A/N: I'm still shocked, but super proud that I've made it to chapter 9, ya'll. I have the next two-ish chapter building in my brain. It's exciting. At least I think so.

Enjoy!

Chapter 9: Freedom of Falling

Bzzt … Bzzt… Kylo's comm-link activated in his tunic pocket.

"Simulation, off" he commanded the trainer droid. The scene around Kylo faded into a black room with mat's on the floor and shiny walls. He placed his training saber on the bench and picked up the comm.

"Ren. Speak" Kylo rushed his words, impatiently.

"Diplomat here, sir" Vrei answered. "I'm joined by the Monk, sir"

"Herald" Keir made her presence known.

"I know" Kylo pinched his nose in annoyance. He lifted his hand and lazily used the Force to summon his water canteen. "Talk" he took a deep swig

"Well… it has been quiet on their end" Keir responded "The Scav… Magpie is still a little" she corrected herself.

"Shaken up, sir" Vrei finishing Keir's sentence. "She hasn't left the base in two days."

"To be honest, I don't know if she's even left her quarters, sir" Keir interjected.

"She's been… meditating," Vrei said as-a-matter-of-factly "The Light in there is blinding"

"I feel it from where we're standing," Keri added

"Hm. And them?" he asked

"Do not suspect a thing, sir" Keir had a smirk in her voice

"And everything is still in order."

"Yes, We just need our little Magpie to leave and everything will be as planned," said Vrei

"Good" he nodded to the comm, even though the Knights couldn't see him. He needed this to work. He needed her to be safe. In these dark times, she was the one that lifted him back into the Light. He didn't have to admit it out loud, his Knights knew. This is how the balance will be achieved.

"the Rogue?" he inquired

"He's with you, sir," Vrei said proudly. "I've read him and he harbors no ill-intent."

"I'll be there in seven rotations. I'm not going to delay this longer than it has to be." Certain things were in motion and Kylo was going to make sure that this didn't fail.

"Yes, sir," the Knights said simultaneously

"Herald, out" Ren turned off the comm.

Rey knew she shouldn't be feeling this way. She's been through way too much much to be this spooked. She left Jakku, she's been kidnapped by Kylo, interrogated by Kylo, she's flown across the stars for Kylo, faced evil incarnate with Kylo, battled harsher things than voices. But they were in her head, in the middle of the dark woods, that's it, that's what is making her lock herself up in her quarters?

'I need to get out of here' Rey sniffed at her tunic is disgust. 'Let's start there, Rey'

Rey grabbed a towel and the fresh clothes that Rose had left for her. On her way, to the communal 'fresher, she stuffed a roll of bread into her mouth and walked out to the hall.

All was quiet. 'Must be sleeping' Rey continued to chew her bread. She could feel the heavy delight filling her stomach.

"Rey" a bassy voice called. Rey jumped a bit, making her drop the bread, but she knew it was ok. It was him. Not them.

"For kriffs-sake. Guess the Force isn't giving a warning anymore is it?" Rey, not one to waste food, picked up the dropped roll.

Kylo raised his brow with curiosity. He had a something between a smirk and smile on his face. It was nice. What a stark difference it compared to the stern and stoic look he usually possessed.

"You know. The whole," Rey stuffed apiece of bread back into her mouth as she waved her hand and continued to speak "the whole bwuwy thing." She moved the food to one side of her cheek making it look swollen.

"Sorry, the whole foggy-echoey thing it does." Kylo made an 'O' as if he understood.

"Right" he nodded "Good to see you're not" he paused to read her face "expelling yourself on the ground."

"Jokes? The man has jokes. Honestly, I'm surprised you know what they are." Rey continued down the hall, leaving Kylo behind.

"You do know who my father is right?" Rey quickly halted her steps and turned with fury.

"Yes, and you murdered him" she spat and wet crumbs flew out her mouth and one landing on her chin.

"I thought I was doing right by my master." He said quietly. How is it this woman, with no manners, make him this way?

"Right? Right!" Rey wagged her finger dripping with sarcasm. She turned again and continued to walk again. Well, she more like stomped away from Kylo.

"I heard the last thing you said, Rey" he called out. "Before you faded" now more somber.

Rey froze. She shut her eyes and lowered her head in embarrassment.

Rey felt the Force around him. He always felt conflicted and outraged, but he was calm and reassured. He was hiding something. The something that usually brought a chill down her spine, but this time? It was ataractic.

Rey turned again and stared at him. Kylo looked confident, glowing almost. He stood with his back straight and shoulder high as he looked back at her. The bags under his eyes were fading. Color! There was color in his face. Was this Kylo happy? How?

Kylo couldn't say the same things about Rey. She was paler than usual, again. Her frame even smaller. Her hair matted and erratic. But the Force around her was brighter than the norm. It was stronger. It was determined. Protective. He tried to read through it, but he couldn't.

Kylo swiftly and calmly walked toward her. Rey followed suit, rapidly closing the distance between them.

Both of their breathing was shallow and nervous. Intimate. The closer Kylo came to Rey, he could see more of the freckles that were sprawled over her face.

They continued to stare at one another as they reached each other. Rey lifted her head to meet Kylo's gaze. Kylo looked down to see Rey's sparkling eyes already scanning his.

He smiled that Solo grin. Making Rey'all cheek flush with heat. Kylo pursed his lips with worry as he took his glove off. With that same shaky hand, he timidly rose it to Rey's face.

Rey closed her eyes as his hand touched her cheek. A small jolt of electricity ran through them. His thumb caressed her bottom lip as she leaned into his giant palm.

His touch was comforting.

Her skin was soft and warm.

"Rey" her name rumbled out of his mouth. Her hazel eyes fluttered open to meet his, again.

"Rey… Rey…" a hand grabbed her shoulder, shaking her. Rey rattled her head in confusing and disappointment as Ben disappeared.

"Rey, are you ok?" It was Poe

"What?" Rey still in a daze

"Are you ok? You're just standing there weirdly" Rey nodded and gave him a small smile

"This bread" she waved the last piece "So good" she laughed releasing the tension she held on her shoulders.

"It is pretty good. Who knew Finn was a decent baker" Poe laughed back. Rey shrugged her shoulders and laughed with him. "But really Rey, you ok? You haven't said anything about what happened to you the other night."

"Nothing. It was nothing. The dark playing tricks." She lied "especially after waking up from that nap"

"A nap?" He raised his brows "How in the hell, kid?"

"When you've lived where I lived, you'd be able to fall asleep anywhere too." Rey reminisced about her uncomfortable makeshift bed in her AT-AT home on Jakku.

"Understandable" Poe nodded. "Next time you want to take a nap, make sure it's here. Alright, kid?"

Rey chuckled "Yea. So um I'm gonna go head to the 'fresher." She pointed her thumbs down the corridor.

"Good. You almost smell as bad as that Gorax" he joked while waving his free hand at his nose.

"Thanks, Poe"

Rey stripped down and slowly stepped into the 'fresher, turning the water on high and letting it beat against her back in a steamy and steady stream. Closing her eyes to the water as the heat soaked into her skin, she leaned against the cool metal as her weak legs threatened to buckle at the thought of him.

"Ready my ship" Kylo commanded a trooper in the hanger.

"Yes, sir"

It was time to leave for Endor. After last night, Kylo was more determined to than ever to get Rey.

"Where do you think you're going, Supreme Leader?" Kylo pursed his lips at the nosey ginger

"It is none of your concern, General." hissed Kylo

"It is the concern of the galaxy wherever our Supreme Leader goes, sir" Hux gritted his teeth. Kylo rolled his eyes behind his mask.

Kylo lifted his hand to the Force and used it to grip it around the ginger's throat.

"It... is... none.. of.. your.. concern" Kylo slowly repeated. Hux clawed at his throat as he was lifted a couple of inches off the ground. He felt his blood building behind his eyes and his throat tightening.

"Yes, my leader" the General choked. Kylo let his grip go and Hux fell to the floor panting.

Kylo turned his heel and walked away. He wanted to kill that red-headed sneak. The General's time will come and when it did, he was going to make sure it was sweet.

"When are we grabbing the girl?" Kailin taking a bite of his ration bar.

"Patience big man, she'll come out." Aeron bent down, warming his hands to the fire.

"I want to rid of her." Kailin taking another angry bite into his ration bar.

"We know." Aeron rolled his eyes as stroked the fire

"Don't underestimate the girl, Kailin. She's more powerful than she knows." Vrei warned

"Look how quickly she was able to go toe to toe with Ren." Keir joined them at the fire

"She has so much potential for power," Darik said

"I agree, but killing her? Is it truly necessary?" questioned Keir as she looked over to Vrei

"Yes!" Kailin balled his fist with vindication. "She is a complication for Kylo. He can't afford a distraction like her. This is his galaxy now. And no one will stand in his way."

"She is attracted to the dark as much as he. She is just surrounded by all those… Rebels" Darik spat

"We need her to see what the darkness can bring her," Mortathi added

"She could be a great asset to the team" Keir observed

"No!" Kailin shouted "She does not deserve to be by our side, especially Kylo's. She is no one."

'Do we need to wait for Ren?' Aeron silently spoke to the three Knights.

"Calm down, Kailin." advised Aeron "Wait till we have her." He looked over to Vrei and gave her a slight nod. Barely noticeable, only if you were looking.

'He is becoming too erratic' Darik shifting his eyes to Keir.

"Calm down? Calm down?" Kailin's rose to his feet "I will calm down when that scavenger is dead!"

Mortathi walked over to Kailin "My brother, we will get her. Her time has come. She will be dust with the stars." He patted his hand on the Heavy's shoulder

'And him?' Aeron continued to eat his ration bar.

'He will be dealt with as well.' Vrei said

'Let them enjoy these last moments' Darik looked at the two men standing before him. He has been through a lot with these men. But this was treason to a man whom they owe their lives to. A man whom they have sworn their life to. Kylo could have easily snapped their necks at the temple if they didn't decide to join with him. They have become too cocky. And with that they have displaced their "loyalty" to Kylo Ren.