The weight of the longsword felt heavy in her palm as she spun it over her head striking at the air. Rey had formed the makeshift weapon from machinery parts, she missed her quarterstaff but was determined to improve her swordsmanship so she could properly wield Skywalker's Lightsaber.

"You're reverse grip is loose." Rey swung hard to the left, almost stumbling to the ground. She panted taking in the Master Knight. His arms were bare to her gaze, his forehead slightly damp and a practice sword hung in his grip. She swallowed before raising the sword above her head again and swivelling it back, striking the air behind her.

He smiled, "better, much better." Rey grinned

"Good enough for the great Kylo Ren?" She raised her sword suggestively towards him. Taking the hint he struck her, metal against metal clashed, far different from the hiss of plasma, yet entirely enthralling.

A hint of fear crawled up Rey's spine as he engaged her, his frame was large, each strike fuelled with ferocity and aggression. But there was clarity in Kylo's gaze as if each movement electrified him, and with every attack, Rey felt herself becoming bolder. Her stokes still lacked the certainty that Kylo's did but her feet were quicker, her body moved more swiftly. It was almost as if they were dancing as each tried to outmanoeuvre each other.

He pinned her to the ground, their swords locked and for a moment it felt like they had fused together. Rey's arms quivered, while she may outmatch him in speed he easily overcame her in strength.

"Do you surrender?"

She grinned. "Never," Rey collapsed her grip causing Kylo to fall forward. Angling her body she slid beneath him, she barely had a moment to reorient herself before Kylo spun around striking her again. The two continued to duel until their bodies gave in, they laid sprawled on the ground, chest heaving as sweat trickled down their bodies.

Rey groaned a knot had formed in her right shoulder. She rolled her arm trying to loosen it, a heavy hand laid on her shoulder. Rey titled her face up and was greeted with Kylo's contented face. She laid herself in his lap as he worked her tired muscles. His warm ran over her back, relieving every tension and cramp. Kylo flushed, her face was close to his stomach and with every slide of his fingers Rey mewled, sending a tingle through his lower back.

Rey sighed, nuzzling his thigh, causing Kylo's breath to hitch before he continued to rub her back. His hands slid beneath her shirt, brushing her bare skin, she shivered before arching up into his touch.

"You are quite adept in Djem So?"

"Djem So?" Rey lazily looked up towards Kylo whose gaze remained steadfastly focused away from her face.

"The Fifth form. It's based on defending against parries, and attacking with ripostes."

She withdrew her hand from beneath her face and clasped his knee. "What form do you use?" His hands stilled and he finally looked at her.

"Vaapad, the seventh form. It's founded on unpredictable and aggressive attacks." There was the barest hint of discomfort in his gaze.

Rey lifted herself up and opened her arms expectantly towards him. He didn't hesitate to surrender himself to her, basking in her ministrations and the caresses she made across his body. Her hands were rough and calloused, much like his, but she touched him tenderly. His hands clenched for a moment before he wrapped his arms around her waist, his face lying on her thigh.

"I used to run before I fought." Kylo's chest hollowed, he dared not speak, listening raptly to her. "Most wanted the parts I scavenged and would leave me alone if I just gave up. But others wanted something to hurt."

She was silent for a while, her gaze trained on something far off into the distance. "One night, Mashra, another scavenger, found me after I had been attacked by a Melitto. She told me 'Nobody will pay you if you're dead'." His fingers brushed her hips as she spoke.

"That night she showed me a pair of Kyuzos sparring. They way they moved, it was if they were made of wind and steel, something to be respected. I wanted to be like that. I watched them countless times and eventually learned enough to protect myself. I think they knew I was there but they never acknowledged me… I don't even know their names."

Kylo took one of her hands in his, kissing her fingertips. "I met a Kyuzo once before. They are remarkable fighters with a strong sense of honour. Perhaps, they wished to show you their abilities without creating any obligations."

Rey gripped his fingers in gratitude before continuing to knead his back. Gradually, Kylo felt lulled into a half-sleep, the only thing he registered was Rey's touch and the soft sound of her breath.

"Kylo?" His eyes remained shut, twitching his head in the barest movement to acknowledge her. She ran her hand through his locks, laying her palm against his face.

"Are there other forms you know?" He cracked open an eyelid.

"Yes." His lips brushed her thigh as he mumbled his response. She felt his warm breath penetrate the fabric, her hand trembled.

"Will you show me?" He took hold of her hand, moving it back towards his shoulders.

"Only if we do this every time"

"They were beautiful Rose, Miru told me they were called Ikopi. One of them came right up to me."

"That's awesome Finn, I would kill to see some real animals again. I practically dream about engines now."

Rose stretched her arm, trying to nudge a pair of pillars towards her. It was times like these that she missed the young Jedi. Rey was good company, together they could get twice the amount of work done in half the amount of time.

"Poe hasn't been working you too hard has he?"

"Not as hard as he's been working himself. He's been taking on more missions lately, I think something been happening in the Outer Rim. Connix told me about whole villages of people vanishing."

"I heard about that, freaky."

The mechanic grinned, "Is the big bad stormtrooper afraid?"

"Rose!" She laughed almost dropping the communicator. Sucking in a breathe she sobered herself.

"All jokes aside I'm thinking of joining him."

"On a mission?"

"Yeah, I'm starting to feel like I'm one of these starfighters that's been grounded for too long."

"But… it's dangerous Rose."

Rose chuckled, "I know Finn, I'm well aware of the dark sides of the Galaxy. I just need to get out, see real people, help real people."

Rose didn't mention the fact that she felt insecure about herself. For months Finn occupied her mind constantly, she needed to remind herself what she was fighting for, that she was more than what she felt for him.

"But what about the Laser, weren't you gonna help Rey with the lightsaber?"

"I will Finn, I've already finished building it. When you guys return I'll help Rey with the crystal and then leave with Poe."

Across the galaxy, the former stormtrooper broke out in a cold sweat. Images of Rose unconscious, on the brink of death, plagued his mind. He clutched the communicator, almost crushing it.

"What does Poe think?"

"He's agreed to it, he knows I'm more than capable of taking care of myself."

"I know you are. I just… I just care about you." Rose heart thundered, she exhaled slowly to compose herself.

"I know Finn," her voice was whisper soft. "Just trust me, this will be for the best."

Rose made several more assurance that she would be careful before hanging up. The communicator laid in her palm as her mind swirled and her heart twisted. She gripped her pendant.

"Give me strength sister."

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone. I hope you're all having fun, I was planning on releasing this chapter a week ago but I got wrapped up in my own end of year plans. I hope you enjoyed this update, just a quick one, the next should be up around the start of January.

The poll is still open, to vote for your favourite character(s) click on my account name and at the top of the page is the poll, click "vote now".

Please review and I'll see you soon.