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Chapter 41

His skin was warm under my touch, his breathing deep and relaxed as he slept soundly, leg draped heavily over my own. I watched him in silence, Vale's soft snores drifting on the air and felt a sense of the familiar filling me amidst strangeness. It was a moment of peace I was quite unaccustomed to, my nerves not yet on edge as I knew they would be once we docked. I sighed heavily at the thought and felt him shift slightly beside me.

Vale mumbled something unintelligible, his garbled words quickly replaced by soft snores once again. I felt the slight hint of a smile curl my lips at the ease with which he slept, a skill which I had never developed, and let my mind wander. We had come so far, he and I, and made little progress if any at all. We were back to square one, back at Omega relying on Aria's good graces for our survival. Granted it was a situation in which I had flourished, but I feared ill for Vale. His knowledge would either be his downfall or his safety net.

Either way we were out of options.

I slid out from underneath his weight, the small bunk barely large enough for the two of us, and padded softly across the crew quarters. The room was far more tolerable after we removed the bodies, but I still felt restless, and so made for the bridge. I glanced back once more before entering the hall, but Vale still slept soundly, the lines of strain on his face absent in slumber. He was beautiful in his repose.

The stars twinkled brightly in the void and I checked the chronometer for our arrival. We still had another standard hour yet to travel before we'd need to drop out of FTL, and so I took a moment to enjoy the view. It had seemed forever since last I admired the stars, ever present and infinite. It was a shame they weren't more appreciated.

Soft footfalls sounded behind me and I needn't look to recognize Vale's movements. I know not if he recognized the instinctual tension in my body at his approach, and if so he gave no indication, instead wrapping his arms around my nakedness and pulling me to him. I let him, forcing my body to relax, recognizing the unexpected intimacy that had suddenly developed between us. It was an odd evolution in our relationship, so often I had thought him no more than a mere lout, but his touch was attentive. Attentive and well-practiced.

I felt the heat in my veins suddenly respond to his presence, the warmth of his body against my own, and turned to face him with unfeigned desire in my eyes. I recognized the minute twitch in his cheek, the darkening of his gaze, and knew that he appreciated my taste for hedonism. I pulled his lips down to my own, tasting of him yet again. He responded in kind, mirroring my building desire until finally we gave into the other's demands among the shadows of the stars.

o O o O o O o

I waited for the rush of atmosphere to equalize before stepping out of the airlock, allowing the scent of Omega to fill my nostrils once more after what felt like an endless separation. Memory flooded my mind as I breathed deep, hunger and pain and satisfaction all melding into a sense of the familiar. I was home and glanced back at Vale as we departed our stolen ship, the disquiet apparent in his eyes. I saved the sympathetic gaze as it would mean nothing to him, choosing instead to move forward down the gangway and onto the station proper. I would not be forestalled by something as trivial as apprehension.

I moved with purpose through Omega's streets, taking winding routes and backtracking as per was my routine. I could sense Vale's impatience and if I had done my job he would be thoroughly lost by now, and according to the frustration writ plain upon his face, he was. I let loose a wicked smile and gestured to the door beside him.

"We're here."

"You're apartment I presume?"

I nodded, willing my excitement to subside as the reality of our situation sunk in. "Aria already knows of our arrival. Lock the door and wait here for me to return."

He frowned, the tension in his voice evident. "How can she possibly know that already?"

I shot him a crooked smile, somewhat dismayed by his question. "It's her station, Vale. She knows everything that goes on here." He grunted noncommittally and I activated the console, unlocking the door for him. "Don't touch anything."

"What? Why not."

I shook my head dismissively as I strode inside. Ignoring the urge to engage in my usual routine, I instead reached into my closet and pulled out a dark, hooded jacket along with a thin knife. "The vid's okay – you can watch that – but you'd be smart not to touch anything else. Just trust me."

I received a dubious look in return. "Okay. I guess."

"Good." I activated the console again on my way out and locked the door before he could protest. I knew it wasn't the safest place to stash him, but Vale needed to be out of sight when I met with Aria. I had to be able to gage her reaction to our return without his presence to muddle our meeting and I didn't want Aria knowing what a distraction he had become. Of course I had little doubt she knew already.

I pulled my hood up, hiding my face within the shadows, certain that caution would be warranted. Once again I made my way through the familiar passages, grit and grime seeping into my pores, the familiar scent of salarian noodles mingling with the trash outside the local whorehouse. I smiled in recognition at the garish lights and advertisements, at the venders with their shady wares. Oh I had missed the vulgar refuse that littered the streets and called Omega home. Such dregs lived for survival and fueled Omega with the desperate energies that drove its inhabitants toward ever greater debauchery. I never felt as alive as I did within such anarchy and it was that heady feeling that drove me straight back into Aria's lair with little more than pride and arrogance at my disposal.

The thrum of bass filled me and I quickly readjusted to the sudden barrage of sensory input. False flames danced on the walls while lithe shadows flickered within. Music pulsated violently accompanied by the rigorous cacophony of drunken revelry. I breathed deep, inhaling the familiar scent of Afterlife; an intoxicating mix of sweat and hunger and desperation. Despite returning to my former hunting grounds, I couldn't help but remember that I had been the prey, and I loathed remaining in such a role. Swallowing my doubts I made for the perch in which I knew Aria resided, no doubt expecting me.

I don't know what it was, exactly, that I imagined, but I did not believe that her very presence still held such a powerful sway over me. As I crested the rise to her private booth, her henchmen watching warily from the sideline, I paused mid-step as our eyes met, breath catching in my throat and all logical thought evaporating from my mind. I could think of nothing but the line of her neck, sensual lips pursed in a mix of satisfaction and curiosity, the spark in her eye promising delicious punishment. In that instant I was ensnared by her and worse yet, I felt no desire to escape.

She studied me with a knowing gaze, that dangerous spark never waning, nodding almost imperceptibly as she finished her inspection. A deadly hand gestured for me to sit and I did so without question. "And so you return, Jin. How nice."

I opened my mouth to retort without thinking, biting my tongue at the last when I recognized the tension in her pose. Instead I nodded, submitting.

She studied me for another moment before speaking once again. "You made a mess of my station, Jin, and now you want back in? Quite the quad you have there."

The batarian to her right snorted in laughter, but was quickly silenced by the fire in Aria's eyes at the unwelcome interruption. Her clipped tone told me enough to remain silent and I did so, all the while churning with a volatile mix of longing and anxiety. What exactly did she have in store for Vale and I?

"That disaster in the bar left a bad taste in my mouth. And then you up and run away." Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly, the spark of anger bright. "And then there was Guy. I hand you a delightful target and you fawn over him like a bitch in heat. Really Jin," she cocked an eyebrow and leaned back almost casually. "I expected a bit more professionalism from you."

Shame washed over me at her words, the disappointment harsh and biting, but I met her gaze unflinching. "I got the job done. You never specified how."

Her sudden burst of laughter filled the space between us and I resisted the urge to relax. It had been hard, nigh impossible at times, but I had learned long ago to guard myself against my mistress. Aria had taught me much, but she was a master manipulator and I'd no intent of falling further into her web.

"You did at that, Jin." She smiled disarmingly, but the spark of anger lingered still. "But this latest venture of yours lacks subtlety. You have half the galaxy out looking for you."

Ignoring the curve of her cheek I met her eyes again, wielding the budding fury in my veins as a shield. "That's a bit of an exaggeration –"

"A technicality." She waved her arm dismissively. "Why shouldn't I cash in? With both you and your friend I could make a hefty profit. What good are you to me?"

The question took me aback and I worked to force my thoughts into logical cohesion. Aria's presence was heady indeed and she scrutinized me with a well-trained eye.

"My knowledge," I blurted. Aria remained still so I continued on, undaunted. "I'm worth more to you alive with the knowledge I possess – clients, targets, insiders. Not to mention my 'talents.'"

"Your knowledge is a liability, Jin." She snorted in contempt. "I'm not fond of loose ends. You'll have to do better than that."

I remained still, shaking off the threads of desire as I composed myself. I had no additional arguments for her, and it was unlikely that she would listen to me at all. Knowing Aria as I did, it was wholly likely that she'd already made her decision and was just toying with me for her own amusement. As the realization struck me, I felt the echo of desire return flavored with a hint of irritation.

She sipped from her glass and turned her gaze toward the perspiring masses on the dance floor. "Fortunately for you, I can benefit from this little debacle." Her voice was so low I had to strain to hear her. "Your return will cause Cerberus to lose face."

Unsurprisingly she was correct. My voluntary return to Aria and her ability to protect me and Vale would make Cerberus look weak, unable to eliminate their chosen targets. And although she need not state it specifically, we were now in her debt despite what talents I could put to use. Aria owned us, and that thought did not sit lightly with me. I had no desire to be a slave again.

I stood suddenly, wishing for nothing more than to be back in my apartment, curled in my chair, the scent of gun oil in the air and a cool knife in my hand. I recognized my impatience in the continued tension of her pose. She gestured to one of her henchmen with a graceful wave of her hand.

"Here. Make yourself useful."

Anto passed me a datapad and I took it without hesitation, old habits resurfacing. I studied the readout briefly and shot Aria a questioning look. "A target already?"

She took another sip of her drink. "You might as well start making yourself useful again. No need to waste time."

I nodded, recognizing her dismissal, and sunk deeper into my hood as I left the bar. Tucking the data pad into my pocket I wound my way back to my apartment, ready for a hot shower in the tiny stall and the weight of familiar guns on my hips. As wary as I was to return to Aria's side, I couldn't help but enjoy the thrill she provided. I would have been mediocre, unimportant if not for her, and as I opened the door to my empty apartment, the excitement drained from my blood. Vale was gone.

Right Where it Belongs v2, Gave Up - Nine Inch Nails