Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Wars or any of its characters!

Rey had yet to drift off to sleep as it started to become morning again, the sun rising ever so slightly. She couldn't stop shivering, but knew she would be able to head back inside soon. There were starting to be dark circles under her eyes from lack of sleep due to the cold, but there was little she could do about her current state.

Her mind paused it's thought though as she felt the familiar deafening of all sound and then the normal silence that followed before feeling his presence. Sighing, she did her best to hide from him. She didn't want him to see her like this, it would be too much for her to handle.

"Go away…" She mumbled weakly, barely having the strength to argue with him, her hazel eyes hesitantly looking up to find his darker ones. A slight blush covered her cheeks as he was shirtless once more, only in loose black sleep pants, clearly having just woke up, though he looked more awake than he should for that.

"Rey…" He said softly, taking in her withered appearance. It scared him to see her like this. Slowly, as if he was approaching a wounded wild animal, he stood from his bed, walking towards her, only a few feet away now to take in everything. She was thinner than before, something he hadn't thought would be possible, paler and colder as well, narrowing down his options for where they could be.

He took stock of everything, his worry magnifying with each new thing he found on her.

"I'm fine….It's just...nevermind.. I'm fine." She mumbled again, teeth chattering as she pulled the blanket closer to her, shivering continuously. A part of her wanted to tell him what was going on so that he could help, but another part wouldn't allow it. Her pride forbade her from telling him. She didn't want to admit he was right, but she couldn't believe her train of thought as she thought of how things may have been different if she had said yes in that throne room.

"Clearly." He said sarcastically before moving closer to her. He slowly slid down to sit next to her, surprised as he felt a slight chill now that he beside her.

"Are you really okay?" He added softly, raising an eyebrow as he already knew the answer, but wanted to see how she would respond to him. If she would give in or fight. He stiffened slightly as he caught her train of thought through the bond, her wonder about if she had said yes and he felt a slight hope burn within him.

"I think you can see the answer for that one yourself, but it's not anything I want to talk about...at least not yet." She whispered the last part softly, biting her lower lip as she looked up to his dark eyes once again, silently letting him know that if she was ready to talk, he would be the first to hear it.

His heart swelled slightly at her words and her silent promise, nodding slightly at her in recognition of the unspoken promise.

"Is there anything I can do? I know you're not ready to...come to me, but I...I...If I can help, I want to." He looked over at her, his eyes showing honesty, something Rey hadn't seen in a very long time. She shook her head though and shivered once again.

"Rey! Come in from out there!" Leia's voice rang through the cold air like a knife. The moment was over and before Rey could respond, she saw Kylo fade away, looking shocked at hearing his mother's voice again.

Slowly, Rey got up and made her way inside to Leia, her only relief most days as the warmth from the base began to make her cheeks flush red while she warmed up.

"Let's get some food." Leia said softly, leading Rey towards their makeshift mess hall before the younger woman shook her head.

"Honestly, I'm fine, it's better to save what we can. If you're hungry though, tell them you're grabbing mine for me." She said kindly, gently squeezing Leia's hand before letting go again.

Leia shook her head, a soft frown gracing her lips.

"Rey...it's alright to think about yourself sometimes…." She said, hoping to sway the girl to come eat, but Rey was stubborn as she kept a smile on her face, one that was always in place for the general.

"Remember? I grew up on Jakku...lived off quarter portions most of my life. It's not ideal, no, but it's nothing that I can't deal with." She reassured Leia and squeezed once more before heading off towards the freshers.

Time was limited in order to save water, so Rey was as quick as she could, just cleaning and not allowing herself to just relax under the lukewarm water like she wished she was able to.

You could with me.

She heard a voice whisper in her head, making her gasp as she turned off the water, quickly wrapping her towel around her for fear of him showing up and seeing her naked.

Hearing a soft chuckle in her mind, she felt her face heat up as she liked the sound, but refused to let him know.

Relax. You were just projecting your thoughts more than normal. He added softly to her, his voice soothing to her tired mind.

It's not necessary anyways...I can just get clean and get out which is better than what I used to have. She frowned as she spoke, unable to help herself from being jealous of him for being able to stand under a steaming hot shower for as long as he wished.

You don't have to be jealous. I told you...You could do that with me. My offer still stands. He sounded scared, scared of being rejected again as he put himself on the line for Rey once again.

She bit her lower lip as she tried to calm her tired, overworked mind.

Ben...I wish I could. It was all she could come up with. She had no excuses, especially with how the remaining resistance members were treating her, how could she want to stay.

What's holding you there?! From what I saw this morning they clearly don't take care of you the way they should! I highly doubt you would do that to yourself on purpose! His frustration grew as he felt the need to know exactly why she was staying, what was holding her there, especially when her condition was worse than when she had been scavenging on Jakku.

I...I don't know. She whispered to him softly before cutting the connection as she dressed, needing the distance.

What was keeping her here? Besides Leia, she had no one. She guessed she sort of still had Finn, but he was so happy with Rose and she refused to be a burden to him.

Her mind and heart were conflicted. She knew she should stay. This was the right side of the war, the moral side, but was it really? She questioned herself, wondering if the First Order would treat their generals like everyone was treating Leia? They certainly didn't treat Kylo the way she was being treated. Her mind told her to stay. Her heart told her to go. It was a battle of wills and she felt like she was going to get in the crossfire, being torn apart.

Reviews and favorites are always appreciated! They let me know if you guys liked it and if so what you liked! Or what you what have me do better or different! :) Sorry this chapter was a little bit shorter, but the rest are all longer than this! :)

If you guys have any requests for reylo fanfictions, let me know! Hope you enjoyed! :)