Into the Fray

Chapter Five

"Rey."

Kylo barely recognized his own voice. It had been three days since Poe had made his appearance. It had also been three days since Kylo had left his quarters.

He sat on his leather couch, hands digging in the soft black cushions. He was trying to relax but it proved impossible. Kylo hadn't realized he had been badly injured by his impressive--but stupid--maneuver to get in front of Poe's ship. Abruptly stopping had caused him to lurch forward; his x-shaped harness had caught him, which had saved him from flying through the window. But it had also injured his chest.

He didn't know how bad it was but knew it had to be somewhat serious. First was the fact that his entire torso was one huge, dark bruise. It had taken him an hour to get his shirt off that first day. He figured he had broken a rib--Kylo had done that before in training. While it was painful, it eventually healed. He had left his shirt off, cringing at the thought of trying to get it back on.

However, when the second day had come and he could barely get out of bed, he started thinking he had multiple broken ribs. Once again, painful, but he'd live. He spent the day trying to reach Rey, ready to scream at her and demand what they had been thinking sending Poe directly into the Finalizer. It was also a good distraction from the pain.

On the third day Kylo found it difficult to breath. His right side was much worse than the left. He had resigned himself to the fact that he needed actual medical attention--that was, if he could stumble to where the comm switch was across the room. He was actually starting to feel afraid. Kylo was making a final attempt to reach Rey before he called emergency services.

"Rey," he croaked out. "This is important. Business related. Please--"

His concentration was interrupted by the entry button of his door beeping. His eyes snapped open, bulging immediately.

"WHAT!?"

Screaming had been the worst decision he had ever made. Pain like he had never felt tore through him, and he found he couldn't even gasp for breath. His vision swam as he clutched the cushion even harder.

He would not pass out. He would not lose consciousness--

"By the God's, Kylo!"

Wonderful, was the last thing Kylo thought before he passed out, Hux rushing into the room.

~

Kylo awoke with a start. The flinching sent ripples of pain shooting through his torso. He moaned. Moaning didn't help either, so he settled for just clenching his hands into fists and trying to breathe away the pain. His breath came out in a slow, quiet hiss.

"You're awake."

Kylo looked over. To his surprise, General Hux stood before him.

"What are you--"

Kylo couldn't finish. A painful coughing fit that left him gasping for breath struck. Hux indifferently motioned to a medic droid. It rolled over, injected something into Kylo's arm, and then wheeled back to the corner.

After a few minutes the pain lessened and he was able to catch his breath. He promptly glared up at Hux.

"You must love seeing me in this state."

Hux rolled his eyes. He clasped his hands behind his back. "To be honest with you, no, I don't. And besides, is that how you should talk to the person who saved your life?"

Kylo was genuinely surprised by both sentences and his eyes widened.

"Your stupid stunt fractured a dozen of your ribs, outright broke eight, one of which had scratched your right lung--probably when you threw me to the ground. When you screamed at me in your quarters yesterday it must have punctured your lung. Or at least that's what I'm assuming, because according to the medics your lung started filling up with blood. There's no way you would have been able to walk around like that for long, much less three days."