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Chapter 36

"Really? Sigurd's Cradle? Watson?" I shifted my weight, searching the perimeter of the docking bay while Vale hacked into the systems. "How boring."

He grunted in response, but continued his work. "You would prefer something else?"

I sighed and leaned against the terminal, my eyes still on the horizon. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe a place with a view, hotels that don't explode, or something with some entertainment?"

Vale erased his presence in the security system and switched off the terminal, turning his attention toward me. "Well, there is an Alliance presence in this system. That might provide you with a nice diversion - something new to shoot at."

I sighed again and rolled my eyes before meeting his gaze. He cocked an impatient eyebrow and gestured to his right. "Shall we, my dear? I daresay our intrusion in this dainty bay will be noticed soon enough."

"Charming." I quipped sarcastically.

His familiar smirk returned as I followed him from the docking bay. "I can be when I want."

I grumbled noncommittally.

"It's a talent."

"It needs work."

He glanced back at me, slowing his pace as we trudged up a rather steep hill. "Then I guess I'll just have to practice."

I wasn't quite sure how to feel now that the content of our banter was once more familiar, and for all intents and purposes, light-hearted. I was confused by his earlier confession and annoyed that I'd not gleaned more information from him. That he had been watching me longer than I suspected was surprising. However, that I'd not noticed his presence before my transfer to the VIP lounge irritated me to know end. I'd always known there was more to Vale then he let on, but his ability to remain hidden from me on my own turf was disconcerting. He was more skilled than I had thought him to be and I couldn't help but wonder what other talents I had yet to discover.

I met his gaze with a hint of challenge in my own. "I guess you will at that." I recognized a flicker of surprise on his face before he loosed a soft chuckle. He opened his mouth to speak, but as we crested the hill I interrupted him, pointing down the line of the road to a nearby inn. "Not as nice as Nos Astra, but I bet it won't spontaneously combust."

"You sound disappointed."

I shrugged. "Maybe a little."

"Then I shall do my best to keep you entertained."

I recognized another flicker of amusement, and something else, and a distinct feeling of nervous discomfort swirled in my gut. That familiar smirk, coupled with his last statement, was unexpected and set me instantly on edge. I needed an out and quickly, and so increased my pace, stomping ungracefully down the rest of the hill and toward the rustic inn. I could only imagine the look on Vale's face, but I dared not look back to sate my curiosity. I'd shed enough dignity today.

"I'd like a room." I announced as I entered the small foyer, my voice carrying over the empty air to the lone man standing behind a dusty counter. He shot me look of confusion, as if the mere presence of customers was anything other than a regular occurrence.

"Of course." He looked momentarily confused as he paused in his duties, my arrival interrupting whatever menial task he was engaged in. "One moment."

I leaned on the counter and surveyed the area, an odd musty scent filling my nostrils. I sniffed with displeasure and stiffened as I heard the door open behind me. Vale's footsteps were quiet on the ratted carpet, and he stopped a respectable distance from me.

"Everything under control here?" He asked.

I wondered at his sincere tone and decided to take it at face value. "Yes."

"Good." I heard him shift, the scent of him drifting with the dust on the air. "I found a bar a few doors down. I'll be there if you need me."

I refrained from speaking the sharp retort on my tongue, choosing silence. A foreign sense of disappointment flitted through my system, but I squelched it before the feeling could ignite an inferno of unwelcome emotion. Instead I focused on the man behind the counter, studied him as he rifled through the keycards even as Vale quietly exited the inn. The door swung shut with a dull thud and I didn't even realized how tense I was until he was gone.

"Miss?" The lone man extended an arm draped in faded plaid, a battered keycard in his hand. "Your room's on the second floor – far end."

I took the card from his hand and nodded in acknowledgement.

"Got your own terminal. Just access the menu you need somethin'."

"Thank you." I shot him a half-hearted smile and made my way up the narrow staircase. While I was confident this hotel wasn't a target for any sort of organized crime, I couldn't help but wonder just what this small town had in store for me. And just what the hell I was doing here.

o O o O o O o

I felt more myself after a shower and even felt a twinge of longing for my apartment as I banged my elbows on the walls of the small shower stall. It was indeed strange the little things I missed from home: the soft comfort of my chair's cushions, the sharp scent of chemicals in my kitchen, even the groan of the CO2 scrubbers that hung from my back wall. Mostly, though, I missed having a space of my own and the accompanying constancy. I liked that I had my own space, personal possessions not bought or given, but earned. The thought that I might have nothing to return to was disturbing, yet always it lingered in the depths of my mind.

I tossed my towel aside and dressed, pulling on my dirty garments and plopping down on the worn bed. Again I wondered just what the hell I was doing in this town. During a brief scout of the area I had spied nothing of note aside from the bar Vale mentioned and the local security office. The main street was lined with small shops, mostly hardware and tech, and felt more like a way station than a blossoming metropolis. It was wrapped in dust and age, the local businesses supporting the dockhands and servicemen of the area. It was a small community – smaller than what I was used to on Omega anyway.

I imagine we could be safe here for a time, Vale and I, as it was unlikely anyone would search us out in such a backwater locale. I could only imagine Aria's reaction if such a thing were to occur. She would deny any knowledge of my existence, so great would be the embarrassment. And I wouldn't fault her for it. I would do the same in her position.

But I wouldn't be caught – not here. Not now. And certainly not in this shitty motel.

The door chimed, a discordant note that stung my ears, and Vale slipped inside in time to interrupt my musings. He tossed his keycard on top of one of the battered end tables and plopped down on the bed beside me. I raised my eyebrows in an unspoken question.

"Comfy." He bounced slightly on the bed before meeting my gaze. "The bar was boring so I came back to check on our arrangements."

"And?"

He shrugged awkwardly on the bed, turning on to his side to better meet my gaze. "Seems you have everything under control here." He bounced again and the familiar smirk returned. "One room, Jin? And a single bed? Is there something I should know?"

"Hardly," I snorted. "This was all I could afford. It seems the rest of our credits exploded."

"If I'd have known what she was planning – "

"That's not the point, Vale." I interrupted, my tone more plaintive than intended. "You were too busy fawning over her to notice – to think she might just not be the helping hand you were so desperate for."

I recognized the flash of guilt that replaced his smirk and he dropped his eyes from mine. "You didn't suspect either, Jin. The blame is not entirely mine."

I threw my hands up and let them drop back down to the bed in exasperation. "I dealt with the person responsible, remember?"

"Yes." His voice was soft, yet sharp, and carried with it a hint of something unfamiliar. "I remember."

"You say that like she was important to you."

He snorted and rolled onto his back, his eyes on the dingy ceiling above us. "Once maybe, but not for a long time."

I bit my tongue and frowned. His tone sounded achingly familiar and an echo of memory fought to surface.

Sensual curves dancing upon false flames, limbs entwined with shadow and light, and eyes only for me.

I pushed the memory away, focusing once more on Vale, waiting for him to speak. He remained silent for a time, his breath deep and steady, but as before his pose cried out in tension.

"We met by accident when I was on mission in Nos Astra." He paused in thought, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I saw her across the way and had to meet her. She was so intoxicating back then, back before everything got complicated."

"What happened?"

"Nothing that doesn't happen to anyone else." He shrugged awkwardly against the bedcovers. "There's no huge mystery, no dramatic climax – it simply didn't work."

"But you remained lovers." I was genuinely curious and my need to know drove me.

"For a time." He turned his head and met my gaze again. "No doubt you noticed how intoxicating she still was."

I frowned and grumbled, unwilling to cede the point.

He chuckled softly in response. "No doubt, but I never thought she'd try to kill me – not for money anyway."

"And you say I know nothing," I barked harshly.

"Oh?" Vale cocked an inquisitive eyebrow and I found myself at the mercy of memory.

I arrived at the coordinates Aria had given me and secured my position, snug in a rusted out ventilation shaft overlooking the empty cargo bay. I would have a bird's eye view of the proceedings and multiple exits with which to escape if need be. However, with the intelligence provided, exits would not be needed if the job was done properly.

And I was getting very good at my job.

I checked my ammo count and calibrated the settings on my rifle. I propped it against the shaft, testing the weight and adjusting my sights. Satisfied that all was in order, I switched off my omni-tool and prepared to wait.

It was not long before I heard the rhythmic banging of booted footsteps against the grating of the bay floor. I readied my rifle as the cargo bay door hissed open, filling the once empty space with the sound of nervous activity. I watched as Eclipse mercenaries filed in, taking up strategic positions as the one I assumed was their commander walked brazenly forward. There was something familiar in that gait, but before I could take the time to inspect further, the opposite door opened with an equally loud hiss.

Three individuals dressed in dark, unmarked garb filed in. While none appeared to bear arms, the trio exuded an aura of danger. I couldn't help but wonder if Aria's intelligence was correct. These three seemed to be more than just mercenaries. Something was off.

I shook off my feeling of discomfort and sighted through my scope, slowly adjusting the settings for maximum effect. I zeroed in on my target, precious moments ticking by as the Eclipse commander appeared to argue with the dark garbed lead. Sweat trickled down my brow, vermin crawled down my back, but still I did not move. I maintained my vigil, the thrill of exertion seeping into my bones until at last it seemed the meeting was concluded.

I pulled the trigger and watched the expected reaction flood the cargo bay.

Chaos broke loose as the dark garbed man fell to the floor. Eclipse mercs fanned out, flanking the other two dark individuals, but none got close. Biotics lit the cargo bay in a spectacular display, warping time and space and infrastructure in an awesome show of power. I watched in morbid fascination as Eclipse was torn apart by the ferocity of the attacks, their commander barely managing to escape the unexpected assault and diving behind a lone shipping container.

Gunfire erupted amidst the swirl of light, mass effect rounds aimed with little thought and ricocheting off walls. I felt the urge to duck more than once, but snug in my vent I remained safe. Those on the floor below, however, were not. I sighted down my scope once more and hunted for targets. I need not look hard, but only for the breath of calm within the storm.

The young woman garbed in dark clothing was next and I recognized a shift in the display of power as she fell lifeless to the floor. The lone dark individual on the empty cargo bay floor howled in rage and renewed his biotic assault, the force of his anger warping the sturdy structure of the shipping container. I watched once again in fascination as the commander, the last of the Eclipse mercs, stepped out from behind the damaged behemoth and launched her own biotic assault. The bay erupted in brilliant light, blinding me even as the shockwaves from their power sent tremors throughout the room.

My teeth rattled and my head hurt. I fought to focus and adjust my gaze, recognizing the destruction that lay beneath me. The once empty, bland cargo bay now smoldered in ruin, the twisted wreckage of the shipping container tossed aside like so much garbage, the metal grating of the flooring curling upwards and red hot. I sighted through my scope one last time, searching for any trace of life down below, and went cold at what I found.

Without hesitation, with no thought for myself I returned my rifle to the casing on my back and slipped out of the vent, making my way to the remnants of the floor below. I knew – even before I ever got to her, I knew. Uta lay broken and bloodied, her body contorted around the smoking remains of metal grating, shards of metal piercing her creamy skin, marring its perfection. I could have wept in that moment, save for Aria's sudden presence.

She knew. And she had sent me on this job.

No tears welled up, no regrets, but anger; clean and fierce and bright. I threw myself at her then, thoughtless and willful and she swatted me away as one would the vermin in the vents.

"Really, Jin. I'm surprised you didn't figure it out on your own."

She held me pinned to the wall with little to no effort at all even as I struggled to breath under her assault.

"Do you think me so heartless as to not look out for my talented employees?" She shook her head in mock displeasure, but I recognized the flicker of amusement in her eyes.

I met her gaze with defiance in my own. "You knew," I hissed.

She nodded. "And you didn't."

I fell to the floor roughly as she released me, sputtering pathetically even as the anger still simmered beneath my skin. Aria had used this as a lesson, to make a point, and she expected me to always heed her lessons. And so in that moment, in my last glance at Uta's broken body, I vowed never again would I lose myself in passion. Never again would I be used. Never again would I be a victim.

"Jin?" Vale asked, and I was suddenly aware that he was staring at me, a plain look of concern creasing his brow.

"I know what it's like."

"Do you now?" His tone was once more dismissive, smug.

"I knew someone once – someone very dear to me – who planned to sell me out for money."

"Oh?"

I ignored his renewed curiosity and continued on. "She was an Eclipse commander, but I was too blind to recognize it."

"And Aria wasn't?"

"Yes." I said softly, willing the memory away. "Aria saved me that pain."

He huffed and turned his head away from me, matching my pose as we both stared at the ceiling. "There is no safety from that pain."

"No. There's not."

Hardly Wait - Juliette Lewis

Big Bar Fight - Serenity Soundtrack