Author's Note: We can't have nice things. Not in this story.

Okay, we can. And we do. We get crazy tension and fluff. We need some fluff.

And then we need to ruin it... so enjoy!

Also here's your warning... tension and Kylo Ren being a dick and violence. There's violence. So... Not safe for life.

Thank you for your wonderful reviews! I love you all, let's keep them coming!

Ashlyn groaned in pain as she stared up at the ceiling of the training room. Soon, she was staring up at the curious blond that stared back down at her. "Ms. Novafall, if you cannot focus during our sessions then why are you wasting my time?" Phasma asked, although she wasn't fully serious.

"I'm sorry, Captain." She said, wincing slightly as Phasma helped her to her feet. "It's been a crazy past two weeks."

"With Ren being gone suddenly, I'm sure." Phasma said somewhat knowingly.

Ash tried to dismiss her accusation. "What he does is no concern of mine."

Phasma gave her a pointed look. "Then why does it constantly mess up your concentration, I wonder?" Ash deflated slightly, looking down at her staff on the floor before picking it up. Her body aching from the movement as she stood back up straight. "I won't pretend to know what is going on, nor do I truly care. It's none of my concern. However, when you're here I expect you to focus."

"You're right." Ash said. "It's just lately-" She tried to find the words. "Everything that could go wrong, has."

Phasma nodded. "Just be careful of the fire. The flame is pretty but the burn will hurt."

Ash smiled slightly. Something about her tone reminded her of Sid. "I very seldom follow the wise advice of those looking in."

Phasma returned with her own sympathetic smile. "I'd be lying if I said I've listened to my own advice. However, that does not make the statement any less true. You're dancing with danger, Ashlyn."

She was, yet it was such a rush of adrenaline. The idea of how dangerous Kylo Ren was brought nothing but a sense of trouble and yet, she was enjoying the probability of losing everything. It was intoxicating. "Some of us just never learn, I guess?" She offered, receiving another pointed look from Phasma.

"Maybe it's time you took another look." Phasma said as she raised her staff. "Again." She commanded, striking down with her staff and making contact with Ashlyn's as she raised her within the last possible second. "Not everything ends the way we hope it will."

"I've yet to figure out what kind of ending I want." Ash said, pushing back on Phasma's staff to unlock her own. She quickly swung her staff around her head and brought it back down with a strong attack.

Phasma dodged, forcing her staff upward and swatting at Ashlyn's upper arm and making contact. Ash stepped back, missing another strike from Phasma as she swung her own staff to counter. "Besides, I think I can handle my own now!" Ash said, swinging again.

"I believe you can." Phasma agreed with a smirk as she countered. "However, I know Ren and I know what he is capable of."

Ash frowned as she danced around Phasma's attack. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"From one girl to another-" Phasma couldn't believe she was having girl talk with Ashlyn, however, she felt she owed the girl the courtesy. "He's selfish. In the end, it's always what he wants and not what anyone else wants. His motives are purely selfish."

"Perhaps he could surprise you." Ash said, dodging another swing as she brought her own staff back.

"Nothing surprises me anymore, Ashlyn." Phasma said, with that, Ashlyn swung her staff and stopped just as she would have made contact with Phasma's neck. The staff mere centimeters from her neck as Ash grinned. "But perhaps, I can accept when I'm wrong." She said, admitting the defeat as Ashlyn pulled back, proud of herself for winning. Or at least, she thought she had until Phasma swiped her feet out from under her with her staff. Ash flipped, landing with a thud on her back. "But I'm always prepared to be wrong, and so should you."

Ash groaned again. "And when I'm wrong about Ren, you have my permission to gloat."

Phasma smirked, helping Ashlyn up on her feet once more. "A Captain does not gloat."

"Well, thank goodness for that." Ash joked.

"So you expect to be wrong then?"

She frowned. "Not exactly. I do believe people have their intentions but anyone can be swayed. Isn't that what makes us human?"

"While I agree, it's also human nature to accept the faults of others even if it means hurting ourselves in the end."

Ash pulled at the bottom of her tanktop, smoothing out some creases from falling as she looked at Phasma. "You know, this is the first time you've taken any interest in my life."

"Not true." Phasma said. "Your life is quite interesting. However, I'm also thankful it's not mine." Ash laughed in reply. "I'm serious. It's easy for me to give my advice and two-cents, however, I'm not in your position. Whatever you see in Ren is obviously completely different than what I could ever fathom. Commander Ren and I have always had a very professional relationship, as well as the General. We came into ranks around the same time. With that relationship comes respect. In turn, I respect you for what you've brought to us and what you've ultimately done to our moody Commander."

"I've done nothing to him." Ash said as the door to the training room slid open, revealing the man in question. His mask was on and was off almost as immediately as the door slid closed behind him. He shook his fabulous hair out, it falling into place as perfectly as ever before he gave a smirk into the direction of the women across the way. Ash felt her heart catch in her chest as her breathing hitched slightly.

"Really now?" Phasma teased, noticing immediately the sudden mood shift in the room as Kylo Ren came closer. "Commander, she's all yours."

'If only she knew.' Ashlyn heard in her mind, only causing her cheeks to turn red as heat rushed to her face. "Thank you, Captain." He said. Phasma had caught the sudden blush on Ashlyn's face but said nothing. Her smirk said it all as she took her leave and left the two in the training room.

He was still smirking as Ashlyn hit his arm. "You're the worst."

"Am I?" He said smugly. "I dare say, I don't know how you mean."

"You know exactly what you did."

"If you let that bother you so much, dear" He said. "You might as well just give up the bet now and surrender."

Ash glared. "Never." She watched as Kylo Ren walked passed her and placed his helmet down and out of the way. "So what are we learning today?"

"I haven't taught you how to use your saber properly." He admitted. "A lot has happened in the past week."

"Seriously." She agreed, causing him to chuckle in reply.

"It's not the worst news." Kylo said.

"Only when you turn it into a ploy for your ultimate gain." She said.

He was grinning now. "Isn't everything? Ready your saber." Ash obeyed and grabbed her saber, preparing herself as the amber blade shot out. The feeling of power resonating from her hands and up through her arms and to her center. She loved the power that came from it but knew that ultimately it could make her power hungry. She had to be careful. "Now, close your eyes."

She frowned at first before ultimately deciding to go with it. He wouldn't do anything too awful to her. At least, she hoped. She knew she was broadcasting that concern as he chuckled. He had a trick up his sleeve as well as he walked over to the training rack and grabbed the black orb on one of the shelves. The orb housed a training device that shot randomly timed lasers. Harmful stun lasers that would ultimately not cause her any pain, just annoyances. He walked back over to Ash as he tossed the device in the air. It floated gently, humming slightly, which caused Ash's face to contort slightly. "What are you doing, Kylo?"

"I'd focus if I were you." He warned her.

"On wha-OW!" She shouted, opening her eyes to see what the hell had zapped her hand. She saw the small droid and glared at the smirking Kylo Ren. "A little warning would have been nice!" It fired again, causing her to jump as it hit her hand.

"I did warn you." He said as the droid fired again, this time Ash blocked it. "Close your eyes, cheater."

She stuck her tongue out at him before shutting her eyes and focusing. It didn't take long for her focus to come back as she blocked the next shots that fired randomly. However, something was beginning to cloud her mind as she began to feel a presence behind her. She blocked another laser, the sound clashing off the blade of her lightsaber. Then, she felt his hot breath on her ear. His head was right next to hers and she felt every part of her having more than just a hard time resisting the urge to turn around and take him. Then he chuckled at her thoughts, once again she was broadcasting.

Fine, two could play at that game. As she felt him press up against her back, she waited for a few counts before ducking at the last possible moment. The laser hit Kylo Ren right in the shoulder as Ashlyn rolled out of the way just in time to see him flinch back. He looked at her, glaring as he threw his hand up, the droid flying across the room and smashing into the wall opposite him.

Ash retracted her saber, forcing herself to stand up as she attached it to her belt. Her hands flying up in defense. "You started it." She said.

"Started what?" He asked, walking closer to her. His expression unreadable as he stalked forward. Ash matching his steps backwards until her back found the wall. His arms stretched out as his hands planted harsh on either side of her.

"Started what?" She repeated. "You're cheating!"

"You never said I couldn't." He said. "I told you to state your terms and you never said I couldn't persuade you to lose."

Ash's jaw dropped as she stared at him incredulously. "Again, anything to get the upper hand."

"You're just mad you didn't think of it first." Kylo said.

She narrowed her eyes in reply. "Fine, then we need to establish the rules for this game."

"I believe it's too late for that." He snorted.

"Then at least let me understand the rules!" She said, suddenly feeling her stomach swarm wildly with butterflies as she felt him press against her. He was unbelievable close and it was becoming more and more impossible to not reach up and grab his face. By the stars, she needed to keep her pants on at this point. "What is considered losing?"

He thought for a moment, perhaps he could be kind as to let her set the pace here. "Where would you like to draw the line?"

She scoffed. "How noble of you to let me pick. I believe kissing the other person is where it ultimately ends."

"That's fair." He said.

"That's for all kissing, Ren." She said with a glare. "It doesn't matter where, your lips touch me and you lose."

He smirked. "You're learning how to play the game."

Ash shook her head. "I'm learning how to play your games. I need to be five steps ahead."

"Are we allowed to sabotage?" He asked.

"To what extent?" She asked.

"Well-" He began, his arms lowered slowly, finding their way down her body until they ultimately gripped her hips. "Where do you draw the line?"

Her head was fogging up really good as he touched her. The contact sending waves of something else through her body. Little did she know, he was feeling it too. However, he was better at hiding it. Ash's heart was thudding in her chest, she was almost certain it would burst through her chest cavity and fall right onto the floor. "This is fine." She breathed.

His hands moved lower now, cupping her buttox and forcing her upwards. Her legs now wrapping around his waist as he held her firmly by her behind. "This?"

She closed her eyes, unsure if she could even look at him right now. By the stars, he would give in now if she asked him to. And boy, did he want her to. "Fine." She forced. "But there is no touching-" She swallowed hard. "Other parts."

He chuckled darkly. "I can live with that." Slowly, he let Ashlyn down. She nearly didn't find her footing as he did. Kylo Ren backed away, grinning almost evilly as he did. "You can always give up now. You're struggling."

Ash shook her head, inhaling deeply before trying to reclaim her composure. "You're playing dirty, Kylo Ren." She said. "But just remember, I can too."

Kylo smirked. "I'm looking forward to it."

Ashlyn was almost too grateful as Kylo Ren left the training room. If he kept playing this way, she was going to lose and she just couldn't give him the satisfaction.

Ashlyn could be just as devious, and she proved that during the next meeting with General Hux and other important parties of StarKiller a few days later. Unlike previous meetings, Ashlyn actually set next to Kylo Ren, the two sitting at the far end of the table and the opposite side of Hux. Hux began explaining their progress and the round-the-table style meeting began as officials began updating the General and their current statuses.

At this point, Ashlyn's hand had found the thigh of the Force User next to her. She could feel his defenses drop as he realized how much damage that stationary hand could cause. He knew she couldn't go too far, it was in their rules and Ash was a sucker for rules. However, once her hand slowly moved up his thigh, growing dangerously close, he began to lose his own focus. Perhaps she could play dirty. Kylo Ren was so distracted, he didn't hear Hux the first two times he said his name. "REN!" Hux yelled.

Kylo jumped, licking his lips quickly as he focused. "I have nothing to report." He said quickly. "Nothing has changed."

Hux glared. "Nothing?"

He looked physically pained as he shook his head. The different sensations from her touch causing his jaw to tighten as he simply shook his head. Ash had slowly removed her hand, trying to hide her smirk as she coughed, trying to hide the laughter that came with it. Oh, she was going to pay... of that, he was certain.

It didn't take long for Ren to strike back. A few days after that she had come to his apartment to study. Albeit, she was skeptical. She tried avoiding sleeping in his bed, especially during this bet. He wasn't playing fair and she just had a feeling he'd push as many buttons as possible. She wasn't wrong as he came out of his bathroom only wearing pants. He sat down next to her, smirking internally as she frowned.

By the stars, he was good looking. Especially without a shirt on. Ashlyn tried to keep her eyes down in the large book before her. "Is your next plan to get completely naked, Ren?"

His grin was wicked. "Would you like me to?"

She rolled her eyes, trying her hardest not to look at his bare chest. "Teach me about Force Push."

"It's the same concept as Force Levitation." He said with boredom laced in his words. "Use your mind to push the object away."

"Can I push you away?" He snickered as she continue looking through the book. "How about Force Persuasion?"

"You definitely do not want me to teach you that right now." He was being somewhat nice, and also somewhat leery about teaching her something she could possibly use against him. "Especially with our little bet."

She was somewhat grateful at his honesty as she looked up at him. Immediately she was reminded of his bare chest and groaned. "Put on a shirt!"

"I believe I deserve payback after your little stunt in our meeting the other day." He said, a little ticked off.

"Pretty sure you don't, as that was me getting even with you." Ash said, suddenly noticing just how close he was as he leaned closer. "I'm not going to give in because you're shirtless."

"That's just a bonus." He said and soon Ash realized she was lying down now and Kylo Ren was crawling on top of her, his arms on either side of her. "You'll give in, your will is not as strong as you think."

Her heart was racing again as he lowered himself to now resting on his elbows. He was impossibly close as he hovered over her, his body perfectly aligned with hers. She did the only thing she could do, her last attempt to fight back as she brought her hands to his hair and began playing with it mindlessly. The contact helping neither of their cases as she did. "It looks like neither is yours."

He inhaled sharply, his eyes closing without really meaning too as he took in the sensation of her touching him. The little jolts of electricity surging through his body as the energy came from her fingertips.

Ashlyn knew this was her only chance, and perhaps her only shot at winning this. With a forceful push, she rolled Kylo Ren over, and straddled his hips. Now she had the upperhand as he looked up with her, slight concern on his face. "Now I can do what I want." she said.

"Please do." He said teasingly, causing Ash to blush.

"I'd be careful, Ren." She warned as she gently placed her hands on his bare chest. "I have the upperhand."

"Do you?" He asked, propping himself up on his elbows. He was mere centimeters away from her face now. If she moved forward even just a little, she'd lose and it would all be over. "Perhaps you're right where I want you." He had that sly smirk on his lips, the one she always wanted to smack right off his perfect face. This time, however, she wanted nothing more than to kiss him. Still, the wanting need to smack him was there. His arrogance was always deserving of it in her mind.

She would have given in, he knew that too in the way she looked at him. He was ready for her to, he was ready to be the overall victor here. In the end, it would make things a lot easier if she did. He had been finding it harder to stay strong and not falter. Something about the Force Bond made everything harder to ignore especially that they now felt everything.

Kylo Ren sighed with visible frustration as he fully sat up and almost causing Ash to fall off his lap. "Go hide, someone's here."

Ash then felt it too, the presence at the door. While she couldn't see ultimately who it was, it was definitely a presence not to be ignored as she stumbled backwards off Kylo Ren's lape and darting for the bathroom.

Kylo Ren reluctantly put his shirt back on and stormed over to the door. The door sliding open forcefully due to the aggravated Force User. "My apologies, sir." It was a very, very nervous flight crew member. "It has been a week and I wanted to approach the scenario of the inside of your ship. I had not heard from you if you had a plan of action for fixing it as you typically ask the head of maintenance to work on your personal ship and-" The man suddenly couldn't breathe, his hands immediately finding his way to his neck as he tried to intake any quick breath he could.

"This is what was so important to disturb me?" He asked, as he glared at the man. His arm stiff as he held the man still, watching him suffocate before him.

"Sir-" The man gasped, his voice raspy due to the lack of oxygen. "P-p-please!"

Kylo Ren was pissed at the crew member. Granted, it was his fault for not instructing Ashlyn to fix his ship sooner, that didn't matter. Not while he was interrupted and most certainly not when he was about to win.

He hadn't realized the presence that emerged from the bathroom then, not until he felt enough of a push that ultimately removed his concentration and caused him to stumble sideways. He sharply turned to the other Force User in the room, her hands in front of her. She had pulled enough power from their now shared reserve and pushed him over just enough to break his concentration. Granted, he hadn't been too focused to prevent her from doing so. She got lucky.

Kylo Ren was furious as he looked at her, although nervous, she matched his angry expression. She looked at the crew member quickly. "Go." She demanded. "Now!" He didn't take the opportunity for granted as he ran from the room; his freedom earned by the head of maintenance.

But now, they had a bigger issue as the door to Kylo Ren's apartment slid closed and now she was left alone with the man who was practically radiating anger and hatred through his entire being. "Do you realize what you've done?" He said, storming to the middle of the room to find his helmet. He had business to attend to.

"He did nothing!" Ash argued.

"He interrupted us." Ren said as though the reasoning was justifiable by any means.

Ash didn't budge. "So you almost kill him?" He said nothing as he grabbed his helmet, placing it on his head as he began to leave. "Where are you going now?"

"He saw you here." The distortion was worse, especially since Ash understood what Kylo Ren was implying.

Ash panicked. "That doesn't mean anything! Everyone knows I'm training with you."

"He also saw you defy me." Kylo Ren added, heading for the door.

"Kylo, you can't!" She said, attempting to follow him.

He immediately turned to face her again, without even raising a finger, Ash found herself unable to move. "Stay here." He commanded, his voice dark as he stormed out of the room.

Ash still was unable to move for what felt like an eternity until finally she was released from his hold. She ran for the door, only to be stopped by a somewhat aggravated Captain Phasma as she forced her way into the apartment. "He said you'd try to run."

"He's going to kill that man!" Ash tried. "I have to stop it!"

"And if you do, the base could find out about you and Ren; then what?" Phasma explained, walking into the room and causing Ashlyn to step backwards to match her steps.

"You're all just okay with him killing whomever he pleases?" She asked incredulously.

Phasma pursed her lips. "No, but we understand what must be done."

She shook her head. "That's madness; complete insanity."

"Would you rather suffer the consequence if anyone found out?" Phasma said. "As awful as it is, Ashlyn, he's doing this for your own safety."

"But nothing was going on, I'm supposed to be here training. The worst thing I had done was push Kylo Ren away from the altercation."

"And this is your first lesson in politics." Phasma said with overall sympathy. "Regardless of what you two were doing, you defied the Commander in front of a subordinate. Rumors spread quickly here, I'm sure you're aware. Any rumor can and will come back to haunt you once it spreads. Do not ever forget that." She watched as Ashlyn's expression changed all together, tears streaming down her cheeks as her hands found the sides of her head before ultimately gripping at her red locks. "Ashlyn?" She asked, concern taking over.

"I can feel him killing him…" Ash said quietly, her voice cracking as she tried to regain some composure in front of the Captain. She could feel not only the anger within Kylo Ren as he did it, but she could also sense the fear coming from the worker ultimately due to Kylo feeling it as well. Ash sank to her knees, clutching her head tightly, her hair entwined in her fingers as she felt pain and anguish. She couldn't even let it out, it was like all her emotions were behind a wall and she couldn't break through.

Phasma, concerned and also unsure how this was happening, kneeled down next to Ashlyn, placing her hand on the girl's back and gently rubbing. She didn't know how to help the redhead in front of her, if she could at all.

Almost as quickly as the feeling came, the pain and fear subsided. It was over and yet Ashlyn still held onto that emotion as she finally let out a sob. What was she getting herself into? Phasma was right, she was dancing with fire. This was Kylo Ren, he was a monster and yet she was now playing the most dangerous game that only seemed to get worse as the bond grew. "You need to focus, Ash." Phasma reminded her. "This is the part where you prove how strong you really are. If this is the path you're going down, then you need to be ready for things such as this."

Ash said nothing as she continued to sob, unable to shake the feeling that was overwhelming her. In that moment, she felt weak. She felt the weight of everything crashing down on her and as much as she wanted to be ignorant to it all, she knew she couldn't stay that way forever.

When Kylo Ren returned, he looked like he was in physical pain. His body was stiff as he walked into the room. He was somewhat relieved to had run into Phasma as he went to track down the crew member. He had demanded that she was to keep Ashlyn in his apartment with a very brief description of what had happened. Basically that the man saw him and Ashlyn and that she defied him before his very eyes. Phasma understood what needed to be done, regardless if she liked it or not. That was their understanding, even Hux knew it, Kylo Ren took care of the dirty work. This was one of those unfortunate times.

He saw Phasma kneeling next to Ashlyn, she had stopped sobbing but was still visibly upset. "Leave." His command sounding more menacing with the distortion of his mask.

Phasma stood. "I think you've done enough today, Ren."

"That's not for you to decide, Captain." His voice like venom as Phasma reluctantly left the room, knowing there was nothing more she could do.

He hated seeing her this way, but he knew what he had to do. It was for her at the end of the day, he knew she'd never accept that but it was true. He also didn't need her to accept that, he was justified in his mind. Kylo Ren removed his helmet, tossing it onto the couch as he carefully walked over to Ashlyn before crouching down in front of her. "There are people who, without truly understanding or meaning to, could hurt us just with words. If he were to mention at all what he saw today, you being here or your blatant defiance, that could have spread. If the rumor came out that you were strong like me or the idea that maybe you could be stronger, that could come back to a power greater than you or I. If it did, we would suffer a fate worse than his." Kylo said gently, yet still with a harshness as though he were scolding a child. "Do you understand?"

Ash shook her head, looking at him. "It can't always lead to the death of someone. That can't always be the answer."

"I will do anything to protect my reputation as well as yours." Kylo said with force. "I've told you before, you're my apprentice, and in being so I will do whatever I have to do to keep you safe."

"If it means killing innocent people-" She tried.

Kylo interrupted her. "He was at the wrong place at the wrong time."

"You were going to kill him anyway." Ash accused. "You were choking him, I could feel it."

"Intimidation is far more powerful than killing him." Kylo said, his eyes narrowing. "I wasn't going to kill him."

"You still shouldn't have done that to begin with."

He exhaled sharply, visibly growing more annoyed as the conversation continued. "You clearly do not understand how important my reputation is around here."

"It's selfish."

"And it will keep you alive." He snapped, noticing her visibly flinch as he did. He sighed with aggravation, if only he could make her see things his way. Yet, he knew Ashlyn. It was within her being, she would never see too deeply into the darkness of it all.

He moved so he was now sitting next to her, their shoulders touching and for the first time that week, Ashlyn hated it. "No." She said, forcing herself to her feet. "I won't turn to you for comfort, not this time." He let her leave knowing he really didn't have a choice then. Yet, he would also depend on the Force Bond to bring them back together sooner rather than later even though he knew it would have been better to apologize. He'd rather the easy way out. Things didn't happen that way for Kylo Ren.

Final Thoughts: Dun dun dun... don't kill me. Their little game isn't over, I promise you that. We just need to add story into all this... tension! Remember to review! See you next chapter!