A/N: A big thanks to SirenBanshee. You are one amazing beta!
xXxXxXx
Kylo shot out of his chair. "What did you say?"
"A suitable moon has been found, sir."
He couldn't help the massive grin that curled his lips. "Where?"
Phasma walked to his office's display and pulled out a map of the galaxy. "It's the only moon of the fifth planet of the Oelilag system," she said, zooming the screen to the planet in question. "It has an overall mild climate and is therefore pleasant to camp out at. It's surface consists of a sloping landscape with alternate patches of forest, grass plains, and rivers. That should allow you both to easily hide your ships if so desired. I don't know how long you plan on staying there, but the temperatures are mild even at night, so spending a night outdoors should not be a problem."
Kylo nodded during her explanation. The moon was perfect. "How long to get there?"
"About seven hours, sir." She hesitated, then continued. "I suggest visiting an operational base in the vicinity and miscommunicating the dates. That would leave you enough time to meet her. We could land on the planet while you continue to the moon. If we select a spot on the far side, we minimise the risk of detection."
He was only half paying attention to Phasma's words, just enough to realise she was talking sense. Absentminded, he uttered an agreement. Before everything, he wanted to tell Rey. He was going to see her in person again!
"You should go tell her," Phasma said, amusement evident in her voice.
"Not yet," he said, checking the time. "I want to decide on the exact meeting spot on the moon's surface first, so I can give her all the coördinates at once. She'll be sneaking out and doesn't want to risk accessing their navigation system too often."
Nodding, Phasma returned her attention to the display and requested an upload of the moon's surface and its known settlements. There weren't many. The moon seemed to service mostly as a holiday resort for the rest of the system.
"It will take some time to get together your expedition and you mentioned she would need some preparation time as well. We could plan your departure for two weeks?"
Kylo grimaced. Two weeks suddenly felt like forever. In order for everything to run smoothly, however, thorough preparation was needed. With a sigh, he agreed.
"In that case," Phasma touched the display again, "this section of the moon will be the least conspicuous."
A part of the moon was displayed in colour while the rest turned into grayscale. Kylo took over from Phasma, examining the surface. Eventually, he found a spot near the equator, in a small grass-covered valley between two forests.
"There," he said, tapping the spot and noting the coördinates, "that will do perfectly." His cheeks were starting to hurt from the wide smile he was still sporting. "Let's head to my quarters. I won't be able to concentrate knowing this."
Phasma gave an amused snort. "You'll scare the staff if you keep grinning like that. They'll think you're out to kill."
That sobered his mood and he glared at her, causing her to throw up a hand in surrender.
"You know it's true," she said, before putting her helmet back on. "You're image is still the same, at least among those further away from you."
He sighed. "I wonder if we should do something about that," he questioned. "Whether or not it is safe to do so."
Phasma was silent for a while. "For now I would suggest to let it run its course, sir. Although unfortunate, it does assure stability."
With a grunt, he agreed. Perhaps, in time, and if his plans were successful, his image would change on its own. He stopped worrying about it, instead focusing on the news he would be giving Rey. He wondered about how she would respond. A small part of him feared she might have changed her mind, but he quickly silenced it. Certainly, she had not?
"Go, have fun," Phasma quipped as they arrived at his quarters, even going as far as opening the door for him and giving him a mock bow. He grumbled at her in good nature.
He wasted no time, nudging Rey over the bond as soon as he stepped through the door.
"Ten minutes," she responded.
Impatient, he paced his room. Ten minutes seemed like forever. When she finally appeared before him, he could no longer contain his enthusiasm and enveloped her in a hug.
"Uhm, Ben?" she asked, not hesitating to wrap her arms around him as well. "Everything okay?"
"More than okay," he said, taking a step back and feeling slightly embarrassed. "Phasma found us a moon to meet on."
"Really?" she cried out.
"Yes!"
With a cheer, she jumped back into his arms. "I get to see you in person!" she laughed. "Tell me where it is. What kind of moon is it? When do you want to go? Will I have time to prepare? How will you explain your absence?"
He laughed at her exuberance. "So many questions," he teased.
"Just answer me!"
Still laughing, he pulled her to sit on the bed. "It's in the Oelilag system. The moon of the fifth planet. Trees and grassy plains, sloping landscape. I've picked a spot in a small valley between two forests. I hope you'll like it."
She smiled at him, placing a hand on his leg as she looked at him with a faraway look in her eyes. "I love any place that's green," she mused. "I can't get used to it."
He touched her cheek, wanting to show her all kinds of different, green planets. There was so much he could show her out in the galaxy.
"We were thinking about going there in two weeks time. Is that enough for you to prepare?"
"Hmm? Yes, yes, that should work. I will have to leave at night, though. I'll never be able to steal a ship during the day."
"You're going to steal a ship?"
"Well, yes. It's not like they'll give me one while I'm trying to sneak out."
He huffed. "No, I guess not."
"What excuse are you going to give?" she asked. "Do you even have to give one?"
"A visit to a nearby facility." A thought crossed his mind. "Perhaps, if there's an academy near… That would make more sense than a random facility."
"An academy?"
"Yes, where the children go after they've outgrown the Bases. I've read reports about them but haven't actually visited one. This might be an opportune time."
"But if you're actually going to visit one, how will you be able to see me?"
He had been staring into nothing, lost in thought, but the uncertainty in her voice made him focus back on Rey.
"Communications will make sure the day we leave here is different from the day we're expected to arrive there. I trust Phasma to deal with this."
She smiled at him. "I'm going to get to see you."
He could feel her excitement over the bond and felt quite giddy himself. Not that he would ever admit it.
"You're seeing me now," he teased.
"Oh!"
Rey moved to smack his arm but he caught her hand, grinning. She poked him in retaliation and soon they found themselves in a mock fight that ended with both of them panting on his bed. Not long after, they went to sleep.
xXxXxXx
Kylo had abhorred the preparations needed for their trip. One would think that, as the Supreme Leader, he was free to do and go whatever, wherever, and whenever he pleased. It hadn't taken him long to decide that bureaucracy was his new enemy.
On the plus-side, Phasma had found an academy that would suit their purpose. Hux had finished his comparison of the nutritional reports and—at first glance—seemed to have done a decent job. Kylo was planning on combing through them in more detail once they got back.
Concentrating on anything other than the upcoming meeting had been impossible. Rey had still slept in his bed every night and he hadn't been able to help but wonder how it would feel to hold the real Rey in his arms. They had decided to stay on the moon for 24 hours, meaning they would stay the night. She would arrive mid-morning, while he would already be there from the night before.
Phasma had organised the entire thing—checking in with him once a day or whenever a document needed signing. By the time they were ready to depart, he had met and conversed with his entire protection team. Kylo was surprised by their varied backgrounds. Twelve of them joined him on his trip; the others would stay behind.
The only person who had disputed this arrangement was Ember. He remembered their conversation as he walked out of his ship towards the spot he had selected for meeting Rey.
"When were you going to tell me you're planning a trip?" Ember demanded one week into preparations.
"In due time," he answered, raising an eyebrow in warning. "You're not coming."
"Excuse me?"
"Are you going to argue?" His voice dropped, but she ignored it.
"Yes! I've pledged my loyalty to you, yet you leave me behind?"
"And I have accepted your pledge, as you well know, but that doesn't mean you have a right to demand your presence by my side," he countered.
"So you're going to trust that Phasma?"
"Ember of Ren!" he barked, towering over her. "You will respect my commander. She has been here longer than you and has proven her loyalty many times over."
She took a cautionary step back, lowering her eyes. "Apologies, sir," she said, planting her fist on her chest. "I spoke too rash."
"You sure did. When we get back, we'll discuss this aversion you seem to have for each other. I will no longer tolerate it."
Ember grimaced but gave a sharp nod. "May I request your reasoning for leaving me behind?" she questioned.
Kylo sighed and relaxed. "You need to keep training in the Force. The sooner you can perfect your skills, the sooner we can call upon the other Knights."
It didn't sit well with him that he was withholding the true reason for his trip. As she had pointed out, she had pledged her loyalty and would therefore not betray him. Still, she was a headstrong woman and wouldn't rest before knowing why he wanted to go on a trip to an unremarkable moon.
"I see," she answered.
"You need to be able to give a demonstration when they gather," he elaborated. "That way, they'll see we're genuine."
Ember took a deep breath. "I understand, sir. I will train to reach perfection by the time you return."
With another salute, she turned and left. Kylo shook his head, not fooled by her charade. He knew he had hurt her feelings. Dragging his hand through his hair, he pondered the precarious balance between friend and subordinate.
There were so many things he still had to do that the future sometimes looked more daunting than he could handle. Rey, however, made him believe he could do it. He was nervous to see her, a feeling he still didn't like.
Once he reached the designated meeting place, he dropped his bag—filled with food, blankets, the crystal, and a bottle of shampoo—and kept himself busy with building a fire and cutting some logs with his saber to sit on. He aimlessly wandered about for a bit, exploring the surrounding area, before deciding to try to meditate.
He kept repeating to himself that she would soon arrive, that she would not leave him hanging. It irked him that his own fears lead him to mistrust Rey.
After what must have been about an hour and a half, he felt their bond vibrating and realised she was getting closer. He smiled as he somehow felt her breach atmosphere. Wanting to see her approach, he looked up at the sky, only to see the Millenium Falcon come his way.