Chapter 12

On the opposite side of the ship, Rey has just finished her holo conference when she feels Ben through the Force. She grips the table in front of her. This doesn't make any sense. There is no way she can feel him so strongly through the Force. Unless…

"How is this possible?" Rey whispers to herself.

"You said something, Your Grace?" an officer asks.

"Nothing. I said nothing. You are all dismissed, thank you," she hurriedly says and quickly makes her way out of the conference room.

Her feet can't seem to carry her as fast as she wants to go. Rey runs through the ship, the train of her dress trailing behind her as she travels at high speed. She reaches an elevator and punches the buttons to her quarters. Her foot nervously taps as the elevator climbs towards her chambers. Rey can feel tension rolling off him as she grows closer and closer to him. The elevator finally dings and she races out and heads through the open door of her quarters. Her eyes widen as she sees Thysva in Ben's grip. Anger rolls off her as she marches towards the General. Ben looks up and drops Thysva as the lovers lock eyes. Before he can say anything, Rey pulls him in for a deep kiss. He kisses her back and moans as their mouths open to tangle tongues together.

"I'm never leaving you again," she whispers through their heated kisses.

Rey wraps her arms around his neck and hugs him tightly, burying her head into the crook of his neck. Ben hugs her back just as tight, kissing her shoulder and neck softly. They pull back and connect with another kiss before Rey turns her attention to the handcuffed Thysva. She fumes with anger as she reaches out a hand to lift him into the air. Her fingers tighten in the air as she uses the Force to choke her treacherous officer.

"I thought I told you not to interfere with my prisoner," Rey spits through gritted teeth.

"It…it wasn't…my…idea," Thysva chokes out.

"Bullshit! You have been questioning me from the very beginning. Of course it was your idea! What gives you the right to attack this man?" she shouts.

Ben can't help but feel a tremor in his pants while watching his Empress defend him. All his life he has never had anyone stand up for him and protect him before. He fights a smile as Rey continues her interrogation.

"I…wasn't…the only…one," Thysva gasps.

Rey stares, anger still rolling off her in waves as she processes the General's words. Ben steps closer to her in the hopes of providing comfort for her as best he can. She releases the General and drops him to the floor. He coughs all over the floor as he tries getting his breath back.

"What do you mean you weren't the only one?" Rey asks sternly.

"I…I just went along with it. I didn't…come up with the plan," Thysva stutters.

Ben watches intently as Rey kneels down before the General. His grip on the hairbrush tightens as he readies himself to defend his Empress.

"Who came up with the plan then?" Rey asks firmly but with a hint of softness.

Even though she feels hurt, betrayed, and angry, Rey knows she won't get the answers she needs through the anger she feels. Through the Force she feels a source of comfort from Ben as if he is pumping positive, warm thoughts into her. She reminds herself to ask him later on as she returns herself to focus on the traitor in front of her.

"I…I don't want to give up the name…I only…I only joined in the plan because of my love for this person. I would do anything for them knowing at last they love me in return," Thysva admits.

The Empress stares as she soaks in the information. She admires acts of love typically but knows this blatant attack against her will not go unpunished. Reaching out a hand, Rey closes her eyes as she searches through the General's mind. Thysva grunts in discomfort as he tries to fight Rey's advances. She is impressed by his efforts and never likes doing this to others. But this must be done to find the culprit who dared trying to take away her only love and joy. She continues searching until she sees Hux in Thysva's memories. Her hand drops and Thysva gasps loudly once he is released. Rey stands up slowly, keeping her eyes on the General.

"Thysva, you are hereby relieved from duty. You and General Hux will be banished to the ice planet Hoth where you will spend the rest of your days together paying for your crimes of treason," the Empress declares.

"...yes, my Empress. I'm…I'm so sorry," Thysva whimpers, bowing his head in shame.

Rey stands strong as she uses the Force to lift him up and out of her chambers. She drops him to the floor and presses a button on her comms unit on the wall.

"Please escort General Diam Thysva to the detention cells and arrest General Armitage Hux. Keep them under heavy guard," Rey commands into the comms unit.

She turns her back on Thysva and slams the door behind her. Ben watches her as she walks back into her quarters. Before he can say anything or offer any words of support, she smashes her lips against his own and kisses him hard. He wraps his arms around her and hugs her tight as he kisses her back with fervor. Her arms wrap around his neck as they move towards the bed. They fall onto the bed together, cuddling and kissing as their hands move all over.

"I need you inside me Ben. I need you cyar'ika," Rey breathes in between kisses.

Ben pauses when he hears her call him the loving name he called her. He smiles and presses a gentle kiss on her lips.

"I love you so much, Rey. I never want to be away from you," the smuggler whispers.

"I love you more than anything," the Empress replies, smiling against his lips as they melt into their kiss.