Authors Note:

Drksyders here! So, for those who haven't read it already - there's a stand-alone short romance/erotica scene from this fanfic. It's called "Biotics Do It Better" and it was posted earlier this week. It takes place between Chapter 6: Noveria and Chapter 7: Cerberus. Be forewarned sexual content lies ahead. As always, your comments, favorites, follows, and messages are appreciated! Hope you all enjoy!

Chapter 7: Cerberus

The new rule aboard the Normandy was that no one talked about Feros. Not that there needed to be a rule. No one wanted to talk about what happened on Feros.

The entire ship seemed to mimic the disquiet and unease that the mission had triggered in her Commander. Despite spending most of his time underneath the Mako, Garrus could nearly taste the hushed and anxious tension in the air. Even the unflappable Wrex seemed disturbed by the recent mission, spending more time sleeping than usual. The silver lining to this cloud was that it had thoroughly overshadowed any previous tension and the skirmish between Liara and Ashley was entirely forgotten.

Shepard made it his personal mission to find every Exogeni Thorian related piece of research and destroy it "with extreme prejudice." Information on Feros hinted at a rogue organization called Cerberus which circled back to an earlier favor for Admiral Kahoku regarding a missing squad of Marines. Somehow, it was all connected. Shepard turned to Garrus, calling upon his investigative skills to help put the pieces together.

They spent hours together in Shepard's quarters pouring over stolen data, Alliance files, and extra-net reports for clues. Meanwhile, Shepard led the Normandy around the galaxy, destroying mercs and nuclear probes at every turn. To the Commander's cipher addled-mind, it seemed that there were fewer and fewer lives to save and more and more monsters to destroy.

After discovering the missing Marines were setup in a Thresher Maw trap, Shepard "completely lost his shit" according to Joker. Garrus wasn't entirely sure how bodily functions were related to Shepard's unhinged violence, but the situation was so tense that he didn't bother to ask for clarification.

The Commander's rage radiated throughout the ship, sending most of the crew hastily scurrying away from him like he had scale-itch. Shepard seemed to recognize his own growing darker tendencies. He held the aggression in check, barely. Despite his obvious efforts, Shepard's fury still bubbled beneath his calm exterior. Only Liara seemed to genuinely put him at ease and Garrus could sense the change in his Commander during their chats around the punching bag. Despite his deterioration, Shepard maintained his rounds and his dedication to the crew. That alone would have inspired Garrus' complete confidence in his Commander.

Kaidan and Ashley were the only ones who seemed immune from the dark mood; the two sneaking off alone at nearly every opportunity. Garrus found himself spending more time in the battery and the mess to avoid overhearing...things.

Sometimes, his superior Turian senses were a curse.

The mess was where he found himself, mulling over a bowl of dextro slop, when Kaidan sat down across from him.

"I'm worried about Shepard," the Lieutenant said without precursor.

Garrus studied the Human for a moment then returned to his food.

"Are you now?" he rumbled, feigning disinterest.

"He's losing focus on the mission."

"You think he's losing focus," Garrus scoffed. His avian eyes moved to Ashley who ate at a nearby table with a few other human crew. Kaidan at least had the decency to blush.

"We've crossed half the galaxy chasing Thorian experiments, Cerberus, mercs and God knows what else. We even investigated that distress call from the medical ship." The Marine persisted.

"That turned out to be Geth…" Garrus reminded him patiently.

"Yeah… I know. But, what about Saren? We got that lead on Virmire and instead we're chasing Wrex's armor and Tali's data."

"Ah, but you weren't there to see the look on that Krogan's face," Garrus mused with a wistful Turian smile.

"That's not the point and you know it!"

Garrus sighed. He really didn't want to be having this conversation. He remained silent and ate the slop that passed for his food.

"Common, Garrus," Kaidan tried again, "I know you've seen it. Ever since that Thresher Maw, he's different. And, I get it. After Akuze and al-"

Garrus glanced up and interrupted the Lieutenant. "I heard some of the other crew talking about Akuze. What is that about?"

"Oh. I thought everyone in the Alliance knew…"

"Do I look like Alliance to you, Human?"

"...Right. Shepard was the only survivor of a Maw attack on Akuze. Lost his whole squad...50 men sent to investigate," Kaidan began solemnly.

Garrus froze and stared blankly at the man. Kaidan wasn't on the ground crew for that drop, so he didn't know about the Thresher Maw attack being a trap or the pieces of evidence he'd put together with Shepard that Cerberus was behind it. As that huge puzzle piece dropped into place, Garrus suddenly understood the Commander's righteous fury.

Garrus had never once questioned Shepard's actions or leadership, despite the recent bizarre change in the mission's direction. But, now he could comprehend the Commander's reasoning. Vengeance. Revenge. Justice. That Garrus could understand. That was a cause that stirred his blood and sang to the very marrow of his bones.

That is a fight that joins brothers by spirit, Garrus thought to himself in wonder. And, he included me.

He didn't even hear Kaidan tell the rest of the story as his mind churned over this revelation. Garrus forced his focus back into the conversation at hand.

"... you got to talk to him. He listens to you. We can't let Saren get away like th-" The Lieutenant was saying, but Garrus interrupted impatiently.

"I think we just need to step back and let the Commander take care of this."

Kaidan slapped his hands on the table with unnecessary force as he pushed himself up, drawing startled looks from the other crew.

"Fine. Whatever, Garrus. I just don't think he'll still be the Commander at this rate." The Lieutenant stomped off angrily and Garrus turned a blind eye to the fact that Ashley chased after him.

Garrus took his time finishing his meal, ignoring the stares of the crew. He hated to admit it, but maybe the Human biotic had a point. He considered working on the Mako, but the idea of heading into the cargo bay with Ashley and Kaidan gave him pause. Instead, he headed for the crew quarters and sat with a slump at the terminal. He stared at the out-going vid-call screen as he composed his thoughts and finally made the call.

"Alliance Engineering Corps switchboard, how may I direct your call?" The VI chimed.

"Staff Sergeant Shepard - Eden Prime please."

Kaidan stepped out of the elevator, feeling his cheeks burn with frustration. He could also feel the biotic tension wreathing around his fists. Kaidan usually kept his distance from his team and crew. He'd learned hard lessons about getting personal with your team at Brain Camp. He knew the dangers of losing control.

Damn, Shepard. Damn him for changing everything… Damn him for making me care, Kaidan growled to himself.

He knew it really wasn't Shepard he was mad at, but it was easier to curse the Commander than himself.

Kaidan lowered his head to avoid the gazes of the few straggling crew hanging about the cargo bay. They caught sight of him and headed for the elevator. Some even offered him knowing smiles.

Kaidan ignored them and darted behind the stacks of crates that roughly allowed him privacy. Wedged between the Mako and the storage containers, he found himself in a small, shadowed sanctuary. With an aggravated sigh, he leaned heavily against the bulkhead.

The Lieutenant was greeted by a sharp SNAP as the static discharge in his body reacted to the metal he touched. The Marine winced and slowly released the tight control he was holding on his biotic impulses. The space was illuminated by his blue corona and Kaidan focused to shape the warping gravity into something harmless. With a sigh, the tension left his head along with the stored energy and frustration. He rubbed his temples, trying coax away the pain.

Ashley probably could have been more subtle when she followed Kaidan into the cargo bay; but, Ashley didn't exactly consider herself a subtle kind of lady. Besides, she wasn't ashamed and she could beat the tar out of anyone who dared make a fuss. She found Kaidan in their "bedroom" as she had jokingly named it. Kaidan was bathed in a soft blue light that still made her heart flutter at the sight. He looked at her, a fierce and smoldering look in his dark eyes. Ashley knew that look and started to unbuckle her armor.

"He's not going to help." Kaidan growled, pacing the small space.

Ashley watched him, popping her armor seals and pulling off the pieces of her outer layer.

"Told ya. He's a Turian," she gloated.

Kaidan frowned and stared at her, his eyes roaming over the skin-tight weave revealed by her disarming. He gulped.

"You can't rely on the aliens to look after humanity. We gotta look after our own." She continued, punctuating her statements with additional bits of armor that she removed, revealing more and more of her curves. "...I'm starting to wonder if the xenos are getting to him. He's acting unpredictably - dangerous even - and you know it."

Kaidan was cornered, pinned between her words and the effect her undressing was having on him. He had only enough blood to run one major organ at a time - and two were struggling for supremacy.

"Shepard would never be a danger to us…" he tried to counter her words lamely, his eyes following her body with obvious desire.

Ashley unzipped her under-weave and revealed an expanding delta shape of soft sun-kissed skin. At the sight, Kaidan's mind fumbled as he warred with his libido.

Ashley saw his expression as she wiggled the skin-tight under-weave free. She knew she'd won. She liked winning. Kaidan was the most adorable, sexy, and well-endowed puppy she could have ever wanted. Yet, as much as she enjoyed her time with the Lieutenant, she still tried to keep her distance.

Ashley studied Kaidan's gentle features, lean body, and dark eyes. Just because he was her consolation prize, didn't stop him from being a damn amazing prize. She crossed the space between them in two quick steps and kissed him fiercely, pinning him back against the nearby crate with gusto.

Kaidan hardly noticed their impact against the crate, though he'd find the bruises later. His lips and hands absorbed his attention. His hands were eagerly exploring Ashley's thighs and lower back, pulling her hips tight against his own. His lips were smothered by hers and Kaidan indulged in the energy buzzing in his mind from her taste. His tongue caressed hers and she pulled away, nipping at his lower lip with a smile while her fingers hungrily loosened the fastenings of his pants.

Kaidan chuckled against her lips, running his hands up her sides, caressing her warm skin with tender strokes. He ignored the slight discomfort of the static charges that sparked between the direct contact of their skin. Biotics tended to build up more electrical impulses in their bodies than typical Humans, resulting in the constant static discharge. It was like living his entire life dragging his feet in wool socks on thick carpet.

"Whoa… Ashley.. no foreplay?" Kaidan sounded almost disappointed, though he was kicking off his boots.

"I don't fuck around…." Ashley panted in a husky voice.

Kaidan's hands followed the curve of her sides along her hips and upwards to her breasts, teasing her nipples with his thumbs before he stroked downward, rolling her body-suit down her hips.

"I think there's some strong evidence to the contrary."

"If you don't stop talking and take me, I just might shoot you."

The sound of her voice made him shiver. Kaidan never thought he'd enjoy being dominated, but with Ashley it just sent him over the edge. With a flick of his wrist and a biotic pull, he ripped her under-weave from her body and Ashley met his assault by shoving him to the ground and shoving his pants down to his thighs in her haste.

Kaidan gasped at her touch and before he had the chance to recover himself she was lowering her hips onto him, rocking slowly downward. Her movements didn't stop until he was buried in her and her weight caused his pants to press painfully into his thighs. With another biotic push, he removed them and Ashley gasped above him from the sensation of his invisible hands against her body. She hooked her toes beneath his bare thighs for better purchase and braced her hands on his shoulders, forcing his back against the cold metal floor and freeing her hips to ride his length.

He closed his eyes, laid back, and let her have her way. Experience told him it was better that way.

She was dripping over him now, shuddering and so close. Kaidan's hands urged her on, pressing into the firm skin of her ass. Kaidan felt her tense, he could feel her trembling in the anticipation of her release and he was determined to make it as mind-blowing as possible for her.

Kaidan rolled her over and pulled up her thighs, driving himself into her with renewed vigor. He at least had the courtesy to roll her over onto her body weave, rather than subject her to the cold floor. He braced himself with one hand beside her head as his other held her thigh, pulling her up and into his every stroke. The pleasure rocketed through her body and Ashley tried to stifle her moans. When she failed, she sank her teeth into Kaidan's forearm to silence herself instead.

Kaidan let out a yelp of pain, pulling his hand away, his upper body pitching forward to press flush against hers. They looked at each other a moment. Ashley's gaze heated hunger and lust. Kaidan's eyes soft and caring. Carefully, he slipped his arms about her, his casual strength holding her close while he resumed rocking into her body. She moved with him slow and deep until she was crying out in pleasure once more.

Kaidan kissed her then, breathing in her moans as his hips pushed her up to and over the height of her pleasure. Her back arched and her mind went white, unaware of the cries Kaidan wrested from her.

She bucked against him, her body convulsing with her orgasm and Kaidan only increased his speed.

He followed her eventually, his hips jerking into her. They trembled together, twitches and sparks jumping between them as Kaidan's biotics triggered with his shuddering nerves. Kaidan lifted his head and looked into her eyes, his expression tender and protective. He gently touched her hair, combing it with his fingers until it framed her face. Ashley found herself being pulled into that affectionate gaze and looked away, wriggling out from under him. She grabbed her under-weave roughly, forcing Kaidan to roll back onto the cold metal floor.

"Ashley… " he panted softly as he tried to reach out for her. "You're beautiful… You don't have to put on those clothes quite so quick."

She paused and looked at him, her eyes softened and a blush crept up her cheeks. The shy smile made her eyes shine. This would be the moment for tenderness, or at the very least, honesty. She could tell he was hoping for it by the optimistic look in his puppy-dog eyes. Instead, she pushed him away coldly and dressed.

"I'm sorry LT, I just don't want you to get court martialed for fraternization."

Kaidan sighed and reluctantly reached for his pants. Ashley kept her back to him and winced at the hurt she heard in his voice.

"I understand, Chief."

The conversation with Maggie had only ignited Garrus' anger. Since they were on an unsecured channel, neither of them gave details. Yet, Shepard's sister dropped careful, subtle hints as if speaking in code. It was enough to completely dissuade any reservations about the justice of the Commander's purpose.

"If he's as pissed off as you say he is, he's got damn good reasons. He knows the lines better than anyone and he doesn't cross them…...not unless he really has to," she had reassured him.

Her face had a strange expression Garrus couldn't read when she said the last few words and her voice seemed haunted. It only lasted a heartbeat before her fierce and friendly nature was back in place, masking whatever emotions and honesty the Turian had glimpsed.

Garrus hesitated, watching the girl's image on the vid screen suspiciously. "I just don't know what to do to help." Garrus finally admitted to her.

"Just watch his back and stick by him. I know he can be a dick when he's focused like this, but he's never wrong."

"There's got to be something more I can do."

"You're a good guy and a good soldier, Garrus," Maggie said with a smile. "You'll know what to do when you need to do it."

Her advice wasn't helpful. Yet, Garrus felt oddly reassured.

The next day they found Admiral Kahoku's body in a Cerberus facility crawling with Thorians, husks, and Rachni. Shepard loomed over Garrus as he examined the body and Garrus could barely keep his own voice from swimming in anger as he reported the needle tracks he'd found. After seeing the look on his friend's face as he took the news, Garrus wanted nothing more than to be a brother to Commander John Shepard's devastating vengeance.

Normally, the Commander was cautious, overly prepared, and precise with his tactical planning. However, the discovery of Cerberus' main operations base brought out some kind of renegade savagery in the man. Garrus could only watch as Shepard ordered Joker to make it to the base by the day's end. The snarky pilot didn't even sass the Commander about the extra strain the reckless flight would put on the ship.

Twelve hours later, Garrus hadn't once left Shepard's side and neither of them had slept. They prepared their weapons and armor together in a dark and brooding silence. Wrex was the only crew member on board who seemed indifferent about the headlong assault on a rogue terrorist group's base. So, he was the only one invited to come along.

By the time the squad returned to the Normandy, the underground base was a cave-in and the only things left were the handful of files in Shepard's hard suit and a very disappointed agent of the Shadow Broker.

Shepard was just about to leave the CIC when Joker chimed in again.

"Commander - I thought you'd want to know, a shuttle escaped the Cerberus base before it was destroyed."

"Follow it," the Commander ordered coolly.

"It was just a small personnel shuttle..." began Joker uneasily.

"I said, follow it. None of those bastards get out of there alive."

"I can't, sir!" Joker sounded horribly defeated. "It hit the relay - no telling where it went."

"You can't track it?" Shepard seethed, his hands twisted on the railing above the Galaxy map and the metal creaked in his grip.

"It'll take time..."

"Do it." Shepard commanded, turning towards the elevator and stripping off his armor. "Run a system scan while we're here too."

"Aye aye, Commander" Joker echoed, sharing an uncertain glance with Garrus as they watched him go.

For over a week, the Normandy chased after trace energy signatures of the rogue Cerberus shuttle. It brought them through multiple systems and left a trail of dead scientists. Garrus and Shepard poured over the reports, trying to find a connection between the scientists. Best they could tell, the corpses were all current or former Cerberus and Alliance operatives or employees. They were working late into the cycle, running on stims and coffee, when Tali appeared in the mess.

"Shepard. Garrus. What are you doing up?"

"I could ask the same of you." Shepard mumbled, stirring his coffee.

Shepard sat across from Garrus, who was pouring over a data-pad. Tali reached over him and poured herself a cup of the levo coffee Garrus was nursing.

"It's too quiet on the Normandy to sleep. Not enough noise, too few people."

Shepard and Garrus glanced at each other briefly.

"I suppose the Normandy is very different from the ships of the Migrant Fleet."

Garrus snorted. "You're just asking for a lecture on the drive core with comments like that, Shepard."

"You do have an amazing drive core." Tali swooned, much to Garrus' amusement.

Shepard studied Tali a moment and seemed to come to a decision. "Well, since you're up anyway, Tali...maybe you could help us out."

"Of course, Shepard. Anything I can do to help."

Garrus slid the datapad to Tali who sat herself next to Shepard.

"Cerberus shuttles… I thought we were going after Saren?" Tali asked after studying the datapad a moment.

"We are - Just...gotta take care of his first."

"Hmmm…You know the Fleet has no fondness for Cerberus. So, I'm not sad to see any less of them. But, there has to be a pattern to these killings. I could develop an algorithm to mine the data, try and find out where your rogue shuttle is going next."

Shepard blinked in surprise. "You can do that?"

"Absolutely. We have a similar program tracking Geth movements. I can use a modified version with your energy signatures here. The Admiralty would be unhappy if I use Quarian technology on an Alliance vessel though."

"But, we're using it to go after Cerberus. Does your Admiralty really need to know?"

"I can keep a secret if you can." Tali said playfully, nudging Shepard's arm.

"What do you think, Garrus?" Shepard prompted and the pair glanced across the table at the Turian. He was snoring softly with his fringed head pillowed on an outstretched arm.

Together, Tali and Shepard snickered quietly as they took the datapad to work elsewhere. A few minutes later, Shepard returned with a blanket and draped it over the sleeping Turian before heading back to work.

"Chief, you finish the mods on my girl?"

Ashley nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of the Commander's voice. She had been listening to messages from her sisters back at home. She fumbled at the controls but not before her sister's voice teasingly called the Commander "cuuuuuuuute."

"Tell me you didn't hear that."

"Your sister, I assume?"

"Until I get home and kill her. That's Sarah, the youngest. I'm surprised to see you here, sir. I thought you'd be chattin' up - what's her name - T'soni?"

Shepard already regretted this conversation. He'd just swung by to get his rifle and now he was getting grief over Liara and a complete run-down on Ashley's family history. Shepard had to silently count to ten to calm himself down when she referred to his relationship with Liara as "making nice with the bug-eyed monsters."

You cannot punch your crew, Shepard reminded himself firmly. Especially, not the girls.

The more he learned about Ashley though, the more he understood why she had been so attracted to him. They were eerily similar. They both came from military families, both had bratty younger sisters, both soldiers living up to a family legacy, both sole survivors from disasters that killed their squads. For Ashley, he suspected, it was the similarities between them that made him attractive. For Shepard, on the other hand, they had the exact opposite effect.

His frustration with the Gunnery Chief softened when he listened to the story about a boy getting fresh with her sister. That hit a little too close to home. Then, she started reciting poetry at him and he was simply baffled.

The rumor-mill reported that she was getting awfully cozy with Alenko. And, as long as it didn't get in the way of the mission, Shepard approved of the liaison. It took the sting out of his guilt for rejecting her. Now that she wasn't flirting with him, he found himself warming up to the Chief. Maybe, it was time to pull her back into ground team rotation...after he'd ripped those 'maw-loving Cerberus shit-heads limb from limb.

"So, look about my rifle…."

"Oh. Right. The mods went in great. Vakarian picked it up about an hour ago."

"I see. I should go."

As Shepard approached the Mako, he could hear Garrus' stifled laughter echoing from beneath it. He kicked the Turian's feet that protruded and a heartbeat later Garrus slid out from under the armored tank with a melodramatic sigh.

"aaaahh… poetry," the Turian mock swooned.

"Damn your Turian ears. I will shoot you, you know."

"No, you won't. I have your rifle."

"Fine. Give me my rifle so I can shoot you."

"Not a very convincing argument there, Shepard."

"What were you doing with my girl anyway?"

"Giving her a little love from the spirits…" Garrus grinned as he stood himself up and moved to his workbench. A moment later he returned. Shepard's rifle gleamed with fresh mods, fresh cleaning and a small plate built into the stock. Garrus held out his talon.

"Give me your Kahw-rieal."

Shepard's ill humor prevented him from smiling, but he dug under his shirt to pull the chain of his dog tags over his head and dropped them into the Turian claw. A moment later, his sister's Christmas gift, the kwah-whatever, was set into the base, glimmering prettily.

Shepard stepped next to Garrus and the two admired the assault rifle together.

"It's a pun, you know," Garrus rumbled quietly.

"A pun?"

"Honor them with life - In our language, the words for honor and life are very similar."

Shepard ignored the comment and scooped up his rifle.

"Tali's intel shows we might beat our rogue shuttle to the punch this time. We hit the Newton system in less than an hour. I want you and Alenko locked and loaded."

Garrus frowned, remembering his earlier conversation with the Lieutenant. "Are you sure about Alenko, Commander?"

"We'll need his biotics and I don't want Liara to see this."

"Yes, sir…. are you really ok to do this?"

Shepard cocked his rifle and sighted down the barrel at the floor. "Six years I've been waiting for this… Abso-fucking-lutely."

As soon the Normandy hit the Newton system, Shepard knew they were in the right place; as Garrus had said "he could feel it in his gut." Admiral Hackett's intel just confirmed what they already knew. Tali's data proved to be spot-on. The Commander was jittery with anticipation by the time they stepped into the base on Ontarum. He was actually disappointed that there were only a dozen mercs to kill.

Garrus tried to keep things light with his usual banter, but Shepard ignored him entirely. This was blood for blood, by the gallons. Shepard had forty-nine lives to avenge and only one scientist left to do it on. He was convinced that the rogue shuttle was a Cerberus operative terminating loose ends. If he could just get there first, he could find the truth and exact his vengeance.

Nothing in the galaxy could have prepared Shepard for finding his old Corporal - Robert Toombs stealing his fury right out from under him.

"Stay back! I've got no grief with you. All I want is this bastard."

Shepard shot a glare at the trembling scientist held at gunpoint. You and me both, buddy. Shepard thought darkly.

"Mr. Toombs - you're insane you need help!" pleaded the scientist.

"SHUT UP!" Toombs shot back. "You don't get to lie… You don't….Shepard? My god, Shepard is that you?"

Shepard recognized the man immediately and stood in frozen silence as he tried to sort out how Toombs had survived, or if he had finally cracked and was hallucinating. Slowly, Shepard reassured himself of his sanity and came to terms with the truth. He'd been chasing his former comrade on a vengeance quest around the galaxy.

"Corporal Toombs? B-But I..I saw you die on Akuze. How did you get here?"

Toombs' story of torture at the hands of Cerberus only confirmed all of Shepard's suspicions in horrifying detail. Shepard's rage vanished, replaced by debilitating guilt.

"Toombs, I- I didn't see anybody." Shepard was shaking. "If I'd have seen you, I'd have come back for you. I swear."

"...This man deserves to die, Shepard. For you, for me, for everyone else in the unit. Are you with me?"

Hell yes, he was. Forty-nine, rather forty-eight lives. Children without fathers, wives without husbands. Six years of pain and guilt. Shepard lifted his assault rifle to his shoulder, sighting down the barrel at the trembling scientist's ugly face. His finger curled around the trigger.

It's a pun you know...Honor them with life.

Shepard couldn't understand why he remembered Garrus saying that, right at this moment. Yet, he could remember his sister's voice, like she was standing right next to him.

You will honor them, John Shepard.

He let out a shuddering breath and lowered his rifle, glancing down at the small metal plate in the stock. The whole room seemed to hold its breath and watch as Shepard studied his rifle in quiet contemplation for a moment before returning it to the holster on his back.

"You're better than this, Toombs"

I'm better than this. He was really saying to himself.

"You're not like them."

I'm not like them.

"I was tortured for years, Shepard! You can't judge me. You don't have the right."

"Toombs, if I could have helped you on Akuze, I would have. All I can do is help now. Let me."

And, Shepard reached out his hand.