Chapter 6: Overheard

Liam overhears something he wasn't meant to hear...

Liam couldn't sleep. It had been more than an hour since he'd laid down in his bunk aboard the Tempest, and he was no closer to falling asleep. After a full day of exploring planets and fighting off the kett, he should be exhausted.

He rolled over again and reached for the water bottle he kept beside his pillow. Empty.

He looked at the ceiling and sighed. Either he could continue to toss and turn until he fell asleep, or he could go to the kitchen in search of something to drink, and then toss and turn until he fell asleep.

He sighed again and threw back the covers.

The Tempest was silent, except for the quiet hum of the engines. Everyone else was asleep. Liam was halfway down the hall toward the kitchen when he realized the door was open and light was spilling out. He stopped just short of the door when he heard a voice.

"Okay, here's one for you," it said. It sounded like Vetra. "If you had to choose between Liam, Jaal, Reyes Vidal, or...Keri T'Vessa, who would you pick and why?"

Despite his disinterest in girl talk, Liam was intrigued by the question. He was also curious who she was talking to. And what their answer would be. He took a step closer.

"That's kind of a random selection. Why them?" Ryder's voice asked.

"Don't avoid the question, Sara," Vetra said.

"I'm not. I'm just curious why you picked those four."

"Me, too," a third voice added. Definitely Cora.

Vetra paused. "Well, Liam is your species, male, and here on the ship. Jaal is an alien to you, male, and is also here on the ship. Vidal is your species, male, and not on the ship, and T'Vessa is the opposite end of the spectrum."

"Hmmm..." Sara sounded like she was thinking about the choices. "I definitely wouldn't pick Keri. Nothing against the asari, she's just not my type. Don't think I'd pick Liam, either. The other two, though, that's a tough choice."

Liam's heart sank at that comment. He'd had a crush on Sara Ryder ever since they met on the Hyperion. To know she didn't return his feelings was hard.

"Why wouldn't you pick Liam?" Cora asked. Liam wanted an answer for that, too.

"Well, look at the competition. Reyes is...intriguing and mysterious. He's got this air of danger around him. And he's charming as hell."

"Plus, he's got a sexy accent," Vetra added.

"Oh, my God, yes. And Jaal is so...exotic. The way he talks is so poetic. His desire to learn is inspiring. And his culture is so open with their feelings. But Liam? Compared to the other two, he's kind of..."

"Boring?" Cora supplied.

"Yeah. He's...safe, I guess. I feel like there's no risk involved with him. Don't get me wrong. His outlook on life is amazing, and yeah, I guess he's kinda cute, but I'm just not into him. He's one of my best friends and always will be, but I don't think I would ever date him."

The women were silent for a moment, as though considering her words. "All right, come on," Cora said. "The tea is ready and those reports aren't going to write themselves."

Amid the groans from the other two, Liam hurried back to his room before he was caught eavesdropping. He dropped onto his bed and thought about what he'd learned.

Sara Ryder, the Pathfinder, his ideal woman, had rejected him without ever knowing how he felt about her. It stung, but Liam was man enough to respect her decision. She had said that she considered him one of her best friends. At least he could still be in her life that way. It would have to be enough.

With that thought in mind, Liam rolled over and resumed trying to sleep.