Chapter 23: With Love (Pt.2)

"What's the occasion, Ren?" Hux questioned, when Kylo arrived to pick up his manager outside Gleeson Drive. Hux lived in a penthouse at Starkiller, a premier apartment complex at the heart of downtown.

"Do we need an occasion?"

Hux rolled his eyes. "Never once — not in the entire time I've been with the First Order — have you initiated a night out." Kylo felt his jaw tighten at Hux's tone. His manager was far too observant. "So, I'll ask again. What is the occasion?"

"Let's wait for Phasma. I don't want to have to repeat myself."

"Fine."

The driver pulled away from the curb and they began their ride to pick up their colleague.

Nautilus, though not as new as Starkiller, was another luxury apartment building in the downtown, only a few blocks over from Hux's location. It took several minutes to get through the dense Saturday night traffic, all of which Hux and Kylo sat in silence.

Both men lifted their heads when the sound of the car door opening signaled the arrival of their co-worker.

Phasma entered the car with a curt thank you to the driver. She was wearing black, same as them, though instead of a suit like Hux, she had worn a lace jumpsuit. It had a plunging neckline, baring pale skin adorned with layers of white gold necklaces. There was almost enough jewelry to cover what skin she had decided to show.

"Boys," she nodded in greeting to them both.

"Phasma."

"Thank you for coming out tonight," Kylo said.

Hux wasted no time in launching into his interrogation. "Alright, Ren. Out with it. What's the deal with tonight?"

"Ugh, I'm stuffed," Finn groaned, leaning back in his chair.

"Me too," Rose chimed in, patting her belly.

"Me three," Jess and Poe added in unison.

Meanwhile, Rey continued to annihilate her steak, enjoy the juicy cut and all the sides that went along with it.

"How is she still eating?" Rose asked.

"It's a thing of beauty, isn't it?" Poe replied, jokingly, as he put his arm around his boyfriend's shoulders.

"She's so tiny. Where does it all go?" Jess wondered out loud.

"Bottomless pit," Finn interjected.

"I can hear you, you know," Rey glared at them. "And may I remind you none of you would be here if it wasn't my birthday."

"Well, Peanut, technically your boyfriend is the reason we are all here," Poe pointed out. "Who would have thought Kylo Ren was such a romantic?"

"I think it has more to do with Rey than anything else," Rose remarked. "Ben isn't the same since they started dating."

Rey blushed all the way to her hairline. She hadn't been the only one to see the changes in Ben's demeanor. Her friends, Finn included, had picked up on his calmer attitude. It felt strange to know it was due in part because of her, but she'd be lying if she didn't admit to liking it.

"He still acts like her bodyguard," Jess commented.

"Can you blame him?" Poe asked. "With Plut-." Finn smacked him, cutting him off before he could finish his train of through. Poe sheepishly apologized. "Sorry, Peanut."

"It's alright," Rey replied, quietly. Suddenly, finishing her steak didn't feel important. Instead, she wanted it as far from her as possible. She pushed her plate back and was relieved when their waiter immediately stopped by to clear it.

The mood over the table darkened. A silence fell between them all. Rey bit her bottom lip, worried the easy flow of conversation had been ruined by her ongoing issues with her former guardian. Despite all the planning Ben had gone through, her past continued to haunt her. She wouldn't truly be free until Plutt was caught.

"Let's not talk about that," Rose places her hand over Rey's and have it a comforting squeeze. She rallied the rest of the group around her. "Tonight we are celebrating our Rey of Sunshine!"

"Here, here!" Finn agreed, raising his wine glass.

The group cheered, their glasses all meeting over the center of their table. Rey watched as they all returned to their smiles. She let go of a breath she hadn't known she was holding. Rose was right. Tonight was for her. She couldn't let Plutt ruin this gift.

"When do you take off?" She asked Finn and Poe.

"Early tomorrow morning," Finn answered.

"Really early," Poe groaned. "Which is why we have to take a rain check on the clubbing tonight, Peanut."

"Yeah," Finn nodded. "It's a long flight and there is no direct option, so it will take us a whole day to get there."

"Damn!" Jess cried.

"That warrants a rain check," Rose agreed.

"Well, I'm glad I got to see you both before you left." Rey smiled across the table at them. "I can't believe you're actually becoming a big deal, Big Deal."

Poe laughed, while Rose and Jess smiled politely, though it was apparent they were confused by the joke.

"I'm excited," Finn admitted. "We are going on a tour of SAFL's main campus the first day we are there."

"I'll be at the pool," Poe interjected.

Finn rolled his eyes. "Their food security program is one of the best. I'm meeting with Dr. Drimie after the tour. I have so many questions for him."

"About three pages worth," Poe added.

His boyfriend elbowed him, playfully. "It's not every day you get to meet your hero in the flesh."

"That's awesome!" Rey beamed. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks, Peanut."

"When do you get back?"

"Two weeks from Monday," he told her. "We don't get in until around midnight, so my boss is letting us have off on Tuesday to reset from the jet lag."

"One day," Jess scoffed. "You will need more time than that."

"I wish," Finn chuckled, "but it's a work trip, so," he shrugged and they all nodded, understanding. To Rey, said, "I wish we could go with you tonight. I've been wanting to see this club you work at."

"You're missing out," Jess grinned. "I've been trying to find time to go for months. And my girl works there!" She nudged Rey playfully.

"You two will have to come to Tatooine and we can do this again when you get back from your trip," Rose suggested.

Rey beamed. She was thrilled both sets of her friends were getting along so well. It was a wonderful feeling, better than any Burberry bag or Cartier necklace. Her family was all together with her — well, almost all of them. She couldn't help but miss Ben. While it showed his maturity that he had chosen to let her make amends with Finn alone, she wished he was with her to be a part of her dinner.

She reminded herself he was taking her home tonight, so at some point in the evening he'd be showing up at Rogue One. The anticipation sent a thrill through her. After all the surprises he had given her, she was preparing to give him one he'd never forget.

"We're going out to celebrate a friend of mine's birthday," Kylo enlightened his coworkers.

"A friend?" Hux repeated, skeptically. "You don't have any friends."

"Well, she's more than a friend."

Hux's eyes widened. "She?"

"Who is she to you?" Phasma asked, too blunt to care about formalities or a sense of decorum.

Kylo swallowed, considering his options. Telling them Rey was his girlfriend seemed strange. While he had gone out with both of them on numerous occasions, they rarely spoke of personal matters. Plus, at his age, saying Rey was his girlfriend sounded a bit immature, even if that was what she was to him.

It wasn't all that she was to him. She was his home. She was the love of his life — the person who gave him purpose and made him a better version of himself. She was his everything.

He was not saying that to Phasma or Hux. He'd never hear the end of it, so he settled for the socially acceptable term.

"My girlfriend."

Silence filled the car.

Maybe he had misjudged his co-workers. Perhaps Rey was correct and he had written them off before he had given them a chance to show how supportive they could be. Kylo was about to show them Rey's picture when it happened. First Hux snorted, followed by an attempt to breathe and finally finishing with a howling of laughter.

Maybe not.

Phasma was stifling her chuckle, but she was laughing too. At least she had the decency to pretend not to be humored by his admission.

He waited impatiently for the two of them to stop giggling like children before he turned his phone around to show them the picture Rey had snapped earlier in the day. Phasma's face changed instantly, as she gingerly took his cell from his palm.

"That's her?"

"Yes."

Kylo watched her reaction as she took in Rey's genuinely bright smile and flushed cheeks, while he stood behind her in the image, his arms wrapped around her and his lips brushing a kiss atop her head. It was a picture Jyn had snapped at Rogue One earlier in the week when he had dropped Rey off. Jyn had insisted he needed a new background for his phone. Somehow her suggestion had morphed into a photo session in the bar. Though he had opposed the idea at first, he was glad for it now. He had a phone filled with shots of him with Rey — his favorite being this one.

Phasma's expression was unreadable for a long time as she scanned the photo, clearly skeptical, but after a few minutes, she handed the phone back and gave Kylo a rare smile.

"This is the girl from the file?"

"What file?" Hux questioned, his eyebrows raising.

Kylo ignored him to answer his assistant. "Yes." He hadn't thought she'd remember, considering the number of requests she got on a daily basis, but Phasma had always been clever. If she disapproved of his relationship, she didn't let her face show it.

"Congratulations, Ren."

"Congratulations?" his manager scoffed.

Ignoring Hux, he smiled at his assistant. "Thank you."

He hadn't counted on Phasma being the romantic type. She seemed rather pleased, as if she had suspected he'd eventually take the plunge for a pair of pretty eyes. Rey was far more than pretty — she was breathtaking and kind and generous and — he could go on but he doubted his co-workers wanted to hear him babble about his girlfriend all night. Though he'd probably do it anyway.

Maybe when he had asked her to complete the background research Phasma had suspected it was for more than his dubious intentions. She would have been wrong, initially. Of course, now, she would appear to be correct.

"You seem happy." Phasma remarked, as she caught him smiling down at the image on his phone.

Hux snatched it out of his hand and Kylo turned his attention back to his assistant. "I am. She is-."

"Obviously an escort. How much are you paying her?" Leave it to Hux to turn the entire conversation into something unseemly and despicable.

"Armitage!" Phasma rarely used his first name. Kylo watched the redhead cringe slightly before recovering.

"What?" Hux snarled, pointing at the image on the screen. "No way a girl like that would be with him unless it was for money."

Kylo wanted to regale them with the mattress story and how their first real fight had been over money — over how she didn't want him buying her anything — but he kept his mouth shut. If Hux didn't want to believe it, then let him fester about it. By saying nothing, Kylo could manage to irritate his manager further.

When neither of them took the bait, he continued to press from a different angle. "Have you told Snoke about your lady friend?"

"It is nothing for him to be concerned about. My personal life has nothing to do with the ring."

Hux rolled his eyes. "Ren, everything you do is of Snoke's concern. When he finds out about her, he is not going to be pleased."

"What does it matter if I have a relationship or not? The others all have girlfriends."

"The others aren't the top-ranked MMA fighter in the league and the main source of income for the club." Hux pointed out, his mind solely focused on the business aspect.

Kylo considered his words. While he had considered spending time with Rey over the next few months, he had never gotten around to thinking beyond that. What happened when he went back to the ring? His travel schedule would be unpredictable and she was stuck working locally. Between his training schedule and his professional fight engagements, his free time would be severely limited, not to mention hardly aligned with her chaotic schedule.

Would they remain together after the new year? Kylo wanted her to be with him, regardless of their careers or where they lived, but he knew Rey had trust and abandonment issues. Paired with his own trust issues, he wasn't sure how she'd fair with him taking off to Canto Bight and anywhere else he had to go post-January. Knowing her, she'd try, at least for a while, but after months of barely seeing each other, would they make it?

"Maybe I won't come back to the ring." He remarked casually, remembering his back-up plan.

Hux and Phasma's faces both paled — a difficult task seeing as how they both had milky competitions from their lack of time outside.

"W-what?" His manager looked as if he was about to have a stroke. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Kylo muttered in a bored tone. "Maybe I'm done with all."

"Sir," Phasma began, falling back into her professional demeanor. "While I understand your attachment to this girl-."

"My girlfriend, Phasma."

"Yes, yes. Of course. Your girlfriend," she tried again. "I have to caution you about the ramifications of such a rash decision." Hux nodded next to her, as they both stared at him. They were eyeing him as if he had just said he was thinking of committing a felony, which wasn't too far off from what had landed him in his current predicament with the board. "Have you considered wha-."

"I have considered an alternate career path upon retirement from the MMA," he answered before she could finish.

"Shit," Hux cursed, leaning back into his seat. He ran a hand through his hair, before snapping once more. "Fuck, Ren! What the hell are you thinking?"

That a life with Rey is worth it , he answered internally.

Thankfully, they arrived at Rogue One not long after, granting him a reprieve from answering their questioning looks. Kylo greeted Chirrut and Baze as they walked in. Chirrut wasn't focused on any of them, but he was grinning from ear to ear, prompting Baze to tell him to stop "looking like a fool." Phasma and Hux paid the two no mind, apparently still in shock from his revelation, and followed Kylo's lead to the corner of the bar.

Cassian, Jyn, Kaytoo, and Rook were all there. Kylo's normal seat was occupied, which wasn't an issue tonight, as he had guests. They waited until three seats together became available. Once they had secured a place to sit, they each ordered. Hux had gin neat, while Phasma had hers mixed with tonic. Kylo didn't have to order his. Kaytoo brought his his normal whiskey without having to be told. With drinks in hand, the trio fell into silence.

Kylo wasn't bothered by it. The club was loud enough to drown out most attempts at conversation anyway. He past the time scanning the crowd looking for his girl. He knew it was still early, but he had kept himself from texting her since she had left for dinner with her friends and now he was becoming antsy. It wasn't long before Hux broke the silence, less comfortable with the void than Kylo or his assistant.

"See anything you like, Phasma?" Hux asked, his eyes lingering on the sea of dancing people.

"Not interested," she muttered, before taking a sip of her gin and tonic.

"Not even one?"

She raised an eyebrow at him, setting her glass down before replying, "I'm a married woman, Armitage."

Kylo nearly spat out his whiskey onto his manager. Phasma was married? She had been working for him for years. He had never heard her mention a significant other, let alone a spouse. She never had any pictures on her desk or on her phone. She never brought up any personal commitments. In fact, she rarely spoke about anything personal. He stared at her, wondering what else about the Amazonian woman he wasn't aware of.

"The fuck?" Hux stammered, vocalizing Kylo's immediate reaction. "You never told me that."

"You never asked," she responded with a half-shrug of her shoulders.

"Is it anyone I know?" Hux continued to press. He hated being out of the loop, no matter the content. Armitage Hux had to be in the know at all times. He told Kylo it was for his job, but Kylo knew better. The guy was worse than a thirteen year old girl when it came to gossip.

Phasma took another sip of her drink, staring a the bar instead of making eye contact with them. She didn't appear to be interested in sharing, but she wasn't walking away from them either. After a moment, she gave them a name. "Tormund Bane."

Now Kylo did spit his drink out. Hux cursed loudly and glared at him, as whiskey spray filled the air between them. Kylo had been able to turn at the last second, keeping the liquid from going all over his manager. Hux still wiped at his face with a bar napkin.

"The Ginger Giant?" Kylo questioned, using the man's ring title.

Phasma nodded, "That's the one."

"Holy shit," he wheezed, feeling the burn of the whiskey in his nostrils. "When did that happen?"

"It will be six years in May."

Hux launched into an all out investigation, peppering his peer with queries to sate his growing interest in this new revelation. Phasma, to her credit, simply smiled and humored him. Meanwhile, Kylo turned back in his seat, leaning onto the bar and staring into his nearly empty drink. He peered at the copper liquid as if it held the answers to the universe.

Phasma was his favorite person (who wasn't Rey) and the closest thing Kylo had to a friend. Until Rey had entered his life, Phasma had also been the only female he spoke with on a consistent basis. It didn't bother him she had kept her relationship from him. It did make him curious as to why, but he was not about to ask. He wouldn't have gotten a word in edgewise anyway, not with the way Hux was going on and on, as if he was suddenly a member of Scotland Yard. It made Kylo wondered about how she had managed to have it all — a promising professional career and love, long-standing and important enough to say vows to make it official.

Prior to meeting Rey, he had denied himself attachments under a misguided concept that it would detract from his goal of achieving greatness. In reality, he was actually afraid of rejection. He had been fooling himself, but even after he had met Rey, he had seen her as a stepping stone, a way to expand his career. Then he had spent time with her and all he thought he knew had changed. Kylo wondered if the same had happened for Phasma. He mulled over the change in her face when she mentioned Tormund. Though she had turned away from them, he had seen a hint of blush. The woman actually flushed at the mere name of her husband. He didn't want the details behind it, but it made his curiosity gnaw at him. She was obviously very much in love with him.

Kylo hoped Rey loved him in such a way. Had she flushed at the mention of his name at dinner with her friends tonight? He could see her glancing away, blush covering her face, hiding her freckles and running to the edge of her hairline. She always looked so beautiful with the splash of color on her tanned skin. Had Finn questioned her reaction or had he remained silent — the way Kylo was now? The vision of Rey reacting to his name, the way Phasma had, made his chest ache with need. Rey and her ever present shining smile flashed in his mind. It had only been a few hours, yet he already missed her.

He thought of how she had reacted when he had spanked her. Her eyes had lit up with surprise and a need to retaliate, but there was a hint of pleasure there too. She had liked it. He knew she liked it when he took control in the bedroom. There was an appeal to it, though it was difficult for him to decide which he liked more — being in control of Rey or being controlled by Rey. Both were attractive options.

Kylo swallowed the remainder of his drink quickly. Images like that were not going to help his developing desire for his girlfriend. Earlier this afternoon, he had been daydreaming about their future — a future he hadn't once mentioned to her. He couldn't fall into the same disastrous cycle as before. He couldn't make decisions for Rey. If he wanted a future with her, they needed to make those choices together.

We.

She had said 'we' yesterday morning. It had meant a great deal to him then. It meant more now. After the conversation with Phasma and Hux in the car, he needed reassurance. Remembering how she had said 'we' grounded him, reminding him he had time. It was only August. He still had four months until his suspension was up. There wasn't a reason to rush things. After all, it was his first relationship and hers, as well. They could take their time, continue having fun together, exploring one another. In time, he could broach the subject of their future with her. In time, he could ask her to be with him forever…if that was still what she wanted.

As if the universe was sending him a sign, Hux tapped his shoulder, before pointing past the bar out to the dance floor.

"Ren, isn't that your girlfriend?"

Kylo rotated in his seat, his eyes locking onto Rey's form in the massive crowd of bodies. Her hair was down, falling in waves about her, framing her face perfectly, as it bounced around from her movements. She had on some kind of metallic halter top, which caught the lights depending on how she angled herself and she had worn black shorts instead of full pants, showing off her toned legs. Her face was done up with makeup, highlighting her already perfect features, but nothing could highlight her main asset. Her smile was glorious, spanning over her mouth into her cheeks, creating dimples. She looked radiant.

"That's her, right?" Hux asked again, nudging Kylo, who had been too busy admiring her to respond.

"Yeah."

"I'm going to go say hi," his manager stated, before standing up and adjusting his shirt.

It took a moment for Kylo's brain to catch up. The First Order manager obviously had intentions beyond saying hello. The way his eyes roved over Rey's body was making Kylo uncomfortable. Hux regarded her as if she was a meal. Kylo didn't want his manager looking at his girlfriend like that. He didn't want anyone looking at her like that. He started to see the flaws in his birthday plan. Why had he let her go out like that?

She's mine , he thought, possessively, suddenly overcome with uneasy thoughts. He had never been good with people. His own parents hadn't understood him. In the end, his uncle hadn't either. He had always been too emotional, too rash in his decision making. The intensity with which he lived his life drove people away. He was fairly certain his possessive nature would not earn him any favor with Rey or her friends.

"Wish me luck." Kylo watched Hux down the remainder of his gin before waltzing out on the floor.

His manager walked through the sea of dancing people with poise. Dressed from head to toe in black, it should have been a challenge to follow Hux's movements. However, his red hair stuck out against his dark colored clothing and the majority of the patrons at Rogue One. Hux worked his way through all the jumping bodies to Rey and her friends.

It was as if it was happening in slow motion. Like watching a car wreck, Kylo couldn't tear his eyes off the scene. Rey was too busy swinging her hips and bouncing her head to the beat to notice his manager's approach. Her friend were doing the same, all crowded together in their trio. His grip on his glass of whiskey tightened the closer Armitage — and really, who named their kid Armitage? — got to Rey. He expected the tumbler to shatter any second. Then a hand was over his.

"If you're going to do something stupid, do it when it counts," Phasma told him. For a split second, he glanced over at her. Her eyes were boring right into him, as if she could see the root of all his indecisiveness. Maybe she could. This woman was proving to have more layers beyond her tough exterior. Her lips were set in a hard line and her voice had a 'you-know-I'm-right-and-you're-wrong' tone. She was serious, perhaps more serious than Kylo had ever seen her before.

Something stupid.

Following Hux's example, he poured the rest of his drink down his throat. Liquid courage was needed if he was going to do this. It must have been stronger than he thought because in the next instant, he was practically running through the throng of grinding dancers to her. Hux was already talking to her and her friends, who had all stopped dancing. Rey was wearing her signature smile and her friends appeared equally content to speak with the redhead.

That was enough.

"Rey." He broke through the sea of people, nearly pushing Hux over in his haste.

"Ben!" Her face broke into a genuine grin, wider than before. It was such a small win, but it gave him smug satisfaction, especially when he caught Hux's surprised expression in his peripherals. "You're here! This is," she gestured to Hux, then bit her lip. "I'm sorry, I forget your name."

"Armitage Hux."

"Oh! You're Ben's manager!"

"I am," he grinned, reaching for her hand. He brought it up to kiss it. Kylo had seen him work this old trick many times before. He stepped between them, effectively cutting off Hux's attempt.

"Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us! It's so nice to meet one of Ben's friends," Rey smiled politely at him, then turned her full attention back to Ben. "I didn't think you'd leave the bar. You normally don't like the crowds."

"Yes, Ren," Hux drawled, his voice more nasally than normal, as he insisted on calling Kylo by his known name. "Since when do you socialize?"

Kylo felt his face pale, as he recognized he was standing in the middle of the crowded dance floor with hundreds of half-drunken, sweaty bodies. The only one he was interested in was standing in front of him. He started to wonder if his plan hadn't backfired on him. Rey seemed genuinely elated he had shown up, but he hadn't stopped to consider how he would do with so many people. Rey had made a rather accurate point. He barely tolerated people in general and though he had made some improvements since being with Rey, he was entering sensory overload by being in the thick of things.

Then he remembered Phasma's advice from the bar. He was going to do something stupid.

"Youwannadance?" In his haste and aided by the liquor in his system, his question came out in one, sloppily elongated word.

Rey's eyes widened at his ask. He hadn't shocked her as often as she had shocked him. He wasn't sure he liked it. She looked slightly out of her element, usually so happy and unaffected. She had her own world, a place of her own creation that was as pure as she was. He was never meant to have such light in his life. He had shied away from it his entire life. Nevertheless, here he was, trying to break into it for her, desiring to live in the light with Rey...if only for a fleeting moment.

"She's all yours," Jess said, pushing Rey towards him with a sly smile.

Kylo watched Rey's cheeks flush under the strobe lights. He would never get tired of seeing her blush for him. She bit her bottom lip to hold back a laugh, as if there was an inside joke going on between her and her girlfriends. One glance at Rose and Jess's faces and he realized there probably was. Both of Rey's friends appeared to be fighting equally as hard to contain their laughter.

Rey took his hand and led him away from the group, towards the stage where the DJ was spinning the next song. Kylo barely noticed anything, except her petite hand wrapping around his. She barely fit around him, his form dwarfing her smaller one, but her hold was tight. The sight reminded him of what they had done earlier in the week. It sent piping hot sparks flowing through his veins.

Once they got up front, right by the stage, she turned to smile at him over her shoulder, as if checking to see if he was still with her. He wasn't certain he was. He felt as if he was floating. Rey hadn't bought into any of Hux's usual antics. In fact, she had remained unaffected by his charm, too overjoyed to have her boyfriend with her to notice the other man's attempts. It minimized his nerves, allowing him to once again focus on her and the fact it was her birthday night. She squeezed them into a spot off center. Only then did she drop his hand.

The music was much louder, making it impossible for them to talk. He didn't care. Rey was here. He didn't have to be without her any more tonight. Her presence alone was enough to calm him. He watched as she moved to beat of the music. She was swaying back and forth, bobbing her head again. Her hair was falling over her shoulders, flapping back and forth with her movements. He realized he was standing still, watching her, mainly because he didn't know what else to do. Kylo didn't know how to dance.

This was a stupid idea.

Rey peered up at him, her lips curling into another beaming smile. She shouted something. He couldn't hear over the music. She laughed. — at him or herself, he couldn't be sure. Then her hands were reaching out, taking his again. He relished the warmth she brought him from her touch alone. She began to tug and shake at his arms, trying to direct him on how to move.

Kylo found himself staring at her little hands. They were much smaller than his own. He had touched her before, felt her skin against his own but this time was different. He felt a tingle of electric energy rush from her to him. There was a current running through his body, making him jittery. Maybe it was due to the deep thrumming of the base, which pulsating through his body or all the strobe lights, either way, he felt as if he was about to have an out of body experience.

The song changed. Rey cried out, starting to jump in place. He saw her face light up, as she mouthed, 'I love this song' back at him. He couldn't contain his own chuckle. She looked like a kid on Christmas morning, overly excited and full of innocent joy. He loved that about her — how she could take such a small thing and turn it into a huge victory.

Her tugs on his hands became more insistent as she hopped about. She wanted him to do the same. Well, Phasma had hinted he needed to do something stupid. He might as well go all the way. The great Kylo Ren reduced to a dancing idiot over a girl. He could hear the headlines now, along with a scornful insult from Snoke. He pushed it all from his mind.

None of that mattered now. Rey was holding on to him, radiant as the first day he had met her. She rarely appeared so free around him. Confident, yes. Independent, of course. Happy, always. But free… she had always had her guard up in his presence — had kept it up until this morning when he had admitted to knowing it was her birthday. Not that he could blame her. Her past history kept her constantly in a state of self-protection and his first impression had been unforgettable.

And his behavior following it.

Unforgivable.

Yet here she was, attempting to teach him for a change. Teach him how to dance. Teach him how to have fun. Teach him how to be a person again, instead of the shell of a man he had become. Kylo had resigned himself to believing his training was fun, his addiction to winning fights was enjoyable, and his path was set. Being around Rey had changed it all. She had unofficially been teaching him for weeks. She had been the motivation for his changes in behavior, changes his therapist, as well as others had noticed in him.

Observing her hip rolls and two-stepping, he broke into a goofy grin. She didn't care how she looked. She didn't bother with other's opinions because she was truly self-made, truly her own person. Once again, he became aware of how the light inside her burned brighter than any star he saw in the sky. She was glowing next to him, alluring and free-spirited.

She was perfect.

He briefly took in the others surrounding them. Everyone seemed to be dancing in similar styles, moving to the beat. Most were couples, causing the electric pulse to course about him yet again. It startled him to the point he pulled out of Rey's grasp. She barely noticed, putting her hands up in the air as she swayed. He followed her lead, internally scolding himself for losing her contact. Following her example, he began to jump up and down, earning himself another wide grin from her, as she took in the state of him. He tried to ignore the flap of his hair against his face, hoping under the shadows, his ears weren't too visible.

All too soon, the music changed, leaving the upbeat pop for a more sensual hip-hop number. Rey stilled, her eyes immediately locking onto his own. Gone was the grin and the laid-back nature of her movements. He noticed the air around them was humid, as beads of sweat ran down the back of his neck below the collar of his shirt. Kylo glanced around. The other couples were closer, arms wrapped around each other, hips grinding in slow, rhythmic circles.

The jolt of electricity within him sparked across his skin, as Rey guided his hands to her waist. She moved her hips back and forth, lingering when she pressed her back end into his groin. Leaning into him, she began grinding on him, entwining her fingers with his as he held onto her. He could feel her shirt riding up, exposing the taut muscles of her stomach beneath. Her skin was warm to the touch and so inviting. No one would be the wiser if he slipped a hand into her shorts. They were too close for anyone to notice.

Kylo hooked his thumbs in her waistband, gently rubbing across her flesh. Rey's hands left his to wind up around his neck, her fingertips teasing the edge of his hairline. He ducked his head down, mouth hovering over her neck. She continued to gyrate her hips, rolling them back. Kylo's self control was lessening by the second. The sensation of her rocking against him while he let his hands roam freely across her expanse of skin had him painfully erect in his pants. He was sure she could feel it.

"If you keep doing that," he breathed against her ear, "I'm going to carry you out of here, take you home, and have my way with you."

His girl pivoted around, instantly, a mischievous glint in her hazel eyes. "Promise?"

God, he loved this woman.

This was one vow he had every intention of keeping, so he didn't hesitate when he replied. "Promise."

She grabbed his hand, taking off like a lightning bolt. The dance floor was suffocatingly hot. He could barely form a conscious thought after his very vivid, very rousing mental images of burying himself in Rey, filling her and claiming her in the physical sense. He tugged at the collar of his shirt, half expecting steam to pour out, as if he was in some sort of cartoon, as she guided him towards the bar.

"Five minutes." She held up her hand, each finger extended out. "We say our goodbyes and we're out of here."

He nodded, completely floored by her determination to leave. He didn't want her to regret leaving her birthday party prematurely, but she didn't give him a chance to object, already off towards Rook to thank him for covering her shift and say goodnight. Rey chooses for Rey, a smug voice in the back of his head reminded him.

At the bar, he waved to Kaytoo, trying to flag him down for two bottles of water. If they were going to be doing what he hoped they were going to be doing, they needed to hydrate. Phasma was still seated in her prior location, sipping a fresh gin and tonic. She didn't take notice of him, too engaged in her drink and her phone. She wasn't one for public outings, much like himself, however she didn't seem at all bothered by sitting in the corner alone. He had assumed Phasma would chat someone up. Though fierce, she was the most approachable out of his little trio. She tended to blend into whatever situation she found herself in, like a chameleon.

Kylo was stunned to find his more disagreeable acquaintance talking up Rose. Even more staggering, was the fact the girl had Hux smiling. It wasn't the condescending sneer he normally wore, nor was it a seductive charming smile meant to lure her into one of his conquests. No, it was an authentic smile. Kylo contemplated ordering another whiskey to wash the sight from his memory. It was alarming, to say the least. Luckily, Jess joined them, causing Hux's face to return to his normal indifferent gaze.

He turned his attention back towards where Rey had run off. It took him a minute, but he managed to locate her. She was crossing the floor to say goodbye to her managers, but she was no longer alone. A guy was reaching for her, too close for Kylo's liking. Rey was shaking her head, stepping back. The guy continued to persist. Water forgotten, Kylo stormed across the floor toward her side, his intent clearly written across his face.

She beat him to it.

"Let go of my hand!" Rey shouted, bending his fingers back and putting him into a wrist lock. Kylo noted it was one of the techniques he had taught her. He wasn't sure if he was more thrilled by the fact she used one of his techniques or that she had rejected the guy.

"Bitch!" The man hissed.

Kylo inserted himself between them. "What's going on here?"

"That wench broke my fingers!"

"No, means no, asshole," Rey snapped, from behind Kylo.

"Cu-."

Kylo's fist flew before the filth could finish his insult. His knuckles connected with the miscreant's nose, resulting in a satisfying crunch of cartilage. The man wheezed, clutching his face and doubling over. Kylo had never felt so gratified from a hit. He was only partially aware of another man approaching from his side.

"What the hell?"

Shit.

Malbus came up aside of them, taking in the man's appearance, as well as Rey's position behind Kylo. "Sunshine?" The bouncer ignored Kylo, addressing who he was shielding instead.

"Baze, this guy doesn't know the meaning of no."

The imposing bouncer, regarded Kylo momentarily, before grabbing the wounded patron by the scruff of his shirt. "You're blacklisted from this club," he shouted in his gruff voice. "Learn how to act like a man." Kylo watched, as he escorted the degenerate out. He thanked whoever was listened in the universe that he hadn't been thrown out too for his actions against the guy — or worse, reported on. The league would not be forgiving.

"I had him, you know," Rey's voiced pulled him back to her upturned face.

"He was vulgar," Kylo shrugged, as if it was nothing. "Besides, I haven't hit anyone in a few months."

"I could have handled him," she told him, crossing arms over her chest. Her eyes had hardened and she was no longer smiling.

Was she mad? He was trying to protect her. "I know you could have." Her eyes softened, slightly at his honesty. "But you shouldn't have to."

"Well, Kylo Ren-" Her tone was teasing. He hadn't heard her use his new name recently. It didn't sound right. He had grown a accustomed to her calling him Ben. Hearing her say anything else seemed wrong. He didn't like it. "-not everyone is lucky enough to have you as their personal bodyguard."

"No. Just you."

Rey's smile grew, at his words. He held his breath. She was looking at him with a dark, lust-filled gaze. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who was craving skin on skin contact this evening. If she stared at him like that for much longer, he was going to take her right here and right now in the shadows of the bar.

As if reading his mind, she fisted her hands in his shirt and rose to her tiptoes to whisper, "Let's get out of here."

A/N: Many thanks to abyssalspark, my beta. Thank you to everyone for their support of this story. I appreciate each and every review/follow/favorite, but I wanted to say it again. Thank you. If it wasn't for all the kind words and support I don't know if I'd be motivated to continue writing. This is honestly the longest fanfic I've ever written and I'm having a lot of fun with it. Hope you are too!