XXIX.
As Cora steps through the doors of the Hyperion Ark Medical Centre, she lets her eyes move around the room; noticing that other than the small amount of medical staff moving between some of the occupied beds, it is unusually quiet. It is a complete contrast to how it had been on the other occasions she'd been here; when they'd first arrived at the Nexus when they were bringing people put of stasis, and when she'd lost Alec and there had been non-stop people coming to see him. All she'd remembered about the medical centre was how frantic it had been. Now it was calm and hardly any of the beds were occupied and she wondered if this was also because they were now part of the larger station of the Nexus and sharing their medical facilities.
Cora finally lets her eyes settle on their Pathfinder; sat on one of the uncomfortable chairs next to his sister's bed, the same uncomfortable chair that she had spent hours on at Alec's bedside the day that he'd died. She notices Scott is holding her hand, and his eyes are fixed on her face as if he is waiting for her to wake up and give him all of the answers. She watches him lower his eyes from her for a moment, knowing how difficult he is finding it without her and how much he is missing her. Cora crosses the room and the short distance from the door to Sara's bed, seeing Scott lift his eyes when he hears her approaching.
"How's she doing?" Cora smiles at him and she sees he does the same when he realises it is her, she moves to his side and lifts her hand to his shoulder and squeezes him gently. Knowing her words couldn't comfort him, but maybe her touch could.
"About the same." Scott nods lightly and she watches his eyes fix on his twin again, but he then lets go of her hand and glances over his shoulder at her. "Sorry I wasn't there this morning." He adds, sighing quietly when she lifts her hand to stroke the back of his head, knowing he means when she woke up without him in her bed, where they'd fallen asleep together.
"It's fine. This is more important." Cora whispers and sees him nod slightly as she lowers herself into the chair at his side, letting her eyes move to Sara who is still sleeping deeply in her medically induced coma. "How did you sleep?" She asks and feels his eyes meet hers and he nods.
"Amazingly well, considering." Scott smiles, which makes her smile too. She knew all he needed was a good night sleep at her side, and she'd needed it too. "I didn't want to wake you. You looked very peaceful." He adds and she watches him lean towards her and press a soft kiss against her cheek that is far too tender and lingering for a public place.
"I wouldn't have minded." Cora nods and smiles when she notices that he takes hold of her hand. "I don't think I've slept that well since Theia." She whispers and rests her head against his shoulder. "Have you seen Harry yet?" Cora adds and hears him sigh, she'd received the message asking them both to meet here too.
"Not yet." She hears his reply and feels his head on top of hers. "I really miss her, Cora." He sighs, making her nod lightly and stroke her hand against his arm. "This is the longest I've ever gone without speaking to her." He adds, and she can hear that he is smiling lightly.
"I know.." Cora sighs and lifts her head from his shoulder so she can look into his face. "I'm sure she'd be missing you too." She adds and sees him nod and his eyes move too Sara again. "But, she's going to be so proud when she hears what you've been doing." Cora whispers and feels his eyes meet hers and he smiles.
"I hope so. I hope she's proud of what we've done and the choices I've made." He nods and smiles when she lifts her hand to stroke his hair again, letting her fingertips brush against the back of his neck. "I just hope Harry has some ideas to get her out of this." Scott sighs, making her nod her head lightly.
"We'll soon find out." Cora whispers, glancing past Scott and towards the door wondering where Doctor Carlyle is when he'd asked for them so urgently this morning, feeling annoyed that he's made Scott wait so long and dragged him out of bed so early.
"Can I stay with you again tonight?" Scott begins and she watches him tilt his head to catch her eyes. "Unless you have other plans." He adds with a small smile when her eyes meet his.
"Other plans?" Cora smiles at him. "My only plans are you and spending the night with you." She adds and watches him smile and nods his head at her. "Of course you can and you don't have to ask." She giggles quietly and wraps her arm around his, feeling him rest his head against hers again.
"Thanks." She hears Scott's reply. "Maybe we could stay in bed tomorrow.." He whispers, making her smile as she lifts her head to gaze at him again and notices he cups her face in his hand. "That might be nice, right?" He adds with a small smile that she was feeling like she really wanted to kiss from his mouth and wondering if he'd want her to.
"Right," Cora replies, trying to keep the smile from her face when she feels his eyes on her. "I think we have a meeting with the leaders." She whispers, leaning closer to him so her nose brushes against his. "And Tann." Cora adds hearing him sigh.
"Fuck Tann." Scott whispers, making her giggle quietly when she hears what he has said, knowing he has picked it up from her and she must be a bad influence on him. "I think we deserve some time together." He adds with a smile as she rests her head on him again.
"We do." Cora sighs and hears him doing the same. "About time Harry.." She whispers when she hears the door to the medical centre opening and lifts her head from his shoulder to look past him to see if it is Harry.
Cora sighs quietly when she spots Doctor Carlyle accompanied by Doctor T'Perro stepping through the doors, the pair talking together as they walk and she can hear that Lexi is laughing about something with her friend. Cora notices that her attention moves from Harry when her eyes settle on her and Scott, and she is sure that sees Lexi smile at them when she notices that they are sat together. Scott glances over his shoulder and looks towards his Doctor before she feels his eyes meet hers again, feeling him reluctantly let go of her hand and sit up in his chair.
"No kissing in meetings." Scott whispers as he leans towards her, making her giggle quietly and sit back into her own seat, feeling his eyes on her before he turns his attention to the pair approaching them. "Good morning." She hears Scott greet the doctors as they reach them.
"Good morning, Scott." Cora notices Lexi smiles at him, and then her eyes turn to her. "Cora." She adds, giving her a bright smile before she lowers herself to sit on the edge of the next bed.
"I hope you haven't been waiting too long." Doctor Carlyle begins, making Cora sigh quietly and notices that Scott hears her and his eyes flick to hers briefly and smiles at her. "No change in her readings?" Harry continues and she sees him glance at Lexi who shakes her head.
Cora lets her eyes move to Scott when she watches Doctor Carlyle move closer to Sara and begin working on his Omni, running his scanner over her as he does and checking her readings on the screens beside her bed. She notices that he lifts his hand to his face, rubbing his fingertips against his chin, that she knows he does when he's worried. She watches Doctor Carlyle lower his Omni and move to stand at the end of Sara's bed, his eyes on Scott.
"I'm sure you know why I wanted to speak to you both." Harry begins and Cora notices that Scott nods lightly. "I've been researching a way for us to be able to communicate with Sara." He adds and it's her turn to nod, knowing that any idea he was about to come out with wouldn't work.
"Okay." Scott nods beside her and she notices that his attention is now on Harry, knowing that he would do anything to contact her. "What do I need to do?" He adds and Cora notices that Doctor Carlyle lowers himself to lean against the end of Sara's bed.
"I believe we can integrate your conscious into SAM," He smiles, nodding lightly at Scott. "It's never been done before." The Doctor adds and Cora watches him glance at Sara. Cora sighs quietly, never been done successfully anyway. "But I think we could do it." He mumbles and she notices he glances at Lexi again. "It would mean hooking you up directly to SAM-node"
Cora huffs quietly to herself and crosses her arms over her body, not knowing how much more she can sit and listen to Harry try to explain to them that he this was the perfect way for them to be able to contact Sara. Yes, he was saying all it would take is to hook Scott up to SAM and see if his theory worked. But, she knew this method had not worked when Alec had tried it with her. She feels her stomach knot because she knew all too well about the negative outcomes of SAM personally, and she really didn't want that for him. Cora had been very lucky that her systems hadn't been fried when they'd tried, and without biotics, Scott would be at even more risk.
"Is it dangerous?" Lexi asks, making Cora glance at her and then back to Harry who shakes his head. Bullshit, Doctor Carlyle Cora thinks to herself. It was potentially very dangerous and could result in any number of disastrous results.
"No, it's completely safe." Harry nods and Cora notices his words set her nerves on edge, knowing she is going to be the only one trying to talk some sense into them all and argue that this was a really bad idea. His suggestion to transfer Scott's conscious into the SAM-node was not only ridiculous but also dangerous.
"How soon can we get it set up?" Scott asks making Cora look at him and then sigh quietly, she notices that Lexi is watching her and doesn't look completely convinced either. When Cora tries to give her a small smile, Lexi does the same. Cora knew she was going to have to stop this, for Scott's sake.
"Harry.." Cora begins and feels all of the eyes on her as she says it. "I'm sorry to interrupt." She adds and sees him narrowing his eyes at her. "I can't agree with this." Cora shakes her head and tightens her arms across her chest.
"What do you mean you can't agree?" Harry laughs, a dismissive tone to his voice and she notices he glances at Scott. "This isn't your decision to make. This is Scott's decision." He adds and she feels his eyes on her.
"Let Cora speak." Scott begins and she watches Harry glance at him and she does too. "I want to hear what she has to say." He nods and she notices this makes the doctor huff.
"You're wrong, Harry." Cora gives him her best light smile. "Scott is my Pathfinder." She nods glancing at Scott and seeing he is watching her too. "I'm his second," Cora adds and hears Harry sigh. "What you are suggesting puts him at risk." She shakes her head and takes a moment to let her eyes settle on Sara.
"You know nothing of the risks." Harry begins and Cora sees him shaking his head and crossing his own arms. "There is nothing to say it won't work." He adds and Cora sighs.
"I know all about the risks." Cora begins and fixes her eyes on Harry. "I've been hooked up to a SAM as you've suggested and I know what happens to a persons body and mind when it goes wrong." She adds but sees Harry doesn't look convinced. "I can't put him at risk like that." Cora sighs and looks and looks at Scott and sees him watching her.
"I think you're letting your personal feelings.." Harry begins but Cora lifts her hand from her stomach to stop him and hears Scott sigh and lowers his eyes to his feet.
"This has nothing to do with my feelings.." Cora sighs with annoyance and watches him lift his hands to his hips and open his mouth as if he is going to continue to argue. "I just can't agree to you risking our Pathfinder. To be honest I'm shocked that you'd even suggest it." Cora continues, fixing her eyes on him and sure he shrinks beneath her gaze. "If anything was to happen to Scott, where would we be then?" She adds and Cora notices that Lexi nods reluctantly in agreement.
"Cora is right." Lexi begins and she hears Harry scoff. "We've already lost one Pathfinder." She adds and Cora gives her a small but grateful nod. "Surely there must be another way we can try?" Lexi continues.
"So you're all just going to let her completely dismiss this?" Harry scoffs and Cora watches his attention leave Lexi and go to her again. "I don't know why I'm surprised really." Harry adds and Cora watches him shake his head and glare at her. "First Alec, now Scott." Harry huffs making Cora frown and narrows her eyes at him.
"Why don't you just drop it?" Cora huffs and sees Harry shake his head. "My private life has nothing to do with you." She adds and sees Scott frown and looks between her and Harry. "Alec's decisions had nothing to do with me and apparently everything to do with you." She crosses her arms again and lowers her eyes from him.
"What's going on, Cora?" Scott begins and she feels his eyes on her so shakes her head lightly. "I think you need to choose your next words carefully Harry." Cora hears Scott add and stand from his chair. "I'm not doing it, and that's the end of it." Scott adds and she hears Harry huff in response.
"Scott, surely you understand what she is making you say no to?" Harry begins and Cora notices that Scott's jaw sets when he hears this and doesn't look happy.
"It's Pathfinder Ryder to you." Scott nods and Cora watches him fix his eyes on Harry. "No one is making me do anything." He adds and glances at Lexi. "Lexi is my doctor, not you. I trust Cora and Lexi will be able to come up with a better suggestion." He nods which only causes Doctor Carlyle to let out a frustrated sigh.
"If Alec was here.." Harry begins but Cora watches Scott cut him off.
"Well, he's not here, Harry." Scott shakes his head at the doctor. "I'm here. I'm the Pathfinder and I'm not him." He adds and Cora watches Harry nod lightly. "So back off." Scott sighs and Cora watches him sit back onto his chair, knowing he doesn't like confrontation.
"Fine." Harry huffs. "When you decide you want to try my idea, Pathfinder Ryder, you know where to find me." Harry adds and Cora feels him glare at her as he leaves, so Cora watches him go.
"Asshole." Scott whispers making Cora smile lightly and turns her attention back to him. "So, do we have any ideas?" Scott continues and she watches him look between her and Lexi.
"I think we should just see if we can reach her via her SAM implant." Cora nods, glancing at Doctor T'Perro who also nods in agreement. "Alec hooked me up to SAM-E in the way Harry is suggesting." She continues and sees Scott's eyes meet hers. "It isn't safe and there's no way to tell what would happen." She adds.
"As much as we want to reach Sara, that doesn't sound worth the risk." Doctor Lexi whispers. "You were right to speak up, Cora." She adds and Cora notices she gives her a grateful but small smile.
"Thanks." Cora sighs quietly and feels Scott's hand next to hers, his fingers trying to wrap around hers. "I know he thinks it is because of my feelings for Scott.." She adds and lets her eyes meet his. "But I genuinely don't want us to be without a Pathfinder again." Cora sighs, seeing him smile at her.
"I know." Lexi replies with a smile. "We all want what is best for him." She adds with a slight nod when Cora feels her eyes on her. "Which is obviously you." Lexi laughs quietly making her smile.
"Sometimes I'm not so sure." Cora smiles and glances at Scott who's eyes are on her and she sees his smile. "But, thank you, Lexi, that means a lot." She adds, lifting her hand to Scott's cheek for a moment.
Cora lets her eyes settle on Lexi noticing that she is watching them and beginning to realise that maybe she and Scott had found someone that thought them being together was a good thing too. She watches as Lexi's eyes lift from them and towards the door, making Cora glance in the same direction and notice that Louisa is at the door.
"Scott, it looks like someone is looking for you." Cora sighs quietly as he looks towards the door too. She feels Scott squeezing her hand which draws her attention back to him as he then lifts to press a kiss against the back of her hand.
"I'll be back." Scott sighs as he feels him let go of her hand and stands from his chair, stepping past her and Cora watches him walking towards Louisa who is waiting for him.
"Who's that?" Lexi asks and Cora notices her look past her and towards the door. "She's been here a lot recently when Scott has." She adds and Cora nods lightly and then feels her attention back to her.
"A friend of Sara's." Cora nods, not wanting to go into it any more than that and knowing Lexi won't ask. "Has she gone yet?" She whispers as Lexi gives her a sympathetic smile and then glances at Scott and Louisa again.
"Not yet, but he's trying." Lexi whispers and Cora watches her move her eyes to her Omni and then up again. "You have nothing to worry about, Cora." She adds making Cora nod lightly and lower her eyes to her feet.
"Sorry about that." Scott begins as she hears the sound of his feet behind her as he approaches and then feels his hand on her shoulder. "Where were we?" He adds as Cora glances at him and watches him lower himself onto his chair again.
"Trying Cora's idea." Lexi nods and Cora notices Scott's attention turn to his doctor.
"Yes, let's try Cora's idea instead." Scott gives her a positive nod. "I know if there was a chance Harry's idea would work, you'd let me try." He adds and Cora smiles at him, showing that he was of course right.
"I can get it set up." Doctor Lexi begins, making Cora look at her and notice that she looks relived too that they aren't going to be putting Scott at risk. "If you give me a couple of hours." She adds and Cora sees Scott nod.
"Thanks, Lexi." Scott smiles at her before his eyes reach her again. "Do you want to go for a walk?" Scott whispers making her glance at Lexi.
"Right now?" Cora replies, fixing her eyes on him again and seeing him nod again. "You don't want to wait here?" She adds and notices he lowers his eyes to his feet, shaking his head. "That sounds great." She whispers and notices it draws his eyes to hers and makes him smile.
"Great." He replies with another smile, feeling him squeeze her hand. "You don't mind?" Scott adds so she lifts her hand to his cheek, stroking his skin beneath her fingertips.
"Of course not." Cora smiles, noticing that he gives her a grateful smile. "You know I love spending time with you." She adds and watches him smile again before he climbs to his feet, so she does the same.
"We'll be back.." Scott begins and Cora notices he is looking at Lexi. "In a few hours." He adds and she feels his eyes on her and then his hand on her lower back.
"No problem, Scott." Cora hears Lexi smiling at them. "Have fun, you two." She adds making Cora give her a grateful smile. "I'll ping you when I'm ready for you, Scott." Lexi nods.
Cora smiles at Scott when she feels him lifting his arm to wrap it lightly around her body so that she is close to his side, noticing that he lets his hand rest on her shoulder and pulls her closer to him so he can press a kiss against the side of her head. She wraps her arm around his waist as she watches him nod his head for her to follow him, so she walks across the medical centre and towards the door.
"So where do you want to go?" She asks, squeezing his side beneath her hand as they step through the door, which draws his eyes to her. "We could go to the Nexus?" She adds smiling at him again. "Or the Tempest?" Cora sees him nod lightly.
"Or back to bed?" She sees Scott grin at her. "Nexus is fine, it shouldn't be too busy this time of day." He adds and she feels him resting his hand between her shoulder blades as they stop, trying to decide where to go. "Tempest would be even better." He smiles and she notices he glances towards the docking bay.
"Is this really because you want a walk?" Cora smiles, noticing her words draw his eyes to hers and he grins and steps in front of her. "Because the Tempest isn't much of a walk and it's not very far away.." She whispers and lowers her eyes to their hands when he takes hold of her fingertips.
"I just wanted an excuse to get you alone." He laughs quietly. "We used to walk all the time on Theia.." He adds as she feels his eyes on her. "I liked it." Scott chuckles. "Well, the spending time alone with you part." She hears him sigh.
"I liked it, too." Cora whispers as she tangles her fingers with his. "But you don't need an excuse.." She adds and sees him smile. "Just tell me you want some time, and I'm yours." Cora smiles at him.
"I want some time alone with you." Scott smiles at her.
"Anything for my Pathfinder." Cora smiles seeing his eyes meet hers. "Tempest it is, then." She adds, taking hold of his hand and tugging him towards the corridor that leads to the docking bay and dragging him towards their ship.
"You think the others will be awake?" Scott asks, making her glance at him and shake her head lightly, not after the long day they'd all had on EOS. "I didn't think so either." He laughs quietly as he continues walking at her side, his hand firmly in hers.
"If I had the choice.." Cora begins, as they reach the docks. "I'd still be in bed, too." She giggles quietly and watches as Scott unlocks the doors with his Omni, so they can gain access to the ship. "I know you would be as well." She adds and sees Scott glance at her and grin, she knew how much he loved being in bed, especially with her.
Cora watches Scott step up onto the ramp of the Tempest and begin heading towards the currently closed entrance hatch, she sees him open it so she follows him as they both climb inside the ship. She can immediately hear how quiet it is on the Tempest and that those of the crew that choose to sleep onboard, are still sleeping. She notices that Scott stops when they reach the centre of the ship and turns to face her and she sees his eyes on her.
"You'd think there was no one else here." Scott smiles at her as she watches him lean against the central panel but keep his eyes on her.
"Just you and me." Cora whispers and steps closer to him, hearing him sigh quietly when she lifts her hands to his cheeks. "What did Louisa want?" She asks, fixing her eyes on his when she notices he shakes his head lightly.
"She's worried about Sara." Scott nods lightly and she feels him leaning into her touch. "Probably thinks that the wrong twin is awake." He adds making her huff quietly. "I think she thinks I'm not doing enough.." Scott sighs quietly.
"Well, she's wrong. You are doing your best." Cora whispers and slides her hands down onto his neck, noticing her actions draw his eyes to hers. "Sara is safe, and right now that is all that matters." She adds and sees him sigh.
"You are right." Scott nods lightly and his eyes meet hers.
"Louisa doesn't know what she's talking about. I don't think I'd cope without you." She smiles at him, seeing him do the same and then lift his hand to her cheek, stroking his fingertips gently against her skin.
"I wouldn't either." Scott nods and she can see the love in his eyes when he looks at her, and it makes her realise that Lexi is right that they are so good for each other. "I couldn't be without you." He sighs quietly and she notices his eyes are searching hers, wondering if there is something he wants to say.
"Scott.." She whispers and closes her eyes for a moment when she feels him stroking her skin and his touch causing a shiver to run down her spine.
"Cora.." He smiles at her, making her realise he's thinking the same.
"Would it be okay if I kissed you?" She whispers, watching him lower his eyes for a moment before fixing them on her again. "Is that what happens next?" Cora notices a smile tug at the corner of his mouth. "I just really want to kiss you." Cora adds quietly.
"I think so." Scott nods as she feels him lift his hands from the console and rest them on her hips, drawing her closer until she stands between his feet. "I want to kiss you, too." He smiles.
Cora sees him smile again when she slides her arms around his neck until her arms are crossed behind his head and her fingertips can touch the hair at the back of his neck. She presses her mouth against his gently and notices he wraps his arms around her body and lifts his hand to her hair. She hears herself sighing against his lips when he deepens their kiss, his mouth demanding on hers.
"I've missed kissing you." Cora sighs when she breaks their kiss and leans against him, letting her head rest against his. "We can't keep apart no matter how hard we try to." She whispers and feels his hands on her back.
"I haven't been trying that hard." Scott smiles making her laugh again and squeeze him tighter. "What's a harmless kiss? That's all it is." He adds with a smile as she feels him place his finger beneath her chin to direct her face towards his, his eyes meeting hers.
"There's no such thing as harmless with us." Cora smiles at him watching his eyes lower to her lips before he draws her closer and brings her mouth to his again. She slips her fingers into his hair as he kisses her again and lets his hands rest on her waist.
"This is why I wanted us to be alone." Scott whispers between kisses until he lifts his hands to her cheeks. "I wanted to kiss you and never stop." He smiles before he presses his mouth against hers and wraps his arms around her.
"Stop talking.." She giggles and crushes her lips to his so he can't speak and can only concentrate on kissing her, and where he is sliding his hands to and down her back. Cora moulds her body against his and wraps her arms around his neck, noticing that he holds her tightly against him.
"As nice as this is.." Scott whispers against her lips. "Would it be okay if we take this to my bed?" He smiles as he leans back to look at her. "Is that what's next?" Scott whispers making her laugh quietly and nod.
"Hmm, yes it is." Cora smiles, feeling his eyes meet hers before leans closer to him until her mouth is at his ear. "Take me to bed, Pathfinder." She whispers, pressing a kiss against his lobe.
"Anything for my Second." Scott gives her a flirtatious smile, making her giggle when he suddenly scoops her up in his arms so she can wrap her legs around his waist.
"Scott." Cora giggles as she wraps herself around him as he carries her quickly through the ship, and back to his room.
—/—
Cora can feel his eyes on her from across the medical centre, so she glances over her shoulder and notices that she is right and that he is watching her closely from where he is stood having his levels checked by Doctor T'Perro. When he realises she is gazing at him too, she sees a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth but he then lowers his head to not let Lexi catch on to what he's doing. Cora watches Lexi's Omni light up as she runs it over Scott's chest and then up to the back of his head and when his Doctor's eyes lower to her screen his eyes are on her again and she sees him give her a flirtatious and a big smile. Cora giggles quietly to herself and blows him a kiss, noticing that it makes his smile widen before she sits back in her chair beside Sara's bed. She tries to turn her attention away from Scott for a moment willing herself to ignore her body's want to run across the room and jump on him. That definitely wasn't very professional, and they'd only just managed to drag themselves out of his bed on the Tempest to make it back in time for them to try and contact the sleeping Sara, so she didn't think Doctor T'Perro would appreciate her taking him back there.
She glances behind her again when she hears footsteps that she doesn't recognise as his and spots Lexi approaching her and that Scott is having his Omni configured by one of the Hyperion medical staff. Cora gives Lexi a smile as she reaches her and watches her lower herself to sit on the edge of Sara's bed.
"Cora.." Lexi begins and she feels her eyes on her face.
"I know what you are going to say." Cora smiles watching Lexi sigh quietly and shake her head. "I'm doing fine." She adds and when she sees Lexi nod she realises she was right that Scott has spoken to his doctor about her. "As fine as I can be." Cora mumbles and glances at Scott again.
"He's worried about you." Lexi smiles lightly making Cora nod as she meets her eyes again. "Just because I'm his doctor, doesn't mean I'm not here for you too." She nods and Cora gives her a grateful smile.
"I'm sure you have more important things.." Cora begins but notices that Lexi shakes her head at her and moves to sit in the seat beside her so that they are level. "Scott can be quite a handful." She adds making Lexi smile.
"A handful is right." Doctor T'Perro laughs lightly. "But I don't think my Pathfinder is as difficult as Harry's was." She adds and Cora nods in agreement, Alec was certainly feisty. "Cora, how are you really feeling?" Lexi adds as Cora watches her attention turn completely to her and knows she is trying to help.
"Lost." Cora nods and then glance at Lexi, waiting for a negative reaction that doesn't come. "Sad, I suppose." She adds as Lexi gives her a sympathetic smile. "Heartbroken." Cora whispers and she feels Lexi place her hand on her arm.
"All natural feelings to be having." Lexi begins making Cora look at her again. "You are bound to feel lost because he was your mentor." She nods. "Sadness is a normal part of grieving." Lexi whispers. "Of course you'll feel heartbroken losing someone you loved." She adds making Cora sigh quietly. "You know I don't listen to rumours.." Lexi begins again but then pauses as she squeezes her arm.
"Alec and I were sort of together but we broke up." Cora nods, knowing that was where this conversation was going to go. "I know my love life has been a hot topic recently." She adds and Lexi gives her a small smile again. "Then I met Scott and everything became very complicated.." Cora smiles as she glances over her shoulder towards him and notices his eyes are on her.
"That's why I was confused when I saw you together." Lexi begins. "I know it's none of my business, Cora." She adds and Cora feels her eyes on her face when she looks back at the doctor. "But, Scott really loves you." Lexi smiles as Cora feels her leaning closer to her so she glances at Scott again and notices he is still watching them and gives her another smile.
"I know he does." Cora returns Scott's smile, trying to show him she's okay. "I love him, too." She adds and lets her eyes move back to Doctor T'Perro. "He is just so wonderful." Cora whispers, not able to keep the smile from her face that is always there when she talks about him. "Far more forgiving than I deserve." She nods slightly and lowers her eyes to her feet.
"Why don't you deserve his forgiveness?" Lexi asks her, making her pause for a moment trying to decide what to say. Doctor T'Perro didn't need to know about her being unfaithful, that was between her and Scott only. "Don't you deserve to be happy?" She adds when Cora realises she's been quiet for too long.
"Because he's such a good person." Cora sighs. "I've made such awful decisions and I really hurt him." She adds and sees Lexi nod her head. "I feel guilty that Scott makes me so happy when I should only be feeling sad for Alec." She nods lightly.
"Cora.." Lexi sighs quietly. "They are two completely different things." She adds making Cora nod. "You are allowed to be both happy and sad at the same time." She smiles again. "It's not that black and white." Lexi squeezes her arm again.
"But you are an Asari.." Cora begins and notices Lexi nods. "Everything is black and white." She adds and notices Lexi pauses to think about her words. "That's what I was taught." Cora mumbles.
"The more time I spend with humans.." Lexi nods lightly. "The more I realise it is okay to have grey." She adds making Cora sigh quietly and nod, it was going against everything she'd been trained as a Huntress. There wasn't supposed to be any uncertainty or any muddying of ideas because of feelings. "Cora, If you don't allow yourself to be happy with Scott, you'll never get over Alec. Let go of the guilt and let yourself be happy." She gives her a small smile.
"I'm trying." Cora nods and gives Lexi a small smile. "I want to get over Alec and move on with Scott. I feel like I'm getting there." She adds with a positive nod. "Thank you, for asking how I am.." She adds and notices Lexi smiles in response.
"I know it must be difficult to talk to Scott about his father." Lexi gives her another reassuring smile. "I know they never got along." She adds and Cora smiles to herself in agreement, everyone knew that about them. "But, you can always talk to me." Lexi continues and Cora can tell she means it.
"Thank you, I appreciate that." Cora smiles. "We try to talk about Alec, but I know he's doing it for my benefit. I don't want to upset Scott." She sighs and glances at Scott again. "I'm sorry if he asked you to speak to me. I know it's because he cares." Cora laughs quietly as Doctor T'Perro shakes her head.
"Anytime, Cora." Lexi nods. "You know where to find me. I'm always happy to listen." She adds. "He wants what is best for you." She smiles again. "He said all he wants is for you to be happy." Lexi laughs quietly.
"Well, he is making me very happy." Cora smiles.
"You obviously make him happy too." Lexi nods and Cora watches her glance over her shoulder where Scott is being hooked up to some wires. "He certainly has a spring in his step this morning." She adds making Cora giggles quietly which draws Lexi's eyes back to her.
"I have my ways." Cora smiles again which makes Lexi give her a knowing smile.
Cora glances over her shoulder when she hears the sound of Scott approaching them, setting her eyes on him as he smiles at her. When he reaches her she turns her attention back to Lexi but feels him place his hands on her shoulders and give them both a gentle squeeze. Cora gives Lexi a small apologetic smile when she feels him bend and press a soft kiss against her cheek.
"You're being very bold, Pathfinder Ryder." Cora smiles when she feels him kiss her skin again. "We're in public." She adds and hears his quiet laugh as he lets go of her and steps past her to sit on the bed where Lexi had been previously.
"You know I find it very difficult to keep my hands to myself." Scott grins making Cora shake her head at him when she feels his eyes on her and then watches him fold his arms across his chest and tuck his hands beneath his armpits. "Sorry, Lexi." He adds and she notices him smile at his doctor.
"Cora was just telling me why you are so chipper this morning, Scott." Lexi laughs quietly as Cora watches Scott glance at her and then back at Doctor T'Perro.
"Oh was she?" Scott chuckles and she feels his eyes on her again.
"Apparently Cora's bedside manner is even better than mine." She adds and Cora watches her giving him a smile to show she's just teasing him, noticing a slight blush on Scott's cheeks when he lowers his eyes to his feet.
"I am very much enjoying it.." Scott huffs quietly making Cora smile when she hears it. "She takes good care of me." He adds and she notices he fidgets from foot to foot. "Right, I'm ready when you are." He chuckles and she can tell he's trying to change the subject. "Let's get me hooked up." Scott smiles at them and unfolds his arms.
"Everything is ready." Doctor T'Perro smiles at him.