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A week ago, Shep had asked the Batch to go on a supply run. They are leaving in an hour, and Omega isn’t packed yet. Not that she needs much, but typically, she’s the one ready to go the night before.
“Omega,” Hunter says, rapping his knuckles on the door frame of her bedroom. “About ready?”
Sprawled across her bed, his sister, freshly sixteen, looks up from her data pad and heaves an exaggerated sigh. “Do I have to go?” Her tone is on the verge of a whine.
Hunter gapes, surprised by…well, all of it. “What?”
Omega drops the data pad in her lap, her head falling back against the wall with a soft thunk. “I wanna stay home, have the house to myself.”
“I thought you liked getting off-world.”
Omega side eyes him, a pout on her lips. “I do…just…not this time.”
A few years ago, Omega would have fought tooth and nail not to be left behind.
“So, you’d rather stay here by yourself?” Hunter clarifies, still put off.
“Batcher will be here.”
“What will you do?”
“I’ll keep up on my chores,” Omega assures him first. “I’ll hang out with Lyana. She can spend the night; we can watch one of those girly holos you boys don’t like. Oh, and I can finish reading my book.”
Hunter doesn’t know why this is bothering him so much. Omega wanting to stay on Pabu alone isn’t dangerous – far from it. She’ll be safe and – apparently – happy.
By herself.
Without them.
What happened to his little shadow?
“Okay, Omega, if you don’t want to come, that’s fine,” Hunter tells her reluctantly.
She grins at him. “Thanks, Hunter! I promise I’ll check in. You don’t have to worry about me.”
“I’ll always worry about you,” Hunter mutters.
Omega groans. “I know.”
“At least come out to see us off?” Hunter asks.
“I will,” Omega says, as if it is the most obvious thing in the world.
A glimpse of his little shadow remains.