Hi guys, well this is my FIRST fanfic ever so please be gentle. I'm a rabid fan of the Mass Effect series and have been hankering to write something about these awesome characters. I'm not a pro writer, just someone that loves to write. I am currently writing my second chapter, so it should be up in a week or so. Between work and play it's hard to find the time, but I'm anxious to see where this tale goes. This will be a Garrus/FemShep pairing. Any ideas about story lines and well recieved and please rate and comment, even if its to say you don't like it.. I THINK I can handle that :D

Also.. I'm struggling to come up with a title, so any help on that front would be great. Anyway, enjoy :D

XXX Maqi

Peach Scnhapps

Peach Schnapps was always Shepards favourite. The strong tangy flavour always reminded her of her mothers perfume and how she would always be over the kitchen sink washing the faint dusting of powdered sugar from her hands after making Maqis favourite cookies. The memory of her mother tugged at her stomach. It had been 16 years since Mindoir. Since they were taken from her.

She shook the vision from her mind and downed the rest of her drink slowly swivelling her stool around towards the table at the other end of the bar. They were all there. Drinking, talking and laughing. She had to blink hard just to make sure they were actually real. She couldn't believe they had all survived. Their so-called suicide mission was almost just that, but with quick thinking and exemplary teamwork on all parts her and her team were able to finally relax and celebrate the defeat of the Collectors.

A small smile graced her lips. She was so proud of her team and when Kasumi and Kelly suggested they celebrate at the Dark Star who was she to refuse? This was the only place on the Citadel that served Peach Schnapps after all.

Ordering another drink she eyed the individuals at the table.

Jack and Kelly were talking rapidly to each other and occasionally checked out the table behind them that was now crowded with four human men doing some gossiping and checking out of their own. Shepard could only wonder which one of the two girls was trying to convince the other to make the first move. She didn't know if they knew or not, but those two were like peas in a pod. Jack, minus the all incessant talkativeness, and Kelly minus the psychotic murderous tendencies. Other then that, Peas. Pods.

Jacob was leaning towards the table in front of theirs sweet talking some Asari that would giggle every now and then with a flirtatious smile. Shepard couldn't help but laugh to herself, looks like someone was going to get lucky tonight.

On the other hand Thane sat at the end of the table with a group of 3 women that couldn't take their eyes off him. Poor bastard, he looked so uncomfortable and irritated. Shepard considered going over to save him from the unwanted attention but decided against it. It was more fun to see him squirm and loose that usual cool calm confidence he always had.

Garrus sat opposite him with two hangers on of his own but seemed to be enjoying the attention a lot more. One of the girls, a human girl, was leaning into him quite closely whispering into his ear about gods know what. Hmm, that bugged her a little.

"You're keeping it low-key Commander." Shaking herself out of the depths of her mind, she smiled at her XO and placed the now empty glass back on the bar. How many drinks was that now? 8?9?

"What about you Miranda. You're not joining in on the fun?"

Placing her own empty wine glass on the bar, Miranda flashed a sly grin before wrapping her arm around the young man that was half hidden in the shadows behind her.

"I've had my fill of jovial camaraderie and now, it's time for me to get what's coming to me." Even though it was dark in the club Shepard could have sworn she saw the young man blush. The poor thing had no idea what he was in for.

Shepard hid her encroaching grin and dipped her eyes at Miranda. She was looking smoking hot tonight. Her body was so lithe and perfectly accentuated by the slick black catsuit she had become accustomed to wear lately. Gods! Shepard was so jealous! Their bodies were so different. Miranda was like a slight graceful panther, Shepard was like a thick muscled lion. Sigh...

"Ok, well take it easy on the poor thing would you", Shepard murmured, then addressing the boy she added, "Don't let her eat you all up at once. She's voracious." Shepard saw the fear and excitement in his eyes and as she watched them leave Miranda took the forefront and suggestively sashayed the soon to be devoured through the door.

Turning her attention back to the table and Thanes almost pained expression she finally gave in and after ordering another delicious schnapps she decided to save her assassin.

As she approached the table, on shaky legs, the two hangers on crowding Garrus gave her a querying look and snuggled closer towards him. He was completely unaware of the looks she got, his attention focused solely on the two pairs of breasts that were pressed against either side of chest. Hmm, that bugged her even more.

Thane looked up at Shepard as she neared, his dark eyes pleading with her to help him. She smiled widely and took a seat next to one of the Asari that didn't even have the decency to look up from her object of desire and acknowledge her. She couldn't blame her though, Thane was utterly gorgeous and exuded sex appeal like thick hot smoke. Shepard herself thought about what it would be like to take the drell into her bed, have his slightly rough body heavy on top of her own, but he was so focused on his lost love Irika, she didn't want to taint him with her school girl crush. However, as their time together grew longer since his recruitment they became very close friends and there was no way she going to ruin that. And right now he needed a friend.

Smoothing out her tight black dress she leaned over the table past the 3 women vying for his attention and rested on her elbows giving Thane a knowing look and winked.

"My, my, aren't you a sight." Her voice was like a kitten purring, low and sensual. She grinned slightly and reached out her hand to stroke the side of his face. "How about you and me get outta here and have our own private party?" Thanes eyes softened and he smiled. The woman surrounding him finally dragged their lustful gazes from him and stared hard at Shepard.

"What do you think you're doing girl!" one of them said, "We were here first", said another. Shepard took no notice of them and instead ran her hand down Thanes face, neck and trailed his arm until finally resting on his hand that was tightly clenching at the empty glass of water.

"Your offer is.. intriguing," the assassin said in an equally low tone. Shepard felt her insides implode at his voice. He leaned forward into Shepard who was basically lying on the table and brought their hands to his mouth and lightly kissed the tips of her fingers. Well, the women went into a rage!

"Get lost human!" "Find your own drell" "Fuck off!"

Shepard ignored them again smiled into Thanes eyes. How was she going to get rid of these hags? She had no weapon, thanks to Kelly forbidding it for one night. But as soon as the thought entered her mind it left again. Having no gun was probably a good idea.

"Ladies, there is no need to be rude." Shepard noticed Thane stifle an emerging grin as he calmly spoke to the enraged women surrounding him. Their faces were red with rage but Shepard couldn't take her eyes of Thanes face. What was that look? Playfulness? Mischievousness? Whatever it was it lit a small fire inside Shepard that made her squirm in her seat.

"I think you girls should leave, the drell and I have business to attend to."

"Like hell bitch, we were here first. The one leaving is you!"

Shepard dragged her gaze from Thane and eyed the Asari that dared speak to her. Was she really trying to pick a fight with her? How... comical.

"I'm only going to say this once honey, fuck off now and you won't get hurt. The drell is mine and if you think YOU of all people are going to go home with him you're kidding yourself. Understand me?"

Shepard released a small field of her biotic energy the pale blue shimmering all around her and smiled. The Asaris eyes widened and she backed off a little. The other two women, another Asari and a human murmured something about it not being worth it and hastily made their exits.

"You're threatening me human? Who the hell do you think you are?" Her face was hardened with rage. Shepard was getting pretty sick of this whole thing about now and knew that just one slug to her pretty face would have this mess cleaned up. That wasn't going over the top was it? Just one small tap to her temple.

Behind her Thane softly placed his hand on the asaris shoulder and pulled her back, out of Shepards face and arms length. He obviously knew her too well.

"Miss, it would be a good idea if you left. My friend here has a temper and it is not something you would like to experience first hand, believe me."

The Asari narrowed her eyes at Thane and after a few seconds stood abruptly and stormed off, cursing under her breath. Shepard let out a small giggle and after watching the pissed off girl head out the club doors she straightened in her seat again, leaned back with her arms folded and glared whimsically at Thane who returned her look with one just as haughty.

"Thank you for your assistance Shepard. Their company was getting rather... tiresome." Thane kept his voice low and smooth.

"Why didn't you just tell them to go away then?"

He let out a small sigh, "I did, many times but every time I spoke they seemed to just want to stay more." They shared a laugh and finally relaxed, Shepard letting her biotic flow ebb.

"Just admit it Thane, you actually enjoyed the attention of 3 young women didn't you?"

He dipped his head, hiding a shy smile and cleared his throat. "I did at first, but it got boring rather quickly. I had to slip into my own memories to find a little peace from their ranting. There is only so much I can take."

Shepard laughed and playfully hit Thane in the shoulder, "You're such a dog Thane!"

"I think I am going to head back to the Normandy Shepard, the air in here is starting to get a little stagnant,"

"Ok, just take it easy alright, I'll see you in the morning. I want you to come along with me to see Liara if you're up for it."

"We're heading back to Illiam?"

"Yeah, I got some Intel about the Shadow Broker I want to share with her. But only if you're feeling ok, let me know after you've rested 'k."

He nodded his head slightly and turned to leave, "I will be fine Shepard, I will be ready when you need me."

Left alone now sitting at the empty end of the table she looked around and saw that most of her crew had gone their own way. Jack and Kelly were leaving with their group of guys dragging a very reluctant Kasumi in their trail. Jacob was now full on making out with the Asari he had been flirting with and with Zaeed and Grunt comfortably getting drunk and god knows what else at Choras Den she was stuck at the Star watching Garrus get hit on by two very annoying and dared she think it... ugly women. Already she was thinking she should have taken Tali up on her offer for a quiet night in.

The bar was pumping, the loud thumping bass rang heavily through the club. Shepard loved this kind of music, the intoxicating beat always made her want to shut her eyes and sway fervently to the musical noise that drummed through her veins. The last time she really let herself go was... Gods! She couldn't even remember. Her 21st birthday maybe? Wow, that was a long time ago. Getting lost in her memories again she didn't even notice when a hand came down on her shoulder and squeezed lightly.

"My my, if it isn't the hero of the Citadel."

Shepard turned her head to the side and was met by the eyes of a rather tall Turian. He was looking down at her with half closed eyes and a what could only be described as a cheeky smile. His mandibles twitched slightly, was he waiting for an invitation to sit down?

"You are Commander Shepard, aren't you?"

"I am," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the blaring music, "please, have a seat."

He took to the chair like a madman and scooted it as close as he could towards her so they could talk without having to shout at each other. His closeness was suddenly very apparent to her. He wasn't bad looking, for a Turian. Not that she ever thought about 'going there' with one. He was a lovely shade of ash grey, his brilliant white markings finely accentuating the curves of his face and piercing eyes. He was either drunk, or well on his way to it as evident by the half empty glass of some blue concoction in his hand.

"It seems," he purred, "the rumours of your death were ill informed." He gave her a slight smile, the corner of his mouth raising showing the faint glimmer of perfectly white teeth.

"And who might you be then?" She asked slowly, eyeing him up and down. He didn't seem to have a weapon on him, that she could see anyway. Funny how that was always the first thing she looked for. She never did like the fact that people recognised her out of uniform, especially strangers.

"Me? No one special, just someone who saw you from across the bar and wanted to say hello. You may call me Lorkan, Commander Shepard." He extended his hand towards her which she took carefully and shook. Without warning he brought her hand to his face and pressed his mouth to it kissing it very slightly before releasing her. She could feel the heat raising from her neck.

"It.. it's a p..pleasure to meet you.." Was she stuttering? Damn schnapps must be coming back to haunt her. ".. and what brings you out to The Dark Star Lounge tonight Lorkan?"

"Drinks with a few friends," he replied noticing her fleeting embarrassment at his kiss, "one of them is celebrating his induction into the Alliance Military. A foolhardy decision I say," he said with a smirk, "but he seems to want to serve."

The Alliance. How she missed the service. The friends. The security. And oh yes, her own induction and the celebration that came afterwards. By the Gods, she was hammered that night, something her commanding officer made her regret the next day.

"And are you a military man yourself Lorkan?"

"All Turians are in one way or another Commander. We like to get into the... thick of things." He stared intently into Shepards eyes as he spoke, the slight tinge of flirtation on the edge of his words. Shepard found herself suddenly.. uncomfortable. Not bad uncomfortable, but.. weird uncomfortable.

"I'm sure you do." She shifted in her seat momentarily brushing her bare leg against the Turian. A small rumbling growl found it's way out from the depths of Lorkans throat. The sound... did something to her insides. Something... warm.

"You know, you're quite ah... beautiful in person. The pictures and reports on you do you no justice. You know.. for a human I mean." He stuttered, or more like.. fell.. over the words as he spoke them.

Ok, she was definitely getting some weird feeling right now. She had never thought about becoming involved with someone other then another human. Interspecies sexual relations just seemed way to foreign to her. She knew it happened all the time, but still. It was probably the mixture of the loud music, however many drinks she had and the attention of someone so unlike her that made her want to... try...?

No.. no, she couldn't do that at all. Not while the prospect of... that man was still there.

No.. no. That was not an option any more. They were finished, he saw to that. Even after that message any likelihood that they were going to get back together was dashed. His words on Horizon haunted her even now. Traitor. She was a traitor. She had betrayed him. There was no coming back from those words. Not even through a weak apology. That crossed the line.

But this was something new, a game she had never played before. Well, other then the usual innuendo her and Garrus would indulge in now and again when she visited him in the main battery of the the Normandy.

She noticed Lorkan was still staring at her while she swirled in her own thoughts again and blinked a few times before remembering how to speak.

"Are you coming on to me Turian, or is this just my imagination?"

He laughed at that, raking his hand across his face and through is ridges. It was adorable, making Shepard smile fondly. She remembered she had made Garrus respond the same way once.

"And if I was Commander, would that be so bad?" She brought her hand up to her lips to hide her smile.

"I suppose not, but what makes you think I am even interested?"

She stared hard into Lorkans eyes a sly grin on her lips. She was flirting, she knew it, even if she wasn't sure it was the right thing to do. Even more so, he knew it too. His mandibles flickered slightly his tongue quickly licking his lips and he smiled leaning even more forward into Shepard.

"Have you ever had a Turian, Commander? Have you ever had... the pleasure?" His breath was hot on her neck, the strong smell of alcohol wafted between them. The low growl in his throat sparked a flame in her and she lazily closed her eyes, leaning her head against the side of his. Her breathing was becoming ragged amplified by the swimming in her head. The affects of schnapps were definitely becoming apparent. She swooned against him.

"I c..can't say that I h..ave.." she was breathless. Opening her eyes she noticed the floor was turning into a ocean of ripples. The Turian was nothing but a hazy blur.

Fuck.. I think I'm going to..

It was weird. Shepard couldn't tell if the room was turning upside down or if SHE was. There was a rush of what sounded like the ocean in her ears and the burning in her throat made her bring her hands up to her mouth. She was going to vomit.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed that Lorkan had backed off, his voice nothing but a distant high pitched hum among the throng of vicious beats emanating from the clubs sound system. How could she have let herself get this bad? She didn't even think she had drunk so much.

The acidic bile in her throat was threatening to come forth, Shepard shakily got to her feet but as her weight shifted her knees gave way and she was falling.. falling..

Strong hands caught her before she hit the ground. Her vision was blurred but she turned her head to see the Turian cradling her in his arms. He said something but she couldn't quite make out what it was as hard as she strained to listen. The jerking in her stomach became too much to bear and she squirmed in the Turians arms trying to settle herself on her hands and knees.

"I'm.. gon... be...sic.." She tried to hold it in. There was no way she WANTED to be sick in front of all these people. But she couldn't stop it, the need was too great. She had to relieve the tension, get the burning ick out of her system.

With a final groan her stomach rolled and in one go she emptied her poisoned gut on the floor of The Dark Star Lounge.