Chapter 15 - Signed, sealed and delivered
Rey had been awake for almost an hour. She'd been given a small dose of medication to help with the pain, but Kylo thought she needed more. He could sense that she was still in discomfort, but she stubbornly refused to admit it.
He sighed and handed Rey her new communicator. "It's all set up to transmit. Are you sure you know what you're going to say?" he asked.
"Have a little faith. I know exactly what to say," she said as she gripped the front of his tunic and gave him a quick peck on the lips. "Trust your wife. Now be quiet no matter what I say," she demanded.
He rolled his eyes dramatically. "Yes, love," he replied.
She pushed the button. "Solo to base. Can anyone read me?" There was a slight crackle but no response came. She attempted to hail them again. "Solo to base," she called. "Can you hear me?"
Poe's desperate voice came through the comm. "Solo? Is this really you?"
"It's me," she replied. "This transmission may not be safe. I need to be quick."
"Make me believe it's you," he demanded. "Tell me something only you would know."
"You asked for it," she smirked. "When we were alone in my room, you said that we could figure out the force together. After last night... I wonder if we were thinking about the same force."
She could hear muffled voices in the background and could just make out Poe grumbling that it was her.
Finn took over the conversation. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"I'm fine. The hyperdrive failed, and I couldn't jump out of the battle in time," she explained. "My ship took a hit, and I went down."
"We've already called for help," Finn informed her. "He should be at your location soon."
"No, he can't come here if you're sending who I think you are." Her gaze met Kylo's. "A certain ruler is on the same planet. It's not safe for him." Chewie can't come here.
Kylo nodded in agreement.
Poe interjected. "Is this the same ruler that I suggested you…?"
"Yes," she cut him off. "I need you to let my intended rescuer know. I'm hiding right now. I found an ally here." She gripped one of Kylo's hands. "He's the one who has helped me send a signal to you."
"We'll let your rescuer know to hold back," Poe responded. "How soon until you can get home?"
I am home.
Kylo enclosed her hand with his other hand and squeezed. Rey wished she could hear his thoughts. She was missing the feel of their connection, the familiarity, and safety of it all.
"I can get a transport back to a planet near to you, but I won't be able to get back for at least three days, maybe longer. It depends on when the ruler has moved on. I can hail you when I'm ready to be picked up."
"Sounds like a plan," Poe agreed. "Do you think you can collect any intel on the ruler while you're there?"
Rey flinched at his suggestion and shook her head. Of course, he wants me to spy on you. She gritted her teeth and replied. "I can try. I need to go."
"Solo?" Poe breathed out. "Be safe and may the Force be with you."
"You too," Rey replied automatically and switched off the comm.
Kylo let go of her hand and began to slowly clap. "Well done. You were very convincing, and without knowing the details, you managed to keep that transmission incredibly vague," he applauded. "If Hux was listening, there isn't much he could get from that."
"Good," she smiled. "That was the point." She furrowed her brows in thought. "Speaking of Hux... what do you think he's up to?"
"You mean other than his belief that you're watching his every move?" he responded.
"What?" she grinned.
He gave her a cheeky side glance. "I may have led him to believe that you can watch him through the Force."
She laughed. "Perhaps that will keep him in line."
"We can only hope," he said, pursing his mouth. "I need to get back and see what that ginger weasel is up to."
"Be quick," she ordered. "I expect a full report, a marriage certificate, and a ring by the end of the day."
His mouth tugged up at the corners. "As you command, my lady."
"Oh..." a thought occurred to her. "You'll be needing this." She retrieved his lightsaber from under her pillow.
He grasped the hilt she offered out to him. "We're going to have to get you your own."
"Eventually..." she shrugged. "But I don't mind having to borrow yours for now." She released her hold on it. "The sooner you go, the sooner you can come back."
He kept his eyes on the lightsaber. "I don't like leaving you alone."
"I'll be fine. This building is surrounded by stormtroopers," she offered. "If I need anything, I'll call you."
He looked up at her. "You're struggling with the force right now."
"I meant I would contact you on this ancient device called a communicator." She held up the comm to demonstrate her point.
He chuckled. "Oh, that old thing."
"Go on." She pointed to the door. "Get going, Lord Ren."
"Before I go." He gently pried her communicator out of her hand. "I'll tune your comm to the leader of the division that's protecting the hospital." He began fiddling with it.
She was enjoying watching him work. "What's his name?"
"JK-2187," he replied without glancing up.
"Aren't those the same numbers as Finn?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yes, he's from the same squadron." She pondered for a moment. "Does that mean he knows Finn?"
"I doubt it," he responded.
"Many of the stormtroopers have never seen each other without a helmet," he explained. "You've actually met him before."
She frowned, trying to remember the meeting that took place. "When?"
"He was the stormtrooper that I assigned to the cargo ship with Captain Parlux," he replied.
The one with the orange patch. "I didn't really talk to him much on the ship," she admitted. I'll have to change that.
"Okay, I'm all done," he announced. He handed the communicator back to her and got off her bed.
"Wait," she said, grabbing his hand as he got up. "There's something I need to tell you before you leave."
He turned back to look at her. She held his hand tightly.
"I heard everything you said to me when I was unconscious," she explained. "Every single word." Her eyes were searching his face for his reaction. "I just want you to know that I love you... I really do, and I need you as well."
He smiled and leaned down, brushing his lips against hers. "I know. I love you too."
"I'm sorry I scared you," she whispered when he drew back from the fleeting kiss. "I'll try to be more careful."
"I can only ask you to try," he said. He stood up and made his way to the door. "I'll come back for you soon, sweetheart. I promise."
Kylo had been gone for a few hours. Rey had nearly finished eating her meal and was savoring the last mouthful of her ice cream. With the spoon still hanging out of her mouth, she was sitting in her bed, flicking through the holonet. She had landed on a news report.
A pretty older lady with short blonde hair in a red blouse was talking on the screen. "Sources say that Emperor Ren was spotted leaving a hospital on Insuagi. We have unconfirmed reports that stormtroopers have remained behind. What business would he have at a hospital? Is something wrong with our Lord? We'll keep you up to date on this new development."
Rey dropped the spoon and scooped up her comm. "JK-2187?" she politely hailed the soldier.
"Yes, my lady?" came the professional reply.
"Have any reporters shown up outside the hospital?" she asked.
"No, my lady. Nothing yet," he reported.
"If they do, please make sure they don't enter the building and notify Lord Ren immediately," she commanded.
"Of course, my lady," he replied.
Rey placed the comm back on her bedside table. The room she had been moved into was a private area of the hospital for VIP patients. It looked more like a real bedroom than a sterile hospital room. The bed was much more comfortable and twice as big, big enough to accommodate another person. It was styled with white linen which was broken up by light wooden furniture instead of steel. The only reminder that confirmed she was in a hospital was the heart monitor that was steadily beeping beside her.
She switched off the holonet and huffed in frustration. She was so bored, sitting around in a hospital bed for hours. It wasn't the waiting that bothered her; she knew all about that. It was the lack of anything to do. At least on Jakku, she had a distraction and scavenging for scraps kept her busy. Even with the Resistance, she had starships to repair and fly. She needed to do something.
That's it! I need to meditate.
She crossed her legs on her bed and closed her eyes, taking deep breaths to steady herself. As she flexed her mind and reached out with her feelings, it took a while for her to sense her own force signature. Once she could see herself, she started to perceive her surroundings. She felt the bustling activity throughout the hospital, heard the wail of a new life entering the world a couple of floors below, and sensed a man taking his last breath just a few doors away. She could feel the warmth of the heat lamp in the operating theater and the cold steel of an instrument trolley. Her head began to throb with the effort.
"That doesn't look like bed rest," Kylo's voice broke through her concentration. Rey's heart monitor elevated slightly as she jumped, and her eyes flew open. "Blast, Ben. You scared me," she said as she clutched at her chest and took a deep breath. "Don't do that," she grumbled. "I might have to put a bell on you."
When they locked eyes, she noticed that he was wearing more elaborate clothing than she had last seen him in earlier. His new tunic was now embroidered with hints of silver, as well as his belt and the interior lining of his cape. He had his helmet tucked under his arm, and his hair was no longer a disheveled mess. He was clutching a holopad in one of his leather-gloved hands. He looked good.
Kriff, he's hot. She sat up straighter when she realised that she couldn't sense him until he had spoken.
"I didn't sense you," she frowned.
He smirked at her internal assessment. "I was blocking my signature," he explained. "I'll show you later." He moved out of the doorway and sat down on the edge of her bed. "You're meant to be taking it easy." He abandoned his helmet next to him. "You shouldn't be using the Force."
She fidgeted with the edge of her blanket. "I was only meditating."
"That's too much strain on your body while you're meant to be healing," he said. He attempted to lighten the mood, "If you continue, I might just have to force you to sleep."
"You're not using the Force on me," she grunted. "That wasn't a very restful sleep last time," she complained, "It felt weird."
"I meant I would get you sedated," he paused for a moment pondering her assumption, "but your idea could work too."
She playfully rolled her eyes and decided to change the subject. "What are you wearing?" She pointed to the helmet he had placed at her feet. "I thought you stopped wearing that awful mask."
"As far as anyone is concerned, I'm here on official business," he replied as he grabbed the edge of the helmet. Rey tilted her head in confusion.
He continued, "Since the galaxy knows me as this," tapping the helmet, "I thought it was time for them to see the man behind the mask. The people need to actually see their Emperor and know who's ruling them."
"Why would you make an announcement like this at a hospital?" she queried.
"I'm making a donation to the hospital and using it as the cover for making a public appearance. I'm sure you've seen the reports," she nodded, and then he continued, "It's a way to give the press a story but one that is cut off at the knees," he did a slashing motion with his hand, "before anyone starts digging around and finds out about you," he gently touched the tip of her nose before redrawing his finger.
She crinkled her nose in response, "Makes sense, I guess. How soon until you make your big debut?"
"I have to get to the press conference shortly, but there is something we need to do first," he lifted the holopad up, "As requested, my Queen. Our marriage certificate." He turned the holopad toward her, and she started looking over the details. She noticed that he had already signed his parts.
Without wasting any more time, she unclipped the stylus from the side and signed her name. She hadn't had many opportunities to sign her name officially, but she attempted to make it as cursive as she could.
"Both your signatures are so much better than mine," she whined.
"I've had a lot of practice but don't worry, you will too." He put his hand in the pocket of his pants. "I haven't even got to the best bit yet."
He pulled a box out and opened it. Inside it was two rings.
She peered down at them. "Ben they are…I mean... wow." She couldn't put into words how blown away she was over his choice.
He chuckled. "I'm glad you like them." He picked up her ring. "May I?" He gestured to her finger.
She nodded. He slid the ring on her finger and it fit perfectly. She brought her hand closer to her face to inspect the ring. It was a silver colour and it had a black pattern etched into the band that encircled her entire finger. She turned her hand over. It looked like interwoven vines dancing around each other. She used her opposite hand to feel the band and discovered it was completely sealed and smooth.
"I was going to put diamonds in it, but I know that you keep busy with your hands and you like to fix things. I'm hoping that one day we won't have to hide our union and you would proudly wear it... without it impacting on what you enjoy doing," he explained.
"It's perfect." She looked up to met his gaze. "Who knew Kylo Ren could be so thoughtful?"
"Shhh…" He smiled and brought his pointer to his lips. "You'll destroy my reputation." He slid off his glove. "Now it's your turn."
She picked up his ring. Which was only a larger and thicker version of her ring and slid it onto his finger. "I know you said that you would wear yours on a chain too, but I'd feel better knowing that it was hidden under your glove at all times."
"As you wish my Queen," he responded. "I guess... I'll just have to settle knowing that you'll be wearing yours close to your heart."
"You really are a hopeless romantic, aren't you?" she smiled.
"Can you blame me?" he shrugged. "When I've got a woman of your caliber on my arm."
She snorted. "Says prince charming." She playfully pushed him away. "You're way too sweet for the most feared man in the galaxy."
"Only to you." He pulled her in gently for a chaste kiss. "Now, how's your head?" He ghosted his hand over the bandage around her forehead.
"Good I think," she replied. "They changed the bandage and bacta patch before."
He glided his fingers over the edge of her bandage and down the side of her face. "Hopefully it won't leave a scar." He did the same with the bandage across her chest.
"I don't know..." she said. "Some scars can be quite endearing."
He tilted his head. "Now who's being sweet," he replied.
"Or just bias," she retorted. "I rather like that I left my mark on you."
"In more ways than one." His comm buzzed and he rolled his eyes. "What is it?" He barked into the receiver.
"The press is ready my lord." Kylo turned back to Rey.
"Go ahead," she beamed. "Duty calls."
He shook his head. "I don't deserve you." He pushed the button. "I'll be right out." He stood up and straightened himself. She picked up his discarded glove off her bed and offered it out to him. "One day you'll be standing next to me at one of these events," he affirmed. He took the glove and slipped it on.
She smiled at him. "Maybe."
"We both know when you say maybe that it means yes," he declared.
She tilted her chin up. "You know me too well."
He opened his arms out to her. "How do I look?"
"Like a dashing Emperor ready to show his face to the galaxy," she responded.
He smiled. "I look forward to the day when my Empress does the same." He picked up the helmet and fastened it over his head.
She shook her head. "That mask still creeps me out."
"That was the idea," his modulated voice replied. "Let's hope this is the last time." His comm buzzed again. "I'm sorry love I need to go." He pivoted on his heels and briskly marched out of her room without sparing a glance back.
Not long after he left, Rey picked up her comm with an idea forming in her head. "JK-2187?"
"Yes, my lady?" Came the reply.
"I want you in here," she simpered.
"Is everything alright?" He asked with concern.
"Find some scrubs for yourself and bring a wheelchair to my room," she stated firmly. He couldn't see how pleased she was with her plan. "I need to be in the crowd when our Lord finally shows his face."