Rey woke with a start, gripping her left side. A shooting pain had snapped her awake. Sweat dripped down the side of her face. A fever had seemed to consumed her a bit. Glancing at the device on her left hip, Rey noticed that it was blinking red. The pack indicated she was spiking a fever, and was now giving her an antibiotic to fight off the infection that had reach her bloodstream.
Pushing herself stiffly up against the wall, Rey had found herself in the same spot that she had fallen asleep. The room was still, except for her uneven breaths.
The space view had shifted, and the bright, flashing lights of hyperspace lightened the room. Rey pressed her forehead against the window, her eyes staring blankly out.
The fever made her mind blank, unable to concentrate on any particular thought.
The door to quarters opened suddenly, shaking Rey from her blank stare out into space. General Hux strolled in, unsurprised by her location. He pursed his lips and raised his eyebrow at her.
Kylo Ren strolled out of his bedroom, his dark mask on, fists clenched at his side. He didn't look at Rey, but placed himself in front of Hux. His back to her. Their voices were hushed. Rey strained to hear them speak. Kylo Ren seemed furious about something that Hux had informed him. He paced away from General Hux, but quickly snapped back into Hux's face. His finger in the General's unfazed face.
Rey pulled herself off the floor, quietly wobbling over to the two. Her hip was shooting sharp pain, causing her to stumbling against one of the bookshelves.
Kylo Ren glanced backed at her.
"Your hip should have healed by now."
"Well, it seems that I have an infection. The First Order can't "fix" everything."Rey gritted out, holding her side, leaning against the bookshelf.
General Hux swept past Kylo Ren, approaching Rey. He grabbed ahold of the medical device, pulling it towards him, making Rey hiss. His hand rested at her hip, which made Rey push him off her the second he touched her.
Hux growled at her. "I can make the medicine infuse faster, you stubborn girl."
Rey's head swirled for a second, the strength she had used to push him had back fired. Her stomach cramped, the urge to vomit occurred.
General Hux made a motion to continue, a hint of something passed through his eyes. Rey nodded, summing up the act as his duty to keep her intact for Snoke.
"I need to be somewhat intact for your Master." Rey made her tone as miserable as possible, which was easy thanks to her given state.
General Hux began to adjust the pack on her hip. One hand resting on her hip to steady her. Rey hadn't realized she way swaying a bit. He punched in different dosage numbers, increasing her pain medication and antibiotics.
Almost instantly, Rey felt better. Her breathing didn't feel as much as a struggle. The fever slowly creeping away. Rey moved quickly away from Hux, putting the dining table between her and the two dark leaders. General Hux straightened his collar, looking uncomfortable by the moment. Kylo Ren had not moved from his spot, fists still clenched.
"What did I interrupt?" Rey asked coldly. Her eyes darting between the two.
General Hux, sniggered and glanced at Kylo Ren, who crossed his arms.
"Yes, lets give you, the little sand rat, all our information so you can needle your own way into-"
"Poe Dameron and FN-2187 are on route to Snoke's location with a weapon that will destroy him." Kylo Ren cut off Hux's speech.
Rey couldn't help but smile.
General Hux looked at Kylo Ren in shock. His eyes flaming.
"How dare you, if the Supreme Leader was aware of you giving this information to a Resistance member."
"There is no Resistance, General. That is clear. We have destroyed the movement. Dameron and FN-287 are simply carrying out an act of revenge. They are certain of their General's demise, Master Skywalker, and of the scavenger's abandonment of the Resistance."
Rey stepped forward, anger pouncing from her.
"I never abandoned the fight." Kylo Ren shrugged.
"Its funny how easy it is to slip information to known Resistance spies in our flanks, and how easy it can gather such traction."
He moved smoothly around the table as he spoke to Rey. Rey furrowed her brow.
"Finn would not believe a word of it."
"FN-2187 is not what you think he is. He is weak."
Kylo Ren glanced at General Hux, turning his attention from Rey.
"General, We should intercept the pair in the mid-Unknown region. Navigation always becomes...difficult around that area. You know what I am speaking of? I have no doubt that this ship can catch up."
General Hux nodded.
"I will order in the coordinates, We should arrive in 3 days. What is your plan to deal with this?"
He motioned in Rey's direction. Rey was distracted by a growing doubt in gut.
Did Finn really believe that lie? Rumor spread by people he didn't know? Kylo Ren was messing with her head, and succeeding at the moment.
Rey felt the urge to cry at her situation, so she quickly brushed past Kylo Ren into the refresher.
She locked the door and holding her body against it, scared that he'd break it down behind her.
What was she to do? Poe and Finn were clearly on a suicide mission with some sort of weapon to destroy Snoke. Did they think she would just leave? Her Jedi training had cause such a distance between them was all Rey could think bitterly.
Rey stilled her breathing, softly banging her head against the door.
She heard a quiet knock at the door.
"I am not coming out. You can break the door down, I don't care." Rey said it with a strong volume, yet shaken tone.
"You will find items in the bathroom for you. Refresh yourself. There is an event tonight. You will attend, no questions asked. There will be servants to meet you outside this door. If you attack them, escape them, or manipulate them...I will kill them."
Rey stared at the door, a bit shocked by the control in Kylo Ren's voice. He usually had a rage monster bursting at the edges of his voice.
"Why?"
Rey heard a little kick to the door.
"Because you can't be left alone, you've proved that many times."
"If I stay, I won't escape. I wil-"
Rey hated the begging voice coming from her.
"Do not force me to come in there."
Rey moved away from the door.
A silence was thick in the air. "Re-"
"Leave me alone. I will go."
Rey heard him stomp away from the door. His anger trailing him. She let out a breath.
Glancing around the refresher, Rey was shocked to see herself in a elegant mirror. The bruising around her right eye was healing well, but still looked like she had been hit with a metal pipe. Her eyes looked worn, hair was a ratted mess, still in her signature hair buns.
The refresher items on the counter were the most beautiful smelling items she had ever encountered. The gel for her hair smelled like the ocean on Ach-to. It made her sad for a moment.
Rey debated about protesting, locking herself in the room. Refuse to bathe. Refuse food. Refuse everything.
But She needed her strength. She needed her wits. There was still hope to meet up with Poe and Finn. The three of them could do damage to the First Order.
Rey slowly felt a plan forming in her mind, but was quick to mask it. If Kylo Ren could read her mind, she had to play this careful. I can play a part in this. I can control this situation.
Rey slowly slipped out of her clothes, and turned the fancy shower on.
The temperature was the most perfect sensation as she slipped underneath the stream of warm water.
Her mind forming thoughts, thoughts to block out Kylo Ren, thoughts to convince them to trust her.
Hope was suddenly surging in her chest.
The water splashing off of her formed a dark, brownish color. Dried blood flaked off her and out of her hair as she scrubbed as hard as she could. She even scrubbed around the device on her hip, which she hoped was water proof.
The medical device was pumping in the last of its medication according to the screen. Her hip's pain was nearly gone, but the device indicated a second treatment the next day for the infection.
Rey finally stepped out of the shower after the water became crystal clear running off of her. Never in her life had she been able to bathe and refresh like that. Rey lifted her eyebrow at the other products on the counter.
No wonder the shallow and superficial loved the First Order, they are surrounded by wonderful, useless items.
Rey wrapped herself in a dark robe that was hanging on the wall. Her clothes looked too bloody and dirty to be worn again. She held the clothing in her hands tightly, her last personal possession.
After a moment at staring at the item, Rey tore up the outfit. Her anger flaring up. Grabbing one of the bottles on the counter, Rey smashed the mirror. Her reflection broken up in shards. She sighed at her mess.
A soft knock startled Rey.
"Excuse me...prisoner of Kylo Ren?"
An unsure voice echoed through the door. Rey opened the door swiftly, and was a bit startled to see three identical women staring at her. They all wore identical gray outfits, similar to medical scrubs.
"We are here to ready you for the special event."
One of them slowly stepped forward, and removed the medical device that was bulging from her robe. It made Rey hiss out loud at the pain of its removal. The servant rubbed a gel over the holes the device made, sealing it instantly. The servant stepped away, motioning for Rey to follow.
Rey stared at them, their faces were beaming. They clearly didn't know who she was, who she fought for, or even her general emotions over calling her a prisoner. One of the woman, the one who spoke, ushered her into a seat at the table.
Tools, brushes, and strange creams were spread out on the table. Rey became more confused by the situation.
"Are you here to torture me?"
The women laughed at her question and began to apply a cream to her face. Rey flinched, but was surprised at the softness at their touch. One of the ladies began to brush her hair, a feeling she had never had before.
"This cream is used a lot. Many of the wives need to cover up...you know."
The servant motioned to Rey's healing black eye and bruised face. The servant had a faded smile, making Rey shift in her seat.
Something inside made her feel sick. The idea that the First Order leaders put their hands on their wives or the idea that they had families at all, it made her even more baffled.
The servants applied creams and powders to her face. Keeping her eyes closed, Rey tried to center herself. Use this moment to meditate. As they worked on something as pointless as her appearance.
Rey's mind drifted back into the galaxy, thinking of the shifting stars. Her mind settling on her next steps. She unguarded her fake thoughts.
Accept this. Accept this potential future. Survive.
The feeling of her hair being dried and style jolted Rey out of her mediation. The servants were chatting loudly around her, unaware of her mediation. One of them grabbed her hand, and led her into Kylo Ren's bedroom. Rey stiffening.
"The Lord is not here, don't worry. We aren't disturbing."
Rey glanced around the room, silently. Bookshelves and a minimal bedroom set was all that really lingered in the darkened room. A second servant helped lift a form of clothing off the bed.
Rey realized it was some sort of gown.
They motioned for her to disrobe and step into it.
"I'm going to disturb his face after this." Rey muttered to herself.
She coyly disrobed and quickly jumped into the gown, pulling the dress up to cover her chest. The gown was black, a fact that indeed made Rey roll her eyes. The material clung heavily on Rey's hips. Rey grabbed the dress at the chest to keep it from falling, it happened to be strapless. Rey had never worn anything like this in her life.
The servants worked quickly to button up the back of the dress, fitting her tightly into the gown. The dress seemed to have an inner piece that was crushing her ribs.
"Am I not allowed to breath?" Rey finally gasped to them. They giggled.
"The corset fits everything in the right place, not that you have a flaw on you."
Rey glanced back at the servants, she couldn't see their faces as well in the darkened room.
One of the servants bent down and placed a shoe with an odd heel on her.
Rey stumbled to balance herself for a moment.
"Maybe flat shoes?"
They switched to a easier shoe for Rey, a black, sparkling slipper on her feet. It was still uncomfortable in comparison to her boots. Her now long lost boots.
The servants pulled her out back into the main room.
Rey found herself staring at a large mirror that was not there before. The servants held it up proudly. At first she thought there was a stranger in the room, but realized it was her. The dark dress had beautifully placed sliver beading that seemed to shimmer like the stars. The beading was heavy at the top, but faded down the dress...like the night's sky. Her hair was pulled back in a complicated bun, with a braid encapsulating it. Not a single hair out of place.
One of the servants placed a sparkling necklace on her, a red jewel dipping almost into the crest of her chest. A sparkling matching bracelet on her wrist.
Rey's face looked elegant, it was a person she didn't know. Dirt had always covered her face, even when she was training as a Jedi. Now it had dark eyeshadow and plump lips. It felt unnatural.
Master Luke would sometimes comment on her dirty face as a sign of true connection with nature. He'd smile at her as if she was one of his own.
Rey felt so out of place.
"What is this event? What I am being forced to go to?" she eyed the servants, who were busying cleaning up.
"The celebration of course. The defeat of the rebels. Its taking place in the grand hall. A room that no one has even seen! Anyone, who is anyone will be there." One of the servants became giddy at the thought.
Rey's face conveyed a sadness and anger all at once. One of the servants stared at her.
"You are one of them, aren't you?"
"You called me a prisoner earlier. Who else do you think I'd be?"
The servant began to stutter, the other two glancing nervously at Rey as they cleaned up the room.
"We thought maybe just a different type of prisoner...you are so beautiful...and We thought that Kylo Ren had finally picked som-"
"A slave? You thought I was a slave...to dress up. And you are jealous that I get to go some party that celebrates the thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands deaths? What is wrong with you? Do you think I enjoy this, to be paraded around like some sort of trophy...a sign of my side's defeat?!"
Rey felt her chest heaving in anger. Her voice raised, her face feeling a little flushed. The mirror showed that the make up covered up any redness. It made Rey even more mad. She force pushed the mirror into the wall...shattering it into a million pieces. The servants scrambled away from her, holding on to one another.
Rey saw the fear in their eyes. Shame flooded her, she instantly felt regret.
She began to pick up pieces of glass. "I'm sorry, I lost my temper. I-its been very hard-you are not to blame."
One of the servants hustled over, pulling her hands away from the glass. As she pulled up Rey away from the glass, she huddled with her.
"You are her. The girl. The entire First Order whispers about you. We thought you were dead or fled."
"Well, tonight the Order will know where I am."
Rey saw glimpse of sympathy in the servant's eyes.
Suddenly, she felt a storm of emotions coming towards the quarters. Rey felt herself panic.
"He's coming."
The servants looked paranoid and began to clean up the glass faster. Kylo Ren had a reputation it seemed. Rey attempted to help them, but they moved her away. Rey stood by the large window, clearing herself from the door, unsure of Kylo Ren's mood. His emotions were always a storm when she felt his presence.
Kylo Ren hustled into the room, his mask darting straight to the mirror smashed on the ground.
"Where is she?!"
He seemed to approach the servants with a fury. Rey was confused by his lack of awareness. She realized she may have blended well with the darkness of the stars outside.
"I'm right here."
Kylo Ren turned to the sound of her voice. He didn't move for a moment, but then grabbed one of the servants by the arm. A snap could be heard, the servant yelped at the roughness.
"What happened?" Rey moved as quick as she could in the dress, crossing the room.
"I broke the mirror, I stumbled in those heels. It broke."
Rey pulled the weeping servant away from Kylo Ren. He looked at one of the other servants.
"Is this true?" The servant began to choke by an invisible hand. Rey gritted her teeth.
"I broke it with the force. I lost my temper. I meant to break it."
The servant was released.
"See, that wasn't so hard?" Kylo Ren said it in almost a comical tone through his robotic mask.
"Get Out." he ordered curtly.
The servants scrambled out of the room, grabbing their tools, but leaving the mirror. Rey glared at Kylo Ren, who made his way into his bedroom.
Rey shifted in her dress, adjusting it at the chest. An itchiness creeping in on a spot on her back. A piece of the corset digging into her. Flutters of nervous bumbling in her stomach. The night was already the most strangest of her life.
The sound of slamming and smashing echoed in the bedroom.
Rey crossed her arms and walked back to the view of space. Dazing out she searched her feelings and the feelings of Kylo Ren. There was anger of course, a small amount of fear, and a surprising touch of anxiety.
"Are you reading me?"
Kylo Ren had snuck up behind her. Rey twirled around to find him mask-less. The scar in his face being the most demanding feature of his face, besides the dark eyes. He was dress in a more formal uniform.
"Can We get this over with? Your parade of victory?"
Kylo Ren's eyes seemed to roam down her briefly, but quickly went back to her eyes.
"That will work."
Rey sneered at him as he offered her his arm. When she didn't budge, he simple placed his hand at the base of her back, leaning in close to her ear.
"I will put one of those girl's heads in your bed while you sleep if you do not follow my every instruction at event. Behave."
He turned away from her, motioning her to walk with him. Rey followed with a huff.
Kylo Ren moved at a slow pace down the hall toward a series of elevators. Rey struggled to keep from stumbling on the dress. It was heavy and not practical in any form of self-defense. She glanced behind them to find four stormtroopers following them in a distant formation.
"Afraid you can't handle me by yourself?" she smirked to herself.
Ren glanced back at the troopers, and smirked himself.
"General Hux believes you will best me again. He likes to be sure things run smoothly."
They stepped onto an elevator, the troopers hanging back by a dismissive wave of Kylo Ren. Rey studied Kylo Ren, his face seemed to be in a serious state all the time. She wondered if he ever smiled in a true form, in a real moment of joy. He shifted underneath her gaze, meeting her eyes. His stare made her look away.
"What is it you have me do at this celebration?" Rey spit out with as much disdain as possible.
"Stay silent and at my side, do not engage with anyone. Unless they engage with you. They know who you are."
Rey scoffed. Ren suddenly pushed her against the elevator wall, his hands gripping her bare shoulders tightly. His black gloves felt smooth on her skin, but the death grip made her wince.
"Do not try me. Do not disobey. Do not act out."
Rey stared at his chest, her guarded mind slowly working out her plan. She met his intense gaze. She made her tone unwavering.
"I understand."
Ren dropped his grip, but did not step away from her. Rey tried to calm her heart, pushing her will to fight to be at ease.
"This is new to me." she said it softly. He looked her over as if he was taking her all in again.
The elevator suddenly stopped, Kylo Ren gave her an odd look, before stepping away and off the elevator.
Rey followed him carefully down a bridge, that was hanging over a massive hanger. She paused to look beneath them in the lower hanger a mass movement of First Order commanders and officers filed in among finely dressed members of the Order. Citizens of planets that supported the First Order were mingling among the military crowd. Men and Women dressed like Rey, were clinging to her their significant others. It looked like there were three hundred people or so moving into a larger room.
Rey felt Kylo Ren's hand at the base of her back again, she turned toward him. She reminded herself of her plan.
Instead of flinching at his touch, she moved with him, taking his arm. Kylo Ren seemed to be untrusting of her movement, but moved forward as if on a mission.
Stormtroopers stood at attention at the end of the bridge. Rey could feel their eyes boring into her.
They entered a massive room at the top of a dark staircase. The hall was decorated in red and black tapestries and First Order propaganda pieces. A massive ceiling showcasing the outside space, the Finalizer was no longer in hyperspace. Circular tables lined the room, giving space in the middle of the hall. People were beginning to enter the hall from the opposite side of the room.
Rey moved away from view, behind a column, stepping back a bit. Kylo Ren let her go, looking back at her.
"Have you ever felt like your'e in a lion's den?"
"I grew up in one." he said it without looking at her, but glancing over the crowd. Rey fidgeted in her dress. He stood there, staring out at the crowd, watching them find their seats. Unmoving.
"You have a strong discipline."
Ren didn't flinch or look back at her when she said that comment.
"I was properly trained. Not by some old, foolish man."
Rey flinched at the comment. She felt herself about to retort, but a commanding voice silenced the room.
"Attention: General Hux entering."
The crowd, the military crowd especially, stood at attention. Rey stood next to Ren to look down the staircase at the movement.
General Hux entered flanked by a two rows of 6 stormtroopers. He marched himself with a air of pomp and need for attention. His smug face looking around at the crowd. He raised his hand and the Storm Troopers turned in opposite directions. They marched away, positioning themselves along the walls. The crowd began to applaud.
Hux raised his hand again, silencing them.
"My comrades, I will keep this short, because I'm sure you have all heard my long-winded speeches." He paused and light laughter filled the hall. "But the importance of this day is beyond just the victory for the First Order, but for a better future."
A servant hustled over to the General with a glass of some bubbly beverage. He lifted it into the air.
"To the Future!"
The crowd repeated after him, toasted each other. The crowd began to intermingle, a eerie kind of classical music began to play in the background.
Kylo Ren held his arm out suddenly, looking at Rey. She took hold of it, nervous to walk down the stairs in the dress with no bannister to hold onto.
Rey tried to move carefully down the staircase, holding her head up tall. She wasn't going to be weak in front of these people.
As they got to the bottom step, Rey felt Kylo Ren pause. She released his arm almost immediately. General Hux approached them, looking very pleased with himself. He looked Rey up and down, almost with a shocked look in his face. He held out his hand and Rey looked at him, unsure what he was asking. She carefully lifted her hand, placing it in his.
"I have to say scavenger, you can be quite presentable."
He actually kissed her hand in a very formal manner. Rey pulled her hand harshly away, the urge to smack him being raised. Kylo Ren grabbed her arm tightly at the wrist.
"Behave."
Rey clenched her teeth, her eyes watching the crowd. The attention was certainly lingering on the three of them. A feeling of unease gripping her.
Hux seemed to purse his lips, he seemed unhappy at her "rudeness".
Rey had to fix this fast. Her plan popping in her mind. She slid from Ren, taking Hux by the arm.
Carefully, she spoke to him.
"I don't know where I am sitting. If you wouldn't mind showing me?"
General Hux took her arm carefully. As they made their way through the crowd, he pointed different people out in the crowd. Their stories.
"The Ginvereds, they have supported the Order since the Empire fell. Mei Fen since last year, the investment in Star Killer Base was clearly a persuasive tool. You may notice some fellow Resistance members, double agents for us. Of course."
Rey glanced at those particular people. Her death glare making them shudder, turning to the group next to them. Whispers following her.
Rey wanted them to fear her.
Kylo Ren had been following them from behind, his hands behind his back. No one dared approach him. He was more intimidating without his mask.
General Hux pulled out a chair at the main table for Rey, who took it carefully.
Kylo Ren sat next to her, looking as bored as she was.
General Hux turned away from the two, mingling in the crowd, his laugh being heard. Rey sat up as straight as possible, glancing at Kylo.
"I thought you'd be more attune to these things. Considering where you grew up."
Kylo Ren glanced at her.
"It was never like this."
"What was it like? To have a family."
He glared at her. She was pushing him. She knew it. Changing her tone to a more open context, to break the glare.
"I was lonely for most of my life. You know that. You felt it."
He kept his steel glare on her, suspicious of her openness. He said nothing.
"I'm lost here. Torn. Why can't you understand that?" Her voice wavered, her real emotions bubbling.
Kylo Ren's face softened for a moment. He looked away from her, out into the crowd of people.
"I understand it very much so-Rey, I can-"
A bell sounded, making the crowd resume to their seats. Rey found herself seated between General Hux and Kylo Ren. Their table filled with politicians and commanders she recognized. Some even with significant others. The Resistance tried to assassinate half the table, Rey realized.
Their banter shocked her a bit. It was very similar to conversations she encountered at the Resistance. Strategy. Policies. Now it was on piloting and aircrafts.
"I've tried that Commander, my land-speeder is the best in all the galaxy, but I can't get it past 4 jules over water. It should be able to go to at least 6. I've brought it to every First Order station. Not one of these mindless drone troopers can adjust it."
A man, possibly named Dopheld Mitaka, was speaking to a Commander from a sub-fleet of the Finalizer. General Hux gave him a glare.
"I find that these mindless drones have done a particularly fantastic job at taking down an entire Resistance, Lieutenant."
"I meant no harm, General, I think the troopers just lack the finesse of mechanical pleasure. Creativity is all I'm looking for."
A Commander that Rey did not know spoke out. He had pale skin, dark eyes, and a blonde, groomed hairstyle.
"Maybe you should bring it to the Hutt system, some of the best mechanics and pilots have come from that area."
Rey played with her food, a bit bored by the conversation. Her stomach was near growling, but slurping down her food had gotten her a glare from Kylo Ren.
General Hux seemed bored as well from the conversation.
"Can't we discuss about something a bit more thrilling than your pleasures? Lets discuss some war stories, our highest moments in this battle. Commander Dimock?"
Rey felt a sickness to her stomach, she didn't want to hear war stories. She interrupted the Commander who was about to speak. Making direct eye contact with the Lieutenant.
"If you re-route your internal thermal release, attaching it to the flex, it will run at 8 jules. Over water. 12 jules on land. Don't forget to re-route the flex to the internal magnet."
The table became very silent at Rey's outburst. Rey took a sip of her beverage, unsure if it had buzzing effects.
General Hux leaned back in his chair and laughed.
"I stand corrected, there can be something of interest in your silly hobbies, Lieutenant."
Two politicians seemed intrigued by Rey more so that now she was not so silent.
"Girl-"
"Rey, my name is Rey." she cut them off politely.
"Rey, How can re-route a thermal release without burning off all your limbs?"
"Simple Senator. Skill. I know politicians have none, so I think I can find people of use to help you, if you need it."
Laughter flooded the table. Rey was charming the group, a fake smile crossing her face. The wish to die hitting her in the chest.
"Now, Darling, Where have been you hiding? All these years? I've been to several gatherings, never have We had a creature like you among us."
One of the older wives had spoken up, charmed by Rey's wit.
"Oh, Here and There. Jakku...Takodana...Star Killer Base...Just training."
Half the table seemed to shift uncomfortable, the other half intrigued...unaware of who Rey was.
"My, my dear, you have travelled quite far. What sort of position do you hold?"
Rey paused before she spoke...thinking of the perfect answer. Her body numb for a moment.
"I was training as a Jedi with Luke Skywalker..but I find myself being drawn to the guidance of Supreme Leader Snoke."
The table paused.
The older wife pressed on, clearly having too much to drink.
"You trained with Skywalker. You are Jedi? I thought they were all dead."
Rey spoke firmly and clear. Her tone becoming a bit darker than she meant to.
"They are dead. I am no Jedi. I need answers to my past and my future. The First Order has more than offered a solution."
The older wife shifted under her gaze and tone.
General Hux broke the table silence.
"She's already been around Kylo Ren for far too long."
The table chuckled, the tension easing.
"No, I've just heard too many of your long winded speeches, General."
The charm was back, and the table was hooting and hollering again. Rey glanced down at her hands.
She found her knife being gripped so tightly in her hand that it was bleeding. General Hux and Kylo Ren had both their hands on her either wrists, holding them to her legs. She instantly relaxed her body.
Rey released the knife, not realizing when she started to grip the knife so tightly. Kylo Ren handed her a dark napkin, reaching across her, taking the knife swiftly. No one at the table noticed their interaction. The table was busy getting drunk and chatting loudly.
He whispered fiercely to her.
"I told you to-"
"I didn't know I was doing that."
General Hux took a huge swig of his beverage, calling for more. The table became more rowdy as the night went on.
Rey would charm the table at points with her quick wit or quick fact, but she sat back at the drunken rowdiness. Loud, long conversations were never her favorite, unless they were with Poe and Finn. The fight to be heard was always hilarious between the two.
Taking a big gulp of her beverage, Rey pushed away her cup.
Rey felt a bit of a buzz, but she choose to keep her wits about her. Turning to Kylo Ren, she noticed he was was not partaking in the conversation, nor had he at all during the night. He was sober, serious, and she noticed he was watching her intently.
"Can we leave now?" Rey asked him in her kindest tone.
At that Kylo Ren stood up, speaking to the group for the first time.
"We will be retiring for the night, Thank You Ladies and Gentlemen." It was structured and mechanical statement.
Rey stood up acknowledging the group, but as she turned to follow Kylo Ren, General Hux grabbed her wrist. He pulled her down with all his might, making Rey fall back in her seat.
"You were not instructed to leave yet." His drunkness was clear to Rey.
"General, I am tired-"
Before Rey could finish, Rey felt Ren pull her up by her arm away from Hux. General Hux was on his feet in a heartbeat, Kylo Ren in his face.
"I am the leader of this Vessel, not you Ren. I say when our guest leaves, not you."
"I am the guardian, she is under my care till she reaches the Supreme Leader. I choose what is best."
Rey stepped back from the interaction, her face becoming flush. Unwanted attention was now definitely on her. All the eyes made her feel so vulnerable.
General Hux grabbed hold of Kylo Ren's collar throwing him into the table behind them.
Rey suddenly realized a crowd was forming around the pair. She turned and ran up the stairs, as the crowd was clearly distracted. Lifting her heavy dress made her arms ache. She needed to return to her physical training soon.
Rey crossed the bridge from before, undoing her tight hair. It was starting to give her a headache. Her hair half fell to her shoulders. She ripped the necklace from her neck and tossing it to the ground, the bracelet along with it.
Entering the elevator, she kept glancing behind her. The fight between the two must have been building before her presence. Rey exited the elevator one level down, to the hanger filled with ships.
Rey moved toward a ship that didn't look like a First Order ship. As she circled it to find the entrance, an arm encircled her waist, pulling her away.
A storm trooper had grabbed her, tossing her to the ground harshly. She knew this person.
FN-007 lifted his blaster, pointing it straight at her.
Rey glared up at him. Her possible unexpected escape was ruined.
"Goodnight, Darling."
He fired his blaster, but not before Rey could shut her eyes. She waited for the sound and the force strike her.
Nothing happened. A sparking noise could only be heard, then suddenly a gurgling noise.
Rey opened her eyes to see FN-007 with a red saber through his chest, gurgling on his own blood.
His blue blast laser was floating in front of her face, frozen in place. Rey could feel the heat radiating off of it.
Kylo Ren dropped FN-007's body to the side. Rey shuffled away from the blast and Kylo Ren helped her up. She needed it in the heavy dress.
The blast suddenly sounded off. He had released it the force of the blast. Rey looked up at Kylo Ren, who stared down at her. His nose was bleeding.
The General suddenly appeared in sight. He looked a bit more sober, his lip bleeding and his left eye certainly bruised.
Rey stared at the two of them.
"I think it is time that We bring you back to your quarters." General Hux spoke with a soft rage, but it was more directed at the body of FN-007.
Rey nodded, following Kylo Ren to the elevators. She avoided his gaze, her mind flashing back to her torture with FN-007. It as a strange relief that he was dead. General Hux surprised her by joining them as well. He seemed to be flexing his hand, he stared straight ahead of him.
They walked in silence, but Rey finally spoke when they were at new door.
"This isn't my cell."
"No, these are your quarters. They are directly next to mine." Kylo Ren spoke sternly, as a warning.
"As well as mine." General Hux added curtly, staring at Kylo Ren.
"The door will lock behind you. If you attempt what you did tonight. I will kill anyone in my path."
Rey spoke again, feeling defeated. She stared straight ahead as she walked into the quarters.
"I won't. I'm yours."