Two Sides of the Same Coin

Part IX

Kylo walked around the base freely after Cristin had been summoned to continue her training with Poe. He had been instructed to stay in the open areas and away from the control centers. He intended to leave the next day, so he assumed that Leia was granting him some freedom before he disappeared from her life again. Phasma had confirmed that the First Order was on schedule, so now they just had to wait until the timing was right.

However, he had been too lost within his own mind to notice when Rey was approaching him. She walked towards him warily as he wore a scowl. She stood in front of him, startling him out of his thoughts.

"Rey," he greeted plainly as she stared up at him.

"Where's your guard?" she demanded.

"With Dameron. I was taking a stroll through the base. What are you up to?" he countered. She stared at him for a moment before exhaling.

"Finn was supposed to practice with me, but he was busy with the General's debriefing or something," Rey groaned. Kylo clenched his jaw, wondering if the traitor was giving away First Order secrets. He wondered if the diversion he had planned could count Finn as a casualty. He could only hope for the First Order's sake. "Are you two busy for a stroll, or do you feel like practicing?"

"Practicing what?"

"Blaster deflection."

"Blaster deflection?" he repeated, surprised. Rey nodded, looking up at him expectantly. "Isn't that dangerous?"

"We're in the middle of a war. Everything is dangerous. If I can learn how to deflect blasters, then it will be less dangerous," she reasoned. He stared at her, not sure what to say. "They aren't real blaster bolts. Finn and I rigged one of the training droids that Luke always uses to be more blaster shaped. So, it looks and shoots like a blaster, but the energy blasts aren't enough to maim or kill. Just sting a little."

"That's, uh, that's smart," he replied as he weighed his options.

"So what do you say? Do you want to help me practice? Or are you as good at shooting as you are at flying?"

"Did Leia tell you that?" he grumbled. Rey shrugged with a shit eating grin. He sighed but nodded. "Alright, I'll help, but only until Flynn gets back."

"Finn," Rey corrected as Kylo waved his hand.

"Whatever," he groaned before following her to the training grounds.

Kylo aimed at Rey as she readied Luke's lightsaber. They had been going at it for nearly half an hour and she seemed as energetic as ever. She had only been hit twice but had deflected the rest. He noticed that she was aiming for where the deflections were hitting. Most of them hit the adjacent training posts and dummies. Some hit the ground, while others bounced back to him. Luckily, he had managed to dodge out of the way each time.

"Just shoot already!" Rey called out as Kylo steadied the blaster again. He found it amusing when he paused enough to get her impatient. Within a few seconds, he shot another few rounds of blasts that she deflected beautifully. All of them bounced back onto the near 'enemies' and she smiled, proud of herself.

"Did Finn mention when he would be done?" Kylo asked before shooting again.

"No. Why? Are you getting tired?" She laughed as she stepped forward. He smirked and let off another few blasts.

"Of course not," he answered. "Just thought you would rather be doing this with someone you actually like."

"Fair enough," Rey answered while she fought back. He found that her words left him a little hurt. Again, he found himself caring about what she thought of him. He inwardly scolded himself before shooting again. He shouldn't care what she thought of him. She was just a means to an end, and potentially winning the war. Together, they could bring the galaxy together under the First Order. Perhaps that was why he wanted her to approve of him so badly. So much was riding on her.