Kylo opened the door and stepped to the side, allowing TC-7 to walk into his room.

'Master Solo! It's good to see you. If you're hungry, I can prepare some food for you or -' the droid started, but stopped as soon as Kylo raised his hand.

'What are you doing here? I didn't request your presence.' Kylo frowned as he took in the bundle of fabric in TC-7's arms.

Curse this droid.

Kylo had been making such good progress with Rey in the last few minutes, his admiration growing for her as she took in the details of the trials with ease. For the first time since The Supremacy, they had managed to have a proper conversation that lasted more than five minutes.

He had seen the trust in her eyes as he watched her. Some of her frustration and disquiet had dropped for a moment, and all that was left was curiosity. He wanted to carry on with their discussions; there was so much more he wanted to talk to her about.

Talking with Rey felt… natural. Kylo didn't feel like he needed to put any fronts up in front of her. He could breathe properly, without people criticizing and judging his every move.

'I've brought the rest of Mistress Rey's outfits from her spare room. The last time I saw her, she was just wearing a blanket as a coat. Most undignified,' the droid answered.

'You know, I can hear you Tee-Cee.' Rey's voice floated across from where she was sitting, and Kylo had to suppress a smile as he watched the droid peer around his body.

'And you haven't changed yet, Mistress Rey. You know, as Empress of the First Order, you may wish to look more… regal as you relax.' The droid walked around him, the disapproval clear in his robotic voice.

'Rey may wear, or do, as she wishes in our own private quarters. But thank you for your input,' Kylo said through gritted teeth, grabbing the bundle from the droid's arms.

'I was only trying to help, Master Solo. You specifically ordered that I attend to Mistress Rey, and offering friendly advice is all part of the service.'

Kylo rolled his eyes. He didn't know how he managed to do it, but somehow he'd created a robot that was even more annoying than C3PO.

'Mistress Rey, I do hope I haven't offended you. I understand your experience on Wasskah was traumatic, and I hope my 'input' - as Master Solo so politely calls it - hasn't halted your recovery. From which, I assume, you're doing well?' The droid now sounded apologetic.

'No, it's fine Tee-Cee. But thank you. And yes, I feel a lot better after your stew earlier.' Rey smiled as she stood up. She moved towards Kylo, reaching out to grab the bundle of clothing with one hand, but he noticed how she kept the blanket tight around her body with the other.

He saw a light blush stain across her cheeks as she tucked the clothing under her arm.

I want you to be comfortable here, Rey.

He pushed the thought across their bond, watching as the blush deepened on her cheeks, and she hesitantly met his gaze.

'That is good news. I can see that you're resting all your weight on your foot now. I'm so glad that Master Solo fixed your injuries, but I still think you should visit the med bay. Earlier I noted you have heavy scarring on your back. In various human cultures, I've been told that scarring isn't generally valued, so I'm sure that this could easily be lasered away, if you so wish.'

Instantly the good humour and blush drained from her face. Kylo watched as the scavenger froze in front of him, her eyes slipping away from his as she turned her head to the droid.

'Noted. Thanks Tee-Cee,' she murmured.

Kylo could feel the tension rolling off her shoulders as she tightened her grip on her blanket, pulling it higher around herself. He sighed as he watched her move away, disappearing into the small office that was now her room. As the door slid shut behind her, he turned his attention back to the droid.

'You can go now, Tee-Cee,' he muttered. 'And do not disturb us for the rest of the night.'

Kylo closed his eyes, leaning against the doorframe as he heard the droid march out of the room.

Across their bond, he could feel that Rey was throwing up her walls, shielding herself as he tried to peek into her mind. Her upset was tangible in the room.

He didn't know what the next steps were. He had never dealt with a female in such a way before. Did he go to her, or leave her alone with her own thoughts?

He knew this was a conversation they had to have, but he didn't want to force it. He wanted Rey to be open with him on her own terms, and not because a stupid droid had thoughtlessly voiced its opinion to them.

If only he hadn't healed her. They could still be living in a bubble of ignorance for a while longer.

He opened his eyes, looking down at his hands. He could still feel the warmth of the Force as it flowed through him and into her wound.

He knew that it was dangerous. Healing her like that was a slippery slope back to the light side. The minute he brought her back abroad The Silencer, he should have just let the med droids sort her out. Instead, he had marched her to his quarters, the need to help her twisting in his stomach as he heard her groan in pain.

He couldn't let her suffer any longer.

He sighed as he let his hands drop, his eyes moving to the kyber crystal that lay on the table.

Her acceptance and questions of the trials had been admirable. He hadn't seen her flinch, or panic, but simply accept it. She was strong.

So why couldn't he be strong now?

He frowned, clenching his fists as he moved towards her door. For them to be equal, they had to accept each other. They both had stories to tell, and truths to be accepted. This wasn't the time for secrets, or worries.

They had to talk.

Raising his knuckles to the door, he lightly knocked. Time seemed to stretch on as he waited. Maybe she didn't want to talk to him? Maybe she needed to deal with this herself?

As the doubts began to surround his judgement, he was startled when the door slid open. Rey had removed her blanket, and simply stood in the doorway in a sleep vest and shorts, her expression reserved as she watched him.

He kept his eyes locked with hers, knowing the importance of this moment as she stared at him. He could feel her fear and panic as she slowly turned away, walking back to the bed. Her simple cotton top did nothing to shield her back from his curious eyes.

'I guess you've got questions?' she asked. Kylo swallowed as he watched her sit on the edge of her bed, her bare legs pale in the room.

With his past conquests, he had never paid much attention to girl's legs, knowing that there were far more pleasurable things to concentrate on. But with Rey, he was fascinated by her scuffed knees and hardened muscles that tapered down to delicate ankles. They were like a piece of art.

He shook his head. He was getting soft.

'And I guess you've got questions too?' he asked, moving into the room.

Rey shrugged, her expression still guarded as she watched him.

'I do. But I can feel the curiosity burning off you. And I'd rather get it over with,' Rey muttered. 'But I do have to know one thing. And you've got to be completely honest with me.'

Kylo nodded. He could feel her sincerity, mixed with anticipation and fear. Whatever she was about to say, she was scared of his answer.

'Vicrul said I 'sickened him' during the Judgement. So… do I sicken you too?' Rey questioned, her voice tailing off as she watched his face.

Kylo frowned, taken aback as he considered her question.

How could she ask that? Didn't she realise how preposterous that was? He was shocked that she even had to consider that.

But with one glance at her fearful expression, he felt his stomach clench. She honestly believed that she did.

'No, Rey. You don't. And I don't know how you could even ask me that.'

'I'm not sure if you're just being polite, or telling the truth,' Rey laughed, the noise sharp and hollow.

'I mean it. If I thought scars were 'sickening' do you think I would've kept this one for so long?' Kylo touched his own face, tracing the line that Rey's lightsaber had given him just a few months ago. 'They're reminders.'

'Reminders of what?' Rey asked.

'Moments of weaknesses, that ultimately led to moments of strength. The body heals the body, keeps it fighting as it knits back together. If that's not survival or strength, I don't know what is,' Kylo answered.

Slowly he approached the bed, watching Rey's reaction to his movements with interest. She was like a startled jungle cat, her whole body on edge as he closed in on her. He could sense her unease, and wanting to soothe the scavenger, pushed a wave of calm along their connection as he turned away from her.

He sat on the floor, his back braced against the mattress. He knew that Rey clouded his judgement if she was too close, and the coldness of the metal floor allowed for grounding moments of clarity as he turned to study her face. He could feel her questions about his healing bubbling under the surface, and he knew he was going to have to answer them delicately.

'But I'll tell you what does sicken me. It's how you got those scars. They aren't the marks of just a tough life, but a painful one.' Kylo studied her face, feeling a pang of concern tighten his chest as he watched her look away, her expression haunted, and her eyes unfocused as she thought of her past.

'Rey... I'm not looking for answers. And if you want to keep secrets, that's fine. But I have got one more thing to ask,' Kylo said.

Rey turned her face back to him, confusion chasing away the torment as her eyes met his.

'Back in the brothel, Vicrul asked if you had worked in a pleasure tent...And you told me 'Not in the way you're thinking of'. What did you mean?' Kylo said quietly. It was strange. Just voicing that concern felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest.

What he said to her was true; he didn't want or need answers about her past. He was expecting them to come out eventually.

But this.

The thought of Rey acting like Jaara or the other girls in Meione's made him feel sick to the stomach. But at the same time, an unmistakable jolt of white-hot jealously flooded through him.

Rey smiled, the movement not reaching her eyes as she stared down at him.

'I did work in a few of Jakku's pleasure tents. But only as a waitress, or a cleaner. When I was younger I did any jobs that guaranteed ration packs. It was okay work, didn't pay much. But the girls were kind. And they understood my situation. But before that...' Rey sucked in a deep breath, her eyes sliding away from his. 'I was sold into slavery when I was five years old. Hence the scars,' Rey admitted.

Kylo frowned, the jealousy in his stomach being replaced swiftly with a tidal wave of fury.

'That's why I could empathise with Meione's girls. Because I know what it's like to be kicked out as rubbish, and not have anywhere else to go. I suppose I should count my lucky stars I became good at scavenging, otherwise…' Rey shrugged.

'I had… no idea.' Kylo shook his head. 'How old were you when you were first sold?'

Rey raised her hands. 'Five maybe. I'm not sure how old I am now, if I'm honest. I was young though. But I can tell you that abandoned runts on Jakku don't get 'kind' slavers. They get the ones who are bored easily with girls who cry out for their parents at night.' Rey shook her head fiercely, her hands curling into fists as Kylo felt the sadness along their bond.

He could sense she was trying to be so strong - but surely she knew she didn't have to be around him. He needed to soothe her, but he wasn't sure how.

'Rey. I can't help you solve your past. Or what happened to you. But know that, if I ever meet those who sold you into slavery, I'll kill them.' Kylo watched as a small smile crept across her face.

'Then you'll have to join the queue,' she said, her voice sincere as she met his eyes again.

'Okay. And if it helps, your travel papers give your birth year as 15 ABY. It's not a lot to go on, but everyone needs a birthday. Even I've got one,' Kylo smiled.

'Travel papers?' Rey asked, her voice dropping as she studied his face.

Kylo frowned, not understanding why Rey's body froze as she watched him, or why the confusion tore across her face.

'Yes? You know, the ones that Unkar Plutt had? I was actually surprised over the lack of information on them. Normally documentation from Naboo is plentiful, bordering on excessive,' Kylo said, dismissively, shaking his head as a distant memory played on his mind.

It was as though he was back on board the Falcon, watching as his mother stacked boxes of archival books and parchments from Naboo's libraries, looking for anything that would help her study the Jedi Order.

'Theed has one of the greatest libraries in the free world, Ben. But they don't half bury useful information under a pile of flowery words,' Leia said, laughing as she watched the boxes tumble to the floor.

'Naboo? Papers? Ben… I don't have those things.' Rey slowly shook her head, pulling her legs up to fold underneath her chin.

Kylo frowned at her reaction. He knew she had few memories of her parents, and probably nothing of her time before Jakku, but surely she would've searched on Jakku? The drive to discover everything surely would have driven her to distraction.

He turned to face her properly now, rising onto his knees before her.

He could see and sense the panic from her, and knew he had to approach this situation delicately.

'Rey. Believe me when I say you have documents. I've seen them myself. You have to trust me,' he said, his voice soft as he watched the girl in front of him struggle with his words.

'And you wait until now to tell me?' Rey said slowly, the confusion slowly being replaced with fury as she stared at him.

He leant back, her torrent of anger making him flinch as he felt her hurt move along their bond and stab into his head.

This isn't good, he thought.

'I wasn't aware you knew so little. I thought... I thought you would've asked, or done some digging yourself.' Kylo held his hands up in a gesture of submission as he felt the anger roll off her like waves breaking against the shore.

'When did you see this? Recently? Maker, Kylo! How much do you actually know about my past?!' Rey spat. 'You know how desperate I am for answers, and yet here you are, revealing this as though it was nothing!'

She hadn't moved from her position, but he could see her arms shaking with anger as she stared at him, her knuckles white where she had wrapped her arms around her knees.

'Listen, I know it looks bad. But I'm being truthful when I say I had no idea. But if you want, I can show you everything I know about your papers,' Kylo soothed. He knew her anger was justified, but a small part of him wanted to see that fury disappear from her face, and the hurt that he caused to be extinguished. He disliked it when she had called him Kylo, and not Ben.

'What do you mean? How can you do that?' Rey asked, her voice suspicious as she watched him.

Kylo sighed heavily. He forgot that although Rey was probably as powerful as he was, she only had a few months of training. There was so much she didn't know about the Force, or what they could do together when she was properly trained.

'I'm going to show you, Rey. But for that to work, I need your mind to be completely open to mine,' he said.

With displeasure, he saw uneasiness form on Rey's face immediately. He knew it was a big ask. They had already shared and seen so much through their bond, and he knew how special that connection was. However, he knew that both him and Rey intentionally put up barriers to keep their thoughts hidden.

Sharing memories was another degree of intimacy. When they would be connected, every stray thought would be seen by the other, every shared emotion would be magnified. He knew that he could deal with Rey's lightness and power, but he didn't know if she could deal with his darkness.

'You don't have to, if you don't want to. But I want you to know it's there for you,' Kylo said.

A long moment passed as he watched the expressions play across her face. He knew he could go into her mind and see what she was thinking, but that was an invasion of privacy that he knew she would not appreciate.

And, truthfully, he didn't mind not knowing everything. Feeling her emotions lightly move down their bond, and watching her features and eyes play as she came to her decision was fascinating.

'Okay,' Rey said finally.

'Are you sure?' Kylo asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched her unfold herself. During their conversation, he had forgotten that she was wearing sleepwear, and his eyes were drawn to the hardened muscles that moved on her thighs and arms.

A sudden, absurd thought of kissing her wrists, and the soft skin on the inside of her elbow made him turn his face away, his cheeks flaming as he shifted his weight.

Get a grip, he scolded himself. He didn't think ridiculous thoughts like that wouldn't be appreciated when they shared his memory.

'Yes. I've got to know. So… how do we do this?' Rey's hesitant question made him turn back to face her.

'Well, first thing, you've got to trust me. You can't be fighting me,' Kylo said.

'That's going to be tough.'

Kylo smiled as he heard the weak joke. His grin widened as he saw some of the fury disappear from her eye, replaced by a small smile that played on the scavenger's mouth.

'I'm sure you'll manage. It's best you close your eyes,' Kylo said. 'It's not going to be comfortable.'

'I don't mind. As long as I know,' Rey answered, her eyelids fluttering shut.

With her eyes closed, Kylo had a moment to watch the scavenger unaware. Not for the first time, he admired her fine-boned features and the dark slant of her eyebrows. During his years travelling with his parents, and then with the Knights, he had met and been with a selection of women. But none of their faces intrigued him as Rey's did. There was a fierceness, and a quiet beauty that she wore unconsciously. She truly was glorious.

Moving forward slowly, he gently took Rey's face in his hands, his fingertips curving around her cheeks. He hesitantly placed his forehead against hers, a smile tearing across his face as he heard her inhale sharply at their closeness.

With a deep breath, he felt Rey's consciousness nudge against his mind, and with a sharp push he found his mind falling, tugging the memory down with them.

Author's Note: I hope everyone's enjoying this story. I'm curious though. Who's your favourite character? I'd love to know if you have a favourite Knight, or your opinions on the whole trial dynamic. Tell me!

Another huge thank you to my editor 'Across The Stars'. Ten years on and nothing has changed.