Kylo Ren woke up so sore he could barely move. Rey was curled beside him, her head on his chest. He reached up with the arm she wasn't lying on to stroke her hair, but he was just too sore. He flopped his arm back down on the bed. Rey had insisted they sleep in her bed last night and it was probably a good suggestion. He couldn't imagine how sore he would have been just sleeping on his mat. He gingerly moved his arm out from under Rey, partly trying not to wake her and partly because it's the only way he could move. He sat up and stretched; every muscle in his body hurt. His head ached from the blows he had sustained in the previous day's fight with Snoke. Rey mumbled and rolled over, Kylo reached to rub her back. She was warm and soft, tempting him to lay back down. He grumbled and swung his long legs out of the bed, cursing as his feet hit the floor. Even they caused him pain. His back cracked as he stood up and stretched again, trying to work the aches out of his body. He put on his boots and grabbed his shirt, not bothering to put it on. His goal was to make it the few short feet from Rey's quarters to his own. He poked his head out of Rey's door and not seeing anyone, made his way to his door.

"Uh, sir?"

Kylo jumped slightly and turned around. Captain Phasma was standing there, waiting for a reply. "Yes, Captain?" He said as calmly as possible.

"Are you….are you alright, sir? Should I call a medic to attend to you…" she let the sentence hang, not wanting to push a sensitive issue.

"No, thank you. I'm fine." Kylo was dismissive, he didn't need a medic. He needed a hot shower and rest. He was sore, but he was okay.

"But, sir…." She motioned with her hands to his torso. Bruises covered almost every square inch of his upper body. His arms, stomach, back and shoulders were various shades of black and blue. She could tell, even from where she stood at some distance, that they would be worse tomorrow.

Kylo looked down at himself and grimaced, "Thank you for your concern, Captain Phasma. I am sore, as you can imagine, but nothing is broken I assure you. Change never comes easily, as they say, and yesterday's change in leadership was certainly no exception."

"Is this a bad time?" She wasn't going to push the issue, especially now that he was Supreme Leader. The last thing she wanted to do was anger him. She took in the situation, glad for the mask to hide her smile. The new Supreme Leader was standing next to his door, shirtless and in his pajama pants.

"Well, yes, actually, this is a bad time," he ran his hand through his hair. "Could we," he paused. "Could I meet with you in a few minutes?

"Of course, Supreme Leader," Kylo could hear a smile in her voice and he couldn't even begin to be angry. "Shall I wait out here?"

"Yes, that would be fine," he turned his back and entered his quarters. He leaned back against the door after it slid shut, "Kriff." He kicked off his boots and pajama pants, tossing them in the corner. He went to his closet and pulled out all the necessary items needed to get dressed. He had wanted to take a shower but that plan would have to be delayed. He pushed his hair back and put on his mask, feeling much more dignified than before. He straightened his robes and headed back out of the door.

"Captain," he nodded to Phasma, "I assume we'll never speak of the preceding events again?"

She nodded her head in the affirmative, "Never again." She still had a smile in her voice and he still couldn't be angry. He found her much more affable than Hux and decided to let her very slight insolence go. He tried to imagine Snoke skulking through the hallway in no shirt and shuddered at the thought.

"I tried to reach you on the comm link but you didn't answer. General Hux said he always had to find you and talk to you in person so I came here. I hope you don't mind the interruption."

"No, Captain, that's fine. My comm link wasn't...on me. Why did you wish to see me?"

"I wanted to report that the transition is occurring smoothly and the various levels of staff are in acceptance with the changes. There is unofficial talk of concern, but that is to be expected. There are some issues with my being put in command due to rank, but I've informed the dissidents that it is only temporary and official promotions are coming."

Kylo nodded, "Very good. Well done, Captain. I was planning on speaking with you later, but since you are here, I might as well brief you now. As the new Supreme Leader, I need to inform our allies of the change. I will be going off world for a few days to speak with them in person to reassure them everything is still progressing as planned. My apprentice will be accompanying me. However, even though I am visiting allies, I don't entirely trust them. I'm going to have a tracker put on my ship. If I don't return or you don't hear from me in seven days, follow the signal and send out a team to scout the area and find my whereabouts. Understood? Do not follow it before seven days. Is that clear?" It was an arbitrary time limit, really, but he figured he would know of his fate with the Resistance at that time. If they planned on letting him languish in a prison cell, he would have a surprise for them. He knew Rey would be vehemently opposed to the idea, which is why he had no plans of telling her. He didn't like deceiving her, but he wasn't going to leave his fate to the stars.

"Yes, Supreme Leader, understood. Is there anything I can do to assist you in your preparations?"

"Yes, actually. There is a wall between my quarters and my apprentice's. I would like to have that removed, if it's structurally possible. I am in need of larger accommodations.

"Of course, Supreme Leader. I'll contact the architects today and they'll have it prepared before you return. Is there anything else?"

"No, Captain. That will be all."

"Sir," she hesitated for a moment, "may I speak freely?"

He paused slightly, "I suppose?"

"Nice abs."

"Dismissed, Captain," he shook his head as she walked away. There was a time he might kill someone for such a comment, but he was in much better spirits after killing Snoke. He wondered if Phasma picked up on his improved disposition. With Snoke's death, he felt as if a huge weight had been lifted from him.

He returned to Rey's quarters to find her stepping out of the refresher, fully dressed and towel drying her hair. "I'm still amazed by the decadence of a shower," she said, hanging up the towel and starting to pull her hair into her usual three buns.

"I could go for a soak in the tub," he stretched his arms across his chest and cracked his neck.

She looked at him with a curious look on her face, "I've never done that."

It never occurred to him that Rey had never taken a proper bath, but then again, she had only gained access to showers since leaving Jakku. It amazed him how many things were still new to her, "Maybe before we leave, I can get you in the tub." He doubted that sounded as appealing as he hoped through the voice modulator on his mask.

"Oh, really, Kylo Ren?" She stepped over to him and crossed her arms, standing in front of him. "I think we have much more important business to attend to."

"I am not sure what is more important than you wet and naked."

She laughed and punched him in the chest. He winced, happy for the mask so she couldn't see, "Do you still want to take your ship to the Resistance base?"

Mentioning the Resistance base dampened his mood slightly, "Yes."

"Then it will need repairs since someone lost his temper and trashed the control panel yesterday."

"Well, yes, that's true. Why don't you handle that? Head down to the hangar and have the technicians start those repairs."

"They're not going to listen to me!" Rey exclaimed.

Kylo put his hand on her shoulder, "Yes, they will. Supreme Leader's orders."

"Really now? I'm not so sure I like that. It makes it sound like I'm part of the First Order."

He certainly didn't want to tell her that was exactly the order he had issued, let alone that she was his apprentice, "I just said that I wanted you to be treated as my equal and in the unlikely event you issue any orders, they are to be followed in preparation for our departure."

"You told people we're leaving? Are you crazy?"

"I didn't tell them where we're going, calm down."

"Then where did you say we're going?" She demanded.

"Not that it matters but I said we're leaving for a diplomatic mission to First Order allies. I can't just vanish, Rey."

"No, the point is to vanish, where no one can find us. It feels like you don't want to leave."

"I don't." He said tersely. "I'm doing this for you and no other reason. Can I at least set my affairs in order so I don't leave my life's work in chaos?"

"I'm sorry," she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his waist. "I'm being insensitive. Just because I find the First Order," she paused, unsure of the word to use, "distasteful, doesn't mean I should discount your feelings. I'm sorry."

He put his hand on her back, "It's alright. This is a difficult time for both of us," he reached up and took his mask off, hitting the button for the hydraulics and removing it in one motion. He kissed her forehead. "I can't think of anyone more qualified to supervise the repair of my ship than you." Her repair skills were truly remarkable. Kylo knew quite a bit about repairing ships from the early years with his father but Rey's skills were far beyond his own. She probably didn't realize he was also a competent pilot, as if the son of Han Solo and grandson of Anakin Skywalker would be otherwise. "Go see what needs done. I'll meet up with you in the hangar." He went to her bed and laid down.

"And what exactly will you be doing?" She looked at him with an eyebrow up.

"I have to make rounds with my subordinates and oversee some promotions and other small details before we leave." He clasped his hands behind his head, "But first, I'm going to lay here for a minute and rest. Yesterday's events have left me sore."

Rey hadn't taken any time to consider how he would feel physically after such a battle. She immediately felt a pang of guilt for her own selfishness, "Of course," she said softly, "rest as long as you like." She walked over to the bed and planted a kiss on his forehead, then turned and exited her quarters to find the hangar again and get started on the repairs to the ship.

Kylo lay on the bed for several moments staring at the ceiling. He really should get up and hit the refresher and get started on his rounds. He needed to figure out a way to slip the tracker onto the ship without Rey noticing, and since she would be working in and around the ship for most of the day, he didn't suspect that would be an easy feat.

Rey had convinced herself that she could navigate the corridors on her own, without help, but now she wasn't so sure. She'd been wandering for almost twenty minutes and hadn't come across the hangar yet. She was starting to feel more than a little foolish and quite a bit lost when she turned another corner and ran face first into Captain Phasma.

"Oh, hello ma'am," Captain Phasma recovered quickly, catching Rey by the elbow before she stumbled backwards and fell.

"Uh… hello….Captain Phasma, right?"

"Yes, ma'am. Are you alright? Sorry about that. I didn't see you coming."

"I'm fine, thanks," Rey brushed loose strands of hair out of her face and smoothed her shirt, trying to recover some dignity, "actually, I'm glad to see you."

"Oh, of course. How may I be of assistance?"

This all felt a little surreal to Rey. Just days before she had been a prisoner whose room was under constant surveillance, whose every movement was watched and scrutinized, and who was largely considered a threat to everyone on base. Now she was being addressed as if she were a higher ranking officer than the woman who stood in front of her.

"I, uh… Just call me Rey, please. I'm looking for the hangar, and can't find it."

"Certainly ma'am...I mean, Rey," there was a smile in her voice, "You've come quite a long way in the opposite direction of the hangars. If you'll allow me, I can escort you and on the way we can stop and I'll provide you with a small device that will show you a map of the base for future use."

Rey wouldn't be needing the map, but she thought about what Ben had told her earlier about the story he had given his subordinates about their mission, and decided to just go along with it.

"That would be great, thanks," she said, nodding her head. "I really appreciate the help. This place is bigger than I thought."

"It is quite large. It took me almost a year to be able to navigate the entire structure without getting lost. The mapping device will be of great service to you, I'm sure. It saved me more times than I can remember. We provide one for all new recruits."

Is that what they thought she was? A new recruit? She didn't like the sound of that at all, but she kept her opinions to herself. She knew that it was important to Ben that they maintain the appearance of going on a diplomatic mission with intentions to return.

"Here we are," Captain Phasma said as she stopped in front of a door in the corridor. It wasn't the hangar, so this must be where the mapping devices were kept. Rey followed her into the security room. There were monitors lining one entire wall and several technicians keeping a watchful eye on the comings and goings of other members of the First Order. She skimmed the screens trying to see if she could spot Ben, but was unsuccessful.

"Where are the cameras that show my quarters?" She asked, blurting it out without thinking.

"Those have been removed, ma'am," Phasma said as she handed Rey the device. Rey turned it over in her hands, unsure of how to use it. She didn't want to look foolish, so she wasn't going to ask...Maybe Ben could help her. Sensing her trepidation, Phasma reached out and took the device again, "Hold out your arm," she instructed quietly. Rey did as she was asked and Captain Phasma fastened the device to her wrist. Immediately the screen lit up and several small icons appeared.

"This button," Phasma said pointing to one, "will allow you to communicate with others on base, like myself and the Supreme Leader if he is wearing his communication device. He often isn't. This one," she pointed to another, "will bring up your map." She touched the button and a three dimensional hologram of the base popped up in the air above Rey's arm.

"Whoa…." Rey's eyes grew large. She waved her hand through the image, and when it only passed through the hologram, she snatched it back quickly, surprised by the lack of sensation she felt.

Captain Phasma smiled behind her mask. The girl really wasn't that bad and she found herself actually liking Rey. She reminded her of a child, full of awe and wonder, and her tiny frame lent to the illusion.

"You can navigate through the different floors if you'd like, but the mapping technology actually pinpoints your location for you. You can speak different commands to it, and it will help you navigate. Try it out."

"Uh, what do I say?" Rey was completely confused, bewildered, and awe struck. This thing is so cool! The Resistance didn't have anything like this! She felt a little guilty for comparing, but not guilty enough to stop her giddiness.

"You can say, 'Map, show me how to get to the hangars'" Phasma said. Immediately the image shifted orientation and lit up a digital path to the hangars from her current location. Rey could see that she wasn't too far away.

"Thank you, Captain Phasma. You've been a huge help. I'll make sure Ben...er, Kylo, uh… Supreme Leader knows how helpful you've been to me today. I think I can navigate to the hangars on my own now."

"My pleasure, ma'am….Rey."

Rey could hear the smile in her voice again and she smiled back, then exited the security room to find the hangars.

Captain Phasma touched the communicator on her own wrist, "Supreme Leader."

Kylo answered immediately, "Yes, Captain?"

"I thought you should know that I've given your apprentice the mapping device that you instructed I provide. She's currently en route to the hangar bay."

"Very good, Captain Phasma. Thank you. The tracker inside is operational, I trust?"

"Yes, of course Supreme Leader, just as you requested."

"Thank you, Captain Phasma." Kylo broke off the communication and grabbed his helmet before exiting his quarters. He was freshly showered and feeling better than he had when he woke. The hot water had done wonders for his sore muscles, and his mood. He probably should have felt bad for putting a tracker on Rey, but he didn't. He would need to know where she was if things went wrong on the Resistance Base and a recognizance team had to get them out. She trusted his mother implicitly, but he knew better. This was the same woman that sent him away as a child for his mere thoughts and curiosities. What would she do now, given his actions?

He shook his head trying to clear his thoughts. He had zero desire to deal with subordinates, promotions and other sorts of military nonsense he had never cared about, nor would. That was about the only thing General Hux was good for. Maybe he would consult with Captain Phasma when he got back...he stopped walking. He needed to stop thinking like he was coming back. In all reality, he probably wasn't. He still hadn't fully accepted this. Instead of dealing with other issues, he decided to head back to his quarters.

Anything he needed to take with him was probably already on his shuttle. He had five full wardrobe changes on board, along with casual attire for lounging during longer flights. Extra boots, socks, everything. His quarters didn't have decorations; he had nothing hanging on the walls or even shelves with things sitting on them. He didn't even have shelves. He looked into his bedroom, along the back wall, at seemingly nothing. He walked in, kicking his sleeping mat out of the way, while waving his hand in front of a seemingly innocuous panel. A doorway appeared, previously concealed by a hologram, a trick his father had taught him when he was young that he used occasionally on the Falcon. The projector needed was miniscule and the image was completely authentic, as long as no one tried to touch it. Beyond Rey in just the last few weeks, no one was ever in his quarters but he still had one thing he wanted to be sure was away from the prying eyes of others.

Darth Vader's mask.

It sat on a small pillar, about waist high to Kylo Ren. The only illumination in the small alcove was from a single light overhead that was very dim. He didn't need light for his meditations with the mask. He never kept the mask on Starkiller Base so it was never in danger when the base was destroyed. Kylo went and sat on the chair in front of it. He put his hands under his chin with his elbows on his knees. He drew in a long, deep breath. It was a little late to look for guidance now. He wished his grandfather would tell him he was doing the right thing, going in the right direction, but he felt that wouldn't be the case. Or would it? He gave up the Empire to save Luke, turned to the Dark Side to save Padme. Was Kylo really any different? In his own mind, however, he was not finishing what Vader started and that was a failure. The chance to be with Rey made it palatable, however. Rising, he walked back out to his bedroom to the closet, removing the case he used for transporting the mask. The outside was nearly indestructible with the inside being fully cushioned and velvet lined. The mask was extremely fragile and given the time and cost to obtain it, along with the sentiment, Kylo wanted to be sure nothing happened to it. He gently placed the mask in the case, making sure it fit perfectly. He made sure all the locks were secure, picked it up and headed out of his quarters for the hangar.

As he boarded his shuttle, he expected to see Rey supervising the repair efforts, but instead she was under the console with one of the technicians, sleeves rolled up and actually assisting. He knew he shouldn't be surprised. He didn't want any questions about the case he was carrying so he walked on through the bridge area to the back of the ship where his private quarters were. He had a locker under his bed where he kept the mask and he placed the case there, locking the compartment behind him. When he returned to the bridge, Rey was out from under the console, a smudge of dirt on her forehead and her hair a little bit messy. He wanted to grab her and kiss her right there, "How are things going?"

Rey gave him a big smile, "We almost have everything repaired from yesterday's...incident." The other technician looked up at her with a worried look on his face. He was surprised at her tone of voice with the new Supreme Leader. "Another tech is out getting the rest of the parts and then we'll be done!"

"Very well," Kylo replied, "I'll be back to check on your progress soon." That gave him the excuse to go and look for the other technician. He needed to have a tracker put on the ship without Rey knowing. He found that technician as he was exiting the ship, "You there."

The technician almost dropped the box of parts he was carrying, "Ye-, yes, Supreme Leader?"

"I need a tracker installed on the ship. This needs to be done without the knowledge of my apprentice. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Supreme Leader. But, there is a problem," the technician looked terrified.

Kylo paused before answering, "What problem?"

The technician turned a whiter shade of pale, "Your apprentice has been very adamant about being hands on with the repairs. She's been involved in every aspect and being that we are her subordinates, we must comply."

Kylo nodded, "Acknowledged. I will distract her and that will give you the opportunity you need."

"Yes, sir. I need to go get the necessary parts."

"Dismissed. Do whatever needs to be done. I'll wait for you on the bridge." The technician scurried off to find the tracker and whatever other parts were needed for it's installation. Kylo re-entered the ship, making his way back to the panel Rey and the other technician were working on. He loomed over them as they worked, arms crossed. He wasn't really paying any attention, not listening to their conversation.

Rey scooted out from under the panel and stood up, "Could you, uh, stand somewhere else?"

"What?" Kylo snapped.

"You're making him nervous and we're working on the navigational system, something neither of us want repaired incorrectly," she blew a piece of hair out of her face.

Kylo didn't know why he found her so incredibly attractive like this, but he felt his pulse quickening, despite his annoyance with the technician, "Alright, I'll go sit down." He walked over to his chair on the bridge and sat, with some discomfort. He was thankful for the layers of his outfit. The other technician retrieving parts showed up shortly thereafter, much to his relief, announcing his arrival.

Rey popped out from under the console, "Great! That's all we need to get this…"

"Rey," Kylo interrupted her.

She blew her hair out of her face again, "What?" Now it was her turn to be annoyed.

"I want to show you the rest of the ship."

"Now? We're almost finish…"

"Now," Kylo said firmly. Rey huffed and took her gloves off, throwing them down on the floor. The two technicians looked at each other in amazement. Neither of them would dare to act in such a manner towards Kylo Ren, now the Supreme Leader. They both remained silent and pretended to work, curious as to what was going to happen next. "Come," Kylo said.

Rey followed him past a few rooms that she wondered what they might be, but he was walking too fast for her to stop and ask, "I thought you were going to show me the ship?" She said, struggling to keep up.

"I am," he stopped in front of a door, "These are my quarters." He opened the door and she followed him inside. "You need to be less insubordinate in front of people," he curtly said.

"Insubordinate? Are you suddenly my superior?"

"Well, I am the Supreme Leader," he reached out and pushed her hair back from her face.

She reached and grabbed his hand, "What are you doing?"

He took his hand back to remove his mask, tossing it on the bed, "Whatever I want."

"Oh no, not that. Not here and not now. We can't…"

"Yes we can and we will," he gave her a devilish smile. "You shouldn't look so damn good when you're fixing things."

She reached up and pushed her hair back herself this time, "Are you out of your mind? I'm a mess."

"It is quite possible I'm out of my mind," he pulled her towards him and kissed her. "You drive me crazy, that is certain."

She pushed back from him, "We can't, there are people...the technicians will hear."

He laughed, "So?" He pulled her back to him, untucked her shirt and pushed down her pants a bit. He leaned down and kissed her, biting her lip at the end.

"So get undressed," she ran her hands down his chest. He stepped back from her, taking off his cloak, belt, outer robe and tunic amazingly quick. He moved towards her again, sliding his hands down her sides, hooking her underwear with his thumbs and pulling them down with her pants all in one motion.

He took one finger and ran it between her legs and she shuddered at his touch. "For someone that didn't want to do this, you sure seem ready for it."

"I hate you...sometimes."

He kissed her ear and the side of her neck and growled, "I know." He put his hand back between her legs, sliding one finger inside of her. She softly moaned as he worked in and out of her, sliding a second finger in. He felt her gasp and covered her mouth with a rough kiss, parting her lips and invading her mouth. She ground down on his hand and he obliged with a third finger. He took his thumb and traced circles around her nub, causing her to moan against his lips. His touch became rougher as his own need increased. Her hands had been pressed against the wall, but she moved them to the bulge in his pants. He groaned at her touch, pushing into her hands. "Enough," he said. He slipped his suspenders over his shoulders and dropped his pants. He moved behind her and walked her to the bed, pushing her forward as gently as he could given his desires. She nervously looked over her shoulder at him. "Just bend over and put your hands on the bed." She nodded and complied, her arms shaking a bit. He gently slid two fingers into her, giving her a soft introduction to the new position.

She groaned and backed into his hand, "Oh, shit, Ben."

He growled again, grabbing the front of her thigh with his off hand. He held on to her leg for a moment while still taking his fingers in and out of her. The sound of leather against wet skin was driving him insane combined with her moans of pleasure. His cock strained against his underwear, looking for release. He took his hands off of her and pulled down his underwear, lightly stroking his cock with his hand he had just had inside of her. Her wetness was hot on his glove and made him quiver. He put the tip of it at her opening and pushed in just slightly, making Rey cry out. "Shhhh," he lightly laughed, pushing the rest of the way into her, making her cry out again, but not as loudly this time. He grabbed her hips, gradually quickening his pace until he was driving into her, crashing his hips against her ass. Finally the intensity was too much and he lost control, exploding inside of her. In a haze, he heard her say his given name over and over. He bent himself over her and wrapped his arms around her. He dropped to his side, pulling her down with him and held her close, shuddering a bit. She snuggled back into him, breathless.

"Do you think they know?" Rey giggled.

"I don't care. What are they going to say? I'm the Supreme Leader. Then again, I guess I should act a little more...appropriate," he shrugged. "This Supreme Leader isn't a shriveled up old dust mop, either." He pulled out of her and away, flopping on to his back. "The refresher is right there if you want to clean up a bit. It's small, but serviceable."

"Good idea," she hopped up from the bed more energetic than before. "We should do that again! Well, not right now, but," she blushed.

"Your enthusiasm is noted," he laughed at her as she entered the refresher. He felt his mood darken as he asked, "When did you want to leave?"

She walked out of the refresher, drying her hands on her pants, "I guess that all depends on how long it takes to get there. We're well past lunch now. Maybe after dinner or tomorrow morning?"

"I'd like to leave tomorrow morning. I want one last night with you."

"Don't be silly," Rey said, "It won't be our last night together."

He rose from the bed and went into the refresher, "True, we'll have travel time. Maybe." He exited the refresher and went about putting his clothes back on. "Let's see how the repairs are going." He put on his mask and motioned for Rey to leave the room. He hoped he had given them enough time to install the tracker.

When the re-emerged on the bridge, the technicians were completely finished with the repairs and cleaning up. They came to attention when they saw Kylo, "Sir," one said. "The repairs are finished and all systems should be operational."

"Very well. You are dismissed," he was beginning to understand why Snoke had stayed sequestered in his chambers. Dealing with these small things was simply annoying. It didn't help that he was restless and still unsettled from the previous day. "I'm going to head back to my quarters. I need to meditate or something. I'm not feeling right."

Rey took his hand in hers, "Everything is going to be ok."

"Make sure everything is ready for our departure tomorrow. The key code to my door, and yours for that matter, is 7-8-1-2. I'll be in one of the two. I might lie down on your bed," he squeezed her hand as he walked away, feeling more like a man heading towards his own grave than his quarters.