Title: Finding Safe Harbor
Rating: Adult, eventually
Fandom: Mass Effect: Andromeda
Warnings: m/m
Pairings: Scott Ryder/Reyes Vidal
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters. The places are fictional. I do not profit in any way.
Summary: Scott becomes pathfinder after his father's death and struggles to remain the man he knows himself to be when a certain smuggler tries to steal his heart. Can he have both?
Author's note: There will be SPOILERS. This story is going to be told in snippets as Scott progresses through his relationship with Reyes. I don't need to write the whole story of MEA. Anyone who has played it, knows it well. This is my custom Scott Ryder's story. For pictures, as always, head to my LiveJournal page: Enjoy!

Chapter One

Scott was lying on the bed in his room aboard the Tempest watching the cosmos soar by overhead as he idly flipped a guitar pick between his nimble fingers. His hand-crafted acoustic sat in a stand next to the bed, one of the few things he'd brought with him from home in the Milky Way. He'd been playing his guitar for hours trying to think about anything but the thoughts that plagued him.

"Landing in Kadara Port in seven hours, pathfinder," Kallo's voice came over the comm.

Scott released a heavy sigh, squeezing his tired eyes shut for a moment. They were meeting someone named Shena at the behest of the Angaran Resistance leader, Evfra. It was a long journey, one that interrupted other important missions, but relations with the Angara needed to improve. That Scott saved the moshae, a revered and greatly loved teacher and leader of the Angarans, from the Kett and released hundreds of prisoners from the Kett facility while killing a crucial enemy figurehead, had certainly helped. But the Angarans kept demanding more proof that the Initiative was sincere and peaceful in their intentions, and Tann kept telling him to do what he had to to improve relations. So, Scott went wherever he was told to. For now.

"Thank you, Kallo," he said. He dropped the guitar pick onto the pillow next to his head and lifted his left hand. He stared at the thick-banded obsidian ring on his finger for a long time. He barely heard when Vetra and Drack chimed in on the comm a reminder about the contact they were meeting in the port. His mind was on...so many other things. A deal made with an exile for stolen parts from the Nexus wasn't even near the top of the list of things he was concerned about.

Andromeda was not what they were told it would be. That was putting it lightly. A new galaxy far away from home, a place for a new start, for new discovery. A chance for new adventure into the completely unknown. To build from the ground up a new civilization, a new society, a new life. A hope to meet new civilizations, to share knowledge and experience and grow stronger together. The Andromeda Initiative had promised great and unbelievable things. What Scott found upon waking nearly 600 years later was a bunch of "golden worlds" turned completely inviable, the Nexus, supposedly the hub of their new civilization, in a damaged and stagnant state of post rebellion and quarrelling leaders at constant unease with each other and incapable of making decisions. People had died in the uprising. There were no home worlds to settle, and no way to replenish dwindling resources, no way to bring more people out of cryo sleep, and no sign of the four trained Pathfinders whose job it was to find viable locations for outposts so the Initiative could start growing, start living. In all honesty Scott couldn't blame those who had rebelled against the leaders who had no answers. He sometimes wondered, if he hadn't been on Hyperion as part of the human Pathfinder's team, would he have joined the uprising? Or would he have done what was right? What scared him was that he was uncertain what that was.

On top of all that, as if it was not enough, the only aliens found so far were the dangerous and extremely hostile Kett, and the wary, distrusting Angara who made Scott's every decision difficult because of their unwillingness to aid or trust the Milky Way galaxy newcomers. He couldn't blame them either since the last newcomers had been the kett who were only interested in either killing or enslaving the Angara.

So, yes, he understood but it was frustrating as hell.

He wished his sister was here at his side. Every day he wished it. But the scourge that plagued much of the Heleus cluster had damaged the Hyperion and interrupted Sara's revival procedure. She was in a coma now, unreachable. Dr. Harry Carlyle's assurances that she would be perfectly fine didn't make him feel better whenever he turned to his side, expecting and hoping to see her look of approval, her ready smile, or, when he needed, her pillar of support for the hard decisions. He missed her with an ache that hurt as if she really were gone. He and Sara had been inseparable in the womb and then in the world until they were old enough to leave home and seek their own adventures. They had always faced it together. Sara knew what was wrong and how to help him often before Scott even knew something was off and vice versa. People often said such bonds were normal for twins, but Scott couldn't help but feel that what he had with Sara was far more significant than normal.

And he'd lied to her.

Scott's stomach twisted into knots thinking about it. SAM discovered a way to allow Scott to speak with Sara for a brief time while she was comatose by establishing a link with her implant. Both Ryder and Dr. Carlyle never knew such a thing could be possible. It was incredible to have that connection, that familiar solidarity in all this chaotic uncertainty. Life was just beginning to brighten again with Sara there to speak with when she'd asked. He should have expected it, but it still caught him off guard when she asked so very casually, "How's dad? Where is he?"

Scott's heart had crumbled. The walls he'd set in place to block out the pain until he had a moment to breathe, a moment to properly come to terms with the events on Habitat 7, unraveled in an instant leaving him feeling raw and vulnerable.

"Dad's...away on a mission right now, but he's worried about you, and," he added with great difficulty, "he loves you." He didn't know why. He knew he shouldn't have. He'd never lied to Sara in his life, but in that instant he just couldn't tell her the truth. Dad is dead. He gave his life to save mine. Even now, months later and entire solar systems away, those words were too hard to say out loud and so he'd lied.

"Scott."

SAM's monotone, yet somehow comforting voice was in his head. Scott wiped a tear from his cheek.

"Yeah, SAM."

"You are distressed."

Scott smiled half-heartedly. The AI was fully embracing "his" mission to better understand all things human, emotion being the largest stepping stone of such an endeavor. First step was identifying said emotions, which admittedly, SAM was very good at. SAM's ability to feel through his bond with Scott made a true human understanding for SAM and possibly future AI's a real possibility. A symbiotic bond, mutual in benefit for both the individual and the AI, was his father's work. It was a concept that many feared and distrusted due to failure between the Quarians and their geth. However, Alec Ryder's work had been embraced by the Initiative, seen as a necessary means for an advantage in the new galaxy. Scott, for one, would be forever grateful. If it were not for SAM, half if not all he'd managed to accomplish would not have been possible. At the very least, the timetable would have been significantly extended. SAM turned surveying tasks that could take years or lifetimes into mere hours or minutes, and that only scratched the surface of his capabilities.

"Yeah, I guess I am," Scott said, sitting up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

"You have not been sleeping enough to perform at optimal capacity."

"Sorry, SAM. That's the way life is a lot of the time," Scott rubbed his eyes trying to relieve the heaviness in his eyelids. "When your mind is troubled or your heart hurts, it is difficult to sleep."

There was a pause as SAM contemplated this information.

"Thank you for that clarification. I can help you, pathfinder. As I've told you before, your father removed the restrictions blocking me from access to your physiology. I can relax your body and quiet your mind so you can sleep until we reach Kadara. With your consent, of course."

"That...sounds fantastic, SAM," Scott breathed. He had nothing to prepare for the meeting with Shena so the time before their arrival was time he would have to agonize over things he couldn't do anything about. Scott laid back down on his stomach and clutched his cool pillow to his face. "I'm in your hands, SAM."

"Your trust is appreciated and not misplaced," SAM informed him.

Scott had no words for what happened next, a deep tissue massage to the hundredth degree. It was painful as every muscle in his body loosened fiber by fiber releasing tension and pent up toxins that SAM eradicated. But as the strange sensation worked its way from his toes to his head Scott began to feel like a brand new person.

"Fuck, SAM," Scott groaned.

"Am I hurting you, Scott?"

"No, I'm just wondering where you've been all my life."

"Until your father created me, I did not exist."

Scott chuckled softly, already feeling sleep coming on hard.

Somewhere in the heavenly haze right before unconsciousness took him Scott mumbled, "Thank you, SAM."

"You are most welcome."

~~ . ~~

Reyes Vidal stood in front of the mirror in his Kadara apartment ensuring every hair was in place. He was meeting the human pathfinder today. He smirked at his reflection thinking about the handsome young man. Reyes had gotten a hold of any and all news vids and broadcasts from the Nexus. Such a task was easy for the leader of a smuggling ring. There wasn't a thing out there that Reyes couldn't get his hands on. He had watched the interviews of Keri T'Vessa speaking with the man named Scott Ryder several times. He told himself he was simply familiarizing himself with Scott as he would with anyone he would be working with, whether that person be an associate, a client, or a mark. Reyes' position required him to always be a step ahead of everyone and that was no small task.

But there was more to it than that, a small voice kept telling him. Scott was honest, strong, and too good of a person for his own good. He seemed to sincerely care about everyone he crossed paths with. Something Reyes had never felt so inclined to concern himself with. Life on Kadara had changed him, often in ways he did not particularly like, but even so he'd never been quite as straight and narrow as Scott Ryder appeared to be. Aside from the excitement and intrigue of meeting the only known pathfinder to have survived the journey from the Milky Way, Scott was a sexy thing. Reyes knew that working with the beautiful man would be no hardship at all.

Reyes checked his appearance again. He was not nervous. Nothing and no one made him nervous. He was the Charlatan. So why was his stomach clenching in unhappy ways?

~~ . ~~

Scott stood on the ramp leading off the Tempest taking in the sight and sounds of the port. He never felt so rested and energized since even before his six hundred year nap. He found himself eager to start helping people, filling his time with things he could fix. Not three steps into the docking bay and Drack and Vetra practically laughed in glee as they said their farewells and stalked off to meet their contact. Scott smiled after them. It was amusing seeing the crotchety old krogan and the often too serious turian practically giggling like children over their own clever, devious shenanigans. The others scattered as well, relieved for some shore leave even though Kadara Port was a dangerous, outlaw-run stink hole. But they all promised they would not be far away if anything went badly at the meeting with Shena. So, for the first time since becoming the pathfinder, Scott was left to his own devices.

I am always here, pathfinder, SAM chimed over their private channel.

Scott smiled. Of course, SAM. Thank you.

Scott knew it would probably be best and safest if he went straight to Kralla's Song to wait for Shena, but he couldn't resist stopping and talking to people. These were his people after all, and it was a terrible thing that they had been exiled, presumably to their deaths, after the uprising on the Nexus. That any of them still lived, no matter what they had to do to achieve that was something that shouldn't just be ignored. Although, Director Tann would prefer it that way. As Scott saw it, the Initiative had failed these people, and though Scott was only one man he knew he had the power to make change happen. Even if that meant earning back trust one person at a time.

As Scott neared the entrance of the bar his ears perked up at the sound of an angry commotion. He heard someone begging and then the unmistakable sound of someone receiving a vicious and sound beating. When Scott rounded the corner he was met with a crowd of people just standing around and watching. At the center were two people with guns, one a human woman and the other a turian male. Kadara Port was supposed to be a weapon free zone. Except, apparently, for those who perceived themselves to be in power. The turian was beating a human senseless and the woman simply glared at the bystanders. A few of them yelled protest, but not a single one dared to make a move against the situation. No one was going to do a damn thing to aid the poor man if he were beaten to death before their eyes.

Acting on instinct Scott pushed through to the front.

"What the hell is going on here?" he demanded.

"Get back in line," the woman turned her weapon on him. "Outcast business. You'll shut the fuck up if you know what's good for you."

Ryder, we cannot meet with the Resistance contact if we get kicked out of the port, SAM said over their private channel.

Scott ignored him, fixed the woman with an intense glare. Challenging her, daring her to put her money where her mouth was.

"I don't care what he did," Scott growled. "You arrest him or you let him go. This is barbaric," he pointed at the cringing man, "and I will not allow it." The turian had stopped, everyone in that corner of the market had frozen, all waiting to see how this bizarre scene played out.

An ugly expression came over the woman's face. "Nexus scum," she snarled. "Should have known. You're the only ones arrogant enough to think you can come here and start barking orders." She started to raise her weapon but Scott was quicker. He disarmed her and flipped the assault rifle around to point it at her in a move that was faster than the eye could adequately follow. Out of the corner of his eye Scott saw the turian reach for his weapon.

"Don't," Scott roared, his eyes never leaving the woman. The turian slowly lifted his empty hands in a show of surrender. Scott had no intention of shooting the woman. He didn't come to Kadara Port to make enemies. He wanted someday to welcome them all back into the fold of the Initiative. But he would not back down from this either. He made that clear in his unblinking stare. He watched a myriad of emotions play over her face from humiliation and fear to anger. Finally, she backed away and the turian went with her. Scott understood from that moment that whomever ruled the port counted on intimidation and violence to get their way, and obviously didn't know how to handle a situation in which they could do neither. Scott had no respect for such a person.

Once the duo were gone blue-white energy sizzled around Scott's arms as he used the strength of his biotics to snap the weapon in two. Tossing the pieces to the ground Scott looked over his shoulder intending to help the beaten man to his feet, but he was long gone. Everyone else in the market returned to their business pretending they hadn't seen anything. However, Scott could have sworn he saw a few smirks. It was good to know that not everyone liked this Outcast group and were not so afraid that they hid their displeasure-even though they didn't act against them. Maybe there was hope to turn things around here.

That may not have been the best course of action, pathfinder, SAM said privately.

Scott sighed. "Whatever comes of this I will handle it. But I couldn't let that continue."

Will this not hurt the chances of building an outpost?

Scott continued on to the bar. "It might, but if I hadn't helped that man no one would have. They're all too afraid. The situation here mirrors a tyrant's dictatorship, and in human history, that has never been a good thing."

There was a pause as SAM contemplated.

"I think I understand, pathfinder," he said.

~~ . ~~

Reyes watched the human pathfinder's every step through the port from the upper levels. He knew the young man was sexy but nothing prepared him for the pleasure of seeing Scott Ryder in the flesh. He watched the young man speaking with exiles and local angara alike, watched him cheer them up, encourage and assist, or offer to assist in even trivial matters as if he couldn't help himself. Reyes suspected that he couldn't. The kindness in Ryder's heart was inherent, something that could not be faked by even a charlatanish pro like Reyes. A rare characteristic these days that the smuggler found strangely endearing.

However, when the pathfinder involved himself with an Outcast affair Reyes watched with great interest, and a little aroused if he were honest. Scott didn't care who the people were and he didn't take shit from any of them. Such a move was going to make him a great deal of dangerous enemies. All the more reason to win the pathfinder over. They could help each other get what they needed...maybe even a few things they wanted. When Scott disappeared into Kralla's Song, Reyes pointedly waited to join him. Being late was unprofessional and not trusted in his line of work, but he could not resist making the pathfinder wait just a few minutes, keep the young man on his toes.

Upon entering Reyes nonchalantly looked around the bar. Many of the patrons were members of his organization, undercover and otherwise like the salarian recruiter. The Charlatan had sent out orders for guards to be stationed at the bar. All they knew was that an important meeting was taking place with the pathfinder, one that could potentially benefit the Collective and the Charlatan wished it to conclude without disruption.

Scott was easy to spot leaning against one side of the bar near the big open window. The white Nexus uniform made the beautiful young man a beacon in the dim light-almost ethereal-too clean and pure for the ugliness and filth of Kadara Port. Reyes would have been content to simply take in the view, however a drunk krogan refusing to pay his tab jostled him from his musings. Since the pathfinder was distracted watching Umi, the asari bartender, threaten the krogan, Reyes found it the perfect opportunity to make his entrance.

"You look like you're waiting for someone," he said, approaching with as much charm as he could muster.

The pathfinder turned and Reyes took delight in the brief look of surprise on the other's face. Reyes glanced at Umi, held up two fingers and the bartender slammed two cups down on the counter. Reyes took one and offered the other to Scott, looking him in the eye up close for the first time.

Holy shit. Reyes was hardly prepared for the weight of being pinned by that intense gaze. The pathfinder's eyes were stunning, vibrant and honest, but in their endless depths he could see secrets and mysteries that Reyes suddenly wanted to unravel. The crackly vids he'd watched had done them no justice at all. The pathfinder had a reddish mesh burn scar over his left eye. It was an old injury, more of a discoloration now, but Reyes could not help but feel an amount of remorse that whatever accident caused the discoloration had almost marred the loveliness of those eyes. The colors reminded Reyes of the beautiful yet deadly waters of Kadara; blues, sea greens, and aquas nestled among sandy beaches. He'd heard that those with biotics sometimes developed unusual, multi-colored irises due to their amount of exposure to eezo while in utero. Reyes had looked into Alec Ryder's past, of course, but he'd only briefly examined Ellen Ryder. He thought he remembered that she was a key designer for implants to enhance biotic abilities. If she were pregnant during her research it was no wonder Scott was as powerful as the reports said.

Scott looked him up and down before taking the offered cup. He must have liked what he saw because a small smile appeared as they clinked their cups together and drank. That's when Reyes noticed a black ring on Scott's left hand. Strange. There was no record of the young man being married. None that Reyes had found, and if he couldn't find it, it likely didn't exist. Something to think about later.

"Shena," Reyes offered his hand and Scott took it firmly. "But you can call me Reyes. I hate code names."

"I was expecting someone more...angaran," Scott turned to lean on the bar. He cocked an eyebrow as he looked back at Reyes. "And perhaps female."

Reyes laughed and was rewarded with a handsome smirk.

"Well," Reyes chuckled again. "No, and no. Disappointed?"

"Hardly. I know better than to make assumptions in Andromeda."

Reyes nodded once his agreement. "The Resistance pays me to supply information-" he cocked his head to the side "-among other things."

"A smuggler."

Reyes waited for the judgment to follow. When it didn't come he smiled and motioned for the pathfinder to follow him. He lead him over to the window where Scott casually leaned on one elbow on the half wall facing him.

"Your man, Vehn Terev, was arrested by the leader of the Outcasts, a woman named Sloane Kelly. Word spread about what he did to Moshae Sjefa." Reyes shook his head as if what he had to say next was difficult. "The people are calling for his execution, and Sloane...she's a woman of the people."

They turned to lean both elbows on the half wall, looking out over the port.

Scott scoffed picking up on his subtle sarcasm. "That's not what I've seen. This Sloane terrorizes her people to keep them in line. She's a criminal, nothing more."

Reyes tried to hide his surprised smile as he scooted closer, disguising the move as a simple shifting of his feet.

"You work for the Initiative. Sloane was part of the uprising on the Nexus. I doubt she'll give Vehn up easily." Reyes watched Ryder carefully to see how he'd answer to that. Scott watched the people down below.

"Well," Scott looked Reyes in the eye. "I'm taking him. With or without her permission."

Reyes leaned in close as if he were sharing a secret.

"We're going to be friends you and I." He shifted again and felt a thrill of excitement shoot through him as their shoulders rubbed together. Reyes made the mistake of inhaling and Scott's scent filled his lungs. Mostly a standard soap scent, but there was an intoxicating hint of vanilla and cinnamon. "There might be another way to get to Vehn," Reyes pressed on. There was an important purpose to this meeting, after all. "You work Sloane, I'll talk to the Resistance."

He shot Scott a small grin then turned to leave. As he sauntered away he heard Scott speak up.

"How do I contact you if things go south?"

Reyes turned, gave the beautiful young man one last look and winked. Before he turned away again he saw Scott frown.

Keep walking, Vidal, he told himself. If you don't you'll shove him against the nearest wall and fuck that cool, composure out of him. He let out a heavy breath. The sacrifices he made for Kadara Port.

~~ . ~~

Scott left Kralla's Song feeling strangely about his meeting with Reyes Vidal. SAM had provided the last name from what was left of the Nexus' records on the man. Not just because the bastard had left him to pick up the bill. There was a feeling about him, not entirely trustworthy but not entirely malicious either. People like that could be the most dangerous. It was easy to face cold-hearted criminals, to meet them with equally brutal force if need be. But people like Mr. Vidal were unpredictable. They tended to win trust so they could exploit it or discard it when convenient. Scott had known a few people like that in the Milky Way. He knew what to watch for and Reyes had subconsciously displayed several very subtle warning signs.

Scott had fallen for it before against his better judgement. He really didn't want to go through that again. Reyes was handsome, charming, dangerous, and Scott had had trouble breathing normally throughout their entire conversation.

Your heartbeat is elevated, pathfinder, SAM interjected on their private channel. You seem shaken by your meeting with Mr. Vidal.

Scott turned the obsidian ring on his left hand. Despite it all he couldn't bring himself to take it off.

"It's nothing," he said at last. "Let's go meet with this Sloane character. Even though I'm pretty certain we're only going to end up pissing each other off."

~~ . ~~

Scott couldn't help but laugh as the very large krogan guards pushed him forcefully out Sloane Kelly's front door. His meeting with the deranged, self-appointed leader of Kadara went about as well as this whole fucked up trip to a new galaxy. He could have kept his manners in check. He could have. He had the years of training and discipline to ensure his behavior could be at its best. But all notions of playing nice had flown right out the window the moment he saw Kelly sitting on her throne. The sight and its implications was too ridiculous. He thinks he laughed, but he had a great many sarcastic one liners on the tip of his tongue, too, so he wasn't certain what exactly escaped his lips. It all went downhill from there. His sardonic tongue ran away with him. Sloane was a fucking joke. He knew he would never be able reason with her.

One of the krogan guards growled at him because he was still standing there, smiling. Apparently they didn't like that. He started walking back toward the market. He was probably lucky Sloane didn't call for his execution right then and there. But at least she was smart enough to understand that would have meant war with the Nexus.

"That did not go well, pathfinder."

Scott laughed again even harder. "I'm sorry, SAM. This is all on me. I should have behaved myself."

"I take it things did not go well with Sloane," an amused, accented voice filtered into his ear. Scott turned and there was Reyes all sneaky and charming smiles.

Scott smiled brightly, unable to stop. He really could not get over it. "No, they did not. I may have laughed at her throne."

Reyes' face lit up for a split second in a true smile, one not forced and shadowed by false intent. It was only a moment, but Scott felt his heart skip a beat.

"You also mocked her entire organization, and bowed when she kicked you out, pathfinder," SAM put in his two cents on the public channel.

"You didn't," Reyes said.

"You also called her 'your highness'," SAM concluded.

Reyes laughed while Scott mumbled, "thanks, SAM."

Reyes crossed his arms over his chest appraising Scott with his golden eyes. "Lucky for you then I found a workaround."

Scott smirked at the smuggler. "Strings attached?"

"Of course, but not any new ones. Remember, Evfra wants Vehn alive so when you get inside give him this." Reyes handed him a small device. "That will eat through anything Sloane is keeping him in and can't be traced back to us." Reyes stepped back. "A Resistance agent will be waiting to pick him up."

Scott frowned. "Sounds risky, all this for a traitor. His intel better be worth it."

"You'll be a better judge of that than me," Reyes said, pulling up his omni-tool and typing quickly. Scott only half listened as Reyes talked about a maintenance shaft and an access code. He watched the man's facial expressions, his body language. Decided he was being honest.

Mr. Vidal is physically attracted to you, pathfinder, SAM said over their private channel.

Scott had a really hard time covering any reaction to that. It suddenly felt much hotter. He was going to have to talk to SAM about the content of these private conversations in front of other people. But there was no time now. Reyes had sent him the information and was now staring at him.

"There's still the matter of the bill you left me with," Scott said. What?!

Reyes smiled at him, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm usually a model gentleman."

Scott couldn't help smiling back, completely drawn in despite his better judgement.

"Why don't I believe you?" he said.

Reyes laughed.

"Because I'm lying." He looked Scott up and down. "Meet me at Tartarus when you're done. First round's on me, I promise."

Before walking away to disappear in the crowd, Reyes gave him one last look that turned Scott's knees to jelly. It was full of promise and the intent was clear. Blood instantly pooled in his groin and Scott turned to the wall to get his flush under control. He closed his eyes, concentrating on taking deep breaths.

"That man's dangerous," Scott whispered.

"I do not believe Mr. Vidal intends you physical harm, pathfinder."

Scott opened his eyes with a deep breath. "That's not what I'm worried about, SAM."

~~ . ~~

It was not difficult to learn where Tartarus was located in the slums. Scott was a little surprised that someone like Reyes would not prefer whatever qualified as richer surroundings in Kadara. Usually people like him valued the pampered life, or at least the convenience of such a lifestyle. Scott couldn't help but respect the man's conscious decision to support humbler surroundings.

Scott had met with Vehn easily thanks to Reyes' maintenance shaft and had delivered the means for escape. He didn't wait around. His business with the traitor who had willingly worked with kett was over as far as he was concerned. He'd spent the better part of an hour trying to decide if he would meet up with Reyes. He had the time. His crew were still conducting business and Scott had several missions he wanted to look into, which would keep them here for a time. He knew what accepting the invitation would entail. He was a fool for falling for Reyes' charm. He thought he'd decided in Kralla's Song that he would keep his dealings with the man to the barest required minimum. But Scott was curious. More than that, but that is what he told himself. Reyes was not the only one to express interest. Thus far, Scott had been able to resist any entanglements, but damn Vidal, there was something about him that was drawing Scott in.

Speaking with the owner of the establishment, Kien, he learned that Vidal had a private room on the second floor. Scott went straight there with tunnel vision, ignoring some grasping hands from employees and patrons alike, ignoring the half naked dancers in the cages. Now he understood Reyes' choice of hang out.

There were a few rooms on the second level but Scott didn't dare glance beyond the curtains over the entrances. Instead he moved straight to the only room with a door. It opened into a lounge with a few pieces of furniture, the most prominent being the large sectional couch in the back corner where Reyes sat.

"Tell her to call back later," Reyes was saying into his omni-tool. He looked up with surprise. "Ryder," he smiled. "I did not think you would take me up on my invitation."

Scott managed a half smile. "Surprised?" he asked. There was a sultry look in those golden eyes when Reyes regarded him.

"Pleased," Reyes said.

The word seduced a flush deep in Scott's belly. He swallowed.

Then Reyes was on his feet, closing the distance. With a hand to Scott's chest he guided him back a few steps until his back pressed into the closed door. Scott's heart raced, his breathing became shallow with the mere presence of the other man, the intensity in his eyes. Reyes' mouth pressed to Scott's neck just below his ear and Scott gasped sharply.

"Your scent is intoxicating, pathfinder," Reyes practically purred, kissing his throat and up along his jawline. Just before that tantalizing mouth reached his lips Scott had a moment of panic. He turned his head away and pressed against Reyes' chest with his palm. It was a weak pressure but to his surprise Reyes honored it and stepped back.

"I'm sorry, Reyes," Scott said, the sound of his voice fell flat over the sound of rushing blood in his ears. It felt like he was moving in slow motion as he pressed the release for the door and walked out.

He was in the lift leading back to the top of the mountain and the port before he could properly breathe again and the panic began to subside. He absent-mindedly twisted the obsidian ring on his finger with his thumb. It was stupid of him to try to get mixed up with Reyes. He knew that. And it was too soon. It had been over six hundred years in reality, but not to him. He'd gone into cryo with it fresh and raw, and aching, then went straight to Habitat 7 with his father as pathfinder upon waking. There his father died for him, technically so had Scott-clinically dead for twenty-two seconds-before Dr. Carlyle and Lexi managed to hardwire him with SAM in SAM Node. The connection nearly killed him again. To keep him alive SAM had to integrate with him in a way that the doctors did not fully understand. He was barely recovering before the Nexus practically pushed him out the airlock to go to Eos and solve problems they had not been able to solve themselves in almost a year and a half. Kill all the kett, fix the whole planet, make it viable or we will all die.

No time to process, to grieve, to heal. No one to care what he was going through, only what he could accomplish, and it was still not enough. It was crazy to want someone to share any of this chaos with, especially crazy to have entertained the thought-however briefly-of Reyes being that person. He just wanted to sleep and hide away. He wanted his father back making all the decisions, barking the orders so Scott could fall in line making sure he did his job in the grand scheme of things. But now, he was the scheme. He was it, and Reyes...was not someone to be there when he needed. There was no way Reyes was a safe harbor for his heart. Scott doubted there was one. And SAM, SAM was silent for the first time.