Lexi was standing there with both hands crossed on her chest. She was furious when she found out what Peebee did, how they all endangered themselves. Vetra and Liam politely decided to keep their distance. Lexi could truly be terrifying and they understood why Peebee used the nickname Matriarch for her sometimes. The shuttle was connected successfully and all three sinners left the vehicle.

"You two…" She pointed at Sara and Drack. "Medbay… now…."

"She seems really pissed off…" Drack whispered towards Sara.

"Silence! Don't make me pull you there with force." Drack immediately stopped talking and grabbed Sara before her mouth could utter something which would make Lexi even angrier. He had a feeling she was not joking.

Lexi turned her head towards Peebee. "We need to talk… follow me." Her voice was strict and sounded like an order. She turned towards Vetra's room and started to walk there. Vetra just tried to make herself smaller behind the Nomad and did not make any complaints of using her room as a scolding room. Peebee swallowed a nervous ball in her throat and followed the doctor. When the door shut and they were alone Lexi turned her anger freely on Peebee.

"Explain yourself…. Now… and I warn you. I'm not interested in any jokes now." Said Lexi.

Peebee bit her lip and was looking at the floor like a small scolded child. What she could say to Lexi? She did crazy things like this all the time. She risked, life was short for her still and despite she accepted the crew as her family, she could get completely consumed by her passion.

"I'm sorry Lexi…" Said she quietly. She meant it. Their relationship got so much better after all that business with Sara and she wanted to keep it that way.

Lexi was staring at her and breathing deeply. She did not expect an honest apology right away, but it made her anger relax a bit. She covered her face behind her hand and rubbed her forehead.

"Peebee… You really need to stop acting like only your life is at stake. Living on edge. You have responsibility towards us…. I was so worried something could happen to all of you… Including you, you reckless hothead." Said Lexi still massaging her skin.

"You were worried about me?" Asked Peebee. She knew that she including others on the ship were worried about them, but it just made her feel nice hearing it out loud.

"Of course…." Lexi looked at Peebee. "I'd never forget what you did for me… for Sara… Just don't try to kill her or yourself again… okay? It will make my job much easier." Lexi looked tired and Peebee felt guilty for her irresponsible action. She could get everyone killed. That was true.

"I'll try… I promise…." Said Peebee quietly. What Lexi did was nearly with that type of parental love. Her Elcor father was never good in expressing his emotions, and still he decided to raise her without any help offered from her mother. Scolding was a way how he expressed his love, when he tried to teach her how to survive. Anyway, he was the greatest pony any small kid could only dream about.

"That's all I wanted to hear." Lexi smiled. "Now, come on. Let's get you all patched up."

IIIIIIIII

Few days passed when Suvi reported a cargo waiting for them on some deserted planet from Kalinda. It was filled with Remnant tech, very valuable. Sara was on her way to find Peebee with a special message Kalinda left for her when she heard her and docs voice coming from the medbay. She entered.

"No... no… doc… That's strange…" Said Peebee looking with the utmost surprise at Lexi.

"Why? Your 'bedroom' is destroyed. I have enough room here for you and enough beds to sleep." Lexi was looking at her with raised eyebrows.

"It's just strange... We both slept with…." Peebee stopped talking when she noticed Ryder in the room. Shit.

"RYDER!" Said she too loud and too awkwardly… It beautifully finished the sentence and Sara was fighting to keep poker face.

"Am I interrupting something?" Asked Sara pretending to be the calmest person in Andromeda.

"We were just discussing possibility of Peebee staying here with me." Said Lexi and Peebee suddenly did not know what to do with her own body or where to move or stand. She could not say in front of Ryder why she thought it was a strange and crazy idea… So, her nature guided her to do something completely opposite her intentions and she walked towards Lexi and looked at Ryder with secret challenge in her eyes.

"Great idea... Don't you think, Ryder? Now we can unite our powers against you when you don't behave." Lexi just rolled her eyes and Sara felt drops of sweat grouping under her shirt. She just realised that two of her 'exes' how Liam called them, that they would sleep in one room together, talk, gossip…. her urge to laugh disappeared.

"Ehm… yes… of course… it's logical… good room... big... safe..." her speech was fragmented and she felt like an idiot. This gave Peebee enough time to gather herself again. Sara continued. It was better to leave.

"Just was here to bring you this…. A message for you from the cargo we just picked up." Sara quickly put datapad on the bed and turned around… "Sorry, have some urgent work…" Nor bye, nor other word left Sara's lips when she disappeared like a smoke.

"That was cruel, Peebee" Said Lexi fighting with laugher… "But, amusing."

"Thanks, doc. A compliment, I'll take it." Peebee chuckled and walked towards the datapad. She took it and recognised a message from Kalinda. The good mood disappeared when recognising this information. She read it out loud.

"Pelessaria with my compliments. My crew won't bother you again. In your debt. Always, Kalinda." Her hand holding the datapad slipped along her body down that she nearly let it fall on the floor. It was good she was standing with her back towards Lexi, because a tear formed at the edge of her eye. In your debt. Always… That word 'always' terrified her as she remembered the moment Kalinda was so close to death and that 'always' could change to never. Kalinda who represented a huge part of her life, of herself, could disappeared within a second.

That realisation made her shiver. She strengthened her grip on the device in her hand and would make it crush if Lexi's hand had not landed on her arm. It was a silent and friendly gesture. No, she was not alone anymore and did not need to deal with this just by herself. She had a home here at the Tempest where she could always find her refuge. She had friends who would stand by her side, care for her and die for her. Kalinda was not a ghost of her past anymore she needed to run away from. They were equals. Peebee raised her hand and touched Lexi's on her arm searching for support.

"I'm going to write her and meet her on Nexus… We need to talk." Said Peebee determined to stop running like never before in her life.