The next morning Rey had breakfast, got her things and deliberately tried not to linger in "her room" too long for fear she might start crying at the spot. Without looking back, she closed the door and ventured out to the great hall.

She was going to miss this place, even the littlest things, like how the "great hall" wasn't even that big at all and didn't deserve its title. She then went on her last walk through the castle, making sure she took everything in, the colours of the family crest, the way the light shone through the stained glass of the windows, or the quirky yet intimate characteristics of this fortress.

Domhnall Castle; had become some sort of a home to Rey which was odd since she was brought here against her will. Here, somehow had found some sort of stability, for whatever brief period it lasted.

And now Rey was back to square one, stability going out of the window at great haste being replaced by fears of the unknown. Where on earth could or should she go to? She had absolutely no idea. She couldn't stay with Finn and the army much longer, couldn't go back to that vile cockroach Mr. Plutt, she had no family to go, not even a second or third cousin she could go to. This situation she was in was EXACTLY like the time she had to leave the orphanage; venturing out on her own and it had taken her time to find employment and a place to stay.

And now she had nothing again. She wasn't the type to whine nor was she the type that would admit defeat quickly for she was strong and understood she could survive just about anything. Yet it BUGGED her. It bugged her to start over again, it bugged her that the hardships she had went through were still not over and she wondered when the hell her luck was going to change. For once. She believed it would happen, strike that, she hoped it would happen but when though?

Too lost in her thoughts staring at the Gleeson Family Crest Rey didn't hear him entering the room.

"We should go. Are you ready?", KYlo asked and she was startled by the interruption. Without turning around to him she nodded; internally saying a word of goodbye to the castle she had grown to love. Then she turned around to him, got her bag and they walked out wordlessly.

Outside Kylo pointed to a beautiful white horse with black dots on it and asked her if she needed help getting on it. Rey shook her head and despite her lack of experience with riding horses; managed to get on. Kylo stood there anyway, just in case she might fall off in the process. After seeing that she was probably seated he got on that terrifying, fear inducing horse of his and they started on their journey.

It was very early when they left and foggy yet the orange and yellow colours of the sunrise were easily seen in the sky and Rey intended to look at it as much as she could. She didn't want to talk to him so she did her best to not look at him and to focus on the sky and road ahead.

Kylo told her that Lucas's military settlement was two days ago from where the castle was located so they needed to stay overnight in a tavern somewhere or set up camp.

Two days and nights, Rey thought.

Two days and nights in his presence.

Crap.

Her mind did overtime thinking about what the sleeping arrangements were going to be and that thought made her heart beat faster instantly a whirlwind of emotions set off like firework inside of her. Keen on not letting him know she just replied with a curt "OK", not looking at him, and proceeded to look towards the road instead of her travelling companion.

She sensed that her resentment to talk annoyed him because he let out a tired sigh after she had answered.

A couple of hours into their silent journey, Kylo suggested they'd offer the horses some rest and nourishment, stating the same being beneficial for them. They were finally out of the forest and Rey could see there was a beautiful meadow, filled with all types of flowers nearby. Encompassing the meadow was a small creek and the horses eagerly drank some of the delicious water before being allowed to roam free and eat in the meadow.

Kylo got a jug and went to the creek and filled it with water. He then went back and offered the jug to Rey to which Rey just politely nodded. Kylo took place a metre or two away from her and they silently ate their lunch. Apparently, even after the morning being completely devoid of conversation, Rey still was intent on holding her tongue.

It was starting to get on Kylo's nerves but he didn't want to call her out on it, at least not yet. He had already been quite of a twat towards her the last couple of weeks but he just wished she would say something to him. Heck, he would even prefer it if she would yell at him, call him out on his behaviour and on what he admitted to her in a sudden burst of honesty.

After resuming their journey and both parties not saying anything for half an hour or so Kylo decided to break the silence though, moreover to break the tension. The tension that was killing him.

Didn't she sense it, he thought to himself? It was almost too much for him. It was like at any moment a volcano could was going to erupt, spilling a lava of unaddressed discussions and emotions. What was worse… He felt it. He knew she felt it too for she wasn't dense he knew.

It was chemistry. Pure, unbridled, sexual chemistry and the atmosphere surrounding the travel companions was filled with it. Kylo was trying hard to keep his composure but it was difficult when she was just so close to him.

Oh the things he wanted to do to her, thinking about it made his mouth go dry and simultaneously sent shivers down his pine. He wanted to reach out, pull her towards him, then take her into his arms and kiss her till dawn until ultimately making love to her the entire night, ravishing her and her body in all the ways and forms he could think of.

By God he had never been more drawn to a woman in his life and there she was barely acknowledging his existence. No she was apparently very fixated on anything and everything except him and Kylo hated it. He had to do something, had to know if she even felt a glimmer of what he was experiencing. So he initiated contact with her, hoping she'd finally converse with him and he broke the silence with a question.

"What are your plans when you are back with unc.. ehm Lucas and his troops?", he said curiosity laced in his voice.

Rey shrugged and swiftly replied that she hadn't an idea yet.

"I see. Well. As I told you I will give you some compensation for- "

This warranted a more detailed reaction from her, a reaction he was caught off guard to for she seemed to be angry and interrupted him quickly.

"There will be NO NEED for your money, thank you. I am sure I'll manage", she snapped at him.

"I am offering the money so I can help you get settled in some capacity-", Kylo said wishing to explain his intentions.

"I don't need your money. You can't buy me off", Rey interjected again.

"WHAT?" Kylo said and Rey heard the annoyance in his voice yet she did not waver.

"I am NOT one of those girls you can offer money so she keeps her mouth shut!", Rey spewed.

Kylo abruptly pulled the leads of his horse and his ever loyal stead Romulus stopped almost immediately. He then effortlessly got off, walked over to Rey's horse and made it still in its movement by tugging the bridle.

"What are you doing?", Rey asked a bit puzzled by his reaction still quite angry though. Kylo didn't reply and took control over of both, tying them eventually to some trees nearby. He then turned and walked over to where Rey, stopping closely in front of her.

"Get off the horse", he said with an annoyed look on his face, his voice matching the mood.

"NO", Rey said crisply even though she was getting slightly anxious about the situation.

"I SAID. Get OFF the horse", Kylo repeated even more sternly than the previous time he asked her this question.

"NO", Rey said again, this time shaking her head for extra confirmation. Like who did he think he was? Even if he is a prince the gall of him to ordering her around like that, how dare he really?

He stared at her for half a minute without saying anything and for some foolish reason Rey thought that she had won this argument and they would quickly continue their way.

Or so she thought.

Rey wasn't expecting him putting two hands on her waist and pulling her to him. The movement startled her immensely and she had no choice but to fall over in a reflex, her hands flying to his shoulders so she could steady herself.

Not that he was going to let her fall no, Kylo had instantly grabbed her, one hand firmly on her back, the other firmly situated above her waist.

Rey's feet were not touching the ground and her head was resting on his shoulders, he was basically holding her, quite close to him if I might add, mid-air like it was nothing as well. Good God, he was strong as a bull, Rey noted before coming back to her senses. She should yell at him to let her go but before she could do so, he had put her down and proceeded to look deeply into Rey's eyes, seemingly breathing a bit heavy.

Rey had forgotten about yelling at him in that moment, all she could do was look back at him, her heart going a mile a minute. He composed himself and took two paces back but did not remove his eyes from her.

"I believe you have some unsaid grievances with me and even IF you do not talk about those issues I can still sense you not being very pleased with me. Instead of holding your tongue, why won't you tell me Rey? Maybe we can mend some things between… Ehm, all I am saying is that we still have a long journey ahead of us. It might be easier if we'd clear the air before we continue. So, go ahead, speak Rey. I promise I won't interrupt you".

Said Rey didn't know quite exactly what to do, slap him, scream at him, slap him and then and scream at him? Why should she explain herself, didn't he know what he had done to her?

She hated this, hated having to explain herself to him, hated everything right about now and vehemently wished she had never left the orphanage. Rey looked away from him and silence overwhelmed her.

Rey was trying to figure out what she could say to him but shortly after Kylo impatiently stated "Today, if that is fine with you.".

That arrogant bastard, Rey thought.

Fine. If he wanted hell, he could get it and as she gazed at him she started her tirade and angrily gazed at him directly.

"How DARE you? How dare your men to kidnap me while I was out searching for medicinal plants that could help my friend. Thanks to you. I don't know if he is dead or alive", Rey said with a trembling voice. She didn't know if her voice trembled to do anger or sadness but it was too late to back out now.

Kylo's face on the other hand contorted into a scowl because Rey mentioned Finn again but luckily refrained from comment.

"How dare you keep me somewhere against my will, might I add UNDER the FALSE PRETENSE of trying to get information out of me, as if I of all people would be informed about military strategies. I told you I didn't know anything and yet you still kept me hostage and never answered my questions as to when I could leave. Keeping me locked up in the castle for your own personal reasons".

Upon hearing this Kylo's expression had changed, he had been listening to her intently but somehow he seemed to be even more eager to know what could come next… Wondering if she was going to there.

Rey was doing exactly that, trailing off into deeper waters, to the things that were better left unsaid so she quickly changed direction.

"How dare you even suggest a financial compensation as I am some sort of trollop you, you… and then can me buy off at your whim, as if I am easily discarded. I know pressing charges against you is futile in the current conditions, and you can fall back on claiming my capture was validated for information purposes. "

Rey stopped talking after her last statement, wondering if she should bring up the GINORMOUS ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. She didn't want to but her mouth and mind overruled her.

"As if abducting me wasn't bad enough you then, out of nowhere, reveal your true? intentions by revealing, no claiming you're in love with me. Am I joke to you, Kylo? For It can't be true, I don't believe you."

Rey shook her head and her eyes were starting to fill with tears.

"Why?" Kylo asked softly, not being able to keep quiet any longer and taking a step towards Rey.

"Don't you get it? Don't you see? You are a prince for Christ sake. I am an orphan and an unemployed barmaid that goes on scavenger hunts in her spare time. I have no home. No next of kin. No skills. No education."

"I AM NO ONE. I am NOTHING", Rey said and her voice cracked.

Kylo shook his head and took another step in Rey's direction.

"NOT TO ME", he said and a short silence followed, accompanied with a deep sigh.

"Not to me, Rey", he repeated with an earnest expression. They were standing close now as close as when he had embraced her a while ago. There was no need for Rey to hide her emotions any longer for they were flowing down Rey's face in abundance.

Kylo wanted desperately to pull her into his arms to console her but he was unsure still. She hadn't said anything about whether or not SHE felt even the slightest

"Anything else you would like to share with me?", he gently prodded with an equally gentle intonation. Rey sighed and wiped some of her tears away then stared down as if to gain some courage and her gaze stayed down as she spoke next.

"How dare you come back after two weeks, not knowing if you would ever come back, to just send me away. away from-..."

Rey swallowed a lump in her throat.

"I. I know it is wrong. I shouldn't feel this way. I don't know what happened but it is just that I have grown accustomed to you... a bit and-"

Kylo's pulse quickened and his breath hitched for he thought

"It's just that."

"I don't want to be away from you, Kylo.", Rey admitted nervously, hoping the ground would swallow her hole now for she had laid the truth bare between them.

Kylo's chest rose and fell and he found it difficult to breathe. With heart overruling mind and every other objections and excitement pouring out him, Kylo got a hold of Rey's head, tilted it up and leaned over to Rey.

He shyly yet firmly pressed his lips upon hers.