Love, Blood & Tears
Chapter 12:
Shepard was in the mess hall, eating her breakfast in silence. It had been a few days since she researched turian mating and the images were still hard to shake off. She had decided not to feel intimidated by them though. Garrus cared for her deeply and wouldn't do anything that she was not comfortable with. She trusted him and she knew that she could trust him in every aspect…including this. Humans and asaris mated with turians…they enjoyed it and they weren't tough ass biotics like Jack.
I can do this! This is Garrus…I want to do this!
"Commander…"
Shepard jumped at the sound of a voice distracting her thoughts…it was Samara.
"I'm sorry Commander, I didn't mean to startle you."
"Oh it's fine, I was just spacing out. How are you?"
"Troubled. I must ask for your help. That is not easy for me."
"It's alright Samara, just tell me what you need."
"Remember that very dangerous person I was pursuing on Illium? Using the information you obtained, I have located her. She's been going by the name "Morinth". I would like to apprehend her, before she disappears again. She is a very dangerous woman who kills without mercy. She has a rare genetic disorder. When she mates with you, there is no gently melding of the nervous system. She over powers yours, burns it out, hemorrhages your brain. You end up a mindless shell, and soon after you are dead."
"Wow, she sounds incredibly dangerous."
"She confuses her victims, twists their feelings. They will do anything for her favor."
"Okay, we'll stop her. Give the coordinates to Joker."
"Thank you, Commander. There are no words to express what this means to me. There is one more thing…she is my daughter."
"Oh Samara, I cannot imagine what this is like for you. I'm so sorry."
"I don't want pity, Shepard. I do not accept it. My daughter's condition is my fault…and my redemption lies in killing her. Do not pity me, simply understand my situation. Help me find my long lost daughter…and kill her."
"We'll go find her."
Samara nodded and walked away.
Well, this is shaping up to be a wonderful day…
*****
Samara's daughter was on Omega. When they arrived, they learned that Morinth had just killed another victim. They had no time to lose. Samara had an idea of how to find Morinth; Shepard could act as bait and lure Morinth into a trap.
***
Shepard felt ridiculous in the outfit she had put together. She needed to look casual but sexy, she had to attract Morinth.
Why can't she be attracted to a woman in uniform…
She had on skin tight black leggings with black shiny heeled boots, paired with a form fitted top that had a plunging neck line. Shepard left little to the imagination.
She walked out of her quarters to join up with Samara and Garrus. As she approached them by the airlock she could see by the look on Garrus' face that she had picked the right outfit to attract someone.
Garrus may not have had a human fetish but seeing Shepard in that outfit…he definitely had a fetish for her.
"Well, do I look the part?" Shepard asked them.
"Indeed," replied Samara, "Morinth will definitely take notice of you."
"Good, let's get this over with."
As they approached the bar, Samara pulled Shepard to the side…
"You must go in alone…Morinth will be watching. Like any predator, she is cautious. You must peak her interest enough that she will approach you."
"Okay."
"No!" objected Garrus, "not alone…I will go in too. Morinth doesn't know me, she'd have no reason to think anything of it. I'll wait until you're inside and then go in a few minutes after you. I'll stay out of sight."
"That is acceptable," Samara said, "when you are face to face with her Shepard, you need to subtly encourage her to invite you to her apartment. I'll follow discreetly and when you are alone, I'll spring the trap."
"Sounds like a plan," Shepard replied.
Samara continued, "Know this…until I get there, you are in great peril. She will be planning to inflict horrors on you. If you are not careful, you will want her to."
"Awesome…okay, so how can I spark her interest? Get her to notice me in the club?
"Courage or suicidal bravery could attract her. Show skill at working smoothly through a nightclub crowd. She will be intrigued."
"Fun."
"She'll want you the moment she sees you. The rest is just a matter of overpowering her caution."
"Alright then…let's get this started."
Shepard felt so out of place as she walked around the club…it didn't show though. She displayed confidence as she strutted through the crowd. She came by two turians chatting, the one turian noticed Shepard staring at them…
"Hey! What are you looking at?"
Okay…suicidal bravery…here we go…
"A pair of sad losers who think they're something and are about to find out they're not."
They both got up and walked towards Shepard…
"Who's going to show us this? You?" the one turian scoffed.
"Human thinks she's tough," replied the other.
"Tougher than you," Shepard replied.
The turian closest to her went to push her and she quickly batted his arm away then kicked him and finished with a punch that sent him to the ground. The other turian rushed in on Shepard…she quickly delivered a right hook across his face – sending him to the floor to join his friend.
Sorry boys…
Shepard calmly walked away.
Garrus entered the club and made his way to a booth in one of the darker corners. He scanned the room…looking for Shepard. He noticed two turians knocked out on the floor…
Shepard's handy work no doubt.
He continued searching and found her…staring down a krogan at the bar…
Spirits Jane…
The krogan walked away and Shepard continued her stroll through the club. An asari stepped out from a dark corner as Shepard walked by…
"My name is Morinth. I've been watching you. You're the most interesting person in this place. I've got a booth over here in the shadows…why don't you come sit with me?"
"Sure," she replied as she followed Morinth to the booth.
Morinth took a seat, "Some nights I come here and there's no one interesting to talk to. Some nights, there's just one person. Tonight, it's you. Why is that?"
"I've traveled all over the galaxy…I know what I like," she replied with cool confidence.
"It changes you, doesn't it?"
"Real travel means going to dangerous places."
"Where you can see and do things most people can't imagine."
"Yes, exactly."
"When I travel, I find myself drawn to dark, dangerous places."
"Violent places?"
"Violence is the surest expression of power."
"Violence is a means to an end. Power is that end."
"Do you want to get out of here? My apartment is nearby, and I want you alone."
"Lead the way," Shepard replied with a smile.
Garrus watched as Shepard got up and followed Morinth out of the nightclub. He waited a few moments before heading out as well.
*****
Shepard sat down on Morinth's couch…
Morinth slowly made her way over and sat closely to Shepard.
She caressed Shepard's face, "Look into my eyes and tell me you want me. Tell me you'd kill for me. Anything I want."
Morinth's eyes had changed, she was trying to control Shepard…
"Don't count on it," Shepard replied.
Morinth looked at her in shock, "But you…who are you? Oh, no…I see what's going on. The bitch found herself a little helper."
The apartment door opened and in walked Samara in full glow…
"Morinth!" she cried out as she used a biotic throw to send Morinth across the room.
"Mother…"
"Do not call me that," she said as she threw another biotic force.
"I can't choose to stop being your daughter. My only crime was being born with the gifts you gave me!"
She threw a biotic warp at Samara.
"Enough Morinth!"
The two were in a heated biotic war as Shepard sat on the couch…doing her best to remain calm and stay out of the line of fire. She noticed Garrus walk into the room. He looked at Shepard and signaled for her to run over to him. She quickly jumped off the couch and made her way to Garrus. He reached his hand out to her and pushed her behind him, keeping his gun fixed on Morinth incase the situation got out of hand.
Morinth cried out to Shepard, "I'm as strong as she is! Let me join you!"
Samara yelled out, "I am already sworn to help you, Shepard. Let us finish this!"
Shepard tapped Garrus shoulder, "Take Morinth out, wound shot, not kill."
Garrus fired a shot into Morinth's leg…she fell to the ground.
Samara advanced on her…Morinth scurried back until she hit the wall.
Samara grabbed her by the neck, "Find peace in the embrace of the goddess." Her hand glowed brightly as she slammed it down into Morinth's face, quickly putting an end to her life.
Samara walked away from her daughter's body, "I'm ready to leave this place and get on with my life, Shepard. Are you ready to go as well?"
"Are you okay? Do you want to talk about this?"
"Shepard, what do you think I will say? What can I say? I just killed the bravest and smartest of my daughters. There are no words. I will try another time. For now, show mercy on a broken old warrior and let us leave."
"Okay, let's go."
*****
Shepard had just set foot back on the Normandy when Tali frantically approached.
"Shepard! I just received a message from the Migrant Fleet…the Admiralty Board has accused me of treason! I'm scared Shepard…"
"Nobody who knows you could believe you'd betray your people, Tali."
"I don't know. They don't lay charges like this unless the evidence seems absolute. But thanks, I appreciate your faith in me, Shepard."
"Is it because you're working with Cerberus?"
"I'm not working with Cerberus. I'm working with you. And I got leave to serve on the Normandy again. I have no idea what they're accusing me of. You'd think I would remember if I'd betrayed the Fleet!"
"What happens when a quarian is accused of treason?"
"There's a hearing, with members of the Admiralty Board acting as judges. My father is an admiral on the board. He'll have to recuse himself from judgment. I can't even imagine what he's thinking right now. The punishment for treason is exile. If they convict me, I can never go back."
"That's not going to happen, Tali. Let's go find the flotilla."
"I was going to book passage on another ship. I didn't think there would be time for you to help. Thank you, Shepard."
"Of course, Tali. Give joker the coordinates. We'll head out now."
*****
After talking to Tali, Shepard decided it was a good time to make the rounds and check on all of her crew; see how they were doing and if they needed anything.
She entered Mordin's lab…
"Shepard, wanted to talk to you."
"Oh? What about?"
"Medical matters. Aware that mission is dangerous. Different species react differently to stress."
"Okay…"
"Sexual activity normal stress release between humans and turians. Still recommend caution. Warn of chaffing."
Oh God…
"I intend to be cautious Mordin. Garrus is very important to me though, so if you are trying to scare me of – it won't work."
"Of course…hormones. Come see me if you need ointment."
"Thanks…uhm, do you have any advice for me as a doctor?"
"Turians based on dextro-amino acids. Human ingestion of tissue could provoke allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock possible."
"I had a sip of a turian drink once, it didn't cause any reaction. Could you run a test on me to see what my allergy levels are?"
"Good idea. Yes, I can do that. Would you like me to administer the test now?"
"Why not, let's get this over with."
"Also, will forward advice booklet to your quarters. Valuable diagrams, positions comfortable for both species, erogenous zone overviews. Can supply oils and ointments to reduce discomfort. Gave EDI electronic relationship demonstration vids to use as necessary."
"Wow, you are really thorough. Thank you Mordin."
"Enjoy yourself while possible, Shepard. Also, please tell Garrus to visit me for allergy testing as well."
Shepard chuckled, "Oh he's going to love that."
*****
Shepard entered the main battery…
"Hey you," she said as she approached Garrus, "guess what I just did?"
"What?"
"Had Mordin check my dextro-amino allergy levels. He wants to check your levo-amino allergy levels as well."
"Mordin? How did he find out?"
"I think we're a little more obvious than we think. I've been getting looks from some of the crew although none of them are brave enough to say anything. Pretty sure it's safe to say we're busted."
"And here I thought we were being discreet," he said with a smirk as he reached out to her; pulling her into his arms.
She reached up to kiss him, letting her hands trace the back of his neck…up to his fringe. He moaned softly in response…tightening his grip on her waist.
She pulled her lips away from him and looked into his eyes, "I did some research…and I had no idea how rough turians could be…"
Her voice was flirty but Garrus picked up a slight look of nervousness in her eyes.
He smiled, "Not what you expected?"
She chuckled, "I don't know what I expected. I just didn't think that it…I don't know. I guess Jack had sex with a turian once, best sex she's ever had. Lots of scratching and biting involved."
She's nervous, Garrus thought, the Great Commander Shepard…
He was going to have fun with this…
"The best sex usually does," he slyly said.
He's toying with me…
"Oh really? Is that what I can expect from you?"
"Why? Nervous, Jane?"
"No, not really. I can handle that if you can handle human mating customs."
"And what is that?"
"Why don't you do your research and find out…look up S & M when you have a chance…"
If he's going to toy with me, then I'm doing it back! Make him sweat a little!
She tugged at his fringe one last time and kissed his mandible, "See ya later."
As soon the doors closed behind Jane, Garrus went to his terminal…
*****
Shepard finished her walkthrough of the ship and still had a couple of hours before they would arrive at the Migrant fleet's location. She headed to her quarters for a nice hot shower.
As she got herself ready for her shower, she couldn't help but laugh at the thought of Garrus researching what she told him to.
*knock knock knock*
She didn't even have to ask who it was, she already knew. She wrapped a towel around her naked body and opened the door…it was Garrus.
"Are you really into that?" he asked as he stepped into her quarters.
"Into what?"
"You know exactly what…"
"And what if I am?"
"You're bluffing."
"You sure about that?"
He walked closer to her, "I know you're tough…but I don't see you being that type of woman."
"Really…then what type of woman am I?"
He ran his hand up her arm and across her chest, "You need somebody to love you…not torture you. And you want someone you can love back. You beat enough people up on the battlefield, I highly doubt that level of aggression carries over into your intimate life. What is the human expression…making love…that's what I see in you. Although I'm sure I'll bring out some aggression in you as well."
He bent down towards her and nuzzled his face into her neck, nipping gently.
"I was just about to take a shower," she said, "care to join me?"
He raised his head to look at her…
"Are you serious?"
"Yes," she said as she dropped her towel, "we can call it research."
Garrus stepped back to look at her form…her long lean legs…strong hips…firm stomach…supple breasts…toned arms…smooth shoulders…that enticing neck…her warm face…her soft silky hair…
"Jane…you're beautiful."
He noticed her cheeks turning red and her eyes…they were green.
She turned around to walk to the shower, "Is that a yes then?"
Garrus took off his clothes as she started the shower.
She waited until the water was steaming hot before getting in. She could feel her heart beating faster as he entered the shower.
She spent a few moments staring at him…his muscle groups, his plating, his hip spurs…there was so much detail to his body…
She ran her hands down his torso, "You're the one that's beautiful."
She pressed her body against his and kissed his mouth feverishly…her hands traces the contours of his body…exploring how he felt. His hands traced down her back…barely grazing her with his talons.
Her body ached and her hips pressed against him…it didn't take long for her to feel something pressing back…pulsing against her…
She broke their kiss to look up at him…she smiled.
"You started this…what did you think was going to happen when you're pressing your naked body against me like that?"
She looked down to admire the throbbing member that had presented itself, "Well…look who's packing some serious heat?"
He chuckled, "Are you satisfied with your research so far?"
"Very."
She felt guilty for their current situation. Garrus had made it clear he wanted to wait for the right moment before they had sex and yet the shower had been her idea and now she caused this…
"I know you wanted to wait…but I need to remedy this," she said as she grabbed him, "we humans have other ways to pleasure each other that doesn't involve intercourse."
She knelt down before him…
"Jane, I don't know if…"
"Shhh…trust me, okay? Just relax and enjoy this."
She stared at the size of him…
Can my mouth even fit around that?
She let her hands take care of the base…while her mouth circled the top…
"Spirits Jane…" Garrus moaned.
A few minutes had passed and his head was growing light…the sensation of what she was doing was almost unbearable…he had never experienced anything like it. She didn't let up…she continued her pace…knowing that he was close.
She didn't have the test results back from Mordin yet but she figured she'd be fine since that turian drink didn't cause any problems…
She could feel his member tightening…he was right there…she picked up the pace…refusing to release him from her mouth…he groaned…she felt him pulsing inside her…she felt the warmth filling her mouth. Without thinking about it…she swallowed.
She stood back up and Garrus pulled her into his warm embrace, "Jane…that was amazing."
She smiled at him and quickly noticed his expression go from euphoric to panic…
"Jane, did you…uh…what did you do about the…"
The look in her eyes said it all.
"You swallowed it?"
"Garrus, don't worry…I'll be fine."
"You don't know that! You don't know what Mordin may have to say."
"I had that drink and I…"
"No," he interrupted, "one sip of a turian drink is not the same as what you just ingested. The dextro levels of the two are not even close."
"You worry too much. I enjoyed doing it and allergic reaction be damned…I would do it again."
The water was starting to get cold…
"I guess our fun is over," she said with a pout.
"For now," he replied as he nuzzled her forehead, "I had fun doing research with you."
They stepped out of the shower and dried off. As they were getting dressed, Shepard felt her lips going numb…
Oh crap…
She didn't want to alert Garrus, if he knew then he would never let her do that again and he would be leery of further sexual activity with her.
She felt her throat burning…her neck and face felt like they were swelling up…
Shit! Shit! Shit!
Garrus had finished getting dressed, "Thank you for that amazing shower, Jane."
"It was fun," she said shortly; hoping he couldn't hear the panic in her voice.
"I'm going to go prep for the mission…that is…if you want me to accompany you and Tali?"
"Of course I do, get to it."
He smiled and turned around to leave her quarters.
As soon as the door closed, she ran to the bathroom to see if there were any visible signs. So far, it was all internal…she looked fine on the outside.
She waited a few minutes before heading out of her room…
*****
She quickly made her way to Mordin's lab before anyone could talk to her.
"Mordin! I need your help."
In just the time it took her to get from her quarters to the lab, her face had swelled up. Mordin took one look at her and knew exactly what had taken place…
"Commander, I warned you not to ingest."
"I know! I know! It just sort of happened, okay? Just fix this! You can fix this, right?"
Mordin walked over to one of the medical lockers. He pulled out a syringe filled with a light blue liquid.
"This will reverse the affects," Mordin said as he injected Shepard's arm with the solution.
"Thank you Mordin. How long do I have to wait?"
"Give it at least 15 minutes. Your face will still be puffy but that will go away shortly after."
"Okay, I'll just wait here."
Mordin walked back over to his desk, "Test results are in, you are mildly allergic to dextro-amino acids."
"Mildly…pfff…okay."
"Shepard, what you're experiencing is mild."
"Oh…geez…I guess I'm lucky then."
"Very much so."
Shepard was already starting to feel better, "Mordin…would it be possible for you to make a formula that I could inject prior to…you know…that would protect my body from an allergic reaction?"
"Possible? Yes. Would take time to research."
"Do it then, please. While you're at it…can you make a formula for Garrus too?"
"Will see what I can do."
"Thank you. And Mordin…DO NOT mention this to Garrus. What happened here stays between the two of us."
"Understood Commander."
