Shut Wide Eyes
Chapter 1 – An Interesting Proposition
Greetings! So after some assurance and connection with a friend who also writes fan fiction, I got up the nerve to post my first fan-fic. Please be warned this is M rated story for adult situations.
This will now be considered AU because I started writing it before ME3 came out. Bioware owns all…
Kate Shepard leaned into Garrus's chest as they sat on the couch, her fingers nimbly caressing the back of his neck and fringe. Garrus ran one hand down her back, the other resting on her upper thigh. "Are you sure about this?" Kate whispered.
"Not completely," he answered. "But I see no better option. The sooner we get to the Illusive Man, the better."
Kate nodded, "It's only an act and we have to get it right otherwise we'll all be in danger."
Garrus sighed, "I know, I'll be ok. Maybe I'll actually enjoy myself, but it's not in Turian nature to share mates."
"Well we can't wait around for another invite for a Turian male and human female."
"That would have been much more fun," Garrus said as he pinched Kate's ass making her squeak and jump up as the door to her room hissed open.
"I hope I am not interrupting," Thane said from the doorway.
"No, it's ok Thane, come on in."
"This is going to be one interesting night," thought Kate.
One Week Earlier
Kate Shepard, daughter of two of the Alliance's finest, Savior of the Citadel and Council, and, most recently, destroyer of the Collector base. Much to the chagrin of The Illusive Man. Kate thought about her last conversation with him and smirked as she remembered his face when she flicked him off and told him the Normandy was hers. She was going to use it in the upcoming battle against the Reapers and he could either help her or get out of her way. Well he had chosen a third option. Put a bounty on the Normandy. He didn't take kindly to his toys being destroyed or going rouge.
He was out of his mind if he thought Cerberus was getting it back. She had offered the crew and any of the ground team members the opportunity to disembark at the Citadel when they were last there. No one took her up on the offer. Everyone had elected to stay and help in whatever capacity they could. Kate was brought out of her musings as the elevator door opened to the CIC. Kelly was there chipper as always.
"Good morning, Commander," Kelly greeted with a smile. "I hope you slept well last night."
"As good as a fugitive on the run from Cerberus can," Shepard returned her smile. "But I think we're doing good so far. If only I could get Jack to stop talking like a pirate."
"I'm glad she's enjoying herself for once. As long as it doesn't disrupt the crew too much, I say let her have fun. Anyway, you have several new messages."
"Thanks Kelly," Shepard strolled over to her terminal and opened up her new mail.
Kate stared at the email from Liara:
Shepard,
I have a lead on our target. It appears he's into certain kinds of parties and I have found a way for you to get into one. Please come see me as soon as you can.
-Liara
A lead on the Illusive Man. She wondered what kind of parties he was into. Maybe something like Hock's party, getting all pro-human Cerberus types together just to say how great they all are. Bleh, she wasn't looking forward to formal wear again. Although she had to admit, the dress had a surprising upside. Garrus liked it. Or he liked taking it off of her to be precise.
She smiled as she reached for her comm, "Joker, let's go pay the Shadow Broker a visit."
"Aye, aye commander. Coordinates set, ETA 7 hours."
"Shepard, it's good to see you again." Liara greeted her as she entered the room.
"And you too Liara. So what's this about a lead on the Illusive Man?"
"The Illusive Man has rather unexpected tastes. There is a highly secretive group that gets together to watch humans and aliens . . . .be intimate with each other. Apparently the Illusive Man is a high ranking member, perhaps even a founding member, and consistent attendant to these 'parties'."
Kates eyes widened, "While that's all very interesting and disturbing at the same time, Liara, how does that help us?"
"If you'll let me finish Shepard," Liara said with a knowing smirk. "As I said, these parties are highly secretive, only a few people know who actually attends them. You see, all attendants wear masks including the performers."
"Well that explains how we get in. I was pretty sure I wasn't going to be able to waltz in wearing a dress and expect to get close to him without being noticed."
"Correct. I recently intercepted a notice that they are looking for certain entertainment for the next party. They want a Human female and Drell male to be the . . . main event I guess you could call it."
Kate's jaw dropped and she stared at Liara for a moment before she managed to speak. "Ok, let me get this straight, they're advertising for a Human female and Drell male to have sex in front of them. Like on a stage or something."
"That would be an accurate description."
"Wow. So who are we going to get to do this? I mean, can't I go as a party guest or something? And where are we going to find a Drell willing?"
"The main event is only available to high ranking members of this group. The Illusive Man being one of those members. My initial thought was you and Thane or Feron could go in as the couple. We'll need more than just two in there, but I'm sure you can put together a team and I can help get you in."
"Garrus is not going to like this…" Kate started to pace around the room looking thoughtful. "When is this all taking place?"
"We have three weeks to get everything ready. You'll need someone to accompany the couple in, as an escort or master if you will. Plus, I can get another female in as a worker. Anyone else will have to be outside the facility."
"Ok, that helps." Kate reached up to her comm, "Joker, tell Garrus, Thane, Miranda, and Mordin to join me in 30 minutes over here." She looked over at Liara, "Better get planning."
xx-xx-xx-xx
The small team crowded around a table in the upper room of Liara's new base.
"Let me get this straight, Shepard, I'm going pose as a worker for this party and I get to wear nothing but a mask?"
"And a wig, don't forget the wig," Kate said. Miranda was normally unflappable, but the mission Liara and Kate just presented had her blushing and slacked jawed.
"Shepard, you and I are the logical choice for this mission. I do not believe Feron holds the necessary combat skills," Thane finally spoke up.
"Well good, at least he wasn't running the other direction," Kate thought ignoring Garrus's low growling next to her.
"Mordin, you look like you're about to burst. What's on your mind?" Kate asked.
The Salarian, who had until that moment been pacing around the table, stopped and looked at the small group. "Thank you Shepard. Possible Illusive Man hadn't thought anyone would ever suspect him attending these events given the, ahem, nature of his position. Undercover team seems best possibility. Agree that Shepard and Thane best for the, ah, show, both have superior hand to hand-to-hand combat skills and are superior specimens of their respective species. All will have to go unarmed unless able to hide weapons in masks or wigs. Possible, will have to look into. Also need to look into a remedy for hallucinogenic effects skin to skin contact with Drell might have. Need to practice, have to be well informed on how to bring Drell male and Human female to climax for it to be convincing…"
Garrus, still growling, had gone from looking uncomfortable to furious as Mordin rambled on. If Thane was fazed at all he didn't show it.
Kate took pity on Garrus and interrupted Mordin,"With any luck, we'll be able to find The Illusive Man before we get to the 'main event'. We have three weeks to plan and prepare for this operation."
Kate looked around, "Liara will get us the layouts to the facility the event will be held in. Garrus will be our handler and Thane and I will be the entertainment if it gets that far. Miranda we'll need to get any information from Cerberus to help us identify him. As you walk around the party, you'll have to scan the attendants. Mordin, you need to find a way to work the device into a bracelet, the mask, or something else discrete. As for Thane and I, if you have any medical information for us we'll talk on that in 24 hours."
Mordin nodded his agreement and took his place back at the table.
"I'll talk with everyone individually within the next day to go over more specifics. Dismissed."
They all got up from the table and started to head for the door. Mordin was talking to himself in his usual fast pace. Miranda was scowling. Apparently being on display for a bunch of deviant voyeurs was just a bit too much for the typically self-confident woman. Thane, stoic as ever, paused by the door and gave a slight bow before slipping out.
Garrus held back and looked at Kate. "I'll meet you back in my quarters in a few hours as soon as I finish discussing a few things with Liara," She said giving his hand a squeeze. He held her gaze for a second and slowly turned to leave.
Once they were all out, Kate looked back at Liara. "Well, that went better than I expected. But we still have a lot to do to prepare for this. Let me know as soon as you get the schematics of the building. I assume you've already replied to the advertisement."
"Of course Shepard. They will be expecting a Turian escort for the Human and Drell couple. I will also ensure Miranda will be expected. The group will be sending the Human, Drell, and Turian masks in a package with further instructions. I will let you know as soon as I have them and the building plans."
"They'll be shipping our outfits to us a week ahead of time? Where are they shipping them to?"
"The Shadow Broker had a few condos in one of the quarters on Illium near where the party will take place. They will be shipped there. One of my agents will be waiting for delivery. Your team can move in there a couple days before the party and use it as a base of operations. It's secluded and built like a fortress."
"Good. I want to assemble a ground team to secure the perimeter of the building. I want a backup plan in case something goes wrong. They can always storm in, but I'd rather not draw any more attention to this than necessary. We need to keep this quiet as possible."
"I'll send you access codes to the condos. After the delivery, my agents will clear out and I'll change all the codes so you're the only ones who can get in."
"Thanks Liara. You know, having the Shadow Broker as a best friend has its advantages."
Liara smiled, "You helped me achieve this," she motioned around the room. "I don't think I can ever repay you completely."
As she walked back to the Normandy, Kate sent a message to Thane and Mordin setting up a time to discuss Mordin's medical concerns. She would have to talk to Thane separately at some point too. He hadn't said much during the meeting and she needed to be sure he was ok with this. She wasn't even quite sure she was yet, but a chance to get The Illusive Man was the only way she could concentrate on the real looming threat… the Reapers.
Kate rode the elevator up to her quarters deep in thought. She was sure this would be one of the most uncomfortable conversations ever. Kelly had mentioned that Turians were extremely territorial when it came to mates.
Thanks for reading! I hope to update every other week or so.