X.
The Lieutenant slowly opens her eyes when she feels the light shining through the large windows of the bedroom in their apartment, and onto her face. She knew that they hadn't managed to operate the shutters the night before when they'd finally fallen asleep after a few hours in bed wrapped around each other. But now she could tell it was morning, and time to drag themselves out of their bed. She stretches the sleep out of her muscles and back; she was sure she couldn't remember the last time she had slept so well. Having been part of the awful events with Alec Ryder when he had turned aggressive and violent again, she didn't think she would ever sleep properly again and her worries would keep her awake. But so far, every night she had managed to sleep soundly in Scott's arms. Cora turns to look at the space next to her in the bed when she realises that Scott isn't with her, she places her hand where he has slept and feels that it is still warm from his body.
"Scott?" Cora raises her voice as she leans up on her arms, looking around the room and wondering where he is. When she doesn't see him she can't help but frown lightly, surely he can't have gone to training already?
Cora sits up further and takes hold of the covers in her hand, pulling it off of her body and back so that she can move and get up. She slides towards the edge of the bed, letting her feet lower and come into contact with the floor. Cora rolls her shoulders lightly and arches her back, trying to shake the last of the sleep from her body. She glances down at her wrists, and then to her arms and sees that the marks that Alec had caused have now turned into light purple and yellow bruise and were almost gone. She lets her hands move to her waist and places her fingers against where the hand marks that he'd left had been too. She closes her eyes for a moment, angry and disappointed that she'd let him get close enough to do that to her and promising it won't happen again. His love surely wasn't worth that?
"Scott?" Cora says again, opening her eyes and trying to focus her over-sensitive ears to see if she can hear where he is. When she doesn't hear him respond she looks around her again, still hardly believing how great it felt to have access to this place. She looks down at the bed beside her and notices that her AI clothes have been left on top of the covers for her by Scott.
Cora climbs to her feet and lets her eyes move around the room, she spots that her bag is at the end of the bed and that she hasn't yet unpacked everything. She knew she'd left more clothes behind in the apartment than Alec had, so she had a more extensive wardrobe than just her AI assigned clothes to choose from. Cora bends and opens the bag, letting her hand move through her jumpers, tops, and underwear, trying to find something to wear. When her hand comes to stop on her robe, she decides that would be comfortable and lifts it out of her bag.
"Perfect." Cora whispers and moves it in front of her so that she can slip her arms inside and onto her shoulders. She draws it closed and wraps it around her body, tying the belt loosely around her waist. She notices how cool the silk material feels against her warm skin, trying to remember when the last time it was that she'd worn it.
The Lieutenant moves away from the bed and steps towards the stairs that she knows will take her back into the main floor of the apartment. She feels the plush carpet beneath her feet turn to the hard surface of the top step as she reaches it. She takes a moment to look down into the room below her but still doesn't see Scott, so she places her hand on the rail and continues down the stairs.
"Where are you?" Cora whispers to herself as she follows the curve of the staircase, taking each step carefully as she does. As she reaches the bottom she looks across the room, and finally lays her eyes on him.
Cora spots Scott and sees that he is stood in the large and very well equipped kitchen; his back to her as he moves around it as if it has always been his. She watches as he picks up a bowl, which he takes back to where he first started at the hob. He appears to be cooking something and Cora notices that he has a spatula in one hand and is now holding onto the handle of a pan with the other, shaking it with some vigour. Cora smiles when she sees him, so far for the last few days they'd mostly stuck to ordering food in but it was nice to see him cooking.
Cora can hear him whistling to himself as he cooks and as she moves closer to him she is sure she can see that he is using his audio receiver, and must be listening to music. She also notices that he is wearing nothing but a pair of shorts, an unusual choice for cooking she thought.
"Scott?" Cora says again, raising her voice and smiling when he doesn't hear her. Definitely in his own little world and listening to something; she laughs lightly when she sees him move his head in time to some tune that she can't hear.
Cora closes the distance between herself and Scott and steps into the kitchen, she sees him begin pouring a thick looking batter from the bowl and into the pan and hears it begin to sizzle and pop. The delicious smell of cooking reaches her nostrils and her stomach reminds her that she hasn't eaten any home-cooked food for a while.
Cora moves closer still and sees him begin poking the spatula into the pan, he whistles again in a tune she is sure she's heard before but can't place where. She quickly presses herself against his back and wraps her arms around his waist, feeling him jump at her actions and she giggles.
"Cora.." Scott huffs lightly but she hears a smile in his voice. "You scared the shit outta me." He continues and she sees him glance over his shoulder at her when she presses her mouth against his bare shoulder.
"I couldn't resist." Cora giggles and she sees him lift his hand and tap the back of his ear to pause the song so that he can hear her. "Something smells delicious, is it you?" Cora whispers and presses another kiss against his skin and squeezes him tightly in her arms, moving her hands to rest on his stomach.
"I thought you might be hungry." Scott nods and she smiles when he places one hand over hers and continues to use the spatula with the other. Cora steps on her tiptoes to look over his shoulder and sees he is making pancakes, and they look just as appealing as they smell.
"I'm starving," Cora whispers and sees him grin. "What are you listening to?" She asks him but feels him shrug lightly and lift his hand to flick away and dismiss his playlist.
"Ah it was nothing.." Scott begins and she watches him get distracted with his pancakes for a moment. "Just some really old song. Probably not your thing." He nods as Cora unwraps her arms from around his waist.
"How do you know what's my thing?" Cora laughs and unwraps her arms from around him and moves to stand next to him, she turns and leans against the worktop beside him so that she can watch him. "Try me." She adds and sees him smile and turn his attention back to her, his eyes finally taking in the sight of her in her silk robe and not much else.
"You know it's very dangerous to be so underdressed in a kitchen, Cora." Scott smirks and she feels his eyes on her, moving lower and stopping for a moment at her hands that are on the belt of her robe.
"What about you?" Cora laughs when she sees him shrug again and turn the pancake with the spatula. Of course, most of his clothes were still in his room in the recruit tower, and they'd have to collect them all when they had time, so she knew he just had what he'd grabbed when they'd got the apartment.
"This is plenty safe." Scott chuckles and motions to his grey gym shorts before he glances at her again. She had to admit he did look good in them, hung low on his hips and looking like some sort of model. "Are you wearing anything under there?" He asks her and she just shakes her head hearing him laugh and whistle through his teeth. "Damn, Cora. I can't handle how hot you are." He laughs and lifts his hand to wipe his brow trying to concentrate on the pancakes.
"SAM, continue playing Scott Ryder's playlist." Cora makes the command and hears a quiet beeping sound before the music continues playing from where it left off.
As soon as she hears the song play Cora recognises it, an old but classic love song from the time that humans lived only on Earth, and their worlds were so small in comparison to now. She hears Scott begin whistling along again which makes her smile, he seemed so happy and relaxed this morning in comparison to how angry he had gotten a few days ago after her visit to see Alec. She knew he was worried about her, but with Alec's current behaviour she was just as worried about him. They'd both tried to put it at the back of their mind, and enjoy their time together.
"Have you heard this song before?" Scott asks glancing over at her and nodding his head in nothing in particular. "I know, I'm a bit old school with my music choice." He laughs and Cora nods lightly, and a bit of a hopeless romantic she thinks too from the sound of the songs he's listening to.
"God only knows what I'd be without you." Cora sings the best she can along to the tune she hasn't heard for a long time. "That's it right?" She asks and sees Scott grin. "I love these old songs." Cora smiles and sees him flick through to the next song when the current one ends, which as an equally old and romantic song.
"Me too." Scott chuckles. "These guys aren't afraid to voice their feelings, they write songs about them too." He adds and she sees him fix his eyes on her. "Can you imagine telling someone how you feel through a song?" He chuckles.
"I think you do pretty well without songs. Better than me, anyway." Cora whispers. "You are a bit of a romantic at heart, aren't you Scott?" Cora giggles when he shrugs lightly and she is sure she sees his cheeks redden. "I really like that about you." She adds and leans towards him to press a kiss against his cheek.
"Maybe you just bring out the best in me." Scott grins and she feels the smile beneath her mouth. "I like who I am when I'm with you." He adds making her kiss him again, wondering how she ever managed without a sweet man like Scott in her life.
"I think you bring out the best in me too." Cora giggles. "Now focus on those pancakes. I don't want you to burn them." She adds and leans towards him to press a few more kisses against his cheek, placing her hand on his shoulder for a moment to steady her.
The Lieutenant moves away from him and looks towards the breakfast bar, noticing that there are eight stools and wondering how many people had sat there having breakfast or dinner, discussing the exciting adventure ahead of them. Cora smiles to herself when she hears Scott making noise behind her, sounding like he is getting some plates ready for them. She and Scott were rattling around together in this large apartment, but she liked being here with him and time was going by so easily and happily with him. It felt comfortable, safe, right.
"There is juice in the fridge." Scott directs to her so she moves towards it, and presses her hand against the panel. She sees the menu pop up and notices that Scott must have ordered some food in for them because it appears well-stocked. A lot of the time they could just live off of nutrition powders and food capsules, but sometimes it was nice, but very expensive, to have real food.
"Did you pay for all of this?" Cora asks glancing at him. She sees him nod as he continues with his pancakes, looking like he is getting ready to plate up. "This must have cost a lot, Scott." Cora replies and she sees him look at her and smile.
"I wanted to be able to make you breakfast." He grins and turns his attention away from her again. Cora smiles to herself and taps her fingers against the option to select the fruit juice and the size and number she wanted.
Cora waits for a moment until the panel turns green; she lifts her hand and waves it over the serving area, which opens the door where two glasses of orange juice are waiting for her. She takes hold of them in her hands, feeling how cold they are and notices the condensation running down the outside of the glasses. She steps towards the breakfast bar and places them down onto the worktop.
"Okay, we are ready to eat," Scott announces from the kitchen and she sees him moving towards her with two plates of pancakes in his hands. He carefully lowers them to the breakfast bar. "Let me just grab the syrup." Scott begins and darts back to the kitchen, she watches him pick up a bowl in one hand and a bottle that looks very much like syrup.
Cora picks up some cutlery that he has left already out for them and lowers herself onto one of the bar stools. She reaches for her plate and moves it in front of her, her mouth starting to water when she sees the breakfast he has made them. She places cutlery down by Scott's plate and does the same with his juice. Scott comes back with a bowl of mixed berries and puts both them and the syrup in front of her.
"This looks lovely, Scott." Cora smiles as she watches Scott look to her and grin at her words as he sits on his stool. "You really are full of surprises." Cora returns his smile and hears him laugh.
"Man of many talents." Scott nods and she watches as he motions for her to take some berries first. "I didn't know what you'd like, so we've got my favourite." Scott chuckles and she sees him watching her as she spoons the berries onto her plate, before picking up the syrup and squeezing it over her pancakes.
"This is great." Cora nods. "I should have known you'd be all about the sweet stuff." Cora adds and sees Scott nod and take the syrup that she hands to him, pouring a very generous helping over his pancakes. This man loved strawberry pudding; of course, he'd drench his breakfast in anything sweet. He was always the one to be finishing off her ice cream or cake too.
Cora lifts her feet to balance on the bottom of her stool as she begins cutting into one of the pancakes on her plate, glancing up at Scott who is doing the same and tucking in hungrily. Cora stabs her fork through one of the pieces and pops it into her mouth, immediately realising the pancakes taste even better than she could ever imagine and they are the perfect texture too. She watches Scott reach for his juice and taking a long drink.
"Let me get this right.." Cora begins before lifting another piece to her lips, waiting till she has finished her mouthful to continue. She feels Scott's eyes on her. "Not only are you handsome, a complete sweetheart, sometimes pretty funny, good in bed, romantic, and now I find out you can cook?" Cora giggles when she sees a broad grin on his face and he continues eating.
"Ridiculously good in bed, to quote your words." Scott grins again before shaking his head. "I'm probably pretty average at everything else though." He smiles making her roll her eyes at him.
"Can you dance?" Cora laughs between another mouthful, enjoying the sweet and tart of the berries with the sweet syrup. "How about play instruments? Recite the Alliance Military handbook backwards?" Cora giggles.
"I don't dance." Scott grins. "I play the guitar badly. Never read it forwards let alone backwards." Scott adds and she sees him eat another piece of his pancake, poking the end of his tongue out to wipe a tiny smudge of syrup that he finds at the edge of his mouth. "See, average." Scott chuckles.
"Well, I think you're perfect." Cora whispers and she feels his eyes on her again, he lowers his fork and leans towards her. "Ridiculously good in bed." Cora giggles as he moves his hand to her cheek and strokes his thumb against her cheek.
"I think your perfect, too." Scott smiles in agreement and presses his mouth against hers in a gentle kiss. "You are beautiful and smart, and kind, incredible in bed." Scott laughs copying her compliments of her. "And you taste so good." He whispers making her giggle until he kisses her again.
"So do you." Cora giggles again. "I have been thinking about what you said last week," Cora replies as she watches him lean back in his seat to continue eating, lifting his fork again to eat the last of the scraps on his plate. Cora sees him glance up at her and wait for her to continue. "About being your date, and telling people about us." Cora nods and she sees him smile lightly, she lifts her glass to her mouth; enjoying how cold and sweet it is.
"Cora, don't keep me in suspense." Scott mumbles and gives her another smile when she places her glass back down onto the breakfast bar. Cora glances up at him and sees that he is almost literally on the edge of his seat wanting to know her answer.
"I would like people to know about us." Cora begins and before she can continue Scott jumps up off of his stool and moves around the counter towards her. She giggles when he wraps his arms around her, nearly knocking her off balance from her seat.
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear that." Scott grins and lifts his hands to her face, which makes her laugh when she sees how excited he looks. "We've got so much to look forward to." He nods and she can't help but return his excited smile.
Exploring Andromeda with Scott at her side did sound very appealing, and maybe it would be nice to be dating someone that didn't want them to hide their relationship. Cora places her hands on his shoulders and looks into his face.
"But.." Cora begins lifting her hand and bringing her finger to press against his lips to stop him talking. "We have to try and be professional when we are working." Cora sees Scott nod at this.
"Of course.." He nods again but she sees he is trying not to smile and trying to act serious. "No getting naked together while on duty." He adds making her giggle and tut at him.
"No kissing during official meetings." She smiles when he huffs dramatically and giggles again. "But once we are off duty.." Cora whispers and places her hands on his bare chest and wraps her legs lightly around his. She can feel how warm he is and how familiar it is to have him so close to her.
"Got it." She sees his smirk and his eyes on hers, his gorgeous blues inspecting her. "Anything else?" He asks and she shakes her head making him grin.
"I would like to be your date tonight." Cora closes her eyes for a moment when she feels Scott lower his hands to her hips, and his fingers beneath the bottom of her robe. When she opens them she sees him smiling. "But, I don't have anything to wear. I think almost everything is packed." She adds and sees Scott nod, and they didn't have that much time before the party but she did want to look nice tonight on their first official date together.
"Why don't you wear this?" She sees Scott give her a small flirtatious smile and take hold of the silk ties of her robe around her waist, playing with the ends in his hands. Cora lowers her eyes when she feels his fingertips slip under where it joins and touch her skin.
"I don't think it would be entirely appropriate." Cora giggles and feels his eyes on her, she lifts her arms to wrap them around his neck. "It might be a little too revealing for anyone's eyes but yours." She whispers and sees him grin in agreement and slides his hands down her sides and onto to her hips, she feels him move then up under her robe.
"What about the one from the party?" He asks, making her pause for a moment trying to remember what she was wearing that night. "I loved you in that," Scott mumbles and she feels him lower his mouth to kiss her shoulder. "I couldn't take my eyes off of you." He whispers making her blush and smile to herself.
"I think that was the alcohol." Cora giggles making him laugh and shake his head lightly; she lets her fingers trail through the hair at the back of his neck. "I think I left it behind, but they might have sent it back." Cora adds.
She knew that clean up crew had been back to clear the rooms and that they'd returned the trunks, Alec's bag and clothes, so maybe they had returned her dress too. Although part of her didn't think she wanted to wear that again, it reminded her of the bad parts of that party too and reminded her of Alec. As much as her heart still ached, she was with Scott and he made being happy so easy.
"Well, I'm not going to let you go and poke around in his lab on your own." Scott begins, sounding sure of what he's saying. She feels him squeeze her hips gently, feeling comforted by his touch and words. Cora looks into his eyes and realises that he'd meant it when he said he wouldn't let Alec hurt her again. "If he's wandering around out there, and you don't want to report him then I'm just going to have to follow you everywhere." Scott gives her a reassuring smile, trying to make her smile.
"I could get used to that." Cora sighs and she sees that her response makes him grin; she sighs happily when he leans forward and kisses her gently, before moving to kiss her neck. "My bodyguard." She whispers and feels him smile against her skin.
"It would be my pleasure to take care of your body." Scott gives her a crooked smile when he raises his head and fixes his eyes into hers, Cora laughs and shakes her head at him. "I'll happily escort you to find a new dress, too." He adds and nods.
"Maybe we could see if they have anything in the clothing requisite depot? They might even be able to have something made up. Probably a lot more sparkle than the Alliance equivalent." She giggles.
"A lot more." Scott laughs. "Let's do that." He adds and she feels him move his hands onto her thighs and rest by her knees, she dig her heels into his thighs drawing him closer. "You'll look amazing in whatever you wear." He smiles as she wraps her arms tighter around him.
"You're the sweetest, Ryder." Cora smiles and loosens her hold on him. "How about you, what are you going to wear?" She asks, wondering if he had any of his alliance or even an AI suit.
"I'm sure I'll be able to sort something." He nods, a large smile stretching onto his face. "I might see if they have something new for me too." He adds. "I was going to head back to the tower and pack up the last of my room and get my suit." Scott continues. "Then we will be officially all moved in together." He gives her a little wink making her smile.
"I love the sound of that." Cora returns his smile and rests her forehead against his. "Even if it is only for a few weeks and we've technically been living here a while." She adds and feels his hands on thighs, his fingers stroking her skin and making it warm as he does.
"It's a shame we'll be back to bunks soon. I'm enjoying sharing a bed with you." Scott smiles making her nod in agreement. Sharing a bunk with someone was always hard work; nothing could ruin the mood as much as the banging of heads, awkward positions, and having to be very, very quiet. Scott had so far been very imaginative in the bedroom and she had no doubt he wouldn't have any issues taking her in his bunk.
"Why do you think I got this place?" Cora giggles and motions to the apartment around them and hears him laugh. "Nice big bed, locks on the door, no interruptions, no one to hear us." She continues and sees him grin.
"All very important things to consider when looking for a place to live in." Scott nods and smiles again. "And there was me thinking you picked it because you wanted to run up a few charges on Alec's account before we leave." He adds lowering his voice to a whisper.
"I couldn't possibly know what you mean." Cora giggles and sees him smile. Busted. "Don't you think I paid for this with my very hard-earned wages? Are you saying I'm defrauding Alec?" Cora adds and gives him an innocent smile and sees his smirk.
"Not a chance, and yes." Scott shakes his head and chuckles. "You're as poor as I am. We both know our pay sucks, and it looks like we've both been charging stuff to his account haven't we?" Scott grins making Cora laugh and then nod. "Not only did he provide us with breakfast, but he's paying for this place which means he's provided us with a place to uh.." Scott whispers and doesn't need to say anymore but he fixes his eyes on her and smiles.
"Well thank you, Alec Ryder." Cora nods. "I do feel bad now, a whole apartment versus breakfast? That's very naughty of me." Cora giggles and she sees him nod lightly and grin. "I'll pay him back." She adds.
"Trust me, he doesn't need your money. He won't even notice or care." Scott smiles. "Besides, you should have been paid better for everything you've done." Scott wrinkles his nose at her and she smiles; that was true. Cora lowers her eyes to his hands when she feels Scott stroking them against her skin, and then to his face.
"Maybe while we are running up his account, we should buy some new clothes?" Scott laughs when he hears her idea and she sees him nod. Cora sighs when he wraps his arms around her and rests his cheek against hers.
"I was just going to suggest that," Scott replies and she hears the smile in his voice. "Get dressed, and we'll go." He whispers and kisses her cheek, as she nods.