A/N - OK my little Reylos - time to start turning up the heat (just a little).  Enjoy!

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The eerie red glow in the cavernous room glinted off the silver lines of his helmet as the black garbed figure walked across the bridge.  The light seemed to be gradually fading, replaced by a deeper glow of the red lights as the sunlight was extinguished.

"I know this place."  Rey thought as she re-lived the memory, a knot of dread and fear forming in the pit of her stomach.  An aura of darkness, terror and pain surrounded her.

The scene continued to unfold in front of her.  She could see Han Solo call out to the figure on the bridge, and walk across to join him.  Although she couldn't remember hearing what they had said to one another the first time she experienced the scene, she could now hear every word that was exchanged.  Heard when Han told the figure to take off the mask, and when he did so, heard when he begged Ben to come home.

As the memory played out, her panic escalated, knowing what was about to happen.  She could feel the sweat break out all over her body, and her breathing increased, her heart pounding in her chest.  Han stepped closer and her heart clenched, hearing Ben – no, Kylo Ren, ask  "Will you help me?"

No!  she wanted to shout – but instead heard it shouted by someone else.  What the hell?

She knew what was coming next, and felt sick, tears coursing down her face.  When the red lightsaber plunged through Han's chest, her throat constricted and all she could manage was a whispered Noooooo.  Or so she thought.

Someone next to her screamed a tortured "Noooo!  Stop!!  I'm sorry!"  She turned in her memory to look at Finn beside her – but he was shocked into silence.  Another tormented scream echoed from beside her and her eyes snapped open.

She sat up quickly, and looking around, realized she was in unfamiliar surroundings.  The sounds next to her continued, and glancing at the space beside her, her eyes widened in shock. Next to her lay a shirtless Kylo Ren.   And she was in his bed – likely on his ship The Finalizer. Shivering, she realized that the bond had connected her to him here.

He was having a nightmare – reliving the death of his father.  Watching him, she could see that he was covered in sweat – tendrils of his hair sticking to his face, and he continued to thrash about, making sounds of agony.  This was not Kylo Ren – this was Ben.

Somehow, she had been with him in his dream.  That's why she could hear what they had said to each other.   Must be part of the bond she thought.  This was new.   It was almost as if they discovered something different about the bond every time they connected.   Either that, or it was getting stronger.... She shivered, unsure about what that would mean.

Rey continued to watch him for a few seconds, but was at a loss.  Wanting to help ease his pain, yet not daring to wake him up. Could she help him?  She thought.  Reaching over tentatively, she very gently laid her fingertips on his shoulder – snatching it back when he moved suddenly and muttered something unintelligible.  Slowly trying again, she gently laid her hand on his shoulder.  As when they had touched previously, the feel of his skin below her palm felt hot, and tingled.  The feeling travelled up her arm – causing her to suck in her breath.

This was the first time she had touched him for more than a brief instant, and she felt a distinct hum beneath her fingers.  She hoped it wouldn't wake him, unsure as to what he would do if he woke up and found her next to him, watching his torment.  Taking a deep breath, she resisted the urge to run her hand over his bare skin.  The idea was intoxicating, and she shivered just imagining it.  Exhaling slowly, she forced the thought of it from her head before her hand developed a mind of its own.

Focusing, she tried to calm her mind as if to begin her meditation process, hoping that some of her calm in the Force would find its way to him.  Breathing deeply, she imagined her Force flowing around her, and spreading out to envelope him in her calmness – almost like a hug. Within a minute or so, she could feel his movements still, and his breathing even out.  Very gently, she probed his mind, and found that the darkness, fear and pain had receded a bit.  After several more minutes, he fell into a deep sleep and she gingerly removed her hand.

Gazing at him in the dim light, she noticed how peaceful he now looked, and couldn't help tenderly reaching out to brush a stray tendril of hair from his face.  Her heart pounded, wanting this quiet moment to go on, but she could feel the connection ending, and when she blinked she found herself alone back in her cold bed at the base.

**

As the weeks passed, the sporadic visits continued.  The next few were surprisingly different.  He didn't appear to be angry anymore and they seemed to have found a middle ground where they were not only civil to one another, but it began to feel like they were slowly getting to know each other and were even becoming friends.  Initially they were still guarded with one another, but that became less and less with each visit.

She wasn't sure if he was aware that she had visited him in the night, had been with him in his nightmare, and had calmed him.  If he knew he certainly hadn't said anything nor gave any indication that it had happened, and that was fine with her.  It would likely have been a very awkward conversation.

They seemed to talk a lot – more than they ever had.  Being accustomed to his curt speech from most of their previous encounters, she was actually surprised that he spoke so much.  It was as if little holes were being punched into a dam, and words were starting to spill out.  It gave her hope that Ben Solo was indeed starting to emerge from beneath what once was fully Kylo Ren.

Leia almost never mentioned Ben – and why would she?   It probably caused her immense pain to do so.   But Rey could recall a particular conversation about one of their new recruits who seemed to be painfully shy, and Leia had mentioned that Ben was also very shy as a boy, but usually only around strangers.  She had told Rey that once he got to know someone, he usually came out of his shell.  So maybe he was simply becoming more comfortable with her?  The thought made her smile, since she was definitely becoming more comfortable simply being around him, and was beginning to better understand his quick mind, and dry but acerbic wit.

He told her more about his ideas for changing the First Order.  She would sit and listen, ask questions, and often challenge him on why his proposed changes might or might not work. Sometimes pointing out the negative domino effects of some of his changes – to help make sure he thought everything through.

When he told her he was going to outlaw slavery in the galaxy, she was thrilled.  But then she challenged him. "Ben, that's a great thing to do.  But how are you going to enforce it?"

"What do you mean?  It will be the rule of law.  Those that disobey it will be punished."

She shook her head, trying to make him understand. "That's not what I mean.  If you outlaw it without a way to enforce it, it will just be pushed underground, like it already is on many worlds the galaxy considers "civilized".   And then the crime lords will become even more ruthless to keep it hidden."

He would go away, think about it, and often come back with more details or a solution on his next visit.

When he said he was going to try to build new infrastructure on impoverished, have-not planets like Jakku, her heart stopped, and she started to cry.

Her reaction confused him. "Why does this make you cry?"

"I....I think that....that's one of the most admirable, useful things that the First Order could do!" she told him. "If they could have access to reliable sources of water and shelter, people could try to grow food, and they could lift themselves out of their current miserable existence."  Gathering her wits, she cautioned him. "But keep in mind that the First Order will need to stick around to make sure that it doesn't fall into the wrong hands, or into disrepair – because then it could be used as political tool."

He considered for a minute, then nodded. "I hadn't thought of that. I'll consider it as part of the planning process."

She looked at him with fresh eyes after that.  He was rapidly becoming her hero....And on it went.  This was definitely NOT the Kylo Ren that the galaxy had come to fear.  Perhaps, Ben's true personality was finally coming through in Snoke's absence?  Also, he grew up watching Leia, so he learned how to be a leader by seeing one of the best in action, and maybe that was beginning to show too.

Sometimes she would ask him questions – usually about his ideas on the Force, and elements of Jedi training that she didn't know or couldn't figure out from the Jedi Texts.   He was more than happy to enlighten her about his knowledge and experience in the Force.   Less so when it came to discussing matters of the Jedi.  He would usually close up, and answer very briefly – typically providing as little information as possible.   It was very clear that he did not like talking about the Jedi.

During one of these visits she asked him why not just dissolve the First Order and form a new democratic Republic?  At this, he just shook his head.

"Rey, I've seen what happens.   Its often too much too soon.  At first, everything seems to work. Over time, greed and self-interest sets in, factions form, and then it all begins to unravel.  Once that happens, conditions are ripe for another group like the First Order to seize control."  

She pondered this for a few minutes.  "But Ben, don't you think there is some way that it could be done successfully?  The galaxy deserves the choice for democracy, rather than autocratic rule.  Eventually, people will rebel against that....and it will all be back to the same war once again, regardless."

He thought about what she said a bit more, then shook his head again, and sighed. "I don't know.  Maybe, in time, something could be devised – and implemented slowly.   In the past systems were allowed full representation for each planet in the Republic.  That's just too many voices and opinions to work for the entire galaxy.  But there may be a way that the First Order could transition to something like that - eventually.   I'm not ruling it out, but it would have to be gradual.  We need to implement the fundamental changes first, and then maybe we could be ready for a more democratic system, in time."

Again, she sat back and just listened.  As much as she didn't want to agree with it, what he said actually made a lot of sense.   And history had proved that he was correct – multiple times.

Another time, she was able to ask a question that had nagged at her, tore at her insides, and that she was unable to reconcile with the man sitting in front of her.  The destruction of the Hosnian System.  When she asked him about it, he scrubbed a hand over his face and let out a long sigh.

"Honestly?  That was all Snoke – and Hux.  I disagreed with it.  But didn't – couldn't - say anything to Snoke, so I guess that makes me just as guilty."  He sighed. "Remember, my mother's home world of Alderaan was destroyed by the Empire's first Death Star, and all that did was to strengthen the resolve of the Resistance and the rest of the galaxy to destroy the Empire."  His gaze flicked up to her.  "It was a stupid move – spurred on by Hux and his incessant desire to crush any and all opposition to the First Order.  He's very smart, but quite insane."

A knot of tension that had been in Rey's chest for quite some time evaporated.   He didn't do it. He didn't stop it either, but if she could believe him, at least he wasn't part of that decision to end billions of lives in an instant.  She looked across at him, unsure of what to say, so she just tilted her head and gave him a sad smile.

Rey had found it odd that other than her nighttime visit when he was dreaming, over these past months it was him who always visited her, and never really the other way around.   She chalked it up to him simply having more questions and things to tell her, than she had for him.  She had grown quite accustomed to their visits, and now even looked forward to them – even though she was never quite certain when they would happen.  She didn't want to think about the reason for that.

And then there was last night.  Last night something had been in the air.  It was already late when he showed up, and Rey was dressed in her comfortable sleepwear that consisted of a light tank and shorts.  She was walking out of the 'fresher when he appeared, clad in a sleeveless tank and loose pants.   Neither of them were accustomed to seeing the other in less than full daytime attire, so she stopped in her tracks when he appeared a few feet away from her.   His gaze travelled from her eyes downward and then shot back up again, his face and ears turning a bit red before he tried to speak.  He even became a bit tongue-tied at her appearance.

"I..ah....Sorry. I....wanted to ask you something."  His gaze now directed at the floor in front of her.

Rey tried to maintain her composure at the sight of his bare, broad shoulders and muscular arms.   She walked over to her bed, threw the covers back, and climbed in sitting up cross legged.  The blankets covered almost all of her except her shoulders, which was good because she was feeling a bit breathless and was sure she could feel her nipples peaking under the thin tank.  What is wrong with me? She thought to herself.  Its not like I haven't seen him even less covered up top?

She thought she saw Ben's eyes widen for fraction of a second, followed by that little smirk.  This made her a bit uneasy...

She cleared her now dry throat. "So, what did you want to ask me?"

He walked over to the bed and sat down. "The bond.  I think its getting stronger.  Do you feel it?"

Rey closed her eyes, reached out and thought about it.  She could definitely feel him – always again, so he didn't appear to be blocking her anymore – but there had seemed to be more feeling coming through the bond lately, than she had felt before.   Tonight he was definitely excited – like a child discovering something new, that he was bursting to tell her – and she could feel it.  Rey opened her eyes and looked at him.

She feels it too.

Now it was Rey's turn for her eyes to widen in her head. "HOLY SHIT!  Did you just say that in your mind?  And I heard it?"

Yes.  He answered again, in his head.

Oh, you have got to be kidding me!  She said to herself.

Ben grinned at her, this time speaking aloud. "Nope.  No joke".

She was caught off guard by his wide, toothy grin, and couldn't recall ever seeing him smile like that.   It transformed his face, and she wished he would do it more often.

She thought back to what she was asking herself a few minutes earlier, when she was staring at his shoulders and arms, and her face goes deep red.   If anything, Ben's grin gets even wider.

Rey began to get flustered, knowing her thoughts were so open to him.

"Why?  Why in the hell would the Force connect us like that?   I mean, why is it necessary to hear each other's thoughts?"  Frustrated, she just shook her head.

Kylo pondered that for a minute. "Well, I can certainly see the tactical advantages of it, in certain situations.  We can probably learn to block some thoughts from each other if we tried hard enough.  But imagine being able to have a conversation with each other without anyone else knowing that we are doing it, or what we're saying?"

Rey was quiet for a while before sighing in resignation. "Yes, I can see it too.  But I don't think the Force expected us to be enemies.  Although, it doesn't quite feel like you and I are really enemies anymore, does it?"

"No".

"But we are on opposite sides of this war."

He just looked at her impassively. "Yes."

Rey rolled her eyes and hopped out of the bed, too agitated to realize that she's exposing more of her skin to him than she's comfortable with – again. "But.... I don't understand!  What are we supposed to be?  Where do we go from here?"

Kylo watched her carefully, and shook his head knowing that she doesn't even realize that she's showing him all of that glowing skin – and its definitely affecting him.  She's simply beautiful. Small but mighty with toned arms and legs, and her neck...that delicate column.....he'd like to kiss his way from her ear to her collarbone.  The thought of it almost makes him groan aloud. What the hell?   Where did that suddenly come from?  He shook his head to try and clear it, exhaled heavily, running a hand over his face before getting up from the bed and walking over to her.

"I don't know Rey.   I don't know why we're connected and can't even begin to comprehend whether there is some higher being or beings out there controlling all of this,"  he motions all around him with his hands "with a sick sense of humour".

Rey looked up at him. "Do you want to know what I think?"  He doesn't respond, just continued looking at her curiously. "I keep reading about the notion of balance.  That there must be balance in the Force.  Wasn't the whole prophecy of the Chosen One all about balance?"  He nods warily, but remains silent. "Maybe.... Just maybe.... You and I are supposed to help each other achieve that balance?"

Kylo thinks about it for a minute, remembering his conversation with his Grandfather. "Go on."

She collects her thoughts and pushes forward. "I mean – you've said yourself that you wield both the dark and the light, but I think you admit you lean much farther toward the dark than the light."  He just raised his eyebrow at her with a sarcastic look but let her continue. "For myself, I try my best to only use the light, but every once in awhile, there is dark in me that sneaks out."  She pauses. "What if we were meant to learn from each other how to use each of those equally?  And the only way to do that is to bring us together – when under normal circumstances, we never would without the bond."

He's silent again, but began pacing around the room as he thinks.  This gives her a chance to study him freely.  Rey just stood there and watched him, unnoticed.  He is not what most women would consider classically handsome, but the combination of his raven, wavy locks, deep brown eyes, plump lips and pale skin is quite striking.  Thinking about it, Rey considers him to be quite beautiful.  The room starts to feel a bit warm to her, and she looks away before he catches her staring.

After a few minutes, he walked towards her, and came to a stop right in front of her.   "You might have a point, but all this just seems to be a bit too much for that to be the only answer, don't you think?"

Rey wrinkled her nose. "What do you mean?"

He stepped closer, and his voice dropped to a low, husky timbre. "I think you know."

Suddenly the room seems very warm, and she is caught in his gaze, which has darkened and is focused intensely on her.  She's drowning in his eyes.  Those beautiful dark brown pools.  Her breathing speeds up, and he's so close she can smell his scent – clean, woodsy, and definitely masculine.  She swallows, not sure what to do.  She has no experience with men, but can feel her stomach quivering, and her legs feel a little like jelly.

He reached out, and tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, continuing to slowly run the backs of his fingers down her neck, skimming across her collarbone and down her arm.  His touch is like fire, and Rey's breath hitches then speeds up even more.  She starts to feel heat pooling low in her belly.  She nervously licks her slightly parted lips, which causes his gaze to drift downward to them.  Reaching his hand up, he gently stroked his thumb back and forth across her moistened bottom lip.

Rey had not previously known of any connection between her lips and any other part of her body, but she couldn't help her sharp intake of breath when he touched her.  She could feel the stroke of his thumb sear through her in almost every nerve, everywhere.   It was as if a shot of electricity went through her entire being, causing her body to tingle and liquid heat to spread everywhere.  The tip of her tongue accidentally grazed the pad of his thumb, and he let out a soft, strangled sound that resembled a groan.  The heat in her belly pooled lower to the region between her thighs in newfound awareness.

She wanted to take a step closer to him, but could feel the connection starting to break, and he began to fade away. Just before he did, she saw him bring his thumb to his mouth and suck the moisture off of it, the action causing Rey to shiver with heat.

What in the hell just happened to her?

**

Kylo blinked and he was once again in his rooms aboard the Finalizer.  Standing there, lightly sucking on the pad of his thumb like an infant.

He sucked in a breath.   He had touched her!  The backs of his fingers still tingled from the contact.  He had been so close that he could smell her scent – something light and flowery and utterly distracting.  But what in the hell just happened?  He remembered tucking her hair behind her ear, and feeling the softness of her skin, unwilling to break contact until he stroked all the way down her arm.  Then, she licked her lips, and he knew he needed to touch them – to wipe that gloss of moisture from her pouty bottom lip.   But when he did, her tongue grazed his finger and that's all it took.   Every sane thought left his head in that moment.

He was rock hard and breathing heavily.  But he had barely touched her.  Never had anything affected him as strongly as that.  He couldn't ever remember being this excited, this aroused.   He had been aware of the stirrings of arousal more and more of late - likely because he couldn't stop thinking about her.   But he had tamped down those feelings vehemently, every time. Snoke, and even Luke, had always said that lust or desire were a weakness, to be avoided at all costs.  So he had avoided indulging his fantasies and refrained from allowing the arousal into full bloom, denying himself the release he now so desperately needed. He shuddered at that thought.

He didn't know how or even when it happened, but he knew that he craved her.  He'd always been drawn to her, but now he craved her like he'd never craved anything else in his life until now.  He craved her company, he craved her mind, he craved her Light, and now he craved her touch.  When they had first touched hands, he thought he wanted her to turn to the dark side, and to rule alongside him.  But after he had dispatched Snoke, and his head began to clear, he realized that he could never want that.  Rey was all that was good, and pure and light.   She calmed him.  Made him feel like a little less of a monster, and made him think that maybe, just maybe, his vision of the future could really come to fruition.   Likely not, but he had to try.

What was this woman doing to him?  He began to feel uneasy, as fear started gnawing at his gut.  If she ever figured out the power she had over him, he'd be in very deep trouble.  Based on his reaction to her tonight, that with the simplest of touches she could probably wrap him around her little finger.  But he had simply had to taste that drop of moisture on his thumb.  It felt a little like a stolen kiss...his breathing stuttered at the thought.

Again, he shook his head to clear it, and stood there with his fists clenched until he could get his breathing, and his body, under control.  It would probably be another long night with very little sleep.  Smiling, he thought to himself, maybe Rey would visit him during the night to help him sleep.  He was pretty sure she had done that once, and calmed his nightmares.  When he woke feeling oddly calm and refreshed one morning, he swore he could smell her scent lingering in the bed.  Searching his mind, there were subtle traces of her presence, and he knew she must have been there, must have done something.   But he wasn't absolutely certain and so wouldn't dare mention it.

If she visited him, maybe he'd be able to touch her again.... He shuddered.  Okay, these thoughts were not helping him cool his body down!

Deciding a cold shower was in order, he walked into the 'fresher.  Turning on the water, he leaned his forehead against the wall.  He still had so much to do with the First Order, and couldn't afford such a distraction right now.  This was a critical time for him, with his officers and staff finally beginning to trust and respect him.

He sighed. He would have to stay away from her for awhile, for his own sanity.