Chapter 4: We need to talk, kid

Peebee was somewhere near the Nomad searching for some components to upgrade her bot. It was two days after she asked Lexi to look after Ryder. She had not met her since then or fulfilled her promise to abduct her to her escape pod. It made her search more aggressive than usualy. She hated to keep that secret about Ryder's death from everybody. Despite one foot out from any bounds with anybody, it was unfair to them. Plus, she was worried about Ryder and hated to think someone could hurt her beyond life. As she was wildly scrabbling out everything in her way she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey, blue kid." Said Drack and he immediately needed to avoid some screwdriver flying towards him. He giggled in his lizard way. "Bad day?"

"For the last time, Drack. I'm not a kid just because I'm what a thousand years younger than you, old man?" Finally, she turned around and scanned him with her eyes. Drack looked ok and as a Krogan. Normal... Nothing strange. She could not even sense any distress. He obviously did not have a difficulty to keep Sara's secret nor he looked angry for her choice. Sara really should had not worry about it.

"Maybe a thousand and three hundred, so it still makes you a kid."

"Okay-okay, old dinosaur. What'd ya need?" She crossed arms on her chest and raised eyebrows.

"Look. I know you and Ryder are in some kind of a mating ritual for whatever reason." He started and Peebee's eyes literally jumped out of her skull.

"What'd you just said?"

"Fuck is good if you ask my opinion, kid. Not before a fight – it makes you too soft – but after? Good. Anyway, I want to know how's Ryder." Said Drack like he was just talking about some disgusting Krogan food. Peebee had no clue how this old lizard found out about the non-string-only-sex-type of relationship they had with Ryder. Maybe he could smell it with his animal-like nostrils. Maybe he tracked something after they were done. Like a dog could. Nevertheless, she felt very out of coolness right now.

"How the fuck you know, Drack?" Maybe a bad question on her side. She should had let the topic slide back to the mission and not to their share of liquids during certain activities.

"Heh... Humans are sooo easy to read. Especially those with a white or pink complexion of skin. Their colour change according to affection or a good fuck. And she was red in face like after walking a wild Varren out in the dark. But, her shirt was spotless." Drack was enjoying her confusion and his victory in this small IQ test. "So enough of this bullshit, kid. Answer my question."

" She is… I don't fucking know Drack. Go and ask her yourself." Said she angrily. One good thing about Drack was that he had no such a big mouth like, for example, Jaal. He would surely tell everybody on the Tempest about his fascination by hers and Sara's mating practices.

"She is avoiding me…" Said Drack looking very much annoyed. He was too old for this kind of drama and needed to return to action as soon as possible.

"That's not my problem. You know where she lives, no? Simply knock and talk to her. She cannot possibly outrun you..." Said Peebee and with that she returned to her search. The truth was she was curious as Drack what is with Ryder and sought some connection. But, that was not her style. Ryder only communicated with everyone by email. They were on their way to Nexus to check upon the Salarian Ark, but that was all. Drack turned around and left. When she was sure the room was empty again she pushed her forehead towards a cold iron pillar. "Sara, don't hide… Please…"

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Ryder… There is a visitor in front of your door.

Sara looked up from her data-pad although Sam was only in her head. It just felt natural that way.

"Who is it SAM?"

Nakmor Drack, Ryder.

She felt like swallowing a big ball in her throat. With difficulties, she directed SAM to open the door.

"There you are Ryder... Laying here like a piece of shit." He always knew how to make an entrance. Sara felt like knocked in bed just by his presence. She avoided him since that day when she decided to help Raeka instead of his scouts. Ryder breathed in heavily and stood up to face him. It was her responsibility. They were a team. a family. He was a friend she let him down.

"You think you can avoid me, but I am too big for that Ryder." He got just too near Sara. They were now standing face to face. Drack looking at her with those lizard eyes. She never could guess what he really thought.

"I'm… I'm sorry Drack." No, she could not stand that glare any longer and looked down at his feet. He was right to shout at her, to dishonour her, to leave her team and acknowledge her as a weak leader. "I did let you down… I'm sorry."

Drack was staring at her for a long moment. His nostrils were widening and closing as being near some enemy he wanted to kill. Then he raised his hand and Sara felt like all the reflexes in her body told her to move, but she stopped them in instant. She stopped herself to do anything but accept everything from her friend. Drack moved his fist and poked her in the arm. That was the maximum affection a Krogan ever showed her and Sara immediately raised her eyes to him.

"We are ok, kid. Let's go shoot some Kett butts and avenge our people." They were in this mess together and Drack trusted her enough to call his people hers too. Sara started to laugh and raised her hand to Drack. They bumped their fists together in agreement and shouted a Krogan war cry. It was the most honest expression of their friendship they mutually respected and shared. And Sara would not exchange it for anything other in Andromeda.