Running Silent:

Well Laid Plans

…

An alternate ME3. Commander Shepard and her team are on the run from Cerberus and trying to make alliances before it's too late. In a galaxy with no reaper kill switch, how can they hope to defeat something so ancient and powerful? Their last hope is a desperate plan that may cost them everything. Shepard/Garrus, other side pairings.

…

Disclaimer: This author in no way profits from the writing of this story. All characters, dialogue, or other referenced material from the Mass Effect trilogy belong to Bioware.

…

Garrus hadn't been lying about the neighborhood. Shepard was glad, now, that she suggested her team travel Omega in groups, even though she hadn't followed her own advice. She was stubborn like that. Some things don't change.

But other things had changed. A few years ago she wouldn't have simply walked past the drug deals, gang showdowns, and dead bodies, but times were different. Her concerns were a lot bigger than someone dealing red sand in an alleyway. Kaidan had been right about her not being the same person she was a few years ago.

He was also wrong. It wasn't because of Cerberus. It hadn't even started with Cerberus. It started with the memories of a dead race, cemented by her own death and the discord that had followed. It was the result of having to face reality—seeing the galaxy for what it was rather than what she wanted it to be. Nothing was black and white, even when it appeared to be. Everything was just a different shade of gray.

Her omni-tool beeped, indicating that she'd found her destination. It didn't look like much, but that was probably for the best. With the dirty walls, bolted-down furniture, and nondescript entryway, she hoped it was below the notice of anyone who would have an interest in what her group had to say.

A human in a stained apron called to her from behind the counter. "You with Garrus?" he asked. Despite her initial surprise, she supposed it was obvious—most of the patrons would never dream of being able to afford armor or weapons like the ones she bore so casually. At her nod, he jerked a thumb towards a doorway in the back.

She found most of her team already gathered around a large table, some with drinks or food already in hand. Garrus moved from his spot against the wall as she approached. "The private room wasn't cheap," he said apologetically. "But it's about as far from prying eyes as we're going to get on Omega."

She waved him off with a disarming grin. "It'll be nothing compared to what I'll be paying once the team knows drinks are all on me tonight."

As the last of the team filtered in, people slowly gravitated towards the table in the middle of the room, finding seats and looking to Shepard. Every member of her team was there, even those who would be leaving them soon. Thane had already spoken to her about going to the Citadel to be with his son, and Samara had announced that she was returning to asari space. No one else had spoken to Shepard about leaving yet, but she no longer carried the delusion that her crew would always stay. Not after how things had gone on the original Normandy.

Shepard whistled to get everyone's attention, the last of the conversations dying out in seconds. She looked around the room, her emotions getting the better of her. Each of them had become dear to her, even those she never could have imagined coming to care for. A geth platform? A certifiably insane overpowered biotic? They were mercenaries and killers and outcasts of all stripes, and she adored them. It seemed crazy and a bit sentimental, but it all meant more to her now than it used to—she knew how easy it was to lose everything, how they'd been dancing on the knife's edge. She was proud of them. They'd all come so far.

"First, I want to thank all of you for your hard work on this mission. Without each and every one of your skills, any of us could have died on that base." She paused for a moment, watching eyes dart around the room, her team giving each other small smiles and subtle nods. Everyone had someone to thank for watching their back in there. "Barring any sudden change of plans, we're going to be on Omega until the ship's repairs are complete. I need everyone who's staying to be committed to getting the Normandy back into shape."

Tali and Kasumi shared a look. Next to them, Legion's head flaps shifted. "We had some thoughts on that," Tali said. "We think there are some further upgrades we can make to the Normandy, and now seems like the best time for it."

Shepard gave her a curt nod. "See me before shore leave is over and we can discuss it," she instructed and turned back to the group. "When you all report back to the Normandy, I'll hand out assignments for repairs," she told them. "But first things first—we need to remove all Cerberus bugs and tracers from the Normandy."

"I know many of you have already removed listening devices from your quarters and workspaces, but this is a matter of the utmost importance. Not only is this a matter of personal safety, but also of galactic security." She paused to meet the eyes of each person in the room. "Every inch of the ship must be searched," she instructed. "Once you finish your assigned portion, a second person will go over it as well. So get personal items out of the way if you don't want them touched."

Once the few protests had fallen silent, Shepard dropped the commanding manner and gave them a smile. "Now," she continued, "As a thanks for all your hard work, dinner and drinks are on me tonight." She grinned as a whoop went up from the table, excitement bubbling from the crew. "Don't drink so much that you forget to report back to the Normandy on time tomorrow," she called over the din. "Until then, enjoy yourselves!"

The crew talked and laughed in a way that Shepard hadn't heard in a long time, drunk on the excitement of victory and survival. After enjoying the food and revelry for a while, Shepard slipped out, leaning on the doorway of the nearly-deserted restaurant. She needed this as much as they did, but heavy things still weighed on her mind. Under different circumstances she wouldn't hesitate to party just as hard as they were, but someone needed to stay clear-headed in case of a crisis. There would always be another night for her.

"So…" Shepard turned to see Garrus step out of the shadows. "If I'm not allowed to travel Omega without two teammates, why is it okay for you to wander around on your own?"

She couldn't hold back a smile. "Ten meters from my team is hardly wandering," she argued, nodding her head towards the party. "Besides, there's no one here who can order me around."

Garrus took a step closer, gazing at her with those piercing blue eyes. "Doesn't mean I won't try," he said, low and growling, igniting something within her.

A talon traced down her spine, sending a tingling through her core. She held in a shiver. Shepard glanced over to the room that held her team and back, making a decision. "Want to get out of here?"

"Definitely." He smirked at her as they walked away, a large hand solid at the small of her back. "We're breaking your rule, you know."

She smiled at him, her blue eyes sparkling. "I'll make an exception," she told him. "Just this once."

…

The first time they'd been cautious and careful, learning each other's bodies slowly as they opened up a new world of touch and taste and pleasure. This time things moved more quickly. The trip back to the Normandy served to heighten their anticipation, and by the time they reached the elevator they were no longer able to contain themselves.

Smoldering eyes gave away his intention just an instant before Garrus took action. A set of talon-tipped fingers wound through her hair while the others pressed her body hard against him. The tightening grip made Shepard's ribs ache, but no lingering injury would stop her. She let out a breathy moan as his tongue raked up her neck.

It hadn't taken him long to become confident when it came to their lovemaking. Several rounds on that first night had taken him from shy and unsure to cocky and confident, using his sharp eyes to study her reactions as carefully as if she were a sparring partner. The same smugness that he exuded about his skill in battle had emerged again when he discovered that a few proper touches from him could bring Commander Shepard to her knees.

That confidence was exactly what she'd been searching for, something so many previous partners had lacked. In a life where she always had to be dominant and in control, it was hard to find someone who could forget that dynamic behind closed doors. It was a relief not to be the commander here.

He pushed her through the open elevator door, all the way into the captain's quarters. He released her to secure the lock, ensuring they could not be disturbed tonight. When he turned back to Shepard, the predatory look in his eye made her quiver with desire.

"Strip," he ordered. She shivered.

Armor clanked as it hit the ground, the pieces left where they fell. She peeled her undersuit away from her body, relishing the kiss of cool air against her skin. Without warning, he pressed her up against the fish tank, making Shepard gasp with surprise and delight. His three-fingered hand toyed with the waistband of her underwear as he nibbled across her collarbone and teased a breast. She squirmed with anticipation, but found the presence of mind to push him away.

He looked at her, questioning and shocked, afraid that he'd done something wrong. She could see it in his eyes, the way he always seemed to fear she would change her mind.

"Not yet," she said, and watched confusion replace worry. "You're overdressed," she teased, thumping the chestplate of his armor as a grin stole across her features.

His gloves were gone already, lost somewhere between the elevator and where they stood, but it was only a passing thought in her mind—she was far more concerned with making sure he lost the rest of it.

Her fingers fumbled with the still-unfamiliar pieces as she rushed to help remove them. She ached to see and touch him again, to continue learning his body that was so alien and yet so beautiful. She stroked her fingers over the plates of his chest as they were revealed, tracing the new and old scars that criss-crossed the the leathery hide. Those scarred, battle-worn plates of his contrasted so sharply with her own skin, soft, pink, and unmarred. Stolen from her were the scars that she had once earned and worn with pride, the scars that made her remember. How many nights had she sat in the darkness wanting to march down to Miranda and unreasonably demand them back?

She shuddered at the memory of those dark days, bringing herself back to her present pleasure. She squeezed tight at his waist, relishing the growl she earned by it, and scratched lightly at the unplated hide. At last she moved lower, towards her final goal, the parted plates and erection revealed between them. He was fully emerged and ready now, his tawny hide tinted with the blue of pulsing blood. She reached out, stroking the shaft to produce a throaty groan from her partner.

With lightning fast reflexes, Garrus grabbed her wrist to stop her. The look in his eye told her everything. He pushed her a few steps back towards the aquarium again, raising that wrist over her head to press against the glass. She fought against the restraint half-heartedly, both of them aware that she dripped with desire at these small displays of dominance. In her own version of submission, she used her free hand to shimmy out of her panties, revealing herself to him entirely.

A pleased rumble sounded in his chest as he regarded her, a glistening patch of ginger curls. No longer content to stare, Garrus pressed a finger against her, rubbing only hard enough to inflame. "Harder," she told him, but the flick of his mandibles told Shepard her pleading would fall on deaf ears.

She rubbed her legs together in frustration, needing more. She moved to touch herself, but her second hand was captured like the first, raised up to be held against the glass with her other.

"Fuck you," she groaned.

He let out a chuckle. "That's the idea."

He gripped both wrists in one hand now, giving in to her desire. She moaned with relief and pleasure as he stroked with more force. She closed her eyes, tipping her head back against the glass, and Garrus leaned forward to give her a nipping kiss on her jaw. When he licked down her throat, Shepard thought she would die of the burning inside of her.

Before she realized what was happening, her wrists were released and Garrus lifted her bodily, hooking her legs over the angle of his hips. Her eyes flew open to meet his, and her arms found their way to his strong shoulders. They were a hair's breadth from consummation, and yet he waited.

Her blood pulsed fiery through her veins as he shifted, just barely brushing her clit.

"Please," she said, nearly a whimper.

He lowered her slowly at first as she stretched to accommodate him. When all her discomfort had melted into pleasure, she squeezed her legs to spur him on, shooting him a devious smile. That was all the invitation he needed. His thrusts were powerful, uneven with his need for her. He shifted to support her with one hand, using the other to stroke a sensitive breast. She gasped at his rough palm on her nipple, her own hands scrambling to cling to his cowl. She curled her fingers inside it, scratching at the sensitive hide that lay protected inside. He bent forward, pressing her further against the fish tank, as he buried his face between her breasts. He drove upward with a lick until he reached her neck, grazing the skin with his teeth. The brush of danger tipped her over the chasm. Desire welled and overflowed. She cried out, shuddering against the aquarium glass. The tightening inside her made Garrus stiffen and growl, exceeding his self control. He shook with his orgasm, burying his face in her shoulder as the waves of pleasure crashed over him.

Shepard leaned her head back against the cool glass, breathing heavily in the aftermath. She squirmed at the ticklish feeling of mandibles fluttering on her neck as Garrus pulled back. He set her down gently, arms steady around her when she wobbled on her feet. He gave her an appraising look, up and down her body, and frowned. "Do you have medi-gel up here?"

She glanced down, noticing the crosshatch of scratch marks and skin red from chafing. She wiped away small drops of blood dotting a cut and looked up at him. Her lips twisted into a wry smile. "We squishy humans do actually rough each other up quite a bit during sex, you know," she said dryly. "Besides, I don't even scar, not after what Chakwas did to my skin." For a fleeting moment she wished it was otherwise, to bear his marks on her skin.

"What about you?" she asked. "Any numbness or tingling? Did I hurt you? You're injuries aren't quite healed…" She stopped herself, eyeing him from fringed head to taloned toe, but he didn't seem any worse for the wear from their lovemaking.

"I'm fine," he insisted, caressing her cheek with his thumb. "The medi-gel?" he asked again. "Or at least something for that chafing. Didn't Mordin give you something for that?"

"It's somewhere around here," she said with a careless shrug. "Don't worry about it, okay? It'll be gone in a few hours. Like I said, I don't scar anymore."

He gave her a doubtful look, but nodded, trusting her judgment.

For a moment they stood staring at one another, not quite sure where to go from there. Finally, Shepard motioned towards the bed with a questioning look.

Garrus's mandibles quirked into a grin. "Trying to tell me you're ready for round two?"

"No," she said, then grimaced at her choice of words. "I mean yes, if you want to," she added, flustered. "But actually I was hoping you would stay tonight." She bit her lip when he didn't immediately respond. "I mean, I'm not trying to pressure you, but there's no reason to worry about disturbing the crew if hardly anyone's here, and…" He pressed a talon to her lips to silence her, his answer implicit in the motion.

Getting into bed together was a bit of a process—him adjusting pillows to fit comfortably around his cowl and her shifting positions against him until she found a spot that didn't cause the edges of his plates to dig awkwardly into her body—but, to Shepard, all the pains they took to make this work were worth it. He was worth all the trouble in the world.

She felt Garrus shift slightly against her. "Shepard, I—"

She cut off his hesitant voice, already certain of what was bothering him. "Please, just…" She stopped to find the right words. "Let's not worry about defining all of this right now." She moved so that her eyes could meet his, hesitant but filled with something that made her heart beat a little bit faster. "Just stay with me tonight," she said softly.

Let me have this one perfect night, her eyes pleaded.

His only response was to pull her back down to his chest, holding her tight against him. She drifted off to the comforting rumble of his breathing and slept without dreams.

…

Shepard groaned, rolling out of bed at the sound of persistent knocking on her door. It took her a moment to recall that she'd told Tali to come see her. She glanced towards Garrus, sprawled across the bed beside her and only just starting to stir. She'd have to talk to Tali out in the hall—she couldn't just hide a six-foot-something turian under her bed. She crossed the room, using a foot to shove away the clothes and armor strewn carelessly about the cabin.

Shepard stepped across the threshold, trying to appear casual. "Hey, Tali." The door slid shut behind her, but not fast enough to keep the quarian from tilting her head curiously at something she'd seen inside. Tali craned her neck to see behind Shepard in the last seconds before the panels sealed.

The quarian looked at her, bright eyes wide. "Is there someone in there?" Shepard grimaced, but didn't answer. "Garrus is going to be so jealous, you know," Tali added in a conspiratorial whisper. "He has a huge crush on you."

Shepard gave her a flat look, and her friend let out a gasp. "It's Garrus who's in there, isn't it?" The quarian actually squealed, throwing her arms around Shepard in an enthusiastic hug. "I'm so happy for you!"

Shepard let out a short laugh as Tali peeled herself off of her. "Don't start planning the wedding or anything. I had no idea you'd be so excited," she said dryly, crossing her arms. "Later, we're going to have a talk about your apparent belief that I would bring a stranger from Omega to bed with me." She frowned slightly. "Or worse, bring a stranger from Omega onto my ship."

"I'd prefer it if you didn't spread this around," she continued. "The crew doesn't need the distraction right now." Besides, she and Garrus didn't need anyone else talking about their relationship or trying to define it when they hadn't even figured out where things stood between them.

"Oh, I won't say anything," Tali said, decisively enough that Shepard raised a brow. "I'm going to lose credits when this comes out. I put my money on Jacob."

Shepard's blood pressure skyrocketed. "There's a betting pool?" She let out a frustrated sigh, rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes. "Of course there's a betting pool." Her eyes darted back to Tali, who was smirking behind her mask. "Also, Jacob? Really?"

"Well he is human! And very attractive," the quarian defended. "You seemed totally oblivious to Garrus, and after you went for Kaidan on the first Normandy…" Shepard winced as Tali trailed off. Kaidan was not one of her better decisions.

"Who else was on the list?" Shepard asked, letting her curiosity get the better of her.

"Hmm." Tali settled back on a hip, thinking. "Thane had a lot of votes," she told her. "There were a couple for Miranda, believe it or not. Joker voted for himself. Some people said you'd go back to Kaidan…"

"Never going to happen," Shepard interjected.

"…and after Liara came to visit all dressed up like she was, a few people thought you two were hooking up," Tali continued. "If it's any comfort, there were plenty of people who didn't think you'd get with anyone."

Shepard let out a huff. She didn't keep her crew busy enough if they had enough time to analyze every aspect of her personal life. She ran her fingers absently through her messy hair and looked at Tali. "Aren't we supposed to be discussing the Normandy upgrades?" she reminded the quarian, ready to move on to any other subject, even if it was all tech and maintenance that would inevitably go over her head.

Tali quickly pulled up some schematics on her omni-tool. "Right, uh… here, let me show you what we had in mind."

Tali had done her homework. She'd broken down everything into the resources they'd need, how long the upgrades would take, and which crewmen had the right skills to complete them. The armory would be moved to the cargo bay near the shuttle, replaced with an information processing command center based on a recommendation from Liara. There would be hidden weapons lockers placed in strategic locations around the ship in case of emergency. Life support would house a few bunks for additional crew quarters—Shepard hadn't failed to notice how several of her team had placed surreptitious cots in odd places—and Kasumi's room would be transformed into a full-on lounge. That was Shepard's favorite addition. With the amount of stress the crew would be under, they could use a place to relax.

There were other suggestions to do with safety standards and efficiency, but Shepard headed off the explanations and just told Tali to go ahead. She trusted the quarian—and wouldn't understand the tech anyhow.

Before Tali left, she reached into a pocket in her suit. "Here," she said, holding out a three-fingered glove that was far too large for her own hands. "I guess this explains why I found a certain someone's glove in the elevator."

She left Shepard standing in the hallway, staring at the glove with a hot blush on her face.

When she finally reentered her quarters, Garrus was already showered and partially dressed, sitting on her couch with his omni-tool open. She smiled at him from the top of the stairs. "Catch," she said, tossing the glove his way.

He caught it reflexively, raising a browplate at her when he realized what he held.

She leaned against her display case. "That was in the elevator," she explained. "In related news, Tali knows about us." She smiled wryly.

Garrus turned the omni-tool off and looked at her, his expression guarded. "What did she say?"

Shepard let out a short laugh. "She's ecstatic. But I think I convinced her to keep it to herself for now."

Garrus nodded, but his posture stiffened and mandibles fluttered nervously. Shepard waited quietly for him to speak. Garrus did things in his own time.

"Shepard," he said finally, "I think we should talk about what we're doing here."

Shepard bit the inside of her lip. Why did this make her so nervous? Every signal he'd given her was telling her to go for it, but what if she was reading him wrong? If he were human, she could have read his expressions like a book, but with Garrus this was all uncharted territory. She wasn't sure her usual 'go in with guns blazing' tactics would work here. She ran her fingers nervously through her hair, realizing how tangled it was. An idea struck her—a temporary out. "Can this wait until after I shower?" she asked him. That would at least give her time to figure out what to say to him.

After a moment, Garrus nodded. "I'll be here," he said in his quiet way, and somehow she thought he might not only mean her quarters.

He was always there when she needed him, and that was why she was terrified of messing this up.

…

Shepard closed her eyes as the hot water ran over her body. What the hell was she going to say?

Garrus, I fell for you long before our night together.

Garrus, you're the best friend I ever had, and I'm terrified that my confession of love is going to scare you away.

Garrus, I'm completely, utterly, stupidly in love with you.

Garrus, you might want to take back what you said about me never making you uncomfortable.

She mentally groaned at all of this as she soaped herself down. Garrus was the one steady thing in her life anymore, and she was scared of losing that. Of changing it.

You've already changed it, she reminded herself. You left the old friendship behind when you suggested you test his reach.

She finished her shower quickly, determined not to let this get to her. She was Commander goddamn Shepard, and she was not going to be intimidated by a simple conversation. After all the things she'd done, that was just insulting. She'd cowed krogan into submission, verbally bitch-slapped the quarian admirals, and talked Saren into breaking through reaper indoctrination. She always won in the end.

Maybe that was the problem.

She didn't want to talk Garrus into a relationship. She didn't want to convince him or lead just because he would follow. She wanted him to want this—she wanted him to decide on his own. She had been half afraid all along that he'd only agreed to sleep together because she'd asked. She didn't want to persuade him, she just…

She wanted him to love her the way she loved him.

She resolved to keep her damn tongue in her mouth this time and let him talk—and she'd deal with it, even if it wasn't what she wanted to hear.

Shepard toweled off her wet hair, marched out of the bathroom, and stopped short at the sight of her empty bedroom with Garrus nowhere to be found.

…