"you won't believe it, Gabby…but I swear! Come to the crew quarters and I'll show you…it's….it's just…wow!" Yeoman Kelly chambers tried to keep her voice down, but she was just so excited. She shut off the comm and turned back to the extranet site she was perusing. Of course, she didn't usually read this type of trash journalism. But she'd been innocently trying to gather information…just to better understand and help her crew, of course! And then THIS had come up and she just couldn't control her curiosity. And once she'd started reading, she was lost; and she just had to share it with her friend.
Gabby exited the elevator, she swore that if Kelly were playing a joke on her and making her miss her break with Ken, she'd beat the red head bloody. Nodding at some of her fellow crew, she noticed that Commander Shepard was sitting in the Mess with several of her ground team. They seemed to be enjoying their conversation; laughing at each other. Even Thane sat with them, and he almost never came out of Life Support. Gabby sighed, Thane was just yummy…if you were into that sort of thing…which she wasn't…usually. Ducking into the crew quarters, she headed over to where Kelly sat, her Omni tool now busy as she made notes; :notes? Gabby wondered exactly how detailed this "article" was.
She sat down and Kelly chirped, startled and looking guilty. Gabby said, "Ok, Kelly…what's so great I have to take a break half way through my shift?"
Kelly turned the screen so that Gabby could read it too, and her eyes about bugged out of her head…
BEGIN TABLOID REPORT
Everyone knows that the Galactic Sweetheart Commander Lia Shepard is currently heating up the sheets with high ranking Turian official Garrus Vakarian. Neither Commander Shepard, nor Garrus Vakarian (of the famous Palavan Vakarians, the closest the Turians get to royalty) have ever denied the suggestion, and both seem very proud of their tryst, leading many to the conclusion that Lia and Garrus are a permanent couple. A source close to the couple told this reporter that Garrus currently moved his belongings into the Commanders private, luxurious quarters and the two appear to be very much in love.
That public acknowledgement has created a huge outpouring of support in both the Turian and Human publics. Human/Turian relationships have risen by over 400% and other mixed couples are becoming more and more popular. But settling into a new relationship can be very difficult in the best of circumstances, added to that the interspecies awkwardness. Thus the idea for this series was born.
In this series, we will attempt to give some suggestions to help a newbie Xeno-Lover with the ins and outs, so to speak, of their new relationship. And the articles are not just for newbies…even those in established relationships may benefit from the information. The Series of Articles to be known as "Navigating your Human/Turian Relationship"
The first article in the series is entitled "How to pleasure your Turian lover" which gives input into the various erogenous zones as well as places to avoid. We will also cover, in a later article, for our Turian readers, some of the more popular zones for humans. Cause we all know that once you've got Turian in the sack, you never go back!
Other Future Titles
Catching (and keeping!) your Turian Lover
How to Catch and Release your Turian Love
Cultural Dos and Don'ts for Mixed Turian/Human Couples
Turian Words and their meanings
Courtship and Marriage Conventions: a comparison of Turian and Human couples.
Fighting (and making up) in a cross species relationship.
Sub-Harmonics, Vocalizations and other sounds.
START ARTICLE….
How to Please Your Turian….
By Mandy Moore
So you've met "Mr. Right" and he happens to have talons and a Fringe. I know you're wondering where to touch him (or HER!) to create the right mood.
Author Interrupt: Since FF won't let me use photos in my documents, if you want to see the image for this article, go to http:/ .com / albums / jj263 / myshadowridge / (take out all spaces).
The Fringe.
The Fringe is exceptionally sensitive, being their primary (next to a male's phallus) sex organ
Under the Fringe
Internal phallus accessed through a pate that drops when the male is aroused.
Pectoral Ridge
Hip dips
Outer Hump
Under the chin
Also holds scent glands that are used to mark a female.
Connected to the mandibles which are used to hold a female in place.
Places to avoid…
Never touch a Turian's spurs, they are very sensitive and may result in an attack that can injure or kill their human lover. Also, you want to avoid the area between the ribs and hips, as this can injure and sometimes kill a Turian.
END TABLOID
Gabby finished reading and raised her head, eyes round as she stared at Kelly, who was nearly bouncing in her seat in excitement. "Oh my god, Kelly…this is…"
Kelly smiled, "I told you! This is so cool! I had no idea that their hips were so sensitive…no wonder Commander Shepard spends so much time holding onto his hips…."
Gabby frowned, she didn't remember the Commander ever paying special attention to Garrus hips; she'd wrap an arm around his waist, sure…but not his hips. And waists weren't mentioned in the article. Shaking her head to stop that line of thinking, Gabby said,
"We have to say something, Kelly…"
Kelly froze, looking like a deer in the headlights, "Are you insane? Do you know what Commander Shepard, not to mention Officer Vakarian would DO if they knew we'd read this?"
Gabby shook her head, looking worried, "Hey! You found this, I just came up because you said you'd found something interesting! Don't blame this on ME! Besides, we can't not tell them…this is like….stalking or invasion of privacy or something…"
Kelly hissed, as the door opened and another crew-woman entered the room, "We didn't WRITE this, just came across it on an extranet search!"
Gabby looked irritated, "What were you searching for, Kelly, that you found "How to please your Turian lover in an EXTRANET search?"
Kelly was about to answer, when the crew-member who had entered came over and read over Kelly's shoulder before either Kelly or Gabby could stop her. The Crew-woman, Lisa Holden, gasped, "Oh my god…is that article about Commander Shepard?"
CHAPTER BREAK
Shepard left Life Support with a smile on her face, she enjoyed talking to Thane, but today was more humorous because he had a hangover from his imbibing at the Christmas Party. The usually cool, enigmatic Drell who sat meditating even when speaking to her, was currently sprawled somewhat less than elegantly with a cloth over the sunglasses over his eyes. Thinking back, she remembered walking in.
"Thane? Do you have a minute?" A groan met her question and Shepard hurried into the room, afraid that Thane might be sick or injured. Had the Keprels come back? Was the treatment not working anymore? But when she came around the corner, she saw the slender, elegant Drell, who was rarely seen without his jacket, sprawled across his bunk, sunglasses on as he moaned, "Perhaps later, Siha? I am…somewhat indisposed at the present time…."
Shepard took in the very cool jacket on the floor, having evidently been tossed at the table and missed. She noticed that he still wore his pants (a surge of disappointment surprised her) and vest as well as one boot. His sunglasses were slightly askew, and his mouth was drawn together. Hesitantly, she said, "Are you all right, Thane?"
"Please, Siha…if you have any empathy at all, do not shout so…"
Shepard grinned, she now knew without a doubt what was wrong, "Thane…do you have a hangover?"
Another groan, "Siha, I will give you anything in the universe you desire, if you please lower your voice…"
Still grinning, Shepard moved to stand next to him, leaning over to remove his boot, he tensed, but then relaxed as he realized it was Shepard, and she was no danger to him. Shepard removed his boot and set them by his bed, then tried to help move him to a more comfortable position, before turning to pick up the jacket she really liked and hung it on the hanger that was obviously made for it. Then she turned to Thane, who still his arm over his eyes and said, speaking as softly as she could, "I'll call Dr. Chakwas and she'll…." She was cut off as Thane moved, not as graceful as his usual self, but still more quickly than she expected and grabbed her arm. His grip was firm, but not harsh and she noticed his eyes were filled with pain as he winced at the bright light; his sunglasses had fallen from his face when he moved. She stared at him, shocked by the terror she saw in his eyes before he covered it in his eyes before he covered it with a shadow of his normal cool look.
"Please, do not call anyone, Siha. It is...acceptable that you find me as such, but showing weakness to anyone else is…" Thane seemed to be at a loss for words so Shepard patted his hand, putting her hand behind his neck and laying him down again, he still clutched her wrist and she said, soothingly,
"Ok, Thane…it's ok. I won't tell anyone…shhhh, just rest. Let me get you a wet clothe for your eyes, ok?"
Thane nodded miserably and Shepard got him re-settled before she exited the room. She made her way to the med-bay and spoke to Chakwas, who was busily handing out hangover meds. "hey Doc…is the hangover med species specific?" Chakwas gazed at her,
"not as such, though it is protein specific. But if the, individual in question is Levo, this should work without issue. They shouldn't be alone or twenty minutes or so after taking it…"
Shepard nodded, "Ok…hit me up with some, will you?"
Just as Chakwas handed her the hangover meds, Kaiden walked in looking a little worse for wear and said, very softly "Doctor…do you have… Oh, Shepard…I didn't see you there…." Kaiden looked like hell, his eyes were puffy and he had dark circles beneath them; he was still wearing the outfit from last night, but the buttons were done up wrong. Grinning at him, Shepard said, in her normal voice
"Hey Kaiden…did you have fun at the party last night?" She saw Kaiden wince, at the sound of her voice, but he merely said,
"Yes, Commander…it was a great party…."
Shepard couldn't help but say, "That's great…I'm glad you enjoyed yourself" as she slapped him on the shoulder in what would have been, on any other day, a perfectly acceptable friendly move. Kaiden whimpered and closed his eyes going an interesting shade of green as Shepard grinned. However, Shepard's grin faded when she glanced at Chakwas and saw the frown on her face as she glared at her Commander. Clearing her throat, Shepard tried to keep her voice a little quieter as she said, "Try and get some rest, Kaiden…" before she fled the sick bay and headed back to Life Support.
"Thane?", Shepard called very softly as she entered Life Support and receive an equally quiet response,
"Here Siha…" Going in, she found him still sprawled across the bed where she'd left him. His arm over his eyes, legs resting on the cot in what couldn't have been a comfortable position. Walking over, she sat down beside him and said,
"here, I got you this from Med bay…doc says that all of them work on all Levo…it'll help the hangover and I didn't tell anyone who it was for. Thane groaned a she removed the lid and helped him sit up to swallow what must have been a vile potion because he moaned and rubbed at his mouth in an attempt to remove the taste. Carefully, still supporting Thane, she poured him a glass of water and held it while he drank. Letting Thane lean against her, she said, "Doc said to stay and watch you for 20 minutes or so, to make sure you don't a reaction. If you're sick to your stomach, I'll get a bucket or something…"
Shaking his head, which was resting against her chest, he said, "Drell cannot regurgitate, Siha; which is some small comfort. You needn't stay with me; I know you have a great deal to do with your crew."
Shepard shook her head, "You're part of my crew too Thane, and right now, you need me here. I'm not going to just leave when need me. Besides, doc would have my hide if I didn't stay…she said 20 minutes, so just lay back and relax, ok?"
Thane nodded, his eyes still closed as he said "Thank you, Siha, for your care and your…discretion."
Shepard suddenly realized that she was holding Thane and he was resting his head against her breast. She stood up, laid Thane back down on his pillow and set about making him comfortable. Adjusting his blanket, pillow, his vest, which she would have removed if she could have found the clasps. Just for the comfort of her crewman, of course. She did place a cool, damp clothes over is eyes, which made him sigh. After a few minutes of her fidgeting, Thane was feeling better and smiled as he said, still not opening his eyes, "Siha…please sit down. My pillows and blankets are fine, my boots are well positioned and my jacket is hung precisely right. You need to relax.
Shepard had the grace to grin, looking sorry as she said, "Sorry Thane…I'm must better when I have something to DO…"
Thane nodded then moaned, his hands going to his head, eyes still resolutely closed. "I am familiar with that need, Siha. Perhaps you should go…"
Shaking her head, Shepard said, "It's only been five minutes…just rest, I'll be quiet."
Quietly, Thane grasped her wrist and pulled her to the cot next to him, "Rest, Siha…"
Thinking her moving around might be making his headache worse, she sat next to him, leaning back against the wall and watching the rise and fall of his chest. Since the treatments, his breathing had deepened and become much more regular. Not able to resist, she reached out to touch his exposed chest, resting her hand on him over his heart. Thane smiled, as he drifted to a natural sleep, his headache was a dim ache now and he felt safe enough in the presence of the Siha to fall asleep. Half an hour later, Shepard had exited Life Support, continuing her rounds.
CHAPTER BREAK
Walking out of Miranda's office, Shepard had a strange experience. She walked past the mess hall and caught sight of Kasumi and Tali sitting close together, heads touching as they gazed at something on a data pad. Thinking that she could check in with both of them now, she headed over, a smile on her face. She was nearly up to the table, when Kasumi looked up, caught sight of her and nudged Tali, who made a strange sound and reached out to turn off the pad. Both women looked guilty and Tali stood up, stuttering that she needed to get back to the engine room. Frowning, Shepard watched her go, then turned back to Kasumi, but the lithe thief was already gone. Narrowing her eyes, Shepard wondered what was going on, but decided that she'd figure it eventually.
She was frowning again when she walked out of Zaeed's room. She'd buzzed him, as she usually did since she'd walked in on him during a private moment once before. Though he HAD asked her to stay and join, she had absolutely zero desire to live through that again. Besides, Garrus had nearly died laughing when she told him about it…until the part about inviting her to join, which made him glare at the floor as though he could see into the old Merc's room. Once she walked into the room, however, Zaeed and Jack were standing in front of the room's extranet terminal. Both were smirking, but it was Zaeed's move to close the window that had alerted her to something being wrong. Now, it was possible that Zaeed and Jack had simply been watching some kind of port…while she didn't want to think about it, it was possible. But added to the incident with Tali and Kasumi, and the expressions on several of the crew when she'd walked into the crew quarters, as they blanked their data pads and terminal screens; something was amiss. And Shepard was determined to figure out what it was. Grunt and Ken were the only normal ones in Engineering. Neither Tali nor Gabby seemed to want to talk to her; she worried for a moment that she'd somehow done something to piss off the entire female contingent of her crew, but for the life of her, she couldn't think of anything she'd done.
Finally, she went to the Main Battery to find Garrus.
"Garrus? Got a minute?"
"Need me for something, Shepard?"
"Just to talk…", but before she could continue, he turned around with a smile, then froze. His smiled faded as he leaned forward and sniffed her. Eyes wide, Shepard watched him as his eyes went from friendly to cold as ice, his mandible pulling tight against his jaw and his hands formed into fists. Glancing from side to side Shepard tried to figure out what was going on, when her mate said, his voice barely above a snarl,
"WHY do you smell like the DRELL?"
Surprised out of her concern about the female crewmembers, Shepard started to tell him what had happened, but remembered Thane's reaction to her telling Chakwas about his condition. So she simply said, "I was helping Thane…"
"With your BREASTS?" Garrus was pissed. There was no other word for it, he was beyond furious and well into "kill the bastard" mode.
Already on edge, Shepard didn't need jealousy from her mate or his temper. Narrowing her eyes, she said, "Garrus…I was helping one of my crew members. That's all you need to know."
She knew the second she saw his face that she'd said the wrong thing. She hadn't thought his eyes could have gone colder, but they did. He drew himself up and said, "Fine, Commander. Can this discussion wait? I'm in the middle of some calibrations."
Shepard frowned, her own anger simmering just beneath the surface as she said, "Fine, Officer Vakarian…let me know when you get your head out of your ass." She turned and stalked from the room, and to the elevator snapping, "Edi, lock Thane's door and alert me when he wakes up. When he wakes up, tell him to stay in his quarters until I get there. And for god's sake, do NOT let Garrus hack the lock, do you understand?"
"Of course, commander. Anything else?"
She started to say no, then stopped, "Yes. You keep a copy of all the extranet sites that the crew view right?"
"Of course, Commander…"
"good, send a list of the most recently viewed sites, by crewmember as well as any site with multiple views by different people. Send the information to my quarters."
"Of course, Commander…logging you out"
CHAPTER BREAK
Shepard walked into her quarters muttering under her breath about stubborn jackass Turians and their jealousy issues and stupid female crew members making her confused. She carefully removed one of her new shipboard outfits and folded it over her office chair the stalked to the bathroom in just her bra and underwear. Tossing those off, she stepped into the shower and tried to relax, letting the hot water run over her body. Unfortunately, she found that the shower really wasn't helping, especially when she kept remembering the last shower she'd shared with Garrus. Growling, she stalked from the shower, and grabbed a towel. Hearing a noise, she entered the quarters and saw Garrus, sitting on the edge of their nest, arms crossed. He saw her and felt the familiar feeling of shifting plates as she stood naked and wet in front of him. But he was still pissed at her, so he crossed his arms over his chest and said "Trying to shower the proof off?"
Shepard's eyes widened, her fury momentarily replaced by absolute shock that he'd say that, and pain that he had. Then the fury came back full force and she said, "Nice, Vakarian…why don't you pull that stick out of your ass and shove a shot gun up there instead…then pull the trigger."
Garrus stood now, glaring at her, "I'm not the one with some other person's scent all over them"
"And I'm not the one making judgments without even thinking about the truth. Oh, that's right…you don't like grey areas, right? So if I have the scent of one of my crewmembers on me, I must be fucking them…." Shepard felt tears form in her eyes from the fury, but blinked her eyes and moved to the closet to get clean underwear.
Garrus nearly stumbled backwards, that hurt…and was totally unexpected, but it also infuriated him more, "I never accused you of fucking anyone…guilty conscious?"
Refusing to look at him, she said, "Get out of here Garrus…just get away from me for a while…until we both calm down. Before either of us says anything else that will regret.
Garrus stalked to her, not touching her but his talons were balled into fists, hard enough that he was cutting himself. "Are you kicking me out of my own quarters?"
She resolutely kept her back to him, if she looked at him she'd cry. That had always been one of the things she hated about herself. When she was truly angry, she'd cry. It was a weakness she had no intention of showing Garrus. "No. I'm not kicking you out…I'm asking for a little time for both of us to calm down. Please"
It was the please that did it. She could have ordered him, but part of their relationship was based on the idea that in their quarters, they were equals. Not Commander and subordinate, but mates…partners. Turning on his heel, he stormed out of the quarters. Just before he left he said, "You can unlock Krios door, Shepard…I have no intention of going in there." And he left, leaving her alone.
Taking a deep breath, Shepard moved to sit on the couch, putting her underwear down on the table. She swallowed hard, trying to gain control over her emotions. He didn't trust her. That was the basic issue that nothing else could cover. He trusted her enough to follow her into hell twice…but not enough to believe she was faithful to him. She buried her face in her hands; she loved Garrus, beyond any emotion she had ever felt before. He was her soul mate…her heart…and he didn't trust her. And that was the one thing that a relationship had to have to thrive. Slowly, she dressed, heading up to the office area to put her ship suit on. Her terminal chimed then and thinking it was the results of the search she'd asked Edi for, she turned to it. But it was an incoming message, from Garrus' mother. Ever since the treatments had started, Garrus mother was doing a lot better. And she'd taken to calling to talk to Lia every week. Today when the vid connected, she took one look at Lia and said "What has happened Filia?"
Lia tried to school her face into some semblance of normal and shook her head, "Nothing, Matera….I'm fine. How are you feeling?"
But Sabina Vakarian was not a fool, and she was a mother. She might not have birthed Lia Shepard, but she'd accepted her as daughter when she realized that Lia and Garrus were bondmated. She recognized the signs of hurt in her daughter and shook her head. "No, Filia…tell me what has you so upset?"
"nothing…", but even then, Lia knew she was fighting a losing battle. Sabina Vakarian was just like her son in many ways…curious, stubborn and tenacious. "Matera…please, this isn't something I can talk to you about…I don't want…" Shepard's voice broke, and she found she could barely breath, let alone talk. Sabina's sharp eyes caught it and she said,
"What has by son done to cause you so much misery, Filia…?"
But Lia shook her head, she refused to say anything negative about Garrus to Sabina. Shepard swallowed hard and said, "Matera…please…it's not Garrus…." Cocking her head to the side Sabina watched her daughter though eyes so much like her son's that Lia found herself nearly weeping. Sabina sighed,
"Do you think I do not know my son, Filia? He is hot headed, often speaks before he thinks and has a bad habit of saying exactly the worst thing he could say. But he loves you, Filia…he loves you very much…"
"But he doesn't trust me…" the words were out before she could stop them and Sabina's eyes narrowed,
"Filia…" but Lia held up a hand,
"Please, Matera….can we talk later? I have…some things I must take care of…"
Sabina sighed, she'd never thought she would find a person more stubborn than her husband or children. But he son's mate challenged that. During the last few weeks the two often spoke at length of things they enjoyed as well as things they had in common, such as Garrus. Sabina was even teaching her son's mate how to speak certain words in Turian, a feat considering the differing shape of their mouths. Sabina shook her head, she imagined that whatever was going on between her son and his mate, they'd have work out in their own time. She chuckled to herself when she remembered some of the fights over stupid things she and her mate had gotten into when they were newly mated. Male Turians tended to be somewhat territorial at times, which considering the Turian habit of inviting close friends into their bedrooms seemed odd. But no one said love was logical.
CHAPTER BREAK
Shepard worked on paperwork, scheduling, upgrades on the Normandy, information and assistance requests, correspondence about the Reapers. Different items that required attention, but nothing that required her to think too much. After two hours she had caught up on every single piece of paperwork in her in box, and contacted Miranda for more. Miranda was not amused at being interrupted, but she was too good an XO to refuse to send her Commander paperwork. That took another hour, and Miranda ignored her second request. Considering the time, Shepard couldn't blame her.
Shepard wanted to hide in her quarters, but found herself too key up. So she left, heading to the CIC, deciding that some mining of planets was nice, dull mindless work. As she entered the elevator, however, Edi said, "Commander, Mr. Krios is awake and requesting an explanation for his confinement."
Changing the button to the Crew quarters, she sighed, it was somewhat embarrassing to have to tell Thane she'd locked him in his room to make sure her mate hadn't gone in and injured him in retaliation and jealousy. Shepard exited the elevator and headed to life support, glancing into the mess she saw Garrus standing at the counter with a plate of food. She hesitated, her eyes meeting his, but he turned and stalked to the Main Battery with his tray and she turned, not aware that her shoulders were sagging, and entered Life Support.
Joker, Jack, Zaeed and Samara were sitting in the Mess watching. Joker frowned, "What do you think that was about?"
Jack frowned as she looked from one door to the other, "Aint it obvious? Mommy and daddy are fighting…."
Joker choked and said, "I'll give you a hundred credits to NEVER give me that mental image again…"
Joker turned with an evil smile and said, "You'd rather imagine them making up?"
Joker gagged and buried his head in his hands, but Zaeed and Samara were quiet, both considering the situation. Jack showed a surprisingly maturity by saying, "Shit happens…it aint easy being in love, add the different species thing…it's a bitch."
Zaeed snorted, "Thell work it out…an is there anythin better than makeup sex?"
Samara gazed at the Main Battery, then stood, "If you will excuse me…" and went toward the Main Battery. Jack whistled,
"She's got more balls than I do…aint no way I'd go in with Birdman right now…."
CHAPTER BREAK
Shepard entered the Life Support and called, softly, "Thane?"
"Yes Siha…I am here" Shepard walked to the back and found Thane sitting at the table in his usual spot, hand clasped and up near his face. As she entered the room, he turned and gazed at her, black eyes impassive as he watched her. She moved to sit down opposite him and saw the clothe she'd brought in sitting on the table, folded carefully. Sitting down, she reached for the cloth and began to fold and re-fold it.
"I'm sure you'd like to know why I locked you in your room, right?", her hands busy folding and unfolding the cloth, her eyes lowered. When she saw one of Thane's hands reach out and cover hers stopping her from folding the cloth. She raised wide eyes to him, startled and he said,
"Siha…be calm. Will you tell me why you are so upset?"
Sighing, Shepard said, "When I came in, you weren't feeling really good.." She glanced up at his face, seeing the enigmatic half smile as he nodded,
"I recall…"
"oh. Yea, eidetic memory…right… Anyway, you freaked out when I wanted to go get Chakwas to help you, because you didn't want anyone to see you…that way."
Thane shrugged, his throat fluttered as he said, "It is something that has always been thus…finding myself, incapacitated, would put me in danger. Though I know that I am safe on your ship my training and experienced precluded my being comfortable with my condition being known."
Shepard nodded, "Yeah, I get that…so when I left here after helping you, I went to the Main Battery and Garrus…he freaked out."
Thane sighed, "Oh, Siha…I expected it was something like that."
Shepard said, "I wasn't going to tell him anything about what you were going through, and he jumped to conclusions because he "smelled" you on me…"
Thane shook his head, "You should have told him what happened, Siha…all you did was assist me when I needed some assistance. There was nothing …untoward about the circumstances."
Shepard shook her head, "If you didn't want Chakwas to know, then you certainly wouldn't have wanted Garrus to know."
"Siha, if it would have prevented you and your mate from being at odds, I would have understood."
But Shepard shook her head, "No…if he doesn't…doesn't trust me…then…", her voice trailed off, and she looked down at her hands, trying to fight the tears that threatened. A sigh from across the table, and Thane said,
"Siha…I wish I knew what to say, but in this, I am unsure. While I understand your point, I can also see your mate's point. Perhaps it is less trust in you, as trust in me."
Shepard looked at Thane, and her eyes were infinetly sad, "Trust is trust, Thane…if he doesn't trust me, if he does this every time I touch another member of my crew…then…it just can't work"
Thane reached out, hesitantly, then covered his hands with his own, "Siha…would it help if he knew that there was nothing to be upset over?"
Shepard shook her head, "No…because if he trusted me, then it wouldn't matter….and if he doesn't trust me, no assurance would be necessary". She sighed and patted his hand, beginning to stand as she said, "Anyway…I had Edi lock your door because I knew you weren't in any shape to defend yourself and I didn't want Garrus doing something stupid. I hope you're feeling better…?"
"Drell have faster metabolisms than some species, Siha…I am well now. Though I thank you for your kindness, I am sorry that it caused you heartache."
Shepard shrugged, putting on her "Commander Shepard" face and said, "It's not your fault, Thane…if Garrus pulls anything, please let me know…I can't have discontent on my crew…."
Thane acknowledged her words, though he had no intention of reporting any actions by Garrus to her at any point. He had become a bone of contention between Siha and her mate and that was not his intention, nor did he wish to make it worse. Whatever feelings he might have toward Shepard, she had made her choice and he would never dream of interfering with that.