Disclaimer: I own nothing other than my mind.
Edit: I've been slowly working through and fixing typos/grammar, as well as attempting to flesh out the story a bit more. Please bear with me as I get back into writing after years of not writing really at all XD
I recommend reading the previous chapters if you haven't already to familiarize yourself with the updates.
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Weakness
Ryder stared down at the datapad in her hands, mentally calculating the amount of provisions they would need for staying on Kadara for two more months.
She also planned a pit stop in Aya, to disperse supplies between resistance groups and for Jaal to see his family.
I'm sure he misses them.
Chewing on her bottom lip thoughtfully she looked up, watching the Nexus workers loading the supplies onto the Tempest. Vetra walked up and stood beside her. The turian glanced at the datapad in Ryder's hand and commented, "Everything looks good, Pathfinder. Figure we'll be taking off afterward?"
Ryder nodded, "As long as everything stays on schedule, sure. Have you said your goodbyes to Sid?"
Grinning Vetra replied, "Yeah. She complained we're never on the Nexus for longer than a week. I prefer to keep moving, she knows that. Staying in one spot for too long makes me restless."
Chuckling Ryder nodded, triple-checking the last of the provisions. Then turning her full attention to Vetra she said, "Alright, let's get this bird in the air. SAM, let the crew know we'll depart in a half hour."
Ryder and Vetra moved to the loading ramp as SAM replied, "Of course Pathfinder."
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Later aboard the Tempest Ryder held a small cup of Jasmine tea while staring out of her wide bay windows into the fantastical beauty that was the Heleus cluster. Kallo had them on course to Aya.
Sipping the warm tea, Ryder thought back on her last night with Reyes. To say that her mind had been blown was an understatement. He was incredible and made her feel more alive than she thought possible.
However, a small nagging thought wouldn't leave her mind. It felt like he was holding back the morning after they'd slept together, and he was distant in the emails he had sent.
What do I expect though? It's not like said we were exclusive. How many other Zia's are there out there, holding a grudge because he's got a silver tongue?
Ryder sat down in one of her chairs, cradling her teacup, hoping that perhaps it had become unspoken between them. Feeling frustrated she set the cup down on the coffee table and put her head in her hands, feeling miserable. She was beginning to spiral into that dark pit of self-doubt.
A sudden knock on her door broke her spiral and she called, "Come in!" She was surprised to see Lexi on the other side as the doors slid open. "Lexi, what can I do for you?"
Stepping further into the room Lexi replied, "More, what I can do for you, Ryder. Please sit with me a moment."
Ryder sat back down and picked up her teacup, letting the warmth soothe her nerves.
"I wanted to talk to you...about your...relationship," Lexi started hesitantly, before adjusting her hold on her datapad and continuing, "Your relationship with Reyes Vidal."
"Okay. Sure. What...would you like to talk about?"
"I'm not sure he's the kind of person you...want to tangle yourself with Ryder. He's a fairly notorious smuggler, with connections with multiple unsavory factions," she said bluntly.
Staring down at her tea, Ryder chewed her lip, "Yeah, true, but he's also helped out the Initiative and the Angaran Resistance countless times now. He's saved not only my life but a few others on the crew."
"I'm not sure that's enough to warrant a relationship with him, Ryder," Lexi said, her lips pursed thoughtfully.
"Well, thank you for your input, Lexi. Honestly, I appreciate it," Ryder replied, taking a sip of her tea.
"Of course. Though you are a grown woman, I just worry is all. It's in my nature. Just...be wary, Pathfinder. He's unpredictable and I don't believe he's being completely honest with you."
Ryder nodded, thinking the same thing even as her lips and tongue could only remember the taste of him instead of the jasmine tea.
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The Tempest was a day away from Kadara when Ryder got a call from Reyes on her communicator. He apologized for his sparse messages to her, informing her that business had picked up and it was keeping him almost constantly busy. Towards the end of the call, he asked her to a gala that Sloane was hosting the night the Tempest would be getting back to port. Ryder's stomach was full of butterflies at the prospect of being with Reyes in such an intense formal setting.
The night of the gala she pulled Suvi, Lexi, Cora, Peebee, and Vetra into her quarters to debate what she should wear. Vetra and Cora were both vying for a comfortable and easy to pull off, black dress that hung off of one shoulder and swept low to wrap around her body.
Suvi and Peebee wanted Ryder to wear a dark shimmering purple dress with a back cutout bared her from neck to the small of her back, and a decorative slit up the thigh to draw the eye.
Lexi was on the fence between the two and called Gil as the tiebreaker. The engineer swaggered in with a knowing smirk on his face. "Now, Pathfinder, why is it you neglected to call on me for such an important matter? Of course, you should wear the purple one. You want to knock the breath from his lungs, correct?" he said. Ryder nodded meekly as the sound of laughter erupted into the room at her expression.
"Then it's settled. Let's get you ready to blow that scoundrel's mind," Gil said cheerfully, pulling the purple dress from the hangar.
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Ryder stepped through the doorway of Sloane's Headquarters, feeling the familiar hollow echo of her nervousness in the pit of her stomach.
Just concentrate on not tripping Ryder...Maybe Cora was right when she said to not wear these heels.
Glancing down at her feet, Ryder bumped into a man standing in front of the inner door of Sloane's HQ. "Excuse me, sorry!"
She looked up at the man, who said, "Hold up, this is a private event." He was a private guard for Sloane.
"I know, I'm meeting a friend. Why else would I be walking around Kadara dressed like this?" Ryder gestured down at herself.
Feeling a warm hand touch her lower back Ryder glanced over and saw Reyes. He was glaring daggers at the guard as he spoke, "Do not answer that, friend. " He glanced at Ryder momentarily before setting his amber eyes back on the hapless guard, "She's with me. Reyes Vidal. " He gave Ryder a wide smile, appreciation flickering in the depths of his eyes as they traveled the length of her form.
The rogue was wearing a well-tailored suit of dark navy fabric with a crisp white dress shirt, and dark brown dress shoes to match. The rich navy of his suit accented his copper skin, sending Ryder's heart into a panic. He looked devastatingly handsome, standing there next to her. She could barely believe the suave man before her was part of the dark underbelly of society.
The guard glanced down at his list, making a dour face, before he glanced back up and gruffly said, "Go on in."
Reyes winked at Ryder and took her by the hand leading her through the next doorway into the festivities. Scattered in loose clumps around the room, were people of various affiliations and status within Sloane's ranks. Reyes guided me toward an Angaran woman who turned to greet us.
"Reyes Vidal. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show," the angaran woman said a coy smile playing on her lips as she spoke in a mildly condescending tone.
Reyes winked at Ryder and replied to the other woman, "Remember what I said about fashionably late?" He extended his hand and deftly captured the angaran's hand for a chaste kiss.
She smiled warmly and extracted her hand from his. "Hush, you scoundrel. Now introduce me to this radiant woman beside you."
Reyes turned to the Pathfinder, a hand slipping around her waist in a silent display. "Pathfinder Ryder, meet Keema Dohrgun. She's the angaran representative to Sloane, and might I say it? A friend."
They shook hands politely as Ryder stated, "It's a pleasure, Representative. You look lovely tonight. I was afraid I was overdressed for the occasion. Glad to see my engineer wasn't wrong."
Keema delightfully surprised and flattered replied, "Oh, please call me Keema. Reyes mentioned your professionalism. I'm glad Reyes brought you. You're all he talks about lately."
Keema turned towards Reyes and stage whispered, "She's even more beautiful than you said. I'm not sure you deserve such a fine woman."
Reyes' ears burned while Ryder chuckled, "Is that so?" Before Keema could continue embarrassing the smuggler he interrupted, "Excuse me, ladies. As much as I would love to hear more, there is something I need to take care of."
He pulled his arm from Ryder's waist, intent on his business, but Ryder quickly excused herself and stopped him near the exit. "Abandoning me already?"
"It won't take long, I promise. There are important players here tonight. You should mingle...maybe make a good impression or two. It's known that Sloane despises you and the Initiative, therefore getting the favor of a few major players in her court would do wonders for your mission."
Feeling the sting of embarrassment, annoyance filled her stomach, and she spat out angrily, "Do you treat all of your dates this way, or am I just special?"
Pulling Ryder closer he ran a soothing hand up and down her arm. "You know you are Ryder. There are no other women that compare. I'll make this up to you. Promise." He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before taking his leave.
Trying not to let her feelings betray her in this room full of politicians, Ryder snagged a glass of champagne from the bar and downed it. Seeing Sloane beckon her, the Pathfinder begrudgingly stepped up to the dias.
"I see that Kaetus needs to vet the guest list more thoroughly." Sloane sat, swirling a glass of wine between her fingers as she looked Ryder up and down. Her face was hard, but her eyes held a small flicker of appreciation.
Biting back a sardonic reply, Ryder forced a calm reply, "I'm here with a friend. If that's an issue I can go."
"It seems your...friend has made himself scarce. You should be more careful, Pathfinder. Many here dislike that weasel and seeing you with him will only hurt you more. Kadara's hospitality is fickle, it can shift at any time. Go. Enjoy my party and tell your Initiative goons they better be more cautious, while in my territory. They try my patience." Sloane took a delicate taste of her blood-red wine, effectively dismissing the Pathfinder.
Ryder turned and made her way down the dias, and for a while she talked with other attendants, chatting casually trying to mend what broken fences she could, in a short time.
After a frustrating conversation with one of Sloane's lieutenants, Ryder decided she was getting dangerously close to overstaying her welcome.
She was, however, determined to find Reyes and get an explanation for his sudden abandonment. She spotted Keema Dohrgun standing near the bar and approached her. "Keema, have you seen Reyes anywhere?"
"I've not seen him return. Don't feel bad Ryder, he's a hard man to pin down. Slippery, that one," Keema said offering a glass of champagne to Ryder.
Ryder accepted the glass, sipping on it as she spoke, "Any idea what he is up to?"
Keema glanced over to Sloane and then back at Ryder, "It's better to not worry about what Reyes Vidal does, my dear. Just enjoy the party, it's not often we get to relax with free drinks."
Ryder made a noncommittal grunt as she searched the overly decorated room for the dark-haired smuggler.
"You know he likes you, right?"
"So people keep informing me. He thinks he's so subtle, but it's pretty clear. It's just hard to trust him when he never tells me his plan."
"He's a complicated man. Give him time, Ryder. He'll come around." Keema laid a comforting hand on Ryder's forearm.
"You're probably right...you have known him longer," Ryder acquiesced.
Excusing herself from the Angaran representative, Ryder slipped out of the gala, intent on finding Reyes. If she couldn't find him she would leave and make better use of her time.
Making her way into the hallway outside of Sloane's gala, Ryder tried his comm but to no avail.
"Pathfinder, according to the idle conversation I registered while you were in the gala, Mr. Vidal is most likely in that storage room to your left." SAM chimed on the private channel.
"Alright then, let's see what he's up to."
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Ryder stepped up to the door of the storage room and as it slid open she heard the unmistakable voice of Reyes.
"Damn it. Why can't serial numbers be in the same spot?"
Ryder found him rummaging in the containers and crates, too distracted in his quest to take notice of her presence. "'Take the night off.' he says, 'It'll be fun!' he says. You seriously ditched me to rummage in Sloane's stuff? I should've known you were up to something when you asked me to join you at this event." Ryder stalked angrily into the room, her frustration with the entire, ridiculous situation coming to a head.
Reyes gave ground, raising his hands trying to placate the irate Pathfinder. He had removed his coat and his navy vest fit to his body, like it had been sculpted for him. "Ryder! It's not what it looks like! I was just on my way back."
Her hands on her hips she questioned bitterly, "So you're not using me as a distraction?"
Wincing he replied, "Okay, yes, but it's for both our benefit! I promise."
"Damn it all, Reyes. Be honest with me. You've been making a lot of promises-"
As her voice began to rise, Reyes grabbed her and pulled her close, covering her mouth with his hand, "Shit- someone is coming, be quiet."
Trying to slow her breathing she watched Reyes' face as he listened to the footfalls come closer and the two guards voices becoming clearer. He lowered his hand from her mouth, letting it fall to her shoulder, his other hand tight on her waist.
"We need a distraction, if they catch us in here, it will be bad for me. Worse for you. Sloane hates you, Pathfinder."
Shit, he's right.
Biting her lip in exasperation she made a split-second choice. Ryder pushed him against the containers, wrapping her arm around his neck, and digging her fingers into his hair she pulled him into a hard kiss, letting her anxiety and frustration out on his unsuspecting lips. He submitted to her, his hands pulling her closer. Excitement thrummed through her body, melding with her anger and hurt.
I can't believe I'm kissing him after the crap he's pulled.
Letting out a soft groan Reyes pulled one of her legs up around his waist, utilizing the high-cut slit of her dress, his calloused hands grazing against the soft skin of her thigh. His other hand slid along her bare back before settling on the back of her neck, deepening their kiss. Ryder's mind swirled with so many emotions: hurt, frustration, arousal, and even a tingle of fear.
"Oh- ahem- sorry," a guard said as she found the couple deeply engrossed in one another in the storage room.
The other guard commented, "Guess Sloane is already serving the good stuff, come on, maybe we can snatch some up in the main hall."
They headed away from the storage room laughing to themselves, leaving the couple to their intense business.
Reyes opened his eyes, checking that the guards were far enough away from the storage room. He broke away from Ryder's lips though his hands didn't remove themselves from her body. "I think we're in the clear," he whispered, his accent flooding his voice.
His amber eyes gazed into hers. She could see the desire in his eyes, as well as feel it against her body. Ryder could hear her pulse in her ears from the thrill. "That doesn't mean I'm not still upset with you. This was just a distraction."
The hand on her thigh was warm and the soft caresses were driving her mad when he spoke, his voice barely above that accented husky whisper, "I have something to make up for it all."
Ryder's breath quickened at his suggestion, even though she tried to tell herself that she shouldn't be giving in to him so easily. Before she realized, they were kissing again, hands caressing, tongues exploring.
Before the fire in her could reach a fever pitch, she pulled away, feeling cold from the sudden absence of his body and hands. Reyes stared at her as he leaned against the container, his hair mussed and his shirt and vest askew. "That wasn't quite what I meant when I said I'd make it up to you. Here, give me a moment." Collecting himself he climbed up to a cargo box against the wall and rummaged inside the highest one, dull clinks coming from within the container. A moment passed and he pulled free a dark bottle. "Ahh, here it is. I knew Sloane was holding back."
Jumping down, a triumphant expression on his face he cradled the bottle in his arm, "This here is the only bottle of Mount Milgram in Andromeda. Triple-distilled and 645 years old. This isn't just whiskey- it's a treasure." He looked lovingly at the bottle, a boyish smile on his lips.
"You know just what my weakness is. How come I know none of yours?" Ryder frowned at the ludicrous sight.
Reyes pursed his lips giving Ryder a thoughtful look, "You're my weakness, Ryder."
That gave her pause and she stood there, lost for words. Holding out his hand he said gently, "Come. Sloane wouldn't appreciate us lingering here with our pilfered goods and I should explain a few things to you."
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They arrived at a rooftop balcony of a high-rise building butting against the ship port. It had a clear view of the sunset against the rocky landscape of Kadara and the spaceport.
"What is this place? " Ryder asked looking around at the view, spotting a small round table and chairs near the railings of the edge of the balcony.
"A friend of mine owed me a favor. This place is that favor. " Reyes gestured to the small table for two and set the bottle down on the wireframe table. "Join me?"
A beautiful smile spread on Ryder's face as she took the proffered chair Reyes provided.
They passed the bottle between themselves as they watched the smoldering sun slowly dip it's way below the craggy horizon.
"What were you really doing in Sloane's storage? " Ryder asked.
"Well...initially it was for a job. A frivolous dispute within Sloane's ranks. Then I realized she stashed valuable treasures, like this whiskey. "
"I see, " she paused thoughtfully, "Why not be honest with me? I understand you've got a job to do, as do I. "
He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, running a hand through his dark hair. "I have never been good at being honest, Ryder. You make me want to try. However I sometimes...fall back into bad habits. "
Ryder could feel the last of her irritation fade at his words.
He's trying. For me.
Changing the topic Reyes asked, "So...is Andromeda everything you hoped it would be? " He fiddled with the lip of the vintage whiskey bottle, his face an impassive mask, his eyes careful and guarded.
"Every day is an adventure. Even my nights off are interesting. " She smiled warmly at Reyes. It was an honest, open smile, full of affection. Reyes wasn't sure he deserved such a smile.
"What about you? Why did you join the Initiative, Reyes? "
Reyes kept his gaze towards the dying light of the molten orb on the horizon, while he took a long swig of the whiskey bottle. The golden twilight reflected in his hazel eyes, igniting the gold within their depths. His dark, full lips were pressed into a thin line when he finally spoke, "I wanted to be someone. "
When he heard no reply from Ryder he finally broke from the spell of the dying day to look at the radiant woman across from him. Her expression was indescribable. The closest word Reyes could formulate was endearment. It was so much more though. The intensity of the emotion in her eyes and the lines of her mouth made Reyes' heart thud painfully in his chest. He didn't deserve such a magnificent creature.
Ryder reached out her hand and touched the back of his hand that was lying flat on the table. It was a small gesture, a question, and reassurance wrapped into one slight brush of skin. "You're someone to me."
Guilt raged inside of the smuggler, but he found himself kissing her before it had a chance to break free. He cared deeply for her, he could feel himself falling hard and fast for this independent and confident woman. Yet he couldn't be completely truthful with her. It was for her safety and the safety of all those that surrounded him.
Would she hate him afterward? He wouldn't blame her.
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A/N: Thanks for reading everyone! I plan on wrapping this up after a couple of more chapters. It's been so long since I've written anything that the next chapter I had written out in my drafts got yeeted into the void, so I have to start that one over. I'll do my best to get it out in a timely manner.