Kylo laid on his back staring up at the dark ceiling of his private sleeping quarters on his shuttle. It had been the most silent it had been for him since they had arrived. Once Kylo had returned back to the group of ships after his and Falynn's walk he had a line of officers and troopers loaded with questions, possibly more than they were with ammo. He barely had time to even have a drink of water with how occupied he had been answering to them. He had to keep telling them within a few days they would hold a meeting to discuss what their plans were. He needed to meet up with General Jase early the next morning before the sun even rose where the two of them would have the space and time to even begin to outline their strategies. Falynn's opinion, maybe smarter than their original plan, wasn't by any means easier. Kylo was going to need time to map all of it out. He thought of sending in a spy but he knew that would be fruitless. He knew his mother, and he was always aware of how skilled Poe was. They knew the faces of their members, an unfamiliar face would give them away almost immediately. As Falynn put it someone would need to go as if they were an insect, crawling in through the cracks. However that kind of special work was more suited for assassins or bounty hunters, which Kylo did not have on him at the moment.
What he had were soldiers.
Warriors that were made to make loud noises, and to fight head on. They had not been made to be stealthy but instead abrupt and brutal. There was a possibility he would need to seek out an assassin or a bounty hunter to do this specific job for him. However, that type of field was not easy to come by as they were either hidden in the shadows or scattered throughout the galaxy. Sighing Kylo ran his hands over his dark hair, smoothing it back and out of his face, before turning to the empty space beside him.
The bed was small but the limited amount of space where his body did not touch still felt empty. He had made arrangements for Falynn to sleep in one of the larger military ships that carried its own private small resting quarters. It belonged to one of the officers who had given Falynn a tight lipped smile as he gave it up to her. Falynn had only arched an eyebrow at the officer before turning to look back at Kylo. There was an unspoken question in those sea-colored eyes of her. A question that he could easily read. She had been wanting to know if the two of them would be sharing a sleeping space. Kylo responded with his own silent answer as he stood still, hands clasped behind his back, not bothering to even move an inch towards his wife. Hurt had flickered across her fair face for only but a moment, before she turned around and headed up the ramp onto the ship. Kylo's fingers had flexed and gripped onto each other behind him as he watched her go in and as she disappeared behind the closing ramp.
The memory of the two of them laying next to one another seemed so far away now, like it had been some type of dream. The taste of her still lingered on his lips from the previous events when they had been alone under the rock's large arches. Kylo slid his large hand down his face as he shifted in his bed.
He truly was a selfish creature.
He had just wanted an excuse to touch her again.
To touch her, even though he still wasn't brave enough to face her.
He was despicable.
Falynn, vulnerable, had her shields down and he could feel what was inside of her before he shut it out. She hadn't lied, she hadn't been angry with what he had done. It was something much worse. He could protect his Empress from every danger in the galaxy but he could not shield her from his own selfish desires. Kylo coldly laughed to himself. He wasn't sure if this made him a powerful sith or a weak one, if the strong desires that were buried within him brought him closer to the powers of the Dark side or further away from it. Holding his hand out in front of him Kylo flexed his hand out before blasting the force forward. The ceiling above him rattled for a moment before it went silent. Kylo sent the blast again, this time harder, which caused a dent in the ceiling. He stared at the dent silently, his muscles locking up briefly before he tilted his head back letting out a frustrated yell.
Kylo's powers thrummed throughout him at the memory of Falynn's bare skin against his lips. The pained look in those bright eyes of her, and how he had briefly forgotten that she stood behind him because his thoughts were for a moment filled with Rey. Sitting up and swinging his legs off the side of the bed, Kylo blasted at the metal door in front of him, knocking it out of its hinges with a loud crack. Brows knitted tightly together Kylo yelled out again as he braced his hands on his knees. Turning to the small nightstand, Kylo wished that he had brought his grandfather's helmet with him instead of leaving it on the Star Destroyer. He needed to talk to someone...Darth Vader though long deceased was the only being in the galaxy that he could confide in.
"What would you do?" Kylo whispered quietly to the darkness.
Standing up, Kylo grabbed onto his helmet that laid on the floor beside his bed, along with his lightsaber. Placing the helmet over his head, and hooking his weapon to his belt, he tried opening the door to leave his cabin. The door wouldn't open due to the space between the door and the frame was now uneven and bent.
He had jammed it.
Holding his hand out Kylo sent out a powerful blast of his powers completely knocking the door off its hinges. Kylo mindlessly walked over the now broken door and made his way towards the ramp of his command shuttle.
He needed to go for a nice long walk where he could clear his head.
Force be with anyone who wanted to stop him with another damn question.
It felt good to meditate again.
Falynn felt like she could finally breathe more than she had in weeks. As soon as the doors to her quarters closed, Falynn had gone to sit on the cool surface floor. Henne had asked if she needed any company but Falynn politely told her friend that she needed a bit of solitude. Henne had given her mistress a skeptical grimace placing her hands on her hips. Falynn's face softened as she placed a reassuring hand on Henne's shoulder promising that she wasn't planning on going anywhere. She had suggested that Henne stay in a room near her own, if that would make her more comfortable. The handmaiden quickly agreed to the idea, which meant Falynn had to order for another officer to give up their comfortable space.
Without Kylo around this had not been an easy task.
Falynn sought out the next person she had felt the most comfortable with, with her husband preoccupied. General Jase wasn't much easier to get a hold of, but she snagged the opportunity as soon as she saw it. She had asked him if any of the other ships had room to spare where Henne could bunk comfortably close to her mistress. The General took no time, in finding an open spot, and reporting quickly back to her. With that obstacle out of the way, the next step was dealing with the not so happy Officer who was told to give up his space. With Henne behind her the two of them walked to the next sleeping quarter which was only a few steps away from Falynn's. Lifting up her hand, Falynn had knocked several times on the titanium door which soon opened revealing a ruffled looking officer with only his undershirt on and black pants. The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties with sleek black hair that was combed back. He was tall in stature, his shadow almost engulfing Falynn's frame. Seeing who had knocked on his door, the officer had narrowed his green eyes as he glared down at Falynn.
"Good evening," Falynn greeted him pleasantly ignoring the plain look of disrespect that was written all over the man's face. "Forgive me for the inconvenience but I have come to ask that you change your quarters with another ship so that my handmaiden may be closer to me."
The man grunted before cocking his head and drawling out his voice in a mocking tone. "Empress, for you I understand why we needed to make the space for you," his eyes shot over her shoulders to nastily glare at Henne. "But I don't understand why I should place myself in discomfort for a mere servant."
"She is my right hand," Falynn answered simply, her eyes looking boredly up at him. "Therefore, I do believe that ranks her higher than you. I have already checked with General Jase to make sure there were plenty of openings so you wouldn't be out in the cold." Bless that man and the fact he had taken time out of his busy schedule to do her this favor. "You will now be bunking with the Stormtroopers who are stationed in Quad B. There is even room to spare if you need a place for your belongings to rest as well." She quirked her mouth, returning the favor of his mocking tone from before. "As the Empress my world is final. My double and my right hand should always be close to me. As the Empress I would like my privacy, but Henne should always be close by in case I need her. You may leave now."
The officer narrowed his sharp eyes that were now seething in anger, as he remained still in the doorway.
Falynn's brows knitted together.
This was so infuriating.
Despite her title, most who belonged to the First Order hadn't even shown her an ounce of respect. She knew the only way she could really persuade this bastard was if she threw in Kylo Ren's name. Would that always be the case? Would she always have to use her husband's power as her own leverage. The most frustrating fact was that Falynn knew very well that if she didn't need to keep her force sensitivity secret she could crush the officer where he stood and clean the air out of him.
She scolded herself silently in her mind for the thought. Even if she did have the freedom to do that, how would that make her any better than this scum?
Squaring her shoulders Falynn scowled up at the officer.
"If you don't move," Falynn's voice proclaimed threateningly. "I suppose I will have to use force." Falynn dared a step closer to him where the officer had to dip his chin in to be able to look down at her. "Disrespect to the Empress is treason if you are unaware. By disprecting my right hand you disrespect me, and by disrespecting me you disrespect my husband. I am sure if I call out for the Supreme Leader now." Falynn's lips curled up more flashing her teeth. "Shall I call for my love now?"
The officer looked like he wanted to spit right onto Falynn's, but she remained unmoving and kept her stance straight, even placing a hand casually on her hip. Letting out a low rumble of what sounded like a growl, the officer stepped out of the doorway and into the hallway.
As he walked away Falynn heard him utter under his breath, "self-righteous bitch."
Falynn chose to ignore the harsh words, before smiling at Henne and heading back in the direction to her own chamber and extending out her hand.
"Are you sure this is okay?" Henne asked quietly peering nervously into the room. "Aren't you afraid of what the others will think of you?"
"I could care less what they think of me," Falynn shrugged. She half meant it. "Go. Unwind and allow yourself to get comfortable. I am sure we won't be getting much of that in the next few weeks."
Falynn warmly patted Henne on the back, before she turned around and headed back to her assigned room. With each step Falynn took in steady breaths pushing down her powers. She would be lying if she said that the disrespect hadn't bothered her at all. That it was a nuisance to constantly battle just to communicate with most of the damn First Order followers. She was grateful when she finally had the space to let out an irritated shrill and string of foul words before sitting herself down. In the privacy of her sleeping quarters Falynn closed her eyes allowing her body to release any of the pent up powers and anxieties she had been feeling. It took a few minutes of deep breathing before Falynn found herself hovering a few inches off of the ship's floor. The release of her powers sent goosebumps across her skin. The last time she had been able to truly meditate like this was on the night of her wedding. She allowed her thoughts to drift around her, as she processed the day and what had been discussed and what had occurred. She tried not to linger too much on her and Kylo beneath those rocks, and instead tried moving her thoughts more towards the Resistance and the First Orders plans against them. She had suggested they sneak in, for someone to silently watch before they sent out an attack. Falynn was well aware that most of the men that were among them were not well suited for such tactics. She watched her father long enough to know what most of them had been trained to do. Even if some of those men were appropriate for the job, Falynn didn't trust them to do the mission.
That would defeat the purpose of her suggestion.
To prevent in any future full blown attacks on the Resistance.
Falynn wanted to be the one to go in. She knew however that she wouldn't be able to do it alone, she would need others by her side. She would not create the same mistake she had made on Dantooine. Henne could possibly go with her, she was sure that her friend was more stealthy than most of the Stormtroopers and other soldiers and officers. General Jase as much as she was fond of the older man probably wouldn't be the best option to go in. He would do better behind the scenes as his work was more focused on commanding troops and leading head on attacks. A large battlefield or large fleets of battleships would be more of his forte. It would have to be smaller frames, quieter footsteps. Whoever it was, Falynn needed to be the one to lead them where she could control where they moved.
The other obstacle was if Kylo would even allow her to do it.
The Supreme Leader still didn't trust her.
There was no way that he would let her lead a group alone. Asking him within itself could cause him to flare up at her, but she knew those walls more than anyone amongst these ships. She had possibly slept and rested where the Resistance currently were. Not that she could tell Kylo any of that, but she could at least convince him somehow that she should be the one to go. It wasn't like she was planning on jumping out in front of them, and Kylo knew she was skilled with combat, and steady in her movements. Falynn needed to meet with him the next morning before the others rose, and blocked her from him. There had been a crowd around him all day, she knew this. Blowing out some air through her nose after a deep inhale, Falynn allowed her body to slowly lower itself back on the ground. Her mind was set, but despite the meditation she was finding it hard for her mind to be eased. All of this was dangerous territory. Making a request to her husband that would most likely cause a fight, entering a base where some of her previous companies would be residing, and knowing she would need to give up a part of herself somewhere in the near future. Falynn knew that she wanted to take down the First Order, but a part of her thoughts also went to Henne, General Jase, Mayea, and to Kylo. If she sent the Resistance after the First Order she would also be sending them to attack those she had come to know as well. The thought had her insides constricting, but if she didn't go through what she originally believed in, then how could she ever be able trust herself again.
Falynn felt obligated to make up for everything that her father had done and stood up for. To atone for the sins as she watched her father leading Stormtroops to attack innocent people, or even standing by as he abused his own soldiers like they were mindless machines. She needed to fix the fact that she had away from it all, instead defending those in need. This wasn't about her or her personal feelings to the companions she had come to know. No this was something much greater than that.
Even if it meant that she would have to break away from all of it one day.
He wasn't expecting to open the shuttle that next morning and to see Falynn waiting outside of it. The sun hadn't even risen yet, and yet there she was, hair freshly combed and pulled halfway back into a top knot, dressed in a sleeveless black traveling tunic. Kylo was sure his own face beneath his helmet looked much more unrested than Falynn's. He hadn't even bothered to comb out the thick tangles of black on top of his head. All night he did nothing but toss and turn. The long walk he had taken on Geonosis had not helped, despite how many rocks he had obliterated with his powers and buzzing light saber. He had at least walked for a few hours before returning to his shuttle feeling rather defeated that he was unable to work through any of his feelings.
He opened his mouth and was about to speak until Falynn beat him to the punch.
"I need to speak with you."
Though she couldn't see it Kylo arched a dark eyebrow at his wife.
"Can it not wait?" he asked, rubbing the back of his neck feeling knots already forming.
General Jase would be there shortly and the two of them needed to make plans before others surrounded him again where he could barely even blink. As glad as he was to see that Mayea's work had paid off and that Falynn was looking completely recovered, he didn't have time for this.
"It can't," was her reply as she walked passed him and up onto the command shuttle, not giving him a chance to argue.
Kylo glared after her.
Well, she obviously had gotten her spunk back.
"General Jase will be here shortly," Kylo began as he followed her in. "I don't have the time this morning, Falynn, for whatever you have brought to me."
"There shouldn' t be an issue if General Jase joins us," Falynn brushed off. "I have come to discuss matters of-," Falynn paused as she took note of the broken door that was now laying unevenly on the floor. She turned her head where she could raise her eyebrows at her husband. "Had a rough night, husband?"
"That doesn't concern you," he grumbled as he walked over the fallen door. He didn't care to discuss that thinking about her last night infuriated him enough that he had broken his door. "You may discuss whatever you want with me briefly on the command deck."
"It will be as brief as you make it," she uttered under her breath.
What the hell was into her this morning?
He would have rebuked her comment but he didn't have the energy to do so. Instead, he took a seat in one of the chairs where the back controls were leaning his forearms on his legs and tilting his head up towards her.
"Well?"
Falynn looked out the window for a moment, her sea-colored eyes becoming distanced briefly before she brought her attention back to Kylo and said clearly. "I want to discuss the Resistance and their base."
Kylo's body tensed as his voice lowered. "What about it?"
Leaning her back against the chair that was located behind the pilot's seat folding her arms over her chest Falynn's eyes locked with Kylo's helmet. "I want to be the one to go inside of it."
Kylo's mind buzzed before it faded out than snapped quickly back as he barked out "Absolutely not!"
Sighing Falynn leaned her head back facing the ceiling of the shuttle. "I knew that would be your answer."
"How can you expect it not to be?" he scoffed in disbelief. "After everything that happened on Dantooine do you really think that I would allow you to go inside of their base alone?"
Lowering her head back down Falynn pointed out with a frown. "I didn't say I would be going in alone, Ren."
"With who then?" he lifted a hand up and added sarcastically. "Henne? That isn't an option either."
"I don't know yet," Falynn casually shrugged. The gesture did not match with the hard lines that were forming on her fair face.. "I haven't figured all of it out yet, but you and I both know that I would be suited for this. I am smaller and stealthier than most of your soldiers."
" I would hardly call you stealthy," he couldn't help but let out a harsh laugh through the helmet. "You were very unbalanced in our training."
"I was able to make my way around the laigreks," Falynn's tone became louder almost desperate sounding. "I know I am not perfect but I still believe I would be right for the job."
Was she really doing this? Kylo felt his insides splintering as his powers began to hum with annoyance. He didn't have time to argue with her over this. He was dumbfounded why Falynn would even think this was a fathomable idea to begin with? He was half tempted to call for Mayea to not just check with Falynn's wounds, but also her mind. Perhaps she had completely lost it.
"The job that requires perfection," Kylo snapped back as he stood. "That was three giant insects, Falynn, and you almost died, may I remind you. If I had not found you, you probably would be dead and rotting on that old base's floor." She flinched at his comment but he continued. If Falynn wanted to be outright with him so be it. He would just tear it down with his own brutal honesty. "This is an entire group of skilled fighters, navigators, and engineers. You wouldn't last a second in there," Kylo took a step closer to her. "And I am not about to let you go off and get yourself killed," another step. "Because you think once again you are stronger than what you actually are." He took one more step until he was looking down as he hovered over her. "Falynn, I won't!"
Eyes widening at his words Falynn sucked in her lips and looked down at her dust covered boots. He was right, and he could see that she knew his words rang true. The woman had no sense at all it seemed. Did she not learn the last time what happened to her, when she decided to go on some absurd mission. At least this time she had the decency to ask him first, before going off. Kylo was sure he made himself clear until Falynn slowly lifted her head back and he saw that steel fire lighting her eyes.
Oh no.
She was planning on making this an argument.
That was what she meant. It will brief as he makes it...she was planning on discussing this until she convinced him. By the force...she really had lost her mind.
"No!" he repeated louder allowing the air from his helmet to land heavily onto her. "Don't even think about pressing this matter."
"You aren't even hearing me out," Falynn shot back as she pushed herself off the chair. "You know I can do this!"
"I am not listening to this madness," Kylo reached over, gripping onto the chair keeping her in place with his arm. "I don't care that you know some combat skills, and a few basic survival skills. It isn't enough! Not to mention you are still injured!"
His tactic worked and he secretly smirked to himself as he watched Falynn pressing herself into the back of the chair. Or so he thought. Falynn refused to look away as she grabbed onto his arm.
"Mayea said I was fine," Falynn reminded him as her fingers dug themself into the thick layer of his sleeve. "The wounds are even scarred over now."
"I am well aware of what your wounds look like, Falynn."
Pink flushed her cheeks, her fingers loosening on his arm then tightening back up.
Kylo leaned down to her challenging her to find a way around him. Her lips pressed down in a determined manner. He was half tempted to laugh at her for it. He admired his wife for her strong will, but she wasn't going to win this. She didn't have the power to.
"If you feel more comfortable with the idea of Mayea checking on me-"
"Nothing about this makes me comfortable!" he lifted his other arm trapping her in where she wouldn't be able to escape. "You can be stubborn all you want Falynn, but you won't be leading anyone into the Resistance base. I am done discussing you wish to continue this argument I will make contact with Stormtroopers to come escort you out, and lock you in your sleeping quarters if I must."
"Am I interrupting anything?"
Kylo didn't bother to remove where he stood, keeping himself positioned over Falynn as he turned his head slightly to see General Jase standing there stiffly at the entrance of the command deck.
"You aren't," Kylo answered then froze when he felt a cool space between him and the chair.
Falynn had used the brief distraction to duck herself underneath Kylo's arm. She didn't even turn around to see if he had noticed as she approached the uncomfortable looking General. What troubled Kylo even more, was that in that second he hadn't even noticed her slip underneath what he thought had been a tight lock on her. All he could do was stare in bewilderment at the now empty space in front of him.
"Good morning, General," Falynn bowed her head. "I am glad you have actually arrived. My husband," Kylo pushed off the chair turning around seething at his wife's teasing tone, "we were discussing the plans of the Resistance and who we should send inside of the base."
"Good morning, Empress," he bowed to her then to Kylo. "My lord." He lifted himself back up nervously glancing between the two of them. "Are you sure I am not interrupting anything important. I can come back another time if necessary."
"No, no," Falynn smiled. She even had the nerve to casually shift her weight on one foot, placing a hand on her cocked out hip. "I would like your opinion on something, General. I believe it would be useful to our plans. All I ask if you could bring me a staff or possibly a spear."
Kylo's eyes widened.
She wouldn't dare.
"A staff, my lady?" General Jase's concerned expression molted into confusion.
"Matter of fact I will need two," she lightly added, tossing some of her copper hair over her shoulder.
By the force.
"My lady, forgive me," General Jase let out an uneasy laugh. "I am confused."
"I would like to show you something," was her only reply before turning around not before she cast a glance at Kylo.
A smirk appeared on her lips as a spark lit her eyes.
She was really planning on doing this? Just to prove her point she was going to allow the General to see something that Kylo once thought she wanted to keep secret. The knowledge of that itched beneath Kylo's skin, irritating him in more ways than one. What would happen if all of his soldiers saw the skills his wife had hidden beneath her? Where would that place the two of them? More importantly, why was she so suddenly eager to be so open about it? Was she really willing to put herself out there just to prove her worth to everyone? Why was nothing he ever did enough to sedate her? She had been through hell on Dantooine, injured, bloody, and close enough to death where Kylo had tasted it in the air. So why was this damn forsaken woman so hell bent on making his head continuously spin in an infuriating manner? The more he tried to fight against her, it was like adding oil to the fire.
There was no stopping it.
Not until she was beaten down enough in her, where she would finally understand all she needed to do was stay close to him, and that was enough.
Stepping up to the General, Kylo placed a hand on the General's shoulder before he whispered. "Don't go easy on her."
Her next comment didn't just confuse the General but Kylo as well.
Falynn's lips curled into a smile he had never seen on his wife as she added over her shoulder. "Oh yes...also there is an officer in Quad B. Bring him to me too."
