XVI.
Cora glances over her shoulder at Scott in the dark of their bedroom when she hears his quiet pants behind her and feels his eyes on hers in the darkness. She watches him bite his bottom lip and a groan escape his mouth. She closes her eyes tightly when she feels his fingers spread over her stomach and he continues to slowly rock his hips, making her gasp lightly with every deep thrust he makes. Cora feels the biotic energy fizzing at the back of her head as the blue light begins to surround her body, she feels his hold on her tighten as she moves her body with his, making them both moan in unison when she pushes back against him. She arches her back when she feels his hand slip between her legs, his touch making her head spin and her body ache.
"Scott." Cora sighs quietly when she feels his mouth against her throat and his hand continuing to make her body press against his and the pressure build inside her. She lowers her hand to place over his, guiding his fingers until she is as breathless as him, gripping the bed beneath her other hand.
Cora lets the biotic energy seep from her body and into his, hearing him groan against her skin when it reaches him and she knows it is making his veins pulse like an electric current. She knows that every time they touch it feels like their bodies are one and it causes every nerve in both their bodies tingle, every movement they make feel heightened and intense. She was certain she'd never experienced anything as incredible as this with anyone, and it made them both crave each other even more.
She feels his mouth on her neck, his breath hot and her already sweat-covered skin. She reaches her hand behind her and places it on his hip, gripping him beneath her fingers desperate to get him closer. Cora moans when Scott understands her request and increases the speed of his movements, she feels him move his hand to her thigh and hold her tightly.
"Oh god." Cora pants, squeezing her eyes shut when she feels him lower his fingers between her legs again, trying to focus on the sound of their bodies moving together. "Scott." She moans quietly and turns to watch Scott again, seeing his own eyes on her as he concentrates on his rhythm and now that he can see better from her blue energy.
Cora hears Scott pant and groans quietly behind her when he begins to thrust harder into her, making her toes curl and her body tremble when he does. She feels him lift his hand from her and use it to guide her face towards him, his mouth finding hers in a kiss that makes her whimper, their tongues coming together in a way that leaves them both gasping for air.
Cora feels his hand slide down her body, moving with purpose between her legs to join her fingers again. She throws her head back and cries out when she feels the powerful energy leave his fingertips when he touches her, making her whole body shake as his deep thrusts and fingers bring her to climax and her body bucks against his.
"Scott." Cora whimpers when she feels his fingers continue to slide against her, keeping every nerve in her body throbbing and feeling like he's never going to stop the pleasure rushing through her.
Cora feels him press his mouth against her shoulder, muffling his groan when she feels him tighten his hold on her and join her with some final fast thrusts. She hears him panting as he rests his head against the back of hers, feeling his body pressed tightly against her as they both try and catch their breath.
"Fuck, Cora." Scott pants making Cora smile when she hears it. She lifts her hand and reaches behind her to find Scott's face as the blue light around them fades; she draws him closer to her and presses her mouth against his in a gentle kiss. "Will it always feel like this?" He whispers and kisses her again. Cora nods when he breaks their kiss and sees him take a deep shaky breath. Oh yes, it would always be the most intense and the best sex either of them had ever had.
"Always," Cora whispers and she feels him wrap his arm around her waist and hold her tightly against his chest, letting her relax into his arms. "You feel so good." Cora whimpers and leans into his hold as he presses a soft kiss against her shoulder, and then onto her neck where he bites gently making her gasp.
Cora feels how hot his mouth is against her delicate skin and how much her body pulses with every touch he makes, desperate to have his hands on her. Cora feels her breath catch in her throat when he moves his hand to her hip, his fingertips light and teasing on her skin. Cora feels him move her body and help roll her over until she is facing him, his eyes on hers as she lifts her hands to his shoulder.
"More?" Scott whispers as she watches him lean towards her and press his body against her, his hand sliding down her thigh and drawing her legs around his. "Aren't you tired?" He mumbles and she hears him groan when their sensitive bodies meet, she knew he would be hard before long.
Cora shakes her head, suddenly unable to speak when he leans forward and presses his mouth against her neck and begins sucking her skin between his lips. She hears his light chuckle when she sighs, the feeling of his hand moving between them and covering her breast, his thumb rubbing against her nipple. She sighs when he slides his hand lower and moves it to cup between her thighs making her arch her back. Cora whimpers when he captures her mouth with his, opening her lips with his tongue and silencing her loud moan when he easily slides his fingers into her. She begins moaning with each movement he makes with his hand, panting against his mouth when she feels the blue light surrounding them again.
"You have no idea how sexy you look." Scott whispers and she feels his eyes on her, watching him bite his bottom lip as he turns his attention back to his fingers inside her.
Cora lets her head roll back when his mouth is on her throat again, feeling his thumb move against her and she is sure she can see stars in front of her eyes. She wraps her arms around his shoulders, digging her heels into that back of his legs desperate to get him closer to her. She feels her body tense and knows Scott does too when he crushes his mouth to hers and muffles her scream as she feels waves of pleasure wash over her until she finally relaxes against him, her breathing shallow and laboured.
"Are you alright?" Scott whispers and she just nods again, lifting her finger to show him she just needs a moment. Cora sees Scott grin and move to kiss her gently, so she lifts her hands to his face and kisses him back feeling him smile beneath her mouth.
"I'll never get enough of this," Cora whispers, trying to keep her breathing steady as kisses him softly again. "Every time you touch me I want more." She adds and sees his grin in the darkness.
"More, more, more." Scott chuckles quietly which makes her giggle at him. She feels him roll her onto her back and cover her body with his, his mouth on hers in a deep and slow kiss. Cora slides her hands down his back and onto his waist.
Cora feels his eyes on her face when he breaks their kiss, and notices that when he places a hand either side of her head, and onto the pillows, it dips beneath his weight. Cora smiles and lifts her hand to brush his hair back, feeling how damp it is at his temple from their night together.
"I love you, Ryder." Cora whispers and she sees him smile, she leans up to kiss him again and wraps her arms tighter around his body. "We should get some sleep." Cora whispers and feels him nods and press a final kiss against her mouth.
"I love you too." Scott whispers. "Alright, just for a few minutes." Scott mumbles and she is sure she hears him yawn quietly as he lowers his body onto the bed beside her. "Wake me when your biotics are charged." Scott whispers, making her smile and laugh quietly.
Cora turns onto her side and feels the bed dip as he moves closer behind her, wrapping his arm around her waist and letting her lay her back against his chest. She feels him surround her body with his, comforting and familiar. They had been wrapped around each other all night, and now from the amount of light that was trying to get through the shutters, Cora knew it wasn't long till morning. Maybe she should let him get some sleep, and recharge before Alec required them at oh-eight-hundred-hours.
Cora hears Scott's breathing start to even out, as he begins to fall asleep behind her. She feels the weight of his arm that he has wrapped around her increase as he relaxes but his hold on her loosens. Cora turns beneath his arm and cuddles closer to his body, resting her head against his chest and smiling to herself when she feels him hold her tighter in his last moments before he is completely sleeping. She sighs quietly, her own eyes starting to feel heavy as she closes them and waits for sleep to come.
"Cora, you have a new message from Alec Ryder." SAM announces, making Cora's eyes snap open when she hears it, quickly looking into Scott's face to make sure it hasn't woken him. When she is sure that he's still sleeping soundly, she carefully lifts his arm and slides out of his hold and towards the edge of the bed.
"SAM, I thought I requested no non-urgent messages." Cora whispers as her feet come into contact with the floor and she stands. She glances over her shoulder, trying to make out Scott in the dark and can hear that he is still asleep.
"Message from Alec Ryder marked as urgent." SAM continues making Cora huff lightly.
Cora bends to pick up her robe that has been discarded on the end of their bed and quickly pulls it on, not bothering to tie it at her waist as she had done before. She looks over to one of the large windows, the one furthest from where Scott sleeps and decides to sit there and check the message from Alec so that she can then go back to bed. Cora walks towards it, pressing her fingers against the shutter control to raise it slightly. She watches as a small amount of artificial yellow light filters in, and that they've started to raise the ambient light, as they get closer to dawn. She thought by the levels of light it must be a few hours away. Cora perches on the wide ledge of the window, her back to the dark world outside as she lifts her Omni and opens her messages.
"Cora, are you awake?"
Cora reads his message, frowning lightly when she does and that she didn't think his message was very urgent at all. Cora huffs lightly and looks back to Scott again, able to see him better now it is lighter in the room. She smiles when she thinks she can see him sleeping soundly, his hair over his eyes. She turns her attention back to her Omni, deciding as he'd now disturbed her she should reply.
"I am now. Are you okay, Alec? SAM said it was urgent." Cora types before clicking send.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you. I can't sleep." Comes Alec's reply. She lets her eyes move over the message and sighs lightly, him not sleeping wasn't new but now she wasn't there with him to help take his mind off of what was worrying him.
"Well, you did. Why can't you sleep tonight? What's on your mind?" Cora replies, wondering why she didn't just tell him to go away until morning and go and wrap herself around her sleeping Ryder.
Cora pauses, waiting for his reply to come but notices that he is taking a while to respond. She sighs and moves to get more comfortable on the windowsill as she waits, leaning her back against the frame and lifting her legs and placing her feet flat in front of her. Cora feels how cold it feels beneath her bare skin as she lowers her eyes to the display again. She sits for a while, leaning her head back against the frame and closing her eyes as she waits, time passing by and still he doesn't respond and she is on the verge of leaving him to his own devices.
"Me not sleeping is urgent. You are on my mind, Cora." Finally comes Alec's reply, which makes her open her eyes and laugh lightly when she reads it, of course, everything still revolved around Alec.
"Well, now neither of us are asleep Alec. Why don't you tell me what's wrong, or can it wait till tomorrow? I need to get some sleep and go back to bed, it's getting late." Cora sighs, deciding that she should ignore the last part of his message. She quickly types and motions for the message to send.
"I could help with that. I know something that would help us both unwind and sleep. Why don't you come over?" Comes Alec's reply making her smile and shake her head.
"So that is why you messaged me? Not just because you wanted to chat? I'm hurt, Alec Ryder. We both know that sleeping together would be a very bad idea. I'm happy with Scott, you know I am." She taps, hitting send as she checks on Scott again.
"Of course I wanted to chat. But, I disagree and think it's a perfectly good idea. I miss you being here with me, Harper." Alec replies and before Cora gets a chance to reply, another message comes through. "Scott doesn't need to know. He doesn't know you as I do, we could be happy again. Please, just think about it." She sighs.
"Goodnight, Alec." Cora replies, sending the last message and turning off her notifications to make sure she isn't disturbed again until morning. She would see Alec in a few hours, and make sure she gave him a piece of her mind.
Cora huffs lightly, feeling even more annoyed that Alec had disturbed her sleep and despite his telling her she would be fine without him, despite her telling him they were over and that she was happy with Scott, he was still trying to get her back into his bed. Some things would never change. She lowers her feet to the ground one at a time and stands up from the window, trying to forget Alec's messages. She walks back across the bedroom and towards their bed, slipping the robe off of her shoulders and onto the floor as she reaches the edge of the mattress.
"Cora?" She hears his sleepy voice and notices Scott lean up on his arms in their bed when she realises he must have been disturbed by her after all, she watches him lift his hand to rub his face and brush his hair back. "Are you okay?" He mumbles making her smile when she looks at him.
"Just couldn't sleep." Cora whispers and sees him nod lightly.
"C'mere beautiful." Scott mumbles and Cora smiles when she watches Scott lift the covers for her and raise his arm, holding his hand out to her and beckoning her to him and back into their bed.
Cora quickly slips into the space next to him and his waiting arms, feeling him wrap them tightly around her and drawing her against him. She feels him cover them with the blanket and move it around them as they settle against each other and she feels him tangle his legs with hers, letting her rest her head on his bicep. She feels his eyes on her in the darkness as he lifts his hand to stroke her cheek. Cora sighs happily when she feels him press a kiss against her forehead and he gently caresses her hair, trying his best to help her relax.
"You're my favourite." Cora whispers and sees him smile lightly as he closes his eyes again, holding her tighter to comfort and protect her while she sleeps.
"You're mine too." Scott mumbles as Cora sighs and closes her eyes, focusing her attention on the sound of his breathing and the warmth of him that surrounds her. Scott was giving her everything Alec never did, and never would, and she loved him for it.
-/-
"Scott, come on." Cora calls up the stairs. "We're going to be late." She adds placing her hand on the bannister, listening to hear for his response. "Sweetheart?" She calls and then is sure she hears him.
"I'm coming." Scott shouts, his voice slightly muffled from being above her but sounds like he is heading towards her. "Just a sec." He adds and she hears a loud thump, making her wonder what he is doing and knows he was supposed to be getting dressed.
"Are you okay up there?" Cora shouts hearing another light thump and then the sound of him moving across the room above, and she finally sees him running down the stairs towards her.
"I'm good." He grins when she feels his eyes reach her, and then notices that he is still topless and that his white Initiative trousers aren't done up properly, and as he moves quickly down the stairs they start to fall down around his hips. She sees that he has his shoes in one hand and his hoodie in the other.
"Do you know what he'll do to us if we are late?" Cora giggles when he reaches the bottom and she watches him start trying to tug his trousers up at the same time that he's putting on his hoodie and force his feet into his sneakers.
"It was worth it." Scott grins and she can't help but smile in agreement, lowering her eyes for a moment when she remembers how good it had felt when he'd bent her over the sink in their bathroom and made her scream.
Cora glances down at her Omni and sees that there are only fifteen minutes until they are due to meet with Alec, and the rest of the Pathfinder Team, and to hear the announcement that would be broadcast to all of those left on the station. They'd woken up with plenty of time to shower and get ready and take a leisurely stroll to the commons, but Scott's body had been too hard to resist. So now, they were going to be late. Alec was going to kill them.
"Yes, it was." Cora giggles and she hears him chuckle. "Come here." Cora whispers and steps closer to him when she notices him hurrying to finish dressing, and that she can see because he is still wet from his shower, it is making it more difficult. She takes hold of the bottom of his hoodie and fastens it, taking hold of the zip between her finger and thumb, and guiding it up until it sits just below his chest.
"Thanks." Scott grins and she feels him lift to brush his hand against her cheek for a moment before lifting both of his hands to ruffle them through his hair. "Okay, I am ready." He nods making her smile again as she turns to walk towards the door and can hear that he is following her.
"We might need to run." Cora smiles when she glances over her shoulder at him and she hears Scott snort at her suggestion. "If we do, we might just make it." She adds as she places her palm on the door control and opens it.
"Run?" Scott asks and she sees him narrowing his eyes, which makes her laugh even more. She feels him close behind her as she steps outside and begins down the stairs. "I'm kind of tired from last night." He begins. "And this morning." Scott sighs dramatically making her laugh.
"We could always make it a race.." She begins, turning to face him when they reach the bottom. "Are you scared I'll beat you?" Cora adds which she sees makes him huffs at her words and shake his head.
Cora giggles lightly and begins walking away from him, feeling him quickly move to catch up until he walks at her side. Cora knew if she used her powers he wouldn't stand a chance against her, but in a fair race, she thought they'd be fairly evenly matched. He was strong and would be faster overall than her but she was lighter and more agile so that could give her the edge.
"Let's make it more interesting then. Whoever wins, gets to pick a prize of their choice. Any prize." Cora whispers and sees Scott smile; she was already trying to decide what her prize would be, although she was starting to think everything she could ever want was currently at her side and letting his hand nudge against hers.
"You aren't going to beat me." Scott sighs making her realise she has just uncovered a competitive streak in him, he was a very pleasant surprise the more she was discovering about him. Cora gives him a small smile and leans towards him, pressing a soft kiss against his cheek.
"We'll see." She whispers against his cheek before quickly using his shoulders to push herself away so that she launches herself as fast as she can away from him. "Keep up!" Cora laughs hearing him huff and begin running after her.
"You cheat!" Scott shouts after her, making her giggle even more, she glances over her shoulder and sees that he is trying to catch her up.
Cora turns her attention straight ahead of her as she runs, her feet pounding against the floor as she gets into a comfortable rhythm. Okay so maybe she had a slight head start, but all was fair in love and war. She carefully weaves around the stairs, and up them, hearing the sound of Scott's feet now heavily hitting against the floor behind her as he tries to catch up with her.
"Come on, Scott!" Cora shouts hearing him laugh at her words as she feels her feet grip too much as she skids around the corner and into the passage that leads to a lobby.
She pushes on trying to get as much distance between her and Scott as she can, but she can hear that he isn't too far behind her and would catch her if she wasn't careful. Cora sprints into the lobby and she sees that there are a few people gathered and the usual staff manning the desks, but the usual mass of people gathering around is now missing.
"Is that as fast as you can go, Harper?!" Scott shouts after her and she desperately wants to look over her shoulder again and see how close he is.
Cora laughs again when she hears Scott apologising to the workers as they run past them and the sound of his feet squeaking against the floor as if he is having to change the direction of his path; that would slow him down a little.
Cora closes her eyes for a beat as she feels the adrenaline begin pumping through her veins feeding her muscles and letting her continue her sprint. Cora wasn't the biggest fan of running and hours on treadmills bored her, but this was exciting and she didn't think she had felt so exhilarated or alive for months until she'd met Scott. She could already feel the tight knot and buzz of energy at the back of her head that told her she could easily unleash a warp and beat him in seconds, but she pushes that aside and keeps running. Cora turns her body to direct herself down another cut through that she knows leads to a few offices and meeting places, she reaches her hand out to let her fingers trail over the cool metal surface of the wall as she runs.
"Scott, watch out!" Cora shouts when she suddenly skids to a complete stop as she nearly collides with two workers that are carrying some heavy looking crates between them across the doorway.
Cora feels her heart pounding in her chest when she stops to wait for them to pass, her chest beginning to rise and fall from the effort of their running. She looks over her shoulder when she hears his feet and movements approaching fast behind her and that he doesn't seem to have any intention of stopping. Cora watches him drop to the floor and quickly drag himself beneath the crate on his stomach before springing to his feet again and racing off leaving her standing waiting for them to move. Cora huffs with frustration and as soon as they are clear dashes after him.
"What should I pick as my prize?" Cora hears him raising his voice so she can hear him making her shake her head. She'd catch him and soon he'd start to get tired or make a mistake that would give her the advantage.
Cora can't help but laugh to herself when she watches Scott quickly sidestep to avoid running into someone, he was fast and she could see and knew how strong and powerful his legs were, but he was top-heavy and very clumsy. She watches him suddenly dart down another passageway but not soon enough that she can go after him, she is sure he has taken the wrong route through and would end up at the hospital, rather than the commons.
Cora continues on, she knew this station like the back of her hand and maybe after she had spent some time gloating and claiming her own prize, she would show Scott a map and where he'd gone wrong. She glances around as she runs; it was so quiet all she could now hear was the sound of her heart thumping in her ears and the sound of her feet. Cora lets her breathing match the sound of her pace.
"Are you sure you should be running after all that energy you used when I was fuc.." Cora hears Scott's voice over the comms. channel on her Omni-tool. "..you this morning." She laughs when she hears his message cutting out, but hearing enough to get the idea. "Just thinking of your wellbeing." She is sure she hears his voice coming from the other side of the wall to where she is as well as through her wrist. She smiles to herself hearing the smile in his voice for her, he was just worried she was going to be first and beat him.
"Yes, and I'm still going to beat you." Cora giggles speaking directly into her Omni so he can hear her reply. She hears Scott scoff at her reply and the channel go quiet again.
"I'm sorry!" Scott shouts as she suddenly hears he is behind her once more, she looks back and sees him darting out of the passageway adjacent, apologising to a group of people that he nearly sends flying when he quickly runs past them trying to catch her again. "That was the wrong way." Scott laughs making he shake her head at him, she hoped he'd run right into a dead end and had taken a few moments to curse himself for his actions.
Cora takes another quick look over her shoulder to look at him, she can see that he is now breathing as heavily as she is and his face is flushed from the exertion. She notices that his detour has completely thrown him off and he is beginning to flag but that he is attempting to keep to a fast sprint.
"You tired, big boy?" Cora laughs when she feels him change direction again and move to her other side but still behind her, he was wasting energy with his weaving and she knew she had to take advantage of it.
She hears him panting but before she can turn her attention back to her path he is close behind her again and she spots they are about to enter the large open section that is home to the canteens, restaurants, coffee shops, and bars.
Cora can hear the light sound of people talking and knows there are still a few people waiting patiently for their turn to be called to cryo and waiting to listen to the announcement. Cora feels that he is right on her heals and is using any bit of reserved energy he can to try and get ahead of her.
"The finish line is in sight." Scott pants as they continue to run.
"Don't waste all your energy." Cora giggles hearing him laugh behind her. "Save some for me." She adds hearing him huff, she feels him push harder and manage to fall back in line with her but that they are headed straight towards a café that has all of its tables and chairs still out front.
Cora leans her body towards him, giving him a shove with her shoulder trying to knock him out of the way and towards the café so that she has room to get past the obstacles. Yes, a few dirty tactics were coming to the surface right now, but she had to beat him. Cora watches as he almost trips over his feet but manages to jump up over one of the chairs that are now in his way. Cora winces slightly when she realises she could have hurt him if he'd run into the chair but Scott doesn't seem phased and begins jumping over the chairs making her laugh. He wasn't going to give up so easily. Cora pushes harder gaining some ground and putting some distance between them.
"Wait, wait, wait." Scott suddenly shouts making her glance over her shoulder when she hears his words and sees that he has stopped in front of the café. Cora slows to a jog when she watches him lean over and place his hands on his knees. "Time out." Scott pants making the letter T with his hands. She watches him lift his hand to where she knows he has his injured side previously, as he pants.
"Are you okay?" Cora asks quickly turning on the spot to jog back towards him when she sees he looks like he is in agony. Scott just shakes his head and she sees his face stretch into a pained expression, he winces and shakes his head again. Cora feels her stomach knot; she'd hurt him with her pointless idea for a race. Neither of them had warmed up and now he'd probably hurt himself.
"I've got a stitch." Scott groans making Cora sigh; a stitch was better than a pulled muscle or aggravating his old wound. "Let me just catch my breath." Scott whispers and she watches him lean over, taking deep breaths. Cora approaches him and places her hands on her hips watching him, her own breath fast and shallow. She watches him wipe the light sheen of sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
"Take your time." Cora whispers feeling bad for forcing him into this, she steps closer to him and places her hand on his shoulder squeezing it beneath her palm. She lifts her hand onto the back of his head that he has lowered trying to catch is breath and strokes her fingers through his hair trying to offer him some comfort.
"Actually, I feel better." Scott laughs suddenly lifting his head and racing away from her as fast as he can, taking Cora by surprise. She tries to grab hold of the back of his hoodie when she realises what he has done and that he was now using his own dirty tricks to try and beat her.
Cora shakes her head in disbelief as she runs after him; of all the cheating tactics he was using her concern for him to distract her and now he was going to win. She feels the familiar warmth in her legs as she chases after him, the burn of exertion that she knew would be sore if she wasn't careful. Cora glances up and sees that Scott is already a few paces ahead of her, he appears to have gotten his second wind and is not struggling as much as she thought he was. Of course, this Ryder was young and had the vigour and stamina of youth on his side.
"You are in so much trouble, Ryder." Cora calls after Scott hearing him laugh again and glance over his shoulder at her, she watches him weaving around the groups of Initiative members as they begin to run following the curve of the walkway that leads up to the commons
Cora feels herself laugh when she hears them mumbling between themselves. If she had been bothered about what people were thinking and saying about her, she would have paid attention to the fact that everyone was looking at them because of the noise they were making. Cora had spent years worrying about what everyone thought of her and wanting to impress the right people, and for what? Right now she didn't care, they could whisper and talk about her all they liked. Many months of hard work, stress, and tension was leaving her body and she was going to enjoy her last days or weeks here. Andromeda was going to be a challenge but right now she was enjoying the feeling of being carefree, giddy, and in love.
"Sorry, I can't hear you back there." Scott shouts back to her making her huff as he laughs. Asshole. They continue to run beneath the large overhang of the footbridge and she sees that the commons ahead of them is lit up as if showing her where the finish line is.
Cora tries to push herself harder, using every bit of strength she has left in her legs to try and catch him up and at least touch that wall only a second behind him. If he was going to win she wanted to come in a very close second. She can feel the ache in the back of her calves and her thighs as she does but sees that Scott is beginning to slow his own pace as they approach the finish, his feet still pounding firm against the tiles but his breathing hard from how hard he's pushing.
"Had enough?" Cora shouts when she sees him begin to slow more and wonders if he is going to be faking an injury again or if he has just run out of energy. Cora continues to sprint and finally begins to catch up with him, bringing herself behind him to match his speed. "I hope you don't think letting me win, will make me happy." Cora adds giving him a shove in the back making him laugh. He'd proved he could beat her, even if both of them had cheated.
"I'm not letting you win." Scott laughs and she feels him glance over his shoulder at her to her give her a small smile. She sees how flushed his face is and knew she looks the same. His words make her smile to herself as feels him pull away from her again and sprint as fast as he can towards their goal making Cora laugh and do the same.
As they finally reach the commons, and Cora can see that there are lots of people gathered here and that they are huddled together in groups waiting. She notices that Scott doesn't stop, making her frown lightly when she sees him divert down a set of stairs that she knows goes beneath it and into an underground tunnel that doubles as a walkway.
"Where are you going?" Cora shouts after him, deciding against her best judgement to keep sprinting after him. She watches him take a hard right and disappear into the tunnel.
Cora laughs when she watches him throw himself into the wall of the tunnel and slap both of his hands against the smooth surface in victory. She watches him turn to place his back against the cool, his chest rising and falling as he does and his head leaning back trying to benefit from the cold of the wall.
"I win." Scot pants as Cora skids to a halt in front of him, reaching the palm of her hands out to place them against the metal either side of his head. Before she can connect her palms, Scott has pushed himself away with his feet to meet her and has wrapped his arms around her body making her let out a squeal. He turns them on the spot and quickly backs her into the wall, pinning her against it with his body.
Cora feels her breath catch when he crushes his mouth against hers and leans into her until he is pressed tightly against her. She steps onto her tiptoes to deepen their kiss and lifts an arm to wrap it around his shoulders, she tangles her fingers into his hair feeling how damp his neck is from the perspiration and can still feel him panting beneath her lips.
"Scott." Cora whispers lightly when she feels him break their kiss and feels him lower his mouth to her neck; she bites at her bottom lip when she feels how hot his breath is against her skin. "We're going to be late." Cora pants feeling him smile into her throat.
Cora closes her eyes for a moment enjoying the feeling of the sudden cold behind her cooling her after their race and the hot and hard body of Scott in front of her. He stands to full height and lifts his hands to rest them either side of her head.
"I have to pick my prize. Do I get to have anything?" Scott asks starting to level his breathing when she watches him return his attention to her and fix his eyes into hers. Cora sees that his beautiful blue eyes are now filled with desire for her and she can't help but smile. She'd never felt so wanted and loved before.
"Within reason." Cora giggles and sees him smile. She wasn't going to be carrying out any assassinations on his behalf or anything like that and she definitely wasn't going to be streaking anywhere on the Nexus. Cora lifts her hands and places them on his shoulder blades slowly sliding them onto his back.
"Hmm.." Scott begins humming and looks like he is trying to decide what he wants to pick.
Cora smiles to herself when feels him lean closer to her again and he presses his mouth against her cheek, his lips pressing gentle kisses against her jaw. Cora closes her eyes again trying to focus on her breathing and not the feel of his mouth, on her skin.
"I want you." Scott finally answers making her open her eyes when she hears it.
"You already have me." Cora laughs when she watches him lower his hands from beside her head and move them down onto her hips. "Pick again." She adds giving him a small smile and wrapping her arms around his neck, she folds them behind his head as he rests his forehead against hers.
"You said I could have anything." Scott pants with a laugh and she feels him squeeze her waist beneath his hands and feels his eyes fixing on hers. "I want you." He continues making her sigh, she was a terrible prize and he'd regret picking it when he decided he'd rather something else and had wasted it. "Forever." Scott whispers making Cora giggle and draw him closer so she can kiss him.
"I accept those terms." Cora mumbles against his lips and feels that her words make him smile. "Congratulations on your win." Cora whispers and she is sure he hears a rumble from his chest when she slides her hands down onto it and feels him holding her tightly against him.
"Thank you." Scott grins and nods his head. "But we both know you could've boosted and floored me. You're impressive, Cora." He adds making her giggle quietly.
"True, but maybe I'm saving that for later." Cora smiles and sees that this makes him grin. She feels him lower his hands from her, and reluctantly step away so that she can do the same. She watches him rub his hands against his face and that his cheeks are still pink.
"Cora," Scott mumbles making her smile, she watches him lift his hands and run them through his hair but that his eyes don't leave her. "These rules are going to be hard to stick to." He whispers and she bites her bottom lip and nods lightly.
"I know." Cora laughs and lifts her hands to smooth out her clothes, and runs her hand lightly through her hair. "Maybe we need a code word for when we are in public." Cora giggles and she sees him smile.
"Like a secret message?" He asks and she nods. "So we both know that we'd like to be kissing each other." He grins. "But we can't because we are in public." He adds and she watches him rub his hands against his face again and smooths out his clothes.
"What would it be?" Cora asks, wondering how subtle they'd have to be to for no one else to notice. "I don't think a word would work if we are having to be quiet." Cora adds seeing that he nods and looks like he is thinking about it too.
"How about two squeezes of the hand?" Scott smiles making her do the same. "It's subtle and no one would notice." He adds and she feels his eyes on her and then holds out his hand to her. "Want to try?" He grins and she reaches for his.
"I don't need that to know you want to kiss me right now." Cora giggles and she feels him begin squeezing her hand over and over and pulling her towards him again so he can kiss her. "It works." Cora grins and sees Scott smile.
"Do I look okay?" Cora mumbles and she sees him nod and smile, she knew she didn't look as put together as she had done when they'd left the apartment. "Don't look too flushed?" She adds. The reddened cheeks might also be a give away that she'd not only been running but that she'd had his mouth on her.
"You look beautiful." Scott smiles and she sees that he is still trying to get his breath back. She reaches towards him and zips his hoodie a little higher, removing any evidence of his bare skin beneath it and the red flush on his chest. "Do I look worn out? I'm not doing that again." Scott laughs making her smile.
"Hmm, you do look like you've been doing something physical." Cora giggles and sees him smile and shake his head at her. "All hot and sweaty." Cora continues and hears him chuckle.
"Yeah, yeah.." Scott sighs, a smile in his voice and she watches him take a final deep breath to make sure he isn't looking like he's been running around the station with her.
"We better go, before they notice we aren't there." Cora sighs and sees Scott nod before watching him start heading back towards the entrance to the walkthrough.
Cora lowers her eyes to the ground as she follows close behind him, hearing the sound of their steps echoing off of the walls as they walk. She lifts her eyes to Scott and watches him slide his hands into his pockets, glancing over his shoulder to make sure she's there. Cora moves to walk beside him, wrapping her arm around his bicep as they climb the stairs slowly, hearing the noise from the common grow louder as they come level with it.
Cora takes a moment to look across it and sees that there are even more people gathered now and that they are all stood watching a large screen that has appeared above them.
"See, we made it in time." Scott whispers to her making her smile when they glance up at the screen and see that it is still currently black, apart from the words 'PLEASE STANDBY' and that it flashes them.
"It isn't like them to be running late," Cora whispers and notices that he nods in response and that he gives her a small smile. "Where are the others?" Cora adds as she looks around them, trying to spot the rest of the team in the sea of people.
"Where's Alec?" Scott mumbles, taking the words right out of her mouth when they don't see him. "I thought they'd have set him up a podium." He continues making Cora hum in agreement. Surely he would be making the announcement, but he didn't appear to be here.
Cora huffs lightly to herself when she remembers for a moment that she is still annoyed with him for his messages last night, and inviting her to his bed. She glances at Scott when she feels his hand come to rest lightly on her lower back.
"Scott! Over here.." Cora hears a female voice shout from the other side of the common, making them both look in the direction that it's come from and spot Sara who is beckoning them to her.
"Well, there's my sister at least." Scott chuckles and she sees him wrap his hand around hers as they begin walking across the common and towards Sara, Cora noticing that she is stood in front of a shuttered building.
"We'll cut through here." Sara huffs as they reach her, nodding a greeting to Scott but not to her, which makes her frown. "Hey, Scott." Sara adds as Cora watches her wave her Omni in front of the shutter controls. "Apparently people are getting restless.." Sara begins, glancing over her shoulder and motioning for them to follow her.
Cora watches Scott duck beneath the shutter so she does the same, seeing Sara close it just as quickly as she had lifted it. Cora hears it shut with a thud as it reaches the floor. She looks around her and sees that they are, for some reason, in what would have been a storage space and previously filled with crates and trunks.
"Restless?" Cora asks taking a moment to look at Scott who is looking around the room, looking like he is wondering why they are there too.
"Why?" Scott asks and she notices Sara focuses on him and ignores her question.
"People are fed up of waiting." Sara nods. "So they don't want to put Dad in front of them again." Sara nods making Cora frown lightly, part of her could understand that people were eager to leave and probably feeling as in the dark like them, but they didn't know it was Alec's fault that there had been a delay.
"Is Alec here?" Cora asks and sees Sara nod her head towards the door at the back of the room, making Cora notice that she can see light coming from there.
Cora feels Scott move to her side again and that he lets his fingers brush against her palm, making her look at him when she feels it. She looks back to Sara when she notices that she has walked towards the door and knocked on it lightly, hearing the metal beneath her fist.
"Scott is here." Sara begins leaning towards the door so that she can be heard on the other side. And Cora, she thinks to herself.
Cora sees the door open, the light from the next room flooding in and making it easier for them to see. She feels Scott's hand in hers and squeezes it to comfort herself as much as him.
"You made it." Doctor Harry begins as he appears in the doorway, Cora feels his eyes on her and then to Scott and remembers the last time she'd seen him and how unkind he'd been with Alec to her and it had been a good few weeks not seeing him. "Come in." He adds and she watches him step away to allow them to do just that.
"Hey, guys." Cora hears Liam's voice as they enter the room, spotting him sat at the back of the room, which appears to be some kind of meeting room, on a table that has been haphazardly pushed back against the wall. She smiles in response and sees Scott lift his hand in a greeting.
"Hi, Cora." She hears and spots that rest of their team; Dusty, Andrew, Lola, and David are already here and are also sat at the back of the room. "Alright, Scott?" David lifts his hand in a wave.
"Hey." Cora nods and greats the others with a smile, watching Lola and Dusty lean towards each other and continue their excited conversation, both of them perched on the edge of the tables, just like Liam.
Cora turns her attention towards the front of the room and sees that Alec is stood with a team of people that appear to be setting up the space in a hurry, and a smartly dressed woman who is stood at his side looks like she is briefing him and showing him something on her Omni. Cora notices that as soon as he's heard her voice, Alec's eyes are on her.
"What's going on?" She hears Scott ask the team sat behind her, but she doesn't hear their reply because she knows Alec is watching her. Cora sees him finally lower his eyes when the woman lifts her hand and places it on his arm, laughing in an exaggerated way to get Alec's attention.
"Last minute decision to stream for the Pathfinder's safety.." Harry begins and Cora glances at him. She watches Harry lower himself into a chair at the back of the room and that he too is watching them begin preparing cameras that hover above Alec's head.
"Not exactly the ideal location." Scott chuckles and Cora notices that he looks around him again; it was clearly a very last minute decision to find somewhere quiet to film from so that Alec was safe from the unhappy AI members, and these rooms she assumed had been the closest and available.
Cora watches as Scott moves to the back and turns to perch on the edge of the table like the others, feeling his eyes on her when he pats the space beside him. She smiles at him and moves around the chairs to reach him, turning and stepping onto her tiptoes so that she can slide onto the hard surface next to him. Cora feels him move his arm behind her so that it rests around her lightly, and his eyes are on her. Cora smiles at him when he wrinkles his nose at her.
"Has anyone told you anything?" Andrew begins from his seat in front of them, making Cora turn her attention to him when she hears his lowered voice.
"Nope." Liam chuckles making Cora smile lightly, Alec had been keeping things from her too and she wasn't sure why. She notices their Pathfinder look up from what he is doing and that he is looking for her.
"Come on old man, we haven't got all day." Scott calls towards Alec and Cora watches him frown when he hears it, and even more so when he hears the rest of the team laugh lightly.
"Don't wind him up," Cora whispers to Scott, hearing him sigh at her words. "I'm serious, Scott." She adds and feels his eyes on her. "He's already annoyed with us." She sighs and sees him nod and lower his eyes as if to say he won't say anything else.
"Spoilsport." Scot whispers as Cora lifts her hand to his face and strokes it briefly with her palm making him lean towards her, resting his forehead against hers for a moment.
"Have I done something to upset Sara?" Cora whispers as she moves her cheek against his, hoping that she isn't overhead. She feels Scott lean back and shake his head lightly.
"I don't think so." Scott whispers and she watches him glance over to his sister who is looking at them. Cora sees Scott give Sara a smile, which she doesn't return. "Don't worry. She's probably just having a bad day." Scott adds and kisses her cheek to reassure her.
When Cora looks back to the front of the room she sees that the woman is now giggling and touching Alec's chest as she helps him into his suit jacket, and is touching his medals as an excuse to flirt with him.
Cora watches him lean towards her, his mouth moving in words that she knows she is glad she can't hear and that the woman begins giggling again and her face reddens. Was he trying to make her jealous or was this scene for the woman's benefit, she thought the first option was more likely. Especially after how he's been with her ever since she met Scott.
"On today's episode of why Alec Ryder is a dick." Scott leans towards her and whispers so only she can hear, drawing her attention back to him and making her smile lightly, he'd seen her watching Alec's display and was trying to take her mind off of it. Cora takes a moment to try and catch Sara's eyes but notices she is staring at her and doesn't look happy.
"Okay, we are ready Sir." One of the AI workers announces and she watches Alec suddenly straightens up and become the professional, former N7, incredibly powerful, highly awarded man, that he was.
"Perfect." Alec nods and she watches him lift his hands and run them through his hair before checking that his sleeves are at his wrists, and his medals are straight on his chest.
Cora hears Scott sigh lightly at her side and that he bends his head to press a gentle kiss against her shoulder, a silent but comforting act before setting his eyes on Alec. She does the same, letting her eyes momentarily stop on the camera operator who is controlling them to move and start filming Alec from lots of different angles. Cora watches Alec step in front of the spot that they've marked for him and that when he does he is suddenly lit up with bright lights.
"Quiet in the room." The smartly dressed woman announces and Cora notices that she glances to the back of the room and where they are all sat, her eyes on them as if challenging them to speak. Cora didn't know who she was, but she didn't like her.
Cora hears the sound outside of people cheering and knows that finally, something must be showing on the screen and that they would at long last be getting the information they needed. She can hear that some music is being played and knows that they are showing one of their Andromeda Initiative adverts; it sounded like the one promising the adventure, the better life, and a new tomorrow for humanity. She'd seen it so many times and each time it made her cringe. She hears more cheering when the advert ends.
"Okay, Pathfinder we are on you." The woman nods and points to Alec.
"Friends.." Cora hears Alec begin as she watches him smile into the camera. "I know that this has been a difficult and frustrating time for us all." He continues and she hears the crowd outside react. "With this extended delay has come its own challenges and disappointments.." Alec continues and she watches him nod sympathetically, but notices that he stands tall even though the crowd start to boo. "But I'm here today to tell you that there will be no more delays." He smiles and she notices they cheer.
Cora watches Alec nod as he pauses for a moment, she sees him lift his hand to his chest as if he is thanking them for their positive reaction. She notices that he looks straight past the camera and to her before looking away when the woman steps towards him and hands him a box.
"This evening, and during the early hours of tomorrow." Alec continues and Cora feels Scott fidget beside her, so she places her hand on his knee lightly and feels him lean towards her.
Cora glances around and notices that they are all fixed on Alec, the disappointment that they'd not been told anything now second to their obvious excitement about the news. She then notices that Sara is staring at her feet, and she doesn't look pleased about something.
"Each of you will be receiving your A-Day launch packs." He continues lifting the box so that they can all see it. "You must follow the instructions completely, ensuring that you use only your own that has been tailored to you." He continues and she notices that everyone outside is quiet as they listen to their Pathfinder.
"Disinfection time." Scott leans his head closer and whispers to her making her smile lightly and nod, she lifts her hand to stroke his chin gently beneath her fingertips.
Cora knew that 24 hours before the launch the whole station would be completely disinfected, purged of any germs that might have survived their thorough decontamination process, and leave them all clean and free from any bugs before they are into stasis. The station would be completely locked down from that moment, and they would be certain that no one was going to be taking any illness with them to Andromeda. They'd all been taking immune-boosting supplements for months to help keep them safe, but the disinfection was another way to make sure it worked.
"From midnight tonight, I can confirm with you all that we will have exactly twenty-four hours until launch. There will be no further delays, and that I can guarantee you all." He nods and smiles into the camera. "This is your Pathfinder Alec Ryder signing off. See you in Andromeda." Alec ends with a large smile and they can all hear people outside cheering and whooping at the news.
"Okay, Alec." The woman nods towards the camera operator who cuts the live stream. "That was wonderful." She coos at him and Cora sees her placing her hands on him again, but that the smile quickly fades from Alec's face when his eyes find her and she knows he has noticed that Scott lifts his arm around her shoulders and leans to closer to kiss her cheek.
"Just over one day left." Cora whispers to Scott and sees him turn to look at her and nod lightly and that he looks about as happy about the news as she feels. Cora glances over to the other members of the team and sees that they are all talking excitedly together and there is lots of hugging and high fives taking place.
"Why does it feel like we are the only ones that aren't excited?" Scott smiles lightly and she feels him tighten his hold around her. "As much as I want to go, as great as I know it will be when we get there. As much of an adventure I know it will be." Scott continues and she feels him press another gentle kiss against her cheek. "I like this more." He chuckles making Cora smile.
"I like this more too." Cora smiles when she feels him kiss her lips softly, knowing he probably shouldn't be doing that and was close to breaking one of their rules. She lifts her hands to his face and kisses him again. "But, if I'm going to be a Pathfinder. We need to go, I guess." Cora sighs dramatically, which makes him laugh.
"Alright fine, you've convinced me." Scott nods and smiles, wrapping his arms around her tightly making her laugh. Cora glances back to Alec and sees that he still has the woman draped on him, but she has now moved her hand to his face and is giggling at everything he is saying.
"Isn't it great news?!' Cora hears Sara's voice and feels Scott unwrap his arms from around her, she sees Sara look at her brother and notices he doesn't think it is. "Why aren't you excited?" She asks and Cora feels her eyes move between them and that her expression is hard when she looks at her.
"I am." Scott nods but she notices Sara shakes her head lightly and doesn't believe him. "I've just been feeling unsure." He adds. "Now I've met Cora, I just don't know how I feel about going back to my old life." Scott mumbles and Cora notices he lowers his eyes from Sara.
"Scott, you can't be serious." She begins and Cora notices her frown and shake her head. "This is all we've been looking forward to. A real adventure, together." Sara huffs and Cora feels her eyes on her. "Your old life was great!" Sara continues making Cora remember that she a few weeks ago she had wanted an adventure with Alec until he'd broken her heart.
"I know," Scott replies and she feels how tense he is beside her. Cora lowers her hand and wraps it around his. "I still want that, of course, I do." He adds but Cora hears Sara huff.
"Please don't get angry with Scott." Cora begins and she feels her eyes move to her and Scott the anger return. "We want a home together just as much as you." She adds and she sees Sara narrow her eyes slightly, beginning to realise that maybe Sara was starting to feel replaced. "But it's all so unknown, and Scott's allowed to be nervous. We all are." Cora continues but she sees Sara just shake her head.
"That's the whole point." Sara huffs lightly. "We signed up for this, knowing it wouldn't be easy.." She continues and Cora notices that Liam has approached them when Sara has started raising her voice. "We knew it would be unknown, but that was the point." She adds her voice louder.
"Sara, calm down." Scott begins and holds his hand up to her. "You don't need to raise your voice at Cora." He adds and feels him stand up from the table next to her and move between Sara and her. "Just go and sit down, please." He sighs.
"I won't sit down, Scott. Cora has got inside your head. If you'd never got involved with her, you wouldn't doubt this at all. This was your idea to go and now you're having second thoughts because of her?" Sara huffs and Cora notices her pointing her finger in her direction.
"What's going on?" Liam asks as he reaches them and Cora notices that he stands behind her, showing where his loyalty lies and his eyes are on Scott.
"Nothing." Scott says and motions for Liam to go and sit down.
"Why are you blaming me?" Cora laughs lightly, trying to stop herself from getting angrier by the minute. "Scott is an adult and I've done nothing wrong." Cora adds and stands up next to Scott, she sees Sara shake her head again.
"Done nothing wrong?!" Sara laughs, no humour in her voice. "That is a lie and you know it." Sara shouts as Cora see Scott place his hands on his twins' shoulders and try to move her back. "He wanted this. Until he met you." She adds. "Now he wants to throw it all away to play house." She shouts making Cora fume when she hears it.
"Scott, take your hands off of her mate." Liam begins and Cora watches him step in front of Sara and in between her and Scott, she sees him shoulder Scott so that he stumbles back slightly and lowers his hands from his sister. Cora watches Scott lift his hands to show Liam he isn't, trying to defuse the situation.
"He never said he wanted to play house." Cora huffs, not believing what she was hearing from Sara, who for all this time until this morning been nice to her. Cora could tell she was sounding disappointed in Scott, and maybe she was using Cora as the reason for him letting her down. But she was angry with her too. "You have to accept that he cares about someone other than you now." She adds notices Sara scowls at her.
"You've only known him five minutes." Sara snaps back at her. "We've been twins for our whole lives." She adds. "We signed up together and we'll be stepping onto the homeworlds together. Your relationship with my brother means nothing to you." She continues making Cora feel the buzz at the back of her head as the blood begins to boil.
Cora huffs lightly, squeezing her eyes tight for a moment trying to relax and push the charge away from her. Only a few hours ago she was so kind and telling her that she wanted to be friends, and was happy for her and Scott and now this? When she opens her eyes she sees that Sara is glaring at her.
"Our relationship means everything to me." Cora shouts back, feeling Scott's eyes on her. "You were right. Scott does love me and I love him, but that doesn't mean I'm trying to take him from you." She continues and hears Sara snort.
"You love him until you decide to go back to sleeping with our Dad!" Sara shouts and Cora notices that everyone is suddenly quiet and all the eyes in the room are on her, she feels her chest tighten under their gazes. And there it was, the real reason Sara was now angry with her. She'd somehow found out the one thing she didn't want to share with her.
"Sara.." Cora begins but she sees Sara shake her head, and that she looks like she is going to cry angry tears. "I'm sorry, you shouldn't have been told that." Cora mumbles but she notices that her words make Sara look even more upset.
"So it's true?" Sara begins. "How could you?" Sara hisses and Cora watches her rub under her eyes with the back of her hand. "How could you do that to Scott?" She huffs again.
"Sara, that's enough." Scott mumbles and she notices the twins look at each other, Sara looking confused at Scott's response to what she maybe assumed was news to him. "Why would you bring him into it?" Scott adds and Cora feels him step towards Sara again until Liam pushes him back. "I already knew." He whispers.
"You knew?!" Sara begins, the anger on her face again when she looks at Scott. "You knew about them?" Sara spits, her face reddening. "You sit there while they eye fuck each other, and now you tell me you knew?!" She shouts and Cora watches as Scott shakes his head, not knowing what to say but she feels his hand move behind him and searches for hers.
"They weren't." Scott mumbles and she sees him shake his head. "It has nothing to do with you, Sara." Scott adds and Cora hears her scoff angrily, noticing that Scott is trying to calm her down.
"Then you are blind, as well as stupid." Sara snaps and she sees Scott sigh lightly and shake his head, she sees him lower his eyes to his feet.
When Cora turns her attention away from Scott, she spots that the rest of the Pathfinder team have noticed what is going on and have come to try and intervene too, adding even more people and voices to the problem. They had also clearly heard what Sara had said.
She sees that the rest of the AI crew have made themselves scarce but she can still hear Alec's voice talking to the woman in the room and knows he is still there. Cora glances up and sees that he moves his attention to them and is watching them all, but doesn't seem to know what their argument is about. She watches him excuse himself and begin heading towards them, not looking happy.
"What's going on?" Alec whispers, anger in his voice when she hears him close the distance between them quickly, and forcibly placing his body between Scott and Cora, and Sara and Liam. Cora sees how furious he looks and that he has seen that something is happening with his team. "What do you think you're doing? Arguing between the team?" He huffs and she watches him look between Scott and Liam, and then Cora feels his eyes on her.
"I can't even look at you." Sara mumbles and Cora knows she means her father. "Either of you." She mutters and Cora feels her eyes on her and then Alec, and then an expression of realisation on his face. "And so the destructive cycle of Alec Ryder continues." Sara adds and Cora watches her turn to leave.
"Sara, wait." Alec begins, in a gentle tone that she recognises he'd used on her so many times to get her to be compliant. "Cora and I.." He continues making Cora fix his eyes on her. "It was nothing, less than nothing. A fleeting moment." He adds.
"But you don't deny it?" Sara whispers as Cora watches him try and stop her from going any further but she pulls away from him. "You disgust me." Sara mumbles as she presses her hand against the door control and leaves, taking Liam with her.
Cora sighs lightly when she hears his words, once again spinning a tail and trying to talk himself out of a bad situation. It was much more than a fleeting moment and he knew it. She watches Alec go through the door after them, it sliding closed behind him and is sure she hears their raised voices on the other side.
"Scott.." Cora begins, squeezing Scott's hand to try and distract him and she watches him look at her and nod lightly. "Are you okay?" She whispers and sees him nod again, but notices the slight downturn at the edge of his mouth.
"This is a really shit family for you to get caught up with." Scott sighs and she watches him lower his eyes to their hands that are clasped together tightly. "It's like we're destined to hate each other." Scott adds and she feels his eyes on her.
"Family's can be shit." Cora smiles at him and she sees that he returns it. "So what if you are?" Cora smiles and hears him sigh and laugh lightly. "I still love you." She whispers and watches as he steps closer to her and wraps his arms around her. Cora sighs when she slides her arms around his middle, leaning her head against his when she feels him squeeze her tightly.
"I'm sorry, Cora." Scott sighs against her shoulder when she rubs her hands up his back, feeling how tense he feels beneath her hands. "This is why I try and keep away from Alec and his bullshit." He adds making her laugh lightly.
"Why are you apologising?" Cora sighs. "This is mine and Alec's fault." She adds and holds him tighter. "Will Sara will be okay with you?" Cora whispers and watches him lift his head and look at her, he nods and she sees him worry his bottom lip with his teeth. "I'm so sorry," Cora adds.
"It's not your fault." Scott shakes his head lightly. "I'm sure she'll be fine." Scott nods. "She forgets that her opinion of Alec is very different from mine. He can do no wrong in her eyes, and he has." Scott smiles lightly and she feels him lift his hand to stroke her hair.
"I just hope you two will be alright." Cora whispers and sighs when she doesn't see Scott agree with her. Things had just gotten a little more difficult for them all. Cora looks over her shoulder when she hears the door slide open and Alec return.
"Why did you tell her?" Alec begins, his eyes angry and on Scott when he approaches them. Cora feels Scott release his hold on her and that he shakes his head when he hears his father's words and goes to interrupt. "Have you any idea what you've done?" He huffs.
"It wasn't me." Scott begins but Alec lifts his hand and stops him from speaking further.
"Alec, we didn't tell her." Cora begins and steps between him and Scott. "She already knew, and it was probably Harry that told her. Scott was just defending me." Cora whispers but notices Alec's eyes are still on Scott. "Scott has done nothing wrong." She adds and sees that he finally turns his attention to her.
"Scott, leave us." Alec mumbles and she watches him wave a dismissive hand at him and step away, putting some space between them all. "I want to talk to Cora, alone." Cora looks at Alec and sees him lift his hand to his face and pinch the bridge of his nose.
"No way." Scott begins and she feels him hold her hand tighter as if he has to keep her from getting stolen by Alec. Cora watches Alec perch on the edge of the table and fixes his eyes on her.
"It's a private matter, and none of your business." Alec smiles at Cora and she sees Scott's eyes darken.
"I don't have anything to say that I can't say in front of Scott." Cora begins, feeling his gaze change to one of a surprise when he hears it. "Maybe it's best that he is here." Cora continues and sees Alec narrow his eyes slightly.
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Alec sighs and she watches him cross his arms over his chest. "Don't you think you've done enough damage to my relationships with my children?" He mumbles making her sigh.
"You are the one that is doing the damage." Cora begins and feels Scott squeeze her hand lightly until she looks at him. "I'm sorry Scott but you should know what has been happening." She adds and hears Alec huff.
'What do you mean?" Scott asks and she feels his eyes searching her face. "What's been happening?" He whispers and she can immediately see his mind jumping to all of the wrong conclusions.
"Not that." Cora sighs and shakes her head, she lifts her hand to his chest and hopes it reassures him. "But Alec has not given up on trying to get me back, and you have the right to know that." Cora continues and sees Scott frown and glance at Alec. "I told him I wanted you, I told him we were together. I told him I didn't love him." Cora continues and she sees Scott nod.
"Why can't you just leave her alone?" Scott asks turning to Alec who just shrugs lightly and bites his bottom lip. "Cora was trying to do right by you." He adds and she hears Alec chuckle. "She didn't have to spend time with you after what you did to her." He continues making Cora sigh lightly.
"Now you have her, surely you understand why I can't get enough?" Alec mumbles and Cora watches his eyes lower to his feet and then back to her. "She gets under your skin. Inside your head." He whispers and she sees him lift his finger to the side of his head and then shake it.
"Alec, please." Cora huffs, hoping he will get the message and stop talking about it and she feels his eyes on her. "I won't be spending time with you unless it is needed for the mission. I won't be alone with you and I won't be there to support you anymore. I don't want you to contact me unless it is official business. I don't want you to speak to me unless it is about work." Cora continues and she sees Alec suck his teeth and shake his head.
"You don't mean any of that." He whispers.
"I tried Alec." Cora nods. "I tried to still be here for you, so you weren't alone. It will be easier for us both this way." She adds and hears him sigh and watches him lower his head. "I love Scott, and I want to be with him." She whispers and feels his eyes on her.
"Just get out of my sight, both of you." Alec mumbles and Cora watches him lift his hand and dismiss them, she doesn't give him time to say anything else and leads Scott out of the door and back into the commons.