Kiss Off

"Shepard, stop before you make the wounds worse." Garrus stood there in all his magnificent goodness. Amazing how his alien form had become attractive to her. It's a soul connection. That's what she told everyone who questioned what she could possibly see in a turian. What caused the attraction? They never declared that they we a couple, officially. However, they were the worst kept secret on the Normandy.

"You really don't like people fussing over you." He said.

"I don't need it."

Shepard's new life was filled with new challenges. She was happy that her personal life wasn't one of those issues right now. She could see the monitor blinking from her bed. Kelly confirming the meeting between her and the Alliance. Should she try to rebuild her ties with the alliance? A meeting she wanted to skip. Maybe she should allow Miranda to handle it. She wasn't in the mind set to face Kaidan right now.

"Still . . ." Garrus walked over to her on the bed vaccination in hand. "Let me do that." Garrus took the ointment out of Shepard's hand. The wound stopped bleeding. The medi-gel did its job. She hoped that he hadn't thought that he hurt her.

"Stop fighting me on this. I've taken my meds. I'm making sure you take yours."

Shepard relaxed back on the bed. She didn't wince in pain. The shot was over before she knew it. She shifted awkwardly on the bed causing the ointment to hit the floor. "I've taken care of myself since Mindoir. "

"Mindoir." Garrus finished her sentence.

Shepard opened her mouth to speak. The memories of that time were painful. She'd accomplished so much, but that frighten sixteen year old was still a part of her. The feeling of being helpless to stop the deaths of so many. Family blood or not. Having her survival gene kick in and carry her through the impossible. But it wasn't enough to save her family or her squad or Jenkins or Williams or . . .

His touch brought her back to the present. Since her rebirth, it was so easy for her to get lost in memories. He understood her loss and she his in an unspoken way. That caused her to pause. But it isn't the same. Shepard thought. He still blames himself for the death of his team.

"How about I meet you later on the Citadel." He sat down on the bed near her. "We could pick out something together. A M-97. I'll have to make sure you get the right mods for it. I don't think you're ready to handle one with too much kick."

"Don't doubt me."

"Never." Garrus reached down pickingup the ointment Mordin gave her for the chaffing. She turned to face him spreading her legs as she had a couple of hours ago. He put his other glove on and smoothed Mordin's creation over the scratch marks he caused. A sigh of relief and pleasure escaped from deep within her.

"I get it. You just want me to dominate you again."

"Okay, so you won." Shepard smiled. "Maybe, I let you win the match."

"Don't think so Shepard. Not in hand-to-hand. You're good, but not better than me." Garrus leaned into Shepard. Their foreheads caressed melding. "I never thought it could be like this with a human . Hell, it's hard enough finding a suitable mate within my own race." Garrus lowered his head before locking eyes with Shepard again. "I never made a suitable match."

"Well, you're the perfect match for me." She placed tiny kisses all over his scars. She continued across his face until she came up to the visor." "Next time I take you down I'm removing the visor."

Garrus laughed. "Not likely." She loved his laugh. Garrus held her firm. "If something happened to you while we were . . . this way I'll notice any abnormal changes…

"We lead dangerous lives, Garrus. I treasure these moments alone with you. It's worth the risk to be with you."

"I feel the same way." He reached to touch her. Then stopped himself. "Do you know what Alenko wants?"

" No, I don't. He's coming on behalf of the Alliance. He's their liaison."