XXXIII.
Cora sighs quietly to herself and lowers her eyes to her feet as she sits on the very edge of one of the black sofas in the Pathfinder Head Quarters on the Nexus, waiting as patiently as she can for Addison Foster who has requested her presence this morning. She hadn't been given a reason as to why she'd been summoned, but she couldn't help but wonder if it was to do with the awful Initiative party that had taken place the night before and the events that had taken place. Not knowing was putting her on edge and she wrings her hands together as she tries to not let the worst-case scenario run through her mind. Scott's speech had been a disaster and it had resulted in him fighting with a group of Andromeda Initiative recruits and Cora knew that the leaders had witnessed this taking place. What if they were planning on removing him? What if they were going to punish him? She shakes her head lightly trying to remove that thought, being without him now would be unbearable and for a moment she wonders if she should run back to her room to where she knows she's left him sleeping off his hangover in her bed.
She lifts her eyes from her feet and takes a deep breath to try and steady her nerves. Cora glances around her as she waits and lets her eyes settle on the screens that show images of the worlds that they've been working to settle and it makes her realise how alone Scott really is in his role with no other Pathfinders to aid him. Cora's attention is removed from the screens when she hears voices behind her and that they are raised and as they get closer she recognises immediately that one belongs to Director Jarun Tann and the other belongs to Addison Foster and that they are arguing. She glances over her shoulder and feels her stomach knot that they are both here and she can't help but wonder if she's in trouble.
"Lieutenant Harper." Tann begins as he and Addison step onto the same level as her and approach the seating area where she is currently sat. "Thank you for coming." He adds as Cora watches him lowering himself onto the sofa across from her and that Addison joins him.
"Please, call me Cora." She nods lightly and lets her eyes settle on Tann. "Am I in trouble, sir?" Cora asks and notices that both Tann and Addison are watching her closely and thinks she should be on her best behaviour. "I thought I was just meeting with Addison." She adds and sees Tann glance at the woman beside him.
"You aren't in trouble.." Addison begins making her nod lightly and lower her eyes to her feet again, maybe not in trouble but certainly not feeling comfortable.
"Okay." Cora smiles lightly and notices that Tann looks like he wants to say something. "So, what is it that you needed to see me about?" She asks trying to move the conversation along so she can get back to Scott.
"This is about Pathfinder Ryder." Tann begins and Cora feels her stomach knot again and she wonders if they can see the shake in her hands when she links her hands on her knee.
"Shouldn't he be here if we are discussing him?" Cora asks with a small smile but then noticing that Tann and Addison don't respond. "This is about the speech?" She adds and watches the leaders nod.
"Scott will be here soon." Addison nods making Cora frown lightly and wonders when they'd contacted him and if they'd timed it right to get her on her own first. "But, yes that's what this is about." She adds and Cora feels her eyes on her so she nods.
"I'm sure we don't need to share with you all of the ways in which it was a failure." Tann sighs so Cora just nods again, it really was. "Not only did it show everyone that there are currently ill feelings towards the Initiative." He adds and she hears him sigh with frustration and shake his head.
"Cora.." Addison takes over from Tann so she looks at her. "Pathfinder Ryder's reaction was completely unacceptable." She adds as Tann nods in agreement. "He attacked another Initiative member." Foster sighs which makes Cora lower her eyes.
"I know." Cora whispers and nods lightly.
"Is he going to be a problem?" Tann asks drawing her eyes to him when she hears it, wondering if he's joking until she notices how serious he and Addison look as they wait for her response.
"Of course he isn't going to be a problem." She huffs quietly. "Scott isn't like that. Those recruits knew what they were doing and they knew what would happen." Cora adds and fixes her eyes on Tann.
"You don't think we will need to find a new Pathfinder?" Addison asks so she shakes her head, if anyone had told her that she would have been supporting anyone to be Pathfinder other than her when she joined the AI, Cora wouldn't have believed it. But, she knew Scott was the right person for this and he would always have her backing.
"No, he's a great Pathfinder." Cora nods. "I'm not saying what he did was right.." She sighs. "But they were bating him and he was just trying to protect me." Cora lowers her voice whence realises that she might have said too much.
"Is that why he reacted in that way? To protect you?" Addison asks and she just nods again. "You believe it to be out of character for him?" She adds and Cora knows what she is really asking her, did they need to replace him and was he going to be a risk to anyone else.
"Yes.." Cora gives them a positive nod. "I know you haven't known him long but he really is a good man." She adds. "He was angry because of what they said about me." Cora sighs quietly. "He.. cares, about me." She adds and lowers her eyes to the table in front of her so she can't see their eyes on her. "For you to understand fully, there's something I need to tell you about myself and Scott.." Cora continues.
Cora glances over her shoulder when she hears the door to the Pathfinder HQ sliding open and another set of feet entering the room and begin walking up the ramp to where they sit. She can't help but smile when she sees that it is Scott and he has managed to drag himself out of her bed and has obviously been asked here as she has. Cora sees him give her a smile when his eyes meet hers before he steps around the edge of the sofa to sit beside her and she notices he has left enough space between them to appear appropriate.
"Sorry, I'm late." Scott begins and she sees his attention move from her to the leaders across from him. "I had to take a shower." He adds and she feels him fidgeting at her side to get comfortable and then leaning back into the cushions. "Lieutenant Harper." Scott smiles and glances at her, making her smile when she realises he is trying to pretend he hasn't just come from her bed.
"Pathfinder." Cora smiles lightly at him before turning her attention back to the leaders.
"It's actually perfect timing." Tann sighs and Cora can see that both him and Addison are inspecting the black eye and bruising on Scott's face and that they can obviously see his split lip and sore knuckles too.
"What's this about?" She hears him ask so she glances at him, feeling even more worried for him now that he's here and after their questions. "Although I'm sure I can guess." He sighs and lowers his head.
"Your response.." Addison begins but Cora hears Tann cutting her off.
"Your unacceptable behaviour." Tann interrupts and Cora watches him banging his hand on the table. "That is why we are here." He huffs making Cora glance at Scott and notices he nods lightly. "What you did was reckless, disrespectful, and totally irresponsible." Tann adds and Cora remembers Alec saying the same thing about his son and by the look on Scott's face he remembers too.
"Director, I am really sorry.." Scott begins but Cora notices Tann shakes his head. "I just got so angry by what they were saying." He mumbles and she can see he looks upset so she lifts her hand from her knee and rubs the back of it against his thigh briefly making him look at her and give her a grateful smile.
"Director Tann.." Cora begins and she feels both sets of eyes on her. "Scott wasn't trying to be disrespectful or irresponsible, and he wasn't trying to cause any ill feelings between him and the recruits." She nods and notices Scott is watching her. "They were the ones with the unacceptable behaviour and this is my fault, not his." She adds as she sees Scott shake his head lightly at her.
"Cora, it's fine.." Scott begins as his eyes meet hers and she knows he's wanting her to stop her talking. "I know I'm in the wrong and it should never have happened." Scott sighs. "I know my behaviour is not what you would ever want from a Pathfinder.." He adds but she quickly interrupts him before he talks himself out of a job.
"Excuse me Pathfinder Ryder, but your behaviour is exactly what they want from a Pathfinder." Cora begins and hears him sigh because she's interrupted him and is trying to argue with him.
"Cora.." Scott sighs with another shake of his head.
"Scott, be quiet." She huffs at him and sees him smile lightly at her. "Scott is kind and he is loyal." Cora sighs as she turns back to Addison and Tann. "He's passionate and he works so hard." Cora nods. "He doesn't give up on what he believes in." She adds and hears him huffing quietly. "He is everything you need him to be and more." Cora gives them another positive nod.
"Have you finished?" Scott whispers at her side so she glances at him and notices he is trying not to smile at her but can't help but grin. "Look, the truth is.." She hears Scott add and his eyes return to the leaders.
"The truth is.." Cora begins trying to cut him off but then feels him leaning towards her and directing her eyes to his and shaking his head at her.
"You don't have to defend my actions." Scott whispers to her making her nod lightly and lower her eyes. "Director Tann and Addison. The truth is my behaviour wasn't what you'd want from me.." Scott adds making her sigh at his words. "The truth is I'm in love with Cora, and that's why I did what I did." He whispers and places his hands on his knees and she feels his eyes on her. "I wasn't acting as the Pathfinder. I was acting as Cora's boyfriend." He adds with another nod. and she sees him give her a small smile.
"Scott.." Cora whispers as she sees him smile at her.
"I was protecting the person I love." She sees him nod again and his attention return to the leaders. "I know what I did was wrong.." He adds. "But, you have to believe I would have walked away if they hadn't dragged Cora into it." Scott sighs.
"You are in a relationship?" Addison begins making Scott nod.
"Yes, we are." Cora says, noticing that Scott smiles at her answer.
"You intend to remain in this.." Tann begins and she notices he motions towards them both. "Relationship?" He adds and his eyes fix on her so she nods and when his eyes move to Scott she sees him do the same.
"So, say we do believe that your actions were out of character." Addison adds and Cora fixes her eyes on her but notices that Tann is shaking his head and doesn't look like he is convinced or that he approves. "Surely you both understand how inappropriate a relationship between you is?" She adds her eyes moving between them both.
"Yes, we understand." Cora nods and looks to Scott for some silent comfort, seeing him give her a light smile that does it. "Scott and I came to Andromeda together." She adds and fixes her eyes on the leaders. "We were already together before there was even a mention of him ever being Pathfinder." Cora sighs and lowers her eyes, wondering what was going to happen to them now it was out in the open.
"We were both just grunts." Scott nods and she notices he stretches his fingers and knows his hands are still hurting. "There was nothing inappropriate about our relationship." He huffs quietly. "Despite what you may have heard." Cora hears him clearing his throat and his eyes move back to the leaders.
"Scott, you are Cora's superior now." Tann begins and Cora notices Scott shakes his head. "You must realise the many reasons this is frowned upon." Tann adds. "This isn't the Alliance, but we must be seen to be professional."
"We do realise that people might not understand." Cora sighs and glances at Scott. "But, I love Scott and I would really appreciate you giving us a chance.." She adds until she hears Scott interrupt.
"Then I'll quit." He gives them a positive nod and Cora is sure she hears Tann's jaw drop to the ground and the air leave Addison's body when they've realised what he's said. "I didn't ask to be Pathfinder." He adds as Cora looks at him and notices he looks serious about what he is saying. "If you're even suggesting we can't be together.." Scott sighs. "I'll give you my notice now and will no longer be your Pathfinder." Cora sees him give her a small smile before his eyes go back to Tann.
"You can't be serious?" Tann gives a dry laugh.
"I'm completely serious." Scott nods lightly. "I love Cora, and she'll always be what matters most to me." He adds and she is sure her cheeks blush at his words. "If being the Pathfinder is the problem then that's how we'll fix it." She hears him laugh quietly.
"It would be a shame for you to lose Scott." Cora begins and sees him smile. "He is turning out to be a wonderful Pathfinder and with me as his second.." She nods and hears Tann huff. "We're an amazing team." Cora adds and feels Scott's eyes meet hers. "If he quits then I do too." She gives them a positive nod and hears him chuckling.
"We've all seen the film.." Director Tann sighs and Cora notices that Scott smiles at his response.
"Maybe we should just give them a chance?" Addison begins which draws Tann's attention away from Scott and to her. "Think of it as a probation." She adds which receives another huff from Tann. "If we hear receive any complaints about your behaviour.." Foster sighs and points at Scott. "Any word about your relationship being detrimental to the Initiative." She adds and motions to them both.
"We will be on our best behaviour." Scott nods and smiles at Addison and then sets his eyes on. "Isn't that right, Lieutenant Harper?" He adds making her smile when he wrinkles his nose at her and she remembers that he has no idea about behaving himself.
"That's right, Pathfinder Ryder." Cora nods and shakes her head at him when he grins. "You won't regret this." She adds and looks across the table at the leaders. "Our inappropriate relationship will be completely appropriate." Cora smiles at them.
"They can have their chance.." Tann nods. "But, I can't just dismiss what happened." He adds and Cora nods lightly. "Scott's actions have caused a lot of problems for the Initiative and we can't ignore that. We need people to trust him, and his actions haven't done that." Tann sighs.
"I understand." Scott nods lightly beside her.
"I do, unfortunately, agree with you." Addison nods too. "Maybe to smooth things over with the recruits we could give them their families as a peace offering?" She adds and Cora hears Tann making a positive noise.
"But they started it.." Cora sighs and she feels Tann and Addison's eyes on her. "Are we really going to reward their behaviour?" She adds and glances at Scott and sees him give her a small smile before he lowers his eyes.
"We don't have anything else to offer them." Tann huffs and she realises he is right, that's what they'd been angry about in the first place and maybe it would get them off of Scott's back, but it still didn't feel right. "I also want Scott to be assessed by our Nexus medical team." Tann adds which makes Cora fix her eyes on him and then glance at Scott for his reaction.
"Do you think that's necessary?" Cora sighs and feels Scott's eyes meet hers and he then lifts his arm behind her and rests it on the back of the sofa. "Scott is fine.." She huffs quietly. "He's been through a lot as it is." Cora adds and looks at him again.
"If it makes them happy." Scott smiles slightly at her and then she notices his attention returns to the leaders. "Whatever you want." He nods and she feels his fingertips stroking her back and knows he's trying to distract her. "I'll make sure Cora keeps an eye on me." He adds and she notices his eyes are on her again.
"I'll have their families moved up the queue." Addison nods and Cora notices Tann sighs and isn't overly keen that they are having to do it either. "I'll head there now." Foster adds and she glances between her and Scott.
"I will message the recruits concerned." Tann gives Addison a positive nod as he stands from the sofa. "Best behaviour, Ryder." Tann adds and Cora watches his eyes move to Scott who nods lightly in response before they watch Tann stepping down the ramp to return to his office.
"Just.." Addison begins. "Do your best, for me?" She adds and Cora sees her smiling at them both. "Don't forget I need those reports about Kadara Port, Ryder." Addison nods lightly at them both before moving away from them and towards the door to leave.
"Sending them now." Scott sighs making Cora smile at him because she knows he hasn't even started writing them let alone having them ready to send. "Well, that was interesting." She sees him smile at her.
"That was fast thinking.." Cora begins as she feels Scott shuffling closer to her and his arm lifting from the back of the sofa and wrapping around her. "Getting them worried about you quitting." She adds but then notices he doesn't look like he's following. "You were joking weren't you?" Cora asks which makes him shake his head.
"I was serious." Scott smiles as she watches him lift his hand and stroke his fingers through the front of her hair. "I wouldn't pick this over you." He adds making her sigh. "There's nothing I want more than us." Cora hears him lower his voice in case Tann is listening in.
"Scott.." Cora sighs and leans towards him to wrap her arms around his body. "What am I going to do with you?" She smiles at him. "I used to think all I wanted was to rise through the ranks." She whispers and feels him slide his arms around her too. "Then it was to be the Pathfinder." Cora adds as he lifts his hand to the back of her head.
"What about now?" Scott asks, a smile in his voice.
"Now.." Cora whispers and loosens her hold on him and feels him do the same as she lifts her hands to his cheeks, stroking her fingers against the patchy facial hair as she remembers he hasn't had a chance to shave. "It's just you." She smiles and sees his smile widen. "How can that be?" Cora laughs quietly as he gathers her in his arms again. "How, Scott?" She laughs.
"I am pretty great." Scott grins at her making her sigh dramatically.
"You really are." Cora giggles as she draws him closer and into a kiss, moving her hand to the back of his head and letting her fingers trail through his hair. When she removes her mouth from his she sees him smile. "There's nothing I want more than us, either." She whispers and sighs when he kisses her again.
"That makes me so happy." Scott smiles and she feels him drawing her into his arms again. "Now that the leaders know about us.." She hears him continue before he presses a kiss against the top of her head. "That means we can be together again." He adds and she can hear the smile.
"So that was the reason for your declaration of love." Cora giggles and tightens her hold on him and slides her arms around his body and resting her hands on his back. Cora sighs when he cuddles her closer and lets her rest her head against his. "It was very sweet." She whispers as she leans back to look at him.
"Well, it's all true." Scott smiles and she notices his eyes meet hers. "I just thought it was better coming from me." He nods and she does too. "Seeing as I'm your superior." He chuckles making Cora huff.
"Fuck you." Cora laughs and moves to pull away from him but feels him wrapping his arms around her tighter and begin kissing her cheek and nuzzling his mouth against her ear.
"Is that any way to speak to your superior Lieutenant?" Scott chuckles with another kiss. "Or is it an invitation?" Scott whispers making her giggle and rub her hands down his back and wrap her arms around his body.
"You know Tann is probably spying on us.." Cora giggles quietly
"I know." She watches him nod and his eyes meet hers. "We're being on our best behaviour." Scott grins at her and she notices he glances behind them before he places his hand on her thigh. "Appropriate." He smiles at her.
"You don't know the meaning of the word." Cora whispers as she leans closer to him and lets her mouth hover over his. "Pathfinder Ryder." She adds and lowers her eyes to his lips and sees his smile widen.
Cora notices that Scott briefly checks behind them before he presses his mouth against hers, making her lift her hands to his cheeks when he deepens their kiss. She smiles when she hears him let out a happy sigh when he slips her hands into his hair to drag him closer to her, wishing she never had to stop kissing him. Scott places his palms on her neck as she notices he is clearly feeling the same.
"Will you be my girlfriend, again?" Scott whispers as she feels him break their kiss and brush his lips gently against hers. "If you say no I'm just going to pretend we never split up." She sees him smile and his eyes meet hers.
"Yes." Cora smiles as she presses her lips softly against his. "I would love to be your girlfriend again." She adds and notices his smile get bigger and she feels his blue eyes on hers. "You're so lovely." She whispers and feels him wrapping her up in his arms and holding her tightly.
"So are you." Scott smiles when she loosens her hold on him and he begins stroking her shoulders with his palms. "Thank you for saying yes." He adds. "And for sticking up for me with the leaders." He continues and she sees his eyes on her face.
"Anytime.." She smiles and leans against him. "I didn't expect them to go so lightly on us. I did feel like we were being told off." Cora giggles quietly and sees him nod in agreement.
"When they started talking at us, all I could think about is how much my head hurts.." Scott laughs quietly drawing her eyes back to him, watching him rub his temple with his hand.
"Are you still feeling hungover?" She asks as she sees him nod and hears him sigh lightly when she places her hand gently against his cheek beneath his black eye. "Well, it's still early so how about some breakfast?" She adds and notices her words make him grin.
"Are you cooking?" He asks and his eyes meet hers.
"Sure." Cora smiles as she leans towards him again and kisses him. "If you supervise." She adds with a smile another soft kiss. Cora feels him rubbing her shoulders with his fingertips, his eyes on her as he does.
"I've got reports to write." Scott sighs dramatically making her laugh and wrap her arms around him, feeling him holding her tightly.
"We'll get them done after breakfast." Cora replies as she lets herself enjoy his arms around her for a few moments more before she leans back to look at him, seeing how happy he looks. "Come on, Ryder." She whispers as she feels him let go of her so she can stand.
"Right behind you." She hears him reply as he stands too and accepts the hand that she holds out to him. Cora smiles when she feels him press a kiss against her cheek before she begins dragging him away from the sofas and down the ramps so they can leave the Pathfinder HQ.