Chapter 32

Rey didn't know what the day of an evil dictator would be like but this was not what she expected. True to his word, Kylo kept her with him at all times. She attended every meeting and thus, was privy to every decision and action that the First Order made.

She imagined that when Snoke ruled, most decisions centered around which system to crush next. Now, most of what she heard centered on available resources, shipping routes and which systems were demanding aid. Rey snorted at that. Why would anyone request support from the First Order?

The most confusing part was that the First Order appeared to be helping. That bit of news shocked Rey to her very core. Bad guys didn't help. Something else had to be going on here. The simplest explanation was that the First Order was using this as an opportunity to gain access to the legitimate governments of the galaxy. Their aid was tainted. It came at a price and once the Order gained the access and legitimacy that it desired then the aid would stop.

Feeling confident that she was right, Rey stopped listening to the conversations going on around her. It wasn't like they were going to say anything around her that they didn't want her to hear. For all she knew this entire scene could be an act. She needed to focus her energy on an escape plan. There had to be a way out of here. The sooner she was gone the better.

Rey was so focused on her thoughts that she didn't register that Kylo had spoken to her until she felt his hand on her leg. The touch was firm and insistent. Rey got the impression that he had been trying to get her attention for a while. Looking up, Rey found Kylo staring at her intently, clearly waiting for a response. Well, he was just going to have to keep waiting. Rey had blocked out their conversation so she had no idea what they were talking about. And even if she did, Rey refused to be a part of this farce. Kylo could pretend to be the good guy all he liked but Rey knew who he was.

Kylo's grip on her leg hardened as did his stare. Turning back to the holo projector, he dismissed the assembled leadership before turning his attention back to her. Rey watched the images of the First Order leadership blink out one by one until only the two of them remained in the room.

"Explain yourself," he ordered.

Rey couldn't help herself, she snorted. Fine, if Kylo wanted all of the cards on the table so be it.

"You can keep me here for now but don't think for a second that I am going to be a willing participant in all of this."

"This what?" Kylo countered.

"This farce where you pretend to be the good guy."

Kylo's jaw clenched in response to her words.

"You seem very confident in your opinions for someone who didn't even listen to half of what was said."

To this Rey outright laughed in his face.

"I don't need to listen," she retorted. "I know you Kylo."

She spat out his name like it was something foul in her mouth. This was ridiculous. Did he think that he could really sway her with this mockery?

"You know nothing."

Kylo rose from his chair and glared down at her. She met his gaze head on. She wasn't going to budge any more. This was where she made her stand.

"You think you know so much," he stated. "The little scavenger from Jakku sees all. Well if you are so confident, why don't you test it?" His tone was full of mockery and distain.

"Bring it on," Rey shot back. She was sick of his smug condescension. She was prepared for whatever he had in store. At least she thought she was.

Kylo reached out his hand to her with his palm facing up. Rey stared at it in confusion. What was he doing? Weren't they going to fight?

"Well?" Kylo's voice was filled with annoyance and expectation. It was like he was waiting on a particularly annoying child.

"Well what?"

"Test me," he responded.

Rey looked at his hand as if it had transformed into a wampa rat. What game was this?

"I won't hold anything back. Go ahead. Test me. Or do you lack the courage of your convictions?"

Rey didn't know what he was talking about. Like everything that had happened today, she didn't know what was going on.

Letting out a particularly exasperated sigh, Kylo reached down and lightly brushed the backs of his fingers across Rey's check. The touch was light, only the barest of contact but it sent Rey flying back into her seat. In the instant that they touched, Kylo's mind was completely open to her. All of his shields were down. Not only did she know what he was thinking but also what he was feeling. The connection severed the second they stopped touching. Rey had to take deep breaths to center herself. When she looked up, she saw that Kylo was still gazing down at her. Only now the anger was gone from his gaze. He merely looked at her with expectation.

Long moments passed as Rey made up her mind. Kylo didn't push her. Just waited until she made her decision.

Finally, she reached her hand out. Kylo grasped it firmly in his but no thoughts or feelings flooded her mind. Instead he tugged her up and lead her from the room.

"Not here. I don't want this interrupted."

He led her quickly down the hallways until they returned to his chambers. Everything in the room was back in order. It was like their morning battle had never happened. Kylo released her hand and walked to the center of the room. He sat down on the ground and looked up at her with one hand extended.

Slowly, Rey walked over to Kylo. She sat across from him, silently giving her consent for what came next. Kylo reached out to her with both hands. He kept his movements slow and deliberate, giving her plenty of time to change her mind. She didn't. Gently, Kylo touched her face with both hands before taking a deep breath and dropping his shields.