Disclaimer: I do not own Mass Effect that belongs to Bioware. Please Enjoy.
Chapter 9: Black, White and Blood Red.
Shepard sat in darkness of her room, the light of the fish tank the only light to spread across the wide space. The metallic surfaces glittered with the faint light as it poured on to every surface it could reach. Her terminal blinked for about the twentieth time telling her that she had unread messages but she couldn't be bothered. She sat on the couch with her knees pulled up to her chest while she buried her head in her arms, her teeth ground against each other as her tear stained cheeks felt stiff and cracked with each muscle pull. Shepard had been the one to put Mordin's name up on the wall and as the metal fused she felt the last nail strike her heart and the metaphorical lid of Mordin's coffin. How the hell was she going to tell Mordin's nephew or Mealon that he was dead? Mealon would be happy though...they cured the Genophage, something he was striving for the last time they met. Maybe that was one of the many messages she had waiting for her, Mealon saying that the Genophage was cured with his work. Shepard scoffed at the thought while she tilted her head upwards the stare at the pictures that flitted across a datapad. Picture of her time with Mordin in his lab, some were of her red faced with embarrassment as she explained Turian anatomy while he held a evil glint in his eyes, others were of her and him working on different projects with Shepard smiling and watching Mordin's every move while Mordin was explaining the different object he held in his hand. Shepard smiled at the memories then the picture changed to one where Mordin held an object in his nimble hand while Shepard was covering her face and Jacob in the corner trying to ignore the situation in the room. Shepard's smile grew on her lips as she looked at the picture; the moments that were captured in these simple holos were slowly piecing together the broken parts of her broken soul. In the back of her mind she knew she couldn't save everyone in this war...Tarquin proved that. But this was the first death by an indirect hand of the Reapers and the full weight of the war finally slammed on Shepard's small shoulders, she didn't understand why she had to do all the running around trying to get alliances and shit but Admiral Hackett wanted her to be the head of the spear...so that meant doing all the political bullshit instead of being a soldier.
They were heading to the Citadel so that they could drop off Victus and the last members of the Ninth Platoon. They also needed supplies and Shepard distracted herself by running a list through her head of what they needed. Then suddenly the doors of her cabin hissed open, Shepard thought that Garrus had come back from doing some calibrations on the Thanix cannon and she quickly started to dry her eyes and cheeks even though she knew that Garrus would be able to smell that she had been crying.
"I didn't think the room would be so bare" Victus's voice echoed through the room making Shepard freeze. Her eyes quickly darted over towards the stairs to find Victus casually leaning against the pillar, Shepard nearly choked on a breath she was holding as her heart nearly leapt out of her chest.
"V...Victus! What are you doing here? How did you get in?" Shepard started to growl at him as she felt suddenly aware of her state of dress. The tank top was tight round her chest and rode up her body reviling her waist while her shorts rode almost all the way up her legs so much so Jack would have been proud. Victus however didn't seem fazed by Shepard growling at him and across the short distance and brought her into an embrace. Shepard froze as she felt Victus's arms wraps round her bringing her body flush against his hard plated chest. She felt the warmth of his body wrap round her as his chest started to rumble with a slow purr, his talons slowly rubbing her back. Shepard stood frozen unable to process what was happening. Victus was hugging her. The Primarch of Palaven was hugging her!
"You've been locked up in this room for days so I decided to use the information Garrus gave to me" Victus spoke softly as Shepard's body stiffened.
"Garrus told you?" Shepard spoke as a growl tore through her throat. Why would Garrus tell Victus the code to her quarters? Did the Primarch order him to do it? What the hell?
"Yes...in his sleep" Victus drew back and smiled at Shepard bewildered look on her face.
"What?"
)_)
Garrus finished the last of his calibrations on the Thanix Cannon, the system checks ran across the screen telling him that there power was fine and not drawing from the engines as much as it used to but Garrus stared blankly at the numbers raining down the screen as his mind wandered to Shepard. When she came back from the Shroud she look so broken with tears running down her cheeks and her red eyes held no emotion and even as they rode the shuttle back to the Normandy she didn't shake or pray to the Spirits to keep her safe...she was just broken. Garrus ground his sharp teeth together before leaving the battery, the thought of not being able to do anything for Shepard made his stomach twist and turn with a sickly feeling. He was about to go to Shepard's and his quarters when he spotted Liara sitting at the table in the mess nursing a cup of horrid smelling coffee. She had a far off look in her eyes as her thumbs circled the rim of her mug.
"Liara, you alright" Garrus asked. Liara looked up in shock with her wild blue eyes. Liara let out a breath in relief when she saw it was Garrus.
"Oh Garrus, sorry I was just thinking" Liara went back to staring into her coffee as Garrus went over and pulled out a bottle of Turian ale, noticing he didn't have as many as last time he checked.
"What about?" Garrus asked as he got up and closed the fridge. Liara took a breath as she moved her head slowly towards Garrus.
"How does Shepard do it?" Liara asked. Her blue eyes gazed over Garrus as he took a swig of his ale.
"Do what?" Garrus asked he knew Liara liked to talk in circles. She always had with him but he never got used to it or liked it.
"When my mother died, Shepard came to me and smile and laugh like nothing had ever happened...how does she do it?" Liara sighed as tears came to her eyes. Garrus knew what she was talking about, back on Noveria Shepard was the one to take out Liara's mother so that Liara didn't have that ghost on her back. Liara was upset but after Shepard talked to her it was like nothing happened and she was back talking with Kaiden and Ashley in no time. Garrus sighed and sat across from Liara.
"Liara, Shepard knew what to do for you because she lost both her parents at six years old." Garrus told her flatly as Liara's eyes scanned his face for the truth.
"I remember something about that" Liara spoke softly while her grip on her mug tightened slightly.
"Well Shepard just used what she knew about her pain to help you. Mordin wasn't just her best friend he was like a second father to Shepard so she's feeling that pain again" Garrus told Liara as the young Asari watched him with her calculating gaze.
"You know back on the Citadel, Shepard helped me find my father...I didn't understand why she did it at first but now I think I understand...she doesn't want me to be alone." Liara gazed back down into the swirling black ooze. Garrus nodded before he got up and headed towards the elevator to leave Liara to her thoughts, maybe the Asari might have learnt something besides information that could start a war...or end one as the case maybe. Garrus waited for the elevator to arrive while his gaze landed on the memorial wall, Mordin's name stood out among the rest. As he stepped into the small room he wondered how many more friends and family would be lost to this war before it stopped. Garrus growled as he pressed the button to his and Shepard's room and thoughts of his father and sister rushed through his head. Were they safe? Were they even alive? Garrus hated not knowing and expected them to be dead by now, possibly crushed under a Reaper's foot or something anything would be better than thinking his family were one of those turian husks. The doors opened and Garrus was greeted with Shepard's laughter, he was happy that she was laughing again but he didn't like the other scent that was coming from the room.
"Oh Spirits, kill me now" He heard Shepard say and he wondered what was causing her to say that.
"So it's true, you can do that with your leg" Victus's voice shattered through the music of Shepard's laugh and Garrus felt his blood boil as a protective growl erupted from his chest. He opened the door and quickly found Shepard and Victus sitting on the couch. Shepard's face was bright red as she struggled to contain her laughter while Victus had turned off his Omni-tool. Garrus's eyes narrowed on Victus and even though the rational part of his brain was screaming that this was the Primarch of Palaven his primal/mate part of him wanted to tear him to sheds and leave for the verren to feed upon. Victus nodded towards him as Shepard got up and almost sprang towards Garrus. Garrus held out his arms to welcome her but she started to punch his armoured chest with her fists.
"Garrus you traitor...how could you" Shepard's words confused and hurt him as he grabbed her wrists and looked into her smiling eyes even though she was trying her best to put on a mocking glare.
"I'm missing something here" Garrus admitted as his eyes darted from Shepard to Victus. Victus just shook his head while Shepard tugged on his mandible to make him face her. Garrus winced in pain as her ice blue eyes stared him down.
"You told everyone about the little things I do for you" Shepard pouted and put her hands on her hips while Garrus shook his head.
"Shepard I did no such thing" Garrus let out a low growl as his anger rose. How could she be accusing him of such things that never happened?
"Sorry Vakarian but I have proof" Victus spoke up as his Omni-tool sprang to life. After a few clicks a recording of a Turian equivalent of a snore sounded from Victus's wrist.
Shepard...don't do that...Zo...
What...Not the leg...Shepard...
Zo...can't...Spirits not there...Shepard...
...Zo...
Garrus covered his face with his hand as he heard his horrid recorded voice echoed through the small cabin, that was defiantly him and there was no denying it now. Since when did he start talking in his sleep anyway? And the fact the Shepard was finding this out via Victus of all people made it a bit more humiliating. When he looked down Shepard was bright red in the face and her nails were digging into her arms almost breaking the skin. Garrus growled before he grabbed Shepard's wrists, making her eyes fly open wide and brought her into an embrace. Thankful he wasn't wearing armour he purred into her hair while he gently stroked her back.
"First, I didn't know I did that and second, stop doing that" Garrus looked into Shepard's eyes as she pressed her lips together. He brought his hands to her arms and gently rubbed where her nails had been digging into her arms, the red marks slowly fading away with each gentle touch. Shepard smiled and nuzzled his mandible while Garrus nuzzled her temple.
"You two make a good match" Victus's voice shattered the world around the couple and Shepard instantly felt her face flare up. Garrus looked over at Victus who was trying his best not to intrude on the couple's moment. Victus scolded himself for not seeing it sooner, the mark on Shepard's shoulder and the way Garrus treated her on and off the battlefield. He was blind to it all but he wasn't angry at them instead he was angry at himself. Victus looked at the couple with a smile, Garrus was protecting Shepard within his hold while his cool blue eyes were fixed on Victus watching his every movement all the while Shepard seemed be turning different colours of red and pink, Victus didn't know Shepard could even do that.
"Sorry Victus...I forgot you were here" Shepard spoke sheepishly and Victus laughed.
"Don't worry Shepard, you can make up for it by telling me how it happened" Victus smiled and Shepard's eyes widened while she changed to an even deeper shade of crimson. But soon they were talking late into the night, Garrus and Shepard were sat on the couch entwined within each other's arms while Victus watched on listening to their stories about chasing Seran across the Galaxy while fighting through pockets of Geth and blowing up Cerberus labs along the way. Shepard was laughing as her animated hands impersonated guns and biotic abilities while Garrus and Victus sat back sipping away at the Turian ale.
"The next thing I know is Garrus is yelling at me from the back of the Mako. 'Shepard! A mountain isn't a short cut!' 'Shepard you can't use the Mako to run over a Gath that big!' 'Shepard you've broken the suspension...Again!'" Shepard sent herself into a fit of giggles. Garrus shook his head as the memories of sitting in the back of that Mako with either Tali or Wrex. Tali would be holding on for dear life and Wrex would have been laughing. Garrus would have been taking a list of all the damage he would have to repair...he was glad they didn't have the Mako anymore even if James and Shepard begged Cortez to try and get it.
"Shepard, you can't blame me. That Mako's lifespan was quickly vanishing before my eyes and the Noveria mission didn't help" Garrus shivered as the thought of the cold weather stung his plates.
"How else was I going to test the repairs you made?" Shepard rested against his chest while he wrapped an arm round her shoulders. Garrus purred into her hair as Shepard smiled. Victus watched the couple again; he saw the look in Shepard's eyes, her sunken cheeks and darkened eyes were the human tale-tell signs that she was at her limits. Victus smiled as he stood up and placed his empty bottle on the small table, Shepard watched him with confused eyes while Garrus was narrowing his gaze carefully.
"I'd better be off, it is late and I think the turian councillor would like me to be fully alert while going about the situation on Palaven" Victus spoke and Shepard nodded. Slowly Shepard stood on shaky legs and gave Victus a hug. Victus stiffened while Garrus bit down a growl.
"Thank you for coming to check on me" Shepard spoke while a purr stirred in her throat. Victus wrapped his round Shepard for a moment before pulling away, Victus smiled down at her a carefully tucked away a strand of hair behind her ear.
"If you need to talk, call me anytime." Victus told her softly and Shepard nodded. Victus walked out of the room and as the door closed behind him he felt a weight lift from his shoulders but clamp down on his heart. He never did get to hear when Shepard and Garrus new they loved each other but maybe the tale was within the story. He would have to figure it out but for now his bunk was calling and haunting dreams awaited him.
Back in the cabin Shepard fell into Garrus's arms while he began to slowly comb her hair with his talons. Shepard purred and nuzzled deeper into his neck, Garrus smiled a purred back as his eyes lay coldly on the door.
"Feel better?" Garrus asked. But the question sounded more like a statement, Shepard looked up at Garrus and watched as his mandibles flicked against his jaw and his narrowed eyes were still trained on the door. Shepard had only seen this look once before and that was for Thane. Now it was for Victus. Shepard sighed and straddled his lap while she started to rub his fringe; Garrus broke out into a purr while his eyes slid closed for a moment. Shepard's lips pulled into a smile as she leant closer to him letting her breath fall against his face.
"The only turian I want to be with is you. You are my mate not Victus" Shepard told him in hushed tones. Shepard traced her fingers down his neck, letting her nails dig into his soft flesh as Garrus moaned and his hands clamped down on her waist. Shepard bit back a moan as the sensation of pleasure spiked through her body as she felt his talons nip at her skin; Shepard found his bond mark under his clothes and lightly dug her nails into it, Garrus roared before biting down on Shepard's shoulder. Shepard moaned as her head buzzed, Garrus's teeth shredding into her flesh sent thrills up her spine while his talons broke open her skin on her waist. Garrus growled before taking his teeth out of her flesh and stared into her eyes, her red blood dripping from his jaw that cold glassy look he was giving her made Shepard think of the moment when he saved her from the Brutes on Tuchanka and Shepard instantly felt her insides melt. Shepard slowly leant towards him, pausing when he growled but slowly licked off her blood from his jaw. Garrus purred as her tongue travelled his rough skin of his chin and mandibles but Garrus had had enough, the image of Victus holding Shepard with care came to the forefront of his mind and suddenly he had flung Shepard onto the bed. His growling became overpowering and he felt her urge to claim her again. Shepard looked up at him with shock in her eyes while her blood soaked the small tank top she was wearing and slowly ran down her arm. Her waist shone with the small thin line of his talons and even though he could see the fear in Shepard's eyes he could smell her arousal and the small smirk playing on her lips made his blood boil and his plates shift.
"I'll show you who you belong to Female" Garrus growled as he pulled on Shepard's ankle and towered over her. Shepard gulped, she knew this shouldn't be turning her on but the way Garrus was looking at her and the way he took control she couldn't help it. Shepard was in for one rough night.
)_)
"Shepard, you might want to come up here; we're having trouble getting through to the Citadel" Joker spoke over the radio. Shepard stirred in the bed as she felt Garrus hard plated chest against her hands, his arm wrapped round her waist keeping her close to his body. Shepard kissed his mandible and slowly stroked his bond mark telling him that she was moving but she was alright, Garrus's arm loosened and Shepard slipped out of his hold.
"What's going on Joker?" Shepard asked as she looked down at her body, blood patterned her body from the deep scratches that her cybernetics had patched up. Her bond mark however was still open and the open air stung the raw skin. Her breasts still held a few fine line scratches and teeth marks but all in all Shepard never felt better...she would have to get Garrus jealous more often.
"The Citadel isn't responding Commander, we're still a few minutes out but if power cut they would have backup generators online" Joker spoke while Shepard's chill sprang throughout her body. The Salarian councillor had called her the day before expressing his fears about Udina and now with the Citadel gone silent it didn't seem like a good sign.
"Alright Joker, keep trying their might be a glitch but be careful. Put James and Javik on alert just in case." Shepard went over to her terminal and quickly checked messages. None from the councillor but her inbox was flooded once again with messages from Kaidan, a few odd messages were different, there was one that seemed to mention something about Project Leviathan which Shepard thought she would save for later but Shepard let out a growl in anger at Kaidan's constant attempts. She would need to do something about him soon, Garrus stirred from the bed as Shepard growled.
"Done Commander, James and Javik are getting ready" Joker announced. Shepard cut off communications as she stepped into the shower. Shepard turned on the water, letting the water heat up to turian standards before stepping under the assaulting beads of water. The heat scorching her body like fire but Shepard found it blissful. Still her chill was telling her that something was wrong and after a quick shower to clean away the smell of sex from her body she stepped out grabbing a towel and wrapped it round her body. When the door opened she saw Garrus leaning back against her desk in all his plated glory while his blue blood ran down his neck and chest, Shepard may not have been able to scratch but she could certainly bite. Shepard's face flushed even though she had seen Garrus naked before she still felt like it was her first time seeing him naked before her. Garrus approached her and ruffled her wet hair with a smile on his face.
"So what's got you riled?" Garrus spoke softly to her as Shepard glared at him for the hair ruffle.
"The Citadel isn't responding, Joker doesn't think it's a power cut and I've got a bad feeling" Shepard told him before walking down the steps and opening the closet that held both hers and Garrus's armour.
"You think Reapers?" Garrus watched her from behind the empty display case. Shepard shrugged she didn't think the Reapers would attack the Citadel while the worlds were still being harvested on the worlds. Plus with the Keepers technically keeping the Reapers from using the Citadel from using its true purpose after Seran's defeat, the Reapers were likely ignoring it for now. But still this didn't feel like what the Reapers would do.
"I don't know. But James and Javik are on standby" Shepard spoke as she heard Garrus growl from behind her. A thrill ran up her spine before she turned to see Garrus's arm trapping her against the closet.
"You're not thinking of me staying behind...the last time I wasn't with you, you were fighting for your life before a lab hit the Mass Relay" Garrus carefully worded his memory of Shepard being knocked out for two days and him stuck on the ship unable to do anything because Joker was too far away to make the drop without drawing attention. Shepard smiled and caressed his mandible while Garrus moved further into her palm, calming his beast within, Shepard looked into his eyes.
"I can't leave my lucky charm behind" Shepard spoke softly as Garrus smiled with a glint in his eye. He pulled her close to him and pressed his forehead against hers. Shepard nuzzled against him as she smiled while a blush played hell on her cheeks.
"I'll get ready then" Garrus told her as he started pulling out his armour. Shepard kissed his cheek before doing the same.
)_)
Shepard, James, Javik and Garrus sat in the shuttle on the way to C-sec. Shepard knew something had gone wrong but she never expected Cerberus to pull something like this. Attacking the Citadel? For what purpose? Nothing made sense in this but Shepard's mind wandered back to how Thane sounded on the radio, he sounded awful. His breathing wasn't level like it usually was and his deep voice was strained in pain and he was fighting off Cerberus troops trying to help C-sec, man that Drell had balls. Shepard gave a bittersweet smile before Cortez shouted through that they had arrived. Shepard pulled out her assault rifle.
"Garrus, Sniper. James, Shotgun. Javik, Ray gun" Shepard ordered. Javik looked displeased in what she called his weapon while James gave a smirk taking out his shotgun and looking at the configuration. Garrus shook his head as he pulled out his Mantis.
"The correct term is Plasma rifle, Commander" Javik growled but Shepard simply smiled and titled her head to the side. Javik's plates itched with a bit of anger at her defiance and her insulting manner but Shepard was warrior capable to taking him out with a quick flick of her biotics. He was no fool but it didn't stop him from wanting to ring her neck a little. Shepard beamed with a smile before the doors opened to a war zone. Dead C-sec officers littered the ground while Cerberus troops fell from the rafters above, over on the other side of the she saw Bailey getting shot and Shepard sprang to life. Her biotics flaring across her body as she started firing her assault rifle into the Cerberus troops shredding their torsos into a bloody pulp. James took the left firing his shotgun into the Centurions and using his Omni-blade to deliver the finishing blow. Javik took the right with ease, his plasma rifle tearing through the troops as their bodies melted on to the ground. Shepard and Garrus took the centre; Garrus took out Guardians with mail slot head shots. Soon the Cerberus troops lay next to the dead C-sec officers as their blood mixed together on the floor, Shepard ran up towards Bailey who was clutching his side while his red blood dripped from the small wound.
"Hang on Bailey" Shepard knelt down beside him and checked the wound, luckily it was shallow and medi-gel would be able to heal it in no time.
"James, give me some of your medi-gel" Shepard asked as she raised her hand. James didn't asked why he needed to give up his but after guarding Shepard for over six months and watching her inject herself with that serum over the months he swore her blood had a slight purple tint to it. He gave her a small amount of his Medi-gel and Shepard nodded in thanks as she carefully applied it to the tender wound.
"Shepard didn't expect to see you here" Bailey gasped as Shepard's slender fingers tended to the wound.
"You know me Armando, wouldn't miss a chance to put a dent in the Cerberus army" Shepard smiled as Bailey shook his head with a grin. He explained that Cerberus just showed up out of nowhere and just started shooting and that maybe if he got to the main control point in C-sec he might be able to help Shepard get to Valern. Shepard and the team followed the limping C-sec officer to a main console and while Garrus and the others did an area sweep Shepard looked over the information that started to pour onto the screen that Bailey had pulled up. Valern had entered one of the higher officers in C-sec which put Bailey on edge, Shepard bite her lip. Whatever made Valern go that high in C-sec had something to do with Udina. Shepard and Bailey synced omni-tools before she set out towards the executor's office.
"Thane, did you catch all of that?" Shepard asked down the radio. Worry tugged at her mind but as she pasted through the corridors of C-sec and saw the several bodies just left to bleed out like some form of garbage that worry was replaced with anger.
"Yes, I'll try and meet up with you there. Be careful Siha" Thane's voice rattled down the radio.
"You too Thane" Shepard answered back as she bit her lip. They continued through C-sec and Shepard was glad she brought Garrus along; he knew the short cuts through the building where she would have gotten lost. At one moment they found themselves in an office of some sort, Garrus said that it was where most of the paper work from investigations and classified Spectre information was stored. Shepard wondered what sort of information they had on her, besides her being dead and working with Cerberus and her ranting about the Reapers (which were proved to be true!)...she hadn't really done much had she? James called out towards one door and as Shepard approached Garrus said that it was the men's toilet but Shepard said that survivors could be hiding in the toilet. Javik said that if they were hiding it would be punishable by death but Shepard glared at the Prothean, Javik began to glare back but when Garrus growled with protecting his mate Javik backed off. Shepard really did like Javik but his mind set needed to change from old Roman style kill everything in sight to kill Reapers and Cerberus. Shepard opened the door and was greeted by the sound of splashing water on the titled floor; the clean smell of the room was washed over with the smell of gunpowder and the hope of survivors didn't look good. Shepard rounded the corner and had to look away from the headless body, the blood of the man draining away with the water into the drain.
"Didn't even drag him outside...that's grim" Garrus spoke behind her and Shepard nodded. Then Shepard spotted something under the headless body, a brand new assault rifle that seemed to never have been used. She thought that the man must have tried to put up a fight but never had a chance. As she looked over the weapon it wasn't in bad shape for being drowned in water.
"Hey James, here" Shepard tossed him the rifle which he caught and a smile grew on his broad lips. He looked like a child who got the best Christmas present of all time.
"Thanks Lola" James grinned while Shepard stood up and walked out of the toilet. They continued through C-sec shooting down random Cerberus agents along the way. When they reached the elevator, they confirmed with Bailey that there were no survivors on that floor but they did add a few more dead bodies to the growing pile. The group rode the elevator in silence carefully listening for anyone using the elevator shafts as ways of getting around. Shepard looked over her team, Javik seemed to be gazing in awe at the simplest panel of the elevator, he reminded Shepard of a small child gazing up at the worlds best toy or largest cookie...did Protheans eat cookies? But his mask was quickly replaced once he saw Shepard looking over at him, Shepard smiled before looking over at James who was leaning against the wall mothering over his new rifle. Garrus on the other hand had a dark look about him and Shepard knew why. The Citadel had been attacked, his place of work had been attacked, his friends had been attacked. He was in Archangel mode and Shepard felt a thrill run up her spine but when the doors opened to a part of C-sec she faintly remembered, she squashed the feeling down into her stomach as she continued down the path.
)_)
"Four on one pal, you're out numbered" Shepard eyed the strange man in black. He was defiantly with Cerberus with the logo standing proud on his chest. He looked like he was meant for the shadows, his black armor held tight against his flexing body but what was up with the sword? True it was a nice blade but it seemed out of place in a gun fight.
"No now it's fun" The man's soft voice only just reached Shepard's ears as she lifted her assault rifle towards his head. The sight trained on the spot between his eyes, but Shepard had a feeling that no matter how good her aim his speed was better. Everything about him screamed assassin and that feeling didn't sit well with her, she wished Thane was here to calm her nerves what better than to fight an assassin with the best assassin but he was somewhere on the Citadel and Shepard prayed that he was still stuck in the store front so that he wasn't straining himself. Suddenly her scope she saw a pistol aimed directly at the back of the dark man's head.
Thane appeared as if he was answering her wish and shattering her hope. The dark man sung for him while Thane easily dodged. James took his chance and guided the councillor to the safety of their bodies and weapons but Shepard could peel her eyes away from the display of skills in front of her. The dark man swung his blade with grace but his movements were sloppy he kept to running away and hiding behind a cloak but Thane was one step ahead taking his time, scanning his movements and keeping his usual aura of calm about him. Shepard thought for a moment that Thane might actually win this but her rifle was still trained on the dark man as he shifted his body through Thane's blows. Then Thane knocked him back with a biotic punch, the dark man was sent across the room as his sword scattered out of his hand. Shepard trained her sights on the man's head but Thane stopped shook his head, Shepard did as he said but her chill ran up her spine. Garrus noticed the look in her eyes and knew that she was expecting something to go bad but she couldn't place it.
The man sprung up as if he hadn't taken a hit to the jaw while he picked up his sword. Thane began to run towards the man while he swung his sword. More of the fight continued and as Shepard's liquid ice eyes watched as her chill spiked, Thane crumpled to the floor. Shepard's breath escaped lungs as she watched as the man withdrew his blade from Thane's torso, a smug smile gracing his lips, Thane's crimson blood dripping from the polished metal and at that moment Shepard's world shattered.
"Thane!" Shepard screamed as she ran towards his fallen body. Thane gritted his teeth in pain as he held on to the open wound, Shepard tears dripped on to his fading scales while her biotics became a blaze like blue fire. As Thane felt pain fly throughout his body he could feel the cooling sensation of Shepard's biotics caressing his skin softly. It felt like Irikah was gently caressing his body but when he opened his eyes he saw Shepard's eyes flaring with anger as her tears cascaded down her cheeks like small rain droplets. He saw his Siha fight off enemies with fierce determination, he saw her survive injuries that look horrific to the eyes and he had seen his Siha talk down people from holding a gun to their head but anger never. The burning rage that was held behind her eyes paralyzed his limbs and somehow took away the pain for a split second. Shepard really was his Siha, a warrior angel that was sent to protect him but it seemed that Kalihira had other plans for him as he slowly started to hear the call of the waves beckon his name in a soft whisper.
"I'm gonna kill you" Shepard ground out as she glared at the dark man who was silently backing away. His smile played upon his lips but Shepard could tell his legs weren't his own like he seemed to be getting used to new limbs. Shepard stood with her pistol in hand and began to run towards him, the man darted down the stairs as Shepard followed, firing bullets towards his legs, some bounced off his shields while others split his armor. Shepard could only see red as she watched the man fall off the edge of the balcony only to be saved by a transit unit, Shepard grit her teeth as she continued to fire rounds at the dark man only to have them deflect off his shields, she was really starting to hate this man. Shepard watched with gritted teeth and a red haze as she watched the dark man fly away with a thin smile plastered on his so called perfect features, a few shots rang out from behind her making Shepard turn round to find Thane leaning against the door frame as he held his pistol in failing hands. Shepard forgot everything as she rushed to Thane.
"Thane...oh Spirits...Thane I'm sorry" Shepard almost sobbed as her gaze fell upon his wound. The flesh looked badly torn and the blood wouldn't stop. Shepard tore off some of her under suit from her leg and started pressing it against Thane's wound to stop the bleeding, her tears mixing with his blood when suddenly Thane's cool hand pressed against her watery cheek.
"Siha, I have time. You must catch him" Thane told her in his cool but strained voice. Shepard bit her lip to strangle the sob that was about to escape her throat.
"Thane, I can't leave you like this" Shepard protested as the heat of Thane's blood pooled in her hand. While Garrus, Javik and James slowly made their way down the stairs while Valern followed closely but timidly behind them. Shepard looked into Thane's dimming eyes as a gentle smile played upon his lips.
"Shepard, what's the situation?" Bailey's voice sounded from her omni-tool, allowing Shepard's training to take over but keeping her eyes on Thane's pooling blood.
"Valern is alive but Thane's is hurt...there's a man here and he's gone after the other councillors" Shepard reported but she couldn't contain the sobbing sound coming from her throat, her pain evident to all around her as her tears flew down her face like a waterfall. Thane weakly wiped away the tears as his blood smeared on her cheek.
"Shepard go you don't have much time" Thane ushered as if he was speaking to Kolyat and Shepard's eyes seemed to harden and the fire that he long to see in his Siha's eyes flared with vengeance.
"James, take Thane and Valern to the hospital. I have an Assassin to kill" Shepard growled out as she gave one last silent order to Thane.
Don't you dare die!
)_)
"Put the gun away Shepard, I don't want to shoot you" Kaidan pleaded but Shepard wasn't in the mood. Chasing after the dark man through the citadel was not the walk in the park she hoped it would be, first she was nearly blown up by a transit vehicle after the Dark man decided he didn't like her driving skills. Then she was attacked by strange sword carrying Cerberus women that liked to play hide and seek, her leg being torn up in the process and was constantly dripping with blood. Then she had a fun ride on top of an elevator as Bailey whacked the speed up to max while still having to fight off Cerberus agents. All so that she could get to Udina so that she could put a bullet in his head for all he had done and was now being blocked by the one man she spent weeks avoiding. Shepard was defiantly not in the mood.
"Kaidan, I don't have time for this. All of you have been fooled, Udina is behind this attack. Valern confirmed it" Shepard growled out as her eyes narrowed at the man in front of her she used to call a friend. His eyes pleading with hers only to receive a cold emotionless expression in return. But inside Shepard could feel it, her anger, her fear everything she was trying to keep hidden away behind her mask. She was worried for Thane as the image of his wound flashed before her eyes. She was worried that Cerberus would come up behind them and take their chance with this type of situation. She was worried she was going to have to do something she would regret. Shepard caressed the trigger of her rifle steading her breathing as Kaidan seemed to shrink before her.
"Shepard, come on. A gun drawn on the councillor...that looks more than bad" Kaidan pressured but Shepard growled.
"We don't have time for this. I'm opening the door" Udina announced as Shepard's aim rested on Udina's shoulder but Kaidan again stepped in her line of fire.
"Damn it Kaidan, if he opens that door then Cerberus troops are going to flood this area and kill everyone" Shepard almost shouted. She saw the Sparatus and Tevos glance at each other while the gears in their heads turned like crazy from fear. Kaidan kept on blocking Shepard's shot.
"Shepard, please don't make me do this" Kaidan begged as she searched her eyes but Shepard grit her teeth. She watched the Tevos made her way towards Udina and gently placed her hand on his arm. Udina scowled and pushed Tevos to the floor and drew out his gun.
"Gun!" Javik shouted as Shepard's body reacted without thinking. Shepard aimed her rifle to Kaidan's knee and shot, making Kaidan buckle in pain while Garrus took his chance and fired at Udina as the bullet landed in his chest. Shepard's breath caught as her brain started to catch up to the events that just happened, Kaidan was almost screaming in pain from his knee but Shepard knew she would live and went on to check on the councillors. Suddenly the door started to spark as someone on the other side tried to pry the door open, Shepard hid the councillors behind her only to be pleasantly greeted by Bailey who had defiantly seen better days with his waist bandage while another officer supported his weight.
"Made it as fast as we could Shepard. Looks like you...erm...took care of things" Bailey's eyes glanced towards the flailing Kaidan on the ground as Shepard shrugged.
"Wait something is wrong, you said that Cerberus was right here" Tevos voiced as she and Sparatus approached.
"Cerberus were here but the turned round and beat feet, into the Keeper tunnels when they figured we were coming" Bailey explained and Shepard wondered why they would suddenly abandon the attack when they clearly had the upper hand.
"Sorry Councillors, I'll say it plain. Shepard just saved the lot of you" Bailey praised as more C-sec officers appeared and started to secure the area.
"Then I owe you my life twice now Shepard" Sparatus offered as Shepard forced a smile to her lips. A few more words were spoken among the group but Shepard's mind wandered. Bailey told everyone to clear out and while some officers carried Kaidan to the hospital Shepard stood alone, she couldn't move. Her mind was screaming at her to move but her body felt numb, the pain in her leg had all but vanished and her lip was chawed beyond belief. Small parts of burning transit floated down from the sky as the smell of burning metal invaded her nose bringing tears to her eyes.
Move! You've got to go see him!
No! If I go then Garrus will get mad!
Thane is injured you idiot! Garrus will understand.
I don't want to see him die!
You need to be there! For Thane!
A hand appeared on her cheek as her eyes snapped towards the creature in front of her. His blazing blue eyes stared deep into hers as his mandibles fluttered against his jaw. Garrus whipped her cheeks gently with his thumb and pressed his forehead to hers. He felt her pain and could hear her small but faint sobs, the inner turmoil that was going on inside her made his guts twist in knots he didn't think possible.
"Come on." He pulled her close to him as he started to guide her out of the burning transit area.
"Where are we going?" Shepard's voice struggled to escape her throat as she felt her body being gently pulled.
"To the hospital, someone needs you right now" Garrus growled out without looking at her. Shepard stopped in her tracks making Garrus turn back and look at her. Shepard stared at the ground as Garrus still held her hand.
"I won't go if you don't want me to" Shepard spoke, her voice small and fragile. Then she felt her body being pulled and she came crashing against Garrus's armor.
"Shepard, you've got to go and see him. I may not like the fact he might use this chance to make a move on you or something but he's your friend, your best friend...and as your boyfriend I'm not going to be so possessive over you to the point I won't let you be there for him now" Garrus spoke in her ear making Shepard's breath hitch in her throat. Shepard nodded her head before he pulled her away enough to tap his forehead to hers.
"I'll meet you on the Normandy, you know where to find me" Garrus ran his talon through her matted hair as Shepard pressed her lips together. Garrus kissed her cheek before she ran/limped off towards the hospital leaving Garrus in the cold hall alone. He just hopped that Shepard made in back in one piece and not shattered into more broken slivers of glass.
"Spirits I hate this war"
Sorry for the late chapter guys, please forgive me! Sorry if it feels rushed and not as good as usual.
Please Review!
