Chapter 3: Downtime

It was mostly quiet in the lower decks of the Normandy. Shepard was certain Tali would disagree. She could detect noises from the eezo cores and whirring from engines of every sort, a galaxy away. He figured being raised in the flotilla warranted for something like that. Making his way to the mess hall, he found Jack behind the counter, fixing herself something up. Jack, Shepard said surprised. What are you doing here?

Jack didn't even raise her head. She had become familiar with his footsteps the past few months. Hey, Shepard. Just making some Thessian tea.

For me? You shouldn't have, Shepard joked.

Jack snickered. It's not for you, dumbass. It's for me.

You? Tea? I find that hard to believe, he replied. Where did you find it anyway?

Kasumi gave it to me. Said it's supposed to be high cal and it gives a little spike to biotic abilities. So it's something like Red Sand, without the chance of OD, she explained. Even if it's bullshit, it can't be worse than anything else I tried before, she shrugged.

What do you know about Red Sand? Ever tried it before? Shepard asked, curious.

Hell, yeah! First time was on my nineteenth birthday, sniffed Red Sand off an Asari hooker's 'Azure', she elaborated. Then that night gets kinda fuzzy, Jack stammered. All I know is that the club I was in, by the next morning, had an extension to the club next door, she announced proudly.

Care to tell me more about those days? Shepard pleaded her. Jack's face seemed to lose its cheer, replaced by a very serious expression.

There's really not much to tell, she continued in a much more somber tone. Why do you ask? Seeing her worried expression, he placed a comforting hand on hers. Shepard knew, as much as the bad memories would hurt her, she was more worried what he would think.

I'd like to know more about you, Jack. Good or bad, I don't care, he reassured her. Jack pursed her lips together. She lowered her gaze and stopped mixing her tea.

I was working for some smuggler at the time. Red Sand, Asari whores, credit laundering, the works. I was hired help, making sure the deals didn't fall through. Getting my kicks killing the competition. Too hooked up on sand to remember what fucking day of the week it was. They brought me all I needed to keep me complacent; alcohol, drugs, boys, girls. I remember waking up, day after day, and my mouth tasting like ass. Probably with good reason. Jack looked up at Shepard. His eyes squinted, his face contorted, Jack wasn't sure if it was disgust or repulsiveness or something worse. Look, Shepard, she started, only to be interrupted.

Should I expect something kinky tonight? Shepard joked.

You perv, Jack chuckled, feeling relaxed again. The door to the battery chimed opened and Garrus Vakarian emerged. He was surprised to find people in the mess hall this late.

Hey, didn't expect to find anyone around here at this hour, Garrus said, passing that as his greeting.

Hey Garrus, looking for someone to test your reach and their flexibility? Shepard mused.

Is that an offer, Shepard? Garrus returned the jest.

Wait, what the hell just happened? Jack asked, feeling left out.

It's nothing, Garrus denied, shaking his hands in front of him.

Just an old fling of Garrus, during his tour in the military. They had a little fight, then ended in bed together, Shepard explained.

Nice, Garrus. I knew that sniper rifle wasn't just compensating for something. It was Jack's time to joke around. Garrus gave her a look as if saying 'Jack, please'.

Anyway, has Tali woken up from the surgery yet? I'd just like to apologize to her, Garrus explained himself.

I was in there a while ago. Tried to give her a tattoo while she was asleep, but Mordin shooed me out. I guess she's still sleeping, she frowned.

Alright, he replied, content. If you guys see her later, let me know. I'll be in the battery, he motioned behind him, probably calibrating again. And with that he turned and left.

After dinner, Shepard returned to his room, for a much refreshing shower. Whipping off the grime from the fumes of the melted, blasted bots he had been fighting all day. It was also a relaxing way to prep for sleep. Having scrubbed and freshened himself up, Shepard walked out of the shower, wearing little more than towel. He looked around, then sighed, a little disappointed. No kink tonight, he told himself and went to bed.