Whew, sorry for the wait ! University is keeping me busy; I have 22 books to read ! HEHEH
Also, I wanted to thanks wolf girl811for the question. Since Shepard is the only ''advanced'' Human in this story, she sure is an uncommon sight to see ! BUT nobody believes she is a Human since, at this time, they still look like primitive bipedal monkeys (HAHA, what a great description!). So she would often get confused as a mix of species (as it will be stated in this chapter). But I certainly want to explore more this problem as my other chapters are still in process of planning.
Hope you will like this chapter :) !
It was only two days later after this incident that Javik received a message from Commander Kaesh, announcing that he would hold an evening at his house tonight. Important people would be present, so he suggested dressing accordingly, saying it was better to create a good first impression.
Luna had found a new dress, much to Javik's chagrin who saw his money savings decline fast.
It was a white dress, long, with an open back. Without sleeves, large swathes of transparent silk were clanging from her shoulders to her wrists like accessory.
As the evening came, the duo was preparing in their room, Shepard scurrying to put her hair in a small bun. Meanwhile, the Prothean dictated all customs to follow: the Protheans did not touch, did not shook hands when they were meeting. Physical contact was considered something very … intimate and intrusive when meeting with strangers. It was only taking one touch to find out secrets about a person. So bowing was preferred, a simple lowering of the upper body, as a sign of respect. Also, if you wanted to engage in conversation with someone of a higher status, he or she had to speak first. The more important a person is in the command line of the Empire, the more important the words were and of largest value.
``Because I'm Human, do I really have to follow all these restrictions?`` Shepard asked.
``It would be better, yes. If you look polite and cultured, you will attract less attention on you. If you act like a Prothean, people will wonder what mix of race are you, instead of trying to dissect you and treat you like a primitive.``
``I'll try to keep that in mind!`` Luna laughed.
After she finished preparing herself, the Human observed the other.
His outfit made her laugh again, despite herself. She apologized quickly seeing Javik's puzzled look:
`` I'm so sorry, I just find hilarious that you look like a Jedi!``
``... A what?``
``Don't worry about it! It comes from Star Wars, an old vid Joker and I liked to look from times to times during long trips.``
The shape of his clothes were almost identical! The only difference though was the fabrics' colors that ranged from warm shades of orange, red, yellow and beige. Engravings were sewn on some parts of the tissue, giving a unique and important look on the Prothean.
Suddenly, she noticed an object on his hip, the handle of a knife.
Without hesitation, she approached him, taking the weapon from its sheath. She examined the curved and well chiseled blade that probably came from an art long forgotten by the Protheans in these days. Luna questioned him with a look.
``It has become a habit. Since I had to kill most members of my crew with this weapon, I drag it everywhere I go, in case of hostilities. It is also ... a legacy from my family, this blade goes back to a long time ago, Commander.``
He took the blade back, handing it to his waist.
***
The flying car landed in a vast parking in front of a building. Shepard could not restrain her amazement at the architecture that was presented to her eyes; a wide entry supported by columns, like a Greek pantheon. Several guests were already entering this house worthy of a great dignitary.
Javik sighed, turning off the engine.
``I feel that this will be a long evening.``
``Politics is not something we soldiers are habituated to, I grant you that,`` Luna pointed. ``But we must bring allies to our cause, Javik.``
``I'm not a crowd gatherer like you, Shepard,`` added the other, turning his gaze to her.
Luna showed a confident smile.
``Trust yourself and words will come easily. If you keep your people to your heart, you will not have trouble finding the right words to try to protect them.``
The Prothean gave a slight nod, seeing the truth in these words.
They left, ready to go. While they walked to the guests, Javik could not help to add to the Human, murmuring:
``I advise you to stay near me. But if you walk away and something's bothering you, just come back to me. You don't know enough about this world and I don't want you to begin a war, or even a extermination, to your kind, by mistake.``
``What a lovely thought,`` Luna replied sarcastically.
When they entered, Shepard slightly gasped, looking at the inside. The ceiling, high and wide, was crossed by carved reliefs that looked old. Two large staircases, both positioned in a half-circle form, stood on the sides of the room, giving access to a second floor. At the other end of the room, a new wide entrance surmounted by columns gave a view of the sea and the beautiful sunset that was now coloring the horizon. This place was a paradise.
Then a familiar figure came their way; Kaesh, the Prothean Commander. Also dressed in evening clothes, he seemed worthy of owning this home.
He made a slight bow as the duo returned it. He displayed a smile on his face as he began to speak:
``Commander Javik, Commander Shepard, I am honored by your visit. I was really hoping to see you.``
The Human felt his electrifying eyes scan her.
``There are already many people I would like to introduce to you, we shouldn't make them wait too much.``
``I wanted to thank you, first of all, for your generosity, Commander Kaesh,`` began Javik. ``If great allies can join our cause, I will be forced to do something in return, to show my gratitude.``
``I have everything a Commander could wish for. All you'll have to give me in return is your knowledge about the Reapers. I'm ... curious to learn more.``
``Certainly.``
Luna remained silent after this remark. The attention Kaesh was giving towards the Reapers seemed too great for her taste.
***
As the evening extended on several hours, Shepard soon eclipsed herself outside, wanting to breathe the sea breeze.
Javik and she had met many people. Protheans and Densorins dignitaries, great Enduromis warriors and some brilliant Zhas. All were aware of the Reapers threat and opinions were shared. How could they be certain that this war was imminent? How should they fight against these machines? What purpose did they have to want to destroy all intelligent life?
And Luna was surprised that others tried to guess her specie. Many thought she was a mix of Zha and Enduromi because of the shape of her face and the `fur` on her head. The Human kept a low profile, leaving Javik attempt to hide her true identity.
And now she found herself back on a balcony, watching the horizon. The moons were illuminating the sea, reflecting the waves that raged with the currents.
``I bet the constellations are not familiar to you?``
Luna gasped, finding Kaesh to her left. The latter showed a charming smile to the Human, truly decided to start a conversation with her.
``I admit, these stars are nothing like the ones I saw on my home planet, Mindoir.``
``Is that the name given by humans to the planet on which they reside now?``
``Oh no, I'm from a colony!`` told Shepard. ``The planet of origin of our species is simply called Earth.``
``Interesting, Humans name things with simple names. I think that Water would have been a better name, since the planet is largely covered by this liquid.``
``I admit this, but with all due respect, Commander, I would avoid talking about my cycle and Earth. Being away from my friends saddens me greatly, I prefer not to talk about it.``
The Prothean nodded.
``My apologies, I think I can understand. But if I can afford one last question: how did you meet Javik? Was he the only Prothean in your cycle?``
Luna showed a desolate expression.
``Yes, he was the last one. The Protheans, facing defeat against the Reapers, had planned to put a lot of solider to sleep. After the attack they would have recreate a new Empire. I found Javik with friends before he was taken over by an opponent of mine. He was the only survivor of his peers in the project, as he was an important element.``
``Fascinating! And as for going back in time with a beacon, how did you succeed?``
``This is a question I still ask myself, Commander Kaesh,`` Shepard said. ``Prothean scientists probably found a way but kept it hidden from others. I understand that Javik could have been carried, being a Prothean himself. But me? I'm only a Human who was implanted a Prothean mind.``
``Really?``
He extended his hand to Luna, stopping halfway:
``Will you give me permission to lay a hand on you? I need to know ...``
``I don't mind, Commander. I'm not allergic to hands!`` she joked.
Then he put his hand on her. A little shock passed between the two, creating a link between their minds.
Although the Prothean should be seeing the memories of the beacons she saw and the Cipher, Shepard, for her part, saw something else.
The ruins of an ancient civilization were extended on some planet soil. Kaesh was walking alone among the debris in search of something. His attention turned to a point that he then headed to. The more he progressed, the more a form was getting into shape. A large structure that was standing skyward into several branches. It was black, dull. However, the Prothean could not resist touching it, a ray of light suddenly springing from its branches. A heavy noise, an alarm, blasted like a far cry. Kaesh showed a smile, holding out a hand again to the structure.
The vision stopped, the Prothean having released Luna.
Her look was now grave; as she had recognized the object Rho that Dr. Kenson showed her at the Project Base, at least one year ago. She knew that contact with this object did nothing good….
``Is there something wrong?`` Kaesh asked with a confused smile.
``The object that you met in the vision I saw of you, how long did you stay with it?``
``... Long enough for it to give me what I wanted. Follow me, Shepard, it is time that I show you the information I have.``
He invited the Human to follow him inside.
They went upstairs, following a large corridor leading to multiple doors. They finally arrived at the end, the Prothean opening large doors and then letting Luna inside.
She came into a room, a bedroom, judging by the bed that was in a corner of the room. But at the center was a circular platform.
``Destiny,`` began the Commander. ``Show the plans for the machine.``
``Yes, Commander Kaesh,`` said a robotic voice, probably a VI.
An image then flashed in the middle of the platform and Luna recognized the structure without difficulty.
``The Crucible!`` she exclaimed. ``My crew and I had found these plans and we even started to build this machine.``
``I studied these plans, the structure is impressive. It has a great power that would settle things, I can sense it. But, Commander Shepard, a detail still escape me. The plans lack an important object; an object that is called the `catalyst`. Do you know something about it?``
``… No, we were looking for the same thing in my cycle.``
It was after a short silence that Luna dared to ask:
``Commander Kaesh, how did you manage to get the plans of the Crucible?``
Malice lit up in the Prothean's eyes.
``The structure that you saw in my vision gave it to me. It gave me a dream and the plans came to me. Then a voice spoke to me and told me that controlling the Reapers was the key. So I will become more powerful and recognized in the Empire!``
These words froze Shepard, now believing that the Prothean showed signs of indoctrination.
``Kaesh, control is not the solution. If there is one thing we must do is destroy the Reapers and not try to control them! We don't even know what the Crucible can do.``
``Exactly!`` added the Prothean, raising his tone slightly. ``We don't know and I intend to find out. Now that I know that this machine is indeed connected to the Reapers and their strength, I can finally start to build. I will find the catalyst. Javik and you will be my messengers of power and my informants.``
``If you think that you can easily control us, you're wrong,`` Luna said in a cold tone. ``We will never ally ourselves with you. Control is not the solution, Kaesh, you better understand it quickly before it's too late.``
``Oh Shepard, if only you knew how easy it is to exert power over everything that surrounds us. Soon I'll have the greatest dignitaries and soldiers within my reach, and you'll have to ask my help to achieve your goals. Yes ... soon I will show the world all the control I'll have gathered, including Commander Javik and you.``
With every word he said he had came towards the Human, backing her against a wall. Seeing his eyes closer, Luna noticed with horror that he had the same strangeness found in the Illusive Man's eyes. As if they were mechanical, not organic.
``But I think I'll practice with you first.`` he added
He suddenly grabbed her neck, crushing her against the wall. He pulled on one of Shepard's silk sleeves, tearing it apart. Then he came to smell the woman, pressing his body against hers.
``Your smell makes me crazy, Human. Delectable creature, you will be my slave of choice.``
Luna had enough. She unfurled a huge biotic shield, rejecting the other away from her. When Kaesh rose he let out a raucous laugh:
``Oh, you want to fight? Fine, let's see how you do, bitch.``
His body was covered with green biotics, then he rushed towards the Human. Luna narrowly avoided, then performing a powerful Nova, striking the ground violently with her fist and sending a large biotic field waltz in the room. She intended to hit him next with a Charge, but the Prothean stopped her in midair, grabbing her and letting out another laugh. He ripped a part of her dress, unveiling her left leg. Kaesh pressed his hand to the inside of her thigh, stroking her with force.
Luna let out a war cry, giving a punch to the Prothean's face. The other, a small trickle of blood flowing from his mouth, exclaimed:
``I will be the most powerful Prothean in the Empire, thanks to Reapers. Nothing can stop me, not even a primitive Commander like you.``
Then he pulled Shepard's hair, destroying what she had done with her hair. He then pushed her violently to the other end of the room with his powers.
Shepard, breathless and bruised, preferred to stay on the ground, conscious of her defeat. Kaesh approached her a final time and did not hesitate to spit on her a mixture of saliva and blood, as if she was trash.
``If you want to leave this house, I recommend you the window,`` he added with malice. ``I wouldn't want to give my guests the image of a shameless primitive. Oh ... and throw yourself into the sea if possible, you have nothing to do in a world that is much more powerful than you.``
He allowed himself a brief moment to adjust his clothes and wiping his blood before leaving the room and lock the doors.
It was at this time that Luna burst into tears, kicking the ground with rage, powerless when facing her defeat.
***
It had been a while since Shepard had left Javik to go for some air. The Prothean began to worry, despite himself. He apologized to the people to whom he spoke and began to search the Human. He walked to the large balcony overlooking the sea and saw nothing, no one. But she said she would stay there….
When he returned inside, a Prothean female who was distributing beverages among the guests came to him, discreetly.
``If you are looking for your friend,`` she began, ``you'd better start looking at the second floor. I saw her going up with Commander Kaesh.``
Slightly surprised by this sudden confidence, Javik thanked the other, getting toward the stairs. Strangely, he had some doubts. He kept one hand on the handle of his knife, ready for anything. It was only when he arrived in the corridor that he fell face to face with Kaesh. Seeing only him, a certain panic already rose in him.
``... Where is Shepard?`` he asked, not caring for formalities.
The other Prothean smiled, strangely amused.
``My dear Commander Javik, you shouldn't worry about someone from a weak specie. She's fine, you can return to the lower floor.``
He would continue his path but Javik was faster than him, catching him and putting his knife to his throat.
``I will ask my question for a last time; where is Shepard?``
Kaesh let out a husky laugh:
``In my room. I saw in her mind that you had fucked her, so I thought why not try too?``
Disgusted, Javik released him swiftly, already heading to the bedroom. The other said though:
``I don't understand how you could have fucked with that crazy animal! It is disgusting and indomitable!``
The Prothean did not listen, blinded by his rage.
When he reached the doors, he did not stop himself, kicking with a foot and his shoulders, seeing that they were locked. When he finally managed to open them, his eyes rested first on an image that occupied the center of the room. They were the plans of the Crucible!
Then he heard a muffled cry, as if someone was trying to hide. Following the source and the emotion of fear that spread through the air like a poison, he found Luna, curled up on the ground. He hurried to meet her, wanting to make sure she had no serious injury.
When she saw him, her complaints ceased, finally pulling herself together with his presence.
``Shepard ... what happened?`` Javik asked in a calm voice.
She grabbed his shoulders and that's when images of the events she had experienced crossed the mind of the Prothean.
When they parted, an expression of rage was already on Javik's face. Without a warning, he went to the Crucible plans and decided to copy them. Then he took Luna's hand, forcing her to follow. The Human could feel immense anger rising in him as they walked down the corridor. She feared he would get in another crisis like when they got rejected by the Senate.
As he arrived at the lower level Javik began to carefully scrutinize the guests, with the sole purpose to find his prey. When he finally localized Kaesh, he pulled Shepard with him, his biotics gradually covering his body.
``Traitor! Commander Kaesh, you are a threat to the Empire!`` Javik growled as he approached.
The crowd suddenly fell silent, watching the source of the shout. Kaesh crossed his arms, visibly amused by the situation.
``And what are you gonna do?`` he asked mischievously.
No further questions asked, the other Prothean grabbed him by the throat, lifting him high above the ground. He was furious, gradually tightening his grip as a warning.
``Millions of deaths will occur because of you! You think you can control the Reapers and bring yourself to glory and supreme force, it is false. They will reduce you to slavery, transform you into a machine! Choose your side, Kaesh. If you choose the wrong one, I will pursue and kill you with my own hands!``
The other Commander began to struggle, having difficulty breathing.
Javik would tighten again that Luna stopped him, forcing him to watch her.
``Stop, it's not worth the trouble. We are stronger than him, Javik, let him go.``
Snarling, the Prothean released his grip, dropping Kaesh on the floor. However, he gave a kick to his sides.
``You now know my rage and my pain, Prothean. If you choose the path of betrayal, you will be a plague to the Empire, not a hero.``
The other had catch his breath and said:
``I don't care! You have no name in this cycle, Javik. I'll make sure it stays that way and you won't find allies to your lost cause!``
Luna had to force Javik to follow. His body was tense, ready to fight, but the persistent complaints of the Human changed his mind.
It was only when they get into the car that everything fell into a heavy and painful silence.
The duo was staring at the emptiness, still reeling the events.
It was after a few seconds that Shepard cracked first, shedding new tears. Javik then seemed to wake up, uncomfortable. Not knowing what to say or do, he just started the machine and got on the way back.
***
When they finally landed in the hotel's parking, the two still remained in the vehicle. Luna had finally calmed down, watching the horizon, or any point away, from her window. Javik, as he wanted to attract her attention, dared to put a hand on her exposed thigh. She gasped, regaining her composure when her eyes met him. Shepard saw a pained expression on the Prothean's face, a feeling she had rarely, even never, seen from him.
``Luna ... me who thought you were so strong, what put you in such state?``
Some amazement awoke in her, hearing him say her name for the first time. She sighed, preparing to speak:
``… Since Thessia, what just happened now take its place on my record of humiliating defeats. Javik, I do not accept defeat. What just happened ... not only was it a sign of weakness on my part, but also the reopening of a wound I thought disappeared.``
Her fist clenched, holding more tears.
``I don't believe I have mentioned it to you. I was born on Mindoir, a Human colony. I thought I'd spend my whole life on this planet until the day slave traders, Batarians, arrived and decimated much of the population. I saw my parents die before my eyes. I saw my friends get away. I was destined to become a slave. I was drawn like an animal, I ... I don't even know how I managed to escape. … All this fear I experienced that day, I relived it with Kaesh. When he said that I would become a slave, it was as if a door had opened in my mind and now I have trouble to close it.``
She put her hand on the Prothean's, wanting to keep in touch with this comforting presence.
``I feel so foreign facing your world. I know nothing of all these people and I'm traumatized.``
``Now you know how I felt in your cycle,`` Javik replied, still calm.
Their eyes met.
``I've always wanted to bring the best of me, but everything I did seemed strange or futile compared to the other races. I was from another time, another way of thinking, and that disturbed the others, especially the Asari. But, yet, I decided to keep my head high and continued to believe in what I had learned. And ... you were the only person who had respected my choice to stay myself, Shepard.``
He displayed a small confident smile, wanting to support his words.
``Although I doubted your intelligence at the beginning,`` he joked, ``I always knew there was something in you that made me remember my world. The visions, the Cipher; finally, I felt less alone in this nothingness. And ... even now, I still feel like a stranger, facing this world that looks like mine but that is so different because of its feeling of peace. But I confess that I'm glad to have your presence at my side again.``
Luna showed a little smile, pleased with this confession. She slightly tightened the Prothean's hand, murmuring a `` thank you ``. She was always amazed by these moments from Javik. On the Normandy, she often had to `force` him to say something good, especially with Liara, and even on the Citadel. She knew so little of him, but she could understand him so well in some way….
A light drumming began on the roof, indicating the start of a downpour. The duo decided to go to their room, trying to avoid getting too wet as the rain grew in intensity.
It was when they arrived to the door that Javik seemed reluctant to open it. He didn't even look at Shepard when he said:
``I'm sorry.``
``Sorry for what?`` Luna asked with confusion.
The Prothean opened the door, keeping his head down.
``... Sorry for what will happen when we get through this door.``
The Human entered first, still perplexed at these words. When she heard the door close, the first thing she felt was a hand on her shoulder, turning her gently. Soon she was facing Javik in the dark.
He approached her, brushing his lips gently on hers. He began to kiss her softly, putting a hand on Shepard's waist.
Luna withdrew, surprised by this action. She didn't know what to think, uncertain.
``Luna ... this is what we both want. I can feel it in you, you know it. Stop holding back what you feel. I ask you to be a woman and not a Commander tonight.``
``Javik ... why?`` Human whispered.
The Prothean came closer, their bodies as close as they could be.
``Only because you're all that matters to me at this moment and at this time. You're the one who gave me a second chance, another life. I am grateful; I owe you so much ... I love you so much.``
Luna felt her knees weaken slightly after this confidence. She dared not speak, putting a hand on Javik's cheek.
Their lips met again, slowly rising to a passionate kiss.
A new mix of sensations invaded Shepard's mind, things she had never felt with a Human lover or even a Turian one. Every touch, every caress, caused by him were transmitting emotions and images in her mind. Her pleasure increased at a high speed.
Both ended up in bed, in trance by all their emotions. Everything was going so fast and so slow at the same time, it was amazing.
Shepard had no knowledge of when her clothes now rested on the ground, same for Javik. The intense darkness of the chamber forced them to see with their hands, tracing the body of one another. Sometimes, lights from flying cars crossed the room quickly, creating brief and revealing flashes. It was a whole new experience, unlike the first where none of them had their minds.
Shepard had soon overthrown the other, placing herself above him. She traced kisses on the Prothean's torso, up to his neck. Javik passed his fingers in the Human's hair, enjoying the sensation, the softness.
He could feel her pleasure and desire, as he could pass his to her. Their bodies were exchanging secret words, a language that only their minds could understand. Tears were pearling on Luna's cheeks, not from pain or sadness, but from a long waited comfort. This union was appeasing her and she never would want to get separated from him.
When their bodies joined, a grandiose symphony was born in their minds as they were sighing their love to each other. It was a symbiotic union that Luna would never have thought so perfect...
She felt everything Javik could feel, increasing her desire at the highest point. He caressed her body, enjoying the texture of her skin.
Their rhythm and breathing quickened. Luna moved to a sitting position, allowing better penetration. She took the Prothean's hands, pressing them on her breasts. She kept her eyes closed, images appearing in her mind.
Soon he came to join her, both then sitting. He hugged her against him, their lips meeting again in a common passion. They were one entity, their bodies intertwined and fused into one another.
A flow of emotions and images crossed the Human thoughts. She opened her eyes widely, a burst of neon green passing through her eyes. She let out a moan of pure ecstasy, both of them reaching orgasm. They trembled with this happiness finally reached. Their minds gradually becoming again two separate entities and Luna, still breathing heavily from all this activity, soon she saw her breath shortening and transforming into a complaint, a weep.
She was so happy, so well. What she just lived was a completely different experience. For once she had known peace; she didn't care about anything else during this wonderful time. This had not been the case with Kaidan before the confrontation with Saren, or even Garrus' case before going to the Omega 4 Relay.
This time, everything was quiet. No threats had crossed her mind. She wept with joy, happy to have finally found someone who would calm her mind in difficult times.
Javik said nothing, feeling the other's emotions and her thoughts. He simply stroked her back, gently, until everything calmed down.
Then, when it was over, he kept her against him, laying back in bed. He flattered Shepard's hair, feeling her gradually fall into a deep sleep.
He made a small smile, happy.
Oh, how he loved this woman.