AN: Hello dear readers, it's been many years since I've written any fanfics, one shots, or even drabbles. Mass Effect Andromeda has spurred a new flame in my conscience that I couldn't ignore.

For clarity, this is based after meeting Reyes but before the Precious Cargo side quest with his ex-lover.

Disclaimer, I own nothing other than my mind

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First Shot:

Ryder could feel the sweat trickling down the small of her back. Crouched on a rocky outcrop overlooking an Outlaw encampment, the heat of Kadara didn't compare to Elaadens sweltering temperatures, so Ryder didn't worry as much about her gear.

"Vidal better be right about this..." Vetra mumbled, positioned a few yards down the rocky terrain, ready for the first shot. Shifting his massive weight Drack grunted, "Doesn't matter to me, I still get to crack some skulls." Ryder could hear the grin in Drack's voice.

"Pathfinder, the outlaws are switching guard shifts. Now is the appropriate time to infiltrate."

"Thanks Sam."

Adjusting the scope of her Black Widow sniper rifle, the crosshairs set on an outlaw below, she said, "Alright, let's do this. Could get messy."

Two empty magazines later the encampment was quiet and still, except for Ryders team, who were searching through the deceased outlaws and the prefabricated buildings for intel and any gear or supplies worth taking.

"Find anything yet, Vetra?" Ryder said, sifting through a storage container. It was filled with spare parts, along with a few discarded food containers.

These outlaws were pretty sloppy. Who leaves empty food containers lying around in odd places.

Only mildly disgusted Ryder lets the lid of the storage container close.

"Not yet mostly useless-oh. Yeah, here." Vetra tossed the datapad to Ryder, then she continued to search the desk drawers for anything else that caught her smugglers eye. Drack was in another room searching through the outlaws weapon cache.

"Sam, a little help, this thing is past my skill of decryption."

"Of course, Pathfinder."

Seconds later the datapad unlocks and Ryder is overwhelmed by the number of correspondence between the two Outlaw gangs she had been hunting for days.

This is everything I need to track these guys down. Once we get this done we can all take some down time. A shower sounds nice, right about now.

Glancing up at her teammates from the datapad Ryder shakes herself out of her thoughts.

"This is it, let's get back to Kadara Port."

Ryder stood impatiently in the empty VIP room of Tartarus. Reyes hadn't responded to her comms, as the team was making their way back to the mountain fortification that was Kadara Port.

She was seconds away from walking out of the club, back to the Tempest to get herself and her gear cleaned. Vetra and Drack had already excused themselves to the Tempest, the latter going to Kralla's Song.

"Ryder," An accented voice said behind her, "I was sure you would have left by now. I am too irresistible, hm?"

Ryder spun around to face the doorway. Reyes was leaning against the frame, a smirk growing on his face. His hazel eyes shining with amusement and an intensity Ryder wasn't willing to admit.

"I've been waiting for well over thirty minutes, Vidal. What in the cluster was so important you couldn't at the very least-" She stopped herself and ran her gloved fingers through her short cropped hair. Her thoughts drawn inward, focusing on everything surrounding the rogue, who standing a few paces in front of her.

She needed him, as much as she didn't want to admit it, to gather intel Vetra couldn't, and to help her solidify Initiative influences. The outlaws and exiles of Kadara weren't trusting of one another, even on a good day. Expecting them to trust a Pathfinder so soon after a handful of days was wishful thinking.

Ryder found herself inadvertently relying on the spy to help her engage and sort through intelligence on the various factions in the port. A day after landing on Kadara, she had been emailed by Angaran Ops about the sly Reyes Vidal and how to reach him.

The moment they met in Kralla's Song he was openly flirtatious and Ryder was unsure of how to handle it. Deciding that the mission was more important than her own curiosity she politely evaded his probing questions and tried to stick to business. She didn't always succeed.

A solid moment later, Reyes stepped into the room, unmistakably sure of his own sensuality. He moved as though he knew the kind of attention he could draw. Still wearing a smirk he stepped close to Ryder, far more close than most people.

"I had an emergency business meeting. Must you hold that against me, Pathfinder?" He leaned imperceptibly closer, his breath ghosting by her cheek. "I am a busy man, as you know. Many people yearn for my...attention."

Staring into his eyes for a moment, her eyes inadvertently flicked to his dark lips.

Lingered.

"I don't have time for your games. I found the datapad." She smoothly broke her gaze from his face, pulled out the datapad and pressed it to his chest while fluidly taking a step back to distance herself.

"Lets focus on the task at hand. I have enough distractions as it is, Reyes." Ryder glanced away from him and down at her Omni Tool, to keep herself from drowning in his gaze, so she missed the long look he gave her.

Without a word Reyes glanced down at the datapad in his hands and swiftly scrolled through the messages, a soft crease forming between his eyebrows.

"This is good intel Ryder," he looked up a full grin spreading on his face, "So, what's the plan then?"

Ryder walked over to the couch, sat wearily down, and without realizing it she found herself reacting to his large grin, a small smile forming on her lips. She gestured for Reyes to join her. He sat down, handed her the pad, and watched her scroll through to specific messages.

After a few minutes, Ryder pulled out her own datapad and pulled up a map of Kadara, pin pointing locations that coincided with the outlaw camps from the once encrypted datapad.

"I was thinking, if we hit here and...here, I may be able to break the blockade they have set up. Then I can call in for Initiative and Angaran assistance to seize control of the area. After that the Initiative can start transporting key resources from the zone."

Reyes leaned back his fingers stroking his chin, a far away look in his eyes. "That could work. Yes, I believe I have a few connections that could help destabilize the blockade for when you strike. I will contact them but," he held up a finger, a grin forming, "Since you're Initiative will be getting so much from this operation, I require something in exchange."

Seeing the corners of Ryders mouth beginning to turn down in a frown he said, "Nothing inappropriate Ryder. Just, a drink. To celebrate our lasting friendship and cooperation."

Knowing that she needed his support she grudgingly agreed, "Okay. However, I need to get out of this armor first." Immediately after the words tumbled from her mouth she could feel heat flush her neck and cheeks. Standing up swiftly with her datapad clutched in her hands she grimaced, "That...came out wrong- I need to go." Ryder swiftly walked out of the room, embarrassment burning her cheeks, but before she could make a quick retreat Reyes called out, amusement coloring his voice, "I will send you a message soon, Pathfinder, and I can't wait to see what lies underneath that armor."

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AN: As a side note, I have finished Andromeda and my character romanced Jaal in the end but I got really attached to Reyes and I believe that is what caused this idea to blossom in my head. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know how I did in the comments, or feel free to PM me.