The thin, black haired excuse for a general was no where in site on the bridge, and Kylo figured that if he were near, he'd be able to sense the man quivering in fearful anticipation. As it were, the uniformed men and women before him were avoiding his gaze yes, but obviously trying to go about their business normally – not wanting to admit their unease in his presence. He had a reputation he knew, they saw the mask and the flaming red lightsaber and a killer. There was no point trying to appear as anything else to these people who witnessed the raw finesse of his blade or his unabashed use of the force to take anything and everything he wanted.

Still, none of them had the shaken appearance of Dopheld Mitaka who should, by all accounts, be on the bridge at this time, especially considering their ever-nearing approach to the Supremacy – which was also the reason Kylo Ren deigned to make an appearance this morning. He wanted to know exactly how much time he had before he would be handing Rey off to his master, and he planned to extract that information from Mitaka every time the unease stabbed his gut until his three days were up and he could no longer avoid the situation. Other than that, he had no active duties or commands, except maybe to convince Rey to join him.

Perhaps now, with the intimacy of their shared dreams and the trust he was sure she felt they had built as well, she would consider siding with him. The chances of her embracing the dark side were slim and well, she'd probably be even more hesitant to ally with the First Order itself and the destruction they had caused thus far. It was all for a reason, he knew, a cause - to make the galaxy a better place, well and truly. It wasn't just a convenient cover for power, no it was more than that. But he'd need to convince Rey of that fact, that he wasn't just a bloodthirsty executioner and that, even under all this death their aim was true.

The movement was born in the outer rim, where life is hard and then you die; poverty, slavery, hunger – all things that still existed but weren't acknowledged by the core worlds – all things they sought to abolish. The Galactic Senate talked a big game, but in the end, they still failed to distribute wealth and prosperity across the galaxy – it was always concentrated in the core with a promise for a better future in the rim that never came.

He'd seen a lot growing up so close to the Senate and it's affairs, especially with Leia Organa's heavy involvement. He saw the corruption first hand and he wanted to change it, and he was willing to use death and destruction and war in order to do so. Democracy had done nothing for people like Rey, and if he didn't know it before, he surely did now after having the stark reality of her very recent past painted so clearly in his dreams.

He hoped he could make Rey see the justification for his actions. Because if he brought her before Snoke and she couldn't accept their mission or their means then she was sure to die, and now Kylo was sure that he couldn't handle that outcome. No, everything was riding on whether or not he could convince Rey. Maybe he wouldn't have to turn her, or convince her to ally with the Order – perhaps it would be enough if he could convince Snoke that she wouldn't fight against them, that she wouldn't be a threat. That would at least be a start, he thought, considering the short time frame he had to work with.

Convince Rey to be a neutral party within the three days and then go from there, hopefully. It sounded like a pretty good idea in his head, although she still had no idea that he was taking her to Snoke. That would be an obstacle in and of itself, for would she even trust him at all after he told her? And how was he going to tell her? Because if this didn't work out she was sure to die, and he was loath to betray Snoke, in any capacity.

And there was last night, the memories they'd witnessed, the way she'd easily pulled back the covers for him as though it were second nature. She'd willingly invited him into her bed – if only to sleep, and didn't that mean she trusted him, at least a little? He found himself wanting very much for that to be true. He barely knew this scavenger girl and yet, he felt tied to her, responsible in a way that he didn't regret but rather enjoyed. For the rush her powers gave him as she channeled the force and wiped away Snoke's mark had lifted him to some higher place – for a moment he forgot everything, and everyone save for her. The unremarkable girl who'd turned out to be the most captivating thing he'd ever laid eyes on.

The heat of her skin under his hands, the brush of nails against his scalp – the feel of her small, soft mouth under his own – it was fresh in his mind, the way she felt against him. He'd come out of the healing trance seeing nothing but her; long chestnut locks flowing freely, hazel eyes that shone gold in the light and rippled with green in the dark. The sun kissed skin of her hands where they pressed against him seemed to buzz with the living force, inviting, beckoning him forward and he hadn't resisted his urge. It'd been almost primal, the sudden need to pull her in and finally taste those pink lips. There was something about her that resonated with him, clicked on a level much deeper than the surface – a similar experience, a shared understanding.

But then, she'd gone cold in his embrace and he knew why – scars – and he understood because he had his own, and a lot of them. Maybe they weren't the same as hers, but they were there, and he was more than capable of acknowledging what being so close to him, so intimate, had brought up. She was scared, and he'd seen it in her eyes then, but he didn't want her afraid of him. No matter the things he'd done or would still do, he wanted with a deep-seated need for Rey to feel safe with him, to trust him, because he'd never felt as comfortable as he had in her presence. It was odd, he had to admit to himself, that he found solace with the prisoner girl who could've been and still might be his greatest enemy.

Kylo Ren had never felt before, this attraction which plagued him now, and just that quick taste had him burning with the need for more. For to be dark is to give in to emotion, to want and desire, but if he lost control with Rey he would only push her away. He could see that growing up the way she had, made her like a sort of wild animal, an animal that had been backed into a corner and had no way out. She needed space, he decided – room to think and be – before she would ever warm to the people she perceived as hostile, before she would ever truly accept him.

Of course, he wasn't willing to let her go, not only would that solidify her position as an enemy but the backlash from Snoke would be immense – not to mention that his master would most likely give him the kill order. He was willing, more than willing in fact – to take out his uncle, but Rey? That was something he couldn't imagine doing. No, he'd have to give her space in other ways, for if he pushed her he knew that he would lose her – not that he was sure he had her in the first place that is.

His mind seemed to be tearing itself apart with ideas and the consequences of those ideas. What was the best approach? Which were the best words? When was the best time? It was aggravating to say the least and he had not yet forgotten that the new general was still missing from his post, for whatever reason he couldn't fathom, but Kylo was sure it wasn't good enough. He was getting impatient and the finely pressed suits in front of him were growing more anxious by the minute – their disdain flowing freely through the force, panicked wonderings of who was about to die punctuating the air around him.

That really was how they saw him then, a roiling mass of unpredictable violence - not that he needed the confirmation. It's not like he'd tried or wanted to be anything different, he liked the power and control that his ambiguous figure held – he revelled in it.

He wasn't even angry – annoyed at Mitaka's absence yes, but content from his encounter with Rey, kind of carefree and maybe a little light headed from the drug like force healing. Still though, answers came faster when people were intimidated, and the officers here were clearly expecting some violent display.

A sardonic smirk played at his features beneath the cold exterior of the mask as he ruthlessly stared down a rather lanky male officer heading his way. Clearly this man, who looked more a boy just out of his teens, had drawn the short stick for whatever he'd been assigned to do as Kylo currently stood in the middle of the path to the only exit. He would have to walk by him, and that less than professional shuffle and downcast gaze spoke volumes as he drew near. He took note of the Aurebesh on the poor souls' finely pressed sleeve – power – perhaps then he might know where the elusive Mitaka was hiding.

"Lieutenant." His voice was low and raspy to his own ears and judging by the turning heads, it travelled throughout the entire space like some foreboding wave – he might've born the man no ill will, but they didn't know that.

The officer stopped in his tracks and turned to face him with a customary salute and greeting.

"Sir."

"Where is the general?"

"The general sir? Which one?... I"-

The only general on this ship you kriffing moron, he thought to himself, fully aware the man probably knew what he meant, and his stupidity was brought on by nerves – still, he never claimed to be patient, and he reminded the lieutenant of such with a slight constriction of his esophagus.

He was visibly sweating now, as a hand flew up to test his throat, realizing there was nothing there even though the constriction persisted.

"General Mitaka. Where is he?" and I suggest you that you don't make me ask again, he added the silent persuasion in the unsuspecting officers mind.

He choked slightly as he nodded with wide and slightly frantic eyes, "The general spent the morning moving into his new quarters, he should be finishing up soon."

"Very well," and he released the lieutenant who coughed a little in his wake, as he turned and left the bridge, gliding away without a second glance at the many, barely concealed stares he was receiving.

What was this about new quarters for Mitaka? Not that he cared to know where the newly made general was taking up residence next but –

Fuck

The first thought to enter Rey's mind was that she'd run into General Hux, somehow alive after being carved in two. Everything about the man across from her – polished boots, finely pressed uniform, the characteristic hat – matched the man in her nightmares, except for his features that was.

Dark hair instead of red, brown eyes instead of blue – a bewildered and surprisingly non-threatening look that she never would have expected to see on Hux's face. No, she told herself – it wasn't him, he was dead and so were the stormtroopers that had…

This man was someone different, but then again it didn't change much – he was a First Order officer and no matter what Kylo did or how he explained the situation, she was a prisoner. A prisoner seemingly walking freely through the most secure corridor on the Finalizer – a fact that Kylo had assured her of before he left.

Great.

The unknown man was picking himself up and she found herself unable to move. She hated herself for the sudden bout of fear that pierced through her, the flash of phantom pain and bloody reminders just behind her eyes. She'd been in plenty of dangerous situations back on Jakku, many that this encounter couldn't even hope to compare to – but her limbs still wouldn't move.

She gulped air, mentally yelling at herself for not doing anything – knowing full well that Kylo wasn't nearby and she needed to move. He'd told her no one else had access to this hall, that she could move freely without worry – clearly that wasn't the case, and chances were this officer wouldn't take to kindly to her presence. For she was dressed in casual, civilian clothes aboard a warship, with no excuse or story to provide in explanation.

But his face when he looked down at her wasn't menacing, in fact he looked rather calm – as if he expected this might happen. A hand extended towards her and she scooted back across the floor – her flight reaction finally kicking in, but he didn't follow her like she expected.

"It's okay, I'm not going to hurt you."

Well not without a fight you aren't, Rey thought to herself, eyeing the man up and down. The fear was steadily being replaced by something else – raw, survival instinct. Her blood was pumping as she mentally gauged her chances of making it back to her room before he could draw the regulation blaster that glistened at his hip. But then again, he was pretty skinny and not too much taller than her, so maybe she'd be able to incapacitate him – buy time till Kylo came back. She wasn't bound at the wrists and ankles this time – she wouldn't just lie down and take a beating – or a blaster shot to the head for that matter.

He was still standing there, not making a move – no indication of the ill intent she was sure he bore her on his face. He said he wouldn't hurt her, but that was a ploy wasn't it? Keep her from striking out at him, right?

He sighed, obviously uncomfortable and that struck Rey as rather odd, for if anyone should be uncomfortable it was her.

"Look, I know who you are, and I have no intention of hurting you." A pause and then, "believe me, I value my life and I'd rather not be cut in half."

Huh. Well, Rey supposed that was believable – she didn't know how often actual members of the First Order were on the receiving end of Kylo's blade but clearly this man was fully aware of what happened to Hux. His statement was too on the nose to deduce anything else. And he was still holding his hand out, having closed the distance she put between them again – was he offering to help her up? She had to admit this conversation would be a lot less awkward if she weren't sitting on the cold metal floor with him staring down at her. And yeah, weird as it was she actually found herself believing this guy meant what he said. There was nothing remotely like Hux in the way he talked or carried himself, there were no insidious waves rolling of him. Overall, he seemed pretty normal, at least as normal as one of these officers could be she supposed – that and his reluctance to piss off Kylo, well – Rey was a survivor and looking at the figure before her she knew he wouldn't stand a chance if Kylo chose to kill him.

With all that in her head she found herself placing a hand in his and he quickly pulled her to her feet, before immediately gaining distance again.

"So, if you're not going to drag me off to a cell then why are you here? What are you doing?... he said no one else had access to this hall." And she didn't need to specify who he was – it hung thick and obvious in the air around them. She'd regained her composure and was now staring down the intruder as if she herself owned the place – as if he were the foreign object on this ship.

"Ah, well, I was settling into my new quarters." And he indicated the door from which he'd recently emerged.

"What?"

"I was recently… promoted. This room comes with the job."

And what job put you next door to Kylo Ren? Rey thought. What level of clearance did one have to have to even get in here in the first place.

"And what is your job? Why were you promoted?" She was asking a lot of questions of this man who held all the cards she knew – treading on dangerous ground. She was getting cocky and it wouldn't be too long before her assertive and rather unfriendly demeanor reared its head. Jakku wasn't a friendly place – you didn't survive on kindness and caring, and her raw, unadulterated lifestyle had been buried beneath all this change and happenstance for too long. If she wasn't careful, she was going to say, or do, something that she would regret. One call and this guy could probably have a battalion of stormtroopers at his side. Perhaps she should consider herself lucky that he'd been amiable so far and stop acting like she wasn't a prisoner, albeit in a very good living situation.

"I replaced"-

But his words were abruptly cut off with an ugly gasp of breath as he was thrown into the nearby wall, hands frantically flitting around his bare throat and eyes wide with fear.

"General Mitaka, I've been looking everywhere for you."

She'd been so caught up in the situation at hand that she hadn't felt as he approached, but now his presence was loud and clear – angry and dangerous. Kylo stood at the other end of the impressive corridor, fully clad in his black regalia and trademark mask and Mitaka was suspended against the wall beside her, struggling for air. She could hear the hiss of his heavy breaths through the helm like some desert serpent as if he'd ran here – and maybe he had.

It was more like righteous fury rolling off of him, clearly palpable in the currents of the force, than anger or hatred. Rey didn't know what was going on, but Kylo was clearly pissed – and he'd called the struggling figure before her a general. General Mitaka had started talking about replacements and he was, for all intents and purposes, Kylo's new neighbour – not to mention hers.

He's the new Hux, Rey realized as Kylo swept forward and she instinctively took a step back. It wasn't away from him but the deceptively friendly officer who was in no position at all to harm her. He didn't look like he could harm her – but she was wary all the same. But with her eyes trained on the dark figure closing distance she all but forgot the choking sound as she took in the sight before her.

It hadn't been long at all, but the last time she'd seen him it was shirtless and barefoot in loose pants – his hair still tousled both from sleep and her hungry fingers. There was something about knowing what he looked like underneath it all – seeing him powerful and dangerous in full gear, but knowing the vulnerable and relatable person underneath. She couldn't help the blush that burned across her cheeks as she replayed that morning in her mind; sure, she'd ended up in tears, but the sensation of being wrapped in his arms, his mouth against hers – it was incredible.

And then he was right in front of her, and she was mentally shaking her head to clear those thoughts – hoping that the blush wasn't noticeable. It seemed he was ignoring the general for the moment as he brought a gloved hand to her shoulder in an attempt at comfort, before quickly withdrawing as if he'd touched something disgusting.

"Did he hurt you?" he asked, the sound harsh and brittle through the mask but she could tell he was being sincere, despite her confusion at his sudden reluctance to touch her.

"No, I'm fine… we just ran into each other… literally."

That seemed to be confirmation enough for him as his hidden gaze swiveled back to the suspended Mitaka. "Go back to your room Rey, the General and I have some business to discuss," was all he said before replacing his force choke with his own gloved hand, the leather that had been gentle on her own skin biting menacingly into Mitaka's neck.

He seemed to spit his words, the sound harsh and metallic as he questioned, "What are you doing here? You shouldn't have access."

"Leader…Hux…quarters"- he struggled to speak under the crushing pressure.

Rey only caught bits and pieces from where she stood, not having moved an inch despite Kylo's request. This was violent and unnecessary, she thought – she wasn't naïve about what the people in the First Order were capable of, but the general didn't do anything to warrant this – not that she knew of at least. This was his darkness, the power and control that he reveled in – this is what scared her.

"Kylo wait, let him go! He didn't do anything."

He dropped his gaze to meet hers, a questioning tilt to his head the only indication that he was questioning her – why was she still there? Why should he let him go?

"Please, at least hear him out first – there's probably a good explanation." She said the words with vehemence, even if she didn't really believe them. It was hard to believe that a First Order general and Hux's replacement no less, had shown up as soon as she was alone, in a completely secluded place with no ill intentions. But Rey valued life – hers and others – she couldn't stand by and watch Kylo torture and probably kill this man who hadn't actually done anything.

Rey was staring him down, having not left when he told her too – which, while a source of annoyance, was also kind of refreshing. Currently, she was the only one on this ship who'd even dare to defy him – or tell him off for that matter. She was serious in her request too, that much was obvious as he studied her, mostly curious as to why she wanted to defend Mitaka.

He'd come storming in here, after practically sprinting back from the bridge when he realized where Mitaka was. There hadn't even been time to feel embarrassed over the instant worry he felt for Rey, for he'd given her free reign of the hall. It had started out as fear – imagining another scene like the one with Hux and his stormtroopers – but had quickly morphed to a burning rage with every step he took towards her.

He understood perfectly well why Mitaka was here, that he replaced Hux and now everything that belonged to the sadistic general now belonged to him – including his private quarters. But Mitaka didn't need to know that, so he questioned his presence because he was pissed that he hadn't been filled in, pissed that he hadn't thought of it before and pissed that he let Rey wander freely and consequently she'd run into Mitaka.

But her eyes were pleading with him and while he wanted to take his embarrassment and frustration out on this man, he knew it wouldn't end well for him. If Rey didn't kill him, Snoke surely would – two generals in two weeks was probably going overboard. So, he released his grip – both physically and in the force and the shorter man instantly slumped to the floor, gulping air.

Rey moved from her place beside him, probably to help the fallen man but he caught her wrist and drew her back. He shook his head slightly when her gaze turned to him, questioning, before quickly removing his hand and ending the contact. She didn't need to help him, and Kylo didn't want her to want to help him.

With the connection broken he turned his attention back to Mitaka,

"Explain."

"Leader Snoke requested the change yesterday. Sir." Mitaka had recovered enough to speak, albeit shakily, as he pulled himself from the floor to face Kylo. He wasn't cocky or arrogant like Hux though, he was subdued and respectful – exactly what Kylo wanted. He definitely did not need another Hux to deal with.

Of course he did, Kylo thought. Because what better way to keep an eye on his apprentice than by putting another new lap dog in his immediate vicinity, night and day. Considering that, it wasn't too far of a stretch to assume that Snoke was fully aware that Rey was no longer locked in a cell and that she would also be steps away from his new general. It grated on Kylo's nerves, how obvious this was Snoke's doing – the act that he wouldn't even have peace of mind that Rey would be safe in the short time until he had to meet his master – until Rey had to meet him.

"And what of the girl?" he asked.

"She is safe. I have no intention of causing her harm, nor do I have any order to Sir." He was telling the truth Kylo knew, the honesty clear in his mind.

"He did say that – before you got here I mean." And that was Rey speaking now, jumping into what was probably the weirdest conversation he'd had in a while. The prisoner slash guest that he'd shared a bed with, among other things – the replacement for a general he carved in two little over a week ago – and himself, masked and brooding as usual; it was almost comical he thought. Maybe it would be, if he weren't so quick to anger all the time.

"Hmm. Dopheld was it? No one else is to be given access to this corridor without my explicit permission. Now leave us." He supposed he would hunt the general down again later for an update on their progress. For now, his attention was on Rey, whom he turned to once Mitaka had quickly hurried away.

"Come." And maybe that sounded a little cold, but he could only do so much with the contraption on his head. Nevertheless, she followed him as he led the way to his quarters, only pausing briefly to retrieve the text on the floor.

"Why would you do that!?" and she was yelling at him now even though she wasn't really angry. No, she'd had that moment of fear on seeing Mitaka, but then she'd felt kind of sorry for him, seeing him pinned against the wall like that. And then there'd been a little more fear as she felt the pleasure the other man's pain seemed to give Kylo. She'd felt it. He'd been enjoying himself even as he furiously questioned the newly minted general.

And now that swell of emotions was manifesting itself in anger, because maybe she was disappointed that this man who'd held her so tenderly just hours before could be so cruel. Maybe it wasn't even that, maybe it was the way he'd recoiled after a split second of contact – through clothes and leather gloves to boot. Yes, that was it – she was offended, and she was using the general's poor timing as an excuse to vent without showing what was really bothering her.

"Why are you defending him! He's Hux's replacement and he lives across the hall. You realize that means Snoke's personal lapdog is just steps away from you – at all times!" he was getting angry now too, his flushed cheeks now visible having discarded his helm haphazardly on the divan.

"He didn't do anything, and you nearly killed him!"

An exasperated sigh escaped his lips as he ran a hand through his thick hair and she could've kicked herself for noticing that the tousled style was even more attractive than before. When had she even started looking?

Stay focused Rey, you're mad at him. and that mental thought sounded pathetic in every corner of her brain. It definitely wasn't convincing enough for her to stop admiring the way his clean cut black outfit complimented his lean, yet muscled figure.

He stepped towards her then, some unknown emotion swimming in his eyes, and she took a step back. They continued the game until she'd backed into the wall and he was towering over her. She held his gaze, refusing to back down from this fight.

"Look Rey I"- a million different expressions flitted across his face as he started to speak, and a gloved hand reached out, as if to cup her face. But at the last moment it fell, and his features may as well have turned to stone as he whirled away from her.

"I don't have to explain myself to you, come I'll return you to your room."

Cold. Devoid of emotion. She wasn't expecting that response, as though he'd never been angry in the first place, shutting down their argument and any form of conversation for that matter. Distant too, he'd been surprisingly open earlier and gentler than she could ever imagine anyone being, especially him, but now his words were harsh and final. Maybe he was hiding something, but then again there was probably a lot she didn't know, she was still a prisoner after all. And then there was the 'return you' comment, as though she were some borrowed artifact. What was that about? And again, he'd recoiled from her as though he didn't want to touch her.

Rey realized that the intimacy of that morning was, at the end of the day, just a kiss – but it was more than she'd ever had. Intense, pleasurable, and frightening all at the same time – she didn't really know what to make of it just yet, but if his actions now were any indication then it was probably terrible. At least for him that is, Rey had never felt the way she had, wrapped in his strong embrace, before in her life – but he was avoiding any and all contact. Did he not enjoy it? Maybe she was just bad at this and maybe she'd completely turned him off. She supposed that meant she wouldn't have to worry about him wanting anything more from her but that thought was met with a wave of disappointment the moment it entered her mind.

Confused is what she felt for sure as she numbly followed him back to her room, not bothering with a reply. Did she want more then? Maybe, she decided. What they'd done earlier surely felt good – amazing even. But Kylo, well he didn't seem too interested anymore – he'd gone from attentive caresses to reserved and curt in the space of hours. He was an enigma, and she was his prisoner and Rey had no idea what to do about that.

He'd killed people. Tortured people without remorse or care and more often than not it felt good. It was a rush to give in to darkness, to let his demons take control and vent the way a dark-sider was meant to. But Rey, a single flash of hurt in her eyes at his words and he instantly felt guilty. She'd trusted him and now he was being cold, distant he knew – it was on purpose – and her reaction to it affected him more than the deaths of an entire village. It was infuriating that he couldn't keep up his image, the devilish persona known across the galaxy, in front of her.

The last thing he wanted to do was ice her out too, every moment he spent with her the attraction grew, but he'd never been good at control. That morning should have earned him a trophy, but he knew that if he let himself in – he wouldn't want to stop, and he might take too much – he might hurt her. Keeping Rey at arms distance would be better in the long run for her he knew, and he wondered just when he'd come to care so much. But he already knew of course, whether he'd ever admit it to himself of not, all bets were off the moment he'd recognized her in that forest on Takodana. Her face wasn't new to him then, no, he'd known her in the force; Takodana was just the moment he realized that it was all real.

He could do this. Refuse himself his desires, because while he wouldn't be able to protect Rey from Snoke, he could at least protect her from himself.

He'd walked Rey back to her room and then left without so much as a word. Now he was in what was once Hux's office, but now belonged to Mitaka, in order to finish their earlier 'conversation'. There were some things he didn't want Rey to hear, mainly their impending visit with Snoke.

Everything was on schedule, the general told him, his voice now recovered from the earlier incident as he met the dark-sider's hooded gaze evenly. It was fairly impressive, Kylo had to admit, that this man still held his posture and was able to look back at him without so much as a flinch.

Perhaps he underestimated him, and while this behavior would have come off as arrogant from Hux, it radiated professionalism and even a silent respect in Mitaka. He skimmed the surface of the general's mind and found nothing of concern, just what he had already deduced; there was a healthy amount of fear, a drive to fulfill his role, and even some admiration – that was interesting, so he dug a little deeper.

He stopped fishing at the first twitch of Mitaka's jaw, but it was enough. He'd followed that admiration and it led to a thread of similar thought – the intense need to protect someone. Mitaka was impressed by how quickly he'd showed up for Rey, how he hadn't hesitated and how he'd listened to her. Somehow this man was fully aware his fury earlier had all stemmed from Rey – because he knew the feeling, even if he wasn't a powerful force user. Quick flashes of some unknown woman, a small child – a budding family, accompanied the thoughts.

"My wife and daughter."

"You're married?"

"Five years now sir."

Huh. He hadn't been expecting that. Mitaka had a family, of course many of the officers probably had families of some sort, but to know that Mitaka sensed in him a similar drive was unprecedented. He understood, immediately, Kylo's endeavour to protect Rey from him as he recognized the behavior, the fierce and sudden fury, in himself. While he may not be in a position to vocalize or physically act on his fears like Kylo – the worry for the safety of his wife and daughter were the foremost thoughts in his mind in this time of war.

The general in front of him hadn't even tried to resist his intrusion but offered the information almost willingly. Maybe he realized it would be futile to resist, and maybe it was something else. Oddly enough, just knowing this piece of intel on Mitaka made him a little more bearable, in fact Kylo found himself wanting to ask this man some questions – but he held his tongue. It wouldn't exactly maintain his stolid front if he started asking for relationship advice. But he already knew some of it, didn't he? It had been clear in his mind that he already assumed this dark-sider cared about the scavenger - about Rey. But he wouldn't know the conflict Kylo was dealing with; trying not to act on his urges, denying his need to touch her again – to feel her body against his once more. If he gave in a little, he'd give in completely he knew – and that would only rip her away from him in the end.

He was a little miffed at this predicament for never before had he cared so much about what another thought of him – besides his own family, but that was a long time ago. So quickly had his motivations been swamped with thoughts of Rey, the girl who had attracted him even while ragged and dirty, and set his nerves on fire with just a sliver of contact. He'd settle for just having her within reach, if it meant her trust. That was a first too; wanting someone to believe in and trust him, to see that he was more than an executioner.

"Sir?" Mitaka spoke up and he realized that he'd been lost in his thoughts for quite some time.

"Mitaka, I imagine you understand what it is to want to keep someone safe – at any cost," the general was nodding now, "You will treat Rey as my personal guest and you will permit no one else entry to the upper suites without my confirmation. She is free to move around as she pleases, so long as she remains within the hall and… Mitaka, if any harm should come to her…"

"I understand sir. You need not say anymore."

If he weren't wearing the helm, Mitaka would be looking at his squinted, scrutinizing gaze. As it were the shorter man was looking into darkness, he knew. Kylo searched his face for emotion, his mind for thoughts and found honesty and comprehension, but underneath it all – a slight thread of…righteous indignation – for he got the message; Kylo might not get away with dispatching another general, but his family wasn't guaranteed that safety should he decide to cross him.

"Of course," he added as he turned to leave the office, "I would prefer not to kill anyone."

The door slid shut in his wake, separating the two men with an echoing hiss.

He'd left almost as soon as he'd came, and she'd sat stewing in her rooms for the better part of the day, eyes skimming over the text she'd brought back with her. Rey was intrigued by this power she had and could wield, she wanted to learn more but every time she tried to study the droll words her mind drifted back to him. One kiss, that was all, and now she couldn't get him out of her head. In her defense he'd been in her head for years – but never in that way.

But he'd seemed cold, withdrawing from touching her and her mind was wrestling with these thoughts and questions once more. She hated that it bugged her so much, that he'd gotten under her skin and she kept wondering the same things over and over but never receiving any answers. Maybe she'd messed up, freezing on the spot like that – because now, just hours later, she craved the feel of him and wished she'd pushed through her fear and hesitation. He was magnetic, she felt irrevocably drawn to him and while it confused her and scared her, she wanted nothing more than to give in.

But it would seem that he didn't feel that way about her. He'd acted as though touching her were repulsive when before he'd had his hands all over her. What had she done? It was eating at her, strong and independent Rey of Jakku seemingly brought low by this dangerous and unconventionally handsome force wielder.

Her eyes found the same line for the tenth time, there is no emotion, there is peace, and she snorted. From the few words she'd actually paid attention to, she'd deduced the book was written by a Jedi and well, if that's what they believed then she didn't want any part of their dogma. For she felt everything and anything but peace. There'd never really been peace for her – except maybe in those moments when the desert storms blocked out the sun and stole her senses; the world would darken as the howl of the wind encased her mind and for a few, brief seconds she'd forget everything. No longer was she in the desert or alone; she was floating, without a care, as if the wind had picked her up and carried her away on its breeze. And then it would be over, back to the ground, she would come crashing down and everything she'd blocked out would flood back in. Those were the worst times, when the utter realization of her situation would set in again, harder, and more ruthless than before.

She all but threw the book at the light wood end table beside the sofa; it was much like the one in Kylo's suite, even placed under a similar viewscreen, but infinitely more comfortable. For that at least, she was grateful; a week on Kylo's divan had left her feeling much older than her age, this sofa though was soft to the touch, cushioned the body and was, in stark comparison, an elegant white.

The sigh that escaped her was heavy with contempt as she pulled herself out of the room, she needed to move, to work off some of these emotions clouding her mind – and probably her judgment.

She set to work as soon as she stepped into the training room, choosing again the quarterstaff that Kylo had presented to her the day before, and taking her frustrations out on a practice dummy. It wasn't long before she was imagining his dark spectre in it's place – every hit felt like a question as she screamed her frustration out. Why her? How did she end up in this position? A lonely scavenger turned force sensitive prisoner of the First Order with a burning attraction to their number one warrior – the immeasurable wielder of the dark side of the force – Kylo Ren.

She went until she felt ready to collapse, at which point she silently returned to her rooms, showered, and crawled into the oversized and very comfortable bed. She hadn't seen or heard from Kylo since that morning and she'd had to hold herself back from knocking on his door. He was probably just busy, he had some sort of actual job to do after all, right? Something other than showing up in battle every now and then to scare the masses into line and turn the tide of the fight.

Rey was exhausted and that was probably the only reason she managed to finally shut her mind off, forcing all those thoughts and questions out of her mind and quelling the burning desire in her center that Kylo had managed to stoke. She wasn't going to think about him or the First Order, at least for tonight; a peaceful, dreamless sleep is what Rey hoped for as her eyes finally drooped closed under their own weight.