Chapter 1: Sunlight

Summary:

"Don't you know that
When I see your face"
It's like sunlight dripping"
Song: Bag Raiders | Sunlight

Notes:

The prologue shows a moment between the Ryder twins, as well as Reyes and Kian before leaving for Andromeda.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Prologue: Waves

"You're early? How unprecedented."

"Kian. There's something I must tell you."

Kian Dagher looked up from the ledger he was auditing, silently inspecting his friend. He still has all his limbs. That's a good start. The lack of sleep was evident on his face, but he looked otherwise unharmed.

Lately Reyes has been looking increasingly unmoored, as though life was just pushing him along its waves. Something happened that he wasn't sharing, and Kian knew prying would just be met by vague misdirection. Reyes' disclosure will come when he's ready. Is this the day that he's finally gone off to the deep end, somewhere where I can no longer reach him?

"I have a feeling I'll need a drink for this." He poured them each some whisky from a decanter.

Reyes nodded appreciatively, taking a gulp. "I'm leaving. For good."

Cold tendrils of dread spread from his gut. From Kian's years of knowing Reyes, he recognized the signs of his grief. First, he sinks into this "contemplative" mood. It's sulking, really - but never call it that to his face. And then he likes to run. As fast, as far away as possible. Figuratively or otherwise.

"When and where to?"

"I'm joining the Andromeda Initiative. In a week, give or take. Now before you start protesting, I assure you I've given this much thought. I want to get my affairs in order, starting with-"

Kian moved to his terminal, typing rapidly. The Andromeda Initiative. First glance, doesn't look like a cult. Maybe Reyes hasn't completely lost his mind. Kian read on. Oh, he's lost his damn mind.

A one-way ticket to settle a new galaxy. It was insanity, even by Reyes' standards. "...Kian are you listening?"

"Of course, carry on." Kian slid his closet doors open, rolling out a suitcase.

"I'd like to leave whatever assets I have here to you and Diego. Do what you will w-"

"Did they give you the weight limit for personal items?" Kian interjected, getting a baffled look in return.

"Not yet, though I'm sure that I'll be well-informed of all the- Oh. Oh Kian, no. This is a solo venture. If the ark doesn't make it, I won't have my last thought be of your blood on my hands."

"Sorry, I must have neglected the part where I asked for your permission? Thanks to you, I'm no longer that skinny foreign kid from eons ago. So if you think for one moment that I'd let you be stupid in a whole new galaxy by yourself you are sorely mistaken." Kian threw him the sternest expression he had in his repertoire.

Reyes shook his head, his attempt not to smile failing miserably. "I'll admit the thought that I'd still have you at my side is the best one I've had in a while."

Kian wasn't quite done with him yet. "Must you always be so damn grandiose in your undertakings? You couldn't think of perhaps moving somewhere closer than six hundred years away?"

Reyes chuckled, "My friend, you know me. All or nothing."

Kian let out a resigned sigh, "Perhaps I'll finally get to open that bar in this new world."

"Free drinks? This keeps sounding better by the second."

"Fuck off, Vidal."

"Nice place, sis."

"Little bro! You know you have the same apartment, right?" Sara Ryder turned to see her twin brother Scott filling her doorway with his towering frame, an amiable smile lighting up his face.

The twins shared the same rich, dark brown hair and almond-shaped hazel eyes. Their physical similarities ended there, however. Scott was tall and swarthy like their father, while Sara was petite and pale like their mother.

Neither Sara nor her brother resided in their apartments all that much, given how busy they were with their respective Alliance assignments.

"Sure, but this place looks like no one lives here. Mine is covered in personal effects."

"Scotty, personal effects are photos and memorabilia. Old junk food wrappers don't count."

Scott heaved a long-suffering sigh, "You're gonna pull a dad and lecture me before you even say hi? Say it ain't so."

Sara laughed, launching herself into her brother's arms without warning.

Scott caught her in a big bear hug, "Oof! I said greet me not kill me, you cow!"

"Sometimes I wonder how my handsome brother is still single, then you open your mouth and I remember why."

"Ha! That's rich coming from you. Unless that's your big news? You're eloping? Who's the unlucky guy?"

Sara snorted and shook her head, "Please, no one has time for that. Especially not me. This news is much, much better."

Scott helped himself to her liquor cabinet, pouring two glasses of whisky. "You're so predictable, Sara. Did you really morph into dad or do you just keep his favorite scotch handy in case he decided to visit?"

"The latter and then the former. You jest, yet you're pouring the stuff out of habit."

Scott grinned good-naturedly, knowing when he was beaten, "Blah, blah. Come tell me this 'better news' on the balcony so I can go throw myself off if I hate it."

Sara rolled her eyes, leading him out through the sliding doors. The twins watched the ripples on the Presidium commons' man-made lakes, sipping on their drinks.

"I'm gonna do it. ICT. N-School." Sara blurted out, unable to keep the news from her twin any longer. She's been contemplating the idea of pursuing N7 training for a while now, but only recently gathered her resolve.

Scott didn't look too surprised, "The villa, huh? Well sis, if anyone ever asked me who I thought could kick that place's butt I'd say you."

"Thanks. I ran it by Mateus. He thinks I should go for it."

"Your boss is a smart man. God, you really are morphing into dad. Did you tell him?"

"Not yet. You're always the first, dummy. Besides, not quite sure I'm ready for his reaction."

"Just say, 'Father, I am following in your honored footsteps.' Then bow like our ancestors. He'll love it."

Sara snickered, "You promise?"

Their boisterous laughter was interrupted by the ringing of a vidcall.

"You expecting that?"

"No. Shit, this might be urgent. I'll go get it."

Sara connected the call. Alec Ryder stood tall and stately as always, even in hologram form. Scott waved, "Yo, pops."

"Scott? Ah, and Sara. You're together, good. Come to my quarters right away, it's best to inform you in person. See you there." With that, he ended the call.

Scott grumbled, "Nice. Good talk, dad."

"C'mon, you big baby. He's not far."

"Fine. Only because I was going to see how mom's doing."

They looked at each other knowing that in that moment, their minds housed the same dreaded question.

"Let's go."

One: Sunlight

Sara Ryder stepped out of the Resistance headquarters, mind abuzz with her latest discovery. There had to be a reason why a Resistance commander would turn against the Angaran's most revered individual. The sound of Aya's waterfalls usually helped soothe her. Today, she hardly heard them.

"Alright everyone, pack it up. Back on the Tempest in 5. We've got somewhere to be." A collective groan sounded over comms. The sound of such united disgruntlement made a slight smile creep up on her face.

"Where are we going, Ryder?" Suvi asked, ready to plot the course.

"Kadara Port."

"Sorry, Ryder - I might have to repair these comms. I thought I heard you say Kadara." Gil said disbelievingly.

"I did."

"Kadara, as in planet wherein exiles from the Nexus uprising are currently residing?" Liam ventured with the tone of voice of one that hoped he was wrong.

"Correct." Sara replied, walking up to the docking controls.

"We can take on any puny exiles that are fool enough to try us." came Drack's gravelly voice through the comms.

She grinned, "Also correct."

Leave it to that brash, old Krogan to know just what to say.

Reyes Vidal deftly unloaded crates from his shuttle onto Aya's docking bay. An Angaran worker inspected each crate at a snail's pace, ticking items off from a clipboard. It's vaguely irritating that they still question my abilities to this day.

"It's all there, as always. Have I ever let you down?"

"It's just for inventory purposes."

Reyes' gaze snapped upward at the sound of a powerful ship taking off. He caught a glimpse of it right before it jumped out of the atmosphere and into FTL. He whistled. She's a beauty!

"Shena? I've just received word that Evfra would like to speak to you immediately."

"Thank you. Tell him I'll be with him shortly."

Reyes smoothed his hair and began walking towards to the Resistance HQ, feeling Angaran eyes every step of the way. He's been here numerous times, supplying various difficult-to-obtain materials to the Resistance. Yet he never did seem to be a welcome sight. "I'll have you folks know I'm actually considered unquestionably attractive by human standards." Reyes told them in his head, enjoying a bit of one-sided banter.

"Evfra! Always great to see you." He greeted the Resistance leader enthusiastically. He received a grunt in return. Man of many words, this one.

"I called you here on business, Shena. I need an outsider like you to be my liaison on Kadara."

"And here I was assuming that's precisely what I've been doing."

"This is different. The Moshae has asked that woman - the Pathfinder to capture Vehn Terev." the disapproval was clear in Evfra's tone.

"And you want me to assist her?" He feigned surprise, but his skin tingled with anticipation. Finally! He has been carefully weaving his way to this moment. If he played his cards right, the Pathfinder could prove to be the most valuable of assets.

"Yes. I cannot deny she has been useful but I get the sense that she can be... Volatile." Evfra handed him a file from his desk.

"Time is of the essence. You will be handsomely rewarded for your efforts of course."

"I'll be back on Kadara before you know it."

Everything is falling into place.

Back on Kadara, Reyes Vidal lingered at the entrance of Kralla's song. He watched a Krogan try and macho his way out of his tab. Umi's dagger in 3, 2 - yep. To the right of the bar, a brunette in a black leather jacket looked on. Ah, this must be our Pathfinder Ryder.

She's a fair-skinned young woman with a slender, athletic physique. Her dark hair obscured his view of her face from this angle, but the unmistakable guarded stance borne of years of training was apparent. He felt two pairs of eyes observing him from opposite corners of the room as he approached her. One curious Angara in bright blue garb and a security-type Human proudly clad in standard-issue Initiative civvies, check.

"You look like you're waiting for someone."

He tapped the bar twice as he spoke, signaling Umi. The Asari irritably slammed two metal cups of whisky on the bar in front of him, looking ready to shank someone. He shot her a quick look, thanking her wordlessly.

He turned to the Pathfinder, offering her one of the drinks. Her keen eyes flicked over his countenance to ascertain his identity. He held her gaze and felt a pleasant jolt. He finally got to have a good look at her. The dossier he received had some grainy photos, but they did not do her any justice. Long, dark hair framed her delicate face in soft waves, soul-piercing hazel eyes, full cherub lips. Damn, she's attractive.

Focus, Reyes.

He raised his glass up. Let's see how she responds to some old-school covert agent etiquette. Drink, show a modicum of trust. A toast to a hopefully symbiotic relationship. She displayed zero hesitation. Clink - bottoms up. No wincing at the cheap alcohol's burn. Mildly impressed, he introduced himself.

"Shena. But you can call me Reyes." He reached his hand out - she shook it with a smooth hand, firm grip. Admittedly, he held it a second longer than he normally would have.

"Ryder. I was expecting someone more Angaran." Her first words to him, delivered with a poker-faced bluntness. He chuckled at this, professional charm switched on.

This Pathfinder certainly wasn't what he expected either. He was used to humans being laughably wide open, as simple as children's books. This one had her defenses up by default, undoubtedly trying to get a read on him as much as he was on her. She had deliberately positioned herself such that she had a view of the exit at all times. That way she had eyes on everyone that enters, as well as an easy escape route should any trouble occur. Her body language was taut, mistrusting - ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. She made no attempts at warmth. She was a professional. Wanted his intel, nothing more.

All this, yet he had no doubt in his mind that she felt the frisson the moment their eyes met. It was much too strong, and she was much too sharp not to notice. It took her aback for an almost-imperceptible second before she collected herself, cool as ice once more. Curious.

"The Resistance pays me to supply information - among other things."

"Ah. A smuggler."

Reyes sensed some judgment in that statement of hers. He resisted the urge to smirk. Surely he didn't give the impression that he was one to care? Care, of all things, about the opinion of some uptight albeit surprisingly alluring little lady with daddy's title?

He cocked his head to the side, prompting her to walk with him to the nearby window. "Your man Vehn Terev was arrested by the leader of the Outcasts, Sloane Kelly. Word spread about what he did to Moshae Sjefa. People want him dead. And Sloane, well, she's a 'woman of the people'."

"Perfect. I just love it when the lead mutineer decides to take justice into her own hands." the Pathfinder remarked, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Of course. Did you see the heads on pikes decor? She's got a lady's touch."

"Everyone's ideal woman, I'm sure." she said, a shadow of a smile crossing her face. Gods, I bet she's beautiful when she smiles.

"Oh yes, a pity she's taken. Are you?" He leaned a tad closer as he asked.

"Okay, no. Surely you've no trouble getting into whosoever's pants you please. No need for an attempt at mine."

She's feisty. Reyes struggled not to show his delight. "Thanks for the compliment, but you're not my type."

She raised an eyebrow, "Good."

"Don't get me wrong, you're insanely attractive. You knew that already. But - I like my women dumb and disposable. It makes my life so much simpler."

The Pathfinder eyed him, reaching out to graze his arm. Reyes barely managed to keep the surprise off his face. "We both know where this is going. How about you take me back to your place?" She looked at him as if she just asked the world's most innocuous question. Holy fuck, send help.

Reyes laughed, "Now that's just cruel, Pathfinder."

"You had it coming with your tasteless comment. Let's get shit done and never see each other again, yeah?"

"Sure." Reyes lied effortlessly. We'll see each other again, Pathfinder. I still need you.

"Back to it, then."

"Right. Well, Sloane won't give Vehn up easily."

"I'm taking him. Hopefully without having to wrest him from anyone's dead hands." The steel in her voice told him she's not joking. He was visibly amused by this. We're going to be friends, you and I.

"There should be another way to get to Vehn. You work Sloane. I'll talk to the Resistance." he concluded, already walking away. This is where we keep her wanting more.

"How do I contact you if things go south?" she called out after him. He turned briefly, giving her a roguish wink.

He smiled to himself as he continued to exit Kralla's Song, he could almost feel her eyes boring through the back of his skull. He's in her head now. He had every intention of making this beneficial. Now it just might be fun, too.

Well, fuck.

Did he really just wink at me?

Sara Ryder unconsciously felt her chin to make sure her mouth wasn't gaping wide open. She moved to follow him, thoroughly flustered.

How dare he? The nerve of that man. He stood much too close to her. Of course she would notice his strong, lean body, neatly-styled jet black hair, smooth olive skin, hypnotizing amber eyes. When he spoke it was like that smooth, distinct accent wrapped around his every word like smoke. It was electric from the very second she looked at him. He fucking knew it, too. He certainly would've been entertaining if this was just another bar encounter back on Earth. If she wasn't so busy saving the damn galaxy she might've let him know her for a night. She shook the thoughts away, irritated with herself.

Why does the "Angaran" contact have to be someone so infuriatingly her type? Speaking of which, "I was expecting someone more Angaran." she mocked herself silently. What a fine observation to make, Sara. You wet noodle. Wait, who cares? I have be-

"Hey! You gotta pay!" The Asari bartender's rough voice jarred her out of her mental tirade. And he stiffed me with the bill?! Motherfucker.

"Keep the change." Sara sighed, transferring credits with her omnitool.

"Always do." came the sassy retort from the bar.

"Ryder? Are you unwell? Your face is red." Jaal peered at Sara inquisitively as they stepped back out into the Kadaran sun.

"Quite well thanks, it must be the whisky." She answered much too quickly.

If Jaal was appeased, Liam certainly wasn't. "I'm sure that's what it is, Ryder." He said with a twinkle in his brown eyes. He's witnessed her drink more whisky than that.

Her face burned anew. "Let's move to the Outcast HQ. I need to meet this Sloane Kelly."

Two Krogan guards stopped her at Outcast leader's door. "Pathfinder only. Your companions stay out."

"They go where I go." Sara shot back, unperturbed by their sheer size advantage.

"That's the condition. Sloane's in there, show some respect."

Sara resisted the mighty urge to roll her eyes. Keep it cool, Sara. You need her. For now, at least. "Fine. Take me to her."

"We'll be around." Liam said, subtly tapping the communication device in his ear. She could call for backup if needed, and she knew neither of her friends would be opposed to blowing a door open with explosives. She nodded appreciatively.

Sloane Kelly was sprawled out on what looked like a throne, a Turian male standing tall beside her. Right-hand man, literally. She sounded like she was in mid-conversation with some of her Outcast underlings. The garish show of power left a bitter taste in Sara's mouth.

One of the Krogan guards elbowed her as if to hurry her along. She threw him a venomous look, sorely tempted to educate to him that a woman with her specific skill set didn't need a weapon to take him down. She swallowed the words. "Focus defenses here and here. The Kett have been quiet for too long." Sloane commanded, tapping on a holoscreen. She swiped it shut as Sara approached.

"What?" Sloane snapped impatiently by way of greeting. This bitch.

Sara took a deep, calming breath. Speak carefully now. "Fancy throne you've got. Should I bow? Kiss your ring?"

Oops.

"Very funny." Sloane responded testily. "So, what brings a Pathfinder to our humble port?"

"Vehn Terev. Name ring any bells?"

"What's he to you? And don't lie to me."

They stared at each other, the insufficiently camouflaged hostility thick in the air. Sara recognized this as the beginning of a deadlock if she ever saw one.

Jaal and Liam were on standby right outside the throne room's door. "Huh. No blood." Jaal observed. Sara chose to ignore the tone of surprise.

"Does this mean it went well?"

"It could have gone better." She answered truthfully. Liam shook his head with a poorly-suppressed grin.

"Perhaps Mr. Vidal had more success." SAM piped up. Speak of the devil. She saw Reyes coolly leaning against a post, already waiting for her.

"Jaal, let's go check out that merchant with the weapon mods that you mentioned." Liam was always quick at assessing a scene. Must be that crisis specialist background. He started off towards the market.

"I do not recall mentioning such a-"

"You did. It'll be fun, c'mon."

"Pathfinder. Over here." Reyes beckoned to her. Sara mentally squared her shoulders. Oh, you smug bastard. I'm ready for you this time. Two can play this game and I fully intend to win.

Reyes Vidal had a relatively easy time getting the pieces moving on his end. He has been preparing for this after all. The Pathfinder's companions dispersed. "Have a nice chat?"

"Just wonderful. I think she likes me." came the Pathfinder's pithy response. Reyes was surprised by his own involuntary laughter.

"Don't worry, I found a workaround."

"Let me guess - it comes with strings attached." She folded her arms across her chest. There it is. Instant defense mechanism. He grinned inwardly. He's really gotten under her skin.

"Not any new ones. Give this to Vehn. That'll eat through whatever Sloane's holding him in, and it's untraceable. A Resistance agent will be waiting to pick Vehn up."

"Vehn's intel better be worth it."

"Heh. You'll be the judge of that, not me. There's a maintenance shaft around the corner. Sending the access codes to your omnitool. You can handle the rest." He transferred the necessary data to her.

"Reyes."

"Pathfinder?"

"You owe me a drink." Reyes looked up from his omnitool, startled. He was anticipating a question on the brief or a curt dismissal. Instead there she was, a playful smile on her pretty face.

Alright, I'll bite. "I suppose I do, don't I? How could I leave you like that? I'm usually the model gentleman."

Ryder laughed - an enticing sound, music to his ears. "Somehow I don't believe you." Her words were a rebuke but her tone was coquettish. Is she - she's flirting with me! She's breaking her own rules. To what end? It seems the Pathfinder wants to play his favorite game. He can't remember the last time a woman both intrigued and excited him quite this much.

"Because I'm lying. Come meet me at the Tartarus nightclub when you're free. First round's on me. You know this breaks your 'get shit done never see each other again' rule, right?" He smiled, a wicked smile that makes women's knees turn to jelly.

She shrugged, seemingly unaffected, "I changed my mind. I'll see you there."

He was right again. This is going to be fun.

Notes:

Chapter One sticks closely to Reyes and Sara's first encounter, some of the quest dialogue is kept intact as a stylistic choice. I wanted the vibe of the first chapter to be close to what we felt as we played but with my version of the characters' inner workings. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed! Chapter Two is being released shortly!