Hey there. Very short chapter this time. The next one (12) is almost done and I'll do my utmost to post it in 6 or 7 days. Thanx for all the favs & follows, reviews very welcome!

Chapter 11, Love and war


**This section takes place about 30 minutes after the previous chapter.

"Peebs, I gotta talk to you."

Ryder was glad to see her friend. Peebee had only just returned from a two days trip to the Nexus. The asari was sitting at her worktable, fiddling with a few metallic components.

"Gimme just a minute... I've been trying to fit this together..."

"Whatcha making?

"Oh no - that would be telling. It's a secret." She whispered in her deliberate, playful manner, "you'll see it. Later."

After two minutes she gently laid it on the table. "There! All set." She looked at Ryder as if she just now noticed her. "Ryder... that's a cute dress! I have something to tell you. Yesterday on the Nexus Vederia stopped by. One thing led to another and we had sex. She's such a wild thing! Even mentioned how she would be interested in a threesome with us."

Ryder gasped. Her mouth fell open. Her legs felt wobbly. "What? ...you and Vederia? I thought..."

It hit her hard. She was a fool. Peebee was not hers! She'd hoped for more but they were friends with benefits - that's all. Any claim or idea that she and Peebee were 'together' was just that - foolish. She should have known better but still felt painfully let down.

Even worse, she'd cut her evening short, denying herself some romantic moments with Reyes... out of loyalty to Peebee. Peebee who so casually had jumped in bed with the asari pathfinder!

She had to ask. "Are you and Vederia... together?"

"Course not! C'mon Ryder, I don't do commitment. You know that."

"...yes."

Her heart was tumbling with emotions. Relief, sadness, anger. Relief that Peebee wasn't really interested in Vederia. Anger... clenching her fists she found she could only be angry with herself. Peebee never promised her more than friendship and fun. I'm a fool. Damn! Just gonna follow my own course from now on.

She thought of Reyes. He was a kind, witty, very attractive man. He liked her. She liked him. They'd enjoyed a lovely evening together. She could easily picture them being together. And I ran out on him... because of Peebee... who will never be more than a friend. She doesn't do commitment!

Peebee sensed her distress. "You ok Ryder? Are you upset?"

"Eh... no. Nothing is wrong."

She harshly bit her lip. The lie felt so bitter. And she really didn't want to lie to Peebee either. "Well... I must confess, sometimes the asari attitude towards sex is... ehm... surprising."

"Ha yes, that's what I figured. I wasn't planning on fucking Vederia but it just kinda happened. From what I've heard, sex in our culture is very different than yours. Feel like talking about it?"

Definitely not. That was the last thing she wanted to think or talk about. "Maybe later."

"Ok. Anyway, you came here to tell me something?"

"Uhm, it's not important. I gotta go."

Trying to hide her disappointment she ran for the door.


Next morning

"And thus I challenge you to a duel."

Sloane rolled her eyes. "A duel? Are you really such an idiot?"

But his eyes told her something else. He was very serious. Dead serious. He was challenging her, and her pride would not allow her to walk away. No matter. She was going to squish him like a cockroach. "Alright Charlatan. A duel. I'm going to enjoy killing you."

Slowly, ominously they circled each other. A dangerous silence filled the cave. Ryder realized she was holding her breath. What is he doing? He could get killed!

She harshly bit her lip. NO!

In a flash she realized how much she liked him. In a very short time they'd grown very close, intimately close. And now he was in grave danger! She couldn't lose him... she couldn't! Her heart pounded in her chest. She opened her mouth to scream his name, to stop this insanity -

An incredible loud, cracking noise echoed through the cave. Ryder gasped as she saw Sloane twitch, a red dot blossoming on her forehead. Within a second blood was violently gushing down her face and she crumpled to the ground. The back of her head was a filthy crater of bloody pink mess.

Sniper! They blew her brains out!

She jumped to take cover but Reyes raised his arms in a reassuring gesture. "It's over! It's over!"

Vetra stepped forward, to stand next to Ryder. She casually kicked the dead body. "Nice. She won't bother us anymore."

Ryder took a few deep breaths. She stared at the corpse. Blood was still pumping out of Sloane's head. Damn!

She definitely didn't approve of murder. But... she sighed. This would likely solve many issues. And could be a turning point for Kadara. She had to admit, most of all she felt relief. She realized again how much she cared about him. Much. He didn't get hurt. "Oh Reyes!"

Right outside the cave he took her hand, his eyes seeking her approval.

To her own surprise, she kissed him. Not at all what she was planning to do! "I was so worried! So glad you're ok."

He grinned like a lion. "You have bad taste in men."

She kissed him again. "The worst."