A/N: A big thanks to SirenBanshee. You are one amazing beta!

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They continued practising until it was time for the Knights' dinner. By then, Ember caught about nine out of ten commands and Kylo had started making his orders less obvious. It caused Ember to question just about any movement she made, cursing and wanting to know if whatever she had done was because of him or not. After the day he'd had, the entertainment it provided had been more than welcome.

His good mood faltered, however, as they made their way to the mess hall. He had no idea how the other Knights would react to hearing that two of them had wanted to defect and the new guy actually was a defected Knight.

"What do you think?" he asked Ember.

"I don't know," she answered, immediately understanding what he was talking about. "They'll be wary of Rogue, that's for sure, but I don't know how they'll react to the news about the other two."

Kylo hummed. "Maybe I should tell the other three while Quicksilver and Daze are still outside? To prevent an attack?"

"No need. They are unarmed. There's nothing to be gained by attacking an unarmed person. Besides, it might be safer if Quicksilver, Daze and Rogue know what's been said about them."

"I'll take your word for it."

Kylo stopped walking and tilted his head to the side. Ember reacted only a second later.

"We're not going to ignore her?" she asked.

"No," Kylo answered before fully turning to the service alcove they were about to pass. "There's no need for hiding, Shadow," he stated. "Is it really that much of a habit? You know I'm aware of your presence."

Shadow let out a nervous laugh. "And it seems so does Ember," she said.

"I don't trust you and your hiding act," Ember answered gruffly. "Of course I keep an eye out walking these halls now that you're here."

"Aw, how sweet of you," Shadow exclaimed, throwing an arm around Ember's shoulders.

Kylo watched, an eyebrow raised, as Ember simply allowed the overly enthusiastic gesture. The only response was an exasperated eye roll.

"Really, I didn't know you had it in you," Shadow continued. "I mean, you're always so gruff and all. Blunt. I think the word is blunt. Don't you agree, Supreme Leader? But sometimes I think this annoyed, gruff Knight is actually hiding a heart."

Ember swatted at her and resumed walking.

"Oh, did I hit home?" Shadow continued. There's no malice in her voice, however. "Ember of Ren, dark Knight with a light heart. You should tell us all about it."

"Shadow," Ember grunted in annoyance.

Kylo followed them with amusement. Shadow was continuously teasing and chattering at Ember, while all Ember did was sigh, roll her eyes, and grunt out the occasional warning. It hadn't escaped Kylo's notice that Shadow never actually answered his question, nor explained what she was doing, hiding in the alcove.

Shadow's behaviour was starting to remind him more and more of a scared animal—hide until you could no longer, then attack. It was so at odds with the cool, collected behaviour of the Knights that he found it difficult to even accept it was a possibility. In that regard, it wasn't entirely unlikely Shadow had been waiting for them to walk by so she could either join or follow them. He wondered if Ember was aware of this, seeing how she was accepting Shadow's erratic behaviour.

When they arrived, everybody else was already there. It was subtle, but Quicksilver, Daze and Rogue were definitely separated from the rest of them. There was a tense, wary atmosphere. Dot and Burman kept throwing glances, even though Burman smiled slightly at their arrival and motioned Shadow to sit down next to him.

Quicksilver and Daze looked subdued, facing each other and effectively shielding Rogue from the other two. Rogue was trying to exude an air of relaxed arrogance, but he too was obviously tense. Nobody was eating, even though the buffet was already laid out.

"I see you all have met," Kylo said.

He nodded at Ember to take the seat across from Rogue while he sat down next to Dot. Ember gave Rogue a smirk. Rogue gave her an assessing look in return. The others all regarded Kylo.

"You have all witnessed what happened in the hangar," he started. "It seems Rogue is an acquaintance of Quicksilver and Daze. Your two fellow Knights wished to…leave the First Order."

The silence around the room was sharp as a knife, and undoubtedly equally as deadly. Dot, Burman and Shadow didn't respond. Their faces were careful, blank masks as they took in the information. Kylo had expected at least some indignation or anger. He would even have gone for jealousy. But this empty, blank visage made him wonder if the entire situation would be a setback in their general progress.

"Rogue there, as his name hints, is a Rogue Knight. By combining the information he got from Daze and Quicksilver, and rumours that are out in the Galaxy, he managed to correctly guess what our activities here are. He came in the hopes he could join."

Now, at least, there was some reaction as Shadow rapidly blinked in surprise. Dot and Burman were still blank slates.

"He's been sworn back into the Knights," Kylo offered, "and will be learning the Force. He is, however, on probation and well aware that death awaits him, Daze and Quicksilver if he makes one wrong move. They are not allowed to carry weapons, nor to train. They are confined to the small training hall for the time being and only allowed out during meditation sessions and mealtimes. They are not allowed to leave Rogue out of their sight at all. Any transgression will result in their deaths.

"I have decided not to kill either three of them on the spot because they showed hope and conviction. Daze and Quicksilver in deciding to stay despite plans being in place, Rogue in risking his life for a skill he wishes to regain. I can respect that, even though I'm far from pleased."

He abruptly stood. "Now, let's eat."

The others followed suit. From how they moved, Kylo thought Dot, Burman and Shadow were mostly wary of Rogue and not minding Quiksilver and Daze that much at all. It eased his mind somewhat. Any infighting between the Knights would have made it a difficult situation, and one that went against his hopes of turning them into a brotherhood that was more than in their name alone.

Still, dinner was a stilted, tense affair. Not much was said. Even Shadow stayed quiet. Kylo was glad to be finished and head to his quarters. When he stepped outside the mess hall, Ember in tow, he found Phasma waiting for him.

"Go join Hux," he told Ember. "Make sure he doesn't start a riot."

"I don't think he will, sir," she answered, "but I'll make sure."

"Hux?" Phasma asked as Ember walked away.

Kylo guided them through the halls towards his chambers. He didn't care how early it was, he wanted to sleep.

"Yes," he answered Phasma, annoyance creeping in his voice. He still couldn't believe he was trusting Hux to do this. "He'll be addressing the staff in my name. I didn't know what to tell them given the fact that I threatened them with death if they let any information out and am now allowing three men to live after doing exactly that. If anything, Hux is better with words than me. Ember will keep an eye on him."

"Ember?" Phasma echoed.

Kylo looked at her. "Yes, Ember," he said. "I thought you were getting along better?"

Phasma merely grunted in response. Kylo shook his head. As long as they didn't revert back to their earlier animosity, he could deal with some friction.

"Unless something dire happens, I'm not coming out anymore," Kylo said as they reached his rooms. "You're in no way obliged to stay by my door."

"Noted, sir," Phasma answered.

Kylo gave her a look, then shrugged. He had no idea whether that meant she was going to stay or take the opportunity to rest as well, but it was up to her. He walked into his rooms and dropped himself headlong on his bed. Force, it felt impossible that only a day had passed. Blinking hazily, his mind went out to Rey and she instantly appeared before him.

"Ben!" she exclaimed, worried.

He huffed out a tired breath. "You must want to know what happened?" he asked, not moving. The bed was way too comfortable.

Rey raised an eyebrow before letting out a small laugh. She walked towards him, stopping next to the bed.

"You're tired," she said.

It's more a statement than a question. Kylo closed his eyes as her hands started raking through his hair. The brush of her fingertips against his scalp soothed him.

"You must be dying to know," he managed to say. It sounded warbled, even to his own ears.

"It can wait," she answered, a smile in her voice. "You should sleep."

"Where are you going?" he asked as Rey walked away from him.

He turned to his back so he could keep his eyes on her. He was already half asleep but he still knew he wanted her next to him.

"To take off your boots," she answered.

He grunted, feeling her tug on the offensive garments. They finally came off and thumped to the ground. He felt his socks follow the same route. His mind struggled to become alert when Rey climbed onto the bed and straddled his thighs. She leaned forward and gave him a peck on the lips.

"Let's get that vest off as well, hmm?" she murmured.

She grabbed hold of his shoulder and an upper arm, and tried to heave him upright. Both amused and surprised by her strength, he groggily pushed himself up. Rey lightly kissed him again before pulling off his vest and undershirt, leaving him only in his trousers.

"There," she said, sounding pleased. "Isn't that better?"

He wrapped his arms around her small frame and buried his face against her neck.

"Much," he mumbled.

Rey giggled and he tightened his hold.

"Silly you," she said, once more running her hands through his hair.

"It's true," he answered.

He swayed a little, relaxing against her ministrations.

Rey steadied him. "Crawl under the covers and sleep, Ben," she said fondly.

"But I've been ignoring you," he protested even though the prospect was very, very tempting.

"You've been working," she countered. "Very hard, by the look of it. I can wait until morning." She pulled back a little and he grumbled in protest. "You're not escaping me in the morning though," she mock-threatened.

"Okay," he mumbled.

It took some more coaxing and kisses, but Rey finally managed to persuade Ben to step off the bed for a bit so she could pull back the covers. Even then, he was still holding her hand, refusing to let go and making Rey's task just that little bit harder. She didn't seem to mind though, throwing amused glances his way but not trying to pull back her hand.

"There," she finally said. "Now get on the bed."

She shrieked, then giggled as Ben did as he had been told but manhandled her along with him. She ended up half on top of him, his arms holding her tight.

"I sleep, you sleep," he mumbled. "I've been wanting you by my side all day. Not letting you go now."

The surge of emotion coming through the bond was strong and confusing enough for Kylo to crack open an eye and look at Rey.

"You- You want me with you?" she asked.

"Always."

Her smile was brilliant and she buried her head against his chest. "Oh, Ben. I want to be with you as well," she cried out.

"We'll find a way," he answered, tightening his grip. "First, sleep."

Rey laughed. "Maybe you should let go for just a second so I can draw up the sheets?"

"No."

"It's going to get cold, Ben."

"I'll keep you warm."

"Be-en."

He grumbled but loosened his grip. Rey sat up, grabbed the covers and pulled them over them both. She had only just lain back down when Kylo again wrapped his arms around her, pulling her against his chest.

"Sleep," he said, already halfway there.

Rey hummed. "You're cute when you're sleepy," she said.

"Am not," he managed to mumble.

"You are."

He shivered as her hand brushed against his ribs to rest against his back.

"I love you, Ben."

"Love you too."