Complicated

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Chapter Two-Kylo and Armitage

Kylo glared at General Pryde's sickly complexion in irritation. He thought it wasn't possible to loathe someone as much as he did Hux, but Pryde came a close second. There was something about the man that made his skin crawl. "You let the Resistance slip through our defences again, General." He said scathingly. "I'm beginning to think you're as incompetent as Hux."

Pryde hid his reaction to the Supreme Leader's barbed comment behind his usual cold mask. "The only way they managed to escape was if someone told them how. They managed to bypass our security codes. I believe we have a spy within our midst, Supreme Leader."

"A spy?" A fine line appeared between Kylo's brows.

"Yes, sir."

"In that case, I suggest you stop coming to me with your pathetic excuses and find out who it is." Kylo snapped. "You're dismissed."

Pryde spun on his heel and marched off, his back ramrod straight. The only outward sign of his irritation a slight clenching of his fist as he rounded the corner. Kylo stared after the departing general, feeling his usual sense of mistrust regarding the man's loyalties. He had learned to trust his gut instinct over the years, and he was beginning to wonder if the supposed 'spy' was Pryde himself. Kylo knew that there were many within the First Order ranks who doubted his ability to lead.

As he left to return to his quarters, he was intercepted by Tishra Kandia. Kandia was a top intelligence officer, and one of the few who never balked at his orders to expend First Order resources on finding Rey.

"Sir." Officer Kandia said in greeting. "I've scanned the latest holovids and it was indeed the scavenger who led the raid on our weapons array."

"Of course, it was." Kylo felt a strange sense of pride in Rey's ability to always remain one step ahead of him. "Anything else to report?"

"Not at this time, Supreme Leader." Kandia answered respectfully.

"Keep your eyes and ears to the ground, Officer." Kylo commanded.

Tishra Kandia's brown eyes sparkled as the Supreme Leader's distracted gaze met hers briefly. Unlike some of her compatriots she was one of Kylo Ren's staunchest supporters. He could do no wrong in her eyes. If finding the scavenger made her rise in his estimation, then she would not stop until she was found.

General Armitage Hux took a deep breath before stepping onto the bridge of the Steadfast. The Millennium Falcon had been spotted flying away from the scene of the raid and he knew that RP was on it. She had been part of the team that had destroyed the weapons array. He only knew that because he was the one who had secretly provided her with the security codes to get past their defences. He had been full of tension and worry as the Resistance carried out their escapade, concerned for RP's safety, he had nearly succumbed to the urge to try and contact her. Thankfully he had managed to suppress it just in time. Word had reached him that Pryde was looking for a spy within the First Order's ranks, it seemed his situation had just become much more dangerous.

Armitage squared his shoulders and strode in as though he had every confidence in the galaxy. His light ginger hair was carefully coiffed into its usual smooth style, his uniform neat and pristine, his boots highly polished. The other bridge officers ignored him as he headed toward Kylo Ren and joined him on the upper walkway.

"You asked to see me, Supreme Leader." Armitage kept his tone neutral as he placed his hands behind his back in a formal pose.

Kylo hardly spared him a glance. "You've filed your report concerning the raid, I presume?"

"Yes, Supreme Leader." Armitage murmured. He swallowed thickly, a little shiver going down his spine. He had left out some crucial information in his report, just little details to cover his back in case the security breach was discovered. He was beginning to wonder if Ren suspected something. Why else would he drag him onto the bridge in full view of the other officers? Armitage's lips turned dry and he was forced to moisten them. "Is there anything else?"

Kylo made a dismissive gesture with his hand as his gaze remained fixated on the viewport, staring out at the stars embedded in the black velvet of space that surrounded them on all sides. Armitage could see that Ren was clearly distracted, probably thinking about the scavenger no doubt. The man was obsessed.

Kylo finally sensed that Hux was still standing beside him, quietly observing him. He glared at Hux contemptuously. "If I wasn't already familiar with your incompetence and your complete lack of ethics, I would think you were the spy."

Armitage paled. "I…. I…." He stammered.

Kylo let out an impatient sigh. "I was being facetious, you fool. Go back to your duties."

Armitage's jaw worked as he fought to suppress his anger and humiliation. He saw the other officers on the bridge smirking in his direction and his lips thinned. Even though it should be a relief that he wasn't on Ren's radar that he was the actual spy, it was galling that he was so below Ren's notice to even be considered a suspect. It was humiliating how far he had fallen in the chain of command. How he would rejoice when Ren was removed from power! How he would revel in his failure, knowing that he would play a big part in his downfall! A bitter smile worked it's way on Armitage's face as he abruptly left the bridge to escape the prying eyes and to nurse his wounded pride in secret.

Rey left Poe and Chewie to pilot the ship as she stole away to the lower decks to get some privacy. She was exhausted, both physically and mentally. Too many sleepless nights had sapped her energy. She should feel elated that the raid had gone without a hitch. The spy had come through again, once again proving their trustworthiness. But for some reason, Rey just felt indifferent, and didn't feel in the mood to celebrate their small victory. She just wanted to curl up in her bunk and zone out.

But before she had a chance to do just that, the floor shifted beneath her feet, and the air went dark. Frustrated tears pooled in her hazel eyes as the Force connected her to Kylo and he appeared in front of her.

"I should congratulate you."

Rey slumped in her bunk, the purple shadows beneath her eyes standing out in stark relief against her pale skin. Kylo stood alone, surrounded by darkness, dressed in his usual black, his cape swept the floor as he moved toward her. When she didn't respond, he hunkered down so he was more on her level.

"Are you well?" He asked in concern, peering more closely at her face.

Surprised by the gentleness in his tone, she glanced up at him, only then noticing the same purple bruises under his eyes. "Are you?" She countered.

"I asked first."

Rey frowned, curling her legs underneath her as she kneeled on her bunk. "It's been a while since I slept." She admitted.

"Same." Kylo shrugged nonchalantly. "But then, I never did sleep well."

"Your conscience keeping you awake?" Rey snapped.

Kylo flinched slightly as he rose to his feet and backed away from her slightly. "Is yours?" He retorted.

This time it was Rey who flinched. She stared at Kylo and he stared back at her. Their stares were ones of hurt buried, as if they feared being vulnerable more than the cold reality they had manufactured and serviced.

Kylo's gaze made Rey feel uncomfortable and had an odd effect on her breathing, making it constricted and shallow. "I offered you my hand once." He reminded her. "You wanted to take it."

Rey didn't deny it. How could she? He would know she was lying if she even tried.

"Why didn't you?" Kylo's voice was soft again, almost pleading, just like it had been in the throne room when he'd first asked her to join him.

Rey didn't want to answer him. She couldn't. It would open a pandora's box of feelings she wasn't prepared to deal with yet. Instead, she deflected with a question of her own. "You could have killed me. Why didn't you?"

"You know why, Rey."

It made her heart beat faster, hearing her name on his lips. Had he ever spoken it aloud before? In such a soft and gentle way? She couldn't remember. She was so tired, so worn down, not strong enough to resist….

"I – "

Rey blinked in confusion when Kylo abruptly disappeared and she found Rose Tico standing in the doorway to her quarters. "Are you okay, Rey?" She asked hesitantly.

"How long have you been there?" Rey questioned nervously.

"I just got here. I came to check on you." Rose edged further into the room. "I think you were talking in your sleep."

"Was I?" Rey rubbed a hand over her face and tried to smile. "It's been a long day."

"Then I won't disturb you any longer." Rose returned her smile warmly. "I'll let you know when we reach the base."

"Thanks." Rey said in relief. She lay back on her bunk, preparing to close her eyes. "Oh…Rose?" She called out before the other young woman had a chance to leave.

"Yes?" Rose replied.

"When you next speak to your contact, tell him he did good. And say thank you."

Rose felt the burn in her cheeks and she had to quickly avert her gaze in case Rey noticed. "Of course." She mumbled, before hastily taking her leave.

A/N-thanks for reading!