A/N: So I think I will put out both of their individual chapters on the same week and just post one long chapter when the chapter is for both of them. Review and let me know what you guys think.
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters.
Chapter 9
Rey awoke the next morning with tears in her eyes and anger in her heart. She couldn't remember exactly what she'd dreamed about but she was sure as shit pissed at Kylo Ren. The whole day she kept the bond closed off as tightly as she could and built a wall around it so that none of her emotions could leek through and vice versa.
She was snippy, quick to insult and prone to fall into a rage over simple things. By the end of the day anyone who wasn't one of her close friends was avoiding her like the plague. Not that she blamed them; she wouldn't want to be around her either.
Later that evening Rey found herself in the training area of the Olara Resistance base. She was dressed in her arm wraps, a light gray tunic over brown leather leggings with her hair up in her three bun style. She had her quarter staff in her hands and was beating the hell out a practice dummy. Over and over she struck the thing. She had worked up quite a sweat but it seemed that her frustration just kept building. She figured it was because she really wanted to be punching Kylo in the face.
She stopped moving and was just staring at the dummy trying to picture it being tall dark and menacingly handsome. She was staring so hard that she didn't even notice that she was no longer alone in the training room. She jumped physically as a hand landed on her shoulder. She lowered her staff and turned to find Poe there grinning at her like an idiot.
"And just like that the scariest person in the base is located and subdued," he joked.
Rey gave him an unfriendly look.
"What's wrong Rey? You're usually the friendliest person I know," he asked, leading her over to the benches so that they could sit and talk.
Rey stared at the ground. Even if she could tell Poe about the Force Bond with Kylo, how could she tell him that something happened in a dream involving Kylo that she can't even remember and that was the reason for her foul mood? He would either think she was working with Kylo or crazy. Either way she wouldn't like the outcome and would probably lose one if not all of her new friends.
"I haven't been sleeping very well and I'm always cranky if I don't get enough sleep. I'm sorry if I scared or worried anyone," Rey said sounding genuinely worried. "I know that it's been a rough couple of months for all of us, especially you. In the short time since you've known you were a force user you've been kidnapped by the first order, had to fight Kylo Ren twice, and moved from planet to planet. Trust me, if anyone has a right to be cranky it's you," Poe said, staring her directly in her eyes as his fingers came up to brush a stray strand of her hair back behind her ear.
Rey's breath halted in her chest. The moment had gone from friendly to something else in the space of the blink of an eye. Rey wasn't exactly uncomfortable being all alone with Poe, it just made things seem more real, more serious. Usually they are in a group with Kaydel, Finn and Rose so that the flirting is light hearted and playful, and definitely not as intimate as this.
Before she could pull away or he could move forward, Finn and Rose came pounding in to the room. They both had huge smiles on their faces and were breathing heavy. Rey got the impression that their labored breathing had nothing to do with their running and everything to do with whatever they were doing on the way there.
"Rey! Poe! General Leia wants to see the two of you," Rose yelled. "We've searched the whole base for you two," Finn said with a pleased smile on his face as he saw how close his two best friends were.
Rey stood so fast that her staff fell to the floor with a clatter. Heat crept up into her cheeks. What did Finn think the two of them had been doing before he and Rose showed up? Obviously not what he and Rose had been doing to cause the flush to their skin and puffiness of their lips.
"What's up guys," Rey said trying to sound normal. "The General has decided what she wants for Hux," Finn started. "She wants you and Poe there when she makes the call," Rose finished.
Rey fought not to roll her eyes. Finn and Rose were going to be one of those annoyingly cute couples who did everything together including finishing each other's sentences. Rey never wanted to be that cutesy with anyone.
"That's amazing. What did she decide on," Poe asked, moving to stand by Rey. "We don't know. She just told us to fetch you two, no matter what you two were up to," Finn said, lightly elbowing Poe in the side who cast his classic playboy smile at the ground.
This time Rey did frown. Since when was everyone so interested in her and Poe? There was nothing going on between them. She started to protest but decided against it. If she protested too much she would either hurt Poe's feelings or be seen as trying to cover her tracks.
"Well I was just doing some training, but I'm done for now," Rey said. "And I was just making sure she wasn't in here laying into the practice dummies like she's being doing to everyone else," Poe said teasingly. "Yeah, you were really mean to people today, Rey. What was up with that," Finn asked. "I haven't been sleeping well. Can you guys give me like 10 minutes? I'm gonna clean up and then I'll meet you at the General's office," Rey said and ran off before anyone could respond.
15 minutes later Rey found herself sitting in General Organa's office with Kaydel sitting to the right of the General, Poe sitting to the left of Rey and Finn and Rose standing directly behind Rey and Poe. The room was quiet and tense as everyone waited for the older woman to tell them why they were all there. Leia was reading something. Finn and Rose kept giggling over shared whispers and it was starting to annoy Rey.
She was about to turn and snap at them when Leia set down the papers she'd been reading over. She looked over all of the young people in the room until her eyes fell on Poe and Rey. Rey began fidgeting in her seat. She didn't like the way the older woman was looking at her.
"So, I'm sure Finn and Rose filled you two in on the fact that I have decided on what to ask for in return for Hux," Leia asked but they all knew that it was a rhetorical question. "I imagine Hux's life is worth a lot to the Supreme Leader even though Finn here tells me that the two of them don't get along. Because of that I am going to ask for something the Resistance needs just as badly as manpower…Ships," Leia said.
Rey didn't need a mirror to know that excitement had caused her face to light up. More ships meant more work for her which would keep her mind from straying to Mr. Tall, dark and menacing. Poe was practically bouncing in his seat. Then Rey thought about it.
"I thought the Jasmenerthians were supposed to be helping with our lack of ships." "It's true the Jasmenertian people are very good at manufacturing ships but it would take years to rebuild our fleet with so few hands and materials. If we can negotiate for a medical ship, a fueling tanker, one more freighter and a hand full of fighter ships we will officially be back in this war. Let's leave the new members to manufacturing the weapons we need," Leia said.
Kaydel and Poe both nodded at the same time. Kaydel flashed a quick smile Poe's way and then blushed furiously. Rey could tell she wasn't the only one that caught it but no one would speak on it now as it was definitely not the time.
"So when are you doing this," Rose asked. "Tonight…Now if you all are ready," Leia said. "Excuse me, General but why would we need to be ready," Finn asked. "I want the five of you with me when I address the First Order, after all you lot are the future," Leia said with a motherly smile.
Rey felt calmer under that smile more at peace and she wondered if Leia was manipulating the Force as much as the untrained force sensitive was able to. She doubted it but this was Luke Skywalker's sister and Darth Vader's daughter so Rey didn't really put anything passed her.
"Sure, I mean let's do this," Kaydel said with a smile. "Great, now if you would all come stand behind me. Kay, right in the middle. Rey and Poe on my right, Rose and Finn on my left please."
Everyone took their spots as the General started transmitting on a channel the Comms team had intercepted from the First Order's new Flag ship The Vengeance. Rey found herself fussing with her hair and clothes. She was nervous but not for the reason the rest of them perceived. She was nervous to see Kylo again after the dream she'd had last night, not that either of them would be in the right company to talk about their complicated relationship. Rey would just have to suck it up until they were alone and free to talk.
It was maybe five minutes before the screen in front of them flashed to reveal a man wearing a First Order uniform. He was so shocked to find the Resistance on his screen that he looked like he was about to pass out. General Leia sat there patiently, waiting for the man to speak.
"Rebel scum, how did you get this channel," the man demanded. "If you want your general back, officer, I suggest you put me on with your Supreme Leader, now," Leia demanded.
The man looked nervously off screen. Rey could practically feel Kylo standing just outside of their view. Her skin started to itch with the need to see him.
"Well do not just sit there, Officer Twain. Put them on the big screen," Kylo's mechanical voice could be heard from a little distance away. "Yes, Supreme Leader," the officer said.
He began typing and then they were looking at Kylo Ren at his finest, dressed in all black with a long black cloak and that awful helmet. Even with it on, Rey knew the exact moment those true brown eyes landed on her. Her breath caught in her chest.
Rey, breezed through her mind.
She built up her defenses so that not even his voice could enter her mind. She was suddenly so angry. She wished she could remember the dream, remember why she was so angry with him.
"Greetings, General Organa. What can the First Order do for your Rebel Scum, this day," Kylo asked amusement in his voice. "Kylo Ren, we have come calling to ransom back your general," Leia said calmly.
Kylo seemed to contemplate her words but Rey knew that he knew this was coming. Rey wondered if Kylo would give his mother what she asked for.
Rey, the voice came again. Go away, Kylo. Now is not the time, she snapped and felt his mind retreat from hers.
"And what do you think Hux's life is worth, General," Kylo asked and general was said like a dirty word. "I would say nothing but every life is worth something. The real question is: what is Hux's life worth letting go of," Leia asked with a smug smile on her face.
Rey now knew that most of Kylo's emotions and facial expressions came from his mother. It was like being in another dimension seeing the two of them talking like this. Rey glanced at the others and they all seemed to be feeling the same way.
Kylo tilted his head to the side and said, "It wouldn't be hard to replace Hux, so I don't know if his life is worth what you may think it's worth." "Is it worth a medical ship, a fuel tanker, a freighter and 10 of your TIE fighters," Leia asked.
Rey could feel Kylo's surprise even with her walls built so high. She wondered if he was looking at her behind that awful mask. She turned away from the screen. She wanted it to be his decision whether he gave his mother what she wanted. She couldn't trust that if she were looking in his eyes that the decision wouldn't have been made for her.
"I think you ask too much, Old woman," Kylo said in a cold voice. "I think you value your people too little, boy," Leia shot back.
Finn chuckled. It was odd to see the Supreme Leader of the First Order and the General of the Resistance trading insults like this. Rose covered her giggle with a cough as Leia's eyes swung to her and Finn.
"Think on my offer, Kylo Ren. I will be calling again soon. If you do not agree to the terms Hux will rot in a cell for the rest of his life," Leia said and moved to cut the communication. "Officer Maiko, do we have any ships to spare," Kylo asked before Leia could cut him off.
Leia looked surprised as did the others. Rey let out a breath she didn't even know she was holding. Maybe Kylo really was trying to be better. If he really gave the Resistance these ships, maybe he could still be brought into the light. She looked up at the screen and seemed to catch his eye.
Through the bond she could feel his worry and caught a flash of herself staring back with wide eyes, the moans and soft skin of a woman, Rey's name barked out in surprise. Suddenly she realized that she hadn't really been dreaming. The force had opened for them for the second time that night just in time to catch Kylo in his shower with a woman. Rey didn't know if this was the woman from before and that made things worse.
Rey could feel her throat tighten and her eyes begin to burn as she fought not to cry. Kylo Ren didn't deserve her tears. She didn't have to care for him to save him. She was doing it for Leia and Han and maybe just a little for Ben Solo. She knew she shouldn't feel anything for Kylo Ren. There were other men out there that could stand in the light with her.
"Sir, here is a list of all the ships currently not being used," Officer Maiko said handing Kylo a datapad. Kylo scanned the datapad for a few seconds and said, "Fine. For General Hux's safe return I will give you a fuel tanker, and a 5 X-wings that the Order has confiscated from some wanna be rebels."
Poe, Kaydel, and Rose all looked crestfallen, they took this as a loss, but Finn, Rey and Leia knew a fuel tanker and 5 x-wings was more than they could have hoped for. Leia hesitated for only a second.
"I accept your terms," Leia said.
As they hashed out the details Rey found herself feeling lonely. The others were jumping in with suggestions but mostly objections to anything Kylo had to say. None of them seemed to notice her change in stance and attitude, it would have been easy enough to explain. She had just as much reason to be upset at seeing him as anyone.
She felt Kylo's mind brush against hers several times but each time she batted it away. She was angry, and was trying her best not to care at all but after their last conversation she'd thought he'd at least wait a day before falling into bed…shower with another woman…
As soon as the details were set, and the communication ended Rey looked at the others and said, "Excuse me, General. I need to go punch something."
She ran out of the room without a backward glance and proceeded to train until she was barely able to drag herself back to her hut for sleep. She stripped out of her clothes and barred her door before falling into bed. It didn't take more than 60 seconds for sleep to suck her under.
