The city of Theed broke through the clouds like a glittering jewel, the early morning light reflecting off the domed roofs and spires. In the distance, Kylo could just about make the Royal Palace - the once grand building now partially hidden by the Galactic Empire-era skyscrapers that had dominated the skyline from years past.

The Supreme Leader sighed, breaking his gaze away from the upcoming city. Memories from his childhood of visiting this ancient metropolis made his stomach twist uncomfortably. In his mind, Theed was synonymous with his parents, and this wasn't something he wanted hanging over him as he accompanied Rey on her trial.

Rey. He smiled as he turned his face away from the window of the shuttle, his gaze landing on something that was far more interesting to him than Naboo's capital.

The scavenger was staring out of the window, her body twisted in her seat so she could look through the small porthole at the city. Her expression was hungry as the ship began its descent. In an effort to conceal their identities, Rey had been dressed in the casual attire of a midborn woman, and the simple blue dress and dark headdress had made Kylo double take when he first saw her. He was so used to Rey wearing trousers and tunics that seeing her in a flowing dress had made his heart pound erratically.

'How long?' Rey asked, breaking his trance as she turned to face him.

'Twenty minutes, if that. We're not landing in the spaceport, but a more... unofficial dock, just to the left of the city,' Kylo answered. Lowering his voice he leant forward, casting his eyes around the crowded freighter. 'It's probably worth sitting forward now. You've got to remember that you come from Karlinus. For you, travelling to Theed is normal.'

Rey nodded, taking a deep sigh as she turned back in her seat. Along their bond, Kylo could feel eagerness mixing with nervousness as her leg started to jiggle beside him.

Taking the opportunity, Kylo gently reached from his seat and grasped her hand, his thumb hesitating at the bandage that Rey had wrapped around the wound that Vicrul had caused the day before.

'It doesn't hurt much,' Rey said, her other hand coming to rest over his. 'It was just a surface wound.'

'It doesn't matter. Vicrul acted maliciously, and with an intent to harm. It's…' Kylo trailed off, his anger rising in his stomach as he thought of his lieutenant. Idly, he wondered when the correct time to dispose of the blonde-haired Knight would be. Vicrul had it coming, and surely he must know that his deliberate intentions to harm Rey wouldn't go unnoticed by Kylo.

But the Supreme Leader also knew that Vicrul wielded unnatural power over a significant portion of the Knights. Cutting off the head of the beast wouldn't be enough. He had to act carefully if he didn't want a mutiny on his hands.

'It's odd isn't it?' Rey said, her fingertips on his hand making Kylo jump. Following her gaze down to their locked hands, he could see she was tracing the simple silver band he was wearing on his left hand, it's matching twin looking delicate against Rey's freckled ring finger.

'Odd? In what way?' Kylo asked, wincing at his question as he looked at her hand. The cheap looking wedding bands were ugly, but necessary. In their falsified papers that Trudgen had produced before boarding their shuttle to Karlinus, their relationship status had been listed as 'married'. Trudgen had simply remarked 'it would look weirder if two unattached people were travelling together', but Kylo had an inkling that the Knight enjoyed watching them blush as they wore their matching rings.

That thought had only been exacerbated further when Trudgen had wished them a fond honeymoon as they boarded the shuttle.

'In the way that we had a conversation about this, and we agreed to wait… Yet, here I am, wearing a wedding ring. It just feels a little rushed...' Rey said quietly, her voice so low to not attract attention from nearby passengers. She was refusing to meet his gaze, but he could see the blush staining her cheeks.

'Well, it's not real, if that helps,' Kylo said softly, feeling Rey's worry against their bond. 'It's just our cover story to get us through this first trial, and as soon as we're aboard The Silencer again, we'll take them off. Promise. I haven't forgotten what we agreed.'

He stared at Rey, watching her reaction as she methodically fiddled with her ring. The silver gleamed as she spun the band around. It was frustrating how the scavenger gave so little up about herself. He craved knowing her innermost thoughts: her worries, her desires, her passions... He knew that with a simple dive into her thoughts, he could learn everything he needed to know, gorging himself on the glory that was Rey. But breaking that barrier was unthinkable. He just had to be patient.

'You haven't told me why we're going down to Theed. What is it we're looking for?' Kylo asked.

'I wasn't sure if I was meant to...? I thought this was meant to be my trial, and you were just assisting me?' Rey countered back, finally looking up. Her hazel eyes were swimming with confusion as she stared at him.

'How am I meant to assist you if I don't know where we're going? I've walked these streets countless times. I can help you find what you're looking for, but I can't go any further,' Kylo responded.

Rey pursed her lips as she considered this, leaning back in her seat as she stared up at the ceiling.

This gave Kylo the perfect chance to just gaze at her. Having the chance to watch Rey was like offering a starving man a banquet. It was intoxicating to see how she's changed since their first meeting on that frozen planet, and even the subtle differences from when she took his hand aboard The Supremacy.

He was pleased to see that the hungry look had all but disappeared from her face, replacing the scarily angular cheekbones with slightly softer curves, and the tired violet rings from her eyes had begun to fade. She looked well-rested, energised, as she looked down again.

'We're looking for my name. That's what I'm focussing on. I want to find out my family name. And I think the best place to find them would be in the transportation log that logged them from leaving Naboo to Jakku,' Rey admitted quietly.

'A name? Is that all?'

Kylo was astounded at her admission, confusion flooding his mind as he stared at the girl. Such a simple request, and to Kylo… a pointless one. Why bother looking for her name? It didn't mean anything. They had travelled across the Mid-Rim… for this?

She met his gaze with anger, bright blooms of colour staining her cheeks as she glared at him.

'Oh I'm sorry, is that not good enough?' she spat. 'I've never had a name, and I think I deserve one.'

'It's odd though. We're travelling down to Theed for something so…' Kylo waved his hand in the air as he grasped for the right word. '...useless. You could just pick a new name, if you wanted. It's easy.'

Rey snorted with disgust. 'You don't get it, do you? And no wonder. You wouldn't understand what it's like. To not know who you are day after day.'

Kylo leant back in his seat, astonished by her fury as she turned away from him again, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

She didn't bother looking at him again as they felt the ship land, when the heat and perfumed air of Theed's suburbs drifted in through the porthole windows. Along their connection, he mulled over the anger and hurt she felt, feeling his own answer rotate in his mind as they followed the rest of the passengers out into the streets. Her fury fueled the fire of his own annoyance as they stepped out into the sultry air. They both tugged their hoods over their faces, their bodies covered from head to toe in billowing cream cloaks. Rey marched ahead of him.

In the years since he had last been to Theed, the city had changed. Through various droid battles, and the slow takeover by the First Order, the ancient metropolis was turning into a hybrid beast. New buildings were slowly patching up ruined temples, the shiny metal exoskeletons hiding the soft stone and terracotta sandstone as it evolved into something that mixed old and new.

Even the people were more varied now. He could still see Gungans and the Naboo, but they were interspersed with First Order sympathisers, the city attracting more and more races and species as visitors flocked to see the ancient palaces and places of worship.

Grasping Rey's elbow, he yanked her down a side street, away from the general hustle and bustle of the crowds.

Here, the alleyways ran like small rivers, the smell of saffron and spices emitting from every window. It was a sensory overload, and one that Kylo had got tired of years ago.

'Hey! That hurts,' Rey exclaimed, her fury being replaced with surprise as Kylo pushed her into a dark corner, his hands grabbing her elbows and forcing her to look at him.

'You said 'you don't know what it's like, to not know who you are day after day,' right? So you're assuming that I know who I am, is that right?' Kylo asked her.

The scavenger leant back, confusion knitting her brow as she stared up at him. But as swiftly as the apprehension appeared, it vanished under Rey's frown.

'That's exactly right. You don't know what it's like. To feel so… conflicted and confused over your own identity. To never have had a home,' Rey responded.

'Okay, Rey. Fine. If you believe that… who am I?' Kylo snarled at her.

Rey blinked at the man looming above her. 'Is this a test? You're… Kylo Ren. Supreme Leader of the First Order.'

'Correct. But I'm also Kylo Ren, leader of the Knights Of Ren. Or Kylo Ren, heir to Snoke - or murderer of Snoke, as I think some of my officers call me behind my back. I'm also 'boy' by that idiot Hux, or 'my Lord' to Pryde. I'm the grandson of Darth Vader, or the heir to Darth Sidious. As Vicrul likes reminding me, I'm Ben Solo, ex-Jedi. I'm the nephew of Luke Skywalker, and grandson of Padme Amidala, Queen of Naboo. I'm the son of Han Solo, so I'm also heir to the Millenium Falcon. I'm the only child of General Leia Organa, or if you like, the last remaining Prince of Alderaan. I was born on Chandrila, but I'm also technically from Corellia from my father, or the asteroid Polis Massa from my mother. I come from the royal houses of Alderaan, Naboo and the slave family from Tatooine. I was named after a Jedi who I never met, but I was expected to live up to his reputation. I'm a prince, a pilot, a son, a Jedi, a Sith, a fighter, a leader, the son of a scavenger, the grandson of a slave, and soon to be an Emperor and maybe even a husband. So tell me, Rey, who am I? Because it looks like having no names can sometimes be simpler than having too many!' Kylo Ren broke off, releasing Rey as he finished his outburst.

It felt cathartic to voice everything that had been brewing up inside him for seemingly decades now. He knew he should've calmed down, voiced it in a more… reasonable way, but he couldn't. He had to let Rey know, she had to understand. He knew it probably wouldn't change her mind, but for her just to disregard him and his legacy and the weight of responsibility that hung over his head was unforgivable.

Kylo leaned back into the cool alcove, his eyes focusing on a spot above her head. 'You may not have a family name, but at least that makes you free. Having a family that is constantly expecting the very best in you, and then the very worst in you, isn't all it's cracked up to be,' he admitted.

Rey was silent for a long while, which made Kylo nervous. Letting the scavenger in little by little was terrifying to him, but he knew that the time spent denying his attraction to Rey had long past. He felt like he was falling into a pit that was made up of her smile, her dark eyes, her resilience. How they progressed further into their relationship was entirely up to her, and he was going to take his time.

'I shouldn't have snapped. I'm sorry.' Kylo looked down, finally locking eyes with the girl in front of him. To his surprise, she was blushing and looked worried as she stared at him.

'I feel like I should be the one to apologise. Although I don't know my family, I know yours. And I can feel that connections to you are a sore spot. I should've thought more.' Rey furrowed her brow.

At the thought of his family, Kylo stiffened. He could sense that he was walking into a trap of his own making. Talking about his family made the face of his father flash before his eyes; the expression he had had just before Kylo had plunged the lightsaber into his stomach. The trust in his father's eyes, and the acceptance of his own demise to further Kylo's descent into the Dark Side. They say that a parent would sacrifice everything for their child, and on that day, that's exactly what Han Solo had done.

'They mean nothing to me,' Kylo said, his words and reactions more automatic than truthful these days. He peeked out of their hiding spot, casting his eyes down the alleyway. 'We should get going. We've got a lot of ground to cover.' People weren't paying any attention to the couple, their minds consumed with their next meal and how they were going to scratch a living for the day.

'This way,' Kylo said, gesturing down the street. He set off at a punishing speed, half-listening to Rey's light footsteps as she followed behind him. Although the day was still early, Kylo knew they were going to have to cover a fair distance before they took their lodgings that night, and he was eager to get most of the walking down before the heat of the day caught up with them.

As they walked through the winding streets, Kylo could almost feel Rey's curiosity burning through his mind. She was experiencing Theed for the first time, and he could sense her anticipation as he guided them through the bustling thoroughfares.

Theed, he reflected, was like most metropolises. Rich where it counted, but also with areas of dizzying poverty. And the years and wars had not been kind to this part of the city.

'Where are we going? I thought we landed back there,' Rey's voice cut through his musings.

'That's correct, we did,' Kylo acknowledged. He flinched as he felt Rey's hand wrap around his forearm, slowing his pace down.

'So why are we going this way? If we're looking for a port that is designed for people leaving Naboo unofficially, surely that would be the best place to start?' Rey asked.

'Sound logic. But if you can recall, we simply hopped on a ship departing from Karlinus, and it dropped us off at that port. A transport taking passengers to the Western Reaches wouldn't be departing from a Mid-Rim station. We have to cross the city to find that station,' Kylo answered, keeping his voice quiet as they wove in and out of the crowds.

Rey was quiet as she thought this over, her grasp never loosening on his arm. As they passed by a group of workers, Kylo glared at the wolf whistles the men emitted as they spotted a glimpse of Rey's face under her hood. Instantly he wanted to draw her closer, claim her as his, but he ignored this burning sensation. He had no claim over the scavenger.

'Okay… Then how do you know where Inner Rim transporters leave from?' Rey asked.

Kylo smiled at her then, catching her eye as she looked at him. 'There's some perks to being the Supreme Leader of the First Resistance. Insider information.'

Rey rolled her eyes, squeezing his arm slightly. 'Must be nice to know whatever you want at the click of your fingers,' she joked, a grin breaking out across her face.

'It could be worse,' Kylo chuckled. At the sound of another cat-call, Kylo felt the smile slip from his expression, as he glared at the men who were openly leering at Rey at this point.

'Don't let them bother you. I don't, and it's me they're trying to heckle,' Rey said quietly, feeling his fury along their bond as she soothed it with her mind.

'You sound as though you're used to this sort of unwarranted attention,' Kylo muttered, moving quickly through the crowd, his arm slipping out from Rey's grasp as he deliberately wrapped his arm around her waist. He heard her inhale sharply at this movement. He tried to convince himself that this action was only to quickly pull the scavenger away from those leering men, and nothing more.

'Not exactly. But when you grow up on a planet mainly populated by men, you get to know a few tricks,' Rey answered. Kylo turned to look at her fully then. Her expression was thoughtful, yet the pink stain on her cheeks and the almost embarrassed glint in her eye made his mind go down paths he had never considered before.

A memory tugged at Kylo's mind, drawing him back to his training session with Trudgen only a few weeks back.

'What?' The Knight responded to Kylo's snort of derision. 'She is hot! I bet she's left a trail of heartbreak behind her on that desert planet she was found on.'

At the time, Kylo had not even thought it was possible. Rey was so closed off, so afraid of human connection, that picturing her in a romantic session was almost laughable. But by the blush on her cheeks... was this really a conversation that they were going to have?

'And… with these Jakku men, was there anyone you didn't mind 'heckling' you? Anyone special?' he asked, trying to keep his tone light as he pulled Rey through the streets. He was walking on autopilot at this moment, using his memory and the Force to act as a guide as he used his concentration to focus on the blushing scavenger wrapped around his arm.

'... Nobody special, but not… someone forgettable, I suppose.' Rey's answer was slow and measured as she kept her eyes fixed on a spot ahead.

Kylo pursed his lips, a pang of jealousy ripping through him as he slowed his footsteps.

So this is a conversation we're about to have.

He was about to ask the name of this good-for-nothing when a sweet, homey smell made him pause. Nearby, a vendor was selling food from a crate, and the Supreme Leader was acutely aware that Rey hadn't had enough time to grab breakfast abroad The Silencer before they left.

'Are you hungry? I'm famished,' Kylo asked. The scavenger peeked up at him, surprise clearing the embarrassment from her features as she looked between Kylo and the vendor.

He knew that his sudden change in conversation was enough to make anyone's head spin, but he didn't want to continue this unpleasant chat on an empty stomach. The menial chat with the vendor would be a welcome distraction from the pictures of Rey with another man that were currently running through his head.

'Yes. Do we have money?' Rey asked.

'I have enough for street food. Two portions please,' Kylo asked. He watched as the vendor picked two of the sweet bread rolls into a paper bag, his stomach gurgling with anticipation. Taking his arm from around Rey's waist, he quickly paid the man, handing Rey the warm bag before setting off through the crowds

'What is this?' Rey asked, pulling her portion of the sweet-smelling loaf out of the bag.

'Five-blossom bread. A Naboo speciality. My… mother used to bring it back about The Falcon after diplomacy talks in the Royal Palace. It's sweet.' The memory of his mother handing him large portions of this sugar-laden snack made him smile for a brief moment.

'It's heavenly. Different from the ration bars I grew up with,' Rey said, her mouth glistening with sugar as she hungrily devoured the bun.

'So... this unforgettable man from Jakku. Does he have a name?' Kylo asked.

'Pádraig,' Rey answered quietly.

'Pádraig… Interesting. And what did Pádraig do? Did you meet scavenging or...' Kylo kept his tone light as he felt the embarrassment radiating from the scavenger.

'No! No… He was the son of an Osmiridium dealer. I expect he's moved off-world though, there isn't much of a life to be carved out from sand and ruins,' Rey shrugged.

'Osmiridium? That's a metal found in lightsabers. It's rare,' Kylo mused. Rey's eyebrows flew up at this, and she looked thoughtful as she continued walking alongside the taller man. Kylo missed having his arm around her, but he couldn't think of a good enough excuse to replace his arm around her again.

'That explains why they were so rich. Pádraig was expected for greatness. You know, a large house, a fine marriage to a wealthy girl... That sort of thing,' Rey said.

'And yet, he chose you. So, what? Was it a casual relationship, or a deeper romance or...?' Kylo asked, his mind wholly invested in her next answer.

'Casual. Very casual. I guess you could say we were just friends who used each other for… benefits,' Rey blushed at this once again.

'I see. Interesting,' Kylo said, jealousy bubbling up in his gut once more. He was trying to keep a straight face, and not let his fury show, but now Rey had confirmed that she had let another man be with her, he was quickly losing control.

'What? Were you expecting me to be…' She trailed off, raising one eyebrow meaningfully. '- I mean.. You said I'm nineteen, and there isn't much to do on Jakku apart from work, so… Most of the girls on Jakku who were my own age had children at this point, so I escaped that I suppose.' The words flew out of Rey's mouth as she justified herself.

'I wasn't expecting anything, truthfully. I haven't put much thought into it,' Kylo lied. He knew he couldn't change the past, and there was no reason that he should be jealous, but he just couldn't help himself.

'What about you? I expect you've got some tales to tell of your own romantic conquests,' Rey asked, quickly changing the subject.

Kylo groaned. 'Nothing interesting. Just a few flings from when I was young and before I joined Skywalker. I am Han Solo's son, after all. Being a scoundrel runs in my blood,' he said, weakly smiling at Rey. The scavenger frowned briefly, before turning her face away, hiding her expression underneath her hood.

Kylo smiled privately, feeling the jealousy along their bond emitting from the scavenger before she quickly hid her emotions. He could feel his own blush rise up from his necks and warm his cheeks.

'Come on, we've got to move quickly if you need to transverse the entire city in a day,' Kylo said. And with a confident movement, he slid his arm back around Rey's waist.

Just helping her move faster.

The sky was darkening as they finally reached the suburbs on the eastern side of Theed. They hadn't spoken much as they scurried through the city, only pausing to use bathrooms and wolfing down vegetables wraps from another street vendor. They had kept their thoughts to themselves, and Kylo's kept returning to this mysterious Pádraig who had clearly played such a large role in Rey's adolescence.

'Are we getting closer?' Rey asked, looking around at the shadowy streets that they kept passing.

'Yes. But remember, you'll have to do all the talking, as this is your trial. But take this -' Kylo handed Rey a small sack full of coins. '- I expect bribery will be in order if we want to get the names.'

'How pleasant,' Rey muttered, stowing the coins in her cloak pocket. Kylo could hear the tiredness in Rey's voice. He hoped that this first discussion wouldn't take up too much time, as he was eager to find their lodgings for the night. He had left Trudgen in charge of booking their rooms, and couldn't wait to clean himself from the stench of the city in a few hours.

'Ah... here,' Kylo looked down a small alleyway, pointing at a nondescript sign that had been crudely carved into a wooden plaque.

'What's 'here'?' the scavenger asked.

'I guess you could call it a ticket office. It's where passengers would buy their passage to the Inner Rim territories without having to go through official channels. They have offices like this all over the galaxy,' Kylo answered.

'But... aren't these illegal?' Rey countered. Kylo nodded in agreement, making Rey frown. 'So why wouldn't the Naboo authorities close them down?'

'They make money,' Kylo shrugged. 'And eventually, through different channels, whether that be drugs, or money laundering, or selling goods, or even slavery, it ends up in the right pockets.'

'I see,' Rey sighed, disapproval clear on her face as they walked up to the door.

'Have you thought about how you're going to get the information?' Kylo asked, watching as Rey lifted her hand to knock on the door.

'Yes. Truthfully, and then forcefully,' she answered. Quickly, and without missing a beat, Rey started to bang on the door repeatedly. She didn't pause, but kept the drilling tempo up. It echoed down the alleyway, and Kylo watched as a few lights from nearby apartments flickered on.

'Yesa! YESA! Me'm comen,' a raspy voice sounded from inside the building. They stepped back as the door flung open, and an elderly Gungan peered out.

'What do yousa wanten? Yousa da police?' he asked.

'No... We're looking for information,' Rey asked. Kylo looked between the scavenger and the Gungan. The Naboo native was staring at Rey with hostility in his eyes.

'Wesa're not interested. Come backen tomorrow if yousa wanten to buy passage,' the Gungan responded, his hand already closing the door.

'That's not possible,' Rey sighed. Taking a deep breath, Rey raised her hand. Kylo could feel her utilising the Force as she spoke slowly, and meaningfully.

'You will help us tonight,' she commanded. Kylo could see the Gungan's posture change slightly as he fell under Rey's spell.

'Me will helpen yousa tonight,' he repeated.

'We're looking for three travellers. Their names, and what part of Naboo they came from. You will tell me,' Rey said. Kylo felt the enticing pull of the Force as he watched her control the Gungan. Not for the first time, he felt awe as he watched the girl manipulate the Force with ease. It was as though the cosmic energy was made for her.

'Me… cannot tell yousa dat,' the Gungan responded.

'What?' Rey frowned, flexing her fingers as she pushed her control over the Gungan harder. 'You willtell me this information.'

'Me can't! me simply can't. Me no know disa information, me'm just a clerk. Only da boss knows disa informateon,' the Gungan cried out, his hands coming to clutch his head.

'Your... boss? So fetch him! Wake him up! We need to talk to him,' Rey cried in frustration.

'Tomorrow! Hesa backen in tomorrow. Me promisen! Me wouldn't lien to a Jedi,' the clerk begged.

Rey. He's not lying, I can see in his mind. His boss is a man called Tarsi, Kylo moved this message through their connection, wanting to soothe the anger that was coming off the scavenger in waves.

Rey groaned in annoyance, releasing the Gungan from her control.

'You know I can read your mind, Gungan. Your boss is a man called Tarsi, is that correct? And when will he be in? What time?' Rey questioned.

'Dat's right, dat's right. Mr Tarsi usually comes in duren da mornen. Around nine,' the Gungan groaned.

'We will be here for nine, and Mr Tarsi best be expecting us… As a symbol of our gratitude, take this,' Rey said, reaching into her cloak and bringing out a handful of coins. 'Mr Tarsi will get more when we find out the information tomorrow. Don't forget to tell him,' Rey said.

'Me won't! Me won't!' the Gungan cried. And with a slam of the door, the Naboo native retreated back into the office.

They stood for a while, Kylo watching Rey as she wrapped her arms around her body. He could feel the Force electrifying the air around them as he reached out to touch her shoulder.

'Rey. I'm sorry you didn't get the information you wanted,' Kylo said gently. He didn't want to push Rey; he could feel that her breaking point was only a few seconds away. He knew that controlling people through the Force was both draining and addictive, and he could feel that Rey was struggling to keep her emotions in check as she came down off that high.

'It's okay. Tomorrow he said. We'll be back tomorrow. We've got all day, yes?' Rey asked, rubbing her hands up and down her arms.

'Until sunset tomorrow. Come on... Let's find our lodgings, you look tired,' Kylo said, gingerly wrapping his arm around Rey's shoulder.

'One room? Are you sure?!' Kylo spat angrily at the innkeeper.

'That's all that was requested sir, I made sure of it.'

Trudgen. The Supreme Leader seethed as he took the key. His Knight was going to pay for this.

He turned back around to the crowded bar, his eyes spying Rey in the corner as she stared into the flames of the open fireplace. The inn that Trudgen had booked them in was only a few streets away from the Inner Rim's office, and Kylo was grateful for that, but it was also loud, and full of men who eyed Rey up like a piece of meat as they had walked through the door.

He hadn't even wanted to leave her to get their rooms, but Rey had made a beeline for the fireplace, saying she was cold, and had left Kylo alone to deal with their reservation.

He looked down at his hand and the single key that he held.

He hoped that Trudgen had at least booked them a twin room, but didn't hold out much hope for that possibility.

With heavy footsteps, he walked over to the scavenger.

'One room,' he said, holding up a key.

'Pardon?' Rey answered back, confusion in her voice as she held her hands in front of the heat.

'Trudgen only booked us one room,' Kylo repeated. A mixture of emotions passed over Rey's face, finally settling on amusement as she eyed the key.

'I suppose we are meant to be married. But if this is his idea of a joke, it's not funny,' Rey said.

'Hilarious, I know,' Kylo said back. 'Come on, let's try and get some sleep.'

Here's hoping for a twin bed. Or at least a couch.

Kylo didn't dare move. The bed was so creaky that it complained loudly whenever Rey shifted around. And from the change in her breathing, he knew she had finally fallen asleep. He didn't want to jeopardise waking her up, and remind her that they were indeed sharing a bed.

Slowly, he turned his head, willing the bed to be silent as he caught sight of the curve of Rey's back and hip as she lay on her side facing away from him.

They had undressed for bed quietly, both of them removing just their cloaks and boots to sleep in. The bedroom Trudgen had picked for them was away from the street and the loudness of the inn below, but Kylo almost missed the sound. In this quiet little oasis, all he could hear was Rey's breathing and his heartbeat pounding in his ear.

This must be a special sort of torture. Lying next to someone so closely that they could feel their body heat radiate off them, but never being able to touch them. Kylo had insisted on sleeping under his cloak on the floor, but Rey had just rolled her eyes and patted the mattress beside her.

They hadn't needed to speak; the tension that moved along their bond and their joined minds was enough to fill their thoughts.

Kylo held his breath as Rey rolled over once again, expecting to see her face relaxed in slumber but surprised to see her eyes wide open and staring at him. In the darkness of the room, they stared at each other, feeling closer than they had ever been before, but not touching. It was intoxicating.

Knowing that sleep would elude him if he continued to stare into her eyes, Kylo dragged his gaze away from Rey. That night, time would move far too fast and also far too slowly.

Author's note: This is a lengthy chapter, so I hope you all enjoy it. I think from now on, my uploads won't be as regimented to every fortnight, but a bit more flexible. I hope that's okay. I just want to make this story the best I can, and sometimes forcing myself to write day after day doesn't help.

Once again, a huge thank you to my editor 'Across The Stars' - thank you for your kind words, as per usual.

Please keep the reviews coming, I love seeing your kind words and constructive feedback. If anything, they'll make the chapters come faster and more easier - so take that as you will.