Survival of the fittest

chapter seven.

The last dossier was Tali, it really was the old crew back together again.

Both new recruits had arrived at 0900 and had settled into their rooms.

Jane, as she did with all new recruits, picked them for her ground team to go and collect the Quarian. She had said something about trying to get the feel of her new additions and that worked best on the field.

It was quiet aboard the Normandy most of the crew stuck to themselves all busy with their individual jobs.

Aki found herself sauntering toward the battery.

Garrus didn't turn from where he stood adjusting the calibration of the guns systems as she entered. He kept his back to the blonde, he could smell her before she'd even opened the door, her scent unmistakable, it was already written into his senses, he could taste her still on his tongue- a pang of sadness washed through him.

I can't do this right now- Sidonis… he needs to be dealt with first.

"what's wrong?" she pressed to his hunched shoulders, he looked conflicted

"can it wait Aki? I'm in the middle of some calibrations" he asked defeated, not turning to look at her.

Aki frowned, stepping into his side to gauge his facial expression, his brow plate was furrowed, mandibles flaring.

The closer she got the more aware she became of how ridged his stance was; his whole body seemed to be tensed where he stood, "look at me Aki" he breathed grimacing as she stepped in closer, her hand outstretched, fingers brushing his mandible, warm soft skin trailing across his rough flesh, he shuddered with excitement.

"I am looking- I always have been" she admitted tilting her head with a gentle smile, hair falling over her eyes. He grabbed her wrist pulling her body into him, crushing her small frame against his armour.

"I'm broken" he groaned into her hair, "revenge is all I can think of- that and-" his hand went to her hair, tugging her head back gently so she was looking up at him, those luminescent pools of silver glowed in the dim lighting of the battery.

His eyes were filled heart-breaking sadness but there was more, anger and pain, how dare someone do this to you!

"you Aki" he finished his mandibles clicking softly as he took in the features on the human in his arms. He noted the scars that marked her flesh, the nick in her plump lower lip, the one which ran down through her eyebrow to her cheek, her face he had seen a million times before but lately he felt like he had mapped it to memory, he could close his eyes and see every feature but it wasn't enough.

Aki's stomach pooled with heat at his words, her heartbeat pounding in her ears, it was so loud and fast that she could feel it; the blood throbbing against her skin.

oh my fucking- she couldn't stop herself, she wrapped her arms around his neck drawing him down so she could plant her lips against his mouth. He purred against her lips, moaning audibly as her tongue slipped past his needle-sharp teeth, his tongue attempted to mimic her soft probes meeting hers in its slow passionate dance.

Aki groaned now as he ran his hands down her, over her shoulders down her sides until his hands rested on her backside taking a cheek in each hand and squeezing sating his desire.

so this is what they feel like he'd watched her train, seen her backside in those small shorts as she squatted, imagined how firm they would be in the palm of his hands and they lived up to expectations.

He had wanted to feel her flesh, to have nothing separating them, to feel her body grinding against his plates.

The need he felt was pure fire, he hadn't felt this way in so long, hadn't been with a woman in so long. flashes of them tanged up together appeared in his mind and then the realisation came along with sudden worry; humans were so soft, can they even handle a Turian? Can she even be with me?

"Garrus-" Aki swallowed hard as he broke away from the kiss, his mouth trailing down her neck to her exposed shoulder, he wanted to nip the flesh, to tease her, to drive her crazy. His hands slipped under her vest in the hopes of spurring this on further, Aki immediately pulled back.

"what's wrong?" he pressed immediately worried he'd done something wrong. Have I crossed a line? Maybe she was simply curious and didn't intend to go this far! Oh shit! "I'm sorry"

"no" she shook her head clearly flustered. Aki grabbed his hand flashing him a breath-taking smile, he noted her flushed cheeks and how her lips had darkened colour from his kiss. He wanted to seize her mouth again, the taste of her saliva still lingered, "you didn't do anything wrong- but it's difficult between humans and Turians; I want the first time between us to be as comfortable as possible" she soothed I want it to be a night we can both enjoy

His mandibles clicked a succession of chirps, relief flooding through him, "Aki- i-" the door to the battery opened behind them, both turned to look.

"Garrus, I wanted to-" Tali began, "Aki!"

Aki grinned at the Quarian running to her throwing her arms around her neck and planting a kiss on the suits mask, "oh! It's so good to see you!"

"it has been a long time" Tali held her close "I've missed you"

She looked around Aki to Garrus, "Garrus I was glad to hear you were aboard"

Garrus nodded "I'm glad you came Tali"

"hmm. I'm not a fan of Cerberus"

"is anyone?" Aki frowned "still we're all here together- and Jane- she's back, I owe them at least for that"

"yes- it's one good thing to come from them" Tali admitted

There was a long pause.

Aki cleared her throat taking her chance to leave, "well I'll excuse myself I think you wanted to talk to Garrus" she glanced to the Turian who stared at her intently, "I'll catch you next time?"

He nodded "most definitely"

"Jane?"

She looked up from her glass of wine and to the blonde who sat a few seats away from her, both their feet rested atop of the coffee table, it was a night off, a night to relax and catch up, to just be normal siblings, listening to music, talking and drinking, "what's up?"

"horizon and Kaidan, I never said sorry" Aki shook her head "I know you two- "

"I don't want to talk about it" she half whispered looking to the glass in her hands once more.

Aki saw the tears brimming in her emerald eyes.

"Jane- I love you", her sisters head snapped up the tears spilling now, "Kaidan will come around if that's what you want- persevere, he's stubborn, you know this better than anyone"

"he was always there you know. Just, I thought he would always have my back" Aki scooched over so she could rest her head against Jane's shoulder, "remember that night before Illos, that was our first time together, he was the only thing that kept me sane."

Jane frowned through the hurt at the memory of him, his hands, his mouth… that smile, why does he have to be so stubborn!

"then you can keep proving him wrong- he thinks you're being controlled, show him what we all see, that you are Jane Shepard, that it's just you- that every decision is yours"

Jane nodded once, "it's all I can do" she rested the side of her head against Aki's "thank you- but- now I have a question for you"

"okay" Aki rose an eyebrow sitting upright grabbing her drink and downing it quickly.

Jane's smile was suddenly wicked, "Garrus-"Aki pursed her lips slightly ah shit! "what's going on there?"

Aki shrugged once, "he's just Garrus" she admitted "nothings happened yet- but Jane, fuck do i want it to"

Jane leaned forward her eyes narrowing, "don't you hurt my friend Aki" she warned "he's like a brother to me -admittedly that's weird since you want to fuck him"

Aki snorted "it's not like that I promise" Aki could feel herself blushing now, "Garrus is- something else, not just... a fuck"

"must be" Jane smiled shaking her head once, "I have never even seen you bat an eye at anyone… ever"

"mhm" she mumbled not meeting her sisters gaze, "there was someone, a long time ago and that was-" she stopped herself, "yeah"

Jane arched an eyebrow again and sighed "he's a good guy"

"human-turian, we'll have to see how it goes" she smiled coyly.