What Was Lost
Chapter 34 - Preparation
Kasumi clutched the datapad to her chest. She finally had her 'in' for Donovan Hock. She just needed a little help. A lot of luck, to see that everything went right. And someone crazy enough to go along with her plan.
Basically, she needed Shepard.
She took the elevator up to Shepard's cabin and knocked on the door. Then, before the commander would have a chance to respond, she used her tool to open the door, and simply burst in. "Shep, I finally got it!"
Shepard drowsily sat up on her bed, disentangling herself from Tali and Liara. "Uh, maybe I'll just come back later..."
Shepard looked down. "Oh god, it's not what it looks like."
Kasumi fought off a fit of giggles. "Shepard, the only reason I'm not taking a picture is I need a favor. A big one."
"Oh?" The commander stood up from the bed, getting dressed. "This what we talked about when you came on board?"
"Yep, it sure is. It's just... we're going to need a bit of prep." She frowned. "Quite a lot, actually."
Shepard sat down on the sofa. "Well, you're going to have to clear it with the doc. She only just released me to quarters last night." She smiled and pointed back in the cabin. "Those two decided to stay and make sure I obeyed."
"Oh, we have a bit of time. The party isn't for a week or so."
"Party? I thought this was a mission?"
"It's both... and I need you dressed to kill."
"..."
Shepard grimaced. "That was terrible, Kasumi."
The thief grinned at the commander. "Well, if you don't like it, I could go back to commenting on your little three-way there."
"Nothing happened!"
"And I'll back you up one hundred percent on that story, boss."
"Kasumi!"
"Sorry Shep." She got serious for a minute. "I really appreciate your help on this."
"Any time, Kasumi."
Liara woke up, yawning. She was on the bed in Shepard's cabin. Tali was on the other side from her. She looked around, and found Shepard sitting on the sofa, chatting quietly with the human Kasumi. She shook Tali gently, nodding towards the sofa.
They watched the thief hug Shepard quickly then head to the door. "Thanks again, Shep. I'll get details for you soon."
Liara waited by the bed until Shepard turned back. "What was that about?"
Shepard carried a datapad over to her desk, scanning it. "Kasumi needs some help with a little project. Getting something that was taken away from her back."
"Oh?" That was Tali, who walked to the desk and peeked at the datapad over Shepard's shoulder. "Who's Donovan Hock?" She pointed to a line on the pad.
"Businessman, mercenary, general scumbag." Shepard replied distractedly. "Got rich as a merc, then got out of the game. Used his money to invest. Supports lots of marginally legal activities, mostly in Alliance space."
"So why hasn't the Alliance taken him down yet?" The quarian wanted to know.
"Because he bribes the right people." Liara answered. "Plus, they've never been able to prove his involvement in anything too illegal."
"Too illegal?"
"He hasn't killed anyone important yet." Shepard grinned wryly. "Anyway, he crossed Kasumi's partner, and she wants to get what he stole back."
"So what's your plan?" Tali asked.
"Actually, it's Kasumi's plan - "
"That can't be a good sign." Liara muttered to Tali, who giggled.
"- But it seems like a really good one." Shepard continued, pretending she hadn't heard the comment. "He's hosting a huge party in a week, and Kasumi managed to get some invitations. We ought to be able to walk in, get the stuff, and walk out. With so many strangers in the residence, Kasumi will have the perfect cover to steal what she needs."
"If everything goes just right." Tali said flatly. Plainly, she was unconvinced, too.
"Even if it doesn't, I'll be there for backup, so I really don't see the problem." The human smiled. "Plus, getting to play secret agent sounds fun."
"It's not a game, Shepard." The quarian sounded upset.
"I know that, Tali." She looked annoyed. "I'm going to be careful."
"I don't want to see you back in sick bay when you just got out."
"I'll be fine. It's a simple job."
"And the last mission of the first Normandy was a routine patrol!"
"I'm not going to die again, Tali!"
Tali stormed out of the cabin. Shepard pissed her off so much. She had just gotten out of the sickbay, finally woken up from that Red Sand garbage, and now she was going to head off unsupported on some new crazy mission.
She could understand getting tired of being in sick bay. It still didn't excuse this nonsense. And of course Liara had been no help at all. The asari, aside from some snide remarks, had actually volunteered her help for the mission.
At least Shepard had turned her aid down as well. Kasumi's plan, aside from stupid and reckless, also had little room for backup. So of course Shepard was all for it. She was infuriating. Tali couldn't handle her dying... again.
She walked down to the medbay. Looking in the window, she saw that Dr Chakwas was in currently. She knocked on the door and waited for the doc to wave her inside.
"Hey Doc, is there any way you can make me something to make Shepard ill for a few days?"
The doctor blinked at her. "I don't think that would be ethical, Tali."
"Please? She's planning on doing something really stupid."
The doctor sighed. "What is she planning now?"
"It's Kasumi's plan." The doctor groaned. "Exactly, Doc. She says it's a simple mission. She says she's only going with Kasumi as backup. She says there won't be any trouble."
"Tali... like it or not - and believe me, I wish it were different - but you can't keep Shepard off this kind of thing. And honestly, at least this mission sounds far less dangerous than Collectors or Reapers or anything."
Tali growled and sank down in one of the chairs by the doctor's desk. "I worry about her, doctor. I mean, she just got out of here, I don't want to see her back in here again." She blushed. "I didn't mean that against you, Dr Chakwas."
Chakwas settled back on her seat. She smiled tiredly at Tali. "I do have some good news for you. Something that might help you keep her from doing anything stupid."
"What?" She looked gloomily at the human. "Change your mind about making her sick?"
"No, but you might." The doctor smirked and held out two pill bottles. "Mordin finished them this morning. The blue one is yours, the red is hers."
"You... I... is?" Tali gingerly held the pill bottles. "These are...?"
"They are." Chakwas nodded. "The next version. These are improved from the last one. They should last about eight hours."
" 'Should?' " Tali frowned a little.
"Tali... We'll make it better, but you'll have time!" The doctor opened the door, guiding her out of the medbay. "Now go. Go see her."
Tali clutched the bottles to her chest. She couldn't wait to try them out.
Morinth paced her room. Housing on Omega was expensive, but the size and amenities this room provided her made it more than worth it. She smiled predatorily. Besides, the previous owner had been easy to... negotiate... with. Males usually were.
Her current project was entertaining, to say the least. Kaiden Alenko was proving to be a challenge. He kept going on and on about his fiance. She snorted. She'd get him over that. The added complication made things more exciting.
The best part of Omega was Samara had no idea where she was. She was free of the bitch. And with the lovely crime rate here, she was free to hunt as much as she pleased. A few more bodies here or there... no one would care.
No one at all.
She grinned. This Alenko would be a wonderful start to her new life here.
Shepard waved goodbye to Liara. The asari was heading back to her office for a while, to work on a lead on the Shadow Broker while the Normandy was off helping Kasumi with her mission. Before she left, she made Shepard promise to visit again the next time they were close by.
She had agreed, though she worried about what Tali would think about it. She still felt bad about how she had treated Liara when the asari had come by the Normandy when they first landed here in Illium, and this seemed an easy way to make it up to her.
Liara's prescence had definitely helped while she recovered from the Red Sand poisoning. Having her and Tali with her let her sleep well.
Shepard sighed. As much as she hated to admit it, she had missed Liara. Part of her, anyway. The rest of her not only was still a bit upset about what had happened in the past two years, but also didn't want to mess things up with Tali.
Tali... She really needed to apologize to Tali. She knew the quarian was upset about the whole Kasumi mission since she had just gotten out of the medbay the other night. She needed to talk with her and reassure her.
She turned back from the airlock, heading back in the ship. They had recalled the crew who were out on leave and were getting ready to head to Donovan Hock's private estate. The planet he was based on was deep in Alliance territory, and would take a few days to get to. Kasumi wanted to take a little extra time so they could come in system from a different direction than the Terminus territories.
So, three to four days by the long route, and a few days to prep and they'd be ready to go. Hopefully, she'd be over the Red Sand completely by the time they got there. At least they finally had some solid prep time for the mission. No last minute scramble to get things together.
She was a bit surprised to find Tali waiting by the elevator. The quarian was pacing nervously, and looked up when she spotted Shepard walking towards her through the command deck. Tali stepped in front of the elevator, blocking her path.
"Uh, Tali? Is everything okay?" She couldn't read her body language right now. "Do you need help? Or something?"
Tali didn't say anything, just grabbed her arm and pulled her into the elevator. She pressed the button for the top deck. She didn't say anything as they rode up, and then walked to Shepard's cabin, opening the door.
Tali shut the door, locking it. She went over to the holodisplay, activating it. "EDI, can you set up privacy mode please?"
Shepard leaned against the wall, watching Tali, amused. The quarian was definitely after something. It was kind of fun to watch.
Tali walked over, reaching out to take her hands tenderly. The quarian pressed a small bottle into her hand. She looked down, frowning at the red pill bottle. "Is this...?"
Tali nodded, gulping. "Yes. The doctor finished it. Well, Mordin finished it, then gave it to Chakwas. She gave it to me, so I could give you yours. This isn't the final one though, so they're going to have new ones later. And I'm babbling again..."
"You're cute when you babble." Shepard stared at the small bottle. She felt a surge of excitement as she opened it, swallowing one of the red pills. "How long for this one?"
"They think eight hours, or so."
"Eight hours?" She pulled Tali close to her, smiling widely. "That's wonderful!"
"They're not sure, though. They can't guarantee it'll last that long. And I want it to, Shepard." The quarian put her arms around Shepard's waist. "I've wanted this for so long. I don't want to wait any more. I want you. Now."
Shepard kissed her neck. The quarian pressed against her, hugging her tighter. "I want it too, Tali." She whispered softly.
Tali stepped back, starting to open the seals on her gloves. Shepard reached down, helping her get them off. The gloves dropped to the floor, the sound louder than expected. Shepard looked down at the long, lavender fingers in her hands.
She pulled Tali's hands up to her face, kissing the cool skin. The quarian sighed softly, pressing her fingers more against Shepard's lips.
Tali reached up to the clasps of her mask, dragging Shepard's hands to them. She carefully activated them, gently pulling the mask free of her face. She stood still for a long moment, simply staring at the quarian's face.
Tali pulled Shepard in close, kissing her. The quarian's lips were soft and cool against her own. They held their kiss for a while, simply enjoying it. Shepard ran her hands along Tali's body, feeling the contours of her suit.
Tali stepped back, leading Shepard towards the bed. She slid her hands to the bottom of Shepard's shirt, tugging at it. She raised her arms over her head, letting the quarian take the shirt off. As soon as it was off, she pulled Tali back, falling down on the bed.
Tali moaned into their kiss. The heat she was feeling had nothing to do with the human's body temperature at the moment. She ran her hands along Shepard's stomach, enjoying the touch of her smooth pale skin.
Shepard's hands were gliding all along her body, over the suit. All of a sudden, all Tali could think about was having Shepard take the suit off. She needed it. "Shepard, I... can... I want you to help me with this."
She guided the human's hands to the main suit releases. Shepard paused, looking up at her, concerned. "Are you sure you're ready, Tali?" She asked quietly.
Tali leaned down to kiss her again. "Very. I really want this."
Shepard certainly seemed to want it too. The human fumbled at the clasps while Tali helped her with them. Tali had a nervous moment when the first one disengaged, but her excitement overwhelmed it. She helped the human get the others open faster.
She gulped. This was it. The last seal had clicked open. She looked down at Shepard. The human smiled cautiously up at her. Her hands were frozen on the edge of the suit, waiting. They both knew what was coming.
She started it with a gentle shrugging motion. One corner slid off her shoulder. Shepard stared at the exposed skin, one hand drifting towards it. Her fingers found the edge of the suit, tugging it down. She slipped it off Tali, who freed her arm from it while she took that side off. Tali shivered as the human finished taking off the top part of her suit.
Shepard froze and stared. Before Tali could say anything though, Shepard pulled her down, kissing her neck. She moaned softly as she felt the human's lips directly on her skin. Shepard slowly kissed her way to Tali's collarbone. And lower...
Tali let Shepard explore her body. The human took her time, taking it gentle and slow. Shepard's lips felt so hot against her skin. The touch was far different from what she could get from her suit sensors. It was so much more intense.
Shepard didn't stop there, though. Her hands worked their way down Tali's back, to the top of her lower suit. She fumbled with the clasps on that part, before Tali helped her with it. The human moved her hands to Tali's hips, pulling the last bit of her suit off. Tali slid out of it, naked for the first time with someone else.
Naked... The thought burned in her. She feverishly slipped her hands behind Shepard's back, freeing the human from her bra. And from there, her hands drifted to the top of Shepard's pants. It took a few tries, but she got them open and pulled them down, leaving her in only her panties. A few moments more, and Tali had those off her too.
She drank in the sight of Shepard there on the bed in front of her. The human was definitely doing the same. Then, even though neither had said anything, their arms went around each other at the same time, pulling themselves into a mutually fierce kiss.
Tali let Shepard sink them both down onto the bed. The heat from the human's body was driving her wild. The feel of skin on skin... so much better than her fantasies. She let her hands drift along the contours of Shepard's body, revelling in touching her with no barriers between them.
She hesitated. She had watched vids on this, but there was a huge gulf between watching and actually experiencing. She wasn't sure what she should do now.
Fortunately, Shepard picked up on her nervousness. The human rolled her onto her back. Her hands ran down Tali's body, slowly caressing her. They kissed again, Shepard gently hugging Tali in closer.
Tali lay back on the bed, surrendering herself to Shepard's tender ministrations...
Shepard cuddled up against Tali on the bed. She held the quarian tight against her as they lay there, enjoying the presence of the other woman. She ran her hand along Tali's body, slowly trailing her fingers across Tali's cool skin.
Tali shifted in her sleep, unconsciously hugging herself to Shepard. Shepard softly kissed her neck, letting her lips linger on the quarian.
They had taken their time, Shepard guiding their lovemaking. Tali had been nervous at first, but she got over it as they proceeded. It took some experimenting, but they eventually figured out what she liked. Not that either of them minded the learning.
Tali stirred, waking up slowly. Shepard leaned over and kissed her. The quarian smiled softly at her. "Hey, Shepard."
"Tali." She hugged the quarian closer to her. Tali returned the embrace, snuggling tighter into her. Shepard kissed her again. Tali kissed her back this time.
"I... um..." Tali glanced at the clock. "I... We still have a few hours left on the serum, Shepard."
Shepard giggled. "So we do. Is that a hint?"
Liara stared blankly at her computer terminal, not really reading it. Now that Shepard had left Illium, her doubts and worries came flooding back. While she had started to fix things between them, it still wasn't anywhere near where she wanted it to be.
And of course there was Tali. It was pretty obvious, even to her, that Tali and Shepard were together. How far together, she didn't know, but she was sure it wouldn't help her plans any. Not to mention, it made her jealous just thinking about it.
It also hurt because it was one more strain on any attempt to repair her friendship with Tali, too. She sighed. Why was trying to make things better so damn complicated?
She looked over at the picture of Shepard she had on the desk. Picking it up gently, she held it in front of her. "I want you back," she whispered.
*Next Chapter: Tali and Shepard. Morinth "helps" Kaiden with his mission... and more. Garrus and Jack. EDI needs a little help. Liara tries to get things back on track.*