Disclaimer: I own nothing other than my mind.
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Special
Ryder stared down at the datapad in her hands, mentally calculating the amount of provisions they would need for staying on Kadara for two more months.
She also planned a pit stop in Aya, to disperse supplies between resistance groups and for Jaal to see his family.
I'm sure he misses them.
Chewing on her bottom lip thoughtfully she looked up, watching the Nexus workers loading the supplies onto the Tempest. Vetra walked up and stood beside her. The turian glanced at the datapad in Ryder's hand and commented, "Everything looks good, Pathfinder. Figure we'll be taking off afterwards? "
Ryder nodded, "As long as everything stays on schedule, sure. Have you said your goodbyes to Sid? "
Grinning Vetra replied, "Yeah. She complained we're never on the Nexus for longer than a week. I prefer to keep moving, she knows that. Staying in one spot for too long makes me restless. "
Chuckling Ryder nodded, double checking the last of the provisions. Then turning her full afternoon to Vetra she said, "Alright, lets get this bird in the air. Sam, let the crew know we'll depart in an hour. "
Ryder and Vetra moved to the loading ramp as Sam replied, "Of course Pathfinder. "
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Later aboard the Tempest Ryder held a small cup of Jasmine tea, while staring out of her wide bay windows into the fantastical beauty that was the Heleus cluster. Kallo had them on course to Aya. It would take three days to get to Aya, spend a day there, then off to Kadara; which, would take another week and a half.
Sipping the warm tea, Ryder thought back on her last night with Reyes. To say that her mind had been blown was an understatement. He was incredible, and made her feel more alive than she thought possible.
However a small nagging thought wouldn't leave her mind. It felt like he was holding back the morning after their intimate pairing, and he was distant in the emails he had sent.
What do I expect though. It's not like he's one for monogamous and serious relationships...he may have other women. We never said we were exclusive.
Ryder sat down, cradling her tea cup, hoping that perhaps it had become unspoken between them. Feeling frustrated she set the cup down on the coffee table before her and put her head in her hands, feeling miserable. She was beginning to spiral into that dark pit of self doubt and loneliness.
"Pathfinder, if I may offer a life line... " Sam said to Ryder in their private channel.
"Of course, Sam. " she said, her voice hollow.
"When you are with him I pay close attention. He does indeed care for you. Especially sexually, his pupils dilate when he sees you and his heart rate raises drastically. If I did not know better I would worry for his health, when he is within your vicinity. "
Ryder burst out laughing, "Thanks for spying on us Sam. Not creepy at all. "
"You are welcome. " Sam replied, deadpan. He is, however, holding back from you, Ryder, " Sam said. "Small indicators when he speaks about his work or anything personal. He is rarely completely honest with you. Will you confront him about it? "
Shaking her head she replied, "No, I'll let him tell me when he's ready. I don't want to push him away into someone else's arms because I pried into his personal life, when he wasn't ready to open up to me. Just because I care for him and we had sex, doesn't mean I miraculously own him. "
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The Tempest was a day away from Kadara when Ryder got a call from Reyes on her personal communicator. He surprisingly asked her to a gala that Sloane was hosting the night the Tempest would be getting back to port. Ryder's stomach was full of butterflies at the prospect of being with Reyes in such an intense formal setting. She wondered if this meant that he was finally beginning to open up to her, or was it another maneuver of the dashing rogue.
The night of the gala she pulled Suvi, Lexi, Cora, Peebee, and Vetra into her quarters to debate what she should wear. Vetra and Cora were both vying for a comfortable and easy to pull off, black dress with a sling shoulder strap, much like a dark velvet flowing toga. Suvi and Peebee wanted Ryder to wear a dark shimmering purple dress with a plunging neckline and an decorative slit up the thigh to draw the eye.
Lexi was on the fence between the two and called Gil as the tie breaker. The engineer swaggered in a slick smirk on his face.
"Now, Pathfinder, why is it you neglected to call on me for such an important matter? Of course you should wear the purple one. You want to knock the breath from his lungs, correct? " he said. Ryder nodded meekly as the sound of laughter erupted into the room at her expression.
"Then it's settle. Let's get you ready to blow that scoundrels mind, " Gil said cheerfully, pulling the purple dress from the hangar.
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Ryder stepped through the doorway of Sloane's Headquarters, feeling the familiar hollow echo of her nervousness in the pit of her stomach.
Just concentrate on not tripping Ryder...Maybe Cora was right when she said to not wear these heels.
Glancing down at her feet, Ryder bumped into a man standing in front of the inner door of Sloane's HQ. "Excuse me, sorry! "
She looked up as the man, who was clearly a guard said, "Hold up, this is a private event. "
"I know, I'm meeting a friend. Why else would I be walking around Kadara dressed like this? "
Feeling a warm hand through the thin fabric of her lower back Ryder glanced over and saw Reyes. He was glaring daggers at the guard as he spoke, "Do not answer that, friend. " He glanced at Ryder momentarily before setting his amber eyes back on the hapless guard, "She's with me. Reyes Vidal. " He gave Ryder a wide smile, his eyes betraying the lust in their depths as they traveled the length of her form.
The rogue was wearing a well tailored suit of dark navy fabric with a crisp white dress shirt, and dark brown dress shoes to match. The rich navy of his suit accented his copper skin, sending Ryder's heart into a panic. He looked devastatingly handsome, standing there next to her. She could barely believe the suave man before her was part of the dark underbelly of society.
The guard glanced down at his list, making a dour face, before he glanced back up and gruffly said, "Go on in. "
Reyes winked at Ryder and took her by the hand leading her through the next doorway into the festivities. Scattered in loose clumps around the room, where people of various affiliations and status within Sloane's ranks. Reyes guided me towards an Angaran woman who turned to greet us.
"Reyes Vidal. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show, " the Angaran woman said a coy smile playing on her lips as she spoke in an mildly condescending tone.
Reyes winked at Ryder and replied to the other woman, "Remember what I said about fashionably late? " He extended his hand and deftly captured the Angaran's hand for a chaste kiss.
She smiled warmly and extracted her hand from his. "Hush, you scoundrel. Now introduce me to this radiant woman beside you. "
Reyes turned to the Pathfinder, a hand slipping around her waist in a silent display. "Pathfinder Ryder, meet Keema Dohrgun. She's the Angaran representative to Sloane. And might I say it? A friend. "
They shook hands politely as Ryder stated, "It's a pleasure, Representative. You look lovely tonight. I was afraid I was over dressed for the occasion. Glad to see my engineer wasn't wrong. "
Keema delightfully surprised and flattered replied, "Oh, please call me Keema. Reyes mentioned your professionalism. I'm glad Reyes brought you. You're all he talks about lately. "
Keema turned towards Reyes and stage whispered, "She's even more beautiful than you said. I'm not sure you deserve such a fine woman. "
Reyes' ears burned while Ryder chuckled, "Is that so? "
Before Keema could continue embarrassing the smuggler he interrupted, "Excuse me, ladies. As much as I would love to hear more, there is something I need to take care of. "
He pulled his arm from Ryder's waist, intent on his business, but Ryder quickly excused herself and stopped him near the exit. "Abandoning me already? "
"It won't take long, I promise. There are important players here tonight. You should mingle... maybe make a good impression or two. It's known that Sloane despises you and the Initiative, therefore getting the favor of a few major players in her court would do wonders for your mission. "
Feeling the sting of embarrassment, annoyance filled her stomach, and she spat out angrily, "Do you treat all of your dates this way, or am I just special? "
Pulling Ryder closer he ran a soothing hand up and down her arm. "You know you are Ryder. There are no other women that compare. I'll make this up to you. Promise. " He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before taking his leave.
Trying not to let her feelings betray her in this room full of politicians, Ryder snagged a glass of champagne from the bar and downed it. Seeing Sloane beckon her, the Pathfinder begrudgingly stepped up to the dias.
"I see that Kaetus needs to vet the guest list more thoroughly. " Sloane sat, swirling a glass of wine between her fingers as she looked Ryder up and down. Her face was hard, but her eyes held the small flicker of appreciation.
Biting back a sardonic reply, Ryder forced a calm replied, "I'm here with a friend. If that's an issue I can go. "
"It seems your...friend has made himself scarce. You should be more careful, Pathfinder. Many here dislike that weasel and seeing you with him will only hurt you more. Kadara's hospitality is fickle, it can shift at any time. Go. Enjoy my party and tell your Initiative goons they better be more cautious, while in my territory. They try my patience. " Sloane took a delicate taste of her blood red wine, effectively dismissing the Pathfinder.
Ryder turned and made her way down the dias, attentive to the hem of her dress, not wanting to trip and further lower her status to these jackals.
For awhile she talked with other attendants, chatting casually trying to mend what broken fences she could, in a short period of time.
After a frustrating conversation with one of Sloane's lieutenants, Ryder decided she was getting dangerously close to over staying her welcome.
She was however, determined to find Reyes and get an explanation of his sudden abandonment. She spotted Keema Dohrgun standing near the bar and approached her. "Keema, have you seen Reyes anywhere? "
"Leave did he? Don't feel bad Ryder, he's a hard man to pin down. Slippery, that one, " Keema said offering a glass of champagne to Ryder.
Ryder accepted the glass, sipping on it as she spoke, "Any idea what he is up to? "
Keema glanced over to Sloane then back at Ryder, "It's better to not worry about what Reyes Vidal does, my dear. Just enjoy the party, it's not often we get to relax with free drinks. "
Ryder made a noncommittal grunt as she searched the overly decorated room for the dark haired smuggler.
"You know he likes you, right? "
"I know. He thinks he's so subtle, but it's pretty clear. It's just hard to trust him when he never tells me his plan. "
"He's a complicated man. Give him time, Ryder. He'll come around. " Keema laid a comforting hand on Ryders forearm.
"You're probably right...you have known him longer, " Ryder acquiesced.
Excusing herself from the Angaran representative, Ryder slipped out of the gala, intent on finding Reyes. If she couldn't find him she would leave and do something better with her time.
Making her way into the hallway outside of Sloane's gala, Ryder tried her comms but to no avail.
"Pathfinder, according to idle conversation I registered while you were in the gala, Mr. Vidal is most likely in that storage room to your left. " Sam chimed on the private channel.
"Alright then, let's see what he's up to. "
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Ryder stepped up to the door of the storage room and as it slid open she heard the unmistakable voice of Reyes.
"Damn it. Why can't serial numbers be in the same spot? "
Ryder found him rummaging in the containers and crates, too distracted in his quest to take notice of her presence. "'Take the night off.' he says, 'It'll be fun!' he says. You seriously ditched me to rummage in Sloane's stuff? I should've known you were up to something when you asked me to join you at this event. " Ryder stalked angrily into the room, her frustration with the entire, ridiculous situation coming to a head.
Reyes gave ground, raising his hands trying to placate the irate Pathfinder. He had removed his coat and his navy vest fit to his body, like it had been sculpted for him. "Ryder! It's not what it looks like! I was just on my way back. "
Her hands on her hips she questioned bitterly, "So you're not using me as a distraction? "
Wincing he replied, "Okay, yes, but it's for both our benefit! I promise. "
"Damn it all, Reyes. Be honest with me. You've been making a lot of promises- "
As her voice began to rise, Reyes grabbed her and pulled her close, covering her mouth with his hand, "Shit- someone is coming, be quite. "
Trying to slow her breathing she watched Reyes' face as he listened to the footfalls come closer and the two guards voices becoming clearer. He lowered his hand from her mouth, letting it fall to her shoulder, his other hand tight on her waist.
"We need a distraction, if they catch us in here, it will be bad for me. Worst for you. Sloane hates you, Pathfinder. "
Shit, he's right.
Biting her lip in exasperation she made a split second choice. Ryder pushed him against the containers, wrapping her arm around Reyes' neck, digging her fingers into his hair Ryder pulled him into a hard kiss, letting her anxiety and frustration out on the his unsuspecting lips. He submitted to her, his hands pulling her closer. Excitement thrummed through her body, melding with her anger and hurt.
I can't believe I'm kissing him after the crap he's pulled.
Letting out a soft groan Reyes pulled one of her legs up around his waist, utilizing the high cut slit of her dress, his calloused hands grazing against the soft skin of her thigh.
"Oh- ahem- sorry, " a guard said as she found the couple deeply engrossed in one another in the storage room.
The other guard commented, "Guess Sloane is already serving the good stuff. "
They headed away from the storage room, leaving the couple to their intense business.
Reyes opened his eyes, checking that the guards had indeed left. He broke away from Ryder's lips though his hands didn't remove themselves from her waist or her bare thigh. "I think we're in the clear. " he whispered softly, his accent flooding his voice.
His amber eyes gazed into hers. Ryder could hear her pulse in her ears from the thrill. "That doesn't mean I'm not upset with you. This was just a distraction. "
The hand on her thigh was warm and the soft caresses was driving her mad when he spoke, his voice barely above that accented husky whisper, "I have something to make up for it all. "
Ryder's breath quickened at his suggestion, even though she tried to tell herself that she shouldn't be giving into him so easily. The heat between them dissipated as Reyes pulled away and climbed up to a cargo box against the wall. He rummaged inside the highest one, dull clinks coming from within the container. A moment passed and he pulled free a dark bottle. "Ahh, here it is. I knew Sloane was holding back. "
Jumping down, a triumphant expression on his face he cradled the bottle in his arm, "This here is the only bottle of Mount Milgram in Andromeda. Triple- distilled and 645 years old. This isn't just whiskey- it's treasure. " He looked lovingly at the bottle, a boyish smile on his lips.
"You know just what my weakness is. How come I know none of yours? " Ryder frowned at the ludicrous sight.
Reyes pursed his lips giving Ryder a thoughtful look, "You're my weakness, Ryder. "
That gave her pause and she stood there, lost for words. Holding out his hand he said gently, "Come. Sloane wouldn't appreciate us lingering here with our pilfered goods and I should explain a few things to you. "
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They arrived to a rooftop balcony of a high rise building butting against the ship port. It had a clear view of the sunset against the rocky landscape of Kadara and her Port.
"What is this place? " Ryder asked looking around at the view, spotting a small round table and chairs near the railings of the edge of the balcony.
"A friend of mine owed me a favor. This place is that favor. " Reyes gestured to the small table for two and set the bottle down on the wire frame table. "Join me? "
A beatific smile spread on Ryder's face as she took the proffered chair as Reyes assisted her to her seat.
They passed the bottle between themselves as they watched the smoldering sun slowly dip its way below the craggy horizon.
"What were you really doing in Sloane's storage? " Ryder asked.
"Well...initially it was for a job. A frivolous dispute within Sloane's ranks. Then I realized she stashed valuable treasures, like this whiskey. "
"I see, " she paused thoughtfully, "Why not be honest with me? I understand you've got a job to do, as do I. "
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, running a hand through his dark hair. "I have never been good at being honest, Ryder. You make me want to try though I sometime...fall back into bad habits. "
Ryder could feel the last of her irritation fade at his words.
He's trying. For me.
Changing the topic Reyes asked, "So...is Andromeda everything you hoped it would be? " He fiddled with the lip of the vintage whiskey bottle, his face an impassive mask, his eyes careful and guarded.
"Every day is an adventure. Even my nights off are interesting. " She smiled warmly at Reyes. It was an honest, open smile, full of affection. Reyes wasn't sure he deserved such a smile.
"What about you? Why did you join the Initiative, Reyes? "
Reyes kept his gaze towards the dying light of the molten orb on the horizon, while he took a long swig of the whiskey bottle. The golden twilight reflected in his hazel eyes, igniting the gold within their depths. His dark, full lips were pressed into a thin line when he finally spoke, "I wanted to be someone. "
When he heard no reply from Ryder he finally broke from the spell of the dying day to look at the radiant woman across from him. Her expression was indescribable. The closest word Reyes could formulate was, endearment. It was so much more though. The intensity of the emotion in her eyes and the lines of her mouth, made Reyes' heart thud painfully in his chest. He didn't deserve such a magnificent creature.
Ryder reached out her hand and touched the back of his hand that was laying flat on the table. It was a small gesture, a question and reassurance wrapped into one slight brush of skin. "You're someone to me. "
Guilt raged inside of the smuggler, but he found himself kissing her before it had a chance to break free. He loved her, yet he couldn't be completely truthful with her. It was for her own safety, and the safety of all those that surrounded him.
Would she hate him afterwards? He wouldn't blame her.
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A/N: Thanks for reading everyone! I plan on wrapping this up after a couple of more chapters. Please look forward to it!