Chapter 6: When the past hunts you…

Sara was happy to be finally out of the ship. She was sure that everyone needed a day off. The docks looked livelier than ever. The first person she recognised was Vetra leaning on the rail and looking at the Tempest. There were still some bandages on her arm. During the time, they were saving her sister, Vetra was not very careful. She tried to get to her too fast and was reckless. Her wounds were serious and needed to stay on Nexus for a while. Despite her protests, Sara made her decision and Vetra did not have any other choice than to follow a direct order. Tann's voice was surrounding the station through the radio and was greeting new Salarian incomers. His voice was cheerful and happy. No wonder. Ryder was not looking forward to meet him any time later. She was sure that an urge to punch him would feel as too much a sweet thought to realise. Vetra was the one who interrupted her thoughts.

"Hey, Ryder!" She smiled. At least it looked like a smile. Turian mandibles codified their face expression into quite complex gestures for a human to decode. It was sometimes difficult to say what actually was a smile. Sara walked towards her. She missed Vetra.

"How are you Vetra? Is your wound ok? We need you back on board soon. Gil is giving Kallo a hard time and you seem to be the only one to keep them calm." Vetra laughed. She raised her hand and pat Sara on her back. Their relationship changed and it seemed that Vetra enjoyed her stay on Nexus. Maybe because they had so much to discuss with her sister.

"Don't worry Ryder. You're not gonna leave without me this time. I need to make sure that you don't kill yourself." Said she. Sara was surprised that Vetra's tone was playful and not scolding."

"You know... of course, you know. I've sent an official report." Sara sighted.

"Well, you should have seen the mess afterwards. Addison was shouting on everyone and Tann was nearly planning to strip you of the Tempest. It was Kesh who actually saved the day." Sara's eyes darkened and looked at the Tempest. Maybe Drack already contacted her. Vetra continued.

"Kesh kicked Tann's but and he flew few metres away. I have never seen her so angry. She was shouting at both and looked like she would blastthem both out of the window." It was truly a comical situation for Vetra but Sara did not laugh. The whole issue was affecting her heavily. Suddenly she felt Vetra's hand on her shoulder.

"Ryder, calm down. I know why your mood is completely under the weather. Kesh was angry with Tann. Raeka talked to her about what happened there. She told her that you saved all of their lives and what choice you needed to make. You did it right Ryder. Raeka is beloved leader and a diplomat. Kesh respects her which is a lot to say." Ryder was looking at Vetra thankfully. She could not even realise how much this meant for Ryder. To know that Kesh was not blaming her. Maybe Vetra knew because she poked her and hug her with one arm.

"You are hell of a human, Ryder. I would give anything to see Archon's face when you stole the whole ark and the artefact from him." They both laughed.

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Dr T'Perro walked into the Harry's apartment. He was already waiting for her with some fresh coffee. She smiled. Harry was her only ground in this mess. She was grateful that unlike many aliens here, she had a good friend who was safe here and waiting for her when she needed.

"Harry…" said she softly and sat on the couch.

"Good to finally see you, Lexi." Harry sat opposite to her. He knew she had come to talk. What happened to Ryder was disturbing and surely affected Lexi's psyche tremendously. He knew her for quite a long time. She was always devoted to her work, cared for her patients… She was fragile too and many overestimated her strength. Lexi was as vulnerable as any other being. He knew that.

"I'm glad to see you too…" that was all she could say … there was so much she just wanted to ask to talk about but she did not know how to start.

"I know Lexi…" He poured her some coffee from thermos and looked at her... His eyes were scanning her face and all the worries he knew too well.

"I know…. what happened… How are you.. you know.. coping?"

Lexi raised her eyes on him… "I don't know Harry. The past three days were too confusing. Ryder was broken… I had let my guard down… I was too open and then I found out… She lied to me to all of us about it…. I don't know…" Her eyes were starting to get wet. No, she did not want to cry. Not now.

"What do you mean you let your guard down Lexi?" Harry's fantasy was working fast, but his mind was still clear and ready for anything she needed to say.

"I hugged her. She cried a lot. I refused to ask and demand the details for the report just acted as a friend not a doctor and that was a mistake. What if.. what if … she had complications and was too late because I…." Tears started to fall. She could not stop them. What made her terrified that for her mistake she would die. Because she was too soft on her and forgot to act according to her job. That was why she could not be close to her patients. Not after what happened so long time ago in the past. She felt Harry's touch on her shoulder. She did not even realise when he had come so close.

"Nothing happened Lexi. You did well. Sara needs more than just someone keeping her alive. I know that girl since she was a small child you know. And, I know you long enough to understand your fears. There is nothing to feel guilty about Lexi. You did a good job." Said he softly watching her. He was honest. He knew about Lexi's past experiences and life was not fair to her. It was nearly cruel. He was actually glad she let Sara to get to her more. He should not be her only friend. Lexi looked at him and smiled.

"You are too good a friend to me Harry. But I still think I was the one who was reckless. Just because I was…"

"You were worried about her. I get it Lexi… You care for her more than you want to admit. I can see that." Yes, he could see that. Lexi was never shaken in such an extent by a possibility of some of her patients' death. She really cared for Sara which made him glad that he let Lexi stay at the Tempest. Sara was in good hands.

"But she is… so stubborn.. That was stupid of her.. right?"

"Yes, it was Lexi… It was stupid decision but you should forgive her." Lexi sighted and hugged herself… She felt very weak.

"I already did…" Said she in a very quiet voice. She turned to Harry and told him what Sara did in her room. That symbolic of kneeling touched her deeply and Harry could see how her eyes changed when she described the act. It surprised even him. He would never expect that Sara would try something so ritualistic. Being a pathfinder surely changed her and made her more mature and grown up. Something was going on here and it was even beyond a friendship. Surely none of them realised the presence of something else growing in their hearts.

"That is not.. like Sara…"

"No one ever did anything like that in my life, Harry. and I am nearly 276 years old." Her tears already dried and she just took her coffee to get some strength from it. Yes.. No one in her long life had ever did something so romantic. It was romantic definitely, despite the fact Sara wanted to save only their friendship. Still it touched her deeply.

"Not even my exes.. And you know that… for some of them I had let my doors open.. They used me… Even Victoria betrayed me… She let me…" She put her coffee down and looked at Harry with some unsaid question.

"She was the only human you've been dating." Harry knew. Lexi loved her but Victoria was killed… by Lexi….

She was a botanist and had an illness which was only typical for humans… Her bones were too weak and could break too easily. Victoria never told Lexi how serious her illness was and Lexi loved her too much to pressure or try to cure her by herself. She simply respected her wish and because of love did not listen to her medical instincts.

Once they had a fight, very bad fight and Lexi's biotic got loose. Normally it would only cause some scratches but that would imply only on a human in a full health and without osteoporosis in such a high stage. Vicki's bones cracked like thin matches and a long chest bone stabbed her heart. Death was instant and there was nothing Lexi could do. It devastated her beyond any pain she ever experienced. This was the origin of her saying I can brake bones just as well as I can mend them.