Laryna

Tali didn't leave my room at all the next day. There wasn't any more tears, but she started an in depth analysis of everything she has done in the past few years. Tali had my coffee table covered in datapads and empty cups, trying to find the weak link in her history. Unsure on how to help, considering I was under the knife during most of this time, I left my quarters to her use.

I spent the rest of the morning with Samara. I was able to go into aura manipulation even quicker, and we spent an hour at peaceful meditation before we started practicing more subtle biotic control. She had me floating objects around the room, which was more challenging than it looked when they weren't as large as supply crates. The practice reminded me a lot of the stories Kaidan had told me about his time in brain camp.

"Next time, bring Garrus," Samara instructed once we've finished.

"Oh?"

"You've got enough control of your aura now to include a non biotic. I assume you'll want to bring it eventually to your bed regardless, and Garrus wants to build his resistance, so it's time to get him exposed." She gave me a gentle smile. "Worry not. I would not suggest it if I thought you unable, Commander."

Flushing slightly, I nodded, wishing not for the first time I wasn't so easy to read, especially when it came to my turian. "Same time tomorrow, then?" I left her room with her consent, quickly making my way over to the main battery.

Garrus was busy at his usual console, muttering under his breath while his few fingers flew over the lit controls. I step in far enough for the doors to close and wrap my arms around his waist, resting my head against his back. His movements became slower and a low purr vibrated from his chest.

"Hey, you. I come bearing an invitation," I said as my hands traced his stomach muscles through his tunic.

"Give me ten minutes," Garrus rumbled.

"Not that kind of invitation," I teased. "This one is from Samara to join us tomorrow morning for meditation." I allowed my hand to tease the top of his pants. "She thinks I've developed enough control to start your resistance training, if you're still interested." My fingertips brush across the top of his sheath.

"Ryna," he growls. "I still think a trip to your quarters is in order."

"Fraid not," I sighed, pulling my hands back to his hips. I told him what little I knew of Tali's situation. "She's scared. I've pretty much surrendered my cabin to her so she can break down in peace. I won't kick her out, even for some proper privacy with you."

Garrus snorted at that. "As much as I would like to not have to worry about a sound restriction, Tali is more important. I don't like going into this blind. If they break her heart over some kind of political bullshit…"

While I was in complete agreement, I couldn't have my turian going Archangel on the quarians. "Chill, big guy. We can't afford to alienate the Fleet. They have the largest space presence. We'll need them against the Reapers. All we can do is to continue to be there for our friend, in any way we can."

Finally finishing his code, he turned around and leaned back against his station. "You're right. I just don't like it. I just can't wrap my head around pairing our Tali with the term treason. She's as good as they come. I rarely even hear her curse. Betray her people? There's no way." He tapped his toes against the floor, agitated. "But yeah, I'm up for joining you tomorrow. Just grab me on your way. Anything I need to do to prepare?"

"Just dress comfortably. Samara prefers to meditate on the floor."

He gives me a smirk. "Are you busy right now?"

"Sadly, yes," I replied. "I still have to make my rounds, and the Christmas party is in three days; I have a lot of baking to do. My day is pretty booked." I step forward and reach up with both hands to pull his face downwards. I kiss him soundly. "But I'm sure I can spare a visit before retiring for the night."

"Looking forward to it," Garrus replied before kissing me again. It was deep, and searing. His hand were roaming shamelessly, igniting my skin. I started to tremble, which did nothing to encourage him to stop. When we finally broke for air, his tongue stroked my neck, and my head fell back without my permission to give him more access. He rolled his hips into mine, and I could feel his own arousal hard through the fabrics covering our bodies. "Spirits, Ryna...I need you."

I certainly wasn't in a state of mind to refuse him now. "Remember when I mentioned about quickies?" I asked while I tapped a few buttons to lock the door behind me. "Want to prove me wrong?"

Instantly his arms are around me again and he quickly pulls us both over to where his cot is hidden further back into the battery. Garrus captures my mouth with renew vigor as he maneuvers his pants down, freeing his erection, and pushes mine down around my knees seconds later. Breaking the kiss, he spins me around and bends me over his sleeping space. I brace myself against the wall as I spread my legs as much as I could with my pants retraining me.

His fingers gently stroked my sex, testing my wetness, and I bite back a moan. I look over my shoulder at him. "Also," I gasped out, "no cumming inside me, sir. I won't have time to detour for a shower and I won't go around with soaked, sticky pants."

Garrus laughed, replacing his fingers with the tip of his cock. "I'll see what I can do, but if you want me to finish as fast as possible, I may not have as much control as usual." And he buries himself to his thighs. I risk a long, low groan as my body flexes around him, adjusting to his size. Garrus grabs my hips tightly in his warm hands, and waits until he feels me relax under them before moving. It doesn't take long before he works up to a punishing pace, and I whimper in place of shouting. I could just make out low rumbling and growls over the sounds of his plates slapping against my skin.

Much to my amusement, and disappointment, he doesn't take long to finish. Garrus barely manages to pull out in time, spilling onto his blanket instead of between my legs, his face pressed into my back as he groans. His sudden lack, both from his size and the absence of his warm cum, has me feeling extremely unsatisfied, more than not getting off myself. And I had to chuckle at myself. Not getting off in the past never really bothered me; my turian has thoroughly spoiled me on that end.

As if to stress my point, suddenly he was filling me again as he also lifts my right leg until my foot rested on the edge of his cot, my pants awkwardly around knee and ankle now. Starting a steady pace, Garrus teases my clit, and I'm instantly shaking under his attentions. Still burning from earlier, it doesn't take long to feel my body clamp around him and heat to flush over my body. I arch my back and risked another moan, barely managing to keep it low. Suddenly he's gone again, cumming onto his blanket once more.

Then we're laughing, softly at first then with more strength as we catch our breaths. Garrus' arms are around me once more, pulling me back against his carapace, face buried into my hair. "Sorry," he gasps out after a moment, the humor obvious in his duel tones. "I think that was closer to fifteen minutes than ten."

"Such poor time management skills," I teased, rolling my ass into his still hard cock. His breath catches in his throat, but he surprises me by reaching down and untangle my pants, then pulling them up to hug my hips once more. I tilt my head to look at him in disbelief.

"I think I'll survive now until later," he rumbles into my ear, and I shiver. Stars above, that voice… "I'll be here if you need me."

Turning around in his arms, I press a kiss into his throat. "I know you are."

Strolling out of the main battery as casually as I could, trying not draw attention to the pleasant soreness between my legs, I told Rupert in passing to give me about an hour to finish my rounds, and we'd get to work. He agreed eagerly, immediately pulling ingredients from boxes that littered the floor.

Thane was the only one I had to check in on still on this floor. I knocked on Life Support's doors, and heard him grant permission to enter. Releasing the holo-latch, I entered slowly, find the assassin at his usual spot at his small table. His elbows rests before him, hands cupped, head slightly bowed.

"Have a few minutes to talk?" I asked gently. I always felt awkward speaking to him when he was meditating.

"If you wish," he instantly replied and motions towards the chair across from him.

Sitting, I studied him a moment. One would never guess he was living on borrowed time. He was so calm and strong in his appearance. "The last time we talked, you started speaking about a past even as if you were watching it," I said before the silence became uncomfortable.

A knowing smile spreads across his full lips, and I smile in turn. He was smiling a lot more lately. I liked it. "Drell have perfect memories," he explained. "We can relive any moment in our lives with perfect clarity. It's difficult to control at times. Some of us disappear into...hmmm," he pauses, thinking. "Let's call it solipsism."

"What do you mean solipsism?" I asked.

"When a memory feels as real as life, it's as valid as life. Thinking about a moment brings back the smell of cut grass, the warmth of another's hand in yours, the taste of another's tongue in your mouth." I hummed before I could stop myself, remembering the way Garrus tasted mere minutes before. Thane gives me a knowing smile. "Wouldn't you rather lose yourself in such a memory than spend the night alone, staring at walls of metal and plastic?"

I certainly could see the appeal of that. "Isn't there a risk that you could lose yourself in bad memories as well?"

"Of course," he admits, waving a hand to emphasis the reply. "Remembering the times I've taken bullets is...unpleasant. But I can look at my knee and see it's not shattered. The memories that are hard to escape are those of despair."

The full impact of what he was saying was starting to sink in. "You can remember everything that happened in your life?"

Thane shrugged. "Nearly. And I expect if we remembered the birth trauma, we'd never recover from it."

I leaned forward. "You can re-live every assassination you've ever made?"

"In perfect detail," he confirms. I shiver in horror at the thought. "Every mistake I made. Every target's last breath."

"You don't seem to feel guilty," I stated, wandering how he could be so calm as surely some of his victims had to be crossing his mind.

"Why should I?" Thane replied, almost defensively. "My employers killed them. My body was only the tool they used. If you kill a man with your gun, do you hold the gun responsible?"

"My gun can't decide right from wrong," I answered instantly. "You clearly do."

"My soul does," Thane said in turn. "But my body is merely flesh. Flesh whose reflexes were honed to kill." We sat quietly for a moment while I tried to wrap my head around that kind of thinking. I could kinda see what he meant from a military point of view. If I'm told to go clear out a pirate stronghold or take down a slaver operation, do I not hold the Alliance or the Council directly responsible for the results, including the lives lost? But it was more than that. Like my actions in stopping the Reapers from invading from batarian space; one has to own their actions when following orders doesn't go as planned, because the original source wasn't going to. Even if they claimed they were on your side. Perhaps it was easier for an assassin to follow this kind of thinking, since their targets are usually much smaller and straight forward.

"Drell minds are different from humans'," Thane stated, breaking the silence. "We see our body as a vessel, and accept that it is not always under our control."

"So you don't assume any responsibility for the things you do?" I nearly growled, still caught up in my sudden guilt about the batarian lives I failed to save. I never really dealt with it, just buried it in wake of our mission, and it catches me off guard at random times.

"Not every action performed by my body is a result of conscious choices," Thane replied carefully. "I take responsibility for those that are. Humans often believe in a soul distinct from the body. A spirit responsible for moral reasoning that lives on after the body's death." I nodded, showing I was such a person. "Our belief is just a bit more literal."

"I'll need some time to think about that," I admitted with a frown. I lean forward again. "The last time we talked, you remembered one of your assassinations. Something about 'sunset-colored' eyes?"

"Ah. That time," Thane muttered. His eyes became unfocused again, looking at me but clearly not seeing me in front of him. "Laser dot trembles on his skull. Spice on the spring wind. Sunset eyes defiant in the scope." He clears his throat, focusing in on me again. "A bystander noticed my spotting laser, and threw herself between me and the target. She couldn't see me, but she stared me down."

"It was odd that you just blurted that out. Is that how you relive vivid drell memories?"

"Not-" Thane paused, unsure. "No. She was a vivid person."

"Did you take the shot?" I asked.

And he bowed his head. "Not that day."

The sudden tension in the air was unmistakable, so I stand up. "I should get back to my duties."

"Laryna," Thane quickly said, half raising out of his chair, but quickly sitting back down. "I appreciate these chats we have."

I gave him a weak smile, hoping it didn't come off as sad. "You've spent a lot of your life alone, Thane."

He gave a slight hum in response, but for the life of me I couldn't tell if it was in agreement or not. That's when I knew he was holding something back, something big and personal. "Work fulfilled me," Thane said slowly as he sorted his thoughts. "Reading. I barely spoke to anyone outside my family. It seems there will be no one to mourn me when I die. You're the only friend I've made in ten years."

Gently laying my hand on his shoulder, I give him a slight squeeze. "This crew is pretty diverse. You must have something in common with some of them. Get out of this room more and talk to them. Some of us are planning on baking here in a bit, you're welcome to join us."

"I shall… consider it." He relaxes back into his meditation pose. "I won't keep you."

Pausing briefly, wandering if I should bring up his proposition request planet-side, I left Life Support. I think I should speak with Garrus once more about that; it was more than just sexual attraction now. I honestly think Thane could use the comfort, and if he couldn't find it with causal interactions, as I had suggested, then I wanted my lover's okay before agreeing to anything physical. Turians believed in casual sex in terms of physical stress relief, but what about emotional?

The engineering deck was pretty quiet. Grunt was snoring softly in his oversize cot in the back corner of the cargo room, so I let him sleep. I poked my head into the door that Tali usually worked beyond, but her station was still empty. I wasn't surprised. Tali was tough, but she was still young. I heard Gabby speaking though, and I paused as I had turned to leave.

"The new armor reinforcements really threw off the gravimetric profiles," she said. "But engines are good to go. I rebalanced the Gilbourne coefficients and adjusted the anterior intakes on the second tier stabilizers."

"I love it when you talk dirty," Ken purred in response. I bite my lip to keep from laughing and went back to the elevator, knowing Jack wasn't going to be in her spot; she had volunteered to help with the baking too, much to my surprise, and had spent most of the afternoon running back and forth for Rupert making sure we had everything we need out of storage.

Jacob and Kelly were in the cockpit chatting with Joker when I got to the combat deck, so I left them be and went to the lab. Mordin was muttering to himself as usual, if a bit lower than normal, as I approached.

"Hey, you okay?" I asked. We hadn't discussed about what happened with Maelon since we spared his life at the hospital.

Mordin nods. "Still hard to believed Maelon betrayed me. Betrayed my work. Disgusted by his actions. Proud of his nerve, though. Always thought he lacked backbone." He had this silly smile on his face now. "Hope he finds something new. Better goal, better purpose. Fewer torture tests."

I blinked at him a few times. "You're really at peace with what happened?"

"Yes. Of course," Mordin stated, then shrugged. "Can't change what happened. Life continues. Back to mission, back to work. Become like Maelon otherwise. Salarian emotional processing faster than other species. Has to be. Short-loved culture. Can't spend time reminiscing."

"So you really don't feel bad at all about what happened on Tuchanka?" I demanded before I could help myself.

"Yes, correct. Now, at least. Greatly distressed at the time. Stages of grief. Loss, anger, rationalization." He waved a hand dismissively. "Dealt with it. Most issues settled on Tuchanka. Some on shuttle back to Normandy."

I scoffed. "Maelon didn't seem like he processed his emotional response. He was obsessed with the genophage."

"True," Mordin allowed. "Didn't mean to imply that salarian were healthier emotionally. Can still make wrong choices, bad decisions from grief, anger, guilt. Maelon couldn't accept feelings, made decision, executed. Probably before I left for Omega. Wish I'd seen it." He let out a small sigh. "Salarians still feel, just resolve it quickly. Explains lack of marriage. Can't sustain courtship emotions. Or perhaps based on reproduction. Unsure."

It was slightly refreshing for him not to be sure on something. "What about Maelon's data on the genophage? His attempts at a cure?"

"What about it?" Mordin asked nonchalantly, and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. "Have it over there somewhere. Not dealing with it now. Need to focus on Collectors. Not important now, regardless. Appreciate you helping me back on Tuchanka. Should get back to work. Wasted enough time already. Lots to do. Talk later?"

"Sure," I replied, shaking my head. I made my way back to the CIC, but the gathering up front hadn't disperse yet, so I went to check my messages. I only had two.

From: Lizbeth Baynham

Hey, Laryna Shepard,

I heard about what you did on Illium, and I wanted to thank you for helping out. Zhu's Hope

one more time. We're surviving, if barely. Most of ExoGeni left, but I stayed behind as an

attache, and to make sure that nothing was left of the Thorian. We don't need that problematic

again.

Also, I'm really, really sorry that I shot at you. I'm pretty sure I said that, but I just wanted to

reiterate it.

Good luck, and thanks. Zhu's Hope is alive again because of what you did.

Lizbeth Baynham

I grinned, glad that things were changing so quickly to their benefit. I wanted the colony on Feros to thrive; they deserved it after they went through. I pulled up the other.

From: Urdnot Darg

Dear Human,

The clan leader told me how to get in touch with you. I don't remember much of what

happened, but the chief scout said you pulled my quad out of the fire when I got caught and

poisoned over at the Weyrloc camp. Thanks. Next time I have a chance to kill a human, I

won't. Unless I go into a blood rage or something.

I got to go to the female camp after I recovered, and it was pretty good. I was actually

thinking of joining the Blood Pack before this happened. I think I'm going to stay here

instead.

-Urdnot Darg, Scout-Second Class

Pleased, I closed my mail. I went up to my cabin next to check in on my quarian. Tali looked up from my coffee table where she was still bent over, and eagerly waved me over.

"I'm glad you're here," she said, passing me a datapad. "I'm currently over looking the reports from Haestorm. Perhaps there are details you know that I don't. Can I see your mission brief to compare reports?"

"Of course," I agreed, pulling up my omni-tool and started searching for the right file. Once I found it, I uploaded it to the pad she had given to me. She snatched it back with a quick noise of gratitude. I sit down next to her, putting an arm around her shoulders. "It'll be okay."

Sitting so close, I could hear her swallow back a small sob. "I want to believe you. I mean, so far I can't find anything I could have possibly done wrong. So whatever they think I did, it was nothing large and glaring. I just don't know what to do!"

Wrapping my arms around her again, she allowed me to hold her for awhile, hopefully taking the comfort she needed so badly. "Anything I can do, you know I got you. Don't hesitant to ask."

Tali nodded. "Thanks, Laryna." I placed a gentle kiss to her cowl before pulling away and leaving her to my cabin again.

Without much else to do, I made my way down to the combat deck again, where everything was a little chaotic. Miranda was assisting Rupert in setting up the second oven she had bought, while Jack and Kasumi where busying sorting through all the little bottles of sprinkles and different flavor baking chips, Thane was pulling out apparently every bowl he could find from the kitchen area, while Garrus, Samara, and most of the support crew stood by, watching with amused or eager looks on their faces.

"Laryna, it's about time," Rupert chided good naturally. "Was afraid we'd have to get started without you."

I let out a playful snort. "Well, it looks like you already have all the help you need. Unless," and I raised my voice, "all these bystanders are just hoping to snatch an early treat before they're presented at the party, in which case it should be known that anyone who attempts it will be on latrine duty until further notice. More colorful chores can be found, too, I'm sure."

The mess cleared of everyone not actively eating a meal and my present ground crew.

"You enjoy abusing your power way to much," Kat teased.

"They get paid to deal with it," I quipped, and she laughed.

"Now if only the rest of us got paid to deal with it," Garrus deadpanned.

"You get paid," I said defensively, and then paused. I turned to my XO. "They do, right?"

"Of course," Miranda replied, tinkering with the oven's interface.

"We what?" Garrus stuttered, clearly confused. Jack echoed his confusion.

Miranda looked between the three of us, a frown of disappointment on her face. "Everyone receives a sign on bonus, and bi-weekly paychecks deposited directly into your accounts."

"I don't have a banking account," Jack growled.

"When we became aware of that, one was made for you," Miranda muttered, leaning on a hip. "If you read any of your messages, all of the information was sent to you."

Garrus had pulled up his omni-tool while she spoke, and was quickly popping through several screens. "I'm not seeing anything." Miranda sighed and went over and he presented his lack of findings.

"These are all your Archangel persona accounts?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"We didn't use any of those. Your identity there is suppose to be dead months ago now," Miranda informed him calmly. "We didn't want to risk exposing otherwise by anyone who may be watching the accounts. Everything has been deposited into your previous account you owned during your time at C-Sec and the first Normandy. The funds of course do not read as coming from Cerberus." She turned towards Jack. "I will resend you the information you need to access your own funds...again. Anyone else having issues with their pay?" she asked the rest of the room. Rounds of negatives responded.

I was watching Garrus curiously as he closed the other windows and pulled a new one. Then suddenly he was gaping at his omni-tool for a long moment before snapping his jaw shut and cleared his throat while closing the interface completely.

"Is the pay to your satisfaction?" I asked lightly.

"Let's just say I owe you a new bottle of wine," he replied with a smirk.

"You know Garrus," Miranda said as she walked back over. "We can 'hack' your Archangel accounts and get the funds transferred over as well. It wouldn't look any different than a thief job and should keep any suspension at bay."

"That actually would be very helpful, thank you," Garrus agreed. He pulls me tight to his side and gestured towards the chaos before us. "So what are you planning on tonight? I've never seen a kitchen so thoroughly destroyed."

"Oh, you haven't seen anything yet," I promised, bumping my hip into his before striding forward. "The Mess Sergeant and I are up first. Kasumi and Jack, you're on stand by for phase two. You in this mission, Thane? Great, you monitor in phase three. It'll be any free hands on deck for phase four. Miranda, you in?"

"Actually, I think I'm going to go make sure everyone else is aware on how to access the money they've been earning. Have fun."

The following few hours was a wonderful, controlled madness of making sugar cookies. Rupert went about mixing several different colors of frostings while I handled making and rolling out dough, where Kat and Jack would use whatever cookie cutters strike their fancy to cut out the shapes. Thane would watch them carefully to make sure none of them overbaked, and even Garrus ended up taking a role, glaring at any crewmen who tried to sneak in past our distractions to steal the fruits of our labors.

Decorating the cookies was fun, too. Turns out Jack had a flair for art, and while the others each took their time and frosting a handful each, Jack and I handled the most, and they were adorable. The humans each took turns explaining each cut out to the aliens of our group, for which there were many confused looks that we couldn't help but laugh at. I smiled pleasantly, half lost in memories of a childhood long gone.

The treats were eventually boxed up and carefully put away in a locked crate, though I had Kasumi sneak one away for Joker. Clean up took awhile, especially when half the help disappeared. Rupert had offered to do it all himself, but I couldn't let him do that much work. We had made quite the mess. I was in a state once we finished; covered in fine layer of flour, random smears of frosting, and the front of my tank damp from washing dishes.

I decided I'm getting a dish washer installed the next time we make port. I then went about fixing a small meal for Tali, consisting mostly puree fruits and a warm cup of her favorite beverage. Rupert and I discussed what we wanted to cover tomorrow while I worked.

Garrus followed me up to my quarters after we got the kitchen straightened out again. Tali didn't even look up this time as we entered, still in the same spot she was occupying from before. I let out a little sigh, and quickly walked over and put the tray of food in front of her. "No arguing," I ordered when she squeaked in protest. "Eat something."

"Come on, Tali," Garrus added gently, stacking the datapads in neat piles on the far side of the table. "Take a break. Let me tell you about this really odd human custom I just witnessed."

"Pfft," I scowled playfully. "It's not my fault turian holidays are boring."

"And what do you know about turian holidays?" Garrus teased as Tali finally gave in with a sigh and sat the pad she was holding on the top of the pile.

I paused while pulling out a clean set of clothes. "Actually, not a damn thing. I know this is a human dominate crew, but if there's something either of you want to mark, just let me know. We can have something ship wide or a more private party, as you want." I stopped by the end of the coach, thoughtful. "I remember somethings mentioned before, on the SR-1, but we never got very deep into those conversations. At any rate, I really need a shower. I'll be quick."

After I had washed, Garrus and I spent a good hour or so distracting Tali, allowing her to talk about the things her people liked to celebrate. Most of them were personal, like birthdays or finishing one's pilgrimage. They did solemnly mark the day her people abandoned their home system.

I successfully lured Tali to the bed before she passed out, completely emotionally drained. I snagged one of my pillows and an extra blanket from under my bed, and went back to the main battery with Garrus.

His cot was wider than our standard ones, having been made for a turian, but it would still be a tight fit. Not that either of us minded. I could always shift to the floor for the night if I needed to, but considering how we both enjoyed being warm and were usually wrapped around each other even in a much larger bed, I doubted it would be an issue.

Eagerly we stripped as soon as we locked ourselves in. Garrus wasted no time in exploring me with his tongue, leaving hot and damp trails everywhere as he lowered me onto his cot. It wasn't until he was lashing around my breasts that he slowed down, then pulled his mouth away with a confused little thrill. His talons starting tracing along the underside of my right mound, where his mate mark was. Oh.

"Did it heal already?" I asked softly.

"I guess so," Garrus replied sadly. "It's been less than two weeks. Damn."

Reaching up with both hands, I gently cupped his mandibles. "I guess you'll just have to mark me again. Maybe a little deeper this time, so it lasts longer."

Garrus shook his head. "I don't want to accidentally bond mark you. I suppose, if you're...uh, agreeable, we'll just have to reapply your mark more often." I roll my eyes at him, and he chuckled in response. He leans back down and swipes his tongue along the underside of my breast, and I allow a shameless little moan escape me. "Hmmm, same spot, or somewhere new…" he muttered before going back to his earlier teasing.

It didn't take long before I felt his cock press hotly against my thigh. I reach down between us and wrapped my fingers around the shaft and pulling upwards towards the tip. Garrus let out a husky moan, thrusting automatically into my palm. With my other hand I reached up and ran my fingers between his sweeping fringe while I also gave his length another pump, causing a deep rumbling in his chest.

"Switch me places," I ordered. He didn't hesitate, wrapping his arms around me tightly and smoothly rolling us over until I was above him instead. I start by teasing him as he had me, building up his lust with wandering hands, soft kisses and gentle bites. He would thrust his hips periodically, causing his cock to rub up between my ass cheeks where it waited impatiently. Licking a path up to his undamaged ear canal, I roll my hips into his eager manhood while I hummed pleasantly. "I want to suck you off again."

Swallowing hard as his cock twitched very noticeably, Garrus runs both of his hands down the curves of my body. "Is that what you want?"

Humming again, I gently nip at the skin of his neck. "Mmhmm. I want to taste your hard cock on my tongue as I run it past my lips, feel its heat warm my throat as it throbs in pleasure, all the while I listen to you cry out my name until you climax and I swallow down your desire."

"Oh fuck," Garrus moans, grabbing my ass and rubbing against it firmly. "Yes. I want… right now."

I chuckled softly and bite him at the base of his neck, causing a lusty growl to tear from his throat. "How bad do you want it, lover? To feel your throbbing tip in the wet cavern of my mouth while my tongue strokes it?"

He moans again, his lustful thrill filling our hidden corner. "Spirits, Ryna… More than anything. Please."

Chuckling again, I give his good mandible a nip before I eased myself down his body. Hot damn, his figure drove me crazy now. I'll blame my sudden kink with the dirty talk on that. I did love how turned on he was by it. I swear his cock was hotter than usual as I finally hovered above it. I was looking forward to hearing him this time. It still wasn't quite as private as my cabin, but it was still fairly tucked away. With it being the night cycle, he could get away with being more vocal.

I paused a moment to admire his cock. Our last several sexual encounters hadn't left much time for foreplay, and it was usually buried deep inside me before I even saw it. I wrap my fingers around the base and slowly stroke upwards, feeling the sticky wetness of his natural lube and the well ribbed muscles of the thick shaft. A shiver went through me, knowing how it stretches my insides to their maximum, filling me completely.

"God, Garrus," I said, looking up to met his eyes as he watched me. "You have completely ruined me." And I take him as deep into my throat as I could before he could reply. His hands instantly comes up to buried themselves into my hair, violently enough that the small band holding it up snaps, spilling any loose strands around my neck. He cries out weakly as I slide up his length, tongue swirling and stroking.

I don't rush it, taking my time to draw out his pleasure as much as possible. I push myself a little, challenging my gag reflex as far as I could, humming to vibrate my throat muscles to get that little extra depth and to drive him wild before pulling back, just to repeat the action. I kept my hands busy on the lower portion of his cock, wanting to simulate it all. Garrus kept up a constant buffer of audio responses, ranging from my nickname to curses, rumbling growls to lusty thrills.

When I got a little braver and lightly scraped my teeth along the hard flesh, Garrus threw back his head and practically howled, his careful control up to this point breaking as he thrust upwards. I choked slightly but managed not to panic, gently but firmly pressing down on his hip spurs to ease the depth he managed to get. Pleased when I am able to breath again and not lose anything from my stomach, I keep a firm hold with my hands downward and do it again. He bucks and curses, trembling.

It only takes a few more teases like those before he cums. Knowing what to expect this time, barely anything escapes as I quickly swallow down the first hard burst so my mouth wouldn't be overwhelmed again, and allowed the rest to collect on my tongue before I swallowed it back as well. I release his cock with a satisfying little pop.

Garrus slumps back into his bedroll, his body finally relaxing under me as he lets out a long breath and pulls another one in. "Holy binding Spirits, Ryna," he gasps, untangling his talons from my hair and allowing his arms to fall boneless to his sides.

"You okay there, big guy?" I teased. "Are you down for the count?"

"Of course not," Garrus snorts. "Takes more than that to take me out. I just need a moment to remember how to...move." I laugh as I run my fingertips teasingly over his still hard cock. Before I could follow the impulse to crawl up his waist and spear myself on him, Garrus pulls himself up to a sitting position. He clears his throat. "I would like to return the favor. I just...I'm not sure...what to do. It's not something turians do. I don't know...if it's safe."

Giving him a reassuring smile, I grab the blanket I brought with me and create some padding in the deep cot, and lay down with my ass just hanging over the edge. Spreading my legs, I wave in invitation. Garrus hops off and kneels down on the floor, a finger already coming up to test my wetness. I move his hand to my inner thigh.

"It's easier if you keep me well spread," I said. He nods his understanding and places his other hand. "You'll want to get your mouth as close to my center as you can so you can maximize your reach with your tongue. The hardest part will be to mind your teeth." I place my hands on the edge of the cot, grabbing it hard in anticipation. "Take your time."

For a few long moments, nothing happens. I control my breathing, forcing myself to stay relaxed in my vulnerable position. Then his talons tightened on my thighs, and I felt his rough tongue take its first long swipe along my sex.

I gasped, arching my back slightly. Another long lick and fire is pooling between my legs. I heard him hum agreeably, and I could feel my face grow warm. Knowing he was enjoying the way I tasted was really fucking hot. I licked my own lips, still able to taste him, his unique metal and spice. His next upwards swipe lingered on my clit, and I openly cried out.

"Tell me what you want, Ryna," Garrus rumbled and licked me again. "Tell me how to drive you crazy."

"Pointless. You already drive me crazy," I gasped, unable to stop the tease. He chuckles before allowing his tongue to trace all the contours of my sex, occasionally passing over my clit. "Do you really need a vocal guide, love?"

"No," Garrus admits. "I was just enjoying your word play earlier. It really got me going."

"Don't turians enjoy talking 'dirty' to each other?" I couldn't help but ask.

Garrus shook his head before dipping his tongue ever so slightly inside me. I bite my lip. I could feel his mandibles pressing into my flesh as he got closer, and allowed his tongue to penetrate deep. A long, guttural moan escapes me and I roll into his hands a bit without meaning too, trying to get him even deeper. His tongue is exploring freely, hitting every sensitive spot. I pry a hand free from where I was holding on and started rubbing my clit. Without breaking pace, he grabs my wrist and shifts my hand to my thigh. My fingers dig into my skin as his now free hand moves to tease the little bundle of nerves, firm and steady.

In no time at all, I'm climaxing hard. The familiar bliss has me flushed and panting, and it doesn't help when Garrus doesn't stop, though there is no way he didn't notice me cumming. He does switch it up, pulling out his tongue and inserting a talon, licking my clit now instead. I peak again quickly, crying out his name. Yet he continues to push, not giving me time to cool down. I'm begging him to stop while pushing my lower body closer, tortured and greedy all at the same time.

Finally he pulls away after I cum again for a third time. I'm still trembling as I go boneless, unable to support any of my limbs. Standing, Garrus leans forward and effortlessly lifts me into his arms, and lays us down properly on his cot, spooning, the blanket a bundle at our feet.

"Damnit Garrus," I moaned, my breathing finally slowing down. "I don't know if I'm pleased or beyond pissed that you're good at everything you do." Garrus bursts out laughing, the sound mingling pleasantly with his purring. I press my ass up against his erection trapped between us, causing the purr to deepen and his laughter to shift to a moan. "Are we going to take of this, lover?"

"Definitely," he replied, running his talons over my hip and down my thigh. "You know, if you don't mind helping me with that."

"I think I can make that sacrifice," I replied. "Though I don't think we'll get the leverage in this position."

"Hmmm, I think you're right," Garrus agreed, and wrapped his arms around me and shifted until he was on his back and I was on top of him again. I sat up, his cock hot against my stomach. I grabbed it without hesitation, stroking it firmly. "Come on, Ryna. I need to be inside you."

Smirking, knowing he could sense it even though he couldn't see it, I shifted lower on the cot, my legs hugging his thighs. His knees were slightly bent to keep his leg spurs from getting caught on the sides of the cot, so I brace myself against them as I raised up. Garrus cups an ass cheek with one hand and his shaft in his other, and guides our bodies together. I sink on him with a satisfied moan. I don't think I could find anything I enjoyed more than his cock filling me up completely.

I barely give myself time to adjust before I'm riding him eagerly and hard. Garrus matches me easily. When he finally cums, I couldn't help buy sigh happily, having missed the feeling of him filling me earlier today. As he did for me earlier, I don't stop, drawing out his orgasm and working on drawing out another. When he getting close again, he sits up, pulling me back against his chest, encouraging my head to rest on his left shoulder. He reaches down and works my clit while thrusting in short and aggressive movements of his hips. My right hand covers his while the other keeps my balance under the sudden assault. He's licking my exposed shoulder now, and I braced myself for what I knew was coming now.

Reaching my climax first, I cry out and lean harder against my lover as I ripple along his cock inside me. My finishing always does him in, and as he explodes again, he bites down on my shoulder, breaking the skin. I whimper in twin pleasure and pain, accepting my new mating mark.

Then a new kind of fire was burning inside me, and I waited almost impatiently as Garrus comes down from his high so he could release me from his double hold above and below. The power of the rumbling in his chest vibrated throughout my own form, and I feel myself relax despite my sudden determination.

As soon as he unclasps his jaw from my shoulder I pull off his semi-hard cock and shift around in his lap, straddling him chest to chest now. Garrus looks at me in mild surprise, his arms coming up to wrap around my back. I give him a quick, hard kiss and turn my attention to his neck, tenderly licking the spot I wanted. He quickly understood what I wanted, tilting his head to the side further, his hands running soothingly over my body in silent encouragement.

Taking a deep breath, I bite down as hard as I could.

Damn, his skin was thick. I kept up the pressure, growling slightly at the resistance. Finally, finally, I broke through, tasting his blood in my mouth. Garrus hummed, pleased. I carefully pull away, eyeing my mark. It was silly small, and shallow, but visible. At the very least, there was no chance of it scaring.

"Didn't hurt as much as I was expecting," Garrus said gently, and I smile in response.

"Well, it was as hard to do as I figured it would be," I countered, and he chuckled. "But I'm glad I finally have a formal claim on you to match your own."

"I'm yours as long as you want me," Garrus promised, his eyes locking on mine.

"That could be awhile," I teased, all the while my heart started racing.

Garrus just grunts, burying his face into my neck to hide his expression. I frown, puzzled for a moment when I realized what again must have crossed his mind.

"Hey," I soothed, running my hands gently over his back plates. "I know we can't guarantee anything, but I swear to you, Garrus, I will do my damnest to pull us out of this mission alive. We deserve to explore this further."

He sighs into my hair. "The Collectors now, the Reapers later. Won't be much time for anything but war."

"Well, consider all my free time yours, babe."

A small chuckle escapes him. "Babe? I am hardly a child, Laryna."

I roll my eyes. "I know that, you silly turian. It's a human endearment. Babe, baby, hon, honey, love, lover, and so on. Just pet names to show affection. Not to be confused with nicknames."

"You humans are so odd." I busted up laughing. "Well then, I trust Ryna is acceptable? You haven't said anything negative to it."

"Ryna is cute, I like it," I assured him. "I also enjoy how you only use it in private moments."

"Hmmm, I guess I enjoyed having a name for you that others don't use. Never thought to see if there was any cultural pros or cons to it." Garrus nuzzled my new mark affectionately, so I lick his gently in response. They'd both likely fade at the same time, considering how shallow mine is and how quickly I heal from his. "We should sleep if we're going to be up at a decent time."

"How ever will the ship run without their fearless leader?" I agreed, humor thick in my voice. He chuckles, completely at ease again, as he pulls the blanket I brought over top of us after we settled down close together. Arms wrapped around torsos and legs overlapped as my head settled into the hallow of his throat and his chin on the top of my head. The limited space demanded it, but neither of us were complaining. Cramped or not, I always slept better wrapped in his warmth than away from it.