Chapter 20: Epilogue, Director's Cut and Outtakes
The two humans had settled themselves on one of the seats of the tattoo parlor, the female sitting on the male's lap. They had been staring at each other's eyes adoringly for some time now, occasionally kissing and fondling. This only served to infuriate the angry, bald woman next to them, even further. She was, after all, the reason why the young couple was there to begin with. Well, them and the other three couples that had completely occupied the waiting room. Their playful attitude accentuated the fact that she was actually the only one waiting alone in line. More than once, the enamored duo had bumped onto her, prodded her and generally were making a nuisance of themselves.
Why don't you fuckers get a room already, she shook her fist enraged at them.
Alright, who's next? Came the voice of a burly man, most of his body covered in ink as well. His head was bald, just like Jack's, but he sported a long black beard. His skin was a few shades darker than the human biotic's. Grumpily, yet eager to be off her chair, Zero raised her hand. Right this way, then, he beckoned, guiding her to the room he practiced his trade. Whatcha want, lady? he asked curiously. Jack simply took a crumpled piece of paper out of her pocket and unfolded it in front of him. The man took it and examined it, raising an eyebrow and scratching his head. She certainly didn't seem the type to get involved with that lot. You sure about this? Her reply came back as a simple nod and the artist simply shrugged it off. And were do we put it? You're out of space, I think. With her usual lack of tact, she took her pants off and showed a small unmarked window on her butt cheek. You're not much for talking are ya, lady? the burly man wondered out loud, to which Jack replied with the finger.
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Hey everyone! I'm Garrus Vakarian, the turian spoke to the recording device of his omni-tool.
And I'm Jeff 'Joker' Moreau, the pilot leaned towards the glowing glove.
We're currently on Haestrom after a bet we made with Jacob Taylor, Garrus explained.
At the expense of sounding incredibly racist, we wagered he can't get any darker than he already is, the bearded human clarified.
Jacob, of course, accepted the challenge, but we needed speedy results.
And what better place to work on your tan, than Haestrom? Jacob?
The veteran marksman turned his omni-tool to the dark skinned human that was currently walking shirtless behind a large concrete column. Jacob extended his hand for just a second out of the column's cover, then looked at it, smiling, his former stress relieved. That wasn't so bad, he smiled walking past the pillar, then combusting not a moment later, screaming in terrible agony.
Oh, wow! I don't think we have enough medi-gel to cover that one, the turian shook his head.
Yeah, the pilot acknowledged with a nod. It's a good thing nobody liked Jacob, anyway.
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Jack was seated on one of the bar stools of the Dark Star Lounge for a while now. She was going through her third, maybe fourth bottle of batarian ale already. A bulky man came and rested himself next to her, leaning heavily on the bar. He was huge enough to pass for a krogan, if not for the lack of a headplate. He had fashioned his hair in some sort of a Mohawk, he wore a grey alliance shirt and dark blue alliance pants. A dog tag hang from his neck.
Hey, Lola, he prompted, admiring the ink around her midriff. Jack looked at him out of the corner of her eye and downed a shot that had managed to make its way to her.
The fuck do you want, Pelvis CuntThrust, she mocked, slamming the shot glass on the bar. No, no, fuck that! I'm not doing this! Who the fuck talks like this? Pelvis CuntThrust. This isn't funny.
Cut, the director shouted. Just do the script, Jack!
No! It's fucking retarded! Who the fuck wrote this? she objected. I demand whatever fucker wrote this to have it changed!
I'm not sacrificing my artistic integrity, cookiegutter shouted back.
Hey, everyone! This is James Vega. Remember to go see my movie. It's called Paragon Lost, the bulky man tried to capture the camera's interest.
Goddammit, James, the director slammed his hat on the floor.
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Ah, Shepard! There you are, the salarian scientist greeted him. Have news, need to share.
Good morning to you too, doctor Solus, the specter replied in as official a tone as he could muster, mug in hand. What have you got for me? he asked, taking a sip.
Morning report, turian prosecutor, found dead. Suicide, C-Sec announced, after career ending trial. Wife and three kids left behind. Thought you should know, the doctor placed a comforting hand on the specter's shoulder. Your fault after all.
Shepard spat the sip he had just taken, from the cup of coffee Kelly had made him, all over Mordin. My fault? How is that my fault?
Mocha. It had to be mocha, the salarian complained. I hate mocha, he wiped his face. A loud noise was heard coming from the scientist's pocket. Yo, hold on, I gotta take this. Heeeey, baby, what's up? Yeah? Uh-huh ... uh-huh ... you too babe. Yeah. Whatcha wearing? Awwwww haw haw hawwww! That's what I'm talking 'bout. Yo, Shep, be right back, Mordin motioned with his hand as he walked out of the set.
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His stamina recovered, Shepard wormed himself out of bed, then grabbed Jack by the waist and pulled her up. No. No! Shepard, it's too soon, it's still sore! All of Jack's complaints seemed to fall on deaf ears as he entered her once again. She shook her legs, trying to get away, but her lover's grip was strong. It was, however, only a matter of time, before her cries of pain settled to soft moans of pleasure. Even as Shepard slapped her right thigh repeatedly, she seemed to get more excited.
What the hell? he wondered, looking at the ink stain on his palm.
It's painted on, you dumbass! What did you expect? Jack protested.
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The knock on Kahlee's door came as a surprise. She wasn't expecting anyone. Well, she was hoping for someone, but not expecting. The alliance lieutenant ran to her door with little more than a shirt on. David? she asked, curious. She was setting herself up for a let down, however, as opening the door only revealed a short, bald woman, her mostly exposed body mired in scars and ink. Jack, she exclaimed surprised. The woman just barged in. Please, come in, Kahlee mocked after the fact. Intrigued, she simply watched as the biotic looked around the room, as if looking for something.
The room was large. As big as the Normandy's mess hall and it was only the dinning room, she noticed by the long table and large number of chairs set around it. Against the wall rested a neatly placed sideboard. A balcony door would normally shower the hall with plenty of light, if not for the late of the hour. Past the door was the living room, a couple of steps de-escalated to a couple of couches placed around a coffee table. The balcony seemed to extend to this room as well. A hallway led to the kitchen, in the far right and a flight of stairs to an elevated mid-floor, where the bedrooms and showers were accommodated. Jack turned around to face Kahlee. Is this the kind of place the alliance will provide for me as well?
No, Jack. I own this place, not the alliance, Kahlee clarified.
Good, she replied nodding. I noticed twenty three possible entry points just by looking around. This made Kahlee look around frightened. She didn't know if Jack was just trying to scare her or if she was being serious, but she felt extremely insecure. Where would I be staying, then?
You'd spend most of your time in Grissom, so you would have a room there. You'll get paid for your work, of course and whatever money you make, you can invest in whatever you like, the alliance officer tried to sweeten the deal with the offer of payment. Why was she even trying this hard?
It better be safer than this place. If Cerberus, she started.
Cerberus will not attack Grissom, Jack, I assure you, Kahlee tried calming her down. And even if they did, the alliance protects their own. You will have nothing to worry about.
I got plenty to fucking worry about, snowflake, Jack snapped.
Kahlee huffed in frustration and clasped her hands together. I know you're upset, she prompted, trying to calm her down.
Upset? she barked at the officer. You're goddamn right I'm upset! Tugging at the zipper of her top with one hand, she pulled a datapad that had been shoved into it with the other, baring herself at Kahlee in the effort. After holding up the datapad up for display, she slammed it on the ground.
Wow, OK, I don't need to see those, the officer tried to cover Jack up only for the biotic to slap her hands away. Look, Jack, she started, I'm not the one who issued for the commander's arrest. Shepard has done a lot of great things. For everyone. If it were up to me, none of this would have happened. But it has and now you need a new home. She kneeled down, carefully picking up the pad, before offering it back to her. So, are you in or not? As Zero tried grabbing it, the alliance officer pulled it back. And you'll have to cut down on the swearing. You'll be teaching kids, after all.
You're pushing it, Sanders, the biotic pointed an accusing finger at her.
No swearing, she repeated, then offered the pad again.
F ... fine, Zero grumbled, snatching the datapad again, then stormed out, slamming the door behind her.
The blonde sighed in relief as Jack finally left the apartment and decided to slowly walk to her bed. Then the door rang again. What's wrong now? she asked, clearly annoyed, as she opened the door. Did you drop your nipples ... David? the surprise was evident in her voice as she saw the tall, dark skinned man on her door.
His hands fumbled over his chest. No, they're still there, Anderson replied jokingly with a smile.
I-I'm sorry. I thought it was Jack and, she tried to excuse her behaviour.
I saw her on my way up. No need to apologize. He tilted his head towards his right. She's a real handful, that one. I wonder how Shepard puts up with her. The councilor's gaze focused on the attractive blonde woman in front of him. May I come in? he asked politely, after a small pause.
Yes, of course, she realized she had him standing in the hallway, as if he would walk in uninvited. No, that's a very different person, she thought to herself.
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*If you have read the Mass Effect books, I haven't, so I have no idea what Kahlee is actually like. If she's out of character, well, tough nipples, as it is too late to change that now.
**This marks the end of our story. There's more stuff that I'd like to write and the only place to go is after ME3, at this point. So I hope that you liked 'Bridging the Gap' and maybe you'll like the title better next time. Oh, don't be like that. I'm already working on it. And I might even try something bold.