Chapter 28
The woman who answered the door looked as if she walked right out of a fashion magazine, a friendly air surrounding her, and Kolyat couldn't help but grin.
"Hi!" The woman's excited words drew out into a high pitched welcome. "You must be Kolyat. So glad to finally meet you!" she continued, raising her voice, trying to speak over the loud noises coming from inside the apartment – music and conversations alike.
Kolyat glanced inside and saw groups of people standing nearby talking to one another just past the threshold. "You must be Ami," he said. The woman smiled and nodded in silent affirmation.
He took her in quickly; dark blond hair piled high on her head, hazel eyes, tall and lithe, and pale pink skin. She wore a minimal amount of makeup, but she was dressed to impress. A dark grey, tight-fitting, sleeveless dress covered her from neck to foot. The high collar made of lace covered her upper chest to the edge of her chin. The only other design on the dress was the same lace material on large oval cutouts over her waist, which allowed glimpses of her skin beneath. He could see the outlines of a tattoo, but he was unable to discern what kind of design from the slight reveal. Did she have as many as Lukas? A thick, gold, bangle bracelet and a matching gold chain with white beads, spaced apart, hung low over her chest and completed the outfit.
Opening her arms in welcome, she stepped into Kolyat quickly, the scents of some kind of flower wafted off her skin. Giving him a quick hug, she turned her attention towards Sarah beside him and did the same. "It's so amazing to meet a celebrity! Lukas told me you were dating. Do you prefer Sarah, Shepard, or Commander?"
Sarah smiled, her eyes lighting up in glee, most likely from the woman's lack of reserve. Many people who met Shepard held a hesitancy towards her - an underlying fear or stiffness because of who she was. The woman didn't seem the least bit nervous. Kolyat knew it would be one of the things to win Sarah over.
"Sarah, or Shepard. Whichever you prefer. I only make people I don't like or know call me Commander when I'm not on duty."
Ami laughed in delight. "I will keep that in mind, and I'll make it a point to watch who calls you what." Looking past them, she smiled wider and politely moved between Kolyat and Shepard to get to the two individuals who remained silent behind them. "You must be Taran and Mira. I'm glad you made it."
Kolyat turned to stare at his friends who both smiled and bowed in the formal drell greeting. Ami, apparently, wasn't having anything of the sort, and she wrapped her arms around both of them in light hugs.
"Thank you for allowing us to be here tonight," Taran said courteously when she let them go, handing her a bottle of wine just as she moved back.
"Thanks!" Ami beamed when she read the label, leaning into them and lowered her voice. "We're going to be greedy and save this for the six of us after everyone leaves."
Sarah snorted and moved closer to Kolyat. "I like how she thinks."
Flashing her teeth again, Ami turned and motioned over her shoulder. "Don't be shy, come on in. Lukas is around here somewhere."
Kolyat glanced around, instinctively slipping his hand around Shepard's waist as they moved inside, passing people already staring at her with recognition. Looking around, Kolyat noticed a few coworkers - people he'd seen from his division but never spoke to yet – and others he'd never seen at all. Women stood in a small batch towards the large, open kitchen in the back. The whole lower floor was one giant room, and a single staircase lead to another floor by the left wall - all made of brick - exposing a ledge with glass windows looking out over the downstairs. Behind him, he heard Taran and Mira purr in appreciation.
"Your home is very spacious," Mira spoke up, pulling Ami's attention back towards them.
"We got lucky. Lukas lived here first. The epitome of a bachelor pad. In case the pool table, dart board, poker area, and bar didn't give it away - and all the brown tones."
Kolyat glanced down at the rich hardwood floors and then at the black and brown furniture. He knew he was guilty of black furniture at his apartment, too. "Maybe he's just waiting for you to redecorate."
"Oh, it's happening," Ami agreed. "He just doesn't know it yet. There's no way I'm going to raise children with so much glass around."
"Are you expecting, or planning on it?" Mira raised her voice in excitement taking a step forward, eyes shining in eagerness.
Kolyat looked away to hide his smile, knowing how vocal Mira could get. Sarah's fingers curled around his, squeezing his hand gently just as he located Lukas on the far side of the room. He was stooped over a pool table with a group of people, starting to line up a shot. Sarah moved into his side, turning his face towards her, he kissed the top of her head, their attention going back towards their friends.
Taran hissed quietly and wrapped his hand around Mira's, pulling her back towards him. "Meha, we do not wish to make Ami uncomfortable with personal questions."
Mira covered her lips with her fingers and purred in apology, frills expanded in shame. "Forgive me. That was unbecoming."
Kolyat shook his head and purred in order to ease them, knowing that Lukas wasn't the type to get offended easily, and what Lukas told him about Ami, she wasn't either. As if on cue Ami burst out laughing, several people from nearby glanced at them in curiosity, but she paid them no mind.
"Please, don't worry about any of that. Ask away to your hearts content." Ami smiled at Mira in warmth. "I'm not pregnant, but I think you just gave me a terrible idea to mess with Lukas later." She glanced around before moving closer to their group. "I just took on a new project next month for an infant clothing line. I think I won't tell Lukas and pretend I'm making it for us." Ami laughed loudly again in glee.
"Oh my God, we are officially going to be friends." Shepard mirrored her delight, chuckling in devilish enjoyment.
"I hope so," Ami agreed. "Lukas makes it clear that he hates the people I've been hanging out with lately, but it's only for work. Besides…." Ami trailed off and grinned, turning back towards Mira. "I heard you're the one who's expecting. Congratulations by the way."
Taran and Mira looked at one another, tenderness shared between them before they both expressed their appreciation and thanks.
"Lukas told me you design clothing," Kolyat joined in, speaking to Ami. "Is that how it works? You finish a line and move onto the next one?"
"Sort of. I get contracts and commissions on completed pieces and designs. Clients will choose me if they like my style or expertise. I work mostly with lace and cotton, but I'm starting to get the hang of silk."
"Did you make that dress?" Shepard asked, admiring her from head to toe.
"It is very lovely," Mira agreed.
Ami gave another dazzling smile and nodded. "I did, thanks. If you're ever interested in seeing my designs, let me know. I'm always looking for commissions."
"Good. I'm always looking for dresses." Shepard sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I'm getting booked for more events than I know what to do with. Unfortunately, I can't go as I'm dressed. Although Udina would have a field day, I'm sure."
"I like how you're dressed." Mira glanced at Sarah, looking over her tight, white, cashmere sweater which ended midriff, low-rise, tight blue jeans, and a pair of simple, black, high heel shoes.
Shepard grinned and looked back at their friends. "I'll let you borrow the outfit anytime you want. Taran might get a kick out of it. If not, I have some more interesting stuff at the house." Her eyes moved towards their silver skinned friend. "Tell me, do you like miniskirts, Taran?"
Taran's frills brightened when he glanced away, a coy smile pulling at his lips, and Kolyat knew the question caught him off guard. "That's up to Mira to decide, but I wouldn't disapprove if she chose to wear one."
Shepard laughed mischief dancing on her expression. "If she wears it, the best part is … she's already pregnant."
Kolyat snickered as the smile fell from Taran's face, blinking at Shepard in disbelief. Mira covered her mouth with her fingers and turned her face away. A habit she often did to try and hide her chuckles, before Taran nudged her playfully causing her laughter to escape unhindered.
"Oh yes," Ami added in. "We are officially going to be friends."
"That's incredible." Ami whistled in disbelief. "And the baby has both parents' genes? Even though they're the same sex?"
"Yes," Mira confirmed, nodding as she took a sip of the fruit smoothie Ami made for her while the rest of them enjoyed the wine Taran brought.
Shepard smiled and raised her glass to her lips, falling deeper against Kolyat's chest, his body turned sideways. One hand rested on the back of the couch to easily accommodate her against the long, perfect, line of his body. Kolyat purred in quiet tenderness and kissed the top of her head, listening to Mira continue speaking. Shepard, too struck silent in astonishment, listened as the drell woman spoke about the fertility clinic and research she did for a living. Genetically engineered birth. Babies that retained the genes of both parents, no matter the sex or species of the individuals involved.
"We've been very successful in cross species reproduction as well. We prefer quarians, of course, to give birth to another quarian. It's safer that way, but if the couple prefers human or turian - depending on the partner - we can arrange an alternate birthing method. Turian and quarian are the easiest couplings because of their dextro compatibility, but we've had several successful turian and human children born as well."
Shepard couldn't believe it. This was the first time Mira really spoke about the details of her work so willingly. "And they're all healthy? No new cross-species adaptation, right?"
"Not at all." Mira shook her head in denial. "Say for instance if you decide to have a child whose father is turian and mother is human, and you decided you wanted a turian child. Without getting technical, we would infuse the genes, personality traits, and characteristics of both parents - like eye color - but use the basic donated 'shell' of a turian embryo. Once the egg is set, we would implant the embryo into you. If it is successful, and your body accepts it, the egg will latch on and pregnancy resumes. The child is undoubtedly the both of you."
Shepard breathed out heavily, trying to process the information just given to her. "I don't know … giving birth to a turian … sounds very painful…."
"I know, right? I was just thinking the same thing!" Ami raised her voice in horror. "Talk about ripping your girl town apart."
Mira covered her lips with the tips of her fingers, it was something Shepard noticed she did when she tried to prevent herself from laughing. "For a turian with a non-turian mother, a cesarean is mandatory. Their plates are still too hard for the mother to birth safely."
"Ah man, now I have something to tease my friends, Tali and Garrus, about next time I speak to them." Shepard smiled and glanced at her omnitool, fighting every urge to pull open the program and start spamming them with all the information.
"Would they be interested in our services?" Mira's eye's brightened in excitement.
Shepard at least knew a few things about Mira now, and one of them was that she really loved her job. "Maybe one day, but right now, they are both doing their thing on different planets."
"Make sure you let them know about us if they are ever interested in starting a family."
"Oh, they are never going to hear the end of it, believe me." Shepard flashed her teeth, imagining all the inappropriate conversations she had lined up for the future.
"So what are the success rates?" Ami asked. Glancing at Lukas, she quirked the corner of her lips up before leaning in closer to Mira, her attention fully captured by the lavender woman. Ami's hand fell upon Lukas' knee, who sat beside her, still silent but glancing at her periodically, as if gauging her reactions to the baby subject matter.
"Cross-species couplings are unpredictable," Mira started up again. "But we monitor both baby and mother closely from conception to birth. It's up to the body to decide whether or not the fetus is accepted, or considered a threat and expelled. We've had success as little as a second or third try and as many as twenty. Some not at all." Pausing, Mira's gaze fell for a brief moment like she was thinking of something before her eyes jumped back up and met Ami's. "It depends on how badly you want it, and what your body is willing to take."
"Or what you can afford, I imagine," Lukas mused, scratching his beard. His words were not sharp but full of stern knowing.
Mira nodded and stayed silent.
"Who cares?" Ami raised her voice in excitement, pulling back all of their attentions towards her. "We can have a quarian baby! No, I want a krogan!" She turned toward Lukas and slapped his knee in playful delight. Her eyes lit up with a sense of mischief. "I can have him throw you around whenever you decide to spill the shakes I make for you down the drain."
"I don't … do that." Lukas glanced away and looked at Kolyat firmly. "Tell her I don't do that. You see me at work with them, right?"
Shepard felt more than heard Kolyat laugh beneath her, a deep rumble of his chest and throat that always caused her insides to tighten in pleasure. She doubted she would ever get tired of hearing the melody of his vocals, basking in the smooth surface of his voice as the sounds washed over her skin. Goosebumps pricked her flesh in need and she forced herself to push down the inappropriate thoughts in the presence of her friends.
"What happened to your poker face, Lukas?" Kolyat teased in return.
Angling herself, Shepard looked up, only to see him grinning at his partner before he looked back at the group. She loved seeing Kolyat so relaxed and able to be himself around people. The lightness in his personality finally became an everyday part of him.
"I knew it." Ami frowned, shaking her head she glared at Lukas, and everyone chuckled. "You're such a little bitch. Can't even drink a healthy shake."
"I drink them," Lukas answered pursing his lips, shrugging he glanced away. "Well … as much as I can stomach, anyway"
"You're such a wuss."
Lukas grinned and intertwined his fingers with Ami's. Pulling them towards his mouth, he kissed the back of her hand. "Keep talking baby, I'm going to make sure you really enjoy it later. You know how revved up I get when you're like this." His lips lingered over her skin, and he gave her one of those devil-may-care looks. Shepard knew those looks well because Kolyat was a master at them, and by the look on Ami's face, Lukas was one and the same.
Heat entered Ami's gaze, a slow, knowing smile forming over the look she gave him, her other hand reached up, and she slipped the tips of her fingers through his hair. "You can't always eat meat and potatoes."
"I don't," Lukas stated in defense. "I had a salad in front of me the other day," he added in, keeping his gaze steady with Ami's. Some kind of push-pull battle of wits happening between them that no one wanted to interfere with.
She stared into his eyes, the light, amused expression never faltering. "Bullshit. The salad was probably in front of Kolyat while you sat there and watched him eat it." Turning to Kolyat, Ami quirked an eyebrow as if challenging him to deny it.
Shepard heard Kolyat chuckle again, a slight hesitation before he answered. "He ate lettuce and tomato that day."
"Yeah, probably with his burger and fries," Ami deadpanned while Lukas laughed.
Kolyat purred with the pitch of thoughtfulness, and Shepard glanced back to see his face. Bending down a little, he nudged Shepard's cheek with his nose in an intimate gesture, one of his arms coming down to circle around her waist as he guided her face back to turn toward the group. Running his lips over her cheek, he stopped at her ear and whispered, "She's really good."
"She knows him." Shepard snickered and nodded, her heartbeat speeding when he kissed behind her ear, forcing her to lose focus as the conversation went on.
"I'm so getting my krogan son to kick your ass into shape." Ami smacked Lukas' cheek, a quick light tap, sending a look to spread across his face like fire.
Excitement flashed in his eyes. "I love it when you talk dirty."
"Make sure you get rid of all the glass," Shepard finally cut in. "I lost a lot of furniture to Grunt in the beginning. Especially when he started going through his puberty stage." Shepard took a sip of her wine, the burst of fruity undertones danced across her tongue, making her lose focus for a second as she enjoyed the taste.
Holy shit that's good. Taran knows wine. She almost moaned from the delightful taste.
"Grunt?" Mira asked. Her head tilted to the side in inquiry.
Shepard grinned and rested her glass down on her knee, adjusting her position, Kolyat shifted behind her, getting ready to accommodate whatever position she wanted to move in. His automatic response to her comfort pulled at her insides. A sense of wonder and excitement accompanied the butterfly feeling that took root in her stomach when she thought about whatever he had planned for her in a few days. Kolyat said he wanted to speak to her and give her something. Shepard just hoped it ended with a new model ship, or her screaming his name in pleasure. Both would suffice. That man was nothing but walking sin. The things his hands and tongue could do to her...
Blinking quickly, Shepard brought her attention back to Mira. Kolyat's fingertips trailed over the top of her hand, a barely audible purr, meant just for her, resonated from his frills. "I hope you're not thinking about Grunt right now."
Damn, he smells my desire for him.
Without answering Kolyat, she stared solely at Mira and Kolyat snorted in response. Shepard knew he wasn't really upset but teasing to let her know he smelt her. "Grunt is my son. A krogan, tank bred."
Everyone turned and stared at her, eyes wide in astonishment. She could see all the unasked questions on their faces.
"I thought that was one of the more elaborate rumors about you," Mira responded, lavender irises flashing in peaked interest.
Taran's gaze also fixated on her, both eye ridges raised.
"This one is actually true," Shepard admitted. Grinning she glanced at the wine glass rested on her knee, fingers playing with the stem as she thought about her time with the young krogan and how much she actually missed him.
"Ami … you know we can't actually do krogans, right?" Mira shook her head. "The genophage makes it impossible, not to mention your fragile bodies and the fact that they lay eggs. Salarians, too.
"Of course. I was just messing with Lukas." Ami smiled gently, leaning back on Lukas she reached her hand back to caress his cheek in an intimate manner. She ran her fingers up into his hair, bunching it in her palm as he leaned into her touch. "He's a naughty boy, I like to remind him who's actually in charge, every once in a while."
Ami turned her face and grinned up at Lukas who succumbed to her silent urging and kissed her. Pulling away, they shared a quiet pause, their gazes locking in a moment completely made up of their emotion for one another.
Shepard looked back at Mira, whose expression now reflected care, a connection they were all starting to feel for one another. Placing her fingers over her lips, the drell subtly covered her mouth and turned towards Taran discreetly. "I really like them," she spoke on the verge of a whisper.
Shepard just barely made out her words, but a happy hum from Kolyat alerted her that he heard Mira, too. "What about human-drell couples?" Shepard blurted. The question tumbled out of her mouth before she had the common sense not to ask in front of everyone.
The whole group stopped and looked at her. Full attention focused solely on her. She could've sworn she felt Kolyat stop breathing, and Shepard pretended she didn't see Taran glance between them and smirk before looking away.
Mira blinked, expressionless for a moment, before a soft smile turned the corners of her mouth up. Her face looked soft and serene. "We have, actually. Just once … and it was successful after a second attempt. A drell male was born, and he was extremely healthy."
Shepard fell silent, not sure how she wanted to process the information just given, too many thoughts now swirling around in her head. Her relationship with Thane and what could've been if she'd known. Her relationship with Kolyat and how it possibly would've changed everything if she decided to have a child with Thane. How her relationship with Kolyat wouldn't of existed if that was the result, or would've been different if he wanted to be a part of the child's future. She cared about Kolyat deeply now and couldn't even picture a scenario where she didn't love him.
Wait … did Kolyat even want children?
They had never once discussed their future yet, only living in the moment….
I love him … we need to start discussing these things … I need to tell him how I feel.
"Yo, Graham!" someone called from the other end of the apartment, a lingering batch of people still remaining as the party began to dwindle down.
They all looked over to the source of the intruding voice, a human man from definite Spanish descent walked over towards them. "You finally ready to get me paid, amigo?"
Lukas chuckled and looked around as if assessing who was left in the apartment. "Are the rest of you in?"
The man nodded and reached out his hand towards Kolyat. "I don't think Graham introduced us, but I know you. His new partner, Kolyat Krios. I'm Cesar Martinez from Fourth Division."
"Nice to meet you," Kolyat answered, adjusting Shepard slightly he reached his hand out to shake Cesar's hand.
The man was stocky, probably only a little taller than her, a round race with stubble lining his chin, almond shaped eyes, and a bald head. He smiled and took Kolyat's hand, shaking it before turning his dark, brown eyes on Mira and Taran. "Are you going to join in, too?"
"Join in?" Taran blinked slowly looking over toward Shepard and Lukas as if in silent question.
"Poker," Kolyat answered. "Lukas is going to teach me to play."
"Or lose all your money," Sarah added in.
Cesar gave her a slow smile and nodded. "First time? We'll go easy on you."
Shepard knew he was lying, but she would let Kolyat experience that on his own. Moving herself forward, she gave Kolyat enough room to get up and join them. He asked Taran and Mira if they wanted to come, but the both of them just shook their heads and said they wanted to remain with Ami and Shepard.
Turning one last time, Kolyat bent down and kissed the top of the head, his fingers curling below her chin, angling her face up to look at him. "I'll be back in a little bit. Wish me luck."
"Good luck." She made it sound like a warning, already knowing poker was one of Lukas' favorite pastimes, and by the way Cesar was looking at Kolyat like fresh meat, it was Cesar's thing, too.
Yeah … Kolyat's about to lose all his money.
Kolyat was definitely not lucky. Two hundred credits down, he already felt the sting of defeat as Lukas and Cesar cleaned everyone out of all their money. He tried his best to grasp the concept of the game, and it was simple enough, with no real skill involved other than guessing who held which cards and luck. Placing his hand down on the table, Kolyat let his head roll back while he groaned and laughed. Another thirty credits lost to Cesar.
"Oh, it's getting ugly now." Lukas sucked his teeth, transferring the credits to Cesar's chit counter.
"What's wrong, ese? You about to cry on me?" Cesar grinned at Lukas from across the table. Shuffling the cards, he started dealing out another hand.
Lukas smirked and picked up his cards, running a quick glance over them before placing them face down on the table. "Not until I make you my bitch."
"Funny, that's what your mom said to me last night."
"Not with that Mexican dick." Lukas scoffed, picking up his beer to take another drink.
"You mean this horse dick, right Aren?" Cesar swung his head to the side, making eye contact with a dark skinned human who narrowed his eyes at him in confusion.
"What the hell you talking about, man?"
"Your mom said-" Cesar continued.
"Yo!" Aren cut him off, both eyebrows raised in warning. "My mom will kick. Your. Ass. Don't make me call her and tell her whatever your about to say."
The smile fell from Cesar's face, and he adjusted himself in his chair before picking up his cards. Lukas hit the table with his hand in delight as all the human's at the table laughed and hollered in amusement. Apparently Aren's mom was Cesar's commanding officer.
"You need to call First Lieutenant Huggins, right now!" Lukas demanded tapping the table with his finger, laughing maniacally.
Aren chuckled and held up his omnitool to taunt Cesar. All of the other people at the table continued to throw jests and insults back at the other, urging Aren to call his mother.
Yep, all the humans are drunk.
Leaning into Zarus beside him - a turian officer from Third Division he met earlier that evening – Kolyat whispered to the only other non-human at the table, "Do they usually get like this?"
"No," Zarus responded shaking his head, mandibles flicking into his version of a smile. "Usually they're much worse."
Kolyat smiled and remained quiet, waiting until the banter slowed down enough for them to continue the game. His gaze fell on Joel across the table from him, who for some reason was not joining in on the group discussions but nursed his liquor instead. Kolyat wondered why Joel was even there. The last time Lukas spoke to him, he still owed Lukas money from the last set of poker games they had, and his attitude towards Kolyat left much to be desired. The human looked pale though, his skin started to sweat, dark circles beneath his eyes, and Kolyat had the instinct to ask if he was well until Cesar cursed loud in frustration, pulling him from his line of thoughts.
Another hand, another loss, but this time it was Lukas slamming his cards down on the table in rowdy enjoyment, jumping from his seat. Throwing his hands in the air in victory, he yelled, "karma's a bitch" towards Cesar.
Royal flush….
Everyone groaned, even Kolyat, while he was relieved of the last of his credits. Three hundred was his limit for one night.
"This is bullshit!" Joel's loud, angry voice broke through all of the laughing and enjoyment.
Lukas sat down after giving Aren and another human at the table – Joseph - high-fives. "Come on, Joel. It's just a game. Have some fun with it."
"You fucking cheated." Joel stood up, slamming his hands down on the table in rage.
Silence fell upon the room, everyone left in the apartment turning their attention towards the human man who now took deep, steady breaths, as if trying to calm himself down. "Five hundred fucking credits."
"Joel, no one told you to put that much in," Aren spoke up matter-of-factly. "You know we all come here to lose to Cesar and Lukas anyway. Sometimes we get lucky, most times, we don't." He laughed with a reluctant ting, most likely trying to ease the mood. "Besides, think of it as paying back the house for the food and company."
Kolyat stayed silent, noticing the way Joel's body swayed, his hands balling into fists upon the green material of the table, sweat forming over his forehead. He heard Zarus trill in warning beside him, knowing he would be the only one to hear the sound as Joel reached behind himself and grabbed his gun. Everyone made gasps of surprise and froze in place as Joel steadied his aim on Aren, eyes blazing in fury.
"Fuck you man," Joel spat.
Aren raised his hands up in surrender, blatant shock widening his eyes. Kolyat watched Joel carefully, despite every instinct to reach for his own gun, forcing himself to keep his hands in sight upon the tabletop. He glanced past Joel to where Taran, Ami, Mira, and Shepard sat. Taran was already pushing Mira quickly behind himself as he rose from his seat, keeping both his wife and Ami shielded. Kolyat didn't miss his scared tremble, though. His gaze met Shepard's briefly, who was sitting upon a stool, her hand reaching down to slip her high heel off one of her feet as she turned toward the other three and held a finger to her lips for silence.
"What the fuck is the matter with you?" Joseph spoke up, Joel's aim moving from Aren to Joseph and then to Lukas.
Joel ran a hand through his hair and formed a fist, tugging on it as his expression filled with so many emotions Kolyat had trouble figuring out which one was prevalent.
"Easy man. Just take it easy. It doesn't have to go this way," Lukas said gently, doing the same thing as Kolyat, keeping his hands open for Joel to see. Slowly rising from his seat, he reached his hands out languidly and kept his palms up in a halting manner. "Just take a breath. Lower the gun. Let's talk about this."
Joel blinked rapidly, his labored breaths picking up speed, expression changing to surprise when he glanced at the gun in his hand, almost as if he didn't realize he had pulled it. "No," he finally said sternly, despair filling his features. "This was bound to happen eventually, right? Someone to finally put you in your fucking place. Might as well be me to do it."
Kolyat blinked in confusion. What the hell was Joel talking about?
Lukas hesitated before answering, "Trust me. I know my place. This is just-"
"You don't know shit!" Joel bellowed, taking a deep breath before tightening his grip on the gun. The movement alarming everyone at the table as Joel adjusted his stance, like he was getting ready for the recoil. "You both sit there, so full of your-fucking-selves. You don't know what's coming - think you're untouchable."
"I don't understand. I've never thought that."
"Yeah you have. Don't try to deny it. You're good at that ass kissing … just like this fucking snake." Joel turned the gun on Kolyat. "Always getting shit handed to you."
Kolyat kept his gaze locked with Joel's now. His whole body humming with the danger of the situation. He watched the human's jaw flex in animosity, and Kolyat moved his hands slightly towards himself, looking for an opening to reach for his gun. A frustrated trill from Zarus beside him made Kolyat think the turian was most likely trying to do the same.
"Hey!" Lukas yelled, bringing Joel's attention back towards him, although the gun stayed focused on Kolyat. "You're angry at me for something. Leave Krios out of this. You're pissed because you're in the hole now, right?" Lukas bent his body towards Kolyat trying to get Joel to take the consideration of a target off of him. "Just take all the winnings tonight, man. Cesar will give it to you. Right, Cesar?"
"Yeah amigo, whatever you need," Cesar answered quickly, his accent thickening while his agitation grew more apparent.
Joel relaxed his stance a little, something like relief washing over him as he released a long, shallow breath.
"If you need more," Lukas pressed, "just ask. We're all friends here, right? You don't have to do this. Think about Beth. Think about the baby. Nothing happened. This never leaves the room."
"You just think you're the fucking savior, don't you? Always the good cop. You can never do any wrong."
Joel was quiet for a long moment, his hands beginning to shake while he glanced down like he was still debating what he wanted to do. Kolyat did his best to keep his eyes from flicking to Sarah, who crouched low and silently approached the human man from behind.
"They'd be better off without me," Joel whispered, his voice and expression empty, the intent crystal clear in his expression, Lukas' own face shutting down in realization.
He's going to shoot….
Shepard was on him just as Joel's finger flexed over the trigger, stopping him from firing the gun. Striking out, she knocked the barrel of his gun towards the ceiling before punching him across the face with her other fist. Releasing a grunt of surprise, Joel sprang back in rage, raising his hand for a swing, but Shepard blocked the hit and grabbed his wrist, landing a palm strike to his nose. Swinging herself around, Shepard locked his arm into place and struck out, a crack resonating in the air, making him drop his gun upon the table, a scream of agony escaping his throat.
Everyone else jumped up, ready to assist, but Shepard yelled that she had it as Joel stumbled forward and blindly turned to take a swing at her. Another jab to his nose left blood pouring down his face, and his head snapped back momentarily while he lost his bearings.
"Stand down," she warned, staring at him calmly.
For a single moment, fear blanketed the human man's face, blinked away a second later and replaced with fathomless rage. He smiled and spit blood at her, the spatters falling over her white sweater, but she didn't flinch, and Joel surged forward as if he was trying to catch her off guard.
Kolyat knew it wouldn't work, seeing first-hand how Shepard was in action.
Kolyat rushed forward to get to Shepard, watching as Cesar tried to grab Joel, only to be dodged and punched square across his jaw. Losing his balance, the bald-headed human hit the poker table hard and fell to the floor in a daze. Lukas came up next, but a hand held up in warning by Shepard had Lukas and Kolyat freezing in their footsteps.
Joel's attention jerked back to Shepard. "Trying to protect your fuck buddy? You must be a good lay since he hasn't moved on yet."
"You have no idea." Shepard smirked. Dodging another fist, she ducked and leaned into her next blow, shoving her elbow into his abdomen.
Joel grunted in pain and doubled over, Kolyat seized that opportunity to grab the human's uninjured hand and twisted it back while he propelled Joel's movement and slammed his face into the poker table. Pushing his body weight upon the human, Kolyat kept him still, even though Joel screamed and tried to fight back.
"Now who's in the fuck boy position?" Shepard laughed and taunted, smiling wider when Joel yelled in a frenzy and tried to struggle again.
"That's not helping." Kolyat frowned at Sarah, applying more pressure on Joel's arm, making him bellow in pain. Lukas came up beside him and began to assist, placing a pair of handcuffs on Joel's wrists, even though one of them was clearly broken.
Shepard shrugged and took a few steps back allowing the others at the table to come in and grab Joel, even Cesar who rubbed his jaw with a deep scowl. Looking towards Taran, Mira and Ami, Shepard went back toward their group to make sure they were okay.
"You're a freaking badass," Ami said, catching Kolyat's attention before he focused on the group of men who tried to agree on what to do with Joel.
After a few minutes of debate, and Joel finally giving up the struggle, everyone decided to take Joel to the hospital and then report him to his superior officer. Kolyat stayed behind, refusing to leave his friends, wanting to make sure the excitement didn't startle Taran or Mira. Ami was clearly not as affected as he thought she would be, more concerned for Mira's wellbeing than her own. Getting her a glass of water, Ami stayed by her side as Taran kneeled before Mira and held her hands, humming at her soothingly. Shepard sat on a bar stool beside them and stayed silent, putting her shoes back on. Their gazes met, and Kolyat's chest tightened as the reality of the situation and how bad things could've gone surfaced in his thoughts.
Kolyat glanced towards Lukas who closed the door behind the last guest as they all left the apartment, his gaze dropping to the floor before he bent down and picked something up. Walking toward him in curiosity, Kolyat wondered if someone had dropped something on the way out and mentally questioned why Lukas wasn't running out to give whatever it was back.
Turning toward him, Lukas waved a tiny, clear, plastic packet towards Kolyat who took the item and held it in the palm of his hand. Humming in disgust, Kolyat shook his head in disappointment. Joel's agitation and heightened emotions finally started to piece together properly, if the item was his. Two glowing, blue pills, easily recognizable, took up residence in the small, clear pouch.
Blue krystal.
Thane stood towards the back of the hangar where it was isolated and dark. Waiting in the shadows, he watched Koji walk off his shuttle, black duffel bag in hand, the tools from whatever mission he returned from. The way he held the bag alerted Thane to the weight of the contents, the muscles of his perfectly tanned arms flexing as he adjusted the bag in his grip, the heavy bulk pulling at the straps.
The docking bay was empty except for a few lingering workers who moved boxes, unloaded pallets, and checked reports. A single soldier waited for Koji on the loading path. He saluted when his commanding officer grew near, handing him a datapad and awaited orders. Koji nodded, reading over whatever he was given, and the officer relaxed and walked away.
Thane studied his human partner carefully, sweeping over every part of his body from head to toe. His spiked, bleach blond hair and the black roots that began to peek through. An oval face, sharp features, both handsome and striking. His deep, brown eyes were intense and never seemed to miss a thing, and his right ear held three, small, gold, hoop earrings. He was well built and muscular, tall and well defined. Attractive … and Thane knew he smelt like a foreign spice mixed with the forest trees of his childhood village.
Koji glanced around discreetly, his eyes scanning the area before they landed on the dark corner Thane positioned himself in. Thane's heart raced as soon as their eyes met, and he had a feeling the human knew the whole time that he was there.
Lowering the datapad, Koji shifted the bag in his hand and walked over towards Thane, pausing to read again when a worker on the far end looked in their direction. When the docking employee moved on, Koji continued silently on his path and slipped into the shadows next to Thane, both moving behind a stack of crates where no one would see them.
Remaining silent, Thane stood up straighter, a nervous flutter spilling through his stomach as Koji moved closer. Linking his hands behind his back, Thane watched his partner lean against the metal boxes beside him, and Koji crossed his hands over his chest.
"Miss me?" Koji smiled coyly,, glancing sideways as if daring him to deny it.
Thane didn't know what to say, whether to give in to Koji's teasing or stay neutral with what he was feeling. Many of the emotions still confused him, wishing more memories would surface and give him an idea. "You could have told me you were leaving," Thane answered flatly, deciding on deflection, doing his best not to sound as disappointed as he felt.
Koji only snorted and looked down, his grin fading into a soft smile, features changing into a childlike innocence that seemed familiar with Thane. "You sound like a scorned lover."
Thane turned his face away to hide his thoughts and felt the human move into his personal space, Koji's scent filling his lungs with the aromas of bark and moist leaves. "You smell as if you were in a forest," Thane mused out loud. Turning his face, he tried to conceal his surprise with Koji's proximity.
His face was leaned in, pushed towards Thane, barely a foot between them as the human ran his gaze slowly up and down Thane. Unknown thoughts swirled through his features before a slow smile lit up Koji's face. "Just admit that you missed me."
Heat spread through Thane's frills, and he blinked both sets of eyelids while he kept his composure. "Koji, I-"
"I missed you … Koiishi," Koji interrupted. The mirth fell from his features as the atmosphere around them turned somber, and he pulled away.
The breath caught in Thane's chest, still unsure what Koiishi meant, but the word sounded familiar and meaningful … almost like a lover's word of endearment. With everything being discovered, lies and uncertainties, was what he spent time dwelling on between them at least real? The pull was hard to ignore.
"I missed you, too," Thane admitted on a whisper of breath. He looked away when he felt his chest tighten, embarrassment making him hope it wasn't a wrong response.
Koji smiled again and nodded as if pleased with Thane's reply. Adjusting his position, he put some distance between them. "So, did anything happen while I was gone? Did you regain any more memories?"
Thane immediately thought about his wife and what he discovered, the revulsion like a rock ripping apart his insides. "A few memories and … I know Mitchiko has been with another recently."
Koji didn't react, his face remaining blank as if he didn't hear Thane, but when Koji looked at him again, Thane realized Koji already knew.
Thane took a deep breath and released it slowly, understanding of the discovery and Koji's lack of response, giving him an odd sense of peace. "How long?"
"Did she admit it to you or … you smelled it on her."
It wasn't a question. It was a stated observation. Koji knew about his sense of smell. He knew about Mitchiko. Knew Thane would find out easily, too. What else did Koji know about him? Of his life? What else was he keeping quiet about?
There's another drell here.
"I smelled it on her skin. Tell me, is there another dre-"
"Tell me you remembered something. Anything at all." Koji cut him off, turning toward him.
Koji's voice seemed desperate and caused Thane pause. Disappointment in himself shadowed his thoughts. Thane felt as if he didn't want to cause Koji any displeasure. After a few moments of silence, he closed his eyes and tried to think back on the small flashes that had come to him over the last few days.
"You had terrible balance when we were young, always pulling me into the river when we trained. You got us lost in the mountains, too … for three days - made it a point not to listen to my directions. You were also scared of my neighbor's cat."
Koji laughed and covered his mouth, as if catching himself from releasing the loud, boisterous sound. "I completely forgot about that. Takeshi hated me, scratched me every time I got near him."
"You hit him with a blunted shuriken," Thane pointed out.
"He shouldn't have jumped in front of us when we were practicing." Koji shrugged but continued to chuckle deeply.
They slipped into silence, and Thane noticed the soft way Koji stared blankly at the floor, but laced his expression with something else. Sadness? Regret? Was he thinking back on the memories of them, too? What else had they experienced together that Thane couldn't recall yet?
"Koji …why are you the only one I seem to feel comfortable with? The only one I feel something for?"
Lifting his gaze, the human studied his face as if trying to find something before asking, "Feel something? I hope it's not bad. You're going to hurt my feelings."
Thane chuckled and looked down, shaking his head in denial. It wasn't bad but peaceful and filled with so much more than he knew how to comprehend. Was it because of their shared childhood? That simple connection to the past? Or was there something more as he was starting to suspect?
"Nero, would you come with me for a sec? I want to tell you something, but not here."
"Of course." Thane dipped his head automatically, waiting for Koji to lead the way to wherever he wanted to take Thane.
Leaving the docking bay, they turned down several hallways. Deserted corridors greeted them everywhere they went, until they reached a door at the end of an alcove. He knew he had been there before, but the pull of the feeling left Thane empty and unable to place the recollection.
Opening the door, Koji moved to the side and let him pass. Taking a few steps in, he glanced around to the left and scanned the area. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary. A simple storage unit, supplies and rows of boxes piled floor to ceiling upon shelves. Why did Koji bring him there? What did Koji need to tell him?
He felt his partner come up behind him, heard the duffel bag hit the floor, caught the weight of Koji's footsteps as Thane turned ready to ask him why he'd been brought there … but Koji's hand on his shoulder, spinning him around, halted any and all other thought.
Thane's back hit the metal paneling, the cold surface pressing into his back. His muscles tightened on reflex while his brain churned with all the ways he'd be able to disarm the man or strike back if needed. He forced himself to relax, blinking rapidly to chase away his instincts, Koji's intense gaze freezing him in place.
"What-?" Thane started to ask, but before the words could leave his lips, Koji's warm mouth covered his, tongue sliding past his lips.
Sarah woke him in the middle of the night cycle, her heavy breaths and groans stirred him from deep sleep as her distress grew in intensity. She jumped up in alarm when he ran his fingers through her hair, trying to console her. He wished he could ward off whatever pulled her into her torment. Nightmares he'd never be able to reach her in. He just hoped they weren't of him like she confessed several times before.
She blinked at him in wide-eyed horror, green irises slowly clearing into wakefulness. Kolyat did his best to untangle her from the bedsheets, guiding her against his chest to give her some time to sort through the cobwebs of reality and dreams. He wouldn't ask, he knew better. When, or if, she was ready to share, then he would take her burden. This time though, her desperation won over.
He didn't say anything as she pushed against him, her hands ushering him down. Her kisses were frantic on his skin, shooting fire to his soul. He cupped her face in his palms, doing his best to wipe away the tears of her fading despair as she moved against him.
Kolyat let Shepard do as she pleased, allowing her to take control. Trailing down his body, she tasted him, causing his blood to boil. Her touches and the heat of her mouth kept him enthralled until he finished on her tongue. He pulled her up to him then, mouth crashing over hers, tasting himself on her swollen lips. He slipped the white tank top over her head, her underwear down her legs. He tried to guide her back, more than willing to push her to the brink, but instead she firmly held her knees to his waist, her demand, guiding him once more to his back.
The look in her eyes when she stared down at him, legs straddled his waist, lost to the throes of passion, made him almost forget himself. He wanted to ask for claim right then and there. He knew he was completely lost in her … and the raw emotion so profound on her features made him believe….
She was lost in him just the same.
Tu'fira.
The moment was theirs.
Kolyat pulled himself from his thoughts. His attention drowned in the reddish liquid of his tea, before his eyes wandered back over to Lukas across the table from him. Picking up a french fry, Lukas swirled it around in a bowl of sauce he had put together for himself at the table, mayonnaise and ketchup, before shoving them into his mouth, eyes focused on the datapad in front of him.
"I think Ami is going to murder you one day," Kolyat said, Lukas' concentration shifting towards him, instead of the reports. Kolyat could see the strain around the human man's eyes, his forehead creasing with what he knew to be frustration while Lukas tried to assess the information before him.
Someone he knew tried to kill him. It would weigh heavily on anyone's thoughts.
Shifting his gaze between his fries and Kolyat, Lukas smirked before shoving another piece into his mouth. "It'll be worth it. You sure you don't want to try one?"
"No." Kolyat wrinkled his nose and shook his head while he grabbed his own fork and took a bite of his seaweed salad and grilled salmon. "I like my arteries clear, thank you."
Laughing loudly, Lukas made a show of slathering another piece of fried food in the sauce before shoving it into his mouth and moaned in joy. Completely ignoring the people who started to stare at the next table over, Lukas made sure the next lament was loud and elaborate before he chuckled.
Kolyat grinned as he made eye contact with the people behind Lukas. "Sorry, he doesn't know how to behave."
The couples around them turned back to their conversations, and they both took their time finishing their food. Eventually Lukas sighed after he read the report and pushed it away, across the table for Kolyat to take. Kolyat could tell by the look on his partner's face that the news was not good.
"What did toxicology say?"
"What do you think they said?" Lukas returned, picking up another fry and continued to eat, gaze falling onto his food.
Kolyat sighed and glanced around Forbidden Fruit, the memories of the day before danced around on the tip of his tongue, threatening to break free. "How long was he using for?"
"Not long." Lukas grimaced. "A few months at the very most. Last night's count was dangerously high, though. Mixed with the alcohol … he was a bomb waiting to happen."
Kolyat nodded as he listened, remembering how Joel had erupted into quick violence. His normal, calm disposition broke as the night wore on. What would make him use though, and out of all the drugs, why blue krystal?
"He doesn't seem like the type," Kolyat mused, dropping his attention into the dark reddish liquid of his tea, wondering what led Joel towards that kind of choice and risk.
"Yeah, it surprised me, too. He's lucky it didn't kill him." Lukas scratched his beard as his eyes shifted around the café. Lukas' shoulders fell while he released an exasperated huff of air, and Kolyat assessed the disappointment clear in his expression. "He has a gambling problem. In case you haven't already figured that out."
"So … what? Are you trying to connect the two somehow? Gambling influenced his drug use?"
Lukas shook his head and took a sip from his coffee cup. Different thoughts falling over his features which Kolyat couldn't discern from while Lukas turned the idea over in his head. Eventually, he ran a hand through his hair and leaned back in the chair. "I don't know. Maybe. I just … you saw his face at the end, didn't you? That wasn't a heat of the moment loss of control. That was a conscientious decision to kill me after he realized what he was doing."
Kolyat nodded in solemn contemplation, wondering what could go through someone's head when they made a decision to hurt people they cared about. "What if…." Kolyat started, his father and childhood rushing to the forefront of his mind. "What if he didn't have a choice?"
"Like he was forced to use? Forced to gamble?" Lukas answered dismissively, his nose wrinkling in disgust. "No one forces you to make decisions like that. There's always an alternative. Ways to get help. How the fuck could he do that to Beth, you know?" He shook his head, picking up another fry he dipped it into his sauce and let it hang in his grasp. "What the fuck did I do to him? I was at his wedding for Christ's sake. I knew he could be an asshole at times but … I just don't understand."
Lukas was distracted while he continued to eat, and Kolyat sat in silence, allowing him some time to sort through his emotions and thoughts. Betrayal was never easy. Even as they sat there, Joel was already in the process of losing his badge, suspended without pay until further notice.
Lukas' omnitool suddenly beeped. "It's HQ," the human said quickly, dropping his food and opening the channel for the both of them to hear. The dispatcher alerted them to a crime scene they were getting routed to.
Lukas and Kolyat were the first detectives to arrive at the scene. Small patches of officers stood outside the warehouse in a semicircle, most likely discussing how they wanted to approach the building. Getting out of the car, Kolyat stayed right at Lukas' side taking everything in, waiting for any instruction or guidance his partner would give – never experiencing this scenario yet.
His first hostage call.
"What's the situation?" Lukas asked the circle of turian and human officers who all glanced towards them.
The small gathered crowd adjusted their positions as Lukas spoke, standing up taller as their eyes ran over Lukas and Kolyat's badges hanging around their necks. Were they the commanding officers on scene?
"One hostage, a human child," a turian officer said. Holding up his omnitool he glanced through the data on the screen before looking back at them. "Marissa Jordan, reported missing at 1300 yesterday. Father, James Jordan, came home from work to relieve the nanny, but both of them were missing and she wouldn't return his calls."
"Where's the nanny? Has she been found?" Kolyat asked.
"We are still trying to find her, sir."
"Any ID on the perpetrator?" Lukas added the next question in.
The turian officer hit another button and pulled up more information on his omnitool. "He's been identified as Samuel Hodges, thirty-five years of age. Human male, light skin, approximately one hundred and eighty pounds, five-foot-seven. Black hair. He's armed with a pistol."
"And I take it he wants money and a safe way out of here?" Lukas sighed, placing his hands on his hips while he glanced towards the warehouse.
"They always do, sir," the turian officer responded. Closing his omnitool he kept a straight face and waited for orders.
Kolyat stared at the ground while he processed the information. The scenario sat strangely in the pit of his stomach, a quick sense of dread before he pushed it away. Shouldn't there be two hostages if money was the goal … unless the nanny was involved? Or maybe she was dead?
"You got something?" Lukas asked, looking towards him in curiosity.
"The nanny…." Kolyat started, looking toward the officers. "The nanny is involved, unless he killed her. Check to see if there's any relation between Hodges and the caregiver. Maybe she passed the child off to Hodges. Check the transport data, it's been…" Kolyat checked his omnitool for the time. "... twenty-five hours since she's been reported missing – longer if she was taken as soon as her father went to work. That's plenty of time to pack and flee."
"Marion Moore. We got a warrant to enter her apartment, but no one was home," a human officer spoke up this time.
"Did you check if her clothes were there?" Lukas' question came out sharp and disapproving. The officers glanced at each other, and they both already knew the answer.
Lukas shook his head. "Call it in. Check the apartment again. Check the travel logs."
"Call for backup - get snipers ready," Kolyat added absently, the memory of Tallid's scenario threatened to break free.
I'm walking out of here, he's coming with me.
They'll have snipers outside.
Lukas glanced at him in approval before saying, "You have your orders. Kolyat and I will see if we can negotiate in the meantime – make sure his demands are clear."
Lukas was someone Kolyat could definitely look up to and learn from. Within fifteen minutes, the human not only talked Hodges down but had him agreeing to release Marissa into their custody, as long as they agreed to follow up on his terms; a full pardon for his aunt, Marion Moore, who was involved and sitting in the transport station like Kolyat figured, and assistance to his family in the lower wards, who were on the verge of starvation.
Surprisingly, Lukas even encouraged Kolyat to interact with Hodges. Both laying down their visible weapons and spoke to him like he was a longtime friend. At one point, Hodges even asked 'what the fuck kind of species is he?' to which Lukas joked, telling Hodges not to take Kolyat to any parties because he would end up stealing all the women.
All in all, the situation was going better than Kolyat could ever hope. Lukas talked circles around the perpetrator and got him to agree to almost everything that was thrown at him. Marissa, of course, was terrified. A long-haired girl with the color Sarah had described on another as strawberry blond. Her gray eyes were wide and pleading, tears streamed down her face as the man continued to press his pistol to her neck. He pushed her forward, keeping himself out of sight.
Eventually Hodges let her go, and it was Kolyat who the girl immediately ran to in terror and relief. Bending down Kolyat hugged her to him, her hands grasping around his waist tightly as she buried her face into his stomach.
"See, he always gets the chicks." Lukas snorted, tilting his chin to indicate for Kolyat to take Marissa away.
A slammed door above them brought all of their attentions to the catwalk. Kolyat felt as if time froze. His gaze switched to Hodges, who peeked out from behind his hiding spot, eyes above them. Hodges face changed as officers unexpectedly swarmed in on the walkway. The human man swung towards Kolyat and raised his gun without hesitation, the look of hatred and betrayal on Hodge's expression alerting Kolyat to the worst case scenario.
Kolyat was surprised too, but he had no time to question.
Dislodging Marissa from himself, he pushed her with all of his strength, until she went flying backwards, skidding across the ground away from him. He heard her scream in surprise and fear. Her body hit the floor, and shots rang out loud and clear. It took a moment for Kolyat to register everything. Something hard hit his chest and pushed him backwards, stumbling a few steps. Heat exploded like the fires of hell in his gullet. Pain he never experienced before as lighting strikes ripped through him, left him dazed and confused … and suddenly, he couldn't breathe. White seared his vision.
More shots erupted behind him, but whatever hit him, sent him crashing to the floor. The agony was surreal, and he blinked several times to try and fight through the pain and catch his bearings as his thoughts fled him. He tried to take a deep breath, his chest burning with the desperation to find air, a powerful, moist cough escaped his throat, and he started to choke, his windpipe seizing, no longer willing to work.
Lukas appeared above him, shouting something he couldn't understand because his heartbeat pounded within his ears and panic flooded his mind while he struggled for breath. His partner jumped on him, hands pushing down on his chest, more pain causing tears to spring from his eyes, body starting to tremble and spasm in retaliation … and he dared look down. Lukas' hands pressed into Kolyat's upper chest, blood flowing over his fingers, and Kolyat had the distinct feeling of his body turning cold.
Kolyat felt all the hope of tomorrow leave him.
He was dying. There was no doubt about it.
Nothing but darkness sweeping over him.
