Chapter Twelve: Crumbs
"Stop squirming." Dr. Chakwas ordered. Shepard frowned, his arm going limp. Wayne winced when the needle pierced the flesh of his arm. Shepard never enjoyed needles.
"There we go." Dr. Chakwas stated nonchalantly as she drew blood from Shepard. Wayne grimaced at the sight. He toughened up as Chakwas retracted the needle and began patching up his arm. Wayne grimaced again…he hated needles. Reclining back into the bed Wayne sucked in a small constricted breath. He looked to Dr. Chakwas pleadingly and asked quietly.
"How many more times are we going to need to draw blood?" Dr. Chakwas flashed Wayne a brief smile and replied.
"Don't worry, Commander. This is only a precaution." Wayne's eyes lit up.
"From what?" He asked in a gruff tone. After spending over three weeks in the ship's med-bay left Wayne a little on edge. Dr. Chakwas understood the root of his uneasiness and replied innocently.
"Medi gel infection, Commander, sometimes when the wound seals small particles of flesh or skin tissue enters the blood stream." Wayne's brow furrowed. He cocked his head to one side as he looked to Dr. Chakwas and asked huskily.
"Why now instead of when the medi gel was first applied?" Dr. Chakwas could see the mild anxiety rising in Wayne and calmly replied.
"That is the tricky part, Commander. Any particles that may have entered the blood stream were more than likely coated with medi gel and undetectable through normal means. However, it's a very unlikely occurrence. I wouldn't worry about it. After nearly losing you once I just want to make sure that it does not happen again." This eased Wayne's nerves a little. He reached over to his water drank a little sip and took one of his painkillers. As Wayne did he stole a glance of Tali talking with Garrus. It was a tense looking conversation. Just from that small glance Wayne could feel the utter coldness. It was a good thing he was pent up in the med-bay and not out there…
When Wayne returned his focus back to the med-bay Dr. Chakwas had left. He was still surprised at how easily Karin could move around the ship without making a single sound. Shaking it off Wayne reached for his laptop. It had been some time since he had checked his email. Not since what had happened actually…
Wayne forced his mind away from it and quickly typed in his password. He clicked open his ITunes and started playing Bob Seger. Afterword he opened up the extra-net to Msn. He began to go check his Hotmail but frowned and instead looked up pug pictures on Google images. Wayne was partial to pugs. He found them funny. Wayne spent about twenty minutes leafing through Google until he realized how much time that was wasted and went to check his personal Hotmail.
Wayne didn't expect to find any mail. He rarely received any, save from Lara. However, his normally empty inbox had a single email from Liara. Wayne's stomach immediately vaulted. After what had happened with Tali Wayne was still a little on edge. Still, he retained a strong friendship with Liara and emailed her often nothing to warrant an argument. With some hesitation he clicked on the little envelope icon.
Unknown Forward Address
Commander, I only just heard from my channels on what happened. Are you alright? Well…that is a silly question, if you're reading this you must…no…how to word this…I'm worried. I want to see you, but…please tell me you are okay.
L.
ShepardWayne
Recovering… it was painful but...well that's a silly thing to say :) But I'm doing well. Sorry if I worried you. If it helps, here are a couple of pics I found today.
Enclosed: Google Image Links
As Wayne hit send the metallic click of the med-bay auto door rang throughout his ears. It was Tali. Wayne hastily tapped the big red X at the top of his browser. However in his mad rush to close his email Wayne had clicked one of the only icons that existed on his desktop. By the time he realized what happened it was too late Tali had already pulled up a seat next to him.
In plain view was an animated woman wearing only her underwear and a light blue blouse that drooped near her thin shoulders. Hitomi: Winter Dream was boldly printed above the brunette in light cursive. Wayne could already feel the blood rushing to his face turning him beet red. He really should have uninstalled this and kept it on his home computer but it was a new release! Wayne had to have something to pass the time aboard the Normandy, gal-games was that something…It was an embarrassing way to throw away time but he needed something. Now, his secret was out and Tali asked the dreaded question…
"Wayne, what is this?" She asked ever so innocently. Wayne felt a bead of sweat roll down the side of his forehead. Wayne laughed inside this situation mirrored a scene in the game. He had a choice. Tell the sweet heroine the truth or lie…lie like tomorrow…but this was no sim date there was a third option! Wayne closed the laptop and flashed an overly sweet smile to Tali. He laid his head on the pillow and feigned innocence.
"It was nothing in particular just an old game of mine." Tali was keen on Wayne's weasel out of an explanation forget it exists tone of voice and replied dully.
"A game huh." Wayne enthusiastically nodded. There was a brief silence between the two until Wayne asked.
"I saw you and Garrus talking, seemed pretty heated did something happen?" Tali looked to her side and let out a little huff and replied coldly.
"He was apologizing." Wayne raised his eyebrow and replied
"Don't hold this against him, Tali. It was my call to tag along with him." Tali bowed her head forward. She placed her hand atop Wayne's and said quietly.
"I just…I don't want…Wayne, don't make me say it." Wayne flashed Tali a toothy grin and sat forward.
"I understand but give Garrus some slack, for me?" Tali let out another huff. Wayne chuckled pecked the side of her mask and replied.
"I knew you would understand." Tali felt herself blush a little as she sat up straight and cleared her throat.
"So long as you tell me what was on your computer and I'll think about forgiving him." Wayne grinned.
"Think about it? There's no thinking about it." He replied jokingly before laying his head back onto his pillows. Then Wayne closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. The medication was starting to kick in. His eyes were growing heavy and he was slipping into a light sleep. Tali smiled under her mask and whispered something inaudible... With that Tali let herself out of the med-bay. In the hallway she clicked a couple of various buttons on her Omni Tool and her little drone Chiktikka whistled and bleeped a response from the built in comm.
"Chiktikka, I just sent you the name of something. I want you to run a search on the extra-net and find out exactly what something something Winter Dream is and send it to my personal computer." There was a brief silence before Chiktikka gave an affirmative beep. Before she could enter the elevator she was stopped. She turned on her heel abruptly. It was Garrus again. Tali's good mood sunk downward. She sucked in a small pocket of air and asked.
"What?" Garrus met her gaze with dark eyes. There was a trace of something threatening in his posture as he loomed over the quarian. Although he towered over Tali she met his icy stare with firm ground. Undaunted, Garrus growled.
"Enough." Tali reeled back slightly at the sudden force behind Garrus's tone of voice. She quickly recovered and snapped with spite.
"Enough of what?" Garrus's avian features tightened. He let out a low breath and hissed.
"I'm done apologizing, Tali. Whatever happened was not my fault. What happened to Shepard was out of my hands." Tali reeled again. She huffed and said under her breath.
"Even so, Shepard will always listen to you…you're the one who..." Garrus slammed his fist against metal paneling and barked.
"Is that it! Is that what you want to hear from me! I'll say it! What happened to Shepard was on me! It was my screw up, is that what you want to hear! Tali please... I just want this to end. Whatever friendship we had…have I want to keep!" Tali backed into the elevator. For some reason she was trembling. Clenching her fists she fired back.
"Why!" Garrus didn't answer. He just stood there a blank expression on his face. He never said anything, just standing there until the elevator doors shut in his face. After standing for what seemed forever Garrus pounded his head against the elevator door and whispered to himself.
"You know why." From behind there was a single observer. Kasumi faded out of her cloak field and placed a warming hand on Garrus's shoulder. He shook her off, only to feel that hand again. Garrus turned on his heel and said lowly.
"What do you want." Kasumi motioned with her head to follow, he did. They went to her quarters in port observation. Kasumi forced the turian to take a seat next to her. The Japanese thief quickly retrieved a turian version of candy and passed it to him. She looked to him and said hopelessly.
"Sometimes you just can't force this sort of thing, Gar." Garrus unwrapped the candy and forced a piece of the chalky food down and managed a thank you in between bites. Kasumi watched him slowly intake the food and suddenly stated firmly.
"If there was ever a time to make your feelings clear…that was it." Garrus snapped his head to Kasumi and growled.
"What would you know about it!" Kasumi flipped behind the couch to look out of the port observation window.
"Plenty." Was Kasumi's answer. Garrus clicked his mandibles together and let out a low chuckle. He brushed any crumbs away from his mouth and continued.
"Enlighten me." Kasumi smiled. He took the bait. She flipped back down into her seat and replied quietly.
"Keiji was a very serious man. He was always quiet but he was kind. Every day we worked together I saw that kindness. Over time, I fell for him. I'll tell you now, Gar, I'm not an easy woman to catch, I'll rephrase that, I've never been caught… master thief and all…but Keiji was different." Garrus grunted and cracked his neck.
"This story got a purpose?" He asked gruffly. Kasumi placed a silken finger to one of his mandibles and continued.
"We both knew how we felt about each other and one day he even acted on it, because he knew I never would. One thing lead to another and well…it was some of the best years of my life, but we really were not for each other. Keiji and I were friends and off and on lovers and that's it but we knew how we felt." Garrus smirked and started to stand but Kasumi forced him to remain seated. Garrus cast his head downward and grumbled.
"So, what has any of this have to do with me." Kasumi smiled again and replied quietly.
"Plenty. Garrus, you are like me in so many ways. I'd never say anything to Keiji. He knew that and he was the one to say what was on his mind. It wasn't until then I realized something." Garrus raised a curious eye to Kasumi and asked.
"What was that?" Kasumi made Garrus look her in the eyes as she replied in near whisper.
"No matter what it is always better to let that special person know how you feel than to sit by and not say a single word, letting those emotions bottle up. Even if you are not meant to be together at least they'll know your feelings and who knows maybe one day they'll reciprocate them." Garrus felt as if was going to chuckle but once Kasumi's words hit him he grasped how much wisdom they held. He was going to thank her but she already disappeared. Garrus narrowed his eyes and called out.
"Alright, that is seriously getting old, Kasumi!" A random flying pillow smacked him directly between the eyes and a voice called out.
"For you, Gar, not for me!" With that Garrus sat there with a mildly irritated expression painting his face. The cloaked woman laughing as she stealthily left port observation.
Mordin fidgeted in his chair while Thane observed him. He just sat there looking at him as a predator would view his prey. Predator like. Mordin wanted to move…no, he wanted to run but given Thane's skill set that was an ill-advised plan. Mordin looked up to meet Thane's reptilian eyes and said.
"Thane, thank you for inviting me for lunch. Is good, is a social activity. Very fun, can speak with friends, talk about friend things…often times lunch has been considered a romantic…I'll shut up now." Thane smirked.
"It is good you that you stopped by. I should thank you for accepting my request on such short notice, Mordin." Thane replied, that smirk never leaving his face. Mordin took a hearty bite of his ration and nodded vigorously. Thane nibbled on his sandwich, his eyes never leaving Mordin. As the doctor ate Thane reached into his coat pocket retrieving a silk handkerchief. Before Mordin could even react Thane was upon him. The drell assassin delicately dabbed away a gathering of crumbs from Mordin's chin and lips. This made the already jumpy salarian vault out of his chair. Thane merely placed his handkerchief back and instructed Mordin to sit.
"I apologize. It was perhaps not my place, to do such a thing but I could not stand it, the crumbs I mean." Mordin's eyes fluttered rapidly opening and closing continually. Now his hands were shaking. Terrific, vulnerable looking, sarcasm…Wheel Help me. Mordin sat straight as an arrow while avoiding eye contact.
"No, no I must apologize…for what happened…before. Caffeine is stimulant…like alcohol for salarian…I did not mean I was attracted. Not saying you are not attractive! Many females aboard human or otherwise seem to find you handsome! Not saying I do…I mean…" Thane silenced Mordin by raising his hand lightly and said lowly.
"All is fine Mordin. Please do not worry yourself. You see, in my people's customs it is more commonplace for those sorts of feelings between…" Before Thane could finish Mordin stood and made for the door.
"Forgive me! Thane!" Mordin called out before bolting out of his quarters. Thane merely finished his sandwich and shook his head.
"I was going to say that I however was not inclined to that. This could be a problem." At that moment Zaeed passed by Thane's room and poked his head in asking.
"Just saw the salarian running for his office. What the bloody hell's in his knickers?" Thane grumbled something inaudible before he replied.
"A grave misunderstanding and an ill choice of words." Zaeed merely shrugged his shoulders and left Thane to curse and grumble to himself in his private quarters.
Liara finished browsing the pictures that Wayne had sent her and sighed. To say she was not worried would be a lie. In all her one hundred years of living she had never once worried as much. She reclined in her chair and massaged her temples. She was having a massive headache from all the worry and stress. Feron entered. He brought her a cup of tea and looked over her shoulder at what she was looking at. He rubbed her shoulders lightly and asked.
"How is Shepard?" Liara offered a weak smile and replied.
"Doing good." Feron stopped massaging for a moment and said.
"If you really are worried, go see him. I'll take over for you." Liara looked up and laughed.
"Do i really look that worried?" Feron only edged her on until she agreed.
"It would good to see him again." Liara said under her breath. Feron nodded his head and drew a seat next to her.
"Right now, he could go for seeing you." Feron replied. With that Liara made up her mind. She leaned back and had Feron prepare a transport for her.
Sup People! Sorry for not updating in months but my college and work have once again gotten in the way of my updates! Constructive criticism is welcome!