Reyes ended up going to Tartarus when the sun was slowly setting over the port. He just knew if he went back home it would be more arguments and stress. He hated upsetting Ryder, but she defied his wishes that his work stayed away from her. He did wish for her help, but not in matters that could put his job and their safety on the line.

He'd ordered Keema to gather all the Collective members that were once part of the Outcasts; he had to make sure there were no more snakes between his operations. He couldn't afford for this to happen again. If SAM was not there to warn Reyes, Ryder could have been killed.

"Mr Vidal," Kian calls in his chipper Irish voice. "Thought you forgot about us grunts," he jokes.

Reyes sits at his bar, leaning into the corner so he could hear Kian better over the loud music and screaming drinkers. "I never could forget you. My usual please," he says with a smile. Kian nods, bending under the bar to get the bottle of whiskey labelled only for Reyes.

"So," Kian begins as he pours a glass. "Heard you and Ryder came back home, how come she's not here?" The silent reply from Reyes gave Kian all the information he needed. "Ah, trouble in paradise?"

Reyes nods, downing his drink and moving the glass forward for another. "We clash too much. She doesn't like being told what to do." Kian can only chuckle, which makes Reyes furrow his brows at him. He pauses from cleaning the beer glass in his hand.

"Oh come on, man," he shouts in laughter. "Did you forget who her father was? Alec Ryder? Everyone in the Initiative who met the man knew he was fucking stubborn. His kids are the exact same."

Reyes had met Alec once, but not long enough to get that opinion about the man. He knew of Sara and Scott at the time but just regarded them as two spoiled kids from the Citadel. "Well, she has to get used to our ways here."

"Why should she?" Kian asks. Reyes bangs his drinks down.

"Kian, you're meant to be taking my side here," he groans as he drops his head into his hands. Kian leans over the bar, patting his friend's tensed shoulders.

"Reyes," he says in a low voice, just enough for him to look up to his name being called. "You need to remember what Ryder has been through. I heard about her losing the Pathfinder role. That has got to be a kick in the teeth for her. She's only been here a day, give her a chance."

Reyes nods, he never really thought about letting Ryder fully settle in. She just lost her ship and crew hours ago. She only had him and SAM left. He gets up, curtly nodding to Kian before squeezing past the dancers to get out. He had to fix this.

"Ryder, maybe you should contact Scott?" SAM suggests as he tries to soothe Sara. She was laid on the bed, curled into a little ball as she quietly cried to herself.

"And say what SAM? I still can't forgive him for taking my job from me. He knew how much it meant to me," she cries. Her eyes stung from the tears and her arm was aching from the fight with Layland. She did hope Reyes killed the bitch.

"Ryder?" Reyes calls from the front door. She instantly sits up, wiping her eyes as the door could be heard shutting. "Dove?" he calls again.

Sara doesn't answer, she stays on the bed. He'd come straight to the room, knowing that'd be where she'd be. He opens the door, peeking his head through to see her sit with her knees to her chest, glaring at him. "Dove?" he calls again in a soft voice.

"I'm not your dove," she snaps. Reyes shakes his head, fully coming into the room as he strolls toward the bed. Ryder holds herself tighter.

"I'm sorry for speaking to you like that," he whispers as he tries to reach for her. She pulls back. "Ryder, please?" he begs. She gets off the bed, he thinks she's coming to hug him, but their shoulders brush.

She heads into the kitchen, banging the pots around as she starts cooking dinner. She was angry and actually had no idea what it was she was cooking. She just needed to keep moving before she lashed out at him.

"Ryder," he says with a raised voice. She opens the fridge, grabbing a handle of random crap before slamming it shut with her hip. "What are you? five?" he asks with a groan.

"Fuck you, Reyes," she yells, dropping bottles as she tries to carry all the produce to the countertop. He tries to not laugh, but a snicker breaks through. "Don't laugh at me, I'm meant to be angry at you," she says with a breathless laugh.

"Come on, dove. I really am sorry. I was so scared seeing you get hurt." He rounds the counter to hold his hand out to her. She looks at him then at his hand. "I didn't mean to react as I did. You've had a rough few days and I've not considered your feelings through any of this." She drops everything on the counter, bending down to pick the dropped bottles up. "Do you even know what you're cooking?"

"... no," she mutters looking at the random bits in front of her. "I didn't mean to go behind your back, I hate it when you hide things from me."

"I know..."

"You were the one who said you wanted no secrets between us."

"I know...

"Then why keep the secrets?"

"Jesus, woman. Would you let me finish?" he asks as she interrupts him for the second time. Ryder crosses her arms over her chest, tapping her foot, waiting for him to continue. Reyes waits a few seconds, eyebrows raised to see if she'll speak again. "Okay," he mutters. "I know I said that, I went back to myself. It's just my job is important and I can't let you get involved in everything. There are some things you should have to or need to deal with."

"I want to help you," she states. Reyes stands in front of her, pulling her chin up to look at him.

"I know, dove. I want your help as well, but I cross the line for some of my operations. You would do the same." Ryder couldn't argue with him there, she'd piss Tann off if she kept pulling Reyes from Kadara to help with Initiative issues.

"You got me there," she chuckles. He drops his head to catch her lips, Ryder laces her arms around his neck. The kiss deepened as she ran her tongue across his teeth to get access, he allowed it with no hesitation.

Reyes pulls away, barely leaving any gap between their lips. "I think we should stop whilst we can."

Ryder kisses along his jawline, up towards his ear. "I'm not hungry anymore," she whispers with a nip to his eye lobe.

"Hmm, I can't argue with you there," he groans as he pulls her towards their bedroom. The weight came off his shoulders, all the previous tension left straight away. Talking feelings out was hard for Reyes, even Ryder found it difficult to fully explain her emotions and struggles, but communication is key for their relationship.

Scott hated Elaaden, it was boiling hot and the exiles were worse than Kadara's. He'd checked in on the outpost, nothing had changed past the Krogan and Initiative struggling to get a healthy and friendly relationship going. It would take a few years before the trust could come back.

Scott went with Jaal and Liam to the Krogan outpost, Morda was expecting the Pathfinder. She was pissed when it was Scott who walked up the small gravel stairs to her throne inside the bedrock of their home.

"You are not the Pathfinder," she grumbles.

Scott sighs, that's what everyone was saying to him. "Really, what gave it away?" Morda growls at him. "I'm her brother, Scott. My sister is no longer the Pathfinder."

"Did she die?" she bluntly asks.

"No, Tann sacked her. I'm trying to get her job back and you can help me." Morda stands up, walking down the throne steps to stand in front of him. Jaal moves closer as he watches the six-hundred-pound Krogan tower his love.

"I am not happy with Tann's decision on this. I am in partnership with Sara, not him. What can I do?" Scott was surprised she was willing to help him.

"Spender, you know him?" Morda growls again, that name was like a headbutt to a Krogan.

"By reputation, that pyjak is the reason the Krogan was exiled from the Nexus." Scott nods, he knew the full story and was surprised just how Tann handled it all.

"I think Tann was working with Spender. When Spender was found out by Sara, the whole Initiative board was there besides Tann. He almost hid during the whole thing. I know Tann hates the Krogan with a passion." Morda nods to this. "I think he worked with Spender to get you off the station then made sure Spender stayed under wraps whilst he worked with the exiles and gave away Initiative secrets."

"You speak with confidence... Pathfinder." Scott nods, he'd had more than enough time to practise how he'd explain this to Morda. He couldn't do it without her.

"Do you have Spender? Or know where he is? Sara had him exiled to Elaaden." Scott almost prayed that he'd not been killed. Many did want his head for the amount of shit he'd caused.

Morda smiles, turning her back to Scott. "We have the pyjak, he works for me. The work he does is very degrading, suited just well for him." Liam snickered in the background. "You wish to have him?"

"Yes, if you'll allow it." Morda turned around, her bone necklace jingled as she moved. Scott was repulsed looking at the thing.

"Yes, you can have him. However, he is to be returned when you are finished with him. We also want Tann."

Scott scratches the back of his neck. "You're asking for a lot."

"He nearly killed us all off when he exiled us. We had nothing before coming here, he will be put on a spike. Or the deal is off." Morda narrowed her eyes at him, she wasn't taking no for an answer.

"The final decision will be down to Sara. She will probably agree with you, but this can only work if Spender cooperates with us." Morda laughs, slamming her laughing hand on Scott's shoulder. He almost topples over from the weight.

"Don't worry, he will." Scott nervously laughs. They say their goodbyes and head back to the Tempest. Jaal was too quiet the whole way back, Scott knew something was wrong.

"Spit it out," he says as they both exit the Nomad. Liam had already disappeared to his room.

"I don't trust Morda," Jaal truthfully states.

"Why?" he asks. Jaal takes his rofjin off, laying it out on the table.

"She might trick us with Spender. I don't believe she has him." Scott pulls Jaal close. The Angara was much taller than him, but they'd made it work. Jaal drops his head into the crease of Scott's neck.

"Don't worry, I think it will be fine. You've gotta have some more trust in the exiles." Jaal exhales deeply.

"I will try, dear one," he whispers with a kiss on his neck.

A/N: The next chapter is just going to be Scott starting his investigation with Spender. I don't want there to be a huge gap between Sara not being Pathfinder and Tann getting the sack.