XXXXXI.

"I was wondering where you were.." Cora says and notices that Scott looks up from his spot standing in front of, and peering into, the fridge in the small crew kitchen on the Tempest, and that her words make him grin. "Looking for a snack?" She asks him as he closes the fridge door and turns his attention to her again.

"Not exactly," Scott replies and it's then that she spots that he has a large mixing bowl on the counter next to him and various jars and packets of ingredients spread out that he looks to be using. "How was the drop-off with the slime ball?" He asks as she sees a smile tug at his lips because obviously, it had been routine, tedious, dull. But also accompanied by way too much flirting from Reyes and a lot of missing Scott.

"How do you think?" Cora replies with a quiet scoff as she raises her arm to activate her Omni. "Probably as good as yours was." She mumbles before she begins swiping through the screen to sign off that the supply run has been completed and that goods and funds have been exchanged.

"How is our friend?" She hears him say so and looks up from her screen. "Did he have anything to say about you? Any further propositions or proposals?" Scott adds making her sigh and shake her head. "Good. I'm glad he's learnt his manners." He laughs. "Come and try this," Scott adds with a motion of his head towards the bowel and a large grin.

Cora steps over the threshold of the kitchen and takes the small steps it takes to join him, watching as he returns his eyes to scan the raw ingredients as if he is wondering what to use next. She notices that he lowers his hand into the bowl and uses his finger to scoop up some of what she can now see is a very bright pink and sticky-looking substance. Scott smiles at her, his eyes fixed on hers as he holds his finger out.

"Try it.." He says again as he looks down at his finger and then back to her.

"What is it?" Cora asks as she lifts her hand to wrap her fingers around his wrist to try and stop him from poking the pink goo into her face, noticing that she can feel his pulse beneath her fingertips. "You expect me to just lick it?" She giggles and notices her words make him smile and that cheeky twinkle appears in his eyes.

"Yep." Scott chuckles and sighs when he lowers her head to try and sniff it before she puts it anywhere near her mouth. "I've never heard you complain before." He adds making her giggle and give him a shove in the chest.

"Fine.." Cora sighs quietly and leans closer to take his goo-covered finger into her mouth, watching his smile widen when she does. "Mmm." She says the best she can with his finger in the way, realising how delicious whatever he's feeding her tastes so she proceeds to suck his finger clean.

"That was some impressive sucking," Scott adds with another grin and then laughs when she bites him gently when he tries to remove it from between her teeth. "Ow." He laughs drawing his hand back close to his body.

"Are you trying to make Strawberry Pudding?" Cora smiles when she recognises the sticky consistency and the overly sweet taste. It was lacking an ingredient but she had to admit it was pretty close. "Can I have some more?" She giggles and reaches out to take the bowel from him but he blocks her way with his body.

"Not yet.." Scott laughs and she watches him hold the bowel tighter in his hold. "It's missing something isn't it?" He adds with a nod and his attention returns to the ingredients again. "I just can't figure out what." He mumbles quietly to himself more than to her she decides.

Cora laughs quietly and shakes her head when she sees that he begins picking up a few of the bottles and that he's trying to decide between them. She sits on the edge of the dining table so she can watch what he's doing, noticing that he picks up a spoon and gives the mixture a good stir again before he adds another drop of something from the blue bottle.

"What made you want to make it?" Cora asks as she places her palms flat on the table and smiles to herself when he continues to add random things into his mixture and that he's making a mess with the ingredients. "Are you feeling homesick?" She adds and notices that her words make him turn to face her and step closer.

"Not homesick exactly," Scott replies with a nod and she feels his eyes meet hers. "We knew we were saying goodbye to a lot of things, and a lot of people." He continues making her nod herself when she remembers that had been part of the deal and the sacrifices they were making. "I'm just not ready to say goodbye to this stuff." He smiles making her giggle.

"I know what you mean." She says and can see his grateful nod that she understands where he's coming from, there were a few things she missed too and none of them had expected to be on the Nexus this long. "I really miss having a bath. Especially with you in it.." Cora sighs and he smiles at her words. "It's alright to miss home." She adds and reaches out to stroke his cheek softly, her fingertips stroking against his facial hair.

"I have everything I could want right here.." Scott smiles before leaning closer and pressing a soft kiss against her cheek. "I'm home as long as I'm with you." He adds making her sigh and try to keep the smile and blush from her face.

"You big softy," Cora whispers and hears him chuckle. "So what do you think we're missing from this Scott Ryder Strawberry Pud?" She adds and leans over to stick her finger into the bowel again, scooping out a large portion and drawing it into her mouth.

"Stop eating it all." Scott laughs and turns to sit on the table beside her. "Something that tastes like strawberries would help." He adds and she looks at him when she notices that he is gazing at her. "I don't know.." Scott mumbles and shrugs lightly.

"I like watching you cook," Cora says and sees him glance up at smile at her.

"Yeah?" He grins at her so she just nods when his attention returns to the bowel and his creation. "Well, you're always welcome." Scott smiles. "Seeing as you've already decided to be my taste tester for this one," Scott adds and she notices that he stirs the mixture again and it's not as shocking pink as it was. Cora dips her finger into the mix again when he isn't looking and quickly puts it into her mouth. "Cora.." Scott smiles at her and holds it out of her reach when he catches her.

"Hey, I was eating that." Cora giggles. "You get this focused look on your face." She continues and hears him laugh, watching his shoulders shake lightly as he does. "It's really sexy," Cora adds which only makes him laugh harder and then sees that he stands up so he can place his pudding back down on the counter next to the fridge and turns to face her.

"Are you flirting with me while we're on duty, Lieutenant Harper?" Scott asks making her bite her bottom lip and smile innocently at him when he closes the distance between them and is so close she can almost touch him and feel his warmth again.

"I would never." Cora giggles. "Even if we are only on duty for the next.." She adds before lifting her arm to take a glance at the time on her screen. "Twelve and a half minutes. But, you know how much I take rules seriously." She says and sees her words make Scott smile and there is a hint of mischief behind his eyes so she knows he is always up for some rule-breaking.

"Hmm, that's true.." Scott nods and she can't help but smile when he moves closer so that he can stand and place his trainer-covered feet between hers. "I wouldn't want to get you in any trouble with the leaders. Especially as you are on your last warning." He adds with his own innocent smile when he leans closer, she can tell he is trying very hard not to touch her as she notices his eyes lower to her mouth. "What was the rule about kissing?" Scott mumbles when his eyes reach hers again.

"Not in meetings." Cora gives a positive nod and feels her body throbbing with want for him to kiss any part of her. "No getting naked on duty.." She adds and hears him let out a disappointed sigh which makes her giggle. "Especially when your crew are sitting in the next room," Cora whispers and lets her eyes move to the door that leads to the staff lounge where she knows some of them will be and she can hear the sound of them talking beyond it.

"I hate that rule," Scott whispers before she sees him look over his shoulder towards the door. "How many minutes until we are off duty now?" He adds when he turns back to her and fixes his eyes deep into hers.

"Eight.." Cora giggles but then gasps when Scott quickly captures her mouth with his and kisses her hard, making her forget all about the rules and that they might be heard by their friends.

Cora wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him back, letting herself melt into his body when he draws her off of the table so he can wrap his arms around her body. She feels him sliding his hands down her back and onto her behind, squeezing her in his palms so that she is pressed tightly against his body. Cora bites his bottom lip gently hearing him let out a groan into their kiss, neither of them wanting to break away until they are desperate for a breath.

"Five minutes.." Scott chuckles when he finally removes his mouth from hers, his eyes on her when he lifts his hands to her cheeks and tries to kiss her again. "What's wrong?" He whispers when she doesn't let him and quickly glances over his shoulder to check the door when they hear some laughter and the sound of a video being played.

"If they catch us kissing.." Cora whispers before sighing and returning her gaze to his. "Oh god. Just keep kissing me, Scott." She giggles quietly and quickly presses her lips to his. "You taste delicious." Cora moans quietly trying to keep as quiet as she can.

Cora feels him stroking his palms over her, making her nerves and body throb because he's touching her. She trails her hands up his back so she can dig her fingers into his shoulder blades and kiss him harder. Cora whimpers against his mouth when his tongue teases her lips open and she feels him lifting his hand to slip into her hair.

"I think it's three now." Scott smiles against her lips so she breaks their kiss and watches him check his Omni. "Hmm, we are almost there." He grins and lifts his hands to her cheeks to draw her into another deep kiss.

"Scott.." Cora sighs when she feels him wrapping his arms around her and drawing her against him. His mouth leaves hers as he quickly presses it against her jaw. "If you keep doing that.." She bites at her bottom lip to keep from whimpering when she feels how hot his body is against hers.

"You'll what?" He whispers against her skin.

"I'll end up breaking some rules." Cora giggles and then moans lightly when his teeth nip at her skin and his tongue follows. "At least a dozen.." She adds and feels his hands sliding over her body. "Most of them about public nudity." Cora mumbles and feels his fingertips skirting the bottom of her t-shirt and knows he's wanting to undress her at the mention of her getting naked.

"Any in particular?" Scott whispers making her giggle again.

"Page 1,248.." She whimpers as quietly as she can. "Section 9b12," Cora adds and notices her words make him smile against her skin. "Paragraph 3." She sighs.

"You're turning me on with your regulations talk, Lieutenant Harper ." Scott chuckles as she feels him remove his mouth from her neck, his face as flushed as she feels. "Maybe we need to stop before we get too carried away. " He whispers as his eyes meet hers. "Because I am so close to bending you over this table.." Scott grins at her and she can see the reflection of her lust in his eyes.

"Is that right? Well, we are officially off duty now." She giggles quietly as she slides her hands down his chest and slowly backs him towards the table with her body. "Can you be quiet, though? Quiet enough for them not to hear us?" Cora whispers again and sees his eyes questioning what she is doing and that his eyes move to the door and then back to her.

"You know I'm not very good at quiet. This mouth just keeps on going." Scott whispers as she notices he leans against the edge of the table and sighs quietly when she strokes her hands over his chest again. "What are you doing?" He adds and she can see that his eyes follow her hands that she moves to the waistband of his white AI trousers.

"What does it look like?" She whispers which draws his eyes to hers again. "I thought I'd show you some even more impressive sucking." Cora giggles before pressing her mouth against his again, noticing that her words and her fingers moving to the buttons make him groan into the kiss.

"Fuck.." Scott huffs quietly when she breaks the kiss and, with a final glance behind her towards the door, kneels in front of him until her eyes are level with his crotch.

Cora uses her fingertips to undo the top button, quickly working her way down to the next ones and then pulling his jeans open with both hands. She lifts her eyes to look at Scott who is still watching her every move and she can see the telltale red flush in his cheeks. Cora tucks her fingers into the top of his trousers and pulls them down his hips so she can free him from the tight boxers he is wearing. She wraps her fist around him and gives him a few long strokes that make him groan.

"Shhh.." Cora whispers as she leans closer and presses a kiss against his stomach and then the line of dark hair below his belly button. "Do you want them to hear you?" She giggles as she increases the speed of her hand and looks into his face again, noticing that he has his head rolled back and his eyes are closed.

"I don't care." Scott huffs and she watches him grip the edge of the table and can see how white his knuckles are when he squeezes it beneath his fingers. "Fuuuck.." He groans when she grips him tighter and then quickly takes him into her mouth, beginning to slide her tongue up and down his length.

"Scott.." She hisses at him which makes his eyes snap open and look down into hers. "You need to watch the door." She giggles noticing that her words make him nod lightly and that his eyes move to the door but that he's glassy-eyed.

"I'm trying.." He groans as she sees that his eyes return to hers and that he bites his bottom lip and she can tell he's trying to be quiet, too.

Cora wraps her mouth tighter around him, feeling him place his hand on top of her head and his fingers tangling in her hair. She hears that he is unable to keep quiet and that her actions make him let out another moan. Cora glances up at him again and can see that his head has returned to its rolled-back position again and that he's trying to keep his breathing even and not succeeding.

"Now what were you saying about this table, Ryder?" Cora asks as she removes him from her mouth and watches him open his eyes to fix them on her. She sees the smile on his lips widen at her question.

"Bending you over it.." Scott whispers making her return his smile.

"That's what I thought," Cora says trying to keep her own voice quiet, noticing that there is another loud sound of the crew laughing behind the door. "What are you waiting for?" She giggles before climbing to her feet at the same time that Scott leans down to drag her from the floor.

She feels his mouth hard against hers as she clings to him, wrapping her arms around him until there is no space between their bodies. Cora feels him sliding his hands onto her behind and picking her up until she can wrap her legs around his hips. Cora can't help but moan when his tongue moves against hers and for a moment she forgets about anything but his lips and body so hot and hard beneath her hands. She digs her fingers into his shoulder blades when he spins them and places her carefully at the edge of the dining table.

"Cora.." Scott sighs quietly when he breaks their kiss and she can see the look in his eye is asking if they should stop, and that he really doesn't want to. Cora fixes her eyes on his and takes the moment to try and steady her breathing, her gaze lowering to his mouth that looks as kissed as hers feels.

"Please?" She whispers noticing that her reply is all he needs and that his smile widens. Scott nods before closing the small distance between them again and placing his hands on her hips, turning her until she is facing the table.

She feels his body quickly pressed against hers and he places his hand on her lower back so that he can bend her over the table. Cora gasps quietly feeling how cold it is when her warmth comes into contact with the surface but quickly forgets all about it when Scott begins tugging down her jeans and underwear. She helps him wriggle them down and tries to bite back a whimper when she feels his hands slide onto her behind and she can hear the sound of him rearranging his own clothes and trousers behind her.

"Scott." Cora whimpers when she feels his hand slip between her legs and his fingers find her. "Please.." She whispers moving her body to try and get more contact with his palm and pushing back against him.

"Now who isn't being quiet?" Scott whispers behind her, making her let out a disappointed sigh when he removes his hand but then feels him place his hands onto her hips so that he can hold her still. "Are you ready?" Cora can't help but let out a louder sob when he suddenly pushes himself into her making them both groan.

—/—

"Oooh, is that strawberry pudding?" Vetra asks as she quickly picks up the bowl that Scott had placed down on the kitchen counter. "Yummy." She giggles quietly making Cora hope she isn't about to inspect it too closely for signs of their fingers, or the ingredients all over the place that her and Scott had caused a mess with.

"Forget pudding. Who wants to play a drinking game?" Cora hears Liam ask as he slides into the booth beside her, his shoulder coming into contact with hers.

She sees that he places a tray of shot glasses in the middle of the table in front of him and that it is soon joined by a bottle of very dark brown liquor. Cora quickly glances across the staff canteen at Scott, who she can see is trying to subtly smooth out his clothes after they'd both moments ago scrambled to pull them back on before the team had burst through the door. He's stood by the sink pretending to be drinking a glass of water, looking as innocent as can be.

"A drinking game?" Scott asks and raises his eyes to meet hers and gives her a small smile that they've managed to get away with it. "Hey, I'm sitting there.." He chuckles as he approaches the bench, and motions for Liam to get out of the way. "Can I sit here?" Scott grins at her before sliding onto the bench beside her.

"Actually, I was saving it for Liam," Cora replies and notices that her words make him grin and that he just moves closer to her, making her feel how hot his body feels next to her.

Cora can't help but lift her hand to cover her own smile when she notices that he gazes at her, still flushed and trying to even out his breathing. He looked like they'd been having some amazing sex and was still a little glassy-eyed and his hair and clothes rumpled.

"Great idea" Gil replies before pulling out one of the chairs and lowering himself onto it. "Mr and Mrs Pathfinder, are you game?" He asks his attention moving between Cora and Scott.

"Of course they are." Peebee laughs before Cora or Scott can reply, reaching for the bottle so she can start filling up the shot glasses, one for each of them to drink from. "Seeing as we did interrupt their meeting." She adds as Cora watches her slide each glass across the table until they stop in front of them.

"You almost did.." Cora begins and glances at Scott again, tilting her head slightly to ask him silently if they should maybe leave and head back to their room. "Do you think we should go?" She whispers as Scott shrugs lightly and she knows they should probably stay and play with the team.

"Depends on what they are playing," Scott whispers back to her and makes her smile when he reaches his hand beneath the table and takes hold of hers. "Maybe just one game?" He adds making her nod lightly.

"Maybe.." She whispers and squeezes his hand twice which makes his smile widen when he feels it. "I'm feeling a little tender," Cora adds and can see that his eyes are fixed on hers. "I need you to give me some TLC." She giggles quietly and notices that his eyes darken.

"Don't worry, I'll give you some." He replies before quickly leaning closer and pressing his lips against her cheek and then her ear. "Let's get out of here," Scott whispers making her giggle and fix her eyes into his.

"Here you go." Peebee laughs loudly drawing Cora away from Scott and making her wish they had made their escape earlier. She watches her hand out the rest of the drinks and places them in front of her and Scott.

"What are we playing?" Lexi asks as she sits next to Liam and takes hold of her glass in her hand, lifting it higher to look at the liquid. This draws Cora's attention back to the others that are all waiting to play. "Poker?" She adds and Cora notices that her words make Peebee scoff.

"Boring!" Peebee shouts making everyone laugh at her response.

"Let's play 'Never Have I Ever'," Liam says making Cora look at Scott again, wondering if alcohol and secrets were going to be a good idea with everything that has happened. "Anyone not played before?" He asks looking around the table which Cora can see makes everyone respond negatively.

Drinking games were a popular pastime with recruits, so she knew they would have played. Cora glances at Scott when she feels him sigh and can tell that he's given into the fact that they are going to have to play with the team, and not just each other.

"Me.." Vetra finally speaks up before sitting on the bench beside Scott.

"It's easy," Peebee announces using the bottle to start topping up Vetra's glass even more than everyone else's, making Cora laugh quietly to herself. "If you've done it you drink." She chuckles condensing the rules down to the very basics.

"Done what?" Vetra asks.

"Anything." Peebee giggles.

"I'm not sure I'm ready to air my dirty secrets." Gil chuckles but Cora watches him pick up his own glass and he still seems eager to play. "Maybe we should start with something easy." He adds looking around at the rest of them.

"Are you volunteering to go first, Gil?" Lexi giggles.

"Oh, go on then." Gil sighs and she notices that he swirls his drink a little as if he is thinking of a good one to start them off. "Okay.." He nods and looks at each of them in turn. "Never have I ever, fancied Scott Ryder." Gill laughs and Cora hears Scott chuckle at her side.

"Hey, why am I the easy question?" Scott laughs.

"We are all going to get so drunk." Peebee laughs as Cora glances at Scott and notices that the tips of his ears begin to blush when he watches Vetra, Peebee, and then Gil all drink from their glasses. "Hey!" She laughs and points to Gil.

"What?" Gil chuckles and Cora watches as Scott laughs beside her. "He's a handsome man, alright?" He adds as he winks at Scott.

"Thanks, Gil." Scott laughs and then looks at Cora who sighs quietly before lifting her glass to take a small sip. "You fancy me?" He smiles at her making her roll her eyes and replace her drink in front of her.

"Obviously," Cora whispers and leans into his side.

"Never have I ever got drunk and accidentally deleted all of the files that I needed for a presentation the next day, in front of my boss," Vetra says quickly as if she is trying to get the words out. "Then accidentally drunk messaged said boss." She adds glancing at the others.

"That's pretty specific, Vetra." Cora smiles at her and Vetra sighs when no one drinks to her question so she does herself.

"I'll go.." Liam chuckles which draws everyone's eyes to him. "Never have I ever had zero gravity sex."

Cora glances at Scott and gives him a small smile before both of them pick up their glasses and tap them together before taking a drink. She smiles when he leans over and kisses her softly. Cora turns back and watches as Lexi takes a sip of hers and so does Peebee which makes everyone burst into howls and whoops.

"You girls are wild." Gil laughs.

"How about this?" Peebee begins looking between the group. "Never have I ever had a threesome.." She giggles and Cora can't help but notice that everyone is looking at Peebee as if they don't believe her. "I haven't!" Peebee laughs loudly and puts her hand over the top of her glass.

Liam lifts his to his mouth and takes a long drink, followed by Gil and finally Lexi. Cora glances at Scott who just gives her an innocent smile before reaching for his glass and quickly downing the lot.

"Scott!" Cora giggles shoving him in the shoulder.

"It was a long time ago.." Scott replies as his smile widens when he shrugs slightly. "You know what it's like on shore leave." He adds making her scoff and fold her arms and turn her attention away from him to pretend she's upset about that. "Don't be upset," Scott whispers to her lifting his arm to wrap around her body.

"I'm not upset.." Cora replies. "I'm realising I really wasted my shore leave." She giggles which makes him laugh and scrunch his nose up at her. "You're a dark horse Scott Ryder," Cora whispers before leaning towards him again and kissing him hard, making sure Scott always remembered that she was so much better than any threesome he could ever have.

"Never have I ever been in love," Lexi announces which continues the game. Cora looks around at the others and she watches as Liam lifts his glass to her with a smile and drinks, followed by Gil.

"I think I'm going to lose this game." Scott chuckles and Cora notices that he reaches for the bottle and refills it again, lifting it to his lips to drink. She smiles when his eyes meet hers so she drinks from her own glass. "Okay, let me go next." He adds with a little hum as if he's thinking of one.

"No pressure boss, but make it a good'un." Liam laughs.

"Alright.." Scott nods and Cora notices that he is taking a while to think of something and she wonders if he's worried about what might be brought up in front of his team.

"Never have I ever cheated on my partner!" Vetra shouts making everyone jump with her sudden interest in taking part again with a new question. Cora feels Scott's body stiffen beside her when he's heard the question.

"Oh, that is a juicy one," Gil whispers.

Cora is sure that her skin has paled and that the blood has drained from her face, suddenly wondering when it got so hot in the room and why she was starting to sweat. She lowers her eyes to the drink in front of her, certain that everyone is now looking at her, with accusing eyes as they wait for her to drink. When she looks up, no one is paying attention to her at all.

"No one?" Vetra asks so Cora glances at her, watching as her attention moves to each person. "Peebee?" She adds who just shakes her head and then moves to the others. Cora knows Vetra is about to reach her when she hears Scott's voice beside her and then sees his hand over the top of her glass.

"No one," Scott says making her look at him and wonder why he hasn't let her drink. She knew she was the only one at the table that had. "Next question.." He adds. "Never have I ever lost a game of soccer to Liam." He laughs which makes Liam laugh out loud and stand up so he can bang his palms against the table.

"You're lying, mate." Liam laughs.

"Your go.." Scott whispers and lets his eyes settle into hers.

"Never have I ever found my soul mate," Cora says and notices that Scott nods slightly and that he smiles at her. He takes hold of his drink in his hand and downs it in one long drink and then waits for her.

"Are you going to drink that?" Scott smiles at her.

"Obviously." Cora giggles and drinks from her glass. "Why didn't you let me drink?" She whispers and notices that his full attention is now on her. "You don't think they already know?" Cora sighs.

"It's just a silly game and they aren't playing to the rules," Scott replies before leaning closer and kissing her forehead. "They won't remember any of this tomorrow and you will." He adds making her nod and lean into his hold again. "I don't want you to even think about that again, okay?" He smiles and draws her tighter against his chest.

"I love you," Cora whispers and wraps her arm around him.

"I love you." Scott smiles and lets his head rest against hers. "Want to head to bed?" He whispers as she feels him nuzzle his mouth into her hair.

"So much." She replies quietly.

"Never have I ever had sex on this table." Scott suddenly shouts making everyone go quiet and then burst into fits of laughter as he proudly picks up his drink and lifts it above his head. "I actually have." He laughs.

"But we eat here!" Vetra says with a shake of her head. "Did you at least sanitise all of the surfaces before and after?" She adds making Cora sigh and lift her hand to cover her face when she realises Scott has really got them all going and then buries her face into his chest.

"I knew it!" Peebee shouts, jumping up from her seat.

"I'd say I was shocked.." Lexi giggles. "But, I'm really not." She adds as Cora uncovers her eyes and lifts her drink to take a sip, her cheeks flushing when Scott just grins at her.

"Well done, Scott." Cora laughs quietly before downing the rest of it.