A/N:

Thanks for your patience everyone! I hope you're still enjoying the story. It's my birthday today and I couldn't think of a better way to enjoy part of it than getting a good chapter in! Sorry they won't be coming as quickly as they were but I promise to do my best to keep them entertaining! Enjoy!

Chapter 11

Her words echoed through his head and he was swarmed with relief but also amazement at how doubtless she was in her statement. It took her no time at all to think over his proposition and decide on loyalty to him, why was it so easy for her when she plainly didn't have anything to gain except her guaranteed protection. In that moment he felt such a peculiar mixture of emotions, partly of joy that someone would take up with him and it took them no time to decide to do so but also a nagging disappointment. Why couldn't it have been Rey? Why had she instead scoffed so harshly at his offer to not only be by him, but to rule with him equally, wasn't that the most anyone could ever dream of in this life? No, he shook his head at the thought. He couldn't be so blind as to not see the beauty of Chrystalline's devotion. He refused to be another man in her life who didn't regale her for the magnificent creature she was. He met her eyes again, her dark black pools, dripping with sincerity and giving.

"I don't deserve you." A smirk broke across his lips as he brought her in close again, cupping the back of her head in his hand as his body draped around hers.

Chrystalline couldn't help but be confused in his admiration of her. She saw herself so broken, so seemingly unfixable still that his compliments and felt displaced, but nevertheless she stayed quiet and reveled in the warmth of him, nuzzling her face in the crook of his arm. They stood like that, rocking gently in contentment with one another for what felt like hours until they were rattled apart by a sharp knock at the door.

"Sir! The new Destroyer has arrived! We are docking into it now!" Hux's voice cracked with excitement. Kylo had completely forgotten the world outside of his chambers until that moment. He cleared his throat to answer.

"Ah, yes! Be out in just a moment! Thank you General." He gripped Chrystalline by the arms, steadying them as the ship trembled as it was being taken into the mother ship. He chuckled as her eyes widened in surprise. "This is a very big day! I'd completely forgot! Just stay here for a bit longer, I'll go make sure everything's in order and then I'll come to retrieve you to take you to... your new home." The words stunned him as they came from his mouth, but he wasn't wrong, until the war was over this is where she'd be staying, by her choice, with him. Due to everyone's previous reactions to even being on the ship as his inferior wrapping his head around the fact that someone like Chrystalline would stay by his side willingly was unmistakably difficult. He pulled her in one more time as the realization of what she was committing to crashed over him. "Thank you, sweet girl, thank you for everything. I will make it worth it for you, I promise."

Chrystalline shivered at his hot breath hitting her ear with those precious words, before she could regain her composure to answer back he had walked quickly from the room to attend to business. Her head was whirling with excitement and uncertainty, everything that had just taken place between them bustling at the forefront of her mind. She knew it had been partly true that their rush to physicality had been an escape, but as she had time to process it she knew it was more than that, at least for her it was. How could it not be? This man, despite everything he and everyone around him claimed him to be was more tender towards her, more patient and forbearing than any other man she'd ever met. Yes, Abel was a good man and he was always kind to her, but still in her weak moments when she was acting out he wasn't understanding but rather dismissive. He couldn't handle her break downs at all and he refused to try to understand them, instead just fleeing onto his ship and making the excuse of a sudden necessary work excursion. She couldn't help but feel the newness and pleasure of a first love blurred the inconsistencies in his caring for her.

She knew she wouldn't push for anything, she was more than content in the graciousness he'd shown her so far as well as the affection, however platonic it may remain. There was so much to take in, in a little over a week's time she'd gone from prisoner and slave of the First Order to confidant and even dare she say friend of the Supreme Leader and now was going to be moving into a Star Destroyer to, as far as she could see, never return to the planet she called home and the distant, hateful man she called father. She couldn't make this story up. The whole scope of things had knocked her back into her chair, still having not finished re-patching herself she went to work again, trying to focus on the task rather than all the possibilities that had fallen in front of her. Although her gut seemed to think otherwise she couldn't shake the pestering thought in her head that Kylo was just enjoying her company as a distraction and would rid himself of her as soon as he tired of her and eventually got over the fact that his precious Rey had given herself to someone else. Chrystalline understood the tumultuous feelings he was having about the situation, but couldn't help but feel if Kylo truly thought this Rey was indeed his Gods made match than something so juvenile as that couldn't stand in the way of them being together for too long and if that were the case then where would that leave her? At some point she would be abandoned on the nearest inhabited planet to make it on her own... no, no. Kylo had been so good to her this far, she couldn't bring herself to believe he would leave her like that, if her left her at all. With all the questions jostling in her head she just hoped he would return soon to take her onto the new ship, she didn't appreciate the way her mind tended to wander to such dismal conclusions when left alone for too long.

Kylo was thrilled, the new Destroyer was incredible and easily dwarfed the previous one in size. He walked along it's bridge admiring the span of it with Hux and a few troopers close behind.

"I have to hand it to you Hux, you've outdone yourself with this beauty. I can't imagine a more perfect ship to begin my proper reign as Supreme Leader. I hope the rooms I requested are coming in order? I'd like to bring Chrystalline on board as soon as possible, poor girl's been cooped up in my quarters like a zoo animal long enough."

"Yes, yes Sir. The rooms are ready now, but first, uh... I've given orders that as soon as everything is on the ship and accounted for that we make our move on the Resistance at Corellia. From my sources they're still there but will be moving soon, we need to act fast if we wish to be done with the Rebels for good."

Kylo inhaled sharply, quickly brought down to earth from the excitement by the gravity of what must be finished. If he agreed to the orders, then it was settled. Rey, his mother, the Resistance would be gone and all remaining remnants of the light finally extinguished. Could he really live the rest of his life proudly knowing he was the cause of their extinction? Yes... yes, he had to. He'd come this far and as he said before there was no going back after everything and everyone he and the First Order under his command had destroyed. They were so close to fulfilling their end goals it was almost palpable.

"Well, set the course. The time is now." He turned to Hux and nodded in salute. An impish smile cracked across his pale face and he nodded back pivoting on a heel and leaving to go ready the ship and the troops. Kylo looked again around him at the magnificence that was his new ship and closed his eyes. This was everything, everything he wanted. He refused to let emotions get in the way anymore. Rey had sealed her fate and the fate of the Resistance in her anger and dismissal. He would have his vengeance so completely, the Rebels wouldn't even see it coming. He opened his eyes again and focused sharply before him as he headed to gather Chrystalline smiling proudly to himself. Yes, yes...the time was now.

Chrystalline jumped hearing the door open behind her and Kylo returning so soon.

"Back so soon?" She stood, still in only the sleeping gown.

"Yes! The ship is all prepared, come! I have something waiting for you." She had never seen his eyes so bright, he reminded her of a child who'd just been gifted a new, shining toy. She took his hand, now feeling herself getting giddy, his excitement was absolutely contagious. As they entered the hall and walked towards the open gate Chrystalline could already see the immensity that was the mother ship they were about to step into. She had never seen anything like it, the room was gargantuan, climbing at least ten stories up, the main room lined with TIE fighters. "Isn't she spectacular." Kylo lifted her weightlessly into his arms and hopped out the door onto the flight deck, setting her down gently beside him. "Don't worry, no one can see us, I'll give you a proper tour when you're dressed for it." He smiled sweetly, reading her embarrassment.

"This...this is incredible! I'm not even quite sure what to say, it's a palace!" Chrystalline's hand came to her mouth as she craned her neck to take as much of the room as she could. She took a second to catch a glimpse of Kylo who was standing proudly, taking in the sight himself. She had almost forgotten in the time she'd had him to herself, vulnerable and sweet, alone in his chambers, this was who he was. A dark king in every sense of the word. She could see him now in her mind's eye, suited in armor and standing in front of his army, leading this tremendous ship and it's unending fleet of fighters into battle. No matter what side he was fighting for she could see now so plainly the determination and strength in his expression, it was a side of him she hadn't yet had the privilege to see, she had to admit it was astounding...he was astounding. "You must be so proud."

"I am, but I can't let it go to my head just yet, we've more to accomplish before I can say that I earned it." His face was stern but happy, not tearing his eyes from everything around them he placed his arm around her shoulders. "There's more." He lead them up the stairs of the flight deck to an elevator that descended them quickly to the bottom of the ship and let them out into a small hallway with two doors. With a wave of his hand he opened the first revealing and almost identical chamber to his previous one, it was stark and minimalist if not perhaps a good bit larger. In the middle it also had a hologram projector similar to the one in the pilot's room of the small ship. "This, obviously, is my room." He dropped her arm and moved towards a door on the opposite wall which Chrystalline assumed was a closet as it had been in his other room. "And this," the door slid open slowly. "Is yours."

Chrystalline's jaw dropped open as she stepped forward gingerly, an even more massive room awaiting through the doorway.

"My room?" Her voice squeaked. Kylo smiled even more proudly than he had on the flight deck.

"Yes, of course! You really didn't think I was just going to keep you holed up in my boring room the entire time did you? Come see, I had the droids working like crazy, it had to be just right." He held his hand out to guide her in.

Chrystalline felt almost weak. She had always had her own room, but it was nothing like this. The walls, which were easily fifteen feet high, were draped with rich red velvet curtains that were laid over with a silver filigree. Against the far wall was a black, carved, four poster bed that met at the top to be covered with a black mesh canopy. The blankets and pillows matched the drapes with burgundy velvet. Across from the bed was a tall black wardrobe, the wood had been laser cut into beautiful cascading ivy like designs. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Kylo lift his hand and the wardrobe doors began to open. She heard a gasp escape her own mouth as it was revealed to be packed full of gowns of every length and color.

"Oh, Gods!" She whispered, her feet moving her forward towards the wardrobe as if compelled. She ran her hand gently through the array of fabrics and turned back to Kylo with tears in her eyes. "I... I don't know what to say! It's all so unbelievably beautiful Kylo. I... I'm not sure that I deserve all this." She cupped her hand over her mouth to muffle a grateful sob. She couldn't quite explain what was coming over her but suddenly she was overwhelmed. It was almost too much.

Kylo rushed to her side, roping her into his arms again. He knew he would elicit emotion, but he didn't think in a hundred years it would be quite like this. It stung his heart to hear such a kind spirit once again belittle herself enough to think she didn't deserve this. After everything she'd done for him and everything he'd had to watch her go through in the last few days it was the absolute least he could think to do.

"Chrystalline, how could you say that? You deserve all of this and more! This room and everything in it isn't nearly enough for me to show you how much I appreciate you. You are the purest heart I've ever met to be sure. Gods, please don't cry."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. It's all so amazing and you're so good to me. I'm just not used to it." She pulled away slightly, gazing again at the room, ensuring herself it was indeed real. She quivered at the feeling of his finger beneath her chin, directing her head to look up at him.

"Chrystalline, no matter what happens between you and I... no matter what happens at all I need you to promise me you'll never allow yourself to be with or around someone who makes you feel like you deserve anything less than this ever again." She nodded and Kylo was struck still with the urge to kiss her in the way he hadn't earlier as he watched her bite her lower lip and stifle her tears. He resigned himself to caressing her cheek and smoothing some loose strands of hair behind her ear. "Now, brace yourself because we weren't quite done."

Chrystalline's eyes grew wide once again. How could there possibly be any more to this incredible room? Kylo perched on the edge of the bed behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her in so her back was flush against him. He rested his head on her shoulder and waved his hand with ease. Now with a flutter the curtains on the wall drew back, gathering themselves as they unveiled floor to ceiling pane-less windows that went across the entire wall. Lighting the entire room with an infinite starscape. This time both of Chrystalline's hands shot to her mouth, but she was too stunned to make words.

"Now you can see the stars whenever you want." Kylo said quietly against her ear holding her tighter to him and he felt her body tremble with excitement. "I hope you like it."

"Like it?!" Her words shot out with an alarming volume. She gasped at her outburst and giggled as she turned to face him. "How do I even begin to thank you? This is a gift that can never be matched. My heart is quite literally aching at how breathtaking it all is. Kylo... I adore it. And I love it even more because it is you that has given it to me." Her eyes were still brimming with tears, but she didn't care she couldn't hold them back.

Kylo wasn't sure his heart had ever been so full. Seeing how happy he could make someone was a shockingly unfamiliar feeling. Her gratitude was overflowing, he could read it on every inch of her face and as the urge surged within him again he let it overtake him. Pulling her in as closely as he could he wrapped one hand around lightly around the back of her neck and kissed her once lightly on the forehead before giving in and placing his lips over hers. She must have been expecting it because she kissed him back with a ferocity she hadn't yet shown him, tangling her hands in his hair. Kylo's hands traced down her back as she parted his lips with her tongue searching hungrily for his. Despite never having kissed a woman before the moves came all to naturally, he'd wondered what had taken him so long as the heat of their mouths entangling made him almost dizzy with pleasure. Now this was almost too much for him and he smiled as her lips still made for his, pulling back gently to look at her again. Her mouth now red from their passion. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip and she caught it with her teeth, drawing in slightly. He laughed and drew her in again for more, forgetting everything for just a moment and letting himself enjoy her wholeheartedly.