Rey managed to keep Artoo and Threepio in check and save for the complaints from her passengers, enjoyed the ride as the sun set and the night air cooled.

It was a long journey from Jakku. Rey's body ached and her eyes were heavy, but she felt alive, particularly when she caught sight of the royal palace. She had never seen anything like it before. It glittered with a thousand candles as she caught her first glimpse in the distance, growing grander with each mile closer. Even if she never saw anything like it again, this would be a treasured memory for those cold nights in her drafty attic room.

A steady stream of carriages led the winding way up to their destination. There was a queue through the gates to the grand staircase. In turn, Rey pulled alongside and then hurried to open the carriage door and help Asajj and Talzin alight. They looked down their noses more than usual.

Servants in wigs and royal garb took their invitation. Rey heard the squeak of indignation as they were informed that for lower nobility coaches were at midnight. Talzin whined "why so early?" as they ascended up to the palace. Rey, however, was cool with that. A few hours to get home, put right the house ready for the morning, and she'd likely still be able to catch an hours sleep before the cock crowed.

"Coach parking around the back. Refreshments for horses in the main store. Refreshments for coachmen in the staff kitchen." Rey beamed at the generosity. The royal servant seemed friendly enough but she caught the slight eyebrow raise once he got up close to the Falcon.

Rey pulled around to where she had been directed. She found a quiet spot to park, then fetched hay and water for Artoo and Threepio. After satisfying herself that they were secure and resting she went over to where the other humans had gathered.

Men were talking outside and smoking but inside the staff kitchen there was cold meat, sweet red apples, and fragrant fresh bread. Rey was overwhelmed and tried not to draw attention by making a pig of herself.

The ball was turning out to be rather amazing indeed. Maybe Talzin or Asajj would marry the Prince, or some other lord they found, and Rey could disguise herself as a coachman forever? It was certainly a step up from household skivvy.

With the unusual feeling of a full tummy and after a small cup of ale, Rey stepped out into the night air feeling a little light headed. She was heading back to the coach when a familiar voice called her name.

"Finn, what are you doing here?" Rey looked at his tousled uniform and the dashing bloke in a military uniform by him. Clearly they were very friendly.

"I, err, swapped roles with a footman. Lady Phasma's here to present her niece."

The Soldier stepped forward. "Hi, I'm Poe."

"I'm Rey."

"I know. I've heard a lot about you."

Rey stood and chatted for a while, enjoying getting to know Finn's love interest. He seemed nice. It was a shame attitudes meant they couldn't be openly together.

"I don't want to alarm you, but you've got an issue." Finn discreetly whispered and indicated her breaches.

Her crotch was wet. "Oh, shit." She hadn't wet herself and her monthly courses weren't due for another couple of weeks.

Poe breathed in deep and seemed to pale. "Don't worry, come with me." Poe escorted her further around the rear of the castle. "There's some gardens here. They won't be used tonight. You'll be safe here. You don't want to risk bumping into any highborns. What time are you picking up?"

"Midnight."

"Stay here. I'll be back shortly before midnight. I'll bring clean britches for you."

"Okay. Thank you."

Poe left, leaving Rey alone in the quiet and dark. All the kerfuffle had left Rey with a cold sweat and so she removed the heavy jacket. So warm.

Not far away Rey could hear the trickle of running water. A bit of water on the back of her neck would cool her down. She ventured down a hedged path into a little circular grotto, thick with ivy and canopied with interlocking trees overhead. There was a fountain with an elaborately dressed but beautiful woman, pouring forth water from her hands.

Safe, something inside her said and so Rey sat down on the grass. The place was secluded and quiet. A bony weary tiredness swept over Rey.

She would hear Poe when he called. She was attuned to constantly listening for her name—to be at Plutt's beckon call. If she closed her eyes, just for a short while, that little extra sleep could make all difference. Use the time while you have it. Rey had nothing else to do until it was time to drive home.

With any luck, Plutt, Talia and Asajj would have drank their fill and would sleep in until midday.

Yes, that would be nice. Sleep. Sleep was so nice.

Rey couldn't physically remember dropping off, until she awoke with a start. A cramp rocked her middle so hard she cried out.

"Who goes there?" An authoritative voice demanded. "Who goes there? Show yourself!"

Rey rolled to her knees and made herself as small as possible. The only cover in the grotto was the fountain and so she crouched there, on the side opposite the entrance.

A wave of heat washed over her, from her toes to her scalp. Another cramp and a rush of fluid from her parts. Rey tried to hold her laboured breaths in.

Footsteps got closer. Was he in the clearing now? Had he seen her? It was his turn to gasp.

"There's only one place to hide in here. I can...smell you. SHOW YOURSELF."

Something in the tone of his voice insisted she comply. Rey raised her hands and stood up slowly. She was trespassing on royal grounds. Would they believe her explanation? How would she get a message to Poe? What would Plutt do when he found out? What was the punishment for trespassing in this place?

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude, but—"

"Where is she?" The Guard was all dressed in black, and he drew a large sword. His face was furious. Oh shit, she was in big trouble.

"W-what?"

"WHERE IS SHE?"

"I don't know what you mean."

The Guard stepped closer. He was so much taller than she was. Rey's knees shook. A cramp rocked her body again and a wave of something hit Rey that knocked her temporarily dumb. Was it a smell, or something more intangible, like breathable ale going straight to her brain?

"Don't take me for a fool. I can smell her. I find you here dishevelled. Did you think you could bring your sweetheart to see the royal gardens and get your dick wet? WHERE IS SHE?"

"There's no one else." Rey's words practically fell out of her mouth. "Just me. Poe, he's a soldier, he brought me here. Told me to wait...he said no one would be here, Sir, or I wouldn't have been here."

"Poe." The Guard seemed to laugh at something he found unamusing. "And so what I can smell...is you?"

It was a statement not a question, and a condescending one at that, but Rey nodded. "I'm sorry, Sir. Please, can I go?"

The Guard seemed to mull this over. Rey looked at him in more detail. If he wasn't so angry he would be handsome. As it was he was intimidating but she could almost feel something inside her unfurling in delight at the fact. Something inside her wanted to get on her knees and crawl to him for forgiveness, but what little remained of her pride tonight kept her standing.

"No. No, you can't."