A/N: As stated, here's the second part of: Ties That Bind. You know the rules.

On your mark.

Get set.

Go!


Chapter Three: Ties That Bind

Part 2

The Choice


Location: Citadel, Huerta Memorial.

Date: August 1st, 2183

Time: 1205 CST

Tugging on the restraints lashing his arms to the bed, Johnathan winced as a tingling ache radiated up his spine. It seemed the Batarian nurse had felt the need to tighten his bonds to straight jacket levels of immobilization. Actually, a straight jacket would have been preferable, at least then he could've dislocated his shoulder and Houdini'd his freedom. But alas, luck was not on his side.

Tagging the nurse call button, an Asari entered his room and he gave her some words about being in pain. She said some words meant to comfort and keyed her override code into the PCA (Patient-controlled analgesia). He thanked her and joked about the absurdity of a machine meant for the Patient to control, yet couldn't, as he of memorized her code. He didn't know what use it would be, outside of self medication, but he memorized it all the same.

She shot back a comment about slaves committing suicide via overdose.

Shepard soon felt liquid relief drown out the sizzling in his nerves. It was a wonderful feeling, like a tall glass of water on a warm summers day. With his lucidity becoming increasingly impaired, John closed his eyes and his mind drifted to thoughts of the kiss he shared with Laira. He could still feel her softness on his lips, taste her on his tongue, smell her on his lapel. It was a hell of a kiss and by god did he want to do that again; feel that way again.

Yet time was not on his side. Johnathan knew his devils bargain had bought him at most an extra week. He had to capitalize on the opertunity, and soon, lest he wanted to be sold to someone other than Liara T'Soni. He didn't truthfully know if she would be a kind Master. Master? Mistress? (He'd figure that out later) But she was presently the best possible solution to his cruddy situation.

But how would he do it?

Shepard felt another wave of fuzziness roll over his mind and knew these thoughts would have to wait. For now, he was content with letting go and surfing these euphoric waves for as long as possible. Mind drifting from dream to reality and then back to dream, memories of romancing Ashley began to blend together with lurid fantasies of Liara.

He didn't know how much time had passed but when he came back to reality he noticed he wasn't alone. There was a familiar human in his room, holding his chart and looking things over. "Daniel?" John weakly cough out past his terribly dry throat.

"So you are awake." said Daniel, a smirk on his face. "Boy, they got you on some pretty swell painkillers... How you feeling?"

"Confused." He coughed again and licked his chapped lips. Struggling to sit upright, he drank from the cup of water Daniel offered and swished the fluid around his mouth before swallowing. "I may be hallucinating; But is that a doctors robe I see?"

"You're not, John, this is real." Daniel mused as he pulled up a chair and sat down. Glancing at the specimen collection device in the corner of the room, "Seem's like you're having fun."

"Oh yes, sticking my pecker into a milking machine. So much better than the real thing." Shepard droll'd sarcastically, "Why is that infernal contraption still here? I gave Mordin his sample."

"Seems he wants more for test purposes, so get comfortable. If you don't like it... You can always use the old school method."

"What; Like a caveman?... I'll stick to the sexbot thank you very much." John laughed and wagged his eyebrows, "Hey, maybe I can get a few candy-stripers to help."

"What are you from the 1940's? Who calls 'em candy-stripers anymore." Daniel jested with a playful nudge of Shepard's shoulder. "I thought you'd prefer a certain Asari doctor?" his tone insinuated suggestively.

"So you heard about that huh?"

"John, this place is worse than a sewing circle with gossip."

"That bad."

"It's like a sieve." Daniel loosely smirked before shifting his features and becoming serious. "I owe you one. What you did for me. I'm in your debt."

"Daniel, consider us even." Shepard squirmed in bed so he could carry on the conversation eye to eye. "Trust me, you don't owe me anything." Daniel went to say something but John cut him off. "We're even." he said firmly, "You saved the lives of every human on that slave ship, including mine. I'm simply repaying the favor."

"You say it like you're paying back a twenty credit bar tab." Daniel said in disbelief. "Bone marrow, spinal fluid, biopsy of your kidneys, heart, lung, liver, stomach, intestines... These are not the actions one takes for a person they just met, John."

Shepard shrugged, "Mordin needed samples for his research into the N7 program. As the offspring of two N7's, my genetic template is the best candidate he has to further his studies." Shepard blandly replied, like he was reading the back of a book. "We each have something the other needs. I trade him my body and in exchange Huerta buys your contract and employs you as a doctor. It's a win win."

Daniel fixed him in a gaze.

"Look..." he sighed, "Call it a family motto; or a deeply ingrained character flaw, but: A Shepard always repays his debts... I owed you. Now the debt has been repaid... My family's honor has been restored and so on and so forth."

"You realize normal people don't act this way, right?"

"Yeah, but they think it." John chuckled.

After a momentary pause, Daniel sighed and cautiously looked around before slipping something into Shepard's hand; whispering, "Take this."

Feeling the objects dimensions, it was about the size of a standard credit chit. "What this?" he asked as he pressed the rounded back against his palm and ran his index finger across the smooth front.

"The key to your salvation." Daniel hushed, "When the time comes, press the front bit against the back bit of your slave collar and it'll short out the electronics."

"What do you mean when the times right?" John whispered back.

"I have contacts on the Citadel, John. Contacts that'll more than happily take you back to your home." Daniel brought up his omni-tool to make it look like he was doing something, "I had a plan. Then you happened and now I no longer have need of it."

Dropping the whisper, "So you like the job then?"

"Yes, it's fantastic!" Daniel followed suit, "Don't get me wrong, I'm going to miss Horizon, but Huerta Memorial is the top medical facility in the galaxy. I've dreamed of working here since med-school. Horizon Memorial was bush league compared to Huerta."

"I see-Aughff!" Shepard guffawed as he found himself on the receiving end of a long hug.

Daniel pressed his lips next to John's ear and whispered, "Transports called: Silver Typhon. It's moored at docking bay 94 in the Zakera Ward shipyards. It leaves in six hours. Be on it." pulling away he clasped his friend on the shoulder. "Well, I leave you to get some rest. You're going to need your strength when your working Zakera Ward's Free Clinic."

Shepard coughed, "What now?"

Daniel had a shit eating grin on his face, "I had a nice talk with our physical therapist. Both Dr. Michel and I agree it would do you some good if you got some fresh air. Push yourself with a few hours of normal daily activity. I thought you'd jump at the chance; what with you confined to that bed morning, noon, and night."

"Some fresh air would be nice." Shepard slowly nodded and pursed his lips, "You two can actually pull this off?"

"Wasn't all that hard." Daniel shifted his weight to his back foot, "All we had to do was get an attending to sign off on the paperwork. Dr. Chakwas was more than happy to sign once we told her Dr. T'Soni would be working the clinic." John rolled his eyes, "And since you're technically Liara's slave, Huerta doesn't have an issue with property assisting their masters. Legally speaking, you're good as long as you don't do anything that can be construed as practicing medicine without a license."

Shepard raised an eyebrow, "What do you mean: I'm Liara's slave?"

"Didn't you know?" Daniel chuckled, "Captain Anto signed our contracts over to her. Temporarily, mind you, until we're medically fit for sale. In essence, she owns us... Well you... As of 0200 today, I'm property of Dr. Mordin Solus." his omni-tool beeped, "Shit I gotta go; don't want to be late for afternoon rounds."

With that, John watched Daniel dart out of the room. Slipping the device up his sleeve, he mulled the plan over. Unlike before, Johnathan now had the means, the opertunity, and his biotics to aid in his escape. It was far from a perfect plan, a long shot really, but if it meant getting to see his family again he had take it... Right?

So why did he felt like crap?


000


Location: Citadel, Huerta memorial.

Time: 1205 CST

"And in our top story, representatives from the-" *click*

"Hierarchy Alliance State Department met with-" *click*

"the Council today, to discuss the Hegemony's growing concerns-" *click*

"over the Hierarchy's continuing refusal to share-" *click*

"advance military technology captured after the end of the Pan-Galactic Contact War.-" *click*

"In a statement from General Legatus-" *click*

"Under no circumstance will the Hierarchy Alliance allow the proliferation of Stealth technology, or the weapons system commonly referred to as Thanix-" *click*

"This surprising move of Turian/Human solidarity, is seen by many in the galactic community as-" *click*

"Would you please be so kind as to stop doing that?" Miranda demurely asked; her debonair voice laced with a soothing eloquence that radiated poise and nobility. Her posture, much like her tone, was relaxed and graceful; concealing her true feelings on the matter. He had to hand it to her, her mask of imperceptibility was well crafted, however, Kaidan wasn't some starry-eyed commoner, like Miranda, he too was equally versed in the arts of perception. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, the Spaniard from the great white north lackadaisically rolled his chocolate brown eyes. "Why? Does it... Bother you?"

Knowing direct confrontation was exactly what he wanted, Miranda opted for being passive aggressive instead. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she let out a noticeably disappointed sigh. Kaidan was all too quick to respond, "No one said you had to be here. I'm perfectly capable of handling this on my own, Miranda."

Her better instincts told her to let it go, but the cocky bravado in his voice was begging for a response. Oh how she longed for simpler days, days when her mistress had yet to employ a single male Acolyte. But alas, those days were no more; Sha'ira had succumbed to the will of the people, and now trained male slaves in the arts of the Consort.

Cocking a sensuous hip, "And risk you getting tuned-up by human-haters? No thank you... You'll miss enough work becasue of this foul up as it is." Miranda relished in the opportunity to scold her subordinate, "The last thing our mistress needs is one of her top earners laid up, or worse, because her slave went stag on the Citadel." Kaidan smirked, "So I'm Sha'ira's best earner hmm? Little miss genetically superior finally admits defeat."

Miranda felt the urge to smack him well up from deep inside, but such crass actions were unladylike. She reminded herself that physical wounds will heal, but mental wounds last a lifetime. Crossing her arms and tisking her tongue, "Kaidan, allow me to set the record straight for good and all... Firstly: I said top, not best. Secondly: the comparison only took your fellow male counterparts into consideration. Thirdly: Don't flatter yourself-" clasping him hard on the shoulder. "you're nowhere's near my league." As Miranda gazed coldly into his eyes, she continued to tighten her grip until he winced. "Only in your wildest dreams will you ever reach my pinnacle of perfection."

"Oh really, cause your sister doesn't seem to mind." grunted Kaidan as he tugged himself from her grasp. "Oriana is such a delightful creature. I've always found her exuberant devotion to religion to be most enlightening." Rolling his shoulder to exercise the joint, he scratched at the itch on his torso while contemplating what other scathing retort to fire back. "And if I recall correctly, it wasn't all too long ago you and I-"

"I was training you, you bloody wanker!" Miranda's persona slipped and her face flushed scarlet. Regaining her composure she sighed, "Besides, Oriana is a grown woman. Free to make her own mistakes. In the end she always comes back to me." Kaidan chuckled but his joy was short lived as pain from his rash blossomed new agony. Needing to take his mind off it he muttered, "I know we Acolytes are a pretty liberal bunch, but I never understand how a married woman can have sexual relations with her sister."

"She's my clone." Miranda stoically replied as she handed him a cup of water. "Doing it with your clone is hardly any different than masturbation. It's not like were blood relatives, and Clients pay hand over fist for the Lawson Twin experience... In the end, all that really matters in life is love." Kaidan could heard her voice take a somber turn, "Even with genetic modification, compared to the Asari, our live span is short and fleeting. Why shouldn't we take as much pleasure as we can, while we can?"

Completely caught off guard by the turn the conversation had taken, Kaidan scratched the back of his head. "So. Umm... What does your Bond-mate think of it?" it stupefied him how quickly she perked up at the mentioning of her wife. "Oh, Jack?" Miranda covered her mouth with a hand and giggled, "She doesn't mind; in-fact I think she rather enjoys it?"

"Uhhmm..." Kaidan blankly stared and Miranda hummed in delight at his expression. Beaming with pride at her accomplishment, Miranda took the glass from his hands and finished the final gulp in victory. Wanting to see if she could blow another one of Alenko's fuse's she added. "As Jack so eloquently puts it: It's great cause if I'm not in the mood when she wakes up, she can roll over and fuck my sister."

"Yeah... I don't know how to respond to that." Retreating into himself, a pregnant pause passed over the room. It lingered for a few minutes until Kaidan broke it with a muttered, "Damn this itches." shifting his eyes over to her he asked, "Shouldn't you be resting?" tucking an errant lock of raven hair behind her ear, Miranda placated him with a smile. "Unlike you, Mr. Alenko, I can handle my Turian."

"You're saying this is my fault?"

"Are you suggesting it isn't?" Miranda shifted her stance to accentuate her vivacious proportions. "I've comforted six clients in the last two days. Yet I don't have a single chafe, bite-mark or puncture wound to show for it. You, on the other hand, caught something from one little pesky girl on shore leave." Kaidan narrowed his eyes, "It's just an allergic reaction-"

"Still caught it." Miranda touted proudly, taking more glee in her compatriots misfortune than she knew was called for. It was a simple mistake after all; an oversight, it could have happened to anyone. Well, anyone but Oriana and herself. The Lawson's took pride in being perfect in every way. Kaidan rolled his eyes as the door opened and Miranda saw a familiar Asari walk in.

"Greetings, Mr. Alenko. I'm doctor Liara T'Soni, I'll be treating you today." looking up from her data pad, Liara was struck by who she saw. "Miranda? What a small world; it's a pleasure to see you again." Recognizing the highborn family name, Kaidan's eyes shifted between the pair. "You two know each other?" Miranda bowed her head in reverence to the Asari and mused, "Not intimately, no, we met in a restroom while I was on a date."

Kaidan kept his cheeky comments about that to himself. The Acolyte didn't know the exact nature of their relationship, but he knew that if word got to Matriarch Benezia that he had offended her daughter in any way, not even mistress Sha'ira, with all her political favors and sway, could stop Benezia from ordering his execution. It was a secret, known only to those who serviced the upper echelon of Thessian society, that there were only a handful of families you never cross. Ancient families. Families who's bloodlines could be traced back more than a hundred generations to the founding of the Asari Republics.

T'Soni was one of those... And Kaidan was no fool.

"So, Mr. Alenko, what brings you here today?" Liara asked innocently, unaware of the mental turmoil going on in his mind. Miranda noticed, however, when he didn't respond and sighed. "You'll have to forgive him, Liara. In the presence of exceptional beauty, men tend to lose what intelligence they have and think only of primal needs." pinching Kaidan's ear, she twisted it until he snapped out of his stupor.

"Is that so?" Liara replied as she read Alenko's chart and idly wondered how much validity Miranda's generalization had. In the back of her mind she wondered if Johnathan had such fantasies about her? Given the opportunity, would he act upon those bestial urges? Were he not restrained, how far would he have taken that kiss? Were they not interrupted, would John have pinned her body beneath his own, deny her escape and savagely claim her as his mate? Liara squirmed in her seat as heat blossomed in her core. She rubbed her thighs together, creating a delicious friction as she pushed away thoughts of John and his generous endowment. "Mr. Alenko-"

"Kaidan."

"Sorry?"

"You can call me Kaidan, doctor T'Soni."

"Oh... Um. Thank you... Well, Kaidan," reaching into her lab-coat and taking out a pair of sterilized gloves, "I see that you've left the nature of your visit blank. May I ask why you're here?" there was a crisp snap of latex as the gloves molded to her hands. Kaidan nervously scratched the back of his head and Liara's heart plummeted in fear that he had discovered her tawdriness. "Is... Something wrong?"

"No... It's better if I just show you. Can you shut the curtains?"

"Sure..." Looking inquisitively at her patient, and then to Miranda, Liara activated her omni-tool and accessed the rooms features. Dragging her finger across the orange holographic screen, she quickly found the privacy controls and keyed in the command. A moment later the holographic interface on the door shifted from green to red and the rooms windows transitioned to grey opaque. "Is this to your liking?"

"Thank you." Kaidan sighed as he jumped off the bed and began undressing. "I hope you are not squeamish."

"After two years at Huerta, I assure you nothing shocks me anymore."

With what had transpired, Liara found it a bit more difficult than usual to maintain her composure as she watched yet another attractive human male disrobe. Her lecherous eyes took enjoyment from the sight and found themselves drawn to Kaidan's well defined musculature. Her heart fluttered with every article of clothing he shed. However, when Alenko removed his under shirt and she saw the inflamed rashes covering his arms and torso, the good doctor suddenly found herself very in control.

"By the goddess what happened!?"

"Allergies."

"I can see that." Liara stammered as she activated her medical scanner. Moving closer to inspect the blemishes she asked him if he was in any pain. "Not constantly, no. It only hurts when I move." replied Kaidan, drawing an incoherent mutter from the Asari. Prodding a blemish on his chest with a gloved finger, Liara watched it change from red to white, "How did this happen?" Kaidan scratched the back of his head, "Lets just say it was a work related incident."

Liara pulled back and glanced between the two humans, "You're an Acolyte for the Consort as well?" Miranda was quick to speak up, "Which is why you'll understand our need to keep things... Discrete."

"I see." Liara nodded, "Is the rash confined to your torso? Or has it spread anywhere's else?" she saw him give a moments pause and added, "If it makes you more comfortable, I can ask Miranda to leave?" Kaidan grimaced, "No, its fine. Ain't nothing she hasn't seen before." Undoing his belt, Alenko dropped his trousers and underwear to the floor in one swift move. Liara blinked slowly as her mind registered what she saw, and Miranda forced herself not to laugh at his misfortune.

"Oh dear... Seems you're in a pecker- I mean peck of trouble." Liara swallowed her gasp and remained professional. "Is... Is there any burning sensation when you urinate?" Kaidan heard Miranda's stifled cackle and he shot her a withering glare. "No. It just itches." swinging over a medical tray, Liara prepped the equipment. "I'll um... I'll need to take some samples." Kaidan crossed his arms and shivered, "Not a word, Miranda."

"Like I'd want to tell this to anyone... I think you just ruined men for me." Miranda adverted her eyes as she tried to erase the mental picture of Kaidan's inflamed penis from her memory. "How long will he be out of commission, doctor?"

"Depends on the severity of the infection. Perhaps a month?" Liara replied as she took skin samples, "But I won't know for certain until I get the lab results back." Kaidan's voice cracked nervously, "You have seen this before and treated it, right?"

"Of course I have!" Liara stated firmly, a little insulted by his tone. "You're not the first slave I've seen whose been... "ridden ragged"... by their Turian or Krogan master." her blue cheeks hued violet at the perverseness that fell from her lips, "The former less so then the latter... Turian's tend to take care of their playthings like they would their rifle." she didn't know why but she couldn't stop herself from rambling.

"Indeed they do." Miranda hummed saucily in remembrance of blissful pleasure. Unlike Kaidan, she was careful when choosing her Turian clients. An absolute must was that they pass a psych eval and background check. After that came her own secret points of interests: Did their cock have decent length, girth, and ridges? Did they have an oral fixation? Did they have access to classified information; fleet deployments, weapon shipments, and so on and so fourth...

"I doubt this is life threatening, but you can never be too safe." Liara mused as she finished her examination, "You said this was work related, but... How exactly did this happen?"

"Is that really necessary?"

"Absolutely it is!... Oh, and you can put your clothes back on." Kaidan looked at her skeptically, "Why do you need to know? How does that impact, in anyway, how you treat- Ouch!" he winced as Miranda swatted the back of his head. "Hey, what-"

"Just do as the good doctor says." Sighing as he pulled his trousers up, "A new client failed to disclose that her body lotion contained natural strawberry extract. And, of course, strawberries are the one thing I'm allergic too."

"I see... I'm sorry for your misfortune." taking out her prescription pad, "I'm writing you a prescription for: Levadoxin. It's an antihistamine lotion that will aid in clearing everything up. The instructions are printed on the bottle in galactic common, and are easy to follow... Apply it to the affected areas, let sit for five minutes, and then rinse it off. Repeat once a day for ten days. Even if the rash is gone before day ten, please continue to use it as directed."

"Thank you." Kaidan flashed the Asari a smile as he took the prescription.

"You're welcome. I do hope you recover quickly." Liara felt her omni-tool buzz. "You can fill that at our pharmacy on level three." silencing the alarm she set to coincide with midday rounds, "Is there anything else I can assist you with?"

"No, I think we can handle it from here." Miranda replied warmly and respectfully bowed her head, "It was a pleasure to see you again, Laira."

"Likewise." Liara returned the bow, "A nurse will be by shortly to see you out. Excuse me."


000


Location: Citadel, Lower wards. Refuse collection and recycling center.

Time: 1330 CST

"...Once more we sail with a blue-shifting gale towards our migrant home. Our drive-core charged, Our pilgrimage done and we ain't got far to roam. Six hellish months we toiled away under hostile Alien eyes. But now we're bound from the Council's realm, Rolling down to Old Qwib-Qwib!"

"Rolling down to Old Qwib-Qwib, me boys, Rolling down to Old Qwib-Qwib! We're fleet-ward bound from the Council's realm, Rolling down to Old Qwib-Qwib!"

"Once more we sail with a blue-shifting gale through the cold vacuum of space. Them big gray hulls, Them beautiful ships we soon shall see again. Our peoples laments are carried away ward, what care they for our plight. A mechanized gale is after us, Thank the Ancestors we're fleet-ward bound."

Tali'Zorah hummed the songs chorus as she scanned the towering piles of refuse for hidden trinkets. The Citadel's reclamation dump was a well known hunting ground for pilgrims, as the stench of rotting sewage kept away all but the most desperate of scavengers. But aroma wasn't an issue for the species who lived in a hermetically sealed bio-suit. All Tali had to do was shut-down her suits olfactory receptors and the refuse might as well smell like the botanical gardens on the Presidium.

Occasionally, she would come across a fellow Quarian and stop to share a kind word, or, if they were interested, see what they had to trade. As transient traveling vagabonds, every pilgrim carried with them a digital manifest of their salvage, and, after a quick sync of 'Tools, commonalities would be highlighted so the parties could efficiently hammer out a deal. There was nothing Quarian's loved more than a good haggle... Well, except for maybe the endorphin rush from a suit-link, but that was a different type of hammering altogether.

Alerted by a beep in her helmet to something shiny, Tali re-scanned the garbage pile again and let out a tiny gasp. "Keelah! An intact T-19 power converter! If I can refurbish it, it'll sell it for a pretty-penny on the Net-Exchange!" dropping her rucksack, she gleefully rubbed her hands together and whispered, "Best. Day. Ever!"

"What's a penny?" asked an unfamiliar warbled voice behind her.

Leaping back in surprise, Tali trained her pistol at the cloaked figure and activated her combat drone. "Identify yourself!... This is my shiny, and I don't plan on sharing!" her tone was forceful, but wavered noticeably.

"Damn, Tali, settle down." replied the figure with a chuckle as he raised his hands. "I'm not gonna steal your shiny."

Tali's glowing eyes narrowed as the voice sounded somewhat familiar. Under the illumination of her purple and blue combat drone, she caught a glimpse of the red and silver suit underneath his tattered brown cloak. Slightly lowering her pistol, Tali practically yelled, "Reegar?!"

"The one and only." Kal went to lower his hands but the whirling growl of Tali's drone had them shooting back up. Nervously eyeing the electrostatic discharge hitting the ground. "Could you be a pal and call that thing off?"

"I don't know?" Tali hummed deviously, "Maybe Chatika vas Paus should teach you a lesson for sneaking up on me?" picking up on her masters intent, a spark shot out from Chatika's rotating outer blue arms and gave Reegar a tiny jolt. It was harmless, but enough to make him yelp.

"Ow, okay okay-*zzzt*-I'm-*zzzt*- Ancestors! Dam-*Chhh*" Kal's voice died out and all Tali heard was static. Tilting her head, she found it hard to not giggle as she watched her friend animatedly flail about in silence as he undoubtedly screamed inside his helmet.

"Come here, Chatika." lavishing the drone with affectionate love rubs and head scratches, Tali cooed. "Good girl. Good girl, Chatika. You taught that bad man a lesson didn't you. Awwww, such a good combat drone... Now, time to go back to your home." giving the man a glare, Chatika bounced three times and on the third bounce shrank to the size of a baseball and flew back into her masters Omni-Tool. "Keelah, you are too adorable."

"Why thank you Ma'am. You're not to bad yourself." Reegar replied with a suave tone and final smack of his helmet, "Ah, there we go, I can talk again."

Tali blushed, "I wasn't talking to you."

"All the same, Ma'am. All the same."

Shying away from Reegar's increasingly hot gaze, Tali mumbled, "Playboy bosh'tet." as she fidgeted with her hands and focused back on her shiny prize. Using a probing scan to examine the piles structural integrity, her suits V.I. crunched the numbers and overlaid a digital wire-frame on her face-masks HUD; highlighting which pieces to remove and what order to remove them in.

Kal'Reegar did the same and let out a whistle, "It's deep in their alright."

"I can get it." Tali snipped, "I uh... Just need to think for a moment."

"You're gonna-*zzzt*-two-*zzzzt*- it out."

The first time his speaker had cut out, Tali had found it funny, now her curiosity had been peaked. "What happened to you? I know the zap Chatika gave you couldn't have caused your system to go haywire. So what gives?" Reegar smacked his helmet again and Tali saw the glowing mouth light reignite.

"It's a dull and uninteresting story."

"Is it why you have that a... Uhm... What is that; A poncho?" Reegar nodded. Examining the garment more closely, Tali saw it had a large and distinct black stain, "Is this security ink? You didn't steal it did you?"

Kal was a bit offended by the accusation. "No and no... I Found it in a dumpster behind one of those human fashion shops in the upper wards; cowboy store, if I recall correctly." shrugging his shoulders, "Anyway, someone startled a Hanar and he inked all over the place. The shop keep was rather pissed; I think, never can tell with Elcore."

"And how does that relate to your vocal synthesizer being damaged?"

"Bosh'tets have mighty big hands." deadpanned Reegar, "And poor peripheral vision."

Tali blinked, "You were... Stepped on?"

"More like smacked... Word to the wise, don't sneak up on 'em. Big lugs get pretty jumpy."

Tali crossed her arms, a broad smile on her lips, "And after all that you still thought it was a good idea to sneak up on me!"

"So you're saying I should get a tactical cloak."

Tali threw up her arms in frustration, "Keelah-fucking-se'lai, you're hopeless."


000


Location: Citadel, Zakera Ward Free Clinic

Time: 1430 CST

The ambulance ride to the clinic had been tense to say the least, and John could have cut the awkwardness in the air with a butter-knife. Neither one of them were well versed in matters of the heart, and it showed. They made mindless small talk in between songs on the radio and stole glimpses of each other when the other wasn't looking. Under different circumstances, this flirtatious childlike innocence could be seen as cute or maybe even adorable.

Johnathan thought that things would be better when they reached the clinic, and it was, but not by much. The busy work helped; setting up beds, preparing medications, taking patient histories... It was a welcomed distraction, but it was a distraction none the less. And because of the, lets just say less than spacious layout of the clinic, it wasn't as if they could avoid brushing against one another.

The first time it had happened they had both nervously apologized and retreated. Shepard more so than her as he'd become accustomed to associating any infraction with punishment & pain. Even though he knew no one at the hospital, let alone Liara, would ever mistreat him to the extent the slave catchers did, shying away from bodily contact had become somewhat instinctive. However, with each additional contact, their respective reactions lost their knee-jerk formality and became decidedly more... John didn't want to say intimate. Cozy perhaps? Affectionate maybe? At any rate; whatever it was, it was something the both enjoyed.

Sometimes when John handed her something, his fingers would linger so he could caress hers. Similarly, when Liara took something from him, she would sometimes caress the back of his hand. And as time wore on their flirtations only become bolder; flashing each other glances when no one was looking, pressing against each other more than necessary when passing... Sometimes, when Liara would send him off to retrieve something, she would let her hand gently slide down his arm. Sometimes, Shepard would subtly massage her lower back and, to his delight, watch her stifle a blush.

It was a little game they played.

But the longer it went on, the harder it was for him to rationalize escaping. He liked Laira; hell he might even go so far to say he loved her, and he wanted to stay. God he wanted to stay. But were the feelings mutual? It sure seemed mutual. Could he place his trust in her to buy him? Jesus! How the hell does that conversation go about? Does he just bust out the topic over coffee? "Hey, I really really want you to be my master; pass the sugar please." God that sounded so stupid.

Hand in his pocket, Shepard's finger brushes the key to his slave collar. His thoughts float back to the conversation he had with Mordin about who he'd be sold too. Mordin had tried to reassure him that becasue of his family's name recognition, he would most likely be bought by a high-ranking Turian family; as a prized and valued trophy, or by a wealthy and affluent Asari family; as a prized pet or breeding stock. Either way, Mordin told him to expect a huge sum to be forked over for his contract.

And from everything Liara had told him, John knew she had some money. It didn't sound like she had credit's coming out of the demon hole, but she certainly wasn't living in rags and ruins. But did she have enough to buy his contract? Even if she did, it wasn't guaranteed someone else with deep pockets wouldn't outbid her. Was putting all his eggs in Laira's basket too much of a risk? Was it riskier than betting on himself?

Seeing a brown and black suited Volus stumble through the clinic door, John eyed the credit chit falling out of his front pocket. Rushing over to help the wheezing ball of exo-suit, Shepard soothed, "Here, let me help you sir." and pilfered the loose credit chit; slipping it up his sleeve. Sorry Liara, but I can't risk it.

"Get *shhhck* off me *shhhck* Earth-clan."

Looking to see what all the commotion was all about, Liara saw the Volus shove Shepard with his stubby little arms. Granted, it wasn't like a species that barley topped one meter could do much of any harm to a human, but it angered her nonetheless. Striding over purposefully she declared, "Whats going on here!?" seeing the Volus about to go for Shepard again, she used her biotics and placed him in a stasis.

"Release me, Thessia-clan.*shhhck* Or I'll call C-sec and sue!"

Raising an amused eyebrow, Shepard crossed his arms and smirked, "Is that really necessary?"

"It's not meant to restrain him. It's just to make sure he doesn't puncture his suit." replied Laira as she lowered her glowing blue hand, "Sir, I need you to stop and take a deep breath." Shepard stifled a chortle. "*shhhck* You're *shhhck* Mocking *chhhck* me Thessia-Clan! Just becasue the Vol-Clan need *shhhck*"

"It was a poor choice of words, sir, I apologize." said Liara as she released control of the dark energy. Free once more, the Volus threw up and hand and dismissed her statement. "Now that you've calmed down, can you tell me whats the matter?"

"My head hurts."

"Your head hurts." Liara narrowed her eyes, "Can you be more specific?" Shepard watched the Volus waddle over to an empty med-bed. Taking Liara's cue, he lowered it to the ground and silenced his mirth as the alien struggled to get on top. "*shhhck* I hit my head, Thessia-Clan. I pay my taxs. *shhhck* Now help me."

"I'm trying to, sir, but it would help to know the nature of your medical emergency." Shepard could tell from her tone that she was struggling to maintain her patience. The Volus's head lowered, as if in embarrassment or humiliation, and there was a long silence. A moment later it was broken by the hissing of his mask and a meek muttering, "A rude Tuchanka-clan punted me into a storage crate." John couldn't hold in his laughter as the mental image of a 7ft tall, quarter-ton Krogan, field goal kicking this Volus ran through his mind. "*shhhck* Stop! *shhhck* Mocking! *shhhck* Me! Slave!"

"Apologies." John continued to laugh and gripped his hurting sides, "Did, *giggle* did the opposing team get a first down?" The Volus didn't like it that now a few other people were giggling along. Balling his hands into fists, his eye slots widened as he realized something was missing. "*shhhck* My credit-chit! It's missing!" the Volus turned his ire on the impudent slave, "*shhhck* YOU STOLE IT EARTH-CLAN! *shhhck*"

Johnathan wiped a tear from his eye, looking bewildered. "What? Why? What.. Why would I have your chit!?"

The Volus jabbed Shepard in the chest, "*shhhck* Earth-Clan are no good thieves. *shhhck* Just like clan-less Quarians." John pushed the hand off of his chest and laughed, "And just when would I've had time to steal it!? We literally just met for the first time not five minutes ago!? And how would I even know you had a credit-chit on you to steal!?"

"Just like a thief to deny thievery! *shhhck*" Shepard threw up his arms and chuckled disbelievingly, "First you attack me and now you're claiming I stole from you!?" Liara jumped in and told them both to calm themselves if for only the sake of the other patients. lowering his hands, Shepard stealth-fully slipped the pilfered chit in-between the gurney's mattress's and stood back. Raising his arms to his side, "Master, scan me and show this creep that I don't have his bloody chit!"

Entering the free clinic, Tali saw the commotion and shuffled over to see what was going on. "Whats all this now?" she asked as an Asari doctor and Kal'Reegar helped her onto the bed next to the loudmouth Volus. "By the goddess!" Liara's hand went to her mouth when she saw the red stained purple live-suit. Rushing to her friends aid, "What happened?"

"My left arm was breached." Tali shrugged nonchalantly, "Trust me, Liara, it looks much worse than it actually is." noticing the slave, Tali's eyes practically smiled. "Is that him; that's him isn't it?" Introducing himself, Shepard asked, "Doesn't your species die when their suit gets ruptured?" Tali laughed, "No, our immune systems aren't that weak; Ancestors be praised." raising her arm, "As you can see, only about an inch of my skin was exposed."

"What does this make it, your tenth time?" he heard the red suited alien ask as he placed the two rucksacks down. Johnathan noticed they were the same kind his mother and father had. "Ninth." Tali replied hotly, "That business with the Turians doesn't; doesn't count."

"EXCUSE ME! *shhhck* But are you going to do something about that theif! *shhhck*" Shepard rolled his eyes, placed his hands on his hips and glared at the Volus, "For the last time, I didn't steal your damn chit!"

As fed up with this as Johnathan was, Liara directed him to stand over by Kal and activated her omni-tool. It came to no ones surprise that Shepard didn't have the Volus's chit. "There, as you can see, he doesn't have it on him. Scan him for yourself if you don't believe me." the Volus did so and muttered, "Well... *shhhck* He could have taken it."

Before anyone could say anything, Shepard jumped on the opportunity he had created for himself. "Look," he sighed for effect, "you probably lost your chit on the way over. I'll go retrace your steps and see if I can find it." standing close to the bed, Johnathan retrieved the chit and slipped it into his pocket. Unbeknownst to him, Tali saw what he'd done but remained silent. "Where was the last place you remember having it?"

"*shhhck* *shhhck*" the Volus looked confused, at least Shepard thought he looked confused. Hell, Volus body language was harder to read than Quarians, which wasn't saying much. "The last time I had it was when I left the Sirta Foundation store. *shhhck*" Shepard sighed and crossed his arms, "... And you're sure you didn't leave your chit there?"

"*shhhck* Of course not! You'd think I'd make a mistake like that? *shhhck* I didn't even buy anything there. That chit stayed in my pocket."

"Master-" looking to Liara, she waved her hand and sighed, "Go... And here, take this." John looked at the small badge, "What is it?"

"It's a pass that'll let others know you're on assignment from your master." pinning it to his chest, "It should keep C-sec or others from harassing you... Don't lose it." John smirked, "I wont." he noticed the seriousness that flooded her body, "Seriously Johnathan, don't lose it. If you do you'll be subject to punishment just like any other slave."

"Okay..." he replied, questioning what that meant. "I'll be back soon."

"Don't dawdle," Tali called after him, "Dawdling slaves tend to get whipped."

"Right... I'll... I'll keep that in mind."

Leaving the clinic, John looked around to get his bearings before strolling off to find a directory kiosk. Since he didn't have implants in his fingertips to allow him to interact with the haptic display, he had to key in his query manually. Fingers clacking away at the qwerty keyboard, he found the location of the Sirta Foundation store. Ignoring the few odd looks he got from aliens, he memorized the route and shut the terminal down. Pausing for a moment to glance around, he reactivated the terminal and searched for a way to dock 94.

The terminal told him he would have to take a transport and offered to call one for him. With a tiny amount of hesitation, Shepard pressed the confirm key and took a deep breath. He was so close to freedom that he could taste it on his tongue. On the screen a countdown timer displayed; alerting him to when the automated transport would arrive. Slowly walking over to where the terminal had directed him, he pulled the Volus's credit chit from his pocket and eyed the balance.

Johnathan gulped as he saw all those zero's. In his hands was more money than he had ever had in his life. One hundred thousand credits. That was more than what his family would pull down come harvest. Surely this would be more than enough coin to pay his way home. The Silver Typhon, he clicked his tongue.

Funny name: Typhon.

His fathers lessons in Greek mythology bubbled like a well in Shepard's mind. Typhon, as he recalled, was the father of all monsters. A fire breathing dragon with a hundred heads that never slept. The moment of clarity allowed for a realization. "Even they couldn't be that arrogant." muttered Shepard as he remembered that Typhon had married Echidna, the mother of all monsters, and sired, among others, the three headed guard dog of Hades... "Cerberus."

It couldn't be that simple.

Before he could ponder this revelation further, Shepard heard a commotion to his left and saw a Turian manhandling a teal suited female Quarian. Chivalrous nature taking over, he rushed to the girls aid. Gripping the Turians arm he soothed, "Easy friend, there's no need for such zeal." forced to let go of the girl, the molester turned his ire on the impudent human. "Frivolousness plying of sweet words. What slave dares lay hands on a citizen?"

"A slave who doesn't think highly of cowardly men assaulting women." Shepard saw the girls massaging her shoulder, "Miss, are you alright?" if she had given reply, John would not be able to hear it as the Turian took his lapse to strike. Head dazed by the sudden assault, Shepard found breath leaving lungs as clawed hand grasped his throat.

Instead of fleeing, Shepard found his faith in the kindness of others restored as the girl called on the Turian to stop or face the wrath of C-Sec. For her troubles, she received a backhand to her helmet that sent her flying backwards. Watching the slave's color shift blue, "Such a pitiful species humans are. Can't even speak." glaring at the Quarian, "Don't even think about coming here gain, suit-rat." as the humans eyes rolled upwards, the Turian memorized the name on the slave's collar and hulled him across the walkway. "I'll let your master deal with you, primate."

Shepard had all but a moment to regain his breath before his body impacted a metal dividing wall and he passed out. When consciousness returned, he found a teal face-mask looking over him. "Keelah, thank the ancestors you're awake. Are you alright human?" groaning, John felt wetness on the nape of his neck. "I believe so." he coughed, "Are you alright?" she was taken back by his concern, "Y-yes; I'm... I'll be fine."

"It would be most troublesome if I found out my gallantry had failed and you were injured." massaging the back of his head, John pulled his hand away and saw that there was blood. Wincing, he applied pressure to stop the what bleeding remained. "You need a doctor." he chuckled at that. "Needn't worry, I've had worse."

"Worse?" ignoring her concern, he asked her how long had he been out. "Not long, only a few minutes." glancing over to the transit station, John could see the transport waiting for him. A few seconds later someone else jumped into it and took off. "Seems I missed my ride." Looking where he was, she apologized but he kindly dismissed it, "It's okay, there'll be another one."

"Let me page you another one." she activated her omni and called for another transport. "You shouldn't have intervened, now I fear your master will beat you." it wasn't so much a question as a statement of facts. "If my Master found out I didn't come to your aid, then I would receive a harsher beating." her eyes had that same questioning look as before. Sitting up, Shepard held out his hand, "Johnathan Tiberius Shepard." taking the offered appendage, she replied with a sweet innocence, "Lia'Vael nar Ulnay."

"Well, Lia'Vael, its a pleasure to make your acquaintance." releasing her hand, he nodded his head over to what looked like food court. "Why did that Turian have a stick up his tuchus?" her head tilted in confusion, "Apologies, my translator didn't quite catch that." Shepard chuckled, "What was that guys problem?" Lia pipped up, "Oh, just the usual xenophobic harassment."

"Is harassing your species that common?" taking the offered medi-gel infused bandage, Shepard applied it to his wound and felt the pain vanish. "Not as much as there used to be." there was a pause and he noticed her wringing her hands, "It's been on the decline ever since Humanity stepped onto the stage. What with the war and all."

"Ah..." another pause permeated the space between them, "So what brings you to the Citadel?" taking a seat besides him, Lia hums, "Pilgrimage. I thought there would be salvage work for me here, what with all the ships; but it isn't going so well... You?"

"Slave ship." Lia snorted and they both shared a laugh. Shepard quirked an eyebrow, "Pilgrimage huh, is that like a religious thing?" Lia gently shook her head and gave a brief explanation of what it meant. "So it's a right of passage?" Lia nodded and Shepard sighed, "You're saving up to buy a ship?"

"I saw some very nice models, but at the moment they're out of my price range." her omni beeped, "Your rides here. I'm sure your Master wouldn't want me keeping you." John looked over and saw the transport. He was bout to give thanks but was cut off by the sound of gunfire. Bolting to his feet he quickly found its source as people fled with haste from the Free Clinic.

Through one of the clinics windows, John could see a Batarian shoving the muzzle of his gun into Liara's face as one of his fellow squints fired into the air again. "We got to get out of here!" Lia shouted and tugged on his sleeve, but he remained stoic. Shepard's blue eyes locked onto Liara's terrified body as she was shoved.

Johnathan's heart pounded as anger welled up inside him. Time seemed to slow as his eyes cast leftwards to the transport, then rightwards to the clinic. His hands balled into fists at the decision he now faced. If he ran to the transport, he would most likely escape. But if he did he would resign Liara to her fate. If he ran to her, he knew he'd never get a chance to see home again.

Left

Or

Right

"Shepard, we need to leave!" looking down at the frightened Quarian, he took a deep breath.

Left

or

Right

Looking to the transport and then to the Clinic, adrenaline coursed through his veins.

Left

or

Right

Fishing his hands into his pocket, Johnathan grabbed the Credit-chit and key to his slave collar. "Take this and call C-sec." he gave Lia a kind smile, "You'll need it more than me." Lia looked at the chit in her hands. Placing the key against his collar, Shepard felt a small shock as the device short circuited and fell from his neck. "What are you doing?" Lia nervously asked.

"Making a choice."

With a thunderous clap of dark energy, the human vanished before her very eyes. Looking towards the sound of gunfire, Lia'Vael watched the human re-materialize inside the clinic... And then all hell broke loose.


Part 2 end.


A/N: What do you guys think? What needs improvement? Let me know in the comments below!

Hey, that rhymed :)

Up next: The Fallout.