XXXXVII.
Cora sighs quietly to herself as she steps carefully onto the currently inactive treadmill and places her hands on the rails, giving one last glance over her shoulder and to the otherwise deserted gym that she has picked on the Nexus. She squeezes the metal beneath her palms as she readjusts her feet to the edges and her attention returns to the task at hand as lifts her fingers to begin tapping against the digital control pad to log in with her user ID. Once she has logged in and selected the starting speed she activates the treadmill and lets herself lower onto the now-moving surface which she has set to a gentle jog.
She huffs quietly, she really did hate treadmills and all of this running around that she had to do, but right now in the early hours of the morning, she needed something to try and clear her mind. Cora taps her finger behind her ear to activate her audio receiver and starts swiping through to a playlist that Scott has made just for her to workout to. She settles into the run, only letting the speed increase as she feels her legs feel like they need a little more of a push and that her feet are landing so she doesn't do any damage. Cora closes her eyes tightly, focusing her mind on the song in her ears, the sound of her trainers as she runs, and her breathing that matches her pace.
Cora puffs quietly as she pushes herself harder, trying to force away the thoughts that are keeping her from sleep and that has been gnawing at her the whole time Scott had been unwell. She was so terrible for Scott, and not only had she been a contributing factor to his poisoning but she'd put her wants above his wellbeing. She'd been so close to letting him risk himself just to keep her happy, what kind of person did that to someone they loved as much as she loved him? She huffs when the thoughts continue to circle in her head, opening her eyes as she adjusts the speed again until she is sure she can start to feel the burn in the back of her legs.
She begins to pant, no longer able to keep her breathing in time to her feet as she runs faster. Knowing she is punishing herself for what she's done and knowing every technique the Asari's taught her hasn't been working. Cora knew she couldn't be calm, couldn't breathe and overcome this. She'd failed him entirely.
Scott deserved better than that, and they'd promised to always look out for each other. Not only as his second, but as his partner, and her want to find the Ark and her inability to let it go was putting him at risk. She knew he would do anything for her, anything. Wasn't that dangerous for him to be that way? She couldn't be his second and his girlfriend, she was constantly being pulled both ways and neither was sitting right with her. What the Initiative wanted, wasn't always best for Scott. Cora wasn't prepared to give him up, so maybe she had to give up her role in the Initiative.
Cora squeezes her eyes shut again and increases the volume of her music, causing it to blast loud in her ears and inside her head. Desperate for it to drown out the thoughts that were louder than everything else, desperate for it to stop the guilt and the hurt that she was so wrong for Scott in every way and surely he had to realise this sooner or later? She couldn't be his second the way she should be and it was coming between them.
"Cora?!" She hears her voice being shouted so suddenly opens her eyes, slamming her hand against the controls to bring it to a sudden stop and gripping the railings of the treadmill. "What are you doing?" He adds making her glance over her shoulder at him.
"Scott?" Cora mumbles the best she can through her panting as she tries to catch her breath. "I was just.." She pants as she lifts her hand to rub the sweat from her forehead and focuses on him, trying to ignore how flushed she suddenly feels and the heat and burn in her legs.
"Do you know what time it is?" Scott asks as she turns and carefully steps off of the treadmill, noticing that her legs feel wobbly beneath her. She looks into his face and can see that he looks concerned and that from the look of him, he's come from their bed, his hair is messed up more than usual and he looks half asleep.
"I'm not sure.." Cora whispers but notices that he picks up her towel and holds it out to her. She takes it from him and lifts it to dry her face and neck. "Late?" She continues and sees that her answer makes him smile. She takes another deep breath to try and steady her pants.
"Early. It's three in the morning." Scott replies with a small smile.
"I thought you were supposed to be resting?" Cora asks trying to change the subject and lowers her eyes slightly to see he's wearing his shorts and a t-shirt and has clearly quickly pulled his clothes on. "Why did you come and find me?" She sighs quietly and fixes her eyes on his again.
"You woke me up when you snuck out." Scott chuckles making her smile slightly at him. "I was worried about you. I didn't expect you to be here, though." He adds so she just nods at his words and continues to dry the back of her neck. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Scott asks and she feels him take hold of her hand and she thinks it is so she can't avoid his questions and walk away.
"I just couldn't sleep," Cora replies but hears him sigh and shake his head so she lowers her eyes to her feet, she feels him squeezing her hand gently as she takes some final steadying breaths.
"Cora." She hears him say so she can't help but let her eyes move to his and she can see he isn't going to believe that. "When you can't sleep, you always make me suffer too." Scott smiles which she can't help but return, despite how miserable she was currently feeling about what she'd put him through. "So can we talk about what's wrong?" He asks again making her sigh when he lifts their hands and kisses the back of hers.
"I'm all sweaty, Scott." She whispers and takes hold of her top in her fingers and pulls the damp clothing away from her hot skin to show him. "You should go back to bed. Lexi said you need rest, to sleep and heal." Cora gives him a positive nod but then feels him cup her cheek in his hand so she can't divert her eyes from his. She feels them so sure and unwavering on hers. "I won't be very long." Cora gives him a small smile that she doesn't think he'll believe.
"Not without you." He replies and she notices the edge of his mouth lift into a smile, he was clearly not still upset with her about their near disagreement and what she'd said to him. "Are you upset with me about earlier? I didn't say no to upset you?" Scott asks so she just shakes her head lightly at him and can tell he's trying to figure out what's wrong.
"Of course not. You didn't do anything wrong." Cora sighs lightly and feels him let go of her hand and he bends down to pick up her bottle and hoodie that she's discarded at their feet. "As your second, I was out of line.." She continues and notices that he lifts his eyebrows slightly at her words as he stands. "I was being selfish," Cora adds.
"We both said things we didn't mean." Scott gives her a small smile as she feels him take the towel from her and tuck it beneath his arm with the rest of her belongings. "I should have told you I wasn't doing great much sooner." He adds making her sigh quietly that he was still trying to shoulder the blame. "Before they discharged me.." Scott chuckles lightly making her nod.
"I can understand you wanting to leave the hospital." Cora nods lightly and lowers her eyes when she sees him hold his hand out to her, Scott had obviously decided she was going back to their room with him. "I rushed you." She adds as she takes hold of his hand and can see that he frowns at her words. "Because I missed you. But, also because I wanted us to find the Ark." Cora sighs but he shakes his head at her.
"So that is why your upset? You think my passing out was your fault?" Scott asks and she feels his eyes on hers again. "None of that was your fault." He continues making her huff quietly.
Cora feels him holding her hand tighter as they step out of the sliding glass doors of the gym and begin walking together back to their room. She glances at him when his gaze on her remains and he looks like he means his words and that he isn't going to drop trying to get her to talk to him. After all, he'd spent all this time trying to make opening up easier for her.
"You got sick because of me." Cora begins and notices that he is about to reply so she lifts her hand to silence him. "You got discharged because I wanted to find the Ark." She adds and looks right back at him. "You were close to agreeing to go after the Ark. Even though you were at risk." Cora huffs at him and she sees that his expression softens when he's heard why she's so distressed and has let all of her feelings tumble out of her. "You do things that put you in danger to please me." She says and pulls her hand away from his making him stop walking.
"That's my fault, not yours." Scott chuckles quietly which makes her huff at him.
"It's not funny." Cora sighs and starts to turn away from him but hears him dropping everything to the ground so that he can place both of his hands on her body and stop her from moving and turn her back to face him.
"I got sick because of the Ezo." Scott sighs as she feels his hands on her forearms and he tries to get her to look at him. "I was discharged because I was a pain in the ass. I wanted to be with you. I wanted to get back to normal." Scott continues making her sigh when he lifts both his hands to her face and leans closer to her. "It's my risk to take, and your right I don't like arguing with you. You are usually right in the end." He smiles at her so she just shakes her head at him and sighs when he strokes her hair.
"I shouldn't be your second anymore, Scott," Cora whispers and notices her words make him shake his head in disagreement. "I'm a terrible girlfriend and an even worse second. I'm just selfish and hurt you all the time. I think it's time for me to step back.." She continues and then sighs when he leans closer and then presses his mouth against hers which makes her relax into his hold.
"Have I ever given you a reason to think you shouldn't be my second? Have I ever made you feel like I don't love every single part of you, Cora Harper?" Scott whispers and sighs quietly when he strokes her hair and then onto her neck. "Because if you've ever doubted yourself because of me. I'm sorry." Scott continues as he fixes his eyes on her.
"You haven't.." Cora sighs and lifts her hands to cover his. "It's my own ridiculous behaviour that has done that. Putting my wants before you." She adds as she strokes her fingers against the backs of his hands. "You should pick someone else to be your second. Someone who isn't as involved as I am." She sighs again.
"But why? We are so good as a team, Cora." Scott replies and his eyes search her face. "We're so good together. You are the only person I trust with my life, and everything else." He smiles at her. "No one gets me like you do." He continues and fixes his eyes on hers.
"I can't be both with you and beneath you." Cora begins but notices her words make a small smile tug at the corner of his mouth and he's about to make a joke about being on top of her. "You know what I mean." She sighs and sees him smile at her when she smacks his hands lightly.
"We've been doing alright for months. We muddle through don't we?" Scott smiles so she nods lightly at his words, they'd been doing the best they could for months. But every mission made them worry for each other, and every decision the Initiative made didn't feel in their best interest.
"Yes, but my loyalties were with you as my Pathfinder. But now, we're in so deep and my love for you is so strong that all I want is for you to be safe." Cora continues trying to get her words out. "Not put yourself at risk, not just blindly follow orders if it might harm you." She huffs quietly. "I can't see you get hurt, Scott." Cora sighs. "I've hurt you too much already." She adds trying to quieten the guilt.
"I know you want what's best for me. I know sometimes that's not some of the things we're being sent out to do." Scott nods making her smile slightly when she sees it and he seems to understand. "I know you must feel torn between me and our jobs." He adds and then lowers his eyes.
"I will never ever give us up. So, maybe I have to give up being your second." She whispers which draws his eyes to hers again. "We're both making decisions with our hearts and our roles are coming between us," Cora adds and notices his nod beneath her hands. "I hate that we've been arguing." She huffs and closes her eyes for a moment when she remembers the disagreements that they keep having.
"I don't like that either.." Scott replies and she gives him a sympathetic smile, knowing how much he hates confrontation.
"So what choice do I have? I would leave this all if I could. Steal the Tempest and just take you with me." She sighs quietly when he lowers his hands from her face and wraps his arms around her.
"Take me away. Just, give me a few minutes to pack." Scott laughs quietly and she feels him squeeze her tighter in his hold so she rests her head against his shoulder. "We don't have to agree all the time, Cora. We're different people." He continues making her nod slightly, she guessed he was right.
"I don't want to lose you," Cora whispers and notices that her words make him tilt her face to look into his. "Because that would just.." She mumbles and closes her eyes for a moment when he rests his forehead against hers.
"Not going to happen," Scott replies quietly. "We're made for each other, Cora. We know we are so good for each other and that includes when we're out there." Scott adds with a kiss on her forehead. "No one knows me like you. No one supports me like you." He continues making her nod.
"I know your right. I know we are a good team. You know you are what matters to me." Cora says and leans back to look at him as she notices her words make him smile. "I just hate that we've been clashing. You know I love you." She adds and sees his smile widen.
"I know you do," Scott replies with another smile. "Even when it's tough and things aren't going right, even when you are upset and frustrated. Even when you call me a dick, I still know you love me." He says making her laugh quietly and nod.
"I don't call you a dick all the time." She giggles and notices he shakes his head knowing that she does. "I don't mean to get upset," Cora whispers and sighs when he rests his forehead against hers. "I'm sorry I cause you so much stress and worry." She continues which makes him smile when she leans back to let her eyes settle into his.
"Same." Scott nods. "But I'm not sorry we're together, or that any of this has happened. I wouldn't change anything." He smiles at her and she feels him put a small amount of space between them and take her hand again. "Apart from the passing out.." Scott chuckles lightly which makes her smile widen when they start walking again after he's scooped up her belongings.
"Yeah, that was.." Cora whispers as she wraps her arm around his bicep.
"Really, really bad timing." Scott grins and leans closer to kiss the side of her head. "I promise I'll tell you when I'm feeling rough." He adds with another soft kiss making her smile. "I also promise that I would never think those things about you. You are so.." Scott smiles at her. "Important to me." He nods making her lower her eyes for a moment, realising how quickly Scott has reassured her and made her feel better.
"So are you." Cora smiles when their eyes meet again. "It was him that made me feel this way, not you." She whispers suddenly feeling a little upset that her mind is dragging her back to the bad times she'd shared with Alec Ryder and things that she hadn't thought about in a long time since she'd been with her wonderful Scott.
"I know." He nods and she feels him lift his arm to wrap around her shoulders, drawing her to his side as if he is trying to protect her. Cora guessed in a way, he was. "I know you're still healing and working through things," Scott whispers against the top of her head. "I'm not going anywhere, Cora." He says quietly.
"I'm sorry I try to push you away," Cora replies and lifts her head so she can look at him. "Or start an argument.." She adds with a small smile and notices he grins and shrugs at her.
"Cora, it's fine." She sees him nod and lower his arm from around her as they reach the door to their room. "Unless you get some kind of restraining order on me.." Scott chuckles which makes her smile. "You are stuck with me." He adds with a swipe of his hand on the door controls.
Cora watches the door open and he enters, so she follows after him and hears it close behind her. She notices that Scott uses the toe of his trainers to kick off his shoes and that he places her hoodie and bottle down on their table before his attention returns to her. Cora sighs quietly as she bends to remove her own trainers and then lowers herself to the edge of the bed.
"I need a shower.." She mumbles and glances over her shoulder towards their bathroom, feeling that the clothes aren't as damp but she still feels unclean. "I'm sorry I got you out of bed." Cora continues when she lets her attention return to him and notices he is watching her. "What?" She smiles and lifts her eyes to his face when he approaches her.
"You know, Cora? I am so in love with you." Scott whispers as he lifts his hands to her cheeks, making her smile when she feels him stroking her skin. "On all your days, not just the happy and easy ones." He adds as she tries to swallow down the lump she suddenly feels when she hears his words.
"Even when I'm the worst?" Cora sighs and bites her lip gently when she looks into his eyes. "Even when I argue with you?" She whispers and sees him nod.
"Even more then." Scott grins before she feels him hip his head so he can kiss her, his thumbs gently stroking her cheeks when he does. She feels how warm and soft his mouth is on hers and that it's not wanting anything more than to show his love. "I love you and that will never change." He sighs when he breaks their kiss and rests his forehead against hers.
"I love you," Cora replies and feels his cheek move and smile beneath her lips when she starts placing soft kisses on his cheek. "You're supposed to be resting, and I'm supposed to be taking care of you." She laughs quietly before she feels him stand and then watches him step around until he's at the side of their bed.
"Okay, okay," Scott replies with a quiet yawn and as she glances over her shoulder at him she notices that he quickly strips to his boxers and then lets himself fall face first onto the bed, his head quickly finding his pillow. "I'm resting." He yawns again. "SAM lower the lights." He sighs quietly and she sees him tuck his arms beneath his head and sees the lights begin to dim.
"Comfortable?" Cora whispers to him and lifts her hand to gently stroke against the bottom of his bare foot, noticing her touch makes him fix his eyes on her.
"Yeah, but it could be better.." Scott smiles at her making her giggle when she watches him pat the bed beside him. "I would love to wrap myself around you." He grins patting the space again.
"You're supposed to be sleeping and I need to get cleaned up." She replies and bites at her bottom lip and gazes at him, knowing it was useless arguing with him and that the idea of his hands and body anywhere near her was too tempting to say no. "If you insist.." Cora sighs quietly which makes Scott laugh.
"Plus, I've got to rub these gorgeous legs of yours." Scott laughs and she watches him roll over onto his back son he's watching her closely. "As your Pathfinder, I don't want you to get cramp." He says letting out a loud laugh when Cora quickly leaps onto him on the bed and lets him catch her when she covers him with her body.
"That is very thoughtful of you, Ryder." She giggles at him and dips her head to kiss him softly when he wraps his arms tightly around her body. "I guess we really are a great team." Cora sighs when she feels him slide his hands down her back and take hold of the bottom of her t-shirt.
"We really are." Scott nods positively and smiles before she leans down to kiss him again, breaking it for a moment when he helps her take it off over her head. "I can't do any of this without you." He mumbles into their kiss. "I promise this job isn't going to come between us, okay?" Scott says between soft kisses.
"I promise, too." Cora smiles at him.
—/—
Cora wraps the fluffy white initiative-issued towel around her body, tucking the end in beneath her arms to hold it closed. She lifts her fingers to run them through her now-washed and wet hair, teasing it into place until it's just right. Cora glances away from the shower and towards their bed, noticing that in the few minutes, since she's been cleaning up and had managed to drag herself away from Scott, he has fallen asleep. It must be nearly five in the morning by now she thinks and she knew she'd worn him out. Cora smiles to herself when she watches him sleep, tangled in their sheets and sleeping on his back with his arm raised above his head.
She quietly tiptoes closer to the bed making sure not to wake him. Cora drops her towel to her feet and gently climbs back into the space beside him, trying not to make the mattress move as she does. She glances into his face and when she is certain he is still sleeping she carefully cuddles into his side and wraps her arm around his body. Cora rests her head against him, noticing how warm he is beneath her cheek and that she is surrounded by the smell of his skin. Cora lets her hand rest on him, stroking her palm softly on his stomach and then onto his chest. She notices that the hair she finds is damp from his sweat and feels him move beneath her as he breathes in the steady rhythm as he sleeps.
"I'm sorry for taking advantage of you," Cora whispers quietly, knowing he can't hear her but wanting to get these words out. "I'm sorry for always letting you do these crazy things for me. Especially when I know you'd do anything for me. I'm sorry for being so difficult sometimes." She whispers and strokes her fingers against his skin again. "I might drive you crazy.." Cora whispers as she carefully lifts her hand to brush a strand of his hair away from his forehead. "I really do love you, Scott and I know we'll always be together." She sighs and wraps her arm around him again so she can cuddle into his warmth.
Cora lets her eyes close and smiles lightly to herself when she feels Scott automatically in his sleep respond to her being beside him, his arms wrapping around her and drawing her tighter against his side. She lets her breathing match his until she is sure she can feel sleep pulling at her. It had been far too long since she'd had him in their bed. Two weeks of trying to sleep without the comfort of him beside her, and the protection of his hold.
"I really love you, too," Scott whispers making her eyes quickly open when she hears his voice and look into his face again, noticing that even in the dark of their room their eyes meet. She wonders if he wasn't sleeping as deeply as she'd thought. "I've never felt taken advantage of. But, you are right. I'd do anything for you." He continues and she opens her mouth to reply but he cups her cheek in his palm and kisses her softly which silences her.
"I haven't been putting you first recently," Cora replies and lifts her hand to stroke his face, noticing he smiles at her. "I hope you know that from now on I'll always put us first." She whispers. "Nothing else matters." Cora sighs when she feels him wrap his arms tightly around her and cuddle her close, relaxing in his hold.
"Cora.." Scott mumbles as he presses a kiss against the top of her head. "I don't want you to ever worry about us. You and me... We're the one thing that will always be good and solid." He continues and she feels his mouth in her hair. "Everything else can go wrong but not us," Scott adds so she looks up into his face. "This is real and it's forever." He smiles at her.
"Your right.." She replies and sees him smile when she leans closer and rubs her nose against his. "No matter what we face," Cora whispers and rests her forehead against his. "We're together." She smiles and wraps her arms around his neck and presses her mouth against his, feeling his lips pull into a smile when she does.
"I missed you. So much those two weeks, Cora." She hears him sigh.
"I missed you." Cora smiles against his lips and strokes her hands onto his back, his neck and his cheeks so she can kiss him harder. "Lexi said you need rest." She giggles and breaks their kiss when she feels him sliding his arms tighter around her body.
"You know what I need more than rest." Scott grins at her.
She feels one of his hands resting on her back and the other slipping into the hair at the back of her head. She kisses him in a long deep kiss, letting herself get completely caught up in Scott and how good it feels to be close to him and how amazing his mouth tastes. Cora sighs when she feels his mouth lower to her neck as she hooks her legs around his, the heels of her feet pulling him closer so she can be pressed against his body. She grips the back of his neck directing his mouth to hers in another kiss that leaves her wanting more.
"Are you sure?" Cora asks and notices her words make him grin again and nod his head. "Good, because I'm not ready to sleep.." She giggles quietly and drags him into another kiss. She feels his hands on her waist again and he rolls her onto her back.
"You haven't had enough of me?" Scott replies and places his forearms on either side of her head, pressing his mouth hard against hers in another kiss. She lets his tongue slide against hers as she slips her hand between them and wraps her legs around his hips.
"I'll never get enough of you." She giggles which turns into her own moan when she guides him inside her and he gives a rock of his hips that make her toes curl at his waist. "Jesus, Scott." Cora huffs quietly and closes her eyes tightly when she feels him rise until he can kneel between her thighs and begin thrusting into her.
"Hmm me either." She hears him laugh so she opens her eyes to look at him, noticing that his are fixed on her and that he trails his hands over her. "You like that?" Scott pants when she lets her back arch to meet his movements and she feels him gripping her thighs on top of his, just nodding unable to speak when he thrusts harder.
"More.." Cora moans and grips the sheets beneath her, squeezing the material tight in her fists. "Fuck, Scott.." She huffs when she feels him lean over her again and cover her with his body making her slide her hands onto his back and then down onto his behind so she can pull him tighter against her.
Cora feels him crush his mouth against hers, his breath mixing with hers as she moans into his kiss. She feels his tongue sliding against hers again so she lifts her hand to his hair and draws him closer so she can suck and bite his lips and tongue. Cora slips her hands down his back again, letting her fingertips dig into his skin which only increases the speed of his thrusts. Scott groans into their kiss when she lets the tendrils of her biotics trickle from her fingers and onto his skin, trailing over his back and sides and around her until the threads of blue bind them together.
"Your amazing.." Scott pants when he breaks their kiss and rests his forehead against hers. "But, this is going to be over very soon if you keep doing that." He laughs when she wraps her arms around his shoulders and draws him into another kiss, noticing that he's slowed his pace and is trying to catch his breath.
"Keep doing what?" Cora giggles as she slides her hands down his back while her biotics continue to move over his skin. She hears him moan again when she directs them to move between them and wrap around the base of his erection. "Please don't stop, baby." She whispers and presses her mouth against his clammy cheek and then moves it to his ear. "I want you to fuck me so hard I can't walk," Cora whispers before letting the tip of her tongue touch his earlobe.
"Cora.." Scott huffs and she watches him close his eyes when she tightens her hold on him with her biotics. "Like this?" He mumbles giving a hard thrust into her that makes her cry out and force the blue to move to his back again.
"Scott.." Cora whimpers when he picks up the pace again, his movements making her body move as he thrusts. "Scott.." She gasps when he sits back onto his knees again and wraps his fingers around her ankle so he can lift her leg to get deeper into her. "Please don't stop." Cora moans when she feels him placing his palm flat on her stomach so he can reach her with his thumb.
She places her hand over his, holding it in place as she feels her body throbbing with every movement he is making until she can only close her eyes tightly and let it flow through her. Cora feels her biotics tight inside her and how close she is to reach her peak and that she isn't going to last much longer with his hard deep thrusts that fill her completely.
"Look at me." She hears Scott say so she opens her eyes to fix them on him, noticing how flushed he is and that he is panting hard now. "I want you to come.." Scott continues as she feels his fingertips moving faster until her body arches against him. Cora lets her eyes focus on him and can see he's trying hard to hold on.
"Fuuck.." Cora sobs quietly and squeezes his wrist tightly, unable to stop her body from shaking and lifting to meet his thrusts and his fingers. "Scott." She screams as the blue flash of biotics is forced from her body and an orgasm rolls through her, making her whole body shake. "Oh my god, Scott.." Cora pants and lets herself lean back into the mattress and relax, noticing he has paused to let her catch her breath.
"I'm so close El-Tee." Scott pants as he smiles at her and quickly covers her again, his mouth pressing against hers when she wraps her arms around his shoulders. "So if you want in on this.." He groans quietly as Cora notices he places his hands beside her head so he can grip the pillows. "You better be quick." Scott laughs before she silences him with her mouth and sucks his tongue between her lips.
Cora feels him begin thrusting again so she holds him tightly against her and strokes her hands over every bit of bare skin she can, noticing that his breathing is getting shorter again and that he presses his mouth against her neck. She reaches between them and strokes her hands down his chest and lower until she can use her fingers to encourage his movements and send him over the edge.
"I think you've earned this one." Cora sighs and tangles her fingers in his hair so she can pull his face closer so she can kiss him, noticing he groans against her mouth as he gives some last hard thrusts before he finishes too. "You ready to go again, big boy?" She giggles when she feels Scott relax on top of her so she strokes her hands against his back.
"Give me a minute." Scott pants making her giggle louder when he rolls onto his back beside her on the bed. "Just got to catch my breath." He smiles at her when he turns to look into her eyes, making her notice that his breathing is as laboured as hers and that all she can hear is the thumping of her racing heart.
"You look so sexy like that." Cora returns his smile and scoots closer to him until she is at his side again. "All flushed and sweaty." She adds noticing her words make him laugh and she watches him lift his hand to rub his face. "I like it when you smell like me." Cora giggles and leans into his hold when he draws her into his arms.
"I like it, too." Scott grins at her so she strokes her fingers through the front of his hair and settles against his chest. She feels him stroking his hands down her back, his fingertips trailing through the light pool of sweat that she knows is there. "But I guess I should go shower." He adds with an exaggerated sigh making her laugh.
"No, stay.." Cora replies wrapping her arms around him tightly so he can't move. "I haven't had enough of you yet." She giggles saying what she's already told him earlier.
"You mean I haven't satisfied you?" Scott chuckles making her laugh. She feels him remove his hand from her long enough to reach for the sheet that is tangled on their bed beneath them, dragging it up to cover her from the chill that she knows she might feel when her body starts to cool. "I thought I was the best you've ever had?" He adds with a grin.
"Oh baby, I am very satisfied…" Cora sighs happily and snuggles herself under his chin and relaxes against his chest as he returns his arms around her. "You are definitely the best." She adds rubbing her hands against his sensitive skin beneath the sheets. "Am I the best?" Cora asks lifting her head to look into his face and seeing her words make his grin widen.
"Obviously.." Scott smiles at her and she feels him cup her face in his palm. "At everything not just this." He adds as his eyes fix on hers, which makes her smile and cuddle closer to him. "No one comes close to you," Scott whispers before she presses her lips against his which only makes him smile more.
"Same." She smiles when he breaks their kiss. "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Scott." Cora nods lightly and can see how happy those words make him.
"Are you getting sentimental on me?" Scott smiles at her which she can't help but mirror, feeling just as happy, sentimental and loved as he looks.
"Of course not. I don't do sentimental." Cora huffs at him which only makes his smile widen and then he laughs. "You're just a really good lay that's all." She giggles and sees him shake his head at her.
"Mhmm.." Scott replies with a large smile.
Cora lifts her arms to wrap around his neck so she can draw him even closer to her, pressing her mouth to his again in a slow deep kiss. She lets her fingers stroke the back of his head as they kiss and she feels him holding her tighter. Cora notices that he uses the edge of his fingers to tilt her face towards his so he can deepen their kiss. She feels him guiding her mouth open with his tongue and it soon finds hers.
"Is that the emergency frequency?" Scott huffs and she notices he frowns when so she removes her hands from him and lifts her arm to check. Cora nods when she fixes her eyes on her screen. "I have it, too." He continues as she watches him pause their kiss and lift his own arm making his Omni burst to life.
"Oh my god.." Cora whispers as she re-reads the message. Her heart suddenly races as she takes in what is on the screen. "Scott.." She continues glancing up at him to see if he's read it too.
"They've found the Ark," Scott says his eyes lifting from his screen to her.
"They've found the Ark!" Cora shouts as she quickly untangles herself from Scott and he lets go of her, bouncing onto her knees on the bed but not really noticing that it almost sends Scott flying. "Scott this is so wonderful!" She giggles loudly grabbing hold of him and throwing her arms around him. "We've got to go, right now.." Cora adds quickly letting go of him and jumping off of the bed.
"Right now?" Scott asks making her glance back to where he is still sitting, looking flushed and tired but a small smile at the edge of his mouth. "Can't we finish having sex first?" He chuckles making her laugh quietly and shake her head at him.
"No, come on," Cora replies quickly turning away from him and heading straight to the drawers so she can find her clothes and get dressed. "The message said Tann wants us there now." She adds with a positive nod. It had also been sent to the rest of the Pathfinder team and they were no doubt on their way too.
"Alright.." She hears Scott's reply behind her and the sound of him rustling beneath their sheets, knowing he is dragging himself to the edge of their bed and will soon be joining her in getting ready. "They better be right about this." He laughs quietly so she looks over her shoulder at him.
"This is it, Scott. I know it is." Cora smiles at him and notices that he does in return. "We're so close now. We're going to finally get the help we need." She adds pulling her clothes out of the drawers as he steps closer to her and she watches him begin looking for his own.
"Then let's go suit up," Scott replies making her smile widen when he leans closer and kisses her cheek softly. "Wait, did we decide you are staying as my second?" He chuckles making her shove him lightly in the shoulder.