Chapter 9 - First to fall

Rey rushed forward, swiping her staff horizontally at Kylo's midsection. He effortlessly knocked it away and guided his own towards her ankles. Before his staff could make contact, she jumped over the shaft and brought her staff down towards his head. He blocked her attack and forcefully pushed her back. The clang of their weapons echoed around the room. She visibly stumbled backwards and swiftly regained her composure.

Kylo smirked and they began circling each other. "So, you plan to knock me out?"

"I said anything else goes, didn't I?" she exclaimed as she dashed forward. Putting her weight behind her move, she lunged to make contact with his stomach. However, he sidestepped, causing her to miscalculate the direction he would take. He grabbed the edge of her staff, pulling it towards his chest and her along with it. With his arm over her shoulder, he locked her into place, holding his staff diagonally across her chest, while her back was against his abdomen.

"You know sweetheart. You need to be mindful of your feet," he whispered into her ear. "You step before you lunge."

She thrust her foot down onto his with the heel of her boot and elbowed his stomach with her left arm. She brought her fist down in one swift motion, and he released her just in time before she could make contact with his crotch.

He sprung back and chuckled. "Careful of the family jewels love. We're going to need those later."

She spun around and began swiping her rod wildly from side to side, forcing him to step back in defense. 'Clang, crack, clang' were the main sounds that could be heard within the training room. They were moving around each other, crossing their steps, almost as if they were dancing with each other, moving in sync to a beat that neither of them could hear. Rey broke the rhythm by throwing her staff at him, releasing her grip on the handle so it whipped him across the face and fell to the floor.

He shook off the blow. "Wow, you fight dirty."

She catapulted herself towards her staff and scooped it back up. Twisting it around her body then straightening up to face him. "What do you expect? Now, stop playing with me and fight back."

"Alright but you asked for it," he warned her. He rushed forward putting his weight behind his blows.

She started to stumble with each powerful overhead strike. When he swiped at her ankles, his staff made contact and she fell sideways, her hip smashing against the padded floor. She rolled away before his next assault could force her onto her back. She held onto her staff, but she was visibly getting tired. She knew she had to do something, otherwise, he would overpower her. Their strengths were unevenly matched. Without using the force, she couldn't win. His training and skill were much more refined than hers.

She considered falling to the ground and conceding defeat. Part of her really wanted to, as she was already going to join him, but she refused to let his ego win. She knew she would never live it down. She was crouching at this stage and pushed forward with every last bit of strength she had. Launching off her back foot, her staff held high to the side, she sailed towards him. She yanked down the front of her top and bra, allowing her breast to fall out. His eyesight immediately trained on the exposed flesh.

"No," he growled just before her body collided with his, her heel sweeping out the back of his ankle. Her distraction proved effective as their staffs were knocked to the side. Kylo instinctively wrapped his arms around her, absorbing the shock of the floor. Soon, Kylo found himself flat on his back with Rey on top of him. All he could do was hold her close, stabilising his breathing and registering what had happened. Seconds ticked by before he grumbled into her hair, "That was a cheap trick."

Rey couldn't speak her breathing was too laboured. It took several minutes before either of them spoke again. "I'm a scavenger. I was never going to play fair."

A full belly laugh came out of him. "That's my girl." He wrapped her tighter. "How many ships am I ordering?"

She smiled against him and looked up at his face. "I'm getting what I asked for?"

"We had a deal," he replied. "I can't exactly back out now, especially if I want a rematch."

She stifled a giggle. "You'll be pleased to know, I only want 20 ships."

"Is that all?" He frowned. "I would've given that to you if you just asked me."

"We need this donation to sound believable," she responded. "We can't let the Resistance get everything handed to them on a silver platter."

He pondered for a moment. "You've really thought about this, haven't you?"

"Of course," she replied.

He exhaled. "Let me guess. You want them all, top of the range?"

She shook her head. "Just basic models. All except mine," she clarified. "I want the best one."

He raised his eyebrows at her. "Just to make it clear. You're wanting 19 basic X-wings and 1 top of the range model, just for you."

"Yep, and I want it to be a different colour. I need to stand out against the other ships," she said. "I wouldn't want to have our troops accidentally blowing me out of the sky."

"Our troops?" He hopefully asked.

"Nothing gets past you, does it?" she grinned. "Just because I'm here with the Resistance. Doesn't mean I'm on their side."

"Are you agreeing to join me?" he asked hopefully.

"In time," she said as she crawled up his body, bringing her face in line with his. She put her palms flat on the floor on either side of his head. His hands found her hips, and his fingers slid under her top, holding her above him.

"You're being vague again," he complained.

She deflected his statement. "Wasn't there more to our little agreement?"

He was studying her face above him. "The planet and base will need planning," he replied.

"I know all about waiting. I'm content with the ships for now. This is a long-term strategy, Emperor," she said as she lowered herself to her elbows, bringing her face closer to his. "Do you trust me?"

"Yes," he breathed without hesitation. "Do you trust me?"

She smiled. "I wouldn't agree to be your wife if I didn't," she said. She inched her mouth closer, glancing from his eyes to his lips. She drew back before they could touch. She was about to tell him about her vision, but he desperately pulled her towards him. His hands slid up her back, exploring the ridges of her skin. Their lips collided with each other.

Their eyesight was filled with an image of Rey. She wore a long black ball gown that slightly trailed on the ground behind her. The silky material clung to her figure before flaring out from her waist. Lace encased her arms and shoulders. Her hair was pulled back into a high bun, with loose wavy tendrils framing her delicate features. She had a lightsaber clipped to the ebony sash that wrapped around her middle. She stopped at the beginning of a red carpet. The gathered crowd all turned to look at her. Kylo's proclamation cut through the silence: "All kneel before your Empress."

Both their eyes flew open, and they broke their kiss. Kylo searched her expression for her reaction. He saw relief wash over her. "It is me," she whispered.

"What in the kriffing hell, is going on here?" A new voice resonated around the room.

Rey casually pushed herself up, carefully keeping her palm on Kylo's chest, being mindful of remaining in constant contact with him. She brought the knee that was resting in between his thighs over his leg to kneel beside his hip, mirroring her movements with her other knee. In response to her straddling him, Kylo slowly removed his hands from under her clothing, allowing them to rest on either side of her hips.

Kylo turned his head to the man that had interrupted them. "Can I help you, General?" He raised his eyebrows. "As you can see, I'm currently... preoccupied."

Hux didn't have a response, his jaw flapped open and swiftly closed.

Rey allowed her eyes to wonder over the General with a hungry curiosity. Taking in his crisp dark uniform in stark contrast with his pale skin and flaming red hair. "Your Emperor asked you a question. What's the meaning of this interruption?"

Hux glanced over at her, taking in her disheveled clothing and intimate position. He sharply swallowed and his eyes fluttered momentarily. Stepping forward with his fists balled at his side, he said, "I don't answer to you," as he spat out the words. His eyes fell onto the exposed top curve of her breast. Her tank top was barely covering her nipple. Why was her skin drawing his attention?

Rey noticed his observation and smirked. "Careful Hux, that's no way to address your future Empress," she playfully responded.

Kylo watched the exchange intently. He relished her acknowledgement of the title he used in their shared vision. He was acutely aware of the pressure she was placing on his crutch as she sat back onto his lap. Despite the involuntary response his body made, he remained silent.

Rey ground herself into Kylo's lap and felt his hard bulge press into her inner thigh. She paid no attention to the man that she was currently straddling. She kept her eyes trained on Hux and gauged his response to her actions. Rey had learned to read people well, a vital survival skill. Hux's intriguing reaction made Rey wonder if he was jealous.

"I understand your confusion, but that doesn't excuse your blatant disrespect for your ruler," she said, her voice laced with venom. "You can either explain your interruption or leave - your choice."

Kylo was astonished as he watched the strong woman pinning him down. Not only was she accepting the future they had been shown, but she was also taking the opportunity to pull Hux into line, showing her fierce loyalty - and it was to him. He had never experienced that before. He sharply addressed Hux, saying, "You heard her. Now choose."

Hux was frozen in place. He was in the middle of a fight-or-flight response and torn between the appropriate answer. He nervously bit the inside of his cheek and placed his fidgeting hands behind his back. "Forgive me, my Lord. I was under the assumption that she was the enemy of the First Order."

"Well, you are wrong," Kylo clarified. "You may speak freely in front of her."

"Yes, of course," Hux said, bowing his head slightly. "We have received word that an attempt will be made against you at the trade negotiations on Naboo. The rebel scum is relentless in their tiresome pursuits." He examined Rey and her reaction.

She grunted. "I can't believe they'd betray me like this," she exclaimed. "Those lying, murdering traitors!"

"Betray you?" Hux questioned.

"Unlike you, I value his life. I thought I had convinced them to abandon their plan. Clearly, I was wrong," she said, taking a deep breath and exhaling. "The assassins are part of the Royal Guard that protects the Queen. They won't strike until after the trade documents have been signed." She looked down at Kylo, who was still in between her legs. "They plan to catch you off guard during dinner. Your drink will be laced with some type of sedative. When you're struggling under the effects, they will finish you off." She looked back towards Hux. "General, we need someone to infiltrate the kitchen. I want every drink and meal that plans to touch his lips scrutinised."

"Yes, my Lady," Hux nodded in response.

"If something happens to him on Naboo, I will hold you personally responsible. We all know how the last person who crossed me ended up," she growled. "Have I made myself clear?"

Hux flinched at her casual mention of the execution of Supreme Leader Snoke. "Yes, I understand."

"Good. I want this matter handled discreetly. The Resistance must not discover that they have a spy among them. I'm not ready to give up on my infiltration just yet." She smiled down at Kylo before pushing herself off him and standing up. As she was no longer in contact with him, she disappeared from Hux's view.

What little color was in Hux's skin drained away as she blinked out in front of him. "Where did she go?" he nervously bellowed.

Kylo chuckled and sprang to his feet. He nonchalantly adjusted himself, to hide the erection that was straining against his pants. He was thankful that he had chosen loose clothing for their workout. He glanced at Rey, who was still there. Their Force bond hadn't ended yet. "She was only a projection General," he explained. "She was never really here."

"She looked so realistic," he pointed at the space where she was last standing. "She was touching you."

Kylo responded dryly, "I'm not going to explain the inner workings of the Force to you."

"She mentioned infiltrating the Resistance. Has she always been an ally?" Hux peppered Kylo with questions. "Is this why you've refused to pursue them all these weeks?"

"General, you're skating on thin ice. All you need to know is my Queen will always be on my side," Kylo commanded. "Enough stalling. She gave you an order, I expect you to obey."

"Yes, my Lord," Hux bowed his head before straightening up and marching out of the training room.

Kylo turned toward Rey when he was gone. "You saw the vision, didn't you?"

"Yes, but that's not the first time," she said with a smile.

Realisation crossed his features. "When you bandaged my hand." It was a statement, not a question.

She nodded, "Last time, I only saw it from my perspective. I wasn't even sure if it was really me."

"Never doubt that I only have eyes for you," he sighed. "You realise you just took responsibility for Snoke's death."

She shrugged. "It seemed like a good idea at the time. I haven't admitted the truth to the Resistance either."

He ran his hand through his hair and smiled. "I know you're not ready to join me yet, but I'd like to see you in person. Will you come to Naboo?"

She was distracted by his smile. It was a boyish type of grin. "I think that can be arranged."

"I want you to know I have a home there. You're welcome anytime, a place where you'll be safe. If you want to escape the Resistance or the First Order, you can go there. It's called Varykino Villa. I know you'll find it."

He hurriedly bobbed his head and brought his lips down to hers. They briefly touched. She raised her arms to wrap around his neck. The feel of his mouth disappeared, and he was no longer in front of her. She was back in her room alone.

"Tease," she huffed. She could have sworn she heard him chuckle in her head. She sighed and touched her fingers to her bottom lip. Their situation keeps getting more and more complicated.