Chapter Seven

Drink

On the Citadel, outside The Purgatory

Even though she hadn't touched a drop of alcohol since the downtime after the Grissom academy business, Shepard recognized the warm buzz that spread through her body as the elevator opened. The music from the Purgatory beat through the entrance and put her in a perfect mood. Not as satisfying as walking past the long cue at Afterlife, but good enough. The fact that the place was the only thing you could reach from this one elevator should tell about how popular it was. No wonder about it. The club stretched through several floors, offered at least fifteen dance-floors and blared music loud enough to make you deaf. The music, yes. It had Shepard under a spell before the doors even slid open. It brought her back to the times at Omega. Nothing was as good as Afterlife, the music was better, the alcohol stronger and you could start a fight without ever getting thrown out, well as long as you stood victorious. With memories of Omega on her mind it came as a great surprise as she spotted the Pirate Queen sporting monopoly on one of the Purgatories red couches. Listening in on the conversation Shepard smiled as the C-Sec officer tried to have Aria submit to immigration rules. She also got to watch in awe as the pirate queen had the asari councillor dance in the palm of her hand, sending the officer dashing away in a rage.

"Enjoyed the show, Shepard?" She asked without bothering to look over at the commander.

"I''d pay a lot to learn a trick like that." She said as she took a seat. "A lot." She empathised.

"I'm sure you would. I hate this place. So sickening uptight." Aria changed the subject, clearly not very keen at giving away her secrets.

"So what brings you here?"

"Cerberus stole Omega from me." She rose, not fastening her eyes on anything. "The Illusive Man is now squarely at the top of my shit list. He will pay.. for every second I've spent in this bureaucratic hell-hole."

"How did Cerberus defeat you?"

"Deceit, distraction and a big fucking army. They lured me away from Omega, and ambushed me. I escaped but Cerberus had already laid siege. By the time I could launch an assault they were too entrenched."

"At least you escaped to fight another day."

"And that day.. is coming."

"Do I sense you trying to recruit me for the cause, Aria?" Shepard asked, intrigued.

"I'll take Omega back, but I'll get to that." She walked over to take a seat. "You're here because I have a proposition."

"I am?"

"Read your emails, Shepard."

"Well I'm here now after all."

"The way I see it; if you don't defeat the reapers we're all dead. It won't matter where I'm sitting. It's in my interest to help you."

"Well, since you won't hand the the leash to the asari councillor... What did you have in mind?"

"On Omega I kept the Blood Pack, Blue Suns and the Eclipse in check. Now they're running amok, nobody wants that. Unite them under my rule and you'll have a powerful and ruthless force for your war. I've laid the groundwork for all three groups, you just need to seal the deals."

"Allright, catches? There's always catches."

"I'm trying to help you. Think it over. But don't you think a united force of professional mercs is worth it?" She looked over at Shepard.

It was that look on her face. So uncanny. Shepard had liked Aria from the first time she laid eyes on her. Sure, as a military woman she should despise everything the asari was. But her straightforward personality and clear intentions had been a relief to everything else she was fighting. Besides, her logic was hard to argue with.

"Send me an email." The commander rose from the couch. "I'll make sure to read it, just because it's you."

"Fine, I'll be here. If you want to talk later."

With a short nod the commander turned towards the table she had glimpsed Jack at. Along with her Omni-tool Separd had a small pouch at her wrist. From it she pulled a small metal token. Walking up to the table she flipped it a few times before she grabbed it, bounced it once on the tables surface and watched it land in Jack's drink.

"Drink." Shepard grinned.

Jack shook her head, threw down the pad she had been reading and took the glass.

"I'm getting a bottle for the next one."

"What's this?" With complete disregard of other peoples personal life she picked up the pad and read it through as Jack finished the drink. "Duty rooster?" She asked as she recognised some of the names of her students along with several listed tasks. "I don't know if its because you came a little late into this military business, but you've clearly gotten the wrong idea of shore leave." She said fiddling with the pad.

"Apparently I'm dependable now." She said, finishing the drink and rolled her eyes. "But the little shits have saved a lot of lives thanks to you. Reinforcing barriers, modding ammo, getting some shots, but staying away from the front lines."

"That was the whole idea." Shepard threw the pad over. "Here. Now lets go grab some drinks. If I remember correctly, you owe me three."

"What the... these are all done... And it's not even a bad arrangement." Jack scrolled through the list.

"You think I spent six months doing nothing on the alliance base? Training N7 recruits keeps you on your toes, and lands you the job of arranging several duty roosters."

"You don't even know my students."

"Alliance has files on them, besides I saw them fight at the academy." Through the pad with her own security clearance she had accessed the files on her students and crossed referenced it with her own experience watching them fight. From that limited information she'd finished the list.

It wasn't the first time Jack had been impressed of her.

"Shit, is there anything you can't do?" She downloaded the list to her Omni-tool, leaving the pad on the table to join Shepard for some drinks.

"Nope." The commander claimed with a smirk.

After getting the drinks they spotted Liara and Thane in a corner and walked over to join them.

"One assassin, a psychotic brainwashed bitch and the Shadow Broker. And my mom says I need to get friends I can trust. What does she know!" They all smiled at her remark and she took a sip from the drink. "Gods what's in this thing?"

"Whiskey, bourbon, vodka all mixed up with some Red Bull. Lined with habanero sauce."

"Red Bull?" Shepard frowned. "You're giving me caffeine? That's not a good idea. Not at all."

"You choosing what to drink, wasn't part of the deal." Jack pointed at her with the same hand she was holding her beer bottle.

"Shepard, there is a turian that has been staring at you since you entered the Purgatory." Liara informed her. "And I'm pretty sure he's supposed to be dead."

Shepard gave her with a puzzled look and Liara discretely pointed over at the man.

"That's Pallin. Former head of C-Sec. Bailey took over his job after, well, yeah he died. So did I." She shrugged.

"But why is he staring?"

"Probably because I slept with him once. Of course he'll want more." Shepard answered with a completely calm voice. As if it was the most natural thing in the world. Liara, however, almost chocked on her drink.

"What? When did this happen? I thought that you and Garrus-"

"We are." She cut her off sharply with a warning glare. "It was before that. I took Kasumi out for a night at Chora's but she didn't last through the night. I spotted him in a corner and remembered his attitude the first time I met him. So I just wanted to see how pissed off I could get him."

"Why am I not surprised." Jack stated.

"You wanted to piss him off?"

"He's military. Usually they fight better the more they focus, being pissed takes a lot of focus."

"So essentially you were looking for a fight?"

"Successfully so." She said, pointing at Liara. "He wanted to take it some place more private. Probably didn't want to be seen or something."

"And you fought him, fists and all?" Jack asked.

"Yeah, figured I could take him. And I was damn well winning. When suddenly I was up against the wall." She shrugged. "What can I say. I was curious, and drunk. Very drunk."

"How was it?"

"Jack!"

"What? I wanna know."

"It was alright. But he's not Garrus." She gave a skew smile.

"Speaking of which... does he.. know?"

"No."

"You might want to keep it that way."

"Why? This was before we even-"

"From what I know turians can be very..."

"Territorial?" Jack offered and grinned.

Shepard looked down at her drink and pondered.

"All right, I'll fix it." She said finishing the drink and getting up. The glass slammed at the table and Shepard did her best not to frown.

Travelling up a set of stair it was only a short walk over to the turians table. While she came closer Pallin set his elbows on the table and joined his fingers. Waiting for her.

"Hey Pallin, aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"Please, do call me Venari, Kitten. And I could say the same thing about you." If a turian ever could form a smug smile with his mandibles, he was doing it right now.

"Suure, Venari. Listen." She said placing her hands on his table. "I don't want you staring at me all night. And if you get any funny ideas, I'll kick your ass. You damn well know I can."

"As I recall, the last fight we had-"

"Was a once in a lifetime occasion. So treasure your memories, Venari. It wont happen again."

"That's it? No service for you first, and probably only turian?"

She smiled knowingly, and honestly appreciated his sense of humour on the whole matter.

"I'm a soldier Venari. How many first and last do you think I've had before?"

"Before?" He leaned back. "I take it something has changed then.

"Yeah, I found the best one out there and I'm sticking to him." Making it her final point she turned to walk bat to her friends. But just after a few steps he called out.

"Shepard. When it's over between you, call me."

"Don't hold your breath." She raised her hand and gave a wave as she reached the stairs.

Returning to the table Liara raised and eyebrow.

"That's it?"

"He was unexpectedly reasonable." She said sitting down at the freshly mixed drink, the same as before. A metal token soon made a low splash sound. The commander looked up at Jack, who was grinning widely.

"Drink."

"You really haven't seen me on caffeine. It's a bad idea." She warned, but did as the rules bid.

Emptying the glass she spat out the metal token into her hand, looking over at Jack. But the other biotic raised a bottle of beer in triumph.

"How's the kid Thane? Did he turn out well after we stopped him?" Shepard shifted her focus for the moment.

"We have been getting to know each other well. His views and opinions on life as well as myself have changed for the better."

"Glad to hear it." As she expected a third drink of the same mix soon arrived from a waitress.

"I heard you recruited Garrus aswell. Found anyone else from the old crew?"

"Well Joker is piloting, of course. Told Chakwas to pack her stuff and get her ass on the Normandy as soon as I saw her. Other than that it's pretty slim. Well of course Liara took over Miranda's old room. But I guess it's fine since I got the Captains cabin."

"I wanted to be close to the AI-Core-"

"Uh-huh. And the mess hall." Shepard raised a hand to her mouth as if she was telling a secret. "She eats like an Elcor you know."

"What? I don't- Oh, you're joking."

"Dear god." Jack rolled her eyes.

"You should've seen her on the first run with the original Normandy." Shepard smiled. "At least she's catching on these days."

"Very funny Commander."

After a run to the bathroom Thane and Liara didn't get to see much more of the two biotics. Among other things they tripped peoples drinks over with the help of their powers, bullied some marines with both of their superior ranks, started a fight (which almost got them thrown out), managed to set a table on fire (again, almost thrown out), and went to shine on the dance floor. Well, Jack shone, Shepard was mostly just awkward. By the time Shepard came back, alone, Thane had already left. Leaving Liara alone with her Omni-tool, managing her network. Also sipping on a blue coloured tini.

"I dun think the guys in black are very happy with me at the moment." She caught her breath leaning back.

"You mean the bouncers?"

"Yeep. I think we broke their patience with the whole fire incident."

"Has Jack slipped away then?"

"Nah, just going to the bathroom. We're gonna head further down the levels. Can't start a proper barfight in a place like this y'know."

Liara shook her head, though not without a smile. If this was how the Commander released tension, she sure was good at it. Looking up she took notice of a certain turian entering the place.

"If you're leaving you've certainly got bad timing Commander."

"Huh?" She eyed the asari.

"Look who's here." She said with a nod.

It only took a second for Shepard to bounce up and then skip over to him, yes, skip. She stopped in front of him suddenly and raised her arms, almost gracefully, waited for him to step close enough then laid them around his neck. Garrus did note that she was already well into the 'getting drunk' part. Otherwise she had little over for public affection. She gave him only a light kiss before she spoke.

"You're late."

"I wasn't aware I had a time to catch." He laid his hands on her waist.

"No no I meant- Oh never mind." Was she speaking faster than usual? "How did it go?"

"Do you even know what I've been up to?"

"Noooooo..." She tilted her head. "Buut I wanna know it went."

"Pretty okay actually."

"Would it help if I beat someone up?" She was definitely speaking faster than usual. In fact she had troubles being still at all.

"I doubt it."

"Damn." She smiled and pulled him down to her for a more proper kiss.

"KAAAAAAAAT! Stop face-hugging and get your ass over here! We've got a salarian to mess with!"

"Salarian?" Garrus asked, not sure if he should be surprised or not.

"The game salesman at Zakera ward."

"Good luck with that."

"Luck isn't really part of it." She grinned and swayed. "About the time?" Her mind jumped back to the beginning of the conversation.

"Mmm?" He hummed, starting to enjoy just standing with her like this.

"You ran out of it, Archangel. I'm already drunk. And the next time I find you, if so it is in the mens restroom, I'm so gonna-"

He shut her up the easy way. And when they parted again he stated.

"We'll see."

Shepard licked her lips as she walked away, or half ran half skipped.

On the Citadel, somewhere...

Later, Shepard and Jack stumbled out an elevator in the middle of a severe laughing fit.

"I didn't know salarians could get that red!" Jack had to take support from the wall.

"I wasn't even sure they could blush." Shepard stated catching her breath.

"Or that you could talk that fast."

"I told you it was a bad idea to get me caffeine. It's even worse when I'm sober."

"Shit, you'd probably be worse than Mordin."

"Actually.. if an asari blush... do they turn purple?" She looked over at Jack.

"No fucking idea."

"Having cursing withdrawal Jack?"

"Fuck you."

"Next time we check the asari. I'm pretty sure I can get Liara to blush." Shepard suddenly stretched out her arms together with a yawn. "Think I'm starting to sober up. Better get back to the Normandy, got something I need to do."

"And I bet I don't wanna know what. Jus' call me the next time you're heading out."

"Will do sis."

They parted and again and against all odds Shepard actually heade dstraight to the Normandy. In the elevator she asked Edi where Garrus was, just assuming he'd be onboard.

"In the forwards batteries, Shepard."

Just before she punched the button to the mess deck she got a better idea and pushed the button for captains cabin instead.

"Tell the turian that his Commander orders him to her cabin. As quick as humanly possible."

"Shepard-"

"Just shut up and do it!" She didn't want to know if the AI was going to call her on the 'humanly possible' part or the obvious hint of fraternisation part.

When Garrus entered she was standing with her arms folded looking at the aquarium.

"You called?"

"I really should get some fish."

"Why do you always want to get fish when you're drunk?"

"I have a huge aquarium, there should be fish in it!" She gestured towards the glass and looked over at him, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Doomed to a death more certain than facing a reaper."

"Yeah... Hey so I was kinda curious." Changing the subject in a second. "So I decided to give you this one last chance." She wasn't even aware that she was licking her lips as she met his eyes.

"I did have plans, some. But I spoke with someone in the Purgatory after you left."

"Yeah?"

"Mmm, something about this guy who used to be my boss..."

Suddenly Shepard took on a far graver look than he expected. Curious he watched as it seemed as if she was pondering if she should speak up about something or not. And what she said was completely out of the expected.

"You don't want to hear that story."

"Why not?"

"Cause I would have to admit something you don't want to hear." Her eyes were clear on this, not a shred of a lie in her words. On her part it was probably the alcohol that had her completely miss the light playful tone in his voice at the beginning of this conversation. Instead she jumped straight to expecting the worst. Remembering Liara's warning.

"Try me." He challenged, crossing his arms.

"I'm not kidding. Whatever you heard there's more to it. And no-one needs to know that."

"Well now you've painted yourself into a corner."

She sighed, closed her eyes and turned her head away from him. She had honestly hoped never to tell this to anyone. Least of all him. If she lost him now...

"I never wanted this." She started, fixing her eye at a stone on the bottom of the aquarium. "When I enlisted I threw away any thoughts and possibilities of a relationship. When the military is involved it never lasts. Either it takes too much time or it takes your life. Even mom and I lost dad to the military. Don't get me wrong, I'm proud of what he was." She risked a short glance at him. "But he still ended up leaving mom and me alone. It never lasts, so I threw it away. When I first suggested we get together there weren't any thoughts of an actual relationship. Sex is great, especially together with someone you can actually trust."

The silence was all but comfortable. But Garrus voice didn't waver when he asked.

"What made you change your mind?"

"Kasumi suddenly told me one night. 'A lot of people want to see you two together. Heroine of the citadel and the Archangel of Omega.' Made me think. I took her to Chora's that night, planning to question her more about it, and failed. She kinda got too drunk too quick and I was left alone. When I first saw Pallin I just wanted to beat the crap out of him, kinda failed at that too."

In a quick flash she recalled the night a year ago. The bastard had pinned her against the wall and her only words had been 'You dare?'. There had always been something incredibly hot about men that tried to dominate her. Especially if they succeeded.

"I thought I'd just satisfy my curiosity. When I still found myself looking at you after that, no less interested than before... The promise I made myself to never fall in love with... God, this is harder than I thought... After taking down the Shadow broker, when Liara came to visit she ask-" The words got caught up in her throat. "She asked me if I was doing this for you. My exact answer? 'I never expected to find peace in the arms of a turian.'" Silence. "I never expected to find peace in anyone's arms. As I said. I never wanted this." She finally met his eyes again. There wasn't a single hint of tears or regret in them. They only spoke the truth. "But now I'm not sure I want to live without it. I understand if you never want to see me again."

He'd watched her in silence, not really sure of what to think. For moment he was afraid that everything about the two of them had been a charade, but it had only been momentarily. Her last remark though had almost chocked him. Never want to see her again? This was too good of an opportunity to pass up.

The doors to her cabin opened and closed, she could almost hear the elevator go down. She bit her lower lip to stay focused. Closed here eyes. Felt a dizziness and took support against the tank with her right hand. Her left curled into a fist. When she opened her eyes again there were actually a tiny hint of tears in them. She raised her hand, and Garrus thought he'd let her suffer enough. Before she punched a hole in the water tank he caught her hand in his open palm and closed his fingers around it, his talons wanting to curl out and through the armoured glove.

Here eyes were wider than he'd ever seen before.

"But-"

"You really think would leave you for a stupid thing like that? Geez, it's no wonder you humans hold the galaxy wide record of divorces."

"But Liara said-"

"Pallin spoke with me himself. After you left he came over. Essentially he told me that if I were ever stupid enough to let you go, you already had his number."

"You played me!" It dawned on her. He'd used his omni-tool to make the doors just open and close. All just too fool her that... "You fuckin- Allright, I deserved that one."

"Besides." He said, voice dropping to a lower, smoother tone, taking a step closer. "He told me something else aswell." His hand slid down her wrist, took a good firm hold and pressed it up against the tank.

She looked at it, then into his eyes. She'd never seen them so demanding before.. So.. Commanding. So she countered him with a wry smile, repeating the words she's spoken a year ago.

"You dare?"

"Bet your ass I do." He said, quickly taking hold of her other wrist, giving it the same treatment.

Authors Notes: So I skipped out on the Thane conversation. Mainly because I'm lazy, secondly because I wanted to be done with this part. And if you're wondering about the drink Jack had Shep drink google "Mass effect squad mates drinks" It's an awesome list :3 And no, Kitten is NOT GOOD on caffeine.

I've read somewhere that Pallin actually were alive until the Cerberus invasion. So I'm leaving it at that.
This is one of the "my Shepard isn't perfect" things. And she's really crap at relationships. Really. Crap.
Also I can't decide whether to write commander with a big or a small C :\

And Yes, I've decided for the next chapter to be an entirely naughty one. I'm going to leave it in one chapter so those who want can skip it over. So the next updated Rating is raised to M.

(It also seems the settings are messing with me and not letting me underline words)