Author's Note: In this chapter, we can see the separation between Rey and the Resistance. It shows us more of why she has chosen Kylo Ren. I feel like this is her dark survivor side coming out. Alcohol certainly doesn't help the matter either.

Chapter 11 - Quite the division

Rey had just finished the tray of food in front of her, and she looked up to see Rose and Finn making their way over. They took the seats across from her. Here we go again.

"I bet you'll never guess what we found a crate of," Finn said.

They must have found the alcohol. "Weapons?" Rey innocently offered.

"Nope, try again," he replied as he placed his folded hands on the table.

She clasped the edge of her chin, appearing to mull it over. "Stormtrooper armor?" she guessed.

He smiled. "You're guessing everything we didn't find."

She smirked. "Was it Kylo Ren's porn collection?"

Finn threw his head back and laughed. Rose began giggling beside him, and Rey couldn't help but join in on their laughter.

Rey shrugged and threw her hands up in defeat. "You said I'd never guess what it was."

"I don't know where you got that idea from, missy, but no," he said, still chuckling. "We didn't find anything like that."

Rose chimed in, "We found alcohol, dummy," beaming as she looked from Finn to Rey.

Rey was smiling back, but she wasn't happy. She didn't particularly like Rose. While she seemed like a nice enough girl to everyone else, ever since her recovery, she had stuck to Finn like glue, always finding ways to try and put a division between Rey and Finn.

Rey knew it was out of jealousy, although she didn't have anything to be concerned about. Rose was always finding ways to question and even undermine her. This behaviour started long before the incident in the mess hall and the exploding glass. Now she's upgrading to innocently disguised insults. Well, two can play at that game.

Rey leaned forward, attempting to appear as gentle as possible. "Not all of us are as smart as you," she said. Some of us might even be smarter. She tucked a hair behind her ear and glanced back at Finn. "I've never tried alcohol before."

Finn was watching Rey intently. "We can change that. Poe is currently sorting through it all."

Rey looked away shyly before meeting his gaze again.

Rose's energy felt tense to Rey.

"Do you have any recommendations?" Rey asked, peering through her lashes. If Rose wasn't going to be friendly, then neither would she. Shamelessly flirting with Finn seemed like a good way to show Rose who had the real power.

Finn couldn't wipe the smile off his face. "I like whiskey, but we should start you off with something a little less strong."

Rey giggled and reached her hand out to him across the table. "With you there, it wouldn't matter what I try." She grasped his hands. "You'll look after me, won't you?"

He gently squeezed back. "Of course, I will."

Rey turned her attention back to Rose. "What about you? Do you have a favourite poison?"

Rose cleared her throat. She had been staring at their interlocked hands on the table, then glanced up to meet Rey's eyes. "I like wine. The sweeter, the better."

"I'm sure I'll like what you like," Rey said as she leaned back in her seat. "I'll have to try both," she declared.

Rey reached out and brushed against Rose's mind. Her thoughts were practically screaming. Both alcohol or both men?

"It's good to know I have options," Rey replied.

Rose furrowed her brows. She can't read my thoughts, can she? "Maybe our tastes are different?"

"You can only hope," Rey retorted. She was getting a surprising thrill out of messing with Rose. The darkness was rising within her.

Finn was confused over the exchange that was going on but playfully questioned Rose. "You don't want to share the wine, do you Rose?"

"You can see straight through me." She playfully swatted at his arm. I wish you could truly see me.

What am I doing? Rey pulled back from Rose's mind. She shouldn't be spying on her thoughts. She was lucky, the girl didn't realise how exposed her mind was. Finn likes Rose. It doesn't matter what I think of her.

"Finn? Why don't you and Rose see if the crate has her favourite drink?" She peeked at Rose. "I may not like it, but I'm willing to give it a go." Just like you.

Rose stood up quickly. "That sounds like a great idea," she said and then grabbed Finn's arm, pulling him away. Rey sighed, smiled, and gave a sarcastic wave as they both left the room. She needed to be more careful to avoid another mess hall incident.

Closing her eyes, she began to breathe deeply, placing her hands flat on the table and focusing on her inner light, letting it spread. Breath in and out.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that the table around her was full of people. Rey hadn't realised how much time had passed. Rose and Finn had returned, and they were now joined by Poe and Kaydel, who was mostly referred to by her last name Connix, and was still sporting her two signature blonde buns. Was it a salute to Leia? She did idolise her.

"Welcome back," Poe chuckled.

"How long was I…"

"Meditating?" he interrupted. "Not very long. We thought we'd let you finish."

Rose piped up. "I got you my favorite wine." She pointed to a glass in front of Rey. "It's Moscato."

An olive branch? Rey nodded. She was still a little dazed by the loss of time. "Thank you. I've heard of that before."

She picked up the glass, took a little sip, savored the bubbles on her tongue, and then swallowed. Everyone around the table was watching her. "What?" she croaked out.

Finn was beaming. "So, what do you think?"

Rey looked down at her drink. "Oh, the drink? Yes, it's lovely." She took a bigger gulp.

Poe smiled. "After that glass. You're trying some of the good stuff." He pointed to the tumblers in front of himself, Connix and Finn. They contained a caramel coloured liquid. Whiskey, maybe? "You can't just drink lolly water all night," he stated.

Connix snorted into her glass. "You can't expect the poor girl to keep up with the rest of us."

Rey finished her drink and said, "That sounds like a challenge." She pointed to her glass and added, "Come on, Poe. I need some of the good stuff."

"Yes, ma'am," he eagerly said as he topped up her glass.

I much prefer my lady. She picked up the drink and took a gulp. The liquor burned as she forced it down. She began coughing to clear her throat. "How is that the good stuff?" she spluttered.

Everyone broke out into fits of laughter. "You'll see," Finn chuckled.

As the night went on, the group reached varying states of inebriation. They were the only people left in the mess hall now. Rey had switched back to the Moscato after a single glass of whiskey. Sam's advice was rolling around in her head. She was slowly nursing her second glass of wine. She felt good, like a warmth had spread throughout her and her mind was less heavy.

"Hey, Rey? Why don't you show us a trick?" Poe leaned forward. "Use the Force."

They all began to chant to her in unison: "Use the Force. Use the Force. Use the Force."

Rey raised her hand to silence them. "I'll do it once, but I'm not some trained monkey. You're not getting a full-on show."

She summoned a glass from the other side of the room and caught it in her hand. They all erupted in cheers. She lightly chuckled. They needed that, this celebration, this small victory, after all the chaos and loss. She was willing to give that to them.

It wasn't long until she was back to observing her friends; they had begun to ignore her again. They were so wrapped up in each other, only noticing her when she was using the Force. Rose and Finn were giggling over something, Connix and Poe seemed to be whispering something between each other, with Connix batting her eyelids and watching Poe's every move.

Would they notice if I left right now? She took a deep breath. Here I am, all alone.

"You're not alone," Kylo's familiar deep voice whispered behind her. "It's time to come to bed, love."

Rey closed her eyes and smiled, downing the remainder of her alcoholic beverage swiftly. "I think I've had enough for tonight." She pushed herself to stand and maneuvered around the table.

Poe banged his fist on the table. "Rey!" he bellowed, which caused the group to jump. "You can't leave yet!"

Rey swallowed and said, "I have a big day tomorrow. I have a lot of ships to repair and I'd prefer not to be nursing a hangover."

"Don't go!" Poe slurred his words, grabbed hold of her wrist as she went to walk by and dragging her onto his lap.

Breathe. Just breathe. Rey patted him on the head and said, "Someone has had too much to drink," as she undid his hold on her wrist.

"There's enough of me to go around," Poe propositioned, twisting an arm around her waist. Rey glanced at Connix, who was frowning, while Rose and Finn were still in a fit of laughter.

"If he doesn't let go soon," Kylo warned. "I will reveal myself to the group."

"Let go of me, Poe," Rey sternly commanded. "I told you, I'm already seeing someone else."

Poe contritely released her. "He's not exactly here, is he? Does he even exist?"

Rey scrambled to her feet. "I'm not going to dignify that with an answer." She began marching away. "Good night," she called over her shoulder.

"Somebody's uptight," Poe stated. "Maybe he's not a decent lay."

Rey was seething, grinding her teeth and clenching her fists at her side.

"Ignore them," Kylo barked. The anger was rolling off him in waves. He was struggling to take his own advice.

Connix snickered. "Maybe they haven't done the deed yet."

Rey exploded at this. "How dare you!" she spat, waving a finger at Connix. "I'd prefer to be a virgin rather than spreading my legs for anything and everything!" Rey was shaking by this point. "What I do with my partner is none of your business!"

Breathe. Just Breathe.

She wasn't finished, not by a long shot. "That includes you," she said, standing over Poe. "Just stop! We will never happen! Stop with the touching and the flirty little advances. You're lucky my other half isn't here right now. He'd probably kill you," she laughed at that. I probably wouldn't stop him either.

She signaled to Connix. "Why don't you screw this one? She's ready and waiting. If you'd just open your kriffing eyes."

She turned to Rose and Finn, saying, "Don't think you two are getting out of this." Both of them had stopped laughing by this point, and fear was evident on their faces. "Let me spell it out for you," she says, pointing between the two of them. "You like her, and she likes you. Figure it out and don't bring me into the equation."

She threw her hands in the air, yelling at nobody in particular. "Why the hell do I stay with you people?" She stormed out of the room, and Kylo quickened his pace to catch up with her.

They reached her room, and she slammed the door behind them. She let out a frustrated scream, dropping to her knees, and burying her face in her hands. Kylo sank to the floor beside her, pulling her into his chest and holding her steady. He focused on guiding her back to his room.

Rey focused on the rise and fall of his shoulders, syncing her breathing with his.

After a few stable beats, he spoke. "I'm proud of you."

She snorted and dropped her hands from her face. "What for? For telling it like it is?"

"For that ... and for not losing control," he specified.

She leaned back from him and scrutinised his appearance in disbelief. "Didn't you just watch that disaster?" she rebutted. "I definitely lost control." She crossed her arms across her chest.

He smirked. "I did." He stood up and strolled to his cupboard. "Did you notice that even though you exploded, nothing else did?"

She pondered his revelation. She hadn't realised how much control she had practiced in that room. Nobody got injured and nobody was dead.

She narrowed her gaze and finally noticed that he was fully dressed, even wearing his cape and gloves. "Aren't you supposed to be ready for bed? Why are you still wearing all that?" She indicated up and down his body.

He peeked over his shoulder at her. "I waited up for you," he said as he tugged off his gloves and cape, throwing them in the corner.

She uncrossed her arms and got up off the floor, making her way over to stand behind him. "Why would you do that?" she asked.

"I thought you might have needed me," he declared as he yanked his tunic up over his head, shaking his hair free. "I couldn't exactly show up wearing just my pants, could I?"

She exhaled. "I think if they saw you fully clothed or half-naked, they still would have been terrified."

"True," he kicked off his boots.

"Thank you for being there for me," she expressed.

He grinned. "Always." He unclipped his belt and allowed his trousers to drop to the ground, her eyes taking in his black trunks.

"You know how distracting it is that you're getting changed in front of me right now," she sarcastically said.

He laughed. "Where have I heard that before?" He turned and passed her a fresh tunic of his. "You can look as much as you want, sweetheart. I've seen just as much of you."

She began removing her own clothing, kicking off her boots followed closely by her pants. She yanked off her bra, top, vest, and armbands, slipping on his tunic, which swam on her, looking more like a dress.

She looked down at herself and sighed. "I think I might have to leave some clothes here."

He glanced at her and said, "You look adorable." He gestured to the cupboard. "You do have some clothing here - that whole drawer is yours."

She raised her eyebrows. "May I?" She stepped forward.

"Be my guest." He pulled open the drawer and clutched the side, allowing her to inspect the contents. She discovered her tan tunic and pants were freshly washed and folded inside, as well as another set of dark training clothing.

There was a separate set of ebony attire including a tunic, arm wraps, underwear, and even socks. "You're welcome to change... but I happen to like what you're wearing."

Has anyone else ever worn your clothes before?" she inquired.

He smiled. "Just you."

"Well then, the honor is all mine." She glanced at him and put her hands behind her back. "Are you wearing your trunks or sleeping pants tonight?"

"Trunks. I'd actually prefer to sleep naked, but I wouldn't want you to feel uncomfortable."

"Such a gentleman," she emphasized. "You can wear whatever you want. I don't mind." She skipped over to the bed. "You might want to hurry up though because I can't climb in without you."

He snorted and walked over to the edge of the bed and touched it. She climbed into it without pausing. He shook his head as she snuggled into the sheets and got comfortable. "What am I going to do with you?"

She leaned back onto his pillow. "Learn to live with me."

He climbed into bed with her without removing his trunks. He knew they would be coming off soon enough, but tonight wasn't that night. He pulled her close and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Yeah, I can do that."