XXI.
Cora feels her eyes slowly open when the pod around her shakes and it helps bring her back into consciousness, she immediately realises how bright it is so blinks a few times until her eyes have adjusted to the light again. She lifts her hand to her head, pressing her fingers against her forehead trying to clear the fog in her brain. Where was she? Had they made it to the Nexus? Where was everyone? Cora closes her eyes again, waiting for the sleepy feeling to wear off and her legs to feel less heavy. Cora hears what she thinks is the sound of the locks undoing, so opens her eyes and lifts them to the roof of her pod, watching as it begins to lift and slide open.
"Good morning, Cora." SAM's voice begins; making her wince slightly when she feels how much her head hurts and any noise is making it much worse.
"SAM." Cora croaks, feeling how dry her throat is and wondering how long it would be until she could have a cup of coffee, and find her favourite Ryder. "Where are we?" Cora asks watching as the lid moves completely and she can sit up.
"Cora Harper's current location is Hyperion Cryogenic Bay. We are currently located in Andromeda and on schedule to dock with the Nexus." SAM continues making Cora smile lightly; they'd made it. She wanted to jump out of her pod and leap for joy that they'd arrived, but she could tell her legs were going to let her down. She wanted to find Scott, celebrate that they'd made it to Andromeda together.
"Where's Scott, SAM? And Alec?" Cora adds as she begins stretching her arms and legs, trying to get some blood flowing around her body again before she attempts to get out.
"Scott Ryder's current location is Hyperion Cryogenic Bay. " SAM continues. "Alec Ryder's current location is Hyperion." SAM says again, making Cora frown when she hears that they both might still in their pods, knowing that Alec would surely be one of the first brought round and how much Scott wanted to be with her when she woke from stasis.
Cora places her hands on the edges of her pod, using it to pull her up into a seated position and glances around her. There were still lots of pods that didn't look like they'd moved at all, and she couldn't help feel a feeling of worry creep into her when she isn't immediately met by anyone else from the Hyperion. Cora lifts her hand to her head again, rubbing between her eyes as she does, knowing that her biotics were realigning after the time in stasis and that the fizzing at the back of her head will settle once she's up on her feet and can let it disperse through the rest of her body.
"Where is everyone?" Cora whispers to herself, taking another look around the cryo bay and now noticing that what she had originally thought was a bright and blinding room, it was actually quite dark and empty of anyone else awake.
"Cora, I have sent a message to Alec Ryder at his request to inform him of your current state." SAM announces, making Cora sigh lightly knowing there was no point him knowing she was awake if he was still out cold.
Cora glances up and down the long expanse of her cryo bay when she hears the sound of boots on the metal floor, and someone coming towards her at speed. She narrows her eyes, trying to see better in the gloom while her eyes are still adjusting to being open again. Cora can't help but smile when she finally spots Alec, as much as she was still upset with him for almost leaving her on her own before cryo, he was a welcome and comforting sight.
"Harper!" Alec shouts making her smile when she watches him quickly close the distance between them and is at the side of her pod in an instant. "You have no idea how glad I am to see you," Alec mumbles and she feels him reach towards her and place both of his hands on her cheeks. "We made it, Cora." Alec continues and she notices the small smile at his mouth and that he rubs her cheeks with his thumbs. "We made it." Alec whispers, and she can tell that he is pleased to see her.
"I'm so glad you're okay." Cora whispers and she feels him take that as an invitation to wrap his arms around her in a hug which surprises her at first, considering how much she'd laid into him the last time they'd spoken. Cora sighs and rests her head against his shoulder, letting him enjoy his moment and feeling better that they are both okay.
"Can you stand?" Alec asks and Cora nods lightly. "Let me help you out." Alec huffs and she feels him place his hand under her arm and help her to her feet, keeping her steady when she steps over the edge of the pod and down onto the ground. She feels that her legs do feel weak, but otherwise no problems.
"Thanks, Alec." Cora smiles, finding herself enjoying this new Alec Ryder that she has woken up to. Hoping the six hundred years since she'd seen him had mellowed him and he'd finally decided that a fresh start was what they all needed.
"I wanted to be here when you woke up." Alec nods and she is sure he can see her blush but then she remembers that Scott had wanted the same. "I'm going to need you up on deck with me." Alec begins and she feels his eyes on her when she begins shaking the firmness from her arms and legs.
"Is everything okay?" Cora asks, noticing now the slight worry in his eyes. "What's going on?" She asks again and reaches to place her hand on his shoulder, feeling him lift his own and rest it on hers. "Have you seen Scott, yet?" She asks and watches him sigh at her words and lower his hand.
"I'll explain when we get there.." Alec begins and she watches him turn and start walking away from her. "I haven't seen Scott." Alec continues and she sees that he looks over his shoulder and motions his head for her to follow him. "I'm sure he's fine." Alec nods.
"SAM." Cora begins, noticing Alec gives her a questioning look. "Can you please forward Scott Ryder's vitals to me?" Cora continues and she sees him sigh.
"At once, Cora." SAM says and she hears her Omni ping and knows that the vitals have arrived instantly. She sees Alec shake his head lightly at her. "Scott Ryder, all vitals within the standard range." SAM announces and she hears Alec scoff.
"What did you think I'd do?" Alec begins as she steps towards him, deciding now that she knew Scott was okay she could follow him. "Put a pillow over his head while he slept?" Alec chuckles quietly making Cora huff at his comment.
"I wouldn't put it past you, Alec." Cora huffs and she feels his gaze on her, fixed into hers and she can see the challenge, and then also his want for her in his grey eyes. Apparently, the 600 years hadn't removed those feelings between them.
"I see my feisty Cora has come along for the ride." Alec begins and she watches him stop walking and move closer to her again. "I hoped she would." He mumbles and she sees a smile at the corner of his mouth and feels him close the distance between them.
"I see the asshole Alec Ryder has come along too." Cora begins and she hears him chuckle and shake his head at her, and there he was back to normal. "Sir." Cora adds and she watches him suck his teeth and huff at her, placing his hands on his hips when he looks at her.
"Six hundred years.." Alec begins and she sees him lower his eyes for a moment and then back to hers. "You still drive me crazy." He mumbles and she knows he is waiting for her to stand down, but she doesn't. "I need you on the bridge with me, now." Alec continues and she feels him move away and continue down the bay.
"See, hot and cold." Cora huffs and she hears Alec laugh ahead of her. "Have you any idea how exhausting it is keeping up with that? I never know where I stand with you and it is infuriating." Cora adds and she runs a few steps to catch up with him.
"Good, I like to keep you on your toes." Alec mumbles and she notices that he slows his pace to match hers, walking at her side. "You said you wanted to keep it professional." Alec smiles and she feels his eyes on her. "Here I am, being professional." He adds making her sigh.
"Ha!" Cora laughs and shakes her head, lifting her hand to her face. "This is not professional." She sighs. "Nothing about this.." Cora adds and motions between them. "Is professional. How many others have you requested SAM tell you when they wake up?" Cora huffs and she sees him smile.
"What do you want me to say, Cora?" Alec sighs and she watches him stop again. "That I love you? Well, you know that I do.." Alec adds. "That I regret every day you meeting Scott? That I still want you all for myself? You know those are true too. All of those years may have gone by.." Alec continues. "But my feelings are the same, Harp." He smiles lightly.
"I want you to tell me that we can still work together." Cora sighs but she watches him shake his head at her. "I need this opportunity Alec, and now that everyone knows about us.." Cora watches him bite his bottom lip and sigh. "I need you to treat me the same as everyone else." She adds and he shakes his head again.
"Wouldn't it make you happier to just admit to yourself that you love me?" Alec smiles and she feels him reach for her hand. "All this arguing and fighting with me can't be making you happy?" He adds. "I know it doesn't make me happy." He whispers.
"Alec, I am happy." Cora sighs and she watches his eyes lower to her mouth and then to her eyes again, Cora sighs when she feels him squeeze her hand.
"You obviously aren't, Cora." Alec gives her a small smile. "If Scott makes you as happy as you say, where is he and why are you here with me? Why am I always on your mind?" Alec continues and she feels him lift his hand to her cheek.
"I love Scott." Cora adds but she hears him sigh and shake his head, not looking very convinced of her words.
"Do you really?" He asks and she feels his eyes searching her face. "Or is it just infatuation? Do you really know him? Are you just attached because he was there?" He adds and she feels his fingertips stroke her. "You aren't the kind of woman who settles for anything but the best." He smiles and she huffs quietly. "I'm not the kind of man who gives up on what he wants." He adds.
"Alec.." Cora whispers, already feeling the dull ache inside her when she thinks about him and better times. "I need you to be my Pathfinder. I need you to try and meet me halfway and keep your distance." She adds and hears his snort, clearly not agreeing.
"How do you expect me to keep away from you?" Alec begins and she feels him lower his hand to her neck, his eyes on her. "If we both know you struggle to keep away from me?" He whispers and she huffs in response and takes hold of his hand and removes it from her.
"Your level of self-importance astounds me," Cora whispers and she sees him smile in response. "I can keep away from you." Cora huffs and she sees her reply makes him chuckle lightly.
"We'll see." Alec smiles and turns, to continue walking. "By the way, I've just requested Scott and Sara to be moved to the Medical Centre, they are currently part way through the wake-up sequence." Alec calls back to her, his voice echoing off of the metal that surrounds them.
"Alec, I need to see Scott.." Cora begins but she watches Alec stop and lift his hand to cut her off.
"You have ten minutes." Alec huffs and she sees him glance over his shoulder at her. "Be on the bridge, and do not keep me waiting." Alec continues. "Oh and Cora, don't settle." He nods and steps out of the cryo bay.
Cora sets off at a run; racing past Alec and down the corridor towards where she knows the Hyperion medical wing is located. She skids around a corner, her legs feeling unsteady beneath her but trying to get to the there as fast as she can, and at least see that Scott is okay with her own eyes. She notices that several pods are being transported towards medical and that there are a small number of workers moving around.
"Which way to the Medical Centre?" Cora asks, coming to a brief stop in front of two workers that are working on an electric panel. She watches them quickly point in the direction of the tram, making her sigh when she realises it is further away than she remembered. "Thank you." Cora nods and runs up the steps, pausing in front of a map on the wall and letting her eyes move over the diagram.
Cora presses her hand against the call panel, waiting for it to change colour beneath her palm and notices that the tram almost immediately arrives, and the doors slide open. She glances inside and finds it empty, realising that not many people could be out of cryo from the Hyperion yet if it was this quiet. She steps inside, feeling a little unsure of where she is going being on this almost completely new ship. She'd snuck on board with Alec a few times during their time on Theia, but she'd not explored the whole of it yet. Cora moves to the controls and selects the medical wing.
"Come on." Cora huffs quietly as she feels the tram start to move at great speed towards her destination, surprised at the speed it reaches as the outside flashes past her, showing her a sneak peek at her next temporary home.
Cora quickly moves to the doors when the tram slows and then stops, the doors sliding open and giving her access to this part of the station. She steps over the gap and quickly down the steps in front of her, her eyes lifting to the words above the door showing her that she is in the right place. She lifts her hand to gain access, but before she can she watches it open and some of the Hyperion medical team appear.
"Sorry," Cora mumbles as they step around her, and continue on their way. Cora glances into the room and immediately spots Scott sat on the end of one of the beds, a feeling of relief that he's safe.
She takes the few steps that are needed to move away from the door and approach him, smiling to herself when she watches him lift his hands to his face and rub his cheeks with his knuckles before lowering his eyes to his feet. She watches him swing his legs as if he can't keep them still and wonders if they are feeling as heavy as hers.
"Scott." Cora whispers, a smile at her mouth when he immediately looks up when he hears her voice and she sees a huge smile stretch across his face.
"Cora." Scott sighs happily as she watches him climb to his feet and reach for her, she watches him pause as he glances around them at the medical staff. "Come here." Scott whispers and she smiles when he takes her into his arms.
"How are you feeling?" Cora asks, resting her head on his shoulder as she feels him wrap himself around her, finally making her feel like they really have made it now they were back together. Cora looks into his face, feeling his eyes on her so she lifts her hand to his cheek.
"Like I have the worst hangover, and a bit strange." Scott laughs and then stops, looking like it hurts his head too much. "But this is helping." He adds and she feels his hand stroke through her hair and he lowers his head to rest against hers. "How about you?" Scott asks and she watches him moisten his bottom lip with his tongue.
"Biotics feel a little off." Cora nods and she sees Scott give her a sympathetic smile. "Legs are a little strange too." She adds and hears him laugh quietly and she smiles. "I've been waiting six hundred years to kiss you." She adds and he chuckles.
"Hmm just what I was thinking." Scott whispers and she watches his eyes move around them again before he drops his head and press his lips against hers, his hands moving to her shoulder blades and drawing her closer. "Worth the wait?" He whispers when they break their kiss, and she nods and smiles lightly.
"Definitely." Cora giggles quietly, feeling how warm he feels and when she places her hands on his chest she can feel his heart beating, they were both alive. "Is anyone else awake?" She asks and sees him nod his head.
"A few." Scott begins. "Harry is around. Liam and Sara are almost out." Scott continues and she sees he looks relieved. "I think I've seen David, Dusty is doing good. Not sure about my Dad though." He huffs making her sigh lightly; of course, Alec wouldn't bother to let Scott know he's safe.
"He is awake, and just as charming as ever." Cora gives him a small smile when she hears him laugh. "He's up on the bridge." Cora nods and sees him do the same. "I do have to kiss and run though Pathfinders orders." Cora sighs and notices the disappointment on his face.
"Already?" Scott mumbles and she nods. "At least I've seen you and know you're safe," Scott adds and she feels him hug her even tighter, letting her wrap her arms around his waist. "See you later?" Scott sighs and she nods in agreement.
"Of course." Cora smiles and feels him loosen his hold on her. "Make sure you get checked out." She nods and hears his light sigh. "No flirting with the cute doctors." Cora whispers and hears him chuckle, she smiles when he kisses her again and his mouth lingers on hers.
"As if." Scott laughs. "Thanks for checking on me." Scott whispers and she watches him lower himself back to sit on the end of the bed again.
"See you later, Ryder." Cora smiles and blows him a kiss, watching him catch it and place it in his pocket before she sees someone approach him with a cup of coffee, making her mouth water at the thought of her own cup.
Cora glances over her shoulder as she leaves, spotting an Asari doctor speaking to Scott and it looks like she is running tests, and he is doing as she's asked and getting checked out. Cora sighs lightly, unable to get Alec's words out of her head. Did she really love Scott? Was it just lust and infatuation between them? Were they destined to have just been a one-time thing? Was it inevitable that she would end up with Alec?
Cora makes her way back through the medical wing lobby, back up the stairs to take the tram to the main part of the Hyperion and to where she knows Alec will be waiting for her. She takes a moment to look at the map again, trying to familiarise herself as quickly as she can but feeling a little overwhelmed when she remembers how big it is and all of the different sections. Cora selects her destination, feeling the tram begin its journey with a gentle forward motion. Cora looks up when she feels it begin to slow, noticing that she hasn't reached the central stop yet but someone has obviously called the tram.
"Ah, Cora." Doctor Harry Carlyle begins as the doors open and he steps into the tram with her, Cora getting that sinking feeling when she sees him.
"Doctor Carlyle." Cora begins, keeping her voice even so not show how much she wishes she were with anyone but him. Cora watches him move towards her and peer at the display.
"Good to see you up and about." Harry nods and she feels his eyes on her, and that he wears the look of disdain that he usually does. They'd never exactly been close, and she was fairly certain that Harry been spreading gossip about her and Alec. "Heading to the bridge?" He asks and she nods lightly.
"I am." Cora nods and lowers her eyes to her feet, leaning back against one of the vertical rails that run roof to floor, for people to hold onto. She hears Harry snort lightly.
"Of course you are. Alec is there right?" He chuckles to himself more than anyone else, making Cora raise her eyes to look at him. She watches him cross his arms over his chest.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cora asks and she hears him chuckle again, and lift his hands in false surrender. "No, come on Harry." Cora huffs. "Please enlighten me," Cora adds when she notices he isn't going to say anything more. "Whatever." Cora whispers and crosses her arms, turning her attention away from him.
"Maybe everyone should know that you are sleeping with Alec," Harry mutters making Cora sigh and shake her head, she wasn't going to bite. "Now everyone can see how much he favours you over the rest of the team." Doctor Carlyle continues, and she can hear the way he is trying to bate her.
"You have no idea what you are talking about." Cora whispers, setting her eyes in the opposite direction to him, wishing that this journey would end and she could get away from him. She had no idea why Alec kept him around, yes he was an incredible Doctor, but he was a real asshole.
Cora pushes herself away from the rail when she feels the tram slow, and finally, the doors slide open to the main section of the Hyperion. She quickly moves to the doors, nearly colliding with Alec who is stood waiting for her on the other side.
"Cora, there you are." Alec begins; taking hold of her arms in his hands when she nearly runs into him and stops her from knocking them both over. Cora looks up, surprised that he's there and feels his eyes on her. "I thought I'd show you the way.." He adds and Cora hears Harry clearing his throat behind her.
"I had the pleasure of Doctor Carlyle's company," Cora whispers, trying to tell him that someone was watching them. She feels him lower his hands from her so that he's being less obvious and she can move past Alec and out of the tram, hearing Harry moving to the front of it so he can exit too.
"Harry.." Alec continues when he finally understands and notices that Cora isn't alone.
"Pathfinder." Doctor Harry nods, dipping his head lightly to Alec. Cora wondering why he was bothering with the formalities when she'd seen them so often laugh like old war buddies, and Harry would always try and get favour with Alec. "Cora was just telling me how I have no idea what I'm talking about." Harry laughs and Cora notices Alec glances at her looking confused. "But now I see I was right." Harry chuckles and Cora watches him move past them both and up the stairs.
Cora fixes her eyes on Doctor Carlyle as he walks away from them, squeezing her fists at her sides when she tries to decide if it would be worth punching him right in his smug face. She feels Alec's hand on her back and realises that he's noticed and that when he looks at her he gives her a questioning look. Cora huffs quietly and doesn't bother wasting her breath to tell him.
"This way." Alec nods and she feels the hand on her back increase in pressure to get her moving, as he begins to walk up the stairs himself and waits for her to follow. "I have a change of clothes for you." Alec adds making her turn her attention back to him.
"Why are you being so nice to me now?" Cora whispers and she sees him huff and press his palm against the door control. "See. Hot and cold." Cora mumbles and she hears him chuckle lightly.
"Thank you, Alec, would be fine." He whispers back at her, lowering his voice when they both notice Doctor Harry is waiting for them and watching them. "Right, this way both of you." Alec nods and Cora watches him step ahead of them both and take the lead, through the station and up to the bridge.
When he leads them through the final door and to the bridge of the Hyperion, Cora can't help but look around her in wonder. She'd been on ships like this before, but the Hyperion Ark was something to behold and when she looks out of the large expanse of windows she can't help but feel a bubble of excitement inside her. This is what she was here for. Cora looks around her at all of the Hyperion staff, manning the bridge and directing them through Helius and towards the Nexus. She notices that it is a busy room, and everyone appears to know what they are doing.
"Cora.." Alec's voice brings her back to him and from her gazing, and she feels his hand on her back again as he guides her into the room and towards the star map. "I'd like you to meet Captain Dunn."
"Of course, Sir." Cora nods, making sure to add the sir because she can feel Harry close behind them and listening in to every word and would run blabbing to anyone that would listen if he heard anything worth gossiping about.
"Captain Dunn." Alec begins, raising his voice so that she hears him. Cora watches as a woman, with dark short hair and intense eyes turns away from the star map and to face them. "I'd like to introduce you to Cora Harper, my operation specialist and my second." He continues and she feels his eyes on her.
"It's good to meet you, Alec has told me a lot about you." Captain Dunn smiles lightly. "Welcome aboard the Hyperion." She adds and her eyes move to Alec but she knows his attention is still on her.
"Thank you." Cora nods, feeling the smile at the corner of her mouth stretch when she returns Alec's look and sees what she thinks is pride on his face. "Well, he has been a great mentor." Cora adds, lowering her eyes to her feet and then back to Captain Dunn.
"I am Doctor Carlyle." Harry suddenly interrupts, barging his way through and holding his hand out to Captain Dunn, but Cora notices she frowns and turns back to her screens.
"Alec." Captain Dunn sighs and Cora watches him step forward and move next to her at the maps. "There are a few things we need to discuss." Captain Dunn nods and glances at Alec at her side.
"Cora." Alec begins and she watches him lift his hand and beckon her with two fingers, not taking his eyes off of the data that he is being shown but wanting to include her in the discussion.
"Sir?" Cora asks as she hears Harry huff and move out of the way and towards the back of the room, she takes a moment to look at him and notices he is glaring at her. She really couldn't understand his problem with her.
"Cora is going to be leading the ground missions." Alec begins as she steps towards Captain Dunn and their Pathfinder, glancing up at the screen. "Trust me, Nozomi, Harper is the best." Alec continues and she feels her face flush at his words, not being used to hearing him so publicly compliment her.
"I believe you." She nods. "Cora, take a look at these readings." Captain Dunn begins and she watches as the documents and reports are directed towards her and appear on the screen in front of her.
"This is Habitat 7?" Cora whispers when she sees that they are looking at some unusual readings that have been coming back, including some unexpected climate and atmosphere readings. "This can't be right," Cora adds and she glances at Alec who is watching her closely.
"It looks familiar, doesn't it?" Alec begins and she nods and hears him sigh. "We turned down at least forty potential homeworlds with those sorts of readings." Alec continues making Cora smile to herself, and she'd been there for every meeting and decision. But why were they getting these results now? They'd been so careful when picking Habitat 7.
"It was actually thirty-eight." Cora mumbles and realises she has said it out loud and Alec and Commander Dunn are looking at her "Sir." Cora adds quickly and she hears this makes Nozomi laugh and Alec fix his eyes into hers and bite his bottom lip.
"I like her enthusiasm, Alec." Captain Dunn nods, and Cora smiles innocently at Alec. "You need a woman who can keep you on your toes." She adds with a smile.
"That she does." Alec mumbles and she feels him shoulder her lightly with his own. "You are certain it isn't a fault with the tech?" Alec begins and she watches him shake his head at her before he turns to Captain Dunn who shakes her head.
"I don't think so, but we can't rule anything out." Captain Dunn sighs. "We'll be making our approach to Habitat 7 in the next twenty minutes, just to get some visuals to see if what we are seeing on there makes sense." She adds and Alec nods. "Take a seat and we'll get us closer." Captain Dunn nods towards some empty seats in the back corner of the room.
"Come, sit with me." Alec begins and she feels his hand between her shoulder blades and he nods towards the back of the room, moving away from her and going to towards the seating.
"Did you say you have a change of clothes for me?" Cora whispers as she follows him across the room, noticing how dark it is with the low ceiling and lack of windows as they move away from the front.
Cora could imagine after a night on duty on the bridge, a nice dark corner of this room would be a great place to get a few minutes sleep with the stars flying past outside the window ahead of you. She watches Alec come to a stop by the chairs and then begins looking around him for their clothes.
"I thought you might like a fresh set." He begins. "Here.." He mumbles and she watches him pick up a neatly folded pile of clothing, that she knows he has folded himself. She couldn't help but feel grateful that he'd thought to bring her some too; it did feel like 600 years since she'd had a change of clothes. "I don't know where we can change though." Alec sighs and she sees that he looks over his shoulder and around the room.
"Come on, Alec." Cora giggles quietly which draws his attention back to her. "I know you've taken your clothes off in much more public places than this." Cora adds and sees him look at her and smile, knowing he is thinking about the same situations she is. "Just stand there so they can't see me." Cora adds and points to the spot in front of her.
"Okay, just be quick." Alec huffs quietly and she watches him take another look around them, checking that no one is paying attention. She gives him a grateful smile when he steps in front of her, hoping that he would be some kind of shield to save some of her modesty.
"Don't look." Cora whispers but she feels his eyes on her face and knows that he is struggling to take his eyes off of her. Cora smiles when he turns his head and fixes his eyes on the wall beside him, raising his hands to his hips.
Cora quickly shakes the pile of clothes open, finding that he has a top of his own with her clothes and that it's waiting for him to change into it. She laughs lightly when she sees that he has picked a tight black, light grey, and blue AI long-sleeved top, and the pair of trousers to match. She knew Alec liked her in this particular outfit and he'd mentioned many times when she wore it how it complimented the curves of her body. Cora laughs lightly and notices he's heard her.
"Did I pick wrong?" Alec whispers and she watches his eyes return to her again, a small smile at the edge of his mouth and she feels her body flush when she sees the familiar look in his eye.
"No," Cora whispers and shakes her head, her eyes on him until she takes a moment to spot Dr Carlyle who is stood a few metres away and watching them. "You picked very right." Cora sighs. "I think Harry is obsessed with you. He's watching us. " Cora whispers and she hears him chuckle.
"Maybe it's you he wants." Alec sighs and Cora watches him shoot a look to Harry, who quickly turns away. "Hurry, Cora." Alec whispers and she watches his tongue touch the edge of his mouth and that he looks around again for anyone watching.
Cora sighs to herself, trying to push away the thought of his tongue and mouth on hers and remind herself that it was just her body reacting to him being so close to her and a purely physical reaction after the years in stasis making everything feel heightened and more intense. They'd told them it would happen and that it would take a few days to recover completely.
Cora huffs quietly and places her hands on the bottom of her white top, the one that had been assigned for them all to wear for A-Day, and that was baggy in all the wrong places and not very flattering. She lifts it quickly with her fingertips, feeling the cool air on the skin that she exposes as she does. She pulls it off and over her head, dropping it to the floor and suddenly feeling glad that she'd decided to wear a bra when for the second time in a what felt like a few days she was in front of Alec in her underwear with him not undressing her. Cora feels his eyes on her, and then slowly moving down her body.
"Alec," Cora whispers and reaches forward and taps her fingers beneath his chin to direct his eyes back to her face. "You shouldn't be looking at me like that." Cora sighs lightly and quickly pulls the long-sleeved top on over her head. She smooths it down with her hands, feeling how much it hugs her body and she knows Alec is right about it.
"You know why I look at you like that." Alec huffs and she knows he's watched her wriggle out of the white trousers and step into the new ones, pulling them up her legs. She bends down to slide her feet into her boots, glancing up at him and she is sure she sees him flush and can see the lust behind his eyes.
"Alec we are in public." Cora giggles as she straightens up and reaches for his top, shaking it out of its folds and holding it out to him. "I don't think Captain Dunn would be happy if you started undressing me." Cora smiles and she sees him smile and begin to unbutton his white shirt, his fingers struggling she notices.
"It would be worth it." Alec huffs and she watches as he finally manages to undo the button, and starts on the next. Cora feels his eyes on her but then he sighs and lowers his eyes to his fingers. "I see the way you look at me, too." He adds making her smile lightly.
"How do I look at you?" Cora asks and she hears him huff again and tug his shirt apart so that the button that is bothering him breaks away. "Come on, tell me." Cora laughs quietly when she watches him shrug the shirt from his shoulders.
"Like you want me to press you against the wall in front of all these people." Alec whispers. "I can see it in your eyes. What you want me to do to you." He adds and she feels the warmth spread through her when she hears his words, and his deep voice makes a shiver go down her spine. "You are hot and cold, too." He adds and she feels his eyes on her again and watches as he pulls his top on over his head, a dark black and red t-shirt that almost fits him too well and stretches over the muscles in his chest, shoulders, and arms.
"It's not the same." Cora whispers and glances towards Harry who is watching them again. "I'm trying to get over you." Cora adds and she watches him lift his hands to rake through his hair. "But every time you're near me, every good decision goes out the window." Cora huffs and she watches him lower his eyes and shake his head.
"Well, same." Alec huffs and she watches him step closer to her, closing the gap between them until his chest is almost against hers and she can feel the heat radiating from him. Cora can see that his breathing is heavy and that his eyes are on her. "We need to talk about this in private." Alec whispers and she feels his hand around hers. "Come with me, now." He adds and begins walking towards the door, and taking her with him.
Cora quickly looks around her, hoping no one has seen them leaving the room and his hand firmly around hers. She feels him leading her down the corridor and away from the bridge, his pace quicker than usual as he keeps her in his grip and close to him.
"Where are we going?" Cora asks, glancing around her when she realises that they are heading towards the tram, but instead he leads her to a door and presses his hand to the panel. "Alec." Cora whispers and feels his eyes on her, making the heat spread through her body.
"In here." Alec mumbles and nods towards the room, stepping through the door and taking her with him. "We can at least have some privacy from the good Doctor Carlyle." He adds.
"Whose office is this?" Cora asks as she hears the door close behind them and notices that Alec locks the door. "We shouldn't be alone, Alec." Cora whispers and she watches him moisten his bottom lip with his tongue.
"Is that because you know we can't control ourselves?" Alec sighs and she watches him shake his head and lower his eyes from her. "I want you. I know you want me too." Alec whispers and she watches him step closer.
"You are a real piece of work, you know that?" Cora huffs. "You are the most abusive and manipulative man I've ever met." Cora adds and watches him sigh. "You lie and you hurt me so much, you treat me like I'm nothing," Cora whispers. "All you want is to have control over me." Cora adds, shaking her head lightly when she feels his eyes on her.
"Then why do you still want me?" Alec sighs. "If you know that you hate me so much.." Alec begins. "Why can't we let this go?" He asks and she feels his gaze return.
"I don't know." Cora sighs and she sees Alec nod and close the space between them, she feels him placing his hands on her face and his eyes meet hers. "Why can't I stay away from you?" She whispers and watches him dip his head and press his lips against hers softly.
"Because you don't want to." Alec smiles against her mouth. "I don't want you to either." He whispers so she wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back, feeling his hands sliding down her back when she presses her body against his.
"We shouldn't be doing this. It's just the stasis wearing off." Cora sighs when she feels him press his mouth against her neck; feeling the rough of his beard against her sensitive skin makes her nerves throb. She feels his hands sliding beneath her top so he can touch her skin.
"You know it's not so why?" Alec huffs and she feels his eyes meet hers again and then him lower his hands from her. "When did you start caring about that?" He adds and she notices his eyes move over her body. "Do you want me, Cora?" Alec sighs.
"Yes." Cora sighs and lets her eyes meet his.
Cora watches as he nods and quickly closes the gap between them again, his body suddenly so close to hers that she can feel the energy between them. She feels his hands on her face, crushing his mouth against hers in a hard kiss. Cora feels his tongue pressing against her lips, and when she opens her mouth to meet his she hears herself moan and then whimper when he bites at her lip. She closes her eyes and places her hands on his chest, taking hold of handfuls of his t-shirt trying to get him closer and feels him doing the same. She feels his hands gripping and pulling at her until they are pressed flush with each other and she can feel him hard against her hip. Cora feels his hands demanding on her body and she gasps against his mouth when he backs them up against the desk, his hands grabbing her behind and lifting her onto it in one rapid motion.
"I want you." Cora moans into their kiss when she feels him push her legs apart with his hand and move to stand between her thighs, making her arch towards him when she feels his hard body pressed against her and he rocks his hips which makes her moan again.
Cora feels him break his mouth from hers and whimpers when he quickly slides his hand beneath her top, his hand moving beneath her bra and taking her breast in his hand. She leans her head back when he squeezes her beneath his palm, trying to bite back another moan when she feels him rest his head against her neck and his other hand reach between them and that he starts pulling her trousers open as fast as he is able. Cora feels him dragging them down from her hips, tugging them down her legs and she briefly thinks about how little careful undressing was taking place, and that this was fuelled by nothing but lust and his want to have her.
"Ready?" Alec pants and she feels his eyes on her so she nods, and then watches him lower his eyes to his hands and hears that he is undoing his trousers. Cora moves her hand to meet his, trying to remove them just as quickly as he has hers so she takes hold of them in her hand and pushes them down to his thighs.
"Yes, yes." Cora moans when she feels his hands on her hips, gripping her tightly as he gives a single hard thrust, making them both groan when he's inside her and then just as quick as he's begun she feels him increase his speed making her throw her head back and arch her back again.
Cora feels his weight against her as he leans towards her, his hands still on her hips and directing her movements to match his. She feels his body covering her and his hot breath against her as he pants against her neck. She places her hands on the desk, gripping it beneath her fingers and trying to keep herself steady from the rocking of his body against hers. Cora closes her eyes tightly, feeling her climax building in her and knowing neither of them are going to last long at this pace.
"Fuc.." Cora moans but opens her eyes when Alec lifts his hand from her waist and places it over her mouth, muffling her loud moans with his palm and she knows he's thinking of them being overheard.
She presses her heels against his legs, feeling his trousers beneath her boots as she encourages his movements. Cora grips the desk tighter, feeling her body sliding back and forth hard against its surface and the sound of their bodies moving together. Cora arches her body closer to his again, feeling Alec lower his hand from her mouth and place it at the back of her head and draw her into a kiss that leaves her breathless when his lips and tongue capture hers. Cora feels her body desperate to reach her peak, with every thrust of his hips dragging her closer.
"Cora." Alec groans against her mouth and she feels his body tense and his hard and fast movements change to erratic ones.
Cora feels him give a hard thrust that is all it takes to leave her shaking as she cries out; he muffles her moans with his lips. She hears his groan in his chest as he collapses against her, both panting and she feels that he relaxes for a moment.
"Please stay," Cora whispers but she sees him shake his head.
She feels Alec step out from between her legs, glancing up at her before she watches him turn his attention to pulling his trousers up and fastening them at his waist. She lowers her eyes from him, suddenly feeling upset with herself for thinking this was ever going to be more than it always was, and that maybe this time he would be the loving man she always hoped he would be.
But she could see he was finished with her, and trying to dress quickly. Cora takes hold of her trousers in her hands and tugs them up her thighs, lifting her hips so that she can pull them on. She shuffles forwards and lets her boots back onto the floor.
"I should get back." Alec mumbles and she feels his eyes on her again.
"Okay." Cora whispers and nods lightly, trying to swallow down the lump in her throat of disappointment when she watches him do one more inspection of his clothes and hair and leave.
Cora lifts her hands to her face, rubbing them against her skin for a moment to try and remove the feeling of his mouth on her. She closes her eyes, feeling the guilt spreading from her chest that she's let herself act on what she knows is nothing more than animalistic physical attraction and lust from Alec and that she has betrayed Scott so badly. Angry with herself for still wanting him so much, and letting him get too close.
"What have I done?" Cora lets out an angry and frustrated sound as she kicks the desk with the bottom of her boot, letting her biotics flare which causes it to scrape loudly against the floor as it flies backwards from her.