Chapter 3
Rey POV
Those eyes are going to be the end of me, I can tell. The curls rolling down his face to his shoulders, the muscles tight and filled with many hours of work, but most of all his touch. He cares for me, I have known this since our duel at Star Killer base.. He wants to protect me, for me to join him, but I can't. Ben please.. See me, see that the Darkness isn't my place..
"Did you bring this for me?" I ask with all the kindness I can gather and nod toward the dress. My hand gently caressing the scar.
"Yes, I wanted to see you in something other than warrior clothing." His hands move slowly to my face, searching me. Drinking me up, taking no prisoner.
"I wanted to see what that damn pilot got to see when you dressed nice for the dinner with the village people." He smiled, a real smile. My breath hitches.
"How did you know.. Nevermind.. The bond.." I trail off remembering that day.
"Poe I look ridiculous! I don't feel like myself!" I yell as I let the dress fall around my body. This is a mistake."Oh come ooonnn!" Poe yells behind the door, waiting for me to descend from my quarters. I don't feel right. I'm a warrior not a doll."Please? For me? Can I see now?" I yell back and he enters. His eyes wide. I smile some. I guess I can't look that bad. I wish it was someone else giving me that look though.."I am so glad I am by your side tonight! The men out there won't be able to keep their hands off you. You look amazing and stunning Rey." He smiles softly and a small bit of guilt hits me. I shouldn't be smiling back, but I do feel beautiful if only for a night. Why can't there be no war, no pain? No Kylo Ren.. Only Ben.."Come on, I'm starving," I grab Poe's arm and we laugh as we make our way to Leia, who is eager to see the dress she has chosen for me. Yet, I feel someone staring at me. A feeling of love and jealousy hits. Ben..
"Look, he's only a friend and I didn't look that great. You know I'm not a princess like your mother and grandmother, I'm a warrior. I'm more of a fighter. For you though, I may be both." I look over his scar, and all the guilt and pain hit me like a blast to my gut.
"Can you ever forgive me for what I have done?" It comes as a whisper, but I drop my eyes as the tears slowly start to fill my vision. I keep hurting you, and yet you have never hurt me..
"I will always forgive you. I don't want to see you in pain," he pulls my chin up to where our eyes meet, "please, don't look away. Those eyes, that smile, you make me weak. I know I should hate you, want to end my enemy, but I can't seem to leave you.. Please, Rey, let me teach you. Stay with me here, for one month, let me teach you and if you want to stay longer, you may. I will not harm your friends. I will send my fleet on a goose chase." He is begging me. This is his negotiation for me to stay. In our eyes, our bond, I know he is telling me the truth.
"Give me your word Ben. Give me your word as.. As.. I don't know but give me your word you will not harm them.." I trail off as the tears fall. Forgive me everyone, but if I can save you, please understand..
"Anything for you Rey. You are my Light. You are the balance I need. I was so lost before you, being torn between the light and dark, but you are so pure. You are filled with light, I will never hurt you, let me protect you." Our bodies keep getting closer, I can feel the need in his words but I want to know he will keep it.
I step back out of his hold and smile. I nod to him, and place my hands in his. I'm trusting you with not only my life, but those I hold dear. Don't break my trust Ben.
He nods and says he has some things to take care of, but that he won't be long. I smile and let him leave our gaze first. Why didn't you kiss me? Why can't I find the courage to kiss you?
I watch as he leaves, feeling a tug in my heart. I look over at the dress and the shower and feel it is time to at least let my body relax under the hot water, and try and relax my muscles. You are going to be here for a while Rey, might as well make yourself comfortable.
Kylo Ren POV
She said yes! She said she would do it! My dear Rey. My girl! I smile the best I can and let her change. I walk to the war room to start our goose chase. I walk into see Hux deep in conversation with another technician.
"The planet has no Rebels, only simple village folk. We will need to start our search in the neighboring system. I have their Jedi as our 'guest' and she is to be treated as such. I got lucky and caught her trying to reach to them in a small ship." The lie leaves my lips, and sounds as real as I make it feel. "I feel she will be a great ally to our side. She will be staying in my quarters and has free will over the base and planet. She will not escape." I grow taller over Hux, his eyes starting to look anywhere but at me.
"As you wish Supreme Leader, anything else?" He never meets my dagger stare.
"Yes, she will need clothing. Dresses, shirts, shorts, pants, anything she may feel comfortable in. Black would be best, but find what you can. She will be joining us in the mess hall tonight as our honored guest," I look over at the troopers guarding the door. An idea comes to mind.
"Tonight put us on lockdown, have all personal, trooper and all out of their armor and in decent clothing. We need her to trust us," I trail off as I dismiss Hux to prepare. Hopefully she can see that we are all just people. Not enemies, not different sides, but people fighting for balance in the universe.
I leave the war room after debriefing the commanders on where to search next, and the plans for the next few days. I try and keep busy, but my mind is on her.
After what seemed like years, I leave to retrieve Rey to show her around the base and some of the city that she will be calling home.
I knock softly, waiting for a response, but nothing. Panic sets in, did she leave when she promised she would stay?
I open the door and enter to see the room empty, but hear water turning off in the washroom. She must have needed the shower, just some peace to take it all in.
I wait for about an hour and she emerges from the room, wearing the black dress I had picked for her. I am stunned.
Her face meets mine, and I see the smile she is trying to hide. Her body fits the material so well, her arms strong and toned but still so small. The neckline gives way to her slender figure but still radiates beauty, strength, and want. You are going to drive me crazy. I say to myself and smile.
I remove my gloves and take her hand. No more leather on skin. I want to feel her, drink her up, devour her if she will let me.
"I guess this one looks better than the one you saw before?" She teases and twirls around. She looks like a queen. My queen.
"I.. I.. I have no words. You are so beautiful." I step closer, the small waves of the dress just intensifies her beauty.
"I guess that would be a first, huh Supreme Leader?" She jokes and elbows my rib jokingly. I smile and shake my head at her. She makes me feel like a man.
"Come, I want you to be able to see where you will be staying. I think I can trust you not to run." I take her hand and pull her into my embrace. Her smell sends me back to when we first met in the interrogation room.
"You make me want to be a better man," I say softly, more to myself than to her.
"Oh Ben," she reaches out for my face and smiles. I want to kiss her, why can't I kiss her? You want her permission. You don't want her to feel forced.
"One day, I hope I can be half the woman you deserve, Supreme Leader," she jokes again and I smile.
I take her to the hall and let go of her hand and ask her to follow behind me. She does as she is told. Good girl. I still want to show I am in command and will rule with no emotion, but that is a lie in itself. You want to rule to keep her safe.
I show her around the mess hall, the training rooms, the weapon training room, and last the war room.
"Why are you showing me this?" She asks, surprised.
"I trust you, do you trust me?" I ask her and she slowly nods.
I show her where my fleet is currently looking for her friends, away from the planet that I captured her on. Before we can leave Hux decides to make an appearance. She eyes him up and down and I see the disgust in her stare.
"Sir, your orders have been carried out and her clothes have arrived" the way he is looking at her reminds me of the look the pilot gave her. I push myself in front of her and give him my knowing death stare. I will kill you if you lay a hand on her, know it.
He seems to have taken the hint and turns on his heels with two drooling stormtroopers in tow. I can see having her here will be a bit of pain.
"Anyways, would you like to see the city or are you hungry? Dinner will be prepared shortly." I ask, give her the choice Ren. Always her choice.
She looks out at the city life bustling out but I see the pain in her eyes. You miss your friends.
She looks back at me and lays a hand on my chest, "I honestly think food sounds better. Can you show me the training rooms again?" And like that we are off toward the training rooms in silence.
"I hope you enjoy your stay, I promise I will not hurt you, I will show you what I know of the force. I won't go into the dark or light, but I will show you how to start practicing. We will train for five hours a day, eat before and after, and then maybe we can do whatever you like to do." I smile at her as we go past the rooms to the mess hall. Her stomach is louder than a TIE fighter starting up.
She laughs softly as she realizes that I can hear her stomach.
"Tonight you are my guest, and I hope," I shut my eyes before entering the hall. Good luck Ren, make her feel at home. "I hope you can trust me enough to stay." We enter the hall and all eyes are on her.
Poe POV
It feels like it has been days without her.. I can't sleep, I can't eat, I just want to make sure she is okay. I can only imagine what that monster is doing to her. I enter her room and look to see the dress she wore. You looked stunning. Why couldn't I have opened up?
I lay down on her bed, closing my eyes I see her smile and laugh. She is in the sun, knees to her chest staring out at the setting sun. The beautiful colors of the sunset has no comparison to her. I should have asked her that day, the day before she was stolen from us, from me.
"You look like you could use some company, mind if I sit?" I ask her, looking out across the trees down below. This must be where she goes to meditate."You are always welcome to sit, if it wasn't for you, we would be nothing but ash. I owe you." She smiles, but the smile doesn't reach her eyes. She looks so sad."Do you ever wonder what it would be like, if there was no war, no one trying to kill us?" She asks. I contemplate this myself. What would I be doing?"I would love to travel the stars. To travel across the universe, to meet different people and creatures alike." She looks over at me and smiles softly, "I would want to know what it would be to love. To have a family." Oh Rey.. I could do that for you."Rey, do you miss him?" I don't want to know the answer but her face says it all."In a way yes, but he wants me dead. I hurt him beyond anything ever could. I betrayed him. He would never let that go." Tears start to form in her eyes, but she doesn't shy away. She stays strong."What if someone else could give you what you needed?" I ask in a whisper. Hoping she didn't hear me."Hmm? What was that?" She asks, her eyes fixed on the setting sun."Oh, I just asked if you were hungry. Dinner should be ready soon." Stupid Poe. Man up!Her smile says how hungry she is. She gets up and brushes herself off and grabs her staff. I get up and trail behind her, wishing I had the courage to just say what I wanted to say.
Why couldn't I just have said it? Would she have said yes? No? Does she really miss him that much? Does she miss me?
I can feel the pang in my heart as I fall asleep in her bed, hoping that we can find her. The next time I see her, I will tell her I love her. I can feel a piece of her here, just waiting for her to come back.