A/N: I am so sorry you had to wait for this chapter. I've read some other ME fics this week and my ego got wounded badly, when I saw these amazing stories by these wonderful writers. After a few days I decided I would try not to care that I might not be as skilled with word, because there are some of you who actually like this story. Enjoy, and feel free to leave a note. Reviews is a kind of drug to a writer, I've discovered :P

I'm the kind to sit up in his room
Heart sick and eyes filled up with blue
I don't know what you've done to me
But I know this much is true
I wanna do bad things with you

When you came in the air went out
And all those shadows there filled up with doubt
I don't know who you think you are
But before the night is through
I wanna do bad things with you
I wanna do real bad things with you

.: Bad Things – Jace Everett:.

Shepard felt his arms embrace her, and the heat that radiated from his body. She could hear a low purring sound from him. He was probably still asleep. Despite their uncomfortable position she couldn't remember the last time she had slept this good, her death slumber unaccounted for. She snuggled herself against his neck and could smell weapon-oil, a hint of gunpowder and a fragrance of Him. A featureless fragrance she couldn't place, but which smelled fantastic. She could be here all day, being busy, listening to his purring. But she was first hand Commander, and secondly Kayla Shepard, which meant a day with dossier-reading, preparations and debriefing.

Shepard tenderly laid a hand on his unscarred mandible and whispered in his ear.

"Hey, Sleepyhead. Time to wake up." Garrus stirred a little, and pulled her closer. He grunted a little and opened one eye to watch her.

"What happens if I refuse orders? Keeping you here for the rest of the day, just you and me?"

"I really wish I could stay, but I have a Galaxy to save. EDI, what time is it?"

"It's one hour before change of shifts, Commander. I suggest you go to your cabin, if you want to keep your meeting with Mr Vakarian a secret. " EDI's voice was filled with smugness. Atleast she wouldn't gossip about this.

"Thank you, EDI. I'm sorry Garrus, but I think it's for the best if I move my ass to my own lair. "

"Yeah, maybe it is." Garrus loosened his grip on Shepard and balanced himself so she could climb out of the hammock. Shepard jumped down to the floor and stretched.

"Going back to Sleep, Vakarian?"

"Nah, I have to finish yesterday's calibrations. "

"One day you have to explain to me what that means. See you later, Garrus!" She smiled at him and turned away.

"Yeah." Garrus watched her leave the battery with springy steps, while he remained in the hammock. Her shorts were short, and didn't hide much of her tall, muscular legs. She had a small, but round butt. So unlike a female turian. Under her tanktop he could see her muscles on the back play under her skin, while she walked away. Her shoulders betrayed her habit wearing weapons in a fighting stance. Shepard was well-built,and she had worked hard for that body before she died, he knew. With blood, sweat and tears.

She might be soft under his taloned fingers, but she definitely could handle rougher situations. Which made Garrus thoughts to wander towards nightly activites. They had agreed to take it slow, but it didn't hinder him from thinking what if. He had never been attracted to humans, and not even now. But he was attracted to Shepard. Her red, silky hair had from the very beginning amazed him. So different from his own fringe.

Garrus heaved himself from the hammock and stretched too. None of them had slept comfortable, but she had atleast slept heavy. That was the most important. He knew Shepard often had difficulties sleeping for more than a couple of hours at a time, and maybe more now than before. Maybe he should send her a message and tell her that she always had a place in his hammock, or would that be to rash?

He was about to stumble over something on the floor, and picked up her sweatshirt. He held it against his face, it smelled of her. Garrus smiled to himself and laid it in the hammock. His omnitool pinged, and he already knew who had sent the message.

.:Thanks for tonight. I'm not good at this but…you make me relax, and I feel safe in your company. Rendevouz in the mess hall tonight? K.:. Garrus, felt warmer inside. She feels safe with him. This was really a good start for them. And K? He had never heard anyone say her surname, and she had used it's first letter in a message to him. It felt very intimate.

.:I'm not good at this either, so that makes two of us. It felt good to have you close. You always have a spot in my hammock, whenever you need. Dinner with dry dextro/levo-rations?:.

.:It's a date:.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Shepard smiled to herself while she sat on her bed, still dressed in her shorts and top. She had a nice feeling in her gut. Earlier in her career feelings had had no place in her life. The carreer started early, and as a woman in The Alliance you were more exposed, even if they outwardly worked with values and equality. Sex had always been casual and short-termed, and it was a really long time ago she had something that could be called a relationship. They Alliance had strict rules about fraternization. As an officer she had seen between her fingers, as long as it didn't affect the missions. But she had always kept herself on her own edge. Several officers had tried and failed to get into her bed. Shepard had worked hard to be where she was today, and to reach this point via bedwrestling was not how she wanted to be remembered.

That she now confessed she had feelings for Garrus was unaccustomed, and a little frightening. But her death had made her reevaluate some things in her life. She had experience with human men, and being in love with a turian made her feel like a teenage virgin again. Clumsy, unknowing and with a lot of weird feelings in her head and body. She had no idea what she had embarked on, but she wouldn't back off now. The old classic trick to "forget" something at the place where the one you cared about were gave her a reason to go down to Garrus again tonight. The butterflies in her stomach were huge and wild.

With wet hair in a towel-turban she sat down at her computer and read through the dossiers. She wanted to wait with The Convict. Hm. Maybe the Warlord? And then The master thief? They needed to go to the Citadel anyway, to restock.

"EDI. Connect me to the speaker."

"You're on, Commander."

"Crew. This is Commander Shepard. Notice, there will be a debriefing at 1000. Out. "

Shepard took a turn past Joker to give him the new coordinates.

"Mr. Moreau. I can't allow you to do that. It is against protocol. "

"Come on, EDI. Stop being my mom. I know what I'm doing. I have not become the best pilot there is by doing everything by protocol." Joker was annoyed, and Shepard couldn't resist to smile a little.

"How is it going with your cooperation, Joker?"

"Hey, Shepard! EDI is spying on me and doesn't allow me to do my job. "

"Awh, it isn't that bad, is it? EDI is just thinking about what's best for the ship. I'm sure. "

"That's correct, Commander. And right now Mr. Moreau is disturbing my overview of the ship's functionality by trespassing the protocols."

"Joker, please. Stop disturbing EDI while she's working." She couldn't resist teasing him a little.

"But I…"

"And EDI, you can ease up a little on the protocols. Jeff knows what he's doing."

"Acknowledged, Commander. I will change my regulations…slightly."

"Thanks, Commander. I feel crippled when half of my commands is contracommanded by our beloved AI. "

"Anytime, Joker. And please…try to cooperate. Ok?"

"Yeah, Yeah." He waved his hand and typed in the new coordinates she had given him.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Shepard was in the debriefing-room and waited for everyone to show up. Miranda and Jacob were the first ones to enter and had taken seats in the middle, followed by Mordin. Garrus came next, and she nodded at him when he looked at her. He nodded back, and she could see his mandibles flutter oh so carefully. She smiled slightly. The scarred veteran came in last, and chose to stand leaning against the wall.

"So…I have done some planning for the week to come. Right now we are on our way to Korlus to pick up our Warlord. Ground team will be me, Vakarian and Taylor. ETA is four hours. When we are done we're heading to The Citadel for some restocking and bring our evasive friend along. Mordin and Miranda will come with me on that one. If there's sparetime we will have a 24 hour shore leave. Take the opportunity to buy the things you think you will need for a couple of weeks ahead. Then we are leaving for the notorious prison ship Purgatory to pick up The Convict. I want Garrus and Zaaed with me. Any questions?" Shepard looked over her crew.

"No Commander, But anti-gene shots are ready to be administrated."

"Thanks, Mordin! Mordin have been working with developing antigene-shots for all crewmembers, no matter the race. This means the risks for allergic reactions are close to zero. When you have time, please go to Mordin to get your specific shot. "

She saw surprised, but positive glances in all of them….except Miranda, who frowned.

"Prepare for you missions. XO Miranda will make sure you have access to your dossier within an hour. If you have any late questions, contact me. Dismissed." Most of them rose and left the room. She gave Garrus a glance before he went down to the battery.

"Commander, can I speak with you?" Miranda's cold voice cut the air.

"Of course, Miranda. What do you want?" Shepard tried to hold a professional mask while listening to her XO.

"Anti-gene shots, Commander? Is this really a necessary cost? No one has earlier managed to develop this, so it could not have been cheap."

"Yes, it was necessary. Since Cerberus so kindly have chosen the most fitting individuals for this suicide mission, and attracted them with a lot of money I see it particularly suitable to develop anti-gene shots. We will be a lot of different races who cooperates, and I will NOT let anyone die because of something so simple as different proteines hinder you from life-rescuing actions. And that would be as throwing money on the fire, right?"

"You have a point, Commander. But I would prefer if you talked to me first about the expenses. I don't like surprises."

"Understood, XO. Since you want control over the economy of this mission you can make a shopping list for The Citadel. Try to find better rations, especially for our non-human crew-members. Is there anything else?

"No, Commander. "

"Dismissed." Damn, it felt good to say that. Miranda turned on her heel and left the room. Shepard was satisfied they had managed to keep it at a professional level. There was a chance they might get along.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

"Want me to check your armor clasps, Commander?" Garrus looked down on the dark human male, and didn't like the way Jacob looked at Kayla, from top to bottom, while she doublechecked the safety catch on her weapon.

"No need, Taylor. Garrus has already checked them. "

"He might have missed something. Doublechecks are always good."

"Hey, I have entrusted him with my armor check for over a year, he doesn't do mistakes. Understood?" She knew he was interested in her as a woman, and pretty soon she would need to speak up to him if he continued this way. She hoped he wasn't a new Kaidan who didn't take a hint.

"Rodger that, Commander. " Garrus was irritated, but he tried not to show it. He was just happy that Kayla had pushed Jacob down. Jacob might be a problem some day.

"Ok then. I want you at my six, Garrus. And Jacob, you will be at my right flank. Are you ready to have some fun?"

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Shepard looked at the creature in the tank. It had been a back-breaking afternoon, and she was tired. No matter how curious she was for the tankbred Krogan it had to wait for another day. She still had her armor on and needed to shower before dinner. Shepard left the room and went for her cabin. Also this time she left her armor in a pile, a nasty habit taking form.

She stepped into the shower and washed away all the sand and dirt from her face and hair. While she lathered her body in soap she thought about Garrus, and her body was tingling. They would have many chances to talk with each other, but for her it wouldn't be enough. How was she to show him how much she cared, without using words? Did turians kiss? Did they hold hands? Where are the erogenous zones? She didn't want to ask him about this, but find the information on her own. Maybe surprise him a little? Shepard finished her shower and made the usual towel-turban, and used another towel for her body before she knotted it above her bossom. She went for the computer and started to search on the extranet.

Oh, that son of a bitch, she thought. Forehead to forehead was obviously a turian endearment. A Turian Kiss. He had kissed her last evening! Oh, he would get back! Turians also used some kind of subharmonics, which could be difficult for humans to hear. Narrow, but strong waists was an ideal of beauty. Male turians had their package within the pelvis-plates and when they got aroused the plates shifted. Out of curiosity she had to click for some pictures, and she had reddened up to her hairline, but got a little excited too. So different. So tempting. She couldn't resist trying to imagine Garrus naked before her. Take it slow? Yeah right…

Shepard twitched when she got a message.

.:Dinner is served. Where is my date?:.

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Shepard had dressed down to Cerberus sweatpants and a black tanktop, and walked into the mess. Most of the ones who weren't on duty was eating, but Garrus had saved a spot for her. Zaeed sat opposite to Garrus and ate some brown goo. Probably freeze-dried beef with pulverized potatoes.

"Hey, which culinary delights are served today?"

Zaaed looked at his empty packaging. "Luxuary bisonbeef with three varietes of potatoes. Still tastes like shit."

"And that's why you are into your second portion?" Garrus said and pointed at the other empty packaging.

"Yeah, I don't want to end up a skeleton, like you, Turian." Zaaed had a twisted grin on his face.

"Shepard, the best I could find for you is Pasta Carbonara". Garrus shot a bowl towards her with something creme-colored goo, and with some extremely good fantasy could look like a dish of pasta. There would certainly be some changes after their restocking at The Citadel.

"Thanks, Garrus. So…Zaeed, you should have been with us today. Some Blue Suns got to taste some bullets. "

"Well, I guess I will get a chance when we're picking up our Convict, since it is guarded by Blues. "

"Don't be so sure. It is in, get our package, out. Cerberus have paid a huge amount of credits for access to whomever we are picking up. "

"If I know The Blues right, it wont be that simple. "

"We'll se. "

"Yeah. Well, time to go read the dossier. Not my strongest ability, so I have something to do for the next couple of evenings. See you later, Commander."

Zaeed rose and went for his bunk. Shepard put a spoon at her mouth and blew carefully at the hot food. Garrus watched her, amazed.

"What?"

"No, nothing. I'm just fascinated by you humans' malleable mouths."

"If you knew what we can do with them" slipped out of her before she could think about what she had said.

"Really?" Garrus leaned over the table and said to her hears only " I believe you have to show me what your mouth can do."

Shepard dropped her mouth open and couldn't think of anything smart to say. Her cheeks reddened and she looked down on her bowl. What did he know?

"Hah, sorry Shepard. Didn't think you would actually become embarrassed." Garrus chuckled.

"Says he who kissed me last night without asking" she hissed back at him.

"Shit. Eh. Sorry…? How did you know?" Garrus mandibles fluttered.

"Amazing how much information you can find on the extranet."

"Yeah, right. Well. I have to take a shower. Unlike you I actually take care of my armor first, before anything. Are you waiting or do you come down later?"

"That depends on how long you take."

"Not all too long". Garrus rose and brought Zaeeds "forgotten "packagings with him, and winked at Shepard while he passed her. She smiled crookedly at him. When he had gone, she could see Miranda staring at her. What now?

"Commander, can you come with me to my office, please?" Shepard went in and stood at Mirandas desk.

"What do you want, Miranda, that you can't say to me in the mess?"

"Is there something between you and the turian?"

"The Turian is called Garrus, and that's none of your business. "

"It's my business alright. You are a human, Shepard. Maybe the most known at the moment and you are defining what a human are to the rest of the Galaxy. It doesn't look good if you were known to fraternize with someone in your crew. Especially an alien. "

"Bullshit, Miranda. Keep your xenophobia to yourself. This is not an Allaince ship, and as long as it doesn't affect our misssion you can't say anything. And don't tell me it is rules of Cerberus, because I know you and Jacob has a cozy history of your own. And by the looks of it, it might repeate itself."

"How did you know?" Miranda was bothered by Shepard's disclosure.

"It ain't that hard to get your hand on information. And that is something that Jacob gladly is sharing, if you care enough to listen. What me and Garrus are, or not are, is none of your business and if you do mind, then shut the fuck up and keep it to yourself. I will not mind your private life."

Shepard stormed out of Mirandas office and headed for the main battery. It was empty so she guessed Garrus wasn't done with the shower yet. She looked at the screen for a while and tried to understand all the rubbish on it. Garrus had changed the script to turian. In the right upper corner she saw human script and was about to reach for it when she felt hot breaths close to her ear, and she got goosebumps all over her body. How did he manage to sneak up on her? She couldn't breath. His rasping whisper echoed through her inner core.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."