Stranger than you dreamt it? Can you even dare to look or bare to think of me?
For the first time in her life, Rey wakes in a bed.
She can't keep the grin off her face as she stretches, allowing herself a moment to revel in warmth and comfort. The events of yesterday come to her mind slowly. If it weren't for the bed and the memory of her phantom's kiss, she would think it all another dream. A beautiful, haunting dream.
The grin slips as Rey remembers what her phantom showed her with his mind yesterday, on Jakku — all the lives he had taken, supposedly in her name. Rey frowns. Is she really that lonely, that desperate for belonging, that she allowed herself to be whisked away by a killer?
Yes, she thinks, burrowing deeper under the covers, as if hiding her face will erase the shame she suddenly feels.
Even that shame is foolish, though, she reasons with herself. Yes, Kylo Ren has killed people. But they were wicked people, weren't they? Surely a man who kills to protect another person isn't evil.
Where is Kylo, anyway?
Rey throws back the covers and is instantly hit by a wave of cool, recycled air. She quickly changes into the simple clothes left at the foot of the bed, but only once she is certain that her phantom is nowhere to be found.
Then, with sudden and overwhelming clarity, she can feel him.
Kylo's presence is like a binary beacon — a cord tied around her heart, the other end tied to his. His absence makes it pull taut between them. She need only follow it, and she will be led to him.
This must be the Force. Imagine how proud he will be if Rey is able to use it to locate him on the ship.
Rey eagerly slips from the roomand places all her focus on her phantom. Chasing his presence through hallway after hallway, she finally comes to the end of the cord between them.
Kylo Ren is on the bridge of his ship, masked and brandishing a crackling, blood-red lightsaber. The room reeks of burnt machinery, giant score marks slicing the walls around him. Rey watches in confusion and then growing horror as he forms a claw with his gloved hand and pulls. The officer at the end of the bridge flies towards him. Though she cannot hear what Kylo is saying from this far away, she can hear the low growl of his voice as it carries through his mask.
Rey forces herself to stay calm. She didn't see the beginning of this interaction. Maybe the officer has done something terribly wrong, disobeyed the Supreme Leader, and earned his wrath. Maybe —
Kylo lets the officer drop to the ground. Rey watches as the officer struggles to his knees, his mouth forming the word please.
Kylo flicks his fingers. The officer goes flying into the wall, collapsing at its base with a thud.
Rey thinks she might be sick.
Kylo turns in her direction. Though she cannot see his eyes, she can feel his gaze on her, sharp and endlessly dark.
For several moments, they stare at one another, both breathing hard; their chests rise and fall in the same rhythm. Slowly, Kylo lifts his arm, extending a hand toward her. He beckons her closer. Rey makes her way to him, drifting forward as if dreaming.
When she reaches Kylo, he draws her close, just as he had last night — one arm across her chest, the other curled around her waist. The officer lies on the ground before them.
"Reach out," Kylo commands softly. He guides her hand, positioning it palm-out in the direction of the officer. "Feel the light. It surrounds you, calls you — answer it. Draw it to you."
Rey obeys as best she can. Warmth floods her. What a strange, wonderful feeling. She is luminescent.
"Now…send it out." He points at the officer.
Rey releases the warmth inside of her like an exhale, gently directing it to the man on the floor. In moments, the bruises forming on his neck fade, and his breathing evens into the peaceful cadence of sleep. It is as if Kylo never harmed him.
"The Force," her phantom says. Rey smiles in disbelief. "Well done, little Kira."
Kylo releases her. His praise warms Rey even more than the light. She steps out of his embrace but remains at his side, more aware of his energy now than before.
Turning to the nearest First Order official, Kylo orders, "Take him to a cell."
Without another word, he clasps Rey's hand in his own and leads her away from the bridge. Rey glances over her shoulder, at the officer still lying on the ground, but Kylo does not spare him a second glance.
