Disclaimer: Bioware owns almost all.

A/N: Many apologies for my late post. RL has been crazier than usual, so a big thank you to everyone who is still willing to stick with this fic. Your attention and dedication is very much appreciated.

Chapter 37

"It's not an interesting story, really. They vented the hold to prevent those damn pyjaks from getting into the rest of the ship, and our gear just happened to be stowed in the same place." Vale shrugged nonchalantly as he eyed the clerk behind the counter. "I'm sure they'd already nested in our clothes, so either way we're in need of new threads."

I did little to hide my humor, shaking my head at Vale's stilted flirtations. The girl was clearly not into him, and despite her polite disposition, I could tell his continued attempts were wearing on her nerves. She stood with her arms crossed, leaning away from him and maintaining her distance behind a glass counter. I watched as she smiled and nodded at the appropriate times, studying her mannerisms as I perused the wares in her store. I had come to believe she was not necessarily immune to men's charms, but to the charms of men like Vale. In fact, I was sure she saw his ilk waft in and out of the small port town on a regular basis and tired of the same, feigned pleasantries they tried to ply her with. I respected her all the more for it.

"So my sister and I –" Vale gestured my way in a thinly veiled attempt at announcing his availability. "We heard about this store from Gage at the hotel – he said your product is solid and prices are negotiable –"

She held up a hand at the last, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. "Negotiable?" She cocked a disdainful eyebrow at Vale and I felt my admiration for her grow exponentially.

"Yeah," his voice faltered slightly. It seemed he was not accustomed to having his charms so thoroughly denied.

As much as I was enjoying myself at Vale's expense, I could stand it no longer. The possibility that we'd be tossed from the store was growing greater by the moment and I was tired of donning dirty garb day after day. No matter how I scrubbed in the shower, my tunic still reeked of stale piss and shit from that damnable crate and was growing ever more unpleasant.

"I believe what my brother was trying to say is that we're interested in what you have to offer." I plastered a most innocent smile upon my face as I joined Vale at the counter. "Gage told us of a number of different stores around town, but that yours was his favorite - said he buys his wife's church dresses from you and that your alterations fit her like a glove." I bit my lips as if embarrassed and tried to blush. "He was rather enthusiastic with his descriptions of her figure…"

I was rewarded a shy smile and knowing nod. "Yes, that sounds like Gage."

I watched as she uncrossed her arms and shifted her weight slightly to face me. Granted, the heat from Vale's irritation was only in my imagination, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

"I trust he's treated you well during your stay? We don't get many long-term visitors here."

"Oh yes. He's been very helpful and even offered us laundry service, but –" I gestured to my soiled garb. "I would rather have a set of spare clothes so as not to rush him. I doubt he'd look too kindly on my running around his establishment naked as the day I was born."

The girl giggled sweetly and shook her head. "Oh, I bet he'd enjoy that very much!"

I mirrored her smile and pose. Leaning slightly on the counter I turned my attention to Vale. "Brother, you haven't looked around the store yet. I saw a few things over there that you might like."

He shot me an irritated glance, but my smile remained perfectly sweet, savoring his annoyance as if it were a decadent dessert. He grumbled something unintelligible as he walked off, abandoning our company for less hostile environs. I couldn't help but think the durable trousers along the far wall were far better company than I was in that moment.

"So Gage told me that you make all these clothes yourself, Bunny is it?"

Blonde curls bobbed as she nodded again. "The clothing – yes. I worked out a deal with one of the local farmers who breed livestock up north of here."

I watched her face light up as she talked of her trade, speaking of shearing, weaving, and finishing textiles and transforming her rough work into functional wear. She smiled brightly as she spoke of the quality of her fabrics as opposed to "those other stores" that imported their wares. I held her gaze as she spoke, nodding at the appropriate times, mimicking her smile and leaning in to carefully brush a stray lock of hair from her face. She paused in her monologue then and blushed sweetly.

"I'm sorry." She said sincerely. "I must be boring you."

Once again I mimicked her smile. "Not at all." I answered truthfully. "It is always interesting to watch others speak of their passions."

She flushed deeper and my smile widened at the thought of Vale watching my successful flirtation, although a part of me was rather disappointed in his failure. I pushed the errant emotion aside and focused on the task at hand.

"It seems you've done quite well for yourself."

"I suppose I have." Bunny shifted again, suddenly shy. "Did you see anything you liked?"

"I did." I smiled brilliantly and watched her reaction. While it seemed she was accustomed to the falsities of men, she was unused to the attention of women. I almost felt guilty at the ease with which I manipulated her.

I allowed her to show me around the store, listened to her describe the differing fabrics and fashions, all the while hanging on her words and complimenting her tastes. She piled a variety of clothing into my arms and showed me the dressing rooms, lingering in the waiting area while I tried on her choices. By the glow of her face, she was not disappointed when I modeled her wares for her.

By the look on Vale's face, neither was he.

I paused as I noticed his reflection in the mirror only to watch him resume browsing, his momentary lapse in indifference interrupted by Bunny's exuberance. She bounded up next to me, busying herself with the fit of the cloth and adjusting where necessary. I endured it with what grace I could muster, indulging the young woman in the hopes that it would earn some sort of discount.

"It's not a perfect fit," Bunny finally admitted as she frowned and bit her lip in thought. "But for everyday wear it should suit just fine."

I nodded and smiled, more than satisfied with the scent of clean linens and comfortable fit. A fine pair of pants and simple top would indeed suit me just fine. I had little need for anything more. I had never found the need for extravagance, preferring practicality instead.

"Oh, but wait!" Bunny crooned in delight and bounded off toward the front windows. I watched as she pulled a dress from the model in the window, cringing inwardly and wondering what possible new torment I now faced.

"Here." Upon her return to my side she shoved a green dress into my hands, an excited smile lighting her face. "Try it on!"

A dress? I was hardly one to indulge in such idle fancies, preferring only to wear a dress when seduction called for it. Dresses were hardly practical, and while a few were perfect for concealing a side arm, they were usually paired with strappy sandals and impossible to run in. No, dresses such as the one now hanging from my arm, the delicate fabric soft against my skin – these were for women with idleness and credit to spare. I almost balked at the notion save for the eager anticipation on Bunny's face. Reluctantly, I forced a smile and did as she asked.

As it was with her other choices, Bunny's dress fit almost perfectly. I opened the door to my dressing room and watched as another smile lit her fair complexion. She clearly delighted in her work, and in seeing that work displayed on others, and I couldn't help but reflect her genuine enthusiasm. I couldn't remember the last time I had met an individual so very real.

"Marvelous!" She clasped her hands together in satisfaction as her eyes roamed over my figure, studying the fit and form of the garment so incredibly foreign to me. I waited patiently while she poked and prodded me, stifling an indignant grunt at one point when her fingers pushed a sensitive spot just below my ribs. She mumbled an apology, but proceeded apace. For my part, I endured her attentions and ignored the memories from another life, images of extravagance and dresses best left forgotten.

Bunny huffed and cocked her head from side to side, finally nodding in acceptance. I took that as a cue and stepped in front of the mirror, surprised at my own image. I didn't understand what Bunny was concerned about. The dress fit perfectly - better than I could have imagined - and I marveled at the curves I had never before associated with my body. I glanced down, shocked, and couldn't help but wonder where my cleavage had suddenly appeared from. Clearly, Bunny was an ingenious engineer.

An inarticulate choke sounded to my right and I turned to see Vale leaning casually against the wall, a bundle of clothes in his hands and a lecherous smirk upon his face. I shot him a venomous scowl, cut short as Bunny adjusted the dress' fit yet again.

"Excuse me ladies," he drawled. "Mind if I try these on?"

Bunny looked him over briefly before nodding. "There's another dressing room on the right."

He looked momentarily perplexed by her dismissal, and then brushed past us to his destination. I couldn't help but enjoy Bunny's no-nonsense disposition and took a moment to relish her indifference toward him. This was an experience I would not soon let him forget.

"There," she said satisfactorily.

I shifted slightly in the dress, wrapped in clean scent, and enjoying the feel of the soft fabric upon my skin. I breathed deeply, savoring the moment for I knew I couldn't afford such finery. I had not the means to purchase the dress, and practical as I was, no need.

I met Bunny's excited eyes with a hint of genuine regret in my own. "It's lovely, but when my brother said we lost all our belongings, that included the majority of our credits too." I watched her smile droop slightly. "I'm sorry, but I just can't afford it."

Bunny sighed reluctantly, the fabric of her dress straining momentarily against her chest. I averted my eyes, glancing back into the mirror and to the stranger that now stood before me. I watched the emotions flash over Bunny's face as she frowned in thought yet again.

"You and your brother booked passage on that freighter with your tech skills, right?"

"Yes." I kept my expression neutral, suspicion creeping into my veins.

She nodded again, that short, succinct movement that entailed decisiveness. "Then that's how you can repay me for the clothes, but for the dress – "

I held up my hands, mouth open to protest, but she shushed me with a dismissive wave of her hand.

"You wear that dress out and you tell anyone who asks just where you got it from." She nodded again. "You'll be my walking advertisement."

I knew she recognized the surprised confusion on my face as I did nothing to hide it. This was the last thing I had expected. I had been prepared to flirt more, charm to woman into discounting her wares to the point of sheer robbery. Bartering services hadn't even entered the equation. Inwardly I berated my tunnel vision while simultaneously applauding her shrewd business sense. However, I had yet to hear the entire deal.

"I'm to be your advertisement?"

Again Bunny nodded.

"Very well." I cocked my head as if in thought. "And just what sort of tech services are you in need of?"

The now familiar smile lit her face again. "Why creating my extranet store, of course!"

O o O o O o O

The meat was fresh, piping hot and cooked to what I could only assume was local perfection. I stared at it and the vegetable sides, trying to decide what exactly it was that Vale had ordered for me. He spared me a glance, pausing only briefly as he ravaged his own meal, the look on his face a mix of humor and impatience.

"It's the local beef. Eat it."

I poked at the vegetables with my fork, ignoring the sidelong glances of our server. "The local version of broccoli?"

Vale snorted disdainfully. "You grew up eating food on Omega – synthesized proteins and salarian noodles? I really don't think you're in any position to judge."

He had a point, but I frowned and dug into my meal with reservation, unwilling to enjoy it just to spite him. Of course upon first bite, I resolved not to inform him of how correct he truly was. I still had some semblance of pride no matter how malformed.

We ate our meal in silence, exhausted from Bunny's energy and demands. While we were both familiar with various facets of technology, neither one of us knew anything about designing extranet sites and stores. Instead, after much frustrated cursing on my part, Bunny gave in and allowed us to exercise our actual talents with regard to security. Apparently, she had experienced several breaches in her system and had been receiving orders for interactive pornography instead of clothing. The inventiveness of hackers never failed to amaze me.

What surprised me, however, was her trust in us, a result I could only imagine that came from small town living. She gave us access to her security net and accounts – a free pass to her profits if we so desired.

I set down my fork and stared at Vale contemplatively. "You're siphoning off her account, aren't you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly and stuffed another piece of beef in his mouth. "Aren't you?"

I ignored his question and continued eating. Of course I was. I didn't ever want to be in the same situation I now found myself – broke and stuck in some backwater town with nothing but stench-ridden clothes and a lout to keep me company. Granted I was only sifting a tenth of a percent off the top, nothing that would draw attention, and I could halt the program at any time. It's not like I was really stealing that much.

"She charges too much for her clothes." Vale announced suddenly. "She can afford to pay us for our services."

I looked down at the matching bags of clothing resting at our feet and the green dress I now wore. "She already paid us."

Vale shrugged again and downed the rest of his water, the cloudy glass slick with condensation. "Yeah, you sure seemed to be enjoying yourself."

A surge of irritation cascaded through me and my retort was out of my mouth before I could stop it. "And you were doing so well, weren't you. Casanova, is it?"

He shot me a withering look. "Well we can't all develop spontaneous cleavage, now can we."

I smiled sweetly at him, willing my building irritation to subside. "Only us lucky few."

He opened his mouth to comment, but snapped it shut instead, nothing of worth to say. Any comeback from him would've been for naught as the restaurant's door swung open in that same moment and a trio of Alliance officers made for the bar. I watched them from the corner of my eye, studying their movements and mannerisms, noting how Vale was doing the same. We kept our heads down, attempting to remain inconspicuous, and went back to dining with the pretense of easy company.

Our peace lasted only a short while before we noticed the wandering eyes of the officers. I met Vale's gaze, but we said nothing, and I willed away their attention only to have my meager hopes dashed. One of the officers slapped another on the back and before Vale could stuff another bite of beef in his mouth, the officer was at our table.

"Greetings," he saluted smartly and Vale and I exchanged blank looks.

I smiled and said hello, returning his greeting with a less formal one of my own. Vale simply nodded and continued eating.

"You must be new in town," he continued, throwing a sidelong glance at Vale while the other two officers shared a laugh in the background.

I smiled again and nodded. "Yes, my brother and I have only just arrived this week."

I watched as his countenance brightened. "Brother?"

"Half-brother." Vale added helpfully between bites.

I smiled nervously, uncomfortable with Vale's tone and the officer's interest. On Omega I would have been perfectly comfortable dealing with the military, but in my current situation I did not find it wise to attract the attention of authority. Formal brands of authority and I rarely got along unless bribes were involved.

The officer scratched the back of his neck and appeared to be searching for words. "That's a nice dress you're wearing."

"Thank you. Bunny made it." I spared a quick glance at Vale who shot me a curious look, and I had a sudden sneaking suspicion that his perception of my intelligence had just taken a nosedive.

The officer nodded and smiled again, his gaze drifting briefly down to the low neckline of my dress. "I was wondering if you would join me for a drink –" He gestured to the dinner on our table, "- after you're done eating of course. I don't want to interrupt."

I glanced shyly back up at him, biting my lip before smiling and looking away bashfully. "I would love to, but it has been a long day and I have to get up early in tomorrow morning. Thank you for the invitation, though. Perhaps another time?"

The officer scratched the back of his neck again and nodded. "Another time, then."

I watched him return to his fellows at the bar and the testosterone fueled ruckus that followed. They slapped him on the back again and he brushed off their jibes with what appeared to be good humor. Vale caught my eye and cocked his head, a question plastered once more upon his face.

"Flirting with Alliance servicemen now?" Sarcasm all but dripped from his lips. "You're hitting all the angles today, aren't you?"

I shrugged, conscious of the fit of my dress and quick shift in his gaze. "I'd say I'm two for two, which is better than you by far."

Vale let slip a frustrated snort and we finished the rest of our meal in silence. I had come to take a sick pleasure in his discomfort and enjoyed my dinner all the moreso coupled with his ire.

It wasn't until after we left the restaurant that Vale spoke again, gesturing to the security office nearby. I shook my head in disagreement, but he persisted. I had no intention of entering the local office, my aversion only natural given my occupation. However, Vale disregarded my stubbornness and continued inside, disappearing behind the double doors of law enforcement. After a lengthy mental argument, and against my better judgment, I followed.

I had been left holding our bags of clothing and I shifted them awkwardly as I entered the cramped lobby, doors slamming shut behind me. Both Vale and female officer he was chatting up turned and stared at me with varying degrees of irritation. I hefted our bags and blurted out a greeting, thick with false cheer.

Vale waved, shooting me a warning glance, while the officer all but ignored me. She wasn't an unattractive woman, appeared capable and competent, and comfortable with the attentions of men. And right now she was making herself very comfortable with Vale's attentions. I didn't believe him to be genuinely attracted to her as she was dressed in a drab jumpsuit, combat boots, and had an ass tighter than the severe bun atop her head. However, as I listened to their conversation I pushed aside my ire and focused on the topic. Vale was gathering information about the town and attempting to get a tour of the building. Although by the look on her face, I doubted she would acquiesce.

"I'm the only one here and I can't leave my post. Not until I'm relieved. Sorry." I heard her say. Vale mumbled something in her ear and I watched with building nausea as she giggled. He leaned in closer, waving me over toward the office door behind the counter while he held her attention. I set our clothes down quietly, cringing inwardly at the occasional noisy crinkle of the bags.

Relieved of my burden for the moment I slipped quietly behind the counter and toward the office door, switching on my omni-tool and scanning the security lock. It was standard colonial security – similar to the tech used by many of Omega's traders – and nothing I wasn't already familiar with. The bypass went smoothly and the door opened with barely more than a whisper. I slipped inside, my presence all but forgotten by the besotted officer. I knew Vale could be charming when he so chose.

The small office was dominated by a large desk, the surface littered with datapads and a seemingly random collection of family photoscreens. I ignored the shifting images in favor of the desk's terminal, and once again bypassing the security, switched it on and accessed security feeds. I saw little of note – the standard security reports, Alliance patrol routes, notices of corporate deadlines and institution of a newly approved uniform code. I downloaded any information I thought would be useful, such as colony schematics, local star charts, even a listing of security personnel. Racing against time I prepared to log off, but paused as I recognized a familiar face. There, plastered across the SecureNet was Vale's picture accompanied by a handsome reward.

Treia had not been lying. Vale's bounty was very real indeed, and as I refined my search, I found another bounty as well – this one with a rough sketch of my likeness. My breath caught and a wave of nausea overtook me. I fought for control amidst a brewing storm of frustration and anger. For years I had carefully hidden my identity only to have my anonymity evaporate before my eyes.

Struggling to control maelstrom of emotion threatening to overwhelm me, I saved a copy of the bounties and erased evidence of my presence in the network. Without a sound I opened the door and reset security, slipping into the lobby while Vale continued to keep the security officer engaged. However, recognizing that he was growing tired of the game, I heaved an exaggerated sigh and grabbed our clothes, the bags crinkling loudly.

"Brother dear, are you done yet?" I had no need to feign the irritation in my voice, although it was hardly an outlet for the rising tide of fury in my blood.

He shot me an irate scowl, but it seemed more for the officer's benefit that a reflection of his mood. "No need to be rude."

The officer shot me her own less than friendly look, but I met her eyes with disdainful reproach and repeated my question to Vale with even greater impatience. An apology dripped from his lips and my already poor opinion of the officer dropped even lower as she appeared to fall over herself at his attentions. Vale brushed his lips against her cheek, whispered something in her ear, and then much to my satisfaction we were out the door.

I kept a brisk pace as I hurried down the road, bags of clothing jostling roughly in my arms. I couldn't get away from the security office fast enough for my liking, my frustration growing exponentially as I tried to formulate some sort of plan for transit off-world. We couldn't stay here, not with such a large Alliance presence in system. Bounties and law never mixed well.

"What's the hurry?" Vale asked, lengthening his stride to keep up without appearing too rushed.

I glanced over at him, but in that moment was unable to form words. Anger and frustration enveloped me and my only reaction was to increase the pace, the heated muscles of my legs flexing fiercely in my hurry.

We reached the inn and I bounded up the stairs, ignoring the looks of Gage the innkeep, and barely hearing Vale's mumbled explanation. He followed me into our room, crossing his arms and leaning against the door as he shut it. The frown he wore on his face was a mix of confusion and impatience.

"You want to tell me what's wrong?"

I threw the bags down on the floor, not caring that our clothing spilled out or that his dirty socks landed on my new clean pants. "Treia didn't lie." I practically spat the words as I started to pace restlessly.

Vale's frown deepened. "What about?"

My hands flexed with nervous energy. The room was too small, the carpet too dingy, and my thoughts were racing too fast to fully comprehend. I tried to sift through memory, recalling her last words – her last moments. "Treia sold both of us out for money."

Vale nodded slowly, unsurprised by this information. "Yes. We knew this."

I switched on my omni-tool and with a flick of my wrist, displayed our bounties that were now in circulation across the Terminus. "And now we know just how much we're worth."

Vale dropped his arms, frown transforming in to an expression of disbelief as he absorbed my words and the holographic images swimming before his eyes. "They didn't…"

I snapped off my 'tool, the images disappearing into nothingness. "What did you do, Vale?" I hissed. "Just why exactly is Cerberus after us?"

Even in the dim light of the evening I recognized the shadows as his face closed over. He blinked once, then turned on his heel and strode out the door. I was left alone with nothing more than my thoughts to keep me company. Much to my dismay, I had grown accustomed to his presence, a ghostly ache replacing the pounding in my head, an echo of his scent where once he stood. I halted my pacing, restlessness evaporating, hating myself in that moment because his image was at the forefront of my mind.

I wanted to punch him, to disown every memory of him, to leave and never come back. Despite everything Vale had dragged me into, I could not purge myself of the hope that he would return. As much as I hated to admit it, I needed him as much as he needed me. We were elbow deep in shit and we'd need to work together to get out of it. I settled into the shadows and waited.

Love me Dead - Ludo