Disclaimer, I own nothing other than my mind
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Unflappable
Well shit. This has gone from bad to worse, fast.
Being ushered at gun point by Roekaar into a cavern, connected to the building they had been in, wasn't what Ryder had in mind when she accepted to help Reyes with his investigation. They were surrounded by disgruntled angaran: some cleaning weapons, a few were training, the rest were watching Ryder and her team being escorted in. A female angaran, flanked on both sides by armed guards, walked up to were Ryder and her team were being held.
"Pathfinder, I have tried Mr. Vidal's personal communicator, there was no response."
"Keep trying, Sam. This is a bad situation and I don't know if I can talk my way out of this. However, if I can keep them talking, perhaps Reyes will get here before it gets worse."
"You are not welcome here, alien." the beautiful angaran said, her voice laced with disgust. "I don't have to tell you what happens next," she proceeded to draw a knife.
Ryder raised her hands in defense and said carefully, "Settle down. We only came here to talk. No need to be hasty."
The Roekaar leader grinning maliciously replied, "We don't talk to filthy outsiders. Especially the leader of their invasion force."
Jaal stepped forward and interjected, "Wait, what about one of your own?"
She spat, "You eat with them, travel with them, and smell like them. You are a disgrace. You shall bleed just like the others."
Ryder replied, "Don't let your hate poison you and those around you. We can coexist."
She paused, a harsh smile on her face, "Like we are here on Kadara? Sloane is a liar and uses my people for her own gain."
Ryder took a short step forward protesting, "I'm not Sloane. I have helped the Angara at every turn."
Brandishing the knife again the angaran said, "No. You are all the same. Leeches feeding off of Heleus and my people." Out of no where the knife was shot from her hand, and she shouted in pain.
"Got your message, Ryder!" Reyes said half leaping down the stairs to the floor of the cavern, his rifle at the ready.
"About time, Reyes!"
"What? I have a good reason, I promise. You'll see in three..."
The female angaran fell back, yelling at her compatriots, "Don't just stand there fools, kill them!"
"Two..."
A second later there was a small explosion. One unfortunate Roekaar was standing right on top of the blast zone and his body parts littered the rocky floor. Shrapnel took down a few more Roekaar.
A smile forming around the edges of his mouth Reyes smoothly said, "Are you mad?"
Dropping down and rolling forward immediately after the explosion Ryder said, "Stop standing there gloating, and shoot!" She grabbed a fallen weapon and started blasting away at the now regrouping Roekaar. After all of the Roekaar had been eliminated, Ryder headed towards the exit with Reyes; Liam and Jaal were already in the other room, looking to scavenge any supplies or intel.
Pausing at the doorway his hand on her arm, "You did good Ryder," he smirked a smile dancing in his eyes, "I'll let all of the important people know who to thank."
Smiling up at him, her heart hurting less than it had in months, she replied, "We did good Reyes. Even though you were late...we make a good team."
Leaning closer to her and whispering in her ear, "Careful, Pathfinder- I'll start to think you like me."
Swallowing her knee jerk reaction to guard herself, Ryder turned her head, their lips were inches apart, "Would that be so bad? You help me, I help you." He stared at her, she could see the emotions flash over his face. It at once terrified and aroused her. "Do you need a lift back to the city, Reyes?"
Blinking he pulled back, "No, I brought my own transportation. Plus I don't think your teammates would care to share space with me." He glanced toward the other room, a hard to read expression on his face.
She followed his gaze, "Just because your a smuggler? Vetra is a smuggler, I don't think that lowers their opinion of you. Anyways, I should head out. I'll need to debrief my team and I'm sure you need to contact the Resistance and inform them about the state of our friends down there."
He nodded and continued out the door, "Don't be a stranger, Pathfinder. You still owe me a drink."
Ryder watched his backside as he left, the view was good...very good.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
After the debriefing, paperwork, and overall mind numbing busy work, Ryder was able to escape the Tempest for a brief respite. She found her feet automatically taking her down into the Slums towards Tartarus.
Shit, I didn't even e-mail him to let him know I was coming. Let's hope he isn't busy. Knocking on the door to Reyes' private room, Ryder heard a muffled noise through the door, but the music was as loud as usual, so hearing what was said was impossible.
Sliding the door open she saw Reyes at his terminal typing away. His hair was disheveled, and he was wearing a plain cream colored shirt and dark pants. He turned away from the console, irritation plain on his face, "I thought I told you to not interrupt...me..." his face went slack when he saw Ryder standing in the doorway. His eyes roamed her body, taking in her tank top, slim pants, and the headphones around her neck. "Ryder...What...I ah- ahem. Sorry, I wasn't expecting you," he said breathlessly, a hand running through his hair, making it stand up oddly.
Ryder crossed the room, concern filling her voice, "Reyes, are you okay? Have you slept since I saw you last?"
"How long ago did we last see one another?"
"Three days ago..." she trailed off watching his face.
He shrugged and moved toward the couch, grabbing a half full bottle of whiskey before plopping down. "Hmm, you still owe me a drink."
Moving to the couch with him Ryder leaned over and grabbed the bottle, "I don't think now is the time for that, Reyes. I should go, you need to sleep."
As she moved to get up from the couch, his hand shot out and grabbed her arm, there was a desperate look in his eyes, "No, stay. I need your help."
Ryder settled back down and angled to face him. "Tell me. What has the unflappable Shena, in such a state?"
Giving her a wan smile he replied, "I've had cargo stolen from me by a rival. I've used every resource available to me, but I'm not able to get a track on it. It could be only one person." Looking at her, his face showed just how tired and desperate he was.
Sighing but with a sly smile on her face Ryder said, "Alright, but not today. Today you're going to get cleaned up, sleep, and take me to dinner. Not in that order."
Raising an eyebrow at her playful tone Reyes grinned, "Oh, Ryder. I thought you would never ask. I will get ready immediately." He stood up swiftly, excitement flickering to life in his eyes.
"Oh no you don't," she said chiding him. "Sleep first. I'll go inform my team that they've got extended leave for today."
He sank back down on the couch looking up at her. His eyes were tired, with dark circles underneath. Ryder reached out and caressed his face, combing his hair with her hand. His eyes flickered closed, face going slack. He looked younger. Leaning down she pressed a light kiss to the top of his head, "Comm me when you wake, Reyes." He mumbled incoherently, his body falling back to rest on the couch. Ryder stepped back, watching him a moment. The ache of pain in her chest fading minutely. It may never completely disappear, but with help, it could become bearable.
Back on the Tempest Ryder informed her crew that today and tomorrow were now designated as shore leave. Drack and Liam immediately dropped what they were doing to head down to Kralla's Song together. Peebee said she was too distracted by a new remnant object, but later she would be in the Tartarus getting drunk enough to fill the Tempest with gin. Gil and Jaal ended up going down to the port to find new tech. Gil wanted to hunt down improvements for the Nomad. Jaal was curious about the outlaw weaponry and tech he had seen in the Badlands. Kallo was determined to keep an eye on what Gil was purchasing for the Tempest, so he went with them. Cora, Vetra, Lexi, and Suvi cornered Ryder saying that the Pathfinder needed a day off, too.
"You need a girls day out, Ryder. We've had our noses to the grindstone long enough," Cora said, latching onto Ryder. On the other side Suvi had ahold of her arm as well, a beaming smile lit the Scots face. Lexi was in the lead, heading towards the exit of the Tempest.
"Yeah, Ryder, I need drinks, without the clamour of the guys around," Vetra said, a grin on her face. She was positioned behind the group, just in case Ryder tried to make a run for it.
"I think we could all use a proper drink after the chaos of the Badlands," the doctor agreed.
Looking back at the Tempest with a forlorn look Ryder said, "But...I have so much paperwork I need to get done- while I have time."
"It's not going anywhere Pathfinder," Suvi winked, "It'll be there in the morning, along with your hangover!" They all burst out laughing at Ryder's expense, helping to ease any remaining tension in the group.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Hours later found Lexi nursing a cocktail, Vetra was laughing raucously with Suvi, and Cora was probing Ryder about her whereabouts that morning.
Leaning closer to Ryder, Cora said in a false whisper, "So who's the lucky guy, Ryder?"
Ryder's face flushed hot from embarrassment, "I don't know what you're talking about Cora."
This peaked Vetra and Suvi's attention. "Oh? Ryder has a man? You go girl, " Vetra said.
"Ooo, lets guess who it is. If you guess wrong you take a shot. If you guess right, Ryder has to take a shot for every guess that it took to get the correct person, " Suvi said, excitement bubbling forth.
Before Ryder could protest Vetra chimed in, "I'm thinking Liam!"
Cora interrupted, "Nope, Liam would've announced it to the world already." They all looked at Ryder expectantly. She shook her head and Vetra downed a shot.
"What about Jaal, " Suvi said curiously. Another shake of the head, and another shot taken.
Then surprisingly Lexi piped up, "It's not one of the crew." She stared at Ryder, a triumphant if a slightly drunk, look on her face. Gulping down the rest of her whiskey, feeling the hot coil of it snake down her throat to pool warmly in her stomach, Ryder smiled bashfully.
"Damn, I knew it!" Cora exlaimed.
Vetra just laughed at the expression on Ryder's face. Suvi looked shocked, "Who is it Ryder? Anyone we know? Are they here on Kadara? Oh, duh they have to be, right Cora?"
"Makes sense, she did slip out of our training session this morning." Cora grumbled, knocking back a shot of her vodka. Even though Ryder was starting to enjoy the game she could feel something out of place, so she scoured the ground floor, then looked up to the second floor to see Reyes looking down at her. He was dressed simply; dark trousers, boots, and a dark royal blue shirt. Ryder's heart hammered in her chest, like a stampede of elephants. Tearing her eyes away from his face, she recovered herself so as not to raise suspicions from her friends.
"How long have I been at the Tartarus, Sam?"
"For three hours, Pathfinder."
"Shit."
Glancing back up to the balcony she saw no sight of the dastardly rogue. Where...? Covertly searching the room for his familiar figure she started when she heard his voice behind her.
"Why Pathfinder- are you standing me up on our date?"
The table turned to look at Reyes as he moved around to be in better view of the group. "Him?!" Vetra and Cora blurted out in unison.
Flashing a grin at the two, Reyes dipped a small bow to the table. "I do not speak for Ryder, but I will say- she owes me a drink and I owe her dinner." Feeling their gazes starting to flicker back to her, Ryder stood up abruptly, wobbled, then took the hand Reyes was offering.
"Ladies, " Reyes said as he secured Ryder's grasp on his arm with his hand. They walked to a table further away from the bar, to the cat calls and whistles of her friends. Even through the din of the music she could hear them laughing and cheering her on. Sitting down across from Ryder, Reyes apologized, "I'm sorry Ryder, but I was afraid that if you kept drinking, I'd miss out, and I desperately want your company tonight."
Ryder smiled warmly. "Ah, I was getting tired of those guys anyway. It'll be worse when I get back to the Tempest tonight," She sighed. Reyes nodded and caught the attention of a waitress. They ordered food, real food not nutrition rations. "How does this place have real food?" Ryder asked incredulously.
"It's not steaks or anything...but I have my ways, Pathfinder." He winked. Their whiskey was brought to the table and Reyes poured them two glasses.
Ryder absent mindedly tore up a napkin as he did so and said, "How are you feeling?"
"Much better, than when you saw me last. Sleep deprivation is hazardous to my good looks. I am slightly embarrassed that you saw me like that," Pausing he watched her fidget. After a moment he reached out and stilled her hands, "You are nervous?"
"No...yes...maybe?" she shrugged helplessly. "I'm not very good with..dates." She reached for her glass of whiskey and drained it.
With a raised eyebrow and a soft laugh escaping his lips he said, "Neither am I. I'm too shy for that nonsense." He sipped his whiskey, looking innocent.
Grinning she said, "Oh yeah. Super insecure. Liar."
"You caught me, red handed, Pathfinder. What will you do to me, now that I am at your mercy?"
She reached back out to his hands and entwined their fingers, "I can think of a few things." His hands were rough and warm. The alcohol had now spread luxuriously throughout her body. She was somewhere between tipsy and drunk.
Explains why I'm so bold right now.
The food arrived, fresh vegetables and an unknown meat. Ryder was too hungry to care and started digging in.
"Has it been awhile, Ryder?"
"For what? Real food? Hell yeah! The Tempest is normally stocked with nutrition blocks, and every once in a while we get vegetables from the Nexus' botanical garden or Cora's personal garden on the Tempest."
He laughed, "No I meant, this- our date."
Pausing she pretended to be preoccupied by her newly filled whiskey glass. "Uh, I mean yeah. Last relationship didn't work out. He didn't want to come with me to Heleus."
He nodded, sipping on his whiskey, "I won't say that it's been that long for me. I am irresistible, but I've not met someone like you before, Pathfinder."
They fell into a comfortable silence, and once they were finished with their dinner Ryder said, "Come on, let's get out of here. I'd like to show off the Tempest to you."
Curious, Reyes got up and started to follow her out of the club. As she was passing close to the table where her crew was, Lexi called out to her through the music. "Just a moment Reyes, I'll be right out." He nodded and continued towards the ground floor exit.
"Alright, alright you guys can pester me tomorrow. I promise." Ryder held up her hands in defense, laughing at the clamour they made, trying to ask about Reyes.
"Hey Ryder, what'd you do to get a piece like that," Vetra said grinning. Suvi giggled, and leaned against Vetra, her face was flushed.
"Perhaps you guys should cut out the drinks soon, Suvi looks like she's about to fall out." Turning to Lexi, Ryder questioned, "What'd you need Doc?"
Cora collapsed into a fit of laughter, Lexi tried to quiet her, but didn't succeed. So she continued, "Ryder...make sure you- ahem, use protection." Ryder's eyes went wide and heat grew up her neck, into her cheeks.
"Damn, Lexi. Surely Ryder isn't a virgin!" Vetra exclaimed.
"Damn straight, Vetra. Shame on you doctor," Ryder said acting like she was offended. She laughed with them, "I'll see you guys back at the ship. Be careful heading back, it's getting dark."
Then she departed their company and went to meet Reyes outside.
... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Don't forget to like, follow, and comment!