Chapter 17:

I woke up to the feeling of hands caressing my body all over. A hum left me, contentment radiating from me.

"There you are." Garrus's voice broke through the pleasant haze, snapping me to full awareness.

I launched myself at him, kissing him fiercely, blinding reaching for Thane. He moved closer, kissing along my shoulder blade.

"I missed you." I panted when we'd parted. "I missed you. I can't imagine-"

"Shhh." The turian silenced me with a peck. "That's not important right now."

"Right now, what's important is that you're here." The drell finished.

I shivered at the words.

"You're ours." They both growled out.

The next thing I knew, I was beneath them, and they were making up for lost time. Devouring every inch of me.

...

I sat there, listening, with wide eyes. Everything they'd been through... My heart broke for them. Genesis's, too. She howled in my head with every awful thing they said.

And then, the worst of all-

"A doctor gave me three months." A pause. "Two months ago."

I couldn't... My head refused to wrap around Thane's words. He... What?

"What?" I whispered.

He pulled me onto his lap, tucking my head under his chin, stroking my hair. Garrus moved closer to us, rubbing my back.

"I have one month." The drell said softly.

"I'm so sorry." I couldn't raise my voice. "I'm so, so sorry."

They squeezed me tightly, murmuring assurances. It wasn't right- I should be the one comforting them, not the other way around. But I didn't have the fight in me. I'd just been told that half my future was leaving me soon, after being reunited with them.

"I love you." I whispered, pressing kisses against his neck. "Both of you. So much."

I reached out through the bond, a dull ache coming from him. He was in pain.

They whispered their love for me, and I stood, grabbing their hands and pulling them to their feet. Leading them to the bedroom. I wanted to show them how much I love them. I wanted to show them that I was here for them, through anything and everything that life chose to throw at us.

...

There was a knock at the door, and Garrus went to answer it.

"Come in." He said, leading a man with a buzzed haircut into the living room.

I smiled at the man, recognizing him as John Shepard. "It's nice to officially meet the man my mates have been working with."

He cracked a smile, too. "It's nice to meet their mate."

I motioned for him to sit in the chair as the turian walked back around to sit beside me.

Once we were all seated, he dove into his side of things. And, glancing at my guys, he assured them that Miranda and Jacob- whoever they are- had no idea I was being revived as well. That soothed them, both of their bodies relaxing against me. Then, he continued with what happened from the time he woke up in the facility. That's where Miranda and Jacob came in. Understandable why he'd asked them about me.

I gave him my side, while he listened intently. Asking questions here and there.

When it was all laid out, I leaned back, shaking my head. "I can't imagine Cerberus wanting to help us weres by bringing back a princess. Not even the one next in line." It didn't make sense. "Even with the promise of me convincing the kingdom to fight against the Reapers. It seems like an extreme solution to a problem."

"I thought so, too, when he brought me back." A shrug. "I still feel that way. But he's giving me resources, and everything else I need, so I shouldn't complain."

"Yeah. That's definitely how I feel."

Curiosity settled over his features. "I've never met a werewolf- not that I know of, anyway. Could you tell me... If it's not rude to ask..."

"What is it?" I tilted my head, wondering what he would say.

"What do I smell like?"

I laughed, covering my mouth to stifle it. "Sorry, sorry." I paused until I'd calmed down. Leaning forward, to really focus on it, I sniffed him. "You smell like heat and crisp water."

"Crisp water?" He echoed.

"Yeah. Like... ice water. Clean, fresh ice water." I explained. "They don't sound like they'd go together, but they smell nice in this pair, actually. Complimentary."

I glanced at my two guys, before returning my gaze to Shepard.

"When... When will you be leaving the Citadel?"

"Five days from now."

So, it was a full week, not a work week. I was glad for the extra two days.

"Good." I relaxed. "I'm glad for this time with them. Even if it was the Illusive Man's doing."

He pushed to his feet. "I'll let you guys get back to it. I'll see you two at the end of the week."

Garrus walked him to the door, before returning and crouching in front of me. Leaning forward and burying his face in my stomach. I stroked his fringe gently, resting my head against Thane's shoulder, who stroked my hair.

We sat like that for a long while.

Before I knew it, it was nearly bedtime, and we'd missed both lunch and dinner. Garrus ordered something for us- from a werewolf restaurant, of course- and we ate quietly, just enjoying each other's company.

When I was finished eating, I got to my feet, turning to face them. When I had their attention, I looked between the two of them.

"Alright. Spill."

Confusion met my words.

"I'm not stupid." I frowned. "I've been trying to write it off as me imagining things, but I can't do that anymore. So, spill."

They exchanged glances, only further solidifying my assumptions.

"We realized, after meeting up again under Shepard, that we can communicate the same way you and I, and he and you, can. I don't know if it's the bond between us and you, or if one formed between us when we both marked you. But it's there. It didn't go away when..."

I tilted my head, regarding them for a brief time. "Why didn't you say anything?" I asked softly.

"We weren't sure if it was... normal." Thane explained, hesitant.

"Honestly, I've never heard of it happening before, but that doesn't mean it's unnatural, if that's what you mean." I assured them.

I kissed both of them lightly.

"So... Is that what led to you two getting together?" I asked.

They both looked so startled by the question, and I felt the amusement rising.

"I'm not blind, my loves."

"Well. We stayed in touch, after... And when we were both picked up by Shepard about two months ago, we... bonded, for lack of a better term. One thing led to another and..." The turian looked to the drell, a softness in his expression.

"I'm glad." I smiled, picking up their hands and holding them in mine. "I'm glad you had each other."

I watched as they kissed each other, my heart swelling at the sight. A fire sparked in my belly, and they both turned to me, surprised. No doubt feeling my desire.

"Andromeda... Does this..." Garrus was flabbergasted.

"Does this excite you?" Thane raised an eyebrow.

"It does." I nodded, shifting my weight, the fire only burning hotter.

He slipped his hands free, turning and pulling Garrus to him, kissing him hard. My hands released the turian's, sliding down between my legs.

"No."

I jerked to attention, stopping my hands.

"Strip."

I jumped to obey. If I had a tail, it would be wagging in anticipation.

His eyes burned into mine, the turian looking on with interest. "Sit."

I dropped to the floor, sitting on my heels. I wanted this so badly. Especially when they kissed again. A soft whine left me at the sight, but I sat still. I was a good girl.

I was forced to sit and watch as they both shed their clothes, Garrus climbing on top of Thane. I was forced to watch as they took pleasure in each other. I was forced to endure them loving each other. All while needing to stay in this position. It was killing me- I wanted them so badly.

But I didn't want this to end.

I wanted to watch them together forever.

They disappeared into our room.

Thane's voice drifted over to me. "Come."

I leaped to my feet, walking at an agonizingly slow pace- a normal pace, the one they wanted me to walk, to prolong my suffering- until I reached the bed. Garrus patted a spot on the bed, and I climbed on, panting with my need for them. He pushed my shoulder roughly, so that I fell face down on the blankets. I let out a soft whine, unable to stop my body from wriggling. A hand swiftly hit my ass, and I purred, the action only spurring me on. More smacks, and I felt a nip at the base of my spine. It was enough to startle me into stillness. A harder, stinging bite followed. A warning to stay still. I was only too happy to comply.

It meant I would be rewarded. Because I was a good girl.

...

The both of them were out shopping for the things they would need, and I was left to my own devices. Wandering around the Citadel. I quickly became lost, which was unfortunate for me. I often had panic attacks when I realized I was lost, forgetting momentarily about technology and maps.

Just before I could start, a ping on my omni-tool told me I had a message. It was from Thane, asking me to be on the lookout for a drell. His son- he had a son- had recently made it to the Citadel, and he'd taken up a job as a hitman. He didn't want that life for his son, so he wanted to stop him. He doubted I would come across him, but he wanted to ask, just in case. I assured him I would let him know if I came across him.

And just like that, as if summoned by magic, I watched a turian- Jorum Talid- and his bodyguard walk past me. Followed, a little ways off, by a drell. And he looked shady. This was clearly not a good situation. The arm closest to me shifted, and I zeroed in on the gun he had out against his back.

This was probably Thane's son.

I walked straight up to him. "Hello."

He paused, startled by me. "Hello?" Trying to move around me.

I grabbed his arm. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you do this."

Narrowed eyes. "Excuse me?"

"I can't let you do this." I repeated, giving him my best puppy dog eyes.

He seemed at a loss as to what to do next. This certainly hadn't been on his agenda for the day. I used his surprise to lead him away.

"You look... familiar." He eventually said, breaking the silence.

"I'm Andromeda Quinn."

His eyes widened. "You're the singer."

"Guilty." I grinned. "Now, come on. Let's go get some ice cream."

My omni-tool led us to the nearest place, and I set a second marker for home. Thank the goddess for technology. Or I really would have been lost.

He didn't fight me, no doubt wondering what the hell I was doing, and we got ice cream. While he ordered his- giving Kolyat as the order name- I sent off a message to Thane, letting him know I'd found his son. He asked me where we should meet, and I said our apartment would be fine.

We ate as we walked.

Finally. "Where are we going?"

"I'm taking you to meet some people." I said. "They're at my apartment."

He blinked, tilting his head. Curious, but not wanting to let me know he was.

I let him in, walking behind him. In case he tried to do a runner or something. I don't know. I don't know their relationship.

He stiffened as his gaze landed squarely on his father. They both stared at each other, neither one speaking.

"I think you should go talk in the spare room." I offered quietly, not wanting to break into their moment.

With wooden movements, Kolyat made his way into the room. Thane cast me a grateful smile, before following.

I ordered food for us all, for after their chat, and sat with Garrus. He pulled my legs onto his lap, dragging his talons in random patterns across my skin. My eyes slipped shut as I relaxed, a quiet purr rumbling through my chest.

"I love when you do that." He murmured.

I peeked to find him watching me with a tenderness in his eyes. I smiled, before closing my eyes again. There was a knock at the door- the food- and he got up- with my protesting whine following him- to get it. He dropped off the food in the kitchen.

"Come baaaaack!" I whined, flailing my arms around in a tantrum. "I need you."

He walked over to stand at the back of the couch, chuckling. "Thane's son is here. Your 'need' will have to wait."

I blushed, shaking my head. "Not like that!"

Settling back into his seat, he pulled my legs back across his lap, Thane and Kolyat coming out. "I love you."

I melted immediately. "I love you."

My drell came over, leaning over the back of the couch to kiss me. "And I love you."

My smile was huge, my cheeks hurting. He walked around, shifting me off my spot and taking it, before pulling me onto his lap. His son sat on the chair, watching us carefully.

"How did you meet my father?" Derision oozed from "father."

"I was walking through the Lower Ward, when I saw a sniper laser gliding toward a man. I stepped between them, glaring in the direction of the sniper. A while later, he showed up, saying he had to meet me."

Conflicting emotions warred across Kolyat's face. "You... That's how you met?"

"Yeah?" I looked between the two, feeling like I was missing something.

"That's how he met my mother." It was quiet.

I blinked. What were the odds?

"What are the odds that that would happen to you twice?" I asked, looking to my mate.