Hey guys!
This is a short chapter, and for that I apologize, but it is a chapter, nonetheless. (: I am so excited to start getting into the baby stuff!
Please rate, review and even PM me if you have anything to say!
Thanks!
A quiet hum traveled through the room. Natasha tried keeping as quiet as she could, periodically glancing at the two sleeping turians in her room, Calpurnia on the couch and Garrus in his chair beside her bed. She smiled down at the glass on the incubator, the top open just enough for her to slip her hand in it. The tiny baby clung to her finger as it purred to the sound of her voice. Natasha closed her eyes, shifting her weight slightly, feeling a shock of pain flow through her stomach. She wasn't supposed to be standing, or walking around. She was supposed to be in bed, resting, but her mind wouldn't allow it. Not when she knew her baby was mere feet away. She had to be near her. Her beautiful little Rayhel. Natasha wasn't able to keep her mind from her for long. So she stood singing to her in the dark of the room, hoping she'd grow tired enough to get some rest. So far, her body wasn't giving her the satisfaction. She hadn't even noticed the absence of the snore behind her. It took a hand on her shoulder for her to turn around in surprise. Garrus gave her a look.
"You shouldn't be up." he warned.
"I know." she said, giving him a pleading look. "I just can't sleep, and she's all alone over here…"
Garrus shook his head with a smile before looking down at the small baby. His mandibles clicked lightly. Natasha smiled before looking back down to Rayhel.
"She likes you." he noted.
Natasha's grin widened.
"I hope so… I sure do love her." Natasha could tell Garrus wanted to say something, but he kept quiet, rubbing the back of his neck in silence. Natasha cleared her throat. "It probably isn't easy, being around Cal and I… I know it isn't. We've been so… Depressed. I hope it's not rubbing off on you."
"I have nothing to be depressed about, Natasha. You're alive, and Rayhel is doing well."
His words were encouraging to her, though she hesitated to take them out of context. They still needed to talk about what it was that was brewing between them. She pulled her hand out of the glass slowly, being careful not to wake the sleeping turian, smiling brightly at the small chirp Rayhel made, her eyes opening slightly before closing once more. Natasha closed the glass, putting a hand to her mouth as she smiled.
"She's perfect."
"You're going to be great with her."
Natasha looked up at him. Again, she reminded herself to not take his words out of context, but she was having a hard time with the way he was talking to her.
"Can you help me back to bed?" she asked, not letting go of the incubator. He gently wrapped his arm around her waist, supporting her as she slowly walked over to the bed. She made little progress. She was grateful that it was dark in the room, her face growing hot. "Sorry."
"Take your time." he said, laughing lightly. "I don't mind."
She chewed on her lip as she sat down, her stomach aching again. After a moment, she laid back. He pulled the blankets over her legs lightly. She bit down harder on her lip as she watched him sit on the bed with her.
"Garrus, I…"
"You don't have to say anything." he told her.
She sighed, shaking her head.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't need to be."
"I didn't even ask, I just kissed you, and it wasn't… I should have asked-"
"It's alright."
"I didn't even think about your feelings, or how it would effect our friendship if you didn't feel something for me. That's terrible of me, with everything you've done, I should at least have a regard for what you want-"
"Natasha." He raised his hand to her face, running a talon gently down her cheek. She swallowed, taking a deep breath as she made eye contact with him. "It's alright."
"Is it?"
"It is. I… I don't know what this is, that you think is between us, but I want to find out."
Natasha tilted her head at him slightly.
"You seemed pretty hell bent on not being interested. Since I'm… Bonded."
He sighed, taking his hand off of her face at the reminder.
"I guess it's hard-wired in my mind. I just… I want you to be sure about it. Don't feel obligated just because I gave you credits."
"I don't feel obligated." she replied, shaking her head at him. "You're a good guy, Garrus… I need that."
"I can be a good guy as a friend." he countered.
"Look, I won't beg you to try this."
"I'm not asking you to. I'm just saying."
He moved closer to her. Her heart started racing. He smirked slightly, making her roll her eyes. He could hear her heart.
"Yeah yeah." she said, leaning closer.
"Want to try this again?" he asked.
She gave him a single nod before he put his hand on her face again. She let him move to her this time, giving him full control of the situation. She opened her mouth when his lips pressed to hers. He was slow. Gentle, as if testing out the waters. The kiss was innocent until he opened his mouth with hers, letting her tongue meet his slowly. It was different, to kiss someone new, to taste someone else's mouth. Natasha had only ever been with Nihlus. He was her first everything. She was grateful that Garrus had a level head. She might be getting herself into something she couldn't get out of otherwise.
The kiss was interrupted as they heard a small chirp. They broke apart, smiling after a moment at the baby's noises. Natasha shook her head, biting her lip before looking back to him. He had a look in his eyes that she couldn't describe.
"That wasn't so bad." he told her.
She laughed, tucking her hair behind her ear nervously.
"Thanks."
"Natasha…" She looked away before he put a finger to her chin, tilting her head back in his direction. "I want to see where this goes."
She nodded at him lightly.
"Me too."
"I'm sure we could start off with a good night's sleep though." he told her, standing now.
"I'll take that into consideration." she replied, looking over at the incubator.
"Get some rest. She'll be here tomorrow."
"She's all alone in there…"
Garrus sighed, walking over to the incubator. He grabbed the sides to wheel it over to her bed. She smiled at how close Rayhel was now, the little turian's chest rising and falling as she slept. Natasha laid her head down, watching the baby as her body grew weak. Garrus laughed, sitting down in his chair again. He sighed heavily, leaning back. Natasha smiled contently, closing her eyes. It was hard to let herself fall asleep, but she was able to do it eventually, her body begging for rest.
Garrus stayed up a while after she'd fallen asleep, watching Rayhel, watching Natasha. He occasionally looked to Calpurnia. He was satisfied with their situation, knowing they were all safe, and happy. He eventually laid his head back, his mind drifting back to the kiss. He fell asleep thinking of how her mouth tasted against his.