Thank you BJHanssen for your always-appreciated assistance and for talking me off the cliff on occasion. ;)
Thank you to all of you who follow and comment, if it weren't for you all I'm not sure I would continue with this fic. THANK YOU!
And btw - there may be an 'MF' in this one. He made me do it.
"It took me 3 months to finally track him down," I continued, sitting on the foot of my bed as I looked back at Garrus. His attention was fully on me, whether it was for my storytelling abilities or incredulity was not apparent but his silence gave me a clue.
I smiled at the thought of walking into that place again, seeing Sayid's body hunched over the bar. "But when I did, it was so satisfying.
"I'd cut and dyed my hair plus wore a ton of make-up so there was no way he could have recognized me sober, much less as drunk as he was. He was sucking on a bottle of cheap whiskey when I made my presence known. I played nice, made promises with my eyes and before I knew it I was outside his door, watching him fumble with the keys to his room.
"We got inside and I let him sit down on the bed before I shut the door and pulled out my gun.
"At first his eyes got wide and his jaw dropped but then…" I looked down, furrowing my brow and closing my eyes tight to try to bring back the image. It was difficult even then to picture it, the emotions that washed over his face were so…
Shocking.
I must have stayed quiet too long because Garrus cleared his throat, a signal to continue. I laughed, glancing back at him then looking back down to the floor.
"He was relieved," I breathed out.
I heard Garrus sputter so I looked back up at him.
"That is… not what I expected," he replied, giving me a quizzical look. "Fear, anger, sure. Relief?"
I nodded, "Relief." I got up, moving to stand in front of him to ensure I had his complete and undivided attention. Not that there was anything else in the room to distract him but I had to be sure, had to see it in his eyes that he understood what I was saying. "Blatant and unwavering relief.
"I asked him why," I continued, "why the hell he would give those people up, all the while holding the gun to his forehead, waiting, hoping it was a trick to take me off guard. Instead his face went sad and tears rolled down his cheeks. He mumbled something about his sister. Then he looked away and said…
"It wasn't supposed to be this way.
"Over and over, he repeated it, every question I asked had the same answer. 'Why did you do it?' 'Five people are dead because of you, how can you live with yourself?' 'What kind of monster are you?' Every response was identical.
"Finally I hit him across the head with my gun. I was tired of the bullshit, I wanted answers. Shit, I earned them! I screamed at him, 'WHY?'
"That must have woken him up because he snapped out of whatever fog he'd been in and stared up at me like a cornered animal. Then he gives me this look, like I was supposed to know the answer. I repeated "Why?" and he just stares back...
"'You didn't count the bodies?'"
"Then it clicked. I'd counted six bodies and it never occurred to me there were only supposed to be five. Five hostages." I shook my head, maintaining eye contact with Garrus. "I nodded, asked him 'Who was the sixth?'"
Garrus sighed, putting together the pieces. "His sister."
I nodded, "They'd promised him not only his sister's freedom but that they wouldn't hurt anyone, they just wanted the hostages back, to collect the money for the ransom. They even promised not to harm me if I came back too early." I huffed out a cynical laugh and shook my head. "They had a mark and they knew it, took it all the way."
Garrus laughed darkly, "Yeah, but come on. He didn't even have a clue?"
"Think about it," I said as I held out an open palm to him, "they have the life of someone you love, your whole world in their hands. All they have to do is-" I clamped my hand shut into a tight fist. "And they are dead, gone forever." I dropped my hand to my side and shrugged. "A normal person will do and believe anything. You just have to be a good enough liar."
Garrus smirked, "So you took him out?"
I held my facade, "He begged me to, said he deserved it. Said it would help me find peace and he was willing to pay the ultimate price. Then he slipped up, made a mistake.
"He said it would bring him peace.
"That whole time I'd been putting more and more pressure on the trigger, just waiting for the moment the gun went off and it was over... until he said that.
"No way in hell was I going to be the one to give him peace," I ground out, my eyes going narrow with rage. "He'd single-handedly brought about the deaths of six innocent people and he was still walking around, peace?
"I said 'Fuck your peace.' Tucked the gun into the back of my skirt and walked out without another word." I stared at Garrus, letting the outcome sink in until his expression changed.
He scratched at a mandible, "So you let him live but only to make sure he continued to suffer."
I laughed, shaking my head, "In the end it was more complicated than that." I sat down next to him. "But the bottom line is I had to live with that decision, me. No one else."
I took a talon in my hand and squeezed lightly. "At the end of the day it's you who has to live with your actions. I don't regret walking away but my reasons are my own, just like your reasons will be your own. No one else can tell you how to feel. Not even someone who lived it.
"Whatever decision you make, I will support you," I assured him, releasing his talon and standing, "just make sure you have all the information. Once this is over there really isn't too much room for a redo."
Garrus sighed, "Yeah, he'll either be dead or disappear again. I know." He looked down at the floor and shook his head, then stood. "I have a few things to think about," he said as he looked up at me. "I'll let you know when I'm heading to the Citadel."
"Ok, and let me know what the plan is," I smiled at him and rested a hand on my hip seductively, "I'll need to know whether to wear armor or lace."
"Sorry, I cannot picture you in lace."
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"This is the place," Garrus whispered over comms as we approached a large warehouse. Spotting a human man and three armed mercs at the entrance I took him by the arm, Thane as well, and dragged them behind some large crates.
"As much as I love a good old-fashioned gun fight," I whispered as I gestured to my attire, which was more casual than appropriate.
I'd tied my newly manicured hair back into a sleek, albeit short, ponytail and borrowed an outfit from Kelly that consisted of a skin-tight black mini and a matching halter top that barely cupped my breasts, leaving my mid-section exposed. Finishing off the outfit with a pair of 3' black heels, the plan was to use my curves to get us answers and then, if needed, the other two would just shoot them. It worked pretty well to get the Krogan to take a hike, I was hoping to keep the gunfire to a minimum in the Harkin situation too.
Thane nodded at me then looked at Garrus, "Perhaps we can use it to our advantage."
I smiled, catching on to his plan, "Perfect, let me get your friend's attention. I'll draw him away and you guys move in when we are clear of the muscle." I looked at Garrus, waiting for his approval. "Your op, your decision."
Garrus gave me a questioning look, "Are you sure you want to do this? You're not 100% and he's not exactly harmless, if you got hurt..." His face conveyed concern, both for me and for himself. If John found out he was handling an operation without his knowledge he would undoubtedly not be pleased, I reasoned.
I smiled back at him wickedly and nodded, "This, my dear, is what I do." I stood, straightened out my clothes and slowly sauntered over to the mark.
As I approached, the three mercs raised their guns but almost immediately lowered them, overtly staring at me. I guessed they were anyway, their helmets hid their faces completely. I ignored them and went straight to the human named Harkin I'd spotted earlier.
Garrus gave me a quick run down on him before we'd arrived, ex-C-Sec, helped out mercs with infiltrations and others to disappear if they had enough funding. So basically he was an opportunistic scumbag taking advantage of people running away from trouble and helping out those who were the trouble.
He wasn't wearing armor and had a clipboard, telling me not only was he in charge but he had information. I smiled, locking eyes with him as I stopped maybe a foot away, letting his eyes roam over me generously. Waiting patiently, I gave him time to focus and figure out what he wanted to say.
"Can-can I h-help you?" He stuttered slightly, to which I slowly batted my eyes and nodded.
"I understand you are in the business of helping people," I breathed out, keeping my voice low and the conversation between us. "I could use some 'help'."
His eyes became greedy and a predatory smile crossed his face, "I'm sure I can 'help' you, provided you have resources."
Oh yeah, this is gonna be fun, "I do, but I'd rather not discuss such things in front of an audience," I said as I motioned to his mercs. "Can we go somewhere private to discuss arrangements?"
His expression went from hungry to overjoyed as he handed the clipboard to one of the armored men and took my arm, leading me away from the building.
Trying to slow his pace to ensure Thane and Garrus could keep up, I tugged on his arm and smiled up at him, motioning for him to come closer. He stopped, confused at first but he bent his head toward me when I saw a glimpse of green behind him.
Managing barely to miss his lips, I positioned my mouth next to his ear. "I was hoping you'd say yes." Then, giving him my own version of a hungry smile, I quickly resumed walking and tugged him along, making sure to move a bit slower than before.
Thankfully he wasn't very interested in talking so the walk was quiet but when we rounded the second corner I saw what appeared to be an apartment building in front of us. The smirk I caught out of the corner of my eye made me cringe inwardly as we continued toward the structure's entrance.
Not noticing my back up and out of options, I pretended to twist my ankle and shrieked. "Ow! Shit, oh wow that hurts," I carried on, grasping at the joint and hopping on one foot. I heard him groan in frustration as he helped me toward a nearby bench. Keeping up the rouse, I held the ankle and sat down, waiting for Garrus and/or Thane to show up.
I didn't wait long.
A flash of green and Harkin was out of sight, laying on the ground in an obscured alley about 12 feet away. Slowly I checked out the area, making sure no one was alarmed, and then casually made my way over to join them.
Staring down at the creep, I gave him a smirk of my own. "Tell me, how does it feel to be at someone else's mercy for once?" He growled at me, to which Garrus replied with a boot to the gut. He doubled over in agony.
"Probably a little like that," Garrus said, obviously taking great satisfaction in having the upper hand.
I smiled down at the human, "So in case you didn't figure it out already we need something from you."
Harkin spat on the ground then glared up at me. "And why would I cooperate?" Another boot, this time to the lower spine, was the response he got.
"That's why," I replied calmly, holding my content smile. "Ready to cooperate?"
When he caught his breath his glare returned. "What do you want?"
"Sidonis," Garrus hissed. "Where is he?"
Harkin looked up at the Turian, "Well, it looks like we both have something the other one wants," he sneered.
I stepped on his hand with the heel of my shoe and smirked down at him darkly as he screeched. "I think you misunderstood, there will be no deals here." I relieved some of the pressure but held the shoe in place while Thane secured the other hand with his boot. "You will provide the information needed and then we will decide what to do with you."
Gritting his teeth, he scowled up at me, "I see that." I released his hand, as did Thane, and Harkin rubbed them together. "You have to see how giving up client information would be bad for business, right?"
He was looking at me but it was Garrus who replied, "You know what else is bad for business?" Garrus' boot found Harkin's throat. "A broken neck."
The human gurgled, struggling for air, "Alright, alright! Get off me!" I glared down at him but shot Garrus a hand signal to lay off, which he did. When Harkin caught his breath he rubbed at his throat. "Terminus really changed you, huh Garrus?"
"Set up a meeting," I interrupted, "No more talk. Now." I motioned to a communication booth nearby and he put up his hands in surrender as he stood.
Once the rendezvous was set we dropped Harkin off at the closest C-Sec office and set out for the Orbital Lounge. Grabbing a car, Garrus drove us to the general area we were to meet the other Turian.
We all got out and I looked at Garrus, "So what's the plan?" I waited, watching his facial movements and body language. He was still pensive, as if unsure as to his decision. "Hey, if you're still not sure about this…"
"I-I think I am," he responded. "I just need to hear it from him."
I nodded. "Why."
He returned the nod and motioned to a higher level, "I'll be up there, you go down and talk to him. See what you can get out of him and we'll see where this goes."
I nodded and motioned to Thane, "Let's go." He nodded and got back into the car with me, driving us to a parking spot outside the Orbital Lounge. Once we got out he followed me for a bit then disappeared into the shadows before I came upon the area where Sidonis would be waiting.
I looked around slowly, letting my eyes fall on him well after I'd spotted him in my peripheral. He was hunched over, wringing his hands in worry as his mandibles moved frantically. Wow, this guy is terrified. Moving toward him, I waited until I was a few feet away to say his name.
"Sidonis."
He jumped up, catching sight of me and rushing toward me, "Don't ever say that name aloud! Argh, let's just get this over with."
"Showtime," Garrus hummed in the comms.
"I hear you're hiding from some mercs," I said softly, "Why is that?"
The Turian sneered at me, "What the hell do you care, just give me my new docs and I'll be going."
I put up a finger, waving it slowly back and forth, "Uh uh, careful. You never know when a sniper rifle may be aimed at your head." He looked around frantically then finally back at me, speechless. With a smile and a wink I continued, "Just answer the question."
"Who sent you after me, Garrus? Shit, tell him I have my own problems," he waved me off and turned to walk away.
Oh no you don't mother fucker. I grabbed his arm, swinging him around to look me in the eye. "Look, if you have a deathwish that's fine, I'll tell him to take the shot and this can all be over with." Calming down a little, I continued. "But if you have any good reason for ratting those men out, leading those mercs right to their door to slaughter them, I suggest you speak up."
He hesitated, probably unsure as to whether or not I was serious, but relented. "I didn't have a choice."
I shook my head, "There is always a choice," I seethed, hearing Garrus' grunt of approval in the comms.
Sidonis shook his head, "They had me, told me they'd kill me if I didn't talk, what was I supposed to do?"
I snapped, grabbing a hold of his collar and yanking him toward me. "You were supposed to die. What the fuck makes you so special that your life is worth all of theirs?" Pulling him just a hint closer, we were nose to nose. I smirked. "Please, enlighten me. Tell me how it is that you are so much more fucking important than ten brave men who fought against corruption." His shoulders slumped and, realizing he was no longer resisting, I released him.
He moved over toward the railing, resting on it with a sigh, "I know what I did, you don't have to remind me." Closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead. "I see their faces every night in my dreams, I wake up sick and sweating... They're dead because of me, and I have to live with that.
"I'm already a dead man," he relaxed, his body slacken as he leaned on the rail. "I don't sleep, food has no taste… Some days I just want it to be over." He sighed, a long, heavy sound that seemed to reverberate through his whole body. "There's nothing else to say, nothing I can say to make it right. I know that and I know what's coming. I'm ready."
I waited, knowing Garrus' gears were turning. Sidonis knew it too or he wouldn't have moved out from behind my shadow. As the moments ticked by I thought about Sayid, the pathetic look on his face, the desperation in his eyes. He'd wanted to die, Sidonis just seemed resigned to it, as if it were just a minor inconvenience.
The comms crackled and a whisper from the Turian came through...
"Let him go."