Sleep would not come to Rey at all, for hours she laid awake trying not to think about where she was. For once she wished she was back on Jakku, living out her normal life and not here, in the grasp of the First Order. In truth, she was too afraid to even close her eyes for more than a second. The visions that she'd seen in General Hux's mind haunted her like a phantom. Hearing her own screams resonating in her brain was not something she could erase from her memory.

This base was a place bred from pure evil – the people here were as vicious as rathtars. And ironically, the only person making her imprisonment on this base bearable was none other than Kylo Ren. The man – who she had been so certain upon her capture would make her life a living hell – was in fact making her much happier here than she ever thought remotely possible.

Ren was protecting her, shielding her from the harsh elements of the First Order. He had remained adamant when he said he would defend her. She believed Kylo when he'd said he would protect her, but the idea of men breaking into her room kept her from sleep. The idea of being dragged away was terrifying. At least Kylo had taught her some abilities when it came to the Force so she could defend herself. Rey knew she could push them away or maybe use a Jedi mind trick.

She couldn't stop thinking about what Hux had said, that Kylo Ren was fond of her. Kylo claimed that Hux saw fondness as not torturing her for the map – like Ren had done to Poe Dameron. But she wondered if there was more to it. Kylo didn't seem like the type of person who wore his heart on his sleeve, so there had to be sometime that the General was reading into.

But then again, his intentions of kindness were becoming a little more apparent. After he'd prepared a breakfast for her specifically, she couldn't help but think he was trying to make up for nearly strangling her. And during their meal he'd been kind to her. He was the one who'd made the conversation and he was better at conversing than he lead on to be. She always had thought of him as very taciturn and forlorn. The idea they could hold a conversation that was normal seemed foreign to her. But he'd picked a subject she loved talking about, flying was one of her favorite things in the galaxy.

Their talk had been very enjoyable, until she'd called him Ben Solo. Ren seemed to hate his own name with a fierce passion. Anytime she ever brought it up he became irate and completely shut her down. That was always the moment in which he became formal again and treated her like his student rather than – she dared to think – a companion.

Rey hated it so much, but she had become dependent on him. Her survival was based on his power in the First Order, and he was keeping the real monsters at bay. It was almost funny that not long ago Rey has seen Kylo Ren as the purest essence of a monster, but he was proving her wrong. The real monsters were the ones who affiliated themselves with Ren.

Could it be possible that the dark man that had once abducted and tortured her was now her savior? It was odd how things could change so quickly. She liked to believe that she was the one who was his savior, that she would turn him back to the light – but maybe protecting her was his way of coming closer to the Light Side.

Rey turned over on her side and pulled the blanket over her head. Her head was starting to hurt from thinking too much, and she hoped that sleep would come to her. Unfortunately, this place was so damn cold it was a wonder she could even fall asleep here. Intentionally, Rey shut her eyes and hoped sleep would come to her otherwise it would be a long, dreadful night before training.

The sun beat down on her harder than usual as she dragged her findings to Unkar Plutt, the junk lord thug. She had spent at least an hour grinding sand and ugly residue off these parts. As she approached his shack, she was shocked there was no line. Rey eagerly took advantage of that and quickly placed her parts on his overhang.

She anxiously watched as he reviewed the pieces, he turning them over and even shook them before his small, beady eyes met hers.

"That's one and a half portions for these parts," he said in his low, grumbly voice. She could smell the gross stench that Unkar was giving off and she had to keep herself from vomiting. Just the thought of Unkar was enough to make her sick normally, but his foul moody and smell was really getting to her.

"That carbon calibrator was worth two portions alone two weeks ago," she tried to keep her irritation to a minimum while dealing with Plutt. He was always trying to rip people off and she despised being a victim.

"It's one and a half portions, or you can take your parts and leave," Unkar spat.

Reluctantly, Rey took her portions while she shot him an angry glare. He was such a demeaning man. Always raising and dropping the price of parts on a whim, it plainly disgusted her. Impatiently Rey walked over to her speed bike. Carefully, Rey attached her staff to her speed bike – which she jumped on and headed home in.

Her small home was the inside of an AT-AT walker slightly south of the Niima Outpost. The vehicle had been old and decrepit, but she'd cleaned it out about four years ago and converted into a living space. The place was surprisingly more cozy than she'd anticipated.

Rey parked her speeder, and pushed it into one of the AT-AT walker's feet like usual, and closed the foot back up. Impatiently, Rey crawled through a small, hidden compartment in the hollow belly to get inside her home. The hidden hatch kept most other thieves and scavengers away. To them her home looked like a picked-apart, desolate walker half buried in sand.

Finally, she made it inside the body of the walker, inside her home. It was darker in here than she remembered, usually the sun pierced through some of the bullet holes in the metal ceiling. Rey was about to start to make her instant bread roll when she heard a noise close behind her.

Hastily, she whipped around to face her intruder. Her fists were at the ready, but she was taken aback by who was awaiting her.

"Rey," Ren said softly. He was wearing his typical black robes, but to her surprise he wasn't wearing his ebony mask. She could openly see his clean facial features and his black hair that cascaded down his head like a small waterfall. Kylo's dark brown eyes glanced over her softly.

Rey lowered her fists and looked directly at him in confusion. What was he doing here, she wondered. Rey had never seen Kylo's face look so calm, as if he was just absorbing her.

He took a few languid steps closer to her so they were only a few short inches apart. His nose was nearly brushing against hers, he was that close. As usual, Kylo was looking down upon her, he was so tall, she wondered where he got it from. His father Han wasn't very tall – and Kylo was at least a head taller than her. Rey could feel heat rising in her cheeks, with him being so close. It was almost nerve wracking, the fact that she could feel his breath tickling her skin.

Her heart started to race when Ren raised his hand and gently caressed her cheek. His eyes were very fixated on her now – they were focused yet relaxed all at the same time. Rey was transfixed as his slightly callous thumb grazed over her skin with tenderness. Never in a million years had she expected Kylo Ren to be so tender.

"Kylo," she whispered. Her voice was failing her and she was unable to say another word. She could see he was leaning in toward her, and for a second she thought he would kiss her. It was almost involuntary, but Rey felt her eyes closing slowly in anticipation, and she even felt herself lean in slightly. Did she want him to kiss her, she couldn't help but wonder. Something in her subconscious was forcing her to move, something was compelling her to want to kiss him.

Her eyes remained closed, but instead his lips brushed her cheek. Rey could feel his lips settling by her ear. Kylo's breath tickled the shell of her ear and it caused her to shiver. "It's time to wake up," he murmured loud enough for her to hear.

Rey's eyes groggily opened, still she was in a dreamy daze as she looked upon the person who was stirring her. In front of her was Kylo Ren, adored in his black robes and hefty black helmet. The dark lord's arm was on her shoulder and he was shaking her toward consciousness. He was being surprisingly gentle.

"It's time to wake up, Rey." His voice was synthetic and instructive. "You've slept an hour past our normal time for training."

Rey tried to shake the dream from her memory but it refused to fully leave her. "I'm sorry. I didn't get much sleep. I was too cold most of the night," she pieced an apology together. Intentionally she left out the part where she had worried about Hux. Rey didn't want him to think she didn't believe that he could protect her.

"How come you allowed me to sleep later?" Rey asked as she shook herself from her stupor and slowly sat up. Her eyes were sore from the lack of sleep and her limbs felt like metal bricks.

"I had some unofficial business to attend too." Ren said firmly. "It involved some members of the Executive Council."

"What do you mean by unofficial business?" She tried to coax out of him. She couldn't see his face, but Rey could feel discontent buried under his facade.

"The type of unofficial business that is none of your business." Kylo countered. He outstretched his gloved hand to her, and Rey grabbed it so he could pull her up from her bed. When Rey let go there was a bloody residue all over her palms and fingers. It shined a dark crimson in the harsh lighting.

"What did you do?" Rey looked up at him, she tried to keep the horror out of her voice.

She watched Kylo stiffen, even under those inky robes Rey could see his body become rigid. He was not enjoying her personal interrogation one bit. "I did what was necessary to protect you," Ren replied.

"Did you kill someone?" She asked reproachfully.

Kylo Ren remained silent – his body was like a statue, unmoving and stony.

His silence was a confirmation of what she thought. He was just too modest to own up to his crime. "You did, didn't you?"

"I've killed plenty of people. This case was no different." His confession was riddled with uncertainty and flickers of shame. Before when Ren had threatened to torture her back in their second interrogation – he'd been very intimidating. She believed every word he said when he'd insinuated she would suffer greatly if she didn't give him the map. There was an air to him, the type of air that had told her Kylo Ren had no problem torturing people. That he'd do anything what was necessary if it meant helping the First Order and getting what he wanted. She had concluded a while ago that Ren really enjoyed asserting his power through chaos and death.

But now she could see there wasn't the same level of enthusiasm about bettering the First Order or killing people. Why Rey even heard a hint of guilt in his tone – it was subtle, but it was there. Rey could feel that chaotic and deadly man peeling away. The inner turmoil in Kylo was strong, Rey could sense it.

"You say that so confidently, but I know how you truly feel – and deep down, you aren't proud of the lives you've cut short." Rey noted carefully.

"Stop pretending to know me." Kylo said with annoyance laced in his synthetic voice.

"Stop pretending to be more evil than you really are," Rey countered quickly. "I've seen enough of you to know that you don't enjoy killing people as much as you want people to believe."

Rey could feel that had struck a nerve with him, so she remained silent. Kylo's gloved hands bunch into fists. His anger was starting to set in, and she prepared herself to feel Ren's wrath. But instead she watched as he slowly released his clenched fists. His shoulders had been tight, but they relaxed once again.

She found it odd, before when she was first captured he'd been a tense ball of anger. She had felt the aggression and fear in him when she'd pushed into his mind by accident. But now he wasn't even beating the wall with his fist while angrily yelling at her.

He must have noticed her observing him, for he responded promptly. "You're right. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not always happy about killing people. But if I didn't do what was assigned, you wouldn't be here now." Kylo adjusted his cloak as he spoke again. "I won't let Hux best me. Training you has brought me more peace than I've had in many years. I'm not going to allow Hux to take that away from me," he admitted. Kylo looked up at her again, once he had adjusted his cloak.

Rey's eyes widened. Did Kylo Ren just openly admit that she made him more peaceful and that he wanted her around? For a second Rey imagined she had heard it. If it wasn't for the fact that Kylo had sounded dead serious she would have thought he was teasing her. She had made minor notes of how restrained his anger seemed, but never before had she expected him to admit it. She was beginning to have a positive effect on him it seemed, and she wasn't certain how to feel about it.

She was happy, definitely happy to be getting through to him. That she brought him peace and offered him stability. The First Order seemed like a very menacing environment to exist in, people trying to destroy one another for just a glimpse of fame in their mysterious leader's eyes. Maybe, just maybe her faith in him had not been misplaced.

"I'm glad that I, uh, bring you peace," She muttered; her statement had been choppy because of her nervousness, but she got it out. Forcing down a grin, Rey looked at her hands, she couldn't handle looking up at Kylo himself anymore. Not after the dream she had just had, the memory still lingered and Rey was sure she wouldn't be forgetting it anytime soon.

There was an awkward silence that rested between them as Rey was unsure how to respond further.

To her shock, Kylo was the first one to break their silence. "Let us head to the training room, there is much to be done."

"Yes, let's get going." Rey confirmed to him and quickly they departed, both eager to start training.

A blaster shot whizzed passed Rey's face, and she felt its heat as it nearly singed a stray hair of hers. Rey tensed as she heard the loud bang as the bullet hit the wall behind her. "I swear you're trying to kill me."

"You need to stop the blast, not watch it fly by. Stop flinching, there is no reason for being afraid, I'm not going to hit you." Kylo was getting frustrated, it was his seventh time shooting at her, and she still hadn't progressed passed flinching.

Rey's brow scrunched together as she awarded him an unsavory look. "There are plenty of reasons to be afraid when someone is shooting at you. I don't think I'll ever adjust to it."

"You'll need to learn. People will be shooting at you a lot if you plan to continue on your path." He said truthfully. Rey knew he was right, but it still didn't make the task any easier.

"How have you overcome it," she asked.

"By being focused, and confident in my ability to protect myself – those are my tools. I can say for a fact I've never been shot before, and many people have shot at me." Kylo sounded arrogant by the end of his statement. He was so proud of his self defense skills apparently.

"I can imagine almost all of the Resistance has shot at you." She muttered.

What sounded like a gravely snort came out from under his mask. "I know for a fact the whole Resistance wants me destroyed."

"Minus one person, General Organa." Rey added, and she witnessed Kylo stiffen a little.

"Yes, I suppose she doesn't want me dead. But focus and ready yourself," Ren commanded.

Rey tried to focus on her connection to the Force, but her mind was still in shambles from being shot at before. This time she outstretched her hand and stood there stiff as a board while Kylo shot at her again. The blast zoomed right past her face again and nothing seemed to happen.

"You need to focus on your connection and correct your posture," he said with annoyance.

Kylo strutted over toward her and stood behind her. Once again Rey could feel the dark lord's body pressed against her. Ren's robes blocked her from feeling too much – but she could feel the lean strength in his body. Once again her thoughts were scattered and Rey tried to take control over them.

"For this type of ability, you will want to have your knees a little bent, you need to be able to remain versatile. And keep your arms at the ready," Kylo guided her knees and arms into position. He seemed to linger a second longer than need be, and Rey was surprised.

Kylo finally stepped back – his black cape swayed as he walked away. The dark lord took his place in front of Rey and he lined up the blaster at her once again – Rey's heart started to thunder again in her chest. She closed her eyes to focus on her connection to the Force. Harshly, she pushed out any thoughts, as her mind cleared, Rey became aware that the Force was all around her, and she needed to channel it.

Once she opened her eyes again she felt ready for the first time today. The sound of fire jolted her arm forward and she could feel the Force radiating from her hand. Momentarily the blast stopped in the air, it only paused itself for a few seconds before it continued on its trajectory.

She watched as Kylo Ren lowered his blaster. It was uncertain if he was shocked or surprised.

"Impressive. I didn't expect you to get that immediately," he muttered.

"You'll find I'm full of surprises," Rey smirked.

"Yes, it seems you are," Rey was taken aback that he sounded honest and for a moment Rey thought he sounded flirtatious. She shook the thought from her mind, it must have been the mask's voice adjuster that was messing with her head. "Shall we try again?" Kylo said, he was almost eager to continue. Rey nodded in agreement, for the first time in a while, she was excited about learning how to refine her abilities again.

Rey rolled on to her bed and tried to focus on resting. Impatiently, she waited upon her meal so that she could official go to sleep. Her mind was more exhausted than anything. All day she had been straining to hold her connection to the Force with such clarity. On top of that Kylo had made her practice stopping blaster fire for two hours before he deemed her skill good enough.

And all day the memories of her dream had been running rampant around in her mind. The moment when Kylo Ren had appeared in her dream, things had been more intimate than she had ever anticipated. All day she had been trying to solve one question: Had she really wanted Kylo Ren to kiss her?

She had even leaned in – she'd almost been eager to receive what she thought would've been a kiss. She had to admit, she found Kylo Ren attractive. But just because someone looked attractive didn't mean they were good for her. By the gods, he was a dark lord, sworn to destroy the good in the galaxy. He had devoted himself to the Dark Side, and she would never stray away from the light, not again. Was she really losing her sanity – how could she be wanting to kiss Kylo Ren? It was pure nonsense.

It was only a dream, she reminded herself. Kylo Ren would never really be as bold as to kiss her, let alone show any physical attraction to her – he was too reserved, too shy to ever try and kiss anyone she wagered.

Plus Ren had been there in her cell. Maybe somehow that was how he'd accidentally wound up in her dream, his presence had ushered him into her mind. That was a complete possibility.

As usual, Rey heard the sound of the typical prison guard making noise at her door. He was actually opening up her cell for the first time since she'd been here. Usually he just opened the bottom compartment and slid the food in. Rey looked up at the man halfheartedly, she wondered why he was here.

The man was a normal trooper wearing the traditional suit of a Stormtrooper. This time he was carrying her tray as well as a stack of blankets.

"A special delivery," the man stated as he dropped her tray on the floor. Her food splattered all over the floor and Rey couldn't help but be peeved – over half of her meal was on the on the floor and she was unsure whether to eat it or not.

The trooper handed Rey the stack of blankets and on top was a very small sheet of paper. Patiently, Rey waited for the trooper to leave before she decided to open the small letter. It was a scrawled note that was short and the penmanship was atrocious. Somehow Rey could still make out the words, which she was glad for.

I hope staying warm will improve your sleep and the quality of our training. Tomorrow will be another rigorous day.

Sincerely,

Lord Kylo Ren, Commander of the First Order, Master of the Knights of Ren

After reading the letter three times, Rey wondered what or who the Knights of Ren were. Were those the people she had seen in her vision at Maz's castle, the ones standing with Kylo in the pouring rain? She wanted to know, but worrying about it now was not going to do her any good. There was a good chance she would have to ask Kylo himself, and the idea made her a little nervous.

Still, Rey could hardly believe her eyes, this was all the blankets she would need. Ren had given her four more and they were softer than they looked. Rey smiled a little as she unfolded the blankets and tossed them on her bed.

Kylo Ren was a curious man, a dark lord on the outside, but inside he seemed to still wield nuances of compassion and kindness – even under all those layers of anger. At least Kylo had finally awarded her one night of decent sleep and for that she was thankful.

[A/N]: Thank you so much for reading this new chapter, and sorry for the delay Valentine's day weekend was really busy. If you have time please leave some feedback, it is really appreciated. Next chapter will be from Kylo Ren's perspective, and I won't lie, it's going to be a tad darker, but it will be really good. Again, thank you for taking the time to read! :)