Hello, all of you wonderful readers! Sorry about yesterday's confusion if you got notified about chapters being published and 12 not being up yet. _ There was a malfunction with my chapters where I had to re-post all of them! chapter 12 is here now though and I will try to post 13 this weekend, and will be doing a special Christmas one-shot next week (I will be posting that one separately and not with these chapters)! Thank you all for your support and hope you enjoy the read! 3


Chapter Twelve

The sonic shower had done wonders on Falynn's body as she stood underneath its warmth for a long period of time. She had stayed in the fresher for as long as she thought necessary then grabbed the first set of clothing she saw.

Falynn had gone for the pair of pants Kylo had dropped on the floor the night before then a black shirt from the dresser she also assumed was Kylo's. Both the pants and shirt were loose on her and surprisingly soft against her skin. Falynn had snuggled into them as she crawled back into their bed after long last. She was going to allow herself to relax and sleep, to take the opportunity to spread out on the large bed.

So she did as she slept and slept and slept.

A soft knock on the door was what finally had woken Falynn up.

Pushing herself halfway up Falynn rubbed at her eyes with the palm of hands.

She knew it wasn't Kylo, for he never bothered to knock. Any official or Stormtrooper would have been much more aggressive unless they finally learned to fear her.

Only one other option was left.

"Come in, Henne," Falynn called during a wide yawn.

The door slid open and Henne popped her head in, and Falynn right away regretted letting her in. Her handmaiden had a twinkle in her eye, as she stepped through the doorway allowing the metal to close behind her. Falynn sighed and laid herself back down, her back still stiff from her earlier exercises. Henne practically skipped over to her mistress as she sat down on the edge of the bed.

"So," Henne's eyes glinted wickedly. "You switched rooms I see."

Falynn let out a groan not bothering to sit up, only causing her handmaiden to giggle. Rolling her eyes Falynn sat up on her elbows arching an eyebrow. Henne had gotten to be comfortable with Falynn, she actually considered her handmaiden more as a friend now then her servant. They looked so much alike, they could possibly even be considered sisters. As a youngling Falynn sometimes wondered what it would have been like growing up with a sibling. The thought allowed her to give Henne a small smile. Henne's eyes moved over Falynn's loose shirt, and her mouth broke out to a wider grin.

Force be with her.

"Nothing happened," Falynn boredly pointed out. "We slept. I am wearing these because they are comfortable. So don't start getting any wild ideas."

"He finally shared a bed with you though?" Henne's eyes did not quit twinkling.

"What makes you assume we haven't shared a bed before?" Falynn questioned, for she hadn't ever told Henne that her Kylo had indeed had never shared a bed, or even found a closet to make love in. Their marriage had been completely dry in all areas that came to physical intimacy.

The image of his body over hers, from earlier caused heat to rise to her cheeks.

Kylo had seemed so powerful and dominant when he had hovered over her.

It had been nothing more than training though.

Their legs had barely even touched.

The heat quickly died away from Falynn's cheeks, as she rubbed the back of her neck. Maybe that was the closest the two of them would ever physically be with each other.

Through fighting.

It made sense enough.

Henne now rolling her eyes pointed out. "Do you really think I wouldn't have noticed. The two of you were so distant from each other at first. He didn't even sleep in your room the first night. Oh please, that was the most obvious," Henne said as Falynn opened her mouth then closed it. "It would seem though," Henne's eyes crinkled a bit from her smile. "That the two of you have gotten closer."

Falynn sat up bringing her knees to her chest wrapping her arms around them. Resting her chin on top of her knee she looked out towards the port window. Much like Kylo had earlier, allowing her thoughts to drift out into the darkness of space. She wouldn't say the two of them had gotten closer. Perhaps they were now sleeping in the same bed, but who knew how long that would last. Kylo had seemed just as exhausted as she was last night. She wondered if he had gotten any sleep.

Her thoughts went to the command deck where she knew he was probably doing more First Order business.

"Some things came about," Falynn merely shrugged. She didn't want to talk about what happened with Hux. How deeply he had gotten under her skin.

How Kylo had proved him wrong, the moment her mind was about to snap in two.

As usual, Henne did not press the matter further, and she gave her mistress a quick tap on her legs with her fingertips. Her eyes were still bright unlike Falynn's who's had become a bit shadowed over. There was hope in those eyes, hope that Falynn wished she might one day reach.

"So you saw his face?" Henne asked.

Falynn answered with a smile.

Something similar to a squeak came out of Henne's mouth as she asked leaning forward. "Well don't keep me in the dark! What does he look like? Is our Supreme Leader handsome?"

Falynn didn't know how she would describe Kylo.

She guessed he could be handsome if he wasn't so brooding.

He looked like how one might imagine the night. Dark, powerful, and vast much like the sky outside of their port window. What she noticed first about Kylo was his eyes.

Those dark hazel pools ran deep, deep with whatever her husband had gone through and made him what he was.

"He is human," Falynn simply stated pushing the sheets off of her then added. "And grumpy."

Henne chuckled as she got off of the bed.

Falynn stretched wincing again at the sting of her muscles. Moving over to the wardrobe she opened and scanned the clothing that was inside of it. Most of it looked like they were hers. When had Kylo moved all of these dresses in? She would have to ask him, whenever she was able to talk to him again. Who knew how busy he would be today. She decided on a simple long black tunic with long sleeves and some grey leggings.

Kylo had indeed left some bruising on her from their training and she did not wish for everyone to see them.

That would draw too much attention.

She got dressed quickly, Henne leaving the room for her privacy.

After slipping on a pair of black boots, and pulling her hair back into a ponytail Falynn opened the door. She placed a hand on her stomach that was loudly grumbling.

"Would you care to join me for something to eat?" she asked her handmaiden.

"Gladly," Henne hooked her arms through Falynn's as the two of them headed down the corridors.


The command deck was indeed starting to feel...stuffy.

Kylo felt like he had been standing at the front of the deck for days now, even though he knew it had only been hours. One of the other Generals had told him, that Hux had been removed from the Star Destroyer and was now stationed on Tatooine.

Good.

Hux would no longer be able to meddle with Falynn, and he knew Hux would be efficient enough on Tatooine to find more information. He may have hated Kylo, but Hux knew who the true leader was. He wouldn't be stupid enough to not go through with the plan. He may not have believed in Kylo, but he still believed in the First Order.

Kylo was now sitting down on one of the command chairs looking out the massive port windows through his helmet. He had put it back on when he briefly returned to his and Falynn's room. She wished him good luck, then hobbled herself back into the fresher.

He had almost smirked at the sight.

Falynn was indeed sloppy, but she was also determined. She kept her ground as Kylo had given her his orders during their training. She had not faltered and did her best to keep up with his demands. It was obvious she wanted to learn what Kylo had to teach. He would be interested in to see what kind of fighter she end up being.

The rest of the command deck was fairly empty. A few navigators talked quietly amongst themselves as they sat behind the large control panels. The general who had informed Kylo about Hux stood some feet away from Kylo with a few lower officials, who stood stiff in their dark blue uniforms. Apparently more abandoned ships had been found on planets in the outer rim. He wasn't sure what the Resistance was trying to pull, but he knew things weren't as easy as they appeared.

He knew better than that. Knew his mother and her tactics, no doubt with Rey's help.

Rey.

Just the thought of her made his blood boil.

He had offered everything to her and had meant every word of it. He had wanted her by his side, he thought that the two of them would have made an excellent team, a powerful one. The force was indeed strong within her, she had learned it quickly, with the help of his now deceased uncle, Luke Skywalker. Another name that caused the very cells beneath his skin to burn.

Traitors, that was what they were.

Including his own parents. Always busy with their work, leaving their young son alone so often. He used to wonder if they had even loved him, and if they did why had they left him alone so often. He had felt so lonely in those days, so lonely and in the dark. Maybe even darker than what he currently felt now. He sometimes wondered what it would be like if his grandfather Darth Vader was still alive, what his life would be like. Would his grandfather be proud of what Kylo had accomplished? Would he be doing the work with him, standing by his side?

Growing up Kylo had been left blind that Darth Vader was his grandfather.

His mother had kept it from him, leaving Kylo confused why he always had that shadow of darkness hovering over him. He didn't even learn of it from her own lips, he had to find out through a radio broadcast. His entire life had been nothing but lies and betrayal. Rey was the last of those betrayals.

The last that he would allow.

He tried reaching out to her again, through the connection that Snoke once had created for them. Tried to see where she was located, who she was with or if she held any information, but found and felt nothing. Kylo finally made the decision that he would stop trying and that when he found her again he would end this. One way or the other he would have closure with all of it.

The General who replaced Hux on the Star Destroyer moved away from the lower ranked officials and headed towards Kylo.

General Jase was a much more preferred company then Hux.

He was a taller man, an inch or two above Kylo himself. He was broadly built and kept his shoulder length silver hair tied back. He stayed in line, remained respectful, and could take down an enemy easily. Kylo had found little issues with him. He had deeply thought of him outright replacing Hux, but he knew that wouldn't go over too well. There were still many who had respected Hux, and replacing him would not benefit in Kylo's favor. Least not among the closer circle of the First Order.

"Supreme Leader, some of the officials are asking if we are planning to make on any of the planets in the outer rim," Jase said, placing his hands behind his back. "What would you like me to tell them?

Tell them to keep their damn mouths shut, and be patient while I am working on it. Was what Kylo wanted to say but instead answered with his own question. "How many planets have we located the ships on now?"

"Five with the one that had just located on Coruscant," Jase replied, "We have some of the troops on Tatooine with General Hux as you are aware. The other planets we have not yet sent any troops too. We were waiting on your orders, sir, on what you would like us to do with the information."

Five planets all together with four still needing to be investigated.

Coruscant, Geonosis, Ryloth, and Dantooine.

The later gave surprised him the most, seeing how bare Dantooine now was. The planet didn't come up with most conversations. The Resistance was trying to stretch them out. Kylo smirked underneath the helmet, the expression hidden from the General. Standing Kylo moved to the large screens, where all of the planets were visible and lined out. The bigger planets they could easily hide in. They expected Kylo to strike big, were expecting him to mark the larger and busier planets. It would be easier to strike there, they could cause a raid easier that way too.

The more people the chance of the people fighting back was higher.

No that wasn't the way that he would approach this.

He would go small where he could easily find them and take out those numbers then slowly move his way up. By the time they reached Coruscant the planet he saved for last, the Resistance numbers would have decreased. They may have thought they had their strategies in check, but Kylo had his own. He would snuff them all out, and destroy them. He would be the one correcting what the Resistance had raised. He would create a better world. His own world where he knew on who to rely on and knew that everything was secure.

Marking the location, he knew the next step was preparing some troops.

That and talking with his wife.


As massive and spacious the Star Destroyer was, possibly equalling a small planet it was incredibly dull. Everything was either navigational systems, hangars, armories, storage rooms, or anything else revolving around the military. Falynn was heavily regretting not bringing one of the books from Naboo, as the Star Destroyer did not carry a library at all. Falynn had decided her only possible choice of not being bored out of her mind would be going to the training deck. Henne had given her a bemused look but had led her to the training deck then left her to attend to her other duties.

Falynn had watched as the Stormtroopers strategically moved throughout the deck, working on the mechanics for the smaller ships, or forming into lines to move down the large corridors, or checking their blasters to make sure they were in check. They were a white army that served a dark purpose. Loyal to a fault never betraying their leader, their brains being completely brainwashed either for the Empire or the First Order. The Stormtroopers in Falynn's opinion had less willpower than most droids did. There was no independence among them. She had watched the abuse and demands not just from Kylo, but from her own father. Matter of fact, she believed that her father had been much more harsh with them. Even watched as he had beaten a few after they had failed to deliver a message. They may have had the power to fight their enemies, to stand up against them, but they did not have the power to fight for themselves.

Most of them anyway.

Falynn studied them on a higher platform to the command brig leaning over the steel railing. She watched as their maneuvering, their mechanics. She registered them into her mind, taking mental notes on their strategies. Strategies that they had all learned from a very young age. Their movements were uniformed, precise and exact, the perfect form of any soldier. She had not seen any of them goofing off, laughing, forming friendships. She began to wonder why Kylo preferred this when to herself it seemed rather bleak.

Too bleak, there was activity on the brig but there was no sense of life.

After studying them for a moment longer Falynn made her way off the platform she had been standing on moving swiftly down the stairs. As the Supreme Lady, she felt like there was no issue in her making her own rounds with the troopers. She did not want to stand idly by, and just be a pretty ornament at Kylo's side. She herself wanted to be a lady of action. To prove herself to all of them, that she could be just as powerful. These were no longer just Kylo's troops but her own as well. She'd be damned if she didn't bring a little bit of life to them. Maybe even let one of them laugh. These were men under those suites, maybe some of them just barely entering manhood.

She stepped over to where a few of them had their blasters laid out on a table with a slick black metallic surface. The Stormtrooper lifted each blaster individually to inspect the weapon. Moving over to the table Falynn lifted one of the blasters up herself slowing moving it around to examine it. The troopers that were working at the table, paused turning their heads towards her, as Falynn took her time in examining the weapon that weighed heavily in her hands.

"M-my lady," one of the Stormtroopers lightly tipped their head. "What are you doing on the training deck?"

"Making my rounds," she answered simply as she smiled and laid the blaster back onto the tables metallic surface. "I am expecting everything is running rather smoothly. What are we doing here with the blasters?"

With the crowd she had been around before even before she met Leia, Falynn had learned a thing or two about different blasters and guns. She was curious if they could possibly give her more information on the mechanics of the weapons. It was also an opportunity for them to talk with Falynn and get comfortable with her.

"We had a shipment come in," The Stormtrooper motioned his head to some large crates that were near the large table. "We are inspecting the blasters to make sure everything is in line, and working properly."

"I see," she nodded pursing her lips and tilting her head thoughtfully. "Well, I shall be watching then. I would like to know that my troopers are being well taken care of with their armory."

The Stormtroopers didn't say a word, some of them turned toward each other then back to her. She only smiled back at them, mimicking Kylo has she clasped her hands together behind her back. She nodded towards the table.

"Well go on then let's not be wasting time."

Falynn monitored how they assembled the guns, watched as they pulled the blasters apart, then fit the pieces back together like some complicated puzzle. They moved quickly and swiftly, not uttering a word to her. She didn't know if it was because they were so focused, nervous, or possibly did not see her as their leader yet.

She supposed in a way she wasn't.

She realized most probably saw her as just some type of icon, or child bearer for Kylo.

Falynn would not stand for that though, not when this position gave her a chance to make a difference. Not when she was inside the belly of the beast. She would learn when to step up, and when to step down. When to blend in, and when to stand out. This was a moment, where she was going to be visible allowing the Stormtroopers to see her. To report to whoever they saw next, that their Empress had monitored them, checked in on them, got involved.

She didn't stay long in one spot. She wanted to give attention to all of them.

She had given the Stormtroopers who were assembling the blasters a quick pat on the back, told them well done and continued on her way. She smirked when the force allowed herself to feel something slightly shift underneath those suites.

She weaved herself through the deck ignoring some of the officials that had been watching her on the high platform above them. She was glad they were watching, she wanted them to see her amongst the troops.

She had remained on the deck until she scoped out as much as she could with their inspections, combat training, and other official duties. Falynn felt she had made enough of an impact on them for the time being and made her way up the stairs to the second level platform. She breezed past the First Order officials who had been watching her not bothering to give them a second glance. They were the individuals who really needed to understand her position. Where she had to prove her position to. She hoped they would report what they had seen.

Making her way to the hangar Falynn wanted to make a specific stop.

She had been quiet down the corridors remembering exactly where they had landed it. Kylo's command shuttle.

The command shuttle was easily the first spacecraft spotted when you entered the hangar and Falynn's blood still ran cold in its presence. The last crew of people who had operated the ship had lost their lives shortly after. Killed because they had made a mistake. Falynn didn't think that she would ever forget those frightened eyes of the pilot's. Or those scarred flecked hands.

The shuttle still didn't seem like it would be ready to fly anytime soon. The front of the shuttle was still battered with one of the cannon blasters still missing. The ramp was opened with several troopers and mechanics walking in and out. Through the air and space between them, she could feel their tension and stress they all carried on their shoulders. She could only imagine working on the Supreme's Leader shuttle was no light hearted task.

Especially if they knew what happened to the last group who made a mistake.

Taking a deep breath, Falynn slowly made her way to the shuttle, her nerves tightening up as she made her way up the ramp. A few passing Stormtrooper cast her a quick glance, Falynn just gave them a smile. She was satisfied when they quickly scurried down the ramp.

Entering the shuttle it was quiet with only the sounds of the ship's control's humming throughout the small space. Other than Falynn there was only one other person on the shuttle who was bent down and working on the back control panels.

Curious she made her way towards them and asked. "Will my husband's shuttle be able to fly soon?"

Surprised the mechanic dropped the wrench they had been holding and looked at Falynn.

The mechanic was a young man with crystal clear blue eyes, and dark chestnut hair, that flipped over his ears. Falynn was surprised that she actually thought him to be rather attractive in a youthful sort of way. His bow shaped lips twitched revealing a dimple on his left cheek, as he stood and bowed his head towards her. Falynn clasped her hands together waiting for his response. When he took another moment of silence Falynn tilted her head lifting her brows in emphasis to hear his reply.

"Maybe another few weeks," the mechanic replied rubbing the back of his head. He was clearly nervous to be on the shuttle with her. Even without the force, she could feel that. "Not too much longer, my lady, for when you and our Supreme Leader need to make travel."

Falynn tried not to smirk at the red rising to his cheeks as he spoke with her. Though he was a bit shy, she could tell that he was a hard worker. His tan pants, white shirt, and brown boots were covered in oil and grease. She guessed it wasn't just from the command shuttle but several other ships that were in need of repair probably along with some droids.

"Explain to me what you are working on," Falynn sat in one of the back control seats leaning wanted to appear casual and comfortable, to put him at ease. "I am not too familiar with ships."

The young man's eyes eyebrows lifted in surprise.

Taking a closer look Falynn realized that he wasn't much older than she was. Perhaps maybe even a few years younger. Early twenties. She crossed one leg over the other than placed her hands on her knee. She gave him a friendly smile, showing him she wasn't there to breathe down his throat, just that she was curious about his work.

He swallowed his adams apple moving under his skin as he nodded. Bending back down he motioned with his wrench at the open control panel. "Some of the wires had been blown out, which disconnected some of the sensors for the cannons. I am just looking to see where I can rewire them."

Falynn nodded, pursing her lips. "Didn't know that was really how it worked but it makes sense." Leaning forward she moved her arms to where they were resting on her crossed legs. "What's your name?"

"Bax," he answered with a soft strength. "Just Bax."

"Well, Bax, my name is Falynn," she extended a hand.

He didn't take it, just bowed his head again. "I know your name, my lady. We all do."

Falynn's brows furrowed as he lowered his head, avoiding eye contact with her. He knew her name, by the way, his body had turned from her she wondered what else had been told about her. Her name was the truth, but she wondered if there had been any deceit on her description.

She decided to keep the conversation fairly casual, "so how long have you been doing this, Bax?"

Bax turned lifting his eyes up to meet her own. Falynn kept her expression neutral allowing a bit of interest to be revealed there.

Rubbing the back of his neck the only answer he gave was, "as long as I can remember."

"You are doing a fine job, Bax. I am sure my husband will be pleased with your work," she lightly praised the mechanic with a soft smile.

"Will I?"

Body going stiff and straight in the chair Falynn turned her head to see that her husband along with a few officers had entered into the shuttle. She frowned towards the helmet that Kylo now wore on his head.

Hidden away once again.

The officers that were with him were both males, mid-thirties Falynn presumed with pristine black uniforms on, revealing badges. One of the officers was one of those who had been watching her while she had been on the training deck.

Bax immediately stood bowing not his head as he had done with her, but his entire body. "Supreme Leader. I was just adjusting some of the sensors to the shuttle. A couple more weeks and the shuttle should be up and running again."

"Can you make it one?" Kylo asked his voice cold through the helmet.

Bax's body stiffened but he kept his head lifted his blue eyes didn't show a flicker of fear. Falynn wasn't sure if it meant he was brave, or he was just used to this kind of treatment from the stiff and powerful authority over him.

"I will try my best," Bax promised placing a hand to his chest. "I can call for more mechanics and technicians to focus on the command shuttle rather than the fighter ships."

"I need to be flying out within the next week," Kylo snapped, leaving no room for argument. "I want to use my command shuttle. The fighter ships will not do. They can wait. If you don't think you can do it I can find someone else for the job"

Falynn suppressed a wince at Kylo's words. It would be a true dishonor to be kicked out of the project of fixing his command shuttle. She didn't want to know what would happen if Bax couldn't do the job.

Bax bowed his head again his voice losing its strength from before. "Yes, sir. I will make sure the shuttle is up and running by the end of this week."

Kylo turned his helmet towards Falynn, who kept her back straight as she stared right back at him her nerves humming and stinging. A bit of fear flickered inside of her.

He was angry.

The feeling was radiating off of him lingering in the space between the two of them.

Wondering what had happened with his work, Falynn thought that perhaps he had left the command deck in a foul mood. Maybe something had gone wrong.

All Falynn knew was that something was deeply troubling him, and she was afraid to know what kind of face he was making underneath that cruel helmet of his.

"Falynn," his voice came out gruff.

She tried not to jolt at the way he had just said her name.

Demanding almost like how he had just spoken with Bax.

She slowly stood from her chair, not once breaking eye contact from his helmet.

The casual posture she had just had with Bax was now gone, turning back to her regal form of an Empress.

"Come with me," Kylo's modified voice let out a growl as he roughly grabbed her hand, and began to drag her off the command shuttle.

Falynn turned her head, shooting Bax a quick apologetic look.

The mechanic just watched as they left his clear blue eyes bright and wide.

The two officers that had been with Kylo followed them out of the shuttle and walked with them until they reached the opening to one of the large corridors.

"Leave us," Kylo barked at them.

They both gave a quick salute to Kylo before turning around. The officer who had been watching Falynn from earlier sent her a smug smile, then fell into step with his comrade. Falynn wanted to hiss at him, to snap her teeth. He had done this on purpose. She wouldn't have been surprised if he had purposely sought out Kylo, just to inform him that his wife had been skipping around the troopers.

So be it, that wouldn't be the first or the last time she made her rounds. They would learn who she was in due time. Whether it was when she was with Kylo, or without him. They would know. She would make sure of that.

Kylo did not utter a word as he pulled them down the metallic surfaced hallways. Did not even glance back at her. Falynn wanted to ask where exactly they were headed but still felt that anger rippling off of him. She didn't want to press him or question him if he was in this sort of state. Perhaps he just needed a moment away from everything.

The way Kylo was gripping tightly onto her fingers, Falynn wondered if she somehow did something wrong. Perhaps he was upset because she had been wandering around. Perhaps he didn't approve of such a thing. If that was the case she wouldn't bow down, she would let him know she wanted to be more involved that she did not want to stand idly by. She ran arguments through her head thinking of come-backs to what he might say to her, words that would not anger him more but prove her point. She sorted out through strategies and solutions until they reached the large metal doors to their bedroom.

Kylo jabbed his fingers on the keypad punching in the code, then yanked her through the threshold to their bedroom. Before Falynn could bark in protest at the pain he caused to ripple through her arms with her still sore muscles, Kylo roughly tossed her onto the bed.

Her eyes widened as he slowly took off his helmet and revealed what was underneath that mask.

Oh yes, he was angry.

The Supreme Leader was not happy at all. Now laying on her back on their large bed, Kylo stared down at his wife, his hazel brown eyes seething.