//God Speed Rebels\\

iii

"Nothing."

"Bring them on board." he snaps. My heart beats wildly in my chest -- I try to steady it with small quick breaths. I look to Poe, who eyes me suspiciously. As the troopers drag us towards Ren's ship I look over my shoulder to see the other troopers aiming their weapons at the group of villagers.

"Wait. No, wait!"

I hear the all-metal trooper yell 'fire'.

"No..." Poe mutters.

The troopers push me to sit in the dark ship. Poe is pulled past me towards a different part of the ship.

"Poe!" I call out to him. My voice is shaky with fear, but I don't care what Poe thinks anymore. I'd rather be stuck in a room with him than Kylo Ren.

"Alex!" Fear laces his words as he pushes to get away from the storm troopers. Never have I thought I would hear fear in his cocky words or see terror in his determined eyes. I spring to my feet and try to break through the guards, but my shaking body isn't strong against the white troopers.

"Poe!"

"You'll be alright, Alex! You'll be alright!" Poe yells from the other holding room.

"Sit down!" One of the troopers yell as they push me back down. I struggle to get free of them as more begin to pile on board. Suddenly, an overwhelming sense of darkness looms towards the ship. I slowly turn my head to Ren, who walks on board and stares me down through his mask. The troopers step back and let him have a clear path to me. I press my back against the seat, staring back at the Force user.

"Aw, it is you, Alex."

His voice rings in my ears. I shut my eyes tightly and clench my jaw. I feel a gloved hand rest gently on my chin and push it towards him.

"Look at me, Alex."

I keep my eyes shut and think of anything but what he did.

"Al..."

My eyes open slowly as tears prick them and my breaths become more staggered.

"Do you... fear... me?" he asks softly.

I gulp down the saliva that rose in my throat.

"Because of what I did to your father?" I feel his cold eyes wander through my thoughts for a moment before his hand releases my chin. He steps back and watches me expectantly. "I was only trying to protect you, Al. You don't have to be scared." He begins to walk away from me but the blood boils inside of my chest and I can't take it any longer.

"You selfish bastard!" I scream. He turns around slowly, looking at me out of the corner of his mask.

"Selfish? Your father was the selfish one. You know what he did to you, and you know I couldn't let him live--"

"That's not why you killed him!" I yell again. "The only reason you killed him was because you knew without him I would be weak -- that I would be vulnerable." I lower my voice, feeling my face turn hot with anger. "You just wanted me to be at my lowest so you could snuff out my light--"

Ren rips off his mask and charges towards me. I turn my head quickly, squeezing my eyes shut, holding in the scream that threatens to escape.

"I would never let a friend hurt as much as you were hurting, Alex. I couldn't let him hurt you any longer." His breath flies off of my face. "Alex."

I turn my head slowly to him. Our lips, just inches apart. He looks so much older than I remember. The glimmer that was there before, now consumed by the dark pools of his eyes.