Author's Note: Let me start by thanking Jules Hawk, Elissa Theirin, gogogeisha, spacecats, Vorcha Girl, and the guest for commenting on the last chapter. I appreciate your forgiveness and can't tell you how much I love hearing your thoughts.

Small disclaimer: This is the chapter that earned this story the M rating. Well, this chapter and Shepard's vulgar mouth. I don't think it's too smutty, but if you're sensitive, consider yourself warned.

With all that said... Enjoy! - TLC


Chapter Twenty-Nine

Kaidan and Shepard entered Flux and were immediately battered by the flashing lights and pounding bass. Shepard looked to Kaidan as he winced. She knew he tried to avoid places like this because of his migraines so she gave him a sympathetic smile. They both turned their attention to the club, searching out the Captain. After a moment, they spotted him at a table in a dark corner of the room. His rich, chocolate complexion assisted in camouflaging him in the shadows. Kaidan was a step behind Shepard as they approached his table.

Anderson stood to greet them, coming out a few steps and embracing the Commander. Kaidan was still standing off to the side, and he looked away from the pair, allowing them their moment. She pulled away from Anderson, and he took her face in his hands and tilted her head. He ran his fingers along the healing scar above her ear and winced. "You alright?" He asked her and she promised she was. "Sit. Drink with me," He ordered and Shepard sat across from him as Anderson returned to his chair.

It was then that Anderson's gaze fell on Kaidan, and he looked to Shepard and nodded towards Kaidan in question. Kaidan felt a rush of embarrassment at the intrusion, but it evaporated when Shepard turned and looked at him with a smile. "The last time I spent any real amount of time on the Citadel, I was shot at more than once," She pushed back the chair next to her and gestured for Kaidan to join them. He did, and he stretched his hand across the table to Anderson, who shook it, as Shepard continued, "I brought Kai-ah-Alenko with me as back-up, just in case."

Anderson raised an eyebrow at her stutter, but made no comment. "Were you her back up when that happened?" He asked gesturing with his beer bottle towards the scar he had noticed when she had hugged him before taking a drink. Kaidan sat back in his seat and, without thinking about appearances, stretched his arm out along the back of her chair and crossed his legs, ankle to knee, as Shepard leaned forward over her arms on the table.

"No, Sir, I wasn't," He answered, glancing quickly at Shepard who was picking at a hangnail, and failing to hide a smirk, "If I had been there, it wouldn't have happened." Kaidan was still watching Shepard when she looked up and met his eyes. The lights of the club bounced off her face and reflected in her stare, but it didn't mask the surprise there. He smirked at her and raised an eyebrow. Anderson cleared his throat and they looked back to him as he lifted his hand to signal the waitress to bring a round of drinks for the table.

"Well," Anderson started again as he thanked the Asari waitress who left the bottles and glasses of water on the table, "I'm glad you had the time to meet me. I heard what happened." Shepard sighed and took a long pull from her beer as Kaidan leaned forward to take his. At the last second, he chose to take the water instead of the beer and looked to Anderson as he drank some. Anderson's face was gave nothing away, but his eyes smiled at him.

Shepard spoke, and their attention turned back to her, "Well, I've got quite a bit of free time since we were pulled off the mission. It's just like when they forced you to give up the Normandy."

Anderson shook his head, "I know. I'm sorry. I wanted to warn you, but there was no way to get a message to you before you docked." Anderson paused, a frustrated silence fell over the table as he took a long drink of his beverage. He let out a deep sigh, and gestured to her head again asking what had happened. She went over the Luna mission with him, filling in the parts she didn't remember with the information she'd received from Kaidan. Kaidan watched as she spoke, the light of the club making the shadows dance across her face. More than once, he noticed Anderson watching him as he watched Shepard, and each time he would shift in his seat like a child who was caught passing a note in class.

She asked Anderson how he had been since they had last seen each other. He'd explained that he had gotten more use out of his apartment here on the Citadel than he had since he'd bought it. Shepard grinned momentarily, then her face fell. "You weren't given any assignments?" She asked him, her features pinched in disbelief. Anderson is one of the most respected Captains in the Alliance, it was a shock they had allowed him to sit idle for so long.

"No," He answered simply as he signaled the waitress for another round. "The mission to Eden Prime was seen as a failure on my part, so I was assigned to desk duty until everything with Saren was sorted out," He admitted, his eyes jumping to Kaidan. It seemed as if Anderson regretted the admission as soon as he spoke it, and Kaidan averted his eyes as a sign of respect that Anderson appreciated. There was an awkward silence on the table for a moment, then Anderson turned to Kaidan, "Alenko, your father served, is that right?" Kaidan was startled by the question, and felt himself flush slightly when Shepard looked at him over her shoulder.

"Ah, yes, Sir," Kaidan confirmed, taking a sip of his water. He was surprised that Anderson knew about his family's military history. His father's service record remained below the radar, though, he did reach the rank of Major shortly before he retired. "He did, but he retired before First Contact," He explained leaning forward and setting his glass back on the table.

"I thought your last name was familiar. He was stationed at the base where I went for Basic. I worked with him in the tech labs my first year. How is he doing?" Anderson asked, looking to the waitress to thank her as she dropped off the drinks before turning his eyes back to Kaidan.

"He's well, thank you," Kaidan said, surprised to hear his father had worked with Anderson. Though, it would have been before Anderson had made the name for himself. He was not surprised to hear his father had worked in tech training. He had taught Kaidan everything he knew. Anderson asked about his mother, "They're both great. Enjoying retirement in Vancouver."

"How long has it been since you've seen them?" Anderson asked, Shepard leaned back in her seat, her eyes glued to her beer bottle as she picked at the label. The idle chatter around her was grating on her nerves. Kaidan could see the irritation in the tension in her shoulders and back. He answered that it had been over nine months, the guilt rang new when he thought of Mrs. Williams. "That's quite a long time," Anderson commented in passing and Kaidan had to wonder where he was going with this as Shepard sighed.

"I uh," He glanced at Shepard out of the corner of his eye as he continued. He realized he hadn't told her yet, "I'm heading home to visit once we're officially on leave." Shepard's eyes shot to him, and narrowed momentarily before turning back to her drink before she took another long pull. Anderson bit back a smirk and nodded.

"I bet they'll appreciate the visit," Anderson stated simply and Shepard sighed bringing their attention to her.

"Why are we talking about this?" She snapped, and Anderson lifted his eyebrows at her. "We're talking about the past and our plans for the next few weeks, while Saren is out there plotting the end of everything! Is this seriously why you called me here? To chat? Damn it, Anderson, I was hoping you had a plan to get us off this Godforsaken shithole station!"

Anderson sighed, "Look, I know you're pissed off right now, and I wish there was something I could do, but my hands are tied just as much as yours are. They all think this is over, but we both know it's not. I know you have to go to Ilos. I know you have to stop Saren from using the Conduit. I just don't know how," His tone was impassioned but they were out of options.

Kaidan spoke up, "We all know there's only one ship that can get her into the Terminus Systems undetected, and she's grounded." Anderson let out a deep sigh and leaned back in his seat, scrubbing his hands over his face. Shepard stayed quiet, taking another drink from her beer. Kaidan let out a chuckle, "It's a shame we can't just steal the Normandy."

He had meant it as a joke, but Shepard and Anderson perked up at the offhand comment, a look of mischief passing simultaneously over their faces. Anderson spoke up, "Citadel control's locked out all the Normandy's systems, but if we can override the Ambassadors orders, we can get them to bring the Normandy back on-line. You can be in the Terminus Systems before anyone even knows you're gone."

Shepard shook her head, "If we steal the Normandy, you're the one left holding the bag."

"And if Saren finds the Conduit, life as we know it is over. The Reapers will destroy us; Humans, Asari, everybody! You're the only one who can stop him, Shepard. So, I'll do whatever it takes to get you on the Normandy, and off this station," Anderson argued as he opened his omni-tool to pay his tab.

Shepard sighed and looked to Kaidan quickly. He couldn't believe they were taking this so seriously. Her voice was quiet, almost timid as she asked him, "Stealing the Normandy is mutiny. What if the crew won't help me?"

"They will," Kaidan answered simply and Shepard's eyes lit up at his affirmation.

"The Normandy's your ship now. Her crew will follow you to the ends of the galaxy," Anderson added and Shepard and Kaidan turned to look at him again.

Kaidan shook his head as he realized this wasn't just speculation. His eyes moved between Anderson and Shepard, "Wait, we're really going to do this? How?"

They were silent for another moment as they considered their next move, "I can unlock the Normandy from one of the consoles in the Citadel control center. You'll have a few minutes before anyone realizes what's happened."

Kaidan was shaking his head before Anderson finished, "That is a restricted area patrolled by armed guards. How are you going to get in?"

The Captain waved him off, "Leave that to me. Just make sure you're in the Normandy when the systems come back on-line."

Shepard shook her head, "No, you're going to get yourself killed. There has to be another way."

Anderson sighed, his lips pressed in a tight line, "Well, Ambassador Udina issued the lockdown order. If I can hack into the computer in his office, maybe I can override it."

Kaidan couldn't believe they were entertaining this line of thought, "He's not going to let you waltz into his office and use his computer."

"Hopefully, he won't be there. If he is, I'll just have to think of something," Anderson said without a second thought, his eyes lit up at the chance of a confrontation with the mousey Ambassador.

Shepard seemed to take pause, she reached out and placed her hand on Anderson's forearm. His words caught in his throat and he looked to her. "David, Udina won't let this slide. If you're caught, and this doesn't work, you'll be charged with treason, a capital offense."

"Sloan," He covered her hand with his, his tone slightly condescending, "we don't have a lot of options. Either I hack into the Ambassador's computer, or I take my chances with the patrols in Citadel control. Either way, I'm getting you off this station," He promised and she sighed. She looked up to Kaidan, who said nothing. He hoped she knew he would support any decision she made. Honestly, he hadn't thought, when he made the joking suggestion that it would be taken so seriously. Though, considering his company, maybe he shouldn't be so surprised.

After a long moment, she pulled her hand away and crossed her arms over her chest as she answered him, "You'll have a better chance if you go after the Ambassador's computer."

Anderson's face split into a grin, "I was hoping you'd say that. The Ambassador has made this personal. You ready to get off this station, Commander?" He asked as he stood. Shepard's shoulders lifted and fell with a deep sigh before she agreed. She and Kaidan stood to follow Anderson from the club. "I'll take care of the lockdown. You get to the Normandy and tell Joker to stand by."

Shepard paused outside the club and threw her arms around Anderson's neck. "Good luck," She whispered softly.

"Godspeed, Sloan," He answered her as he returned the hug. He locked eyes with Kaidan over her head. No words were needed. Kaidan knew what he was saying: Keep her safe. Kaidan nodded slightly, and Shepard pulled away and looked to him.

"Let's go," She said before taking off at a jog with Kaidan hot on her heels. As they made their way back across the station, the adrenaline started pumping through their veins. They were about to steal the Normandy and take off across the galaxy. Shepard pulled up her omni-tool and fired off a quick message to the crew. It simply stated that they were leaving the station to head through the Mu Relay, and that if they didn't want to be left behind, they needed to be on the Normandy in five minutes.

By the time they reached the Normandy's airlock, they were breathless. Kaidan looked to Shepard and grinned. She laughed softly, her chest rising and falling as she beamed at him. Her eyes were bright with excitement. She had never looked more beautiful, he wanted to tell her but the doors opened before he could. Their attention was pulled to the CIC which was buzzing with activity. Kaidan and Shepard went to the cockpit. Kaidan slid into the co-pilot's chair and Shepard came to a stop behind Joker. "Uh, Commander, we're still locked down. I can't get us out of here," He declared.

Kaidan looked to Shepard and she chuckled, "Give it a moment." She insisted. They stared at the controls, waiting for them to turn green. With each moment that passed, the tension increased tenfold and Shepard's eyes reflected the growing concern she had for her mentor. Just as she was about the call it off, thinking something had happened, the light turned green and Kaidan's heart leapt to his throat as Joker's hands started to fly over the controls. Gravity shifted as the ship pulled away from the station. "Get us out of here, Joker. Now!" She ordered and turned to pound away from the Bridge to the Galaxy Map.

Joker looked to Kaidan, grinning and Kaidan laughed. It was intoxicating. The rush of adrenaline, breaking the rules in order to keep the oaths they had made when they joined the Alliance. Shepard's voice rang out overhead, ordering the crew to assemble in the CIC. Kaidan stood, clapping Joker on the shoulder as he passed and went to the CIC. He leaned against the wall just behind the Galaxy Map and crossed his arms over his chest as he watched Shepard plot out the route to the Mu Relay. The doors at the stairwells opened and the crew, twenty-five souls total – aliens included, filed in filling in the area between Shepard and Kaidan.

After a moment, Shepard turned around. Her eyes met Kaidan's and she grinned before she started, "I made a promise to you. I promised I would not rest until Saren paid for the deaths of Williams and Jenkins. Today, the Council and our Ambassador grounded us. They took away my ability to keep my promise. So, I stole the Normandy. I did. No one else. I am not ordering any of you to come with me. If you do not want to come, there would be no hard feelings. Speak now, and I will drop you at the nearest colony," Shepard's eyes roamed over the group and she waited. Kaidan scanned the crew. The excitement he felt was echoed in those around him. No one spoke up. "Understand, what we're … what I've done is illegal and if this doesn't work…" She paused, and her eyes dropped momentarily. "This is mutiny, yes, but this is not kidnapping. Regardless of the outcome, there will be no claims of being forced to come with me after this is over, this is your chance," She paused and gave them another moment. Kaidan's heart was racing. She nodded, "We will hit the Mu Relay in T-20 hours. Be ready."

One by one, they stood in the CIC, and saluted their Commanding Officer. They'd all follow her, anywhere. Kaidan knew he would follow her. Hell, he'd follow her to hades and back if she asked; even if she didn't. He had watched her face as he saluted. She was moved by the crew's gesture, and when her eyes locked on his he'd offered her a small smile. She returned the collective salute and dismissed the crew without breaking their gaze. He made a move to walk over to her when he was interrupted by Tali who asked him to help her with the computers down in Engineering. When he looked to Shepard again, her back was to him and she was focusing on the galaxy map conversing with Joker over the comm to set the course.

By the time he'd finished helping Tali, Shepard had retreated to her cabin. That was hours ago and there was a quiet tension throughout every corner of the ship. Everyone knew it would all be over in a matter of days; one way or another. Now that the heated rush was over, the anxiety set in. He considered their chances, it was a risky mission, going up against Saren and his geth army. For all they knew, Saren was already at Ilos, he already had the Conduit and was waiting for his opportunity. As much as they wanted to believe they would succeed, they could be walking into an ambush. There was a decent chance they would fail. Failure would most likely mean death. His jaw clenched as he forced the dark thoughts from his mind and focused on his task. He was in the cargo bay near, but not using, Ashley's station as he repaired a rifle damaged in the last fight. He gave up momentarily, sighing and forcing his hands through his hair and down to the back of his neck. He stared at the rifle as he leaned back in his seat. After a moment he glanced up towards the ceiling, towards Shepard.

Garrus made a soft coughing noise, which sounded odd in his two-toned voice. Kaidan had to wonder if Turians cleared their throats to get someone's attention or if that was a habit Garrus had picked up working with humans. "Something on your mind?" Kaidan asked as Garrus pulled a stool up to the counter and sat. Kaidan moved, dropping his hands and picking up the rifle again.

"Yeah, you humans are a confusing species," Garrus said and Kaidan lifted his eyebrows while he waited for Garrus to continue. "We're heading off to some spirits forsaken planet, chasing a psychotic Spectre, an ancient machine wants to call his brothers to wipe out the galaxy…" Garrus paused, he wasn't telling Kaidan anything he didn't already know. "And your female is upstairs alone?"

Kaidan's surprise at Garrus's statement caught in his throat and stopped his breath. He coughed, "My female?"

"Yeah, Shepard," Garrus answered with the most blunt, honest tone. He sounded surprised Kaidan had questioned his statement. While Kaidan started to argue, Garrus raised his hand. "I'm not going to pretend to understand human mating rituals," Garrus answered, and Kaidan muttered a soft thanks to god as Garrus continued, "But the way your pheromones spike when you're together, it's amazing to me you can keep your clothes on." Kaidan didn't reply, just looked up and met Garrus's eyes. He kept his face as passive as he could, trying to hold on to the denial Shepard and he had been living in. Garrus's cold blue gaze was unwavering, and Kaidan sighed looking back down at the table. Out of all the aliens they'd picked up along the way, Garrus was the most versed in human culture. He knew the rules and the consequences. He had become the third part of Shepard's ground team, and a valued friend. If anyone one this ship was entitled to an opinion on Shepard and Kaidan, it was Garrus.

"There is not one soul on this ship that isn't suspicious of something brewing between you and Shepard, even those who can't smell the pheromones," Kaidan felt the heaviness in his chest at his declaration. Garrus continued without pausing, though Kaidan suspected he'd noticed the soft drop of his shoulders. "It was even mentioned after your display at the Virmire debrief; If we thought Shepard had saved you instead of Ash because of it," Kaidan swallowed hard as he thought back to the argument Shepard and he had after the mission. "But no one could argue with the reasoning she presented. She saved the Senior Officer and ensured the bomb was safe to detonate," Garrus sighed, and drummed his fingers on the table. Another human habit he'd picked up? Kaidan let himself wonder, thankful for the momentary distraction. Garrus continued after a minute. "Let me put it this way… if this was a Turian ship," Garrus's voice dropped to a gentle rumble. "and if I felt about someone, CO or not, the way I suspect you feel about Shepard, and we were heading out on this mission…" He tapped a taloned fingertip on the table to accentuate the last two words before pausing and locking eyes with Kaidan, "I wouldn't be sitting here with you."

Kaidan sighed and sat back in his seat glancing up at the ceiling again. "Yeah…" Kaidan said, but he gave no other response. The silence stretched between them, but not uncomfortably.

"Good night, Kaidan," Garrus offered him as he stood to head back over to busy himself with the Mako. He clapped him on the shoulder as he walked passed.

It took just another minute before Kaidan stood and stored his rifle in his locker before going to the elevator. He called a quick good night to the Turian as he pushed the button for the crew deck. He could swear he heard Garrus's low rumbling laughter. Garrus was right, though, Shepard shouldn't have to sit alone and … what was she even doing? He scrubbed a hand over his face as his stomach rolled. This wouldn't be the first time he offered her an ear before a crucial mission. It wouldn't even be the first time he'd gone to her quarters. Though, the last time he went to see her there was the night after Virmire. She'd been so angry with him then and that was before… before the elevator; before their kiss. He closed his eyes as the elevator trudged up to the crew deck.

Was it just a couple hours ago he'd had her pressed up against the wall - his hands roaming her curves and hers tangled in his hair? He opened his eyes and looked to the wall, swallowing hard. He could almost see them. It was as if the ghost of moments past had brought him back here to see the point of no return. So he could relive it now that the opportunity was gone. He'd been right; their shore leave ended as soon as they'd met with Anderson. He shook the thoughts from his head. The mirage dissipated and he was left alone in the elevator again. What a difference a few hours could make.

The elevator doors opened and before he stepped off he glanced to her closed door. The control light was red, indicating it was locked. He paused and as he glanced around the mess he thought about the other nights they'd spent on this ship. The conversations they'd had. He stared at the red light on the door before going to the food counter and making her a cup of tea. He added just the smallest pinch of sugar and honey and let it steep. Worry gnawed at his core. She hadn't left her quarters since the debriefing. He glanced towards the locker and the wrecked metal and thought back to that moment when he'd held her.

He'd liked the way she felt in his arms, soft but strong. She'd fit against him like he'd been made to hold her. Gentle curves pressing against his chest; his hands splayed over her back. The soft hum of their biotic energy as it reacted. He could still feel her hands in his hair, running along his scalp and teasing the sensitive skin around his implant. He coughed to clear his throat as his imagination took over the memory and embellished it. The tea was ready. With the memory of their kiss fresh in his mind, he'd never felt more at ease as he made his way over to her door without hesitation. He raised his omni-tool to ping her and request access when the door's lock flickered to green on its own and the door slid open. He raised an eyebrow and quietly crossed the threshold.

His eyes adjusted to the dim lighting and he found Shepard sitting at her desk. She had changed since the debriefing. She was dressed in grey sweatpants and an Alliance issued tank-top. Her N7 sweatshirt hung on the back of her chair. Her bare feet rested on the seat of the chair with her. One of her arms was wrapped around her legs, holding them against her chest, as her chin rested on her knees. Her other hand scrolled through the information on the terminal in front of her. Her hair was out of its regulation bun; like it had been the first time he saw her. It fell in its soft curl over her shoulders and onto her back. She didn't look like a Commander, like an N7 agent, like a Spectre. She looked like a woman; someone's daughter, someone's sister, someone's friend, someone's lover. She didn't see herself as those things, he knew she couldn't. He did.

He cleared his throat and she started and spun in her chair. He noticed her eyes were red-rimmed and distressed. There was a sharp pain in his gut at the doubt that played on her features. He wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and bury her face in his chest and reassure her; to try to make it okay. He couldn't though – make it okay – there was no way to fix it without running into the storm head on. Maybe he could help her forget for a little while. "Kaidan," She sighed his name as her face relaxed slightly and a gentle shiver slid down his spine. She ran a hand through her hair before scrubbing her hands over her face.

"I brought you some tea," He stated simply, his voice was a gentle rasp as he took another step into the room and set the mug on the table. She thanked him as she stood, her hands went to the hem of the tank and she tugged it, straightening it as she padded silently to the table. His eyes roamed over her as she moved, and he realized how little she was wearing. She lifted the mug and he watched her eyes close as she brought it to her lips and took a long drink. His eyes moved over the room. He noticed the datapads on her desktop and her unmade bed. His heart thudded loudly in the dim, quiet room. He thought maybe she could hear it and he was suddenly aware of the locked door behind him, and the dimmed lights of the sleeping ship beyond that. This was as alone as they could be with a ship full of soldiers. The realization dried his throat. He cleared it, running an anxious hand through his dark hair before he spoke. "Shepard," He started and she looked at him over the rim of the mug. "I wanted you to know, I…" He paused, he wasn't sure what he should say. Her face was blank as she waited for him to finish. A heartbeat passed before he continued, "-believe in you," He spoke softly, like he was speaking to a scared child, as he moved around the table to stand next to her.

"Yeah?" She asked with a cocked eyebrow as she set the mug down and took a step closer to him. "That makes one of us, because I'm not sure what I'm doing is the right thing anymore," she whispered honestly, confirming his suspicion, her voice was soft and broken. He felt the twist in his core that he'd come to associate with her, with being near her when she allowed herself to be vulnerable. He watched as she looked down at her hands and picked at a torn cuticle to avoid looking up at him. He swallowed hard as that familiar fragrance drifted up and teased his senses. Being this close to her, feeling the heat radiating from her, sensing the quiet hum of her dormant biotics, it made him dizzy; she was intoxicating. He reached out and wrapped one hand around both of hers, stilling them. She kept her eyes on their hands.

"Sloan," Her eyes lifted to his when he said her name, "if I didn't think you were doing the right thing, I wouldn't be here," His voice was a whisper as she looked up at him through her eyelashes. With her hands still in one of his, he cupped her cheek. She let herself lean into his touch, and her eyes closed. His thumb gently stroked her cheek.

"But you are here," She said, her eyes opening to meet his as she took a small step closer to him. He tingled as her movement made his hand slip into her hair at the base of her skull. Her soft hair tickled his fingers as his hand passed through the curls. He caught her gaze as she pulled her hands from his. He shivered as her hands trailed lazily up from his abdomen and she rested her palms on his chest. His mind was spinning. He could feel her chilled digits through his fatigues. "Your heart is racing," She stated quietly, and he raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

His hand slid from her hair down to her chest. He felt more than heard her sharp intake of breath as it stilled over her heart. "Yours too," he said with one hand resting in the shallow valley between her breasts, he noticed her eyes darken as his other hand drifted down her side to her hip.

Her hands slipped up his chest and over his shoulders, and he inhaled deeply as she stepped into him. His arms wrapped around her and held her against him, her soft curves pressing against his firm frame. "Will you stay?" The words were a gentle whisper in his ear, and his heart jumped at the promise they held. He released her, barely, and pressed his forehead to hers. Her cerulean eyes locked on his. He could see that she knew what she was asking of him. He could see that she knew he couldn't say no; not to her. She was dressed, but still very naked in front of him. All her walls were down for the first time since he met her, and all he wanted to do was make her feel cared for, protected, and safe.

"Always," He answered, just as soft, with just as much promise before closing the final distance between them. He covered her mouth with his, and their arms tightened around each other as their kiss deepened. She moaned into his mouth and his hands moved firmly down her back to her rear and he lifted her. She wrapped her legs around him and he took the few steps to the bed. As he carried her, she pulled at his shirt on his back tugging it out of his pants. He reached the bed, setting her down before ridding himself of the thick, military issue garment. His dog tags fell and clinked together against his chest, her eyes moved to them. His breath caught in his throat when she took a step closer to him and placed her lips to his chest. Her arms slid around his waist as her mouth left a fiery trail across his torso. Her chilled fingers traced patterns on his lower back. His hands were on her waist, toying with the hem of her tank top. His fingers met the soft, warm flesh of her hips and the curve of her lower back. Her hands moved to caress the contours of his core. He felt the desire pool low in his belly as her hands slid to his belt. Her fingers were cold, always cold, but they burned when they met his skin. Like a spark to a powder keg, she destroyed his self-control and he gave in.

He dropped his head, coaxing her to lift hers. His mouth found hers as his hands slid up her sides. She shuddered as his hands grazed this sides of her breasts before cupping them. His thumbs ran lightly over her the sensitive tips as he swallowed her moan. Her tank was hitched at his wrists and they separated just long enough for him to lift the shirt over her head. Once it hit the floor, he cradled the back of her head, her mouth was open and waiting for him as he crashed his lips to hers again. She slid her hands into his pants, and he groaned and moved his kisses to the sensitive skin of her neck. His pants fell to the floor and bunched at his ankles. He toed his boots and stepped out of them as he pushed hers over her hips. They slid down her toned legs easily and she pushed him back on the bed.

The sheets were cooler and the bed was softer than he expected when he fell on it. He propped himself up on his elbows and watched as she stepped out of the rest of her clothes. His fingers twitched with an ache to reach out and touch her. His eyes traveled over her firm, supple skin. He was eager to explore and memorize every inch of her, to map out every scar, every beauty mark, and every freckle. He watched the muscles shift under her skin as she crawled over to him. Their legs tangled together as she kissed him deeply, thoroughly, her hair falling like a curtain around them. She pressed her body against his as she laid on top of him. He groaned at the heat he felt radiating from her. He laid back on the bed and dug his hands into her hair. She moved her lips from his, and he gasped as she kissed along his jaw before tracing his pulse point with her velvet tongue. His hands moved to caress her back from the base of her neck to the firm skin of her thighs. Suddenly, there was just her. The familiar scent, the pounding of her heart, the heat of her skin, the thrum of their shared energy, the soft sighs and gentle moans that escaped her filled the room and his senses.

With her mouth still at his neck, one of her hands slid down between them and found him. He groaned and his hips lifted from the bed almost on their own as she wrapped her cool hand around him with just enough pressure. He could feel her smile against his neck as she started a tortuously slow pace. As much as he was enjoying her attention, he felt an almost desperate need to make this night about her, to make sure she felt the pleasure she deserved. He wanted to be sure she knew how good it could be; that there was something worth fighting for. He gripped her hips and rolled them over so he was covering her, his dog tags falling against her chest. The surprise on her face was not lost on him, but it did disappear when his mouth found hers.

His hands explored her curves. His mouth followed raising gooseflesh in its wake. He took the time to memorize her sensitive spots, the places to caress or to let his mouth play to make her gasp and whisper his name. If her body was an instrument, he wanted to learn every chord, every note. A light touch here brought a soft sigh, an open kiss there elicited a moan from deep inside her. Her hands were in his hair as his mouth worked against her core. Her back bowed and her breath paused momentarily before she let it out, moaning his name, as she found her release. She gasped, pulling his hair lightly and he slowly made his way back up her body as she struggled to catch her breath. Her skin was silky and warm. When he reached her mouth, he found it pliant and sweet. She tangled her fist in the chain around his neck pulling him closer and kissing him with a desperation he had never felt from her before. A groan slipped from the back of his throat as he nestled himself between her legs. He slid a hand down her side to the back of her knee and lifted. She took the prompt and wrapped her legs around him trying to bring him closer.

On top of her pounding heart and heated skin he could feel the thrumming of electricity coursing through her body, and knew his was trying to match. He clenched his jaw, closed his eyes and swallowed hard as he forced a clamp of control over the nodes that were itching to release the dark energy. He'd been here before, but he knew he could keep control over his biotics if he focused. It's just, the feel of her fingers in his hair, the way she whispered his name and nibbled his earlobe, the way she kissed his neck and nipped lightly at his pulse point; the way her body responded to his touch, undulating beneath him, was making it very hard to focus on anything but her.

She gasped, and her body arched against him before she let out the most erotic, feminine, beautiful sound as he filled her. Her hands left him and he heard them hit the mattress. As their bodies joined, a deep, rich groan slipped from him as his head fell to her collar bone. Desperate for something to ground him, he reached out and found her hand; their fingers interlacing. He was buried deep inside her, and not moving. His eyes were pinched shut. His breath was coming out in soft pants. He was going to lose it; he could feel the electric energy pulsing around him and he didn't want to lose control of the current running rampant through him and risk hurting her. He swallowed, he just needed a minute to hold it back. She was whimpering beneath him and he clenched his jaw.

His name was a breathless, mewling moan as it slipped from her lips. He lifted his head and opened his eyes. Her sapphire eyes were glassy with desire, her cheeks held a beautiful rose tint and her lips were swollen and parted as her breath puffed against his skin. He realized then that he wasn't feeling just his own biotics, he was feeling hers too. She trusted him, even though he doubted it, she knew he wouldn't hurt her. The room was washed in blue and small items were moving on the bedside table. She lifted her head to kiss him. When her open lips met his briefly, he let go. The electric energy shot out and mingled with hers like a release of its own. The small knick knacks on the table lifted but they paid them no mind; their eyes locked on each other.

He was suddenly terrified. Terrified of the intensity of this moment. Terrified of how complete he felt. Terrified of how one woman could make him feel so unbroken. A low groan escaped him when he felt her short, practical nails dig into his back in desperation. She rolled her hips against him and he gasped. He moved inside her and she sighed. He felt her need as she squeezed the hand still linked with his. He gave into the terrifying moment, and started the slow, steady rocking of his hips against hers. He watched this beautiful, strong, capable woman come undone beneath him. It was a heady experience and he feared he'd never get enough of it. He heard her other hand knock against the headboard and she pushed against it to secure herself beneath him, allowing him to fill her more fully. A soft sob left her throat as she bit her lip. He kissed her again briefly, their foreheads pressed together and their panted breaths mingling between them as their bodies moved together to the beat of their pounding hearts and the drumming of dark energy coursing through their veins.