Sorry for abandoning this for so long. EA/BioWare really broke my heart into a million pieces by giving us zero story DLC for MEA, and my sadness drained much of my inspiration to keep writing in the Andromeda 'verse since then. ; _ ; This needs an ending though, and Kat and Akksul definitely deserve it, so here it finally is.
Musical inspiration: Where You Belong by Kari Kimmel
For Akksul's home language, I used Swahili (which is an amazingly beautiful language IMO) and google translate. I apologize to any actual Swahili speakers if I screwed anything up, or the translations are utter shite. I did my best.
Chapter 7
Home
Tiran Kandros finished reading the report in his hands and glanced up, meeting the eyes of the petite blonde sitting quietly in the chair in front of his desk. Back from the dead, as it were. She had been listed as MIA, but was presumed lost, along with her commander and fellow squad-mate. The kett had been targeting the smaller Apex squads, so much so that he had combined several of them, finding they left the larger teams alone. But to discover what had been done to the ones they had managed to capture...
"Well...shit."
She continued to meet his gaze, unflinching, her lips firm.
"It should be known that he died a hero. Even after what the kett did to him, he was still fighting against it, to the very end."
He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "He will receive all appropriate honors and commendations, and his son and widow as well." He paused, his eyes falling to his desk for a silent moment before pinning her with an intense look.
"But I can't believe you're really serious about resigning, and to work with a known xenophobic group? Johnson, you're not thinking clearly. You've suffered captivity and torture,...you need to take some time off. Maybe it would help you to see one of our doctors and talk about what you went through."
She was shaking her head even before he finished speaking. "No sir, there's nothing wrong with me emotionally or psychologically, I don't need a shrink; and the Roekaar are no longer xenophobic, that's all changed. Their mission now is rescuing captives from the kett and destroying exaltation facilities, which after my own experience is something I'm passionate about. Apex doesn't even have a dedicated rescue team."
He folded his hands together on top of his desk and leaned forward, giving her a sharp look. "You could start one. I don't want to lose you, Johnson. We need all our people, and we've already lost so many."
She looked down at her boots, then glanced back up. "Sir...I'm honored by your faith in me, really, but I don't want responsibility for a squad of my own, I never have." Licking her bottom lip, she leaned forward slightly. "What if… Maybe I could be a part of a diplomatic, joint venture between Apex and the Roekaar? If I speak to Akksul, I'm sure he would be open to having us as allies, like what we've done with the Resistance."
Kandros tapped a claw against the metal desk, deep in thought for a moment. "I'm not sure I would ever be able to get official sanctions from Nexus leadership for something like that. But with you directly under my authority, as a covert operative..."
Kat laughed nervously. "You wouldn't really expect me to spy, would you? I don't think I can do that without a conflict of interest."
He chuckled. "No, I'm not asking you to spy, it's just something to satisfy paperwork. But if your new commander is open to sharing information, then that's something that would be a benefit to us all. I would expect you to keep this under your hat though. You report directly to me, as time and circumstances allow. Keeping the lines of communication open is paramount."
She blinked and shook her head in wonder. "Sir...I...thank you. I didn't want to have to cut ties, but I didn't think I would have a choice if I wanted to pursue this."
Kandros slowly pushed to his feet and extended his hand, and Kat stood and grasped it firmly. "We don't abandon our own, Johnson, and we sure as hell never will under my watch."
She smiled, her eyes reflecting her gratitude. He keyed open his omnitool and tapped several commands, finally looking up.
"You have my private email, and it's secure, so anything you need to send, it'll be my eyes only. Keep me posted, Johnson, and stay safe."
Stepping back, she saluted crisply, and Kandros returned the gesture, then dropped his hand.
~o~
Akksul leaned against the stone wall and crossed his arms, watching the flow of people in and out of the city's marketplace; far busier and more bustling than the last time he had visited. It had been three long weeks since Katherine had left him to return to the Nexus, feeling she owed her people a final report and an honorable leave-taking, instead of just staying with him without explanation. He didn't like it and hadn't wanted her to leave, a small part of him afraid that they would talk her into staying there, but he understood the need to tie up the loose ends of her old life.
His eyes narrowed as a silver shuttle came into view, gleaming in the light, emblazoned with the symbol of the Andromeda Initiative. It hovered over a landing pad before setting down gently. He took a step forward, anticipation rising in him, his bioelectrics swelling in response, causing the angara close to him to shoot him curious looks.
The door of the shuttle rose slowly, and Akksul felt his breath leave him when he saw her step out, a large bag slung over her shoulder. She stopped and tipped her face up to the Aya sun, closed her eyes and smiled, her pale hair waving in the breeze and turning to molten gold with reflected light. She had never looked more beautiful.
His feet were already moving by the time she opened her eyes and spotted him, a bright smile breaking across her face. Kat dropped her bag and ran, meeting him at the bottom of the stairs with a squeal of excitement. Akksul laughed and lifted her in his arms, pulling her flush against him and kissing her with all the hunger, desperation and longing for her he had suffered during her absence.
"Katherine, mpendwa," he whispered between kisses, slipping into his home language with the strength of the feelings swelling within him. "I could not breathe without you."
She smiled up at him, her face glowing with happiness. "Akksul, I have so much to tell you! I missed you like crazy, but I know it was the right decision to go back when I did." Glancing around at all the eyes on them, she laughed quietly. "Maybe we should go somewhere more private, we've turned into a sideshow here."
He scoffed and reached down, filling his hands with her generous backside and pulling her more firmly against his body. "Let them look. You still have your clothes on." He smirked and hovered just above her lips. "For now."
Kat kissed him lingeringly then shook her head at him in amusement, pulling away. "Let me grab my bag."
He quickly relieved her of it and carried it to the shuttle waiting for them, then took her hand to lead her back into the heart of the city and through the crowded market. Kat looked around with interest when he pushed open the door to the museum and smiled mysteriously.
"Come, there is someone very special I want you to meet."
~o~
Kat fidgeted on the edge of the bench where she sat next to Akksul, watching the Aya landscape flash past through the front window of the shuttle as they drew closer to his family home, her anxiety growing by the minute. Her leg bounced with nervous energy, the occasional flare of blue apparent around her hands.
Akksul was sprawled beside her, legs stretched out and arms crossed while he watched her, one side of his mouth lifted in amusement. Turning and catching his expression, she narrowed her eyes at him.
"How can you be so calm when I'm freaking out over here?"
He leaned his head to rest back against the wall of the shuttle. "It is my family, what do I have to be nervous about?"
She clasped her hands tightly together in her lap. "What if they don't like me? Wouldn't they prefer that you bring a pretty, pink angaran girl home to meet your moms?"
He chuckled quietly. "After all Zareena has told them about your kindness and bravery, you should be more concerned about an overabundance of affection." He smirked and lifted a teasing brow ridge. "And you are a very pretty pink, but mostly only where I can see."
She gaped at him and shook her head, the hint of a blush coloring her cheeks. "That's not helping!"
"No?" He looked at her with eyes that smoldered. "Come climb onto my lap and I will quickly help you to forget your worries, in other, more pleasant ways."
Kat shot a significant glance toward the front of the shuttle to indicate the pilot. "Not happening, big boy. I don't perform for anyone but you." She shook her head and sighed. "Tell me some of their names again."
He placed his hand underneath the fall of her hair to rub soothingly at the tense muscles in her neck and shoulders and began reciting the many names of his large family.
~o~
As they stepped off the shuttle, Kat was still muttering under her breath as she took in the array of buildings that made up his family's living complex, more resembling a modern village to her than anything else. "And your younger brother is Hashaan, and your true mother's name is..."
Zareena shrieked in delight while she ran to them and barreled into Kat, nearly knocking her off her feet in her enthusiastic embrace. She grasped Kat by the shoulders, both of them laughing while she looked at her human friend with shining eyes. "Katherine! I cannot believe you are really here now."
She turned to hug Akksul and gave him a teasing grin. "I was worried that you would hate my friend with how much you have always despised aliens, brother. I am happy that was not true."
Akksul looked at Katherine with affection and smiled down at his sister. "I have not developed a sudden love for all aliens, Zareena, only for this one."
Kat snorted. "Yeah, well, we'll have to keep working on that, big boy."
Zareena grabbed them both by a hand and tugged them forward toward the loud throng of angara approaching them. Kat smiled as she was quickly swallowed up in the noisy shouts, hugs and shoulder slaps that was Akksul's family. It was complete chaos, but looking across all the faces to see Akksul grinning at her, she laughed and decided to embrace the madness.
~o~
Nalah joined her son by the window where he stood sipping a drink and looking out at Zareena and Kat, sitting in the grass laughing and talking while surrounded by many of the little ones. One of his youngest cousins, Adea, lay in Katherine's arms, stretched across her lap, small head pillowed against a soft breast while she sucked her fused fingers and looked up at the human contentedly.
Smiling at the scene, Nalah turned her attention to her son's face and the rare look of joy that shone from his eyes. He had not worn such a soft and tender expression in a very long time, and her own eyes filled with tears of gratitude as she looked again at the small woman that was Akksul's sole focus.
"Yeye ni uzuri kifahari, ingawa mwanadamu." She is an elegant beauty, though human, Nalah spoke in their home language. "Je, unampenda?" Do you love her?
Akksul nodded, finally turning to face Nalah. "Ninampenda, mama yangu wa kweli." I do love her, my true mother. His eyes strayed back to Kat, unbidden. "Katherine hujaza moyo wangu kwa furaha." She fills my heart with joy.
She caressed his face with a gentle hand. "Nina furaha kwa ajili yenu mtoto wangu" I am happy for you, my son.
Nalah turned back to look out the window. "Yeye ni binti yangu sasa." She is my daughter now.
Wrapping his arm around his true mother's shoulders, Akksul grinned. "Zareena atapendezwa." Zareena will be pleased.
His brother, Hashaan, came up and slugged him on the arm and nodded toward Kat. "Mimi kama yake, ndugu. Yeye ni mzuri." I like her, brother. She's pretty. Hashaan smirked and raised a brow ridge. "Gani yeye na dada yeyote kama yake?" Does she have any sisters like her?
Akksul blinked in surprise at the unexpected question, then threw back his head and laughed, the easygoing approval and acceptance of his family for Katherine, warming him from within.
~o~
Kat glanced down to where Akksul's hand firmly engulfed her own and smiled. Night had fallen, and after a very loud but enjoyable dinner with more people than she could easily count, they had finally stolen away from the family compound for a late night stroll, a little privacy, and hopefully a chance for Kat to catch her breath and process the day.
Akksul sat down on the grass, his back coming to rest against a large tree and pulled Kat into his arms, her back resting against his chest. Nuzzling against the side of her neck he drew in a contented breath, filled with her scent mingled with the thick humidity of the night air.
She looked at the bright stars glittering in the sky, tilting her head to allow Akksul's wandering lips easier access, unable to stop her grin when he hit a ticklish spot that sent a shiver down her spine. She felt his smile against her skin before he spoke.
"Was meeting my family as difficult as you anticipated, mpendwa?"
Angling herself until she could see his face, she shook her head. "No, not really. Mildly terrifying at first, but surprisingly wonderful. Plus, I love getting to spend time with Zareena again." She stroked a hand down his neck flap on one side and across a thickly muscled shoulder, then glanced up to meet his eyes.
"What does mpendwa mean? That's the second time you've used it, and it isn't translating..."
He grasped her chin and pulled her closer, kissing her softly, then speaking quietly as he continued to kiss along the corner of her mouth. "It means dearest. It is my home language that I grew up speaking, therefore the language of my heart."
Kat smiled, enchanted. "It's beautiful. Say something else, I like to listen to you."
Akksul dragged his lips across her jaw. "Nataka kukubusu." His hand cradled the back of her head, fingers carding through her hair. "I want to kiss you."
He pulled her even closer against him. "Mimi natamani wewe. I desire you." His warm breath ghosted across the exposed skin of her neck and collarbone.
Her breathing was quickly becoming ragged from both his seductive words and his touch, a combined assault on her senses. Laying her down against the cool grass, his hand slipped beneath her shirt, his touch a familiar vibration of heat, calling forth her own desire like a siren song.
"Ninataka kutomba wewe usio maana," he said roughly, kissing her with increased desperation.
She could feel her heart banging inside her chest, and an echoing throb between her legs when he ran his fused fingers firmly across her center.
By the time Kat realized he had not translated the last thing he said, she was bare from the waist up and well on her way to being completely naked, thanks to Akksul's nimble fingers.
"Wait," she finally managed to gasp. "What..." Her words trailed off into a moan before she was able to command her voice again. "What was that last thing you said?"
His eyes were dark with the shadows and only the illumination of the stars when he looked up from where he was kissing his way to her belly button, but his smirk was easily discernible.
"I said I want to fuck you senseless."
Kat laughed breathlessly in response, a zing of anticipation tingling in her belly.
~o~
Sometime later, she lay completely boneless beneath Akksul, her eyes closed as pleasure still coursed through her, unable to move or hear any sound beyond the rush of blood in her ears, when she realized he had actually managed to accomplish it. Unbelievable.
Smiling, her eyes slowly drifted open to find him watching her with a smugly knowing grin, and she huffed a weak laugh.
"Okay, so you actually are capable of temporarily overpowering all of my senses. I'm impressed."
Akksul laughed loudly and shifted so he was lying on the ground with Kat held against him, her head pillowed on his shoulder and bicep.
"You know I enjoy a challenge, Katherine, and your cries of delight are a rich reward." He leaned over to capture her lips again, whispering against her lips as his eyes stared earnestly into hers.
"Ninakupenda, mpendwa. I love you, dearest. My heart will forever beat with the song of joy you brought me from across the stars."
Her eyes grew misty and soft with feeling. "I love you so much, it hurts. I didn't know when I began the journey to Andromeda, that I would finally find the ultimate destination in you, Akksul. Something I was always unconsciously looking for."
He gently stroked her hair away from her face, smiling tenderly. "And what is it that you've found in me, beloved Katherine?"
"Home," she said solemnly, wrapping her fingers around his. "With you I'm finally home."
~o~
Epilogue
Jaal Ama Darav ran a hand across the top of his head wearily, steadily working his way through the seemingly endless backlog of messages he had not had time to look at in weeks. The strain and difficulty of not only finding the last of the missing Arks, but the disturbing discovery of a new and terrifying enemy that had nothing to do with the kett had left little free time to indulge in the mundane. Fortunately, the loss of life had not been as great as they had all feared, and the addition of the new races of Quarian, Volus, Drell and Hanar on the Nexus and Meridian brought some happiness and relief to an otherwise grim mission.
He deleted yet another useless message as Sara emerged from the shower in her favorite lounging clothes of shorts and tank top, her hair still damp. "Your tea is on the table, darling one," he said absently, opening a strangely titled message.
She took an eager sip. "Mmmhhh, thanks Jaal. It's perfect, as always."
He scowled at the screen before glancing at Sara. "What is 'erectile dysfunction', and why would I need to buy a cure for it?"
Laughing, she reached for the data pad on the bedside table then leaned back against the small mountain of cushions on their bed and smirked. "It's nothing you'll ever need to worry about, big guy. All your equipment is in perfect working order."
"Ah, I see." Understanding lit his face and he shot her an amused smile before turning back to the screen. When a new message alert popped across the display he clicked on it eagerly, noting it was from the Moshae. He quickly read the message, his brow ridge furrowed in confusion until he clicked on the photo attachments.
"Sara," he gasped, leaning forward until his face was inches from the screen, his eyes wide in disbelief before he threw his head back and howled with laughter. Wiping tears of mirth from his eyes, he turned to Sara, who was watching him with a confused smile.
He beckoned her urgently. "Come! Come quickly, my darling one, and see what the Moshae has sent us. You will never believe it!"
She tossed the data pad aside and rolled off the bed, pulled down onto Jaal's lap as soon as she reached the desk. Stabbing a finger at the image on the screen, he laughed again, the vibrations strong against her.
Sara stared in shock. "Is that….?"
"Yes!" Jaal shouted, his laughter infectious and sending her into helpless giggles while she tried to make sense of the photos in front of her.
"But he's kissing a… She's human!"
"I know! It is shocking, but it must be true. The Moshae would not joke about this."
Reading through the Moshae's message, Sara shook her head. "Ho. Lee. Shit. So, the crazy bastard found love. I guess I'm a little glad I didn't shoot him now, but only a little."
Jaal kissed the bare skin of her shoulder and pulled her tighter against him. "Perhaps he has learned the joys of human female companionship, and it was enough to overcome his hate."
She rolled her eyes. "More like girlfriend there discovered the awesomeness of having an angaran lover. Smart cookie."
Jaal nuzzled her neck and sucked her earlobe into his mouth. "Your lover wants you to take off your clothes now, so he can lick you like a lollipop."
Laughing, Sara shivered. He knew every one of her most ticklish and sensitive spots and mercilessly exploited them. "I really think that's my line, but I'm game if you are."
He smirked and reached out for the display and the screen went dark.
~o~
Hey guys, thanks so much to everyone that followed this, both on AO3 and FFN, and for all the great comments/reviews. Your enthusiasm and interest in this story really helped my inspiration so I could finally finish this.
For anyone interested, I'm immediately putting up a fluffy Evfra drabble which I wrote months ago. It takes place much later in Kat and Akksul's timeline, which is why I couldn't post it until I finished this story. :)
