XX.
"Okay, let me just scan the bag against your I.D." The Andromeda Imitative worker nods and motions to the panel on the desk in front of her. "Then we'll get it sent to the Hyperion." She adds and smiles at Cora.
"Perfect, thank you." Cora replies with her own smile, lifting her Omni and waving it over the panel until it turns green.
Cora glances up and watches as the worker links her information to Scott's kitbag, that contains the last of their clothing and belongings that would be waiting for them after they'd been brought out of stasis. She knew most things were replaceable once they got to Andromeda, but they'd been keen to keep hold of her dress and his suit in particular. As she waits for the process to be finished, Cora glances around her, noticing that there are lots of people also waiting at the long line of desks just like this one, to hand over any last-minute bags and things they wanted to take with them.
"All done, was that everything?" She asks drawing Cora's attention away from the queues of people, and back to the worker in front of her. Cora nods her head lightly, which receives a smile from her. "Great. Have a wonderful trip." She smiles.
Cora watches the worker lift Scott's bag off of the desk and carefully place it on a waiting platform behind her, which she knows will be where they collect them all together and they'll be sorted onto the ship. Cora moves away from the desk, noticing the person behind her is quick to move up and appears to be in a hurry to drop off their bags and get to the cryo check-in. There were only a few hours left until everyone would be safe in their pods, and their journey to Andromeda would finally begin. No more delays.
Cora continues walking away from the bag check, noticing that even here there is a nervous but excited feeling in the air as AI recruits and AI members stand and walk together, their enthusiastic chatter echoing through the station. Cora steps carefully around people that are waiting, trying not to bump into anyone despite the now large number that is milling around.
Cora glances over her shoulder when she is sure she hears someone crying, she spots an AI recruit dressed in his all-white issued clothing, comforting an AI member dressed in her finest. It looks like they are saying goodbye and it's only then that she notices how much the AI have divided those with the earned places and those with the bought. Cora lets her eyes take in her own white clothes, and the same on her feet. She hears the ping of her Omni and smiles when she sees Scott's name.
"Hey, my love." Cora begins, smiling when she can hear him connects the call on his end.
"Hey, beautiful." Scott's warm and comforting voice comes from the other end. "Just checking in." He adds making her smile. "How are you getting on?" He asks and she can hear that he is in a busy part of the station too.
"I've just dropped off the bag." Cora smiles as she continues walking past the groups of people, heading in the general direction of the next part of their check-in. "Where are you?" Cora asks, keen to get back to him.
"I am.." Scott begins. "Hang on," Scott adds and she hears the line go quiet and knows he is trying to find something to direct her towards. "I'm opposite the entrance to Gate 4." She hears the sound of him moving. "Do you want me to come and meet you?" Scott continues making her smile.
"If you fancy a walk.." Cora begins, giggling when she hears the sound of Scott telling the people he is stood with that he's going to get her. "You don't have to, though." Cora laughs, smiling when she hears him sigh.
"I'm on my way." Scott replies and she can hear the smile in his voice, and that she can also hear the sound of him start jogging before the line disconnects.
Cora carefully steps past the last line, starting to notice that as she gets closer to the cryo checkpoints there are even more people, lots of them sat on the floor, or against the edges of the station as they wait around for their names to be called. She notices that they all appear to be recruits and other than the woman she saw crying, she hasn't seen any of the AI Elite members and finds that strange. Cora nods and smiles to people she recognises as she passes them, noticing that they all look as nervous as she is but excited too.
Cora knew from what Alec had told her, that when the delay had taken place there had been around eight thousand AI recruits and AI members still left to put into their pods, and she could tell that they were mostly gathered here now. He had also told her that the majority of those left to go into cryo were recruits and that lots of the wealthy paid members of Initiative were placed in first as they had no part to play in A-Day other than providing backing and funding. The recruits were the soldiers, the workers, the cleaners, the doctors, and the people that worked hard in the background to make sure things worked the way they should.
"Lieutenant Harper!" Cora hears her name being called as she continues her walk through the station, glancing around her when she hears it. "Over here!" The voice calls and she directs her head towards the sound and spots Commander Raymond stood outside the front of a temporary building that has been marked 'Andromeda Initiative Elite Members Entrance' in bright letters and signage.
"Commander Ryder." Cora smiles as she moves around a group of recruits that are stood together, and approaches him. "It's nice to see you again." Cora nods, another smile when she sees him do the same.
"You too, and please it's Raymond." He smiles and she watches as he reaches to hug her, which she accepts and feels him pat her lightly on the back when he does.
"It's Cora, please." Cora laughs lightly when she sees Commander Ryder nod and smile. "Have you seen Scott today?" She asks him and notices that he shakes his head.
"Not yet." He smiles "I am unfortunately being forced to attend this party." He sighs quietly making Cora glance at the building behind him, the two AI guards at the door scanning people in, and then back to Scott's uncle. "Alec's orders." He nods making Cora smile lightly.
"Well, Scott is on his way." Cora begins and she sees that this makes him look happy to hear. "He's having another party?" Cora huffs lightly and she hears Raymond laugh and nod. "I see they've given the members their own entrance too." She adds nodding towards the sign and she realises she can suddenly hear lots of laughing coming from inside the building, and indeed they are having a party.
"I'm sure it was in their contracts when they handed over their credits." Raymond smiles. "No mixing with the riff-raff." He chuckles making Cora laugh. "Wined and Dined by the Pathfinder before launch." He mumbles and she notices he doesn't look like he approves.
"I think I'd rather the riff-raff." Cora giggles and hears Raymond laugh in agreement, she then sees his eyes lift behind her and that he smiles and nods his greeting. "Speaking of riff-raff, here is my favourite." Cora smiles and glances over her shoulder at Scott.
"Who you calling riff-raff?" Scott laughs and she feels his hand on her lower back for a brief moment and then watches him reach past her and hug his uncle. "Hey, it's good to see you." Scott grins and she sees Raymond squeeze him until he laughs, then finally letting go.
"You too, Scott." Commander Raymond smiles and she watches him lift his hand to his cheek and pat it gently.
"You found me okay then?" Cora asks and feels Scott move to stand beside her again, and his arm loop around her waist. She smiles to herself when he leans to press a kiss against her cheek and then nods. "Raymond was just telling me that they are having a party in there." Cora laughs when she hears Scott sigh.
"Another one?" Scott chuckles and she feels his fingers gently press against her waist. "I guess we aren't invited." Scott begins and she notices that Raymond looks guilty about that. "Hence the riff-raff." Scott laughs.
"You know if I had any say.." Raymond begins and Cora sees him sigh lightly. "I would have been happy to check in with you all." He continues and she watches Scott nod.
"It's fine." Scott begins and she feels him move and lift his hand to his Uncle's shoulder. "We didn't pay to be here so of course we weren't invited." Scott adds making her sigh lightly. "It wouldn't be right for us not to be with the other recruits." Scott sighs and Cora nods lightly.
"Plus our instructions said no food, no alcohol. If they are getting drunk and eating steaks, we'd only be disappointed we couldn't join in." Cora laughs and she sees that Raymond nods lightly.
"They are eating steaks?" Scott laughs and Cora watches him begin trying to look past his uncle and into the building. "I would love a steak right now." Scott sighs dramatically making her giggle and Raymond laugh. "Why aren't you in there enjoying yourself?" Scott asks him.
"I'm old school, Scott. Just like your Dad." Commander Raymond begins making Cora nod and she notices Scott snorts. "Nothing but nutrition powder for me." He adds and she sees him smile.
He was right, Alec was the same and not only did he not touch alcohol at all, or food on mission days, he was very much still Alliance through and through and she knew he found the AI frustrating.
"In that case.." Scott begins and she glances at him, watching him slide his hand into the pocket of his trousers until he pulls out his white sachet of powder. "Do you have yours?" He asks Raymond and Cora hears him laugh.
"Yes, I think I do." Cora watches Commander Raymond nod and his hand goes beneath his suit jacket, and into his shirt pocket on his chest. "Ah hah.." Raymond laughs as he holds up his powder between his thumb and first finger. "Cora?" Raymond asks and she feels two pair of Ryder's eyes on her.
"Well alright.." Cora whispers and hears them both chuckle and watch her lower her hand to her pockets and begin patting them to find it. "Here it is." She nods and slips the tips of her fingers into her pocket and uses them to pull out her white sachet.
"Down in one?" Scott asks and she feels his eyes on her and a cheeky grin on his face. Cora watches Raymond laugh and nod as Scott begins to tear the corner off, and Raymond does the same.
"This will put hairs on your chest, Scott." Raymond laughs and Cora hears Scott sigh and chuckle and then both of them look at her expectantly.
"To Andromeda?" Cora asks and holds her sachet up to them, tearing the corner off of her own so that it is ready for her to swallow. Cora sees Scott nod and smile, lifting his own up and then Raymond does the same.
"Andromeda." Scott laughs and the three of them touch sachets as if they are toasting with glasses, and Commander Raymond does the same.
Cora hastily brings the powder back towards her and lifts it to her mouth, tipping it onto her waiting tongue and tries to swallow it as quickly as she can. Feeling the vile tasting substance stick at the back of her throat, making her cough lightly when she has to gulp it down. Cora hears Scott groaning loudly and notices the disgusted look on his face when he tries to swallow it too, his face screwed up in displeasure.
"So gross." Scott begins and she watches him shake his head and poking his tongue out trying to get the rest out of his mouth. "I wish it was steak flavoured, at least." He huffs dramatically making Cora giggle and she sees Commander Raymond nod in agreement, he'd probably been using this stuff for over thirty years.
"Come here, you big baby." Cora giggles and wraps her arm around Scott's shoulder and pulls him closer to her, pinching his chin gently between her fingers and drawing his mouth to hers. She feels him relax and stop thinking about the powder and wrap his arm around her.
"Raymond.." Cora breaks their kiss when she hears Alec's voice, glancing behind Commander Raymond when she realises he has stepped out of the party and is now with them. "Are you coming back inside?" Alec huffs and Cora watches his eyes on her for a moment before going back to his brother, ignoring Scott entirely.
Cora feels Scott sigh and watches him lower his head, the disappointment clear and she knows he's thinking about how insignificant he feels to Alec. She wraps her other arm across his chest and rests her hand on his shoulder, hugging him tight against her side to comfort him. Cora glances at Alec, his eyes still fixed on his brother, dressed in his best blue suit and spending his last hours with people that had paid for his company and not his own children.
"We don't need him." Cora whispers when she leans closer to Scott, turning her head so that Alec won't hear her. She feels Scott nod and notices he moves his eyes from his feet and onto her.
"I was just talking to Scott and Cora." Raymond begins and Cora is sure she hears Alec tut but his attention doesn't shift. "As this is the last time we'll see them for a while." Raymond adds and Cora knows he is subtly trying to make a point to Alec.
"Do what you like." Alec huffs and Cora watches as he begins to turn to go back into the party. "Lieutenant Harper is on the guest list, Recruit Ryder is not." Alec mumbles and Cora feels his eyes on her briefly before he storms back inside.
"I hope when he wakes up in six hundred years, he's less of an asshole." Commander Raymond sighs, a light smile on his face as he shakes his head.
"I doubt that." Scott replies and Cora watches him bite the inside of his cheek and lower his eyes again. "But hey, at least Cora gets to go to a cool party and check-in with the important people." Scott chuckles when he fixes his eyes into hers.
"Don't be silly," Cora whispers and feels him move his hand to her back. "I told you, I'm staying with my riff-raff boyfriend." Cora adds and she sees it makes Scott smile and shake his head lightly. "There would never be enough fancy food and fun in there for me to give you up." Cora adds and she sees him nod and that he looks happy about that.
"I should probably head in before Alec gets angry." Raymond begins drawing their attention back to him. "I'm glad I got to see you both before.." Raymond continues and waves his hand around him. "All of this happens." He adds and smiles.
"Me too." Scott nods beside her and she watches him be taken into another hug by Raymond. "See you in what will feel like no time." Scott smiles but Cora can tell he's nervous.
"Yes, just a nap." Commander Raymond nods and reaches his arms out to her when he has finished with Scott. "Take care of Scott for me. He's a bit nervous." He whispers and she feels his eyes on her when they let go.
"I know." Cora nods. "I will, I promise." Cora smiles and she feels Scott wrap his arm around her waist again, his hand resting on her hip and squeezing her which she knows is to comfort himself too. "Please give the Pathfinder my sincere apologies that I can't attend his party." Cora giggles and she hears Raymond laugh.
"I will." Raymond laughs and nods. "Be good, both of you." He adds and Cora sees Scott nod, lifting his hand to wave when Commander Raymond turns and heads inside, glancing over his shoulder a last time to wave at them. Cora smiles to herself when she realises that the Ryder twins' and their 'Be good' had come from this man, not from Alec.
"Let's get out of here." Scott mumbles and she hears him huff lightly.
"He'll be fine." Cora whispers as she knocks her shoulder against his to get his attention back to her. "He's done more in his lifetime than we could ever imagine." Cora adds and she sees that he nods.
"I know." Scott nods and she feels him take hold of her hand as they walk away from the members' entrance, and continue back towards the recruit check-in. "There's just a lot riding on this, you know?" Scott adds and Cora nods, only 20,000 other people wanting them to succeed, and the whole of humanity that they'd left behind.
"I know." Cora whispers and leans to press a kiss against his cheek, squeezing his hand tightly twice as they walk so he knows she's thinking about kissing him. "You know Scott, I don't know why you worry about becoming Alec." Cora begins and she watches him turn his face to look at her and briefly lower his eyes to their hands.
"How'd you figure that one out?" Scott chuckles making her smile, she feels him sidestep some recruits as they start to move into an even more crowded area, no sign of AI members any longer and just recruits.
"You're more like Raymond, than Alec." Cora smiles and she sees that he does the same, looking relieved that she thought so and pleased at the same time. "I think that proves that of all the Ryder's' I know, the majority of them are pretty great." Cora adds and he chuckles.
"I guess you are right." Scott nods. "Like you said, families can be shit," Scott mumbles and she nods in agreement. "Do you think your parents would have signed up?" Scott asks and she feels him look at her.
"Definitely not," Cora replies, giving him a small smile. "They didn't like what I was.." Cora sighs and she feels him squeeze her hand. "Sorry." Cora laughs lightly when she realises she's gone quiet.
"I'm sorry.." Scott whispers. "I shouldn't have said anything." He adds and she feels him lift her hand to press a kiss against the back of it. "Families are shit." He adds making her smile. "You've got me now." He adds and she nods again, letting her eyes settle on his.
"You've got me too." Cora smiles, glancing briefly ahead of them when she sees that they are about to pass the entrance to the check-in gates that are numbered 3 and 4 and that a lot of people are gathered outside the gates and saying their goodbyes to their friends.
"I left Sara, Liam, and Harry by the next gate." Scott begins and she watches him nod ahead of them. Cora wondering how they were going to find them with what she thought could be at least seven thousand people walking around.
"I hope we can stay together." Cora whispers and she feels his eyes on her. "What if they make us go through different gates?" Cora adds and hears him sigh. "All Cora's through gate one and all Scott's through gate four." Cora mumbles and she hears him laugh lightly.
"I don't think that's how it works." Scott laughs. "But we'll be okay," Scott replies, giving her a positive nod and another squeeze of her hand. "I'm staying with you, alright?" Scott adds and she nods. "I'm not going to let anything happen." Scott whispers and she sees a smile at the corner of his mouth.
"I know." Cora sighs and feels him let go of her hand and wrap his arm around her shoulders, drawing her against his side as they approach the next gate.
Cora begins scanning through the crowd, trying to find Sara and Liam, knowing that Scott has left them somewhere here, but the large mass of people is making it hard to find anyone you know. She glances along the edge of the station and spots them both, Sara leaning against the rail and Liam sitting on the floor at her feet. Cora spots that Sara is talking to a woman who is stood in front of her, with her back to them and who's long dark hair moves as they chat enthusiastically.
"They are over there." Cora begins, lifting her hand to point to Sara and Liam, feeling a little relieved that Harry isn't with them and must have already gone through the gates. Cora watches Scott follow her finger and look to where she is pointing.
"Shit," Scott whispers. "Shit, shit, shit.." He mumbles and Cora feels him lower his arm from around her and spin on his heels and turn to go back the way they've come. "Fuck." Cora hears him spit and stops, wondering what he is doing.
"Are you okay?" Cora asks, glancing at Scott and then over to Sara who she notices has seen them and is waving them over.
"Let's keep walking for a bit." Scott huffs making Cora frown. "I should have known this would happen." Scott huffs, to himself more than her. "Let's go this way, Cora." Scott adds and she feels him curl his fingers around hers and try to take her with him.
"Scott." Cora huffs lightly and pulls her hand away. "What's going on?" She asks and sees him shake his head lightly. "Why are you freaking out?" She whispers and watches Scott lift the hood of his hoodie and pull it over his head, Cora sighs again trying hard not to smile at how ridiculous he is being.
"Scott!" Cora hears Sara shouting from the short distance between them.
"Fuck." Scott mumbles and she watches him lift his hand to his face and chuckle lightly. "Why is she here?" He groans.
"Sara has spotted you if that's what you are worried about." Cora begins, glancing over her shoulder to see Sara shrug at her and frown. Cora shakes her head lifting her arms; she had no idea either. "Scott.." Cora whispers and takes hold of his hood, lowering it back to his shoulders and lifting her hand to flatten his hair back into place. "Come on." Cora whispers and slips her fingers through his, dragging him across the station towards Sara.
Cora hears Scott huff beside her and his grip tighten on her hand as they approach Sara and Liam, and then she notices that Sara's friend with the long black hair has turned around at the mention of Scott's name. Cora watches her eyes move to Scott and settle on him.
"Hey, guys." Sara begins and Cora notices that she smiles at her and then glances at Scott and then to the woman beside her. "Lou, you remember my brother Scott don't you?" Sara continues and Cora watches her friend nod, but her eyes are still fixed on Scott. "He probably looks different than you remember him." Sara laughs and Cora feels Scott tense at her side.
"Of course I remember him." She begins, her eyes moving to Sara for a moment and then back to Scott. "Oh no, I think he looks the same." She adds. "It's been a while, Scott." Lou nods and Cora watches her try to make eye contact with Scott, but he is looking at his feet.
"Sure has." Scott mumbles and Cora watches Lou lower her eyes to their hands that are still together.
"Sorry, I don't think we've met." Lou begins and Cora watches as she holds out her perfectly manicured hand towards her. "I'm Louisa.." She adds and gives Cora a large and mostly fake smile. "I know Sara and Scott from back home." She continues making Cora nod lightly and glance at Scott.
"Sorry, yes." Cora begins and shakes her hand. "I'm Cora, part of the same Pathfinder Team as Scott and Sara." Cora continues until she hears Sara interrupt her.
"Cora is Scott's girlfriend." Sara laughs and Cora feels Louisa's eyes on her and then back to Scott. Cora sees her smile lightly and shake her head.
"I thought he didn't date." Louisa laughs, but Cora can't help but wonder if it's as fake as her nails and her smile. Cora feels her heart sink when she remembers the name of the woman from HR that the women in the bathroom had been talking about at the party. Louisa, Scott's ex that had told everyone how skilled he was in the bedroom.
"Well, things change when you're with the right person." Scott begins and she watches him nod. "What are you even doing here?" Scott adds and Cora hears Sara laugh lightly and tut at her brother, thinking he is being rude. "You were pretty clear you didn't want to come with.. Sara." Scott continues and Cora watches him bite his bottom lip.
"Things change, Scott." Louisa smiles at him and Cora hears him huff and shake his head.
"Don't be rude." Sara mumbles and Cora watches her frown at her brother. "I thought you'd be pleased to see a familiar face?" Sara adds and Cora watches her sigh. "Louisa has been working in Human Resources." Sara adds which makes Cora cover her mouth to keep from screaming or maybe laughing out loud, so she pretends to cough.
"Yes, of course." Scott nods and Cora watches his eyes meet Louisa. "It's great to see you, Louisa." Scott continues and Cora sees that this makes Sara happy. "Safe trip." Scott nods and she can see he doesn't mean it. "Shall we sit over there?" Scott asks turning her attention to her.
"Sure." Cora nods and watches Scott move towards where Liam sits and lower himself to the floor, pressing his back against the glass barrier. She watches him nod to Liam, the two knocking their hands together and exchanging greetings. "Nice to have met you." Cora nods towards Louisa before following after Scott, listening to Sara apologise for Scott being rude behind her.
"Hey, Liam." Cora smiles and watches him lift his hand to greet her too, before lowering herself onto the cold floor next to Scott. "Scott.." Cora whispers to him, trying to get his attention when she sees him start fiddling with his shoes.
"Hmm?" He replies and she watches him lift his head to look at her. "What's up?" Scott whispers when she places her hands on his knees and moves closer to him, sitting cross-legged in front of him.
"Is that the Louisa you were dating?" Cora whispers nodding her head in the direction of Sara and Louisa, she watches his eyes move to them and back to her and he shakes his head. "Then what? Why didn't you want to speak to her?" Cora whispers again and watches him sigh; she places her hands on top of his to stop him fiddling with his shoes.
"We weren't dating." Scott begins and she feels him rub his fingers against hers. "But she did break my heart." He whispers and Cora nods lightly. "I asked her to join up with me and she turned me down." He adds and gives her a small smile.
"What a fucking bitch.." Cora whispers and she hears him laugh lightly. "Seriously, she must be crazy to have turned you down." Cora adds and she sees that he gives her a grateful smile. "You didn't know she was here?" Cora asks and he shakes his head again.
"No clue." Scott whispers. "Thought I was leaving all that behind." He adds. "Sara doesn't know.." He sighs and Cora huffs lightly, not another secret between the twins. "They're best friends and she would kill me if she knew we were sleeping with each other." Scott laughs lightly.
"I thought having one ex coming with us was bad enough." Cora whispers and hears him laugh. She lifts her hand to his face and strokes her thumb against his cheek. "There were some girls at the party." Cora begins and watches his eyes met hers. "They were talking about what Louisa had been saying about you." Cora whispers and sees him sigh and laugh again.
"I dread to think.." Scott laughs but Cora lowers her hands to his again, letting him wrap his fingers around hers. "Was it that I'm a dick?" Scott smiles. "That I don't commit? That I don't date? That I begged her to run away with me?" He adds making her giggle.
"Hmm, none of that." Cora giggles. "They were very confident about how gorgeous you are, which is obviously true." Cora smiles "Also, about how good you are in bed. Also very true." Cora whispers and hears him laugh and shake his head again.
"Good to know people speak so highly of me." Scott laughs. "Probably didn't give you the best first impression of me, hearing that though." Scott sighs.
"It did make me wonder what kind of Space Stud Alec had as a son." Cora giggles and he snorts. "I was expecting very good things Scott, and I am definitely not disappointed." Cora laughs when he holds his arms open and motions for her to sit with him.
Cora smiles when she sees him beckoning her closer, so she turns on the spot and lets him help her up and back onto his knees. She feels him wrap his arms around her so she can relax against his chest and she settles on his lap.
"I'm glad, but I'm no Space Stud." Scott laughs and she feels him rest his head against hers. "Just so you know I've not slept with any of those women." Scott whispers. "I'm not what people say I am, Cora." Scott adds and she feels him kiss her cheek.
"I know you're not." Cora smiles and rests her hands in his arms, enjoying the warmth of him around her and knowing this would be the last time before stasis. "But I'm afraid I am one hundred per cent everything you've heard about me." Cora giggles and feels him laugh.
"Oh don't worry, I'm finding that out." Scott whispers and she feels him grin against her cheek. "You are amazing, Cora Harper." He adds and she feels him nuzzle his nose and mouth against her cheek.
"I'm glad you think so." Cora giggles and she feels him move his hand to her cheek, turning her face towards him so that he can kiss her. Cora hears herself sigh when he kisses her gently.
"Scott!" Sara shouts making Cora break their kiss, huffing lightly when they've had their quiet moment interrupted for the second time. Cora watches as Sara appears above them. "C'mon." She says motioning to him. "We've got to go." She adds making Cora frown and she watches Scott glance up at his sister.
"Go where? The gates are right here." Scott begins and Cora feels him loosen his hold on her so that he can motion towards the gates. "Go away, I'm enjoying my last few minutes with Cora." Scott laughs and she feels his eyes on her.
"We have to go to the member's check-in." Sara huffs. "Dad has had us authorised to go through there with him." Sara continues, her words fast and Cora notices that she's excited about that. "Come on, Scott." Sara sighs.
"What about Cora?" Scott asks and they both see Sara shake her head lightly. "Then I'm staying here, thanks." Scott adds. "You go if you want. We're staying together." Scott mumbles to his sister.
Cora sighs when she hears Alec's plan to take his children with him, and now leave her to board with the rest, especially when he had previously made it known she was on the list and Scott wasn't. Just another attempt to keep them apart she wondered. Cora lowers her arms from around Scott, using his shoulders to help her climb out of his lap. She feels him take hold of her hand as she stands, his eyes on her and questioning as to why she isn't still in his arms.
"Scott." Cora sighs and crouches down in front of him, placing her hands on his face. "You have to go with Sara." She whispers and sees that he immediately shakes his head. "She needs you with her." Cora adds and glances up at Sara who is watching them.
"No, we're staying together." Scott begins and Cora feels him stand so she lowers her hands from him and stands too. "I promised I'd be with you." Scott mumbles making her sigh and place her hands on his chest. "Sara, I have to stay with Cora." Scott begins directing it towards his sister.
"I've had you for all to myself these last few weeks." Cora begins, placing her hands on his face so he is focusing on her again. "I've had the best weeks of my life, Scott." Cora adds giving him a small smile. "But now Sara needs you for a little while, and she is your sister." Cora whispers. "I'll be okay." She adds and sees him sigh and lower his eyes.
"Sara, can't you take Cora with you?" Scott huffs, looking past her and to his twin. "Please? Make Dad take Cora instead of me." Scott begins pleading with Sara. "Then you won't be on your own." Scott adds his blue eyes returning to her, making her feel her chest tighten when she hears his words. She was going to be on her own, and he wasn't going to be there to make it seem less scary.
"I'm sorry Scott.." Sara mumbles. "I'm sorry Cora. He won't let me take Liam either, he said it was us and no one else." Sara whispers and Cora feels her give her a sympathetic smile.
"It's fine." Cora nods and returns her smile. "At least you know he wants you with him." Cora smiles but she notices that Scott doesn't look convinced at all. "After this, we won't have to be apart again." Cora whispers and she sees that he finally nods lightly.
"Alright." Scott sighs and nods. "But you need to let me know as soon as you are in your pod." Scott adds and she nods, at least they could talk over their comms and she wouldn't be completely alone. "I'll still be with you." Scott huffs.
"I know you will." Cora smiles and feels him rest his forehead against hers and take both of her hands in his, slipping his fingers through hers. "Come and give me a hug before you go." Cora whispers, feeling his eyes on her face.
Cora gives him her best reassuring smile, trying not to show him too much how upset she is to be letting him go and that he won't be there when she falls asleep. She giggles lightly when he lets go of her hands and wraps his arms around her, lifting her off of her feet and wrapping her up in a tight hug. Cora wraps her arms around his neck, holding him just as tight and resting her head against him.
"Don't let him see your upset about this." Cora whispers and she feels him nod and then loosen his hold on her, carefully putting her back down onto her feet. Cora smiles when he lifts his hands to her face.
"I love you, Cora." Scott smiles and she sighs when he captures her mouth with his, kissing her in a gentle kiss, that he deepens when he moves his hand to the back of her head.
"Scott, come on." Sara laughs. "Put her down, you'll see each other soon." Sara laughs again and Cora feels Scott break their kiss.
"Just give us a minute." Scott huffs and she watches him lift his finger to Sara, motioning for her to turn around and leave them alone. Cora giggles when she sees this.
"I love you, too." Cora whispers feeling Scott dragging her back into his arms and kissing her again, his mouth now demanding and his tongue teasing her lips open. "Scott.." Cora sighs when she finally feels him remove his lips from hers. "Please go, before I change my mind and drag you into my pod with me." Cora whispers and hears him laugh and press some kisses against her cheek.
"See you in Andromeda." Scott smiles and places a final kiss on her lips and pull her into another hug. "This is even harder than I thought it would be." Scott whispers, making her smile. "Okay, I'm going." He nods and lowers his arms from her.
"Safe trip, Cora." Sara smiles and Cora watches her pat Scott on the back to get him moving. "Thank you for convincing him." Sara adds, a grateful look on her face.
"Anytime," Cora replies seeing Scott and Sara turn away from her. "See you in Andromeda Ryder's." Cora sighs as she watches them walk away and head back towards the member's check-in and back to their father, she notices Scott glancing over his shoulder and lift his hand to wave before they disappear into the crowd.
"You know.." Liam begins and she looks over her shoulder to see he's stood leaning against the barrier, he hands in his pockets and looking just as fed up at not being invited as she feels. "Dating a Ryder sucks, sometimes." He continues making Cora smile lightly and walk back towards him.
"You don't have to tell me." Cora laughs quietly and leans against the barrier next to him. "But, it's not all bad right?" Cora asks and glances at him, seeing him lower his head for a moment and his own big smile on his face.
"Na, it's mostly pretty great." Liam laughs, which makes Cora smile when she hears it. "It would be better if the old man didn't call and they had to go running, though." Liam adds and she hears him sigh. "I'm gunna head in now." He nods and Cora feels him glance at her. "You be alright on your own?" He asks and she knows he's trying to be kind now they are in the same situation.
"I'll be fine, thanks, Liam." Cora nods and gives him a small smile. "This is what we trained for, right?." She sighs and hears him chuckle quietly. "I'm going to check-in too." Cora huffs to herself. "See you in Andromeda." Cora smiles.
"You too, Cora." Liam grins. "Happy trails." He adds as Cora watches him walk away from her and through the gate in front of them, she sees him being scanned in by security and directed to where he has to go to be placed into his pod.
Cora leans back against the barrier, glancing around her and suddenly realising that among all of these people she was completely alone. She starts to feel the panic building in her chest so places her hands against the top of the barrier, squeezing it beneath her palms to try and ground herself and keep her breathing even.
This is what she trained for, this was what she prepared for, this was what she was made for. This was terrifying and overwhelming and completely unknown. Cora hears the ping of her Omni so glances down at her wrist. Alec Ryder.
"What do you want Alec?" Cora snaps as she connects the line and hears him take a breath as if he was about to speak but has heard how angry she sounds. "I'm all alone, on the day you knew I was scared of and now I'm fucking alone!" Cora shouts, not caring that people are looking at her when she raises her voice. "Are you happy now?!" She shouts, sniffing and trying to not cry any angry tears. "Why do you hate me so much?" Cora asks angry with herself as much as him.
"Cora.." Alec begins quietly and she hears him sigh. "Of course I'm not happy and you know I don't hate you." Alec sighs and she can hear that it sounds like he is stepping out of his party and to somewhere quieter. "This wasn't what I wanted at all. Of course, I didn't want you to be alone." He huffs.
"Why do you lie to me?" Cora whispers and lifts her hand to her eye, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "Why do you always treat me like I'm stupid, Alec?" Cora sighs. "You say you don't want me, and then you change your mind.." Cora sniffs. "You say you want me to be happy and then you try and take it away from me. You are hot and cold with me, I never know how you feel." Cora whispers.
"Cora." Alec begins but then she hears him go quiet. "I'm just a jealous old man.." He mumbles. "Who has made a lot of mistakes, and hurt a lot of people." Cora hears him clear his throat. "I want us to start again, Cora. Back to how it was before feelings got complicated." Alec huffs.
"We tried that," Cora whispers. "That wasn't good enough for you." Cora adds and she hears him sigh again. "I can't risk you hurting Scott because you are jealous." She adds and she is sure she can hear him sucking his teeth. "We can't be friends." She whispers. "I meant it when I said you can't contact me anymore unless it is as my Pathfinder."
"I don't want that, Cora and I know you don't either." Alec begins and Cora hears what sounds like Scott and Sara arriving with him, and she is sure she hears their voices. "I thought he would send you instead of him." Alec whispers making Cora sniff again.
"Be safe, Alec." Cora whispers.
"Cora, wait.." Alec begins and Cora hears Scott's voice again. "Please, don't hang up. Please, Cora.." He adds, his words quickening until she cancels the call.
Cora lifts both of her hands to her face, rubbing her eyes with her fingers and trying to remove any sign of any tears. She felt angry for letting him upset her, again. And for pouring her heart out about how much he's hurt her with his actions, again. All she'd wanted was a friend, a colleague, an acquaintance, just a familiar face to be there and to reassure her during the part that scared her. But now she knew that all of the years that Cora had told herself she didn't need anyone, that she was strong and independent, Alec had left her so reliant on him and made him so important to her that she was lost without him. Cora hears her Omni again and gets ready to dismiss it thinking Alec is trying again, but she sees Scott's name instead.
"Hey, Scott." Cora whispers, trying to keep her voice even and not let him hear that she's upset. "Are you at the party?" She asks and hears him sigh.
"Cora, stop." Scott whispers and she can hear people talking loudly in the background. "Talk to me.." He adds and she can hear he sounds upset too. "Are you alright? He's upset you hasn't he?" He asks and she pauses.
"I'm fine." Cora nods trying to put her best smile on her face so he doesn't hear anything else. "Just going to check-in now." She adds and hears his sigh. "Call me in a few? I'm just going to get the shuttle." Cora whispers and she hears him huff.
"Sure.." Scott sighs and she can hear that he is moving around and that he goes from the loud party to a quieter place. "I love you." He adds making her smile.
"I love you more, Ryder." Cora smiles and hears him disconnect.
Cora takes a deep breath, feeling calm as she does and pushes herself away from the barrier. She walks towards the check-in gate, picking the one that doesn't have too many people around it so she can get through easily and without having to wait too long. Cora watches as the recruits ahead of her get scanned in, and directed to the shuttles that will take them to the Hyperion and the cryo bays. She moves up when it is her turn and approaches the guard, who waits with a scanner to verify her identity and allow her into the waiting area.
"Thank you." Cora whispers as she is quickly scanned and waved through, stepping past the guard and through the security check field that dissolves around her when she crosses it.
Cora glances around her and sees that lots of extra chairs have been set out in rows and that most of them are occupied by recruits that have been scanned through but are in no hurry to take the next step. She notices lots of them are sitting in groups with their friends, some with their partners, and families.
She notices there are a small number of people waiting for the shuttles and that she has timed it right. She walks straight past the people gathered together, deciding she doesn't need to wait around any more and the sooner she was on the Hyperion, the sooner this was over.
"The next shuttle will arrive in approximately two minutes and fourteen seconds." An AI voice announces above their heads, making Cora look out through the station towards where she knew the shuttle would arrive, wondering if she could see it already.
Cora hears her Omni ping and takes a moment to look, frowning when she sees that she has a message from Sara Ryder. She didn't think she'd ever had one from her before. Cora swipes her finger over her display and opens the message, smiling when she sees that Sara has sent her a picture. Cora motions her hand towards her to open it, noticing at once that it is a picture of Cora and Scott from the night at the restaurant and that Sara must have snapped in when they were too busy looking at each other.
"I guess he does look at me like that." Cora laughs quietly to herself and quickly taps the button to forward it to Scott, sending him some hearts to go with it.
Cora looks up from her screen when she hears the shuttle approach, pulling up alongside the bay and the door lifting open to allow the small queue and her access. She steps forward and carefully into it, not wanting to trip now she was so close to leaving. Cora spots that everyone has moved to the far side, obviously not as keen as her to sit by the door, so she lowers herself into the seat nearest her and starts to buckle herself in.
"Hold the shuttle!" Cora hears shouting, making her roll her eyes when she hears it deciding someone must be desperate to get to the Hyperion too. "Hold the shuttle!" He shouts again and Cora notices that some of the recruits lean up and out of their seats to see who is shouting.
Cora hears a loud commotion coming from outside the shuttle, and that people are suddenly talking between themselves and something has caught their attention.
"I think you should hold the shuttle." One of the recruits laughs, receiving a light laugh from everyone else around them. "He looks pretty desperate." The recruit adds which only piques everyone's interest more and Cora watches as some of them stand up to watch what is happening outside.
"Put me down!" The man shouts, making everyone climb out of their seats and move towards the door. Cora hears that the chatter and noise from the recruits in the waiting area get louder and that there are now other voices shouting too.
"Someone grab him!" Cora hears another man's voice, starting to wonder what was going on and who they were trying to apprehend. "He hasn't been scanned in." Comes the man's voice, loud and as if he is shouting across to the other guards and she thinks he might be security.
"Cora!" She hears Scott's voice, suddenly realising that she'd been hearing him all along so she jumps out of her seat so she can see out of the door too. "Get off of me." Scott huffs. "Scan me in.. I'm supposed to be here." Scott shouts and she spots him being grappled by two security guards and it looks like he has jumped over the fence and into the shuttle waiting area.
Cora jumps out of the shuttle and runs past the queue, and past the people sitting waiting and towards Scott who she sees is now trying to stop them putting him onto the floor and being is being held onto by a guard who is radioing for help. She rushes to him and stops when the guard holds his hand up to her.
"Be careful Miss." The guard begins. "He's jumped over the fence, I think he was trying to get onto the Hyperion." He adds and Cora watches as more security enter through the field.
"Of course I'm not trying to get to the Hyperion." Scott huffs and Cora watches him struggle to try to get the guard away from. "I'm trying to get to my girlfriend." He huffs again and Cora can't help but laugh when she watches him trying to squirm free. "It's not funny." He huffs but she can hear the smile in his voice.
"Please let him go. There has been a terrible mistake." Cora begins and she sees the guard narrow his eyes. "He's Alec Ryder's son." Cora continues and sees that he isn't convinced but starts speaking to someone on his Omni. "Just contact Alec and he will tell you." Cora continues and she watches the guard let go of Scott, but keep his eye on him.
"What are you doing back here?" Cora asks as she closes the distance between them and takes hold of both of his hands in hers, trying to keep the smile from her face but not managing it. She watches another guard approach them and they begin talking among themselves.
"We've confirmed his identity with the Pathfinder." The guard nods and holds his hands up as if to show Scott he can go. Cora watches as they scan him and walk away, the rest of them standing down but still keep a watch on him.
"I don't break promises." Scott begins and she watches his eyes return to her. "I'm not my Dad." Scott nods and she feels him draw her into his arms, immediately making her relax in his embrace when she feels him kiss the top of her head.
"What about Sara?" Cora whispers and she feels him rub his hands against her back. "What about Alec?" Cora asks and she feels him loosen his hold on her and lift his hands to her cheeks.
"Sara is fine." Scott smiles. "She has Alec, they'll be alright together." Scott adds making Cora nod. "Alec insisted that I come back." Scott smiles which makes her laugh lightly.
"I can tell you needed a lot of convincing." Cora smiles.
"Yeah, not much." Scott smiles and she feels him lifting his arm around her shoulders and motioning towards the shuttle. "Come on, let's get to those pods." Scott nods. "The sooner we get in there, the sooner we wake up." He grins.