Entirely Different

Chapter Fifteen : Rising to the Challenge

"What's going on here, Ren?" General Hux climbed the ramp to the shuttle, followed closely by Officer Bailey.

You were the first to speak, forgetting your place in the presence of your familiar father.

"We're about to finish up our review of the flight inspection, General Hux." You raised a brow, false incredulity hiding your nervousness.

Your eyes flickered to Bailey, who was watching you closely. You wondered, for a moment, if he saw through your façade. But he smiled, relieved, when you had finished speaking.

"Officer Bailey told me you assaulted him, Commander Ren." The General folded his hands behind his back, ignoring your report and approaching Kylo at the helm of the ship.

"Well, I didn't say assaulted." Bailey protested meekly, falling behind, and nearing you, his eyes landed hesitantly on Kylo.

Kylo regarded him behind the mask, you could tell. But to the rest of the room, his attention seemed to be fixed on the slight ginger man in front of him.

"He lied to your dau-" Kylo suddenly went silent.

Your eyes widened, breath caught in your throat. You saw the General stiffen, the three of you suddenly all too aware that Bailey was here, and the Commander had almost divulged a very important piece of information. Bailey, himself, seemed too preoccupied looking at you.

"Are you alright?" He asked, hand extending to rest on your crossed arms.

The moment contact was made, Kylo spoke again. This time, his voice loud and clear in the expanse of the Shuttle. His black cloaks spun past the General and toward Bailey, who careened away from him as he approached.

"He informed Officer Knight that he'd requested for her to be trained on a Tie Fighter and he neglected to collect her uniform for her." His accusation was completely correct, and yet, the General looked displeased.

"Officer Knight? Is this true?" your father poked his head between the Commander and Officer Bailey.

You looked between Bailey and Kylo. Bailey seemed pleading, begging you for something. And Kylo – well, you couldn't tell.

"Well, yes." You admitted quietly, eyes sorry.

Bailey suddenly spoke up, newfound courage with the General close by.

"I didn't ask the Commander, because he'd made it quite clear she would only be trained on the shuttle. I had offered that to her before I thought better of it – it was a mistake." He turned to you, genuine and regretful.

"I'm sorry."

General Hux stepped between the two, eyes falling across you and back to Kylo.

"A misunderstanding, Commander. Hardly one to get so invested in."

"And her uniform?" Kylo seethed.

"Do you have any pleasantries to defend that?" He looked over your father's slight frame to question Bailey.

Bailey chuckled, taking a few steps away from the crowded group of men.

"When I'd arrived to ask the Commander for Officer Knight's uniform, he informed me he didn't have it. I asked if that meant she'd be collecting it from him, and he agreed."

He was smug. There was nothing wrong with that, on either of their parts. Another misunderstanding, it would seem. Hux looked to Kylo again, his lips pursed.

"Another misunderstanding, Ren." He offered condescendingly.

Kylo was quiet a moment, eyes on Bailey but body facing the General.