He had panicked.

The minute she had looked at him with those wide eyes, he had cracked. He had let his guard down. He, the Jedi-Killer, the infamous Kylo Ren of the first order, had let his guard down as soon as a puny scavenger had prodded back at his mind.

He was no stranger to Force users, but this was different. She shouldn't have had the strength to withstand his presence in her head, much less thrust herself back into his. It shouldn't have been possible, and yet…

There had been a stirring in the Force. He and his master had felt it, only a few days ago. Could this girl – this nobody from Jakku – be the awakening he had felt? Surely there must be another explanation. Perhaps a more impressive one, with a more imposing form and cleaner hair.

He glanced down at her, ushering her roughly around a nearby droid and onto a waiting elevator.

Her face was set, eyebrows ever so slightly furrowed, her feet set apart as though she was expecting an attack. Kylo wanted to reassure her, to ask her who she was, to understand what was happening, but he silenced himself.

His master would tell him what to do. It was always easier that way. He had learned a long time ago how much pain came with making his own decisions.

The elevator jolted to a stop, breaking him out of his thoughts.

Kylo skimmed the surface of her thoughts, sensing her fear, her loathing, and her slight curiosity, buried far deeper than the other emotions. He remembered the feeling, remembered being so afraid of himself and his powers. Taking her arm again, he ushered her out of the elevator and into the waiting chamber a little gentler than he had pulled her earlier.

The chamber was as cavernous as it had always been, with the deep red of the walls and ceiling contrasting with the shining black floor in a stark reminder of the power and influence of the First Order. Around the perimeter, standing as still and as silently as statues, were the Praetorian Guards, the red of their armor blending in almost perfectly with the walls. One could almost forget they were there. Almost.

Rising in the center of the room was Snoke's throne. Kylo felt Rey stiffen next to him, could feel her heart begin to beat faster as her fear began to get the better of her. Beneath his mask he grimaced, knowing the depth of the pain which was in store for her. Pain was the one constant through all of his years of training under Snoke. Perhaps this hadn't been the best plan. Maybe he should have tried to figure it out for himself first.

It was too late to turn back now, though.

They had quickly crossed the great expanse of the room and were nearing the chair upon which sat the figure of Supreme Leader Snoke himself. His head was bent in front of his body, his arms folded across his body.

"Kylo Ren. Master of the Knights of Ren. Prince of Darkness." The voice was low, menacing. "I do not remember requesting an audience with you."

Snoke looked up for the first time, eyes flitting over Kylo and settling on the girl, whose features were contorted in a grimace that almost matched the puckering of the Supreme Leader's face.

The Supreme Leader narrowed his eyes as he scanned the girl in front of him, then began to chuckle in low, rasping gasps.

"Ah yes. I understand quite well now." He beckoned for the girl. "Come closer, child."

She took a step backwards, nearly frozen in fear, but bumped against something solid. The gloved hands of Kylo Ren were smoothly shoving her toward the man (creature?) on the throne in front of her.

Hesitantly, the girl stepped toward Snoke. Kylo could feel the hesitation in her every step, the reluctance to approach the throne. Don't resist and it won't hurt as much. Just let him do whatever he wants to you. It'll be over soon. Almost as if she heard his thoughts, her back straightened.

"You have troubled my apprentice, child." Snoke's voice was almost gentle, as though he was speaking to a frightened animal. "He believes you have certain abilities which could…set you apart from other people." She stopped walking, her face riddled with anxiety and fear, still a few meters from his pedestal. Snoke glanced down at her again, annoyance rippling across his face.

"I said come HERE."

With a flick of his wrist she skidded toward him, stopping directly in front of his feet. He smiled, watching the fear behind her eyes begin to grow.

"You will do wise to learn to listen to your superiors, girl." With a malicious grin, Snoke pushed Rey into the air, leaving her hanging with a taut body and a scream twisting her features. Kylo flinched behind his mask as he watched Snoke torture the scavenger.

With a last flick of his wrist, the Supreme Leader flung the girl into the nearest wall, leaving her crumpled and bloody on the ground. Kylo found himself standing, instincts screaming at him to rush toward her, with only memories of years of torture at the hands of Snoke keeping him grounded in one position.

"Supreme Leader –" he started, gesturing toward her broken body.

A thundering voice cut him off. "SILENCE, Ren. I will deal with you soon enough." Snoke stood, pointing at the two nearest stormtroopers. "Take the girl to the medical bay, and then see that she is placed in the TR division. I do not foresee any more trouble from her."

As the troopers lumbered away, the unconscious young woman between them, Snoke beckoned for Kylo to approach his throne. Hesitantly, fearful after watching the girl's torture at the whim of the Supreme Leader, he stepped toward his master.

"Master, please, forgive me, I thought only to – "

Snoke waved away his groveling with a withered hand, as he sat back down on his dark throne.

"My apprentice," he started, his voice almost grandfatherly. Kylo felt himself relax at the tone. "You are still very young, and certainly impressionable. It is only understandable that a pretty face could put you in such a state."

Kylo felt himself flush, and was once again glad for the dark helmet which concealed his features. Surely, there had been more than just her face? She was special, he knew it. Somehow.

Snoke continued, his voice soft and soothing. "She is nothing to trouble yourself about, my apprentice. She is of no use to us. Forget her. She is nothing." Kylo found himself nodding along. The Supreme Leader was wise. The girl was not important.

"You are wise, Master. The girl is nothing."

Snoke smiled, like his favorite dog had just performed a new trick. "Excellent. Now, go." Kylo hesitated, something nagging the back of his mind. His master grew more insistent, his voice more soothing. "Leave me. I grow tired."

Almost automatically, Kylo turned and began walking toward the elevator door, feeling strangely empty inside. It wasn't unfamiliar, nor was it unpleasant. As the doors shut behind him, he could hear the low chuckle of his master's voice echoing through the room.

He couldn't seem to remember the joke.

He hoped it wasn't important.

I'm sorry this took so long! This chapter was super annoying to write...but I hope you enjoy it! Things will start to get interesting in the next chapter (I hope).