Chapter 11, Love and war

This section takes place right after the previous chapter.

Stephanie was basically running all the way to the Tempest, panting lightly as she found her way to Peebee's room. "Hey. I gotta talk to you."

The asari was sitting at her worktable, fiddling with a few metallic components. Ryder was so glad to see her friend. Peebee had only just returned from a three days trip to the Nexus and she realized she'd missed her.

But Peebee was completely focused on her work. "Gimme just a minute... I've been trying to fit this together..."

"Whatcha making?

"Oh no - that would be telling. It's a secret." She whispered in her deliberate, playful manner, "you'll see it. Later."

After two minutes she gently laid it on the table. "There! All set." She looked at Ryder as if she just now noticed her. "Stephanie... that's a cute dress! You look nice. But I have something to tell you. Yesterday on the Nexus Vederia stopped by. The asari pathfinder. One thing led to another and we had sex. She's such a wild thing! Even mentioned how she would be interested in a threesome with us."

Steph gasped. Her mouth fell open. Her legs felt wobbly. "What? ...you and Vederia? I thought..."

It hit her hard. She was a fool. Peebee was not hers! She'd hoped for more but they were friends with benefits - that's all. Any claim or idea that she and Peebee were 'together' was just that - foolish. She should have known better but still felt painfully let down.

Even worse, she'd cut her evening short, denying herself some romantic moments with Reyes... out of loyalty to Peebee. Peebee who so casually had jumped in bed with the asari pathfinder!

She had to ask. "Are you and Vederia... together?"

"Course not! C'mon Steph, I don't do commitment. You know that."

"...yes."

Her heart was tumbling with emotions. Relief, sadness, anger. Relief that Peebee wasn't really interested in Vederia. Sadness that Peebee wasn't really interested in her. Anger... clenching her fists she found she could only be angry with herself. Peebee never promised her more than friendship and fun.

I'm a fool. Damn! Just gonna follow my own course from now on.

She thought of Reyes. He was a kind, witty, very attractive man. He liked her. She liked him. They'd enjoyed a lovely evening together. She could easily picture them being together. I'm gonna go after him! He really likes me... follow your heart Steph!

She cringed as she remembered how she'd just ran out on him... because of Peebee. Who will never be more than a friend. She just had sex with someone else. And she doesn't do commitment!

Peebee sensed her distress. "You ok Steph? Are you upset?"

"Eh... no. Nothing is wrong."

She harshly bit her lip. The lie felt so bitter. And she really didn't want to lie to Peebee either. "Well... I must confess, sometimes the asari attitude towards sex is... ehm... surprising."

"Ha yes, that's what I figured. If it makes you feel better, I wasn't planning on fucking Vederia. It just kinda happened. It's no big deal, really. From what I've heard, sex in our culture is very different than yours. Feel like talking about it?"

Definitely not. That was the last thing she wanted to think or talk about. "Maybe later."

"Ok. Anyway, you came here to tell me something?"

"Uhm, it's not important. I gotta go."

Trying to hide her disappointment she ran for the door.

Next morning

"And thus I challenge you to a duel."

Sloane rolled her eyes. "A duel? Are you really such an idiot?"

But his eyes told her something else. He was very serious. Dead serious. He was challenging her, and her pride would not allow her to walk away. No matter. She was going to squish him like a cockroach. "Allright Charlatan. A duel. I'm going to enjoy killing you."

Slowly, ominously they circled each other. A dangerous silence filled the cave. Ryder realized she was holding her breath. What is he doing? He could get killed!

She harshly bit her lip. NO!

In a flash she realized how much she liked him. In a very short time they'd grown very close, intimately close. And now he was in grave danger! She couldn't lose him! Her heart was pounding in her chest. She opened her mouth to scream his name, to stop this insanity -

An incredible loud, cracking noise echoed through the cave. Steph gasped as she saw Sloane twitch, a red dot blossoming on her forehead. Within a second blood was violently gushing down her face and she crumpled to the ground. The back of her head was a filthy crater of bloody pink mess.

Sniper! They blew her brains out!

She jumped to take cover but Vidal raised his arms in a reassuring gesture. "It's over! It's over!"

Vetra stepped out and casually kicked the dead body. "Good shot! She won't bother us anymore."

Stephanie took a few deep breaths. She stared at the corpse. Blood was still pumping out of Sloane's head. Damn!

She definitely didn't approve of murder. But... she sighed. This would likely solve many issues. And could be a turning point for Kadara. She had to admit, most of all she felt relief... he didn't get hurt! She realized again how much she cared about him. "Oh Reyes!"

Right outside the cave he took her hand, his eyes seeking her approval.

Wanting to reassure him she pulled him closer and kissed him. It happened so fast she shocked even herself. "I... I was so worried! So glad you're ok."

He grinned like a lion. "You have bad taste in men."

She kissed him again. "The worst."

Those last two lines are copied directly from the game... and yes I had to look it up cause all I ever did was knock on Peebee's door LOL!