AN: Hello dear readers! Quick update: This will be following the game as closely as I can but with some head canon and AU tendencies, to incorporate a more involved relationship. As always, enjoy!

Disclaimer, I own nothing other than my mind

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Burden

It had been a few days since Ryder with the help of Initiative and Angaran forces had broken the outlaw blockade of a supply zone. She was lucky the Resistance had a team to spare. She was informed by Jaal, after the operations success, that he pulled a few strings since she got Vehn Terev into angaran custody.

She had been avoiding Reyes since. He had left a couple of e-mails, nothing innately important, just short messages about various happenings on the planet.

Padding back from the cargo bay on the Tempest, Ryder walked into her quarters, towel slung over her shoulder, sweat gleaming on her skin.

"Ryder, you have new e-mail."

"Is it Reyes?"

"Yes. Perhaps you should read it."

Grunting with exasperation she stopped by her terminal and opened the e-mail. It read:

»Ryder,

I know you've been avoiding me but we need to talk. It's important and could save lives, angaran lives.

Regards,

Reyes Vidal

P.S. See you soon, Pathfinder.«

Damn. Of course he would say it like that.

"Sam, let Liam and Jaal know we're heading out in an hour."

"Jaal is not currently on the Tempest, but I have informed them both."

She raised an eyebrow, "Hm, I thought he didn't like Kadara."

"He left with Drack while you were exercising, Pathfinder."

Grinning she said, "Oh, I see, Drack must be trying to help him acclimate, by way of alcohol."

Ryder walked out of her room towards the communal showers. Once inside she quickly peeled her sweat soaked clothes off, threw them on a bench and stepped into the shower. Heat spewed forth and pelted down her body.

Damn, my muscles are aching. Perhaps I should have taken it a little easier with Cora today.

Shrugging her shoulders under the torrent of water, she quickly rinsed off. Lathering up a cloth, Ryder relished in the comfort of a hot shower and scented bath soap.

A few minutes later she was sitting on her bed drying her hair half pulling, half yanking, the under suit of her armor on.

A knock on the door caused her to throw her towel down, and she finished pulling on the under suit. "Hey, Pathfinder, you ready to go?" Liam's voice called out.

"Yeah, just a sec." She zipped the suit up then grabbed her boots. Opening the door she smiled at Liam, "Let's go see what trouble is brewing in the rogues den."

"Jaal is down at Kralla's Song, he apparently got distracted by Drack's war stories. Figured we could grab him then go," Liam said following Ryder to the exit ramp of the Tempest.

"Drack's war stories are hard to pass up. Hopefully he hasn't drank our resident angaran under the table." she replied. Liam grinned at her as they exited the docking bay, towards Kralla's Song.

They saw an Angaran body, blue blood pooled underneath. An Outcast guard was standing nearby, while two spectators looked on in mild boredom.

"You've all seen a dead body before, move along," the guard said.

One of the spectators sighed, "The Charlatan strikes again," and proceeded to walk off towards the bar, just as Jaal exited to see Ryder and Liam standing near the body.

"Oh no, what happened here?" Jaal walked closer and knelt near the body.

Ryder scanned the body then Sam said, "He is Angaran. There are multiple lacerations on the face and abdomen."

The guard shifted uncomfortably mumbling under his breath, "Another body. I don't get paid enough for this shit."

Looking away from the sorrow stricken Jaal, Ryder asked, "There's been more than one murder?"

"Seven by my count, but that's all I know."

"Damn. This is serious Pathfinder," Liam said the gravity of the situation tugging his shoulders down.

Kneeling down next to Jaal, Ryder put a comforting hand on his shoulder, "Jaal, did you know him?"

"No," he pauses, tearing his gaze from the bloody form, then stands up pulling Ryder with him, "Let us go speak with Shena, at the Tartarus. I wish to hear what he has to say about this."

Ryder stepped up to the VIP lounge door, the music loud and thumping in her skull, as it opens she sees an asari drink waitress starting to walk towards the door, and she hears Reyes say, "Tell her to call later- I'm drinking, and leave the bottle. I'll want it later."

Walking into the room Reyes calls out, "Ah seeing you is like a breath of fresh air," and he stands up a smile on his face. "I am glad you're here. I'm sure you've seen the issue I wanted to talk about."

"I have, the poor soul was outside of Kralla's Song. Some of the locals were saying that it's the Charlatans handiwork."

Jaal shifts his weight the emotion plain in his voice, "If it was this, Charlatan, they will not wish to cross paths with me. This is a terrible thing."

Liam nods agreement, "And even if it isn't them, then whoever did it will pay. We have enough to worry about with the Kett, without having our own people fighting and murdering one another."

"I agree with you both, but I don't buy it. The Charlatan is discreet, careful. Whoever did this wanted the bodies to be found."

Ryder says as an afterthought, "They're making a statement."

Reyes nodded, "Yes, but to whom?"

"Maybe the killer is pissed about how Sloane is running this place," Liam offered helpfully.

Shaking his head Reyes replied, "Less than a third of the victims are Outcasts. No, if I were a betting man- and I am- I'd say it was the Roekaar."

"Why would a Roekaar be in Kadara Port," Jaal said looking shocked, "This would be the last place they would want to be."

Shrugging Reyes said, "Well Kadara Port was Angaran built, and before Sloane, Angaran run. Perhaps this Roekaar came to find new recuits suffering under the Outcast thumb, and things got out of hand."

They all stood there a moment letting the idea sink in, then Jaal spoke, "What about the Angaran victims? Were they Milky-Way sympathizers?"

Reyes nodded, his face grim, "Yes and they were killed for it. Problem is I've got no proof- and the Resistance doesn't want to antagonize the Roekaar."

Crossing her arms across her chest Ryder said, "So that's why you e-mailed me. You need our help to go out and gather evidence to use against the Roekaar."

Grinning with a twinkle in his eyes, "I need your AI, you're a bonus, Pathfinder."

Feeling herself flush Ryder replied, "Then we should get to it then. The longer we wait the colder the trail." Jaal and Liam started toward the exit, with Ryder close on their heels.

"A moment Pathfinder, we have one last thing to discuss," and looking pointedly at Ryders companions, they glanced at her and she nodded reluctantly.

Standing alone in the middle of the room, feeling vulnerable, she decided to tackle the elephant in the room.

"Ok...look Reyes, I really appreciate the help you've given me and the Initiative these past couple of weeks, you've helped more than you know," pausing awkwardly, Ryder looked over at him. His face was inscrutable, so she blurted out swiftly, "I can't let my feelings interfere with my job. There is so much at stake, so much riding on me being able to shoulder this burden and stabilize this cluster for all of us."

She watched him move closer until he was standing right before her, a curious expression on his face. The look he wore was a mixture of longing, pain, and a small flicker of pity.

"Let me help you. You no longer have to do everything on your own." He reached out his hand toward hers, not quite touching it, giving her the chance to respond.

Ryder's mind flashed back to memories of her mothers death; Scott's medical trauma; her father's sacrifice. There were many nights aboard the Tempest where she would replay memories, through Sam. The pain and loss were close to overwhelming her. She felt that some nights the nightmares would push her over the edge.

I've never felt so alone. This ache in my chest hasn't faded even though I've surrounded myself with friends. What will it take to rid myself of this pain?

"Perhaps..." she trailed off, looked down at their hands, clasped together.

Oh, when did I take his hand?

Looking up at him, into those golden hazel eyes, she was sure he would hear how hard and loud her heart was beating.

Perhaps a distraction will help...

"Ryder...I'm here. You're no longer alone, Pathfinder." Reyes reached out and caressed her face with his free hand. "Now, go. Before your friends come back," he whispered, his accent thickening, voice deepening to a soft baritone.

Squeezing his hand gently Ryder stepped back, breaking their contact. Her face was flushed, but not because of embarrassment. With determination in her voice she said, "I'll be back soon. Then we can finish this conversation."

With a wink and a smile Reyes retorted, "With drinks."

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