Saving the Monster

Chapter 46

Rey sat cross legged on the floor of the hut and squeezed her eyes shut. Outside the storm was raging. Lightening lit up the room and rain splashed in through the windows, but Rey hardly noticed. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her breathing was calm. Suddenly she saw a light ahead of her and she rushed towards it.

Rey opened her eyes and blinked hard, her lips parting when she saw him. He was stood in the rain, masked, saber in hand. His chest was rising and falling rapidly. Suddenly he lunged forwards, cutting down an invisible foe. Rey watched with wide eyes as he swung out over and over, grunting with the effort. Where was he? She wondered, her mind reeling.

Eventually he was still, his breathing heavy and noisy in his mask. He was looking at her now, looking directly at her. He turned and said something to someone and then marched quickly towards Rey, looking as if he was not going to stop when he reached her. He paused a few steps away, turning and raising his hand as if pressing a switch. Rey guessed that he had entered a ship.

Kylo lifted his helmet off with a hiss and for a moment Rey took in his features. He looked tired, dark circles rimmed his eyes and his hair was stuck to his face, which shone with sweat. He placed his helmet down, somewhere out of Rey's sight and looked down at her where she sat, "They found out, didn't they?"

Rey felt her shoulders sag slightly and she nodded, not meeting his gaze, fearing if she did then she might cry.

To Rey's surprise Kylo came and crouched down in front of her. She raised her gaze to his and found his eyes sweeping across her face, his brows slightly drawn together, "How?"

His question was what Rey expected him to ask next, but for some reason it brought hot tears to her eyes as she answered, "The spy in the First Order, he guessed"

Kylos eyes widened and it took Rey a moment to realise that he didn't know about the spy, she had left that information out when she warned him of the attack on his base.

"What spy?". Kylos voice was cold, all signs of tenderness gone and Rey shifted awkwardly where she sat.

"Looked like one of your Generals". Rey stated, remembering the uniform.

Kylo stood, his face set, "Hux"

Rey nodded and Kylo turned from her, his hands in fists at his side, his breathing heavy. He stayed like that for several minutes before remembering himself and turning back to Rey, coming to crouch in front of her again.

His head tilted to one side and his voice softened again, "My mother sent you away didn't she?"

That was it.  Rey didn't know if it was the soft tone of his voice or the fact that what he'd just said was what had hurt Rey the most about what happened.  The fact that Leia, the only mother figure she'd known since her parents left, had sent her away, but tears came, hot and uncontrolled as Rey nodded, her hands coming up to cover her face, a sob escaping her lips.

Rey heard Kylo suck in his breath, "She sent me away too, to my uncle, to Luke.  She sent me away because I didn't fit in with her idea of a Jedi, or a resistance hero, because I was different, because I was a monster"

The feel of the wet leather of Kylos gloved hand on her knee brought Rey's eyes to his.  He was so close Rey thought.  His face was just in front of hers, his eyes were wide and filled with emotion. 

Her thoughts were interrupted by his deep voice, "What did you want to say to me?" 

Rey wiped at her eyes and then looked down at his hand on her knee.  "You were right.  We are a Dyad in the force, two that are one.  You're the only one who knows me, really knows me"

Kylos brows furrowed, "What are you saying?"

Rey let out a shaky breath, her eyes falling to look at his hand on her knee, "I....". Rey hesitated, what exactly was she saying? She didn't want to join him, she knew that, she might have darkness within her, but she didn't want to hurt her friends, or any other innocent people for that matter, but she also knew deep down that she belonged with him.

The feeling of Kylos other hand reaching for and touching her cheek made Rey jump and her eyes met his.  He swallowed twice before he spoke, a slight quiver in his voice, his usual strong, confident tone gone.  "You belong with me Rey.  I've meant every word I've said to you.  When I told you that you meant everything to me I meant it.  Join me Rey, please come to me"

His hand was still on her cheek, his thumb absentmindedly brushing over her cheek bone, and his eyes were on hers, wide and vulnerable, so much like the look he held in Snokes throne room.  This time was different though.  He hadn't said it but Rey knew.  He wanted her this time, only her, not to rule with him, not to take the throne, just her.  That realisation made her hand slide onto the one on her leg and she pushed her fingers against his gloved hand, letting their fingers link.

"My General will want you dead, like he wants me dead.  Come to me and I'll protect you, you have my word". Kylo said, his voice stronger now, his eyes still holding that vulnerable look. 

Rey hesitated, although she already knew the answer.  She had nowhere else to go, and no one else that she wanted to be with. 

Kylo suddenly stood up, his hands leaving her, looking over his shoulder at something that Rey couldn't see and then he lifted his helmet, preparing to put it on, "Rey come to my base early tomorrow, I'll ensure you are given clearance, it will be alright". 

Just as the connection faded and the air cleared, Rey nodded, Kylo nodding back at her once, businesslike again before pulling on his helmet and walking quickly away from her.

Afterwards Rey lay down on the hard stone bench, she had to get some rest, tomorrow would be a strange day.