A/N: Sooo... here I am... again. Finally, right? But, this time, as you can tell, I'm here for other reasons...

To my Penny Dreadful readers, please don't lose hope. I haven't given up on that story! I just... became distracted with other things *coughs* Mass Effect *coughs* I'm back in the writing game, so you guys can expect a new chapter or two for my Penny Dreadful story soon.

Ok, so, I recently finished Mass Effect: Andromeda and apart from the very obvious flaws, I actually enjoyed playing it. I don't really understand all the hate for the game, to be quite honest... anyway, this story will have the Scott/Peebee pairing (I think it's quite obvious who I romanced in the game, right?). It might seem very light and fluffy in the beginning, but trust me... it'll get darker, story-wise and character-wise. Let me know what you guys think!

Enjoy!

Andromeda, Heleus Cluster, Eos

Flash-step. Slam. Evade. Cover.

Pathfinder, I'm still reading multiple kett signatures, SAM's voice resonates within my head.

"We've got it covered, SAM."

Breaths heavy, I lean against an upturned kett vehicle. Gunfire slices through the air. With steady precision, I reload my Avenger M8 Assualt rifle. This is nothing new for me, for any of us. Routine missions have become somewhat of a chore for the Tempest crew. A 'been there, done that' kind of thing, as Peebee would put it.

"Scott!"

To my immediate right, Liam slams into cover behind a stack of crates. He leans to the side, head peeking around his cover. "Where the hell is Cora?"

Cora. Second in command. All around rough-house kinda gal. And one very pissed off commando. I noticed the change in her demeanour a few days ago. Usually, I'd suspect Peebee for being the cause - those two just never could see eye-to-eye - but this seemed different. A more deep-seated anger. Like something that's been boiling underneath the surface for an extended amount of time. But, it's nothing a little kett-hunting couldn't fix, right?

So, I shrug. "Clearing the field, I guess."

A rage-filled cry. A biotic explosion. Cora stands over a limp kett, empties a few rounds into its head. With a growl, she kicks at the unmoving body.

"Well... I guess that takes care of all the kett," Liam throws over his shoulder, a wide grin stretching his face.

I return my weapon to the holster on my back and emerge from cover. Somewhere, in the back of my mind, I notice a dull throbbing in my head. I touch a few gloved fingers to my temple. My hand comes back bloody. And for some ungodly reason, this pisses me off.

"A little reckless, don't you think?" I say, some tension finally creeping into my voice. Cora snaps her head up, gaze full of fire.

"Having a bad day. Get over it," Cora snaps.

I share a bemused glance with Liam as Cora swipes a hand over her omni-tool.

"Cora to Tempest. We're done here."

For a few moments, I force myself to take a calming breath. Women, right? I take a tentative step forward, already guessing that this is a bad idea.

"You want to... talk about it?" I try.

Over a ridge of mountains, the Tempest glides into view, landing feet extending. Cora holsters her weapon, jaw clenched. Muttering under her breath, she strides towards the landing zone. I stare after her retreating form, eyebrows raised.

Liam shakes his head. "Next time, wait until she's not holding a weapon?"

Tempest, Cargo Bay/Bridge, 16:01 Ship Time

I had barely stowed my assault rifle in the weapon rack when Lexi called for me over the ship comms. Damn, so much for taking a shower and just shrugging it off, I think with an aggravated sigh.

Head injuries are never to be taken lightly, Pathfinder, SAM intones.

"Yeah, yeah." I type at my omni-tool while making my way onto the Bridge. "I'll be down in a few minutes."

"You better not be avoiding me, Ryder," Lexi threatens over the comms. I chuckle to myself. God forbid, I'll never hear the end of it if I do.

I sidle up to Kallo's station, fold my arms. "Chart a course for Elaaden. That should be the last of our round-up missions."

"Regarding the kett, I highly doubt that," Kallo answers, typing furiously at his screen. "Destination set. ETA 8 hours."

"Thanks, Kallo." I turn my head to acknowledge Suvi with a smile. "Just enough time to get some rest. And that counts for both of you."

Suvi makes a grimace, gesturing to the wound on my head. "You better hurry down to the med-bay with that. You don't want to keep Lexi waiting," Suvi says, her green eyes sparkling with mirth.

"Right." I turn around and slam into a blur of purple and blue. I feel arms tighten around my neck and turn my head to press a soft kiss on Peebee's cheek. "Hey there," I mumble against her skin, my own arms winding around her waist.

Peebee pulls back with a grin. "You have no idea how happy I am that you're back. I've got something! And you're gonna love it. I just know it."

"Whoa, whoa. Slow down, will you? What exactly do you have?"

Peebee leans in for a chaste kiss. "Come see me in your quarters when you're done with Lexi."

And just like that, I feel the tension ease out of me. I watch as Peebee saunters from the Bridge, a smile plastered to my face. "No PDA, huh?" I shout after her. Peebee throws a scowl over her shoulder.

"Hush your pretty little mouth and go get that wound seen to!"

Behind me, Kallo groans.

Tempest, Med-Bay, 16:13 Ship Time

"Well, nothing too severe," Lexi says, stepping back from the medical bed. "A few bumps and bruises, but that will heal soon enough."

I swing my legs over the bed. "See? Nothing to worry about," I joke. Lexi pins me with a hard look.

"Head injuries, no matter how small, are no joke," she reprimands. I drop my gaze to the floor, quite thoroughly rebuked. Lexi will never admit it, but she's become somewhat of a mother figure to the Tempest crew. Even when we have no need to visit the med-bay, she's always doting on us. "Eat this, stop eating that, watch out for this, please be careful..."

We all appreciate it, of course. Without Lexi those first few months, I doubt we would have made it very far. But, it's not just that, now is it? Sometimes, Lexi reminds me of my own mother. All warmth and kindness and scolding - where needed - and caring; it's so painfully familiar. Now, that is something I will never admit. To anyone.

Your secret is safe with me, Pathfinder, SAM reassures. Without thinking, I let loose a chuckle. And then I very quickly find myself on the receiving end of a glare. Back-pedal, Scott, real fast!

"I'm not laughing at you, doc. Just thinking how lucky we are to have you."

Lexi rolls her eyes, a sigh escaping her blue lips. "Go on, get out of here."

Tempest, Pathfinder Quarters, 16:48 Ship Time

Peebee paces up-and-down my quarters, a data pad clutched in one hand, muttering to herself. Instead of her usual outfit, she's opted for a pair of tracksuit pants and a black Initiative sweater. All mine, I note with pride. I allow a few moments to silently watch Peebee.

"Okay, let's run it once more, SAM... you know, just to be safe," Peebee says.

Running now. Please wait... readings show no change, SAM confirms.

Peebee fists the air, a wide grin taking hold of her face. I shake my head and finally enter the room.

"This must be really good if it's got you that excited," I say.

"Oh, you have no idea. How's your head?"

I shrug. "Just a nasty bump. I'll survive."

I flop onto the bed and cross my arms behind my head. Peebee joins me, resting on her stomach with the data pad placed in front of her. "Good. So... Our remnant friends are back."

"Really?"

"Uh-huh. My scanner's been picking something up while you were down on Eos. It's some sort of signal, with coordinates. It's almost as if the remnant is trying to reach out to us, or... anyone, for that matter."

I roll over, propping my head up with one hand. "Alright, so where's this signal originating from?"

"Kadara."

"Okay. As soon as we've dealt with the kett on Elaaden-"

Peebee's head snaps up, eyes wide. "We have to go now," she interrupts. In reply, I raise an eyebrow. "Send a squad from the Nexus to deal with the kett. But, Scott, this is important. Really, really important. Who knows what this is. I mean, what if it's the key to fully understanding the remnant? Or, even better, like learning more about the jardaan?"

Come to think of it, learning more about this mysterious race of aliens behind the remnant would help grow our understanding of Andromeda. They might even be willing to lend a hand with the kett problem. Assuming we can find them... and assuming they're even friendly at all. Peebee watches me and I realise just how serious she is. Peebee, serious... huh, guess people really can change. And she has changed, a lot. No more flight over fight. No more flings. No more "entanglements are silly." Looking at Peebee now, I realise that, this is who she really is. And it's beautiful.

I sigh and reach out to run the back of my hand over her cheek. "SAM, could you please inform Kallo of our change in plans? I'll have Peebee forward the navpoint to the Bridge."

Of course, Pathfinder.

Peebee types at her data pad. "Aaand... done. Thank you, Scott."

"Don't mention it. Besides, you make a valid point. The more we know about the jardaan, the better."

Peebee deposits her data pad on the bedside cabinet. "I just hope we'll get there in time. If I received this signal, there's not telling who else did."

I release a long yawn and pull Peebee into my chest. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. In the meantime, how about we get some rest?"

"Are you kidding me? I'm way too wired to fall asleep now."

"Peebee..."

All too quickly, she has me pinned to the bed. Before I even realise what she's doing, her lips are on mine. The kiss is slow and warm and... just, so Peebee; intoxicating and addictive. I sigh with pleasure as our tongues meet, my hands running up her bare back underneath the sweater. All too soon, she pulls back, rests her forehead against mine. "Get some rest. I'll join you later," she murmurs.

I pull her down for an embrace. Somewhere, very far away, in the dark reaches of my mind, something warns me that I'm being way too clingy. Really? Seriously? That is so not the Ryder style. Then again... new galaxy, new rules, right? Besides, Peebee's never complained...

"Just... don't stay up too late. I'm going to need you at your best."

Peebee chuckles. "You always have me at my best. Don't worry about me."

Hours later, sometime close to 00:00 ship time, I feel a slender arm drape across my chest and a leg slip over my middle. Peebee presses her face into my neck and I smile. Moments later, I allow the comforting darkness to take me.