Hey there! This chapter closes our activities on Kadara. Good moment to relax, wouldn't you agree?

Chapter 17, Unwind

***Five days later.

Humming happily Stephanie grabbed another can of beer from the fridge. As she joined Drack outside she cherished the feeling of Eos' heat.

Such a lovely weather.

She touched her belly, feeling her skin glowing under the sleek material of her swimsuit. Taking a few big swigs from her beer she adjusted her sunglasses to block the relentless ball of fire.

Damn it's hot! Fabulous.

The plains of Eos were spread out before her, a scorching desert only interrupted by occassional rock formations, brightly lit by the merciless sun. The cool beer in her mouth tasted terrific and provided a pleasant contrast with her hot surroundings.

If she craned her neck she could actually see the tip of the Tempest's nose. Last night they'd returned from Kadara and managed to land the ship close to her new house, Rainbow.

Kadara... had been her top priority for a full week. Now she could truly say she'd seen it all. Vault restored. The port in good hands. Drugs off the streets. Architect defeated. She'd crossed the badlands a hundred times and shot every. single. outlaw. Following endless clues she'd searched for plants, scanned plants, collected plants and even tried eating one. The trip to her doctor, Lexi, had almost been worth it.

For the first time since her Father had died she felt completely at ease. Eos, Voeld, Havarl, Kadara. Things were going well. Her father would be proud. She heard herself humming again as she finished her beer. The team had definitely deserved time to unwind and Rainbow, her house on Eos, was the place to do it.

"Here ya go kid." Drack rumbled as he handed her more beer. In his other arm he held two bottles of Ryncol for himself.

"Thanks old man." She followed Drack around the building. "Hey everyone!"

"Hey Ryder!" Liam shouted along with a few others. They had gathered in and around the large hot tub, most of them wearing bathing suits or shorts. She rarely saw them like this and took a few minutes to drink it all in.

My team!

Drack was making the rounds, handing everyone some beer. Who knew he could be an excellent waiter?

Liam, Lexi and Vetra were lounging in the tub, having an animated conversation. As she watched they were laughing about some joke and she felt delighted to see them so relaxed. Nice. They've earned it.

Suvi was sunbathing on a large towel and Ryder sucked in her breath as she studied the drop-dead gorgeous irish scientist. Clad in a soft green bikini that left very little to the imagination she was a sight for sore eyes. Fuck she's hot!

Come to think of it, where did Suvi get such a gorgeous bikini? Looks great!

Suvi must have sensed her thoughts. She lifted her sunglasses and made eye contact, and Ryder knew she was caught staring. "Hmm..." Suddenly she became extra aware of how little she was wearing: A one-piece white swimsuit, which perfectly displayed her long legs and large breasts. It was simply the standard-issue Initiative swimwear, empasized by the logo on her chest.

She subconsciously fiddled with the straps of her suit while sending mischievous, playful smiles at her scientist. Suvi grinned right back and she felt the sensual, mutual appreciation. Nice... one can look, right?

Continuing her tour she suddenly found Jaal was also in the tub, floating, his eyes closed. Sleeping again? Weirdo! She giggled, resisting the urge to poke the Angaran.

Reyes and Gill were tending to the water unit of the tub and didn't notice her. She studied Vidal's bare muscled back. Damn. He's so... built!

Gil saw her first and winked. This made Reyes look as well.

His eyes widened. "Mujer hermosa... you look great!" He got up and took her hand.

"Hihi." Giggling with the compliment she twirled, showing off the white bathing suit. The loving admiration in his eyes told her all she needed to know. "Thank you."

She ended her spin in his strong arms. Gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "And likewise."

She meant it. She loved seeing his well-trained physique, his gorgeous olive-tan skin. And with him wearing only white swimshorts there was a lot to admire. "Seriously. You fucking hunk of a man!"

Kissing him on the lips she felt him respond, pulling her closer till their nearly naked bodies were pressed together.

"Hmmm..." She placed one arm on his shoulder, cherishing the rough muscles. Deepening her kiss she slipped her tongue in his mouth while she shamelessly squirmed against his solid body.

"Well." Gil cleared his throat, apparently unfazed by the pda, "good to see you guys so happy." He calmly and unabashedly watched them.

After a good minute Stephanie broke off her kiss and slapped his shoulder. "You!" But Gil just laughed and she laughed with him, both of them enjoying the carefree moment.

She finished her beer and burped before facing Reyes. "Whatcha think of my house?"

"It is wonderful. Beautiful location. And a tub... and a waterfall... "

"I know! Crazy right. I knew this was the place to unwind."

"Excellent idea. And the day got even better now that you've joined us."

She gestured to her team, "I'm making the rounds, but I'll be back soon."

"The sooner the better."

"Hihi." She gave him one last kiss. He squeezed her butt and she squealed ridiculously loud. Everyone turned to watch and she felt a blush appearing on her cheeks. Gil laughed in her face. Bastard.

That was the moment Liam decided to organize a soccer game and they all joined in, laughing and goofing around as they chased each other in the hot sands of Eos.

An hour later most of her team jumped in the tub to cool down. Steph wiped the sweat from her forehead and opened another beer. She missed something. Rather, someone. Where was Peebee?

Looking for her asari friend she sauntered up to the waterfall and noticed something odd. Two large, round eyes were barely breaking the surface of the pool. "Salarian in his natural habitat!"

"What's wrong with that?" Kallo quaked.

"Nothing, nothing. I'm happy to see you're enjoying yourself." She took three large swigs of beer.

"The water is very nice. Reminds me of Sur'kesh."

She opened her mouth to respond but was distracted as Peebee walked up. The young asari was sporting a frivolous bright orange bikini that was beautifully flaunting her sexy blue body.

Holy shit! Sexbomb!

She couldn't say what she was thinking. Kallo was watching her! "Hey."

"Hey yourself. Looking good Pathfinder!"

"This?" She plucked the stretchy material of her swimsuit. The sweat was making it stick to her skin. "...am I the only one wearing the standard Initiative stuff? Where did you get that lovely bikini?" She had to resist the urge to touch her friend.

Peebee had no such reservations. She had not noticed Kallo. Wrapping an arm around Stephanie's waist she pulled her intimately close. "You look hot whatever you wear." Inhaling through her nose she savoured the sweaty smell of human. "Smell good too."

Ryder tried to warn her but Peebee blurted out, "looking forward to our threesome - I so wanna fuck you." She cupped Steph's breasts and gently squeezed.

"Oh!" Kallo quacked. His eyes were growing larger. For a few seconds he watched them before submerging, swimming downstream to distance himself from the X-rated situation.

"Shit," Stephanie lamented, "he's such a gossip. Everyone will hear about this."

Peebee shrugged. "Oh well." She eagerly rolled Ryder's nipples between her fingertips through the flimsy material of the swimsuit.

"You don't even care! Bad asari!" Ryder hissed. Then she moaned, feeling her nipples tightening with the loving attention. "...b-bad!"

"Very bad." Peebee giggled. "That's why you like me."