Rey looked at the screen before her in disappointment. After using the ring to decode the message from the transmission, it had only referred her to a role-playing forum on the HoloNet. There was a main page that detailed the rules and then listed pages upon pages of various role-playing games one could choose to join. Truly, she shouldn't be disappointed at all. What she had been doing could be considered treason. Telling herself that it was merely a case of insatiable curiosity wouldn't have worked if this endeavor had turned out to be real. She was lucky it hadn't been.

Rey let out a long breath. Her case of nerves suddenly vanished. It was an insane course she had been on and— all for what—because she was upset over having some fundamental disagreements regarding religion and politics with a few people—with a few being the entire Resistance? When she put it that way, it didn't seem so trivial. Rey shook her head. It was best not to think like that. She was being dramatic and irrational.

Rey looked at the screen in consideration. Well, since she was here, it wouldn't hurt to look. Perhaps she'd play a game. She could use the distraction. There were so many to choose from. One could even choose sides of various conflicts. She randomly clicked on a link for a game called Imperial Intelligence.

Words appeared on the screen.

You have just entered a room that has a table with a chair on either side.

Rey was intrigued. With sudden vigor she typed her own message.

Guest: *glances around and decides to sit in the chair facing the door*

More words appeared.

Adjustments Agent: *enters room and sits down* Who is this? What is your operating number?

Rey smirked and then typed.

Guest: *gives the Adjustments Agent a look* What's yours? You could be a rebel for all I know.

Adjustments Agent: *smirks* I used to work Interrogation. We're not like the ISB here. If you don't want to tell me your operating number you don't have to.

Truthfully, Rey loved hearing about past organizations such as this.

Guest: So, I take it you don't like the ISB?

Adjustments Agent: They have their uses.

That was exactly what she'd expect someone in Imperial Intelligence to say. Rey was intrigued by the discussion but had to admit she didn't know a lot about Imperial Intelligence.

Guest: What's an Adjustments Agent?

Adjustments Agent: *gives another smirk* Ah, maybe you're the rebel here. If you were one of us you'd know. I suppose you could say we're black-ops. We clean up a lot of messes for the Ubiqtorate.

It would be more fun to play the part of someone that wasn't Imperial here.

Guest: You know, I don't have a number.

Adjustments Agent: I'd already figured as much, but thank you for being honest. Mind telling me how you got here? People usually don't find themselves in the clutches of Adjustments unless they go searching for trouble.

For some inexplicable reason, Rey decided to be completely honest. Anyone in the game wouldn't know the difference anyway.

Guest: I listened to a transmission someone told me about. It just so happens I was able to decode it.

Adjustments Agent: Mind indulging me by telling me how you were able to do that?

Guest: A ring.

Adjustments Agent: Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like for you to speak with one of my superiors.

Suddenly, Rey felt nervous. Perhaps this was a mistake.

Guest: Maybe I don't want to.

Adjustments Agent: You don't have to. No pressure or anything. I just think he'd be interested in this information is all. He takes a personal interest in this sort of thing.

Despite her hesitation, Rey didn't see the harm. It was all part of the game and she was being silly for being nervous.

Guest: Well, I guess that would be okay. You're making me nervous though.

Adjustments Agent: No need for that. I'll be right back. *leaves room*

Truth Officer: *enters the room*

Adjustments Agent: *re-enters the room*

Truth Officer: Dismissed, Lieutenant.

Adjustments Agent: But, sir, the General—

Truth Officer: *glares at the Adjustments Agent* You. Are. Dismissed. Lieutenant.

Adjustments Agent: Yes, sir. *leaves room quickly*

Rey was completely amused by their exchange. It's just the sort of thing one might imagine from Imperials.

Guest: I take it you weren't who the Adjustments Agent was going to get?

Truth Officer: *sits at table*

It was slightly unnerving that he didn't answer. She just knew it was a he. His title also wasn't fooling Rey in the least. She typed.

Guest: *laughs* Nobody expects the Imperial Inquisition!

Truth Officer is now the Grand Inquisitor: *jarring chord sounds* Our chief weapon is surprise—surprise and fear—fear and surprise—our two weapons are fear and surprise—and ruthless efficiency—Our three weapons are fear, surprise, and ruthless efficiency—and an almost fanatical devotion to the Emperor—

Rey found his humor reassuring. She grinned.

Guest: *laughs uncontrollably*

Grand Inquisitor: Why are you here?

Rey decided to play along.

Guest: *refuses to answer just to be difficult*

Grand Inquisitor: *gives evil laugh as Guest is suddenly strapped to an interrogation chair* Again. Why are you here?

Guest: *answers immediately out of a sudden sense of fear* Insatiable curiosity.

Grand Inquisitor: *smirks* That's the best kind.

This was actually rather fun, Rey decided.

Guest: *glares* You will remove these restraints.

Grand Inquisitor: *uses threatening tone* What did you say?

Guest: *gulps nervously* You will remove these restraints—

Grand Inquisitor: *sneers* I'll tighten those restraints, rebel scum—

Guest: *gets Jedi mind trick right this time* You will remove these restraints.

Grand Inquisitor: *shakes head condescendingly* Your mind tricks won't work on me. So, you're a Jedi, are you?

Despite herself, Rey decided to go with the truth again. It was kind of freeing to tell the truth to some anonymous stranger while playing a game that strangely mirrored her real life anyway.

Guest: *pouts* No. I'm the worst Jedi apprentice in the galaxy, apparently.

Grand Inquisitor: Padawan. And, I doubt that. There were worse ones. Tell me about your master.

Guest: *gives defiant glare* You'll get nothing from me, monster!

Grand Inquisitor: *gives the pretty little Jedi Padawan a considering look* You know, I can take whatever I want.

Rey felt her heart beating faster. He was being very flirtatious. Rey decided to call him on it.

Guest: *raises eyebrow* That sounds kind of kinky.

Grand Inquisitor: *smirks and moves even closer to Guest* I know. So, tell me. How are you the galaxy's worst Jedi Padawan?

Guest: *gives a woeful sigh* My master thinks I'm too susceptible to the dark side.

Grand Inquisitor: *gives Guest a serious and hopeful look* Are you?

Guest: *tries to shrug but finds it difficult being as she is in RESTRAINTS* I've never even thought about it. It's all just the Force, isn't it?

Grand Inquisitor: *says this next bit very seductively* Oh, there is definitely a dark side to the Force.

Rey was actually blushing.

Guest: *blushes* And a light side—and a balance—allegedly—

Grand Inquisitor: *nods* Yes. It's my job to get you to join us. That's what Inquisitors do. I sense that you're powerful. I could train you if the Emperor agrees.

The Inquisitorius were an interesting organization to be sure. Allegedly part of Imperial Intelligence, but under Darth Vader's command. To even pretend to consider joining such a group was kind of exciting.

Guest: *gives an excited look* Ooh! Will I get an operating number or a code name then?

Grand Inquisitor: *smiles indulgently* If you like.

Guest: *bites lip in thought* Thirteenth Sister has a nice ring.

Grand Inquisitor: *looks longingly at Guest's lips* Whatever you want. Personally, I think you're more of a Seventh Sister, as the old one is long dead. There are six Inquisitorius besides me.

Rey's entire body froze in shock. This was a little too close to the truth of her vision and there was no way anyone could know about it. The lightsaber she took had belonged to the Seventh Sister. She knew it.

Guest: How did you know this?

Grand Inquisitor: *gives Guest a questioning look* Know what?

Rey felt a chill go down her spine. She needed to know.

Guest: I'm serious. How did you know about my Force vision?

There was a long pause before the response.

Grand Inquisitor: I'm sending you an encrypted file so you can contact me via comlink. I'm trusting you with this. Don't give it to anyone else.

Rey worried her lip in confusion and not a little fear. There was no way she was going to contact him. The file he sent was probably full of corrupted data or lewd things. Rey hesitated for only a second and then did the unthinkable. Stars help her, but she was going to download it to her personal drive anyway.

Guest: Why would I do that? I don't even know you.

Grand Inquisitor: *looks around fondly* But we've gotten to know each other so well in this cozy little interrogation room.

Guest: *snorts* I'd bet on the Imps building a third Death Star before I'd bet on me contacting someone I just met on the HoloNet. I don't trust you.

There was an even longer pause this time.

Grand Inquisitor: I know.

Suddenly, Rey got the impression that maybe she did know who this was. However, she liked keeping herself in the dark. She had already promised herself she wouldn't cross this line. She was done with this.

Guest: *uses hereto unknown and really wizard Jedi powers to escape from interrogation chair and leaves room before the Grand Inquisitor can do anything about it*

The response was immediate.

Grand Inquisitor: REY-07. That could be your operating number if you want.

Since she hadn't logged off she was still able to see it. Oh, Maker. Kriffing hell! Rey stared at the screen and felt her stomach twist into knots. It really was Kylo Ren. She had half wondered, but now she knew for certain that it was. She had been beyond stupid. She closed her eyes and attempted to control her breathing. Rey swallowed hard and with shaking hands erased the role-playing site from her data pad. She couldn't let herself do this.

Unfortunately sleep didn't find her that night. It was all she could think about. The morning found her in a worse state.

One look at Luke Skywalker had Rey wondering if he could read her mind. However, he did not seem to have that ability after all.

Luke Skywalker sat down next to her with his breakfast.

Luke side-eyed her skeptically before picking up a glass of blue milk. "Why do I get the impression you're not going to take training seriously today?"

Rey let out a large yawn. "I couldn't sleep—"

Luke wasn't even looking at her, intent on his own meal. "Did you try to meditate?"

Rey's shoulders slumped. She murmured into her reconstituted eggs. "No."

A fork was pointed in her direction in admonition. "Meditation should be your first recourse."

Rey felt vaguely horrified at this news. It must have shown on her face.

Luke turned toward her and raised an eyebrow. He acted as if he knew the answer to his question. "Ready to quit already?"

Rey steeled her shoulders and looked up at Luke Skywalker seriously, practically hissing through her teeth. "Never—"

Luke narrowed his eyes at her. "It's that sort of aggression that speaks to the dark side—"

Rey bit her tongue and nodded instead. "I'm sorry—I'll try harder—"

He shook his head before setting his fork down and looking at her in exasperation. "It's not about trying harder. It's about letting go of the conflict that is plaguing you—it's about learning to become one with the Force—becoming passive—learning patience—letting go of everything—you either do it or you don't—you must release everything into the Force—"

Rey complained. "That makes no sense—"

Luke's voice turned calm and methodical. "Jedi serve others—the greater good—you must lose your ego—"

She turned in her seat to face Luke. "I do want to help others—but I'm not sure I can do all of—" Rey waved her hand. "That—"

Luke looked at her seriously. "You must—if you don't want to fall to the dark—you must—"

Rey clenched her teeth in frustration. "Then teach me how—"

Luke pursed his lips in disagreement. "I thought I was trying to do that—you're not listening—"

Rey sighed in frustration. She didn't have time for philosophy here. She needed action. "When can we get to the lightsaber training? There's a war on, Master Skywalker—I have to be able to help when the time comes—"

Luke narrowed his eyes at her. "Keep it up and we'll never get to the lightsaber part—without meditation you have nothing—and that's exactly what we're going to do today, tomorrow, and every single day until you get it through your head—what's going on in the galaxy shouldn't concern you—Jedi aren't here to change the galaxy to suit ourselves—we're here to only act out of duty for the greater good—"

Rey bowed her head as if compliant. This sounded like absolute Sithspit to her, but what did she know? She was no youngling to be lectured to like this. She followed Luke outside and sat in the greenery where he indicated. She closed her eyes when told to do so. She breathed in and out as instructed. She told him of whatever she was seeing when asked.

Every time her mind wandered, he brought her back to the act of meditating. Rey was absolutely restless and Luke was absolutely relentless. He knew she didn't like it and he sadistically extended their session for much longer than she would have liked. It was only when she finally seemed to find a sense of calm that he called an end to the meditation session.

Rey opened her eyes only to discover that it was practically dusk on D'Qar. Rey looked at the sunset dully. Her voice was monotone. "I've spent all day meditating—"

Luke shook his head. "No—you spent only about one hour meditating—the rest of the day was you trying to fight the very idea—"

Rey sighed in frustration. She would not get mouthy. She wouldn't. She was one with the Force. She was.

Luke bowed in her direction. It seemed somewhat mocking to her eyes. "Go eat—we're doing this tomorrow too—try not to let your disappointment show too much—being a Jedi isn't all about lightsabers and Force tricks—it takes discipline—"

Rey stood and her entire body resisted from being in a constricted position all day. Rey bowed back, barely going through the motions. She was mentally wrung out from this. She stalked back towards the canteen, leaving Luke behind. She said nothing to him in return.

Even though Rey was as fond of her Jedi master as he was of her, she chose to sit next to him in the canteen in an effort to avoid Poe Dameron's crowd of friends. It was mostly out of self-preservation, as no one would dare say anything to her with Luke Skywalker around. He didn't talk to her but she had nothing to say to him anyway. Leia and Han weren't there. Rey was glad of it. She was in a very anti-social mood.

As much as meditating had mentally tired her, her plans for sleep were interrupted when she returned to her assigned room and saw her data pad. Her conflict suddenly came raging back ten-fold.

Rey had things she wanted to say to Kylo Ren. She at least needed some type of closure. She needed to know why he had tried to kill his uncle and killed the other students. She did not need to know why he rejected the Jedi teachings—because she was having no trouble imagining anyone giving them up after today—but she would like to hear his thoughts about them—she wanted to know what he perhaps had to offer that was better. She let out a long breath to steady herself. She couldn't believe she was about to do this. This was even more dangerous than listening to old radio frequencies and going on the HoloNet. This was actually making contact via comlink.

In the short time that Rey had been on D'Qar she had quickly amassed an amazing array of tech in her room. It was junk others hadn't wanted—outdated things—but she would fix them and modify them for her own as something to do.

Rey picked up her newest project, which was a discarded comlink that had a holo-projector function. This was a newer piece of tech that someone had trashed after it malfunctioned. Rey could not abide to see such waste. The Resistance member it had belonged to had readily given it to her, thinking it beyond saving. She fingered it delicately.

She bit her lip in indecision. If she were caught now, it would not be good. Rey wasn't quite sure what would happen, but she knew it would not be pleasant. This was not committing to anything. This was not really making a choice. This was simply seeking out answers. Trying to find answers was never a wrong course of action. Right?

Besides, if DJ was right, the First Order already knew where the Resistance base was, so there was no harm in contacting them, and she knew nothing critical to accidentally give away to them anyway. She was being careful. Kylo Ren had given her an encrypted code. Nobody in the Resistance would be able to trace this call to her and they wouldn't be able to decode it either—well—not without considerable work. The chances of them monitoring for this sort of thing was low, at least that was her hope. In fact, it seemed like Kylo Ren was taking the greater risk here in giving her this.

What Rey should do was to march out of this room and immediately turn over everything to General Organa. She knew she should. That's what loyal Resistance members did. However, her curiosity was winning here. Perhaps she wasn't all that loyal.

Before she could talk herself out of it, Rey turned on the device, even the holo-projector, and put in the encrypted code that she was given.

The holo activated and an image of a woman appeared. She had dark hair and was wearing a black uniform and an intercomm headset. "This is the Finalizer—Identify yourself—"

Rey was stumped. This was really happening; however, she was suddenly a bundle of nerves. She couldn't think of what to say. She stammered terribly. "Um—may I speak with Kylo Ren?"

Immediately, the holo of the woman turned to someone off screen. "Lieutenant—"

Rey distinctly heard the man respond, "What is it, Chief Petty Officer?"

Suddenly, the holo showed a human male in a First Order uniform. He was even wearing the hat. He looked quite smart in it. "This is Lieutenant Mitaka of the Finalizer—Who is this? What is your operating number?"

Rey laughed nervously. "That's what the Adjustments Agent said in this game I played—"

The Lieutenant seemed to pale. "Hold just a moment—"

Rey's screen went to static for a moment. When it cleared, there was a holo of a man with red hair before her, also in a First Order uniform. "This is General Hux of the First Order. Who are you? How did you get this communications code?"

Rey was seated in a chair at the desk in her room and she was nervously moving one leg up and down, while rubbing her palms on her thighs. She was a little intimidated. "I'm Rey—Kylo Ren—he gave me this code—I think—"

General Hux looked annoyed. "You think Kylo Ren gave you this communications code?"

Rey nodded in confirmation. "Yes—I'd like to speak with him—please—"

General Hux looked off-screen. "Lieutenant—send Captain Phasma to my office—" He looked back at Rey. It was obvious that he was walking. "I don't know who you are—or what game you think you're playing—but I will get to the bottom of this—"

"I've already told you. My name is Rey and—"

"You want to speak to Ren—yes—you've said. The thing is—Ren doesn't accept calls—"

Rey was now frustrated. "Then why would he give me this code? I'm pretty sure it was him because he gave me a ring—"

There was a choking sound. "Don't tell me you're Ren's fiancé!" The general's hologram looked absolutely disgusted by this idea.

Rey spluttered indignantly. "First it's people insisting it was a date and now I'm suddenly engaged!"

The general gave Rey a dubious look.

The holo suddenly held another person in addition to the general, except this person was wearing silver armor and a helmet. "You asked to see me, General?"

The man nodded his head. "Yes, Captain. You can take your helmet off—"

Upon removing her helmet, Rey could see that the captain was a rather handsome and formidable looking woman with blonde hair. She had the look of a warrior. This woman was obviously a survivor, like Rey.

General Hux continued speaking. "Captain, this girl somehow got the communications code to the Finalizer—she claims Ren gave it to her—"

The blonde woman looked at Rey seriously. "General, permission to speak freely?"

Hux nodded. "Granted—"

Phasma kept looking at Rey even as she asked her question. "Did she give an operating number, sir?"

Hux was also looking at Rey. "No—she did not—"

The woman never took her eyes off of Rey. It was very disconcerting.

Rey looked to the side. Before she could stop herself it was out. She spoke quietly. "Kylo did give me one, he said I could use it if I wanted to—"

The woman spoke authoritatively. "Look at me, girl—"

Rey looked back up. She looked the other woman in the eyes and straightened up.

The blonde woman nodded in approval. "Better. The question you need to ask yourself right now is if you want to use the operating number—"

Rey felt as if she wasn't getting enough oxygen all of a sudden. That really was the question. It was a question that could change everything. "I—I haven't decided yet—"

The general was sitting at a desk, leaning back and letting the captain question her. However, he seemed very interested in the exchange.

Phasma looked contemplative. "Yet you called—"

Rey nodded. "I need answers. I can't be expected to make a decision without enough information—"

The general gave her a shrewd look. "You won't be getting any information to give to the Resistance from us—"

Rey shook her head. "That's not what I mean—it's just—when I met Kylo—he talked about the First Order—and I—I'm not exactly fond of it—you destroyed Niima—but—I've been thinking about what he said—"

Captain Phasma cut her off. "You're from Jakku?"

Rey squared her jaw and lifted her head slightly. If they thought she was ashamed of it, they had another thing coming. She was proud of how she was able to survive on her own for all those years. She may have been nobody and she may have come from nothing, but at least she had that. "Yes—what of it?"

Phasma looked at Rey in amusement. "After the Imperial Remnant left—what did the New Republic do for the people of Jakku?"

Rey clenched her jaw. She answered stiffly. "I believe you know the answer to that—"

Phasma nodded in confirmation and continued on matter of fact. "Any education?"

Rey immediately went on the defensive. "I'm not stupid—"

Phasma stayed very calm. "I didn't say you were. However, do you have any formal education?"

Rey ignored her. She dared anyone to say she wasn't good enough. "I can read—I'm good at maths—I can fix anything—salvage anything—pilot anything—"

Phasma did not react to Rey's continued outburst. "Answer the question, please—"

Suddenly, Rey felt tears come to her eyes. This shouldn't bother her because she had no control over it. It didn't mean she was lesser. "No—"

Phasma's expression, thankfully, did not contain pity. She spoke softly. "Would you like a formal education?"

Rey froze. The words that came out of Phasma's mouth stopped Rey in her tracks. Such a concept had only ever existed in her dreams. This offer was shocking to her. It may as well have been said in a language she'd never heard. "What?"

Phasma patiently explained her offer. "The First Order—like the Empire—believes in educating its people. Free education for everyone in the galaxy—opportunities for anyone that wants to join—"

Though the expression on General Hux's face was one that said everyone was wasting his time, he nodded along with Captain Phasma in agreement.

Rey had recently thought herself very fortunate to have been offered a job by a smuggler, short-lived though it was. She was grateful that General Organa had let her stay on D'Qar and went along with the Jedi thing and the offer of another job if that didn't work out because such offers never happened to people like her. But receiving a formal education? Rey could hardly believe it. The thought briefly crossed her mind as to why Finn would ever want to leave such a thing, but she squashed it. She could not- would not- think of him. The hope in her voice, oh, how she hated it. "Really? You mean it?"

This was so different from the New Republic. Each planet was allowed to control itself, and with such a disorganized senate, plenty of things fell by the wayside. The rich stayed rich, the poor stayed poor, and meritocracy didn't really exist, no matter what the Populists preached.

Phasma gave a short and perfunctory nod. "Of course. Think it over—the offer stands—you just have to decide whether or not to take it—"

Rey swallowed hard. This was truly tempting. It took everything in her not to accept right away. "Thank you—truly—I don't think you understand how much that means to me, Captain—"

Captain Phasma looked at Rey like she could see her very soul. It was the look of someone that truly understood. "I think I do—"

Looking at her, Rey could believe it. The Captain seemed very sincere.

Phasma's gaze was piercing. Her tone was direct. "What's holding you back?"

The question floored her. Rey wasn't sure how to answer. She wasn't used to even being asked questions because answers to questions could reveal too much of a person, and nobody ever cared for the opinion of a scavenger anyway. "I need to ask Kylo Ren a few things—personal things—about the Force—"

General Hux suddenly sat forward. "Are you a Force user?"

That was—very direct. Rey was not prepared for it, though it was an obvious question. It was dangerous to talk about this. Rey was suddenly even more nervous.

Rey's anxiety must have been obvious because Phasma intervened. "Calm down, girl."

Rey looked to the side. Her voice was tremulous. "Yes—I just found out recently—"

General Hux huffed under his breath, but Rey still heard him. "Well—that explains Ren's involvement—and why he's meeting with the Supreme Leader right now—" He looked at Rey again. He sounded accusing. "You're with the Resistance, aren't you?"

Rey's eyes found his in alarm. "I—yes—but it isn't like I had much of a choice—" Rey trailed off. That sounded more damning towards the Resistance than she meant it to. She didn't know how to put it into words. She willed him to understand. "They've been so kind to me though—even though they did get upset with me when I questioned their Populist views—"

General Hux waved a hand. "Of course they got upset. They're a terrorist organization bent on starting war on behalf of the New Republic—or what they think it should want. They don't like the fact that the Centrists are what the galaxy wants and that the Centrists want the Empire back—I believe you'll find that their kindness means nothing in the grand scheme of things—even you discovered they'll turn on you quickly if you disagree with them—truly the kindest act is remaking the galaxy into what it needs to be—"

The General was quite good at rhetoric. He also made an inordinate amount of sense to someone like Rey. Even still, one could argue that the First Order was also a terrorist organization; one dedicated to bringing back what Kylo Ren called the legitimate government—which was still a valid point—she had to concede, but if the Resistance was right then the First Order was dangerous. However, she could not disagree that the New Republic was weak and ineffectual; it was so obvious to Rey. It could not last, nor should it. It desperately needed to be reformed.

To Rey the whole thing sounded like an action that would actually achieve something. Not all change was bad. Stagnation meant death. Rey asked the questions on her mind. "For the greater good? A central government that reforms all of the current problems and actually gets something done for once?"

Hux nodded decisively in approval. "Exactly—"

A ruckus suddenly erupted and the door to the general's office opened with a whoosh. A dark clad figure in a mask stalked into the room and into Rey's holo-projection.

The general was not having it. "Ren, you can't just barge into my office—"

General Hux was ignored by the Knight of Ren. Captain Phasma looked as if this was a usual occurrence.

Rey felt his Force presence. She didn't know it was possible. They weren't even in the same room or likely even in the same part of the galaxy. With her face scrunched up in confusion, Rey hesitantly leaned forward. "Kylo?"

With the vocodor effectively masking his true voice, Kylo Ren immediately honed in on her. "Rey. I didn't think you would call—"

The vocodor was not an effect she liked coming from him. He sounded like a deranged droid. Her nervousness suddenly gone, Rey recalled her reasons for calling in the first place. That mask was horrible. She steeled herself and hissed. "Take that thing off. I'm not talking to you if you're wearing that. You look like some kind of ridiculous— monster or something—"

Phasma smirked before pasting a blank expression on her face.

Instead of arguing, Kylo reached up and pulled his mask off before setting it down with a loud thunk on the general's desk, to the general's displeasure. He gave Rey a blank stare and his voice was dry. "Happy?"

Rey matched Kylo for expression and tone. "Thrilled—"

Kylo's tone was light. "Then why do you look like you want to kill me?"

General Hux opined. "I know the feeling—"

Rey slapped the table before her for emphasis. "Listen—you owe me some answers—"

Kylo quirked an eyebrow at her. "You owe me answers as well—such as how you know about Starkiller—"

Rey tilted her head in confusion. "What are you talking about? I don't know anything about a Starkiller—but you certainly seemed to know about my Force vision—the whole thing with the Seventh Sister and that lightsaber being hers—"

Kylo glared at her. "I didn't—"

Rey narrowed her eyes at him. "Were you in my head?"

Kylo held up one finger for emphasis. "That was one time—and you pushed right back—don't forget—" Kylo stopped as if something had dawned on him. "Kriff—"

Rey suddenly felt panicked. "Kriff? What do you mean, kriff?"

Kylo's voice took on a singsong tone and he pasted an innocent look on his face. "Nothing—"

That did not help Rey's nerves in the least. If anything, his response made things worse. She shook her head. "Oh, no—you can't just say kriff like that and then say it's nothing—"

Kylo shrugged and gave a little smirk. "I'll have to talk to the Supreme Leader about it—I'll get back to you on that—"

Rey made a strangled sound to cover her scream of frustration.

This caused Kylo's smirk to widen.

Rey took a deep breath and composed herself. She was an adult. She could do this. Rey spoke to herself but she didn't particularly care that she was saying it out loud. "I meditated today. I should be calmer than this." She looked at Kylo and suddenly needed to know. Her eyes were pleading. "Please tell me there's more to being a Jedi than endless meditation—"

Suddenly Kylo looked as if he understood. "Ah- the whole let it all go into the Force spiel—I'm sorry to break it to you, Rey—but it's mostly a lot of meditation—"

Rey was gutted. "I was afraid of that. I'm not sure I'm cut out for that—"

Kylo gave her a brief nod. "There are other types of meditation—useful ones—I could teach you—"

That was actually very tempting, but Rey needed to know the answers to her other questions. They were questions best asked away from prying eyes. She cut her eyes to General Hux and Phasma. She looked back to Kylo with a pleading expression. She leaned forward. "Kylo—I need to speak with you. Alone—"

Kylo leaned back against General Hux's desk like he owned it. He crossed his arms. He had eyes only for Rey and his gaze was intense. He pitched his voice low. "Rey—it would be an absolute pleasure—"

Rey had never heard her name said quite like that. She couldn't have looked away from him if she tried. The disturbing part was that she wasn't sure she wanted to. It was like she was an object caught in his gravity. The look he was giving to her too! Stars! And with others in the room! He really was incorrigible. Rey felt herself go hot all over.

Kylo's voice sounded in her head. «I told you we weren't done yet.»

Rey swallowed hard. Perhaps, this was not going to go the way that she thought it would at all.


Monty Python quotes anyone?