Survival of the fittest chapter 14

Liara was now the shadow broker thanks to Cerberus intel and Shepard's help. Jane had to admit she was good at her job, reliable and extremely valuable, since taking over she thrived in her role and immediately took over essential espionage jobs.

Aki from snooping at her files discovered that Garrus and his family were in a bind, since he was too proud to ask for help, she had managed to discreetly transfer funds to a previously fully booked private hospital which had since admitted Cera Vakarian to monitor and assess a treatment plan for her condition, her updates had been good news.

Aki shook her head and sighed heavily; the destruction of the human reapers victory only lasted a few short days with the consequences of the last mission weighing heavily on the crew's minds.

"it needed to be done" Aki stated coldly

"I just killed three hundred and fifty thousand people" the tears came thick and fast, Jane sobbed into her chest, "Aki- I'm a…" they stood watching the galaxy map as the relay exploded…

"you're a fucking hero Jane" Aki whispered holding her elder sister as she sobbed uncontrollably, "you've bought us time- it's what we needed the most"

The crew were gathered in the briefing room, Aki looked to Garrus and nodded once sadly to his questioning eyes, he was worried… they all were.

The doors opened Jane entering in, she inhaled deeply "the last mission-"she cleared her throat, eyes flickering across each of the all too familiar faces in front of her, "you all know what happened. What I did"

"you did what any of us would have- the logical decision" Joker frowned

"I'm sorry to say that I'm officially dismissing you all from service on this vessel- we'll dock at the citadel but that will be our final stop as a team" the tears brimmed

"Hackett?" she asked, "do you have to stand trial?" all eyes flickered to Aki as she spoke.

"I do" Jane nodded "there's a lot of blood on my hands and the Batarians will want revenge" she inhaled deeply, "I don't know how long the process is- once it's over I would be honoured to team up with each of you again, please gather your belongings, our course is already charted" Jane almost ran to the doors, quickly exiting and dashing to the elevator going up to her room.

The crew left the briefing room each heading back to their rooms to gather their possessions and say their goodbyes.

Aki and Garrus were crossing through the mess toward the battery, "Aki- there is a vid call for you", Garrus watched the grimace that flashed over her features before she nodded turning on her heel.

"I'll come find you after" Garrus promised watching as she walked away.

"Aki as you'll be aware by now Jane will be returning to earth based on casualties caused by mass relay destruction, I regret to inform you that you are being summoned"

"as a witness? Or an accessory?"

"officially you never left the alliance, you're still on leave, we would like your statement of events during the trial period, we will also need mental, physical and personality reports documenting the commanders wellbeing during this time frame"

"are you hoping to clear her name? destruction for the greater good?"

"we do not know how the Batarians will handle this sensitive issue, but we are going to protect Shepard as best as possible, it would greatly improve her case if another valued member of the alliance were to validate her story"

Aki nodded "I will attend the summons- see you on earth admiral"

"Hackett out"

Aki went to her quarters unsurprised by the Turian who sat waiting in front of her weapons bench, "what's wrong?"

Aki smiled sadly taking his hand, he stood up pulling her body into him, his mouth in her hair inhaling deeply.

"I have to go to earth Garrus" her voice was low, "they want me to give statements and psych reports"

"hmm" he murmured, "do you know how long?"

"could be as long as her trial" Aki speculated

he wanted more than anything to talk her out of it... to make her stay but this was for jane he understood it, "I'm going to miss you Aki" he moaned into her hair, his hands running down her arms, to her hips he stepped into her forcing her back toward the bed.

She couldn't help the smile that played on her lips as he swapped their positions so she could straddle him from where he sat on the edge of the bed… the bed in which they had shared, made love on, laughed on and now were going to say goodbye on.

It was like a hole was slowly opening in her chest and with every breath it began to expand until she could feel the physical pain.

Garrus trailed his talons along her back as her lips met his slowly, tenderly becoming rapid and feverish the lust almost suffocating.

Garrus pulled her clothes off with ease shifting his position to allow her to strip him down to his plates, groaning against the warmth of her body.

What would he do without this? Their nightly routine of passion before collapsing into one another. how would he cope after falling this deeply?

Lips were everywhere, his mandibles trailing across her exposed flesh as he entered her, it was slow, every move meant to maximise the eventual climax. Her thighs locking around him, his hands on her hips talons grasping, breaths rapid as moans filled the room. Garrus buried his face into her shoulder as she threw her head back hitting her high, his mouth lingered there his jaw opened around flesh.

Aki was faintly aware of the needle teeth lightly marking her as she continued their now rapid pace, their bodies melded perfectly to each other, the hard leathery turian body an extension of her own. Garrus moaned loudly spilling his warmth into her and with the same motion his teeth latched harder drawing blood, he immediately retracted panic on his face, "shit" he grunted pulling away from her. Mating was primal for Turians, something that was undeniably rough and had the affinity to be bloody what with battle instincts and talons… that mark though… that would have been unforgivable to do without being ready for the full consequences. but fuck did he want to.

Aki glanced to the wound on her shoulder and chuckled "well at least I have something to remember you by"

Garrus was ashamed, she didn't even know what that mark meant, "Aki i-" he shook his head once, if it was any deeper it would have most definitely scarred and that would have been his selfishness, "I'm sorry"

"Hey, I'm glad you let loose" she scooted up to wrap herself around him, "lay with me Garrus, I don't want to miss a second of holding you"

he immediately complied his mouth meeting hers "I love you Aki" he glanced to the mark and quickly away someday.

"I love you too Garrus"

They docked at the Citadel; this was it… time to face the consequences.

Jane inhaled deeply waiting for her comrades, she leaned back against the wall beside the airlock and shook her head, lets get this over with.

Dr. Chakwas was the first ready, she looked to jane and smiled sadly, "once again it has been an honour serving with you. I hope to see you soon, keep safe Jane"

"take care of yourself," Jane whispered hugging the older woman.

Miranda was next bags in hand, "Commander, it has been a pleasure."

"whatever you do next Miranda, I wish you luck"

"You too Shepard."

Thane was next he approached Jane with a solemn expression, "thank you Thane"

"no, thank you Jane, for everything" he stepped into her and swiftly embraced her

"good luck on your journey."

"Thank you."

Samara, Grunt, Jack and Mordin were next each one making her promise to find them again.

Aki and Garrus approached the airlock together, they'd said their goodbyes and were prepared for the lengthy separation.

Garrus stepped into Jane and gripped her tightly "take care Jane and thank you for everything"

"no, thank you Garrus for always being by my side"

Aki stood beside her sister and grinned at her Turian, if it wasn't for Jane, they'd never have met… never had become what they were now.

She stepped into him and pressed her mouth against his.

Garrus could feel the pain behind it, she was fierce but in this moment the vulnerability was oozing and it killed him inside.

Jane watched the embracing couple as they separated, she shook her head with a smile, "wait- where's your stuff Aki"

Aki waved Garrus off then turned to Jane, "the alliance asked me to return to earth, I'm coming with you"

"you idiot" Jane snapped "you could've stayed here with-"

"he understands, I'll find him when its all over" Aki smiled sadly "its alright- this needs to be done, together Jane"

"thank you, Aki"

"We're good to go, Commander." Joker stated over the comms.

"Okay, Joker, let's head out."

"Aye-aye, Commander."