Back on the Normandy, Shepard ordered radio silence, then gathered the crew to let them know about the plan. She gave them the option to leave, but no one had any intention of leaving, just like Anderson said, they'd follow her to the end of the galaxy. Relieved, she ordered them to battle stations and walked up to the cockpit to stand wait with Joker, both staring at the red control panel. The wait was excruciating, and just as Shepard started to lose hope the panel turned green, "Get us out of here Joker, now!"
The Normandy flew undetected out of Citadel space towards the Mu relay.
"Joker – ETA?"
"Not for at least 6 hours, Shepard, maybe more. It's far out."
"Okay, Thanks Joker."
She stood in the elevator, contemplating what to do next. She felt conflicted about stealing the ship. Mutiny was not her style, but she had to complete the mission. Anderson's pep talk echoed in her ears. The doors opened in cargo bay and she walked out to find Garrus by the Mako. She felt the now familiar nervous excitement when she saw him and walked over to where he was leaning over it.
"Garrus, hey." She leaned against the cold metal, folding her hands.
"Shepard." He stood up straight and looked down at her. "I know it's hard for you to take the ship like this against the Council, but you know it's the right decision."
"I know. I just hope we can stop him."
"We're so close, we can do it. The galaxy doesn't know it, but they're all counting on us."
She impulsively reached out and grabbed his hand, "I couldn't have done this without you, Garrus." She looked into his eyes, and thought about what a good friend he'd been to her, how he'd taken care of her, respected her. She pleaded inwardly that he might have some sort of feelings for her.
He squeezed her hand back, "It's been a pleasure working with you, Jane, and being your friend."
"I feel the same way, Garrus." She tilted her head and got a little nearer.
"I saw you and Kaidan talking in the mess hall earlier. He didn't upset you, did he?" Garrus didn't want her worrying about him on the mission.
"What? Oh, no. He was just apologizing about his attitude on Feros, on Virmire. I guess I told him down there that he was on report. I dismissed it. After losing Ashley, it kind of gives you perspective, you know? It's time to put that behind us and move on."
Garrus nodded, "I agree."
She grabbed his other hand in hers, thinking about how much she cared about him. Gathering her courage, she said, "We have time before we get to Ilos, it won't be until early tomorrow. I was hoping you could come up to my quarters." She looked at him expectantly, biting her lip.
Garrus shook his head, "I've got to make sure the Mako is in shape for the mission. We can't chance any problems at all on Ilos. It's a one-shot deal."
"Oh, well, do you want some help? I can –"
"No thanks, I appreciate it, but I can concentrate better when I work alone."
"Is it that bad?" she looked at the Mako.
"No, it just makes me feel better to keep going over it. It passes the time."
"I see." She said, scanning his face desperately for a flicker of emotion. She couldn't find any. Dejected, she let go of his hands. "I understand, Garrus. I'll be in my quarters if you change your mind." She reluctantly backed away and turned for the elevator. With every step she wanted him to call her back, but as she entered the elevator she turned around and saw him diligently working on the Mako. She pushed the button and as the door closed she put her face in her hands. "Dammit, he doesn't feel that way about me at all." She collected herself to make it to her quarters and plopped down in her desk chair staring blankly at her computer.
Garrus continued calibrating the systems on the Mako. He was mostly done, but he wanted it to be perfect. No room for error, he thought. He thought it was odd the way Shepard had come down to see him, he knew with the mission as important as this one, she would need time to regroup and recharge. There wouldn't be any time for drinking and watching vids like they usually did on downtimes. "I wonder if she needed to discuss strategy with me." He pondered, but he knew that couldn't be it. They didn't know what they would face on Ilos, there was no information on the planet. She should probably confer with Liara, she had some research on it. Maybe he should have suggested that. He didn't like seeing her unsure of herself. She really didn't know how strong she was.
Shepard waited for an hour, hoping Garrus might show up, then she realized whatever she thought might be between them was not going to happen. She grabbed a drink out of her cabinet and poured herself a glass before going back to her desk to review information Liara had sent her on Ilos, what little there was. After some time she heard a ping at the door.
"Enter?" she said hopefully.
Kaidan came in. "Commander?"
She snorted, "You probably shouldn't call me that. I probably shouldn't even be wearing this uniform." She stood up.
"Yea, we broke our oath to defend the Alliance so we can keep it. What happens if this doesn't work out, Shepard? We mutinied, stole a prototype warship, they could throw in kidnapping if they want to get technical."
"There is no precedent for this, Kaidan. If we're right, none of that will matter and we'll know we saved the galaxy. The Council will know too. We're making the right decision, no matter how hard it is."
"Yea, I get you Shepard. It'll really hit the fan when we get to Ilos. If things don't go well, I want you to know, well – I've enjoyed serving under you."
"Kaidan, you stopped being just a subordinate a long time ago. We're friends, too. I, I'm glad you're here." She looked down.
He walked towards her and hugged her, "Is this okay?"
She nodded on his shoulder as she felt his strong arms around her, relaxing into his embrace. She felt silent tears fall on his uniform. The enormity of the situation weighed on her fully. She put her arms around his waist, and they stood there for a minute. Finally he pulled back and put his hand under her chin, "Shepard, it will work out." He saw her tears for the first time, "Oh, don't do that." He wiped them off her face and stroked her hair, kissing her forehead.
She tried to collect herself as he held her face in her hands, "Jane, I wish I could go back in time and change things. I guess that's why I came up here. I think about losing you and I can't stand it."
She looked up at him, emotionally raw, This may be my last night alive, she thought.
"You know, the galaxy will just keep going. Even the Reapers, but right now, tonight, you and I, we are important right now. And this is what will never happen again, us." He said quietly.
She nodded and held onto his arms. He leaned down and kissed her softly. She thought for a second about telling him no, but feeling his warmth, the hunger in his kiss, she responded. She held his face in her hands and felt his hands on her back, pulling her closer. They walked closer to her bed and frantically took their clothes off. She grabbed him, smashing herself against him.
He groaned and dug his fingers into her shoulders, "Darling, I-"
Inwardly she rolled her eyes and kissed him, thrusting her tongue in his mouth to shut him up. She ravaged him, running her hands down his chest and on his back, digging her nails into him.
"Ow, not so hard," he protested.
She pulled back and looked at him surprised. Seriously? Maybe this wasn't going to happen after all. Then she looked down and saw his hard cock. Well, then again-
She grinned and sat back on the bed, scooting upwards. Damn he is hot. She licked her lips as he started to crawl towards her. Ripped abs, dark hair, soft brown eyes.
"Oooph," she mumbled as he almost fell on her unceremoniously. He started kissing her neck and shoulders. She wrapped her legs around him and rubbed herself on him.
"Mmmm, how does that feel?" she purred.
"Fantastic," he said, awkwardly rubbing her breasts.
Oh my god this sucks so bad, she thought. She looked up at her ceiling as he reached down and held his penis at her opening.
Good thing I'm desperate for it, looks like there's no foreplay. She gave out a little gasp as he pushed himself into her with a few thrusts. Damn, he didn't even wait for me to get ready.
She decided to make the best of it and started writhing underneath him. One thing about biotics, they could last. She was able to work him and lose herself in the sensations. She felt herself close to cumming. She watched him, and saw a slight blue glow start to form, and threw her head back in pleasure as she felt the vibrations of his biotics through his cock. He was talking to her, but she didn't listen to him as she started gasping and felt the wave start. "Fuck, I'm cumming, I'm cumming!" she yelled and he thrust into her harder. He grunted loudly and lay down on top of her. Frustrated, she continued to press up against him, her orgasm not yet finished. He wasn't moving though, and it was over.
He looked down at her, smiling and placed a kiss on her forehead. He pulled out and moved off her and snuggled up to her. She frowned, I would have rather watched Blasto, I think. She patted him and blew her hair off her face. At least she worked out some tension. She put her hand over her face and relaxed, falling asleep.
Her omni-tool beeped softly waking her up. She looked over at Kaidan, confused. Oh, that's right. Damn, he's still here. She carefully pulled his arm off her and slid out of bed. She used her shower to clean up and got dressed, hoping he would be gone when she got out. No such luck. She leaned against her desk, watching him. She remembered some of the things he was saying to her last night, that he loved her, wanted to be with her. She bit her lip, trying to figure out what to say to him to let him down easy.
Suddenly he stirred and turned over, waking up and seeing her. He propped up on his elbows, "It's been a long time since I've met a woman who-"
Joker came over the comm, "Bridge to Commander Shepard, we're five minutes out from the Mu relay."
"You're a sweetheart, Kaidan-" she started.
He stood up with the sheet around him, "I've got to get dressed. Joker's waiting for you on the bridge. I swear, though, if anything happens to you. Take care, Shepard."
She shook her head, Fuck, there was no time to go into it. She nodded and walked out of her quarters towards the cockpit.
