Confronting Fear

Discussions

"I believe in you, I can show you that
I can see right through all your empty lies
I won't stay long, in this world so wrong"

Dance with the Devil - Breaking Benjamin

Despite the numbness in her mind and chest, Rey tried to be more mindful of where he was leading her this time, attempting a mental map, and failing. She did however notice that every person and droid quickly cleared the way while trying to sneak a glance at her. She was already something of a celebrity aboard the ship, if only by reputation. The woman in white who had once bested Kylo Ren. The Jedi who had caused them such trouble.

It appeared Ren had noticed this as well. Stand tall and straight. You're important, you need their respect, their fear. He voiced into her mind.

She vaguely wondered how he was doing that as they stepped into an empty turbolift. Once inside his grip on her arm relaxed. She finally dared look up, but couldn't see anything but that horrible mask. They were both completely silent except for their breathing. The lift opened into a corridor she recognized, one completely empty of people. Where his chambers were, she realized with horror. He couldn't seriously be thinking...

Relax, Scavenger. I'm keeping you close, but not that close.

She breathed a sigh of relief as he stopped at the door just before his and keyed in the code. She stepped in behind him and her breath caught in her throat. The suite was absolutely beautiful. She was standing in a small seating area with a sofa and several chairs. It opened into a small kitchenette where baskets of fruits were set out on a countertop. She almost forgot Kylo was behind her as she wandered through the door to the sleeping chamber, the huge bed piled with pillows. A wardrobe on one wall next to a door that led to a refresher, a huge bookcase on the other. Her eyes were drawn to the breathtaking duraglass window that took up the far wall, providing a panoramic view of the stars.

The other thing she noticed were the colors. Kylo's chambers had been stark white and pitch black, devoid of all color and personality. Her walls were a soft shade of blue, the sofa and chairs upholstered in green fabric. The velvet bedspread embroidered with an intricate pattern in blue, white, and green. It reminded her of Takodana. It had clearly been designed with her in mind.

She was brought back to reality by the sound of Kylo calling her name from the sitting area. She stopped in her tracks at the sight of him sprawled across the sofa, the much hated mask sitting on the low table. The image of him shirtless flashed in her mind, causing her to blush.

He smirked at the sight of her discomfort, before adopting a more serious tone. "We need to discuss some things."

"How long?" She asked.

"How long what?" He looked confused.

"How long has this room been ready for me?"

It was his turn to look uncomfortable. "A while. We can talk about that another time. I need you to understand how dangerous this is. I will not harm you, but there are some on board who would."

She felt the enormity of the situation come crashing down on her. She was deep in the heart of enemy territory and couldn't let up her guard, even for a moment.

"This room is currently only accessible from the outside. Only I have the code to enter. I can't risk even a droid coming in. You will only leave while accompanied by me. Everything you need should already be here, but if something was missed let me know."

"So this is just a fancy prison cell." She angrily cast her awareness out through their bond and was hit with high walls in his mind. "If it's so dangerous you should give me my lightsaber back." she said with spite.

"I can't do that. Despite our bargain I have a feeling you'd cut your way out of here and be gone before any alarms even sounded."

She couldn't deny the insinuation, if things went south she planned on doing exactly that. "I've done it before, without a saber." She reminded him with a small smile of satisfaction. She felt his aura darken at the memory of his humiliation. "And that time I was strapped to a chair."

He gracefully rose to his feet and in 3 long strides was standing in front of her, their faces inches apart. "Do you want to be strapped to a chair again?" He growled, his smirk suggesting that if that happened, his plans for her included activities other than interrogation.

"I learned from that mistake, hence why no one other than me is allowed to be alone with you. If you do escape I will have to hunt you down again, and we don't have time for that now. Palpatine's fleet could move any day now."

She knew it was a threat he'd make good on.

His tone became even more serious. "Whatever happens, avoid General Hux at all costs. He is not to be trusted. He would harm you for his own amusement."

She glared at him, affronted at his assumption of her weakness. "I can take care of myself."

He gently placed his large hands on her shoulders, towering over her, the feel of soft leather gloves barely in contact with her neck. She had never felt smaller. She looked up into his brown eyes, the softness in them taking her breath away. The way he looked at her caused a fluttering in her belly and her legs to grow weak. Her gaze was drawn down the line of the scar she had marked him with, to his full lips, struck with the sudden urge to press them to hers.

"I know that. You're a warrior. In a fight you can hold your own against the best. I've seen it. This is a different kind of danger. Battle is one thing, politics and espionage are something else completely. You need all three to fight a war."

Rey nodded her understanding. He was right, those things were not in her wheelhouse.

She couldn't help but feel disappointed when Kylo removed his hands from her shoulders, missing the warmth they provided. She knew she shouldn't feel this way, but she couldn't help it.

He picked up the reviled helmet off the table, gripping it tightly, but didn't back away. "Rest. We have a full day ahead of us tomorrow."

Rey was instantly suspicious. "What happens tomorrow?".

Kylo sighed and spoke slowly. "Tomorrow I introduce you to the High Command, all of my generals and admirals. To name you my second-in-command."

WHAT!!! Rey felt her jaw drop to the floor. "What does that mean?"

"It means if anything happens to me, my fleet and army are yours."