Chapter 21

For the next couple of days, Anne kept her distance and said very little to him.

Pallin himself had not really slept at all since that night in the bathroom.

It was always in the early hours that it really hit him hard. The urge to go to her was strong but he couldn't let himself give in. This was a necessary separation - for both of their sakes.

It also helped and hindered him that Anne was now distancing herself as much as possible.

Because of it, Pallin found that he went to work everyday in a foul temper. It became almost routine to snap at his subordinates over issues.

Eventually Chellick had to speak to him about his atrocious behaviour.

Pallin didn't argue with the detective. He knew that he had blown small problems out of proportion due to his own dark mood.

The turian afterwards had found and - with grave solemnity - apologised to those he had treated with such disregard.

Pallin arrived home after a busy shift.

C-Sec had been a madhouse with the recent cracking down on a rogue officer being the main focus of trouble.

He stepped out of his vehicle, glanced up the tall apartment building and let out a long-suffering sigh.

Tonight at least he would have break from it all.

Sparatus had messaged him earlier in the day and arranged to meet Pallin in a bar on the Presidium.

At the same time, Anne's friend - the turian Carvilla - was going be at his apartment till late.

In spite of the little communication that passed between them, Pallin had been aware of Anne's excitement at having her friend visit.

He walked casually in through the security doors before he nodded and smiled politely at the receptionist's greeting.

That smile disappeared from his face almost immediately once the elevator door closed. The trip was short but, to Pallin's addled mind, it seemed to take forever.

Eventually, he found himself standing outside his front door at which he hesitated before finally opening.

As he entered the apartment, he noted that the living room was empty and dark.

Pallin flicked on the lights and looked around.

Nothing was out-of-place. At least nothing was that would suggest Anne had even passed through the place at some point in the day.

He quickly padded down to the spare room.

Pallin listened for any noise inside before he carefully tapped at her door.

"Anne?"

After a moment filled with quiet rustling, the human answered softly, "Yes?"

"I was... I wondered if you were in. That is all."

"Okay."

"What time is your friend arriving at?"

"She isn't."

"Oh. What happened?"

"Nothing. She just caught up with work. Marcus needed overtime from her."

Pallin frowned. "I am sorry. I know how much you looked forward to her arriving and-"

"I am moving into her apartment once I get the all clear from Dr. T'Alera."

He froze.

Pallin's heart started racing in his chest. He really wished to have this conversation face to face but that was extremely unlikely given that last couple of days.

"When did you decide that?"

"She offered yesterday. The apartment she rents with her partner is large. The biggest bedroom has its own small kitchen and bathroom. I am going to take that."

"Oh. It sounds nice and it will be good for you to share with friends."

There was silence.

"Ahem... I will be out till late as you know. Is there anything you need before I go?" Pallin asked.

"No. I am fine. Thank you."

"Right... right. I'll check in with you in a few hours."

"There is no need. Enjoy your night."

Pallin frowned again. "Thank you. Good night, Anne."

He walked to his room with a heavy heart.

He was really drunk.

Pallin had met Sparatus at a plush new bar not far from the turian's office.

A few hours later and they were both after hitting the booze hard.

Sparatus had even commented on Pallin's eagerness for more considering that he was the one who normally kept them both from overindulging.

The Executor didn't even reply. Instead he simply ordered another round.

"Pallin?"

He turned bleary eyed in his seat only to confronted by the sight of Dr. T'Alera smiling at him.

"Hello. How may I -hic- help you?" he muttered.

The asari grinned. She obviously was on a night out herself and appeared suitably dressed for the occasion.

"I didn't expect to meet you here. And... Councillor Sparatus?"

The other turian kept drinking but waved his acknowledgement to her.

"Ignore him," Pallin slurred, "...he has been nothing but trouble all night."

"And you?"

"I have been perfectly amiable."

"I bet. Have you two been out long?"

"Can't remember. Long enough perhaps," Pallin answered.

T'Alera reached out and touched the side of his head carefully. She wiped away the tiny smudge that was on one of his plates before she snapped her hand back and bit her bottom lip. "I'll join you two! It's always more fun with a group. Give me a moment!"

Pallin suddenly jolted upright. "Not necessary. Sparatus and I were just leaving."

He heard the other turian sputter, "What-"

Pallin took the half-finished drink from the Councillor's hand and slammed it on the counter. He caught Sparatus under the arm and almost manhandled him from the seat.

"Yes. Time to move bars. We have been at this one too long."

"Oh. Which one are you two going to?"

"That-ah-newish one down in Zakera ward. The one near the Academy entrance."

T'Alera grinned. "My friends and I are going there later. Just having the one here before moving on. I'll see you both down there soon!"

Pallin – who was barely keeping upright as it was – dragged the drunk Councillor into a nearby taxi.

"Where are we off to?" Sparatus asked half asleep.

"My place to sleep off the drink."

"I thought you said-"

"I lied."

Sparatus lifted his head and frowned at Pallin. "Not like you to fib. And to a very pretty young thing too."

"I am not interested."

"Hmm," Sparatus murmured before he passed out.

Pallin glanced at his omnitool.

It was late. Anne would no doubt be sleeping. He would have to be extra careful dragging Sparatus in.

It was a lot more hard work getting both himself and the turian Councillor back to his apartment then he had originally thought.

Even at the door, it was touch and go over which one of them would fall first.

Finally, he managed to get the other turian settled on the couch with a blanket thrown over him.

"Venari?"

Pallin, who was just leaving for his own room, looked back at the turian.

"Yes?"

"Tell me about her."

"About who?"

Sparatus laughed. "You know who! The girl who has you all flustered and I don't mean the asari."

Pallin walked over slowly and sat down on the coffee table.

"How did you guess?"

"Not like you to drink as much as you did tonight."

Pallin laughed. "Not like you to keep your mouth shut if something was on your mind."

"I knew you would tell me eventually. So... why are you not shouting to the hills about her?"

"She is human."

Sparatus stared at him blankly. "You know... being human is not so bad."

"Never thought I would hear that from you."

"Life is too short, old friend." Sparatus lay back and closed his eyes. "We don't have enough time in this life to just waste it on stupidity. I know you, Venari. Be happy. Don't over-think so much. "

"Hard not to."

"It is easy if you just let things happen for once. Give it a good old try and see what happens. You might be surprised. Now... fuck off 'cause I want to sleep."

Pallin chuckled and staggered slowly to his room.

He got halfway down the small hall before he stopped.

Pallin turned back and carefully opened the spare room door. To his surprise, Anne was awake and sitting up in bed reading a datapad.

Anne frowned a little. "Pallin?"

The turian said nothing. He merely smiled before he started to remove his clothes. Anne gaped a little but did not comment on what was happening before her.

Finally, once he was as naked as a turian could be, Pallin padded over to the empty side and slipped into the bed beside her.

He tugged her body downwards until she lay beside him with her head on a pillow.

"Turn off the light," he muttered.

"You will regret this in the morning," Anne said softly.

"Maybe... maybe not. I know one thing for certain though... and that is that I have missed you more than I can really say," he murmured with his eyes closed.

There was a click and the light he saw through his eyelids disappeared.

He let out a hum of pleasure before dragging the soft body beside his own into an embrace.

Just as he passed out into blissful sleep, he felt soft lips touch his mouth before Anne whispered, "I have missed you too."