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

xXxXxXx

Kylo stared at her. "What?"

"I believe she's been swayed by Hux," Phasma repeated.

"And why, do tell, do you think that? She declared to kill him if he so much as said something wrong when he explained Rogue to the crew."

However, if he was honest with himself, he did remember her odd behaviour at the time. Had it meant something other than the stress of the day? Should he have picked up on it? Investigated it? It was odd not to trust Ember. She had, after all, sworn herself to him.

"Declaring is one thing, actually doing it is another," Phasma said gruffly. "More than once, a Guard, independent of each other, reported to me to have seen them whispering and looking surprised, even guilty, when caught. One reported that they 'jumped away from each other' when he entered the room they were in.

"I have no hard evidence so I decided not to report any of this to you just yet. I am, however, keeping a close eye on them. I don't trust it. I may have been friendly towards her in the recent past, and I do acknowledge her skills, but that doesn't mean I fully trust her."

Kylo stayed silent and worried his lips, contemplating Phasma's words. He didn't know what to make of it. Could it be true? Every fibre in his body resisted the thought, but he couldn't allow himself to become complacent because of his emotions. Because he didn't want it to be true. But if it was, he had a massive problem.

"Thank you for telling me, Phasma," he said. "I'll think about the issue. Keep monitoring the situation." He dragged a hand through his hair. "I do think we can't let the ruse with the Resistance rest because of it though," he continued.

Phasma narrowed her eyes but didn't comment. Kylo knew she would leave if he ordered it so, but he also realised she would not appreciate it.

"What do you think Hux's goal is?" he asked.

"Sir?"

"If she is, as you said, swayed by Hux, then why? What is his goal?"

"To take you out," she answered promptly.

"And then what?"

"Use Ember's status and the other Knights to take control."

"Would he want another war with the Resistance?"

Phasma gave him a suspicious look. "I'm not sure."

"Would he want to annihilate them?"

"Possibly. They would remain a threat to him."

"Even if he could negotiate?"

"What is this leading to, sir?"

"Would you send Ember on a mission with Jessy? Instead of going yourself?"

"Then I would rather go myself, sir!" she answered vehemently.

"That's decided then," he stated. "Put Jessy on normal rotation and go out on a coordinated mission against the Resistance. I will figure out what to do with Ember."

"Sir!" Phasma protested.

"Put extra Guards on me if you feel the need to, Phasma," he allowed. "Even if she's with Hux, even if she decides to do something drastic and, say, attack me, I can handle her. Yes, she's got the Force now, but she's still far from being my equal." He sighed. "And I must admit, I find it hard to believe that she would go against me."

"Sir," Phasma said again, this time a bit of a plea in her voice.

"I'm not putting your warning aside, Phasma," he said. "I will look into it. But, right now, I'm inclined to give her the benefit of the doubt."

Phasma gazed at him for a while, before slowly nodding her head once. Kylo could see it pained her, but he was firm in his resolution. He could not condemn Ember on the suspicions of one person, even if that person was Phasma.

"How long will it take for you to set up a mission with Jessy?" he asked.

Phasma tilted her head slightly, thinking. "A few days. I need to pick up Troopers at the Supremacy to take along. Maz will have to set up a couple of things as well. It will take a week, at most."

Kylo nodded. "Do what you must," he said. "Is there anything else?"

"No, sir," Phasma answered, putting her helmet back on. "I'll report any new information about Ember to you immediately."

Again, Kylo nodded. Once Phasma had left, he dragged his hand through his hair and worried his lips. He felt uneasy. Unsettled. In the end, he gently nudged Rey over their bond.

"Are you free?" he asked.

"As always, yes," she answered. "Let me just step out of the hangar."

There were a few moments of silence before she appeared in front of him.

"Ben," she exclaimed upon seeing him. "What's wrong? You look worried."

He explained to her what Phasma had relayed to him and what he'd observed himself. "I don't know what to think," he ended his explanation. "I could use your input."

Glancing up at her, he was surprised to see Rey pinching her lips together and looking highly amused.

"They're caught whispering?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Jumping apart when someone walks in? Both acting weird when you talk about Ember killing him? Although you still believe she was sincere in that moment?"

"Yes," he answered again, confusion and impatience in his voice.

"And Ember picked some of his mannerisms?"

"It's decidedly odd."

Rey laughed and Kylo scowled at her.

"What by the Force is funny about this?" he demanded.

"Oh, Ben," Rey giggled. "You and Phasma are dunderheads."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm quite certain Ember is with Hux, yes."

"What!" Kylo burst out, alarmed. "How can you just say that?"

Rey chuckled again. "It sounds to me like they're in a relationship. You know? In love."

Kylo stared at her, completely dumbfounded, and Rey burst out laughing again. He couldn't wrap his head around what she had just said. A relationship?

"Ember?" he questioned. "With Hux?" He blinked, mind oddly blank. "No. That can't be."

"And why not?" Rey asked, coming down from her laughing fit.

"They're opposites. He's a stickler for rules. Ember is gruff, blunt, and arrogant. How could that ever work?"

"That doesn't sound like opposites to me," she answered. "And with Ember being a Knight, I would say that there are quite a few rules she adheres to."

"Then explain them acting as if they got caught."

"Really, Ben?" Rey asked with another giggle. "They were probably kissing."

Kylo felt like his head would explode. The mental image that remark generated was one he did not wish to contemplate. He dragged his hand through his hair.

"That's…" he started, not knowing what he actually wanted to say.

"Why don't you just ask her?" Rey asked.

"Confront her?" Kylo mumbled. "What if she lies? It's easier to admit to a relationship than admitting to plotting against me."

Rey shrugged. "Don't confront her dead-on then, but be subtle about it?"

"Subtle?" he echoed with disbelief.

"Just ask her, Ben," Rey said with another amused huff. "Don't keep brooding about it."

"I'll consider it," he relented. "I'll wait for more reports by the Guard first."

"And you think she won't notice she's being watched? From what I gather about Phasma's personality, she's going to go all out to prove herself either right or wrong before she has to leave you behind to go on that mission."

"Probably, yes," Kylo admitted. "But- Either scenario is near impossible to believe."

Rey laughed again. "You'll figure it out," she said. "So, what are your plans for the rest of the afternoon?"

"Nothing much," he answered. "Derek has wrung enough paperwork out of me this morning so he no longer needs me, and the training fields are booked so I can't train. I was thinking about visiting the construction site. They're almost ready to start bringing in the preconstructed building elements. It's just, I risk being mobbed by the project managers."

"Mobbed even?"

"They're relentless in their questions. There's a reason why I have them go through Derek. Before you know it, they've spent half an hour talking about one detail and whether or not it needs adjusting, only to decide not to decide upon anything just yet. It's infuriating."

"Poor you," Rey mocked, grinning.

Kylo glared at her. "What about you?" he asked.

"I was tinkering with some droids. I'm building little ones to keep children company. A bit like pets."

Kylo smiled at her. "Do you know how to mind-trick people?" he asked. "I know you have before." He mock-narrowed his eyes at her. "With one of my Troopers," he continued. "But do you know how to do it on purpose?"

"I … don't know," Rey answered. "I've never tried. Why would I need that here?"

"To get out without being noticed?" he suggested.

"Ha!" she exclaimed. "That would be nice, yes. Do you think you can teach me? Isn't the bond going to make it impossible for me to try this on you, and vice versa?"

"I can teach you the theory," Kylo said. "You can test it on unsuspecting Resistance members."

"Wouldn't you like that?" Rey teased.

"Wouldn't you?" he responded.

Rey blinked at him, then ignored the comment. "Teach me then," she said.

xXxXxXx

It took Kylo three more days to work up the courage to confront Ember. There hadbeen no more reports from the Guard, but the idea that Ember may not be loyal to him—no matter how unlikely—ate at him. Eventually, he decided to summon both Ember and Hux to his office.

"Sir," they both greeted.

"Is there a problem, sir?" Hux asked.

Kylo stood in front of his desk, regarding them both.

"I am not sure," he answered. "It depends on who I believe."

"Sir?" Ember questioned.

"Word of certain…occurrences have reached me." He watched with worry as tension crept into Hux's shoulders and Ember's face went blank. "Would you care to explain?"

They both minimally turned their heads towards each other, as if they wanted to glance but didn't dare to. Dread settled in Kylo's stomach.

"Would you care to elaborate on those occurrences, sir?" Hux ventured.

"So you can adapt your answer?" Kylo shot back.

"I swore loyalty to you, sir," Ember stated. "Do you doubt me now?"

"I'd rather not," he answered. "I find it highly unlikely that you would turn against me. I can't, however, let these sorts of things slide because I don't feel like believing them."

"I understand, sir."

"Do you?" he asked. "Do you really?" Kylo shook his head. "The one standing next to you has a silver tongue. It is him I distrust most."

Ember clenched her fists while Hux frowned.

"What has he been telling you, Ember of Ren?" Kylo asked.

"Sir, I am sorry you have to find out this way. I was planning on telling you sometime in the future, when our positions are more secure. Can I implore you to-"

"I have been telling her that I've fallen in love with her," Hux blurted out, his neck, ears and cheeks burning red.

"Hux!" Ember exclaimed.

Kylo snapped his head towards him. To hear Hux admit to such a thing had him momentarily speechless, even though he had half expected it. Still, he made sure to scrutinise Hux while gathering his wits about him again.

"But is it true?" Kylo eventually asked, his voice conveying a slight threat.

"Yes!" Hux cried out, meeting Kylo's eyes and holding his gaze.

"You see," Kylo answered. "I have some difficulty believing it. You disliked her from day one. You're dead scared of the Force, yet she now uses it. Do you really think I would believe you?" He turned towards Ember. "And why, Ember of Ren, do you believe him?"

Ember blinked at him. "Because it's true," she answered. Kylo merely raised an eyebrow. She gritted her teeth, as if her next words were nay impossible to say. "And because I feel the same."

"You do?" Hux said. His eyes were wide and his voice filled with cautious hope.

Kylo took a step back, looking from one to the other.

"Of course I do, you idiot," Ember said. "I've laid my weapons down while in the same room as you, and only you."

"But, you lay down your weapons when you meditate," Hux said, bewildered.

"Because the Supreme Leader orders me to. Besides, they're always within reach. Have you ever ordered me to put down my weapons?"

"No. And you wouldn't listen anyway."

"Well, obviously not, they're my weapons, but that's beside the point."

Kylo dragged a hand across his face, watching the two of them watching each other. After a moment, he coughed lightly. Both Ember and Hux snapped back into attention.

"Explain," Kylo demanded.

"You want me to explain an emotion?" Ember asked, unnerved.

Kylo almost laughed, exasperated. "I want you to explain to me how I can still trust you if you're in a relationship with him, of all people?"

"She would kill me in the blink of an eye if I ever overstepped," Hux answered.

"Then how can you love her?" Kylo snapped at him.

"Duty over heart, sir," Ember said, just above a whisper. "It would kill me to do so, but I would do it."

"And I admire that in her," Hux added. "Her loyalty and dedication."

Ember gave Hux a sad smile, one he returned. Not once since Kylo had given Ember the order to guard Hux had he expected anything like this would happen. He wanted to squeeze his eyes shut, but he still couldn't trust the situation.

He was ascertained that Ember had not strayed from his side but he distrusted Hux. He wondered if the man was capable of misleading Ember like this. It was right up his alley scheming wise, but would he be willing to use himself in such a way? He was a proud man, that much Kylo knew. He needed to know for certain.