Misc: Before I say anything else, I'm gonna thank everyone that has faved, subscribed, and reviewed this story. I'm seriously amazed at how well it's doing. Extremely better than anything else I've posted. I'm just hoping I can keep you entertained to the end of the story.
So here it is... the next chapter, one that I've been wanting to write. I rather enjoyed this one and I hope you will too. This chapter is something of a relief for me and makes me happy. Hopefully the same can be said for you. :3
Chapter Six
It was another confrontation that Janelle wasn't looking forward too. She knew that the right thing had happened, but she felt like she had just about forced Garrus to spare Sidonis's life. Not exactly though. She had stepped aside. He had a chance to kill the turian… and he didn't. She hoped that meant he realized why he couldn't, shouldn't…
And that her fear that he was mad at her would be unfounded.
By God, she hoped he wasn't mad at her.
But Janelle still wasn't sure whether or not her fear was in vain as she parked the shuttle on the landing dock where Garrus waited for her. Although watching how he closed in towards the shuttle with heavy, hasty strides… it was enough to make the human gulp as she popped the lid and stood up.
"I know you want to talk about this… but I don't," he stated in a huff as he came to stand before her. The gruffness of his voice, prompted Janelle to freeze and regard him carefully. If any evidence of her uncertain fear was evident, it was probably what caused Garrus's manner to soften as he gave a sigh and looked away. "Not yet at least. Let's get going. I need some distance from this place."
"I won't complain with you there," she nodded, climbing back into the shuttle and waiting for the turian to join her before she lowered the cover. Though she didn't start the shuttle yet. "Um… Garrus, are you sure? That you don't want to talk? Might be nice to get it out of your system…"
"Maybe…" he murmured slowly, pondering her words, before shaking his head. "No. Not right now. Give me some time to think about it. Let's just get back to the Normandy…"
"Well… actually, I was wondering if you would mind that we stalled returning to the Normandy for now," she cautioned slowly, hoping that she wasn't going too far with the suggestion she was about to make. "Look… things have been tense. For the both of us. Maybe a chance to cool down and unwind would be good for us. We can get some drinks. My treat," she added with a grin as she kept a tentative gaze on him, hoping that he didn't think she was trying to come up with a ploy to press him into talking to her about his attempt to kill Sidonis – and how she got in the way.
But considering the skeptic way his eyes regarded her, she figured that was exactly what he thought.
And his words confirmed that. "Right… that's why you sent Tali on ahead to the Normandy. Yea, you've got no intentions of trying to get me intoxicated, loosen my tongue, and get me to talk to when I don't want to. If this was just a friendly session of bull, I don't see why you'd send Tali off. You've got something planned…"
"Aside for not wanting to pay for more people than I have to?" the former Alliance soldier returned with a cocked brow, but let the sarcasm fade away as she went on somberly and softly, "Garrus, if you want to talk about this, you can. That's why I did send Tali on ahead. If you're going to talk, I don't want to make you feel like you have an audience.
"But if you don't want to talk, then don't. I really do just want a chance for us to relax with all the stress we've both been dealing with. I'm not about to try to force you to say anything… yet," she added with a smirk before she was serious again. "Eventually, you probably should talk about it, but… I'll give you some time to think about it before I bug you."
"So how much time is that? A few minutes?" he returned, not at all sounding annoyed.
"Try to get on my nerves, Turian, and you'll be lucky to be granted a few seconds," she challenged with mock aggravation… mockery he quickly picked up on as he gave a casual laugh.
"You'd think that I'd be aware not to cross you," he said before giving a nod, his mandibles relaxed as he watched her in something much like a smile, Janelle had come to realize. "And I suppose I should know better than to turn down the chance to get treated by the famous Commander Shepard. I should feel honored by your very presence…"
"Oh shut up!" the infiltrator gasped, playfully punching Garrus's arm for his mockery of Conrad Verner, inciting another laugh from the turian as she keyed the shuttle to take off and drove to Level 28 of Zakera Ward, Dark Star Lounge being her destination. "Please… the last thing I need to worry about is you becoming the insane fan Verner is…"
"Admit it, Shepard… you enjoy the attention," the vigilante teased as he leaned back in his seat. "I've never known a woman that didn't care for – or appreciate – boundless attention…"
"Oh, so are you claiming yourself as some expert on women now?" she challenged, raising an eyebrow, but forced to keep her eyes on the traffic ahead.
"Just a general observation," he returned nonchalantly, giving a shrug that Janelle caught out of the corner of her eye. "Just give a girl the right kind and right amount of attention and then it's not at all difficult to win her over."
"Oh? So is there a story behind that?"
"Not one you'll get to hear today. Besides… you're not getting anything until I get that drink you promised."
"I never actually promised to buy you a drink…" she reminded with a smirk.
But Garrus didn't seem fazed. Instead he only gave another blasé shrug, continuing in a voice just as relaxed and even, "Not word for word. But Commander Shepard is a woman of her word. And you did say it'd be your treat.
"So for the great Commander Shepard… that's as good as a promise," he added in a cocksure voice.
"Fine fine," Janelle gave in, but only conceding because of a certain annoyance… "Now would you stop calling me 'Commander Shepard' like that? Especially when you add an adjective before it like 'great.' That only makes it worse."
"Now why does that bug you? You must know how great you are. 'Hero of the Citadel'…"
"Garrus…"
"Or do you prefer 'Savior of the Council?'"
"Neither."
"Oh, so you're being modest. Now how can I deny your status as the great Commander Shepard…"
"Garrus!" Janelle finally gave a frustrated shout as her hands jerked and the shuttle followed the motion, once again. But this time the lurch was more acute and even the infiltrator was reeling as she steadied the shuttle again – just barely evading an accident.
"You need to stop hacking these shuttles so that you can drive them," Garrus grumbled as he resituated himself in his seat. "Weren't those that complaints you got from those drives in the Mako enough to tell you you're a rotten driver?"
"Hey. Speak properly to your commander, Turian."
"Just reminding you so that we don't die in something so… civilian as a vehicle accident rather than going down in flame and glory fighting the Collectors…" he teased with amusement. "If I'm going down… it better be epic…"
"Like taking on three major merc groups on Omega single-handedly?"
"Exactly. Though you messed up that opportunity. Gotta look for another…"
"You're impossible," Janelle shook her head, grinning and glad for the lightness between them… although the last topic did bring sobriety upon her. "Garrus… honestly though… what do you think our chances are against the Collectors? Do you really think we're all going to die?"
He gave a reluctant sigh, obviously regretting having reminded her of that issue. But he made no complaints as his voice became solemn. "Honestly? An enemy with advanced technology, traveling to an unmapped region… we're going to lose people. There's no way around that." He paused and the woman caught a glimpse of how he turned to regard her. She also turned to face him, meeting his regretful gaze for only a split second. But that had been enough for her to realize that he knew he had reminded her of a painful memory. "Sorry, Shepard. I know that after Virmire… you don't want another lost under your command, but… it might be too much to hope for that possibility."
She gave a subdued nod, trying to press from her mind the notion that she was about to fail Ashley's memory. She vowed not to let another under her command fall. She didn't want another Akuze happening and…
She didn't want to think that now she risked losing Tali and – a thought that almost broke her – Garrus.
"But Shepard… if there's one thing you've proved... it's that you can do the impossible," the turian said softly, drawing her back out of her morose thoughts. "After all… the Reapers haven't had any real opposition until you. Even if it's true we didn't stop the Reapers completely two years ago, you sure as hell kept them from coming when by all means… you shouldn't have…"
"Garrus, it's also because of the Protheans' efforts," Janelle countered. "If they hadn't…"
"And their efforts would have been undone if you hadn't stood against Sovereign, despite the odds."
"I didn't do it alone. You guys helped. All of you…"
"And without you, not a single one of our efforts would have amounted to much." He gave a soft chuckle and a swift glance let Janelle see how the turian's mandibles were relaxed once more. "See? There you are being modest again. Just accept the fact that you're a goddamn hero and you're always going to have a legacy following you.
"Besides, it's rather pointless for you to worry about this sort of thing, isn't it? After all… the Collectors killed you once and all they did was piss you off. I can't imagine they can do anything to stop you this time."
"All right. Fine. You win," she groaned with a roll of her eyes as she looked back at him for a moment, cocking a brow. "Happy, Turian?"
"Ecstatic," he chuckled again was amusement before his voice was serious once more. "But either way… if I were you, I wouldn't worry too much about what's ahead of us. You'll get us through, Shepard. You always have.
"Hell… things didn't go as I planned, but… you still helped me out with Sidonis. In more ways than I hoped…"
Taken off guard, Janelle didn't have a chance to repress the jolt her body made, not expecting to hear Garrus willingly – and quickly – bring up the topic of what just happened.
"Garrus… if you don't want to talk about this…"
"No. You're right, I need to talk about this. Sooner or later. And might as well go with the sooner," the turian shook his head before giving a sigh and throwing his head back. "I just don't know what to think about what happened…"
"Garrus… I know it didn't go the way you planned, but I think it's for the best," she tried to assure him, softly and gently, even as she landed the shuttle, having reached their destination. But she made no attempt to break off the conversation. Besides, at least they weren't in the middle of a crowd talking about this…
"Maybe, but… Shepard, I want to know I did the right thing. Not just for me… for my men."
"To avenge them?" she whispered in a question even though they both knew that was the precise reason. "Vengeance is a dangerous thing, Garrus. Even for the right reasons, it can eat you up alive and you'll be lost to it. You'll kill in cold blood and that kind of killing is addictive."
Another sigh escaped the turian. "And if I kept with the killing… I'd be no better than Saren…"
Janelle gave a sullen nod, watching her friend and wishing desperately that so many things didn't have to seem to be governed by a chance of fate. Like if Sidonis had never gotten himself cornered, none of this would be an issue.
Of course… even meeting Garrus had been a twist of fate, for him to be the officer assigned to the investigation, to be so dedicated and passionate to pursue a lead despite being told his investigation was over… for him to have even desired to join her.
Fate was as cruel as it was generous… and Janelle hated that…
"I'm sorry, Garrus. I am. About all of this," she whispered, unable to restrain herself from reaching a hand out and resting her palm on his shoulder. "What you wanted, the justice for your men… it wasn't a wrong desire. Unfortunately… it just seemed like to get it, you'd be sacrificing more than anyone would want you to.
"You're a good man. I don't want to see you lose that.
"And neither would your men."
"Yeah, I know," he gave a slow, slight nod, still keeping his eyes focused past the shuttle's transparent roof. "I still hate that I couldn't make Sidonis pay for what he did to my men, our squad.
"But when you stepped aside, when he was finally in my sights… I just couldn't do it."
"It's harder to declare justice when we're faced with people we know," she said, her voice still soft as she squeezed the ablative ceramic plating of his shoulder guard. "After all, like Samara said… it's easier to kill a criminal when we're ignorant of the fact that he's a devoted father.
"It's hard to declare justice on someone when we can still see some good in them."
"Yeah. And I could still see some good in Sidonis," Garrus nodded as he absently reached for her hand at his shoulder. Janelle felt her breathing hitch, but she did her best to mask her delight and surprise. She was glad that he continued speaking or her task would have been harder. "I know what he did was wrong, but… you were right. He was paying for what he did…"
"There are things worse than death."
"Yeah, but… still… it's so much easier to see the world in black and white. I wish things were that way because… gray… I never know what to do with gray."
"It's never easy," she agreed, her hand trembling as she desire to shift her hold and instead grasp his hand, wanting to do something about how lost he seemed. She tried to help him and now… she didn't know if she did. One good thing she did seemed to be perfectly countered by another problem. Was there any moment that things could just be… ideal for once? "You have to trust what you think is best…"
"I thought killing Sidonis was best, that going after criminals on Omega was best," he reminded jadedly as he turned a skeptic gaze towards her. "And look at the mess I got myself in."
"Garrus… people thought you were doing something good on Omega and you were. Otherwise I don't see how you'd gain the alias 'Archangel,'" she assured with a soft, but genuine smile. "You were doing good. So don't be so hard on yourself."
"And what about with Sidonis? I know you didn't want me to kill him."
"Maybe the reason why you tracked him down was tainted, just like it had been with Saleon. But… you had to both times, didn't you? To learn something?" the infiltrator suggested for him, hoping he realized why she didn't stop him until they were facing Sidonis, and then only stalling to find the truth, to hear the traitors words and let Garrus make his own decision.
At first, she didn't know if he realized that. But when the response to her words was laughter, of course she was confused. It was quiet, but lingering… almost ironic sounding. She still wasn't sure what to think as his hand fell away from hers even as he relaxed and returned his gaze to hers seeming… amused.
"I said it before and I'll say it again. I never met anyone like you Shepard," he reiterated, no longer sounding at all tense about the issues that had plagued him. "Now I know I should be ever so grateful to have met the great Commander Shepard…"
"Garrus! You bastard!" she snapped jerking her hand away before jamming her fist against his shoulder, only urging a laugh from him… which honestly made her laugh as well as she shook her head. "And here you were accusing me of planning to loosen your tongue with alcohol to get you talking and we haven't even gone into a bar!"
"Then that just means we'll find something else – hopefully less grave – to talk about," the turian suggested, reaching over to the shuttle's panel before freezing and turning to regard her. "Or does that mean no drinks?"
She just gave a smile and took hold of his hand, moving it to complete the action of popping the cover. "I said we were getting drinks to unwind. Not to get you talking. We're getting drinks, whether or not there's anything to talk about now because I say we damn well deserve the chance," she declared, pushing him out of the shuttle before she stepped out as well and they made their way to the bar.
They took a seat off to the side of the bar, and Janelle could just imagine that the bright lights were going to mess with her head in time. At least she was planning on sticking with one drink today, one that made Garrus regard her with skepticism.
"What? I can't enjoy a nice fruity drink? Especially one I'm lucky they even have the ingredients for here?" she replied with mock disbelief as the asari waitress walked away after getting Garrus's order – his usual order of a dextro mixed drink that he once mentioned was a usual for turian C-Sec agents.
"It's the fruity part that gets me," he muttered, still staring at her with skepticism. "Sounds… girly."
"Um, excuse me. I am a girl," she pointed out, repressing the almost second nature reaction to emphasize her possession of breasts; but she wasn't dealing with asshole marines with whom she and her female friends would flirt with cruelly before denying the men the 'treat.' Perhaps she was making a few subconscious attempts to declare she was a female – a bad habit that happened after dealing with too many men that were daunted by her soldier attitude and needed reminded that she was still a woman – but she wasn't going to be blatant about it, bad habits aside.
Besides… she really wanted a nice Mai Tai. Was that too much to ask for?
"Oh? I thought you preferred people not to remark about your gender," the turian challenge rather mischievously as he leaned his elbows onto the table as he sat across from her. "I heard about the merc recruiter suggesting you sign up as a stripper and how you pulled a gun on him."
"Stripper. Do I look like stripper material?"
"That's a question you ask when we're drunk. Not before," Garrus simply countered and almost making Janelle mouth drop. A simple no would have sufficed – like she could dance around like those girls in Chora's Den or Afterlife. And why would one need to be drunk to give that answer?
She did open her mouth to say something along those lines, but quickly closed up again, unsure what to say. If she worded it wrong she might be suggesting something that had not been meant at all by the statement. Or make a false statement that she minded Garrus's honest opinion – even if it meant his… appraisal of her body.
She felt her skin grow hot and was so glad for the fact that her tan skin made it difficult for blushing to show.
"Anyhow who told you? Jacob?" she attempted to change the topic. Sort of. She was a little speechless at the moment – for once.
"I have to visit the armory every now and then," the vigilante shrugged. "Gotta make sure my rifle's perfectly fine so that I'm not lagging when the next fight breaks out. By the way… I got in more headshots than you…"
"Oh shut up!" she growled, hitting one of his hands with the back of her fingers. "You know perfectly why you got more points today…"
"Part because you and Tali were bickering when we faced that first heavy mech," he recalled, tilting his head as he regarded her curiously before they both broke their focus away from each other as the waitress returned with their drinks. But once she was gone and the drinks were before them, Garrus returned to the topic at hand. "What were you arguing about? She mentioned something about you needing to confess something? What was that about?"
Janelle tried hard not to cough, but she was too startled by that question to succeed. Rather maladroitly, she coughed, sputtering some of her drink before her hand was able to cover her mouth. Her reaction urged a chuckle from the turian before her. And his reaction gained him a glare. "Garrus… shut up. And I'll say the same thing you said before.
"That's something you ask when we're drunk. Not before."
"Good thing you can't hold your liquor," the former C-Sec officer murmured with cocksure tone and only chuckling again when the Spectre held a glare on him. But he only ignored it as he sipped at his drink before he spoke, attempting the change the topic. "Hmm. Is there anything we can talk about that doesn't require us to be intoxicated?"
"Not sure. Seems like all the fun conversations happen when you've got the alcohol flowing."
"Then I take it that means sticking with the un-fun topics," Garrus gave another amused chuckle, his gaze focused on her in a way that made Janelle wonder if that was what was making her suddenly being to feel warm… or if that was just the alcohol. With his next words, she figured it was both. "So then what are we going to talk about while we wait until we're sufficiently intoxicated to get to the interesting conversations?"
"And what exactly do you consider 'interesting?'" she muttered beneath her breath as she turned back to her drink. But if he thought she expected an answer – which she didn't – the turian didn't get a chance to speak as she continue to speak almost immediately. "Turians beginning military service at fifteen, right? But you eventually left to join C-Sec, right? And you left that to help take down Saren, though you did eventually go back…"
"Before leaving for Omega then finding myself working with you again," Garrus pointed out in a manner brusque enough to leave the human feeling confused as she raised an eyebrow. But he said nothing else, so she went on.
"I'm just wondering… do you ever regret leaving C-Sec or the turian military?"
"Only thing I regret is that for two years, I wasn't working with you," the vigilante said, still sounding rather brusque before he gave a shake of his head and leaned back in his seat, his voice returning to his more casually tone. "But no. I don't miss that life. I don't think it really suited me at all. To tell you the truth, Shepard, when it comes down to it, I don't think I'm a very good turian."
"What do you mean by that?" she had to ask, furrowing her brow, her attention on him even as she continued to drink her beverage.
"A 'good turian' follows the orders he's given. Even a bad order."
Janelle almost scoffed and would have grimaced, muttering how that was stupid… but didn't. She quickly had recalled how her father had once mentioned to her how turians were raised to be more concerned with the whole than themselves; that included listening to ones superiors who were charged with looking out for their subordinates. She could see how one might submit to following such orders with such a mindset.
And she wasn't exactly eager to insult a culture Garrus had been raised in. So she stayed silent and listened.
"He might complain, but he knows his place," he continued, shaking his head with his next words. "I just don't see the point in staying quiet and polite. Not when the galaxy's at stake.
"Can you tell why I joined up with you? Not willing to sit on your ass just because the Council would tell you to?"
"Well… I'm glad you did join up with us. Both against Saren and now against the Collectors," she voiced. Even if he didn't have any regrets about leaving his past, she didn't wanted him thinking that he had left any of that behind in vain. "I couldn't do this without you."
The statement seemed to spark some amusement from him, his mandibles relaxing into a 'smile.' "Sure you could. Just not as stylishly of course."
"See what I mean? What's the point of an epic fight with no flair?" she returned, giving a lighthearted laugh that her friend joined her in. Again she felt her body grow warm, this time with her heart beginning to soar in hearing their laughter mingle. Hell, this felt good, already felling her inhibition slipping away and letting herself become more aware of what she wanted to experience.
But in the back of her mind, Janelle felt herself worrying if she might end up doing something she'd regret…
"It would be a lost cause, definitely, and a sad circumstance for you, given that it seems that suicide missions are all that make up your life," Garrus continued with the teasing. As his laughter died away, he took his drink back in hand and began, "Also… I've been meaning to tell you that I've been finding it strange going into a suicide mission on a human ship. You don't prepare for high-risk missions the way turians do."
"I wouldn't doubt it," she said, cracking a smile, but then tilted her head with curiosity. "But I would have thought you'd be used to high-risk operations on human ships. I mean think about tracking Saren to Ilos."
"Sure, but that was quick," the former C-Sec agent shrugged, tending to his drink. "We didn't exactly prepare extensively for it. Raced out, landed, blew up some geth, and saved the galaxy. This time we've got Miranda, Cerberus, and that AI all telling us what we're up against. And you're all worried about making sure in getting as close as possible to get us all out alive. Not at all like the fight against Saren.
"I think I preferred the blind optimism we had back then."
"It is a bit annoying constantly being reminded how the odds are against us," she mumbled, absently rubbing the back of her neck, vaguely aware of how much looser the alcohol was already making her… and remembered that she was drinking on an empty stomach. She gave a soft laugh to herself, thinking how a tense confrontation and the thought of spending time with Garrus had made her forget about hunger. "Hmm. You know… we haven't had anything to eat since we disembarked from the Normandy," she said, turning around to motion a waitress to their table.
"Great… and now you'll be expecting me to pay you back for this."
"I'm not so cruel like that," Janelle grimaced and continued to scowl as the turian's only response was look of skepticism. "If you're going to be a hard-ass about it, I will make you pay me back then… and not necessarily in credits."
The skepticism faded, but the human didn't know if the look that came over his face was any better. Actually no, she knew that the look of repressed amusement on his face aggravated her all the more. And the fact that he remained silent as the waitress approached the table, only speaking to make another order… it exacerbated her aggravation.
"All right, Turian," she snapped as the asari walked away. "What's with the smug look on your face?"
He gave a chuckle before drinking from his glass, taking his time as if purposely stalling and attempting to frustrate her further. And dammit… she knew that was exactly what he was doing. Especially just as she was about to snap again, he lowered his glass and spoke, making her lips draw into a thin line as she grudgingly remained silent.
"Sorry, but I couldn't help but recall the last time we were actually drinking in a bar." His words made her quirk a brow, watching him with curious confusion. "And you have no idea what I'm talking about," he murmured, sounding quite pleased with himself.
Which aggravated her even more.
"Teasing your commanding officer when she's treating you to a meal and drinks doesn't sound like a smart idea," she warned, slowly tapping a finger against the edge of her glass.
"And treating a subordinate doesn't seem like a rather… appropriate idea, don't you think?"
"I can get away with whatever I want. I'm a Spectre," she countered, gritting her teeth.
A low groan sounded from Garrus as he gave her a jaded stare. "Cheap shot, Shepard."
"But completely legitimate. Now…" She paused taking a moment to return to her drink, glaring at him from over the edge of her glass. "I think I have a right to know what had you looking so amused."
"Are you sure you want the answer?" he stalled, however he gave in with a shrug as all she met his question with was her lingering glare. "It wasn't much, but… I made the comment 'cruel human females' and you… well, you sounded to make the implication of humans getting sexual pleasure out of torture and how a turian should be able to handle that…"
That wasn't what Janelle expected to hear. Not at all, evident as her eyes went wide and she jerked as she gasped,"Wait… I didn't…"
"You did."
"Oh god," she groaned with embarrassment as her hand went to her forehead, tending to the headache that was already developing. But whatever dull pain was bothering her right now wasn't enough to deter her from throwing another glare Garrus's way. "You know…I did ask you about what I said that day and you said that I didn't say anything…"
"To worry about," he cut in, sounding and looking completely sincere about his words as he leaned forward, elbows on the table and hands cradling his only half-full glass. "I told you, no one else knows. So why does it matter?"
"Because I don't need you thinking I'm some sex fiend. I'm not. I…"
"This is why I didn't tell you before," he groaned, shaking his head. "I know you worry about how others see you."
"Well… like you said, I am Commander Shepard," she muttered, running her finger along the rim of her glass, but now felt some aggravation and embarrassment slip away. She could understand his reasons to stay quiet before and he didn't seem fazed, so she hoped that meant he didn't think badly of her. That didn't mean she was sure though. "Uh, Garrus… you don't think that I… well, that I enjoy that sort of thing?"
"Teasing me? I'm sure you do."
"Not that!" she cried, before letting her voice drop back to a normal level. "That I'm some sort of pervert…"
"Oh that. So you don't care for that kind of thing? And here I thought I now knew some dark secret of yours."
"Sorry to disappoint," she grumbled jadedly with a glare that matched her tone. "By the way… if you didn't want to tell me before… why did you mention it now?"
"Have you forgotten that alcohol impairs judgment?" the turian returned, picking up his glass, to remind her how much he had drank. "You know that my tongue loosens quickly enough. I just don't fall into a drunken stupor so easily."
"And I do?"
"Maybe not a drunken stupor, but you sure get looser faster than I do. I remember how you'd give girlish giggles back when we were still on the original Normandy."
"I did not!"
"You did too! Go ask Tali if you don't believe me. She was the only sober one," Garrus said before pausing and seeming to ponder something. "Of course… she might not tell you the truth…"
"Because I don't give girlish giggles," Janelle grumbled, but felt glad to see that their food had arrived. She wanted to continue with her drink, but she wasn't keen on drinking on an empty stomach – especially now that she knew what she said the last time she drank too much and after hearing Garrus's claim. She was not about to give girlish giggles today. "Anyhow… I think we need to stick to safer topics. At least while we have food in front of us," she said, already delving into her soup just as the turian did with his order. The infiltrator had no idea what the hell was in his bowl, except that it looked like a few mangled dark purple squids, swimming in a creamy-looking green broth. It wasn't exactly that unappetizing of a sight; just slightly strange.
Still not like she felt like trying to touch upon the topic of sex while eating.
"At least I'm hoping this will be a be safer topic. So… how do turian crews get ready for high-risk missions?"
To that Garrus had to pause in eating as he gave an amused laugh. "So you'd rather talk about military procedures than sex topics?"
"Uncomfortable sex topics. Why? Do you want to continue with that instead?" Janelle questioned, a brow raised and though curious… she hoped to God that he wasn't going to say yes.
"I'm still not drunk enough to," was his response with a spark of enjoyment in his eyes, though he shook that off quickly with a shrug. "Anyhow, how can I expect a commander to not ask that sort of question?
"But preparations for high-risk missions… turians can get violent. I'm sure you know about out military having more severe disciplines, but, compared to the Alliance, we also have fewer personal restrictions," the vigilante explained so matter-of-factly that Janelle was having trouble remembering that he had a decent amount of alcohol flowing through him now. "Our commanders run us tight, and they know we need to blow off steam. Turian ships have training rooms for exercise, combat sims, even full-contact sparring. Whatever lets people work off stress."
"Wait… you mean turian ships have crewmen fighting each other before a mission?"
"It's supervised. Nobody's going to risk an injury that interferes with a mission. And it's a good way to settle grudges amicably," he continued with a shrug before shaking his head as he gave another laugh. "Too bad you don't utilize the approach. It sometimes has its perks…"
"Oh sure. I'll get right on that," the Spectre muttered jadedly. "After all how bad could that be given that we've got a psychopathic biotic, a justicar, an assassin, and a krogan aboard the Normandy? I don't see anything bad happening…"
"Good point," Garrus agreed, but not at all seemingly bothered by the credulity of his suggestion. "Though I'd think it would be interesting watching you spar…"
"Not against any biotic or krogan," she continued to counter, though she was certain a bit of her own interest seeped into her voice. Not necessarily about the notion of sparring but Garrus's interest in seeing her spar. Although she wasn't exactly ready to touch on that exact topic. "But what are these 'perks' you mentioned, Garrus? Got a story attached? Or are you going to refuse to indulge me again?"
There was a certain sense of intrigue that seemed to flash in his eyes, as well as wariness as his mandibles gave a twitch. She wasn't exactly sure how to read the expression although she quickly forgot about it as he relaxed and tilted his head to the side. "I think I can humor you. At least this once…
"We had this one mission. We were about to hit a batarian pirate squad. Very risky. This recon scout and I had been at each other's throats. Nerves, mostly. She suggested we settle it in the ring."
To that Janelle had to scoff, before sipping at her drink as she held her eyebrows cocked again. "I know better than to think you'd be at all lenient in that match. You're cruelly competitive against women it seems."
"Only with the ones that make the challenge fun," he returned rather smugly… and making Janelle suddenly feel that delightful warmth again. Although this time there was a terrible ache gathering between her thighs, making her whole body clench. Oh god, how the hell did that arouse her so wickedly?
"I take it she was a fun one then," she muttered, trying hard to stay in control, but realized she was losing that goal as something else dawned on her. Only when she felt the words slip past her lips did she realize something…
Jealousy.
She was growing jealous of a turian female she had only heard of for a bare second. But she remembered Garrus's remark about 'perks,' his mention of 'full-contact sparring,' and this scout wanting to settle an issue with him in the ring… and she just felt her blood rage.
But her jealousy cooled down almost as quickly as it began to rise as she watched the turian before her shrug.
"She was a challenge and it was entertaining, but not exactly what I'd consider 'fun.'"
She wanted to ask what he meant by that, but ignored the question, telling herself it didn't matter and instead queried, "So how did the fight go then?"
"Not easy. It was brutal. She and I were the top-ranked hand-to-hand specialists on the ship. I had reach, but she had flexibility. After nine rounds, the judge called it a draw. There were a lot of unhappy betters in the training room."
"Like there were unhappy mercs on Omega?"
"Exactly," he chuckled before taking a gulp of his drink. "Luckily none of them tried to kill me. As much as they were unhappy, they were wary after what they saw."
"I'd imagine, but… so what? You left it as a draw?"
It took her by surprise to watch how he hesitated, his mandibles twitching before his eyes turned down to his bowl, then over to the bar and towards the door… anywhere except to her gaze. It wasn't until he settled on staring at the floor that he murmured rather reluctantly, "Ah… well, we… um, ended up holding a tiebreaker in her quarters. I had reach, but she had flexibility. And well…" Garrus gave a jerky shake of the head, turning his gaze warily back to hers, staring at her as Janelle tried not to let her mouth fall open. She had that thought in the back of her head, but to actually hear it… just… hell…
"More than one way to work off stress, I guess," he then finished with a sigh, leaning back against his seat, his green eyes boring into hers almost seeming to question her of whatever judgments she had of his story. She had none. Oh, she had thoughts – several – racing through her head, opinions, but she kept her tongue in-check.
After all, she knew now that she only used Kaidan for more or less the same reason… though that had backfired.
Yet that wasn't the foremost thought at her mind…
"I thought you said she isn't want you'd consider 'fun,'" she did have to say, feeling a little perplexed.
"So I take it that every sexual encounter you've had was 'fun?'" was his reply with an incredulous tone.
"Okay. No. But I thought you mentioned 'perks.' How is that a perk if it's not even good sex?"
"I didn't say it was bad. Just that it wouldn't have been my definition of fun," he returned then gave a shrug as he downed the remnants of his drink, giving a jerky shake of the head and jolt of the body. "And it did help things… well, actually, until shore leave. When she was looking for something more…"
"You think that's wrong? That here she slept with a man and realized she wanted a relationship?" Janelle bit back, restraining herself from reaching over and slapping the turian… but also wanted to slap herself. After all, she had no desire to want to see him with anyone else right now. But… still…
"And there starts your 'dealing injustice' lecture," Garrus groaned, rolling his eyes and leaning back in his chair. "What I don't understand is having a relationship with someone not only after you agree it's only a one-time thing, but when it's painfully obvious that there's nothing between either of you.
"Like I said, we were at each other's throats and it wasn't even anything like the banter between you and me. That is actually amusing. Arguing with her wasn't. It was more like arguing with Jack or Miranda. Hell, I prefer dealing with Tali's threats to the scout's insults. I never had a decent conversation with her before the tension between us and not even after the 'tiebreaker.' And the 'tiebreaker' hadn't even been my suggestion.
"Just didn't see the point in pursuing a relationship that was going to go nowhere."
"Oh," she breathed softly and gave a gently nod, absent-mindedly sipping at her cocktail. "You have a point there, but… then why the one-night stand. You're that fine with casual sex."
"We all make stupid choices now and then and I didn't feel like I had blown off enough steam, so… yea, I took her up on her offer again," he muttered with a half-hearted shrug.
"Oh, so… what about now?"
He gave a jerk at that question, his mandibles twitching and his voice possessed with obvious bewilderment. "Now? What do you mean? I don't…"
"Blowing off steam. That's why we're here, right?" Janelle spoke up quickly, feeling her nerves suddenly flare. But if she chickened out now… well, she wasn't going to. And for good measure, she threw back her glass and downed the last of her beverage, a little more than she should have taken at once, but… damn it all. "I'm asking if you were able to unwind sufficiently or not. And be honest."
"You want my honest answer? Really… no," the vigilante edged out cautiously, his eyes warily watching her, face tilting slightly away as if he expected something… unpleasant? She wasn't sure. Her mind was now starting to swim in painful lightness after drinking too much alcohol too fast… again. "Sorry. Not that your attempt wasn't appreciated or anything. I am grateful to you and enjoy your company and…"
"Would you be willing to accept a proposal I have?" she cut in, leaning forward as she found it difficult to think of why she never mentioned something earlier. "If you're still carrying some tension… maybe I could help you get rid of it."
"I'm not sure what you mean, Shepard… wait, you mean having a spar? I thought you didn't like the idea…"
"I guess 'sparring' could be a way to put it," she mused, having to let a smirk spread across her lips, feeling her body grow hot and tremble with excitement and amusement, especially as she enjoyed watching that soft light in his eyes as he tried to discern what she was getting at. "But I was thinking having something more like a… tiebreaker. Because we have a matter over not knowing which one of us is the better sniper. But we'd never settle it on the battlefield, I think.
"Besides… I'm curious about putting your reach to the test and I'd like to know how my flexibility measures up."
"Wait. Are you… are you suggesting what I think you are?" Garrus questioned, an obviously excited hint to his tone as he leaned forward, amusing Janelle to the point that she couldn't hold back a laugh.
Or – to be more accurate – a giggle.
Quickly, she threw her hands up to her mouth, her eyes going wide even as Garrus gave a robust laugh. "See? Told you that you give girly giggles when you drink too much."
"I had one drink," she returned jaded. "And before you go on to say anything about my tolerance or anything else to tease me, that's not the matter at hand. Don't avoid the subject…"
He didn't object, instead giving a laugh before he let it die, but his mandibles still remained relaxed in a smile as he tilted his head, seeming interested. "So you're serious? You're not trying to mess with me?"
"You think this is a topic I'd really joke about?" the infiltrator grumbled, giving him a glare as she crossed her arms and leaned back before twisting her face away from him. "Okay, fine. If you just want to mock me, I'll just take it back…"
"Hey! I'm not trying to…" he began to exclaim, but then his voice fell silent as she heard the shifting of metal armor. She turned to face him again and watched as he now stood and moved a chair closer towards her and sat down. She felt her breathing hitch as she felt his eyes bore into hers, staring at her like nothing but the two of them existed. Her arms relaxed and her hands fell to her lap, just before she felt one hand taken by his, almost making her gasp. "Shepard, I just… I didn't expect that you, well… I never knew you had a weakness for men with scars."
The human let a smile crack onto her lips, her hand shifting in his grip to grasp onto his hand as well. "I have to admit, Garrus… I've always had a thing for bad boys… tough men. And well, the scars… certain shows that you're tough.
"So then… what do you have to say about my suggestion?"
"Why the hell not?" he said, sounding very thrilled by the prospect, standing up and slowly pulling her up along with him. Then unfortunately he released her hand. "But before we say anything more… let's get out of the public eye. I'd rather continue this conversation away from prying ears."
"I'm with you," Janelle continued to smirk, making her way towards the bar, her credit chit in hand. But before she had a chance to pay, the former C-Sec agent beat her to it. "Garrus! I told you it would be my treat!" she hissed indignantly, even as he pushed her towards the door once payment was finalized.
"Maybe another day, but with the offer you just made… I'd feel wrong letting you pay."
She wanted to deal out a counter, but he was close to her, so close. And as he spoke, his breath caressed her ear and neck, making her give a startled gasp and stumble back a bit, glad to feel his arm snag her waist.
"Shepard? What? You really need to work on your tolerance…"
"It's not the alcohol, Turian," she hissed, her arm pressed against his side trembling, uncertain what to do. She wanted to hold him as well, but she still felt an uncertainty about how exactly to act around him. What exactly did he not mind, especially while still out in the open? What overstepped the bounds?
Though her chance to wrap her arm around him fled as he tentatively released her, putting some distance between them, but watching her closely. "Are you sure? Then why did you lose your balance?"
"That was your fault," she mumbled, trying to keep her words from being heard by others as they left the bar and moved towards the shuttle they had used earlier. "You… ah, breathed on my ear…"
She stared up at him and could see in his eyes and slight twitch of his mandibles the confusion he had at her words. "You stumbled because I… breathed on your ear?"
"It's a sensitive spot," she explained and found it curious that Garrus still looked to have no idea what she was talking about. "You know… an area of the body more receptive to touch and can evoke a reaction.
"Don't turians have something similar?"
"Yeah, but our carapaces aren't sensitive enough to get a reaction like yours from breathing. Not even our mandibles are that sensitive," he replied before shrugging and teasing, "Must because you humans are rather squishy…"
"Hey! Don't be insulting…"
"It's not insulting to state the truth," he interrupted, still sounding amused until they came to the shuttle. "Uh, or did you just want to walk back to the docks? It's not that far but…"
"You want out of the public eye and so do I," she interrupted, signaling the shuttle to open before nudging the turian in then joining him as the cover came back down. "And I'm still not ready to go back to the Normandy just yet. So just plug in a longer route on the auto-pilot, which you know we are going to have to bring back online.
"Unfortunately… I'll mess up the hack if I do it…"
"Using me to do your dirty work," Garrus returned, but only chuckling as he enabled his omni-tool to do what needed to be done. And it amazed Janelle that somehow… his attention to his work and the way his hand moved over the omni-tool… it enthralled her.
As much as the sound of his voice did.
"What are you thinking, Garrus?" she murmured, keeping her eyes on him, both attempting to hear him speak and find out answers that she had to know. She doubted that speaking to him would be a significant distraction even after drinking. She knew his tolerance wasn't nearly as bad as hers and she had seen his still accomplishing complex tasks perfectly after a drinking session a few times before, on either Normandy.
"Well, aside from the proper codes to hack this shuttle… how to make this thing we're planning work…"
"So you don't mind my suggestion at all? You want to do this?"
"I might have been drinking, Shepard, but that doesn't mean I'm about to agree to something I don't want," he said, eyes still on his omni-tool and the shuttle's console. But then he broke away to turn his eyes to hers. It was only for a moment before he was back on his work, but it had been enough to make her heart leap. "There's not a damn person I respect more in this galaxy than you.
"I want this. Definitely.
"Otherwise I wouldn't have such a hard time with this hack, already trying to figure out how to make this thing work for us. Your suggestion, I mean. Especially knowing that you'll certainly be rather flexible…"
"Garrus… how the hell is it that listening to you is making it feel so hot in here?"
"Aside from the obvious answer?" Suddenly the shuttle came online and Garrus put side his omni-tool, punching in a route for the shuttle to take. And just as the vehicle took off, he turned towards Janelle, pressing her against her seat as he leaned down towards her, breathing hotly against her ear as his one mandible repeatedly fluttered against her cheek and hair. Her hands lashed out, grabbing him by the arm and shoulder, her body already squirming restlessly, utterly amazed by how warm his breath was against her skin and how astonishing it was feeling the vibrations of his mandible against her face. She couldn't help but give unabashed moans, trying to lean in as close to him as possible.
"I imagine it's the same reason I feel like I'm going crazy," he whispered near her ear, low and rough, making her jolt with delightful pleasure as well as fall silent to listen to him, "just wondering how differently you'll be compared to the others I've been with."
"The thought intrigues you?" Janelle murmured, pressing forward and gently rubbing her cheek against his. She brushed against his mandible and instantly she felt him jerk as a feral rumble rose up from his throat. That made her jerk as well, worried about his reaction. "I'm sorry, Garrus. I didn't think…"
"No. You did nothing wrong," he hushed her, moving a hand to rest and finger against her lips as he backed away, his eyes bearing down into hers. The Spectre could swear that her heart had skipped several beats in that moment. And she couldn't stop the moan as his gloved fingers slipped over her lower cheek and jaw. "Remember what you said about your ears being sensitive. My mandibles are as well…"
"You mentioned something about them earlier," she nodded, both hands moving to hold his by her face… before she began to strip his gauntlet away. "So did you like that?"
"Very much. I guess humans being so squishy isn't such a bad thing…"
"Hey!" She gave the cry as one hand dropped from its task and rapped its knuckles against his chest piece. "Stop with talking about how I'm squishy!"
Garrus gave a deep laugh, prying his now bared hand from her grip, leaning forward again. This time, he nestled his face near the crook of her neck, again urging a gasp and shudder from her body at the warmth of both his skin and breath and the fascinating feel of his mandibles against her clavicle. And her breathing grew shallow, little gasps piercing the air in an irregular pace, her mind marveling as his cool talons slipped against her cheek, every so often giving way to the skin of his fingers making contact with her skin; she had to wonder if all of his body felt so hot and what it would be like to feel his chest pressed against hers, their stomachs meeting and their legs…
She couldn't hold back the groan that formed in her throat as her head grew even lighter that it already was.
"Shepard… are you sure you want this?"
The broke the headiness that had come over her, the mood certainly not helped as Garrus began to pry away, his hand still at her face, his eyes staring intently into hers, searching for an answer before she gave it.
She had to scoff. "Does it look like I'm at all reluctant to 'blow off some steam' with you?"
His mandibles gave a slow flutter as another deep laugh pressed up from his chest, his voice still low and rough from before. "No… not at all. But… you're sure that's not the alcohol talking?"
"And what about you?" she challenged him instead.
"You know I have a better tolerance than you. This isn't alcohol," the vigilante shook his head before pausing and considering for a moment. "Well… maybe a little bit. But you…"
"Garrus, didn't I tell you much earlier that I'm not bothered by the rumor of you and me? If I didn't want this, I would have found the rumor beyond annoying. Like if it had been about Jacob… I'd be punching the lights out of someone," Janelle muttered, taking hold of his hand and gently guiding his fingers down her face and neck, her eager body responding restlessly to the touch. She felt her chest jerk and watched his face attentively as she let his hand pass over her breast. He seemed just absorbed by the motion, reaction, and feeling as she did. "Don't ask me whether or not I want this just because there's alcohol in my blood.
"In all honesty, I wanted to get my tongue loosened, to do or say something to you. Don't think I thought to influence you in anyway by the alcohol either. Like you said, I know your tolerance is better than mine.
"I didn't know if you'd be bothered or accepting of something between us, but I had to do something. I've been going crazy since I realized that I want you."
He gave a chuckle, leaning back down to her, one hand pulling away at her collar, the other – the bared one – caressing her stomach. She gave another gasp, throwing her head back as her eyes fell shut, moans pouring from her mouth, pleading with him, too overwhelmed to actually feel him like this.
"To think…" he began to rumble against her skin. "I've got the great Commander Shepard begging for sex…"
That made her slap his shoulder. "Don't get cocky, Turian…
"And stop referring to me like that! Or I'm taking back my offer!"
"Would you really? With how your moaning and begging?" he challenged, lifting his head just enough to breathe against her ear again, causing another shudder to reverberate through her body. "You just said that you've been going crazy for this, that you want this… that you want me.
"Tell me that you really want to forget the chance for us to 'ease some tension?'"
She gave a grunt, frustrated that he was right, that she had already told him all that, and that there was no way she could make anything other than empty threats right now. She had already expressed too much, needed too much to push this thought from her mind.
"Just stop being so cocky," she grumbled even as she shifted her face and lightly kissed his mandible. Again she heard that rumbling growl, this time growing excited by its sound… before gasping as Garrus's mouth closed around the joint of her neck and shoulder, now feeling so hot and moist as both fear and thrill shot up her spine as she felt the sharp tips of his teeth brush against her skin. Suddenly she remembered how much of a predator turians were, how they put her in the mind of raptors… and that Garrus had all he needed to pin her down and tear her to shreds, if he so wanted. But it was a minor fear, one only encouraged by pointless 'logic.' After all, despite what physical traits they might possess, since when had she ever heard of turians acting in such ways? And since when did she see Garrus act in such ways to make her think he was no more than some feral predator?
Though she felt the fear slip by, it must have lingered long enough for the turian to pick it up as he leaned back and stared at her, apologetic and worried. "Sorry… I wasn't trying to scare you. I should have known better…"
"No, it's okay. I'm fine," she shook her head then leaned forward to press a light kiss on his lips. That earned her a surprised stare from him and she couldn't help but give a giggle, forgetting her prior claim that she did no such thing. "What? Do you bite turian women when you're with them?"
"Yeah… Um, just to warn you, turians usually have very rough sex and our thick hides can take it," he said, his naked hand no longer at her stomach but at her jaw again, caressing her skin once more. "I don't want to be rough with you, but with how violent I know I can be…"
She heard his words, but she did not believe them. His touch was so gentle and careful, nothing of what he said backed up his words. Even with how brutal she had seen him on the battlefield, she saw how tender he was towards hostages or how concerned he was about issues… she couldn't believe that this man would be violent and cruel towards her, even in the throes of passion.
Oh hell… and those thoughts only made the shuttle feel so much hotter…
"Garrus, it's going to be okay," she whispered, taking hold of his hand and bringing his hand to her lips and kissing its back. Then she looked back up at him, a smirk plastered on her lips as she teased, "All right… I changed my mind. You can be cocky. I'd rather you cocky than worrisome."
A groan escaped the turian as he threw his head back. "Shepard… can't you make up your mind. Hell… are you women always confusing, even across species?"
"I hope you're not getting second thoughts…"
"No, but can't you women ever make things simple for once? Do you always have to make things difficult?"
"Oh, it's only to make sure you don't get bored and so that you can be a little more entertaining," she teased then fell silent as she realized that the shuttle had arrived at their destination. "Looks like we're back now. And I guess I'll have Miranda flipping out if we don't get back soon. Wanting the mission report…"
"She'll still flip out when she finds out that you skipped giving your report to drink," Garrus laughed as he slipped away from her, grabbing his removed gauntlet and popping open the shuttle's cover. "And will probably chew me out for doing the same…"
"She does act like an ice queen too often," Janelle muttered, as they both stepped out and made the last stretch of the journey to the Normandy. "I thought she had loosened up after finding Oriana, but she's still so cold and stern."
"Still can't believe she has a twin. I don't see how two 'Mirandas' are at all beneficial to the universe."
"Oh ease up on her! We've all had it hard," she reminded, nudging him with her elbow… and cracked a smile. "But at least the kid has a sense of humor. If she was as humorless as Miranda… well, then the galaxy might be screwed…"
"How do you think the galaxy will end up given humanity's greatest hero has a thing for a certain turian?"
"It's none of the galaxy's business and its no issue what so ever," she bit out, shooting him a glare, wondering what he might be getting at. After that little 'bout' in the shuttle… she wasn't at all willing to let him go easily.
But if he had any intentions of changing his mind, it didn't seem so as he seemed utterly relaxed with an eager light in his green eyes. A same eagerness that was in his voice. "This is going to be something, Shepard. Now I know I'm not a 'good turian.' I highly doubt one would contemplate having sexual relations with a human…"
"Well, I guess that settles it," she laughed as they walked down the docking arm, connected to the Normandy. "You're a very bad boy, Garrus."
"And coming from you… that sounds like a compliment."
"Maybe," she smirked as they stepped into decontamination, waiting for the slow process before re-entering the ship. And with this lull in motion, Janelle had to speak. "Garrus… before we're amongst the crew again, I have to ask…"
"Yes?"
"Do you mind if… that rumor… if we don't let it be a rumor anymore? Or…"
"Shepard, I'm not saying this because I'm embarrassed or unsure, but…" he began slowly and carefully, his voice somber and quiet. "I'd say that we should try to keep this as discreet as possible for now. With the mission still ahead of us, it would be a bad idea to cause any serious distractions amongst the crew. I doubt actually knowing that the human commander is with a turian would be a good thing. It already doesn't seem so with the rumor still lingering."
"Yeah. You're right," she sighed, knowing he was, but wishing he wasn't. She hated hiding things because she knew secrets couldn't remain hidden forever and lying had never been a strong point for her.
"Of course, knowing our luck, they'll find out sooner or later anyhow. We probably won't be hiding anything for long…" he added, as if trying to comfort her just before the door finally opened. "Well Commander… if you need to talk to me, you know where I'll be."
"Yea… I'll probably be down there later, Garrus," she said, trying hard not to smile, but failing. But she didn't care, not as he seemed to 'smile' as well, giving a soft nod before parting ways and making his way towards the elevator as she stood still and watched him, before sighing and moving into the cockpit.
"I hope you took care of that issue Garrus has had up his ass, Commander," Joker called out as she stepped in, making her groan and roll her eyes. "I really don't like the death glares that he's had on his face lately. Of course… turians always look like they have death glares on their faces…"
"Watch out, Joker. I just might send Garrus up here to beat you over the head with that pole that you've been complaining about," she muttered to the pilot, looking over the navigator's console, eventually pulling up a destination. "Anyhow… I'll need to rest for a bit first, but would you go ahead and plot a course for Tuchanka? Mordin and Grunt has some business there and I'm hoping to see if we can find what's become of Wrex."
"Oh, sure. The super fun guy that loved to threaten all of us and complain how much of a weakling I am," the pilot groaned sarcastically. "Commander, how the hell is it that you make friends with the most dangerous people I've ever known. Did your parents buy you vicious predators for pets as a kid?"
"I lived on starships, Joker," she muttered as she glared at him jadedly, arms crossed. "And watch it. These people are helping us against the Collectors and we need the best…"
"Yeah, yeah… I know. Doesn't mean it's a sane decision…"
"A suicide mission isn't a sane choice."
"Good point, Commander, but anyhow… I can't set a course for Tuchanka just yet. We got a message from the Illusive Man. He wants to speak with you in the debriefing room."
"Now?" she groaned. If he was about to send her on another imperative mission… she just wanted to rest now after spending the day fighting the Blue Suns and dealing with the issue with Sidonis. And she was in no condition to fight with alcohol still in her system.
Talk about rotten luck…
"Yeah. It sounded pretty urgent."
"Fine… but he has rotten timing…"
Endnote: I hope you enjoyed the interaction between the two, regardless. Especially since I enjoyed writing them. ^_^ I'm looking forward to writing more between the two of them.
Also... I might end up touching this story up in the near future, since I rushed to get the last few bits written (I shouldn't have, but I did). Sorry for rushed feelings, misspellings, bad grammar and such for that. I'll try to fix that soon...
R&R ^_^