Chapter Ten

"You have to realize that you are not at the First Order any longer!" Leia scolded. "You cannot simply go around threatening people and throwing them into walls!" Shadow let a little smirk loose. "You think this is amusing? If you want to remain in the Resistance, you can stop with these outbursts."

"Yes, General. I'm sorry." Shadow said in a monotone manner. Suddenly, the door opened.

"I told you no one was to enter." General Organa told the soldier.

"Finn is back with Chewbacca and Rey. They request to see you immediately."

"Send them in." She motioned for them to proceed. Shadow backed up in the dark corner of the room.

"General Organa," Rey ran into the room. "We have recovered the map in the BB-8 droid." C-3PO walked in behind her followed by Finn, Chewbacca, and Poe as well as numerous members of the Resistance.

"BB-8 believes the rest of the map is in R2D2." C-3PO chimed in. There was a lot of commotion as 3PO bent down to his old friend. R2 came to life. He presented the room with a holomap with a small piece missing. BB-8's hologram fit perfectly in the missing piece. Shadow stood mesmerized. The map was real, and she had to get her hands on it.

Shadow waited until dark had fallen again. She recalled the General telling Rey that she and Chewbacca would follow the map and would find Luke that following day.

Finn was asleep in his cot, and Poe was just dozing off. As Shadow grabbed her cloak, Poe noticed her movements. "Where are you going?" He asked, half asleep.

"Just for a walk." She smiled down at him.

"I can come with you if you want." He smiled back flirtatiously.

"Maybe another time, Poe. I'd like to be alone with my thoughts." Poe stood despite Shadow's protests.

"You shouldn't be roaming the halls without a chaperone after what happened." He laughed. Shadow rolled her eyes.

"I'm fine now. I can walk on my own."

"I'm coming with you, no matter what you say." She left out an angry sigh as she began to walk with Poe on her heels. So close, and yet so far.

Shadow walked through the seemingly endless halls until she met the exit door. The outside air was crisp. The small breeze kissed her unhidden face as she stepped out. Poe stood next to her, watching her red and black locks flow behind her. As her hair blew, her petite horns peeked through. Poe smiled as he noticed how beautifully the moonlight made her pale skin glow. It complimented her well. Then, he came to a realization. Suddenly, Shadow's expression changed. She could feel the force. It was Kylo Ren. He wanted to speak with her.

"What's the matter?" Poe asked placed a concerned hand on her shoulder.

"I'm fine. I just have a lot on mind. I wanted to think some things through." She turned to him. "Thank you for the walk, but if you'll excuse me." Shadow began to walk away out to the area she first spoke to Ren, but Poe followed close behind.

"Hey," he said. "I'm not leaving you. I'm not Kylo Ren who would train you for six years and just let you join the Resistance." Poe had such an angry look in his eye. She almost laughed in his face. Ren wouldn't have let her leave if she had decided to convert…or would he? "He let you leave. If I was him, I would have never let you out of my sight. I know we've only known each other for so little a time, but don't you feel this?" Poe held onto Shadow's upper arms and he stared into her eyes. "You helped me from the beginning. You had no idea who I was, and you still helped us escape. It was here since we first met. It was like a moth drawn to a flame." Shadow felt Ren's need to speak with her.

"Poe…" Before she could say anything more, Poe pressed his lips to hers. Shadow couldn't move a muscle. Poe didn't keep the kiss long. He looked in her eyes. They were practically glowing in the moonlight. Now panicking, Shadow bolted from his arms. Poe stood there, frozen in shock. It was the first time he was rejected.

Shadow ran until she reached the back entrance to the base. She could still feel the force, but she had to dismiss it. She would contact Ren after she retrieved what she needed.

Unfamiliar with the halls at the back end of the base, Shadow relied on instinct to tell her where to go. She bolted through the halls with lightning speed, turning corners where instinct told her to go. Then, by what seemed like luck, she found the door. Just before she opened it, she heard voices. It was the General and Poe. Quickly, Shadow made her way into the room and slunk into the darkest corner. A few moments after the door closed, it opened again, and in came Poe and Leia. "I'm sure it just shocked her, that's all."

"You didn't see her face, General. I think she has bigger problems than we first guessed. And if I may be frank, I think your son is behind it." The General slapped Poe clear across the face.

"You watch your tongue when speaking about him. He may have become Kylo Ren, but somewhere inside of him is my Ben. Now go find her before it's too late. If that's really how you feel, you need to calm her down and tell her instead of just bursting it out like that." Poe nodded and left. Leia stood at the holotable and plugged in the pieces of the map. They appeared brightly above the table. Shadow had to move to stay hidden. Soon, Leia let out a stressed sigh. She unplugged the map and it disappeared. She left both pieces on the table and left.

When the doors closed, Shadow swiftly got the pieces of the map and hid them in her cloak. She left the room and ran back outside.