Beyond the Fall.
Chapter Ten: Sight
A quiet swear pulled Joker from a somewhat light sleep. His green eyes scanned the murky darkness - picking up a silhouette beside the bed. A slight panic washed through him, as he realized Gaz was not beside him.
"...Gaz?" he asked in a raspy and rather sleepy voice to both the room and the unrecognizable form beside the bed.
"Go back to sleep," the form whispered.
"Why...why are you awake? It's night. Nighttime is for sleeping."
"Meeting today."
"For the...the summit thing, right?"
"Yup."
"And it's at a what-the-shit early hour?"
"Mhm. Can I switch the light on for a moment?"
"Go for it."
Joker closed his eyes to brace himself for the sudden bright light source. Once he was able to focus again, he watched as Gaz tidied herself in the mirror. For once, she wasn't wearing her normal relaxed civilian clothes - nor her Alliance uniform. Instead she was wearing...a dress. It was something similar to what he had seen female officials wear in the past - though the colors were a bit more muted than the others. Her auburn hair was pulled back into a loose bun - makeup done with more care than he had ever seen from the woman before.
"Snazzy Gazzy," he smiled, pulled the blankets up to his chin, as Steve jumped onto the bed.
Shepard smiled over at Joker, "Go back to sleep."
"But...Shepard is out of uniform," he observed, as the cat crawled onto his stomach.
"This is my new uniform," she mumbled in light disgust.
"So...where are you hiding the gun?"
"I'm not allowed to have a gun, Joker."
"Inner thigh? Between your boobs? Shoved up your-"
"Go back to sleep Joker."
"I just don't understand our need to meet in person," Shepard began, folding her hands neatly in her lap as she spoke. Her light brown eyes scanned the various holograms before her.
"Ernest statement: it is a sign of trust for all races throughout the galaxy," the Elcor representative stated, as Gaz lowered her gaze to hide an irritated expression.
"I understand the meaning behind it, but I disagree. It's too much of a liability," she replied, attempting to keep an even tone.
"What are you worried of?" the asari Council member asked, appearing curious.
"I know our species are 'at peace' with one another - but there are other risks."
"What risks, Shepard?" the asari continued to question.
Gaz was momentarily caught off-guard by the asari's use of her last name.
"For instance - Cerberus. What ever happened to the Illusive Man?"
The holograms exchanged looks - causing an uncomfortable feeling to crawl through Gaz's stomach, forcing her to continue, "I know I've been gone for a majority of the time we've been rebuilding - but I've talked to Hackett. He's told me that no body was ever found of the Illusive Man. He could be literally waiting for this!"
The representatives began muttering to each other, as Shepard glanced around the room. They thought she was insane.
"Keelah..." the unmasked quarian mumbled, causing Gaz to instantly recognize her as Tali.
"Illogical, there has been silence from both Cerberus and the Illusive Man since you invaded his base, Shepard," a salarian remarked in an annoyed tone.
"This one finds the human to be delusional," the hanar representative stated.
An anger rolled around just under Gaz's skin, causing her cheeks to reden slightly. Her hands balled into fists and she glared up at the hanar.
"Shut up, you big, stupid, jellyfish!"
"QUIET!" the asari shouted, causing the room to instantly fall quiet, "We are representing our species - let's all act like civilized adults!"
Shepard glanced down at her uncomfortable shoes, feeling her cheeks grow even warmer. She was not cut out for this.
"Why do showers feel like perfect?" Joker asked the showerhead as water poured over him. Today he had the day off. His plans were simple: not fly the Normandy.
Once clean and dressed, he returned to his PJs and lay back in bed - Steve joined, quickly seeking the opportunity to make himself comfortable. Pulling a small personal computer from the side table, he placed the item on his lap and began browsing the extranet with the cat purring happily beside him.
Just as he began to relax, a knock came at the door. With a frustrated sigh, Joker slid the computer off his lap and gently pushed Steve off of him. Clad in green plaid pants and and gray shirt with an oddly drawn duck on it, he limped over to the door - scratching his injured shoulder gently.
"What?" he asked as he opened the door, before his eyes focused on the blue woman standing just before him, "Liara?"
"Good...afternoon Joker. I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?"
"I...uh...hi."
"Hi," she shifted awkwardly, "Is...Shepard around?"
"She left in the morning to do Council-things, Liara," Joker nodded, realizing he hadn't put his hat on after his shower. This made him feel a bit naked in front of the asari.
"Oh...well I apologize for intruding. I also...didn't know you lived with Shepard."
"Technically, she lives with me. I let her move in after she woke up."
"Right...so the rumors are true."
"Rumors?"
"I've had suspicions..."
"About what?" Joker leaned in the doorframe with his good shoulder, as Steve mewled from the bed.
"Certain relations between you and the Commander."
"Relations, you say?"
"How long?" Liara crossed her arms, as the cat continued to ask for attention.
"About seven inches."
"I...wait...what?"
Joker let a wide smile spread across his features, as Liara's eyes widened with the sudden realization, "Joker!"
"What?"
"That's...I...uh..." Liara placed her fingers against her forehead in annoyance as Joker laughed under his breath.
"Now that I've made you feel as uncomfortable and awkward as I possibly could, can I get you anything?"
"I think I may just leave and send Shepard a message later," her voice sharp.
"Hungry? I could make you some food. I promise I'll play nice."
Liara frowned, before sighing, "Don't make me regret this, Joker."
The asari slowly walked into the apartment - her bright blue eyes scanning nearly every surface. She jumped slightly as Steve investigated her.
"Who's cat is this?" she asked, sitting at the small dining table.
"Gaz's."
"I only see one bed," Liara offhandedly commented, as Joker explored the fridge.
"I'm so proud you learned how to count, Liara!"
She sighed in response, before shaking her head, "So, how have you been?"
"Flying the Normandy still - but you already knew that."
"Why do you say that?"
"Because you're the Shadow Brokerl."
"Information is harder to come by now that our technology has taken a downturn."
"But you already knew that."
"Yes, I did."
"How are you then?" Joker toasted some bread as he spoke.
"Managing. This rebuilding hasn't been easy on any of us."
Joker placed his work on a plate and slid the food in front of Liara, "I present a BLT."
"Thank you, Joker," Liara examined the sandwich with mild surprise, "If you don't mind me asking," she continued as Joker sat across from her with his own sandwich, "How is Shepard? I had a conversation with her not that long ago...and it was quite...worrisome."
"Wait, what?" Joker's eyes studied Liara, "What's...wrong?"
"I...I don't wish to ruin her trust," Liara leaned back in her seat away from Joker - eyes dropping to the table.
"If there's something wrong with her...I want to know," Joker licked his lips as he watched Liara reason with herself.
"She...is paranoid."
"About what?"
"Everything. She thinks she's indoctrinated as a start."
"What?"
"She...has delusions about the Illusive Man. The fact that his body hasn't been found bothers her more than it should. She somewhat expects him to jump out from around a corner and kill her."
"Why?"
Gaz pulled her hair out of a bun as she walked away from the meeting room. Adrenaline coursed through her veins. She wasn't a politician for good reason...considering they were all idiots. Even Tali had looked down at her warnings.
"They ignore me about the Reapers...then everyone gets fucked. They ignore me about this-"
Shepard paused in her steps - her heart pounding in her chest. Through the large glass window in front of her, she could see a man sitting at a table. He was holding a data-pad and pouring over the contents. A cigarette rested between his fingers - and a small glass of some brown liquid sat on the table. He glanced up at her - revealing bright unnatural eyes. Gaz took a step back, crashing into a man who was walking past.
"Hey! Watch it!" he called at her, as he pushed her away.
"Oh sorry-"
As she refocused on the man at the table, she felt a chill run down her spine. A woman and her family were sitting there. Shaking her head, Shepard continued walking.
"I don't know. She wouldn't tell me everything. Something is going on in Gaz's head - and it scares me."
Joker bit his lip, and pushed his plate away, "How did I miss this?"
"She was clearly trying to keep you not involved - which I understand."
"No - you don't get it, Liara. She didn't tell me about any of this!"
"I'm sure she just didn't want to worry you..."
"Liara I know I've been dancing around the question, but Shepard and I have been involved for a few years now. Well - there was that year gap where she was in a coma. But...it's been awhile. I know Gaz. Well. Me not knowing any of this...bothers me."
"She didn't want to worry you, Joker," Liara reached out a hand - gently placing it on his hand. The pilot flinched - not used to people making any sort of physical contact with him - other than Gaz.
"But she could talk to me about this. I can help. I'm a good listener. At least I could make her laugh about it..."
"Joker..."
"What?" his voice slightly aggressive.
"Calm down."
AN: I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK AWHILE GAHHHH! Alright, so I just went through finals week, moving, settling, and re-remembering what 'free time' was. Right. Now back to the scheduled Fanfic. I'm thinking only two or three more chapters for this thing total. Then I'm going to do a Dragon Age one to just take a step back from Mass Effect. Honestly getting a bit tired of writing the same characters. Don't worry - I'll put my all into the rest of this! Yeah!
Rated M for: Language, sexual situations, violence, and so I can have freedom without fear of scarring a teen for life.
Oh – and I don't own anything ever.