A/N - Hello my Reylo Lovelies!  I hope you're enjoying this as we go deeper and deeper... I'm trying not to rush things... hopefully it'll all be worth the wait ;).  Soon.

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Rey woke early the next morning, eager to start the day.  She wanted to make sure she had enough time to get in some training, and find all the parts she would need to build her lightsaber.  Some of them may need to be hunted down, but she was good at that.  The hilt concerned her the most, as she may not have anything appropriate to use to construct it.  She really wanted to be able to complete it if Ben visited tonight.

The thought of him made her heart speed up and brought a smile to her face.  He was changing – she could feel it.   Each time she saw him, he was a little less Kylo Ren, a little more Ben.  He would always live with what he'd been and the things he'd done, but certainly, people deserved a chance to show they could change – could become better than they were before.  Atone for past sins.

A whisper of unease flowed through her.  His sins were so much worse than most.  Even if others could see the man he really is – the one he was becoming, they probably wouldn't understand how she could even consider forgiving him, let alone liking him.

She shook her head.  Like him?  She was enthralled by everything about him.  His looks, his mind, his body, his power.  They were growing closer every time they connected, and now, every time they touched, kissed.   Sighing, she brought her fingers to her lips with the memory. Hopefully he would be able to connect tonight.

Unbeknownst to her, Poe had been watching her as she made her way to the canteen for breakfast.  "Good morning."  He said, giving her a huge smile.  "Looks like someone else is up early."

"Oh, good morning Poe!"  she said, returning his smile, brightly.

He glanced at her, noting her demeanour.  "You look like you're in a really good mood today.  So tell me, what's put that smile on your face?"  he teased.

She tensed up for a moment, unsure of what to tell him, before smiling again.  "I'm going to build my new lightsaber today."

"Really?  That's so great!  Is there anything I can do to help?"  he looked at her eagerly.

Again, she tensed up, just slightly, before continuing. "Well, the actual construction part is a Jedi thing, so I'll have to do that alone."  His face fell.  "But maybe you can help me scrounge around the base for the parts I'll need?"

His face lit up, and he wrapped his arm around her giving her shoulder a squeeze.  "Of course. Whatever you need.  Let's grab some food, and then get to it."

Stopping, she turned to stand in front of him, using the motion to gently shrug his arm off of her. "I need to train after breakfast, and then I'll come find you, ok?"

"It's a date."  He said, giving her a cheeky grin.  "Just come and find me when you're done."

She was feeling a little uncomfortable with his touchiness, and his comment about "a date", but knowing that this was just Poe, she shrugged it off.  "Great!  Now let's go get some food – I'm starving!"

**

The Knights were already assembled in the main conference room when Kylo entered.  All six of them walked over to stand in front of him, lowered to one knee and bowed their heads.  "Master."  They all said in unison.

Kylo didn't waste any words.  "I have called you all here to let you know that your search for the Resistance is over."  All six heads raised to look at him.

Vicrul spoke.  "They have been found, Master?"

"They have not."  Kylo answered.  "I have called off your search because I have other plans for them."

"May we ask what you intend for them, Master?"  This time it was Vitka who spoke.

He could hear the anticipation in her voice, likely expecting him to announce something particularly vicious and gruesome.  "Nothing that is of your concern right now.   But I will reiterate, if you come across the girl – she is not to be harmed."  Pausing to let them know that he was completely serious, he told them.  "She is very strong in the force.  Eventually, she will be joining us."

Vitka's anger spiked. Joining us?  She thought.   They did not need an interloper among them. Especially one that was part of the Resistance.  No matter how strong she is in the Force, they would never accept her.  She began to voice her concern to Kylo.  "Master –".

Kylo's voice was like ice. "Vitka, I sense your displeasure and anger over my decision.  Shall I remind you that it is not your place to question me, nor my authority?"

"No Master.  Of course not Master.  It is just that – we have all been together so long.  I would hate to have our communal bond disrupted by a relative Youngling."

His annoyance with her spiked as she mentioned their communal bond.   The Knights all shared a bond with him – as was typical with all Master and Apprentices.  He almost scoffed.  They had no idea of the real meaning of a bond.  He did not want to set his Knights against Rey though, so he didn't dismiss her concerns outright. Instead, he tried to placate both her – and the rest of them – while being intentionally vague.

"Of course, Vitka.   I understand your concern. Her role with us has not yet been determined.  I will not let anything come between us."  He hoped that would satisfy them.  Unfortunately, they did not comprehend that by 'us' he meant him and Rey.  "Now, rise.  You may all stay on board for one day should you wish, before returning to your base planets."  He did not like having all of them on board too long, as it made the staff and crew nervous to have so many of them so near, and together as a group.

As he watched them leave, Kylo contemplated the future of his Knights.   They would not be happy to make peace with the Resistance.  That was the primary reason for sending them back to their base planets.  Once peace was established, he would release them from their Oaths, and they'd be free to go their separate ways.  Unfortunately, he knew that some, like Vitka, were particularly violent, and were unlikely to change their ways.   Since he created the monsters, it would be up to him to eventually deal with them.  Sighing heavily, he realized that ultimately he may have to kill most of them to protect the galaxy from their wanton death and destruction.

**

Vitka thought about Kylo's announcement about this girl.  The entire idea of that little mouse becoming one of them was absurd, and didn't make any sense to her.  Also, if the Master felt that she was strong enough to join them, why did he keep ordering them not to hurt her?  Something about this didn't feel right, but she wanted to see if any of the others felt the same.  She headed to Vicrul's temporary quarters to talk to him.

He was partially undressed when he answered the door.  Her gaze travelled over his unclothed, barrel-like muscular chest, which he was proudly displaying.  Seeing that it was her, he raised an eyebrow in question.

Her eyes glittered as she continued to take in his form. "I wanted to talk to you about the girl – our proposed new addition.  Something feel's off about it."

Stepping out of the way so she could enter, and seeing the look in her eye, he asked invitingly. "Is that all you came for?"

Removing her helmet, she turned and gave him a coy smile.   "If other things arise that need to be addressed, we can get to that too."

He depressed the button to close the door and sauntered over to her.....

**

Later that day, Rey paced around her small room.  She had gathered all of the parts she could find, using Master Luke's broken saber as a template, and had them spread out, waiting for Ben to arrive.  If he was able to come tonight.

Wringing her hands, she thought about her day, and how helpful Poe had been in finding what she needed.  In some cases, they raided parts from various working machines – now not functional – all for the sake of building her lightsaber.  He was intrigued when she told him that she needed two of most things, but she wouldn't tell him why – only saying that it would be a surprise.   It was generally a fun day, spurred on by her excitement and Poe's affable nature and charm.

Again, she caught him staring at her a few times, which was starting to make her think that he maybe was interested in her. That made her a bit nervous. She really liked Poe, and didn't want to hurt his feelings, but she felt nothing more than friendship toward him. Unlike Ben... a voice whispered through her head.

A question popped into her head.  If she didn't have Ben, would she feel differently about Poe? Hmmm.  She wasn't sure, but didn't think so.  Poe was a nice guy, but a constant flirt, who lived in the moment.   He didn't seem to be someone who would ever settle down for the long term. And, well, there was just no comparison to Ben's stature, and physique.  Maybe I prefer tall men? She had never really thought about it before – on Jakku she had been too intent on survival to be able to stop and really look at the men around her.  Then again, it was unlikely that there were any around that would have been worthy of even a passing glance.   With no experience, she really didn't know.  Shaking her head, she pushed it from her mind, only conscious that she'd need to be careful around Poe from now on, just to make sure he didn't get the wrong idea.

Deep in thought, she didn't feel the bond connect, until she heard Ben say behind her.  "That looks like a heavy conversation with yourself."

Spinning to face him, her face lit up, and she immediately became breathless.  "Hi – you came!"

"I told you I would."  He seemed taken aback.

She walked towards him, wrapped her arms around his waist, and went straight into his arms.  "I know.  But you're always saying how busy you are.  And I've been so excited all day that I haven't been able to sit still."

Surprised at her unexpected greeting, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, letting out a contented sigh. "Hello to you too."  He said with a chuckle.  "Were you able to find everything?"

"I think so, but I'm not sure if the piece I found for the hilt will work well."  She told him, concern evident in her voice.

"Let me see."

She pointed to a small table where everything was laid out.   He walked over, and inspected each and every part, picking up the metal cylinder – clearly meant to be the hilt, last.  Turning it over in his hands, he tested its weight, and gave it a good look.  "I think its too short, and too heavy. And its ugly.  A lightsaber should reflect the owner.  Yours should be beautiful."

She smiled at his backhanded compliment, then growled in frustration.  "I thought the same thing, but I couldn't find anything else!"  she began to pace around the room. "Ugh!  Without a hilt, we can't even start!"

He watched her pace around the room, with growing amusement.  She was muttering and generally working herself up into a rant.  "Where am I supposed to find a hilt now?  I might be able to make one.  But with what? What material is best?  How long should it be?"  she continued to pace. "Arrrgh!  This is so complicated!"

Taking pity on her, he walked over and put his hands on her upper arms. "Rey.  Calm down.  Take a breath."  In the back of his mind he thought it was ironic that for once he was the one trying to calm her.

She looked up at him, eyes glassy, inhaling deeply to calm herself.  "I know.   I was just really looking forward to building it tonight."

Leaning forward, he pulled her into his arms again.  She seemed to calm even further.  "I'm sorry that the hilt you found won't work."  He rubbed her back, and she sighed.  "I have something for you.  It might cheer you up."

Pulling back, her head snapped up, her eyes meeting his. "What?  You have something?  For me? What is it?"  her eyes began to sparkle with excitement.

"Call it a gift.  A surprise gift."  He told her, lifting a hand to tuck a stray strand behind her ear.

If anything, her excitement grew, and she was practically bouncing up and down. "A gift?  You.... You brought me a gift?."

He just nodded, a slight smirk teasing the corner of his mouth, and reached into his cloak.   It wasn't until then that she realized he was still wearing it.  When he came at night, he was usually wearing loose pants and a tunic.  Tonight he was still in full Kylo Ren apparel.  She was looking up into his eyes, so caught up in the excitement, that she didn't realize he was holding out her present.  When she looked down, she gasped, and then snapped her gaze back up to his, her eyes becoming glassy again. "Is... is that....a....?"  unable to finish.

Again, he nodded. "I had it made for you."

Reaching out, she took it from his hands, and clasped it to her heart, tears streaming down her face, beginning to sob.  She leaned into him and let him embrace her.

Kylo was stunned, unsure as to why she was reacting this way. His heart wrenched at her quiet sobs.  "Rey, I don't understand.   I did this to make you happy.  Why are you crying?"

"You...you...gave....me a.....gift!  You..you.. made... a hilt...for my new...li..li... lightsaber!......No...no...nobody's ....ever...done....anything...so....so nice....for me....before.  Ever."  she continued to sob against his chest, her tears soaking through his clothing.

He squeezed her even tighter, his heart breaking for this strong, beautiful young woman who had never been given a simple gift.   He was glad that he was the one to have given it to her. Letting her go, he leaned down to wipe the tears from her face.  "I wanted to do this for you.  Last night, I started thinking about how it should look, and I just couldn't help sketching it out.  This morning I brought the sketches to the fabrication shop and they made it for me."

Rey looked down at it, finally scrutinizing the details, running her hands over the surface.   It was made of a wood-like substance, similar to her staff, but it clearly wasn't normal wood as it had a good amount of heft and weight, yet wasn't too heavy.  There were even some intricate details carved into it.  She looked back up at him. "Its beautiful.  And perfect.  Absolutely perfect.  Thank you."  She threw herself back into his arms.

He chuckled. "If I knew that you were this easy to please,  I would have showered you with gifts much earlier."  She gave him a playful punch. "Shall we go build your lightsaber?"

**

It was much later, and Kylo had made himself comfortable in her room, as he guided Rey through the process.  She was so accustomed to tinkering with things with her hands that it frustrated her that this needed to be done using the Force.  It took several attempts, with him patiently giving her instructions about how to visualize and guide it, but she finally got the first half done. The second half went much more smoothly, and when she heard the pieces finally click into place and opened her eyes, she was glowing with happiness.

"Go ahead, turn it on."   Kylo urged. "But be careful – its probably a lot bigger than you're used to."

She took a deep breath and pressed each ignition.  The blades that shot out of each end were bright, almost pure white, with the slightest tinge of green.  Turning to look at him, she smiled broadly.  "Wow.  They're almost white!  That's amazing!."

"A little bit of green.   But it suits you.   Its beautiful."  His gaze never left hers.

Deactivating the beams, she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him.  "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."  She smiled up at him.  "I can't say it enough.  For the gift.  For the help.  For the push to do it. I love it."  Leaning up onto her toes, she wound her arms around his neck and gave him a soft kiss.   "I mean it. I....I don't think I would have done this without you. It...it means everything to me."

His breathing hitched at her soft confession, and he couldn't hold onto a single thought, completely lost in the way she was looking at him. "I....I....."

She leaned up again, and kissed him slowly, but deeply, needing to show him everything she was feeling right now.  Her tongue softly begged for entrance, and when he let her in, a loud moan tore from his chest.  Raking her fingers through his hair, she felt a shudder course through his body, and he grasped her hips, pulling her to him, letting her feel his hardness pressed against her abdomen.  A soft whimper escaped her.  Breaking their kiss, he brought one hand to her face, the other still on her hip, keeping her pressed tightly against him.   Looking deep into her eyes, his voice was low and husky when he said.   "Feel what you do to me."  Her eyes drifted closed on a moan, as she reached back up and crashed her slack, parted lips to his.

The kiss was intoxicating.  They were breathing each other's breaths, and gasping against each other's lips, absorbing the feelings as the sensations built and built.   Rey's arms were locked around Ben's neck, her hand in his hair, as she pulled herself up toward him, trying to get even closer.  His hands were on her hips, keeping her pressed tightly against his erection, as he nipped and then licked at her lower lip, causing her to moan and shudder in his arms.  She could feel him break away slightly, kissing along her jaw and up to her ear where he whispered. "Sweetheart, when you moan like that, it makes me think of all the things I want to do to you so you'll make that sound again."    She moaned again, as the meaning of his words sunk in.

The kiss turned carnal, both devouring each other, panting, whimpering and moaning each time their lips connected.   Their hands were everywhere – touching, stroking, pulling. In each other's hair, brushing over each other's shoulders, down their backs.   The heat between them was quickly becoming too much.  Ben's hands moved up her sides, and when his thumbs moved over her breasts, brushing over her nipples, Rey gasped sharply and pulled away, panting.  She leaned her forehead on his, and peeked up at him through her lashes.   It took her a minute to find her voice.   "I'm sorry."

"For what?"  he asked softly, a bit confused.

Collecting herself a bit, she replied. "For....stopping."

He let out a soft sigh, gently grabbed her chin and forced her to look directly at him.  "Rey, I always want you to stop if you're not comfortable.  We don't have to rush anything, or do anything you don't want to."  Taking a deep breath and shuddering, he continued.  "Rey, I have no experience in any of this either.  Not something that's easy to admit, given my age."  He muttered under his breath.  "But....if I do anything you don't like, or makes you feel uncomfortable.... I want you to tell me, okay?"

Warmth blossomed in her belly.  How could this gentle man have been so twisted once?  The way he treated her......she shook her head.  Wrapping her arms around his waist, she gave him a tight hug.  "Okay." she said, letting go and giving him a small smile.  "How old are you anyways?"

"Twenty-eight."

Her eyes widened.  She thought he seemed younger than that.  "How old are you?"  he asked.

Suddenly, she became somber, looking away.  "I'm not really sure.  Somewhere around twenty I think?  Maybe twenty-one?"  her eyes met the shocked look on his face.  How could she not know her age?  He thought to himself.

However, she heard the question through the bond.  "I think I was around six, maybe seven when my parents left me on Jakku.  I waited for over fourteen years...".  Tipping up her chin again, he saw the tears in her eyes, but didn't know what to say.  He leaned down and gave her a tender kiss, brushing her tears away, wanting to absorb her sadness into himself.

"I can't imagine your life, but your age doesn't matter."  He told her quietly.  "You have more wisdom than most forty year olds.

Her heart swelled in her chest; she never wanted to leave his arms.  Her hands were on his face, looking deep into his eyes, as he slowly faded away.

As she stood staring at the now empty space in front of her, she was pretty sure she had just been looking at her future.

**

Kylo stood in the center of his quarters, still reeling from all that had happened.   He recalled Rey's gift, building the lightsaber, their passion, and her heartache over not knowing her age. Undeniably, their affection and confessions only served to bring them closer.

She overwhelmed him.  Confused him.   Comforted him.

He was falling.

He could feel it.

He couldn't stop it.

And he didn't want to.

Some Supreme Leader he was.......