NOTES: I was so saddened by EA's treatment of the wonderful character of Thane Krios that I just had to write a bit of a more upbeat fic about how a Thane X Fem Shepard's relationship could have been if not for the happenings in ME3 (Sorry if that's a bit vague. I'm trying not to give spoilers for those that haven't played yet). Set right after ME2. (I'm a big Garrus x Shepard too so there's a hint of that in here as well.)
Oh and I know Mordin said that skin contact between humans and drells could cause rashes and even hallucinations if the contact is oral. But since it was only a 'could' option, I'm assuming some humans do not get that kind of reaction and Shepard just happens to be one of those. Or, if you like, we can assume since it is an allergic reaction there is a simple medication Shepard can take that takes care of the problem...
DISCLAIMER: I own nothing and no one from Mass Effect 1, 2, 3, or any of the DLC's. I am just someone who happens to be a fan and thought I'd try my luck at making a FemShepard x Thane Krios romance. I make absolutely NO money from this. Please don't sue.
Title: Assassin's Heart
Chapter 1: Journey to the End of the Night
Lazy bubbles drifted slowly up through the liquid of the tank to burst upon the surface with soft wet sounds. The gentle rush of water that permeated the Commander's cabin was rather nice. Calming. Quiet. Even peaceful. Thane's eyes deftly tracked the rushes of color as the rainbow of fish darted here and there aimlessly though the water. Tension drained from his shoulders as he continued to listen to the whispering of the water and watched the fish swim. The sights and sounds reminded him faintly of his home and the life he had led on the watery hannar world. It was nostalgic of him, he knew, but it also was nice after the combat he had just seen. The rush of the drell's mind slowly calmed, a peace coming over him as the impossibility of the successful mission solidified into reality. His thoughts stopped replaying the horrifying memories the collectors and the reapers and what a disaster the mission might have been and stilled until all he knew was that perfect moment. They had won. They had survived. Everyone. It was nothing short of a miracle. No one, but Shepard could have done it. And even then it had been near impossible, but they had done it. She had done it. Shepard... She was so incredible... and somehow she was his.
Suddenly arms wrapped around his neck from behind making him stiffen, his body reflexively preparing to strike, but then he relaxed again with a soft sigh as his lover placed a gentle kiss on his cheek.
"I did not hear you come in," Thane murmured, resting a hand over the two the Commander held clasped around his neck.
Shepard chuckled, her breath hot and teasing against his fringe. "That's pretty lax for an assassin," she said resting her chin on his shoulder. "Are my fish really that interesting?"
The drell's attention strayed back to the tank and it's occupants. "They are... colorful," he finally said.
Shepard rolled her eyes, her breath puffing against his neck. "You always take thing so seriously."
"Indeed?" he said, looking back over his shoulder at her, one eyebrow raised in question.
She gave his a slightly miffed look. "I was joking Thane."
"I know," he said, his gaze turning back to the fish as he stroked his thump over her hand. "I'm just having a little trouble believing..." He shook his head, cutting himself off. The mission was already done. There was no sense in dwelling on what could have been. "I'm glad to see you are doing well Siha," he said instead. "You had me worried when the structure started collapsing."
"Mmm," Shepard's eyes drifted to the bandages the assassin now sported on his left bicep. "You're the one who got hurt."
"It is only a scratch," he said dismissively. "And you cannot tell me you are not a little batter and bruised too."
The woman sighed and leaned her forehead against his back, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. She loved his scent: dusty, but spiced like the desert air with a bit of vanilla or maybe cinnamon added to it. It was hard to believe someone who looked so reptilian could smell so sweet, but somehow he did. It felt so good to hold him, to be with him like this. He was so warm. Alive. She never wanted to let him go. "At least we're still alive," she finally whispered, not knowing how long they would still have together even after the suicide mission was over, but not wanting to dwell on his illness.
"So we are." Sensing the hint of sadness in her tone, Thane turned in her grasp and took her in his arms, lightly resting his hands on the swell of her hips. "Because of you, Siha."
She looked away, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. "You exaggerate."
He lifted a hand to cup her face in a gentle caress, catching her attention and making her look at him again. "No I'm not," he whispered, stroking his thumb over her bottom lip. "You are incredible."
"Well," Shepard smile coyly, mischief suddenly shining in her eyes as she leaned forward and lifted her knee, sensually brushing it against his groin as her foot caressed his leg. "I had a good team."
Thane swallowed hard, arousal swelling fast within him. He had never imagined having a romantic relationship with another species before, but Shepard was... She was simply irresistible. He was so lucky they were compatible for he was utterly and completely smitten with her. So much so it was almost debilitating and he did not mind a bit. She was that... that... He had no words for it. No word that could cover all that she was. Incredible. Amazing. Wonderful. Sensual. They all fell too short of the reality. Their relationship- It was just... perfect. And he never wanted to be without her. Not for a moment. "Are you done with your work?" he asked, just a bit hoarsely, his hand tightening around her hips with his need, pulling her closer.
The Commander tossed her head dismissively with a soft huff, her shoulder-length red hair swirling playfully around her face. "As much as I can be with half the ship's systems barely functional," she said with a touch of frustrating then her tone suddenly became a husky purr. "But now..." she said, turning him around with her and pushing him back onto the bed before climbing in on top of him and straddling his hips. "I think you owe me a date."
Thane propped himself up on his elbows and ached a brow. "It seems we are a little past the point of a date Shepard," he said, his breath coming faster as she leaned forward and kissed his neck, running her tongue slowly across his sensitive fringe.
"Tomorrow," she whispered and leaned down, pressing her lips to his. The drell closed his eyes and moaned his longing into her mouth. How he had missed this. It had barely been a day since their last intimate encounter, in this very bed in fact, and yet it still felt like forever since he had tasted her. He could get lost in her lips and did until she finally pressed back to gasp for air. He was panting too, but he didn't care, peppering her throat and jaw with tender nips and kisses. How he loved her. He hadn't fallen so quickly since Irikah. Irikah... Shepard and Irikah. One his present and one his past, but he still loved them both. If Shepard had never come along, Thane knew he would have let his body die by now. He had had no will to live since his first wife had passed on. He probably would never have been able to reconcile with Kolyat either. Two women. One had birth his son and the other had given his son back to him. Shepard... She had given him so much. He wanted to give her more.
The woman above him giggled as he tenderly nuzzled her chin and placed a delicate kiss under her ear. "You are my life Siha," he whispered against her skin, his hands dipping under the hem of her shirt and stroking her hot, naked flesh.
"Thane," she gasped, breathless, her eyes hooded with desire as her hips moved against him, grinding in time with his own. If only their damned clothing weren't in the way.
Panting, the drell stared up, mesmerized by the vision above him. He could see his reflecting in her prefect green eyes. His own lust and need mirror in her face. Surviving impossible odds did that to you. It was like a drug. The need to reaffirm life blended with their own love and desire making it impossibly stronger. Without thought, Thane wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down into another passionate kiss. They lost themselves in each other. Their reality shirking to that one moment. Lips and tongue and teeth. Hot breath. Hotter skin. And each other.
Lungs burning for air, Thane was forced to pull away after a long period of kissing and grinding and groping at each other. The lovers gasped together, chests heaving in time, their breathe warming each other's faces. Shepard grinned giddily at him from where she lay on top of him, making the drell admit to himself he was a little light headed too, but he didn't care. This was just what he wanted. What they both needed. He sighed, running his hands up her sides and playfully nipping at her throat.
The woman chuckled, the sound vibrating through her and into him, making him feel somehow closer to her then he already was.
With a chaste kiss on his forehead, Shepard slid off his hips to lie on her side in the bed beside him. A stab of disappointment lanced through Thane following the loss of her warmth and her weight, but the rational part of his mind quickly quashed it, knowing she was trying to give him space to breath. There was no sense in exacerbating his condition any further then they must. He liked to keep breathing and had no wish to die any sooner than he had to. Not when he had the love of the woman he loved himself.
He roll onto his side so he could get a better look at her. They were both still panting and flushed... and incredibly happy to be laying in that bed together having overcome impossible odds.
Thane reached his hand over the bare foot of bedspread that lay between them and wrapped his fingers around her own. They lay there for several long moment, gasping and smiling like fools and Thane couldn't get over how beautiful she was. So beautiful he couldn't stand to break the moment... but he also knew it couldn't last forever. Their breathing gradually eased and the racing of his heart slowly quieted and he knew that moment had come to an end.
With an almost sad look in his eyes Thane reach up and tucked a piece of her unruly red hair behind her ear. Her smile widened at the touch and she turned her head, kissing his palm before he could take it away.
Warmth pooled in the drell's chest at the tender motion and he gently cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking over her skin in a loving caress. "What were you saying about a date, Siha?"
The words seemed to shatter the peaceful moment they had been sharing, but that was alright because they were still together... and the night was still young.
"Oh yah..." Shepard blinked, startled by the sudden change in topic, but very willing to continue that discussion. She snuggled closer, resting her chin on his warm chest. "Weee-eeellllll," she said coyly, tapping a finger against his skin before sitting up. "I'd say we earned some downtime, don't-cha think?" she said playfully, running a hand through her hair then reaching down to peel her armored shirt off, leaving only her bra behind before turning her attention to unzipping his jacket.
"We can finally have a real date," she continued to say, baring his chest and making his breath quicken again as she ran her hands slowly down his muscular, green pecs. " We have to dock to make some of our repairs anyway. Say at the citadel. Or Omega. Or Even Illium. Whatever you prefer. You probably know more about civilian life then I."
"I don't care," he said a little breathlessly, leaning up onto one elbow and stroking his other hand up her thigh to her hip and waist and finally to the clasp of her bar. The swell of her breast popped free from the confines of the fabric as his deft fingers undid the hook. He let the clothing fall to the bed and cupped her breast in his palm, mesmerized by the sight of her bared skin. She was so strong and yet so soft and supple. His thumb flicked over her erect nipple, making her quiver, a soft groan escaping her lips. Thane had no chest-nipples, nor did females of his species, but he loved how touching and licking Shepard's made her squirm and moan. "Whatever you wish Siha, I don't care," he said tearing his gaze from her body to look up into her lovely eyes. "As long as it's with you."
The woman smiled, leaning down to press herself against his chest. "We can have a meal in a real restaurant and..." She reached over with one hand and entwined her fingers with his. "... just be with each other. No mission. No war. No rank. Just ourselves."
Thane grunted as she ground her hips against his side and purred out her last word. "That's sounding better all the time," he said in a breathless whisper, his hooded eyes glued to her lusty expression.
Shepard frowned slightly at the sound of his voice, and sat up, concerned that he was gasping again so soon. "This isn't too fast for you Thane, is it? I don't want to strain you-"
"No," the drell said quickly, a little too quickly, then he smiled with a sigh. "Fast is perfect for a man with little time left, Shepard. Besides..." he paused, pulling her hand to his lips and placing a gentle kiss on her knuckle. "When I look into your eyes, Siha, I feel I have known you for a long time," he said, his free hand wandering over her, caressing her belly, his eyes following where his hand touched her hot skin. "My body knows yours and..." His gaze drifted up to look up into her shining eyes. "... my spirit-"
Her lips pressing into his cut off the words. "I feel it too," she whispered into his mouth as their kiss broke off. "This..." She leaned back, caressing his cheek. "Us. It feels right."
"Siha," he breathed, pressing himself up to kiss her again. "I love you."
"Thane." Their lips met again. And again. The world melting away as his mouth kissed away any confession of love that she might have said, his hands roaming over her skin.
"Oh, by the way Krios," she said suddenly, pulling away from his lips. She smiled and teasingly traced his jaw with a finger before continuing. "Don't be late," she said, playfully nipping at his fringe. "For our date."
He smiled, his hands squeezing her butt cheeks, pulling her body closer to his. "I wouldn't dare," he whispered against her skin, his tongue snaking out to lick it's way down her throat and between her breasts, making her gasp with delight.
"Oh you bad boy."
Thane chuckled and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss as he rolled their bodies until he was on all fours above her. With his other hand he struggled to take off his pants, his desire overcoming the last of his discretion. His breath panted out of his body in short gasps, his erection so hard it was difficult to free himself from the tight confines of his clothing. His hands fumbled around, his fingers shaking with anticipation. Fabric ripped, but he didn't care. Shepard arched her back under him in impatience, her hips pressing up against his, a low moan issuing from her lips. A long, lusty sound escaped his own lips, his desire mirroring her own. Their longing was so great and their near death on the mission still so close. He could almost taste it. And it was bitter. They both wanted- no - needed to revel in the sweetness of their life and love. Now. Right now.
"Krios." The woman gasped as he finally pulled himself out and started yanking her pants off in turn.
The instant she was free her legs spread for him, inviting him to take her.
"I want you inside," she moaned, her hand drifting down between her legs, trying to help guide him.
"My pleasure Siha," he said, wrapping his arms tightly around her, he kissed her cheek and thrust in.
/\/\/\/\
They lay together, their naked bodies entwined in the aftermath of their love-making. Shepard rested contently with her head on her lovers chest and his warm arms wrapped around her. Sweat dampened her skin and the air smelled of sex, but she didn't care. She could lay there for hours, even days with him and it would still be perfect. She couldn't remember the last time she felt so happy. And he had given it to her. This assassin who had become her unlikely lover and maybe even her true love.
Shepard sighed, sleepily nuzzling the drell's skin, as his hand absentmindedly stroked over her belly. "Thane?" she mumbled, her drowsiness thickening her voice.
"Yes Siha," he whispered, gently kissing the top of her head as he hand smoothed through her soft hair. He found himself delighting in the touch of her warm body against his. For him, these quite moments just spent in the presence of his love were somehow even better than any amount of physical pleasure he had with her. This was an emotional-kind of intimacy that could never be topped by simple sex. Although the sex certainly didn't hurt.
"You won't forget our date, will you?" she asked in a small, almost tremulous voice.
Thane was startled by how vulnerable his strong Commander sounded in that one moment and he knew he couldn't bring himself to deny her anything, even if he had wanted to. "What time do you wish to meet?" he said, softly, his breath rustling through her red locks.
She thought for a moment, absently tapping her finger against his arm. "Say 19:00. At the mess hall. Will that work?" Her gaze flicked up toward his face as she said those last words and waited for his answer.
Thane tenderly brushed his lips over her forehead before whispering; "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The sleepy smile she gave him melted the drell's heart. She sighed happily, her eyes falling shut as she snuggled against his chest. In a few second she had fallen into a deep, dreamless sleep.
The assassin softly brushed a hand through her hair, marveling how peaceful the woman looked in her sleep. He too was tired, but first there was one last thing he had to do before he could slumber. Thane felt happier now then he had in a long time and for such happiness one should give thanks. And pray for the one you love. Closing his eyes, the drell bowed his head and silently sent his prayer out into the stars.
Arashu, goddess of new life and love and protector of all, I no longer know what is in store for me or this love I have found, but I would ask you to protect this woman. She is brave and fierce and faces many challenges in her life to come. Grace her with your strength so she will not have to suffer when I pass for this place and grant her the wisdom to know, if it is meant to be, we will find one another again after our time in this world is no more.
The man sealed his prayer with a kiss, gently pressing his lips to his lover's cheek, careful not to wake her.
I love you, Siha. May you go in the grace of the gods.
With his final duty of the night complete, Thane's eyes closed and he relaxed back, falling asleep with his lover's warmth weight cradled protectively in his arms.
TBC...
So my first normal M/F relationship fic... If you can call relationships with an alien normal. Just kidding. Who doesn't love Thane. Or Garrus, who is totally the coolest alien character in the ME universe! Maybe someday I'll get around to writing a fic about him, although he will be appearing in this fic as well, just not with Shepard. Anyway, I hope you liked my story so far. Sorry to all of my wonderful fans who are waiting for updates on my other fics. I've been having trouble getting into the spidy stuff lately so I decided to try something totally different in an attempt to get myself out of my writing funk. I'm also experimenting with the 'love-scenes' so they are not as graphic as my usual and it doesn't take up so much space and time, but still has plenty of spice (That doesn't mean I'll be implementing this in my other current fics. I'm just testing it out here. I'll try to keep the writing in the others as consistent and smooth as possible, so no worries). On a side note, this story WAS going to just be a oneshot. I swear it was... but then my imagination got the better of me. I swear no matter how hard I try I just can't do oneshots! It's annoying! Sorry about the rant, but it is really, really is. Anyway please, please review. I would love to know what people think.
ONE LAST QUICK NOTE: I know Arashu is technically the goddess of the mothers and protection. I just personalized Thane's prayer a bit and, if you think of it, 'new life' and 'love' can both be domains of 'the mother.'
