Mr. Ren out of the car. She looked up at her benefactor as he held her arm out for her to take.

"Rey," his voice rumbled between them, calling her by her name in a way that made her toes curl in her stilettos. "Would you do me the honor of taking my arm for the evening?"

Her mouth was completely dry as she nodded up at him, looping her left arm around his and standing firmly at his side as they entered the event. Various guests were scattered around the main foyer, and as they approached the venue, Rey started to see the signs and details for the event they were attending. A large blue banner was hung above the entrance that read "National Association of Collegiate Educators," and Rey was puzzled as they crossed underneath it. She had thought they were going to some kind of business dinner.

"Ren," she called up to him, but he did not look down at her. "What are we doing here?"

He did not answer her question, but gave her a command instead.

"Tonight you will call me Ben," he ordered.

"What?" She questioned with a shake of her head. She never got a response from him, since his name had suddenly been called by someone else.

"Ben!" A raspy female voice could be heard from across the room as Ren steered them towards a petite older woman. Her salt and pepper grey hair was pulled up into an elaborate braid around the crown of her head, and it looked like there were tears in her eyes as the two approached. "You came!"

Ren and Rey stopped in front of the older woman as she looked at the two young people before her. Her eyes lingered on their linked arms and Rey had a sinking feeling about the subterfuge she was about to engage in.

"Hello, Mother," Ren greeted, dropping his arm from Rey's in order to take his mother's hands in his. He placed a warm kiss on their joined knuckles. "I would like to introduce you to someone," he stood to the side and lifted his arm towards Rey as an avalanche of rocks hit the bottom of her stomach. "This is Rey Jackson. Rey, this is my mother, Leia Organa-Solo. The president of Corellia College."

It felt like Rey had been doused with a bucket of ice water as she stood under the light scrutiny of Mr. Ren's mother. She had only seen pictures of President Organa in the many catalogues she had received from the college, and had glimpsed her in passing at her Freshman orientation. The woman looked pristine in a deep plum suit with a cream colored blouse beneath it, her kind eyes behind a pair of smart tortoiseshell glasses. She looked at Rey like the girl had hung the moon as she addressed her son.

"Is this the one?" President Organa asked excitedly. "The girl my son borrowed my earrings for?" Her mortification multiplied tenfold when she remembered the inscription on the inside of the earrings.

LOS. . . Leia Organa-Solo. . .

"Yes," Ren said, looking at Rey knowingly as he dropped a bombshell on her. "Rey is my girlfriend."

It felt like Rey's heart had stopped beating as the older woman continued to fawn over her. This was the subterfuge, and why he didn't want them to fight. They had to play the part of the perfect couple in front of his mother.

"Oh, Ben, she is so beautiful! I am so happy for you." She turned to Rey. "And thank you so much for coming tonight!"

"It's a pleasure to meet you," was the only thing Rey could think to say. She didn't even have time to process what Ren had said as she was instantly swept up into a conversation with her fake-boyfriend's mother. President Organa quickly grabbed Rey's hands in both of hers, as if they were long lost friends.

"The pleasure is all mine, my dear," she said warmly, squeezing Rey's hands with motherly affection. Mr. Ren was curiously quiet but she could feel his eyes on her the entire time. "Let's sit down! I want to know all about you!"

"Mother is receiving a lifetime achievement award this evening, Rey," Ren supplied as they walked to a table set for eight people. "For her dedication to the field of collegiate academics."

"Congratulations, Ma'am." If she was going to play a role tonight, she had better stop focusing on the way Mr. Ren was looking at her and start playing her part. President Organa refused to let Rey sit anywhere else but to her right. Ren sat on her other side, next to the open seats that had not yet been filled.

"When my Ben asked me for not only one invitation, but two, I could have cried," President Organa looked at her son warmly, but he seemed to duck away from the attention. "It's been so long since he came to anything, I almost couldn't believe it." Her regard became more frosty as she glared at Mr. Ren. "You missed Rosh Hashanah," she scolded.

Mr. Ren cleared his throat. "I was working."

Rey looked up at her benefactor. "I didn't know you were Jewish."

"We are multi-faith," President Organa answered for him as he stayed curiously silent. "My husband is Christian. We celebrate all holidays in the Solo household."

"And where is Father this evening?" Rey watched as his fists clenched to his sides, remembering his rocky relationship with his family. President Organa rolled her eyes.

"You know he is in Florida, Ben. I told you last week. He will be back in Corellia soon, though. He is going to do a series of lectures at the college."

"And Uncle?" He continued, and she could tell it was a stretch for him to even make small talk about his family. "Why didn't he come?"

Leia scoffed. "Ah, well, he avoids these things like the plague. If the man even owned a tuxedo I would be surprised." Leia reached over and placed a wrinkled hand over her son's. "But you're here tonight, Ben. That's all that matters," Ren looked away from her with a frown.

Leia stood up from the table. "I see one of my old associates from Columbia, I'll be right back." She called out to her friend, "Gial!" before leaving them at the table alone.

Rey immediately turned to her benefactor with murder in her eyes. "Your mother?" She grit through clenched teeth. Furious did not even begin to encompass her feelings towards Ren's brand of subterfuge. "This entire mission," she spit out the word like venom, "is about your mother?"

Ren had the decency to look ashamed. "My boss wants to arrange a meeting with her. He wants to reinstate the First Order internship with the school. My mother dropped the company from the list of potential internships over five years ago."

"You couldn't do this at home?" She tried to control the volume of her voice, but it was very difficult when she was so incredibly angry. Her promise had officially been thrown out of the window as they began to argue.

"Every time I try to mention work, or the college, she shuts me down. Snoke thought this might be a better setting to try to talk about business."

"And the earrings you borrowed from her?" He rubbed his neck and wouldn't look her in the eye.

"I was hoping for an invitation to the event. After borrowing the earrings, I was able to convince her to provide two invitations."

"Because you made her believe I was your girlfriend." She shook her head at him, completely aghast with his machinations. How could someone be so generous yet so selfish all at the same time? The man was a walking dichotomy of behavior.

"If Snoke had not ordered you to come to this," she asked as a sinking feeling entered her chest. "Would you have come?" He didn't say anything, and she knew deep down that the answer was no. She was at a loss for words. "Sometimes, Mr. Ren, you surprise me with how monstrous you can truly be."

"Sometimes, Miss Jackson," he responded as President Organa joined them once more. "I surprise myself."

Their argument was shelved for the time being as Leia dropped into the seat next to Rey. As much as she did not want to lie to the lovely woman next to her, Ren had given her no choice. She was in on this plan just as much as he was.

"So, Rey, tell me all about yourself! Ben has told me so little about you!"

"Well," she peeked over at her benefactor, and the man gave her a little nod. "I'm a student at your college, ma'am. I study engineering."

"Enough with this 'ma'am' business!" She laughed. "Please call me Leia! Anyone who has worn the family earrings is officially one of us!"

"The family earrings?" Rey echoed, the blood draining from her face.

"Yes, well, they've been passed down through two generations," Leia shot her a knowing look. "And I cannot wait until they're passed down to a third."

"Mother," Ren scolded from behind Rey as she tried to look at anything but him. "I have only known Rey for less than a month."

Leia fluttered her eyelashes at her handsome son. "And yet you still borrowed my earrings," she trilled in a sing-song voice. "But tell me, Rey, what do you think about my school?"

"I love Corellia College," Rey gushed, happy to be speaking the honest truth. "I'm in my third year, and I am already looking into graduate courses. It really feels like home to me."

"You have no idea how happy that makes me," Leia grasped Rey's hand tight. "It was always my goal to provide a safe, positive learning environment where students can truly become the best versions of themselves." She peeked over at Mr. Ren. "You know he went to CC as well, right."

"Oh, yes, I heard that Ben went there," it was the first time she had ever called him by his name and she liked the way his true name bounced on her lips. "And look how successful he is," she said, smiling at the small blush on his cheeks.

Leia seemed to notice it as well. "Yes, he is quite the tycoon," her smile melted into a frown. "If only he came to a holiday every once in a while."

Mr. Ren looked like he wanted to argue, but a man approached the dais that stood on the stage in front of their front table. As the guest of honor, Leia was sitting where everyone could see her as the attention was focused on them. The event was both a formal dinner and an awards gala. During every service, another educator was recognized for their achievements in the field. Leia's award and speech was toward the end of the program, so there was a lot of time to kill before they could even think of leaving.

Presenters and recipients spoke throughout the service, so there wasn't much time for conversation unless there was a short lapse in the program. Rey was happy to be distracted by both the food and the presentations. Her table manners and etiquette were perfect and Mr. Ren didn't have to scold her once. It wasn't until the third service that Mr. Ren's knee began to shake under the table. She knew he was nervous about his inevitable conversation with his mother, but she was torn on whether or not to console him. She was still angry that he was using both her and his own mother in order to make his boss happy, which hardened her heart to his plight.

After the main course was presented, they called President Organa to the stage to accept her lifetime achievement award. The entire banquet hall stood in ovation of her accomplishment, and Mr. Ren looked genuinely proud as he clapped for his mother. It made her soften towards him again for a little while, until they cleared away the plates and drinks. Some of the other guests had left the table to get drinks or use the restroom, leaving the three of them mostly alone.

"Mother," Ren called to Leia from across the table. She looked up at her son warmly as she took a sip of champagne. "I need to talk to you about something."

Her eyes narrowed over the glass flute. "Do you now?"

"Yes, and I must be allowed to speak."

She placed her glass down on the table and looked at Rey. "I have a bad feeling about this."

"Snoke has been trying to contact you for weeks and you will not return his calls." Ren said firmly, and Rey was literally holding on to the bottom of her chair in anticipation, volleying her gaze from mother to son as their eyes stayed locked together.

"There is nothing I have to say to Edmund," Leia sniffed. "He said enough when he slandered the name of my school across multiple channels, including the BBC and the New York Times."

Mr. Ren was not deterred. "He wants you to reinstate the First Order internship."

Leia shook her head, completely incredulous. "Why? So he can add more wide-eyed kids to his twisted collection like he did to you? Are you out of your mind?"

"Snoke gave me my career," Ren argued.

"And he ruined your life, Ben," Leia interrupted. "You haven't been to a holiday, or an event, or even a damn barbecue in years because of that man. You want more people to end up like that?" Rey did nothing but watch as Leia's eyes filled with tears. "Is this why you really came tonight, Ben? To corner me into a meeting with him?" Ren didn't say anything and Leia looked over at Rey accusingly. It felt like she was going to be sick. "Is Rey even your girlfriend?"

"Yes," Rey affirmed, interjecting herself into the argument while Ren's eyes lifted in shock. She grabbed his hand in hers for a better effect. "Believe me, President Organa, Ben wants to be here. He's just under so much pressure at his job. His boss really gave him no other choice." She begged with her eyes, hoping that Leia would believe her word over her son's. He was not doing a very good job at handling the extent of his deceit.

"I hate that Ben works all the time too," Rey wasn't even lying. She hated how overworked and exhausted he always was. "And I am definitely not a fan of his boss, either. But he really needs to make sure you schedule this meeting, President Organa." She tried to smile like her benefactor, cunning and tricky. "Besides, just because you make an appointment in September, doesn't mean you can't cancel it in December."

"Cancel?" Ren grumbled behind her. She turned and gave him a smirk, squeezing his hand in hers.

"Maybe reschedule," she quipped. She turned to look at President Organa and the woman was transfixed on the tight grip of her hand in Mr. Ren's. Slowly, she lifted her head and looked Rey square in the eye.

"You said you were an engineering major?" The older woman asked, and Rey nodded. "Maybe you should try business or law instead." Rey didn't know how to interpret that as Leia turned to her son once more.

"Your assistant's name is Mitaka right?" Leia asked.

"Yes," Ren said.

"Tell him to call my assistant Kaydel on Monday morning," she pointed a ringed finger in her son's face. "But just because I am meeting with Edmund does not mean I am willing to reinstate the program between Corellia and First Order. I want him to know that, Ben."

"I will tell him, Mother. You have my word." Rey had not yet let go of Mr. Ren's hand and he made no motion to let go of hers either as he clenched it tighter and tighter.

"Will you stay for dessert?" Leia asked, shifting back from president mode into motherly mode. Ren passed Rey a soft smile as she tried not to think about the last time they ate dessert together.

"We will stay for as long as you want us to," was Mr. Ren's diplomatic answer. It appeased his mother as their stressful conversation was finally dropped.

The rest of the evening went by relatively smoothly after arranging the meeting between Corellia College and First Order. The awards had all been given out and dessert was served with coffee and digestifs. By the time the gala was over, it was after 10 pm. Leia pulled Rey to the side for a moment while Ren called to arrange their pickup with Rook.

"It was a pleasure to meet you, Rey," the woman said warmly as she gave her a very maternal pat on her cheek. Rey couldn't help but smile at the lovely woman.

"I'm sorry if Ben or I upset you at all tonight," Rey apologized. "Thank you for hearing him out."

"Ever since Ben started working for Snoke it felt like my son was lost. But tonight, with you," there was a shimmer of tears in her eyes and Rey had to look away. "It felt like I had my son back for the first time in years." She gave Rey's shoulder a soft squeeze. "Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything at all, Rey."

"Thank you, President Organa, I will."

"Please call me Leia," she laughed. "The earrings demand it!"

"Alright Leia," Rey supplied with a smile. "Have a good night." Mr. Ren came over to place a kiss on his mother's cheek and told her he would be contacting her soon. Then he lead her out of the banquet hall and back into the humid air of Atlantic City.

Rey was quiet as she got into the car, still feeling overwhelmed and conflicted from the night's events. She and Ren had accomplished their mission, but at what cost? Lies and deceit and selfishness were the threads that had tied the evening together and it made everything seem wrong.

She could tell that Mr. Ren wanted to talk to her, but she made no move to start the conversation. It felt good to force him into awkwardness after the night he had put her through.

"Thank you," was how he chose to begin. She didn't answer him as silence filled up the backseat. "You don't know how much I appreciate what you just did."

"Which part?" She was still facing the windows as the bright lights of the casinos started to fade from view. "Lying to your mother? Pretending to be your girlfriend? Arranging the meeting for you?"

"All of it," he coughed into his hand, shifting in his seat. "I couldn't have done it without you."

She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. Every time she thought she knew what to say to him it got swept away by more anger. "I hope you're happy, Mr. Ren."

"Curiously, no," he shook his head. "In fact I feel terrible."

"Then we both feel similarly," she sniped, hating the bitterness in her voice.

"Why did you do it?" He asked next, and this time she turned to him. She couldn't really make out his expression in the darkness of the backseat, but she could feel his eyes on her. "Why did you pretend to be my girlfriend, even when you didn't have to?" She couldn't decipher the softness in his voice, or what it meant for their constantly shifting relationship.

Rey looked away, not knowing what to tell him. She lied because she was a hypocrite who had already claimed that she was dating him in her own personal life. She lied because it was a fantasy that was quickly becoming a precious dream of her heart. She lied because she was getting to the point where Rey would do anything for him, simply because he had asked her to do so.

But Rey could say none of these things to Mr. Ren.

"We had a mission. I did everything in my power to make sure the mission was a success." Silence met her response, and she had a feeling that it was not what he'd wanted to hear. "I'm very tired, Ben," she slipped, calling him by the wrong name, but he did not try to correct her. "I think I might try to take a nap."

"I will wake you up when we get back to New York," he promised.

She shifted in her seat, kicking off her shoes and curling up into the corner with her back facing Mr. Ren. Her exposed back and shoulders were chilly in the air conditioning, and she shivered lightly as she closed her eyes. The last thing she experienced before falling asleep was the sensation of fabric draping over her, as Mr. Ren covered up her shivering shoulders in his tuxedo jacket, enveloping her in both his smell and his warmth.

He did not wake her up when they reached New York.