XXXXI.

Cora steps through the door as it slides open and gives her access to the bridge of The Tempest, hearing it close behind her when she is clear of it. She notices at once how quiet it is in the room now that they've docked back at the Nexus and the majority of the team have disembarked or are sleeping as it's now the middle of the night or the now early hours of the morning. The Lieutenant lets her eyes travel over the large panels of buttons, dials, and controls. Seeing that they are for a change not lit up and waiting for their pilot to activate them as they head to their next destination. Cora's gaze lowers to the windows in front of her and she can see the darkened docking bay outside that is also completely deserted, and finally, they fall on the Pathfinder, Scott Ryder stood at the galaxy map. His eyes are fixed on a map that he has opened above his head and providing him with the only light in the room. The very same Scott that she'd fallen asleep with and had been woken by when he slipped out of their bed.

They'd not long arrived back from EOS, after chasing the information that they'd been provided with as to the location of the Asari Ark. They'd been successful in receiving more intel from the survivors, but Cora had still felt disappointed that they were once again chasing their tails and nothing solid enough for them to head straight out to find the Ark. Scott had been frustrated too, and she could tell he was awake and out of bed, trying to draw something, anything else from the information they'd been given. Just a small hint to where the Ark was located and where he should be searching. Cora knew it was what the leaders wanted, but she also knew he was doing it for her benefit.

"Hey.." Cora says as she notices that the opening and closing of the door gets his attention and he glances over his shoulder at her. "Are you coming back to bed?" She adds as his eyes return to the star maps and she watches him nod and lifts his hands to grip the metal railing.

"Yeah, in a while," Scott mumbles as she watches him reach up to flick his fingers to control the movement of the map so she approaches him, her exposed feet quiet on the metal floor. "I just need to check something.." He continues his eyes moving over the maps.

"Your tired.." Cora whispers and wraps her arms around him from behind when she reaches him, letting her chest press against the warm bare skin of his back. "Come on back to bed, Ryder." She says as she tightens her hold on him.

"I can't sleep." Scott sighs but she feels him stroke his palms over her arms and accept her hold. "I just feel like I'm missing something. It's got to be right in front of me.." He sighs with frustration again.

"You've been going over it for hours.." She whispers and presses a soft kiss against his shoulder, squeezing him tighter to comfort him. "As much as I want to find them.." Cora continues and notices her words make him look at her and his eyes fixed on hers.

"I'm just frustrated." Scott replies making her nod.

"I am, too. We just don't have enough to go on." Cora sees him turn back to the map and with a turn of his raised hand he brings up another long-range scan, one that had no sign or clue of another Ark or Pathfinder like him.

"Another failure." Scott sighs again making her release her hold on him and slip her hands onto his waist as she leans her head against the side of his. Cora strokes him softly with her fingertips trying to soothe him. "I just need this to go our way." He mumbles.

"We'll find them." Cora smiles and presses a soft kiss against his cheek and notices her words make him nod lightly. "You will find them. I know you will, Pathfinder Ryder." She whispers with another kiss and feels his cheek move as he returns her smile. "We just need to know which haystack our needle is in." Cora whispers and hears him chuckle.

"Your right, that would help.." Scott laughs and strokes his palms over her arms again. "Thank you for always believing in me." He continues as she feels him holding her just as tightly. "So, what do we do now?" The Pathfinder asks as she watches him close down the galaxy map.

Cora feels him let go of her and turn so that he can sit back on the rail, his attention away from the control panel and interface and now entirely on her. She smiles at him when he lifts his hand to brush a strand of hair back from her face, his eyes meet hers in the near dark.

"We can't go after the other Ark.." Cora begins and hears Scott make a positive noise in agreement and she can tell he's struggling to know what to do. They had come up against dead ends so far, and they were all starting to feel despondent.

"I don't want to go back to Veold. Not until we're ready.." Scott replies. "I can't go through that again." He adds and fixes his eyes on her again. "Although, It wasn't all bad.." He grins at her.

"What about Vetra's contact?" She replies and sees his brow furrow as he thinks about it, so she places her hand over his drawing his attention back to her. "She said they knew the workings of the port? Maybe getting a hold on that place would open up some more intel." Cora gives him a positive nod.

"I just don't want to screw up.." The Pathfinder sighs again and she watches him lower his eyes from hers. "Again." He adds so she places her hands on his face and lets her fingers rub against the scruff on his cheeks. "Especially if we have no one that we can trust there." Scott continues until she steps closer to him and leans into his body, noticing her actions make him slide his arms around her.

"You don't need to worry about that.." Cora feels him sigh beneath her so she lifts her head from his neck to look at him. "We've got this, baby." She adds as she lifts her arms to wrap them around his neck so she can stroke her fingertips through his hair. "You and me." Cora whispers before pressing a soft kiss against his mouth.

"You and me." Scott smiles as his eyes fix on her and dip his head to capture her mouth in a deep kiss, a kiss that makes her know he will always be hers. "Cora." He sighs quietly into the kiss which she thinks is more of a warning that he won't be able to stop. She feels him tighten his hold on her when she grips his hair and kisses him harder, slipping her tongue between his lips. "So Kadara?" He sighs lightly when they finally manage to break away, making her smile when she realises she's distracted him a bit too much.

"Yes.." Cora nods as she reluctantly moves until he has to unwrap his arms from around her she can step around him to reach the map, putting some space between their bodies. "Kadara." She giggles quietly when he joins her at the rail.

Cora gives him her best flirtatious smile when she notices he gives her that sexy smile that gives her butterflies, she watches him take a deep breath and grin before he turns to look at the galaxy map again and raises his eyes to watch it swirl above them. She is sure her cheeks look as flushed as his.

"The small intel we have says the Asari Ark may be further out than we first thought." Cora begins and glances at him to see that he nods. "Kadara is well known for its dealings with people that stick to the dark depths, out of the reach of the Initiative." She adds and motions for the map to zoom in on Kadara.

"You think someone there might have heard about the Ark?" Scott asks and glances at her again as she nods. "You really think intel so secure like that would reach there? We're struggling to find anything.." He chuckles and she sees him look back at the map.

"Of course. If anyone knows things they shouldn't.." Cora laughs quietly and sees that he nods in agreement. "Maybe it's worth asking around if we are already going there." She adds and sighs lightly when she realises what she is suggesting, that they stay a moment longer than they have to. "I hate Kadara." Cora huffs which makes him laugh again, she knew he hated it too.

"Yeah, me too." Scott smiles and looks into her eyes when he lifts his arm to wrap around her shoulders, drawing her against his chest. "I'll get Peebee to send a message ahead that an unknown buyer is looking for information on the Arks, that might draw them out of hiding." He adds making her nod in agreement and then smiles when she hears him yawn, watching him lifting his hand to place it over his mouth as he does.

"We'll do it tomorrow.." Cora whispers and wraps her arms around his middle, sliding her hands over his back and to his shoulder blades. "Once we've got you back to bed and had a few hours sleep.." She adds which receives a nod from him.

"That sounds good." He nods as she watches his smile widen when he looks at her.

Cora places her hands on his chest, noticing she can feel the steady beat of his heart beneath her palm when she leans closer and brushes her mouth against the edge of his lips in a soft kiss. She loosens her hold on him and begins stepping towards the door and can hear the sound his bare feet make as he pads after her. She lifts her arm to activate it before glancing at him when he catches her up takes her hands as they walk.

"Did you leave these lights on?" Cora asks looking at him as he shakes his head, noticing that as they get closer to the research lab there are a lot more lights on than she'd activated on her way to find Scott. "Strange.." She mumbles and takes the moment to look around them wondering if they aren't alone.

"Up there.." Scott whispers to her and motions towards the meeting room at the top of the stairs above them. Cora stops walking so that she can hear what he has. "Sounds like someone is awake." He adds so Cora turns her head to listen too and she can hear voices, and then someone laughing.

"Is that Liam?" Cora whispers back to him and focuses again on the voices, sure that it is him. "And Sara?" She adds and notices that Scott nods in recognition too and then laughs quietly and opens his mouth to say something. "We should leave them alone.." Cora whispers as she places her hand over his mouth and begins trying to drag Scott away.

"What time do you call this?!" Scott shouts up the stairs when he's taken hold of her wrist to remove her fingers, Cora noticing that the voices go completely quiet when they realise they aren't alone.

"Don't be mean." Cora giggles quietly and sees him grin at her.

"Alright, mate?" Liam replies as his head appears over the top of the meeting room platform and he looks down at them both. "Hey, Cora." Liam adds with a small wave of his hand.

"Is my sister here?" Scott smiles at him with a shake of his head. "You do know no one is allowed on board unless they are authorised." He continues making Cora snort quietly trying to stop herself from laughing.

"Oh, um.." Liam nods and Cora watches him glance at who they know is Sara sat beside him. "Sorry, boss.." He adds with an innocent smile. "We were actually callin' it a night." Liam mumbles quietly.

"Liam, don't listen to Scott," Cora calls up to them and fixes her eyes on Scott as she takes hold of his hand, motioning her head in the direction of their room. "He's just kidding." She adds noticing Scott's eyes meet hers when she mouths the word bed, to him.

—/—

"Are we sure this is wise?" Cora hears Vetra's voice over their private comms so she glances around her, wondering why she was suddenly feeling so worried about them being overheard when she knows no one but herself and the rest of the Pathfinder Team can hear what Vetra is saying.

"Of course not." She hears the usually comforting voice of Scott in her ear, which draws a light smile when she hears his reply. It was strange to be hearing his voice over the comms and being without him, he felt so far away. "But we need intel and this is the best shot we have." Scott continues.

Cora sighs lightly at his words as she continues to walk through the overcrowded streets of Kadara Port that she currently has the misfortune of visiting to gain some intel about the planet, and more importantly who runs this place. Scott, as promised, had also put feelers out for information about the location of the Asari Ark, information that had so far not come their way. She carefully steps over some trailing cables and loose metal tiles, making sure her feet come into contact with the solid ground as she walks down the steps and into the market that she knows leads to the club. This wasn't Scott and his teams first visit to Kadara but the whole place was still strange and unfamiliar, and the sights, sounds, and smells were overwhelming her senses and making it difficult to concentrate. The dust was already clinging to her skin and making it itch, and the bright and dazzling artificial lights were almost blinding. She desperately wanted a shower and to get as far away from this place as she could.

"I can see the club." Cora speaks quietly into her comms, knowing that it will reach Scott and the rest of the team and that she would soon need to go radio silent so as not to distract him while he was getting the information they needed from the contact.

"I'm already inside." Liam replies making her wonder how he's managed to jump the queue that she can see outside the large metal doors to the most popular, and dangerous club on Kadara. The long line of multiple species all waiting to get in too are spilling out onto the street.

"I'm on the roof and approaching the ventilation shaft." Vetra's voice begins and Cora is sure she can hear the echoing sound of metal as she clambers to reach her position to keep eyes on Scott at all times.

Cora raises her eyes to the roof of the nightclub, sure that she sees a flash of purple cross her line of sight that she thinks must be Vetra. She glances towards the queue and sees that Peebee is standing mingling with locals and that her eyes momentarily meet hers, knowing she would be watching for any trouble outside and making sure no one got in that could hurt Scott. Peebee was clearly doing a much better job of blending in than she was, and despite her best efforts she couldn't help but feel like she didn't belong here at all and everyone would soon notice her.

Cora had to admit she hated this plan and everything about it. She knew they needed intel, she knew that Vetra had a contact, and she knew that the contact had agreed to meet The Pathfinder in this club. But, they'd agreed to meet him alone and they all knew how dangerous Kadara was and that they didn't take kindly to visitors, especially Initiative ones. Scott, of course, had agreed to meet to get the leader of this port on side. But, there was no way any of them would let him go completely alone. So there they all were, dressed down and trying to pretend to be locals and not stick out like a sore thumb in case anything happened during the meeting. They'd docked the Tempest away from the port and taken separate transports so as not to arrive together, hoping to get into the market and port mostly unseen. So far, so good.

"I have eyes on The Pathfinder." Drak's gruff voice announces as she watches the group waiting at the door be let in by the guards, the loud and thumping music reaching her ears as they slide open. "He's headed your way.." He continues drawing Cora's attention away from the doors and heavily armed guards when her eyes try to find Scott in the market and hope to see him.

"Cora, will they let you in?" Liam begins and she notices she can hear the loud music on his end now. "I could do with some extra eyes in here. It's packed." He adds making her huff at the sudden suggestion to change the plan, she was supposed to be covering the market for them to leave the way they came in.

Cora pauses for a moment and takes time to look around her, trying to decide if it was a good idea to go inside and leave the front so exposed. She knew Liam wouldn't have asked her if he could handle it alone and after giving one last look around her she nods to herself and knows what she's got to do.

"Alright," Cora replies and lets her eyes return to the entrance to the club, hearing the doors slide open as the angry shouts of two patrons can be heard as they are physically removed from the bar and tumble out and onto the floor. The pair pushing past her as they stomp away looking angry. "Scott, I'm heading inside." She whispers and continues to approach the doors.

"I'm almost there." She hears his reply and hears him pause as if he wants to say something else but can't. "Please, be careful," Scott adds and she knows his words are for her as she reaches the entrance to the club. She wanted to tell him the same and that she loves him, but knew the rest of the team were listening in.

"You too, Scott." Cora replies quietly, knowing he'll recognise the pause as her wanting to say more too.

"Do you have any weapons?" One of the Krogan bouncers' grunt at her as she approaches him, lifting his scanner and nodding towards it. "Registered, authorised, or otherwise?" He continues and she watches him glancing around her and to the rowdy queue outside as if he isn't concerned about her answer either way.

"No.." Cora replies firmly, feeling the cool metal of the small sidearm that she has tucked into the back of her jeans and concealed by the flowing but revealing top she wears. "Should I expect trouble?" She adds hearing both the guards laughing at her words.

"Trouble?" The second Krogan chuckles. "I wouldn't know anything about that." He continues and nods towards his friend who joins him in another round of laughter. Clearly, everyone on Kadara was looking for trouble, and any authority there was turning a blind eye to it. Maybe even encouraging it, Kadara was the paradise of the troublemakers.

"Go ahead." The first one mumbles as they authorise the door to open and she steps into the darkness of the club and is immediately surrounded by the loud music that she feels spread through the sole of her shoes and then throughout her body, making her nerves vibrate and her skin prickle.

"I'm inside," Cora whispers, wondering if she has spoken loud enough not to be drowned out by the noise and hoping the rest of the team have heard her, but forgetting all about her concerns when she looks around her at the famous hotspot of Kadara Port. "Wow.." She whispers to herself more than anyone else.

Cora lets her eyes move around the nightclub as they slowly adjust to the darkness and then to the flashing lights that are the only source of any light in the club. She immediately notices the sea of Kadara residents that almost completely fills the room and are moving together to the music on the dance floor. She watches as the bodies move to the heavy beat of a song she doesn't recognise and the smell of sweat, alcohol, and something very unpleasant fills her nose. As her eyes adjust further she can see that except for the space that is taken up by a few tables and the bar, the dance floor is the main appeal here.

"I can see you, Cora." Liam's voice reaches her ears, making her feel comforted that she can still just about hear him and that she isn't alone in this place where everyone else appears to know each other so well. "I'm at one of the tables." He continues making her turn to look for him, spotting him sitting at the table facing the door that she has come through and seeing that he is surrounded by people too.

"How's the beer?" Cora asks smiling lightly which she knows he will see when she watches him lift his glass and take a sip.

"I'm on duty. It's just water." Liam replies with a laugh. "Don't recommend it." He chuckles as she watches him settle back into his chair so he can keep watch of the entrance and wait for Scott to arrive.

"Scott has been stopped at the docks," Drak announces drawing her attention away from Liam and to his words. "It doesn't look like they know who he is. Yet." He adds making her wonder if she should forget the plan altogether and make sure that he makes it through the checkpoint unharmed, or even better return to the Tempest with him in tow.

"Dammit.." Liam huffs quietly.

"I'll head back that way but I'll try and stay out of sight." Cora hears Vetra reply, feeling relieved that she was going to be going to check on him and knowing the best thing she could do was try to blend in and wait for an update. They didn't need any unwanted attention.

Cora carefully makes her way past the throng of people, trying not to bump into anyone as she does and give anyone in this room a reason to try and shoot at her. She could see a lot of weapons and none of them were hidden as hers was. Cora spots a few seats at the bar are empty and that if she sits in the middle she will have an almost clear view of the door. Cora lowers herself onto the barstool before turning until she is facing the entrance, she knew that she was being too obvious and that anyone that saw her would guess she wasn't just here for a drink and to find someone to dance with, she looked like she was waiting for someone.

"Who has eyes on Scott?" Cora whispers as she lifts her hand to cover her mouth, pretending to be wiping the edge of her lipstick with her fingertip so she doesn't appear to be talking to herself. "I need to know, now." She huffs, trying to keep her voice even so they can't hear that she is starting to panic. The people, lights, music and heat was making her feel trapped.

"He is being questioned." Vetra suddenly replies, Cora, noticing that she is trying to keep quiet from her position on the roofs of the port. "This doesn't look good." She adds which only causes her stomach to knot when she hears it.

"Should we go get him?" Peebee asks and Cora can't help but wonder if they should, they could try something else or get the information another way. Scott's freedom or potentially his life wasn't worth some intel.

"Stay in position," Scott mumbles over their comms which does nothing to comfort her when she hears his voice and that he's put himself at more risk to contact them, but she does feel relieved to know he can still hear her.

"I don't believe I've seen you here before." Cora hears a voice behind her that she doesn't recognise and then watches a man lower himself onto the barstool beside her when she turns. "And, I'm very good with faces." He adds as she turns her attention to him and notices he smiles flirtatiously at her.

"I'm waiting for someone," Cora replies as she sees her words make his smile widen and that his brown eyes are fixed on her, not getting the response she'd hoped for when he doesn't leave. The man instead motions for the Asari behind the bar for two drinks.

"Of course you are." He chuckles and with a movement of his hand pushes one of the glasses towards her. "An exquisite woman like you.." The man continues making her wonder who he is and why he is looking at her with such interest. "Shouldn't be alone in a place like this." His smile widens as he motions around them and leans closer to her and she knows it isn't so he doesn't have to shout.

"I can handle myself," Cora replies and diverts the glass back towards him. There was no way she was going to accept a drink from a stranger on Kadara, especially not from this smooth talker. "Thank you, but no thank you.." She adds giving him a small smile of thanks and hoping that will be enough to end the conversation.

Cora glances back towards the doors, hoping in the seconds that she hadn't been watching it that Scott had finally appeared and that he was safe. When she doesn't see him she feels her heart sink that he's still out of her sight and could be anywhere by now. She just hoped they didn't know who he was and they weren't hoping to make some credits out of him. There weren't any live bounties for them on Kadara, but they weren't welcome here and she knew a Pathfinder was worth a lot to the right buyer. It makes her stomach churn when she thinks about what could happen to him.

"Of that, I have no doubt. That little gun you're hiding must pack a punch." The man beside her continues drawing her eyes to him again, her eyes searching his face for how long he's been watching her and how he knew she was armed. "My name is Reyes." He adds and she watches him hold out his hand to shake.

"Were you watching me?" Cora huffs just loud enough for him to hear over the music. She notices that when she doesn't shake his hand he lowers it again and picks up his glass to down the liquid inside it.

"Why would I be watching you?" Reyes begins as she reaches for the second glass. "I already know all about you, Cora Harper." He adds and she is sure she feels her blood run cold at his words, her attention fully on him now and forgetting about watching the door.

"How did.." Cora begins but he cuts her off.

"Your friend there is Liam Costa." Reyes nods his head in the direction of Liam. "Pelessaria B'Sayle is outside. Vetra Nyx was on the roof.." He continues and she feels his eyes on her and that he grins when he notices she is now speechless. "Which means you must be Alec Ryder's replacement." Reyes chuckles as he lowers his eyes and takes another drink.

"News travels fast here." Cora smiles lightly to herself when she realises maybe not as accurate as this man thought. Her words get his attention again and he nods, noticing that his eyes meet hers and he looks like he's trying to figure her out.

"I had heard he'd died." Reyes nods but doesn't continue on that subject but takes the moment to take another mouthful of his drink.

"So you are my contact?" She asks as she opens her comms so that the rest of the team can hear that she is speaking to the person that Scott had planned to meet, or did he have the information about the Ark? "You have the intel we requested?" Cora continues and tries to ignore that he leans even closer to her.

She watches him nod in agreement and that his eyes return to her face, wondering if he really believed she was the Pathfinder or maybe he was trying to trick her or find out if he could trust her before he shared information. Cora hears the quiet click to show that the team have all opened their comms and are now listening in, knowing if anything did go wrong with Reyes they would be able to get to her as quickly as they could. Although by the way he was looking at her she didn't think she was at risk from anything but his flirting. She wonders for a moment if Scott can hear their conversation too.

"I am, and I do." Reyes nods and she feels his knee brush hers when he leans closer again and watches him place his hand on the back of her stool and too close to her and where her gun is. "You should know. Nothing is free on Kadara. Especially not information." He smiles at her before motioning for another drink. "I'm sure we can come to an arrangement if you're short on creds." Reyes continues and she watches his smile widen. "Cora, have a drink with me.." He nods towards the glass.

"Do you always do business like this?" Cora asks which makes Reyes laugh and his eyes fix on hers. She didn't think she'd ever met someone who thought so much of himself as the man beside her, and it only made her wish she could get the information and out of this club. "With drinks?" She adds and nods towards the glasses.

"I prefer to do business in a more.." Reyes begins with a slight nod. "Intimate and physical way." He adds making her freeze beneath his touch when he lifts his hand and gently strokes her jaw with his thumb. "Why don't you come back to my place?" Reyes smiles flirtatiously at her again and she feels his brown eyes settled on hers.

"No, I'm fine here," Cora replies and leans back the best she can to get some space between them. "I just want the intel." She adds but notices her words make him scoff as if he's never been turned down before so he closes the space between them again.

"We'd be more comfortable if we were alone.." Reyes continues trying to recover and she notices he bites his bottom lip when he looks at her. "But, we can stay here." He whispers making Cora huff at his continued attempt to seduce her. "Anything you want.." Reyes says again which makes her laugh lightly and a flash of disappointment appears on his face.

"Thank you, but I have a boyfriend." Cora smiles at him. "I really am waiting for him to arrive." She adds and sees him shrug as if he doesn't care. "I have more than enough credits for your information.." Cora nods and glances towards the door again. "So could we move this along?" She asks Reyes.

"I can see Scott." Peebee suddenly announces, almost making Cora jump when she realises she has been too busy wondering how she ended up in this situation in the first place and almost forgetting that they are all listening in too.

"I don't want credits anymore." Reyes smiles at her and she can hear the flirtatious tone to his voice is back and that he places his hand on her arm to get her attention back to him. "Come on, you aren't really waiting for anyone." He continues with another smile. "You won't regret it." He smiles and strokes her arm with his palm.

"He's inside and he looks pissed." Liam adds in her ear.

"I'll transfer you half now.." Cora sighs and lifts her arm to begin tapping on her Omni screen which causes him to drop his hand. "You can have the last of it when you've forwarded the intel to my ship." She continues and notices her words make him sigh dramatically, still not revealing that he thinks she is anything but the Pathfinder. "Send me the intel." Cora nods and fixes her eyes on him, wondering if he could see how uncomfortable he was starting to make her feel and how disappointed she was that he hasn't mentioned the Ark.

She notices that Reyes raises his eyes from hers to look at someone behind her, her heart beginning to thump loudly in her chest when she realises that someone must be Scott and that he's arrived. She watches Reyes lean back on his stool and put some space between them again, lowering his hands from her. Cora can feel Scott suddenly close behind her and then his familiar touch as he places his hands on her shoulders and gives them a gentle squeeze making her smile to herself and his small action to reassure her. Liam said he'd looked angry, and here he was bold as anything in front of Reyes.

"Baby.." Cora hears Scott's voice behind her. "Thanks for waiting for me." He whispers with a light press of his mouth against her cheek that makes her smile again.

"My love.." Cora smiles as she watches Scott move to her side and his eyes meet hers, glad that he is pretending that he is playing along with what she was saying. "There you are." She smiles not needing to pretend at all when she feels him wrap his arms around her body so he can draw her closer and up off of her stool.

"He won't touch you again." Scott whispers as he presses his mouth against her ear and then her cheek. "I promise." He adds making her nod lightly and lean into his hold, realising how relieved she feels that he's there and that he must have noticed how uncomfortable she looks. They needed his intel and she was now so close to kicking him in the balls for touching her.

"Where were you?" Cora smiles as she feels him unwrap his arms from around her so she can return to her stool, not taking her eyes off of him and ignoring Reyes completely.

"I got caught up." Scott replies and she can't help but smile when he lifts his hand to her cheek and guides her into a deep kiss. She knew the team could hear what was going on, and to them, this was all pretend but they knew otherwise. "Well don't you look amazing?" He smiles at her when he reluctantly breaks their kiss.

"So do you.." Cora replies biting her bottom lip as she lowers her eyes to take in the sight of Scott in his jeans and leather jacket before her eyes return to his.

Cora smiles at him and when he catches her checking him out, pretending that she thought he looked hot as hell was definitely not a challenge and she can't help but sigh when he presses another lingering kiss against her mouth. She feels him cup her cheeks in his palms so he can continue to kiss her so she places her hands on his waist and beneath his jacket; wondering if she slipped her hands onto his back she'd find a concealed weapon too. Cora feels him stroking her hair and doesn't seem in any hurry to stop kissing her.

"You know you shouldn't kiss me like that when I'm working." Cora giggles quietly and glances back at Reyes who has been watching the whole thing play out in front of him and that he narrows his eyes.

"I just can't help myself." Scott chuckles and his attention also turns to Reyes. "Sorry, how rude of me.." He laughs continuing to play along. "I'm Cora's boyfriend." He nods holding his hand out to Reyes who shakes his head lightly refusing to shake.

"I know who you are." Reyes sighs quietly and shakes his head again. "Scott Ryder." He huffs. "You think you can deceive me and send your second in your place?" He continues making her glance at Scott and see that his eyes are now fixed on their contact. "This is a dangerous place for her." Reyes nods and she sees his eyes scan the room for a moment.

Cora feels Scott reluctantly remove his arm from around her and lower his hands, knowing he is trying to appear like they are nothing but colleagues. She immediately misses his touch but knows they have to go back to pretending that they are just friends, she couldn't help wonder what else Reyes knew about them. They wouldn't be buying intel from the apparent best on Kadara if he didn't already know all about them and why they were there. She watches Scott drag another stool closer so he can sit between her and Reyes and that he lowers himself onto it, his feet resting on the rungs.

"It wasn't intentional." Scott begins with a small smile when he looks at her. "I did get stopped at the docks." He sighs and she notices he places his hands on his knees so she does the same. "I'm fairly sure they know who I am." He adds and Cora notices a small hint of concern on Reyes' face that they now know the Pathfinder is in the Port. The Initiative weren't exactly popular with these outcasts.

"Then we don't have much time." Reyes huffs. "I don't think that I can trust you." He adds and motions his head to the club. "You are armed and you brought backup. That isn't the best way to start our.." He continues and Cora watches him smile at Scott and then bite his lip at her. "Relationship."

"You brought back up, too." Scott replies which makes Reyes laugh. "You don't think I know how many guns you've had trained on me since I arrived?" He adds so Cora looks around them, wishing she'd spent more time checking for anyone that could be out to hurt her love.

"How very observant." Reyes smiles as Cora watches his eyes flick between them both. "I've decided I won't be handing over my intel today." He adds as she watches him lean back from Scott and reach for his glass. "But, now I know who I am dealing with." He smiles.

"That wasn't the agreement." Scott begins and she can hear the annoyance in his voice. "We have the credits you asked for." He adds as Cora notices he lifts his arm and begins to show Reyes that they are ready to transfer to him and that he looks ready to stop him if he tries to leave.

"We'll meet again." Reyes begins with a positive nod. "When there are fewer eyes on us both." He adds with another scan of the room that makes Cora wonder exactly who else is watching them and if they let Reyes go now they'll never see him again. "You've caused too much of a scene already." He mumbles.

"Not exactly my fault.." Scott begins. "How do we know you won't disappear?" She hears him ask and nods in agreement, he could go anywhere on Kadara or even into dark space and he'd be gone.

"You have my word." Reyes grins at them.

"What is that worth? Reyes, please. We need that intel." Cora huffs which draws his eyes to meet hers.

"I love this feisty woman." Reyes chuckles and she notices that his words make Scott tense so she briefly strokes her fingertips against his back to reassure him that she's alright. "I thought I'd be disappointed my arrangement isn't with Cora." He adds before taking a sip. "Now I'm feeling spoilt for choice.." She watches his smile widen when he places it back on the bar and that his eyes are moving down Scott's body but they return to her.

"Are you going to hand it over, or not?" Cora asks him but he just shakes his head again making her sigh, clearly, it was pointless even trying to convince this man when he was more interested in playing with them both.

"Not." Reyes smiles. "Unless of course, you're interested in my offer?" He continues with a cheeky grin to show he's not giving in either. Cora can't help but lower her eyes when she hears his words, an uneasy feeling inside her that their deal could rest on her giving in to this man.

"She's not interested. Do not ask her again." Scott huffs as she watches him climb to his feet and motion towards the door to her. "Reyes isn't giving us anything. Let's get out of here and stop wasting our time." He adds making her nod in agreement and standing from her stool.

"Are you worried she won't come back?" Reyes chuckles and Cora watches Scott shake his head and turn his attention back to him. "It's just business, Scott." He adds and Cora notices Scott just frowns and shakes his head again.

"Pathfinder Team.." Scott begins into his comms. "Return to the ship. We are on our way back." He continues before she hears him cut the line and knows that they can no longer hear him.

Cora looks towards the tables where Liam had been sat and notices that he has already gone and is sure that they will all be making their way as quickly as they can to the Tempest before they are seen. She lowers her eyes to her feet for a moment, feeling annoyed and disappointed that they'd once again be heading back to the Nexus with nothing and that it felt like they were once again chasing their tails. Reyes didn't seem interested in providing information, let alone being any help at all to getting to the deeper problems and issues on Kadara.

"Don't be upset." Scott leans closer to her so only she can hear what he is saying. "We'll find another source." He adds drawing her eyes to his and she notices he gives her a reassuring smile and places his hand on her waist and the other on her face. "It'll be okay." He adds and kisses her forehead softly.

"I know." Cora smiles and lets herself lean into his hold, she knew he was right and this wasn't completely a dead end. She takes hold of his hands in hers and squeezes them tightly until Scott's eyes meet hers.

"You need to back off, Reyes." Scott huffs as she watches him glare at Reyes still sat at the bar and is watching them. "We're together and I don't appreciate you speaking to Cora like that." He adds and she notices Reyes nods lightly and loses himself in his drink.

"Backing off.." Reyes nods and holds up his hands but Cora notices his eyes move to her. "I hope he treats you right." He smiles at her which stretches into a grin.

"He does." Cora nods before looking into Scott's face and seeing that he can't help but return her smile and she feels him squeezing her hand. "I'm not interested and it's credits or nothing." She adds and sees Reyes nod lightly.

"Look.." Reyes begins drawing their attention back to him. "I'm forwarding you the coordinates of where you can meet me." He adds as Cora watches him lift his arm and wave it over Scott's. "I'll send word when I can get there." Reyes continues and stands from his stool.

"Then you'll give us the intel?" Scott asks which receives a nod from Reyes before she sees him glance down at his Omni to see what he's been sent.

"You have my word." Reyes smiles at them making Cora wonder if they really should trust anything he is saying. "You need to get out of here. Don't go back to the docks, they'll be waiting for you." He continues as Cora sees him pause as if he is thinking for a moment. "You need to head away from the market and towards the mining camps." Reyes nods his words getting quicker as he grabs hold of Scott's arm.

"What are you doing?" Scott asks trying to pull his arm back but Reyes motions for him to bring up his map and navigation screens.

"When you get to the mining camps there is a hidden door in reactor number three. Use this access code.." Reyes continues typing the number into his screen and sending it to Cora. "The door will open and there is a tunnel that will lead you past the docks." He nods pointing to a location on the map and tapping it. "They don't monitor beyond that point and you can request your ship pick you up."

"Why are you helping us?" Cora asks as his eyes move to her face and he shrugs lightly and then grins.

"I like you, Cora. So, why not?" Reyes laughs. "I have my reasons.." He continues but Cora watches his interest in them waver and that he is busy scanning the room again, his dark eyes finding every dark corner. "You need to go. She knows you are here." Reyes hisses at them both and then waves his hand towards the doors.

"You gave me your word." Scott begins and Cora watches him fix his eyes on Reyes. "You better be here.." He huffs which receives some positive nodding from Reyes who begins pushing Scott away from the bar and towards the door.

"Bring Cora, and I will be. Go.." Reyes says again.

Cora feels the warm touch of Scott's hand on her back as they both move away from Reyes and quickly cross the short distance from the bar, past the floor filled with dancing people and towards the main entrance. She watches the guards authorise and open the door but gives one last look back over her shoulder to see that Reyes is still sitting at the bar, a large smile on his face and holding a glass up to toast her. Cora turns back when she feels Scott take hold of her hand in his not wanting to lose her.

"I don't trust him." Scott sighs as they step out into the market and she lifts her hand to shield her eyes as they readjust to the outside. "He's a complete sleazeball." He continues making her smile at herself at his choice of words.

"Because he picks people up in bars?" Cora replies and notices her words make Scott glance at her as they walk down the steps and onto the sandy square. "I know someone else that did that." She giggles and hears him scoff.

"It's not the same." Scott huffs quietly so she squeezes his hand which makes his eyes meet hers. "One.." He continues and she watches him lift his hand and hold up his first finger. "It wasn't a real bar." Scott nods which makes her smile at him. "Two.." He says as he raises another one. "I wasn't trying to pick you up." Scott sighs and shoves his hand in his pocket.

"Is there a three?" Cora asks but notices he shakes his head lightly and just keeps on walking at her side, his fingers sliding through hers as they walk through the market. "I don't think I've ever felt so uncomfortable." She whispers but just hears him huff and can tell he's upset.

"I hate that we have to deal with people like him," Scott replies quietly as she sees him fix his attention ahead of them. "He was all over you.." He sighs again. "Look, let's just get back to the Tempest." Scott adds before she has a chance to say anything else.

Cora wraps her arm around his forearm as they walk, now in silence, slowly stroking her palm against the leather of his sleeve so he can at least feel that she is there. She can tell by the look on his face Scott doesn't want to talk about it anymore so she keeps her mouth tightly shut, not knowing what to say to make him feel better. Was he jealous? She couldn't imagine that he would be. Did he not trust her? She knew they'd faced issues with trust before, but Cora was certain Scott trusted her now. Did he just not like hearing what Reyes was saying to her? It had made her uncomfortable admittedly and maybe she shouldn't have told him that when there wasn't anything he could do about it.

"We don't have to trust him.." Cora whispers when she's felt the silence has gone on too long and she can see the mining camps ahead. "We just need to keep him on our side." She adds and notices Scott nods.

"Not at your expense," Scott replies and she notices he is watching her again. "He shouldn't have spoken to you like that." He huffs quietly.

"Is that why you are upset?" She asks. "I can handle myself, Scott," Cora says which receives another nod from him, at least he agreed with her. "You don't think I've met hundreds of men like him?" She adds with a smile that he returns.

"I know you have." Scott sighs so she rubs her fingertips against his arm again. "But you deserve better." He adds and leans closer to kiss her temple. "No one should ever make you feel uncomfortable like that." Scott continues so she squeezes him tightly to stop him from talking himself into going back to confronting Reyes.

"It's just business." Cora laughs quietly and notices that her words receive a light laugh from Scott. "I'm fine, Scott." Cora adds and feels his eyes meet hers and he nods. "I'm sure he's a perfectly nice guy beneath all the bravado, right?" She adds with a giggle.

"I'm sure he's not." Scott laughs as they continue walking. "I just don't think it's worth it to find out." He adds making her lean into his side until they are stepping in time again and she feels him wrap his arm around her body. "He's a sleazeball." Scott sighs. "It just isn't right." He sighs again.

"As soon as have what we need. We don't need to see him again.." Cora begins and sees that Scott can only nod in agreement. "Anyway, I think you did a good job of showing him I'm yours." She adds and notices he lowers his eyes for a moment but that a grin stretches onto his face.

"Do you think it worked?" Scott smiles when their eyes meet again.

"Probably not, but I liked it." Cora giggles as his smile widens and he leans closer to press a soft kiss against the top of her head. "I know you want to protect me." She continues which she notices just makes him nod. "You can't protect me from everything.." She sighs quietly.

"I know.." Scott smiles at her and she feels him holding her tighter. "It just makes me wonder what happened to this new world we were promised." He adds making her nod lightly in agreement. "I thought we came to Andromeda to get away from guys like him."

"I guess being a creep is not restricted to the Milky Way.." She smiles at him and hears him laugh.

"I guess not." Scott smiles at her.

Cora could understand that he didn't like that she'd had to have contact with Reyes and that he didn't want her to be put in any situation that made her uncomfortable or put her at risk, especially if it was because of him. But, if it meant they got the intel she knew they had to keep him as contact and on their side. Besides, how bad could Reyes be? He hadn't mentioned the Ark information, but maybe next time they met he would. Cora glances at Scott and notices he smiles at her as they carry on walking back towards the transport and back to the Tempest.