Wow this update took ages! Of course I was side-tracked by several other projecs but everyone should be used to that by now ;-)

Another thing - at first I wrote an entire section with original dialogue. Then I read it, and it sounded stupid. So I'm just going to follow the game on this one.

Chapter 21, Decisions

Now that she had decided, there was no stopping Peebee. She would readily admit to a few character flaws but determination was not among them. She finally knew what she wanted, and she was going after it! She wanted Stephanie. She wanted Stephanie by her side and nothing was going to stand in her way.

Definitely not that stupid Charlatan guy. Steph's mine. He's gotta go.

She knew her own reluctance to commit to a relationship had pushed Steph into Vidal's arms.

Yep. That's on me.

It was a bit painful to admit but was it too late to correct her mistake?

It's not like they're married. She's going to ditch that guy for me... right?

What if Ryder decided to stick with him? Choose him over her? Imagining that scenario felt painful. She cringed.

I need her!

Pacing back and forth in the way-too-small escape pod she called her room she tried to come up with a way to ask Steph. Asking outright was... difficult. She couldn't bear the shame she would feel if Steph rejected her.

Think Peebs... I need a subtle, indirect way...

POC blinked and dinged in the corner.

"Well... I guess a bot can have several uses, right?"

Stephanie Ryder was lounging on her bed, leaning back against some pillows. Eating grapes. Grapes! Reyes had them delivered to her door and it was hard to imagine how he'd gotten hold of such a rare fruit. He really knew his way around Heleus.

And he would do anything for her. Anything.

She giggled. Of everyone she knew, he was the most appreciative for restoring Kadara's water. It was making his job as leader a lot easier. There were rumors on the street that he was the one responsible for fixing the water and she didn't mind at all. It would solidify his position even more.

A stable Kadara is what we need. A strong ally for the Nexus.

She knew some saw her as a puppet for Director Tann. She was undeniably linked to the Nexus, and the Nexus was not too popular on the streets of Kadara. There were even some nasty stories going around that she was only bedding Kadara's ruler to further Tann's agenda.

She snorted. People can believe what they want.

Thinking of her boyfriend made her smile. If she could put one word on him it would be 'gentle.' He was such a gentle, friendly spirit, and she adored that about him. He was kind and compassionate to virtually anyone he met and she was conviced he was the right ruler for Kadara. In the weeks he'd been Kadara's leader a lot of things had changed for the better. The port's people were content, or so she believed. She had not heard a disgruntled sound in a while.

He's the right guy for the job. No question.

He was an extremely attentive, gentle lover. He treated her like a queen. She hummed into her pillow, recalling the rose he brought her on their first date. No-one had ever done that for her... and she knew exactly how hard it was to find a rose on Kadara.

He's one of a kind, no doubt about it!

In bed he was always considerate of her wishes and desires. And that was awesome.

But...

She rolled her eyes.

Why is there a 'but'!?

He was always considerate of her wishes. But sometimes she liked to be surprised! And that's when her mind drifted to Peebee. The young asari knew exactly how to shock her. Shock her in a good way.

She's so funny... and unpredictable!

One word that defined Peebee was 'exciting.' The young maiden had bundles of energy and enthusiastically invested that energy in whatever she was doing. Wether it was her tinkering, the mission, or their friendship.

...and quirky. She's a bit odd, but I like that about her!

Peebee's witty, offbeat remarks were often spot-on. She had to be a keen observer. Stephanie flashed a smile as she remembered how they'd first met.

She jumped right on top of me. How symbolical...

Her omni-tool beeped. Message from Peebee.

"Hey Steph, could you come to my room?"

"Sure. Be right there."

When she opened the escape pod Peebee was nowhere in sight. However, her drone was restlessly hovering in the middle.

"Allright Poc, is there anything you need to tell me?"

"Steph... it's me. Peebee."

Ryder crossed her arms under her breasts and cocked her head. "Are we playing hide and seek?"

"Oh no silly. I gotta tell you something."

"I'm listening."

"Well... ehm..."

"Take your time."

" ... Oh I'm horrible at this! I'm just gonna say it... I want you Ryder! More than friends, more than lovers. I want strings. All the strings!"

Steph's mouth fell open. Did she say...?

She heard it. Right?

"Oh Peebs..."

"Hold that thought! Whatever you decide, just join me in the meeting room."

Stephanie felt a warm, excited bubble forming in her stomach. It started growing and growing till she knew she was going to burst. She had pursued the sparky young asari from the start. And now...

She took off for the meeting room.

But... Reyes?

Perhaps it was unfair to him but it took her less than a second to decide. Peebee was all she ever wanted. Wanted from the start. Feeling her heart beating with joyful expectation she went upstairs.

"Peebee, I want to be with you. Only you."

A huge smile formed on the asari's lips and she jumped on top of Ryder who fell backwards on the floor. "Hey!"

"I want..."

They kissed, and Stephanie felt her heart explode with happiness. The world was perfect. Peebee was perfect. She pulled her even closer, hungrily tasting and smelling the young asari. Perfect. She was never gonna let go again! "Mmm!"

And the ferocious way Peebee kissed her, she could tell the asari had opened the door to an exciting new realm...